Beni-Suef University Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences最新文献

Background

Acute kidney injury often occurs after ischemia–reperfusion and is one of the main kidney diseases with high mortality. Accordingly, the aim of the current study was evaluated and compare the effectiveness of treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in renal ischemia–reperfusion rat model.

Material and methods

Forty rats were grouped as control, ischemia/reperfusion, ischemia/reperfusion plus PRP and ischemia/reperfusion plus PRF. Kidney histopathology indexes and the level of kidney function biomarkers including, BUN, Creatinine, Na, K, LDH, ALP and inflammatory markers and also protein expression of KM1 assessed in all groups.

Results

The obtained results of the current study showed that kidney ischemia–reperfusion caused to significant increases of BUN and creatinine level which was in line with destruction of kidney tissue structure. The pro-inflammatory marker significantly increased in renal ischemia group compare to the control rats which was associated with up-regulation of KM1 protein in kidney tissue. PRF treatment group showed a more efficacy in improved renal function with suppressed inflammatory process and decreases KM1 gene expression compare to PRP administration.

Conclusion

The current study reported promising results regarding the more potent efficacy of PRF as a simple, safe, rapid and cost-effective treatment strategy in the treatment of renal dysfunction compare to the PRP.

Graphical Abstract

Background

Zanthoxylum simulans, traditionally used for diabetes, lacks molecular mechanistic insights. This study integrates network pharmacology, molecular docking, ADMET profiling, 200-ns molecular dynamics, PCA, and FEL analyses to identify anti-diabetic phytochemicals from its fruit and bark.

Methods

From 120 literature-identified phytochemicals, five leads were screened (MolSoft DL ≥ 0.18): magnocurarine (1.45), N-methyltetrahydrocolumbamine (1.30), reticuline (1.13), β-sitostenone (0.91), menisperine (0.87). SwissTargetPrediction yielded 500 targets overlapping 27 diabetes genes (DisGeNET), identifying hub proteins PPARG, IL6, TNF, STAT3 via Cytoscape/STRING. Docking used AutoDock Vina; ADMET via SwissADME/pkCSM; Molecular Dynamics (200 ns GROMACS) with RMSD/RMSF/Rg/SASA/H-bond analysis; PCA/FEL via Bio3D/OriginPro.

Results

β-Sitostenone showed the highest docking affinities (-8.5 kcal/mol STAT3, -8.2 kcal/mol PPARG); menisperine -8.1 kcal/mol STAT3. All leads had optimal ADMET (no hepatotoxicity/hERG inhibition; LD50 2.356–2.531 mol/kg). Magnocurarine-PPARG exhibited superior stability vs pioglitazone: stable RMSD (< 0.30 nm), low RMSF (0.05–0.15 nm), compact Rg (1.92–1.98 nm), reduced SASA (142–150 nm²), consistent H-bonds (2–4), and broader FEL basic indicating entropic flexibility.

Conclusion

Magnocurarine emerges as a superior anti-diabetic lead from Zanthoxylum simulans, demonstrating exceptional PPARG binding, pharmacokinetic safety, and dynamic stability over 200 ns validating its therapeutic potential.

Background

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is a dynamic and essential cell organelle involved in the synthesis and correct folding of secretory and membrane-bounded proteins, as well as in preserving intracellular Ca²⁺ equilibrium.

Main body

During cellular stress, the deposition of unfolded or misfolded proteins in the ER lumen aggravates the cascade of the unfolded protein response (UPR), thus predisposing to ER stress. The interplay between ER and mitochondria exerts a pivotal role in coordinating intracellular Ca²⁺ signaling, lipid transfer, mitochondrial dynamics, autophagy initiation, and apoptotic processes. Persistent or unresolved ER stress could predispose to cellular perturbations as well as numerous disease pathogeneses, such as neurodegenerative, renal, hepatic, reproductive, and neoplastic disorders. Increasing evidence suggests that natural compounds possess therapeutic potential by modulating ER stress pathways. For example, curcumin and resveratrol can alleviate ER stress by enhancing protein-folding capacity, reducing oxidative stress, and regulating UPR signaling. These bioactive molecules can either mitigate ER stress and restore proteostasis or, conversely, intensify ER stress and apoptosis.

Conclusion

This review explores the multifaceted effects of natural products on ER stress-related mechanisms and their implications for disease treatment and prevention.

Graphical abstract

Background

Crystalluria is frequently found during the routine examination of urine sediments. Urinary screening is a valuable tool for the early detection of occult urinary abnormalities.

Objectives

This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of urinary crystalluria among school children, and assess the associated factors for crystalluria among children in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of 220 apparently healthy children (aged 6–12 years) recruited from public/private schools in Egypt via multi-stage proportionate sampling. Data were collected using questionnaires (socio-demographics, clinical history) and first-morning urine analysis. Crystals were identified via phase-contrast microscopy with polarized light. Statistical analysis included chi-square, ANOVA, t-tests, and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

A total of 220 participants were included; 65% were females, and the mean age was 8.58 ± 2.03. Crystalluria prevalence was 84.1% (n = 185/220), with amorphous urates predominating (75.9%). Increased Weight was the sole demographic associated factor, significantly associated with the presence of amorphous phosphate crystals (OR = 1.132, *p* = 0.014), alongside dysuria (OR = 5.610, *p* = 0.022) and female sex. Calcium oxalate crystals were linked to family stone history (OR = 2.741, *p* = 0.042), prior surgery (OR = 1.245, *p* = 0.027), dysuria (OR = 4.203, *p* = 0.019), balanced diet, and appropriate growth. Uric acid crystals showed the strongest association with child stone history (OR = 10.000, *p* = 0.033), followed by dysuria (OR = 2.005, *p* = 0.034), suprapubic pain, and dietary/growth factors. Dysuria emerged as a common predictor across all crystal types.

Conclusion

Crystalluria is highly prevalent in Egyptian school children. Increased Weight, dysuria, family/child stone history, and prior surgery were the most significant associated factors for specific crystal types. Therefore, we need to follow up on children to detect the future effects of crystalluria and widen the screening in Egypt.

Background and objectives

Curcumin (Cur) and curcumin nanoparticles (Cur-NPs) have demonstrated protective effects against nephrotoxicity by reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and cellular damage. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of Cur-NPs with conventional Cur in a gentamicin (GNT)-induced nephrotoxicity model in albino rats.

Materials and methods

Twenty-four adult male albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I: control; Group II (Nephrotoxicity): using 100 mg/kg of GNT intraperitonially once daily for 10 consecutive days; Group III (GNT + Cur): received GNT as in group II, then oral Cur 100 mg/kg/daily for 14 days; and Group IV (GNT + Cur-NPs): received GNT as in group II, then oral Cur-NPs 100 mg/kg daily for 14 days. Serum urea & creatinine were assessed on day 0, 10 and 24 of the experiment. The right kidneys were collected and processed for Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E), Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) and immunohistochemical staining for LC3B. The left kidneys were processed for transmission electron microscopic examination.

Results

Gentamicin group illustrated severe damage of Malpighian renal corpuscles and renal tubules, accompanied by a significant increase in serum urea and creatinine levels (p < 0.05). Treatment with Cur-NPs significantly reduced serum urea and creatinine (p < 0.05) and more effectively restored renal histoarchitecture compared to Cur.

Conclusion

Cur-NPs revealed a profound improvement in the kidney structure in comparison with Cur in a rat model of nephrotoxicity.

Background

The study of optical pulse propagation through nonlinear media plays a fundamental role in the development of modern fiber-optic communication systems. Understanding the complex interaction between dispersion, cubic–quintic nonlinearities, resonance, and self-steepening effects is essential for describing the evolution and stability of optical pulses in nonlinear fibers. The resonant nonlinear Schrödinger equation that includes these effects provides a reliable mathematical model to analyze and predict nonlinear wave dynamics in optical and plasma environments.

Methods

In this research, the improved modified extended tanh function method is employed to obtain exact analytical wave solutions of the resonant cubic–quintic nonlinear Schrödinger equation that contains derivative nonlinearities. The proposed analytical procedure transforms the governing nonlinear partial differential equation into an ordinary differential form by using a traveling-wave transformation. The balance principle between the nonlinear and dispersive terms is then applied to determine the structure of the assumed solution. By substituting this structure into the reduced equation, a system of algebraic equations is generated and solved symbolically to determine the unknown constants. The method enables the construction of various exact analytical forms, including solitary, periodic, and singular wave solutions, through the extended Riccati equation.

Results

A wide variety of analytical solutions are obtained, such as bright solitons, dark solitons, singular solitons, Weierstrass elliptic wave solutions, rational wave solutions, and exponential wave structures. Graphical illustrations in two and three dimensions clearly demonstrate the distinct dynamical behaviors of these solutions and show how variations in parameters influence their amplitude, width, and stability. Furthermore, a detailed bifurcation analysis is carried out to investigate the qualitative characteristics and stability of the derived solutions. The results reveal the existence of saddle and center equilibrium points, highlighting the dependence of wave stability on nonlinear and dispersive coefficients.

Conclusions

This study presents, for the first time, the application of the improved modified extended tanh function method to the resonant cubic–quintic nonlinear Schrödinger equation with derivative nonlinearities. The findings confirm that the proposed method provides a systematic and efficient analytical framework for generating exact solutions that accurately capture the complex dynamics of nonlinear wave propagation in optical and plasma media. The newly discovered families of soliton and periodic solutions enhance the theoretical understanding of nonlinear wave behavior and contribute significantly to the field of nonlinear optical communication.

Background

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an autoimmune condition distinguished by prolonged inflammation of the intestinal mucosa with fluctuating periods of relapse and remission. This research was designed to evaluate the prospective alleviative impacts of muscone (3-methyl-1-cyclopentadecanone) on inflammatory processes and oxidative stress in the acetic acid (AA)-provoked UC in mice.

Methods

The experimental colitis was provoked by intrarectal injection of 200 μL of AA (6% volume/volume with 0.9% sterile saline). Mice were intrarectally (I.R.) administered with sulfasalazine “SSZ” (500 mg/kg body weight “b.w”) or muscone (20 or 40 mg/kg b.w) in 200 μL sterile saline at one hour (h), 6 h, and 12 h following the I.R. administration of AA. A day after the induction of UC, animals were humanely executed, and their colons were harvested for morphological, histological, immunohistochemical, along with biochemical assays.

Results

Muscone ameliorated the colitis severity in mice, as signified by a considerable decline (P < 0.05) in colon weight-to-length ratio, macroscopic damage, and histological alterations. Furthermore, muscone increased considerably the colonic levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), while decreasing the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NOx) in UC mice. Muscone also lowered significantly the levels of colonic NF-κB and COX-2, in addition to inhibiting the production of IL-17A and IL-23 in the colons of UC mice.

Conclusion

Muscone could serve as an efficacious treatment for alleviating the inflammatory processes in UC mice, as it inhibits NF-κB, IL-23/IL-17A axis, COX-2, and enhances the antioxidant defense system in colon tissues.

Background

Gut microbiota modulators (GMMs), including probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics, play a crucial role in maintaining gut health and influencing immunity, metabolism, and the gut–brain axis. Recently, these agents have gained interest for their potential to be repurposed beyond gastrointestinal disorders to target neurological, metabolic, and immune-related diseases.

Main body

Emerging evidence highlights the therapeutic versatility of GMMs. They exhibit protective effects against gastrointestinal infections such as Salmonella and Clostridioides difficile by enhancing mucosal immunity and suppressing pathogens. In neurological disorders, GMMs mitigate neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, showing potential benefits in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Their role in modulating neurotransmitter balance also supports applications in autism spectrum disorder and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Furthermore, integrating GMMs into drug delivery systems improves targeted therapeutic delivery and minimizes adverse effects.

Conclusion

Repurposing GMMs represents an innovative and sustainable approach for precision medicine. By modulating gut microbial composition and signaling pathways, GMMs may extend therapeutic benefits to a range of systemic diseases. However, large-scale clinical trials are still required to validate efficacy, establish standardized protocols, and clarify safety concerns.

Background

Jurinea himalaica, a medicinal plant native to the Western Himalayas, was comprehensively studied for its phytochemical composition and pharmacological potentials.

Methods

Qualitative phytochemical studies, polarity directed extraction of various fractions, and column chromatography based isolation of compounds were performed. Crude samples including crude methanolic extract (Jh.Cme), n-hexane (Jh.Hex), and chloroform (Jh.Chf) were tested against acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), and urease enzymes. Samples were also tested for their free radicals scavenging potentials using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) assays. The antimicrobial potentials of the crude samples were appraised against bacterial and fungal strains, and phytotoxic studies were also performed following standard procedures.

Results

Qualitative phytochemical studies identified the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, glycosides, saponins, and anthraquinones with terpenoids found in particularly high abundance. Column chromatographic separation led to tentative identification of a bioactive compound. The Jh.Chf was found highly potent and inhibited considerable AChE and BChE inhibitory potentials with IC₅₀ values of 85 and 43 μg/mL, respectively. Notably, the Jh.Chf showed strong urease inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 63 μg mL⁻¹) which was comparable to the control drug thiourea. The Jh.Chf revealed considerable radical scavenging potentials against DPPH, ABTS and H₂O₂ radicals with IC₅₀ values of 30, 25, and 19 μg mL⁻¹, respectively. The tested samples also revealed gastroprotective potentials by inhibition of urease enzyme and inhibition of Proteus mirabilis with a diameter of inhibitory zone (DIZ) of 22.8 mm. A considerable antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli (MIC 0.91 mg mL⁻¹) and strong antifungal potentials against Aspergillus flavus with minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCc) as low as 1.11 µg mL⁻¹ signify its potential antimicrobial effects. The phytotoxic assay also demonstrated that Jh.Cme and Jh.Chf significantly suppressed radish seed germination (up to 88%) and root elongation (up to 91%) at 1000 μg mL⁻¹ concentrations.

Conclusions

In conclusion, our findings validate the traditional medicinal use of J. himalaica in various diseases and highlight its significant potential as a source of cholinesterase, urease inhibitory, neuroprotective, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and bio-herbicides. Further purification and mechanistic studies are required to completely explore the therapeutic and agrochemical uses of this plant.

The purpose of this paper is devoted to establishing the existence of solutions for m-product non-linear functional integral equations with weakly singular and Riemann–Liouville integral terms. Our technique is based on Petryshyn’s theorem associated with the Hausdorff measure of non-compactness. Further, some examples are provided to illustrate the practicality of the results obtained.