Production of a monoclonal antibody against a mannose-binding protein of <i>Acanthamoeba culbertsoni</i> and its localization

Kang, A-Young,Park, A-Young,Shin, Ho-Joon,Khan, Naveed Ahmed,Maciver, Sutherland K.,Jung, Suk-Yul Elsevier 2018 Experimental parasitology Vol.192 No.-

<P>Amoebae from the genus Acanthamoeba are facultative pathogens of humans and other animals. In humans they most frequently infect the eye causing a sight threatening infection known as Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), and also cause an often fatal encephalitis (GAE). A mannose-binding protein (MBP) has been identified as being important for Acanthamoeba infection especially in AK. This lectin has previously been characterized from Acanthamoeba castellanii as consisting of multiple 130 kDa subunits. MBP expression correlates with pathogenic potential and is expressed in a number of Acanthamoeba species. Here we report the purification of a similar lectin from Acanthamoeba culbertsoni and the production of a monoclonal antibody to it. The A. culbertsoni MBP was isolated by affinity chromatography using alpha-D-mannose agarose and has an apparent molecular weight of 83 kDa. The monoclonal antibody is an IgM that is useful in both western blots and immunofluorescence. We expect that this antibody will be useful in the study of the pathology of A. culbertsoni and in its identification in clinical samples.</P>

Histopathological and genetic changes proved the anti‑cancer potential of free and nano‑capsulated sinapic acid

Doaa A. Badr,Mohamed E. Amer,Wagih M. Abd‑Elhay,Mohamed S. M. Nasr,Tamer M. M. Abuamara,Harbi Ali,Aly F. Mohamed,Maha A. Youssef,Nasser S. Awwad,Yi‑Hsu Ju,Ahmed E. Fazary 한국응용생명화학회 2019 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.62 No.5

Cancer is known to be a fierce disease that causes a large percentage of the deaths worldwide. The common cancer treatments; chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery are known for their severe side effects; therefore scientists are working on finding solutions to reduce these drawbacks. One of these treatment systems is the sustained released drugs formulations, these systems depend on the encapsulation of the chemotherapy within an emulsifying agent, in order to obtain a slow drug release of low doses over long time intervals. In this study, the anti-cancer effects of free and encapsulated sinapic acid was tested against lung (A549), and colon (CaCo2) cancer cell lines, along with normal fibroblast cells (HFB4) as a negative control. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay was performed for IC50 evaluation, also cell cycle assay was performed to detect cell cycle arrest status and related anti-apoptotic and pro-apoptotic; Blc-2, BAX, and P53 gene profile fold changes post cellular treatment. Data recorded revealed that encapsulated SA showed a lower toxicity than the free form to both cell lines and also to the normal cells. The cell cycle analysis showed a cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase post cell treatment with the free and encapsulated sinapic acid accompanied with up regulation of Bax and P53 and a down regulation of Blc-2 genes in both cell lines. The data suggest a promising anti-cancer and anti-proliferative potential of free and encapsulated sinapic acid. Also they show that the anti-cancer effect of free and encapsulated sinapic acid is quite close.

Secreted Phosphoprotein 1 Promoter Genetic Variants Are Associated with the Response to Pegylated Interferon α Plus Ribavirin Combination Therapy in Egyptian Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C Virus Infection

( Fahmy T Ali ),( Mohamed A M Ali ),( Mayada M A Elgizawy ),( Ahmed M Elsawy ) 대한소화기학회 2015 Gut and Liver Vol.9 No.4

Background/Aims: The T-helper 1 (TH1) immune reaction is essential for the eradication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) during pegylated interferon α (PEG-IFN-α)- and ribavirin (RBV)-based therapy in chronic HCV patients. Secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) was shown to be a crucial cytokine for the initiation of a TH1 immune response. We aimed to investigate whether SPP1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may influence sustained virological response (SVR) rates. Methods: Two SNPs in the promoter region of SPP1 at the .443 C>T and .1748 G>A loci were genotyped in 100 patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 infection using a TaqMan SNP genotyping assay. Results: Sixty-seven patients achieved a SVR, and 33 patients showed no SVR. Patients carrying the T/T genotype at the .443 locus showed a significantly higher SVR rate than those carrying the C/T or C/C genotype (83.67% vs 50.98%, p<0.001). At the .1748 locus, the SVR rate was significantly higher in patients with the G/G genotype than in those with the A/A genotype (88.89% vs 52.63%, p=0.028) and in patients with the G/A genotype than in those with the A/A genotype (85.29% vs 52.63%, p=0.001). Conclusions: SPP1 SNPs at .443 C>T and .1748 G>A loci may be useful markers for predicting the response to PEG-IFN-α-2b plus RBV therapy in Egyptian patients with chronic HCV genotype 4 infection. (Gut Liver 2015;9:516-524)

Salinity Tolerance of Blackgram and Mungbean 2 : Mineral Ions Accumulation in Different Plant Parts

P. K. Raptan,A. Hamid,Q. A. Khaliq,A. R. M. Solaiman,J. U. Ahmed,M. A. Karim 韓國作物學會 2001 Korean journal of crop science Vol.46 No.5

Blackgram (Vigna mungo) is more salt tolerant than mungbean (Vigna radiata). This study was initiated to know whether the accumulation pattern of mineral ions in different plant parts plays a significant role in the differences in salt tolerance between the two Vigna species. Different mineral ions, viz. N, Cl, Na, K, Mg and Ca in different organs of two varieties of each of blackgram- Barimash-l (susceptible one) and Barimash-2 (tolerant one), and mungbean-Barimung-3 (tolerant one) and Barimung-4(susceptible one), were analyzed after growing with 0, 50, 75 and 100 mM NaCl solutions. The two crops showed a decreased but similar pattern of total N accumulation under saline conditions. The tolerant variety of both the crops showed a less reduction in total N than the susceptible one. Leaves showed the maximum while stem the minimum N, irrespective of levels of salinity. C l[-10] and N a+ accumulation increased with the increasing salinity levels. Interestingly, similar to a halophyte, the salt tolerant blackgram exhibited conspicuously higher amount of N a+ in the shoot than the salt-susceptible mungbean. However, the tolerant varieties showed less amount of N a+ than the susceptible one, especially in blackgram. Seeds of both Vigna spp. accumulated the minimum amount of N a+ than other plant parts. K+ accumulation decreased by salinity in most of the plant parts, except seeds. Blackgram showed larger reduction in K than mungbean. The Mg++ increased in leaves, petioles and stem by salinity while decreased in the roots, podshells and seeds in both the crops. Salinity increased Ca++ accumulation in all plant-parts except roots of both Vigna spp. Apparently, the leaves of mungbean accumulated higher concentration of Ca++ than blackgram. Varietal differences in the accumulation pattern of K+ , Mg++ and Ca++ were not clear. It was concluded that blackgram, presumably, possesses a similar salt tolerance mechanism to halophyte, and the pattern of accumulation of mineral ions in blackgram and mungbean was not fully ascribed to the differences in salinity tolerance between the two Vigna species.gna species.ies.s.ies.

New ursane triterpenoids from Ficus pandurata and their binding affinity for human cannabinoid and opioid receptors

Amgad I. M. Khedr,Sabrin R. M. Ibrahim,Gamal A. Mohamed,Hany E. A. Ahmed,Amany S. Ahmad,Mahmoud A. Ramadan,Atef E. Abd El-Baky,Koji Yamada,Samir A. Ross 대한약학회 2016 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.39 No.7

Phytochemical investigation of Ficus pandurataHance (Moraceae) fruits has led to the isolation of two newtriterpenoids, ficupanduratin A [1b-hydroxy-3b-acetoxy-11a-methoxy-urs-12-ene] (11) and ficupanduratin B [21ahydroxy-3b-acetoxy-11a-methoxy-urs-12-ene] (17), alongwith 20 known compounds: a-amyrin acetate (1), a-amyrin(2), 3b-acetoxy-20-taraxasten-22-one (3), 3b-acetoxy-11amethoxy-olean-12-ene (4), 3b-acetoxy-11a-methoxy-12-ursene (5), 11-oxo-a-amyrin acetate (6), 11-oxo-b-amyrinacetate (7), palmitic acid (8), stigmast-4,22-diene-3,6-dione(9), stigmast-4-ene-3,6-dione (10), stigmasterol (12), b-sitosterol(13), stigmast-22-ene-3,6-dione (14), stigmastane-3,6-dione (15), 3b,21b-dihydroxy-11a-methoxy-olean-12-ene (16), 3b-hydroxy-11a-methoxyurs-12-ene (18), 6-hydroxystigmast-4,22-diene-3-one (19), 6-hydroxystigmast-4-ene-3-one (20), 11a,21a-dihydroxy-3b-acetoxy-urs-12-ene(21), and b-sitosterol-3-O-b-D-glucopyranoside (22). Compound21 is reported for the first time from a natural source. The structures of the 20 compounds were elucidated on thebasis of IR, 1D (1H and 13C), 2D (1H–1H COSY, HSQC,HMBC and NOESY) NMR and MS spectroscopic data, inaddition to comparison with literature data. The isolatedcompounds were evaluated for their anti-microbial, antimalarial,anti-leishmanial, and cytotoxic activities. In addition,their radioligand displacement affinity on opioid andcannabinoid receptors was assessed. Compounds 4, 11, and15 exhibited good affinity towards the CB2 receptor, withdisplacement values of 69.7, 62.5 and 86.5 %, respectively. Furthermore, the binding mode of the active compounds inthe active site of the CB2 cannabinoid receptors was investigatedthrough molecular modelling.

Collapse behavior and forces of multistack nanolines

Kim, Tae-Gon,Wostyn, Kurt,Mertens, Paul W,Busnaina, Ahmed A,Park, Jin-Goo IOP Pub 2010 Nanotechnology Vol.21 No.1

<P>Two types of multistack nanolines (MNLs), Si-substrate (Si)/siliconoxynitride (SiON)/amorphous Si (a-Si)/ SiO<SUB>2</SUB> and Si/ SiO<SUB>2</SUB> /polycrystalline Si (poly-Si)/ SiO<SUB>2</SUB> were used to measure the collapse force and to investigate their collapse behavior by an atomic force microscope (AFM). The Si/SiON/a-Si/ SiO<SUB>2</SUB> MNL showed a larger length of fragment in the collapse patterns at a smaller collapse force. The Si/ SiO<SUB>2</SUB> /poly-Si/ SiO<SUB>2</SUB> MNL, however, demonstrated a smaller length of fragment at a higher applied collapse force. The collapse forces increased by the square of the linewidth in both Si/SiON/a-Si/ SiO<SUB>2</SUB> and Si<I>/</I>SiO<SUB>2</SUB> /poly-Si/ SiO<SUB>2</SUB> MNLs. Once an AFM tip touches an Si/SiON/a-Si/ SiO<SUB>2</SUB> line, which is a softer MNL, it was delaminated first at the Si/SiON interface. One end of the delaminated line was first broken and then the other end was bent until it was broken. A harder MNL, Si/ SiO<SUB>2</SUB> /poly-Si/ SiO<SUB>2</SUB>, however, was broken at two ends simultaneously after the delamination occurred at the Si/ SiO<SUB>2</SUB> /poly-Si interface. The different collapse behaviors were attributed to the magnitude of adhesion forces at the stack material interfaces and the mechanical strength of MNLs. </P>

Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Pistacia khinjuk in Different Experimental Models: Isolation and Characterization of Its Flavonoids and Galloylated Sugars

Ahmed Esmat,Fahad A. Al-Abbasi,Mardi M. Algandaby,Ashaimaa Y. Moussa,Rola M. Labib,Nahla A. Ayoub,Ashraf B. Abdel-Naim 한국식품영양과학회 2012 Journal of medicinal food Vol.15 No.3

The present study aimed at isolating and elucidating the structure of the main components of Pistacia khinjuk L. and exploring its potential anti-inflammatory effect in different experimental models. The extract was evaluated for antiinflammatory activity by measuring paw volume in three experimental models. Then, prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level, ear edema, tissue myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, histopathology, nitric oxide (NO) level, and tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-a) level were assessed. Seven phenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids and galloylated compounds, were isolated from the aqueous methanol extract: gallic acid (1), methyl gallate (2), quercetin-3-O-b-d-4C1-galactopyranoside (hyperin) (3), myricetin- 3-O-a-l-1C4-rhamnopyranoside (myricitrin) (4), 1,6-digalloyl-b-d-glucose (5), 1,4-digalloyl-b-d-glucopyranoside (6), and 2,3-di-O-galloyl-(a/b)-4C1-glucopyranose (nilocitin) (7). The anti-inflammatory activity was evidenced by decreased carrageenan-induced rat paw edema and PGE2 elevation. In the croton oil–induced ear edema model, MPO activity was significantly inhibited, and inflammatory histopathological changes were ameliorated. In the rat air pouch model, NO generation and TNF-a release were significantly inhibited. The isolation and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data of compound 6 from the genus Pistacia are revealed for the first time. Also, P. khinjuk L. aqueous methanol extract possesses anti-inflammatory activity in several experimental models.

Nonlinear transient analysis of FG pipe subjected to internal pressure and unsteady temperature in a natural gas facility

Ahmed E. Soliman,Mohamed A. Eltaher,Mohamed A. Attia,Amal E. Alshorbagy 국제구조공학회 2018 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.66 No.1

This study investigates the response of functionally graded (FG) gas pipe under unsteady internal pressure and temperature. The pipe is proposed to be manufactured from FGMs rather than custom carbon steel, to reduce the erosion, corrosion, pressure surge and temperature variation effects caused by conveying of gases. The distribution of material graduations are obeying power and sigmoidal functions varying with the pipe thickness. The sigmoidal distribution is proposed for the 1st time in analysis of FG pipe structure. A Two-dimensional (2D) plane strain problem is proposed to model the pipe cross-section. The Fourier law is applied to describe the heat flux and temperature variation through the pipe thickness. The time variation of internal pressure is described by using exponential-harmonic function. The proposed problem is solved numerically by a two-dimensional (2D) plane strain finite element ABAQUS software. Nine-node isoparametric element is selected. The proposed model is verified with published results. The effects of material graduation, material function, temperature and internal pressures on the response of FG gas pipe are investigated. The coupled temperature and displacement FEM solution is used to find a solution for the stress displacement and temperature fields simultaneously because the thermal and mechanical solutions affected greatly by each other. The obtained results present the applicability of alternative FGM materials rather than classical A106Gr.B steel. According to proposed model and numerical results, the FGM pipe is more effective in natural gas application, especially in eliminating the corrosion, erosion and reduction of stresses.

Indirubin-3-monoxime and thymoquinone exhibit synergistic effi cacy as therapeutic combination in in-vitro and in-vivo models of Lung cancer

Ayed A. Dera,Prasanna Rajagopalan,Majed Al Fayi,Irfan Ahmed,Harish C. Chandramoorthy 대한약학회 2020 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.43 No.6

In this study, we report the combination ofindirubin-3-monoxime (I3M) and thymoquinone (Tq) tohave excellent therapeutic effi cacy in models of Lung cancer(LC). Preliminary screening was done with A549 cells. Cellcycle, apoptosis and NFκB phosphorylation were determinedby fl ow cytometry, while apoptotic proteins, Akt and mTORwere assessed by western blotting. Mouse xenograft modelwas used to assess the therapeutic effi cacy in-vivo . Synergisticreduction in cell viability was observed with I3M + Tqcombinations, which were non-toxic to normal HFL-1 cells. Cell cycle analysis indicated G 1 phase reduction with subsequentaccumulation of sub G 0 contents. Annexin V assayrevealed higher apoptotic cells with combinations comparedto individual treatments with a decrease in Bcl-2/Bax ratio. The combinations exhibited anti-metastasis activity in cellmigration in the scratch, scatter and tumour cell migration assays and eff ectively reduced the tumour growth in mouse xenograft model. Expression levels of p-AKT, p-mTOR,Caspase-3, p-53 and NFκB were signifi cantly reduced inthe combination treated mice compared to individual treatments. Results of current study demonstrate clear effi cacy ofI3M + Tq combinations in LC models mediated by suppressingAkt/mTOR/NFκB signalling. Further research is recommendedto transform these fi ndings into novel therapeuticcombinations against LC.

Temporal analysis of 16 STR loci in human blood drawn from two culicid mosquitoes cultured at different temperatures

Ahmed M.A. Ibrahim,Lamia A. ALRAKAN,Saleh Ahmed ALAIFAN 한국곤충학회 2015 Entomological Research Vol.45 No.5

Female mosquitoes feed on human blood, which can be collected to analyze human short tandem repeat (STR) sequences; these are specific to each human individual. Analysis of STRs might help in identification of a person found near a crime scene. Aedes aegypti and Culex pipiens mosquitoes fed on human blood were cultured at 18°C or 40°C (median temperature for summer and winter time in Riyadh governorate, Saudi Arabia) for 3, 6, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h. In A. aegypti, human DNA concentration was reduced with time at both temperatures. At 18°C, we obtained full STR profiles up to 48 h post feeding on human blood while none of the 16 loci were obtained at 72 h. At 40°C, we missed six sites at 12 h after blood sucking, 12 at 24 h, and 15 at 48 h and 72 h. In C. pipiens cultured at 18°C, full profiles were developed up to 48 h following blood feeding while we could not amplify five sites at 72 h. At 40°C, mortality among females was 50% at 24 h and 100% at both 48 h and 72 h; however, we had full profiles in all samples including dead insects. This research addressed the possibility of using mosquitoes in forensic research by DNA genotyping by changing the mosquito culturing temperature and mosquito genus. Our findings proved that different types of mosquito change the temporal pattern of STR analysis and showed that the mosquito culturing temperature affects the integrity of DNA for STR analysis.