A Hybrid Neutrosophic GIS-MCDM Method Using a Weighted Combination Approach for Selecting Wind Energy Power Plant Locations: A Case Study of Sinai Peninsula, Egypt

Amany Mohamed Elhosiny,Haitham El-Ghareeb,Bahaa T. Shabana,Ahmed AbouElfetouh 한국지능시스템학회 2021 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL of FUZZY LOGIC and INTELLIGE Vol.21 No.1

The production and use of wind energy has eased the problems of energy scarcity and environmental pollution. However, the selection of locations for wind power plants is challenging because the associated decision-making process requires political, socio-economic, and environmental considerations. The selection of suboptimal sites has created several negative impacts. This study aims to resolve this issue by implementing the following factors: integrating a qualitative and quantitative multi-criteria decision-making framework for selecting locations for wind power plants; applying the new framework in Sinai Peninsula in Egypt, and investigating the neutrosophic analytic network process for weight assignment through expert-based and entropy-based criteria; choosing four potential alternative wind power plant sites, and using PROMETHEE-TOPSIS to help decision makers find the best possible alternative; and establishing the supremacy of one option over the other. The results indicate that by applying the proposed approach, an appropriate wind power plant location can be successfully selected among various alternatives.

Refugees of the Eastern Mediterranean in the Aftermath of the Great War: History Lessons for a Complicated Present

( Amany Soliman ) 부산외국어대학교 지중해연구소 2017 The Mediterranean Review Vol.10 No.1

The current dilemma regarding the hundreds of thousands of migrants /refugees fleeing across the Mediterranean is not new. Wars and civil wars are not new phenomena in the Mediterranean, and neither are the human miseries of displacement that result afterwards. This article focuses on the role of the League of Nations and international treaties in solving the refugee crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean after the Great War. This paper will focus on a comparison of the Turkish-Greek population exchange with the post-2011 refugee crisis. The current crisis showed how security priorities, nationalist pride, and religious fanaticism hinder the crucial decisions that would save the lives and futures of millions of people. When the politicians took decisions almost a century ago, they were based on almost the same foundations that are standing in the way of achieving a just and inclusive solution to the current refugee crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Seropositivity of Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant Women by ELISA at Minia University Hospital, Egypt

Amany M. Kamal,Azza K. Ahmed,Manal Z. M. Abdellatif,Mohamed Tawfik,Ebtesam E. Hassan 대한기생충학열대의학회 2015 The Korean Journal of Parasitology Vol.53 No.5

Potential Role for a Panel of Immunohistochemical Markers in the Management of Endometrial Carcinoma

Amany Salama,Mohammad Arafa,Eman ElZahaf,Abdelhadi Mohamed Shebl,Azmy Abd El-Hameed Awad,Sylvia A. Ashamallah,Reda Hemida,Anas Gamal,Abd AlRahman Foda,Khaled Zalata,El-Said M. Abdel-Hady 대한병리학회 2019 Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine Vol.53 No.3

Background: In order to improve the efficacy of endometrial carcinoma (EC) treatment, identifying prognostic factors for high risk patients is a high research priority. This study aimed to assess the relationships among the expression of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), Ki-67, and the different histopathological prognostic parameters in EC and to assess the value of these in the management of EC. Methods: We examined 109 cases of EC. Immunohistochemistry for ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67 were evaluated in relation to age, tumor size, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage and grade, depth of infiltration, cervical and ovarian involvement, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), and lymph node (LN) metastasis. Results: The mean age of patients in this study was 59.8 ± 8.2 years. Low ER and PR expression scores and high Ki-67 expression showed highly significant associations with non-endometrioid histology (p = .007, p < .001, and p < .001, respectively) and poor differentiation (p = .007, p < .001, and p <. 001, respectively). Low PR score showed a significant association with advanced stage (p = .009). Low ER score was highly associated with LVSI (p = .006), and low PR scores were associated significantly with LN metastasis (p = .026). HER2 expression was significantly related to advanced stages (p = .04), increased depth of infiltration (p = .02), LVSI (p = .017), ovarian involvement (p = .038), and LN metastasis (p = .038). There was a close relationship between HER2 expression and uterine cervical involvement (p = .009). Higher Ki-67 values were associated with LN involvement (p = .012). Conclusions: The over-expression of HER2 and Ki-67 and low expression of ER and PR indicate a more malignant EC behavior. An immunohistochemical panel for the identification of high risk tumors can contribute significantly to prognostic assessments.

Amidoxime modification of polyacrylonitrile/Pterocladia capillacea-derived activated carbon composite for adsorption of toxic chromium from aquatic environment

Amany GM Shoaib,El Nemr Ahmed,El Sikaily Amany,Masoud Mamdouh S.,Ramadan Mohamed S. 한국탄소학회 2022 Carbon Letters Vol.32 No.2

By polymerizing acrylonitrile in the presence of ammonium persulfate as an initiator and Pterocladia capillacea-activated carbon (P-AC) as a filler, a composite material polyacrylonitrile/Pterocladia capillacea-activated carbon (PAN/P- AC) was developed. By reacting hydroxylamine with the composite's nitrile groups, the prepared composite was functionalized by amidoximation. FTIR spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis were all applied to thoroughly characterize the fabricated adsorbent. For the treatment of Cr(VI) ions from synthetic solutions, the adsorption properties of amidoximated polyacrylonitrile/Pterocladia capillacea-activated carbon (PAO/P-AC) were investigated. The pH effect, uptake kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and thermodynamics studies were used to characterize adsorption properties. As a kinetic model analysis, the data confirmed that the pseudo-second-order rate equation matched well the adsorption process. With coefficients of determination (R2) of 0.9998, the Tempkin isotherm model had the lowest error, suggesting that it is the best fitted model to describe this adsorption mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters demonstrated that Cr(VI) adsorption was endothermic.

The Feminist Movement in Post Ottoman Egypt: Revisiting the Contributions of non-Muslim Women Pioneers

Amany Soliman 부산외국어대학교 지중해지역원 2021 The Mediterranean Review Vol.14 No.1

The rise of Egyptian nationalism gave a momentum to the women’s struggle in alignment to the fight for independence. Hence, the history of Egyptian women’s awakening can be read parallel to the history of modern Egyptian nationalism. In this article, there is a spotlight on the efforts of non-Muslim women, either Egyptian or foreigner, who were pioneers in leading women’s advancement in Egypt. However, these women were less celebrated in the writings of Egyptian history either in Egypt or in the West, in comparison to Muslim pioneers. Few of the non-Muslim pioneers are scarcely mentioned in many secondary sources of the Egyptian feminism history without referring to their different identity and their belonging to a minority. Sometimes they are mentioned in the history of education or advancement of a certain industry without referring to their leading roles in advancing the lives of Egyptian women in general. In this article, the legacy of non-Muslim women and their contribution to the women movement in Post Ottoman Egypt will be revisited.

The Anti-inflammatory and Antiatherogenic In Vivo Effects of Pomegranate Peel Powder: From Waste to Medicinal Food

Amany A. Salama,Naglaa M. Ismael,Magdy Bedewy 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.2

The highest causes of worldwide morbidity and mortality are cardiovascular diseases (CVD) that pose a major health concern affecting patients' quality of life. Pomegranate fruit contains unique compounds with various bioactivities and has been used as a powerful medicinal food in various illnesses, including CVD. Several trials confirmed the therapeutic impacts of its edible portion, but trials on pomegranate peel's impacts are fewer. Our aim was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic in vivo effects of pomegranate peel powder (PPP) in rats fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Twenty-eight albino rats were distributed among four groups: I (control), II (on HFD), III (on HFD and PPP 0.5 g/kg BW), and IV (on HFD and 1 g/kg BW). Blood samples were tested for interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid-A (SAA), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), and some primary biochemical parameters. HFD induced significant elevations in cholesterol and inflammatory markers as compared with controls. Nevertheless, HDL, alanine aminotransferase, creatinine, and albumin showed no change in all rats. In both PPP treatment groups, CRP and SAA levels were reduced significantly with significant decrease in TC. Samples of thoracic aorta from treatment groups showed a normal appearance and amelioration of subclinical atherosclerotic changes found in HFD group. PPP exhibited anti-inflammatory and antiatherogenic effects in comparison to HFD controls.

Impact of Cellular Genetic Make-up on Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines Response to Ellagic Acid: Implications of small interfering RNA

Yousef, Amany I,El-Masry, Omar S,Abdel Mohsen, Mohamed A Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.2

Background: $K^-Ras$ activation is an early event in colorectal carcinogenesis and associated mutations have been reported in about 40% of colorectal cancer patients. These mutations have always been responsible for enhancing malignancy and silencing them is associated with attenuation of tumorigenicity. Among downstream effectors are the RAF/MEK/ERK and the PI3K/Akt signaling pathways. PI3K/Akt signaling leads to reduction of apoptosis, stimulated cell growth and enhanced proliferation. Ellagic acid (EA), a naturally occurring antioxidant, has recently emerged as a promising anti-cancer agent. Purpose: To evaluate the impact of cellular genetic makeup of two colon cancer cell lines with different genetic backgrounds, HCT-116 ($K^-Ras^-/p53^+$) and Caco-2 ($K^-Ras^+/p53^-$), on response to potential anti-tumour effects of EA. In addition, the influence of $K^-Ras$ silencing in HCT-116 cells was investigated. Materials and Methods: Cellular proliferation, morphology and cell cycle analysis were carried out in addition to Western blotting for detecting total Akt and p-Akt (at Thr308 and Ser473) in the presence and absence of different concentrations of EA. Cell proliferation was also assessed in cells transfected with different concentrations of $K^-Ras$ siRNA or incubated with ellagic acid following transfection. Results: The results of the present study revealed that EA exerts anti-proliferative and dose-dependent pro-apoptotic effects. Cytostatic and cytotoxic effects were also observed. p-Akt (at Thr308 and Ser473) was downregulated. Moreover, EA treatment was found to (i) reduce $K^-Ras$ protein expression; (ii) in cells transfected with siRNA and co-treated with EA, pronounced anti-proliferative effects as well as depletion of p-Akt (at Thr308) were detected. Conclusions: Cellular genetic makeup ($K^-Ras^-/p53^-$) was not likely to impose limitations on targeting EA in treatment of colon cancer. EA had a multi-disciplinary pro-apoptotic anti-proliferative approach, having inhibited Akt phosphorylation, induced cell cycle arrest and showed an anti-proliferative potential in HCT-116 cells (expressing mutant $K^-Ras$).

Bioactive compounds from Withania somnifera dun and their toxicity against some piercing sucking pests

Ragab Amany,Taher Mohamed A.,El-Rafey Helmy H.,El-Rokh Ahmed Ramadan 한국응용생명화학회 2024 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.67 No.-

Piercing sucking pests are destructive to many strategic crops all over the world. Botanical pesticides can be used to control these pests. A new withanolide derivative 3 named sominone A ((20R,22R)-1α,3β,20,27-tetrahydroxywitha- 5,24-dienolide) was isolated from the alkaloid fraction of the whole plant of Withania somnifera. In addition, there are three known compounds named withasomine 1, methyl isoferulate 2, and coagulin Q 4 were also isolated. The structures of isolated compounds were identified using different spectroscopic methods such as 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS spectroscopy. The alkaloid fraction and the four isolated compounds were tested for their pesticidal activity against four piercing sucking pests (Aphis craccivora Koch, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, Nezara viridula Linnaeus, and Tetranychus urticae Koch) that attack many strategic crops under laboratory conditions, along with azadirachtin (Okios 3.2% EC) as a positive control. The results showed that the alkaloid compound (withasomine 1) was the most toxic to A. craccivora, B. tabaci, N. viridula, and T. urticae, with LC50 values of 15.44, 36.61, 85.11, and 128.28 ppm, respectively, compared with the control. Withanolide compounds had moderate effects on all tested pests. Biochemical parameters of six enzymes; α-esterase, β-esterase, chitinase, acetylcholinesterase, glutathione-S-transferase, and peroxidase of A. craccivora were estimated at the LC50 value of the most potent compound, withasomine 1 and the values were 38.83, 72.86, 31.45, 506.4, 2.62, and 251.0, respectively. The results demonstrated that all enzymes activity levels were increased compared with the control except a remarkable inhibition in AChE enzyme level was observed compared with control. Therefore, the alkaloid fraction of W. somnifera is a promising extract that contains many active compounds that can be used as a natural pesticide against many harmful pests in agriculture crops.

Impacts of PAH accumulation on reproductive hormones, indices of oxidative stress and BPDE-albumin adduct in women with recurrent pregnancy loss

El-Sikaily Amany,Helal Mohamed,Nsonwu-Anyanwu Augusta Chinyere,Azab Hossam,Abd ElMoneim Neveen,Farahat Eman Othman Salem,Saad Aziza 한국독성학회 2023 Toxicological Research Vol.39 No.3

Chronic exposure to Poly aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Disruption of hormonal and redox balance by toxic PAH metabolites may interfere with successful pregnancy leading to miscarriage. The association of exposure to PAH contaminated mussel via the dietary route with perturbations in reproductive hormones, biomarkers of oxidative stress, and PAH metabolites were assessed in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Furthermore, an analysis of the concentration of PAHs in environmentally relevant bivalve animals was performed to preliminary get insights into the levels of these pollutants in the environment. Seventy-six women (20–35 years) were categorized into 18 fertile women without RPL (control), and Groups I, II, and III comprising 24, 18, and 16 women with RPL (2, 3, and > 3 abortions respectively) were studied. Whole blood samples were collected for the estimation of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), progesterone (P4), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), benzo[a]pyren-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxide-albumin adduct (BPDE-albumin) and urine for α-naphthol and β-naphthol. Two species of mussel Donax trunculus and Andar aduloii samples were collected for the estimation of 16 priority PAHs. The concentration of PAHs exceeding the maximum limits was observed in the two species of mussels studied. Higher levels of BPDE-albumin, MDA, GST, α and β-naphthol and lower GSH, catalase, FSH, and P4 were observed in women with RPL (Groups I-III) compared to controls (p = < 0.001). Negative associations were observed between BPDE-albumin and catalase (r = − 0.276, p = 0.036), and GSH (r = − 0.331, p = − 0.011) only in women with RPL. Collectively, our findings indicate a possible association of chronic PAH accumulation with recurrent pregnancy loss in women.