Influence of SARS-CoV-2 variants’ spike glycoprotein and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (nsp12) mutations on remdesivir docking residues

Rapid emergence and evolution of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants has raised concerns about their potential impact on efficiency of currently available vaccines. Among the most significant target mutations in the virus are those of the spike glycoprotein. Remdesivir, which inhibits the polymerase activity of the RNAdependent RNA polymerase RdRp, is the only medicine approved by FDA for treatment of COVID-19 (nsp12). The docking features of the flexible ligand (remdesivir) with the stiff receptors was investigated in the present study (S protein and RdRp interaction). In various studies, the spike glycoprotein and RdRp mutations were found to have a significant influence upon viral behaviour and, as a result, affect human health. The docking position of remdesivir with the S and RdRp proteins was shown to be unaffected by mutations in the missing loops. The remdesivir can only bind the B and C chains of S protein. Some mutations can be transferred between variations, without changing the type of amino acid, such as K417N, L452R, N501Y, D614G, T716I, and S982A

FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF A SINGLE-PHASE INDUCTION MOTOR WITH NON-UNIFORM STATOR SLOTS BASED ON MAGNET SOFTWARE AND AUTOCAD

The current study uses the finite element technique to investigate a single-phase induction motor with non-uniform stator slots. A 0.5 hp, four poles, 36 stator slots, and 48 rotor slots have non-uniform stator slots were analyzed based on magnet Finite Element Method software with using AutoCAD in modeling stator due to its unsymmetrical slots, The suggested study attempts to evaluate all motor design modifications. The values of currents and torque received from the FEM analysis for the test motor were compared with motor nameplate data with a good agreement

Cancer in Children at El Obeid Hospital, Western Sudan.

Background: Cancers form one of the major causes of death in children. They differ markedly from adult cancers in their nature, distribution and prognosis. Objectives: To determine the pattern of childhood cancer at El Obeid Hospital, Western Sudan. Patients and Methods: The records of all patients admitted with cancer aged 15 years and below tothe wards of El Obeid Hospital, Western Sudan over two years were studied. The cancers were classified according to the organs affected and then ranked in their order of relative frequency. The mean age, age range, gender and the relative frequency rates were calculated. Results: There were 40 newly diagnosed childhood cancer patients during the study period. Males were 29 patients (72.5%). The age ranged three months to 14 years. Leukaemias were the most common malignancy in both sexes, followed by bone tumours and then nephroblastoma.Conclusions: Cancers in children were seen at Western Sudan, and cases admitted to hospital only reflect the tip of the iceberg as many cases were directly referred to Oncology Hospitals. Establishment of a local radiation and isotopes centre is needed in this part of the country to provide oncology services and to integrate preventive programs.Key words: Acute lymphocytic leukaemia, osteosarcoma, nephroblastoma, Western Sudan

Elevation of BSF-2 Level in Serum of Patients with Hepatitis B Virus

Background: Hepatitis B is the main infection of the injured liver for humans. Inflammation of the liver is caused by hepatitis viruses may lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The B-cell stimulatory factor 2 (BSF-2) is one of the cytokines that affect the regulation and differentiation of the human immune response. Objective: this report aims to estimate the BSF-2, GPT, and GOT levels in patients’ serum with different stages of hepatitis B compared with healthy control. Methods: This study assessed 52 patients presumably with acute and chronic cases who have HBsAg positive. BSF-2 was detected using ELISA assay. Biochemical parameters were determined using kits of an automated analyzer. SPSS version-16 software was used for statistical analysis. Results: Acute hepatitis B patients had shown elevation in BSF-2 level more than of chronic hepatitis B. GPT and GOT levels elevated in the acute hepatitis group more than of the chronic hepatitis group. We reported a significant value between BSF-2, GOT, and GPT levels. We didn’t score an association between patient’s age and cases groups of hepatitis. Conclusion: our data confirmed increasing of BSF-2 levels with the increase of GOT level more than GPT level with acute hepatitis B. BSF-2, GPT and GOT levels are varied in different courses of acute and chronic HBV. We surmised that the elevation of BSF-2 levels designates liver injury of patients with acute HBV

Cantharidin Poisoning due to Blister Beetle Ingestion in Children : Two case reports and a review of clinical presentations

Cantharidin is an intoxicant found in beetles in the Meloidae (Coleoptera) family. Ingestion may result in haematemesis, impaired level of consciousness, electrolyte disturbance, haematurea and renal impairment. Here, we report two paediatric cases of meloid beetle ingestion resulting in cantharidin poisoning and the clinical presentation of the ensuing intoxication

Identification of Surface Glycoprotein Mutations of SARS-CoV-2 in Isolated Strains from Iraq

Background: The global pandemic of coronavirus disease is a societal, economic, and publichealth crisis that is still underway. The spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 is one of the primary ingredients for virulence, tissue tropism, and host areas. Aim: This study aimed to determine mutations in the S protein of the Iraqi COVID-19 isolates.Full genome sequences of Iraqi strains were obtained from GISAID. Using statistical saturation mutagenesis and other informatics methods, we investigated 20 sequences of SARS-CoV-2 S protein missense mutation isolates in Iraq selected from NCBI.The following mutations were detected for all the strains under study compared to the wild type: L452R, A522V, E583D and D614G. The number of mutations in the strains was different depending on the location of the state from which the sample was collected The D614G mutation was found in 19 strains. One strain had three mutations, while the other was a wild form strain. The structure of the mutant protein changes dramatically, as does the energy of the atoms concerning the docking position, affecting the protein's stability.The mutation sites would improve the S protein's stability. Molecular docking of RBD-ACE2 is affected differently by residues L452R and A522V

High-Pressure Metal-Free Catalyzed One-Pot Two-Component Synthetic Approach for New 5-Arylazopyrazolo[3,4-b]Pyridine Derivatives

An appropriate and efficient Q-tube-assisted ammonium acetate-mediated protocol for the assembly of the hitherto unreported 5-arylazopyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridines was demonstrated. This methodology comprises the cyclocondensation reaction of 5-amino-2-phenyl-4H-pyrazol-3-one with an assortment of arylhydrazonals in an NH$_4$OAc/AcOH buffer solution operating a Q-tube reactor. This versatile protocol exhibited several outstanding merits: easy work-up, mild conditions, scalability, broad substrate scope, safety (the Q-tube kit is simply for pressing and sealing), and a high atom economy. Consequently, performing such reactions under elevated pressures and utilizing the Q-tube reactor seemed preferable for achieving the required products in comparison to the conventional conditions. Diverse spectroscopic methods and X-ray single-crystal techniques were applied to confirm the proposed structure of the targeted compounds

Effect of stitching on the tensile mechanical property of empty fruit bunch oil palm fiber reinforced epoxy composites

Stitching has proven to be an effective reinforcement for improving through-thickness (out-of-plane) mechanical properties with the incorporation of z-direction reinforcements of synthestic fiber. There are drawbacks to stitching as it may cause focal stress concentration, and fiber misalignment and breakage, but at the same time, it can also improve the tensile performance of the composite. Tensile properties, such as tensile strength and modulus of elasticity, were obtained from tensile tests performed on both stitched and unstitched oil palm fiber composites as per ASTM D638 specifications using Universal Testing Machine INSTRON 5582. The test results indicated that stitching natural, short, untreated and random empty fruit bunch oil palm fiber reinforced epoxy composites improve the tensile strength and elastic modulus due to the increase in matrix volume percentage and additional tensional resistance

The Malaysia DREEM: perceptions of medical students about the learning environment in a medical school in Malaysia

BACKGROUND: Students’ perceptions of their learning environment, by defining its strengths and weaknesses, are important for continuous improvement of the educational environments and curriculum. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore students’ perceptions of their learning environment, among medical students in Malaysia. Various aspects of the education environment were compared between year levels and sex. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Management and Science University, Shah Alam, Malaysia in 2012. A total number of 438 medical students participated in this study, and the response rate was 87.6%. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Comparisons of the mean scores of Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (DREEM) subscales were calculated. The t-test was used to determine statistically significant differences. RESULTS: The majority of the study participants were female, Malay, and from year 3 (68.7%, 65.3%, and 55.7%; respectively). Analysis of each of the 50 items of the DREEM inventory showed that 47 items scored ranged between 2.00 and 3.00, and three items scored below 2.00. These were identified as problem areas in this medical school that are required to be critically addressed. The overall score showed that the medical students’ perceptions were positive. The students’ perception toward educational environment was positive for all five DREEM subscales. CONCLUSION: The study found that, in general, the perceptions of the participants about the learning environment were positive. Nevertheless, the study also found there is a need for curriculum improvement in this school and identified priority areas for such improvement

Comparison Study Of Energy Efficiency Activities Programs Among The Selected Region And Countries: Lessons Learned For Malaysia

This study reviews the contemporary tendencies in energy efficiency performance in chosen regions and countries. It also reviews the energy efficiency strategies and activities accomplished in these countries which pursue the program of reduction in energy consumption while maintaining the comfort level. These become the objectives and today’s energy efficiency requirement. This study also aims to highlight these activities and the outcomes of the energy efficiency implementation. The extent of this action and its effectiveness is being ascertained. The indicator used to evaluate the Energy Efficiency activities is the Energy Intensity Indicator which is provided by International Energy Agency (IEA). The reports and measurements of the International Energy Agency (IEA) are considered in order to make comparison among the selected countries. The main reason of focus on Energy Intensity levels is because this indicator reflects the result of all activities in different sectors and make sense which country has fulfilled the requirement of Energy Efficiency. The regions and countries are selected on the basis that their level of achievement in the energy efficiency programs are high. However, comparison is still made because each region and country has different emphasis and focus. Despite that Malaysia is a developing country, the achievement towards satisfactory energy efficiency implementation can be considered as encouraging and can only advance further if energy efficiency practice in these selected countries will be learned