Ashraf Mashaly | Minia University (original) (raw)

Papers by Ashraf Mashaly

Journal of insect science, Mar 1, 2011

Ant species use branching networks of pheromone trails for orientation between nest and resources... more Ant species use branching networks of pheromone trails for orientation between nest and resources. The current study demonstrated that workers of the venomous samsum ant, Pachycondyla sennaarensis (Mayr) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Ponerinae), employ recruitment trail pheromones discharged from the Dufour's gland. Secretions of other abdomen complex glands, as well as hindgut gland secretions, did not evoke trail following. The optimum concentration of trail pheromone was found to be 0.1 gland equivalent/40 cm trail. This concentration demonstrated effective longevity for about one hour. This study also showed that P. sennaarensis and Tapinoma simrothi each respond to the trail pheromones of the other species as well as their own.

Pakistan Journal of Zoology, 2016

The present work describe a safe, mild, eco-friendly and versatile method for the synthesis of N ... more The present work describe a safe, mild, eco-friendly and versatile method for the synthesis of N 1 ,N 1 ,N 4 ,N 4-tetramethylpiperazine-1,4-dicarboxamide. The prepared compound was screened against Aedes caspius (Pallas) and Culex pipiens (Linnaeus) larvae and compared to its parent piperazine moiety. Likewise, histological structure of gut of treated third instar larva was considerably disturbed. The results demonstrated that substituted urea (1,4-dicarboxamide) meddled with the development of the mosquitoes, and had its strongest poisonous impact at 200 ppm for 48 h. The third larval instar treated with the 1,4-dicarboxamide indicated cell devastation, vacuolization of epithelial cells and cell dispersing in little locales of the mid-gut. The 1,4dicarboxamide appear to be eco-friendly larvicide to control Ae. caspius and Cx. pipiens.

Asian-australasian Journal of Animal Sciences, Aug 4, 2016

Objective: This study was designed to characterize the DNA polymorphisms of the melano cortin1 re... more Objective: This study was designed to characterize the DNA polymorphisms of the melano cortin1 receptor (MC1R) gene in indigenous Saudi Arabian sheep breeds exhibiting different color coats, along with individuals of the Sawaknee breed, an exotic sheep imported from Sudan. Methods: The complete coding region of MC1R gene including parts of 3' and 5' untranslated regions was amplified and sequenced from three the indigenous Saudi sheep; Najdi (generally black, n = 41), Naeimi (generally white with brown faces, n = 36) and Herri (generally white, n = 18), in addition to 13 Sawaknee sheep. Results: Five single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected in the MC1R gene: two led to nonsynonymous mutations (c.218 T>A, p.73 Met>Lys and c.361 G>A, p.121 Asp>Asn) and three led to synonymous mutations (c.429 C>T, p.143 Tyr>Tyr; c.600 T>G, p.200 Leu>Leu, and c.735 C>T, p.245 Ile>Ile). Based on these five SNPs, eight haplotypes representing MC1R E d and E + alleles were identified among the studied sheep breeds. The most common haplotype (H3) of the dominant E d allele was associated with either black or brown coat color in Najdi and Sawaknee sheep, respectively. Two other haplotypes (H6 and H7) of E d allele, with only the nonsynonymous mutation A218T, were detected for the first time in Saudi indigenous sheep. Conclusion: In addition to investigating the MC1R allelic variation in Saudi indigenous sheep populations, the present study supports the assumption that the two independent nonsynonymous Met73Lys and Asp121Asn mutations in MC1R gene are associated with black or red coat colors in sheep breeds.

Journal of Environmental Biology, Jan 14, 2020

Archives of Toxicology, Nov 13, 2019

Snakebite envenomation is a serious medical problem in many developing tropical and subtropical c... more Snakebite envenomation is a serious medical problem in many developing tropical and subtropical countries. Envenomation is registered by the World Health Organization as a neglected tropical disease due to critical shortages in the production of antivenom. Envenomation causes more than 100,000 deaths annually. Snakebites result in several effects to include edema, blistering, hemorrhage, necrosis and respiratory paralysis. Antivenom is the preferred treatment for the systemic effects of snakebite envenomation, though these are often ineffective in neutralizing venom toxin-induced local tissue damage. To effectively treat snakebites, it is important to determine the lethal potency and pathophysiological effects induced by specific snake venoms. In the current study, we compared the lethality, and the hemorrhagic and dermonecrotic activities of venoms from three snakes in Egypt that are the primary causes of local tissue necrosis. Our data show that the intraperitoneal median lethal doses (LD 50) for Cerastes cerastes, Echis carinatus and Naja nigricollis venoms are 0.946, 1.744 and 0.341 mg/kg mouse body weight, respectively. These results indicated that N. nigricollis venom is the most toxic and significantly accelerated the time of death compared to the other two venoms. However, no hematoma or associated edema appeared upon sub-plantar injection of N. nigricollis venom into the mice hind paw. Two hours following intradermal injection of C. cerastes and E. carinatus venoms, macroscopic analysis of the inner surface of mouse skin showed severe hemorrhagic lesions, whereas only insignificant hemorrhagic lesion appeared in mice injected with the highest dose of N. nigricollis venom. Furthermore, the minimum necrotic doses (MND) for the same venoms were 43.15, and 70.87 µg/mouse, or not observed in the case of N. nigricollis venom, respectively. These LD 50 values and pathophysiological results can be used to guide development of antivenom against bites by these dangerous Egyptian snakes.

African Entomology, Sep 1, 2015

Several vectoring insects, such as aphids and white fly, harbour secondary bacterial endosymbiont... more Several vectoring insects, such as aphids and white fly, harbour secondary bacterial endosymbionts. When an insect vectors a persistently transmitted plant virus, this virus should pass through the insect gut into the haemolymph. The secondary bacteria, however, may affect the movement, persistence and replication of the viruses, thereby influencing the vectoring efficacy or specificity of the insect in respect to these plant viruses. This issue, however, has not yet been fully investigated. Hence, the aim of this primary study is to investigate the effect of secondary bacterial endosymbionts of Sitobion avenae clones in respect of the vector specificity and transmission efficiency of barley yellow dwarf virus, as well as to highlight in general the role of secondary bacteria in virus transmission. The experiments were performed according to standard protocols using one virus strain, BYDV-PAV, and four S. avenae clones harbouring different bacterial and genetic profiles. We found that all tested clones were able to transmit the tested virus strain. Therefore, it can be concluded that the secondary bacterial endosymbionts may affect transmission efficiency of S. avenae but not their vectoring specificity. That said, the clones did not significantly differ in their efficiency of virus transmission. However, this study is initial evidence of the effect of secondary bacteria endosymbionts of aphids on virus transmission and further investigation is, therefore, still required.

Italian Journal of Zoology, Dec 1, 2011

The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with p... more The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden.

Research Journal of Biotechnology, 2019

Tropical biomedicine, 2019

The type and amount of resources available significantly influences the structure and dynamics of... more The type and amount of resources available significantly influences the structure and dynamics of food webs. In this study, we analyzed differences in species richness of scavengers based on carcass type in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We collected insects from experimental carcasses of three different types, domestic dogs (Canidae, Canis lupus familiaris), Hijazi goats (Bovidae, Capra aegagrus hircus), and camels (Camelidae, Camelus dromedarius). Data collection was conducted during the decay stage in June, 2016. We used mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) barcodes as a marker for the molecular identification of the scavenger insects. The results showed that there were more insects on the camels and goats than the dogs. In total, seven species were found on all carrions. Six species were found on the camels and goats, but only five were found on the dog. Musca domestica was the most collected species of flies whereas, Necrobia rufipes was the most collected species of bee...

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2020

Oil spills can result in significant damage to marine estuaries, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and sho... more Oil spills can result in significant damage to marine estuaries, rivers, lakes, wetlands, and shorelines. Electrospun nanofibers containing biosurfactant (ENFs) can be used to clean oil spills up and protect the environmental biology. Present work aimed to study the side-effects of prepared nanofibers on animal models. Screening of the prepared ECNFs on animals showed that three of them (PVA-5, PEO-1, and PEO-5) are safe to hepatic tissues and liver functions. Furthermore, oxidative stress did not change after using these nanofibers. The PVA-1 nanofibers, however, were found to cause major pathological changes in the liver tissue. In addition, PVA-1 nanofibers were proved to alter the total white blood count and the neutrophil percentages significantly in comparison to the control. In conclusion, PVA-5, PEO-1, and PEO-5 are safe to hepatic tissues and liver functions.

BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology, 2019

Background For many decades, the sting of Samsun ant (Pachycondyla sennaarensis) has been a serio... more Background For many decades, the sting of Samsun ant (Pachycondyla sennaarensis) has been a serious clinical challenge for the people living in some of the major Middle East and Asian countries. In the present study, the therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa derived plant extract component, thymoquinone (TQ) has been tested against the Samsun ant venom (SAV) at the toxic dose in the rats. Methods The adult male rats were divided into four groups (n = 10): control, SAV treated, SAV + TQ treated and TQ alone treated. It was found that the sub-lethal dose of SAV alters not only many of the kidney and liver function markers but also induces oxidative stress in the animals. Moreover, the SAV also disturbs various immunological parameters including expression of PMNs, CD-80, CD-86, interleukins and other cytokines compromising the affected organism towards mild to severe allergic reactions including life-risking anaphylaxis. Results The plant extract, TQ, effectively restores many of th...

Journal of Medical Entomology, 2018

Abstract Geographical regions have a major effect on the arrival times of different insect specie... more Abstract Geographical regions have a major effect on the arrival times of different insect species on carrion. This means that data generated in one region should not be used to determine time of death in a different region. In the present study, we demonstrate the effect of geographical location on the diversity of carrion beetles in Saudi Arabia, whereas the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (mtCOI) barcodes were used as a marker for molecular identification of the carrion beetles at a dry stage on sheep carrion. We analyzed 819 adult beetles belonging to nine species originating from Riyadh (609 beetles), Jazan (157 beetles), and Arar (53 beetles). In Riyadh, results showed the presence of six species belonging to three different families. On the other hand, in Jazan five species belonging to four families were collected. From Arar, five species belonging to three families were collected. By comparing between individuals of the same species from different regions, individuals of Necrobia rufipes DeGeer (Coleoptera: Cleridae) showed the highest intraspecific variations 0–20%, while individuals of Saprinus splendens Paykull and Saprinus semistriatus Scriba (Coleoptera: Histeridae) showed the lowest intraspecific variations 0–1%. Interspecific variability was also measured between collected and identified species, with differences revealed to be in the range of 3.8–29.8%.The results are important from an ecological point of view and for Medico-Legal Forensic Entomology.

Journal of Environmental Biology, 2019

Journal of Medical Entomology, 2016

Necrophagous species of insects provide useful complementary data to estimate the postmortem inte... more Necrophagous species of insects provide useful complementary data to estimate the postmortem interval in forensic cases. Here, for the first time, we report on insect specimens collected from human corpses in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. During the study, 14 beetle larvae were collected from the outdoor corpse (case report one) and five flies and seven beetles were collected from the indoor corpse (case report two). Sequencing was performed to study the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) as the prospective basis of an identification technique. The sequencing focused on a section of the cytochrome oxidase I encoding region of mtDNA. Two beetle species, Dermestes frischii (Kugelann) and Dermestes maculatus (De Geer) (Coleoptera: Dermestidae), and one fly species, Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), were identified. These results will be instrumental in the implementation of a Saudi database of forensically relevant insects.

يقدم هذا المعجم تغطية شاملة وأساسية لمصطلحات علم الحشرات الجنائي الذي يختص بالوقائع الجنائية المر... more يقدم هذا المعجم تغطية شاملة وأساسية لمصطلحات علم الحشرات الجنائي الذي يختص بالوقائع الجنائية المرتبطة بالحشرات التي ينظر إليها رجال القانون، مراعيًا تطبيق الخبرة الطبية والتحليل العلمي السليم، معتمدًا على الدلائل والوسائل الموجودة في علم الحشرات. وقد اختيرت المصطلحات الأكثر استعمالاً في الكتابات العامة والأوساط العِلمية والعَملية المتخصصة والسائدة في كثير من مساقات علوم الحشرات وعلوم الحياة والعلوم الطبية وغيرها من التخصصات، ووَفقًا لمتطلبات برامج التعليم في معظم كليات الزراعة والعلوم الطبيعية والطب البشري والبيطري في الدول العربية. ويستفيد من هذا المعجم مجموعة واسعة من القراء بمختلف متطلباتهم المعرفية؛ فبالإضافة إلى الباحثين والعاملين في مختلف المؤسسات الأكاديمية والبحثية والصناعية، فإن المعجم سيساعد طلاب الكليات ومراكز الأبحاث والأدلة الجنائية، التي لا تزال مقرراتها أو مراجعها باللغة الإنجليزية، في الحصول على المقابل العربي لآلاف المصطلحات التي يمر بها الطالب في أثناء دراسته والباحث خلال بحثه؛ وذلك لأن فهم أي علم في العالم العربي أو استيعابه لم ولن يتحقق تحقُّقًا كاملاً إلا عن طري...

Die Paarweisen säulensartigen Pilzkörper (MBs) des Insektgehirns stellen ein dominierendes neurop... more Die Paarweisen säulensartigen Pilzkörper (MBs) des Insektgehirns stellen ein dominierendes neuropiles für multimodal sensorische Integration, die am wichtigsten für die Organisation des olfactorischen Verhaltens und für Gedächtnis und das Lernen. Die MBs enthalten immer eine Kategorie lokale Interneurones, die Kenyon Zellen (KCs). In den erwachsenen Grillengehirnen - im Gegensatz zu anderer Insektsorte- nur wird eine Gruppe von KCs ununterbrochen eben von fortbestehenden neuroblasts während des Erwachsenlebens gebildet. Diese wachsen und unterschiedene Neuronen müssen in ein strukturell eingerichtetes, synaptisches Funktionellnetz integriert werden, das für das Organisieren des olfaktorischen Verhaltens unentbehrlich ist.In Gryllus bimaculatus studieren wir die wachsende KCs in den MB- neuropiles in Verhältnis zu unterschiedenen MB Neuronen mit Immunlicht und Konventionelle Elektronenmikroskopie. Ein Konischer Block von ungefähr 100 wachsendes KCs, der von mitotischen Neuroblasten i...

Egyptian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2022

Background Forensic entomology (FE) is widely considered as an important field of forensic scienc... more Background Forensic entomology (FE) is widely considered as an important field of forensic science, particularly in the field of estimating postmortem intervals, which has advanced considerably across the world. Main body Researchers used necrophagous insects in twelve Egyptian governorates to look into the variables that impact insect succession and the growth of juvenile stages from infesting animal models and humans, draw toxicological conclusions, and identify insect species using morphological and molecular-based approaches. The study includes analyses of insect abundance and dispersion, along with biochemical and electrophysiological experiments. Comparable data from other Egyptian governorates, on the other side, is currently unavailable. Aspects of FE are also missing, which might be addressed in a future research project. Conclusion This review aims to provide an outline of FE in Egypt, other than to assist existing researchers in identifying research needs and recruiting n...

Tropical biomedicine, 2016

Many of the blow flies (Calliphoridae) are of economic importance because of their effects on pub... more Many of the blow flies (Calliphoridae) are of economic importance because of their effects on public health and the economy by causing myiasis in human beings and animals. Blow flies are also, however, forensic bioindicators since they can be used to determine the Post-Mortem Interval (PMI). Chrysomya saffranea (Bigot 1877), a dipteran calliphoridae of forensic and economic importance is currently endemic and recorded only in Australia and New Guinea. Here, the occurrence of C. saffranea is reported for the first time from Aurangabad City, Maharashtra State in India. Fully grown third instar larvae of C. saffranea were collected from decaying cats. The larvae were reared under laboratory conditions and adult flies freshly emerged from pupae were collected and identified by their morphological features.

The hind gut of the worker of the two Paratrechina species is the source of the trail pheromone. ... more The hind gut of the worker of the two Paratrechina species is the source of the trail pheromone. In P. vividula, the poison gland secretion has an inhibitory effect but in P. longicornis it hasn’t. In P. lon gicornis and P. vividula, the optimum dose of the trail- following was found to be 1 gaster equivalent / 30 cm trail. The optimum dose lasting time could last for 105 minutes in both the two species.