Physiochemical Characteristic and Biological Activity of the Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Bud Oil

  The present study was investigating the physiochemical and the biological activity of the Clove bud oil against the fungus (A. niger) and two bacteria (E. coli and Staph. aurues). The inhibition zone plate method was used for bacterial test, while the mycelia weights and radial growth methods were used for the fungal study. The A.O.S. official methods were used to determine the physiochemical properties. The studies on the physiochemical characteristics of the Clove bud oil proved that the acid value was (3.86), the saponification value was (38.27),the peroxide value was (3.83), the specific gravity was (1.043), the  reflective index was (1.525), the iodine value was (182.43), and the free fatty acid was (1.94). The results of the antimicrobial tests showed that  the  Clove bud oil gave a complete inhibition of the radial growth of the fungus (A. niger) at its higher concentration and a high reduction percent at its lower concentrations. However, the mycelial fresh and dry weights of the fungus A. niger were completely inhibited by the Clove bud oil at its higher concentration, and clearly reduced at its lower concentrations. The inhibition zone of growth of both bacteria was larger than that of the control treatment. Clove bud oil showed clear inhibition zone when used against Staph. aurues compared to its use against E. coli. Many studies have reported that oils of different herbs and spices can yield medicinal compounds. Spices and herbs have been used for thousand of years by man in traditional medicine. However, more physiochemical characterizations need to be done and the antifungal and the antibacterial properties should be verified in any further studies on the Clove bud oil.   &nbsp

QUANTITATIVE POLLEN ANALYSIS OF BEE HONEY AT CERTAIN APIARIES IN QALYUBIA GOVERNORATE AND AVAILABLE HONEY IN LOCAL MARKET, EGYPT

A new proposal method for quantitative pollen analysis of pollen grains in each gram of bee honey was described, using aNeubauer improved chamber for leucocytes and erythrocytes counting. The study was conducted at the Bee Research Unit, Dept. of plant protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Ain Shams University, Shoubra El-kheimah, Al Qalyubia, Egypt on 36 samples of citrus and clover honeys. 18 samples were collected from 5 apiaries under study in Qalyubia Governorate; Kanater, Shalakan, Tookh, Khankah and Shoubra El kheimah and 18 samples were collected from local market in 5 Governorates in Egypt; Cairo, Giza, Qalyubia, Gharbia and Sharqia, during their seasons of production in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The results showed that 2.8 % of the samples were poor in their content of pollen grains (2000-10000 pollen grains /g honey), 77.8 % of the samples were rich in their content of pollen grains (10000-50000 pollen grains /g honey), 11.1% of the samples were more rich in their content of pollen grain (50000 -100000 pollen grains /g honey) and 8.3% of the samples were very rich in their content of pollen grain (>100000 pollen grains /g honey)

Isolation, biological evaluation and validated HPTLC-quantification of the marker constituent of the edible Saudi plant Sisymbrium irio L.

AbstractPhytochemical investigation and chromatographic purification of the n-hexane fraction of the aerial parts of the edible Saudi plant Sisymbrium irio led to the isolation of β-sitosterol (1), stigmasterol (2) and β-sitosterol-β-d-glucoside (3). The cytotoxic effects of the n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions were tested against three cancer cell lines viz., MCF-7, HCT-116 and HepG2, using the crystal violet staining (CVS) method, while the antibacterial activity against a number of pathogenic bacterial strains, was also estimated using the broth microdilution assay. The n-hexane fraction showed potent cytotoxic activities against all tested human cancer cell lines (IC50: 11.7–13.4μg/mL), while the dichloromethane fraction was particularly potent against HCT-116 cells (IC50: 5.42μg/mL). On the other hand, the n-hexane and EtOAc fractions demonstrated significant inhibitory activities against the Gram positive bacteria S. pyogenes and C. perfringens; and the Gram negative bacterium S. enteritidis. Our results warrant the therapeutic potential of S. irio as nutritional supplement to reduce the risk of contemporary diseases. Additionally, a validated high performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed for the quantitative analysis of biomarker β-sitosterol glucoside (isolated in high quantity) from the n-hexane fraction. The system was found to furnish a compact, sharp, symmetrical and high resolution band for β-sitosterol glucoside (Rf=0.43±0.002). The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for β-sitosterol glucoside was found to be 21.84 and 66.18ngband−1, respectively. β-sitosterol glucoside was found to be present only in n-hexane fraction (2.10μg/mg of dried fraction) while it was absent in the other fractions of S. irio which validated the high cytotoxic and antibacterial activity of n-hexane fraction of S. irio

LC-MS/MS Tandem Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Phenolic Compounds and Pentacyclic Triterpenes in Antifungal Extracts of Terminalia brownii (Fresen)

Decoctions and macerations of the stem bark and wood of Terminalia brownii Fresen. are used in traditional medicine for fungal infections and as fungicides on field crops and in traditional granaries in Sudan. In addition, T. brownii water extracts are commonly used as sprays for protecting wooden houses and furniture. Therefore, using agar disc diffusion and macrodilution methods, eight extracts of various polarities from the stem wood and bark were screened for their growth-inhibitory effects against filamentous fungi commonly causing fruit, vegetable, grain and wood decay, as well as infections in the immunocompromised host. Ethyl acetate extracts of the stem wood and bark gave the best antifungal activities, with MIC values of 250 ug/mL against Nattrassia mangiferae and Fusarium verticillioides, and 500 ug/mL against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus. Aqueous extracts gave almost as potent effects as the ethyl acetate extracts against the Aspergillus and Fusarium strains, and were slightly more active than the ethyl acetate extracts against Nattrassia mangiferae. Thin layer chromatography, RP-HPLC-DAD and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), were employed to identify the chemical constituents in the ethyl acetate fractions of the stem bark and wood. The stem bark and wood were found to have a similar qualitative composition of polyphenols and triterpenoids, but differed quantitatively from each other. The stilbene derivatives, cis- (3) and trans- resveratrol-3-O-b-galloylglucoside (4), were identified for the first time in T. brownii. Moreover, methyl-(S)-flavogallonate (5), quercetin-7-b-O-di-glucoside (8), quercetin-7-O-galloyl-glucoside (10), naringenin-40-methoxy-7-pyranoside (7), 5,6-dihydroxy-30,40,7-tri-methoxy flavone (12), gallagic acid dilactone (terminalin) (6), a corilagin derivative (9) and two oleanane type triterpenoids (1) and (2) were characterized. The flavonoids, a corilagin derivative and terminalin, have not been identified before in T. brownii. We reported earlier on the occurrence of methyl-S-flavogallonate and its isomer in the roots of T. brownii, but this is the first report on their occurrence in the stem wood as well. Our results justify the traditional uses of macerations and decoctions of T. brownii stem wood and bark for crop and wood protection and demonstrate that standardized extracts could have uses for the eco-friendly control of plant pathogenic fungi in African agroforestry systems. Likewise, our results justify the traditional uses of these preparations for the treatment of skin infections caused by filamentous fungi.Peer reviewe

UWB Antenna Width Tuning Effect for UWB Communication

In this paper, a performance analysis of an array of 2 x 1 Ice Cream Cone UWB Antenna for Ultra Wide Band (UWB) communication is being proposed. The antenna designs have been simulated using CST Microwave Studio. The antenna covers the UWB spectrum from 3.1 to 10.6 GHz, and had a return loss below than -10 dB throughout the entire band. The basic antenna analysis has been done including the analysis of antenna performance due to antenna width tuning. A compact antenna area of 70 x 80 mm2 is obtained. The material used is FR-4 epoxy glass substrate that has dielectric constant, r = 4.4 and the dielectric thickness; h = 1.6mm. The antenna also gives omni-directional radiation characteristics with reasonable gain values over the same frequency ban

Predictors of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations among a Sample of Egyptian Schoolchildren

Objective. To assess the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D status among a sample of Egyptian schoolchildren and to evaluate predictors of deficiency and insufficiency. Subjects and Methods. A cross-sectional study comprising 200 prepubescent schoolchildren aged from 9 to 11 years was performed. A questionnaire including frequency of midday sun exposure, milk intake, physical activity, and level of maternal education was taken. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated; serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], serum calcium, phosphorus, and parathyroid hormone were measured. Results. Vitamin D deficiency [serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL] was detected in 11.5% of subjects while its insufficiency (serum 25(OH)D is between 20 and 29.9 ng/mL) was detected in 15%. Results revealed that obesity, low physical activity, low sun exposure, and low maternal education level are significant predictors of insufficiency, though female gender, low maternal education level, and low milk intake are significant predictors of deficiency. Lower serum phosphorus and higher serum parathyroid hormone were significantly associated with both deficiency and insufficiency (p<0.05). Conclusion. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are common among schoolchildren in Egypt. Food fortification, vitamin D supplementation, and increasing maternal awareness about the importance of physical activity and exposure of their children to ultraviolet light may help to overcome this problem

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

BRCA1 is an essential regulator of heart function and survival following myocardial infarction

The tumour suppressor BRCA1 is mutated in familial breast and ovarian cancer but its role in protecting other tissues from DNA damage has not been explored. Here we show a new role for BRCA1 as a gatekeeper of cardiac function and survival. In mice, loss of BRCA1 in cardiomyocytes results in adverse cardiac remodelling, poor ventricular function and higher mortality in response to ischaemic or genotoxic stress. Mechanistically, loss of cardiomyocyte BRCA1 results in impaired DNA double-strand break repair and activated p53-mediated pro-apoptotic signalling culminating in increased cardiomyocyte apoptosis, whereas deletion of the p53 gene rescues BRCA1-deficient mice from cardiac failure. In human adult and fetal cardiac tissues, ischaemia induces double-strand breaks and upregulates BRCA1 expression. These data reveal BRCA1 as a novel and essential adaptive response molecule shielding cardiomyocytes from DNA damage, apoptosis and heart dysfunction. BRCA1 mutation carriers, in addition to risk of breast and ovarian cancer, may be at a previously unrecognized risk of cardiac failure