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The prevalent use of nanoparticles has adverse negative effects on biosystems. Subsequently, this study aimed to use Caelatura nilotica to assess the ecotoxicity of TiO2 NPs and how Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) improves these effects. Two concentrations of TiO2 NPs (25 and 150 µg/L) were used for 28 days. TiO2 NPs bioaccumulation, gonadal weight, gonado‐somatic index, and histopathological alterations of gonads were determined. The tissues' accumulation of TiO2 NPs was concentration‐time‐dependent: it was 78.5 ± 28.93 μg/g dry weight in the exposed clams to 150 µg/L TiO2 NPs after 4 weeks of exposure. The gonadal weight and gonado‐somatic index significantly decreased of the exposed group to 150 µg/L TiO2 NPs over the experimental period that they ended with values (1.01 ± 0.57 gm, 19.15 ± 7.75%, respectively). There are some histological alterations in the gonads of C. nilotica such as necrosis, deteriorated connective tissue, increased fibrous tissue, a reduced presence of mature sperms and mature ova, and irregular shapes of testicular/ovarian follicles. When using Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), this led to a reduction in accumulation of TiO2 NPs by the end of the experiment. So, C. nilotica is a promising model to reflect the adverse nano‐toxics. DMSA emerges as a potentially valuable chelating agent that abolishes the negative effects of these nanoparticles. Highlights: Titanium oxide nanoparticles affect the histology and biometry of Caelatura nilotica gonads.C. nilotica can accumulate even minute quantities, of TiO2 NPs and bulk form.C. nilotica is a promising model to reflect the adverse effects of nanomaterials.Dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) can abolish the negative effects of nanoparticles.DMSA can protect C. nilotica clams in nanoparticles polluted ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanotechnology has come a long way in our lives. However, it maintains some negative effects on the environment. This study aims to use the land snail Helix aspersa as a bioindicator. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) had been used at 70 and 140 µg/L for two weeks by the spraying method. The oxidative biomarkers, condition index (CI), DNA damage, hemocyte count, and phagocytic activity were estimated. The toxicity of TiO2NPs was determined (LC50 = 544 µg/L). The exposure to TiO2NPs caused a significant reduction of the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the digestive gland of Helix aspersa (the activity of CAT was 3.4 ± 0.1 (P = 0.001), SOD was 11 ± 1 (P = 0.0002) at concentration 140 µg/L after two weeks). The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPX) was (1.13 ± 0.01 µ/mg protein at 140 µg/L compared with controls (5.47 ± 0.01 µ/mg protein). The treatment caused DNA damage in the hemocytes (tail DNA % = 8.66 ± 0.02 and tail moment = 52.99 ± 0 at140 µg/L (P = 0.002)). In the digestive gland, both tail DNA % and tail moment increased (tail moment = 78.38 ± 0.08 compared with control = 2.29 ± 0.09 (P = 0.0001)). The total count of hemocytes significantly decreased after two weeks (the average number was 71 ± 1.5 compared with controls 79 ± 1.1 at 140 µg/L). Furthermore, TiO2NPs caused histological alterations in the digestive gland of Helix aspersa. It can be concluded that the Helix aspersa can be used as environmental pollution bioindicator. A comprehensive evaluation of toxic effects induced by TiO2NPs in vivo assays must be investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic fertilization improves soil fertility and ameliorates the deleterious effects of accumulated salts in soil for sustainable agricultural production. This research was carried out on thirteen-year-old Mexican lime trees to study the effect of humic acid (HA), applied as soil (10, 20 or 30 mL·tree−1) and foliar (0.1 or 0.2%) applications, on soil fertility, tree growth, productivity and fruit quality. The experiment was conducted during the 2020 and 2021 seasons in a randomized complete block design of twelve treatments with three replicates with two trees each. Soil and foliar applications of HA were performed once and twice a month in Marsh, May and July, respectively. HA enhanced the soil's N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and B availability and microbial activity, in addition to improved tree growth, canopy size, leaf chlorophyll and nutrient contents with reduced proline levels. The total yield and number of fruit per tree were increased with increased HA levels. Fruit weight, juice and soluble solids were also increased. The best results were achieved with the combined soil (30 mL·tree−1) and foliar (0.2%) applications of HA, which indicated a great potential to alleviate the effects of salinity stress on Mexican lime growth and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In eastern Africa, the available evidence indicates that dengue virus serotypes 1, 2, and 3 (DENV-1, -2, -3) are common causes of acute fever (1). A recent map of DENV [...]

This study was carried out using 22 promising restorer lines of rice and their parental lines to study genetic variability and genetic advance for yield and yield-associated grain quality traits and floral traits. These genotypes are evaluated in a replicated trial using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications at the Experimental Farm of Sakha Agricultural Research Station, Sakha, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt, during the seasons from 2012 to 2020. Analysis of variance revealed that highly significant variations were observed among the genotypes for all the studied characters. Both GCV% and PCV% were high for the number of spikelets per panicle, the number of filled grains per panicle, and panicle weight. The genetic advance in the percentage of mean was high for days to plant height, panicle length, number of spikelets per panicle, number of filled grains per panicle, panicle weight, grain yield per plant, anther length, anther breadth, duration of floret opening, and head rice percentage. Mean performance of the rice genotypes indicated that the genotypes NRL 59, NRL 55, NRL 62, NRL 63, NRL 66, and NRL 54-2 were promising for grain yield and associated desirable traits. Thus, some of these promising lines can be promoted as a new rice variety and could be used as a source for developing new hybrid combinations in hybrid rice breeding programs. The percentage of advantage over better parent and Giza 178 as the commercial variety was significant and there were highly significant desirable values among the genotypes for all the studied traits in the two years, indicating that the selection is effective in the genetic improvements for these traits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Eggs of intestinal parasitic helminthes Toxocara spp. are one of the most resistant pathogens to all ways of water disinfection at waste water treatment plants. In this study inactivation of (Toxocara vitulorum) eggs by ammonia and solar energy in laboratory conditions has been indicated. Toxocara vitulorum eggs were used as an alternative model for Ascaris lumbricoides. Eggs in samples with ammonia different concentrations (0%, 1%, and 2% ) and pH values were duplicated and the results suggested that the presence of ammonia at (2%) concentration allowed 70% inactivation of eggs. The applicability of solar energy for disinfection of eggs using one-side blackened PET bottles were continuously exposed to direct sun light for 7 hours with water temperature in the range of 50 – 65.5 °C that was enough for destroying 95 % of eggs. Complete destruction of the eggs was achieved at 65.5°C.The influence of solar energy against the viability of eggs in water using Diamidino-2-Phenylindole (DAPI) and Propidium Iodide (PI) vital stains was found to be highly significant (P < 0.001). The combined effect of ammonia and solar energy on samples containing eggs with temperature 55°C within 21 days of storage within experiment operated in lab . The effect of ammonia and solar energy on viability of eggs using scanning electron microscope , (DAPI); and Propidium Iodide ( PI) vital stain were evaluated. The results showed that 100 % inactivation of eggs could be possible in samples, supporting results have an important implication for ecological sanitation and sustainable development technologies in water and waste water treatment plants. The low cost and operational simplicity of this study make it affordable and usable especially in rural areas where other sources of energy like electricity and gas are not easily available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is designed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of Crocus sativus(saffron) aqueous extract (CSE) alone or in combination with praziquantel on Schistosoma mansoni infected mice. Parasitological, immunological, pathological and immunohistochemical parameters and surface topography of worms were determined. Treatment of S. mansoni infected mice with saffron or PZQ revealed a significant reduction in worm burden, hepatic and intestinal ova count with a decline in granuloma diameter. There was an increase in total IgG and IL-10 blood levels after treatment with PZQ and/or CSE. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase levels were improved in infected mice treated with CSE in comparison with infected mice. Male worm surface ultrastructure examination showed a swelling, rupture of numerous tubercles with marked decrease in spines and severe peeling of tegumental dorsal surfaces after treatment with saffron. In conclusion, administration of aqueous extract of Crocus sativus is effective treatment for S. mansoni infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Physa acuta snail as biomonitor for the efficacy of bioremediation treatment of heavy metals (Fe III and Cd II) using fungus Eupencillium lapidosum. So, the effects of these heavy metals on the mortality percent of adult P. acuta snail, heavy metal concentrations in their soft tissues and on the antioxidant enzymes were evaluated under laboratory lined (sand cement) and unlined (mud) conditions for 2, 24 hrs and 7 days of exposure to the fresh mycelia of the fungus E. lapidosum, (50 ppm of Fe (III) & Cd (II)) and biosorption treatments of Fe and Cd by the fungus E. lapidosum. The data indicated that Cd was somewhat more toxic to the snails than Fe in cement lining than that of unlined conditions (mud). While, the lowest mortality percent was that of the biosorption treatments against tested heavy metals. The metal biosorption values by E. lapidosum against Cd were higher than that of Fe in cement lining than that of unlined ones. Concerning the results of iron and cadmium analysis in soft tissues of P. acuta snails demonstrated that the iron concentrations were higher than that of cadmium. While, during the biosorption processes the concentrations of accumulated metals were decreased by increasing the time of exposure. The data of the biochemical responses in tissues of exposed P. acuta snails showed alterations of some antioxidant parameters which was indicated by the significant increase in the lipid peroxidation (MDA) and decrease of endogenous antioxidant enzymes; Catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) in lined conditions than that of unlined ones, while the effect decreased in the case of Fe and Cd biosorption. So, these results indicated that P. acuta snail and the fungus E. lapidosum are useful in the searches for biomarkers and biosorption, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]