STUDY OF THE ANTI-HYPERLIPIDEMIC EFFECT OF THE COMBINED ADMINISTRATION OF THREE NATURAL EXTRACTS IN A POLOXAMER-407 HYPERLIPIDEMIC MODEL AND THEIR LC-ESI-MS/MS2 AND HPLC PROFILING

Objective: Dyslipidaemia is considered a high-risk factor for inducing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aims to investigate the anti-hyperlipidemic effect of the co-administration of the ethanol extracts of both ginger (root and rhizome) and leek (leaves and bulbs) in addition to the aqueous extract of gum arabic.  Methods: Rats were divided into eight groups: Hyperlipidaemia was induced in rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of Poloxamer 407 (P-407) [1 g/kg], negative control [saline injected], hyperlipidemic control [P-407 injected], positive control [Atorvastatin 70 mg/kg], groups four, five and six received ginger extract (400 mg/kg), leek extract (500 mg/kg) and gum arabic aqueous extract (7.5 g/kg) respectively and groups seven and eight received a co-administration of ginger, leek and gum arabic extracts at doses A and B respectively. Lipid profile was monitored. The profiling of all the tested extracts was performed by LC-ESI/MS and HPLC. Results: A significant anti-hyperlipidemic activity (P<0.05) was seen for group eight among all the tested groups producing ≈54%, 72%, 50% and 72% decrease in the measured parameters total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) respectively. An overall of 56 and 45 compounds were tentatively identified in the ethanol extracts of ginger and leek, respectively. Galactose and arabinose sugars were found to be the major saccharides in gum arabic and glucuronic acid was the major polyuronide part. Conclusion: the co-administration of a group of natural extracts in the given concentration proved to be more effective than the use of synthetic drugs or the use of a single component.&nbsp

Coffee Grounds as a Soil Conditioner: Effects on Physical and Mechanical Properties - I. Effects on Physical Properties

Coffee grounds (CG) improved some soil physical properties (dry density, gd; porosity, n; aggregation; hydraulic conductivity, Ks; and infiltration rate, IR). Effects on other properties were inconsistent (e.g., sorptivity, S), or unfavorable (e.g., available water, AW). gd decreased and n increased with CG. CG decreased Ks in sand. In calcareous soil, maximum increase was associated with 10% and 15% CG before and after wetting-and-drying cycles (WDC), respectively. Ks increased with CG in clay, with greatest increase attained at 10% CG. IR decreased with CG in sand. In calcareous and clayey soils, IR decreased with CG before WDC but increased after WDC where maximum increase in clay was linked to 10% CG. No solid trends of soil sorptivity, S, were identified. Before WDC, S had the order: sand > calcareous > clay. For most cases, adding CG increased total water holding capacity (WHC). However, after WDC, the increase in water content at field capacity (FC) with CG was accompanied by a greater increase in wilting point (WP) and therefore a decrease in AW. CG improved soil structure and aggregation and increased non-water-stable aggregates in calcareous and clayey soils. Mean weight diameter (MWD) indicated increase in water-stable aggregates in sand at 5% and 10% CG. In clay, MWD increased only at 5% CG. Although results did not show coherent responses with some tested properties, they, mostly, indicate some beneficial effects of CG, particularly in relation to improving aggregation and water flow

Coffee grounds as a soil conditioner: Effects on physical and mechanical properties – II. Effects on mechanical properties

Applying coffee grounds (CG) to sandy, calcareous, and clayey soils resulted in notable effects on soil expansion, cracking, cohesion, internal friction, initial stress and resistance to penetration. In sand, expansion upon saturation was greater after wetting-and-drying cycles. Highest increases were 15.71%, 16.14% and 31.86% for sandy, calcareous and clayey soils, respectively. Effect of CG on cracking was negligible in sand and very slight (<1.0%) in the calcareous soil but marked in clay (14.18% at 10% CG). In sand, cohesion (c) increased significantly with CG up to the 10% content. Cohesion increased by 2.5-folds and 4.5-folds at 5% and 10% CG, respectively. The presence of fine CG grains among larger sand particles, boosted microbial activities, and the resulting cementing and binding effects resulted in increased cohesion. For calcareous soil, cohesion rose from 0.04 kg∙cm-2 to 0.13 kg∙cm-2 as CG increased from 0% to 15%. In clay, maximum cohesion (0.20 kg∙cm-2) was associated with the 10% CG and was highest of all soils. In sand, the angle of internal friction (φ) decreased notably as CG increased from 5% to 10% but there was no consistent pattern in any of the soils. An increase in initial stress (pi) was observed between 0% and 10% CG in sand and between 0% and 15% in calcareous soil while clay showed no particular trend. Patterns of pi were, thus, consistent with those of cohesion for all soils. Resistance to penetration increased substantially with CG in sand. The effect in calcareous and clayey soils took an opposite trend to that of sand and resistance was generally higher in calcareous soil. Overall effects of CG on resistance were desirable in all soils as far as agriculture (seedling emergence, crop growth, irrigation, etc.) is concerned

Impact of Knowledge and Attitude on Saudis’ Physical Activity Practice and Inactivity Barriers: A Questionnaire-based Study

BACKGROUND: Community participation in physical activity is considered a major public health preference of WHO. Saudi Arabia in the last decades faced many tremendous economic changes leading to adoption of western dietary habits associated with sedentary lifestyle. AIM: We aimed to study the relationship between both physical activity knowledge and attitude of community to the practice of individuals. METHODS: We used a questionnaire consists of a mixture of closed-ended questions. Participants were recruited through direct meetings in local markets, schools, and workplaces. Seven hundred and sixty six individuals agreed to participate. RESULTS: Overall correct answers to questions about importance of physical activity were 76.58%. The predominance of participants’ attitude was to establish public places for physical activity in each neighborhood (92.1%). Participants acknowledged that they exercise to improve their health (47.5%). Participants mainly perform light exercises (47.2%) on basis of 1–3 times weekly (48.9%). About 90.8% of participants admitted that they like to increase duration of their physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Overall physical activity practice of participants’ needs encourage overcoming obstacles that prevent individuals from practicing especially lack of time

Design, structural and theoretical characterizations of novel Schiff base compounds: Enzymes inhibitory potential using in vitro and in silico methods

The aim of this paper is to further explore the enzymatic properties of two synthetic Schiff base compounds. The corresponding copper complex (Cu(L)), with its Schiff base ligand (HL) have been synthesized and their spectroscopic (IR, UV-visible., NMR (H,C, Dept-135) and MS), thermogravimetric (TG/DTG), electrochemical (CV) and theoretical (Density Functional Theory) using the hybrid B3LYP/6–31 G(d,p) method) properties have been studied and well discussed. The electrochemical behaviour of Cu(L) displays the Cu(III)/Cu(II) and Cu(lI)/Cu(I) redox processes. The molecular structure of HL is confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis. HL crystalized in the triclinic system with the space group of P-1. The morphological structures are also analyzed by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. To improve their biological activities, inhibition of the target proteins, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), Tyrosinase (TYR), and Urease enzymes are tested in vitro and in silico using molecular docking. Furthermore, their ADMET parameters are analyzed. The drug-likeness results indicate that HL followed to Lipinski’s, Ghose’s, Veber’s, Egan’s and Muegge’s rules contrary to its copper complex which followed only to Veber’s rule. Due to the importance of cytochrome P450s proteins for detoxification, five major CYP isoforms (CYP1A2, CYP2C19, CYP2C9, CYP2D6, and CYP3A4) are also considered during in silico prediction.The authors thank the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MESRS) and the Director General for Scientific Research and Technological Development (DGRSDT) for the financial support

BJS commission on surgery and perioperative care post-COVID-19

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was declared a pandemic by the WHO on 11 March 2020 and global surgical practice was compromised. This Commission aimed to document and reflect on the changes seen in the surgical environment during the pandemic, by reviewing colleagues' experiences and published evidence. Methods: In late 2020, BJS contacted colleagues across the global surgical community and asked them to describe how severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) had affected their practice. In addition to this, the Commission undertook a literature review on the impact of COVID-19 on surgery and perioperative care. A thematic analysis was performed to identify the issues most frequently encountered by the correspondents, as well as the solutions and ideas suggested to address them. Results: BJS received communications for this Commission from leading clinicians and academics across a variety of surgical specialties in every inhabited continent. The responses from all over the world provided insights into multiple facets of surgical practice from a governmental level to individual clinical practice and training. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has uncovered a variety of problems in healthcare systems, including negative impacts on surgical practice. Global surgical multidisciplinary teams are working collaboratively to address research questions about the future of surgery in the post-COVID-19 era. The COVID-19 pandemic is severely damaging surgical training. The establishment of a multidisciplinary ethics committee should be encouraged at all surgical oncology centres. Innovative leadership and collaboration is vital in the post-COVID-19 era

Функциональное печенье, обогащенное порошком картофельной кожуры: физические, химические, реологические и антиоксидантные свойства

This research aimed to replace wheat flour with potato peel powder (PPP) at different levels (3, 5, 7, 10, 30, and 50%). An effect of PPP on physical, chemical, rheological, and antioxidant properties of biscuit samples was investigated. The results show that the PPP sample had a significantly higher content of total sugar, protein and ash, and a lower content of moisture (15.68g/100g dry weight, 15.32 g/100g dry weight, 9.11%, 8.35%, respectively) compared with the wheat flour sample. Also, a higher total phenolic content and antioxidant activity (71.12 mg Gallic acid equivalent / 100g dry weight and 68.39%, respectively) was observed in the PPP sample. The highest percentage of PPP addition (50%) exerted the greatest significant effect on the content of total sugar, protein, moisture, ash, total phenols, and antioxidant activity compared with the control sample and other biscuit samples leading to their increase to 50.90 g/100g dry weight, 12.74 g/100g dry weight, 5.56%, 2.39%, 41.71 mg Gallic acid equivalent / 100g dry weight, 59.72%, respectively. A decrease in the L*, a*, b*, C*, h and BI values, and an increase in ∆E values were observed with replacing wheat flour with PPP. The 3% and 5% replacement rates contributed to improving most organoleptic characteristics (general acceptability, color, taste) compared to the samples with the highest studied percentages (30% and 50%). Although the highest percentages of PPP addition led to lower scores for sensory characteristics, all studied samples were acceptable from the sensory point of view, except the samples with the 50% replacement rate in terms of their taste and color.Цель этой работы состоит в описании и исследовании ранее неизвестного явления самосегментации молочного сгустка в сыродельной ванне открытого типа. На основе анализа кинетики гелеобразования определено, что самосегметация геля начинается вблизи гель-точки, развивается в течение нескольких десятков секунд и закрепляется по мере уплотнения геля. Сегменты в молочном сгустке не имеют определённой правильной формы, их средний размер вариабелен в пределах от 5 до 50 см. Форма и размеры сегментов не повторяются и не коррелируют с видом вырабатываемого сыра. Смещение сегментов молочного сгустка в сыродельной ванне относительно друг друга по высоте составляет от 0,5 до 2 мм. Ширина граничного слоя между сегментами сгустка увеличивается в процессе вторичной фазы гелеобразования от 3 до 10 мм. В результате проведенных экспериментальных исследований показано, что самосегментация молочного геля вызывается термогравитационной конвекцией, образующей циркуляционные ячейки Бенара. Предложено описание возможного механизма самосегментации молочного геля в сыродельных ваннах открытого типа. Отмечена действенная роль жировых шариков в механизме самосегментации молочного сгустка. Высказано предположение, что самосегментация молочного сгустка в сыродельной ванне может вызвать некоторые органолептические дефекты в готовом сыре, в частности неравномерность текстуры и неравномерность цвета

Antimicrobial impact of a propolis/PVA/chitosan composite and its prospective application against methicillin resistance bacterial infection

Seriously damaged skin could be infected by methicillin-resistant bacteria, which delays restoration. Propolis has bioactivity linked with its minor components, such as antimicrobials and antioxidants. Active sites in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and chitosan (CS) can enhance the nano-loading of natural extracts with activity amelioration. Korean propolis extract (KPE) loading to a nanocomposite possibly enhances its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory potency. Composites were formed using two PVA/CS structures (1:1; 2:1), and their skin-application appropriateness was determined by mechanical properties, moisture content, water activity, and color. The composite of PVA/CS (1:1) was more practicable for KPE-loading. Increasing KPE concentrations (50, 100, 150, and 200 ng/mL) alters composite bioactivity measured by Fourier transmission infrared (FT-IR). Antibacterial potency of 200 ng KPE/mL was the most effective concentration, followed by 150 ng KPE/mL, against Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium perfringens. The composite activity was measured as minimum inhibition (MIC) and minimum bacterial concentrations (MBC). At 200 ng KPE/mL, MIC and MBC against MRSA were 14.93 ± 1.21 and 20.21 ± 1.97 mg composite/mL, respectively. Significant inhibition was also recorded for antibiofilm formation, where MRSA growth was not detected after 4 hours of time intervals to the stainless-steel coupon. Compared to planktonic bacteria, the formed barrier of PVA/CS restrained the biofilm matrix formation and supported KPE antimicrobial. The impact of inhibition against biofilm formation depends on two parallel mechanisms (PVA barrier with hydrogen bonds, besides nano-KPE particle penetration into bacterial cells). The KPE-composite application to rats’ wounds shows significantly reduced MRSA infection. The results demonstrate the capability of KPE composite in reducing infection, healing correctly, and restoring hair. The wound swabbed test emphasizes this capacity, in which bacterial growth rate restriction was evaluated using a plate count assay. The results recommended 150 ng KPE/mL loading into CS/PVA (1:1) as an effective anti-pathogenic treatment, particularly against the MRSA infection of wounds