The atlas compiled by these editors is a commendable effort and welcome addition to the mycology textbook sector. Up until now, the publication of medical mycology textbooks has been sparse and those that have been published are either too detailed for a resident in training or practicing physician or do not provide sufficient photographs or illustrations of the main features of the mycotic organisms. As a lecturer in mycology for the dermatology residents at my local teaching hospital and program, there are 3 key objectives of my mycology lectures: (1) to provide some type of organizational approach to mycotic organisms, (2) to provide a concise clinical history, and (3) to provide as many photographs and illustrations of mycotic organisms as possible. This atlas provides an exemplary addition to my book collection on medical mycology textbooks and sources for illustrations of mycotic organisms. The electron photomicrographs, photoplates, and line drawings of

Atlas of Clinical Fungi

Encyclopedia of Life Support Systems (EOLSS)

Supercapacitors (SCs) are being considered the next-generation power storage devices due to the many favorable properties. In this regard, mesoporous nanostructures are excellent supercapacitor ele...

Electrospun Mesoporous Mn–V–O@C Nanofibers for High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitor Devices with High Stability

The use of titanium dioxide nanotubes in the powder form (TNTP) has been a hot topic for the past few decades in many applications. The high quality of the fabricated TNTP by various synthetic routes may meet the required threshold of performance in a plethora of fields such as drug delivery, sensors, supercapacitors, and photocatalytic applications. This review briefly discusses the synthesis techniques of TNTP, their use in various applications, and future perspectives to expand their use in more applications.

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Recent advances in the use of TiO2 nanotube powder in biological, environmental, and energy applications

Freshwater snails are used as sensitive biomarkers of aquatic ecosystem pollution. The potential impacts of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) on aquatic ecosystems have attracted special attention due to their unique properties. The present investigation was designed to evaluate the possible mechanisms of ecotoxicological effects of ZnONPs on freshwater snail Biomphalaria alexandrina. ZnONPs showed molluscicidal activity against B. alexandrina snails, and the LC50 was 145 μg/ml. Two tested concentrations of ZnONPs were selected: The first concentration was equivalent to LC10 (7 μg/ml), and the second was equivalent to LC25 (35 μg/ml). Exposure to ZnONPs (7 and 35 μg/ml) for three consecutive weeks significantly induced malondialdehyde and nitric oxide with concomitant decreases in glutathione and glutathione-S-transferase levels in hemolymph and soft tissues of treated snails. Moreover, ZnONPs elicited a significant decrease in total protein and albumin contents coinciding with enhancement of total lipids and cholesterol levels as well as activities of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and alkaline phosphatase in hemolymph and soft tissues of treated snails. This study highlights the potential ecological implications of ZnONP release in aquatic environments and may serve to encourage regulatory agencies in Egypt to more carefully monitor and regulate the industrial use and disposal of ZnONPs.

Toxicological effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles: Ecotoxicological effect of sublethal exposure to zinc oxide nanoparticles on freshwater snail Biomphalaria alexandrina

We report on a novel carbon-based nanocomposite made of reduced graphene oxide/titania nanotubes (RGO/TNT) with excellent conductivity and absorptivity for the sensitive electrochemical determination of Hg(II) as a water pollutant. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to characterize the morphological, structural, and electrochemical properties of the fabricated modifier. Square wave anodic stripping voltammetry was applied for the analytical measurements. The parameters influencing the peak current response were studied and optimized. The linear response of detection toward Hg(II) was found to be in the range of 2.5 × 10−10–5 × 10−6 M with a high regression coefficient (0.999). The limit of detection was found to be 4 × 10−11 M. The investigated sensing platform was tested for Hg(II) simultaneously in the presence of Cu(II) and Mn(II) and proved to have high sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility. Finally, the modified electrode was used for the trace level detection of Hg(II) in real environmental water samples, showing promising results.

An engineered nanocomposite for sensitive and selective detection of mercury in environmental water samples

Biomphalaria alexandrina snails, as intermediate hosts of schistosomiasis, play a central role in dissemination of the disease. Control of these snails by chemical molluscicides adversely affects the aquatic environment, causing toxic and carcinogenic effects on non-target organisms. Searching for promising substances from biological origin becomes an urgent need to overcome these drawbacks. Screening tests were carried out on 236 fungal genera isolated from the habitat of freshwater snails in four Egyptian governorates. Twenty species were effective against B. alexandrina snails, but the most potent was Penicillium janthinellum as the value of LC50 was 1.03%. Chemical analyses of this filtrate resulted in the separation of a compound effective against snails; it was identified as methyl gallate. Protein electrophoresis showed that both fungal filtrate and methyl gallate affect the protein pattern of snails’ haemolymph. Little or no mortality of Daphnia pulex individuals was observed after their exposure ...

Separation of a compound effective against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails from the filtrate of Penicillium janthinellum

1Environmental Research and Medical Malacology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Egypt. 2Medicinal Chemistry, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Egypt 3Microbial Chemistry Dept., Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Division, National Research Center, Egypt 4Phytochemistry and Plant Systematic Dept., Pharmaceutical Industries Division, National Research Centre , Egypt.

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Snailicidal, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces lilacinus fungal extracts

This work aims at studying Biomphalaria alexandrina snails as a source of bioactive compounds. Adult snails were maintained in plastic, mud and cement matrices. Three groups were prepared; ...

Biological activities of endozoic fungi isolated from Biomphalaria alexandrina snails maintained in different environmental conditions

Many chemicals are applied for disinfecting purposes. Although chlorination is the most common procedure, it has many drawbacks. So there becomes an urgent need for new chemicals which are both effective and less harmful to other water fauna. The present work aims at investigating the comparative effects of chlorine and Huwa-san as a new disinfectant on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails which act as bioindicators of toxicity, besides evaluating their miracicidal and cercaricidal activities. The results showed that Huwa-san was more toxic on tested snails than chlorine, where the LC50 values were 21 and 1368.9 ppm, respectively after 24 h. Also, it was found that the activities of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) in snails’ tissues were either induced or inhibited according to the tested disinfectant. Regarding reduced glutathione (GSH) content, it was increased as chlorine concentrations increased, while it reached its minimum content at the highest Huwa-san concentration. Such fluctuations were supported by histopathological examination of digestive and hermaphrodite glands, as prolonged exposure to chlorine led to more detrimental effects than Huwa-san concentrations. Moreover, Huwa-san was more effective on Schistosoma mansoni miracidia than on its cercariae, while the reverse was observed with chlorine. In conclusion, Huwa-san as a newly applied disinfectant can also be used as miracicidal and cercaricidal agent at small concentrations. Despite being more toxic to B. alexandrina snails, the chronic effect of its sublethal concentrations is less harmful than chlorine.

The comparative effect of chlorine and Huwa-san as disinfecting agents on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails and free larval stages of Schistosoma mansoni

Marwa T. A. Abdel-Wareth

Papers

An engineered nanocomposite for sensitive and selective detection of mercury in environmental water samples

Separation of a compound effective against Biomphalaria alexandrina snails from the filtrate of Penicillium janthinellum

Snailicidal, antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer activities of Beauveria bassiana, Metarhizium anisopliae and Paecilomyces lilacinus fungal extracts

Biological activities of endozoic fungi isolated from Biomphalaria alexandrina snails maintained in different environmental conditions

The comparative effect of chlorine and Huwa-san as disinfecting agents on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails and free larval stages of Schistosoma mansoni