Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences最新文献

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in Indonesia, where traditional herbal treatments like <i>Zanthoxylum acanthopodium</i> (andaliman) are culturally used. Investigating protein biomarkers such as E7, pRb, EGFR and p16 can help assess the efficacy of these treatments. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> There were 5 groups in this study: 2 control groups (C- and C+) and 3 treatment groups (each receiving one of three doses). Oral administration of andaliman was performed for 30 days in cancer model rats, after which the cervix was dissected, cervical tissue was taken and immunohistochemistry repair was performed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test with a p<0.05. <b>Results:</b> As <i>Zanthoxylum acanthopodium</i> DC dose rose, cervical tissue E7, EGFR and p16 expression decreased. However, greater doses of this plant increased cervical tissue pRb protein. Cervical cancer histology exhibited increased nuclear size, irregular cellular structure, atypical cell shape, higher nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and various nuclear shape variants. This herb induced tissue to show well-organized non-hyperchromatic cells that resembled normal clusters. <b>Conclusion:</b> <i>Zanthoxylum acanthopodium</i> DC improved cervical tissue and balanced cervical cancer biomarker proteins such E7, EGFR, pRB and p16.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Betta fish is one of the most popular ornamental fish because of their attractive body shape, especially for males. The fish development usually results in a similar number of males and females or an even higher number of females. This study aimed to determine the effect of various concentrations of honey and the age of larvae on the sex ratio of Betta fish. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This study was conducted using a completely randomized design with two variables; the concentrations of honey and the ages of Betta fish larvae in 3 replications. There are 45 groups in total with 20 larvae in each group. The levels of honey concentration were 0 (control), 10, 20, 30 and 40 mL/L and the levels of larval ages were 3, 4 and 5 days old. All groups were immersed for 10 hrs in the honey mix and then maintained for 4 months. Sex ratio calculation was performed after 3 months. <b>Results:</b> The both factors have a significant effect on male sex formation. The highest number of males was produced in the honey concentration of 40 mL/L. A significant difference in the number of males was shown in the larval group of ages 3 and 4 days old but not in the groups of 5 days old. <b>Conclusion:</b> Honey treatment and the larval age affect the formation of male Betta fish.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Todolo coffee (<i>Coffea arabica</i> L. var. typica) is the oldest commercially grown coffee in the Toraja region of South Sulawesi and is currently at risk of extinction. This study aims to induce callus from leaf explants of Todolo arabica coffee and improve the levels of caffeine compounds in Todolo coffee with the additional precursor L-methionine as elicitor. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This research was conducted at the Tissue Culture Laboratory, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Hasanuddin University. This experimental study used a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) approach. The five stages involved callus induction, elicitation with L-methionine precursor, caffeine extraction, qualitative testing using the Parry Method and quantitative analysis via UV-Vis spectrophotometry. Tools and materials were sterilized using autoclaving and media preparation followed standard procedures with varying L-methionine concentrations. Callus induction from sterilized leaf explants was done under aseptic conditions, followed by L-methionine treatment and caffeine content extraction. Caffeine was analyzed using UV-Vis spectrophotometry at 272 nm and statistical analysis was conducted using ANOVA and DMRT at a 5% significance level. <b>Results:</b> The friable callus structure has a shiny and wavy appearance and is more easily detached, which is highly correlated with the speed of callus growth. The callus on the treatment medium is slightly yellowish-white to somewhat brownish, indicating the production of secondary metabolites. The best concentration of L-methionine treatment was 25 mg/L with a percentage of caffeine content of 0.0078%. <b>Conclusion:</b> Results concluded that the addition of L-methionine has a significant effect on the percentage of caffeine production.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Non-Suicidal Self-Injury (NSSI) is a mental health threat that is a major concern among adolescents and young adults nowadays. It is assumed that NSSI is involved in the mesocortical dopamine reward system, the endogenous opioid system and the overstimulation of the stress system. This study aims to investigate the correlation between Opioid Receptor Kappa 1 (OPRK1) rs7016778 and rs7824175 gene polymorphisms, Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) and Dynorphin level with NSSI. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> This research was a cross-sectional comparative study between 84 subjects diagnosed with NSSI and 76 controls. The method used was purposive sampling. The NSSI was determined by using the NSSID and ISAS questionnaire according to DSM-5. The examination of polymorphism of the OPRK-I gene was examined using a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and the level of KOR and Dynorphin was determined using ELISA. <b>Results:</b> The OPRK1 rs7016778 gene polymorphism was more common in the NSSI group. The OPRK1 rs7824175 gene polymorphism was more common in the control group. The KOR and Dynorphin levels were higher in the NSSI group. There were differences in KOR levels between NSSI and the control group. There is a relationship between KOR levels and Dynorphin levels with NSSI. There were no differences in the OPRK1 gene polymorphisms rs7016778 and rs7824175 between NSSI subjects and controls. There was no difference in Dynorphin levels between NSSI subjects and controls. <b>Conclusion:</b> The role of the Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) and Dynorphin in the pathophysiology of NSSI can be considered.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Nicotine-relevant smoking causes many serious issues of environmental pollution and complicated harm to human health. The present study aimed to evaluate the experimental effects of exposure to nicotine on the gene expression profiles of rat brain tissues with differentially expressed genes (DEGs). <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The rat gene expression profiles of environmental exposure to nicotine were initially screened and retrieved from the microarray dataset GSE59895 in the GEO database. Next, it was analyzed with an integrated bioinformatics pipeline. The DEGs were analyzed in Limma and functional enrichment analyses of GO terms and KEGG pathways were performed with clusterProfiler. The STRING online tools and Cytoscape StringApp were subsequently employed to construct the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, whereas key modules and hub genes were finally explored and visualized. <b>Results:</b> There was total of 382 shared DEGs between different case groups in the experiment, whereas 9 common shared DEGs were found among all three groups. The significant enrichments of 28 GO terms and 3 KEGG pathways were comprehensively analyzed with corresponding functionally enriched genes. Then, 3 key modules and 10 hub genes were further identified and explored in the resulted PPI network. In the disease-related signaling pathways, eleven potential neuropathic disease-related genes may complement the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. <b>Conclusion:</b> The study found that chronic exposure to nicotine would result in the differential expression of the disease-related genes, whereas these DEGs might increase the environmental risks of Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other multiple neurodegenerative diseases.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal abnormality that influences the age during reproduction. This investigation aimed to identify the impact of insulin receptor-encoding genes (NsiI and PmLI) on the development of PCOS and their effect on insulin and HOMA-IR levels. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The study included 80 patients and 25 healthy individuals. The concentrations of HOMA-IR, fasting blood sugar and fasting insulin hormone were determined. The PCR-RFLP was applied to identify insulin receptors in the NsiI and PmLI SNPs. Sanger sequencing was used for each of these patients. The study data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0 and using χ² test p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Also, Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium for genotype frequencies was used. <b>Results:</b> The HOMA-IR and mean insulin levels significantly differed between the control subjects and PCOS females ("p = 0.002 and "p = 0.000, correspondingly). Concerning the odds ratio and their NsiI frequency polymorphisms in the heterozygote genotype A/G and homozygote mutant G/G groups were greater in PCOS than control individual (OR = 1.14, p>0.05) (OR = 5.20, p>0.05). However, for the PmLI polymorphism, CC and TT were linked with pathogenic effects for PCOS susceptibility (OR = 1.83, p>0.05) (OR = 12.07, p>0.05) and CT was a protective factor (OR = 0.22, p<0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> A strong relationship between high levels of hormone insulin as well as elevated HOMA-IR has been found in women with PCOS. Furthermore, INSR gene polymorphisms may be a molecular marker associated with decreased insulin sensitivity in women with PCOS.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The Thai ricefish (<i>Oryzias minutillus</i>) is the smallest <i>Oryzias</i> spp. and is important in the trophic structure of freshwater ecological systems. However, interactions with related species via gene expression profiles are unknown in this species. Here, this study reports on the first attempt to investigate the transcriptome profiles of male Thai ricefish induced by the males of two <i>Oryzias</i>. Japanese ricefish (<i>O. latipes</i>) and Daisy's ricefish (<i>O. woworae</i>, a remarkably colourful <i>Oryzias</i>) were used in the experiments. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> <i>Oryzias minutillus</i> was put in the presence of <i>O. latipes</i> (as group 1) or <i>O. woworae</i> (as group 2) for 7 days in aquaria divided by a transparent partition wall. Thai ricefish faced the same species as control group. Fish in each group were measured the distance between fish individuals of <i>O. minutillus</i> to <i>O. latipes</i> or <i>O. woworae</i>. One-way ANOVA with <i>post hoc</i> Tukey's test was used to analyse the significant differences among groups. <i>Oryzias minutillus</i> from groups 1 and 2 on day 7 were subjected to RNA-sequencing analysis via next-generation sequencing. <b>Results:</b> Long-distance encounters of fish appeared in group 2 on day 7, but there were no significant differences between fish distances. Among the differentially expressed genes, the up-and downregulated genes were more highly expressed in group 2 than in group 1. According to gene ontology term enrichment analysis, genes downregulated in the "locomotion" pathway were detected in group 1 but not in group 2. Conversely, downregulation of "pigmentation" and "reproductive process" was detected only in group 2. <b>Conclusion:</b> These results suggested that the different patterns of gene expression in <i>O. minutillus</i> may be affected by the presence of <i>O. latipes</i> and <i>O. woworae</i>.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Biological exploration of male infertility is important for its treatment. Seminal plasma, by its composition, presents numerous molecules that can be exploited in the investigation of new sperm biomarkers. The evaluation of new biomarkers of azoosperm seminal plasma aims to identify vitamins A, D and E which can serve as discriminating biochemical markers in the exploration of azoospermia. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Thirty normozoospermic and 30 azoospermic sperm samples were collected by masturbation after three days of sexual abstinence from consulting patients at the Pasteur Institute of Côte d'Ivoire. After centrifugation of the sperm, the seminal plasma was collected and were analyzed for vitamin A, D and E. After extracting the vitamins from the seminal plasma, they were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography. <b>Results:</b> The concentration of vitamin A in seminal plasma from normal samples was 1.66±1.81 and 0.28±0.52 mg/L in pathological samples. The average vitamin D concentration in seminal plasma of normospermia was 0.27±0.40 and 0.08±0.12 mg/L in seminal plasma of azoospermia. For vitamin E, the results obtained show an average concentration of 2.56±3.58 mg/L in normal ejaculate and 0.33±0.51 mg/L in pathological ejaculate. Only vitamins A and E showed a significant difference in the two categories of sperms. <b>Conclusion:</b> The determination of the concentration of vitamins A, D and E in seminal plasma showed that only vitamins A and E can serve as a biomarker for the differentiation of normozoospermic and azoospermic sperm.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Eurycoma longifolia</i> roots hold traditional medicinal value, but scientific evaluation of their bioactivity and safety is lacking. This study investigated the antioxidant and anticancer potential of <i>E. longifolia</i> extracts and assessed cytotoxicity. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Methanol and ethyl acetate extraction were used to obtain <i>E. longifolia</i> root extracts. Antioxidant activity was measured by DPPH assay and antiproliferative and cytotoxic effects were assessed against various cell lines. A one-way ANOVA was conducted to compare the IC₅₀ values among the different groups. <b>Results:</b> The highest DPPH radical scavenging activity was detected in methanol extract (IC₅₀ = 65.50±6.74 μg/mL) and ethyl acetate extract (IC₅₀ = 463.52±59.81 μg/mL). The methanol extract displayed potent cytotoxicity against all tested cell lines, with IC₅₀ values ranging from 4.71-6.70 μg/mL. The ethyl acetate extract exhibited moderate cytotoxicity towards the non-cancerous LLC-MK2 cell line (IC₅₀ = 25.00±5.64 μg/mL), but retained high cytotoxicity against the cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and HeLa), with IC₅₀ values of 6.09±1.32 and 6.70±1.87 μg/mL, respectively. <b>Conclusion:</b> Methanol extract displayed strong antioxidant and antiproliferative activity, but also cytotoxicity in both cancerous and non-cancerous cells. Further research using <i>in vivo</i> models is needed to assess safety and identify specific bioactive compounds for responsible future use.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Probiotics have been known as a potential alternative to replace antibiotic growth promotors and have many benefits for poultry health. This research investigated that how administering a combination of probiotics affects the health and physiological parameters of laying chickens. This includes understanding if and how probiotics can enhance organ function and influence blood biochemistry profiles in these birds, therefore they are used to increase the production of laying hens. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 56 hens was used. The treatments with two consortium yogurt B1 (<i>Bifidobacterium</i> spp. and <i>L. acidophilus</i>) and B2 (<i>L. bulgaricus</i>, <i>S. thermophilus</i>, <i>L. acidophilus</i> and <i>B. bifidum</i>) consisted of a control group that was not given the same treatment as the control group (T0), Group-1 was treated with WSPE probiotic B1 2% (T1), Group-2 was treated with WSPE probiotic B2 2% (T2), Group-3 was treated with 2% probiotic B1 powder (T3), Group-4 was treated with 3% probiotic B1 powder (T4), Group-5 were treated with 2% B2 probiotic powder (T5) and Group-6 were treated with 3% B2 probiotic powder (T6), data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and followed by Duncan's multiple range test. <b>Results:</b> The giving consortium probiotics to laying hens has a significant effect on uric acid levels as well as decreased SGOT, SGPT and creatinine levels also increasing total protein, albumin and globulin levels. <b>Conclusion:</b> The use of probiotics 2% increased organ function, namely an increase in total protein, albumin and globulin levels.