Vol.9 No.2-2:Urtica pilulifera leaves exacerbate the cisplatin effect in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing mice

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By: Karim Samy El-Said*, Asmaa Reda Abdo Mahmoud Mohamed, Amro El-Sherbeni Mohamed

Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt

Abstract:

Conventional chemotherapy is an effective approach to cancer treatment. However, several side effects limited its uses. Natural products have been reported for their anticancer potential. This study evaluated the anticancer efficacy of Urtica pilulifera leaves extract (UPLE) alone or in combination with the Cis chemotherapeutic drug Cis in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC)-bearing mice. Phytochemical constituents were determined in UPLE by quantitative methods. Seventy mice were divided into seven groups (n = 10) as follows: Gp1 was used as a negative control, from Gp2 to Gp7 were inoculated with 1 × 106 EAC-cells/mouse, then Gp2 left as a positive control, Gp3 was injected with Cis (2 mg/kg), Gp4 was injected with UPLE (100 mg/kg), Gp5 was co-treated with Cis as Gp3 and UPLE as Gp4. Gp6 was injected with a low dose of Cis (0.5 mg/kg), and Gp7 was co-treated with a low dose of Cis as Gp6 and UPLE as Gp4. The body weight change percentages (b.wt%) were calculated. On day 14, all groups were sacrificed, the ascitic fluids were harvested, and the total tumor volume, count, and live and dead tumor cells were measured. Sera samples were collected for biochemical parameters assessment. Liver tissues were collected for the determination of oxidants/antioxidants biomarkers. The results showed that combinatorial treatment of the high or low doses of Cis with UPLE led to a synergistic effect on the reduction in the % b.wt changes due to the decrease in the ascitic tumor fluid. Cotreatment with Cis and UPLE exacerbates the antitumor efficacy of Cis with a significant decrease in liver dysfunctions induced by Cis and enhances the hepatic antioxidant status.

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Vol.9 No.2-1:Assessment of cbiL gene expression and vitamin B12 levels in acne vulgaris: involvement of both in-vivo and in-vitro studies

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By:Aly Atef Shoun1*, Ahmed Abd El-Naser Mohamed2* ,Gina Salah Fouad3, Abd-El Aziz El Rifaie4, Naglaa Abd-El Moniem Radi3

1  Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Sinai University, El Arish 45518, Egypt

2 Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, New Mansoura University, Egypt

3  Medical Microbiology and Immunology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Egypt

Dermatology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Egypt

Abstract:

Acne vulgaris (AV) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous follicles that affects nearly 90% of teenagers; half of them continue to experience symptoms as adults. There have been several reports of monomorphic acneiform eruptions in patients treated with intramuscular cobalamin injections. The eruptions resolved after the cessation of the therapy. Cyanocobalamin, pyridoxine (B6), and riboflavin (B2) have been reported to exacerbate existing acne. Moreover, it was reported that in acne patients, the serum level of vitamin B12 was significantly decreased after treatment, but no explanation was given. We propose a vitamin B12-mediated bacterial mechanism for acne pathogenesis on the evidence mentioned above. One hundred twenty AV patients were recruited.

   Our results proved that vitamin B12 was involved in the pathogenesis of AV; in vivo, it proved that AV patients had significantly higher serum levels of the vitamin than controls and showed a positive correlation to the disease duration and severity. In vitro, it proved that vitamin B12 supplementation to p. acnes cultures significantly raised the porphyrins produced in these cultures when compared to the non-supplemented ones. It also proved that this shift in the metabolism is secondary to inhibition of the cbiL gene of the vitamin B12 synthesis in the bacteria; as porphyrins and vitamin B12 share the same precursors, vitamin B12 does has a role in either elicitation or aggravation of AV.

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Vol.9 No.1-5: Effect of Phoenix dactylifera seeds extract on cadmium-induced hepatotoxicity in male mice

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By: Karim Samy El-Said*, Walaa Abasery Amoush, Amro El-Sherbeni Mohamed

Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt

Abstract

Heavy metals are common contaminants that have negative impacts on the body’s organs and systems. Date (Phoenix dactylifera) has a great interest in biomedical applications and traditional medicine for managing several diseases. This study evaluated the impact of Phoenix dactylifera seed extract (PDSE) on cadmium (Cd)-induced hepatotoxicity in mice. Fifty mice were equally divided into five groups, G1 was negative control, G2 was injected i.p. with PDSE (300 mg/kg b.wt) daily, G3 was injected i.p. with Cd (6.5 mg/kg b.wt) daily, G4 was injected with Cd and PDSE as in G2 and 3, respectively. G5 was injected with Cd as in G3 and then with EDTA (25 mg/kg b.wt). On day 15, sera samples were collected for biochemical parameters assessment. Liver tissues were collected for the determination of oxidants/antioxidants biomarkers and histopathological investigations. The results showed that treatment with PDSE significantly ameliorated the hepatic dysfunctions in the Cd-intoxicated mice evidenced by significant improvement in the ALT, AST, ALP, and total protein levels as well as in the total bilirubin and GGT levels.

Furthermore, there was a significant increase in the SOD and CAT activities with a significant decrease in MDA levels after treatment of Cd-injected mice with PDSE. Also, treatment with PDSE resulted in improvement in the hepatic architectures alterations induced by Cd. PDSE showed promising metal chelating activities in vitro and in Cd-intoxicated mice by ameliorating biochemical and histopathological alterations in the liver tissues induced by Cd of mice.

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Vol.9 No.1-4:VITAMIN D AND VITAMIN D RECEPTOR GENE VARIANT IN EGYPTIAN MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS PATIENTS: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY

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By: Doaa Mohammed Sultan1, Iman A. Mandour2, Khaled Mohamed Geba3, Asmaa Galal-Khallaf3 and Noha A. Radwan2

1Department of Zoology Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, Egypt

2Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Kasr Alainy Medical School, Cairo University, Egypt

3Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Science, Monifeya University, Egypt

ABSTRACT:

Aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease with a controversial etiology. Both genetic and environmental factors are thought to be involved in the risk of developing the disease. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of the Vitamin D receptor (VDR) BsmI variant with MS and to investigate the interaction of this variant with vitamin D levels. Method: 100 subjects were recruited for this study. Fifty patients were diagnosed with MS and 50 were healthy individuals. BsmI was genotyped by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses in both groups and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were determined in MS patients by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: The distribution of the genotype of VDR polymorphism BsmI did not differ significantly between MS patients and healthy controls. The G allele of BsmI was a statistically significant higher percentage in MS patients (p-value 0.045). There is no statistically significant difference in the level of 25(OH)D between MS patients and the control group. Conclusions: The study findings suggest that the VDR gene variant BsmI G allele may increase the risk of the development of MS.

VITAMIN-D-AND-VITAMIN-D-RECEPTOR-GENE-VARIANT-IN-EGYPTIAN-MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS-PATIENTS-A-CASE-CONTOL-STUDY

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Vol.9 No.1-3:Parotoid gland secretions of the Egyptian toad (Bufo relgularis): In vivo antitumor effect on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma bearing mice

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By: Sabry Ali El-Naggar1*, Mohamed Aboulfotouh Basyony1, Seham Mohamed El-Feki1*, Ramadan Mahmoud Kandyel1

1Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Parotoid gland secretions (PGS) contain several bioactive compounds with potential applications for drug development. Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the in vivo antitumor effect of PGS collected from the Egyptian toad, Bufo relgularis using Ehrlich ascites carcinoma-bearing mice (EAC). Methods: The median lethal dose (LD50) of PGS was determined, then forty CD-1 female mice were divided into 4 groups (n=10) as follows: Group (Gp1) served as a negative control. Gp2-Gp4 had inoculated intraperitoneally (i.p) with 1×106 EAC cells/mouse. Then, Gp2 was left as a positive control (EAC- bearing mice). After 24 hours, Gp3 had injected i.p with Cisplatin (Cis) (2 mg/kg) on day 1 for 7 consecutive days. Gp4 had injected with 1/10 LD50 of PGS (7.85 mg/kg, b.wt) i.p for 7 consecutive days. All groups were sacrificed on day 14 to collect blood samples. The percentages of total body weight (% bwt) change, tumor volume, and total tumor cell counts were determined. Alanine and aspartate transaminases (ALT and AST), antioxidant /oxidant biomarkers (SOD, CAT, and MDA), and histological investigations of liver tissues were evaluated. Results: The results showed that the % b.wt changes were increased in EAC- bearing mice, while the treatment of EAC- bearing mice with PGS decreased its % b.wt changes. The treatment of EAC- bearing mice with PGS decreased the tumor volume and its counts. PGS treatment led to an improvement in AST, ALT, and antioxidant enzyme activities, and ameliorated the histopathological changes in the liver induced by EAC inoculation. Conclusion: We concluded that PGS had a potential anticancer effect against EAC- bearing mice.

Parotoid-gland-secretions-of-the-Egyptian-toad-Bufo-relgularis-In-vivo-antitumor-effect-on-Ehrlich-ascites-carcinoma-bearing-mice

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Vol.9 No.1 – 2:In Silico approach for identification, prediction of AMPD1 gene nsSNPs associated with Myoadenylate Deaminase deficiency

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By: Abrar Mohamed Gamar Mohamed1,2*,Abdelrahman Hamza Abdelmoneim Hamza2,3, Hiba Awadelkareem Osman Fadl4,5, Afra Mohamed Suliman Albkrye6, Hadeel Abdelsamea Mohamed Ahmed7, Hazem Abdo Mohamed Abubaker8 and Sahar Gamal Elbager9,10

1*Faculty of Medicine, Al-Zaiem Al-Azhari University, Khartoum, Sudan. abrar.gamer94@gmail.com

2Clinical Immunology Resident, Sudan Medical Specialization Board, Khartoum, Sudan.

3Faculty of Medicine, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan. abduhamza009@gmail.com

4Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan. heba2015@hotmail.com

5Department of Medical Laboratory, Sudanese Medical Research Association, Khartoum, Sudan.

6Department of Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bahri University, Khartoum, Sudan. aframoh2016@bahri.edu.sd

7Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Omdurman Islamic University, Khartoum, Sudan. hadeelabdelsamea@gmail.com

8Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan. mr.haziem@hotmail.com

9Department of Haematology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of Medical Sciences and Technology, Khartoum, Sudan. saharelbagir@gmail.com

10Department of Pathology, South Egypt Cancer Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.

Abstract:

Background: Myoadenylate deaminase deficiency is an autosomal recessive metabolic myopathy caused by mutations in the Adenosine monophosphate deaminase 1 gene. Adenosine monophosphate deaminase 1 gene deficiency is one of the most common causes of exercise-induced myopathy. In this study, non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphism was analyzed for its functional and structural impact which is deleterious to Adenosine monophosphate deaminase 1 protein. Methods: The data on human Adenosine monophosphate deaminase 1gene was retrieved from the NCBI database on 9 JUNE 2021 and then analyzed using different bioinformatics prediction algorithms, namely: SIFT, PolyPhen-2, PROVEAN, SNAP2, PANTHER, SNPs and GO, PMut, and I-Mutant to detect the deleterious nsSNPs and its association with diseases. In addition, a Consurf web server was used to detect the functional SNPs in the conserved region. Chimera, Project Hope, and MutPred2 software were used to visualize and analyze the effect of nsSNPs on the functions and structure of the AMPD1 protein. Finally, both the STRING database and KEGG were used for the prediction of protein-protein interaction.  Results: A total of 6178 SNPs were reported in the human AMPD1 gene. In this study 583 missense nsSNPs were selected for investigation and only 72 nsSNPs were shortlisted and computationally evaluated for their impact on AMPD1 protein. From all servers that were used collectively (K320I, R421W, R458C, R458H, R51C, R757L, R761H, and G246S) nsSNPs were predicted as deleterious, associated with disease, highly conserved, and decrease effective stability of AMPD1 protein. In addition, the AMPD1 protein was predicted to have strong interactions with ten proteins involved in various ranges of biological processes.

Conclusion: The present study undertakes a systematic bioinformatics approach to identify functionally important nsSNPs in the human AMPD1 gene to understand how these mutations affect the protein function and structure and hence promote a myoadenylate deaminase deficiency.

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Vol.9 No.1 – 1: Study of the protective role of polyphenol antioxidants from extracted Damiana (Turnera diffusa Willd) against chlorpyrifos pesticide-induced toxicity in male rats

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By: Samer Ali Hasan1,*, Hind Bahjat Mohammed Aldik2, Farah Dheyaa Ahmed Haddad3

1 Department of Pharmacognosy and Medicinal Plants, College of Pharmacy, Kufa University, Najaf, Iraq

2 General Directorate of Education Baghdad Rusafa first, Iraq

3 General Directorate of Education Baghdad Karkh first, Iraq

Abstract:

Pesticides have been associated with oxidative stress and enhanced reactive oxygen species generation (chlorpyrifos). This study aimed to determine whether extracted damiana (Turnera diffusa Willd) may effectively prevent chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity in male rats. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) plasma levels have been measured in chlorpyrifos-intoxicated animals to quantitatively evaluate lipid peroxidation, and these measurements have shown a marked increase in the plasma levels of these animals. However, rats given damiana alone experienced a decrease in lipid peroxidation and an increase in the majority of the measured parameters. Furthermore, damiana pretreatment of chlorpyrifos-intoxicated rats significantly decreased (lipid peroxidation) in comparison to the control group. While plasma total protein (TP), albumin (A), urea, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, antioxidant enzymes activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), catalase (CAT), as well as glutathione content (GSH), fell significantly. The plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-c), and triglycerides (TG) examined were considerably more significant in the rats exposed to chlorpyrifos than in the control group, although the level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-c) was lower. So according to our findings, chlorpyrifos pesticide caused renal and hepatic disorders via oxidative stress causing biochemical alterations. Otherwise, damiana showed a possible protective effect against chlorpyrifos-induced toxicity which may be attributed to the antioxidant properties of its polyphenolic compounds and its capacity to scavenge active free radicals.

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Vol.8 No.4 – 7: The journey of nurse managers in the nursing workforce management during the Covid-19 pandemic

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By: Roniefhel N. Apsay, RN and Helen D. Alalag, MAN, RN

School of Nursing, University of Baguio, Philipines

Abstract:

In these chaotic, stressful, and uncertain times, nurse managers, who constantly receive new information about the disease and its prevention, work hard to make correct decisions while leading the nursing team. Managers must be ready to face the impact of the pandemic on nurses. The study answered the question; What are your experiences managing the hospital workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic? The study utilizes a phenomenological interpretative design approach in exploring the experiences of the nurse manager in the nursing workforce amid the pandemic. Participants were five currently working as nurse managers who provided consent for an in-depth interview. The data was gathered through unstructured interviews.  The researcher used a combination of snowball and convenient sampling to recruit the participants. Findings suggest that the study participants had developed resiliency in managing the nursing workforce. They find their experience during the pandemic with the following emerging themes: Looking back: the devastating events of the Covid 19 pertain to chaotic events of the pandemic, Managing the hospital resources and staffing, whereas they strategize to solve the shortcomings of the hospital because of understaffing and limited PPE for the staff nurses; Overcoming the challenges during COVID 19 strategic planning on massive hiring of nurses and proper training of level four PPE for Covid nurses;  Psychological intervention among staff nurses during COVID 19 pandemic; Causes of the mental breakdown of the staff nurses and lastly mentoring the new generation nurse. A nurse manager requires a lot of strategizing in the allocation of resources, and the adaptability of every leader in the flow of a dire situation. The researcher recommends to the future researcher explore possible research designs of Grounded theory to develop a concept/theory of the journey of the nurse manager in managing the nursing workforce.

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Vol.8 No.4 – 6:Potential Role of Circulating Dermokine and Bcl-2 Anti-apoptotic Protein in Colorectal Cancer Egyptian Patients: Correlative Analysis with the Clinicopathological Parameters

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By: Shaimaa M. Abdelsamea1, Hoda M. El-Emshaty2, *, Othman A. Othman1, Mohamed M. El-Hemaly2, Hisham Ismail1

1Biochemistry Division, Chemistry Dept., Faculty of Science, Minia University, Minia 61519, Egypt.

2Gastrointestinal Surgery Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt.

Running title: Circulating Dermokine and Bcl-2 in CRC Egyptian Patients

Abstract:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the seventh most common cancer in Egypt, and more than half of the patients are under the age of 50. Here, we aimed to assess the levels of circulating Dermokine (DMKN) and cytoplasmic anti-apoptotic protein, Bcl-2 for detecting CRC in the earlier stages possible.The levels of DMKN, Bcl-2, Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and Carbohydrate antigen 19.9 were determined using ELISA in the sera of 53 CRC patients, 18 ulcerative colitis patients, and 24 healthy individuals. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS program. Serum levels of DMKN and Bcl-2 were significantly higher (p < 0.0001) in CRC patients than in non-cancer individuals. Highly significant correlations were recorded between levels of DMKN and Bcl-2 and the pathological TNM tumor characteristics. At the best cut-off level (68-pg/mL), the DMKN assay showed high degrees of sensitivity (87%), specificity (100%), and accuracy (91%) in comparison with investigated biomarkers. Furthermore, regression analysis revealed a DKB-Score based on DMKN and Bcl-2 with an AUROC of 0.991. The developed score showed a high degree of efficiency (97.4%) for discriminating CRC patients from controls. In conclusion, the assessment of serum DMKN either alone or simultaneously with Bcl-2 has a potential role in discriminating CRC from premalignant patients.

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Vol.8 No.4 – 5:Ameliorating effect of extracted Ginger oil against toxic effects of crude oil in male rats

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By: Anas, S. Abuali

Biology Department / Basic Education College / Missan University, Iraq

Abstract

Aim of the study: Use extraction of medical herbal such as powder ginger extract observed to stimulate the hematological system as evidenced by a decrease in the total count of RBCs, platelets as well as hemoglobin percentage. This study aimed to determine the antioxidant activity and protective effect of ginger essential oil against the toxic effect of crude oil on the hematological parameters.

Method: Crude oil was taken from the medical laboratory center in Missan province. Crude oil obtained from Missan oil company (MOC) Ltd sample type (No:38DI) Ginger (Zanjabar offcienales) was obtained from the local market, Missan city, and classified in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science.

Experimental animals: Twenty-four Albino Waster male rats weighing (150-200 g) were assigned into three groups (8 rats for each group). Group one was administered corn oil at a dose of 1ml for each rat daily basis for 30 days, group two was treated with ginger essential oil orally (50 mg/kg B.W.) once daily for 30 days, group three was treated orally with 600ul of crude oil mixed with 1 ml corn oil orally once daily for 30 days. Blood samples were collected in clean class tubes with EDTA anticoagulant. Complete blood pictures (CBC) shown from collected blood samples by automatic method (Celltac X kx 021n automated hematology analyzer, Japan CARE Co, LTD). The results: The results observed that ginger essential oil is composed of 55 chemical components identified according to retention times and area parentage area in the extracted oil. The main active chemical components were Zingiberen in percentage (17.1), followed by Cyclohexene (α-Sesquiphellandrene) in percentage (12.1%), à-Farnesene in percentage (11.9%) and Benzene (7.9%). Red blood cells (RBCs) observed a significant decrease in the count of red blood cells (RBCs) when administrated crude oil orally as a compared control group, while the rats that were given ginger essential oil observed no significant changes in RBC count. Decrease in hemoglobin concentration (Hb), Packed cell volume (PCV), and Platelets(Plt)after administrated of crud oil in dose 600ul, while the rats that administrated GEO observed no significant changes in Hb, PCVand Plt as compared with the control group. A significant increase in White Blood Cells(WBCs), Granulocytes (Neutrophils), Monocytes, and Lymphocytes after administration of crude oil as compared with the control group, while administration of GEO orally improved activity of WBCs, Granulocytes, Monocytes, and Lymphocytes.

Conclusions: Exposure to crude oil may lead to abnormal changes in the hematological parameters and Ginger essential oil may have properties for protecting and ameliorating the toxic effects of crude oil even in high doses.

Ameliorating-effect-of-extracted-Ginger-oil-against-toxic-effects-of-crude-oil-in-male-rats

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