Promoting effect of sunset yellow on N-methyl N-nitrosourea-induced rat mammary carcinogenesis: Implications of molecular mechanisms.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the use of food additives, such as Sunset Yellow (SY), is growing, which attracted attention to the potential relationship between some diseases and food additives. AIM: The study aimed to investigate the role of Sunset Yellow during chemically-induced mammary gland carcinogenesis in Sprague-Dawley rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three groups of female rats were intraperitoneally administered with N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU). Group 1 was set on a basal diet. Group 2 was treated with 161.4 mg\kg\day Sunset Yellow (SY). Group 3 was given SY at 80.7 mg\kg\day. Groups 4-6 were not administered MNU; Group 4 received vehicles only. Groups 5 and 6 were administered SY similarly to groups 2 and 3 respectively. RESULTS: Sunset Yellow at both doses exerted a significant dose-dependent increase in tumor incidences, multiplicities, volumes, and decreased tumor latency as compared with control. Immunolabeling indexes of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen, estrogen receptor alpha, and progesterone receptor were significantly increased after SY treatment. Oxidative stress markers, serum estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin levels were significantly modified by SY treatment. The mRNA expression of estrogen receptor alpha and epidermal growth factor was up-regulated in SY groups versus control. CONCLUSION: Collectively, SY has significantly promoted MNU-induced mammary tumors in rats with underlying mechanisms correlating SY consumption with estrogen disruption and subsequent antioxidative stress discrepancy.

Prophylactic and Therapeutic Efficacy of Ultrasonicated Rosmarinus officinalis Ethanolic Extract and its Chitosan-Loaded Nanoparticles Against Eimeria tenella Infected Broiler Chickens.

PURPOSE: The in vivo efficacy of ultrasonicated Rosmarinus officinalis ethanolic extract (UROEE) and its chitosan-loaded nanoparticles (UROEE-CsNPs) was investigated as a dietary prophylactic agent and as a therapeutic treatment against Eimeria tenella infected broiler chickens. METHODS: Chickens were infected with 4 × 104 E. tenella oocysts at 21 days old for primary infection and with 8 × 104 oocysts at 35 days old for secondary infection. Eleven experimental groups were conducted. Dietary addition of 100 mg/kg UROEE and 20 mg/kg for CsNPs as well as UROEE-CsNPs were included for prophylactic groups from day 1 to 42. The same doses were used for therapeutic treatment groups for 5 constitutive days. Oocyst output in feces was counted. Histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were conducted. Gene expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines as IFN-γ, IL-1ß and IL-6 as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines as IL-10 and TGF-ß4 was analyzed using semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-PCR. RESULTS: The results showed an efficacy of UROEE, CsNPs and UROEE-CsNPs in reduction of oocyst excretion and improving the cecal tissue architecture. CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes protein expression were reduced. E. tenella infection lead to upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines as IFN-γ, IL-1ß, IL-6 and anti-inflammatory cytokines as TGF-ß4 following primary infection, while their expression was downregulated following secondary infection. CONCLUSION: The dietary prophylactic additives and therapeutic treatments with UROEE, CsNPs and UROEE-CsNPs could decrease the inflammatory response to E. tenella as indicated by oocyst output reduction, histopathological improvements, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells protein expression reduction as well as reducing mRNA expression levels of the tested cytokines following primary and secondary infections. Consequently, these results will help to develop better-combating strategies for the control and prevention of coccidiosis on poultry farms as a dietary prophylactic agent or as a therapeutic treatment.

Effect of high frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the balance and the white matter integrity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: A long-term follow-up study.

OBJECTIVES: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is considered as a safe and non-invasive developing technique used as a therapeutic method for patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) who suffer from disturbances in gait and balance. The aim of our study is to evaluate the long-term effect of high frequency rTMS as a therapeutic option for truncal ataxia in RRMS patients and to assess its impact on the integrity of the white matter (WMI), measured in the form of anisotropy metrics using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). METHODS: The study was conducted in two phases: phase I; a randomized, single-blind, sham-controlled phase and phase II was a 12 months longitudinal open-label prospective phase. Phase I of the trial involved the randomization of 43 patients with RRMS and truncal ataxia to either real (n = 20) or sham (n = 19) rTMS (2 participants from each treatment group were excluded from the study; one developed a relapse before treatment, 2 declined to participate, and one did not show up). Phase II involved providing 12 actual treatments cycles to all patients; each cycle length is 4 weeks, repeated four times on a trimonthly basis, forming a total of 48 sessions. DTI was used for assessment of the WMI. All patients performed DTI 3 times: Imaging sessions were conducted at the screening visit, at the end of phase I, and after the last session in phase II for the first, second and third sessions respectively. A figure-of-8-shape coil, employing rTMS protocol and located over the cerebellum, was used. rTMS protocol is formed of 20 trains formed of 50 stimuli with 20 s apart (5 Hz of 80 % of resting Motor Threshold "MT"). The Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Time up and go (TUG) test, and 10-m walk test (10MWT) were first evaluated at the start of each cycle and just after the final rTMS session. RESULTS: The genuine rTMS group's 10MWT, TUG, and BBS showed substantial improvement (p < 0.01), which is continued to be improved throughout the study Timeline, with a significant difference observed following the final rTMS session (P< 0.001). A longitudinal increase in FA was observed in both the Cerebello-Thalamo-Cortical (CTC) and Cortico-Ponto-Cerebellar (CPC) bilateral, as indicated by means of Fractional Anisotropy (FA) measures (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In ataxic RRMS patients, high frequency rTMS over the cerebellum has a long-term beneficial impact on both balance and WMI.

Impacts of dietary zinc oxide nanoparticles on the growth and immunity of Nile tilapia could be ameliorated using Nigella sativa oil.

BACKGROUND: Zinc nanoparticles are documented to be harmful to fish because their accumulation in fish bring about many irreversible changes in their health. Nigella sativa and its oil have been endorsed in aquaculture to improve fish health. METHODS: Two hundred seventy experimental fish (113 ± 5 g body weight) were divided into 6 groups G1-6; control fish fed a diet without any treatment (G1), 0.3% of NSO (G2), 0.5% of NSO (G3), ZnO NPs (40 mg/kg diet) (G4), 0.3% of NSO and ZnO NPs (40 mg/kg diet) (G5), 0.5% of NSO and ZnO NPs (40 mg/kg diet) (G6), the trial lasted for six weeks. RESULTS: Growth performance was enhanced in fish received diets containing NSO, final weight (FW), weight gain (WG), daily weight gain (DWG), and relative growth rate (RGR) were significantly increased with lower food conversion ratios (FCR) compared to the control. The hepatic glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), and metallothionein (MT) were increased in response to ZnO NPs stress and only 0.5% NSO supplementation could ameliorate such increment. The immune-related genes [interleukin1-beta (IL-1ß), tumor necrosis factor-beta (TNF-ß), transforming growth factor-beta 2 (TGF-ß2) and C-type lysozyme] as well as growth-related gene [insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1)] in liver showed an upregulation in fish fed with NSO diets. Administration of ZnO NPs lowered the resistance of Oreochromis niloticus against bacterial infection with Aeromonas hydrophila and NSO could enhance the immunity in the highest tested concentration (0.5%) (G6). CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results implied that NSO could enhance the oxidative and immune status of O. niloticus which could compensate ZnO NPs stress as well as experimental infection of a virulent strain of A. hydrophila. Our results revealed that NSO might increase fish growth and immunity only at a high dose (0.5%).

Potential of curcumin and niacin-loaded targeted chitosan coated liposomes to activate autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma cells: An in vitro evaluation in HePG2 cell line.

The objective of this study is to activate autophagy in hepatocellular carcinoma for the enhancement of its cellular degradation. Liposomes incorporated chitosan in the core used to improve the stability of lecithin and increase the niacin loading efficiency. Additionally, curcumin as a hydrophobic molecule entrapped into liposomal layers and used as a face layer to minimize the release of niacin in physiological pH 7.4. Folic acid-conjugated chitosan was used to facilitate the delivery of liposomes into a specific location of cancer cells. TEM, UV Visible spectrophotometer, and FTIR confirmed the successful liposomal formation and good encapsulation efficiency. Based on the cellular proliferation of HePG2, the results revealed that there was a significant inhibition of growth rate of HePG2 after 48 h of incubation at a concentration of 100 µg/mL by 91 % ± 1 %, P ≤ 0.002 (pure niacin), 55 % ± 3 %, P ≤ 0.001 (pure curcumin), 83 % ± 1.5 %, P ≤ 0.001 (niacin NPs), and 51 % ± 1.5 % P ≤ 0.0001 (curcumin-niacin NPs) of relative to the control. Increasingly, The expression of mRNA of mTOR was significantly increased by 0.72 ± 0.08 P ≤ 0.001, 1 ± 0.1, 0. P ≤ 0.001, 5 ± 0.07 P ≤ 0.01, and 1.3 ± 0.02 P ≤ 0.001 folds) in pure niacin, pure curcumin, niacin NPs and curcumin -niacin NPs, respectively, relative to the control with an expression of 0.3 ± 0.08. Additionally, the expression of p62 mRNA was significantly increased by 0.92 ± 0.07 P ≤ 0.05, 1.7 ± 0.07 P ≤ 0.0001, 0.72 ± 0.08 P ≤ 0.5, and 2.1 ± 0.1 P ≤ 0.0001 folds relative to that of the control with an expression of 0.72 ± 0.08. The results highlight the efficient therapies of biomaterials derived from natural sources that can be used in cancer therapies instead of traditional chemotherapies.

Simultaneous Administration of Bevacizumab with Bee-Pollen Extract-Loaded Hybrid Protein Hydrogel NPs Is a Promising Targeted Strategy against Cancer Cells.

Bevacizumab (Bev) a humanized monoclonal antibody that fights vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A). It was the first specifically considered angiogenesis inhibitor and it has now become the normative first-line therapy for advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In the current study, polyphenolic compounds were isolated from bee pollen (PCIBP) and encapsulated (EPCIBP) inside moieties of hybrid peptide-protein hydrogel nanoparticles in which bovine serum albumin (BSA) was combined with protamine-free sulfate and targeted with folic acid (FA). The apoptotic effects of PCIBP and its encapsulation (EPCIBP) were further investigated using A549 and MCF-7 cell lines, providing significant upregulation of Bax and caspase 3 genes and downregulation of Bcl2, HRAS, and MAPK as well. This effect was synergistically improved in combination with Bev. Our findings may contribute to the use of EPCIBP simultaneously with chemotherapy to strengthen the effectiveness and minimize the required dose.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion of titanium by Desulfovibrio vulgaris biofilm under organic carbon starvation.

Desulfovibrio vulgaris biofilm was pre-grown on Ti coupons for 7 d and then the biofilm covered coupons were incubated again with fresh culture media with 10 % (reduced) and 100 % (normal) carbon source levels, respectively. After the pre-growth, sessile D. vulgaris cell count reached 107 cells/cm2. The sessile cell counts were 2 × 107 and 4.2 × 107 cells/cm2 for 10 % and 100 % carbon sources, respectively after the subsequent 7 d starvation test. The maximum pit depth after the 7 d pre-growth was 4.7 µm. After the additional 7 d of the starvation test, the maximum pit depth increased to 5.1 µm for 100 % carbon source vs 6.2 µm for 10 % carbon source. Corrosion current density (icorr) from potentiodynamic polarization data at the end of the 7 d starvation test for 10 % carbon source was more than 3 times of that for 100 % carbon source, despite a reduced sessile cell count with 10 % carbon source. The polarization resistance (Rp) started to decrease within minutes after 20 ppm (w/w) riboflavin (electron mediator) injection. The carbon starvation data and riboflavin corrosion acceleration data both suggested that D. vulgaris utilized elemental Ti as an electron source to replace carbon source as the electron donor during carbon source starvation.

In Vitro Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of Ultrasonicated Ethanolic Extract of Rosmarinus officinalis and its Chitosan-Based Nanoparticles Against Eimeria tenella Oocysts of Chickens.

In this study, chitosan nanoparticles (CsNPs) were used as nanocarrier for ultrasonicated ethanolic extract of Rosmarinus officinalis (UEERO) as a new nanoformulation against Eimeria tenella. Herein, CsNPs have been synthesized by ionic gelation method at pH 3 (CsNPs3) and pH 5 (CsNPs5), followed by characterization of morphology, size, polydispersity index (PDI), surface charge, and loading efficiency of UEERO. An in vitro sporulation inhibition assay (10, 5, 2.5, 1.25, 0.62, 0.31, 0.15, 0.07, 0.04, 0.02, and 0.01 mg/ml normal saline solution) against E. tenella was conducted. Results showed that free CsNPs and UEERO-CsNPs3/5 were cubic- and spherical-shaped with positive charge and average size of ~ 150.8 nm (314.4 nm) and 151.7 nm (321.1 nm), respectively. The total loading efficiency using UV-vis spectrophotometer, was 80.05 at pH 5 and 64.39% at pH 3. The in vitro sporulation inhibition assay revealed that UEERO, CsNPs3/5, and UEERO-CsNPs3/5 showed a potential inhibitory effect on sporulation (%), distortion in wall (%), and sporocyst abnormality (%) in a dose-dependent manner. Accordingly, the concentration (10 mg/ml) showed the best efficacy after 24 h in UEERO, free CsNPs, and UEERO-CsNPs. Moreover, UEERO-CsNPs3 and UEERO-CsNPs5 had stopped the sporulation (%) after 72 h. Taken all together, UEERO-CsNPs3 and UEERO-CsNPs5 are best effective against E. tenella in a dose-dependent manner in terms of sporulation (%), distortion in wall (%), and sporocysts abnormality.

Mechanical property degradation of X80 pipeline steel due to microbiologically influenced corrosion caused by Desulfovibrio vulgaris.

Apart from pinhole leaks, MIC (microbiologically influenced corrosion) can also cause catastrophic failures such as pipe ruptures and support beam collapses due to mechanical property degradation or stress corrosion cracking. In this work, X80 pipeline steel dogbone coupons and square coupons were immersed in 150 ml broths containing Desulfovibrio vulgaris, a common corrosive sulfate reducing bacterium (SRB), for up to 14 days. The headspace volumes in the anaerobic bottles were increased from 150 ml to 200 ml and 300 ml to increase MIC severity. After 14 days of SRB incubation in ATCC 1249 culture medium with X80 coupons at 37°C, the sessile cell counts were 6.5 × 107 cells cm-2 for 150 ml, 2.3 × 108 cells cm-2 for 200 ml and 1.4 × 109 cells cm-2 for 300 ml headspace volumes, respectively owing to reduced H2S cytotoxicity in the broth with a larger headspace because it allowed more biogenic H2S to escape from the broth. Weight losses were 1.7 mg cm-2, 1.9 mg cm-2 and 2.3 mg cm-2 for 150 ml, 200 ml and 300 ml headspace volumes, respectively. The corresponding pit depths were 2.6 µm, 4.2 µm and 6.2 µm for 150 ml, 200 ml and 300 ml headspace volumes, respectively. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), linear polarization resistance (LPR) and potentiodynamic polarization results corroborated the increasing weight loss and pitting data trends as a result of increased headspace. Tensile testing of dogbone coupons after the 14-day SRB immersion test indicated that more severe MIC pitting led to a higher ultimate strain loss by up to 23% (300 ml headspace) compared to the abiotic control, while the ultimate strength losses for all headspace volumes were quite small (3% and lower).

BSA Interaction, Molecular Docking, and Antibacterial Activity of Zinc(II) Complexes Containing the Sterically Demanding Biomimetic N3S2 Ligand: The Effect of Structure Flexibility.

Two zinc(II) complexes, DBZ and DBZH4, that have (ZnN3S2) cores and differ in the bridging mode of the ligating backbone, effectively bind to BSA. The binding affinity varies as DBZ > DBZH4 and depends on the ligand structure. At low concentrations, both complexes exhibit dynamic quenching, whereas at higher concentrations they exhibit mixed (static and dynamic) quenching. The energy transfer mechanism from the BSA singlet excited state to DBZ and DBZH4, is highly likely according to steady-state fluorescence and time-correlated singlet photon counting. Molecular docking was used to support the mode of interaction of the complexes with BSA and showed that DBZ had more energy for binding. Furthermore, antibacterial testing revealed that both complexes were active but to a lesser extent than chloramphenicol. In comparison to DBZH4, DBZ has higher antibacterial activity, which is consistent with the binding constants, molecular docking, and particle size of adducts. These findings may have an impact on biomedicine.

Food-grade D-limonene enhanced a green biocide in the mitigation of carbon steel biocorrosion by a mixed-culture biofilm consortium.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC), or microbial biocorrosion, is caused directly by microbial metabolic activities/products or induced by microbial biofilm's damage of a protective film that exposes a solid surface to a pre-existing corrosive environment. MIC causes billions of dollars of losses in various industrial processes, especially in oil and gas and water utilities. The mitigation of problematic industrial microbes typically relies on biocides whose discharges can cause environmental problems. Thus, more effective biocide applications are desired to minimize environmental impact. D-Limonene, a citrus peel oil, generally regarded as safe (GRAS), was used to enhance the popular biodegradable tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphonium sulfate (THPS) biocide. An oilfield mixed-culture biofilm was grown anaerobically in enriched artificial seawater containing C1018 carbon steel coupons for 7 days at 37 °C. One hundred ppm (w/w) D-limonene reduced general heterotrophic bacteria (GHB) and acid-producing bacteria (APB) effectively, leading to 5.4-log and 6.0-log reductions in sessile GHB and APB cell counts, respectively, compared to no treatment control. The combination of 100 ppm D-limonene + 100 ppm THPS achieved extra 1.0-log SRB, 0.6-log GHB and 0.5-log APB reductions in sessile cell counts, which led to extra 58% reduction in microbial corrosion mass loss (1.2 vs. 0.5 mg/cm2) and extra 30% reductions in maximum pit depth (11.5 vs. 8.1 µm), compared to 100 ppm THPS-only treatment. Linear polarization resistance and potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) corrosion data supported mass loss and pitting data. Mixed-culture biofilms on carbon steel coupons after 7 day incubation at 37 °C showing enhanced biocide treatment outcome using D-limonene + THPS: A no treatment, B 100 ppm D-limonene, C 100 ppm THPS, D 100 ppm D-limonene + 100 ppm THPS.

Ethoxyquin Inhibits the Progression of Murine Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma through the Inhibition of Autophagy and LDH.

Cancer cells exhibit an increased glycolysis rate for ATP generation (the Warburg effect) to sustain an increased proliferation rate. In tumor cells, the oxidation of pyruvate in the Krebs cycle is substituted by lactate production, catalyzed by LDH. In this study, we use ethoxyquin (EQ) as a novel inhibitor to target LDH in murine Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) and as a combination therapy to improve the therapeutic efficacy of the conventional chemotherapy drug, cisplatin (CIS). We investigated the anti-tumor effect of EQ on EAC-bearing mice and checked whether EQ can sustain the anti-tumor potential of CIS and whether it influences LDH activity. Treatment with EQ had evident anti-tumor effects on EAC as revealed by the remarkable decrease in the expression of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2 and by a significant increase in the expression of apoptotic genes (BAX and caspase-3). EQ also caused a significant decrease in the autophagic activity of EAC cells, as shown by a reduction in the fluorescence intensity of the autophagosome marker. Additionally, EQ restored the altered hematological and biochemical parameters and improved the disrupted hepatic tissues of EAC-bearing mice. Co-administration of EQ and CIS showed the highest anti-tumor effect against EAC. Collectively, our findings propose EQ as a novel inhibitor of LDH in cancer cells and as a combinatory drug to increase the efficacy of cisplatin. Further studies are required to validate this therapeutic strategy in different cancer models and preclinical trials.

Efficacy of glutaraldehyde enhancement by D-limonene in the mitigation of biocorrosion of carbon steel by an oilfield biofilm consortium.

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) is one of the major corrosion threats in the oil and gas industry. It is caused by environmental biofilms. Glutaraldehyde is a popular green biocide for mitigating biofilms and MIC. This work investigated the efficacy of glutaraldehyde enhancement by food-grade green chemical D-limonene in the biofilm prevention and MIC mitigation using a mixed-culture oilfield biofilm consortium. After 7 days of incubation at 37 °C in enriched artificial seawater in 125 mL anaerobic vials, the 100 ppm (w/w) glutaraldehyde + 200 ppm D-limonene combination treatment reduced the sessile cell counts on C1018 carbon steel coupons by 2.1-log, 1.7-log, and 2.3-log for sulfate reducing bacteria, acid producing bacteria, and general heterotrophic bacteria, respectively in comparison with the untreated control. The treatment achieved 68% weight loss reduction and 78% pit depth reduction. The 100 ppm glutaraldehyde + 200 ppm D-limonene combination treatment was found more effective in biofilm prevention and MIC mitigation than glutaraldehyde and D-limonene used individually. Electrochemical tests corroborated weight loss and pit depth data trends.

Aggressive corrosion of carbon steel by Desulfovibrio ferrophilus IS5 biofilm was further accelerated by riboflavin.

EET (extracellular electron transfer) is behind MIC (microbiologically influenced corrosion) of carbon steel by SRB (sulfate reducing bacteria). This work evaluated 20 ppm (w/w) riboflavin (an electron mediator) acceleration of C1018 carbon steel MIC by Desulfovibrio ferrophilus IS5 in enriched artificial seawater (EASW) after 7-d incubation in anaerobic vials at 28 °C. Twenty ppm riboflavin did not significantly change cell growth or alter the corrosion product varieties, but it led to 52% increase in weight loss and 105% increase in pit depth, compared to the control without 20 ppm riboflavin. With 20 ppm riboflavin supplement in EASW, D. ferrophilus yielded weight loss-based corrosion rate of 1.57 mm/y (61.8 mpy), and pit depth growth rate of 2.88 mm/y (113 mpy), highest reported for short-term pure-strain SRB MIC of carbon steel. Electrochemical tests in 450 mL glass cells indicated that the biofilm responded rather quickly to the riboflavin injection (20 ppm in broth) to the culture medium. Polarization resistance (Rp) began to decrease within minutes after injection. Within 2 h, the riboflavin injection led to 31% decrease in Rp and 35% decrease in Rct + Rf from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The Tafel corrosion current density increased 63% 2 h after the injection.

Immune status of Oreochromis niloticus subjected to long-term lead nitrate exposure and a Arthrospira platensis treatment trial.

In this study, the impacts of lead toxicity on Oreochromisniloticus were investigated. Additionally, the potential ameliorative effects of the Spirulina algae Arthrospira platensis were evaluated. The median lethal concentration (LC50) of PbNO3 was determined to be 143.3 mg/l for O. niloticus weighing 42 ± 2.5 g. O. niloticus were exposed to 10 % of the estimated PbNO3 LC50 for 12 weeks. The cumulative mortality rate (CMR) increased with exposure time. The results of assays for red blood cells (RBCs), haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) indicated that the exposed O. niloticus suffered from anaemia. The levels of liver enzymes, namely, aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT), as well as metallothionein)MT(revealed deterioration of hepatic tissue. The activity of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPx) as well as catalase (CAT) was stimulated in the hepatic tissue of O. niloticus exposed to PbNO3 and in those treated with A. platensis. Based on the results of serum bactericidal activity (SBA) and oxidative burst activity (OBA) assays as well as challenge tests with Aeromonas hydrophila, it was clear that supplementation with 5 or 10 g/kg A. platensis significantly enhanced the fish immune status and decreased the mortality rate (MR). However, these effects were reduced by PbNO3 exposure with no differences in MR percentage. Therefore, it was clear that O. niloticus reared in lead nitrate-polluted water were immunosuppressed, while diet supplementation with A. platensis could ameliorate such impacts.

Celecoxib Targeted Therapy Attenuates Mouse Colon Carcinogenesis through Modulation of Expression Patterns of Cancer Stem Cells.

This study was designated to explore the role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) during chemically induced mouse colon carcinogenesis (by 1,2- dimethylhydrazine dihydrochloride, DMH) with/or without the treatment with a targeted (anti-COX-2) therapeutic drug, celecoxib. Two experiments were conducted. The first, a short-term, 16-week mouse colon carcinogenesis bioassay, demonstrates the early stages of colon carcinogenesis. The other is a medium-term, 32-week mouse colon cancer experiment that mimics an end point of colon malignancy. Colon tumors were detected in animals after 32 weeks; histopathologically, they varied from benign hyperplastic polyps and adenomas to dysplastic polyps, adenocarcinomas, and invasive carcinomas. The overall colon tumor incidences, multiplicities, and volumes were obviously reduced when treated with celecoxib after DMH initiation. The immunohistochemical (IHC) labeling indexes (L1%) of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were lower in the colonic epithelium in both experiments after treatment with celecoxib. Also, the IHC expression patterns of CD133 and CD44, known to associate CSCs, showed differential changes depending on the end-point stage of carcinogenesis and celecoxib treatment. Moreover, the biochemical aldehyde dehydrogenase-1 (ALDH-1) activity levels, a known CSC marker in colonic epithelia, were downregulated after 16 weeks but were upregulated after 32 weeks. Flow cytometric analysis showed that numbers of CD133 cells increased in the colonic epithelia of mice after 16 weeks, while the numbers of CD44 but not CD133 cells increased after 32 weeks. Treatment with celecoxib after DMH induced significant increase in apoptotic cell numbers by 47% after 16 weeks, but these numbers had not changed after 32 weeks compared with the corresponding group treated DMH only. Thus, the specific markers and CSC populations targeted by this drug may vary depending on the genetic and phenotypic stages of carcinogenesis. This drug could be useful during targeted therapy for colon cancer patients.

Biocatalytic Desulfurization Capabilities of a Mixed Culture during Non-Destructive Utilization of Recalcitrant Organosulfur Compounds.

We investigated the biodesulfurization potential of a mixed culture AK6 enriched from petroleum hydrocarbons-polluted soil with dibenzothiophene (DBT) as a sulfur source. In addition to DBT, AK6 utilized the following compounds as sulfur sources: 4-methyldibenzothiophene (4-MDBT), benzothiophene (BT), and 4,6- dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DM-DBT). None of these compounds supported the growth of AK6 as the sole carbon and sulfur source. AK6 could not grow on dibenzylsulfide (DBS) as a sulfur source. The AK6 community structure changed according to the provided sulfur source. The major DGGE bands represented members of the genera Sphingobacterium, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Arthrobacter, Mycobacterium, and Rhodococcus. Sphingobacterium sp. and Pseudomonas sp. were abundant across all cultures utilizing any of the tested thiophenic S-compounds. Mycobacterium/Rhodococcus spp. were restricted to the 4-MDBT culture. The 4-MDBT culture had the highest species richness and diversity. Biodesulfurization of DBT by resting cells of AK6 produced 2-hydroxybiphenyl (2-HBP) in addition to trace amounts of phenylacetate. AK6 transformed DBT to 2-hydroxybiphenyl with a specific activity of 9 ± 0.6 µM 2-HBP g dry cell weight(-1) h(-1). PCR confirmed the presence in the AK6 community of the sulfur-specific (4S) pathway genes dszB and dszC. Mixed cultures hold a better potential than axenic ones for the development of a biodesulfurization technology.

Molecular diagnostic alterations in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck and potential diagnostic applications.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a common malignancy that continues to be difficult to treat and cure. In many organ systems and tumor types, there have been significant advances in the understanding of the molecular basis for tumorigenesis, disease progression and genetic implications for therapeutics. Although tumorigenesis pathways and the molecular etiologies of HNSCC have been extensively studied, there are still very few diagnostic clinical applications used in practice today. This review discusses current clinically applicable molecular markers, including viral detection of Epstein-Barr virus and human papillomavirus, and molecular targets that are used in diagnosis and management of HNSCC. The common oncogenes EGFR, RAS, CCND1, BRAF, and PIK3CA and tumor suppressor genes p53, CDKN2A and NOTCH are discussed for their associations with HNSCC. Discussion of markers with potential future applications is also included, with a focus on molecular alterations associated with targeted therapy resistance.

Topical application of tranexamic acid after adenoidectomy: a double-blind, prospective, randomized, controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: Is to evaluate the efficacy of tranexamic acid when applied locally in children after primary isolated adenoidectomy with respect to intra-operative blood loss and post-operative bleeding. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. SETTING: Otolaryngology department, Tanta University and Tiba Hospitals, Egypt. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over three years, 400 children underwent primary isolated adenoidectomy followed by topical application of tranexamic acid (tranexamic acid group, 200 children) or saline (Placebo group, 200 children) with at least two weeks' follow up. Intra-operative blood loss and post-operative hemorrhage were monitored. RESULTS: Both groups were almost equivalent in age and gender. The frequency of primary post-adenoidectomy hemorrhage as well as the rate of postnasal packing and blood transfusion required to manage severe bleeding were higher in placebo group. The volume of blood loss during surgery showed significant reduction in tranexamic acid group. CONCLUSION: Topical application of tranexamic acid after adenoidectomy led to a significant reduction in blood loss during surgery and decreasing in the rate of post-operative bleeding as well as the need for postnasal packing and blood transfusion.

Powered versus conventional endoscopic sinus surgery instruments in management of sinonasal polyposis.

To conduct a prospective randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy and safety of powered versus conventional endoscopic sinus surgery instruments in the management of sinonasal polyposis. Two hundred patients with sinonasal polyposis who failed conservative therapy were included in the study. They were equally randomized into powered and conventional instruments groups. A subjective visual analogue scale (VAS), endoscopic examination, saccharine clearance time and coronal CT were done preoperatively. Intraoperatively, the operative time, the surgical conditions and degrees of dryness of the operative field were carefully rated and recorded. Postoperatively, VAS, polyp grades, saccharine clearance time, the number of endoscopic debridement and time to mucosalization were recorded. Complications, smoothness of postoperative course were reported. Both groups experienced a significant improvement in the VAS with no statistically significant difference in symptom improvement between the two groups except for olfaction where there was significant improvement in the powered group. Similarly, the two groups demonstrated a significant improvement in the objective parameters including polyp grade and saccharine clearance time changes, but no significant difference between the two groups was found. The operative time as well as the surgical conditions and dryness of the operative field score were significantly better in the powered group. There was a tendency for improvement in the number of endoscopic debridement and time to mucosalization in powered group when compared to conventional instruments group, but this did not reach statistical significance. The incidence of postoperative synechiae was significantly lower in powered endoscopic group. Powered endoscopic sinus surgery offers a better therapeutic approach for patients with sinonasal polyposis when compared to endoscopic surgery with the conventional instruments. It provides a bloodless dry operative field with better visualization for a more precise, less traumatic procedure with minimal intraoperative complications and shorter operative time. Additionally, patients have a smoother postoperative course, less incidence of synechiae, with a tendency for a faster healing.