Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles from Two Varieties of and Their Antibacterial Activity.

, the most widely cultivated mushroom, is safe to eat and enriched with protein and secondary metabolites. We prepared silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) from two varieties of and tested their antibacterial activity The synthesized AgNPs were initially confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy peaks at 420 and 430 nm for white and brown mushrooms AgNPs, respectively. AgNPs were further characterized by zeta sizer, transmission electronic microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) prior to antibacterial activity by the well diffusion method against six bacterial strains which include , , , , , and TEM results revealed a spherical shape with an average diameter of about 11 nm in the white mushroom extract and 5 nm in the brown mushroom extract.

Probiotic Ameliorating Effects of Altered GABA/Glutamate Signaling in a Rodent Model of Autism.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) comprise a heterogeneous group of pathological conditions, mainly of genetic origin, characterized by stereotyped behavior, such as marked impairment in verbal and nonverbal communication, social skills, and cognition. Excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) imbalances have been recorded as an etiological mechanism of ASD. Furthermore, GABA, the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in adult life, is known to be much lower in both patients and rodent models of ASD.

Discriminant analysis and binary logistic regression enable more accurate prediction of autism spectrum disorder than principal component analysis.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired social interaction and restricted, repetitive behavior. Multiple studies have suggested mitochondrial dysfunction, glutamate excitotoxicity, and impaired detoxification mechanism as accepted etiological mechanisms of ASD that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention. In the current study, blood samples were collected from 40 people with autism and 40 control participants after informed consent and full approval from the Institutional Review Board of King Saud University.

Alpha-Synuclein, cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandins-EP2 receptors as neuroinflammatory biomarkers of autism spectrum disorders: Use of combined ROC curves to increase their diagnostic values.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social interaction and restricted and repetitive behaviors. Neuroinflammation and abnormal lipid mediators have been identified in multiple investigations as an acknowledged etiological mechanism of ASD that can be targeted for therapeutic intervention.

Methods: In this study, multiple regression and combined receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to determine the relationship between the neuroinflammatory marker α-synuclein and lipid mediator markers related to inflammation induction, such as cyclooxygenase-2 and prostaglandin-EP2 receptors, in the etiology of ASD.

Association of Maternal Diabetes and Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring: a Study in a Rodent Model of Autism.

The present study investigated that maternal type 1 diabetes may contribute to autism pathogenesis in offspring, and that insulin therapy during pregnancy may prevent the onset of autism. As evidenced, selected brain biomarkers representing the accepted etiological mechanism of autism in newborn rats from diabetic mothers and diabetic mothers receiving insulin therapy compared to the propionic acid (PPA) rodent model of autism were screened. Female Wistar rats with a controlled fertility cycle were randomly divided into three groups: a control group, a group treated with a single dose of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ) to induce type 1 diabetes (T1D), and a group treated with a single dose of STZ to induce T1D along with insulin therapy.

The protective effect of plant extract against glutamate-induced DNA damage and reduced cell viability in a primary retinal ganglion cell line.

Background: Glutamate excitotoxicity can cause DNA damage and is linked to many retinal and neurological disorders. In mammals, the visual signal from the eyes to the brain is conducted only by retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which can be damaged by overstimulation of glutamate receptors.

Methodology: We examined the protective effects of seed extract against glutamate-induced DNA damage in RGCs.

as candidate against excitotoxicity in retinal ganglion cells.

Unlabelled: Glutamate excitotoxicity is considered one of the major causes of retinal ganglion cell death in many retinal diseases. Retinal ganglion cell degeneration causes severe blindness since visual signals from the eye to the brain are conducted only through retinal ganglion cells.

Objective: We aimed to explore the potential ameliorative effects of against glutamate excitotoxicity-induced retinal ganglion cell damage.

Cytotoxic and anti-excitotoxic effects of selected plant and algal extracts using COMET and cell viability assays.

Excess glutamate in the central nervous system may be a major cause of neurodegenerative diseases with gradual loss and dysfunction of neurons. Primary or secondary metabolites from medicinal plants and algae show potential for treatment of glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. Three plant extracts were evaluated for impact on glutamate excitotoxicity-induced in primary cultures of retinal ganglion cells (RGC).

Efficacy of Novavit in ameliorating the neurotoxicity of propionic acid.

Oxidative stress, abnormal fatty acid metabolism, and impaired gut microbiota play a serious role in the pathology of autism. The use of dietary supplements to improve the core symptoms of autism is a common therapeutic strategy. The present study analyzed the effects of oral supplementation with Novavit, a multi-ingredient supplement, on ameliorating oxidative stress and impaired lipid metabolism in a propionic acid (PPA)-induced rodent model of autism.

Bee pollen and propolis improve neuroinflammation and dysbiosis induced by propionic acid, a short chain fatty acid in a rodent model of autism.

Background: Neuroinflammation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of autism because the cytokine levels are typically disturbed in the brain in autistic patients. Prebiotics-rich diet maintains the healthy gut microbiota and hence can regulate the neuroinflammation indirectly. The study aimed to investigate the role of bee pollen and propolis in ameliorating neuroinflammation, including cytokine levels, in an animal model of autism.

Nephroprotective Role of Selenium Nanoparticles Against Glycerol-Induced Acute Kidney Injury in Rats.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome associated with the incidence of rhabdomyolysis (RM). The current study was carried out to evaluate whether selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) can protect against the glycerol-induced AKI model. Rats were distributed into four equal groups (n = 7): the control group (G1), SeNPs group (G2), AKI group (G3), and SeNPs+AKI group (G4).

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and biochar improves drought tolerance in chickpea.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation and biochar amendment has been reported to improve growth of several crop plants however their role in stress amelioration individually as well as in combination has not been worked out. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the application of AMF and biochar on the performance of chickpea under drought stress. The treatments included the individual as well as combined treatment of AMF and biochar to drought stressed and normal chickpea plants.

Comparative study on the independent and combined effects of omega-3 and vitamin B12 on phospholipids and phospholipase A2 as phospholipid hydrolyzing enzymes in PPA-treated rats as a model for autistic traits.

Background: Abnormal phospholipid metabolism is a major component of many neurodevelopmental disorders including autism. Oral administration of propionic acid (PPA) can produce behavioral abnormalities and biochemical features in rodents similar to those observed in autism and can thus be used as a model to understand impaired brain fatty acid metabolism in autism.

Methods: The present study was designed to understand alterations in phospholipid metabolism in the brain of a rodent model of autism and to explore omega-3 and vitamin B12 as remedies.

The expression of telomere-related proteins and DNA damage response and their association with telomere length in colorectal cancer in Saudi patients.

Background: Colorectal cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Saudi Arabia. Cancer has a multifactorial nature and can be described as a disease of altered gene expression. The profiling of gene expression has been used to identify cancer subtypes and to predict patients' responsiveness.

High-fat diet stimulates the gut pathogenic microbiota and maintains hepatic injury in antibiotic-treated rats.

The gut and the liver are closely linked to each other, as changes in the gut microbiota can play a significant role in the development of many liver diseases. Gut bacteria respond rapidly to changes in diet and thus can affect the liver through their metabolites. The impact of a high lipid diet on the liver in the presence of an altered gut flora modulated by ampicillin was investigated.

Glutamate excitotoxicity induced by orally administered propionic acid, a short chain fatty acid can be ameliorated by bee pollen.

Background: Rodent models may guide investigations towards identifying either environmental neuro-toxicants or drugs with neuro-therapeutic effects. This work aims to study the therapeutic effects of bee pollen on brain glutamate excitotoxicity and the impaired glutamine-glutamate- gamma amino butyric acid (GABA) circuit induced by propionic acid (PPA), a short chain fatty acid, in rat pups.

Methods: Twenty-four young male Western Albino rats 3-4 weeks of age, and 45-60 g body weight were enrolled in the present study.

Spectral and thermal properties of novel eye lens ζ-crystallin.

Eye lenses are exposed to thermal, solar radiations, dryness that enhances cataractogenesis. Some animal lenses contain novel proteins in bulk quantities. ζ-crystallin occurred in three ecologically divergent species, but it's physiological role not known.

Role of Different Natural Antioxidants in the Modulation of mRNA-expression of Apoptotic Molecules in the Livers of Carbon Tetrachloride-Intoxicated Rats.

Overexpression of nuclear factor (NF-κB) or activation of Smad3 by transforming growth factor β (TGF-β1) induced by oncogenes results in overexpression of fibrotic processes and hence cell death. The objective of this study is to examine whether Silymarin (Sil) alone or in combination with Vitamin E (Vit E) and/or Curcumin (Cur) plays a modulatory role against the overexpression of NF-κB, and TGF-β that induced in response to carbon tetrachloride (CCl) administration. The present work revealed that CCl induced elevation of in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Apoptosis regulator (Bax), Smad3, TGF-β, and NF-kB hepatic mRNA expression (using Real-time PCR), administration of Sil alone downregulated these expressions.

Agaricus blazei Murill as an efficient hepatoprotective and antioxidant agent against CCl4-induced liver injury in rats.

Agaricus blazei Murill is one of the very popular edible medicinal mushrooms. The present study investigated the protective effect of this biologically active mushroom on the tissue peroxidative damage and abnormal antioxidant levels in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity in male albino rats. Male albino rats of Sprague-Dawley strain weighting (120-150 g) were categorized into five groups.

Protective and therapeutic potency of N-acetyl-cysteine on propionic acid-induced biochemical autistic features in rats.

Background: The investigation of the environmental contribution for developmental neurotoxicity is very critical. Many environmental chemical exposures are now thought to contribute to the development of neurological disorders, especially in children. Results from animal studies may guide investigations of human populations towards identifying either environmental toxicants that cause or drugs that protect from neurotoxicity and may help in treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Mechanism of nitrogen metabolism-related parameters and enzyme activities in the pathophysiology of autism.

Background: There is evidence that impaired metabolism play an important role in the etiology of many neuropsychiatric disorders. Although this has not been investigated to date, several recent studies proposed that nitrogen metabolism-related parameters may have a pathophysiological role in autism.

Methods: The study enrolled 20 Saudi boys with autism aged 4 to 12 years and 20 healthy controls matched for age and gender.