A novel Pd(
ii
) double complex, Pd(BAPP)PdCl
4
, containing the 1,4-bis(3-aminopropyl)piperazine (BAPP) ligand is investigated. X-ray crystallography of a single crystal confirmed the structure of ...the Pd(BAPP)PdCl
4
complex. The spectroscopic behavior was also elucidated using elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The antimicrobial susceptibility of the Pd(BAPP)PdCl
4
complex against all tested microbial strains was lower than that of the BAPP ligand except for
C. albicans
. The cytotoxic impacts of the BAPP ligand and its Pd(BAPP)PdCl
4
complex were evaluated
in vitro
for HepG2, CaCo-2 and MCF7 cell lines as well as the WI-38 normal cell line. The anticancer activity was markedly improved by the complexation. The Pd(BAPP)PdCl
4
complex could selectively inhibit the tested cancer cells in a safe way to the non-tumorigenic cell (WI-38). From the DNA binding studies with ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, the Pd(BAPP)PdCl
4
complex interacts more efficiently with the calf thymus DNA than its BAPP ligand through the intercalative binding mode. In the absence of an external reductant, the Pd(BAPP)PdCl
4
complex cleaved the intact supercoiled pBR322 DNA under physiological conditions in a concentration-dependent manner. Additionally, electrophoretic experiments were performed in the presence of different radical scavengers, namely DMSO, NaN
3
and KI, and ruled out the hydrolytic mechanistic pathway of the reaction and suggested that the oxidative mechanism is the preferred one. The results of the binding affinity of the Pd(BAPP)PdCl
4
complex to human DNA were modeled using a molecular docking study showing that the complex interacts more strongly with human DNA than the ligand. Finally, an
in vitro
pharmacokinetic study was assessed through
in silico
ADME predictions.
Synthesis, structural characterization, docking simulation, theoretical calculations, and biological evaluation of a new palladium(
ii
) complex have been reported.
This work presents a loop terminated asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer (LT-aMZI) structure based on the widespread silicon-on-insulator (SOI) platform. Four different path length differences of ...the LT-aMZI, which correspond to free spectral ranges (FSR) from 0.8 to 6.4 nm, are designed. These designs are compared to the common asymmetric Mach-Zehnder interferometer (C-aMZI) and are shown to be more compact. These devices are suitable for optical filtering as well as wavelength demultiplexing (WDM) applications. A compact analytical model is derived that accurately describe the operation of the LT-MZI devices. The designs are then fabricated using Electron Beam Lithography (EBL) and characterized. The experimental data show good agreement when compared to the simulation results. To our knowledge, this is the first time LT-aMZI fabrication and characterization. Moreover, the LT-MZI spectrum can be tuned not only by the interferometer arms phase difference like C-MZI, but also by using its directional couplers coefficients, forming a spectral tunable filter. Finally, we determine the performance parameters of optical sensors and modulators and show that our proposed LT-MZI structure will enhance the sensor figure of merit (FOM) and modulator speed, power consumption and V
× L compared to C-MZI. A comparison between symmetric and asymmetric MZI sensors and the advantage of the latter is also mentioned.
The adherence to public health recommendations to control COVID-19 spread is influenced by public knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP). We performed this cross-sectional study to assess the ...levels and determinants of public KAP towards COVID-19 in a large, multinational sample.
Cross-sectional study (survey).
The questionnaire was distributed to potential respondents via online platforms.
71 890 individuals from 22 countries.
We formulated a four-section questionnaire in English, followed by validation and translation into seven languages. The questionnaire was distributed (May to June 2020) and each participant received a score for each KAP section.
Overall, the participants had fair knowledge (mean score: 19.24±3.59) and attitudes (3.72±2.31) and good practices (12.12±1.83) regarding COVID-19. About 92% reported moderate to high compliance with national lockdown. However, significant gaps were observed: only 68.2% knew that infected individuals may be asymptomatic; 45.4% believed that antibiotics are an effective treatment; and 55.4% stated that a vaccine has been developed (at the time of data collection). 71.9% believed or were uncertain that COVID-19 is a global conspiracy; 36.8% and 51% were afraid of contacting doctors and Chinese people, respectively. Further, 66.4% reported the pandemic had moderate to high negative effects on their mental health. Female gender, higher education and urban residents had significantly (p≤0.001) higher knowledge and practice scores. Further, we observed significant correlations between all KAP scores.
Although the public have fair/good knowledge and practices regarding COVID-19, significant gaps should be addressed. Future awareness efforts should target less advantaged groups and future studies should develop new strategies to tackle COVID-19 negative mental health effects.
DEAD-box RNA helicases comprise a family within helicase superfamily 2 and make up the largest group of RNA helicases. They are a profoundly conserved family of RNA-binding proteins, carrying a ...generic Asp–Glu–Ala–Asp (D–E–A–D) motif that gives the family its name. Members of the DEAD-box family of RNA helicases are engaged in all facets of RNA metabolism from biogenesis to decay. DEAD-box proteins ordinarily function as constituents of enormous multi-protein complexes and it is believed that interactions with other components in the complexes might be answerable for the various capacities ascribed to these proteins. Therefore, their exact function is probably impacted by their interacting partners and to be profoundly context dependent. This may give a clarification to the occasionally inconsistent reports proposing that DEAD-box proteins have both pro- and anti-proliferative functions in cancer. There is emerging evidence that DEAD-box family of RNA helicases play pivotal functions in various cellular processes and in numerous cases have been embroiled in cellular proliferation and/or neoplastic transformation. In various malignancy types, DEAD-box RNA helicases have been reported to possess pro-proliferation or even oncogenic roles as well as anti-proliferative or tumor suppressor functions. Clarifying the exact function of DEAD-box helicases in cancer is probably intricate, and relies upon the cellular milieu and interacting factors. This review aims to summarize the current data on the numerous capacities that have been ascribed to DEAD-box RNA helicases. It also highlights their diverse actions upon malignant transformation in the various tumor types.
Shipping is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions. These emissions mainly come from using diesel fuel for power generation. In this paper, the natural ...gas is proposed as an alternative marine fuel to be used instead of conventional marine diesel oil. Numerical analysis of environmental and economic benefits of the natural gas-diesel dual-fuel engine is carried out. As a case study, a container ship of class A7 owned by Hapag-Lloyd has been investigated. The results show that the proposed dual-fuel engine achieves environmental benefits for reducing carbon dioxide (CO
2
), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx), particulate matter (PM), and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by 20.1%, 85.5%, 98%, 99%, and 55.7% with cost effectiveness of 109, 840, 9864, 27761, and 4307 US$/ton, respectively. The results show that the conversion process to the dual-fuel engine will comply with the current and future IMO regulations regarding air pollutant emissions. On the other hand, using the proposed dual-fuel engine on the container ship will improve the ship energy efficiency index by 29.6 % with annual fuel cost saving of 4.77 million US dollars.
The hepatoprotective activity of praecoxin A, an ellagitannin from Melaleuca ericifolia, was determined against CCl4‐induced toxicity in mice. Praecoxin A was administered (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg) for ...5 days followed by CCl4. Praecoxin A markedly ameliorated the CCl4‐induced increase in AST (by 19, 52, and 56%), ALP (22, 45, and 48%), ALT (11, 47, and 54%), total bilirubin (14, 27, and 28%), and MDA (26, 44, and 51%) at the tested doses, respectively, as compared with CCl4 group. It was evident that praecoxin A significantly (p < 0.001) increased the antioxidant parameters GSH (45, 99, and 137%) and SOD (61, 129, and 159%). Histological findings revealed a marked amelioration of hepatocyte degeneration, necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, and hemorrhage in the groups treated with praecoxin A. COX‐2 and caspase‐3 hepatic expressions were significantly downregulated (p < 0.001) in praecoxin A‐treated groups (up to 57, 83, and 93% for COX‐2 and by 30, 82, and 99% for caspase‐3). These findings suggest that praecoxin A exerts a beneficial effect against oxidative stress by reducing lipid peroxidation, enhancing the antioxidant defense status, and protecting against the histopathological changes induced by CCl4. This study highlights a promising natural hepatoprotective candidate derived from M. ericifolia that might be an alternative to silymarin.
Babesiosis is an infectious disease with an empty drug pipeline. A search inside chemical libraries for novel potent antibabesial candidates may help fill such an empty drug pipeline. A total of 400 ...compounds (200 drug-like and 200 probe-like) from the Malaria Box were evaluated in the current study against the in vitro growth of
(
), a parasite of veterinary and zoonotic importance. Novel and more effective anti-
drugs than the traditionally used ones were identified. Seven compounds (four drug-like and three probe-like) revealed a highly inhibitory effect against the in vitro growth of
, with IC
s ≤ 10 nanomolar. Among these hits, MMV006913 exhibited an IC
value of 1 nM IC
and the highest selectivity index of 32,000. The atom pair fingerprint (APfp) analysis revealed that MMV006913 and MMV019124 showed maximum structural similarity (MSS) with atovaquone and diminazene aceturate (DA), and with DA and imidocarb dipropionate (ID), respectively. MMV665807 and MMV665850 showed MMS with each other and with ID. Of note, a high concentration (0.75 IC
) of MMV006913 caused additive inhibition of
growth when combined with DA at 0.75 or 0.50 IC
. The Medicines for Malaria Venture box is a treasure trove of anti-
candidates according to the obtained results.
A primary aim of this study is to examine and simulate a fractional Coronavirus disease model by providing an efficient method for solving numerically this important model. In the Liouville-Caputo ...sense, the examined model consists of five fractional-order differential equations. With the Vieta-Lucas spectral collocation method, the unknown functions can be discretized and fractional derivatives can be obtained. With the system of nonlinear algebraic equations obtained, we can simplify the examined problem. In this system, the unknown coefficients are discovered by constructing and solving it as a restricted optimization problem. Some theoretical investigations are stated to examine the convergence analysis and stability analysis of the proposed approach and model. The results produced using the fractional finite difference technique (FDM), where the fractional differentiation operator was discretized using the Grünwald-Letnikov approach, are compared. The FDM relies heavily upon accurately turning the proposed model into a system of algebraic equations. To assess the algorithm’s correctness and usefulness, a numerical simulation is included.
The present study aimed to assess the radiological hazards associated with applying the investigated granite in the building materials and the infrastructures applications. The investigated granites ...are classified into four categories: El-Urf, barren, colourful and opaque. El Urf monzogranite intrudes metagabbro diorite complex with sharp contacts. Based on the activity concentrations, the environmental parameters such as absorbed dose rate (D
), annual effective dose (AED), radium equivalent activity (Ra
), external (H
) and internal (H
) hazard indices were measured. The mineralized pegmatite is located in the southwestern foothill of the Gabal El Urf younger granite. It displays well-defined zonation of three zones: outer, middle and inner zones represented by potash feldspar, quartz and mica, respectively. The isorad map showed that El Urf monzogranite is barren (Up to 100 cps) surrounding an excavation of the studied pegmatite that exhibits moderate colorful mineralization (phase-I = 500-1500 cps) and anomalous opaque mineralization (phase-II = 1500-3500 cps) pegmatites. The obtained results of radionuclides activity concentrations illustrated that the Opaque granites have the highest values of
U (561 ± 127 Bq kg
),
Th (4289 ± 891 Bq kg
) and
K (3002 ± 446 Bq kg
) in the granites, which are higher than the recommended worldwide average. Many of the radiological hazard parameters were lesser than the international limits in the younger granites and barren pegmatites. All of these parameters were higher in the colorful and opaque mineralized pegmatites. The high activity and the elevated radiological hazard parameters in the mineralized pegmatites are revised to the presence of radioactive and radioelements bearing minerals, such as thorite, meta-autunite, kasolite, phurcalite, columbite, fergusonite, Xenotime and fluorapatite. Other instances of mineralization were also recorded as cassiterite, atacamite, galena, pyrite and iron oxide minerals. Thus, the granites with high radioactivity concentration cannot be applied in the different applications of building materials and ornamental stones.
In this editorial trend, we aim to collect and present recently available data about the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 virus, severity, infection, replication, diagnosis, and current medications. In ...addition, we propose the role of nanomaterials in controlling and treating COVID-19 through their antiviral and antibacterial potential with suggested action mechanisms indicating the capability of interaction between these nanomaterials and SARS-CoV-2. These nanomaterials might be among the possible and most effective cures against coronavirus.
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