Blood lipid and lipoprotein profile of female athletes with respect to their jobs and nutrients intake

There is general believe that exercise may results in changes that likely reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and may slow the progression of established coronary artery disease. Chronic cardiovascular training results in changes in lipoproteins and apolipoproteins that reflect adaptation to the increased metabolic demands imposed by frequent, vigorous exercise. Moreover, the alterations in lipoproteins vary according to level of physical conditioning and intensity of exercise. One hundred three pre-menopausal physically active women ages 20-50 years old which have been exercising for at least 6 months involve in this study. Upon entering the study subjects were asked to complete questionnaire, regarding personal health and diet history (24 h recall plus 7 days food frequency list). Total calorie intake, level of carbohydrate, protein and fat in the subjects' diet were analyzed. In addition the concentration of women's plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL-C and HDL-C were also measured and compared with normal value. The results of the present study showed that, the mean total caloric intake of women were 1812.54 kilocalories, where their carbohydrate, protein and fat intake were 67.28, 12.83 and 19.89% of their total calories, respectively. The average age, weight, height and Body Mass Index (BMI) of the women involved in the study were, 30.81+/-8.87 years, 57.85+/-7.79 kg, 160.32+/-5.36 cm and 22.53+/-2.82 kg m(-2), respectively. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein concentration of women were also in normal range with the lowest in those who exercise for more than one year and physical education teacher.     

Characterization of biodiesel and bio-oil from Sterculia striata (chicha) oil

This work describes the mechanical and solvent extraction of Sterculia striata seed oil. It was determined that the seeds contain up to 41% in oil, which has an unusual composition. Indeed, up to 50% of the fatty acid contain cyclopropenoid ring. The oil was used as raw material to produce bio-oil and biodiesel and their physical-chemical properties were evaluated. Some of the studied physical-chemical properties of the S. striata biodiesel are in acceptable range for use as biodiesel in diesel engines, showing a promising economic exploitation of this raw material in semi-arid regions. It was also observed that the cyclopropenoid ring remains after transesterification and is decomposed during pyrolysis.     

Influence of the Color,Shape, and Size of the Clay Model on Arthropod Interactions in Turfgrass

Many predatory arthropods occur naturally in turfgrass, and they provide adequate control of lepidopteran pests, such as fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (JE Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Recording predation is challenging under field conditions because predators rarely leave any evidence. Clay models were successfully employed for studying predation, and this technique is underutilized in turfgrass. Little is known about whether the characteristics of clay models, such as color, shape, and size, influence arthropod interactions in turfgrass. To improve the utility of clay models in turfgrass, the influence of the color, shape, and size of clay models on arthropod interactions was studied by exposing clay models during daytime and nighttime in a turfgrass field. The results showed that arthropods interacted with clay models, and various types of impressions were recorded, including paired marks, scratches, cuts, and pricks. Although the color of the clay model had no significant effects on arthropod interactions during the night, significantly greater numbers of impressions were noticed on the blue and green models than on the yellow models during the daytime. The caterpillar-shaped models captured significantly greater densities of impressions than the beetle-shaped models. Additionally, the number of impressions significantly increased with an increase in the size of the model regardless of shape.     

Survival of plants of common sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) in competition with two companion grass species

A 2-year experiment on competition between sainfoin ( Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.), meadow fescue ( Festuca pratensis ) and tetraploid perennial ryegrass ( Lolium perenne ) was conducted using plants grown in plastic containers outdoors. Root and shoot systems of sainfoin and the grasses were separated in order to investigate full and no competition of root and shoots, at two planting ratios (0·33 grass:0·66 sainfoin and 0·66 grass:0·33 sainfoin). Survival of sainfoin plants was lower at the higher grass:sainfoin ratio. More sainfoin plants died in the winter than during the growing season. Root competition had no effect on survival of sainfoin plants, but shoot competition reduced survival of sainfoin plants during one growing season. Companion grass species had no effect on survival of sainfoin plants, except in the first winter, when fewer sainfoin plants survived when grown with meadow fescue than perennial ryegrass.     

Study of nano-fiber cellulose production by Glucanacetobacter xylinum ATCC 10245

Bacterial Celluloses (BC) are gaining importance in research and commerce due to numerous factors affecting the bacterial cellulose characteristics and application in different industries. The aim of the present study was to produce bacterial cellulose in different media using different cultivation vessels. Bacterial cellulose was produced by static cultivation of Glucanacetobacter xylinum ATCC 10245 in different culture media such as Brain Heart Agar, Luria Bertani Agar /Broth, Brain Heart Infusion, Hestrin-Schramm and medium no. 125. Cultivation of bacterium was conducted in various culture vessels with different surface area. The cellulose membrane was treated and purified with a 0.1 M NaOH solution at 90 degreesC for 30 min and dried by a freeze- drier at -40 degreesC to obtain BC. The prepared bacterial cellulose was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The amount of produced BC was related directly to the surface area of culture vessels.     

Effect of polluted water from the Egyptian Eastern Mediterranean coast on reproductive, toxicological and hematological characteristics of Siganus rivulatus

The impact of diluted levels of polluted seawater from the Egyptian Mediterranean coast on reproductive, toxicological and hematological characteristics of Siganus rivulatus were determined. Mature fish were exposed to diluted levels of 7.5, 10 and 15 ml L(-1) polluted seawater. Hematological changes after 4, 15 and 30 days of exposure were measured. Erythrocytes decreased (p<0.05) as well as Packed Cell Volume (PCV) and Hemoglobin (Hb), indicating anemia developed to hypochromic macrocytic anemia at end of experiment. Leukocytes, increased (p<0.05), indicating susceptibility of fish to infection and stress. Granulocytic leukocytes, neutrophil and eosinophil increased. While lymphocytes decreased. Blood parameters of exposed fish revealed compensatory responses. The increase in developing hemocytoplast and myelocytes emphasize the compensatory and defensive reaction of fish to polluted water. Exposure to polluted water levels has a detrimental effect on gonads development, altered endocrine haemostasis, testosterone and progesterone levels decreased in females (p<0.05). While in male, progesterone level increased (p<0.01). Necrosis of spermatogenic cells and atresia of developing oocytes are pronounced at levels of 10 and 15 ml L(-1)polluted seawater. Also, has necrotic effect on fish organs. Vacuolation and necrosis occurs in liver and kidney. Melanomacrophage aggregates can be seen. Gills showed epithetial lifting and vascular widening. Results showed that, polluted water has serious consequences on Siganus rivulatus blood characteristics as well as organs cellular structure. It rendered fish anemiatic, altered reproductive hormones level, leading to necrosis of males spermatogenic cells and atresia of developing oocytes.     

Surface characterization of sputter silver-coated polyester fiber

The present study concerns modification of surface of polyester fiber by magnetron sputtering using a silver (Ag) target. A detailed characterization of the silver-coated polyester fiber was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction technique (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results revealed the remarkable changes in the surface morphology and microstructure of silver film on polyester fiber after sputtering for 10 and 30 min respectively. The SEM results showed that the silver particles were uniformly and densely deposited on the surface of polyester fiber. The XRD pattern of silver coated fabric showed that silver film is polycrystalline structure and dominated by the very strong (220) peak. Depth profiling results of silver coated fabric by XPS indicated that mainly metallic silver is existed throughout the whole depth region.     

蒙古羊肥育試驗初報

北京市肖費的羊肉主要由内蒙古自治區烏蘭察布盟、錫林郭勒盟、察哈爾盟等地於每年9-11月間運來活羊屠宰。由於此睦羊隻大批運到,而市場供應則須保持均衡,故食品公司設場飼養,並選擇部分羊隻進行肥育。本年試驗目的,即在對當地羣眾肥育綿羊的經驗進行初步研究,同時並測定肥育對屠宰率和淨肉率的影響。     

Mechanical characterization of clay reinforced polypropylene nanocomposites at high temperature

This paper focuses on the influence of temperature conditions and the clay contents on enhancement of mechanical characterization of polypropylene (PP) nanocomposites. The nanocomposites were prepared using the melt mixing technique in a co-rotating intermeshing twin screw extruder followed by injection moulding. Nanocomposites properties such as impact strength and ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, failure strain, Young’s modulus and toughness are calculated. The addition of clay to PP matrix was showed remarkable enhancement in mechanical properties at the temperature of 25 oC and 120 °C. Nearly 36 % and 160 % increase in the Young’s modulus and about 45 % and 62 % increase in the impact strength were observed at both room temperature (RT) and high temperature (HT), respectively. But, the tensile strength was not affected much. The basal spacing of clay in the composites was measured by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to assess the surface morphology of the fractured surfaces and dispersion of the nanoclay.     

Bioactive Compounds from the Red Sea Marine Sponge Hyrtios Species

In continuation of our search for drug leads from Red Sea sponges we have investigated the ethyl acetate fraction of the organic extract of the Red Sea sponge Hyrtios species. Bioassay-directed fractionation of the active fraction resulted into the identification of three new alkaloids, hyrtioerectines D–F (1–3). Hyrtioerectines D–F belong to the rare marine alkaloids in which the indole and β-carboline fragments of the molecule are linked through C-3/C-3 of both moieties. The structures of the isolated compounds were established based on different spectroscopic data including UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR (COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) and high-resolution mass spectral studies. The antimicrobial activity against several pathogens and the free radical scavenging activity of the compounds using DPPH reagent were evaluated. In addition, the growth inhibitory activity of the compounds against three cancer cell lines was also evaluated. Hyrtioerectines D–F (1–3) displayed variable antimicrobial, free radical scavenging and cancer growth inhibition activities. Generally, compounds 1 and 3 were more active than compound 2.