Egyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505222120201001Effects of Three Commonly Used Pharmaceutical products on Biochemical parameters of the Micro-alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata (Under Laboratory Conditions)11011834710.21608/cat.2020.28662.1054ENJelanMofeedAquatic Environment Department, Faculty of Fisheries, Suez University, Suez, EgyptJournal Article20200425Despite the great importance of pharmaceutical products in our daily life, they have negative effects on the environment; where it may threatens many non-target organisms. The present study provides an integrated framework of contribution to understanding the toxicity of three commonly used pharmaceutical products (amoxicillin, naproxen and tramadol) on the micro-green alga Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata. The impact of pharmaceutical pollution on aquatic organisms can be evaluated by assessing its physiological response. The alga was exposed to sub-lethal concentrations (LC10, LC25 and LC50) of each tested pharmaceutical to determine its impact on growth behavior, pigments, total lipids, protein and carbohydrate content. The obtained results clarified that, exposure to the pharmaceuticals by their sub-lethal concentrations mostly resulted in a decrease in cell density up to 66.25% by amoxicillin and 37.24% by tramadol within LC50, although exposure to low naproxen concentration promoted cell density (up to 21.7%) after 24h. Amoxicillin (67.74 - 97.44%) followed by tramadol (59.67- 93.55%) significantly reduced the content of the pigment after 96h but in a different manner, however except within LC50, naproxen induced both carotenoids (4.55- 11.61%) and chlorophyll-a (1.54 - 9.23%) during the first 24h. The tested pharmaceuticals also reducing protein, carbohydrates and total lipid content of P.subcapitata at the end of the experiment by ratios up to 96.7, 86.2 and 74.9% respectively. Due to the dramatic effects of pharmaceuticals on the aquatic non-target organisms all new pharmaceutical products must undergo an environmental risk assessment test during and after the development of the product to obtain marketing approval.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_118347_263ec558eb8e3ac7e802fbac8ac07d6f.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505222120201001The Utility of Purge and Recovery Testing in Ground-Gas Flux Risk Assessment111811975410.21608/cat.2020.27371.1050ENArthurNwachukwu1 Williamson Research Centre for Molecular Environmental Sciences School of Earth, Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences, The University of Manchester, UK, M13 9PL
2 Department of Physics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi state, NigeriaNdidiamakaEluwa2 Department of Physics, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi state, NigeriaClementinaUwa3 Department of Biology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.NkechinyereNwachukwu4 Department of Community Medicine, Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, NigeriaJournal Article20200406Purge and recovery testing is a novel method for measuring ground-gas flux. This method has been tested with Gasclam in boreholes at two landfill sites. The recovery rate of individual gases was used to predict when and at what concentration they would reach the unmonitored receptors. For example, at site 1 in borehole 2, CH4 and CO2 had concentrations of 22 % and 4 % respectively before purging in September 2010 and, 23 % and 4.4 % respectively in May 2011 before purging. While 22 % of CH4 and 4 % of CO2 were recovered in 32 hrs and 14 hrs respectively after purging, 23 % of CH4 and 4.4 % of CO2 were recovered in 52 hrs and 27 hrs respectively after purging. This implies that CH4 and CO2 concentrations recovery in this borehole was faster in September 2010 than in May 2011. The recovery time of the investigated gases [CH4, CO2 and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)] varied from the length of site visit to over a day. It also varied with season and site. Soil permeability and gas production rate are suspected to be responsible for variations in gas recharge rate. In general, the recovery profiles of VOC were very different from those of CH4 and CO2. VOC tended to recover in no time, indicating that they could get to the receptor much faster compared to other gases, thereby posing more danger. The reproducibility of the gases was not consistent due to their low concentrations.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_119754_58ff09fe07ae9ed9f336c66acc2a5bfc.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505222120201001Effect of 2,4-Dichlorophenoxy Acetic Acid on Antioxidant Systems in a Non-Target Plant (Zea mays L.)192711989710.21608/cat.2020.33512.1056ENHananAbou-ZeidBotany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria Universityhttps://orcid.org/00Salwa AhmedAbdel-LatifBiology and Geology Department, Faculty of Education, Alexandria University0000-0002-8227-080XGhada SaberIsmailBotany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Alexandria UniversityJournal Article20200622This work aimed to study the impact of various concentrations of the herbicide 2,4-D dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 5, 10 mg L-1) on fresh and dry biomasses, photosynthetic pigments, quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) and oxidative stress parameters on 28-day old Zea mays leaves. Foliar application of a low dose of 2,4-D significantly promoted the growth biomarkers, whereas, the high doses induced severe disturbances and reduced the growth attributes. This situation produced over-accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) and that was accompany with a significant increase in activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH). Otherwise there was a significant decline in ascorbate peroxidase (APx), guiacol peroxidase (GPX), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) and glutathione reductase (GR). Moreover, a significant decline of glutathione (reduced form; GSH) and ascorbic acid (AsA) contents, glutathione redox potential (GSH/GSSG), NADPH and NADPH/NADP+ ratios were recorded. These observations might indicate that high doses of 2,4-D caused a menace to non-target plants through the disruption of antioxidant systems.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_119897_8ad6483927204b4c0c58250b8983101f.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505222120201001Impact of climate change on the Distribution behavior of Alkanna orientalis in Saint Catherine, south Sinai, Egypt293412186310.21608/cat.2020.121863ENAbdelrauf AMoustafaBotany Dept., Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt0000-0001-6378-1949Samira R.MansourBotany Dept. Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt.0000-0001-8975-5335Journal Article20200721<em>Alkanna orientalis</em> is a medicinal plant with great importance as traditional medicine. Its distribution and population are considered significance for conservation of such plant to obtain the greatest benefit for the present generation and maintaining the potential for future. Many factors are playing a role in conserving the plant in a good condition; climate change is one among these factors. Therefore, our study is focusing on the impact of climate change on the distribution of <em>Alkanna orientalis</em> in the main growing area in Saint Catherine, Egypt. To address the influence of climate change and have a better understanding of the stress that can affect or cause extension of <em>Alkanna</em> plant from its main habitats, studying the actual state of plant community and its distribution along last decade will give a predicting thought for its behaviour and distribution pattern. Develop a promising strategy for dynamic conservation of <em>Alkanna</em> plant will be discussed.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_121863_acea8106462beec04b233744834a614d.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505222120201112Growth and physiological responses of maize inbreds and their related hybrids under sufficient and deficient soil nitrogen354712275310.21608/cat.2020.122753ENFaragIbraheem1Biology Department, AlQunfodah University College, Umm-Al Qura University, Saudi Arabia2Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt, 35516;https://orcid.org/00EmanEl-Ghareeb2Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt, 35516Journal Article20200505In this study, the effects of sufficient and deficient soil N on the growth and physiology performance of maize inbreds (B73, Mo17, Sids7 and Sids63) and hybrids (B73 × Mo17 and Sids7 × Sids63) were simultaneously monitored. This was done at rapid growth phase to have better understanding of the inbred/hybrid growth and physiological relationships. B73 and Sids7 maintained superior growth over Mo17 and Sids63. Their superiority was associated with larger leaf area, lower SLA, high levels of photosynthetic pigment, sucrose, ammonia-N, amino-N, total N and NUE under both N treatments. Hybrids surpassed their parental inbreds in growth and leaf features under the same N rates. Sids7 × Sid63 had higher biomass and faster growth rate than B73 × Mo17 and its superiority was associated with higher leaf area, smaller SLA and greater leaf N. N limitation reduced growth and physiological components in all genotypes, although at significantly different magnitudes. In contrast, limited N induced different levels of starch accumulation in all genotypes indicating variable degrees of disruption of source-sink relationships. The improved growth of B73, Sids7 and the hybrids under sufficient and limited N supply is shaped by a combination of larger leaf area, smaller SLA, higher leaf N, efficient resource utilization, and maintaining proper source-sink relations<em>.</em>
https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_122753_d7f593e51c896bc4816c5fb211d46ff4.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505222120201001Anti-Urolithiatic Activity of Filipendula ulmaria Leave Extracts in Male Albino Rats495513142310.21608/cat.2020.131423ENRababAljarariBiology Department, Faculty of Science, Jeddah University, Jeddah - Saudi ArabiaMuna O.AlamoudiBiology Departments, Faculty of Science, Hail University, Hail City - Saudi ArabiaJournal Article20201027Filipendula ulmaria L. is a perennial herb that can be found in regions with higher humidity in Asia, and Europe. The herb is used medicinally as drugs for several purposes such as facilitating renal elimination functions and many biological activities. The present study is to investigate the anti-Urolithiatic activity of Filipendula ulmaria leaf extracts. The influence of oral administration of aqueous, methanolic and ethanolic extracts of Filipendula ulmaria leaves on calcium oxalate urolithiasis has been investigated. Nephrolithiasis was induced in the rats by adding ethylene glycol (0.75%) in drinking water for 28 day.Animals were divided into nine groups, each containing six viz. Normal control, and ethylene glycol, cystone,Filipendula ulmaria leave extracts in different doses of 100 and 200mg/kg p.o. The aqueous and methanolic extracts showed significant reduction in the urine parameters compared to ethanolic extracts, whereas the cystone showed more reduction compared to the two extracts. Cystone has higher impact on the serum parameters compared to the extracts, whereas the methanolic and ethanolic extracts had higher activity compared to the aqueous extract. Also the methanolic and ethanolic extracts had higher activity compared to the aqueous extract regarding the kidney parameters. The results revealed that the methanolic and ethanol extracts of Filipendula ulmaria leaves have potent antiurolithiatic activity against ethylene glycol-induced calcium oxalate urolithiasis in male albino rats.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_131423_e14f2d919c1eddb34884ea015f209a94.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505222120201001Physicochemical characterization and antibacterial and antifungal activities of Pistacia lentiscus oils in Northeastern Algeria.576913461310.21608/cat.2021.45763.1061ENMoncefBELDILaboratory of functional and evolutive ecology. Department of Biology. Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences. Chadli Bendjedid University; El Tarf. AlgeriaAbdennourBouchekerLaboratory of functional and evolutive ecology. Department of Biology. Faculty of Sciences. Badji Mokhtar university. Annaba. Algeria.RadiaDjelloulLaboratory of functional and evolutive ecology. Department of Biology. Faculty of natural and life sciences. Chadli Bendjedid university. El Tarf. Algeria.AmelLAZLILaboratory of functional and evolutive ecology. Department of Biology. Faculty of natural and life sciences. Chadli Bendjedid university. El Tarf. Algeria.Journal Article20201010This paper aims to contribute to the valorization of Pistacia lentiscus, a species very widespread in northeastern Algeria, locally called “Dharou”. Due to its richness in chemical components, it has been known for decades and widely used in the Arab and European pharmacopoeia in traditional medicine. In Algeria, this medicinal plant is mainly known and used in rural areas. Depending on the part of the plant, it is used to treat different diseases such as stomach ulcers, cough, diarrhea, bronchitis, burns, eczema… To realize this study, we collected samples of lentisk oils traditionally extracted by the rural populations of seven regions, on which we carried out physicochemical analyzes (color, humidity, acidity index, peroxide index, phosphatide, saponification index) and evaluated their antibacterial and antifungal activities using wells technique in order to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC). The bacterial strains were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumonia, the fungal strains were:Verticillium sp, Pythium sp and Phytophthora sp. The oils physico-chemical parameters results values corresponded to the standards and generally reflecting a fairly oil’s good quality, with the exception of the acidity index values that exceeded standards in five regions. All oils samples were ineffective against the bacterial strains tested. However, antifungal activities were observed, suggesting that these oils can be used for biological control of fungi growth in various types of crops. <br /> Despite the exceptional medicinal virtues of Pistacia lentiscus in the Maghreb region, few studies have been devoted to this plant, which gives even more interest to our study.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_134613_814d1919cc9117a263c0bfce1bbf032f.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505222120201001Genetic Diversity in Egyptian Snake Melon Accessions as Revealed by Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) Markers717613817210.21608/cat.2019.12293.1025ENKhalidIbrahimDepartment of Horticulture
Faculty of Agriculture
Suez Canal University
Ismailia, EgyptFouad HMohamedDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, EgyptAmero A. I.Abo-ZeidAgriculture Research Centre, Institute of Horticulture Researches, Dokki, Giza, EgyptMohamed W. M.ElwanDepartment of Horticulture, Faculty of Agriculture, Suez Canal University, EgyptMohamed M.Abdel SalamAgriculture Research Centre, Institute of Horticulture Researches, Dokki, Giza, EgyptJournal Article20190426Snake melon (Cucumis melo var. flexuosus) is native to the region from Egypt to Iran; therefore, local genotypes in Egypt may contain genes responsible for tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, no previous studies were done on the genetic diversity in this crop in Egypt. ISSR markers were used to examine genetic relations among 12 Egyptian snake melon accessions collected from different regions. Of the 10 markers tested, 6 produced 68 amplification products, of which, 23 were polymorphic (33.7% polymorphism). The average polymorphism information content (PIC) value was 0.68 over the 6 primers. Pairwise Jaccord's similarity coefficient ranged from 0.88 to 0.98, indicating a narrow diversity. Cluster analysis distinguished two clusters, one from Cairo, and the second represents the rest of accessions from different regions. It was shown that snake melon genotypes that were genetically close were not necessarily close in geographical distance. On a level of non-coding region using 6 ISSR primers, some differences were found among the Egyptian snake melon accessions, confirming the usefulness of the technique in detecting genetic diversity which may help in future genetic improvement programs in this underestimated crop.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_138172_55ae8d45710bbb3865a0ae53d9033af2.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505222120201001Evaluation of Ionic Osmotica in Succulent and Non-succulent Xero-halophytes Inhabiting Hot Oases779013981910.21608/cat.2021.36208.1059ENKotbFarghaliBotany and Microbiology Department, faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, EgyptHEl-SharkawiMBotany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assuit, EgyptA. M.RayanBotany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, New Valley University, EgyptSuzan A.TammamBotany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, Assiut, EgyptJournal Article20200718This research was carried out at Kharga and Dakhla, in the western Egyptian desert. The species investigated include basically those of different ecological affiliations as well as different life forms, in order to have comparative indications in the ionic means of adjustment. During winter and summer, the water soluble ions in both soil and plants were analyzed. Also, the total osmotic water potential and the share of ionic radicals of plants were calculated. The data revealed that, halophytic species maintain osmotic adjustment due to accumulation of ions depending on seasonal and species variation and ionic osmotic potential which were related to chlorides, sodium and potassium. The seasonality or location has the dominant effect on Na+, K+, Cl- and SO4-2 concentrations in halophytes Suaeda and Cressa and affected by the interaction (S x L) in case of Z.coccenium. The ionic osmotic potential of Na+/K+ and Cl- / SO4-2 ratios for salt tolerance in studied species were discussed.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_139819_c4a0725e482aa81485604c56a30f0d44.pdfEgyptian Society for Environmental SciencesCatrina: The International Journal of Environmental Sciences1687-505222120210101The Influence of Climatic Factors on Spreading of Covid-19 Pandemic in Egypt During First Wave 2020919614575210.21608/cat.2021.145752ENAbdelraufMoustafaFaculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt0000-0001-6378-1949SamiraMansourFaculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt0000-0001-8975-5335Journal Article20200920The new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, the origin the COVID-19 pandemic, was stated in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. It causes severe acute respiratory syndrome that leads to death. Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has, to date, infected more than 79 million people globally foremost to more than 1.7 million deaths and an extraordinary impact on facilities. Generally, this disease has rapidly disseminated all over the world in healthcare more than 200 countries including Egypt. To understand the impact of temperature and humidity on outbreak of this disease in Egyptian environment, this study was carried out to describe current knowledge about the appearance and speed of COVID-19 transmission. The daily recorded temperature (low and high T), and relative humidity (RH) in relation to the daily counts of COVID-19 cases in Egypt were evaluated. This study was undertaken since the data of daily infected people collected and announced daily by the Egyptian Ministry of Health and population (beginning of March till the first week of August, 2020). The results of our collected data, analyzed by using Pearson test, showed that the values of minimum temperature has significant influence on the increase of infected cases of COVID-19 (r= 0.60, n=160; <em>p < /em>≤ 0.040). In the meantime, the multiple regression analysis revealed that the whole factors including minimum, maximum and relative humidity showed a positive significant relationship with the number of daily infected cases of COVID-19, (F. ratio= 125.375, <em>p < /em>≤0.000). In parallel, the number of infection cases rapidly decreased with increasing in the recorded temperature, relative humidity and UV index.https://cat.journals.ekb.eg/article_145752_b8125ee8585de48b5c9be1f59eb7daf7.pdf