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The present study was conducted to investigate the allelopathic activity of Rumex dentatus aqueous leaf extract on metabolites, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and enzymes activities in Portulaca oleraceae. The results showed a reduction of carbohydrates, protein, DNA, and RNA contents. However, the total phenolics, total flavonoids, and malondialdehyde were enhanced. The ROS such as hydrogen peroxide, superoxide radicals, and hydroxyl radicals were increased in concentration-dependent manner. The activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, 6-phosphoglucnate dehydrogenase, nitrate reductase, and glutamine synthetase were reduced in Portulaca leaves as the concentration of Rumex extract increased; however the activities of NADH-oxidase and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase were increased under treatment with the various tested concentrations of Rumex extract. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry profile of aqueous Rumex extract was performed for the detection of the dominant compounds that may reveal the impact on Portulaca metabolites and enzymes activities.

Scarcity of water is a substantial impediment to the growth and yield of crop species. In this study, free-radical copolymerization was used to tailor novel formulations of superabsorbent nanocomposites (SANCs). The prepared SANCs were characterized using FT-IR spectra, SEM micrograph, TGA and X-Ray diffraction. Following SANC preparation, the swelling behavior was examined. Also, SANC's soil burial degradation and water retention were investigated. A pot trial was performed to examine the growth performance and physio-biochemical traits of Faba bean in the presence and absence of SANC under water-stress (40% FC). Water stress decreased chlorophyl and sugars contents, CAT, APX, SOD, and PPO activities. Nonetheless, water stress raised POD and GR activities, and AsA, DPPH, PMA, H2O2, MDA, and soluble proteins levels. SANC alleviated water stress by boosting Faba bean growth and physiological characteristics. SANC enhanced Chl b, carotenoids, Fv/Fm, CAT, GR and SOD, contributing to better growth of stressed Faba bean.

Retained placenta is still one of the major problems facing dairy farms, and up until now, haematological and biochemical changes related to the condition of retained placenta have been mysterious. Our study aimed to screen the presumptive serum biochemical and haematological alterations in relation to the pathogenesis of retained placenta in dairy Holstein heifers. Twenty heifers were used in this study; ten of them suffered from retained placenta, and the others were kept under control as they expelled their placenta within the reference time range after parturition. Concerning serum biochemical changes, heifers affected by retained placenta suffered from disturbances in the redox state and exhaustion of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. In addition, the serum concentration of anti-inflammatory interleukin-13 was increased in association with an elevated level of serum mucin-1, C-reactive protein and alpha-1 antitrypsin in these heifers. Also, retained placenta induced a decrement in the serum levels of inteleukin-8 (IL-8), prostaglandin F-2 alpha (PGF-2α) and an increment in the serum level of prostaglandin-E2 (PGE-2). Moreover, serum concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) and creatine kinase enzyme activity were elevated in heifers with retained placentas. Haematological results did not show any significant change in RBCs count, haemoglobin concentration, hematocrit%, or platelet count between the two groups. Controversially, the total leukocytic count, granulocytes, lymphocytes and monocytes counts were elevated in cows with retained placentas. In conclusion, the retained placenta condition is accompanied by oxidative stress and inflammatory disturbances that directly affect the metabolic and hormonal states of dairy heifers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue-engineered constructs combine the mechanical properties of biomaterials with biological agents to serve as scaffolds that direct the wound-healing process and promote tissue regeneration. A limitation to studying wound healing in vivo is that mouse skin contracts to heal rather than exhibiting granulation tissue formation and epithelialization like human skin. Therefore, it became necessary to develop a mouse model to better recapitulate human wound healing. The first splinted excisional wound healing model in mice, described in 2004, utilized silicone splints to prevent skin contracture. This model has been used to test a variety of wound healing strategies; however, to our knowledge, this model has not been adapted to test the effect of implants on wound healing. In our established protocol, circular bilateral excisional wounds are made on the mouse’s dorsum. A circular implant made of porous polyethylene is sutured to the skin within the wound. A thin, donut-shaped silicone splint is secured to the skin surrounding the wound, and a thick, donut-shaped splint is placed on top to tent the wound dressing. Finally, the mouse’s abdomen is wrapped in a bandage and tape to protect the implants. Our protocol offers a significant enhancement to the existing model by enabling the testing of implants for wound healing, as well as using an additional splint that prevents direct contact between the wound dressing and the wound bed. This model can be used to study tissue-engineered implant designs in a relatively low-cost, simple, and high-throughput manner before advancing to larger animal studies.