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 Detection of Virulence and β-lactamase resistance genes of non-typhoidal​​​​​​​ Salmonella isolates from human and animal origin in Egypt

Research Abstract

Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) is a major foodborne zoonotic pathogen worldwide. In the current study, Various NTS strains were isolated from (cows, milk and dairy products in addition to humans) in New Valley and Assiut Governorate, Egypt. NTS were firstly serotyped and tested by antibiotic sensitivity test. Secondly, some virulence genes and Antibiotic resistance genes have been identified by using PCR. Finally, Phylogenesis was performed depending on the invA gene, for two S. typhimurium isolates (one of animal origin and the other of human origin for evaluating zoonotic potential).

Results

Out of 800 examined samples, the total number of isolates was 87 (10.88%), which were classified into 13 serotypes, with the most prevalent being S. Typhimurium and S. enteritidis. Both bovine and human isolates showed the highest resistance to clindamycin and streptomycin, with 90.80% of the tested

Research Authors
Sotohy A Sotohy
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Gut Pathogens
Research Member
Research Pages
1-9
Research Publisher
BioMed Central
Research Vol
15
Research Year
2023

Retinal Structure of Poecilia sphenops: Photoreceptor Mosaics, Synaptic Ribbon Patterns, and Glial Cell Expressions

Research Abstract

The specific arrangement and distribution of photoreceptors in the retina can vary among different fish species, with each species exhibiting adaptations related to its habitat, behavior, and visual requirements. Poecilia sphenops, a diurnal fish, was the focus of this study. The retinas of a total of eighteen Molly fish were investigated utilizing light and electron microscopy. The retina exhibited a square mosaic pattern of the inner segments of cones. This pattern comprised double cones positioned along the sides of a square, with two types of single cones situated at the center and corners of the square arrangement across the entire retina. The corner cones were slightly shorter than the central ones. Additionally, the outer plexiform layer contained both cone pedicles and rod spherules. The rod spherule consisted of a single synaptic ribbon arranged in a triad or quadrat junctional arrangement within the invaginating free ends of the horizontal and bipolar cell processes. On the other hand, cone pedicles have more than one synaptic ribbon in their junctional complex. The inner nuclear layer consisted of the amacrine, bipolar, Müller, and horizontal cell bodies. Müller cell processes, expressing GFAP, extended across all retinal layers, segmenting the deeper retina into alternating fascicles of optic axons and ganglion cells. The outer and inner plexiform layers showed many astrocyte cell processes expressing GFAP. In conclusion, the current study is the first record of the retinal structures of Molly fish. This study illustrated the mosaic arrangement of photoreceptors and GFAP expression patterns of astrocytes and Müller cells. The presence of three cone types, coupled with a sufficient number of rods, likely facilitates motion awareness for tasks like finding food and performing elaborate mating ceremonies.

Research Authors
Doaa M Mokhtar
Research Journal
Animals
Research Publisher
MDPI
Research Rank
Q1
Research Website
doi: 10.3390/ani14060939
Research Year
2024

Light and electron microscopic observations on retinal neurons of red-tail shark (Epalzeorhynchos bicolor H. M. Smith, 1931)

Research Abstract

The structure of photoreceptors (PR) and the arrangement of neurons in the retina of
red-tail shark were investigated using light and electron microscopy. The PR showed
a mosaic arrangement and included double cones, single cones (SC), and single rods.
Most cones occur as SC. The ratio between the number of cones and rods was
3:1.39 (±0.29). The rods were tall that reached the pigmented epithelium. The outer
plexiform layer (OPL) showed a complex synaptic connection between the horizontal
and photoreceptor terminals that were surrounded by Müller cell processes. Electron
microscopy showed that the OPL possessed both cone pedicles and rod spherules.
Each rod spherule consisted of a single synaptic ribbon within the invaginating terminal endings of the horizontal cell (hc) processes. In contrast, the cone pedicles possessed many synaptic ribbons within their junctional complexes. The inner nuclear
layer consisted of bipolar, amacrine, Müller cells, and hc. Müller cells possessed intermediate filaments and cell processes that can reach the outer limiting membrane and
form connections with each other by desmosomes. The ganglion cells were large multipolar cells with a spherical nucleus and Nissl’ bodies in their cytoplasm. The presence of different types of cones arranged in a mosaic pattern in the retina of this
species favors the spatial resolution of visual objects.
 

Research Authors
Doaa M Mokhtar
Research Journal
Microscopy Research and Technique
Research Publisher
Wiely Online
Research Rank
Q1
Research Year
2023

Seasonal variations of the epididymis in donkeys (Equus asinus) with special reference to blood epididymal barrier

Research Abstract

The epididymis, a key component of the male reproductive system, controls spermatozoa's maturation, fertility, and storage. The objective of this study is to evaluate the histological, ultrastructural, and immunohistochemical variations in the epididymis of donkeys that occur throughout the year. During the breeding season (spring) and nonbreeding seasons (summer, autumn, and winter), 20 epididymis were collected from adult, clinically healthy donkeys. Compared to non-breeding seasons, the epididymal duct displayed a more active lining epithelium and more sperm in the lumen during the breeding season. The epithelial height is the lowest and the lumen is the widest during the breeding season. Furthermore, the epididymal epithelium in the tail region exhibits undulations with polyps-like projections. The epididymal epithelium is composed mainly of the principal, basal, and dark cells. Tight junction between adjacent principal cells is more obvious in the breeding season as compared to the non-breeding seasons. However, intraepithelial lymphocytes, phagocytic, and other immune cells are more frequent in non-breeding seasons. β-catenin, which is a component of the adherent junctions between adjacent PCs, exhibits more immunoreactivity during the spring. On the other hand, iNOS, an indicator of oxidative stress, reacts positively during the summer. Additionally, during non-breeding seasons, autophagy was detected within the epididymal epithelium which may be linked to stress adaptation. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the histological and ultrastructural characteristics of the epididymal epithelium are more active during spring compared to other seasons of the year.

Research Authors
Fatma M. Abdel-maksoud, Ahmed E. Zayed, Enas A. Abdelhafez, Manal T. Hussein
Research Date
Research Journal
MicroscopyResearch & Technique
Research Pages
326-338
Research Publisher
Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Research Vol
Vol. 87 Issue 2
Research Website
https://analyticalsciencejournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jemt.24436#
Research Year
Feb. 2023

Coordination-driven innovations in low-energy catalytic processes: Advancing sustainability in chemical production

Research Abstract

Catalysis stands as a cornerstone in chemical synthesis, pivotal in advancing sustainable manufacturing pathways. The evolution from energy-intensive to sustainable catalytic processes has marked a transformative shift, notably exemplified by low-energy catalytic methods. These processes, operating under milder conditions and emphasizing selectivity and recyclability, represent the forefront of sustainable chemistry. This review navigates through an array of low-energy chemical reactions, highlighting their diverse applications and culminating in exploration of recent strides within low-energy catalytic processes. For example, the review explores the uses of low-energy catalytic processes in applications such as enzyme mimicking, biodiesel production, carbon dioxide capture, and organic synthesis. Additionally, it covers enzymatic catalysis and photocatalysis for carbon dioxide transformations, energy applications, and water treatment. Notably, the review emphasizes the low-energy catalytic capabilities of single-atom catalysis (SAC) and diatomic catalysts (DACs), recognizing their exceptional performance in catalyzing reactions at minimal activation energies while maintaining high efficiency and selectivity under mild conditions. By elucidating the modulation of electronic structure and offering a microelectronic perspective, the review aims to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the catalytic activity of SAC and DACs. Emphasizing the interplay between coordination chemistry principles and catalytic efficacy, the review elucidates the indispensable role of coordination complexes in fortifying the sustainability of these processes. By spotlighting the fusion of coordination chemistry with catalysis, this review aims to underscore their collective influence in shaping the landscape of sustainable chemical production.

Research Authors
Ahmed I Osman, Ali Ayati, Pavel Krivoshapkin, Bahareh Tanhaei, Mohamed Farghali, Pow-Seng Yap, Amal Abdelhaleem
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Coordination Chemistry Reviews, Impact factor 20.6
Research Pages
215900
Research Publisher
Elsevier
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
514
Research Website
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0010854524002467
Research Year
2024

Unleashing the potential of leather waste: Biogas generation and cost savings through semi-continuous anaerobic co-digestion

Research Abstract

Leather processing is notorious for generating substantial amounts of polluting and putrescible organic waste, usually ending up in landfills or incineration. This study aimed to assess the potential of biogas production, waste treatment efficiency, and energy and cost savings benefits when scaling up the anaerobic co-digestion of leather processing wastes. The study focused on three waste types: tannery primary sludge (TPS), leather fleshings waste (LFW), and tannery wastewater (TWW). Semi-continuous anaerobic digestion experiments were conducted using three bench-scale reactors (R1-R3) over five phases; phases I and II were the startup and stabilization. In phase III, with an organic loading rate (OLR) of 0.6 kgVS/m3/d, the R2 reactor achieved an average of 0.323 m3 methane/kgVS added/day. This performance surpassed the other reactors by 39.14% (R1) and 41.29% (R3). In phases IV and V, using TWW instead of tap water for substrate dilution at different ratios (25–100%) reduced methane yield by 3.32–11.73% compared to the reactor that used tap water. The study further revealed that a medium-sized anaerobic reactor treating tannery wastes could reduce electric energy consumption by 3.64% and thermal energy consumption by 5.20%. This showcases the energy-saving benefits of co-digesting tannery wastes rather than disposing them in landfills. Using tannery wastes instead of traditional disposal methods resulted in approximately 94.68% savings in electric consumption and 45.03% in thermal energy consumption. This study offers a promising approach for sustainable leather waste treatment, biogas production, and considerable energy and cost savings compared to conventional disposal methods like landfilling.

Research Authors
Mohamed Farghali, Fetra J Andriamanohiarisoamanana, Gen Yoshida, Kazuya Shiota, Ikko Ihara
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Journal of Cleaner Production
Research Pages
141481
Research Publisher
Elsevier
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
448
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2024.141481
Research Year
2024

Reducing the carbon footprint of buildings using biochar-based bricks and insulating materials: a review

Research Abstract

The rapid growth of global industrialization and urbanization has led to the excessive use of non-renewable energy sources and the alarming release of greenhouse gases within the construction industry. In response, adopting sustainable and environmentally friendly building materials has emerged as a vital solution for achieving the international sustainable development goals set by the United Nations. This review discusses the potential benefits of incorporating biochar-based bricks and insulation materials, focusing on their preparation methods, material properties, emission reduction capabilities, effectiveness in reducing carbon emissions, enhancing thermal insulation, and promising economic prospects. The major points are: (1) Biochar-based materials offer significant potential for reducing the carbon footprint of buildings and enhancing their thermal insulation properties. (2) With a thermal conductivity ranging from 0.08 to 0.2 W/(m·K), biochar insulation materials contribute to reduced energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. (3) Replacing one ton of cement with biochar in brick production can substantially reduce 1351–1505 kg CO2-eq over the entire life cycle. (4) Using biochar as part of concrete insulation saves about 59–65 kg of carbon dioxide per ton while offering clear economic benefits. Although biochar insulation is comparatively more expensive than traditional insulation materials like fiberglass and foam, its energy-saving advantages can balance the extra cost. (5) Biochar insulation is derived from organic waste, contributing to improved recyclability, environmental sustainability, and cost-effectiveness.

Research Authors
Ahmed I. Osman, Mohamed Farghali, Yitong Dong, Jiashu Kong, Mahmoud Yousry, Ahmed K. Rashwan, Zhonghao Chen, Ahmed Al-Fatesh, David W. Rooney & Pow-Seng Yap
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
Environmental Chemistry Letters
Research Pages
71–104
Research Publisher
Springer
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
22
Research Website
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10311-023-01662-7
Research Year
2023

Advances in hydrogen storage materials: harnessing innovative technology, from machine learning to computational chemistry, for energy storage solutions

Research Abstract

The demand for clean and sustainable energy solutions is escalating as the global population grows and economies develop. Fossil fuels, which currently dominate the energy sector, contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and environmental degradation. In response to these challenges, hydrogen storage technologies have emerged as a promising avenue for achieving energy sustainability. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in hydrogen storage materials and technologies, emphasizing the importance of efficient storage for maximizing hydrogen's potential. The review highlights physical storage methods such as compressed hydrogen (reaching pressures of up to 70 MPa) and material-based approaches utilizing metal hydrides and carbon-containing substances. It also explores design considerations, computational chemistry, high-throughput screening, and machine-learning techniques employed in developing efficient hydrogen storage materials. This comprehensive analysis showcases the potential of hydrogen storage in addressing energy demands, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and driving clean energy innovation.

Research Authors
Ahmed I Osman, Mahmoud Nasr, Abdelazeem S Eltaweil, Mohamed Hosny, Mohamed Farghali, Ahmed S Al-Fatesh, David W Rooney, Eman M Abd El-Monaem
Research Date
Research Department
Research Journal
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
Research Pages
1270-1294
Research Publisher
Elsevier
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
67
Research Website
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2024.03.223
Research Year
2024
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