Mesenchymal stem cells combined with albendazole as a novel therapeutic approach for experimental neurotoxocariasis.

Neurotoxocariasis (NT) is a serious condition that has been linked to reduced cognitive function, behavioural alterations and neurodegenerative diseases. Unfortunately, the available drugs to treat toxocariasis are limited with unsatisfactory results, because of the initiation of treatment at late chronic stages after the occurrence of tissue damage and scars. Therefore, searching for a new therapy for this important disease is an urgent necessity. In this context, cytotherapy is a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of many diseases and tissue damages through the introduction of new cells into the damaged sites. They exert therapeutic effects by their capability of renewal, differentiation into specialized cells, and being powerful immunomodulators. The most popular cell type utilized in cytotherapy is the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) type. In the current study, the efficacy of MSCs alone or combined with albendazole was evaluated against chronic brain insults induced by Toxocara canis infection in an experimental mouse model. Interestingly, MSCs combined with albendazole demonstrated a healing effect on brain inflammation, gliosis, apoptosis and significantly reduced brain damage biomarkers (S100B and GFAP) and T. canis DNA. Thus, MSCs would be protective against the development of subsequent neurodegenerative diseases with chronic NT.

Schistosomicidal, antifibrotic and antioxidant effects of Cucurbita pepo L. seed oil and praziquantel combined treatment for Schistosoma mansoni infection in a mouse model.

Despite the seriousness of schistosomiasis, its treatment depends only on praziquantel (PZQ), which has begun to lose its efficacy against the emergent Schistosoma mansoni-resistant strains. Therefore, the discovery of a novel schistosomicidal drug is an urgent priority. This study was designed to evaluate treatment with Cucurbita pepo L. (pumpkin) seed oil (PSO) alone and combined with PZQ against S. mansoni in experimentally infected mice. The study involved five groups: GI was the normal control; GII was the infected control; GIII was treated with an oral dose of PZQ of 500 mg/kg/day for two successive days, starting in the sixth week post infection; GIV was treated with an oral dose of PSO of 50 mg/kg/day for four weeks, starting in the fourth week post infection; and GV was treated with combined PSO-PZQ. Worm burden, tissue egg load and oogram pattern were estimated, and the ultrastructure alterations were examined. Histopathological examination of granuloma diameters, collagen deposition (Picro Sirius red stain), and angiogenesis (immunohistochemical expression of CD34+) was conducted and serum liver enzymes were measured to assess the liver condition. Moreover, the oxidative stress was evaluated by determining the amounts of malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase in liver homogenates. The results revealed significant changes in all the assessed parameters with PSO administration. However, PZQ was significantly more effective as an antiparasitic agent, whereas PSO was better in terms of fibrosis and oxidative stress. The most significant results were obtained in group V, which may be attributed to a synergy between PZQ and PSO, with antiparasitic, antioxidant and antifibrotic properties.

Effect of gamma irradiation on elimination of aflatoxins produced by apple mycoflora in apple fruits.

The influence of ionizing radiation on the growth of apple mycoflora and the aflatoxins production was investigated. Four strains of fungal isolates, Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatuis, A. niger, Penicillium expansum, were used. Four doses of gamma radiation were applied (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 KGy). The elimination of aflatoxins under selected conditions was detected by using HPLC techniques. Doses of 0.5 KGy stimulated the production of aflatoxins by all fungi tested while 1.0-2.0 KGy reduced the aflatoxins production. The studies were also carried out to investigate the effect of pre- and post-inoculation of both irradiated and non-irradiated fungal spores on irradiated and non-irradiated apples. The results showed the necessity of irradiation of fresh apple fruits followed by good preservation conditions. The results showed also that the effect of radiation is influences on the apple mycoflora producing aflatoxins and not the apple itself.

Purification and general properties of pectin methyl esterase from Curvularia inaequalis NRRL 13884 in solid state culture using orange peels as an inducer.

Pectin methyl esterase (PME) [E.C.3. 1.1.11] production by Curvularia inaequalis (Shear) Boedijn NRRL 13884 was investigated using solid-state culture. The highest level of extracellular pectin methyl esterase was detected with orange peels as an inducing substrate and as a sole carbon source. The enzyme was partially purified using Sephadex G-100 and DEAE-Cellulose column chromatography. It was purified about 40 fold with optimum activity at pH 4.4 and 45 degrees C. The enzyme was activated by Co++, Mg++, Na+, whereas it was slightly activated in the presence of Cu++, K+, Mn++, Zn++. On the other hand Ag++, Ca++ and Hg++ inhibited the activity of the enzyme. The Km was calculated to be 0.52 mM.

Effect of some medicaments on the oxygen uptake of the spores of some soil fungi.

Nystatin, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, captan, indoleacetic acid, and colchicin were tested in two concentrations for their effect on the oxygen uptake of the spores of Mucor racemosus, Cladosporium tenuissimum, Cochliobolus spicifer, and Macrophomina phaseoli. Nystatin and captan inhibited the oxygen uptake of the spores of all fungi used, and this inhibitory effect increases with increasing concentration. On the other hand, riboflavin, ascorbic acid, indoleacetic acid, and colchicin were found to have a stimulating effect. Increasing the concentration of these medicaments to the double concentration causes a decrease in the oxygen uptake, except in the case of ascorbic acid where the reverse occurs.

Effect of spraying developed shoot system with insecticide "endrin" on rhizosphere mycoflora of both okra and lupins.

Spraying shoot system of okra and lupins plants with insecticide endrin caused changes in plant metabolism. These changes reflected themselves on root exudates. Accordingly, the balance between the higher plant and the fungal population in the root zone was disturbed.

Effect of volatile substances from Origanum majorana and Ocimum basilicum on spore respiration and germination of some soil fungi.

Oxygen uptake by the spores of Fusarium moniliforme, F. oxysporum, F. semitectum, F. solani, Mucor racemosus and Trichoderma viride was increased in the presence of volatile substances extracted from Origanum majorana and Ocimum basilicum. This increase was greater in the presence of volatile substances from O. basilicum than O. majorana, except in the case of F. semitectum where the reverse was true. A drop in the RQ of all the germinating spores was observed in the presence of these substances. Volatile substances from O. majorana reduced the spore germination of M. racemosus whereas the spores of T. viride were stimulated to germinate. Volatile substances from O. basilicum stimulated the spore germination of M. racemosus whereas T. viride spores were not affected.

Effect of volatile substances released from Origanum majorana and Ocimum basilicum on the rhizosphere and phyllosphere fungi of Phaseolus vulgaris.

Differences were found in the counts and occurrence of fungi in the phyllosphere and thizosphere of two representatives of the Lamiacea family, Origanum majorana and Ocimum basilicum, and in the phyllosphere and rhizosphere of Phaseolus vulgaris growing separately or in coenosis with O. majorana or O. basilicum. Both the volatile substances released from ground leaves of the two latter plant species and the root exudates affected considerably spore germination of isolated phylospheric and rhizospheric fungi. The results indicated a possible role of root exudates and volatile substances released from leaves in colonization of rhizosphere and/or phyllosphere by fungi, especially in associations of various plants.

Trifluralin effect on Pisum--Rhizobium relationship.

Trifluralin inhibited root and shoot elongation of Pisum sativum plant and caused isodiametric increase in cell volume of both tissues. The water content of the plant was not affected. The weedicide inhibited also growth and O2 uptake of Rhizobium leguminosarum, isolated from Pisum plant. Reduction in the nitrogen content of Pisum tissues was noticed, and this may be attributed to the inhibition of nodule formation. Variations in the free and protein-amino acids were observed in the plant tissues, due to the application of the weedicide.

Fusarium wilt of Prunus armeniaca seedlings.

Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc. was found to be the causal pathogen of Fusarium wilt of Prunus armeniaca seedlings. The fungus pathogenicity could be correlated with the increase in its mycelial growth and conidial germination under the influence of the host root exudates, volatile and gaseous exudates of either germinating seeds or roots, and the content of the host seedlings. Chromatographic and biological detection for indol derivatives in host root exudates indicated the presence of beta-indolacetic acid and indol-3-carbonic acid. Benzaldehyde, acetaldehyde, ethanol, ethylene, in addition to carbon dioxide, were among the volatile and gaseous exudates of either germinating seeds or roots of the host.

Ethylene production during seed germination of some plants.

The volatile and gaseous exudates emanating during seed germination of cotton, maize, and broad bean were analyzed chromatographically for ethylene production. The amount of ethylene produced could be arranged in the following descending order: cotton, maize, broad bean. Ethylene production decreases with the increase in the germinating seed age.

Effect of volatile and gaseous exudates of germinating seeds of some plants on the germinative potentialities of some fungal spores in relation to their ability of absorption of some sugars and nitrogen sources.

Volatile and gaseous exudates of germinating seeds of Z. mays, P. armeniaca, C. sativus, and C. olitorius stimulated the spore germination of B. piluliferum. This stimulation was accompanied with an increase in sugar and nitrogen source absorption during the spore germination. On the other hand, the volatile and gaseous exudates of the germinating seeds of P. sativum inhibited the absorption of both sugar and nitrogen source, as well as the percentage of spore germination. In case of B. cinerea, the effect of the volatile and gaseous exudates of the germinating seeds of all plants used on the fungal spore germination differed according to both the sugar and nitrogen source absorbed.

The effect of volatile and gaseous metabolites of swelling seeds on germination of fungal spores.

Effects of volatile and gaseous metabolites of swelling seeds of pea, bean, wheat, corn cucumber, tomato, lentil, carrot, red papper and lettuce on germination of spores of five genera of fungi were found to depend rather on the fungal than on the plant genus. Germination of spores of Botrytis cinerea, Mucor racemosus and Trichoderma viride was most severely inhibited. Spores of Verticillium dahliae were less sensitive and germination of spores of Fusarium oxysporum was inhibited only in two cases. On the other hand, exudates of pea and bean stimulated germination of spores of Fusarium oxysporum. Also spores of Trichoderma viride germinated better in an atmosphere enriched with exuded metabolites of swelling lettuce seeds. When carbon dioxide produced by the swelling seeds was absorbed in potassium hydroxide, spores of Trichoderma viride and Verticillium dahliae did not germinate at all, the inhibitory effects of volatile and gaseous exudates on germination of spores of Mucor racemosus were accentuated, and also the percentage of germinated spores of Fusarium oxysporum decreased. Germination of spores of Botrytis cinerea was not influenced. Absorption of volatile and gaseous metabolites in a solution of potassium permanganate decreased in most cases their inhibitory effects, particularly in Botrytis cinerea.