A Year at the Forefront of Gliding Locomotion

This review highlights the largely understudied behavior of gliding locomotion, which is exhibited by a diverse range of animals spanning vertebrates and invertebrates, in air and in water. The insights in the literature gained from January 2022 to December 2022 continue to challenge the previously held notion of gliding as a relatively simple form of locomotion. Using advances in field/lab data collection and computation, the highlighted studies cover gliding in animals including seabirds, flying lizards, flying snakes, geckos, dragonflies, damselflies, and dolphins. Altogether, these studies present gliding as a sophisticated behavior resulting from the interdependent aspects of morphology, sensing, environment, and likely selective pressures. This review uses these insights as inspiration to encourage researchers to revisit gliding locomotion, both in the animal's natural habitat and in the laboratory, and to investigate questions spanning gliding biomechanics, ecology, sensing, and the evolution of animal flight.

Three Rings Schiff Base Ester Liquid Crystals: Experimental and Computational Approaches of Mesogenic Core Orientation Effect, Heterocycle Impact

Three rings 2-hydroxypyridine liquid crystalline compounds have been prepared and fully characterized. The mesomorphic behavior of the prepared compounds has been investigated in terms of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and polarized optical microscopy (POM). Moreover, a comparative study between the prepared compounds and previously reported analogs has been discussed in terms of the orientation and position of the mesogenic core, in addition to the direction of the terminal alkyl chains. Furthermore, a detailed computational approach has been studied to illustrate the effect of geometrical and dimensional parameters on the type of the enhanced texture and the mesomorphic range and stability. The results of the DFT study revealed that the orientation of the mesogen could affect the mesomorphic behavior and this has been attributed in terms of the degree of the polarizability of the linking groups. This result has been confirmed by calculation of the net dipole moment and the molecular electrostatic potential that show how the mesogen orientation and position could impact the molecular charge separation. Finally, the effect of the pyridyl group has been also investigated in terms of the calculated aromaticity index and the π-π stacking.

Anti-COVID-19 activity of some benzofused 1,2,3-triazolesulfonamide hybrids using in silico and in vitro analyses

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a pandemic fatal infection with no known treatment. The severity of the disease and the fast viral mutations forced the scientific community to search for potential solution. Here in the present manuscript, some benzofused1,2,3triazolesulfonamide hybrids were synthesized and evaluated for their anti- SARS-CoV-2 activity using in silico prediction then the most potent compounds were assessed using in-Vitro analysis. The in-Silico study was assessed against RNA dependent RNA polymerase, Spike protein S1, Main protease (3CLpro) and 2'-O-methyltransferase (nsp16). It was found that 4b and 4c showed high binding scores against RNA dependent RNA polymerase reached -8.40 and -8.75 ​kcal/mol, respectively compared to the approved antiviral (remdesivir -6.77 ​kcal/mol). Upon testing the binding score with SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein it was revealed that 4c exhibited the highest score (-7.22 ​kcal/mol) compared to the reference antibacterial drug Ceftazidime (-6.36 ​kcal/mol). Surprisingly, the two compounds 4b and 4c showed the highest binding scores against SARS-CoV-2 3CLpro (-8.75, -8.48 ​kcal/mol, respectively) and nsp16 (- 8.84 and - 8.89 ​kcal/mol, respectively) displaying many types of interaction with all the enzymes binding sites. The derivatives 4b and 4c were examined in vitro for their potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 and it was revealed that 4c was the most promising compound with IC50 reached 758.8108 ​mM and complete (100%) inhibition of the binding of SARS-CoV-2 virus to human ACE2 can be accomplished by using 0.01 ​mg.

Halting Tumor Progression via Novel Non-Hydroxamate Triazole-Based Mannich Bases MMP-2/9 Inhibitors; Design, Microwave-Assisted Synthesis, and Biological Evaluation

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key signaling modulators in the tumor microenvironment. Among MMPs, MMP-2 and MMP-9 are receiving renewed interest as validated druggable targets for halting different tumor progression events. Over the last decades, a diverse range of MMP-2/9 inhibitors has been identified starting from the early hydroxamic acid-based peptidomimetics to the next generation non-hydroxamates. Herein, focused 1,2,4-triazole-1,2,3-triazole molecular hybrids with varying lengths and decorations, mimicking the thematic features of non-hydroxamate inhibitors, were designed and synthesized using efficient protocols and were alkylated with pharmacophoric amines to develop new Mannich bases. After full spectroscopic characterization the newly synthesized triazoles tethering Mannich bases were subjected to safety assessment via MTT assay against normal human fibroblasts, then evaluated for their potential anticancer activities against colon (Caco-2) and breast (MDA-MB 231) cancers. The relatively lengthy bis-Mannich bases 15 and 16 were safer and more potent than 5-fluorouracil with sub-micromolar IC₅₀ and promising selectivity to the screened cancer cell lines rather than normal cells. Both compounds upregulated p53 (2–5.6-fold) and suppressed cyclin D expression (0.8–0.2-fold) in the studied cancers, and thus, induced apoptosis. 15 was superior to 16 in terms of cytotoxic activities, p53 induction, and cyclin D suppression. Mechanistically, both were efficient MMP-2/9 inhibitors with comparable potencies to the reference prototype hydroxamate-based MMP inhibitor NNGH at their anticancer IC₅₀ concentrations. 15 (IC₅₀ = 0.143 µM) was 4-fold more potent than NNGH against MMP-9 with promising selectivity (3.27-fold) over MMP-2, whereas 16 was comparable to NNGH. Concerning MMP-2, 16 (IC₅₀ = 0.376 µM) was 1.2-fold more active than 15. Docking simulations predicted their possible binding modes and highlighted the possible structural determinants of MMP-2/9 inhibitory activities. Computational prediction of their physicochemical properties, ADMET, and drug-likeness metrics revealed acceptable drug-like criteria.

Prevalence and intensity of haemoparasites infecting the white-spotted gecko, Tarentola annularis in Sudan

Thirty-five white-spotted geckos, Tarentola annularis were collected from Shendi area, River Nile State, Sudan, between June and September 2019 and examined for the presence of haemoparasites infection. Six (17.14%) geckos were found to be positive for intra erythrocytic haemogregarine (Apicomplexa: Haemogregarinidae) species with a mean overall infection intensity of 1.20% ± 0.32 and parasitemia level between ~0.70% and ~1.70%. However, most parasite gamonts were found intracellular, and no damage on the infected erythrocytes was observed. The prevalence of infection between adult and juvenile geckos was significantly different (P = 0.012); however, no substantial difference between males and females was found. On the other hand, the mean intensity of infection did not differ between adult and juvenile geckos. In conclusion, no obvious negative impact on the local T. annularis gecko community was observed due to haemogregarine species infection.

Prevalence of intestinal helminth parasites of stray dogs in Shendi area, Sudan

Three hundred and sixty fecal samples of stray dogs were collected between July and December 2018, from open grounds of Shendi city and two suburbs (Gulia and Musiab), River Nile State, Sudan, and were examined for helminthic infections. The results showed 43 (11.9%) of the samples were positive for at least one species of helminth. A total of four helminth species were identified, including two nematodes (Ancylostoma caninum and Trichuris vulpis) and two cestodes (Dipylidium caninum and Taenia spp.). Taenia spp. was found to be the most common helminth infection in stray dogs (6.7%) followed by D. caninum (3.1%), while the least was the nematode, A. caninum (0.8%). The prevalence of infection among stray dogs in the suburbs was found to be higher than those in the city; however, there was no statistical significance (P = 0.07). In conclusion, stray dogs in Shendi area were found to be harboring several important zoonotic helminthes such as A. caninum and Taenia spp.; this shows the necessity of stray dog population management in this area as they present a health risk to the community.

Novel Synthesis of N-(1,3-Dioxoisoindol-2-yl)aminothiocarbohydrazide, and its Arylidenes and Glycosylidines as Precursors for Hybrids with Thiadiazoline Ring. Equilibration of the Glycosylidine Open Chain with the Cyclic Structures and Conformation of the Acyclic Analogues

Materials and Methods:

Commercially available solvents and reagents were purified according to the standard procedures. Thin layer chromatography (TLC) was performed on plastic plates Silica Gel 60 F254 (E-Merk, layer thickness 0.2 mm) with detection by UV light absorption. IR spectra were recorded for the compounds in a KBr matrix with a Unicam SP 1025 spectrophotometer. NMR spectra were measured with Jeol spectrometer (500 MHz). Chemical shifts (δ) are given in ppm relative to the signal for TMS as internal standard, and coupling constants in Hz. The 13C NMR spectra were recorded with JEOL spectrometer at 125.7 MHz. The assignments of 1H NMR spectra were based on chemical-shift correlation DQFCOSY spectra, while the assignment of 13C NMR spectra were based on heteronuclear multiple quantum coherence, HMQC experiments.

Results:

The N-(1,3-dioxoisoindol-2-yl)aminothiocarbohydrazide (5) was prepared, which incorborated the 1,3-dioxoisoindole ring that linked to thiosemicarbazide moiety. Such feature found to be excellent precursor for the synthesis of hybrid of bi-heterocycles, the dioxoisoindolyl and thiadiazoline rings which could of potential biological activity. The reaction of thiocarbohydrazide with phthalic anhydride in a detailed manner and investigate its further reaction with aromatic aldehydes and sugars, then converting them to the target biheterocycles and nucleosides was studied. The conformations of the acyclic alditolyl residues or the acyclic Cnucleosides have been explained.

Conclusion:

The new functionalized isoindolyl ring with thiosemicarbazide as in N-(1,3-dioxoisoindol-2- yl)aminothiocarbohydrazide (5) resulted from the reaction of phthalic anhydride with thiocarbohydrazide via the intermediate open chain derivative 6. It is a valuable precursor for the synthesis of thiosemicarbazones containing sugar moieties 10-13. Their solutions in DMSO-d6 showed that the products exist in one form after immediate dissolution that equilibrated with time to show a mixture of acyclic and cyclic forms. They have been exploited as scaffolds for generation of potential hybrids of thiadiazoline derivatives containing isoindolyl rings as well as their acyclo C-nucleosides 10a-13a and 14-15. The conformations of the acyclic alditolyl residues or the acyclic C-nucleosides have been deduced from their spectral analysis.

Third ventricular cavernous angioma

Third ventricular cavernous angiomas are rare vascular malformations of the brain. We report an eight-year old boy with a rare third ventricular cavernous angioma that hemorrhaged presenting with symptoms of acute hydrocephalus. Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) showed a heterogenous ill-defined, solid and cystic intraventricular mass in the third ventricle which was mildly enhanced with contrast and there was associated hydrocephalus. The mass was removed with success and follow up after two years revealed no neurological abnormalities.

Epignathus (congenital teratoma of the hard palate): a case report

A rare case is described of congenital teratoma protruding from the mouth (epignathus) attached to the hard palate in an infant of 3 days. Typical teratoma components and brain tissue were noted. A description of the relevant clinical and pathological features is given and the embryological basis for the aetiology of the lesion is discussed. The literature is reviewed.

Synovial sarcoma of abdominal wall: a case report and study of tumor fine structure

A case of synovial sarcoma in the abdominal wall of a 50-year-old Iraqi woman is reported. The ultrastructure of the tumor has been studied. Eight other cases of synovial sarcoma in the abdominal wall reported in the English literature up to 1978 have been reviewed. Synovial sarcomas in the abdominal wall tend to occur with a much greater frequency in women, whereas such tumors occurring in the extremities or the neck are more common in men than woman. No ultrastructural studies of abdominal wall synovial sarcomas could be found in the English literature. The ultrastructural characters of this tumor are similar to those of such tumors arising in the usual sites and the neck. However, the present study has indicated that the light and dark cells reported by earlier workers are not limited solely to the epitheloid areas but are also present in the spindle cell zones.

Synovial sarcoma of the abdominal wall: a case report and study of its fine structure

A case of synovial sarcoma in the abdominal wall of a 50-year-old Iraq female is reported. The ultrastructure of the tumor has been studied. Eight other cases of synovial sarcoma in the abdominal wall which reported in the English literature up to 1978 have been reviewed. Synovial sarcomas in the abdominal wall tend to occur with a much greater frequency in females in contrast to such tumors in the extremities or the neck which tend to occur with a much greater frequency in males. No ultrastructure studies of abdominal wall synovial sarcomas could be found in the English literature. Ultrastructure characteristics of this tumor were similar to those arising in the usual sites and in the neck. However, the present study has indicated that the light and dark cells reported by earlier workers are not solely limited to the epitheloid areas but are also present in the spindle cell zones.