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关键词： Brucellosis   Doxycycline   Nanoparticle   Trace elements  

摘要： Disease relapse is one of the most important challenges in treating brucellosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of doxycycline-loaded solid nanoparticles (DOX-SLN) on acute and chronic brucellosis, serum levels of trace elements, and biochemical and hematological parameters in rats infected with Brucella melitensis. The treating effect of DOX-SLN was evaluated by investigating serum levels of trace elements such as zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), sodium (Na), and potassium (K);biochemical parameters such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and total bilirubin (TBil);and hematological parameters in rats suffering from acute and chronic brucellosis. The mean size, zeta potential, PDI, drug loading, and encapsulation efficiency of the synthesized nanoparticles were 299 +/- 34 nm, - 28.7 +/- 3.2 mV, 0.29 +/- 0.027, 11.2 +/- 1.3%, and 94.9 +/- 3.2%, respectively. The serum level of trace elements (Zn, Cu, Fe), biochemical parameters (AST, ALT, ALP, TBil), and hematological parameters (white blood cell (WBC) and hemoglobin (HB)) were significantly different between healthy and infected rats. DOX-SLN had an appropriate treating effect on chronic brucellosis through modifying the serum level of mentioned factors. Assessing the serum level of trace elements, biochemical and hematological parameters can be useful in detecting brucellosis with other diagnostic tests and determining its acute or chronic phase. DOX-SLN had a better efficacy in treating chronic brucellosis than ordinary free drugs used routinely in this regard.

关键词： Metal nanoparticles   Nanoecotoxicology   Histopathology   Colloidal silver   Persian sturgeon   Gills  

摘要： The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of salinity on the acute and sub-chronic toxicity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in Persian sturgeon. This was evaluated by exposing Persian sturgeon to AgNPs in three salinities: freshwater (F: 0.4 ppt), brackish water 1 (B-1: 6 +/- 0.2 ppt), and brackish water 2 (B-2: 12 +/- 0.3 ppt) for 14 days, which was followed by analysis of alterations in plasma chemistry and histopathology of the gills, liver, and intestine. Values of 96-h median lethal concentration (LC50) were calculated as 0.89 mg/L in F, 2.07 mg/L in B-1, and 1.59 mg/L in B-2. After sub-chronic exposures, plasma cortisol, glucose, potassium, and sodium levels illustrated no significant changes within each salinity level. In F, 0.2 mg/L AgNP caused the highest levels of alkaline phosphatase and osmolality levels. In B-1, 0.6 mg/L AgNP induced the highest level of alkaline phosphatase and elevated plasma osmolality was recorded in all AgNP-exposed treatments in comparison with the controls. The B-2 treatment combined with 0.6 mg/L AgNP significantly reduced plasma chloride level. The results showed elevating salinity significantly increased osmolality, chloride, sodium, and potassium levels of plasma in the fish exposed to AgNPs. The abundance of the tissue lesions was AgNP concentration-dependent, where the highest number of damages was observed in the gills, followed by liver and intestine, respectively. The histopathological study also confirmed alterations such as degeneration of lamella, lifting of lamellar epithelium, hepatic vacuolation, pyknotic nuclei, and cellular infiltration of the lamina propria elicited by AgNPs in the gills, liver, and intestine of Persian sturgeon. In conclusion, the stability of AgNPs in aquatic environments can be regulated by changing the salinity, noting that AgNPs are more stable in low salinity waters.

摘要： The Special Issue “Orchid Biochemistry” collected original research and review articles that explore molecular aspects and insights into pigment formation, floral scent and pollination, bioactive compounds, plant-microbial interaction as well as biotechnology in orchid species. 1. According to the results, they proposed a microRNA-suppressing model for explaining the regulation in flower spot formation. Ramya et al. contributed a review to summarize the advances of volatile organic compounds in orchids mainly focusing on their gene expression patterns in different tissues and developmental stages of Cymbidium orchids as well as their key role in pollination ecology [8].

关键词： Huso huso   Zinc oxide   Chitosan-zinc nanoparticles   Blood parameters  

摘要： The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with zinc oxide (ZnO) and chitosan-zinc nanoparticles (chitosan-ZnO NPs) on biochemical, immunological, and antioxidant biomarkers in blood of juvenile belugas (Huso huso). The beluga juveniles with initial weight of 287 +/- 46 g were fed with eight experimental diets containing 0 g kg(-1) ZnO (the control diet);10, 20, and 40 mg kg(-1) ZnO;and 10, 20, and 40 mg kg(-1) chitosan-ZnO NPs and 36 mg kg(-1) chitosan. After 28 days of culture, the fish were fed with ZnO and chitosan-ZnO NP-supplemented diets showed a more significant increase in total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity (p < 0.05) compared to the control group. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in malondialdehyde (MDA) and glucose level in all treatment groups. The results showed that with increasing levels of ZnO and chitosan-ZnO NPs, alternative complement activity (ACH50), and total immunoglobulin, total protein, albumin, and lysozyme had a significant increase in fish fed with ZnO and chitosan-ZnO NP-supplemented diets compared to the control group (p < 0.05). ALP, ALT, and AST enzyme activities showed significant difference between control and treatment groups (p > 0.05), while the levels of LDH enzyme activity, urea, and creatinine decreased by increasing both ZnO and chitosan-ZnO NP levels. These results demonstrated that dietary chitosan-ZnO NPs could improve the health status, immune function, and antioxidant capacity of the cultured beluga juvenile.

关键词： Antioxidant activity   Callus culture   Salinity   Total phenolics content  

摘要： Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) is considered as a noteworthy herbal medicine. However, no study has been conducted on the physiological adaptive mechanism of it to salinity stress, especially under in vitro condition. To this aim, the callus cultures of ten different genotypes of N. sativa were applied to evaluate the changes occurring in biochemical traits under salinity stress. The calluses were exposed to the in vitro salt stress using different sodium chloride concentrations (0, 84, and 250 mM). A reduction occurred in the content of K+ and callus growth by enhancing the NaCl concentration. However, most of the content of Na+ (4 mgg(- 1) DW), malondialdehyde (1.38 mu molg(- 1) FW), total phenolic content (1.18 mg GAEg(-1) FW), thymol (25.26 mgg(- 1) DW), total flavonoids content (0.06 mg QEg(- 1) FW), total flavonols (TFL) content (0.023 mg QEg(- 1) FW), total anthocyanins (Ant) (0.05 mu mol g(- 1) FW) and DPPH activity (58.17%) was observed at 250 mM of NaCl. In fact, two secondary metabolites including TFL and Ant can be considered as the major contributors to the potential antioxidant activity of N. sativa at the callus level. The elicitation through NaCl opens new avenues for the selection of best dosages of NaCl for the enhancement of commercially important secondary metabolites, in superior genotypes (Nig(1) and Nig(2)) of N. sativa at cellular level.

关键词： Chronic mild stress   Photobiomodulation   Methylene blue   Learning and memory   Anxiety   Near-infrared laser  

摘要： The effectiveness of transcranial photobiomodulation (tPBM) and methylene Blue (MB) in treating learning and memory impairments is previously reported. In this study, we investigated the effect of tPBM and MB in combination or alone on unpredictable chronic mild stress (UCMS)-induced learning and memory impairments in mice. Fifty-five male BALB/c mice were randomly allocated to five groups: control, laser sham + normal saline (NS), tPBM + NS, laser sham + MB, and tPBM + MB. All groups except the control underwent UCMS and were treated simultaneously for 4 weeks. Elevated plus maze (EPM) was used to evaluate anxiety-like behaviors. Novel object recognition (NOR) test and Barnes maze tests were used to evaluate learning and memory function. The serum cortisol and brain nitric oxide (NO), reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were measured by spectrophotometric methods. Behavioral tests revealed that UCMS impaired learning and memory, and treatment with PBM, MB, and their combination reversed these impairments. Levels of NO, ROS, SOD activity in brain, and serum cortisol levels significantly increased while brain GPx activity and total antioxidant capacity significantly decreased in the sham + NS animals when compared with the controls. A significant improvement was observed in treatment groups due to reversion of the aforementioned molecular analysis caused by UCMS when it was compared with control levels. Both tPBM and MB in combination or alone have significant therapeutic effects on learning and memory impairments in UCMS-received animals.

关键词： Carotenoid   Dragonfly   Food chain   Comparative biochemistry   Chemical ecology  

摘要： Carotenoids of 20 species of dragonflies (including 14 species of Anisoptera and six species of Zygoptera) were investigated from the viewpoints of comparative biochemistry and chemical ecology. In larvae, beta-carotene, beta-cryptoxanthin, lutein, and fucoxanthin were found to be major carotenoids in both Anisoptera and Zygoptera. These carotenoids were assumed to have originated from aquatic insects, water fleas, tadpoles, and small fish, which dragonfly larvae feed on. Furthermore, beta-caroten-2-ol and echinenone were also found in all species of larvae investigated. In adult dragonflies, beta-carotene was found to be a major carotenoid along with lutein, zeaxanthin, beta-caroten-2-ol, and echinenone in both Anisoptera and Zygoptera. On the other hand, unique carotenoids, beta-zeacarotene, beta,psi-carotene (gamma-carotene), torulene, beta,gamma-carotene, and gamma,gamma-carotene, were present in both Anisoptera and Zygoptera dragonflies. These carotenoids were not found in larvae. Food chain studies of dragonflies suggested that these carotenoids originated from aphids, and/or possibly from aphidophagous ladybird beetles and spiders, which dragonflies feed on. Lutein and zeaxanthin in adult dragonflies were also assumed to have originated from flying insects they feed on, such as flies, mosquitoes, butterflies, moths, and planthoppers, as well as spiders. beta-Caroten-2-ol and echinenone were found in both dragonfly adults and larvae. They were assumed to be metabolites of beta-carotene in dragonflies themselves. Carotenoids of dragonflies well reflect the food chain during their lifecycle.

关键词： Methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency   Metabolome   Mitochondrial function   Clinical and biochemical phenotype  

摘要： Methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase deficiency (MMSDD;MIM 614105) is a rare autosomal recessive defect of valine and pyrimidine catabolism. Four prior MMSDD cases are published. We present a fifth case, along with functional and metabolomic analysis. The patient, born to non-consanguineous parents of East African origin, was admitted at two weeks of age for failure to thrive. She was nondysmorphic, had a normal brain MRI, and showed mild hypotonia. Gastroesophageal reflux occurred with feeding. Urine organic acid assessment identified excess 3-hydroxyisobutyrate and 3-hydroxypropionate, while urine amino acid analysis identified elevated concentrations of beta-aminoisobutyrate and beta-alanine. Plasma amino acids showed an elevated concentration of beta-aminoisobutyrate with undetectable beta-alanine. ALDH6A1 gene sequencing identified a homozygous variant of uncertain significance, c.1261C > T (***421Ser). Management with valine restriction led to reduced concentration of abnormal analytes in blood and urine, improved growth, and reduced gastroesophageal reflux. Western blotting of patient fibroblast extracts demonstrated a large reduction of methylmalonate semialdehyde dehydrogenase (MMSD) protein. Patient cells displayed compromised mitochondrial function with increased superoxide production, reduced oxygen consumption, and reduced ATP production. Metabolomic profiles from patient fibroblasts demonstrated over-representation of fatty acids and fatty acylcarnitines, presumably due to methylmalonate semialdehyde shunting to beta-alanine and subsequently to malonyl-CoA with ensuing increase of fatty acid synthesis. Previously reported cases of MMSDD have shown variable clinical presentation. Our case continues the trend as clinical phenotypes diverge from prior cases. Recognition of mitochondrial dysfunction and novel metabolites in this patient provide the opportunity to assess future patients for secondary changes that may influence clinical outcome.

关键词： Non-host resistance   Reactive oxygen species   Antioxidants   Gene expression  

摘要： Generally, under normal conditions plants are resistant to many of the incompatible pathogens (viral, fungal and bacterial), and this is named "non-host resistance phenomenon". To understand this phenomenon, different types of food crops (faba bean, squash, barley and wheat) were inoculated with compatible and incompatible pathogens. Strong resistance symptoms were observed in the non-host/incompatible pathogen combinations as compared with host/compatible pathogen combinations, which showed severe infection (susceptibility). Reactive oxygen species (ROS) mostly hydrogen peroxide and superoxide were significantly increased early 24 and 48 h after inoculation (hai) in the non-host plants comparing to the host. Antioxidant enzymes activity (catalase, polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase) were not increased at the same early time 24, 48 hai in the non-host resistant and host resistant plants, however, it increased later at 72 and 168 hai. Electrolyte leakage decreased significantly in non-host resistant and host resistant/pathogen combinations. Catalase and peroxidase genes were significantly expressed in non-host resistant and in host resistant plants as compared to the host susceptible one, which did not show expression using RT-PCR technique. Furthermore, Yr5, Yr18 and Yr26 resistant genes were identified positively using PCR in all treatments either host susceptible or non-host resistant plants in which prove that no clear role of these resistant genes in resistance. Early accumulation of ROS could have a dual roles, first role is preventing the growth or killing the pathogens early in the non-host, second, stimulating the gene appearance of related genes in addition the activition of antioxidant enzymes later on which thereby, neutralize the harmful effect of ROS and consequently suppressing disease symptoms. The new finding from this study supporting the plant breeders with new source of resistance to develop new resistant cultivars and/or stop the breakdown of resi

关键词： carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency   clinical presentation   CPS1   hyperammonemia   urea cycle disorders  

摘要： Background Carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 deficiency (CPS1D) is a rare urea cycle disorder. The aim of this study was to present the clinical findings, management, biochemical data, molecular genetic analysis, and short-term prognosis of five children with CPS1D. Methods The information of five CPS1D patients was retrospectively studied. We used targeted next-generation sequencing to identify carbamoyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) variants in patients suspected to have CPS1D. Candidate mutations were validated by Sanger sequencing. In silico and structure analyses were processed for the pathogenicity predictions of the identified mutations. Results The patients had typically clinical manifestations and biochemical data of CPS1D. Genetic analysis revealed nine mutations in the CPS1 gene, including recurrence of c.1145C > T, five of which were firstly reported. Seven mutations were missense changes, while the remaining two were predicted to create premature stop codons. In silico and structure analyses showed that these genetic lesions were predicted to affect the function or stability of the enzyme. Conclusion We reported five cases of CPS1D. Five novel mutations of CPS1 gene were found. Mutations of CPS1 have private nature, and most of them are missense compound heterozygous. The mutation affecting residue predicted to interfere the catalytic sites, the internal tunnel, or the regulatory domain results in severe phenotype.