Cyanide Contents of Leaves of Commonly Consumed Cassava Varieties from Three Geographical Regions of Ghana

Consuming a cyanogenic plant is an etiological factor to the persistence of iodine deficiency in the post salt iodization phase. Ghana, notably the Northern belt, still reports of iodine deficiency after 14 years of mandatory consumption of iodized salt by an Act of Parliament. The study aimed at determining the cyanide contents of leaves of commonly consumed cassava varieties in Ghana and investigating the effects of some environmental factors on cyanide content. Three communities each from Southern, Middle and Northern Ghana served as the study sites from where young, non-diseased and fully-spread cassava leaves were sampled from plants of commonly consumed cassava varieties. Cyanide was analyzed by the standard color~metric method based on the chloramine-T/pyridine-barbituric acid protocol （4500-CN E）. Cassava leaves from Northern Ghana had significantly higher mean cyanide content （177.22 ± 20.82 ppm） than those from Middle （130.83± 33.00 ppm） and Southern Ghana （127.24 ± 37.54 ppm） （P 〈 0.001）. Two-factor ANOVA showed significantly higher adverse environmental effects on cyanide contents of leaves of unimproved cassava varieties than improved ones （R2 = 0.627, P = 0.023）. From multiple regression analysis, temperature was the most significant environmental factor explaining 33% of the variability in cyanide content （R2 = 0.331, P = 0.002）, followed by altitude （R2 = 0.106, P = 0.049） and rainfall （R2 = 0.084, P = 0.062）. The high cyanide contents of cassava leaves from Northern Ghana, due principally to the high atmospheric temperature, may be a contributory factor to the high prevalence of goiter and the persistence of iodine deficiency in that geographic region.     

Preparation of PZT Microtubes by Slip Casting on Vermicelli,Followed by In Situ Polymerization

Slip casting of lead zirconate titanate (PZT) slurries of higher solids loading (48.8–51.6 vol%) prepared in a urea–formaldehyde (UF) monomer solution on vermicelli of ∼1000 μm diameter has been studied to prepare PZT microtubes with a higher wall thickness (200–960 μm) in a lower dipping time (0.5–4.0 min) to facilitate faster production and lower failure during drying and vermicelli burnout. Polymerization of the UF monomer by exposing the PZT slurry-coated vermicelli to HCl gas provides good strength and stability to the coating. The dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the microtubes compare well with the properties of PZT-5H ceramic compositions.     

Response of Pteromalus cerealellae to conspecific odor: Evidence for female- and male-produced pheromones?

Pteromalus cerealellae (Ashmead) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae) is an ectoparasitoid of several pests of stored products. We investigated the role of semiochemicals in mediating intraspecific communication in this parasitoid using electroantennogram (EAG) and behavioral bioassays. Responses of virgin male and female P. cerealellae were tested to airborne volatiles from live male and female conspecifics and to whole body extracts of both sexes. Females showed significantly greater EAG responses than males to whole body extracts of both sexes. Results from Y-tube olfactometer bioassays demonstrated significant attraction of both sexes to live conspecifics of the same (intrasexual attraction) or opposite sex (cross attraction). Females also showed significant attraction to whole body extracts of females, but not to the extract of males. These findings provide preliminary evidence for possible existence of a female-produced sex pheromone and close range cuticular chemicals by both sexes of P. cerealellae, which may play a role in courtship and species recognition. Further studies are needed to characterize these chemicals and determine their roles in the behavioral ecology of P. cerealellae.     

Textural and hydrogen sulphide adsorption behaviour of double metal–silica modified with potassium permanganate

A new MgCa–silica material with bimodal pore size is impregnated with KMnO₄ for dynamic adsorption of H₂S. The MgCa–silica was synthesized using sodium silicate and calcium and magnesium salts as precipitating agents. The KMnO₄ impregnation onto MgCa–silica was obtained through either direct addition into MgCa–silica wet coagulum or doping of dried MgCa–silica pellets into KMnO₄ solution. These chemisorbents were characterized by nitrogen physisorption, spectrophotometer, microscopy and dynamic H₂S adsorption test setup similar to ASHRAE standard I45.I. The results show that impregnation route and KMnO₄ wt% cause a reduction of surface area and total pore volume. The decrease in pore volume was slightly more in chemisorbents obtained via post doping compared to direct impregnation. Regardless of pore volume reduction the pore size range, 1–32 nm, was as in the parent MgCa–silica with micro and meso-pore diameter centered at 1.4 and 5.4 nm respectively. Thus obtained chemisorbents have their pore entrances neither blocked nor shifted. The MgCa–silica/KMnO₄ chemisorbents exhibits good H₂S uptake performance. The chemisorbent with 11.4 wt% KMnO₄ and obtained via direct impregnation possesses the highest uptake capacity. The lowest capacity was observed for chemisorbent with 8 wt% KMnO₄ and made by direct impregnation. The variations in uptake capacity are likely due to impregnation route, the KMnO₄ content and its location in the pore system. The results suggest that the MgCa–silica/KMnO₄ chemisorbents can remove H₂S from indoor air at room temperature.     

Sonocrystallization of Interesterified Fats with 20 and 30% C16:0 at <Emphasis Type="Italic">sn</Emphasis>-2 Position

The objective of this study was to induce crystallization in enzymatically interesterified fats (IE) with 20 and 30% palmitic acid at the sn-2 position using high intensity ultrasound (HIU). The physical blends (PB) used to prepare these two IE were consisted of tripalmitin and high oleic sunflower oil and contained 13.2 and 27.1% tripalmitin, respectively. Crystallization behavior of IE was compared with PB at supercoolings of 9, 6 and 3 °C. Results show that the melting point, SFC, and crystallization rate of PB were higher than IE and were driven mainly by tripalmitin content. HIU induced crystallization and generated small crystals in the IE samples. At 9 °C supercooling, sonication did not increase the viscosity of IE C16:0 20%, while that of the IE C16:0 30% increased significantly from 192.4 ± 118.9 to 3297.7 ± 1368.6 Pa·s. The elastic modulus (G’) for IE C16:0 30% increased from 12521 ± 2739.8 to 75076.7 ± 18259 Pa upon sonication at 9 °C supercooling, while the G’ of the IE C16:0 20% did not increase. Similar behavior was observed for the other supercoolings tested. This research suggests that HIU can improve the functional properties of IE with low content of C16:0 creating more viscous and elastic materials. These fats with low C16:0 content and improved functional properties could be used as trans-free fat alternatives.     

A Review of the Recent Developments of Molecular Hybrids Targeting Tubulin Polymerization

Microtubules are cylindrical protein polymers formed from αβ-tubulin heterodimers in the cytoplasm of eukaryotic cells. Microtubule disturbance may cause cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, and anomalous mitotic spindles will form. Microtubules are an important target for cancer drug action because of their critical role in mitosis. Several microtubule-targeting agents with vast therapeutic advantages have been developed, but they often lead to multidrug resistance and adverse side effects. Thus, single-target therapy has drawbacks in the effective control of tubulin polymerization. Molecular hybridization, based on the amalgamation of two or more pharmacophores of bioactive conjugates to engender a single molecular structure with enhanced pharmacokinetics and biological activity, compared to their parent molecules, has recently become a promising approach in drug development. The practical application of combined active scaffolds targeting tubulin polymerization inhibitors has been corroborated in the past few years. Meanwhile, different designs and syntheses of novel anti-tubulin hybrids have been broadly studied, illustrated, and detailed in the literature. This review describes various molecular hybrids with their reported structural–activity relationships (SARs) where it is possible in an effort to generate efficacious tubulin polymerization inhibitors. The aim is to create a platform on which new active scaffolds can be modeled for improved tubulin polymerization inhibitory potency and hence, the development of new therapeutic agents against cancer.     

An Overview of the Biological Evaluation of Selected Nitrogen-Containing Heterocycle Medicinal Chemistry Compounds

Heterocyclic compounds are a class of compounds of natural origin with favorable properties and hence have major pharmaceutical significance. They have an exceptional adroitness favoring their use as diverse smart biomimetics, in addition to possessing an active pharmacophore in a complex structure. This has made them an indispensable motif in the drug discovery field. Heterocyclic compounds are usually classified according to the ring size, type, and the number of heteroatoms present in the ring. Among different heterocyclic ring systems, nitrogen heterocyclic compounds are more abundant in nature. They also have considerable pharmacological significance. This review highlights recent pioneering studies in the biological assessment of nitrogen-containing compounds, namely: triazoles, tetrazoles, imidazole/benzimidazoles, pyrimidines, and quinolines. It explores publications between April 2020 and February 2022 and will benefit researchers in medicinal chemistry and pharmacology. The present work is organized based on the size of the heterocyclic ring.     

Nutraceutical potential of olive pomace: insights from cell-based and clinical studies

Olive oil production yields a substantial volume of by-products, constituting up to 80% of the processed fruits. The olive pomace by-product represents a residue of significant interest due to the diverse bioactive compounds identified in it. However, a thorough characterization and elucidation of the biological activities of olive pomace are imperative to redirect its application for functional food, nutraceutical, and pharmaceutical purposes both for animals and humans. In this review, we examine data from experimental models, including immortalized human vascular endothelial cells, human corneal and conjunctival epithelial cells, human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, non-tumorigenic human hepatoma cells, and murine macrophages alongside clinical trials. These studies aim to validate the safety, nutritional value, and pharmacological effects of olive pomace. In vitro studies suggest that biophenols extracted from olive pomace possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative properties that could be beneficial in mitigating cardiovascular disorders, particularly atherosclerosis, hepatosteatosis, and dry-eye disease. Protective effects against dry-eye disease were confirmed in a mouse model assay. Olive pomace used in the feed for fish and poultry has demonstrated the ability to enhance animals' immunity and improve nutritional quality of meat and eggs. Human clinical trials are scarce and have revealed minimal biological changes following the consumption of olive pomace-enriched foods. However, alterations in certain biomarkers tentatively suggest cardioprotective properties. The review underscores the value of olive pomace while addressing potential drawbacks and future perspectives, with a specific focus on the need for further investigation into the animal feed and human nutritional properties of olive pomace. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.     

Comparison of cigarette and water pipe smoking among female university students in Egypt.

This study investigated behavioral and sociodemographic factors associated with tobacco use among female university students patronizing water pipe cafes in Cairo, Egypt. We interviewed two groups of female university student smokers (100 and 96 students from a public and a private university, respectively). The interviews took place in nine water pipe cafes near the two universities. A logistic regression model was developed to analyze the relationship between tobacco-related knowledge and beliefs and the choice between smoking water pipe or cigarettes. Among these smokers, 27% smoked cigarettes only, 37.8% smoked water pipe only, and 35.2% smoked both types of tobacco. Most of the water pipe smokers (74.1%) preferred this method because they believe it to be less harmful than smoking cigarettes. More than half of the subjects were encouraged to start smoking by other females (56.6%). Curiosity was a significant factor for initiation (OR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.3-6.2, p<.01). We found no significant differences between water pipe and cigarette smokers regarding current age, age at initiation, quit attempts, knowledge about the hazards of smoking, wanting to be fashionable, or smoking with friends. About one in four (23.7%) attempted to quit, with health cited as a major reason. An urgent need exists for correction of the misperception among this study population that water pipe smoking is safe and less harmful than cigarette smoking.     

Complete Genome Sequence Analysis of Bacillus subtilis Bbv57, a Promising Biocontrol Agent against Phytopathogens

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) are a group of root-associated beneficial bacteria emerging as one of the powerful agents in sustainable plant disease management. Among the PGPR, Bacillus sp. has become a popular biocontrol agent for controlling pests and the diseases of several crops of agricultural and horticultural importance. Understanding the molecular basis of the plant growth-promoting and biocontrol abilities of Bacillus spp. will allow us to develop multifunctional microbial consortia for sustainable agriculture. In our study, we attempted to unravel the genome complexity of the potential biocontrol agent Bacillus subtilis Bbv57 (isolated from the betelvine’s rhizosphere), available at TNAU, Coimbatore. A WGS analysis generated 26 million reads, and a de novo assembly resulted in the generation of 4,302,465 bp genome of Bacillus subtilis Bbv57 containing 4363 coding sequences (CDS), of which 4281 were functionally annotated. An analysis of 16S rRNA revealed its 100% identity to Bacillus subtilis IAM 12118. A detailed data analysis identified the presence of >100 CAZymes and nine gene clusters involved in the production of secondary metabolites that exhibited antimicrobial properties. Further, Bbv57 was found to harbor 282 unique genes in comparison with 19 other Bacillus strains, requiring further exploration.