The National Research Centre is an Egyptian research and development center for multiple disciplines including agriculture, chemistry, biology, medicine, engineering and genetics. It was established in 1956 "to foster basic and applied scientific research, particularly in industry, agriculture, public health and other sectors of national economy". The NRC is the largest institution affiliated with the ministry of Scientific Research. It has a research staff of 4847 scientists and is headed by a president with two vice presidents for research and technical affairs.
Embankments reinforced with piles and geosynthetic is one of the improvement techniques that provides a good solution for rapid construction of highways and roads over poor grounds (e.g., soft clay, peat, loose sand, etc.). In this paper, a case history of highway project, which was constructed rapidly on weak soil deposits in Alexandria, Egypt, is presented. Moreover, because of the complexity of the problem of soil-structure interaction associated with reinforced pile embankment, finite element method (FEM) PLAXIS 2D subroutine was utilized to simulate the problem and to investigate the response of the embankment during construction, operation, and seismic event. The numerical modeling results revealed that, the proposed system of piled-embankment reinforced with geosynthetic founded on a soft clay has a substantial impact on reducing both of vertical settlements and construction time significantly. The numerical model predicted a reduction in total vertical settlement from 250 mm to 90 mm (i.e., 64% reduction percentage) compared to the calculated values of the unreinforced embankment numerical model. Furthermore, the proposed treatment method gave acceptable stability results in terms of safety factors for static (FOS=3.9) and seismic (FOS=2) states compared to the unreinforced embankment which failed to give the minimum required safety factors by design standards and regulations.
A series of Mn(I)-based photoinduced carbon monoxide releasing molecules (1–4) with the general formula of fac-[MnX(CO)3(NN)]0/+ (X = Br and diphenyl(2-pyridyl)phosphine; N-N = 2,2’-Bipyridine and 1,10-phenanthroline) was synthesized and evaluated for their potential CO-releasing properties and anticancer potential against four malignant and normal cell lines. Cytotoxicity screening showed selective activity toward human acute monocytic leukaemia cells (THP-1) cells, with higher activity observed under the dark conditions indicating that the complexes rather than CO release are primarily responsible for the observed in vitro anticancer activity. Lipophilicity has been shown to alter biological activity, with higher membrane permeability increasing cytotoxic effects. Among the tested complexes, the bromide complexes exhibited stronger cytotoxicity, while the corresponding phosphine compounds showed improved selectivity and reduced toxicity toward normal cells. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that these compounds target mitochondria, inducing dose-dependent modulation of mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species production. Additionally, the bromide complexes induced a significant G2/M cell-cycle arrest.
This comprehensive review presents a thorough examination of recent advances in nanoemulsion (NE) green technology, focusing on biomass-assisted synthesis, characterization, and the diverse biomedical implications of these nanoscale emulsions. NEs, characterized by their minute droplet sizes and kinetic stability, have garnered considerable attention due to their potential applications across various biomedical fields. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of state-of-the-art synthesis methods, including mini-emulsion polymerization, NE–solvent evaporation, spontaneous emulsification, sol–gel techniques, and innovative strategies for producing complex multicomponent materials. Emphasis is placed on the evolution of synthetic approaches, offering insights into the current landscape of NE production. In exploring the biomedical applications, the study categorizes nanocarriers formed within NEs, distinguishing between polymeric, inorganic, and hybrid nanocarriers based on their chemical composition. Noteworthy advancements in synthetic strategies are outlined for each category, showcasing the dynamic nature of NEs technology. A key highlight is the discussion of emerging trends in biomedical applications, spanning medicine, food, agriculture, cosmetics, and environmental science. Specific attention is given to the role of NEs in nanofiltration, elucidating their effectiveness in removing diverse pharmaceuticals through polyamide nano-filters. Moreover, the manuscript delves into the pivotal role of NEs in bioremediation, addressing hazardous substances such as PFASs through adsorption, photo-degradation/defluorination, and other innovative mechanisms. This review aims to provide a contemporary overview of green NE technologies, offering valuable insights for researchers, scientists, and practitioners in nanotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and biomedical sciences.
Nanotechnology has emerged as an advanced, sustainable approach to controlling the spread of waterborne pathogens in aquatic environments, addressing a critical global health challenge that causes millions of deaths each year. Increasing pressures from rapid population growth, industrial expansion, and climate change have heightened the need for innovative, efficient water treatment technologies. Although conventional disinfection methods, such as chlorination and ozonation, remain widely used, their use is often associated with the formation of harmful disinfection by-products (DBPs). These limitations have stimulated interest in nanomaterials as alternative antimicrobial agents. Nanoparticles exhibit strong antimicrobial activity, broad-spectrum effectiveness against viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, and a lower potential for by-product formation than traditional disinfectants. This review comprehensively evaluates nanoparticle classifications, synthesis strategies, and their functional advantages in water and wastewater treatment systems. It further explores the mechanisms underlying nanoparticle-mediated pathogen inactivation and biofilm disruption, while discussing current technological advancements and practical challenges. The limitations of conventional treatment approaches are also addressed in the context of emerging global water stressors. Overall, this review provides an integrated, up—to-date perspective on nanomaterial-based water disinfection and biofilm control, emphasizing the relationship between nanomaterial physicochemical properties and their antimicrobial performance.
Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the world with the prevalence expected to increase threefold to 152.8 million people by 2050. The current medications provide a short-term ameliorative effect, and this requires development of disease-modifying treatments, which address the biological pathogenesis. This review assesses the changing neuropharmacological environment offering a critical analysis of anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies and investigates the so-called expanding frontier of non-amyloid targets. It also examines the approaches of clinical trials and the trend of biomarker-based patient selection and precision medicine. Although β-site APP-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) and secretase inhibitors did not achieve success in clinical trials because of mechanism-based toxicity and cognitive impairment, new monoclonal antibodies such as lecanemab and donanemab have shown high amyloid plaque clearance and reduced cognitive deterioration. Nevertheless, the treatments are associated with amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA). In addition to amyloid, studies are focusing on tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation through triggering receptor on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and growth factor-mediated synaptic plasticity through brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). AD treatment has entered the new era that demands a paradigm shift from monotherapies to multi-target cocktails. The future lies in precision neuropharmacology, where genetic stratification and individual biomarker analysis are used to provide the correct treatment at the most appropriate biological stage.
