Groundwater recharge sustains freshwater resources in arid and hyper-arid environments, where replenishment is largely restricted to episodic flash floods. However, identifying locations where such short-lived runoff can be effectively and safely captured for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) remains a major planning challenge. This study developed an integrated hydro-geospatial framework for screening and prioritizing candidate sites for Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) investigation in Wadi El-Nakhil Basin, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), and Weighted Linear Combination were used to integrate eighteen geological, hydrogeological, topographic, hydrological, and environmental criteria into a Groundwater Recharge Potential Index (GRPI). The mapped GRPI classes comprised Very High (15.33%), High (31.04%), Moderate (27.80%), Low (16.50%), and Very Low (9.33%) relative screening suitability. Nine candidate locations were identified for further MAR investigation. The AHP weighting showed high internal consistency (CR = 0.006787). Monte Carlo analysis examined variation in criterion weights under prescribed perturbations. Comparison with eight control wells indicated agreement with groundwater productivity, although spatially independent performance was not established. Gravity-fed recharge wells, permeable gabion check dams, and subsurface infiltration galleries are discussed as conceptual options requiring site-specific hydraulic, water-quality, operational, and economic assessment. The assessment identifies spatial priorities for MAR investigation in a basin where episodic water supply and heterogeneous subsurface conditions complicate site selection. Its contribution is a basin-specific screening assessment linking candidate locations to the field information required for feasibility evaluation. Recharge rates, available storage, recoverable water volumes, and operational performance remain to be established through site investigation and pilot testing.

Background: Phthalates are endocrine-disrupting chemicals associated
with reproductive toxicity. Aim: This study provides a comparative
evaluation of the effects of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and di-(2-ethylhexyl)
phthalate (DEHP) on testicular injury in immature mice. Methods: Fortyeight
21-day-old Swiss albino male mice were allocated into eight groups:
control, corn oil vehicle, and DBP- or DEHP-treated groups receiving 100,
200, or 400 mg/kg body weight by oral gavage for 10 consecutive days.
Histological evaluation followed 7 and 10 days of exposure (postnatal days
28 and 31). Results: Both DBP and DEHP induced testicular injury,
including germ cell disorganization, cytoplasmic vacuolization, germ cell
loss, and multinucleated giant cell (MGC) formation. Morphometric
analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in seminiferous tubule
diameter in both treatment groups, with a greater decrease in DEHPexposed
animals at both time points. DBP-treated groups exhibited a high
incidence of MGCs, reaching 93.11% and 84.50% at 28 and 31 days,
respectively. In contrast, DEHP-treated groups showed a lower incidence of
MGCs, reaching 56.17% at 28 days, with complete absence at 31 days
despite more severe degeneration and germ cell depletion. Two distinct
MGC types were identified: a dark eosinophilic type with dense cytoplasm
and relatively regular nuclei, and a pale foamy type with vacuolated
cytoplasm and irregular condensed nuclei, suggesting germ cell symplasts
and macrophage-derived giant cells, respectively. Conclusion: Both DBP
and DEHP induced MGC formation, but their progression differed, with
prolonged MGC occurrence after DBP exposure and more severe germ cell
loss following DEHP exposure. Further mechanistic studies are warranted.

Background: Aflatoxins, highly toxic compounds produced by
species of Aspergillus Flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus, are
known for their hepatonephric toxicity. There are no published
randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of aflatoxin
exposure during pregnancy. Aim of the work: The current
study aims to evaluate the effect of AFB1 on hepatorenal
structure of pregnant mice. Methods: Female mice were daily fed on fodder contaminated with 5, 10 or 20 μg AFB1 seven days before mating and during pregnancy. Liver and kidney specimens were processed for histopathological and histomorphometric investigations. Results: 5 μg AFB1 treatments resulted in hepatonecrosis, inflammatory cells infiltration, vascular congestion and interstitial edema. 10 μg AFB1 group exerted hydropic and ballooning degeneration of hepatic cells, increased nuclear chromatin content, presence of trinucleated cells, dilation of blood sinusoids and areas of necrosis. In liver, 20 μg AFB1 group revealed marked vascular congestion and binucleated cells, with variable sized nuclei anisonucleosis and interstitial edema. Liver histomorphometry analyses revealed significant alterations in the central vein, nuclear and cytoplasmic area. Kidney treated with 5 μg AFB1 showed glomerular hypertrophy, tubular necrosis, congestion and Bowmn's space increase. Kidney treated with 10 μg AFB1 exhibited necrosis, damage in corpuscles & renal cast. Examination of kidney treated with 20 μg AFB1 revealed hemorrhage, necrosis, renal cast and glomerular hypertrophy. Kidney histomorphometry analyses revealed significant alterations in Bowman’s space, glomerular and corpuscle areas. Conclusion: AFB1 exerted hepatonephrotoxic negative impact in pregnant mice fed on contaminated fodder and caused many histopathological and histomorphometric alterations including necrosis, hydropic degeneration, edema, hemorrhage, blood congestion reflecting high risk toxicity of AFB1. It is suggested that accumulation of bioactivated AFB1 metabolites severely induced hepatonephrotoxicity in pregnant mice. Further studies are recommended.

Background: Aflatoxins are harmful mycotoxins. Among the various types
of aflatoxins, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is the predominant form with the most
toxic effect. AFB1 is produced by Aspergillus, which usually contaminates a
wide range of agricultural products, such as grain, nuts, or spices. The
problem of aflatoxin contamination of the food products is a common
problem in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, especially in the
developing countries where the environmental conditions of warm
temperatures and humidity favor the growth of fungi. AFB1 is known to
interfere with embryonic development. Aim of the work is to evaluate the effect of AFB1 on pregnant mice and their offspring. Methods: 40 pregnant female mice were divided into groups and fed fodder contaminated with 5, 10 and 20 μg AFB1 / kg of fodder. Administration started ten days before mating and continued during the whole period of pregnancy. Treated mothers and offspring were morphologically examined and weighed daily. Results: The treated mothers showed body weight loss, in utero embryo resorption, reduced pregnancy percentage (90.9% and 83.3%), and low number of embryos per mother (3.53, 5.18 & 5.42 compared to 8.23 in controls). Mortality percentage increased (3.77, 5.26 & 16.92 compared to 2% in control). Neonatal infants exhibited insignificant reduction in body weight and altered morphometric measurements including crown rump and head circumference, ear pinna, tail length fore and hind limb lengths, which were significantly reduced. 21 postnatal day-old infant restored normal body weight. Exposed mothers showed aggressive agonistic behavior and cannibalism. Conclusion: AFB1 has a negative impact on embryonic development, altered and reduced infant morphological parameters. 21 postnatal day-old infant restoration of normal weight might be attributed to early disappearance of AFB1 from mothers’ milk. AFB1 induced cognitive neurotoxicity leading to aggression. Further studies are recommended.