A study based on biochar as a reinforcing agent of irradiated waste thermoplastic composite for polymer engineering and electromagnetic shielding applications.

Waste polyethylene (WPE) and virgin polyethylene (VPE) (50:50) thermoplastic have been melt-mixed with biochar (BC) made from orange peels at ratios of 5, 10, and 15(Phr) to evaluate how the filler content affected the mechanical, thermal, optical, electrical conductivity, and electromagnetic interference (EMI). γ-rays was applied to the prepared specimens to assess how radiation affected the created biocomposites. From the obtained results, the combination of BC with γ-rays, at doses of up to 100 kGy, with thermoplastic resulted in an enhanced mechanical property, particularly for composites containing 15 Phr of BC added because of its unique structure and excellent dispersion.

The potential effects of corn cob biochar on mitigating pendimethalin-induced toxicity in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus): Effects on hematological, biochemical, antioxidant-immune parameters, and histopathological alterations.

This study aims to examine the restorative impact of corn cob biochar (CCB) on pendimethalin (PMD)-induced toxicity in Oreochromis niloticus. Fish were divided into four groups: the first control group without treatment, the second group (CCB) exposed to 10 g CCB/L, the third group (PDM) exposed to 0.355 mg PDM/L, and the fourth group (PDM+ CCB) receiving both 0.

Aspergillus foetidus as a potent producer for β-galactosidase utilizing lemon peels and coffee waste powder: production optimization, purification, kinetic and thermodynamic characterization.

Background: The main obstacle facing the utilization of microbial enzymes in industrial applications is the high cost of production substrates. As a result of the mentioned different wastes (coffee powder waste, dates nawah powder, molokhia stems, pea peels, lemon peels, and corn cobs) were investigated as low-cost nutritional substrates for the production of microbial β-galactosidase in this study. The purification of the enzyme and its kinetic and thermodynamics were investigated.

Impact of homologous overexpression of PR10a gene on improving salt stress tolerance in transgenic Solanum tuberosum.

Abiotic stresses severely affected crop productivity and considered to be a major yield limiting factor for crop plant. The tolerance to these stresses is a very complex phenomenon involving a wide array of molecular, biochemical and physiological changes in plant cells. Therefore, it is challenging to understand the molecular basis of abiotic stress tolerance to manipulate it for improving abiotic stress tolerance of major crops.

Photocatalytic hydrogen production from sodium borohydride using low carbon footprint substrate oil.

The shortcomings of traditional energy systems drive the transition toward sustainable energy sources. This study explores the production of hydrogen, an environmentally friendly energy source, through the photo-hydrolysis of sodium borohydride (NaBH), known for its non-toxic nature and high hydrogen storage capacity. The photoreaction is facilitated by visible light, utilizing nano-alumina or zirconia as catalysts.

Retrieval of Cu and Cd ions from aqueous solutions using sustainable guar gum/PVA/montmorillonite nanocomposite films: effect of temperature and adsorption isotherms.

Uncontrolled or improperly managed wastewater is considered toxic and dangerous to plants, animals, and people, as well as negatively impacting the ecosystem. In this research, the use of we aimed to prepare polymer nanocomposites (guar gum/polyvinyl alcohol, and nano-montmorillonite clay) for eliminating heavy metals from water-based systems, especially Cu and Cd ions. The synthesis of nanocomposites was done by the green method with different ratios of guar gum to PVA (50/50), (60/40), and (80/20) wt%, in addition to glycerol that acts as a cross-linker.

Improving the acoustic performance of flexible polyurethane foam using biochar modified by (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane coupling agent.

This study aims to investigate the potential of integrating natural biochar (BC) derived from eggshell waste into flexible polyurethane (FPU) foam to enhance its mechanical and acoustic performance. The study explores the impact of incorporating BC at various weight ratios (0.1, 0.

Date nawah powder as a promising waste for β-mannanase production from a new isolate Aspergillus niger MSSFW, statistically improving production and enzymatic characterization.

β-Mannanase producing fungus was isolated from coffee powder waste and identified as Aspergillus niger MSSFW (Gen Bank accession number OR668928). Dates nawah powder as industrial and agricultural waste was the most inducer of β-mannanase production. The Plackett-Burman and Central Composite designs were used to improve β-mannanase titer.

Immunological and molecular assessment of HIV-1 mutations for antiretroviral drug resistance in Saudi Arabia.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a significant threat to public health. HIV genotyping and antiretroviral resistance testing may have contributed to improved non-treated management. Immune markers might assist HIV-1 diagnosis and drug-resistant variant identification.

Durable graphene-based alkyd nanocomposites for surface coating applications.

Recently, the scientific community's main goal is the long-term sustainability. Vegetable oils are easily accessible, non-depletable, and cost-effective materials. Vegetable oils are used to prepare polymeric alkyd surfaces.

New polyvinyl alcohol/gellan gum-based bioplastics with guava and chickpea extracts for food packaging.

Plastic is a fossil-based synthetic polymer that has become an essential material in our daily life. Plastic pollution resulting from the accumulation of plastic objects has become problematic for our environment. Bioplastic can be a biodegradable environmentally friendly alternative for the synthetic plastic.

Adverse effect of Tamarindus indica and tamoxifen combination on redox balance and genotoxicity of breast cancer cell.

Background: Breast cancer is the most significant threat to women worldwide. Most chemotherapeutic drugs cause cancer cell death and apoptosis by inducing oxidative stress and producing reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cancer cells have a higher rate of metabolic activity than normal cells and thus produce more ROS.

Assessing different oil sources efficacy in reducing environmental heat-stress effects via improving performance, digestive enzymes, antioxidant status, and meat quality.

Adding oil to the feed of genetically improved broilers is necessary to provide energy requirements, in addition to enhancing metabolism, growth performance, immune response. This study aims to reveal the effect of adding different oil sources in the diets of broilers exposed to environmental heat stress on performance, digestibility, oxidative status, plasma lipids, fatty acids content, and meat quality. Six hundred twenty-five one-day-old broiler chicks were randomly distributed to five groups as follows: the first group fed a diet without oil (CON) as a control, while the second to the fifth group fed a diet containing soy oil (SO), corn oil (CO), olive oil (OO), and fish oil (FO), respectively.

Synthesis and Characterization of New Polymeric Ionic Liquids as Corrosion Inhibitors for Carbon Steel in a Corrosive Medium: Experimental, Spectral, and Theoretical Studies.

A novel series of polymeric ionic liquids (ILs) based on benzimidazolium chloride derivatives, namely, 1,3-diheptyl-2-(2-phenyl-propyl)-3-benzimidazol-1-ium chloride (IL1), 1,3-dioctyl-2-(2-phenyl-propyl)-3-benzimidazol-1-ium chloride (IL2), and 1,3-Bis-decyl-2-(2-phenyl-propyl)-3-benzoimidazol-1-ium chloride (IL3), were synthesized and chemically elucidated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, H NMR, C NMR, and elemental analysis. Their influence as corrosion suppressors were investigated for C-steel corrosion in 1 M HCl, by weight loss (WL), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods, revealing that their exclusive addition decreased corrosion with mounting concentrations. These assays demonstrated that novel ILs are efficient inhibitors at relatively low dosages.

Effect of Polymer Waste Mix Filler on Polymer Concrete Composites.

The hazards of polymer waste and emitted gas on the environment pose a global challenge. As a trial to control this, the current work aims to reuse the polymer waste mix (PM) as fillers in calcium silicate to prepare new composites of environmentally friendly polymer concrete. PM was first subjected to treatment to obtain treated PM (TPM) and then was filled in new dicalcium silicate cement with different concentrations.

Inhibition of human glutathione transferase by catechin and gossypol: comparative structural analysis by kinetic properties, molecular docking and their efficacy on the viability of human MCF-7 cells.

Glutathione transferase Pi (GSTP1) expression is increased in many cancer types and is associated with multidrug resistance and apoptosis inhibition. Inhibitors of GSTP1-1 have the potential to overcome drug resistance and improve chemotherapy efficacy as adjuvant agents. This study investigated the effects of catechin and gossypol on human glutathione transferase Pi (GSTP1-1) activity and their cytotoxic effects on breast cancer cells (MCF-7) individually and in combination with tamoxifen (TAM).

Sulfonamide Derivatives as Novel Surfactant/Alkaline Flooding Processes for Improving Oil Recovery.

Over time, oil consumption has increased along with a continuous demand for petroleum products that require finding ways to increase hydrocarbon production more economically and effectively. So, enhanced oil recovery technologies are believed to be very promising and will serve as a key to meeting the future energy demand. This paper aims to introduce an innovative method to boost the EOR by using two novel types of surfactants synthesized from sulfonamide derivatives.

Roflumilast ameliorates ovariectomy-induced depressive-like behavior in rats via activation of AMPK/mTOR/ULK1-dependent autophagy pathway.

Aims: Roflumilast, a well-known phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitor, possess an anti-inflammatory activity with approved indications in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This study aimed to evaluate the neuroprotective role of roflumilast in ovariectomy (OVX)-induced depressive-like behavior in female rats and to shed light on a potential autophagy enhancing effect.

Main Methods: Rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, OVX, OVX + roflumilast (1 mg/kg, p.

Neurobehavioral, biochemical and histological assessment of the effects of resveratrol on cuprizone-induced demyelination in mice: role of autophagy modulation.

Resveratrol is known to exhibit neuroprotective effects in many neurological disorders via autophagy modulation. However, controversial results have been reported about the therapeutic potential of resveratrol and the implication of autophagy in demyelinating diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the autophagic changes in cuprizone-intoxicated C57Bl/6 mice and explore the effect of autophagy activation by resveratrol on the demyelination and remyelination processes.

The First Genomic Characterization of the Chikungunya Virus in Saudi Arabia.

Background: Chikungunya is an arboviral infection caused by the Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) transmitted to humans by mosquitoes of Aedes spp. CHIKV has been confined to African countries and South-East Asia up to 2004, but since then, the pathogen has become more global, and its high morbidity rate has become more visible. Saudi Arabia is not an endemic region of CHIKV, and the virus's origin is not yet fully understood.

Environmentally Friendly Polymer Concrete: Polymer Treatment, Processing, and Investigating Carbon Footprint with Climate Change.

Climate change is being currently faced globally; controlling the plastic waste and gas emission is aimed to reduce their hazardous effects. In this work, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) polymer wastes are used as fillers to calcium silicate. Chemical treatment was performed to get the best efficiency of the binder material with the treated PET (TPET) and treated PVC (TPVC).

Mesoporous Ag-functionalized magnetic activated carbon-based agro-waste for efficient removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), and microorganisms from wastewater.

Herein, eco-friendly mesoporous magnetic activated carbon-based agro-waste nanosorbents incorporating antimicrobial silver nanoparticles (Mag@AC1-Ag and Mag@AC1-Ag) have been prepared. Various techniques (XRD, SEM/EDX, TEM, FTIR, and BET analysis) were employed to characterize the prepared nanosorbents before being utilized as novel nanosorbents to remove Pb and Cd ions. Mag@AC1-Ag and Mag@AC1-Ag exhibited rapid and excellent uptake of Pb and Cd.

Promising antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities of Orobanche aegyptiaca extract-mediated bimetallic silver-selenium nanoparticles synthesis: Effect of UV-exposure, bacterial membrane leakage reaction mechanism, and kinetic study.

In this research, Orobanche aegyptiaca extract was utilized as an eco-friendly, and cost-effective green route for the construction of bimetallic silver-selenium nanoparticles (Ag-Se NPs). Bimetallic Ag-Se NPs were characterized by XRD, EDX, FTIR, HR-TEM, DLS, SEM/mapping and EDX studies. Antimicrobial, and antibiofilm potentials were tested against some selected pathogenic bacteria and unicellular fungi by ZOI, MIC, effect of UV exposure, and inhibition %.