Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Cyantraniliprole on the Biology and Metabolic Enzyme Activities of Two Lepidopteran Pests, Spodoptera littoralis and Agrotis ipsilon, and A Generalist Predator, Chrysoperla carnea (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae).

Cyantraniliprole is a novel anthranilic diamide insecticide registered for controlling chewing and sucking insect pests. Here, the lethal and sublethal effects of this insecticide on two destructive lepidopteran pests, Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval and Agrotis ipsilon Hufnagel, were evaluated. Because the effects of novel insecticides on beneficial and non-target arthropods must be considered, the impact of cyantraniliprole on a generalist biological control agent, Chrysoperla carnea [Stephens 1836], were also examined. Overall, our study revealed that cyantraniliprole was more toxic to A. ipsilon than to S. littoralis. Moreover, the LC15 and LC50 of the insecticide significantly prolonged the duration of the larval and pupal stages and induced enzymatic detoxification activity in both species. Treatment of the second-instar larvae of C. carnea with the recommended concentration of cyantraniliprole (0.75 mg/L) doubled the mortality rates and resulted in a slight negative effect on the biology and detoxification enzymes of C. carnea. Our results indicate that both sublethal and lethal concentrations of cyantraniliprole can successfully suppress S. littoralis and A. ipsilon populations. They also suggest that C. carnea, as a generalist predator, is compatible with cyantraniliprole under the modelled realistic field conditions. In future investigations, insights into the effects of cyantraniliprole on S. littoralis, A. ipsilon, and C. carnea under field conditions will be required to appropriately validate our results.

The Synergistic Effect of Lemongrass Essential Oil and Flometoquin, Flonicamid, and Sulfoxaflor on Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae): Insights into Toxicity, Biochemical Impact, and Molecular Docking.

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Genn.), is one of the most dangerous polyphagous pests in the world. Eco-friendly compounds and new chemical insecticides have gained recognition for whitefly control. In this study, the toxicity and biochemical impact of flometoquin, flonicamid, and sulfoxaflor, alone or combined with lemongrass essential oil (EO), against B. tabaci was studied. In addition, a molecular docking study was conducted to assess the binding affinity of the tested compounds to AchE. Based on the LC values, the descending order of the toxicity of the tested compounds to B. tabaci adults was as follows: sulfoxaflor > flonicamid > flometoquin > lemongrass EO. The binary mixtures of each of the tested compounds with lemongrass EO exhibited synergism in all combinations, with observed mortalities ranging from 15.09 to 22.94% higher than expected for an additive effect. Sulfoxaflor and flonicamid, alone or in combination with lemongrass EO, significantly inhibited AchE activity while only flonicamid demonstrated a significant impact on α-esterase, and none of the tested compounds affected cytochrome P450 or GST. However, the specific activity of P450 was significantly inhibited by the lemongrass/sulfoxaflor mixture while α-esterase activity was significantly inhibited by the lemongrass/flometoquin mixture. Moreover, the lemongrass EO and all the tested insecticides exhibited significant binding affinity to AchE with energy scores ranging from -4.69 to -7.06 kcal/mol. The current findings provide a foundation for utilizing combinations of essential oils and insecticides in the integrated pest management (IPM) of B. tabaci.

Towards Sustainable Pest Management: Toxicity, Biochemical Effects, and Molecular Docking Analysis of Ocimum basilicum (Lamiaceae) Essential Oil on Agrotis ipsilon and Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Over the last decade, essential oils (EOs) have become potential ingredients for insecticide formulations due to their widespread availability and perceived safety. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the toxicity and biochemical efficacy of basil (Ocimum basilicum) (Lamiaceae) against two destructive pests Noctuidae, Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) and Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). In addition, a molecular docking study was performed to gain insight into the binding pattern between glutathione S-transferase (GST) and linalool, the main component of EO. GC-MS analysis of O. basilicum EO revealed that linalool is the most abundant compound (29.34%). However, the toxicity tests showed no significant difference between the values of LC50 of O. basilicum EO to A. ipsilon and S. littoralis. On the other hand, the sublethal experiments indicated that treating the second instar larvae with LC15 or LC50 values of O. basilicum EO significantly prolonged the larval duration in both insects, compared to the control. Regarding the biochemical effect of O. basilicum EO, the treatments significantly impacted the activity of detoxification enzymes. A notable elevation in glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity was recorded in A. ipsilon larvae compared with a reduction in S. littoralis larvae. The molecular docking analysis revealed that linalool bonded with the amino acid serine (SER 9) of GST, indicating its binding affinity with the enzyme. The obtained results could offer valuable insights into the mode of action of O. basilicum and can encourage the adoption of sustainable pest control practices that incorporate essential oils.

Impact of gut microbiota composition on black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon (hufnagel) metabolic indices and pesticide degradation.

Endosymbionts are known to have significant effects on their insect hosts, including nutrition, reproduction, and immunity. Insects gut microbiota is a critical component that affects their physiological and behavioral characteristics. The black cutworm (BCW), Agrotis ipsilon, is an economically important lepidopteran pest that has a diverse gut microbiome composed of nine species belonging to three phyla: Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. This study was conducted to investigate the diversity of gut bacteria isolated from BCW larvae and moths and their effects on metabolism and pesticide degradation. The bacterial isolates were identified using the 16 S rRNA gene. The study showed that the gut microbiome composition significantly affected the metabolism of BCW larvae. Based on the screening results of synthesis of digestive enzymes and pesticide degradation, Brachybacterium conglomeratum and Glutamicibacter sp were selected to perform the remaining experiments as single isolates and consortium. The consortium-fed larvae showed high metabolic indices compared to antibiotic-fed larvae and the control. The gut bacteria were also shown to degrade three pesticide groups. Concerns regarding the health risk of chlorpyrifos have been raised due to its extensive use in agriculture. The isolated B. conglomeratum was more effective in chlorpyrifos degradation than the consortium. Furthermore, the study also examined the presence of sex related endosymbionts (Wolbachia, Spiroplasma, and Rickettsia) in the reproductive tissues of adults. The outcomes demonstrated that none of the examined endosymbionts existed. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of the gut microbiome in insect physiology and behavior and its potential applications in biotechnology. It provides insights into developing eco-friendly pest control and bioremediation strategies using gut bacteria.

Insights into the toxicity, biochemical activity, and molecular docking of Cymbopogon citratus essential oils and citral on Spodoptera littoralis (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Insecticide resistance is a significant problem in insect management that can result from several processes including target-site change and increased activity of detoxifying enzymes. Spodoptera littoralis is one of the most resistant insect pests. For more effective insect management, alternatives to synthetic pesticides are encouraged. One of these alternatives is essential oils (EOs). Cymbopogon citratus EO and its main constituent citral were, therefore, considered in this study. The results revealed that C. citratus EO and citral exhibited significant larvicidal activity against S. littoralis, and the former was insignificantly more toxic than the latter. Additionally, treatments significantly affected the activity of detoxification enzymes. Cytochrome P-450 and glutathione-S-transferase were inhibited, while carboxylesterases, a-esterase and ß-esterase, were induced. The molecular docking study indicated that citral bonded with the amino acids cysteine (CYS 345) and histidine (HIS 343) of cytochrome P-450. This result suggests that interaction with cytochrome P-450 enzyme is one key mechanism by which C. citratus EO and citral act in S. littoralis. The results of our study are hoped to contribute to a better understanding of the mechanism of action of essential oils at the biochemical and molecular levels and provide safer and more efficient pest management solutions for S. littoralis.

Infection patterns of Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) by ectoparasitic microfungi and endosymbiotic bacteria.

The invasive alien ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) hosts a wide range of natural enemies. Many observations have been done in nature but experimental studies of interactions of multiple enemies on Ha. axyridis are rare. In light of this knowledge gap, we tested whether the host phenotype and presence of bacterial endosymbionts Spiroplasma and Wolbachia affected parasitism of Ha. axyridis by the ectoparasitic fungus Hesperomyces harmoniae (Ascomycota: Laboulbeniales). We collected 379 Ha. axyridis in the Czech Republic, processed specimens, including screening for He. harmoniae and a molecular assessment for bacteria, and calculated fecundity and hatchability of females. We found that high hatchability rate (71 %) was conditioned by high fecundity (20 eggs daily or more). The average parasite prevalence of He. harmoniae was 53 %, while the infection rate of Spiroplasma was 73 % in ladybirds that survived in winter conditions. Wolbachia was only present in 2 % of the analyzed ladybirds. Infection by either He. harmoniae or Spiroplasma did not differ among host color morphs. In the novemdecimsignata morph, younger individuals (with orange elytra) were more heavily parasitized compared to old ones (with red elytra). Fecundity and hatchability rate of females were unaffected by infection with either He. harmoniae or Spiroplasma. However, female ladybirds co-infected with He. harmoniae and Spiroplasma had a significantly lower fecundity and hatchability compared to females with only one or no symbiont.

Bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in TMEM147 cause moderate to profound intellectual disability with facial dysmorphism and pseudo-Pelger-Huët anomaly.

The transmembrane protein TMEM147 has a dual function: first at the nuclear envelope, where it anchors lamin B receptor (LBR) to the inner membrane, and second at the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it facilitates the translation of nascent polypeptides within the ribosome-bound TMCO1 translocon complex. Through international data sharing, we identified 23 individuals from 15 unrelated families with bi-allelic TMEM147 loss-of-function variants, including splice-site, nonsense, frameshift, and missense variants. These affected children displayed congruent clinical features including coarse facies, developmental delay, intellectual disability, and behavioral problems. In silico structural analyses predicted disruptive consequences of the identified amino acid substitutions on translocon complex assembly and/or function, and in vitro analyses documented accelerated protein degradation via the autophagy-lysosomal-mediated pathway. Furthermore, TMEM147-deficient cells showed CKAP4 (CLIMP-63) and RTN4 (NOGO) upregulation with a concomitant reorientation of the ER, which was also witnessed in primary fibroblast cell culture. LBR mislocalization and nuclear segmentation was observed in primary fibroblast cells. Abnormal nuclear segmentation and chromatin compaction were also observed in approximately 20% of neutrophils, indicating the presence of a pseudo-Pelger-Huët anomaly. Finally, co-expression analysis revealed significant correlation with neurodevelopmental genes in the brain, further supporting a role of TMEM147 in neurodevelopment. Our findings provide clinical, genetic, and functional evidence that bi-allelic loss-of-function variants in TMEM147 cause syndromic intellectual disability due to ER-translocon and nuclear organization dysfunction.

Identification of a new nucleopolyhedrovirus isolated from the olive leaf moth, Palpita vitrealis, from two locations in Egypt.

The olive leaf moth (jasmine moth), Palpita vitrealis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is an important insect pest of olives in several Mediterranean countries. A new alphabaculovirus was isolated from diseased larvae of P. vitrealis in Egypt, first in Giza in spring 2005 and again in Marsa Matrouh in 2019.The larvae exhibited typical symptoms of a baculovirus infection. Light and scanning electron microscopy studies revealed polyhedral occlusion bodies. Transmission electron microscopy of ultrathin sections of purified OBs revealed virions with multiple embedded nucleocapsids. The identity of the two virus isolates was confirmed by sequencing the partial polyhedrin and lef-8 genes, and sequence comparison suggested a relationship to group I alphabaculoviruses. Therefore, this virus was termed Palpita vitrealis nucleopolyhedrovirus (PaviNPV). Whole genome sequencing of the PaviNPV isolate from Giza (Gz05) revealed a genome of 117,533 bp, 131 open reading frames (ORFs) and four homologous repeat (hr) regions. Phylogenetic reconstruction and genetic distance analyses using 38 core genes indicated that PaviNPV should be considered to belong to a novel species within the genus Alphabaculovirus. In bioassays, PaviNPV was highly virulent against second-instar larvae of P. vitrealis. The study reports a novel baculovirus that might have potential as a biological control agent of the olive leaf moth.

Multiple infections with hepatitis A virus and development of rheumatoid arthritis among waste water treatment plant workers.

INTRODUCTION: In the present work, we studied the association between multiple exposure of waste water treatment plant workers to infection with existing hepatitis A virus in waste water and development of rheumatoid arthritis, taking in consideration number of working years as an indicator for frequency of exposure to infection, compared to non waste water treatment plant workers. METHODOLOGY: A total of 105 waste water treatment plant workers and 48 NWWTPWs were included in the study. Exclusion criteria were positivity for HBV and/or HCV IgG, negativity to HAV IgG and suffering from rheumatic diseases other than rheumatoid arthritis. RESULTS: 96.2% of waste water treatment plant workers were anti-HAV-IgG positive, of whom 5 had high antibody titer indicating ongoing infection and were anti-HAV-IgM negative excluding primary infection. These 5 samples were further subjected to quantification of liver enzymes, glutamate oxaloacetate trasaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase and HAV-RT-PCR to check viremia and results showed increase of glutamate oxaloacetate trasaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase as well as viremea in all of them. Rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis was carried out by detection of C-reactive protein, rheumatoid factor and anti-cyclic citrullinated protein. Rheumatoid arthritis development was 19% in the waste water treatment plant workers with >10 working years and 8% for < 10 working years. Also, disease development started earlier (Age 30-40 years) among the waste water treatment plant workers compared to non waste water treatment plant workers (age: 40-50 years). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple exposures of waste water treatment plant workers to HAV might be one of the etiological stimuli of rheumatoid arthritis.

Nano-insecticides against the black cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): Toxicity, development, enzyme activity, and DNA mutagenicity.

Frequent applications of synthetic insecticides might cause environmental pollution due to the high residue. In addition, increasing insecticide resistance in many insect pests requires novel pest control methods. Nanotechnology could be a promising field of modern agriculture, and is receiving considerable attention in the development of novel nano-agrochemicals, such as nanoinsectticides and nanofertilizers. This study assessed the effects of the lethal and sublethal concentrations of chlorantraniliprole, thiocyclam, and their nano-forms on the development, reproductive activity, oxidative stress enzyme activity, and DNA changes in the black cutworm, Agrotis ipsilon, at the molecular level. The results revealed that A. ipsilon larvae were more susceptible to the nano-forms than the regular forms of both nano chlorine and sulfur within the chlorantraniliprole and thiocyclam insecticides, respectively, with higher toxicities than the regular forms (ca. 3.86, and ca.2.06-fold, respectively). Significant differences in biological parameters, including developmental time and reproductive activity (fecundity and hatchability percent) were also observed. Correspondingly, increases in oxidative stress enzyme activities were observed, as were mutagenic effects on the genomic DNA of A. ipsilon after application of the LC50 of the nano-forms of both insecticides compared to the control. These promising results could represent a crucial step toward developing efficient nanoinsecticides for sustainable control of A. ipsilon.

COI Haplotyping and Comparative Microbiomics of the Peach Fruit Fly, an Emerging Pest of Egyptian Olive Orchards.

The peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata (Tephritidae), is economically relevant as a highly polyphagous pest infesting over 50 host plants including commercial fruit and horticultural crops. As an invasive species, B. zonata was firmly established in Egypt and holds potential to spread further across the Mediterranean basin. The present study demonstrated that the peach fruit fly was found multiplying in olive orchards at two distant locations in Egypt. This is the first report of B. zonata developing in olives. COI barcoding has revealed evidence for high diversity across these peach fruit fly populations. These data are consistent with multiple rather than a single event leading to both peach fruit fly invasion to Egypt and its adaptation to olive. Comparative microbiomics data for B. zonata developing on different host plants were indicative for microbiome dynamics being involved in the adaptation to olive as a new niche with a potential adaptive role for Erwinia or Providencia bacteria. The possibility of symbiont transfer from the olive fruit fly to the peach fruit fly is discussed. Potentially host switch relevant bacterial symbionts might be preferred targets of symbiosis disruption strategies for integrated pest management or biological control of B. zonata.

Correction: Moustafa et al. Insecticidal Activity of Lemongrass Essential Oil as an Eco-Friendly Agent against the Black Cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Insects 2021, 12, 737.

Additional Affiliations [...].

Insecticidal Activity of Lemongrass Essential Oil as an Eco-Friendly Agent against the Black Cutworm Agrotis ipsilon (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

BACKGROUND: The destructive insect pest Agrotis ipsilon (Hufnagel) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is a polyphagous species targeting many economically important plants. The extensive and arbitrary use of insecticides has resulted in the build-up of insecticide resistance and pesticide residues accumulating in food. Therefore, it is becoming evident that alternative pest management tools are needed to reduce risks to humans, the environment, and non-target organisms, and at the same time, they should be used in field application at the lowest cost. METHODS: In view of this objective, the present study demonstrates the toxicity of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) essential oil (EO), against the black cutworm A. ipsilon under controlled laboratory conditions in terms of measuring the activity of peroxidase and detoxification enzymes. The chemical components of the EO were analyzed using GC-MS. RESULTS: The results show that after 96 h post treatment, the LC15 and LC50 values were 427.67 and 2623.06 mg/L, respectively, of C. citratus EO on second-instar larvae of A. ipsilon. A slight significance in elongation of the larval duration with LC15 and LC50 value was found with control. By GC-MS analysis, the main compounds identified in the EO were α-citral and ß-citral with percentages of 35.91%, and 35%, respectively. The oxidative stress indicates a significant increase in CAT and lipid peroxidase enzyme activity after 96 h post treatment at the LC15 and LC50. Conversely, the detoxification enzyme activity shows an inhibition of CarE and GST enzymes of larvae exposed to LC15 and LC50 values in response to C. citratus EO. CONCLUSIONS: The present data show that lemongrass EO has insecticidal activity against the black cutworm, A. ipsilon.

Impact of both socioeconomic level and occupation on antibody prevalence to SARS-CoV-2 in an Egyptian cohort: The first episode.

We studied the impact of socioeconomic level on the anti-SARS-CoV-2-antibodies prevalence in an Egyptian cohort. The low socioeconomic standard group (LSS) included 51 humans, 30 females (F) and 21 males (M). The high socioeconomic standard group (HSS) included 55 subjects, 24 F and 31 M. Of the 30 LSSF, 6 were immunoglobulin M (IgM), 21 immunoglobulin G (IgG), and 6 double positive. Of the 21 LSSM, 5 were IgM, 12 IgG, and 5 double positive. Of the 24 HSSF, 6 were IgM, 11 IgG, and 5 double positive. Of the 31 HSSM, 6 were IgM, 14 IgG, and 4 double positive. Of the 51 LSS humans, 26 were symptomatic (S) and 25 asymptomatic (AS). Of the 26 S, 20 were IgG and 8 IgM/IgG double positive. Of the 25 AS, 13 were IgG and 3 IgM/IgG double positive. Of the 55 HSS humans, 38 were S and 17 AS. Of the 38S, 24 were IgG and 11 IgM positive of whom, 9 were double positive. Of the 17 AS, one was IgG and one IgM positive. The IgM prevalence was higher among the HSS humans. The IgG prevalence was significantly higher among the LSS humans. In the two different socioeconomic standards, the prevalence of either IgM or IgG was higher among F. An inverse correlation was observed between age and the anti-SARS-CoV-2-antibodies prevalence except for LSSF-IgG and LSSM-IgM. In conclusion, socioeconomic standard, gender, and age impact humoral responses to SARS-CoV-2 with a clear heterogeneity in individualized responses to the infection in terms of symptoms.

The First Report for the Presence of Spiroplasma and Rickettsia in Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Egypt.

PURPOSE: The study of the Red Palm Weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), as an invasive pest of palm trees. METHODS: In this study, 36 RPW individuals were collected from 6 different locations in Egypt. The presences of endosymbionts in the RPW individuals were assayed. The phylogenetic analysis of the RPW inhabiting Egypt was conducted using Cytochrome c oxidase sub-unit 1 (CO1) gene. RESULTS: Spiroplasma was found, for the first time, in all individuals, while Rickettsia was found, for the first time, in individuals collected from only 3 of the 6 locations. Endosymbionts harbouring Egyptian RPW were closely related to those harbouring Diptera and\or Trombidiformes associated with palm trees. This may be due to horizontal transmission through palm sap or through ectoparasites living on the RPW. Finally, the phylogenetic analysis of the RPW inhabiting Egypt was conducted. The collected individuals were closely related to Saudi Arabia specimens collected from the eastern region. Thus, Saudi Arabia may be the origin of the RPW which invaded Egypt. Individuals from populations inhabiting the same geographical locations were closely related. This may be due to secondary invasion incidents that may have taken place through transportation of infested date palm trees and offshoots from infected to uninfected locations. CONCLUSION: This study reports the first incidence for the presence and coexistence of Spiroplasma and Rickettsia in RPW collected from Egypt. In addition, it was found that the collected individuals of RPW were closely related to a Saudi haplotype. Thus, Saudi Arabia may be the origin of infection which invaded Egypt.

Isolation, Identification, and Bioinformatic Analysis of Antibacterial Proteins and Peptides from Immunized Hemolymph of Red Palm Weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus.

Red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus Olivier, 1791, Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is a destructive pest of palms, rapidly extending its native geographical range and causing large economic losses worldwide. The present work describes isolation, identification, and bioinformatic analysis of antibacterial proteins and peptides from the immunized hemolymph of this beetle. In total, 17 different bactericidal or bacteriostatic compounds were isolated via a series of high-pressure liquid chromatography steps, and their partial amino acid sequences were determined by N-terminal sequencing or by mass spectrometry. The bioinformatic analysis of the results facilitated identification and description of corresponding nucleotide coding sequences for each peptide and protein, based on the recently published R. ferrugineus transcriptome database. The identified compounds are represented by several well-known bactericidal factors: two peptides similar to defensins, one cecropin-A1-like peptide, and one attacin-B-like protein. Interestingly, we have also identified some unexpected compounds comprising five isoforms of pheromone-binding proteins as well as seven isoforms of odorant-binding proteins. The particular role of these factors in insect response to bacterial infection needs further investigation.

Serum Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Egyptian Obese Women with Insulin Resistance.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major factor in the development of several sub-clinical anomalies. Insulin resistance (IR) is associated with obesity. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a significant role in inflammation and vascular neogenesis. However the precise relationships of its levels with clinical, lipid, and metabolic profiles are unknown. AIM: This study aimed to examine the association between serum VEGF concentrations with IR risk and metabolic and lipid parameters in obese women. METHODS: Serum VEGF, metabolic biomarkers and anthropometry were measured in 83 obese women with IR and 50 healthy women. Fat distributions in the abdominal, subcutaneous and visceral area were assessed. Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) was calculated. For analytical purposes, VEGF levels were categorised into three tertiles groups. RESULTS: Obese women with IR showed significantly higher levels of serum VEGF as compared with the control group. Moreover, obese women in the highest VEGF tertile had significantly higher values of obesity indices, visceral fat index, abnormal lipid levels and HOMA-IR compared to with those in the lower tertile. CONCLUSION: Elevated VEGF levels are associated with IR and high visceral fat index in obese women which in turn increased the risk for metabolic complications.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel BMI1 Inhibitors Targeting Cellular Self-Renewal in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents one of the most lethal cancers worldwide due to therapy resistance and disease recurrence. Tumor relapse following treatment could be driven by the persistence of liver cancer stem-like cells (CSCs). The protein BMI1 is a member of the polycomb epigenetic factors governing cellular self-renewal, proliferation, and stemness maintenance. BMI1 expression also correlates with poor patient survival in various cancer types. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to elucidate the extent to which BMI1 can be used as a potential therapeutic target for CSC eradication in HCC. METHODS: We have recently participated in characterizing the first known pharmacological small molecule inhibitor of BMI1. Here, we synthesized a panel of novel BMI1 inhibitors and examined their ability to alter cellular growth and eliminate cancer progenitor/stem-like cells in HCC with different p53 backgrounds. RESULTS: Among various molecules examined, RU-A1 particularly downregulated BMI1 expression, impaired cell viability, reduced cell migration, and sensitized HCC cells to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) in vitro. Notably, long-term analysis of HCC survival showed that, unlike chemotherapy, RU-A1 effectively reduced CSC content, even as monotherapy. BMI1 inhibition with RU-A1 diminished the number of stem-like cells in vitro more efficiently than the model compound C-209, as demonstrated by clonogenic assays and impairment of CSC marker expression. Furthermore, xenograft assays in zebrafish showed that RU-A1 abrogated tumor growth in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the ability to identify agents with the propensity for targeting CSCs in HCC that could be explored as novel treatments in the clinical setting.

Assessment of serum level of corticotropin-releasing factor in primary nocturnal enuresis.

INTRODUCTION: Primary nocturnal enuresis is one of the sleep related phenomena characterized by disruption in the relationship between arousal and urination. Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) is a neurohormone released from the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus into the median eminence to elicit release of adrenocorticotrophin from the anterior pituitary. It may act to modulate autonomic function and behavior in concert with the endocrine effects. Conflicting animal studies about the role of CRF in micturition, either facilitating or inhibiting, have been raised. It was suggested to be a novel target for treatment of urinary disorders based on the finding that manipulation of CRF in the pontine micturition circuit could affect urodynamic function. AIM: The aim was to throw light on the possible role of CRF in primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis by assessing its serum level. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine children aged 8-14 years complaining of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis and 16 age- and sex-matched healthy children with good toilet control day and night were recruited to the study. History taking, clinical examination, and assessment of serum CRF levels in the morning and evening (9 a.m. and 9 p.m.) were carried out for all patients and controls. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: A positive family history of enuresis was detected in 82.8% of enuretic patients. Serum levels of CRF (both morning and evening) were significantly lower in patients than in controls. Several animal studies suggested that CRF in descending projections from Barrington's nucleus to the lumbosacral parasympathetic neurons is inhibitory to micturition, which supports our results and the assumption that reduction of the evening serum CRF level could have a role in the occurrence of primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. No significant difference was found between morning and evening CRF serum levels in either cases or controls, which negates our assumption of having a rhythmic pattern of release (figure). No correlations with age were found. According to their history, all our enuretic patients were deep sleepers. Deep sleep and difficult arousal were found to have a major role in primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. It was proposed that CRF function may allow arousal to occur before micturition to facilitate preparative behaviors. A lower CRF level may explain deep-sleep pattern in children with enuresis. CONCLUSION: CRF was deficient in our enuretic children, which may draw attention to the possible pathophysiological implications in primary nocturnal enuresis (either at the level of loss of inhibitory effect on micturition or lack of arousal in response to bladder distension). Further proof studies are recommended.

Anti-diuretic hormone and genetic study in primary nocturnal enuresis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether primary nocturnal enuresis (PNE) is related to a disturbance in anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) secretion pattern at night which may be genetically inherited. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This study included 121 children aged 6-18 years with PNE and 45 matched healthy children as controls. Enuretic children were subjected to genetic evaluation and cytogenetic assessment (n = 99). Assay of ADH levels (9-11 am & 9-11 pm) was performed for cases (n = 99) and controls. RESULTS: There was a positive family history in 82.4% (autosomal dominant in 35.4% and autosomal recessive in 64.6%). ADH morning and evening values were reversed in cases vs controls with significant difference in morning level. Reversal of circadian rhythm was present in 71.7% of cases and normal rhythm in 28.3% of them. Morning and evening ADH levels revealed significant difference between patients with reversed rhythm and those with normal one, and with controls. Mode of inheritance had no influence on hormonal level. Chromosomal abnormality was detected in 3 cases with reversed ADH rhythm, involving chromosome 22 in two of them. CONCLUSION: PNE could be attributed in part to reversed ADH circadian rhythm which may be linked to chromosome 22.