Genetic parameters and principal components analysis of breeding value for birth and weaning weight in Egyptian buffalo

Salem, Mohamed Mahmoud Ibrahim,Amin, Amin Mohamed Said,Ashour, Ayman Fouad,Ibrahim, Mohamed Mohamed El-said,Abo-Ismail, Mohammed Kotb Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2021 Animal Bioscience Vol.34 No.1

Objective: The objectives of the current study were to study the main environmental factors affecting birth weight (BW) and weaning weight (WW), estimate variance components, genetic parameters and genetic trend and to evaluate the variability and relationships among breeding value of BW and WW using principal components analysis (PCA). Methods: A total of 16,370 records were collected from 8,271 buffalo calves. Genetic parameters and breeding values were estimated using a bivariate animal model which includes direct, maternal and permanent maternal effects. These estimates were standardized and used in PCA. Results: The direct heritability estimates were 0.06 and 0.41 for BW and WW, respectively whereas direct maternal heritability values were 0.03 and 0.14, respectively. Proportions of variance due to permanent environmental effects of dam were 0.455 and 0.280 for BW and WW respectively. The genetic correlation between BW and WWs was weak approaching zero, but the maternal correlation was 0.26. The first two principal components (PC1 and PC2) were estimated utilizing the standardized breeding values according to Kaiser method. The total variance explained by the first two PCs was 71.17% in which 45.91% and 25.25% were explained by PC1 and PC2, respectively. The direct breeding values of BW were related to PC2 but those of WW and maternal breeding values of BW and WWs were associated with PC1. Conclusion: The results of genetic parameters and PCA indicate that BW and WWs were not genetically correlated and improving growth traits of Egyptian buffaloes could be achieved using WW without any adverse effect by BW.

An investigation of the nuclear shielding effectiveness of some transparent glasses manufactured from natural quartz doped lead cations

Kassem, Said M.,Ahmed, G.S.M.,Rashad, A.M.,Salem, S.M.,Ebraheem, S.,Mostafa, A.G. Korean Nuclear Society 2021 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.53 No.6

The influence of lead cations on natural quartz (QZ) from Egypt as a glass shielding material for the composition with nominal formula (10Na₂O - (90 - x) QZ - xPbO (where x = 30, 35, 40, 45 and 50 mol %)) was examined. The studied samples are synthesized via the melt quenching method at 1050 ℃. The X-ray diffraction XRD patterns were confirmed the glass nature for studied samples. Moreover, the optical properties, and the transparency for all compositions were examined by UV-Vis spectroscopy. Also, the major elemental composition of the natural quartz were estimated via the X-ray fluorescence (XRF) technique. Further, the density and molar volume were determined. Furthermore, the nuclear shielding parameters such as, mass attenuation coefficient, effective atomic number, electronic density, the total atomic, and electronic cross sections as well as the mean free path, and the half value layer with different gamma ray energies (81 keV-1407 keV) were calculated. Besides, the results showed that the shielding behavior towards the gamma ray radiation for all glass samples was increased as the increment in PbO concentration in the glass system.

Ultimate section capacity of steel thin-walled I-section beam-columns

Adel Helmy Salem,Ezzeldin Yazeed Sayed-Ahmed,Ahmed Abdelsalam El-Serwi,Mohamed Mostafa Korashy 국제구조공학회 2004 Steel and Composite Structures, An International J Vol.4 No.5

A numerical model based on the finite element technique is adopted to investigate the behavior and strength of thin-walled I-section beam-columns. The model considers both the material and geometric nonlinearities. The model results were first verified against some of the currently available experimental results. A parametric study was then performed using the numerical model and interaction diagrams for the investigated beam-columns have been presented. The effects of the web depth-to-thickness ratio, flange outstand-to-thickness ratio and bending moment-to-normal force ratio on the ultimate strength of thin-walled I-section beam-columns were scrutinized. The interaction equations adopted for beam columns design by the NAS (North American Specifications for the design of cold formed steel structural members) have been critically reviewed. An equation for the buckling coefficient which considers the interaction between local buckling of the flange and the web of a thin-walled I-section beam-column has been proposed.

A baseline free method for locating imperfect bolted joints

Soleimanpour, Reza,Soleimani, Sayed Mohamad,Salem, Mariam Naser Sulaiman Techno-Press 2022 Structural monitoring and maintenance Vol.9 No.3

This paper studies detecting and locating loose bolts using nonlinear guided waves. The 3D Finite Element (FE) simulation is used for the prediction of guided waves' interactions with loose bolted joints. The numerical results are verified by experimentally obtained data. The study considers bolted joints consisting of two bolts. It is shown that the guided waves' interaction with surfaces of a loose bolted joint generates Contact Acoustic Nonlinearity (CAN). The study uses CAN for detecting and locating loose bolts. The processed experimentally obtained data show that the CAN is able to successfully detect and locate loose bolted joints. A 3D FE simulation scheme is developed and validated by experimentally obtained data. It is shown that FE can predict the propagation of guided waves in loose bolts and is also able to detect and locate them. Several numerical case studies with various bolt sizes are created and studied using the validated 3D FE simulation approach. It is shown that the FE simulation modeling approach and the signal processing scheme used in the current study are able to detect and locate the loose bolts in imperfect bolted joints. The outcomes of this research can provide better insights into understanding the interaction of guided waves with loose bolts. The results can also enhance the maintenance and repair of imperfect joints using the nonlinear guided waves technique.

Structural, Optical and Room Temperature Magnetic Study of Mn-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles

Majed Sharrouf,Ramadan Awad,Salem Marhaba,Douaa El-Said Bakeer 성균관대학교(자연과학캠퍼스) 성균나노과학기술원 2016 NANO Vol.11 No.4

Undoped and Mn-doped ZnO nanoparticles (Zn1-xMnxO), with nominal weight percentages (0:00 ≤ x ≤ 0.10), have been synthesized by co-precipitation technique. The synthesized nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). From XRD analysis, the compound ZnMnO3 is formed for x ≥ 0.05 with cubic structure (a = 8.3694 Å) and its concentration increases with x. Moreover, XRD analysis reveals the wurtzite hexagonal crystal structure for ZnO. The lattice parameters (a and c) of Zn1-xMnxO are calculated and they increase with the doping concentration of Mn as a consequence of the larger ionic size of Mn2+ ions compared to Zn2+ ions. The crystallite size is calculated for all the samples using Debye– Scherrer's method (SSM), Williamson–Hall methods (UDM, USDM and UDEDM) and SizeStrain Plot method (SSP), and the results are in good agreement with TEM. The presence of functional groups and the chemical bonding is confirmed by FTIR spectra that shows a peak shift between undoped and doped ZnO. The energy bandgap (Eg) is calculated for different concentrations of Mn (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) by using the UV-visible optical spectroscopy, between 300 nm and 800 nm, showing a noticeable drop in Eg with x. At room temperature, the magnetization of the samples reveals the intrinsic ferromagnetic (FM) behavior of undoped ZnO, ferromagnetic behavior of ZnxMn1-xO (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.03) and the co-existence of ferromagnetic and paramagnetic behavior for ZnxMn1-xO (0.05 ≤ x ≤ 0.10). This ferromagnetism is decreased for the doped samples as a consequence of antiferromagnetic coupling between Mn ions. The two samples correspond to x = 0.01 and x = 0.10, tend to be superparamagnetic because of the formation of single domain particles as a consequence of small particle size. x = 0.03 shows an optimum value of Mn concentration for maximum saturation magnetization and the best ferromagnetic nature.

Molecular Cloning, Protein Expression, and Regulatory Mechanisms of the Chitinase Gene from Spodoptera littoralis Nucleopolyhedrovirus

( Norhan Yasser ),( Reda Salem ),( Maha Alkhazindar ),( Ismail A. Abdelhamid ),( Said A. S. Ghozlan ),( Wael Elmenofy ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2021 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.49 No.3

The cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis, is a major pest in Egypt and many countries worldwide, and causes heavy economic losses. As a result, management measures to control the spread of the worm are required. S. littoralis nucleopolyhedrovirus (SpliNPV) is one of the most promising bioagents for the efficient control of insect pests. In this study, a chitinase gene (chitA) of a 1.8 kb DNA fragment was cloned and fully characterized from SpliNPV-EG1, an Egyptian isolate. A sequence of 601 amino acids was deduced when the gene was completely sequenced with a predicted molecular mass of 67 kDa for the preprotein. Transcriptional analyses using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) revealed that chitA transcripts were detected first at 12 h post infection (hpi) and remained detectable until 168 hpi, suggesting their transcriptional regulation from a putative late promoter motif. In addition, quantitative analysis using quantitative RT-PCR showed a steady increase of 7.86-fold at 12 hpi in chitA transcription levels, which increased up to 71.4-fold at 120 hpi. An approximately 50 kDa protein fragment with chitinolytic activity was purified from ChitA-induced bacterial culture and detected by western blotting with an antirecombinant SpliNPV chitinase antibody. Moreover, purification of the expressed ChitA recombinant protein showed in vitro growth inhibition of two different fungi species, Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum, confirming that the enzyme assembly and activity was correct. The results supported the potential role and application of the SpliNPV-ChitA protein as a synergistic agent in agricultural fungal and pest control programs.

Anti-proliferative Effects of Androctonus amoreuxi Scorpion and Cerastes cerastes Snake Venoms on Human Prostate Cancer Cells

Hassan Akef,Nahla Kotb,Dina Abo-Elmatty,Sayed Salem 대한암예방학회 2017 Journal of cancer prevention Vol.22 No.1

The present study evaluated the effects of Androctonus amoreuxi scorpion venom, Cerastes cerastes snake venom and their mixture on prostate cancer cells (PC3). An MTT assay was used to determine the anti-proliferative effect of the venoms, while quantitative real time PCR was used to evaluate the expression of apoptosis-related genes (Bax and Bcl-2). Furthermore, colorimetric assays were used to measure the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes. Our results show that the venoms significantly reduced PC3 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, these venoms significantly decreased Bcl-2 gene expression. Additionally, C. cerastes venom significantly reduced Bax gene expression, while A. amoreuxi venom and a mixture of A. amoreuxi & C. cerastes venoms did not alter Bax expression. Consequently, these venoms significantly increased the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and the oxidative stress biomarker MDA. Furthermore, these venoms also increased the activity levels of the antioxidant enzymes, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione-S-transferase. Overall, the venoms have cytotoxic and anti-proliferative effects on PC3 cells.

Methylation of SFRPs and APC Genes in Ovarian Cancer Infected with High Risk Human Papillomavirus

Al-Shabanah, Othman Abdulla,Hafez, Mohamed Mahmoud,Hassan, Zeinab Korany,Sayed-Ahmed, Mohamed Mohamed,Abozeed, Waleed Nabeel,Alsheikh, Abdulmalik,Al-Rejaie, Salem Saleh Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.6

Background: Secreted frizzled-related protein (SFRP) genes, new tumor suppressor genes, are negative regulators of the Wnt pathway whose alteration is associated with various tumors. In ovarian cancer, SFRPs genes promoter methylation can lead to gene inactivation. This study investigated mechanisms of SFRP and adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) genes silencing in ovarian cancer infected with high risk human papillomavirus. Materials and Methods: DNA was extracted from 200 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded ovarian cancer and their normal adjacent tissues (NAT) and DNA methylation was detected by methylation specific PCR (MSP). High risk human papillomavirus (HPV) was detected by nested PCR with consensus primers to amplify a broad spectrum of HPV genotypes. Results: The percentages of SFRP and APC genes with methylation were significantly higher in ovarian cancer tissues infected with high risk HPV compared to NAT. The methylated studied genes were associated with suppression in their gene expression. Conclusion: This finding highlights the possible role of the high risk HPV virus in ovarian carcinogenesis or in facilitating cancer progression by suppression of SFRP and APC genes via DNA methylation.

Nutrient Digestibility, Ruminal Fermentation Activities, Serum Parameters and Milk Production and Composition of Lactating Goats Fed Diets Containing Rice Straw Treated with Pleurotus ostreatus

Kholif, A.E.,Khattab, H.M.,El-Shewy, A.A.,Salem, A.Z.M.,Kholif, A.M.,El-Sayed, M.M.,Gado, H.M.,Mariezcurrena, M.D. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2014 Animal Bioscience Vol.27 No.3

The study evaluated replacement of Egyptian berseem clover (BC, Trifolium alexandrinum) with spent rice straw (SRS) of Pleurotus ostreatus basidiomycete in diets of lactating Baladi goats. Nine lactating homo-parity Baladi goats (average BW $23.8{\pm}0.4$ kg) at 7 d postpartum were used in a triplicate $3{\times}3$ Latin square design with 30 d experimental periods. Goats were fed a basal diet containing 0 (Control), 0.25 (SRS25) and 0.45 (SRS45) (w/w, DM basis) of SRS. The Control diet was berseem clover and concentrate mixture (1:1 DM basis). The SRS45 had lowered total feed intake and forages intake compared to Control. The SRS25 and SRS45 rations had the highest digestibilities of DM (p = 0.0241) and hemicellulose (p = 0.0021) compared to Control which had higher (p<0.01) digestibilities of OM (p = 0.0002) and CP (p = 0.0005) than SRS25 and SRS45. Ruminal pH and microbial protein synthesis were higher (p<0.0001) for SRS25 and SRS45 than Control, which also had the highest (p<0.0001) concentration of TVFA, total proteins, non-protein N, and ammonia-N. All values of serum constituents were within normal ranges. The Control ration had higher serum globulin (p = 0.0148), creatinine (p = 0.0150), glucose (p = 0.0002) and cholesterol (p = 0.0016). Both Control and SRS25 groups had the highest (p<0.05) milk (p = 0.0330) and energy corrected milk (p = 0.0290) yields. Fat content was higher (p = 0.0373) with SRS45 and SRS25 groups compared with Control. Replacement of BC with SRS in goat rations increased milk levels of conjugated linoleic acid and unsaturated fatty acids compared with Control. It was concluded that replacing 50% of Egyptian berseem clover with SRS in goat rations improved their productive performance without marked effects on metabolic indicators health.

MicroRNAs and Metastasis-related Gene Expression in Egyptian Breast Cancer Patients

Hafez, Mohamed M.,Hassan, Zeinab K.,Zekri, Abdel Rahman N.,Gaber, Ayman A.,Rejaie, Salem S. Al,Sayed-Ahmed, Mohamed M.,Shabanah, Othman Al Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.2

Aim and background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of naturally occurring small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression, cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis by targeting mRNAs for translational repression or cleavage. The present study was conducted to study miRNAs in Egyptian breast cancer (BC) and their relation to metastasis, tumor invasion and apoptosis in addition to their association with the ER and PR statuses. Methods: Real Time RT-PCR was performed to identify the miRNA expression level of eight miRNAs and eight metastatic-related genes in 40 breast cancer samples and their adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. The expression levels of each miRNA relative to U6 RNA were determined using the $^{2-{\Delta}}CT$ method. Also, miRNA expression profiles of the BC and their corresponding ANT were evaluated. Results: The BC patients showed an up-regulation in miRNAs (mir-155, mir-10, mir-21 and mir-373) with an upregulation in MMP2, MMp9 and VEGF genes. We found down regulation in mir-17p, mir-126, mir-335, mir-30b and also TIMP3, TMP1 and PDCD4 genes in the cancer tissue compared to the adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. Mir -10b, mir -21, mir-155 and mir373 and the metastatic genes MMP2, MMP9 and VEGF were significantly associated with an increase in tumor size (P < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between any of the studied miRNAs regarding lymph node metastasis. Mir-21 was significantly over-expressed in ER-/PR-cases. Conclusion: Specific miRNAs (mir-10, mir-21, mir-155, mir-373, mir-30b, mir-126, mir-17p, mir-335) are associated with tumor metastasis and other clinical characteristics for BC, facilitating identification of individuals who are at risk.