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A biophysical survey was conducted in 15 cotton-growing districts of Pakistan. Four hundred cotton growers were approached and inquired about the production technology of Bt cotton. Further, 25 strip tests using combo strips (Cry1Ac, Cry2Ab, Vip3Aa and Cp4, EPSPS gene) were performed at each farmer's field. Out of 10,000 total-tested samples, farmers claimed 9682 samples as Bt and 318 samples as non-Bt. After performing a strip test, 1009 and 87 samples were found false negative and false positive, respectively. Only 53 samples were found positive for Cry2Ab, 214 for EPSPS and none for Vip3Aa gene. Quantification of Cry endotoxin and bioassay studies were performed by taking leaves from upper, middle, and lower canopies, and fruiting parts at approximately 80 days after sowing from 89 varieties. Expression was highly variable among different canopies and fruiting parts. Moreover, Cry endotoxin expression and insect mortality varied significantly among varieties from 0.26 µg g−1 to 3.54 µg g−1 with mortality ranging from 28 to 97%, respectively. Highest Cry1Ac expression (3.54 µg g−1) and insect mortality (97%) were observed for variety FH-142 from DG Khan. Cry endotoxin expression varied significantly across various plant parts, i.e., IUB-13 variety from upper canopy documented 0.34 µg g−1 expression with 37% insect mortality in Layyah to 3.42 µg g−1 expression and 96% insect mortality from DG Khan. Lethal dose, LD95 (2.20 µg g−1) of Cry1Ac endotoxin was optimized for effective control of H. armigera. Our results provided evidence of practical resistance in H. armigera and way forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sperm cells are highly sensitive to reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are produced during cellular oxidation. In normal cell biology, ROS levels increase with a decreasing antioxidant response, resulting in oxidative stress which threatens sperm biology. Oxidative stress has numerous effects, including increased apoptosis, reduced motion parameters, and reduced sperm integrity. In this regard, green tea polyphenols (GrTPs) have been reported to possess properties that may increase the quality of male and female gametes, mostly via the capability of catechins to reduce ROS production. GrTPs have antioxidant properties that improve major semen parameters, such as sperm concentration, motility, morphology, DNA damage, fertility rate, and gamete quality. These unique properties of green tea catechins could improve reproductive health and represent an important study area. This exploratory review discusses the therapeutic effects of GrTPs against infertility, their possible mechanisms of action, and recommended supportive therapy for improving fertility in humans and in animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as key intercellular communication and pathogenesis mediators. Parasitic organisms' helminths, cause widespread infections with significant health impacts worldwide. Recent research has shed light on the role of EVs in the lifecycle, immune evasion, and disease progression of these parasitic organisms. These tiny membrane-bound organelles including microvesicles and exosomes, facilitate the transfer of proteins, lipids, mRNAs, and microRNAs between cells. EVs have been isolated from various bodily fluids, offering a potential diagnostic and therapeutic avenue for combating infectious agents. According to recent research, EVs from helminths hold great promise in the diagnosis of parasitic infections due to their specificity, early detection capabilities, accessibility, and the potential for staging and monitoring infections, promote intercellular communication, and are a viable therapeutic tool for the treatment of infectious agents. Exploring host-parasite interactions has identified promising new targets for diagnostic, therapy, and vaccine development against helminths. This literature review delves into EVS's origin, nature, biogenesis, and composition in these parasitic organisms. It also highlights the proteins and miRNAs involved in EV release, providing a comprehensive summary of the latest findings on the significance of EVs in the biology of helminths, promising targets for therapeutic and diagnostic biomarkers., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Qadeer, Wajid, Rafey, Nawaz, Khan, Rahman, Alzahrani, Khan, Alsabi, Ullah, Safi, Xia and Zahoor.)

Infections caused by helminths are responsible for severe public health problems and economic burden on continental scale. Well-timed and precise diagnosis of helminth infections is critical for taking by appropriate approaches for pathogen control. Circulating miRNAs are stable diagnostic tool for different diseases found in a variety of body fluid. As diagnostic biomarkers in infectious diseases, miRNAs detection in body fluids of helminth infected hosts is growing promptly. Uncovering miRNAs is a relatively new tool, used for early-stage detection of helminth infection from experimental or non-invasive clinical samples. miRNAs can be detected in body fluids such as serum, saliva, urine, and tissues of helminth infected host, mainly blood offering important benefits for diagnosis accurately. In this review, we discuss different characteristics of helminth parasite-derived circulating and EV miRNAs, supporting its potential uses in for helminth diagnosis and treatment efficiency., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 Ullah, Tian, Arbab, Li, Khan, Rahman, Qadeer, Muhammad, Suleman and Hassan.)

Background and Aim: Brucellosis is one of the most widespread zoonotic diseases globally. Studies indicated the existence of Brucella infection in goats in some province of China. Thus this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of brucellosis in goats of Anhui Province, China., Materials and Methods: Serum and milk samples obtained from goats in different regions of Anhui province were studied through rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), serum agglutination test (SAT), milk ring test (MRT), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR)., Results: The investigation frequency of brucellosis using RBPT, SAT, MRT, and PCR methods was 3.9% (n=7), 4.45% (n=8), 11.67% (n=7), and 86.67% (n=156), respectively. The prevalence recorded for brucellosis in sex-wise animals as in females 5.55%, 6.67%, 11.67%, and 78.8% through above methods, while in males, it was 2.23% and 2.23% by RBPT and SAT. However, in age-wise animals, the results 6.36%, 7.27%, 11.67%, and 74.5% were perceived positive by RBPT, SAT, MRT, and PCR in adult females, respectively, but young males and females (up to 9 months) were considered free from brucellosis., Conclusion: These results show that prevalence of brucellosis was relatively higher in females than male's goats and SAT was relatively specific and accurate as compared to RBPT and MRT, but for diagnosis of brucellosis, molecular method (PCR) is recommended.

Andrographolide, the main active component extracted from Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Wall. ex Nees, exerts anti-inflammatory effects; however, the principal molecular mechanisms remain unclear. The objective of this study was to investigate the molecular mechanisms of Andrographolide in modifying lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced signaling pathway in RAW264.7 cells. An in vitro model of inflammation was induced by LPS in mouse RAW264.7 cells in the presence of Andrographolide. The concentration and expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines were determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), respectively. The nuclear level of NF- κ B was measured by an electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The expression levels of NF- κ B, p38, ERK, and JNK were determined by western blot. Andrographolide dose-dependently inhibited the release and mRNA expression of TNF- α , IL-6, and IL-1 β in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. The nuclear level of p65 protein was decreased in Andrographolide treatment group. Western blot analysis showed that Andrographolide suppressed LPS-induced NF- κ B activation and the phosphorylation of IkBa, ERK1/2, JNK, and p38. These results suggest that Andrographolide exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the activation of NF- κ B/MAPK signaling pathway and the induction of proinflammatory cytokines.