Vol.2 No.5 -2 : Effect of Doping a Rare-Earth Oxide on the Photovoltaic Parameters of Dye -Sensitized Solar Cells.

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By : A. A. El-Hamalawy, M. M. El-Kholy, Alshimaa Ali

Abstract

Yb2O3-doped TiO2 were prepared using mechanochemical process to obtain Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (DSSCs) photoanodes. The parameters of DSSC devices were calculated. The study showed that the addition of Yb2O3 improved the open-circuit voltage via a p-type effect, whereas, a negative effect on the generated photocurrent was observed. This reduction in photocurrent was attributed to increasing crystal defects as a result of increasing the concentration of Yb2O3 dopants.

2. Effect of Doping a Rare-Earth Oxide on the Photovoltaic Parameters of Dye -Sensitized Solar Cells.
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Vol.2 No.5 -3 : Heavy Metal Analysis in Some Water Types from Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and Future Aspirations of Water Resources Management.

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By : Ahmed M. El-Naggar

Abstract

A comparative evaluation of the heavy metals Arsenic, Lead, Cadmium, Chromium, Copper and Zinc in versatile water resources in Egypt and Saudi Arabia was conducted during the summer of 2015. All the studied water brands contained markedly scarce amounts of Arsenic, which was under the limit of detection. Chromium was also found to be under the limit of detection in Baraka, Nestle Pure Life, Hayat, Aman Siwa and Siwa from the water market at Mansoura (Egypt). Similar finding was recorded for Cadmium in Aman Siwa and Lead in Hayat, Aman Siwa and Siwa water brands. The highest levels of Cadmium, Chromium, Copper, Lead and Zinc were recorded in Baraka, Aquafina, Dasani, Safi and Aquafina water brands, respectively. However, the lowest amounts of these metals were detected in Siwa, Safi, Safi, Nestle Pure Life and Aman Siwa, respectively. Ablution water showed undesirable amounts of Zinc (0.25 ppm). Street coolers recorded relatively low amounts of Chromium (0.09 ppm) and Zinc (0.10 ppm). Zamzam water was free of Cadmium, Lead and Zinc, however it recorded low amounts of Copper (0.004 ppm) and undesirable levels of Chromium (0.13 ppm). The level of Chromium detected in the purified River Nile’s water was 0.125 in the tap water and 0.110 ppm in vending machines. On the other hand, the amounts of Zinc were 0.085 and 0.546 ppm in the two water brands, respectively. The heavy metal analysis provided insight into the quality of water sources under investigation. The study discussed the effects of heavy metals on the human health and their effects on the community health in the long term. The study reviewed future aspirations for the management of water resources in Egypt and Saudi Arabia.

3. Heavy Metal Analysis in Some Water Types from Egypt and Saudi Arabia, and Future Aspirations of Water Resources Management.
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Vol.2 No.5 -4 : Age-Related Changes in the Histological Structure of Rabbit Testes and the Prophylactic Role of Vitamin E.

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By : 1Nabila I. El-Desouki, 2Amal I. El-Refaiy, 1Dalia F. Afifi and 1Hanan Talaat

Abstract

The present investigation is planned to compare between the histological structure of rabbit testes of different ages and the prophylactic role of vitamin E on senescent animals. Male NewZeland rabbits were divided into four groups according to age. Group I: represented the young rabbits (one month age, weighing 1 ± 0.4 kg), group II: adult rabbits (6 months age, weighing 4 ± 0.5 kg), group III: aged animals (24 month age, weighing 7.5 ± 0.5 kg and group (IV) aged rabbits treated daily with the therapeutic dose of vitamin E orally at a dose of 10 mg/kg b.w / day for 60 days. The testes of young rabbits revealed a small form of seminiferous tubules with regular outline with spermatogonia and Sertoli cells, and the lumen appeared empty from spermatozoa. The interstitium is made up of loose connective tissue with large polyhedral interstitial Leydig cells. In adult studied animals, testes demonstrated with all spermatogenic cells and the lumen filled with spermatozoa. In aged rabbits, the histological studies of testis demonstrated atrophied irregular tubules, disarrangement of vacuolated spermatogenic cells, and sloughing of germ cells into the tubular lumen with reduction and degeneration of spermatozoa. The interstitium between the tubules was widen and filled with degenerated and reduced Leydig cells. Administration of vitamin E to aged animals group revealed an obvious improvement of spermatogenic cells, and the spermatozoa appeared in the lumen of many seminiferous tubules.

4. Age-Related Changes in the Histological Structure of Rabbit Testes and the Prophylactic Role of Vitamin E.
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Vol.2 No.5 -5 : Biochemical study of some non invasive markers in liver fibrosis patients.

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By : Ayman E. El Agroudy1, Mohamed S. Elghareb2, Emad H. Elshahat3, Ezar H. Hafez4, Tamer A. Addissouky5

Abstract

Non-invasive methods have been proposed as surrogate markers for liver biopsy. It was shown that serum hyaluronic acid (HA) level increase with the development of liver fibrosis. The present study aims to determine serum HA level cut-off points for predicting liver fibrosis. Serum HA level in chronic hepatitis patients (n=60) are divided into two groups, group1: included 30 patients, there were positive for anti-HCV (antibodies), group2: included 30 patients, there were positive for HBsAg, and controls (n=10) were assessed by ELISA and liver histopathological parameters were evaluated by the modified Knodell score and microscopic examination of liver biopsies. The results showed that individuals in healthy control group have normal levels of HA (mean 14.3, SD: 5.5) while the levels of HA were elevated in patients of HCV alone (mean 103.6±28.0) and in patient of HCV (mean 104.5± 37.5).Also levels of HA were poorly elevated in HBV alone (mean 62.2± 15.5) and in HBV (mean 45.8± 12.4).The comparison between the studied groups regarding to the level of HA showed that a significant difference was observed between healthy group and HBV & HCV groups (P < 0.001).HA levels and stages of fibrosis were well correlated in patients of HBV and HCV group. Where, this is a significant increase in HA levels when considering F0 to F6 scores by liver biopsy (P < 0.001). Serum HA levels are well correlated with HAI In patients Of HBV & HCV groups where, there was significant increase in HA levels by increase of HAI in liver biopsy at P < 0.001.

5. Biochemical study of some non invasive markers in liver fibrosis patients.
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Vol.2 No.5 -6 : Serum hyaluronic acid as non invasive biomarker to predict liver fibrosis in viral hepatitis patients.

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By : Ayman E. El Agroudy1, Mohamed S. Elghareb2, Emad H. Elshahat3, Ezar H. Hafez4, Tamer A. Addissouky5

Abstract

Fibrosis is a hallmark histologic event of viral hepatitis and is characterized by the excessive accumulation and reorganization of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The gold standard for assessment of fibrosis is liver biopsy. As this procedure has various limitations, including risk of patient injury and sampling error. Serum Hyaluronic acid as non invasive marker for liver fibrosis is desirable. The present study aims to determine the serum hyaluronic acid (HA) levels as biochemical marker of hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis and correlate it with the degree of hepatic fibrosis. Serum HA level in chronic hepatitis patients (n=60) are divided into two groups, group1: included 30 patients positive for anti-HCV (antibodies), group 2 included 30 patients positive for HBsAg, and controls (n=10) were assessed by ELISA and liver histopathological parameters were evaluated by the modified Knodell score and microscopic examination of liver biopsies from patients. Individuals in healthy control group have normal levels of HA (mean 14.3, SD: 5.5) while the levels of HA were elevated in patients of HCV alone (mean 103.6±28.0) and in patient of HCV (mean 104.5± 37.5).Also levels of HA were poorly elevated in HBV alone (mean 62.2± 15.5) and in HBV (mean 45.8± 12.4). showed that serum HA levels are well correlated with HAI in patients of HBV & HCV groups where, there was significant increase in HA levels by increase of HAI by liver biopsy P < 0.001.HA levels and stages of fibrosis were well correlated in patients of HBV and HCV group. Where, this is a significant increase in HA levels when Considering F0 to F6 scores by liver biopsy (P < 0.001). Serum HA is a useful non-invasive marker of liver fibrosis. There is a strong positive correlation between serum HA levels and degree of liver fibrosis. The concentration of serum HA rises according to progression of liver fibrosis.

6. Serum hyaluronic acid as non invasive biomarker to predict liver fibrosis in viral hepatitis patients.
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Vol.2 No.5 -7 : Folic acid ameliorates L-thyroxin induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in albino rats.

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By : Somya Y. Shalaby¹, Saber A. Sakr¹, Ehab Tousson², Mohamed Rabea¹

Abstract

Thyroid hormones have been known to regulate the energy metabolism of most tissues including liver. Alterations in their normal levels cause some biochemical and clinical abnormalities such as hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. The present study evaluated the effect of thyroid hormone, L-thyroxin on liver of albino rats. Additionally the ameliorating role of folic acid supplementation was investigated. Fifty male albino rats were randomly divided into five groups (group I, control; group II, folic acid; group III, L-thyroxin sodium administration (100 μg/kg / body weight); group IV, L-thyroxin and folic acid group and V, recovery group). The results showed that there were a significant increase in ALT, AST, MDA and nitric oxide in L-thyroxin treated rats as compared to control group. On the other hand, a significant decrease in glutathione (GSH) in L-thyroxin treated rats as compared to control group. Histological results showed that liver sections of L-thyroxin group showed histopathological lesions such as leucocytic infiltrations, congestion of central and portal veins and cytoplasmic vacuolation of hepatocytes with the presence of pyknotic nuclei, in addition to fatty infiltration. Immunohistochemical results revealed that strong positive expression of PCNA, P53, and Bcl-2 were detected in the liver section in L-thyroxin treated rats and recovered rats as compared to control and folic acid groups. However; mild to moderate positive expressions of PCNA, P53, and Bcl-2 were observed in rats treated with L-thyroxin and folic acid in liver section. This reflects oxidative stress associated with hyperthyroid state.

7. Folic acid ameliorates L-thyroxin induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in albino rats.
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