Regulation of in vitro bud formation of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) cv. Khanezi by different carbon sources

The influence of different carbon sources and concentrations on in vitro shoot multiplication of date palm cv. Khanezi were investigated. Sucrose, glucose, fructose and maltose sugars were used at the following concentrations; 0, 30, 60, 90 and 120 g l(-1). Shoot dry weight was significantly increased with increasing sugar concentrations while little growth was obtained in the absence of sugar. Concentrations of 30 and 60 g l(-1) were optimal for qualitative and quantitative shoot growth while abnormal growth was observed at 90 and 120 g l(-1) possibly due to osmotic stress. Sugar type had significant effects on most parameters measured except bud formation. Fructose produced the highest values of dry weights compared with other carbon sources. In addition, glucose, fructose and maltose were almost equivalently effective as a carbon source for culture of date palm compared with sucrose. It is also noticed in this study that the root formation was enhanced as the sugar concentration increased (60 g l(-1) and above). This rooting of buds generally reduced their ability to multiply during multiplication stage and occasionally inhibited bud formation especially in higher concentration of sugar.     

Identification and sequencing of Date-SRY Gene: A novel tool for sex determination of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

Dioecism has always been an issue in many plant species with its numerous disadvantages, especially in woody trees such as date palms. As one of the most important crops in the Middle Eastern countries, researchers are having problems identifying of sex of the plant in its early stages of development. Hence, proper population stands in the male: female ratio for maintenance is almost impossible in the field for better production. In this study, sex determination of date palm (Phoenix dactilyfera L.) were identified in regions of the Y chromosome (Date-SRY) gene, the pivotal gene that initiates sex determination, using a new technique and thus an economically desirable objective, which will significantly impact profits in seed based cultivations. Partial sequences of the Date-SRY were taken and amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). According to the results, the exact sex of date palm was identified in all the tested plants, while amplified regions of the Date-SRY gene closely matched with the human and papaya sequences. In addition, a primer pair was designed to amplify the sequences of the SRY-date gene with confidence that it will identify male date palms. These primer sequences include SRY-date Forward 5′- cggccctctaagtatctgtgcgcaacg-3′ (SRY-date F) and the SRY-date Reverse 5′- gtttgcacttcgaagcagag-3′ (SRY-date R). The complete sequence of the DNA has been registered and deposited in GenBank (BankIt1598036 DPSRY1 KC577225 thenKJ873056).     

Identification of structural DNA variations in human cell cultures after long-term passage

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was adapted for genomic identification of cell cultures and evaluation of DNA stability in cells of different origin at different culture passages. DNA stability was observed in cultures after no more than 5 passages. Adipose-derived stromal cells demonstrated increased DNA instability. RAPD fragments from different cell lines after different number of passages were cloned and sequenced. The chromosomal localization of these fragments was identified and single-nucleotide variations in RAPD fragments isolated from cell lines after 8–12 passages were revealed. Some of them had permanent localization, while most variations demonstrated random distribution and can be considered as de novo mutations.     

Situation of mycotoxins in milk, dairy products and human milk in Egypt

Abstact  Milk and dairy products purchased at Egyptian markets and breast milk from lactating mothers in Cairo and Giza governorates were analyzed for some mycotoxins. Three of 15 cows’ milk samples were found positive for Afl. M₁ with mean value 6.3 ppb. Only one sample of dried milk was positive (5 ppb). Two of 10 hard cheese samples contained detectable levels of Afl. M₁ (3and 6 ppb), whereas one sample containing Afl. B₁ and G₁ (10 and 4 ppb resp.). For soft cheese one sample of 10 was positive for Afl. M₁ (0.5 ppb). Blue veined cheeses were free of Afl. M₁ and PR-toxins. For breast milk two of 10 samples were positive for Afl. M₁ (20%) with mean value 2.75 ppb, while 3 of 10 samples were positive for Ochratoxin A (30 %).     

Thymol and Carvacrol Prevent Cisplatin‐Induced Nephrotoxicity by Abrogation of Oxidative Stress,Inflammation, and Apoptosis in Rats

The aim of the present study is to assess the possible protective effects of thymol and carvacrol against cisplatin (CP)‐induced nephrotoxicity. A single dose of CP {6 mg/kg, intraperitoneally (i.p.)} injected to male rats revealed significant increases in serum urea, creatinine, and tumor necrosis factor alpha levels. It also increased kidney contents of malondialdehyde and caspase‐3 activity with significant reduction in serum albumin, kidney content of reduced glutathione as well as catalase, and superoxide dismutase activity as compared to that of the control group. In contrast, administration of thymol {20 mg/kg, orally (p.o.)} and/or carvacrol (15 mg/kg, p.o.) for 14 days before CP injection and for 7 days after CP administration restored the kidney function and examined oxidative stress parameters. In conclusion, thymol was more effective nephroprotective than carvacrol. Moreover, a combination of thymol and carvacrol had a synergistic nephroprotective effect that might be attributed to antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities.     

Motor training programs of arm and hand in patients with MS according to different levels of the ICF: a systematic review

Background

Breast cancer survivors, particularly those treated with chemotherapy, are at significantly increased risk for long-term cognitive and neurobiologic impairments. These deficits tend to involve skills that are subserved by distributed brain networks. Additionally, neuroimaging studies have shown a diffuse pattern of brain structure changes in chemotherapy-treated breast cancer survivors that might impact large-scale brain networks.

Methods

We therefore applied graph theoretical analysis to compare the gray matter structural networks of female breast cancer survivors with a history of chemotherapy treatment and healthy age and education matched female controls.

Results

Results revealed reduced clustering coefficient and small-world index in the brain network of the breast cancer patients across a range of network densities. In addition, the network of the breast cancer group had less highly interactive nodes and reduced degree/centrality in the frontotemporal regions compared to controls, which may help explain the common impairments of memory and executive functioning among these patients.

Conclusions

These results suggest that breast cancer and chemotherapy may decrease regional connectivity as well as global network organization and integration, reducing efficiency of the network. To our knowledge, this is the first report of altered large-scale brain networks associated with breast cancer and chemotherapy.     

Acute exposure to Catha edulis depresses contractility and induces myocardial infarction in spontaneously contracting,isolated rabbit’s heart

Khat chewing is a recreational habit known to pose major socio-economic and medical problems in countries of Southern Arabia and the Horn of Africa. Among other adverse health effects, khat chewing has been associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in heavy consumers. This study was carried out to examine the direct effects of Catha edulis extract on contractility of spontaneously contracting, isolated rabbit heart and to investigate its mechanism of action. Isolated six rabbit’s hearts attached to a Langendorff apparatus were perfused with extract at a constant flow rate and continuously bubbled with a 95% O₂/5% CO₂ gas mixture. Each heart served as its own control, as responses were recorded before and after administration of C. edulis extract. Varying concentrations of extract (50, 100 and 250 mg/ml) were loaded in the perfusate, their effects recorded and effluent fluid collected for assay of cardiac enzymes. Histological examination of the cardiac tissue was performed at the end of perfusion with 250 mg/ml extract. This study revealed that acute exposure to C. edulis extract exerted negative inotropic and chronotropic effects on isolated hearts. The extract also had a vasoconstrictor effect on coronary vessels, independent of α₁ adrenergic receptor stimulation. Histological examination of hearts perfused with 250 mg/ml C. edulis extract revealed the presence of histological changes unique to myocardial infarction, a finding consistent with observed increased levels of cardiac enzymes in perfusates. Thus, we have demonstrated experimentally a direct cardiac depressant- and MI inducing effects of C. edulis extract. These results are consistent with the earlier reported deleterious effects of khat on cardiovascular function among khat chewers.     

A pentaplex PCR assay for the rapid detection of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Panton-Valentine Leucocidin

Background  

Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen, especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), which causes a wide range of hospital and community-acquired infections worldwide. Conventional testing for detection of MRSA takes 2–5 days to yield complete information of the organism and its antibiotic sensitivity pattern.     

Differential effects of pre and post-payment on neurologists' response rates to a postal survey

Background  

Monetary incentives are an effective way of increasing response rates to surveys, though they are generally less effective in physicians, and are more effective when the incentive is paid up-front rather than when made conditional on completion.