Microbial–meiofaunal interrelationships in coastal sediments of the Red Sea

Population density and biomass of bacteria and meiofauna were investigated seasonally in the sediments of the north-western bank of Red Sea. Samples of sediments were collected seasonally from three different stations to determine microphytobenthic biomass (chlorophyll a), protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and total organic matter concentrations. These investigations revealed that microbial components tended to increase their dominancy, whereas sensitive meiofauna were extremely reduced during the entire study period. Thus a very low density of the total meiofauna (with an annual average of 109 ± 26 ind./10 cm²) was recorded whilst the benthic microbial population densities exhibited higher values (ranging from 0.31 ± 0.02 × 10⁸ to 43.67 ± 18.62 × 10⁸/g dry sediment). These changes in the relative importance analysis of benthic microbial components versus meiofaunal ones seem to be based on the impact of organic matter accumulation on the function and structure of these benthic communities. Proteins, lipids and carbohydrates showed very low concentration values, and the organic matter mostly consisted of carbohydrates, reflecting lower nutritional values for benthic fauna in general and meiofauna in particular. The distribution of microbial and meiofaunal communities seems to be dependent on the quality of the organic matter rather than on its quantity. Total organic matter concentrations varied between 5.8 and 7.6 mg/g, with organic carbon accounting for only 32% of the total organic matter. Chlorophyll a attained very low values, fluctuating between 0.11 and 0.56 μg/g, indicating the oligotrophy of the studied area. The very low concentration of chlorophyll a in the Red Sea sediment suggests that the sedimentary organic matter, heterotrophic bacteria and/or protozoa constitute an alternative resource that is consumed by meiofauna when algae are less abundant. Protozoa, therefore, represent the “missing link in bacteria–meiofauna interaction in the Red Sea marine sediment ecosystem.     

The effect of a daytime 60-min nap opportunity on postural control in highly active individuals

Although napping is commonly used as a strategy to improve numerous physical and cognitive performances, the efficacy of this strategy for improving postural balance has not yet been elucidated. Thus, the aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive examination of the effect of a 60 min nap opportunity (N60) on different components of postural control. Ten highly active individuals (age = 27 ± 3.5 y, height = 1.75 ± 0.52 m, weight = 66.02 ± 8.63 kg) performed, in a randomized order, two afternoon test sessions following no nap (NN) and N60. Postural balance was assessed using the sensory organisation test (SOT), the unilateral stance test (UST), and the limits of Stability Test performed on NeuroCom^® Smart Balance Master. The subjective rating of sleepiness before and after the nap conditions was also assessed. Compared to NN, N60 improved the composite balance score (p < 0.05, ES = 0.75, Δ = 5.3%) and the average and maximum percentage balance in the most challenging postural conditions of the SOT (p < 0.05 for SOT-4 and 5 and p < 0.0005 for SOT-6; ES range between 0.58 and 1.1). This enhanced postural balance in N60 was accompanied with improved visual (p < 0.05; ES = 0.93; Δ = 8.9%) and vestibular (p < 0.05; ES = 0.81; Δ = 10.5%) ratios and a reduced level of sleepiness perception (p < 0.001, ES = 0.87). However, no significant differences were found in any of the UST and LOS components’ scores (p > 0.05). Overall, a 60 min post lunch nap opportunity may be viable for improving static balance, although further work, involving larger samples and more complex motor activities, is warranted.     

Selenium nanoparticles from Lactobacillus paracasei HM1 capable of antagonizing animal pathogenic fungi as a new source from human breast milk

The current study was performed to develop a simple, safe, and cost-effective technique for the biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from human breast milk with antifungal activity against animal pathogenic fungi. The LAB was selected based on their speed of transforming sodium selenite (Na₂SeO₃) to SeNPs. Out of the four identified LAB isolates, only one strain produced dark red color within 32 h of incubation, indicating that this isolate was the fastest in transforming Na₂SeO₃ to SeNPs; and was chosen for the biosynthesis of LAB-SeNPs. The superior isolate was further identified as Lactobacillus paracasei HM1 (MW390875) based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and phylogenetic tree analysis of 16S rRNA sequence alignments. The optimum experimental conditions for the biosynthesis of SeNPs by L. paracasei HM1 were found to be pH (6.0), temperature (35˚C), Na₂SeO₃ (4.0 mM), reaction time (32 h), and agitation speed (160 rpm). The ultraviolet absorbance of L. paracasei-SeNPs was detected at 300 nm, and the transmission electron microscopy (TEM) captured a diameter range between 3.0 and 50.0 nm. The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provided a clear image of the active groups associated with the stability of L. paracasei-SeNPs. The size of L. paracasei-SeNPs using dynamic light scattering technique was 56.91 ± 1.8 nm, and zeta potential value was −20.1 ± 0.6 mV in one peak. The data also revealed that L. paracasei-SeNPs effectively inhibited the growth of Candida and Fusarium species, and this was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The current study concluded that the SeNPs obtained from L. paracasei HM1 could be used to prepare biological antifungal formulations effective against major animal pathogenic fungi. The antifungal activity of the biologically synthesized SeNPs using L. paracasei HM1 outperforms the chemically produced SeNPs. In vivo studies showing the antagonistic effect of SeNPs on pathogenic fungi are underway to demonstrate the potential of a therapeutic agent to treat animals against major infectious fungal diseases.     

Individual and Combined Effects of Arsenic and Lead on Behavioral and Biochemical Changes in Mice

Arsenic (As) toxicity has caused an environmental tragedy affecting millions of people in the world. Little is known about the toxic effects of As on neurobehavioral and biochemical changes in vivo. Along this line of metal toxicity, co-exposure of lead (Pb) could aggravate the situation in the host. The present study was designed to explore the combined effects of As and Pb on behavioral changes like anxiety, spatial memory and learning impairment, and blood indices related to organ dysfunction. Exposure of mice to As (10 mg/kg body weight), Pb (10 mg/kg body weight), and As + Pb via drinking water significantly decreased the time spent exploring the open arms while it increased the time spent in the closed arms compared to control mice in the elevated plus maze. The mean latency time of the control group to find the platform decreased significantly during the learning for 7 days compared to all three treated groups in the Morris water maze test, and the As-exposed group spent significantly less time in the desired quadrant as compared to the control group in the probe trial. Both metals posed an anxiety-like behavior and deficits in spatial memory and learning, and also altered blood indices related to liver and kidney dysfunction, and a combined exposure of these metals inhibited the individual accumulation of As and Pb. Taken together, these data suggest that As has more toxic effects on neurobehavioral and biochemical changes than Pb, and there may be antagonism in the effects and accumulation between these two toxicants.     

The Possible Roles of Priming with ZnO Nanoparticles in Mitigation of Salinity Stress in Lupine (Lupinus termis) Plants

To our knowledge, little attention has been paid to evaluating ZnO nanoparticles (ZNPs) roles in plants grown under salinity stress. In this study, seeds of lupine (Lupinus termis) plants were grown in plastic pots and exposed to 0 (control) and 150 (S) mM NaCl with or without priming with different concentrations of ZnO [20 mg L^?1 (ZNPs1), 40 mg L^?1 (ZNPs2), and 60 mg L^?1 (ZNPs3)] for 20 days. Salinized plants showed a reduction in plant growth parameters (root length, shoot length, fresh weight, and dry weight) and in the contents of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b, and carotenoids) and Zn, as well as in the activity of catalase (CAT) against control plants. On the other side, salinity stress boosted the contents of organic solutes (soluble sugar, soluble protein, total free amino acids, and proline), total phenols, malondialdehyde (MDA), ascorbic acid and Na, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) in stressed plants over control plants. However, seed-priming with ZNPs mostly stimulated growth of stressed plants, which was accompanied by reinforcement in the levels of photosynthetic pigments, organic solutes, total phenols, ascorbic acid and Zn, as well as in the activities of SOD, CAT, POD, and APX enzymes over stressed plants alone. On the contrary, priming with ZNPs caused a decrement in the contents of MDA and Na in stressed plants relative to salinized plants alone. It is worthy to mention that, this improvement in salt tolerance of plants primed with ZNPs was more obvious in plants primed with ZNPs3 and grown both in unstressed and stressed regimes. Thus, our findings suggest that seed-priming with ZNPs, especially 60 mg L^?1 ZnO is an effective strategy that can be used to enhance salt tolerance of lupine plants.

     

Fertility-sparing surgery in advanced stage malignant ovarian germ cell tumor: a case report

Background

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumor is a rare type of disease, which generally has a good prognosis due to the high chemosensitivity of this type of tumor.Fertility preservation is an important issue because malignant ovarian germ cell tumor commonly affects young women. Although conservation is the standard for early stage, it becomes more debatable as the disease progresses to more advanced stages.Aim: Report the case of a patient with an International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Stage IIIc malignant ovarian germ cell tumor, who had conservative surgery and chemotherapy with a good fertility outcome.

Case presentation

A 23-year-old North African woman with a left malignant ovarian germ cell tumor stage IIIc was treated by left adnexectomy and omentectomy followed by chemotherapy. A 15-year follow-up showed no signs of relapse, and she completed three full-term natural pregnancies.

Conclusions

Malignant ovarian germ cell tumor is a rare ovarian tumor with a good prognosis. It is usually associated with a good fertility outcome in early stages. However, due to the rarity of the disease in advanced stages, the fertility outcome for this group of patients is not clear. This lack of data surrounding advanced stages points to the need for a meta-analysis of all published cases.

     

Genetic population diversity of European eel <Emphasis Type="Italic">Anguilla anguilla</Emphasis> elvers in two Egyptian water bodies,Rosetta (Rachid) estuary and Burullus Lake

The European eel Anguilla anguilla is a species of great economic importance for Egypt. Its long trans-Atlantic migrations for semelparous spawning then larval homing provides a possible way for worldwide mixing of populations. Its natural habitats in Egypt, as in other Mediterranean countries, are under heavy load of pollution due to anthropogenic activities. Hence, a major priority should be given to assess the genetic diversity within/among eels’ populations as a step towards revealing populations’ status, identification of possible conservation units, and, subsequently, implementation of proper conservation and management strategies for them. For this, A. anguilla elvers were collected from Rosetta estuary and Burullus coastal lagoon in the North of Egypt. Sequencing of the barcode region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene (COI) was carried out for all collected elvers. The sequences were analyzed using various genetic, phylogenetic, and population analyses to assess their variability. A total of 33 haplotypes were identified, 14 of which were unique to Burullus Lake, and 11 to Rosetta estuary. Very low fixation (F _st ?=?0–0.04) was found for A. anguilla populations in Egypt and worldwide, except for the Turkish and Czech ones (F _st ?=?0.47–0.62 and 0.18–0.41, respectively). Both Egyptian populations showed signs of recent populations’ expansion, besides low, non-significant raggedness values. The results suggested Burullus Lake and Rosetta estuary as separate conservation units for A. anguilla in Egypt. These units require special attention for proper protection and management of the existing eel diversity and permitting sustainability in the activities dealing with eel’s fishing and aquaculture.     

Inhibitory effects of 1α, 25dihydroxyvitamin D3 and Ajuga iva extract on oxidative stress, toxicity and hypo-fertility in diabetic rat testes

The aim of the eurrent study is to investigate the therapeutic and preventive effects of 1α, 25dihydroxyvitaminD3 (1,25 (OH)₂ D₃) andAjuga iva (AI) extraet on diabetes toxicity in rats testes. Thus diabetic rats were treated with 1α, 25dihydroxyvitaminD3 orAjuga iva extract as both therapeutie and preventive treatments on diabetes toxicity in rats testes. Our results showed that diabetes indueed a decrease in testosterone and 17β-estradiol levels in testes and plasma. Besides, a fall in testicular antioxidant capacity appeared by a deerease in both antioxidant (superoxide dismutase (SOD), eatalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities) and non-enzymatic antioxidant (copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg) and iron (Fe) levels). All theses changes enhanced testicular toxicity (inerease in testicular aspartate amino transaminase (AST), alanine amino transaminase (ALT), laetate dehydrogenase (LDH) activities and the lipid peroxidation and triglyeeride (TG) levels). In addition, a decrease in testicular total cholesterol (TCh) level was observed in diabetic rats testes. All the ehanges lead to a decrease in the total number and mobility of epididymal spermatozoa. The administration of 1α,25dihydroxyvitaminD3 andAjuga iva extract three weeks before and after diabetes induetion interfered and prevented diabetes toxicity in the reproduetive system. 1,25 (OH)₂ D₃ andAjuga iva extract blunted all changes observed in diabetic rats. To sum up, the data suggested that 1,25 (OH)₂ D₃ andAjuga iva extract have a protective effect on alloxan-induced damage in reproductive system by enhancing the testosterone and 17β-estradiol levels, consequenty protecting from oxidative stress, cellular toxicity and maintaining the number and motility of spermatozoids.     

Molecular characterization of larval anisakid nematodes from marine fishes off the Moroccan and Mauritanian coasts

A total of 242 larval forms of Anisakis collected from marine fishes at different sites off the Moroccan and Mauritanian coasts, recognised as belonging to Type I and Type II larvae, were identified by PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphisms) of the ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacers) region (ITS-1, 5.8 subunit rRNA gene and ITS-2), using a previously established molecular key. The Type I larvae were found with a frequency of 98.34% and were identified as belonging to the following species: A. simplex s.str., A. pegreffii, A. simplex s.str/A. pegreffii heterozygote genotypes, A. typica, A. ziphidarum and Anisakis sp. A. The Type II larvae were found to belong to A. physeteris, with the frequency of 1.65%. The results reported in the present study provide further epizootiological and biological data on the Anisakis spp. in marine fishes off the Moroccan and Mauritanian coasts, improving the picture of the occurrence of these species in the central Atlantic coasts.