Effect of Some Variables on theIn VivoDetermination of Scorpion and Viper Venom Toxicities

An adequate assessment of scorpion and snake venom LD50 is an important step for accurate evaluation of antivenom sera potencies and the optimization of serotherapy. The LD50 variation of Tunisian scorpion (Androctonus australis garzonii: Aag and Buthus occitanus tunetanus: Bot) venoms with body weight, sex and strain (Swiss or C57BI/6) of mice used, the route of venom injection, the venom-milking procedures (manually or electrically) and the venom batches have been studied over a 7-year period (1990-1996). Aag venom is 3-4 times more toxic than Bot venom. However for both venoms, the LD50 determined in C57BI/6 mice, in small body weight animal or by intraperitoneal route were respectively significantly lower than those determined in Swiss mice, in high body weight or by subcutaneous route. Significant LD50 variations (25-50%) were also seen from one electrically prepared batch to another. A good correlation (r = 0.982) was observed between the concentrations of the crude venom toxic fraction determined by ELISA and LD50 values when assessed in vivo. The LD50 variation of Tunisian viper (Cerastes cerastes: Cc and Vipera lebetina: VI) venoms with the strain (Swiss or BALB/c), sex and body weight of mice used, the season and the year of venom milking were also investigated over a 3-year period (1990-1992). No significant LD50 variations were observed with the mouse strain, the sex or the season of venom milking. However, LD50 varies significantly with the year of the venom collection and the body weight of mice used. Furthermore, SDS-PAGE analysis shows annual variation for VI venom composition where no such variations were observed for Cc venom. These results stress the need either for the standardization of the venom LD50 evaluation or of the venom quality used for the development of an efficient antivenom.     

Microbial maceration and carbonate dissolution on cold‐temperate shelves

Nummulites beaumonti d'Archiac & Haime, 1853, originally described from El Basatin, Gebel Mokattam, Greater Cairo, is redefined from a nummulitic bank at the base of the Maadi Formation from its type locality as neotype. Schaub (1981) described the species from Libya and the type example of this species is still unknown. N. discorbinus Schlotheim (1820) is described as neotype from a nummulitic bank in the Mokattam Formation, which is located in the site of the Citadel tombs, near the Salah El Din Citadel, Gebel Mokattam, Egypt. According to Schaub (1981), the type example of this species is also unknown. For this reason the establishment of the neotypes of these two widespread nummulites species: N. discorbinus (Late Lutetian) and N. beaumonti (Bartonian) is important and tackled in this paper. N. qurnensis n. sp. ( = N. sp. cf. beaumonti in Boukhary et al. 2002) is introduced as a new species from the lower Bartonian part of the Qurn Formation of Helwan. Biometrical studies are carried out on the three species to present up to date information on these Nummulites, with particular attention to their biostratigraphic correlation with the Shallow Benthic Zones (SBZ) of Serra-Kiel et al. 1998. The authors would like to stress the importance of a careful designation of a neotype to avoid the introduction of complicated and unnecessary taxonomic problems.     

Purification, synthesis and characterization of AaCtx, the first chlorotoxin-like peptide from Androctonus australis scorpion venom

AaCtx is the first chlorotoxin-like peptide isolated from Androctonus australis scorpion venom. Its amino acid sequence shares 70% similarity with chlorotoxin from Leiurus quinquestriatus scorpion venom, from which it differs by twelve amino acids. Due to its very low concentration in venom (0.05%), AaCtx was chemically synthesized. Both native and synthetic AaCtx were active on invasion and migration of human glioma cells. However, their activity was found to be lower than that of chlorotoxin. The molecular model of AaCtx shows that most of amino acids differing between AaCtx and chlorotoxin are localized on the N-terminal loop and the α-helix. Based on known compounds that block chloride channels, we suggest that the absence of negative charged amino acids on AaCtx structure may be responsible for its weak activity on glioma cells migration and invasion. This finding serves as a starting point for structure-function relationship studies leading to design high specific anti-glioma drugs.     

Diacerein modulates TLR4/ NF-κB/IL-1β and TRPC1/CHOP signalling pathways in gentamicin-induced parotid toxicity in rats

The present study aimed to identify the possible protective effect of diacerein (DIA) on gentamicin (GNT)-induced parotid toxicity in rats. DIA was administered in the presence and absence of GNT. Thirty-two Wistar adult male rats were randomly arranged into four groups: control, DIA (50 mg/kg/day), GNT (100 mg/kg) and GNT+DIA groups for 8 days. Parotid oxidative stress parameters, besides inflammatory and apoptotic biomarkers, were evaluated. Salivary flow rate, transient receptor potential canonical 1 (TRCP1), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) in parotid tissue were measured. A parotid histopathological examination and an interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) immunohistochemical study were also performed. GNT significantly increased parotid oxidative stress, inflammatory, apoptotic and CHOP biomarkers with decreased salivary flow rate and TRCP1 level. A histopathological picture of parotid damage and high IL-1β immunoexpression were detected. DIA significantly normalized the distributed oxidative, inflammatory and apoptotic indicators, CHOP and TRCP1, with a prompt improvement in the histopathological picture and a decrease in IL-1β immunoexpression. These results reported that DIA protects against GNT-induced parotid toxicity via modulation of TLR4/NF-κB/IL-1β and TRPC1/CHOP signalling pathways.     

Hormonal, follicular and endometrial dynamics in letrozole-treated versus natural cycles in patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation

Background

To investigate the effect of pelvic floor Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) Therapy in improving endometrial thickness in women with thin endometrium.

Methods

41 patients undergoing assisted reproduction with a thin endometrium (less than or equal to7 mm) were recruited and advised to go for a pelvic floor NMES in frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle. PHENIX Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Therapy System was used according to the manufacturer's recommended protocol for 20 to 30 minutes of intermittent vaginal electrical stimulation on the treatment days.

Results

A total of 20 and 21 were included in the NMES and non-NMES groups respectively. 12 out of 20 (60%) patients developed endometrial thickness equal to or more than 8 mm after the NMES therapy, which was the primary outcome. The mean thickness of endometrium before and after was respectively 5.60 mm (0.82 mm) and 7.93 mm (1.42 mm) in the therapy group versus 5.50 mm (1.00) and 6.78 mm (0.47) in the control group; the difference was statistically significant (P = 0.002). There was higher pregnancy rate in the NMES group (42% versus 35%) but the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Neuromuscular Electrical stimulation therapy may be effective for the patients with a thin endometrium. Further studies are needed to investigate its effectiveness.     

The beneficial effects of a multistrain potential probiotic,formic, and lactic acids with different vaccination regimens on broiler chickens challenged with multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella

The effects of a multistrain potential probiotic (Protexin®), acids, and a bacterin from multidrug-resistant E. coli O26, O78, S. Enteritidis (1,9,12 g.m1,7), and S. Typhimurium (1,4,5,12.i.1,2) on the immune response, haematological parameters, cytokines, and growth parameters of broiler chickens challenged with bacterin live serotypes were investigated. Two experiments were designed using 300 one-day-old chicks (Arbor Acres) randomly assigned to 15 groups. The first experiment comprised 9 groups, including positive and negative control groups and other groups received Protexin®, acids, and the bacterin (0.2 ml/SC), either alone or in combination, on the 1st day. The second experiment contained 6 groups, including positive and negative control groups and other groups received a combination of Protexin®, acids, and the bacterin (0.5 ml/SC) on the 8th day. All the groups except the negative control groups were challenged on the 8th and 16th days in both experiments, respectively, with mixed live bacterin serotypes. The groups that received Protexin®, acids, and the bacterin either alone or in combination revealed significant improvements in the immune response to the bacterin (p ≤ 0.05). The groups in the 1st experiment and most the 2nd experiment groups showed a reduced mortality rate and decreased levels IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-12 cytokines (p ≤ 0.05). Moreover, these groups demonstrated increases in haematological parameters and reduced rates of infection-caused anaemia. These groups showed significant increases in growth performance parameters, such as body weight, weight gain, and the feed conversion ratio (FCR) (p ≤ 0.05). There was a beneficial effect on 1-day-old chickens produced by combining Protexin®, acids, and the bacterin (0.2 ml/SC).     

Three gold indicators for breast cancer prognosis: a case–control study with ROC analysis for novel ratios related to CBC with (ALP and LDH)

Molecular Biology Reports - Science is still unable to develop a specific strategy for predicting breast cancer in humans. Several attempts are done to obtain the best and closest prognostic...     

Eremophilane derivatives and other constituents from Senecio species

The investigation and reinvestigation respectively of 23 Senecio species afforded 11 further cacalol derivatives, a furoeremophilone, 17 eremophilanes, 4 bisabolene derivatives, a shikimic acid derivative, a bis-prenylated p-hydroxybenzaldehyde, menth-2-en- 1,7-diol and a cumol derivative. The configuration of some eremophilanes have been revised. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The results are summarized in a table. The chemotaxonomic aspects agree with those of previous investigations.     

Serotonin Receptor B May Lock the Gate of PTTH Release/Synthesis in the Chinese Silk Moth,Antheraea pernyi; A Diapause Initiation/Maintenance Mechanism?

The release of prothoracicotropic hormone, PTTH, or its blockade is the major endocrine switch regulating the developmental channel either to metamorphosis or to pupal diapause in the Chinese silk moth, Antheraea pernyi. We have cloned cDNAs encoding two types of serotonin receptors (5HTR_{A and B}). 5HTR_A-, and 5HTR_B-like immunohistochemical reactivities (-ir) were colocalized with PTTH-ir in two pairs of neurosecretory cells at the dorsolateral region of the protocerebrum (DL). Therefore, the causal involvement of these receptors was suspected in PTTH release/synthesis. The level of mRNA^5HTRB responded to 10 cycles of long-day activation, falling to 40% of the original level before activation, while that of 5HTR_A was not affected by long-day activation. Under LD 16:8 and 12:12, the injection of dsRNA^5HTRB resulted in early diapause termination, whereas that of dsRNA^5HTRA did not affect the rate of diapause termination. The injection of dsRNA^5HTRB induced PTTH accumulation, indicating that 5HTR_B binding suppresses PTTH synthesis also. This conclusion was supported pharmacologically; the injection of luzindole, a melatonin receptor antagonist, plus 5th inhibited photoperiodic activation under LD 16:8, while that of 5,7-DHT, induced emergence in a dose dependent fashion under LD 12:12. The results suggest that 5HTR_B may lock the PTTH release/synthesis, maintaining diapause. This could also work as diapause induction mechanism.