Search

This research describes the synthesis by an environmentally-friendly method, microwave irradiation, development and analysis of three novel and one previously identified Schiff base derivative as a potential inhibitor of bovine xanthine oxidase (BXO), a key enzyme implicated in the progression of gout. Meticulous experimentation revealed that these compounds (10, 9, 4, and 7) have noteworthy inhibitory effects on BXO, with IC50 values ranging from 149.56 µM to 263.60 µM, indicating their good efficacy compared to that of the standard control. The validation of these results was further enhanced through comprehensive in silico studies, which revealed the pivotal interactions between the inhibitors and the catalytic sites of BXO, with a particular emphasis on the imine group (-C = N-) functionalities. Intriguingly, the compounds exhibiting the highest inhibition rates also showcase advantageous ADMET profiles, alongside encouraging initial assessments via PASS, hinting at their broad-spectrum potential. The implications of these findings are profound, suggesting that these Schiff base derivatives not only offer a new vantage point for the inhibition of BXO but also hold considerable promise as innovative therapeutic agents in the management and treatment of gout, marking a significant leap forward in the quest for more effective gout interventions.

This paper aims to investigate the dynamic and asymmetric linkage between crude oil, oil uncertainty, and the United States (US) equity markets across various horizons and tails using a combination of a time-frequency approach, Granger causality, and quantile-on-quantile regression from January 2020 to December 2022. The empirical results indicate that causal relationships and the dynamic co-movement between crude oil, oil implied volatility, and the Dow Jones industrial and transportation indices are confirmed across various frequencies through wavelet-based Granger causality and wavelet coherence. Then, the wavelet-based quantile-on-quantile regression shows that the relationship between oil, oil implied volatility, and both US equity markets is heterogeneous and asymmetric across short- and long-run horizons, in particular. The findings provide new insights into the sensitivity of US stock markets to oil shocks across various time frequencies and tails, offering several portfolio implications useful for heterogeneous investors and portfolio managers.

Poly(L-Lactide) (PLA), a fully biobased aliphatic polyester, has attracted significant attention in the last decade due to its exceptional set of properties, such as high tensile modulus/strength, biocompatibility, (bio)degradability in various media, easy recyclability and good melt-state processability by the conventional processes of the plastic/textile industry. Blending PLA with other polymers represents one of the most cost-effective and efficient approaches to develop a next-generation of PLA-based materials with superior properties. In particular, intensive research has been carried out on PLA-based blends with engineering polymers such as polycarbonate (PC), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) and various polyamides (PA). This overview, consequently, aims to gather recent works over the last 10 years on these immiscible PLA-based blends processed by melt extrusion, such as twin screw compounding. Furthermore, for a better scientific understanding of various ultimate properties, processing by internal mixers has also been ventured. A specific emphasis on blend morphologies, compatibilization strategies and final (thermo)mechanical properties (tensile/impact strength, ductility and heat deflection temperature) for potential durable and high-performance applications, such as electronic parts (3C parts, electronic cases) to replace PC/ABS blends, has been made.

The aim of the present work is to study the chemical composition, to estimate the phenolic compounds content and to evaluate the potential allelopathic effects of the Haloxylon scoparium Pomel. Phytochemical tests revealed that Haloxylon scoparium contains tannins, saponins, coumarins, alkaloids, flavonoids and steroids. Furthermore, it contains high levels of total phenolic (588.33 mg GAE 100 g-1) and flavonoids (95.45 mg QE 100 g-1) contents. Moreover, LC-MS-MS analysis allowed us to determine their chemical composition. The results of this characterization confirm the presence of vanillin, naringenin, folic acid, maleic acid, benzoic acid, myricetin, qwuercetin, beta-carotene, butylhydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), rutin, cafeic acid, hydroxy-4-coumarine, ascorbic acid, and gallic acid. The allelopathic effect was studied on seed germination and seedling growth of four weed species. The bioassays were performed using different concentrations (1 %, 2.5 %, 5 % and 10 %) against a negative control. The seed germination, shoot and root length of weed species were completely inhibited at the highest concentrations (10 %, 5 %). However, the lower concentrations exhibited lesser inhibition percentages on the germination and the seedling growth. The phytochemical results and the significant allelopathic effects of the plant extract suggest that this species may offer new substances for the biocontrol of weeds.

Highly biobased poly(butylene succinate-co-terephthalate) (PBST) with processing temperatures close to those of commodity polymers (160–180°C) and long-chain branched architectures (LCB) are synthesized by different strategies. Their rheological properties are investigated, in particular their melt strength properties. A two-step synthesis route is first proposed based on linear LCBs produced by polycondensation followed by reactive extrusion with an epoxy-based multifunctional agent Joncryl® at concentrations up to 2 wt%. A one-step synthesis strategy is also developed using glycerol as a branching agent, introduced at a low concentration (0.5 wt%) directly during the PBST polycondensation process. The molecular weights, LCB structures, and thermal properties are determined by triple detection size exclusion chromatography and differential scanning calorimetry. For PBSTs synthesized in two steps, gelation takes place simultaneously with the branching reactions. However, a concentration of Joncryl® close to 2 wt% is required to improve the melt strength properties, with strain hardening effects under elongation conditions. Interestingly, PBSTs synthesized by in-situ addition of glycerol show remarkable melt strength and a high melt stabilization process. Dynamic rheology investigations allow attributing these effects to statistical/homogeneous gel-free LCB architectures obtained during reactive extrusion without any additional post-processing. The effectiveness of approaches to easily improve the melt strength of highly biobased aliphatic-aromatic copolyesters (theoretical biobased content up to 85%) and to eliminate extrusion defects/instabilities in PBSTs is thus demonstrated, allowing the possibility of expanding the industrial application domains of these polymers in packaging and sustainable applications.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) has a great beneficial health effect; it has been used in traditional medicine by many cultures. Likewise, the α-amylase inhibitors are potential compounds in the development of drugs for the treatment of diabetes. The beneficial health effects of fenugreek lead us to explore the chemical composition of the seeds and their antioxidant and α-amylase inhibition activities. The flavonoid extraction from fenugreek seeds was achieved with methanol through a Soxhlet apparatus. Then, the flavonoid glycosides were characterized using HPLC-DAD-ESI-MS analysis. The antioxidant capacity of fenugreek seed was measured using DPPH, FRAP, ABTS, and CUPRAC assays. Finally, the α-amylase inhibition activity was carried out using in vitro and in silico methods. The methanolic extract was found to contain high amounts of total phenolics (154.68 ± 1.50 μg GAE/mg E), flavonoids (37.69 ± 0.73 μg QE/mg E). The highest radical-scavenging ability was recorded for the methanolic extract against DPPH (IC50 = 556.6 ± 9.87 μg/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 593.62 ± 9.35 μg/mL). The ME had the best reducing power according to the CUPRAC (A 0.5 = 451.90 ± 9.07 μg/mL). The results indicate that the methanolic extracts of fenugreek seed best α-amylase inhibition activities IC50 = 653.52 ± 3.24 μg/mL. Twenty-seven flavonoids were detected, and all studied flavonoids selected have good affinity and stabilize very well in the pocket of α-amylase. The interactions between the studied flavonoids with α-amylase were investigated. The flavonoids from fenugreek seed present a good inhibitory effect against α-amylase, which is beneficial for the prevention of diabetes and its complications.

After a lull of >20 years, Algeria experienced a cholera outbreak in 2018 that included 291 suspected cases. We found that outbreak isolates were Vibrio cholerae O1 serotype Ogawa from seventh pandemic El Tor sublineage AFR14, which corresponds to a new introduction of cholera into Africa from South Asia.

There is currently a global COVID-19 pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants. This highly contagious viral disease continues to pose a major health threat global. The discovery of vaccinations is not enough to prevent their spread and dire consequences. To take advantage of the current drugs and isolated compounds, and immediately qualifying approach is required. The aim of our research is evaluation the potency for natural antiviral compounds against the SARS CoV-2 Mpro. Molecular docking of four phenolic compounds from Phillyrea angustifolia leaves with SARS-CoV-2 Mpro has been conducted. Similarly, the stability of selected ligand–protein interactions has been determined using MD simulations. Moreover, the quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR), MMGBSA binding energies, pharmacokinetics, and drug-likeness predictions for selected phenolic have been reported. The selected phenolic compounds (Luteolin-7-O-glucoside, Apigenin-7-O-glucoside, Demethyl-oleuropein, and Oleuropein aglycone) revealed strong binding contacts in the two active pockets of a target protein of SARS-CoV-2 Mpro with the docking scores and highest binding energies with a binding energy of −8.2 kcal/mol; −7.8 kcal/mol; −7.2 kcal/mol and −7.0 kcal/mol respectively. Both Demethyloleoeuropein and Oleuropein aglycone can interact with residues His41 and Cys145 (catalytic dyad) and other amino acids of the binding pocket of Mpro. According to QSAR, studies on pharmacokinetics and drug-like properties suggested that oleuropein aglycone could be the best inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 for new drug design and development. Further in vivo, in vitro, and clinical studies are highly needed to examine the potential of these phenolic compounds in the fight against COVID-19.

The current study tends to introduce the effects of three wet milling procedures and sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) phenotype on starch recovery and some physico-chemical properties of starch isolated from grains. It explores the sorghum grains from landraces, cultivated in the Sahara of Algeria, which in fact has a high percentage of total starch with a little percentage of tannin compared to many regions of the world. This study attempts to unveil that the starch recovery, of fifteen starch isolates, ranged between 58.06% and 83.11%, and their total starch and protein contents ranged from 92.01% to 98.75% and 0.35% to 2.34% respectively. The extents kinetic curves of hydrolysis indicates that starch isolates have high susceptibilities for hydrolysis to glucose by glucoamylase from Aspergillus niger, and the degree of hydrolysis ranges from 50.85% to 81.45%. The results demonstrate that the wet milling procedures affect the starch recovery, and protein content and swelling power at 85 ℃ of starch isolates. The effect of grain phenotype appears in moisture content and swelling power at 95 ℃.

Pistacia Atlantica in folk medicine is used by Algerian traditional healers for treating a wide variety of diseases and conditions including dyspepsia, digestive problems, peptic ulcers, and, in particular, inflammatory diseases. The present study aimed to assess the phytochemical composition, in vitro antioxidant activity (using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ABTS+, and reducing power methods), enzyme inhibitory activity (towards α-amylase and urease), antibacterial activity, and in vivo anti-inflammatory activity of the unripe fruit extracts of Pistacia atlantica collected from different parts of the Djelfa region of Algeria. According to the findings, various aqueous extracts exhibited significant antioxidant and enzymatic activities in all tests, but showed that they have a weak inhibitory effect against all tested bacterial strains. Twenty-one minerals comprising both macro- and microelements (Ba, Br, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cs, Eu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Rb, Sb, Sc, Sr, Th, U, and Zn) were determined using the technique of neutron activation analysis (INAA). The result indicates that the concentration of the mineral element is close to the minimal FAO recommendation. In addition, the result revealed significant anti-inflammatory activities. The data generated can be a valuable source of information for the pharmaceutical industry and medical research. These results suggest that the unripe fruit extracts of Pistacia atlantica have an appropriate potential to be utilized across a wide range of contexts as an agent with multifunctional uses, as well as a natural remedy for other physiological diseases.

This study focused on the production and characterization of phosphate glass fibers (PGF) for application as composite reinforcement. Phosphate glasses belonging to the system 52P2O524CaO13MgO (11-(X + Y)) K2OXFe2O3YTiO2 (X:1, 3, 5) and (Y:0.5, 1) were elaborated and converted to phosphate glass fibers. First, their mechanical properties and chemical durability were investigated. Then, the optimized PGF compositions were used afterward as reinforcement for thermosetting composite materials. Polyester matrices reinforced with short phosphate glass fibers (sPGF) up to 20 wt % were manufactured by the contact molding process. The mechanical and morphological properties of different sPGF-reinforced polyester systems were evaluated. The choice between the different phosphate-based glass syntheses (PGFs) was determined by their superior mechanical performance, their interesting chemical durability, and their high level of dispersion in the polyester matrix without any ad sizing as proven by SEM morphological analysis. Moreover, the characterization of mechanical properties revealed that the tensile and flexural moduli of the developed polyester-based composites were improved by increasing the sPGF content in the polymer matrix in perfect agreement with Takayanagi model predictions. The present work thus highlights some promising results to obtain high-quality phosphate glass fiber-reinforced polyester parts which can be transposed to other thermosetting or thermoplastic-based composites for high-value applications.

The development of new interfacial rheological setup (IRS) for characterizing the interfacial viscoelastic properties of polymer systems is a subject of growing interest and constitutes a well-known challenge of high scientific and industrial application value. Recently, biconical and double-wall Ring (DWR) devices that can easily be attached to standard rheometers have been marketed for this purpose, but measurements must be made below 70 °C to ensure a stable homogeneous temperature at the interface. Meanwhile each device has its own limitation: the bicone has high inertia and a relatively low Boussinesq number, giving it a low signal-to-noise ratio, while the DWR is too fragile to probe the interfaces of high viscous systems in the molten state. Currently, to predict the dynamic interfacial properties of molten polymer systems, the interfacial rheology characterization is based mainly on indirect methods such as numerical modeling. In this study, a novel high temperature resistant interfacial rheology cell has been developed. This new setup allows direct interfacial rheology measurements up to 200 °C with temperature gradients of 1 °C at the polymer-polymer interface. To validate this new IRS device, the surface/interfacial properties of different model fluids having different well-known structure and viscoelastic characteristics have been investigated. To enable a more sensitive measurement of interfacial rheological properties, lightweight titanium based biconical geometry was newly designed. The effect of the molecular weight and the temperature was highlighted. Finally, the interfacial rheology testing of molten semicrystalline polymer systems has been achieved for the first time. The measured apparent interfacial shear properties in both oscillatory and steady flow modes were carefully corrected, considering the contribution of the bulk-subphases during processing of the numerical data.

The study of the viscoelastic properties of polymer systems containing huge internal two-dimensional interfacial areas, such as blends, foams and multilayer films, is of growing interest and plays a significant role in a variety of industrial fields. Hence, interfacial rheology can represent a powerful tool to directly investigate these complex polymer–polymer interfaces. First, the current review summarizes the theoretical basics and fundamentals of interfacial shear rheology. Particular attention has been devoted to the double-wall ring (DWR), bicone, Du Noüy ring and oscillating needle (ISR) systems. The measurement of surface and interfacial rheological properties requires a consideration of the relative contributions of the surface stress arising from the bulk sub-phases. Here, the experimental procedures and methodologies used to correct the numerical data are described considering the viscoelastic nature of the interface. Second, the interfacial dilational rheology is discussed, starting with the theory and underlying principles. In particular, the Langmuir trough method, the oscillating spinning drop technique and the oscillating pendant drop technique are investigated. The major pioneering studies and latest innovations dedicated to interfacial rheology in both shear and dilatation–compression are highlighted. Finally, the major challenges and limits related to the development of high-temperature interfacial rheology at the molten state are presented. The latter shows great potential for assessing the interfaces of polymer systems encountered in many high-value applications.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological, physico-chemical characteristics and in vitro antioxidant activity (DPPH, FRAP, total antioxidant activity, Fe2+-chelating activity and CUPRAC) of five date cultivars (Phoenix dactylifera L.) growing in Algeria. The fruits are characterized as being economically important via their PH values, weight and quality. The highest level of total phenolic and condensed tannins contents was found in 80% methanol extracts. This level ranged from 20.38–69.85 mg GAE/100 g DW and between 3.58 and 60.05 mg CE/100 g DW. The highest total flavonoid contents were found in acetonic extracts. The fruits exerted different antioxidant activities and they were influenced by the extraction solvent. Although they have low phenolic contents, 70% acetone extracts gave the highest antioxidant activities. Using UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn analysis, 19 compounds were identified, most detected compounds were found in 70% acetonic extracts. Thus, 70% acetone was found to be the best solvent to run such investigation. Due to date-pathogen, infected Tinnaser date synthesized more or new polyphenols such as O-p-coumaroylshikimic acid and apigenin pentosyl hexoside. Keywords: Antioxidant activity, Date fruit, Morphological, Physico-chemical, UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MSn, Solvent

The present review relates to the field of nanocomposite materials comprising a thermoplastic nanofibrillar phase dispersed in a matrix that is also thermoplastic. The fact of forming the nanofibrillar phase in situ during melt processing gives it the role of a reinforcing nanofiller for thermoplastic materials. This paper discusses the major factors influencing the formation of self-reinforced nanofibrillar polymer composite (NFC) materials throughout manufacturing steps. More specifically, the rheological considerations allowing the prediction of the in situ nanofibrillation during melt blending and post-processing as well as the methods of production of these polymer nanocomposites are described. The major challenges related to the future development in the field of NFCs are addressed. The concept of self-reinforced nanofibrillar polymer materials shows great potential in lightweight eco-design processes and represents a new approach to polymer nanocomposite recycling for a variety of industrial applications.

Polyphenolic and Terpenoids are potent natural antiparasitic compounds. This study aimed to identify new drug against Leishmania parasites, leishmaniasis’s causal agent. A new in silico analysis was accomplished using molecular docking, with the Autodock vina program, to find the binding affinity of two important phytochemical compounds, Masticadienonic acid and the 3-Methoxycarpachromene, towards the trypanothione reductase as target drugs, responsible for the defense mechanism against oxidative stress and virulence of these parasites. There were exciting and new positive results: the molecular docking results show as elective binding profile for ligands inside the active site of this crucial enzyme. The ADMET study suggests that the 3-Methoxycarpachromene has the highest probability of human intestinal absorption. Through this work, 3-Methoxycarpachromene and Masticadienonic acid are shown to be potentially significant in drug discovery, especially in treating leishmaniasis. Hence, drug development should be completed with promising results.

Context: The widespread use of Pistacia atlantica Desf. ssp. (Anacardiaceae) in traditional medicine can be partly attributed to the content of its secondary metabolites, in particular, the phenolic compounds. Objective: The effects of harvest period, growing region and gender on the phenolic compounds, flavonoids and condensed tannins contents were studied, as well as on the antioxidant activities of P. atlantica leaves in order to provide a scientific basis for optimal collection. Materials and methods: Leaves were collected monthly from April to October 2010 in two Algerian sites. The powdered leaves were used for preparing the ethyl acetate extract. Contents of total phenolics (TPC), flavonoids (FC) and condensed tannins (CTC) were determined spectrophotometrically. Antioxidant activity was evaluated through radical scavenging activity (RSA) of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (250 μM) and the reducing power capacity (RPC) determination by K3Fe(CN)6 (1%). Results: The TPC was found to vary from 79 ± 13 to 259 ± 8 mg gallic acid equivalents/g of dry weight (DW) during the study period. The RSA and RPC varied between 262 ± 18 and 675 ± 21 mg Ascorbic Acid Equivalent (AAE)/g DW, and from 259 ± 16 to 983 ± 20 mg AAE/g DW, respectively. A seasonal pattern was observed consisting of a decrease in TPC content and RPC from spring to autumn. The FC, CTC and RSA did not show a seasonal pattern. Discussion and conclusion: Our findings showed that secondary metabolite content and antioxidant activities of P. atlantica leaves were more influenced by harvest time and growing region than by gender.

This paper describes the setting and results of a real-time experiment of irrigation scheduling by a time series of optical satellite images under real conditions, which was carried out on durum wheat in the Haouz plain (Marrakech, Morocco), during the 2012/13 agricultural season. For the purpose of this experiment, the irrigation of a reference plot was driven by the farmer according to, mainly empirical, irrigation scheduling while test plot irrigations were being managed following the FAO-56 method, driven by remote sensing. Images were issued from the SPOT4 (Take5) data set, which aimed at delivering image time series at a decametric resolution with less than five-day satellite overpass similar to the time series ESA Sentinel-2 satellites will produce in the coming years. With a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.91mm per day, the comparison between daily actual evapotranspiration measured by eddy-covariance and the simulated one is satisfactory, but even better at a five-day integration (0.59mm per day). Finally, despite a chaotic beginning of the experiment—the experimental plot had not been irrigated to get rid of a slaking crust, which prevented good emergence—our plot caught up and yielded almost the same grain crop with 14% less irrigation water. This experiment opens up interesting opportunities for operational scheduling of flooding irrigation sectors that dominate in the semi-arid Mediterranean area.