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The subdivision scheme is a valuable tool for designing shapes and representing geometry in computer-aided geometric design. It has excellent geometric properties, such as fractals and adjustable shape. In this research paper, we explore the generation of fractal curves using a novel binary 8-point interpolatory subdivision scheme with two parameters. We analyse different properties of the proposed scheme, including convergence, special cases, and fractals. Additionally, we demonstrate through various examples the relationship between the shape parameters and the fractal behaviour of the resulting curve. Our research also identifies a specific range of shape parameters that can effectively produce fractal curves. The findings of this study provide a fast and efficient method for generating fractals, as demonstrated by numerous examples. Modelling examples show that the 8-point interpolatory scheme can enhance the efficiency of computer design for complex models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) plays a pivotal role in the deamination process of monoamines, encompassing crucial neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine. The heightened interest in MAO-B inhibitors emerged after the revelation that this enzyme could potentially catalyze the formation of neurotoxic compounds from endogenous and exogenous sources. Computational screening methodologies serve as valuable tools in the quest for novel inhibitors, enhancing the efficiency of this pursuit. In this study, 43 acefylline derivatives were docked against the MAO-B enzyme for their chemotherapeutic potential and binding affinities that yielded GOLD fitness scores ranging from 33.21 to 75.22. Among them, five acefylline derivatives, namely, MAO-B14, MAO-B15, MAO-B16, MAO-B20, and MAO-B21, displayed binding affinities comparable to the both standards istradefylline and safinamide. These derivatives exhibited hydrogen-bonding interactions with key amino acids Phe167 and Ile197/198, suggesting their strong potential as MAO-B inhibitors. Finally, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were conducted to evaluate the stability of the examined acefylline derivatives over time. The simulations demonstrated that among the examined acefylline derivatives and standards, MAO-B21 stands out as the most stable candidate. Density functional theory (DFT) studies were also performed to optimize the geometries of the ligands, and molecular docking was conducted to predict the orientations of the ligands within the binding cavity of the protein and evaluate their molecular interactions. These results were also validated by simulation-based binding free energies via the molecular mechanics energies combined with generalized Born and surface area solvation (MM-GBSA) method. However, it is necessary to conduct in vitro and in vivo experiments to confirm and validate these findings in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a chronic granulomatous vasculitis of medium and large arteries leading to cranial and extracranial manifestations. Temporal artery biopsy is considered the gold standard; however, its sensitivity is low at 47%. We report a unique case of Bing–Neel Syndrome (BNS) presenting as biopsy‐proven GCA. BNS is a rare complication (1%) of Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia (WM), which results from infiltration of lymph plasmacytoid cells and plasma cells into the central nervous system. A 77‐year‐old female with a past medical history of glaucoma, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic ocular ischemic syndrome in her right eye presented with progressive left eye vision loss for 5 days. Fundoscopic examination was notable for pseudophakic pseudopallor but no optic disc edema. Intraocular pressure was >40 and normalized after acetazolamide. The patient was started on pulse dose steroids by her neuro‐ophthalmologist. She was discharged home on 60 mg of prednisone. At follow up with her neuro‐ophthalmologist, new dot blot hemorrhages in the left eye were noted and she was readmitted for pulse dose of intravenous methylprednisolone. Temporal artery biopsy was consistent with GCA spectrum. Work up revealed paraproteinemia and subsequent bone marrow biopsy demonstrated WM. The patient was treated for her WM and her ophthalmic complications stabilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amounts of DNA damage and homocysteine (Hcy) in heart patients blood may have strong function in the causation of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The main objective of this work was to know experimentally the role of total oxidants (produced by Reactive Oxygen species (ROS), clinical biochemical indices, their oxidized products and total antioxidant status (TAS) among such patients to find the association of homocysteine, total oxidation status (TOS) and oxidative DNA damage with other clinical parameters in sixty positive CVD patients compared with those of 60 normal subjects. As compared to healthy individuals, CVD patients had significantly higher concentrations of homocysteine (p<0.0001), total oxidants stress (TOS) (p<0.0001), serum total lipids (p<0.04), malondialdehyde (MDA) (p<0.001), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (p<0.0001), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (p<0.01), than those of healthy individuals. Plasma Hcy content, TOS and amount of DNA were positively and significantly associated with cholesterol, triglycerides, systolic blood pressure, urea, and albumin (p values<0.01). TOS, Hcy and oxidative DNA damage were negatively correlated with HDL-c, TAS and proteins. It is suggested that these parameters have pivotal role in diagnostic process of determining severity in CAD patients. Oxidized products of macromolecules in blood of CVD patients impart major functions in causing CVD disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenolics are pharmaceutically important molecules. Tyrosine and tryptophan are precursors of phenolic metabolism. It was aimed to investigate the potential of exogenously introduced precursors on the phenolic contents in Trachyspermum ammi (L.) Sprague seedlings. The seeds of two local varieties (Chakwal and Desi) were grown in completely randomized design in a growth chamber at 19 ± 2°C with two amino acids (tyrosine and tryptophan) applied (priming and supplementation in rooting medium) at two treatment levels (0, and 1%). Ten days old seedlings were harvested and subjected for growth (root and shoot length, fresh weight and dry weight) and phenolic estimation was done by HPLC method. Presence of seven phenolic acids including quercitin, chromatotropic acid, gallic acid, chlorogenic acid, sinnapic acid, trans 4 hydroxy 3 methoxy cinamic acid and P-courmeric acid was confirmed in both varieties with dissimilar fraction. Poor growth was observed by "Desi" under controlled conditions that were efficiently enhanced by tyrosine and tryptophan treatments. As precursors both amino acids differed for allosteric regulation of the pathway. That varied from application to application and variety to variety too for a pattern of phenolic accumulation. In conclusion, tyrosine and tryptophan application can be useful for farmers for improved growth of T. ammi and for pharmaceutical scientists to modulate metabolites of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Biochemical, environmental, and genetic factors such as oxidative stress-induced DNA damage and homocysteine (Hcy) accumulation in the blood are involved in the development and progression of ovarian cancer. This study measured some biomarkers closely linked to the progression of ovarian cancer and also found their correlates. Materials and methods: Thirty patients were diagnosed with ovarian cancer using pelvic examination, transvaginal ultrasound, and cancer antibody (CA-125) measurement. Total oxidative stress (TOS), DNA damage, Hcy, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), and other biochemical parameters were determined. Results: TOS and DNA damage were positively and significantly correlated between themselves and were involved in causation of tumors as reflected by significantly (P < 0.001) higher CA-125, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), creatinine, and C-reactive protein (CRP) in both young and old patients. Both were significantly correlated with Hcy, LDL-cholesterol, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, CRP, MDA, and CA-125. However, they were negatively correlated with TAS. Thus, excessive inflammation and oxidative stress caused an increase in DNA damage and enhanced Hcy content, leading to development of ovarian cancer. Conclusion: This study suggests the use of antioxidants as drugs to reduce oxidative stress, DNA damage, and other causes of cancer development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a heterogeneous metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycaemia, higher glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) as well as protein. Oxidative stress can cause damage to leukocytic DNA and enhancement of homocysteine (Hcy) level in sera of type 2 diabetic patients. Haematological and biochemical parameters are severely affected by oxidative stress, which results in damages to DNA and Hey in these patients. Eighty DM patients and 80 normal subjects, after having their consent, were selected for the present study. Leukocytes were characterized for DNA damage by comet assay kit while, blood plasma was taken into account for biochemical indices using commercial test kits. Results indicated that DNA damage was strongly linked with erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (P≤0.01), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) (P≤0.0001), glycated serum protein (P≤0.005), cholesterol CP≤0.011), triglycerides (P≤0.001), albumin (P≤0.001), creatinine (P≤0.006), urea (P≤0.007) and ALT (P≤0.02), and negatively associated with packed cell volume (PCV) (P≤0.002) and hemoglobin (.P≤0.001). Homocysteine was strongly linked with ESR, HbA1C, glycated protein (P≤0.002), cholesterol (P≤0.016), triglycerides (P≤0.0001), albumin, creatinine, urea, ALT and AST in diabetic patients. Hyc and DNA damages both were negatively linked with total hemoglobin and PCV. Both of these even in their normal range may have a role in the endothelium damage. Nutritional intervention to lower down Hyc and DNA damages in the Pakistani population may mitigate their effect and guarantee in maintenance of a healthy nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been documented subsist to the pathogenesis of many diseases including diabetes mellitus. The strength of both parameters could be estimated by measuring oxidative stress marker thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), its related parameters and the antioxidants glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in plasma of DM patients. Lipid peroxidation was measured as TBARS and presented as malondialdehyde, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride (Tg), the antioxidants (vitamin A (β-carotene), vitamin E, vitamin C, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase) levels. The results showed that these parameters, commonly, were declined appreciably in diabetic individuals as compared to the healthy individuals. In most cases, age and gender were appeared to involve in having greater values of diabetes marker. Further, increased level of lipid peroxidation and random behaviour of antioxidant potential also associated with Diabetes. For that reason these biomarkers might be of great important to diagnosis DNA damages of diabetic patients [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the effect of cookies supplemented with apple pomace and mango-peel powder on postprandial glucose and insulin concentration., Methods: The experimental study was conducted from February to August, 2018, at the Nutrition Counselling Centre, Government College Women University, Faisalabad, Pakistan. Different cookies with apple pomace and mango-peel powder were prepared and the most nutritive acceptable cookies were used to determine their postprandial effect on glucose and insulin concentrations against the control cookies made with white flour only in female subjects. Adult women were selected through advertisement with normal body mass index. Data was analysed using SPSS 17., Results: All the 30 subjects received enriched and control cookies at different time slots during the study. The overall mean age of the sample was 25±10 years and each subject had body mass index <25kg/m2. Overall blood glucose and insulin concentrations were significantly lower with treatment cookies , compared to the control cookies (p<0.05)., Conclusions: It was evident that fruit processing waste can be used as a nutraceutical agent in diet-based modules.