Explore the vast range of titles available.

Soil degradation due to global warming, water scarcity and diminishing natural resources negatively impacts food security. Soil fertility deterioration, particularly phosphorus (P) deficiency, remains a challenge in the arid and semi-arid regions. In this study, field experiments were conducted in different geographical locations to investigate the effects of organic amendments coupled with P fertilization and irrigation on soil physical-chemical properties, and the growth, yield and quality of wheat. Application of P fertilizers combined with organic amendments mitigated soil salinity, increased organic matter content, available water, hydraulic conductivity and available macronutrients, but decreased soil bulk density. Application of organic amendments slightly increased total Cd, Ni and Pb in soil, but Cd and Ni concentration was below allowable limits whilst Pb reached a hazardous level. Soil P fractions were significantly increased with the combined application of mineral P and organic amendments irrespective of salinity and irrigation. Crop growth yield and quality of wheat improved significantly in response to the integrated application of mineral P and organic amendments. In conclusion, the combination of mineral P sources with organic amendments could be successfully used as a cost-effective management practice to enhance soil fertility and crop production in the arid and semi-arid regions stressed with water scarcity and natural resource constraints.

Alpha-monolaurin is reported to exhibit strong antiviral and antibacterial effects. This paves the way for its use as a new generation of feed additives. The experiment was carried out to examine the effects of the inclusion of alpha-monolaurin as a feed additive for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) growth and immune response. Four diets were formulated to include alpha-monolaurin at 0, 2, 4, and 6 g alpha-monolaurin kg−1 diets and fed to the Nile tilapia (initial weight, 3.19 ± 0.11 g) for 70 days. Compared to those of the control group, the final body weight, weight gain rate, specific growth rate, and efficiency of feed of fish fed 4 and 6 g alpha-monolaurin kg−1 diets were (P ≤ 0.05) higher. The diet supplemented with a 2 g alpha-monolaurin kg−1 diet (P ≤ 0.05) improved endogenous amylase and lipase more than other treatments. The intestinal villus length, width, and goblet cell number were increased (P ≤ 0.05) in fish fed a 6 g alpha-monolaurin kg−1 diet. The same treatment displayed decreased (P ≤ 0.05) AST and ALT and increased total protein, albumin, and globulin. The highest levels of IgG and IgM were also noted in fish fed a 6 g alpha-monolaurin kg−1 diet. The highest values of hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red blood cell and white blood cell counts were seen in fish fed either a 4 or 6 g alpha-monolaurin kg−1 diet. The highest levels of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and growth hormone were recorded in fish fed a 6 g alpha-monolaurin kg−1 diet. Likewise, the same treatment recorded the highest levels of SOD, CAT, GSH, and GPx but the lowest MDA value. Diets supplemented with 4 g or 6 g alpha-monolaurin kg−1 displayed the highest gene expressions of IFN-γ and IL-1β; however, HP70 genes were downregulated. In summary, the study showed that monolaurin may exert immunostimulatory effects on the immune system of the Nile tilapia by modulation of the host immune response and through metabolite production.

Abstract The impacts of climate change and possible adaptations to food security are a global concern and need greater focus in arid and semi-arid regions. It includes scenario of Coupled Model Intercomparison Phase 5 (CMIP-RCP8.5). For this purpose, two DSSAT maize models (CSM-CERES and CSM-IXIM) were calibrated and tested with two different maize cultivars namely Single Cross 10 (SC10) and Three Way Cross 324 (TW24) using a dataset of three growing seasons in Nile Delta. SC10 is a long-growing cultivar that is resistant to abiotic stresses, whereas TW24 is short and sensitive to such harsh conditions. The calibrated models were then employed to predict maize yield in baseline (1981–2010) and under future time slices (2030s, 2050s, and 2080s) using three Global Climate Models (GCMs) under CMIP5-RCP8.5 scenario. In addition, the use of various adaptation options as shifting planting date, increasing sowing density, and genotypes was included in crop models. Simulation analysis showed that, averaged over three GCMs and two crop models, the yield of late maturity cultivar (SC10) decreased by 4.1, 17.2, and 55.9% for the three time slices of 2030s, 2050s, and 2080s, respectively, compared to baseline yield (1981–2010). Such reduction increased with early maturity cultivar (TW24), recording 12.4, 40.6, and 71.3% for near (2030s), mid (2050s), and late century (2080s) respectively relative to baseline yield. The most suitable adaptation options included choosing a stress-resistant genotype, changing the planting date to plus or minus 30 days from baseline planting date, and raising the sowing density to 9 m−2 plants. These insights could minimize the potential reduction of climate change-induced yields by 39% by late century.

Background Osteoporosis (OP) is a common finding in diabetic patients especially high-risk populations such as postmenopausal women. Sclerostin is a glycoprotein chiefly secreted by mature osteocytes and is considered a main regulator of bone formation. The C1q/TNF-Related Protein 3 (CTRP3) was found to be significantly associated with OP in postmenopausal women. The effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on sclerostin and CTRP3 levels in postmenopausal women is rarely investigated. The present study aimed to assess the impact of T2DM on sclerostin and CTRP3 levels and their relation to OP in postmenopausal women. Methods The study included 60 postmenopausal women with T2DM and 60 age-matched postmenopausal non-diabetic women. Bone mineral density (BMD) was assessed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Serum levels of sclerostin and CTRP3 were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Results Diabetic group expressed significantly higher serum levels of sclerostin when compared with non-diabetic group (110.0 ± 29.0 versus 51.5 ± 23.2 ng; p  < 0.001). Oppositely, CTRP3 were significantly lower in the diabetic group (3.5 ± 3.5 versus 9.9 ± 3.7 ng/ml, p  < 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified HbA1c levels [OR (95% CI): 0.49 (0.26–0.93), p  = 0.028], sclerotin levels [OR (95% CI): 1.06 (1.0-1.012), p  = 0.041] and CTRP3 levels [OR (95%) CI: 1.64 (1.0-2.68), p  = 0.047] as significant predictors of OP in diabetic patients. Conclusions Sclerostin and CTRP3 levels are involved in OP in postmenopausal diabetic patients.

Wheat’s nutritional value is critical for human nutrition and food security. However, more attention is needed, particularly regarding the content and concentration of iron (Fe) and zinc (Zn), especially in the context of climate change (CC) impacts. To address this, various controlled field experiments were conducted, involving the cultivation of three wheat cultivars over three growing seasons at multiple locations with different soil and climate conditions under varying Fe and Zn treatments. The yield and yield attributes, including nutritional values such as nitrogen (N), Fe and Zn, from these experiments were integrated with national yield statistics from other locations to train and test different machine learning (ML) algorithms. Automated ML leveraging a large number of models, outperformed traditional ML models, enabling the training and testing of numerous models, and achieving robust predictions of grain yield (GY) ( R 2 > 0.78), N ( R 2 > 0.75), Fe ( R 2 > 0.71) and Zn ( R 2 > 0.71) through a stacked ensemble of all models. The ensemble model predicted GY, N, Fe, and Zn at spatial explicit in the mid-century (2020–2050) using three Global Circulation Models (GCMs): GFDL-ESM4, HadGEM3-GC31-MM, and MRI-ESM2-0 under two shared socioeconomic pathways (SSPs) specifically SSP2-45 and SSP5-85, from the downscaled NEX-GDDP-CMIP6. Averaged across different GCMs and SSPs, CC is projected to increase wheat yield by 4.5%, and protein concentration by 0.8% with high variability. However, it is expected to decrease Fe concentration by 5.5%, and Zn concentration by 4.5% in the mid-century (2020–2050) relative to the historical period (1980–2010). Positive impacts of CC on wheat yield encountered by negative impacts on nutritional concentrations, further exacerbating challenges related to food security and nutrition.

Background and Objectives: Nephroprotective effect of statins is still controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible hemin-like nephroprotective effect of rosuvastatin (RSV) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: DN was induced in rats via a single dose of 50 mg/kg STZ i.p., with or without RSV (10 mg/kg orally) for 30 days. To investigate hemin-like effect of RSV on renal heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), RSV was administered in the presence or absence of an inhibitor of HO-1; zinc protoporphyrin-XI (ZnPP), in a dose of 50 µmol/kg i.p. Results: Induction of diabetes with STZ caused, as expected, significant hyperglycemia, as well as deteriorated kidney function, lipid profile and histopathological architecture. The DN group also showed renal oxidative stress, indicated by decreased superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione, with increased malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase and nitric oxide. Renal expression of inflammatory marker TNF-α, and pro-apoptotic marker caspase 3, were also increased in the DN group. Administration of RSV in DN rats did not improve glucose level but succeeded in recovering kidney function and normal structure as well as improving the lipid profile. RSV also improved renal oxidative, inflammatory, and apoptotic statuses. Interestingly, the administration of RSV increased renal expression and activity of HO-1 compared to the untreated DN group. Co-administration of ZnPP blocked the effect of RSV on HO-1 and deteriorated all RSV favorable effects. Conclusions: RSV can protect against DN, at least in part, via increasing renal HO-1 expression and/or activity, which seems to be upstream to RSV antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects.

Background Bile salts enriched nanovesicles (bilosomes) have been attention worthy in the past few years due to their distinctive effect on the enhancement of drug delivery through various physiological administration routes. Oral delivery of multifunctioning phytochemical curcumin has faced a lot of difficulties due to its scarce solubility and poor oral bioavailability. Objective The current investigation aimed to develop curcumin loaded bilosomes for improvement of oral curcumin bioavailability with maximum efficiency and safety. Methods The effect of formulation variables (type of span, SDC % to total lipid content Span/Cholesterol molar ratio) on physicochemical characterization and in vitro drug release in simulated intestinal fluid was investigated. Furthermore, in-vivo protective effect of bilosomes on hepatic and renal functions was also studied. Results and conclusion. The results revealed that the best curcumin loaded bilosomal formulation showed spherical nanovesicular morphology with particle size 145.1 ± 19.42 nm with highly reasonable %EE (93%), Zeta potential (≥ -30mv), prominent controlled in-vitro release reaching 55.18 ± 1.10 after 96 h. The formulation also showed good storage stability with negligible differences in physical features and content. The IC50 values of bilosomal, niosomal, and free curcumin were 216.50, 211.44, and 121.63 mmol/ml, respectively revealing that the unencapsulated curcumin displayed high toxicity on Caco2 cell line (nearly 2 folds). Additionally, the prepared bilosomes showed significant in-vivo hepatic and renal protection in liver cirrhosis induced rats with conservation to all liver and renal markers and histopathological morphology. The study assumes the effectiveness and safety of oral delivery of curcumin loaded bile salts stabilized nanovesicles and its powerful commandment for further investigations. Graphical abstract

This paper introduces an in-depth qualitative study investigating the profound effect of Service Learning (SL) on teaching/learning Intercultural Communication courses to university students. These courses develop students' cognitive and behavioral skills and foster their social and cultural awareness. Regarding the methodology, the experience draws on the four stages of Kolb's experiential learning cycle (1984/2015): 1) Concrete Experience, 2) Reflective Observation, 3) Abstract Conceptualization, and 4) Active Experimentation. The study chose two authentic civic action projects: an outreach campaign about stereotypes and bias, and an awareness theatrical show about cultural perceptions and their impact on thoughts and behavior. Hence, the study tries to answer two research questions: (1) what effect does SL have on students' intercultural course competencies? (2) how far does Kolb's experiential learning model apply to the Intercultural Communication curriculum? The results revealed that implementing SL into Intercultural Communication courses promotes students' capability to contextualize cultural concepts in real-life situations, increase comprehension of cultural variations, and bridge the gap between academic material and practice. It also presents a systematic framework for applying SL to Intercultural Communication courses. The study limitation was the small number of students, accordingly, it encourages other educators to apply the presented framework to larger groups.

CdS nanosheets are synthesized via the chemical bath deposition method (CBD) using three different Cd/S molar ratios for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB), as an example of an organic pollutant. The resulting nanosheets were characterized by XRD, FESEM, and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The XRD data analysis for prepared powder resulted in mixed phases of zinc-blende and wurtzite in all different Cd/S molar ratios with average crystalline size increased from (50.9 nm to 59.7 nm). The as-prepared CdS shows an absorbance edge increased from (340 nm, to 490). The value of the bandgap decreased from (2.6 eV to 2.3 eV) with an increasing molar ratio. Increasing molar ratio also leads to high and stable photocatalytic with high degradation efficiency (92.7-98.4) % after 150 min of sunlight irradiation. Graphical Abstract

Aquatic species require selenium (Se) as a trace element for healthy growth, stress tolerance, and appropriate development. Fish feed has been extensively studied for both organic and inorganic sources of selenium; their distribution, metabolism, and absorption processes differ. The present study investigated the effect of different dietary protein levels: suboptimum level (25%) and optimum level (35%), with different selenium forms: inorganic (sodium selenate) or organic (selenomethionine), and their interaction on growth, intestinal structure, hemato-biochemical, and immune responses of Nile tilapia. Two experimental diets were formulated to contain approximately 25% and 35% crude protein, each diet supplemented with selenium forms with 0 (normal level in ingredients), 0.5 mg kg sodium selenate and 0.5 mg kg selenomethionine, therefore six diets were formulated. Nile tilapia, , fingerlings (2.02±0.03 g) were fed formulated diets in triplicate with 5% of total biomass three times a day for 84 days. Results showed that fish fed diet containing 35% crude protein and supplemented with 0.5 mg selenomethionine recorded the highest final body weight (FBW), weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR). However, no significant (P>0.05) differences were recorded in FBW, WG, SGR and feed conversion ratio (FCR) between fish fed diet containing 35% crude protein without Se supplementation and fish fed diet containing 25% crude protein supplemented with Se form. The highest values of villi height/width and goblet cell count were seen in fish fed diets enriched with selenomethionine and containing either 25% or 35% crude protein. Red blood cell count (RBC), hematocrit (Hct), and hemoglobin (Hb) values were highest in fish fed a meal with 35% protein level and 0.05 mg kg selenomethionine supplemented. Interaction between different levels of protein (25% and 35%) and different forms of Se (inorganic and organic) significantly affected C4 (P=0.006) and C3 (P=0.004) values, while no significant differences were found in IgM. The highest values of complement 4 (C4) and complement 3 (C3) were obtained for diet containing 35% crude protein and supplemented with 0.05 mg kg diet selenomethionine. The highest immunoglobulin M (IgM) value was obtained for fish fed diet containing 35% crude protein and supplemented with selenomethionine form. The highest GH was obtained for 35% crude protein with organic Se followed by 25% protein with inorganic selenium. As such, Nile tilapia benefit from the addition of organic selenium to their diets.