New Mixed Ligand Complexes of Ditertiary Phosphanes with Ni(II) Alkylxanthates

Mixed Iigand complexes of Ni(II) with alkylxanthates and ditertiary phosphanes of the composition Ni(ROCSSb(diphoshhave been prepared, where R = methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and cyclohexyl and diphos = bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane (dpe) and bis- (diphenylphosphino)butane (dpb). The newly prepared compounds were characterized on the basis of chemical analyses, infrared and electronic spectra, lH-NMR, molar conductance, and thermal analysis. A square planar structure was proposed for the complexes

Antisense oligonucleotide inhibition of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 replication in HepG2 cells

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C (HCV) viral infection is a serious medical problem in Egypt and it has a devastating impact on the Egyptian economy. It is estimated that over 15% of Egyptians are infected by the virus and thus finding a cure for this disease is of utmost importance. Current therapies for hepatitis C virus (HCV) genotype 4 with interferon/ribavirin have not been successful and thus the development of alternative therapy for this genotype is disparately needed. RESULTS: Although previous studies utilizing viral subgenomic or full cDNA fragments linked to reporter genes transfected into adhered cells or in a cell free system showed promise, demonstration of efficient viral replication was lacking. Thus, we utilized HepG2 cells infected with native HCV RNA genomes in a replication competent system and used antisense phosphorothioate Oligonucleotides (S-ODN) against stem loop IIId and the AUG translation start site of the viral polyprotein precursor to monitor viral replication. We were able to show complete arrest of intracellular replication of HCV-4 at 1 uM S-ODN, thus providing a proof of concept for the potential antiviral activity of S-ODN on native genomic replication of HCV genotype 4. CONCLUSION: We have successfully demonstrated that by using two S-ODNs [(S-ODN1 (nt 326–348) and S-ODN-2 (nt 264–282)], we were able to completely inhibit viral replication in culture, thus confirming earlier reports on subgenomic constructs and suggesting a potential therapeutic value in HCV type 4

Enhancing date seed phenolic bioaccessibility in soft cheese through a dehydrated liposome delivery system and its effect on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats

IntroductionThe consumption of dairy products, including soft cheese, has been associated with numerous health benefits due to their high nutritional value. However, the phenolic compounds bioaccessibility present in soft cheese is limited due to their poor solubility and stability during digestion. So, this study aimed to develop an innovative soft cheese enriched with date seed phenolic compounds (DSP) extracted ultrasonically and incorporated into homogeneous liposomes and study its attenuation effect on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats.MethodsDate seed phenolic compounds were extracted using 98 and 50% ethanol along with water as solvents, employing ultrasonication at 10, 20, and 30-min intervals. The primary and secondary DSP-liposomes were prepared and dehydrated. The particle size, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and morphology were measured. Incorporating dehydrated liposomes (1–3% w/w) into soft cheese and their impact on BPH using male Sprague–Dawley rats was assessed. After inducing BPH, rats were fed a cheese diet with dehydrated DSP-liposomes. Over 8 weeks, parameters including nutrition parameters, prostate enlargement analysis, biochemical parameters, hormones level, oxidative stress, and cytokines were analyzed.Results and DiscussionThe results showed that ultrasound-assisted extraction effectively reduced the extraction time and 30 min extraction EtOH 50% was enough to extract high yield of phenolic compounds (558 mg GA/g) and flavonoids (55 mg qu/g) with high antioxidant activity (74%). The biological results indicate that prostate weight and prostate index% were diminished in the treatment groups (1 and 2) compared to the BPH control group. The high antioxidant content present in the DSP-liposomes acted as the catalyst for suppressing the responses of the inflammatory cytokines, inhibiting the anti-inflammatory IL-10 production, and suppressing the elevated levels of lipid peroxidation products compared to the BPH group.ConclusionThe treatment group (2) supplemented with dehydrated secondary DSP-liposomes exhibited the most significant variance (p < 0.05) as opposed to the BPH group. Liposomal encapsulation was proved to be a feasible approach for administering DSP in soft cheese, thereby establishing new functional food category possessing prophylactic properties against the advancement of BPH in rats

Protein Energy Wasting in a Sample of Egyptian Children on Regular Hemodialysis: Relation to Anorexigenic Hormones

BACKGROUND: Increased incidence of pediatric end-stage renal disease (ESRD) with associated serious consequences indicating a major public health problem. Malnutrition and uremic wasting are leading causes of growth impairment and increasing morbidity and mortality of pediatric ESRD patients, predominantly those on regular hemodialysis (HD). Ghrelin and obestatin, which are known appetite regulatory hormones, might have a pivotal role in uremic wasting and growth impairment in hemodialyzed children. AIM: The aim of the present study was to measure serum unacylated ghrelin (UAG) and obestatin and to investigate their roles in the growth impairment of Egyptian hemodialyzed children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study included 50 hemodialyzed and 40 healthy children recruited from the Department of Nephrology, Pediatric Hospital, Ain Shams University. Full clinical examination and measurement of anthropometric indices were done. Routine labs were done as well, with an assessment of serum levels of obestatin, UAG, and insulin by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, we determined fasting serum glucose and lipid profile with the calculation of homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). RESULTS: Anthropometric measurements were statistically significantly decreased in the hemodialyzed group than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Weight z-score was the most affected anthropometric parameter (37 patients = 74% with underweight and 13 patients = 26% with normal weight). The hemodialyzed children showed a significant increase of UAG, obestatin, insulin, glucose, HOMA-IR, and TG, while a significant decrease of HDL-cholesterol and albumin (p < 0.01). UAG had a negative correlation with Wt-z score, Ht z-score, fat mass %, albumin, and TG while obestatin was inversely correlated to Wt-z score, BMI z-score, waist circumference, and waist-height ratio (W/H). CONCLUSION: UAG and obestatin hormones were elevated in a group of Egyptian children on regular HD. These hormones were strongly related to the impairment of renal functions, and anthropometric parameters, dyslipidemia, hypoalbuminemia, and insulin resistance in these pediatric hemodialyzed patients

Biological activity and chemical identification of ornithine lipid produced by Burkholderia gladioli pv. agaricicola ICMP 11096 using LC-MS and NMR analyses

Lipoamino acids (LAs) have been isolated from bacterial species and are included among the most important microbial secondary metabolites. Some synthetic LAs are being increasingly used in pharmaceutical applications such as ornithine lipid (OL) which is present in relatively large amounts in some G-ve bacteria. Many Burkholderia spp. produce in vitro secondary metabolites with lipodepsipeptide nature and have showed relevant biological activities and potential practical applications. The purposes of this research were i) to study the antibacterial activity of cell-free culture filtrate of B. gladioli pv. agaricicola strain ICMP 11096; ii) HPLC fractionation and antibacterial evaluation of isolated compounds; iii) Finally, the identification by LC-MS and NMR analysis of the principle bioactive compound produced by the bacterium. Results showed that the cell-free culture filtrate has a promising antibacterial activity against the two studied target microorganisms. In addition, HPLC fractionation demonstrated the presence of five single bioactive compounds produced by the bacterium and their antibacterial activity stated that peak no. 2 is the most bioactive one against B. megaterium and E. coli. Successively, the principal bioactive compound was identified by LC-MS and ¹H NMR as OL with mass spectrum (m/z) 719. This research is considered the first report of isolation and chemical identification of OL compound isolated from B. gladioli pv. agaricicola ICMP 11096

Injection Drug Use Is a Risk Factor for HCV Infection in Urban Egypt

OBJECTIVE: To identify current risk factors for hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission in Greater Cairo. DESIGN AND SETTING: A 1:1 matched case-control study was conducted comparing incident acute symptomatic hepatitis C patients in two "fever" hospitals of Greater Cairo with two control groups: household members of the cases and acute hepatitis A patients diagnosed at the same hospitals. Controls were matched on the same age and sex to cases and were all anti-HCV antibody negative. Iatrogenic, community and household exposures to HCV in the one to six months before symptoms onset for cases, and date of interview for controls, were exhaustively assessed. RESULTS: From 2002 to 2007, 94 definite acute symptomatic HCV cases and 188 controls were enrolled in the study. In multivariate analysis, intravenous injections (OR = 5.0; 95% CI = 1.2-20.2), medical stitches (OR = 4.2; 95% CI = 1.6-11.3), injection drug use (IDU) (OR = 7.9; 95% CI = 1.4-43.5), recent marriage (OR = 3.3; 95% CI = 1.1-9.9) and illiteracy (OR = 3.9; 95% CI = 1.8-8.5) were independently associated with an increased HCV risk. CONCLUSION: In urban Cairo, invasive health care procedures remain a source of HCV transmission and IDU is an emerging risk factor. Strict application of standard precautions during health care is a priority. Implementation of comprehensive infection prevention programs for IDU should be considered

Burnout among surgeons before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international survey

Background: SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has had many significant impacts within the surgical realm, and surgeons have been obligated to reconsider almost every aspect of daily clinical practice. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study reported in compliance with the CHERRIES guidelines and conducted through an online platform from June 14th to July 15th, 2020. The primary outcome was the burden of burnout during the pandemic indicated by the validated Shirom-Melamed Burnout Measure. Results: Nine hundred fifty-four surgeons completed the survey. The median length of practice was 10 years; 78.2% included were male with a median age of 37 years old, 39.5% were consultants, 68.9% were general surgeons, and 55.7% were affiliated with an academic institution. Overall, there was a significant increase in the mean burnout score during the pandemic; longer years of practice and older age were significantly associated with less burnout. There were significant reductions in the median number of outpatient visits, operated cases, on-call hours, emergency visits, and research work, so, 48.2% of respondents felt that the training resources were insufficient. The majority (81.3%) of respondents reported that their hospitals were included in the management of COVID-19, 66.5% felt their roles had been minimized; 41% were asked to assist in non-surgical medical practices, and 37.6% of respondents were included in COVID-19 management. Conclusions: There was a significant burnout among trainees. Almost all aspects of clinical and research activities were affected with a significant reduction in the volume of research, outpatient clinic visits, surgical procedures, on-call hours, and emergency cases hindering the training. Trial registration: The study was registered on clicaltrials.gov "NCT04433286" on 16/06/2020