Egyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505220120200401Allelopathic Interaction between a Medicinal Plant; Achillea santolina L. and two Associated Soil Algae Species188575510.21608/cat.2020.85755ENJournal Article20190426Allelopathic effects of the aqueous extract of the medicinal plant; <em>Achillea santolina</em> on growth and distribution of two associated soil algae;<em> Chlorella vulgaris</em> (Chlorophyta) and <em>Lyngbya contorta</em> (Cyanophyta) were investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. The phytochemical analysis of <em>A. santolina</em> showed that it contains essential oils, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, sterols, triterpenes and tannins. The algal flora inhabiting the soil away (control site) and underneath of <em>A. santolina</em> rooting zone were also identified. The results cleared a remarkable negative allelopathic effect of <em>A. santolina </em>aqueousextract on growth of <em>L. contorta</em>, and a detrimental positive effect on growth of <em>C. vulgaris</em>. Similarly, growth of <em>C. vulgaris</em> was significantly (<em>P</em> ≤ 0.01) inhibited especially at the higher extract concentrations. Growth promotion (<em>p</em> ≤ 0.05) of <em>L. contorta</em> was attained at high concentrations. The stress effect on protein profile and antioxidant activity was more prominent in <em>C. vulgaris</em> than <em>L. contorta. </em>The allelopathic effect of <em>A. santolina</em> extract may be due to the high concentrations of both flavonoids and total phenolics (7.98 and 29.72 mg/g, respectively).https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_85755_f656858c1d0f092d48ce438f582dcf12.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505220120200401Classification of Wadi system based on floristic composition and edaphic conditions in South Sinai, Egypt9218575610.21608/cat.2020.85756ENJournal Article20190726 <br /> The present work aims to study the vegetation distribution and floristic composition according to the wadi system classification in Saint Cathrine Protectorate. The climate of the study area is extremely arid, with a long hot and rainless summer and mild winter. During the study, vegetation survey for the main wadis in southern Sinai was conducted, representing ecological variations such as elevation, physiographic characters, and soil conditions. Quantitative study of 317 stands in twenty-two wadis in southern Sinai, was done including; vegetation parameters such as total plant cover, physical and chemical soil analysis of the selected wadis. Temperature and moisture were the main factors controlling the floristic and structural distribution of vegetation in the study area. Species richness and diversity was highest in sub-sub basins and lowest in basins. Vegetation analysis in all wadis were classified into four groups; group (A) main-basin area included, <em>Zilla spinose</em>, <em>Artemisia judaica</em>, <em>Hamada elegans</em> and <em>Anobasis articulata</em> in five assemblages, group (B) basin area included <em>Artemisia judaica</em>, group (C) sub-basin area included <em>Alkanna orientalis</em> and <em>Artemisia judaica</em>, finally group (D) sub-sub-basin area included <em>Artemisia</em> inculta, <em>Alkanna orientalis</em> and <em>Artemisia judaica</em>. In conclusion, different wadi ranks had unique environmental conditions which controlled types and distribution of vegetation.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_85756_4ebef6e74df5fd576c1232a130c0a789.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505220120200401Novel Quinoline Derivatives as Antitumor Agents Against HepG2 Cells: Synthesis, Characterization, In Silico, In Vitro and Docking Studies23308576210.21608/cat.2020.85762ENJournal Article20190226New quinoline derivatives based on allyl and amino acid were prepared and characterized using elemental analysis (CHN%), <sup>1</sup>HNMR, <sup>13</sup>CNMR spectra. The theoretical calculations which carried out using different computer programs permit proposing an optimized geometry for the formed complexes. The molecular modeling for some representative compounds were evaluated and discussed. The energy of the HOMO and LUMO was calculated and assessed. The most stable structure of the synthesized compounds was suggested and evaluated its energy. The most benefit properties, which play very important role in drug synthesis referred to the surface properties of the compounds, were evaluated and discussed. The application of the DFT, on the target compounds, gave promising properties required for antitumor drugs. Docking of the synthesized compounds with HepG2-code: 5EQG protein, as liver carcinoma cell, gave promising inhibition <em>in silico</em> level. The antitumor activity of the target compounds <em>in vitro</em> level gave activity with some compounds exceeded the market drug.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_85762_52c4ebe9c5254052bd61582ed39f6c95.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505220120200401Efficacy of Transfer of Heavy Metals in Wheat Grown in Municipal Solid Waste Amended Soil31388576510.21608/cat.2020.85765ENJournal Article20190226Municipal solid waste was considered to contain a variety of toxic metals. The heavy metals accumulate in plants due to extensive use of municipal wastes in crops. The current study was conducted to demonstrate the influence of municipal solid waste treatments on the metal content of soil and wheat crop. In this direction, the seeds of wheat variety (Galaxy-13) were sown and four heavy metals Cd, Fe, Zn, and Co in grown plants were analysed by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The level of metals (mg/kg) in wheat grains varied from 1.36 to 1.76, 9.7 to 21.2, 0.6 to 0.9 and 0.58 to 0.72 for Cd, Fe, Zn and Co, respectively. Pollution indices were used to determine pollution and accumulation levels. It was observed that bio concentration factor; pollution load index and enrichment factor values of Cd were high. Finally, it can be said that municipal solid waste must be treated properly before its application on agricultural land to avoid the excessive build-up of heavy metals in the food chain.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_85765_8399f58323f082c77eff657c7c15495a.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505220120200401The response of soybean plants grown in newly reclaimed soil to different fungal species of arbuscular mycorrhizal and phosphorus fertilization39488577710.21608/cat.2020.85777ENJournal Article20181226A pot experiment was conducted to study the response of soybean plants (Glycine max), grown in soil collected from the newly reclaimed area, to root colonization with the different species of arbuscular mycorrhizal (Glomus moseae, Glomus monosporum, and Gigaspora margarita) and soil phosphorus fertilization. Fungal phosphatases and succinate dehydrogenase (vital stain) activities as enzyme markers were also investigated to detect the physiological activity of the mycorrhizal fungi. Two concentrations of KH2PO4 (0 and 0.5 g kg-1 soil) were used. External addition of soluble phosphorus increased all growth parameters, nutrient contents and biochemical parameters of both the mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants. The mycorrhizal colonization significantly increased some of the growth parameters, P and N concentrations in root and shoot tissues, root nodulation, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities and total soluble proteins in root extracts when compared to nonmycorrhizal plants. Such stimulations in these parameters were highly related to the level of each species of mycorrhizal colonization in the root tissues of soybean plants, particularly in soil without phosphorus. The addition of phosphorus to soil reduced the level of mycorrhizal colonization in the soybean root tissues, and consequently the mycorrhizal benefits. The efficiency of mycorrhizal fungi in this study for stimulating plant growth and nutrient contents was positively related to the activity of fungal succinate dehydrogenase stained in the root tissues.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_85777_a6cf9c95e5b213617b1b69c12409615c.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505220120200401Effect of Exogenous Application of 24-Epibrassinosteroids and Hydrogen Peroxide on Some Biochemical Characteristics of Cuminum cyminum L. grown under Drought Stress49578578810.21608/cat.2020.85788ENJournal Article20190219To evaluate the responses of cumin plant to different levels of drought stress with exogenous application of either 24-epibrassinolide (24-EBL) or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and a mixture of them, a factorial experiment was conducted, in a complete randomized design with three replicas, at the experimental greenhouse. Treatments included three levels of drought stress (100%, 75%, and 50% of FC) in which at fifth week after germination (beginning of reproductive growth) application of H2O2 (0, 0.5 and 1mM) and 24-epibrassinosteroid (0, 0.5 and 1mM) at two stages, first 3 days before applying the then, 15 days after. The results showed that with increasing stress intensity, the amounts of proline, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase (SOD) enzyme increased, but decreased the total protein and catalase enzyme in the root. The results of interaction between drought stress and exogenous application of 24-EBL showed the highest total protein content (11.30 mg/l) at 1mM 24-EBL under moderate stress of 75% of FC. Also, the highest of proline content of the root and shoot were obtained (10.15 and 10.91 mMol gFW–l, respectively) under severe stress (50% FC) and spraying with 1mM 24-EBL, respectively. However, a decrease in MDA content, with the application of 24-EBL e and H2O2, was recorded. In general, it can report that drought stress reduced the efficiency of photosynthesis and plant production. Moreover, application of 24-EBL and H2O2 was able to improve the photosynthetic system and resistance of the cumin plant to stress.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_85788_f76814d48e69a5973e553bf8a497719e.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505220120200401The Response of Two Halophytic Species to Crude Oil-Contaminated Soil in the Northern Western Region of Egypt59688579410.21608/cat.2020.85794ENAmal MAbd-ElrahmanBotany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, Alexandria, EgyptJournal Article20190624A site that covers over 20 acres of coastal saline depression in the western Mediterranean coastal desert of Egypt (El-Hamra station, the main crude oil pipeline terminal in Alamein) is contaminated with petroleum. This area, prior to contamination by crude oil was dominated by different common halophytes. Atriplex halimus (L) and Arthrocnemum macrostachyum (Moric.) are now the most dominant species growing in this site. These species adapt themselves through different growth parameters, physiological and biochemical changes. Crude oil affects significantly on soil fertility and increasing pH (8.4). Importance value (IV), height and canopy diameter of the two studied species exhibited an increase in the polluted site. Organic metabolites such as fatty acids, antioxidant compounds and protein fractions in shoots of studied species which collected from the oil-contaminated and non-contaminated sites were examined. Fatty acid fractions exhibited the opposite performance especially the content of saturated C: 16 (palmitic), mono and di-unsaturated C18:1 (oleic) and C18:2 (linoleic) fatty acids as well as poly-unsaturated C18: 3 and C20: 3 (Omega -3 fatty acids). Antioxidant activity and most examined phenolic compounds were increased in A. macrostachyum which grow in a contaminated site. Protein fractions in A.halimus attained with enormous variations therefore, a Genomic Templet Stability (GTS %) was lower than in A. macrostachyum under contamination. The biochemical and behavioral responses to oil pollution varied with the two different species may be according to the genetic make-up of individuals, which make the two studied species useful and effective tools for phytoremediation purposes.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_85794_84ce032deb82bd4b7f33c57d40243825.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505220120200401Effect of Sulphonylurea Derivatives and Short Chain Fatty Acids on Expression of Incretins Hormone in living Animal Cells69768579610.21608/cat.2020.85796ENEmadGadChemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, EgyptAtefAtef GoudaMedical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, EgyptMohamed AGhanyChemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, EgyptNerminRaafatMedical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, EgyptJournal Article20190127Dietary fibres are a type of carbohydrates that are found in plant-based foods. They are not absorbed or digested by the body but play an important role in maintaining good health. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), primarily acetate, propionate, and butyrate, are metabolites formed by gut microbiota from these complex dietary carbohydrates. The formed acids have a role in the secretion of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1(GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulin tropic polypeptide (GIP) that help the body to control diabetes. Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that occurs when the pancreas fails to produce enough insulin, or when the body cannot use it effectively. The hormones GLP-1 and GIP, which secreted after a meal, like other enteroendocrine hormones help to orchestrate the body's response to the availability of newly absorbable nutrients and are noteworthy, stimulate postprandial insulin secretion. This study clarifies the effects and the roles of organic compounds such as Short Chain Fatty Acids (SCFAs) and sulphonylurea derivatives on body glucose homeostasis and clarifies the effects of both SCFAs and sulphonylurea on incretin expression by investigating the expression of GLP-1 and GIP hormones in tissues and blood samples.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_85796_baab46681050e723d1922656d301fa1b.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505220120200401Molecular investigation of Gamma irradiated Cladosporium herbarum and Trichoderma viride77838579710.21608/cat.2020.85797ENAmany Abo ElnasrElshafeyDepartment of Botany and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt0000-0002-8954-0358Journal Article20190501Trichoderma viride and Cladosporium herbarum were isolated from clay soil and irradiated with different doses of gamma radiation (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 kGy). The inhibitory effect on growth rate was dose dependent with maximum inhibition at 1.5 and 2 kGy for T. viride which showed no growth. On the other hand, T. viride which grown on a medium contained aqueous extract from C. herbarum (gcae) showed resistance than that of the wild one and exhibited growth rate of 0.22 mm / day at 2 kGy. Cladosporium herbarum showed resistance to gamma radiation with a growth rate of a 0.62 mm / day after irradiation with 2 kGy. This indicated the presence of resistant factor/s in the extract of Cladosporium herbarum which utilized by T. viride. Therefore, molecular studies were carried out to detect any variation in the investigated fungi. Molecular studies revealed the presence of 57 bands and 41 polymorphic bands with a total polymorphism percentage of 71.92%. The number of polymorphic bands per primer ranged from 14 bands with polymorphism percentage of 73.68% for A01 primer, 16 polymorphic bands with polymorphism percentage of 84.21% for C02 to 11 bands with polymorphism percentage of 57.89% for B07 primer. Therefore, such average polymorphism might be due to the effect of different doses of gamma radiation. The study clearly showed the possibility of improving the capability of radiation sensitive fungi to be more resistant to radiation by growing them on extract from radiation resistant ones.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_85797_b045aea37950ea224f98277c780d7929.pdf