Two Birds with One Stone? Possible Dual-Targeting H1N1 Inhibitors from Traditional Chinese Medicine

The H1N1 influenza pandemic of 2009 has claimed over 18,000 lives. During this pandemic, development of drug resistance further complicated efforts to control and treat the widespread illness. This research utilizes traditional Chinese medicine Database@Taiwan (TCM Database@Taiwan) to screen for compounds that simultaneously target H1 and N1 to overcome current difficulties with virus mutations. The top three candidates were de novo derivatives of xylopine and rosmaricine. Bioactivity of the de novo derivatives against N1 were validated by multiple machine learning prediction models. Ability of the de novo compounds to maintain CoMFA/CoMSIA contour and form key interactions implied bioactivity within H1 as well. Addition of a pyridinium fragment was critical to form stable interactions in H1 and N1 as supported by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Results from MD, hydrophobic interactions, and torsion angles are consistent and support the findings of docking. Multiple anchors and lack of binding to residues prone to mutation suggest that the TCM de novo derivatives may be resistant to drug resistance and are advantageous over conventional H1N1 treatments such as oseltamivir. These results suggest that the TCM de novo derivatives may be suitable candidates of dual-targeting drugs for influenza.National Science Council of Taiwan (NSC 99-2221-E-039-013-)Committee on Chinese Medicine and Pharmacy (CCMP100-RD-030)China Medical University and Asia University (CMU98-TCM)China Medical University and Asia University (CMU99-TCM)China Medical University and Asia University (CMU99-S-02)China Medical University and Asia University (CMU99-ASIA-25)China Medical University and Asia University (CMU99-ASIA-26)China Medical University and Asia University (CMU99-ASIA-27)China Medical University and Asia University (CMU99-ASIA-28)Taiwan Department of Health. Clinical Trial and Research Center of Excellence (DOH100-TD-B-111-004)Taiwan Department of Health. Cancer Research Center of Excellence (DOH100-TD-C-111-005

Effects of Palm Kernel Shell Ash on Lime-Stabilized Lateritic Soil

The research investigated the effects of palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) on lime-stabilized lateritic soil. Preliminary tests were performed on three soil samples, i.e., L1, L2 and L3 for identifi- cation; the results showed that L1 was A-7-6, L2 was A-7-6, and L3 was A-7-6. The optimum amount of lime for each of the soil samples was achieved. The optimum amount for L1 was 10%, for L2, 8% and for L3, 10%; at these values they recorded the lowest plasticity indexes. The further addition of PKSA was per- formed by varying the amount of PKSA and lime added to each of the soil samples. The addition of 4% PKSA+ 6% lime, the ad- dition of 4% PKSA + 4% lime, and the addition of 4% PKSA + 6% lime increased the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) to the highest values for L1, L2 and L3 from 8.20%. It was concluded that PKSA can be a suitable complement for lime stabilization in lateritic soil

EFFECTS OF PALM KERNEL SHELL ASH ON LIME-STABILIZED LATERITIC SOIL

The research investigated the effects of palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) on lime-stabilized lateritic soil. Preliminary tests were performed on three soil samples, i.e., L1, L2 and L3 for identification; the results showed that L1 was A-7-6, L2 was A-7-6, and L3 was A-7-6. The optimum amount of lime for each of the soil samples was achieved. The optimum amount for L1 was 10%, for L2, 8% and for L3, 10%; at these values they recorded the lowest plasticity indexes. The further addition of PKSA was performed by varying the amount of PKSA and lime added to each of the soil samples. The addition of 4% PKSA+ 6% lime, the addition of 4% PKSA + 4% lime, and the addition of 4% PKSA + 6% lime increased the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) to the highest values for L1, L2 and L3 from 8.20%. It was concluded that PKSA can be a suitable complement for lime stabilization in lateritic soil

Use of Rosmarinus officinalis in sheep diet formulations: Effects on ruminal fermentation, microbial numbers and in situ degradability

This study investigated the effects of rosemary dietary supplementation on the rumen degradability of alfalfa hay, the ruminal bacterial population and rumen metabolism in sheep. The experiment was designed as a 4. ×. 4 Latin square balanced for carry-over effects using four ruminally cannulated sheep fed a basal diet consisting of 1.5. kg/day of alfalfa hay supplemented (400. g/day) with one of four different concentrates as follows: (1) control (CTR); (2) CTR with the addition of 1.75% rosemary essential oil adsorbed on an inert support (EO); (3) CTR with the addition of 2.50% dried and ground rosemary leaves (RL); and (4) same as (3), except that rosemary leaves were included in the concentrate before pelleting (RL pellet). No effects were recorded in the volatile fatty acid or lactic acid production. Ruminal ammonia concentration tended to be lower (P = 0.077) with the RL pellet diet. The crude protein degradability, after incubation times of 2 and 48. h, decreased (P <. 0.001) in sheep fed with the RL pellet diet. The dry matter degradability followed the same trend, with lower (P <. 0.001) rates of disappearance resulting from the RL pellet diet after 24. h of incubation. The pelleting process may influence the availability of the active compounds of rosemary leaves, allowing greater antibacterial activity. Supplementation of sheep diets with rosemary leaves could potentially be used to manipulate ruminal degradation patterns