The autophagy-mediated mechanism via TSC1/mTOR signaling pathway in thiram-induced tibial dyschondroplasia of broilers.

Thiram is a member of the dithiocarbamate family and is widely used in agriculture, especially in low-income countries. Its residues lead to various diseases, among which tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) in broiler chickens is the most common. Recent studies have also demonstrated that thiram residues may harm human health. Our previous study showed that the activity of the mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) signaling pathway has changed after thiram exposure. In the current study, we investigated the effect of autophagy via the mTOR signaling pathway after thiram exposure in vitro and in vivo. Our results showed that thiram inhibited the protein expression of mTOR signaling pathway-related genes such as p-4EBP1 and p-S6K1. The analysis showed a significant increase in the expression of key autophagy-related proteins, including LC3, ULK1, ATG5, and Beclin1. Further investigation proved that the effects of thiram were mediated through the downregulation of mTOR. The mTOR agonist MHY-1485 reverse the upregulation of autophagy caused by thiram in vitro. Moreover, our experiment using knockdown of TSC1 resulted in chondrocytes expressing lower levels of autophagy. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that thiram promotes autophagy via the mTOR signaling pathway in chondrogenesis, providing a potential pharmacological target for the prevention of TD.

Integrated management of groundwater quantity, physicochemical properties, and microbial quality in West Nile delta using a new MATLAB code and geographic information system mapping.

Groundwater is an excellent alternative to freshwater for drinking, irrigation, and developing arid regions. Agricultural, commercial, industrial, residential, and municipal activities may affect groundwater quantity and quality. Therefore, we aimed to use advanced methods/techniques to monitor the piezometric levels and collect groundwater samples to test their physicochemical and biological characteristics. Our results using software programs showed two main types of groundwater: the most prevalent was the Na-Cl type, which accounts for 94% of the groundwater samples, whereas the Mg-Cl type was found in 6% of samples only. In general, the hydraulic gradient values, ranging from medium to low, could be attributed to the slow movement of groundwater. Salinity distribution in groundwater maps varied between 238 and 1350 mg L-1. Although lower salinity values were observed in northwestern wells, higher values were recorded in southern ones. The collected seventeen water samples exhibited brackish characteristics and were subjected to microbial growth monitoring. Sample WD12 had the lowest total bacterial count (TBC) of 4.8 ± 0.9 colony forming unit (CFU mg L-1), while WD14 had the highest TBC (7.5 ± 0.5 CFU mg L-1). None of the tested water samples, however, contained pathogenic microorganisms. In conclusion, the current simulation models for groundwater drawdown of the Quaternary aquifer system predict a considerable drawdown of water levels over the next 10, 20, and 30 years with the continuous development of the region.

The emerging roles of sphingosine 1-phosphate and SphK1 in cancer resistance: a promising therapeutic target.

Cancer chemoresistance is a problematic dilemma that significantly restrains numerous cancer management protocols. It can promote cancer recurrence, spreading of cancer, and finally, mortality. Accordingly, enhancing the responsiveness of cancer cells towards chemotherapies could be a vital approach to overcoming cancer chemoresistance. Tumour cells express a high level of sphingosine kinase-1 (SphK1), which acts as a protooncogenic factor and is responsible for the synthesis of sphingosine-1 phosphate (S1P). S1P is released through a Human ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter to interact with other phosphosphingolipids components in the interstitial fluid in the tumor microenvironment (TME), provoking communication, progression, invasion, and tumor metastasis. Also, S1P is associated with several impacts, including anti-apoptotic behavior, metastasis, mesenchymal transition (EMT), angiogenesis, and chemotherapy resistance. Recent reports addressed high levels of S1P in several carcinomas, including ovarian, prostate, colorectal, breast, and HCC. Therefore, targeting the S1P/SphK signaling pathway is an emerging therapeutic approach to efficiently attenuate chemoresistance. In this review, we comprehensively discussed S1P functions, metabolism, transport, and signaling. Also, through a bioinformatic framework, we pointed out the alterations of SphK1 gene expression within different cancers with their impact on patient survival, and we demonstrated the protein-protein network of SphK1, elaborating its sparse roles. Furthermore, we made emphasis on different machineries of cancer resistance and the tight link with S1P. We evaluated all publicly available SphK1 inhibitors and their inhibition activity using molecular docking and how SphK1 inhibitors reduce the production of S1P and might reduce chemoresistance, an approach that might be vital in the course of cancer treatment and prognosis.

Maternal supplementation of curcumin-olive oil nanocomposite improves uteroplacental blood flow, placental growth and antioxidant capacity in goats.

This experiment was designed to investigate the impact of curcumin-olive oil nanocomposite (CONC) supplementation on uteroplacental hemodynamics and ultrasonographic measurements as well as maternal oxidative status in midgestating goats. Twelve synchronized pregnant goats (85.58 ± 1.08 days of gestation; mean ± SD) were uniformly assigned to two groups (n = 6/group); the first group received daily oral supplementation of CONC (3 mg/kg body weight; nanocurcumin [NC] group) for 32 days, and the second group was offered physiological saline (control) following the NC group timeline. The goats of both groups were examined at 3-day intervals for middle uterine (MUA) and umbilical (UMA) arteries hemodynamics (pulsatility index [PI], resistive index [RI], systole/diastole [S/D] and blood flow rate [BFR]) and diameters, uteroplacental thickness (UPT), placentomes' diameter (PD) and echogenicity, steroid hormones (progesterone and estradiol 17ß), oxidative biomarkers (total antioxidant capacity [TAC], catalase [CAT], malondialdehyde [MDA]), nitric oxide (NO) and blood cells DNA integrity. The UPT (p = 0.012) and PD (p = 0.021) values were higher in the NC group than in their counterparts' control group (D11-32). There were increases in diameter (p = 0.021 and p = 0.012) and decreases (p = 0.021, p = 0.016 and p = 0.041 [MUA]; p = 0.015, p = 0.023 and p = 0.011 [UMA] respectively) in Doppler indices (PI, RI and S/D) of the MUA and UMA in the NC group compared to the control group (D14-32). On D20-32 (MUA) and D14-32 (UMA), the NC goats had higher BFR than the control group (p = 0.021, 0.018 respectively). The means of blood cells with fragmented DNA were lower (p = 0.022) in the NC group than in the control group on Days 8 and 21 postsupplementation. There were increases in CAT and NO (D20-32; p = 0.022 and p = 0.004 respectively), and TAC (D17-32; p = 0.007) levels in the NC goats compared to the control ones. The NC group had lower (p = 0.029) concentrations of MDA than the control group on Day 20 postsupplementation onward. In conclusion, oral supplementation of CONC improved uteroplacental blood flow and the antioxidant capacity of midgestating goats.

Molecular docking as a tool for the discovery of novel insight about the role of acid sphingomyelinase inhibitors in SARS- CoV-2 infectivity.

Recently, COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its variants, caused > 6 million deaths. Symptoms included respiratory strain and complications, leading to severe pneumonia. SARS-CoV-2 attaches to the ACE-2 receptor of the host cell membrane to enter. Targeting the SARS-CoV-2 entry may effectively inhibit infection. Acid sphingomyelinase (ASMase) is a lysosomal protein that catalyzes the conversion of sphingolipid (sphingomyelin) to ceramide. Ceramide molecules aggregate/assemble on the plasma membrane to form "platforms" that facilitate the viral intake into the cell. Impairing the ASMase activity will eventually disrupt viral entry into the cell. In this review, we identified the metabolism of sphingolipids, sphingolipids' role in cell signal transduction cascades, and viral infection mechanisms. Also, we outlined ASMase structure and underlying mechanisms inhibiting viral entry 40 with the aid of inhibitors of acid sphingomyelinase (FIASMAs). In silico molecular docking analyses of FIASMAs with inhibitors revealed that dilazep (S = - 12.58 kcal/mol), emetine (S = - 11.65 kcal/mol), pimozide (S = - 11.29 kcal/mol), carvedilol (S = - 11.28 kcal/mol), mebeverine (S = - 11.14 kcal/mol), cepharanthine (S = - 11.06 kcal/mol), hydroxyzin (S = - 10.96 kcal/mol), astemizole (S = - 10.81 kcal/mol), sertindole (S = - 10.55 kcal/mol), and bepridil (S = - 10.47 kcal/mol) have higher inhibition activity than the candidate drug amiodarone (S = - 10.43 kcal/mol), making them better options for inhibition.

Modulation of apoptosis and Inflammasome activation in chondrocytes: co-regulatory role of Chlorogenic acid.

BACKGROUND: The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) protein regulates programmed cell death throughout the disease conditions by upholding apoptotic pathways. However, the mechanism by which it's expressed in chondrocytes still needs to be studied in chondrocyte-related disorders. Additionally, exploring the potential therapeutic role of Chlorogenic acid (CGA) in confluence with Bcl-2 modulation is of significant interest. METHODS: In vivo and in vitro studies were performed according to our previous methodologies. The chondrocytes were cultured in specific growth media under standard conditions after expression verification of different microRNAs through high-throughput sequencing and verification of Bcl-2 involvement in tibial growth plates. The effect of Bcl-2 expression was investigated by transfecting chondrocytes with miR-460a, siRNA, and their negative controls alone or in combination with CGA. The RNA was extracted and subjected to a reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence assays were performed to visualize the intracellular localization of Bcl-2 and associated proteins related to apoptotic and inflammasome pathways. Moreover, apoptosis through flow cytometry was also performed to understand the modulation of concerning pathways. RESULTS: The suppression of Bcl-2 induced higher apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction, leading to IL-1ß maturation and affecting the inflammasome during chondrocyte proliferation. Conversely, overexpression attenuated the activation, as evidenced by reduced caspase activity and IL-1ß maturation. In parallel, CGA successfully reduced siRNA-induced apoptosis by decreasing Cytochrome C (Cyto C) release from the mitochondria to the cytoplasm, which in turn decreased Caspase-3 and Caspase-7 cleavage with Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax). Furthermore, siBcl-2 transfection and CGA therapy increased chondrocyte proliferation and survival. The CGA also showed a promising approach to maintaining chondrocyte viability by inhibiting siRNA-induced apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Targeting Bcl-2-mediated regulation might be a possible treatment for chondrocyte-related conditions. Moreover, these results add knowledge of the complicated processes underlying chondrocyte function and the pathophysiology of related diseases, highlighting the significance of target specific therapies. Video Abstract.

Anti-Cryptosporidial Drug-Discovery Challenges and Existing Therapeutic Avenues: A "One-Health" Concern.

Cryptosporidiosis is the leading cause of life-threatening diarrheal infection, especially in infants. Oocysts contaminate the environment, and also, being a zoonotic disease, cryptosporidiosis is a threat to One Health. Nitazoxanide is the only FDA-approved drug, effective only in immunocompetent adults, and is not safe for infants. The absence of mitochondria and apicoplast, the presence of an electron-dense band (ED band), hindrances in its genetic and phenotypic manipulations, and its unique position inside the host cell are some challenges to the anti-cryptosporidial drug-discovery process. However, many compounds, including herbal products, have shown efficacy against Cryptosporidium during in vitro and in vivo trials. Still, the "drug of choice" against this protozoan parasite, especially in immunocompromised individuals and infants, has not yet been explored. The One-Health approach addresses this issue, focusing on the intersection of animal, human, and environmental health. The objective of this review is to provide knowledge about novel anti-cryptosporidial drug targets, available treatment options with associated limitations, and possible future shifts toward natural products to treat cryptosporidiosis. The current review is organized to address the treatment and prevention of cryptosporidiosis. An anti-cryptosporidial drug that is effective in immunocompromised individuals and infants is a necessity of our time.

Effect of pre-treatment of melatonin on superovulation response, circulatory hormones, and miRNAs in goats during environmental heat stress conditions.

Environmental heat stress has a deleterious impact on farm animal reproductive performance. The purpose of this study was to see how the addition of melatonin affected the efficacy of the superovulation regimen in goats in hot climatic conditions. Sixteen Shiba goats were synchronized and divided into two equal groups (n = 8, each): the melatonin group, which received a single S/C dose of melatonin, and a control group, treated with one ml of corn oil only. Ultrasonographic assessment of ovarian structures (Graafian follicles; GFs and corpus lutea; CLs) morphometry and hemodynamics were performed during the estrous phase of the superovulation (D0) and at day7 after ovulation (D7) of the superovulation regimen. The peripheral reproductive hormones were measured, and microRNAs were characterized. The mean diameter and the total-colored area of GFs during the D0 were significantly (P˂0.05) higher in the melatonin group (5.42 ± 0.11 mm and 1592.20 ± 45.26 pixels, respectively) compared to the control group (4.62 ± 0.12 mm and 1052.55 ± 29.47 pixels, respectively). Concentrations of LH and E2 increased significantly (P˂0.05) in the melatonin group (1.06 ± 0.06 ng/ml and 46.34 ± 2.77 pg/ml, respectively) compared to the control group (0.75 ± 0.12 ng/ml and 29.33 ± 1.89 pg/ml, respectively). At D7, the melatonin-received goats attained greater values in the mean count (6.75 ± 0.33, P˂0.005), diameters (6.08 ± 0.12 mm, P˂0.01), and total-colored area (17137.30 ± 128.53 pixels, P˂0.01) of detected CLs and progesterone concentrations (4.08 ± 0.24 ng/ml) compared to control goats (4.00 ± 0.28, 4.50 ± 0.19 mm, 11156.87 ± 117.90 pixels, and 2.90 ± 0.18 ng/ml respectively). MiRNA expression analysis was identified during both stages denoting several up and downregulated miRNA candidates among the studied groups. In conclusion, incorporating melatonin enhanced the efficiency of the superovulation regimen in goats under hot climatic conditions.

Effect of Acute Melatonin Injection on Metabolomic and Testicular Artery Hemodynamic Changes and Circulating Hormones in Shiba Goats under Sub-Tropical Environmental Conditions.

The beneficial effects of melatonin were investigated to mitigate various detrimental effects and toxicity on reproductive performance. The present study aimed, for the first time, to explore the effect of intravenous melatonin injection on testicular artery hemodynamics (TH) and metabolomic changes, reproductive hormones in heat-stressed bucks. Ten bucks were randomly split into two groups (five each): (1) the melatonin group, treated with a single intravenous dose of melatonin solution containing 10 mg melatonin each, and (2) the control group, which was treated with 10 mL of the vehicle without melatonin. Changes in the TH at the level of the supra testicular artery (STA) were assessed by triplex ultrasonography just before (0 h) and at 0.5, 2, 7, 24, and 168 h after melatonin or vehicle administration. Doppler velocity parameters of peak systolic velocity (PSV; cm/s), end-diastolic velocity (EDV; cm/s), and time average maximum velocity (TAMAX; cm/s) were measured. Doppler indices (resistive index; RI and pulsatility index; PI), systole/diastole (S/D) ratio and total arterial blood flow volume (TABFV; ml/minute) were measured. Peripheral concentrations of FSH, LH, inhibin, melatonin, testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and cortisol were measured just before injection (0 h) and at 0.5, 2, 7, and 24 h and daily up to day 7 post administration in both groups. Results revealed reductions in the RI values and increases in the TABFV in the melatonin group compared to the control one, especially 2 h after administration. Significant increases in concentrations of FSH, T, E2, and melatonin and decreases in cortisol and inhibin in the melatonin group compared to the control one. Plasma metabolomic analysis at 2 h indicated the up-regulation of L-glutamine, L-arginine, sorbitol, D-glucose, ascorbic acid, and ornithine and the down-regulation of D-xylose, D-arabitol, ribitol, and oleic acid in the melatonin versus the control group. In conclusion, acute administration of melatonin (10 mg IV) enhanced testicular artery blood flow and plasma reproductive hormones in the Shiba goat under heat-stress circumstances.

Histomorphological, Histochemical and Ultrastructural Studies on the Healthy Liver of Yemen Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) in Southern Saudi Arabia / Estudios Histomorfológicos, Histoquímicos y Ultraestructurales en el Hígado Sano del Camaleón Velado de Yemen (Chamaeleo calyptratus) en el Sur de Arabia Saudita

SUMMARY: The livers of reptiles are being studied as a model for the link between the environment and hepatic tissue. There have been few investigations on the histology of reptile livers, and very few or no studies have examined the histology of liver of veiled chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus). This paper describes the histomorphological, histochemical and ultrastructural characterization of the liver of veiled chameleons in southern Saudi Arabia. Seven Chamaeleo calyptratus were captured in the summer season in Abha City, Aseer region, southern Saudi Arabia. Chamaeleon liver samples were processed for histomorphology, histochemistry and ultrastructure analyses. Morphologically liver of Chamaeleo calyptratus was observed as a large dark brown organ with lighter speckles, which represent melanin deposits. It located at the ventral part of abdominal cavity forward of the stomach. Its dimensions approximately were 3.7 x 2 cm. The liver was a bilobed organ divided into two lobes, right and left lobes. The right one was bigger than the others. The gallbladder was well developed and had an elongated shape, situated between the two lobes and contained the bile for the digestion. Microscopically, the liver was found to be covered by a thick layer of connective tissue, which formed the hepatic capsule. Hepatic parenchyma probably appeared in cross sections as hepatic glandular-like alveoli "acini" or follicular structures with various diameters, each acinus contains approximately four to six hepatocytes, surrounded by sinusoidal capillaries filled with abundant melanomacrophages, which are absent in birds and mammals. Melanomacrophages are common in the hepatic parenchyma's perisinusoidal areas, particularly near portal spaces. Hepatocytes are polyhedral or pyramidal with and mostly contained large, rounded nuclei mostly peripherally located, with prominent dark oval nucleoli. Some of nuclei are eccentric or central position. The cytoplasm appeared spongy or vacuolated and more eosinophilic when stained by hematoxylin-eosin and strongly reactive to PAS staining technique, indicating abundant glycogen content. The reticular fibers that surround hepatocytes, blood arteries, and sinusoids supported the hepatic parenchyma. The blood sinusoids are seen interspersed among hepatocytes of varying sizes. The sinusoidal lumen was bordered by flattened endothelial cells and includes elliptical nucleated erythrocytes and liver macrophages as phagocytes, which are also known as Kupffer cells. Branches of the portal vein, hepatic artery, small bile duct, and lymph vessels were detected in the hepatic portal area "tract" or triad which made up of connective. Hematopoietic tissue was observed in subcapsular region and portal triads. Ultrastructurally, the hepatocyte appeared polyhedric containing a single large rounded basal or eccentric vesicular nucleus with prominent nucleolus. Extensive network of rough endoplasmic reticulum (RER) often arranged in an array parallel to the nuclear membrane with many mitochondria, and Golgi apparatus were described. The cytoplasm contained glycogen granules, vesicles or vacuoles scattered throughout the cytoplasm especially at the apical region were reported. The bile canaliculi and the hepatic "Kupffer" cells were also discussed. This is the first study on the histological characterization of the healthy liver of Yemen veiled chameleon in southern Saudi Arabia. The findings reported here should be used as a reference to compare with the pathological abnormalities of the liver in this animal.

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Avian campylobacteriosis, prevalence, sources, hazards, antibiotic resistance, poultry meat contamination, and control measures: a comprehensive review.

Avian campylobacteriosis is a vandal infection that poses human health hazards. Campylobacter is usually colonized in the avian gut revealing mild signs in the infected birds, but retail chicken carcasses have high contamination levels of Campylobacter spp. Consequently, the contaminated avian products constitute the main source of human infection with campylobacteriosis and result in severe clinical symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, spasm, and deaths in sensitive cases. Thus, the current review aims to shed light on the prevalence of Campylobacter in broiler chickens, Campylobacter colonization, bird immunity against Campylobacter, sources of poultry infection, antibiotic resistance, poultry meat contamination, human health hazard, and the use of standard antimicrobial technology during the chicken processing of possible control strategies to overcome such problems.

Effects of ginger extract and/or propolis extract on immune system parameters of vaccinated broilers.

Newcastle disease (ND), avian influenza (AI, H5N8), and infectious bronchitis (IB) are important diseases in the poultry industry and cause significant losses. Vaccination is the most practical method for controlling infectious diseases. To reduce vaccination costs and several disorders in poultry farms, using herbal water supplements for immunomodulation with vaccination is critical to improving or preventing some conditions in the poultry industry. However, drinking water supplementation of ginger extract (GE)/propolis extract (PE) alone/in combination may increase broilers' humoral and cellular immunity due to the immunomodulatory effects of ginger and propolis. This protocol aimed to see how GE/PE alone or in combination improved the immunity, immune organ gene expression, and histology of the immune organs of broilers for 35 d after vaccination against NDV, H5N8, IBV, and IBDV. The chicks were dispensed into 5 groups according to GE and/or PE with vaccination. The control group was offered normal drinking water without any supplements or vaccinations. The GE group was supplemented with ginger extract (1 mL/L drinking water) in the drinking water before and after vaccination for 2 and 3 d, respectively. The GE+PE group was supplemented with GE (0.5 mL/L drinking water) and PE (0.5 mL/L drinking water) in the drinking water before and after vaccination for 2 and 3 d, respectively. The PE group was supplemented with propolis extract (1 mL/L drinking water) in the drinking water before and after vaccination for 2 and 3 d, respectively. The fifth group was the vaccinated untreated group. This experiment showed the immunomodulatory properties of GE and/or PE against 3 common diseases, NDV, AI, and IB, in broiler chicken farms for 35 d applied to a vaccination program. Thus, ginger extract and propolis extract supplementation in drinking water increased antibody titer, INF, IL10, and IL2 and TLR3 gene expression in the bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen, respectively, as well as cellular immunity as indicated by increased CD3, CD4, and CD8 in the bursa of Fabricius, thymus, and spleen, respectively, with normal lymphocytes in the medulla of the bursa, thymus, and spleen. In conclusion, propolis extracts alone or with GE improved all of the metrics mentioned above without harming the histology of the immune organs.

Administration of Estradiol Benzoate Enhances Ovarian and Uterine Hemodynamics in Postpartum Dairy Buffaloes.

The postpartum (PP) period is a crucial stage for the resumption of reproductive performance and ovarian cyclicity in dairy buffaloes. The present study aimed, for the first time, to assess the effect of the administration of estradiol benzoate (EB) on ovarian and uterine hemodynamics in PP dairy buffaloes. Eight pluriparous acyclic domestic buffaloes were enrolled in the present experiment and received a dose of 10 mg of estradiol benzoate (EB) intramuscularly 4 weeks after parturition. All animals were examined two times before EB administration (days -3, and -1) and on the day of EB administration (day 0), followed by examinations on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 post-EB administration. The middle uterine artery (MUA) and ovarian artery (OA) blood flow patterns were assessed using a color Doppler ultrasound device. The reproductive parameters were (1) the cross-sectional diameters (cm) of the OA and MUA, (2) cranial uterine horn thickness (UHT; cm), and (3) hemodynamic changes within the MUA on both the ipsi- and contra-lateral sides of the previous pregnant horn and within the OA corresponding to the ovarian tissues. The examined blood flow parameters were the pulsatility index (PI), resistance index (RI), peak systolic/end-diastolic ratio (S/D), time-averaged maximum velocity (TAV; cm/s), uterine blood flow rate (BFR; bpm), and uterine blood flow volume (BFV; mL/min). Concomitantly, blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein, and the sera were stored at -18 °C for use in estradiol (E2-17ß) and nitric oxide (NO) assays. The results revealed increases in both OA and MUA cross-sectional diameter (cm) on the ipsi-lateral and contra-lateral (p < 0.05) sides within 24 h until day 9 post-treatment. The values of the RI and PI of blood flow within the OA and MUA on the ipsi-lateral and contra-lateral sides of the previous pregnancy were obviously lower (p < 0.05) at 24 h after the administration of EB, and then, started to gradually elevate, reaching the pre-treatment values on day 9 after EB administration. Both the BFR and BFV in the OA and MUA significantly increased from 24 h to 72 h after EB administration on both the ipsi-lateral and contra-lateral sides (p < 0.05); then, their values started to decrease to reach the pretreatment value on day 9 after EB administration. Both E2 and NO concentrations significantly increased (p < 0.05) from 24 h until day 3 after EB injection and then started to decline after that, reaching the pre-treatment value on day 9. In conclusion, the administration of EB enhances the ovarian and uterine blood flow concomitantly with increased levels of NO in PP dairy buffaloes.

Ameliorative avian gut environment and bird productivity through the application of safe antibiotics alternatives: a comprehensive review.

The avian digestive tract is an important system for converting ingested food into the nutrients their bodies need for maintenance, growth, and reproduction (meat, table eggs, and fertile eggs). Therefore, preserving digestive system integrity is crucial to bird health and productivity. As an alternative to antibiotics, the world has recently turned to the use of natural products to enhance avian development, intestinal health, and production. Therefore, the primary goal of this review is to explain the various characteristics of the avian digestive tract and how to enhance its performance with natural, safe feed additives such as exogenous enzymes, organic acids, photogenic products, amino acids, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and herbal extracts. In conclusion, the composition of the gut microbiome can be influenced by a number of circumstances, and this has important consequences for the health and productivity of birds. To better understand the connection between pathogens, the variety of therapies available, and the microbiome of the gut, additional research needs to be carried out.

Current situation and genomic characterization of fowlpox virus in lower Egypt during 2022.

A total of 45 samples of vaccinated and non-vaccinated layer chickens were collected from farms in the Egyptian governorates of Sharqia, Ismailia, Menofia, Gharbia, Kafr El Sheikh, Qalyubia, and Dakahlia in the year 2022. They exhibited nodular lesions on their combs, mouth corners, and eyelids, suggesting they were infected with pox disease, which was associated with a 3 to 5% mortality rate. The samples were grown on the chorioallantoic-membrane of embryonated chicken eggs to ensure their viability. In both vaccinated and non-vaccinated farms, 35 of 45 virus isolates were confirmed positive via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of fpv167 (P4b), based on the amplicon length of the fpv167 gene locus. The 6 strains from various Egyptian governorates were chosen for sequencing and genetic characterization. Phylogenetic investigation of the fpv167 (P4b) gene of sequenced strains clustered within sub clade A1 showed 100% correlation between FWPVD, TKPV13401 and fowlpox-AN2, fowlpox-AN3, and fowlpox-AN6, but only a 98.6% correlation between fowlpox-AN1, fowlpox-AN4, and fowlpox-AN5. Comparing the fowlpox-AN1, fowlpox-AN4, and fowlpox-AN5 strains with commercial vaccine strains (HP1-444-(FP9), vaccine-VSVRI), they had 98.6% identity, while other strains had 100% identity. The results of this study's mutation research showed that fowlpox-AN1, fowlpox-AN4, and fowlpox-AN5 had acquired novel mutations; fowlpox-AN1 had R201G and T204A; fowlpox-AN4 and fowlpox-AN5 had L141F and H157P. Further research is required to determine the effectiveness of the current vaccine in order to develop a new vaccine.

In Silico Subtractive Proteomics and Molecular Docking Approaches for the Identification of Novel Inhibitors against Streptococcus pneumoniae Strain D39.

Streptococcus pneumoniae is a notorious Gram-positive pathogen present asymptomatically in the nasophayrnx of humans. According to the World Health Organization (W.H.O), pneumococcus causes approximately one million deaths yearly. Antibiotic resistance in S. pneumoniae is raising considerable concern around the world. There is an immediate need to address the major issues that have arisen as a result of persistent infections caused by S. pneumoniae. In the present study, subtractive proteomics was used in which the entire proteome of the pathogen consisting of 1947 proteins is effectively decreased to a finite number of possible targets. Various kinds of bioinformatics tools and software were applied for the discovery of novel inhibitors. The CD-HIT analysis revealed 1887 non-redundant sequences from the entire proteome. These non-redundant proteins were submitted to the BLASTp against the human proteome and 1423 proteins were screened as non-homologous. Further, databases of essential genes (DEGG) and J browser identified almost 171 essential proteins. Moreover, non-homologous, essential proteins were subjected in KEGG Pathway Database which shortlisted six unique proteins. In addition, the subcellular localization of these unique proteins was checked and cytoplasmic proteins were chosen for the druggability analysis, which resulted in three proteins, namely DNA binding response regulator (SPD_1085), UDP-N-acetylmuramate-L-alanine Ligase (SPD_1349) and RNA polymerase sigma factor (SPD_0958), which can act as a promising potent drug candidate to limit the toxicity caused by S. pneumoniae. The 3D structures of these proteins were predicted by Swiss Model, utilizing the homology modeling approach. Later, molecular docking by PyRx software 0.8 version was used to screen a library of phytochemicals retrieved from PubChem and ZINC databases and already approved drugs from DrugBank database against novel druggable targets to check their binding affinity with receptor proteins. The top two molecules from each receptor protein were selected based on the binding affinity, RMSD value, and the highest conformation. Finally, the absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) analyses were carried out by utilizing the SWISS ADME and Protox tools. This research supported the discovery of cost-effective drugs against S. pneumoniae. However, more in vivo/in vitro research should be conducted on these targets to investigate their pharmacological efficacy and their function as efficient inhibitors.

Impact of epidermal growth factor and/or ß-mercaptoethanol supplementations on the in vitro produced buffaloes' embryos.

The present study investigated the effects of epidermal growth factors (EGF) and/or ß-Mercaptoethanol (ßME) supplementations to oocyte maturation, fertilization, and culture media on the buffalo in vitro embryo production. The ovaries were collected and transferred within 2 h to the laboratory. The cumulus oocytes complexes were aspirated from 3 to 8 mm diameter follicles. Firstly, EGF; 0, 10, 20, or 50 ng/mL or ßME; 0, 25, 50, 100, or 200 µM were supplemented to the in vitro maturation (TCM-199), fertilization (IVF-TALP), or culture (IVC: SOF) media. Our results revealed that supplementing EGF (20 ng/mL) to the TCM-199, IVF-TALP, or SOF media could efficiently improve the growth rates and development of buffalos' embryos, while EGF (50 ng/mL) could stimulate the embryo production only after treatment of the IVF-TALP /or SOF media, but not the IVM medium. However, ßME was less efficient than EGF; it stimulated the growth rates of buffalo embryos when supplemented with the maturation and fertilization (IVF-TALP) media in a 50 µM concentration. Secondly, combined EGF (20 ng/mL) and ßME (50 µM) were supplemented to the maturation media as effective concentration. The combined treatment of EGF (20 ng/mL) and ßME (50 µM) showed no significant enhancing effect on the buffalo embryos compared to each alone. For future perspectives, further study is required to examine the effects of combined EGF and ßME on the maturation and fertilization of buffalo oocytes at different categories of age and seasonal localities.

Corrigendum: Effect of Allium sativum and Nigella sativa on alleviating aluminum toxicity state in the albino rats.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.1042640.].

Esculentoside A Inhibits Proliferation, Colony Formation, Migration, and Invasion of Human Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Esculentosides include a group of plant-derived compounds with tremendous pharmacological potential. The antiproliferative effects of esculentoside A against different colorectal cancer cells were evaluated. We found that the proliferation of all the colorectal cancer cells was halted by esculentoside A. The IC50 of esculentoside A ranged from 16 to 24 µM against different colorectal cancer cells. Investigation of the underlying molecular mechanism revealed that esculentoside A caused an increase in the colorectal cancer cells at the G1 phase of the cell cycle, indicative of G0/G1 cell cycle arrest. The percentage of G1 cells increased from 22.68% in control to 54.23% at 16 µM esculentoside A. We also found that the colony formation of HT-29 cells was inhibited by 59% at 24 µM esculentoside A. Finally, effects of esculentoside A on the motility of HT-29 colorectal cancer cells were investigated, and it was found that esculentoside A caused a significant decline in HT-29 colorectal cancer cell migration and invasion. The migration and invasion of esculentoside A-treated HT-29 cells were 45% and 51% higher, respectively, than those of untreated cells. Summing up, these results suggest that esculentoside A exhibits antiproliferative effects against human colorectal cancer cells.