Physicochemical and photo-electrochemical characterization of novel N-doped nanocomposite ZrO₂/TiO₂ photoanode towards technology of dye-sensitized solar cells

Mohamed, Ibrahim M.A.,Dao, Van-Duong,Yasin, Ahmed S.,Mousa, Hamouda M.,Yassin, Mohamed A.,Khan, Muhammad Yasir,Choi, Ho-Suk,Barakat, Nasser A.M. Elsevier 2017 Materials characterization Vol.127 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This work introduces the synthesis of N-doped nanocomposite of ZrO<SUB>2</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> nanofibers (NFs) by use of both electrospinning and hydrothermal methods. The physicochemical properties of the introduced TiO<SUB>2</SUB> NFs are investigated to describe the morphology, crystallinity and chemistry through FESEM, SEM-EDX, XRD, TEM and XPS. As the results, the investigated material can be described as N@ZrO<SUB>2</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> NFs. The crystal structure of the prepared TiO<SUB>2</SUB> is only anatase structure. Then, the novel NFs are utilized to design novel photoanode and photo-electrochemical characterization such as current-potential response under light, incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) are also investigated. The photovoltaic response showed that the efficiency of the DSCs employed N@ZrO<SUB>2</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> photoanode gave 4.95%, which was higher than those of DSCs designed with ZrO<SUB>2</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> NFs (4.51%) and N@TiO<SUB>2</SUB> NFs (4.41%) photoanodes. The high photo-response of DSC by use of N@ZrO<SUB>2</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> NFs can be attributed to enhanced electrical conductivity, which is studied via EIS, and presence of active sites of N. These active sites can easily absorb dye-molecules in the step of dye-loading in the fabrication of DSC.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> N-doped ZrO<SUB>2</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> nanofibers (NFs) are synthesized via facile two steps; electrospinning followed by hydrothermal. </LI> <LI> The produced NFs have only anatase crystal structure. </LI> <LI> 4.95% PV efficiency was achieved by the synthesized NFs. </LI> <LI> DSC based on N-doped ZrO<SUB>2</SUB>/TiO<SUB>2</SUB> NFs shows high electrical conductivity and low charge transfer resistance; 9.375Ω. </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.

Initial experience with Scepter Mini dual lumen balloon for embolization of cerebrovascular diseases

Muhammad U Manzoor,Ibrahim A. Almulhim,Abdullah A. Alrashed,Shorog Althubait,Abdulrahman Y. Alturki,Sultan M. Al-Qahtani 대한뇌혈관외과학회 2023 Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neuros Vol.25 No.2

Objective: Endovascular treatment of cerebrovascular diseases is often challenging due to small caliber, tortuous distal vessels. Several devices and techniques have evolved to overcome these challenges. Recently, a low profile dual lumen microballoon catheter, specifically designed for distal navigation is employed for neurovascular procedures. Due to its recent advent, scarce data is available on clinical utility and safety of Scepter Mini. The aim of this case series is to report our initial experience with Scepter Mini in the management of various cerebrovascular diseases.Methods: All interventional neurovascular cases performed using Scepter Mini between January 2020 till April 2021 were included. Data regarding patient demographics, procedural details and complications was retrospectively collected from patient’s electronic medical record and procedure reports.Results: Total twelve embolization procedures were performed in eleven patients, including six brain arteriovenous malformation, two dural arteriovenous fistula, one vein of Galen malformation and three hyper-vascular glomus tumor embolizations. All procedures were successfully performed with adequate penetration of the embolic agent. Complete embolization was performed in six procedures, while intended partial embolization was performed in the rest of procedures. Scepter Mini was solely used in ten procedures, however in the other two embolization procedures it was used as an additional conjunct tool to complete the intended embolization. No balloon related complication was observed in any procedure.Conclusions: Scepter Mini dual lumen microballoon catheter is safe and feasible for delivery of liquid embolic agents for cerebrovascular embolization procedures.

Prevalence of JAK2 V617F, CALR, and MPL W515L Gene Mutations in Patients with Essential Thrombocythemia in Kurdistan Region of Iraq

( Bestoon Muhammad Saeed ),( Hisham Arif Getta ),( Najmaddin Khoshnaw ),( Goran Abdulqader ),( Aveen M. Raouf Abdulqader ),( Ali Ibrahim Mohammed ) 대한임상검사과학회 2021 대한임상검사과학회지(KJCLS) Vol.53 No.1

Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a clonal bone marrow stem cell disorder, primarily involving the megakaryocytic lineage. The WHO 2016 guidelines include the molecular detection of JAK2, MPL, and CALR mutations as a major diagnostic criterion for ET. This study aimed to determine the frequency of JAK2 V617F, MPL W515L, and CALR mutations in Iraqi Kurdish patients afflicted with ET, and to analyze their clinical and hematological features. A total of 73 Iraqi Kurdish patients with ET were enrolled as subjects, and analysis was achieved utilizing real-time PCR. The frequency of JAK2 V617F, CALR, and MPL W515L mutations was determined to be 50.7%, 22%, and 16.4%, respectively. No statistically significant difference was obtained when considering the age and gender among different genotypes. The JAK2 V617F mutated patients had significantly higher white blood cell counts and hemoglobin levels than the CALR-positive patients (P-value=0.000, 0.007, respectively), MPL W515L-positive patients (P-value=0.000, 0.000, respectively), and triple negative patients (P-value=0.000, 0.000, respectively). Also, the JAK2 V617F mutated patients showed higher platelet count as compared to the MPL W515L-positive patients (P-value=0.02) and triple negative patients (P-value=0.04). Furthermore, significantly lower white blood cell count and hemoglobin levels were associated with CALR positivity (P-value=0.000, 0.01, respectively), MPL W515L-positivity (P-value=0.001, 0.000, respectively), and triple negativity (P-value=0.000, 0.000, respectively), as compared to patients with combined mutations. In conclusion, apart from a relatively high frequency of MPL W515L mutation, our data is comparable to earlier reports, and highlights the importance of genotyping the JAK2 V617F, MPL W515L, and CALR mutations for accurate diagnosis of patients with ET. Copyright Ⓒ 2021 The Korean Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. All rights reserved.

Assessment of The Level of Caffeine in Some Tea Leaves Marketed in Dutse: Jigawa State

BDULLAHI, R.,LAWAL, A.M.,IBRAHIM, M.S,KHALID, A.,MUHAMMAD, U.L. Korea FoodHealth Convergence Association 2019 식품보건융합연구 (KJFHC) Vol.5 No.3

The use of caffeine as a psychoactive stimulant in tea has been observed to have serious negative effects in humans' systems such as respiratory, nervous, cardiovascular, renal and skeletal systems. This study was carried out to assess the levels of caffeine in 10 different tea brands available in local market in Dutse, Jigawa State, Nigeria. Quantitative analysis of caffeine was performed by a simple and fast UV-Vis spectrophotometric methods using different solvents for extraction. The caffeine content in all the tea samples analyzed in this study were below the maximum allowable limits set by the USFDA. Tea have been associated with adverse health effects and the claims made by manufacturers about the benefits of tea do not highlight risks associated with excessive consumption of a combination of the ingredients contained in tea. Long term effects of tea consumption of children and young people have not been adequately studied. Therefore, it is recommended that further research be carried out on the adverse effects of energy drinks on children. Research is also needed to be done on the effects of the combination of ingredients on health and excessive consumption of those ingredients to children and adolescents. People need to be educated and given proper awareness on the health risks associated with caffeine containing beverages.

Corrosion and wear behavior of TiN PVD coated 304 stainless-steel

Awais Awan,Riffat Asim Pasha,Muhammad Shoaib Butt,Rizwan Ahmed Malik,Ibrahim M Alarifi,Meshal Alzaid,무하마드 라티프,Ammar Naseer,Mohsin Saleem,Hussein Alrobei 대한기계학회 2020 JOURNAL OF MECHANICAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Vol.34 No.8

Ti/TiN multilayered physical vapor deposition (PVD) coatings were deposited on stainless-steel by cathodic arc deposition method. Bare sample of stainless steel 304 was compared with monolithic TiN coating and TiN coating having 2, 4, 6 and 8 Ti interlayers. The properties like corrosion and wear resistance were studied and analyzed comparatively. Potentiodynamic polarization curves showed that highest corrosion resistance was indicated by TiN coating with 8 Ti interlayers. Sample having 8 Ti interlayers have high corrosion potential (E corr ) and low corrosion current density (I corr ) as compared to other samples. This may be attributed to the arrangement of interlayers that prevents the corrosive agents to penetrate surface. All multilayered coatings show better results than the substrate material. Pin on disk wear test revealed that coating having monolithic TiN layer have the lowest coefficient of friction and consequently have less wear volume and wear rate as compared to other coatings with Ti interlayers. These results made the investigated coated stainless steel 304 valuable for wide range of industrial applications that required wear and corrosion resistance.

In silico molecular docking and molecular dynamic simulation of potential inhibitors of 3C-like main proteinase (3CLpro) from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) using selected african medicinal plants

Isa Mustafa Alhaji,Mustapha Adam,Qazi Sahar,Raza Khalid,Allamin Ibrahim Alkali,Ibrahim Muhammad M.,Mohammed Mohammed M. 경희대학교 융합한의과학연구소 2022 Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine Vol.22 No.1

The Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an infectious virus that causes mild to severe life-threatening upper respiratory tract infection. The virus emerged in Wuhan, China in 2019, and later spread across the globe. Its genome has been completely sequenced and based on the genomic information, the virus possessed 3C-Like Main Protease (3CLpro), an essential multifunctional enzyme that plays a vital role in the replication and transcription of the virus by cleaving polyprotein at eleven various sites to produce different non-structural proteins. This makes the protein an important target for drug design and discovery. Herein, we analyzed the interaction between the 3CLpro and potential inhibitory com- pounds identified from the extracts of Zingiber offinale and Anacardium occidentale using in silico docking and Molecular Dynamics (MD) Simulation. The crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 main protease in complex with 02J (5-Methylisoxazole- 3-carboxylic acid) and PEJ (composite ligand) (PDB Code: 6LU7, 2.16 Å) retrieved from Protein Data Bank (PDB) and subject to structure optimization and energy minimization. A total of twenty-nine compounds were obtained from the extracts of Z. offinale and the leaves of A. occidentale. These compounds were screened for physicochemical (Lipinski rule of five, Veber rule, and Egan filter), Pan-Assay Interference Structure, and pharmacokinetic properties to determine the Pharmaceutical Active Ingredients. Of the 29 compounds, only nineteen (19) possessed drug-likeness properties with efficient oral bioavailability and less toxicity. These compounds subjected to molecular docking analysis to determine their binding energies with the 3CLpro. The result of the analysis indicated that the free binding energies of the compounds ranged between − 5.08 and − 10.24 kcal/mol, better than the binding energies of 02j (− 4.10 kcal/mol) and PJE (− 5.07 kcal/ mol). Six compounds (CID_99615 = − 10.24 kcal/mol, CID_3981360 = 9.75 kcal/mol, CID_9910474 = − 9.14 kcal/mol, CID_11697907 = − 9.10 kcal/mol, CID_10503282 = − 9.09 kcal/mol and CID_620012 = − 8.53 kcal/mol) with good bind- ing energies further selected and subjected to MD Simulation to determine the stability of the protein–ligand complex. The results of the analysis indicated that all the ligands form stable complexes with the protein, although, CID_9910474 and CID_10503282 had a better stability when compared to other selected phytochemicals (CID_99615, CID_3981360, CID_620012, and CID_11697907).