Al-Quds University

About: Al-Quds University is a education organization based out in East Jerusalem, Palestinian Territory. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Microemulsion. The organization has 956 authors who have published 1491 publications receiving 34293 citations.

Disproportionation of hydrophobic dihydroarenes by recyclable rhodium and palladium catalysts in aqueous microemulsions

Abstract: In the course of our attempts to replace the traditional, but harmful, organic solvents in synthetic processes by environmentally favored benign media, we studied the disproportionation of hydrophobic vicinal dihydroarenes in water. This reaction takes place efficiently by either sol–gel-entrapped [(C 8 H 17 ) 3 NCH 3 ][RhCl 4 ] ion pair or by immobilized Pd(OAc) 2 , together with a suitable surfactant to give tetrahydroarenes and fully aromatic products. Since a slow dehydrogenation process accompanies this process the latter products are usually formed in excess. The reactions are also accompanied by transformation of the heterogenized catalysts into sol–gel-stabilized metallic particles, which can be recycled without loss of activity for at least five runs. The rhodium (but not the palladium) promoted disproportionations that follow the pseudo first order rate law. The reactions are influenced by both the electronic and steric structures of the dihydroarenes, as well as by the nature of the surfactant and by the hydrophobicity of the ceramic sol–gel support. Deuterio-labeling indicates slight involvement of the water in the disproportionation process.

Bi-allelic truncating mutations in VWA1 cause neuromyopathy.

Abstract: The von Willebrand Factor A domain containing 1 protein, encoded by VWA1, is an extracellular matrix protein expressed in muscle and peripheral nerve. It interacts with collagen VI and perlecan, two proteins that are affected in hereditary neuromuscular disorders. Lack of VWA1 is known to compromise peripheral nerves in a Vwa1 knock-out mouse model. Exome sequencing led us to identify bi-allelic loss of function variants in VWA1 as the molecular cause underlying a so far genetically undefined neuromuscular disorder. We detected six different truncating variants in 15 affected individuals from six families of German, Arabic, and Roma descent. Disease manifested in childhood or adulthood with proximal and distal muscle weakness predominantly of the lower limbs. Myopathological and neurophysiological findings were indicative of combined neurogenic and myopathic pathology. Early childhood foot deformity was frequent, but no sensory signs were observed. Our findings establish VWA1 as a new disease gene confidently implicated in this autosomal recessive neuromyopathic condition presenting with child-/adult-onset muscle weakness as a key clinical feature.

Nuclear Spin Selective Torsional States: Implications of Molecular Symmetry

Abstract: By Steffen Belz, Omar Deeb, Leticia González, Thomas Grohmann1,∗, Daniel Kinzel, Monika Leibscher,, Jörn Manz,, Rana Obaid2,3,∗, Markus Oppel3,∗, George Densingh Xavier,, and Shmuel Zilberg 1 Institut für Chemie and Biochemie, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustraße 3, 14195 Berlin, Germany 2 Faculty of Pharmacy, Al-Quds University, Abu Dis, Palestine 3 Institut für Theoretische Chemie, Universität Wien, Währinger Straße 17, 1090 Vienna, Austria 4 Institut für Theoretische Physik, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Appelstraße 2, 30167 Hannover, Germany 5 Laser Spectroscopy Laboratory, Shanxi University, Wucheng Road 92, 030006 Taiyuan, China 6 Institute of Chemistry, The Edmond Safra Campus, Givat Ram, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91904 Jerusalem, Israel 7 Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, 600 032 Madras, India

Suppressive Effects of Octyl Gallate on Streptococcus mutans Biofilm Formation, Acidogenicity, and Gene Expression.

Abstract: The accumulation of biofilm by Streptococcus mutans bacteria on hard tooth tissues leads to dental caries, which remains one of the most prevalent oral diseases. Hence, the development of new antibiofilm agents is of critical importance. The current study reports the results from testing the effectiveness of octyl gallate (C8-OG) against: (1) S. mutans biofilm formation on solid surfaces (polystyrene, glass), (2) acidogenicity, (3) and the expression of biofilm-related genes. The amount of biofilm formed by S. mutans bacteria was evaluated using the colorimetric method and optical profilometry. The pH of the biofilm growth medium was measured with microelectrode. A quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to assess the expression of genes encoding glucan binding protein B (gbpB), glucosyltransferases B, -C, -D (gtfB, -C, -D), and the F-ATPase β subunit of the F1 protein (atpD). The results show that C8-OG significantly diminished biofilm formation by exposed S. mutans on solid surfaces and suppressed acidogenicity in a dose-dependent manner, compared to unexposed bacteria (p < 0.05). The C8-OG concentration of 100.24 µM inhibited S. mutans biofilm development on solid surfaces by 100% and prevented a decrease in pH levels by 99%. In addition, the RT-qPCR data demonstrate that the biofilm-producing bacteria treated with C8-OG underwent a significant reduction in gene expression in the case of the four genes under study (gbpB, gtfC, gtfD, and atpD), and there was a slight decrease in expression of the gtfB gene. However, C8-OG treatments did not produce significant expression change compared to the control for the planktonic cells, although there was a significant increase for the atpD gene. Therefore, C8-OG might be a potent antibiofilm and/or anticaries agent for oral formulations that aim to reduce the prevalence of dental caries.

On the Usage of the Faraday Effect as an Authentication Technique for Vegetable Oils

Abstract: In this study we report on the measurements of the Verdet constant for olive and other vegetable oils. Study of samples stored for different periods at different storage conditions showed that each olive oil sample has a Verdet constant value depending on: production year, history of the sample (i.e. storage conditions) and geographical region. Photo and auto oxidations are found to have reverse effects on the value of the measured Verdet constant, on the one hand, photo-oxidation tends to decrease the Verdet constant, but on the other hand auto-oxidation tends to increase it. It is known that oils stored in room light had significantly lower tocopherol, carotenoid, and chlorophyll contents than did the same oils kept in the dark. For other vegetable oil samples, each vegetable oil was found to have a distinct Verdet constant value. Thus it is possible to differentiate vegetable oils making use of their respective Verdet constants. Preliminary results indicated the possibility to detect olive oil adulteration using the Faraday Effect, i.e. the effect could be suggested as a food authentication technique if calibration curves and standard Verdet constants values could be prepared for comparison with those of samples under investigation.