Therapeutic effects of vitamin B17 against anabolic steroid Trenorol induced testicular toxicity, injury, DNA damage and apoptosis in male rats.

Several anabolic androgenic steroids (ASSs) are a group of synthetic molecules derived from testosterone and developed mainly for veterinary use that classed as a Schedule III and sometimes utilized by athletes to enlarge their muscles. Abuse of anabolic androgenic steroids can result in severe organ damage that cannot be repaired. Therefore; the objective of the current investigation was to examine the therapeutic effects of vitamin B17 (VitB17) on the testicular toxicity caused by the anabolic steroid Trenorol in male rats. Rats were randomly assigned into control, VitB17 (50 mg/kg b.wt./day, orally), Trenorol (received 10 mg/kg b.wt./week, IM) and Trenorol + VitB17 treated groups. At the end of experiment, hormonal assay, semen evaluation, testicular enzymes, and DNA damage were assessed. Besides, the histopathological and immunohistochemical investigations of the P53 expression were performed. Current results revealed that; Trenorol induced significant depletion in relative weights of testis (RWT), total testosterone follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH), sperm count, morphology index, viability, progressive motility, and testicular injury and a significant increase sperm abnormalities, testicular DNA damage and P53 experssions. Treatment of rats with Trenorol + VitB17 decreased the testicular toxicity, sperm parameters, DNA damage and apoptosis. We can conclude that; Trenorol induced toxicity, DNA damage and apoptosis in rat testis and treatments with VitB1 improved these parameters.

Histology, histochemistry and fine structure of the lacrimal gland in the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius).

Our research aimed to provide complete histological, histochemical and ultrastructural features of the lacrimal gland of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) as well as novel insights into its adaptability to the Egyptian desert. Our study was applied to 20 fresh lacrimal glands collected from 10 camels instantly after their slaughtering. The results revealed that the gland was a compound tubulo-acinar gland, and its acini were enclosed by a thick connective tissue capsule that was very rich in elastic and collagen fibres. The gland acini had irregular lumens and were composed of conical to pyramidal cells. The nuclei of secretory cells were found in the basal part, and the cytoplasm was eosinophilic and granular. The glandular tissue consisted of serous and mucous acini and seromucous secretory cells. Histochemically, there was a significant amount of neutral mucopolysaccharides in the acini in which mucous cells had a significant periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive reaction, whereas seromucous cells had a mild PAS-positive reaction. Ultrastructurally, the lacrimal cells had numerous secretory vesicles with contents of moderately to highly electron-dense cytoplasm. The nuclear envelope consisted of two prominent membranes surrounding the peri-nuclear cisterna. The acinar cells had numerous electron-lucent and moderately electron-dense secretory granules, mainly situated on the apical surface, and secreted their contents into the lumen. The luminal surface of the mucous secretory cells represents the remains of secretory granules discharged by the merocrine mechanism. In conclusion, the mucous secretion is believed to aid in the washing and moistening of the eyeball, particularly in dry, hot and dusty environments.

Morphometric and histopathological evaluation of modified Elnady's plastinated tissue compared to non-plastinated tissue: Highlighting its relevance for teaching and research.

The present study aims to evaluate the morphometric and histopathological properties of Modified Elnady's plastinated tissue after a period compared to non-plastinated tissue. The plastination technique is utilized in research and teaching due to the potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to formalin. The tissues and organs are permanently dried during plastination and can be used for further anatomical, histopathological and surgical educational purposes. This method involves drying tissue and allowing synthetic materials like glycerin to permeate it. The study compared non-plastinated and plastinated tissue post-plastination to determine if structural alterations differed from those linked to plastination. The study examined the histopathological examination of dogs' skin, muscles, liver, lung, and intestine using formalin-fixed organs for paraffin embedding and previously plastinated organs for a plastinated group. The study examined non-plastinated and plastinated tissues, their histological composition and biometric parameters revealing typical structures in the non-plastinated group. Plasmodiumted tissues exhibited a compacted appearance, volume changes, nuclear clarity, and cytoplasmic hypereosinophilia, with statistical differences between the two groups. The study reveals that plastinated tissues, after 5 years of plastination, maintain their histological architecture well, with some exceptions. Plastinated tissues can be utilized in future microscopic and immunological studies and will be beneficial for teaching and research.

Effect of Transplanted Bone Marrow on Spleen of Irradiated Pregnant Rats and Their Fetuses.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Prenatal ionizing radiation exposure may hinder fetal and embryonic growth depending on the dose and gestational age. The current study's objective was to discover how bone marrow transplants affected the spleens of pregnant rats that had been subjected to γ (Gamma) radiation. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Sixty rats that were pregnant were separated into five different groups, each with 6 females. The pregnant rats in the second Group were exposed to 2Gy of γ-rays. Group III; pregnant rats subjected to 2Gy of γ-rays, followed by an intraperitoneal injection of newly prepared bone marrow transplantation (BMT). The fifth Group were exposed to 2Gy γ-rays and received 1 dosage of BMT an hour later. Spleen samples from the pregnant rats as well as their fetuses were taken for histological and histochemical analyses. <b>Results:</b> Gamma rays damaged the splenic tissue of women and their fetuses on days 7 or 14 of pregnancy in a variety of histological and histochemical ways, although bone marrow transplantation significantly reduced the damage. Treated mothers with bone marrow post-radiation showed a noticeable recovery in spleen of their fetuses. Improved spleen architecture was accompanied by appearance of normal content of collagen, polysaccharides and total protein in the fetal spleen tissue especially on day 7 of gestation. <b>Conclusion:</b> Bone marrow transplantation can lessen the damage caused by gamma radiation.

Tongue microarchitecture and functional characterization of the lingual papillae in the desert hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus).

The present work attempted to provide a comprehensive description of the morphoanatomical, histological, and ultrastructural characteristics of the tongue in the desert hedgehog (Paraechinus aethiopicus), and to correlate lingual modifications to the feeding lifestyle. Five adult male hedgehogs were utilized in our investigation. The macroscopic observations revealed elongated, with a moderately pointed apex, tongue and the tongue dorsum lacks both lingual prominence and median sulcus. The main subdivisions of the tongue are radix linguae (root), corpus linguae (body), and apex linguae (apex). The tongue dorsum carries two types of mechanical (conical and filiform) and gustatory (fungiform and circumvallate) papillae. The lingual apex is characterized by the existence of a unique encapsulated muscular structure. Additionally, the lingual glands were interposed between the muscular strands and no lingual glands were detected on the lingual apex. The dorsal surface of the lingual apex exhibited the highest level of keratinization as revealed by histochemical staining while the root showed moderate staining. The topography of the tongue was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The obtained results are important to provide basic knowledge that can contribute to better understanding of the nourishment, feeding habits and behavior in this species. Furthermore, the addition of the newly investigated species may help us to determine the evolutionary relationships among species.

Effects of housing systems and feed additive on growth, carcass traits, liver function, oxidative status, thyroid function, and immune parameters of broilers.

The effects of rearing Cobb500 broiler chickens under 3 different housing systems (floor litter, floor plastic, and batteries) without or with feed additive (Butinov) on broiler performance, blood parameters and carcass traits were evaluated. Three hundred 1-day-old chicks were distributed in a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement (6 treatments each of 5 replicates). The results showed that reared broilers on litter or plastic floors had high values (P ≤ 0.01) of bird's weight (BW), weight gain (WG), and feed intake (FI) throughout the entire study period (1-42 d of age) compared with rearing on batteries. Rearing broilers in the different housing systems and with or without feed additives did not affect (P ≥ 0.05) total feed conversion (FCR). Different rearing systems or feed additives did not influence broiler chicks' carcass traits and some serum blood parameters. The plastic floor system significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05) blood serum corticosterone compared with litter and batteries. Feed additive (Butinov) decreased the level of T4 (P ≤ 0.05) in blood serum. Plastic floors or batteries significantly increased (P ≤ 0.01) the level of antibody titer against avian influenza virus (HIAV) compared to chicken reared on a litter floor. The results suggested that using housing systems of litter or plastic floors could improve broiler growth performance without adversely affecting carcass traits and blood characteristics compared with rearing in batteries. Also, broiler diets' feed additive (Butinov) and their interaction with rearing systems did not improve broiler growth performance.

Growth performance, liver and kidney functions, blood hormonal profile, and economic efficiency of broilers fed different levels of threonine supplementation during feed restriction.

The objective of the existing investigation was to determine the effect of dietary inclusion of threonine amino acid at different levels during feed restriction on growth indices, liver and kidney function parameters, and some hormonal profiles along with economic indicators in broiler chickens. A total of 1,600 from 2 different breeds (800 Ross 308 and 800 Indian River) at 21-day-old age were incorporated. Chicks were randomly assigned into 2 main groups, control and feed-restricted (8 h/d), during the fourth week of age. Each main group was subdivided into 4 groups. The first group was fed a basal diet without adding extra threonine (100%), the second, third, and fourth groups were fed a basal diet with extra threonine levels of 110, 120, and 130%, respectively. Each subgroup consisted of 10 replicates of 10 birds. We noticed that the dietary inclusion of threonine at extra levels in the basal diets significantly enhanced final body weight, body weight gain, and better feed conversion ratio. This was mainly due to the enhanced levels of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor (IGF1), triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4). Moreover, the lowest feed cost per kilogram body weight gain and improved return parameters were reported in control and feed-restricted birds fed higher levels of threonine than other groups. Also, a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and urea levels was observed in feed-restricted birds supplemented with 120 and 130% levels of threonine. Hence, we recommend supplementing threonine at levels of 120 and 130% in the diet of broilers to promote growth and profitability.

Molecular detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 in commercial broiler chicken farms from 2019 to 2022.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a serious viral infection that causes massive economic losses in poultry. The current study investigated the HPAI virus prevalence in commercial broiler chicken flocks from 2019 to 2022. Organ samples, including trachea, cecal tonsils, spleen, brain, as well as tracheal and cloacal swabs, were harvested from 111 problematic broiler chicken flocks that suffered from variable mortalities accompanied with respiratory signs (103 H5-vaccinated and 8 nonvaccinated flocks) in Egypt during the observation duration. Molecular tools were used to analyze the samples, including real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) and sequence analysis of some PCR positive strains. The results indicated that 24 flocks were positive for HPAI H5N8, representing 21.6%, with 22.3% (23/103) prevalence and 12.5% (1/8) detection in vaccinated and nonvaccinated flocks, respectively, and they were almost detected in the autumn and winter seasons. Phylogenetic evaluation of the hemagglutinin (HA) gene showed that the 6 Egyptian strains were clustered in clade 2.3.4.4b and allocated into 2 groups (I and II). The samples recovered in 2019 were clustered in new subgroup A, and samples recovered in 2020 to 2022 were clustered in new subgroup B with 10 nucleotide mutations (R72S, A83D, T140A). In conclusion, HPAI H5N8 is a serious threat even in vaccinated birds; to control such problems, periodic molecular monitoring with vaccine efficacy evaluation and the use of preventive strategies are recommended.

Melatonin pre-treated bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cells prompt wound healing in rat models.

Bone marrow derived-mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-based therapy is an outstanding candidate for cutaneous wound healing. Melatonin (MEL) has been reported for its anti-inflammatory as well as tissue regenerative properties. Existing work aimed to explore the potential healing power of BMSCs pre-treated with MEL in a skin wound model. Adult rats were allocated into control, PIO, BMSCs (1 × 105 cells), and MEL/BMSCs groups. On the 21 days post-wounding, tissues were sampled for analysis. The results demonstrated that compared to the control group, MEL/BMSCs therapy induced noticeable decline in wound area and elevated rate of wound retraction. Furthermore, marked increases in tissue hydroxyproline, as well as tissue content and gene expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor in MEL/BMSCs treated-wounded animals. Compared to the untreated control group, marked increases were found in antioxidant enzymatic activities together with elevated GSH levels in wounded tissues after MEL/BMSCs treatment. Moreover, therapeutically handled wounds with MEL/BMSCs revealed low levels of MDA, NO and protein carbonyls. Combined therapy with MEL/BMSCs relieved the inflammation witnessed by decreasing IL-1ß, TNF-α and NF-κB levels in wounded tissues. Furthermore, noteworthy rises in levels of TGF-ß and gene expression of α-SMA were noticed after MEL/BMSCs application that reveals their anti-scarring properties. Histologically, noticeable improvement in histopathological skin lesions in wound area and elevated the collagen synthesis and deposition. Collectively, the obtained data depict that the pre-treatment of BMSCs with MEL could potentially be a successful strategy for scaling-up the wound healing outcomes more than using BMSCs monotherapy in rat models.

Evaluation of fertility and embryo implantation in rats after the oral administration of Salvia officinalis (sage) extract / Evaluación de la fertilidad y la implantación de embriones en ratas después de la administración oral de extracto de Salvia officinalis (salvia)

SUMMARY: In Saudi Arabia, it is widely believed that women with reproductive problems can use the extract of the sage plant as a tea drink. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of this herb on the fertility of female rats and embryo implantation. Forty-eight Wistar virgin female rats were divided into four groups at random, with 12 rats in each group. The control group received distilled water orally. The three treatment groups received different concentrations of sage extract: 15, 60, or 100 mg/kg for 14 days before mating, then mated with a male and sacrificed on the 7th day of gestation, the uterine horns removed, and photographed. The total body weight of mothers, weight of uteri and ovaries and number of fetuses were determined. Ovarian and uteri tissues were cut into 5 µ sections and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Serum FSH, LH were determined by the ELISA method. The present study showed that low dose of sage (15 mg/kg) have no effects on serum concentration levels of FSH and LH hormones, also has no effect on the number of growing follicles. The present study showed a significant differences (P≤0.05) in body weight, ovary and uterus weight in the groups treated with high doses of Salvia officinalis as compared to control group. Also a significant differences (P≤0.05) found in FSH, LH hormones. Histological study showed overall histomorphological structural configurations including growing and matured graafian follicular countable changes, besides a number of corpora lutea and regressed follicles in the treated groups with high doses of Salvia officinalis as compared to control group. The researchers concluded that the extract of the sage plant with high doses can stimulate the growth graafian follicles and improve fertility in female rats.

RESUMEN: En Arabia Saudita, se cree ampliamente que las mujeres con problemas reproductivos pueden usar el extracto de la planta de salvia como bebida de té. Este estudio se realizó para investigar los efectos de esta hierba sobre la fertilidad de las ratas hembra y la implantación del embrión. Se dividieron cuarenta y ocho ratas hembra vírgenes Wistar en cuatro grupos al azar, con 12 ratas en cada grupo. El grupo control recibió agua destilada por vía oral. Los tres grupos de tratamiento recibieron diferentes concentraciones de extracto de salvia: 15, 60 o 100 mg/kg durante 14 días antes del apareamiento, luego se aparearon con un macho y se sacrificaron el día 7 de gestación, se extrajeron los cuernos uterinos y se fotografiaron. Se determinó el peso corporal total de las madres, el peso del útero y los ovarios y el número de fetos. Los tejidos ováricos y uterinos se cortaron en secciones de 5 µ y se tiñeron con hematoxilina y eosina. FSH sérica, LH se determinaron por el método ELISA. El presente estudio mostró que dosis bajas de salvia (15 mg/kg) no tienen efectos sobre los niveles de concentración sérica de las hormonas FSH y LH, tampoco tienen efecto sobre el número de folículos en crecimiento. El presente estudio mostró diferencias significativas (P≤0,05) en el peso corporal, peso de ovario y útero en los grupos tratados con altas dosis de Salvia officinalis en comparación con el grupo control. También se encontraron diferencias significativas (P≤0,05) en las hormonas FSH, LH. El estudio histológico mostró configuraciones estructurales histomorfológicas generales que incluyen cambios contables en los folículos maduros (de Graaf) y en crecimiento, además de una cantidad de cuerpos lúteos y folículos en regresión en los grupos tratados con altas dosis de Salvia officinalis en comparación con el grupo de control. Los investigadores concluyeron que el extracto de la planta de salvia en altas dosis puede estimular el crecimiento de los folículos maduros y mejorar la fertilidad en ratas hembra.

Screening for PIK3CA mutations among Saudi women with ovarian cancer.

The study aimed to screen for PIK3CA gene mutations among Saudi women with Ovarian Cancer. The study included 298 Saudi women with epithelial ovarian cancers (EOC). DNA sequence analysis was employed to screen for the mutations. DNA sequence analysis of a coding region of exon 9 and 20 of PIK3CA gene revealed mutations in 37/298 (12.4%) EOC patients. About 21/37(56.8%) somatic mutations were identified in exons 9, and 16/37(43.2%) in exon 20. All analysed mutations were missense mutations, the frequencies of which varied from 2.7% to 43.2%. PIK3CA mutation was found to be significantly associated with age (p = .023), grade (p = .001) and histological types (p = .032). Only 6.6% of serous carcinomas and 3.8% of endometrioid had PIK3CA mutation. The Mutated PIK3CA gene was significantly involved in the pathogenesis of EOC among Saudi women. PIK3CA gene mutation and overexpression represent important clinical implications for diagnosis, and prognosis, which can be utilised for better EOC management.Impact statementWhat is already known on this subject? The detailed molecular and genetic phenomenon underlying the progression of these tumours is still unclear. Recently, the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer has been attributed to mutations of PIK3CA.What do the results of this study add? Mutation in the PIK3CA gene leads to altered PI3K/AKT signalling pathways responsible for the progression of the epithelial ovarian cancer.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? The Mutated PIK3CA gene was significantly involved in the pathogenesis of EOC among Saudi women. PIK3CA gene mutation and overexpression represent important clinical implications for diagnosis, and prognosis, which can be utilised for better EOC management.

Utility of KRAS Gene and Clinicopathological Features in the Assessment of the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes in the Etiology of Colon Cancer.

Background Cancer and diabetes have a tremendous impact on health globally. This study aimed to evaluate the KRAS gene in colon cancer tissues obtained from patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Materials and Methods Data from 315 cases (156 colon diabetics and 159 patients were nondiabetics) were retrospectively retrieved. mRNA from surgically resected colon cancer tumors were also retrieved. Results The expression of KRAS mRNA was significantly higher in patients afflicted with T2DM than nondiabetic patients. The KRAS mRNA levels were significantly amplified from primary to metastatic lesions ( p < 0.001). Conclusion The association between T2DM and colon cancer was well-established in the present study.