Preparation, Characterization, and Analytical Application of Ramipril Membrane-Based Ion-Selective Electrode

The fabrication and electrochemical evaluation of two PVC membrane-based Ion-Selective electrodes responsive for ramipril drug have been proposed. The sensitive membranes were prepared using ramipril-phosphomolibdate and ramipril-tetraphenylborate ion-pair complexes as electroactive sensing materials in plasticized PVC support. The electrodes based on these materials provide near-Nernestian response (sensitivity of 53 ± 0.5–54 ± 0.5 mV/concentration decade) covering the concentration range of 1.0 × 10−2–1.0 × 10−5 mol L−1 with a detection limit of 3.0 × 10−6–4.0 × 10−6 mol L−1. The suggested electrodes have been successfully used in the determination of ramipril drug in some pharmaceutical formulations using direct potentiometry with average recovery of >96% and mean standard deviation of <3% (n = 5)

Comparison of the Immunosuppressive Ability of Salivary Gland Extracts of the Ixodid Ticks: Dermacentor Andersoni, Amblyomma Ameiucanum and Rhipicephalus Sanguineus

Entomolog

Evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant properties of leaves of Emex spinosa and fruits of Citrillus colocynthis from Saudi Arabia

The crude methanol extract of Citrullus colocynthis fruit and Emex spinosa leaves were examined for antimicrobial and antioxidant potentialities. The phytochemical analysis revealed presence of some bioactive principles, such as alkaloids, flavonoids and anthraquinones for E. spinosa and saponin, flavonoids, terpenoids and alkaloids for C. colocynthis. The antimicrobial activities were determined against seven bacterial strains (Proteus vulgaris NCTC 8196, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 53651, Salmonella typhi NCTC 0650, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and Bacillus cereus NCTC 8236) and one fungal strain (Candida albicans ATCC 7596). E. spinosa leaf methanol extract was most active against fungus, whileC. colocynthis fruit methanol extract was most active against bacteria, particularly E. coli ATCC 25922 and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853. The antioxidant properties of extracts were investigated in vitro using1,1-diphenyl, 2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay and in vivo in rats using serological and enzymatic tests. Both plant extracts showed considerable antioxidant activities. The promising findings of this investigation could be used as a novel natural antimicrobial and antioxidant agents.Keywords: Emex spinosa, Citrillus colocynthis, antimicrobial, antioxidant activity.African Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 12(34), pp. 5308-531

Autosomal Recessive Hypercholesterolemia Protein Interacts with and Regulates the Cell Surface Level of Alzheimer's Amyloid β Precursor Protein *

The familial Alzheimer's disease gene product amyloid beta protein precursor (A beta PP) is sequentially processed by beta- and gamma-secretases to generate the A beta peptide. Although much is known about the biochemical pathway leading to A beta formation, because extracellular aggregates of A beta peptides are considered the cause of Alzheimer's disease, the biological role of A beta PP processing is only recently being investigated. Cleavage of A beta PP by gamma-secretase releases, together with A beta, a COOH-terminal A beta PP intracellular domain, termed AID. Hoping to gain clues about proteins that regulates A beta PP processing and function, we used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify proteins that interact with the AID region of A beta PP. One of the interactors isolated is the autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia (ARH) adapter protein. This molecular interaction is confirmed in vitro and in vivo by fluorescence resonance energy transfer and in cell lysates. Moreover, we show that reduction of ARH expression by RNA interference results in increased levels of cell membrane A beta PP. These data assert a physiological role for ARH in A beta PP internalization, transport, and/or processing

Enhancing spearmint productivity and water use efficiency under alternative planting practices

Egypt faces water scarcity to meet the increasing demand. Therefore, better management of irrigation water for crops assumes high priority among which spearmint is a high water demanding plant. Hence, the current study was undertaken at the Medicinal and Aromatic Research Department Experimental Farm, El-Kanater El-Khairiya, Egypt. It is intended to investigate the effect of different planting practices “raised bed, furrows and convention” on yield productivity and water saving, under three irrigation treatments “120%, 100% and 80% of ETo”. The results of two seasons 2016 and 2017 showed that the best vegetative growth and fresh herb yield were obtained using raised bed followed by furrows then conventional planting method under 100% ETo. Essential oil was increased up to 0.7% at 100% ETo under raised bed. It was observed that when compared to planting using conventional methods at 120% ETo, under 80% ETo spearmint yield was increased by about 8.76% and 26.14% for furrows and raised bed in the first season, second season showed same trend. In addition, raised bed under 80% of irrigation applied water produced the maximum amount of water saved when compared to conventional at 120% ETo being 36.14 and 48.38% for 1st and 2nd season, respectively

Detection of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases in Escherichia Coli Isolated from the Community in Gaza Strip, Palestine

This study was designed in order to detect the production of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) in the isolated Escherichia coli. The prevalence of ESBL production was determined among 300 isolates of E. coli. Eleven (3.7%) isolates proved to be ESBL. High resistance especially, to amoxycillin, cephalexin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime (100.0%) and gentamicin (81.8%) was observed. It was also observed that, all ESBL-producers displayed multiple resistance to four or more antimicrobial agents and the majority of th

Jun NH2-terminal Kinase (JNK) Interacting Protein 1 (JIP1) Binds the Cytoplasmic Domain of the Alzheimer's β-Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP)

The familial Alzheimer's disease gene product amyloid beta precursor protein (APP) is sequentially processed by beta- and gamma-secretases to generate the Abeta peptide. The biochemical pathway leading to Abeta formation has been extensively studied since extracellular aggregates of Abeta peptides are considered the culprit of Alzheimer's disease. Aside from its pathological relevance, the biological role of APP processing is unknown. Cleavage of APP by gamma-secretase releases, together with Abeta, a COOH-terminal APP intracellular domain, termed AID. This peptide has recently been identified in brain tissue of normal control and patients with sporadic Alzheimer's disease. We have previously shown that AID acts as a positive regulator of apoptosis. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanism by which AID regulates this process remains unknown. Hoping to gain clues about the function of APP, we used the yeast two-hybrid system to identify interaction between the AID region of APP and JNK-interacting protein-1 (JIP1). This molecular interaction is confirmed in vitro, in vivo by fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), and in mouse brain lysates. These data provide a link between APP and its processing by gamma-secretase, and stress kinase signaling pathways. These pathways are known regulators of apoptosis and may be involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease

About A Rare Cause Of Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Introduction: Primary hyperparathyroïdism is observed in 35 to 44 subjects/ 100000 persons. The increased production of parathyroid hormones is secondary to primary glandular modifications consisting mainly in adenomas. The authors report a clear-cell hyperplasia causing primary hyperparathyroidism. Observation: We report the case of a 25-year-old man who was admitted to explore pathologic fractures of the left arm and a malignant hypercalcaemia. Complementary laboratory tests revealed primary hyperparathyroidism. A multiple endocrine neoplasia was excluded by radiologic examinations. Cervical ultra-sound examination revealed 2 parathyroid adenomas and per-operative exploration showed 3 « adenomas ». Microscopic examination of the 4 parathyroid glands specimen concluded to a clear cell hyperplasia. Conclusion: Clear cell hyperplasia is a benign cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. The diagnosis is based upon histologic findings and examination of the 4 glands

ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF SOME ESSENTIAL OIL EMULSIONS AND NANOEMULSIONS AGAINST FUSARIUM OXYSPORUM PATHOGEN AFFECTING CUMIN AND GERANIUM PLANTS

In the present investigation, the antifungal activity of essential oil emulsions and nanoemulsions of sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.), marjoram (Majorana hortensis Moench), peppermint (Mentha piperita L.), spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) were evaluated against Fusarium oxysporum isolated from infested cumin and geranium plants. Essential oils were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography. The nanoemulsion was formulated using the essential oils, non-ionic surfactant (Tween 80) and water by ultrasonication method for 30 min and characterized by particle size analyzer and transmission electron microscope. Essential oil emulsions were prepared as mentioned above without sonication. The transmission electron micrograph showed that the essential oil nanoemulsions were spherical in shape and moderately mono or di-dispersed. The droplet size was correlated well with the results obtained from droplet size analysis showing that droplets are present in the nanometer range, with particle size of less than 100 nm and were stable after 3 months of storage under room temperature (27 °C). Four concentrations of the emulsions and nanoemulsions were used to evaluate the anti-fusarium activity in vitro. The results showed that maximum inhibition against Fusarium oxysporum. f.sp. cumini was resulted by thyme essential oil nanoemulsion and emulsion at 2000 ppm and sweet basil essential oil nanoemulsion at 4000 ppm. Also, maximum inhibition against Fusarium oxysporum isolated from geranium plant resulted by thyme essential oil nanoemulsion and emulsion at 2000 ppm. All essential oil nanoemulsions exhibited higher activities compared to emulsions against fungal growth at all concentrations. Treating cumin seeds with each of the concentrations of essential oil emulsions did not affect germination, while seed germination percentage sharply decreased at high concentrations of nanoemulsions treatments. The results suggest the potential effects of thyme and sweet basil essential oil nanoemulsions as novel fungicide agents against Fusarium spp

GREEN PEA SPROUT RESPONSE TO MICROBIAL INOCULATION AND INCREASING ATMOSPHERIC CO2 CONCENTRATION

Baby pea (pisum sativum L.) shoots is a new ready to eat baby leaf vegetable sprouts in Egypt. The overall quality change of baby pea shoots is greatly affected by surrounding environmental conditions especially increased elevation of carbon dioxide concentration in the air. This work focus on the impacts of predicted climate changes conditions on the quality of baby pea shoots by using two carbon dioxide concentrations (600 and 800 ppm) compared with ambient air (control) in interaction with three microbial inoculants and their combinations, in semi-automated growth chambers using tray sprouting method. The obtained results showed the largest yield of pea sprouts per unit area in 800 ppm CO2 concentration with increasing about 20% more than ambient air (control) followed by 600 ppm with increasing about 9.4% than ambient air. Also, it revealed that using CO2 at 800 ppm increased pea sprout crude protein content 37.8%, lipid 46.9% and energy 19.5% per unit area when compared to ambient air. While pea sprout treated by 800 ppm CO2 and inoculated by combination of  Az. chroococcum + B. megaterium + Ps. fluorescens recorded the highest significant shoot length in the second cut and highest significant chlorophyll in first and second being 13.25 cm, 57.3 and 58.9 μg Chl./cm (SPAD) and the highest significant protein, lipids, and ash content being 48.65, 4.95, 10.69% as well as the highest significant mineral values of P, Ca, Mg, Fe and Zn being 0.545, 3.535, 0.620% and 61.3 ppm respectively. Current study suggests that high CO2 concentration in the presence of Az. chroococcum + B.  megaterium + Ps. fluorescens improve the yield and the quality of baby pea shoots