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Causal nexus between energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission for Malaysia using maximum entropy bootstrap approach

Gul S, Zou X, Hassan CH, Azam M, Zaman K

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int, 2015 Dec;22(24):19773-85.
PMID: 26282441 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5185-0

This study investigates the relationship between energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission in the causal framework, as the direction of causality remains has a significant policy implication for developed and developing countries. The study employed maximum entropy bootstrap (Meboot) approach to examine the causal nexus between energy consumption and carbon dioxide emission using bivariate as well as multivariate framework for Malaysia, over a period of 1975-2013. This is a unified approach without requiring the use of conventional techniques based on asymptotical theory such as testing for possible unit root and cointegration. In addition, it can be applied in the presence of non-stationary of any type including structural breaks without any type of data transformation to achieve stationary. Thus, it provides more reliable and robust inferences which are insensitive to time span as well as lag length used. The empirical results show that there is a unidirectional causality running from energy consumption to carbon emission both in the bivariate model and multivariate framework, while controlling for broad money supply and population density. The results indicate that Malaysia is an energy-dependent country and hence energy is stimulus to carbon emissions.
Fulltext Anti-inflammatory and antiplatelet activities of plasma are conserved across twelve mammalian species

Ahmed S, Gul S, Idris F, Hussain A, Zia-Ul-Haq M, Jaafar HZ, et al.

Molecules, 2014;19(8):11385-94.
PMID: 25090125 DOI: 10.3390/molecules190811385

Human plasma inhibits arachidonic acid metabolism and platelet aggregation. This helps human form a haemostatic control system that prevents the progress of certain aggregatory or inflammatory reactions. Whether this property of plasma is unique to human or extends to other species is not well known. It is speculated that this protective ability of plasma remains evolutionarily conserved in different mammals. In order to confirm this, the effect of plasma from 12 different mammalian species was investigated for its inhibitory potential against arachidonic acid metabolism and platelet aggregation. Metabolism of arachidonic acid by cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase pathways was studies using radio-immuno assay and thin layer chromatography while platelet aggregation in the plasma of various mammals was monitored following turbedmetric method in a dual channel aggregometer. Results indicate that inhibition of AA metabolism and platelet aggregation is a common feature of plasma obtained from different mammalian species, although there exists large interspecies variation. This shows that besides human, other mammals also possess general protective mechanisms against various aggregatory and inflammatory conditions and this anti-inflammatory property of the plasma is evolutionarily conserved in mammalian species. The most likely candidates responsible for these properties of plasma include haptoglobin, albumin and lipoproteins.
Syntheses of new 3-thiazolyl coumarin derivatives, in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, and molecular modeling studies

Salar U, Taha M, Khan KM, Ismail NH, Imran S, Perveen S, et al.

Eur J Med Chem, 2016 Oct 21;122:196-204.
PMID: 27371923 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2016.06.037

3-Thiazolylcoumarin derivatives 1-14 were synthesized via one-pot two step reactions, and screened for in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. All compounds showed inhibitory activity in the range of IC50 = 0.12 ± 0.01-16.20 ± 0.23 μM as compared to standard acarbose (IC50 = 38.25 ± 0.12 μM), and also found to be nontoxic. Molecular docking study was carried out in order to establish the structure-activity relationship (SAR) which demonstrated that electron rich centers at one and electron withdrawing centers at the other end of the molecules showed strong inhibitory activity. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques such as EI-MS, HREI-MS, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR. CHN analysis was also performed.
Fulltext Multiple pathways are responsible for anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular activities of Hordeum vulgare L

Gul S, Ahmed S, Kifli N, Uddin QT, Batool Tahir N, Hussain A, et al.

J Transl Med, 2014;12:316.
PMID: 25428431 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-014-0316-9

Hordeum vulgare L. (HV or barley) is used by traditional healers to treat various inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases, without the knowledge of pharmacologic rationale behind its actions. This study was designed to explore the potential scientific mechanism(s) that could explain the use of Hordeum vulgare in traditional medicine as a treatment for various inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases.
Fulltext Can Pharmacists' Counseling Improve the Use of Inhalers and Quality of Life? A Prospective "Pre" and "Post" Education Analysis in Mardan, Pakistan

Gul S, Rehman IU, Goh KW, Ali Z, Rahman AU, Khalil A, et al.

J Asthma Allergy, 2023;16:679-687.
PMID: 37435420 DOI: 10.2147/JAA.S405943

INTRODUCTION: Asthma is one of the common major non-communicable respiratory diseases, and is associated with a lower health-related quality of life (QOL). Poor inhalation is a significant contributing factor to poor control of asthma. Community pharmacist has a vital role to play in assisting patients and ultimately improving their asthma conditions through the use of inhalers.
AIM: This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of "pre" and "post" educational intervention by a community pharmacist within a community pharmacy on asthma patients' QOL, inhaler technique, and adherence to therapy during the endemic phase of COVID-19.
METHODS: A "pre" and "post" interventional study was performed at a community pharmacy in the city of Mardan, Pakistan, in 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients were divided into two groups, ie control and pharmacist-led education groups. After assigning patients to both groups, the baseline data were collected and followed for one month to compare the reduction in errors in the use of inhalers, QOL, and adherence to therapy. A paired sample t-test was performed, keeping a p-value <0.05 as statistical significance.
RESULTS: A total of 60 patients were recruited, majority (58.3%) were females, and 28.3% were from the age group of 46-55 years old. A statistically significant difference was observed in the pre- and post-education QOL score among patients in the pharmacist-led education group, from a mean ± SD at pre-education of 40.23±10.03 to a mean±SD at post-education of 48.10±5.68. Similarly, a statistically significant difference was observed for the correct use of inhalers, ie MDIs and DPIs. Similarly, a statistically significant difference was observed in the adherence status between pre-education and post-education by pharmacists.
CONCLUSION: The findings of the study revealed a positive impact of community pharmacist-led education on QOL, inhaler technique, and adherence to therapy among patients with asthma.
Synthesis of 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone derivatives as potent PDE-1 and -3 inhibitors: in vitro and in silico insights

Alam A, Gul S, Zainab, Khan M, Elhenawy AA, Islam MS, et al.

Future Med Chem, 2024;16(12):1185-1203.
PMID: 38989989 DOI: 10.1080/17568919.2024.2342707

Aim: Synthesis of novel bis-Schiff bases having potent inhibitory activity against phosphodiesterase (PDE-1 and -3) enzymes, potentially offering therapeutic implications for various conditions. Methods: Bis-Schiff bases were synthesized by refluxing 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone with hydrazine hydrate, followed by treatment of substituted aldehydes with the resulting hydrazone to obtain the product compounds. After structural confirmation, the compounds were screened for their in vitro PDE-1 and -3 inhibitory activities. Results: The prepared compounds exhibited noteworthy inhibitory efficacy against PDE-1 and -3 enzymes by comparing with suramin standard. To clarify the binding interactions between the drugs, PDE-1 and -3 active sites, molecular docking studies were carried out. Conclusion: The potent compounds discovered in this study may be good candidates for drug development.
Effective adsorption of cadmium and lead using SO3H-functionalized Zr-MOFs in aqueous medium

Gul S, Ahmad Z, Asma M, Ahmad M, Rehan K, Munir M, et al.

Chemosphere, 2022 Nov;307(Pt 1):135633.
PMID: 35810866 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135633

Cadmium (Cd) and Lead (Pb) from industrial wastewater can bioaccumulate in the living organisms of water bodies, posing serious threats to human health. Therefore, efficient remediation of heavy metal ions of Cd (II) and Pb (II) in aqueous media is necessary for public health and environmental sustainability. In the present study, water stable Zirconium (Zr) based metal organic frameworks (MOFs) with SO3H functionalization were synthesized by solvothermal method and used first time for the adsorption of Cd (II) and Pb (II). Synthesis of UiO-66-SO3H, nano-sized (<100 nm) MOFs, was confirmed by FTIR, XRD, FESEM and BET. Effects of contact time, pH and temperature were investigated for adsorption of Cd (II) and Pb (II) onto SO3H-functionalized Zr-MOFs. The UiO-66-SO3H displayed notable rejections of 97% and 88% towards Cd (II) and Pb (II), respectively, after 160 min at 25 °C and pH (6) with an initial concentration of 1000 mg/L. Adsorption capacities of Cd (II) and Pb (II) were achieved as 194.9154 (mg/g) and 176.6879 (mg/g), respectively, at an initial concentration of 1000 mg/L. The Pseudo second-order kinetic model fitted well with linear regression (R2) of value 1. The mechanism was confirmed mainly as a chemisorption and coordination interaction between sulfone group (-SO3H) and metal ions Cd (IIa) and Pb (II). These results may support effective adsorption and can be studied further to enrich and recycle other heavy metals from wastewater.