Exploring nonlinear optical properties in a hybrid dihydrogen phosphate system: an experimental and theoretical approach

CONTEXT

The controlled slow evaporation process conducted at room temperature has produced a novel hybrid material denoted as (2-hydroxyethyl) trimethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate [2-HDETDHP] (C5H14NO+, H2PO4-), synthesized through the solution growth method. X-ray crystallography analysis reveals a triclinic structure with a filling rate of P and a Z value of 2. This hybrid material displays noteworthy absorption characteristics in the middle and far ultraviolet regions. UV-visible spectroscopy further establishes its transparency in the visible and near-visible ultraviolet domains. FT-IR spectroscopy examines various vibration modes, elucidating their relationships with the functional groups within the structure. Two- and three-dimensional fingerprint maps, coupled with three-dimensional crystal structures through Hirshfeld Surface Analysis, unveil the dominance of O•••H and H•••H interactions in the structure, comprising 49.40% and 50.40%, respectively. Fingerprint plots derived from the Hirshfeld surface assess the percentages of hydrogen bonding interactions, with 80.6% attributed to a fragment patch. The experiment of antimicrobial efficacy of a synthesized product, conducted in triplicate, demonstrated the synthesized product's potential antimicrobial activity.

METHODS

Hirshfeld surfaces are employed to investigate intermolecular hydrogen bonding, specifically within single phosphate groups. The molecular structure of 2-HDETDHP was refined using single-crystal X-ray analysis, while its optical characteristics were examined through UV-visible spectroscopy. FT-IR spectroscopy is employed for the assignment of molecular vibrations of functional groups in the affined structure. Quantum calculations were executed with the GAUSSIAN 09 software package at B3LYP/6-311G level of theory, to optimize the molecular geometries. The antimicrobial efficacy of a synthesized product was evaluated using the disc diffusion method against antibiotic-resistant Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Aspergillus niger, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. Microorganisms were cultured on nutrient agar, and inhibition zones were measured after incubation, with streptomycin and amphotericin as positive controls.

Metagenomic analysis of fecal samples in colorectal cancer Egyptians patients post colectomy: A pilot study

One of the most prevalent malignancies that significantly affects world health is colorectal cancer (CRC). While genetics are involved in a portion of CRC patients, most cases are sporadic. The microbiome composition could be a new source of tumor initiation and progression. This research was conducted to investigate the microbiota composition of CRC patients post colectomy at taxonomic and functional levels. Using a next-generation sequencing approach, using an Illumina Novaseq 6000, the fecal samples of 13 patients were analyzed and the obtained data was subjected to a bioinformatics analysis. The bacterial abundance and uniqueness varied in CRC patients alongside differences in bacterial counts between patients. Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides vulgatus, Escherichia coli, and Fusobacterium nucleatum were among the pro-cancerous microorganisms found. Concurrently, bacteria linked to CRC progression were detected that have been previously linked to metastasis and recurrence. At the same time, probiotic bacteria such as Bifidobacterium dentium, Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Akkermansia muciniphila increased in abundance after colectomies. Additionally, numerous pathways were deferentially enriched in CRC, which emerged from functional pathways based on bacterial shotgun data. CRC-specific microbiome signatures include an altered bacterial composition. Our research showed that microbial biomarkers could be more usefully employed to explore the link between gut microbiota and CRC using metagenomic techniques in the diagnosis, prognosis, and remission of CRC, thereby opening new avenues for CRC treatment.

First Emergence of NDM-5 and OqxAB Efflux Pumps Among Multidrug-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Pediatric Patients in Assiut, Egypt

Introduction

New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-producing K. pneumoniae poses a high risk, especially among Egyptian pediatric patients who consume carbapenems antibiotics very widely and without adequate diagnostic sources. In addition, presence of efflux pump genes such as OqxAB increases resistance against many groups of antimicrobials which exacerbates the problem faced for human health. This study aimed to determine NDM variants among K. pneumoniae strains isolated from pediatric patients in Egypt, analyze the presence of OqxAB genes, and molecular characterization of blaNDM-5-positive K. pneumoniae.

Methods

Fifty-six K. pneumoniae isolates were recovered from pediatric patients, and tested for carbapenemase by modified carbapenem inactivation methods (mCIM) test. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of meropenem and colistin were determined by meropenem E-test strips and broth microdilution, respectively. PCR was used for the detection of the resistant genes (ESBL gene (blaCTX-M), carbapenemase genes (blaNDM, blaKPC) colistin resistant (mcr1, mcr2)) and genes for efflux pump (oqxA and oqxB). BlaNDM was sequenced. The effect of efflux pump in NDM-5-producing isolates was assessed by measuring MIC of ciprofloxacin and meropenem before and after exposure to the carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). The horizontal gene transfer ability of blaNDM-5 was determined using liquid mating assay and PCR-based replicon typing (PBRT) was done to determine the major plasmid incompatibility group.

Results

Twenty-nine isolates were positive for blaNDM-1, nine isolates were positive for blaNDM-5, and 15 isolates were positive for blaKPC. There is a significant increase of meropenem MIC of NDM-5-positive isolates compared with NDM-1-positive isolates. In addition, 38 isolates were positive for CTX-M, and 15 isolates were positive for mcr1. Both OqxA and OqxB were detected in 26 isolates and 13 isolates were positive for OqxA while 11 isolates were positive for OqxB only. All NDM-5-producing isolates except one isolate could transfer their plasmids by conjugation to their corresponding transconjugants (E. coli J53). Plasmid replicon typing showed that FII was predominant in NDM-5-producing K. pneumoniae. Similar strains were found between the three isolates and similarity was also detected between the two isolates.

Conclusion

The highly resistant K. pneumoniae producing blaNDM-5 type was firstly isolated from pediatric patients. The association of efflux pump genes such as OqxAB is involved in resistance to ciprofloxacin. This highlighted the severity risk of blaNDM-5-positive K. pneumonia as it could transfer blaNDM-5 to other bacteria and has more resistance against carbapenems. This underlines the importance of continuous monitoring of infection control guidelines, and the urgent need for a national antimicrobial stewardship plan in Egyptian hospitals.

Multi-omics analysis of fecal samples in colorectal cancer Egyptians patients: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a public health concern and the second most common disease worldwide. This is due to genetic coding and is influenced by environmental aspects, in which the gut microbiota plays a significant role. The purpose of this study was to compare the microbiota makeup of CRC patients with that of healthy control and to identify upregulated and downregulated proteins and metabolites in CRC patients. Using a next-generation sequencing approach, fecal samples of five females (4 CRC patients and one healthy control) were analyzed by BGI DNBSEQ-T7, Hong Kong, China. Furthermore, proteomics and metabolomics analysis were performed using LC-MS/MS technique.

RESULTS

Dysbiosis of gut microbiota has been observed in patients with CRC, with an increase in microbiota diversity at all taxonomic levels relative to healthy control. Where, at the functional level the bacterial species participate in many different pathways among them de novo nucleotide synthesis and amino acids pathways were aberrantly upregulated in CRC patients. Proteomics and metabolomics profiles of CRC patients showed different proteins and metabolites, a total of 360 and 158 proteins and metabolites, respectively were highly expressed compared to healthy control with fold change ≥ 1.2. Among the highly expressed proteins were transketolase, sushi domain-containing protein, sulfide quinone oxidoreductase protein, AAA family ATPase protein, carbonic anhydrase, IgG Fc-binding protein, nucleoside diphosphate kinase protein, arylsulfatase, alkaline phosphatase protein, phosphoglycerate kinase, protein kinase domain-containing protein, non-specific serine/threonine protein kinase, Acyl-CoA synthetase and EF-hand domain-containing protein. Some of the differential metabolites, Taurine, Taurocholic acid, 7-ketodeoxycholic acid, Glycochenodeoxycholic acid, Glycocholic acid, and Taurochenodeoxycholic acid that belong to bile acids metabolites.

CONCLUSIONS

Some bacterial species, proteins, and metabolites could be used as diagnostic biomarkers for CRC. Our study paves an insight into using multi-omics technology to address the relationship between gut microbiota and CRC.

Multi-combined QSAR, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, and ADMET of Flavonoid derivatives as potent cholinesterase inhibitors

In searching for a new and efficient therapeutic agent against Alzheimer's disease, a Quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) was derived for 45 Flavonoid derivatives recently synthesized and evaluated as cholinesterase inhibitors. The multiple linear regression method (MLR) was adopted to develop an adequate mathematical model that describes the relationship between a variety of molecular descriptors of the studied compounds and their biological activities (cholinesterase inhibitors). Golbraikh and Tropsha criteria were applied to verify the validity of the built model. The built MLR model was statistically reliable, robust, and predictive (R² = 0.801, Q²_cv = 0.876, R²_test = 0.824). Dreiding energy and Molar Refractivity were the major factors that govern the Anti-cholinesterase activity. These results were further exploited to design a new series of Flavonoid derivatives with higher Anti-cholinesterase activities than the existing ones. Thereafter, molecular docking and molecular dynamic studies were performed to predict the binding types of the designed compounds and to investigate their stability at the active site of the Butyrylcholinestérase BuChE protein. The negative and low binding affinity calculated for all designed compounds shows that designed compound 1 has a favorable affinity for the 4TPK. Moreover, molecular dynamics simulation studies confirmed the stability of designed compound 1 in the active pocket of 4TPK over 100 ns. Finally, the ADMET analysis was incorporated to analyze the pharmacokinetics and toxicity parameters. The designed compounds were found to meet the ADMET descriptor criteria at an acceptable level having respectable intestinal permeability and water solubility and can reach the intended destinations.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

The Eradication of Helicobacter pylori Was Significantly Associated with Compositional Patterns of Orointestinal Axis Microbiota

BACKGROUND

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is significantly linked to various diseases that seriously impact human health, such as gastric ulcers, chronic gastritis and gastric adenocarcinoma.

METHODS

The compositional shifts in bacterial communities of the orointestinal axis were surveyed pre/post-eradication of H. pylori. In total, 60 samples, including stool and salivary specimens, were collected from 15 H. pylori-positive individuals (HPP) before beginning and 2 months after receiving the eradication therapy. The V3-V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene were sequenced using MiSeq.

RESULTS

Overall, oral microbiomes were collectively more diverse than the gut microbiomes (Kruskal-Wallis; p = 3.69 × 10^-5). Notably, the eradication of H. pylori was associated with a significant reduction in the bacterial diversity along the orointestinal axis (Wilcoxon rank sum test; p = 6.38 × 10^-3). Interestingly, the oral microbiome of HPP showed a positive correlation between Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria, in addition to a significant predominance of Streptococcus, in addition to Eubacterium_eligens, Haemophilus, Ruminococcaceae, Actinomyces and Staphylococcus. On the other hand, Fusobacterium, Veillonella, Catenibacterium, Neisseria and Prevotella were significantly enriched upon eradication of H. pylori. Generally, Bacteroidetes and Fusobacteria positively coexisted during H. pylori infection along the orointestinal axis (r = 0.67; p = 0.0006). The eradication of H. pylori was positively linked to two distinctive orotypes (O3 and O4). Orotype O4 was characterized by a robust abundance of Veillonella and Fusobacteria. The gut microbiomes during H. pylori infection showed a remarkable predominance of Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and Escherichia_Shigella. Likewise, Bifidobacterium and Faecalibacterium were significantly enriched upon eradication of H. pylori.

CONCLUSIONS

Finally, the impact of eradication therapy clearly existed on the representation of certain genera, especially in the oral microbiome, which requires particular concern in order to counteract and limit their subsequent threats.

In silico design of novel CDK2 inhibitors through QSAR, ADMET, molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies

The present study aims to investigate about the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) of a series of Thiazole derivatives reported as anticancer agents (hepatocellular carcinoma), using principally the electronic descriptors calculated by the DFT method and by applying the multiple linear regression method. The developed model showed good statistical parameters (R2 = 0.725, R2adj = 0.653, MSE = 0.060, R2test = 0.827, Q2cv = 0.536). The energy EHOMO orbital, electronic energy (TE), shape coefficient (I), number of rotatable bonds (NROT), and index of refraction (n) were revealed to be the main descriptors influencing the anti-cancer activity. Further, new Thiazole derivatives have been designed and their activities and pharmacokinetic properties have been predicted using the validated QSAR model. The designed molecules were then assessed to molecular docking (MD), and molecular dynamic (MDs) simulation accompanied by the calculation of the binding affinity using MMPBSA script according to 100 ns a simulation trajectory, to study both their affinity and their stability towards CDK2 as a target protein for the cancer disease treatment. This research concluded with the identification of four new CDK2 inhibitors which are A1, A3, A5, and A6 showing good pharmacokinetic properties. The MDs results revealed that the newly designed compound A5 remained stable in the active center of the discovered CDK2 protein, indicating its potential as a novel inhibitor for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma. The current findings may eventually contribute to the development of robust CDK2 inhibitors in the future.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Abstract 5048: Combatting pancreatic cancer stem cells by novel titanium peroxides nanoparticles combined with X-ray radiation

Background: Radiotherapy is widely used as the main treatment for multiple malignancies. However, several types of cancers, including pancreatic cancer, show resistance to radiation therapy. The presence of cancer stem cells (CSCs) are the major cause of radiation resistance in pancreatic cancer. Whereas, titanium peroxides nanoparticles (TiOxNPs) which are a modified form of titanium oxide nanoparticles promote enhanced remarkable efficacy of radiation therapy. Therefore, we examined the efficacy of TiOxNPs as radiosensitizers to eradicate pancreatic cancer stem cells.

Methods and materials: In vitro, Sphere-forming assay, survival assay, migration, and invasion assay were evaluated after using TiOxNPs prior to radiation exposure to pancreatic cancer cell line. In vivo, tumor-bearing nude mice were injected by TiOxNPs either intratumoral or intravenous one hour prior to radiation treatment, and the tumor volume, body weight, and mice survival was calculated. In addition, proteins-related stemness were measured in vitro and in vivo to evaluate the usage of TiOxNPs as radiosensitizers to pancreatic CSCs. Moreover, we planned to evaluate the mechanism beyond the efficacy of TiOxNPs as radiosensitizers to CSCs by detecting reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, mitochondrial function, and the phosphorylation of some signaling proteins. We found that TiOxNPs combined with ionizing radiation showed anti-cancer effects on radioresistant CSCs both in vitro and in vivo.

Results: In vitro, a marked reduction in growth was detected after exposing the TiOxNPs-treated cells to radiation therapy, specifically with a 5Gy dose compared with 2Gy dose. TiOxNPs exhibited a synergistic effect with radiation on pancreatic CSC-enriched spheres by downregulating self-renewal regulatory factors and CSC surface markers. In vivo, we first established an aggressive xenograft by injecting MIA PaCa-2 sphere cells into the flank region of BALB/c nude mice, and found that animals treated with combined TiOxNPs and irradiation showed a dramatic reduction in tumor volume and weight compared to the untreated group. Moreover, combined treatment suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, and invasion properties in primary and aggressive pancreatic cancer cells by reducing the expression of proteins relevant to these processes. Radiosensitizing TiOxNPs suppressed pancreatic xenograft outgrowth after primary or dissociating sphere MIA PaCa-2 cell implantation. It is assumed that synergy is created by inactivating the AKT signaling pathway and producing unbearable amounts of ROS.

Conclusion: Our findings showed that using TiOxNPs in combination with radiation might be a favorable therapeutic approach to eradicate pancreatic CSCs.

Citation Format: Mohammed Salah, Hiroki Kawaguchi, Hiroaki Akasaka, Yasuyuki Shimizu, Kenta Morita, Yuya Nishimura, Hikaru Kubota, Tomomi Sogawa, Naritoshi Mukumoto, Chiaki Ogino, Ryohei Sasaki. Combatting pancreatic cancer stem cells by novel titanium peroxides nanoparticles combined with X-ray radiation. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 5048.

Abstract 2837: A novel radiosensitizer of titanium peroxide nanoparticles (TiOxNPs) through continuous ROS generation

Background: Metal nanoparticles have been proposed as potential radiosensitizers. Among those, titanium nanoparticles are attractive candidates for application as radiosensitizers. We have newly established and evaluated titanium peroxide nanoparticles (TiOxNPs). The TiOxNPs are generated from titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs), manufactured via direct reaction of TiO2NPs with hydrogen peroxide. Distinguished characteristics of the TiOxNPs are continuous generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by X-ray irradiation. Bio-availabilities and safety was previously reported (Nanoparticles, 2020; 10(6): 1125).

Materials and Methods: Characteristics of TiOxNPs were determined following experiments. Dynamic light scattering analysis was used to measure the diameter and Z-potential of the NPs. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation revealed the detailed topology of the NPs. X-ray irradiation was performed using the X-ray generator at a voltage of 150 kV and a current of 5 mA with a 1-mm thick aluminum filter in vitro and in vivo. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was evaluated using human pancreatic cancer cells, named MIAPaCa-2. The cells were stained with 50 μM carboxy-20,70-dichlorofluorescein (C-H2DCF) incubated for 45 min, and then stained with Hoechst for nuclear staining. The degree of fluorescence of C-H2DCF was detected using the fluorescence microscope. To evaluate cytotoxic effects of TiOxNPs, a colony-formation assay was performed. For xenograft experiments, the MIAPaCa-2 cells (2 x 106 cells) were injected subcutaneously into the hind legs of the BALB/cAJcl nude mice. Once the tumor volume reached 100-200 mm3, mice were randomly assigned into six groups: the control group, TiOxNPs alone, 5 Gy alone, and TiOxNPs combined with 5 Gy. Tumor size, body weight, and health condition of all mice were followed every two to three days for 55 days post-treatment.

Results: Primary particles smaller than 10 nm gathered and formed secondary particles that were approximately 50 nm in diameter, and their Z-potential was -30 mV. TEM observation revealed the detailed topology of the NPs. The TiOxNPs enhanced H2O2 production more than 7-folds compared to X-ray irradiation alone in MIA PaCa-2 cells. In xenografts, combination effects of the TiOxNPs and X-ray irradiation were significantly greater than X-ray irradiation (5 Gy) alone.

Conclusions: The TiOxNPs revealed to be powerful radiosensitizers in pancreatic cancer model. Clinical tests are warranted to clarify the application of TiOxNPs in the nearest future.

Citation Format: Ryohei Sasaki, Hiroaki Akasaka, Masao Nakayama, Yoshiko Fujita, Hikaru Kubota, Kenta Morita, Mennaallah Hassan, Mohammed Salah, Yuya Nishimura, Naritoshi Mukumoto, Takeaki Ishihara, Daisuke Miyawaki, Chiaki Ogino. A novel radiosensitizer of titanium peroxide nanoparticles (TiOxNPs) through continuous ROS generation [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 2837.

Addressing the Continuum of Dysglycaemia and Vascular Complications in Prediabetes and Type 2 Diabetes: Need for Early and Intensive Treatment

The onset of type 2 diabetes increases the risk of vascular complications and death. We know now that that this risk begins long before the diabetes diagnosis. Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes are not separate entities in practice and exist within a continuum of dysglycaemia and vascular risk that increases in severity over time. This excess risk requires early intervention with lifestyle therapy supported with pharmacologic antidiabetic therapy, intensified promptly where necessary throughout the duration of the diabetes continuum. Metformin is an evidence-based treatment for preventing prediabetes and improves cardiovascular outcomes in people with type 2 diabetes from diagnosis onwards. Newer agents (SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 agonists) are appropriate for people presenting with type 2 diabetes and significant cardiovascular comorbidity. Additional therapies should be used without delay to achieve patients' individualised HbA1c goals and to minimise cardiovascular risk.

Alterations of the vaginal microbiome in healthy pregnant women positive for group B Streptococcus colonization during the third trimester

BACKGROUND

Streptococcus agalactiae or group B Streptococcus (GBS) asymptomatically colonizes the genitourinary tracts of up to 30% of pregnant women. Globally, GBS is an important cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. GBS has recently been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes. The potential interactions between GBS and the vaginal microbiome composition remain poorly understood. In addition, little is known about the vaginal microbiota of pregnant Egyptian women.

RESULTS

Using V3-V4 16S rRNA next-generation sequencing, we examined the vaginal microbiome in GBS culture-positive pregnant women (22) and GBS culture-negative pregnant women (22) during the third trimester in Ismailia, Egypt. According to the alpha-diversity indices, the vaginal microbiome of pregnant GBS culture-positive women was significantly more diverse and less homogenous. The composition of the vaginal microbiome differed significantly based on beta-diversity between GBS culture-positive and culture-negative women. The phylum Firmicutes and the family Lactobacillaceae were significantly more abundant in GBS-negative colonizers. In contrast, the phyla Actinobacteria, Tenericutes, and Proteobacteria and the families Bifidobacteriaceae, Mycoplasmataceae, Streptococcaceae, Corynebacteriaceae, Staphylococcaceae, and Peptostreptococcaceae were significantly more abundant in GBS culture-positive colonizers. On the genus and species levels, Lactobacillus was the only genus detected with significantly higher relative abundance in GBS culture-negative status (88%), and L. iners was the significantly most abundant species. Conversely, GBS-positive carriers exhibited a significant decrease in Lactobacillus abundance (56%). In GBS-positive colonizers, the relative abundance of the genera Ureaplasma, Gardnerella, Streptococcus, Corynebacterium, Staphylococcus, and Peptostreptococcus and the species Peptostreptococcus anaerobius was significantly higher. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways related to the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, phosphatidylinositol signaling system, peroxisome, host immune system pathways, and host endocrine system were exclusively enriched among GBS culture-positive microbial communities. However, lipid metabolism KEGG pathways, nucleotide metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, genetic information processing pathways associated with translation, replication, and repair, and human diseases (Staphylococcus aureus infection) were exclusively enriched in GBS culture-negative communities.

CONCLUSIONS

Understanding how perturbations of the vaginal microbiome contribute to pregnancy complications may result in the development of alternative, targeted prevention strategies to prevent maternal GBS colonization. We hypothesized associations between inferred microbial function and GBS status that would need to be confirmed in larger cohorts.

Structure based design and synthesis of 3-(7-nitro-3-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanehydrazide derivatives as novel bacterial DNA-gyrase inhibitors: In-vitro, In-vivo, In-silico and SAR studies

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the critical challenges that have been encountered over the past years. On the other hand, bacterial DNA gyrase is regarded as one of the most outstanding biological targets that quinolones can extensively inhibit, improving AMR. Hence, a novel series of 3-(7-nitro-3-oxo-3,4-dihydroquinoxalin-2-yl)propanehydrazide derivatives (3-6j) were designed and synthesized employing the quinoxaline-2-one scaffold and relying on the pharmacophoric features experienced by the quinolone antibiotic; ciprofloxacin. The antibacterial activity of the synthesized compounds was assessed via in-vitro approaches using eight different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial species. Most of the synthesized compounds revealed eligible antibacterial activities. In particular, compounds 6d and 6e displayed promising antibacterial activity among the investigated compounds. For example, compounds 6d and 6e displayed MIC values of 9.40 and 9.00 µM, respectively, regarding S. aureus, and 4.70 and 4.50 µM, respectively, regarding S. pneumonia in comparison to ciprofloxacin (12.07 µM). The cytotoxicity of compounds 6d and 6e were performed on normal human WI-38 cell lines with IC50 values of 288.69 and 227.64 μM, respectively assuring their safety and selectivity. Besides, DNA gyrase inhibition assay of compounds 6d and 6e was carried out in comparison to ciprofloxacin, and interestingly, compounds 6d and 6e disclosed promising IC50 values of 0.242 and 0.177 μM, respectively, whereas ciprofloxacin displayed an IC50 value of 0.768 μM, assuring the proposed mechanism of action for the afforded compounds. Consequently, compounds 6d and 6e were further assessed via in-vivo approaches by evaluating blood counts, liver and kidney functions, and histopathological examination. Both compounds were found to be safer on the liver and kidney than the reference ciprofloxacin. Moreover, in-silico molecular docking studies were established and revealed reasonable binding affinities for all afforded compounds, particularly compound 6d which exhibited a binding score of -7.51 kcal/mol, surpassing the reference ciprofloxacin (-7.29 kcal/mol) with better anticipated stability at the DNA gyrase binding pocket. Moreover, ADME studies were conducted, disclosing an eligible bioavailability score of >0.55 for all afforded compounds, and reasonable GIT absorption without passing the blood brain barrier was attained for most investigated compounds, ensuring their efficacy and safety. Lastly, a structure activity relationship study for the synthesized compounds was established and unveiled that not only the main pharmacophores required for DNA gyrase inhibition are enough for exerting promising antimicrobial activities, but also derivatization with diverse aryl/hetero aryl aldehydes is essential for their enhanced antimicrobial potential.

Novel Novolac Phenolic Polymeric Network of Chalcones: Synthesis, Characterization, and Thermal–Electrical Conductivity Investigation

A series of novolac phenolic polymeric networks (NPPN) were prepared via an acid-catalyzed polycondensation reaction of formaldehyde with chalcones possessing a p-phenolic OH group. When p-hydroxybenzaldehyde was treated with formaldehyde under the same conditions, a phenolic polymer (PP) was obtained. The resulting polymers were isolated in excellent yields (83–98%). Isolated polymers (NPPN, PP) were characterized using FTIR, TGA, and XRD. The results obtained from the TGA revealed that all prepared phenolic polymers have high thermal stability at high temperatures and can act as thermosetting materials. XRD data analysis showed a high degree of amorphousness for all polymers (78.8–89.2%). The electrical conductivities and resistivities of all chalcone-based phenolic networks (NPPN) and p-hydroxybenzaldehyde polymer (PP) were also determined. The physical characteristics obtained from the I-V curve showed that the conductivity of phenolic polymers has a wide range from ultimately negligible values of 0.09 µS/cm up to 2.97 μS/cm. The degree of polarization of the conjugated system’s carbonyl group was attributed to high, low, or even no conductivity for all phenolic polymers since the electronic effects (inductive and mesomeric) could impact the polarization of the carbonyl group and, consequently, change the degree of the charge separation to show varied conductivity values.

Impact of Geographical Location on the Gut Microbiota Profile in Egyptian Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study

Purpose

To investigate the compositional and functional characteristics of T1DM-associated gut microbiota in two Egyptian cities and to study the geographical locality effects.

Patients and Methods

This case-control study included 32 children with controlled T1DM and 16 controls, selected from two different regions of Egypt. The gut microbiota of both diabetic and control children was analyzed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing; this was done using the Illumina MiSeq platform.

Results

Consistent findings among the diabetic children included significantly lower alpha diversity than the control children, as well as a lower mean Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, and reduced proportions of Firmicutes and the genera Prevotella and Ruminococcus. In the diabetic children, there were also significantly enriched representations of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria and the genera Lactobacilli, Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium. When comparing the two diabetic groups, the Ismailia group (IsDM) was found to have a significantly higher F/B ratio and diversity indices, with resultant differences at the functional level.

Conclusion

There are a number of consistent changes in the microbiota profile characterizing the diabetic groups irrespective of the geographical location including significantly lower alpha diversity, mean Firmicutes/ Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio, and reduced proportions of Firmicutes and genera Prevotella and Ruminococcus. There are also significantly enriched representations of Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria and genera Lactobacilli, Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium pointing to the greater driving power of the disease.

Reactive oxygen species-inducing titanium peroxide nanoparticles as promising radiosensitizers for eliminating pancreatic cancer stem cells

BACKGROUND

Despite recent advances in radiotherapy, radioresistance in patients with pancreatic cancer remains a crucial dilemma for clinical treatment. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a major factor in radioresistance. Developing a potent radiosensitizer may be a novel candidate for the eradication of pancreatic CSCs.

METHODS

CSCs were isolated from MIA PaCa-2 and PANC1 human pancreatic cancer cell lines. Titanium peroxide nanoparticles (TiOxNPs) were synthesized from titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) and utilized as radiosensitizers when added one hour prior to radiation exposure. The antitumor activity of this novel therapeutic strategy was evaluated against well-established pancreatic CSCs model both in vitro and in vivo.

RESULTS

It is shown that TiOxNPs combined with ionizing radiation exhibit anti-cancer effects on radioresistant CSCs both in vitro and in vivo. TiOxNPs exhibited a synergistic effect with radiation on pancreatic CSC-enriched spheres by downregulating self-renewal regulatory factors and CSC surface markers. Moreover, combined treatment suppressed epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, and invasion properties in primary and aggressive pancreatic cancer cells by reducing the expression of proteins relevant to these processes. Notably, radiosensitizing TiOxNPs suppressed the growth of pancreatic xenografts following primary or dissociating sphere MIA PaCa-2 cell implantation. It is inferred that synergy is formed by generating intolerable levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inactivating the AKT signaling pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggested the use of TiOxNPs in combination with radiation may be considered an attractive therapeutic strategy to eliminate pancreatic CSCs.

Covid-19 in recipients of living donor liver transplantation: a worse or an equivalent outcome?

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic is representing a massive burden to the community with the new virus. There is few data regarding Covid-19 in liver transplant patients. Concerns were raised regarding the course of the disease in transplanted patients due to immunosuppression and risk of hepatic injuries.

AIM

To describe the outcomes of Covid-19 infection in recipients of living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT).

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of 41 recipients of LDLT diagnosed with Covid-19 by real-time PCR or CT chest criteria of Covid-19 between April 2020 and April 2021. This Cohort was derived from Ain Shams Center for Organ Transplantation database, Ain Shams Specialized Hospital, Cairo, Egypt, which is considered one of the largest centers of LDLT in the Middle East. Patients were classified to mild, moderate, severe and critics according to clinical classification released by the National Health Commission of China.

RESULTS

A total of 41 patients and 2 patients with reinfection were included in this cohort with mean age 54 years with 74% male and 26% female. The body mass index ranged from 19.3 to 37. About 30% were described as a mild case, 46.5% were moderate, 14% were severe and 9% were critical cases. Two cases developed infection twice. Total of 20 patients (46.5%) were managed in home isolation setting, 17 patients (39.5%) needed admission to ward, 4 patients (9%) in intermediate care unit and 2 patients (4%) admitted to intensive care unit. About 60% of cases were on room air, only 3 patients needed invasive methods, 2 patients needed face mask and 1 case needed invasive CPAP. In total, 41 patients recovered (95%) and 2 patients (5%) died; 1 was Covid related and the other one was non-Covid related. Female gender, higher BMI and hypertension were associated with severe course of the disease.

CONCLUSION

In the setting of LDLT, the possibilities of catching Covid-19 infection are high due to chronic immunosuppression use. Yet, the outcome of infection in term of morbidity and the needs for hospital admission or intensive care is generally matched to general population.

Impact of polyherbal formulation oral administration on the estrus response, luteal activity, and oxidative stress in postpartum dairy cows with ovarian subfunction

Background and Aim:

The reproductive performance of dairy cows is of a high economic value to maintain efficient and sustainable productivity. Postpartum anestrus is one of the major infertility problems that cause limitation of dairy cow reproductive performance and productivity. The previous studies have reported using a polyherbal formulation for different purposes, including reproductive performance. This study was conducted to examine the efficacy of polyherbal formulation administration on the reproductive performance of cows and to establish the oral administration of polyherbal formulations as a safe, effective, and economic treatment for dairy cows with postpartum anestrus due to nutritional disorders, negative energy balance, high milk production, and/or heat stress.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 14 dairy cows with postpartum anestrus were randomly divided into two groups, which were subjected to oral administration of distilled water that served as the control (Ctrl; n=5) or polyherbal treatment (polyherbal treated; n=9) for two shots of treatment (each for 3 successive days) with a 10-day interval. Blood sampling and ultrasonography were performed before treatment and after the first and second shots of treatment. Progesterone (P4) assay was also performed.

Results:

The estrus induction rate was 66.7% after the first shot of treatment in the polyherbal-treated group, which increased significantly to 88.9% after the second shot of treatment, compared with the Ctrl group (20%). The estrus response was confirmed by ultrasonography and P4 hormone assay, wherein the polyherbal treatment significantly increased the P4 concentration in the polyherbal-treated group after the second shot of treatment compared to that before treatment and in the Ctrl group at all time points. On pregnancy diagnosis, the treated dairy cows showed conception rates of 66.7% and 20.0% in the polyherbal-treated and Ctrl groups, respectively. In contrast, the concentration of malondialdehyde, an oxidative stress marker, and the total antioxidant capacity remained unchanged between both groups before and after treatment.

Conclusion:

The polyherbal formulation containing tubers of C. rotundus, M. pterygosperma, rhizome of Z. officinale, and A. cepa has the potential to induce estrus response and luteal activity in dairy cows and is a possible treatment for ovarian inactivity in dairy farms.

Phytochemical study: molecular docking of eugenol derivatives as antioxidant and antimicrobial agents

Abstract:

Eugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) is a natural phenolic compound present in certain aromatic plants; however, it is generally extracted from essential oil of Eugenia caryophyllata (Syzygiumaromaticum) (L.) Merr. and L.M. Perry. This bioactive natural compound has generated considerable biological interest with well-known antimicrobial and antioxidant actions. The authors have aimed to the evaluations of eugenol derivatives and their as antimicrobial and antioxidant agent with the aid of molecular dynamic simulation. The starting material was extracted from cloves using hydrodistillation. Two eugenol derivatives, acetyleugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenylacetate) and epoxyeugenol (4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol) were prepared and tested against two strains Escherichia coli (E. Coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. Aureus). The results have revealed that the three compounds (Eugenol, acetyleugenol and epoxyeugenol) possess important potentials of inhibition against E. coli and S. Aureus. The antioxidant activity of eugenol derivatives was evaluated by the reaction with DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl), showed that the epoxyeugenol was the most active compound. The molecular docking scores of three compounds and the amino acids in the active site pockets of the selected proteins of the two bacteria have approved and explain the biological experimental outcomes.

The role of telemedicine services in changing users’ intentions for presenting to the emergency departments in Saudi Arabia

Background

Emergency department (ED) overcrowding is described as one of the main issues in any hospital. In Saudi Arabia, the ministry of health applied new telemedicine technology to serve patients by using the mobile application, including the Sehha application and 937 medical call center. The main aim of this study is to determine the role of different telemedicine services in changing the intention users’ intentions for visiting the emergency departments in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted during August 2020 to May 2021 among 319 patients using two telemedicine services in Saudi Arabia, including the medical call center and Sehha smartphone application. The primary endpoint of this study was to determine the number of patients intended to visit ER before and after contacting one of the two telemedicine services and the frequency of people who changed their opinion to visit an ED.

Results

This study analyzed the data from 319 patients who completed the survey provided by the Saudi Ministry of Health concerning information related to their health status and ED visits. Among patients that had the intention to visit the ED (N = 159), 53 of them did not go to EDs after using telemedicine services (p < 0.01). Regarding the medical call center and Sehha application, 9.6% and 24.4%, respectively, of the patients who used these telemedicine services changed their minds concerning visiting ED after taking the medical advice (p < 0.01).

Conclusions

The implemented telemedicine services in Saudi Arabia, namely the Sehha application and medical call center, could reduce those intended to visit ED and consequently reduce the overload of EDs by providing medical advice to patients concerning their minor medical issues.

Modeling and Simulations of Moving Droplets in Relation to SARS-CoV-19 Generated by Respiratory System

Contemporary issues such as epidemics and the prevalence of infectious indicate that there is a pressing need to better understand the dynamics of transmission in air and facemasks. Consistent with previous literature, coronavirus disease (COVID-2019) is caused by the novel virus SARS-CoV-2. Coronavirus adds a new element to fluid fragmentation leading to respiratory droplets and which are transmitted via air during coughing, sneezing and talking. The behavior of virus-laden droplets of saliva particles arising from a human cough is described by Navier–Stokes equation for turbulent flow. The predicted velocity and pressure for droplets flow with time are presented. Hence, wall-normal profiles of velocity, pressure and concentration are obtained from boundary-layer approximations and the Navier–Stokes equations are solved on a two-dimensional shell mesh. The purpose of this study is to provide a perspective on the role of masks in the COVID-19 pandemic with an emphasis on the mechanism of droplet leakage and the droplet dispersion in this masks medical non-pharmaceutical intervention.

Chemical reactivities and molecular docking studies of parthenolide with the main protease of HEP-G2 and SARS-CoV-2

We have used bioinformatics to identify drugs for the treatment of COVID-19, using drugs already being tested for the treatment as benchmarks like Remdesivir and Chloroquine. Our findings provide further support for drugs that are already being explored as therapeutic agents for the treatment of COVID-19 and identify promising new targets that merit further investigation. In addition, the epoxidation of Parthenolide 1 using peracids, has been scrutinized within the MEDT at the B3LYP/6-311(d,p) computational level. DFT results showed a high chemoselectivity on the double bond C₃[bond, double bond]C₄, in full agreement with the experimental outcomes. ELF analysis demonstrated that epoxidation reaction took place through a one-step mechanism, in which the formation of the two new C-O single bonds is somewhat asynchronous.

Corrosion inhibition performance of azelaic acid dihydrazide: a molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulation study

The adsorption of azelaic acid dihydrazide as an environmentally friendly mild steel corrosion inhibitor on the iron surface was modeled in this study. We used density functional theory (DFT) calculations and Monte Carlo (MC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to illustrate the interactions engaged. The interaction of the azelaic acid derivatives with iron metal (Fe) was examined by DFT as a typical example of a corrosion prevention mechanism after the optimized molecular structures of these molecules were investigated. Structures, binding energies, Fikui's charge indicator, electron transfer, and chemical potential are all discussed. The presence of significant binding between the inhibitor and Fe metal is supported by analysis of the resultant complex. Then, in an acidic solution comprising 491 H₂O, nine chlorine ion Cl^-, and nine hydronium ion H₃O⁺, molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo (MC) simulation were used to model the adsorption of azelaic acid dihydrazide on the iron Fe (110) surface. In addition, radial distribution function (RDF) and interaction energy (Ei) were evaluated in this work to further our understanding of interactions between azelaic acid dihydrazide and iron surfaces. Furthermore, we discovered that our inhibitors have an excellent ability to slow down the movement of corrosive particles in law temperature and thus to inhibit the metallic substrate against corrosive electrolyte, based on the temperature impact investigation. The result of density functional theory and Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics descriptors obtained were in good agreement with the experimental result.

United Arab Emirates National Newborn Screening Programme:an evaluation 1998-2000

To evaluate the United Arab Emirate National Newborn Screening Programme we compared coverage, timeliness of programme indicators [age at sampling, recall and treatment initiation, timing of specimen delivery and laboratory results] and specimen quality with international st and ards. Recall rate, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values and relative incidence rates for phenylketonuria [PKU] and congenital hypothyroidism [CH] were calculated. Investigations for hypothyroidism included thyroid function studies [T3, T4, fT4 and TSH], technetium-99m thyroid scan when possible and thyroglobulin and thyroid antibodies when indicated. PKU investigations included plasma amino acids and measurement of biopterin defects. In the 6 years before December 2000, 138, 718 neonates were screened. Relative incidences for CH and for classic PKU were 1: 1570 and 1: 20, 050 respectively

A Review of Mechano-Biochemical Models for Testing Composite Restorations

Due to the severe mechano-biochemical conditions in the oral cavity, many dental restorations will degrade and eventually fail. For teeth restored with resin composite, the major modes of failure are secondary caries and fracture of the tooth or restoration. While clinical studies can answer some of the more practical questions, such as the rate of failure, fundamental understanding on the failure mechanism can be obtained from laboratory studies using simplified models more effectively. Reviewed in this article are the 4 main types of models used to study the degradation of resin-composite restorations, namely, animal, human in vivo or in situ, in vitro biofilm, and in vitro chemical models. The characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of these models are discussed and compared. The tooth-restoration interface is widely considered the weakest link in a resin composite restoration. To account for the different types of degradation that can occur (i.e., demineralization, resin hydrolysis, and collagen degradation), enzymes such as esterase and collagenase found in the oral environment are used, in addition to acids, to form biochemical models to test resin-composite restorations in conjunction with mechanical loading. Furthermore, laboratory tests are usually performed in an accelerated manner to save time. It is argued that, for an accelerated multicomponent model to be representative and predictive in terms of both the mode and the speed of degradation, the individual components must be synchronized in their rates of action and be calibrated with clinical data. The process of calibrating the in vitro models against clinical data is briefly described. To achieve representative and predictive in vitro models, more comparative studies of in vivo and in vitro models are required to calibrate the laboratory studies.

Mortality from gastrointestinal congenital anomalies at 264 hospitals in 74 low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries: a multicentre, international, prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Congenital anomalies are the fifth leading cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years globally. Many gastrointestinal congenital anomalies are fatal without timely access to neonatal surgical care, but few studies have been done on these conditions in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We compared outcomes of the seven most common gastrointestinal congenital anomalies in low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries globally, and identified factors associated with mortality.

METHODS

We did a multicentre, international prospective cohort study of patients younger than 16 years, presenting to hospital for the first time with oesophageal atresia, congenital diaphragmatic hernia, intestinal atresia, gastroschisis, exomphalos, anorectal malformation, and Hirschsprung's disease. Recruitment was of consecutive patients for a minimum of 1 month between October, 2018, and April, 2019. We collected data on patient demographics, clinical status, interventions, and outcomes using the REDCap platform. Patients were followed up for 30 days after primary intervention, or 30 days after admission if they did not receive an intervention. The primary outcome was all-cause, in-hospital mortality for all conditions combined and each condition individually, stratified by country income status. We did a complete case analysis.

FINDINGS

We included 3849 patients with 3975 study conditions (560 with oesophageal atresia, 448 with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, 681 with intestinal atresia, 453 with gastroschisis, 325 with exomphalos, 991 with anorectal malformation, and 517 with Hirschsprung's disease) from 264 hospitals (89 in high-income countries, 166 in middle-income countries, and nine in low-income countries) in 74 countries. Of the 3849 patients, 2231 (58·0%) were male. Median gestational age at birth was 38 weeks (IQR 36-39) and median bodyweight at presentation was 2·8 kg (2·3-3·3). Mortality among all patients was 37 (39·8%) of 93 in low-income countries, 583 (20·4%) of 2860 in middle-income countries, and 50 (5·6%) of 896 in high-income countries (p<0·0001 between all country income groups). Gastroschisis had the greatest difference in mortality between country income strata (nine [90·0%] of ten in low-income countries, 97 [31·9%] of 304 in middle-income countries, and two [1·4%] of 139 in high-income countries; p≤0·0001 between all country income groups). Factors significantly associated with higher mortality for all patients combined included country income status (low-income vs high-income countries, risk ratio 2·78 [95% CI 1·88-4·11], p<0·0001; middle-income vs high-income countries, 2·11 [1·59-2·79], p<0·0001), sepsis at presentation (1·20 [1·04-1·40], p=0·016), higher American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score at primary intervention (ASA 4-5 vs ASA 1-2, 1·82 [1·40-2·35], p<0·0001; ASA 3 vs ASA 1-2, 1·58, [1·30-1·92], p<0·0001]), surgical safety checklist not used (1·39 [1·02-1·90], p=0·035), and ventilation or parenteral nutrition unavailable when needed (ventilation 1·96, [1·41-2·71], p=0·0001; parenteral nutrition 1·35, [1·05-1·74], p=0·018). Administration of parenteral nutrition (0·61, [0·47-0·79], p=0·0002) and use of a peripherally inserted central catheter (0·65 [0·50-0·86], p=0·0024) or percutaneous central line (0·69 [0·48-1·00], p=0·049) were associated with lower mortality.

INTERPRETATION

Unacceptable differences in mortality exist for gastrointestinal congenital anomalies between low-income, middle-income, and high-income countries. Improving access to quality neonatal surgical care in LMICs will be vital to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 3.2 of ending preventable deaths in neonates and children younger than 5 years by 2030.

FUNDING

Wellcome Trust.

Characterization of Antigen Escape Mutations in Chronic HBV-Infected Patients in Upper Egypt

Background

Mutations within the “a” determinant region (position 124–147) that is present in the major hydrophilic region (MHR, position 99–160) of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) are associated with vaccine-escape, lack of diagnosis, and failure to hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG) therapy. Data regarding the amino acid changes of “a” determinant region of HBsAg are limited in Egypt. The prevalence and mutations in this region among chronic HBV (CHB)-infected patients in Upper Egypt are not known.

Material and Methods

Blood samples were collected from HBsAg-positive CHB-infected patients (n=123) admitted to Assiut University Hospitals. Serum samples were screened for HBsAg, HBeAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBe antibodies using commercially available ELISA kits. Viral load was determined by qPCR. In addition, mutational analysis was carried out targeting the HBV surface gene to determine the HBV genotype and vaccine escape mutations.

Results

Sequencing analysis of HBV DNA revealed that genotype D is the major circulating type (81.3%), followed by genotype E (18.7%). Analysis of the HBV genome revealed that 103/123 (83.7%) patients showed wild-type sequences and 20/123 (16.3%) showed mutations in the HBsAg gene. Mutation in seventeen patients (17/20, 85%) showed only one mutation, and three patients showed two mutations (3/20, 15%) in the “a” determinant region. The observed mutations were T115S (3/20, 15%), P120T/S (3/20, 15%), T126S (1/20, 5%), Q129R (2/20, 10%), M133T (2/20, 10%), S143L (5/20, 25%), D144E/A (3/20, 15%), and G145R/A (4/20, 20%). Mutations in the “a” determinant region were detected in genotype D isolates only.

Conclusion

We described for the first time the prevalence and characterization of vaccine escape mutants in CHB patients in Upper Egypt. Mutational analysis of the “a” determinant region revealed the presence of a wide spectrum of mutants in the circulating HBV isolates that could be a potential threat to HBV diagnosis, therapy success, and HBV vaccination program in Upper Egypt.

In a search for potential drug candidates for combating COVID-19: computational study revealed salvianolic acid B as a potential therapeutic targeting 3CLpro and spike proteins

The global prevalence of COVID-19 disease and the overwhelming increase in death toll urge scientists to discover new effective drugs. Although the drug discovery process is a challenging and time-consuming, fortunately, the plant kingdom was found to have many active therapeutics possessing broad-spectrum antiviral activity including those candidates active against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronaviruses (SARS-CoV). Herein, nine traditional Chinese medicinal plant constituents from different origins (Glycyrrhizin 1, Lycorine 2, Puerarin 3, Daidzein 4, Daidzin 5, Salvianolic acid B 6, Dihydrotanshinone I 7, Tanshinone I 8, Tanshinone IIa 9) previously reported to exhibit antiviral activity against SARS-CoV were virtually screened in silico (molecular docking) as potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 target proteins. The tested medicinal plant compounds were in silico screened for their activity against two key SARS-CoV-2 target proteins; 3CLpro, and Spike binding-domain proteins. Among the tested medicinal plant compounds, Salvianolic acid B 6 (Sal-B) showed promising binding affinities against the two specified SARS-CoV-2 target proteins compared to the reference standards used. Hence molecular dynamics simulations followed by calculating the free-binding energy were carried out for Sal-B providing information on its affinity, stability, and thermodynamic behavior within the two SARS-CoV-2 target proteins as well as key ligand-protein binding aspects. Besides, the quantum mechanical calculations showed that Sal-B can adopt different conformations due to the existence of various rotatable bonds. Therefore, the enhanced antiviral activity of Sal-B among other studied compounds can be also attributed to the structural flexibility of Sal-B. Our study gives an explanation of the structure activity relationship required for targeting SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro and Spike proteins and also facilitates the future design and synthesis of new potential drugs exhibiting better affinity and specificity. Besides, an ADME study was carried out on screened compounds and reference controls revealing their pharmacokinetics properties.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Exosome-mediated radiosensitizing effect on neighboring cancer cells via increase in intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species

The precise mechanism of intercellular communication between cancer cells following radiation exposure is unclear. Exosomes are membrane‑enclosed small vesicles comprising lipid bilayers and are mediators of intercellular communication that transport a variety of intracellular components, including microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs). The present study aimed to identify novel roles of exosomes released from irradiated cells to neighboring cancer cells. In order to confirm the presence of exosomes in the human pancreatic cancer cell line MIAPaCa‑2, ultracentrifugation was performed followed by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NanoSight) using the exosome‑specific surface markers CD9 and CD63. Subsequent endocytosis of exosomes was confirmed by fluorescent microscopy. Cell survival following irradiation and the addition of exosomes was evaluated by colony forming assay. Expression levels of miRNAs in exosomes were then quantified by microarray analysis, while protein expression levels of Cu/Zn‑ and Mn‑superoxide dismutase (SOD1 and 2, respectively) enzymes in MIAPaCa‑2 cells were evaluated by western blotting. Results showed that the uptake of irradiated exosomes was significantly higher than that of non‑irradiated exosomes. Notably, irradiated exosomes induced higher intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and a higher frequency of DNA damage in MIAPaCa‑2 cells, as determined by fluorescent microscopy and immunocytochemistry, respectively. Moreover, six up‑ and five downregulated miRNAs were identified in 5 and 8 Gy‑irradiated cells using miRNA microarray analyses. Further analysis using miRNA mimics and reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR identified miR‑6823‑5p as a potential candidate to inhibit SOD1, leading to increased intracellular ROS levels and DNA damage. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to demonstrate that irradiated exosomes enhance the radiation effect via increasing intracellular ROS levels in cancer cells. This contributes to improved understanding of the bystander effect of neighboring cancer cells.

Alterations in skin microbiome mediated by radiotherapy and their potential roles in the prognosis of radiotherapy-induced dermatitis: a pilot study

Radiotherapy-induced dermatitis (RID) is an inflammatory cutaneous disorder that is acquired as an adverse effect of undergoing radiotherapy. Skin microbiome dysbiosis has been linked to the outcomes of several dermatological diseases. To explore the skin microbiota of RID and deduce their underlying impact on the outcome of RID, cutaneous microbiomes of 78 RID patients and 20 healthy subjects were characterized by sequencing V1-V3 regions of 16S rRNA gene. In total, a significantly apparent reduction in bacterial diversity was detected in microbiomes of RID in comparison to controls. Overall, the raised Proteobacteria/ Firmicutes ratio was significantly linked to delayed recovery or tendency toward the permanence of RID (Kruskal Wallis: P = 2.66 × 10^–4). Moreover, applying enterotyping on our samples stratified microbiomes into A, B, and C dermotypes. Dermotype C included overrepresentation of Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus and Stenotrophomonas and was markedly associated with delayed healing of RID. Strikingly, coexistence of diabetes mellitus and RID was remarkably correlated with a significant overrepresentation of Klebsiella or Pseudomonas and Staphylococcus. Metabolic abilities of skin microbiome could support their potential roles in the pathogenesis of RID. Cutaneous microbiome profiling at the early stages of RID could be indicative of prospective clinical outcomes and maybe a helpful guide for personalized therapy.

Theoretical Aspect of Physical Phenomena in Inorganic Photovoltaic Cells. Electrical Modeling and Numerical Simulation

This work is based on the development of a theoretical model describing the drift and diffusion transport of photogenerated charge carriers and the impact of space charge on this transport in relation to the different physical phenomena characterizing the photovoltaic conversion in an inorganic silicon-based cell. In a second step, we used a numerical solution of the transport differential equations based on the Runge-Kutta algorithm in the framework of the finite difference method, This led us to an electrical model of the photovoltaic cell and of the photo-generated currents by RLC circuit equipped with a diode modeling the direction of electron and hole transport and allowed us to study the relations between the optical and electrical properties of the cell, as well as the influence of the different concentrations of impurities used for the n-type and p-type doping of the silicon on the properties of absorption of the light photons, the spectral response as well as the conductivity, the open-circuit potential and the short-circuit current.

Onsite Versus Remote Working: The Impact on Satisfaction, Productivity, and Performance of Medical Call Center Workers

Job satisfaction is determined as the measure to know the individuals’ feelings toward their work. The working conditions that can affect satisfaction and performance of the call center agents have received particular concern. This study aimed to determine the role of remote call center working on agents’ satisfaction compared to onsite workers. A cross-section study was conducted between December 2020 and April 2021 that include 124 agents working in a governmental medical call center in Saudi Arabia. Each agent was receiving a questionnaire that investigates his/her satisfaction with the job nature, supervisor support, job autonomy, job productivity, and performance. Seventy-seven physicians working onsite were compared to forty-seven physicians remotely working in the medical call center. The mean age of the physicians included was 43.17 ± 8.4 years, and most of them were male (>70%), married (>85%), and family medicine specialists (>50%). The mean years of experience in the medical field of the physicians included was 16.87 ± 8.07 years, and the mean years of experience in the medical call center was 1.44 ± .97 years. Onsite agents were more satisfied concerning job nature, supervisor support, productivity, and performance compared to remote agents (70.82 vs 53.47%, 63.38 vs 55.05%, and 66.51 vs 56.03%, respectively). However, onsite agents were less satisfied regarding job autonomy than remote physicians (46.81 vs 53.19%, P-value = .128). Overall, general satisfaction was more seen in physicians working onsite as opposed to remote workers in the medical call center in Saudi Arabia (64.90 vs 54.25%, P-value < .01).

Repeated COVID-19 infection in recipients of post-living donor liver transplantation: Two real-life cases

COVID-19 is an emerging pandemic. The course and management of the disease in the liver transplant setting may be difficult due to a long-standing immunosuppressive state. In Egypt, the only available option is living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). In our centre, we have transplanted 440 livers since 2008. In this study, we report a single-centre experience with COVID-19 infection in long-term liver transplant recipients. A total of 25 recipients (5.7 %) had COVID-19 infections since March 2020. Among these recipients, two developed COVID-19 infections twice, approximately three and two months apart, respectively.

Traumatic brain injury probability of survival assessment in adults using iterative random comparison classification

Trauma brain injury (TBI) is the most common cause of death and disability in young adults. A method to determine the probability of survival (Ps) in trauma called iterative random comparison classification (IRCC) was developed and its performance was evaluated in TBI. IRCC operates by iteratively comparing the test case with randomly chosen subgroups of cases from a database of known outcomes (survivors and not survivors) and determines the overall percentage match. The performance of IRCC to determine Ps in TBI was compared with two existing methods. One was Ps14 that uses regression and the other was predictive statistical diagnosis (PSD) that is based on Bayesian statistic. The TBI database contained 4124 adult cases (mean age 67.9 years, standard deviation 21.6) of which 3553 (86.2%) were survivors and 571 (13.8%) were not survivors. IRCC determined Ps for the survivors and not survivors with an accuracy of 79.0 and 71.4%, respectively, while the corresponding values for Ps14 were 97.4% (survivors) and 40.2% (not survivors) and for PSD were 90.8% (survivors) and 50% (not survivors). IRCC could be valuable for determining Ps in TBI and with a suitable database in other traumas.

Modified R.E.N.A.L nephrometry score for predicting the outcome following partial nephrectomy

Background

It was difficult to compare the outcome of partial nephrectomy among different studies due to the absence of standardized description of different renal masses. This problem led to the development of nephrometry scoring systems. R.E.N.A.L. is among the commonest nephrometry scoring systems; however, some studies failed to find any relation between R.E.N.A.L. with perioperative outcome. We evaluated our designed newly modified nephrometry score in prediction of outcome following partial nephrectomy and compared its predictability versus original R.E.N.A.L.

Methods

Fifty-one patients with cT1-2N0M0 renal masses amenable for partial nephrectomy were included prospectively. Different perioperative outcome variables were compared according to complexity level in R.E.N.A.L. and the newly modified nephrometry score.

Results

Clinical staging was T1a (21.6%), T1b (49%), T2a (25.5%), T2b (3.9%). Median R.E.N.A.L. was 9 (4–12). Hilar position and intrarenal pelvis were detected in 19.6% and 68.6%. Low, moderate and high complexity masses were found in 21.6%, 39.2% and 39.2%. Complications and rate of conversion to radical nephrectomy were 17 (33.3%) and 4 (7.8%). The only significantly affected variable (p = 0.039) by R.E.N.A.L. was rate of secondary intervention, but it was higher in low than in high complexity level. In the newly modified nephrometry score, complications (p = 0.037) and rate of positive surgical margin (p = 0.049) were significantly higher with increased complexity level. Although other variables (pelvi-calyceal system entry, operative time, blood loss, hemoglobin loss, blood transfusion and conversion to radical nephrectomy) did not show statistically significant difference according to both scores, they were better associated with the complexity level in the newly modified nephrometry score with their remarkable increase in the high when compared to the low complexity level.

Conclusions

The newly modified nephrometry score was associated with better prediction of outcome of partial nephrectomy when compared to R.E.N.A.L.

Biogenic silver nanoparticles induce apoptosis in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma

Introduction: Plant-mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is accounted as an ecofriendly process. The present study was conducted to estimate the potency of biogenic AgNPs against Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells in vitro and EAC-bearing mice in vivo. Methods: AgNPs were prepared using mango leaves extract and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) mouse model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1 x 106 EAC cells. Biogenic AgNPs- alone or combined with Doxorubicin (DOX)- was administered intraperitoneally day by day for two weeks. Results: Biologically synthesized AgNPs showed a cytotoxic effect against cultured EAC cells but with less toxicity toward normal cells compared to DOX, which had strong cytotoxicity against both cells. Biogenic AgNPs alone or combined with DOX triggered the cytotoxicity against the EAC-bearing mouse model via decreasing body weight, tumor volume, and the number of viable tumor cells. The combined treatment (AgNPs-DOX) ameliorated the drastic effect induced by injection of EAC cells through improving liver and kidney functions compared to those treated with DOX alone. In addition, the combined treatment showed an elevation in the expression of Bax and caspase-3, and a reduction in the expression of Bcl-2 protein in the EAC cells. Furthermore, this combined treatment effectively arrested the cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. Moreover, the combined treatment with AgNPs-DOX caused a significant reduction in the activity of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC). Conclusion: These findings suggest that biogenic AgNPs could be useful in developing a potent combination therapy against different types of cancers.

MEDT study of the 1,3-DC reaction of diazomethane with Psilostachyin and investigation about the interactions of some pyrazoline derivatives with protease (Mpro) of nCoV-2

The molecular electronic density theory (MEDT) was invested to elucidate the chemo-, regio- and stereo-selectivity of the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between Diazomethane (DZM) and Psilostachyin (PSH). The DFT method at B3LYP/6-31 + G (d,p) level of theory was used. Reactivity indices, transition structures theory, IGM and ELF analysis were employed to reveal the mechanism of the reaction. The addition of DZM to PSH takes place through a one-step mechanism and an asynchronous transition states. Eight possible addition channels of reaction were investigated (addition of C (sp2) to Diazomethane at C4, C5, C6 or C7). The addition of C (sp2) at C5 leading to P1 product is the preferred channel. The addition of ether does not affect the chemo-, regio- and stereo-selectivity of the reaction. Analysis of transfer of charges along the IRC path associated with the P1 product shows a polar character for the studied reaction. We have also used the noncovalent interaction (NCI) which is very helpful to reveal the most favored addition channel of the reaction, by analyzing the weak interactions in different TSs. Finally, we investigate about the potential of inhibition of some pyrazoline compounds against COVID-19-M^pro by performing a molecular docking calculations.

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The 1,3-DC reaction between Diazomethane and Psilostachyin has been investigated by MEDT.

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The asynchronicity of TSs has been revealed by IGM and Wiberg indices.

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The electronic description of mechanism of reaction has been performed by ELF analysis.

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The NCI analysis allow a deep description of weak interactions.

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The pyrazolines products possess a potential effect against COVID-19.

Compressively Stressed Silicon Nanoclusters as an Antifracture Mechanism for High-Performance Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes

Silicon has been considered a good candidate for replacing the commonly used carbon anodes for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to its high specific capacity, which can be up to 11 times higher than that of carbon. However, the desirable advantage that silicon brings to battery performance is currently overshadowed by its stress-induced performance loss and high electronic resistivity. The induced stress arises from two sources, namely, the deposition process (i.e., residual stress) during fabrication and the volume expansion (i.e., mechanical stress) associated with the lithiation/delithiation process. Of the two, residual stress has largely been ignored, underestimated, or considered to have a negligible effect without any rigorous evidence being put forward. In this contribution, we produced silicon thin films having a wide range of residual stress and resistivity using a physical vapor deposition technique, magnetron sputtering. Three pairs of silicon thin-film anodes were utilized to study the effect of residual stress on the electrochemical and cyclability performance as anodes for LIBs. Each set consisted of a pair of films having essentially the same resistivity, density, thickness, and oxidation amount but distinctly different residual stresses. The comparison was evaluated by conducting charge/discharge cycling and cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments. In contrast to the fixed belief within the literature, higher compressive residual-stress films showed better electrochemical and cycle performance compared to lower residual-stress films. The results, herein, present an informed understanding of the role that residual stress plays, which will help researchers improve the development of silicon-based thin-film anodes.

Elucidation of gastrointestinal dysfunction in response to irradiation using metabolomics

Gastrointestinal toxicity is frequently observed secondary to accidental or therapeutic radiation exposure. However, the variation in the intestinal metabolites after abdominal radiation exposure remains ambiguous. In the present study, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 0, 2, and 20 Gy irradiation dose. The Head and chest of each mouse were covered with a lead shield before x-ray irradiation. 24 h post-irradiation treatment, intestinal tissue of each mouse was excised and prepared for metabolites measurement using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Our comprehensive analysis of metabolites in the intestinal tissues detected 44 metabolites after irradiation, including amino acids, carbohydrates, organic acids, and sugars. Amino acid levels in the intestinal tissue gradually rose, dependent on the radiation dose, perhaps as an indication of oxidative stress. Our findings raise the possibility that amino acid metabolism may be a potential target for the development of treatments to alleviate or mitigate the harmful effects of oxidative stress-related gastrointestinal toxicity due to radiation exposure.

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Gastrointestinal damage frequently results from radiation exposure.

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We analyzed the metabolic profile after local irradiation to the intestine.

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Amino acid levels in the intestinal tissue rose dependent on the radiation dose.

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Amino acid metabolism may be a good target for future therapies.

Evaluation of some food additives and heavy metals in Egyptian meat products

Background and Aim: Contamination of processed meat by chemicals, either by their addition for enhancing the product quality or as a result of contamination during the manufacturing process, is a crucial food safety issue that threatens human health. This research was conducted to estimate the contamination levels by harmful chemical contaminants, including nitrite, lead, cadmium, and phosphate in the Egyptian processed meats. Materials and Methods: In our study, 20 samples of each frozen sausage, pastirma, and luncheon were collected and prepared for the detection of chemical contaminants, including nitrite, lead, cadmium, phosphorus, and phosphate. Results: Pastirma showed the highest nitrite and lead levels (163.65±22.633 and 0.805±0.173 ppm) and the lowest levels in phosphorus and phosphate (2.294±0.19 and 9.084±0.755 g/kg) whereas sausage recorded the highest concentration of cadmium (0.073±0.008 ppm), phosphorus and phosphate (13.268±1.129 and 52.54±4.472 g/kg, respectively). However, the estimation of nitrite, lead, cadmium, and phosphate levels in sausage, pastirma, and luncheon was considered within the acceptable daily intake. Moreover, target hazard quotient and hazard index of all analyzed chemical contaminants in different processed meat were below one, indicating the safety of these meat products without any danger to human health. The probability of developing cancer was measured using carcinogenic risk (CR) where pastirma and luncheon recorded satisfactory levels away from developing cancer because of lead (4.59E-04 and 1.87E-04, respectively) and cadmium (7.60E-04 and 3.80E-04, respectively) contamination. Surprisingly, the cadmium level in sausage samples represented a relevant CR for consumers (1.90E-03). Conclusion: Periodical surveillance of meat chemical contaminants is a vital issue for human health maintenance.