Endophytic Fungus <i> Aspergillus japonicus</i> Mediates Host Plant Growth under Normal and Heat Stress Conditions

Ismail,Hamayun, Muhammad,Hussain, Anwar,Iqbal, Amjad,Khan, Sumera Afzal,Lee, In-Jung Hindawi 2018 BioMed research international Vol.2018 No.-

<P>We have isolated an endophytic fungus with heat stress alleviation potential from wild plant<I> Euphorbia indica</I> L. The phylogenetic analysis and 18S rDNA sequence homology revealed that the designated isolate was<I> Aspergillus japonicus</I> EuR-26. Analysis of<I> A. japonicus</I> culture filtrate displayed higher concentrations of salicylic acid (SA), indoleacetic acid (IAA), flavonoids, and phenolics. Furthermore,<I> A. japonicus</I> association with soybean and sunflower had improved plant biomass and other growth features under high temperature stress (40°C) in comparison to endophyte-free plants. In fact, endophytic association mitigated heat stress by negotiating the activities of abscisic acid, catalase, and ascorbic acid oxidase in both soybean and sunflower. The nutritional quality (phenolic, flavonoids, soluble sugars, proteins, and lipids) of the<I> A. japonicus</I>-associated seedlings has also improved under heat stress in comparison to endophyte-free plants. From the results, it is concluded that<I> A. japonicus </I>can modulate host plants growth under heat stress and can be used as thermal stress alleviator in arid and semiarid regions of the globe (where mean summer temperature exceeds 40°C) to sustain agriculture.</P>

Genistein 에 의한 B35 신경모세포종 세포의, 세포자멸사유도 및 세포주기 정지; p21waf1/cip1, Bax와 Bcl-2의 관련

Ismail A. Ismail,강구성,김정완,손윤경 대한병리학회 2006 Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine Vol.40 No.5

Background : The effect of genistein on different types of cells has been investigated. However, its effect on the nervous system is still unclear. The aim of the present work is to explore the effect of genistein on rat neuroblastoma B35 cells. Methods : The effect of genistein on the proliferation of B35 cells, its cytotoxicity, the cell-cycle distribution, the ultra-structural changes and the induction of apoptosis were determined using MTT assay, LDH assay, Flow-cytometric analysis, transmission electron microscopy and Hoechst staining, respectively. Furthermore, Real-time quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to examine the transcriptional and post-translational alterations of the G2/M cell-cycle arrest marker cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21waf1/cip1 and the apoptosis-related genes after genistein treatment. Results : Genistein significantly inhibits cell survival, slightly elevates the release of lactate dehydrogenase and induced apoptosis in B35 cells. Genistein increased the number of cells at S-phase and induced cells to accumulate at the G2/M phase. These G2/M arrested cells are associated with a marked up-regulation of p21waf1/cip1 at both the mRNA and protein levels. We observed that genistein up-regulates pro-apoptotic Bax with concurrent down-regulation of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 protein. Conclusion : These observations suggest that the anticancer effect of genistein on B35 neuroblastoma cells is mediated through multiple cellular pathways including G2/M cell-cycle arrest and the induction of apoptosis.

2-Hydroxycinnamaldehyde inhibits the epithelial-mesenchymal transition in breast cancer cells.

Ismail, Ismail Ahmed,Kang, Hye Sook,Lee, Heon-Jin,Chang, Hyeyoun,Yun, Jieun,Lee, Chang Woo,Kim, Nam Hee,Kim, Hyun Sil,Yook, Jong In,Hong, Su-Hyung,Kwon, Byoung-Mog M. Nijhoff ; Kluwer Academic Publishers 2013 Breast cancer research and treatment Vol.137 No.3

<P>Since epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a critical role in cancer progression and in maintaining cancer stem cell properties, EMT is emerging as a therapeutic target for inhibiting the metastatic progression of cancer cells. 2'-Hydroxycinnamaldehyde (HCA) and its derivative, 2'-benzoyloxycinnamaldehyde, have recently been suggested as promising therapeutic candidates for cancer treatment. The purpose of this study is to investigate the anti-metastatic effect of HCA on breast cancer and the molecular mechanisms by which HCA regulates the transcriptional program during EMT. HCA induces epithelial reversion at nanomolar concentrations by suppressing Snail via the nuclear translocalization of GSK-3β, which results in the transcriptional upregulation of E-cadherin. HCA also activates the transcription factor KLF17, which suppresses Id-1, indicating that HCA inhibits EMT by multiple transcriptional programs. Further, HCA treatment significantly inhibits lung metastasis in a mouse orthotopic breast cancer model. This study demonstrates the anti-metastatic effect of the non-toxic natural compound HCA through attenuation of EMT in a breast cancer model.</P>

Effectiveness of a Social Marketing Mix Intervention on Changing the Smoking Behavior of Santri in Traditional Islamic Boarding Schools in Indonesia

Ismail Ismail,Teuku Tahlil,Nursalam Nursalam,Zurnila Marli Kesuma,Syarifah Rauzhatul Jannah,Hajjul Kamil,Fithria Fithria,Kintoko Rochadi 대한예방의학회 2022 예방의학회지 Vol.55 No.6

Objectives: This study investigated the effectiveness of the social marketing mix approach in increasing students’ knowledge about smoking, promoting positive attitudes toward smoking cessation, and decreasing smoking behavior. Methods: This quantitative research study incorporated a quasi-experimental method with a pretest-posttest non-equivalent group design. Using the purposive sampling technique, 152 smoking students were selected as participants. They were divided into 2 equal groups, with 76 students in the control group and 76 in the intervention group. The data were collected using questionnaires and analyzed with the chi-square test, independent t-test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: The social marketing mix intervention was effective in increasing the students’ knowledge about smoking (p<0.001), improving their attitude toward smoking cessation (p<0.001), and reducing their smoking behavior (p=0.014). Conclusions: This approach should be implemented by local governments to reduce smoking behavior in the community, especially among teenagers, in addition to instituting a smoking ban and applying fines.

A study on load-deflection behavior of two-span continuous concrete beams reinforced with GFRP and steel bars

Ismail Unsal,Serkan Tokgoz,Ismail H. Cagatay,Cengiz Dundar 국제구조공학회 2017 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.63 No.5

Continuous concrete beams are commonly used as structural members in the reinforced concrete constructions. The use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars provide attractive solutions for these structures particularly for gaining corrosion resistance. This paper presents experimental results of eight two-span continuous concrete beams; two of them reinforced with pure glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars and six of them reinforced with combinations of GFRP and steel bars. The continuous beams were tested under monotonically applied loading condition. The experimental load-deflection behavior and failure mode of the continuous beams were examined. In addition, the continuous beams were analyzed with a numerical method to predict the load-deflection curves and to compare them with the experimental results. Results show that there is a good agreement between the experimental and the theoretical load-deflection curves of continuous beams reinforced with pure GFRP bars and combinations of GFRP and steel bars.

Evaluation of Macular and Retinal Nerve Fiber Layer Thickness in Children with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus without Retinopathy

Ismail Mohd-Ilham,Evelyn Li Min Tai,Hussain Suhaimi,Ismail Shatriah 대한안과학회 2021 Korean Journal of Ophthalmology Vol.35 No.4

Purpose: There are limited data from Asian countries regarding retinal thickness in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). This study aimed to compare the macular and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) parameters between diabetic children without retinopathy and non-diabetic healthy children. We also evaluated the factors associated with RNFL thickness in children with T1DM. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among children with T1DM and healthy children aged 7 to 17 years old in Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia from 2017 to 2019. Children with retinal disease or glaucoma were excluded. Macular and RNFL thicknesses were measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. Demographic information, duration of diabetes, blood pressure, body mass index, visual acuity, and retinal examination findings were documented. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels, renal function, and blood lipid levels were also collected. Results: Forty-one children with T1DM and 80 age- and sex-matched children were enrolled. Both sexes were affected. Mean duration of diabetes mellitus was 3.66 years. The mean glycated hemoglobin levels in the T1DM group was 9.99%. The mean macular and RNFL thicknesses in children with T1DM were 277.56 (15.82) µm and 98.85 (12.05) µm, respectively. Children with T1DM had a significantly thinner average macula, superior outer macula, nasal outer macula, mean RNFL, and inferior RNFL thickness compared to controls (p < 0.05). There was a significant association between nephropathy and the mean RNFL thickness. Conclusions: Children with T1DM had significantly decreased mean macular and RNFL thicknesses. Nephropathy is associated with an increased RNFL thickness.

A study on load-deflection behavior of two-span continuous concrete beams reinforced with GFRP and steel bars

Unsal, Ismail,Tokgoz, Serkan,Cagatay, Ismail H.,Dundar, Cengiz Techno-Press 2017 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.63 No.5

Continuous concrete beams are commonly used as structural members in the reinforced concrete constructions. The use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) bars provide attractive solutions for these structures particularly for gaining corrosion resistance. This paper presents experimental results of eight two-span continuous concrete beams; two of them reinforced with pure glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars and six of them reinforced with combinations of GFRP and steel bars. The continuous beams were tested under monotonically applied loading condition. The experimental load-deflection behavior and failure mode of the continuous beams were examined. In addition, the continuous beams were analyzed with a numerical method to predict the load-deflection curves and to compare them with the experimental results. Results show that there is a good agreement between the experimental and the theoretical load-deflection curves of continuous beams reinforced with pure GFRP bars and combinations of GFRP and steel bars.

Pharmacognostic Profile of Trigonella Seed and Its Hypoglycaemic Activity

Zhari Ismail,Norhayati Ismail,Mariam Ahmad 한국생약학회 1995 Natural Product Sciences Vol.1 No.1

Pharmacognostic study was carried out on the seeds of Trigonella foenumgraecum L. (fenugreek) in order to establish its pharmacognostic characteristics. In view of its renewed interest as a dietary supplement among the local inhabitants afflicted with diabetes, its hypoglycaemic activity in normal as well as diabetic rats was also investigated. Oral glucose tolerance test showed that a suspension of the powdered trigonella seed inhibited the increase in blood glucose levels in normal rats that had been treated with an oral glucose load prior to the test. A reduction in the blood glucose levels was also observed when a suspension of the powdered seed was given by gastric intubation to the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. These findings suggested that trigonella seeds possessed some hypoglycaemic activities that might be useful to the diabetics.

Current Trends and Future Directions on Women CEOs/CFOs and Financial Reporting Quality

Ismaanzira ISMAIL,Rohami SHAFIE,Ku Nor Izah Ku ISMAIL 한국유통과학회 2020 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.7 No.11

The aim of this paper is to review studies of women chief executive officers (CEOs) and chief financial officers (CFOs) in the context of financial reporting quality. By using electronic searches and keywords to identify relevant studies, a total of 22 published studies are identified over the period 2010-2020. Based on the review, two underpinning theories have been widely used in examining the effect of women CEOs/CFOs on the quality of financial reporting, namely, risk aversion theory and gender-ethics theory. In addition, a majority of the studies documented that women CEOs/CFOs lead to more conservative reporting and higher earnings quality. The findings underscore the importance to examine the gender issue in accounting literature and established a business and management case for women to attain the top position whether as a CEO or CFO. This paper also recommends to practitioners and regulators about the effect of having women as CEOs or CFOs on financial reporting quality as women are a pool of talent that is underutilized. In addition, this paper goes beyond a classic narrative review by suggesting future research avenues to examine further such issues in order to broaden the understanding of the role of women in accounting.

Nutritional and biochemical evaluation of sorghum supplemented sourdough flat bread

Tariq Ismail,Saeed Akhtar,Muhammad Riaz,Orner Mukhtar Tarar,Amir Ismail 단국대학교 국제농업협력연구소 2012 단국대학교 국제농업협력연구소 학술대회 Vol.2012 No.1

Wheat flour supplemented with 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25% sorghum flour and sourdough bread made thereof were evaluated for mineral contents, phytic acid, tannin, total phenols and in vitro protein digestibility. Effect of supplementation was assessed on nutritional quality of the sourdough flatbread. Analyses of the sorghum supplemented flours revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase in crude fat(%), crude fiber(%) and NFE (%)with a decreasing pattern in crude protein and ash contents. Sourdough fermentation appeared to improve mineral contents in bread since the concentration of iron, zinc and manganese were increased from 3.07-4.41, 0.87-0.95 and 2.48-2.56 mg/100 g, respectively. Phytic acid (%) and tannin (%) were reduced from 1.14 to 0.57, and 0.40 to 0.22, respectively in flatbread. Total phenols of composite flour decreased from 342 to 104 mg/100 g in sourdough flatbread. Similarly, in vitro protein digestibility was shown to increase from 74.81 to 81.14% apparently due to reduction in concentration of chelating agents by fermentation process. Conclusively, composite flour technology in combination with lactic acid fermentation was found quite successfully exploited to reduce anti-nutritional compounds, enhance availability of minerals and improve the digestibility of non-conventional cereal grains.