Direct Precipitation and Characterization of ZnO Nanoparticles

ZnO nanoparticles are prepared through hydrolysis and condensation of zinc acetate dihydrate by potassium hydroxide in alcoholic medium at low temperatures. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) of the precursor is made in order to specify the temperature range over which the weight loss and thermal effect are significant. X-ray diffraction of the as-prepared specimens shows that the hexagonal (a=3.2459 Å, c=5.1999 Å) structure is the predominant crystallographic structure. According to Scherer’s formula, the average size of the nanoparticles is 22.4 ± 0.6 nm. The structural properties of the synthesized ZnO nanoparticles have been confirmed using the TEM micrographs. The optical energy gap of the ZnO nanoparticles, as obtained from applying Tauc’s equation, is equal to 3.52 eV, which is higher than that of the bulk material. Absorption peak of the as-prepared sample is 298 nm which is highly blue shifted as compared to the bulk (360 nm). Large optical energy gap and highly blue shifted absorption edge confirm that the prepared ZnO nanoparticle exhibits strong quantum confinement effect

Vitamin D supplementation as an adjuvant therapy for patients with T2DM : an 18-month prospective interventional study

Background Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with impaired human insulin action, suggesting a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus type 2 (T2DM). In this prospective interventional study we investigated the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on the metabolic profiles of Saudi T2DM subjects pre- and post-vitamin D supplementation over an 18-month period. Methods T2DM Saudi subjects (men, N = 34: Age: 56.6 ± 8.7 yr, BMI, 29.1 ± 3.3 kg/m2; women, N = 58: Age: 51.2 ± 10.6 yr, BMI 34.3 ± 4.9 kg/m2;) were recruited and given 2000 IU vitamin D3 daily for 18 months. Anthropometrics and fasting blood were collected (0, 6, 12, 18 months) to monitor serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D using specific ELISA, and to determine metabolic profiles by standard methods. Results In all subjects there was a significant increase in mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels from baseline (32.2 ± 1.5 nmol/L) to 18 months (54.7 ± 1.5 nmol/L; p < 0.001), as well as serum calcium (baseline = 2.3 ± 0.23 mmol/L vs. 18 months = 2.6 ± 0.1 mmol/L; p = 0.003). A significant decrease in LDL- (baseline = 4.4 ± 0.8 mmol/L vs. 18 months = 3.6 ± 0.8 mmol/L, p < 0.001] and total cholesterol (baseline = 5.4 ± 0.2 mmol/L vs. 18 months = 4.9 ± 0.3 mmol/L, p < 0.001) were noted, as well as a significant improvement in HOMA-β function ( p = 0.002). Majority of the improvements elicited were more prominent in women than men. Conclusion In the Saudi T2DM population receiving oral Vitamin D3 supplementation (2000 IU/day), circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels remained below normal 18 months after the onset of treatment. Yet, this “suboptimal” supplementation significantly improved lipid profile with a favorable change in HDL/LDL ratio, and HOMA-β function, which were more pronounced in T2DM females

In vitro assessment of antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potential of endophytic fungal metabolites extracts

Endophytes are endosymbiotic microorganisms that act as reservoir of novel bioactive secondary metabolites with antimicrobial, cytotoxic and anti-cancer activities. In the present study, the extracts &nbsp;of 26 different endophytic fungal strains were screened for their antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities. The results showed a wide variety of antimicrobial activities against 12 target microorganisms including three Gram (+) bacteria, three Gram (-) bacteria, 3 yeasts, 2 dermatophytic fungi and one keratinophilic fungus. Four fungal extracts (Aspergillus versicolor, A. awamori,&nbsp;A. niger and Penicillium funiculosum) displayed a broader antibacterial spectrum and inhibited the growth of all Gram (+) and Gram (-) bacterial species. The extracts of 8 endophytic fungi inhibited the growth of the two tested dermatophytic strains (Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum). Only eight fungal extracts have an inhibition activity against the keratinophilic fungal strain (Chrysosporium tropicum). The anti-inflammatory assay showed that the extracts of Emericella nidulans, Pleospora tarda and Penicillium funiculosum had good activities in inhibition of protein denaturation reached to 83%, 82.5% and 81.4%, respectively. Also, Emericella nidulans and Pleo-spora tarda recorded the maximum inhibition effect on bovine serum albumin denaturation reached to 95% and 90.7%, respectively. On the other side, Emericella nidulans showed the maximum inhibition activity (69.5%) out of all tested endophytic strains against humun red blood cells membrane stabilization assay. In conclusion some secondary metabolites of endophytic fungi have a promising potential as antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.83969

PHYTOCHEMICAL, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY, ANTIOXIDANT, CYTOTOXIC AND ANTIBACTERIAL STUDY OF CAPPARIS CARTILAGINEA DECNEFROM YEMEN

Objective: To investigate phytochemicals and biological activities of Capparis cartilaginea extracts.Methods: The methanolic extracts of leaves, stem and twigs of C. cartilaginea were screened for their phytochemicals. The essential oil of the leaves was hydrodistilled by a Clevenger apparatus and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The leaves extract of C. cartilaginea was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory effect, using formalin-induced paw edema. The leaves, stem and twig extracts were assessed for their antioxidant activity, using free radical scavenging assay, cytotoxic activity, using 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and antibacterial activity, using the microdilution method.Results: All extracts of C. cartilaginea contained alkaloids, carbohydrates, protein, coumarin, phytosterols, bitter principles, phenols and tannins. The essential oil of the leaves was mainly composed of isopropyl isothiocyanate (69.4%), butane,1-isothiocyanate (26.97%) and isobutyl isothiocyanate (3.26%). The leaves extract at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg, significantly inhibited paw edema at the 3rd h (49.1%, 54.0%, respectively) and this effect was comparable to that of diclofenac (58.87%). The leaves extract showed the highest antioxidant activity with IC50 value of 91.71 µg/ml. The twigs extract exhibited the highest cytotoxic activity against human lung carcinoma (A549) with IC50 of 57.5 µg/ml. The leaves and stem extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5.0 mg/ml. Conclusion: The leaves extract of C. cartilaginea is a potential source of bioactive compounds that could have a role in anti-inflammation. Twigs extract of the C. cartilaginea possesses a potential cytotoxic effect on human lung cell line

Structural, Magnetic and Electrical Properties of Co-Doped Barium Monoferrite BaFe2O4

Cobalt-substituted barium monoferrite with theformula BaCoxFe2-xO4 (x = 0.0 – 0.4, step 0.1) has been preparedthrough the sol-gel autocombustion method. Phase purity forprepared samples sintered at 700 and 1050 ̊C was analyzed byX-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns that indicated the formationof the typical orthorhombic phase for the samples. Fouriertransforminfrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to investigatethe effect of cobalt doping on the vibrational modes of thestudied samples. Scherrer and Williamson-Hall formulae wereused to define the microstrian and the crystallite size being inthe range of 44.1 to 59.7 nm, which was further confirmed withtransmission electron microscopy (TEM) images. Magneticcharacteristics including magnetic saturation and coercivitywere obtained from hysteresis loops traced using vibratingsample magnetometry (VSM). Magnetic properties werecorrelated with the composition of the prepared samples.Finally, dielectric measurements were operated to furtherconfirm the structural and magnetic analysis

Antidiabetic and Antioxidant Effects of Acteoside from Jacaranda mimosifolia Family Biognoniaceae in Streptozotocin–Nicotinamide Induced Diabetes in Rats

BACKGROUND: Acteoside is a phenylethanoid compound isolated from Jacaranda mimosifolia D. Don leaves with a potential antidiabetic effect. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the antidiabetic and antioxidant effects of acteoside in streptozotocin-nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced Type 2 diabetes in rats. METHODS: Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of a single dose of STZ (52.5 mg/kg), 15 min following i.p. administration of NA (25 mg/kg). Rats were divided into six groups; Group I: Normal rat group received the vehicle, Group II: Diabetic control group, and Groups III-IV: Diabetic rat groups were treated by either oral acteoside (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg) or pioglitazone (30 mg/kg) for 21 consecutive days. Biochemical parameters were assessed in the serum and liver homogenates. Examination of liver sections for histopathology was also carried out. RESULTS: Acteoside treated rats showed significant lower levels of blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and increased serum insulin compared to control diabetic rats. Furthermore, acteoside treated rats, in comparison to the diabetic control, demonstrated significantly reduced malondialdehyde, increased reduced glutathione liver contents, and attenuated pathological alterations in the liver. These effects were comparable to those caused by the standard antidiabetic drug, pioglitazone. In vitro, acteoside scavenged stable free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl. CONCLUSION: Acteoside could be considered as a potential therapeutic agent for type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, studying further mechanisms underlying its antidiabetic effect is recommended

Kemijski sastav sojeva plijesni Monascus ruber

Chemical profile of Monascus ruber strains has been studied using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis. The colour intensity of the red pigment and secondary metabolic products of two M. ruber strains (AUMC 4066 and AUMC 5705) cultivated on ten different media were also studied. Metabolic products can be classified into four categories: anticholesterol, anticancer, food colouring, and essential fatty acids necessary for human health. Using GC/MS, the following 88 metabolic products were detected: butyric acid and its derivatives (25 products), other fatty acids and their derivatives (19 products), pyran and its derivatives (22 products) and other metabolites (22 products). Among these, 32 metabolites were specific for AUMC 4066 strain and 34 for AUMC 5705 strain, whereas 22 metabolites were produced by both strains on different tested substrates. Production of some metabolites depended on the substrate used. High number of metabolites was recorded in the red pigment extract obtained by both strains grown on malt broth and malt agar. Also, 42 aroma compounds were recorded (4 alcohols, 2 benzaldehydes, 27 esters, 3 lactones, 1 phenol, 1 terpenoid, 3 thiol compounds and acetate-3-mercapto butyric acid). Thin layer chromatography and GC/MS analyses revealed no mycotoxin citrinin in any media used for the growth of the two M. ruber strains.Svrha je rada bila proučiti kemijski sastav sojeva plijesni Monascus ruber pomoću plinske kromatografije i masene spektrometrije. Ispitan je i intenzitet crvenog pigmenta te sekundarni produkti metabolizma dvaju sojeva plijesni M. ruber (AUMC 4066 i AUMC 5705) uzgojenih na deset različitih podloga. Produkti metabolizma mogu se razvrstati u 4 skupine: spojevi koji snižavaju razinu kolesterola, antikancerogeni spojevi, prehrambene boje i esencijalne masne kiseline neophodne za ljudsko zdravlje. Plinskom je kromatografijom i masenom spektrometrijom pronađeno 88 produkata metabolizma, a među njima maslačna kiselina i njezini derivati (25), ostale masne kiseline i njihovi derivati (19), piran i njegovi derivati (22), te ostali metaboliti (22). Od ukupnog broja produkata, njih 33 je specifično za soj AUMC 4066, a 34 za soj AUMC 5705, dok su oba soja proizvela 22 produkta na različitim podlogama. Proizvodnja je produkata ovisila o upotrijebljenoj podlozi. Velik je broj metabolita pronađen u ekstraktima crvenog pigmenta iz oba soja uzgojena na podlogama od slada. Pronađena su 42 aromatska spoja, i to 4 alkohola, 27 estera, 3 laktona, 1 fenol, 1 terpenoid, 3 tiola i 1 merkapto spoj. Tankoslojnom i plinskom kromatografijom te masenom spektrometrijom nije pronađen mikotoksin citrinin ni u jednoj podlozi na kojoj su rasla ova dva soja plijesni M. ruber

Direct cord implantation in brachial plexus avulsions: revised technique using a single stage combined anterior (first) posterior (second) approach and end-to-side side-to-side grafting neurorrhaphy

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The superiority of a single stage combined anterior (first) posterior (second) approach and end-to-side side-to-side grafting neurorrhaphy in direct cord implantation was investigated as to providing adequate exposure to both the cervical cord and the brachial plexus, as to causing less tissue damage and as to being more extensible than current surgical approaches.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>The front and back of the neck, the front and back of the chest up to the midline and the whole affected upper limb were sterilized while the patient was in the lateral position; the patient was next turned into the supine position, the plexus explored anteriorly and the grafts were placed; the patient was then turned again into the lateral position, and a posterior cervical laminectomy was done. The grafts were retrieved posteriorly and side grafted to the anterior cord. Using this approach, 5 patients suffering from complete traumatic brachial plexus palsy, 4 adults and 1 obstetric case were operated upon and followed up for 2 years. 2 were C5,6 ruptures and C7,8T1 avulsions. 3 were C5,6,7,8T1 avulsions. C5,6 ruptures were grafted and all avulsions were cord implanted.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Surgery in complete avulsions led to Grade 4 improvement in shoulder abduction/flexion and elbow flexion. Cocontractions occurred between the lateral deltoid and biceps on active shoulder abduction. No cocontractions occurred after surgery in C5,6 ruptures and C7,8T1 avulsions, muscle power improvement extended into the forearm and hand; pain disappeared.</p> <p>Limitations include</p> <p>spontaneous recovery despite MRI appearance of avulsions, fallacies in determining intraoperative avulsions (wrong diagnosis, wrong level); small sample size; no controls rule out superiority of this technique versus other direct cord reimplantation techniques or other neurotization procedures; intra- and interobserver variability in testing muscle power and cocontractions.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Through providing proper exposure to the brachial plexus and to the cervical cord, the single stage combined anterior (first) and posterior (second) approach might stimulate brachial plexus surgeons to go more for direct cord implantation. In this study, it allowed for placing side grafts along an extensive donor recipient area by end-to-side, side-to-side grafting neurorrhaphy and thus improved results.</p> <p>Level of evidence</p> <p>Level IV, prospective case series.</p

Genetic relationships and isozyme profile of dermatophytes and Candida strains from Egypt and Libya

Three molecular techniques random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) were employed for identification and to study the genetic relationship among six species of dermatophytes and three species of yeasts isolated from Egyptian and Libyan patients with skin mycosis. Each species was represented by two isolates, one from Egyptian patients and the second from Libyan. RAPD in which four random 10-mer primers and two ISSR primers were used to amplify the DNA fragments of target fungi and RFLP in which two universal primers (ITS1 and ITS4) were used to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the ribosomal (rRNA) gene in fungal isolates followed by digestion with HinfI and HaeIII endonucleases was carried out. Three molecular marker techniques showed considerable potential for identifying and discriminating dermatophytes and Candida species and the achieved results confirmed identification based on conventional morphological methods. Results of RAPD and ISSR markers revealed 78.7% genetic similarity (GS) between Microsporum canis and other tested fungi reflecting a relatively longer genetic distance from other isolates of dermatophytes and yeasts. Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis were closely related showing 93.3% GS. C. albicans showed 90.9% similarity with other species of Candida. Epidermophyton floccosum was easily separated from all Trichophyton species showing 87.3% similarity. Unique bands were displayed by certain fungi and can be taken as a positive marker for isolate identification and discrimination. RFLP technique revealed differences in the number (1 to 5) and size (8 to 378 base pairs) of DNA fragments depending on the fungal isolate and restriction enzyme used. Within each fungal species, different isolates of dermatophytes and Candida from Egypt and Libya showed close relationship. Seven isozyme systems namely esterase, peroxidase, malate dehydrogenase, acid phosphatase, glutamate-oxalo-acetate transaminase, Urease and protease were studied to detect the gene expression and genetic variability among the different isolates of dermatophytes and Candida.Keywords: Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR), restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), dermatophytes, Candida, isozymesAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(29), pp. 4554-456

Study on the Effect of the addition of Synthesized Nano scale Lead Oxide for Concrete Samples used in Gamma-Ray Shielding

Our goal in this research is to investigate the effect ofconcrete incorporated with nanoparticles of lead oxide inpowder form by different percentages on Gamma-ray shieldingcharacteristics. The lead oxide nanostructure was synthesizedthrough the reaction of citric acid (C6H7O8.H2O) solution andlead acetate (Pb (C2H3O2)) solution as stabilizer and precursor,respectively. In this synthesis, the prepared lead oxidenanostructure was characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) techniques. Theprepared PbO consists of the crystallites about 50 nm. Theconcrete samples were prepared according to the localstandards of building materials and doped with PbO nanopowders by different percentages, 0%, 5%and 10% (by weight)by replacing cement and keeping constant w/c ratio. Moreover,commercial PbO bulk powder additive was used to check theeffect of particle size on concrete attenuation properties. The γ-rays attenuation coefficients were measured as a function of theadditive percentage of nanoparticles of lead oxides and using γ-ray point source,126Ra with different energies in the range(0.295- 1.73) MeV. The results were compared with that fornormal concrete incorporated with the same percentage of bulklead oxide. It was found that the γ-ray attenuation coefficientfor concrete doped with nanoparticles of PbO was slightlyimproved