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The content of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in different samples of fruits and vegetables was determined by spectrophotometric method. This method relies on its ability to reduce permanganate colors at (530 nm). Where samples were collected from the local market in the city of Marg. A linear concentration range of ascorbic acid buffer solutions was obtained between (0.25-32) μg/ml with a correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.9666) and the ascorbic acid content of fresh fruit was found between 0.25 and 1405 mg/100g. As well as 0.280 and 475 mg/ 100 g of fresh vegetables. The results of the study gave a large variation in the vitamin C content between the fruit samples, which could be due to the level of ripeness of the fruit or due to the reduction of the permanganate ion by the sugars.

The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of heavy metals and total dissolved solids in purified drinking water plants in AL-Marj City. The studied water samples were randomly collected from different plants. The levels of heavy metals were that determined by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy (Flam AAS) instrument, at the same time, the total dissolved solids (TDS) were also detected by TDS meter. The obtained results showed the appearance and contamination of the most tested samples by toxic heavy elements via Pb, Cr, Co, and Cd. Additionally, the results showed that most of the samples suffer from losing total dissolved solids, which are important to human health. The results showed that most samples of water had greater levels of toxic heavy metals and lower content of total dissolved solids (TDS) than the standard values mentioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) and Libya Health Organization (LHO). Therefore, the study recommended that decision-makers in the city should be taken more care about purifying drinking water plants with monitoring and checking, comparing with the standard level of the Libyan Health Organization.

Nile tilapia is known for its relative tolerance to some biotic and abiotic stressors. However, long-period water exchange may impair the health status and, thereby, the growth performance and feed utilization. In this regard, using herbal extracts may help to relieve the adverse impacts of low water quality on the productivity of this fish species. A 100-day feeding trial was designed to examine the effects of dietary supplements of leaves (AVE), and chamomile flowers, (CFE) extracts on water quality, growth performance, and well-being of Nile tilapia. Fish (3.95±0.05 g, n=1200) were distributed into five groups (15 fiberglass tanks, 2 m ) under a water exchange rate of 20% every two days for standard control (T0) without herbal supplements. Groups (T1, T2, T3, and T4) were exposed to a long water exchange period of 50% every month, wherein T1 (stressed control), T2, T3, and T4 groups were fed a diet supplemented with 0% herbal extract, 1% AVE, 1% CFE and 0.5% AVE +0.5% CFE, respectively. Results showed that feeding on a T2 diet exhibited a clear improvement under a long period of water exchange stress, and it is almost similar to their counterparts under normal conditions (T0) in terms of specific growth rate, survival rate, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio. Moreover, the lowest levels of aspartate aminotransferase were obtained with T2 and T0. In addition, the highest white blood cell count and hemoglobin values were recorded with group T0, followed by T2, and T4, while there was no significant difference between T3 and T1. Fish under stressed conditions without herbal extracts (T1) showed the lowest performance and survival rate compared to T0 and T2 groups. In conclusion, feeding diet supplied with 1% extract to stressed fish restored their performance and well-being to the level of their counterparts under normal conditions.

Background Scabies, sarcoptic itch, is a highly contagious and pruritic skin inflammation. Given their ecological benefits and previous therapeutic properties, essential oils are worth investigating as potentially safer alternatives to synthetic anti-scabies agents. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of three essential oils derived from cassia barks, myrrh oleo-gum-resin, and fennel fruits against Sarcoptes scabiei (Linnaeus, 1758), the causative agent of scabies, using lemongrass and clove essential oils as standards. Additionally, the study explored the structure-activity relationship by characterizing the chemical compositions of these essential oils. Further, a molecular docking study was performed to get further insights into the mechanism of the scabicidal effect of the active essential oils. Methods Essential oils were extracted by hydro-distillation from dried cassia, myrrh, and fennel using the Clevenger apparatus, and their chemical profiles were characterized using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The contact bioassay method was utilized to assess their scabicidal activities. The molecular docking study incorporated two target enzymes, glutathione transferase (GST) and inactive serine proteases of scabies mite (SMIPP-S-D1). This is owing to the involvement of these two enzymes in the scabies defense mechanisms. Results The GC-MS analysis identified ( E )-cinnamaldehyde as the primary constituent in cassia essential oil, while β-ocimene, α-copaene, and trans -α-bisabolene were major components of myrrh essential oil. Fennel essential oil predominantly consisted of estragole. The contact bioassay demonstrated noteworthy scabicidal activities of cassia and myrrh essential oils, against all tested stages of S. scabiei . The docking analysis revealed higher binding affinities between the main phytochemicals of these active essential oils and GST, with binding scores ranging from − 7.7 to − 5.3 kcal/mol, compared to lemongrass and clove essential oils’ main components. Additionally, these components displayed favorable binding affinities to SMIPP-S-D1 ranging from − 5.5 to − 4.0 kcal/mol, comparable to lemongrass and clove essential oils’ main components. These findings suggest that cassia and myrrh essential oils could inhibit the defense mechanisms of scabies mites. Conclusion These findings revealed the potential for anti-scabies of essential oils from cassia bark and myrrh oleo-gum-resin, which could effectively control scabies. The Docking analysis showed strong to moderate binding affinities of major components of cassia and myrrh essential oils towards GST and SMIPP-S-D1 enzymes.

SARS-CoV-2 infection has been recorded in 230 countries to date. Obesity has a negative impact on one's quality of life and is one of the main causes of mortality globally. Obesity affects the immune system, making the host more susceptible to infectious infections. Also, obesity commonly provokes the severity of respiratory diseases so the correlation of rs7799039 Polymorphism in corpulent patients with COVID-19 infection was clearly investigated in the current study. A total of 232 patients were recruited, 116 patients were obese with COVID-19 infection, and 116 patients were non obese COVID-19. Fasting blood glucose test (FBG), hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C), complete blood count (CBC), international normalized ratio (INR), urea, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), D dimer and C-reactive protein (CRP) were estimated. C.T. scan was performed for each patient, and C.T. severity score was calculated. Genotyping for the rs7799039 SNPs was performed by TaqMan (Applied Biosystems Step One Real-time PCR). Regarding polymorphism, all individuals of non-obese groups significantly had the homozygous allele GG (100%), whereas only 56% of obese groups had GG alleles (P = 0.001). The severity scores significantly (P = 0.001) varied regarding polymorphism regarding Rs7799039, where the largest proportion of those with Grade IV had the homozygous allele AA (57.1%). There was a correlation between the gene allelic discrimination and COVID-19 CT brutality in obese patients. The A allele was considered a risk factor for severity in COVID-19 patients while the G allele contributes to decreasing that risk.

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate parasitic infections in children with allergic rhinitis (AR) referring to a tertiary center in Egypt. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 139 children (78 males) with allergic rhinitis aged from 6 to 14 years attending Assiut University Hospitals, as well as 70 healthy children as controls. All participants underwent stool analysis, serology for IgG antibodies to Toxocara canis, IgE antibodies to Ascaris lumbricoides, serum IL-5 levels, and urinary leukotriene E4. Results: AR patients showed significantly higher values of absolute eosinophilic count (AEC), IL-5, urinary leukotriene E4, and total IgE than controls. Anti-Ascaris IgE and IgG anti- Toxocara canis were positive in 18.7% and 18% of patients respectively. Giardia infection was detected in stools of 20.1% of patients. Patients with parasitic infections showed significantly higher AEC, serum IL-5, and urinary leukotriene E4 values than those with negative infection and controls. Conclusions: Our study revealed that infections with Ascaris, Toxocara, and Giardia were more common among AR children compared to healthy children and they were significantly associated with disease severity so the infection with these parasites may be a risk factor for AR among Upper Egyptian children.