Search

Abstract Improving the forecasting accuracy of agricultural commodity prices is critical for many stakeholders namely, farmers, traders, exporters, governments, and all other partners in the price channel, to evade risks and enable appropriate policy interventions. However, the traditional mono-scale smoothing techniques often fail to capture the non-stationary and non-linear features due to their multifarious structure. This study has proposed a CEEMDAN (Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise)-TDNN (Time Delay Neural Network) model for forecasting non-linear, non-stationary agricultural price series. This study has evaluated its suitability in comparison with the other three major EMD (Empirical Mode Decomposition) variants (EMD, Ensemble EMD and Complementary Ensemble EMD) and the benchmark (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average, Non-linear Support Vector Regression, Gradient Boosting Machine, Random Forest and TDNN) models using monthly wholesale prices of major oilseed crops in India. Outcomes from this investigation reflect that the CEEMDAN-TDNN hybrid models have outperformed all other forecasting models on the basis of evaluation metrics under consideration. For the proposed model, an average improvement of RMSE (Root Mean Square Error), Relative RMSE and MAPE (Mean Absolute Percentage Error) values has been observed to be 20.04%, 19.94% and 27.80%, respectively over the other EMD variant-based counterparts and 57.66%, 48.37% and 62.37%, respectively over the other benchmark stochastic and machine learning models. The CEEMD-TDNN and CEEMDAN-TDNN models have demonstrated superior performance in predicting the directional changes of monthly price series compared to other models. Additionally, the accuracy of forecasts generated by all models has been assessed using the Diebold-Mariano test, the Friedman test, and the Taylor diagram. The results confirm that the proposed hybrid model has outperformed the alternative models, providing a distinct advantage.

Abstract The main challenges for utilizing daily evapotranspiration (ET) estimation in the study area revolve around the need for accurate and reliable data inputs, as well as the interpretation of ET dynamics within the context of local agricultural practices and environmental conditions. Factors such as cloud cover, atmospheric aerosols, and variations in land cover pose challenges to the precise estimation of ET from remote sensing data. This research aimed to utilize Landsat 8 and 9 datasets from the 2022–23 period in the Udham Singh Nagar district to apply the modified Priestley-Taylor (MPT) model for estimating ET. An average ET was estimated 1.33, 1.57, 1.70, 2.99, and 3.20 mm day−1 with 0.29, 0.33, 0.41, 0.69, and 1.03 standard deviation for December, January, February, March, and April month, respectively. In the validation phase, a strong correlation was found between the evaporative fraction derived from MPT and that observed by lysimeter, with R2 = 0.71, mean biased error = 0.04 mm day−1, root mean squared error = 0.62 mm day-1 and agreement index of 0.914. These results collectively support the effectiveness of the MPT model in accurately estimating ET across Udham Singh Nagar district. In essence, this research not only confirms the MPT model’s capability in ET estimation but also offers detailed insights into the spatial and temporal fluctuations of energy fluxes and daily ET rates.

Background Immune checkpoints are receptors on the surface of T cells that function crucially in suppressing the immune response, and they are implicated in autoimmunity and cancer diseases.Aim The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of two immune checkpoint molecules, CTLA-4 and TIM-3, and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a Saudi population.Methods Two SNPs in CTLA-4 (rs231775, A > G) and TIM-3 (rs10515746, A > C) were genotyped in 229 subjects, including 98 patients and 131 healthy controls, from the Saudi population using TaqMan assay methods. Differential expression of these two genes was performed using in silico analysis.Results An association was found between polymorphisms in TIM-3 (OR: 6.01; 95% CI: 3.99–9.05, P

In this work, we synthesized a series of six unsymmetrical benzimidazolium salts 2 and their pyridine-enhanced precatalyst preparation stabilization and initiation (PEPPSI)-themed palladium N-heterocyclic carbene complexes [PdCl2(NHC)(Py)]. All the products were isolated in satisfactory yields (75-85%). The synthesis of these novel palladium PEPPSI complexes involved in reacting NHC precursors with PdCl2 in pyridine at 60°C in the presence of excess K2CO3. The structures of all compounds have been characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, HRMS and IR spectroscopy, as well as elemental analysis techniques, which support the proposed structures. The catalytic activity of the six complexes was assessed in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling of phenylboronic acid and aryl halides. The reactions required only a low catalyst loading (0.1 mol%) and were carried out under mild aerobic conditions in a green, water-based solvent mixture.

Introduction Genetic diversity in the killer immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) gene composition and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I ligands, such as HLA-C, can affect the activity of natural killer cells and determine anti-cancer immunity. Specific KIR-HLA combinations can enhance cancer predisposition by promoting immune evasion. Studying the relationship between KIR-HLA polymorphisms and thyroid cancer (TC) risk can offer insights into how natural immunity fails, leading to disease development. Therefore, we investigated the association between KIR and HLA-C genotypes and TC risk in Saudi women. Methods In this retrospective study, sixteen KIR genotypes and 2 HLA-C allotypes were determined using the polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) method, and the genotypes of 50 Saudi female patients with TC were compared with those of 50 Saudi female healthy controls (HC). Results We observed a highly significant decrease in the presence of the KIR2DS2 and KIR2DS4 genes (OR = 0.15, 95% CI = 0.05-0.41, P = 0.0001; OR = 0.06, 95% CI = 0.02-0.2, P = 0.000, respectively) and in the presence of the KIR2DL5A gene (OR = 0.05, 95% CI = 0.02-0.14, P = 0.0000) in the TC group compared to the HC group. The frequency of the HLA-C2C2 allotype was significantly higher in HC compared to patients with TC ( P = 0.02). The KIR haplotype group A and AB genotypes revealed a protective effect against TC ( P = 0.0003 and P = 0.000, respectively), while the BB genotype showed a risk effect on TC compared to HC. Our results showed significant differences in the KIR gene combinations and KIR-HLA combinations between Saudi female TC patients and HC. Conclusion These results suggest that the expression of KIR genes and their HLA-C ligands may influence the risk of TC development in Saudi women.

Soil quality is closely related to the evolution of forest ecosystems, especially in the context of global warming; therefore, it is essential to study the changes in soil quality caused by the invasion of moso bamboo in its habitat. In this study, we selected plantation forests and natural secondary forests with typical vegetation of the northern subtropics, Quercus acutissima plantation (QAP) and oak secondary forest (OSF), collected plant community and soil physicochemical data, and established a soil quality index (SQI) to assess how moso bamboo invasion affects soil quality. In addition, the mechanisms driving the moso bamboo invasion effects on soil quality were investigated using a partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM). The results demonstrated that: (1) Moso bamboo invasion significantly affected community structure and soil physicochemical properties, there were inconsistent changes in soil physicochemical indicators in oak forests of different origins, and in general the effects of moso bamboo expansion on soil physicochemical properties were concentrated in the topsoil (0–20 cm). (2) Soil bulk density (BD), total soil porosity (TSP), total nitrogen (TN), and available potassium (AK) comprised the minimum data set (MDS) used to calculate the SQI, and the SQI of oak forests of different origins ranged from 0.48 to 1, and the invasion of moso bamboo led to a significant decrease in the SQI of the surface layer of QAP. A redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that soil quality assessment factors were closely related to community structure and the PLS-SEM indicated that moso bamboo invasion indirectly affected surface soil quality through its effects on community and soil factors. The results showed that moso bamboo invasion had different effects on oak forests of different origins. They also showed that soil quality was strongly affected by aboveground biomass (AGB), the tree Shannon-Wiener index (TH'), and available potassium (AK).

The absolute necessity to fight some class of tumour is perceived as serious health concerns, and the discovery and development of effective anticancer agents are urgently needed. So, the novel benzimidazole derivatives (2a-b) were designed, synthesized, with their structures rigorously characterized using single X-ray crystallography, FT-IR, UV, and NMR spectroscopy, alongside elemental analysis. The geometric structures were optimized using density functional theory (DFT) calculations performed at the ωB97X-D/cc-pVDZ level, yielding good agreement with experimental XRD data. The studied salt complexes exhibited the ability to absorb UV light at 275 nm. Furthermore, anticancer activity of the compounds was screened against (MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, HT-29 and healthy cell line (HF)) and revealed the remarkable efficacy of select newly synthesized Benzimidazole derivatives (2a-b). Compound 2a showed relative significant higher cytotoxicity (165.02) in MDA-MB-231 cancer cell line. This underscores their promising potential in therapeutic applications, affirming their role as valuable contenders in the pursuit of novel anticancer agents.

Global warming-induced environmental changes have resulted in salinity fluctuations that markedly impact aquatic organisms. Consequently, the salinization of freshwater has become a major concern. Among these organisms, planarians are highly sensitive to environmental changes, especially Dugesia bursagrossa, the first freshwater planarian species identified in Saudi Arabia, which reproduces both sexually and asexually through fission. This study examined the reproductive response of sexual and asexual D. bursagrossa specimens to salinity changes. Asexual reproduction rates were found to increase with elevated salinity, whereas sexual reproduction was sensitive to high salinity, evidenced by the absence of cocoons in treated groups. This phenomenon was further explored by investigating the microtubular cytoskeleton’s organization in the sexual form’s ovary using immunolabeled α-tubulin and confocal microscopy. Results revealed a significant decline in the tubulin cytoskeleton with rising salinity levels, supporting the notion that increased salinity restricts sexual reproduction. Given that heightened salinity induces stress, the activities of malondialdehyde (MDA) and various antioxidant indicators, including glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), were evaluated. Elevated salinity led to a notable increase in MDA levels as well as reduced GSH, SOD, and CAT levels in both sexual and asexual specimens, with sexual organisms exhibiting more pronounced effects. In conclusion, salinity directly impacts the homeostasis and reproduction of D. bursagrossa, with sexual specimens facing greater challenges than their asexual counterparts.

Background and Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health issue. Although chemotherapy is the first-line treatment, its effectiveness is limited due to drug resistance developed in CRC. To overcome resistance and improve the prognosis of CRC patients, investigating new therapeutic approaches is necessary. Materials and Methods: Using human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT29) and metastatic CRC (SW620) cell lines, the potential anticancer properties of a newly synthesized compound 1-(Isobutyl)-3-(4-methylbenzyl) benzimidazolium chloride (IMBZC) were evaluated by performing MTT cytotoxicity, cell migration, and colony formation assays, as well as by monitoring apoptosis-related protein and gene expression using Western blot and reverse transcription–quantitative polymerase chain reaction technologies. Results: Tested at various concentrations, the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of IMBZC on HT29 and SW620 cell growth were determined to be 22.13 µM (6.97 μg/mL) and 15.53 µM (4.89 μg/mL), respectively. IMBZC did not alter the cell growth of normal HEK293 cell lines. In addition, IMBZC inhibited cell migration and significantly decreased colony formation, suggesting its promising role in suppressing cancer metastasis. Mechanistic analyses revealed that IMBZC treatment increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins p53 and Bax, while decreasing the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, thus indicating the induction of apoptosis in IMBZC-treated CRC cells, compared to untreated cells. Additionally, the addition of IMBZC to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs (i.e., 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) resulted in an increase in the cytotoxic potential of the drugs. Conclusions: This study suggests that IMBZC has substantial anticancer effects against CRC cells through its ability to induce apoptosis, inhibit cancer cell migration and colony formation, and enhance the cytotoxic effects of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. These findings indicate that IMBZC could be a promising chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of CRC. Further research should be conducted using in vivo models to confirm the anti-CRC activities of IMBZC.

A new Schiff base, 1-(E)-(4-((E) 4nitrobenzylidene) amino) phenyl)imino) methyl)naphthalen-2-ol (4NMN), was prepared from the reaction of p-phenylenediamine with 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and 4-nitrobenzaldehyde and characterized with spectroscopic analysis. UV-VIS and NMR. Frontier molecular orbitals, molecular electrostatic potential, and chemical reactivity descriptors of the synthesized compound were studied using molecular modeling methods. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the Schiff base were studied for its minimum inhibitory concentration. The compound showed a higher effect on yeast than against bacteria. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to study the mechanism of reaction for the synthesis of 4NMN, and the results were consistent with the experimental findings. 4NMN exhibited moderate antibacterial and antifungal activities and demonstrated higher inhibition potential against different resistant strains compared to the reference drug gentamycin. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of 4NMN were measured in different solvents, and the effect of relative polarity and acidity on the medium was observed. An inner filter effect was observed at high concentrations, and the compound showed considerable fluorescence enhancement with increasing medium viscosity and fluorescence quenching by the addition of traces of Cr1+ and Cu2+. Additionally, molecular docking studies were conducted to investigate the efficiency of antibacterial and antifungal targets.

Objectives: White blood cells (WBCs) are immune cells that fight infections and cancers. However, many cancers and their treatment with chemotherapy negatively affect the WBCs count. For oncologists and physicians, it is important to know how much the WBCs count is affected to optimize drug administration. The data of breast cancer patients were included in this study because the largest number of cancer patients were suffering from breast cancer in the under-study hospital. This study presents a computational and mathematical approach to measure the effect on the WBCs count of breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy with two anticancer drug combinations: docetaxel with cyclophosphamide (TC) and doxorubicin with cyclophosphamide (AC). Methods: Between July 2016 and October 2021, to breast cancer patients, 4 cycles of chemotherapy (one cycle of 21 days) were administered intravenously using TC (75 mg/m2 + 600 mg/m2). Similarly, varying in cases, intravenous AC (60 mg/m2 + 600 mg/m2) was administered in each of the 4 cycles. The WBCs counts of the subjects affected by both TC and AC combinations were observed for comparison. An equation was derived to calculate the effect of TC and AC on WBCs count (eWBCc). The eWBCc of 171 patients who received TC and 154 patients who received AC were calculated by implantation of the derived equation using Python 3.8. Results: Comparing the results of 171 patients, it is observed that, TC affected WBC count of a patient at lowest level by 12.29%, at maximum level by 69.64%, and on average by 34.13%. Whereas, comparing the results of 154 patients, AC affected WBC count of a patient at lowest level by 19%, at maximum level by 65.03%, and on average, by 44.36%. A paired t-test was used to analyze the statistical differences between the eWBCc of both TC and AC cohorts. This test indicates a statistically significant difference between the eWBCc by TC and AC, as evidenced by the P-value of 0.000, which is less than the chosen significance level (alpha) of 0.05. Conclusion: We conclude that TC remains less toxic than AC in affecting white blood cells count of the studied patients.

Rumex nervosus leaves (RNL) and Cinnamomum verum bark (CNB), phytogenic herbs, have received much attention in recent years for their antimicrobial properties; however, there is limited knowledge about their potential anticoccidial functions. The prophylactic effects of RNL and CNB were compared with salinomycin, a standard synthetic anticoccidial agent, in broilers experimentally infected with Eimeria tenella (E. tenella). One-day-old broiler chicks (n = 225) were randomly divided into nine groups. Birds were either fed a basal diet containing 1, 3, or 5 g RNL or 2, 4, or 6 g CNB/kg feed, or treated with salinomycin within the basal diet, or the infected (IUT) or non-infected (UUT) groups were fed a basal diet only. Birds infected (n = 25 bird/group) with 40,000 sporulated E. tenella oocysts/bird at d 21 except UUT. Bodweight gain (BWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly (p

Objective: Natural Killer cells activation depends on the interaction with killer cell immunoglobin-like receptors (KIRs), which bind the peptide-binding region of several class-I Human Leukocyte Antigens (HLA class-I). In addition, KIR and HLA loci are highly polymorphic and display significant variation between individuals. Methods: We attempted to investigate the association of 16 KIR complexes and the HLA-C1 and C2 ligands to the genetic predisposition and development of Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia (AML) in Saudi Arabian patients. We genotyped 16 KIR genes for 100 patients with Acute Lymphoblastic leukemia and 114 healthy controls, and all samples were considered for evaluating combined KIR-HLA C1/C2 associations. Results: KIR genotype frequency differed significantly between AML patients and healthy controls. KIR2DL1, KIR2DL5, and KIR2DS2 increased significantly in patients than in controls. The 2DL5 gene contributed to the highest risk of AML (OR = 2.9906, p

Background and objectives: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a hematological malignancy characterized by uncontrolled proliferation of immature myeloid cells. Immune checkpoint molecules such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and lymphocyte activation gene-3 (LAG-3) are essential for controlling anti-tumor immune responses. This study aims to explore the correlation between specific genetic variations (SNPs) in the PDCD1 (rs2227981) and LAG3 (rs12313899) genes and the likelihood of developing AML in the Saudi population. Material and methods: total of 98 Saudi AML patients and 131 healthy controls were genotyped for the PDCD1 rs2227981 and LAG3 rs12313899 polymorphisms using TaqMan genotyping assays. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the relationship between the SNPs and AML risk using several genetic models. Results: The results revealed a significant association between the PDCD1 rs2227981 polymorphism and increased AML risk. In AML patients, the frequency of the G allele was considerably greater than in healthy controls (OR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.31–2.81, p = 0.00080). The GG and AG genotypes were associated with a very high risk of developing AML (p < 0.0001). In contrast, no significant association was observed between the LAG3 rs12313899 polymorphism and AML risk in the studied population. In silico analysis of gene expression profiles from public databases suggested the potential impact of PDCD1 expression levels on the overall survival of AML patients. Conclusions: This study provides evidence for the association of the PDCD1 rs2227981 polymorphism with an increased risk for AML in the Saudi population.

This study aims to examine the effects of waste material more especially horse hair as fiber on mechanical and physical properties. Tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness properties of horse hair fiber and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO _2 NPs) polyester composite were investigated to determine whether the latter might be used as a new material in various engineering applications for a longer life. To improve the impact resistance of the composite, horse hair fiber is mixed in different ratios with titanium dioxide and polyester as filler. Tensile, flexural, and impact mechanical properties were assessed using the Universal Testing Machine, the Rockwell Hardness Testing Machine, and the Izod Impact Test. Specimens were hand-put up using various fiber weight ratios. The results of this study showed that Specimen 5 showed a tremendous increase in flexural strength (98.87 MPa), tensile strength (91.46 MPa), hardness (115 HV), impact strength (15.98 J m ^−1 ), and water uptake (10.18%) as compared to the neat and also with the other Specimens. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the fracture surface in more detail in order to search for failure mechanisms and the dispersion of nanoparticles. SEM micrographs verified the uniform dispersion of the nanoparticles. Results suggest that these composites can be used as a material for a variety of applications, including biological claims that they are a practical, durable, and environmentally friendly choice.

Ceramic membranes prepared with flat sheet configuration using local materials, iron ore and bentonite, are reported in this investigation. The feedstocks used were fully characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and laser diffraction/light scattering. In order to optimize the preparation conditions, the effect of sintering temperature on the microstructure of ferric and clayey membranes was assessed. Results obtained with SEM, confirmed by optical microscopy, indicate that the optimized sintering temperature was in the vicinity of 900 °C. The properties of the fabricated membranes were characterized in terms of mass and thickness loss throughout a determined period of time. The experimental results present a negligible variation in the rate of mass change, which suggested the stability of the synthesized membranes. Both the ferric and clayey membranes exhibit a prevalence of mesopores in their pore distribution. These results suggest that these specific membranes could be employed as cost-effective and environmentally friendly materials. Furthermore, they hold promise for potential applications in gas treatment processes.

CAN-zeolite was synthesized with a high purity from natural kaolinite via alkali fusion by hydrothermal treatment at a pressure of 1 kbar H2O. It was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy and nitrogen adsorption at 77 K. The results show that after AK hydrothermal treatment (under specific conditions), the SBET increases from 5.8 m2g−1 to 30.07 m2g−1 which is six times greater. The AK which was a non-porous or macroporous solid (the nitrogen adsorption/desorption of AK is of type II) became mesoporous (N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms exhibit typical hysteresis of type IV) with a pore size of 5.9 Å. XRD of AK shows the presence of quartz (Q) as impurities, and illite and kaolinite as major fractions; after hydrothermal treatment, the XRD diffractogram shows only fine pics related to CAN-zeolite (with a good crystallinity), confirming the success of the synthesized process. These results suggest that the synthesized CAN-zeolite has the potential to be tested in the removal of heavy metals from waste water as part of a remediation process. Batch reactors were used to evaluate the adsorption isotherms and kinetic studies of heavy metals, cadmium, and lead, by natural kaolinite clay (AK) and synthesized cancrinite zeolite (CAN-zeolite). The results show that the adsorption kinetics of the bivalent heavy metals cadmium and lead are extremely fast with either AK or CAN-zeolite. Equilibrium was reached within 2 min. Adsorption isotherms show that the synthesized CAN-zeolite has a higher adsorption capacity; the retention capacity of lead and cadmium was three times greater than that presented by the natural clay mineral. According to the findings, CAN-zeolite has a higher affinity for PbII (192 mg/g) compared to CdII (68 mg/g). The negative reactive surface sites interacting with these cationic heavy metals resulted in a higher amount of heavy metals adsorption than the cation exchange capacity (CEC). The adsorption information was analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich equations. The Langmuir model provided a good fit to the equilibrium data, indicating a monolayer adsorption mechanism.

The goal of the current study was to determine the effects of the allethrin, as a pyrethroid-based insecticide, on kidney function in rat offspring. Sixty-day-old Wistar albino female rats were randomly allocated to three groups: control group and two allethrin-treated groups that were intragastrically administered with 34.2 or 68.5 mg/kg b.w. of allethrin starting from the day 6 of pregnancy until delivery. The results revealed that the high dose of allethrin (68.5 mg/kg) reduced the number of glomeruli. Results showed that the glomeruli diameter in animals treated with 34.2 mg/kg of allethrin significantly decreased when compared to the controls (p

The most studied IL-17 family member is IL-17A. It has been implicated in the pathogenesis of many disorders, including inflammatory, autoimmune and cancer disorders. However, the role of this cytokine in the pathophysiology of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains poorly studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of IL-17A gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the occurrence of ALL in Saudi population. The current study included 136 patients with ALL and 114 age and gender-matched healthy controls. The relationship between three functional SNPs of IL-17A gene; rs3748067, rs3819025 and rs8193036 was assessed in both ALL and healthy control following five inheritance models. In addition. the level of IL-17A mRNA was analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The results revealed a statistically significant protective effect of the rs3748067 CT genotype against ALL in dominant, overdominant and additive models (p 0.05). Haplotype analysis showed association of CTG (OR = 0.52, 95 %CI 0.29–0.94, p = 0.03), and TCG (OR = 0.45, 95 %CI 0.25–0.81, p = 0.009) of rs3748067, rs8193036 and rs3819025 with higher risk of ALL. Our results showed that IL-17A promoter rs3748067 variant may reduces the risk to ALL.

Aim: To ascertain whether killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) genes polymorphisms and HLA-I ligands are associated with COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. Methods: Eighty-seven COVID-19 patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and one hundred and fourteen healthy controls were enrolled in this study for genotyping of the 16 KIR genes, HLA-C1 and -C2 allotypes and HLA-G 14-bp indels polymorphisms using the sequence specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR) method. KIR genotype frequency differences and combination KIR-HLA-C ligand were tested for significance. Results: Framework genes KIR2DL4, KIR3DL2, KIR3DL3, and KIR3DP2 were present in all individuals. The frequencies of KIR2DL2 and KIR2D4 were higher in COVID-19 positive patients than in healthy individuals. The frequencies of the combination KIR2DL2-HLA-C2 was also significantly higher in patients affected by COVID-19 compared with healthy controls. Conclusion: It was found that the inhibitory KIR2DL2 gene in isolation or combined with its HLA-C2 ligand could be associated with susceptibility to COVID-19 in the Saudi population.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance has become a major handicap in the fight against bacterial infections, prompting researchers to develop new, more effective, and multimodal alternatives. Silver and its complexes have long been used as antimicrobial agents in medicine because of their lack of resistance to silver, their low potency at low concentrations, and their low toxicity compared to most commonly used antibiotics. N-Heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs) are widely used for coordination of transition metals, mainly in catalytic chemistry. In this study, several N-alkylated benzimidazolium salts 2a–j were synthesized. Then, the N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursor was treated with Ag2O to give silver (I) NHC complexes (3a–j) at room temperature in dichloromethane for 48 h. Ten new silver-NHC complexes were fully characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental analysis, and LC-MSMS (for complexes) techniques. The antibacterial and antioxidant activities of salt 2 and its silver complex 3 were evaluated. All of these complexes were more effective against bacterial strains than comparable ligands. With MIC values ranging from 6.25 to 100 g/ml, the Ag-NHC complex effectively showed strong antibacterial activity. Antioxidant activity was also tested using conventional techniques, such as 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) and hydrogen peroxide scavenging assays. In DPPH and ABTS experiments, compounds 3a, 3b, 3c, 3e, 3g, and 3i showed significant clearance.

Background: Epilepsy is a serious chronic neurological disorder, which is accompanied by recurrent seizures. Repeated seizures cause physical injuries and neuronal dysfunction and may be a risk of cancer and vascular diseases. However, many antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have side effects of mood alteration or neurocognitive function, a reduction in neuron excitation, and the inhibition of normal activity. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of secondary metabolites of Trichoderma harzianum cultural filtrate (ThCF) when adjusting different electrolytes and neurotransmitters in the hippocampus of epileptic rats. Methods: Cytotoxicity of ThCF against LS-174T cancer cells was assessed using a sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Quantitative estimation for some neurotransmitters, electrolytes in sera or homogenate of hippocampi tissues, and mRNA gene expression for ion or voltage gates was assessed by quantitative Real-Time PCR. Results: Treatment with ThCF reduces the proliferative percentage of LS-174T cells in a concentration-dependent manner. ThCF administration improves hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and hypocalcemia in the sera of the epilepticus model. ThCF rebalances the elevated levels of many neurotransmitters and reduces the release of GABA and acetylcholine-esterase. Also, treatments with ThCF ameliorate the downregulation of mRNA gene expression for some gate receptors in hippocampal homogenate tissues and recorded a highly significant elevation in the expression of SCN1A, CACNA1S, and NMDA. Conclusion: Secondary metabolites of Trichoderma (ThCF) have cytotoxic activity against LS-174T (colorectal cancer cell line) and anxiolytic-like activity through a GABAergic mechanism of action and an increase in GABA as inhibitory amino acid in the selected brain regions and reduced levels of NMDA and DOPA. The present data suggested that ThCF may inhibit intracellular calcium accumulation by triggering the NAADP-mediated Ca2+ signaling pathway. Therefore, the present results suggested further studies on the molecular pathway for each metabolite of ThCF, e.g., 6-pentyl-α-pyrone (6-PP), harzianic acid (HA), and hydrophobin, as an alternative drug to mitigate the side effects of AEDs.

The non-classical Human Leukocyte Antigen G (HLA-G) is an immunomodulatory molecule, with low polymorphism frequency and restricted tissue distribution. Its higher expression was associated with immunoinhibitory properties causing tolerance for cancer progression. The rs371194629 is a 14 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism (Ins/Del) in exon 8 of the 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) of the HLA-G gene, has been associated with the stability and the expression level of HLA-G mRNA. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between the HLA-G 14-bp Ins/Del polymorphism and two common blood cancers including acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in a population from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia. The study groups include 145 patients diagnosed for ALL, 98 patients diagnosed for AML and 115 healthy individuals. For all these individuals, the 14 bp Ins/Del polymorphism was genotyped using PCR methodology. mRNA gene expression of the HLA-G was assessed using quantitative RT-PCR. Logistic regression model analysis for HLA-G 14 bp Ins/Del polymorphism shows no statistically significant correlation with AML and ALL. For the HLA-G mRNA expression, while slightly increased level among healthy individuals compared to patients was observed, no statistically significant differences were obtained. Although our results did not show association between HLA-G with the two leukemia cancer diseases, the role of HLA-G gene awaits further investigations including large number of subjects with more clinical data combinations.

Objective: Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a critical role in initiating an immune response against infections. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) and the expression of TLR4 gene with the risk and prognosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in the Saudi population. Methods: SNPs at rs4986790 (A/G) rs1927906 (C/T) and rs7856729 (G/T) were genotyped in 265 subjects, including150 patients and 115 community-matched healthy controls from a Saudi ethnic population. Using quantitative reverse transciptase PCR, the mRNA expression of TLR4 was compared between the two subgroup. Results: Single nucleotide polymorphisms of the TLR4 in the 3’ UTR region and the fourth exon, were found to be associated with the risk of ALL. Individuals carrying the heterozygous genotype for the rs4986790 AG are significantly decreased ALL risk (OR: 0.313; 95% CI: 0.150–0.655; P = 0.002). Furthermore, the CT genotype of the rs1927906 was significantly associated with the protection against ALL (OR: 0.305; 95% CI: 0.167–0.557; P = 0.00007). Moreover, the mRNA expression of TLR4 was significantly higher in patients with ALL than in healthy individuals (P

A three-component one-pot synthesis of new thiazolyl coumarin derivatives was carried out by condensing 3-acetyl-4-hydroxycoumarin, arylaldehydes, thiourea and ammonium acetate at reflux in DMC. The optimization details of the developed novel protocol are recorded. In addition, we have also synthesized these compounds via another second route in two steps. High atom-economy, excellent yields, simple procedure, and mild reaction conditions are the important features of this one-pot protocol. The chemical structures of the newly synthesized compounds were elucidated by using analytical (IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR). Further, all the compounds were screened for their antioxidant activities.

Dibetou wood sawdust, SEM and IRTF characterized, collected from a local sawmill, was used in its raw and chemically activated forms using nitric acid and sodium hydroxide to retain Pb2+ ions, according to several parameters (pH, contact time, initial metal concentration, mass of adsorbent and temperature of the medium). The results obtained reveal that the removal rate of Pb2+ ions on raw and activated Dibetou sawdust reached a percentage of about 84% and 93% successively. The experimental design methodology using the full factorial design has enabled us to study and to check the influence of the various parameters on Pb2+ ions adsorption onto raw and activated Dibetou sawdust; it allowed us, also, to define the interactions between these latters. A response surface methodology (RSM) based on the central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize this process. The results obtained showed that initial concentration, pH, contact time and mass of adsorbent affected the lead (II) removal by adsorption. The optimum conditions were found as pH = 6, mass of adsorbent = 0.875 g per 100 mL of solution and contact time = 90 min for raw Dibetou and 47.5 min for activated Dibetou using a concentration of 275 mg.L−1 of metallic ion. In these conditions, removal rates of Pb2+ ions reach 94% onto raw sawdust and 99% using its activated form. The adsorption data are well fitted with Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacities are 33.33 mg·g−1 for the raw sawdust and 61.73 mg·g−1 for its activated form. Kinetic modeling is well described by the pseudo-second order model (0.99

To prepare a novel series of silver (I) complexes, the interaction of benzimidazolium salts having their two nitrogen atoms substituted by bulky groups with Ag2O in DMF has been carried out. Their structures were characterized by elemental analyses, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and IR spectroscopy techniques. Further, the antibacterial properties of both the salts and their silver(I)-NHC complexes were tested against positive and negative bacteria using the agar dilution procedure. The results show that silver complexes are effective against Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, and Micrococcus luteus with moderate to high activity, and their minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.0024 to 1.25 mg/ml. Moreover, the antioxidant activity determination of these compounds were studied with the DPPH, and compared with (gallic acid “GA“and butylatedhydroxytoluene “BHT “). They exhibited significant antioxidant activities. In addition, the of benzimidazoles salts 2a-j and silver-NHC complexes 3a-j were screened for their antitumor activity. The highest antitumor activity was observed for 3e and 3d Complexes and they exhibited IC50 values 6.85 μg/mL against MCF-7 and 10.75 μg/mL against T47D, respectively. Keywords: N-heterocyclic carbene, Benzimidazolium salts, Silver(I)-NHC complexes, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant activities and antitumor activities

A laboratory bioassay was performed to assess the ecotoxicity of ciprofloxacin on a meiobenthic nematodes community from Bizerte lagoon (NE Tunisia). Four ciprofloxacin doses [D1 (50 µg/g), D2 (100 µg/g), D3 (200 µg/g), and D4 (500 µg/g)] were applied to the substrate, and responses were studied after one month. Discernible differences were observed between control assemblages and those populating ciprofloxacin treated substrates. All univariate indices were affected significantly compared to those in the control microcosm with increasing antibiotic concentration. The non-parametric Multi-Dimensional Scaling based on species abundances (MDS) showed significant separation of the control microcosm from the antibiotic-treated populations. The nematode species responses to the fluoroquinolone treatments varied: Odontophora villoti was reduced at all concentrations of ciprofloxacin and was considered “sensitive,” whereas Metoncholaimus pristiurus was affected by moderate concentrations; its abundance increased with the highest dose D4 and was described as “opportunistic.” Paramonohystera pilosa, whose abundance increased with antibiotic doses appeared “resistant.” Keywords: Meiobenthic nematodes, Susbstrate, Antibiotic, Ciprofloxacin, Exposure, Bioassay

Plants of the Lavandula genus have been widely used in folk and traditional medicine. The aim of this study was to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of the essential oil of the aerial parts of Lavandula atriplicifolia (EOAPLA) grown in Saudi Arabia and its potential cytotoxicity to cancer cell lines. The essential oil was characterized and quantified by GC–MS and GC-FID. The potential cytotoxicity of the essential oil was evaluated against colorectal (LoVo) and hepatocellular (HepG2) carcinoma cell lines by using the MTT and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assays. A total of 36 compounds were identified that constituted 92.3% of the total oil. The chemotype of the species was dominated by C-10 massoia lactone (46.65%) as the major compound followed by oxygenated monoterpenes (28.43%). This is the first report to describe the presence of the rare compound massoia lactone in the essential oils from Lavandula species. The data revealed that EOAPLA inhibited the growth of LoVo and HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with 10 μg/mL EOAPLA for 2 days resulted in significant damage to LoVo cells in comparison with the control. In contrast to the control cells, the LoVo cells showed morphological alterations such as cytoplasmic condensation, shrinkage, and the formation of debris. Moreover, EOAPLA treatment induced apoptosis in LoVo cells since it increased the expression of caspase 3/7. The cytotoxic and anti-proliferative properties of EOAPLA make it a good candidate for treatment of various cancers. Keywords: Chemical composition, Cytotoxic, Essential oil, Lavandula atriplicifolia, Massoia lactone

An experiment was conducted using microcosms with connected sedimentary compartments to assess the effects of three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on free-living marine nematodes from Bizerte Bay (northeastern Tunisia). Over 30 days, the nematofauna were exposed to four treatment sediments, including one with chrysene (150 ppb), chrysene (150 ppb) plus fluoranthene (75 ppb), chrysene (150 ppb) and phenanthrene (15 ppb), and an uncontaminated reference. Numerical and qualitative community simplifications occurred in contaminated sediments relative to the reference. The diversity of nematodes differed based on hydrocarbon combinations. Multivariate analyses revealed communities in contaminated compartments differed from those in the initial natural sediment and reference. Differences in sensitivities of nematodes to hydrocarbons and in migratory abilities occurred. Rhabditis sp., Calamicrolaimus honestus, and Oncholaimus campylocercoides were in all compartments and classified as tolerant to PAHs. Nematodes observed only in control compartments, including Parasphaerolaimus paradoxus, Encheliidae (sp.), Trichotheristus mirabilis, and Theristus pertenuis were considered sensitive. Keywords: Microcosm, Free-living marine nematodes, Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, Migration, Abundance, Species diversity

Ethylbenzene is a hydrocarbon that is extensively used in both industry and in the home and has been reported as toxic to various tissues. Nevertheless, its effect on ovarian function remains unclear. For this purpose, we assessed ovarian tissue morphology, evaluated protein and gene expression related to folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis, and investigated the involvement of both apoptosis and autophagy processes in this effect. Female Wistar albinos rats were treated with 2000, 4000 and 8000 ppm doses of ethylbenzene by inhalation for 30 min daily for one month. Ovaries were then removed and proceeded for histopathological and molecular analyses. We found that ethylbenzene affected folliculogenesis by decreasing the number of growing follicles and increasing the number of abnormal follicles, leading to faster female reproductive aging. Interestingly, it disrupted female reproductive hormone balance, including progesterone, estradiol, testosterone and IGF-1 plasma levels. The latter protein, along with GDF-9, significantly decreased in all ethylbenzene-treated groups, leading to the disruption of follicular cell proliferation and development. TUNEL assay study showed that ethylbenzene exposure significantly increased the number of apoptotic cells. The mRNA levels of genes involved in granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation, such as INSL3, CCND2 and ACTB, were significantly decreased. In addition, LC3 protein expression increased, and its encoding gene was upregulated, suggesting that ethylbenzene treatment induced autophagy. In summary, ethylbenzene exposure caused structural and functional disorders of the ovary by disrupting the normal growth of follicles, altering reproductive hormone balance, inhibiting the expression of key reproductive proteins and triggering autophagy as well as apoptosis.

We reported in this study the hydroboration of enamides in methanol at room temperature catalyzed by copper complexes. Under such conditions, a Gram-scale reaction with a high yield was also completed. Hydroboration of 3-methylene, 2-(alkyl and phenylisoindolin-1-one 5 with bis(pinacolato)diboron yields the respective compounds 6 in good yields with high-to-moderate enantioselectivity (58% ee). Furthermore, the antimicrobial properties of the synthesized compounds were tested against four indicator microorganisms: the two Gram-positive bacteria L. monocytogenes ATCC 1911 and S. aureus ATCC 6538, the Gram-negative bacterium S. typhimurium ATCC 14028, and the fungus C. albicans (ATCC 90028). The MIC values of compounds 5-6 range from 0.312 to 2.5 (μg/mL) against L. monocytogenes, from 2.1 to 0.136 (μg/mL) against S. aureus, and from 0.126 to 0.923 (μg/mL) against S. typhimurium.

The aim of this work was to study the ecotoxicological effects of an endocrine disruptor triclosan on the clam Ruditapes decussatus. The bivalves were exposed to three concentrations of this biocide (C1 = 100 ng/L, C2 = 200 ng/L and C3 = 500 ng/L) for three and seven days. The impact was assessed at the gills and digestive glands, through activities of an antioxidant defense biomarker (Gluthatione S-Transferase, GST), a damage biomarker (Malondialdehyde, MDA), and a neurotoxicity biomarker (Acetylcholinesterase, AChE). Furthermore, histological traits were approached in different organs to evaluate any possible alteration induced by triclosan. It appears from this study that both gills and digestive glands responded discernibly to triclosan and effects were concentration-dependent. The stressed clams showed a significant increase in their GST and MDA activities in gills and digestive glands compared to controls for both time slots considered. In turn, the AChE activity was clearly inhibited in both organs in a time dependent way. The histological study made it possible to observe several structural pathologies caused by triclosan in the gills and the digestive gland. These alterations consisted mainly of inflammatory reactions, malformations of the lamellae and fusion of the gill filaments, degeneration of the connective tissue, and the erosion of the gill cilia with the appearance of certain severe alterations (cell necrosis and apoptosis), which can thus cause a malfunction of the gills and eventually lead to a reduction in oxygen consumption and a disruption of the osmoregulation for bivalves. Alterations in the digestive gland have also been detected, mainly by epithelial alterations, thinning of the tubules, and alteration of the basal cell membrane which can impair the ability of clams to absorb food. At germinal cells, several damages were observed in the oocytes which probably disturbed the reproductive function and the fertility of the clams. The damages observed in female gonads were caused by the cytolysis of a large number of oocytes through autophagy and necrosis at 200 ng triclosan/L. Moreover, at 500 ng triclosan/L, hemocytic infiltration was observed in acini and apoptotic bodies reflected in the fragmentation of more than 90% of oocytes.

This study examined how maternal exposure to acephate—an organophosphate-based insecticide—affected the renal development in rat offspring during adulthood. Virgin female Wistar rats were randomly allocated to three groups: group 1 (control) received sterile water; groups 2 and 3 were intragastrically exposed to low (14 mg/kg) and high (28 mg/kg) doses of acephate from day 6 of pregnancy until delivery, respectively. Further, the offspring of the adult female rats were euthanized in postnatal week 8. Compared with the controls, the adult rat offspring with exposure to low and high doses of acephate exhibited elevated plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels. Additionally, immunofluorescence analysis revealed the upregulation of autophagic marker genes (Beclin-1 and LC-3) in the acephate-treated rat offspring, thereby suggesting the induction of an autophagic mechanism. Notably, the increased malondialdehyde level, decreased glutathione level, and decreased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities confirmed the ability of acephate to induce oxidative stress and apoptosis in the kidneys of the rat offspring. This may explain the renal histopathological injury detected using hematoxylin and eosin staining. Furthermore, a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed that the mRNA expression levels of the Na+/K+-ATPase and the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) genes were significantly higher in the kidney of female offspring than that of controls owing to acephate toxicity. However, there was no significant effect of acephate on the expression of NHE3 in the treatment group compared with the control group. Overall, the present findings suggest that oxidative stress caused by prenatal exposure to acephate causes nephrotoxicity and histopathological alterations in adult rat offspring, likely by actions on renal ENaC and Na+/K+-ATPase genes as well as the autophagic markers Beclin-1 and LC-3.

The aim of the present study was to examine, for the first time, the phytochemical content of Ephedra alata pulp extract (EAP) and explore its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities. High-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC–ESI–QTOF/MS) was used for phytochemical analysis and three in vitro antioxidant assays together with three in vitro anti-inflammatory tests were used for the assessment of biological activity. The HPLC–ESI–QTOF/MS analysis revealed the presence of 42 metabolites, including flavonoids, sphingolipides, fatty acids, ephedrine derivatives, and amino acid derivatives. In vitro findings revealed that EAP has interesting 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), superoxide, and ferrous ion chelating capacities (IC50 values were 0.57 mg/mL, 0.55 mg/mL, and 0.51 mg/mL for DPPH, superoxide radical, and ferrous ion, respectively). Furthermore, EAP showed a noticeable anti-inflammatory ability by inhibiting the two cyclooxygenase isoforms, COX-1 and COX-2 (IC50 of 59.1 and 58.8 µg/mL for COX-1 and COX-2, respectively), preventing protein denaturation (IC50 = 0.51 mg/mL), and protecting membrane stabilization (IC50 = 0.53 mg/mL). The results highlighted the use of Ephedra alata pulp as a potential source of natural compounds with therapeutic effects for the management of inflammatory disorders.

The aim of the current study was to assess the multifaceted effects of the polycylic aromatic hydrocarbon phenanthrene, mainly used in the colouring, explosive, and pharmaceutical industries, on the physiology of two bivalve species with economic value as seafood, namely, the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincyalis and the European clam Ruditapes decussatus. The current study assessed how the phenanthrene affected several biomarkers and biometric endpoints in both bivalves, based on an in vivo experiment in silico approach. The bivalves were exposed during four time slots (i.e., 7, 15, 21, and 28 days) to two concentrations of phenanthrene in water (50 µg/L and 100 µg/L). For the clam R. decussatus, an additional contamination of sediment was applied due their typical benthic lifestyle (50 µg/kg and 100 µg/kg). The phenanthrene significantly reduced the ability of bivalves to tolerate desiccation and their Median Lethal Time, and also inhibited the activity of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase in a time-dependent manner. The activity of catalase indicated that bivalves also experienced oxidative stress during the first 21 days of the experiment. The significant decline in catalase activity observed during the last week of the experiment for the mussel M. galloprovincyalis supported a depletion of enzymes caused by the phenanthrene. The phenanthrene has also toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic properties, as assessed by the in silico approach. Overall, the results obtained suggest that the bivalves Ruditapes decussatus and M. galloprovincyalis can be used as a sentinel species in monitoring studies to assess the environmental impact of phenanthene in marine ecosystems. The significance of our findings is based on the fact that in ecotoxicology, little is known about the chronic effects, the simultaneous use of multiple species as bioindicators, and the interactions molecular modelling.

In recent decades, the use of herbs and plants has been of great interest, as they have been the sources of natural products, commonly named as bioactive compounds. In specific, the natural compounds from the Capparaceae family which has been proved to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-carcinogenic activities, by several studies. Cleome arabica L. (CA) specie is the most used medicinal plants in Tunisia and elsewhere in North African countries for treatment of various diseases including diabetes, rheumatism, inflammation, cancer, and digestive disorders. The current work was undertaken to estimate the total phenolic, flavonoid and condensed tannin contents, to identify and quantify the polyphenolic compounds, and to evaluate the antioxidant and the anti-inflammatory proprieties of CA fruits extract against formalin induced chronic inflammation in Female Wistar rats. In fact, the antioxidant activity was tested by Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl free radical scavenging (DPPH), Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Nitric Oxide radical (NO·). Anti-inflammatory effect of fruits extract was examined using formalin (2%) induced paw edema in rats. Molecular docking tools were used to investigate the interaction of some compounds from CA fruits extract with the cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) target protein. Our results showed that, the total phenolic, flavonoid and tannins contents, which were assessed by the Folin-Ciocalteu, Quercetin, and Catechin methods, respectively, were 230.22 mg gallic acid equivalent/g dry weight (mg GAE/g DW), 55.08 mg quercetin equivalent/g dry weight (QE/g DW) and 15.17 mg catechin equivalents/g dry weight (CatE/g DW), respectively. HPLC analysis revealed the presence of five polyphenolic compounds whose catechin was found to be the most abundant compounds. The antioxidant activity of extract was quantified by DPPH, FRAP and NO· tests and IC50 reached the values of 3.346 mg/mL, 2.306 and 0.023 mg/mL, respectively. Cleome fruits ameliorated the histological integrity of the skin and alleviated the disruptions in hematological parameters (WBC, LYM, RBC, and HGB), inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α), C-reactive protein, and some oxidative stress markers (TBARS (−49%) and AOPP (−42%) levels, SOD (+33%) and GPx (+75%) activities, and GSH (+49%) content) induced by formalin injection. Moreover, the in-silico investigation had shown that CA fruits extract compounds have a stronger interaction with COX-2 active site, more than the reference drug “indomethacin” (two H-bonds). Our research gives pharmacological backing to the healthcare utilization of Cleome plant in the treatment of inflammatory diseases and oxidative harm.

Quantitative multicomponent cyclocondensation of 3-acetyl-4-hydroxycoumarine with ethyl cyanoacetate and aryldehydes has been carried out in ammonium acetate, at reflux. The optimization details of the developed novel protocol are recorded. The structure of newly synthesized compounds have been characterized by spectroscopic data (elemental analysis, IR and 1H NMR spectroscopic studied). Antimicrobial properties of the novel coumarins derivatives 3 are investigated. The acetylcholinesterase inhibition activity (AChEI) was tested for all compounds, and the 3b shows the highest AChEI activity with 48.25% of inhibition. Keywords: Multicomponent reaction, 4-Hydroxycoumarin, Ethyl cyanoacetate, Antibacterial and acetylcholinesterase inhibition activities

In Egypt, only five species of Dermaptera (earwigs) have been reported. Based on both the morphological and molecular data of the earwig samples collected from a bakery in Beni-Suef, Egypt, we identified the species as Marava arachidis (Spongiphoridae), a cosmopolitan species with no prior records in Egypt. The current study was designed to analyze its predation capability on newly emerged eggs and larvae of the Rhipicephalus annulatus tick. A laboratory functional response study was set up by applying a predation test with various predator-prey ratios as treatments. This experiment was applied using the undefined mix of collected earwigs and the laboratory-collected eggs and the larvae of R. annulatus. The laboratory results showed that the mean number of predated tick eggs was 18.64 ± 11.18 in 24 h under the highest predator-prey ratio (1:10) examined, accompanied by 12.04 ± 4.38 broken but unconsumed eggs. Moreover, M. arachidis predated an average of 12.32 ± 9.07 tick larvae per day. In contrast, the mean dead larvae increased to 38.4 ± 2.30 per day with the highest predator density (1:10). The number of eggs and larvae consumed increased with the predator density. A linear relationship was detected between earwig density and the consumption rates of tick eggs (R2 = 0.99; p = 0.0001) and larvae (R2 = 0.96; p = 0.003). In conclusion, M. arachidis was first recorded in Egypt. This earwig has predation capability on R. annulatus tick eggs and larvae.

Checkpoint programmed death-1 (PD-1) has been identified as an immunosuppressive molecule implicated in the immune evasion of transformed cells. It is highly expressed in tumor cells in order to evade host immunosurveillance. In this study, we aimed to assess the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of PD-1 and the risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) in the Saudi population. For this case-control study, the TaqMan assay method was used for genotyping three SNPs in the PD-1 gene in 100 CRC patients and 100 healthy controls. Associations were estimated using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for multiple inheritance models (codominant, dominant, recessive, over-dominant, and log-additive). Moreover, PD-1 gene expression levels were evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR in colon cancer tissue and adjacent colon tissues. We found that the PD-1 rs10204525 A allele was associated with an increased risk of developing CRC (OR = 2.35; p = 0.00657). In addition, the PD-1 rs10204525 AA homozygote genotype was associated with a high risk of developing CRC in the codominant (OR = 21.65; p = 0.0014), recessive (OR = 10.97; p = 0.0015), and additive (OR = 1.98; p = 0.012) models. A weak protective effect was found for the rs2227981 GG genotype (OR = 2.52; p = 0.034), and no significant association was found between the rs2227982 and CRC. Haplotype analysis showed that the rs10204525, rs2227981, rs2227982 A-A-G haplotype was associated with a significantly increased risk of CRC (OR = 6.79; p =0.031).

Abstract Background Testis expressed 19 (TEX19) is a specific human stem cell gene identified as cancer‐testis antigen (CTA), which emerged as a potential therapeutic drug target. TEX19.1, a mouse paralog of human TEX19, can interact with LINE‐1 retrotransposable element ORF1 protein (LIRE1) and subsequently restrict mobilization of LINE‐1 elements in the genome. Aim This study aimed to predict the interaction of TEX19 with LIRE1 and analyze TEX19 missense polymorphisms. TEX19 model was generated using I‐TASSER and the interaction between TEX19 and LIRE1 was studied using the HADDOCK software. Methods The stability of the docking formed complex was studied through the molecular dynamic simulation using GROMACS. Missense SNPs (n=102) of TEX19 were screened for their potential effects on protein structure and function using different software. Results Outcomes of this study revealed amino acids that potentially stabilize the predicted interaction interface between TEX19 and LIRE1. Of these SNPs, 37 were predicted to play a probably damaging role for the protein, three of them (F35S, P61R, and E55L) located at the binding site of LIRE1 and could disturb this binding affinity. Conclusion This information can be verified by further in vitro and in vivo experimentations and could be exploited for potential therapeutic targets.

We report a new myxozoan, Myxobolus opsaridiumi sp. nov., infecting the ornamental fish Opsaridium ubangiensis (Pellegrin, 1901) collected from the Anga River near the city of Yaounde, Cameroon. Plasmodia were found in the skin, muscles and spleen. The overall prevalence of infection was 54.7% (288 parasitized fish out of 526 examined). The myxospores were ovoid to subspherical in frontal view and lenticular in lateral view. The valves were symmetrical and relatively thick, without edge markings. The myxospore measurements were 10.7 ± 0.14 (10–11.5) μm long, 9 ± 0.15 (8–10) μm wide and 6.2 ± 0.7 (5.6–7.2) μm thick. The two ovoid polar capsules were equal in size, converging and opening together at the anterior end, measuring 5 ± 0.07 (4.3–6.0) μm long and 2.7 ± 0.07 (2.2–3.0) μm wide. Polar filaments were coiled from 5 to 7 turns. Histopathological analysis revealed no inflammatory reaction associated with the infection. A BLAST search found that the newly obtained 18 rDNA sequence had a low sequence similarity with available sequences for Myxobolus on GenBank. A phylogenetical analysis based on ribosomal DNA partial sequences showed that M. opsaridiumi sp. nov. is closely associated with several species of Myxobolus infecting cyprinid fish.

Toluene has been shown to be highly toxic to humans and animals and can cause damage to various tissues. However, studies reporting its effects on ovarian function are still limited. In this study, we investigated the in vivo effect of toluene using female Wistar rats. We found that toluene exposure decreased ovarian weight and affected ovarian structure by increasing the number of abnormally growing follicles. Moreover, it significantly increased progesterone and testosterone levels. We also showed that toluene exposure decreased GDF-9 protein and its encoding gene. In addition, it inhibited the expression of most of the genes involved in granulosa cell proliferation and differentiation, such as Insl3, ccnd2 and actb. The TUNEL assay showed that apoptosis occurred at the middle and high doses only (4000 and 8000 ppm, respectively), whereas no effect was observed at the low dose (2000 ppm). Interestingly, we showed that toluene exposure induced autophagy as LC3 protein and its encoding gene significantly increased for all doses of treatment. These results may suggest that the activation of autophagy at a low dose of exposure was to protect ovarian cells against death by inhibiting apoptosis, whereas its activation at high doses of exposure triggered apoptosis leading to cell death.

Abstract Background Food restriction during pregnancy can influence the health of the offspring during the adulthood. The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of maternal food restriction (MFR) on the reproductive performance in female rat offspring from the first (FR1) and second (FR2) generations. Methods Adult virgin Wistar female rats were given free access to tap water and were fed ad libitum on standard rodent chow, were mated with virgin adult males, and then were randomly divided into two groups: controls (that was fed ad libitum ) and food-restricted group (FR, that was given only 50% of ad libitum food throughout gestation). Their first (FR1) and the second (FR2) generation of offspring were fed ad libitum and sacrificed before puberty and at adulthood. Their ovaries were removed and their histology evaluated by estimating the number of follicles (total and at various stages of folliculogenesis), and the presence of multi-nuclei oocytes and multi-oocyte follicles. Results Total number of ovarian follicles was lower in FR1 females at week 4 in comparison with controls, while it was not different in FR2 females vs. controls. The number of the primordial follicle was lower in FR1 and FR2 females vs. controls at both week 4 and at week 8. When compared to the controls, the follicles containing multi-nuclei oocytes were more frequent in ovaries from FR1 and FR2 females at week 4, and higher and lower respectively in ovaries form FR1 and FR2 females at week 8. Conclusion MFR affects ovarian histology by inducing the development of abnormal follicles in the ovaries in first and second generation offspring. This finding could influence the ovarian function resulting in an early pubertal onset and an early decline in reproductive lifespan.

Abstract Killer Cell Immunoglobulin-like Receptors (KIR) have been used as good markers for the study of genetic predisposition in many diseases and in human genetic population dynamics. In this context, we have investigated the genetic diversity of KIR genes and their main HLA class I ligands in Saudi population and compared the data with other studies of neighboring populations. One hundred and fourteen randomly selected healthy Saudi subjects were genotyped for the presence or absence of 16 KIR genes and their HLA-C1, -C2, -Bw4Thr80 and Bw4Ile80 groups, using a PCR-SSP technique. The results show the occurrence of the framework genes (3DL2, 3DL3 and 2DL4) and the pseudogenes (2DP1 and 3DP1) at highest frequencies. All inhibitory KIR (iKIR) genes appeared at higher frequencies than activating genes (aKIR), except for 2DS4 with a frequency of 90.35%. A total of 55 different genotypes were observed appearing at different frequencies, where 12 are considered novel. Two haplotypes were characterized, AA and Bx (BB and AB), which were observed in 24.5% and 75.5% respectively of the studied group. The frequencies of iKIR + HLA associations were found to be much higher than aKIR + HLA. KIR genes frequencies in the Saudi population are comparable with other Middle Eastern and North African populations.