Feasibility of intravenous injection of pig plasma extracellular particles into rats: an acute study

Extracellular particles (EPs), especially small extracellular vesicles (EVs), extracted from young animals are increasingly being studied in animal models as agents for regeneration and rejuvenation, with studies using EPs from one species injected into another showing no immune reaction. In this study, we aimed to investigate if the injection of Pig Plasma Extracellular Particles (PPEPs) into rats would produce an acute immune or toxic reaction. Blood from a young pig was collected, PPEPs were isolated by size exclusion chromatography and injected into young male Sprague-Dawley rats, while the control group received a sterile saline injection. After 9 days, the animals were euthanized and their organs were histologically analyzed for signs of cellular damage or immune infiltration. The treated rats showed no signs of acute immunological reaction, behaving normally immediately after the injections and during the 9 days since the first injection. Throughout the trial period, the animals continued gaining weight normally and the histological analysis of their liver, kidney and spleen showed no signs of acute toxicity. PPEPs from young animals do not cause an acute immune or toxic response when injected intravenously into young male Sprague-Dawley rats. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1531997

Unraveling the biology, effects and management methods of Sclerotium rolfsii infection in plants for sustainable agriculture

Sclerotium rolfsii is an economically important soil-borne fungal pathogen that affects various crops worldwide, causing diseases such as blight, collar rot, crown rot, damping-off, Sclerotium wilt, and stem rot. It primarily attacks stems but can also infect roots, fruits, petioles, leaves, and flowers under favorable conditions. Initial symptoms include yellowing and wilting of leaves, followed by the appearance of white, fluffy mycelium on infected tissues and soil. The fungus forms round, white sclerotia that mature into dark brown or black structures resembling mustard seeds. These sclerotia enable S. rolfsii to survive unfavorable conditions for up to seven years in soil. The fungus has an extensive host range of over 500 species across 100 plant families. S. rolfsii thrives at or near the soil line. Before penetrating host tissue, it produces a considerable mass of mycelium on the plant surface over 2 to 10 days. The pathogen secretes enzymes that degrade the host's outer cell layer, leading to tissue decay, further mycelium production, and sclerotia formation. Managing S. rolfsii is challenging due to its broad host range and persistent sclerotia. Biological control methods have been explored, focusing on bacterial and fungal antagonists. Pseudomonas and Bacillus species have been studied for their ability to inhibit hyphal growth and reduce sclerotia germination. Additionally, antagonistic fungi, including Gliocladium virens, G. roseum, Glomus fascicatum, Penicillium pinophilum, Gigaspora margarita, and various arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, have shown promise in suppressing S. rolfsii. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1528841

Effect of lavender (Lavender angustifolia) extract on food consumption, melatonin, leptin and reproductive parameters in male Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is a plant of medicinal and economic importance. This study investigated the effects of lavender extract at different doses on metabolism and reproductive physiology in male Syrian hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus) under long photoperiod (16L; 16 hours of light, 8 hours of darkness). Male Syrian hamsters aged 6-8 weeks were administered different doses of lavender extract dissolved in saline intraperitoneally every day at the same time (12:00-13:00 h) for 21 days. A significant decrease in food consumption was observed in the group treated with 200 mg/kg of lavender extract (p<0.05). The effects of the 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg doses on body weight were also noted. Blood samples for hormone measurement were collected at two different times of the day (12:00 h and 00:00 h) at the end of the experiment. It was shown that melatonin levels significantly increased at the 100 mg/kg dose of lavender extract in both times (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the light and dark phases at the 200 mg/kg dose (p>0.05). A significant decrease in testosterone levels was observed compared to the control group. Similarly, no significant difference was detected between the light and dark phases at the 200 mg/kg dose (p>0.05). No significant differences were observed in testis histology between the control and treatment groups. In conclusion, lavender extract has positive effects on metabolism, but it may have negative effects on the reproductive system at high doses. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1529279

Histopathological and molecular characterization of Egyptian's non melanoma skin cancer

In humans, the most prevalent malignant neoplasms are non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC). Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) account for approximately 95% of all NMSC skin malignancies. In Egypt, sun exposure is responsible for more than 60% of NMSC, while skin color accounts for about 45%. The present study aimed to find sharp and accurate molecular technology to diagnose NMSC beside histopathology. 20 patients of NMSC patients were randomly selected. Tissues skin biopsies were collected from tumor and free areas for histopathological investigation and molecular analysis by random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD). Histopathological results revealed that 55.0% of NMSC patients had SCC, 45.0% had BCC. 35.0% of the patients were in early stage and 65.0% were in late stage, but 15.0% were in low grade and 75.0% were in high grade. 90.0% of the cases weren’t metastasized by the tumor while 10.0% were invaded by the tumor. RAPD analysis by OPA-02 primer found a significant (P=0.007) tumor marker band (2000 bp) for SCC patients and no significant bands for BCC. The study succeeded in introducing RAPD for detection of skin cancer beside histopathology. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1665187

Possibility of liquid smoke from plant waste as an anti-termite agent to protect traditional houses in Indonesia: a systematic review

Indonesia is a country with a rich diversity of traditional houses that represent various ethnic groups and cultures. However, these traditional houses are increasingly being abandoned due to deterioration and termite infestations. One potential method to preserve these cultural assets is by utilizing liquid smoke. This study aims to provide a valuable reference for protecting traditional houses in Indonesia from termite infestations. Liquid smoke is eco-friendly because it utilizes waste from plant species readily available in Indonesia. This systematic review follows the reporting guidelines for Synthesis Without Meta-Analysis (SWiM). The study identifies three termite families commonly found in residential areas of Indonesia: Kalotermitidae, Rhinotermitidae, and Termitidae. Most frequently reported species are Macrotermes gilvus and Coptotermes curvignathus. The liquid smoke can be produced from 13 plant species from eight families distributed across Indonesia, effectively controlling termite populations. These plant families include Apocynaceae, Arecaceae, Dipterocarpaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Lauraceae, Meliaceae, and Poaceae. Utilizing waste from these plants to produce liquid smoke offers an environmentally friendly alternative for termite control. The application of liquid smoke can play a crucial role in protecting traditional houses in Indonesia from termite infestations, thereby ensuring that these cultural symbols of ethnic identity and heritage are preserved. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1528861

COVID-19 long-term consequences: rapidly progressing cor pulmonale and its relation to hypercoagulation

Patients with COVID-19 exhibit alterations in the coagulation process and are associated with respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, including acute respiratory distress syndrome and acute cor pulmonale. we described the effects of systemic thrombolysis on acute cor pulmonale in a patient suffering from COVID-19 long-term consequences. We examined the correlation between the Rapidly progressing cor pulmonale and its relation to hypercoagulation in 45 post COVID-19 patients at Osh State University, utilizing laboratory characteristics, radiological studies, and other clinical markers. A negative moderate correlation between PTI% and PT sec, suggesting that as PTI% decreases, the PT sec increases, potentially signalling hypercoagulability and the correlation between these variables is statistically significant (p<0.05). Moreover, a positive moderate correlation between PTI% and fibrinogen, indicating that lower PTI% is associated with higher fibrinogen levels. This correlation was also statistically significant (p<0.05). The study underscores the multifaceted nature of long-term COVID-19 complications, emphasizing the need for comprehensive patient monitoring. The significant correlations involving PTI% could serve as valuable indicators for clinicians to assess the risk of hypercoagulation and inflammation in patients, potentially guiding more tailored and timely interventions. However, the predominance of insignificant correlations calls for cautious interpretation of the results. It suggests that while some relationships between these physiological parameters and long-term COVID-19 complications exist, they may not be straightforward or may be influenced by other factors not captured in this analysis. This highlights the importance of holistic patient assessment and the potential for individual variability in response to long-term COVID-19. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1528854

Microbiological analysis of a synbiotic gut health supplement capsule by metagenomics

Probiotics i.e. the use of living microorganisms for health benefits has been known since ancient times. There is an increasing awareness and concern among the consumers, regulators, medical fraternity, researchers, etc. about these products/supplements formulated to contain single or more beneficiary microorganisms. These microbes may be beneficial independently or synergistically for an individual’s health by protecting against pathogens, reduce metabolic disorders and boost immunity. Nowadays, next generation probiotics are being developed with microbial strains isolated from humans (gut or stool) or genetically engineered microbes for treating specific health condition. Gut microbiome studies have also helped in developing probiotics with novel microorganisms. Synbiotics are products containing prebiotics and probiotics. Food safety agencies provide guidelines to characterize and identify the microbial strains and their role in such products. Traditional, rapid identification and molecular methods as well as clinical trials are included to justify the efficacy and safety of the probiotics and related products. We report here the 16S metagenomics study on a synbiotic supplemental capsule available online containing twenty-five bacterial species. These results reveal the presence of a consortia of bacteria containing many species not mentioned on the product label. It also provides some insights for testing of these products using molecular tools for regulatory purpose. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1654300

Automated particle counting app in liquid medium based on digital image processing

This work introduces the mobile app ContLab with advanced computational code installed on mobile devices (tablet, cellphone, iPad, etc.), with internet access, and compatible with Android operating systems. It is designed to be coupled with a simple microscope for the automated counting of particles, ranging in size from 0.05 µm to 50 µm, within the microfiltration spectrum, and specifically customized for micelle counting produced in fermentable processes. It is an easily accessible and cost-effective device for users interested in micelle counting present in any fermentable broth, such as in the pharmaceutical, food, and brewing industries. The app enhances the speed and precision of results compared to the manual counting method. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1354125

Toxic effects of cadmium on liver biomarkers in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus): protective effects of jamun (Syzygium cumini) seed and orange (Citrus sinensis) peel extracts

The present study investigated the alternation in liver function parameters such as serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), bilirubin (Bil), albumin (Alb), alkaline phosphatases (ALP) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) of cadmium exposed Wistar rats. The study also evaluated the possible ameliorative effects of jamun (Syzygium cumini) seed and orange (Citrus sinensis) peel extracts on liver biomarkers in rat treated with cadmium. Six groups of Wistar rats were treated as Group A: Control; Group B: cadmium (10 mg/kg b wt.); Group C: cadmium (10 mg/kg b wt.) and jamun seed extract (200mg/kg b wt.); Group D: cadmium (10 mg/kg b wt.) and orange peel extract (200 mg/kg b wt.); Group E: orange peel extract (OPE) (200 mg/kg b wt.) and Group F: jamun seed extract (JSE) (200 mg/kg b wt.). Liver biomarkers were estimated on day 7 and day 14. Serum SGOT, SGPT, bilirubin, ALP, and LDH were increased on day 7 and 14 after cadmium treatment. Serum albumin levels decreased on day 7 and day 14. The SGOT, SGPT, bilirubin, ALP, LDH and albumin levels showed a tendency for restoration after treatment with JSE and OPE. There were no alterations in these liver parameters after treatment with OPE and JSE. The results clearly indicate that JSE and OPE were effective in recovering liver biomarkers which were altered by cadmium exposure to rats. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1404767

Antibiotic resistance and virulence genes in Campylobacter species from pig and cattle samples in Ibadan, Nigeria

Campylobacter species are the leading cause of gastroenteritis worldwide with incidence cases higher than those caused by Salmonella. This study was designed to determine the antibiotic resistance patterns and virulence genes detection in selected Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR) strains of Campylobacter species isolated from pigs and cattle dungs. Stool samples were collected from pigs and cattle at the teaching and research farm of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Isolation and identification of Campylobacter species were made using modified charcoal cefoperazone deoxycholate agar and standard biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility test was carried out using the disk diffusion technique. The hipO and cadF virulence genes were detected using a multiplex-polymerase chain reaction. The occurrence of Campylobacter species in pigs and cattle was 90.0% and 95.0%, respectively. In pigs, C. coli had the highest occurrence, while it was C. jejuni in cattle. The antibiotic resistance patterns showed that 1.3% and 1.2% of the isolates from pigs and cattle, respectively were resistant to all the antibiotics tested. Among the selected MDR strains, cadF genes were detected in 76.5% (pigs) and 75.0% (cattle). However, hipO genes were detected in 11.8% (pigs) and 50.0% (cattle) isolates. The cadF gene was detected in all the Campylobacter species, while hipO gene was detected only in C. jejuni. In conclusion, the pigs and cattle faecal wastes harbored virulent and multidrug-resistant Campylobacter species. Hence, the indiscriminate discharge of untreated animal faecal wastes into the environment and water bodies should be discouraged. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1090957