Study on development and tissue permeation of different formulations of Fasudil.

OBJECTIVE: The study is intended to formulate Fasudil loaded vesicular system for application in the management of angina. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fasudil was made into a complex with phospholipid, and other different formulations were made, including Fasudil solution, liposomal form, and Fasudil loaded into the gel. A drug characterization study was conducted and noted. Drug release was quantified and analyzed and, finally, inoculated in Sprague-Dawley rats. These rats underwent anginal induction, and each formulation's effect on angina was evaluated. RESULTS: Drug solution (F-Phos) and F-Phos-Lipo (liposomal dispersion form of the drug) have shown that more than half percent of them have been released within 1.5 hours, and the rapid release occurred from liposomal dispersion in the first hour. The study determined the viscosity of the different formulations, which was significantly (p<0.05) higher than the theoretical sum of the viscosity of each formulation. The study found that the F-Phos-Lipo+P-407HMS formulation is the most effective as its application has the minimum infarct area percentage compared to the other formulations and can also reduce creatine kinase levels significantly as compared to the different formulations (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The study concluded that the typical gel formulation (liposomal Fasudil dispersed in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose solution, which is added to blank poloxamer 407) had been shown to have significantly anti-anginal properties, including easy administration, its application on the infarct area percentage and subsequently its pharmacological effect on the cardiac tissue.

Valorification of Egyptian volcanic tuff as eco-sustainable blended cementitious materials.

Rhyolite rocks extend from southern Egypt to northern Egypt in the Eastern Desert, and no effective economic exploitation of them has been discovered so far. The pozzolanic activities of different volcanic tuffs (VT) supplied from the Eastern Desert located in Egypt have been investigated as natural volcanic pozzolan materials to develop new green cementitious materials for achieving sustainability goals in the construction field. Experimentally in this paper, the pozzolanic activities of seven diverse specimens of Egyptian tuffs taken with standardized proportions of 75:25% (Cement: volcanic tuffs) were investigated. Pozzolanic features of such tuffs are examined comparatively via strength activity index (SAI), TGA, DTA, and the Frattini's test. Chemical composition, petrographic, and XRD analysis were also performed for tuffs samples. The pozzolanic reaction degrees were determined according to the compressive strengths at 7, 28, 60 and 90 days with different replacement ratios (20, 25, 30 and 40%) of tuffs samples. Additionally, the micro-filler effects in mortar and concrete were determined by measuring the heat of hydration in mortar samples and the compressive strength of concrete with different additive ratios for tuffs samples besides, the concrete slump test. The results show that TF6 gives a lower cement heat of hydration value which is less than 270 J/g at 7 days. Also, its performance in concrete is better than silica fume at late strength (28 days) since the concrete index value is 106.2% by compared to the concrete index of silica fume 103.9 and therefore it can be used as an alternative to high price and quality variable silica fume (SF) for producing high-performance green concrete. Due to the good pozzolanic behavior proved by nearly most volcanic tuffs, along with their low cost, this study will be profitable for very auspicious the use of Egyptian volcanic tuffs for developing sustainable and eco­friendly blended cement.

Mechanical performance and thermal stability of hardened Portland cement-recycled sludge pastes containing MnFe2O4 nanoparticles.

This study focused on investigating the possibility of using different ratios (5, 10, 15 mass%) of recycled alum sludge (RAS) as partial replacement of ordinary Portland cement (OPC), to contribute to solving the problems encountered by cement production as well as stockpiling of large quantities of water-treated sludge waste. MnFe2O4 spinel nanoparticles (NMFs) were used to elaborate the mechanical characteristics and durability of different OPC-RAS blends. The outcomes of compressive strength, bulk density, water absorption, and stability against firing tests fastened the suitability of utilization of RAS waste for replacing OPC (maximum limit 10%). The inclusion of different doses of NMFs nanoparticles (0.5, 1 and 2 mass %) within OPC-RAS pastes, motivates the configuration of hardened nanocomposites with improved physico-mechanical characteristics and stability against firing. Composite made from 90% OPC-10% RAS-0.5% NMFs presented the best characteristics and consider the optimal choice for general construction applications. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) techniques. affirmed the positive impact of NMFs particles, as they demonstrated the formation of enormous phases as ilvaite (CFSH), calcium silicate hydrates (CSHs), MnCSH, Nchwaningite [Mn2 SiO3(OH)2 H2O], [(Mn, Ca) Mn4O9⋅3H2O], calcium aluminosilicate hydrates (CASH), Glaucochroite [(Ca, Mn)2SiO4, and calcium ferrite hydrate (CFH). These hydrates boosted the robustness and degradation resistance of the hardened nanocomposites upon firing.

Significance of Orlistat in management of dyslipidemia, systolic blood pressure and body mass index.

OBJECTIVE: The current study intends to find out the efficacy of Orlistat in the management of hyperlipidemia, Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and Body Mass Index (BMI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study has evaluated the lipid profiles of the patients, who have been using metformin therapy for Type 2 diabetes. The study has obtained data regarding the parameters like triglyceride, Total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and LDL/HDL ratio, systolic blood pressure and Body Mass Index (BMI). Random distribution of patients was done into placebo and Orlistat groups. The placebo group received only metformin, and patients in the Orlistat group received Orlistat along with metformin. After 24 weeks, the follow-up study was done, and statistical analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The study found that the Orlistat group has significant improvement (p<0.05) more improvement in LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, Total cholesterol, LDL/HDL Ratio and Triglycerides, while BMI and systolic blood pressure did not show a significant difference between placebo and Orlistat group. CONCLUSIONS: This study has concluded that Orlistat can be used for significant improvement in lipid profile. The study also found that Orlistat may not have a significant effect on reducing BMI and blood pressure without adequate lifestyle modification.

Cost-effective and green additives of pozzolanic material derived from the waste of alum sludge for successful replacement of portland cement.

The major objective of this study was to examine the viability of using 5, 10, or 15 mass% of Activated Alum Sludge waste (AAS) instead of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) as a pozzolanic ingredient in concrete. This fundamental inquiry framed the investigation and OPC-AAS-hardened composites were studied to see whether they may benefit from inexpensive nanocomposites in terms of improved physical properties, mechanical strength, and resistance to heat and flame. The investigation set out to see how inexpensive nanocomposite might be put to use and the nanoparticles of CuFe2O4 spinel with an average size of less than 50 nm were successfully manufactured. Many different OPC-AAS-hardened composites benefit from the addition of CuFe2O4 spinel, which increases the composites' resistance to fire and enhances their physicomechanical properties at roughly average curing ages. Synthesized CuFe2O4 spinel was shown to have desirable characteristics by TGA/DTG and XRD. By using these methods, we were able to identify a broad variety of hydration yields, including C-S-Hs, C-A-S-Hs, C-F-S-Hs, and Cu-S-Hs, that enhance the physicomechanical properties and thermal resistivity of OPC-AAS-hardened composites as a whole. The composite material comprising 90% OPC, 10% AAS waste, and 2% CuFe2O4 has several positive economic and environmental outcomes.

Prevalence of cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis in obese population of Hail region, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyze if there was a link between chronic diseases, like cardiovascular disease (CVD) and osteoarthritis (OA), and obesity in the population of Saudi Arabia's Hail region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted over 12 months using an observational cross-sectional survey on 172 patients from five clinics in Hail, Saudi Arabia. A total of 172 individuals with obesity (BMI ≥ 30) finally participated in this research. The study evaluated sociodemographic variables via an electronic questionnaire with voluntary participation. RESULTS: The study found a 76% prevalence of joint pain and 77.9% prevalence of cardiovascular abnormalities. Patients with CVD were older (58±23 vs. 56±12 years) than those with OA. CVD cases were found in 42 (31.3%) males and 92 (68.7%) females, whereas OA cases were recognized in 24 (18.5%) males and 106 (81.5%) females. The occurrence of various CVDs among our participants was 43 (32%) for high cholesterol, 64 (48%) for hypertension, and 27 for both high cholesterol and hypertension (20%). Definite osteophytes were found in 28 of 24 male knees (14 right and 14 left knees) and 175 of 106 female knees (88 right knees and 87 left knees). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of obesity in the Hail region has continued to be a risk factor for CVD and OA in 2019 and 2020. The Saudi population has shown a higher prevalence of radiographic evidence of OA of the knee and associated symptoms than western civilizations, and preventive interventions are desperately needed in order to minimize overweight and obesity.

Impact on plant productivity under low-fertility sandy soil in arid environment by revitalization of lentil roots.

Lentil is one of the essential legume crops, which provides protein for humans and animals. This legume can improve soil fertility through nitrogen fixation, which is imperative in low-fertility soils. The growth and productivity of lentil could be enhanced through improving nutrition and root revitalization. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess the impact of root activator (RA) and phosphorus (P) application on morphological, physiological, agronomic, and quality traits of lentil under newly reclaimed low-fertility sandy soil in an arid environment. The RA was applied at four levels of 0 (RA0-untreated control), 1.25 (RA1), 2.5 (RA2), and 3.75 (RA3) l ha-1. RA contained 9% potassium humate, 1,600 ppm indole butyric acid, 200 ppm gibberellic acid, and 200 ppm naphthalene acetic acid. The recommended rate of phosphorus (P) fertilization in the newly reclaimed low-fertility sandy soil (75 kg P2O5 ha-1) was applied, and its amount was increased and decreased by 25 kg P2O5 ha-1 vs. non-added control. Thus, P rates were applied at four rates 0 (P0; control), 50 (P1), 75 (P2), and 100 (P3) kg phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) ha-1. Our results revealed that treated lentil plants with the high levels of both treatments (RA3 and P3) exhibited superiority in root measurements (root length, total number of nodules plant-1, number of active nodules plant-1, dry weights of active nodules, and total root), nitrogenase activity, chlorophyll a and b, carotenoids, yield traits, and seed proteins and carbohydrates. However, the recommended P level (75 kg P2O5 ha-1, P2) under the high level of RA (3.75 l ha-1, RA3) displayed non-significant differences in yield traits (plant height, 1,000-seed weight, seed yield ha-1) and quality traits (protein and carbohydrate) with the high P level (100 kg P2O5 ha-1, P3). Accordingly, its recommended economically and environmentally to use this coapplication of RA3 and P3 in low-fertility soil for better lentil growth, and seed yield and quality.

Consecutive seasonal effect on yield and water productivity of drip deficit irrigated sorghum in saline soils.

Drought stress destructively affects the growth and productivity of sorghum crop, especially under saline soils. Therefore, Field trials were performed to determine the influence of water stress on water productivity (water productivity for grain, (G-WP) and water productivity for forage, (F-WP), yield of sorghum and soil properties in salt-affected soil (8.20 dS m-1) under different sowing dates and irrigation regimes. The summer sowing (SS) was performed on 1 April while fall sowing (FS) was established on 2 August. The irrigation regimes were; 100, 90, 80, and 70% of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). The findings displayed that the fodder and grain yields were increased by 23% and 26% under SS compared to FS over the two seasons 2017 and 2018, respectively. Among irrigation levels, the maximum values of grain and fodder yield were given by 100% of ETc, while a non-significant difference was observed between 100% and 90% of ETc. Moreover, the maximum values of G-WP (1.31%) and F-WP (9.00%) were recorded for 90% of ETc. Interestingly, the soil salinity was decreased in 0-0.6 m depth, and more decline was noted in 0-0.2 m depth using 90% of ETc. The highest salt accumulation withinside the soil profile was recorded under 70% of ETc in comparison to 100% of ETc. Thereupon, under water scarcity, application of 90% of ETc is recommended with SS to save 10% of the applied irrigation water without a significant decrease in grain yield (GY).

Geopolymer concrete as green building materials: Recent applications, sustainable development and circular economy potentials.

Environmental degradation and increased greenhouse gas emissions force communities to achieve sustainable green building and construction materials. The environmental and financial aspects of sustainable development and circular economy strongly depend on the recycling of wastes into new products. Geopolymers gained increasing attention because of their eco-friendly and superior mechanical characteristics and their ability to utilize numerous wastes as precursors. Although there are numerous studies on geopolymer, little attention was focused on geopolymer concrete (GeoC). Hence, This review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews (PRISMA) investigated in detail GeoC. The first part of this study explores the recent synthesis processes, different precursors, and applications of geopolymer concrete (GeoC) in numerous sectors as well as the mechanical, microstructural, and physical related characteristics of GeoC developed from various wastes. The second part discusses in detail the contributions of GeoC to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) stated by the United Nations. The last part discusses the implementation of different wastes to develop GeoC-based circular economy to provide recommendations and prospects for GeoC science and technology. An eco-friendly, sustainable, structurally sound GeoC matrixes can be developed from numerous industrial, municipal, and agricultural wastes. Such GeoC is a good candidate to traditional concrete and some other building materials. GeoC is strongly contribute into 12 SDGs of the main 17 SDGs. Optimizing the elements of GeoC would decrease its cost and thus promote a green circular economy.

Sequential Antioxidants Foliar Application Can Alleviate Negative Consequences of Salinity Stress in Vicia faba L.

Salinity is one of the most limiting abiotic stresses in agricultural productivity. Exogenously applied antioxidants successfully enabled salt-stressed plants to cope with stress. Two-season field experiments were conducted consecutively in 2016/17 and 2017/18 to study the effects of foliar applications of singular (ascorbate, AsA; proline, Pro; and glutathione, GSH) or sequential (AsA-Pro-GSH and GSH-Pro-AsA) antioxidants on growth, yield, physio-biochemical attributes, and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidative defense system of Vicia faba L. (CV. Sakha-1) plants grown under saline soil conditions (EC = 4.53 dS m-1). Under soil salinity conditions, AsA, Pro, or GSH-Pro-ASA improved growth and productivity, photosynthesis efficiency, stomatal conductance (gs), plant water status, as well as enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. However, sequential AsA-Pro-GSH foliar application followed by singular GSH significantly exceeded all other treatments (i.e., AsA, Pro, and GSH-Pro-AsA), improving growth characteristics (shoot length, shoot fresh and dry weights, and leaves area), photosynthesis efficiency, stomatal conductance, plant water status, and yield and its components (green pods weight/plant-1, green pods yield/hectare-1, and seed yield/hectare-1), as well as enzymatic (ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione reductase) and non-enzymatic (AsA, GSH, Pro, phenolic aglycone, phenolic glycosides) antioxidants compared to control. Overall, our results clearly demonstrate that sequential AsA-Pro-GSH foliar application has a positive effect on salt-stressed Vicia faba plants.

Pattern & presentation of colorectal cancer in central Sudan, a retrospective descriptive study, 2010-2012.

AIMS & OBJECTIVE: To determine the age and gender distribution and clinical presentation of patients together with histological types of colorectal cancer cases presented to Ibn Sina specialized hospital. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in Ibn Sina Hospital (Sudan). Seventy three (73) patients of colorectal cancer who presented in the period from January 2010 to December 2012 were included. Data were collected from their hospital records and analyzed using SPSS computer program 17. RESULTS: More than 17 % of the study populations was below the age of 40 years, and 43.84% was below 50 years. The male to female ratio was 1:1.02. Rectal bleeding is the commonest presenting symptom and well differentiated adenocarcinoma is the dominating tumor grade. 8.3 % of patients presented with liver metastasis. CONCLUSION: Colorectal cancer in this study was found more in young age groups with a peak frequency at the fifth and sixth decades.

Erectile function in men with diabetes type 2: correlation with glycemic control.

Men with diabetes have an increased risk for erectile dysfunction (ED) than those without diabetes. The diabetes control and complications trial clearly showed that better long-term control of blood glucose in diabetes type 1 is associated with decreased frequency and delayed the onset of microvascular complications. The aim of this study is to explore the role of glycemic control, and its correlation to sexual function in patients with diabetes type 2. One hundred patients were selected for the study according to the following criteria: all the cases were presenting with diabetes type 2 as a single risk factor for ED, age being between 35 and 50 years and free of liver and kidney failure, and blood dyscrasis. The selected patients were evaluated for sexual function by asking the patients to complete the abridged form of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). The evaluation of glycemic control was based on the measurement of hemoglobin A(1c) (HbA(1c)) values. Our results showed that the level of HbA(1c) is significantly higher with declining degrees of potency (P-value=0.003). Also, there is an association between potency degree and glycemic control (P=0.002). We conclude that glycemic control is independently and inversely associated with ED in men with diabetes type 2.

Absorption of schiff-base retinal chromophores in vacuo.

The absorption spectrum of the all-trans retinal chromophore in the protonated Schiff-base form, that is, the biologically relevant form, has been measured in vacuo, and a maximum is found at 610 nm. The absorption of retinal proteins has hitherto been compared to that of protonated retinal in methanol, where the absorption maximum is at 440 nm. In contrast, the new gas-phase absorption data constitute a well-defined reference for spectral tuning in rhodopsins in an environment devoid of charges and dipoles. They replace the misleading comparison with absorption properties in solvents and lay the basis for reconsidering the molecular mechanisms of color tuning in the large family of retinal proteins. Indeed, our measurement directly shows that protein environments in rhodopsins are blue- rather than red shifting the absorption. The absorption of a retinal model chromophore with a neutral Schiff base is also studied. The data explain the significant blue shift that occurs when metharhodopsin I becomes deprotonated as well as the purple-to-blue transition of bacteriorhodopsin upon acidification.

High-mobility group proteins 14 and 17 maintain the timing of early embryonic development in the mouse.

The high-mobility group (HMG) proteins 14 and 17 are abundant chromosomal proteins that bind to nucleosomes and enhance transcription. We report that both mRNA species and both proteins are present throughout oogenesis and preimplantation development of the mouse. When antisense oligonucleotides targeting each mRNA species are injected into one-cell embryos, the proteins become depleted at the two- and four-cell stages and reaccumulate at the eight-cell stage. One-cell embryos injected with antisense oligonucleotides targeting both HMG-14 and HMG-17 cleave to the two-cell stage. Subsequent cleavages, however, are delayed compared with control-injected embryos. Nevertheless, these embryos ultimately reach the blastocyst stage. Similarly, injection into the nuclei of two-cell embryos of a peptide corresponding to the common nucleosome-binding domain of HMG-14 and HMG-17 delays progression to the four-cell stage. Furthermore, both RNA and protein synthesis is transiently reduced in antisense-injected embryos compared with injected controls. These results identify HMG-14 and HMG-17 as constitutive components of mouse oocyte and embryonic chromatin and establish a link between the structure of embryonic chromatin and the normal progression of embryonic development.

Linker histone transitions during mammalian oogenesis and embryogenesis.

A unique characteristic of the oocyte is that, although it is a differentiated cell, it can to give rise to a population of undifferentiated embryonic cells. This transition from a differentiated to a totipotential condition is thought to be mediated in part by changes in chromatin composition or configuration. In many non-mammalian organisms, oocytes contain unique subtypes of the linker histone H1, which are replaced in early embryos by the so-called somatic histone H1 subtypes. We review evidence that such histone H1 subtype switches also occur in mammals. Immunologically detectable somatic H1 is present in mitotically proliferating oogonia but gradually becomes undetectable after the oocytes enter meiosis. Immunoreactive somatic H1 remains undetectable throughout oogenesis and the early cell cycles after fertilization. Following activation of the embryonic genome, it is assembled onto chromatin. In contrast to the absence of immunoreactive protein, mRNAs encoding each of the five mammalian somatic H1 subtypes are present in growing oocytes and newly fertilized embryos, indicating that post-transcriptional mechanisms regulate expression of these genes. This maternal mRNA is degraded at the late 2-cell stage, and embryonically encoded mRNAs accumulate after embryos reach the 4-cell stage. During the period when somatic H1 is not detectable, oocytes and embryos contain mRNA encoding a sixth subtype, histone H1(0) which accumulates in differentiated somatic cells, and the nuclei can be stained with an H1(0)-specific antibody. We propose that the linker histone composition of the oocyte lineage resembles that of other mammalian cells, namely, that the somatic H1 subtypes predominate in mitotically active oogonia, that histone H1(0) becomes prominent in differentiated oocytes, and that following fertilization and transcriptional activation of the embryonic somatic H1 genes, the somatic H1 subtypes are reassembled onto chromatin of the embryonic cells. Potential functions of these linker histone subtype switches are discussed, including stabilization by H1(0) of the differentiated state of the oocytes, protection of the oocyte chromatin from factors that remodel sperm chromatin after fertilization, and restoration by the incorporation of the somatic H1 subtypes of the totipotential state of embryonic nuclei.

Detection of rectal antibodies to HIV-1 by a sensitive chemiluminescent western blot immunodetection method.

Western blot with a time-dependent enhanced chemiluminescence immunodetection method (ECL-WB) was shown to be 100-fold more sensitive than standard commercial colorimetric Western blots (WB) for detecting serum IgG to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). ECL-WB was then used to test rectal secretions from 15 HIV-1 infected subjects (HIV+) and 7 uninfected subjects (HIV-) to document local IgG, IgA, and secretory component-associated immunoglobulin (SC-Ig) to HIV-1 proteins. Fourteen of 15 HIV+ subjects had rectal IgA to at least 1 HIV-1 protein, most often to gp41 (80%) or p24 (60%) and 14 (93%) had IgG to gp160, gp120, or gp41. Of seven HIV- subjects, none had detectable bands to HIV-1 proteins. SC-Ig to HIV-1 proteins was detected in all five rectal samples tested. However, the antibody profiles differed from those of rectal IgA, suggesting more than one source of rectal IgA to HIV. ECL-WB requires individual optimization and interpretation for each specimen as well as expensive reagents and is, therefore, not currently applicable to screening assays. However, the method offers promise as a sensitive method to characterize low-level immune responses (IgG, IgA, and SC-Ig) to HIV-1 proteins at local sites such as rectal mucosae.