Influence of the protocol of fibroin extraction on the antibiotic activities of the constructed composites

The effect of the solvents for silk fibroin (SF) extraction on its antimicrobial activity was studied. Extraction protocols were performed using LiBr (SF(L)) and Ajisawa’s reagent (CaCl(2):ethanol:H(2)O) (SF(C)). The morphological and structural characteristics of the extracted SF and their composites were assessed. Corresponding bactericidal activities against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922) and Pseudomonas aeroginosa (ATCC 27853) were performed. The resulting solutions were either casted into films or individually incorporated into composites of silver nanoparticles (NS) embedded into chitosan fragments (Cs) through γ-irradiation. Films of SF, obtained by using the two solvents, as well as the final prepared composites of SF, NS and Cs were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, SEM, TEM and zeta potential at several pH values. The band gap values were calculated. The results proved that, although SF(C) consumed shorter gelation time, yet SF(L) exerted higher antibiotic activity against the tested microorganisms. Moreover, the final composites had the ability to significantly reduce the growth of these medically relevant bacteria and are, therefore, recommended as a novel natural antibacterial biomaterial for several biomedical applications

Autotoxicity of chard and its allelopathic potentiality on germination and some metabolic activities associated with growth of wheat seedlings

In this study, the allelopathic effect of aqueous whole mature chard plant extract (Beta vulgaris L. var.Cicla) on wheat (Triticum vulgare L. var. Sides 1) and an associated weed (chard) was investigated.Plants used were sampled in 2006, and then plant extracts were obtained after they were ground and processed with distilled water. Twenty five of wheat grains and the same number of chard seeds ofuniform size and weight were placed in a mixture on sterile filter paper in 15 cm Petri-dishes. Treated Petri-dishes were each supplied with 20 ml extract of 0.25,1, 4, 8, and 12% (w/v) while untreated controlwas supplied with 20 ml of distilled water. After 10 days the germination percentage, vigour value, seedling growth criteria and some physiological processes were counted. The aqueous extract retardedthe germination of chard more effectively than that of wheat and the effect was concentration dependent. The lowest concentration stimulated the germination of both wheat and chard; on the otherhand, the germination was retarded under the application of concentrations above 1%. However, 1% concentration had a positive effect on wheat and negative on chard. HPLC analyses of the watersoluble extract of whole chard plant residue revealed the presence of eight phenolic aglycones that show the abundant of chichimec acid, (+) camphor, hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric and vanillic acids aswell as trace amounts of coumarin and protocatechuic acids. This extract may be used as a bioherbicide to control the germination and growth of itself (autotoxicity)

The effect of talent management strategies on quality of services in improving citizens’ satisfaction: a study in the federal authority for identity and citizenship in Emirate of Abu Dhabi

The main objective of this research is to study talent management strategies to improve the quality of services in order to satisfy citizens with the services provided by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. This was done by testing the impact of the strategy of attraction, talent development, talent retention, and talent succession planning as independent variables on citizen satisfaction as a dependent variable and the impact of service quality as an intermediary variable between talent management strategies on the one hand and citizen satisfaction with the services provided on the other hand. The research study is a quantitative research study that made use of statistical evaluation based on detailed solutions and techniques of variance and covariance, correlation, and regression. The study is huge research in the feature bearing in mind that it deals with a site of study that is talent management strategies to improve the quality of services for citizens’ satisfaction with the services provided by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, where there have already been previous studies conducted. Regarding the role of talent management strategies to improve the quality of services for citizen satisfaction, a questionnaire was created from the literary works and modified to match the study conditions. The population of this assessment are the employees of the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the target sample size is 332 but the actual valid data set has 301 samples. The results of the main dependent variable, citizens’ satisfaction with the services provided by the authority, show satisfactory predictive power and great predictive importance. The proposed model can explain 76.2% of the variance in the degrees of spelling in citizens’ satisfaction with the services provided by the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, which has a great relationship with talent management strategies. The results of the analysis of the mediating role of service quality were satisfactory results in the relationship between talent management strategies and citizen satisfaction

Substantive and procedural problems related to cybercrime in the United Arab Emirates

The study discussed a critical topic that poses a threat to society in all aspects of social, economic, political, and even religious affairs. This topic talked about cybercrime and the substantive and procedural problems related to this type of crime in the United Arab Emirates. This study was discussed by explaining the basic research points represented in explaining the nature of cybercrime and identifying the procedural and scientific problems that emanate from cybercrime, which aim to know how to prove electronic crime as well as the procedures for research, investigation, and tracking, as well as the problems associated with defining the "competent law and applicable to those crimes, which aim Knowledge of the substantive and procedural rules of cybercrime. The study talked about the types of crimes, their elements, scope, and legal nature. The study analyzed the articles of Decree No. (5) of 2012 amended by Federal Law No. (12) of 2016 related to combating information technology crimes to find out the extent of success or failure of the UAE legislator in organizing and dealing with cybercrime. In the end, the study discussed practical and legislative solutions to combat cybercrime and overcome the problems resulting from this type of crime, in addition to the regional, international, and national role in confronting and combating cybercrime. The researcher also showed the most essential practical solutions regarding confronting this crime with regard to some of the procedures required to combat cybercrime, as well as in relation to controlling and inspecting the methods used in the implementation of crimes. The study adopted the analytical and comparative qualitative approach. The study concluded with many results and recommendations, the most important of which is the seriousness of cybercrime and the diversity of their forms, in addition to the fact that the UAE legislator organized cybercrime within the Law of Combating Technical Crimes Union Law No. 5 of 2012 and its amendments to Federal Law No. 12 of 2016, regarding types of cybercrime on the basis of crimes committed by the system, and crimes against the system itself. In addition, the study recommended that the UAE legislator add a text clarifying the penalty prescribed for cybercrime, and considered a crime against state security. Furthermore, the study suggested adding text on the permissibility of inspecting the intangible components of the computer and establishing legal controls for them

Anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities of date palm pollen (Phoenix dactylifera) on experimentally-induced atypical prostatic hyperplasia in rats

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Atypical prostatic hyperplasia (APH) is a pseudoneoplastic lesion that can mimic prostate adenocarcinoma because of its cytologic and architectural features. Suspension of date palm pollen (DPP) is an herbal mixture that is widely used in folk medicine for male infertility. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of DPP suspension and extract on APH-induced rats.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>APH was induced in adult castrated Wistar rats by both s.c. injection of testosterone (0.5 mg/rat/day) and smearing citral on shaved skin once every 3 days for 30 days. Saw palmetto (100mg/kg), DPP suspension (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg), and lyophilized DPP extract (150,300 and 600 mg/kg) were given orally daily for 30 days. All medications were started 7 days after castration and along with testosterone and citral.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The histopathological feature in APH-induced prostate rats showed evidence of hyperplasia and inflammation. Immunohistochemical examination revealed that the expressions of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IGF-1 and clusterin were increased, while the expression of TGF-β1 was decreased that correlates with presence of inflammation. Moreover, histopathological examination revealed increased cellular proliferation and reduced apoptosis in ventral prostate. Both saw palmetto and DPP treatment has ameliorated these histopathological and immunohistochemical changes in APH-induced rats. These improvements were not associated with reduction in the prostatic weight that may be attributed to the persistence of edema.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>DPP may have a potential protective effect in APH-induced Wistar rats through modulation of cytokine expression and/or upregulation of their autocrine/paracrine receptors.</p

6-Gingerol alleviates exaggerated vasoconstriction in diabetic rat aorta through direct vasodilation and nitric oxide generation

The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect and potential mechanism of action of 6-gingerol on alterations of vascular reactivity in the isolated aorta from diabetic rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into two experimental groups, control and diabetics. Diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (50 mg kg(−1)), and the rats were left for 10 weeks to develop vascular complications. The effect of in vitro incubation with 6-gingerol (0.3–3 μM) on the vasoconstrictor response of the isolated diabetic aortae to phenylephrine and the vasodilator response to acetylcholine was examined. Effect of 6-gingerol was also examined on aortae incubated with methylglyoxal as an advanced glycation end product (AGE). To investigate the mechanism of action of 6-gingerol, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (100 μM), guanylate cyclase inhibitor methylene blue (5 μM), calcium-activated potassium channel blocker tetraethylammonium chloride (10 mM), and cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin (5 μM) were added 30 minutes before assessing the direct vasorelaxant effect of 6-gingerol. Moreover, in vitro effects of 6-gingerol on NO release and the effect of 6-gingerol on AGE production were examined. Results showed that incubation of aortae with 6-gingerol (0.3–10 μM) alleviated the exaggerated vasoconstriction of diabetic aortae to phenylephrine in a concentration-dependent manner with no significant effect on the impaired relaxatory response to acetylcholine. Similar results were seen in the aortae exposed to methylglyoxal. In addition, 6-gingerol induced a direct vasodilation effect that was significantly inhibited by Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride and methylene blue. Furthermore, 6-gingerol stimulated aortic NO generation but had no effect on AGE formation. In conclusion, 6-gingerol ameliorates enhanced vascular contraction in diabetic aortae, which may be partially attributed to its ability to increase the production of NO and stimulation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate

Immunomodulatory Effect of Red Onion ( Allium cepa

Red onion scales (ROS) contain large amounts of flavonoids that are responsible for the reported antioxidant activity, immune enhancement, and anticancer property. Atypical prostatic hyperplasia (APH) was induced in adult castrated Wistar rats by both s.c. injection of testosterone (0.5 mg/rat/day) and by smearing citral on shaved skin once every 3 days for 30 days. Saw palmetto (100 mg/kg) as a positive control and ROS suspension at doses of 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg/day were given orally every day for 30 days. All medications were started 7 days after castration and along with testosterone and citral. The HPLC profile of ROS methanolic extract displayed two major peaks identified as quercetin and quercetin-4′-β-O-D-glucoside. Histopathological examination of APH-induced prostatic rats revealed evidence of hyperplasia and inflammation with cellular proliferation and reduced apoptosis Immunohistochemistry showed increased tissue expressions of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IGF-1, and clusterin, while TGF-β1 was decreased, which correlates with the presence of inflammation. Both saw palmetto and RO scale treatment have ameliorated these changes. These ameliorative effects were more evident in RO scale groups and were dose dependent. In conclusion, methanolic extract of ROS showed a protective effect against APH induced rats that may be attributed to potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects

Cardioprotection by 6-gingerol in diabetic rats

The current study was conducted to evaluate the effect of 6-gingerol (6G) on cardiac complications in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic (DM) rats. STZ-induced DM rats (single 50 mg/kg i.p. injection, 15 days prior to drug treatment) or time-matched controls were treated with 6G (75 mg/day route orally). After a further 8 weeks, blood was collected for biochemical analysis and 8-isoprostenol was measured in urine. Cardiac hemodynamics and ECG was assessed. 6G significantly attenuated the increased level of blood glucose in diabetic rats and improved cardiac hemodynamics in including RR interval, max dP/dt, min dP/dt and Tau. In addition, 6G alleviated the elevated ST segment, T amplitude and R amplitude with no significant effect on disturbed levels of adiponectin, TGF-β or 8-isoprostenol induced by diabetes. The results showed that treatment with 6G has an ameliorative effect on cardiac dysfunction induced by diabetes. Which may be not related to its potential antioxidant effect