In this study, toxicity of crude leaf extract of Calotropis procera (Aiton) (Apocynaceae) was assessed against Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) in laboratory conditions using the spraying method. The LC50 values after 24 hours of treatment were calculated as 3608.73 and 2277.02 mg/L for female and male mites respectively. These amounts after 48 hours of treatment were 2456.98 and 1671.2 mg/L. Results showed that the incubation period, total immature and life cycle durations of T. urticae were prolonged under the influence of the C. procera extract. The fecundity and hatchability percentages were significantly lower (18.2 eggs/females and 94.38%) compared to control (44.73 eggs/females and 99.47%), respectively. The reduction rate of T. urticae at different stages after 1, 3, 7, and 14 days of spraying showed that C. procera had a positive impact on mite population reduction that recorded 94.84 and 100% for females and males 14 days post -treatment. The methanolic extract of C. procera leaves was separated into 18 fractions. The 10th fraction exhibited 67, and 73% mortality, 48 and 72 hours post -treatment, respectively. Seventeen substances were identified in this fraction by using the GC -MS. These findings suggest that the leaf extract of C. procera which contains different novel compounds has the potential to be used for controlling T. urticae in the future.

BACKGROUND:Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) heavy metals are considered potentially hazardous toxins which cause serious health problems. Many studies reported that the water of Qaroun Lake in Fayoum, Egypt with its fish farms was contaminated with Pb and Cd above permissible levels. However, there is a lack of studies addressing levels of these toxic metals among inhabitants. OBJECTIVES:We aimed to evaluate blood levels of Pb and Cd and their potential health risk among inhabitants around Qaroun Lake. MATERIALS AND METHODS:This case-control study estimated Pb and Cd blood levels among 190 individuals from two destinations (near and far away) of Qaroun Lack using an atomic absorption spectrometer after full history taking and routine checkup investigations; Full blood count, serum ferritin, liver enzyme (ALT), and creatinine levels. RESULTS:There was a significant difference between blood levels of Pb and Cd heavy metals of inhabitants from near and far away Qaroun Lake destinations (p-value < 0.001). The majority of inhabitants around Qaroun Lake had Pb and Cd blood levels above permissible levels (100% and 60% respectively). Critical levels out of them were 12.1% and 30.3% respectively. In comparison to inhabitants faraway Qaroun Lake, three individuals (2.4%) had Cd above the permissible level, while all of them (100%) had Pb level within the permissible level. There were no statistically significant differences between the two sampled populations as regards hemoglobin level, ALT, creatinine, and ferritin serum levels (p-value > 0.05). The difference between studied populations regarding types of anemia was not statistically significant. Subclinical leucopenia was higher in the population near Qaroun Lake when compare to inhabitants far from the lake (13.6% vs. 4.8%, p-value 0.032). CONCLUSION:Bio-monitoring of populations exposed to Pb and Cd hazardous substances could help in generating an early warning system to reduce the disease burden associated with their toxicity.

TOXICOLOGICAL IMPACT OF VOLATILE OILS EXTRACTED FROM FOUR PLANTS AND THEIR JOINT ACTION WITH PHOSPHINE ON THE BROAD BEAN BEETLE BRUCHIDIUS INCARNATUS (BOH.) Barakat, Ahmed.1, Makram Sayed 2, Ahmed Etman2, Ibrahim Ali2. 1 Elhelb Pesticides and Chemicals Company. 2 Plant Protection Dept. Faculty of Agric.Fayoum University. ABSTRACT This study was carried out to determine the toxicity of four volatile oils of Wild mint (Mentha longifolia L.), Marjoram (Origanum majorana L.), Lemon peel (Citrus aurantiifolia Christm.), Orange peel (Citrus sinensis L.) and phospheine, against the adult of the Broad Bean Beetle Bruchidius incarnatus (Boh) (coleopteran: Bruchidae). The phosphine and marjoram oil were the most effective against B. incarnatus adults, 24h post treatment. Their LC50's were 0.0884 and 40.266 mg/l, resspectivley. In addition, the binary mixtures of wild mint with Marjoram volatile oils at all ratios 1:1, 1:2 and 2:1 exhibit potentiation effect. On the other hand, the binary mixtures of Lemon with Orange or Marjoram, showed antagonistic effect. The mixture of Wild mint with Lemon showed potentiation effect at the ratio of 2:1 and the same effect was recorded at the ratio of 1:1 in the mixture of Wild mint with Orange. The mixture of Wild mint with Lemon and Wiled mint /Orange showed antagonistic effect at the ratios of 1:1 and 1:2, respectively. But the mixture of Wild mint with Orange gave an additive effect at the ratio of 2:1, against adult of B. incarnatus, 24h post treatment. Concerning the binary mixtures of phosphine and the four volatile oils gave potentiation effect.

The exposure to sunlight, UV-rays led to the degradation of the pesticides formulations (Namrod 25% EC) bupirimate, (Agrozole 10% EC) penconazole and (Actacron 72% EC) profenofos. Their residues were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results showed that exposure to direct sunlight in (Winter at the morning) was more effective in degradation of the tested pesticides than exposure to direct sunlight in (Winter at the evening) for 4 hours. The percentage residue of bupirimate, penconazole and profenofos were 18.24, 48.52 and 19.26 % in winter at the morning, respectively. Therefore, bupirimate was the highest affected by this treatment. Also, the data showed that exposure to direct sunlight in (Summer at the evening) was more degraded than exposure to direct sunlight in (Summer at the morning) for 4 hours. The percentage residue of bupirimate, penconazole and profenofos were 11.14, 15.45 and 7.72 % after 4 hours in (Summer at the evening), respectively. Therefore profenofos was more degraded than other pesticides. In general the degradation of the tested pesticides in summer was higher than winter. Withal, the data demonstrated that the exposure to UV-ray at distance 22.5 cm was more effective in degradation of the three tested pesticides than exposure to UV-ray at distance 45 cm for 4 hours where, the percentage residue of bupirimate, penconazole and profenofos were 17.08, 39.56 and 15.00 % after 4 hours of exposure to UV-ray at distance 22.5 cm respectively, and therefore profenofos was the highest degraded in the three pesticide in the same period of exposure to UV-ray.

L., is a vector for more than100 human and animal diseases and has the ability to developeresistance to different insecticides. This study evaluated toxicity ofCypermethrin, Imidacloprid and Spinosad, in addition to, their mixturesunder laboratory conditions against larvae and adults of

(Linnaeus) toCypermethrin, Imidacloprid and Spinosad lead to developing resistanceagainst these insecticides. The resistance level of the selected strainsreached after 30

Studying the influence of cogongrass (Imperata cylindrica L.) extract on germination and seedling growth of some weeds and crops indicated that the dicotyledonous weeds such as goosefoot and sowthistle were the most affected by the aqueous extract of cogongrass (rhizome and foliage) than the monocotyledonous crops, wheat and onion, based on IC50 values. Delay in germination was more pronounced in weeds than crops. Dry weight of wheat and onion seedlings were not significantly affected meanwhile the dry weight of goosefoot, fieldbind and sowthistle seedlings were significant, by lower than control. Rhizome extract was generally more effective than foliage extract. Allelochemicals in cogongrass (rhizome and foliage) analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) were identified as phenolic compounds that included 3'-o-methyl-(-)-epicatechin-7-o-sulphate, vanillic, ferulic and coumaric acids in rhizome extract, in addition to (-)epigallocatechin-3,5-digallate, caffeic and gallic in foliage extract. Chlorogenic acid was the principal phenolic compound in both extracts. These results suggest that cogongrass might have an inhibitory effect. Considering that cogongrass is an allelopathic plant might suggest its use as soil additive material for weed control and could also serve as natural herbicide.

Morphological and molecular characterization of antagonistic ability of Trichoderma species was studied. Soil dilution plate method was used to isolate trichoderma from rhizosphere of bean, cowpea, cucumber, wheat and faba bean plants. Based on morphological and cultural characteristics, the Trichoderma isolates were identified as T. harzianum (10 isolates), T. koningii (8 isolates), and T. viride (2 isolates). A portion of rDNA, 560-600 bp was amplified from six biocontrol isolates using ITS1 and ITS 4 primers, and was sequenced and aligned against ex-type strain sequences from TrichoBlast and established Trichoderma taxonomy. Molecular phylogenetic analysis were performed based on nucleotide sequences in order to examine these isolates among 15 accession numbers of Trichoderma spp. found in GenBank. The results indicate that the FUE3, FUE5, FUE6, FUE9 and FUE18 Trichoderma isolates are closely related to Trichoderma koningii, while FUE15 isolate is closely related to Trichoderma harzianim .This result was in accordance with the result obtained from morphological and cultural characteristics. Production of volatile inhibitors and mycoparasitism were investigated using in vitro and in vivo tests in dual culture PDA medium and infected soils. The percent inhibitory effect against growth of Rhizoctonia solani was calculated, T. koningii FUE3 showed the greatest antagonistic effect to the pathogen (57.77%) in vitro experiment whereas T. koningii FUE6 and FUE18 were gave the highest reduction 96% of disease incidence caused by R. solani in greenhouse conditions.

BACKGROUND:Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is an essential plasma-derived medicine that is lacking in developing countries. IgG shortages leave immunodeficient patients without treatment, exposing them to devastating recurrent infections from local pathogens. A simple and practical method for producing IgG from normal or convalescent plasma collected in developing countries is needed to provide better, faster access to IgG for patients in need. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:IgG was purified from 10 consecutive minipools of 20 plasma donations collected in Egypt using single-use equipment. Plasma donations in their collection bags were subjected to 5%-pH5.5 caprylic acid treatment for 90 min at 31°C, and centrifuged to remove the precipitate. Supernatants were pooled, then dialyzed and concentrated using a commercial disposable hemodialyzer. The final preparation was filtered online by gravity, aseptically dispensed into storage transfusion bags, and frozen at <-20°C. The resulting preparation had a mean protein content of 60.5 g/L, 90.2% immunoglobulins, including 83.2% IgG, 12.4% IgA, and 4.4% IgM, and residual albumin. There was fourfold to sixfold enrichment of anti-hepatitis B and anti-rubella antibodies. Analyses of aggregates (<3%), prekallicrein (5-7 IU/mL), plasmin (26.3 mU/mL), thrombin (2.5 mU/mL), thrombin-like activity (0.011 U/g), thrombin generation capacity (< 223 nM), and Factor XI (<0.01 U/mL) activity, Factor XI/XIa antigen (2.4 ng/g) endotoxin (<0.5 EU/mL), and general safety test in rats showed the in vitro safety profile. Viral validation revealed >5 logs reduction of HIV, BVDV, and PRV infectivity in less than 15 min of caprylic acid treatment. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:90% pure, virally-inactivated immunoglobulins can be prepared from plasma minipools using simple disposable equipment and bag systems. This easy-to-implement process could be used to produce immunoglobulins from local plasma in developing countries to treat immunodeficient patients. It is also relevant for preparing hyperimmune IgG from convalescent plasma during infectious outbreaks such as the current Ebola virus episode.

Seaweeds are potentially excellent sources of highly bioactive materials that could represent useful leads in the alleviation of salinity stress. The effects of presoaking wheat grains in water extract ofUlva lactucaon growth, some enzymatic activities, and protein pattern of salinized plants were investigated in this study. Algal presoaking of grains demonstrated a highly significant enhancement in the percentage of seed germination and growth parameters. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) increased with increasing the algal extract concentration while activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) was decreased with increasing concentration of algal extract more than 1% (w/v). The protein pattern of wheat seedling showed 12 newly formed bands as result of algal extract treatments compared with control. The bioactive components inU. lactucaextract such as ascorbic acid, betaine, glutathione, and proline could potentially participate in the alleviation of salinity stress. Therefore, algal presoaking is proved to be an effective technique to improve the growth of wheat seedlings under salt stress conditions.

Seaweeds are potentially excellent sources of highly bioactive materials that could represent useful leads in the alleviation of salinity stress. The effects of presoaking wheat grains in water extract of Ulva lactuca on growth, some enzymatic activities, and protein pattern of salinized plants were investigated in this study. Algal presoaking of grains demonstrated a highly significant enhancement in the percentage of seed germination and growth parameters. The activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) increased with increasing the algal extract concentration while activity of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) was decreased with increasing concentration of algal extract more than 1% (w/v). The protein pattern of wheat seedling showed 12 newly formed bands as result of algal extract treatments compared with control. The bioactive components in U. lactuca extract such as ascorbic acid, betaine, glutathione, and proline could potentially participate in the alleviation of salinity stress. Therefore, algal presoaking is proved to be an effective technique to improve the growth of wheat seedlings under salt stress conditions.

Salinity is the most important stresses that reduce growth and yield of wheat plant. In order to study effect of salinity only as well as presence of antioxidants (β-carotene, glutathione, uric acid) individually or in combination of both on growth and some related physiological activities of wheat plant an experiment was conducted completely randomized design with three replications.. The decreased levels of seed germination and growth alterations induced by NaCl were alleviated by various levels of antioxidants. Application of antioxidants led to significant differences between responses of antioxidant defense system either non-enzymatic {glutathione and ascorbate} or enzymatic {catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Glutathione reductase (GR)}. Protein profile of T. aestivum show variations in the number appearance, disappearance of bands, and variation in the protein content in each band compared to control and to the percentage of each band in the same sample and finally its molecular weight. When treated with NaCl or in combination with antioxidant the organic solutes of wheat seedlings exhibited somewhat variable responses to the salinity levels. [Khaulood A. Hemida, Refaat M. Ali, Wael M. Ibrahim and Makram A. Sayed. Ameliorative role of some antioxidant compounds on physiological parameters and antioxidants response of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seedlings under salinity stress. Life Sci J 2014;11(7):324-342]. (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com. 38

Solvent-detergent (S/D) viral inactivation was recently adapted to the treatment of single plasma donations and cryoprecipitate minipools. We present here a new process and a new bag system where the S/D reagents are removed by filtration and the final products subjected to bacterial (0 center dot 2 mu m) filtration. Recovered and apheresis plasma for transfusion (FFP) and cryoprecipitate minipools (400 +/- 20 mL) were subjected to double-stage S/D viral inactivation, followed by one oil extraction and a filtration on a S/D and phthalate [di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)] adsorption device and a 0 center dot 2 mu m filter. The initial and the final products were compared for visual appearance, blood cell count and cell markers, proteins functional activity, von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimers and protein profile by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Tri (n-butyl) phosphate (TnBP) was quantified by gas chromatography and Triton X-45 and DEHP by high-performance-liquid chromatography (HPLC). General safety tests were by 6 center dot 5 mL/kg intravenous injection in rats. The treated plasmas and cryoprecipitates were very clear and the protein content and functionality, VWF multimers and SDS-PAGE profiles were well preserved. TnBP and Triton X-45 were < 1 and < 25 ppm, respectively, and DEHP (about 5 ppm) was less than it was in the starting materials. Blood cell counts and CD45, CD61 and glycophorin A markers were negative. There was no enhanced toxicity in rats. Thus, plasma and cryoprecipitate can be S/D-treated in this new CE-marked disposable integral processing system under conditions preserving protein function and integrity, removing blood cells, S/D agents and DEHP, and ensuring bacterial sterility. This process may offer one additional option to blood establishments for the production of virally inactivated plasma components.

The capacity of hydrophobic octadecyl (C18) and SDR HyperD materials to remove the combination of 1% (v/v) solvent (tri-n-butyl phosphate, TnBP) with 1% (v/v) nonionic detergents (Triton X-100 and Triton X-45) used for viral inactivation of plasma-derived polyvalent intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) preparation has been evaluated. Efficient removal of TnBP (<10 ppm in IVIG preparation) was found at ratios of 0.5 g of C18/7 ml of IVIG and 0.22 g of dry SDR HyperD/7 ml of IVIG. Binding capacities of TnBP were greater than 140 mg/g of C18 and greater than 318 mg/g of dry SDR HyperD. Complete removal of Triton X-45 (<2 ppm) was obtained at ratios of 1g of C18/7 ml of IVIG and 0.44 g of dry SDR HyperD/7 ml of IVIG or above, corresponding to binding capacities in excess of 70 mg/g of C18 and in excess of 159 mg/g of dry SDR HyperD. Residual Triton X-100 was less than 30 ppm at a ratio of 4 g/14 ml of immunoglobulin G (IgG) for the C18 sorbent. Triton X-100 was less than 10 ppm when using SDR HyperD at a ratio of 0.66 g/7 ml of IgG, corresponding to a binding capacity of approximately 106 mg of Triton X-100/g of dry SDR HyperD. Good recoveries of IVIG were achieved in the effluent from both sorbents.

Large-pool solvent/detergent (SD) plasma for transfusion exhibits reduced alpha 2-antiplasmin (α2-AP; SERPINF2) functional activity. The reason for the loss of α2-AP has not been described and could be due to the SD incubation itself and/or to the processing steps implemented to remove the solvent and the detergent. We have studied α2-AP activity during six down-scale preparations of plasma virally-inactivated by 1% (v/v) TnBP combined with two different non-ionic detergents, either 1% Triton X-100 or 1% Triton X-45, at 31°C for 4h. The SD-treated plasmas were then extracted with 7.5% (v/v) soybean oil, centrifuged at 3800×g for 30min, and subjected to hydrophobic interaction chromatography (HIC) to remove the SD agents. Control runs without TnBP and Triton were performed to evidence possible impacts of each process step on α2-AP activity. TnBP, Triton X-100, and Triton X-45 were measured at all stages of the processes to evaluate potential interferences with the α2-AP assay. Alpha 2-AP activity was about 10% that of starting plasma after 1% TnBP-1% Triton X-100 incubation and about 50% after oil extractions, centrifugation, and HIC. By contrast about 73% of the antiplasmin activity was found after the incubation with 1% TnBP and 1% Triton X-45, 88% after removal of the SD agents by oil extractions, 90% after centrifugation and 92% after HIC. The control runs performed without SD agents showed that the process steps did not affect the α2-AP activity. In conclusion, the agent altering α2-AP activity in SD-plasma is Triton X-100. The choice of detergents for the SD viral inactivation of therapeutic plasma fractions used in patients at risk of fibrinolysis should consider the impact on α2-AP activity.

Background and Objectives Single-donor or small-pool cryoprecipitates are produced by blood establishments, mostly in developing countries, for substitute therapy in haemophilia A, von Willebrand disease and fibrinogen deficiency, as well as for the manufacture of fibrin sealant. As cryoprecipitate may be contaminated with pathogenic plasma-borne viruses, there is an urgent need to develop a simple method for the viral inactivation of cryoprecipitate.Materials and Methods Cryoprecipitate was obtained according to standard procedures. Ten minipools of five or six donations of cryoprecipitate were prepared and subjected, in sterile closed bags, to a viral inactivation treatment using either 2% tri(n-)butyl phosphate (TnBP) for 4 h at 37 degrees C or the combination of 1% TnBP and 1% Triton X-45 for 4 h at 31 degrees C. The cryoprecipitates were subsequently extracted three times in their processing bags by mixing and decantation using 7.5% sterile ricinus oil. The TnBP-treated cryoprecipitates were further subjected to a clarifying centrifugation step at 3800 g for 30 min. The final products were dispensed into individual bags and frozen at -30 degrees C or lower.Results The cryoprecipitates treated with either 2% TnBP or 1% TnBP + 1% Triton X-45 showed excellent (> 93%) mean recovery of coagulant factor VIII (FVIII), ristocetin cofactor Von Willebrand factor (VWF:RCo), and clottable fibrinogen activity. Prothrombin time, international normalized ratio and activated partial thromboplastin time increased during solvent-detergent treatment but returned to initial values after oil extractions. The final content of TnBP and Triton X-45 was < 10 and 50 ppm, indicating excellent removal by the oil-extraction procedure.Conclusions Viral inactivation treatment by TnBP, with or without Triton X-45, can be applied to minipools of cryoprecipitate, with good recovery of FVIII, VWF and fibrinogen. The viral inactivation and solvent-detergent removal process can be performed in a closed bag system and using simple blood establishment techniques and equipment. This technology could be considered for the improved viral safety of cryoprecipitate which is used to treat haemophilia A, von Willebrand disease or fibrinogen deficiency, or to prepare fibrin sealant.