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Immunological exploration based studies on Strychnos nux-vomica regarding antigen specific immune response
Get PDFIn an effort to determine its cytotoxicity as well as antigen specific immune activity of aqueous leaves extract of Strychnos nux-vomica using hepatitis B vaccine containing surface antigen (HBsAg; 20 µg/ml) pertaining to antibody production and scrutinize its proliferative response along with cytokines in lysed human whole blood. For these studies, phytochemical (qualitative) analysis was determined and evaluates the presence of secondary metabolites through high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and bio-inorganic fingerprinting. In addition, indirect Elisa was performed using HBsAg as coating antigen using variable doses (1-30 mg/ml) of Strychnos nux-vomica. In continuation of these immunological studies, antigen specific immune response along with cytotoxicity was determined through MTT assay in infected human whole blood using HBsAg (20 µg/ml, 50 µl). The results showed that Strychnos nux-vomica showed qualitatively as well as quantitatively determined the presence of secondary metabolites along with bio-inorganic compounds. In addition, Strychnos nux-vomica showed enhancement in anti-HBsAg IgG titre as compared to standard and control but there is sudden decline in proliferation with HBsAg and also showed decline in cytokines (IL-2 and IL-12) level at higher doses as compared to control. Our data suggest that Strychnos nux-vomica may help to raise antibodies against HBsAg but sudden decline in HBsAg proliferative response along with cytokines (IL-2 and IL-12) in infected lysed human whole blood and also showed some cytotoxic effect at higher doses. In other words, Strychnos nux-vomica could be a potent immune enhancer of B cells and inhibitor of T cells against HBsAg.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.324422
In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial activities from aqueous and methanolic extracts of cyanobacteria
Get PDFIn this present study, antimicrobial activities of aqueous and methanolic extracts of cyanobacteria against some of fungi and pathogenic bacteria were investigated. Cyanobacteria strains Fischerella ambigua ISC67 and Schizothrix vaginata ISC108 were cultured in BG-11 medium. Extraction was performed by adding the solvent to cyanobacterial biomass and then filtering and drying of the mixture. The antimicrobial activity was evaluated by disc diffusion method and broth microdilution method was applied to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration. The results show that the aqueous and methanolic extracts of F. ambigua has a significant antimicrobial effect while, the tested extracts of S. vaginata was no significant antibacterial and antifungal activity. Highest antibacterial activity from aqueous extract of F. ambigua was against S. aureus (PTCC 1112) which the average zone diameter around it was 33.33 mm. The antibacterial effect of aqueous extracts against Gram-positive bacteria was more than Gram-negative bacteria significantly. Antifungal activity showed that methanolic extract of F. ambigua have significant antifungal activity. Minimum inhibitory concentration of active extract against most tested bacterial and fungal was 125 mg/ml. The present study has proved that the aqueous and methanolic extracts of F. ambigua possessed strong antibacterial and antifungal properties against the pathogenic microorganism. Therefore, cyanobacteria can be a rich source for natural products with antimicrobial activity.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.346363
Optimization of copper for the improvement of in vitro plant tissue growth of Solanum nigrum
Get PDFHere was investigated the incorporation of copper in MS medium on growth, and metabolic activities of Solanum nigrum callus. Copper up to 75 µM increased the growth, and thereafter a decline was observed. No considerable alteration in MDA, H2O2, bound phenolics, flavonoids, ascorbate, and copper content was observed with the existence of 25 µM copper, then levels of these parameters were raised with rising copper concentrations. Similarly, 25 µM copper didn't induce a considerable change in lipoxygenase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, peroxidase, phenylalanine ammonia lyase, and polyphenol oxidase activities, however, high levels stimulated these enzymes. Copper at 25 µM didn’t considerably reduce amino acids and soluble proteins, whereas higher concentrations reduced these parameters. Copper treatments reduced the soluble carbohydrates accumulation; only 75 µM enhanced this accumulation. Copper at 25 µM significantly increased the potassium accumulation, whereas higher concentrations reduced this accumulation. From these results, it might be contemplated the optimum effect concerning copper.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.284864
Ameliorating effect of quercetin against UV radiation-induced damage in Drosophila melanogaster
Get PDFQuercetin is a plant flavonoid found in various fruits, leaves such as tea, vegetables and has been extensively studied due to its antioxidative, anticancer, anti-inflammatory and anti-neurodegenarative effects. UV radiation is harmful for human being as it may cause several complications such as skin cancer. Fruit fly (Drosophila sp.) has long been used as an arthropod model for genetics related studies. In the present study, the protective effect of quercetin is evaluated against UV-C radiation induced damage using Drosophila melanogaster. Pre-treatment with quercetin (10 µM) recovered the shortened lifespan caused by UV radiation and has also increased eclosion rate and the dose of quercetin is lower than the previously reported doses of other flavonoids. Flies subjected to moderate dose of UV radiation showed distinct abnormal characters such as incomplete abdominal pigmentation, curly wings or outstretched wings, whereas quercetin pretreatment showed no such abnormal characters or mutant phenotypes. There is a considerable amount of change in the eclosed adult fly size, pupal size and pupal migration distance as well. Gel electrophoresis study of salivary gland DNA of D. melanogaster demonstrates the efficacy of quercetin in conferring protection to DNA against UV radiation-induced damage. Therefore, it can be concluded that quercetin may act as an effective protective agent against UV radiation-induced damage.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.358854
Petrified Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius colony to strontianite
Get PDFWhen biomass of the thermophilic bacteria Geobacillus thermoglucosidasius is brought into contact with a hydrogel containing sodium acetate and strontium, the biomass petrifies and hardens, becoming a mineralized thin film after incubation at 60˚C for 72 h. Analysis by energy dispersive X-ray and X-ray diffraction shows that the mineralized thin film is strontianite. This is the first report of biomass completely changing to strontianite. Strontianite of thermophilic bacterial origin may be formed in the hydrothermal oligotrophic environment of the deep subsurface.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.114670
Neurospora tetraspora D. Garcia, Stchigel & Guarro (= Gelasinospora tetrasperma Dowding) as a first record to Egypt
Get PDFAn interesting isolate of homothallic, ascosporic filamentous fungus having 4-spored asci, was recovered once from a non-rhizosphere soil sample collected from a grapevine plantation in the village of El-Khawaled, Sahel-Saleem city, Assiut. It was isolated on DYM agar plate at 25°C in June 2008. The isolate was identified phenotypically and genotypically as Neurospora tetraspora (= Gelasinospora tetrasperma) and was deposited in the culture collection of Assiut University Mycological Centre as AUMC no. 6784 and ITS gene sequence of the strain was deposited at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) and assigned a GenBank accession number JQ425383. N. tetraspora is being recorded in the current work for the first time in Egypt. By this addition, the genus is now known in Egypt by four species. A key is provided for the four species.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.116560
Pectin coating of titanium and polystyrene surfaces modulates the macrophage inflammatory response
Get PDFTitanium has been used with success for bone anchoring of dental implants. However, when implant surfaces are exposed to the oral environment, the progression of peri-implantitis triggered by specific oral bacteria has been reported. Bacterial colonization of implants leads to prolonged immune cell activation and bone resorption. A new strategy to improve implant biocompatibility and prevent peri-implantitis is to develop pectin surface nanocoatings. These plant-derived polysaccharides are promising candidates for surface nanocoatings of titanium implants due to their osteogenic and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the in vitro effect of nanocoating with plant-derived rhamnogalacturonan-I (RG-I) on pro- and anti-inflammatory responses of primary human monocyte-derived macrophages (HMDMs) induced by Escherichia coli LPS and Porphyromonas gingivalis bacteria. In the present study, two different types of surface materials, tissue culture polystyrene (TCPS) plates and titanium (Ti) discs, coated with pectic polysaccharides, potato unmodified RG-I (PU) and potato dearabinanated RG-I (PA), have been examined. The inflammatory responses of HMDMs after E. coli LPS/P. gingivalis stimulation were investigated through gene expression measurements of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The results showed that PU and PA decreased expression of the proinflammatory genes tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFA), interleukin-1 beta (IL1B) and interleukin-8 (IL8) in activated HMDMs cultured on TCPS/Ti surfaces. In contrast, the effects on anti-inflammatory interleukin-10 (IL10) gene expression were not significant. The results indicate that RG-Is should be considered as a candidate for organic nanocoatings of titanium implant surfaces in order to limit host proinflammatory responses and improve bone healing.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.125054
Dynamics of oxygen consumption during the formation of the anoxic zone in aquatic environment
Get PDFAnoxic environments and communities of anaerobic organisms are encountered in aquatic environments and biotechnological reactors. Because of their importance, they are continuously studied. In this study, the dynamics of oxygen removal were observed during experiments reproducing the formation of the anoxic zone. Seven experiments were performed in an aquarium (volume: 60 l) with bottom sediments and water collected from different aquatic environments (river, pond, eutrophic lake, sea). To exclude reaeration, the water was isolated from the air by a layer of liquid paraffin. Below the paraffin layer the water was periodically mixed with a stirrer and sampled for oxygen concentration. Initially, a high rate of oxygen consumption was observed. Later, at low oxygen concentrations, the oxygen removal rate switched to a much lower one. Anoxic conditions were observed after 4-20 days of incubation, depending on the experiment. The point at which the microbial community converted from aerobic respiration to anaerobic metabolism was distinct and was observed at an oxygen concentration of 0.26-1.41 mg/l, depending on the experiment. The experiments were accompanied by bacterial counts and analyses of ciliate communities. The study indicates how the disappearance of oxygen during anoxic zone formation should be modeled, and provides data on the oxygen removal rates associated with aerobic and anaerobic communities of microorganisms.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.144357
Biochemical composition and antioxidant properties of some seaweeds from Red Sea coast, Egypt
Get PDFThe current study investigated the biochemical composition and antioxidant properties of four seaweeds: Laurencia sp. (Rhodophyta), Cystoseira myrica, Hydroclathrus clathratus and Padina pavonica (Ochrophyta). The highest amount of carbohydrates was (215.78 mg/g dry wt.) in Laurencia sp. and proteins content was maximum (50 mg/g dry wt.) in Laurencia sp. and Cystoseira myrica. The highest values of free amino acid content were recorded in the brown seaweed species Cystoseira myrica (4.01 mg/g dry wt.). The pressurized hot water extract of Cystoseira myrica has the highest total phenolic content (1.61 mg GAE/g dry wt.). Cystoseira myrica contained the highest amounts of flavonoids (3.35 mg/g dry wt.), ascorbic acid (9.07 mg/g dry wt.) and α-tocopherol (27.25±0.00 abs. at 520 nm/g dry wt.). Furthermore, the ethyl alcohol extract of Cystoseira myrica showed high antioxidant capacities (541.6 mg/g dry wt.) and achieved the most powerful reducing ability among all of the different extracts of algal species. Statistical evaluation by Spearman correlation between the TAC assay and the total phenolic contents was found to be significant, but the correlation was nonsignificant between FRAP assay and the total phenolic contents. The composition of elements of the studied seaweed species was also analyzed. The most significant macro-elements present in the studied seaweeds were K, Na and Ca, representing that the seaweeds are good sources of these elements. Since, these seaweeds are widespread in the Egyptian waters, their biochemical composition and antioxidant capacities made them promising candidates for industrial, nutritional and pharmaceutical applications.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.147886
Predictors of residual disease after loop electrosurgical excision procedure
Get PDFThe study aims to evaluate the importance of resection margins in the risk of residual disease (RD) and to investigate other factors that could potentially predict RD before patients engage in follow-up. Eighty-six women with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of cervical intraepithelial neoplasms (CIN) treated by loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), were included in this retrospective study, between January 2015 and May 2016. Age, smoking habit, menopause status, and LEEP margins were evaluated as possible predictors of RD. The mean age at diagnosis was 35.8 years (range 18-61). The mean follow-up period was 12 months. 11.6% of patients (09/86) were lost in follow-up. 64% of patients (55/86) had clear margins in the specimen and 34.8% of patients had positive surgical margins (30/86). In 1.2% of patients (01/86) the resection margins were uncertain. RD was demonstrated by positive Pap Smear and by colposcopy-guided biopsy in 26.7% of patients (23/86). We found significant differences in the frequency of RD depending on the status of margins: 65.2% of cases with positive margins vs. 24.5% of cases with negative margins (p<0.0001). Multivariate analysis showed that only high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (H-SIL) detection in cervical biopsy and status of the LEEP margins were significantly predictive of RD (OR 5.4, 95%CI 1.08-27.7, p<0.05 and OR 7.05, 95%CI 2.1-23.1, p=0.001; respectively). The combination of histological examination of resection margins plus H-SIL detection in cervical biopsy would help to classify LEEP-treated patients into categories of different risk levels of residual disease.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.117370