Al-Quds Journal for Natural Sciences

Cloning and Expression of SARS COV-2 Surface Protein and its Use in Detecting Corona Viral Infections

Rasmi Abu-Helu — 2023-04-11

The main aim of this study was to develop indirect enzyme linked immune sorbent assay based on the use of bacterial cloned SARS CoV-2 spike protein as a cheap and continuously available source of antigen. This test was proved to be useful for a quantitative measurement and evaluation of antibody immune response among SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals. Standard cloning procedures had been used in cloning two different segments of the spike gene and its expression. The size of the two
cloned segments were of 700 base pair and of 500 base pair, which were named clone 8 and clone 105, respectively. These DNA segments were cloned in pET28a plasmid and then expressed in Bl21 E. coli. Different serum samples were tested from: current, previous infection, vaccinated and non-vaccinated patients using the amplified expressed proteins in enzyme linked immune sorbent assay. The expressed proteins from each clone were responded with varying degrees of sensitivity against COVID-19 positive human sera, and we attempted to validate which of the two recombinant proteins is the best to be used in Corona IgG and IgM antibody detection. Based on the results of indirect enzyme linked immunoassay, most of the tested samples had greater antibody titers with clone 8, which was found to have a higher similarity (99% resemblance) to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 surface protein using BLAST search. We recommend clone 8 with high potential to be used for large-scale screening for COVID-19 outbreak; nevertheless, it requires greater sensitivity and specificity validation

COVID-19 outbreak In Palestine: Early Response and National Strategies Implemented in Confronting the Epidemic

Omar Hamarsheh — 2023-04-11

The early response and management of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the outbreak in Palestine is summarized in this report. Since the WHO announced the pandemic, COVID-19 has rapidly extended globally within a short period of time putting health systems in many countries on alert. This report aims to provide an overview of the national strategies implemented to contain the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic in Palestine, highlighting the main steps implemented in etiology, epidemiology, vulnerability, social and economic impacts. Containment of the disease was very successful at the early outbreak by legally enforced lockdown which proved a golden strategy to tackle the disease. Community outreach and raising awareness, and implementation of legally enforced preventive measures were essential to contain the spread of the epidemic in Palestine. Monitoring the outcome of health and preventive measures are important to live the epidemic and minimize its unintentional negative impacts.

Developing Institutions that Serve National Goals: Case Study of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability

Mazin Qumsiyeh — 2023-04-11

Biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources are difficult to manage in light of global and local threats ranging from climate change to Israeli colonization activities. Yet there is increased national awareness of the need to tackle the threats while also engaging in resistance and simple survival activities (sumud). We also must expand research in those areas and bridge the sciencepolicy-practice gaps. These issues are discussed using the case study of the Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) at Bethlehem University, an institute that serves national goals of respecting and protecting nature through research, education and conservation. Recommendations are made for establishing more institutions and better networking and prioritization based on national strategies

Reverse Osmosis Membrane Scaling Inhibition using Kinetic Degradation Fluxion Media

Jawad A.H Shoqeir — 2023-04-11

Membrane fouling can lead to reduced efficiency, increased operating costs, and shorter membrane life, which can ultimate[1]ly impact the quality of potable water produced from seawater. The use of Kinetic Degradation Fluxion (KDF) media as a pretreatment method is promising because it can potentially reduce fouling caused by CaCO3 scaling and improve the per[1]formance of RO membranes. The study's methodology, which involves comparing two identical reverse osmosis systems with and without KDF pretreatment, is appropriate and well-designed. By comparing the salt rejection and permeability flow of the two membrane systems, the study can provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of KDF media in reducing foul[1]ing caused by CaCO3 scaling. The explanation of how KDF media works to prevent the formation of mineral hardness scale by altering the morphology of the insoluble Ca and Mg carbonate and sulfate crystals and creating a redox environment is helpful in understanding the potential mechanism behind the effectiveness of KDF media as a pretreatment method. By con[1]trolling the formation of mineral scale and other contaminants, KDF media can potentially lead to improved efficiency of the RO membrane. Results suggest that KDF media can be an effective pretreatment method for reducing fouling caused by mineral scaling in RO systems. The potential mechanism behind the effectiveness of KDF media is explained, and the obser[1]vation that only a small number of KDF discs were degraded over the 40-hour period indicates that KDF media can be used for multiple cycles of RO operation, reducing the frequency of media replacement and associated operating costs. The finding
that the RO-KDF membrane remained healthy and efficient for 40 hours while fouling was observed in the RO system with[1]in 20 hours is also promising, as it indicates that the KDF media can effectively reduce membrane fouling caused by scaling, leading to improved efficiency and extended membrane life. However, further studies can explore the optimal conditions for using KDF media in RO systems to maximize its effectiveness in reducing fouling and extending the lifetime of RO mem[1]branes. Investigating the potential for KDF media to reduce fouling caused by other contaminants, such as organic matter or silica, would also be interesting