Biohydrogen has significant feasibility since biological processes are much less energy intensive compared with electrolysis and thermo-chemical processes. It is widely recognized that considerable amounts of hydrogen (H2) can be produced from renewable resources without using energy from fossil fuels. Biological processes and bacterial fermentation are considered as the most environmentally friendly alternatives for satisfying future hydrogen demand. Biohydrogen production from agricultural and agro-industrial solid waste and wastewater is considered as highly advantageous as materials of this kind are abundant, cheap and biodegradable. The combustion of H2 with oxygen produces water as its only product: Unlike other fuels, the combustion of H2 does not produce carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), hydrocarbons or particulate matter (PM). Therefore, hydrogen is an environmentally friendly fuel where endeavors focus on producing specially designed internal combustion engines that can use H2 as fuel. The results showed that laser irradiated inoculum increased biohydrogen production by 1.2 times of the control. Therefore, in this research, it was hypothesized that exposing purple non-sulfur bacterial (PNSB) mix consortium to Helium-Neon red laser for 2 hours increased cell activity and consequently the biohydrogen production from food wastes through photo-fermentation process.

Several studies attempted to explain the negative impact of varicocele on spermatogenesis and fertilisation processes. YKL-40 is a novel glycoprotein biomarker that had been associated with several diseases. This quasi-interventional study aimed to assess the seminal levels of YKL-40 in infertile men with varicocele before and after varicocelectomy. Overall, 50 men were included in this study divided into 20 healthy fertile men and 30 infertile oligoasthenoteratozoospermic (OAT) men with varicocele that underwent varicocelectomy. All participants were subjected to history taking, clinical examination and scrotal Doppler. Also, semen analysis and seminal YKL-40 assessment were carried out in the start and 6 months after varicocele surgical repair. The results showed a significant increase in the mean seminal YKL-40 level in infertile OAT men with varicocele compared with the healthy fertile men. Six months post-varicocelectomy, the mean seminal KYL-40 level exhibited significant decreases correlated with improved sperm parameters. Overall, seminal levels of YKL-40 showed significant negative correlations with sperm concentration, total sperm motility and sperm normal morphology. It could be concluded that seminal YKL-40 is elevated in infertile OAT men with varicocele where varicocelectomy induces decreased seminal YKL-40 levels correlated with improved semen parameters.

The mycotoxin ochratoxin A (OTA) is produced by the fungi Aspergillus and Penicillium. The flavonoid quercetin (QUE) is distinguished by its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties. This study was designed to determine whether QUE can protect broiler chickens against OTA-induced nephrotoxicity. Forty broiler chicks were randomly divided into four equal groups: control, OTA, QUE, and OTA + QUE. For 6 weeks, OTA (0.5 mg/kg) and/or QUE (0.5 g/kg) were added to the diet of chickens. The results demonstrated that OTA exposure increased serum levels of creatinine, uric acid, and blood urea nitrogen. OTA exposure also increased renal malondialdehyde content but decreased renal antioxidants. OTA-exposed chickens exhibited multiple pathological kidney lesions. Moreover, OTA exposure induced apoptosis in renal tissue, which was manifested by the up-regulation of proapoptotic genes and down-regulation of antiapoptotic genes via the suppression of the PI3K/AKT pathway. In addition, coadministration of QUE and OTA mitigated most of these nephrotoxic effects.

Background: Trunk and hip joint stability and strength are important for proper gait mechanics and foot position during heel strike. So, it is important to consider the patency of all the leg joints for stability during gait.
Objective: To examine the effect of unilateral chronic ankle instability on kinematics and kinetics of trunk and lower extremity joints during shod walking.
Materials and Methods: 3-D motion analysis system was used to record the gait kinematics and kinetics of trunk and hip joint of fifty subjects during shod walking (25 chronic ankle instability (CAI), and 25 healthy control group matched with CAI group in age, gender, and activity). Kinematic and kinetics pattern differences were established at 90%, zero%, 10% and 30% of gait cycle in the sagittal and frontal planes. Statistical analysis: Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to investigate the effect of unilateral chronic ankle instability on kinematics and kinetics of trunk and the lower extremity joints. The level of significant was set at 0.05 for all statistical tests. Results: Chronic ankle instability subjects were significantly (P< 0.05) more inverted in the frontal plane compared with controls in the entire studied parts of gait cycle. Subtalar joint motions are controlled by invertors moment compared with evertors moment in the controls. In addition to significant increase of ankle joint plantar flexion (P < 0.05), there was significant increase in ipsilateral hip joint adduction and lateral trunk lean towards the affected side. These proximal adaptations are significantly correlated to ankle adaptation in the same plane. Conclusion: Chronic ankle instability leads to kinematic and kinetic changes of trunk and hip caused by mechanical changes of ankle joint that should be considered during establishment of rehabilitation programs for persons suffering from chronic ankle instability.
Key words: Kinematics, Kinetics, Lateral ankle instability, 3D motion analysis

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