FEBUXOSTAT MODULATES OXIDATIVE AND APOPTOTIC PATHWAYS IN ACUTE DOXORUBICIN‑INDUCED CARDIOTOXICITY: AN EXPERIMENTAL ANIMAL MODEL STUDY

Objectives: Doxorubicin is one of the most important and powerful anticancer drugs, the most pronounced limitation for its use is toxicity on normal cells. Mechanism of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) is multifactorial and complex, including direct DNA damage, formation of free radicals, interference with DNA repair, and activation of immune reactions. Febuxostat is a non-purine-selective xanthine oxidase inhibitor decrease the production of uric acid. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of febuxostat on doxorubicin-induced acute cardiotoxicity in rats regarding oxidative stress and antiapoptotic effects. Methods: A total of 30 Sprague Dawley male rats were used which subdivided into three groups: Group I (negative control group) received normal saline for 10 days, Group II (positive control group) received normal saline plus single dose of doxorubicin (15 mg/kg, IP), and Group III (treated group) received febuxostat (10 mg/kg, po), for 10 successive days plus single dose of doxorubicin (15 mg/kg, I.P.). Serum brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), cardiac troponin I (cTn-I), caspase-3, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), lipid peroxidase (LPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and tumor necrosis factor alpha were estimated by ELISA kit method. Results: Febuxostat administration before doxorubicin led to significant decrease on cardiac troponin, caspase-3, and elevation in GSH-Px levels significantly p<0.05. While the effects of febuxostat on BNP, LPO, MDA, tumor necrosis-alpha were insignificant p>0.05 compare to doxorubicin. Conclusion: Febuxostat attenuates DIC through modulation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic biomarkers

Does lidocaine gel produce an effective analgesia prior to copper IUD insertion? Randomized clinical trial

Background: IUD is a small contraceptive device, often containing either copper or levonorgestrel, which is inserted into the uterus. Objective of present study was to determine if lidocaine gel prior to intrauterine device (IUD) insertion decreases pain with the insertion procedure among multiparous women choosing the copper T380A-IUD.Methods: It is a randomized double-blind controlled trial carried out at Assiut Women's Health Hospital, Assiut, Egypt. Parous women eligible for Copper IUD insertion attended the Family Planning Clinic were recruited and randomized in a 1:1 ratio to lidocaine gel or placebo. Two ml of the study medications were topically placed on the cervix 3 minutes before IUD insertion. The primary outcome was the difference in pain scores using a 10-cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) during IUD insertion. We considered a 1.5 cm difference in VAS scores between study groups as clinically significant.Results: One hundred women consented to participate and randomized either to group I:  lidocaine group or group II: placebo group. Both groups were homogenous in baseline socio-demographic data. There was significant difference in mean pain scores for IUD placement between women who received lidocaine gel and placebo at two steps of insertion (at vulsellum application and at uterine sounding) while the rest of steps show no statistical significant difference (p=0.000). There were no statistical significant differences between both group as regard the ease of insertion, the duration of insertion and the satisfaction score after the procedure (p>0.05).Conclusions: This study depicts that the use of lidocaine gel prior to copper IUD insertion in multiparous women could partially reduce the pain during tenaculum placement and uterine sounding

Toxoplasma gondii peroxiredoxin promotes altered macrophage function, caspase-1-dependent IL-1β secretion enhances parasite replication

Alternatively activated macrophages (AAM) are a key feature Th2 immunity and have been associated with a variety of roles during helminth infection. The role this cell subset plays in protzoan infection remain relatively unexplored, herein we describe the effects of a redox enzyme (rTgPrx) derived from Toxoplasma gondii on murine macrophage phenotype in vitro. RTgPrx has been previously associated with the maintainence of parasite oxidative balance. Here our experiments show that rTgPrx promotes AAM as indicated by high arginase-1 (arg-1), YM1 and FIZZ expression via both signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)6-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Additionally rTgPrx treatment reduced caspase-1 activity and IL-1β secretion, while simultaneously increasing IL-10 release. Furthermore the in vitro replication of T. gondii (RH strain) was enhanced when macrophages were treated with rTgPrx. This is in contrast with the previously described effects of a Plasmodium berghei ANKA 2-cys-peroxiredoxin that promotes pro-inflammatory cytokine production. These results highlight the role of T. gondii derived redox enzymes as important immune modulators and potentially indicate a role for AAM in modulating immunopathology and promoting parasite replication during T. gondii infection

Pregnancy outcome according to body mass index in primigravidas: a prospective cohort study

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the association between Body Mass Index (BMI), gestational weight gain (GWG) and adverse obstetric outcomes among primigravidas. Material and methods: This was a prospective cohort study conducted at a tertiary University Hospital between June 2015 and May 2017. The study included 480 primigravidas, with singleton pregnancies, who were divided into three groups: women with a healthy weight (BMI: 18.5–24.9 kg/m2) overweight (BMI: 25 – 29.9 kg/m2) and obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). The primary outcome of the study was the rate of GWG in the participants. Secondary outcomes included the rate of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, preterm labor (PTL), postdate pregnancy, fetal macrosomia and the rate of birth by cesarean (CB). Results: There were no significant differences between groups regarding the socio-demographic criteria. The rate of GWG was significantly higher in obese women versus average weight women (11.4±1.73 vs. 10.49±1.09, p=0.0001). There was an increased incidence of GDM (p=0.008), gestational hypertension (p=0.001), pre-eclampsia (p=0.0001), PTL (p=0.002), postdate (p=0.0001) and macrosomia (p=0.0001) in women who were obese compared with women with a healthy weight. Additionally, there was an increased incidence of CB with increasing body mass (p=0.0001) Conclusions: Higher BMI in primigravidas is associated with increased GWG and with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as GDM, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, PTL, postdate, fetal macrosomia and cesarean birth

The effect of regular daily walking on adverse pregnancy outcomes among overweight primigravidas: a prospective cohort study

Objective: The study aims to evaluate the effect of regular daily walking on the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes among overweight primigravidas. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study conducted at Aswan University Hospital from March 2015 to December 2016. The study included 360 overweight primigravidas, with singleton pregnancies, who were divided into two groups: Group I (control group) and Group II (study group) under supervised regular walking 5 times per week for 30 minutes, starting from 10-12 weeks of gestational age to 38-39 weeks of gestational age. The primary outcome of the study was the rate of gestational weight gain in participants in both groups. Secondary outcomes included the rate of gestational diabetes mellitus, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm labor ( 4 kg), excessive maternal weight gain (>11.5 kg), and the rate of cesarean delivery. Results: There were no significant differences between groups with regard to the basic criteria. The exercise program decreased the incidence of preeclampsia (OR=0.120; 95% CI=0.015-0.970; p=0.037), postdate (OR=0.274; 95% CI= 0.099-0.759); p=0.008), excessive weight gain (OR=0.220; 95% CI=0.114-0.424), p=0.000), and cesarean delivery (OR=0.519; 95% CI=0.316-0.841, p=0.007). Conclusion: Regular maternal walking throughout the pregnancy may be a preventive tool for preeclampsia, postdate pregnancy, excessive weight gain and may decrease the incidence of cesarean delivery in primigravidas

Pd-Fe3O4/RGO: a Highly Active and Magnetically Recyclable Catalyst for Suzuki Cross Coupling Reaction using a Microfluidic Flow Reactor

There are several crucial issues that need to be addressed in the field of applied catalysis. These issues are not only related to harmful environmental impact but also include process safety concerns, mass and heat transfer limitations, selectivity, high pressure, optimizing reaction conditions, scale-up issues, reproducibility, process reliability, and catalyst deactivation and recovery. Many of these issues could be solved by adopting the concept of micro-reaction technology and flow chemistry in the applied catalysis field. A microwave assisted reduction technique has been used to prepare well dispersed, highly active Pd/Fe3O4 nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide nanosheets (Pd-Fe3O4/RGO), which act as a unique catalyst for Suzuki cross coupling reactions due to the uniform dispersion of palladium nanoparticles throughout the surface of the magnetite - RGO support. The Pd-Fe3O4/RGO nanoparticles have been shown to exhibit extremely high catalytic activity for Suzuki cross coupling reactions under both batch and continuous reaction conditions. This paper reported a reliable method for Suzuki cross-coupling reaction of 4-bromobenzaldehyde using magnetically recyclable Pd/Fe3O4 nanoparticles supported on RGO nanosheets in a microfluidic-based high throughput flow reactor. Organic synthesis can be performed under high pressure and temperature by using a stainless steel micro tubular flow reactor under continuous flow reaction conditions. Optimizing the reaction conditions was performed via changing several parameters including temperature, pressure, and flow rate. Generally, a scalable flow technique by optimizing the reaction parameters under high-temperature and continuous reaction conditions could be successfully developed

Net-Shape Manufacturing using Hybrid Selective Laser Melting/Hot Isostatic Pressing

Purpose The purpose of this study is to develop a manufacturing technology using hybrid selective laser melting/hot isostatic pressing (SLM/HIP) process to produce full density net-shape components more rapidly and at lower cost than processing by SLM alone. Design/methodology/approach Ti-6Al-4V powder was encapsulated in situ by the production of as-SLMed shell prior to the HIP process. After HIPping, the SLM shell is an integral part of the final component. Finite element (FE) modelling based on pure plasticity theory of porous metal coupled with an iterative procedure has been adopted to simulate HIPping of the encapsulated Ti-6Al-4V powder and SLMed shell. Two demonstrator parts have been modelled, designed, produced and experimentally validated. Geometrical analysis and microstructural characterisation have been carried out to demonstrate the efficiency of the process. Findings The FE model is in agreement with the measured data obtained and confirms that the design of the shell affects the resulting deformed parts. In addition, the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Electron backscatter diffraction EBSD (EBSD) of the interior and exterior parts reveal a considerably different grain structure and crystallographic orientation with a good bonding between the SLMed shell and HIPped powder. Originality/value An approach to improve SLM productivity by combining it with HIP is developed to further innovate the advanced manufacturing field. The possibility of the hybrid SLS/HIP supported by FEA simulation as a net shape manufacturing process for fabrication of high performance parts has been demonstrated. </jats:sec

Development of novel adsorbent for industrial wastewater treatment

The main objective of this research project is to perform some experimental procedures to inform the ability of the novel adsorbent used in this project. The chemical modification of the adsorbent is the chemical oxidation of pure powder chitosan using some specific redox pairs which are potassium dichromate and sodium bisulphite. After preparing the modified chitosan, there are some parameters that must be discussed during the adsorption process. The first parameter is the time parameter, showing experimentally the optimum time for adsorption under certain conditions by collecting values of absorbance and concentration of thymol blue adsorbed after the process from the spectrophotometer showing that the optimum time is 120 minutes. While for the optimum pH experiment, it is shown that optimum pH is 4, 0.5% v/v is optimum concentration, and 0.05 grams is the optimum dose for the adsorbent. Then after computing these conditions and values of absorbance, some calculations and classifications are done to show the reaction kinetics and isotherm classification of the process. By performing some equations using mathematical rules it is provided that the reaction is not a first order reaction, showing by calculations and graphs that the reaction is a second order reaction. Also, to know the classification of the process other mathematical relations are done calculating slope and R2 to show whether the process reaction is a Langumir or Frendulish, showing that the reaction process is a Frendulish process having a greater value of R2

The Effect Of Graphene On Catalytic Performance Of Palladium Nanoparticles Decorated With Fe3O4, Co3O4, And Ni (OH)2: Potential Efficient Catalysts Used For Suzuki Cross—Coupling

Abstract: In this research, we report a scientific investigation of an efficient method used for the synthesis of highly active Palladium Nanoparticles decorated with Fe3O4, Co3O4, and Ni (OH)2 Supported on Graphene as Potential Efficient Catalysts for Suzuki Cross—Coupling. Pd/Fe3O4 nanoparticles supported on graphene nanosheets (Pd/Fe3O4/G) showed an excellent catalytic activity for Suzuki coupling reactions and recycled for up to four times without loss of catalytic activity. An efficient magnetic catalyst has been successfully synthesized using a simple, reproducible fast and reliable method using microwave irradiation conditions. The prepared catalysts are magnetic as in case of iron and cobalt oxides which is an advantage in the separation process of catalyst from the reaction medium via applying a strong external magnetic field. The synthesis approach is based on the Microwave (MW)-assisted simultaneous reduction of palladium and ferric nitrates in the presence of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets using hydrazine hydrate as the reducing agent. The results provide a fundamental understanding of the system variables by comparing the catalytic activity and recyclability of different catalysts with different properties. The most active and recyclable catalyst was Pd–Fe3O4—supported on graphene which offers several added advantages including recyclability of up to seven times, mild reaction conditions, and short reaction times in an environmentally benign solvent system. Furthermore, the magnetic properties imparted by the Fe3O4 component of the catalyst enables the catalyst to be easily isolated and recycled, thus greatly simplifying the ability to purify the reaction products and increasing the economic value of the catalyst. The utility of these magnetic catalysts towards Suzuki cross coupling reaction was also demonstrated. The high activity and recyclability of these catalysts are attributed to a strong catalyst-support interaction where the defect sites in the reduced GO nanosheets act as nucleation centers for anchoring the Pd and Fe3O4 nanoparticles thus minimizing the potential of their agglomeration and the subsequent decrease in the catalytic activity. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]

Novel Adsorbent For Industrial Wastewater Treatment Applications

In this study, the hydroxyapatite powder is investigated for both of methylene blue and thymol blue in aqueous solution. The physical and chemical properties of the adsorbent were evaluated systematically using the different techniques including Microsoft Excel programming, linear regression model and also the coefficient of determination. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted to determine the effect of contact time, solution pH, initial dye concentrations, and also the adsorbent dosage on adsorption. The adsorption kinetic parameters confirmed the better fitting of pseudo-second order kinetic model for both of methylene blue and thymol blue. The isotherm data of methylene blue and thymol blue could be well described by the Freundlich isotherm model which means the adsorption is multilayer adsorption with non-uniform distribution of adsorption heat and affinities over the heterogeneous surface. The maximum adsorption capacity (KF) of methylene blue and thymol blue is found to be 0.2736 (L/mg) and 11.18407 (L/mg) respectively. The high specific surface area and the porous structure with some acidic functional groups on the surface were obviously responsible for high dyes adsorption onto hydroxyapatite (HA). Adsorption kinetics data were modeled with the application of Pseudo first order, Pseudo second order and Intraparticle diffusion models. The results revealed that the Pseudo second order model was the best fitting model. Which means that, the adsorption mechanism followed two stages in which the first one was fast and the other was slower step. Which means the adsorption of dye molecules was limited by intra particle diffusion and film diffusion, as well as the adsorption rate in both of adsorption system are depends only on the slower step. The Boyd plot exposed that the intra-particle diffusion was the rate controlling step of the adsorption process of both of methylene blue and thymol blue molecules by HA powder. However, the adsorption of methylene blue molecules (basic solution) using of HA as adsorbent particles is found to be extremely preferable than thymol blue molecules