Modeling of polyphenols extraction from pomegranate by-product using rotatable central composite design of experiments

There is a growing request to find an effective method of polyphenols extraction from agro-industry by-product as pomegranate. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to explore the effect of three factors on ultrasonic assisted extraction (UAE) of total polyphenols (TP), total flavonoids (TF) and condensed tannins (CT) from pomegranate peels. The optimal conditions were determined for each phenolic compound using regression model equations and 3-D plots. The high TP, TF and CT content were obtained with, respectively, liquid/solid ratio of 20.00, 9.77, 9.77, extraction time of 36.38, 41.82, 30.39 min and 36.00, 83.64, 59.26% of ethanol percentage. In fact, liquid/solid ratio of 20, extraction time of 30.94 min and 59.26% of ethanol gives the highest contents of TP, TF and CT simultaneously. The experimental values using optimal conditions agreed with the predicted values. The pomegranate peels extract obtained under optimum conditions have an effective antioxidant activity as determined by ABTS and DPPH assays.     

Duration of luteal support (DOLS) with progesterone pessaries to improve the success rates in assisted conception: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Luteal phase support has been shown by a meta analysis of prospective randomised studies, to be beneficial in establishing a pregnancy after IVF. The optimal length of treatment is unresolved at present and it remains unclear how long to treat women receiving luteal supplementation. It has been used for as little as 2 weeks and for as long as 12 weeks of gestation. OBJECTIVE: To conduct a prospective randomised double blind study to investigate the effect of the duration of luteal support with progesterone in IVF cycles. Trial design: Following 2 weeks of standard treatment and a positive biochemical pregnancy test, this randomised control trial will allocate women to a supplementary 8 weeks of treatment of vaginal progesterone or 8 weeks of placebo. Eligibility: All women presenting to the Hewitt Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, for assisted conception with a positive biochemical pregnancy test at 2 weeks post embryo transfer are eligible to enter the trial. Primary outcome measure:The primary outcome measure is the proportion of all randomised women that continue successfully to a viable pregnancy (at least one fetus with FHR >100 beats minute) on transabdominal / transvaginal ultrasound at 10 weeks post embryo transfer / 12 weeks gestation (i.e. at the end of 8 weeks supplementary trial treatment).     

Analogues of 2′-hydroxychalcone with modified C4-substituents as the inhibitors against human acetylcholinesterase

A series of C4-substituted tertiary nitrogen-bearing 2′-hydroxychalcones were designed and synthesised based on a previous mixed type acetylcholinesterase inhibitor. Majority of the 2′-hydroxychalcone analogues displayed a better inhibition against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) than butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). Among them, compound 4c was identified as the most potent AChE inhibitor (IC₅₀: 3.3 µM) and showed the highest selectivity for AChE over BuChE (ratio >30:1). Molecular docking studies suggested that compound 4c interacts with both the peripheral anionic site (PAS) and catalytic anionic site (CAS) regions of AChE. ADMET analysis confirmed the therapeutic potential of compound 4c based on its blood–brain barrier penetrating. Overall, the results suggest that this 2′-hydroxychalcone deserves further investigation into the therapeutic lead for Alzheimer’s disease (AD).     

Oil Palm Biomass Biorefinery for Sustainable Production of Renewable Materials

Oil palm biomass is widely known for its potential as a renewable resource for various value‐added products due to its lignocellulosic content and availability. Oil palm biomass biorefinery is an industry that comes with sociopolitical benefits through job opportunities, as well as potential environmental benefits. Many studies have been conducted on the technological advancements of oil‐palm biomass‐derived renewable materials, which are discussed comprehensively in this review. Recent technological developments have made it possible to bring new and innovative technologies to commercialization, such as compost, biocharcoal, biocomposites, and bioplastics.     

Production of Synthetic Methionine-Free and Synthetic Methionine-Limited Alpha Casein: Protein Foodstuff for Patients with Homocystinuria due to Cystathionine Beta-Synthase Deficiency

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility that synthetic forms of methionine-free alpha-casein and methionine-limited alpha casein could be produced by recombinant means to form the basis for developing an industrial-scale process for the provision of a foodstuff suitable for patients with homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency. As a first step, two forms of alpha casein gene, encoding methionine-free alpha casein (Fcas) or a methionine-limited alpha casein (Mcas), were synthesised and expressed in Escherichia coli. Using the overexpression vector pET28a, both genes were highly expressed in E. coli in soluble form as well as in inclusion bodies. The two recombinant proteins were purified by the one step methods using the fused His-tag and the Ni²⁺column and validated by Western blot analysis. This work paves the way for industrial-scale production of proteins suitable for patients with homocystinuria due to CBS deficiency.     

Neurobehavioral Toxicity Induced by Carbendazim in Rats and the Role of iNOS,Cox-2, and NF-κB Signalling Pathway

Neurochemical Research - Carbendazim (CBZ) is one of the most common fungicides used to fight plant fungal diseases, otherwise, it leaves residue on fruits, vegetables, and soil that contaminate...     

Comparative Morphology of Meloidodera spp. and Verutus sp. (Heteroderidae) with Scanning Electron Microscopy

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of second-stage juveniles (J2), males, and females of Meloidodera floridensis, M. charis, M. belli, and Verutus volvingentis reveals detailed characteristics of the head region, lateral field, phasmid, body striae, vulva, and perineal region. In M. charis and M. belli the en face pattern conforms to a basic pattern in which the labial disc is surrounded by six lips (sectors) of the first head annulation. In J2 the head has additional annulations, whereas in males annulation is replaced by longitudinal blocks. Conversely, J2 and males of M. floridensis and V. volvingentis each have a unique derived face pattern with fusion of various lip components and with head annulation. All six lips of females of M. charis and M. belli are fused, whereas females of M. floridensis and V. volvingentis have distinct lateral lips. Lateral fields vary among species, with only slight differences at the anterior and posterior ends of the lateral lines and in the spatial relation of the lines to phasmid openings. Phasmid openings are present in adults of Meloidodera spp., but were not observed in adults of V. volvingentis; in this respect, the female perineal pattern of Verutus is different from Meloidodera spp, The very large vulva (± 48 μm long) of V. volvingentis is in sharp contrast to the minute vulva (± 6 μm long) in a population of M. charis from San Bernardino. Morphological characters revealed by SEM will be most informative when investigated throughout Heteroderidae and incorporated with additional characters for a phylogenetic analysis of the family.