Middle East Journal of Applied Sciences

A comparative Study Between the Cultural Level of Dietary Patterns on the Immune System Among Girls of PAAET at the College of Basic Education in Kuwait and the Faculty of Specific Education, Mansoura University, Egypt

2025-08-30

Supporting immune function requires a healthy lifestyle, adequate water intake, and essential minerals like magnesium and zinc, as well as vitamin C, D, and E. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of dietary patterns on the immune system by assessing whether undergraduate students met the recommended dietary intake. The research focused on students from the College of Basic Education in Kuwait and the Faculty of Specific Education at Mansoura University, Egypt, during the academic year 2024–2025. This cross-sectional study involved 150 undergraduate students from the two universities mentioned above. Students completed a 72-hour dietary recall and a questionnaire at (0, 6, and 12 week). A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data, which included questions on anthropometric measures and eating habits. Results indicated in students' subjects at (0, 6, and 12 weeks) and demonstrated that the mean intakes of water, total fiber, magnesium, calcium, vitamins (B6, E, D) folate, and all essential amino acids were lower than dietary reference intake. Moreover, the university population consumed a diet with too many calories, carbohydrates, proteins and fats as compared to dietary reference intake at (0, 6, and 12 weeks). Moreover, the results show that overweight and obesity were common among students, with more than 20% classified as overweight or obese, and the majority having unhealthy eating habits. These results increased the probability of developing dysfunction in the immune system and noncommunicable diseases. Thus, it is necessary to introduce an organized nutrition education program aimed at new students.

Transition-Metal-Enhanced Hydrogen Adsorption on CNNCs: A DFT Analysis

2025-09-10

Due to Growing concerns regarding fossil fuel depletion and the environmental impact of their high consumption necessitate intensified research into renewable and clean alternatives, such as hydrogen, to meet Department of Energy (DOE) targets. In this study, the density functional theory calculations applying 6-31g(d,p) at B3LYP level comprehensively investigate carbon nanocones (CNCs) doped with Cu, Ti, Zn, and V. The analysis encompasses the electronic properties of structures featuring two disclination angles as a function of nanocones size. Furthermore, the mechanism of monohydrogen atom adsorption onto these doped CNC systems is examined. Computational results identify the Vdoped C75H9 structure with a 300° disclination angle as the most promising candidate for hydrogen storage. Additionally, the adsorption of hydrogen is found to reduce the electronic band gap energy. These findings collectively indicate that doped carbon nanocones represent a viable candidate material for hydrogen storage applications.

Molecular Identification of Green Mold Pathogen and Impact of Formulation of Polyvinyl Alcohol and Some Organic Acid On Disease and Quality of Washington Navel Orange Fruits During Storage

2025-09-10

Pathogenicity test showed that every tested isolate significantly caused the green mold disease on orange fruits. Penicillium .2, was the most virulent isolate; it induced disease incidence and severity by 90.0 and 92.0%, respectively. At the National Center for Biotechnology information (NCBI) alignment showed the percentage of identity (93.75%) of Penicillium digitatum between our isolates and Gene bank isolate. The effects of Benzoic acid (BA) and Salicylic acid (SA) at 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2% against Penicillium digitatum mycelial growth were assessed. The linear growth of Penicillium digitatum was significantly inhibited by all tested concentrations, according to the results. With SA and BA at 2.0%, linear growth was completely inhibited. The greatest reduction was achieved by using SA and BA at 1.5%, which, respectively, lowered the linear growth by 86.7 and 85.6%.The linear growth of Penicillium digitatum was strongly suppressed in all formulations involving SA or BA and PVA. Complete suppression of linear growth was achieved by combining PVA at 10.0% with either SA or BA at 2.0%. The greatest reduction of 84.4 and 83.3%, respectively, in linear growth was obtained with
SA or BA at 1.5% and PVA at 10.0%. The effects of PVA at 10% combined with SA and BA at 1.5% and 2.0% were evaluated in vivo in order to examine their impact on Washington navel orange fruits green mold disease. The incidence and severity of green mold disease were shown to have been greatly decreased by all formulations, according to the results. The disease incidence and severity were lowered by 90.0 and 88.0 percent and 92.0 and 91.0 percent, respectively, when SA or BA at 2.0% and PVA at 10.0% were combined. SA or BA at 1.5% and PVA at 10.0% came next, which reduced the disease incidence by 80.0 and 78.0 % and disease severity by 80.0 and 82.0 % respectively. Previous formulations had no negative effect on fruit quality of orange fruits. All tested formulations reduced weight loss more than 38.5% and fruit disorders more than 80.0%. As for total soluble solids (TSS) there was no significant effect on total soluble solids percentage (TSS).