Signalizacija gena za receptor vitamina D, enzim 1 alfa-hidroksilazu i RANTES u mliječnih krava s hipokalcemijom

The aim of the current study focused on screening the signal of the vitamin D receptor (VDR), 1-alpha-hydroxylase (1α-OHase) enzyme, and chemokine regulated on activation, normal T-cell expressed and secreted (RANTES) genes in dairy cows with hypocalcaemia. A sample of 120 dairy cows (20 dairy cows per herd) in the transition period was studied. Blood samples were drawn from the selected dairy cows for both biochemical and molecular analysis. In cows with subclinical and clinical hypocalcemia, there was a significant (P<0.05) down-regulation of both VDR and RANTES genes, whereas there was a significant (P<0.05) up-regulation of the 1α-OHase enzyme. Moreover, there was a significant (P<0.05) increase in the levels of glucose, parathyroid hormone (PTH), sodium (Na), and chloride (Cl). Furthermore, there was a significant (P<0.05) decrease in the levels of phosphorous and potassium (K). On the animal level, there was a significant association between the expression pattern of the VDR gene and the cows’ breed, the cows’ age, parity number, body condition score, and history of previous transition period disorders. The increase in both the expression of 1α-OHase enzyme and the level of each of PTH, glucose, Na, and Cl in the serum were significant risk factors for the decreased expression of the VDR gene. Likewise, the decrease in both the expression of the RANTES gene and the level of calcium (Ca) and phosphorous in the serum were significant risk factors for decreased expression of the VDR gene. This study revealed that the expression of VDR, 1α-OHase enzyme, and RANTES genes in the blood was greatly affected in dairy cows with hypocalcemia, indicating the need for an extra dose of vitamin D to maintain the normal level of Ca in the blood, especially during periods of high need. Hence, this study provides an insight into the role of vitamin D and its related enzymes in promoting the productivity of dairy cows, especially during the critical production periods.Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je nadzor genskog signala za receptor vitamina D (VDR), enzim 1-alfa-hidroksilazu (1 α-OHase) i kemokin (Regulated on Activation Normal T-cell Expressed and Secreted – RANTES) u mliječnih krava s hipokalcemijom. Uzorci za biokemijske i molekularne analize prikupljeni su od 120 mliječnih krava (20 krava po stadu), tijekom prijelaznog razdoblja. U krava s subkliničkom i kliničkom hipokalcemijom utvrđena je znakovita (P < 0,05) podregulacija gena VDR i RANTES, te znakovita (P < 0,05) nadregulacija enzima 1-α-Ohaza. Nadalje, u tih životinja došlo je do znakovitog (P < 0,05) povećanja razina glukoze, paratireoidnog hormona (PTH), natrija (Na) i klorida (Cl), te znakovitog (P < 0,05) smanjenja razina fosfora (P) i kalija (K). Uvažavajući različite osobine životinja utvrđena je znakovita povezanost između izražajnosti VDR gena i pasmine krava, dobi krava, redoslijeda teljenja, ocjene tjelesne kondicije te prethodnih poremećaja u prijelaznom razdoblju. Povećanje, s jedne strane ekspresije za enzim 1 α-OHase i s druge strane razine PTH, glukoze, Na i Cl u serumu, dovelo je do znakovitog rizika za smanjenu ekspresiju VDR gena. Isto tako, smanjenje ekspresije gena RANTES i razine kalcija (Ca) i fosfora (P) u serumu bili su značajni čimbenici rizika za smanjenu ekspresiju gena VDR. Ovo je istraživanje pokazalo da je na ekspresiju gena VDR, 1 α-Ohaza i RANTES u krvi mliječnih krava uvelike utjecala hipokalcemija, što upućuje na potrebu dodatne doze vitamina D kako bi se održala normalna razina Ca u krvi, osobito u zahtjevnim razdobljima visoke proizvodnje. Stoga ova studija daje uvid u ulogu vitamina D i s njim povezanih enzima u poboljšanju produktivnosti mliječnih krava, posebno u kritičnim razdobljima proizvodnje

Synthesis, dyeing performance on polyester fiber and antimicrobial studies of some novel pyrazolotriazine and pyrazolyl pyrazolone azo dyes

Abstract5-Amino-4-heterylazo-3-phenyl-1H-pyrazoles (2a–d) were diazotized and coupled with malononitrile to give pyrazoloazo malononitrile which by heating in glacial acetic acid gave novel pyrazolo[5,1-c][1,2,4]triazine dyes (3a–d). Also, some diazopyrazolyl pyrazolone dyes (4a–h) were synthesized by diazotization of 2a–d and coupled with some pyrazolone derivatives. The structure of the synthesized dyes was determined by elemental analysis and spectral data. All the synthesized compounds were applied as disperse dyes and their dyeing performance on polyester fabric was studied. The fastness and colorimetric properties were measured. The results revealed that the monoazo dyes have good fastness and good to moderate affinity to polyester fabric than diazo dyes. In addition, the synthesized dyes were screened for their antimicrobial activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram positive), Bacillus subtitles, Escherichia coli (Gram negative) and Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger (Fungi). The results revealed that most of the prepared dyes have high antibacterial activity

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Thiazole Derivatives

Thiazoles belong to the group of azole heterocycles. They are aromatic five-membered heterocycles containing one sulfur and one nitrogen atom. In recent years thiazoles, their derivatives, and isomers have gained considerable attention because of their broad applications in different fields, such as agrochemicals, industrial, and photographic sensitizers. Also, they have pharmaceutical and biological activities that include antimicrobial (sulfazole), antiretroviral (ritonavir), antifungal (abafungin), anticancer (tiazofurin), antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-Alzheimer, antihypertensive, antioxidant, and hepatoprotective activities. The compounds containing thiazole moieties are a prominent structural feature in a variety of natural products, such as vitamin B and penicillin. Thus, in this chapter several types of thiazole-based heterocyclic scaffolds such as monocyclic or bicyclic systems synthesis and their biological activities studies are presented. Furthermore modification of thiazole-based compounds at different positions to generate new molecules with potent antitumor, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities is described

Genetic variability and interrelationships of grain yield and its components of selected bread wheat genotypes

High temperature is one of major constraints of bread wheat production in the Sudan. Evaluation of different genotypes under heat stress conditions is one of the main tasks of breeders for exploiting genetic variations to improve cultivars under heat stress. Also, association of yield and yield contributing traits is important for selection. The objective of this study was to evaluate bread wheat genotypes under the irrigated hot environment of the Gezira, Sudan. Experiments were conducted at Gezira Research Farm, Wad Medani, Sudan for two consecutive seasons 2006/07 and 2007/08. The experiments were arranged in an augmented design with six checks, 4 and 12 blocks in the first and second seasons, respectively. Results showed wide ranges of variations in grain yield among these genotypes in both seasons. Grain yield ranged from 965 to 4019 kg/ha and from 133 to 6258 kg/ha in the first and second seasons, respectively. Similar wide ranges of variations were found in biomass, harvest index, number of spikes m-2, days to heading, days to maturity and plant height. Grain yield showed positive and significant correlation coefficients with biomass and harvest index, in both seasons. Path coefficient analysis indicated that biomass and harvest index were the most directly related parameters to grain yield, in both seasons

Anatomical Variations in Palmar Creases and Their Correlation to The Intelligence Capacity of Libyan Medical and Dental Students of Omar Al-Mukhtar University.

Background: For centuries, clinicians, anthropologists, and palmists have found the creases in the palm interesting. However, only in the last fifty years that research's started to examine the variations in these creases. Based on the three main palmar creases, thenar, proximal, and distal transverse creases, four&nbsp;patterns of&nbsp;palmar creases are identified;&nbsp;nonvariant,&nbsp;Sydney,&nbsp;Suwon, and simian. Previous studies of&nbsp;palmar&nbsp;creases&nbsp;revealed that familial components, race, sex, and age are factors that influence the expression of&nbsp;palmar&nbsp;crease&nbsp;patterns. Simian&nbsp;patterns of&nbsp;palmar&nbsp;creases&nbsp;are linked to various congenital diseases, some characterized by low level of intelligence. Aim: This paper aims to investigate the variations in&nbsp;palmar&nbsp;crease patterns among medical and dental students of Omar&nbsp;Al-Mukhtar&nbsp;University and to study the range of intelligence capacity associated with each pattern. Materials and methods: The study was conducted on 183 students. A paper-based IQ test was performed and photos were taken from both palms of all participants. Results: Out of 183 participants, the nonvariant pattern of palmar creases was found in 92%, in which, 100 students have bilateral 2 points of origin palmar creases and 48 students have bilateral 3 points of origin palmar creases, whereas 18 participants have one palm of 2 points and the other palm of 3 points of origin. Unilateral simian was the dominant type in the aberrant palmar creases, followed by bilateral Sydney, then unilateral Sydney, and Suwon. Conclusion: The students with unilateral simian have the highest average score of 47.166 followed by bilateral nonvariant and unilateral nonvariant. Students with unilateral Sydney have the lowest average score of 41

Molecular identification of avian influenza virus subtypes H5N1 and H9N2 in birds from farms and live bird markets and in respiratory patients

Background Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have been endemic in Egypt since 2006, and the co-circulation of high-pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 and low-pathogenic avian influenza H9N2 subtypes in poultry has been reported; therefore, Egypt is considered a hotspot for the generation of new subtypes and genotypes. We aimed to characterize AIVs circulating on commercial farms and in live bird markets (LBMs) during the winters of 2015 and 2016 in the study area and to identify H5N1 and H9N2 viruses in respiratory patients. Methods In total, 159 samples were collected from ducks, pigeons and quails on farms (n = 59) and in LBMs (n = 100) and screened by real-time RT-PCR for H5N1 and H9N2 subtypes. Clinical and postmortem examination was carried out on birds from the farms. Positive H5N1 samples were sequenced and analysed for mutations. Tracheal swabs were also collected from 89 respiratory patients admitted to respiratory hospitals in the same study area. Results Overall, H5N1 was identified in 13.6% of birds from farms, while it was detected in 17% of birds in LBMs. Subtype H9N2 was only identified from pigeons on farms (6.5%) and LBMs (11.4%). Sequencing of the haemagglutination gene (HA) in nine representative H5N1 isolates revealed a multi-basic amino acid motif at the cleavage site (321-PQGEKRRKKR/GLF-333), which is characteristic of highly pathogenic AIV, in five of our isolates, while the other four isolates showed an amino acid substitution (Q322K) at this cleavage site to make it (321-P K GEKRRKKR/GLF-333). All the isolates belonged to clade 2.2.1.2, and a comparison of HA sequences at the amino acid level showed 98.8–100% homology among the nine isolates, while they showed 94.1–96.1% identity with reference strains and the commonly used vaccine strain in Egypt. Out of 89 respiratory patients, 3.4% were positive for H5N1 and no patients were positive for H9N2. Discussion Our results indicated the circulation of the endemic H5N1 and H9N2 viruses among poultry in 2015 and 2016. Birds on farms and in LBMs are reservoirs playing a role in the dissemination of the virus and producing a public health risk. The application of proper hygienic measures in farms and LBMs to control the exposure of birds and humans to the source of infection along with continuous monitoring of the circulating viruses will provide information on understanding the evolution of the viruses for vaccine studies

Interspecies Interaction between Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli in vitro

Microbial interactions are frequently categorized according to how they affect each population in a binary system. We aimed to determine the interaction between P . aeruginosa, S . aureus, and E . coli in-vitro. In this experimental hospitalized patients’ sputum, urine, and blood samples were used to collect a total of 90 clinical isolates for the study in Damanhour Medical National Institute, Behira, Egypt, followed by accurate identification and testing for antibiotic sensitivity. To examine the effect of the supernatant of P. aeruginosa on S. aureus and E. coli determined MIC using broth microdilution method. We also measured the activity of lasA protease by assessing the S. aureus cell lysis potential of P. aeruginosa culture supernatants. Extraction of pyocyanin was made to determine the change in the cell nature of S. aureus upon exposure to pyocyanin by using a scanning electron microscope and the shape of colonies on the culture media was determined. Finally, we detect lasA, operon phz, phzM, phzS and rhlAB genes for P. aeruginosa. P. aeruginosa showed a great impact on S. aureus isolates resistant to different antibiotics as it facilitates their killing and may drive the normal colonies of S. aureus into SCVs. The ability to form biofilm by S. aureus and E. coli decreased in the presence of Pseudomonas supernatant

Copper Nanoparticles Induced Genotoxicty, Oxidative Stress, and Changes in Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Gene Expression in Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) Plants

With the increased use of metal nanoparticles (NPs), their access to the food chain has become a main concern to scientists and holds controversial social implications. This research particularly sheds light on copper nanoparticles (CuNP), as they have been commonly used in several industries nowadays. In this study, we investigated the phytotoxicity of CuNP on cucumber (Cucumis sativus) plants grown hydroponically. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS), X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed that C. sativus treated with CuNP accumulated CuNP in the plant tissues, with higher levels in roots, with amounts that were concentration dependent. Furthermore, genotoxicity was assessed using Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique, and our results showed that CuNP caused genomic alterations in C. sativus. Phenotypical, physiological, and biochemical changes were assessed by determining the CuNP treated plant’s total biomass, chlorophyll, H2O2 and MDA contents, and electrolyte leakage percentage. The results revealed notable adverse phenotypical changes along with decreased biomass and decreased levels of the photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll a and b) in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, CuNP induced damage to the root plasma membrane as determined by the increased electrolyte leakage. A significant increase in H2O2 and MDA contents were detected in C. sativus CuNP treated plants. Additionally, copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu-Zn SOD) gene expression was induced under CuNP treatment. Overall, our results demonstrated that CuNP of 10–30 nm size were toxic to C. sativus plants. This finding will encourage the safe production and disposal NPs. Thus, reducing nano-metallic bioaccumulation into our food chain through crop plants; that possesses a threat to the ecological system

Academic Achievement and Psychosocial Profile of Egyptian Primary School Children in South Sinai

BACKGROUND: Population of South Sinai has suffered from negligence for many years. Solving educational problems of this population is the main concern nowadays.AIM: To assess academic achievement in primary school children in South Sinai in relation to intelligence and psychosocial profile.SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted on 407 Bedouin and urban students randomly selected from twelve public primary schools in six cities in South Sinai. Intelligence was assessed using Goodenough-Harris test. The midyear Arabic language and Arithmetic scores were used to assess academic achievement. The teachers completed a Pediatric-Symptom Checklist for evaluation of children behaviour.RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in academic achievement (P &lt; 0.001), total psychosocial scores, (P &lt; 0.05), and externalization (P &lt; 0.05) was found between urban and Bedouin students with significant gender differences (P &lt; 0.05). Highly significant positive correlations were observed between IQ percentile and mid-year Arabic language scores and Arithmetic scores (P &lt; 0.001), and significant negative correlations with the total score of PSCL and its subscale scores (externalising, inattention, and internalising behaviour) (P &lt; 0.001) among the students.CONCLUSION: Comorbid academic and psychosocial dysfunction in primary school children were observed in South Sinai. A national strategy to minimise the educational gap between Bedouin and urban areas should be implemented