The Effect of Myostatin on Glucose Metabolism and Insulin Sensitivity

Aim : Myostatin (MSTN) is a negative regulator of skeletal muscle proliferation and differentiation that we previously associated with insulin resistance in humans and mice. We assessed its potential regulatory role in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity in vivo and in vitro. Methods: Using various approaches we assessed the following parameters: in vivo GTT and ITT and in vitro insulin-stimulated glucose uptake for insulin sensitivity, qRT-PCR for Glut1, Glut4, Gyg1, Hk2, IL-6, Western blotting for protein levels of AMPK and ACC and high-resolution respirometry for glucose-dependent mitochondrial respiration. Results: MSTN showed significant reduction of hepatic insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in vitro and reduced glycogen content in vivo without affecting glycolysis, glucose metabolism genes, AMPK signalling or mitochondrial respiration. Conclusion: This study presents evidence for the potential role of liver in MSTN-induced insulin resistance; especially glucose uptake and glycogen content, which necessitates further investigation of the role of MSTN in this metabolically critical organ

Potential Egyptian bacterial consortium for oil spill treatment: A laboratory simulation

The purpose of the study was to reach high efficiency of an oil-degrading bacteria to be used in oil-spill treatment separately or with bacterial consortium. The consortium effect on crude oil was examined by GC-MS. The consortium degraded 99.2% of crude oil after 7 days, while Enterobacter sp. ASH, as individual culture, degraded 80% only. This isolate was identified based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, morphological, physiological, and biochemical characterization. ANOVA analysis showed that medium volume and crude oil concentration are the significant factors. The results showed that the mixed consortium showed better biodegradation abilities than E. sp. ASH

Hantzsch-like three-component synthesis of <i>bis</i>(1,4-dihydropyridines) and <i>bis</i>(fused-1,4-dihydropyridines) linked to piperazine core <i>via</i> 2-phenoxyethanone linkage: Novel hybrid molecules

The molecular hybridization of various compounds with known pharmacological activity is a particularly popular approach for the development of potential drugs with improved pharmacokinetic profiles. In this respect, a novel series of bis(1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile), bis(decahydroacridine), bis(tetrahydrodipyrazolo[3,4-b:4′,3′-e]pyridin), and bis(tetrahydropyrimido[4,5-b]quinoline-2,4,6-trione) derivatives linked to piperazine core via phenoxyethanone linkages were prepared via Hantzsch like reaction of the ((piperazine-1,4-diylbis(2-oxoethane-2,1-diyl))bis(oxy))dibenzaldehydes, with the appropriate active methylene containing reagents. Attempted synthesis of the target products via bis-alkylation of the appropriate phenol with 1,1′-(piperazine-1,4-diyl)bis(2-chloroethan-1-one) in different basic conditions were unsuccessful. </p

Expression of Reactive Oxygen Species–Related Transcripts in Egyptian Children With Autism

The molecular basis of the pathophysiological role of oxidative stress in autism is understudied. Herein, we used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array to analyze transcriptional pattern of 84 oxidative stress genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cell pools isolated from 32 autistic patients (16 mild/moderate and 16 severe) and 16 healthy subjects (each sample is a pool from 4 autistic patients or 4 controls). The PCR array data were further validated by quantitative real-time PCR in 80 autistic children (55 mild/moderate and 25 severe) and 60 healthy subjects. Our data revealed downregulation in GCLM, SOD2, NCF2, PRNP , and PTGS2 transcripts (1.5, 3.8, 1.2, 1.7, and 2.2, respectively; P < .05 for all) in autistic group compared with controls. In addition, TXN and FTH1 exhibited 1.4- and 1.7-fold downregulation, respectively, in severe autistic patients when compared with mild/moderate group ( P = .005 and .0008, respectively). This study helps in a better understanding of the underlying biology and related genetic factors of autism, and most importantly, it presents suggested candidate biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis purposes as well as targets for therapeutic intervention

Effects of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery: an international prospective cohort study an international prospective cohort study

We aimed to determine the impact of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing elective surgery in October 2020. Isolation was defined as the period before surgery during which patients did not leave their house or receive visitors from outside their household. The primary outcome was postoperative pulmonary complications, adjusted in multivariable models for measured confounders. Pre-defined sub-group analyses were performed for the primary outcome. A total of 96,454 patients from 114 countries were included and overall, 26,948 (27.9%) patients isolated before surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded in 1947 (2.0%) patients of which 227 (11.7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence and high-income countries. Although the overall rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in those that isolated and those that did not (2.1% vs 2.0%, respectively), isolation was associated with higher rates of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05–1.36, p = 0.005). Sensitivity analyses revealed no further differences when patients were categorised by: pre-operative testing; use of COVID-19-free pathways; or community SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with periods of isolation longer than 3 days, with an OR (95%CI) at 4–7 days or ≥ 8 days of 1.25 (1.04–1.48), p = 0.015 and 1.31 (1.11–1.55), p = 0.001, respectively. Isolation before elective surgery might be associated with a small but clinically important increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Longer periods of isolation showed no reduction in the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. These findings have significant implications for global provision of elective surgical care. We aimed to determine the impact of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery during the global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. We performed an international prospective cohort study including patients undergoing elective surgery in October 2020. Isolation was defined as the period before surgery during which patients did not leave their house or receive visitors from outside their household. The primary outcome was postoperative pulmonary complications, adjusted in multivariable models for measured confounders. Pre-defined sub-group analyses were performed for the primary outcome. A total of 96,454 patients from 114 countries were included and overall, 26,948 (27.9%) patients isolated before surgery. Postoperative pulmonary complications were recorded in 1947 (2.0%) patients of which 227 (11.7%) were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Patients who isolated pre-operatively were older, had more respiratory comorbidities and were more commonly from areas of high SARS-CoV-2 incidence and high-income countries. Although the overall rates of postoperative pulmonary complications were similar in those that isolated and those that did not (2.1% vs 2.0%, respectively), isolation was associated with higher rates of postoperative pulmonary complications after adjustment (adjusted OR 1.20, 95%CI 1.05–1.36, p = 0.005). Sensitivity analyses revealed no further differences when patients were categorised by: pre-operative testing; use of COVID-19-free pathways; or community SARS-CoV-2 prevalence. The rate of postoperative pulmonary complications increased with periods of isolation longer than 3 days, with an OR (95%CI) at 4–7 days or ≥ 8 days of 1.25 (1.04–1.48), p = 0.015 and 1.31 (1.11–1.55), p = 0.001, respectively. Isolation before elective surgery might be associated with a small but clinically important increased risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. Longer periods of isolation showed no reduction in the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications. These findings have significant implications for global provision of elective surgical care