The Physical and Chemical Characteristics of Seeds Oil of Local Sudanese Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne).

This study aimed to evaluate the physical and chemical properties of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata Duchesne) seed oil obtained from local Sudanese pumpkins. Three different genotypes of the pumpkin fruits as round, elongated and bell shapes were collected from Elgadarif State, Sudan. The oil's seeds' physical and chemical characteristics were determined by viscosity, specific gravity, refractive index, oil content peroxide value, acid value, saponification, unsaponifiable, pH, iodine value, total polyphenols and fatty acid content.

Black seed and rosemary nanoformulations as green insecticides for the granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius (L.) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

The development of nano-insecticides has attracted much interest in the last decade because it has the potential to result in an alternative pest-management strategy and also reduce the risk of chemically based insecticides. Herein, native rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) and black seed (Nigella sativa) oils were utilized for preparing their nanoemulsions by spontaneous emulsification method in the presence of tween 80 as a structure-directing agent. The prepared nanoemulsions were explored for granary weevil, Sitophilus granarius (L.

Antibacterial activity of selected invertebrate species.

The evolution of multiple-drug resistant bacteria is contributing to the global antimicrobial crisis, hence driving us to search for novel antimicrobial(s). Among animals, invertebrates represent up to 80% of all known species suggesting their wide distribution. Despite their ubiquitous and plentiful nature, they have been largely unexplored as potential source of antibacterials.

Silymarin loaded floating polymer(s) microspheres: evaluation.

Silymarin has a short half-life (4-6 hours) which leads to necessity of frequent administration. Besides, it suffers from intestinal degradation. Thus, our study aims to formulate encapsulated floating microspheres using different polymers as HPMC, EC and a blend of them.

Biologically active metabolite(s) from haemolymph of red-headed centipede Scolopendra subspinipes possess broad spectrum antibacterial activity.

The discovery of novel antimicrobials from animal species under pollution is an area untapped. Chinese red-headed centipede is one of the hardiest arthropod species commonly known for its therapeutic value in traditional Chinese medicine. Here we determined the antibacterial activity of haemolymph and tissue extracts of red-headed centipede, Scolopendra subspinipes against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Antimicrobial discovery from natural and unusual sources.

Objectives: Whether vertebrates/invertebrates living in polluted environments are an additional source of antimicrobials.

Key Findings: Majority of antimicrobials have been discovered from prokaryotes and those which are of eukaryotic origin are derived mainly from fungal and plant sources. With this in mind, it is important to note that pests, such as cockroaches come across pathogenic bacteria routinely, yet thrive in polluted environments.

Crocodiles and alligators: Antiamoebic and antitumor compounds of crocodiles.

Crocodiles exist in unsanitary environments, feed on rotten meat, are often exposed to heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, tolerate high levels of radiation, and are amid the very few species to survive the catastrophic Cretaceous-Tertiary extinction event, nonetheless they can live for up to a 100 years. Moreover, as they live in unhygienic conditions, they regularly come across pathogens. Logically, we postulate that crocodiles possess mechanisms to defend themselves from noxious agents as well as protecting themselves from pathogens.

Identification and characterization of antibacterial compound(s) of cockroaches (Periplaneta americana).

Infectious diseases remain a significant threat to human health, contributing to more than 17 million deaths, annually. With the worsening trends of drug resistance, there is a need for newer and more powerful antimicrobial agents. We hypothesized that animals living in polluted environments are potential sources of antimicrobials.

Exploring disease activity and cardiovascular events by raised serum asymmetric dimethyl arginine among systemic lupus erythematosus patients.

Asymmetric Dimethyl Arginine (ADMA) is an endogenous nitric oxide inhibitor and a potential independent risk factor for endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. The current study attempted to investigate the association of serum ADMA levels to serological markers and cardiovascular events among Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients. The study included 45 subjects (91.

Body image disturbance and surgical decision making in egyptian post menopausal breast cancer patients.

Background: In most developing countries, as in Egypt; postmenopausal breast cancer cases are offered a radical form of surgery relying on their unawareness of the subsequent body image disturbance. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of breast cancer surgical choice; Breast Conservative Therapy (BCT) versus Modified Radical Mastectomy (MRM); on body image perception among Egyptian postmenopausal cases.

Methods: One hundred postmenopausal women with breast cancer were divided into 2 groups, one group underwent BCT and the other underwent MRM.

Effects of inorganic mercury on reproductive performance of mice.

Effects of mercuric chloride (MC) on the reproductive performance of mice were evaluated. Both male and female mice were divided into four groups that were subsequently exposed to 0.00, 0.