Influence of vegetation type on infiltration rate and capacity at Ie jue geothermal manifestation, Mount Seulawah Agam, Indonesia

Ie Jue is one of the geothermal manifestation of hot water and fumaroles in the northern zone of Mount Seulawah Agam. Because hot water in the Ie Jue manifestation is derived from meteoric water, the presence of Ie Jue hot springs is determined by rain intensity and surface infiltration rates in the vicinity of the manifestation. The purpose of this research is to determine the rate of precipitation infiltration and its link to the type of flora that grows around the manifestation. Ie Jue. The 100 m line transect approach was used to determine sampling locations. Transects were placed in stratified sampling based on the four cardinal directions from the manifestation's center, namely east, south, west, and north. In each transect, three sampling stations were placed at intervals of 0 m, 50 m, and 100 m from the manifestation's midpoint. In each transect, three sampling stations were placed at intervals of 0 m, 50 m, and 100 m from the manifestation's midpoint. At each sampling point, the vegetation type was identified, and soil temperature, moisture, pH, texture, density and organic C were measured. A single ring infiltrometer was used to quantify infiltration rate at each sampling location, and the Horton equation was used to compute infiltration capacity. The results showed that the type of tree vegetation found in the south had the maximum infiltration rate of 54 cm/h - 28.8 cm/h with a constant interval of 40 min, followed by an infiltration rate of 44.4 cm/h - 8.4 cm/h for 45 min in the north with pole vegetation type. In comparison to other regions, the south and north have exceptionally quick infiltration criteria (36.87 cm/h and 29.88 cm/h, respectively). When compared to poles, shrubs, and herbs, tree-type vegetation had the highest infiltration rate. The results showed that vegetation type, soil moisture, bulk density, and soil organic C are the most important elements influencing infiltration in the Ie jue hot spring area.

Molecular insights into the anti-inflammatory activity of fermented pineapple juice using multimodal computational studies

Pineapple has been recognized for its potential to enhance health and well-being. This study aimed to gain molecular insights into the anti-inflammatory properties of fermented pineapple juice using multimodal computational studies. In this study, pineapple juice was fermented using Lactobacillus paracasei, and the solution underwent liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Network pharmacology was applied to investigate compound interactions and targets. In silico methods assessed compound bioactivities. Protein-protein interactions, network topology, and enrichment analysis identified key compounds. Molecular docking explored compound-receptor interactions in inflammation regulation. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted to confirm the stability of interactions between the identified crucial compounds and their respective receptors. The study revealed several compounds including short-chain fatty acids, peptides, dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acids, and glycerides that exhibited promising anti-inflammatory properties. Leucyl-leucyl-norleucine and Leu-Leu-Tyr exhibited robust and stable interactions with mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 and IκB kinase β, respectively, indicating their potential as promising therapeutic agents for inflammation modulation. This proposition is grounded in the pivotal involvement of these two proteins in inflammatory signaling pathways. These findings provide valuable insights into the anti-inflammatory potential of these compounds, serving as a foundation for further experimental validation and exploration. Future studies can build upon these results to advance the development of these compounds as effective anti-inflammatory agents.

Characterization of red algae (Gracilaria verrucosa) on potential application for topical treatment of oral mucosa wounds in Rattus norvegicus

Wound healing in the mouth has its challenges due to masticatory movements and the presence of bacteria that can inhibit its process. The aim of this study was to analyze the contents of red algae (Gracilaria verrucosa) from Indonesia, and its potential as a wound-healing agent for oral wounds using animal model. Red algae content was determined by phytochemical tests and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The wound was made by making an incision on the gingival mucosa of Rattus norvegicus and the parameters assessed were bleeding time, number of fibroblast cells, and time of wound closure. Three doses of G. verrucosa gel were used (2.5%, 5%, and 10%) and the gels were applied twice a day, at 6:00 and 18:00. Application was carried out topically by applying 0.1 ml of gel to the incision wound using a 1 mL syringe. Our phytochemical test indicated that the G. verrucosa contained alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, and phenols. The dominant contains of the G. verrucosa were glycerol (36.81%), hexadecenoic acid (20.74%), and cholesterol (7.4%). The hemostasis test showed that the 2.5% G. verrucosa extract gel had the shortest bleeding time, 33.98±2.66 seconds. On the seventh day of the initial proliferation phase, the number of fibroblasts was not significantly different among groups. On day 14, the number of fibroblasts was only significantly different between 10% G. verrucosa and untreated group (p=0.007). On day 28, however, both 5% and 10% G. verrucosa were significantly higher compared to untreated group, both had p=0.010. Daily clinical examination showed that animals that were given 2.5% and 5% of G. verrucosa extract gel experienced wound closure on day 10. Animals treated with 10% of extract gel, all wounds healed on day 9. This study suggested that G. verrucosa extract could accelerate wound closure and wound healing.

Evaluation of atopic dermatitis severity using artificial intelligence

Atopic dermatitis is a prevalent and persistent chronic inflammatory skin disorder that poses significant challenges when it comes to accurately assessing its severity. The aim of this study was to evaluate deep learning models for automated atopic dermatitis severity scoring using a dataset of Aceh ethnicity individuals in Indonesia. The dataset of clinical images was collected from 250 patients at Dr. Zainoel Abidin Hospital, Banda Aceh, Indonesia and labeled by dermatologists as mild, moderate, severe, or none. Five pretrained convolutional neural networks (CNN) architectures were evaluated: ResNet50, VGGNet19, MobileNetV3, MnasNet, and EfficientNetB0. The evaluation metrics, including accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, and F1-score, were employed to assess the models. Among the models, ResNet50 emerged as the most proficient, demonstrating an accuracy of 89.8%, precision of 90.00%, sensitivity of 89.80%, specificity of 96.60%, and an F1-score of 89.85%. These results highlight the potential of incorporating advanced, data-driven models into the field of dermatology. These models can serve as invaluable tools to assist dermatologists in making early and precise assessments of atopic dermatitis severity and therefore improve patient care and outcomes.

Chromolaena odorata Linn leaf extract - Geothermal versus nongeothermal: Phytochemical, antioxidant, and cytotoxicity screenings

Chromolaena odorata Linn, a popular yet underutilized ethnomedicinal plant, is hypothesized to possess higher bioactive phytoconstituents when it grows in geothermal areas. In this study, the comparison of ethanolic extract from geothermal and nongeothermal C. odorata leaves was carried out based on the phytochemical profile, antioxidant activity, and cytotoxicity. The leaf extracts were produced from a maceration using ethanol 96%, where the products were identified using reagents and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Antioxidant activities of both samples were measured based on their 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging activities. Cytotoxicity was determined by brine shrimp lethality test using Artemia salina. Phenols were found to be more abundant in geothermal sample based on the qualitative screening and GC-MS analysis (i.e. higher relative abundance of phytol - 3.97%). DPPH antioxidant was higher in geothermal sample than in nongeothermal sample (median inhibitory concentration =13.04 ± 3.35 mg/L vs. 41.09 ± 4.13 mg/L, respectively). Geothermal sample was noncytotoxic (median lethal concentration [LC50] =2139.30 mg/L), whereas the nongeothermal sample had low cytotoxicity (LC50 = 491.48 mg/L). Taken altogether, geothermal C. odorata leaves contain higher bioactive compounds with potent antioxidant activities.

Clinical and oral microbiome pattern of halitosis patients with periodontitis and gingivitis

Halitosis is caused by a bacterial proteolytic process that induces the production of volatile sulfur compounds, odor-causing gases. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical oral hygiene state and oral microbiome pattern of halitosis patients with periodontitis and gingivitis. The oral hygiene state of halitosis patients with periodontitis and gingivitis was assessed using the oral hygiene index simplified (OHI-S), decay missing filled teeth (DMFT), and tongue biofilm. The dorsum of the tongue and subgingival swabs were cultured for bacteria, and bacterial morphology was evaluated using Gram staining. Evaluation of the bacterial genus using the Bergey's systematic bacteriology diagram as a guide. A total of ten patients with periodontitis and gingivitis were included. Our data indicated that the scores of OHI-S and DMFT were different significantly between halitosis patients with periodontitis and gingivitis (both had p<0.001) while tongue biofilm score was not different between groups. On the dorsum of the tongue, periodontitis patients had a significant higher oral microbiome population (85.65x106 CFU/mL) compared to those with gingivitis (0.047x106 CFU/mL) with p=0.002. In contrast, the number of microbiomes in the subgingival had no significant different between periodontitis and gingivitis. On the dorsum of the tongue, six bacterial genera were isolated from periodontitis cases and seven genera were detected from gingivitis patients. On subgingival, 10 and 15 genera were identified from periodontitis and gingivitis, respectively. Fusobacterium, Propionibacterium, Eubacterium and Lactobacillus were the most prevalent among periodontitis cases while Porphyromonas was the most prevalent in gingivitis patients. In conclusion, although OHI-S and DMFT are different between periodontitis and gingivitis, overlapping of bacterial genera was detected between periodontitis and gingivitis cases.

COVID-19 pandemic sheds a new research spotlight on antiviral potential of essential oils - A bibliometric study

Background

Essential oils are thought as potential therapies in managing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Many researchers have put their efforts to tackle the pandemic by exploring antiviral candidates which consequently changes the research landscape. Herein, we aimed to assess the effect of COVID-19 pandemic toward the landscape of essential oil research.

Methods

This study employed bibliometric analysis based on the metadata of published literature indexed in the Scopus database. The search was performed on December 15^th, 2022 by using keyword 'essential oil' and its synonyms. We grouped the data based on publication year; pre-COVID-19 (2014-2019) and during COVID-19 (2020-2024, some studies have been published earlier). Further, we separated the COVID-19-focused research from COVID-19 (2020-2024) by introducing a new keyword 'COVID-19' during the search. All metadata were processed using VoSviewer and Biblioshiny for network visualization analysis. Selections of frequently occurring keywords, clusters of keyword co-occurrence, and the list of most impactful papers were performed by two independent reviewers.

Results

Metadata from a total of 35,262 publications were included for bibliometric analysis, comprised of three groups of datasets namely pre-COVID-19 (n = 18,670), COVID-19 (n = 16,592), and COVID-19-focused (n = 281). Five research topics clusters were found from pre-COVID-19 dataset, eight - from COVID-19 dataset, and nine - from COVID-19-focused dataset. COVID-19 cluster containing the keyword 'antiviral' emerged in the COVID-19 dataset, whereas none of the previous research topic clusters contained the keyword 'antiviral'. Antiviral, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) inhibitory, and anti-inflammation activities were among the top occurring keywords in studies covering both essential oil and COVID-19. Studies on essential oil used for managing COVID-19 were most reported by authors from the United States (documents = 37, citations = 405), Australia (documents = 16, citations = 115) and Italy (documents = 23, citations = 366).

Conclusion

A significant increase was found during COVID-19 pandemic for publications covering essential oil themes, but only a small portion was occupied by COVID-19 research. The COVID-19 pandemic does not alter the ongoing progress of essential oil research but rather offers a new spotlight on the antiviral potential of essential oils. Hence, the COVID-19 pandemic has provided an opportunity to investigate deeper the antiviral potential of essential oils.

QSAR Classification of Beta-Secretase 1 Inhibitor Activity in Alzheimer's Disease Using Ensemble Machine Learning Algorithms

This study focuses on the development of a machine learning ensemble approach for the classification of Beta-Secretase 1 (BACE1) inhibitors in Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) analysis. BACE1 is an enzyme linked to the production of amyloid beta peptide, a significant component of Alzheimer's disease plaques. The discovery of effective BACE1 inhibitors is difficult, but QSAR modeling offers a cost-effective alternative by predicting the activity of compounds based on their chemical structures. This study evaluates the performance of four machine learning models (Random Forest, AdaBoost, Gradient Boosting, and Extra Trees) in predicting BACE1 inhibitor activity. Random Forest achieved the highest performance, with a training accuracy of 98.65% and a testing accuracy of 82.53%. In addition, it exhibited superior precision, recall, and F1-score. Random Forest's superior performance was a result of its ability to capture a wide variety of patterns and its randomized ensemble approach. Overall, this study demonstrates the efficacy of ensemble machine learning models, specifically Random Forest, in predicting the activity of BACE1 inhibitors. The findings contribute to ongoing efforts in Alzheimer's disease drug discovery research by providing a cost-effective and efficient strategy for screening and prioritizing potential BACE1 inhibitors.

Fatty Acid-Rich Extract from Holothuria atra for Hyperuricemia via Expressions Modulation of GLUT9a and GLUT9b in Rat Model

An edible sea cucumber Holothuria atra has been hypothesized to have medicinal benefits against hyperuricemia owing to its bioactive compounds, including mono- and poly-unsaturated fatty acids. Herein, we aimed to investigate the fatty acids-rich extract produced from H. atra to treat hyperuricemic rats (Rattus novergicus). The extraction was carried out using n-hexane solvent and then administered to potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic rats, with allopurinol acting as a positive control. The extract (50, 100, 150 mg/kg body weight) and allopurinol (10 mg/kg) were administered QD through an oral route using a nasogastric tube. Serum uric acid, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and blood urea nitrogen of the abdominal aortic blood were investigated. Our results suggested that the extract was rich in polyunsaturated (arachidonic acid) and monounsaturated fatty acids (oleic acid), in which its administration of 150 mg/kg could significantly reduce serum uric acid (p < 0.001), AST (p = 0.001), and ALT (p = 0.0302). The anti-hyperuricemic activity could be associated with the modulation of GLUT9 by the H. atra extract. In conclusion, the n-hexane extract from H. atra is a potential serum uric acid-lowering agent targeting GLUT9, where further investigations are crucially warranted.

Ethanolic Extract from Limonia acidissima L. Fruit Attenuates Serum Uric Acid Level via URAT1 in Potassium Oxonate-Induced Hyperuricemic Rats

A high prevalence of hyperuricemia among adult and older adult populations has intrigued the development of its therapy based on natural products. Our objective was to investigate the antihyperuricemic activity of the natural product from Limonia acidissima L. in vivo. The extract was obtained through the maceration of L. acidissima fruits using an ethanolic solvent and was tested for its antihyperuricemic activity against potassium oxonate-induced hyperuricemic rats. Serum uric acid, creatinine, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were observed before and after the treatment. Expression of urate transporter 1 (URAT1) was also measured using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Antioxidant activity based on a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging assay, along with total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC), were measured. Herein, we present the evidence of the serum uric acid lowering effect of the L. acidissima fruit extract along with improved AST and ALT (p < 0.01). The reduction of serum uric acid was in accordance with the decreasing trend of URAT1 (1.02 ± 0.05-fold change in the 200 mg group), except in a group treated with 400 mg/kg body weight extract. At the same time, BUN increased significantly in the 400 mg group (from 17.60 ± 3.286 to 22.80 ± 3.564 mg/dL, p = 0.007), suggesting the renal toxicity of the concentration. The IC50 for DPPH inhibition was 0.14 ± 0.02 mg/L with TPC and TFC of 143.9 ± 5.24 mg GAE/g extract and 390.2 ± 3.66 mg QE/g extract, respectively. Further studies should be carried out to prove this correlation along with the safe concentration range of the extract.

Fabrication and Evaluation of Polyvinyl Alcohol/Corn Starch/Patchouli Oil Hydrogel Films Loaded with Silver Nanoparticles Biosynthesized in Pogostemon cablin Benth Leaves' Extract

Research on the manufacture of hydrogel films from polyvinyl alcohol, corn starch, patchouli oil, and silver nanoparticles, (PVA/CS/PO/AgNPs, respectively) was completed. The silver nanoparticles used in this study resulted from green synthesis using local patchouli plants (Pogostemon cablin Benth). Aqueous patchouli leaf extract (APLE) and methanol patchouli leaf extract (MPLE) are used in the synthesis of phytochemicals (green synthesis), which are then blended in the production of PVA/CS/PO/AgNPs hydrogel films, which are then cross linked with glutaraldehyde. The results demonstrated that the hydrogel film was flexible, easy to fold, and free of holes and air bubbles. The presence of hydrogen bonds between the functional groups of PVA, CS, and PO was revealed using FTIR spectroscopy. SEM analysis revealed that the hydrogel film was slightly agglomerated and did not exhibit cracking or pinholes. The analysis of pH, spreadability, gel fraction, and swelling index showed that the resulting PVA/CS/PO/AgNP hydrogel films met expected standards except for the organoleptic properties of the resulting colors, which tended to be slightly darker in color. The formula with silver nanoparticles synthesized in methanolic of patchouli leaf extract (AgMENPs) had the highest thermal stability compared to hydrogel films with silver nanoparticles synthesized in aqueous of patchouli leaf extract (AgAENPs). The hydrogel films can be safely used up to 200 °C. The antibacterial studies revealed that the films inhibited the growth of both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis, as determined by the disc diffusion method, with the best antibacterial activity being against Staphylococcus aureus. In conclusion, the hydrogel film F₁, loaded with silver nanoparticles biosynthesized in aqueous of patchouli leave extract (AgAENPs) and light fraction of patchouli oil (LFoPO) performed the best activity against both Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis.

Knowledge management strategy for managing disaster and the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: SWOT analysis based on the analytic network process

Indonesia has significant expertise in disaster management due to its disaster geography. Collective expertise and knowledge are valuable resources for lowering disaster risk and enhancing disaster resilience. Additionally, in the current pandemic situation, a clearer understanding of COVID-19 is growing, which could make a difference in how effectively we respond to this and future pandemics. Therefore, it is crucial to record and maintain information related to the event in order to handle any crisis and COVID-19 pandemic appropriately. The goal of this study is to explore KM implementation approaches for handling disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia. In order to collect data for this study, 20 experts were interviewed and 30 experts participated in a Focus Group Discussion (FGD). SWOT analysis was utilised in this study to find different KM implementation strategies. The Analytic Network Process (ANP) was used to prioritize several previously discovered strategies. The study finds that the approach which must be prioritised is to ensure that knowledge products can be accessed by the public, and they must include the community (family) as subjects in establishing knowledge management methods (not only the government or institutions).

Monkeypox outbreak 2022: What we know so far and its potential drug targets and management strategies

Monkeypox is a rare zoonotic disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. The disease can result in flu-like symptoms, fever, and a persistent rash. The disease is currently spreading throughout the world and prevention and treatment efforts are being intensified. Although there is no treatment that has been specifically approved for monkeypox virus infection, infected patients may benefit from using certain antiviral medications that are typically prescribed for the treatment of smallpox. The drugs are tecovirimat, brincidofovir, and cidofovir, all of which are currently in short supply due to the spread of the monkeypox virus. Resistance is also a concern, as widespread replication of the monkeypox virus can lead to mutations that produce monkeypox viruses that are resistant to the currently available treatments. This article discusses monkeypox disease, potential drug targets, and management strategies to overcome monkeypox disease. With the discovery of new drugs, it is hoped that the problem of insufficient drugs will be resolved, and it is not anticipated that drug resistance will become a major issue in the near future.

Four Decades of Laccase Research for Wastewater Treatment: Insights from Bibliometric Analysis

Increasing trends of environmental pollution and emerging contaminants from anthropogenic activities have urged researchers to develop innovative strategies in wastewater management, including those using the biocatalyst laccase (EC 1.10.3.2). Laccase works effectively against a variety of substrates ranging from phenolic to non-phenolic compounds which only require molecular oxygen to be later reduced to H2O as the final product. In this study, we performed a bibliometric analysis on the metadata of literature acquired through the Scopus database (24 October 2022) with keyword combination "Laccase" AND "Pollutant" OR "Wastewater". The included publications were filtered based on year of publication (1978-2022), types of articles (original research articles and review articles) and language (English). The metadata was then exported in a CSV (.csv) file and visualized on VosViewer software. A total of 1865 publications were identified, 90.9% of which were original research articles and the remaining 9.1% were review articles. Most of the authors were from China (n = 416; 22.3%) and India (n = 276; 14.79%). In the case of subject area, 'Environmental Science' emerged with the highest published documents (n = 1053; 56.46%). The identified papers mostly cover laccase activity in degrading pollutants, and chitosan, which can be exploited for the immobilization. We encourage more research on laccase-assisted wastewater treatment, especially in terms of collaborations among organizations.

In Silico and In Vitro Analysis of Tacca Tubers (Tacca leontopetaloides) from Banyak Island, Aceh Singkil Regency, Indonesia, as Antihypercholesterolemia Agents

Tacca leontopetaloides (T. leontopetaloides) contain a number of active compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, phenolics, steroids, and alkaloids. The active compounds from plants have been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol levels by inhibiting the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzym A (HMG-CoA) reductase activity. This study aims to investigate the potential active compounds in the ethanolic extract of Tacca tubers (T. leontopetaloides) from the Banyak Islands, Aceh Singkil Regency, Aceh Province both in vitro and in silico. Tacca tubers contain secondary metabolites including flavonoids, phenolics, tannins, steroids and saponins, according to phytochemical screening. In vitro investigation of ethanolic extract of Tacca tuber revealed inhibitory activity of HMG Co-A reductase with an IC₅₀ value of 4.92 ppm. Based on the in silico study, active compound from the extract, namely Stigmasterol with the highest binding affinities with HMG Co-A reductase (-7.2 kcal/mol). As a comparison, the inhibition of HMG Co-A reductase activity by simvastatin with an IC₅₀ 4.62 ppm and binding affinity -8.0 Kcal/mol. Our findings suggest that the ethanolic extract of Tacca tuber (T. leontopetaloides) from Banyak Islands, Aceh Province has the potential to inhibit the activity of HMG Co-A reductase.

Optimization of Castor Oil-Based Ion Selective Electrode (ISE) with Active Agent 1,10-Phenanthroline for Aqueous Pb2+ Analysis

This research has successfully fabricated ion selective electrode (ISE) for Pb2+ using castor oil (Ricinus communis L.)-based polyurethane (PU) membrane with 1,10-phenanthroline as the active agent. The sensitivity of the Pb2+ ISE obtained is 27.25 mV/decade with a linear range of [Pb(NO3)2] of 10−10−10−5 M and a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.959. The system response reaches stability after 25 s of measurement. The Pb2+ has a detection limit of 10−10 M and gives a stable response at pH 7−8 with a 15-day lifetime. The investigation of the selectivity of the ISE was performed using the mixed solution method with log Kij values of <1. The selectivity order of Pb2+ ISE against the foreign ions is Ag2+ > Ca2+ > K+ > Mg2+ > Cu2+ > Fe3+ > Cr3+> Zn2+ > Cd2+. The Pb2+ ISE shows acceptable reproducibility and repeatability with standard deviation values of 0.065 and 0.0079, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra confirmed that 1,10-phenanthroline was responsible for the formation of the Pb2+ ion entrapment via complexation. Other characterizations (crystallinity, micro-surface morphology, and mechanical strength) suggest the degradation of the membrane structure integrity after the application. The analysis results of Pb levels using the Pb2+ ISE in artificial and wastewater samples were not significantly different from the atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) measurement.

The Effect and Activity of Free Radical Enzymes Due to Arsenic Exposure Through the Vulva and Vagina

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY: Geogenic arsenic is ubiquitous, found in water and soil that is used daily, can be exposed to the female body through the genital organs. The vulva and vagina are open channels that allow toxic agents to enter the internal genitalia and distributed throughout the body. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study investigated the effects of vaginal arsenic exposure via vulvar immersion and vaginal douching in Rattus norvegicus on the damage of uterus and ovaries through oxidative mechanisms (MDA, SOD, and H₂O₂). METHODOLOGY: The experimental animals were divided into three treatment groups, i.e., K0 (control group), K1 (group treated with vulvar immersion in 0.8 mg/L arsenic solution), and K2 (group treated with vaginal douching using 0.5-mL of 0.8 mg/L arsenic solution). For each group, the treatment was repeated six times and carried out for fourteen days. Before the study, a seven-day acclimatization period was conducted for adaptation purposes. The experimental animals were euthanized using ketamine xylazine. The uterus and ovaries were collected for MDA, SOD, and H₂O analysis, as well as histopathology examination. RESULTS: The vaginal douching group had the highest MDA level both on the uterus (210.66±4.92μM) and the ovaries (214.67±2.50 μM). The immersion group also experienced an increase in MDA in the uterus (198.66±3.33μM) and ovaries (206.33± .21μM). However, a higher level of MDA was found in the ovaries. The highest H₂O₂ level was also found in the uterine and ovarian organs in the douching group. In contrast, the lowest SOD levels of uterine and ovarian were identified in the vaginal douching group. Arsenic exposure through vaginal immersion and douching affected the uterine MDA, SOD, and H₂O levels (Ρ<0.05). Arsenic exposure through vaginal douching also affected the ovarian MDA, SOD, and H₂O levels (Ρ<0.05). There was a significant difference in the mean of inflammatory cells (infiltrated neutrophils, macrophages, and lymphocytes) in the uterus and ovaries in the control, immersion, and vaginal douching groups (Ρ<0.05). CONCLUSION: Exposure to 0.8 mg/L arsenic solution through vulvar immersion and vaginal douching can cause oxidative stress and trigger inflammation of the uterine and ovarian tissue.

Natural Antioxidant Activities of Plants in Preventing Cataractogenesis

A cataract is a condition that causes 17 million people to experience blindness and is the most significant cause of vision loss, around 47.9%. The formation of cataracts is linked to both the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the reduction of endogenous antioxidants. ROS are highly reactive molecules produced by oxygen. Examples of ROS include peroxides, super-oxides, and hydroxyl radicals. ROS are produced in cellular responses to xenobiotics and bacterial invasion and during mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. Excessive ROS can trigger oxidative stress that initiates the progression of eye lens opacities. ROS and other free radicals are highly reactive molecules because their outer orbitals have one or more unpaired electrons and can be neutralized by electron-donating compounds, such as antioxidants. Examples of natural antioxidant compounds are vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene. Numerous studies have demonstrated that plants contain numerous antioxidant compounds that can be used as cataract preventatives or inhibitors. Natural antioxidant extracts for cataract therapy may be investigated further in light of these findings, which show that consuming a sufficient amount of antioxidant-rich plants is an excellent approach to cataract prevention. Several other natural compounds also prevent cataracts by inhibiting aldose reductase and preventing apoptosis of the eye lens.

The Gut Microbiota (Microbiome) in Cardiovascular Disease and Its Therapeutic Regulation

In the last two decades, considerable interest has been shown in understanding the development of the gut microbiota and its internal and external effects on the intestine, as well as the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) such as metabolic syndrome. The intestinal microbiota plays a pivotal role in human health and disease. Recent studies revealed that the gut microbiota can affect the host body. CVDs are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, and patients favor death over chronic kidney disease. For the function of gut microbiota in the host, molecules have to penetrate the intestinal epithelium or the surface cells of the host. Gut microbiota can utilize trimethylamine, N-oxide, short-chain fatty acids, and primary and secondary bile acid pathways. By affecting these living cells, the gut microbiota can cause heart failure, atherosclerosis, hypertension, myocardial fibrosis, myocardial infarction, and coronary artery disease. Previous studies of the gut microbiota and its relation to stroke pathogenesis and its consequences can provide new therapeutic prospects. This review highlights the interplay between the microbiota and its metabolites and addresses related interventions for the treatment of CVDs.

Application of chemometrics using direct spectroscopic methods as a QC tool in pharmaceutical industry and their validation

This present review described the application of chemometrics using direct spectroscopic methods at the quality control (QC) laboratory of Pharmaceutical Industries. Using chemometrics methods, all QC assessments during the fabrication processes of the drug preparations can be well performed. Chemometrics methods have some advantages compared to the conventional methods, i.e., non-destructive, can be performed directly to intake samples without any extractions, unnecessary performing stability studies, and cost-effective. To achieve reliable results of analyses, all methods must be validated first prior to routine applications. According to the current Pharmacopeia, the validation parameters are specificity/selectivity, accuracy, repeatability, intermediate precision, range, detection limit, quantification limit and robustness. These validation data must meet the acceptance criteria, that have been described by the analytical target profile (ATP) of the drug preparations.

Can the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant Confer Natural Immunity against COVID-19?

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is still ongoing, with no signs of abatement in sight. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is the causative agent of this pandemic and has claimed over 5 million lives, is still mutating, resulting in numerous variants. One of the newest variants is Omicron, which shows an increase in its transmissibility, but also reportedly reduces hospitalization rates and shows milder symptoms, such as in those who have been vaccinated. As a result, many believe that Omicron provides a natural vaccination, which is the first step toward ending the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on published research and scientific evidence, we review and discuss how the end of this pandemic is predicted to occur as a result of Omicron variants being surpassed in the community. In light of the findings of our research, we believe that it is most likely true that the Omicron variant is a natural way of vaccinating the masses and slowing the spread of this deadly pandemic. While the mutation that causes the Omicron variant is encouraging, subsequent mutations do not guarantee that the disease it causes will be less severe. As the virus continues to evolve, humans must constantly adapt by increasing their immunity through vaccination.

Cytotoxicity and phytochemical profiles of Phyllanthus emblica stem barks with in silico drug-likeliness: Focusing on antidiabetic potentials

Out of numerous reported medicinal plants, Phyllanthus emblica has been reported to possess a strong antidiabetic potential and other pharmacological effects. This research aimed to identify the phytoconstituents in the extracts of P. emblica stem barks and hypothesize their antidiabetic potentials based on in silico drug-likeliness. Simplicia of P. emblica powder was sequentially macerated at room temperature (24 h) using n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol solvents. Phytochemical profiles of the extract were investigated qualitatively using reagents, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. All phytocompounds were then analyzed for their pharmacological properties and predicted bioactivities on molinspiration. Cytotoxicity of each extract was evaluated using the brine shrimp lethality test. As many as 18 compounds (from GC-MS), were identified in all extract samples from P. emblica stem barks. Based on in silico drug-likeliness, methanol extract contained the most potentially bioactive compounds (16α-hydroxycleroda-3,13 (14) Z-dien-15,16-olide; 14-. beta.-H-pregna; and isochiapin B). Isochiapin B was revealed as the only compound that had no violation of the rule of five. All three compounds could hypothetically contribute to the antidiabetic activity of the methanol extract from P. emblica stem barks by inhibiting diabetes-related enzymes and interacting with nuclear receptors. Moderate cytotoxicity of ethyl acetate and methanol extract, respectively, further suggests their bioactivities.

Fruit Bromelain-Derived Peptide Potentially Restrains the Attachment of SARS-CoV-2 Variants to hACE2: A Pharmacoinformatics Approach

Before entering the cell, the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein receptor-binding domain (RBD) binds to the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) receptor. Hence, this RBD is a critical target for the development of antiviral agents. Recent studies have discovered that SARS-CoV-2 variants with mutations in the RBD have spread globally. The purpose of this in silico study was to determine the potential of a fruit bromelain-derived peptide. DYGAVNEVK. to inhibit the entry of various SARS-CoV-2 variants into human cells by targeting the hACE binding site within the RBD. Molecular docking analysis revealed that DYGAVNEVK interacts with several critical RBD binding residues responsible for the adhesion of the RBD to hACE2. Moreover, 100 ns MD simulations revealed stable interactions between DYGAVNEVK and RBD variants derived from the trajectory of root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), radius of gyration (Rg), and root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF) analysis, as well as free binding energy calculations. Overall, our computational results indicate that DYGAVNEVK warrants further investigation as a candidate for preventing SARS-CoV-2 due to its interaction with the RBD of SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Knowledge creation elements for enhancing community resilience towards disaster: A Delphi study

Knowledge capacity plays a vital role in building community resilience to disasters. However, the problem is that there is no resilience framework that integrates the knowledge creation process. This article introduces a new framework for increasing community resilience based on knowledge creation theory (KCT). This research aims to define the elements that support the Knowledge Creation for Community Resilience (KCCR) and to gain consensus from experts on these factors. This study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with five panellists and three rounds of Delphi technique to determine the assessment of 26 factors (including six additional factors) that have been identified by experts (30, 18 and 11 experts in rounds I, II and III, sequentially). The data analysis was carried out in several stages, and included Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient, consensus appraisal and interrater agreement (IRA) statistical evaluation. The result of the agreement level (AL) analysis shows that the majority of the constructs (96.15%) are in the 'moderate strong' category. This study shows that there is a significant consensus (with IRA index [a wg(1)] ranging from 0.529 to 1), and panellists confirm the significance of all the key constructs. Consensus was gained from experts on seven elements that support the KCCR. This study establishes a systematic, operational and multidimensional KCCR framework that combines the concepts of knowledge creation, community resilience and disaster preparedness. This framework can be used as a qualitative instrument or guidance to build community resilience based on knowledge creation and a quantitative tool for measuring community resilience in facing disasters.

Designing an epitope vaccine against Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus: An in silico study

The house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, is a major source of the inhaled allergen Der p 1, which causes immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated hypersensitivity reactions manifesting in allergic diseases. To date, no drugs or vaccines effectively treat or prevent Der p 1 sensitization. We applied in silico immunoinformatics to design T-cell and B-cell epitopes that were specified and developed from the allergen Der p 1 of D. pteronyssinus. We identified the conserved epitope areas by predicting the accessibility and flexibility of B-cell epitopes, and the percentage of human leukocyte antigen representing T cells. Molecular docking using HADDOCK software indicated three optimal clusters: cluster 6 (z-score: -2.1), cluster 1 (z-score: -1.2), and cluster 3 (z-score: -0.6). The most negative Z-score was found in cluster 6, which represented three epitopes. The interaction between A chain proteins (IgE protein residues) and B chains (Der p 1 protein residues) exhibited a knowledge-based FADE and contact value >1, suggesting the best protein interactions occurred in the conserved area. Molecular dynamic simulation further predicted the stable nature of Der p 1 protein. The IQRDNGYQP region is the best candidate to be utilized as a D. pteronyssinus epitope vaccine, which could be used in the development of allergen-specific immunotherapy.

In Silico Evaluation of Iranian Medicinal Plant Phytoconstituents as Inhibitors against Main Protease and the Receptor-Binding Domain of SARS-CoV-2

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which initially appeared in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Elderly individuals and those with comorbid conditions may be more vulnerable to this disease. Consequently, several research laboratories continue to focus on developing drugs to treat this infection because this disease has developed into a global pandemic with an extremely limited number of specific treatments available. Natural herbal remedies have long been used to treat illnesses in a variety of cultures. Modern medicine has achieved success due to the effectiveness of traditional medicines, which are derived from medicinal plants. The objective of this study was to determine whether components of natural origin from Iranian medicinal plants have an antiviral effect that can prevent humans from this coronavirus infection using the most reliable molecular docking method; in our case, we focused on the main protease (Mpro) and a receptor-binding domain (RBD). The results of molecular docking showed that among 169 molecules of natural origin from common Iranian medicinal plants, 20 molecules (chelidimerine, rutin, fumariline, catechin gallate, adlumidine, astragalin, somniferine, etc.) can be proposed as inhibitors against this coronavirus based on the binding free energy and type of interactions between these molecules and the studied proteins. Moreover, a molecular dynamics simulation study revealed that the chelidimerine-Mpro and somniferine-RBD complexes were stable for up to 50 ns below 0.5 nm. Our results provide valuable insights into this mechanism, which sheds light on future structure-based designs of high-potency inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2.

An Analysis Based on Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Study of Bromelain as Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Variants

The rapid spread of a novel coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2 has compelled the entire world to seek ways to weaken this virus, prevent its spread and also eliminate it. However, no drug has been approved to treat COVID-19. Furthermore, the receptor-binding domain (RBD) on this viral spike protein, as well as several other important parts of this virus, have recently undergone mutations, resulting in new virus variants. While no treatment is currently available, a naturally derived molecule with known antiviral properties could be used as a potential treatment. Bromelain is an enzyme found in the fruit and stem of pineapples. This substance has been shown to have a broad antiviral activity. In this article, we analyse the ability of bromelain to counteract various variants of the SARS-CoV-2 by targeting bromelain binding on the side of this viral interaction with human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation approaches. We have succeeded in making three-dimensional configurations of various RBD variants using protein modelling. Bromelain exhibited good binding affinity toward various variants of RBDs and binds right at the binding site between RBDs and hACE2. This result is also presented in the modelling between Bromelain, RBD, and hACE2. The molecular dynamics (MD) simulations study revealed significant stability of the bromelain and RBD proteins separately up to 100 ns with an RMSD value of 2 Å. Furthermore, despite increases in RMSD and changes in Rog values of complexes, which are likely due to some destabilized interactions between bromelain and RBD proteins, two proteins in each complex remained bonded, and the site where the two proteins bind remained unchanged. This finding indicated that bromelain could have an inhibitory effect on different SARS-CoV-2 variants, paving the way for a new SARS-CoV-2 inhibitor drug. However, more in vitro and in vivo research on this potential mechanism of action is required.

Bioactive Compounds from Medicinal Plants and their Possible Effect as Therapeutic Agents against COVID-19: A Review

Background:

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 117 million people worldwide and caused almost 2.6 million deaths. Currently, the appropriate therapeutic drugs are not yet available to treat diseases caused by this coronavirus infection. This is due to the fact that discoveries and developments of new medications require a lot of time and resources. The alternative solution for this viral infection is to utilize medicinal plant-based bioactive compounds as therapeutic agents to fight against COVID-19.

Methods:

Herein, through an extensive search of the literature, we reviewed the potential of some bioactive compounds from medicinal plants as therapeutic agents against COVID-19. The results of this review still require further investigation to clinically validate them, either in vitro or in vivo, in order to find the effective antiviral drugs from medicinal plants for COVID-19 treatment.

Results:

From a total of 60 identified medicinal plants, 50 of them have possible effects as therapeutic agents against particular target proteins encoded by the coronavirus genes such as Nsp1, Nsp3 (Nsp3b, Nsp3c, PLpro and Nsp3e), Nsp7-Nsp8, Nsp9-Nsp10, Nsp14-Nsp16 complexes, 3CLpro, E protein, ORF7a, Spike (S) glycoprotein, C-terminal RNA binding domain (CRBD), N-terminal RNA binding domain (NRBD), helicase and RdRp. The most common bioactive compounds from the medicinal plants as therapeutic agents for COVID-19 treatment were flavonoid compounds.

Conclusion:

Medicinal plants can serve as starting points for therapeutic agent development against some target proteins of SARS-CoV-2. Nevertheless, the results require clinical validation, either in vitro or in vivo, for COVID-19 treatment.

Protective Effects of Acehnese Traditionally Fermented Coconut Oil (Pliek U Oil)1 and its Residue (Pliek U) in Ointment against UV Light Exposure: Studies on Male Wistar Rat Skin (Rattus novergicus)

A protective effect of Acehnese traditionally fermented coconut oil (Pliek U oil) and its residue (Pliek U) have been studied against UVB radiation. The research was performed by preparing the active ingredient in ointment formulation and protective test in male Wistar rat skin (Rattus novergicus). Four different extraction methods were done to produce four active ingredients, that are Pliek U oil (PUO), ethanolic Pliek U oil extract (EPUOE), ethanolic Pliek U extract (EPUE), and ethanolic hexane residue Pliek U extract (EHRPUE). The protective effect was determined based on the erythema index (EI), melanin index (MI), and level of protein oxidation parameters. The protective level from each active ingredient was studied by PCA analysis. The result showed that the active ingredient could inhibit the redness and protein oxidation in skin tissue. PCA results show that concentration (20 v. 40%) does not affect the protection level of the active ingredients of Pliek U oil, but it does affect the one of Pliek U. Therefore, these active ingredients are potential for sunscreen application.

Appraisals of the Bangladeshi Medicinal Plant Calotropis gigantea Used by Folk Medicine Practitioners in the Management of COVID-19: A Biochemical and Computational Approach

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first recognized in Wuhan in late 2019 and, since then, had spread globally, eventually culminating in the ongoing pandemic. As there is a lack of targeted therapeutics, there is certain opportunity for the scientific community to develop new drugs or vaccines against COVID-19 and so many synthetic bioactive compounds are undergoing clinical trials. In most of the countries, due to the broad therapeutic spectrum and minimal side effects, medicinal plants have been used widely throughout history as traditional healing remedy. Because of the unavailability of synthetic bioactive antiviral drugs, hence all possible efforts have been focused on the search for new drugs and alternative medicines from different herbal formulations. In recent times, it has been assured that the Mpro, also called 3CLpro, is the SARS-CoV-2 main protease enzyme responsible for viral reproduction and thereby impeding the host's immune response. As such, Mpro represents a highly specified target for drugs capable of inhibitory action against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As there continue to be no clear options for the treatment of COVID-19, the identification of potential candidates has become a necessity. The present investigation focuses on the in silico pharmacological activity of Calotropis gigantea, a large shrub, as a potential option for COVID-19 Mpro inhibition and includes an ADME/T profile analysis of that ligand. For this study, with the help of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of C. gigantea methanolic leaf extract, a total of 30 bioactive compounds were selected. Our analyses unveiled the top four options that might turn out to be prospective anti-SARS-CoV-2 lead molecules; these warrant further exploration as well as possible application in processes of drug development to combat COVID-19.

Potential of Plant Bioactive Compounds as SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro) and Spike (S) Glycoprotein Inhibitors: A Molecular Docking Study

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 19) pandemic, researchers have been trying to investigate several active compounds found in plants that have the potential to inhibit the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). The present study aimed to evaluate bioactive compounds found in plants using a molecular docking approach to inhibit the main protease (Mpro) and spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. The evaluation was performed on the docking scores calculated using AutoDock Vina (AV) as a docking engine. A rule of five (Ro5) was calculated to determine whether a compound meets the criteria as an active drug orally in humans. The determination of the docking score was performed by selecting the best conformation of the protein-ligand complex that had the highest affinity (most negative Gibbs' free energy of binding/ΔG). As a comparison, nelfinavir (an antiretroviral drug), chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine sulfate (antimalarial drugs recommended by the FDA as emergency drugs) were used. The results showed that hesperidin, nabiximols, pectolinarin, epigallocatechin gallate, and rhoifolin had better poses than nelfinavir, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine sulfate as spike glycoprotein inhibitors. Hesperidin, rhoifolin, pectolinarin, and nabiximols had about the same pose as nelfinavir but were better than chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine sulfate as Mpro inhibitors. This finding implied that several natural compounds of plants evaluated in this study showed better binding free energy compared to nelfinavir, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine sulfate, which so far are recommended in the treatment of COVID-19. From quantum chemical DFT calculations, the ascending order of chemical reactivity of selected compounds was pectolinarin > hesperidin > rhoifolin > morin > epigallocatechin gallate. All isolated compounds' C=O regions are preferable for an electrophilic attack, and O-H regions are suitable for a nucleophilic attack. Furthermore, Homo-Lumo and global descriptor values indicated a satisfactory remarkable profile for the selected compounds. As judged by the RO5 and previous study by others, the compounds kaempferol, herbacetin, eugenol, and 6-shogaol have good oral bioavailability, so they are also seen as promising candidates for the development of drugs to treat infections caused by SARS-CoV-2. The present study identified plant-based compounds that can be further investigated in vitro and in vivo as lead compounds against SARS-CoV-2.

Polyurethane film prepared from ball-milled algal polyol particle and activated carbon filler for NH3-N removal

This research offers a novel approach of free chemical preparation to obtain algae-based biopolyol through a ball milling method. The algae-based polyurethane (AlgPU) film was obtained from a casting solution made of ball-milled algal polyol particle and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). The characteristics of the material had been investigated using Fourier Transform Infrared, Scanning Electron Microscopy – Electron Dispersive Spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and Tensile Strength Analysis. The surface area was determined by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) isotherm, meanwhile the total pore volume was by Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) isotherm, based on the adsorption-desorption of N₂. The addition of activated carbon contributed in the increase of functional group and surface area, which were important for the NH₃–N removal. As a result, the adsorption capacity increased greatly after the addition of activated carbon (from 187.84 to 393.43 μg/g). The results also suggested AlgPU as a good matrix for immobilizing activated carbon filler. The adsorption shows a better fit with Langmuir isotherm model, with R² = 0.97487 and root-mean-square error (RMSE) = 33.91952, compared to Freundlich isotherm model (R² = 0.96477 and RMSE = 44.05388). This means the NH₃–N adsorption followed the assumption of homogenous and monolayer adsorption, in which the maximum adsorption was found to be 797.95 μg/g. This research suggests the potential of newly developed material for NH₃–N removal.

Antibacterial Activity Tests of N-hexane, Ethyl Acetate, and Methanol Leaves (Vitex) Extract (pinnata) against Streptococcus mutans

BACKGROUND: Vitex pinnata is known as Laban, which is a medicinal plant used traditionally for generations to generations. Laban leaf extract with various concentrations has antibacterial activity. Laban leaf extract is known to inhibit the formation of Streptococcus mutant in human teeth. AIM: To exam, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum kill concentration (KBM) extract Laban leaves (V. pinnata) as an antibacterial against Streptococcus mutants. METHODS: This research was purely experimental research with design randomized pretest-posttest and control group. The study was conducted at the Laboratory Microbiology Faculty of Animal Health, Syiah Kuala University, Banda Aceh, from March to June 2019. The sample of this study was the Laban leaf from the Aceh Besar geothermal area. This research included preparation raw materials, chemical characterization of raw materials, determination of minimum and maximum components mixture, determining the optimum formula based on the best inhibitory potential, inhibitory testing antibacterial, standardized test, and test (one-way ANOVA). RESULTS: MIC of n-hexane extract showed the results of calculations; the percentage of bacterial inhibition was at a MIC of 1.56% on average colony −1.45 CFU/ml. In ethyl acetate extract, the MIC was 0.20% on the average colony −0.17 CFU/ml. The methanol extract can inhibit bacteria at the smallest concentration of 0.05% average colony −1.48 CFU/ml. Methanol extract inhibits bacteria more quickly. Concentration results minimum kill was 1.56%, 0.78%, 0.39%, 0.20%, 0.10%, and 0.05%. The smallest concentration of extract (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol) can kill Streptococcus mutans bacteria that are marked in the absence of bacterial colonies on microbiological growth media. CONCLUSION: Extracts of n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol from Laban leaves have inhibitory activity on the growth of S. mutans bacteria. The smallest concentration of extract (n-hexane, ethyl acetate, and methanol) is able to kill S. mutans bacteria.

The effect of column and temperature variation on the determination of the dead time in gas chromatographic systems using indirect methods

The precise determination of the dead time is essential in a chromatography system as it is a primary parameter for the determination of other secondary parameters such as the adjusted retention time, relative retention time, retention factor and retention index. Several of the indirect methods used for the determination of the dead time in this study were iteration, nonlinear, spreadsheet and statistics methods, which were implemented using the ANSI C programming language. The calculation of each method was tested with temperature and column variations for measuring the retention time of a n-alkane homologous series and accuracy analysis of each mathematical method (indirect method) to the marker substance (direct method). Changes in the temperature and column variations (type, polarity and column length) affected the calculation of the dead time values but did not affect its accuracy. The value of the dead time generated by the non-linear method was relatively high, with errors above 10%, while the other methods utilized are quite good with errors below 8% regardless of the column and temperature variations.

Potential of Plant Bioactive Compounds as SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease (Mpro) and Spike (S) Glycoprotein Inhibitors: A Molecular Docking Study

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 19) pandemic, researchers have been trying to investigate several active compounds found in plants that have the potential to inhibit the proliferation of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). The present study aimed to evaluate bioactive compounds found in plants using a molecular docking approach to inhibit the main protease (M^pro) and spike (S) glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2. The evaluation was performed on the docking scores calculated using AutoDock Vina (AV) as a docking engine. A rule of five (Ro5) was calculated to determine whether a compound meets the criteria as an active drug orally in humans. The determination of the docking score was performed by selecting the best conformation of the protein-ligand complex that had the highest affinity (most negative Gibbs' free energy of binding/ΔG). As a comparison, nelfinavir (an antiretroviral drug), chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine sulfate (antimalarial drugs recommended by the FDA as emergency drugs) were used. The results showed that hesperidin, nabiximols, pectolinarin, epigallocatechin gallate, and rhoifolin had better poses than nelfinavir, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine sulfate as spike glycoprotein inhibitors. Hesperidin, rhoifolin, pectolinarin, and nabiximols had about the same pose as nelfinavir but were better than chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine sulfate as M^pro inhibitors. This finding implied that several natural compounds of plants evaluated in this study showed better binding free energy compared to nelfinavir, chloroquine, and hydroxychloroquine sulfate, which so far are recommended in the treatment of COVID-19. From quantum chemical DFT calculations, the ascending order of chemical reactivity of selected compounds was pectolinarin > hesperidin > rhoifolin > morin > epigallocatechin gallate. All isolated compounds' C=O regions are preferable for an electrophilic attack, and O-H regions are suitable for a nucleophilic attack. Furthermore, Homo-Lumo and global descriptor values indicated a satisfactory remarkable profile for the selected compounds. As judged by the RO5 and previous study by others, the compounds kaempferol, herbacetin, eugenol, and 6-shogaol have good oral bioavailability, so they are also seen as promising candidates for the development of drugs to treat infections caused by SARS-CoV-2. The present study identified plant-based compounds that can be further investigated in vitro and in vivo as lead compounds against SARS-CoV-2.

Construction of a Hydrogel Pectin-Based Triglyceride Optical Biosensor with Immobilized Lipase Enzymes

A novel and simple optical biosensor to detect triglycerides (TGs) has been successfully constructed by using pectin hydrogel membrane as the indicator pH and chromoionophore ETH 5294 (CI), with lipase as the catalyst. The enzymatic working system against TGs releasing H⁺ ions will affect the color absorbance of CI. The characterization results show that a TG biosensor has the optimum condition and sensitivity at the phosphate buffer concentration of 50 mM, pH 7, and enzyme loading of 60 μg. The biosensor works at the tripalmitin (TP) concentration range of 100–400 mg/dL. With the sensitivity of 0.001 (∆A/(mg/dL)), the biosensor response reaches stability after five minutes, and the limit of detection (LOD) of the TG optical biosensor is 15 mg/dL. Relative standard deviation (RSD) in a reproducibility test was 2.5%, with a 15-day lifespan.

Underlying Physical Process for the Unusual Spectral Quality of Double Pulse Laser Spectroscopy in He Gas

This study is aimed at elucidating the physical processes responsible for the excellent spectral qualities in terms of full width at half-maximum (fwhm) and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio shown in a special double pulse laser-induced spectroscopy. Apart from the use of atmospheric He ambient gas, the achievement is due to the first laser for generating He gas plasma and the subsequent use of the second laser pulse for target ablation, in opposite order of the two-laser operations in conventional double pulse LIBS. This setup allows adjustments of the many experimental parameters to yield the optimal condition resulting in 0.03 nm fwhm and around 1000× S/N ratio of Cu I 521.8 nm and far surpasses the spectral qualities obtained by other techniques. This is obtained by allowing the crucial separation of the target plasma from the He gas plasma and thereby enabling the He-assisted excitation (HAE) to play its full and unique role of nonthermal excitation, taking advantage of metastable excited He atoms in the He plasma and the Penning-like energy transfer process. This excellent performance is further verified by its successful application analysis of Cr in low alloy steel samples, with the presence of smooth linear calibration lines, signifying the absence of the self-absorption effect well-known in ordinary LIBS.

Formation and emission characteristics of CN molecules in laser induced low pressure He plasma and its applications to N analysis in coal and fossilization study

Presented in this paper are the results of an experimental study on the laser induced plasma emission of a number of CN free samples (urea, sucrose) with 40 mJ pulse energy using He and N₂ ambient gases. It is shown that the CN emission has its exclusive sources in the molecules produced as the result of chemical bonding either between the ablated C and N ions in the He plasma or between the ablated C and dissociated N from the N₂ ambient gas. The emission intensities in both cases are found to have the highest values at the low gas pressure of 2 kPa. The emission in He gas is shown to exhibit the typical characteristics related to a shockwave generated excitation mechanism. The experiments using He ambient gas further demonstrate the feasible laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy application to quantitative and sensitive N analysis of coal and promising application for practical in situ carbon dating of fossils.

Inspired by Nature: The use of Plant-derived Substrate/Enzyme Combinations to Generate Antimicrobial Activity in situ

The last decade has witnessed a renewed interest in antimicrobial agents. Plants have received particular attention and frequently rely on the spontaneous enzymatic conversion of an inactive precursor to an active agent. Such two-component substrate/enzyme defence systems can be reconstituted ex vivo. Here, the alliin/alliinase system from garlic seems to be rather effective against Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whilst the glucosinolate/myrosinase system from mustard appears to be more active against certain bacteria. Studies with myrosinase also confirm that enzyme and substrate can be added sequentially. Ultimately, such binary systems hold considerable promise and may be employed in a medical or agricultural context.

Inspired by Nature: The Use of Plant-derived Substrate/Enzyme Combinations to Generate Antimicrobial Activity in situ

The last decade has witnessed a renewed interest in antimicrobial agents. Plants have received particular attention and frequently rely on the spontaneous enzymatic conversion of an inactive precursor to an active agent. Such two-component substrate/enzyme defence systems can be reconstituted ex vivo. Here, the alliin/alliinase system from garlic seems to be rather effective against Saccharomyces cerevisiae, whilst the glucosinolate/myrosinase system from mustard appears to be more active against certain bacteria. Studies with myrosinase also confirm that enzyme and substrate can be added sequentially. Ultimately, such binary systems hold considerable promise and may be employed in a medical or agricultural context.