Effects of maternal hyperthermia on neurodevelopment: a literature review

Maternal hyperthermia, defined as a body temperature above 38°C (100.4°F) is due to various etiologies during pregnancy, and has been a subject of growing research interest. This phenomenon is considered a potential environmental teratogen contributing to the development of neural tube defects (NTDs) and other neurodevelopmental disorders. NTDs such as anencephaly and spina bifida, are known to be multifactorial in origin, resulting from a complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors. In this review, we aim to comprehensively analyze the effect of maternal hyperthermia on neurodevelopmental disorders and associated congenital anomalies. In addition, we will highlight both the infectious and noninfectious causes of maternal hyperthermia, as well as any risks and potential preventive measures. The literature search identified studies reporting associations between maternal hyperthermia and adverse fetal outcomes. We have evaluated the link between maternal fever due to infections during pregnancy and the increased likelihood of NTDs, particularly anencephaly and spina bifida, as well as Neurodevelopmental disorders. ​​In addition, the effects of non-infectious causes of maternal hyperthermia, including exercise and exposure to heat sources like saunas and hot tubs, on neurodevelopment have also been studied with varying degrees of evidence. Maternal hyperthermia elevates the risk of NTDs and neurodevelopmental disorders in infants, with folic acid offering partial protection, while other factors elevate this risk. However, further research is needed to define the precious association of these factors

Novel synthesis, ring transformation and anticancer activity of 1,3-thiazine, pyrimidine and triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine derivatives

Synthesis, heterocyclization and anticancer activity of a new series of heterocyclic compounds are described. Aminothiazine 1 was obtained from the base induced condensation of thiourea, benzaldehyde and ethyl cyanoacetate. The synthesis of N-phenyl amino pyrimidine derivative 2 was obtained as a result of reaction of aniline with compound 1. Compound 2 underwent ring opening and recyclization upon reaction with HCl or H2O2/ NaOH to afford the acid derivative 3 or oxazine 4, respectively. Thiazine 1 undergoes ring transformation upon the effect of NH2OH.HCl to produce pyrimidine derivative 5. Heterocyclization of compound 1 with thiosemicarbazide followed by oxidation with I2/AcOH afforded triazolopyrimidine 6 and 7, respectively. Alkylation of compound 1 was promoted by reaction of 1 with ethyl iodide to give alkylated thiazine 8 which in turn undergo ring transformation when subjected to reaction with hydrazine hydrate to give pyrazole derivative 9. Refluxing of amino-1,3-thiazine derivative 1 with ethyl bromoacetate in the presence of Et3N produce the alkylated pyrimidine product 10. Hydrazonolysis of 1,3-thiazine 1 with hydrazine or phenyhydrazine gave pyrimidine derivatives 11a,b, respectively. Compound 11b was cyclized with carbon disulfide or formaldehyde to produce triazolopyrimidines 12 and 13, respectively. Some of the new compounds were screened for anticancer activity and significant results were found for some compounds.               KEY WORDS: 1,3-Thiazine, Pyrimidine, Triazole, Pyrazole, Anticancer activity Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2018, 32(3), 513-522.DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v32i3.1

Antioksidativno djelovanje metanolnih ekstrakata listova sedam egipatskih vrsta roda Cassia

In the present study, antioxidant activity of methanolic extracts of the leaves of seven Egyptian Cassia species was investigated using two methods, the phosphomolybdate method and 1,1 diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH•) scavenging activity method. The results revealed that C. glauca is the most potent species and that the activity of other plant species decreases in the following order C. grandis > C. nodosa > C. fistula > C. didymobtrya > C. occidentalis > C. sophera. Defatted methanolic extract of the most active plant C. glauca was subjected to fractionation process using different organic solvents such as CHCl3, EtOAc and BuOH. Antioxidant activities of these fractions were investigated and the results showed that ethyl acetate fraction possessed high activity. Total phenolic and flavonoid concentration of each plant extract were determined using the Folin-Ciocaltu reagent and aluminum chloride. Correlation between radical scavenging capacities of extracts and total phenolic concentration was observed.U radu je ispitano antioksidativno djelovanje metanolnih ekstrakata listova sedam egipatskih vrsta roda Cassia koristeći fosfomolibdatnu metodu i metodu vezanja slobodnih 1,1-difenil-2-pikrilhidrazil radikala (DPPH.). Rezultati pokazuju da C. glauca ima najveću aktivnost te da se djelovanje smanjuje sljedećim redom: C. grandis C. nodosa C. fistula C. didymobtrya C. occidentalis C. sophera. Odmašćeni metanolni ekstrakt najaktivnije biljke C. glauca frakcioniran je pomoću različitih organskih otapala kao što su CHCl3, EtOAc i BuOH. Ispitivanje antioksidativnog djelovanja pojedinih frakcija pokazuje da je etil-acetatna frakcija najaktivnija. Pomoću Folin-Ciocaltuovog reagensa i aluminijevog klorida određena je ukupna koncentracija fenola i flavonoida svakog pojedinog ekstrakta. Uočena je korelacija između sposobnosti hvatanja slobodnih radikala i ukupnog sadržaja fenola

The mechanism of action of Spirulina as antidiabetic: a narrative review

Spirulina happens to be a special type of blue-green algae that originally emerged 3.5 billion years ago and was used as a source of nutrition. Spirulina gets its name from the filaments’ spiral or helical structure, but its true name is taxonomically Genus Arthrospira which encompasses several species. The most common species are S. fusiformis, S. maxima, and S. platensis. It is rich in various nutrients and chemical components including protein, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, minerals, pigments, chlorophyll, and enzymes. Spirulina’s active molecules and rich nutrients make it have several pharmacological activities and uses including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, immune system booster, anticancer, antiviral activity, and neuroprotective properties. It is also utilized as a nutritional supplement and for weight loss. Moreover, several studies confirm that Spirulina improves insulin sensitivity and reduces blood glucose levels in rat models as well as diabetic patients. The reason behind this unique behavior could be credited to the presence of several active components in it, but the action’s fundamental mechanism is still a matter of debate. Several studies have suggested different mechanisms including anti-inflammatory activity, increased insulin sensitivity, inhibition of gluconeogenesis, antioxidant activity, modulating gut microbiota composition, improved glucose homeostasis, and insulin receptor activation. Therefore, it became clear that Spirulina is a mine of active substances used as a nutritional supplement and reduces blood glucose levels or used in conjunction with other treatments to tackle type 2 diabetes. Further exploration is required to fully explain its effects on human physiology and determine optimal dosages for treatment

MIR-99a and MIR-99b Modulate TGF-β Induced Epithelial to Mesenchymal Plasticity in Normal Murine Mammary Gland Cells

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process during embryonic development and disease development and progression. During EMT, epithelial cells lose epithelial features and express mesenchymal cell markers, which correlate with increased cell migration and invasion. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is a multifunctional cytokine that induces EMT in multiple cell types. The TGF-β pathway is regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs), which are small non-coding RNAs regulating the translation of specific messenger RNAs

The Dream that Turned into a Nightmare: What Is Happening to the Egyptian Revolution?

This presentation will discuss developments in the Egyptian Revolution over the past three years. It will begin with a quick overview of the political and socio-economic conditions that eventually culminated in the January 2011 Revolution. Then, the primary focus will be on the past three years. The speakers will provide a unique, unfiltered access to facts as they are on the ground, and will analyze the causes behind the turmoil that has virtually derailed what had been celebrated as one of the greatest revolutions in modern history. The speakers will comment on the total erosion of freedom since the military takeover that has been using all its might to bring Egypt back into military dictatorship. We will present an account of the brutal crackdown against any type of opposition to the military coup, and the unspeakable crimes the military regime has committed against innocent Egyptians, specifically women, children and students

The Facebook Generation: Understanding the Social and Political Realities of Modern Egypt

This presentation will discuss how the Egyptian youth have utilized the internet to reshape political and social realities of their country. The January 25th revolution in Egypt demonstrated the powerful influence of Egyptian youth in the pursuit of social justice and democracy. The Internet has played a very powerful role in the exposure of young Egyptian men and women to democratic ideals from all over the world. It has also brought about changes in social interactions and creating a subculture of its own. This presentation will discuss some aspects of social interactions and thought processes of the typical Egyptian individual. We will also present some statistics about Internet usage, technology, education, and other aspects of the Egyptian culture