Physicochemical characterization of chitin extracted by different treatment sequences from an edible insect.

Chitin present in the shell of edible insects is a potential source of chitin, lipids, and proteins, and it exerts various biological activities. Thus far, only a few studies have focused on the use of chitin as a source of high-protein-diet oligosaccharides. The use of insect chitin for the production of high-protein-diet oligosaccharides can lessen the reliance on diet crops. Moreover, although chitin composition in Tenebrio molitor larva, pupa, and adult has been extensively investigated, chitin extraction from T. molitor larval whole body and exuvium has received poor attention. The present study compared the effectiveness of two techniques for extracting high-protein-diet chitin oligosaccharide from an edible insect (T. molitor). Two different extraction sequences of chitin from the larval stage (molitor stage larvae) and adult stage (molitor stage adult) of edible T. molitor were investigated. Two processing steps were employed: (a) deproteinization (DEP) and (b) demineralization (DEM) treatments. Differences in the order, conditions, and period of their application resulted in two different chitin extraction procedures. The viscosity, degree of polymerization, and crystallinity index of the chitin extracted using the two procedures were measured, and its chemical components (chitin, ash, protein, fat, and moisture contents) were determined. T. molitor adults and larvae treated sequentially with DEM-DEP demonstrated the greatest yield of approximately 14.62 % ± 0.15 and 6.096 % ± 0.10 %, respectively. By contrast, when treated sequentially with DEP-DEM, the recorded yields were 10.96 % ± 0.18 and 5.31 % ± 0.38, respectively. Differences in the degree of deacetylation between both methods were observed. Additionally, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometry of the extracted chitin along with a commercial sample revealed consistent chain conformation, mean hydrogen bonding, and crystallinity index. In this way, residues produced by farmed edible insects can be recovered and used as a novel source of chitin.

Laser-induced porous graphene electrodes from polyketimine membranes for paracetamol sensing.

The development of cost-effective materials for fabricating electrodes is crucial for drug, pharmaceutical and environmental applications. This paper presents the synthesis and characterization of a novel polyketimine (PKI) membrane obtained by condensing partially of different weight percentages of oxidized polyvinyl alcohol and aminated polyether sulfone. Using the PKI membrane as a scaffold, we introduced laser-induced graphene electrodes (LIGEs) for the efficient electrochemical sensing of paracetamol (PCM), which serves as a model drug. Electrochemical measurements were conducted to assess the physico-chemical properties, including laser-induced porous graphene features, such as the heterogeneous electron transfer (HET) rate and electrochemically active surface area (ECSA). The obtained results demonstrate that the LIGEs exhibit excellent performance in PCM sensing, showing a linear detection range of 50-600 µM with a detection limit (LOD) as low as 14.3 µM and a good selectivity toward uric acid. Furthermore, the functionalization of the electrode surface with AuNPs improved the electrode physico-chemical properties (HET and ECSA) and lowered the detection limit down to 1.1 µM. Consequently, these affordable electrodes hold great potential for analysing other drugs and detecting heavy metal cations in various applications.

Ultrasonographic & biochemical analysis of thyroid bio-architecture for further pharmacological intervention in adult Arabian stallions & mares.

Based on the growing attention to the Arabian horses with a lack of records regarding their normal physiological parameters, which are critically vital for disease diagnosis &convenient drug administration, we give great attention to their thyroid gland normalcy. The thyroid gland is one of the key players in regulating many physiological processes. Therefore, we tackled thyroid biology & morphology in 14 Arabian stallions & 18 Arabian mares from the beginning of March to the middle of April on animals from 4 to 19 years old. First, the blood samples taken from their jugular vein were used for hematological profile, lipid profile, glucose-coagulation axis & thyroid profile. Moreover, thyroid gland dimensions & volume were estimated using ultrasonography. Noteworthy, Arabian mares have significantly higher MCH & relative eosinophils than Arabian stallions, while Arabian stallions have significantly higher glucose levels than Arabian Mares. Interestingly, this study found that Arabian horses have a high level of Total T4 & low level of platelets count compared to other horses. These results pointed to the deiodinase inhibitors as a possible target therapy for hyperthyroidism & thyroid cancer in Arabian horses, making surgery a second option. Also, these results refer to the caution required before giving Arabian horses high plasma protein bounded drugs, especially anticoagulants. Also, sonographic results showed that the left lobe is larger than the right lobe in both genders, & the lobes volume is larger in Arabian horses compared to others. These results would guide the veterinarian during diagnosis & thyroidectomy.

σ-Hole and LP-Hole Interactions of Pnicogen···Pnicogen Homodimers under the External Electric Field Effect: A Quantum Mechanical Study.

σ-Hole and lone-pair (lp)-hole interactions within σ-hole···σ-hole, σ-hole···lp-hole, and lp-hole···lp-hole configurations were comparatively investigated on the pnicogen···pnicogen homodimers (PCl3)2, for the first time, under field-free conditions and the influence of the external electric field (EEF). The electrostatic potential calculations emphasized the impressive versatility of the examined PCl3 monomers to participate in σ-hole and lp-hole pnicogen interactions. Crucially, the sizes of σ-hole and lp-hole were enlarged under the influence of the positively directed EEF and decreased in the case of reverse direction. Interestingly, the energetic quantities unveiled more favorability of the σ-hole···lp-hole configuration of the pnicogen···pnicogen homodimers, with significant negative interaction energies, than σ-hole···σ-hole and lp-hole···lp-hole configurations. Quantum theory of atoms in molecules and noncovalent interaction index analyses were adopted to elucidate the nature and origin of the considered interactions, ensuring their closed shell nature and the occurrence of attractive forces within the studied homodimers. Symmetry-adapted perturbation theory-based energy decomposition analysis alluded to the dispersion force as the main physical component beyond the occurrence of the examined interactions. The obtained findings would be considered as a fundamental underpinning for forthcoming studies pertinent to chemistry, materials science, and crystal engineering.

Influence of Nano Silicon and Nano Selenium on Root Characters, Growth, Ion Selectivity, Yield, and Yield Components of Rice (Oryza sativa L.) under Salinity Conditions.

Rice production under salinity stress is a critical challenge facing many countries, particularly those in arid and semi-arid regions. This challenge could be handled by applying novel approaches to overcome yield limiting factors and improve resource use efficiency. The usage of nanoparticles (NPs) could be a beneficial approach to managing the growing problem of soil salinity. The aim of our study was to investigate the advantageous effects of soaking and foliar application of silicon (Si) and selenium (Se), (NPs-Si at 12.5 mg L-1 and NPs-Se at 6.25 mg L-1) on root characteristics, moropho-physiological traits, and yields of two rice varieties (i.e., Giza 177 as a salt sensitive and Giza 178 as a salt tolerant) grown in saline soil compared to untreated plants (control treatment). Results showed that soaking NPs-Se resulted in the highest value of root thickness for Giza 178 (0.90 mm, 0.95 mm) and root volume (153.30 cm3, 154.30 cm3), while Giza 177 recorded 0.83 mm, 0.81 mm for root thickness and 143.30 cm3, 141.30 cm3 for root volume in the 2018 and 2019 seasons, respectively. Soaking NPs-Se, NPs-Si and foliar application of NPs-Se at BT resulted in the highest relative water content and dry matter, while foliar application of NPs-Si at BT gave the highest leaf area index of rice plants compared to the other treatments. Giza 178 (i.e., salt tolerant variety) significantly surpassed Giza 177 (i.e., salt sensitive variety) in the main yield components such as panicle number and filled grains/ panicle, while Giza 177 significantly exceeded Giza 178 in the panicle weight, 1000-grain weight, and unfilled grains number/ panicle. Soaking NPs-Se and foliar application of NPs-Si at BT resulted in the highest grain yield of 5.41 and 5.34 t ha-1 during 2018 and 5.00 and 4.91 t ha-1 during 2019, respectively. The salt sensitive variety (Giza 177) had the highest Na+ leaf content and Na+/K+ ratio as well as the lowest K+ leaf content during both seasons. Applying nano nutrients such as NPs-Si and NPs-Se improved the yield components of the salt sensitive variety (Giza 177) by enhancing its ion selectivity. Both NPs-Si and NPs-Se had almost the same mode of action to mitigate the harmful salinity and enhance plant growth, and subsequently improved the grain yield. In summary, the application of NPs-Si and NPs-Se is recommended as a result of their positive influence on rice growth and yield as well as minimizing the negative effects of salt stress.

External electric field effects on the σ-hole and lone-pair hole interactions of group V elements: a comparative investigation.

σ-hole and lone-pair (lp) hole interactions of trivalent pnicogen-bearing (ZF3) compounds were comparatively scrutinized, for the first time, under field-free and external electric field (EEF) conditions. Conspicuously, the sizes of the σ-hole and lp-hole were increased by applying an EEF along the positive direction, while the sizes of both holes decreased through the reverse EEF direction. The MP2 energetic calculations of ZF3⋯FH/NCH complexes revealed that σ-holes exhibited more impressive interaction energies compared to the lp-holes. Remarkably, the strengths of σ-hole and lp-hole interactions evolved with the increment of the positive value of the considered EEF; i.e., the interaction energy increased as the utilized EEF value increased. Unexpectedly, under field-free conditions, nitrogen-bearing complexes showed superior strength for their lp-hole interactions than phosphorus-bearing complexes. However, the reverse picture was exhibited for the interaction energies of nitrogen- and phosphorus-bearing complexes interacting within lp-holes by applying the high values of a positively directed EEF. These results significantly demonstrate the crucial influence of EEF on the strength of σ-hole and lp-hole interactions, which in turn leads to an omnipresent enhancement for variable fields, including biological simulations and material science.

Synthesis and evaluation of N-allylthiourea-modified chitosan for adsorptive removal of arsenazo III dye from aqueous solutions.

N-allylthiourea chitosan (ATUCS), a chelating material, was prepared, characterized, and studied for the removal of arsenazo III (As (III)) dye from aqueous solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and 1H- and 13C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were used to characterize the prepared adsorbent and to investigate the adsorption mechanism. Furthermore, the adsorption behavior of chitosan (CS) and ATUCS were studied under various conditions. The equilibrium adsorbed amount of As (III) onto ATUCS was found to be 116.3 mg/g, compared to 87.3 mg/g with respect to CS. The regeneration of the loaded CS and ATUCS were studied using 1:1 solution of H2O2-H2SO4 and reused with certain change in efficiency after the third cycle. The adsorption process was found to fit well with pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium data were better described with the Freundlich isotherm. The monolayer adsorption capacity was found to be 204.08 and 90.90 mg/g for the As (III)/ATUCS and As (III)/CS systems, respectively, at 25 °C. The pH of the higher uptake of As (III) onto ATUCS and CS was 4-5 and 8.0, respectively. The results demonstrated improved adsorption of As (III) using ATUCS as compared to the CS.

Mercerization effect on structure and electrical properties of cellulose: Development of a novel fast Na-ionic conductor.

Mercerized cellulose (alkali cellulose C6H10O5* NaOH) was obtained by treatment of cotton linters (cellulose) with aqueous sodium hydroxide. Cellulose and alkali-cellulose samples with relative density of 78% and 79% were obtained after sintering the material in air at optimal sintering temperatures of 423 K and 473 K, respectively. The electrical properties of the samples were studied by impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range from 13 MHz to 50 Hz at temperatures between 393 K and 493 K. The influence of cellulose mercerization on electrical properties of cotton linters was observed. The cellulose behaves like an electrical insulator. Contrariwise, the alkali-cellulose is a fast-ionic conductor with a conductivity value of σ473 K = 3.22 × 10-6 S cm-1 having activation energies of 0.49 eV and 0.68 eV at temperature range of 393 K-458 K and 459 K-500 K, respectively. The change of activation energy value has been discussed in relation to thermal stability.

An unexpected reactivity during periodate oxidation of chitosan and the affinity of its 2, 3-di-aldehyde toward sulfa drugs.

In an attempt to determine the reactivity during the periodate oxidation of the vicinal amino sugar, chitosan was oxidized by KIO4 in a neutral medium. The reactivity was unexpectedly found to be low. The formation of di-aldehyde chitosan (DACT) might cause the low reactivity of chitosan oxidation. Therefore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out, which revealed that the greater stability of the cyclic amino iodate intermediate might retard the ring opening to form DACT. Furthermore, the affinity of the formation of two novel Schiff bases from the interaction of delivered DACT with two sulfa drugs [sulfanilamide and sulfathiazole] was also investigated using aldehyde content estimation. DACT and Schiff's bases were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and DTA analysis. The X-ray diffraction plane (110) of DACT at the high angle side was expanded more by sulfathiazole than sulfanilamide, indicating that sulfathiazole reacted effectively with DACT. The lowest interaction of DACT with sulfa drugs could be ascribed to the lowest aldehyde content and the intramolecular hemiacetal formation that hinders the Schiff's base condensation.

[Low-flow low-gradient aortic valve stenosis : Current evidence]. / "Low-flow-low-gradient"-Aortenklappenstenose : Aktuelle Evidenz.

Many patients with severe aortic stenosis have a "low-flow, low-gradient" aortic stenosis. The management of these patients can be quite difficult, as these patients often show impairment of the left ventricle, which can lead to false measurements of the severity of stenosis and also leads to a higher risk during aortic valve replacement. More diagnostic tools than only standard echocardiography are needed to correctly differentiate true severe aortic stenosis from pseudo severe aortic stenosis.

Attenuation of ketamine-induced impairment in verbal learning and memory in healthy volunteers by the AMPA receptor potentiator PF-04958242.

There is a need to develop treatments for cognitive impairment associated with schizophrenia (CIAS). The significant role played by N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in both the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and in neuronal plasticity suggests that facilitation of NMDAR function might ameliorate CIAS. One strategy to correct NMDAR hypofunction is to stimulate α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) as AMPAR and NMDAR functioning are coupled and interdependent. In rats and nonhuman primates (NHP), AMPAR potentiators reduce spatial working memory deficits caused by the nonselective NMDAR antagonist ketamine. The current study assessed whether the AMPAR potentiator PF-04958242 would attenuate ketamine-induced deficits in verbal learning and memory in humans. Healthy male subjects (n=29) participated in two randomized treatment periods of daily placebo or PF-04958242 for 5 days separated by a washout period. On day 5 of each treatment period, subjects underwent a ketamine infusion for 75 min during which the effects of PF-04958242/placebo were assessed on ketamine-induced: (1) impairments in verbal learning and recall measured by the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test; (2) impairments in working memory on a CogState battery; and (3) psychotomimetic effects measured by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and Clinician-Administered Dissociative Symptoms Scale. PF-04958242 significantly reduced ketamine-induced impairments in immediate recall and the 2-Back and spatial working memory tasks (CogState Battery), without significantly attenuating ketamine-induced psychotomimetic effects. There were no pharmacokinetic interactions between PF-04958242 and ketamine. Furthermore, PF-04958242 was well tolerated. 'High-impact' AMPAR potentiators like PF-04958242 may have a role in the treatment of the cognitive symptoms, but not the positive or negative symptoms, associated with schizophrenia. The excellent concordance between the preclinical (rat, NHP) and human studies with PF-04958242, and in silico modeling of AMPAR-NMDAR interactions in the hippocampus, highlights the translational value of this study.

MitraClip step by step; how to simplify the procedure.

The MitraClip system is a device for percutaneous edge-to-edge reconstruction of the mitral valve in patients with severe mitral regurgitation who are deemed at high risk for surgery. Studies have underlined the therapeutic benefit of the MitraClip system for patients at extreme and high risk for mitral valve surgery, suffering from either degenerative or functional mitral regurgitation. The MitraClip procedure shows low peri-procedural complication rates, and a significant reduction in mitral regurgitation, as well as an improvement in functional capacity and most importantly quality of life. It hereby widens the spectrum of mitral valve repair for the Heart Team. The current review underscores the efficacy of the procedure and describes the technique to simplify the procedure.

Peculiar behavior of starch 2,3-dialdehyde towards sulfanilamide and sulfathiazole.

In this study, starch (1) was oxidized to starch-2,3-dialdehyde (DAS; 2) using potassium periodate. In addition, two novel Schiff's bases (5 &6) were synthesized via a condensation reaction between DAS (2) and sulfa drugs (sulfanilamide; 3 & sulfathiazole; 4). The synthesized Schiff's bases (5 &6) were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and DSC analysis. DAS can easily be oxidized owing to its high aldehyde content (91.0%). However, it has low reactivity towards sulfanilamide (3) and sulfathiazole (4). According to the diffraction functional theory, this peculiar behavior is caused by the absence of V-shape in α-glucan linkage in DAS molecules, making the carbonyl group least electropositive. This reduces the nucleophilic attacks of the amino group in sulfa drugs towards the carbonyl group in DAS.

[Interdisciplinary differential treatment of structural heart disease : When operation and when catheter-based intervention?]. / Interdisziplinäre Differenzialtherapie struktureller Herzerkrankungen : Wann Operation und wann kathetergestützte Intervention?

The demographic changes in society lead to an increasing number of patients with aortic valve stenosis and mitral regurgitation. Simultaneously the higher age of patients is associated with an increase in multimorbidity with a high surgical risk so that they cannot be referred to surgery. Besides the current gold standard of surgery, minimally invasive therapeutic options are increasingly becoming established for these patients. For the differentiated indications and therapeutic success, a multidisciplinary heart team assumes an important role. The next generation of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) systems will lead to improvement in the results, lower complication rates and mortality and as a result there is a general trend towards expanding the indications. New innovative minimally invasive mitral valve devices are still undergoing clinical trials and will define future therapy options.

Enhancing biocompatibility of some cation selective electrodes using heparin modified bacterial cellulose.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) and heparin-modified bacterial cellulose (HBC) were utilized to enhance the biocompatibility of highly thrombogenic PVC-based potassium and calcium membrane electrodes. Three types of membrane electrodes were prepared: (1) conventional PVC electrode (control), (2) PVC-based electrode sandwiched with bacterial cellulose membrane (BC-PVC), and (3) PVC-based electrode sandwiched with heparin-modified bacterial cellulose membrane (HBC-PVC). The potentiometric response characteristics of the modified potassium and calcium membrane electrodes (BC-PVC and HBC-PVC) were compared with those of the control PVC-based potassium and calcium selective electrode, respectively. Response characteristics of the modified membrane electrodes were comparable to the control PVC membrane electrode. The platelet adhesion investigations indicated that (BC) and (HBC) layers are less thrombogenic compared to PVC. Therefore, use of BC or HBC would enable the enhancement of the biocompatibility of PVC-based membrane electrodes for potassium and calcium while practically maintaining the overall electrochemical performance of the PVC sensing film.

Physicochemical characterization of novel Schiff bases derived from developed bacterial cellulose 2,3-dialdehyde.

The synthesis of two novel Schiff's bases (cellulose-2,3-bis-[(4-methylene-amino)-benzene-sulfonamide] (5) & cellulose-2,3-bis-[(4-methylene-amino)-N-(thiazol-2-yl)-benzenesulfonamide] (6) via condensation reactions of periodate oxidized developed bacterial cellulose ODBC (2) with sulfa drugs [sulfanilamide (3) & sulfathiazole (4)] was reported. The physicochemical characterization of the condensation products was performed using FTIR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR spectral analyses, X-ray diffraction and DTA. The ODBC exhibited the highest degree of oxidation based on the aldehyde group number percentage (82.9%), which confirms the highest reactivity of developed bacterial cellulose [DBC (1)]. The X-ray diffractograms indicated an increase in the interplanar distance of the cellulose Schiff base (6) compared to ODBC (2) due to sulfathiazole (4) inclusion between ODBC (2) sheets corresponding to the 1 1 0 plane. In addition, the aldehyde content of Schiff base (6) was (20.8%) much lower than that of Schiff base (5) (41.5%). These results confirmed the high affinity of sulfathiazole (4) to the ODBC (2) chain, and the substantial changes in the original properties of ODBC were due to these chemical modifications rather than the sulfanilamide (3).

Effect of different alkaline solutions on crystalline structure of cellulose at different temperatures.

Effect of alkaline solutions such as 10% NaOH, NaOH/urea and NaOH/ethylene glycol solutions on crystalline structure of different cellulosic fibers (cotton linter and filter paper) was investigated at room temperature and -4°C. The highest dissolution of cotton linter and filter paper was observed in NaOH/ethylene glycol at both temperatures. X-ray patterns of treated cotton linter with different alkaline solutions at low temperature showed only two diffractions at 2θ=12.5° and 21.0°, which belonged to the crystalline structure of cellulose II. CP/MAS (13)C NMR spectra showed the doublet peaks at 89.2 ppm and 88.3 ppm representing C4 resonance for cellulose I at room temperature, Whereas, at low temperature the doublet peaks were observed at 89.2 ppm and 87.8 ppm representing C4 resonance for cellulose II. Degree of polymerization of cellulose plays an important role in cellulose dissolution in different alkaline solutions and temperatures, where, a low temperature gives high dissolutions percentage with change in crystalline structure from cellulose I to cellulose II forms.

Vitamin C enhances bacterial cellulose production in Gluconacetobacter xylinus.

Influence of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) on bacterial cellulose (BC) production and crystal structure was studied using four strains of Gluconacetobacter xylinus (ATCC 10245, IFO 13693, 13772 and 13773). BC productivity of all strains was increased in presence of vitamin C (0.5% w/w), the average BC production reached 0.47 g/30 ml compared with 0.25 g/30 ml without vitamin C. Enhanced productivity is associated with a decrease in gluconic acid concentration that is produced from Gluconacetobacter xylinus during BC production. X-ray results showed that the crystallinity index of BC produced in presence of ascorbic acid was the lowest with remarkable change in d-spacing. These results were confirmed by using solid state (13)CNMR. The increase in BC yield in presence of vitamin C is due to its antioxidant behavior and confirms our past work on lignosulfonate influence on BC.

Abdominal disimpaction with lower uterine segment support as a novel technique to minimize fetal and maternal morbidities during cesarean section for obstructed labor: a case series.

Cesarean section for obstructed labor remains a difficult procedure that may be associated with serious fetal and maternal injuries. In this case series, we evaluated the use of abdominal disimpaction with lower segment support as a novel technique to minimize morbidities. Eight patients who underwent cesarean section for obstructed labor were recruited. Impacted fetal head was delivered using this technique and uterine extensions, bladder injury, vaginal injury, and intraoperative bleeding were reported. Maternal and neonatal outcomes were observed postoperatively. No major morbidities were reported. Accordingly, we consider this technique as a promising step to minimize complications during cesarean section for obstructed labor.

Growth and nutritional status of rural preschool children in El Minia governorate.

PIP: Full histories, clinical examinations, and anthropometric measurements were taken on 392 male and 352 female preschool children 1-71 months of age in Bani Ahmed Village, El-Minia Governorate, to assess their growth, the prevalence of protein-energy malnutrition, and the influence of selected risk factors upon subjects' nutritional status. The children were selected for inclusion in the study through systematic random sampling. They were found to be both lighter and shorter than children of similar ages studied in Assiut, Lower Egypt, some developing countries, and the developed countries. The weight, height, and head circumference of males were not significantly different than those of females. There was a 72.2% prevalence of malnutrition, with the highest prevalence of 83.7% being in the age group 6-23 months. The prevalence of wasting was 31.6%, with the highest prevalence of 62% also being in the age group 6-23 months. The prevalence of stunting was 76.5%, highest among children aged 24-35 months at 87.4%. Low socioeconomic status, increased birth order, recurrent diarrhea, and non-breastfeeding were high risk factors for the prevalence of malnutrition in the sample.^ieng