Fine structure of the dorsal lingual epithelium in Tarentola annularis and Crocodylus niloticus

The present study examined the morphological features, histological and histochemical aspect of the tongue of two reptilian species, Tarentola annularis (family: Gekkonidae) and Crocodylus niloticus (family: Crocodylidea), with different habitats, feeding patterns and behaviours, by light and scanning electron microscope. It was observed, that the bifurcation of the tongue was more visible in Tarentola annularis. Conical and filamentous papillae were observed on the lingual body of Tarentola annularis, while in Crocodylus niloticus both mechanical filiform and gustatory papillae appeared. The lingual mucosa in Tarentola annularis is covered by stratified squamous epithelium and keratinised but in Crocodylus niloticus it is highly folded and more heavily keratinised in the folded region and have a localised thickenings structure resembling taste buds. Mucous glands appeared in Tarentola annularis and compound tubular glands in Crocodylus niloticus. At scanning electron microscopy, abundant microridges and microvilli in both species were exhibited on papillae surface facilitated feeding habits. Histochemically, the tongue of two species is strongly positive for carbohydrate stain but with variable degree with others stains. In conclusion, there is a marked correlation between the structure of the tongue of the present reptilian species, habitats and feeding mechanism of the two species.

A Constrained Multi-Objective Learning Algorithm for Feed-Forward Neural Network Classifiers

This paper proposes a new approach to address the optimal design of a Feed-forward Neural Network (FNN) based classifier. The originality of the proposed methodology, called CMOA, lie in the use of a new constraint handling technique based on a self-adaptive penalty procedure in order to direct the entire search effort towards finding only Pareto optimal solutions that are acceptable. Neurons and connections of the FNN Classifier are dynamically built during the learning process. The approach includes differential evolution to create new individuals and then keeps only the non-dominated ones as the basis for the next generation. The designed FNN Classifier is applied to six binary classification benchmark problems, obtained from the UCI repository, and results indicated the advantages of the proposed approach over other existing multi-objective evolutionary neural networks classifiers reported recently in the literature

GENOTOXIC AND MUTAGENIC STUDIES OF THE ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUG LEVETIRACETAM IN PREGNANT RATS AND THEIR FETUSES

Objective: Levetiracetam (LEV) is an anti-epileptic drug, initially approved as an adjunct therapy in adult patients with partial-onset seizures, and used as monotherapy treatment during pregnancy. However, very few, if none, investigations have been focused on LEV neurotoxicity or hepatotoxicity at the molecular level. This study aimed to evaluate the genotoxic and mutagenic potential of LEV, in liver and brain tissues of treated pregnant rats and their fetuses during pregnancy.Methods: LEV was administered to pregnant female albino rats at doses 300 or 600 mg/kg b. w, from gestation days 5-18. Comet assay, DNA fragmentation were performed for detection of DNA damage. Single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) followed by DNA sequencing were accomplished for detecting possible mutagenicity.Results: Administration of the two tested doses of LEV resulted in a significant increase of DNA damage as detected by alkaline Comet assay, and an appearance of both apoptotic laddered and smeared DNA in the tissues tested. Moreover, a significant incidence of mutations in exon 2 and 3 of Harvey rat sarcoma viral oncogene (HRAS) gene, were detected in fetal liver and brain tissues respectively, using single-stranded conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and were conï¬rmed by DNA sequencing.Conclusion: Maternal and fetal DNA damage induced by LEV was evidenced in our study, even at the commonly used therapeutic dose (300 mg/kg), and thus these side effects should be considered when using LEV for long-term during pregnancy.Â

THE POTENTIAL IMPACTS OF THE ANTI-EPILEPTIC DRUG (OXCARBAZEPINE) ON ALBINO RAT'S NEONATES DURING LACTATION

ABSTRACT Objective: This study was undertaken to evaluate the potential risks of the anti-epileptic drug (oxcarbazepine [OXC]) administration on neonates. Methods: The nursing rats orally administered from 7 th day of gestation until the 28 day of lactation with 108 mg/kg OXC (human equivalent dose) daily. The neonates at day 7, 14, 21, and 28 of lactation were sacrificed and the postnatal developmental signs and skeletal malformation and the histopathology of liver, kidney, and brain of the pups were examined. th Results: Our results showed that OXC induced a significant reduction in the neonatal weight and length, delayed, weak and incomplete ossification, wavy ribs and the neonatal liver revealed histopathological changes, pyknotic hepatocytes, cytoplasmic vacuolization, dilated sinusoid, and necrotic area. Kidney revealed alternation changes, enlargement of the glomerulus, renal tubules degeneration, and lymphatic infiltration. Brain (cerebral cortex and cerebellum) showed neurodegenerative changes, vacuolization of neuropil, congested and dilated blood vessel and dark stain neurons. Biochemical studies showed that OXC induced a reduction in the level glutathione reduced an important intracellular antioxidant, and catalase (enzymatic antioxidant) compared to control group. Conclusions: We support and proof the potential risks of the OXC administration on neonates. Keywords: Rats, Lactation, Oxcarbazepine, Antiepileptic drug

Synthesis, crystal structure, physical and catalytic oxidation studies of a new hybrid phosphate [(N2H5)2Co(HPO4)2]

A new one-dimensional coordination polymer [(N2H5)2Co(HPO4)2] was synthesized by slow evaporation method and characterized by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA). Its catalytic activity was tested using UV–visible absorption measurements. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic system (S.G: P21/c) with the cell parameters (Å, °): a = 5.3665(3), b = 11.1271(6), c = 7.7017(4), β = 104.843(4), V = 444.55(4) Å3 and Z = 2. The crystal structure, consisting of a linear chain, is made of rings of [CoN2O4] octahedra and [PO3(OH)] tetrahedra sharing vertices via oxygen atoms coordinated to cobalt centers. The rings are linked to chains running along [100] and form thereby polymeric chains that are connected by hydrogen bonds in a three-dimensional arrangement. The FTIR spectroscopy shows the expected bands of hydrazine and phosphate groups. The thermal behavior consists mainly of the loss of hydrazine moieties leading thus to the formation of anhydrous cobalt phosphate. The phosphate complex exhibits efficiency in catalytic oxidation and degradation of methylene blue dye. The ac magnetic susceptibility shows a peak indicating antiferromagnetic order with a Néel temperature of 5.5 K. Fitting the Curie-Weiss equation to the ac magnetic susceptibility above 50 K gives the average Curie-Weiss Constant to be −11.8 K

Evaluation of energy dissipation in flexure for two stage concrete

Concrete is a multiphase material and the energy dissipation in concrete is considered as the index to measure the capability of its ingredients to resist cyclic loading during its service life. This paper presents the results from an investigation conducted on the behaviour of two stage concrete (TSC) subjected to constant and gradual cyclic loading. A total of 128 samples were cast and tested at 28 days of normal curing, using mixes having water/cement ratio (w/c) of 0.55, 0.65, 0.75 and 0.80 and sand/cement ratio (s/c) of 1, 1.25, 1.5 and 2.0. Empirical approach namely ratio of energy dissipation (Rn) has been used to assess the results. In general, the results are comparable either in constant or gradual cyclic loading system regardless of the variation in w/c and s/c. It seems, however, that the rate of energy dissipation was slightly higher in the samples subjected to gradual cyclic loading

Development of new thiazolidine-2,4-dione hybrids as aldose reductase inhibitors endowed with antihyperglycaemic activity: design, synthesis, biological investigations, and in silico insights

This research study describes the development of new small molecules based on 2,4-thiazolidinedione (2,4-TZD) and their aldose reductase (AR) inhibitory activities. The synthesis of 17 new derivatives of 2,4-TZDs hybrids was feasible by incorporating two known bioactive scaffolds, benzothiazole heterocycle, and nitro phenacyl moiety. The most active hybrid (8b) was found to inhibit AR in a non-competitive manner (0.16 µM), as confirmed by kinetic studies and molecular docking simulations. Furthermore, the in vivo experiments demonstrated that compound 8b had a significant hypoglycaemic effect in mice with hyperglycaemia induced by streptozotocin. Fifty milligrams per kilogram dose of 8b produced a marked decrease in blood glucose concentration, and a lower dose of 5 mg/kg demonstrated a noticeable antihyperglycaemic effect. These outcomes suggested that compound 8b may be used as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetic complications

The ALADIN system and its canonical model configurations AROME CY41T1 and ALARO CY40T1

The ALADIN System is a numerical weather prediction (NWP) system developed by the international ALADIN consortium for operational weather forecasting and research purposes. It is based on a code that is shared with the global model IFS of the ECMWF and the ARPEGE model of Meteo-France. Today, this system can be used to provide a multitude of high-resolution limited-area model (LAM) configurations. A few configurations are thoroughly validated and prepared to be used for the operational weather forecasting in the 16 partner institutes of this consortium. These configurations are called the ALADIN canonical model configurations (CMCs). There are currently three CMCs: the ALADIN baseline CMC, the AROME CMC and the ALARO CMC. Other configurations are possible for research, such as process studies and climate simulations. The purpose of this paper is (i) to define the ALADIN System in relation to the global counterparts IFS and ARPEGE, (ii) to explain the notion of the CMCs, (iii) to document their most recent versions, and (iv) to illustrate the process of the validation and the porting of these configurations to the operational forecast suites of the partner institutes of the ALADIN consortium. This paper is restricted to the forecast model only; data assimilation techniques and postprocessing techniques are part of the ALADIN System but they are not discussed here

Synthesis, crystal structure, DFT calculations, Hirshfeld surface analysis, energy frameworks, molecular dynamics and docking studies of novel isoxazolequinoxaline derivative (IZQ) as anti-cancer drug

Quinoxaline derivatives with the molecular formula C8H6N2] also named benzopyrazines, which are a valuable class of heterocyclic compounds useful for their numerous industrial and pharmaceutical applications. The new isoxazolquinoxalin (IZQ) 3-pheny1-14(3-(p-toly1)-4,5-dihydroisoxazol-5yl)methyl)quinoxalin-2(1H)- one (5) has been synthesized with good yield by stirring the compounds of 1-allyl-3-phenylquinoxalin-2(1H)-one (3, 3.8mmol), and (E)-4 methylbenzaldehydeoxime (4, 1.3mmol) in 20 ml of chloroform. The aqueous solution of sodium hypochlorite (10 ml of water bleach 12 degrees) was added drop wise using bromine funnel. The mixture was stirring at 0 degrees C temperature for 6 hours. Then it dried to obtain a crude product which on recrystallization with ethanol afforded the title compound (5) as colourless rectangular block shape crystals, and then confirmed by H NMR, LC-MS spectra. The structure of the compound has been confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The compound crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with the space group P2(1)/c. The unit cell constants; a =15.9437(6) angstrom, b =16.3936(6) angstrom, c =7.4913(3) angstrom, and beta =94.178(2)degrees. DFT calculations were carried out and HOMO-LUMO energy levels have been determined. In the structure, both Intermolecular and intramolecular hydrogen bonds of the type C-H center dot center dot center dot O were observed along with C-H center dot center dot center dot cg interactions. Hirshfeld surface studies were performed to understand the different interaction contacts of the molecule and the molecular packing strength of the crystal. Energy frameworks were constructed through different intermolecular interaction energies to investigate the stability of the compound and to know type of the dominate energy. Docking studies predicted anti-cancer activity of the title molecule against homo sapiens protein (pdb code:6HVH) and exhibited prominent interactions at active site region. (C) 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

African League Against Rheumatism (AFLAR) preliminary recommendations on the management of rheumatic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic

Objectives To develop recommendations for the management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Method A task force comprising of 25 rheumatologists from the 5 regions of the continent was formed and operated through a hub-and-spoke model with a central working committee (CWC) and 4 subgroups. The subgroups championed separate scopes of the clinical questions and formulated preliminary statements of recommendations which were processed centrally in the CWC. The CWC and each subgroup met by several virtual meetings, and two rounds of voting were conducted on the drafted statements of recommendations. Votes were online-delivered and recommendations were pruned down according to predefined criteria. Each statement was rated between 1 and 9 with 1–3, 4–6 and 7–9 representing disagreement, uncertainty and agreement, respectively. The levels of agreement on the statements were stratified as low, moderate or high according to the spread of votes. A statement was retired if it had a mean vote below 7 or a ‘low’ level of agreement. Results A total of 126 initial statements of recommendations were drafted, and these were reduced to 22 after the two rounds of voting. Conclusions The preliminary statements of recommendations will serve to guide the clinical practice of rheumatology across Africa amidst the changing practices and uncertainties in the current era of COVID-19. It is recognized that further updates to the recommendations will be needed as more evidence emerges