Chemija

The characteristic properties of the armchair SiAs nanoribbons: A first principles DFT study

2024-06-23T02:25:15+00:00

Abstract: The paper presents the research results on the structure of armchair SiAs nanoribbons based on density functional theory, through the quantum simulation program VASP. The electrical and magnetic properties identified include the electronic band structure, electronic density of states, charge density distribution, spin density distribution, and wave function characteristics. The results indicate that the ASiAsNR structure has metallic properties. Around the Fermi level, the contributions from Si and As are predominant, with Si contributing more near the Fermi level, while below the Fermi level, the contribution from As is more significant. There exists an electronic density of states around the Fermi level. The results also reveal that the intensity of the σ bonds of Si-3s, Si-3p_x, Si-3p_y, As-4s, As-4p_x, and As-4p_y orbitals is relatively stronger compared to the π bonds of the Si-3p_z and Ge-4p_z orbitals, and there is a clear correlation between spin-up and spin-down states around the As atoms.

Role of serum levels of IL- 10, IL- 27, and lactate dehydrogenase in diagnosis and differentiation of different phases of immune thrombocytopenia in children

2024-06-07T01:14:01+00:00

An imbalance of cytokines has been shown in several autoimmune diseases. Multiple studies provide proof of the involvement of serum cytokines, including IL-10 and IL-27 in immune thrombocytopenia pathogenesis and prognosis. Several measurements of LDH concentrations are valuable in assessing the prognosis and response to treatment. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of serum levels of Interleukin-10 (IL-10), Interleukin -27 (IL-27) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in diagnosis and differentiation of disease phases (acute, persistent, chronic) of ITP children. The case-control study was performed in the Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, between the months nonember 2023 and April 2024. It involved 88 children with age range 1-16 year. Sixty – three diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia by consultant pediatrician, and a control group of twenty-five kids who seemed to be in good health. The children with immune thrombocytopenia were sub-grouped according to their disease duration into three phases: acute ITP (within three months), persistent ITP (between 3-12 months), and chronic ITP (more than 12 months). Investigations included serum level measurements of IL-10, IL-27, and LDH by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay ELISA technique. Platelet count of each included children was measured by Huma Count 30 TS Human, Germany. The mean (±SEM) values of platelet count of ITP phases were significantly lower than that in controls (for all, p= 0.0001). The mean (±SEM) values of IL -10 and IL-27 levels of different phases of ITP were lower than control children, but did not reach the significant level. With regard to LDH, the mean values of serum LDH levels of acute, persistent, and chronic phases were comparable to that of control children. IL-27 has the highest area under curve (AUC=0.743) value in differentiation between acute ITP children and controls. Interleukin-27 may be helpful test in diagnosis of acute phase ITP and in prognosis of this disease. Interleukin-10 may be helpful in differentiation of different phases of ITP.

Role of inhibin B and Luteinizing hormone: follicle stimulating hormone ratio in differentiation of phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome

2024-06-07T19:46:25+00:00

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a leading cause of fertility problems and menstrual irregularities in women of reproductive age. Granulosa cells of developing preantral and antral follicles produce inhibin B. This study was designed to investigate the role of serum inhibin B and luteinizing hormone (LH) / follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) ratio in differentiation of different phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome. This is cross-sectional research was conducted at Department of Biochemistry, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad from November 2023 to march 2024. It included 111 women, age range (18-40 year), 91 of these women were diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) according to 2003 Criteria for the Rotterdam Consensus, and 20 women were apparently healthy women. The PCOS women were sub-grouped into four phenotype groups (A, B, C and D). Investigations included serum measurements of inhibin B by using enzyme linked immunosorbemt assay (ELISA) technique, FSH, LH, prolactin using Tosoh AIA-2000 Automated Immunoassay and LH/FSH ratio was calculated. The results revealed that phenotype A is the predominant one of PCOS phenotypes, while the B phenotype is the rare one. The mean (±SEM) values of inhibin B levels of phenotypes B (p=0.001), C (p=<0.0001), D (p=<0.0001) were significantly lower than that of control women. The mean value of LH levels of phenotype A was significantly higher than that of control women (p=0.03). The mean values of LH/FSH ratio were significantly elevated in phenotypes A (p=0.001) and B (p=0.04) when compared to controls. Phenotype A is the predominant one of PCOS phenotypes in Iraqi women. Serum Inhibin B level and LH/FSH ratio could be used in differentiation of different phenotypes of PCOS.

Transcriptome Network Biology Reveals the Neuroprotective Potential of Rosmarinic Acid Against Frontotemporal Dementia

2024-05-23T16:51:57+00:00

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterised by impaired behaviour and language. It affects individuals between 45 and 65 years of age. The present study aims to identify potential phytochemicals against the target receptor of FTD. Transcriptome data analysis guided computer-aided drug design (CADD) was conducted to investigate molecular interactions between active phytochemicals present in Indian spices and differentially expressed genes. In the present study, samples for patients with FTD were obtained from the GEO dataset [GSE92340]. The samples were pre-processed followed by differential gene expression analysis using DESeq2. The patient sample was analysed for 1882 upregulated genes. Hub gene out of DEGs was identified using CytoHubba Plugin of Cytoscape based on eleven parameters (Degree, Edge Percolated Component (EPC), Maximum Neighbourhood Component (MNC), Density of Maximum Neighbourhood Component (DMNC), Maximal Clique Centrality (MCC), Bottleneck, EcCentricity, Closeness, Radiality, Betweenness, and Stress). HDAC1 gene was identified as the hub gene and key target in the case of FTD. CADD pipeline was used to identify phytochemicals against the HDAC1 gene. A list of eighty-one phytochemicals found in Indian spices was analysed for their drug likeness abilities using molinspiration and toxicity prediction using ProTox-II, which identified twenty-three phytochemicals as safe drug-like compounds. PatchDock was employed to examine interactions between phytochemical compounds and HDAC1. Molecular interactions revealed rosmarinic acid derived from rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) as the most effective drug for FTD having the lowest ACE value of -395 kcal/mol. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the essential role of HDAC1 in the pathogenesis of FTD and demonstrates the neuroprotective potential of the rosmarinic acid against FTD.

Electro-acupuncture ameliorates oxidative stress levels of insulin resistance in skeletal muscle of type 2 diabetes by modulating AdipoR/AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway

2024-06-06T14:14:34+00:00

Objective: To observe the effect of electro-acupuncture on oxidative stress level of skeletal muscle in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) rats, and to explore the possible mechanism of electro-acupuncture on improving insulin sensitivity of T2DM rats.

Methods: Zucker Diabetic Fatty (ZDF) rats were randomLy divided into four groups: the model group, the electro-acupuncture group, the metformin group, the acupuncture and medicine combination group; another 8 Zucker Lean rats were set as the control group. All rats were fed with Purina #5008 for 4 weeks for modeling. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured every 7 days. After 4-week intervention, the morphological changes of the tibial anterior muscle by hematoxylin-eosin staining were observed. The serum ROS, T-AOC, SOD, and MDA levels by colorimetric method. Western Blot method was used to detect the protein expression levels of IRS-1, AMPK, PGC-1, AdipoR and GLUT4 in the tibial anterior muscle.

Results: Electro-acupuncture is more effective than metformin in lowering blood glucose and alleviating insulin resistance in a short period of time. In terms of mechanism, electro-acupuncture activated the AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway in rat skeletal muscle, increased the body's energy metabolism, and reduced the state of oxidative stress. In addition, we have also clearly avoided the stress damage caused by the dual stimulation of gastric gavage and electro-acupuncture.

Conclusion: Electro-acupuncture has a significant effect on improving insulin sensitivity in ZDF rats with type 2 diabetes. It can relieve the entire oxidative stress state of the body. This mechanism is related to the activation of AdipoR/AMPK/PGC-1α signaling pathway.