Advances in Applied Science and Technology Vol. 4

Reflections on the Glycating Power of Simple Carbohydrates in the Maillard Reaction: The Conceptual DFT Viewpoint

Juan Frau — 2019-06-20

This study features an assessment of multiple density functionals in calculating the molecular structures and inherent properties in simple carbohydrates participating in nonenzymatic glycation involving amino acids and proteins in Maillard reactions. The occurrences of nucleophilic addition involving nonenzymatic glycation, initiate protein glycation reaction involving a carbonyl group derived from reeducating sugars and free amino group forming a reversible Schiff base. Calculations of chemical reactivity descriptors are attained in each molecular system using Conceptual DFT. A crosssectional comparison of results obtained through ∆SCF procedure is attained to check for accuracy and validity of the density functional in “Koopmans in DFT" (KID) procedure. The calculated HOMO and LUMO of each carbohydrate are presented through graphical sketches overlapped to their chemical structures. The Fukui function indices and condensed dual descriptor ∆f(r) are used to examine the active sites where nucleophilic and electrophilic attacks occur. The assessment identifies several relationships involving glycating power and reactivity descriptors. The latter are found capable of predicting glycating behaviour in complex carbohydrates. The results obtained for this work shows the ability to predict the interaction sites of simple carbohydrates by applying DFT-based descriptors of chemical reactivity. Such include global electronegativity, global hardness, global electrophilicity, electrodonating powers, electroaccepting powers, net electrophilicity, Fukui function and condensed dual descriptor. Their use in characterising and describing preferred reactivity sites generated a firm explanation on the molecule reactivity.

Estimation of Radiation Risk Due to Exposure to Terrestrial Radiation

U. L. Anekwe — 2019-06-20

An in-situ measurement of background radiation level of Ewoi community in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State Nigeria was done using two radiation meters (Digilert-200 and Radalert-100). Exposure rate measured ranged from 0.010 to 0.028 mRh-1 with mean value of 0.016 mRh-1. The mean value of absorbed dose was 128.67 nGyh-1 while the mean indoor and outdoor annual effective dose equivalents were 0.40 mSvy-1 and 0.13 mSvy-1 respectively. The mean excess lifetime cancer risk estimated from both indoor and outdoor effective doses were 1.0 × 10-3 and 0.33 × 10-3 respectively. It was observed that all the radiological parameters estimated from the radiation exposure rate were higher than their world average values except the annual effective doses. The result of this study shows that Ewoi community recorded slightly high background radiation level and this may be attributed to oil and gas exploration activity in the area. The result of this work serves as radiological baseline data of the area for future studies.

Considering the values obtained in this research work and the likely health impact, it is important that further studies be carried out on activity concentration of radionuclide on the soil, water (drinking water resources of the community), and food crops from Ewoi community for identification of radionuclides present and their concentrations in order to quantify their radiological health implication and ways to control it.

The "Syndrome of Cardiogenic Insulin Resistance"

A. S. V. Prasad — 2019-06-20

Hyperglycemia in patients admitted in intensive care units (ICU) with acute myocardial infarction is a common phenomena observed. This unique situation of cardiogenic insulin resistance does not spare neither diabetics nor non -diabetics. It is in addition to the inherent insulin resistance that is a part of diabetes mellatus, type 2 (DM2). It is brought about by various cytokines released from the damaged heart muscle. This cardiogenic insulin resistance has cardiac as well as systemic effects. The grave and independent risk role in post myocardial infarction (MI) and the complications, of the cardiac insulin resistance are highlighted. The concerted action of cardiologist and endocrinologist while in hospital is called for, so as to cover the grey areas between the two specialties, which otherwise falls into no man’s island. The systemic insulin resistance, once the patient is back in home setting, would test the patience of the physician, as usual doses of insulin just do not work! The article aims at creating awareness regarding concerted effects of all concerned to deliver holistic treatment to the patients.

Detection of Tumour Based on Breast Tissue Categorization

T. M. Adepoju — 2019-06-20

Background: Breast cancer originates in breast tissue, which is made up of glands for milk production (lobules), and the ducts that connect lobules to the nipple. Breasts contain both dense tissue (glandular tissue and connective tissue, together known as fibro-glandular tissue) and fatty tissue. Fatty tissue appears dark on a mammogram, whereas fibro-glandular tissue appears as white. Despite the benefits of Computer Aided Detection (CAD), false detection of breast tumour is still a challenging issue with oncologist. A mammography is a non-invasive screening tool that uses low energy X-rays to show the pathology structure of breast tissue. Interpreting mammogram visually is a time consuming process and requires a great deal of skill and experience. Earlier Computer Aided Techniques emphasis detection of tumour in breast tissues rather than categorization of breast into Breast Imaging Report and Data System (BI-RADS) which is the medically understandable method of reporting.

Aim: The work centred on developing a CAD system which is capable of not only detecting but also categorizing breast tissue in line with BI-RADS scale.

Methodology: The acquired images were pre-processed to remove unwanted contents. Two stage medical procedural approach was designed to categorize the tissue in breast images into low dense (fatty) and high dense. Tumours in the low dense breasts were segmented, and then classified as normal, benign and malignant. The developed system was evaluated using sensitivity, specificity, false positive reduction, false negative reduction and overall performance.

Results: The developed CAD achieved 90.65% sensitivity, 73.59% specificity, 0.02 positive reduction, 0.04 false negative reduction and 85.71% overall performance.

Conclusion: The false positive reduction result obtained shows that false detection has been minimized as a result of categorization procedure of the breast tissue in mammograms. This article has reported breast tumour detection from breast tissue categorisation using Medical procedural approach. The developed system assisted in identification of suspicious mammograms and identification of dense and fatty breasts. The classification of the segmented mammogram into normal, benign and malignant achieved a better false positive reduction (0.02) and false negative reduction (0.04) and thus provided an improved method for detection and classification of breast tumour in terms of overall performance.

Measuring the Alkylation Kinetics and Drug Likeness of Four Novel Antineoplastic Compounds

Ronald Bartzatt — 2019-06-20

Aims: To synthesize small molecule alkylating compounds and analyze the kinetics of the alkylation in aqueous solution. Determine molecular properties and the drug likeness of these four compounds as potential antineoplastic agents and apply statistical analysis to identify interrelationships of properties.

Study Design: Four compounds were synthesized, characterized, and studied for alkylation capability. The alkylation kinetics was elucidated, as well as drug likeness properties. The interrelationships of properties were examined by statistical methodology.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemistry, Durham Science Center, University of Nebraska at Omaha, Omaha NE, from May 2015 to June 2015.

Methodology: Four compounds were modified by the covalent bonding of an alkyl halide substituent or nitrogen mustard group. The four compounds were placed in aqueous solution at pH 7.4 and 37°C to monitor alkylation efficiency that targeted p-chloroaniline. Alkylation was monitored utilizing fluorescamine and measurement at 400 nm. Time and absorbance plots determined whether alkylation step is first-order or second-order. Molecular properties Log P, formula weight, polar surface area, etc., were determined. Statistical analysis and path analysis revealed which molecular property was most responsible for rate constant values.

Results: Compounds A, B, C, and D showed ranges of Log P, formula weight, and polar surface area of 0.010 to 4.21, 177.59 to 714.77, and 29.64 to 88.63, respectively. All compounds showed a favorable drug likeness, with only compound C showing a violation of the Rule of 5. The Log P values and number of alkylation reactive sites were most responsible for rate constant value.

Conclusion: Small molecule alkylating agents are synthesized, the efficiency of alkylation measured in aqueous solution utilizing fluorescamine at pH 7.4 and 37°C. Rate-order of reactions is determined utilizing fluorescamine assay for surviving primary amine groups. The four compounds showed a favorable drug likeness based on molecular properties.

The Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards Exercise among Women Attending Antenatal Care at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia

Loveness A. Nkhata — 2019-06-20

Introduction: Appropriate exercises during pregnancy have proved to be beneficial to many expectant mothers, though how much and what kind of exercises varies from person to person. Gaining a greater understanding of women’s knowledge, attitudes and practices about exercise during pregnancy may inform the design of exercise interventions for this population to maximise exercise adherence and lifelong physical activity patterns.

Aims: The aim of the study was to obtain information on the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards exercise among women attending antenatal care at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional exploratory study. Data was collected using a semi structured questionnaire and summarized using descriptive statistics. The chi-square test was used to test associations and the significance level was set at 5%.

Results: Pregnant women practice general physical activities of daily living such as walking and household chores during pregnancy. Three hundred pregnant women participated in the study and majority (n=222) 74% showed inadequate levels of knowledge on the type of exercises done in pregnancy. Knowledge and attitude were positively associated with the educational level (p<0.03) although exercise practice in relation to the educational level was insignificant. The number of pregnancies were also positively associated with the pregnant women’s knowledge (p=0.001), attitude (p<0.01) and practice (p=0.01) towards exercise in pregnancy.

Conclusions: Pregnant women practice general physical activities of daily living such as walking and household chores during pregnancy. Additionally, their information on exercise lacked detail, was inconsistent and with little specificity. This implies that during antenatal health talks information on exercise activities given to the pregnant may be lacking detail Health professionals who are experts in exercise sciences must be involved to provide correct and adequate information on exercises to the women. This is because engaging in exercise activities for pregnant women will only help maintain fitness levels but also, contribute to the reduction of discomforts and prevention of diseases such as gestational diabetes, hypertension, osteoporosis and back pain disabilities.

Contribution of Three (3) Medicinal Plants of Senegalese Flora in the Management of Sickle Cell Disease

Cheikh Sall — 2019-06-20

Sickle cell disease is a major public health problem in Africa and many other areas across the world. Many drugs that are available for treating the disease are insufficiently effective, toxic, or too expensive. Therefore, there is a pressing need for safe, effective, and inexpensive therapeutic agents from indigenous plants used in traditional medicines. In Senegal, a lot of plants are proposed by traditional healers to manage the sickle cell disease, among them Combretum glutinosum, Leptadenia hastate and Maytenus senegalensis. These plants were studied in this work. Methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of part of these plants were evaluated on SS sickles type to determine their anti-sickling potential. Antiradical properties of methanolic extract of C glutinosum were evaluated using the DPPH radical as oxidant. Total phenolic content of the methanol extract was determined. Phytochemical screening of the crude extract of methanol revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, phenols, anthracenics and flavonoids. Results show a good antisickling effect of methanol extracts with a maximum antisickling revers of 72, 80 and 81% for respectively M senegalensis, L hastate and C glutinosum at 10 mg/mL in 120 min incubation while ethyl acetate extract at the same conditions has 62, 66 and 77% of sickling reverse. Arginine used as the positive reference has 67% sickling reverse activity at 120 min of incubation. The measured IC50 were 0.65 and 0.163 for respectively the methanol extract and ascorbic acid. Antiradical powers 0.155 and 0.62 respectively for methanol extract and ascorbic acid were calculated from the effective concentrations. The results of this study confirm the traditional use these three plants in the management of sickle cell disease.

Adsorptive Interactions of Natural Antifungals with Metal Ferrocyanides and its Pharmaceutical Potential

Rebecca Harris — 2019-06-20

The study aimed to investigate the adsorptive interactions of metal hexacyanoferrates (II) and ethanol and acetone extracts of natural antifungals. Nickel, manganese and copper hexacyanoferrates (II) were synthesized and characterized by elemental and spectral studies. Each metal hexacyanoferrate (II) was combined with two natural antifungals: coconut (Cocos nucifera) and ochro (Abelmoschus esculentus) leaf extract. The antifungal potential was executed by the disc diffusion method. The acetone and ethanol extract of A. esculentus at 10 mg/m L paired with copper and nickel ferrocyanides, respectively were found to possess the most effective antifungal potential. Each interaction pair was further analyzed through infrared spectral studies and phytochemical analysis. The interaction of natural antifungals Azadirachta indica (neem), Ocimum sanctum (tulsi), Cassia obtusifolia (money bush), Cassia alata (canicro bush) and Targetes patula (marigold) with manganese, silver and titanium ferrocyanides and their medical applications were also evaluated.

Novel and Emerging Biomarkers for Cardiovascular Risk Stratification: Role of Inflammatory and Other Biomarkers

Sharique Ahmed — 2019-06-20

Apart from the use of cardiac biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring Acute ischemic disease, an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and Heart failure, the same biomarkers can also be used for predicting the chances of suffering from these diseases in future. In a way these can be used as screening biomarkers. Since the biomarkers, which are intracellular biomolecules, are released in to the peripheral circulation from necrosis of myocytes. Lipids and lipoproteins do have high value in assessing the risk of future cardiac disease, but are not produced by the heart and don't directly reflect the status of the heart, rather they simply provide a measurement of future risk of atherosclerosis. Cardiac biomarkers on the other hand can also provide or help in assesing the extent of damage that has been caused to the myocardium because of their specificity and rapid release or increase in the peripheral blood post injury to the myocardium, as well as their presence in plasma in low concentrations normally. Hence other than the classic cardiovascular risk markers like LDL-C, HDL-C, and triglycerides, presence in abnormal amounts of the emerging markers like apolipoprotein A1/apolipoprotein B100, Lp(a), oxidized LDL, LpPLA2, hsCRP, homocysteine, myeloperoxidase and as well as lipoprotein particle size and concentration can indicate, as well as predict myocardial stress more accurately. The probability of developing a cardiac disease is higher if a particular risk marker is in abnormal amounts. Inflammatory markers predict MI and death. Some others predict the risk of acute coronary syndrome, incident and recurrent cardiovascular events. All the merging biomarkers have all been well validated to predict death and heart failure following a MI and provide risk stratification information for heart failure. Rapidly developing new areas, such as assessment of micro-RNA, are also explored. All the biomarkers reflect different aspects of the development of atherosclerosis. This, in no way means that the individual is certain to develop cardiac disease but is most likely to get the disease.