Assessment of heavy metals at mangrove ecosystem, applying multiple approaches using in-situ and remote sensing techniques, Red Sea, Egypt.

Mangrove areas are considered the most retention zone for heavy metal pollution as it work as an edge that aggregates land and sea sediments. This study aims to examine if the heavy metals' existence in the mangrove sediment is related to contamination or natural resources. In addition, it gives an interpretation of the origin of these metals along the Egyptian Red Sea coast. Twenty-two samples of mangrove sediments were collected and then, analyzed for metals (Mn, Ni, Cu, Fe, Cd, Ag, and Pb) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS). Integration between the in-situ data, contamination indices, and remote sensing and geographical information science (GIS), and multivariate statistical analysis techniques (PCA) were analyzed to assess and clarify the spatial origin of heavy metals in sediment at a regional scale. The average concentration of heavy metals from mangrove sediments were shown to be substantially lower than the referenced value, ranging from moderate to significant except the levels of Ag were very high. The heavy metals concentrations were expected to be naturally origin rather than anthropogenic and that be confirmed by mapping of Red Sea alteration zones spots. These alteration zones are parallel to mangrove sites and rich by several mineralization types including heavy metals that are carried by flooding to the coastline. Remote sensing and GIS techniques successfully contributed to interpreting the pattern of the origin of heavy metals and discharging systems that control the heavy metals concentration along the Red Sea coast.

Trophic state and potential productivity assessment for Qaroun Lake using spatial techniques.

Qaroun Lake is one of the most important Egyptian lakes which, recently, have been exposed to severe degradation in water quality and fish productivity. In this manuscript, Carlson's trophic state index (CTSI) was used to evaluate the trophic state, while the trophometric index (TMI) was used to assess the potential productivity of Qaroun Lake. The present study is one of the initial attempts to investigate these indices in Qaroun Lake. To achieve this work, an integrated multidisciplinary approach was adopted integrating field investigation, geographic information system, and data analysis. CTSI combines three variables of water quality: chlorophyll-a (CHL-a), total phosphorus (TP), and transparency measured by Secchi disk depth (SDD). The result of overall CTSI showed the hypereutrophic state is represented by 62% and eutrophic state is represented by 38% of the total lake's area. Moreover, the calculated TMI indicated the average potential productivity value (PP) is 619 t. It can be concluded that the hypereutrophic is the dominant state in Qaroun Lake. The present study recommends the application of TMI model to evaluate and monitor the changes in Qaroun Lake's potential productivity in response to the changing environmental conditions and other biological pressures (e.g., Isopoda paraside).

Gene profiling of SEC13, SMAD7, GHRL, long non-coding RNA GHRLOS, HIF-1α in gastric cancer patients.

Even with considerable progress in cancer researches, gastric cancer is still one of the global health problems. Recognition of the differential expressed genes in GC is the most appropriate approach for establishing new diagnostic targets. This study evaluates SEC13, SMAD7, GHRL, lncRNA GHRLOS, HIF-1α genes profiling as well as HIF-1α protein level for GC. The expression of selected genes, serum HIF-1α and CEA protein levels were determined for 50 GC patients and 50 healthy controls by real-time RT-PCR, ELISA, and ELICA respectively. The sensitivities of these parameters as diagnostic biomarkers were evaluated. SMAD7, HIF-1α expression, serum HIF-1α, and CEA level were significantly upregulated in GC patients as compared to the control group (P = 0.024, < 0.001) and had significant positive correlations between each other except SMAD7 with serum HIF-1α, and CEA level. On the other hand, SEC13, GHRL, and lncRNA GHRLOS expression were significantly downregulated in GC patients (P = < 0.001, 0.025, < 0.001 respectively) and had significant positive correlations with each other (P < 0.001). Significant negative correlations were observed between most of both groups. All studied parameters were associated with GC clinical stages except SMAD7 was associated with stage IV only (P = 0.005) and GHRL did not associate with tumor stages (P ˃ 0.05). All studied parameters may be promising biomarkers for the early diagnosis of GC. SMAD7, HIF-1α gene, and HIF-1α protein may be jointly implicated in cancer development and prognosis, while SEC13, GHRL, and lncRNA GHRLOS may act as tumor suppressors.