SUPPRESSION OF N-NITROSODIETHYLAMINE INDUCED OXIDATIVE RENAL TOXICITY BY SULPHATEDPOLYSACCHARIDE AND AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF ULVA LACTUCA IN RATS

Objective: The ancient tradition habits of consuming seaweeds in Asian and Middle East countries have been made a key part of their diet, and as an antioxidant, sulphated polysaccharides have made a large number of researches as one of the ocean's greatest treasures. Therefore, the scope of the present study was conducted to investigate the chemopreventive actions of sulphated polysaccharides and aqueous extract of Ulva lactuca on N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) promoted by phenobarbital (PB) induced renal toxicity in male albino rats. Methods: Adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. Group B received a single dose of NDEA intra peritonealy (200 mg/kg body weight) for 2, 12 and 24 weeks to induce renal toxicity. Groups (C& D) simultaneously received (50 mg/kg body weight) sulphated polysaccharides and aqueous extract of U. lactuca, respectively by oral gavage. Further, the B, C& D groups received PB (0.05%) in drinking water after two weeks of NDEA administration along the entire period of study. Saline (0.9%) treated control group (A) was also built-in. Several In vivo enzymatic antioxidant defense system like superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and non-enzymatic system like reduced glutathione (GSH) were evaluated to determine the reno-protective and antioxidant activity of U. lactuca extracts. The oxidative stress markers like lipid peroxidation (LPO) and nitric oxide (NOx) were also investigated as the products of NDEA metabolism. Results: NDEA followed by PB provoked renal and nephrotoxicity was evident from the decreased activity of almost antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GST, GR and MPO) and increased oxidants (LPO & NOx) in renal tissues. A significant rise in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) throughout the entire period of study along with the striking decline of the above enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidants marks the severity of oxidative stress in NDEA-induced rats. However, concomitant treatment with sulphated polysaccharides restored the above antioxidant enzyme levels in the kidneys near to normal better than the aqueous extract, and exhibited a significant dose dependent protective effect against NDEA induced nephrotoxicity, which might be attributed to the antioxidant properties of the extracts. Conclusion: The present study provides evidence, for the first time, that sulphated polysaccharides exert a chemoreceptive significant effect on NDEA-initiated nephrotoxicity through induction of apoptosis. In addition, the restoration effect of enzymic and non-enzymic antioxidant to their normal levels. The study justified the ethno-medicinal use of sulphated polysaccharide extract for protection against renal toxicity

DNA Fingerprinting, Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of the Essential Oil isolated from the Fruits of Serenoa repens W. Bartram

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained from the fruits of Serenoa repens W. Bartram by hydrodistillation has been studied by GC/MS analysis. The analysis of the essential oil revealed the presence of 60 identified compounds (monoterpene and sesquiterpene) oxygenated and non-oxygenated compounds in the oil sample including about 53 compounds which were not reported in GC/MS analysis of the essential oil before. GC/MS analysis revealed 4-(1-methylethyl)-Benzaldehyde to be the major constituent of the essential oil of the fruits 58.56% followed by 2-Caren-10-al and 3-Caren-10-al (11.83% and 2.87%, respectively). So far nothing could be traced concerning the oil biological activity. The antimicrobial sensitivity as well as the MIC against different fungal, gram positive and gram negative strains was carried out. The antimicrobial snsitivity was higher as antifungal followed by the Gram-positive strains, and Gram-negative bacteria strains compared to the positive controls. The essential oil showed high selective antimicrobial potential (MIC 1.95–62.5 μg/mL for bacteria; and MIC 3.9–31.25 μg/mL for fungi). DNA fingerprinting of the cultivated leaves were carried out for authentication of the plant. Keywords: Serenoa repens, essential oil, 4-(1-methylethyl)-Benzaldehyde, Antimicrobial, GC/MS, DNA

Variation in Seed Dormancy Quantitative Trait Loci in Arabidopsis thaliana Originating from One Site

A Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis was performed using two novel Recombinant Inbred Line (RIL) populations, derived from the progeny between two Arabidopsis thaliana genotypes collected at the same site in Kyoto (Japan) crossed with the reference laboratory strain Landsberg erecta (Ler). We used these two RIL populations to determine the genetic basis of seed dormancy and flowering time, which are assumed to be the main traits controlling life history variation in Arabidopsis. The analysis revealed quantitative variation for seed dormancy that is associated with allelic variation at the seed dormancy QTL DOG1 (for Delay Of Germination 1) in one population and at DOG6 in both. These DOG QTL have been previously identified using mapping populations derived from accessions collected at different sites around the world. Genetic variation within a population may enhance its ability to respond accurately to variation within and between seasons. In contrast, variation for flowering time, which also segregated within each mapping population, is mainly governed by the same QTL

Improving Egypt’s Access to Vaccines and Medicines: Communication during COVID-19 / تحسين إتاحة الوصول إلى اللقاحات والأدوية في مصر: سياسة توعية الجمهور خلال أزمة فيروس كورونا

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Egyptian government has been following protocol as best as possible when it comes to responding to the needs of the health and economic sectors amid difficult times. From lockdown measures to the WHO’s recommended practices in terms of isolation of cases and treatments, Egypt has been lauded as one of the fastest and most effective countries in terms of COVID-19 emergency response. Authorities have implemented several awareness campaigns directed at citizens to inform them about the pandemic, how to prevent infection, what to do if infected and how to act accordingly. Authorities have utilized all the available tools in their arsenal to help spread awareness and safeguard public health. Egypt is working diligently on all fronts to ensure the availability, affordability, and attractiveness of vaccines, succeeding in the first two points – with news every day about unveiling more vaccines to people in need. However, Egypt is still lacking in the third point. Egyptians are still hesitant when it comes to receiving their vaccines and this may be attributed to several factors, a “missing piece” in the current government’s communication strategy is apparent. While the analysis dwells on describing the current communication plan implemented by authorities, the authors suggest and recommend an augmented version of the current strategy; one that involves utilizing the “bottom/up” and “top/down approach” and mobilizes all relevant stakeholders in shaping a campaign that helps raise awareness, dispel misconceptions and information about the vaccines, and builds an open channel with the community

Cytotoxic Activity and Metabolic Profiling of Fifteen Euphorbia Species

Euphorbia is a large genus of flowering plants with a great diversity in metabolic pattern. Testing the cytotoxic potential of fifteen Euphorbia species revealed highest activity of E. officinarum L. against CACO2 cell line (IC50 7.2 µM) and of E. lactea Haw. against HepG2 and MCF-7 cell lines (IC50 5.2 and 5.1 µM, respectively). Additionally, metabolic profiling of the fifteen tested species, using LC-HRMS, for dereplication purposes, led to the annotation of 44 natural compounds. Among the annotated compounds, diterpenoids represent the major class. Dereplication approach and multivariate data analysis are adopted in order to annotate the compounds responsible for the detected cytotoxic activity. Results of PCA come in a great accordance with results of biological testing, which emphasized the cytotoxic properties of E. lactea Haw. A similarity correlation network showed that the two compounds with the molecular formula C16H18O8 and C20H30O10, are responsible for cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 and HepG2 cell lines. Similarly, the compound with molecular formula C18H35NO correlates with cytotoxic activity against CACO2

Cerebralna listerioza u deve na području Qassim u Središnjoj Saudijskoj Arabiji - prikaz slučajaDeva

A she-camel of about 6 years of age with neurological signs was admitted to the University Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Qassim, central Saudi Arabia, for diagnosis and treatment. Clinical examination showed lack of coordination of movements, Parkinson’s-like tremors of the head and lower lip paralysis. No parasite was detected in the stained blood smear, and except for leukocytosis and monocytosis, the result of the complete blood count (CBC) was normal. The results of the liver and kidney function tests were normal. The animal was infused with 4 units of 5% dextrose saline and injected with vitamin B1 and selenium preparations for the nervous manifestations. However, its health deteriorated rapidly and it was on lateral recumbency by the second day of admission. It died after one more day and was necropsied to investigate the cause of death. Postmortem examination showed slight congestion of the liver and the kidneys. The heart, meninges and the brain were congested and haemorrhagic. Histopathological examination showed acute lymphocytic meningeoencephalomyelitis in the medulla oblongata and spinal cord. Micro-abscesses containing neutrophils were seen in the medulla oblongata. Colonies of Listeria monocytogenes were obtained when the brain tissue was cultured in a cold environment. Smears made from the colonies showed Gram positive cocco-bacilli. Listeria monocytogenes was confirmed by PCR on DNA extracted from brain tissue.Deva u dobi od šest godina s neurološkim znakovima bila je radi dijagnoze i liječenja primljena na kliniku Veterinarskog Sveučilišta u Qassimu, Središnja Saudijska Arabija. Kliničkom pretragom ustanovljena je nekoordiniranost pokreta, tremor glave i paraliza donje usne slično kao kod Parkinsonove bolesti. U obojenim razmascima krvi nisu bili ustanovljeni paraziti, a hematološki nalaz bio je normalan osim što je ustanovljena leukocitoza i monocitoza. Nalazi funkcije jetara i bubrega bili su u fi ziološkim granicama. Životinja je dobila infuziju 4 jedinice 5% fiziološke otopine dekstroze s vitaminom B1 i preparatima selena zbog živčanih znakova. Ipak se njezino zdravstveno stanje naglo pogoršavalo te je drugoga dana bespomoćno ležala na boku. Uginula je trećega dana od primitka na kliniku te je razuđena da bi se otkrio uzrok uginuća. Postmortem pretraga pokazala je blagu kongestiju jetara i bubrega. Ustanovljeni su kongestija i krvarenja u srcu, moždanim ovojnicama i mozgu. Patohistološka pretraga pokazala je akutni limfocitni meningoencefalomijelitis u produženoj i kralježničnoj moždini. U produženoj moždini nalazili su se mikroapscesi koji su sadržavali neutrofile. Listeria monocytogenes bila je izdvojena iz moždanoga tkiva uzgojem u hladnim uvjetima. U razmascima kolonija dokazani su grampozitivni kokobacili. Nalaz bakterije Listeria monocytogenes bio je povrđen lančanom reakcijom polimerazom u DNA ekstrahiranoj iz moždanoga tkiva

Identification of metabolic and biomass QTL in Arabidopsis thaliana in a parallel analysis of RIL and IL populations

Plant growth and development are tightly linked to primary metabolism and are subject to natural variation. In order to obtain an insight into the genetic factors controlling biomass and primary metabolism and to determine their relationships, two Arabidopsis thaliana populations [429 recombinant inbred lines (RIL) and 97 introgression lines (IL), derived from accessions Col-0 and C24] were analyzed with respect to biomass and metabolic composition using a mass spectrometry-based metabolic profiling approach. Six and 157 quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified for biomass and metabolic content, respectively. Two biomass QTL coincide with significantly more metabolic QTL (mQTL) than statistically expected, supporting the notion that the metabolic profile and biomass accumulation of a plant are linked. On the same basis, three out the six biomass QTL can be simulated purely on the basis of metabolic composition. QTL based on analysis of the introgression lines were in substantial agreement with the RIL-based results: five of six biomass QTL and 55% of the mQTL found in the RIL population were also found in the IL population at a significance level of P ≤ 0.05, with >80% agreement on the allele effects. Some of the differences could be attributed to epistatic interactions. Depending on the search conditions, metabolic pathway-derived candidate genes were found for 24–67% of all tested mQTL in the database AraCyc 3.5. This dataset thus provides a comprehensive basis for the detection of functionally relevant variation in known genes with metabolic function and for identification of genes with hitherto unknown roles in the control of metabolism