Jordan University of Science and Technology

About: Jordan University of Science and Technology is a education organization based out in Irbid, Irbid, Jordan. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 7582 authors who have published 13166 publications receiving 298158 citations. The organization is also known as: JUST.

Photocatalytic Activity of Graphene Oxide/Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites with Embedded Metal Nanoparticles for the Degradation of Organic Dyes.

Abstract: Nanocomposite materials based on metal nanoparticles and graphene oxide (GO) have gained increasing attention for their wide range of potential applications in various materials science fields. In this study, an efficient photocatalyst based on GO/ZnO nanocomposites with embedded metal nanoparticles was successfully synthesized via a simple one-pot method. The synthesized nanocomposites were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the synthesized nanocomposites was tested in the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dyes, as a model of water pollutants. A catalytic activity of 84% was achieved using a nanocomposite with a percentage of 3.125% GO, after 90 min sunlight irradiation. Furthermore, embedded copper and silver nanoparticles were used as dopants to study their effects on the activity of the photocatalyst. The GO-ZnO-Cu nanocomposite showed that the activity toward MB degradation was decreased by 50%, while a significant increase in the activity of MB degradation was achieved by the GO-ZnO-Ag nanocomposite. The removal efficiency of MB by the GO-ZnO-Ag nanocomposite reached 100% after 40 min of sunlight irradiation. Thus, the GO-ZnO-Ag nanocomposite has the potential to be an efficient adaptable photocatalyst for the photodegradation of organic dyes in industrial wastewater.

Niosome Encapsulated of Vincristine Sulfate: Improved Anticancer Activity with Reduced Toxicity in Mice

Abstract: Nonionic surfactant vesicles (niosomes) are promising drug carriers for anticancer drugs. Niosome encapsulated vincristine sulfate prepared by transmembrane pH gradient drug uptake process (remote loading method) was evaluated for toxicity and antitumour activity after administration to tumour bearing mice. The toxicity of vincristine sulfate was reduced after niosome encapsulation and anticancer activity improved, which may be due to better delivery of vincristine at the tumour site.

Identification of Escherichia coli from broiler chickens in Jordan, their antimicrobial resistance, gene characterization and the associated risk factors.

Abstract: Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is the principle cause of colibacillosis affecting poultry. The main challenge to the poultry industry is antimicrobial resistance and the emergence of multidrug resistant bacteria that threaten the safety of the food chain. Risk factors associated with emergence of antimicrobial resistance among avian pathogenic E. coli were correlated with the inappropriate use of antimicrobials along with inadequate hygienic practices, which encourages the selection pressure of antimicrobial resistant APEC. The aim of this study was to isolate, identify, serogroup and genotype APEC from broilers, assess their antibiotic resistance profile, expressed genes and the associated risk factors. APEC was isolated from the visceral organs of sick chickens with a prevalence of 53.4%. The most prevalent serotypes were O1, O2, O25 and O78, in percentage of 14.8, 12.6, 4.4 and 23.7%, respectively. Virulence Associated Genes; SitA, iss, iucD, iucC, astA, tsh cvi and irp2 were detected in rate of 97.4, 93.3, 75, 74, 71, 46.5, 39 and 34%, respectively and 186 (69.2%) isolates possess > 5–10 genes. The highest resistance was found against sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim, florfenicol, amoxicillin, doxycycline and spectinomycin in percentage; 95.5, 93.7, 93.3, 92.2 and 92.2%, respectively. Sixty-eight percent of APEC isolates were found to have at least 5 out of 8 antimicrobial resistant genes. The most predominant genes were Int1 97%, tetA 78.4%, bla TEM 72.9%, Sul1 72.4%, Sul2 70.2%. Two risk factors were found to be associated with the presence of multi-drug resistant APEC in broiler chickens, with a P value ≤0.05; the use of ground water as source of drinking water and farms located in proximity to other farms. This study characterized the VAGs of avian pathogenic E. coli and establish their antimicrobial resistance patterns. The widespread of antimicrobial resistance of APEC isolates and detection of ARGs highlighted the need to monitor the spread of ARGs in poultry farms and the environment in Jordan. Use of ground water and closely located farms were significant risk factors associated with the presence of MDR APEC in broiler chickens in Jordan.