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Rodents are widely used for animal research in Egypt. Pentobarbital is the most common anesthetic agent; however overdoses may affect the experimental outcomes and limit the use of tissues. To investigate the effects of sodium pentobarbital overdoses during exsanguination, three groups (6 rats/group) of male and female rats were injected i.p. with 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg of sodium pentobarbital, then carotid exsanguination was performed immediately after loss of consciousness. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (Hif1a) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (Tnfa) mRNA expressions in liver and kidney organs were evaluated. As well as, serum aminotransferase activities (AST&ALT), glucose, urea, creatinine, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and catalase (CAT) levels were determined. The histological alterations in liver, kidney and spleen were studied. It was found that Hif1a and Tnfa were significantly overexpressed in the studied organs and serum AST, glucose, creatinine and urea levels were significantly increased after sodium pentobarbital overdoses (100 and 150 mg/kg) compared to 50 mg/kg dose. Similarly, significant increase in MDA and GSH levels of liver, kidney and spleen were noticed. Results showed gender difference where Hif1a and Tnfa levels were significantly overexpressed at high dose of sodium pentobarbital of liver and kidney organs in female more than male rats. Since euthanasia protocol may influence the physiological variables and affect genes’ expression, it is recommended to avoid sodium pentobarbital overdose during euthanasia as it may interfere with the biochemical, molecular and histological measurements.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common causes of dementia. Several drugs are used to improve the symptoms, but do not stop AD progression. There are more promising treatments that may have a significant role in AD diagnosis and treatment such as miRNAs and stem cells. The present study aims to develop a new approach for AD treatment by mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and/or acitretin with special reference to inflammatory signaling pathway as NF-kB and its regulator miRNAs in AD-like rat model. Fourty-five male albino rats were allotted for the present study. The experimental periods were divided into induction, withdrawal, and therapeutic phases. Expression levels of miR-146a, miR-155, necrotic, growth and inflammatory genes were assessed using RT-qPCR. Histopathological examination of brain tissues was performed in different rat groups. The normal physiological, molecular, and histopathological levels were restored after treatment with MSCs and/or acitretin. The present study demonstrates that the miR-146a and miR-155 might be used as promising biomarkers for AD. MSCs and/or acitretin proved their therapeutic potential in restoring the expression levels of targeted miRNAs and their related genes concerning NF-kB signaling pathway.

Background Cervical cancer remains a global health challenge with persistently high incidence and mortality rates despite advancements in conventional treatments. The therapeutic potential of natural products has gained attention, particularly for their selective cytotoxicity and ability to modulate cancer pathways. Alnus incana (L.) Moench, a species-rich in bioactive compounds, shows potential as an anticancer agent; however, the cytotoxic effects of its leaves dichloromethane (DCM) extract remain underexplored. This study investigates the DCM fraction’s cytotoxicity on various cancer cell lines, with a primary focus on HeLa cells. Methods The cytotoxic effects of the A. incana DCM fraction were evaluated in a dose-dependent manner using the MTT assay on several cancer cell lines, with particular emphasis on HeLa cells. Flow cytometry was used to assess cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, while RT-qPCR quantified changes in the expression of apoptotic markers ( Bax , Bcl-2 , and p53 ). Chemical composition analysis was conducted using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/flame ionization detection (GC-MS/FID) to identify the major bioactive compounds within the fraction. Results The DCM fraction exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity in HeLa cells, with an IC 50 value of 135.6 µg/mL and a selectivity index (SI) of 2.72 relative to normal cells. Flow cytometry analysis revealed G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, significantly hindering progression through the S and G2/M phases. Moreover, there was a significant increase in both early and late apoptotic cell populations, correlating with the upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes ( Bax and p53 ) and the downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 . The chemical analysis identified 22 compounds in the unsaponifiable fraction, chiefly terpenoids such as phytol (65.74%). The saponifiable fraction presented a balanced composition of saturated (48.69%) and unsaturated (51.29%) fatty acids, with palmitic acid, linolenic acid, and linoleic acid as the predominant compounds. Conclusion While the DCM fraction’s relatively high IC 50 value may limit its utility as a standalone treatment, its ability to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis demonstrates its promise as a co-therapeutic agent with conventional anticancer drugs. Further research is essential to elucidate its precise mechanisms of action and to evaluate its efficacy in combination therapies, potentially advancing its role in cervical cancer treatment.

Background Doxorubicin (DOX) is an effective chemotherapeutic drug, but its clinical use is limited by dose-dependent cardiotoxicity and cardiomyopathy. Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) may offer cardioprotective effects through regenerative, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory mechanisms. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of ADMSCs in DOX-induced cardiomyopathy in rats, with focus on miR-146a expression and transcriptional modulation of the NF-κB/TLR-4 inflammatory signaling axis. NF-κB was selected because it plays a central role in regulating inflammatory signaling and is well established as a key link between oxidative stress and myocardial injury in doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity, compared with other downstream apoptotic pathways. Methodology Forty male rats were assigned to control and DOX-treated groups. Cardiomyopathy was induced by intraperitoneal DOX injection at 2.5 mg/kg every other day for 14 days, for a total of seven injections and a cumulative dose of 17.5 mg/kg. During the therapeutic phase, ADMSCs were administered intravenously. Serum creatine kinase activity, cardiac oxidative stress markers, miR-146a, NF-κB, and TLR-4 expression were assessed. Alkaline and neutral comet assays, histopathological examination, and ADMSC homing evaluation were also performed. Results DOX administration increased serum creatine kinase activity and malondialdehyde levels, reduced catalase activity, and induced cardiac DNA damage and histopathological alterations. Molecular analysis showed a slight, non-significant downward trend in miR-146a expression during induction, together with significant upregulation of NF-κB and TLR-4 expression. ADMSC treatment ameliorated several DOX-associated biochemical, molecular, genotoxic, and histopathological alterations. However, some physiological parameters showed only partial or non-significant improvement. Conclusion These findings suggest that ADMSCs may attenuate DOX-induced cardiomyopathy, at least partly, through reduced oxidative stress and DNA damage, improved myocardial histology, and transcriptional modulation of the miR-146a/NF-κB/TLR-4 axis.

The present study aimed to investigate the potential role of leptin in the progression of breast cancer and the associated cell proliferation signalling pathway(s). A total of 44 female patients diagnosed with breast cancer and 24 healthy donors from Ain Shams University Hospitals (Cairo, Egypt) were enrolled in the present study. The present study assessed leptin expression in breast cancer tissues at the gene and protein level using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry. The results demonstrate that the expression of leptin was significantly higher in tissue of breast cancer samples from obese patients than overweight and control samples (P<0.001). ELISA results indicated a significant increase (P<0.001) of leptin expression in obese patients. To investigate whether there is any difference in leptin expression between the peripheral and tumor microenvironment blood of patients with breast cancer, the concentration of leptin was assessed in plasma from both using ELISA assays. The results demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the level of leptin in plasma samples from the tumor microenvironment of obese patients with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancer, compared with peripheral plasma samples. Furthermore, the leptin gene was overexpressed in obese ER+ breast cancer tissue. RT-qPCR was also performed to assess the expression of genes involved in proliferation pathways including leptin receptor (LEPR), aromatase, mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3). A positive association between leptin expression, LEPR, aromatase, MAPK and STAT3 was detected in tissue samples of patients with breast cancer. The current study concluded that leptin may enhance breast cancer progression by inducing the expression of JAK/STAT3, ERK1/2 and estrogen pathways in obese patients breast cancer.

El propósito del presente trabajo es examinar la presencia del realismo mágico en la novela Del amor y otros demonios de Gabriel García Márquez. Nuestro principal objetivo es encontrar los elementos distintivos de esta corriente, donde conviven lo real con lo mágico. Para ello en nuestro estudio hemos tratado de localizar, examinar y valorar los principales ejemplos del realismo mágico presentes en la obra. Consideramos que, a partir del conocimiento de las características de esta corriente literaria, nos ha sido posible realizar una investigación basada en el desarrollo de las diversas realidades representadas en la obra. Según nuestras propias conclusiones, en la novela se encuentran representados los mitos y las supersticiones americanas y africanas, que conforman la mayor parte de lo que daríamos en llamar fantástico, y que chocan abiertamente con las que conforman la Iglesia católica. Sin embargo, algo que aporta una mayor complejidad, las creencias católicas y africanas, se entrelazan, dando lugar a una fusión de culturas que nos permite comprender la realidad más profunda de América Latina colonial, una sociedad marcada por el padecimiento de los amerindios y la realidad patente de la esclavitud. Todo lo anterior da lugar a que los hechos del mundo real se entremezclen con lo fantástico, lo que conforma lo que ha dado en llamarse realismo mágico.

The use of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs) as (i) covers for arsenic-rich gold mine tailings and landfills, (ii) subsurface barrier for migration of hydrocarbons in the Arctic, and (iii) basal liner for sewage treatment lagoons were examined. After 4 years in field and laboratory experiments, it was found that best cover configuration above gold mine tailings might include a layer of GCL product with polymer-enhanced bentonite and a geofilm-coated carrier geotextile serving above the tailings under ≥ 0.7 m overburden. However, acceptable performance could be achieved with using a standard GCL with untreated bentonite provided that there is a minimum of 0.7 m of cover soil above the GCL. When GCL samples were exhumed from experimental landfill test cover with complete replacement of sodium in the bentonite with divalent cations in the adjacent soil, it was observed that the (i) hydraulic head across the GCLs, (ii) size of the needle-punched bundles, and (iii) structure of the bentonite can all significantly affect the value of the inferred in-situ hydraulic conductivity measured at the laboratory. The higher the hydraulic head and the larger the size of the needle-punched bundles, the higher the likelihood of internal erosion/structural change of bentonite at bundles that will cause a preferential flow for liquids to occur. A key practical implication was that GCLs can perform effectively as a single hydraulic barrier in covers provided that the water head above the GCL kept low. The hydraulic performance of a GCL in the Arctic was most affected by the location within the soil profile relative to the typical groundwater level with the highest increase in the hydraulic conductivity (by 1-4 orders of magnitude) for GCL below the water table. However, because the head required for jet fuel to pass through the GCL was higher than that present under field conditions, there was no evidence of jet fuel leakage through the barrier system. The leakage through GCLs below concrete lined sewage treatment lagoons was within acceptable limits, in large part, due to the low interface transmissivity (in order of 10-11 to 10-13 m2/s) between GCLs and the overlying poured concrete.

This thesis presents essays on empirical asset pricing and firm investment behaviour in Egypt. Chapters 2 and 3 investigate returns patterns and factor equity pricing models, whereas Chapter 4 examines state ownership effect on firm investment behaviour. Chapter 2 contributes firstly by constructing a unique dataset of the cross section of the Egyptian stocks and an Egyptian version of Fama-French factors and stock portfolios. It also explores anomalies patterns in stock returns. Using portfolio sorts, it is found that anomalies patterns exist in average excess returns, especially the size and value patterns, with no investment effect for big stocks and profitability effect for micro stocks. However, cross sectional regressions on individual firms show the significant importance of the book-to-market ratio and profitability in predicting returns whilst momentum and asset growth are insignificant. Chapter 3 tests factor models for the period 2003-2017 contributing to the limited literature on asset pricing for emerging markets. Factor spanning regressions and multi-factor Gibbons, Ross and Shanken (GRS) tests reject the Fama-French three (1993) and six-factor (2018) models in favour of the five-factor model (2015). Nevertheless, some metrics of dispersion and regression details offer better support to the three-factor model for other test assets than Size-Profitability portfolios, owing to its role in pricing micro stocks. Lastly, the investment and momentum factors are redundant in explaining average returns. In Chapter 4, findings show that state ownership is accompanied with lower investment levels and poor investment efficiency for the period 2006-2017. State ownership reduces firm's financial constraints, which can be explained by soft budget constraints that state controlled firm may enjoy. However, state firms do not heavily use bank credit as a channel of softening the budget constraints. Channels of investment inefficiency associated with state ownership are mainly agency costs and soft budget constraints.

Chronic liver disease refers to on-going inflammation in the liver for at least 6 months with the potential to progress to cirrhosis and end-stage liver disease. In the present study, the effect of some beverage rich in chlorogenic acid on rats suffering from chronic liver induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) was studied in Male albino rats. Forty-two rats were divided into six groups. Group 1: negative control group (normal, fed on basal diet), Group 2: positive group, injected with CCl4 (fed on basal diet). Groups 3, 4, 5 and 6 were injected with CCl4 co-administered with green coffee, roasted coffee, green tea and black tea. The results showed that the administration of CCl4 resulted in significant increase in liver enzyme, in addition, CCl4 disturbed liver histology. There was a statistically significant difference between the positive control group when compared to green coffee and green tea groups (192.33 ± 6.83 g vs. 193.67 ± 7.50 g, respectively) in the final weight. Beverage extract has a beneficial effect on serum glucose, lipid profile, kidney, and liver function. Histopathological examination indicated that groups administered with green tea, roasted coffee have normal histological structure