Search

Biosynthetic metals have attracted global attention because of their safety, affordability, and environmental friendliness. As a consequence, the cell-free filtrate (CFF) of Dill leaf-derived endophytic fungus Aspergillus luchuensis was employed for the extracellularly synthesis silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). A reddish-brown color shift confirmed that AgNPs were successfully produced. The obtained AgNPs were characterized by UV–Vis (ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), FTIR, EDX, and zeta potential. Results demonstrated the creation of crystalline AgNPs with a spherical shape at 427.81 nm in the UV–Vis spectrum, and size ranged from 16 to 18 nm as observed by TEM. Additionally, the biogenic AgNPs had a promising antibacterial activity versus multidrug-resistant bacteria, notably, S. aureus, E. coli, and S. typhi. The highest growth reduction was recorded in the case of E. coli. Furthermore, the biosynthesized AgNPs demonstrated potent antifungal potential versus a variety of harmful fungi. The maximum growth inhibition was evaluated from A. brasinsilles, followed by C. albicans as compared to cell-free extract and AgNO3. In addition, data revealed that AgNPs possess powerful antioxidant activity, and their ability to scavenge radicals increased from 33.0 to 85.1% with an increment in their concentration from 3.9 to 1,000 μg/mL. Furthermore, data showed that AgNPs displayed high catalytic activity of safranin under light irradiation. The maximum decolorization percentage (100%) was observed after 6 h. Besides, the biosynthesized AgNPs showed high insecticidal potential against 3rd larval instar of Culex pipiens. Taken together, data suggested that endophytic fungus, A. luchuensis, is an attractive candidate as an environmentally sustainable and friendly fungal nanofactory.

Simple Summary: Endometritis is defined as a localized inflammatory condition of the endometrium that results in significant financial losses. This investigation used forty buffalo cows with clinical endometritis that were infected and forty seemingly healthy buffalo cows who served as the control group made up the two groups of buffalo cows. The expression levels and the serum characteristics of immune and antioxidant biomarkers linked to clinical endometritis risk varied between the investigated two categories of buffalo cows. The alteration in the profile of explored markers suggests a potential source for uterine health indicators in buffaloes. Determining the gene expression and serum profile of the indicators linked to clinical endometritis susceptibility in Egyptian buffalo cows was the aim of this investigation. The buffalo cows that were enrolled were divided into two groups: forty infected buffalo cows with clinical endometritis and forty seemingly healthy buffalo cows that served as the control group. For the purposes of gene expression and biochemical analysis, ten milliliters of blood was obtained via jugular venipuncture from each buffalo cow. TLR4, IL-8, IL-17, NFKB, SLCA11A1, NCF4, Keap1, HMOX1, OXSR1, ST1P1, and SERP1 were manifestly expressed at much higher levels in the buffaloes with endometritis. On the other hand, the genes that encode SOD, CAT, NDUFS6, Nrf2, and PRDX2 were down-regulated. There was a significant (p < 0.05) elevation of the serum levels of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs), beta hydroxy butyric acid (BHBA), triglycerides (TGs), globulin, creatinine, and cortisol, along with a reduction in the serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, total protein albumin, urea, estrogen (E2), progesterone (P4), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), thyroxine (T4), prostaglandin F2 α (PGF2α), calcium, iron, and selenium, in the endometritis group in comparison with the control. However, no significant change was observed in the values of phosphorus, magnesium, copper, or zinc in either group. Within the selective breeding of naturally resistant animals, the variation in the genes under study and the changes in the serum profiles of the indicators under investigation may serve as a reference guide for reducing endometritis in Egyptian buffalo cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Glucagon-like peptide -1 (GLP-1) is released by intestinal cells to stimulate glucose-dependent insulin release from the pancreas. GLP-1 has been linked to ameliorating obesity and/or diabetic complications as well as controlling reproductive function. Liraglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) with 97% homology with GLP-1. The main objective of this study was to investigate the ameliorative role of liraglutide in diabetic-induced reproductive dysfunction in male rats. Methods: Rats were randomly allocated into 3 groups; a control group, a diabetic group, and a liraglutide-treated diabetic group. Results: In the diabetic group, a significant increase in BMI, FBG, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, TC, TAG, LDL, IL6, TNFα, and MDA, as well as decreased serum insulin, HDL, GSH, total testosterone, LH, and FSH, were shown compared to the control group. Furthermore, A significant downregulation in relative hypothalamic gene expression of GLP-1R, PPAR-α, PGC-1α, kiss, kiss1R, leptin, leptin R, GnRH GLP-1R, testicular PGC-1α, PPARα, kiss1, kiss1R, STAR, CYP17A1, HSD17B3, CYP19A, CYP11A1, and Smad7, as well as upregulation in hypothalamic GnIH and testicular TGF- β and Smad2 expression, were noticed compared to the control group. Liraglutide treatment significantly improved such functional and structural reproductive disturbance in diabetic rats. Conclusion: GLP-1RAs ameliorated the deleterious effects of diabetes on reproductive function by targeting GLP-1/leptin/kiss1/GnRH, steroidogenesis, and TGF-ß/Smad pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer worldwide, and its incidence is increasing. Despite advances in medical science, the treatment of colon cancer still poses a significant challenge. This study aimed to investigate the potential protective effects of Adiantum pedatum (AP) extract and/or piceatannol on colon cancer induced via phenylhydrazine (PHZ) in terms of the antioxidant and apoptotic pathways and histopathologic changes in the colons of male albino rats. The rats were randomly divided into eight groups: control, AP extract, piceatannol (P), PHZ, PHZ and AP treatments, PHZ and P treatments, PHZ and both AP and P, and PHZ and prophylaxis with both AP and P. The results demonstrated that PHZ induced oxidative damage, apoptosis, and histopathological changes compared to the control group. However, the administration of AP or P or AP + P as therapy or prophylaxis significantly ameliorated these changes and upregulated the colonic mir-145 and mRNA expression of P53 and PDCD-4 while downregulating the colonic mRNA expression of PI3K, AKT, c-Myc, CK-20, SOX-2, OCT-4, and NanoG compared to the PHZ group. These findings suggest that the candidate drugs may exert their anti-cancer effects through multiple mechanisms, including antioxidant and apoptotic activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The feeding habits of a three orphaned red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris were observed during spring, in Western part of Romania, Arad county. Observations on the behavior of squirrel baby were made from 3 weeks to 12 weeks, when the squirrels were released into the wild. The baby squirrels were found fallen from the tree, together with the nest. At about 3 - 4 weeks of age, the feeding takes place 9 times a day, at 6 weeks of age, the number of feeds begins to decrease, is the period when diversification begins by introducing some seeds and nuts in the diet. In terms of weight, the baby weighed about 50 g when they were found, and will reach a weight of 100 g in week 8, and a weight of about 200 grams at about 10 weeks. The paper provides information regarding feeding pattern the first day after finding an orphaned baby squirrel until release into the wild. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to scarce bibliographic information on the diversity of crayfish species and habitats, research must be carried out on crayfish body measurements (Astacus fluviatilis). Fykes were used for catching the crayfish and fresh pork liver was used as bait. Body measurements were carried out on 23 crayfish (17 males and 6 females). Also, 18 crayfish juveniles have been captured from lake Danila and Moravita stream. The captured crayfish males in Moravita stream had an average body length of 8.88±0.46 cm and a body mass of 28.53±4.33 g. The captured crayfish females in Moravita stream had an average body length of 7.13±0.11 cm and a body mass of 11.17±0.44 g. The captured crayfish males in lake Danila had an average body length of 10.60±0.52 cm and a body mass of 48.38±8.68 g. The crayfish males in Moravita stream showed an average profile index of 4.27, a flesh index of 37.52% and a fattening index of 3.77%. The crayfish females in Moravita stream showed an average profile index of 4.67, a flesh index of 23.30% and a fattening index of 3.07%. The crayfish males in lake Danila showed an average profile index of 4.34, a flesh index of 21.33 and a fattening index of 3.87%. The crayfish population density was of 49.01 individuals/100 m linear in lake Danila and 34 individuals captured/100 m linear in Moravita stream. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The body measurements was made on 20 males of river lobsters (Astacus fluviatilis or Astacus astacus). The lobsters on witch the study was made had an average total length of body of 12.72 cm ±0.19 cm (formed from: 6.07±0.10cm the length of cefalothorax, 4.73 ±0.10 cm the length of abdomen and 1.91 ±0.07 cm length of telson), and a body weight of 55.70±3.07 g. the males present a length of feelers of 8.53±0.34 cm, a antennas of 2.20±0.05 cm, and the stem of the eyes of 0.51±0.02 cm. The body of male present a average width of 3.35±0.07 cm at level of cefalothorax, and 2.40±0.05 cm at abdomen level. Average deepness of cefalothorax was 2.85±0.07cm, and abdomen deepness of 1.34±0.03cm. The 5 pairs of periopode had an average length of 10.91±0.42 cm, 6.06±0.22 cm, 7.21±0.21 cm, 6.57±0.16 cm and 5.85±0.15cm. The average length of pleopods was at first pear of 2.00±0.06 cm, at second pair of 2.11±0.05 cm, at third of 1.85±0.05 cm, at fourth of 1.73±0.04 cm and at fifth pair of 1.55±0.04 cm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]