Co-administration of Vitamins E and C protects against stress-induced hepatorenal oxidative damage and effectively improves lipid profile at both low and high altitude

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of co- administration of vitamins E and C on exhaustive exercise induced-stress in regards to hepatorenal function in rats native to low altitude (LA) and high altitude (HA). In both LA and HA areas, native wistar rats of each area were divided into three groups of 6 rats each, which include stress-free control, forced swimming-induced experimental stress and experimental stress plus vitamins E and C treatment. Lipid profile and Liver and kidney functions were assessed in both groups. HA and LA rats exhibit similar baseline levels of liver and kidney function as well as lipid metabolism profiles. However, HA rats showed decreased levels of antioxidant markers with an increased level of lipid peroxidation. Exhaustive swimming exercise induced a significant increase in the liver and kidney function of rats at both altitudes accompanied with a decrease in antioxidants levels. However, the magnitude of change observed in HA rats was more profound. Also at LA, forced swimming exercise resulted in a significant increase in serum total cholesterol (TChol), triacylglycerides (TAG) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL). However, in HA rats, forced swimming exercise caused a significant decrease in serum TChol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), except for HDL levels which were significantly elevated. Pre- and co-administration of vitamins E and C counteracted the induction of liver and/or kidney function by exhaustive exercise, and lowered TChol and LDL levels in rats at either altitude. In conclusion, at native high altitude: kidney and liver function essentially remained stable; response to stress included more profound oxidative damage to liver and kidney tissues as well as augmented deterioration in lipid metabolism compared to low altitude; and combined administration of vitamins E and C protected against observed oxidative stress damage to liver and kidney tissues and preserved lipid metabolism. At low altitude, combined administration of vitamin E and C protected against stress-induced oxidative damage to the liver and kidney and did preserve normal lipid metabolism, except for HDL. These novel findings reveal the pathophysiological changes in the liver function, kidney function and lipid metabolism occurring at high altitude specifically under stress, and demonstrate the efficacy of combined supplementation of vitamins E and C to normalize these changes.Key words: Exercise, oxidative stress, vitamin E, vitamin C, altitude, rats

Direct enzymatic esterification of cotton and Avicel with wild-type and engineered cutinases

In this work, the surface of cellulose, either Avicel or cotton fabric, was modified using cutinases without any previous treatment to swell or to solubilise the polymer. Aiming further improvement of cutinase ester synthase activity on cellulose, an engineered cutinase was investigated. Wild-type cutinase from Fusarium solani and its fusion with the carbohydrate-binding module N1 from Cellulomonas fimi were able to esterify the hydroxyl groups of cellulose with distinct efficiencies depending on the acid substrate/solvent system used, as shown by titration and by ATR-FTIR. The carbonyl stretching peak area increased significantly after enzymatic treatment during 72 h at 30 °C. Cutinase treatment resulted in relative increases of 31 and 9 % when octanoic acid and vegetable oil were used as substrates, respectively. Cutinase-N1 treatment resulted in relative increases of 11 and 29 % in the peak area when octanoic acid and vegetable oil were used as substrates, respectively. The production and application of cutinase fused with the domain N1 as a cellulose ester synthase, here reported for the first time, is therefore an interesting strategy to pursuit.This work was co-funded by the European Social Fund through the management authority POPH and FCT, Postdoctoral fellowship reference: SFRH/BPD/47555/2008. The authors also want to thank Doctor Raul Machado for his valuable help on FTIR spectral data treatment

Derangement of hemopoiesis and hematological indices in Khat (Catha edulis) - treated rats

The purpose of this study was to identify the sub-acute toxic effects of Khat (Catha edulis) on hemopoiesis and hematological indices of white albino rats. Two groups, each of 10 rats, were used. In the experimental group, a hydro-ethanol extract of C. edulis was administered orally to rats, daily, in single doses of 500 mg/kg body weight, for for weeks. The control group received equivalent amounts of normal saline. Our results show, for the first time, that oral administration of C. edulis hydro-ethanol extract caused significant derangement in hemopoiesis and in gross hematological indices in rats, characterized by macrocytic anemia and leucopenia. Our data show statistically significant decreases in total leukocytes count (TLC) in which, hemoglobin concentration (Hb. conc.), packed cell volume (PCV), and red cell count (RCC), accompanied by significant increases in mean cell volume (MCV), red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and platelets count with no change in mean hemoglobin concentration (MHC). In peripheral blood smears (PBS) of treated rats, there were evidences of dyserythropoiesis- impaired hemoglobinization, macrocytosis, poikilocytosis and anisocytosis, and dysgranulopoiesis- giant forms, hypersegmented neutrophils and bizarre nuclear shapes. In conclusion, our results indicate that oral administration of a hydro-ethanol extract of C. edulis adversely affected blood cell formation and induced macrocytic anemia and leukopenia in rats. However, the exact mechanisms of these hematological changes produced by Khat are still in need for further studies.Keywords:Catha edulis, hemopoiesis, anemia, leukopenia, ratsAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(2), pp. 349-355, 8 January, 201

A comprehensive view of the solvability of non-local fractional orders pantograph equation with a fractal-fractional feedback control

In this article, the solvability of the pantograph equation of fractional orders under a fractal-fractional feedback control was investigated. This investigation was located in the class of all continuous functions. The necessary conditions for the solvability of that problem and the continuous dependence of the solution on some parameters and the control variable were established with the help of some fixed point theorems. Additionally, the Hyers-Ulam stability of the issue was explored. Finally, some specific problems extended to the corresponding problem with integer orders were illustrated. The theoretical results were supported by numerical simulations and comparisons with existing results in the literature

Eco-friendly preparation of thyme essential oil nano emulsion: Characterization, antifungal activity and resistance of Fusarium wilt disease of Foeniculum vulgare

Essential oil nanoemulsions have received much attention in the last period for controlling of fungal plant pathogens. In this study, thyme oil nanoemulsion (TONE) was successfully prepared from thyme oil which extracted from Thymus vulgaris (T. vulgaris). The prepared TONE was characterized using DLS, Zeta potential, and TEM analyses. Results revealed that, TONE has spherical shape with size 32.7 nm. Moreover, results illustrated that TONE exhibited promising antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum (F. oxysporum) with minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) 5 mg/ml. Additionally, TONE concentrations 1, 2, 3 and 4 mg/ml reduced the growth of F. oxysporum with percentages 7.78, 31.1, 52.2 and 67.8 % respectively. Disease index (DI) of Fusarium wilt reached the maximum rate by (85 %) in the Foeniculum vulgare (F. vulgare) plant infected with F. oxysporum. Application of TONE treatment on infected plants led to a decrease in DI to (17.5%) and an increase in the percentage of protection to (79.4%). Furthermore, DI was decrease to 42.5% with protection percentage 50% in the case of infected plant with TOE.  Moreover, TOE, TONE played an important role in improving plant immunity by increasing phenol, proline, and antioxidant enzymes (POD&PPO) activities, as well as reducing oxidative stress by reducing (MDA & H2O2). Results revealed that TONE led to significant increase in free proline in compared to TOE. We can conclude that TOE, TONE are considered eco-friendly safe strong inducers of F. vulgare plant immunity alternatives to difenoconazole against fusarial wilt disease to preserve plant, soil, and human health

A survey on internet of things enabled smart campus applications

The fictional future home, workspace or city, as predicted by science TV shows of the 1960s, is now a reality. Modern microelectronics and communication technologies offer the type of smart living that looked practically inconceivable just a few decades ago. The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the main drivers of the future smart spaces. It enables new operational technologies and offers vital financial and environmental benefits. With IoT, spaces are evolving from being just 'smart' to become intelligent and connected. This survey paper focuses on how to leverage IoT technologies to build a modular approach to smart campuses. The paper identifies the key benefits and motivation behind the development of IoT-enabled campus. Then, it provides a comprehensive view of general types of smart campus applications. Finally, we consider the vital design challenges that should be met to realise a smart campus

Biocontrol of Fusarium wilt disease in pepper plant by plant growth promoting Penicillium expansum and Trichoderma harzianum

Plant growth promoting fungi (PGPF) were employed in the present study to biocontrol Fusarium wilt disease in pepper plants. Two of the five fungal isolates were chosen based on biochemical characteristics such as their production of hydrocyanic acid, siderophores, and IAA, phosphate solubilization, and in vitro antifungal activities. The most potent fungal isolates were identified as Penicillium expansum (P. expansum) and Trichoderma harzianum (T. harzianum). Using GC-MS, it was found that PGPF extracts contain compounds with antifungal activity, antioxidants, and plant growth stimulators. The combined effect of T. harzianum and P. expansum increased the protection against fusarial wilt by (76.74%), followed by T. harzianum by (50%), then P. expansum by (17.64%). Significant improvement because of using the mixture (T. harzianum and P. expansum) showed an increase in shoot length (59.4%), root length (129%), and number of leaves (52.6%). Chlorophyll A and B levels in infected plants were consistently raised by 28.71% and 67.58%, respectively; as a result of application the mixture (T. harzianum and P. expansum). Also, there was an increase in soluble proteins and carbohydrates in infected plants treated with (T. harzianum) by 25.42% and 31.78% over untreated infected plants, respectively. It could be recommended that the use of targeted PGPF strains, especially a mixture of T. harzianum and P. expansum could be commercially used as therapeutic nutrients against Fusarium wilt of pepper plants

Direct transesterification to produce bio-diesel from Oedogonium algae and duckweed plant

Biodiesel from renewable sources is one of the possible alternatives support the energy security. This study aimed to produce biodiesel from Oedogonium algae and duckweed plant by direct transesterification. An amount of 5 g of dry biomass was taken for the considered duckweed plant and the algae was immersed in 50 mL of methanol: hydrochloric acid: chloroform (10:1:1 v/v/v)   solvent to extract fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).  The extracted materials were taken for the characterisation using FT-IR and GC-Mass spectrometry. The prepared samples were specifically diagnosed for the identification of compounds particularly lipids. The results showed presence of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in the formed ester (biodiesel). Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids identified in the biodiesel derived from duckweed plant were 24.19% and 20.34% respectively and from Oedogonium algae were 19.92% and 17.2% respectively. These results demonstrated a high potential to produce biodiesel from these types of biomass which could provide another route for energy supply

The Prevalence of Nocturnal Enuresis among Patients with Vesicoureteral Reflux

Background: To identify the prevalence and other associated factors of nocturnal enuresis in children with vesicoureteral reflux undergoing surgical interventions.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study were the medical records of 40 children with confirmed vesicoureteral reflux were reviewed. Additionally, parents were asked to fill out a questionnaire inquiring about presence, onset & course of nocturnal enuresis as has been defined according to ICD-10.Results: Among the 40 children, 22 children (55%) had nocturnal enuresis before any surgical intervention. However; gender, family history of bedwetting, renal hydronephrosis on ultrasound, positive urine culture, and pre-op creatinine level were found to have statistically insignificant association with nocturnal enuresis. After surgical management only 13 (32.5%) children experienced nocturnal enuresis.Conclusion: This study can conclude that there is a weak correlation between NE and VUR in patients undergoing surgical intervention. Also, the surgical management of VUR did not significantly affect the prevalence of NE. However, it is an essential problem for both families and children in Jordan for which specific guidelines should be developed