Phytochemical investigation of the n-hexane-extracted oil from four umbelliferous vegetables using GC/MS analysis in the context of antibacterial activity.

Umbelliferous (Apiaceae) vegetables are widely consumed worldwide for their nutritive and health benefits. The main goal of the current study is to explore the compositional heterogeneity in four dried umbelliferous vegetables viz, celery, coriander, dill, and parsley targeting their volatile profile using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 133 volatile metabolites were detected belonging to 12 classes. Aromatic hydrocarbons were detected as the major components of the analyzed vegetables accounting ca. 64.0, 62.4, 59.5, and 47.8% in parsley, dill, celery, and coriander, respectively. Aliphatic hydrocarbons were detected at ca. 6.39, 8.21, 6.16, and 6.79% in parsley, dill, celery, and coriander, respectively. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) of various health benefits were detected in parsley and represented by roughanic acid and α-linolenic acid at 4.99 and 0.47%, respectively. Myristicin and frambinone were detected only in parsley at 0.45 and 0.56%. Investigation of antibacterial activity of umbelliferous vegetables n-hexane extract revealed a moderate antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria with higher activity for celery and dill against Staphylococcus aureus with inhibition zone 20.3 mm compared to 24.3 mm of the standard antibacterial drug.

Brevetoxin induces a shift in the redox state of the proteome and unfolded protein response in human lymphoblast cells that can be alleviated with the acrolein scavenger MESNA.

Human lymphoblast cells were treated with the marine algal toxin, brevetoxin-2 (PbTx-2), and its effects on the proteome were assessed by redox proteomics using cysteine reactive tandem mass tags (TMT). Additionally, cells were simultaneously treated with PbTx-2 and the antioxidant and acrolein scavenger sodium 2-mercaptoethylsulfonate (MESNA) to determine if MESNA could prevent the proteomic effects of brevetoxin-2. A massive shift in the redox state of the proteome of brevetoxin-2 treated cells was observed. The main pathway affected was genetic information processing. Significantly oxidized proteins included Trx-1, peroxyredoxins (Prxs), ribosomal proteins, and the eukaryotic initiation factor 2 ß subunit (eIF2ß). Proteins that were overexpressed in brevetoxin-treated cells included four folding chaperones. These effects were diminished in the presence of MESNA indicating that MESNA may act through its antioxidant properties or as a brevetoxin scavenger. These studies provide novel insights into new prophylactics for brevetoxicosis in humans and wildlife.

Evaluating the antagonistic effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus against Shiga toxigenic and non-toxigenic Escherichia coli strains in bioyogurt.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of acidophilus yoghurt (yoghurt fortified with Lactobacillus acidophilus) in comparison to traditional plain yoghurt (St. thermophilus and L. bulgaricus starter cultures) on the survival of three pathogenic Escherichia coli strains; Shiga toxigenic O157 (STx O157), non-toxigenic O157 (Non-STx O157) and Shiga toxigenic non-O157 (STx O145). After six days of refrigerated storage of laboratory-manufactured yoghurt inoculated with the three strains of E. coli separately, all were eliminated in acidophilus yoghurt, while their survival extended in the traditional yoghurt along the storage period (17 d). Reduction percentages of the tested strains in acidophilus yoghurt were 99.93, 99.93 and 99.86%, with log reduction of 3.176, 3.176, and 2.865 cfu/g for Stx O157, Non-Stx O157, and Stx O145 E. coli, respectively, in comparison to 91.67, 93.33 and 93.33%, with log reduction of 1.079, 1.176 and 1.176 cfu/g in traditional yoghurt. Statistical analysis showed a significant effect of acidophilus yoghurt in reducing the count of Stx E. coli O157 (P = 0.001), Non-Stx E. coli O157 (P < 0.01) and Stx E. coli O145 (P < 0.01) compared to the traditional yoghurt. These findings emphasize the potential use of acidophilus yoghurt as a biocontrol alternative method for eliminating pathogenic E. coli, as well as other similar applications in the dairy industry.

Lactoferrin's potential application in enhancing yoghurt's microbial and sensory qualities, with emphasis on the starter culture activity.

This research paper aimed to examine the antibacterial activity of lactoferrin (LF) as a potential natural alternative in the dairy sector, by measuring its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against a number of common food-borne pathogens as well as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, one of the major dairy product spoiling microorganisms. Additionally, a viability experiment was applied to laboratory-manufactured set yoghurt to assess its impact on the activity of starter culture, sensory properties and STEC survivability. The findings demonstrated that LF exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, particularly against E. coli and S. typhimurium with MIC values of 0.0001 and 0.01 mg/ml, respectively. However, P. aeruginosa and B. cereus were quite resistant to LF requiring higher concentrations for MIC (2.5 mg/ml). By the third day of storage, LF at 0.0001 and 0.001 mg/ml significantly reduced the survivability of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli STEC by 70 and 91.6%, respectively, in the lab-manufactured yoghurt. Furthermore, LF enhanced the sensory properties of fortified yoghurt with a statistically significant difference in comparison to the control yoghurt group. There was no interference with the activity of the starter culture throughout the manufacturing process and the storage period. In conclusion, the potent antimicrobial effect of LF opens a new avenue for the dairy industry's potential applications of LF as a natural preservative without negatively influencing the sensory properties and starter culture activity of fermented products.

Stem cell transplantation rescued a primary open-angle glaucoma mouse model.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. In this study, we investigated if transplanted stem cells are able to rescue a glaucoma mouse model with transgenic myocilin Y437H mutation and explored the possible mechanisms. Human trabecular meshwork stem cells (TMSCs) were intracamerally transplanted which reduced mouse intraocular pressure, increased outflow facility, protected the retinal ganglion cells and preserved their function. TMSC transplantation also significantly increased the TM cellularity, promoted myocilin secretion from TM cells into the aqueous humor to reduce endoplasmic reticulum stress, repaired the TM tissue with extracellular matrix modulation and ultrastructural restoration. Co-culturing TMSCs with myocilin mutant TM cells in vitro promoted TMSCs differentiating into phagocytic functional TM cells. RNA sequencing revealed that TMSCs had upregulated genes related to TM regeneration and neuroprotection. Our results uncovered therapeutic potential of TMSCs for curing glaucoma and elucidated possible mechanisms by which TMSCs achieve the treatment effect.

Molecular characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes on farms and in commercial milk with emphasis on the effect of currently practiced heat treatments on viable but nonculturable formation.

Despite the considerable advances that have been made to improve dairy food safety, there is rising concern that pasteurization is not sufficient for the destruction of plasmid-mediated antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes of resistant bacteria and could stimulate bacteria to enter into a viable but nonculturable (VBNC) state. In the current study, we surveyed the prevalence of 1 genomic and 9 plasmid-mediated AMR genes in 100 samples (bulk tank milk and milk filter socks) at the farm level and 152 commercial milk samples (pasteurized and UHT milks) and assessed the VBNC state in dairy bacteria. Results revealed that sul2 was the most prevalent plasmid-mediated gene in milk filter socks (96%), bulk tank milk (48%), pasteurized milk (68%), and UHT (43%) milk; in contrast, mecA was not detected in any sample. Additionally, commercial pasteurization (as currently practiced) failed to decrease the prevalence of the blaTEM-B1 (43%), tetK (30%), and tetA (55%) plasmid-mediated AMR genes; thus, commercial pasteurization may be one of the factors creating the VBNC state in some dairy bacteria. Continued research is necessary to identify bacterial species entering the VBNC state after pasteurization, to assess their potential hazard level and shed more light on the expression and possibility of horizontal gene transfer of those plasmid-mediated AMR genes.

One-Pot Synthesis of Novel Thiazoles as Potential Anti-Cancer Agents.

BACKGROUND: Thiazole and thiosemicarbazone derivatives are known to have potential anticancer activity with a mechanism of action related to inhibition of matrix metallo-proteinases, kinases and anti-apoptotic BCL2 family proteins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A novel three series of 5-(1-(2-(thiazol-2-yl)hydrazono)ethyl)thiazole derivatives were prepared in a one-pot three-component reaction using 2-(2-benzylidene hydrazinyl)-4-methylthiazole as a starting precursor. MS, IR, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR were used to elucidate the structures of the synthesized compounds. Most of the synthesized products were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer screening against HCT-116, HT-29 and HepG2 using the MTT colorimetric assay. RESULTS: The results indicated that compounds 4c, 4d and 8c showed growth inhibition activity against HCT-116 with IC50 values of 3.80 ± 0.80, 3.65 ± 0.90 and 3.16 ± 0.90 µM, respectively, compared to harmine (IC50 = 2.40 ± 0.12 µM) and cisplatin (IC50 = 5.18 ± 0.94 µM) reference drugs. Also, compounds 8c, 4d and 4c showed promising IC50 values of 3.47 ± 0.79, 4.13 ± 0.51 and 7.24 ± 0.62 µM, respectively, against the more resistant human colorectal cancer (HT-29) cell line compared with harmine (IC50 = 4.59 ± 0.67 µM) and cisplatin (IC50 = 11.68 ± 1.54 µM). On the other hand, compounds 4d, 4c, 8c and 11c were the most active (IC50 values of 2.31± 0.43, 2.94 ± 0.62, 4.57 ± 0.85 and 9.86 ± 0.78 µM, respectively) against the hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) cell line compared with harmine (IC50 = 2.54 ± 0.82 µM) and cisplatin (IC50 = 41 ± 0.63 µM). The study also suggested that the mechanism of the anticancer action exerted by the most active compounds (4c, 4d and 8c) inside HCT-116 cells was apoptosis through the Bcl-2 family. CONCLUSION: Thiazole scaffolds 4c, 4d and 8c showed anticancer activities in the micromolar range and are appropriate as a candidate for cancer treatment.

Cardenolides: Insights from chemical structure and pharmacological utility.

Cardiac glycosides (CGs) are a class of naturally occurring steroid-like compounds, and members of this class have been in clinical use for more than 1500 years. They have been used in folk medicine as arrow poisons, abortifacients, heart tonics, emetics, and diuretics as well as in other applications. The major use of CGs today is based on their ability to inhibit the membrane-bound Na+/K+-ATPase enzyme, and they are regarded as an effective treatment for congestive heart failure (CHF), cardiac arrhythmia and atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, increasing evidence has indicated the potential cytotoxic effects of CGs against various types of cancer. In this review, we highlight some of the structural features of this class of natural products that are crucial for their efficacy, some methods of isolating these compounds from natural resources, and the structural elucidation tools that have been used. We also describe their physicochemical properties and several modern biotechnological approaches for preparing CGs that do not require plant sources.

Acanthamoeba keratitis in noncompliant soft contact lenses users: Genotyping and risk factors, a study from Cairo, Egypt.

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe corneal infection that may occur as a serious outcome of improper use of contact lenses (CL). OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to diagnose AK in soft CL users presenting with infectious keratitis, and to identify the prevalent genotypes isolated from different cases. Another aim was to determine the CL hygiene-related risk behaviors, and to explore the risk of water exposure for developing AK. METHODS: A cross sectional study was performed. A questionnaire was carried out including 260 clinically diagnosed cases as infectious keratitis (170 females and 90 males); all of them were soft CL users for the suspected risk factors. Corneal scrapes from the affected eyes were cultured to diagnose bacterial and AK. PCR was performed and the amplified products were sequenced and compared with GenBank data. RESULTS: The parasite was positively amplified from 32 samples (12.3%). Acanthamoeba T4 genotype was identified in 27/32 (84.4%) of isolates. Other detected genotypes belonged to T5 and T3 genotypes at rates of 9.4%, and 6.25%, respectively. The most important risk factors associated with development of AK were female sex, sleeping while wearing CL, and exposure to water resources through different practices. These practices included rinsing the CL case in tap water, swimming and/or showering while wearing CL, using multipurpose solution for cleaning the lenses, using water from over-building tanks. Rubbing the eyes due to discomfort when applying CL was an additional important risk factor associated with AK. The protective factor was regular hand washing before using CL. CONCLUSION: CL users were more exposed to AK and should gain enough health education regarding proper lens hygiene and dangers of tap water exposure.

Advantages of bioconjugated silica-coated nanoparticles as an innovative diagnosis for human toxoplasmosis.

Nanotechnology is a promising arena for generating new applications in Medicine. To successfully functionalised nanoparticles for a given biomedical application, a wide range of chemical, physical and biological factors have to be taken into account. Silica-coated nanoparticles, (SiO2NP) exhibit substantial diagnostic activity owing to their large surface to volume ratios and crystallographic surface structure. This work aimed to evaluate the advantage of bioconjugation of SiO2NP with PAb against Toxoplasma lyzate antigen (TLA) as an innovative diagnostic method for human toxoplasmosis. This cross-sectional study included 120 individuals, divided into Group I: 70 patients suspected for Toxoplasma gondii based on the presence of clinical manifestation. Group II: 30 patients harboring other parasites than T. gondii Group III: 20 apparently healthy individuals free from toxoplasmosis and other parasitic infections served as negative control. Detection of circulating Toxoplasma antigen was performed by Sandwich ELISA and Nano-sandwich ELISA on sera and pooled urine of human samples. Using Sandwich ELISA, 10 out of 70 suspected Toxoplasma-infected human serum samples showed false negative and 8 out of 30 of other parasites groups were false positive giving 85.7% sensitivity and 84.0% specificity, while the sensitivity and specificity were 78.6% and 70% respectively in urine samples. Using Nano-Sandwich ELISA, 7 out of 70 suspected Toxoplasma-infected human samples showed false negative results and the sensitivity of the assay was 90.0%, while 4 out of 30 of other parasites groups were false positive giving 92.0% specificity, while the sensitivity and specificity were 82.6% and 80% respectively in urine samples. In conclusion, our data demonstrated that loading SiO2 nanoparticles with pAb increased the sensitivity and specificity of Nano-sandwich ELISA for detection of T.gondii antigens in serum and urine samples, thus active (early) and light infections could be easily detected.

Burden and Outcome of Vitamin D Deficiency Among Critically Ill Patients: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is a prevalent condition among critically ill patients. Information about the relationship between vitamin D levels and outcomes in the intensive care unit (ICU) is sparse. PURPOSE: To evaluate vitamin D status among critically ill patients and its relevance to severity of illness, ICU stay period, and mortality. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study was conducted in the ICUs of Fayoum, Cairo, Alazhar, and Ain Shams university hospitals. All patients were subjected to interview questionnaire, laboratory investigation, vitamin D level assessment, and severity of illness evaluation using the Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score. RESULTS: In total, 250 patients were included in the study. The median age was 62 (40-73) years, and most patients were male (52%). The median serum level of vitamin D was 19 (7-40.6). Vitamin D was deficient in 197 patients (78.8%) on admission. While we grouped the ICU patients as vitamin D deficient, insufficient, and sufficient, vitamin D-deficient patients had more severe diseases (mean APACHE II score, 44 ± 15; P = .014). Prolonged ICU stay was observed among the deficient group but with no significant association. The overall mortality rate was 6.8%; of these, 70.5% were vitamin D-deficient patients. However, logistic regression analysis demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency was not an independent risk factor for mortality. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D insufficiency is common in critically ill patients (69%); it is associated with more severity of illness, but it is not an independent risk factor for longer ICU stay or mortality.

Modified dot-ELISA for diagnosis of human trichinellosis.

This study aimed to modify Dot-Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (dot-ELISA) for the diagnosis of human trichinellosis and to compare its performance with indirect ELISA and Western-blot assay (EITB). A total of 175 human serum samples were enrolled in the study. Indirect ELISA was used for the primary diagnosis. EITB versus fractionated 1st larval stage excretory-secretory antigens (TL-1 ESA) revealed three specific protein fractions at MW of 45, 50, and 55 kDa (kDa). Dot-ELISA was performed in two ways. In the first one, sera were dotted on the separated three specific protein fractions, while in the second one the three fractions were eluted, concentrated at one pooled antigen that used in classic dot-ELISA. Both types of dot-ELISA proved absolute (100%) sensitivity and specificity in comparison with the gold standard EITB reaction. While sensitivity of ELISA was 100% and its specificity was 79.5%. The fraction at 45 kDa was the most sensitive one. The use of the pooled antigen improved the test results. The described dot-ELISA is an easy applicable diagnostic tool gathering the benefits of both ELISA and EITB.

Efficacy of soluble glycoprotein fraction from Allium sativum purified by size exclusion chromatography on murine Schistosomiasis mansoni.

In this work, the efficiency of crude MeOH extracts and soluble glycoprotein fraction of Allium sativum purified by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) on parasitological, histopathological and some biochemical parameters in Schistosoma mansoni infected mice were investigated. Animals were infected by tail immersion with 100 cercariae/each mouse and divided into five groups in addition to the normal control. The results revealed a significant decrease in mean worm burden in all treated mice especially in the group treated with soluble glycoprotein fraction of A. sativum as compared to infected non-treated control with the disappearance of female worms. Administration of the studied extracts revealed remarkable amelioration in the levels of all the measured parameters in S. mansoni infected mice. In addition, treatment of mice with crude A. sativum MeOH extract and soluble glycoprotein fraction of A. sativum decreased significantly the activities of studied enzymes as compared to the infected untreated group. The highest degrees of enhancement in pathological changes was observed in the treated one with soluble glycoprotein fraction of A. sativum compared to the infected group represented by small sized, late fibro-cellular granuloma, the decrease in cellular constituents and degenerative changes in eggs. In conclusion, A. sativum treatment had effective schistosomicidal activities, through reduction of worm burden and tissue eggs, especially when it was given in purified glycoprotein fraction. Moreover, the soluble glycoprotein fraction of A. sativum largely modulates both the size and the number of granulomas.

Genotypic, physiological, and biochemical characterization of potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba isolated from the environment in Cairo, Egypt.

Acanthamoebae are the most common opportunistic amphizoic protozoa that cause life-threatening granulomatous amoebic encephalitis in immunocompromised individuals and sight-threatening amoebic keratitis (AK) in contact lens wearers. The present work aimed to determine the presence of Acanthamoeba isolates in different environmental sources: water, soil, and dust in Cairo, Egypt and to characterize the pathogenic potential of the isolated Acanthamoeba using physiological and biochemical assays as well as determination of the genotypes in an attempt to correlate pathogenicity with certain genotypes. The study included the collection of 22 corneal scrapings from patients complaining of symptoms and signs indicative of acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and 75 environmental samples followed by cultivation on non-nutrient agar plates preseeded with E. coli. Positive samples for Acanthamoeba were subjected to osmo- and thermo-tolerance assays and zymography analysis. Potentially pathogenic isolates were subjected to PCR amplification using genus-specific primer pair. Isolates were classified at the genotype level based on the sequence analysis of Acanthamoeba 18S rRNA gene (diagnostic fragment 3). The total detection rate for Acanthamoeba in environmental samples was 33.3 %, 31.4 % in water, 40 % in soil, and 20 % in dust samples. Three and two Acanthamoeba isolates from water and soil sources, respectively, had the potential for pathogenicity as they exhibited full range of pathogenic traits. Other 12 isolates were designated as weak potential pathogens. Only ten of the environmental isolates were positive in PCR and were classified by genotype analysis into T4 genotype (70 %), T3 (10 %) and T5 (20 %). Potential pathogens belonged to genotypes T4 (from water) and T5 (from soil) while weak potential pathogens belonged to genotypes T3 (from water) and T4 (from water and soil). Additionally, T7 genotype was isolated from keratitis patients. There is a considerable variation in the response of Acanthamoeba members of the same genotype to pathogenicity indicator assays making correlation of pathogenicity with certain genotypes difficult. Presence of potentially pathogenic Acanthamoeba isolates in habitats related directly to human populations represent a risk for human health. Isolation of Acanthamoeba genotype T7 from AK cases, which is commonly considered as nonpathogenic, might draw the attention to other Acanthamoeba genotypes considered as non pathogenic and reevaluate their role in production of human infections. To our knowledge, this is the first study on the presence and distribution of Acanthamoeba genotypes in the environment, Cairo, Egypt.

Prevalence and predictors of depression and anxiety among the elderly population living in geriatric homes in Cairo, Egypt.

BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression are common in the elderly and affect their quality of life. The rates of depression and anxiety are higher among those living in institutional settings and are usually undiagnosed. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety and mixed form (i.e. depression and anxiety) in the elderly living at geriatric homes. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 240 elderly participants from four randomly selected geriatric homes in Cairo. A pretested interview questionnaire was used to collect data. A short version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, the Katz scale for Activity of Daily living, the three-item loneliness scale and the Personal Wellbeing Index Scale were used. RESULTS: The prevalence of depression, anxiety and mixed disorder among the studied group were 37.5, 14.2 and 30%, respectively. Old age and the presence of comorbidities were predictors for depression and/or anxiety. Female sex, a lower social class, insufficient income, partial independence and loneliness feeling are significant predictors for depression. Being married and loneliness feeling are significant predictors for anxiety, whereas the functional status is a significant predictor for mixed depression and anxiety. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Depression and/or anxiety were found in more than 80% of the studied group. An older age, female sex, insufficient income, a lower social class, a partially independent functional status, the presence of comorbidities, more frequent loneliness feeling and being married or divorced were found to be significant predictors for these problems. This study reflects the need for the screening of the elderly in geriatric homes for depression and/or anxiety, especially among high-risk groups, and developing interventions to prevent and control such problems.

Laboratory evaluation of the effect of Egyptian native plants against some parasitic vectors.

OBJECTIVE: Four plant extracts possessing molluscicidal and insecticidal efficacy were evaluated under laboratory conditions versus Biomphalaria alexandrina, Lymnea cailliaudi snails, their egg masses and Culex pipiens larvae. These extracts included Grape seed, Eucalyptus, Pomegranate, Verbesina alcoholic extracts, as well as Eucalyptus oil. METHODS: Different mortalities in the exposed vectors were recorded due to the four plant extracts using different concentrations and exposure time. RESULTS: Total snail mortality LC < sub > 100 < /sub > was (100 ppm/12-24h) for Grape seed, (200 ppm/18-24h) for Eucalyptus, (100 ppm/12-18h) for Pomegranate, (100-200 ppm/24h) for Verbesina alcoholic extracts and (100-200 ppm/12h) for Eucalyptus oil. However, only Eucalyptus, Verbesina alcoholic extracts and Eucalyptus oil revealed snail ovicidal effects. LC < sub > 100 < /sub > was (100-200 ppm/24h), (100-200 ppm/24h) & (100-200 ppm/12-48h) respectively. Moreover, the same plant extracts were able to induce total Culex pipiens larvicidal mortality, LC < sub > 100 < /sub > was (200 ppm/48h). However, Grape seed and Pomegranate alcoholic extracts did not induce either snail ovicidal or Culex pipiens larvicidal total mortalities. Activities of the studied plant extracts were considered using reference molluscicidal (Copper sulfate) and insecticidal (Temephos) substances. CONCLUSION: Egyptian native plants continue to provide a wealth of potential sources for biologically active agents that may have a promising role in the production of safe, biodegradable eco-friendly and natural molluscicidal and insecticidal agents.

Chemical composition and repellency of essential oils from four medicinal plants against Ixodes ricinus nymphs (Acari: Ixodidae).

In our search for effective tick repellents from plant origin, we investigated the effect of essential oils of four medicinal and culinary plants belonging to the family Lamiaceae on nymphs of the tick Ixodes ricinus (L.). The essential oils of the dry leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis (Rosemary) (L.), Mentha spicata (Spearmint) (L.), Origanum majorana (Majoram) (L.), and Ocimum basilicum (Basil) (L.) were isolated by steam distillation and 15 microg/cm2 concentration of oils was tested against ticks in a laboratory bioassay. The oils of R. officinalis, M. spicata, and O. majorana showed strong repellency against the ticks 100, 93.2, and 84.3%, respectively, whereas O. basilicum only showed 64.5% repellency. When tested in the field, the oils of R. officinalis and M. spicata showed 68.3 and 59.4% repellency at a concentration of 6.5 microg/cm2 on the test cloths. The oils were analyzed by gas chromatography mass spectrometry and the major compounds from the most repellent oils were 1,8-cineole, camphor, linalool, 4-terpineol, borneol, and carvone.

Molluscicidal and Mosquitocidal Activities of the Essential oils of Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link. and Marrubium vulgare L. / Atividades moluscicida e mosquitocida de óleos essenciais de Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link. e de Marrubium vulgare L

Steam distillation of essential oils of aerial parts of Thymus capitatus and Marrubium vulgare L. collected at North cost of Egypt yielded 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively. Results of Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of the two samples identified 96.27% and 90.19% of the total oil composition for T. capitatus and M. vulgare, respectively. The two oil samples appeared dominated by the oxygenated constituents (88.22% for T. capitatus and 57.50% for M. vulgare), composed of phenols, mainly carvacrol (32.98%) and thymol (32.82%) in essential oil of T. capitatus, and thymol (34.55%) in essential oil of M. vulgare. It was evaluated the molluscicidal activity of T. capitatus and M. vulgare essential oils on adult and eggs of Biomphalaria alexandrina as well as their mosquitocidal activity on Culex pipiens. The LC50 and LC90 of T. capitatus essential oil against adult snails was 200 and 400 ppm/3hrs, respectively, while for M. vulgare it was 50 and 100 ppm/3hrs, respectively. Moreover, M. vulgare showed LC100 ovicidal activity at 200 ppm/24 hrs while T. capitatus oil showed no ovicidal activity. It was verified mosquitocidal activity, with LC50 and LC90 of 100 and 200 ppm/12hrs respectively for larvae, and 200 and 400 ppm/12hrs respectively for pupae of C. pipiens.

A destilação por arraste a vapor dos óleos essenciais de partes aéreas de Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link. e de Marrubium vulgare L. coletadas na costa norte do Egito resultaram em rendimento de 0,5% e 0,2%, respectivamente. Resultados de análises por cromatografia gasosa acoplada à espectrometria de massas de ambas as amostras possibilitaram a identificação de 96,27% e 90,19% dos constituintes químicos respectivamente de T. capitatus e M. vulgare. Verificou-se predomínio de constituintes oxigenados (88,22% para T. capitatus e 57,50% para M. vulgare, principalmente fenóis, como carvacrol (32,98%) e timol (32,82%) no óleo essencial de T. capitatus, e timol (34,55%) no óleo essencial de M. vulgare. Avaliou-se a atividade dos óleos essenciais obtidos contra adultos e ovos de Biomphalaria alexandrina, bem como em larvas e pupas de Culex pipiens. A CL50 e CL90 do óleo essencial de T. capitatus em moluscos adultos foi respectivamente 200 e 400 ppm/3hrs, enquanto para o óles essencial de M. vulgare verificou-se CL50 e CL90 de 50 e 100 ppm/3hrs, respectivamente. Além disso, M. vulgare apresentou atividade ovicida, com CL 100 de 200 ppm/24 horas, enquanto o óleo essencial de T. capitatus não demonstrou atividade ovicida. Verificou-se ainda atividade mosquitocida, com CL50 e CL90 de 100 e 200 ppm/12hrs respectivamente para larvas, e 200 e 400 ppm/12hrs contra pupas de C. pipiens.

Molluscicidal and Mosquitocidal activities of the essential oils of Thymus capitatus Hoff. et Link. and Marrubium vulgare L.

Steam distillation of essential oils of aerial parts of Thymus capitatus and Marrubium vulgare L. collected at North cost of Egypt yielded 0.5% and 0.2%, respectively. Results of Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses of the two samples identified 96.27% and 90.19% of the total oil composition for T. capitatus and M. vulgare, respectively. The two oil samples appeared dominated by the oxygenated constituents (88.22% for T. capitatus and 57.50% for M. vulgare), composed of phenols, mainly carvacrol (32.98%) and thymol (32.82%) in essential oil of T. capitatus, and thymol (34.55%) in essential oil of M. vulgare. It was evaluated the molluscicidal activity of T. capitatus and M. vulgare essential oils on adult and eggs of Biomphalaria alexandrina as well as their mosquitocidal activity on Culex pipiens. The LC50 and LC90 of T. capitatus essential oil against adult snails was 200 and 400 ppm/3hrs, respectively, while for M. vulgare it was 50 and 100 ppm/3hrs, respectively. Moreover, M. vulgare showed LC100 ovicidal activity at 200 ppm/24 hrs while T. capitatus oil showed no ovicidal activity. It was verified mosquitocidal activity, with LC50 and LC90 of 100 and 200 ppm/12hrs respectively for larvae, and 200 and 400 ppm/12hrs respectively for pupae of C. pipiens.

Assessment of the role of paraoxonase gene polymorphism (Q192R) and paraoxonase activity in the susceptibility to atherosclerosis among lead-exposed workers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Lead exposure is a well known cause of cardiovascular damage, including atherosclerosis. Paraoxonase 1 (PON1), a high-density lipoprotein-associated antioxidant enzyme, is capable of hydrolyzing oxidized lipids and thus it protects against atherosclerosis. The mechanism by which heavy metals inhibit serum PON1 activity is still not clear. Our aim was to detect the association between lead exposure and serum PON1 activity and lipid profile and also to study the polymorphism of the PON1 gene. DESIGN AND SETTING: A case-control, cross-sectional study conducted from June 2008 until May 2009. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Male workers (n=100) in a lead battery manufactory were recruited for this study. They were compared with 100 male age-matched workers not exposed to lead (control group). Serum lipid profile, paraoxonase activity and lead were measured in blood samples. The DNA was extracted for detecting the Q192R polymorphism of the PON1 gene by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. RESULTS: There was significant difference in triglycerides, total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P=.01, .05 and .04, respectively) between cases and controls. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that blood lead levels were significantly associated with decreased serum paraoxonase activity (P=.03) in lead workers. The paraoxonase genotype QR was the most prevalent in 34/53 subjects (64%) among the lead-exposed groups, while the genotype QQ was more prevalent in the control group, in 15/25 subjects (60%), with a significant difference between the control and other groups (P<.05). CONCLUSION: Lead exposure is associated with increased triglycerides, total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and decreased HDL-C. Because of the protective role of PON1 in the development of atherosclerosis, a decrease in serum PON1 activity due to lead exposure may render individuals more susceptible to atherosclerosis.