A Bioactive Fraction from Streptomyces sp. Enhances Maize Tolerance against Drought Stress

Warrad Mona,Hassan Yasser M.,Mohamed Mahmoud S.M,Hagagy Nashwa,Al-Maghrabi Omar A,Selim Samy,Saleh Ahmed M.,AbdElgawad Hamada 한국미생물·생명공학회 2020 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.30 No.8

Drought stress is threatening the growth and productivity of many economical crops. Therefore, it is necessary to establish innovative and efficient approaches for improving crop growth and productivity. Here we investigated the potentials of the cell-free extract of Actinobacteria (Ac) isolated from a semi-arid habitat (Al-Jouf region, Saudi Arabia) to recover the reduction in maize growth and improve the physiological stress tolerance induced by drought. Three Ac isolates were screened for production of secondary metabolites, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. The isolate Ac3 revealed the highest levels of flavonoids, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities in addition to having abilities to produce siderophores and phytohormones. Based on seed germination experiment, the selected bioactive fraction of Ac3 cell-free extract (F2.7, containing mainly isoquercetin), increased the growth and photosynthesis rate under drought stress. Moreover, F2.7 application significantly alleviated drought stress-induced increases in H2O2, lipid peroxidation (MDA) and protein oxidation (protein carbonyls). It also increased total antioxidant power and molecular antioxidant levels (total ascorbate, glutathione and tocopherols). F2.7 improved the primary metabolism of stressed maize plants; for example, it increased in several individuals of soluble carbohydrates, organic acids, amino acids, and fatty acids. Interestingly, to reduce stress impact, F2.7 accumulated some compatible solutes including total soluble sugars, sucrose and proline. Hence, this comprehensive assessment recommends the potentials of actinobacterial cell-free extract as an alternative ecofriendly approach to improve crop growth and quality under water deficit conditions.

In vivo effects of different anesthetic agents on apoptosis

Emad S. Osman,Hanan F. Khafagy,,Yasser M. Samhan,Mona M. Hassan,Faten M. El-Shanawany,Abdel Rahman M. Fathallah,Gehan G. El-fandy 대한마취통증의학회 2012 Korean Journal of Anesthesiology Vol.63 No.1

Background: This study was designed to measure in vivo effects of propofol, isoflurane and sevoflurane on apoptosis by measuring caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) blood level as apoptotic markers. Methods: After obtaining ethical committee approval and informed written consents, sixty adult patients ASA I scheduled for open cholecystectomy participated in this study. They were randomally allocated into one of three equal groups to receive propofol infusion, low-flow isoflurane or sevoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia. Venous blood samples were collected preoperatively, immediately postoperative and after 24 hours to measure hemoglobin,hematocrit, creatinine, liver enzymes, serum TRAIL and caspase-3 levels. Results: There was no significant difference in hematological markers and serum creatinine. Liver enzymes showed significant postoperative rise (P < 0.05). In Propofol group, TRAIL and caspase-3 levels were significantly elevated immediately postoperative then decreased significantly after 24-hours (P < 0.05). In Isoflurane group, immediate postoperative level of TRAIL was significantly higher than 24 hours reading and significantly lower than its level in Propofol group at the same timing meanwhile caspase-3 levels were comparable at different timings. In Sevoflurane group, TRAIL and caspase-3 levels increased significantly in both postoperative samples than preoperative level and than those of Isoflurane and Propofol groups after 24 hours concerning TRAIL (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study concluded that isoflurane is superior and sevoflurane is the least effective among the three anesthetics in protection against apoptosis. This study neither proved nor excluded propofol-induced apoptosis. Further studies are required during lengthy procedure and in compromised patients. Background: This study was designed to measure in vivo effects of propofol, isoflurane and sevoflurane on apoptosis by measuring caspase-3 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) blood level as apoptotic markers. Methods: After obtaining ethical committee approval and informed written consents, sixty adult patients ASA I scheduled for open cholecystectomy participated in this study. They were randomally allocated into one of three equal groups to receive propofol infusion, low-flow isoflurane or sevoflurane for maintenance of anesthesia. Venous blood samples were collected preoperatively, immediately postoperative and after 24 hours to measure hemoglobin,hematocrit, creatinine, liver enzymes, serum TRAIL and caspase-3 levels. Results: There was no significant difference in hematological markers and serum creatinine. Liver enzymes showed significant postoperative rise (P < 0.05). In Propofol group, TRAIL and caspase-3 levels were significantly elevated immediately postoperative then decreased significantly after 24-hours (P < 0.05). In Isoflurane group, immediate postoperative level of TRAIL was significantly higher than 24 hours reading and significantly lower than its level in Propofol group at the same timing meanwhile caspase-3 levels were comparable at different timings. In Sevoflurane group, TRAIL and caspase-3 levels increased significantly in both postoperative samples than preoperative level and than those of Isoflurane and Propofol groups after 24 hours concerning TRAIL (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study concluded that isoflurane is superior and sevoflurane is the least effective among the three anesthetics in protection against apoptosis. This study neither proved nor excluded propofol-induced apoptosis. Further studies are required during lengthy procedure and in compromised patients.

Thermo-mechanical properties of devulcanized rubber/high crystalline polypropylene blends modified by ionizing radiation

Medhat M. Hassan,Nagwa A. Badway,Mona Y. Elnaggar,El-Sayed A. Hegazy 한국공업화학회 2013 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.19 No.4

Ground tire rubber (GRT) poses a challenging environmental, economical, and disposal problem in the world because of their crosslinked three-dimensional network structure. Waste rubber from end-of-life passenger car tires was successfully devulcanized by using mechanical–chemical process. The coupling of DR with PP in different proportion was investigated by FTIR, X-ray diffraction and SEM techniques. The mechanical and thermal behaviors of the blends composed of devulcanized rubber (DR) and high crystalline polypropylene (PP) in different proportions were studied. Evaluation of the mechanical and thermal properties of the developed blends, unirradiated and gamma irradiated, was carried out using tensile strength (Ts), elongation at break (Eb), hardness, TGA and DSC measurements.

No Association of Cytochrome P450-1B1 Gene Polymorphisms with Risk of Breast Cancer: an Egyptian Study

Ibrahim, Mona H,Rashed, Reham A,Hassan, Naglaa M,Al-azhary, Nevin M,Salama, Asmaa I,Mostafa, Marwa N Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.6

It is thought that population characteristics of breast cancer may be due to a variation in the frequency of different alleles of genes such as CYP1B1. We aimed to determine the association of CYP1B1 polymorphisms in 200 breast cancer cases and 40 controls by PCR-RFLP. Frequencies were assessed with clinical and risk factors in Egyptian patients. The genotype LV and the Leu allele frequencies for patients and controls were 42.9% and 50%, and 52.9% and 53.3%, respectively), with no significant differences observed (P values = 0.8 and 0.6, respectively). There was also no significant association between genotypes and any risk factors for cases (P>0.05) except laterality and metastasis of the tumor (P values=0.006 and 0.06, respectively). The CYP1B1 polymorphism Val432Leu was not associated with breast cancer in Egypt, but may provide clues for future studies into early detection of the disease.

Microwave Irradiation and Diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC)/7-Aza-1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOAt): A Potent Combination for Synthesis of Variuos Hydrazide from N-Protected Amino Acid and Hydrazine

Albatal, Mona,Ghani, Mohamad Abdul,El-Faham, Ayman,Al-Hazimi, Hassan M.,Hammud, Hassan H. Korean Chemical Society 2010 대한화학회지 Vol.54 No.4

마이크로웨이브 반응 장치 (Synthos 3000 Aton Paar, GmbH, 1400 W maximum magnetron)를 이용하여, diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC)/와 1-hydroxybenzotriazoles (HOXt) (X = A or B)를 반응시켜서 amino acid hydrazide를 효율적으로 합성할 수 있는 반응 조건을 개발하였다. 일반적인 가열반응과 마이크로웨이브 반응을 반응 시간, 반응 조건 등을 비교하였을 때에, 마이크로웨이브 반응이 보다 효율적으로 진행되었으며, diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC)와 1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) 반응에서보다는 diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC)와 7-aza-1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOAt)를 반응시켰을 때에 좋은 수율 (95 - 98%)로 얻어졌다. Here we describe a fast and rapid technique for preparation of amino acid hydrazide as well as peptide hydrazide derivatives using diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC)/1-hydroxybenzotriazoles (HOXt) (X = A or B) under microwave irradiation employing a multimode reactor (Synthos 3000 Aton Paar, GmbH, 1400 W maximum magnetron). A comparison between conventional and microwave irradiation was described. The microwave methodology is rapid, convenient, proceeds under mild conditions. Diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC)/7-aza-1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOAt) always gave much better yield (95 - 98%) and purity than diisopropylcarbodiimide (DIC)/1-hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt).