IL-13 R130Q single nucleotide polymorphism in asthmatic Egyptian children

Background: Asthma and its associated phenotypes are under a substantial degree of genetic control. The common variant IL-13 gene polymorphism R130Q is reported to be associated with the risk of development of asthma in some populations. Objective: We sought to study the association of IL-13 genetic variant R130Q with bronchial asthma in Egyptian children and its relation to various clinical and laboratory phenotypes of the disease. Methods: IL13 gene polymorphism (R130Q) was detected by PCR amplification followed by sequencing using pure script total DNA in 20 asthmatic patients in acute exacerbation. The results were compared to 20 healthy age and sex matched children. Results: Asthmatic children had significantly higher frequency of distribution of R130Q genotype (50%) than controls (15%). The serum total IgE as percent of high normal for age was significantly higher in asthmatic patients as compared to controls with a mean of 208.77 ±237.06% and 14.21 ± 8.08% respectively. No significant difference was observed in the mean AEC(as a percent of high normal for age) of both groups (80.85 ± 116.4% and 82.50 ± 81.4% respectively). No significant differences were observed between patients with IL-13 polymorphism R130Q and those without such polymorphism as regards family history, relation of exacerbations to upper respiratory tract infections, history of food allergy or asthma grading. Serum total IgE was significantly higher in asthmatics with GA genotype as compared to those with GG genotype with a mean of 373.25 ± 238.11% and 44.28 ± 42.65% respectively. A similar finding was also observed among the control group with a mean of 28.03 ± 9.12% and 11.77 ± 5.00% respectively. Finally a significantly higher AEC was observed in controls with GA as compared to GG genotype with a mean of 250.00 ± 51.96% versus 52.94 ± 36.87% respectively. Conclusion: The common variant IL-13 gene polymorphism R130Q is frequently associated with pediatric asthma. This variant is more active than the wild type in inducing allergic inflammation as reflected by the higher serum total IgE and AEC. Hence, IL-13R130Q may be candidate for future gene therapy targeted at reducing the ill-effects of this polymorphism.Keywords: IL-13R130Q – bronchial asthma - pediatricsEgypt J Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2010;8(1):9-1

Association of GH gene polymorphism with growth and semen traits in rabbits

[EN] Although growth hormone (GH) gene mutations are described in several species, the studies concerning their variabilities and associations with economic traits in rabbits are scarce, particularly associations with semen traits. A total of 149 rabbit bucks from five populations (V-line=36, Moshtohor line=28, APRI line=42, cross ½A½M=23, and Gabali=20) were used in the present study to identify polymorphism of c.-78 C>T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of GH gene among these populations and to investigate the association of GH gene polymorphism with body weight (BW), daily weight gain (DG) and semen traits. DNA was extracted from blood samples for genotyping of c.-78 C>T SNP of GH gene based on polymerase chain reaction with the restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. The genetic diversity of SNP C>T of GH gene was assessed in terms of genotypic and allelic frequencies, effective number of alleles (Ne), observed (Ho) and expected (He) heterozygosity, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), reduction in heterozygosity due to inbreeding (FIS) and polymorphism information content (PIC). Three genotypes of TT, CC and TC of PCR product of 231 bp of GH gene were detected and all the populations were in HWE in terms of GH gene. The highest Ne was obtained for the Moshtohor line (1.978), while the lowest allelic numbers were obtained for V-line (1.715) and Gabali breed (1.800). The highest genotype frequency of GH gene was 0.48 in TT genotype of V-line, 0.21 in CC genotype of Moshtohor line, 0.67 and 0.56 in TC genotype of ½A½M and Gabali rabbits (P<0.05). The highest frequency for C allele was recorded by Moshtohor line (0.45) and the lowest frequency by Gabali (0.32). The genetic diversity scores for GH gene were intermediate (Ho=0.551, He=0.471, PIC=0.358). The values of Ho ranged from 0.444 in V-line to 0.667 in ½A½M cross, while the values of He were 0.425 in V-line and 0.508 in Moshtohor line. The values of PIC were moderate and ranged from 0.332 in V-line to 0.375 in M-line. The highest FIS was observed in Moshtohor line (0.042) and the lowest value was observed in ½A½M cross (–0.413). The CT genotype of GH gene showed the highest and significant values for body weights at 4, 8, 10 and 12 wk (542, 1131, 1465 and 1861 g) and daily gains at intervals of 4-6 and 8-10 wk (23.1 and 26.5 g). Additionally, the CT genotype recorded the highest and significant values for volume of ejaculate (1.1 mL), sperm motility (57.6%), live sperm (85.6%), normal sperm (93.1%) and sperm concentration in semen (611×106/mL), along with the lowest and significant values for dead sperms (14.4%) and abnormal sperms (6.9%).The authors are very grateful to the Central Laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Egypt for the help and support in molecular genetic analyses. This work was financially supported by the research project entitled “Genetic improvement of local rabbit breeds by using molecular genetic techniques” from the Scientific Research Fund (SRF), Benha University, Egypt.Khalil, MHE.; Zaghloul, AR.; Iraqi, MM.; El Nagar, AG.; Ramadan, SI. (2021). Association of GH gene polymorphism with growth and semen traits in rabbits. World Rabbit Science. 29(1):31-40. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2021.13001OJS3140291Abdel-Kafy E., Hussein B., Abdel-Ghany S., El-Din A., Badawi Y. 2015. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in growth hormone gene are associated with some performance traits in rabbit. Int. J. Biol. Pharm. Allied Sci., 4: 490-504.Afshari K.P., Javanmard A., Asadzadeh N., Sadeghipanah H., Masomi H., Sabrivand A. 2011. Association between GH encoding gene polymorphism and semen characteristics in Iranian Holstein bulls. Afr. J. Biotechnol., 10: 882-886.Alvariño J. 2000. Reproductive performance of male rabbits. In Proc.: 7th World Rabbit Congress, 4-7 July, Valencia, Spain.Amalianingsih T., Brahmantiyo B. 2014. The variability of growth hormone gene associated with ultrasound imaging of longissimus dorsi muscle and perirenal fat in rabbits. Media Peternakan, 37: 1-7. https://doi.org/10.5398/medpet.2014.37.1.1Amiri S., Jemmali B., Ferchichi M. A., Jeljeli H., Boulbaba R., Ben Gara A. 2018. Assessment of growth hormone gene polymorphism effects on reproductive traits in Holstein dairy cattle in Tunisia. Arch. Anim. Breed., 61: 481-489. https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-61-481-2018Bindu, K., Raveendran, A., Antony, S., Raghunandanan, K. 2011. Association of myostatin gene (MSTN ) polymorphism with economic traits in rabbits. In: Fibre production in South American Camelids and other fibre animals. Springer. https://doi.org/10.3920/978-90-8686-727-1_16Darwish S.F., Tarek S.H., Badr M.R. 2016. Association between genotypes of growth hormone gene and semen quality traits in cow bulls and buffalo bulls. Alex. J. Vet. Sci., 49: 147-152. https://doi.org/10.5455/ajvs.221998El-Aksher, S.H., Sherif, H.S., Khalil, M.H., El-Garhy, H.A.S., Ramadan, S. 2017. Molecular analysis of a new synthetic rabbit line and their parental populations using microsatellite and SNP markers. Gene Rep., 8: 17-23.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genrep.2017.05.001El-Sabrout K., Aggag S. 2017a. Associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms in multiple candidate genes and body weight in rabbits, Vet. World, 10: 136-139. https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2017.136-139El-Sabrout K., Aggag S. 2017b. The gene expression of weaning age and its effect on productive performance of rabbits. World Rabbit Sci., 25: 1-7. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2017.4777El-Tarabany M.S., El-Bayomi K., Abdelhamid T. 2015. Semen characteristics of purebred and crossbred male rabbits. PloS one, 10: e0128435. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0128435Estany J., Baselga M., Blasco A., Camacho J. 1989. Mixed model methodology for the estimation of genetic response to selection in litter size of rabbits. Lives. Prod. Sci., 21: 67-75. https://doi.org/10.1016/0301-6226(89)90021-3Fontanesi L., Tazzoli M., Scotti E., Russo V. 2008. Analysis of candidate genes for meat production traits in domestic rabbit breeds. In Proc.: 9th World Rabbit Congress, 10-13 June 2008,.Verona, Italy.Fontanesi L., Dall'Olio S., Spaccapaniccia E., Scotti E., Fornasini D., Frabetti A.. 2012. A single nucleotide polymorphism in the rabbit growth hormone (GH1) gene is associated with market weight in a commercial rabbit population. Livest. Sci., 147: 84-88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2012.04.006Gencheva D., Georgieva S., Velikov K., Koynarski T., Tanchev S. 2017. Single nucleotide polymorphism of the Growth Hormone Receptor (GHR) encoding gene in Oryctolagus cuniculus. J. BioSci. Biotechnol. 6: 197-201.Gidenne T., Garreau H., Drouilhet L., Aubert C., Maertens L. 2017. Improving feed efficiency in rabbit production, A review on nutritional, technico-economical, genetic and environmental aspects. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 225: 109-122. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2017.01.016Groeneveld E. 2006. PEST user's manual. Institute of Animal Husbandry and Animal Behaviour, Mariensee, Germany, FAL, Germany.Hristova D., Tanchev S., Velikov K., Gonchev P., Georgieva S. 2017. Rabbit growth hormone and myostatin gene polymorphisms. J. Agric. Res., 2: 000133 (Open Access). https://doi.org/10.23880/OAJAR-16000133Hristova D.G., Tanchev S., Velikov K., Gonchev P., Georgieva S. 2018. Single nucleotide polymorphism of the growth hormone (GH) encoding gene in inbred and outbred domestic rabbits. World Rabbit Sci., 26: 49-55. https://doi.org/10.4995/wrs.2018.7211Iraqi M., Afifi E., Baselga M., Khalil M., García M. 2008. Additive and heterotic components for post-weaning growth traits in a crossing project of V-line with Gabali rabbits in Egypt. In Proc.: 9th World Rabbit Congress, 10-13 June 2008, Verona, Italy.Kalinowski, S.T., Taper, M.L., Marshall, T.C. 2007. Revising how the computer program CERVUS accommodates genotyping error increases success in paternity assignment. Molecular Ecology, 16: 1099-1106. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-294X.2007.03089.xKhalil M., Baselga M. 2002. Rabbit genetic resources in Mediterranean countries. In M. H. Khalil & M. Baselga (Eds.), Options Méditerranéennes (Vol. Série B, pp. 262). Zaragoza, Spain: CIHEAM-IAMZ.Khalil M.H., Al-Sobayil K., Al-Saef A., García M., Baselga M. 2007. Genetic evaluation for semen characteristics in a crossbreeding project involving Saudi and Spanish V-line rabbits. Animal, 1: 923-928. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731107000341Kmieć M., Terman A., Wierzbicki H., Zych S. 2007. Association of GH gene polymorphism with semen parameters of boars. Acta Vet. Brno., 76: 41-46. https://doi.org/10.2754/avb200776010041Lavara R., García M., Torres C., Vicente J., Baselga M. 2008. Genetic parameters for semen traits of rabbit males: II. Motility. In Proc.: 9th World Rabbit Congress., 10-13 June 2008, Verona, Italy.Lavara, R., Vicente, J., Baselga, M. 2011. Genetic parameter estimates for semen production traits and growth rate of a paternal rabbit line. J. Anim. Breed. Genet., 128: 44-51. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0388.2010.00889.xLavara, R., David, I., Moce, E., Baselga, M., Vicente, J. 2013. Environmental and male variation factors of freezability in rabbit semen. Theriogenology, 79: 582-589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.11.007Maertens L., Gidenne T. 2016. Feed efficiency in rabbit production: nutritional, technico-economical and environmental aspects. In Proc.: 11th World Rabbit Congress, 15-18 June, Qingdao, China.Migdal L., Palka S., Kmiecik M., Derewicka O. 2019. Association of polymorphisms in the GH and GHR genes with growth and carcass traits in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Czech J. Anim. Sci., 64: 255-264. https://doi.org/10.17221/27/2019-CJASNikbin S., Panandam J.M., Yaakub H., Murugaiyah M. 2018. Association of novel SNPs in gonadotropin genes with sperm quality traits of Boer goats and Boer crosses. J. Applied Anim. Res., 46: 459-466. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2017.1336441Pal A., Chakravarty A.K., Chatterjee P.N. 2014. Polymorphism of growth hormone gene and its association with seminal and sexual behavioral traits in crossbred cattle. Theriogenology, 81: 474-480. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.theriogenology.2013.11.002Peakall P., Smouse R. 2012. GenAlEx 6.5: Genetic analysis in Excel. Population genetic software for teaching and research. An update. Bioinformatics, 28: 2537-2539. https://doi.org/10.1093/bioinformatics/bts460Raymond M. 1995. GENEPOP (version 1.2): Population Genetics Software for exact tests and ecumenicism. J. Hered., 86: 248-249. https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.jhered.a111573Sahwan F.M., El-Sheik A.I., Sharaf M.M., El-Nahas A.F. 2014. Genetic polymorphism in growth hormone receptor gene (GHR) and its relationship with growth trait in pure and hybrid rabbit breeds. Alex. J. Vet. Sci., 43: 45-51. https://doi.org/10.5455/ajvs.165197Tanchev S. 2015. Conservation of genetic resources of autochthonous domestic livestock breeds in Bulgaria. A review. Bulgarian J. Agric. Sci., 21: 1262-1271.Tusell L., Legarra A., García-Tomás M., Rafel O., Ramon J., Piles M. 2012. Genetic basis of semen traits and their relationship with growth rate in rabbits. J. Anim. Sci. 90: 1385-1397. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2011-4165Yardibi H., Hosturk G.T., Paya I., Kaygisiz F., Ciftioglu G., Mengi A., Oztabak K. 2009. Associations of growth hormone gene polymorphisms with milk production traits in South Anatolian and East Anatolian red cattle. J. Anim. Vet. Adv. 8: 1040-1044. https://doi.org/10.3923/javaa.2009.1040.1044Youssef Y., Iraqi M., El-Raffa A., Afifi E., Khalil M., García M., et al. 2008. A joint project to synthesize new lines of rabbits in Egypt and Saudi Arabia: emphasis for results and prospects. In Proc.: 9th World Rabbit Congress, 10-13 June, Verona-Italy.Zachmann M. 1992. Interrelations between growth hormone and sex hormones: physiology and therapeutic consequences. Horm. Res. Paediat., 38: 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1159/000182562Zhang W.X., Zhang G.W., Peng J., Lai S.J. 2012. The polymorphism of GHR gene associated with the growth and carcass traits in three rabbit breeds. In Proc.: 10th World Rabbit Congress, Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, 75-7

Eugenia supra-axillaris Essential Oil and Its Nanoemulsion: Chemical Characterization, In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory, Analgesic, and Antipyretic Activities

The use of standard synthetic medications to treat inflammatory illnesses is associated with several negative effects. It has been shown that medicinal plants and their by-products are useful for safely treating inflammation. Herein, the essential oil of Eugenia supra-axillaris (family: Myrtaceae, ESA-EO) was isolated and further chemically characterized by GC-MS, and then, its nanoemulsion (ESA-EO-NE) was prepared. In addition, the anti-inflammation against the carrageenan-induced rats, the analgesic, and antipyretic activities of ESA-EO and ESA-EO-NE were evaluated in rats. Forty-three compounds were identified via GC-MS and categorized as mono- (61.38%) and sesquiterpenes (34.86%). d-limonene (32.82%), α-pinene (24.33%), germacrene-D (4.88%), α-humulene (4.73%), α-cadinol (3.39%), and trans-caryophyllene (3.15%) represented the main components. The administration of ES-EO and ES-EO-NE (50 and 100 mg/kg) demonstrated strong, dose-dependent inflammation inhibition capabilities in the model of rat paw edema, in comparison with both the reference drug and control. Reduced levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), increased levels of glutathione (GSH), and decreased levels of the proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α), nitrosative (NO), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in paw tissues all contributed to these substantial reductions in inflammation. Moreover, the oral administration of ESA-EO and ESA-EO-NE (50 and 100 mg/kg) exhibited potent analgesic and antipyretic activities in rats. Although the higher dose of ESA-EO and ESA-EO-NE (100 mg/kg) displayed delayed anti-inflammatory activity, they have long-lasting inflammation inhibition with fast onset and long-standing analgesic effects better than reference drugs. Furthermore, the most effective antipyretic efficacy was provided by ESA-EO-NE (100 mg/kg). These results provide insight into the possible therapeutic application of ESA-EO and its nanoemulsion against various inflammatory and painful illnesses as well as hyperthermia ailments

Organic Food and Farming in Egypt

Description of the organic Food and farm sector in Egypt, production and farmstructure, historical development, institutional set-up, certificiers, market trends for the domestic as well as export and future prospects for growth

Chemical Profiling of Significant Antioxidant and Phytotoxic Microwave-Extracted Essential Oil from Araucaria heterophylla Resin

Due to the various hazards of using synthetic chemical compounds in pharmaceutics, agriculture, and industry, scientists and researchers do their best to explore and assess new green natural compounds from natural resources with potent activity. The essential oil (EO) from the resin collected from Araucaria heterophylla Salisb. was extracted by the microwave technique and chemically characterized via GC-MS analysis. Furthermore, the extract EO was assessed for its antioxidant and phytotoxic activities. The EO has 33 compounds, mainly terpenes (98.23%), and the major compounds were α-pinene (62.57%), β-pinene (6.60%), germacrene D (5.88%), and β-caryophyllene (3.56%). The extracted EO showed substantial antioxidant activity, where it showed IC50 values of 142.42 and 118.03 mg L−1 for DPPH and ABTS, respectively. On the other hand, the EO revealed considerable phytotoxicity against the weed Chenopodium murale, where the EO showed IC50 values of 304.0, 230.1, and 147.1 mg L−1, for seed germination, seedling shoot growth, and seedling root growth, respectively. Moreover, the EO showed the same pattern of allelopathic inhibition against the weed Sonchus oleraceus, where it showed IC50 values of 295.7, 224.5, and 106.1 mg L−1, for seed germination, seedling shoot growth, and seedling root growth, respectively. The present study showed that the extraction technique affects the constituents of the EO, particularly the quantitative composition. The EO of A. heterophylla resin also revealed considerable antioxidant and phytotoxic activity against weeds. Therefore, it can be considered a promising natural resource that could be integrated into the weed management approach. However, further study is recommended for deep characterization of their authentic compounds and evaluation of their mode of action(s) on a wide spectrum of weeds

Effect of drinking saline water on food and water intake, food digestibility, and nitrogen and mineral balances of rusa deer stags (Cervus timorensis russa)

The salinity tolerance of Javan rusa deer (Cervus timorensis russa) was investigated with seven stags, aged 4-5 years. Animals were offered a medium-quality chaffed lucerne hay and given five different levels of water salinity: (a) control (570 mg/kg of total dissolved salts (TDS)) and (b) 'saline' water with TDS contents of 1000, 3500, 6000 and 8500 mg/kg. Food intake, food digestibility and nitrogen balance were not affected by increasing salt concentration in drinking water, however the drinking water (DW) intake, the total (food plus drinking) water intake and the DW:dry-matter ratio increased with increasing salt concentration. Some deer given water containing 8500 mg TDS per kg showed signs of stress which included large between-day fluctuations in water intake, opening of the orbital gland, head shaking, and rapid breathing. Rusa deer can tolerate drinking water containing 6000 mg TDS per kg for at least 9 days without harmful effect but may be unable to tolerate water with 8500 mg TDS per kg

Fatal bilateral pneumonitis after locoregional thoracic chemoradiation in a transplanted patient under immunosuppressive therapy

Background: After thoracic radiotherapy a pneumonitis may occur, mostly confined to the irradiated volume of the lung. In general, it resolves spontaneously without long-term effects. Case Report: A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with a stage IIIA adenocarcinoma of the lung and was treated with sequential chemoradiation. He had a heart and kidney transplant for which an immunosuppressant was taken. During the fourth week of radiotherapy, he developed a bilateral interstitial pneumonia. Despite antibiotics and steroids, the patient died twelve days after the onset of complaints due to respiratory failure. Autopsy showed in all pulmonary lobes extensive diffuse alveolar damage, probably leading to respiratory insufficiency and death. Literature and Conclusion: Bilateral pneumonitis after radiotherapy is thought to be an immunologically-mediated response, which usually resolves without long-term effects. Since in radiation pneumonitis an increase in T-cells is described, the suppression of these cells by an immunosuppressant might have exaggerated the pulmonary toxicity

Chemical Profile of Cyperus laevigatus and Its Protective Effects against Thioacetamide-Induced Hepatorenal Toxicity in Rats

Cyperus species represent a group of cosmopolitan plants used in folk medicine to treat several diseases. In the current study, the phytochemical profile of Cyperus laevigatus ethanolic extract (CLEE) was assessed using UPLC-QTOF–MS/MS. The protective effect of CLEE at 50 and 100 mg /kg body weight (b.w.) was evaluated on hepatorenal injuries induced by thioacetamide (100 mg/kg) via investigation of the extract’s effects on oxidative stress, inflammatory markers and histopathological changes in the liver and kidney. UPLC-QTOF–MS/MS analysis of CLEE resulted in the identification of 94 compounds, including organic and phenolic acids, flavones, aurones, and fatty acids. CLEE improved the antioxidant status in the liver and kidney, as manifested by enhancement of reduced glutathione (GSH) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), in addition to the reduction in malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG). Moreover, CLEE positively affected oxidative stress parameters in plasma and thwarted the depletion of hepatorenal ATP content by thioacetamide (TAA). Furthermore, treatment of rats with CLEE alleviated the significant increase in plasma liver enzymes, kidney function parameters, and inflammatory markers. The protective effect of CLEE was confirmed by a histopathological study of the liver and kidney. Our results proposed that CLEE may reduce TAA-hepatorenal toxicity via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties suppressing oxidative stress