The curry powder spices turmeric (Curcuma longa L.), which contains curcumin (diferuloylmethane), an orange-yellow chemical. Polyphenols are the most commonly used sources of curcumin. It combats ...oxidative stress and inflammation in diseases, such as hyperlipidemia, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, and depression. Most of these benefits are due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Curcumin consumption leads to decreased bioavailability, resulting in limited absorption, quick metabolism, and quick excretion, which hinders health improvement. Numerous factors can increase its bioavailability. Piperine enhances bioavailability when combined with curcumin in a complex. When combined with other enhancing agents, curcumin has a wide spectrum of health benefits. This review evaluates the therapeutic potential of curcumin with a specific emphasis on its approach based on molecular signaling pathways. This study investigated its influence on the progression of cancer, inflammation, and many health-related mechanisms, such as cell proliferation, apoptosis, and metastasis. Curcumin has a significant potential for the prevention and treatment of various diseases. Curcumin modulates several biochemical pathways and targets involved in cancer growth. Despite its limited tissue accumulation and bioavailability when administered orally, curcumin has proven useful. This review provides an in-depth analysis of curcumin's therapeutic applications, its molecular signaling pathway-based approach, and its potential for precision medicine in cancer and human health.
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•This review highlights the role of curcumin in human health and cancer.•Study findings regarding the effects of curcumin on health and cancer are presented.•This review demonstrates the role of curcumin in human health.•If detected in the early stages, the disease and cancer can be treated.
AbstractThis work investigated the behavior of embankment models resting on soft soil reinforced with ordinary and encased stone columns (ESCs). Model tests were performed with different spacing ...distances between stone columns and two length-to-diameter ratios (L/d) of the stone columns, in addition to different embankment heights. A total of 39 model tests were performed on soil with an undrained shear strength of ≈10 kPa. The system consisted of a stone column–supported embankment at different spacing-to-diameter ratios (s/d) of stone columns. Earth pressure cells were used to measure directly the vertical stress on the column for all models, and another cell was placed at the base of the embankment between two columns to measure directly the vertical stress in reinforced soft soil. For embankment models constructed on soft clay reinforced with ESCs, it was found that whether a column was floating or end bearing (resting on a rigid stratum), encasement of the column by a geogrid was most effective in improving the bearing ratio of reinforced soil by approximately 1.29, 1.39, and 1.63 times and 1.4, 1.57, and 1.83 times that of untreated soil, reducing the settlement by approximately 0.71, 0.67, and 0.62 times and 0.63, 0.6, and 0.45 times that of untreated soil for 200-, 250-, and 300-mm embankment heights with L/d = 5 and 8, respectively, and spacing s=2.5d. The bearing improvement ratio (bearing capacity of treated-to-untreated soil) increased with decreasing spacing of stone columns for a given embankment. A higher improvement ratio was achieved for the models reinforced with stone columns at s=2.5d at any embankment height.
Efficient resource management approaches have become a fundamental challenge for distributed systems, especially dynamic environment systems such as cloud computing data centers. These approaches aim ...at load-balancing or minimizing power consumption. Due to the highly dynamic nature of cloud workloads, traditional time series and machine learning models fail to achieve accurate predictions. In this paper, we propose novel hybrid VTGAN models. Our proposed models not only aim at predicting future workloads but also predicting the workload trend (i.e., the upward or downward direction of the workload). Trend classification could be less complex during the decision-making process in resource management approaches. Also, we study the effect of changing the sliding window size and the number of prediction steps. In addition, we investigate the impact of enhancing the features used for training using the technical indicators, Fourier transforms, and wavelet transforms. We validate our models using a real cloud workload dataset. Our results show that VTGAN models outperform traditional deep learning and hybrid models, such as LSTM/GRU and CNN-LSTM/GRU, concerning cloud workload prediction and trend classification. Our proposed model records an upward prediction accuracy ranging from
95.4
%
to
96.6
%
.
The aqueous extract of marine green macroalgae, Ulva fasciata Delile, was harnessed for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). The conversion to ZnO-NPs was characterized by color ...change, UV–vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, TEM, SEM-EDX, and XRD. Data showed the formation of spherical and crystalline ZnO-NPs with a size range of 3–33 nm. SEM-EDX revealed the presence of Zn and O in weight percentages of 45.3 and 31.62%, respectively. The phyco-synthesized ZnO-NPs exhibited an effective antibacterial activity against the pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The bacterial clear zones ranged from 21.7 ± 0.6 to 14.7 ± 0.6 mm with MIC values of 50–6.25 µg mL−1. The catalytic activity of our product was investigated in dark and visible light conditions, using the methylene blue (MB) dye. The maximum dye removal (84.9 ± 1.2%) was achieved after 140 min in the presence of 1.0 mg mL−1 of our nanocatalyst under the visible light at a pH of 7 and a temperature of 35 °C. This percentage was decreased to 53.4 ± 0.7% under the dark conditions. This nanocatalyst showed a high reusability with a decreasing percentage of ~5.2% after six successive cycles. Under the optimum conditions, ZnO-NPs showed a high efficacy in decolorizing the tanning wastewater with a percentage of 96.1 ± 1.7%. Moreover, the parameters of the COD, BOD, TSS, and conductivity were decreased with percentages of 88.8, 88.5, 96.9, and 91.5%, respectively. Moreover, nano-ZnO had a high efficacy in decreasing the content of the tanning wastewater Cr (VI) from 864.3 ± 5.8 to 57.3 ± 4.1 mg L−1 with a removal percentage of 93.4%.
(A) Deconvulated spectra of LIN(2–12 μg/ml) determined at 232 nm zero-crossing point of EMP deconvulated spectrum, (B) Deconvulated spectra of EMP (5–30 μg/ml) determined at 239 nm zero-crossing ...point of LIN deconvulated spectrum.
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•Linagliptin and empagliflozin are used in treatment of type II diabetes mellitus.•Fourier self deconvulated spectrophotometric method was developed for qualitative analysis of linagliptin and empagliflozin.•The developed method determined the cited drugs in their pharmaceutical formulation.•The developed method was simple, economic and accurate.•Applied method was validated according to ICH guidelines and compared to the reported method.
A new and simple spectrophotometric method was developed for the simultaneous determination of a new antidiabetic mixture of linagliptin and empagliflozin namely fourier self deconvulated method. The developed method based on minimal mathematical data processing on the zero order spectrum for solving sever overlapping spectra of the mentioned drugs in their pure forms and pharmaceutical dosage form. The zero order spectra of linagliptin and empagliflozin were deconvulated using Fourier transforms function. The peak amplitudes at 232 nm were selected for linagliptin and at 239 nm for empagliflozin. The constructed calibration graphs were linear over the range (5–30 µg/mL) and (2–12 µg/mL) for empagliflozin and linagliptin, respectively. The adopted method was simple, accurate, precise and validated according to the ICH guidelines.
Background
The Nile River included diverse phytoplankton compositions belonging to five main phytoplankton categories. Algae have been classified and identified through comparative morphology.
...Results
The Pyrrophyta, Charophyta, Cyanophyta, Chlorophyta, and Bacillariophyta were presented through the full period of investigation with 1, 3, 14, 23, and 28 species, respectively. Therefore, it may be important to note that diatoms were recorded as an abundant group in all investigated samples. The numbers of diatoms ranged between 1.45 × 10
6
and 1.18 × 10
7
Organism/l, this was followed by green algae that ranged from 7.0 × 10
5
to 1.22 × 10
6
Organism/l. While the lowest count of blue-green algae was ranged between 1.6 × 10
5
and 7.03 × 10
5
Organism/l. The treatment of Nile water using two chemical coagulants "aluminum sulfate (Al
2
(SO
4
)
3
⋅16H
2
O) and aluminum oxide (Al
2
O
3
)" removed algae by about 85% and 90%, respectively. As for, the Cyanophyceae species, they were removed completely in treated water using the sedimentation, filtration, and chlorination process. The sedimentation basins removed from 20 to 100% of the total algal count while the rapid sand filters removed from 65 to 100% of the total algal count during the water treatment that depends on the species of algae.
Conclusions
This study concluded that the removal of algae from the Nile water may be more or less easy depending on the nature of the prevailing algal group. Water treatment plants must modify alum and chlorine doses in their water treatment processes according to the count and species of the algal groups, to provide an aesthetically acceptable and biologically safe water supply.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 and H5N8 have become endemic among domestic poultry in Egypt since 2006 and 2016, respectively. In parallel, the low pathogenic avian influenza H9N2 ...virus has been endemic since 2010. Despite the continuous circulation of these subtypes for several years, no natural reassortant has been detected so far among the domestic poultry population in Egypt. In this study, the HPAI (H5N2) virus was isolated from a commercial duck farm, giving evidence of the emergence of the first natural reassortment event in domestic poultry in Egypt. The virus was derived as a result of genetic reassortment between avian influenza viruses of H5N8 and H9N2 subtypes circulating in Egypt. The exchange of the neuraminidase segment and high number of acquired mutations might be associated with an alteration in the biological propensities of this virus.
The current investigation assessed the effect of the eudesmanolid, Vulgarin (VGN), obtained from
(
), on the antidiabetic potential of glibenclamide (GLB) using streptozotocin (STZ) to induce ...diabetes. Seven groups of rats were used in the study; the first group received the vehicle and served as normal control. The diabetic rats of the second to the fifth groups were treated with the vehicle (negative control), GLB at 5 mg/kg (positive control), VGN at 10 mg/kg (VGN-10) and VGN at 20 mg/kg (VGN-20), respectively. The diabetic rats of the sixth and seventh groups were administered combinations of GLB plus VGN-10 and GLB plus VGN-20, respectively. The diabetic rats treated with GLB plus VGN-20 combination showed marked improvement in the fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), as well as the lipid profile, compared with those treated with GLB alone. Further, the pancreatic tissues of the diabetic rats that received the GLB+VGN-20 combination showed superior improvements in lipid peroxidation and antioxidant parameters than those of GLB monotherapy. The insulin content of the β-cells was restored in all treatments, while the levels of glucagon and somatostatin of the α- and δ-endocrine cells were reduced in the pancreatic islets. In addition, the concurrent administration of GLB+VGN-20 was the most effective in restoring PEPCK and G6Pase mRNA expression in the liver. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that the GLB+VGN-20 combination led to greater glycemic improvement in diabetic rats compared with GLB monotherapy through its antioxidant effect and capability to modulate PEPCK and G6Pase gene expression in their livers.
Depression is a major psychological disorder that contributes to global health problem. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-depressant effect of Cerebrolysin (CBL) in Reserpine-induced depressed ...rats, its effect on oxidative stress, inflammation, regulatory cyclic AMP-dependent response element binding protein (CREB)/brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) signaling pathways, brain monoamines and histopathological changes was assessed. Rats received either the vehicle or Reserpine (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) for 14 days. The other three groups were pretreated with CBL (2.5, 5 ml/kg; i.p.) or fluoxetine (FLU) (5 mg/kg, p.o.), respectively for 14 days, 30 min before reserpine injection. Then analyses were conducted. CBL reversed Reserpine-induced reduction in latency to immobility and prolongation of immobility time in the forced swimming test (FST), reduced malondialdehyde (MDA), elevated reduced glutathione (GSH), reduced tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-ɑ), and elevated BDNF cortical and hippocampal brain contents. CBL elevated protein kinase A (PKA) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) cortical and hippocampal protein expressions. CBL also ameliorated alterations in mRNA expressions of protein kinase B (AKT), CREB and BDNF in the cortical and hippocampal tissues. CBL elevated nor-epinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), and dopamine (DA) and reduced 5-Hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HTAA), 3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), and homovanillic acid (HVA) cortical and hippocampal contents. CBL effects were in parallel to those observed with the standard anti-depressant drug, FLU. This study shows that CBL exerted anti-depressant effect evidenced by attenuation of oxidative stress and inflammation as well as enhancement of neurogenesis, amelioration of monoaminergic system and histopathological changes.
•Anti-depressant effect of CBL in Reserpine-induced depression in rats.•CBL prolonged latency to immobility and reduced immobility time in FST.•CBL exerted anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.•CBL activated PKA/CREB/BDNF and AKT/CREB/BDNF signaling pathways.•CBL elevated cortical and hippocampal NE, 5-HT, DA and reduced their metabolites.
Introduction
This study aimed to evaluate the phonatory function of recovered COVID-19 survivors. The universal outbreak of COVID-19 led to the occurrence of otolaryngological manifestations that ...raised concerns about the assessment of the phonatory function in recovering patients.
Methods
This is a prospective, cross-sectional, case-controlled study carried out on 364 laboratory-confirmed non-critical COVID-19 survivors and 100 as healthy controls. The study participants were classified into two groups according to the disease severity. Group1 comprised 212 survivors who recovered from pneumonia and group 2 was made up of 152 survivors of severe pneumonia. All patients were subjected to an auditory perceptual assessment of the voice (APA) and Maximum Phonation Time (MPT) measurements.
Results
Phonasthenic manifestations were significantly more frequent in COVID-19 survivors than in controls (
P
< 0.000) with a higher percentage recorded among severe pneumonia survivors (87.5%) than among pneumonia survivors (60.8%) with a
P
value of < 0.01. Dysphonia and excessively soft loudness were significantly more common among survivors than among controls (
P
< 0.002 and
P
< 0.000, respectively) with no significant difference between the patient groups. The MPT was significantly shorter among survivors than among controls (
P
< 0.000). The mean MPT was 15.97 s in the control group, 10.72 s in the pneumonia group, and 8.88 s in the severe pneumonia group, with the differences between the groups being statistically significant (
P
< 0.000), suggesting a higher impairment of lung volume and phonatory function in severe cases.
Conclusions
Phonasthenia, dysphonia, and decreased MPT could be otolaryngological manifestations of COVID-19. Laryngeal function assessment should be considered in COVID-19 survivors.
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