Quantum Mechanics-Based Fast and Reliable Prediction of Binding Pose Structures.

Predicting the binding poses of docking with an accurate estimation of binding energies is highly important but very challenging in computational drug design. A quantum mechanics (QM) calculation-based docking approach considering multiple conformations and orientations of the ligand is introduced here to tackle the problem. This QM docking consists of three steps: generating an ensemble of binding poses with a conventional docking simulation, computing the binding energies with self-consistent charge density functional theory tightly binding with dispersion correction (DFTB-D) to selecting the 10 top binding modes, and optimizing the selected binding mode structures using the ONIOM(DFTB:PM7) technique to determine the binding poses. The ONIOM(DFTB-D:PM6) docking approach is tested on 121 ligand-receptor biocomplexes with the crystal structures obtained from the Research Collaboratory for Structural Bioinformatics Protein Data Bank (RCSB PDB). The result shows that the new method is highly satisfactory for the accurate prediction of the binding poses. The new docking method should be beneficial to structure-based drug design.

Enhancing Vicia faba's immunity against Rhizoctonia solani root rot diseases by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and nano chitosan.

BACKGROUND: The spreading of root rot disease of faba bean plant (Vichia faba L, VF) in Egypt is still of great challenge faced researchers since VF is an important legume in Egypt, because their seeds are used for human feeding. Fungicides are used for treatment of either seeds or soil; unfortunately they cause environmental pollution. Therefore, there is a need to continue research to find out safe natural solutions. In this regard, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and chitosan (micro or nanoform) were used as an inhibitory product against Rhizoctonia solani OM918223 (R.solani) either singly or in combinations. RESULTS: The results employed herein have exhibited that R.solani caused root rot disease of VF plants in more than 80% of the plants under investigation. Chitosan nanoparticles (Chitosan NPs) were prepared by ionic gelatin method and characterized by using dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR). Chitosan NPs are spherical with a diameter of 78.5 nm and exhibited the presence of different functional groups. The inhibitory natural products against R.solani were arranged according to their ability to inhibit the pathogen used in the following descending manner; combination of AMF with Chitosan NPs, AMF with micro chitosan and single AMF, respectively. Where, Chitosan NPs showed a potent influence on R.solani pathogen and reduced the pre-and post-emergence of R. solani. In addition, Chitosan NPs reduced Disease Incidence (DI %) and Disease Severity (DS %) of root rot disease and are widely functional through mixing with AMF by about 88% and 89%. Further, Chitosan NPs and micro chitosan were proved to increase the growth parameters of VF plants such as nutritional status (mineral, soluble sugar, and pigment content), and defense mechanisms including total phenol, peroxidase, and polyphenol oxidase in mycorrhizal plants more than non-mycorrhizal one either in infected or healthy plants. Moreover, activity of AMF as an inhibitory against R.solani and improvement natural agent for VF growth parameters was enhanced through its fusing with Chitosan NPs. CONCLUSIONS: The use of AMF and Chitosan NPs increased faba bean plant resistance against the infection of root rot R. solani, with both prevention and cure together. Therefore, this research opens the door to choose natural and environmental friendly treatments with different mechanisms of plant resistance to disease.

Development of green micellar HPLC-DAD method for simultaneous determination of some sulbactam combinations used in COVID-19 regimen.

In a new attempt to separate some sulbactam combinations by green chemical method we came up with this research in which an ecofriendly, green, sustainable and selective method was established for separation of four antibiotics, namely, cefoperazone (CFP), cefixime (CFX), ampicillin (AMP) and sulbactam (SLB). No organic solvents were used in the composition of the mobile phase as it was replaced by mixing two surfactants together, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and polyoxyethylene-23-lauryl ether (Brij-35). Effect of varying the concentrations of the two surfactants on chromatographic separation was studied. Optimum separation was maintained using a mobile phase consisting of 0.01 mol/L SDS, 0.03 mol/L Brij-35, 0.4% Tri-ethylamine (TEA) and pH of 2.8 adjusted by using 1 M ortho-phosphoric acid on reversed phase Isère C18 BDS column with temperature of 40 °C at flow rate 1 mL/min, wavelength 215 nm, and the total run time was 6 min. Validation of the proposed method has been made according International Conference of Harmonization (ICH) guidelines at linearity range of 10-200 µg mL-1 for all drugs under study, high accuracy results (recovery range 98.39-100.35%). and the variation coefficient (RSD) of the points on the calibration curve was ranged from (0.1-1.7%) indicating precise method. The LOQ was (6.09 µg mL-1) for CFP, (6.07 µg mL-1) for CFX, (3.85 µg mL-1) for AMP and (7.20 µg mL-1) for SLB. Successful applications were made on marketed dosage forms with recovery range of (100.16-102.25%) and RSD of (0.03-1.88%). The method was verified on the Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI) and Analytical Greenness metric approach (AGREE) and it was found to be an excellent green alternative method.

Green Spectrophotometric Determination of Two Cephalosporin Drugs Used in COVID-19 Regimen Through Silver Nanoparticle Synthesis.

BACKGROUND: Cefixime trihydrate (CFX) and cefuroxime axetil (CFU) are antibacterial drugs. They are widely used in the treatment of bacterial infection and recently in COVID-19 treatment. OBJECTIVE: In this article, the two antibacterial drugs, CFX and CFU, were determined by a new simple, sensitive, effective, and green spectrophotometric method via reaction with silver nitrate (AgNO3). METHODS: The reaction was based on reduction of AgNO3 by the cited drugs to silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidine (PVP) as stabilizing agent. Very intense surface plasmon resonance peaks were obtained at 435 nm for CFX and CFU that allow quantitative determination of the drugs. RESULTS: The calibration curves were linear with concentration ranges of 0.2-1.4 µg/mL and 0.3-2.1 µg/mL for CFX and CFU, respectively. Validation of the proposed method has been done according to ICH (International Conference of Harmonization) guidelines; the method was verified on the Green Analytical Procedure Index and Analytical Greenness metric approach (AGREE) in regard to its greenness and was found to be an excellent green alternative method. CONCLUSION: A very sensitive and green spectrophotometric method was developed for determination of CFX and CFU in pure and dosage form. HIGHLIGHT: The developed method not previously reported for simultaneous determination of CFX and CFU.

Prospective of mycorrhiza and Beauvaria bassiana silica nanoparticles on Gossypium hirsutum L. plants as biocontrol agent against cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis.

BACKGROUND: Plant-herbivorous insects are a severe danger to the world's agricultural production of various crops. Insecticides used indiscriminately resulted in habitat destruction due to their high toxicity, as well as disease resistance. In this respect, the development of a sustainable approach to supreme crop production with the least damage is a crucially prerequisite. As a result, the current study was carried out to understand the potential effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi along with Beauvaria bassiana silica nanoparticles (Si NPs) as a new approach to increase cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L. Merr.) defense against an insect herbivore, Spodoptera littoralis. AM and non-AM cotton plants were infested with S. littoralis and then sprayed with a biopesticide [B. bassiana Si NPs] or a chemical insecticide (Chlorpyrifos). RESULTS: The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis of B. bassiana Si NPs fungal extract showed that the major constituents identified were Oleyl alcohol, trifluoroacetate, 11-Dodecen-1-AL and 13-Octadecenal, (Z)-(CAS). Besides, results revealed a highly significant decrease in growth parameters in S. littoralis infested plants, however, with AM fungal inoculation a substantial improvement in growth traits and biochemical parameters such as protein and carbohydrates contents was observed. In addition, stimulation in proline and antioxidant enzymes activity and a decrease in malondialdehyde content were observed after AM inoculation. CONCLUSION: AM fungi mitigate the harmful effects of herbivorous insects by strengthening the cotton plant's health via enhancing both morphological and biochemical traits that can partially or completely replace the application of chemical insecticides.

Evaluation of microRNA 92a Expression and Its Target Protein Bim in Colorectal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and leading causes of malignancy-related deaths all over the world. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can regulate more than 60% of human genes, including tumor-stimulating, and -suppressor genes. Therefore, they can promote cancer development and affect risk of malignancy. miR-92a overexpression in CRC enhances tumor proliferation, invasion, and metastasis through downregulating different pro-apoptosis proteins including Bim. This study aimed to assess the role of plasma miR-92a as non-invasive marker in CRC patients, outline correlation between plasma miR-92a and serum Bim, and determine their correlations with clinicopathological parameters in CRC and adenoma patients. METHODS: A total of 54 newly diagnosed CRC patients, 15 colonic adenoma patients, and 15 age- and sex-matched control subjects were recruited in this study. Plasma miR-92a was assayed by TaqMan qRT-PCR and serum Bim was measured by ELISA. RESULTS: Statistically significant overexpression of serum miR-92a was observed in CRC patients as compared to adenoma and control groups (p<0.001 each) and lower serum Bim in CRC patients as compared to adenoma and control groups (p=0.001, p <0.001 respectively). The ROC curve analysis showed excellent AUC for plasma miR-92a in discriminating CRC from control (AUC=0.994), and adenoma (AUC=0.993) groups with highest diagnostic performance in discriminating CRC from controls (at cutoff 1.43, sensitivity 98.1%, specificity 93.9%), and adenoma patients (at cutoff 1.78, sensitivity 92.6%,  specificity 93.3%). The diagnostic performance in discriminating early from late CRC was good (at cutoff 15, AUC=0.641, sensitivity 61.2%, specificity 80%). A significant negative correlation was evident between plasma miR-92a and serum Bim both in adenoma and CRC groups (P<0.001 for both). Higher plasma miR-92a expression (r=0.275, p=0.044) and lower serum Bim (r=-0.299, p=0.028) were found to be correlated with late CRC stages. CONCLUSION: Circulating miR-92a and Bim could be promising, non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in CRC.
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Acceleration of slow autophagy flux induced by arabinofuranosyl cytidine improves its antileukemic effectiveness in M-NFS-60 cells.

Arabinofuranosyl cytidine (AraC) is an analog of deoxycytidine used as an anticancer drug for leukemic patients. The effective dose always produces severe complications. The present study investigated the modulation of autophagy and its impact on the cytotoxicity of AraC toward murine myelogenous leukemia cells (M-NFS-60). Autophagy was inhibited by NH4Cl or Bafilomycin A1 or enhanced by amino acid starvation, glucose starvation, mild hyperthermia (41 °C), or rapamycin (Rap). Cells were treated with different concentrations, 0 to 2 µM, of AraC in the presence or absence of autophagy modulators. AraC-induced apoptosis is combined with autophagy, especially at lower concentrations. This autophagy is characterized by a slow flux, as indicated by levels of LC3B II and P62 proteins. Inhibition of autophagy did not alter cleaved caspase 3 levels (c-casp.3) or cell viability measured by MTT assays. Conversely, acceleration of AraC-induced autophagy by co-treatment with autophagy inducers reduced cell viability and increased c-casp.3 and c-PARP levels. Further, c-PARP levels were reduced in the presence of caspase inhibitor, Z-VAD-FMK. Enhancement of slow autophagic flux induced by low concentrations of AraC significantly increased the cytotoxicity of AraC toward M-NFS-60 cells. Such coadministration of autophagy inducers might improve the efficacy of AraC treatment and reduce effective doses.

Contact lenses contamination by Acanthamoeba spp. in Upper Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Acanthamoeba spp. are one of the free-living amoeba that spread worldwide causing keratitis. Owing to the increase in the use of lenses, whether for medical or cosmetic purposes, the incidence of disease increases every year. Contamination of the lenses with the Acanthamoeba trophozoites or cysts may lead to eye infection and cause sight-threatening keratitis in human. We isolated Acanthamoeba spp. from new lenses, used lenses, and contact lens disinfecting solutions and identified them based on morphological characteristics and molecular test. METHODS: New and used lenses and contact lens disinfecting solutions were cultured on monogenic media. Light and scanning electron microscope was used to identify Acanthamoeba spp. morphological features. Genotype identification was also evaluated using PCR sequencing of 18S rRNA gene specific primer pair JDP1 and JDP2. RESULTS: A hundred samples were examined, 29 (29%) were infected with Acanthamoeba spp. That belonged to two strains of Acanthamoeba (Acanthamoeba 41 and Acanthamoeba 68). 18S rRNA of the Acanthamoeba 41 had 99.69% sequence identity to Acanthamoeba castellanii clone HDU-JUMS-2, whereas Acanthamoeba 68 had 99.74% similar pattern to that of Acanthamoeba sp. isolate T4 clone ac2t4 that are morphologically identified as Acanthamoeba polyphaga. The obtained data revealed that the isolated strains belong to T4 genotype that was evolutionarily similar to strains isolated in Iran. CONCLUSIONS: Cosmetic lenses and disinfectant solutions are a major transmissible mode for infection. This genotype is common as the cause of Acanthamoeba keratitis. To avoid infection, care must be taken to clean the lenses and their preservative solutions and prevent contamination with the parasite.

Optimism for the Single-stage Transanal Swenson in Neonates.

BACKGROUND: Hirschsprung's disease (HD) has been traditionally treated from infancy onward and different techniques have been used including Swenson, Soave, and Duhamel procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the transanal Swenson's procedure for classical rectosigmoid HD in neonates. PATIENT AND METHODS: This was a prospective study in which neonates diagnosed with HD were recruited from January 2017 to December 2018. Cases with a transition zone proximal to the midsigmoid were excluded. All patients underwent a transanal Swenson's procedure in the neonatal period using a unified protocol. Intraoperative course and postoperative outcomes such as leak, pelvic abscess, soiling, perianal excoriation, stricture, enterocolitis, and constipation were evaluated and all patients were followed for at least 6 months. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (17 males and 6 females) underwent transanal Swenson's procedure. The mean age was 22 ± 5.7 days. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 30 months. No anastomotic leak, retraction, or prolapse was reported. Mild perianal excoriations occurred early in 9 (39%) cases and all responded to medical treatment and disappeared before 2 months postoperatively. Stricture occurred in 2 (8%) patients, enterocolitis in 3 (13%), and constipation in 3 (13%). CONCLUSION: Transanal Swenson's procedure is feasible and can be performed safely in neonates with rectosigmoid HD with good short-term outcomes. Proper patient selection and standard protocol following fine procedural hall-marks and details are keys for optimal results and patient satisfaction.

Biochemical Properties of Tyrosinase from Aspergillus terreus and Penicillium copticola; Undecanoic Acid from Aspergillus flavus, an Endophyte of Moringa oleifera, Is a Novel Potent Tyrosinase Inhibitor.

Tyrosinase is a copper-containing monooxygenase catalyzing the O-hydroxylation of tyrosine to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine then to dopaquinone that is profoundly involved in melanin synthesis in eukaryotes. Overactivation of tyrosinase is correlated with hyperpigmentation that is metabolically correlated with severe pathological disorders, so, inhibition of this enzyme is the most effective approach in controlling the overproduction of melanin and its hazardous effects. Thus, searching for a powerful, selective inhibitor of human tyrosinase to limit the hyper-synthesis of melanin is a challenge. Unlike the difficulty of overexpression of human tyrosinase, using fungal tyrosinase as a model enzyme to the human one to evaluate the mechanistics of enzyme inhibition in response to various compounds is the most feasible strategy. Thus, the purification of highly catalytic-efficient fungal tyrosinase, exploring a novel inhibitor, and evaluating the mechanistics of enzyme inhibition are the main objectives of this work. Aspergillus terreus and Penicillium copticola were reported as the most potential tyrosinase producers. The biochemical properties suggest that this enzyme displays a higher structural and catalytic proximity to human tyrosinase. Upon nutritional bioprocessing by Plackett-Burman design, the yield of tyrosinase was increased by about 7.5-folds, compared to the control. The purified tyrosinase was strongly inhibited by kojic acid and A. flavus DCM extracts with IC50 values of 15.1 and 12.6 µg/mL, respectively. From the spectroscopic analysis, the main anti-tyrosinase compounds of A. flavus extract was resolved, and verified as undecanoic acid. Further studies are ongoing to unravel the in vivo effect and cytotoxicity of this compound in fungi and human, that could be a novel drug to various diseases associated with hyperpigmentation by melanin.

Phylogenetic relationships and DNA barcoding of nine endangered medicinal plant species endemic to Saint Katherine protectorate.

A high degree of endemism has been recorded for several plant groups collectively in Saint Katherine Protectorate (SKP) in the Sinai Peninsula. Nine endangered endemic plant species in SKP were selected to test the variable abilities of three different DNA barcodes; Riboluse-1,5- Biphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase Large subunit (rbcL), Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS), and the two regions of the plastid gene (ycf1) as well as Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) Polymorphism to find the phylogenetic relationships among them. The three barcodes were generally more capable of finding the genetic relationships among the plant species under study, new barcodes were introduced to the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) for the first time through our work. The barcode sequences were efficient in finding the genetic relationships between the nine species. However, SCoT polymorphism could only cluster plant species belonging to the same genus together in one group, but it could not cluster plant species belonging to the same families except for some primers solely. RbcL was the most easily amplified and identified barcode in eight out of the nine species at the species level and the ninth barcode to the genus level. ITS identified all the species to the genus level. Finally, ycf1 identified six out of the eight species, but it could not identify two of the eight species to the genus level.

Incidence of silent venous thromboembolism after total hip arthroplasty: A comparison of rivaroxaban and enoxaparin.

PROPOSE: Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is associated with a significant risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Different thromboprophylaxis strategies have been used to prevent VTE. The primary aim of this study was to report the incidence of VTE and compare the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban to enoxaparin. The secondary outcome was to report the incidence of silent deep venous thrombosis (DVT) using computed tomography venography. METHODS: One hundred sixty patients who underwent THA were enrolled in a prospective study. Patients were randomized into two groups as follows: those who received rivaroxaban 10 mg oral daily (group RXE) and those who received enoxaparin 40 IU/day subcutaneously for 14 days (group ENO). RESULTS: Both groups were matched for age, sex, comorbidities, special habits and preoperative laboratory investigations. The overall incidence of DVT was 5% (n = 8), which included four patients clinically diagnosed as having DVT and four with silent DVT. All the DVT cases occurred in veins below the knee and in the group RXE; none of the cases occurred in group ENO (p = 0.04). The incidence of DVT was significantly higher in patients with high body mass indexes (p < 0.001), older age (p = 0.024) and medical comorbidities (p = 0.14). No mortality, pulmonary embolism, stroke, wound infection or major bleeding occurred in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Among the patients who underwent hip arthroplasty, rivaroxaban prophylaxis was found to be associated with lower efficacy and similar safety outcomes as compared with enoxaparin anticoagulants.

An Insight into the Potential Parasitological Effect of Schistosoma mansoni Antigens in Infected Mice: Prophylactic Role of Cercarial Antigen.

Schistosomiasis is a multifactorial disease that includes environmental, behavioral, parasitic, vector, and host factors. This study aimed to assess the protective effect of single and polyvalent antigens from cercarial antigen preparations (CAPs), soluble worm antigen preparations (SWAPs), and soluble egg antigens (SEAs) which were used as candidate vaccines in an experimental model of Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice. The efficiency of the antigens was tested by determining their effects on fecal egg count, egg viability analysis, and tissue egg counts. Histological and morphometric analyses of granulomas in liver and intestine tissues were performed. In the present study, all immunized groups showed a significant reduction in the average fecal egg count and tissue egg load compared with infected mice. The most substantial reduction in fecal egg count was observed in the combined vaccinated group (23.23 ± 3.2). The group vaccinated with CAP before infection showed the highest reduction in tissue egg load (liver and intestine: 85.22 and 91.70%, respectively). Immunized animals showed a highly significant reduction in the numbers of hepatic granulomas compared with the infected non-immunized group. In conclusion, combining these different antigens (CAP, SWAP, and SEA) augments the protective immunity compared with other immunized groups.

Comparative Analyses of Four Chemicals Used to Control Black Mold Disease in Tomato and Its Effects on Defense Signaling Pathways, Productivity and Quality Traits.

The field application of safe chemical inducers plays a vital role in the stimulation of systematic acquired resistance (SAR) of plants. In this study, the efficacy use of three and six field applications with chitosan, lithovit, and K-thiosulfate at 4 gL-1 and salicylic acid at 1.5 gL-1 in improving tomato productivity, quality, and modifying the defense signaling pathways to the Alternaria alternata infection was investigated. Salicylic acid was the most effective in vitro where it completely inhibited the growth of Alternaria alternata. The highest yield quantity was recorded with six applications with Chitosan followed by Salicylic acid; also, they were the most effective treatments in controlling the Alternaria alternata infection in tomato fruits. The maximum increase in chitinase and catalase activity of tomato fruits was observed at five days after inoculation, following treatment with six sprays of salicylic acid followed by chitosan. The transcript levels of seven defense-related genes: ethylene-responsive transcription factor 3 (RAP), xyloglucan endotransglucosylase 2 (XET-2), catalytic hydrolase -2 (ACS-2), proteinase inhibitor II (PINII), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase 5 (PAL5), lipoxygenase D (LOXD), and pathogenesis-related protein 1 (PR1) were upregulated in response to all treatments. The highest expression levels of the seven studied genes were recorded in response to six foliar applications with chitosan. Chitosan followed by salicylic acid was the most effective among the tested elicitors in controlling the black mold rot in tomato fruits. In conclusion, pre-harvest chitosan and salicylic acid in vivo application with six sprays could be recommended as effective safe alternatives to fungicides against black mold disease in tomato fruits.

Gene-targeted molecular phylogeny, phytochemical profiling, and antioxidant activity of nine species belonging to family Cactaceae.

Cactaceae plant family comprises over 130 genera and 2000 species of succulent flowering plants. The genera Mammillaria and Notocactus (Parodia), which have medicinal and nutritional applications as well as aesthetic appeal, are considered to be among the major genera of the family. Several species of both genera show morphological and chemical similarities and diversities according to environmental conditions and genotypes. Here, we assessed the genetic relationships of nine species belonging to two major genera Mammillaria and Notocactus under the family Cactaceae, using two modern gene-targeting marker techniques, the Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) Polymorphism and the Conserved DNA-Derived Polymorphism (CDDP). Besides, we screened the various phytochemicals and evaluated the antioxidant activities of the nine species of cacti. Five out of the 10 SCoT and eight CDDP primers used to screen genetic variations within the nine species yielded species-specific reproducible bands. The entire 156 loci were detected, of which 107 were polymorphic, 26 were monomorphic, and 23 were unique loci. The nine species were categorized into two groups based on the dendrogram and similarity matrix. Phytochemical profiling revealed that sterols, triterpenes, flavonoids, and tannins were found in all the tested species. Additionally, two Notocactus species (N. shlosserii and N. roseoluteus) and one Mammillaria species (M. spinosissima) revealed a considerable antioxidant activity. Our results demonstrated that gene-targeting marker techniques were highly powerful tools for the classification and characterization of the nine investigated species, despite displaying high similarities at both morphological and phytochemical levels.

Effect of adjunctive vaginal progesterone after McDonald cerclage on the rate of second-trimester abortion in singleton pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of adjunctive use of vaginal progesterone after McDonald cerclage on the rate of second-trimester abortion in singleton pregnancy. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial at Woman's Health Hospital, Assiut University, Egypt, between April 2017 and March 2019 enrolled women eligible for McDonald cerclage. After cerclage, participants were randomly assigned to receive progesterone (400 mg pessary) once daily until 37 weeks or no progesterone. The primary outcome was rate of abortion before 28 weeks. Secondary outcomes included gestational age at delivery, preterm delivery, mean birthweight, Apgar score, and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). RESULTS: The rate of spontaneous abortion was higher in the no-progesterone group (P=0.016). Mean gestational age and mean birthweight was higher in the progesterone group (P<0.001 and P=0.002, respectively). The frequency of preterm neonates, neonates with Apgar score less than 7, and admission to NICU was higher in the progesterone group than in the no-progesterone group (P=0.005, P=0.008, and P=0.044, respectively). CONCLUSION: Adjunctive use of vaginal progesterone after McDonald cerclage was found to decrease the frequency of second-trimester abortion and to improve perinatal outcomes in singleton pregnancy. Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT02846909.

Dual trigger using recombinant HCG and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist improve oocyte maturity and embryo grading for normal responders in GnRH antagonist cycles: Randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of dual trigger using gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonist and recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (rHCG) versus rHCG alone for normal responders in GnRH antagonist intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The current study was a registered open-labeled randomized controlled trial (clinical trial.gov: NCT02916173) conducted in the ART Unit of a tertiary University hospital between October 2016 and October 2018. The study participants were randomized to either group I (HCG group) or group II (dual trigger group). The primary outcome was the number of mature (MII) oocytes in both groups. RESULTS: Both groups were similar regarding the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics. Women in the dual trigger group had a statistically significant higher number of retrieved oocytes (p = 0.001), MII oocytes (p = 0.01) and the number of grade one embryos (p = 0.04). Both groups were similar regarding the fertilization, implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in a fresh cycle. Dual trigger group was significantly higher in the clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate after frozen embryo transfer (p = 0.04, 0.03, respectively). CONCLUSION: Dual trigger by GnRH agonist and rHCG improve the oocyte maturity and embryo grading for normal responders in GnRH antagonist ICSI cycles.

Piriformospora indica promotes cucumber tolerance against Root-knot nematode by modulating photosynthesis and innate responsive genes.

Root Knot Nematode (RKN, Meloidogyne incognita) is one of the greatest damaging soil pathogens causes severe yield losses in cucumber and many other economic crops. Here, we evaluated the potential antagonistic effect of the root mutualistic fungus Piriformospora indica against RKN and their impact on vegetative growth, yield, photosynthesis, endogenous salicylic acid (SA) and its responsive genes. Our results showed that P. indica dramatically decreased the damage on shoot and root architecture of cucumber plants, which consequently enhanced yield of infested plants. Likewise, P. indica colonization clearly improved the chlorophyll content and delimited the negative impact of RNK on photosynthesis. Moreover, P. indica colonization exhibited a significant reduction of different vital nematological parameters such as soil larva density, amount of eggs/eggmass, eggmasses, females and amount of galls at cucumber roots. Additionally, the results showed that SA level was significantly increased generally in the roots of all treatments especially in plants infested with RKN alone as compared to control. This suggests that P. indica promoting SA levels in host cucumber plant roots to antagonize the RKN and alleviate severity damages occurred in its roots. This higher levels of SA in cucumber roots was consistent with the higher expressional levels of SA pathway genes PR1 and PR3. Furthermore, P. indica colonization reduces PR1, PR3 and increased NPR1 in roots of RKN infested cucumber plants when compared to non-colonized plants. Interestingly, our in vitro results showed that direct application of P. indica suspension against the J2s exhibited a significant increase in mortality ratio. Our results collectively suggest that P. indica promoting morphological, physiological and SA levels that might together play a major important role to alleviate the adverse impact of RKN in cucumber.

Impact Effect of Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether "Twelve Months Vapor Inhalation Study in Rats".

We investigated the early risk of developing cancer by inhalation of low doses (60 µL/day) of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) vapors using protein SDS-PAGE and LC-MS/MS analysis of rat sera. Furthermore, histological alterations were assessed in the trachea and lungs of 60 adult male Wistar rats. SDS-PAGE of blood sera showed three protein bands corresponding to 29, 28, and 21 kDa. Mass spectroscopy was used to identify these three bands. The upper and middle protein bands showed homology to carbonic anhydrase 2 (CA II), whereas the lower protein band showed homology with peroxiredoxin 2. We found that exposure to MTBE resulted in histopathological alterations in the trachea and the lungs. The histological anomalies of trachea and lung showed that the lumen of trachea, bronchi, and air alveoli packed with free and necrotic epithelial cells (epithelialization). The tracheal lamina propria of lung demonstrated aggregation of lymphoid cells, lymphoid hyperplasia, hemorrhage, adenomas, fibroid degeneration, steatosis, foam cells, severe inflammatory cells with monocytic infiltration, edema, hemorrhage. Occluded, congested, and hypertrophied lung arteries in addition, degenerated thyroid follicles, were observed. The hyaline cartilage displayed degeneration, deformation, and abnormal protrusion. In conclusion, our results suggest that inhalation of very low concentrations of the gasoline additive MTBE could induce an increase in protein levels and resulted in histopathological alterations of the trachea and the lungs.

Novel fabrication of gelatin-encapsulated copper nanoparticles using Aspergillus versicolor and their application in controlling of rotting plant pathogens.

The fabrication of copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) with smallest size and more stability, with potential effects in plant disease management, may need a modified protocol for green synthesis. In this study, we could biosynthesize stable CuNPs extracellularly by an eco-friendly route using A. versicolor. The biosynthesis of nanoparticles was confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) techniques. CuNPs have a size range of 23-82 nm with round to polygonal shape. Antifungal study showed that CuNPs have potential antifungal activity against rotting plant pathogens, where 3.2 and 2.8 µg ml-1 of nanoparticle solution totally inhibited the growth of both Fusarium oxysporum and Phytophthora parasitica, respectively. Damaged hyphae with limited deformed spores were detected through scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis after the treatment of both pathogens with CuNPs. Between all tested polymers, gelatin-encapsulated nanoparticles were characterized 'by their smallest size, 7-33 nm, and regular spherical shape at all experimental conditions. After 6 months of storage, gelatin-CuNPs maintained full nanoscale and antifungal properties compared with uncoated particles which lost these properties after only 1 month. It is concluded that CuNPs can be biosynthesized by an eco-friendly cheap method using A. versicolor and can be preserved stably for a long time with the smallest size and full antifungal activity by their encapsulation with gelatin as a natural polymer. These nanoparticles can be used safely in the management of plant rotting fungi.