Effect of adding plyometric training to physical education sessions on specific biomechanical parameters in primary school girls

Objectives:The study aimed to determine the effect of adding a school-based plyometric training program (PMT) to physical education (PE) sessions on the strength, balance, and flexibility in primary school girls.Methods:Students from grades 3-6 were randomized equally to a plyometric or control group. In the control group, students took their regular PE classes twice a week. In the plyometric group, students performed PMT twice a week during the initial 20 minutes of every PE session. The Lido Linea closed kinetic chain isokinetic dynamometer, Star excursion balance test (SEBT), and sit-and-reach test were used to assess muscle strength, balance, and flexibility, respectively, before and after nine weeks of training.Results:The improvement in extension peak force (p=0.04) and extension total work (p<0.001) was more prevalent in the PMT group than in the control group. SEBT scores had improved significantly (p<0.05) for all directions in the PMT group, except in the anterior direction, which was highly significant (p<0.001). Hamstring and lower back flexibility had improved more in the PMT group than in the control group (p<0.001).Conclusion:Adding PMT to regular PE classes has a positive and notable effect on muscle strength, balance, and flexibility in primary school students.     

The deleterious effect of stress‐induced depression on rat liver: Protective role of resveratrol and dimethyl fumarate via inhibiting the MAPK/ERK/JNK pathway

This study aimed to uncover the protective potentiality of resveratrol and dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in the liver of a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS)‐induced depression animal model. Resveratrol and DMF significantly alleviated CUMS‐induced behavioral abnormalities in stressed rats through improving sucrose preference in sucrose preference test and decreasing immobility time in a forced swimming test. They also mitigated serum corticosterone levels and elevated serum serotonin levels, which were formerly disturbed in CUMS rats. The hepatoprotective effect is evidenced by improvement in hepatic histopathological examinations, as well as normalized serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities. Molecular signaling of resveratrol and DMF was estimated by diminishing hepatic expression of phosphorylated p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK), extracellular signal‐regulated kinase1/2 (ERK1/2), and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK). Consequently, they improved the hepatic antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory activities as elaborated by the normalization of total antioxidant capacity, glutathione, malondialdehyde, nuclear factor‐κB, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and myeloperoxidase levels. In addition, they inhibited hepatocyte apoptosis as evidenced by the increased expression of B‐cell lymphoma 2, the decreased expression of Bax, as well as the suppressed activity of caspase‐3. In conclusion, resveratrol and DMF purveyed a significant anti‐depressant effect, which may be mediated, at least in part, via inhibiting the MAPK/ERK/JNK pathway in the CUMS rat model.     

Systematic study of the genus Compsilura Bouché in Southeast and East Asia with morphological and molecular data (Diptera,Tachinidae)

Compsilura concinnata (Meigen) is one of the most famous, most polyphagous and most widely distributed tachinid flies (Diptera, Tachinidae) in the world. This species is well known as a biocontrol agent of some injurious pests of cultural and wild plants and has been introduced from Europe to the United States to control mainly the gypsy moth. Recently we found three new species very closely resembling C. concinnata from Southeast and East Asia: C. lobata sp. nov. (Japan and Thailand), C. malayana sp. nov. (Malaysia) and C. pauciseta sp. nov. (Japan and Taiwan). Additionally, C. samoaensis Malloch is treated as a junior synonym of C. concinnata based on the examination of the type specimen. The genetic differences in the mitochondrial COI gene data are examined to assess the accuracy of species delimitation of Compsilura. The male postabdominal characters of these species are illustrated. The piercing female postabdomen of C. concinnata is illustrated and compared to those of other members belonging to the Blondelia group including Blondelia Robineau-Desvoidy, Celatoria Coquillett, Eucelatoria Townsend and Vibrissina Rondani.     

Naringin inhibits the biofilms of metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs) producing Pseudomonas species isolated from camel meat

Food producing animals harbouring bacteria carrying drug resistance genes especially the metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) pose high risk for the human population. In addition, formation of biofilm by these drug resistant pathogens represents major threat to food safety and public health. In this study, metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs) producing Pseudomonas spp. from camel meat were isolated and assessed for their biofilm formation. Further, in vitro and in silico studies were performed to study the effect of flavone naringin on biofilm formation against isolated Pseudomonas spp. A total of 55% isolates were found to produce metallo-β-lactamase enzyme. Naringin mitigated biofilm formation of Pseudomonas isolates up to 57%. Disturbed biofilm architecture and reduced the colonization of bacteria on glass was observed under scanning electron microscope (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). The biofilm related traits such as exopolysaccharides (EPS) and alginate production was also reduced remarkably in the presence of naringin. Eradication of preformed biofilms (32–60%) was also observed at the respective 0.50 × MICs. Molecular docking revealed that naringin showed strong affinity towards docked proteins with binding energy ranging from −8.6 to −8.8 kcal mol⁻¹. Presence of metallo-β-lactamase producers indicates that camel meat could be possible reservoir of drug-resistant Pseudomonas species of clinical importance. Naringin was successful in inhibiting biofilm formation as well as eradicating the preformed biofilms and demonstrated strong binding affinity towards biofilm associated protein. Thus, it is envisaged that naringin could be exploited as food preservative especially against the biofilm forming food-borne Pseudomonas species and is a promising prospect for the treatment of biofilm based infections.     

Dietary intake of artificial food color additives containing food products by school-going children

Nutritional risk in children is associated with food safety. This is the first study to identify the food type consumed by 6–17-year-old school-going children in Saudi Arabia. Eight permitted artificial food color additives, including Tartrazine (E102), Sunset Yellow (E110), Carmoisine (E122), Allura Red (E129), Indigo Carmine (E132), Brilliant Blue (E133), Fast Green (E143), and Black PN (E151), and two non-permitted ones, Erythrosine (E127) and Red 2G (E128), were determined using 24-h dietary recall questionnaires. Artificial color additives in 839 food products were divided into nine categories, including biscuits, cakes, chocolates, chips, ice cream, juices and drinks, candy, jelly, and chewing gum, are determined using high performance liquid chromatography and diode array detector. The results indicated a high intake of juices and drinks, ice cream, and cakes, but low consumption of chewing gum among school-going children. Among the permitted artificial food color additives, Brilliant Blue (E133) (54.1%) and Tartrazine (E102) (42.3%) were the most commonly used. Sunset Yellow (E110) in one chocolate sample, Tartrazine (E102) and Sunset Yellow (E110) in one and two juice and drink samples, respectively, and Brilliant Blue (E133) in two candy samples exceeded the permitted level. Therefore, further investigations are needed to provide insights into the possible adverse health effects of high intake of these additives in artificial food coloring on the test population are warranted.     

Botanical candidates from Saudi Arabian flora as potential therapeutics for Plasmodium infection

Malaria is a lethal parasitic disease affecting over two hundred million people worldwide and kills almost half a million people per year. Until now, there is no curative treatment for this disease that has a substantial morbidity. The available chemotherapeutic agents are unable to completely control the infection with the continuous appearance of drug resistance. Consequently, the search for new therapeutic agents with high safety profiles and low side effects is of paramount importance. Several natural products have been investigated and proven to have antimalarial effects either in vivo or in vitro. A large number of plants have been studied globally for their antimalarial activities. However, studies that have been conducted in this field in Saudi Arabia are not enough. This article presents global and local research on the need for novel natural antimalarial agents with a particular emphasis on studies involving plants from Saudi Arabian flora.     

On the macro-micro-morphology of organs of host invasion in hemiparasite Helicanthes elasticus (Desv.) Danser

Loranthaceae family includes hemiparasitic members which are seen invading a wide range of commercial crops. Helicanthes elasticus (Desv.) Danser is very common on mango trees. Though parasitic in nature, this mistletoe is also medicinally important as fetoprotective, against vesicular calculi and kidney infections. This study is an attempt to document macro-microscopical features of parasitic root, fruit and host-mistletoe tissue interaction in the haustorium of H. elasticus growing on mango stems. Collection, preservation, sectioning, staining and photomicrography of the root, fruit and host-mistletoe union were done as per standard methodologies of anatomical studies. Though there is resemblance to the normal roots in morphology as well as anatomy, the microscopic finding of large number of branched stone cells in the roots is interesting. The morpho-anatomical features recorded would help in understanding the infection biology of this mistletoe. The eradication during the earlier stages of its establishment from seed or from the root creeping over the surface of the host can help in controlling this parasite infection on commercially important host plants.     

Irisin/FNDC5: A participant in camel metabolism

The quantification, localization, production, function, and regulation of irisin/FNDC5 in camel species have not been previously studied. The objective of this study was to detect the irisin content in Arabian camel blood and tissues and study the gene expression of FNDC5 and PGC-1α in camel skeletal muscles and white adipose tissue depots under basal conditions. To monitor if exercise influences blood and tissue irisin protein levels as well as FNDC5 and PGC-1α gene expression levels, we analyzed irisin concentrations in the serum, skeletal muscles (soleus and gastrocnemius), and white adipose tissues (hump, subcutaneous, visceral, epididymal, and perirenal) in both control (n = 6) and exercised group (n = 6) using ELISA and determined the cellular localization of irisin/FNDC5 and the mRNA levels of FNDC5 and PGC-1α in skeletal muscles and adipose tissues via immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR, respectively. The possible regulatory roles of exercise on some hormones and metabolites as well as the detection of links between serum irisin and other circulating hormones (insulin, leptin, and cortisol) and metabolites (glucose, free fatty acids, triglycerides, and ATP) were explored for the first time in camels. Our results indicated that exercise induces tissue-specific regulation of the camel irisin, FNDC5, and PGC-1α levels, which subsequently regulates the circulating irisin level. Significant associations were detected between the levels of irisin/FNDC5/PGC-1α in camels and the metabolic and hormonal responses to exercise. Our study suggested that irisin regulates, or is regulated by, glucose, FFA, insulin, leptin, and cortisol in camels. The novel results of the present study will serve as baseline data for camels.     

Studies on the Performance of Ethylamine-Modified Chitosan Carbonized Rice Husk Composite Beads for Adsorption of Metal Ion

Heavy metals in the soil and ground water have endangered our environment and human bodies by direct or indirect pathways. Currently, bioremediation is a developing process that offers the possibility to destroy various contaminants using natural biological activity. Biopolymers are industrially attractive because of their capability of lowering transition metal ion concentrations to parts per billion, they are widely available, and they are environmentally safe. This paper deals with the preparation of an ethylamine-modified biopolymer (chitosan) and carbon from biowaste (rice husk) composite beads (EAM-CCRCB) for metal ion removal. The prepared adsorbent was used for the adsorption of hexavalent chromium ions from aqueous solutions. The activation and surface properties of the adsorbent were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analyses. The effect of process variables such as initial metal ion concentration, adsorbent dosage, and pH of the solution on the performance of percentage removal and adsorption capacity were studied. Various isotherm and kinetic models were fitted with experimental data to describe the solute interaction and nature of adsorption with the adsorbent through batch studies. Mass thermodynamic parameters were determined. Regeneration studies were attempted to check the stability and activity of the adsorbent.