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Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with a high incidence rate. It is characterized by deficits in communication, a lack of social skills, cognitive inflexibility, and stereotypical behaviors. Autism has been gradually increasing in children over the past several years, without the existence of an effective treatment. BTBR T+ Itpr3tf/J (BTBR) mice serve as an accepted model to evaluate autistic-like behaviors as they display core behavioral symptoms displayed in autism. Previous findings showed that S3I-201, a selective Stat3 inhibitor, can be used to treat neuroinflammation disorders. Previously, we showed that S3I-201 treatment has therapeutic effects on autism-like behaviors, and Th1/Th17 and regulatory T cells in BTBR mice. The objective of the present study was to further explore the role of S3I-201 in BTBR mice, and this was performed by investigating the effects of S3I-201 treatment on lymphocyte activation markers (CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD69+), chemokine receptors (CD4+CCR6+, CD4+CCR7+, CD4+CXCR4+, and CD4+CXCR5+), and proinflammatory cytokines (CD4+IL-6+ and CD4+TNF-α+) in the spleen cells of BTBR and C57BL/6 (C57) mice. The mRNA and protein expression levels of CD69, CCR6, CCR7, CXCR4, CXCR5, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α were examined in the brain tissues, and in BTBR mice, a significant decrease in CD25, CD69, CCR6, CCR7, CXCR4, CXCR5, IL-6, and TNF-α producing CD4+ T cells was observed. The present findings suggest that treatment with S3I-201 may be a therapeutic approach to improve immune abnormalities in a subgroup of autistic subjects.

Angiotensin (Ang) III, a biologically active peptide of the renin angiotensin system (RAS) is predominantly known for its central effects on blood pressure. Our understanding of the RAS has evolved from the simplified, classical RAS, a hormonal system regulating blood pressure to a complex system affecting numerous biological processes. Ang II, the main RAS peptide has been widely studied, and its deleterious effects when overexpressed is well-documented. However, other components of the RAS such as Ang III are not well studied. This review examines the molecular and biological actions of Ang III and provides insight into Ang III's potential role in metabolic diseases.

In this research paper, a highly sensitive and selective molecular imprinted polymeric network (MIP) based electrochemical sensor was developed for the determination of histamine (HIS). The functional monomer (pyrrole) was electro-polymerized over the surface of AuNPs functionalized Fe-metal organic framework (Fe-BDC) and nitrogen-sulfur co-doped graphene quantum dots (N, S-GQDs). The MIP-Au@Fe-BDC/ N, S-GQDs /GCE exhibited an observable peak at −0.12 V, which corresponds to the anodic peak of Fe-BDC. This peak was increased and decreased by eluting and rebinding of HIS, respectively. This might be due to the binding constant between Fe-BDC and HIS is 3.5 × 106 mol−1 L. The electrochemical signal (Δi) was increased with the increase of HIS concentration in the range of 0.078–250 nM with a limit of detection (LOD, S/N = 3) of 0.026 nM. The combination of N, S-GQDs and Au@Fe-BDC improves the conductivity and the anchoring sites for binding the polymer film on the surface of the modified electrode. Factors affecting fabrication of MIP and HIS determination were optimized using standard orthogonal design using L25 (56) matrix. The MIP-based electrochemical sensor offered outstanding sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility, and stability. The proposed electrode was used to quantify HIS in human serum and canned tuna fish samples with recoveries % and relative standard of deviations % (RSDs %) in the range of 97.2–103 % and 1.8–3.8%, respectively. The as-synthesized MIP-based electrochemical sensor opens a new venue for the fabrication of MIP-based sensors and biosensors.

Herein, poly (dopamine- Cr3+) nanocubes functionalized reduced graphene oxide ((poly (DAQ-Cr3+) @ rGO)) nanohybrid was proposed for electrochemical determination of flibanserin (FLBN). The poly (DAQ-Cr3+) and poly (DAQ-Cr3+)@ rGO nanohybrids were characterized via different morphological and spectroscopic techniques such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The modified electrode exhibited high electro- catalytic activity towards the electrochemical oxidation of FLBN in phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 6.0). Using DPV technique, the anodic oxidation peak current (Ipa) was increased with the increase of FLBN concentration in the range of 0.05–25.0 × 10−7 M with LOD of 0.016 × 10−7 M. Moreover, the poly (DAQ-Cr3+) @ rGO/GCE was successfully applied for analysis of FLBN in human plasma and urine samples.

The aim of this study was to develop a novel self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) of brigatinib, a poorly soluble anticancer drug, so as to improve its solubility, in vitro release, ex-vivo permeation and anticancer activity. Components of SNEDDS were screened on the basis of maximum solubility of brigatinib. Oleic acid, Tween 20 & diethylene glycol monoethylether were selected as oil phase, emulsifier and co-solvent respectively. Various brigatinib-SNEDDS were developed by spontaneous, low energy, simple mixing method. Developed SNEDDS were optimized on the basis of self-emulsifying capacity, globule size, size distribution, thermodynamic stability and capacity to solubilize maximum amount of brigatinib. The optimized SNEDDS was characterized for physicochemical evaluations such as viscosity, conductivity, pH and refractive index in addition to morphological evaluation of globule size and shape by transmission electron microscopy. The optimized SNEDDS exhibited approximately 205-fold enhancement in the saturation solubility of the brigatinib that resulted in improved in vitro release of drug from SNEDDS as compared to pure drug (P

This paper investigates IPO performance in the wealthy economies of the Gulf countries using restricted access data from regularity bodies. Contrary to asymmetric information theories, we find that IPO performance relies crucially on the unique institutional framework adopted by regulators. We also find that governance regulation in economies with weak regulation tends to provide better protection for investors in IPO markets. Finally, we find that underpricing is more severe when foreign investors are banned from sharing IPOs.

This paper constructs a Corporate Governance Index, CGI for all Saudi listed firms in Tadawul, 2016. Based on Four Corporate Governance categories: the board of directors; the shareholders’ rights and general assembly; the public disclosure and transparency; and stakeholders, we find that the cumulative corporate governance score for Saudi listed firms ranges from 45 to 91 points out of 100. The mean value was 67 points for all firms with a standard deviation of 8%. This indicates that Saudi firms vary significantly in corporate governance practices. Investigating the four categories separately show that Saudi companies are doing well in general in the board of directors and shareholders as compared with public disclosure and stakeholders’ categories.

IPO issuers in the GCC do not underprice shares deliberately. Yet, the region has one of the largest underpricing in the world, at 227.4 %. This casts doubt on the long-held belief that money is not being deliberately left on the table. This paper examines the shortand long-run performance of 139 IPOs that went public in the GCC between 2003 and 2010. The results indicate that neither asymmetric nor symmetric information theories can explain the underpricing in the region. Instead, underpricing in this marketplace mainly results from the unique institutional framework adopted by regulators.

This paper fulfills a great need for empirical evidence on the impacts of the supply, demand and allocation of shares on the underpricing of initial public offerings (IPOs). Exploiting a unique dataset and the institutional framework of Saudi Arabian IPOs, we construct a simultaneous equations model of supply and demand. Our evidence indicates that both curves of the market listing day supply and demand of IPOs are significantly negatively sloped with the supply curve being much steeper and above the demand curve. This is consistent with the idea that subscribers “flip” in IPOs immediately on the listing day to capture instantaneous profits. The excess demand that occurs during the subscription period becomes excess supply once the shares start floating on the listing day. Our study is the first move towards addressing the underpricing puzzle in a supply and demand context.

Purpose - The main objective of the paper is to examine the performance of Saudi Arabian firms’ performance as they make the transition from private ownership into public ownership.Design/ Methodology/ Approach - A sample of 13 Saudi IPOs performance is investigated. We use a data envelopment analysis DEA method to construct the Malmquist productivity and efficiency indices.Findings - We have found that Saudi IPOs exhibit a significant decline in the productivity after the IPO as compared to the pre-IPO level.Originality/ Value - The paper is the first to provide assessment for the clustering IPOs that occurred in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in recent years.