Synthesis of New Coumarin Derivatives Used as Nitrification Inhibitors to Mitigation of Nitrous Oxide Emission from Agricultural Soil.

Nitrous oxide (N2O) is one of the major greenhouse gases "GHG” the main source of N2O emission is synthetic mineral nitrogen fertilizers. The conversion values according to the global warming potential for N2O are 298 times as CO2 per molecule. The main objective of this work is to mitigate GHG emission from N2O by create synthesis new nitrification inhibitors.  Coumarine derivatives were synthesized (1-4), and prove the structures by spectral data, the compounds (1) and (4) were applied as nitrification inhibitors to mitigation of nitrous oxide. The results indicated that, the presence of each of the two tested inhibitors (1, 4) reduced the N2O emission from urea-treated soils by 72% and 49%, respectively, in inhibiting nitrification during the 28-day incubation period. Key words: Nitrous oxide emissions, Mitigation, Agricultural soil, Nitrification, Coumarin derivatives

A cost effectiveness analysis of salt reduction policies to reduce coronary heart disease in four Eastern Mediterranean countries.

BACKGROUND: Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is rising in middle income countries. Population based strategies to reduce specific CHD risk factors have an important role to play in reducing overall CHD mortality. Reducing dietary salt consumption is a potentially cost-effective way to reduce CHD events. This paper presents an economic evaluation of population based salt reduction policies in Tunisia, Syria, Palestine and Turkey. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Three policies to reduce dietary salt intake were evaluated: a health promotion campaign, labelling of food packaging and mandatory reformulation of salt content in processed food. These were evaluated separately and in combination. Estimates of the effectiveness of salt reduction on blood pressure were based on a literature review. The reduction in mortality was estimated using the IMPACT CHD model specific to that country. Cumulative population health effects were quantified as life years gained (LYG) over a 10 year time frame. The costs of each policy were estimated using evidence from comparable policies and expert opinion including public sector costs and costs to the food industry. Health care costs associated with CHDs were estimated using standardized unit costs. The total cost of implementing each policy was compared against the current baseline (no policy). All costs were calculated using 2010 PPP exchange rates. In all four countries most policies were cost saving compared with the baseline. The combination of all three policies (reducing salt consumption by 30%) resulted in estimated cost savings of $235,000,000 and 6455 LYG in Tunisia;$39,000,000 and 31674 LYG in Syria; $6,000,000 and 2682 LYG in Palestine and$1,3000,000,000 and 378439 LYG in Turkey. CONCLUSION: Decreasing dietary salt intake will reduce coronary heart disease deaths in the four countries. A comprehensive strategy of health education and food industry actions to label and reduce salt content would save both money and lives

Contrasting cardiovascular mortality trends in Eastern Mediterranean populations: contributions from risk factor changes and treatments

Background Middle income countries are facing an epidemic of non-communicable diseases, especially coronary heart disease (CHD). We used a validated CHD mortality model (IMPACT) to explain recent trends in Tunisia, Syria, the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) and Turkey. Methods Data on populations, mortality, patient numbers, treatments and risk factor trends from national and local surveys in each country were collated over two time points (1995–97; 2006–09); integrated and analysed using the IMPACT model. Results Risk factor trends: Smoking prevalence was high in men, persisting in Syria but decreasing in Tunisia, oPt and Turkey. BMI rose by 1–2 kg/m2 and diabetes prevalence increased by 40%–50%. Mean systolic blood pressure and cholesterol levels increased in Tunisia and Syria. Mortality trends: Age-standardised CHD mortality rates rose by 20% in Tunisia and 62% in Syria. Much of this increase (79% and 72% respectively) was attributed to adverse trends in major risk factors, occurring despite some improvements in treatment uptake. CHD mortality rates fell by 17% in oPt and by 25% in Turkey, with risk factor changes accounting for around 46% and 30% of this reduction respectively. Increased uptake of community treatments (drug treatments for chronic angina, heart failure, hypertension and secondary prevention after a cardiac event) accounted for most of the remainder. Discussion CHD death rates are rising in Tunisia and Syria, whilst oPt and Turkey demonstrate clear falls, reflecting improvements in major risk factors with contributions from medical treatments. However, smoking prevalence remains very high in men; obesity and diabetes levels are rising dramatically

Expression of the leukocyte-associated ig-like receptor-1 on B lymphocytes from systemic lupus erythematosus patients

Background The leukocyte-associated immunoglobulin (Ig)-like receptor-1 (LAIR-1) is a transmembrane molecule belonging to the Ig superfamily. In B cells, LAIR-1 cross-linking leads to downregulation of Ig and cytokine production. Aim of the work The aim of the present study was to assess the expression of LAIR-1 on peripheral blood B lymphocyte from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and its correlation with disease manifestations. Patients and methods Twenty-two SLE female patients and 16 matched healthy controls were included in the study. Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) score was assessed. The expression of LAIR-1 was determined by using flow cytometry. Results The 22 SLE patients had a mean age of 25.59±4.22 years and disease duration of 5–24 months. The mean SLEDAI was 8±1.5. The percentage of CD19+ B lymphocytes lacking LAIR-1 was markedly increased in SLE patients (27.8±10.9%) compared with healthy controls (16.2±4.4%) (P<0.001). The mean fluorescent intensity ratio (MFIR) of LAIR-1 expression on CD19+ B cells was strongly decreased in SLE patients (44.1±12.6) compared with healthy controls (58.9±7.7) (P<0.001). The percentage of CD19+ LAIR-1− B cells significantly correlated with the complement (C4) (r=0.45, P=0.03) and the serum creatinine level (r=0.47, P=0.02), and negatively with the serum albumin level (r=−0.57, P=0.005). The MFIR of LAIR-1 significantly correlated with the serum albumin level (r=0.74, P<0.001) and negatively correlated with the serum creatinine level (r=−0.43, P=0.041). There was no significant association of LAIR− (%) or the MFIR with the clinical manifestations of the patients. Conclusion This study points out that the lack of LAIR-1 expression on B cells from SLE patients could be a trigger for the dysregulation of antibody production in SLE, and is associated with the degree of renal affection as evidenced by the significant correlation with serum creatinine levels and negative correlation with the levels of serum albumin

Mass spectrometry for screening of metabolic disorders: 9-year biochemical genetics experience

Background/aim Inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) are a group of congenital disorders that result from deficiency of enzymes or transporters involved in different metabolic pathways in the human body. The most severe form of these disorders appears early in the neonatal period; however, most types of IEMs are responsive to treatment if started early enough before the appearance of serious complications. The introduction of mass spectrometric techniques for analysis of metabolites accumulated in IEM facilitates the early diagnosis through enabling analysis of a large number of samples in a short period of time using small sample sizes suitable for patients in the neonatal period. The aim of this study was to find out the prevalence of amino acids, fatty acids, and organic acids disorders, using mass spectrometry among Egyptian children with metabolic disorders who were referred to the Biochemical Genetics Lab, Human Genetics, and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt, over a period of 9 years. Patients and methods The present study enrolled 9245 children who visited Biochemical Genetics Department, Human Genetics, and Genome Research Institute, National Research Centre Cairo, Egypt, during the period from 2013 to 2021. All children were subjected to quantitative analysis of amino acids and acylcarnitine profiles in blood, using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry, whereas qualitative analysis of organic acids was done in urine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Results Of 9245 suspected patients, 552 (5.97%) patients were diagnosed with 13 different types of IEM. A total of 383 (4.1%) patients were diagnosed with aminoacidopathies, 167 (1.8%) patients were diagnosed with organic acidurias, and two (0.02%) patients were diagnosed with fatty acid oxidation disorders. Phenylketonuria is the most prevalent IEM of this study (2%) followed by maple syrup urine disease (0.98%). Conclusion The simultaneous analysis of amino acids and acylcarnitines in dried blood spots with analysis of organic acids in urine using mass spectrometry provides an integrated panel for the early detection of IEMs in early years of life, facilitating prompt provision of treatment and avoiding serious complications that can be fatal