Serum selenoprotein P in lean and obese Egyptian individuals and its relation to insulin resistance

Background: Obesity is a major health problem with increasing prevalence and directly contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Selenoprotein P (Se P) is a novel hepatokine that affects glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and correlating with insulin resistance, inflammation, and atherosclerosis. Plasma Se P level is one of the promising biomarkers for predictions or diagnoses/prognoses of the diseases.Objective: Evaluating the serum level of Selenoprotein P in overweight, obese, and lean individuals and its relation to insulin resistance and cardiometabolic parameters.Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Outpatient Endocrinology Clinics, Internal Medicine Department, Menoufia University Hospitals on 90 individuals that were divided into two groups: (group I) 50 overweight and obese individuals (with body mass index (BMI) in the range 25.0–29.9 kg/m2 and ≥30.0 kg/m2, respectively) and (group II) 40 lean individuals with BMI in the range (18.5–24.9) kg/m2. All subjects were subjected to detailed history taking, clinical examination, and laboratory investigations including fasting and 2 hours postprandial blood sugar, lipid profile, fasting serum insulin level, Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance (HOMA-IR), and serum Se P.Results: Se P concentrations were significantly increased in overweight and obese group than lean group (p < 0.001). Se P concentration was related to various cardio-metabolic parameters. In overweight and obese group there was a significant positive correlation between serum Selenoprotein p level and waist circumference (WC) (r −0.453, p <0.001), hip circumference (HC) (r = 0.464, p < 0.001), waist-hip ratio (WHR) (r −0.506, p < 0.001), visceral adiposity index (VAI) (r = 0.323, p = 0.022), fasting serum insulin (r = 0.585, p < 0.001), and HOMA-IR (r = 0.570, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Circulating Se P concentrations is elevated in obesity and related to insulin resistance, visceral adiposity, and atherogenic index of plasma

Study the level of sputum matrix metalloproteinase-9 and tissue inhibitor metaloprotienase-1 in patients with interstitial lung diseases

Background: Pulmonary fibrosis, the final result of a large variety of interstitial lung diseases, is characterized by an aberrant remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) with a profound disturbance of the normal lung architecture. This remodeling includes the exaggerated accumulation of ECM components in the interstitial and alveolar spaces and the disruption of the basement membranes. It has long been accepted that MMPs play an important role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis, but the exact mechanisms are not well characterized. There are several interrelated processes—such as ECM remodeling, basement-membrane disruption, epithelial-cell apoptosis, cell migration, and angiogenesis—in which MMPs may play a central role, either by ECM direct cleavage or by generating bioactive mediators. TIMPs can modulate cellular processes such as cell growth, apoptosis and migration, and can be both anti- and pro-tumorigenic. This study aimed to examine the changes in induced sputum as regards MMP-9, TIMP-1 and levels of inflammatory cells in ILD patients compared with sputum of healthy non smokers. Subjects and methods: Thirty subjects were included in this study and were classified into the following two groups: Group I included twenty patients diagnosed clinically, radiologically and physiologically as interstitial lung diseases. Group II included ten healthy non smoker subjects. Sputum induction was done and processed to assess matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1(TIMP-1) and cytological examination with cellular count. Results: In this study, we have demonstrated that levels of sputum MMP-9 and TIMP-1 were significantly increased in patients with interstitial lung diseases than normal persons with highly significant statistical differences (p = 0.001). MMP-9 was positively correlated with number of neutrophils in the airway with highly significant statistical difference (p = 0.001)

Impact of cell death pathway genes Fas 21377AA and FasL 2844CC polymorphisms on the risk of developing non-small cell lung cancer

Background: The signalling pathway Fas and FasL system plays a fundamental role in the regulation of apoptotic cell death and any disturbance of this pathway has been shown to promote immune escape and tumorigenesis. Many types of cancers show reduced expression of FAS and elevated FasL expression. The Fas21377G/A, and FasL2844T/C polymorphisms might be associated with increased risk of lung cancer. Objective: The interplay between genetic polymorphisms could participate in cancer development. This study aimed to examine the contribution of Fas21377AA and FasL2844CC genotypes to risk of developing lung cancer. Subjects and methods: A case-control study was conducted on 20 non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cases and 40 controls. Genotyping of Fas 21377AA and FasL 2844CC Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were done to all subjects. Results: The distribution of Fas and FasL genotypes showed a higher frequency of Fas AA genotype among patients compared to controls with an increased risk of lung cancer (OR 5.28; CI:1.35–20.65, P value .01). No statistically significant difference was found between patients and controls groups in respect to FasL genotypes. Gene to gene interaction between Fas and FasL genotypes showed significant differences between the patients and controls groups. As regards the combination between FasL TT+CT & Fas AA, FasL CC & Fas GG+GA and FasL CC & Fas AA genotypes where patients carrying FasL CC or Fas AA genotypes have increased risk to develop lung cancer, (OR 10.28, 95% CI; 1.68–62.74, P value .01), (OR 72, 95% CI; 5.55–132.99, P value .001) and (OR 9, 95% CI; 1.5–53.86, P value .01) respectively. The FasL-CC genotype showed 2.25 folds increased risk to develop lung cancer in non-smoker patients, P = .008. No correlation was found between the pathological types, the stage of lung cancer and the Fas and FasL genotypes. Conclusion: The interaction of the cell death pathway genes Fas and FasL polymorphisms could be associated with the risk of lung cancer, in the same respect Fas AA genotype could also potentiate this risk. Keywords: Cell death pathway genes, Fas FasL polymorphisms, Non small cell lung cancer, PCR-RFL

Potential antibacterial, antibiofilm, and photocatalytic performance of gamma-irradiated novel nanocomposite for enhanced disinfection applications with an investigated reaction mechanism

Abstract Background Water scarcity is now a global challenge due to the population growth and the limited amount of available potable water. In addition, modern industrialization, and microbial pathogenesis is resulting in water pollution on a large scale. Methods In the present study, reusable Co0.5Ni0.5Fe2O4/SiO2/TiO2 composite matrix was incorporated with CdS NPs to develop an efficient photocatalyst, and antimicrobial agents for wastewater treatment, and disinfection purpose. The antibacterial performance of the gamma-irradiated samples was evaluated against various types of Gram-positive bacteria using ZOI, MIC, antibiofilm, and effect of UV-exposure. Antibacterial reaction mechanism was assessed by bacterial membrane leakage assay, and SEM imaging. In addition, their photocatalytic efficiency was tested against MB cationic dye as a typical water organic pollutant. Results Our results showed that, the formed CdS NPs were uniformly distributed onto the surface of the nanocomposite matrix. While, the resulted CdS-based nanocomposite possessed an average particle size of nearly 90.6 nm. The antibacterial performance of the prepared nanocomposite was significantly increased after activation with gamma and UV irradiations. The improved antibacterial performance was mainly due to the synergistic effect of both TiO2 and CdS NPs; whereas, the highest photocatalytic efficiency of MB removal was exhibited in alkaline media due to the electrostatic attraction between the cationic MB and the negatively-charged samples. In addition, the constructed heterojunction enabled better charge separation and increased the lifetime of the photogenerated charge carriers. Conclusion Our results can pave the way towards the development of efficient photocatalysts for wastewater treatment and promising antibacterial agents for disinfection applications

Kinetin alleviates the influence of waterlogging and salinity on growth and affects the production of plant growth regulators in Vigna sinensis and Zea mays

Growth criteria (shoot height, root length and dry weight) of 14-d-old Vigna sinensis and Zea mays were mostly suppressed by waterlogging or salinization using artificial seawater mixture during the subsequent 3 weeks; the water level in pots was, respectively, kept at 120% or 60% of water field capacity. The suppression in growth induced by salinization was greater than that obtained by waterlogging. The pattern of changes in growth appeared similar to chlorophyll a and b as well as activity of $\delta$-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALA-D). On the other hand, waterlogging significantly increased indole-acetic acid (IAA) in shoots of both species but salinity had a decreasing effect. Both treatments decreased gibberellic acid (GA$_3$) levels in shoots of Vigna sinensis and Zea mays as well as zeatin in shoots of Zea mays. Meanwhile, abscisic acid (ABA) was greatly accumulated in shoots of the stressed plants. Foliar application of 50 ppm kinetin counteracted the resulting reduction in growth and in chlorophylls of both species but partially lowered the inhibition in ALA-D activity. Moreover, kinetin increased IAA, GA$_3$ and zeatin in the stressed plants to mostly reach control levels, but markedly reduced ABA. These findings indicate that relief of the damage and restoration of normal conditions was maintained either partially or completely by application of kinetin. This recovery may be a consequence of several roles played by such hormones, which can cause triggering of the internal cellular metabolism and also induce alterations in the ratios of growth regulators.La kinétine permet d'éviter l'effet de la submersion et de la salinité sur la croissance et affecte la production de régulateurs de croissance chez Vigna Sinensis et Zea mays. La croissance (hauteur des parties aériennes, longueur des racines et poids sec) de plantules de Vigna sinensis et Zea mays âgées de 14 jours a été arrêtée principalement par la submersion ou la salinisation en utilisant un mélange artificiel d'eau de mer durant les 3 semaines suivantes ; le niveau d'eau dans les pots a été maintenu respectivement à 120 % et 60 % de la capacité au champ. L'effet négatif sur la croissance induit par la salinisation était plus important que celui obtenu par la submersion. La forme des modifications de la croissance est apparue similaire pour la chlorophylle A & B, aussi bien que pour l'activité de l'acide $\delta$-aminolevulinique déhydratase (ALA-D). D'un autre côté la submersion a augmenté de façon significative la teneur en acide indolacétique (IAA) des parties aériennes des 2 plantes, mais la salinité a eu un effet décroissant. Les 2 traitements ont diminué les niveaux d'acide gibbérellique (GA$_3$) dans les parties aériennes de Vigna sinensis ou Zea mays, ainsi que celui de zéatine dans celles de Zea mays. Pendant ce temps, l'acide abscisique (ABA) était accumulé en abondance dans les parties aériennes des plantes stressées. L'application foliaire de 50 ppm de kinétine s'est opposée à la réduction résultante de la croissance et de la teneur en chlorophylle des 2 plantes, mais a partiellement réduit l'inhibition de l'activité de ALA-D. De plus, la kinétine a augmenté IAA, GA$_3$ et la zeatine dans les plantes stressées jusqu'à atteindre pratiquement le niveau du témoin, mais a réduit de façon marquée ABA. Ces résultats indiquent que l'état des dommages et la restauration des conditions normales a été atteint soit partiellement, soit complètement en appliquant la kinétine. Ce rétablissement pourrait être une conséquence de plusieurs rôles joués par de telles hormones qui peuvent induire le déclenchement du métabolisme cellulaire interne et aussi induire des altérations dans les rapports des régulateurs de croissance

Trace the exploitation of Egyptian rice straw through spectral and thermal measurements

Cellulose from rice straw obtained at low sodium hydroxide solution concentration with high quality was used to obtain different cellulose derivatives through xanthation. Cellulose was then treated with carbon disulfide in the presence of sodium hydroxide. The viscose obtained was characterized with both chemical and instrumental analyses, namely, IR spectra, TGA and DTA analysis as well as SEM (scanning electron microscopy)

Roles of dehydrin genes in whe

Physiological parameters and expression levels of drought related genes were analyzed in early vegetative stage of two bread wheat cultivars (Sids and Gmiza) differ in drought tolerance capacity. Both cultivars were imposed to gradual water depletion started on day 17 till day 32 after sowing. Sids, the more tolerant cultivar to drought showed higher fresh and dry weights than the drought sensitive genotype, Gmiza. Under water stress, Sids had higher membrane stability index (MSI), lower accumulated H2O2 and higher activity of the antioxidant enzymes; catalase (CAT), guaiacol peroxidase (GPX), ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) than Gmiza. On the other hand, the differential expression patterns of the genes dhn, wcor and dreb were observed due to water deficit intensity according to cultivar’s tolerance to drought. The DNA sequence alignment of dun showed high similarity of about 80–92% identities with other related plants. The most striking overall observed trend was the highly induction in the expression of dun, wcor and dreb in leaves of the tolerant genotype, Sids under severe water stress