Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Gallic Acid Analogues as Potential Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Agents

A series of fifteen novel gallic acid esters (7a-o) was synthesized and structure was confirmed by spectral data. Antibiotic power of compounds was assessed against a panel of ten microbes while antioxidant activity was gauged by employing DPPH, ABTS and antilipid peroxidation assays. It was found that in comparison to lead, many of the synthesized derivatives implied much improved broad spectrum antimicrobial effect. Most effective compound found was 7c specifically against resistant gram-negative strains such as P. aeruginosa, E. coli and E. aerogenes. Potent antioxidant capacity was exhibited by7a and 7d in electron transfer assays while 7j and 7c provided maximum shielding against lipid peroxidation. Structure-activity analysis revealed that analogues with electron -withdrawing substituent particularly chloro group stand out as much better antibiotic agent. This study suggests that halogenated gallic acid analogues might be promising pharmacological candidates in view of further drug development. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

A comparison between google cloud service and icloud

© 2019 IEEE. The availability of high speed networks and low cost storage devices and computer in addition to the adoption of Service-Oriented-Architecture has opened the door to Cloud Storage Services by many providers. During the recent couple of years, more companies are moving towards cloud storage due to the many reasons such as: scalable on demand disk storage space, backup and data replication and the ability to share and access data from anywhere and anytime. The main objective of the paper is to compare different kinds of Cloud storage service providers. It starts by offering a brief introduction to cloud storage followed by an outline of the general history of cloud services and then moves on to the specific history of two major cloud services: iCloud and Google cloud platform. Furthermore, the various features of the two cloud services are explored and a comparison is made between them

Anti mullerian hormone: Ovarian response indicator in young patients receiving long GnRH agonist protocol for ovarian stimulation

Objective: Anti Mullerian hormone (AMH) is gaining place as ovarian marker, chiefly in infertility assistance. We explored its correlation with oocytes retrieval after long GnRH agonist protocol for stimulation, in younger and older infertile population.Methods: This retrospective analysis compiled data of 166 females, receiving ICSI treatment from June 2014 to March 2015. Serum FSH, LH, Estadiol, AMH and antral follicle count were assessed. Outcomes were measured as good (5 to 19 oocytes) and bad responders.Results: Higher discriminatory power of AMH (AUROC; 0.771; p \u3c 0.05) was seen in comparison to FSH (0.692; p \u3c 0.05) and AFC (0.690; p \u3c 0.01). AMH reported strongest association with oocyte retrieved (odds ratio of 15.06). Subgroup analysis reported 68.6 % risk of bad response with AMH levels of less than 1.37ng/ml. This association was observed more significant in young infertile patients \u3c35 year of age (r=0.245; p=0.012) versus older population \u3e35 year (r=0.169; p\u3e0.05).Conclusion: Our study reaffirms that serum AMH correlates well with oocytes retrieved, particularly in females younger than 35 years. We suggest incorporation of AMH in baseline assessment of infertile females, who are falsely advised to postpone interventions based on their age and normal FSH levels

Potential Predictors of Nodal Metastasis in Early Tongue Cancer Found Through Aperio Image Analysis

Introduction: Excessive use of cigarettes cigars/ pipe as well as smokeless tobacco is one of the most common cause of oral cancer. In Shaukat Khanum Memorial Center Hospital and Research Center (SKMCH&RC) in Pakistan, Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Tongue (SCCOT) is the second most common head and neck malignancy. Approximately 20-30% of patients with early oral tongue carcinoma will have occult neck nodal modal metastasis. Presently, elective neck dissection remains the only reliable way to predict regional and or distant metastasis. There is a pressing need to find reliable biomarkers and non-invasive predictors of metastasis and patient response in early squamous cell carcinoma of oral tongue.Retrospective analysis was performed in a double-blind manner on tissues microarray (5 cores/patient) created from paraffin-embedded specimens from 50 patients with well documented clinical history of the disease. A subset of 20 different proteins were elected as potential biomarkers of metastasis based on published literature on SCCOT and analyzed through immunohistochemistry. Four proteins, E-cadherin, Podoplanin, Microglobulin and Interleukin-8 were found as possible predicators of metastasis. These findings were validated using Aperio image analysis software. Digital analysis using Aperio confirmed results for two of the four proteins; E-cadherin and Podoplanin while Microglobulin and Interleukin-8 were found to have non-significant results. Specifically, Podoplanin was found to be upregulated while E-cadherin was downregulated in metastatic patients. Computer-aided image analysis provides a powerful tool to support clinical decisions while reducing inter-and intra-observer variability. Based on the results from Aperio, Podoplanin and E-cadherin may be used as potential biomarkers to predict nodal metastasis in early tongue cancer. Further studies are required to confirm these findings and to quantify the levels of these proteins in tissue and plasma of patients with cancer compared to non-tumoral controls

The effects of free amino acids profiles on seeds germination/dormancy and seedlings development of two genetically different cultivars of Yemeni Pomegranates

Plant seeds used rely on a wide range of internal mechanisms and physio-chemical factors to ensure their germination under favorable environmental conditions. Most plant seeds have complex process of germination, including water, oxygen, temperature availability, genome-wide gene expression, signal transduction, hormones stimulations, inhibitors removal and catalytic protein synthesis. In addition, influences of seeds nutrient values such as, protein, lipids, sugars and free amino acids have a special importance. Regarding, seeds free amino acids. Discussion of these individual factors needs to be put in context of their role in germination processes. Regarding, free amino acids seed storage, there is limited information about their relevant functions in activation and/or deactivation of required metabolic mechanisms and interactive compounds involved in this process in commercial plant cultivars. Therefore, current study was aimed to determine the probable influence of free amino acid compositions of seeds on germination process of two different (Punica granatum L.) pomegranate cultivars including wild type Automi cultivar and edible Khazemi cultivar. In particular, we focused on the impact of amino acids contents variations on germination process and associated AAs compositional changes during various stages of germination and seedlings establishment. Amino acid analysis using HPLC detected all the essential and non-essential amino acids in the raw seeds of the studied cultivars, Automi and Khazemi along with AAs compositional changes occurred during different stages of seed germination. These AAs have been extensively analyzed in the context of their role in dormancy breaking capacities in plants species. Automi raw seeds are rich in Phe, that, is strongly related to ABA synthesis and hence might be responsible for the dormancy of Automi seeds, Khazemi raw seeds have sufficient levels of Arg, Glu and Met that have been reported to enhance seeds germination in plant, therefore Khazemi germination capacity was assumed to be regulated more or less by these AAs. In addition, changes in amino acid composition in the germinated Khazemi cultivar during various stages of seeds germination including imbibition, germination, and sprouts stages have been noticed to change in response with germination demands. This suggests that amino acids reserves in dry seeds are major determinant for germination capacity and germination behavior in the following steps of germination. The noticed particular AAs increase/decrease along the time course of Khazemi pomegranate germination till establishment of heterotrophic seedlings were used as cornerstones for elucidation and deduction of putative function and relevant biochemical pathways controlling initiation of seeds germination and seedlings developments. Based on publicly available databases of model plants and literatures surveys, we established correlations between prevailing AAs factors as biochemical parameters actively involved in seeds dormancy-breaking and germination process

Diversified Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Overall Health and Well-Being of Children: A Survey Based Case Study

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of non-essential services including educational institutions and recreational facilities all around the world. The pandemic has affected children at different levels including their mental well- being. AIM: The objective of this study was to assess the overall impact of the pandemic on the well-being of children in terms of their demographic details, physical activity pattern, sanitary practices, mental health and nutritional practices. 300 children aged between 4-18 years were surveyed through an online survey developed as a Google form. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Parents or guardians were asked to fill the questionnaire. The questionnaire was approved by Medical doctors for the sake of accuracy and authenticity. RESULTS: The annual household income of majority of the respondents was between 1-5 lakhs, and they belonged to urban and nuclear households. Although modern amenities were available for the children at home, yet majority of them did not have a separate room and a personal smart phone. 89.4% (n=268) children used internet for 1-5 hours every day. 82.4% (=247) of them were also enrolled in other online courses as well. Lesser time was devoted on physical activity during the pandemic. Negative psychological symptoms like lack in concentration and anxiety, etc. were reported. CONCLUSION: The paper addresses the changes impacting children’s lives at different levels related to their health and well-being. The results must be corroborated with studies reported in literature and may be used for formulating strategies to make children adapt the situation without any negative impact on their personality

CONSUMPTION RATE AND TRANSFER EFFICIENCY BY TERMITE Coptotermes sp. OF ORGANIC WASTE-BASED FOOD FOR BAIT FORMULATIONS

The potential of utilizing organic waste mixtures as food attractants for termite control were evaluated. Mixture formulations of degraded pine wood, various paper wastes, and soybean boiled water were served as food sources for termite Coptotermes sp. and determined their consumption rate and the termite food transfer efficiency. For the purpose of the study, four formulations with equally mixed materials based on their oven-dried weights were prepared. The bait formulations consisted of: (1) the mixture of degraded pine wood and HVS wastepaper, (2) the mixture of degraded pine wood with HVS and newsprint wastepaper, (3) the mixture of degraded pine wood with HVS and cardboard wastepaper, and (4) the mixture of degraded pine wood with HVS, newsprint, and cardboard wastepaper. The mixture formulations were shaped to the size of 2 cm x 2 cm x 1 cm with the target density of 0.5 g/cm3. Prior to bioassay tests, the shaped mixture formulations were dipped in the prepared soybean boiled water to have the sample moisture content of 50-70%. The termite consumption rate and food transfer efficiency were evaluated using no-choice test in the laboratory. The food transfer efficiency among termite cohorts was studied and monitored using test samples dyed with 0.1% Nile Blue A. All experimental units were placed in a dark room and kept at around 28??C and over 70% relative humidity. Results showed no significant difference on termite consumption and survival rate among the tested food formulation. However, food transfer efficiency by termites on the mixture of degraded pine wood and HVS wastepaper with the addition of soybean boiled water was higher compared to other formulations. In general, this study indicates that all of the food formulations are potential attractants for the termites, but it suggests the need of field research in order to develop effective bait formulations

Carotid Intima Media Thickness Percentiles for Pakistani Population

Carotid artery intima media thickness estimation is a well-established way of cardio vascular disease evaluation. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to develop normal carotid intima media thickness percentile values for a Pakistani cohort. Data was collected at the Departments of Radiology and Family Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, from April 2014 to August 2015. High frequency ultrasound of carotid was done in 257 patients [97 male (38%), 160 female (62%)] without any known carotid artery disease. Reference ranges (90% range between 5th and 95th centiles) were constructed for each common carotid and internal carotid artery measurement and displayed in graph form. The mean difference was found in left common carotid artery (0.55 ±0.13) and left internal carotid artery thickness (0.50 ±0.10) significant at p=0.031 and p=0.014, respectively. The IMTpercentile graphs developed in this study for internal and common carotid arteries are exclusive for this population and can be used to assess vascular health from ultrasound measurements

Production of Remedial Proteins through Genetically Modified Bacteria

Recombinant DNA technology has created biological organisms with advanced genetic sequences and has been extensively used to express multiple genes for therapeutic purposes when expressed in a suitable host. Microbial systems such as prokaryotic bacteria has been successfully utilized as a heterologous systems showing high therapeutic potency for various human diseases. Bioengineered bacteria have been successfully utilized for producing therapeutic proteins, treating infectious diseases, and disease arise due to increasing resistance to antibiotics. Prominently E. colifound to be the most widely used expression system for recombinant therapeutic protein production i.e. hormones, enzymes and antibodies. Besides E. coli, non-pathogenic lactic acid bacteria has also been considered as an excellent candidate for live mucosal vaccine. Likewise, S. typhimuriumhas been deployed as attenuated type of vaccination as well as in treatment strategy of various cancers due to its ability of wide progression in tumors. The present article is a summarized view of the main achievements and current developments in the field of recombinant therapeutics using bacterial strains focusing on their usability in therapeutics and future potential. 

Determinants of Non-performing Loans: A Comparative Study of Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh

The aim of the empirical study is to investigate credit risk determinants in banking sectors across three kinds of South Asian economies. An accumulated sample of 105 unbalanced panel data of financial firms over the period of 2000-2015, by applying General Method of Moment (GMM) estimation techniques one-step at the difference in order to identify factors influencing credit risk. This study is inspired by two broad categories of explanatory variables which are bank-specific and macroeconomic. Bank-specific factors influencing unsystematic risk, while macroeconomic factors promoting systematic risk. The study uses a proxy of non-performing loans for credit risk in banking sectors of Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh. The empirical results have been found aligned with theoretical arguments and literature as expected. In comparison, NPLs in Pakistan is greater than India and Bangladesh, while India has the lowest ratio of non-performing loans. The study documents that bank-specific factors (inefficiency, profitability, capital ratio and leverage) have a significant contribution towards credit risk. Further, the study also finds a significant impact of macroeconomic variables on non-performing loans. While, the result in the case of Bangladesh predicts contradictions that have no significant effect on non-performing loans at various levels. The overall results indicate that credit risk is not influenced by only external factors but also affect by internal factors like bad management and skimping etc