Physiochemical Characteristic and Biological Activity of the Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) Bud Oil

  The present study was investigating the physiochemical and the biological activity of the Clove bud oil against the fungus (A. niger) and two bacteria (E. coli and Staph. aurues). The inhibition zone plate method was used for bacterial test, while the mycelia weights and radial growth methods were used for the fungal study. The A.O.S. official methods were used to determine the physiochemical properties. The studies on the physiochemical characteristics of the Clove bud oil proved that the acid value was (3.86), the saponification value was (38.27),the peroxide value was (3.83), the specific gravity was (1.043), the  reflective index was (1.525), the iodine value was (182.43), and the free fatty acid was (1.94). The results of the antimicrobial tests showed that  the  Clove bud oil gave a complete inhibition of the radial growth of the fungus (A. niger) at its higher concentration and a high reduction percent at its lower concentrations. However, the mycelial fresh and dry weights of the fungus A. niger were completely inhibited by the Clove bud oil at its higher concentration, and clearly reduced at its lower concentrations. The inhibition zone of growth of both bacteria was larger than that of the control treatment. Clove bud oil showed clear inhibition zone when used against Staph. aurues compared to its use against E. coli. Many studies have reported that oils of different herbs and spices can yield medicinal compounds. Spices and herbs have been used for thousand of years by man in traditional medicine. However, more physiochemical characterizations need to be done and the antifungal and the antibacterial properties should be verified in any further studies on the Clove bud oil.   &nbsp

MONTELUKAST SPRAY DRIED MICROPARTICLES: PREPARATION, EXCIPIENTS SELECTION AND IN VITRO PULMONARY DEPOSITION

Objective: This study focused on the preparation of montelukast sodium (MTK) fast release pulmonary targeted microparticles using the spray drying technique.Methods: The effect of addition of different excipients namely: mannitol, leucine and ovalbumin on the physico-chemical characteristics of MTK spray dried powders were investigated. Powder flow properties, drug association efficiency as well as microparticle size and mass median aerodynamic diameter were determined. The prepared microparticles were characterized using FT-IR and TGA. The powder crystallographic and thermal properties were studied using DSC and X-ray powder diffraction. A twin stage impinger was used to evaluate in vitro pulmonary deposition from which the inhalation indices were derived.Results: The tested excipients showed no adverse chemical interactions with the drug based on FT-IR. The best inhalation indices were obtained with powders spray dried with leucine followed by leucine/mannitol mixtures with MMAD of 1.73±0.08 and 1.36±0.16 and fine particle fraction of 60.55±1.63 and 52.31±3.52, respectively. The dried powders showed good physico-chemical stability for up to 6 mo storage.Conclusion: The developed MTK spray dried particles may offer a good platform for the targeted pulmonary delivery of MTK overcoming the major biological barriers

Production and Characterization of Pectic Enzymes of Xanthomonas campestris pv. sesami

إنتاج ودراسة خصائص الإنزيمات البكتينية للبكتيريا Xanthomonas campestris pv. sesami   ملخص الدراسة            البكتيريا  Xanthomonas campestris pv. sesami ، هي المسبب لمرض تبقع أوراق نبات السمسم. الأنزيمات البكتينية التي تنتج بواسطة العديد من البكتيريا الممــرضة للنبات اتضـح أنها تلعب دوراً هاماً في عمــلية الأمراض. هنالك ثلاث أنواع رئيـسـية من الإنزيمات البكــتينية (بوليجلاكتيورونيز، PG وبوليجلاكتيورونيت ترانس - امنيز، PTE و بكتين ميثايل - اٍستريز، PME). هـدف هذا البحث على دراسة قدرة البكتيريا، X.  campestris pv. sesami  على إنتاج الإنزيمات البكتينية المختلفة. استخدم في هذه الدراسة وسط غذائي من الأملاح مضافاً إليه مواد بكتينية مختلفة كمصدر للكربون. الإنزيمات المنتجة تمت دراسة خصائصها باستخدام اختبارات محددة. أوضحت النتائج أن البكتيريا كانت قادرة إنتاج الإنزيم بوليجلاكتيورونيت ترانس - اٍمنيز ((PTE فقط ولم تنتج الانزيم بكتين ميثايل - اٍستريز، PME)). أشارت النتائج الى أن ملح بولي بكتات الصوديوم وحمض البولي جلاكتيورونيك  هي الأفضل لإنتاج هذا الإنزيم حيث أعطت  9 .26 و 19.8 وحدات لزوجة إنزيمية، على التوالي. . كان أعلى إنتاج للإنزيم في اليوم السادس (9.3 وحدات لزوجة)  ثم انخفض الإنتاج مع زيادة فترة التحضين. اختبار تأثير درجة الأس الهيدروجيني أوضح أن الدرجة المثلى لنشاط  الإنزيم كانت 9.0. أظهرت دراسة اختبار تاثيز ايونات لمعادن مختلفة على نشاط الانزيم أن أيونات الكالسيوم هي التي أعطت اكبر نشاط 12.2  وحدة لزوجة. وعند اختبار تراكيز مختلفة من  ايونات الكالسيوم ووجد ان اعلى نشاط كان على التركيز  50 ملج / مل حيث أعطى 18.0 وحدة لزوجة. توصي الدراسة على اختبار قدرة البكتيريا على انتاج إنزيمات السليولوز وشبه السليولوز والتي لها دور ايضاً في عملية الاٍمراض.       The bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pv. sesami, is the causal organism of the leaf spot disease (Marad eldum) in sesame plants. Pectic enzymes which were reported to be produced by many plant pathogenic bacteria,  were found to play an important role in pathogenesis. There are three main types of pectic enzymes (Polygalacturonase, PG, Polygalacturonate trans-eliminase PTE and Pectin methylesterase PME). The present study was conducted to investigate the capacity of the bacterium X. campestris pv. sesami,  to produce the different types of pectic enzymes. A salt medium supplemented with different pectic materials as carbon sources were tested for the production of the enzymes. The produced enzymes were characterized using different selective tests, both the viscosity and reducing group methods were used to measure the enzyme activity. The results showed that no pectin methylestrease (PME) was produced and only the Polygalacturonase trans-eliminase (PTE) was produced by the bacterium. Sodium polypectate and polygalacturonic acid were found as the best substrates giving 26.9 and 19.8 viscosity enzyme units, respectively. The enzyme activity was maximum at the 6th day (9.3 viscosity units), then the activity was decreasing with further incubation time. The test of the effect of the pH indicated that the  pH optimum of the enzyme activity was at pH 9.0. The effects of different metallic ions to the enzyme activity showed that,= a higher activity was found with Ca++ which gave 12.2 viscosity    units. When different concentrations of Ca++ were tested, the maximum activity of the enzyme was found at 50 mg/ ml concentration, which gave 18.0 viscosity units. It could be recommended that the tested bacterium should be investigated for the production of the cellulases and hemi-cellulases which also have a role in the pathogenesis process

The significance of Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) & DNA Topoisomerase II alpha (DNA-Topo II alpha) immunoreactivity in normal oral mucosa, Oral Epithelial Dysplasia (OED) and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Head and neck cancer including oral cancer is considered to develop by accumulated genetic alterations and the major pathway is cancerization from lesions such as intraepithelial dysplasia in oral leukoplakia and erythroplakia. The relationship of proliferation markers with the grading of dysplasia is uncertain. The involvement of EBV in oral carcinogenesis is not fully understood.</p> <p>Aim</p> <p>The present study was designed to investigate the role of EBV and DNA Topoisomerase II∝ (DNA-Topo II∝) during oral carcinogenesis and to examine the prognostic significance of these protein expressions in OSCCs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Using specific antibodies for EBV and DNA-Topo II∝, we examined protein expressions in archival lesion tissues from 16 patients with oral epithelial dysplasia, 22 oral squamous cell carcinoma and 20 normal oral mucosa by immunohistochemistry. Clinical information was obtained through the computerized retrospective database from the tumor registry.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>DNA-Topo II∝ was expressed in all examined specimens. Analysis of Variance ANOVA revealed highly significant difference (P < 0.01) in young aged labial tissues and significant (P ≤ 0.05) in gingival and not significant (P > 0.05) in inferior surface of tongue and in hard palatal tissues. Significant differences were observed between OEDs and NSE (P < 0.001) and SCCs and controls (P < 0.001), also, significant differences could be observed between SCCs and OEDs. DNA-Topo II∝ expression was significantly higher in tumors of low differentiation versus tumors of moderate and high differentiation (P < 0.001), DNA-Topo II∝ expression was correlated with age, tumor size, tumor stage, node metastasis and tumor differentiation, but not with gender and tumor site. None of normal squamous epithelium (NSE) expressed EBV. Heterogenous reactivity for EBV was observed through the series of dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma. Its expression increased progressively with lymph node metastasis and low tumor differentiation, but no significant association could be observed with other clinicopathological parameters. EBV protein expression was increased with elevated Topo II-∝ LI in OEDs and OSCCs. A tendency to positive correlation between EBV and Topo II∝ expression was observed in OEDs but not in OSCCs.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>EBV and DNA Topo II-αLI expression are possible indicators in oral carcinogenesis and may be valuable diagnostic and prognostic indices in oral carcinoma.</p

Evaluating the Feasibility of Pro-Neurotensin and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3 as Possible Indicators for Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications

(1) Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and metabolic syndrome are associated with decreased vitamin D. In contrast, high pro-neurotensin (pro-NT) levels are linked with an increased risk of T2DM and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to determine the validity of pro-NT and 25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 levels as predictors for T2DM complications; (2) Methods: One hundred T2DM, and one hundred healthy volunteers participated in this case-control study. Their Pro-NT and 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were evaluated using the ELISA technique; (3) Results: Pro-NT and 25 (OH) vitamin D3 have significant validity and accuracy in T2DM prediction, 84.5%, and 90.5%, respectively (p = 0.001). At a value of \u3c29.5, 25-Hydroxy vitamin D3 showed 88% sensitivity and 93% specificity in predicting T2DM. At a value of \u3e124 Pmol/L, Pro-NT showed 81% sensitivity and 88% specificity in predicting T2DM. At a value of 16.5, 25-Hydroxy vitamin D3 had 78.4% sensitivity and 68.3% specificity in predicting T2DM complications. At a value of \u3e158 pmol/L, Pro-NT predicted T2DM complications with 67.6% sensitivity and 56.0% specificity; (4) Conclusions: 25 (OH) Vit D3 and Pro-NT could identify T2DM patients and predict T2DM complications. More extensive research is required to adequately validate this novel perspective with a large population study

Diagnostic Accuracy of the Leishmania OligoC-TesT and NASBA-Oligochromatography for Diagnosis of Leishmaniasis in Sudan

The leishmaniases are a group of vector-borne diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. The parasites are transmitted by phlebotomine sand flies and can cause, depending on the infecting species, three clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis: visceral leishmaniasis (VL), post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) including the mucocutaneous form. VL, PKDL as well as CL are endemic in several parts of Sudan, and VL especially represents a major health problem in this country. Molecular tests such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or nucleic acid sequence based assay (NASBA) are powerful techniques for accurate detection of the parasite in clinical specimens, but broad use is hampered by their complexity and lack of standardisation. Recently, the Leishmania OligoC-TesT and NASBA-Oligochromatography were developed as simplified and standardised PCR and NASBA formats. In this study, both tests were phase II evaluated for diagnosis of VL, PKDL and CL in Sudan

Seasonal variation of carbon fluxes in a sparse savanna in semi arid Sudan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Large spatial, seasonal and annual variability of major drivers of the carbon cycle (precipitation, temperature, fire regime and nutrient availability) are common in the Sahel region. This causes large variability in net ecosystem exchange and in vegetation productivity, the subsistence basis for a major part of the rural population in Sahel. This study compares the 2005 dry and wet season fluxes of CO₂for a grass land/sparse savanna site in semi arid Sudan and relates these fluxes to water availability and incoming photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD). Data from this site could complement the current sparse observation network in Africa, a continent where climatic change could significantly impact the future and which constitute a weak link in our understanding of the global carbon cycle.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The dry season (represented by Julian day 35–46, February 2005) was characterized by low soil moisture availability, low evapotranspiration and a high vapor pressure deficit. The mean daily NEE (net ecosystem exchange, Eq. 1) was -14.7 mmol d^-1for the 12 day period (negative numbers denote sinks, i.e. flux from the atmosphere to the biosphere). The water use efficiency (WUE) was 1.6 mmol CO₂mol H₂O^-1and the light use efficiency (LUE) was 0.95 mmol CO₂mol PPFD^-1. Photosynthesis is a weak, but linear function of PPFD. The wet season (represented by Julian day 266–273, September 2005) was, compared to the dry season, characterized by slightly higher soil moisture availability, higher evapotranspiration and a slightly lower vapor pressure deficit. The mean daily NEE was -152 mmol d^-1for the 8 day period. The WUE was lower, 0.97 mmol CO₂mol H₂O^-1and the LUE was higher, 7.2 <it>μ</it>mol CO₂mmol PPFD^-1during the wet season compared to the dry season. During the wet season photosynthesis increases with PPFD to about 1600 <it>μ</it>mol m^-2s^-1and then levels off.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Based on data collected during two short periods, the studied ecosystem was a sink of carbon both during the dry and wet season 2005. The small sink during the dry season is surprising and similar dry season sinks have not to our knowledge been reported from other similar savanna ecosystems and could have potential management implications for agroforestry. A strong response of NEE versus small changes in plant available soil water content was found. Collection and analysis of flux data for several consecutive years including variations in precipitation, available soil moisture and labile soil carbon are needed for understanding the year to year variation of the carbon budget of this grass land/sparse savanna site in semi arid Sudan.</p

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

The late radiotherapy normal tissue injury phenotypes of telangiectasia, fibrosis and atrophy in breast cancer patients have distinct genotype-dependent causes

The relationship between late normal tissue radiation injury phenotypes in 167 breast cancer patients treated with radiotherapy and: (i) radiotherapy dose (boost); (ii) an early acute radiation reaction and (iii) genetic background was examined. Patients were genotyped at single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in eight candidate genes. An early acute reaction to radiation and/or the inheritance of the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGFβ1 −509T) SNP contributed to the risk of fibrosis. In contrast, an additional 15 Gy electron boost and/or the inheritance of X-ray repair cross-complementing 1 (XRCC1) (R399Q) SNP contributed to the risk of telangiectasia. Although fibrosis, telangiectasia and atrophy, all contribute to late radiation injury, the data suggest that they have distinct underlying genetic and radiobiological causes. Fibrosis risk is associated with an inflammatory response (an acute reaction and/or TGFβ1), whereas telangiectasia is associated with vascular endothelial cell damage (boost and/or XRCC1). Atrophy is associated with an acute response, but the genetic predisposing factors that determine the risk of an acute response or atrophy have yet to be identified. A combined analysis of two UK breast cancer patient studies shows that 8% of patients are homozygous (TT) for the TGFβ1 (C-509T) variant allele and have a 15-fold increased risk of fibrosis following radiotherapy (95% confidence interval: 3.76–60.3; P=0.000003) compared with (CC) homozygotes

30-Day morbidity and mortality of bariatric metabolic surgery in adolescence during the COVID-19 pandemic – The GENEVA study

Background: Metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) is an effective treatment for adolescents with severe obesity. Objectives: This study examined the safety of MBS in adolescents during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: This was a global, multicentre and observational cohort study of MBS performed between May 01, 2020, and October 10,2020, in 68 centres from 24 countries. Data collection included in-hospital and 30-day COVID-19 and surgery-specific morbidity/mortality. Results: One hundred and seventy adolescent patients (mean age: 17.75 ± 1.30 years), mostly females (n = 122, 71.8%), underwent MBS during the study period. The mean pre-operative weight and body mass index were 122.16 ± 15.92 kg and 43.7 ± 7.11 kg/m2, respectively. Although majority of patients had pre-operative testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (n = 146; 85.9%), only 42.4% (n = 72) of the patients were asked to self-isolate pre-operatively. Two patients developed symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection post-operatively (1.2%). The overall complication rate was 5.3% (n = 9). There was no mortality in this cohort. Conclusions: MBS in adolescents with obesity is safe during the COVID-19 pandemic when performed within the context of local precautionary procedures (such as pre-operative testing). The 30-day morbidity rates were similar to those reported pre-pandemic. These data will help facilitate the safe re-introduction of MBS services for this group of patients