Chemical Profiling and Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of Essential Oil Isolated from Pistacia khinjuk Leaves: Insights On GC-MS Analysis and Skin Aging-Relevant Enzymes.

Pistacia khinjuk is a species of flowering plants belonging to family Anacardiaceae, with promising pharmacological activities like antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial. This study aimed to investigate the GC-MS chemical composition of essential oil isolated from Pistacia khinjuk leaves and its inhibitory properties against aging-relevant enzymes such a collagenase and elastase. The isolated oil showed predominance of ß-cadinene (15.34 %), γ-amorphene (8.50 %), α-cadinol (8.14 %), τ-cadinol (7.57 %), (E)-ß-caryophyllene (5.77 %), α-pinene (4.70 %), phytol (4.57 %), α-muurolene (3.30 %), (+)-epi-bicyclosesquiphellandrene (3.21 %), and cubenene (3.16 %). Further, it showed remarkable inhibitory activities against collagenase and elastase with IC50 values of 15.61±0.69 and 41.12±2.09 µg/mL, respectively compared to epigallocatechin gallate (IC50=29.52±1.3 µg/mL and 26.86±1.37 µg/mL). as a conclusion, the leaf oil is recommended for topical cosmetic preparations to retard skin aging symptoms such as wrinkles. However, the bioavailability assessment and toxicological profile should be considered in the future studies.

Genus Pimenta: An Updated Comprehensive Review on Botany, Distribution, Ethnopharmacology, Phytochemistry and Biological Approaches.

Pimenta is a genus of flowering plants belonging to family Myrtaceae, native to the West Indies, Mexico, and South America. Numerous traditional uses were reported as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, sedative, diuretic, and sexual stimulant. This article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the botany, traditional uses, phytochemical profile, and biological activities of genus Pimenta for future exploration of plant-based drugs and therapeutic approaches. The data were collected (up to date as of October 1, 2023) from several databases such as Web of Science, google scholar, science direct, Pubmed and Proquest. Pimenta species were reported to include various classes of phytochemicals like tannins, saponins, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes and essential oils. Quercetin glycosides and eugenol derivatives were the predominant compounds of this genus. Several biological activities have been reported such as antihypertensive, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, histidine decarboxylase inhibition, hypoglycemic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, acaricidal, anxiolytic, anti-depressant and anti-estrogenic. Several scientific reports have been published on various isolated phytochemicals and pharmacological properties of Pimenta species that confirm its ethnobotanical and traditional history. However, in vivo studies on different extracts and their phytoconstituents, alongside mechanistic analysis deserve more attention for drug researchers to provide better guidance to utilize Pimenta plants as medicinal resources for herbal formulations in different approaches.

Numerical study and experimental validation of the size effect of smooth and mode I cracked semi-circular bend specimens.

The edge-cracked semi-circular bend (SCB) specimen subjected to three-point bending loading is used in many applications to measure the fracture behavior of quasi-brittle materials. The main objective of the present work was to study the effect of the crack length to SCB specimen radius ratio (a/R), span to specimen diameter ratio (S/D), and specimen size on its flexural and mode I crack growth behavior. The contour integral method was implemented using the 3-D finite element method to determine the mode I stress intensity factor. In addition, high-strength concrete specimens were experimentally studied to validate the numerical results. The results show that the maximum compression stress is not sensitive to the S/D value, while the tensile stress is very sensitive. The value of S/D is the main parameter controlling the crack driving force (i.e., the crack mouth opening displacement (CMOD) and the normalized stress intensity factor, YI). For the same S/D, the SCB specimen diameter value change has a marginal effect on CMOD and YI. The specimen with S/D = 0.8 showed that it is the most compatible specimen with three-point bending test conditions, regardless of the SCB specimen size. A good agreement between the numerical and experimental results was achieved.

Association of SDF-1 Gene Polymorphism with Increased Risk of Acute Myeloid Leukemia Patients.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogenous group of disorders that emerge from the malignant transformation of hematopoietic stem cells. Chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1(SDF-1) and its receptor CXC receptor 4 (CXCR4) has an essential role in dissemination of blast cells. Study aimed to detect CXCR4 expression and the SDF-1 (rs1801157) gene polymorphisms and correlate them with prognosis and outcome in AML patients. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 60 de-novo AML patients, and 60 healthy controls. SDF-1 (rs1801157) gene polymorphisms were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and CXCR4 expression was done using flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: SDF-1 dominant model (AG+AA) had higher risk AML (p 0.002). CXCR4positive cases were associated significantly with toxic manifestations (p 0.019), lower CR rates (p 0.004), and unfavorable cytogenetics (p 0.027). Multivariate analysis showed that combined CXCR4positive with dominant SDF-1 considered as independent prognostic factor for shorter overall survival (OS) in AML patients (p 0.031). CONCLUSION: SDF-1 dominant model had a higher risk to develop AML, and CXCR4 positive expression predicts poor prognosis in AML patients and it could represent a targeted therapy in AML. In addition, CXCR4 could be easily integrated into the initial routine diagnostic work up of AML.
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GENETIC POLYMORPHISM OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII FROM RECENTLY INFECTED ABORTED EGYPTIAN WOMEN.

Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent parasitic diseases in human beings. Human toxoplasmosis can be associated with serious clinical manifestations, particularly in developing fetus. The aim of the current study was to identify the possible lineage type of Toxoplasma gondii, molecularly detected in placental samples of women whose pregnancies were spontaneously terminated in the first trimester. Preliminary detection of Toxoplasma genomic materials was done by a SYBR green qPCR technology. Subsequent identification of Toxoplasma strain was done for the positive samples using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) at the SAG2 loci of T. gondii using restriction enzymes HhaI and Sau3AI. Out of 72 tested samples, Toxoplasma B1 gene was detected in 9 cases. Toxoplasma genotypes I and II in addition to unknown type were identified in 4, 3 and 2 cases respectively, while type III was not detected in our samples, hence excluded as a leading cause of abortion in humans in our preliminary study. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain to what extent the genotype of the parasite directly contributes to the clinical severity of human toxoplasmosis. Certainly, advanced molecular techniques targeting different Toxoplasma strains are crucial for better understanding of human toxoplasmosis. For more elucidation, additional studies are recommended intended for genetic characterization of such serious parasitic infection using larger number of samples.

Magnetic resonance imaging features of hip disorders in an Egyptian pediatric population.

Hip disorders in a pediatric population are a diagnostic challenge. The aim of the study is to assess the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of non-traumatic hip disorders in a series of Egyptian patients and to review the literature on the most common hip conditions. Seventy two consecutive patients [40 males (55.6%) and 32 females (44.4)] with acute onset of hip complaints unrelated to trauma or falls were recruited. All patients underwent an initial full clinical assessment and blood tests as well as contrast enhanced MRI of both hips. The most common diagnosis in this group of Egyptian patients was transient synovitis in 29 (40.3%) cases, followed by seronegative enthesopathy and arthropathy syndrome in 8 (11.1%), septic arthritis in 10 (13.9%), tuberculous arthritis in 4 (5.6%), sickle-cell disease in 7 (9.7%), complicated with septic arthritis in 3 (4.2%), transient bone marrow edema (BME) in 3 (4.2%), osteomyelitis in 2 (2.8%), osteosarcoma in 2 (2.8%), sciatic nerve injury in 1 (1.4%), leukemia with BME in 1 (1.4%), coxa vara of both hips and L5/S1 facet joint ankylosis in 1 (1.4%), and a benign bone cyst in 1 (1.4%). MRI studies showed hip effusion in a total of 51 patients (70.8%), joint space narrowing in 9 (12.5%), and BME in 15(20.8%). MRI is a sensitive tool for assessing hip disorders in a pediatric population and can play an important role in both diagnosis and management of different hip disorders, irrespective of the underlying pathology.

Curcumin Ameliorates Lead (Pb(2+))-Induced Hemato-Biochemical Alterations and Renal Oxidative Damage in a Rat Model.

This study aims to evaluate the protective role of curcumin (Curc) against hematological and biochemical changes, as well as renal pathologies induced by lead acetate [Pb (CH3COO)2·3H2O] treatment. Male albino rats were intraperitoneally treated with Pb(2+) (25 mg of lead acetate/kg b.w., once a day) alone or in combination with Curc (30 mg of Curc/kg b.w., twice a day) for 7 days. Exposure of rats to Pb(2+) caused significant decreases in hemoglobin (Hb) content, hematocrit (Ht) value, and platelet (Plt) count, while Pb(2+)-related leukocytosis was accompanied by absolute neutrophilia, monocytosis, lymphopenia, and eosinopenia. A significant rise in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and a marked drop of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were evident in the kidney, liver, and serum of Pb(2+) group compared to that of control. Furthermore, significantly high levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and a sharp drop in serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) level were also seen in blood after injection of Pb(2+). Additionally, hepatorenal function tests were enhanced. Meanwhile, Pb(2+) produced marked histo-cytological alterations in the renal cortex. Co-administration of Curc to the Pb(2+)-treated animals restored most of the parameters mentioned above to near-normal levels/features. In conclusion, Curc appeared to be a promising agent for protection against Pb(2+)-induced toxicity.

Effects of propylene glycol on the metabolic status and milk production of dairy buffaloes.

OBJECTIVES: The study was designed to investigate the effects of drenching with propylene glycol (PG) on body condition, serum metabolites and milk production during the transition period of dairy buffaloes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Animals were randomly allocated to a control group (n=5) and a PG group of 10 buffaloes that were drenched with 500 ml of propylene glycol once daily from 10 (9±3) days prepartum until 2 weeks postpartum. Ultrasound measurements of backfat thickness (BFT) were performed weekly, while blood samples were taken at -4, -2, 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks from parturition for estimation of hematological and biochemical metabolites. RESULTS: At -4, -3, and -2 weeks from calving, BFT did not differ between the two groups, but decreased after calving and was higher for the control group than the PG group at weeks -1 and 1. Hematological analysis revealed insignificant changes between the two groups. Serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), ß-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) and glucose did not differ between the two groups before parturition. At 2 and 4 weeks from parturition, NEFA was higher for the control group than the PG group. Serum concentrations of BHBA were higher at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks in control animals than in treated buffaloes. In contrast, the glucose level was significantly increased in PG group when compared to the control group at week 2 postpartum (p<0.05). Serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, total proteins, albumin, and globulins did not differ significantly between the two groups (p>0.05). Serum enzyme activities of aspartate aminotransferase and γ-glutamyl transferase were significantly higher in the control than in the PG group. In treated buffaloes significantly (p<0.05) higher average 60-day milk yields were recorded (8.4±0.22 vs. 10.7±0.40 kg/day). Milk composition did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Drenching of dairy buffaloes with propylene glycol may reduce the risk of ketosis, improve the metabolic status, and increase the milk yield.

Frequency and patterns of abnormal Pap smears in Sudanese women with infertility: What are the perspectives?

BACKGROUND: Pelvic inflammatory disease is one of the major causes of infertility in females. Also, women with infertility are at high-risk of developing cervical intraepithelial lesions or even carcinoma. AIM: To assess the prevalence and patterns of epithelial cell abnormalities in cervical smears in Sudanese infertile and fertile women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study included 200 cases (women with infertility) of age group 20-60 years who had routine pap smear. A total of 700 fertile women constituted the control group. RESULTS: Among the 200 infertile women, 93.5% reported as negative for intraepithelial lesion or malignancy (NILM), and 6.5% were epithelial cell abnormalities (atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance and above). In the control group 96.6% of the smears reported as NILM and 3.4% as epithelial cell abnormalities. The percentage of abnormal pap smears in the infertile women was significantly higher when compared with the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Epithelial cell abnormalities are significantly higher in women with infertility as compared with fertile women. Importantly, inflammatory smears were reported two times more than in the controls. We recommend pap smear as a routine practice for all women assessed for infertility problems. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the incidence of human papilloma virus infections in infertile women with abnormal cervical cytology.

Adnexal mass vascularity assessed by 3-dimensional power Doppler: does it add to the risk of malignancy index in prediction of ovarian malignancy?: four hundred-case study.

The Risk of Malignancy Index (RMI) is used for the prediction of ovarian malignancy. It includes menopausal status, carbohydrate antigen 125 serum levels, and ultrasound criteria. Three-dimensional power Doppler (3-DPD) is a reproducible investigation for assessment of tumor vascularity, classifying vascularity to avascular, parallel, and chaotic patterns. In this study; 3-DPD was added to RMI for prediction of malignancy in 400 cases of ovarian masses. Sensitivity of RMI for prediction of malignancy was 88%, with a cutoff value of 202.5 at 95% confidence interval. Sensitivity of 3-DPD for prediction of malignancy was 75%, adding 3-DPD to RMI increased its sensitivity to 99%. Considering the pilot nature of the study, further studies are needed to corroborate such findings.

Treatments for reducing total vicine in Egyptian faba bean (Giza 2 variety).

The response of faba bean 'Vicia faba' (Giza 2 variety) towards soaking conditions differed greatly since the absorbed quantities of water (either by the whole or the decorticated forms) are a function of their chemical constituents. On the other hand, 28.45% of the total vicine (vicine & convicine) present in the whole faba bean samples was extracted after soaking for 72 h at room temperature. Subsequently, other soaking mediums, i.e., 0.5% sodium carbonate and/or 1% acetic acid were used in an attempt to increase the level of vicine elimination. Percentage removal of total vicine in whole faba bean was higher in the acidic (61.31%) than the alkaline (38.40%) medium under the conditions tested, i.e., at room temperature for 72 hours. The rates of vicine + convicine elimination in decorticated faba bean for the acidic acid and alkaline soaking media were 78.46 and 79.13%, respectively. The solubility ratio of total vicine relative to soaking solutions (H2O:Na2CO3:Acetic acid) was 1:1.35:2.16 in the whole broad bean and 1:2.41:2.39 in the decorticated samples. The residual amounts of total vicine (78.33% and 77.27%) present after stewing under normal and under pressure cooking conditions could be expected to be decreased to 30.33% for the former and 29.92% for the later after 72 h of soaking. Regression analysis was used to estimate the theoretical zero point of vicine elimination from faba bean through soaking in 1% acetic acid.

Eigenimage filtering in MR imaging.

This article presents the technical aspects of a linear filter, referred to as eigenimage filtering, and its applications in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The technique is used to obtain a single composite image depicting a particular feature of interest while suppressing one or more interfering features. The appropriate weighting components to be used in the linear filter are determined on the criterion that the desired feature is enhanced while the interfering features are suppressed. The criterion is expressed mathematically as a ratio. By applying Rayleigh's principle, the ratio is maximized by finding the eigenvector associated with the maximum eigenvalue of the corresponding generalized eigenvalue problem. The appropriate weighting factors for the linear filter are the elements of the eigenvector which maximize the ratio. The utilization of the technique is demonstrated in its application to a simulated MR image sequence as well as to acquired MR image sequences of a normal and an abnormal brain.

Detection of soybean in soy-based meat substitutes.

The statistical analysis of the available data indicated that the straight line equations of protein, fat, fibre, calcium, methionine, and lysine could successively be used for forecasting the added soy percent in a given recipe. On the other hand, the areas of the identified bands in the electropherograms of the investigated samples were considered a reasonable tool for the quantitative determination of whole soybean in soy-based meat substitutes.