Phytochemical Investigation of Three Cystoseira Species and Their Larvicidal Activity Supported with In Silico Studies.

Culex pipiens mosquitoes are transmitters of many viruses and are associated with the transmission of many diseases, such as filariasis and avian malaria, that have a high rate of mortality. The current study draws attention to the larvicidal efficacy of three methanolic algal extracts, Cystoseira myrica, C. trinodis, and C. tamariscifolia, against the third larval instar of Cx. pipiens. The UPLC-ESI-MS analysis of three methanol fractions of algal samples led to the tentative characterization of twelve compounds with different percentages among the three samples belonging to phenolics and terpenoids. Probit analysis was used to calculate the lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC90). The highest level of toxicity was attained after treatment with C. myrica extract using a lethal concentration 50 (LC50) of 105.06 ppm, followed by C. trinodis (135.08 ppm), and the lowest level of toxicity was achieved by C. tamariscifolia (138.71 ppm) after 24 h. The elevation of glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and reduction of acetylcholine esterase (AChE) enzymes confirm the larvicidal activity of the three algal extracts. When compared to untreated larvae, all evaluated extracts revealed a significant reduction in protein, lipid, and carbohydrate contents, verifying their larvicidal effectiveness. To further support the observed activity, an in silico study for the identified compounds was carried out on the two tested enzymes. Results showed that the identified compounds and the tested enzymes had excellent binding affinities for each other. Overall, the current work suggests that the three algal extractions are a prospective source for the development of innovative, environmentally friendly larvicides.

The Antibacterial Activity of Egyptian Wasp Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles against Important Antibiotic-Resistant Pathogens.

The current work discusses the production and characterization of new biodegradable nanoparticles for biomedical applications based on insect chitosan. Chitosan has numerous features due to the presence of primary amine groups in repeating units, such as antibacterial and anticancer activities. When polyanion tripolyphosphate is added to chitosan, it creates nanoparticles with higher antibacterial activity than the original chitosan. In this study, the ionic gelation technique was used to make wasp chitosan nanoparticles (WCSNPs) in which TEM and FTIR were used to investigate the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles. In addition, the antibacterial activities of chitosan nanoparticles against extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were evaluated. The extracted wasp chitosan exhibited high solubility in acetic acid and met all standard criteria of all characterization testes for nanoparticles; the zeta potential indicated stable WCSNPs capable of binding to cellular membrane and increasing the cellular uptake. The produced WCSNPs showed growth inhibition activity against all tested strains, and the bacterial count was lower than the initial count. The inhibition percent of WCSNPs showed that the lowest concentration of WCSNPs was found to be effective against tested strains. WCSNPs' antibacterial activity implies that they could be used as novel, highly effective antibacterial agents in a variety of biological applications requiring antibacterial characteristics.

X-ray Fluorescence Uptake Measurement of Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles in Tumor Cell Microsamples.

Quantitative cellular in vitro nanoparticle uptake measurements are possible with a large number of different techniques, however, all have their respective restrictions. Here, we demonstrate the application of synchrotron-based X-ray fluorescence imaging (XFI) on prostate tumor cells, which have internalized differently functionalized gold nanoparticles. Total nanoparticle uptake on the order of a few hundred picograms could be conveniently observed with microsamples consisting of only a few hundreds of cells. A comparison with mass spectroscopy quantification is provided, experimental results are both supported and sensitivity limits of this XFI approach extrapolated by Monte-Carlo simulations, yielding a minimum detectable nanoparticle mass of just 5 pg. This study demonstrates the high sensitivity level of XFI, allowing non-destructive uptake measurements with very small microsamples within just seconds of irradiation time.

Study of C677T variant of methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase gene in autistic spectrum disorder Egyptian children.

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disease, various articles reported that dysfunctional folate-methionine pathway enzymes might assume a paramount part in the pathophysiology of autism. Methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a basic catalyst for this pathway, also MTHFR gene C677T variant accounted as a risk factor of autism. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to investigate the association of MTHFR gene rs1801133(C677T) variant among Egyptian autistic children. METHODS: The study included 78 autistic children, and 80 matched healthy control children. Full clinical and radiological examinations were conducted. MTHFR genetic variant, rs1801133(C677T) was studied by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods followed by direct sequencing technique. RESULTS: MTHFR (C677T) allele frequency was found to be higher significantly in ASD cases compared with nonautistic children. Also, we had a higher distribution of combined CT + TT genotypes among autistic patients with consanguinity and family history of psychological disease. In Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and sleep disorders showed a higher distribution of hetero CT genotype as well as combined CT + TT genotypes. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated a role of MTHFR gene (C667T) variant with the increased risk for ASD.

Investigation of the performance of a horizontal-axis dual rotor wind turbine.

Recent years have seen a rise in interest in wind energy as a useful alternative to harmful energies like fossil fuels. The dual rotor wind turbine (DRWT) offers more rapid rates of wind energy extraction. The current study intends to compare the performance of the turbine with and without the addition of a second rotor. Additionally, it examines how tip speed ratio and phase shift angle will affect DRWT performance. Realizable k-shear stress transport turbulence models are used to solve the three-dimensional, turbulent, stable, and incompressible flow equations for the performance of dual-rotor wind turbines. Domain-independence tests and an impartial mesh test are run to assess the results and ensure their accuracy. The researcher relies on previous studies while constructing the single rotor wind turbine model. This model uses an S826 airfoil. The front and rear rotors are given streamlined representations using ANSYS, according to the researcher. The independent mesh test indicates that the mesh density has 11.5 million elements. The experiment's results show that the DRWT has a significant effect on the efficiency of wind energy.

Fractional dependence of the free energy of activation on the driving force of charge transfer in the quenching of the excited states of substituted phenanthroline homoleptic ruthenium(ii) complexes in aqueous medium.

The photophysical characteristics of some homoleptic ruthenium(ii) phenanthroline derivatives are investigated in aqueous medium. The lifetimes of the excited 3MLCT state of the studied complexes were found to be very sensitive to the type of the substituents on the phenanthroline ligand and were found to increase from about 0.96 µs in case of the parent [Ru(Phen)3]2+ complex to 2.97 µs in case of [Ru(DPPhen)3]2+. The transient absorption spectra of the current set of complexes were studied also in aqueous medium. Quenching of the excited 3MLCT states of the studied complexes by molecular oxygen were studied and quenching rate constants were found to be in the range 1.02-4.83 × 109 M-1 s-1. Values of singlet oxygen quantum yields were found to be in the range 0.01 to 0.25, and the corresponding efficiencies of singlet oxygen thereby produced, f T Δ, were in the range 0.03-0.52. The mechanism by which the excited 3MLCT state is quenched by oxygen is discussed in light of the spin statistical factor rate constants and the competition between charge transfer and non-charge transfer quenching pathways. The partial charge transfer parameters, p CT, were obtained and found to be about 0.88 for all complexes except for complexes with f T Δ values lower than 0.25. The correlation of the activation free energies ΔG ≠ of the exciplexes formation with the driving force for charge transfer, ΔG CET, gives a charge transfer character of the exciplexes of about 35.0%.

Polymer-Peptide Modified Gold Nanorods to Improve Cell Conjugation and Cell labelling for Stem Cells Photoacoustic Imaging.

The use of gold nanorods (GNRs) as a contrast agent in bioimaging and cell tracking has numerous advantages, primarily due to the unique optical properties of gold nanorods which allow for the use of infrared regions when imaging. Owing to their unique geometry, Au NRs exhibit surface plasmon modes in the near-infrared wavelength range, which is ideal for carrying out optical measurements in biological fluids and tissue. Gold nanorod functionalization is essential, since the Cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide CTAB gold nanorods are toxic, and for further in vitro and in vivo experiments the nanorods should be functionalized to become optically stable and biocompatible. In the present study, gold nanorods with an longitudinal surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) position around 800 nm were synthesized in order to be used for photoacoustic imaging applications for stem cell tracking. The gold nanorods were functionalized using both thiolated poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) to stabilize the gold nanorods surface and a CALNN-TAT peptide sequence. Both ligands were attached to the gold nanorods through an Au-sulfur bond. CALNN-TAT is known as a cell penetrating peptide which ensures endocytosis of the gold nanorods inside the mesenchymal stem cells of mice (MSCD1). Surface modifications of gold nanorods were achieved using optical spectroscopy (UV-VIS), electron microscopy (TEM), zeta-potential, and FTIR. Gold nanorods were incubated in MSCD1 in order to achieve a cellular uptake that was characterized by a transmission electron microscope (TEM). For photoacoustic imaging, Multi-Spectral Optoacoustic Tomography (MSOT) was used. The results demonstrated good cellular uptake for PEG-CALNN-TAT GNRs and the successful use of modified gold nanorods as both a contrast agent in photoacoustic imaging and as a novel tracking bioimaging technique.

Photophysical properties and fluorosolvatochromism of D-π-A thiophene based derivatives.

Solvation-dependent photophysical properties of two push-pull thiophene-based compounds with donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) structures were investigated using absorption, fluorescence emission and time resolved spectroscopy, and supported by different solvation models. Intramolecular charge transfer characteristics of the structurally similar 2-fluoro-4-(5-(4-methoxyphenyl)thiophen-2-yl)benzonitrile (MOT) and 4-(5-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)thiophen-2-yl)-2-fluorobenzonitrile (DMAT) were investigated. Significant enhancement of intramolecular charge transfer strength has been observed through molecular structure modification of the electron donating group from a methoxy to dimethylamine group. Ground state absorption spectra show a small red shift of about 10 nm and 18 nm while the fluorescence emission spectra show a large red shift of about 66 nm and 162 nm on changing from the nonpolar cyclohexane to the aprotic polar DMSO for MOT and DMAT, respectively. Dipole moment change from the ground state to the charge transfer excited state is calculated to be 6.6 D in MOT and 9.0 D in DMAT. The fluorescence quantum yield, fluorescence lifetime and the derived radiative and non-radiative rate constants were found to be better correlated to the emission energy rather than any of the solvent properties. Three multi-parametric relationships were used in the interpretation of the specific versus non-specific solute-solvent interactions, namely, Kamlet-Taft, Catalán and Laurence et al. models. The findings of these approaches are used to extract useful information about different aspects of solvent effects on the photophysical properties of the two studied compounds. Kamlet-Taft solvatochromic model indicates that non-specific interactions are dominant in controlling the photophysical properties. Catalán's solvent dipolarity/polarizability parameter is found to play a significant role in solvatochromic behaviour which is also designated by the Laurence model.

Assessment of Quality of Life of Primary Caregivers of Egyptian Asthmatic Children and Adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Asthma as a serious public health problem worldwide exerts a serious load on children's health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and their families. OBJECTIVE: We assess the HRQOL of the primary caregivers of Egyptian asthmatic children and adolescents and its relation to HRQOL of their children and asthma severity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 128 pairs of asthmatic children (7-16 years) and their primary caregivers. Pediatric asthma quality of life (QOL) questionnaire, pediatric asthma caregiver's QOL questionnaire, and asthma control questionnaire were used. RESULTS: Uncontrolled asthmatic patients had statistically significantly lower mean caregiver score compared to controlled asthmatic (P < 0.005). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between caregiver's individual and overall QOL scores and their children (individual and overall QOL scores) (P < 0.05). A statistically significant negative correlation between asthma severity and QOL scores of the caregivers of asthmatic children and adolescents was found (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The QOL of the primary caregivers of asthmatic children is significantly adversely affected by their children's illness severity.

Singlet Oxygen Generation by Laser Irradiation of Gold Nanoparticles.

The formation of singlet oxygen by irradiation of gold nanoparticles in their plasmon resonance band with continuous or pulsed laser light has been investigated. Citrate-stabilized nanoparticles were found to facilitate the photogeneration of singlet oxygen, albeit with low quantum yield. The reaction caused by pulsed laser irradiation makes use of the equilibrated hot electrons that can reach temperatures of several thousand degrees during the laser pulse. Although less efficient, continuous irradiation, which acts via the short-lived directly excited primary "hot" electrons only, can produce enough singlet oxygen for photodynamic cancer therapy and has significant advantages for practical applications. However, careful design of the nanoparticles is needed, since even a moderately thick capping layer can completely inhibit singlet oxygen formation. Moreover, the efficiency of the process also depends on the nanoparticle size.