Cell Growth Inhibition, DNA Fragmentation and Apoptosis-Inducing Properties of Household-Processed Leaves and Seeds of Fenugreek (Trigonella Foenum-Graecum Linn.) against HepG2, HCT-116, and MCF-7 Cancerous Cell Lines.

Household processing of fenugreek seeds and leaves, including soaking, germination, and boiling of the seeds, and air-drying of the leaves, has improved the levels of human consumption of the bitter seeds and increased the shelf life of fresh leaves, respectively. The potential anticancer activity of either unprocessed or processed fenugreek seeds or leaves and the relative expression of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic genes of the studied cancerous cell lines exposed to IC50 crude extracts was investigated to observe the apoptotic-inducing property of this plant as an anticancer agent. The protein expression of IKK-α and IKK-ß, as inhibitors of NF-KB which exhibit a critical function in the regulation of genes involved in chronic inflammatory disorders, were studied in the tested cancerous cell lines. In this study, the anticancer activity of household-processed fenugreek leaves and seeds against HepG2, HCT-116, MCF-7, and VERO cell lines was measured using an MTT assay. DNA fragmentation of both HepG2 and MCF-7 was investigated by using gel electrophoresis. RT-PCR was used to evaluate the relative expression of each p53, caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 genes, whereas ELISA assay determined the expression of caspase-3, TNF-α, and 8-OHDG genes. Western blotting analyzed the protein-expressing levels of IKK-α and IKK-ß proteins in each studied cell line. Data showed that at 500 µg mL-1, ADFL had the highest cytotoxicity against the HepG2 and HCT-116 cell lines. Although, each UFS and GFS sample had a more inhibitory effect on MCF-7 cells than ADFL. Gel electrophoresis demonstrated that the IC50 of each ADFL, UFS, and GFS sample induced DNA fragmentation in HepG2 and MCF-7, contrary to untreated cell lines. Gene expression using RT-PCR showed that IC50 doses of each sample induced apoptosis through the up-regulation of the p53, caspase-3, and Bax genes and the down-regulation of the Bcl-2 gene in each studied cell line. The relative expression of TNF-α, 8-OHDG, and caspase-3 genes of each HepG2 and MCF-7 cell line using ELISA assays demonstrated that ADFL, UFS, and GFS samples reduced the expression of TNF-α and 8-OHDG genes but increased the expression of the caspase-3 gene. Protein-expressing levels of IKK-α and IKK-ß proteins in each studied cell line, determined using Western blotting, indicated that household treatments decreased IKK-α expression compared to the UFS sample. Moreover, the ADFL and SFS samples had the most activity in the IKK-ß expression levels. Among all studied samples, air-dried fenugreek leaves and unprocessed and germinated fenugreek seeds had the most anti-proliferative and apoptotic-inducing properties against human HepG2, MCF-7, and HCT-116 cell lines, as compared to the VERO cell line. So, these crude extracts can be used in the future for developing new effective natural drugs for the treatment of hepatocellular, breast, and colon carcinomas.

Efficacy of Perioperative Infusion of N(2)-L-alanyl-L-glutamine in Glycemic Control for Patients With Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus Presented for Urgent Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of preoperative glutamine infusion in reducing insulin requirements in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, defined as glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) >7%, undergoing urgent coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: At Ain Shams University Hospital, Cardiothoracic Academy. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-three patients (of both sexes) with uncontrolled diabetes presenting for urgent CABG were categorized into 2 groups. INTERVENTIONS: The dipeptiven group (n = 46) was given an infusion of dipeptiven 1.5 mL/kg body weight dissolved in normal saline (200 mL) over 3 hours before surgery. The control group (n = 47) received a normal saline infusion (200 mL). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The dipeptiven group demonstrated statistically significant lower intraoperative (173.74 ± 19.97 mg/dL v 198.22 ±14.64 mg/dL) and postoperative (162.36 ±13.11 mg/dL v 176.13 ±14.86 mg/dL) mean blood glucose levels. In addition, dipeptiven infusion was found to reduce mean total insulin requirements intraoperatively by 3.64 ± 0.56 units/h and postoperatively by 37.109 ± 4.30 units/24 h in comparison to placebo (50.98 ± 16.55 units/24 h and 5.10 ± 2.28 units/h, respectively). CONCLUSION: A preoperative infusion of dipeptiven can contribute to ameliorating stress hyperglycemia in uncontrolled diabetic patients undergoing urgent CABG.

aroF and cm2: potential molecular markers for the detection of stone-inhabiting Actinobacteria on cultural heritage sites.

Tangible archeological sites and stone monuments are naturally decayed and deteriorated over time, providing substances that can sustain life, although they provide a complicated ecosystem characterized by low nutrition and desiccation. Stone-inhabiting bacteria (SIB) and especially members of the phylum Actinobacteria dominate such environments, particularly the members of the family Geodermatophilaceae. We used the published data of two confirmed SIB species to mine their genomes for specific molecular markers to rapidly survey the presence of SIB in cultural heritage material prior to further analysis. The search focused on the mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) synthesis pathway. MAAs are intracellular compounds biosynthesized by the shikimic acid pathway to synthesize aromatic amino acids and were found related to abiotic resistance features in microorganisms. Based on genome mining, the DAHP II (aroF) and a homolog of the Chorismate mutase gene (cm2) were found mostly in Actinobacteria and few other species. After calibration on five stone-inhabiting Actinobacteria (SIAb) species using conventional PCR, newly designed primers were successfully applied to environmental DNA extracted from two Egyptian pyramidal sites using a qPCR approach. This is the first report of aroF and cm2 as qPCR markers to detect SIAb from cultural heritage material prior to proceeding with further analysis (e.g., metagenomics and meta-barcoding analyses).

Visible-light-driven photodegradation of organic pollutants by simply exfoliated kaolinite nanolayers with enhanced activity and recyclability.

The need for abundant photocatalyst in wastewater treatment is currently a must. A simple intercalation process was utilized to exfoliate Kaolinite clay mineral structure Al2Si2O5(OH)4 into two-dimensional nanostructured separated layers operated in visible light range. The intercalating agents were hydrazine hydrate and urea. Detailed characterization confirmed the nanolayered structures of kaolinite hexagonal nanosheets (NK). In addition, Bandgap energy was reduced based on intercalating agents from 3.45 to 2.48 eV as revealed by light absorption spectra. The quenching of PL spectra for the nK has also been ascribed to the suppression of charge carrier recombination. The exfoliated nK was utilized to photodegrade Rhodamine B dye (RhB) and P-nitrophenol (PNP) as industrial pollutants in wastewater. The results showed 92.3% and 99.7% photodegradation of RhB and PNP within 180 min of visible-light irradiation utilizing the exfoliated NK by urea. We denote the boosted photocatalytic performance of this NK to the uncovered, low bandgap metal oxide inclusions on the exterior of NK besides the nitrogen doping due to exfoliation with urea. This simple exfoliation has modified abundant and stable clay nanolayers that are a promising alternative for the eminent nanostructured oxide photocatalysts to overcome the organic pollutants in wastewater at a high scale.

A combined inactivated cholera and hepatitis A vaccine-induced potent protective immunity in a mouse model.

Cholera and hepatitis A are serious infections spread by consuming contaminated food or water. Vaccination is the most effective strategy to prevent them. Inactivated vaccines are available for both diseases. Our goal in this study is to evaluate the immunogenic response of hepatitis A and cholera combination vaccines compared to the separate vaccines. Hepatitis A and cholera vaccine formulations with and without adjuvants (alum or chitosan) were developed and injected into mice intraperitoneally. We measured the rate of seroconversion; serum-specific antibody titers; lymphoproliferation analysis; cytokine secretions for IL2, IL4, IL10, and IFN-; and a challenge test against cholera strains in the vaccinated mice. Based on the results, the combined vaccination formulation, whether adjuvanted or not, significantly boosted the immune response on both humoral and cellular levels against both hepatitis A and cholera antigens compared to the individual vaccines. These findings validated an important concept for developing an effective combined cholera and hepatitis A vaccine that could be introduced as a novel combined vaccine for travelers as part of a standard immunization schedule. KEY POINTS: • Cholera and hepatitis A combined vaccines (with or without adjuvants) were prepared. • The vaccines were injected into mice groups for humoral and cellular immunity evaluation. • Combined vaccines gave substantial protection against both immunogens.

Scaling law analysis of electrohydrodynamics and dielectrophoresis for isomotive dielectrophoresis microfluidic devices.

Isomotive dielectrophoresis (isoDEP) is a unique DEP geometrical configuration where the gradient of the field-squared ( ∇Erms2 ) is constant. IsoDEP analyzes polarizable particles based on their magnitude and direction of translation. Particle translation is a function of the polarizability of both the particles and suspending medium, the particles' size and shape, and the frequency of the electric field. However, other electrokinetics act on the particles simultaneously, including electrothermal hydrodynamics. Hence, to maximize the DEP force relative to over electrokinetic forces, design parameters such as microchannel geometry, fabrication materials, and applied electric field must be properly tuned. In this work, scaling law analyses were developed to derive design rules, relative to particle diameter, to reduce unwanted electrothermal hydrodynamics relative to DEP-induced particle translation. For a particle suspended in 10 mS/m media, if the channel width and height are below ten particle diameters, the electrothermal-driven flow is reduced by ∼500 times compared to a channel that is 250 particles diameters in width and height. Replacing glass with silicon as the device's underlying substrate for an insulative-based isoDEP reduces the electrothermal induced flow approximately 20 times less.

Advances and applications of isomotive dielectrophoresis for cell analysis.

Isomotive dielectrophoresis (isoDEP) is a unique electric field such that the gradient of the field-squared ([Formula: see text]) is constant, resulting a uniform dielectrophoretic force. The current status of isoDEP is presented in this review, and we will highlight the progress that has been achieved over the past 60 years in various avenues of isoDEP since H.A. Pohl initially described its premise. This article will discuss its applications and describe the various configurations of generating an isomotive force. Since H.A. Pohl introduced the theory of isoDEP, numerous authors have implemented isoDEP as a tool for the manipulation, sorting, separation, and characterization of polarizable particles without the need for biochemical labels or other bioengineered tagging. The growing field of microfluidics and electrokinetics has renewed interest in isoDEP, particularly for analytical characterization or separation of particles. Recent work has demonstrated that isoDEP can address some unmet needs for biomedical applications including single-cell analysis; moreover, advances in throughput as well as combining characterization and separation simultaneously will add significant value to isoDEP.

On-chip technology for single-cell arraying, electrorotation-based analysis and selective release.

This paper reports a method for label-free single-cell biophysical analysis of multiple cells trapped in suspension by electrokinetic forces. Tri-dimensional pillar electrodes arranged along the width of a microfluidic chamber define actuators for single cell trapping and selective release by electrokinetic force. Moreover, a rotation can be induced on the cell in combination with a negative DEP force to retain the cell against the flow. The measurement of the rotation speed of the cell as a function of the electric field frequency define an electrorotation spectrum that allows to study the dielectric properties of the cell. The system presented here shows for the first time the simultaneous electrorotation analysis of multiple single cells in separate micro cages that can be selectively addressed to trap and/or release the cells. Chips with 39 micro-actuators of different interelectrode distance were fabricated to study cells with different sizes. The extracted dielectric properties of Henrietta Lacks, human embryonic kidney 293, and human immortalized T lymphocytes cells were found in agreements with previous findings. Moreover, the membrane capacitance of M17 neuroblastoma cells was investigated and found to fall in in the range of 7.49 ± 0.39 mF/m2 .

Effect of phytase enzyme on growth performance, serum biochemical alteration, immune response and gene expression in Nile tilapia.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of low phosphorus diet with or without different levels of phytase enzyme supplementation on growth performance, body composition, nutrient retention efficiency, gene expression, and health status of A. hydrophila challenged fish. A total of 240 monosex males of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with an average body weight of 23.19 ±â€¯0.15 g/fish were used. Fish were randomly chosen and divided into 4 equal groups (60 fish per group), with 3 subgroups containing 20 fish as a replicate. Group 1, was fed on a diet containing 100% P, group 2, was fed on a diet containing 50% P, group 3 and 4, were fed on low P with 500 or 1000 units of phytase/Kg respectively. It was observed that the 50% phosphorus diet significantly reduced body weight, feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and protein efficiency ratio (PER) compared to Nile tilapia fish fed on the diet containing 100% phosphorus. In contrast, fish fed on the diet containing 50% phosphorus supplemented by 500 or 1000 phytase units/kg significantly (P ≤ 0.05) increased final body weight (FBW), total body gain (TBG), average daily gain (ADG), and weight gain compared to Nile tilapia fed on the same diet or fed on the diet containing normal phosphorus without phytase supplementation. Different phosphorus and phytase supplementation levels had no significant effect on serum total protein, albumin, and globulin concentrations, meanwhile, phytase supplementation increased serum calcium and phosphorus levels. Nile tilapia fed on phytase supplementation had an increase in body protein, lipid content, and nutrient utilization efficiency compared to Nile tilapia fed on the diet containing 100% phosphorus. Nile tilapia fed on low dietary phosphorus showed an increase in mortality after infection and a decrease in phagocytosis and neutrophil compared to fish fed on normal phosphorus. Phytase supplementation, made immune response parameters return to its normal values and the pathological lesions of liver, spleen, stomach, and intestine were reduced. Moreover, normal phosphorus significantly up-regulated lipoprotein lipase (LPL) mRNA expression and down-regulated fatty acid synthase (FAS) mRNA in Nile tilapia's liver while low phosphorus with or without phytase supplementation reduced LPL expression and relatively up-regulated FAS.

Expanded Newborn Screening Program in Saudi Arabia: Incidence of screened disorders.

AIM: To address the implementation of the National Newborn Screening Program (NBS) in Saudi Arabia and stratify the incidence of the screened disorders. METHODS: A retrospective study conducted between 1 August 2005 and 31 December 2012, total of 775 000 newborns were screened from 139 hospitals distributed among all regions of Saudi Arabia. The NBS Program screens for 16 disorders from a selective list of inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) and endocrine disorders. Heel prick dry blood spot samples were obtained from all newborns for biochemical and immunoassay testing. Recall screening testing was performed for Initial positive results and confirmed by specific biochemical assays. RESULTS: A total of 743 cases were identified giving an overall incidence of 1:1043. Frequently detected disorders nationwide were congenital hypothyroidism and congenital adrenal hyperplasia with an incidence of 1:7175 and 1:7908 correspondingly. The highest incidence among the IEM was propionic acidaemia with an incidence rate of 1:14 000. CONCLUSION: The article highlights the experience of the NBS Program in Saudi Arabia and providing data on specific regional incidences of all the screened disorders included in the programme; and showed that the incidence of these disorders is one of the highest reported so far world-wide.

Microwave-assisted synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of novel spiroisoquinoline and spiropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives.

Bromination of N-substituted homophthalimides and tetrahydropyrido[4,3-d]- pyrimidine-5,7-diones produces 4,4-dibromohomophthalimide and 8,8-dibromo-tetrahydropyrido[4,3-d]pyrimidine-5,7-dione derivatives, respectively, that can be used as precursors for spiro derivatives. The dibromo derivatives react with different binucleophilic reagents to produce several spiroisoquinoline and spirotetrahydropyrido[4,3-d]- pyrimidine-5,7-dione derivatives, respectively. Reaction of the dibromo derivatives with malononitrile produces dicyanomethylene derivatives which react with different binucleophiles to produce new spiro derivatives. All new compounds are prepared by using the usual chemical conditions and microwave assisted conditions. The latter conditions improved the reaction yields, reduced reaction times and ameliorated the effects on the surrounding environment as the reactions are carried out in closed systems. Structures of the newly synthesized compounds are proved using spectroscopic methods such as IR, MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR and elemental analyses. Some of the newly synthesized compounds were tested for their antimicrobial activities, whereby four of them showed moderate activities and the rest showed low or no activities towards the investigated species.

Neurologic injury in isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency.

BACKGROUND: We review clinical, neuroimaging, and genetic information on six individuals with isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency (ISOD). METHODS: All patients were examined, and clinical records, biochemistry, neuroimaging, and sulfite oxidase gene (SUOX) sequencing were reviewed. RESULTS: Data was available on six individuals from four nuclear families affected by ISOD. Each individual began to seize within the first week of life. neurologic development was arrested at brainstem reflexes, and severe microcephaly developed rapidly. neuroimaging within days of birth revealed hypoplasia of the cerebellum and corpus callosum and damage to the supratentorial brain looking like severe hypoxic-ischemic injury that evolved into cystic hemispheric white matter changes. Affected individuals all had elevated urinary S-sulfocysteine and normal urinary xanthine and hypoxanthine levels diagnostic of ISOD. Genetic studies confirmed SUOX mutations in four patients. CONCLUSIONS: ISOD impairs systemic sulfite metabolism, and yet this genetic disease affects only the brain with damage that is commonly confused with the clinical and radiologic features of severe hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.Lésions neurologiques dans le déficit isolé en sulfite oxydase.

ß-ureidopropionase deficiency: phenotype, genotype and protein structural consequences in 16 patients.

ß-ureidopropionase is the third enzyme of the pyrimidine degradation pathway and catalyzes the conversion of N-carbamyl-ß-alanine and N-carbamyl-ß-aminoisobutyric acid to ß-alanine and ß-aminoisobutyric acid, ammonia and CO(2). To date, only five genetically confirmed patients with a complete ß-ureidopropionase deficiency have been reported. Here, we report on the clinical, biochemical and molecular findings of 11 newly identified ß-ureidopropionase deficient patients as well as the analysis of the mutations in a three-dimensional framework. Patients presented mainly with neurological abnormalities (intellectual disabilities, seizures, abnormal tonus regulation, microcephaly, and malformations on neuro-imaging) and markedly elevated levels of N-carbamyl-ß-alanine and N-carbamyl-ß-aminoisobutyric acid in urine and plasma. Analysis of UPB1, encoding ß-ureidopropionase, showed 6 novel missense mutations and one novel splice-site mutation. Heterologous expression of the 6 mutant enzymes in Escherichia coli showed that all mutations yielded mutant ß-ureidopropionase proteins with significantly decreased activity. Analysis of a homology model of human ß-ureidopropionase generated using the crystal structure of the enzyme from Drosophila melanogaster indicated that the point mutations p.G235R, p.R236W and p.S264R lead to amino acid exchanges in the active site and therefore affect substrate binding and catalysis. The mutations L13S, R326Q and T359M resulted most likely in folding defects and oligomer assembly impairment. Two mutations were identified in several unrelated ß-ureidopropionase patients, indicating that ß-ureidopropionase deficiency may be more common than anticipated.

Development of a fast and precise potency test for BCG vaccine viability using flow cytometry compared to MTT and colony-forming unit assays.

In a precarious world of rapidly growing pandemics, the field of vaccine production has witnessed considerable growth. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a live-attenuated vaccine and a part of the immunization program in 157 countries. The quality control is based on a potency test through viable cell enumeration. The colony-forming unit (CFU) assay is the official method, however, it often yields fluctuating results, suffers from medium cracking, and requires lengthy analysis (~ 28 days). Flow cytometric analysis was proposed earlier, but it was coupled with a Coulter counter for measuring the entire bacterial population (live/dead). In the present study, thiazole orange/propidium iodide dyes supplemented with fluorogenic reference beads were employed for viable counting, eliminating the need for a Coulter counter. Both the flow cytometry and the colorimetric technique employing tetrazolium salt were validated and compared to the CFU assay. The colorimetric assay displayed high precision, accuracy, and a strong positive correlation with the CFU assay. The flow cytometry assay demonstrated high precision and a notable ability to distinguish different forms of BCG cells (live, injured, and dead). It also exhibited a perfect positive correlation with the CFU assay. Both methods reduced the analysis time by > 26 days and eliminated the need for human intervention by automating the test.

Peri-anal infiltration versus caudal block for multimodal analgesia in paediatric patients with Hirschsprung's disease undergoing transanal endorectal pull-through procedure: A randomised trial.

Background and Aims: Transanal endorectal pull-through (TERPT) is a standard procedure for managing paediatric patients with Hirschsprung's disease (HD). This study aimed to evaluate peri-anal infiltration versus caudal block as a part of multimodal analgesia for paediatric patients with HD undergoing the TERPT procedure. Methods: This randomised trial included 60 patients of both genders, aged 6 to 18 months who underwent the TERPT procedure under general anaesthesia. The patients were randomly assigned into two groups to receive either peri-anal infiltration or caudal block with 1 ml/kg bupivacaine 0.25% and dexmedetomidine 1 µg/kg in 0.5 ml normal saline. The primary outcome was the time to the first rescue analgesia. The secondary outcomes were the total consumption, the frequency of nalbuphine administration as rescue analgesia within 24 hours and the level of postoperative sedation. Results: The time to first rescue analgesia was significantly shorter in the peri-anal infiltration group versus the caudal block group (median [interquartile range] 10 [7.5-12.5] h versus 16 [13.5-18.5] h, respectively, P = 0.008). The frequency of administration and the total dose of nalbuphine was significantly higher in the peri-anal infiltration group (P = 0.003 and 0.013, respectively). The sedation score was significantly higher in the caudal block group postoperatively. Conclusion: For paediatric patients undergoing the TERPT procedure, peri-anal infiltration was less effective than caudal block in terms of the duration of postoperative analgesia. However, both techniques were comparable during the first 6 hours postoperatively.

Culturable and unculturable potential heterotrophic microbiological threats to the oldest pyramids of the Memphis necropolis, Egypt.

A large percentage of the world's tangible cultural heritage is made from stone; thus, it deteriorates due to physical, chemical, and/or biological factors. The current study explored the microbial community inhabiting two prehistoric sites with high cultural value in the Memphis necropolis of Egypt (Djoser and Lahun Pyramids) using amplicon-based metabarcoding and culture-dependent isolation methods. Samples were examined by epifluorescent microscopy for biological signs before environmental DNA extraction and in vitro cultivation. The metabarcoding analysis identified 644 bacterial species (452 genera) using the 16S rRNA and 204 fungal species (146 genera) using ITS. In comparison with the isolation approach, an additional 28 bacterial species (13 genera) and 34 fungal species (20 genera) were identified. A total of 19 bacterial and 16 fungal species were exclusively culture-dependent, while 92 bacterial and 122 fungal species were culture-independent. The most abundant stone-inhabiting bacteria in the current study were Blastococcus aggregatus, Blastococcus saxobsidens, and Blastococcus sp., among others. The most abundant rock-inhabiting fungi were Knufia karalitana and Pseudotaeniolina globosa, besides abundant unknown Sporormiaceae species. Based on previous reports, microorganisms associated with biodeterioration were detected on color-altered sites at both pyramids. These microorganisms are potentially dangerous as physical and chemical deterioration factors and require proper conservation plans from a microbiological perspective.

Anticorrosion Evaluation of Novel Water-Soluble Schiff Base Molecules for C1018 Steel in CO2-Saturated Brine by Computational and Experimental Methodologies.

In this work, three different derivatives of Schiff base, as mono- and di-Schiff bases, were successfully synthesized by the facile condensation of 2-aminopyridine, o-phenylenediamine, or 4-chloro-o-phenylenediamine with sodium salicylaldehyde-5-sulfonate (H1, H2, and H3, respectively). A combination of theoretical and practical studies was accomplished on the corrosion mitigation effect of the prepared Schiff base derivatives on C1018 steel in CO2-saturated 3.5% NaCl solution. The corrosion inhibition effect of the synthesized Schiff base molecules was studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) methods. The outcomes exhibited that Schiff base derivatives have an outstanding corrosion inhibition effect on carbon steel at particularly low concentrations in sweet conditions. The outcomes showed that Schiff base derivatives exhibited a satisfactory inhibition efficiency of 96.5% (H1), 97.7% (H2), and 98.1% (H3) with a dosage of 0.5 mM at 323 K. SEM/EDX analysis confirms the adsorbed inhibitor film's formation on the metal surface. The polarization plots indicate that the studied compounds behaved as inhibitors of the mixed type according to the isotherm model of Langmuir. The computational inspections (MD simulations and DFT calculations) display a good correlation with the investigational findings. The outcomes could be applied to assess the efficiency of the inhibiting agents in the gas and oil industry.

Phytochemical screening and in-vitro biological properties of unprocessed and household processed fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum Linn.) seeds and leaves.

The impact of household processes on fenugreek leaves and seeds has been analyzed for total phenolic (TP) and total flavonoid content (TF), and in-vitro biological activities such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Processes included air-drying for leaves and germinating, soaking, and boiling for seeds. Air-dried fenugreek leaves (ADFL) had high TP (15.27 mg GAE g-1 D.W.) and TF (7.71 mg QE g-1 D.W.) (milligram quercetin equivalents per gram dry weight). The TP contents of unprocessed, germinated, soaked, and boiled seeds were 6.54, 5.60, 4.59, and 3.84 mg gallic acid equivalents per gram of dry weight (mg GAE g-1 D.W.), respectively. The TF contents in unprocessed fenugreek seeds, germinated fenugreek seeds, soaked fenugreek seeds, and boiled fenugreek seeds (BFS) were 4.23, 2.11, 2.10, and 2.33 mg QE g-1 D.W., respectively. Sixteen phenolic and nineteen flavonoid compounds has been identified using high-performance liquid chromatography. Antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazil (DPPH·), 2,2-azinobis (3-ethylbenothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS+·), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP·) assays indicated that ADFL had the highest activity. Antimicrobial activity has been evaluated against each of the eight pathogenic bacterial and fungal strains. ADFL showed the strongest activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations values ranging from 0.03 to 1.06 and 0.04 to 1.18 mg ml·1 against bacterial and fungal strains, respectively. Anti-inflammatory activity was evaluated in-vitro against RAW 264.7 macrophage cells using the nitric oxide (NO) assay. Results revealed that ADFL had the highest cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory activity according to the NO assay. Household processes significantly reduced the in-vitro biological properties of processed seeds.

Genomic assembly, characterization, and quantification of DICER-like gene family in Okra plants under dehydration conditions.

Background: Okra is a plant farmed for its pods, leaves, and stems all of which are edible. It is famous for its ability to tolerate long desiccation periods. It belongs to the Malvaceae family and is a sister species to hibiscus, cotton, and cacao plants. Methods: In the current study, okra plants were used as a model to sequence, assemble, and analyze the evolutionary and functional characteristics of the Dicer-like protein gene family (DCL) based on DNAseq and qPCR techniques. Results: Four Dicer-like (DCL) single-copy genes of the okra plant Abelmoschus esculentus (L.) Moench (AeDCL) were successfully assembled. The lengths of the AeDCL copies were 8,494, 5,214, 4,731, and 9,329 bp. The detected exons in these samples ranged from a single exon in AeDCL3 to 24 exons in AeDCL4. AeDCLs had five functional domains of two DEAD-like helicase superfamilies, N and C; one Dicer domain; one ribonuclease III domain (a and b); and one double-stranded RNA-binding domain. The PAZ domain was completely annotated only for AeDCL1 and AeDCL3. All AeDCLs were up-regulated under drought conditions, with leaves showing more extensive fold changes than roots. The study focused on a comprehensive genome-wide identification and analysis of the DCL gene family in naturally drought-tolerant okra plants, an orphan crop that can be used as a model for further genomic and transcriptomic studies on drought-tolerance mechanisms in plants.

Ionic transistor using ion exchange membranes.

Ionic transistors can be used to modulate ionic current in a way that is analogous to their electronic counterparts. An ionic transistor can reversibly change its ionic conduction to control ionic current by injecting electrical charges. To facilitate its applications in biomedical devices (e.g., controlled drug delivery, rectification of ionic current, and signal processing), an ionic transistor should maintain high performance of ionic current control within physiological solutions (e.g., 0.9% NaCl) for long durations. Here, we introduce an ionic transistor using cation and anion exchange membranes (CEM and AEM). It could impose a 10× impedance change in a channel filled with 0.9% NaCl solution and we observed a stable modulation of ionic current throughout a test of 1000 cycles of on/off switching of the ionic transistor.