Curcumin Inhibits TGF-β1-Induced MMP-9 and Invasion through ERK and Smad Signaling in Breast Cancer MDA-MB-231 Cells

Mo, Na,Li, Zheng-Qian,Li, Jing,Cao, You-De Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.11

Objective: To evaluate the effects of curcumin on matrixmetalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and invasion ability induced by transforming growth factor-${\beta}1$ (TGF-${\beta}1$) in MDA-MB-231 cells and potential mechanisms. Methods: Human breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells were used with the CCK-8 assay to measure the cytotoxicity of curcumin. After treatment with 10 ng/ml TGF-${\beta}1$, with or without curcumin (${\leq}10{\mu}M$), cell invasion was checked by transwell chamber. The effects of curcumin on TGF-${\beta}1$-stimulated MMP-9 and phosphorylation of Smad2, extracellular-regulated kinase (ERK), and p38 mitogen activated protein kinases (p38MAPK) were examined by Western blotting. Supernatant liquid were collected to analyze the activity of MMP-9 via zymography. Following treatment with PD98059, a specific inhibitor of ERK, and SB203580, a specific inhibitor of p38MAPK, Western blotting and zymography were employed to examine MMP-9 expression and activity, respectively. Results: Low dose curcumin (${\leq}10{\mu}M$) did not show any obvious toxicity to the cells, while $0{\sim}10{\mu}mol/L$ caused a concentration-dependent reduction in cell invasion provoked by TGF-${\beta}1$. Curcumin also markedly inhibited TGF-${\beta}1$-regulated MMP-9 and activation of Smad2, ERK1/2 and p38 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Additionally, PD98059, but not SB203580, showed a similar pattern of inhibition of MMP-9 expression. Conclusion: Curcumin inhibited TGF-${\beta}1$-stimulated MMP-9 and the invasive phenotype in MDA-MB-231 cells, possibly associated with TGF-${\beta}$/Smad and TGF-${\beta}$/ERK signaling.

Tracking the Sufi presence in Jerusalem

Mona Farouk M. Ahmed(Mona Farouk M. Ahmed ) 한국이슬람학회 2022 한국이슬람학회논총 Vol.32 No.3

Tracing Sufism in the Islamic world, Jerusalem was one of the Sufis’ centers attracting many of them to settle in this holy city known for its significant spirituality for Muslims. This study traces the Sufi presence in Jerusalem from the past until the present to give an overview of the history of Sufism in this holy city. Through examining the remaining Sufi lodges in Jerusalem today, the study introduces the main Sufi orders and the development of their role and activities in the Jerusalemite society throughout history. The study showed that the golden era of the Sufi role ended with the end of Ottoman rule. Then, there was a decline in this role which faced many challenges including the economic difficulties worsened under the Israeli occupation. Being a part of the Palestinian society, the Sufis of Jerusalem had their contributions to the Arab-Israeli conflict struggling for defending their lands and properties till today. Introducing the development of the Sufi orders in Jerusalem, the study showed that despite the decline of the Sufi activities in the modern era, the Sufi presence continued, which was seen in their remaining buildings including zawiyas, ribats, and shrines covered by this study. Though many of them lost their Sufi function, there are still some Sufi families continuing to maintain Sufi traditions at present in Jerusalem.

Comparative study between micro‑ and nano‑carbon with epoxy for gamma shielding applications

Mona M. Gouda,Ahmed M. El‑Khatib,Mona M. Khalil,Mohamed Abd‑Elzaher,Mahmoud I. Abbas 한국탄소학회 2024 Carbon Letters Vol.34 No.4

The influence of nanoparticles on gas transport properties of mixed matrix membranes: An experimental investigation and modeling

Mona Jamshidi,Vahid Pirouzfar,Reza Abedini,Mona Zamani Pedram 한국화학공학회 2017 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.34 No.3

Mixed matrix membranes were made of polysulfone and Matrimid® polymers, and SiO2 and TiO2 nanoparticles in order to improve the efficiency of polymeric membrane in gas separation and review the efficiency of membrane separation process, laboratory. The modeling results of selectivity and permeability of gases O2, N2, CO2 and CH4 were discussed for different membranes. Another objective of this study was to submit a report on the importance of the statistical analysis and modeling in design and optimizing mixed matrix membranes to separate gas. The D-optimal method was applied to model and optimize the selectivity and permeability due to the main parameters. The obtained results indicated that the permeability of all gases demonstrated an ascending trend when the nanoparticles were increased. Under optimized conditions, the permeability of the gases O2, N2, CO2, CH4 in the membrane of PSF (12)/SiO2 (13.82) was 2.49, 1.113, 12.82 and 0.885 Barrer, respectively. A statistical method was practiced in the current research to design, optimize and separate gas membranes through effective efficiency for different applications.

Concepts of Conquest and Occupation: Different views of the Muslim rule in Iberian Peninsula

( Mona Farouk M. Ahmed ) 한국이슬람학회 2019 한국이슬람학회논총 Vol.29 No.1

In the past era, earlier before establishing the modern international law and the United Nations, both conquest and military occupation were worldwide happening all over the world. This includes the period of the existence of Islamic power in the Iberian Peninsula, which some describe as an occupation of other countries territories, while others describe it as a conquest for those territories. However, the word ‘conquest’ almost disappeared on describing wars for long time but reappeared in some news about wars of recent era, while the word ‘occupation’ continued and did not disappear from our modern world. Approaching the two concepts and explaining the similarity and difference between them can clarify the indications of applying each concept and the intentions behind this. In Arabic language, the language of Muslims holy book of Quran, the indication for the two concepts of ‘conquest’ and ‘occupation’ is totally different, in a way that many arguments can arouse to prove which of the two concepts give the right description for some cases. However, both of the two concepts have similarity in meaning on the point that both of them refer to an action using the force (usually military force) to control another country. In Arabic the difference indications of the two concepts is very obvious to show that one has a positive meaning and the other implies a negative sense of hostility. This can be clear seeing that the Arabic word for conquest (fatḥ فتح ) is only used to express Muslim rule of other countries, while the Arabic word for occupation (iḥtilāl) is used to describe foreign rule for Muslim countries. In this sense, there are Arabic writings defending the Muslim rule of Iberian Peninsula (Andalusia) calling it conquest and refuse to call it occupation. This paper will try to discuss the difference between these two concepts (conquest, occupation), and on the other hand, it will try to apply these terms onto the case of Muslim rule in Iberian Peninsula, to determine whether it was a conquest or an occupation for the territories.

Selective Harmonic Elimination in Multi-level Inverters with Series-Connected Transformers with Equal Power Ratings

Mona Fouad Moussa,Yasser Gaber Dessouky 전력전자학회 2016 JOURNAL OF POWER ELECTRONICS Vol.16 No.2

This study applies the selective harmonic elimination (SHE) technique to design and operate a regulated AC/DC/AC power supply suitable for maritime military applications and underground trains. The input is a single 50/60 Hz AC voltage, and the output is a 400 Hz regulated voltage. The switching angles for a multi-level inverter and transformer turns ratio are determined to operate with special connected transformers with equal power ratings and produce an almost sinusoidal current. As a result of its capability of directly controlling harmonics, the SHE technique is applicable to apparatus with congenital immunity to specific harmonics, such as series-connected transformers, which are specially designed to equally share the total load power. In the present work, a singlephase 50/60 Hz input source is rectified via a semi-controlled bridge rectifier to control DC voltage levels and thereby regulate the output load voltage at a constant level. The DC-rectified voltage then supplies six single-phase quazi-square H-bridge inverters, each of which supplies the primary of a single-phase transformer. The secondaries of the six transformers are connected in series. Through off-line calculation, the switching angles of the six inverters and the turns ratios of the six transformers are designed to ensure equal power distribution for the transformers. The SHE technique is also employed to eliminate the higher-order harmonics of the output voltage. A digital implementation is carried out to determine the switching angles. Theoretical results are demonstrated, and a scaled-down experimental 600 VA prototype is built to verify the validity of the proposed system.

A Comparative Study of Convivencia in Medieval Sicily and Al-Andalus

Mona Farouk M. Ahmed 부산외국어대학교 지중해지역원 2021 The Mediterranean Review Vol.14 No.1

Sharing the same conditions of being a part of Christian European lands conquered by Muslims, Sicily and Spain are good examples for a comparative study on Muslim and Christian rule. The similarity between Medieval Sicily and Al-Andalus can be seen as both being major crossroads for Islamic Civilization to Europe while being under Muslim rule for a long period. In addition, the similarity can be seen in the final re-conquest of both of them by Christian monarchs changing the majority of the population from Muslims to Christians. The religious diversity of the population of both Sicily and Spain after they were being conquered by the Muslims in Medieval times made the topic of Convivencia one of the important related fields of research. In this study, we will try to investigate the similarities and differences between medieval Sicily and Spain regarding the Convivencia between Muslims and Christians.

School Feeding Concepts

Mona H. Doss 한국영양학회 1972 Journal of Nutrition and Health Vol.5 No.2

Bioceramic hydroxyapatite-based scaffold with a porous structure using honeycomb as a natural polymeric Porogen for bone tissue engineering

Mona Sari,Puspa Hening,Chotimah,Ika Dewi Ana,Yusril Yusuf 한국생체재료학회 2021 생체재료학회지 Vol.25 No.1

Background: The application of bioceramic hydroxyapatite (HA) derived from materials high in calcium to tissue engineering has been of concern, namely scaffold. Scaffold pores allow for cell mobility metabolic processes, and delivery of oxygen and nutrients by blood vessel. Thus, pore architecture affects cell seeding efficiency, cell viability, migration, morphology, cell proliferation, cell differentiation, angiogenesis, mechanical strength of scaffolds, and, eventually, bone formation. Therefore, to improve the efficacy of bone regeneration, several important parameters of the pore architecture of scaffolds must be carefully controlled, including pore size, geometry, orientation, uniformity, interconnectivity, and porosity, which are interrelated and whose coordination affects the effectiveness of bone tissue engineering. The honeycomb (HCB) as natural polymeric porogen is used to pore forming agent of scaffolds. It is unique for fully interconnected and oriented pores of uniform size and high mechanical strength in the direction of the pores. The aim of this study was therefore to evaluate the effect of HCB concentration on macropore structure of the scaffolds. Methods: Bioceramic hydroxyapatite (HA) was synthesized from abalone mussel shells (Halioitis asinina) using a precipitation method, and HA-based scaffolds were fabricated with honeycomb (HCB) as the porogen agent. Pore structure engineering was successfully carried out using HCB at concentrations of 10, 20, and 30 wt%. Results: The Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis revealed that the Ca/P molar ratio of HA was 1.67 (the stoichiometric ratio of HA). The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra results for porous HAbased scaffolds and synthesized HA showed that no chemical decomposition occurred in the HA-based scaffold fabrication process. The porosity of the scaffold tended to increase when higher concentrations of HCB were added. XRD data show that the HCB was completely degraded from the scaffold material. The cell metabolic activity and morphology of the HA + HCB 30 wt% scaffold enable it to facilitate the attachment of MC3T3E1 cells on its surface. Conclusion: HCB 30 wt% is the best concentration to fabricate the scaffold corresponding to the criteria for pores structure, crystallographic properties, chemical decomposition process and cell viability for bone tissue engineering.

Synthesis and characterization of diethanolamine-impregnated cross-linked polyvinylalcohol/glutaraldehyde membranes for CO2/CH4 separation

Mona Zamani Pedram,Mohammad Reza Omidkhah,Abtin Ebadi Amooghin 한국공업화학회 2014 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.20 No.1

In this research, the cross-linking of diethanolamine (DEA) impregnated poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) onpolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) by glutaraldehyde (GA) with different blend compositions (GA/PVA: 0.5,1, 3, 5, 7 ratio%) was performed in the absence of an acid catalyst and organic solvents in order to avoidany interference in CO2 facilitation reaction with DEA. The fabricated membranes were characterized bydifferential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the effects of cross-linking agent content, feed pressure andcomposition as well as stability on CO2/CH4 transport properties were investigated in both pure andmixed gas experiments. The cross-linked membranes showed reasonable CO2/CH4 permselectivities incomparison with uncross-linked membranes. The best-yield CO2-selective membranes (DEA-PVA/GA(1 wt%)/PTFE) represented the best CO2/CH4 selectivity of 91.13 and 665 for pure and mixed gasexperiments, respectively.