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Kinetics of substitution reaction of three high-spin pyridylmethylene-8-quinolyl iron (II) complexes by CN– ions were studied spectrophotometrically in various ratios of aqueous–methanol binary mixtures at 298 ± 0.2 K. Kinetics of the substitution reaction follow the rate law (k2[CN−][complex]) on applying of the conditions of the pseudo first order reaction. Reactivity of the reaction was investigated in terms of ligand moiety and solvent effects. The rate of the reaction increased as the co-solvent methanol ratio increased. This reactivity trend is predominantly due to increases in the activity coefficient of those hydrophobic complexes in the organic methanol co-solvent, depending upon the hydrophobicity of the substituent groups (R) in the coordinated ligand in the complexes. Reactivity trends of the prepared complexes in the presence of the inserted hydrophobic salts such as tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB), tetraethylammonium bromide (TEAB), and tetramethylammonium bromide (TMAB) or hydrophilic salt potassium bromide (KBr) were studied. The observed decrease in the rate constants with increasing salt concentration was due to the cationic character of the reacting complexes. In addition, the synthesized compounds were tested for antimicrobial activity against selected strains of microbes. The results showed that the order of reactivity of the investigated complexes against the selected microbes were as follows: ppaqFe > paaqFe > pmaqFe. In addition, the investigated ligands and their Fe(II) complexes were screened for anticancer activities against several cell lines of cancer. The ppaqFe complex showed the best cytotoxic efficiency against the selected cancer lines (IC50 = 8.75–21.50 µg/µl), whereas the pmaq ligand showed the lowest cytotoxic efficiency (IC50 = 58.25– 72.40). Furthermore, the antioxidant potential of the presented compounds was studied by applying DPPH assays and showed a potential activity compared with standard vitamin C. The excellent antimicrobial and anticancer activities of the investigated Fe(II) chelates compared with literature values are promising and deserve further study.

A theoretical and experimental investigation on the performance and emission of spark ignition engine have been made using gasoline, alcohol and gasoline-alcohol mixture as fuels. A thermodynamic model has been developed with superimposed pseudo-kinetic NO and CO formation. This has been used to compute estimated performance and emission data for a spark ignition engine. The model has also been used to compare the prediction performance and emission data when operating the engine with methanol, ethanol and gasoline fuels. A series of an experimental tests were carried out on a single cylinder spark ignition engine to confirm the theoretical results of the mathematical model. Comparison of results indicates that alcohol seems to be a viable alternative fuel to gasoline with respect to efficient, operational and emission considerations.

A new rearranged nitrogenous bisabolone-type sesquiterpene, halichonic acid B (1), was isolated from a marine sponge Axinyssa sp. together with halichonic acid (2) and (6R,7S)-7-amino-7,8-dihydro-α-bisabolene (3). The structure of 1 was determined by extensive NMR and MS analyses, revealing an unprecedented carbon framework, and its absolute configuration was elucidated by time-dependent density-functional theory (TDDFT)-based electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectrum calculation. We propose that 1 and 2 may be biosynthesized in the same pathway, involving the reaction between farnesyl pyrophosphate and glycine, followed by cyclization.

It is difficult to produce children's marshmallow candy colored with anthocyanin enriched extract (AEE) from jamun (Syzygium cumini) without first researching the product's quality. Different levels of anthocyanin enriched extract (AEE) additionally mixed into the standard marshmallow candy (at 3, 5 and 7g into 100g recipe compared with marshmallow sample coloring by synthetic color (Carmine) at 0.10 g/100g. Characterize of (AEE) were analysis. Water activity, color properties and organoleptic characteristics of the products during storage for 90 days were evaluated. Present study reports (AEE) at 0.6, 0.8 and 1mg/ml was found to exhibit a higher significant DPPH radical scavenging activity (P ≤ 0.05) than that of BHT at concentration 200 and 300 ppm. there were no significant difference (p < 0.05) in (AEE) at pH 5 and incubation period 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 min at 50°C was 2.65, 3.06, 3.03, 3.18 and 3.16 mg/100 ml. Water activity of marshmallow candy tended to decrease with the addition of (AEE). It caused by the ability of (AEE) to prevent moisture absorption and retention. There were no significant difference in (appearance, odor, taste, texture and overall acceptability) between the control sample and marshmallow samples colored with 3% (AEE). Jamun is a dark purplish fruit and its color undoubtedly contributed to the color of marshmallow by decreasing the L* and b* values and increasing a* value so that Jamun extract can be successfully used to improve properties of children marshmallow candy.

Faidherbia albida is one of the plants that have been traditionally used throughout the world in the treatment of diabetes. In previous studies, various parts of the plant such as the methanolic root bark, aqueous seed, and the aqueous stem bark extracts have been tested on alloxan-induced diabetic rats for their anti-hyperglycemic activity. In the current study, the anti-hyperglycemic activity of the total ethanolic extract of Faidherbia albida fruits was evaluated in nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice using glimepiride as a reference anti-diabetic drug. The total ethanolic fruit extract at 200 mg/kg body weight significantly (p < 0.05) lowered the blood glucose level in diabetic mice by (74%) after 4 hrs of oral administration while the peak hypoglycemic effect of glimepiride (55.2%) occurred at the 4th hr after oral administration. The results provided evidence that Faidherbia albida fruit extract is recommended to be used as a hypoglycemic drug in treating diabetic patients.

An experimental program to research, develop and demonstrate an axially two staged combustor with premixed gasoline/all and hydrogen/air mixtures is described. Radial and axially profiles for species concentrations and gaseous temperatures are obtained for a wide range air-fuel ratios and degree of charge stratification. Two design parameters were varies namely, the connecting orifice diameter and the burner diameter. Three different orifice diameters are used, those are 20, 25 and 30 mm, and two different burner diameters are used, 5 and 6 mm. The results obtained showed that at higher values of excess air factor in the main chamber, Co does not consumed completely before the exit from the combustor. At higher values of excess air factors in the pre- and pain chambers, the combustion efficiency was ensured within the combustor length. Decreasing the connecting orifice diameter improves the turbulent and decreasing the flame length. A stratified charge combustion has been studies for leaner combustion to improve emissions and fuel economy. The carbon monoxide is decreased while the combustion efficiency is increased with increasing the degree of charge stratification. The same benefits are obtained when increasing the amount of hydrogen fuel in the mixtures.

Anthraquinones are a major class of compounds naturally occurring in Asphodelus microcarpus. The pharmacological actions of anthraquinones in cancer cells are known to induce apoptosis or autophagy, and revert multidrug resistance. In this study, five anthraquinone-type analogs were isolated from the methanol extract of A. microcarpus leaves and identified as, emodin, rhein, physcion, aloe-emodin, and emodic acid. Among them, aloe-emodin and emodic-acid strongly inhibited the proliferation, cells-intrinsic NF-κB activity and metastatic ability of breast cancer. Although aloe-emodin inhibited p38 and ERK phosphorylation, emodic-acid more markedly inhibited JNK, in addition to p38 and ERK phosphorylation. Both aloe-emodin and emodic-acid inhibited the secretion of the pro-tumorigenic cytokines IL-1β and IL-6, and VEGF and MMP expression, and subsequently inhibited the invasive and migratory potential of 4T1 cells. Thus, our study demonstrated the effects of aloe-emodin and emodin-acid in controlling the migratory and invasive ability of 4T1 breast cancer cells, in addition to inhibiting NF-κB activity and the expression of its downstream target molecules.

Doxorubicin is a broad spectrum antitumor antibiotic. Newcastle disease virus (NDV ) is one such virus with an inherent oncolytic property. This study was done to investigate the antitumor effects of Doxorubicin and NDV on Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced Hepatocellular carcinoma in rats. Seventy five male albino rats were divided into five groups. Group (1): rats administered distilled water only. Group (2) : rats received diethylnitrosoamine (200 mg/kg b.wt/i.p), three times at an interval of 15 day at experimental weeks 2, 4 and 6.Group (3) : rats received DEN then treated with Doxorubicin at experimental week 10 at a dose level (2 mg/kg b.wt/i.p). Group(4): rats received DEN then treated with Hitchner B1 at experimental week 10 at a dose levels (10^7 PFU/mouse/i.p). Group(5): rats received DEN then treated with Doxorubicin at experimental week 10 at a dose level (2 mg/kg b.wt/i.p) and with Hitchner B1 at experimental week 10 at a dose levels (10^7 PFU/mouse/i.p). All animals were sacrificed after the end of experiment. DEN induced HCC showed elevation in serum ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin. Also, resulted in upregulation in serum IL-6 and TNF- α ,On the other hand resulted in a significant decreased in serum Albumin, total protein compared with control group. Treatment with doxorubicin or/ and NDV showed that, all the parameters changed towards normal control group. The obtained results confirmed doxorubicin and NDV can inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells through improving hepatocytes.

Doxorubicin is a broad spectrum antitumor antibiotic. Newcastle disease virus (NDV ) is one such virus with an inherent oncolytic property. This study was done to investigate the antitumor effects of Doxorubicin and NDV on Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) induced Hepatocellular carcinoma in rats. Seventy five male albino rats were divided into five groups. Group (1): rats administered distilled water only. Group (2) : rats received diethylnitrosoamine (200 mg/kg b.wt/i.p), three times at an interval of 15 day at experimental weeks 2, 4 and 6.Group (3) : rats received DEN then treated with Doxorubicin at experimental week 10 at a dose level (2 mg/kg b.wt/i.p). Group(4): rats received DEN then treated with Hitchner B1 at experimental week 10 at a dose levels (10^7 PFU/mouse/i.p). Group(5): rats received DEN then treated with Doxorubicin at experimental week 10 at a dose level (2 mg/kg b.wt/i.p) and with Hitchner B1 at experimental week 10 at a dose levels (10^7 PFU/mouse/i.p). All animals were sacrificed after the end of experiment. DEN induced HCC showed elevation in serum AFP, LDH, Creatinine and Urea compared with control group. Treatment with doxorubicin or/ and NDV showed that a significant reduction in serum AFP, LDH, Creatinine and Urea compared with DEN non treated group. The obtained results confirmed doxorubicin and NDV can inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells through improving hepatocytes.

Glasses containing lead titanate (PbTiO3) have recently attracted much attention due to its unique electrical properties at high temperature. However, its large lattice anisotropy makes its sinterability difficult. 10PbTiO3–10Fe2O3–30V2O5–50B2O3 glass was prepared by conventional fast quenching technique. The estimated crystallite size after annealing at 773 K for 20 h was 62.6 nm. After annealing, triclinic iron vanadium oxide and monoclinic lead vanadium oxide phases were partially formed. The crystallization temperature (Tc) at different heating rates (β) has been investigated using Kissinger and Ozawa models under non-isothermal mode. The values of various kinetic parameters such as activation energy of crystallization (Ec), rate of crystallization (Kp), Avrami index (n), thermal stability (S), and Hruby number (Hr) have been calculated. The presence of Fe2O3 and PbTiO3 in the glass after annealing was found to enhance its thermal stability and electrical conductivity. The electrical conductivities of as-quenched and annealed glass were evaluated by dc conductivity. The dc conductivity was discussed in terms of small polaron hopping (SPH) mechanism.

Four glasses of the (13.5%X– 32.5%V2O5–54%P2O5) mol%, X = Na2O, Na2S, and NaF, and (13.5% Na2S – 32.5%V2S5–54%P2S5) mol% were prepared. DSC, density, molar volume, XRD, thermoelectric power, and glass transport properties of the prepared glasses were reported. Density was found to increase with decreasing the molar volume, Vm, of glasses containing sulfur. Replacing oxygen with sulfur results in less number of bridging oxygen; this decrease leads to less compactness and molar volume increase of the host network. Thermoelectric power (S) of present samples was reported and the fraction C of reduced transition metal ions (C = V4+/Vtotal or V3+/Vtotal ) was calculated. Moreover, the conductivity data temperature dependence has been studied in two distinct polaronic models. Above θD/2 (high temperature region), the conductivity data are compatible with Mott SPH model between the nearest neighbors, but in the intermediate temperature extent, the appropriate model was Greaves VRH model. Dc conductivity values have a positive relation with C results calculated from thermoelectric power. The dc conductivity of the formed sulfur-containing glasses is enhanced owing to the increase of V4+–V5+ or V3+–V4+ ion pairs as sulfur worked as a reducing agent, which resulted in reduction of the vanadium ions from high valence (V4+ and/or V5+) to low valence states (V3+ and/or V4+). From inspecting the conduction mechanism nature and type, the current work displayed was proved to be in accord with non-adiabatic case of SPH. The hopping carrier mobility is very small in order of 10− 5 cm2 V− 1 s− 1 at 393 K satisfying the localized condition for hopping electrons.

Two novel water-soluble mononuclear Cu(II) and VO(II)-complexes (CuSL and VOSL, respectively) were synthesized from easily accessible 2-((naphthalen-1-ylimino)methyl)phenolate sodium sulfonate as a Schiff base ligand (HSL). HSL, CuSL and VOSL were characterized by various spectral tools. Their catalytic potential was investigated and compared in 1,2-cyclohexene epoxidation using H2O2 or tBuOOH as an oxidizing agent, and in C―C cross-coupling protocols, including Suzuki-Miyaura and Sonogashira reactions, under homogeneous reaction conditions. Both complexes exhibited good catalytic potential in the epoxidation reaction. VOSL complex with the high oxidation state metal ion (VIV) exhibited slightly better performance in the epoxidation reaction, provided 93, 77 and 89% yield in acetonitrile, water and under solvent free condition. In contrast CuSL complex provided 89, 71 and 79% yield under the same reaction condition. While in Suzuki-Miyaura and Sonogashira C―C reactions using phenylboronic acid or phenylacetylene with aryl halides, CuSL afforded better catalytic potential (89% for Suzuki-Miyaura and 77% yield for Sonogashira C―C products) than VOSL catalyst (73% and 51% yield respectively). DFT studies were also carried to understand the catalytic behavior of CuSL and VOSL catalysts in their catalytic processes. Additionally HSL, CuSL and VOSL were also explored for their biological potential against some pathogens strains, as antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer agents. Both complexes (CuSL and VOSL) showed better inhibiting potential than their free ligand. The complex ctDNA-interaction was examined by UV–vis. spectrophotometry, viscosity measurements and gel electrophoresis to determine the nature of binding. Additionally, molecular docking was also carried out for better understanding.

Cellulose acetate nanofiber membranes containing hydroxyapatite co-doped with Ag/Fe were effectively fabricated via the electrospinning technique. The use of different molar ratio compositions of hydroxyapatite co-doped with Ag/Fe in the structure of the cellulose acetate membrane was based on several aspects considering different applications. The obtained fiber membranes were characterized via field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) to determine their morphology and phases. The functionalized cellulose acetate nanofiber membranes with hydroxyapatite co-doped with Ag/Fe suitably maintained the fibrous morphology with good mechanical properties, potent antibacterial activity and high activity for the degradation of dyes for water treatment applications. The fabricated materials demonstrated outstanding mechanical properties including tensile strength (MPa) of 7.19 ± 0.7, 6.52 ± 1.1, 6.55 ± 0.8, 9.57 ± 1.2 and 10.63 ± 1.4 and toughness (MJ m−3) of 6.43 ± 0.8, 4.79 ± 0.6, 3.56 ± 0.7, 5.38 ± 1.1 and 9.24 ± 0.9 for 0.0Ag/Fe-HAP@CA, 0.2Ag/Fe-HAP@CA, 0.4Ag/Fe-HAP@CA, 0.6Ag/Fe-HAP@CA and 0.8Ag/Fe-HAP@CA, respectively. Due to their electrostatic attraction, the fibers exhibited strong adsorption towards the positively charged cationic dye methylene blue (MB) together with good recyclability. Additionally, the obtained membrane exhibited potent antibacterial activity towards different types of bacteria including E. coli and S. aureus. The obtained results present a novel strategy for the simple construction of nanofibrous membrane materials to achieve the dual function application of antibacterial agent and photocatalyst for the elimination of toxic dyes from wastewater.

Two novel water-soluble Cu(II) complexes (Cu-PSA and Cu-PSL) are synthesized from easily accessible Schiff base amino acid ligands (HPSA and HPS), as sodium sulfonate salts, obtained from D,L-phenylalanine and D,L-leucine, respectively. Their chemical composition is confirmed using various spectroscopic analyses (NMR, UV–vis, IR and mass spectroscopies, CHN micro-analyses, conductivities, TGA, and magnetism). The effect of sodium sulfonate group (Na+ SO3− group) on the chemical behavior of both Cu-PSA and Cu-PSL complexes is studied catalytically and biologically. Catalytically, Cu-PSA and Cu-PSL exhibit high reactivity in the (ep)oxidation of 1,2-cyclooctene and benzyl alcohol in polar reaction media, (acetonitrile or water) at 80 °C, under homogeneous reaction condition. Biologically, the Cu-complexes and their ligands (HPSA and HPS) are tested for antimicrobial activity against some pathogens strains. Both Cu-complexes reveal higher performance than their corresponding ligands. Cu-PSA and Cu-PSL complexes are also examined for ctDNA-interaction, which studied using various techniques including spectroscopy, viscosity and gel-electrophoresis. Despite, their low lipophilicity due to the sodium sulfonate group (salting group), they show potentially high electrostatic interaction with ctDNA. The binding potential of these compounds is also investigated by molecular docking showing the role of the central metal ion (Cu2+) and the salting group in the ctDNA interaction. For anticancer reactivity, both ligands (HPSA, HPSL), and their complexes (Cu-PSA or Cu-PSL) are examined against hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line, breast carcinoma (MCF7) cell line and colon carcinoma (HCT-116) cell line. The obtained results are encouraging and after optimization the Cu-complexes could be potentially anticancer drug candidates.

The aim of the present study was to prepare and characterize nanocomposite films to improve the treatment of skin wounds by applying the film as a bandage. To modify chitosan (Cs) and to prepare nanocomposites, a mixture between titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) was performed at different concentrations (2, 5, 10 and 15 wt%) and oleic acid (OA). The thin nanocomposite films were prepared by using casting method. The prepared films (Cs, Cs/TiO2 NPs, Cs/OA and Cs/OA/TiO2 NPs) were described by water absorption (swelling study) and biological degradation. Physico-chemical characterizations of Cs, Cs/OA, Cs/TiO2 NPs and Cs/OA/TiO2 NPs (with only 15 wt% TiO2 NPs) films were determined by X-ray diffraction, transmission high-resolution electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy as well as their mechanical properties. Antimicrobial activity against microorganisms has been studied to assess activity against bacteria. The prepared nanocomposite films showed good antimicrobial activity for both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The therapeutic effects of Cs-TiO2 NPs-oleic acid nanocomposites on healing excision wounds were studied in rat animal model. The data obtained revealed that groups treated with nanocomposites showed enhancement wound closure and speed up wound healing time.

Eighteen lactating Zaraibi goats were designed experiment to determine the effects of three different rations (isocaloric and isonitrogenic) supplemented with different levels of propylene glycol (PG) on goats welfare during critical transition stages. The three rations formed as PG0, PG1 and PG2 which alternative of 0, 10 and 20% of concentrate feed mixture (CFM), respectively. These rations were prepared and continued feeding to the three dairy nanny goat groups (n=6 each group) from flushing up to 21st weeks of lactation. The body weight, measurements post-parturition, milk production such as suckling and milking amount, feed consumption and blood samples were evaluated. Then, economical efficiency was assayed for selling milk yield. Experimental results indicated that both dietary groups included PG1 and PG2 showed higher (P

DNA extraction with high quality is critical to all molecular genetic analyses. However, obtaining DNA from microbes associated with animals is challenging. Despite the availability of various DNA extraction kits in the markets, no studies were conducted to date to evaluate their potential for the invertebrates such as nudibranch, one of Mollusca. This study compared the Quick—DNA Fungal/Bacterial Miniprep Kit and CTAB methods and tested them across four samples of Chromodoris quadricolor gut and skin tissues. The universal bacterial primers 331f and 797r and the animal-specific primers LCO1490-JJ and HCO2198-JJ were used to amplify the 16S rRNA gene and partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene using extracted DNA as a template. The DNA and PCR products’ quality and concentration were verified with agarose gel and Nanodrop, respectively. The two methods' quality assessed using the deep pyrosequencing of the 16S rRNA gene in capturing a more diverse microbiome. The highest yield and purity (over 1000 ng / µL) were obtained with the CTAB method, while it was not exceeded 260 ng/µL with Quick DNA kit and display high purity. Also, 16S rRNA community amplicon sequencing revealed that the CTAB way could catch more diverse bacterial groups. The most efficient method of DNA extraction was CTAB, as it achieved both high concentration and purity

Four new guaiane-type sesquiterpenes, chamaejasmins A–D (1–4), were isolated from the root of Stellera camaejasme L. collected in Nepal, together with two known terpenes, stelleraguaianone B (5) and 1α,7α,10αH-guaia-4,11-dien-3-one (6). The structures of 1–4 including their absolute configurations were determined by extensive 2D NMR analyses, mass spectroscopy, and TDDFT calculations of their 13C chemical shifts and ECD spectra. Chamaejasmin A (1) showed cytotoxicity against HeLa cells with an IC50 value of 6.3 μM.

The aim of this work is to develop single-component bifunctional organic catalysts capable of effective coupling reactions between CO2 and propylene epoxide (PO) under mild conditions using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The dual functionalities of the target catalysts come from their inclusion of a hydroxyl-containing electrophile and the nucleophilicity of iodide ion. In this respect, a series of hydroxyl-functionalized quaternary onium-based ionic liquids were studied using M062X-D3/def2-TZVP//M062X-D3/def2-SVPP model chemistry. The design of catalysts was based on tailoring two structural factors; the first one is the onium center of pnictogens (N, P, As, Sb and Bi), and the second one is the number of hydrogen bond donor groups (n = 1–3). The proposed catalysts were examined by investigation of their catalytic mechanisms to afford the cyclic carbonate. Additionally, the highest active transition state, along with the potential energy difference, was examined using non-covalent interaction (NCI) analysis. Also, the activation strain model (ASM) was used to explain the kinetic behavior of PO activation. The findings showed that the ring-opening step of PO is always the critical step of the reaction. Among the suggested catalysts, the results indicated that the dihydroxyl ammonium-based catalyst (2OH-NI) is a good choice for this catalysis under mild and solvent-free conditions.

In this study, the anti-inflammatory and anti-nociceptive properties of the defatted methanolic extract (DME) of Crataegus sinaica fruits were evaluated in vivo. The anti-inflammatory effect of DME was evaluated in a model of carrageenan-induced rat paw edema against indomethacin (20 mg/kg, p.o.), and the anti-nociceptive effect was tested against acetyl salicylic acid (150 mg/kg, p.o.) using acetic acid-induced writhing method to evaluate the peripheral analgesic effect, and hot plate method to evaluate the central analgesic effect. DME (at the three dose levels; 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly (P≤0.05) suppressed carrageenan-induced inflammation after 1, 2 and 3 hr. In addition, treatment with DME at 200 mg/kg significantly reduced the level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2, 0.8±0.04 ng/paw), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α, 246.33±9.38 pg/ml) and myeloperoxidase (MPO, 2.09±0.37 ng/ml) in paw exudate close to that shown by indomethacin (0.72±0.04, 242.56±5.39 and 1.59±0.37, respectively). Furthermore, DME at 100 and 200 mg/kg as well as acetyl salicylic acid significantly (P≤0.05) decreased number of writhes (in acetic acid-induced writhing test), and increased latency time (in the hot plate test) compared to control. The chemical profile of DME was identified via UPLC/PDA/ESI-MS. As a result, a total of 40 compounds were tentatively identified, including phenolic acids, procyanidins (many as oligomers of epi-catechin and their gallate esters), flavonoids and their glycosides. These findings confirm that DME has anti-inflammatory as well as central and peripheral analgesic effects, and support the traditional use of C. sinaica fruits against several inflammatory ailments.

In this study, the cellular synergistic and antagonistic effects of mixing tartrazine (TZ) with curcumin (CUR) or curcumin-nanoparticles (CUR-NPs) were investigated. The in vivo administration of TZ, CUR, CUR-NPs, and TZ mixed with CUR or CUR-NPs at 75:25 or 50:50 ratios were tested. The results indicated that CUR and CUR -NPs reduced the cytotoxicity effects of TZ on skin fibroblast BJ-1 (ATCC® CRL-2522™) normal cells. However, among the tested materials, CUR-NPs had highest in vitro and in vivo antioxidant activity compared to TZ. Furthermore, CUR-NPs and CUR exhibited anticancer activity against HepG-2 liver cancer cells via apoptosis induction. The key apoptosis protein genes Caspase-3, p53, and Bax were upregulated, whereas Bc-2, which exhibits anti-apoptosis activity, was downregulated. Our results indicated that the nano-formulation of CUR alters its physicochemical properties, including the size and shape, and increases its antioxidant and anticancer properties. CUR-NPs also overcome the side effect of using TZ as a yellow color and food preservative additive, due to its reduced toxicity, oxidative stress, and carcinogenicity. In agreement with our previous findings, CUR and CUR-NPs were able to protect against cellular oxidative stress by stimulating endogenous antioxidant defense enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST). We conclude that the nano-formulation of CUR exhibits economic benefits as a new strategy to use CUR as a food additive at the cellular level.

Background A-to-I RNA editing represents a new player in the pathogenesis of cancer. However, the knowledge of RNA editing process in cancer is still limited and represents only the tip of the iceberg. The ADAR gene family regulate the dynamic landscape of RNA editing. Aberrant RNA editing status played a vital role in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The nutri-epigenomic agent- pterostilbene- exhibits anti-inflammatory, antioxidative and antiproliferative activities. However, the effect of pterostilbene on ADAR(s) expression in HCC was not studied before. Aim of the work to evaluate the potential effect of pterostilbene administration on Adar(s) expression in HCC rats. Materials and methods Twenty four adult male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group, untreated HCC group received diethylnitrosamine (DENA) for 14 weeks, HCC group take received pterostilbene and DENA for 14 weeks, and non-HCC rats were given pterostilbene for 14 weeks. These groups were subjected to histological examination of liver tissues, laboratory measures (serum albumin, ALT, AST, and α fetoprotein), and Adar(s) expression by real time-PCR. Results liver enzymes (ALT, AST) and α fetoprotein levels in treated HCC group were significantly lower than untreated HCC group (p Conclusions pterostilbene had a beneficial effect on HCC and it may alleviate the aberrant expression of Adar1 in HCC rats. Key words HCC, ADARs, pterostilbene, RNA editing enzymes. Acknowledgments: No finical support was present Conflict of interest: the authors declared that no conflicts of interest concerning the article. Authors’ contributions: The authors contributed to the design and implementation of the research, to the analysis of the results and to the writing of the manuscript

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of miniature semi-rigid ureteroscopy (URS) with holmium (Ho)-yttrium-aluminium-garnet (YAG) laser lithotripsy vs shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) for treating upper urinary tract (UUT) calculi >1 cm in children. Patients and methods Children with unilateral single UUT ureteric stones of >1 cm were prospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups: Group 1, treated with SWL; and Group 2, treated with URS (6/7.5 F) and laser lithotripsy. The patients’ characteristics, stones demographics, operative time, adjunctive procedures, stone-free rate (SFR), re-treatment rate, and complications were statistically analysed and compared. Success was defined as stone-free status (no stone residual of ≥0.3 cm) at 1 month from the initial treatment without any auxiliary procedures. Results In all, 68 patients with UUT stones met our inclusion criteria. There were no significant differences between the two groups for patient or stone demographics. In Group 1, the SFR was 26/34 (76.4%) and in Group 2 it was 33/34 (97.1%) (P = 0.03). A total of 12 auxiliary procedures in Group 1 and two in Group 2 were needed to reach a 100% SFR (P = 0.014). There were no significant differences between the two groups for operative times, adjunctive procedures, number of complicated cases or complications of Grade ≥III (P = 0.65, P = 0.23, P = 0.77, and P = 0.62, respectively). Conclusion Miniature semi-rigid URS with Ho-YAG laser lithotripsy for UUT ureteric stones of >1 cm in children was more effective than SWL in terms of SFR and re-treatment rate, with no significant difference in the rate or grade of complications. Abbreviations EQ: efficiency quotient; KUB: plain abdominal radiograph of the kidneys, ureters and bladder; RCT: randomised controlled trial; SFR: stone-free rate; SWL: shockwave lithotripsy; URS: ureteroscopy; US: ultrasonography/ultrasound; URS: ureteroscopy; UUT: upper urinary tract; YAG: yttrium-aluminium-garnet

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of adding ginseng or/and garlic powder in the diet on growth performance, biochemical parameters and carcass traits of growing male rabbits. Weaned V-line male rabbits (n=48) were divided into four groups. They were assigned at random to receive a basal diet without supplementation (control group), supplemented with 50mg Ginseng or/and 5gm Garlic/kg diet. Growth performance parameters were recorded at age intervals from 5-14wk. Serum biochemical and carcass traits were determined at 14wk of age. Results show that dietary fortification with ginseng or/and garlic caused a significant increase (P≤0.05) in live body weight and body weight gain of male rabbits at 14wk old. Rabbits fed the diets supplemented with garlic alone or combined with ginseng displayed significantly better (P≤0.05) means of feed conversion ratio. Rabbits fed the ginseng or garlic plus ginseng-supplemented diets displayed significantly higher (P≤0.05) serum triglycerides and cholesterol levels. On the other hand, rabbits fed garlic or garlic plus ginseng supplemented diets showed significantly lower (P≤0.05) levels of serum low-density lipoprotein. Dietary supplementation with ginseng and garlic singly or in combination did not significantly affect dressing-out percentage, and weights of carcass yield, hind parts and edible organs of rabbits. However, rabbit fed the garlic-fortified diet displayed significantly heavier (P≤0.05) testes than did the control group and other experimental groups. The current study indicated that addition of ginseng or/and garlic powder in the diet increased growth performance without any adverse effect on immunity and carcass traits of growing V-line male rabbits.

This study was designed to assess the effects of Moringa oleifera (moringa) leaf ethanolic extract (MLEE), moringa root ethanolic extract (MREE), and ionophore antibiotic monensin on growth performance, hematological variables, blood plasma metabolites and antioxidant indicators, digestibility, and cecal fermentation of growing rabbits. A total of 96 growing rabbits weaned at 35 d of age were randomly assigned to 4 treatments with 12 male and 12 female rabbits/treatment. The first treatment was the control (no additives), the second treatment was a basal diet containing 10 mg monensin/kg dry matter (DM), and the third and fourth treatments were MLEE and MREE, respectively, at concentration of 250 mg/L drinking water. From 35 to 77 d of age, the rabbits were housed in groups (8 cages/treatment, 3 rabbits/cage), and growth performance variables including body weight (BW), feed consumption, BW gain, and feed conversion ratio were recorded. From 78 to 93 d of age, after the end of the growth performance trial, the rabbits were housed individually. At 87 d of age, blood samples were collected from 10 rabbits (5 males and 5 females) that were selected randomly to determine hematological variables and blood plasma metabolites and antioxidant indicators. From 87 to 93 d of age, 8 male rabbits/treatment were selected randomly to determine digestibility, N balance, and cecal fermentation activity. The major chemical compounds in MLEE were α-linolenic acid, glycerine, ascorbic acid, and diethyl phthalate, whereas ascorbic acid, S-phenylmercapturic acid, 2-myristynoyl pantetheine, and 8,11,14-docosatrienoic acid, methyl ester were major compounds in MREE. Both the MLEE and MREE treatments improved (P

To investigate whether the fungicide Azoxystrobin improves the potential to maintain physio-biochemical functions under drought, tomato plants were applied with Azoxystrobin under either well-watered and deficit irrigation conditions. Drought-stressed tomato plants showed significant reductions in most tested parameters of physiology [cell membrane stability (CMS), relative water content (RWC), relative water loss (RWL) and chlorophylls], growth attributes and leaflet and main stem anatomical features, while exhibited increases in contents of proline and total phenols, activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO), fresh (FW) and dry (DW) weights of roots, and leaflet spongy tissue thickness compared to well-watered control plants. Under full irrigation, Azoxystrobin treatment significantly increased RWC and chlorophyll content, POD and PPO activities, root DW, number of fruits per plant and many features of leaflet and main stem, while significantly decreased CMS and RWL, root, shoot and plant lengths, shoot and plant FW, and stem xylem tissue thickness compared to the control plants sprayed with water. However, Azoxystrobin treatment ameliorated drought stress in tomato plants and significantly increased CMS and free proline content, activities of CAT, POD and PPO, and contents of free and total phenols, and root DW and number of fruits per plant, in addition to spongy tissue thickness of leaflet, but not affected chlorophylls and carotenoids contents, root FW, plant DW and most of anatomical features compared to the stressed plants without Azoxystrobin treatment. These results support that Azoxystrobin foliar application may have a positive effect on well-watered and drought-stressed tomato plants.

Pots experiment was carried out during season 2017 at greenhouse of the Agric. Bot. Dep., Fac. of Agric., Zagazig Univ., Egypt to evaluate the effect of glycine betaine (GB) application under salinity stress (50 and100 mM NaCl) on growth, physio-chemical analysis and yield of snap bean cv. Bronco. A complete randomized blocks design was used in this search with three replications. Growth parameters, chlorophyll content and green pod yield were significantly decreased with subjecting plants to NaCl. However foliar application of GB detoxified the stress generated by NaCl and significantly improved the above mention parameters. Salinity stress increased the electrolyte leakage (EL) and decreased membrane stability index (MSI) and relative water content (RWC). While foliar application of GB was improved MSI and RWC and minimized EL. Proline content and antioxidant enzymes significantly increased in the response to NaCl stress as well as GB application.

Different classes of antimicrobial compounds such as β-lactams, sulfonamides, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, quinolines and others have been developed during the 20th century to control the growing antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to build up new and effective antimicrobial agents with different working mechanisms to suppress this resistance. Accordingly, the judicious design of antimicrobial organic compounds with antiquorum-sensing activities could be a major solution for this global challenge. Herein, the versatile precursor 6-allyl-3-formyl-4H-benzo[h]chromen-4-one (2) was used for the synthesis of various isolated and condensed naphthoyl or (chromenyl) nicotinonitriles, azalactone, thiazolidinone, xanthene, indenopyridine, Schiff bases, diazepine, imidazole and triazolopyrimidine derivatives 5-21via its reactions with several active carbon nucleophiles in addition to amines, benzil and hydrazine. Some of the newly synthesized compounds showed moderately and good antimicrobial activities. The compounds 2 and 14 were the best concerning effects. In addition, the antiquorum-sensing activities of the newly prepared compounds were assessed against Chromobacterium violaceum. Specifically, pharmaceutical evaluation, antimicrobial prediction, and molecular docking using computational tools illustrated that the complexes of the latter compounds may show substantial antimicrobial activity in comparison with the other derivatives.

Golden berry and sweet cherry are known as nutritious fruit and herbal medicine for health-promoting properties. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of golden berry and sweet cherry on acute renal failure in rats induced by glycerol.Thirty six male albino adult rats (150±10 g.) were used, divided into two main groups; one (6 rats each) was used as a negative control group, while the other group of rats were injected intramuscularly with glycerol 10 ml/kg BW (50% v/v in sterile saline 0.9 %) to induce acute renal failure. The second main group was divided into 5 equal sub-groups ; one used as a positive control and the other four groups were fed on supplemented diet (5 % and 10 % ) of each of dried golden berry and sweet cherry.Biological evaluation, liver enzymes, kidney functions, Na, K and serum antioxidant markers were estimated at the end of the experiment. The results indicated that kidney and liver functions were restored significantly in groups of rats which received golden berry and sweet cherry 10%, followed by golden berry and sweet cherry 5 % as compared to the positive control group. Glycerol rats group showed significant decrease in serum proteins and serum electrolytes. On the other hand, all supplemented groups with golden berry and sweet cherry showed a gradual significant increase in the mentioned parameters. Therefore, this study reveals the benefits of golden berry and sweet cherry in experimental animals with kidney and liver disease.

The objective of this research was to clarify the potential impacts of propolis and its nanoparticles in protecting an edible and economically significant tilapian fish, Oreochromis niloticus in Egypt after feeding M. aeruginosa cells mixed with their food on biochemical variables and histopathological changes of liver under laboratory conditions. The results showed that the diet containing M. aeruginosa cells caused aspartate transferase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatinine and urea to increase significantly compared to the control groups. Various histopathological modifications were noted in the liver tissues which were described by marked degenerative changes within the hepatic and pancreatic portion. Whereas propolis and nanopropolis co-administration causes these parameters to significantly decrease with best result for nanopropolis. The study concluded that the uptake of M. aeruginosa orally had deleterious impacts on some clinical and biochemical parameters of the blood of Nile tilapia that ultimately impacted the health of fish. The current findings evoked that the administration of propolis and its nanoparticles increases fish health and soothes M. aeruginosa induced toxicity. Nano form of propolis is more efficient in competing toxicity of m. aeruginosa and as hepatoprotective agent.

Formation of novel lower rim derivatives of p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene through direct reflux between p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene tetrahydrazides (cone, partial cone and 1,3-alternate conformers) and N-methylisatin in absolute ethanol. The study is clearly showed a facile synthesis of di- and tetrasubstituted p-tert-butylthiacalix[4]arene derivatives (2, 3 and 4) with excellent yields (up to 95%). The novel products were investigated by using the state-of-the-art techniques such as FT-IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR spectroscopies. Moreover, the potential applications of these derivatives were screened for their ability to detect and remove alkali and transition metals (Li+, Na+, K+, Cs+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Hg2+, Ni2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Ag+) using the liquid–liquid extraction method with promising results.

Hydroxytyrosol (HYT) is one of the main alcoholic compounds of the olive leaves extract (OLE), which is known for its beneficial effects. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of olive leaves extract standardized with 25% hydroxytyrosol (OLES-25%HYT) in treatment of induced ulcerative colitis. Three groups of albino rats, were divided as following, group 1 (normal control), group 2 (induced ulcerative colitis and untreated) and group 3 (induced ulcerative colitis and treated with OLES-25%HYT). Colonic tissue samples were collected from all studied groups, the antioxidant activity for malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and nitric oxide (NO) were performed. The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the apoptotic gene Bax and the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2 was obtained in colon tissue to evaluate the OLES-25%HYT effect on ulcerative colitis. OLES-25%HYT showed effectiveness on reduction of mortality rate and disease activity index (DAI). Also, reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in colon tissue, OLES-25%HYT showed a significant reduction in colon MDA, MPO and NO levels and a significant elevation in SOD, CAT and GPX levels and cause down regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Also, the apoptotic gene Bax downregulated and the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl2 upregulated as a result of the treatment compared to untreated induced ulcerative colitis group. OLES-25%HYT showed intestinal anti-inflammatory, antioxidants and anti-apoptotic effects in experimental models of ulcerative colitis.

Thesis AbstractBackground: Heterocyclic are known to have multiple applications in particular biomedical settings. Aim: The present study reports a convenient protocol for the design and synthesis of new heterocyclic compounds incorporating 1- hydroxy-naphthyl and new angular chromones bearing allylnaphthyl fragments. Materials and Methods: The versatile precursor 2-acetyl-4- allyl-1-hydroxy naphthalene was subjected to Claisen-Schmidt condensation but the precursor 6-allyl-3-formyl-4H-benzo[h]chromone was prepared via Vilsmeier–Haack reaction of 4-allyl-1- hydroxy-2-acetonaphthone. Results: Some new compounds are considered as promising leads with dual biological activity as antibacterial and antioxidant. The isoalloxazine ring of the cofactor FAD is essential to the recognition of the compound that has proper antioxidant activity. Benzocoumarin ring is essential for the recognition of the amino acid residues. Allyl chain improves the p stacking interaction while the n-propyl chain attenuates the overall interaction. Naphthyl ring needs to be substituted with a short bridge to avid the ring extended away from the pocket. The antimicrobial and antiquorum-sensing activities of the newly synthesized compounds showed that many compounds have good and promising activities in comparison with the reference drugs. Conclusion: Based on the computational prediction of pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness properties, biological activity, and molecular docking suggested that formyl chromone and tetracarbonyl may be potent antimicrobial drugs

The present study reports a convenient protocol for the design and synthesis of new heterocyclic compounds incorporating 1- hydroxy-naphthyl and new angular chromones bearing allylnaphthyl fragments. The versatile precursor 2-acetyl-4- allyl-1-hydroxy naphthalene was subjected to Claisen-Schmidt condensation but The precursor 6-allyl-3-formyl-4H-benzo[h]chromone was prepared via Vilsmeier–Haack reaction of 4-allyl-1- hydroxy-2-acetonaphthone.Some new compounds are considered as promising leads with dual biological activity as antibacterial and antioxidant. The isoalloxazine ring of the cofactor FAD is essential to the recognition of the compound that has proper antioxidant activity. Benzocoumarin ring is essential for the recognition of the amino acid residues. Allyl chain improves the p stacking interaction while the n-propyl chain attenuates the overall interaction. Naphthyl ring needs to be substituted with a short bridge to avid the ring extended away from the pocket.The antimicrobial and antiquorum-sensing activities of the newly synthesized compounds showed that many compounds have good and promising activities in comparison with the reference drugs. Computational prediction of pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness properties, biological activity, and molecular docking suggested that formyl chromone and tetracarbonyl may be potent antimicrobial drugs.

A new halicyclamine derivative, tetradehydrohalicyclamine B (1), was isolated from the marine sponge Acanthostrongylophora ingens, along with halicyclamine B (2) as proteasome inhibitors. Compound 1 is the second example found to have a pyridinium ring in the halicyclamine family. Although the relative configuration of 2 was previously determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis, here we determined the absolute configuration of 2 by ECD experiment. Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited the constitutive proteasome as well as the immunoproteasome. The inhibitory activities of 2 were 4- to 10-fold more potent than those of 1.

Morinda citrifolia L. is a plant of the family Rubiaceae and is known as Indian mulberry or Noni in India. It is a perennial herb native to Southeast Asia and has been used over the years as a food supplement and medicinal plant. Noni fruits are reported to possess anticancer, fungicidal, antiviral and antiarthritic effects. The objective of our study is the screening of the immunomodulatory activity of the total extract, fractions, and isolated compounds of Noni fruits to identify their bioactive compounds. To achieve our goal, an ethanol extract (EE) was prepared from Noni fruits. Fractionation and purification of the EE were accomplished. The cell-mediated immune (CMI) response in prednisolone-induced immunosuppression rats was evaluated. The toxicity of the EE, fractions and isolated compounds on the differentiated THP-1 macrophage was assessed using the MTT viability assay. Moreover, the inflammation-related immune responses in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced THP-1 macrophage activation were evaluated. Fractionation of the EE gave three fractions, dichloromethane (DCMF), water (WF) and methanol (MF). Purification of DCMF yielded stigmast-7-ene-3-ol (M1), 28-hydroxy-3β-acetoxy-9-dehydrogramisterol (M2), 3β-acetoxy-taraxast-20(30)-ene-21-ol (M3), 22-dehydroclerosterol (M4) and 22-dehydroclerosterol-3-O-β-d-glucopyranoside (M5), while purification of MF yielded quercetin (M6), hesperidin (M7), naringin (M9) and gallic acid (M8). The results revealed that DCMF elicited an increase in paw edema to the extent of 35.8%. All the tested samples had no cytotoxic effect on THP-1 macrophages. Co-treatment of the LPS-induced macrophages with DCMF, M2, M3, and M6 decreased the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6/IL-10. The expression of iNOS, COX-2, and NF-κB decreased to 0.14 ± 0.02, 0.15 ± 0.02, and 0.17 ± 0.03, respectively, after co-treatment with LPS and DCMF. M2 attenuated the expression of iNOS and NF-κB to 0.18 ± 0.03 and 0.17 ± 0.03, respectively. Additionally, M3 attenuated the expression of iNOS to 0.18 ± 0.03, and after co-treatment with M6 and LPS, the expression of COX-2 and NF-κB was down-regulated to 0.2 ± 0.03. Our study proves the immunomodulatory effect of Noni fruits and specifies for the first time the compounds responsible for their activity.

For maize, the potential preventive role of foliar spraying with an extract derived from maize grain (MEg, 2%), silymarin (Sm, 0.5 mM), or silymarin-enriched MEg (MEg-Sm) in attenuating the stress effects of cadmium (Cd, 0.5 mM) was examined using a completely randomized design layout. Under normal conditions, foliar spraying with MEg, Sm, or MEg-Sm was beneficial (with MEg-Sm preferred) for maize plants, whereas the benefit was more pronounced under Cd stress. The use of Cd through irrigation water decreased plant growth traits, photosynthetic efficiency, including instantaneous carboxylation efficiency, Fv/Fm, and pigment contents, and hormonal contents (e.g., auxin, gibberellins, cytokinins including trans-zeatin, and salicylic acid). These undesired findings were due to an increase in Cd content, leading to increased levels of oxidative stress (O2•− and H2O2), ionic leakage, and lipid peroxidation. Therefore, this damage resulted in an increase in the activities of nonenzymatic antioxidants, Sm, antioxidative enzymes, and enzyme gene expression. However, under Cd stress, although foliar spray with MEg or Sm had better findings than control, MEg-Sm had better findings than MEg or Sm. Application of MEg-Sm greatly increased photosynthesis efficiency, restored hormonal homeostasis, and further increased the activities of various antioxidants, Sm, antioxidative enzymes, and enzyme gene expression. These desired findings were due to the suppression of the Cd content, and thus the levels of O2•−, H2O2, ionic leakage, and lipid peroxidation, which were positively reflected in the growth and accumulation of dry matter in maize plants. The data obtained in this study recommend applying silymarin-enriched maize grain extract (MEg-Sm at 0.24 g Sm L‒1 of MEg) as a spray solution to maize plants when exposed to excess Cd in soil or irrigation water.

Abstract This research demonstrates the effect of some amide compounds (1 and 2) as corrosion inhibitors on C-steel in 1.0 M of hydrochloric solutions utilizing mass reduction studies, electrochemical [potentiodynamic (PP), AC impedance measurements (EIS), electrochemical frequency modulation] techniques, and surface checks were used to illustrate the importance of amide compounds to the corrosion protection process of C-steel. The tests displayed that the inhibition efficiency (IE%) augmented with increase in amide dose but reduced with growth of temperature. The highest inhibition efficiency is 99% for compound (1) and 98.8% for compound (2) at maximum dose tested (50 µM) by polarization method. PP data show that these compounds affect both cathodic and anodic processes (i.e. mixed type) and were adsorption on the carbon steel obeying Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The EIS results indicate that the changes in impedance parameters are related to the adsorption of amides on the alloy surface. Scanning of electron microscopy, energy transmitted X-ray—Atomic force microscopy studied the morphology of inhibited C-steel. Graphic abstract

The present study evaluates the regulatory effect of Nano-Curcumin (Nano-CUR) against tartrazine (TZ)-induced injuries on apoptosis-related gene expression (i.e., p53, CASP-3 and CASP-9), antioxidant status, and DNA damages in bone marrow in treated rats. Male rats were arbitrarily separated into five groups, and each group was comprised of 10 rats each. The 1st group served as control (G1). The 2nd group ingested 7.5 mg TZ/kg. b.w. (body weight). The 3rd group ingested Nano-CUR 1 g/kg b.w. The 4th and 5th groups were respectively administered with (1 g Nano-CUR + 7.5 mg TZ/kg. b.w.) and (2 g Nano-CUR + 7.5 mg TZ/kg. b.w.). At the end of the experiment, blood samples, livers, and kidneys were collected. Livers and kidneys were homogenized and used for the analysis of reduced glutathione, malonaldhyde, total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxide antioxidant enzyme activities, apoptosis-related gene expression, and genotoxicity by comit test. The ingestion of TZ for 50 days resulted in significant decreases in body, and kidney weights in rats and a relative increase in the liver weight compared to control. In contrast, the ingestion of Nano-CUR with TZ remarkably upgraded the body weight and relative liver weight compared to the normal range in the control. Aditionally, TZ ingestion in rats increased the oxidative stress biomarkers lipid peroxide (LPO) and malonaldehyde (MDA) significantly, whereas it decreased the reduced glutathione (GSH) levels and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Similarly, the levels of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) significantly deteriorated in response to TZ ingestion. Moreover, the results revealed a remarkable up-regulation in the level of expression for the three examined genes, including p53, CASP-3, and CASP-9 in TZ-ingested rats compared to the control. On the other hand, the comet assay result indicates that the ingestion of TZ induced DNA damage in bone marrow. Notably, the administration of Nano-CUR protected the kidney and liver of TZ-ingested rats as evidenced by a significant elevation in all antioxidant activities of tested enzymes (i.e, SOD, GPx, and CAT), vital recovery in GSH and TAC levels, and a statistical decrease in LPO and MDA compared to TZ-ingested rats. Interestingly, the ingestion of rats with TZ modulates the observed up-regulation in the level of expression for the chosen genes, indicating the interfering role in the signaling transduction process of TZ-mediated poisoning. The results indicate that the administration of Nano-CUR may protect against TZ-induced DNA damage in bone marrow. According to the results, Nano-CUR exerted a potential protective effect against oxidative stress, DNA damage, and the up-regulation of apoptosis-related genes induced by TZ ingested to rats.

Bacillus Calmette-Guerin polysaccharide nucleic acid (BCG-PSN) is a relatively new generation, bacteria lipopolysaccharide fraction extracted from BCG vaccine. It has a strong immunomodulatory effect with higher efficacy and fewer side effects. To assess the clinical efficacy and safety of BCG-PSN vs the viable BCG vaccine in treatment of multiple warts. One hundred twenty patients with warts were allocated into three groups each containing 40 patients. Each group received intralesionally 0.1 mL of BCG-PSN, BCG vaccine, saline in group A, B, and C, respectively, for a maximum of five sessions, 3 weeks apart. Complete response occurred in 77.5% of group A vs 63.8% in group B. Partial response detected in 7.9% of control group (P < .0001). The distant warts showed 72.5% complete clearance in group A compared to 58.3% in group B (P = .19). Group A showed fewer number of sessions (P = .03) and earlier response than group B (P = .0003). A significant increase in the frequency of adverse effects was found among group B than group A (P < .0001). No recurrence was seen in both groups. BCG-PSN immunotherapy has a higher therapeutic efficacy with almost no serious side effects compared to the BCG vaccine in warts therapy.

Although pesticides are favorable for controlling the pests because more than 30– 40 % of the Although pesticides are favorable for pest controlling because more than 30– 40 % of the food production is lost due to pests, however, the extensive use of pesticides has harmful effects on the environment and health. Recently, nanotechnology techniques are used in developing agrochemical formulations, nanoemulsions as new approach have attracted great attention in delivery of many poorly soluble in water active compounds. In this study some most widely used pyrethroid insecticides (cypermethrin, deltamethrin and lambdacyhalothrin) were formulated as nanoemulsions by high energy method (ultrasonication). The droplet sizes of prepared nanoemulsions have been investigated by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), characterization result reveals the size of particles in the range 24.42-84.99 nm. Formulated nanoemulsions in comparative with the active ingredient (ai) and emulsifier concentrate (EC) were evaluated against 4th instar larvae of S. littoralis, and the in vivo activity levels of targeted enzymes, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and adenosine triphosphate (ATPase) were studied in two bioassay methods (leaf dipping and topical application). Our finding showed that cypermethrin nanoemulsion has the highest activity with LC50 = 19.92 mg/l and LD50= 2.11 ng/lavra. Furthermore, the developed nano-formulation showed good toxicity levels on AChE and ATPase compared to the active ingredient and EC formulations. The protein-ligands docking were also studied and the docking poses showed that the insecticides had a good binding affinity to the active site of the target enzymes. On this basis, these results suggest that oil in water (O/W) nanoemulsions would be very useful and can be applied for delivery insecticide formulations.

The synthesis of biological silicon nano-particles (Bio-Si-NPs) is an eco-friendly and low-cost method. There is no study focusing on the effect of Bio-Si-NPs on the plants grown on saline soil contaminated with heavy metals. In this study, an attempt was made to synthesis Bio-Si-NPs using potassium silica florid substrate, and the identified Aspergillus tubingensis AM11 isolate that separated from distribution systems of the potable water. A two-year field trial was conducted to compare the protective effects of Bio-Si-NPs (2.5 and 5.0 mmol/L) and potassium silicate (10 mmol/L) as a foliar spray on the antioxidant defense system, physio-biochemical components, and the contaminants contents of Phaseolus vulgaris L. grown on saline soil contaminated with heavy metals. Our findings showed that all treatments of Bio-Si-NPs and potassium silicate significantly improved plant growth and production, chlorophylls, carotenoids, transpiration rate, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, membrane stability index, relative water content, free proline, total soluble sugars, N, P, K, Ca2+, K+/Na+, and the activities of peroxidase, catalase, ascorbic peroxidase and superoxide oxide dismutase. Application of Bio-Si-NPs and potassium silicate significantly decreased electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, H2O2, O2•−, Na+, Pb, Cd, and Ni in leaves and pods of Phaseolus vulgaris L. compared to control. Bio-Si-NPs were more effective compared to potassium silicate. Application of Bio-Si-NPs at the rate of 5 mmol/L was the recommended treatment to enhance the performance and reduce heavy metals content on plants grown on contaminated saline soils.

Multitarget-directed drugs (hybrid drugs) constitute an efficient avenue for the treatment of multifactorial diseases. In this work, novel naphthalene hybrids with different heterocyclic scaffolds such as nicotinonitrile, pyran, pyranopyrazole, pyrazole, pyrazolopyridine, and azepine were efficiently synthesized via tandem reactions of 3-formyl-4H-benzo[h]chromen-4-one 1 with different nucleophilic reagents. Analysis of these hybrids using PASS online software indicated different predicted biological activities such as anticancer, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiprotozoal, anti-inflammatory, etc. By focusing on antitumor, anti-inflammatory, and antituberculosis activities, many compounds revealed remarkable activities. While 3c, 3e, and 3h were more potent than doxorubicin in the case of HepG-2 cell lines, 3a–e, 3i, 6, 8, 10, 11, and 12b were more potent in the case of MCF-7. Moreover, compounds 3c, 3h, 8, 10, 3d, and 12b manifested superior activity and COX-2 selectivity to the reference anti-inflammatory Celecoxib. Regarding antituberculosis activity, 3c, 3d, and 3i were found to be the most promising with MIC less than 1 μg mL−1. The molecular docking studies showed strong polar and hydrophobic interactions with the novel naphthalene-heterocycle hybrids that were compatible with experimental evaluations to a great extent.

Potato is considered a nitrogen (N) intensive plant with a low N use efficiency (NUE). The current study introduced an excellent approach by combining dicyandiamide (DCD), moringa seed oil (MSO), or zeolite (ZE), with N fertilizer for maximizing potato tuber yields and NUE as well as minimizing tubers nitrate (NO3−) accumulation. The impact of these materials on soil N availability and gaseous emissions (NH3, and N2O) was investigated under incubation conditions. A 2-year field experiment were carried out with seven treatments [without N (control), N fertilizer (350 kg N-urea ha−1 as a recommended dose; UreaRD), 75% of N recommended dose with DCD (Urea75%RD+DCD), Urea75%RD with 2% MSO (Urea75%RD+MSO2%), Urea75%RD with 4% MSO (Urea75%RD+MSO4%), Urea75%RD with 0.5 Mg ZE ha−1 (Urea75%RD+ZER1), and Urea75%RD with 1.0 Mg ZE ha−1 (Urea 75%RD+ZER2)]. We also conducted a 40-days incubation trial with the same treatments; however, urea was added at the rate of 200 mg N kg−1 soil for all treatments, excluding the control. The addition of DCD, MSO, and ZE with urea under incubation conditions delayed the nitrification process, thereby causing a rise in NH4+-N content and a decrease in NO3−-N content. Ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) was inhibited (p ≤ 0.01) in treatments Urea+DCD, Urea+MSO4%, and Urea+ZER2. The highest NUE indexes were recorded in treatment Urea75%RD+DCD. The highest NO3- accumulation (567 mg NO3− kg−1) in potato tubers was recorded in treatment UreaRD. Whilest, the lowest NO3- content (81 mg NO3− kg−1) was in treatment Urea75%RD+DCD. The lowest cumulative N2O emissions and highest cumulative NH3 volatilization were observed in the treatment Urea+DCD under incubation conditions. Our findings demonstrated that N fertilizer rate could be reduced by 25%, while the tuber yields increased with an acceptable limit of NO3− content, resulting in economical, agronomical, and environmental benefits.

Field-based trials and genotype evaluation until yielding stage are two important steps in improving the salt tolerance of crop genotypes and identifying what parameters can be strong candidates for the better understanding of salt tolerance mechanisms in different genotypes. In this study, the salt tolerance of 18 bread wheat genotypes was evaluated under natural saline field conditions and at three saline irrigation levels (5.25, 8.35, and 11.12 dS m&minus, 1) extracted from wells. Multidimensional evaluation for salt tolerance of these genotypes was done using a set of agronomic and physio-biochemical attributes. Based on yield index under three salinity levels, the genotypes were classified into four groups ranging from salt-tolerant to salt-sensitive genotypes. The salt-tolerant genotypes exhibited values of total chlorophyll, gas exchange (net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance), water relation (relative water content and membrane stability index), nonenzymatic osmolytes (soluble sugar, free proline, and ascorbic acid), antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase), K+ content, and K+/Na+ ratio that were greater than those of salt-sensitive genotypes. Additionally, the salt-tolerant genotypes consistently exhibited good control of Na+ and Cl&minus, levels and maintained lower contents of malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage under high salinity level, compared with the salt-sensitive genotypes. Several physio-biochemical parameters showed highly positive associations with grain yield and its components, whereas negative association was observed in other parameters. Accordingly, these physio-biochemical parameters can be used as individual or complementary screening criteria for evaluating salt tolerance and improvement of bread wheat genotypes under natural saline field conditions.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease characterized by degeneration of cartilage, intra-articular inflammation, remodeling of subchondral bone and joint pain. The present study was designed to assess the therapeutic effects and the possible underlying mechanism of action of Manjarix, a herbal combination composed of ginger and turmeric powder extracts, on chemically induced osteoarthritis in rats. An OA model was generated by intra-articular injection of 50 μL (40 mg mL-1) of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) into the right knee joint of rats. After one week of osteoarthritis induction, a comparison of the anti-inflammatory efficacy of indomethacin at an oral dose of 2 mg kg-1 daily for 4 successive weeks versus five decremental dose levels of Manjarix (1000, 500, 250, 125, and 62.5 mg kg-1) was performed. Serum inflammatory cytokines, interleukin 6, interleukin 8, and tumor necrosis factor alpha; C-telopeptide of type II collagen (CTX-II) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were measured, along with weekly assessment of the knee joint swelling. Pain-like behavior was assessed and knee radiographic and histological examination were performed to understand the extent of pain due to cartilage degradation. Manjarix significantly reduced the knee joint swelling, decreased the serum levels of IL6, TNF-α, CTX-II and HA, and reduced the pathological injury in joints, with no evidence of osteo-reactivity in the radiographic examination. Manjarix also significantly prevented MIA-induced pain behavior. These results demonstrate that Manjarix exhibits chondroprotective effects and can inhibit the OA pain induced by MIA, and thus it can be used as a potential therapeutic product for OA.

Two new homodrimane sesquiterpenoids, globbatones A and B (1 and 2), and one 16-norlabdane diterpenoid, globbatone C (3), together with two new naturally occurring, (E)-labda-8(17),12-diene-15,16-olide (4) and γ-bicyclohomofarnesen-12-ol (5), and one known homodrimane sesquiterpenoid (6), nine known labdane diterpenoids (7–15), and one isospongian diterpenoid (16), were isolated from the chloroform extract of Globba sherwoodiana rhizomes. The structures of the new compounds 1–3 were elucidated based on 1D and 2D NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic analyses. The chloroform extract of G. sherwoodiana rhizomes and 10 μM concentrations of some of its constituents 1, 3, 4, 8, 9, 12, and 14 showed the moderate anti-Vpr activities, without cytotoxic effects on the TREx-HeLa-Vpr cell line.

In this paper, the structural and optical properties of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) doped vanadium pentoxide nanocrystalline films were studied. rGO was synthesized using modified Hummer method and confirmed by EDX, XRD and HRTEM. XRD measurements showed good fit with known card JCPDS 40-1296 of vanadium pentoxide with nanocrystals structure oriented toward the c-axis. The line of (002) in XRD graphs is getting weaker by the addition of rGO till nearly missing at the higher concentrations indicating intercalation of rGO within the vanadium layers. The average particle size measured decreased with increasing rGO content from 4.86 to 3.17 nm. Optical properties were studied by measuring the absorption, reflectance and transmittance of the prepared samples using double-beam UV–Vis spectrophotometers. The optical constants like refractive index n, extinction coefficient k, real and imaginary dielectric constants, absorption coefficient α, and optical band gap Eop of the nanocrystalline films have been evaluated. The absorption coefficient decreases with increasing rGO content, which may be attributed to decrease in lattice distortion owing to rGO content due to the decrease of particle size as indicated in the XRD and HRTEM. Optical measurements revealed that there are two different optical gaps present. The optical gap Eop1 was found to decrease with increase in rGO content, while the optical gap Eop2 was found to increase with increase in rGO content. The carrier’s concentrations as well as the effective mass were calculated assuming hydrogen-like model. The good absorption in the UV region of rGOxV2O5·nH2O films are promising candidate for solar cell photostabilizer applications.