Cytotoxic effects of extracts obtained from plants of the Oleaceae family: bio-guided isolation and molecular docking of new secoiridoids from Jasminum humile

ContextTraditionally, Oleaceae plants are used to treat many diseases, such as rheumatism, hypercholesterolaemia, or ulcers.ObjectivesTo investigate the cytotoxic potential of Jasminum humile L., Jasminum grandiflorum L., and Olea europaea L. (Oleaceae) extracts against selected human cancer cells lines, followed by a phytochemical investigation of the most potent one.Materials and methodsThe 95% ethanol extracts of aerial parts of three oleaceous plants were examined for their cytotoxicity against HepG-2, MCF-7, and THP-1 cell lines using MTT assay and doxorubicin (positive control). J. humile was bio-selected and submitted to bio-guided fractionation. Chromatographic workup of ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions afforded two new compounds; 1-methoxyjasmigenin (1) and 1-methyl-9-aldojasmigenin (2), along with five known ones (3–7). Structures were unambiguously elucidated using 1D/2D NMR and ESI-HRMS. Isolated compounds were assessed for their anti-proliferative potential, and both selectivity index and statistical significance were determined. Molecular docking was conducted against the Mcl-1 receptor using (AZD5991) as a standard.ResultsJasmoside (5) was the most potent anticancer compound showing IC₅₀ values of 66.47, 41.32, and 27.59 µg/mL against HepG-2, MCF-7, and THP-1 cell lines, respectively. Moreover, isojasminin (4) exhibited IC₅₀ values of 33.49, 43.12, and 51.07 µg/mL against the same cell lines, respectively. Interestingly, 5 exhibited the highest selectivity index towards MCF-7 and THP-1, even greater than doxorubicin. Molecular docking results were in full agreement with the MTT assay and the proposed SAR.ConclusionIn this study, two new compounds were purified. The biological activity highlighted jasmoside (5) as a lead anticancer drug for further future investigation.     

Transtracheal stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerve

Phonation was induced in 10 mongrel dogs under general anesthesia by way of transtracheal stimulation of the recurrent laryngeal nerves under conditions of constant air flow. Although stimulation voltages were approximately 10 times the voltage required for direct stimulation, no cardiac or respiratory abnormalities were observed. Photoglottographic and electroglottographic signals were the same for both direct and transtracheally induced phonation. This phonation induction method can be used in chronic animal preparations to study vocal fold vibration sequentially and may be clinically applied to the treatment of patients with laryngeal problems that have failed to respond, or are not amenable, to standard forms of vocal rehabilitation.     

Diluted magnetic semiconductor properties in TM doped ZnO nanoparticles

The hydrothermal method was used to create dilute magnetic semiconductor nanoparticles of Zn_1−xCo_xO (x = 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.09). The effect of cobalt doping on the microstructure, morphological and optical properties of Zn_1−xCo_xO was also studied and the Co doping to host ZnO was confirmed from XRD and EDX analysis. The structural analysis showed that doping of cobalt into ZnO decreased the crystallinity, but the preferred orientation didn''t change. SEM analysis revealed that the cobalt dopant did not have a strong influence on the shape of the synthesized nanoparticles. No defect-related absorption peaks were observed in the UV-Vis spectra. The crystallinity of the doped samples was improved by high growth temperature and long growth time. Ferromagnetic behavior above room temperature was detected in co-doped ZnO nanoparticles. The ferromagnetic behavior increased with increasing Co (up to x = 0.05) doping. The ferromagnetic behavior declined when the Co content was further increased. Related research shows that doped ZnO nanoparticles have better dielectric, electrical conductivity, and magnetic properties than pure ZnO. This high ferromagnetism is usually a response reported for dilute magnetic semiconductors. These semiconductor nanoparticles were further used to designed spintronic based applications.

The enlarged central part M–H loop shows for the Co = 0.09 doped ZnO sample, the ferromagnetic (FM) behavior increased, i.e., a M_r of 0.2412 emu g⁻¹ with a H_c of 85 Oe.     

Valorization of Rice Husk and Straw Agriculture Wastes of Eastern Saudi Arabia: Production of Bio-Based Silica,Lignocellulose, and Activated Carbon

Bio-based silica, lignocellulose, and activated carbon were simply produced via the recycling of Hassawi rice biomass waste of Al-Ahsa governorate in the eastern Saudi Arabia region using a fast chemical treatment procedure. Rice husk and rice straw wastes were collected, ground, and chemically treated with sodium hydroxide to extract silica/silicate from the dried plant tissues. The liquid extract is then treated with acid solutions in order to precipitate silica/silicate at neutral medium. Lowering the pH of the supernatant to 2 resulted in the precipitation of lignocellulose. Thermal treatment of the biomass residue under N₂ gas stream resulted in activated carbon production. Separated products were dried/treated and characterized using several physical examination techniques, such as FT-IR, SEM/EDX, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy in order to study their structure and morphology. Silica and lignocelluloses products were then preliminarily used in the treatment of wastewaters and water-desalination processes.     

Dental arch changes after anterior open bite treatment in the mixed dentition produced by miniscrew-supported palatal crib vs conventional fixed palatal crib:: A randomized clinical trial

ObjectivesTo evaluate the dental arch changes produced by the miniscrew-supported palatal crib (MSPC) and the conventional fixed palatal crib (CFPC) after the treatment of patients with anterior open bite (AOB) attributed to the tongue-thrusting habit in the mixed dentition stage.Materials and MethodsA total of 26 children aged 8 to 11 years with an AOB were randomly distributed into two equal groups; the MSPC group was treated using a palatal crib supported by two miniscrews inserted paramedially, whereas the CFPC group was treated using a conventional fixed palatal crib soldered to bands. Digital models were obtained pretreatment and after a follow-up duration of 9 months.ResultsThe MSPC group included 12 participants (9 girls and 3 boys; mean age, 9.4 ± 0.75 years), and the CFPC group included 12 participants (10 girls and 2 boys; mean age, 9.0 ± 0.73 years). The amount of AOB closure was similar in both groups: 3.97 ± 1.44 mm in the MSPC group and 3.97 ± 0.89 mm in the CFPC group. There was significant mesial movement of the maxillary first molar in the CFPC (−1.42 ± 0.99 mm) compared with the MSPC group (−0.53 ± 0.32 mm).ConclusionsBoth appliances resulted in similar improvement in the amount of AOB closure. There was significantly more mesial movement of the maxillary first molars in the CFPC group compared with the MSPC group.     

Photocatalytic Activity of Silicon Nanowires Decorated with PbS Nanoparticles Deposited by Pulsed Laser Deposition for Efficient Wastewater Treatment

The present work aims to study the photocatalytic properties of nanohybrids composed of silicon nanowires (SiNWs) decorated with PbS nanoparticles (NPs). The elaborated material was intended to be utilized in wastewater treatment. The SiNWs were elaborated from the Metal Assisted Chemical Etching route (MACE), while the PbS NPs were deposited at room temperature onto SiNWs using the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique. The influence of decorating SiNWs (having different lengths) with PbS-NPs on their structural, morphological, optoelectronic, and photocatalytic properties was scrutinized. PbS/SiNWs nanohybrids exhibited enhanced photocatalytic degradation towards Black Amido (BA) dye for 20 µm SiNWs length and 0.2% of BA volume concentration. These optimized conditions may insinuate that this nanocomposite-like structure is a promising efficient photocatalytic systems contender, cost-effective, and recyclable for organic compound purification from wastewaters.     

Oxidative stress in patients with asthma and its relation to uncontrolled asthma

This study aims to evaluate markers of oxidative stress in Tunisian asthmatic patients and investigate whether their markers are correlated with uncontrolled asthma.This prospective cohort study was conducted on 48 healthy subjects and 60 patients with asthma (34 patients with controlled asthma and 26 patients with uncontrolled asthma). The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and glutathione (GSH), as well as the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were estimated in plasma by spectrophotometry.Asthmatic patients have significantly higher plasmatic levels of MDA and AOPP than healthy controls (p < 0.001). Lower GSH level and GPx activity were found in patients with asthma compared to controls (p < 0.001). In contrast, higher SOD activity was noted in asthmatic patients (p < 0.001).The comparison among the patients with controlled asthma and uncontrolled asthma revealed increased MDA and AOPP levels and SOD activity (p < 0.001) as well as a decreased GSH level and GPx activity (p = 0.004, p = 0.019) in patients with uncontrolled asthma. Spirometry level was significantly correlated with SOD activity (r = 0.447; p = 0.010), whereas no significant correlations were found with the other parameters (MDA, AOPP, GSH, and GPx).Asthmatic patients, especially those with uncontrolled asthma, suffer a high degree of reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation causing considerable oxidative stress. Increased MDA level and SOD activity and reduced GPx activity were predictors of poorly controlled asthma.     

Testing for anosmia and ageusia in patients presenting to the emergency department with suspected coronavirus disease 2019 in Saudi Arabia

ObjectiveThis study investigated the role of objective olfactory dysfunction (OD) and gustatory dysfunction (GD) testing among patients with suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who presented with respiratory symptoms.MethodsA prospective, blinded, observational study was conducted in the emergency units of two tertiary hospitals. Participants were asked to identify scents in the pocket smell test (PST) and flavors in four different solutions in the gustatory dysfunction test (GDT). We assessed the level of agreement between objective findings and self-reported symptoms. We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of chemosensory dysfunction for diagnosing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.ResultsOf 250 participants, 74 (29.6%) were SARS-CoV-2-positive. There was slight agreement between self-reported symptoms and objective findings (kappa = 0.13 and 0.10 for OD and GD, respectively). OD assessed by the PST was independently associated with COVID-19 (adjusted odds ratio = 1.89, 95% confidence interval, 1.04–3.46). This association was stronger when OD was combined with objective GD, cough, and fever (adjusted odds ratio = 7.33, 95% confidence interval, 1.17–45.84).ConclusionsNeither the PST nor GDT alone are useful screening tools for COVID-19. However, a diagnostic scale based on objective OD, GD, fever, and cough may help triage patients with suspected COVID-19.     

Virtual Reality Simulation in Ear Microsurgery: A Pilot Study

Classically, teaching of otological micro procedures is achieved by cadaveric dissection of the temporal bones, achieved by attending expensive temporal bone dissection courses. The difficulty in acquiring cadaveric specimens and the cost of courses has led to the development of alternative techniques. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of using virtual reality temporal bone simulation in training otolaryngology residents for mastoidectomy procedures. Four senior residents were evaluated during six canal wall down mastoidectomy procedures. Three of these procedures were done conventionally. The other three procedures were preceded by virtual reality simulation 1 day before the operation. In simulated cases, the residents scored higher on the global rating scale and task-based checklist, and were faster and more confident. Further, fewer instructions were required during the actual operation. This outcome is encouraging for the utilization of virtual reality simulation in otolaryngology residency training. Further studies should be performed on a larger number of simulators and surgical procedures to validate our results.