Advancements in Life Sciences (E-Journal, University of the Punjab)
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Association of Celiac Disease and H. pylori Infection with ATG5 Polymorphism and Interleukin-33
Get PDFBackground: Celiac disease (CD) is an inflammatory small intestine autoimmune disease. The study aims to investigate the association and the detection of ATG5 polymorphism between celiac disease (CD) and H. pylori infection, and the association with Interleukin-33 (IL-33).Methods: The study groups included patients from Iraq, ages 4 to 35. Two primary patient groups were created: sixteen had positive H. pylori and celiac disease, and thirty had positive CD and negative H. pylori disease. The levels of tissue transglutaminase IgA (TTG IgA), H. pylori IgG, and IL-33 were measured using the ELISA method. The primers were amplified using PCR.Results: With celiac disease, the patient group's TTG IgA levels increased dramatically. The test also showed significant variations (P=0.054) in the H. pylori IgG levels between the patient and control groups. The H. pylori seropositivity test showed a statistically significant difference (p ≤0.033) between seropositive and seronegative individuals, while the patient group's IL-33 levels did not significantly differ (P ≤0.299) from the control group.Conclusions: Our results showed that CD is more common in women and occurs in the age range of 24-35 years. It also showed that the mutant variant of ATG5 is associated with CD, and the significance of H. pylori IgG serum levels in the patient group may indicate that the bacteria involved in CD. Furthermore, H. pylori infection is more strongly linked to serum IL-33 levels than CD.Keywords: Celiac disease; H. pylori; PCR; IL-33; ATG5 polymorphism
Antidiabetic Activity and Pancreatic Histopathology Analysis of Averrhoa bilimbi L. Leaves Extract on Alloxan-Induced Diabetes on Wistar Mice
Get PDFBackground: Diabetes mellitus is a multi-etiological metabolic disorder characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, total or relative insulin deficiency, and further complications by metabolic disorders. Drug therapy for diabetes mellitus is costly and fraught with potential side effects. The aim of this research is to investigate antidiabetic and histopathological analysis of ethanolic A. bilimbi leaves extract in alloxan induced diabetic mice.Methods: Wuluh starfruit leaves is one of Indonesia's plants that can be used to treat diabetes mellitus. Thirty male Wistar mice were divided into five groups as follows: Negative control group that didn't receive any treatment, Diabetes control group that received alloxan 150 mg/kg, Positive control group that received glibenclamide 600 μg/kg, and lastly the two test groups that received A. bilimbi leaves extract 150 and 300 mg/kg orally for 14 days. After extract administration, blood glucose and histopathological alterations in the pancreas of diabetic mice were observed.Results: Alloxan to the diabetes control group significantly raised blood glucose levels compared to the negative control group. Administration of wuluh starfruit leaves extract and glibenclamide could significantly lower blood sugar levels compared to the diabetic control group. Administration of wuluh starfruit leaves extract treatment and glibenclamide also showed favorable effect on the histopathological changes of the pancreas in alloxan induced diabetes.Conclusion: The study concludes the administration of wuluh starfruit leaves extract (150 and 300 mg/kg) and glibenclamide could reduce blood glucose levels and can help with cell regeneration and protecting pancreatic cells from damage caused by alloxan.Keywords: A. bilimbi leaves extract; Alloxan; Diabetes; Pancreatic histopathology
Use of Biological Agents to Control the Number of Halyomorpha halys Stål
Get PDFBackground: Halyomorpha halys Stål, commonly known as the brown marmorated stink bug, poses a significant threat to various crops, necessitating repeated seasonal insecticide applications for control. However, these methods carry environmental and human health risks. Considering these concerns, there is a pressing need to explore alternative, eco-friendly approaches to managing H. halys populations. This study sets out to investigate innovative strategies that minimize reliance on harmful chemicals while still effectively controlling the stink bug menace. By delving into the realm of sustainable pest management, the aim is to develop methods that strike a balance between pest control efficacy and environmental stewardship. This study aims to explore eco-friendly approaches to managing H. halys populations.Methods: The research involved monitoring the population dynamics of H. halys in the central zone of the Krasnodar Territory, Russia. It also evaluated the efficacy of local parasitic insects Pediobius cassidae and Anastatus bifasciatus in reducing pest infestations, conducted laboratory tests on the insecticidal properties of essential oils from plants such as wormwood, coriander, and Siberian fir, and performed field trials on biological control agents.Results: Infestation rates by parasitic insects remained relatively low, ranging from 5-10%. Laboratory experiments demonstrated the potent insecticidal properties of essential oils derived from wormwood, coriander, and Siberian fir. Field trials further confirmed significant mortality rates of H. halys specimens when exposed to biological control agents.Conclusions: The study underscores the potential efficacy of utilizing parasitic insects and plant-derived essential oils in managing H. halys populations. These findings offer practical insights for promoting sustainable agricultural practices in the central zone of the Krasnodar Territory.Keywords: Brown marmorated stink bug; Biorational insecticides; Essential oils
Immobilization of lipase enzyme extracted from thermophilic Bacillus licheniformis 14T local isolate
Get PDFBackground: Currently, lipase enzymes are considered important bio-catalysts in many industries due to their unique properties in catalyzing various types of reactions in aqueous solutions. By targeting hydrocarbons in the oil, lipase enzymes contribute to the breakdown of hydrocarbons, reducing the environmental impact of oil spills and facilitating the remediation of contaminated areas.Methods: A thermostable lipase from local isolate Bacillus licheniformis 14T has been immobilized on four different supports that include the inactivated chitosan beads, activated chitosan beads with glutaraldehyde, inactivated chitosan-alginate beads, and activated chitosan-alginate beads with glutaraldehyde.Results The purified free lipase enzyme exhibited the highest enzymatic activity at 34.6 units/ml, surpassing all immobilized enzymes. Specific activity increased to 96.25 and 79.03 unit/mg protein for activated chitosan beads and activated chitosan-alginate beads, while decreasing to 52.95 and 46.05 unit/mg protein for inactivated chitosan beads and inactivated chitosan-alginate beads compared to the free enzyme. Optimal conditions for the immobilized enzyme differed, with the highest enzyme activity achieved after 60 minutes at 60°C and pH 8, reaching 48.6, 70.23, 43.12, and 61.2 units/ml on various supports, contrasting with the free enzyme's peak activity after 30 minutes at 50°C and pH 7.Conclusions: Immobilizing the lipase enzyme increases the specific activity of the immobilized enzyme on the supports of activated chitosan beads with, also the immobilization process led to a change in the optimal conditions for the activity of the immobilized enzyme compared with the optimal conditions of free enzyme.Keywords: Lipase; Bacillus licheniformis; Immobilization; Chitosan; Alginate Editorial Expression of Concern:18 May 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about problems in use of references. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community as we address the errors.Editorial Note:29 May 2025: You are viewing the latest version of this article having minor corrections in bibliographic section. Expression of concern is hereby revoked
Method for disrupting the reproductive pheromone bond of the cotton bollworm on sunflower crops
Get PDFBackground: Synthetic analogs of sexual pheromones provide an effective method of biorational control of the number of phytophagous insects based on the directed disruption of reproductive functions in populations of the target pest on the protected crop without affecting the integrity of the agrocenosis. The work aims to determine the biological effectiveness of methods of mass trapping and disorientation of the cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) to protect sunflower (Helianthus annuus) crops.Methods: The experiments were carried out in 2022-2023 in the Central Zone of the Krasnodar Territory, Russia in the stationary scientific crop rotation at the Federal Research Center for Biological Plant Protection, Krasnodar (2.5 ha) and the Kononenko farm, Novovelichkovskaya village, Dinsky district (10 ha). The biological effectiveness of elimination and disorientation methods was judged by the degree of damage to plants and buds. The disorientation effect was calculated by the number of males captured at the disorientation sites compared to the control sites.Result: The decrease in males’ search activity (disorientation effect) reached 85.3%. The damage to buds by the pest in this variant was 2.0% compared to 10.8% in the control group. In the mass trapping variant, it equaled 1.5-3.0 and 7.5%, respectively, indicating the prospects of including these techniques in the H. armigera biorational control system.Conclusion: Our findings could aid future research on insect chemical communication to develop effective biological control methods.Keywords: Biological plant protection; Sunflower; Cotton bollworm; Synthetic sex pheromones; Elimination; Disorientation; Biological effectivenes
Changes of Serum Midkine as a Dynamic Prognostic Factor in Detection for Thyroid Cancer and Comparison with Fine-Needle Aspiration
Get PDFBackground: Midkine plays a significant role in the pathophysiology of malignant and other diseases since it is involved in a number of physiological processes, including development, reproduction, and repair. Different types of cells express this protein. Thus, in healthy conditions, significant MDK expression is observed in lymphocytes, the epidermis, and the bronchial epithelium. The sample obtained during fine needle aspiration can help in the diagnosis of or rule out disorders like cancer. Blood is the most practical and least likely bodily fluid to pollute while diagnosing illnesses. Finding successful prognostic markers in patients with well-defined thyroid cancer was the goal of the current investigation.Methods: Midkine level was measured in serum samples by using Elisa technique for 80 patients (40 patient was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma and another 40 with benign thyroid goiter), Age (25-55) from Iraqis people.Results: The current study revealed highly significant difference the median serum level of medkine in the TC patients was much higher than that of BTT patients with a highly significant difference The sensitivity and specificity of the test at cut off value of medkine=129 pg/ml were 90% for both. While FNA result, the sensitivity and specificity of FNAC was 80.77% and 89.66% respectively.Conclusions: The thyroid cancer group's serum MDK result was noticeably higher than that of the healthy control groups. proposed that the midkine might serve as a biochemical marker for thyroid cancer early identification and diagnosis.Keywords: Thyroid cancer; Papillary thyroid carcinoma; Midkine; ELISA; FNA
Bioinformatic Analysis of Oxygen Sensitivity in Arcobacter bivalviorum's Pyruvate:Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase (PFOR)
Get PDFBackground: Arcobacter bivalviorum is an emerging foodborne pathogen particularly found in shellfish and other bivalves. This bacterium's metabolic versatility is highlighted by its possession of both the Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex (PDC) and Pyruvate:Ferredoxin Oxidoreductase (PFOR). The PFOR enzyme is crucial for linking glycolysis to the citric acid cycle. Previous studies of PFOR enzyme reveal its susceptibility to oxygen damage due to its reliance on Fe-S clusters for electron transfer.Methods: The current study employs bioinformatic approaches to explore the oxygen sensitivity of A. bivalviorum's PFOR, comparing it with Desulfovibrio africanus and Moorella thermoacetica. The UniProt database was used to obtain the sequences of PFOR from D. africanus (CAA70873), A. bivalviorum (AXH11209), and M. thermoacetica (Q2RMD6). This comparative analysis sheds light on the structural similarities and differences between the enzymes, providing a deeper understanding of their functional mechanisms.Result: PFOR enzyme is a heterodimer, with its functional subunits containing three [4Fe-4S]²⁺ clusters. Its exposed Fe-S clusters are vulnerable to oxygen and ROS, leading to enzyme inactivation. A comparison of PFOR sequences from D. africanus, M. thermoacetica, and A. bivalviorum reveals a crucial difference: the final 43 residues at the C-terminal of D. africanus are missing in the other two enzymes, depriving the M. thermoacetica and A. bivalviorum enzymes of a self-protective mechanism.Conclusion: Pyruvate:ferredoxin oxidoreductase (PFOR) in A. bivalviorum lacks protection from oxidative damage due to the absence of the final 43 amino acids at the C-terminal.Keywords: PFOR; Homology modeling; oxygen sensitivity; Foodborne pathogen
Evaluation of the effects of magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles on adults of Schistocerca gregaria
Get PDFBackground: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of magnesium oxide nanoparticles on desert locust adults and thus recommend its use in integrated pest management programs.Methods: This study investigated the impact of magnesium oxide nanoparticles (MgO) on adult Schistocerca gregaria. The insects were treated with Nano and Lambda-cyhalothrin 4% at three different concentrations, in addition to a control group with a concentration of 0.00, 0.150, 0.300, and 0.600 mL/L.Results: The study revealed a positive correlation between the concentration of nanomaterial mixed with the insecticide and the fatality rate. The study revealed that the half-lethal concentration (LC50) value is 0.050. Furthermore, the results indicated a significant disparity between the impact of nanoparticles and the pesticide, with respective p-values of 0.008 and 0.15 at concentrations of 0.150 and 0.600. However, both substances exhibited an equal effect at a concentration of 0.300. The impact of MgO nanoparticles and the pesticide on insect fertility was evident across all three concentrations of the nanomaterial mixed with the pesticide. The observed fertility rates were 35.4%, 35.4%, and 78.2%, respectively. In contrast, the control group consisting solely of the pesticide showed no difference in fertility, with a rate of 0%.Conclusion: When magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles and Lambda-cyhalothrin 4% insecticide are mixed, they have a big effect on adult desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria). This is due to the high toxicity of the nanoparticles and their ability to penetrate the insect's cuticle layer, as well as their effect on the respiratory system and the gastrointestinal system of insects. It was shown that increasing the concentration of nanoparticles mixed with this pesticide results in higher mortality rates for both male and female individuals of the species. Additionally, it causes a decrease in the fertility rate, specifically for female insects, when exposed to the pesticide.Keywords: Schistocerca gregaria; Magnesium oxide nanoparticles; Insect control; Acrididae
Assessing the Awareness, Perceptions, and Behaviors Regarding the Harmful Effects of Smoking Among Smokers – An Interventional Community-Based Study
Get PDFBackground: Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of premature deaths. Tobacco control remains a top priority, and health warning labels (HWLs) are one of the recommended methods. The goal of health education is to influence their perception of tobacco use, thereby discouraging smokers and would-be-smokers from smoking. This study aimed to ascertain the level of awareness, perceptions, and behaviors regarding the harmful effects of smoking among male smokers in Farasan Island, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods: A pre-experimental group with pre- and post-test design was conducted from January 2022 to March 2022. A total of 200 participants were selected using a purposive non-probability sampling technique. The questionnaire was prepared using the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) and World Health Organization guidelines.Results: Of the 199 participants, 91% had a family history of smoking, and 78.4% started smoking between the ages of 22–23. Most participants (48.2%) smoked 2–5 cigarettes per day. The mean knowledge score increased from the pre-test 4.49 (1.787) to post-test 17.5 (1.07), with a mean difference of 6.237. In perception, the maximum score was 55, while the mean score significantly increased from 21.65 (3.21) to 49.78 (2.69) in the post-test. Therefore, the educational intervention successfully improved both knowledge and perceptions of smoking.Conclusion: Most participants had a family history of smoking and started smoking at a young age. This study highlights the need for increased awareness and education regarding the harmful effects of smoking and the development of strategies for smoking cessation.Keywords: Awareness; Perception; Behavior; Smoking; Tobacco Control Editorial Expression of Concern:18 May 2025: Following publication of this paper, the internal audit (consequent to concerns on quality raised by Web of Science) notified Advancements in Life Sciences about problems in use of English language and references. By this Editorial Expression of Concern, we alert the scientific community as we address the errors.Editorial Note:31 May 2025: You are viewing the latest version of this article having minor corrections related to the use of English language and in references section. Expression of concern is hereby revoked.
The Therapeutic Effect of Hydroxychloroquine on Patients with Recurrent Miscarriage and the Risk Assessment of its Ocular Retinal Toxicity
Get PDFBackground: Recurrent miscarriage (RM) refers to the unfortunate loss of pregnancy at least three times before the 20th week of gestation. The present study examined hydroxychloroquine (HCQ)'s therapeutic effects in recurrent miscarriage owing to potential positive outcomes like increased rate of live births and negative outcomes like ocular and retinal toxicity.Methods: The investigation involved the randomization of 400 mg of HCQ intervention in 91 pregnant women attending a monthly clinic at the Wenzhou TCM Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University.Results: According to the results, HCQ results in positive pregnancy outcomes, with improving rates of live births with continued use of the medication. At the same time, the results produced significant safety issues, including HCQ deposition in the retina and ocular toxicity. An investigation of HCQ's effects on the retinal nerve fiber layer measurements, ganglion cell layer measurements, and the inner plexiform layer measurements revealed a dynamic trend.Conclusion: We did not obtain conclusive outcomes regarding HCQ's effects on the changes in retinal measurements. However, the deposition of HCQ in the retina and the resulting vision loss, especially loss of color vision, stood out. These outcomes represent the safety and therapeutic effects of HCQ in pregnancy, posing concerns and creating the need for further studies. Interestingly, none of these outcomes were related to or dependent on the participants' age.Keywords: HCQ; Recurrent miscarriage; Ocular retinal toxicity; Effects; Live births; Still birth