Tapping uncultured microorganisms through metagenomics for drug discovery

Natural products have been an important historical source of therapeutic agents. Microorganisms are major source of bioactive natural products, and several microbial products including antibiotics, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumour, immunosuppressants and others are currently used as therapeutic agents for human and  domestic animals. Most of these products were obtained from cultured environmental microorganisms. However, it is widely accepted that a very large majority of the microorganisms present in natural  environments are not readily cultured under laboratory conditions, and therefore are not accessible for drug  discovery. Metagenomics is a recent culture-independent approach that has been developed to access the  collective genomes of natural bacterial populations. It enables discovery of the diverse biosynthetic pathways encoded by diverse microbial assemblages that are known to be present in the environment but not-yet  cultured. Recently, several new bioactive molecules and proteins have been discovered using a metagenomic approach. This review highlights the recent methodologies, limitations, and applications of metagenomics for the discovery of new drugs. Moreover, it shows how a multidisciplinary approach combining metagenomics with other technologies can expedite and revolutionize drug discovery from diverse environmental microorganisms.Key words: Microbial diversity, metagenomics, natural products, drug discovery, microbial ecology

Optimum conditions for ascorbic acid determination in three Iraqi citrus using HPLC technique

A high-performance liquid chromatography method was employed for the quantitative determination of ascorbic acid (AA) which called vitamin C in three types of Iraqi citrus (orange mandarin and aurantium ) and to establish this goal , evaluation of ascorbic acid degradation is so important due to its significant criticality when exposure to ordinary atmospheric conditions. The chromatographic analysis of AA was carried out after their sequential elution with KH2PO4 ( as mobile phase) by reverse-phase HPLC technique with C8 column and UV detection at 214 nm. .Bad resolutions was appeared clearly for C8 column , so another alternative condition were carried out to improve the resolution by replacement of C8 by C18 column .Statistical treatments were used to calculate relative standard deviation (RSD%) for the results to gain acceptable confidence to the present work , so the linearity of calibration curve, accuracy, and repeatability of this method are all satisfactory

Effect of different polishing techniques on surface roughness and bacterial adhesion of three glass ionomer-based restorative materials : in vitro study

Although many reports concluded that polishing of glass ionomers is crucial for smoother surface and limiting the adhesion of cariogenic bacteria, there is no specific surface treatment protocol recommended. A novel material in the same category was released recently claimed to have surface smoothness comparable to resin composite and bacterial adhesion less than other types of glass ionomers. In this study, different polishing systems were tested with three glass ionomers one of them is the novel material to find the most appropriate polishing protocol. Objectives: To evaluate and compare the surface roughness and bacterial adhesion to resin modified glass ionomer, bioactive ionic resin and conventional glass ionomer restorative materials after different polishing protocols in vitro. The materials tested includes resin modified glass ionomer, bioactive ionic resin, and conventional glass ionomer. The polishing protocols were divided into four groups: group 1 = (Mylar matrix strips, Control), group 2 = (one-step, PoGo), group 3 = (two-step, Prisma Gloss) and group 4 = (three-step, Sof-Lex). From each material, eleven cylindrical specimens were prepared for each group according to the manufacturers? instructions. The surface roughness for all specimens was measured using atomic force microscope in tapping mode. the same specimens were subjected to bacterial adhesion testing after being coated with artificial saliva. Data were analyzed with two-way analysis of variance followed by Post hoc multiple comparisons. The highest Ra and S. mutans adhesion values were recorded for all materials in two-step group. The lowest Ra and S. mutans adhesion values were seen in one-step and three step groups. One-step polishing system was more effective and may be preferable for polishing of the three studied glass ionomer-based materials compared to two-step and three-step systems

In vitro marginal and internal adaptation of four different base materials used to elevate proximal dentin gingival margins

There is still debate about the most appropriate restorative material category to relocate the proximal deep cervical margins, thus, this study aimed to compare the marginal and internal adaptation of four base materials used for deep margin elevation, a

LINEARNO PROGRAMIRANJE KAO ALAT ZA PROJEKTIRANJE SIROVINSKE SMJESE U TVORNICI CEMENTA

This study uses linear programming to develop a methodology for selecting the best raw material mix in an ASCOM cement plant in Egypt. In cement factories, this type adheres to Egyptian chemical composition criteria for raw feed (e.g. 82.5% calcium carbonate, 14.08% silica, 2.5% alumina and 0.92% iron oxide). Furthermore, the model is bound by industry-specific characteristics (e.g. lime saturation factor, silica modulus, alumina modulus and loss of ignition). The results reveal that the model is able to accurately reproduce the mixing of high-quality feed with varying constituent percentages. It is also capable of determining the combining limitations of each ingredient. Furthermore, it demonstrates optimality for additive sourcing short-term planning and capping limestone quality to meet changeable component combinations. Additionally, improving the raw mix reduces limestone feed quality from 51 to 50.6%, resulting in the inclusion of extra limestone reserves.Studija prikazuje metodu linearnoga programiranja uporabljenu sa svrhom odabira najbolje sirovinske smjese u tvornici cementa ASCOM (Egipat). Takva smjesa poštuje egipatske standarde kemijskoga sastava sirovine (npr. 82,5 % kalcijeva karbonata, 14,08 % silikata, 2,5 % aluminijeva oksida, 0,92 % željeznoga oksida). Također, model je uvjetovan industrijskim standardima (npr. faktorom zasićenja vapnom, silikatnim i aluminatnim modulom te gubitkom (oksida) žarenjem). Modelom se mogla točno izračunati visokokvalitetna mješavina različitih (postotnih) komponenti te je dokazan kao optimalan za brz izračun raznih aditiva i postizanje najveće kvalitete vapnenačke sirovine uz doziranje ostalih komponenti. Time je udjel vapnenca bilo moguće smanjiti na 50,6 – 51 %, što je otvorilo put eksploataciji dodatnih rezervi te sirovine

The Effect of COVID-19 on Family Support for Home-Schooling in Urban Areas

The objective of the study is to clarify that the family participated in COVID-19 as a home-schooling family. The sample was selected according to the geographical distribution of schools in the eastern region of Khartoum. Data was collected through a questionnaire and interviews. The most important result is that there is an increasing interest from parents to support home-schooling despite the challenges of continuing learning, such as the widening digital divide in technology, previous experience, and poor network connectivity. This research paper focused on the point of view of parents in the city of Khartoum on supporting home-schooling according to social variables related to both mother and father, and the paper concluded that parents of students in private schools are more supportive of home education. Also, most of the parents of students who support home-schooling have reached their university level of education and post-university and belong to the youth age group. Although parents emphasize the importance of home-schooling during the COVID-19 infection, there are challenges associated with providing home-schooling for their children. Doi: 10.28991/ESJ-2023-07-05-021 Full Text: PD

Oral thearubigins do not protect against acetaminopheninduced hepatotoxicity in mice

Purpose: To investigate the potential protective effect of oral repeated doses of thearubigins against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice.Methods: Mice were randomly divided into six groups (n=8) and administered the following: Control group (saline), acetaminophen group (saline), N-acetylcysteine group (500 mg/kg/day), and thearubigins groups (60, 70, 100 mg/kg/day). The drugs were given orally by gavage for seven days. On day 7, 1 h after the last dose of treatment, the mice (except control group) were given a single dose of acetaminophen (n-acetyl-p-aminophenol, APAP) orally by gavage (350 mg/kg) and then sacrificed 4 h post-APAP intake. Blood was collected for biochemical measurements and their liver were subjected to biochemical and histopathological assessment.Results: The acetaminophen group showed significant increases (p < 0.001) in serum alanine aminotransferase level, hepatic cytochrome P2E1 level, and serum and hepatic malondialdehyde levels. Moreover it showed significant decrease (p < 0.001) in serum and hepatic glutathione levels. Morphologically, the liver sections showed cellular necrosis, vacuolization, and degeneration around the centrilobular veins. Pretreatment with N-acetylcysteine reversed all acetaminophen-induced changes (p < 0.001 for all biomarkers except for hepatic MDA (p = 0.014) while pretreatment with thearubigins failed to reverse any of them.Conclusion: Oral repeated doses of thearubigins failed to protect against acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity in mice and didn't affect hepatic cytochrome P2E1 level.Keywords: Acetaminophen, Hepatotoxicity, Thearubigins, N-acetylcysteine, Cellular necrosis, Vacuolization, Hepatic cytochrome P2E

Role of calcium and magnesium on dramatic physiological and anatomical responses in tomato plants

Minerals are the fundamental source of nutrients for plant functions such as photosynthesis, ATP currency, cellular respiration, metabolic activities, defense mechanisms, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stressors. Minerals are the most significant component of plant nutrition and applying these minerals supplements can increase fruit output. The study’s main aim was to make agricultural farming easier by foliar applying newly created nutrients like Lebosol-calcium and Magnesium. The four treatments: To (Control), T1 (Lebosol-Mg-Plus, 3 ml/L), T2 (Lebosol-Ca-Forte, 3 ml/L), and T3 (Lebosol-Mg-Plus and Lebosol-Ca-Forte, 3 ml/L) was applied as foliar spray to the seedlings of tomato. It was found that T3 substantially enhanced tomato’s morphological features and yield. The treatment T3 significantly increased total soluble protein, chlorophyll content, and antioxidant enzyme activity. Furthermore, the foliar application of T3 considerably improved phenolic and ascorbic acid contents. The general anatomical features of the leaf, stem, and roots of tomato were qualitatively affected by the treatments. Application of Lebosol-Ca provided the highest total thickness of lamina, number of vessel elements, total phloem area, chlorenchyma layer, total area of vessel elements, xylem ratio, and increased palisade layer thickness, vessel diameter. Furthermore, T3 treatment showed a diverse impact on the internal structure of tomato organs, with palisade and spongy parenchyma growing to maximum values and vessel diameters expanding. T3 had also posed remarkable alterations in morpho-physiological, biochemical, and anatomical aspects in tested plants

Nutrition Situation Analysis in the UAE: A Review Study

This review study aimed to assess the nutrition situation in the UAE using published data from 2010 to 2022. It highlights the gaps and challenges that prevail in addressing the nutrition-related problems in the UAE and the opportunities that have been overlooked. The available literature indicates that the UAE is burdened with more than one form of nutrition-related problems, including being underweight, being overweight, obesity, micronutrient deficiencies, and nutrition-related chronic diseases. It is clear that data on micronutrient deficiencies, protein-energy malnutrition, obesity, diabetes, and other nutrition-related diseases among the UAE population are extremely scarce. The UAE has a high prevalence of obesity and diabetes; however, limited studies have been conducted to document this nutritional phenomenon. Few examples of published data are available assessing the burden of stunting, wasting, and being underweight among children under five years of age. Despite the importance of protein-energy malnutrition, no recent publications analyze its prevalence within the UAE population. Therefore, future studies must be conducted, focusing on malnutrition. Based on the literature, and bearing in mind the magnitude of the health issues due to the UAE population\u27s nutrition negligence, there is an urgent need to assess the population\u27s nutrient behaviors, to aid policy decision-makers in developing and implementing effective health policies and strategies