Cairo University

About: Cairo University is a education organization based out in Giza, Egypt. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Medicine. The organization has 33532 authors who have published 55581 publications receiving 792654 citations. The organization is also known as: Fuad I University & King Fuad I University.

Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with ONNO asymmetric tetradentate Schiff base ligand: synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, theoretical calculations, DNA interaction and antimicrobial studies

Abstract: A novel Schiff base, namely Z-3-((2-((E)-(2-hydroxynaphthyl)methylene)amino)-5-nitrophenylimino)-1,3-dihydroindin-2-one, was synthesized from the condensation of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde and isatin with 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine. It was structurally characterized on the basis of 1H NMR, 13C NMR and infrared spectra and elemental analyses. In addition, Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of the Schiff base ligand were prepared. The nature of bonding and the stereochemistry of the investigated complexes were elucidated using several techniques, including elemental analysis (C, H, N), Fourier transform infrared and electronic spectroscopies and molar conductivity. The thermal behaviours of the complexes were studied and kinetic–thermodynamic parameters were determined using the Coats–Redfern method. Density functional theory calculations at the B3LYP/6-311G++ (d, p) level of theory were carried out to explain the equilibrium geometry of the ligand. The optimized geometry parameters of the complexes were evaluated using LANL2DZ basis set. The total energy of highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals, Mullikan atomic charges, dipole moment and orientation are discussed. Moreover, the interaction of the metal complexes with calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) was explored using electronic spectra, viscosity measurements and gel electrophoresis. The experimental evidence indicated that the two complexes could strongly bind to CT-DNA via an intercalation mechanism. The intrinsic binding constants of the investigated Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with CT-DNA were 1.02 × 106 and 2.15 × 106 M−1, respectively, which are higher than that of the standard ethidium bromide. Furthermore, the bio-efficacy of the ligand and its complexes was examined in vitro against the growth of bacteria and fungi to evaluate the antimicrobial potential. Based on the obtained results, the prepared complexes have promise for use as drugs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Biodegradable Ocular Inserts for Sustained Delivery of Brimonidine Tartarate: Preparation and In Vitro/In Vivo Evaluation

Abstract: The bioavailability of therapeutic agents from eye drops is usually limited due to corneal barrier functions and effective eye protective mechanisms. Therefore, the current study aims to enhance ocular bioavailability of brimonidine, a potent antiglaucoma drug, through the preparation of ocular inserts. Solvent casting technique was employed to prepare the inserts using polyvinylpyrrolidone K-90 (PVP K-90) as film-forming polymer blended with different viscosity grades of bioadhesive polymers namely hydroxypropyl methycellulose, carbopol, sodium alginate, and chitosan. The prepared ocular inserts were evaluated for various physicochemical parameters, swelling behavior, and in vitro release patterns. Sodium alginate-based ocular inserts revealed the most sustainment in drug release (99% at 6 h), so it was selected for further modifications via coating it, on one side or dual sides, using hydrophobic film composed of either ethylcellulose or Eudragit RSPO. The obtained in vitro release results for the modified ocular inserts revealed that ethylcellulose is superior to Eudragit RSPO in terms of brimonidine release sustainment effect. Ocular inserts composed of 7% PVP K-90, 1.5% low molecular weight sodium alginate with or without ethylcellulose coat were able to sustain the in vitro release of brimonidine. Their therapeutic efficacy regarding intraocular pressure (IOP) lowering effect when inserted in albino rabbits eyes showed superior sustainment effect compared with that of brimonidine solution. Furthermore, due to both the mucoadhesive property and the drug sustainment effect, the one-side-coated ocular insert showed more IOP lowering effect compared with that of its non-coated or dual-side-coated counterpart.

Occipital nerve blockade for cervicogenic headache: a double-blind randomized controlled clinical trial.

Abstract: Cervicogenic headache is a chronic hemicranial pain, usually occurring daily. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the effectiveness of nerve stimulator-guided occipital nerve blockade in the treatment of cervicogenic headache. The reduction in analgesic consumption was the primary outcome measure. Fifty adult patients diagnosed with cervicogenic headache were randomly divided into two equal groups of 25 patients each. All patients in both groups received greater and lesser occipital blocks, whereas only 16 patients in each group received facial nerve blockade in association with the occipital blocks. The control group received injections of an equivalent volume of preservative-free normal saline. Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Total Pain Index (TPI). Forty-seven patients entered into the final analysis as three patients were lost to follow-up. Anesthetic block was effective in reducing the VAS and the TPI by approximately 50% from baseline values (P = 0.0001). Analgesic consumption, duration of headache and its frequency, nausea, vomiting, photophobia, phonophobia, decreased appetite, and limitations in functional activities were significantly less in block group compared to control group (P < 0.05). The nerve stimulator-guided occipital nerve blockade significantly relieved cervicogenic headache and associated symptoms at two weeks following injection.

Protective Effects of L‐Arginine against Cisplatin‐Induced Renal Oxidative Stress and Toxicity: Role of Nitric Oxide

Abstract: Nephrotoxicity is a dose-limiting factor in clinical use of cisplatin. The changes in renal haemodynamics were suggested to play a role in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of modulation of nitric oxide on the severity of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity using an experimental rat model. A nitric oxide precursor, L-arginine and an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, L-NAME were used. After six days of cisplatin injection, acute nephrotoxicity was demonstrated by a marked increase in serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen. Histological examination of the kidneys confirmed the occurrence of renal damage. Moreover, cisplatin induced an increase in the level of lipid peroxides and oxidized glutathione and a depletion of reduced glutathione. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase were also lowered. Besides, there was a reduction in the kidney total nitrate/nitrite levels. L-arginine significantly attenuated the oxidative stress and nephrotoxic effect of cisplatin. On the other hand, L-NAME was found to aggravate cisplatin nephrotoxicity. In conclusion, the decrease in the kidney nitric oxide level contributes, at least in part, in the mechanism underlying the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin. Furthermore, L-arginine shows nephroprotective effects and might be useful in improving the therapeutic index of cisplatin.