A novel metabolite of Streptomyces coeruleorubidus exhibits antibacterial activity against Streptococcus agalactiae through modulation of physiological performance, inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, and oxidative stress-correlated gene expressions in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Using the unique structures found in natural materials to produce new antibacterial drugs is crucial. Actinobacteria is well-known for its ability to produce naturally occurring chemicals with a variety of structural features that can be used as weapons against infectious bacteria. In the present study, the Streptomyces coeruleorubidus metabolites were characterized and their efficacy in suppressing Streptococcus agalactiae growth was carried out both in vitro and in vivo. The metabolites of S. coeruleorubidus were purified and identified as octasiloxane-hexadecamethyl (OHM). In vivo antibacterial activity of OHM revealed an inhibitory minimum concentration value of 0.5 µg/ml against S. agalactiae and induced ultrastructural cell changes revealed by scanning electron microscope. The safe concentration of OHM was determined as 0.8 mg/L for Nile tilapia. Four in vivo treatments were treated with 0 and 0.8 mg/L OHM and with or without challenge by S. agalactiae (1 × 107 CFU/mL) named control, OHM, S. agalactiae, and S. agalactiae + OHM groups. The OHM treatment improved the survival of Nile tilapia by 33.33% than S. agalactiae challenge group. Waterborne OHM treatment significantly mitigated the deleterious effects of S. agalactiae on hematological, hepato-renal functions, stress indicators, and antioxidant balance. OHM significantly alleviated nitric oxide levels, complement 3, IgM, and lysozyme activity, downregulation of liver antioxidant genes expression in S. agalactiae group. Furthermore, the addition of OHM to challenged fish with S. agalactiae-significantly reversed dramatic negative regulation of inflammatory, apoptosis, and immune related gene expression (caspase-3, bax, pcna, tnf-α, ifn-γ, il-8 il-1ß, il-10, tgf-ß, and bcl-2 in the Nile tilapia spleen. Additionally, the damaged hepatic and splenic structure induced by bacterial infection was restored with OHM treatment. Finally, S. coeruleorubidus metabolites (mainly OHM) revealed in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activity and showed alleviated effects on the physiological status of S. agalactiae infected tilapia.

Comparative phenotypic and genotypic analysis of community-acquired and hospital-acquired intra-abdominal infections among liver transplanted patients.

AIM: During liver transplantation, both hospital-acquired (HA) and community-acquired (CA) intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are involved causing life-threatening diseases. Therefore, comparative studies of aerobic and facultative anaerobic HA-IAIs and CA-IAIs after liver transplantation surgery are necessary. METHODS AND RESULTS: The species of detected isolates (310) from intra-abdominal fluid were identified and classified into hospital-acquired intra-abdominal infections (HA-IAIs) and community-acquired intra-abdominal infections (CA-IAIs). Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii were the most commonly detected species. The resistant phenotypes were commonly detected among the HA-IAIs; however, the virulent phenotypes were the predominant strains of CA-IAIs. Regrettably, the resistance profiles were shocking, indicating the inefficacy of monotherapy in treating these isolates. Therefore, we confirmed the use of empirical combination therapies of amikacin and meropenem for treating all IAIs (FICI ≤ 0.5). Unfortunately, the high diversity and low clonality of all identified HA and CA-IAIs were announced with D-value in the range of 0.992-1. CONCLUSION: This diversity proves that there are infinite numbers of infection sources inside and outside healthcare centers.

Dietary microalgal-fabricated selenium nanoparticles improve Nile tilapia biochemical indices, immune-related gene expression, and intestinal immunity.

BACKGROUND: Feed supplements, including essential trace elements are believed to play an important role in augmenting fish immune response. In this context, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) in fish diets via a green biosynthesis strategy have attracted considerable interest. In this investigation, selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs, 79.26 nm) synthesized from the green microalga Pediastrum boryanum were incorporated into Nile tilapia diets to explore its beneficial effects on the immune defense and intestinal integrity, in comparison with control basal diets containing inorganic Se source. Nile tilapia (No. 180, 54-57 g) were fed on three formulated diets at concentrations of 0, 0.75, and 1.5 mg/kg of SeNPs for 8 weeks. After the trial completion, tissue bioaccumulation, biochemical indices, antioxidant and pro-inflammatory cytokine-related genes, and intestinal histological examination were analyzed. RESULTS: Our finding revealed that dietary SeNPs significantly decreased (P < 0.05) serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and cholesterol, while increasing (P < 0.05) high-density lipoproteins (HDL). The Se concentration in the muscle tissues showed a dose-dependent increase. SeNPs at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg significantly upregulated intestinal interleukin 8 (IL-8) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß) gene transcription compared with the control diet. Glutathione reductase (GSR) and glutathione synthetase (GSS) genes were significantly upregulated in both SeNPs-supplemented groups compared with the control. No apoptotic changes or cell damages were observed as indicated by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3 gene expression and evidenced histopathologically. SeNPs supplementation positively affects mucin-producing goblet cells (GCs), particularly at dose of 1.5 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: Therefore, these results suggest that Green synthesized SeNPs supplementation has promising effects on enhancing Nile tilapia immunity and maintaining their intestinal health.

Phenotypic, molecular detection, and Antibiotic Resistance Profile (MDR and XDR) of Aeromonas hydrophila isolated from Farmed Tilapia zillii and Mugil cephalus.

In the present study, Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from Tilapia zillii and Mugil cephalus samples collected during different seasons from various Suez Canal areas in Egypt. The prevalence of A. hydrophila, virulence genes, and antibiotic resistance profile of the isolates to the commonly used antibiotics in aquaculture were investigated to identify multiple drug resistance (MDR) and extensive drug-resistant (XDR) strains. In addition, a pathogenicity test was conducted using A. hydrophila, which was isolated and selected based on the prevalence of virulence and resistance genes, and morbidity of natural infected fish. The results revealed that A. hydrophila was isolated from 38 of the 120 collected fish samples (31.6%) and confirmed phenotypically and biochemically. Several virulence genes were detected in retrieved A. hydrophila isolates, including aerolysin aerA (57.9%), ser (28.9%), alt (26.3%), ast (13.1%), act (7.9%), hlyA (7.9%), and nuc (18.4%). Detection of antibiotic-resistant genes revealed that all isolates were positive for blapse1 (100%), blaSHV (42.1%), tetA (60.5%), and sul1 (42.1%). 63.1% of recovered isolates were considered MDR, while 28.9% of recovered isolates were considered XDR. Some isolates harbor both virulence and MDR genes; the highest percentage carried 11, followed by isolates harboring 9 virulence and resistance genes. It could be concluded that the high prevalence of A. hydrophila in aquaculture species and their diverse antibiotic resistance and virulence genes suggest the high risk of Aeromonas infection and could have important implications for aquaculture and public health.

The potential use of daphnia meal as substitute for fishmeal in diets of hybrid red tilapia affects growth performance, activities of digestive enzymes, antioxidant, immune status and intestinal histological parameters.

The current study aimed to evaluate growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, antioxidant status, nonspecific immune response and intestinal histological status of red tilapia fed Daphnia meal (DM) as a substitute for fishmeal (FM). Hybrid red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus × Oreochromis aureus) fry (0.54 ± 0.05 g fish-1) was allocated in nylon haba cages (100 fry m-3) for 2 weeks as an acclimation period. The fish were divided into five groups (three replicates each). The experimental diets were prepared by replacing FM with DM at concentrations of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively. The results indicated that fish fed increasing levels of DM (50%-75%) experienced high growth performance, feed utilisation and protein content. The activities of digestive enzymes were significantly increased in all groups fed DM diets compared to the control. The antioxidant balance was improved by decreasing the level of malondialdehyde and increased the total antioxidant capacity, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activities in the liver of fish fed DM. The nonspecific immune response, including lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase activities and total protein level improved significantly with increasing FM substitution levels by DM in a dose-dependent manner. Histometric analysis of the intestinal wall revealed an increase in the villus length, crypts depth and goblet cells number in groups fed DM meal up to 50% substitution level compared to other treatments. It may be concluded from results of this feeding trial that in the aquaculture of hybrid tilapia, FM may be substituted with up to 50% DM without compromising intestinal health, growth performance and immune status of the fish.

Fishmeal substitution by zooplankton or Daphnia magna biomass meals in the diet of Nile tilapia: Effects on growth, gut histological changes, bacterial abundance and stress tolerance.

Fishmeal substitution with sustainable feed sources is highly essential towards sustainable production. This study aimed to investigate the effects of substituting fishmeal (FM) with Daphnia magna biomass meal (DBM) or zooplankton biomass meal (ZBM) on growth performance, liver and intestinal histology, gut bacterial abundance and stress tolerance of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, fry. Nile tilapia fry (0.23 ± 0.04 g) were randomly assigned to five groups of three replicates. The control diet comprised 300 g/kg FM, and the FM was substituted with DBM or ZBM at levels of 25% and 50% (DBM-25, DBM-50, ZBM-25 and ZBM-50 respectively) in the other experimental diets. The experiment lasted 56 days in 1.5 m3 concrete tanks. The results revealed that weight gain and feed conversion ratio (FCR) significantly (p ≤ 0.035 and 0.025 respectively) improved with a polynomial response with a peak at 25% ZBM and a linear increase with DBM up to 50% of FM. Histometric indices of the distal intestine showed improvements (p ≤ 0.001) in villus height, villus width, crypt depth and muscle thickness of fish fed DBM or ZBM compared to the control. In the meantime, there were no histological abnormalities in the liver sections. The replacement of FM with DBM or ZBM could modulated gut bacterial abundance, including total bacterial count, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, and Lactobacillus sp. The fish-fed DBM or ZBM-containing diets had higher (p ≤ 0.05) tolerances to salinity stress than the control group. In conclusion, DBM or ZBM could replace FM up to 50% and 25%, respectively with improved fish growth performance, FCR, gut histology and tolerance to salinity stress.

Effects of extended dietary supplementation with Santalum album essential oil on hemato-biochemical changes, innate immune response, antioxidant status, and expression of related gene in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

The effects of long-term dietary supplementation with sandalwood (Santalum album L.) essential oil (SEO) was investigated on hemato-biochemical biomarkers, immune status, antioxidant capacity, and resistance against Staphylococcus aureus in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Five groups (with four replicates) of O. niloticus (12.60 ± 0.20 g) were fed diets supplemented with SEO at doses of 0, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 mL/kg diet for 60 days. Results indicated a substantial increase in blood protein levels and lower serum cholesterol, cortisol, glucose, urea, creatinine levels and, transaminase activities of fish fed a 2.0-mL SEO/kg diet. Serum lysozyme activity, nitric oxide, complement-3 levels, and phagocytic activity were significantly improved in O. niloticus after 60 days of feeding SEO-supplemented diets. Dietary SEO at level of 2.0-mL SEO/kg diet increased the activities of SOD, CAT, and GPx, and decreased MDA levels in liver homogenate. In addition, dietary 2.0-mL SEO/kg diet significantly upregulated antioxidant genes expression (CAT, SOD, GPx, GST, and GSR) with downregulation of apoptotic genes (HSP70, TLR2, caspase-3, and PCNA) in the liver. Furthermore, SEO-enriched diets significantly down-regulated pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-8) and up-regulated anti-inflammatory cytokine genes (TFG-ß and IL-10) in the spleen. Moreover, SEO fortification increased the relative percentage of survival against S. aureus challenge and regulated immune-antioxidant genes in the spleen after the challenge. Overall, the results revealed that long-term using SEO might strengthen the physiological performance, hepatic oxidant/antioxidant balance, innate immune response, and resistance of O. niloticus against bacterial infections.

Phytochemical and Potential Properties of Seaweeds and Their Recent Applications: A Review.

Since ancient times, seaweeds have been employed as source of highly bioactive secondary metabolites that could act as key medicinal components. Furthermore, research into the biological activity of certain seaweed compounds has progressed significantly, with an emphasis on their composition and application for human and animal nutrition. Seaweeds have many uses: they are consumed as fodder, and have been used in medicines, cosmetics, energy, fertilizers, and industrial agar and alginate biosynthesis. The beneficial effects of seaweed are mostly due to the presence of minerals, vitamins, phenols, polysaccharides, and sterols, as well as several other bioactive compounds. These compounds seem to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, and anti-diabetic activities. Recent advances and limitations for seaweed bioactive as a nutraceutical in terms of bioavailability are explored in order to better comprehend their therapeutic development. To further understand the mechanism of action of seaweed chemicals, more research is needed as is an investigation into their potential usage in pharmaceutical companies and other applications, with the ultimate objective of developing sustainable and healthier products. The objective of this review is to collect information about the role of seaweeds on nutritional, pharmacological, industrial, and biochemical applications, as well as their impact on human health.

Moringa oleifera alleviated oxidative stress, physiological and molecular disruption induced by acute thermal stress in grass carp, Ctenopharyngodon idella.

The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of dietary Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MLM) supplementation against high temperature-induced stress in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). A total of 180 apparent healthy juvenile grass carp (15.48 g ± 0.054) were divided into three groups in triplicate (20 fish in each replicate). Fish were fed with diets containing 0, 1, and 5% MLM for 60 days and then subjected to a high-temperature challenge for 48 h (32-33 °C). The results revealed that feeding fish with 1 and 5% MLM resulted in a significant increase in weight gain and specific growth rate compared to the control. In addition, feed conversion ratio was significantly reduced in groups fed with MLM. No significant difference was reported in the serum cortisol level among different experimental groups before heat stress while serum glucose level significantly decreased in fish fed with 5% MLM. Serum alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and alkaline phosphatase significantly decreased in fish fed with 1 and 5% MLM before and after heat stress. Hepatic lipid peroxidation significantly decreased in fish fed with MLM for 60 days. A non-significant increase in hepatic reduced glutathione level was reported in fish fed with 1 and 5% MLM before heat stress. Catalase and superoxide dismutase activities increased significantly in the liver of fish fed with 5% MLM. No significant change was observed in the expression profile of heat shock protein (hsp) 70 and 90 before heat stress. Meanwhile, after heat stress, up to a fivefold increase was recorded in mRNA level of hsp 70 and fourfold increase in the expression level of hsp 90 in the liver of the control fish which were not fed with MLM-supplemented diets. Fish fed with 1 and 5% MLM showed a significant decrease in the expression of hsp 70 and a non-significant decrease in the expression of hsp 90. Results of the present study suggest that supplementing the diet of grass carp with 5% MLM could improve growth and physiological performance and provide resistance against high temperature-induced stress.

Staphylococcus lugdunensis as Cause of Septic Pericarditis.

Staphylococcus lugdunensis (S. lugdunensis) is a coagulase-negative gram-positive bacterium, considered part of skin flora, which can simultaneously cause human diseases. S. lugdunensis has been reported in the literature as one of the causative agents for infective endocarditis.1 Although one of the coagulasenegative staphylococci, S. lugdunensis shares many virulent characteristics with Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), including biofilm formation. It has been associated with various foreign body-related infections such as prosthetic joint infections,2 in addition to bacteremia, osteomyelitis, septic arthritis, central nervous system, urinary tract infections, peritonitis, infective endocarditis and others. Given the association with severe and aggressive infections, it is important to treat S. lugdunensis as true infection rather than a contaminant, particularly in a suspect clinical context.3-6 Currently, there are no reported cases in the literature on pericarditis secondary to S. lugdunensis. We present a case of a 69-year-old woman with pericarditis, sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) due to S. lugdunensis.

Effects of aqueous and ethanolic leaf extracts from drumstick tree (Moringa oleifera) on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) leucocytes, and their cytotoxic, antitumor, bactericidal and antioxidant activities.

Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of drumstick, Moringa oleifera, leaves were evaluated in vitro to ascertain their principal active components and determine their immunostimulant, cytotoxic, antitumoral, bactericidal and antioxidant activities. Phytochemical screening of M. oleifera leaf extracts showed a greater abundance of phenolic and cyanogenic glycosides in aqueous than in ethanolic extracts, characterized by several flavonoids, condensed tannins and saponins. No significant effects on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) head-kidney leucocyte activities (phagocytic ability and capacity, respiratory burst and peroxidase) were detected after incubation for 24 h with different concentrations (0.001/1 mg mL-1) of either extract. In addition, the aqueous extract showed a marked cytotoxic effect on both SAF-1 (at doses above 0.01 mg mL-1) and PLHC-1 (at doses above 0.25 mg mL-1) cell lines. The ethanolic extract improved the viability of SAF-1 cells and decreased the viability of PLHC-1 cells when used at higher concentrations. Both the ethanolic and, particularly, the aqueous extracts showed significant bactericidal activity on pathogenic Vibrio anguillarum and Photobacterium damselae strains. The antiradical activity of M. oleifera, as determined by the ABTS assay, increased in a linear dose-response with increasing extract concentrations. The results as a whole for the cytotoxic, bactericidal and antioxidant activities of M. oleifera leaf extracts point to their possible use as additives in functional diets for farmed fish.

Dietary supplementation of drumstick tree, Moringa oleifera, improves mucosal immune response in skin and gills of seabream, Sparus aurata, and attenuates the effect of hydrogen peroxide exposure.

In aquatic animals, the mucosal barrier is the first line of innate immune defence against external chemicals and pathogens. In this study, the effects of dietary Moringa oleifera leaf (MOL) supplementation on skin and gill mucosal immunity, antioxidants and stress responses were evaluated in seabream (Sparus aurata) fingerlings exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). A total of 144 specimens (10.11 ± 0.41 g) were divided into four treatments (three replicates per treatment contained 12 specimens each) and fed a non-supplemented control diet or a 1, 2.5 or 5% MOL-supplemented diet. After three weeks of feeding, six specimens from each aquarium were sampled for blood, mucus and tissues. The other six fish in each aquarium were subjected to H2O2 exposure. The results revealed that MOL did not negatively affect either cortisol or glucose levels. MOL supplementation significantly (P < 0.05) improved skin mucosal immunity-related characteristics, including phosphatase, peroxidase and lysozyme activity and IgM levels. Additionally, MOL upregulated the expression of antioxidant genes (sod and cat), an anti-inflammatory gene (tgf-ß), tight junction protein genes (occludin and zo-1), c3, and igm in both the skin and gills. However, H2O2 exposure significantly (P < 0.05) increased both cortisol and glucose levels and disrupted skin mucosal immune function by significantly (P < 0.05) decreasing phosphatase, peroxidase, protease, antiprotease and lysozyme activity and IgM levels. H2O2 exposure severely decreased the mRNA levels of the studied genes. MOL dietary supplementation at the 5% level successfully attenuated the negative effects of H2O2 on the mucosal immune response in both the skin and gills. In conclusion, dietary MOL supplementation at the 5% level is recommended to improve S. aurata mucosal immune function under both normal and stress conditions. Additionally, exposure to H2O2 disrupts the mucosal immunity of fish. This contributes knowledge on the routes involved in mucosal innate immunity and could help to understand the fish resistance against chemicals exposure. Graphical abstract.

Effects of dietary inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaves on growth and some systemic and mucosal immune parameters of seabream.

The effect of the dietary incorporation of drumstick, Moringa oleifera, leaf meal (MOL; 0, 5, 10 and 15%) on the growth, feed utilization, some skin mucus and systemic immune parameters and intestinal immune-related gene expression in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) specimens. The experiment lasted 4 weeks. The results revealed that MOL can be incorporated in S. aurata diet up to 10% with no significant negative effect on growth and feed utilization. However, there was a significant decrease with MOL at a level of 15% after 2 weeks of feeding. The systemic immune status of fish fed with the different levels of MOL showed an improvement in head kidney leucocyte phagocytosis, respiratory burst and peroxidase activities. Also, serum humoral components, including protease, ACH50 and lysozyme activities and IgM level, increased with MOL inclusion especially at the 5% level. MOL at 5% improved skin-mucosal immunity such as protease, antiprotease, peroxidase and lysozyme activities. Moreover, the feeding of MOL revealed an upregulation of the intestinal mucosal immunity genes (lyso and c3), tight junction proteins (occludin and zo-1) and anti-inflammatory cytokines (tgf-ß) with a downregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine (tnf-α). Therefore, it is recommended to incorporate MOL in S. aurata diets at a level of 5% for the best immune status or 10% for the high growth performance and acceptable immune surveillance. Graphical abstract ᅟ.

Effects of carbon sources and plant protein levels in a biofloc system on growth performance, and the immune and antioxidant status of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

The efficacy of different biofloc treatments (BFTs) to compensate for a reduction in dietary protein level under zero-water exchange systems was studied during a 10 weeks experiment, assessing the effect on water quality, growth, immune and antioxidant status of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings. Six groups were established and fed the same plant-based feed containing 20 or 30% crude protein: two groups in clear water conditions with no added carbon source, two biofloc groups given a wheat milling by-product (WMB) as additional carbon source and two biofloc groups given rice bran (RB). The results showed that biofloc volume was higher when WMB was used as carbon source. The highest growth performance were obtained with the biofloc system and the higher dietary protein level. Fish fed 20% crude protein and stocked in WMB biofloc significantly outperformed the fish fed 30% crude protein and stocked in clear water. Significant improvements in hematocrit, white blood cells, lymphocytes, plasma proteins, and humoral (immunoglobulin, lysozyme, myeloperoxidase and ACH50) and cellular (phagocytosis activity and respiratory burst) immune parameters were observed in all BFT fish. BFT also increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Moreover, the fish fed 20% dietary protein and reared in both biofloc conditions showed equal or superior levels of the immunological criteria to fish fed 30% protein in clear water conditions. In conclusion, using WMB as carbon source could make up for a reduction in dietary protein levels of 10% and improve growth performance, and the immune and antioxidant status of O. niloticus.

Dietary supplementation of organic selenium improves growth, survival, antioxidant and immune status of meagre, Argyrosomus regius, juveniles.

Oxidative stress is considered one of the main obstacles to immune competence and high mortality rate of marine fish larvae due to the high dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and accelerated metabolic rate. This study was carried out to assess the effect of different dietary selenium (Se) yeast on growth, antioxidant status, hematological changes, and cellular and humoral immune parameters in meagre (Argyrosomus regius). Juvenile specimens (3.20 ± 0.17 g) were randomly assigned to four experimental groups, a control group fed a basal diet and another three groups fed Se-supplemented diets at doses of 1, 2 and 3 mg Se-yeast kg-1 diet for 63 days and the final analyzed selenium concentrations were 0.77, 1.51, 2.97 and 3.98 mg Se kg-1 diet, respectively. The results indicated that growth performance, feed conversion ratio and survival were significantly improved with 2.97 and 3.98 mg Se-yeast kg-1 compared to the control group. The catalase, superoxide dismutase activities and total antioxidant status were significantly increased, and thiobarbituric reactive substances in liver homogenate were significantly decreased with increasing Se supplementation respect to the control fish in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, hematological and innate immune parameters (immunoglobulin, lysozyme, myeloperoxidase, ACH50 and respiratory burst activity) were also significantly higher in fish fed the Se-yeast supplemented diets compared to the control group. The results demonstrated that the supplementation of 3.98 mg Se-yeast kg-1 diet improves growth performance, antioxidant balance and innate immune status of meagre juveniles.

Extracellular microRNAs in follicular fluid and their potential association with oocyte fertilization and embryo quality: an exploratory study.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to determine the profile of extracellular microRNAs (exmiRNAs) in follicular fluid (FF) and explore their association with fertilization potential and embryo quality. METHODS: We collected FF from single follicles containing mature oocytes from 40 women undergoing IVF and we screened for the expression of 754 exmiRNAs in FF using the TaqMan OpenArray® qPCR platform. To determine the association of exmiRNAs and IVF outcomes, we compared their expression levels in FF samples that differ by fertilization status (normally, abnormally, and failed to fertilize) and embryo quality (top vs. non-top). RESULTS: We detected 207 exmiRNAs, of which miR-30d-5p, miR-320b, miR-10b-3p, miR-1291, and miR-720 were most prevalent. We identified four exmiRNAs with significant fold change (FC) when FF that contained normally fertilized was compared to failed to fertilize oocytes [miR-202-5p (FC = 1.82, p = 0.01), miR-206 (FC = 2.09, p = 0.04), miR-16-1-3p (FC = 1.88, p = 0.05), and miR-1244 (FC = 2.72, p = 0.05)]. We also found four exmiRNAs to be significantly differentially expressed in FF that yielded top quality versus non-top quality embryos [(miR-766-3p (FC = 1.95, p = 0.01), miR-663b (FC = 0.18, p = 0.02), miR-132-3p (FC = 2.45, p = 0.05), and miR-16-5p (FC = 3.80, p = 0.05)]. In-silico analysis revealed that several of these exmiRNAs are involved in pathways implicated in reproductive system diseases, organismal abnormalities, and organ development. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that exmiRNAs in the follicular fluid can lead to downstream events that will affect fertilization and day 3 embryo morphology. We encourage further observational and experimental studies to confirm our findings and to determine the role of exmiRNAs in human reproduction.

The relationship between myofascial trigger points sensitivity, cervical postural abnormality, and clinical tension-type headache parameters.

BACKGROUND: Myofascial Trigger Points (MTrPs) play a significant role in the pathogenesis of Tension Type Headache (TTH). Abnormal cranio-cervical posture has been linked to various types of headaches. However, the correlation between MTrPs sensitivity, cervical postural alignment, and clinical measures of headache has not been extensively studied in patients with TTH. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between MTrPs sensitivity in cervical and pericranial muscles, cervical postural abnormality, and clinical headache parameters in patients with TTH. Furthermore, to investigate the effect of sex on the examined variables and their association with headache type (episodic vs chronic TTH). METHODS: A total of 72 patients with TTH of both sexes were enrolled in this study. Headache frequency and disability as clinical measures of headache, pressure pain threshold (PPT) of bilateral upper trapezius (UT) and suboccipital (SUB) muscles, cervical lordosis angle (CA), and anterior head translation (AHT) were measured. RESULTS: Pericranial MTrPs sensitivity did not demonstrate any correlation with clinical headache parameters or cervical postural abnormality. However, there was a significant correlation between the frequency of headaches and the level of disability (r = 0.32, P < 0.05). In addition, episodic TTH was more prevalent in females who exhibited greater AHT and MTrPs sensitivity of both bilateral UT and right SUB muscles than males. CONCLUSIONS: There was no correlation found between the frequency of headaches and the level of disability with measures of cervical posture alignment or MTrPs sensitivity in individuals with TTH.. Based on findings, Clinicians should consider sex differences when assessing patients with TTH.

Effect of dietary intervention with Capsicum annuum extract on growth performance, physiological status, innate immune response, and related gene expression in Nile tilapia.

The red pepper (Capsicum annuum) has gained great attention recently because of its biological and pharmacological characteristics. The present approach aimed to evaluate the effects of C. annuum alcoholic extract (CAE) supplementation on Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) growth performance, physiological status, some metabolic, immune, and regulatory genes expression, and resistance against Streptococcus agalactiae infection. Fish (22.26 ± 0.19 g) were assigned to four treatments (five replicates, each with 10 fish replicate-1) and fed tested diets for 60 days. The experimental diets were supplemented with CAE at 0, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 g kg-1, expressed as CAE0, CAE0.4, CAE0.8, and CAE1.6, respectively. The findings exhibited that CAE dietary supplementation improved growth performance, feed utilization, elevated growth hormone level, and digestive enzyme activities (amylase and protease), and lowered leptin hormone in a level-dependent manner. Boosting the mRNA expression of the transporter proteins (solute carrier family 15 member 2 and solute carrier family 26 member 6) and insulin-like growth factor-1 genes with a decrease in the myostatin gene expression was noticed in the CAE-fed groups. The innate immune (serum bactericidal activity %, complement 3, and phagocytic activity %) and antioxidant (glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity) parameters were significantly (p < 0.05) improved, and the serum malondialdehyde level was significantly decreased by CAE dietary inclusion. A marked upregulation in the mRNA expression of interleukins (il-1ß, il-6, il-8, and il-10), transforming growth factor-ß, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione synthetase genes were observed in CAE-fed groups. Dietary CAE decreased the cumulative mortalities after the challenge with S. agalactiae by 20, 13.33, and 10% in CAE0.4, CAE0.8, and CAE1.6, respectively, compared to the control (40%). Overall, dietary supplementation with CAE could improve growth performance and physiological status, and modulate the expression of several regulatory genes in Nile tilapia. The recommended level of CAE is 1.6 g kg-1 to augment growth and health status.

Antagonistic Effect of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Dietary Supplementation Against Chronic Copper Waterborne Exposure on Growth, Behavioral, Biochemical, and Gene Expression Alterations of African Catfish, Clarias gariepinus (Burchell, 1822).

The harmful impact of waterborne copper (Cu) as a common abiotic stressor in aquatic environments has gained much more interest. The present study aimed to investigate the utilization of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) dietary supplementation to mitigate the chronic toxicity of Cu in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus). Two hundred and forty fish (92.94 ± 0.13 g) were assigned into six groups for 60 days. Control (C), ZnONPs20, and ZnONPs30 groups were fed on basal diets fortified with 0, 20, and 30 mg kg-1 ZnONPs without Cu exposure. Cu, Cu + ZnONPs20, and Cu + ZnONPs30 groups were exposed to Cu at a dose of 10 mg L-1 and fed on basal diets fortified with 0, 20, and 30 mg kg-1 ZnONPs, respectively. The results revealed that the Cu-exposed fish experienced abnormal clinical signs and behavioral changes. The growth indices and acetylcholine esterase activity were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in the Cu group. Meanwhile, hepatorenal and serum stress indices (P < 0.05) were significantly elevated with chronic Cu exposure. In addition, a higher expression of stress (P < 0.05) (heat shock protein 60 and hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha) and apoptotic-related genes (C/EBP homologous protein, caspase-3, and Bcl-2 Associated X-protein) with down-regulation (P < 0.05) of the anti-apoptotic-related genes (B-cell lymphoma 2 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen) was noticed in the Cu-exposed fish. Histopathological alterations in the gills, liver, kidney, and spleen were markedly reported in the Cu-exposed group. The dietary supplementation with ZnONPs significantly alleviated the negative impacts of chronic waterborne-Cu exposure on growth performance, physiological changes, gene expression, and tissue architecture, especially at 30 mg kg-1 diet level. In particular, the inclusion of ZnONPs at the 30 mg kg-1 diet level produced better outcomes than the 20 mg kg-1 diet. Overall, ZnONPs could be added as a feed supplement in the C. gariepinus diet to boost the fish's health and productivity and alleviate the stress condition brought on by Cu exposure.

Deciphering the role of MicroRNAs in diabetic nephropathy: Regulatory mechanisms and molecular insights.

A serious consequence of diabetes mellitus, diabetic nephropathy (DN) which causes gradual damage to the kidneys. Dietary changes, blood pressure control, glucose control, and hyperlipidemia are all important components of DN management. New research, however, points to microRNAs (miRNAs) as having a pivotal role in DN pathogenesis. Miniature non-coding RNA molecules such as miRNAs control gene expression and impact several biological processes. The canonical and non-canonical routes of miRNA biogenesis are discussed in this article. In addition, several important signaling pathways are examined in the study of miRNA regulation in DN. A deeper knowledge of these regulatory mechanisms would allow for a better understanding of the molecular basis of DN and the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Finally, miRNAs show tremendous potential as DN diagnostic biomarkers and treatment targets, opening up promising avenues for further study and potential clinical use.