Serum soluble receptor of advanced glycation end products and risk of metabolic syndrome in Egyptian obese women

Obesity is one of the diagnostic criteria of metabolic syndrome (MS). It is correlated with insulin resistance (IR) and high vascular risk as well. Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE) play an important role in abnormal metabolic components in obese women. This study aimed to explore the serum levels of sRAGE in Egyptian obese women and compare with healthy non-obese controls and investigate the relationship between serum sRAGE, metabolic parameters, and obesity complications. The soluble form of receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE), anthropometry, metabolic and biochemical biomarkers were measured in 100 obese women and 100 age-matched healthy control non-obese women. The homeostasis model assessment estimate of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) has been determined from serum insulin and glucose values. Serum sRAGE levels were significantly lower in obese cases than controls and inversely correlated with obesity and metabolic parameters. Results of univariate and multivariate analyses for determinants of serum sRAGE levels in obese cases showed that parameters statistically and significantly related were body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), LDL-C, TG, BP, HOMA-IR, ALT and AST. sRAGE is a novel biomarker for metabolic dysfunction in Egyptian obese women and might predict the future cardio-metabolic events

Dietary seasonal variations in the Medieval Nubian population of Kulubnarti as indicated by the stable isotope composition of hair

Objectives The island of Kulubnarti is located in Sudanese Nubia and contains two cemeteries, named R and S, which are dated to AD 550–800. In order to provide more detailed dietary information for this population and examine seasonality of diet, we analyzed the carbon isotope composition of hair samples from both cemeteries. Materials and methods Forty seven separate hair samples from 8 adults, 29 adolescents, 7 infants and 3 individuals with unknown age were analyzed. Long hair samples were cut transversely and divided into 2 cm longitudinal segments, to examine temporal variations in the dietary carbon sources. Results The average carbon isotope value for the whole population was −17.95‰ (SD = 1.8). A significant difference between the two cemeteries was found with variances in the amount of C4 dietary carbon sources consumed. Discussion The results of hair isotope compositions concur with previous soft tissue investigations of Kulubnarti population which suggested that the dietary regimen contains a mix of C3 and C4 plant-based sources. A seasonal variation in diet can be inferred from the sequential hair segments of Kulubnarti individuals. These suggest a dietary transition between dominant C3 plant-based sources in winter to dominant C4 ones in summer with a small contribution of the non-harvested, alternative, crop

MAFB is dispensable for the fetal testis morphogenesis and the maintenance of spermatogenesis in adult mice

The transcription factor MAFB is an important regulator of the development and differentiation of various organs and tissues. Previous studies have shown that MAFB is expressed in embryonic and adult mouse testes and is expected to act as the downstream target of retinoic acid (RA) to initiate spermatogenesis. However, its exact localization and function remain unclear. Here, we localized MAFB expression in embryonic and adult testes and analyzed its gene function using Mafb-deficient mice. We found that MAFB and c-MAF are the only large MAF transcription factors expressed in testes, while MAFA and NRL are not. MAFB was localized in Leydig and Sertoli cells at embryonic day (E) 18.5 but in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and pachytene spermatocytes in adults. Mafb-deficient testes at E18.5 showed fully formed seminiferous tubules with no abnormal structure or differences in testicular somatic cell numbers compared with those of control wild-type mice. Additionally, the expression levels of genes related to development and function of testicular cells were unchanged between genotypes. In adults, the expression of MAFB in Sertoli cells was shown to be stage specific and induced by RA. By generating Mafbfl/fl CAG-CreER™ (Mafb-cKO) mice, in which Cre recombinase was activated upon tamoxifen treatment, we found that the neonatal cKO mice died shortly upon Mafb deletion, but adult cKO mice were alive upon deletion. Adult cKO mice were fertile, and spermatogenesis maintenance was normal, as indicated by histological analysis, hormone levels, and germ cell stage-specific markers. Moreover, there were no differences in the proportion of seminiferous stages between cKO mice and controls. However, RNA-Seq analysis of cKO Sertoli cells revealed that the down-regulated genes were related to immune function and phagocytosis activity but not spermatogenesis. In conclusion, we found that MAFB is dispensable for fetal testis morphogenesis and spermatogenesis maintenance in adult mice, despite the significant gene expression in different cell types, but MAFB might be critical for phagocytosis activity of Sertoli cells

Association of vitamin D receptor gene polymorphism (VDR) with vitamin D deficiency, metabolic and inflammatory markers in Egyptian obese women

Vitamin D deficiency might contribute to the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and could cause immune disturbance. The aim of this study is to analyze the associations between Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphism, serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D, metabolic and inflammatory biomarkers in Egyptian obese women. The study included 201 obese women with vitamin D deficiency and 249 obese matched age healthy controls with sufficient vitamin D levels. Their age ranged between 25 and 35 years. Inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein) and serum 25(OH) D were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Insulin resistance (IR) was determined by the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms of FokI, ApaI, and TaqI were studied by PCR using the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. Obese women with vitamin D deficiency had significant higher values of inflammatory and metabolic parameters compared to controls. Multivariable-logistic regression showed associations between 25(OH) D deficiency and metabolic components when comparing cases with controls. Moreover, cases carrying polymorphic alleles showed significant lower levels of serum 25(OH) D and higher HOMA-IR, blood pressure levels and lipid parameters compared to those with the wild type homozygote in obese cases with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency in Egyptian obese women with vitamin D deficiency is associated with abnormal metabolic components and abnormal inflammatory biomarkers. Moreover, VDR polymorphisms play important role in immune and inflammation status

Profile of cystic fibrosis

It was generally believed that Cystic fibrosis (CF) is rare among Arabs; however, the few studies available from Egypt and other Arabic countries suggested the presence of many undiagnosed patients. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of CF patients out of the referred cases in a single referral hospital in Egypt. A total of 100 patients clinically suspected of having CF were recruited from the CF clinic of the Allergy and Pulmonology Unit, Children’s Hospital, Cairo University, Egypt, throughout a 2 year period. Sweat chloride testing was done for all patients using the Wescor macroduct system for collection of sweat. Quantitative analysis for chloride was then done by the thiocyanate colorimetric method. Patients positive for sweat chloride (⩾60 mmol/L) were tested for the ΔF508 mutation using primer specific PCR for cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene. Thirty-six patients (36%) had a positive sweat chloride test. The main clinical presentations in patients were chronic cough in 32 (88.9%), failure to thrive in 27 (75%), steatorrhea in 24 (66.7%), and hepatobiliary involvement in 5 (13.9%). Positive consanguinity was reported in 50% of CF patients. Thirty-two patients were screened for ΔF508 mutation. Positive ΔF508 mutation was detected in 22 (68.8%) patients, 8 (25%) were homozygous, 14 (43.8%) were heterozygous, and 10 (31.3%) tested were negative. CF was diagnosed in more than third of patients suspected of having the disease on clinical grounds. This high frequency of CF among referred patients indicates that a high index of suspicion and an increasing availability of diagnostic tests lead to the identification of a higher number of affected individuals

Effect of a Diet Supplemented with the Moringa oleifera Seed Powder on the Performance, Egg Quality, and Gene Expression in Japanese Laying Quail under Heat-Stress

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of three concentrations of the Moringa oleifera seed powder as a feed supplement on the productive performance and egg quality traits of laying Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) exposed to heat stress. The expression patterns of the genes estrogen receptors (ESR2), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR), prolactin receptor (PRLR), and steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (STAR) were estimated in ovaries, using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. A total of 200 laying quail aged seven weeks were randomly allocated to the following four experimental groups—the control (CNT), T1, T2, and T3 groups; each group comprised 50 quail females with 5 replicates (10 per group). The CNT group was fed a basal diet, whereas the T1, T2, and T3 groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.3% M. oleifera seed powder, respectively. The results revealed that the T3 group showed the highest hen-day egg production (%) as well as the highest egg yolk index. Feed intake and feed conversion ratio improved significantly (p < 0.05) with increased concentrations of the M. oleifera seed powder supplementation. Furthermore, the mRNA expressions of ESR2, FSHR, and STAR increased significantly in the T3 group, compared to those in the CNT group. Alterations in ovarian gene expressions corresponded to the reproductive patterns of the treated Japanese quail. Thus, it was concluded that the supplementation of the Japanese quail feed with 0.3% M. oleifera seed powder during the laying period might enhance resistance to heat stress and consequently improve egg productivity

Efficacy and Safety of Ceftiofur for Treating Serious Respiratory Diseases in Cattle: Clinical, Histopathological, and Microbiological Assessments

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most serious diseases counted for economic loss and extensive usage of antibiotics in cattle. Ceftiofur, a third-generation cephalosporin antibiotic, has been approved for use in cattle in the United States. This study was done to investigate the clinical effect of ceftiofur on calves as well as its efficacy and safety for treating BRD. Thirty Holstein calves from a dairy farm were divided into three groups. Group I served as a health control group. Group II consisted of healthy animals while Group III comprised calves clinically diagnosed with BRD. Both groups II and III received a single subcutaneous injection of ceftiofur (2mg/kg B.W) in the ear. All groups were clinically evaluated at day 0, 7, and 14 after drug administration for illness score, body weight, body gain, feed intake, body temperature, depression score, discharges, ear and coughing score. Clinical illness score showed clear signs of BRD (elevation of body temperature and depression). Nasal and ocular discharges were recorded and ranked. Significant increases in ear and coughing score were observed in diseased calves

MAFB is dispensable for the fetal testis morphogenesis and the maintenance of spermatogenesis in adult mice

<div><p>The transcription factor MAFB is an important regulator of the development and differentiation of various organs and tissues. Previous studies have shown that MAFB is expressed in embryonic and adult mouse testes and is expected to act as the downstream target of retinoic acid (RA) to initiate spermatogenesis. However, its exact localization and function remain unclear. Here, we localized MAFB expression in embryonic and adult testes and analyzed its gene function using <i>Mafb</i>-deficient mice. We found that MAFB and c-MAF are the only large MAF transcription factors expressed in testes, while MAFA and NRL are not. MAFB was localized in Leydig and Sertoli cells at embryonic day (E) 18.5 but in Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and pachytene spermatocytes in adults. <i>Mafb</i>-deficient testes at E18.5 showed fully formed seminiferous tubules with no abnormal structure or differences in testicular somatic cell numbers compared with those of control wild-type mice. Additionally, the expression levels of genes related to development and function of testicular cells were unchanged between genotypes. In adults, the expression of MAFB in Sertoli cells was shown to be stage specific and induced by RA. By generating <i>Mafb</i>^fl/fl CAG-CreER^™ (<i>Mafb</i>-cKO) mice, in which Cre recombinase was activated upon tamoxifen treatment, we found that the neonatal cKO mice died shortly upon <i>Mafb</i> deletion, but adult cKO mice were alive upon deletion. Adult cKO mice were fertile, and spermatogenesis maintenance was normal, as indicated by histological analysis, hormone levels, and germ cell stage-specific markers. Moreover, there were no differences in the proportion of seminiferous stages between cKO mice and controls. However, RNA-Seq analysis of cKO Sertoli cells revealed that the down-regulated genes were related to immune function and phagocytosis activity but not spermatogenesis. In conclusion, we found that MAFB is dispensable for fetal testis morphogenesis and spermatogenesis maintenance in adult mice, despite the significant gene expression in different cell types, but MAFB might be critical for phagocytosis activity of Sertoli cells.</p></div

Testis morphogenesis of <i>Mafb</i> KO embryos developed normally.

<p>(A) Histological section of WT and KO E18.5 testes stained with HE. No morphological alteration or distribution was detectable. (B and C) Counts of Leydig and Sertoli cells from E18.5 WT and KO testes. Embryonic testes (<i>n</i> = 3 per genotype) were sectioned, and 4 sections for each gonad were randomly selected and stained with the germ cell marker E-cadherin (green) together with either STAR (red) or GATA4 (red). Numbers of STAR-positive cells outside seminiferous tubules (Leydig cells) or GATA4-positive cells inside the tubules (Sertoli cells) were counted per unit area. The values are the mean±S.D. *<i>P<0</i>.<i>05</i>. There was no significant difference between WT and KO cell counts. (D) The expression of genes involved in testes development and function. mRNA expression of the gene markers encoding for PGCs (<i>Oct4</i>), Leydig cells (<i>Cyp17a1</i>, <i>StAR</i>, <i>Insl3</i>, <i>Hsd3b1</i>, and <i>Cyp11a1</i>), and Sertoli cells (<i>Amh</i>, <i>Sox9</i>, and <i>WT1</i>) was determined by qRT-PCR in E18.5 WT and <i>Mafb</i> KO testes. Gene expression levels were normalized to <i>Hprt</i>. The bars represent the mean±SEM of five individuals. *<i>P</i><0.05.</p