Dr Mohammed Mahmoud Youssif

BACKGROUND: Kidney failure with replacement therapy (KFRT) such as dialysis or transplantation represents a severe stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and poses a major global health burden. Although many CKD cases are diagnosed in the earlier stages, the greatest risk occurs when CKD progresses to KFRT. Despite its considerable financial and imposing impact on public health, there is a notable gap in international policies addressing CKD and KFRT. To bridge this gap and help policy makers and health systems effectively tackle the public health challenge of KFRT, a better understanding of the disease burden is essential. Thus, this analysis aims to provide a detailed overview of the global prevalence of KFRT and its associated aetiologies with estimates from the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) from 1990 to 2023.

METHODS: This study defined KFRT as individuals on maintenance dialysis for 90 days or more or those who have undergone a kidney transplant, aligning with the Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Renal registries served as the primary data sources. Prevalence and underlying aetiology estimates (type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, glomerulonephritis, and other causes) were generated with DisMod-MR 2.1, an epidemiological Bayesian mixed-effects meta-regression modelling tool. Both all-age and age-standardised estimates were reported and accompanied with 95% uncertainty intervals (UIs).

FINDINGS: In 2023, the number of global cases of KFRT was 4·59 million (95% UI 4·17-5·08) for both sexes and all ages, with an age-standardised prevalence of 50·7 (46·1-56·0) per 100 000 population. Over the past three decades, there has been a steady increase in KFRT prevalence globally. The highest prevalence was found in the GBD high-income regions, while the lowest was observed in sub-Saharan Africa. KFRT prevalence was generally higher in countries classified within the World Bank's high-income and upper-middle-income groups, while lower prevalence was more common in countries within the World Bank's low-income and lower-middle-income groups. Additionally, a pronounced sex disparity was identified, where male dialysis and transplant prevalence estimates were consistently higher than those for females in most countries. Type 2 diabetes and hypertension were among the leading associated aetiologies of KFRT globally. From 1990 to 2023, the all-age and age-standardised prevalence estimates across the ascribed aetiologies increased for KFRT, with the largest increases associated with type 2 diabetes and hypertension.

INTERPRETATION: KFRT affects approximately 5 million people globally, with high treatment and mortality costs. Our study unveiled considerable geographical variation in KFRT prevalence, which should be seen as indicators of health-care system opportunities. As the prevalence of the leading aetiologies of KFRT-type 2 diabetes and hypertension-continues to rise, there is a crucial need to prioritise the development and implementation of cost-effective strategies aimed at preventing CKD and its progression to KFRT, particularly in low-resource settings. These preventive efforts must happen in tandem with efforts to expand capacity for dialysis and transplant services.

FUNDING: Gates Foundation.

VitA/i-PRF and i-PRF alone improved clinical and radiographic outcomes of M-MIST in periodontal intraosseous defects of patients with stage-III grade B periodontitis. VitA/i-PRF showed a minor, clinically non-significant advantage in defect depth reduction and bone fill at 6 months, with effects diminishing by 9 months in patients with stage-III grade B periodontitis.

Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is characterized by prolonged, widespread musculoskeletal pain accompanied by various physical and psychological disturbances. Modafinil, a wake-promoting drug, manages pain symptoms in several diseases by inhibiting dopamine reuptake and exhibiting anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects, including the impairment of cytokine production, microglia, and mast cell activation. Central inflammation may involve microglial activation, which is correlated with mast cell activation. Restoring dopamine levels and modulating the communication between mast cells and microglia may represent a promising approach to managing pain symptoms in FMS. Thus, this study intended to explore the interplay between brain mast cells and microglia as an underlying mechanism in the pathophysiology of FMS and how this interaction is controlled by modafinil, with a focus on dopamine/SP/MRGPRX2/histamine and PI3K/p-Akt/NF-κB signaling pathways. Rats were arbitrarily distributed between 4 groups. Group 1 served as normal control. Reserpine (1 mg/kg/day; s.c) was injected into the remaining groups for three consecutive days. In groups 3 and 4, modafinil (100 mg/kg/day; p.o) was administered either alone or in conjunction with haloperidol (1 mg/kg/day; ip), respectively, for the following 21 days. Modafinil ameliorated reserpine-induced thermal/mechanical allodynia (1.3-fold, 2.3-fold) and hyperalgesia (0.5-fold), attenuated depression (0.5-fold), and enhanced motor coordination (1.2-fold). It mitigated the histopathological alterations and increased dopamine levels in the thalamus of rats by 88.5%. Modafinil displayed anti-inflammatory effects via inhibiting mast cells and microglia activation, manifested by reductions in SP/MRGPRX2/IL-17/histamine (52%, 58%, 56.7%, and 63.7%) and PI3K/p-Akt/t-Akt/NF-κB/TNF-α/IL-6 (31.7%, 55.5%, 41%, 47.6%, and 76.9%), respectively. Ultimately, modafinil alleviated FMS behavioral, histopathological, and biochemical abnormalities and suppressed mast cell-microglial neuroinflammation in the thalamus of rats exposed to reserpine. This study highlights the potential of repurposing modafinil to improve FMS symptoms.

IN BRIEF: Bulls are selected for field fertility and semen quality, but traits such as polyspermy are not considered and can increase aneuploidy during in vitro embryo production. This study links bull-specific proteomic signatures to polyspermy and embryo quality, further refining bull selection criteria.

ABSTRACT: Male fertility plays a pivotal role in the success rates of in vitro embryo production. While livestock breeding programs rigorously select bulls according to their predicted field fertility, specific traits such as polyspermy rates are not routinely evaluated. Despite the known negative impact of polyspermy on embryo survival, the paternal factors involved remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to address this gap by evaluating the in vitro outcomes of four bulls, focusing on sperm motility, fertilization rates, polyspermy incidence, embryo development and quality. In addition, we analyzed the proteome profiles of sperm, 2-4 cell stage embryos and blastocysts derived from those bulls to identify potential molecular factors associated with male fertility. Bulls with comparable sperm motility parameters displayed varying in vitro fertilization outcomes. Notably, the bull with the highest polyspermy rate achieved blastocyst rates similar to those of bulls with lower polyspermy rates. The number of apoptotic cells in the blastocysts was bull-dependent. Proteomic analysis revealed bull-specific signatures in sperm and blastocysts, with no differences at the 2-4 cell stage. Differences in the sperm proteome suggested that bull-dependent penetration and polyspermy rates might be associated with the ability of the sperm to undergo capacitation and acrosomal reaction. At the blastocyst level, the bull with the highest polyspermy rates produced lower quality blastocysts due to imbalances in key proteins and pathways for embryo development. In conclusion, bulls with similar blastocyst rates may differ in polyspermy rates and resulting embryo quality underscoring the importance of careful bull selection for in vitro embryo production.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovarian morphology, leading to infertility and an increased risk of metabolic dysfunction. This study investigated the protective effects of Lepidium sativum seed extract (LSSE) on fertility and pregnancy outcomes in a rat model of PCOS induced by letrozole and a high-fat diet (HFD) (68% regular rat food pellets, 6% maize oil, 20% milk powder, and 6% ghee). PCOS was induced by oral administration of letrozole, an aromatase inhibitor, (1 mg/kg in 2% DMSO) along with an HFD for four weeks and the results were compared to the metformin antidiabetic agent. Sixty rats were divided into five groups (n = 12): control, PCOS, PCOS + LSSE (250 mg/kg), PCOS + LSSE (500 mg/kg), and metformin (200 mg/kg). Half of the rats were euthanized after four weeks, while the remaining rats were housed with males (1 male: 2 females) for testing pregnancy outcomes. LSSE led to remarkable improvements in body weight, glucose, sex hormonal balance, liver and kidney functions, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory systems, mating and fertility indices, pregnancy outcomes, and fetal morphology. Histologically, LSSE treatment reduced ovarian cyst number and size, and enhanced the blood vessel, Graafian follicle, and endometrial morphologies. LSSE showed dose-dependent effects, with the high-dose demonstrating superior results in the biochemical parameters, while the low-dose showed the most promising pregnancy outcomes. LSSE exhibits potent protective effects against PCOS, surpassing metformin in several aspects. LSSE acts through multi-mechanistic action, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, metabolic, and hormone-balancing properties, along with its positive impact on fertility, suggesting that LSSE could be a promising natural alternative for PCOS management.

Methylimidazolium ionic liquids (MILs) are solvents used in an increasing variety of industrial applications. Recent studies identified the 8C MIL (M8OI) contaminating the environment, detected exposure in humans and proposed M8OI to be a potential trigger for the autoimmune liver disease primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). To gain a better understanding of any PBC trigger mechanism(s), the interaction of M8OI with mitochondria has been examined. M8OI inhibited oxygen consumption in intact cells and induced cell death (IC-10 μM). Results from permeabilized cells indicated M8OI inhibits the mitochondrial electron transport chain at complex I, not complexes II, III or IV. Accordingly, succinate supported mitochondrial oxygen consumption and reduced cell death in the presence of M8OI. M8OI inhibited NADH oxidation by both mitochondrial membranes and purified complex I with IC values of 470 μM and 340 μM respectively. Based on direct determinations of M8OI in non-mitochondrial and mitochondrial compartments, toxic M8OI concentrations were estimated to result in mitochondrial concentrations commensurate with complex I inhibition. Mitochondrial accumulation followed by complex I inhibition is therefore a possible molecular initiating event for M8OI-dependent cell death. NADH oxidation by purified complex I in combination with a flavin-site electron acceptor was not inhibited by M8OI, indicating no interaction of M8OI at the NADH-binding active site. Modelling supported M8OI binding to the ubiquinone-binding site. By inhibiting turnover, M8OI also gave rise to increases in complex-I-linked reactive oxygen species. However, inhibitors of oxidative stress did not affect M8OI-mediated cell death. The metabolic consequences of M8OI-mediated complex I inhibition, not increased reactive oxygen species production, are therefore the likely cause of apoptotic cell death. Understanding the effects on complex I and the pathways activated and leading to cell death may be informative regarding mitochondrial stress, cell death and diseases such as PBC.

AIM: Injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF), a second-generation platelet concentrate, is widely used to enhance soft and hard tissue healing alone or in combination with biomaterials, relying on its harboring of various pivotal growth/differentiation factors. This randomized trial assessed the effect of clindamycin (CLN) augmented injectable platelet-rich fibrin (I-PRF) with modified minimally invasive surgical technique (M-MIST) versus I-PRF alone with M-MIST on the clinical and radiographic parameters in the management of periodontal intra-bony defects in patients with stage-III grade B periodontitis.

METHODS: This is a 9-month parallel-grouped, two arm, double-blinded, randomized controlled trial (RCT) that included 28 patients (n = 28) with stage-III grade B periodontitis, who were allocated randomly to test- (CLN/I-PRF + M-MIST, 50 μL of CLN per 1 mL of I-PRF; n = 14) or control-group (I-PRF + M-MIST; n = 14). Clinical attachment level (CAL; primary outcome), probing depth (PD), gingival margin level (GML), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) were recorded at baseline, 3, 6, and 9 months, whereas radiographic parameters radiographic linear defect depth (RLDD), and radiographic defect area (RDA) were recorded at baseline, 6, and 9 months. The CLN release kinetics from the I-PRF were further characterized.

RESULTS: Compared to baseline, both groups independently demonstrated significant improvements in CAL, PD, GML, GI, PI, RLDD and BDA at 3, 6 and 9 months (p < .05). A significant reduction in CAL measurements was noticeable in the CLN/I-PRF + M-MIST and I-PRF + M-MIST group independently over time (p < .05). CLN/I-PRF + M-MIST showed significantly lower CAL than PRF + M-MIST group at baseline, after three as well as 9 months (p < .05). Intergroup comparisons at 9 months demonstrated that CAL-gain was non-significant between groups (p > .05), GI significantly lower in CLN/I-PRF + M-MIST, whereas PD-reduction significantly higher I-PRF + M-MIST group (p < .05). CLN was steadily released for the I-PRF for up to 48 h, with a peak concentration at 24 h, which then gradually declined till the seventh day.

CONCLUSIONS: I-PRF with M-MIST provided significant clinical and radiographic improvement up to 9 months postoperatively in stage-III grade B periodontitis. CLN, at the applied concentration and release duration, does not appear to further positively impact these observed I-PRF effects.

Functionalized nanoclays are a type of 2D nanomaterial that triggered a lot of attention owing to their promising chemical and physical properties. This is in addition to their commercial viability. To this end, various functionalized nanoclays, versatile nanomaterials with exceptional properties, have revolutionized multiple industries, including textiles. This chapter introduces an engaging introduction to nanoclays and their functionalization, showcasing their wide-ranging applications beyond traditional fabrics. The significance of nanoclays in addressing the evolving needs of the textile industry is emphasized. A comprehensive overview of nanoclays is presented, covering their different types, functionalization techniques, and characterization methods. The remarkable potential of functionalized nanoclays in enhancing flame retardancy, UV protection, mechanical strength, durability, and resistance to odors and stains in textiles is explored. Additionally, functionalized nanoclays are lightweight materials; therefore, the use of functionalized nanoclays in the textile industry has enabled manufacturers to produce light and more durable fabrics with improved performance characteristics. This technology is expected to continue to grow in popularity as it provides a cost-effective way for manufacturers to improve the quality of their products while reducing production costs. Thus, this chapter highlights the transformative impact of nanoclays and paves the way for future advancements in the textile sector.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the clinical performance of the novel radio-opaque universal adhesive “Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive Plus” compared to conventional universal adhesive “Single Bond Universal” over 24 months in cervical carious lesions. Fifty participants with cervical carious lesions were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 25); either Scotchbond™ Universal Plus Adhesive (intervention) or Single Bond™ Universal Adhesive (control). Restorations were assessed at baseline, 12 and 24 months using the modified USPHS criteria. Data analysis was conducted using MedCalc software, version 22 for Windows. Intergroup comparisons at each follow-up were performed using the Chi-Square test (p ≤ 0.05). Intragroup comparisons within each intervention were conducted using Cochran’s Q test (p ≤ 0.016). After 24 months, all restorations in Scotchbond™ Universal Plus scored alpha, while in Single Bond™ Universal group, three restorations scored bravo after 24 months in marginal adaptation and discoloration. There was no statistically significant difference between both adhesives (p > 0.05) at all follow-up periods. Intragroup comparison within both adhesives has shown no statistically significant change across follow-up periods regarding all tested outcomes (p > 0.016) except for marginal adaptation within Single Bond Universal, where there was statistically significant difference (p = 0.005). Both adhesives exhibited satisfactory clinical performance in cervical restorations after 24-months. The present study emphasizes the clinical significance of using a new radio-opaque universal adhesive for restoring carious cervical lesions, providing radio-opacity, low viscosity, excellent handling, eliminating misinterpretation of MDP-based adhesive layer and generating reliable bonding performance to support long-term success in restorative dentistry.

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the clinical performance of the novel radio-opaque universal adhesive “Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive Plus” compared to conventional universal adhesive “Single Bond Universal” over 24 months in cervical carious lesions. Fifty participants with cervical carious lesions were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 25); either Scotchbond™ Universal Plus Adhesive (intervention) or Single Bond™ Universal Adhesive (control). Restorations were assessed at baseline, 12 and 24 months using the modified USPHS criteria. Data analysis was conducted using MedCalc software, version 22 for Windows. Intergroup comparisons at each follow-up were performed using the Chi-Square test (p ≤ 0.05). Intragroup comparisons within each intervention were conducted using Cochran’s Q test (p ≤ 0.016). After 24 months, all restorations in Scotchbond™ Universal Plus scored alpha, while in Single Bond™ Universal group, three restorations scored bravo after 24 months in marginal adaptation and discoloration. There was no statistically significant difference between both adhesives (p > 0.05) at all follow-up periods. Intragroup comparison within both adhesives has shown no statistically significant change across follow-up periods regarding all tested outcomes (p > 0.016) except for marginal adaptation within Single Bond Universal, where there was statistically significant difference (p = 0.005). Both adhesives exhibited satisfactory clinical performance in cervical restorations after 24-months. The present study emphasizes the clinical significance of using a new radio-opaque universal adhesive for restoring carious cervical lesions, providing radio-opacity, low viscosity, excellent handling, eliminating misinterpretation of MDP-based adhesive layer and generating reliable bonding performance to support long-term success in restorative dentistry.

Hyalomma dromedarii (H. dromedarii) is a major ectoparasite of camels in arid regions such as Egypt, where it causes significant economic losses and transmits several zoonotic pathogens. This study evaluated the acaricidal efficacy of a novel, locally prepared Astragalus polysaccharides nanoemulsified formulation (APS-NE) against various developmental stages of H. dromedarii infesting camels. APS-NE was prepared using ultrasonic emulsification and characterized by dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and GC–MS, revealing uniform nanoparticle size (30–53 nm), good water solubility, and bioactive constituents including palmitic acid and quercetin derivatives. The formulation exhibited strong biological activity with very low toxicity and a wide safety margin in mice. In vitro bioassays showed a clear concentration-dependent acaricidal effect following short immersion periods: at 2% APS-NE, mortality reached 100% for eggs, larvae, nymphs, and unfed adults. Mortality rates at lower concentrations (0.5–1.5%) ranged from 63.6% to 94.6% in eggs, 33.6% to 84.3% in larvae, 53.3% to 93.6% in nymphs, and 31% to 87% in unfed adults, with larvae being the most susceptible stage. APS-NE also significantly impaired reproductive parameters in engorged females, including reductions in egg production index, egg mass, and hatchability compared to the reference drug. Strong positive correlations were observed between APS-NE concentration and tick mortality, with negative correlations for reproductive metrics. These results highlight APS-NE as a safe, eco-friendly alternative to conventional acaricides for effective H. dromedarii control, supporting integrated tick management strategies.

Agricultural tractors powered by thermally efficient and economically viable diesel engines play a pivotal role in the mechanization farming operations. However, these engines emit harmful pollutants such as carbon monoxide (CO), hydrocarbons (HC), nitrogen oxides (NOx), total suspended particles (TSP), and sulfur dioxide (SO2), all of which pose significant risks to human, animal, and plant health. In addition, these emissions also contribute to air pollution, global warming. This study builds upon our previous simulation-based research by implementing two novel exhaust gas treatment prototypes directly onto agricultural tractors under real-world field conditions. The first prototype was filled with activated carbon impregnated with magnesium oxides at a 7:0.5 ratio, whereas the second was coated with a nickel–carbon nanotube (Ni-CNTs) composite at a 0.2% concentration. Field experiments were conducted during plowing operations using a nine-shank chisel plow at a fixed depth, with gas measurements taken at intervals between 10 and 40 min. The Ni-CNTs-based prototype achieved superior adsorption efficiencies: 85.1% for CO, 55.21% for HC, 33.71% for TSP, 90.8% for NOx, and 76.1% for SO2. In comparison, the AC–MgO prototype achieved removal efficiencies of 84.68% for CO, 50.0% for HC, 25.0% for TSP, 87.24% for NOx, and 67.39% for SO2.These findings underscore the promising potential of nanomaterial-integrated systems—particularly Ni-CNTs—in enhancing diesel exhaust treatment performance and promoting environmentally sustainable agricultural machinery.

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Obesity and its associated intestinal inflammatory responses represent a significant global challenge. (IF) is a dietary intervention demonstrating various health benefits, including weight loss, enhanced metabolic health, and increased longevity. However, its effect on the intestinal inflammation induced by high-fat diet (HFD) is still not fully comprehended. Thirty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: Control (fed standard chow diet for 24 weeks); the HFD group (fed HFD for 24 weeks); and the HFD + IF group (fed HFD for 12 weeks, followed by an alternate day regimen of fasting and HFD for 12 weeks). The results revealed that IF significantly reduced body weight, food intake, and blood glucose levels compared to the HFD group. Furthermore, rats undergoing the intermittent fasting regimen exhibited a significant reduction in resting time, along with increased durations of grooming and exploration when compared to those on HFD. IF significantly reduced HFD-induced intestinal oxidative stress by lowering malondialdehyde levels and substantially increasing intestinal total antioxidant capacity, consistent with histopathological findings of gastric and intestinal tissues. The investigation of the underlying mechanisms revealed that IF significantly increased the intestinal expression of Farnesoid X receptor (FXR), glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), and melanocortin-4 receptors (MC4R), with a significant decrease in gastrointestinal peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) compared to the HFD group. The findings indicate that IF can mitigate HFD-induced intestinal inflammation via the FXR/GLP-1/MC4R/ PPAR-γ pathway. This highlights the need for further research to elucidate these mechanisms.

ABSTRACT Solar cells fabricated from short-carrier lifetime materials face efficiency limitations because of high recombination rates, particularly within the depletion region. Kesterite solar cells offer a promising alternative to conventional solar cells but suffer from short-carrier lifetimes. This work introduces a comprehensive analytical model applicable to such solar cells. We developed a novel approach to accurately represent the recombination rates of the carriers within the depletion region using a Gaussian function. This model overcomes the limitations of existing approximations and enables more precise dark current calculations. Additionally, we employed a fully analytical generation rate calculation based on the transfer matrix method for accurate photocurrent determination. The effectiveness of this model was validated by comparing its results with simulated and experimental data for kesterite solar cells, demonstrating excellent agreement in dark current and photocurrent, with maximum percentage errors of 1.9% and 1.7%, respectively. Beyond accuracy, the model also achieved a 75-fold improvement in computation speed compared to finite element method simulations. This highlights the effectiveness of the model in capturing the complex recombination processes within kesterite solar cells and in providing a valuable tool for understanding and optimizing the performance of solar cells based on short-lifetime materials, particularly kesterite-based devices with one-sided junction characteristics.

Nanozymes engineered to mimic natural enzyme catalysis have emerged as promising alternatives due to their enhanced stability, cost-effectiveness, and tunable catalytic properties compared to biological enzymes. Developing nanozymes with well-defined porous structures and heteroatom doping is key to improving catalytic efficiency and selectivity particularly for applications in biosensing. Nanotechnology has become a key enabler in advancing catalysis, biosensing, and environmental monitoring thanks to the exceptional properties of nanomaterials such as large surface area, customizable optical characteristics, and enhanced catalytic activity. In this study, a novel nanozyme platform based on creatinine–thiourea–FeCl3 nanoparticles (CTF-NPs) was developed via a one-step pyrolysis method using colloidal silica as a porosity template. The synthesized CTF-NPs were uniformly structured as confirmed by SEM, EDX, FT-IR, UV–Vis, and XRD and featured effective nitrogen, sulfur, and iron doping contributing to their catalytic efficiency. The CTF-NPs exhibited strong peroxidase-like activity catalyzing the colorimetric oxidation of o-phenylenediamine (OPD) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Kinetic studies revealed a Km of 0.819 mM and a Vmax of 1.620 μM/min outperforming several previously reported nanozyme systems. The sensor displayed a linear detection range of 10–700 μM for H2O2 with an excellent correlation coefficient (r= 0.9975) optimal at pH 4, 40 °C, and 10-minute incubation. Upon coupling with glucose oxidase (GOx), the platform enabled indirect glucose detection via enzymatically generated H2O2 showing a linear range of 100–600 μM with a correlation coefficient of r= 0.9953. The system exhibited high selectivity against common interferents, reproducible fabrication, and reliable performance in spiked human serum samples. Integration of the nanozyme system with a portable RGB color sensor (TCS34725) enabled quantitative, user-friendly, and instrument-free detection supporting the development of accessible point-of-care diagnostics. This work introduces a scalable and robust platform for glucose monitoring with promising implications for diabetes management and decentralized healthcare.

Stream channels are dynamic systems that continuously adjust their morphology through lateral and vertical erosion, particularly during high-intensity, infrequent rainfall events. In arid regions, such changes can have significant implications for river management and infrastructure safety. This study investigates stream migration processes along the Red Sea coastal segment between Ain El-Sokhna and Ras Shukair, Egypt, by employing high-resolution satellite imagery, in situ field measurements, and discharge data to capture detailed hydrological and sediment characteristics. An integrated methodology combining hydrological modeling using HEC-RAS 2D, GIS-based spatial analysis, and sediment transport simulation was implemented to quantify channel movement and assess potential scour locations. Quantitative results reveal lateral stream shifts ranging from 50 to 250 m, with a statistically significant correlation between predicted scour areas and zones of elevated shear stress, underscoring the pivotal role of sediment transport. The novelty of this approach lies in the development of a simplified hazard assessment technique that integrates critical parameters such as ground slope, stream discharge, and soil type into a unified spatial framework, this method significantly reduces computational time and data requirements compared to traditional fully hydraulic models while still producing reliable and comparable results. Moreover, unlike most studies that focus on stream migration in wet valleys, this investigation examines the phenomenon in dry streams, addressing a critical gap in the literature. Consequently, the approach offers a practical tool for engineers and urban planners engaged in sustainable river management, flood risk assessment, and infrastructure protection under evolving climate conditions.

Heavy metal pollution poses risks to terrestrial food chains. We evaluated biochemical and cellular responses of fifth-instar Agrotis ipsilon (black cutworm) fed castor (Ricinus communis) leaves collected from two polluted sites and a reference site.

The present study evaluates the synthesis, geochemical and mineralogical characterization, as well as the industrial and environmental applications of zeolites synthesized from kaolin and bentonite resources in selected clay deposits of Northeast Africa, Egypt. Several methods were employed to synthesize zeolites from both kaolin and bentonite samples to obtain high purity zeolitic products at a competitive cost. The characterization of the synthesized zeolites, in terms of mineralogy and geochemistry, was conducted using various techniques, including X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cation exchange capacity (CEC). Additionally, thermo-analytical methods such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) were used. Based on the characterization of zeolites synthesized from bentonite and kaolin, a comparison was made with ideal zeolites used in various industries to determine their potential applications. The synthesized zeolites were evaluated for their effectiveness as adsorbents for H2S in wastewater and fuel gas purification. Additionally, they were assessed for their ability to remove ions such as Co2+, Sr2+, and Cs+ from aqueous solutions containing organic and suspended solids. Furthermore, these zeolites were investigated for their potential use as commercial and sustainable catalysts for controlling nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from diesel engines in vehicles.