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

Background

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that damages the central nervous system through inflammation, loss of myelin, and progressive neurodegeneration. Its prevalence has been increasing worldwide, with variations that reflect genetic predisposition, environmental influences, and immune system dysregulation.

Main Body

Advances in high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging and the use of cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers have enhanced the ability to detect early disease activity, monitor progression, and evaluate therapeutic response. Despite these improvements, challenges remain in understanding the mechanisms driving disease progression, particularly in progressive forms of multiple sclerosis where treatment options are limited. Barriers such as unequal access to therapies, variable long-term efficacy, and incomplete knowledge of disease pathways continue to hinder effective management. Current research emphasizes the need for personalized approaches that incorporate genetic, immunological, and environmental factors. Efforts are also being directed toward identifying neuroprotective and remyelinating agents, alongside integrating biomarkers into treatment strategies, in order to better tailor therapies and improve monitoring of disease activity.

Conclusion

Future directions in multiple sclerosis research should focus on precision medicine, the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, and the integration of biomarkers into clinical care. These strategies hold the potential to improve long-term outcomes, reduce disease burden, and enhance the quality of life for affected individuals. This review explores global epidemiological patterns, recent diagnostic innovations, and the effectiveness of emerging treatment strategies in multiple sclerosis.

Background

Net blotch disease, caused by Pyrenophora teres, poses a growing threat to global barley production, highlighting the need for sustainable disease management strategies. Traditional control relies heavily on chemical fungicides, which raise concerns about environmental safety and resistance development. There is growing interest in sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives to enhance plant immunity. Elicitors like guanine and β-aminobutyric acid (βABA) offer promising potential for boosting resistance in barley against fungal pathogens.

Methods

This study investigated the effectiveness of guanine and βABA as elicitors in boosting systemic resistance in a susceptible barley cultivar (Hordeum vulgare cv. Giza 2000) against P. teres, compared to the conventional fungicide epoxiconazole, under both greenhouse and field conditions. Barley leaves were analysed for reactive oxygen species (ROS) using 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) and nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) staining, for physiological parameters measurements, including chlorophyll, carotenoids, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and superoxide anion (O₂•⁻). Enzymatic activities of key antioxidant and defence-related enzymes were spectrophotometrically assessed.

Results

All epoxiconazole, guanine, and βABA significantly reduced disease severity and infection response with epoxiconazole being the most effective, followed by guanine and βABA. Notably, guanine and βABA induced an early oxidative burst, characterised by increased endogenous production of ROS, H₂O₂, and O₂•⁻, detected in guard and mesophyll cells within 24 h post-inoculation (hpi). This response was inversely correlated with fungal colonisation. Further analyses at 3 and 15 days post-inoculation (dpi) revealed that both elicitors enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity and promoted the accumulation of osmoprotectants and non-enzymatic antioxidants, crucial for countering oxidative stress. Additionally, foliar application of guanine and βABA mitigated oxidative damage by reducing excessive ROS, lipoxygenase activity, and malondialdehyde levels.

Conclusions

The findings underscore the potential of guanine and βABA as key immune signalling molecules in plant–microbe interactions, playing a pivotal role in plant defence. To our knowledge, this is the first study to elucidate the mechanisms behind guanine- and βABA-mediated defence activation in barley against net blotch disease, positioning them as sustainable alternatives to synthetic fungicides for integrated disease management in barley cultivation.

Background

Psoriasis, eczema, fungal infections, and skin aging are prevalent dermatological conditions characterized by chronic inflammation, impaired skin barrier function, and a reduced quality of life. Conventional topical cosmetic treatments, however, are constrained by limited suboptimal efficacy, instability of active compounds, and inadequate skin penetration. The application of nanotechnology in cosmetics, known as nanocosmeceuticals, has emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these drawbacks. Lipid-based nanocarriers, including liposomes, phytosomes, niosomes, and solid lipid nanoparticles, facilitate site-specific delivery, enhance transdermal permeation, and protect bioactive constituents from degradation, improving therapeutic effectiveness.

Main body

This study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of lipid-based nanocosmeceuticals for the prevention and treatment of skin aging and related dermatological disorders, with particular emphasis on formulation strategies, therapeutic efficacy, and safety considerations. This work presents a comprehensive review of peer-reviewed studies addressing the physicochemical properties, delivery strategies, and both in vitro and in vivo performance of lipid-based nanocarriers in dermatological applications. Studies show lipid-based nanocarriers exhibit minimal toxicity, enhanced stability, and controlled, sustained release profiles, with the added ability to deliver active compounds to targeted skin sites. Reported benefits include improved skin hydration, reduced wrinkles, and more effective management of psoriasis, eczema, and microbial infections. Their high entrapment efficiency and capacity for co-delivery of multiple drugs further strengthen their potential as versatile platforms for dermatological therapy.

Conclusion

Lipid-based nanocosmeceuticals represent novel and versatile platforms that provide both cosmetic and therapeutic benefits. They hold strong potential to transform dermatological care through enhanced efficacy and improved safety; however, large-scale clinical trials and regulatory harmonization remain essential to enable their successful translation into clinical practice.

Graphical abstract

The highly infectious Marburg virus (MARV) spreads rapidly through contact with infected individuals and improperly handled deceased bodies. Although burial and cremation practices have been examined for other pathogens, their role in MARV transmission remains largely unquantified. This study introduces a novel fractional-order compartmental model that explicitly incorporates burial, cremation, and awareness-based interventions to assess their combined impact on MARV control. The model employs the Caputo fractional derivative to capture memory effects in disease progression, offering a more realistic representation of transmission dynamics compared to traditional integer-order models. The basic reproduction number is derived via the next-generation matrix (NGM) approach, and the local asymptotic stability of the Marburg-free equilibrium is established. The Marburg present equilibrium point is obtained, and its global stability is rigorously proved using a Lyapunov function framework. Furthermore, bifurcation analysis is conducted to explore qualitative changes in system dynamics and confirm the occurrence of a forward bifurcation at (textrm{R}_0=1). Global sensitivity analysis identifies the most influential parameters affecting disease spread, highlighting that increasing awareness and reducing contact with infectious or deceased individuals markedly suppress transmission. Theoretical contributions include proofs of positivity, boundedness, existence, and uniqueness of solutions, and Ulam–Hyers stability. To validate the proposed approach, results from the generalized Euler method (GEM) are compared with those obtained using Runge–Kutta methods for integer-order models and the Adams-Bashforth-Moulton (ABM) scheme for fractional-order models, showing strong agreement. The findings underscore the novel application of fractional-order modeling to MARV, demonstrating its superior capability to capture long-term effects and guide culturally sensitive, evidence-based public health strategies for outbreak mitigation.

Background

The study conducted a comprehensive literature search from 2004 to 2024 to delve into the strong relationship between palliative care and family meetings.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search of the literature in the Web of Science Core Collection, published “English” papers, and the paper types were limited to “Article” and “Review”. The bibliometric tools CiteSpace, VOSviewer, SCImago Graphica, and COOC tools were used to process and visualize the data.

Results

The results show that the number of publications in this field has grown continuously for more than 20 years. The USA was the largest contributor, followed by Australia and China. Although China ranks high in the number of publications, the average number of citations is still low, indicating that suggesting a need for more high-quality research. In the field of research institutions, the University of Washington and the University of Pittsburgh have a high level of productivity, but the potential for inter-institutional collaboration remains to be exploited, which provides a path for future collaborative development. In terms of authors, Curtis Jr. is by far the leading author in both the number of publications and citations and establishing him as a pioneering scholar in the field who has made remarkable contributions to the development of the discipline.

Conclusions

The development of family meetings is of great significance for critically ill patients and their families in palliative care. Bibliometrics aims to provide more powerful evidence for the future development of this field through visual statistical analysis.

Background

The exploration of alternative food sources has gained significant attention mainly to secure the food supply, maintain sustainability and face the environmental, climate and human challenges. North Africa hosts a plethora of endemic plants that have remained largely untapped in terms of their potential for human consumption.

Materials and methods

A comprehensive literature survey was conducted using several search engines, including Google Scholar, Scopus, BASE, CORE, MDPI, Wiley publications, Web of Science, Springer Link, Microsoft Academia, and PubMed. Relevant studies available up to 2025 were included without time restrictions.

Results

Through an extensive literature review, we identified several native plants that exhibit promising nutritional profiles, with potential health benefits especially for the food industry. The integration of these endemic plants into the food industry has the potential to diversify diets, promote sustainable agriculture harvesting and cultivation practices, support regional food security, and to safeguard local ecosystems and maintain ecological balance.

Conclusion

This review underscores the significance of collaborative efforts between researchers, policymakers, and the private sector to fully unlock the benefits of North African endemic plants as alternative food sources and foster a more resilient and sustainable food future for the region and beyond. Furthermore, the review highlights their adaptability to various culinary uses, encompassing traditional dishes, modern recipes, and potential industrial applications.

Background

Nanoparticles (NPs) are increasingly used in medicine, industry, agriculture, cosmetics, drug delivery, and energy storage. Despite their widespread use, their potential toxicity, particularly their effects on behavior, remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate behavioral and neuronal changes following chronic exposure to four types of NPs: silicon dioxide, nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, and perovskite nanomembrane.

Methods

Eighty adult male BALB/c mice were divided into four treatment groups and four control groups. Treated mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of silicon dioxide, nickel oxide, cobalt oxide, or perovskite for 35 days, while controls received the corresponding vehicle. All mice underwent eight neurobehavioral tests. Brain tissues were collected for histological and immunohistochemical analysis.

Results

NPs-exposed mice exhibited anxiety- and depression-like behaviors, increased stress, thigmotaxis, reduced locomotion, and impaired exploratory activity. Spatial learning and both reference and working memory were also compromised. Histological analysis revealed neuronal shrinkage and pyknosis in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum, along with gliosis, vascular changes, perivascular edema, neuronophagia, and spongiosis. Moreover, a positive inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) immunoreactivity has been increased by the exposure to different types of NPs indicating nitrosative stress with subsequent oxidative stress.

Conclusions

Chronic exposure to NPs induces nitrosative and subsequent oxidative stresses-related neuronal damage and behavioral alterations, potentially disrupting brain function. Among the tested NPs, perovskite nanomembranes displayed the most severe effects, followed by Co₃O₄, NiO, and SiO₂ NPs. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between behavioral outcomes and neuronal pathology caused by long-term NP exposure.

Background

Atherosclerosis remains a leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality despite advances in lipid-lowering therapy. The proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 protein (PCSK9) was originally characterized for promoting degradation of the low-density lipoprotein receptor and raising circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, but growing evidence shows that PCSK9 also participates directly in vascular inflammation and oxidative stress, bridging lipid dysregulation and immune activation.

Main body

PCSK9 amplifies vascular inflammation through several linked mechanisms. PCSK9 augments toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor kappa B signaling, raising transcription and release of cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, and increasing adhesion molecule expression that promotes leukocyte recruitment. PCSK9 upregulates scavenger receptors, notably lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1), and CD36, which enhances uptake of oxidized lipoprotein, foam cell formation and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. PCSK9 also promotes reactive oxygen species generation via NADPH oxidase and impairs nitric oxide biology, worsening endothelial dysfunction. Together these pathways form a self-amplifying loop in which oxidized lipoprotein and cytokines further increase PCSK9 expression. Clinical and preclinical data indicate that PCSK9 inhibitors markedly lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and can reduce some markers of plaque inflammation and oxidative stress, but its full therapeutic potential remains a subject of ongoing investigation.

Conclusion

PCSK9 functions as a molecular bridge between dyslipidemia and vascular inflammation; defining the precise molecular interactions and how different modes of PCSK9 inhibition affect these pathways may enable targeted anti-inflammatory strategies to complement lipid lowering and reduce residual cardiovascular risk.

Background

This study develops and characterizes biphasic Janus nanoparticles (JNPs) for the co-delivery of miconazole nitrate (MCN) and berberine hydrochloride (BER), aiming to enhance antifungal efficacy through combinatorial therapy against superficial fungal infections.

Methods

JNPs were synthesized using single-phase emulsion (O/W-S) and double-phase emulsion (W/O/W) methods, and their physicochemical properties were characterized, including size distribution, polydispersity, surface charge, and encapsulation efficiency. In vitro drug release profiles of MCN and BER from JNPs were evaluated, along with a hydrogel (HG) formulation incorporating optimized JNPs for topical application. Solubility assessments, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy for compatibility analysis, and antifungal activity testing against Candida albicans using the agar well diffusion method were also performed.

Results

JNPs exhibited a unique dumbbell-shaped morphology, achieving encapsulation efficiencies of 90.32% for MCN and 71.13% for BER in the W/O/W method. In vitro drug release studies showed cumulative releases of 97.52% for MCN and 90.23% for BER over 24 h in the JNP-HG formulation. The hydrogel, with a pH of 6.75 ± 0.13 and exhibiting non-Newtonian pseudoplastic behaviour, demonstrated excellent spreadability. Antifungal tests revealed significant efficacy of the co-loaded JNPs in the hydrogel, showing larger inhibition zones compared to individual drugs due to synergism.

Conclusion

This research introduces a novel platform employing JNPs for the combinatorial delivery of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs, facilitating sustained release and offering promising therapeutic potential for antifungal agents. Future studies should evaluate its in vivo performance and explore diverse combinatorial therapies.

Background

Spontaneous abortion, affecting over 20% of pregnancies, presents significant physical and psychological burdens. While chromosomal aneuploidy and environmental factors contribute to its etiology, the role of maternal genetic and psychiatric factors remains underexplored. Emerging evidence links psychiatric disorders, particularly bipolar disorder, to increased spontaneous abortion risk, potentially via immune or neuroendocrine dysregulation. This research examines the causal link between bipolar disorder and spontaneous abortion using mendelian randomization (MR) and delves into molecular mechanisms via bioinformatics analysis.

Results

Initial MR analysis revealed no direct causal association between bipolar disorder and spontaneous abortion (odds ratio (OR) = 1.05, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.99–1.12). However, single-nucleotide-polymorphism-level analysis identified rs1054442 as a potential mediator, linked to reduced expression of DDN, a gene implicated in neurodevelopment and immune modulation. Microarray data demonstrated significant downregulation of DDN in endometrial tissue from spontaneous abortion patients (logFold Change (logFC) = − 1.21, p = 0.004). Concurrently, immune checkpoint genes—CTLA4, IGSF8, ITPRIPL1, and TIGIT—exhibited altered expression patterns, suggesting disrupted immune tolerance at the maternal–fetal interface.

Conclusions

Although bipolar disorder does not directly elevate spontaneous abortion risk, genetic variants associated with the disorder may contribute to immune dysfunction via DDN dysregulation, indirectly predisposing to spontaneous abortion. These discoveries point to the potential influence of maternal immune modulation in the origins of spontaneous abortion and indicate therapeutic targets for those at risk. Further studies are needed to validate these mechanisms and explore clinical interventions targeting immune checkpoint pathways.