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.

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.

Comparative Study of Itraconazole-Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex and Its Commercial Product

Ibrahim A. Alsarra,Fars K. Alanazi,Sayed M. Ahmed,Ahmed A. Bosela,Suliman S. Alhamed,Hammam A. Mowafy,Steven H. Neau 대한약학회 2010 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.33 No.7

Itraconazole (ITZ) solid complex using hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (ITZ-HP-β-CD) with 20% polyvinylpyrrolidone was prepared by a co-evaporation method. The complex improved antifungal activity against C. parapasilosis and C. albicans. The complex demonstrated good flow and compressibility characteristics. The complex was formulated as a capsule dosage form and drug release was evaluated. Capsules containing ITZ-HP-β-CD at a molar ratio of 1:3 with 20% polyvinylpyrrolidone have a faster dissolution rate than commercial capsules (Sporanox ®). About 88% of ITZ was released in less than 30 min and the initial dissolution rate exhibited a 3.5-fold increase compared to the commercial product. UV spectrophotometeric, HPLC, and antimicrobial methods were used to determine ITZ concentration in the release medium and the results obtained by these methods are reported. It was found that HPLC analysis is a suitable and reliable method for determination of the drug concentration with a coefficient of variation less than 10%. The intraday precision showed a coefficient of variation less than 3.96%, and that for interday was less than 4.99%. The HPLC method was more accurate and precise than the antimicrobial and UV-spectrophotometric methods for determination of ITZ concentration present in the release medium.

Precepitation and purification of amylase enzyme produced by streptomyces aureofaciens 77

Ibrahim, A.N.,Ahmed, F.H.,Ibrahim, M.M.K.,Arafa, M.A.I. The Pharmaceutical Society of Korea 1990 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.13 No.1

Precipitation and purification of amylase secreted by Streptomyces aureofaciens 77 in liquid inorganic salts-starch medium under the optimum conditions were carried out. Ammonium sulphate fractionation was used to precipitate amylase in cell free culture filtrate. (NH/sub 4/)/sub 2/ SO/sub 4/ at a concentration of 50-70% saturation gave the highest enzyme yield. The obtained precipitates were redissolved in phosphate buffer (pH 7.0) and subjected to dialysis. The dialyzed enzyme preparation was applied to DEAE-cellulose column chromatography which resulted in an increase of purification up to 59.48 fold. A further step of purification was done by applying the obtained purified sample to Sephadex-G200 column chromatography which resulted in ann increase of purification up to 73. 92 fold. The results clearly indicated that the isolated amylase from S. aureofaciens 77 was only on type.

Behaviour and design of guyed pre-stressed concrete poles under downbursts

Ahmed M. Ibrahim,Ashraf A. El Damatty 한국풍공학회 2019 Wind and Structures, An International Journal (WAS Vol.29 No.5

Pre-stressed concrete poles are among the supporting systems used to support transmission lines. It is essential to protect transmission line systems from harsh environmental attacks such as downburst wind events. Typically, these poles are designed to resist synoptic wind loading as current codes do not address high wind events in the form of downbursts. In the current study, the behavior of guyed pre-stressed concrete Transmission lines is studied under downburst loads. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first investigation to assess the behaviour of guyed pre-stressed concrete poles under downburst events. Due to the localized nature of those events, identifying the critical locations and parameters leading to peak forces on the poles is a challenging task. To overcome this challenge, an in-house built numerical model is developed incorporating the following: (1) a three-dimensional downburst wind field previously developed and validated using computational fluid dynamics simulations; (2) a computationally efficient analytical technique previously developed and validated to predict the non-linear behaviour of the conductors including the effects of the pretension force, sagging, insulator’s stiffness and the non-uniform distribution of wind loads, and (3) a non-linear finite element model utilized to simulate the structural behaviour of the guyed pre-stressed concrete pole considering material nonlinearity. A parametric study is conducted by varying the downbursts locations relative to the guyed pole while considering three different span values. The results of this parametric study are utilized to identify critical downburst configurations leading to peak straining actions on the pole and the guys. This is followed by comparing the obtained critical load cases to new load cases proposed to ASCE-74 loading committee. A non-linear failure analysis is then conducted for the three considered guyed pre-stressed concrete transmission line systems to determine the downburst jet velocity at which the pole systems fail.

Electrocatalytic behavior of a nanocomposite of Ni/Pd supported by carbonized PVA nanofibers towards formic acid, ethanol and urea oxidation: A physicochemical and electro-analysis study

Mohamed, Ibrahim M.A.,Yasin, Ahmed S.,Barakat, Nasser A.M.,Song, Seung A.,Lee, Ha Eun,Kim, Seong Su Elsevier BV * North-Holland 2018 Applied Surface Science Vol.435 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>A nanocomposite of Ni/Pd supported by carbonized poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) nanofibers (NFs) was synthesized via electrospinning followed by calcination under an argon atmosphere. The as-synthesized NFs were studied using physicochemical analyses, such as field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), to investigate the morphology, crystallinity, effect of carbonization and surface chemistry of the NFs, respectively. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) were utilized to study the performance of the NFs towards electrooxidation reactions. The designed NFs present superior electrocatalytic behavior in an acid medium towards formic acid oxidation, as well as urea and ethanol oxidation in an alkaline medium. The electrocatalytic performance of the bimetallic NFs appears to arise from the assembly of bimetallic Ni/Pd@NFs based on PVA, which has hydroxyl groups. These hydroxyl groups can decrease the negative processes that occur as a result of metal-metal interactions, such as the aggregation process. This study introduces a novel non-precious electrocatalyst to facilitate the commercialization of fuel cells based on formic acid, urea and ethanol.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Ni&Pd@C-nanofibers are synthesized via facile two steps; electrospinning followed by carbonization. </LI> <LI> The produced NFs have FCC-crystals with crystal size and d-spacing 18.08 and 0.211 nm, respectively. </LI> <LI> Enhancement on the produced current was observed as increase of formic acid concentration up to 3 mol/l. </LI> <LI> Cyclic voltammetry studies confirm the electrocatalytic performance of the synthesized-NFs towards ethanol and urea in alkaline medium. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Biological Screening of Novel Derivatives of Valproic Acid for Anticancer and Antiangiogenic Properties

Farooq, Muhammad,El-Faham, Ayman,Khattab, Sherine N.,Elkayal, Ahmed M.,Ibrahim, Mahmoud F.,Taha, Nael Abu,Baabbad, Almohannad,Wadaan, Mohammad A.M.,Hamed, Ezaat A. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.18

Background: Valproic acid (VPA) is a potent anticancer and antiangiogenic agent. However, design and synthesis of chemical derivatives with improved antiangiogenic and anticancer activities are still necessary. In this study a library of novel derivatives of VPA was synthesized and tested. Methods: A human liver cancer cell line (HepG2) and a human normal embryonic kidney cell line (HEK 293) were exposed to various concentrations of VPA derivatives for 24 hours and cell viability was checked by MTT colorimetric assay. Anti-angiogenic properties were evaluated in transgenic zebrafish embryos. Results: N-valproylglycine derivatives suppressed survival almost 70% (p value 0.001) in HepG2 cells but only 10-12% in HEK 293 cells (p value 0.133). They also suppressed angiogenic blood vessel formation by 80% when used between $2-20{\mu}M$ in zebrafish embryos. Valproic acid hydrazides showed moderate level of anticancer activity by affecting 30-50% (p value 0.001) of cell viability in HepG2 cells and 8-10% in HEK293 cells (p value 0.034). Conclusion: The majority of compounds in this study showed potent and stronger antiangiogenic and anticancer activity than VPA. They proved selectively toxic to cancer cells and safer for normal cells. Moreover, these compounds inhibited developmental angiogenesis in zebrafish embryos. Based on the fact that liver is a highly vascularized organ, in case of liver carcinoma these compounds have the potential to target the pathological angiogenesis and could be an effective strategy to treat hepatocellular carcinoma.

Activity and stability of purified amylase produced by streptomyces aureofaciens 77

Ibrahim, A.N.,Ahmed, F.H.,Ibrahim, M.M.K.,Arafa, M.A.I. The Pharmaceutical Society of Korea 1990 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.13 No.1

The effects of pH values, temperature and some elements on the amylolytic activity and stability of the purified S. aureofacienc 77 amylase were studied in this investigation. The purified enzyme showed its maximum activity at pH 6 within 8 min incubation at $40^{\circ}C$. None of the tested 6 metals showed on stimulatory effect on the enzymatic activity, $Fe^{+++}$, $Cu^{++}$ and $Hg^{++}$ at high dose inhibited the enzyme activity to great extent as compared with $Zn^{++}$, $Mn^{++}$ and $Fe^{++}$ whih gave less effect in this respect. The enzyme liquor was found to be thermolabile, since it lost completely its activity after 4 days incubation under room temperature and showed maximum activity during this period as a result of additions of $Ca^{++}$and NaCl, Gradual reduction was however recorded until activity reached 30% after 60 days of incubation.

Cloning and Expression of Two Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Genes Encoded in Cotesia plutellae Bracovirus Genome

Ibrahim Ahmed M. A.,Je Yeon-Ho,Kim Yong-Gyun 한국응용곤충학회 2005 한국응용곤충학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2005 No.05

Swertiamarin ameliorates inflammation and oxidative damage in autoimmune encephalomyelitis mouse model

Ibrahim Hairul-Islam Mohamed,Ahmed Emad A.,Alzahrani Abdullah M.,Sayed Abdullah A.,Hanieh Hamza 한국응용생명화학회 2022 Applied Biological Chemistry (Appl Biol Chem) Vol.65 No.2

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative autoimmune disease attacks the myelin sheath of the central nervous system (CNS) neurons causing different disabilities. According to recent evidence, the main bioactive component in Enicostema axillare , the Swrtiamarin (SM) has been found to exert anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities against several diseases. However, SM activities in treatment of autoimmune diseases remain to be explored. Herein, we used a murine model of MS, to show that SM treatment ameliorates the severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). This occurs through reducing the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and infiltration of CD4+CD45+ cells into CNS. That was associated with a reduction in the expression of STAT3 and NFkB in CD4+ T cells under Th17 and LPS-stimulated macrophages. Furthermore, in silico studies revealed that SM interacts with NF-E2-related factor 2 (NRF2), and therefore, suppressed oxidative stress by inducing formation NRF2-antioxidant response element (ARE) complex. We found that SM is an agonist of NRF2 complex regulating the total CD4 population and antioxidant markers in EAE mice. Molecular docking analysis showed a stable and higher binding affinity between SM and NRF2. Results revealed that SM treatment increased the complex formation between ARE and NRF2 where immunoprecipitation methods showed a higher binding affinity of ARE to NRF2 in SM treated animals. Complex formation triggered ARE cascade of antioxidant gene clusters and reduces the MS pathological alterations in EAE mice model. Current data proposed SM as an effective biomolecule in treatment of MS and controlling neuronal damage through inhibiting oxidative stress markers and targeting NRF2.