The gene expression of caspasses is up-regulated during the signaling response of Aedes caspius against larvicidal bacteria

Our current knowledge on the key molecular mechanisms and cognate signaling transduction, by the δ-endotoxin-mediated mosquitoticidal effects, associated with exposure to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and Bacillus sphaericus (Bs), is limited. Moreover, this observed mosquitocidal activity that is related to program cell death is largely unknown. Therefore, in an attempt to answer this question, the current study was primarily sought to provide evidence as to the molecular mechanism of mortality in Bt/Bs infected Aedes caspius mosquito larvae. Thus, the impact of Bt and Bs treatment on the expression of some selected apoptosis related caspase genes in A. caspius mosquito larvae was investigated, via quantitative reverse-transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR). Mosquito larvae were collected from natural water niches. Larvae were grown to adult stage and were subsequently identified as A. caspius at Natural History Museum, London, UK. Remarkably, light and transmission electron microscopy studies of the midgut epithelial tissues revealed that both Bt and Bs brought about significant histopathological effects. Moreover, this treatment resulted in severe destruction at the sub-cellular organelle level for the mitochondria. Interestingly, qRT-PCR studies revealed that the treatment of A. caspius mosquito larvae with both Bt and Bs caused a significant up-regulation in the transcription level of all caspase genes under study, namely: CASPS17, CASPS18, CASPS19, CASPS20 and CASPS21. The results are discussed in the light of our current understanding of the signaling transduction pathway of apoptosis in insects and mosquitoes and the putative role of caspases gene expression in response to the treatment of A. caspius mosquito larvae with larvicidal bacteria.Keywords: Aedes caspius, Bacillus thuringenesis, Bacillus sphaericus, apoptosis, caspase, larvicidal bacteri

Effects of nutrition education on Metabolic profiles of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus to improve glycated hemoglobin and body mass index

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a lifelong condition, in which patient self-management is one of the key aspects of treatment.Therapeutic education is an integral part of the therapeutic strategy for diabetic patients. Changing patients' lifestyles by modifying their diets through nutrition therapeutic education programs can reduce their body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and control type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a proposed nutrition therapeutic education program on BMI and HbA1c in patients with T2DM. Methods: The target population was T2DM patients from the Fez-Meknes region of Morocco, consulting at Al Amal diabetic association in Fez, Morocco, from February 2021 to July 2021. Before and after 3 months of the educational session, patients' glycemic profile, BMI and HbA1c were measured. Results: A total of 160 diabetic patients with an average age of 56.8 ± 10.2 years were included in the study. Most participants lived in urban areas (86.3 %), were illiterate (39.4 %), and overweight (49.0 %). The results demonstrated that nutrition therapeutic education sessions reduced BMI and HbA1c of patients. A mean decrease of 0.8 kg/m2 from 28.9 ± 5.2 to 28.1 ± 4.9 was observed for BMI. On average, HbA1c decreased 1.1 % from 8.6 ± 1.7 to 7.5 ± 1.0 (p < 0.001). Conclusion: The results suggest that the therapeutic education nutrition program was effective in decreasing the BMI and HbA1c of diabetic patients. Implementing such programs in all regions of Morocco is an urgent need

Evaluation of psychological distress is essential for patients with locally advanced breast cancer prior to neoadjuvant chemotherapy: baseline findings from cohort study

Abstract Background patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) are often treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). This study aims to determine the prevalence of psychological distress and their sociodemographic and clinical factors in patients recently diagnosed with LABC and before NACT. Methods: A total of 209 LABC patients without metastatic localization were recruited between 2021 and 2022 in the oncology hospital at Fez. A structured questionnaire and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used. A descriptive analysis and linear model were performed. Results: a mean age of participants was 47.43 ± 9.45 years. The prevalence of depression, anxiety and psychological distress among participants was 59.62% (95% CI: 52.61–33.34), 47.85% (95% CI: 40.91–54.85), and 65.07 (95% CI: 58.19–71.52) respectively. Depression was associated to age (< 50 years) (AOR = 2.19; 95% CI = 1.13–4.23) and health insurance (AOR = 3.64; 95% CI: 1.18–11.26). Anxiety was associated to age (< 50) (AOR = 2.21; 95% CI: 1.18–4.13) and right breast cancer (AOA = 2.01; 95% CI: 1.11–3.65). Psychological distress was associated to chronic illness (AOR = 2.78; 95% CI: 1.32–5.85) and lymph node status (AOR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.26–4.57). Conclusions: Based on the high prevalence of depression and anxiety it appears opportune to treat psychological distress among LABC patient candidates for NACT. Each psychological intervention should take into account sociodemographic and clinical factors found associated in our study. Psychological therapeutic interventions are crucial for LABC patients as early as the time of diagnosis and through subsequent steps in NACT to improve their overall mental health

Synthesis, Characterization, DFT Mechanistic Study, Antimicrobial Activity, Molecular Modeling, and ADMET Properties of Novel Pyrazole-isoxazoline Hybrids

A series of new heterocycle hybrids incorporating pyrazole and isoxazoline rings was successfully synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for their antimicrobial responses. The synthesized compounds were obtained utilizing N-alkylation and 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions, as well as their structures were established through spectroscopic methods and confirmed by mass spectrometry. To get more light on the regioselective synthesis of new hybrid compounds, mechanistic studies were performed using DFT calculations with B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) basis set. Additionally, the results of the preliminary screening indicate that some of the examined hybrids showed potent antimicrobial activity, compared to standard drugs. The results confirm that the antimicrobial activity is strongly dependent on the nature of the substituents linked pyrazole and isoxazoline rings. Furthermore, molecular docking studies were conducted to highlight the interaction modes between the investigated hybrid compounds and the Escherichia coli and Candida albicans receptors. Notably, the results demonstrate that the investigated compounds have strong protein binding affinities. The stability of the formed complexes by the binding between the hybrid compound 6c, and the target proteins was also confirmed using a 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation. Finally, the prediction of ADMET properties suggests that almost all hybrid compounds possess good pharmacokinetic profiles and no signs of observed toxicity, except for compounds 6e, 6f, and 6g