Pozitivan učinak L-karnitina na imuno- metabolički odgovor i antioksidacijski status u koza s gravidnosnom toksemijom

According to the literature, there have been limited studies describing the efficacy of L-carnitine (LC) administration in goats. The present study was designed to evaluate the influence of orally administered LC on some immune- metabolic variables, as well as the redox status in goats with experimentally induced pregnancy toxemia (PT). The study included eighteen clinically healthy Baladi goats at 110 ± 5 days of gestation. The animals were randomly allocated into three equally-sized groups: control, toxemic (PT), and toxemic treated with LC (TLC). On day 110 ± 5 of gestation, the goats in the TLC group received 10 mL of LC given as an oral drench once daily. Administration of LC was continued for 20 consecutive days. At day 130 of gestation, PT was experimentally induced in the animals of the PT and TLC groups by means of feed withdrawal for 72 hours. For biochemical analyses, blood samples were collected from each investigated doe via jugular vein puncture before PT induction (T0), and once daily for five consecutive days (T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5). The clinical findings of PT appeared in all the goats of the PT group after 72 hours of feed withdrawal, while the goats of the TLC group did not show any clinical symptoms throughout the study period. Administration of LC elicited initial and sustained low serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), and high serum glucose, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and interleukin (IL)-10 at T0 compared with those of the control and PT groups. At T3, goats that received LC showed significantly lower values of β-hydroxybutyric acid, non-esterified fatty acid, triacylglycerols, MDA, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and higher values of total cholesterol, glutathione peroxidase, SOD, and IL-10 than those of the PT group. Our data suggest that orally administered LC could be useful in ameliorating the immune status and improving lipid metabolism in goats with PT.Prema podacima iz literature postoji ograničen broj istraživanja primjene L-karnitina (LK) u koza. Cilj ovog rada bio je procijeniti učinak oralno primijenjenog LK-a na određene imuno-metaboličke pokazatelje i redoksni status u koza u kojih je eksperimentalno izazvana gravidnosna tokesmija (GT). Istraživanje je uključilo 18 klinički zdravih koza baladi pasmine čija je gravidnost iznosila 110 ± 5 dana. Životinje su nasumično podijeljene u tri jednake skupine: kontrolnu, toksemijsku (GT) i toksemijsku kojoj je davan LK (TLK). Koze u skupini TLK su od 110. ± 5 dana gravidnosti jedanput dnevno dobivale 10 mL LK-a oralnom drenčer špricom. Primjena LK-a nastavljena je sljedećih dvadeset dana uzastopno. Na 130. dan gravidnosti GT je eksperimentalno izazvan u skupinama GT i TLK, uz uskraćivanje hrane tijekom 72 sata. U svake je koze iz jugularne vene uzeta krv za biokemijsku analizu prije izazivanja GT-a (T0) i jedanput dnevno sljedećih pet dana (T1, T2, T3, T4 i T5). Klinički je GT ustanovljen u svih koza u skupini GT 72 sata nakon što im je uskraćena hrana, dok koze iz skupine TLK nisu pokazale kliničke simptome za vrijeme istraživanja. Primjena LK-a prouzročila je niske serumske vrijednosti malondialdehida (MDA), faktora tumorske nekroze (TNF-α) i visoke serumske vrijednosti glukoze, superoksidne dismutaze (SOD) i interleukina (IL)- 10 prije izazivanja GT-a (T0) u usporedbi s kontrolnom i GT skupinom. Treći dan (T3) koze koje su primile LK pokazale su znakovito niže vrijednosti β-hidroksimaslačne kiseline, neesterificirane masne kiseline, triacilglicerola, MDA-a, TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 te veće vrijednosti ukupnog kolesterola, glutation-peroksidaze, SOD-a i IL-10 od onih u skupini GT. Rezultati su pokazali da bi oralno primijenjen LK mogao pridonijeti poboljšanju imunosnog statusa i metabolizma masnoća u koza s GT-om

Dual functions of Macpiwi1 in transposon silencing and stem cell maintenance in the flatworm Macrostomum lignano

PIWI proteins and piRNA pathways are essential for transposon silencing and some aspects of gene regulation during animal germline development. In contrast to most animal species, some flatworms also express PIWIs and piRNAs in somatic stem cells, where they are required for tissue renewal and regeneration. Here, we have identified and characterized piRNAs and PIWI proteins in the emerging model flatworm Macrostomum lignano. We found that M. lignano encodes at least three PIWI proteins. One of these, Macpiwi1, acts as a key component of the canonical piRNA pathway in the germline and in somatic stem cells. Knockdown of Macpiwi1 dramatically reduces piRNA levels, derepresses transposons, and severely impacts stem cell maintenance. Knockdown of the piRNA biogenesis factor Macvasa caused an even greater reduction in piRNA levels with a corresponding increase in transposons. Yet, in Macvasa knockdown animals, we detected no major impact on stem cell self-renewal. These results may suggest stem cell maintenance functions of PIWI proteins in flatworms that are distinguishable from their impact on transposons and that might function independently of what are considered canonical piRNA populations

Internet-based search of randomised trials relevant to mental health originating in the Arab world

BACKGROUND: The internet is becoming a widely used source of accessing medical research through various on-line databases. This instant access to information is of benefit to busy clinicians and service users around the world. The population of the Arab World is comparable to that of the United States, yet it is widely believed to have a greatly contrasting output of randomised controlled trials related to mental health. This study was designed to investigate the existence of such research in the Arab World and also to investigate the availability of this research on-line. METHODS: Survey of findings from three internet-based potential sources of randomised trials originating from the Arab world and relevant to mental health care. RESULTS: A manual search of an Arabic online current contents service identified 3 studies, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO searches identified only 1 study, and a manual search of a specifically indexed, study-based mental health database, PsiTri, revealed 27 trials. CONCLUSION: There genuinely seem to be few trials from the Arab world and accessing these on-line was problematic. Replication of some studies that guide psychiatric/psychological practice in the Arab world would seem prudent

Pederins, mycalamides, onnamides and theopederins: Distinctive polyketide families with intriguing therapeutic potentialities

In this comprehensive review article, an in-depth exploration over the period from 1949 to 2023 is presented, focusing on the discovery, chemistry, biosynthesis and therapeutic potentials of pederin and related polyketides. Herein, we extensively documented a diverse collection of 45 isolated compounds with varied chemical structures, systematically organized based on their isolation sources. Furthermore, it includes an updated detailed overview of their reported pharmacological activities whenever applicable. Additionally, the article briefly discusses insights into the proposed biosynthetic pathway of these intriguing polyketides

An overview of anti-diabetic plants used in Gabon: Pharmacology and Toxicology

© 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Ethnopharmacological relevance: The management of diabetes mellitus management in African communities, especially in Gabon, is not well established as more than 60% of population rely on traditional treatments as primary healthcare. The aim of this review was to collect and present the scientific evidence for the use of medicinal plants that are in currect by Gabonese traditional healers to manage diabetes or hyperglycaemia based here on the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of plants with anti-diabetic activity. There are presented in order to promote their therapeutic value, ensure a safer use by population and provide some bases for further study on high potential plants reviewed. Materials and methods: Ethnobotanical studies were sourced using databases such as Online Wiley library, Pubmed, Google Scholar, PROTA, books and unpublished data including Ph.D. and Master thesis, African and Asian journals. Keywords including ‘Diabetes’ ‘Gabon’ ‘Toxicity’ ‘Constituents’ ‘hyperglycaemia’ were used. Results: A total of 69 plants currently used in Gabon with potential anti-diabetic activity have been identified in the literature, all of which have been used in in vivo or in vitro studies. Most of the plants have been studied in human or animal models for their ability to reduce blood glucose, stimulate insulin secretion or inhibit carbohydrates enzymes. Active substances have been identified in 12 out of 69 plants outlined in this review, these include Allium cepa and Tabernanthe iboga. Only eight plants have their active substances tested for anti-diabetic activity and are suitables for further investigation. Toxicological data is scarce and is dose-related to the functional parameters of major organs such as kidney and liver. Conclusion: An in-depth understanding on the pharmacology and toxicology of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is lacking yet there is a great scope for new treatments. With further research, the use of Gabonese anti-diabetic plants is important to ensure the safety of the diabetic patients in Gabon.Peer reviewedFinal Accepted Versio

Circum-Mediterranean cultural heritage and medicial plant uses in traditional animal healthcare: a field survey in eight selected areas within the RUBIA project

During the years 2003¿2005, a comparative ethnobotanical field survey was conducted on remedies used in traditional animal healthcare in eight Mediterranean areas. The study sites were selected within the EU-funded RUBIA project, and were as follows: the upper Kelmend Province of Albania; the Capannori area in Eastern Tuscany and the Bagnocavallo area of Romagna, Italy; Cercle de Ouezanne, Morocco; Sierra de Aracena y Picos de Aroche Natural Park in the province of Huelva, Spain; the St. Catherine area of the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt; Eastern and Western Crete, Greece; the Paphos and Larnaca areas of Cyprus; and the Mitidja area of Algeria. One hundred and thirty-six veterinary preparations and 110 plant taxa were recorded in the survey, with Asteraceae and Lamiaceae being the most quoted botanical families. For certain plant species the survey uncovered veterinary phytotherapeutical indications that were very uncommon, and to our knowledge never recorded before. These include Anabasis articulata (Chenopodiaceae), Cardopatium corymbosum (Asteraceae), Lilium martagon (Liliaceae), Dorycnium rectum (Fabaceae), Oenanthe pimpinelloides (Apiaceae), Origanum floribundum (Lamiaceae), Tuberaria lignosa (Cistaceae), and Dittrichia graveolens (Asteraceae). These phytotherapeutical indications are briefly discussed in this report, taking into account modern phytopharmacology and phytochemistry. The percentage of overall botanical veterinary taxa recorded in all the study areas was extremely low (8%), however when all taxa belonging to the same botanical genus are considered, this portion increases to 17%. Nevertheless, very few plant uses were found to be part of a presumed "Mediterranean" cultural heritage in veterinary practices, which raises critical questions about the concept of Mediterraneanism in ethnobotany and suggests that further discussion is required. Nearly the half of the recorded veterinary plant uses for mammals uncovered in this survey have also been recorded in the same areas in human folk medicine, suggesting a strong link between human and veterinary medical practices, and perhaps also suggesting the adaptive origins of a few medical practices. Since most of the recorded data concern remedies for treating cattle, sheep, goats, and camels, it would be interesting to test a few of the recorded phytotherapeuticals in the future, to see if they are indeed able to improve animal healthcare in breeding environments, or to raise the quality of dairy and meat products in the absence of classical, industrial, veterinary pharmaceuticals

Chemistry and biological activities of the marine sponges of the genera mycale (Arenochalina), Biemna and Clathria

Over the past seven decades, particularly since the discovery of the first marine-derived nucleosides, spongothymidine and spongouridine, from the Caribbean sponge Cryptotethya crypta in the early 1950s, marine natural products have emerged as unique, renewable and yet under-investigated pools for discovery of new drug leads with distinct structural features, and myriad interesting biological activities. Marine sponges are the most primitive and simplest multicellular animals, with approximately 8900 known described species, although more than 15,000 species are thought to exist worldwide today. These marine organisms potentially represent the richest pipeline for novel drug leads. Mycale (Arenochalina) and Clathria are recognized marine sponge genera belonging to the order Poecilosclerida, whereas Biemna was more recently reclassified, based on molecular genetics, as a new order Biemnida. Together, these sponge genera contribute to the production of physiologically active molecular entities with diverse structural features and a wide range of medicinal and therapeutic potentialities. In this review, we provide a comprehensive insight and up-to-date literature survey over the period of 1976–2018, focusing on the chemistry of the isolated compounds from members of these three genera, as well as their biological and pharmacological activities, whenever available. © 2018 by the authors.Acknowledgments: This work was supported by the mission sector of the Ministry of High Education of the Arab Republic of Egypt (Egyptian cultural bureau in Paris and Athens); Amr El-Demerdash’s, and Mohamed Tammam’s joint supervision were fully funded and supported

Impact of Genetic Polymorphism of Myeloid Differentiation Primary Response Gene 88, Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2, and B-cell Lymphoma 2 like 11 in Patients with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma Treated with Rituximab, Cyclophosphamide, Doxorubicin, Vincristin

BACKGROUND: Despite the growing landscape of genetic drivers in Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma, yet their clinical implication is still unclear and R-CHOP regimen remains a “one size fits all” therapy. We aimed in this study to examine the prevalence of EZH2, BCL211 and MYD 88 genetic polymorphisms in DLBCL patients and correlate the results with various clinical and survival outcomes. METHODS: Genotyping of MYD88 (rs387907272 T/C), EZH2 (rs3757441 C/T), and BCL2L11 (rs3789068 A/G) polymorphisms were conducted using real time polymerase chain reaction analysis in a total of 75 DLBCL patients. RESULTS: Most of our cases carried the wild TT genotype of MYD88 gene (64%), the mutant TT genotype of EZH2 gene (52%) and the wild AA genotype of BCL2L11 gene (48%). Regarding cell of origin, Germinal Centre (GC) phenotype was present in 56% of cases while 44% expressed the Post-GC (PGC) phenotype. Poor response outcome to first line R-CHOP was significantly correlated with the mutated CC genotype of MYD 88 (p=0.02), while better response to R-CHOP was significantly associated with younger age <50 years (p <0.0001), good PS (p=0.046), normal LDH level (p=0.003), earlier stage (p <0.0001), good IPI score (p=0.009), absence of extranodal disease (p <0.0001) and absence of bulky disease (p=0.004). The median PFS and the 2 year OS were significantly higher in younger age, earlier stage, good IPI score, absence of extranodal disease, absence of bulky disease and in GC phenotype. CONCLUSIONS: Our results emphasized that the mutated genotype of MYD 88 gene polymorphism is significantly associated with poor response to R-CHOP therapy