Antibacterial and Insecticidal Activities of the Revived Azoanthrols

<p>Anthrone tautomerized predominantly, under the reaction conditions, into anthrol and involved in the azo coupling reaction with aryl diazonium chloride to give the corresponding azo dye. UV-Vis experiments have supported the tautomerization of anthrone and the presence of the azo dye products in the hydrazone form. Aryl amines with broad biological applications have been involved to increase the utility of the obtained products. Preliminary antibacterial activity resulted in compounds <b>7a,d</b> which showed the lowest MIC values of 0.2 and 0.1 × 10⁻³ µg/mL against <i>Enterococcus feacalis</i> and <i>Escherichia coli</i>, respectively. Furthermore, the insecticidal activity of the nominated compounds <b>7a,b</b> against the adults of vine mealybug, <i>Planococcusficus</i> (Signoret), showed LC₅₀ values of 152.22 and 216.12 mg/mL, respectively.</p

New sustainable chemically modified chitosan derivatives for different applications: Synthesis and characterization

The functionalization of chitosan (CS) by terephthaloyl chloride (TPC), glutaraldehyde (GA), and 4(4-(ethyl carbamoyl) benzoyl chloride) benzene sulfonamide was performed under different reaction conditions to yield the new hydrogels (I, II, III) respectively. However, hydrogel (I-NPs) was prepared from reaction of chitosan with (TPC) via ionic gelation technique using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP) as a cross-linker. Moreover, hydrogel (I) was loaded (Au, Ag and ZnO) nanoparticles to give the nanoformulations (I-Au NPs, I-Ag NPs and I-ZnO NPs) respectively. Structural and morphological analysis of the new chitosan derivatives hydrogels and NPs formulations were characterized by FTIR, elemental analysis, TGA, DSC, XRD, SEM and TEM. From swelling study, chitosan derivatives hydrogels revealed higher swelling degree compared to (CS) with increasing time, temperature and pH values which reached maximum at pH 7 then decreased at pH 10. In addition, the maximum sorption capacities of Congo Red (CR) in aqueous solution were in the range 81–88%. Moreover, adsorption equilibrium isotherm results displayed favorable Langmuir model than Freundlich model. Furthermore, chitosan derivatives hydrogels showed broad spectrum antimicrobial activities against Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and fungi with the inhibition zone diameter ranged from 13 to 25 mm compared to (CS) hydrogel which revealed inhibition zone diameter ranged from 11 to 16 mm, especially the nano formulation hydrogel (I-Ag NPs) showed the highest antimicrobial activity. The results were promising suggesting that the new modified chitosan derivatives could be potential for dye removal and as antimicrobial agents

New potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 and anti-cancer therapies of chitosan derivatives and its nanoparticles: Preparation and characterization

Chitosan (CS) is a biopolymer and has reactive amine/hydroxyl groups facilitated its modifications. The purpose of this study is improvement of (CS) physicochemical properties and its capabilities as antiviral and antitumor through modification with 1-(2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)thiosemicarbazide (3A) or 1-(5-fluoro-2-oxoindolin-3-ylidene)thiosemicarbazide (3B) via crosslinking of poly(ethylene glycol)diglycidylether (PEGDGE) using microwave-assisted as green technique gives (CS-I) and (CS-II) derivatives. However, (CS) derivatives nanoparticles (CS-I NPs) and (CS-II NPs) are synthesized via ionic gelation technique using sodium tripolyphosphate (TPP). Structures of new (CS) derivatives are characterized using different tools. The anticancer, antiviral efficiencies and molecular docking of (CS) and its derivatives are assayed. (CS) derivatives and its nanoparticles show enhancement in cell inhibition toward (HepG-2 and MCF-7) cancer cells in comparison with (CS). (CS-II NPs) reveals the lowest IC50 values are 92.70 ± 2.64 μg/mL and 12.64 µ g/mL against (HepG-2) cell and SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) respectively and the best binding affinity toward corona virus protease receptor (PDB ID 6LU7) −5.71 kcal / mol. Furthermore, (CS-I NPs) shows the lowest cell viability% 14.31 ± 1.48 % and the best binding affinity −9.98 kcal/moL against (MCF-7) cell and receptor (PDB ID 1Z11) respectively. Results of this study demonstrated that (CS) derivatives and its nanoparticles could be potentially employed for biomedical applications

Evaluation of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points Implementation in Milk Collection Centers in Qalyubia Governorate

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) is a system that concerns with the identification, evaluation and management of risks that have a potential impact on food safety and quality; especially in a highly nutritious yet easily perishable food like milk and dairy products that can be easily contaminated with contain such biological, physical, and chemical hazards. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the returns from HACCP implementation in dairy farms and milk collecting centers (MCCs) located in Qalubiya governorate, Egypt through assessment of the quality, safety and potential adulteration in the collected raw milk samples, along with environmental swabbing for the sanitary condition monitoring pre- and post HACCP implementation, which included an overall improvement in sanitary and hygienic quality of milking, transportation, storage, and personnel conditions, along with documentation and traceability processes at the examined farms and MCCs. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare findings before and after a one-month duration of HACCP application. The results revealed a significant improvement (p ≤ 0.05) in the physico-chemical and microbiological quality of milk samples at both farm and MCC levels. This improvement directly reflected on the quality and fitness of milk for human consumption. In conclusion, the application of HACCP effectively controlled various hazards during milk production, even adulteration, and improved the hygienic quality of raw milk. Therefore, it is highly recommended for HACCP implementation in milk production facilities, with continuous monitoring for optimal results

The predominant role of 18F-FDG PET/CT over MDCT in assessment of ovarian cancer patient

Objectives: This article discusses that FDG PET/CT is superior to MDCT in evaluation of ovarian cancer oncological evaluation. Patients and methods: 87 PET/CT scans of 64 women with clinically suspected or pathologically proven ovarian cancer were retrospectively analyzed. The findings of contrast enhanced MDCT (CE-CT) were interpreted by two experienced radiologists unaware of PET/CT findings. At least two experienced nuclear medicine physicians who were unaware of CE-MDCT findings examined PET images, evaluating localization and characterization and comparing them to co-registered PET/CT images. Diagnostic accuracy was determined on a patient level and a region level. Results: PET has significantly higher Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV, and overall accuracy of 94.7%, 86.7%, 93.1%, 89.7%, and 91.9% respectively compared to 89.5%, 30%, 70.8%, 60% and 68.9% for MDCT on patient level. The diagnostic performance of PET was also better at most anatomical sites when results were analyzed on region level. Conclusions and recommendations: FDG PET in addition to conventional imaging modalities should represent an important step in the diagnostic flowchart of ovarian cancer patients for evaluating abdominal and extra-abdominal probable metastatic deposits

The Debate on Pelvic Lymphadenopathy Size Significance in Ovarian Cancer Patients

Background: This study attempts to ascertain a reliable cutoff size to determine whether pelvic lymph nodes are metastatic or not in ovarian cancer patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 73 PET/CT scans of 52 female patients with ovarian carcinoma who underwent surgery followed by chemotherapy. The findings of contrast enhanced MDCT were interpreted by two experienced radiologists unaware of the PET/CT findings. At least two experienced nuclear medicine physicians unaware of the contrast enhanced-MDCT findings examined the PET scans in order to localize, characterize and compare these scans to co-registered PET/CT images. A comparative study was done. Lymph node sizes were recorded in short axis diameter with a significant cut off estimated at 7.5 mm. Metabolic activities of different lymph node groups were assessed and the semi-quantitative SUV was calculated. The level of SUV significance was 2.5. Significant metastatic lymph nodes were judged by the assessment of integrated PET/CT results. Results: Of the 73 scans, 47 showed significant lymph node metastases, with the following sensitivities: 75% (external iliac), 77.8% (internal iliac), and 75% (inguinal). The specificities were 84% (external iliac), 86% (internal iliac), and 54% (inguinal) with a P-value of 0.000 for the external an internal iliac groups and 0.079 for the inguinal group. Conclusion: To improve detection of malignant pelvic lymph nodes, the size threshold should be decreased to 7.5 mm

Effect of Dopamine on Growth, Some Biochemical Attributes, and the Yield of Crisphead Lettuce under Nitrogen Deficiency

Nitrogen (N) represents the most important nutrient for plant growth and productivity, but extreme and ineffective usage of N fertilizer results in boosted plant production expenditures and environmental contamination. For the world’s sustainable food production and environmental profits, there has been increased research interest in reducing the use of N fertilization along with improving plant N deficiency (ND) tolerance. Dopamine (DA), a potential antioxidant, mediates several physio-biochemical processes in plants under normal or stressful conditions. However, their roles in increasing ND tolerance in crisphead lettuce are not well-documented. We investigate the role of DA concentration (0.50 and 100 µM) on the growth and yield of crisphead lettuce plants under ND. Under normal conditions (100% recommended N fertilizer dose), DA (50 and 100 μM) application significantly enhanced growth, chlorophyll concentration, N%, antioxidant enzymes activity, as well as yield and its components, decreased nitrate accumulation and oxidative biomarkers compared to untreated plants (0 μM DA). ND significantly decreased plant growth and yield attributes as well as evoked oxidative impairment and nitrate accumulation as compared to 100% recommended N fertilizer dose in the absence of DA. However, within ND conditions, the application of DA concentrations significantly mitigated ND-induced oxidative burst and improved plant growth, chlorophyll concentration, N%, nitrate concentration, peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, total soluble solid, vitamin C, dry matter %, and total sugars, over 0 μM DA treated plants. Current findings highlighted that exogenous application of 100 μM DA could reinforce the crisphead lettuce plant’s resilience to ND by minimizing reactive oxygen species accumulation and promoting enzymatic antioxidants alongside growth, yield, and quality improvement. The beneficial effects of DA in lessening ND’s drastic impacts on crisphead lettuce resulted from upregulating antioxidant enzyme activity, impairment of oxidative biomarkers, and maintaining chlorophyll levels. The current findings open pioneering prospects to reduce nitrogen fertilization by DA application without any drastic effect on plant productivity. But further research is needed to fully understand DA effects and their mechanisms in inducing ND tolerance in different plant species, including crisphead lettuce

The potential of Spirulina platensis to substitute antibiotics in Japanese quail diets: impacts on growth, carcass traits, antioxidant status, blood biochemical parameters, and cecal microorganisms

ABSTRACT: The development of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms prompted the investigation of possible antibiotic substitutes. As a result, the purpose of the current study is to assess the effect of dietary Spirulina platensis extract as an antibiotic alternative on Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) growth, antioxidant status, blood parameters, and cecal microorganisms. There was a total of 150 Japanese quails used in this study, divided equally among 5 experimental groups (10 birds per group with 3 replicates): group 1 (G1) received a basal diet without any S. platensis extract, group 2 (G2) received a basal diet supplemented with 1 mL S. platensis extract/kg, group 3 (G3) received a basal diet supplemented with 2 mL S. platensis extract/kg, group 4 (G4) received a basal diet supplemented with 3 mL S. platensis extract/kg, and group 5 (G5) received a basal diet supplemented with 4 mL S. platensis extract/kg from d 7 until d 35. The results showed that compared to the control birds in G1, Japanese quail supplemented with 4 mL of S. platensis extract/kg of diet (G5) had significantly better live body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, digestive enzymes, blood parameters, liver and kidney functions, lipid profile, antioxidant profile, immunological parameters, and cecal microorganism's count. There were no significant changes in the percentage of carcasses, liver, and total giblets among all the 5 groups. Only gizzard percentage showed a significant increase in G2 compared to birds in G1. In addition, intestinal pH showed a significant drop in G2 and G5 compared to birds in G1. After cooking the quail meat, the juiciness and tenderness increased as S. platensis extract levels increased, whereas aroma and taste declined slightly as S. platensis extract levels increased. Furthermore, when a high concentration of S. platensis extract was used, the lightness of the meat reduced while its redness and yellowness increased. The disk diffusion assay showed that S. platensis extract had significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, and Salmonella typhi, with inhibition zones ranging from 16 to 42 mm. This activity may be attributable to the volatile chemicals in S. platensis extract, of which Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol are the primary components. In the diet of Japanese quails, it is possible to draw the conclusion that the extract of S. platensis can be utilized as a feed additive and as an alternative to antibiotics