Synthesis and evaluation of antimicrobial properties of some azole derivatives

Purpose: To synthesize new azole derivatives and determine their antimicrobial properties. Methods: The reaction of the intermediates (2a-2c) with 3a-3c in acetone/potassium carbonate solution yielded 4a-4i, which were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR), carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR)) and mass spectrometry (MS). Compounds 4a-4i were assessed for their antibacterial and antifungal effects using the sequential dilution technique, relative to ofloxacin and ketoconazole. Results: The spectral data for 4a-4i were consistent with the assigned structures. The MIC of compound 4h (10 μg/ml) was similar to that of ketoconazole against Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium citrinum, and Aspergillus niger. The MIC value of compound 4b (10 μg/ml) for Penicillium citrinum was comparable to that of ketoconazole while the MIC value of compound 4d against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (20 μg/ml) was equivalent to the corresponding MIC value for ofloxacin. Conclusion: The synthesized compounds bearing boronic acid moiety are good antimicrobial agents. Accordingly, further investigation into the thiazole-imidazole or thiazole-triazole derivatives bearing boronic acid moiety is suggested. Keywords: Synthesis, Imidazole, Thiazole, Triazole, Antimicrobial

أثر القيمة الاقتصادية المضافة في تقييم الأداء المالي للمصارف دراسة تطبيقية على المصارف الإسلامية المدرجة في سوق دمشق للأوراق المالية

هدف هذا البحث إلى دراسة أثر تطبيق القيمة الاقتصادية المضافة في تقييم الأداء المالي للمصارف الإسلامية, المدرجة في سوق دمشق للأوراق المالية، وقد اعتمد الباحث دراسة الفروقات وتحليلها في حال تطبيق الأدوات التقليدية للتحليل المالي (النسب المالية), بالتوازي مع الاعتماد على مؤشر القيمة الاقتصادية المضافة, إضافة إلى بيان الفروقات ما بين معدل العائد على حقوق الملكية والقيمة الاقتصادية كمرحلة أولى, وما بين العائد على الأصول والقيمة الاقتصادية المضافة كمرحلة ثانية, وأخيراً تمّ تحليل البيانات المالية باستخدام البرنامج الإحصائي SPSS للوصول إلى نتائج اختبار الفرضيات, وتشمل عينة البحث المصارف الإسلامية الخاصة المدرَجة في سوق دمشق للأوراق المالية, والبالغ عددها ثلاثة مصارف وتتمثل بكل من: بنك سورية الدولي الإسلامي, بنك البركة الإسلامي,  بنك الشام الإسلامي. حيث امتدت أعوام الدراسة من عام 2011 ولغاية عام 2018, وقد استنتج الباحث وجود أثر لتطبيق مؤشر القيمة الاقتصادية المضافة في تقييم الأداء, إضافة إلى وجود فروقات جوهرية ما بين استخدام المؤشرات التقليدية للتحليل المالي, وما بين القيمة الاقتصادية المضافة في تقييم أداء المصارف الإسلامية المدرَجة في سوق دمشق للأوراق المالية.

Antimicrobial Effects of the Water Immiscible Solvent Extracts of Olive Tree Leaves

The purpose of this work was to perform the phytochemical and antimicrobial activity evaluation of the water-immiscible solvent extracts of Olive tree leaves (Olea europaea L., Family: Oleaceae). Seven sample extracts of the leaves of O. europaea were obtained using dichloromethane (DCM), dichloroethane (DCE) along with their mixtures with chloroform (CH), and ethyl acetate (EA). The phytochemical studies were carried out using the standard procedures. Serial plate dilution technique was used to perform the antimicrobial activity of the extracts. The phytochemical tests revealed the presence of steroids, terpenoids, saponins and flavonoids in all extracts of olive leaves. The 1:1 mixture of ethyl acetate and dichloromethane (EA:DCM) exhibited equivalent MIC (20 µgml-1, 100%) values concerning Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa with respect to ofloxacin (MIC = 20 µgml-1, 100%). Similarly, the 1:1 mixture of ethyl acetate and dichloroethane (EA:DCE) exhibited equivalent MIC (20 µgml-1, 100%) values concerning E. coli and P. aeruginosa with respect to ofloxacin (MIC = 20 µgml-1, 100%). The 1:1 mixture of EA:DCM and EA:DCE showed moderate antifungal activity (MIC = 20 µgml-1, 75%) with respect to fluconazole against Aspergillus niger and Candida albicans. The water immiscible solvent extracts showed more potent antimicrobial activity than the water extract of the olive leaves, which might be because of the presence of the lipophilic compounds in the water immiscible solvent extracts of the olive leaves. It is also expected that by increasing the concentration of ethyl acetate in EA:DCM & EA:DCE solvent system may further provide better MIC values

Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activity Evaluation of The Water Immiscible Solvent Extracts of Moringa

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is the existing global apprehension for the social health. There is a requisite to take counteractive actions regarding the AMR. Based on the literature, it was aimed to perform the phytochemical and antimicrobial activity evaluation of the water immiscible solvent extracts of Moringa peregrina Forssk. Fiori (Family: Moringaceae). Seven extracts of the powdered leaves of M. peregrina were prepared in solvent systems comprising dichloromethane (DCM), dichloroethane (DCE), and their mixtures with ethyl acetate (EA) and chloroform (CH). The extracts were screened for their phytochemicals and antimicrobial potential. All the extracts showed positive tests for alkaloids, saponins, and flavonoids, wherein negative tests were obtained for tannins, cardenolides, and anthraquinone glycosides. The 1:1 mixture of EA:DCM, and EA:DCE provided positive tests for steroids and terpenoids. The most effective antimicrobial extracts were the 1:1 mixture of EA:DCM and EA:DCE. However, the antimicrobial activity of these extract was mild in comparison to ofloxacin and fluconazole. It is concluded that various mixtures of DCM, DCE, and CH along with the higher concentration of other miscible solvents of DCM, DCE, and CH may provide better antimicrobial extracts

Superior vena cava syndrome in hemodialysis patient

Obstruction of blood flow in the superior vena cava (SVC) results in symptoms and signs of SVC syndrome. SVC obstruction can be caused either by invasion or external compression of the SVC by contagious pathologic processes involving the right lung, lymph nodes, and other mediastinal structures, or by thrombosis of blood within the SVC. Occasionally, both mechanisms co-exist. We hereby report a case of a 28-year-old male, Saudi patient who was diagnosed with end-stage renal disease and was maintained on regular hemodiaysis via right jugular vein dual lumen catheter for ten months. Three years later, the patient presented with signs and symptoms suggestive of SVC obstruction that was successfully managed with SVC stenting

A new record of the desert truffle Picoa lefebvrei in Saudi Arabia

A new record of Picoa lefebvrei from Saudi Arabia is reported accompanied by notes on its taxonomy, ecology, and distribution

Chemotherapeutic drug targeting to lungs by way of microspheres after intravenous administration

Sibghatullah Sangi,1 Nagaraja SreeHarsha,2 Abdulhakim Bawadekji,3 Mouhanad Al Ali4 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Northern Border University, Rafha, Saudi Arabia; 2Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Clinical Pharmacy, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia; 3Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science, Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia; 4Higher Institute of Health and Bio-products of Angers (ISSBA), Angers- France, Université d’Angers, Angers, France Purpose: Currently, microsphere technology plays a major role in the development of many new cancer therapies. In the current study, we proposed a targeted drug-delivery system to improve the treatment efficacy of one of the common conventional chemotherapeutic drugs used to treat lung tumors, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU).Materials and methods: Following the preparation and optimization of small, solid microspheres, ranging in diameter between 5 and 15 µm, the final product 5-fluorouracil gelatin (5-FUG) was formulated using a Buchi Nano Spray Dryer by varying the drug:polymer ratio.Results: Particle yield was calculated as 65% ± 1.2%, and the drug content in the formulation was recorded as 74% ± 1.6%. Particle surface morphology was examined as shriveled shape (crumpled/folded); particle size distribution displayed a binomial distribution, with a mean diameter of 9.6 µm. In vitro drug release studies revealed that ~36.4% of the 5-FU in 5-FUG was released in the first hour after injection. Clinically, this would lead to initial or burst release, facilitating a quick rise to therapeutic levels. In contrast to the pure 5-FU drug (89.2% of the drug released in the first 30 minutes), 99.1% of the drug in 5-FUG was released from the spray-dried particles for a period of 12 hours. A two-compartment model was used to generate plasma concentration–time curves. 5-FUG injection has a much different distribution in vivo in contrast to intravenous injection of 5-FU. In addition, the half-life after intravenous injection of 5-FUG, t1/2(α) = 1.23 hours and t1/2(β) = 18.3 hours, was considerably longer than that of 5-FU, t1/2(α) = 0.34 hours and t1/2(β) = 8.62 hours. Examination of stained lung tissue sections showed no histopathological tissue changes or evidence of gross pathology. In addition, the optimized formulation demonstrated an increased stability under both long-term and refrigerated storage conditions.Conclusion: Our goal was to develop similar delivery systems for other chemotherapeutic drugs that are site specific to different disease models/tumor types. Keywords: spray drying, 5-fluorouracil, cancer, microspheres, targetin

General and Local Characteristics of Current Marine Heatwave in the Red Sea

In the ocean, heat waves are vital climatic extremes that can destroy the ecosystem together with ensuing socioeconomic consequences. Marine heat waves (MHW) recently attracted public interest, as well as scientific researchers, which motivates us to analyze the current heat wave events over the Red Sea and its surrounding sea region (Gulf of Aden). First, a comprehensive evaluation of how the extreme Red Sea surface temperature has been changing is presented using 0.25° daily gridded optimum interpolation sea surface temperature (OISST, V2.1) data from 1982 to 2020. Second, an analysis of the MHW’s general behavior using four different metrics over the study area, together with a study of the role of climate variability in MHW characteristics, is presented. Finally, the main spatiotemporal characteristics of MHWs were analyzed based on three different metrics to describe MHW’s local features. Over the studied 39 years, the current results showed that the threshold of warm extreme sea surface temperature events (90th percentile) is 30.03 °C, providing an additional average thermal restriction to MHW threshold values (this value is changed from one grid to another). The current analysis discovered 28 separate MHW events over the Red+, extending from 1988 to 2020, with the four longest events being chosen as a study case for future investigation. For the effect of climate variability, our results during the chosen study cases prove that ENSO and ISMI do not play a significant role in controlling MHW characteristics (except the MHW intensity, which has a clear relation with ENSO/ISMI) on Red+. Moreover, the chlorophyll concentration decreases more significantly than its climatic values during MHW events, showing the importance of the MHW effect on biological Red Sea features. In general, the MHW intensity and duration exhibit a meridional gradient, which increases from north to south over the Red Sea, unlike the MHW frequency, which decreases meridionally

First Report of Agaricus aridicola in Saudi Arabia and Ecological Notes on Agaricus bisporus

Agaricus aridicola is reported for the first time from Saudi Arabia while Agaricus bisporus is a new record for Northern region of Saudi Arabia. This study includes notes on taxonomy, ecology and distribution of both the species. It was also reported that the habitat of A. aridicola and A. bisporus are characterized by calcareous sandy soil, poor in organic matter, with presence of little amount of salinity