Effect of Lead Toxicity on Cytogenisity, Biochemical Constituents and Tissue Residue with Protective Role of Activated Charcoal and Casein in Male Rats

Abstract: Lead is a common industrial and environmental pollutant. Prolonged exposure of a sublethal dose to this toxicant is associated with oxidative stress, damage of DNA and considered to be a risk factor for kidney, liver added to many disorders. This study was carried out to investigate the most toxic effects of lead with trial to diminish this toxicity by supplementation of casein or activated charcoal. Therefore, forty mature male albino rats were used , they divided into four equal groups, 10 rats of each. Group 1 was considered as control. Rats of other groups (2, 3 and 4) were supplemented lead acetate at a dose of 0.5 g/100 ml drinking water for 2 months. Gr 3 is given charcoal at a concentration of 0.05g ration, while in Gr 4 casein is mixed with ration at a concentration of 20 g/100 g ration. Group 2 revealed significant increases in serum AST, ALT, ALP, LDH, GGT, TB, TC, LDL and CAT levels and decreased total protein, HLDL, VLDL, trace mineral salts, SOD and GSH-px. The results of haematological study evoked a significant decrease in the red blood cells (RBCs) count, blood haemoglobin (Hb) concentration and packed cell volume (PCV). Cytogenetic study resulted a significant increase in the percent of multinucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MPCE) as well as significant increase in the polychromatic-erythrocytes (PCE) and normochromatic erythrocyte (NCE) ratio (PCER/NCE) Lead concentration in level serum and different tissues showed lead accumulation in serum, kidney, liver, muscle, intestine and spleen. Supplementation of charcoal and casein induce protective effects against lead toxicity in most of above parameter studies, and casein showed higher efficacy in the protection of lead-induced toxicity than charcoal

COVID-19 Mathematical Study with Environmental Reservoir and Three General Functions for Transmissions

In this paper, the ongoing new coronavirus (COVID-19) epidemic is being investigated using a mathematical model. The model depicts the dynamics of infection with several transmission pathways and general infection functions, plus it highlights the significance of the environment as a reservoir for the disease’s propagation and dissemination. We have studied the qualitative behavior of the proposed model representing a system of fractional differential equations. Under a set of conditions on the general functions and the parameters, we have proven the global asymptotic stability of all steady states by using the Lyapunov method and LaSalle’s invariance principle. We also carried some numerical results to confirm the analytical results we obtained

Acute effects of cigarette smoking on the cardiac diastolic functions

AbstractBackgroundSmoking is an independent risk factor for coronary heart diseases and it increases all causes of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.Aim of the workTo assess the acute effect of cigarette smoking on ventricular diastolic functions (LV and RV) in healthy, young, and slim smokers.MethodsThirty volunteers who had recently commenced smoking (less than one year) and who smoked 1–2 cigarettes per day, underwent ECG, 2D and M-mode echocardiography, standard Doppler echocardiography, pulsed TDI (tissue Doppler imaging) on septal and lateral side of mitral annulus and lateral tricuspid annulus. Vp values were measured. The investigator asked them to hold smoking for at least two days after which echocardiographic examination was conducted before smoking one cigarette and the second examination conducted immediately after smoking one cigarette containing at least 0.4mg of nicotine.ResultsDoppler findings over the mitral valve showed the E wave was significantly reduced from 82.7±10.4 to 74.6±10.4 after smoking; the A wave increased; the E/A ratio was reduced from 1.5±0.3 to 1.2±0.2; the E′ septal significantly decreased (15.3±2.4 vs. 11.2±1.1) after smoking, and the E/E′ ratio increased from 5.5±1.1 to 6.7±1.1. Doppler findings over the tricuspid valve showed the E wave was reduced from 60.6±9.7 to 52.7±9.6; the A wave increased from 42.2±6.5 to 50.1±6.6; and the E/A ratio decreased (1.45±0.25 vs. 1.06±0.19). The E′ significantly decreased from 14.1±1.8 to 10.9±2.4, while the A′ increased (10.2±2.4 vs. 12.7±3.6) after smoking; and the IVRT of the RV was significantly prolonged from 62.9±7.5 to 68.7±7.9 after smoking. The Vp was markedly reduced from 67.8±8 to 55.2±3.5 after smoking. These findings reflected on the LV filling pressure (LVFvp) which increased from 9.8±1.4 to 10.5±1.3 after smoking. All changes were statistically significant at P<0.001.ConclusionsOur study reveals that cigarette smoking can result in significant acute alteration in the diastolic functions of both ventricles

Stability of delayed HIV dynamics models with two latent reservoirs and immune impairment

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to investigate the qualitative behavior of HIV dynamics models with immune impairment. The HIV particles infect both CD4+ T cells and macrophages. Both latently and actively infected cells are incorporated into the models. The models consider multiple discrete or distributed delays to characterize the time between an HIV contact of an uninfected target cell and the creation of mature HIV. The existence and global stability of the steady states are determined by the basic reproduction number. The global stability analysis of the steady states is performed using Lyapunov method. We solve the system of delay differential equations numerically to support the theoretical results

Global Stability of a Delayed Fractional-Order SEI Epidemic Model with Logistic Growth

In this paper, we investigate the qualitative behavior of a fractional-order susceptible-exposed-infected (SEI) model with logistic growth and time delay. In the proposed epidemic model, we assumed that the susceptible individuals grow logistically and introduced time delay in latent infected individuals equation. The basic reproduction number R0 is derived using next generation matrix to study the dynamics of the disease free and endemic equilibrium points of the system. Based on the characteristic equations and conditions of the stability of fractional-order differential systems, local stability of the two equilibrium points is discussed. Furthermore, a suitable Lyapunov function is proposed to investigate the global stability of equilibrium points. The results demonstrated that the fractional-order derivatives enriched the dynamical behavior of the epidemic system. Moreover, in the fractional-order case, the stability region of the equilibrium points increased. The theoretical results are verified by numerical simulations

Global Dynamics of a Within-Host COVID-19/AIDS Coinfection Model with Distributed Delays

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Among people with AIDS, cases of COVID-19 have been reported in many countries. COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). In this manuscript, we are going to present a within-host COVID-19/AIDS coinfection model to study the dynamics and influence of the coinfection between COVID-19 and AIDS. The model is a six-dimensional delay differential equation that describes the interaction between uninfected epithelial cells, infected epithelial cells, free SARS-CoV-2 particles, uninfected CD4+ T cells, infected CD4+ T cells, and free HIV-1 particles. We demonstrated that the proposed model is biologically acceptable by proving the positivity and boundedness of the model solutions. The global stability analysis of the model is carried out in terms of the basic reproduction number. Numerical simulations are carried out to investigate that if COVID-19/AIDS coinfected individuals have a poor immune response or a low number of CD4+ T cells, then the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 and the number of infected epithelial cells will rise. On the contrary, the existence of time delays can rise the number of uninfected CD4+ T cells and uninfected epithelial cells, thus reducing the viral load within the host

Mitigation of Powdery Mildew Disease by Integrating Biocontrol Agents and Shikimic Acid with Modulation of Antioxidant Defense System, Anatomical Characterization, and Improvement of Squash Plant Productivity

Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a globally important vegetable, the production of which is severely constrained by powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera xanthii. In this study, we examined the effects of Trichoderma asperellum (MW965676), Streptomyces rochei (MN700192), and a mixture of the two foliar sprays with or without shikimic acid seed priming treatment on powdery mildew severity, plant growth, and total yield during the 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 growing seasons. We also studied their immune eliciting properties by examining their enzymatic, phenolic, and hormonal functions. The combination of Trichoderma asperellum, Streptomyces rochei, and shikimic acid triggered plant defense responses, which elicited enzyme activities such as peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), phenolic compound accumulation, and increased salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) content. This approach yielded high-quality results in the control of powdery mildew during the two growing seasons under greenhouse conditions. Additionally, relatively large statistical differences in plant growth, total yield, mineral components, and physiological traits were observed. A GC–MS analysis of Trichoderma asperellum (MW965676) showed hemin cation as a major component, while Streptomyces rochei (MN700192) contained 2,4-di-tert-butyl phenol and the hexadecenoic acid methyl ester. With respect to the morphological changes induced by powdery mildew and the treatments, plants treated with a mixture of Trichoderma asperellum, Streptomyces rochei and shikimic acid showed an improvement in the thickness of the midvein, increased dimensions of the main midvein bundle, a larger number of xylem rows in the main midvein bundle, greater mean diameters of vessels and of parenchyma cells in the ground tissues, as well as increased thickness of the upper and lower epidermis, lamina, palisade tissue and spongy tissue. This extensive, new study is the first step toward a more profound understanding of the use of Trichoderma asperellum and Streptomyces rochei with shikimic acid-primed seeds as a potential alternative technique for attenuating powdery mildew infection in squash

Mitigation of Powdery Mildew Disease by Integrating Biocontrol Agents and Shikimic Acid with Modulation of Antioxidant Defense System, Anatomical Characterization, and Improvement of Squash Plant Productivity

Squash (Cucurbita pepo L.) is a globally important vegetable, the production of which is severely constrained by powdery mildew caused by Podosphaera xanthii. In this study, we examined the effects of Trichoderma asperellum (MW965676), Streptomyces rochei (MN700192), and a mixture of the two foliar sprays with or without shikimic acid seed priming treatment on powdery mildew severity, plant growth, and total yield during the 2020&ndash;2021 and 2021&ndash;2022 growing seasons. We also studied their immune eliciting properties by examining their enzymatic, phenolic, and hormonal functions. The combination of Trichoderma asperellum, Streptomyces rochei, and shikimic acid triggered plant defense responses, which elicited enzyme activities such as peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT), phenolic compound accumulation, and increased salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA) content. This approach yielded high-quality results in the control of powdery mildew during the two growing seasons under greenhouse conditions. Additionally, relatively large statistical differences in plant growth, total yield, mineral components, and physiological traits were observed. A GC&ndash;MS analysis of Trichoderma asperellum (MW965676) showed hemin cation as a major component, while Streptomyces rochei&nbsp;(MN700192) contained 2,4-di-tert-butyl phenol and the hexadecenoic acid methyl ester. With respect to the morphological changes induced by powdery mildew and the treatments, plants treated with a mixture of Trichoderma asperellum, Streptomyces rochei and shikimic acid showed an improvement in the thickness of the midvein, increased dimensions of the main midvein bundle, a larger number of xylem rows in the main midvein bundle, greater mean diameters of vessels and of parenchyma cells in the ground tissues, as well as increased thickness of the upper and lower epidermis, lamina, palisade tissue and spongy tissue. This extensive, new study is the first step toward a more profound understanding of the use of Trichoderma asperellum and Streptomyces rochei with shikimic acid-primed seeds as a potential alternative technique for attenuating powdery mildew infection in squash

Morning blood pressure surge as a predictor of outcome in patients with essential hypertension

Objective: To determine the usefulness of monitoring morning blood pressure surge (MBPS) to predict cardiovascular events in patients with essential hypertension. Materials and Methods: A total of 81 patients (43 males and 38 females) with a mean age of 55.9 ± 9.8 years with essential hypertension were included in the study. Twenty-four hour ambulatory blood pressure (BP) monitoring was carried out to record MBPS. All patients were followed up for 36 months for cardiovascular events. Results: Mean MBPS was 26.23 ± 10.17 mmHg. Nineteen patients (23%) who experienced a cardiovascular event during the follow-up period had higher MBPS than patients who did not experience a cardiovascular event (P < 0.0001). MBPS was positively correlated with interventricular septum thickness (r = +0.38 and P = 0.000), left atrial size (r = +0.39 and P = 0.000), 24-h mean systolic BP (r = +0.36 and P = 0.001) and total cholesterol level (r = +0.23 and P = 0.003). MBPS was negatively correlated with high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (r = −0.37 and P = 0.001). Conclusion: MBPS can be used as a biomarker for a cardiovascular disease event in hypertensive patients