Dr Mohammed Mahmoud Youssif

Diesel engines are essential in sectors such as transportation, agriculture, and power generation, offering benefits like fuel efficiency, high power output, and durability. However, their emissions (NOX, CO2, CO, HC, SO2, and PM) significantly contribute to air pollution, posing serious environmental and health risks. This study aimed to design and fabricate a unit that simulates diesel engine emissions and tests various purification materials. The unit consists of a combustion chamber, filtration media, and exhaust pipes, with materials such as activated carbon, activated carbon with magnesium oxide, and Ni-Carbon Nanotube (CNTs) nanocomposites tested under controlled combustion conditions to measure their pollutant removal efficiencies. Results showed that 100% activated carbon achieved pollutant removal efficiencies of 85.21% for CO2, 80.77% for CO, and 68.84% for HC. Combining activated carbon with magnesium oxide (AC: MgO) enhanced these efficiencies to 76.92% for CO2, 86.84% for CO, and 73.28% for HC. Ni-CNTs nanocomposites (at 0.2 concentration) demonstrated the highest performance, with removal efficiencies of 93.13% for CO2, 94.87% for CO, and 76.02% for HC. These results emphasize the potential of Ni-CNTs nanocomposites as highly efficient materials for reducing diesel exhaust emissions, contributing significantly to cleaner air, better public health, and more sustainable diesel technologies.

The rising usage of power electronic converters linked to renewable energy sources has become a major source of harmonics in power systems. Passive harmonic filters are an excellent solution for addressing this issue. However, these traditional filters have a problem linked to resonance frequency, which needs damping. This paper introduces a Harmonic Blocking Filter (HBF) that consists of a shunt-connected Damped Double-Tuned Passive Filter (DDTF) and a series component. Six different DDTF schemes are investigated: four single-resistor DDTFs (SR-DDTF) and two double-resistor DDTFs (DR-DDTF). This study intends to perform harmonic mitigation and increase PV penetration levels by obtaining parameters for each HBF system using the Autism-Based Optimizer (ABO). The Harmonic Pollution Factor (HPF) is a power quality indicator used to assess and reduce the system’s harmonic content. The findings show that the proposed HBF filter efficiently increases PV penetration in the system while lowering harmonic levels.

This study aims to valorize hazardous industrial marble machining and shaping waste powder as a precursor to prepare a heterogeneous nano-catalyst (CaO/K2CO3) employing the wet-impregnation method for producing biodiesel via the transesterification of waste cooking oil (WCO). Surface and morphological characterization of the thus-prepared nano-catalyst has been performed employing various analytical tools, e.g., XRD, BET, CO2-TPD, FT-IR, HR-TEM, and FE-SEM & mapping EDX. The impact of calcination treatment on the catalytic performance is investigated together with the weight percentage (wt%) of CaO compared to K2CO3. Response surface methodology (RSM) is used to optimize the parametric independent variables, e.g., catalyst loading level, reaction temperature, and time, as well as methanol to WCO molar ratio (M : WCO) via the central composite design (CCD). The experimentally attained optimal reaction parameters for effective biodiesel production (92%) are: 3.2 wt% catalyst loading, operating at 40 °C for 84 min, along with a 5.8 : 1 M : WCO. The proposed nano-catalyst has been recovered and reused effectively for 5 consecutive cycles, with a slight loss in catalytic activity beginning from the 3rd cycle. Additionally, the quality of the obtained biodiesel perfectly fits the American (ASTM D-6751) and the European (EN-14214) standard limits.

Cardamom seed (Elettaria cardamomum (L.)) is a well-appreciated spice in food and pharmaceutical industries owing to its unique rich flavor dominated by oxygenated monoterpenoids, α-terpinyl acetate and 1,8-cineole, to which most of the quality of cardamom essential oil (CEO) is attributed. CEO output is greatly influenced by different agronomic factors, processing, and EO extraction methods. In that context, the goal of this study is to provide an overarching review regarding emerged technologies along with their optimization parameters to achieve optimal oil yield with the best flavor quality. Furthermore, the recent approaches employed in CEO stabilization were highlighted alongside their pharmaceutical and food applications. Moreover, the different aspects of superlative CEO production including agricultural aspects, climatic requirements, and processing methods were also explained.

Laccases enzymes have garnered significant research interest owing to their extensive applications in pollutant degradation, the food industry, and biosensing technologies. These green biocatalysts are distinguished by the presence of four copper active sites which are integral to their enzymatic functions. Recent advancements have led to the development of copper-based organic–inorganic nanocomposites as laccase mimetics. Hence, this study focused on the synthesis and study of the catalytic properties of a copper–gallic acid metal–organic framework (Cu–GA MOF) heterostructure as a laccase mimic. Using o-phenylenediamine (OPD) and norepinephrine as model substrates it was observed that the synthesized Cu–GA MOF exhibited a laccase-like catalytic performance. Similar to natural enzymes and other nanozymes, Cu–GA MOF demonstrated pH-dependent catalytic activity demonstrating an optimal performance under physiological conditions. It exhibited a superior Michaelis constant (Km) of 0.06 mM, maximum reaction rate (Vmax) of 4.1 × 10−3 mM min−1 and superior recyclability compared with laccase at the same mass concentration. Remarkably, Cu–GA MOF displayed exceptional thermal tolerance maintaining substantial catalytic activity at temperatures up to 90 °C. In contrast to natural enzymes, Cu–GA MOF exhibited enhanced stability and recyclability underscoring its potential for diverse bio-applications. These findings highlight the promising role of Cu–GA MOF as a robust and versatile catalyst in biocatalytic and analytical applications.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-secretome represent a promising cell-free strategy for bone regeneration, overcoming cell therapies’ drawbacks. This study compares the bone repair capabilities of secretomes derived from human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and human gingival stem cells (hGMSCs) in a rabbit tibial defect model. Secretomes were prepared, and levels of RUNX, osterix, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were quantified using ELISA. Six-mm defects were created in rabbit tibiae treated with either hDPSCs or hGMSCs secretomes, collagen scaffolds, or left untreated. The mineral apposition rate (MAR) was assessed using fluorescent labeling. Histomorphometric analysis (including bone area percentage, mature/immature bone and bone marrow quantification) and qRT-PCR for osteocalcin were conducted at 3 and 6 weeks. Results showed significantly higher concentrations of RUNX, osterix, and ALP in hDPSCs secretome compared to hGMSCs. Additionally, defects treated with hDPSCs secretome exhibited a higher MAR and greater new bone formation, accelerated maturation (higher mature bone area; p < 0.05), and reduced bone marrow spaces at 3 weeks than those treated with hGMSCs, collagen, or control groups. By 6 weeks, both secretomes achieved comparable bone maturation (83–85% bone area), significantly surpassing controls. Both secretomes upregulated osteocalcin gene expression. These findings show the therapeutic potential of dental MSCs secretomes, and particularly hDPSCs secretomes, as a cell-free, clinically relevant method for improving bone regeneration. This approach addresses limitations associated with traditional bone grafting and possibly presents a new pathway for regenerative therapies in dentistry and orthopedics.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-secretome represent a promising cell-free strategy for bone regeneration, overcoming cell therapies’ drawbacks. This study compares the bone repair capabilities of secretomes derived from human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and human gingival stem cells (hGMSCs) in a rabbit tibial defect model. Secretomes were prepared, and levels of RUNX, osterix, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were quantified using ELISA. Six-mm defects were created in rabbit tibiae treated with either hDPSCs or hGMSCs secretomes, collagen scaffolds, or left untreated. The mineral apposition rate (MAR) was assessed using fluorescent labeling. Histomorphometric analysis (including bone area percentage, mature/immature bone and bone marrow quantification) and qRT-PCR for osteocalcin were conducted at 3 and 6 weeks. Results showed significantly higher concentrations of RUNX, osterix, and ALP in hDPSCs secretome compared to hGMSCs. Additionally, defects treated with hDPSCs secretome exhibited a higher MAR and greater new bone formation, accelerated maturation (higher mature bone area; p < 0.05), and reduced bone marrow spaces at 3 weeks than those treated with hGMSCs, collagen, or control groups. By 6 weeks, both secretomes achieved comparable bone maturation (83–85% bone area), significantly surpassing controls. Both secretomes upregulated osteocalcin gene expression. These findings show the therapeutic potential of dental MSCs secretomes, and particularly hDPSCs secretomes, as a cell-free, clinically relevant method for improving bone regeneration. This approach addresses limitations associated with traditional bone grafting and possibly presents a new pathway for regenerative therapies in dentistry and orthopedics.

Climate change poses significant challenges for agricultural pest management, particularly concerning the distribution of phytophagous insects. This study investigates the current and future distribution patterns of three economically important leaf-mining fly species (Agromyzidae) in Morocco: Cerodontha (Cerodontha) denticornis, Phytoliriomyza oasis, and Phytoliriomyza perpusilla. We used MaxEnt modeling with bioclimatic data and occurrence records (2014–2024) to model current potential distributions, analyze species–environmental relationships, and project future range shifts under SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios for 2041–2060.

Coinfections and reactivation of persistent or latent viral infections such as herpesviruses (HHV) and/or measles virus (MeV) have been reported among COVID-19 patients. However, there is limited information regarding cancer patients who experienced severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the interplay between SARS-CoV-2, HHV and MeV in cancer patients, aiming to provide insights into the pathophysiology of these infections and to enhance the patients’ health outcomes.

Persea americana (Avocado) and Diospyros kaki (Persimmon) trees possess nutritional and therapeutic values. The various preparations from different parts of the plant, especially the leaves, have been utilized in folk medicine to manage multiple health conditions. This study involved the green production of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) utilizing avocado and persimmon leaf aqueous extracts. The Ag-NPs were well-characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, TEM, FTIR, zeta potential, and particle size. The synthesized Ag-NPs from avocado extract exhibited spherical morphology with particle sizes ranging from 5.21 to 14.6 nm, while those produced from persimmon extract were also spherical, with sizes varying between 6.78 and 15.6 nm. The green-synthesized Ag-NPs demonstrated enhanced antioxidative, antibacterial, and anticancer capabilities compared to crude ethanolic extracts of avocado and persimmon. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) analyses showed that avocado leaves exhibited the highest values, recording 425.28 ± 5.48 mg GAE/g and 245.63 ± 3.11 mg GAE/g, respectively. In contrast, persimmon leaves presented the lowest TPC and TFC, with 382.34 ± 6.56 mg GAE/g and 100.74 ± 2.05 mg GAE/g, respectively. Besides, the Ag-NPs synthesized from Persea americana and Diospyros kaki plants exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity at a 1000 μg/mL concentration with increases of 84.6±0.12% and 87.6±0.12%, from DPPH, 80.4±0.05% and 81.9±0.12% from ABTS, and 90.8±0.11% and 95.7±0.09% as determined by the FRAP test, respectively. The Ag-NPs from both plants exhibited remarkable antibacterial and antifungal activities. The prepared Ag-NPs from avocado aqueous leaf extract showed a significant cytotoxic effect against the Caco2 cell line, inhibiting the cell viability by 97.51% at a concentration of 320 μg/mL. Due to the elevated concentration of bioactive compounds in avocado, it can be used as a bioresource in medical uses. Ag-NPs synthesized from avocado and persimmon leaf extracts can also be effectively utilized as promising antioxidants, antimicrobials, and anticancer agents.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) poses a global health challenge, demanding innovative approaches for effective treatments. Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn. (Lamiaceae) is a shrub traditionally used as a medicinal plant to treat inflammation, skin diseases, and bronchitis. This study aims to identify the main bioactive metabolites in C. infortunatum using LC-QTOF-MS/MS and investigate its potential in protecting against cognitive decline in rats with scopolamine-induced AD disease. Metabolite profiling was performed on the methanol extract of the plant’s aerial parts using LC-QTOF-MS/MS. The inhibitory activity of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme was measured in vitro. To evaluate the cognitive effects, the methanol extract was orally administered at three doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) to scopolamine-induced AD rats, and their cognitive functions were assessed using the novel object recognition test. Additionally, acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity, as well as the levels of acetylcholine, dopamine, noradrenaline, glutathione, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and amyloid-β in the rat hippocampus, were measured using ELISA, followed by histopathological evaluation. A total of 79 metabolites, spanning various chemical classes, such as organic acids, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids and phenylethanoids, flavonoids, coumarins, other phenolics, and fatty acids and their derivatives, were identified. The results showed that the extract promoted enhanced cognitive functions in the novel object recognition test. Scopolamine administration significantly altered the acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity and biomarker levels in the rat’s hippocampus. However, treatment with C. infortunatum at 200 and 400 mg/kg almost restored these neurotransmitter levels to normal, which was further confirmed by histopathological analysis. This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of C. infortunatum in mitigating cognitive decline in AD, with its first metabolite profiling revealing a range of bioactive compounds. The extract improved cognitive function in scopolamine-induced AD rats, restored acetylcholinesterase activity, normalized neurotransmitter levels, and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation. These findings suggest that C. infortunatum is a promising candidate for the development of natural therapies targeting AD.

This study seeks to examine water as a liminal symbol that reflects and symbolizes the liminal identities of adolescents and young adults in two selected plays for young adults: Feeding the Moonfish (2011) by Barbara Wiechmann and Our Place (2015) by Terry Gabbard. Feeding the Moonfish deals with the young adults Martin and Eden who suffer from traumatic experiences. They go to the dock by the lake to rediscover themselves, and, eventually, heal by the water. In a similar setting, Our Place comprises five stories that revolve around adolescents and young adults’ feelings of loss, fragmentation, frustration, love, and death. In both plays, the characters go through the three stages of liminality defined by Arnold van Gennep: the pre-liminal, the liminal, and the post-liminal and, finally, emerge as reborn/healed. Water is a complex liminal symbol that reflects the experiences of adolescence and young adults, and combines contradictory meanings which are essential, expressive, and, most importantly, complementary for the development of the characters and for their eventual recovery. Using the concept of liminality and adolescent psychology to read scenes in which liminal experiences (confusion, indecisiveness, and disorientation) are present, this study argues that the depiction of liminal experiences near water in these plays for young adults offers complex symbols for the study of young adulthood and for encountering and responding to traumas experienced in adolescence.

This study seeks to examine water as a liminal symbol that reflects and symbolizes the liminal identities of adolescents and young adults in two selected plays for young adults: Feeding the Moonfish (2011) by Barbara Wiechmann and Our Place (2015) by Terry Gabbard. Feeding the Moonfish deals with the young adults Martin and Eden who suffer from traumatic experiences. They go to the dock by the lake to rediscover themselves, and, eventually, heal by the water. In a similar setting, Our Place comprises five stories that revolve around adolescents and young adults’ feelings of loss, fragmentation, frustration, love, and death. In both plays, the characters go through the three stages of liminality defined by Arnold van Gennep: the pre-liminal, the liminal, and the post-liminal and, finally, emerge as reborn/healed. Water is a complex liminal symbol that reflects the experiences of adolescence and young adults, and combines contradictory meanings which are essential, expressive, and, most importantly, complementary for the development of the characters and for their eventual recovery. Using the concept of liminality and adolescent psychology to read scenes in which liminal experiences (confusion, indecisiveness, and disorientation) are present, this study argues that the depiction of liminal experiences near water in these plays for young adults offers complex symbols for the study of young adulthood and for encountering and responding to traumas experienced in adolescence.

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Cuproptosis, a new form of programmed cell death, is emerging as a key regulator in tumor progression. In this review, we talk about the interplay between cuproptosis, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), and epigenetic modifications in lung cancer. We performed an extensive review of recent literature to explore the function of ncRNAs in the regulation of cuproptosis, their effects on tumor microenvironment remodeling, immune response regulation, and drug sensitivity. ncRNAs were found to modulate cuproptosis by influencing copper metabolism, apoptosis, and oxidative stress response. Specific ncRNA signatures possess prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target potential in lung cancer. In addition, ncRNA-mediated epigenetic regulation has significant influence on deciding lung cancer formation and treatment outcome. The integration of non-coding RNAs related to cuproptosis into therapies offers great promise for the improvement of lung cancer prognosis. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and promote their implementation in clinical practice.

Ambrosia maritima L. (family Asteraceae) is an annual herb widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean region and Africa. The herb is employed in folk medicine for the treatment of many ailments. Herein, we report a comprehensive investigation of the diverse biological potential of two sesquiterpene lactones, damsin and neoambrosin, isolated from Ambrosia maritima. 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS/MS were employed to characterize the chemical structures of both compounds. In order to identify biological targets of both compounds we investigated their potential affinity for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which are pleiotropic classes of receptors implicated in essential functions of the body. This was investigated using a luciferase assay and a calcium fluorometric assay. A carbonic anhydrase inhibition assay was also performed using stopped flow CO2 hydrase spectrophotometric assay. Our analysis revealed that unlike damsin, neoambrosin showed a selective partial agonist effect on PPARγ receptors and TRPA1 channels. Its binding mode was investigated through in silico analysis. Both compounds showed no affinity for the tested carbonic anhydrases. Overall, our study details the chemical properties of neoambrosin and damsin and highlights neoambrosin as novel, cost-effective partial agonist of PPARɣ and TRPA1 receptors despite additional in vivo studies are needed to elucidate its biological and pharmacological properties.

Drastic consequences of climate change necessitate exploring plant-microbiota of arid desert ecosystems for potential candidates recommended for future microbiota –mediate strategies of stressed agriculture. The prevalent xerophytes (Amaranthaceae, Compositae, Cyperaceae, Gramineae, Plantaginaceae, Scrophulariaceae, and Zygophyllaceae) were tested for culturable associated microbiota. Representative isolates were subjected to PGP functions, API-profiling and 16S rRNA genes sequencing. Xerophytes hosted dense populations of culturable microbiota, ecto-/endo-rhizosphere (> 103–107 CFUs g−1 root). API microtube analysis confirmed the predominance of representative genera of Gram-positive/negative bacteria. Isolates expressed multi-functional PGP traits, e.g. nitrogenase activity, indole acetic acid production, P/K- solubilization, ammonia production, salt tolerance, and effective/wide enzymatic activities. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the dominant phyla were Firmicutes, Gammaproteobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria. Firmicutes represented in ecto-rhizosphere (Bacillus rugosus, B. cereus, and B. altitudinis) and endo- rhizosphere (B. halotolerans, B. safensis subsp. safensis, B. siamensis, B. licheniformis and Brevibacillus parabrevis). Gammaproteobacteria presented in ecto-rhizosphere as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Ps. hibiscicola, Ps. monteilii, Kosakonia cowanii and Serratia liquefaciens and in endo-rhizosphere as Pantoea vagans, P. conspicua and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Alphaproteobacteria, Azospirillum zeae, Azospirillum oryzae and Agrobacterium salinitolerans, were present in ecto-rhizosphere. Conformity among API profiling and 16S rRNA gene sequencing on the genus level (> 58%) indicated the reliability of API profiling as pre-identification scheme. It is concluded that the present study provides additional information regarding microbiota associated with xerophytes. Beside their taxonomic diversity, they are of potential/ functional impact that recommend their use as candidates of synthetic communities (SynCom) for the modification of economic crops introduced to arid deserts.