Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences最新文献

<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.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> The hBM-MSCs have a high level of differentiation and proliferation in the healing process of cuts and burns. This study aimed to determine the role of hBM-MSCs in the formation of granulation tissue in diabetic burnt rats. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Thirty rats were divided into two groups; phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as a control group and a treatment group (BM-MSCs 2×10⁶ cells/mL). Both groups were treated as hyperglycaemia by injecting alloxan. Rats were anesthetized using xylazine and ketamine and given full-depth burns on the dorsal using a heated plate. Rat skin tissue was excised on the 3rd, 7th and 14th day and histopathological preparations were made using immunohistochemical staining to determine the expression of the growth factors of FGF and VEGF. The results were analyzed using Tukey's t-test advanced. <b>Results:</b> The FGF level increased statistically significantly on day 3, 7 and 14 in the treatment group. Otherwise, on day 14 there was a significant difference between the control group and the treatment group (p = 0.017). The VEGF expression also showed an increase on days 3 and 7 but decreased on day 14. The VEGF level was not statistically significant between the control and treatment groups. <b>Conclusion:</b> The hBM-MSCs increased the formation of granulation tissue by expressing a high level of FGF which plays a role at the beginning of new blood vessel formation and VEGF affects the end of the formation of new blood vessels.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a range of neurodevelopmental disabilities that lack a clear etiology. To date, studies investigating the role of immune reactivity to gluten in ASD have been inconsistent. This study aimed to compare levels of gluten reactivity markers in 319 ASD patients to 172 of their unaffected siblings and 322 of unrelated healthy controls (UHC). <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Patients younger than 12 years old diagnosed with ASD via experienced child psychiatrists and neuro-pediatricians were recruited and gluten reactivity markers and gastrointestinal (GI) complaints commonly found in children with ASD were also investigated. Serum levels of anti-gluten and anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA (anti-TTG IgA) were measured via ELISA. <b>Results:</b> No significant differences were detected in IgA levels and IgG levels for anti-TTG among all groups (p<0.05). The anti-gliadin IgG levels were significantly higher in ASD patients and their siblings compared to the UHC group (p<0.05). Also, those IgG levels were not associated with any GI complaints or Electroencephalogram (EEG) abnormalities (p>0.05). <b>Conclusion:</b> The data suggested gluten sensitivity has no role in ASD pathophysiology or its comorbid symptoms.

For thousands of years, people have used medicinal plants and in many parts of the world, traditional medicines continue to play a significant role in the standard treatment of a wide range of illnesses. With changes in modern eating patterns, there has recently been an increase in the use of processed foods. Furthermore, the use of food additives has increased in tandem with the production of processed foods. The dosage levels used for these additives are determined using empirical analyses. However, some additives have demonstrated long-term toxic effects on the human body in toxicity tests. Plants are one of the main sources of biologically active substances and in recent years, many studies have focused on the health benefits of phytochemicals and plant-derived extracts in the treatment and prevention of food additive toxicity. This review clarified studies on several medicinal plants, such as <i>Physalis peruviana</i> L., <i>Jatropha tanjorensis</i>, <i>Cymbopogon citratus</i>,<i> Ficus carica</i>, <i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i> L. and others. The findings presented here demonstrate these plants' efficiency and success in preventing and lowering the toxicity of food additives through antioxidant activity reducing oxidative stress, and reduction in renal and hepatic toxicity. Therefore, these plant extracts have a preventive and therapeutic effect in reducing toxicity and may be the best option for reducing the toxicity of food additives in the future. Moreover, additional research is required to confirm the biologically active components found in medicinal plants that are effective in reducing this toxicity.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Group B <i>Streptococci</i> (GBS) are globally recognized as a major risk factor for neonatal infections and various obstetric complications. More so, biofilm formation has been suggested to be important for GBS pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of GBS among pregnant women and their capacity to form biofilm. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> A total of 87 pregnant women at 34 to 37 weeks' gestation aged 17-45 years were recruited from 3 healthcare centres in Delta State, Nigeria. Cultures for the isolation of GBS were carried out using recto-vaginal swabs, according to standard microbiological methods. All strains isolated were used for susceptibility tests to various antibiotics as recommended by CLSI using the disk-diffusion method. <b>Results:</b> The overall prevalence of GBS colonization among pregnant women was 43.6% (38/87). The <u><</u>30 age group had the highest rate of GBS colonization. Resistance to erythromycin and vancomycin was 48.2 and 66.4%, respectively. The fluoroquinolones had the lowest resistant rates with no isolate showing resistance to ofloxacin. Multidrug resistance (MDR) (<u>></u>3 drug classes) was detected in 73.7% (28/38) of the GBS isolates. All GBS isolated in this study were either strong, moderate or weak biofilm producers. However, most 28 (73.7%) were strong biofilm producers. Resistance of GBS isolates to erythromycin and vancomycin, drugs used for treating GBS infection was high. <b>Conclusion:</b> This suggested the importance of testing antimicrobial susceptibilities in GBS colonized pregnant women in order to guide antibiotic therapy and minimize newborn infection and co-morbidity.