SPECTRAL STUDIES AND ANTIMICROBIAL SCREENING FOR SOME NOVEL CHALCONES ANALOGUES

Objective: The present work aim to study the spectral and antimicrobial activity for synthesized chalcones Methods: The synthesized Chalcones were characterized by Physical and spectral methods such as melting point, IR, 1H-NMR and Mass analysis. The synthesized compounds have been screened for their antimicrobial activity. Results: The biological data showed that compounds III, VII had strong activities against the Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, but not activity against fungus. Conclusion: The main purpose to use an easy and useful method to synthesize biologically active chalcone

Management of Helicobacter pylori among medical doctors working in Khartoum, Sudan 2019: a cross-sectional study

Background: Various international guidelines have been developed regarding Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) management, as it is infecting more than half of the world's population. Sudan's health system lacks guidelines regarding H. pylori management, leading to a discrepancy in practice. Investigating the current approach could be a step forward in the formulation of a national consensus in the management of H. pylori. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical doctors currently working in Khartoum, Sudan. Participants were enrolled from platforms of medical associations through an online questionnaire. The questionnaire was scored out of 25 points, and scoring 13 or above considered a good approach. Data analysis was carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Results: A total of 358 medical doctors participated in the study. The mean (±SD) score was 12.9(±4.5). Those who were using textbooks, campaigns, symposiums or general medical information to their primary Source of knowledge significantly scored higher. The most selected indication for both diagnosis (76.8%) and treatment (67.6%) was an active peptic ulcer. Stool antigen test (SAT) was the most preferred test (70.7%). The majority of respondents selected triple therapy (82.1%) as a first-line regimen. Only 37.7% confirmed the eradication after four weeks of stopping the treatment. They ensure eradication mainly through SAT (29%). Conclusion: A suboptimal approach was noted among medical doctors of Khartoum, Sudan, regarding H. pylori management. Efforts should be invested in forming national guidelines and the implementation of continuous medical education programs. Keywords: Helicobacter pylori, Medical doctor, Sudan

Relationship between Sera Vitamin D, Calcium, and Magnesium Levels in Pregnant Women with and without Postpartum Depression

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant mental health case after childbirth, distinguished by behavioral changes and emotional disturbance. PPD is a significant public issue estimated to affect 10–15% of women worldwide. The study's objective was to investigate whether low sera concentrations of vitamin D, calcium, and magnesium during the third trimester of pregnancy are associated with PPD. The study population included eighty pregnant women between the ages of 25 to 35 years. They were divided into two groups (control and depressed group). Simple samples technique collecting was used for serum collecting from the two groups. When the blood samples were taken, vitamin D level was determined using an ELISA device. Calcium and magnesium were measured by using the spectrophotometric method. A health questionnaire structure was used for screening depression after birth. After measuring pregnancy serum concentrations of vitamin D of (40) pregnant control and (40) pregnant with PPD, we found that there was no significant relationship between vitamin D concentrations and risk of PPD (p= 0.6497). Statistical analysis indicated the significant differences (p= 0.0003) between sera calcium levels of the control group as compared with the depressed group. Significant differences (p= 0.0005) in magnesium levels between the two groups were observed. Our study detected that vitamin D concentrations in the serum of women during their last trimester of pregnancy had no statistical link with their risk of PPD. Whereas direct associated with calcium and magnesium deficiency in the third trimester of pregnancy and the incidence of PPD were reported

Osseodensification-induced bone healing in mouse calvaria under static condition

BACKGROUND: Recently osseodensification has been introduced as a novel approach to management of the recipient site. The concept had been described in 2013 by Huwais which has revolutionized the way we approach an osteotomy site as we may obtain densification of the bone rather than its complete removal. AIM: We hypothesize that proper manipulation of the recipient site will induce cellular activities to accelerate new bone formation. We compared bone formation in a critical defect created by the osseodensification method or regular osteotomy under ex-vivo static calvarial culture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Under sterile conditions, calvaria from 7-9-day-old neonatal CD-1 mice (n = 15) were dissected and trimmed. Densah™ burs were used to create 2.0 mm diameter defects. Clockwise rotation of the bur produced "Conventional Osteotomy," whereas counter-clockwise rotation created "Osseodensification." Five randomly selected calvaria halves for control and test groups were used to evaluate morphological changes, at 7, 14, and 28 days utilizing the Image J software. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: Defect closure was significantly greater in the osseodensification group compared to the conventional group at post-operative day7 (p = 0.028), day 14 (p = 0.046) and day 28 (p=0.015). The original defects in both groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Results showed that osseodensification lead to faster wound healing. Clinical studies have shown that osseodensification leads to better bone density around implants. These outcomes suggest that the compressed edge of a bone defect can accelerate the healing cascade by increasing cellular activity

Modulation of LPS stimulated NF-kappaB mediated Nitric Oxide production by PKCε and JAK2 in RAW macrophages

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) has been shown to play an important role in regulating the expression of many genes involved in cell survival, immunity and in the inflammatory processes. NF-κB activation upregulates inducible nitric oxide synthase leading to enhanced nitric oxide production during an inflammatory response. NF-κB activation is regulated by distinct kinase pathways independent of inhibitor of κB kinase (IKK). Here, we examine the role of protein kinase C isoforms and janus activated kinase 2 (JAK2) activation in NF-κB activation and LPS-stimulated NO production.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Murine RAW 264.7 macrophages were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) and a combination of LPS and PMA in the presence or absence of various inhibitors of PKC isoforms and JAK2. Nuclear translocation of the NF-κB p65 subunit, was assessed by Western blot analysis whilst NO levels were assessed by Greiss assay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>LPS-stimulated NO production was attenuated by PMA whilst PMA alone did not affect NO release. These effects were associated with changes in p65 nuclear translocation. The PKCα, β, γ, δ and ζ inhibitor Gö 6983 (Go) had no effect on LPS-induced NO release. In contrast, Bisindolymalemide I (Bis), a PKC α, β_I, β_II, γ, δ and ε isoform inhibitors completely inhibited LPS-stimulated NO production without affecting p65 nuclear translocation. Furthermore, a partial inhibitory effect on LPS-induced NO release was seen with the JAK2 inhibitor AG-490 and the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB 203850.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results further define the role of NF-κB in LPS stimulated NO production in RAW macrophages. The data support a function for PKCε, JAK2 and p38 MAPK in NF-κB activation following p65 nuclear import.</p

Study of IL-35 levels in Multiple Myeloma patients and its Relation with Immunoglobulins

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disorder characterized by the proliferation of plasma cellsand the second most common hematological standing next to lymphoma. Multiple myeloma patients commonly present with defects in numbers and function of various   immune cells including dendritic cells ,B cells,Tcells and natural kill cells[23].Interleukin- 35 (IL-35) is a novel anti-inflammatory cytokine suppressing the immune response through the expansion of regulatory T cells and suppression of Th17 cell development.The present study aimedto investigate the possible role of IL-35 in pathogenesis of MM and its relation withimmunoglobulins such as IgA,IgG and IgM.Forty Iraqis patients with multiple myeloma(G1,G2) and twenty healthy individuals as a control group (G1)were enrolled in this study.Whole blood used for determination of  hemoglobin. Serum samples were used for determination of albumin,total protein using standard procedures of the biochemistry laboratory of hospital. Also immunoglobulin's (IgA,IgG,IgM) and IL-35 were determined in serum.The results revealed a significant increasing in urine total protein ,ESR,creatinine ,uric acid ,BUN, and TP in  patients groups(G2,G3) comparing to control group(G1) while a   significant decrease in albumin and Hb  were found in  patients groups comparing to control .Also a significant differences  was observed in calcium concentration in G3  compared to G2 while there are no differences  was observed between G2 and G1 . The results shown highly significant increase in IgA,IgG, IgM and  IL-35,in  patients groups comparing to control group. Also a significant  differences were noticed in G3 comparing to G2. A highly significant positive correlation between IL-35 and IgA was noted in G2  and G3. Also a highly significant positive correlation between IL-35 and IgG levels was noticed in G2 and G3. Moreover a significant negative correlation founded between IL-35  andIgM in G2  and  G3 .A conclusion could be drown from this study for the first time that MM patients showed increasing in IL-35  levels so, it may be considered as a novel cytokine involved in the pathogenesis of MM. Keyword:IL-35,Multiple Myeloma,Immunoglobulines

Teleparallel Killing Vectors of Spherically Symmetric Spacetimes

In this paper, Killing vectors of spherically spacetimes have been evaluated in the context of teleparallel theory of gravitation. Further, we investigate the Killing vectors of the Friedmann metrics. It is found that for static spherically spacetimes the number of Killing vectors turn out to be \emph{seven} while for the Friedmann models, we obtain \emph{six} teleparallel Killing vectors. The results are then compared with those of General Relativity. We conclude that both of these descriptions of gravity do not provide the consistent results in general. However, these results may coincide under certain conditions for a particular spacetime.Comment: 14 pages, accepted for publication in Communications in Theoretical Physic

Co-expression and purification of the RadA recombinase with the RadB paralog from Haloferax volcanii yields heteromeric ring-like structures

The study of archaeal proteins and the processes to which they contribute poses particular challenges due to the often extreme environments in which they function. DNA recombination, replication and repair proteins of the halophilic euryarchaeon, Haloferax volcanii (Hvo) are of particular interest as they tend to resemble eukaryotic counterparts in both structure and activity, and genetic tools are available to facilitate their analysis. In the present study, we show using bioinformatics approaches that the Hvo RecA-like protein RadA is structurally similar to other recombinases although is distinguished by a unique acidic insertion loop. To facilitate expression of Hvo RadA a co-expression approach was used, providing its lone paralog, RadB, as a binding partner. At present, structural and biochemical characterization of Hvo RadA is lacking. Here, we describe for the first time co-expression of Hvo RadA with RadB and purification of these proteins as a complex under in vitro conditions. Purification procedures were performed under high salt concentration (>1 M sodium chloride) to maintain the solubility of the proteins. Quantitative densitometry analysis of the co-expressed and co-purified RadAB complex estimated the ratio of RadA to RadB to be 4 : 1, which suggests that the proteins interact with a specific stoichiometry. Based on a combination of analyses, including size exclusion chromatography, Western blot and electron microscopy observations, we suggest that RadA multimerizes into a ring-like structure in the absence of DNA and nucleoside co-factor

Incidence of shoulder dystocia and its relation to brachial plexus palsy: a 10 year retrospective review at King Abdulaziz University Hospital

Background: Objective of the study was to determine the incidence of shoulder dystocia (SD) in King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH), with a focus on Brachial Plexus Palsy (BPP) and the accompanying risk factors.Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of all vaginal deliveries between 2005 and 2014. Out of 29,199 vaginal deliveries, 236 cases where diagnosed with SD at KAUH in Jeddah, KSA. The following maternal and perinatal variables were reviewed by the patients' medical records: (booking status, maternal age, gestational age, maternal Body Mass Index (BMI), presence of diabetes, previous history of SD, instrumental delivery, Birth weight, Erb's and Klumpke's palsies).Results: A total of 236 cases had SD with an incidence of (0.8%). Only 55 cases among all had BPP. The Erb's palsy was found in 54 cases (30.7%) while Klumpke's palsy was found only in one case (0.6%). There were 121 (68.8%) cases with no BPP and a remaining of 60 unknown BPP outcomes. From the total number of cases with SD, mothers with overweight and obesity were found in 93% of the cases.Conclusions: Most of clinically diagnosed SD cases did not give the consequence of BPP. However, this complication in addition to other complications of SD mandates extra caution in cases with risk factors

ALOE IRAFENSIS AN ENDEMIC PLANT OF YEMEN: PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING, ANTIBACTERIAL, ANTIOXIDANT, AND WOUND-HEALING ACTIVITIES

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the phytochemical constituents and assess the antibacterial, antioxidant, and wound-healing properties of the methanol extracts of Aloe irafensis. Methods: Methanol extracts of A. irafensis’s latex, gel, and green skin were screened for their phytochemical constituents. All three extracts were investigated regarding their antibacterial potential using disc diffusion and microdilution assays, and their antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1- picrylhydrazyl free-radical scavenging assay. Histopathological study of wound healing area was performed for the latex extract in male albino rats. Results: The methanol extracts of A. irafensis revealed the presence of carbohydrates, steroids, phenols, tannins, and anthrones. The latex extract showed greater inhibition zones against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (24 and 17 mm, respectively) and minimum inhibitory concentration values of 1.25 and 2.50 mg/ml, respectively. The latex extract showed the highest antioxidant activity (IC50 of 65.54 μg/ml), followed by green skin (IC50 of 89.48 μg/ml). The latex extract significantly accelerated the rate of wound healing in rats (p&lt;0.01), compared to fucidin ointment, a reference control. Histological findings showed remarkably less scar width at wound closure site in the latex extract-treated wounds. Granulation tissue contained fewer inflammatory cells and more fibroblasts in wounds treated with the latex extract compared to those treated with the vehicle. Conclusion: A. irafensis latex extract is a potential source of bioactive compounds that can be used as antioxidant, antibacterial, and wound healing agents