Downregulation of Oxytocin Receptor Decreases the Length of Projections Stimulated by Retinoic Acid in the U-87MG Cells

Oxytocin is a neuropeptide widely expressed in the brain. Oxytocin plays a role in both proliferation and differentiation of various cells. Previous studies have suggested that oxytocin could affect the morphology of neuronal cells, therefore the objective of the present study was to test whether (1) oxytocin receptor stimulation/inhibition by specific ligands may change cell morphology and gene expression of selected cytoskeletal proteins (2) oxytocin receptor silencing/knockdown may decrease the length of cell projections (3) oxytocin receptor knockdown may affect human glioblastoma U-87MG cell survival. We confirmed the stimulatory effect of retinoic acid (10 µM) and oxytocin (1 µM) on projection growth. The combination of retinoic acid (10 µM) and oxytocin receptor antagonist (L-371,257, 1 µM) decreased projections length. Contrary to our assumptions, oxytocin receptor silencing did not prevent stimulation of length of projection by retinoic acid. Retinoic acid’s and oxytocin’s stimulation of projections length was significantly blunted in U-87MG cells with oxytocin receptor knockdown. Cell viability was significantly decreased in U-87MG cells with oxytocin receptor knockdown. Significantly higher levels of mRNA for cytoskeletal proteins drebrin and vimentin were observed in response to oxytocin incubation for 48 h. The data obtained in the present study clearly show that oxytocin induces formation and elongation of cell projections in astrocyte-like U-87MG cells. The effect is mediated by oxytocin receptors and it is accompanied by an increase in gene expression of drebrin and vimentin. Thus, oxytocin receptor signaling, particularly in the glial cells, may play an important role in native cell life, differentiation processes, and tumor progression, as well.     

Public health and veterinary important flies (order: Diptera) prevalent in Jeddah Saudi Arabia with their dominant characteristics and identification key

Order Diptera of class insecta is of immense importance for the public and animal health and hygiene. Many dipteran flies are potential vectors of dreadful diseases. Therefore, it is required to have a simple characterization method and identification key for the field workers and entomologists. The present study fulfill the need and focus on the identification to generate a base line data with the help of original photographs. Nine families with 16 species of dipteran flies (other than mosquitoes) from Jeddah region of Saudi Arabia are included in this work. Major families which are more prevalent and common in this region are Muscidae, Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae and Phoridae.     

Recessive Mutations in COL25A1 Are a Cause of Congenital Cranial Dysinnervation Disorder

Abnormal ocular motility is a common clinical feature in congenital cranial dysinnervation disorder (CCDD). To date, eight genes related to neuronal development have been associated with different CCDD phenotypes. By using linkage analysis, candidate gene screening, and exome sequencing, we identified three mutations in collagen, type XXV, alpha 1 (COL25A1) in individuals with autosomal-recessive inheritance of CCDD ophthalmic phenotypes. These mutations affected either stability or levels of the protein. We further detected altered levels of sAPP (neuronal protein involved in axon guidance and synaptogenesis) and TUBB3 (encoded by TUBB3, which is mutated in CFEOM3) as a result of null mutations in COL25A1. Our data suggest that lack of COL25A1 might interfere with molecular pathways involved in oculomotor neuron development, leading to CCDD phenotypes.     

Chemical Composition of Aqueous Ethanol Extract of Luffa cylindrica Leaves and Its Effect on Representation of Caspase‐8, Caspase‐3, and the Proliferation Marker Ki67 in Intrinsic Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer in Vitro

Breast cancer constitutes the second most prevalent cancer in Egypt, the problem needs more trends in treatment and treatment development either by regimen modification or introducing new drugs, and the main objective of this study is to screen the effects of the aqueous ethanol herbal extract of Luffa cylindrica leaves on different types of breast cancer cell lines representing different molecular subtypes of the disease. The major active constituents of the extract were tentatively identified by LC/MS which revealed the presence of phenolic compound derivatives and saponin that may be responsible in part for the activity of the extract. The emphasis was laid on the main apoptotic pathways as well as the extract effect on the normal cell line. Results of phytochemical investigation, cell cycle analysis, and molecular analysis of apoptotic and proliferative markers have shown effective anticancer activity against MCF‐7, BT‐474, and MDA‐MB‐231 cell lines which represent three subtypes of breast cancer, luminal A, luminal B, and triple negative, respectively. On the other hand, the effects on normal lung fibroblast cell line are less prominent at the dose used for treating breast cancer cell lines.     

Exploration and local utilization of medicinal vegetation naturally grown in the Deusai plateau of Gilgit,Pakistan

In the study area, the traditional knowledge regarding the uses of local wild medicinal plants for the health care of human and domestic animals is totally in hold of old people. The young ones are unaware about such an indispensable practices. The objective of the current study was to transfer this sort of precious knowledge from old members of the community to young generations in documented form.     

Fulvic Acid Prevents Chromium-induced Morphological,Photosynthetic, and Oxidative Alterations in Wheat Irrigated with Tannery Waste Water

Journal of Plant Growth Regulation - Rapid industrialization is potentially contaminating the environment. Tannery is one of the industries producing very high amount of effluents, having a...     

Growth and essential oil responses of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nepeta</Emphasis> species to potassium humate and harvest time

Nepeta is a perennial herbal plant that belongs to the Lamiaceae mint family. Nepta has different species that are widely used in the agriculture, medicine, and pharmaceutical industries. A field experiment was conducted in 2015 and 2016 to determine the effects of potassium humate foliar application [0 (control) and 400 ppm] on growth, essential oil and constituents of three Nepta species [Nepeta cataria (catnip), Nepeta cataria var. citriodora (lemon catnip), and Nepeta grandiflora (giant catmint)] under Egyptian conditions. In all three species, the application of potassium humate increased growth indicators, essential oil content (%) and yield (mL/plant), and flavonoids in each of the two harvests. However, the height of giant catmint was significantly higher than that of lemon catnip, which was higher than that of catnip. Lemon catnip that received potassium humate and harvested second gave the highest essential oil content and yield. The major constituents were geraniol and nepetalactone in catnip; citronellol and geraniol in lemon catnip; and o-cymene, c-terpinene, p-cymene and carvacrol in giant catmint. The highest p-cymene in giant catmint, citronellol in lemon catnip, and geraniol in catnip were obtained from the application of potassium humate, while the highest o-cymene, c-terpinene and carvacrol in giant catmint, geraniol in lemon catnip, and nepetalactone in catnip were obtained from control plants. This study demonstrated the variations among species of nepeta, and how they respond to the application of potassium humate. The findings of this study can guide the customization of potassium humate applications to the three species for achieving desired growth and essential oil production outcomes.