Unveiling the silver lining: examining the effects of biogenic silver nanoparticles on the growth dynamics of in vitro olive shoots.

The current study aimed to evaluate the effects of biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on growth behavior and leaf anatomy of in vitro growing shoots of 'Picual' and 'Dolce' olive cultivars. Biosynthesis of AgNPs was carried out using the cell-free filtrate of Fusarium oxysporum. The dimension and shape of the synthesized AgNPs have been analyzed using spectroscopy and topography analysis tools, confirming that the biosynthesis of AgNPs is a crystalline nanostructure with an average particle size of 37 nm. The shoots of the selected olive cultivars were cultured on Rugini olive medium-supplemented AgNPs at 0, 10, 20, and 30mg L- 1. The effect of genotypes on shoot multiplication was significant, 'Picual' recorded higher values of shoot growth parameters compared with 'Dolce' cultivar. Adding AgNPs to the culture medium significantly affected the growth of in vitro olive shoots. AgNPs at 20 and 30mg L- 1 produced higher values of the number of shoots, shoot length, and leaf number of Picual cv. compared with the control treatments, but the higher AgNPs concentration harmed the growth parameters of Dolce cv. and recorded lower growth values compared with the lower concentration (10mg L- 1). AgNPs had a significant effect on leaf morphology and their anatomical structure. The current results showed that the stimulatory effect of AgNPs on shoot growth of in vitro olive shoots is highly dependent on plant genotype and nanoparticle concentration.

Gas Identification by Simultaneous Permeation through Parallel Membranes: Proof of Concept.

This paper describes an experimental system for simultaneous permeation of a pressurized test gas through different gas permeable membranes and provides a proof of concept for a novel approach for gas identification/fingerprinting for potential construction of electronic noses. The design, construction, and use of a six-channel system which allows simultaneous gas permeation from a single pressurized gas compartment through six different parallel membranes are presented. The permeated gas is accumulated in confined spaces behind the respective membranes. The rate of gas pressure accumulation behind each membrane is recorded and used as a measure of the gas permeation rate through the membrane. The utilized gas permeable membranes include Teflon AF, silicone rubber, track-etch hydrophilic polycarbonate, track-etch hydrophobic polycarbonate, track-etch polyimide, nanoporous anodic aluminum oxide, zeolite ZSM-5, and zeolite NaY. An analogy between the rate of pressure accumulation of the permeating gas behind the membrane and the charging of an electric capacitor in a single series RC circuit is proposed and thoroughly validated. The simultaneous permeation rates through different membranes demonstrated a very promising potential as characteristic fingerprints for 10 test gases, that is, helium, neon, argon, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, methane, ethane, propane, and ethylene, which are selected as representative examples of mono-, di-, tri-, and polyatomic gases and to include some homologous series as well as to allow testing the potential of the proposed system to discriminate between closely related gases such as ethane and ethylene or carbon dioxide and propane which have almost identical molecular masses. Finally, a preliminary investigation of the possibility of applying the developed gas permeation system for semiquantitative analysis of the CO2-N2 binary mixture is also presented.

Leukemia Inhibitory Factor a Marker of Implantation Success in Unexplained Infertility: a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Uterine receptivity and implantation are complex processes requiring coordinated expression of molecules by zygote and uterus. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is one of the most important cytokines in the reproductive tract. Without expression of LIF in the uterus, implantation of a blastocyst cannot begin. Our objectives were to measure the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) concentration in serum with or without endometrial scratch-ing in women with unexplained infertility. METHODS: This study is a randomized control trial, carried out at the infertility clinic of Qena University hospital, South Valley University, Egypt. The study included 200 women with unexplained infertility divided into two groups: Group 1 included 100 patients undergoing endometrial scratching at mid luteal phase. Group 2 included 100 patients undergoing expectant management. Serum leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) concentration was measured at mid-luteal phase of cycle and follow up of pregnancy occurrence in both groups. RESULTS: LIF was significantly higher in the group of endometrial scratching compared to group 2. LIF was significantly higher in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant ones in both the endometrial scratching group and group 2. For the endometrial scratching group, LIF was a significant marker for successful implantation at cutoff point of 97.2 with sensitivity of 97.3% and specificity of 77.8% while PPV was 72% and NPV was 98. CONCLUSIONS: Endometrial scratching was associated with higher level of LIF and pregnancy rate. LIF was significantly higher in pregnant women with or without endometrial scratching.

Development and Characterization of Novel Flow Injection, Thin-Layer, and Batch Cells for Electroanalytical Applications Using Screen-Printed Electrodes.

In the present paper, the design, fabrication, and analytical applications of three novel cells for flow injection, thin-layer, and batch electrochemical measurements using screen-printed electrode chips (SPECs) are described. Each cell consisted of an acrylic base and a transparent acrylic cover. The essential construction feature of each cell base was a cavity to accommodate the SPEC, whereas the construction features of the clear acrylic cover determined the cell shape and its function. The presented cells offered several common advantages, which include (i) convenient electrical connection of the SPEC to any potentiostat without the need for special cables, (ii) the SPEC was completely contained within the cell body, which eliminated the risk of its breakage, (iii) suitable for use with a large number of commercially available SPECs, and (iv) excellent SPEC sealing. The flow cell offered additional advantages of convenient customization of the cell dead volume and convenient visual inspection of the surface and the vicinity of SPEs. The presented thin-layer cell is the first report on a dedicated cell which realized a near-ideal thin-layer steady-state voltammetry using SPECs. The universal batch cell (UBC) offered extreme versatility and proved suitable for all batch applications in sample volumes ranging from 25 µL to 40 mL with an optional controlled temperature and atmosphere. Moreover, a novel way to achieve stirred-solution chronoamperometry and hydrodynamic voltammetry using SPECs (with superior signal-to-noise ratios) using the UBC is described. Electrochemical measurements to demonstrate the merits and the applicability of all cells are also presented.

Safe natural bio-pigment production by Monascus purpureus using mixed carbon sources with cytotoxicity evaluation on root tips of Allium cepa L.

By increasing the undesirable side effects of synthetic food pigments on human health, using safe natural food pigment become an urgent issue. Incorporate corn starch with oils conducted a high impact on red pigment production by Monascus purpureus. Fortification the medium with sesame oil raised the pigment production by 80% and the dry mass by 63% compared with free oil medium. Response surface methodology maximizes the production with 114.6% (12.8 A500) using medium constituents (g/l); Sesame oil 5; Corn starch 30; Yeast extract 1.5; KH2PO4 2.5 and MgSO4.7H2O 0.1. After evaluating red pigment stability in three common food components, citric acid showed a great effect on residual stability percentage compared with ascorbic and salicylic acid which decrease slightly the residual stability percentage at light and dark conditions. The mitotic index of red pigment was lower than the negative control at all tested concentrations. Different types of mitotic chromosomal abnormalities e.g. lagging chromosome, chromosomal bridge, chromosome and chromatin fragments, outside chromosome, chromosomal stickiness and micro nuclei were recorded. Insignificant increase in total mitotic aberrations percentage in all tested root tips treated with all concentrations of red pigment (1.23, 1.58, 1.63, 2.32 and 2.40%) compared with negative control (0.91%). There was a significant increase in total aberrations percentage after treatment with all concentrations (10, 15, 20 and 25%) of positive control (2.93, 3.00, 3.55 and 6.53 respectively) except (5%) which was insignificant (2.71%). From the previous data, this red pigment can be used as an alternative safe pigment in the food industry.

Saccharopolyspora: an underexplored source for bioactive natural products.

Actinomycetes are a rich source for secondary metabolites with a diverse array of biological activities. Among the various genera of actinomycetes, the genus Saccharopolyspora has long been recognized as a potential source for antibiotics and other therapeutic leads that belong to diverse classes of natural products. Members of the genus Saccharopolyspora have been widely reported from several natural sources including both terrestrial and marine environments. A plethora of this genus has been chemically investigated for the production of novel natural products with interesting pharmacological effects. Therefore, Saccharopolyspora is considered one of the pharmaceutical important genera that could provide further chemical diversity with potential lead compounds. In this review, the literature from 1976 until December 2018 was covered, providing a comprehensive survey of all natural products derived from this genus and their semi-synthetic derivatives along with their biological activities, whenever applicable. Moreover, the biological diversity of Saccharopolyspora species and their habitats were also discussed.

Extreme environments: microbiology leading to specialized metabolites.

The prevalence of multidrug-resistant microbial pathogens due to the continued misuse and overuse of antibiotics in agriculture and medicine is raising the prospect of a return to the preantibiotic days of medicine at the time of diminishing numbers of drug leads. The good news is that an increased understanding of the nature and extent of microbial diversity in natural habitats coupled with the application of new technologies in microbiology and chemistry is opening up new strategies in the search for new specialized products with therapeutic properties. This review explores the premise that harsh environmental conditions in extreme biomes, notably in deserts, permafrost soils and deep-sea sediments select for micro-organisms, especially actinobacteria, cyanobacteria and fungi, with the potential to synthesize new druggable molecules. There is evidence over the past decade that micro-organisms adapted to life in extreme habitats are a rich source of new specialized metabolites. Extreme habitats by their very nature tend to be fragile hence there is a need to conserve those known to be hot-spots of novel gifted micro-organisms needed to drive drug discovery campaigns and innovative biotechnology. This review also provides an overview of microbial-derived molecules and their biological activities focusing on the period from 2010 until 2018, over this time 186 novel structures were isolated from 129 representatives of microbial taxa recovered from extreme habitats.

Comparative influence of dietary probiotic, yoghurt, and sodium butyrate on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, blood hematology, and immune response of meat-type chickens.

This study was conducted to assess the effects of early dietary supplementation with probiotic, yoghurt, and sodium butyrate (SB) on the growth performance, intestinal microbiota, blood hematology, and immune response of broiler chickens. A total of 180 1-day-old SASSO broiler chicks, housed in 12 equal floor pen replicates each of 15 chicks, were assigned randomly to four feeding treatments (three replicates/treatment, n = 45): T1. Basal diet (BD) (control), T2. BD incorporated 1 g of a commercial probiotic per kilogram, T3. BD mixed with 5 g of fresh yoghurt per kilogram, and T4. BD incorporated 0.6 g SB/kg. The experimental birds received the dietary treatments from 1 to 21 days of age. The dietary supplementation (g/kg) with commercial probiotic, yoghurt, and SB during the first 21 days of age did not affect broiler's growth performance variables at day 42, relative weight of immunity organs, blood hematological indices, or the ileal and cecal bacterial counts at day 42, but increased the serum IgG levels and reduced the cecal aerobes at day 21. The probiotic and yoghurt treatments increased the serum content of antibody titer against Newcastle disease virus and decreased the counts of ileal aerobes and E. coli at day 21, whereas the SB treatment increased the ileal lactobacilli count at day 21. In conclusion, the tested feed additives displayed beneficial impacts on broilers' gut microbiota at day 21 and serum IgG at day 42, but did not affect the growth performance or blood hematological indices at 42 days of age.

Caterpillar-Induced Plant Volatiles Attract Adult Tortricidae.

Binary and ternary combinations of volatile organic compounds identified earlier from caterpillar-infested apple foliage caught more than one thousand individuals of both sexes of several adult tortricid leafroller species in several days of trials conducted in apple orchards in southern British Columbia. A series of combinations with phenylacetonitrile, benzyl alcohol, and/or 2-phenylethanol and acetic acid enabled substantial catches of both sexes of eye-spotted budmoth, Spilonota ocellana, oblique-banded leafroller, Choristoneura rosaceana and three-lined leafroller, Pandemis limitata. These findings suggest that new monitoring aides can be developed to seasonally track populations, enabling practical applications in surveillance of female leafroller populations for the first time. It may also be possible to develop suppression tools based on combinations of kairomone compounds originally identified from leafroller larval-damaged apple trees, given the level of attraction. The discovery of these adult tortricid attractants (aromatic compounds plus acetic acid) raises new ecological questions about evolved direct plant defences against herbivores. Larval feeding-induced attraction of adult herbivores produces signals that are potentially harmful to the plant by increasing herbivory in the same family and probably feeding guild, but evidence for effects on plant fitness is needed.

Solamargine production by a fungal endophyte of Solanum nigrum.

AIMS: The aim was to isolate, identify and characterize endophytes from Solanum nigrum L. as a new source of the cytotoxic steroidal alkaloid solamargine. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three endophytic fungi; SNFSt, SNFL and SNFF were isolated from S. nigrum and identified by molecular methods. Preliminary TLC screening showed a common metabolite between the plant and one of these fungi, SNFSt which was identified as Aspergillus flavus based on the phylogenetic analysis of its ITS sequence. Subsequent LC-HRESIMS analysis unambiguously established the identity of the compound based on its molecular formula and its characteristic MS(2) fragmentation pattern as solamargine. To ascertain its identity, fungal solamargine was isolated using preparative TLC and its structure was fully characterized using NMR spectroscopic techniques and high-resolution mass spectrometric analysis. Solamargine production could be followed and quantified for a total of 11 generations of this fungus with a titer of ~250-300 µg l(-1) . This study represents one of the first examples where host plant-derived compounds have been demonstrated to be steadily produced by an endophytic fungi in sizeable quantities. CONCLUSIONS: The production of solamargine (found in the host plant) by a cultivable fungal endophyte at a significant yield is a new observation. Further experiments such as media optimization, OSMAC (One Strain Many Compounds) or epigenetic modifiers could be applied to enhance the fungal solamargine production. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The endophytic fungus SNFSt isolated from S. nigrum may be utilized for quantitative production of the potent cytotoxic metabolite solamargine.

The sample of choice for detecting Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in asymptomatic dromedary camels using real-time reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction.

The newly identified Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which causes severe respiratory disease, particularly in people with comorbidities, requires further investigation. Studies in Qatar and elsewhere have provided evidence that dromedary camels are a reservoir for the virus, but the exact modes of transmission of MERS-CoV to humans remain unclear. In February 2014, an assessment was made of the suitability and sensitivity of different types of sample for the detection of MERSCoV by real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for three gene targets: UpE (upstream of the E gene), the N (nucleocapsid) gene and open reading frame (ORF) 1a. Fifty-three animals presented for slaughter were sampled. A high percentage of the sampled camels (79% [95% confidence interval 66.9-91.5%, standard error 0.0625]; 42 out of 53) were shown to be shedding MERS-CoV at the time of slaughter, yet all the animals were apparently healthy. Among the virus-positive animals, nasal swabs were most often positive (97.6%). Oral swabs were the second most frequently positive (35.7%), followed by rectal swabs (28.5%). In addition, the highest viral load, expressed as a cycle threshold (Ct) value of 11.27, was obtained from a nasal swab. These findings lead to the conclusion that nasal swabs are the candidate sample of choice for detecting MERS-CoV using RT-PCR technology in apparently healthy camels.

Des travaux de recherche approfondis sont encore nécessaires concernant le coronavirus responsable du syndrome respiratoire du Moyen-Orient (MERSCoV), un virus identifié récemment et qui provoque des troubles respiratoires sévères en particulier chez les individus atteints de pathologies multiples. Les études effectuées au Qatar et ailleurs ont démontré que les dromadaires font office de réservoirs du virus ; toutefois, les modalités précises de la transmission du MERS-CoV à l'être humain demeurent obscures. En février 2014, une équipe de chercheurs a évalué l'adéquation et la sensibilité de plusieurs types d'échantillons pour détecter le MERS-CoV en utilisant l'amplification en chaîne par polymérase couplée à une transcription inverse en temps réel (RT-PCR) spécifique pour trois cibles génétiques, à savoir la séquence UpE (en amont du gène E), le gène N (nucléocapside) et le cadre de lecture ORF1a. Pour ce faire, divers prélèvements ont été effectués sur 53 dromadaires destinés à l'abattage. Un fort pourcentage de ces dromadaires (79 % [intervalle de confiance à 95 % compris entre 66,9 et 91,5 %, erreur standard : 0,0625], soit 42 sur 53) excrétaient le MERSCoV au moment de l'abattage, mais aucun ne présentait le moindre signe clinique. Les échantillons dans lesquels le plus de cas positifs ont été détectés étaient les écouvillons nasaux (97,6 %). Venaient ensuite les écouvillons oraux, qui ont détecté 35,7 % de cas positifs, puis les écouvillons rectaux (28,5 % de cas positifs détectés). Par ailleurs, ce sont les écouvillons nasaux qui ont permis d'obtenir l'intensité la plus élevée de la réponse de la RT-PCR, exprimée en une valeur du seuil de cycles de 11,27. Ces résultats permettent de conclure que les écouvillons nasaux sont les échantillons à privilégier pour la détection du MERS-CoV par RTPCR chez les dromadaires asymptomatiques.

Es preciso investigar más a fondo el coronavirus del síndrome respiratorio de Oriente Medio (MERS-CoV), recién identificado, que provoca una grave enfermedad respiratoria, sobre todo en personas con afecciones concomitantes. Estudios realizados en Qatar y otros lugares han deparado pruebas de que los dromedarios son un reservorio del virus, pero aún no están del todo claros los modelos exactos de transmisión del MERS-CoV al ser humano. Los autores describen un análisis realizado en febrero de 2014 de la idoneidad y sensibilidad de distintos tipos de muestra para detectar el MERS-CoV mediante una reacción en cadena de la polimerasa acoplada a transcripción inversa en tiempo real (RTPCR) dirigida contra tres genes: el gen UpE (upstream of the E gene: en dirección 5' desde el gen E); el gen N (nucleocápside) y el marco de lectura abierto (ORF) 1a. Para ello se tomaron muestras de 53 animales enviados al sacrificio. Se comprobó que un elevado porcentaje de los dromedarios analizados (un 79% [intervalo de confianza al 95%: 66,9­91,5%; error estándar: 0,0625], esto es, 42 de 53) excretaban virus en el momento del sacrificio, pese a que todos los animales parecían estar sanos. Entre los ejemplares positivos para el MERS-CoV, las muestras que con más frecuencia arrojaban resultado positivo eran los frotis nasales (97,6%). Las segundas, por orden de frecuencia, eran los frotis bucales (35,7%), seguidos de los frotis rectales (28,5%). Además, la carga viral más alta, expresada por un valor de ciclo umbral (Ct) (o punto de cruce) de 11,27, se obtuvo a partir de un frotis nasal. Estos resultados llevan a la conclusión de que los frotis nasales son el tipo de muestra más adaptado para detectar el MERS-CoV en dromedarios aparentemente sanos mediante la técnica de RT-PCR.

6-Pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one: a potent peach-derived kairomone for New Zealand flower thrips, Thrips obscuratus.

New Zealand flower thrips, Thrips obscuratus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), are attracted to ripening fruits, especially peaches. Volatiles from unripe and ripe peach fruits were collected and analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Six lactones were found only in ripe peach volatiles: γ-heptalactone, γ-octalactone, γ-nonalactone, 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one, γ-decalactone, and δ-decalactone. When these compounds were tested individually in field-trapping experiments, three of them (γ-octalactone, γ-nonalactone, and 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one) attracted New Zealand flower thrips. In another field-trapping experiment, aimed at testing various combinations of the three active compounds, no synergistic effects were found among all combinations tested; no combination caught more thrips than 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one, alone. A further field-trapping experiment was conducted to determine the dose (10, 100, and 500 mg) of 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one that gave the greatest catch of T. obscuratus, while also comparing it against another attractant, ethyl nicotinate, for T. obscuratus. The greatest catches in traps baited with either attractant were at loadings of 500 mg. At both 10 and 500 mg, traps baited with 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one caught more T. obscuratus than those baited with the same amounts of ethyl nicotinate. 6-Pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one is a potent attractant for New Zealand flower thrips and, therefore, could be used for monitoring and control of New Zealand flower thrips. Work is underway developing monitoring and control options utilizing 6-pentyl-2H-pyran-2-one for this important pest.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) RNA and neutralising antibodies in milk collected according to local customs from dromedary camels, Qatar, April 2014.

Antibodies to Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) were detected in serum and milk collected according to local customs from 33 camels in Qatar, April 2014. At one location, evidence for active virus shedding in nasal secretions and/or faeces was observed for 7/12 camels; viral RNA was detected in milk of five of these seven camels. The presence of MERS-CoV RNA in milk of camels actively shedding the virus warrants measures to prevent putative food-borne transmission of MERS-CoV.

Efficient newly designed primers for the amplification and sequencing of bird mitochondrial genomes.

In the present study, 27 mitochondrial genomes of diverse avian supra-orders were collected from the Genbank database and their genes were aligned separately. From the alignments, the conserved sequences were selected to design novel conserved primers for amplification and sequencing of the different mitochondrial genes. The reproducibility of these primers was tested in the amplification and sequencing of diverse avian supra-order mitochondrial genomes and was confirmed. This method helped in designing a new set of primers to accelerate both the amplification and the sequencing of bird mitogenomes. It also aids in building mitogenome markers in studying the genetic framework of endemic birds as a preliminary strategy for conservation management of them.

Preliminary molecular identification of a predatory bug, Orius albidipennis, collected from ornamental plants.

Orius albidipennis (Reuter) (Hemiptera: Anthocoridae) is a generalist predator used for biological control of insects attacking ornamental plants. Molecular identification of this species using internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) of ribosomal DNA was conducted for the first time. The complete sequence of ITS1 and fragments of its flanking 18S and 5.8S rDNA genes are reported herein. The estimated length of ITS1 of O. albidipennis was 305 bp. This spacer was nearly identical to its counterpart of Orius sp-Taif strain in spite of the difference in their length. The phylogentic relationships were determined using the maximum-likelihood method supported with strong bootstrap probabilities clustering of both taxa together. Further molecular markers could be useful to identify the Taif strain and support its sister relationship to the Egyptian O. albidipennis.

Survey and population dynamics of land snails at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt.

Land snails are a destructive agricultural pest in economic crops, but the populations for that pest are highly influenced by temperature and humidity, therefore climatic changes affected their behavior, distribution and population dynamics, for these reasons researchers should follow up on the changes in their behavior, distribution, and population dynamics. In this study, a survey study was conducted to define land snail species existing at Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, from January 2019 to March 2022 in horticultural, vegetable, and field crops and study the population dynamics for the dominant land snail species. Results showed that there are six species of land snails, these species were, Monacha cartusiana, Succinea putris, Eobania vermiculata, Theba pisana, Helicella vestalis, and Cochlicella acuta. The population dynamics of two prevalent land snail species (M. cartusiana and S. putris), were conducted during two successive growing seasons, the Egyptian clover harbored the highest number of M. cartusiana followed by wheat, while the onion was the lowest one during the study period. In the same trends, the land snail S. putris recorded the highest numbers during the growing season of the Egyptian clover crop. Finally, it is concluded that the land snail M. cartusiana considered the first grade of infestation existed everywhere at Sharkia Governorate, and the population density of the land snail is increase gradually after winter till reach the maximum density in spring.

Circulating microRNAs as novel biomarkers for measuring the potency of ginger extract against cyclophosphamide toxicity in rat renal tissues: molecular and histopathological study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to explore underlying molecular variations in the expression of miRNAs in kidney tissues of ginger-treated and non-treated cyclophosphamide (CP)-intoxicated rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS:   A total of 40 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of 10 each: Group I (control: received normal food and water), Group II (received ginger at a dose of 300 mg/kg), Group III (received CP 75 mg/kg, i.p.), and Group IV (received the same dose of CP and ginger extract).  Rats received a single injection of 75 mg/kg CP on days 3, 4, 5, 19, 20, and 21. In CP-intoxicated rats, the treatment with ginger extract at a dose of 300 mg/kg was received by oral gavage starting seven days before CP and continuing throughout the duration of the experiment for four weeks. Molecular variations in the expression of miRNAs, apoptotic genes, histological kidney damage, and abnormal kidney function in control, ginger, and CP-intoxicated rats were identified by using real-time RT-PCR Analysis, immunohistochemical, and colorimetric assays. In addition, HPLC analysis and liquid chromatography spectrophotometry analysis using Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, and Β-Carotene-linoleic acid reagents were applied respectively for in-vitro screening of phytoconstituents and antioxidant activity for ginger extract. RESULTS: The kidney tissues of CP-intoxicated rats displayed an increase in lipid peroxidation marker malonaldehyde (MDA), DNA damage, and fibrosis markers like hyaluronic acid (HA) and hydroxyproline Hypx) with a decrease in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). In addition, molecular expressions of mRNA fibrotic genes such as collagen, type 1, alpha 1 (COL1A1), and α-smooth muscle actin (αSMA). Molecular expressions of levels of B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCl-2) mRNA gene were down-regulated, and the expression of mRNA apoptotic; BCL2 associated X gene (Bax), caspase-3, Bax/BCl-2 ratio genes were significantly up-regulated respectively. Moreover, cellular oxidative genes, erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) were down-regulated, respectively. The miR-155-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-21-5p significantly increased while the miR-193b-3p, miR-455-3p, and miR-342-3p significantly decreased. Ginger also increased the expression of Nrf2, HO-1, and BCl-2 genes in the kidneys of rats induced with CP. In addition, active phytoconstituents, particularly 6]]-shogaol and 6]]-gingerol, were significantly identified in ginger extract using HPLC analysis. Antioxidant activity of these active metabolites were shown to be higher against in vitro free radicals (DPPH and Β-Carotene-linoleic acid), suggesting the potential antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties of ginger against CP-toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with ginger in rats induced with CP resulted in significant improvement in the expression of certain molecular miRNAs. The kidney tissues of these rats showed a marked decrease in the expression of miR-155-5p, miR-34a-5p, and miR-21-5p, while the levels of miR-193b-3p, miR-455-3p, and miR-342-3p were observed to increase significantly. In conclusion, ginger can protect rats from CP-induced nephrotoxicity.

Mitochondrial DNA Variability within Uromastyx ornata philbyi (Agamidae: Squamata) from Southwestern Saudi Arabia.

Approximately 2.4 kbp of mitochondrial DNA was sequenced from 9 individuals of Uromastyx ornata philbyi originating from Taif, Namas, Al-Baha, and Jazan in southwestern Saudi Arabia. The sequenced regions cover eight tRNA genes (tRNA(Gln), tRNA(Ile), tRNA(Met), tRNA(Trp), tRNA(Ala), tRNA(Asn), tRNA(Cys), and tRNA(Tyr)) and two protein-coding genes (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 and cytochrome b). U. ornata philbyi had an insertion of 170 bp length between tRNA(Gln) and tRNA(Ile) genes. The first 128 bp of this insertion was similar to the one identified earlier in U. ornata ornata and can be folded into a stem-and-loop structure, which was less stable in U. ornata philbyi than in U. ornata ornata, or the second tRNA(Gln) gene. The next 42 bp of the insertion was unique in U. ornata philbyi and additionally retained a stable stem-and-loop structure. Most base substitutions found in the sequenced genes were synonymous transitions rather than transversions. Tree analyses supported the sister group relationship between the two U. ornata subspecies and divided U. ornata philbyi into two groups: Taif+Namas group in the east of Sarawat and Al-Baha+Jazan group in the west of Sarawat. These molecular data are in agreement with current classification of U. ornata.

Carvacrol mitigates vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity via regulation of IkBα/p38MAPK and Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathways: an experimental study with in silico evidence.

OBJECTIVE: Despite its evident renal toxicity, vancomycin is considered an effective glycopeptide antibiotic against life-threatening positive bacterial contagions. The current study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of carvacrol as well as its underlying mechanism against vancomycin-induced nephrotoxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The animals were randomly classified into four groups (8 rats per group). Group I, which served as a control group, received only vehicles. Group II received a single i.p. injection of 50 mg/kg of carvacrol for seven days. Group III received vancomycin (200 mg/kg, i.p.) as a singular daily dose for seven days. Carvacrol was administered to Group IV seven days prior to the daily vancomycin dose. RESULTS: The results revealed that carvacrol minimized vancomycin-induced renal injury as evidenced by lower serum cystatin C levels and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1), in addition to a decline in renal damage caused by vancomycin as indicated in histopathological assessment. Furthermore, carvacrol significantly attenuated oxidative stress parameters and inflammatory mediators. Moreover, it downregulated Keap1, mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK), and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) genes and proteins, along with controlling the NF-κB inhibitory protein (IkBα) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) genes and proteins observed through streaming its genes. A molecular docking technique was also used to investigate the potential interactivity between carvacrol and proteins involved in regulating oxidative injury and inflammatory responses. CONCLUSIONS: The current study findings revealed that carvacrol administration before vancomycin could be a promising therapeutic approach for maceration of renal damage stimulated by vancomycin via controlling IkBα/MAPK and Keap1/Nrf2 signaling molecules.https://www.europeanreview.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/graphical-abstract-1.jpg.

Antischistosomal effects of Ficus carica leaves extract and/or PZQ on Schistosoma mansoni infected mice.

Currently, praziquantel (PZQ) is the only drug of choice used for treatment of human schistosomes because of its safety and broad-spectrum activity. It is reported that the repeated chemotherapy is complicated by the occurrence of drug resistance to schistosomiasis. So there is an urgent need to develop new drug combinations therapy. The current study aimed to evaluate antischistosomal activity of F. carica leaves extract alone or in combination with PZQ on Schistosoma mansoni infected mice. Mice were experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni and orally administrated 6 weeks' post-infection with Fig leaves extract and/or PZQ. Schistosoma mansoni (S. mansoni)-infected mice were separated into four groups: untreated (I), treated with PZQ in dose of 200 mg/kg bw (II), treated with Fig leaves extract dose of 400 mg/kg bw (III). Group IV was treated with dose of Fig leaves extract-PZQ as in groups II and III, respectively. The effect was detected parasitologically using ova count technique and oogram pattern in intestine and liver. The greatest antischistosomal effect was achieved using orally administered Fig leaves extract-PZQ as indicated by total worm burden, tissue egg count and oogram pattern. Fig leaves extract + PZQ induced the therapeutic efficacy over the PZQ dose alone in intestine and liver as shown by a complete absence of immature worms, a very high reduction in the total numbers of tissue egg load (59.81% vs. 61.43% & 67.96% vs. 73.46%), mature eggs (37.86 ± 1.4 vs. 34.14 ± 1.9) and increasing in the total number of dead eggs (62.14 ± 1.4vs.67.29 ± 1.76). The results suggested the curcumin in combination with PZQ as a strong schistosomicidal regimen against S. mansoni. In addition, F. carica leaves extract is a promising for PZQ potentiating its antischistosomal action in animal model infected with S. mansoni. Therefore, the present work conclude that combined treatment has a synergetic effect and could be more promising in the management of schistosomiasis.