The effect of Ginkgo biloba extract on 3-nitropropionic acid-induced neurotoxicity in rats

3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP), an irreversible inhibitor of succinate dehydrogenase enzyme (SDH), induces neurodegeneration similar to that observed in Huntington’s disease (HD). Reduction of prepulse inhibition (PPI) of acoustic startle response, locomotor hypoactivity, bilateral striatal lesions as well as brain oxidative stress are major features of HD. The present study was designed to investigate neuroprotective effect of Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) on 3-NP induced neurobehavioral changes and striatal lesions.Rats administered 3-NP (20 mg/kg, s.c.) for five consecutive days exhibited PPI deficits and locomotor hypoactivity whereas, pretreatment of animals with EGb 761 (100 mg/kg, i.p. for 15 days) ahead of and during the induction of HD by 3-NP (20 mg/kg for 5 days starting at day 8) ameliorated 3-NP-induced neurobehavioral deficits. Administration of 3-NP increased the level of striatal malondialdehyde (MDA). This effect was prevented in animals pre-treated with EGb 761. Changes in the level of apoptotic regulatory gene expressions, following 3-NP treatment, were demonstrated as both an up-regulation and a down-regulation of the expression levels of striatal Bax and Bcl-xl genes, respectively. In addition, an up-regulation of the expression level of striatal glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was also observed. Pre-treatment with EGb 761 caused a down-regulation in striatal GAPDH and Bax together with an up-regulation of striatal Bcl-xl expression level as compared to the 3-NP treated group. Histochemical examination of striatal tissue showed that EGb 761 significantly prevented 3-NP induced inhibition of SDH activity. Histopathological examination further affirmed the neuroprotective effect of EGb 761 against 3-NP toxicity.Taken together, these results suggest that EGb 761 has a neuroprotective role in the current HD paradigm, which may be related to improvement of energy metabolism, antioxidant properties and antiapoptotic effects.     

Immunomodulatory effects of IL-12 released from poly-N-acetyl glucosamine gel matrix during schistosomiasis infection

We have reported recently that Interleukin-12 (IL-12) released from poly-N-acetyl glucosamine gel matrix (F2 gel/IL-12) is more effective than free IL-12 to enhance vaccination of mice with Schistosoma soluble worm antigen preparation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of F2 gel/IL-12 on the inflammatory responses in mice undergoing schistosomiasis infection in absence of vaccination. To achieve this, mice undergoing Schistosoma mansoni infection or cured from this infection, after treatment with praziquantil (PZQ), were treated with subcutaneous injection of IL-12 for 3 consecutive days or once with F2 gel loaded with IL-12 (F2 gel/IL-12). The treatment was started on day 35 days after infection. For infection, mice were infected with 100 cercariae of S. mansoni using tail immersion method. We found that treatment with F2 gel/IL-12 induced significant decreases in the egg burden with a moderate reduction in the size of granuloma and decrease in the cellular granulomatous reaction in the lung as compared to infected mice treated with IL-12. These effects of F2 gel/IL-12 were more pronounced in infected mice previously treated with the anti-schistosomal drug PZQ. The total numbers of white blood cells in all treated mice showed similar profile. Treatment with IL-12 or F2 gel/IL-12, however, showed significant reduction in the number of mononuclear cells when compared with non-treated infected mice. In conclusion, this study showed the ability of IL-12 released from F2 gel to lower the inflammatory response to Schistosoma infection even in absence of vaccination.     

Puerarin Ameliorates 3-Nitropropionic Acid-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats: Possible Neuromodulation and Antioxidant Mechanisms

Puerarin (daidzein-8-C-glucoside), a major isoflavone glycoside purified from Pueraria lobata, is well reported to have a neuroprotective effect primarily by the antioxidant mechanisms. This investigation was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Puerarin (Pur) to offset 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) induced neurotoxicity. Male Wistar strain rats were given 3-NP (20 mg/kg, s.c.) over five consecutive days, whereas Pur (200 mg/kg, i.p.) was administrated 30 min before 3-NP. Rats treated with 3-NP exhibited significant weight loss, reduction of the prepulse inhibition, locomotor hypoactivity and hypothermia. The striata, hippocampi and cortices of the 3-NP treated rats showed abnormal levels of neurotransmitters, oxidative damage and characteristic histopathological lesions. Treatment with Pur ahead of 3-NP, significantly prevented weight loss, PPI deficit, locomotor hypoactivity and hypothermia. Pur treatment blocked the 3-NP-induced neurotransmitters abnormalities (GABA, DA, 5-HT and NE), and normalized the oxidative stress biomarkers (lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase). Histopathological examination further affirmed Pur’s neuroprotective effect against 3-NP-induced neurotoxicity. In conclusion, Pur protected the brain tissues from 3-NP induced neurotoxicity primarily by its neuromodulation and antioxidant effect.     

Vancomycin-Eluting Niosomes: A New Approach to the Inhibition of Staphylococcal Biofilm on Abiotic Surfaces

A new vancomycin (VCM)-eluting mixed bilayer niosome formulation was evaluated for the control of staphylococcal colonization and biofilm formation on abiotic surfaces, a niosome application not explored to date. Cosurfactant niosomes were prepared using a Span 60/Tween 40/cholesterol blend (1: 1: 2). Tween 40, a polyethoxylated amphiphile, was included to enhance VCM entrapment and confer niosomal surface properties precluding bacterial adhesion. VCM-eluting niosomes showed good quality attributes including relatively high entrapment efficiency (～50%), association of Tween 40 with vesicles in a constant proportion (～87%), biphasic release profile suitable for inhibiting early bacterial colonization, and long-term stability at 4°C for a 12-month study period. Niosomes significantly enhanced VCM activity against planktonic bacteria of nine staphylococcal strains. Using microtiter plates as abiotic surface, VCM-eluting niosomes proved superior to VCM in inhibiting biofilm formation, eradicating surface-borne biofilms, inhibiting biofilm growth, and interfering with biofilm induction by VCM subminimal inhibitory concentrations. Data suggest dual functionality of cosurfactant VCM-eluting niosomes as passive colonization inhibiting barrier and active antimicrobial-controlled delivery system, two functions recognized in infection control of abiotic surfaces and medical devices.     

Age Related Changes in Metabolite Concentrations in the Normal Spinal Cord

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies have previously described metabolite changes associated with aging of the healthy brain and provided insights into normal brain aging that can assist us in differentiating age-related changes from those associated with neurological disease. The present study investigates whether age-related changes in metabolite concentrations occur in the healthy cervical spinal cord. 25 healthy volunteers, aged 23–65 years, underwent conventional imaging and single-voxel MRS of the upper cervical cord using an optimised point resolved spectroscopy sequence on a 3T Achieva system. Metabolite concentrations normalised to unsuppressed water were quantified using LCModel and associations between age and spinal cord metabolite concentrations were examined using multiple regressions. A linear decline in total N-Acetyl-aspartate concentration (0.049 mmol/L lower per additional year of age, p = 0.010) and Glutamate-Glutamine concentration (0.054 mmol/L lower per additional year of age, p = 0.002) was seen within our sample age range, starting in the early twenties. The findings suggest that neuroaxonal loss and/or metabolic neuronal dysfunction, and decline in glutamate-glutamine neurotransmitter pool progress with aging.     

Biogas manufacture from co-digestion of untreated primary sludge with raw chicken manure under anaerobic mesophilic environmental conditions

This work aimed to co-digest various wastes to assess the best combination of all mixing ratio, also at choosing the best ratio between untreated primary sludge (UPS) singly from two sources, (South valley University (SUPS) and Abu tesht wastewater station (AUPS) and raw chicken manure (RCM) and comparing the results in either case. The co-digestions of untreated primary sludge from Abu tesht wastewater treatment stations with different levels of raw chicken manure (0:100, 10:90, 30:70, 50:50, 90:10, and 100:0) to obtain the best mixtures. Also, co-digestion of untreated primary sludge from south valley university with different levels of raw chicken manure at the same ratios, to obtain the best mixtures. Batch digestion tests were applied in 2.5 L digester with a working volume of 2.0 L. The samples in triplicates were separately loaded into the digesters locally fabricated and kept for 20 days as a retention period and diluted with the same amount of water. Mesophilic under 35 °C was adopted for untreated primary sludge as well as mixtures with raw chicken manure based on total solids (TS) and volatile solid (VS) proportions. The average biogas yields from AUPS/RCM mixture obtained ranged from 8570 to 5600 ml, by the following descending order, 10: 90 > 90:10 and so on >100:0, and the average biogas yields from SUPS/RCM obtained ranged from 6330 to 5635 ml, in the order of 90: 10 > 10:90 and so on >100:0. The results showed highest biogas yield from AUPS/RCM and SUPS/RCM mixtures with mixing ratio of 10:90 and 90:10, respectively, however, the lowest biogas production detected in separate digestion of AUPS and SUPS. The results indicated that co-digestion between the sludge and raw chicken manure could increase total biogas production volume, enhance sludge treatment process, and produce eco-friendly sludge because of co-digestion process than separate processing of each feedstock.     

Pathogenicity of Bacillus Strains to Cotton Seedlings and Their Effects on Some Biochemical Components of the Infected Seedlings

Pathogenicity of eight Bacillus strains to seedlings of four cotton cultivars was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. Each of the tested cultivars was individually treated with powdered inoculum of each bacterial strain. Untreated seeds were planted as control treatments in autoclaved soil. Effects of the tested strains on levels and activities of some biochemical components of the infected seedlings were also assayed. The biochemical components included total soluble sugars, total soluble proteins, total free amino acids, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, phenols, and lipid peroxidation. ANOVA showed that Bacillus strain (B) was a very highly significant source of variation in damping-off and dry weight. Cotton cultivar (V) was a nonsignificant source of variation in damping-off while it was a significant source of variation in dry weight. B × V interaction was a significant source of variation in damping- off and a nonsignificant source of variation in dry weight. Bacillus strain was the most important source of variation as it accounted for 59.36 and 64.99% of the explained (model) variation in damping-off and dry weight, respectively. The lack of significant correlation between levels and activities of the assayed biochemical components and incidence of damping-off clearly demonstrated that these biochemical components were not involved in the pathogenicity of the tested strains. Therefore, it was hypothesized that the pathogenicity of the tested strains could be due to the effect of cell wall degrading enzymes of pathogenic toxins. Based on the results of the present study, Bacillus strains should be considered in studying the etiology of cotton seedling damping-off.     

Hepatoprotective Effect of Silver Nanoparticles at Two Different Particle Sizes: Comparative Study with and without Silymarin

Silver nanoparticles have been used for numerous therapeutic purposes because of their increased biodegradability and bioavailability, yet their toxicity remains questionable as they are known to interact easily with biological systems because of their small size. This study aimed to investigate and compare the effect of silver nanoparticles’ particle size in terms of their potential hazard, as well as their potential protective effect in an LPS-induced hepatotoxicity model. Liver slices were obtained from Sprague Dawley adult male rats, and the thickness of the slices was optimized to 150 μm. Under regulated physiological circumstances, freshly cut liver slices were divided into six different groups; GP1: normal, GP2: LPS (control), GP3: LPS + AgNpL (positive control), GP4: LPS + silymarin (standard treatment), GP5: LPS + AgNpS + silymarin (treatment I), GP6: LPS + AgNpL + silymarin (treatment II). After 24 h of incubation, the plates were gently removed, and the supernatant and tissue homogenate were all collected and then subjected to the following biochemical parameters: Cox2, NO, IL-6, and TNF-α. The LPS elicited marked hepatic tissue injury manifested by elevated cytokines and proinflammatory markers. Both small silver nanoparticles and large silver nanoparticles efficiently attenuated LPS hepatotoxicity, mainly via preserving the cytokines’ level and diminishing the inflammatory pathways. In conclusion, large silver nanoparticles exhibited effective hepatoprotective capabilities over small silver nanoparticles.     

Brassinolide alleviates salt stress and increases antioxidant activity of cowpea plants (Vigna sinensis)

Soil salinity is one of the most severe factors limiting growth and physiological response in Vigna sinensis plants. Plant salt stress tolerance requires the activation of complex metabolic activities including antioxidative pathways, especially reactive oxygen species and scavenging systems within the cells which can contribute to continued growth under water stress. The present investigation was carried out to study the role of brassinolide in enhancing tolerance of cowpea plants to salt stress (NaCl). Treatment with 0.05?ppm brassinolide as foliar spray mitigated salt stress by inducing enzyme activities responsible for antioxidation, e.g., superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and detoxification as well as by elevating contents of ascorbic acid, tocopherol, and glutathione. On the other hand, total soluble proteins decreased with increasing NaCl concentrations in comparison with control plants. However, lipid peroxidation increased with increasing concentrations of NaCl. In addition to, the high concentrations of NaCl (100 and 150?mM) decreased total phenol of cowpea plants as being compared with control plants. SDS-PAGE of protein revealed that NaCl treatments alone or in combination with 0.05?ppm brassinolide were associated with the disappearance of some bands or appearance of unique ones in cowpea plants. Electrophoretic studies of ??-esterase, ??-esterase, polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, acid phosphatase, and superoxide dismutase isoenzymes showed wide variations in their intensities and densities among all treatments.