Efficacy and Clinical Outcomes of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine in Pregnancy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The world has witnessed one of the largest pandemics, dubbed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). As of December 2020, the USA alone reported 98,948 cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection during pregnancy, with 109 related maternal deaths. Current evidence suggests that unvaccinated pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 are at a higher risk of experiencing complications related to COVID-19 compared to nonpregnant women. This review aimed to provide healthcare workers and non-healthcare workers with a comprehensive overview of the available information regarding the efficacy of vaccines in pregnant women. SUMMARY: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines. The search through the database for articles published between December 2019 and October 2021 was performed. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases for research publications published between December 2019 and October 2021. We focused on original research, case reports, case series, and vaccination side effect by authoritative health institutions. Phrases used for the Medical Subject Heading [MeSH] search included ("COVID-19" [MeSH]) or ("Vaccine" [MeSH]) and ("mRNA" [MeSH]) and ("Pregnant" [MeSH]). Eleven studies were selected and included, with a total of 46,264 pregnancies that were vaccinated with mRNA-containing lipid nanoparticle vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna during pregnancy. There were no randomized trials, and all studies were observational (prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional). The mean maternal age was 32.2 years, and 98.7% of pregnant women received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination. The local and systemic adverse effects of the vaccination in pregnant women were analyzed and reported. The local adverse effects of the vaccination (at least 1 dose) such as local pain, swelling, and redness were reported in 32%, 5%, and 1%, respectively. The systemic adverse effects such as fatigue, headaches, new onset or worsening of muscle pain, chills, fever, and joint pains were also reported in 25%, 19%, 18%, 12%, 11%, and 8%, respectively. The average birthweight was 3,452 g. Among these pregnancies, 0.03% were stillbirth and 3.68% preterm (<37 weeks) births. KEY MESSAGES: The systemic side effect profile after administering the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine to pregnant women was similar to that in nonpregnant women. Maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality were lowered with the administration of either one or both the doses of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccination.

Exploring the role of oral microbiome dysbiosis in cardiometabolic syndrome and smoking.

Oral microbiome research has gained significant interest in recent years due to its potential impact on overall health. Smoking has been identified as a significant modulator of the oral microbiome composition, leading to dysbiosis and possible health consequences. Research has primarily focused on the association between smoking and oral microbiome, as well as smoking's association with cardiometabolic syndrome (CMS). This narrative review presents an overview of the recent findings and current knowledge on the oral microbiome and its role in CMS, including the effects of smoking and ethnicity. We discussed the development and composition of the oral microbiome and the association of periodontitis with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, we highlighted the correlations between oral microbiome and CMS factors, such as diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity. There is a need for further research in this area to better understand the mechanisms underlying the impact of smoking on oral microbiome dysbiosis and the development of CMS. Interestingly, geographic location and ethnicity have been shown to impact the oral microbiome profiles across populations. This knowledge will help develop personalized disease prevention and treatment approaches considering individual differences in oral microbiome composition. Understanding the complex interplay between oral microbiome, smoking, and CMS is essential for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies for a wide range of diseases.

Zebrafish Model in Illuminating the Complexities of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders: A Unique Research Tool.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating psychological condition that may develop in certain individuals following exposure to life-threatening or traumatic events. Distressing symptoms, including flashbacks, are characterized by disrupted stress responses, fear, anxiety, avoidance tendencies, and disturbances in sleep patterns. The enduring effects of PTSD can profoundly impact personal and familial relationships, as well as social, medical, and financial stability. The prevalence of PTSD varies among different populations and is influenced by the nature of the traumatic event. Recently, zebrafish have emerged as a valuable model organism in studying various conditions and disorders. Zebrafish display robust behavioral patterns that can be effectively quantified using advanced video-tracking tools. Due to their relatively simple nervous system compared to humans, zebrafish are particularly well suited for behavioral investigations. These unique characteristics make zebrafish an appealing model for exploring the underlying molecular and genetic mechanisms that govern behavior, thus offering a powerful comparative platform for gaining deeper insights into PTSD. This review article aims to provide updates on the pathophysiology of PTSD and the genetic responses associated with psychological stress. Additionally, it highlights the significance of zebrafish behavior as a valuable tool for comprehending PTSD better. By leveraging zebrafish as a model organism, researchers can potentially uncover novel therapeutic interventions for the treatment of PTSD and contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of this complex condition.

Smoking induced salivary microbiome dysbiosis and is correlated with lipid biomarkers.

BACKGROUND: The oral microbiome plays an essential role in maintaining oral homeostasis and health; smoking significantly affects it, leading to microbial dysbiosis. The study aims to investigate changes in the oral microbiome composition of smokers in the Qatari population and establish a correlation with lipid biomarkers. METHODS: The oral microbiota was profiled from saliva samples of 200 smokers and 100 non-smokers in the Qatari population, and 16s rRNA V3-V4 region were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were clustered using QIIME and the statistical analysis was performed by R. RESULTS: Non-smokers exhibited a more diverse microbiome, with significant alpha and beta diversity differences between the non-smoker and smoker groups. Smokers had a higher abundance of Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, Patescibacteria, and Proteobacteria at the phylum level and of Streptococcus, Prevotella, Veillonella, TM7x, and Porphyromonas at the genus level. In contrast, non-smokers had more Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Fusobacteriota, and Patescibacteria at the phylum level, and Prevotella, Streptococcus, Veillonella, Porphromonas, and Neisseria at the genus level. Notably, Streptococcus was significantly positively correlated with LDL and negatively correlated with HDL. Additionally, Streptococcus salivarius, within the genus Streptococcus, was substantially more abundant in smokers. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the significant influence of smoking on the composition of the oral microbiome by enriching anaerobic microbes and depleting aerobic microbes. Moreover, the observed correlation between Streptococcus abundance and the lipid biomarkers suggests a potential link between smokers-induced salivary microbiome dysbiosis and lipid metabolism. Understanding the impact of smoking on altering the oral microbiome composition and its correlation with chemistry tests is essential for developing targeted interventions and strategies to improve oral health and reduce the risk of diseases.

Biochemical and cellular basis of oxidative stress: Implications for disease onset.

Cellular oxidation-reduction (redox) systems, which encompass pro- and antioxidant molecules, are integral components of a plethora of essential cellular processes. Any dysregulation of these systems can cause molecular imbalances between the pro- and antioxidant moieties, leading to a state of oxidative stress. Long-lasting oxidative stress can manifest clinically as a variety of chronic illnesses including cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic diseases like diabetes. As such, this review investigates the impact of oxidative stress on the human body with emphasis on the underlying oxidants, mechanisms, and pathways. It also discusses the available antioxidant defense mechanisms. The cellular monitoring and regulatory systems that ensure a balanced oxidative cellular environment are detailed. We critically discuss the notion of oxidants as a double-edged sword, being signaling messengers at low physiological concentrations but causative agents of oxidative stress when overproduced. In this regard, the review also presents strategies employed by oxidants including redox signaling and activation of transcriptional programs such as those mediated by the Nrf2/Keap1 and NFk signaling. Likewise, redox molecular switches of peroxiredoxin and DJ-1 and the proteins they regulate are presented. The review concludes that a thorough comprehension of cellular redox systems is essential to develop the evolving field of redox medicine.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a Model for the Study of Developmental and Cardiovascular Toxicity of Electronic Cigarettes.

The increasing popularity of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as an alternative to conventional tobacco products has raised concerns regarding their potential adverse effects. The cardiovascular system undergoes intricate processes forming the heart and blood vessels during fetal development. However, the precise impact of e-cigarette smoke and aerosols on these delicate developmental processes remains elusive. Previous studies have revealed changes in gene expression patterns, disruptions in cellular signaling pathways, and increased oxidative stress resulting from e-cigarette exposure. These findings indicate the potential for e-cigarettes to cause developmental and cardiovascular harm. This comprehensive review article discusses various aspects of electronic cigarette use, emphasizing the relevance of cardiovascular studies in Zebrafish for understanding the risks to human health. It also highlights novel experimental approaches and technologies while addressing their inherent challenges and limitations.

The Immunomodulatory Role of Microbiota in Rheumatic Heart Disease: What Do We Know and What Can We Learn from Other Rheumatic Diseases?

Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) represents a serious cardiac sequela of acute rheumatic fever, occurring in 30-45% of patients. RHD is multifactorial, with a strong familial predisposition and known environmental risk factors that drive loss of immunological tolerance. The gut and oral microbiome have recently been implicated in the pathogenesis of RHD. Disruption of the delicate balance of the microbiome, or dysbiosis, is thought to lead to autoimmune responses through several different mechanisms including molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, and bystander activation. However, data on the microbiomes of RHD patients are scarce. Therefore, in this comprehensive review, we explore the various dimensions of the intricate relationship between the microbiome and the immune system in RHD and other rheumatic diseases to explore the potential effect of microbiota on RHD and opportunities for diagnosis and treatment.

The Effect of Surface-Modified Gold Nanorods on the Early Stage of Embryonic Development and Angiogenesis: Insight into the Molecular Pathways.

Gold nanorods have been implicated in several biomedical applications. Herein, the effect of two surface-modified gold nanorods on the early stages of embryogenesis and angiogenesis was investigated using avian embryos at three days and their chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) at five days of incubation. We found that gold nanorods (GNR) modified with PEGylated phospholipid moiety show a high mortality rate in embryos after four days of exposure compared to GNR modified with PEGylated cholesterol moiety. Meanwhile, our data revealed that surface modified-GNR significantly inhibit the formation of new blood vessels in the treated CAM model after 48 h of exposure. Moreover, we report that surface-modified GNR significantly deregulate the expression of several genes implicated in cell proliferation, invasion, apoptosis, cellular energy metabolism, and angiogenesis. On the other hand, our data point out that GNR treatments can modulate the expression patterns of JNK1/2/3, NF-KB/p38, and MAPK, which could be the main molecular pathways of the nanorods in our experimental models.

Toxicity evaluation of selected ionic liquid compounds on embryonic development of Zebrafish.

Hydrate formation in seafloor pipelines is considered an economic and flow assurance issue for the oil and gas industries. Ionic liquids (ILs) have been recently used as potential hydrate inhibitors. Although branded as green compounds, their ecotoxicity in case of leakage from pipelines onto the aquatic environment needs more deep evaluations. Here, we investigate the impacts of three ILs previously used as successful thermodynamic hydrate inhibitors namely choline chloride (ChC1), 1-methyl-1-propyl pyrrolidinium triflate (PMPy [triflate]) and tetra-methyl ammonium acetate (TMAA). Mortality (including LC50), teratogenicity, locomotion and neurotoxicity, and hatching rate were utilized to investigate any potential acute toxicity of these ILs on embryonic development of zebrafish. No significant mortality or teratogenic effects were found for all tested compounds in a concentration range between 50 and 200 mg/L. The LC50 was significantly higher than the tested dose >200 mg/L. While, up to 200 mg/L all compound had no impact on the survival rate, ChCl showed a significant effect on neuromuscular development as judged by the increase of spontaneous tail coiling activity (25 VS 4 burst/ minutes of the negative control-treated embryos). Further, apart from PMPy [triflate], ChC1 and TMAA had a significant adverse effect on the hatching rate of the treated embryos at concentrations of 200 mg/L. However, this effect was very mild at lower concentrations (≤100 mg/L). Our data indicate that within the tested concentrations both TMAA and PMPy [triflate] had no or little potential harmful effect on embryonic development of aquatic fauna "green", while ChC1 should be used with caution.

Human Microbiome and its Association With Health and Diseases.

Human microbiota are distinct communities of microorganisms that resides at different body niches. Exploration of the human microbiome has become a reality due to the availability of powerful metagenomics and metatranscriptomic analysis technologies. Recent advances in sequencing and bioinformatics over the past decade help provide a deep insight into the nature of the host-microbial interactions and identification of potential deriver genes and pathways associated with human health, well-being, and predisposition to different diseases. In the present review, we outline recent studies devoted to elucidate the possible link between the microbiota and various type of diseases. The present review also highlights the potential utilization of microbiota as a potential therapeutic option to treat a wide array of human diseases. J. Cell. Physiol. 231: 1688-1694, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The Effects of Spirulina Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Narrative Review.

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a cyanobacterium associated with multiple health benefits. Cardiometabolic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and diabetes are prevalent yet usually preventable non-communicable diseases. Modifiable risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases include excessive body weight, body inflammation, atherogenic lipid profile, and imbalanced glucose metabolism. This review explores the effects of spirulina on cardiometabolic diseases risk factors. Spirulina was effective in reducing body weight, body mass index, and waist circumference, with a potential dose-dependent effect. It also decreased interleukin 6, an important biomarker of body inflammation, by inhibiting NADPH oxidase enzyme, and lowering insulin resistance. spirulina supplementation also reduced triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Additionally, spirulina reduced fasting blood sugar and post-prandial blood sugar and increased insulin sensitivity, but no effect was observed on glycated hemoglobin A1c. The diverse nutrients, such as phycocyanin, gamma-linolenic acid, and vitamin B12, present in spirulina contribute to its cardiometabolic benefits. The doses used are heterogeneous for most studies, ranging from 1 to 8 grams daily, but most studies administered spirulina for 3 months to observe an effect. The collective evidence suggests that spirulina supplements may help improve risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases, thus, preventing its development. However, due to the heterogeneity of the results, more randomized clinical trials are needed to draw robust conclusions about spirulina's therapeutic potential in ameliorating risk factors for cardiometabolic diseases and fully elucidate the mechanisms by which it exerts its effects.

Facilitating inclusive education: Assessing faculty awareness and attitudes towards students with special educational needs at Qatar university.

Introduction: An increasing number of students with special educational needs (SEN) are attending higher education institutions. Faculty members are key players in the implementation of inclusive policies, the success of which depends on their attitudes and awareness to help students with SEN. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess faculty attitudes toward SEN students and awareness of the support provided by the university for SEN students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of Qatar University (QU) faculty conducted via an online survey. Demographic data such as gender, years of experience, and academic discipline were collected and associated with previous exposure to SEN students and survey responses using SPSS. Results: Three hundred and thirty-one QU faculty responded out of 1107 registered faculty in 2022, a 30 % response rate. About a third of respondents did not know about available support services for SEN students, and only half of those with awareness of the services attended. After controlling for sociodemographic variables, previous contact with SEN students had a significant effect on attitudes, such that faculty with no previous contact with SEN students (M = 1.47, SD = 0.62) had higher positive attitudes towards SEN students relative to faculty with previous contact with SEN students (M = 1.31, SD = 0.47). However, faculty with contact with SEN students were more likely to report awareness of the availability of workshops and were more likely to be aware of assistive technology compared to being unsure, while those with no previous contact with SEN students were more uncertain about the availability of workshops and assistive technology. Conclusion: The findings suggest a need for targeted interventions to improve faculty awareness of support services and attitudes towards students with SEN in higher education, highlighting the importance of professional development and training initiatives to promote inclusivity in the classroom. Faculty members need to be aware of existing support services for SEN students.

The impact of intermittent fasting during Ramadan on psychomotor and cognitive skills in adolescent athletes.

Introduction: Intermittent fasting (IF) represents a dietary intervention similar to caloric restriction, characterized by the strategic limitation of food consumption. Among the diverse array of practices for IF, Ramadan IF (RIF), a religious observance in Islam, mandates that healthy adult Muslims abstain from both food and drinks during daylight hours. In sports, researchers have extensively studied IF effects on health, including sleep and physical performance, but its impact on cognitive functions during RIF remains understudied. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the influence of RIF on psychomotor and cognitive performance among young female athletes. Methods: To achieve this purpose, a cohort of 23 female handball players, aged 17.2 ± 0.5 years, participated in a series of six testing sessions: one conducted prior to Ramadan (R0), and others during the first (R1), second (R2), third (R3), and fourth (R4) weeks of Ramadan, followed by a session in the week after Ramadan (R5). Each session involved assessments using a Simple Reaction Time Test (SRT), Choice Reaction Time Test (CRT), Vigilance Test (VT), and Mental Rotation Test (MRT). Additionally, dietary intake, body composition, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores were evaluated during these periods. Results and discussion: The obtained data illustrated that there was a decrease in SRT, CRT, VT, and MRT performances during R1 in comparison to R0 (all p < .001). This reduction was also observed in R2, R3, R4, and R5. Notably, during the fourth week of Ramadan (R4), these cognitive and psychomotor parameters were significantly lower than during the earlier weeks (R1, R2, R3; all p < .001). Furthermore, a gradual decrease in total PSQI scores, sleep quality, and sleep duration was observed throughout the Ramadan period, reaching the lowest levels during R4. These findings illustrate that RIF has a significantly detrimental impact on neuromuscular and cognitive abilities as well as sleep quality in young female athletes. The study also highlights a fluctuating pattern in cognitive function across the four weeks of Ramadan, with the most pronounced decline observed during the final week of fasting illustrating the importance of conducting similar studies on normal individuals from both genders with larger sample size.

The therapeutic potential of matcha tea: A critical review on human and animal studies.

Matcha is a powdered form of Japanese green tea that has been gaining global popularity recently. Matcha tea has various health benefits, including an enhancing effect on cognitive function, cardio-metabolic health, and anti-tumorogenesis. To date, randomized clinical trials (RCT) showed that matcha decreases stress, slightly enhances attention and memory, and has no effect on mood. Results regarding the effect of matcha on cognitive function are contradictory and more RCTs are warranted. The cardio-metabolic effects of matcha have only been studied in animals, but findings were more homogenous. Consuming matcha with a high-fat diet resulted in decreased weight gain velocity, food intake, improved serum glucose and lipid profile, reduced inflammatory cytokines and ameliorated oxidative stress. Evidence regarding the anti-tumor function of matcha is very limited. Findings showed that matcha can affect proliferation, viability, antioxidant response, and cell cycle regulation of breast cancer cells. Nonetheless, more studies are needed to examine this effect on different types of cancer cells, and there is also a need to verify it using animal models. Overall, the evidence regarding the effect of matcha tea on cognitive function, cardio-metabolic function, and anti-tumor role is still limited, and conclusions cannot be drawn.

Testing the Anticancer Effect of Matcha Using Zebrafish as an Animal Model.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients show the poorest prognosis and survival and the highest metastasis prevalence among all breast cancer subtypes. Matcha has recently been associated with multiple health benefits, and in vitro studies showed the potential effect of matcha in inhibiting cancer development and metastasis. We aimed to determine the safe, non-toxic dose of matcha suitable for zebrafish and to investigate the anticancer effect of matcha on the metastasis and growth of human TBNC cells using a zebrafish xenograft model. Wild-type AB zebrafish were used to conduct multiple general toxicity assessments, including developmental, neuromuscular, and cardiovascular toxicities. The safe, non-toxic concentration of matcha was determined to be 50 µg/mL and 100 µg/mL. Afterward, the zebrafish xenograft model was successfully established for MDA-MB-468 and MDA-MB-231 TNBC cells. The tumor size and metastasis of the injected cancer cells were traced through CM-Dil red fluorescent dye. Upon exposure to matcha at the safe doses, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 showed a trend toward reduction in tumor size in a dose-dependent manner, indicated by quantified fluorescence. Matcha also visibly suppressed metastasis of cancer cells in the zebrafish body. Our results point to a potential dose-dependent anticancer effect of matcha on TNBC cells; however, more extended observation periods after xenotransplantation are required to confirm the long-term anticancer effect of matcha on tumor growth and metastasis.

The Qatari population's genetic structure and gene flow as revealed by the Y chromosome.

The Y-chromosome has been widely used in forensic genetic applications and human population genetic studies due to its uniparental origins. A large database on the Qatari population was created for comparison with other databases from the Arabian Peninsula, the Middle East, and Africa. We provide a study of 23 Y-STR loci included in PowerPlex Y23 (Promega, USA) that were genotyped to produce haplotypes in 379 unrelated males from Qatar, a country at the crossroads of migration patterns. Overall, the most polymorphic locus provided by the Promega kit was DYS458, with a genetic diversity value of 0.85 and a haplotype diversity of 0.998924. Athey's Haplogroup Predictor tool was used to predict haplogroups from Y-STR haplotypes in the Qatari population. In a median-joining network, the haplogroup J1 predominance (49%) in Qatar generated a star-like expansion cluster. The graph of population Q-matrix was developed using Y-STR data from 38 Middle Eastern and 97 African populations (11,305 individuals), and it demonstrated a stronger sub-grouping of countries within each ethnic group and showed the effect of Arabs on the indigenous Berbers of North Africa. The estimated migration rate between the Qatari and other Arabian populations was inferred using Bayesian coalescence theory in the Migrate-n program. According to the Gene Flow study, the main migration route was from Yemen to Kuwait through Qatar. Our research, using the PowerPlex Y23 database, shows the importance of gene diversity, as well as regional and social structuring, in determining the utility of demographic and forensic databases.

Association of Vitamin D Genetic Risk Score with Noncommunicable Diseases: A Systematic Review.

Background and Aims: The genetic risk score (GRS) is an important tool for estimating the total genetic contribution or susceptibility to a certain outcome of interest in an individual, taking into account their genetic risk alleles. This study aims to systematically review the association between the GRS of low vitamin D with different noncommunicable diseases/markers. Methods: The article was first registered in PROSPERO CRD42023406929. PubMed and Embase were searched from the time of inception until March 2023 to capture all the literature related to the vitamin D genetic risk score (vD-GRS) in association with noncommunicable diseases. This was performed using comprehensive search terms including "Genetic Risk Score" OR "Genetics risk assessment" OR "Genome-wide risk score" AND "Vitamin D" OR 25(HO)D OR "25-hydroxyvitamin D". Results: Eleven eligible studies were included in this study. Three studies reported a significant association between vD-GRS and metabolic parameters, including body fat percentage, body mass index, glycated hemoglobin, and fasting blood glucose. Moreover, colorectal cancer overall mortality and the risk of developing arterial fibrillation were also found to be associated with genetically deprived vitamin D levels. Conclusions: This systematic review highlights the genetic contribution of low-vitamin-D-risk single nucleotides polymorphisms (SNPs) as an accumulative factor associated with different non-communicable diseases/markers, including cancer mortality and the risk of developing obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases such as arterial fibrillation.

Intermittent fasting favorably modulates adipokines and potentially attenuates atherosclerosis.

Adipose tissue is now recognized as an endocrine organ that secretes bioactive molecules called adipokines. These biomolecules regulate key physiological functions, including insulin sensitivity, energy metabolism, appetite regulation, endothelial function and immunity. Dysregulated secretion of adipokines is intimately associated with obesity, and translates into increased risk of obesity-related cardiovasculo-metabolic diseases. In particular, emerging evidence suggests that adipokine imbalance contributes to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. One of the promising diet regimens that is beneficial in the fight against obesity and cardiometabolic disorders is intermittent fasting (IF). Indeed, IF robustly suppresses inflammation, meditates weight loss and mitigates many aspects of the cardiometabolic syndrome. In this paper, we review the main adipokines and their role in atherosclerosis, which remains a major contributor to cardiovascular-associated morbidity and mortality. We further discuss how IF can be employed as an effective management modality for obesity-associated atherosclerosis. By exploring a plethora of the beneficial effects of IF, particularly on inflammatory markers, we present IF as a possible intervention to help prevent atherosclerosis.

Developmental Toxicity of Surface-Modified Gold Nanorods in the Zebrafish Model.

BACKGROUND: nanotechnology is one of the fastest-growing areas, and it is expected to have a substantial economic and social impact in the upcoming years. Gold particles (AuNPs) offer an opportunity for wide-ranging applications in diverse fields such as biomedicine, catalysis, and electronics, making them the focus of great attention and in parallel necessitating a thorough evaluation of their risk for humans and ecosystems. Accordingly, this study aims to evaluate the acute and developmental toxicity of surface-modified gold nanorods (AuNRs), on zebrafish (Danio rerio) early life stages. METHODS: in this study, zebrafish embryos were exposed to surface-modified AuNRs at concentrations ranging from 1 to 20 µg/mL. Lethality and developmental endpoints such as hatching, tail flicking, and developmental delays were assessed until 96 h post-fertilization (hpf). RESULTS: we found that AuNR treatment decreases the survival rate in embryos in a dose-dependent manner. Our data showed that AuNRs caused mortality with a calculated LC50 of EC50,24hpf of AuNRs being 9.1 µg/mL, while a higher concentration of AuNRs was revealed to elicit developmental abnormalities. Moreover, exposure to high concentrations of the nanorods significantly decreased locomotion compared to untreated embryos and caused a decrease in all tested parameters for cardiac output and blood flow analyses, leading to significantly elevated expression levels of cardiac failure markers ANP/NPPA and BNP/NPPB. CONCLUSIONS: our results revealed that AuNR treatment at the EC50 induces apoptosis significantly through the P53, BAX/BCL-2, and CASPASE pathways as a suggested mechanism of action and toxicity modality.

Physiological Changes and Interactions Between Microbiome and the Host During Pregnancy.

In recent years, it has become clear that microbiome play a variety of essential roles in human metabolism, immunity, and overall health and that the composition of these microbiome is influenced by our environment, diet, weight, hormones, and other factors. Indeed, numerous physiological and pathological conditions, including obesity and metabolic syndrome, are associated with changes in our microbiome, referred to as dysbiosis. As a result, it is not surprising that such changes occur during pregnancy, which includes substantial weight gain and significant changes in metabolism and immune defenses. The present review relates physiological changes during pregnancy to alterations in the microbial composition at various sites, including the gut, oral cavity, and vagina. Pregnancy has been linked to such microbial changes, and we believe that, in contrast to certain disease states, these microbial changes are vital for a healthy pregnancy, probably through their influence on the mother's immunological, endocrinological, and metabolic status.