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

Background

Barely Hordeum vulgare L. is considered one of the most important cereal crops with economic and industrial importance in the world, but its productivity is affected by climate change and abiotic stresses. One of the most recent and important microbiological promising aspects is the use of associated microorganisms, especially the endophytic bacteria producers for non-ribosomal peptides which play an important role in promoting plant growth, productivity, and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This work aims to identify vertically transferred or inherited endophytic bacterial communities in barely seeds, detect the presence of non-ribosomal peptides from these isolated endophytic strains and study their effect on protein patterns as a response to salinity stress.

Results

From two different tolerant (Giza 126) and sensitive (Giza 123) barely seeds cultivars, six different endophytic bacterial strains were isolated and identified using 16S rRNA. Bacterial strains belonged to Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Staphylococcus and Acinetobacter genera. Three of them have been isolated from both sensitive and tolerant barely cultivar (Uncultured Staphylococcus, Acinetobacter and Priestia endophytica or Bacillus endophyticus), while the other three endophytes have been isolated uniquely from the tolerant barely cultivar (Paenibacillus glucanolyticus, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus sp.). Non-ribosomal peptide synthetases genes NRPs of two lipopeptide families; surfactins and kurstakins have been detected using both bioinformatic analysis and degenerate primers. On the other hand, fragments similar to NRPs genes might be considered new NRPS molecules in Paenibacillus glucanolyticus, Acinetobacter and Priestia endophytica which have been detected using degenerate primers and required whole genome sequencing. The effect of soaking barely seeds exposed to 2.5% NaCl using SDS-PAGE electrophoresis revealed the presence of 24 bands, 10 of them were monomorphic with 41.5%, and 14 were polymorphic with 58.5% polymorphism.

Conclusion

The overnight soaking and co-cultivation of isolated endophytic strains with barely seeds before planting proved their capability in conferring salt stress tolerance to barely seedlings which appeared in protein patterns. We could consider these barely seeds endophytic among the PGPR strains promising to improve plant growth during abiotic stresses.

Background

The rapid expansion of modern smart applications, demanding faster data transfer and extensive bandwidth, has prompted the development of new-generation networks like 5G and 6G. These networks encompass additional frequency bands such as sub-6 GHz, millimeter waves, and terahertz bands to meet the growing bandwidth requirements. However, despite the substantial bandwidth available in these bands, several challenges must be addressed to overcome unfavorable propagation characteristics. Moreover, numerous applications necessitate wireless devices with antennas that exhibit high flexibility and exceptional radiation responses, particularly when subjected to bending effects. This requirement highlights the importance of polymers-based antennas that can adapt to changing conditions while maintaining optimal performance. The present comprehensive study delves into the performance evaluation of rectangular and circular microstrip antennas utilizing PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) polymer substrate with varying thicknesses.

Results

Notably, CNTs (Carbon Nanotubes) are employed as an alternative to traditional copper for the conductive part and ground plane. Both PMMA-based antennas, integrated with CNTs, exhibit a compact footprint of 27.8 × 47.8 × 1.5 mm³ for the circular antenna and 22.8 × 39.5 × 1.5 mm³ for the rectangular antenna. Impressively, the realized gain of both antennas surpasses 5 dBi, demonstrating robust performance in both flat and bending scenarios across different substrate thicknesses.

Conclusions

The rectangular antenna achieves a bandwidth of approximately 200 MHz, while the circular microstrip antenna showcase annotable bandwidth of 500 MHz. These exceptional outcomes position the two microstrip antennas as highly suitable for a diverse range of emerging applications within the sub-6 GHz band (the frequency range below 6 GHz in the radio spectrum). Thus, the combination of PMMA substrate, CNTs and the compact form factor of the antennas presents a compelling solution for meeting the demands of modern applications requiring efficient wireless communication with enhanced performance and bandwidth.

Background

Despite recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer, relative survival rates have not changed significantly. Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) Lam. is one such plant with its anticancer properties being proved in its leaves, stem, flowers but no studies are yet reported proving the anticancer property of its seed oil on oral cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-proliferative and cytotoxic effect of M. oleifera seed oil against two Oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines CAL27 and SCC15 using MTT assay.

Results

2D GC-TOF Mass spectrometry revealed a total of 199 compounds, among which the majority were alkanes (68.2016%) and fatty acid esters (11.1399%). The MTT assay report showed good dose-dependent activity. A significant reduction in cell viability within 24 h with IC50 value of 17.78 µg/mL and 24.28 µg/mL for all treatment groups was observed for both the cell lines CAL27 and SCC15.

Conclusion

MTT assay showed a significant decrease in cell viability with an increase in the oil dose, thereby revealing the cytotoxic and anti-proliferative activity of M. oleifera seed oil on oral cancer cell lines namely CAL27and SCC15. The results of this study indicate that M. oleifera seed oil can be used as a potent anti-cancer agent in the treatment of Oral cancer.

Graphical abstract

Background and Objective

Genetic and epigenetic changes characterize the multi-step process of breast carcinogenesis. It is believed that abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression has a role in the onset and progression of breast cancer. This study aimed to examine the link between miRNA-127 and miRNA-138 and metastasis, tumor invasion, and apoptosis in Egyptian women with breast cancer, as well as their correlation with its molecular types.

Methodology

A total of 150 participants were included in this study, including 75 women with breast cancer and 75 supposedly healthy women who were age and gender-matched. Every patient underwent a thorough physical examination, a general clinical examination, a mammogram, and lab tests, such as the determination of the levels of miRNA-127 and miRNA-138 expression by real-time PCR and the measurement of blood carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and carcinoma antigen 15–3 (CA15-3) and CA15-3 and CEA levels.

Results

There was a significant low expression of miRNA-127 in favor of high TNM stage (Classification of Malignant Tumors), left-sided tumor, metastasis, high-grade disease, increased axillary nodal involvement, absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors, and low antigen Kiel 67 (Ki67) expression. Also, a significant expression of miRNA 127 in triple-negative breast cancer was found, followed by human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2/neu) overexpression, then luminal B, and the highest expression was with the Luminal A molecular subtype. A significant negative correlation existed between miRNA 127 and miRNA 138 with CEA and CA15.3 levels.

Conclusion

The miRNA-127 and miRNA-138 suppression may promote metastasis. Consequently, the restoration of miRNA-127 and miRNA-138 in breast cancer may have therapeutic potential; so, the miRNA-127 and miRNA-138 may play a role in breast cancer development.

Background

Rapid-hardening concrete (RHC) is a specialized type of concrete that gains strength at an accelerated rate, allowing for faster construction and reduced project timelines. The use of RHC in structural applications, such as in beams subjected to flexural loads, has gained significant attention due to its potential for improving construction efficiency. This study focuses on the flexural performance of RHC beams with tension lap splice, which is considered a common method for joining reinforcement bars in concrete structures.

Results

Several parameters were taken into consideration, such as concrete type, concrete cover, and reinforcement bar diameter. The loading test was performed on sixteen beams to show results of load capacities, moment–displacement response, energy absorption, and ductility. As a result, the flexural performance of RHC beams is compared to that of NC beams.

Conclusions

Results indicate that RHC beams require 30 Φ splice length after 3 days of casting, while NC beams require 40 Φ splice length after 28 days. The RHC beam had higher load capacities, ductility, resilience, and toughness than NC beams, by 73%, 41%, 82%, and 88%, respectively. The bar diameter and concrete cover had a significant effect on increasing loads and resilience, while toughness decreased.

Background

Eurycoma longifolia (E. longifolia), Labisia pumila (L. pumila), and Orthosiphon stamineus (O. stamineus) are popular species known for their therapeutic properties. An increase in local demand for herbal products makes them susceptible to adulteration, which poses a risk to their safety and efficacy. Current identification methods, such as organoleptic, microscopic, and macroscopic analysis, need to be revised to identify plant species in highly processed herbal products due to their limited ability to detect morphological features and provide comprehensive plant taxonomy information.

Methods

This research objective was to develop a simple, reliable, and accurate DNA molecular identification method based on polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR–RFLP) for E. longifolia, L. pumila, and O. stamineus, used to validate the species identification for herbal products. PCR–RFLP was developed for rapid identification using restriction enzymes TaqI, BamH I, HinfI, EcoRI, EcoRV, Mbol, and Mspl.

Results

The nuclear DNA internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) sequences were identified and compared between plant specimens of E. longifolia, L. pumila, and O. stamineus and 101 samples of commercial herbal products. Plant specimens of E. longifolia, L. pumila, and O. stamineus were successfully identified with high similarity of 100%, 100%, and 99.33%, respectively, based on National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) GenBank. The recovery of DNA sequences from the herbal products was 60.4%, of which 81.97% were identified, and 18.03% showed no sequence through Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST) identification.

Conclusion

A reliable approach for identifying and validating plant species in herbal products has been created using restriction enzymes. This simple and accurate PCR–RFLP approach efficiently identifies E. longifolia, L. pumila, and O. stamineus by analysing ITS2 sequences, assuring consumer health and safety.

Background

Bromelain is a mixture of protease enzyme extract from the fruit or stem of the pineapple plant. It has a wide range of biological actions, and it is most commonly used as an anti-inflammatory agent. This study was designed to investigate the antidepressant effect of bromelain on chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-induced depression in rat models by targeting various molecular mechanisms.

Result

We studied the in silico analysis of the antidepressant potential of bromelain by docking with various proteins involved in the pathophysiology of depression. As a result of in silico studies, bromelain showed good binding energy with IL1β, 5-HT, BDNF, CREB, and TrkB. The mRNA expression of BDNF, TrkB, AKT, ERK, and IL-1β was studied by qRT-PCR. Gene expression studies showed a significant decrease in BDNF, TrkB, AKT, and ERK in chronic unpredictable stress, whereas there was a significant increase in the case of the bromelain- and fluoxetine-treated group. Since neuroinflammation is also one of the major concerns in the pathophysiology of depression, pro-inflammatory cytokines were also studied along with apoptotic markers using ELISA. ELISA results showed a significant increase in inflammatory cytokines in CUS, and it was significantly decreased in the case of the bromelain- and fluoxetine-treated group. Similarly, there was an increased concentration of pro-apoptotic protein in the CUS group, whereas it was decreased in the bromelain and fluoxetine groups.

Conclusions

From the results, it is clear that bromelain exerts an antidepressive effect by preventing neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration and by enhancing neurogenesis and neuroplasticity.

Graphical abstract

Background

Odontogenic tumors a variety of benign and malignant lesions developed exclusively in the jaws. They are known to have variable clinical behaviors and different histological features. The development of odontogenic tumors is attributed to alterations in some genetic and biological molecules. The aim of this study is to assess Glypican-3 immune expression in different groups of odontogenic neoplasms as in Ameloblastoma, Ameloblastic Fibroma, and Ameloblastic Carcinoma, and compare it to dental follicle tissue as control group. Also correlate the marker expression with the known biological behavior of these tumors. This study included 40 cases were selected from oral and maxillofacial pathology department (ten cases in each group). Some sections are prepared to be stained with H&E stain and other sections with Glypican-3 immune stain. Histological examination and Histomorphometric analysis were done finally under light microscope. The area percents of Glypican-3 immune expression in all tumor sections were measured.

Results

Level of expression of Glypican-3 revealed significant difference between the study groups (P-value < or = 0.05). The level of immune expression was highest in ameloblastic carcinoma group (M = 58.7) followed by ameloblastoma group (M = 33.9), then ameloblastic fibroma (M = 5.6) and lowest in the control group of dental follicle (M = 1.3).

Conclusions

Glypican-3 immune expression demonstrated statistically significant difference among the study groups, indicating that it may have contributing role in tumor pathogenesis and its biological behavior.

Background

A novel category of unusual cannabinoid substances was created to serve as marijuana alternatives due to its widespread availability, low price, pleasurable effects, and difficulty to be detected in regular urine testing for drugs, although more potential for abuse, toxicity, and behavioral alterations can result. It is more hazardous to multiple organ systems and has higher CB1 and CB2 receptor affinities than natural cannabinoids. So, the abuse potential, toxicity, and cardiac and nervous systems health hazards of two popular street herbs (AB-PINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA) have been evaluated in mice.

Methods

Thirty male mice were separated into three equally sized groups indiscriminately: the control group: received no treatments, the AB-PINACA-treated group, and the MDMB-4en-PINACA-treated group. Treated groups were exposed to the two herbs for two consecutive days via inhalation to simulate natural human exposure. Cannabinoid tetrad tests and anxiety-like behavior were performed. Serum samples were obtained for cardiac enzymes measurement. Heart and brain tissue samples were harvested for the determination of oxidative stress markers, brain neurotransmitters, and histopathological findings.

Results

Nociception and hypothermia were significantly influenced by both treatments. The locomotor activity decreased significantly with AB-PINACA inhalation, while the cataleptic effect increased significantly with MDMB-4en-PINACA inhalation. In addition, both treatments induced anxiety-like behavior. Both treatments induced alterations in brain neurotransmitter levels (glutamate, dopamine, and serotonin) and cardiac enzyme levels (CK-MB, troponin I). Histological changes showed neurodegenerative, necrotic, and infracted heart myocytes and degenerated muscle fibers, particularly with MDMB-4en-PINACA inhalation.

Conclusions

Acute inhalation of street herbs containing AB-PINACA and MDMB-4en-PINACA induced neurobehavioral and cardiac disturbances, which were evident by changes in behavior, brain neurotransmitters, and heart enzymes, in addition to the degenerative histopathological changes in the brain and heart.

Background

This study aimed to develop a vaccine for controlling salmonellosis, a zoonotic disease affecting both humans and chicken, by employing Fe₂O₃ ferrous iron oxide (FNPs), silicon dioxide (SiNPs), carboxymethyl chitosan (C.CS NPs), and FNPs-chitosan (FCNPs) nanocomposite as immunological adjuvants. The immune response of vaccinated chicken was assessed through ELISA and challenge tests.

Results

The hydrodynamic diameters of Fe₂O₃, Fe₂O₃-CS, C.CS, and SiO₂ NPs were found to be 81.95 ± 14.95, 137.1 ± 20.5, 32.86 ± 14.05, and 15.64 ± 3.6 nm, respectively. The incorporation of nanoparticles into the vaccine formulation significantly enhanced its efficacy by eliciting a robust immune response. According to the study, FNPs, SiNPs, C.CS NPs, and FCNPs can be used as immunological adjuvants to strengthen chicken’s immune systems and help prevent salmonellosis. By gradually raising antibody titers, all five vaccine formulations successfully stimulated an immunological response against Salmonella in vaccinated chicken. The size of the immunological response, however, differed amongst the various vaccination formulations. The SiNPs group had the highest antibody titer, followed by the locally administered vaccine.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the use of silicon dioxide SiNPs as a vaccine delivery system could enhance the immune response to Salmonella in chicken. Overall, the study demonstrates that the use of adjuvanted vaccines with nanomaterials, particularly SiNPs, has significantly increased the protection rate from 67 to 93.3% when compared to the locally used vaccine, which had a protection rate of 83%.