National Research Centre

Background Narcolepsy, obesity, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are all treated with amphetamine (a central nervous system stimulant) while valerenic acid (VA) has a pharmacological effect in the central nervous system. Objectives The purpose of this study was to ascertain whether VA is able to make amends for neurotoxicity by modifying hypothalamus expressions of the enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase and histamine-N-methyl transferase in rats orally administered with methamphetamine (METH). Methods There were thirty-six male albino rats split up into six equal groups, Control, VA (5 mg/kg)-treated, and VA (10 mg/kg)-treated groups: For four weeks, normal rats received oral administration of 1 ml of distilled water, 5 mg/kg of VA, and 10 ml/kg of VA once daily. METH-treated, VA (5 mg/kg) prior to METH-treated, and VA (10 mg/kg) before METH-treated groups: normal rats were oral administrated with METH (2.5 mg/kg), 3 days/week for 3 weeks, where the last two groups were oral administrated daily during four weeks at 5 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg VA, starting one week prior to METH administration. Results METH decreased superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, NADPH oxidase, interleukin-10, sucrose preference test, distance traveled test, and center square entries test, ATPase activity and the enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase and histamine-N-methyl transferase but increased malondialdehyde, conjugated dienes, oxidative index, serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, γ-aminobutyric acid, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, nuclear factor kappa B levels, the center square duration test, tail suspension test, and forced swimming test. in the METH-treated animals' brain in contrast to the control group. After four weeks of oral administration of VA to METH-treated rats, all of these parameters returned to levels that were nearly control, indicating that a higher dose was more effective than a lower one. Conclusion VA ameliorated METH-related neurotoxicity by improving hypothamalus expressions of the enzymes tyrosine hydroxylase and histamine-N-methyl transferase.

This research aims to prepare a new antimicrobials biological macromolecule packaging film instead of petroleum-based plastic products by crosslinking the hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) with shellac and loading it with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). FTIR and XRD confirmed the successful incorporation of CNTs/ZnO-NPs into the HPMC/shellac- matrix. It was found that adding CNTs/ZnO nanoparticles improved the thermal stability of HPMC films. Different weights of ZnO-NPs (0.08-0.25%) were loaded onto the film. The uniform distribution of ZnO-NPs within the film was confirmed using SEM, which revealed clearly that the biological macromolecule of HPMC/shellac-CNTs/ZnO was prepared. Evaluations were also conducted on the film's thickness, air permeability, tensile strength, burst strength, and Young's modulus. Tensile strength, Young's modulus, and stress at maximum load increased by 104.48, 203.19, and 86%, respectively, when 0.125% ZnO-NPs were added to 95% HPMC: 5% shellac)/CNT. Unlike HPMC films, which showed no antibacterial properties, modified films exhibited greater antibacterial activity levels against Candida albicans, B. mycoides, and E. coli. The prepared films have improved qualities compared with HPMC films, including their thermal stability, biological activity, air permeability, and tensile strength. Thus, the films composed of HPMC/shellac/CNTs-ZnO-NPs show promise as future packing components.

Recently, many challenges have emerged in the dyes and textile fields to keep pace with the needs of the modern era while achieving safety and comfort during usage. Where the fluorescent dye caused a major boom in the field of dyes and was used to paint many surfaces for exciting and to attract attention purpose. They were utilized on textiles, particularly those composed of synthetic materials employed in hazardous areas such as traffic roads, where they become more visible upon exposure to light. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the color fastness, physio-mechanical properties, and UV resistance of fabrics produced by knitting techniques from polyester blended with cotton or bamboo and dyed with fluorescence dyes as dispersing yellow and red dyes. The evaluation results of dyed fabrics pointed to the dispersed red dyes improved the physio-mechanical, comfortable and colorfastness properties of polyester/cotton samples compared to polyester/bamboo samples except bursting resistance, while the dispersed yellow dyes considerably enrich the ultraviolet protections of polyester/bamboo samples compared to polyester/cotton.

Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread intracellular protozoan that can infect humans and animals. We isolated T. gondii strains from sheep, goats, cattle, buffaloes, and camels to develop and evaluate a modified in-house dot-ELISA for the detection of Toxoplasma antibodies in farm animals, and compared the results with a commercial ELISA (IDvet; gold standard). Animal tissue samples ( n = 430) were examined microscopically, and infected tissues were bioassayed in mice as a viability test. Egyptian Toxoplasma strains were isolated from sheep, cattle, and camels and identified via PCR using the B1 gene (GenBank OR837022.1, OR837021.1, OR837020.1 from sheep, cattle, and camels, respectively). A T. gondii tachyzoite antigen from a sheep strain had the highest potential for the detection of specific T. gondii antibodies. We characterized this antigen using SDS-PAGE and separated it into 10 polypeptides of 96−12 kDa. Our modified in-house dot-ELISA detected T. gondii seropositivity in 172 of 430 (40%) farm animals with a sensitivity of 96.6% and specificity of 100%. The results of our dot-ELISA were confirmed in comparison with those of our indirect ELISA and the commercial ELISA. In a western blot, a predominant immunogenic reactive antigen band of 65 kDa was detected in T. gondii –positive sera of sheep, cattle, buffaloes, and camels; no cross-reaction occurred with antibodies to other parasitic infections or samples from healthy controls. Our modified in-house dot-ELISA is a rapid and simple test that showed promise for the detection of Toxoplasma antibodies in farm animals.

In the current research, undoped and Al-doped ZnSnO3 thin films are fabricated by cost-effective spray pyrolysis at various Al ratios. The XRD measurements reveal a rhombohedral structure for the ZnSnO3 and Al-doped ZnSnO3 thin films. The reflectance, R, and transmittance, T measurements of the ZnSnO3 and Al-doped ZnSnO3 thin films were employed to evaluate the linear optical parameters like refractive index, energy gap, and absorption coefficient. The increase in Al content improves the refractive index values and reduces the energy gap from 3.46 to 2.93 eV. The nonlinear absorption coefficient and nonlinear refractive index of the ZnSnO3 and Al-doped ZnSnO3 thin films were improved by raising the Al content from 2.5 to 7.5 wt%. The optoelectrical measurements show a significant increase in carrier concentration and electrical conductivity with increasing Al content, while optical analysis demonstrates a maintained or improved transparency in the visible range. These results suggest that the Al-doped ZnSnO3 films offer high conductivity and excellent optical transparency, which are crucial for transparent conductive oxide (TCO) applications. On the other hand, the rise in Al content reduces the sheet resistance of the examined ZnSnO3 and Al-doped ZnSnO3 thin films. The figure of merit of the ZnSnO3 and Al-doped ZnSnO3 thin films was increased by raising the Al content from 2.5 to 7.5 wt%. The optimized Al doping concentration for achieving the best balance between conductivity and transparency is discussed, and the potential of Al-doped ZTO as a competitive TCO material for next-generation photovoltaic and electronic devices is highlighted.

A series of new oxyflouroborate glass systems with the composition 75B2O3-5Al2O3-(5-x) Li2O-15MgF2 embedded with samarium ions with different molar ratios are prepared and studied their optical properties based on vibrational, transitional, and photoluminescence characteristics to be applicable in optoelectronic applications. The gain results show that as the amounts of Sm2O3-embedding of oxyflouroborate glass increase, the absorption coefficient decreases with increasing wavelength up to a certain wavelength, which affects the energy band gap directly and indirectly, the network's polarizability and the skin depth. The skin effect may affect the optical energy band gap of any glass structure based on the VB to CB transition, affecting the ionicity of oxygens and the interatomic distance due to the charges on the oxygen anion in borate glasses made of Sm2O3 and Li2O. Thus, it indicates ionic bond formation and a significant shift in polarizability, molar refractivity, steepness parameter, metallization, optical electronegativity, electron polarizability, and optical basicity. Besides, the 0.4 mol% Sm3+-embedded glass sample has the highest emission intensity, related to the non-bridging oxygen involved in Sm3+ incorporation into host glasses. Also, the glass samples showed that Sm2O3 concentration increased the two absorption bands at 700 cm−1, related to the bond-bending vibrational mode of bridging oxygen atoms, and to some extent, the shifting of bands could not follow any trend with the continuous addition of samarium oxide. These results promise to know the influence of inserting Sm2O3 on the borate glass structure, as the junction point determines the optical band edge for up-conversion laser and photonic applications.

The study aimed to produce a functional soft cheese with garlic extract (GE). First, the GE was encapsulated using gum Arabic (GA) and whey protein isolate, and its characteristics [zeta-potential, particle size, Coacervates yield, Encapsulation efficiency and polydispersity index, scanning electron microscope (SEM)] were evaluated. The free GE (FGE) and encapsulated GE (EGE) were then added to UF-soft cheese formulation (0.2 and 0.4% w/w). The samples were kept for 30 days in a refrigerator and their physicochemical, sensory properties, Texture profile, SEM and radical-scavenging activity were examined. EGE UF-soft cheese exhibited more free-radical scavenging activity than FGE at the same concentration and control, 25.14, 22.12, and 13.64%, respectively. The EGE-fortified cheese had a harder and gummier texture, a more noticeable change than the FGE and control cheese. In comparison to FGE-fortified and control, the sensory attribute representing overall quality, especially that fortified with 0.2% EGE displays the highest value. The study demonstrates that the use of EGE in cheese fortification provides a healthy and promising approach to reducing the strong flavor of garlic and enhancing bioactivity in the production of functional soft cheese, offering up novel opportunities for the development of distinctive dairy products with functional features.

This study focuses on the fabrication of zinc-doped manganese oxide (Mn2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) to unleash their potential as high-performance photocatalysts. Zn-doped Mn2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared via a precipitation method, with fine adjustment of Zn content (3%, 5%, and 10%). The structural evolution from cubic Mn2O3 to tetragonal ZnMn2O4 was confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis confirmed the smooth Zn incorporation, while transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and FESEM revealed the transformative effect of Zn on the particle size and shape. Optical characterizations showed impressive results:UV-Vis DRS revealed a significant reduction in the band gap from 2.26 eV to 1.89 eV, enhancing light absorption. Meanwhile, the photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed vibrant emission peaks at 425, 466, 563, and 623 nm, with the intensity increasing along with the zinc content. The optical prowess of these nanoparticles was validated by the nearly complete degradation of methyl green (MG) dye under visible light. Also, Zn-doped Mn2O3 samples were evaluated against harmful pathogens such as S. aureus, E. faecalis, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and C. albicans.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) accounts for 5–15% of acute myeloid leukemia cases. It is typically characterized by the (15;17) chromosomal translocation, producing the pathogenic retinoic acid receptor (RAR) alpha/promyelocytic leukemia (PML) fusion protein. Recently, remission of APL has been achieved using the first chemotherapy‐independent oral drug regimen in anticancer therapy, consisting of all‐trans retinoic acid (targeting RARalpha) and the arsenic sulfide realgar (targeting PML). However, clinical adoption of realgar and the characterization of its active breakdown products have been hampered by its poor solubility. Here, a scalable pH/temperature‐based process is described that partially mimics gut transition, achieving fast and reproducible solubilization of realgar. Six different spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques are employed to investigate solubilized realgar. Furthermore, it is shown that solubilized realgar targets PML, displaying wider in vitro therapeutic indices and lower off‐target effects than arsenic trioxide, the current APL standard of care. Moreover, in line with evidence of an interplay between PML and HIV persistence, solubilized realgar can disrupt HIV latency, the main barrier to an HIV/AIDS cure, in CD4 T cells of people living with HIV. These findings may open avenues for streamlining realgar solubilization and designing less toxic, orally administrable arsenic‐based therapies.

We have synthesized and generated a range of bioactive dispersed dyes that may be joined with pyrimidine moieties inside the same construct via an azo linker, thus taking advantage of both compounds’ bioactive properties. Through a straightforward process, the heterocyclic azo-disperse dyes 3a–l were produced by diazo coupling aryldiazonium chloride derivatives with 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)amino-6-oxo-4-phenyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carbonitrile (2) in good yields. Mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis, FT-IR, ¹ H-NMR, and ¹³ C-NMR characterized and confirmed the newly synthesized compounds’ structures. The color characteristics of the dyes and their fastness properties, such as resistance to washing, perspiration, light, and rubbing, were evaluated. The antibacterial efficacy of the printed fabrics was assessed using the colony-forming unit (CFU) method. The bioassay outcomes showed that some targeted compounds have moderate to excellent antibacterial activity (in vitro). The activity of the synthesized azo dye molecules and their dyes-loaded polyester fabrics was evaluated against clinically important bacterial pathogens. According to our data, the electron-withdrawing groups in compounds 3b , 3d , 3i , and 3 k showed comparatively great activity with significantly lower MIC values. Furthermore, the printed sample infused with azo dyes demonstrated an inhibitory efficacy against all bacterial infections, indicating their potential for use in textiles intended in medical materials. Graphical abstract

The current study compares the environmental impact of benzalacetophenone derivatives synthesized using conventional and nanomaterial-catalyzed techniques. Non-isolable thia-Michel adducts are produced when chalcone 1 reacts with thiourea thiolate anion; thiazine 2 is then obtained by cyclocondensation and dehydrogenation. Depending on the pH of the medium, hydrazine and target 1 can undergo pyrazole heterocyclization followed by N-acylation to produce compounds 3, 4, and 5. N-benzoylpyrazole derivative 6 was produced when compound 1 was allowed to condense with benzoylhydrazide. Hydroxylamine hydrochloride and chalcone 1 undergo cyclo-condensation, which releases H2O and yields an isoxazole derivative 7. After cyclizing cyanoacetohydrazide via the α, β-unsaturated system and adding a cyclic imino moiety to the cyano functionality, product 8 is produced. Thioamide derivative 9 was made by the interaction of Target 1 with thiosemicarbazide. Acid caused 1 to cyclize with 2-aminothiophenol, forming thiazapine 10. Michel’s addition initiated this process, which was followed by intramolecular cyclocondensation. Diazapines 11 and 12 were produced when compound 1 reacted with o-phenylenediamine and 3-nitro-o-phenylenediamine in a basic media. Reaction times and product yields were enhanced in several studies by using nanoparticles in place of conventional catalysts. Azoles and their derivatives are significant members of the organic chemical class due to their broad biological and pharmacological significance. All of the produced compounds exhibited strong antioxidant activity against DPPH and H2O2 radicals and noticeably higher activity against SOR and NO radicals when compared to regular ascorbic acid. Furthermore, the biological experiments that demonstrated the action of compounds 2, 3, and 10 were corroborated by molecular docking analyses utilizing the MOE software, GacH as a maltose/maltodextrin-binding protein, and acarbose as the reference ligand.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune illness that persistently and recurrently affects joints. In RA, miR-146a functions as a key regulator, modulating inflammation by targeting and downregulating cytokines that promote inflammation, such as TNF-α and IL-6, whereas osteocalcin, a bone metabolism marker, plays a role in bone remodeling and joint health. The interplay between these molecules significantly influences RA progression and severity by balancing inflammation and bone integrity. Conventional antirheumatic drugs often cause varying levels of side effects. As sustainable development initiatives grow, insects are gaining interest as sustainable food sources and potential medicinal agents. Notably, the increasing Galleria mellonella (G. mellonella) population has raised concerns about the spread of honeybee viruses, affects bee products and food security, and drives economic losses in the therapeutic market. Accordingly, hemolymph has crucial defensive and immunological effects in insects and has recently been investigated as an immunomodulatory agent in parasitic in-vitro and in-vivo rat models. This work was designed to elucidate the potential immunomodulatory impact of G. mellonella hemolymph on the crosstalk between miR-146a, IL-6, TNF-α, and osteocalcin in the context of RA, utilizing both computational molecular modeling and in-vivo validation. Computer-aided molecular simulation for immune and RA mediators is applied through specific cell annotation, targeted pathways, and in-silico protein‒protein and gene‒gene interactions with a gene relative-tissue expression heatmap, which is based on gas chromatographic‒mass spectrometric analysis of hemolymph. Our study is the first to adapt a preliminary test to optimize hemolymph dosing and toxicity. The rats were subsequently divided into four groups: healthy control, Freund’s adjuvant-induced arthritis (utilized as a model that mimics human RA), methotrexate-treated arthritis, and hemolymph-treated arthritis groups. Our findings indicate that hemolymph contains valuable active compounds that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential, increasing the impact of recovery on diseased joints in comparison with the arthritic and methotrexate groups. This is the first report investigating the maximum inhibition rate of G. mellonella hemolymph as an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory agent in an arthritic model. Graphical abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) frequently causes renal impairment (RI), and clinical therapy becomes more challenging if renal function deteriorates or renal failure results. Therefore, in order to evaluate their prognostic potential in predicting renal impairment risk in MM patients, we investigated the expression levels of miR- 17 - 5p and miR- 125a- 5p as well as STAT3 and CD69 proteins as probable shared target genes in MM adult patients with and without RI. This study included 60 controls and 120 MM patients. By using RT-qPCR, the expression levels of miR- 17 - 5p and miR- 125a- 5p in the sera of MM patients and controls were evaluated. Also, the expression levels of CD69 and STAT- 3 were examined using ELISA and flowcytometry techniques, respectively. When MM patients were compared to controls and MM patients with RI to MM patients without RI, the expression levels of miR- 17 - 5p and miR- 125a- 5p were reduced, but CD69 and STAT- 3 were elevated. Results obtained from ROC curve showed that they were good prognostic biomarkers could predict renal impairment in MM patients, with AUC 0.754, 0.936, 1 & 0.991; respectively for miR- 17 - 5p, miR- 125a- 5p, STAT- 3 and CD69, 60%, 93.3%, 100% & 96.7% sensitivity and 73.3%, 86.7%, 100% & 90% specificity; respectively for miR- 17 - 5p, miR- 125a- 5p, STAT- 3 and CD69. While for Kaplan–Meier survival, our results indicated that patients with lower expression levels of miR- 17 - 5p and miR- 125a- 5p, but higher STAT- 3 and CD69 concentration, had a poorer prognosis and possessing a shorter OS. The integrated approach reveals miR- 17 - 5p, miR- 125a- 5p, CD69, and STAT- 3 as reliable prognostic biomarkers for predicting renal impairment in MM patients. Graphical Abstract

Wollastonite glass doped with or without 0.5 and 1.0% Fe2O3 was synthesized using a melt-quenching procedure in order to produce new bioactive implants with appropriate magnetic properties. When glasses were sintered at either 1,100 or 1,200°C, combeite (Ca1.543Na2.914Si3O9), pseudowollastonite (Ca3Si3O9), and wollastonite (CaSiO3) with traces of hematite (Fe2O3) in highest Fe-containing sample were obtained. Upon examining the sintered samples at 1,200°C using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), a variety of irregular grains composed of submicron-sized particles were found. Using dynamic light scattering (DLS), the colloidal stability of wollastonite and its composites with Fe2O3 was investigated. The distribution of particle sizes was between approximately 1 μm and 190 nm, and the zeta potential was negative. The Fe2O3 composition of the sintered samples exhibited a variety of magnetic behaviors. FT-IR reflection was used to assess the produced materials’ biocompatibility after a month of immersion in SBF. The soaked samples confirmed that {\text{PO}}_{4}^{3-} and Fe(OH)3 were mineralized. Following incubation in SBF, clusters of nanosize calcium phosphate particles were also visible that were spread on the surfaces, as revealed by FE-SEM micrographs and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. As the iron content increases, the magnetic characteristics may also be enhanced by the addition of iron. The EDX and FT-IR reflections of the wet sintered samples revealed the mineralization of hydroxyapatite on the surface. Novel magnetic Fe2O3–wollastonite could be very significant since it could open the door to applications as a bone filler and a remedy for hyperthermia.

Apert syndrome (AS) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by various congenital malformations. In this study, we aimed to explore the clinical presentation of Apert syndrome to enhance awareness among multidisciplinary healthcare providers regarding its differential diagnosis through the phenotype/genotype characterization of six Egyptian patients with AS. We examined six patients with Apert syndrome: four females and two males (2:1), aged 3 to 7 years. Clinical examination, along with pedigree analysis, was followed by DNA extraction from the patients’ and their parents’ peripheral blood leukocytes for genomic screening of FGFR2 gene variations. Key findings in all patients included craniosynostosis and distinctive facial features such as midface hypoplasia, exophthalmos, hypertelorism, a beaked nose, a prominent forehead, and an underdeveloped upper jaw, along with syndactyly of the hands and feet. We identified oral anomalies such as cleft palate, bifid uvula, impacted teeth, delayed eruption, supernumerary teeth, and thick gingiva. Pathogenic variants of the FGFR2 gene were characterized in all six patients. This report presents the largest cohort of Apert syndrome among Egyptian patients. Raising awareness about AS, especially among various interdisciplinary teams, is essential for managing this rare condition and is crucial for accurate diagnosis and timely medical and surgical intervention. Proper diagnosis and genetic counseling are necessary for improving survival and preventing the recurrence of complications.

Introduction Innovative approaches like e-consultation services are critical for improving access to healthcare and promoting equity, particularly in under-resourced settings. Despite their growing prominence, limited tools are available to assess healthcare professionals’ acceptance and satisfaction with these services. This study aimed to validate the modified e-consultation TAM questionnaire as a reliable instrument for assessing physicians’ perspectives on e-consultation service. Methods This study focuses exclusively on physicians receiving (not providing) e-consultation service within the Egyptian Ministry of Health and Population. The tool used for assessing their acceptance of the service consists of three sections: demographic data, items assessing perceived usefulness (PU) and perceived ease of use (PEU) of e-consultation, and questions addressing physicians’ satisfaction, challenges, and suggestions to improve e-consultation services. The questionnaire was subjected to thorough validation, including face validity evaluated by an expert panel and construct validity which was assessed through factor analysis. Results The modified e-consultation TAM questionnaire demonstrated excellent internal reliability, with Cronbach’s alpha coefficient exceeding 0.92 for both PU and PEU. Exploratory factor analysis identified two domains, PU and PEU, explaining 81.17% of the variance, with factor loadings ranging from 0.661 to 0.912. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) confirmed the two-factor model, with standardized factor loadings between 0.80 and 0.95, a Comparative Fit Index (CFI) of 0.95, and a Root Mean Square Error of Approximation (RMSEA) of 0.084. Conclusion The modified e-consultation TAM questionnaire proves to be a reliable and valid tool for evaluating physicians’ acceptance of and satisfaction with e-consultation service. This tool offers potential for future research and practical applications, providing valuable insights to improve the implementation of e-consultation services and inform strategies for advancing healthcare access and equity globally.

A new series of binary and ternary nanocomposites contains cobalt oxide or iron/cobalt oxides were manufactured to increase silicon dioxide $\gamma$ shielding power. XRD indicated the presence of Co as Co2.74O4 (COD: 1528446) and the presence of iron as Fe3O4 (COD: 9002318 and 9005814). Using Profex, the Rietveld refinements were carried out. The Rw, Rex, x², and Gof were 4.49, 4.34, 1.07, and 1.03, respectively, indicating good refinement parameters. XPS indicated the presence of Si ($\hbox {Si}^{4+}$), Fe (Fe$_{2}$O$_{3}$) and cobalt ($\hbox {Co}^{2+}$ and $\hbox {Co}^{3+}$). TEM analysis showed that all metal oxide@SBA-15 solids have characteristic and well-organized SBA-15 structures. The $\gamma$-radiation shielding for the prepared samples were investigated via the Monte-Carlo code (MCN) and Phy-X software. The results confirmed that, adding high concentrations of cobalt-oxide and hematite increases the linear attenuation significantly. The SiCoFe-3 sample, which contains the highest content of cobalt-oxide and hematite, has the best $\gamma$-radiation shielding capability among all the synthesized SiCo/SiCoFe samples.

White mustard (Sinapis alba L.) seeds are the most commonly used mustard species in herbal medicine to treat a wide range of inflammatory disorders. Due to its increased bioavailability and lower toxicity, the green biosynthesis of metal nanoparticles (M-NPs) utilizing plant extract as a capping agent has been demonstrated over a number of years. Thus, the current study sought to examine the in vitro biological activity of copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO-NPs) and selenium nanoparticles (Se-NPs) that were biosynthesized using aqueous, methanolic, and petroleum ether extracts from S. alba seeds. Phytochemical and in vitro biological activities (antioxidant, scavenging, anti-diabetic, anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-arthritic, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activities) were assayed in all prepared extracts before and after being used for the biosynthesis of the M-NPs. It was found that the total methanolic extract possessed the highest biological activities compared to other native extracts. The LC-ESI-MS/MS analysis of secondary metabolites showed that the total methanolic extract contained 7 phenolic acids and 9 flavonoid aglycones. This helped find the active ingredients. We characterized 8 phenolic acid derivatives, 7 flavonoid glycosides, 4 aliphatic glucosinolates, and 3 aromatic aryl glucosinolates in the aqueous extract. Furthermore, the methanolic extract contains the highest concentrations of total polyphenols, condensed tannins, and total flavonoid compounds. The biosynthesized Se-NPs using methanolic extract showed higher in vitro biological activities compared to those of the biosynthesized CuO-NPs. The median lethal dose (LD50) showed that the biosynthesized Se-NPs using the studied extracts appeared safer compared to those of the biosynthesized CuO-NPs. The findings of this study concluded that the total methanolic extract is the most suitable bioresource for biosynthesizing Se-NPs through green nanotechnology, with higher biological efficiency in relation to its metabolite fingerprint.

Leaf area index (LAI) serves as a critical indicator for evaluating crop growth and guiding field management practices. While spectral information (vegetation indices and texture features) extracted from multispectral sensors mounted on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) holds promise for LAI estimation, the limitations of single-texture features necessitate further exploration. Therefore, this study conducted field experiments over two consecutive years (2021–2022) to collect winter oilseed rape LAI ground truth data and corresponding UAV multispectral imagery. Vegetation indices were constructed, and canopy texture features were extracted. Subsequently, a correlation matrix method was employed to establish novel randomized combinations of three-dimensional texture indices. By analyzing the correlations between these parameters and winter oilseed rape LAI, variables with significant correlations (p < 0.05) were selected as model inputs. These variables were then partitioned into distinct combinations and input into three machine learning models—Support Vector Machine (SVM), Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost)—to estimate winter oilseed rape LAI. The results demonstrated that the majority of vegetation indices and texture features exhibited significant correlations with LAI (p < 0.05). All randomized texture index combinations also showed strong correlations with LAI (p < 0.05). Notably, the three-dimensional texture index NDTTI exhibited the highest correlation with LAI (R = 0.725), derived from the spatial combination of DIS5, VAR5, and VAR3. Integrating vegetation indices, texture features, and three-dimensional texture indices as inputs into the XGBoost model yielded the highest estimation accuracy. The validation set achieved a determination coefficient (R²) of 0.882, a root mean square error (RMSE) of 0.204 cm²cm⁻², and a mean relative error (MRE) of 6.498%. This study provides an effective methodology for UAV-based multispectral monitoring of winter oilseed rape LAI and offers scientific and technical support for precision agriculture management practices.