Geochemical associations,risk assessment,and source identification of selected metals in sediments from the Suez Gulf,Egypt

Sequential extraction procedure has been carried out to scrutinize the geochemical association of Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Lead (Pb), and Manganese (Mn) with the main sedimentary phases (exchangeable, carbonate, Fe-Mn oxides, organic, and residual fraction) at 10 marine sediment samples collected from the Suez Gulf. Global contamination factor was used to identify the pollution hotspots, which indicated the existence of intensive metal contamination at stations close to the northern part of the Gulf, especially for Cd, Cu, and Pb. The potential ecological risk indices: Potential ecological risk index, risk assessment code, and modified risk assessment code revealed that there are potential hazards to marine biota caused by Cd, Cu, and Pb due to the increased levels of these metals in the labile fractions, which are vulnerable to changes in environmental conditions. This work is a good basis for further studies about metal fractionation in the Suez Gulf. It is also very helpful for government decisions about the development of the Gulf.     

Identification of intrinsically disorder regions in non-structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2: New insights into drug and vaccine resistance

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in December 2019 and caused coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which...     

Copper(I)-catalysed synthesis of symmetrical perfluoroterphenyl analogues; fluorescence,antioxidant and molecular docking studies

Pentafluoroaryl analogues have been found to exhibit para specific nucleophilic aromatic substitution (S_NAr). Herein, we describe the use of S_NAr chemistry to create luminous perfluorinated symmetrical terphenyls. Both of S_NAr chemistry and copper(I)-catalysed decarboxylative cross-coupling were applied for the synthesis of the perfluorinated symmetrical terphenyls in high yields from the corresponding derivatives of aryl iodide and potassium salt of fluorobenzoate. A series of perfluorinated symmetrical terphenyls with different para alkoxy chains were synthesized. The synthesized perfluorinated terphenyl adducts were confirmed via elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), proton (¹H) carbon-13 (¹³C) and fluorine-19 (¹⁹F) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The absorbance and fluorescence spectra showed solvatochromic activities. The new synthesized fluoroterphenyl hybrids were screened against antioxidant inspection over DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) performance, in assessment of vitamin C and butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) as standard drugs exposed that fluoroterphenyl hybrid covering decyl hydrocarbons exhibited highest effectiveness through half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values of 21.74 μg/ml. Additionally, molecular docking procedures of the synthesized fluoroterphenyl hybrids were employed by using protein data bank (PDB ID: 5IKQ). The docking simulation displayed convenient and recognized findings with the antioxidant examination.     

Diacerein ameliorates acetaminophen hepatotoxicity in rats via inhibiting HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB and upregulating PPAR-γ signal

Molecular Biology Reports - Acetaminophen (APAP) is a worldwide antipyretic as well as an analgesic medication. It has been extensively utilized during the outbreak of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)....     

Pigment‐dispersing factor affects circadian molecular oscillations in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus

Pigment‐dispersing factor (PDF) is an important neurotransmitter in insect circadian systems. In the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, it affects nocturnal activity, the free‐running period and photic entrainment. In this study, to investigate whether these effects of PDF occur through a circadian molecular machinery, we measured mRNA levels of clock genes period (per) and timeless (tim) in crickets with pdf expression knocked‐down by pdf RNAi. The pdf RNAi decreased per and tim mRNA levels during the night to reduce the amplitude of their oscillation. The phase of the rhythm advanced by about 4 h in terms of trough and/or peak phases. On the other hand, pdf mRNA levels were little affected by per and tim RNAi treatment. These results suggest that PDF affects the circadian rhythm at least in part through the circadian molecular oscillation while the circadian clock has little effect on the pdf expression.     

SNP-PCR genotyping links alterations in the GABAA receptor (GABRG3: rs208129) and RELN (rs73670) genes to autism spectrum disorder among peadiatric Iraqi Arabs

Molecular Biology Reports - Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is an increasing concern among the Iraqi Arab population. The genetic alterations that cause ASD are likely to converge at the synapse....     

Differential gene expression and network analysis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a prevalent malignancy with a poor prognosis, whose biomarkers have not been studied in great detail. We have...     

The profile of free amino acids in latent fingerprint of healthy and beta-thalassemic volunteers

The aim of the present work is to apply a non-invasive test, using thumb fingerprint residue analysis, for detection of beta-thalassemia (β-Thal). The relative percentages of free amino acids (AA) in the latent fingerprint of β-Thal patients and healthy subjects were compared. The sample included 24 β-Thal patient and 24 healthy subjects, aged 5–10 years old. Twenty-three AA plus ammonia were analyzed by a sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic method with fluorescence detection. The profile of AA was calculated based on the percentage of relative amount of each AA to serine (Ser) as it found to be the predominant peak. The statistical and chromatographic profiles of β-Thal patients were characterized by significant decrease of ornithine, lysine, and zero tyrosine, with significant increase of ammonia, and proline. Other amino acids that exist in low ratios were estimated statistically for significance changes. The relative percentages of each AA of healthy subjects were approximately constant. For this reason, these mentioned AA were assigned as major fingerprint markers of β-Thal.