Well-preserved terrestrial palynoflora assemblages, dominated by pteridophyte spores
(e.g., Deltoidospora, Triplanosporites, and Dictyophyllidites), with angiosperms and
elaterate-bearing taxa, were recorded from the Kharita Formation, northern Egypt. Biostratigraphically,
the angiosperm pollen Afropollis jardinus is the most significant
element, along with elaterates including Elaterosporites klaszii and Elaterocolpites
castelainii, in dating the Kharita Formation and confirming its previous (dinoflagellate)
Albian dating. We applied current and previous documented redox states in the borehole and discovered
evidence of missing of angiosperms and elaterates from some stratigraphic levels.
At stratigraphic horizons where opaque phytoclasts are extraordinarily abundant, oxidation
is highly expected and, consequently, some palynomorphs of the original palynological assemblages
may have been oxidized. At other horizons with mild oxidation, some palynomorphs
cannot be preserved due to environmental restrictions. Therefore, under these circumstances,
if these marker taxa are missing, age assessments can be unreliable.
Therefore, care must be taken in order to determine reliable palynostratigraphy. An oxic to
dysoxic-suboxic marginal marine environment was inferred, with a few examples of periodic
distal settings at the basal and top parts of the Kharita Formation. The Kharita palynofloras,
as part of the palynofloristic Albian-Cenomanian African-South American (ASA)
province, reflect the influence of the break-up of the continents of Africa and South America.
They reflect the resultant global palaeoclimate change near the equator, which brought
humid conditions to Egypt during Albian times.

The current study's palynofacies analysis and visual microscopic inspections of some subsurface Middle Jurassic rocks from Egypt's northern Western Desert revealed that not all the investigated rock units are suitable source rocks for hydrocarbons; some are gas-prone rocks, while others are oil-prone rocks. However, assessments of the hydrocarbon potentiality of the studied rock unit, which is represented by the Khatatba Formation in the Fadda-1 well, can be classified as overmature gas-prone source rocks, as well as reconstruct plant cover and infer palaeoclimate conditions. The high frequency of Deltoidospora and Cicatricosisporites spores suggests locally pteridophyte-dominated lowlands vegetation near/at the well site. Conifer flora is assumed to exist in somewhat dry hinterlands due to the presence of saccate (Araucaria cites and Balmeiopsis) pollen grains. In addition, due to the presence of drought resistant Cassopolis pollen grain, a regional warm and relatively dry palaeoclimate is thought to have prevailed, with a local humid condition developing around the well site.

This study was carried out to investigate the histological and ultrastructural changes
in the liver cells that would occur in response to the use of sodium benzoate. Adult
male albino rats used in this study were divided into five groups; first group used as
control was administered distilled water and other four groups were administered
with sodium benzoate dissolved in distilled water at a dose 1g/kg/bwt daily: two
groups administered sodium benzoate for 90 days and 365 days were sacrificed
immediately. While the other two groups administered sodium benzoate for 90 days
and 365 days were sacrificed after further 30 days without sodium benzoate
administration. The most striking changes which occurred in rats were vacuolation of
hepatic cytoplasm, the appearance of large areas of rarified cytoplasm separating
dense areas of cellular organelles and an increase of lipid droplets. Disorgination of
cellular organelles, increasing of collagenous fibres and depletion of polysaccharides
and total protein were also observed. These alterations became more pronounced in
liver of rats administered to long period. In the two recovery groups, the liver tissue
retained its normal appearance to a large extent compared with sections administered
with sodium benzoate for 90 days and 365 days.

Background Tartrazine (Tz) is one of the most commonly used colorants incorporated in the food manufacturing. Its toxicity is derived from metabolic byproducts representing health hazards to consumers. Gallic acid (GA) is known for its redox stabilizing, anti-apoptotic, and cytoprotective characteristics. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the possible defensive efect of GA against Tz-induced testicular dysfunction. To achieve this objective, 18 male Wistar adult rats were randomly and equally categorized into three groups for 30 days. The control group received no treatment. Tz at a dose of 30 mg/kg BW was administered to the Tz group. The Tz+GA group received GA at a dose of 200 mg/kg BW in concurrent with the previously described Tz dosage. Both Tz and GA were supplemented orally once daily by a stomach tube. Results The marked decline in luteinizing hormone, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone, and estradiol 17beta confrmed deviation in pituitary–gonadal axis of Tz-exposed rats. Imbalances in plasma redox equilibrium were evi‑ dent, characterized by a notable increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels, along with a decrease in reduced glutathione and total antioxidant capacity. Deteriorations in histopathological features, fbrosis in testicular tissue, abnormalities in Sertoli cell, and up-regulation in caspase-3 were observed. Conversely, GA administration successfully reversed these issues. Conclusion The ability of GA to counteract toxicological molecular targets in Tz-exposed testes is believed to be achieved through the restoration of oxidant/antioxidant balance and the prevention of the apoptotic cascade. Keywords Tartrazine, Gallic acid, Testis, Sexual hormones, Redox balance, Apoptosis

Tartrazine (Tz) is one of the most commonly used artificial food colorants in the food industry, found in a wide array of products. This study investigates the protective role of gallic acid (GA), a powerful antioxidant, against the adverse effects of Tz on the liver. Over a 30-day period, 40 rats were divided into two groups: Group 1 (control group, 10 rats) received a daily administration of a vehicle, while Group 2 (30 rats) received Tz (30 mg/kg body weight). Group 2 was further subdivided into three subgroups of 10 rats each: Subgroup 1 served as a positive control for Tz; Subgroup 2 received GA (200 mg/kg body weight); and Subgroup 3 was left untreated for an additional 30 days as a recovery group (TR). Our study revealed that GA normalized liver functions markers (ALT, AST, and bilirubin), regulated lipids (cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and TG), and ameliorated the redox potentials activity of liver tissue (Catalase, GSH, SOD, LPO, Total peroxide, and Carbonyl protein), revealing its potential in mitigating the negative impact of Tz administration. Moreover, histopathological examinations, including the TUNEL assay, and histological and histochemical studies, demonstrated that GA effectively prevented the histological damage caused by Tz administration.

Microplastics (MPs) are small pieces of plastic that are widely distributed in the environment and accumulate within living organisms, so they are the most common types of pollutants at the present time. One of the most widespread types of MP in the environment is polyethylene (PE) MPs. There have been many published studies on the effect of PE MPs combined with other pollutants or chemicals such as benzoanthracene, emamectin benzoate, heavy metals and 4-nonylphenol, on some marine, amphibian, and mouse models. However, research has rarely been conducted on how single-use PE MPs affect the ileum of mammals. The current study is focused on the impact of PE MP exposure with different concentration (6, 60, 600 μg/mL PE/MPs) for 15 days, followed by 15 days of recovery on small intestine(ileum) of C57BL/6 murine model with precision and detail at the cell level by using different technique (histology, histochemistry, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscope). Results demonstrated that the intestinal tissue exhibited nuclear pyknosis, villus deformation, shortness of villi, degeneration of lamina propria, hyperplasia of goblet cells, increase of goblet cells secretion, Alcian blue and Periodic acid–Schiff stain positivity of intact goblet cells, highly significance of P53 immunoreaction expression specially in high concentrations (600 μg/day of PE/MPs) and Ki-67 immunoreaction expression.

Tartrazine (Tz) is a commonly used artificial food dye which adversely impacts the health status. A broad spectrum of literatures indicates that gallic acid (GA) exert antioxidant and cytoprotective effects. Therefore, this study aimed to estimate the effect of four fold permitted dose of Tz as well as protective effects of GA on Tz-induced renotoxicity in adult male Wistar rats. Tz was administered daily at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight alone orally, in combination with GA (TG) and a group of Tz intoxicated rats was allowed to be recovered, the experiment continued for 30 days. GA administration decreased the levels of creatinine, urea and uric acid. Furthermore, it increased catalase and superoxide dismutase activities, glutathione, nitric oxide and blood glucose while it decreased lipid peroxide compared with Tz treated group. Whereas, Tz recovery group (TR) enhanced some of toxic manifestations on kidney function caused by Tz. Histological investigation revealed that Tz induced many areas of inflammation around congested blood vessels and renal tubules, hemorrhage between renal tubules and necrosis of many tubular cells. Moreover, it increased the amounts of collagen fibers and negative PAS reaction in many tubular cells in Tz group. On the other hand, TG and the recovery groups reduced the deteriorations in histo-architecture and cellular structure caused by Tz exposure. In conclusion, Tz induces many extensive biochemical and histological changes meanwhile GA and recovery period could abolish or improve these changes.

صُممت هذه الدراسة لتقييم دور أكسيد الزنك النانوي في التخفيف من الآثار الضارة للإجهاد الحراري في سمك السلور الأفريقي ( Clarias gariepinus ) من خلال تقييم معايير مثل السلوك العدواني (تردد العض ومدة المطاردة) والمؤشرات الدموية والعلامات الكيميائية الحيوية المرتبطة بالإجهاد. تم تقسيم إجمالي 96 سمكة سلور إلى أربع مجموعات مميزة (24 سمكة / مجموعة): عملت المجموعة الأولى (CON) كمجموعة تحكم، حيث تلقت نظامًا غذائيًا خاليًا من أكسيد الزنك النانوي. تعرضت المجموعة الثانية (HS) للإجهاد الحراري عند 35 درجة مئوية ± 1 درجة مئوية. تم تغذية المجموعة الثالثة (ZN) على نظام غذائي يحتوي على أكسيد الزنك النانوي بنسبة 30 مجم / كجم من النظام الغذائي، وتعرضت المجموعة الرابعة (ZHN) للإجهاد الحراري (35 درجة مئوية ± 1 درجة مئوية) وتغذت على نظام غذائي يحتوي على أكسيد الزنك النانوي بنسبة 30 مجم / كجم من النظام الغذائي. وقد أوضحت النتائج أن السلوك العدواني ومستويات الكورتيزول كانت أعلى بشكل ملحوظ ( P  < 0.05) في مجموعة HS مقارنة بمجموعتي CON و ZHN. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، كان مستوى الأسيتيل كولين استريز (AChE) أقل بشكل ملحوظ ( P  < 0.05) في مجموعة HS مقارنة بمجموعتي CON و ZHN. وفي الوقت نفسه، لوحظ انخفاض كبير ( P  < 0.05) في خلايا الدم الحمراء والهيموجلوبين وحجم الخلايا المعبأة وخلايا الدم البيضاء والفوسفاتيز القلوي والخلايا الليمفاوية في الأسماك التي تنتمي إلى مجموعة HS، بينما أظهرت مستويات ألانين أمينوترانسفيراز وأسبارتات أمينوترانسفيراز والعدلات والوحيدات زيادة كبيرة ( P  < 0.05). استعاد التكميل بأكسيد الزنك النانوي معظم المعايير الدموية والكيميائية الحيوية بشكل ملحوظ. وفي الختام، ساهم أكسيد الزنك النانوي بشكل كبير في تنظيم التأثيرات السلبية للإجهاد الحراري على الأسماك من خلال تقليل السلوك العدواني ومستويات الكورتيزول. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، فقد أدى ذلك إلى تحسين مستويات AChE وبعض المعايير الدموية والكيميائية الحيوية.