Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences

Genetic and epigenetic changes characterize the multi-step process of breast carcinogenesis. It is believed that abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression has a role in the onset and progression of breast cancer. This study aimed to examine the link between miRNA-127 and miRNA-138 and metastasis, tumor invasion, and apoptosis in Egyptian women with breast cancer, as well as their correlation with its molecular types. A total of 150 participants were included in this study, including 75 women with breast cancer and 75 supposedly healthy women who were age and gender-matched. Every patient underwent a thorough physical examination, a general clinical examination, a mammogram, and lab tests, such as the determination of the levels of miRNA-127 and miRNA-138 expression by real-time PCR and the measurement of blood carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carcinoma antigen 15–3 (CA15-3) and CA15-3 and CEA levels. There was a significant low expression of miRNA-127 in favor of high TNM stage (Classification of Malignant Tumors), left-sided tumor, metastasis, high-grade disease, increased axillary nodal involvement, absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors, and low antigen Kiel 67 (Ki67) expression. Also, a significant expression of miRNA 127 in triple-negative breast cancer was found, followed by human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) overexpression, then luminal B, and the highest expression was with the Luminal A molecular subtype. A significant negative correlation existed between miRNA 127 and miRNA 138 with CEA and CA15.3 levels. The miRNA-127 and miRNA-138 suppression may promote metastasis. Consequently, the restoration of miRNA-127 and miRNA-138 in breast cancer may have therapeutic potential; so, the miRNA-127 and miRNA-138 may play a role in breast cancer development.

Recently, there is increased demand for periodontal plastic surgery and development of new surgical approaches for aesthetic purposes. Gingival recession (GR) is the exposure of the root surfaces leading to esthetic problems, hypersensitivity, caries of the roots and teeth loss. Coronally advanced flap is considered a predictable treatment of GR but it needs a filler like subperiosteal connective tissue graft (CTG) which is considered as the gold standard treatment approach. The aim of the present study is to compare the clinical benefits and effectiveness of a xenogenic collagen matrix (mucoderm, botiss, dental, Berlin, Germany) to CTG for treatment of GR. Regarding clinical parameters, mean preoperative values for attached gingiva, probing depth, clinical attachment loss and gingival recession for group I were (1.8 ± 0.7 mm, 1.2 ± 0.3 mm, 6.6 ± 0.4 mm and 5.4 ± 0.2 mm) respectively. While mean postoperative values were (2.3 ± 0.9 mm, 1.1 ± 0.4 mm, 3.4 ± 0.5 mm and 2.7 ± 0.7 mm For group two preoperative mean values were (1.9 ± 0.3 mm, 1.1 ± 0.5 mm, 6.8 ± 0.5 mm and 5.4 ± 0.2 mm) respectively. While mean for postoperative values of attached gingiva, probing depth, clinical attachment loss and gingival recession for group tow were (2.5 ± 0.6 mm, 0.8 ± 0.3 mm, 3.7 ± 0.2 mm and 3.1 ± 0.3 mm) respectively All of the clinical parameters measured showed a significant difference between pre ad postoperative measurements while there was no significant differences between the two groups (test and control group). Regarding the patients satisfaction the percentage was greater in test group but the difference was not statistically significant. In general, all of the parameters measured showed a significant difference between pre and postoperative measurements for each group but there is no significant difference between the two groups using (two treatment approaches. Both treatment procedures are considered efficient in increasing zone of attached gingiva and decreasing its clinical attachment loss. Mucoderm is considered as an efficient alternative to CTG for treatment of gingival recession.

Inflammation is known to involve in many pathological processes of different diseases, but the current therapy causes adverse effects. Thus, there is a great interest for the discovery of flavonoids as a valuable alternative to classical analgesic and anti-inflammatory agent with dual-inhibitory action, especially on both COX-2 and 5-LOX which can minimize or overcome this problem. In the present work, drug-likeness properties of the synthesized flavonoids via Lipinski’s Rule of Five were predicted using QikProp prior to evaluation of their COX and LOX inhibitory activities using enzyme assays. Subsequently, molecular docking was performed using GLIDE to analyse their binding behaviour. The results showed that all compounds obeyed the Lipinski’s Rule of Five. NPC6 and NPC7 had displayed better selectivity towards COX-2 as compared to Indomethacin with less than 50% inhibition against COX-1. In addition, these compounds also inhibited activity of 5-LOX. Their selectivity to COX-2 was due to the binding to hydrophobic region and extends to lobby region near the entrance of COX binding site forming hydrogen bond with Ser530. Interestingly, these compounds showed a similar binding mode as Zileuton in the active site of 5-LOX and formed hydrogen bond interaction with Ala424. NPC6 and NPC7 had potential as dual inhibitor of COX-2 and 5-LOX. The scaffolds of these chemical entities are useful to be as lead compounds for the dual inhibition of COX-2 and 5-LOX.

Carbon dots, CDs, have excellent photoluminescence properties, good biocompatibility, low toxicity and good light stability. The optical, magnetic and electronic properties of CDs make them a hugely relevant tool to be used in pharmaceutical analysis, bioimaging, drug delivery, and other fields. The fluorescence of carbon nanodots makes it suitable for assay of some nitrogenous compounds of high pharmaceutical interest. In this work, we develop simple, fast and green spectrophotometric methods for quantification of Azithromycin and Rasagiline mesilate using synthesized fluorescent CDs from garlic peels. The spectrometric methods depend on stoichiometric reactions of both drugs with fluorescent CDs. Carbon dots exhibit a declared absorption peak λmax at 238 nm and potent fluorimetric emission at λem 528 nm, upon excitation at λex 376 nm. Drugs’ concentrations in ppm are efficiently calculated using Stern–Volmer Equation. Decrease in fluorescence (ΔF = Fo − F) and the F-ratio values are linearly correlated to molar concentration of each quencher (drug). A significant linear diminish in the dots’ measured absorbance and fluorimetric emission values was observed. Validation of all the developed methods was according to the ICH guidelines. In a new way, this work successfully indicates, spectrometric methods for rapid detection of two non-fluorophoric nitrogenous compounds using potent carbon nanodots. Consequently, these green developed methods offer several benefits as simplicity, ease of quantification, accuracy and precision that encourage the application of the developed methods in routine analysis of Azithromycin and Rasagiline mesilate in quality control laboratories as analytical tool.