Targeting Acanthamoeba proteins interaction with flavonoids of Propolis extract by in vitro and in silico studies for promising therapeutic effects

Background: Propolis is a natural resinous mixture produced by bees. It provides beneficial effects on human health in the treatment/management of many diseases. The present study was performed to demonstrate the anti-Acanthamoeba activity of ethanolic extracts of Propolis samples from Iran. The interactions of the compounds and essential proteins of Acanthamoeba were also visualized through docking simulation. Methods: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Propolis extract against Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts was determined in vitro. In addition, two-fold dilutions of each of agents were tested for encystment, excystment and adhesion inhibitions. Three major compounds of Propolis extract such as chrysin, tectochrysin and pinocembrin have been selected in molecular docking approach to predict the compounds that might be responsible for encystment, excystment and adhesion inhibitions of A. castellanii. Furthermore, to confirm the docking results, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were also carried out for the most promising two ligand-pocket complexes from docking studies. Results: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) 62.5 and 125 µg/mL of the most active Propolis extract were assessed in trophozoites stage of Acanthamoeba castellanii ATCC30010 and ATCC50739, respectively. At concentrations lower than their MICs values (1/16 MIC), Propolis extract revealed inhibition of encystation. However, at 1/2 MIC, it showed a potential inhibition of excystation and anti-adhesion. The molecular docking and dynamic simulation revealed the potential capability of Pinocembrin to form hydrogen bonds with A. castellanii Sir2 family protein (AcSir2), an encystation protein of high relevance for this process in Acanthamoeba. Conclusions: The results provided a candidate for the development of therapeutic drugs against Acanthamoeba infection. In vivo experiments and clinical trials are necessary to support this claim

Validity and reliability of the Survey of Attitudes toward Statistics (SATS) instrument

In social science research, statistics play an imperative role. However, social science students’ attitude towards statistics is not widely investigated. This cross-sectional survey validated the Survey of Attitude towards Statistics 28 (SATS-28) instrument, which contains 27 items, in the context of 143 graduate students. Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was used to determine the compatibility of the hypothetical measurement model with the data obtained and to determine the model’s construct reliability. All factors were successfully replicated in the Malaysian sample. From the initial model, 13 items with low factor loading index were dropped to achieve a good fit, leaving the final model with 14 items within four constructs, which are Affect, Cognitive Competence, Difficulty, and Value. The final model resulted in a lower chi-square (107.455) and AIC (203.455) values, while a higher PNFI value (0.599). Other than that, the cut off value of CFI (0.956) was increased. The RMSEA value (0.050) also fulfilled the suggested threshold of <0.08. Findings also revealed that Construct Reliability (CR) of the final model was acceptable, which ranges from 0.70 to 0.80. The findings implicate that the model is valid and suitable to evaluate Malaysian student’s attitudes towards statistics. It is suggested that similar studies be done on other extended models of the SAT's instrument

Mast cells in newly formed lining tissue during acute inflammation: a six day air pouch model in the mouse.

Connective tissue mast cells were topographically and quantitatively studied in the newly formed lining tissue of six day old air pouches induced in the dorsal surface of mice. The results showed that the number of mast cells in the cavities innermost lining increased after injection of carrageenan into the cavity. Degranulation of mast cells was also observed. Variations in mast cell numbers in the lining seemed to correlate with the histamine content. These findings suggest that mast cells not only participate in the initiation of the early phase of acute inflammation but also appear to play an important part in regulating and prolonging more chronic inflammatory reactions

Conserved Candidate Antigens and Nanoparticles to Develop Vaccine against <i>Giardia intestinalis</i>

Giardia intestinalis (Giardia lambia, Giardia duodenalis) infections in humans may be asymptomatic or symptomatic and associated with diarrhea (without blood), abdominal cramps, bloating, flatulence, and weight loss. The protozoan Giardia is the third most common cause of diarrhea and death in children under five, preceded only by rotavirus and by Cryptosporidium parvum and C. hominis infections. Antimicrobial drugs, particularly 5-nitroimidazole (5-NIs), are used to treat giardiasis in humans. Immunologically naive or immunocompromised host are more vulnerable to Giardia infection, whereas a degree of resistance to this protozoan is present in humans living in endemic areas. This suggests that vaccination may be a potential and appropriate means to control this parasitic disease outbreak and protect the human population. This review discusses Giardia antigens related to vaccine development. Additionally, based on the latest development of nanoparticle technology, a combination of methods for future research and development is proposed for the design of the next generation of powerful immunogens and an effective vaccine against Giardia

Targeting Acanthamoeba proteins interaction with flavonoids of Propolis extract by in vitro and in silico studies for promising therapeutic effects [version 2; peer review: 2 approved]

Background: Propolis is a natural resinous mixture produced by bees. It provides beneficial effects on human health in the treatment/management of many diseases. The present study was performed to demonstrate the anti-Acanthamoeba activity of ethanolic extracts of Propolis samples from Iran. The interactions of the compounds and essential proteins of Acanthamoeba were also visualized through docking simulation. Methods: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Propolis extract against Acanthamoeba trophozoites and cysts was determined in vitro. In addition, two-fold dilutions of each of agents were tested for encystment, excystment and adhesion inhibitions. Three major compounds of Propolis extract such as chrysin, tectochrysin and pinocembrin have been selected in molecular docking approach to predict the compounds that might be responsible for encystment, excystment and adhesion inhibitions of A. castellanii. Furthermore, to confirm the docking results, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were also carried out for the most promising two ligand-pocket complexes from docking studies. Results: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) 62.5 and 125 µg/mL of the most active Propolis extract were assessed in trophozoites stage of Acanthamoeba castellanii ATCC30010 and ATCC50739, respectively. At concentrations lower than their MICs values (1/16 MIC), Propolis extract revealed inhibition of encystation. However, at 1/2 MIC, it showed a potential inhibition of excystation and anti-adhesion. The molecular docking and dynamic simulation revealed the potential capability of Pinocembrin to form hydrogen bonds with A. castellanii Sir2 family protein (AcSir2), an encystation protein of high relevance for this process in Acanthamoeba. Conclusions: The results provided a candidate for the development of therapeutic drugs against Acanthamoeba infection. In vivo experiments and clinical trials are necessary to support this claim