Curcumin protection activities against γ-Rays-induced molecular and biochemical lesions

BACKGROUND: Curcumin is a yellow-pigment phenolic compound used as a food spice and has a broad spectrum of antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic, anti-mutagenic and anti-inflammatory properties. METHODS: Radio-protective efficacy of curcumin; diferuloylmethane (C(21)H(20)O(6)) was evaluated using molecular and biochemical assays in male mice after exposure to 3 Gy γ-rays. Curcumin was given at a dose of 400 μmol/ kg body weight via gastric tubes for 5 following days either pre-, post- or both pre- and post-exposure. RESULTS: The incidence of aberrant cells and aberration types (mostly chromatids, breaks and fragments) was reduced with curcumin dosage as compared to irradiated group. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), hydroperoxide (HP), xanthine oxidase (XO) and apoptotic markers (DNA- fragmentation and caspase-3 activation) were increased significantly, whereas levels of glutathione (GSH) and the enzymatic antioxidants [Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] were significantly depleted in γ-irradiated mice. Curcumin treatments of mice groups including the 5 days pre-irradiation treated group (protected), the 5 days post-irradiation treated group (treated), and the curcumin treated group 5 days pre- and post-irradiation (protracted), have attenuated the liver toxic effects of γ-rays as manifested by reducing the levels of TBARS, HP, XO and DNA fragmentation. Curcumin has also rescued the depletion of GSH and the enzymatic-antioxidant status. CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin has significant radio-protective and radio-recovery activities in γ-irradiated mice. It has antioxidant potential against γ-rays-induced cytogenetic, molecular and biochemical lesions in mice

Evaluation of glycoproteins purified from adult and larval camel ticks (Hyalomma dromedarii) as a candidate vaccine

In order to identify antigens that can help prevent camel tick infestations, three major glycoproteins (GLPs) about 97, 66 and 40 kDa in size were purified from adult and larval Egyptian ticks, Hyalomma (H.) dromedarii, using a single-step purification method with Con-A sepharose. The purified GLPs were evaluated as vaccines against camel tick infestation in rabbits. The rabbits received three intramuscular inoculations of GLPs (20 µg/animal) on days 0, 14, and 28. In the immunoblot analysis, Sera from the immunized rabbits recognized the native GLPs and other proteins from larval and adult H. dromedarii ticks along with those from other tick species such as Rhipicephalus sanguineus but not Ornithodoros moubata. The effects of immunity induced by these GLPs were determined by exposing rabbits to adult H. dromedarii ticks. These results demonstrated that GLP immunization led to a slightly decreased reproductive index and significantly reduced rates of egg hatchability. These results demonstrated that immunization with the purified GLPs can provide protection against infestation by H. dromedarii and some other tick species. Further studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of immunization with GLPs against other tick species

Phytotherapeutic effects of Echinacea purpurea in gamma-irradiated mice

Echinacea (E.) purpurea herb is commonly known as the purple coneflower, red sunflower and rudbeckia. In this paper, we report the curative efficacy of an Echinacea extract in γ-irradiated mice. E. purpurea was given to male mice that were divided into five groups (control, treated, irradiated, treated before irradiation & treated after irradiation) at a dose of 30 mg/kg body weight for 2 weeks before and after irradiation with 3 Gy of γ-rays. The results reflected the detrimental reduction effects of γ-rays on peripheral blood hemoglobin and the levels of red blood cells, differential white blood cells, and bone marrow cells. The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) level, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSPx) activities and DNA fragmentation were also investigated. FT-Raman spectroscopy was used to explore the structural changes in liver tissues. Significant changes were observed in the microenvironment of the major constituents, including tyrosine and protein secondary structures. E. purpurea administration significantly ameliorated all estimated parameters. The radio-protection effectiveness was similar to the radio-recovery curativeness in comparison to the control group in most of the tested parameters. The radio-protection efficiency was greater than the radio-recovery in hemoglobin level during the first two weeks, in lymphoid cell count and TBARs level at the fourth week and in SOD activity during the first two weeks, as compared to the levels of these parameters in the control group

Bifurcation analysis of dynamical systems with fractional order differential equations via the modified Riemann-Liouville derivative

In this manuscript, the solutions of linear dynamical systems with fractional differential equations via themodified Riemann-Liouville derivative is derived. By using Jumarie type of derivative (JRL), we stated and provedthe Existence and uniqueness theorems of the dynamical systems with fractional order equations. Also a novel stability analysis of fractional dynamical systems by Jumarie type derivative is established and some important stability conditions are determined. The achieved results have various applications in mathematics, plasma physics and almost all branches of physics that have non-conservative forces. Finally, we investigated interesting application of nonlinear space-time fractional Korteweg-de Vries (STFKdV) equation in Saturn F-ring’s region. Moreover, our investigation could be basic interest to explain and interpret the effects of fractional and modification parameters on STFKdV equation. This is novel study on this model by dynamical system (DS) to describe the behavior of nonlinear waves without solve this system

Changes with Age in Amino Acids and some Mineral Constituents of Worker Honeybees.

Der Gehalt an Protein, Aminosäuren und Mineralen bei Honigbienen wurde in Abständen von 5 Tagen bis zum Alter von 20 Tagen untersucht. Der Gehalt an Stickstoff und Mineralen war hoch während des frühen Lebensalters der Bienen und sank mit zunehmendem Alter ab. Der gesamte Proteingehalt reichte von 41,3% bei 20 Tage alten Arbeiterbienen bis 69,0% bei neu geschlüpften. Die Ergebnisse der Aminosäuren-Analyse zeigten, daß Glutaminsäure bei allen Proben die vorherrschende Aminosäure war außer bei den 5 Tage alten Bienen, bei denen Alanin den höchsten Stand erreichte. Cystin war die niedrigste Aminosäure ohne nennenswerte Unterschiede bei den Arbeiterinnen verschiedenen Alters. Die Mineralbestandteile der Bienen nehmen allgemein mit dem Alter ab. Der höchste Gesamtanteil von Mineralen war mit 3,93% bei den neu geschlüpften Bienen festzustellen; er nahm allmählich ab bis zu einem Minimum von 1,60% bei den 20 Tage alten Bienen. Kalium und Phosphor sind die häufigsten Mineralbestandteile der Arbeiterinnen. Natrium, Kalzium, Magnesium und Eisen sind in wesentlich geringeren Mengen vorhanden. Zink und Mangan bleiben in den verschiedenen Altersstufen relativ gleich, nur daß das letztere bei 10 Tage alten Bienen sehr niedrig liegt. Kupfer wies bei allen Proben den geringsten Anteil auf. Diese vorläufigen Daten lassen erkennen, daß der Gehalt an Protein und Mineralen bei den Bienen wahrscheinlich mit ihren Tätigkeiten oder mit der Arbeitsteilung in Zusammenhang steht.The protein content, amino acid composition and minerals of worker honeybee that sampled every 5 day intervals until 20 days old. The nitrogen and mineral contents during the early life of a bee were high and declined with age. Total protein content ranged from 41,3% in worker bees 20 days old to 69% in newly emergence. Results of amino acid analyser indicated that glutamic acid was the predominant amino acid in all samples, except 5 days old bees that alanine was considered the highest one. Cystine was considered the lowest amino acid with no appreciable differences in worker bees during different ages. The mineral constituents of bees generally decline with age. The higest total mineral contents appeared in newly emergence (3,93%) and decreased gradually until reached a minimum in 20 days old bees (1,60%). Potassium and phoshorus are the most abundant mineral constituents of worker bees. Sodium, calcium, magnesium and iron are present in considerably smaller quantities. Zinc and manganese remain relatively constant during different ages, except the latter very low in 10 days old bees. Copper was the lowest mineral content in all samples. The preliminary data indicate that the changes in the protein content and mineral constituents of honeybees are probably connected with their activities or the division of labor

Physiological studies on eggplant (Solanum melongena) grown under drought conditions

Field experiment was conducted during the two growing seasons of 2019 and 2021, at Dokki region, El-Giza Governorate, Egypt, in order to investigate the effect of deficit irrigation (DI) treatments: 100% (control), 70% and 50% of ETo (Reference evapotranspiration) and two irrigation systems: Surface drip irrigation (SDI) and Subsurface irrigation (SSI)porous pipe (20.0cm soil depth) on vegetative growth, chemical constituents, fruit yield and quality of eggplant plants (Cultivars : “Classic”  “Swad Eleil”). Results revealed that, DI treatments significantly decreased the vegetative growth, total yield ,marketable yield, leaf relative water content (LRWC) and membrane stability index (MSI) of eggplant plants, compared to control treatment (100% ETₒ). While, water stress treatments improved leaves proline content, alkaloids and irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE). Using SSI (porous pipe) system significantly increased plant height, fresh weight, total yield, marketable fruit yield of eggplant, LRWC and MSI, “Classic” cv had the highest total yield and total marketable yield under the subsurface irrigation system compared to “Swad El-Layl”cv. Regarding, the effect of interaction between DI treatments and irrigation systems, the results illustrated that application of irrigation water with 100% ET0 by SSI system produced the highest significant values of vegetative growth, fruit yield

Effect of pruning, defoliation and nitrogen fertilization on growth, fruit set and quality of Abdel-Razik Annona cultivar

The investigation was carried out during two successive seasons of 2008 and 2009 on Abdel-Razik cultivar Annona. The trees were 8 years old grown in a private orchard at El-Sadat district, Menofiya Governorate. The study aimed to show the effect of some pruning levels, defoliation and nitrogen fertilization on growth, fruit set and quality. Results revealed that, N fertilization combined with pruning regimes gave the greatest values. Such treatments led to increase the lateral shoots number of leaves per shoot. The effective treatment was heading back by removing 20cm from shoot top plus N fertilization. All pruning treatments including defoliation either with or without N fertilization advanced flowering date while flowering period was not affected. The investigation showed that pruning regimes and pruning combined with N fertilization treatment increased number of flower per shoot, fruit set percentage and yield. The effective treatment, in this respect, was heading back by removing 10cm of shoot top +N fertilization. Such treatment had the highest value of fruit weight. No significant differences between different treatments and control concerning the fruit height, diameter and H/D, ratios were found. Treatments with N fertilization decreased the presence of TSS while total acidity was increased, this led to decrease in TSS/acid ratio, Nitrogen fertilization increased leaf content of N and P while leaf content of K was not affected. Results revealed that, N fertilization supported with pruning improved growth, fruit set and fruit quality

Clinical and Procedural Outcomes with or without Balloon Guide Catheters during Endovascular Thrombectomy in Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis with First-line Technique Subgroup Analysis

BACKGROUND: Balloon guide catheters are increasingly used to improve clot retrieval by temporarily stopping proximal blood flow during endovascular thrombectomy. PURPOSE: Our aim was to provide a summary of the literature comparing the procedural and clinical outcomes of endovascular thrombectomy with or without balloon guide catheters, depending on the first-line technique used. DATA SOURCES: We used PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. STUDY SELECTION: We chose studies that compared using balloon guide catheters with not using them. DATA ANALYSIS: Random effects meta-analysis was performed to compare the procedural outcomes measured as the first-pass effect, successful reperfusion, number of passes, procedural duration, arterial puncture to reperfusion time, distal emboli, and clinical outcomes. DATA SYNTHESIS: Overall, a meta-analysis of 16 studies (5507 patients, 50.8% treated with balloon guide catheters and 49.2% without them) shows that the use of balloon guide catheters increases the odds of achieving a first-pass effect (OR = 1.92; 95% CI, 1.34-2.76; P,.001), successful reperfusion (OR = 1.85; 95% CI, 1.42-2.40; P,.001), and good functional outcome (OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.27-1.73; P,.001). Balloon guide catheters reduce the number of passes (mean difference = -0.35; 95% CI, -0.65 to -0.04; P =.02), procedural time (mean difference = -19.73; 95% CI, -34.63 to -4.83; P =.009), incidence of distal or new territory emboli (OR = 0.5; 95% CI, 0.26-0.98; P =.04), and mortality (OR = 0.72; 95% CI, 0.62-0.85; P,.001). Similar benefits of balloon guide catheters are observed when the first-line technique was a stent retriever or contact aspiration, but not for a combined approach. LIMITATIONS: The analysis was based on nonrandomized trials with a moderate risk of bias. CONCLUSIONS: Current literature suggests improved clinical and procedural outcomes associated with the use of balloon guide catheters during endovascular thrombectomy, especially when using the first-line stent retriever

Irrigation scheduling for green beans grown in clay loam soil under a drip irrigation system

An experimental field trial was conducted at El-Ayat, El-Giza Governorate, Egypt (latitude 30°11´13"N, longitude 31°41´38"E, and mean altitude 74 m above sea level) during the growing season of 2017 and 2018. The study aimed to assess the suitable irrigation interval and applied water volume for drip-irrigated green beans, based on water production functions and water use–yield relationships. The field trial was arranged in a split-plot design with 3 irrigation intervals (F1, F2 and F3 irrigation events, once every 1, 2 and 3 days, respectively) and 3 irrigation regimes (I1: 1.00, I2: 0.80, and I3: 0.60 of the crop evapotranspiration, ETc). The results showed that the yield and water use efficiency (WUE) increased with increasing irrigation interval. Maximum and minimum yield of 12 030 and 4 879 kg∙ha-1 were obtained in F1I2 and F3I3 treatment, respectively, in the winter season of 2017, and were 12 364 and 4 678 kg∙ha-1 for the corresponding treatments in the winter season of 2018. WUE ranged from 56.55 kg∙ha-1∙mm-1 in F1I2 to 23.80 kg∙ha-1∙mm-1 in F3I3. Plant growth parameters were significantly affected by the irrigation schedule. The highest plant growth parameters were obtained under F1 and F2. The seasonal yield response factors (ky) were 0.845 and 0.856 in 2017 and 2018, respectively. The relationship between yield and seasonal crop ET was best explained by a power function for all irrigation schedules for both growing seasons. It is recommended that the F1I2 irrigation treatment is the suitable one for green beans grown under field conditions, in order to achieve the highest yield and WUE