Vitamin E Attenuates Cardiomyopathy Via Alleviation of Autophagic Stress

Introduction: Vitamin E (Vit E) is well known antioxidant. Bisphenol A (BPA), widely used industrial chemical product, is associated with increased risk for cardiac diseases to identify the potential protective effect of Vit E on BPA induced cardiomyopathy by alleviation of oxidative and autophagic stress through its antioxidant effect. Materials and Methods: Twenty –four adult male rates were used in the study. They were randomly divided into 4 groups; negative control, vit E positive control, BPA, and vit E treated group. All chemicals were given orally via gastric gavage for 14 days. Rats were sacrificed and their hearts were dissected out. Serum, cardiac homogenates, and cardiac tissues were obtained for biochemical and histopathological evaluation. Results: There were significant increase in serum DH and CK-MB, tissue homogenates showed elevated levels of NO and MDA and decreased level of GSH in BPA group. Immunohistopathological evaluation of autophagic mediators showed significant increase in LC3 and P62 in BPA group. On Histological examination, there was pathological alteration in BPA group compared to normal group. Vit E administration showed significant improvement in cardiac enzymes and oxidative stress. Also, alleviation of autophagic process and restoration of the myocardial architecture with reduction of the fibrous tissue were observed with vit E administration. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that vitamin E exhibit substantial protective effects in BPA induced cardiotoxicity by attenuating inflammation, oxidative stress, and alleviation the autophagic process

Doxycycline: a new treatment option for COVID-19

No abstract

Long noncoding RNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1): A molecular predictor of poor survival in glioblastoma multiforme in Egyptian patients

Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are a recently discovered class of transcribed RNA molecules with a length of more than 200 nucleotides. Recent studies have shown that lncRNA metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) could play an important role in carcinogenesis and cancer progression in several types of malignancies.Objective: As little is known about the role and clinical significance of lncRNA MALAT1 in glioblastoma multiform (GBM) patients in Egyptian population, this study aimed to investigate the expressions of lncRNA-MALAT1 in human GBM samples and to correlate these expressions with the available clinicopathological features including patient survival data.Subjects and methods: The relative expression of MALAT1 was determined in 37 human glioblastoma formalin-fixed paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue samples and 10 FFPE non-neoplastic brain tissues using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technology.Results: The current results revealed that lncRNA MALAT1 expression was down-regulated in all tumor specimens compared to normal tissues. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed high diagnostic performance; area under curve (AUC) =0.925 ± 0.038 (P <0.001), 95% CI= 0.850–1.00, with 94.6% sensitivity, and 72.7% specificity. Lower MALAT1 expression was associated with poor prognosis; higher frequency of recurrence (P < 0.044), lower overall survival (P <0.005), and shorter disease-free survival (P < 0.004).Conclusion: Taken together, we could postulate that MALAT1 might have a tumor-suppressive function in GBM in Egyptian population and this specific type of lncRNAs may be included in the lists of both potential prognostic biomarkers and the future therapeutic targets for glioblastomas

Blood glucose control for patients with acute coronary syndromes in Qatar

Background: Blood glucose is known to be elevated in patients presenting with acute coronary syndromes. However a gap in knowledge exists regarding effective management strategies once admitted to acute care units. It is also unknown what factors (if any) predict elevated glucose values during initial presentation. Objectives: Objectives of the study were to characterize blood glucose control in patients admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU) in Qatar and to determine predictive factors associated with high glucose levels (>10mmol/l) on admission to the CCU. Setting: All data for this study were obtained from the CCU at Heart Hospital in Doha, Qatar. Method: A retrospective chart review was completed for patients admitted to the CCU in Qatar from October 1st, 2012 to March 31st, 2013, of which 283 were included. Baseline characteristics (age, gender, nationality, medical history, smoking status, type of acute coronary syndrome), capillary and lab blood glucose measurements, and use of insulin were extracted. Time spent in glucose ranges of 10mmol/1 was calculated manually. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to assess factors associated with high glucose on admission. The primary analysis was completed with capillary data and a sensitivity analysis was completed using laboratory data. Main outcome measure: Blood glucose values measured on admission and throughout length of stay in the CCU. Results: Capillary blood glucose data showed majority of time was spent in the range of >10mmol/l (41.95%), followed by 4–8mmol/l (35.44%), then 8–10mmol/l (21.45%), and finally 10mmol/l on admission (p<0.05) in a univariate analysis but only diabetes remained significant in a multivariate model (OR 23.3; 95% CI, 11.5–47.3). Conclusion: Diabetes predicts high glucose values on hospital admission for patients with ACS and patients are not being adequately controlled throughout CCU stay.Open Access funded by King Saud University. UREP Grant #UREP 13-060-3-014 from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation)

Formulation and Characterization of Thymoquinone Bioadhesive Gel for Treatment of Chronic Gum Inflammation

The aim of study is to formulate Thymoquinone gel and investigate its effect in chronic periodontitis in terms of clinical periodontal parameters, anti-oxidant capacity and the levels of IL-1β in gingival crevicular fluid. different gelling agents (carbopol, hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose and chitosan) were used for the development of TQ gel. The optimized gel formulation was used for the clinical study. The study was conducted on 68 subjects (25-58 years old). 48 patients were clinically diagnosed with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis. Patients were divided into three groups; Group I (24 patients): received non-surgical periodontal therapy and Thymoquinone-chitosan gel (0.1 % w/w), Group II (24 patients): received only non-surgical periodontal therapy and Group III: 20 healthy subjects (control group). All patients were evaluated for clinical parameters including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL). &nbsp;The levels of IL-1β and total anti-oxidant capacity were recorded in gingival crevicular fluid at baseline (prior to treatment) and at weeks 4 and 12 after treatment. The results showed that combination of non-surgical periodontal therapy and Thmoquinone gel (group I) &nbsp;exhibited statistically significant improvement in biochemical parameters compared to non-surgical periodontal therapy alone (group II). In conclusion we can say that the adjunctive use of thymoquinone gel with non-surgical periodontal therapy improves the biochemical parameters accompanied with chronic periodontitits significantly after 4 weeks only

A Case Study of Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT) Engineering Students’ Perceptions of Utilizing Simulation Software via Online Learning

The primary goal of this research has been to examine the perceptions related to the use of simulation software in the context of e-learning at Engineering PSUT in Jordan, which is acknowledged as one of the leading private universities in the country. The present study and a descriptive study utilized a 25-item survey given to 270 students. The research findings indicate that, according to the students’ subjective viewpoint, the effectiveness of simulation software in the context of online learning was observed to be significantly high. This observation is supported by an average score of 3.89 and a standard deviation of 0.959, indicating a relatively consistent perception among the participants. The study’s results indicate that there were no significant variations observed in terms of academic year, computer skills, student GPA or gender parameters. The research findings underscore the importance of incorporating simulation software in higher educational institutions to improve the teaching and learning experience

Synthesis of some new of thieno[2,3-b]pyridines, pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine, [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine, pyrazolo[5,1-c]triazine and pyrimido[1,2-a]benzimidazole derivatives containing pyridine moiety

pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine, [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine and pyrimido[1,2-a] benzimidazole derivatives were synthesized by reaction of sodium salt of 3-hydroxy-(1-pyridin-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one or sodium salt of 3-hydroxy-1-(pyridin-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one with different heterocyclic amines in piperidenium acetate. Also, 3-amino-6-(2-pyridyl)thieno[2,3-b]pyridine derivatives were synthesized via reaction of pyridine-2-thione with various halogenated compounds. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were confirmed by elemental analysis, spectral data, X-ray and alternative synthetic routes whenever possible

Construction of Crack-Free Bridge Decks: Final Report

This serves as the final report on Transportation Pooled-Fund Program Project No. TPF-5(174) Construction of Crack-Free Bridge Decks. The goal of the study was to implement the most cost-effective techniques for improving bridge deck life through the reduction of cracking. Work was performed both in the laboratory and in the field, resulting in the construction of 17 bridge decks in Kansas that were let under Low-Cracking High-Performance Concrete (LC-HPC) specifications. The report documents the performance of the decks based on crack surveys performed on the LC-HPC decks and matching control bridge decks. The specifications for LCHPC bridge decks, which cover aggregates, concrete, and construction procedures, and procedures for performing crack surveys are summarized. The first 13 LC-HPC bridge decks are compared to control decks in terms of crack density as a function of time. Survey results are also presented for three LC-HPC decks without control decks and one deck let under LC-HPC specifications on which the specifications were not enforced. The widths of measured cracks widths ranged from 0.006 to 0.025 in. (0.15 to 0.64 mm). The LC-HPC bridge decks exhibit less cracking than the matching control decks in the vast majority of cases. Only bridge decks LC-HPC-2 and LC-HPC-3 have higher overall crack densities than their control decks, the two best performing control decks in the program, and the differences are small. The majority of the cracks are transverse and run parallel to the top layer of the deck reinforcement. Relatively short cracks are present near the abutments and propagate perpendicular to the abutments (longitudinally). The study demonstrates the positive effects of reduced cementitious material and cement paste contents, improved earlyage and long-term curing, concrete temperature control, limitations on or de-emphasis of maximum concrete compressive strength, limitations on maximum slump, and minimizing finishing operations on minimizing cracking in bridge decks

Ameliorative Effect of Chitosan on Nicotine Toxicity in Diabetic Rats

Chitosan (COS) is a natural product. It used as a dietary fiber. We explored the impact of chitosan administration in case of nicotine toxicity in adult healthy and corresponding diabetic male rats. Eighty mature male albino rats, weighing 190±10 g, were distributed into two sections healthy and diabetic section. Each section separated into 4 groups each one includes 10 rats, group1: control group, group2: orally administrated, COS, group3: administrated nicotine and group4: administrated both COS and nicotine. The experiment lasted 6 weeks. Diabetes induction with STZ caused significant increase in diabetic biomarker, serum glucose level and HOMA-IR. With a strong decline in insulin, liver glycogen as well as in liver glucokinase enzyme activity. Nicotine worsened the diabetic biomarkers. COS administration caused an ameliorative effect on these diabetic biomarkers that caused by diabetes alone or with nicotine. Diabetes and nicotine caused increase in TAGs, TC, LDL-C, VLDL-C, RF and AI with diminished HDL-C level. COS significantly improved the lipids profile in healthy and diabetic groups. Diabetes induction as well as nicotine injection increased ALT and AST activities and decreased the serum albumin, while COS improved the effects of nicotine and diabetes. Diabetes increased serum creatinine, urea and urine albumin. Also, decreased urine urea and creatinine. Nicotine worsened the kidney function tests in both healthy and diabetic rats. COS improved the renal function. Diabetes and nicotine decreased SOD and increased MDA activities. COS increased SOD and decreased MDA. Diabetes and nicotine increased the DNA fragmentation. COS protected the DNA from damage. Finally, the study demonstrated that COS have antidiabetic, antioxidant and antitoxic effects

EVALUATION OF GENETIC DIFFERENCES ON IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE IN TWO NATIVE CHICKEN STRAINS FED ON DIFFERENT NATURAL AND ORGANIC ACID SUPPLEMENTATION

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the genetic differences in immunological response by use the natural growth promoters in diets offered to local chicken strains (GoldenMontazah (GM) and Bandra (B)). The present study was carried out in Seds Poultry Breeding Research Station, Animal Production Research Institute, Banysweif Governorate, through August to January (2016). A total of 240 chicks (120 hens of each strain) were used from 16 to 40 weeks of age. Birds were randomly distributed into six treatments. Each treatment had 20 (female) chicks (20X 6X 2) that were individually caged. The first treatment of each strain served as a control group and fed the formulated basal diet without any tested feed additives. The second treatment fed the basal diet with BioPlus® 2B, (400gm/ton) a commercial probiotic preparation (pro. (Bio)). The third treatment hens were fed the same basal diet with the addition of TechnoMos® (500gm/ton) a prebiotic type (pre. (Tech)).The fourth treatment fed the basal diet with Diamond V®(2.5kg/ton) a commercial prebiotic produced (pre. (Dia)). The fifth treatment fed the basal diet with FORMI® NDF (2kg/ton) (organic acid (FORMI)). The sixth treatment fed the basal diet with combination of (BioPlus® 2B, (400gm/ton) + TechnoMos® (500gm/ton) + FORMI® NDF (1kg/ton)) (combination (BTF)).  Data showed that, the Heterophils/Lymphocyte ratio percentage value was significantly higher in  Golden Montaza than Bandara. The highest value was found for organic acids (FORMI) group and the lowest value was found for probiotic (Bio Plus) group.  As for the antibody titer before vaccination the highest values were found for pre (Tech) group in comparison to pre (Dia) group. And there were no significant differences between the control group and all treated groups. Also, the higher values of antibody titer against Newcastle vaccine after vaccination were found in pre (Tech.), org ((FORMI), combination (Bio, Tech and FORMI) and control groups compare to values were found in pre (Dia) and pro (Bio) groups. As for the differences titer between before and after vaccination against Newcastle disease virus, there were no significant differences