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Propolis is a natural agent produced by honeybees from several botanical sources. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the antitumor effect of propolis extract (PE) against urethane-induced lung cancer compared to Cisplatin (CIS) in rats. Some biochemical parameters of oxidative stress, gene expression and histopathology and transmission electron microscopy were estimated and performed. PE improved the induced changes in glutathione, malondialdehyde and superoxide dismutase concentration generated by urethane. Moreover, PE increased the expression of EGFR-mRNA. Examination of the light and electron microscopic sections manifested that the URT group displayed the excessive abnormal distribution of collagen fibers and the growth of papillary adenocarcinoma in the terminal bronchial lumen with thickening in the bronchial wall, inflammation and alveolar collapse. PE was able to decrease the above induced changes. In conclusion, a recent study concluded that PE could be an excellent source of natural chemicals that fight lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although certain pollutants can be biologically degraded by microorganisms, rendering their impact short-term, others can not be impaired, such that their effect persists. The present study evaluates the effectiveness of using a field-collected aphid, Aphis gossypii , as a bio-indicator for heavy metals in tomato farms in Riyadh and Hafar Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia. Heavy metals were selected (Cd, Cu, Zn, and Pb) and measured for comparative screening in field-collected plants, soil, and aphids using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Field-collected aphids from both studied regions were identified as Aphis gossypii. In Riyadh, there was no significant difference observed for Cd, Cu, and Zn for all experimental samples, while, Pb was showed differences among samples especially tomato leaves None of the studied samples in Hafar Al-Batin were showed statistically significant differences in Cd, in reverse to significant differences in the other heavy metals. Comparing concentrations of selected heavy metals between the two studied regions was showed that neither region showed a significant difference in heavy metals except for Cu. This study demonstrates that tomato leaf samples showed the highest concentrations of most studied heavy metals, followed by soil, then aphids. Aphids were utilized as a bio-indicator of heavy metals in the studied regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A laboratory experiment was conducted in the laboratory of Department of Plant Protection, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan in the year 2018-19, to screen out the resistance of wheat varieties against Tribolium castaneum (Herbst). Six varieties of wheat (Sehar-06, Millat-11, Punjab-11, Ujalla-15, FD-08 and Galaxy-13) were used with four replications in Completely Randomized Design. The grains of wheat varieties were obtained from Federal Seed Certification and Registration Department, Dera Ghazi Khan. The grains were ground to flour and twenty eggs of T. castaneum (Herbst) were added to known quantity of flour. The data on hatching percentage, larval survival, pupal survival and egg laying percentage were recorded. The data so obtained were analyzed by ANOVA. The results represented that all varieties were susceptible and none of the varieties were fully resistant against the infestation of red flour beetle. Significant variations were observed among all six wheat varieties. Faisalabad-08 variety showed less hatching percentage as compared to others. Thus, Faisalabad-08 variety was recorded as a most resistant against the red flour beetle while Ujalla-15 was found as a most susceptible variety due to maximum hatching percentage. Sehar-06, Punjab-11, Millat-11 and Galaxy-13 were recorded as a moderately susceptible, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato aphid (Myzus persicae) is a destructive insect pest of tomato responsible for huge losses in the production as well in the vegetable industry. In the present in vitro study two protein elicitors, PeaT1 and PeBL1 were considered to study their efficacies to exhibit defense response against tomato aphid. Three different concentrations of both protein elicitors were applied on the tomato seedlings. After the application of PeaT1 and PeBL1, population growth rates of tomato aphid were decreased as compared to the control treatment. In host preference assay, the tomato aphid showed a preference to build a colony on the control as compared to the treated tomato plant, because tomato leaves provided hazardous surface for aphid after the formation of wax and trichome. The concentrations of protein showed significant (p < 0.05) results in life-history traits of the aphid. Jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA) and ethylene (ET) showed significant accumulation in tomato seedlings treated with PeaT1 and PeBL1. Elicitors treated plants produced resistance against M. persicae. Our finding suggests that PeaT1 and PeBL1 have shown high potentials against the damage of M. persicae , and both elicitors could be used as novel biological tools against tomato aphid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The study highlights the bio fabrication of stable Moringa oleifera leaf nanoparticles fostering a 'green' approach in synthesis sans the use of chemical surfactants/reducing agents. • The phytochemical screening of the synthesized nanoparticles showed an enhanced phenolic and flavonoid content that demonstrated a potent antioxidative activity. The nanoparticles exhibited profound anti-diabetic and antiproliferative activity against human cancer lines. • Taken together the findings broaden the horizons on the prospective use of these nanoparticles as a nutraceutical/drug in the field of biomedicine. The present study centered around the prospect of bio fabricating nanoparticles using Moringa oleifera leaf and investigating their therapeutic potential with an assessment of the antioxidant status. Synthesis of stable 'green' nanoparticles of Moringa leaf extract is successfully reported with an extensive characterization. The average particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) of the nanoparticles obtained by Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis were 141.6 nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.32 respectively. The UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis) revealed a strong red absorbance peak at 664 nm,characteristic of chlorophyll. Electron micrographs confirmed that particles were in the nano range and were spherical with minimal agglomeration. The constituent functional groups were assessed by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The X-ray diffractograms of reflected both the amorphous and crystalline domains.Furthermore, the phytochemical screening showed a higher phenolic/ flavonoid content of the Moringa nanoparticles (NMo) in comparison to the bulk Moringa leaf extract(Mo). These results corresponded to a potent antioxidant status of the NMo which was assessed by three complementary antioxidant assays. The therapeutic potential of the nanoparticles was evaluated based on in vitro anti-diabetic assays and cytotoxicity assay on human cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and HepG-2). The key findings suggest a more profound therapeutic efficacy of NMo than the Moringa leaf extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite previous studies showing that Helicobacter pylori influences iron consumption, it is unknown what causes iron deficiency anemia in response to H. pylori infection. The goal of the study was to find out whether having an infection with H. pylori was linked to a drop-in serum iron level. Detection of H. pylori infection presented by serological test to detect titers of IgG and IgA in blood serum. The determination of iron serum level was performed by using biochemistry spectrophotometry test. Additionally, a full blood count was done to assess the haemoglobin concentration and establish whether the patient was anemic. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, Chi-square, and Mann–Whitney U test. Approximately 35% of the H. pylori group reported a low serum iron level against a 5% only in the control group. Also, the total bilirubin levels were 2.6-fold more among H. pylori positive cases than controls. H. pylori can cause a decrease in serum iron levels in infected individuals and eventually lead to iron deficiency anemia. Moreover, high total bilirubin levels are recorded among H. pylori -infected patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oocysts recovered from Mus musculus were morphologically described and molecularly characterized using 18S rDNA and ITS1 regions. Sporulated oocysts had two layers and were sub-spherical measuring 20.76 (19.41–22.33) × 17.46 (15.44–19.15) μm with a length/width index of 1.18. Sporocysts were with stieda and substieda bodies with sporocystic residuum. Molecular data from both 18S rDNA and ITS1 regions revealed that the species under investigation is related to Eimeria papillata. The 18S rDNA sequences obtained in this investigation were identical to an E. papillata sequence from M. musculus found in GenBank. The sequence obtained from the ITS-1 region showed a slight difference from other sequences from E. papillata for the same region with a similarity percent of 97.2% to 100%. The AT content of the ITS1 region from the present study was found to be 53.1%. According to ITS1 data, 10 haplotypes were characterized with haplotype diversity (Hd) of 0.9271. Sequences of the ITS1 region from E. papillata were variable in 18 sites with 3 indels, of those variable sites 15 were transitions while 3 were transversions. Therefore; the ITS1 region is probably a good marker for differentiating different strains of Eimeria species in rodents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human brucellosis is the most common zoonotic disease in the world. It is common infectious disease in Najran region, south western of Saudi Arabia. Several studies emphasized on the role of biochemical and hematological markers in clinical diagnosis of brucellosis, however to the best of our knowledge this is the first study that has been carried out in Najran city. This study aimed to assess the utility of peripheral blood biochemical and hematological in early diagnosis of brucellosis in infected patients. As well as, determine the contributing value of biochemical and hematological markers in differential diagnosis of brucellosis. A cross sectional study (October 2019 to May 2020) had been carried out. The study was designed to compare between two groups (100 each), control group (healthy) and patient group (brucellosis). We considered here the liver function Test (Alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferase, and Alkaline phosphatase), the Renal Function Test (Urea, Creatinine and Albumin) and the Full Blood Count. Both brucellosis and healthy groups compared together using different settings of statistical analysis. Significant variations in hematology and biochemistry parameters were observed in patients infected with brucellosis. There was a significantly increased in Alanine aminotransferase and Monocytes level compared to healthy group while other indices of Albumin, Eosinophils, Platelet distribution width, and Mean platelet volume were significantly decreased compared to healthy group. Furthermore, demographically age factor was not significantly differed in both groups. However, there was priority for gender while, males were most vulnerable. Brucella infection may be associated with monocytosis, eosinopenia, thrombocytopenia and low level of albumin and elevated level of alanine aminotransferase. The study emphasized the importance of Biochemical and hematological parameters as simple, feasible and rapid tests as well as they are very indicative particularly in differential diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Exposure to arsenic causes apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress in brain. • Chlorogenic acid inhibits arsenic-induced neurotoxicity in mice. • Chlorogenic acid has antioxidant, antiinflammatory and antiapoptotic activities. Arsenic is a potent neurotoxic xenobiotic found in drinking water, and food. Chlorogenic acid (CGA), an abundant polyphenol in coffee, potentially has a wide range of therapeutic benefits. This study aimed to explore the mechanism in detail the neuroprotection provided by CGA against arsenite-induced toxicity in mice and the underlying mechanisms involved. The mice were randomly divided into five groups; control, CGA (200 mg/kg), arsenite (5 mg/kg), CGA (100 mg/kg) + arsenite, and CGA (200 mg/kg) + arsenite. All animals were treated daily for four weeks. Arsenite exposure significantly lowered all brain functions (neurochemicals, AChE, and BDNF) as well as cellular antioxidant activities, increased inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, and the antiapoptotic Bcl2 gene, and upregulated apoptotic Bax and Casp3 genes. Fortunately, CGA reversed all arsenite-induced brain alterations in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, CGA is recommended for practice use as a natural safeguarding food additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]