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The major aim of the present study is to evaluate the surface water quality at a part of the Damietta branch, Nile River of Egypt via the measurement of some physicochemical parameters followed by calculation of water quality index (WQI). WQI is considered a simple and effective tool successfully applied for the assessment and investigation of the status and quality of the surface water in any ecosystem. A total of 21 parameters was monitored and measured at ten stations for a year from January to December 2014. Correlation coefficients for physicochemical parameters showed that only turbidity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, ammonia, and silicate had spatial significant variability. Almost the highest average values appeared at station III. The calculated WQI manifested that the highest value was 66.70% at station IX, while the lowest was 56.44 % at station III. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that water quality in the autumn season was higher than the summer months while the spatial significant variability of the WQI confirmed that the St.III. recorded the worst sites, while the sites of the East Bank had; almost the highest average values appeared Generally, most stations found in a medium quality. Damietta branch eastern bank was better than the western one. The mean values of most measured parameters were within the threshold limits in comparison to Egyptian environmental standards regularities (EESR). WQI will be useful mechanism for regular monitoring.

Objective: The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of Hordeum vulgare aqueous extract (HVE) in a sub-chronic depression rat model. Methods: Thirty male rats were randomly divided into five groups: the first group served as a control group; the second group received i.p. injection of reserpine (Res) (0.5 mg/ kg) for 20 days, the third group received i.p. injection of reserpine plus fluoxetine (Res + Flux) (10 mg/kg p.o.) for 20 days, the fourth group received i.p. injection of Res plus HVE (1,000 mg/kg p.o.), and the fifth group received Res + Flus +HVE. Behavioral tests were measured on the 21st day of the experiment, then rats were decapitated to determine liver function [alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, TP, Alb, Glob, A/G), brain monoamines and their metabolites (NE, DA, 5-HT, HVA, DOPAC, 5HIAA), oxidative and nitrositive stress markers (MDA, glutathione, oxidized glutathione, NO, SOD, 8OHdG) and purinergic cell capacity (ATP, ADP, AMP). Results: Obtained data showed neuro-degenerative effect of Res and deteriorative manifestation in liver function. Moreover, flux treatment showed an attenuated deterioration, manifested by Res for monoamines and its metabolites, and subsequently stabilized behaviors and decreased depression status with behavioral tests indicators. On the other hand, it showed initial indicators of liver alteration, presented by serum liver function and histological examination. In addition, treatment with HVE showed amelioration for behavioral, neurochemical functions, and decreased oxidative stress. The results were confirmed by the histological examination. Conclusion: HVE ameliorate depression induced by Res, stimulates monoamines and antioxidant status, decrease oxidonitrositive markers and increases cell energy capacity without side effects on liver, contrasting to selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, which produces initial indicators of liver damages.

The present study was carried out to investigate the hematological and immunological effects of acrylamide on immature male and female rats. The roles of honey and/or nigella sativa oil treatment against these effects of ACR were also investigated. Acrylamide (ACR) is a well-known industrial toxic chemical that produces neurotoxicity, which is characterized by progressive central and peripheral neuronal degeneration. There was significant decrease in the hemoglobin content (p < 0.05) and RBCS counts (p < 0.05) and significant increase in WBCS (p < 0.05) and platelets counts (p < 0.01) due to acrylamide toxicity. At recovery period, there was significant increase in the hemoglobin content and RBCS counts of honey and/or Nigella sativa oil-treated groups as compared to those of the untreated rats but they were still significantly lower than those of the control rats. Moreover, there was significant decrease in the WBCs and platelets counts of honey and/or Nigella sativa oil -treated groups of animals as compared to those of the untreated toxicated rats. In addition, there were significant decreases in the levels of both tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) and Interleukin-17 (IL-17) in this study due to ACR toxicity. At recovery period, there were significant increases in the in the levels of both TNF-alpha and IL-17 of honey and/or Nigella sativa oil -treated groups of animals as compared to those of the untreated toxicated rats. In the current study, the treatments with honey and/or Nigella sativa oil enhance the hematological and immunological parameters of the treated animals that can participate in the neuroprotective effect of Acrylamide on Wistar rats.

The levels of some heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Cd, and Pb) were determined in water, plankton, and fish ( Liza aurata) collected from 5 sites in Lake Manzala. Metals in the water and fish exhibited a significant seasonal and regional variation, in which all metals attained their maximum value during summer, while the lowest levels were found during winter. The concentration of different metals in water, plankton, and fish tissues followed the same order: Zn > Cu > Pb > Cd. The mean concentrations of metals in the water were as follow: Cu, 0.055; Zn, 0.311; Cd, 0.020; and Pb, 0.022 mg/L. The Cd level in the water was found to be higher th an the permissible limit recommended for drinking water. Metals in plankton were much higher than those of water and fish. Gills of the examined fish contained the highest concentration of all of the measured metals, while muscles retained the lowest. In spite of the contamination of Lake Manzala by heavy metals, the level of the metals in fish muscle (the edible part) did not exceed the recommended permissible limit and the fish is considered safe for human consumption.

easonal variations in the concentrations of four heavy metals; zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd), were determined in gills, skin and muscles of two fish species (Mugil cephalus and Liza ramada) from five locations in Lake Manzala . The average concentrations of the metals in fish tissues exhibited the following order: Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd. The statistical analysis revealed a significant effect of seasons, locations and fish tissues for all metals measured. The highest values of the metals were recorded in hot seasons (summer and spring). Fish samples from location V (Bahr El-Bakar) displayed the highest metal concentrations in their tissues. The highest concentrations of heavy metals were found in gills tissue of both fish species, while the lowest ones were recorded in muscles tissue. The values of the metals detected in the edible fish muscles were within the permissible limits.