Photocatalytic Degradation of Methyl Orange and Methylene Blue Dyes by Engineering the Surface Nano-Textures of TiO2 Thin Films Deposited at Different Temperatures via MOCVD.

TiO2 thin films were deposited on quartz substrates by metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) at temperatures of 250, 350, and 450 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data revealed the production of a pure anatase phase, a decrease in crystallite size, and a textural change as deposition temperature increased. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to study the morphological properties and confirm XRD results. UV-Vis.-NIR spectroscopy was used to investigate the optical properties of the samples. The effect of deposition temperature on wettability was investigated using contact angle measurements. Sunlight photocatalytic properties increased with the increase in deposition temperature for methyl orange and methylene blue. Films were post-annealed at 500 °C for 2 h. The effect of annealing on all the above-mentioned properties was explored. The kinetic analysis demonstrated superb agreement with the kinetic pseudo-first-order model. The rate of photocatalytic degradation of MB was ~8, 13, and 12 times that of MO using 250, 350, and 450 °C deposited films, respectively. Photodegradation was found to depend on the specific surface area, type of pollutant, and annealing temperature.

DFT calculations of 1H- and 13C-NMR chemical shifts of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-(phenyldiazenyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-amine in solution.

Geometries of the 3-methyl-1-phenyl-4-(phenyldiazenyl)-1H-pyrazol-5-amine azo-dye compound and its tautomer were optimized using B3LYP and M06-2X functionals in coupling with TZVP and 6-311 + G(d,p) basis sets. The 1H- and 13C-NMR chemical shifts of all species were predicted using 13 density functional theory (DFT) approaches in coupling with TZVP and 6-311 + G(d,p) basis sets at the different optimized geometries by applying the using GIAO method using the eight geometries. The selected functionals are characterized by having different amount of Hartree-Fock exchange. The selected DFT methods were B3LYP, M06-2X, BP86, B97XD, TPSSTPSS, PBE1PBE, CAM-B3LYP, wB97XD, LSDA, HSEH1PBE, PW91PW91, LC-WPBE, and B3PW91. The results obtained were compared with the available experimental data using different statistical descriptors such as root mean square error (RMSE) and maximum absolute error (MAE). Results revealed that the prediction of the 1H-NMR chemical shifts has more significant dependence on the applied geometry than that of the prediction of the 13C-NMR chemical shifts. Among all the examined functionals, B97D and TPSSTPSS functionals were found to be the most accurate ones, while the M06-2X functional is the least accurate one. Results also revealed that the prediction of NMR chemical shifts using TZVP basis sets results is more accurate results than 6-311 + G(2d,p) basis set.

Experimental and theoretical study for removal of trimethoprim from wastewater using organically modified silica with pyrazole-3-carbaldehyde bridged to copper ions.

BACKGROUND: Human and veterinary antibiotics are typically discharged as parent chemicals in urine or feces and are known to be released into the environment via wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Several research investigations have recently been conducted on the removal and bioremediation of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) disposed of in wastewater. RESULTS: SiNP-Cu, a chelating matrix, was produced by delaying and slowing 1.5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carbaldehyde on silica gel from functionalized with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane. The prepared sorbent material was characterized using several techniques including BET surface area, FT-IR spectroscopy, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm. The pseudo-second-order model provided the best correlation due to the big match between the experimental and theoretical of different adsorption coefficients. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were used and the study showed a better match with the Freundlich model with a capacity of removal reached up to 420 mg g-1. The removal capacity was dependent on pH and increased by increasing pH. The removal percentage reached 91;5% at pH = 8. The adsorbent demonstrated a high percentage removal of TMP, reaching more than 94% when increased pH. The sample was simply regenerated by soaking it for a few minutes in 1 N HCl and drying it. The sorbent was repeated five times with no discernible decrease in removal capacity. The thermodynamic study also showed endothermic, increasing randomness and not spontaneous. The free energy was 2.71 kJ/mol at 320 K. The findings of the DFT B3LYP/6-31 + g (d, p) local reactivity descriptors revealed that nitrogen atoms and π-electrons of the benzene and pyrimidine rings in the TMP are responsible for the adsorption process with the SiNP surface. The negative values of the adsorption energies obtained by molecular dynamic simulation indicated the spontaneity of the adsorption process. CONCLUSION: The global reactivity indices prove that TMP is stable and it can be removed from wastewater using SiNP surface. The results of the local reactivity indices concluded that the active centers for the adsorption process are the nitrogen atoms and the π-electrons of the pyrimidine and benzene rings. Furthermore, the positive value of the maximum charge transfer number (ΔN) proves that TMP has a great tendency to donate electrons to SiNP surface during the process of adsorption.

Green tea extract modulates lithium-induced thyroid follicular cell damage in rats.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current work was to clarify the modulation role of green tea extract (GTE) over structural and functional affection of the thyroid gland after long term use of lithium carbonate (LC). The suggested underlying mechanisms participating in thyroid affection were researched. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley adult albino rats were included in the work. They were divided into three groups (control, LC, and concomitant LC + GTE). The work was sustained for 8 weeks. Biochemical assays were performed (thyroid hormone profile, interleukin 6 [Il-6]). Histological, histochemical (Periodic Acid Schiff [PAS]) and immunohistochemical (caspase-3, tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], proliferating cell nuclear antigen [PCNA]) evaluations were done. Oxidative/antioxidative markers (malondialdehyde [MDA]/gluthathione [GSH], superoxide dismutase [SOD]) and Western blot evaluation of the Bcl2 family were done. RESULTS: Lithium carbonate induced hypothyroidism (decreased T3, T4/increased thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH]). The follicles were distended, others were involuted. Some follicles were disorganised, others showed detached follicular cells. Apoptotic follicular cells were shown (BAX and caspase-3 increased, Bcl2 decreased, BAX/Bcl2 ratio increased). The collagen fibres' content and proinflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-6) increased. The proliferative nuclear activity was supported by increased expression of PCNA. Oxidative stress was established (increased MDA/decreased GSH, SOD). With the use of GTE, the thyroid hormone levels increased, while the TSH level decreased. Apoptosis was improved as BAX decreased, Bcl2 increased, and BAX/Bcl2 ratio was normal. The collagen fibres' content and proinflammatory markers (TNF-α and IL-6) decreased. The expression of PCNA and caspase-3 were comparable to the control group. The oxidative markers were improved (decreased MDA/increased GSH, SOD). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, prolonged use of LC results in hypothyroidism, which is accompanied by structural thyroid damage. LC induced thyroid damage through oxidative stress that prompted sterile inflammation and apoptosis. With the use of GTE, the thyroid gland regained its structure and function. The protecting role of GTE is through antioxidant, antifibrotic, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative effects.

OA foundations - experimental models of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is increasingly recognised as a disease of diverse phenotypes with variable clinical presentation, progression, and response to therapeutic intervention. This same diversity is readily apparent in the many animal models of OA. However, model selection, study design, and interpretation of resultant findings, are not routinely done in the context of the target human (or veterinary) patient OA sub-population or phenotype. This review discusses the selection and use of animal models of OA in discovery and therapeutic-development research. Beyond evaluation of the different animal models on offer, this review suggests focussing the approach to OA-animal model selection on study objective(s), alignment of available models with OA-patient sub-types, and the resources available to achieve valid and translatable results. How this approach impacts model selection is discussed and an experimental design checklist for selecting the optimal model(s) is proposed. This approach should act as a guide to new researchers and a reminder to those already in the field, as to issues that need to be considered before embarking on in vivo pre-clinical research. The ultimate purpose of using an OA animal model is to provide the best possible evidence if, how, when and where a molecule, pathway, cell or process is important in clinical disease. By definition this requires both model and study outcomes to align with and be predictive of outcomes in patients. Keeping this at the forefront of research using pre-clinical OA models, will go a long way to improving the quality of evidence and its translational value.

Synthesis, identification, density functional and Hirshfeld surface studies of 2,2'-disulfanediylbis(tetrahydro-4H-cyclopenta[d][1,3,2]dioxaphosphole-2-sulfide).

The new compound 2,2'-disulfanediylbis (tetrahydro-4H-cyclo penta[d][1,3,2]dioxaphosphole 2-sulfide), the dimeric form of 2-mercaptotetrahydro-4H-cyclopenta[d] [1,3,2] dioxaphosphole 2-sulfide, has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, molecular weight determination and spectral data (1 H-NMR, 13 C-NMR, 31 P-NMR, FTIR). The molecular geometry was confirmed by single X-Ray crystallography. The ground state property was examined by PBE0 and B3LYP density functionals using aug-cc-pV(Q+d)Z basis set in the gas phase and in DMSO solution. The preference of PBE0 functional was statistically established. Thermodynamic parameters and standard heat of dissociation reaction ( Δ H R 298 K o ) have been established. The calculated equilibrium constants at different temperatures reflect the stability of the dimer over the monomers at low temperatures and vice versa. Valency and Fukui indices calculations showed that the monomer is more reactive than the dimer. 2D-fingerprint revealed that, while the H…X; [X = H, O and S] nonbonding intermolecular interactions and reciprocals play a crucial role in strengthening of molecules packing in the crystal unit cell while the S…S ones contribute negatively on it.

Enhancing the impedance matched bandwidth of bottle microresonator signal processing devices.

Light pulses entering an elongated bottle microresonator (BMR) from a transversely oriented input-output waveguide (microfiber) slowly propagate along the BMR length and bounce between turning points at its constricting edges. To avoid insertion losses and processing errors, a pulse should completely transfer from the waveguide into the BMR and, after being processed, completely return back into the waveguide. For this purpose, the waveguide and BMR should be impedance matched along the pulse bandwidth. Here we show how to enhance the impedance matched bandwidth by optimization of the BMR effective radius variation in a small vicinity of the input-output waveguide.

Pathology-pain relationships in different osteoarthritis animal model phenotypes: it matters what you measure, when you measure, and how you got there.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether osteoarthritis (OA) pain characteristics and mechanistic pathways in pre-clinical models are phenotype-specific. DESIGN: Male 11-week-old C57BL6 mice had unilateral medial-meniscal-destabilization (DMM) or antigen-induced-arthritis (AIA), vs sham-surgery/immunised-controls (Sham/Im-CT). Pain behaviour (allodynia, mechanical- and thermal-hyperalgesia, hindlimb static weight-bearing, stride-length) and lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) gene-expression were measured at baseline, day-3, week-1/-2/-4/-8/-16, and pain-behaviour:gene-expression:joint-pathology associations investigated. RESULTS: DMM and AIA induced structural OA defined by progressively increasing cartilage erosion, subchondral bone sclerosis and osteophyte size and maturation. All pain-behaviours were modified, with model-specific differences in severity and temporal pattern. Tactile allodynia developed acutely in both models and persisted to week-16. During early-OA (wk4-8) there was; reduced right hindlimb weight-bearing in AIA; thermal-hyperalgesia and reduced stride-length in DMM. During chronic-OA (wk12-16); mechanical-hyperalgesia and reduced right hindlimb weight-bearing were observed in DMM only. There were no associations in either model between different pain-behaviour outcomes. A coordinated DRG-expression profile was observed in sham and Im-CT for all 11 genes tested, but not in AIA and DMM. At wk-16 despite equivalent joint pathology, changes in DRG-expression (Calca, Trpa1, Trpv1, Trpv4) were observed only in DMM. In AIA mechanical-hyperalgesia was associated with Trpv1 (r = -0.79) and Il1b (r = 0.53). In DMM stride-length was associated with Calca, Tac1, Trpv1, Trpv2, Trpv4 and Adamts5 (r = 0.4-0.57). DRG gene-expression change was correlated with subchondral-bone sclerosis in DMM, and cartilage damage in AIA. Positive pain-behaviour:joint-pathology associations were only present in AIA - for synovitis, subchondral-bone resorption, chondrocyte-hypertrophy and cartilage damage. CONCLUSION: Pain and peripheral sensory neuronal responses are OA-phenotype-specific with distinct pathology:pain-outcome:molecular-mechanism relationships.

Microresonator devices lithographically introduced at the optical fiber surface.

We present a simple lithographic method for fabrication of microresonator devices at the optical fiber surface. First, we undress the predetermined surface areas of a fiber segment from the polymer coating with a focused CO2 laser beam. Next, using the remaining coating as a mask, we etch the fiber in a hydrofluoric acid solution. Finally, we completely undress the fiber segment from coating to create a chain of silica bottle microresonators with nanoscale radius variation [surface nanoscale axial photonics (SNAP) microresonators]. We demonstrate the developed method by fabrication of a chain of five 1 mm long and 30 nm high microresonators at the surface of a 125 µm diameter optical fiber and a single 0.5 mm long and 291 nm high microresonator at the surface of a 38 µm diameter fiber. As another application, we fabricate a rectangular 5 mm long SNAP microresonator at the surface of a 38 µm diameter fiber and investigate its performance as a miniature delay line. The propagation of a 100 ps pulse with 1 ns delay, 0.035c velocity, and negligible dispersion is demonstrated. In contrast to previously developed approaches in SNAP technology, the developed method allows the introduction of much larger fiber radius variation ranging from nanoscale to microscale.

Benchmark calculations of proton affinity and gas-phase basicity using multilevel (G4 and G3B3), B3LYP and MP2 computational methods of para-substituted benzaldehyde compounds.

This study presents the benchmark calculations of proton affinities (PAs) and gas-phase basicities (GBs) of 8-para substituted benzaldehyde compounds using the multilevel model chemistries (G3B3 and G4), density-functional quantum model (B3LYP) and ab initio model (MP2). The results show that the computed properties are strongly correlated with the available experimental data. The PAs and the GBs of other eight para-substituted benzaldehyde compounds, for which the experimental data does not currently exist, have been calculated using G3B3 and B3LYP methods. The correlations between the experimental PAs and GBs with the computed properties such as PA, GB, chemical properties (bond lengths, electron density and δ1 H NMR chemical shift) of the investigated benzaldehydes have been studied and statistically analyzed. The influence of the substituted groups has been discussed in terms of inductive effect and electron donating and electron withdrawing effect. The results obtained show that the chemical properties of the benzaldehyde compounds are controlled by the strong coupling between the CHO group and the nature of the para-substituent groups through the benzene ring as a conducting linkage.

Physicomechanical Properties of Rice Husk/Coco Peat Reinforced Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Blend Composites.

Utilizing agro-waste material such as rice husk (RH) and coco peat (CP) reinforced with thermoplastic resin to produce low-cost green composites is a fascinating discovery. In this study, the effectiveness of these blended biocomposites was evaluated for their physical, mechanical, and thermal properties. Initially, the samples were fabricated by using a combination of melt blend internal mixer and injection molding techniques. Increasing in RH content increased the coupons density. However, it reduced the water vapor kinetics sorption of the biocomposite. Moisture absorption studies disclosed that water uptake was significantly increased with the increase of coco peat (CP) filler. It showed that the mechanical properties, including tensile modulus, flexural modulus, and impact strength of the 15% RH-5% CP reinforced acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), gave the highest value. Results also revealed that all RH/CP filled composites exhibited a brittle fracture manner. Observation on the tensile morphology surfaces by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) affirmed the above finding to be satisfactory. Therefore, it can be concluded that blend-agriculture waste reinforced ABS biocomposite can be exploited as a biodegradable material for short life engineering application where good mechanical and thermal properties are paramount.

Anal skin tag - An unusual presenting feature of food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis in a neonate.

BACKGROUND: Anal skin tags are commonly seen with anal fissures, haemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease and their association have been extensively studied. However the presence of anal skin tag in food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis has rarely been reported in literature. We report a neonate with food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis who presented with blood in stool and anal skin tag. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 26-day-old baby presented with history of passing intermittent blood in stools for two days. The baby was exclusively breast-fed and was well-appearing with no failure to thrive. Two anal skin tags were present but there was no evidence of anal fissures or haemorrhoids. The biopsy of anal skin tag showed fibroepithelial polyp. Colonoscopy was suggestive of food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis. In view of poor response to elimination diet in the mother and extensively hydrolysed formula, the baby was started on amino acid formula with complete recovery. CONCLUSION: Through this case we wish to highlight that clinicians should consider food protein-induced allergic proctocolitis in their differential diagnosis in a neonate presenting with blood in stools and anal skin tag.

Protective effect of resveratrol on acrylamide-induced renal impairment.

BACKGROUND: Acrylamide (ACR) has a wide range of uses. It possesses a renal impairment effect. The work aimed to study the possible protecting role of resveratrol (RVS) over the ACR-mediated renal impairment in rats. The suggested underlying mechanisms participating in such protection were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty Sprague-Dawley adult albino rats were divided into three groups: control, ACR, and RVS. After 4 weeks, the kidney was removed and prepared for histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical studies. The activity of tissue oxidative (malondialdehyde [MDA]) and anti-oxidative (glutathione [GSH]) markers were assessed. RESULTS: Acrylamide induced glomerular renal affection in the form of shrinkage and distortion of the glomeruli with wrinkling of their basement membranes and widening of the urinary spaces. Degenerative tubular changes were markedly present in the proximal convoluted tubules. The necrotic tubular cells exhibited cytoplasmic vacuolation with desquamated epithelial cells within the tubular lumen. ACR increases the deposition of collagen fibres in the basement membrane of the glomerular capillaries and induced thickening of the basement membranes of the renal corpuscles and renal tubules. The administration of RVS affords high protection to the kidney. The glomeruli and renal tubules were nearly normal. The content of collagen fibres and the periodic acid Schiff reaction of the basement membrane of the renal tubules were 70% and 19% lower linked to the ACR group. The creatinine and urea levels decreased by 51% and 47%. RVS induced such a protective role through its antioxidant effect as the MDA level decreased by 45%, while the GSH level increased by 83% compared with the ACR group. CONCLUSIONS: Acrylamide causes structural and functional disorders of the kidney. It induces kidney damage through oxidative stress and apoptosis. With the use of RVS, normal kidney architecture was preserved with little structural changes. Adding, functional kidney test became normal. RVS exerts its protective effect through its anti-apoptotic and antioxidant features.

New Imidazole-Based N-Phenylbenzamide Derivatives as Potential Anticancer Agents: Key Computational Insights.

An efficient atom-economical synthetic protocol to access new imidazole-based N-phenylbenzamide derivatives is described. A one-pot three-component reaction was utilized to provide a series of N-phenylbenzamide derivatives in a short reaction time (2-4 h) with an 80-85% yield. The cytotoxic evaluation revealed that derivatives 4e and 4f exhibited good activity, with IC50 values between 7.5 and 11.1 µM against the tested cancer cell lines. Computational studies revealed interesting insights: the docking of the active derivatives (4e and 4f) showed a higher affinity toward the target receptor protein than the control. Molecular dynamic simulations revealed that the active derivatives form stable complexes with the ABL1 kinase protein. Moreover, the ADME and drug-likeness of the derivatives reinforced the potential of the derivatives to be taken up for further development as anticancer agents.

Febuxostat ameliorates methotrexate-induced lung damage.

BACKGROUND: The intention of the present study was to assess the structural affection of the lung following methotrexate (MTX) overdose. The proposed underlying mechanisms involved in lung affection were studied. The possible modulation role of febuxostat over such affection was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats were divided into three groups: control, MTX-treated, febuxostat-treated. The study was continued for 2 weeks. Lung was processed for histological and immunohistochemical (inducible nitric oxide synthase [iNOS] and cyclooxygenase [COX]-2) studies. Inflammatory markers (tumour necrosis factor alpha [TNF-a], interleukin 1 [IL-1]), Western blot evaluation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) and oxidative/antioxidative markers were done. RESULTS: Methotrexate-treated group exhibited inflammatory cellular infiltrations, thickened interalveolar septa, dilated congested blood vessels, extravasated blood, and apoptosis. The collagen fibres content increased 3-fold. MTX induced lung affection through oxidative stress (increase MDA/decrease GSH, SOD) and apoptosis. It induced sterile inflammation through an increase of NF-kB (2-fold), IL-1 (3-fold) and TNF-a (3-fold), COX-2 cells (2.5-fold) and iNOS (6-fold). With the use of febuxostat, the normal lung architecture was observed with a bit thickened interalveolar septum and extravasated blood. The collagen fibres content was minimal. Decrement of oxidative stress and sterile inflammation (COX-2 cells and iNOS were comparable to the control group. NF-kB, IL-1 and TNF-a became higher by 34%, 64% and 100%). CONCLUSIONS: The overdose of MTX displays inflammatory lung affection with residual fibrosis. It induces lung affection through oxidative stress, apoptosis and sterile inflammation. With the use of febuxostat, the normal lung architecture was preserved with a little structural affection or fibrotic residue. Febuxostat exerts its lung protection through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant features.

Differential patterns of pathology in and interaction between joint tissues in long-term osteoarthritis with different initiating causes: phenotype matters.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if osteoarthritis (OA) progression and joint tissue-pathology associations link specific animal models to different human OA phenotypes. DESIGN: Male 11-week-old C57BL6 mice had unilateral medial-meniscal-destabilization (DMM) or antigen-induced-arthritis (AIA). Joint tissue histopathology was scored day-3 to week-16. Tissue-pathology associations (corrected for time and at week-16) were determined by partial correlation coefficients, and odds ratios (OR) calculated for likelihood of cartilage damage and joint inflammation by ordinal-logistic-regression. RESULTS: Despite distinct temporal patterns of progression, by week-16 joint-wide OA pathology in DMM and AIA was equivalent. Significant pathology associations common to both models included: osteophyte size and maturity (r > 0.4); subchondral bone (SCB) sclerosis and osteophyte maturity (r > 0.25); cartilage erosion and chondrocyte hypertrophy/apoptosis (r > 0.4), SCB sclerosis (r > 0.26), osteophyte size (r > 0.3), and maturity (r > 0.32). DMM-specific associations were between cartilage proteoglycan loss and structural damage (r = 0.56), osteophyte maturity (r = 0.49), size (r = 0.45), and SCB sclerosis (r = 0.28). AIA-specific associations were between SCB sclerosis and chondrocyte hypertrophy/apoptosis (r = 0.40) and osteophyte size (r = 0.37); and synovitis with cartilage structural damage (r = 0.18). No tissue-pathology associations were common to both models at week-16. Increased likelihood of cartilage structural damage was associated with: chondrocyte hypertrophy/apoptosis (OR>1.7), and osteophyte size (OR>2.3) in both models; SCB sclerosis (OR = 2.0) and proteoglycan loss (OR = 2.4) in DMM; and synovitis (OR = 1.2) in AIA. Joint inflammation was associated positively with cartilage proteoglycan loss (OR = 1.4) and inversely with osteophyte size (OR = 0.21) in AIA only. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of defining OA-models by initiating mechanisms and progression, not just end-stage joint-tissue pathology.

A role for classical music in veterinary practice: does exposure to classical music reduce stress in hospitalised dogs?

CLINICAL SCENARIO: Classical music has been extensively studied and acknowledged for its ability to reduce stress and improve patient outcomes in human medicine. It has also been shown to influence the disposition of many captive species within the animal kingdom. Some studies have hypothesised that classical music can also benefit dogs, offering the potential to provide a simple and cost-effective method to improve patient outcomes and canine welfare when dogs are placed in unfamiliar and potentially stressful environments. This critical appraisal examines the current evidence available on the use of classical music for the purpose of stress reduction in hospitalised dogs. CLINICAL BOTTOM LINE: Based on six experimental studies, there is only weak evidence which demonstrates that exposure to classical music reduces stress in hospitalised dogs undergoing veterinary intervention. However; it was shown that classical music has the ability to significantly influence specific behaviours and physiological parameters that have been associated with the canine stress response such as heart rate variability, level of vocalisation and time spent resting.

Evaluation of Anticancer and Anti-Mitotic Properties of Quinazoline and Quinazolino-Benzothiadiazine Derivatives.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is one of the major health and social-economic problems despite considerable progress in its early diagnosis and treatment. Owing to the emergence and increase of multidrug resistance to various conventional drugs, and the continuing importance of health-care expenditure, many researchers have focused on developing novel and effective anticancer compounds. OBJECTIVE: Chemical repositories provide a good platform to evaluate and exploit known chemical entities for the identification of other biological activities. In the present study, we have selected an in-house library of synthesized compounds based on two different pharmacophoric scaffolds to evaluate their cytotoxic potency on various cancer cell lines and mechanisms of action. METHODS: A series of in-house synthesized quinazoline and quinazolino-benzothiadiazine derivatives were investigated for their anticancer efficacy against a panel of five cancer (DU145, MCF7, HepG2, SKOV3 and MDA-MB-231) and one normal (MRC5) cell lines. Furthermore, the active compound of the study was investigated to elucidate the mechanism of cytotoxicity by performing series of experiments such as cell cycle analysis, inhibition of tubulin polymerization, alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential, determination of endocytic pathway for drug uptake pathway and combination drug treatment. RESULTS: Among all the tested compounds, fifteen of them exhibited promising growth-inhibitory effect (0.15- 5.0µM) and induced cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase. In addition, the selected compounds inhibited the microtubule assembly; altered mitochondrial membrane potential and enhanced the levels of caspase-9 in MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, the active compound with a combination of drugs showed a synergistic effect at lower concentrations, and the drug uptake was mediated through clathrin-mediated endocytic pathway. CONCLUSION: Our results indicated that quinazoline and quinazolino-benzothiadiazine conjugates could serve as potential leads in the development of new anticancer agents.

Anatomical variations of hepatic artery using the multidetector computed tomography angiography.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of normal and aberrant hepatic arteries differs among ethnicities. The aim of our work was to study the frequency of normal and aberrant hepatic arteries among Egyptians using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and to compare our prevalence with the prevalence of other nationalities. In addition, the gender differences of such variations were clarified. Moreover, the arterial feeding of hepatic segment IV was determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was carried out on 500 patients (409 males and 91 females). Abdominal CT was performed using two MDCT systems, a 64-row, and a 256-slice system. RESULTS: According to Michel's classification, the normal anatomy (type I) was observed in 369 (73.8%) cases, while anomalous hepatic arterial pattern was detected in 131 (26.2%) cases. These anomalies were distributed as follows: type II in 36 (7.2%) cases, type III in 60 (12%) cases, types IV and V in 5 cases for each (1% each), type VI in 14 (2.8%) and types VIII and IX in a single case for each (0.2% each). Neither type VII nor type X was detected. Nine (1.8%) unclassified cases were observed. According to Hiaat's classification, the anomalies were distributed as follows: type II in 41 (8.2%) cases, type III in 74 (14.8%) cases, type IV in 6 (1.2%) cases, type V in a single case (0.2%) and type VI in 2 (0.4%) cases. Finally, 7 (1.4%) unclassified cases were observed. Common hepatic artery (CHA) originated from coeliac trunk in 98% (79.8% males and 18.2% females). It originated from the abdominal aorta in 0.4% and from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) in 0.4%. It was absent in 1.2%. Right hepatic artery (RHA) originated from the CHA in 86.6% (69.8% males and 16.8% females) and from the SMA in 13.2% (11.8% males and 1.4% females) and from the abdominal aorta in 0.2% (a single male case). Left hepatic artery (LHA) originated from the CHA in 91.2% and from the left gastric artery (LGA) in 8.8%. The most common origin of the segment IV blood supply was the LHA in 60.8%, followed by the RHA in 35%. Less commonly, blood supply derived from the hepatic artery proper (HAP) in 1%. Combined supply derived from RHA and LHA in 0.8%, from the LHA and HAP in 2% and the least encountered was from the RHA and HAP in 0.4%. CONCLUSIONS: Hepatic artery variations among Egyptians have a different distribution when compared to such variations among other species. The normal hepatic arterial pattern was observed in 73.8%, while the anomalous was detected in 26.2%. The CHA originated from the coeliac trunk in 98%, the RHA originated from the CHA in 86.6% and the LHA originated from the CHA in 91.2%. The most common arterial supply of the hepatic segment IV is derived from the LHA (60.2%).