Generation of LEPR Knockout Rabbits with CRISPR/CAS9 System.

The LEPR gene encodes a leptin hormone receptor, and its mutations are associated with morbid obesity, dysregulation of lipid metabolism, and fertility defects in humans. Spontaneous Lepr mutations have been described in rodents, and Lepr knockout animals have been generated, in particular, using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Lipid metabolism in rodents significantly differs from that in humans or rabbits, and rabbits are therefore considered as the most relevant model of morbid obesity and lipid metabolism dysregulation in humans.

Nootkatone Counteracts Melamine-Mediated Nephrotoxicity via Modulation of Intermediate Filament Proteins, Oxidative, Inflammatory, and Apoptotic Events.

Background: Nootkatone (NK), a bioactive sesquiterpene ketone, is a major ingredient in grapefruit that has distinguished biological activities. Melamine (MM), a food adulterant, was reported to induce toxic effects including renal disorders. Hence, this protocol was devoted to evaluate the renoprotective impact of NK toward MM-evoked renal damage.

A theoretical spectroscopy study of the photoluminescence properties of narrow band Eu-doped phosphors containing multiple candidate doping centers. Prediction of an unprecedented narrow band red phosphor.

We have previously presented a computational protocol that is based on an embedded cluster model and operates in the framework of TD-DFT in conjunction with the excited state dynamics (ESD) approach. The protocol is able to predict the experimental absorption and emission spectral shapes of Eu-doped phosphors. In this work, the applicability domain of the above protocol is expanded to Eu-doped phosphors bearing multiple candidate Eu doping centers.

Theoretical spectroscopy for unraveling the intensity mechanism of the optical and photoluminescent spectra of chiral Re(I) transition metal complexes.

In this work, we present a computational study that is able to predict the optical absorption and photoluminescent properties of the chiral Re(I) family of complexes [fac-ReX(CO)3L], where X is either Cl or I and L is N-heterocyclic carbene extended with π-conjugated [5]-helicenic unit. The computational strategy is based on carefully calibrated time dependent density functional theory calculations and operates in conjunction with an excited state dynamics approach to treat in addition to absorption (ABS) and photoluminescence (PL), electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) spectroscopies, respectively. The employed computational approach provides, an addition, access to the computation of phosphorescence rates in terms of radiative and non-radiative relaxation processes.

Effects of dietary nano-selenium supplementation on Riemerella anatipestifer vaccinated and challenged Pekin ducklings (Anas platyrhynchos).

Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) is a common disease causing economic losses to duck farms worldwide. Novel supplements are crucially needed to control this bacterium, enhance poultry performance, and produce synergistic effects with vaccines in stimulating the immune system. This study investigated the effect of nano-selenium (Nano-Se) on the vaccinated (VAC) and challenged (Ch) Pekin ducklings (Anas platyrhynchos) with RA.

Ameliorative effect of Arabic gum Acacia and mori extracts in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: implications of Cas-3 and TGF-β.

Objective: Arabic gum Acacia (AG) is rich in fiber which improves lipid metabolism besides its antioxidant effect. Folium mori (FM) is a widely used herb due to its immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant activity. In the current study, we explore the antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, as well as antioxidant activities of AG and FM in Streptozotocin (STZ), induced diabetic rats.

Antioxidative and Cytoprotective Efficacy of Ethanolic Extracted Cranberry Pomace against Enteritidis Infection in Chicken Liver Cells.

serovar Enteritidis is a globally significant zoonotic foodborne pathogen. Chicken liver is a vital organ that has been recently implicated in several reported human salmonellosis outbreaks in the U.S.

Electronic and Optical Properties of Eu-Activated Narrow-Band Phosphors for Phosphor-Converted Light-Emitting Diode Applications: Insights from a Theoretical Spectroscopy Perspective.

In this work, we present a computational protocol that is able to predict the experimental absorption and emission spectral shapes of Eu-doped phosphors. The protocol is based on time-dependent density functional theory and operates in conjunction with an excited-state dynamics approach. It is demonstrated that across the study set consisting of representative examples of nitride, oxo-nitride, and oxide Eu-doped phosphors, the energy distribution and the band shape of the emission spectrum are related to the nature of the 4f-5d transitions that are probed in the absorption process.

Biochemical and molecular effects of a commercial diuretic with herbal extract on experimentally induced urolithiasis in chickens.

This study evaluated the diuretic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunological effects of a commercial diuretic (CD) (composed of ammonium chloride, potassium citrate, sodium chloride, ascorbic acid, biotin, halfa bar extract, and hexamine) on chickens with induced urolithiasis. A total of 100 one-day-old white Hy-Line chicks were fed a basal diet containing 20% crude protein (CP) and 1% Ca until they reached 48 days of age. Then, the birds were divided into five groups (G1-G5).

Antimicrobial, immunological and biochemical effects of florfenicol and garlic (Allium sativum) on rabbits infected with Escherichia coli serotype O55: H7.

Florfenicol (FFC) is a synthetic broad-spectrum antibiotic and garlic has a bactericidal action against coliforms. This study was carried out to compare the antimicrobial, immunological and biochemical effects of florfenicol and garlic, for their ability to treat enteropathogenic Escherichia coli serotype O55: H7 infection in rabbits. Four groups (G1-G4) were included.

Effective Targeting of Raf-1 and Its Associated Autophagy by Novel Extracted Peptide for Treating Breast Cancer Cells.

Breast cancer is one of the most common causes of death in women worldwide and has harmful influence on their psychological state during therapy. Multikinase inhibitors have become effective drugs for treating a variety of cancer diseases such as breast cancer. A purified short peptide (H-P) was isolated from the natural honey and tested for its potential regulatory role in breast cancer cells compared with the effectiveness of the anticancer drug, Sorafenib (SOR), using MCF-7, EFM-19, and MCF-10A cell lines.

Variable clinical phenotype in TBK1 mutations: case report of a novel mutation causing primary progressive aphasia and review of the literature.

TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1) mutations are a recently discovered cause of disorders in the frontotemporal dementia (FTD)-amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spectrum. We describe a novel L683∗ mutation, predicted to cause a truncated protein and therefore be pathogenic, in a patient presenting with nonfluent variant primary progressive aphasia at the age of 65 years. Her disease progressed over the following years, leading to her being mute and wheelchair bound seven years into her illness.

Co-infection of with H9N2 avian influenza virus in chickens.

and avian influenza virus are important pathogens affecting the poultry industry and human health worldwide. In this experimental study, we evaluated the consequences of co-infection of (SE) with H9N2 avian influenza virus (H9N2-AIV) in chickens. Four groups were included: control group, H9N2-AIV group, H9N2-AIV + SE group, and SE group.

Biochemical and molecular investigation of oxidative stress associated with urolithiasis induced by increased dietary calcium or protein in chickens.

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of induced urolithiasis by high dietary calcium (Ca) or protein levels on biochemical analyte levels, redox status, selected inflammatory cytokines and histopathology in chickens. A total of 90 one-day-old white Hy-Line chicks were fed basal control diets containing 20% crude protein (CP) and 1% Ca until they reached 44 days of age. After that, the birds were divided into three groups (30 birds per group).

Altered phobic reactions in frontotemporal dementia: A behavioural and neuroanatomical analysis.

Introduction: Abnormal behavioural and physiological reactivity to emotional stimuli is a hallmark of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), particularly the behavioural variant (bvFTD). As part of this repertoire, altered phobic responses have been reported in some patients with FTD but are poorly characterised.

Methods: We collected data (based on caregiver reports) concerning the prevalence and nature of any behavioural changes related to specific phobias in a cohort of patients representing canonical syndromes of FTD and Alzheimer's disease (AD), relative to healthy older controls.

Immunostimulant effect of a mixed herbal extract on infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) vaccinated chickens in the context of a co-infection model of avian influenza virus H9N2 and IBDV.

This study was conducted to assess the comparative effects of a mixed herbal extract (MHE) containing Ocimum sanctum, Withania somnifera, Emblica officinalis, Tinospora cordifolia, Mangifera indica, and Asphaltum (shilajit) on infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV)-vaccinated (VAC) chickens infected with IBDV and avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2. The experiment included three groups (G1-G3): G1, the negative control group; G2, the VAC + challenged (Ch) group; and G3, the VAC + Ch + MHE group. MHE was orally administered continuously for 5 weeks post-vaccination (PV) with IBDV at 12 days of age, and the chicks were simultaneously challenged with virulent IBDV (intraocularly) and AIV H9N2 (intranasally) at 21 days PV.

Prevalence and factors associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms among Palestinian medical students.

Background: Co-existence of depression and anxiety can be associated with severe detrimental consequences to the physical, mental and social wellbeing of the affected populations. This study was conducted to determine prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms among Palestinian medical students and to investigate associations between sociodemographic factors of the students with depressive and anxiety symptoms.

Methods: This study was conducted in a cross-sectional observational design using a questionnaire in the period between September 2018 and April 2019 in a major university in the West Bank of Palestine.

Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein is raised in progranulin-associated frontotemporal dementia.

Background: There are few validated fluid biomarkers in frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a measure of astrogliosis, a known pathological process of FTD, but has yet to be explored as potential biomarker.

Methods: Plasma GFAP and neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentration were measured in 469 individuals enrolled in the Genetic FTD Initiative: 114 expansion carriers (74 presymptomatic, 40 symptomatic), 119 mutation carriers (88 presymptomatic, 31 symptomatic), 53 mutation carriers (34 presymptomatic, 19 symptomatic) and 183 non-carrier controls.

Two pathologically confirmed cases of novel mutations in the MAPT gene causing frontotemporal dementia.

MAPT mutations were the first discovered genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) in 1998. Since that time, over 60 MAPT mutations have been identified, usually causing behavioral variant FTD and/or parkinsonism clinically. We describe 2 novel MAPT mutations, D252V and G389_I392del, each presenting in a patient with behavioral variant FTD and associated language and cognitive deficits.

White matter hyperintensities in progranulin-associated frontotemporal dementia: A longitudinal GENFI study.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders with both sporadic and genetic forms. Mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) are a common cause of genetic FTD, causing either a behavioural presentation or, less commonly, language impairment. Presence on T2-weighted images of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) has been previously shown to be more commonly associated with GRN mutations rather than other forms of FTD.

Comparative effects of Herba Cox®, a commercial herbal extract, on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) experimentally infected with Eimeria stiedae.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of Herba Cox®, a commercial herbal compound containing extracts from Bombax malabaricum, Aegle marmelos, Anethum foeniculum, Resina salvia, Ferula asafoetida and Papaver somniferum, for the treatment of rabbit hepatic coccidiosis. Thirty rabbits were allocated into three groups (10 × 3), the G1 group served as a negative control group, G2 group (positive control group) was infected with 5 × 10 sporulated E. stiedaeoocysts and served as infected-untreated group, and G3 group was infected with 5 × 10 sporulated E.

Effect of omega-3 rich diet on the response of Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) infected with Newcastle disease virus or avian influenza virus H9N2.

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of omega-3 supplementation on growth performance, clinical signs, post-mortem lesions, haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibody titres, gene expression and histopathology in quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) infected with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) and avian influenza virus (AIV) H9N2. One hundred, 40-day-old male quails were divided into 5 groups: G1, fed a control basal diet; G2A, infected with NDV; G2B, infected with H9N2; G3A, infected with NDV and given omega-3, and G3B, infected with H9N2 and given omega-3. The dietary omega-3 supplementation was continued for 4 weeks: two weeks before infection and two weeks after intranasal infection with virulent NDV and AIV H9N2.

Effect of colibacillosis on the immune response to a rabbit viral haemorrhagic disease vaccine.

Viral haemorrhagic disease (VHD) and colibacillosis are common diseases in rabbits that cause economic losses worldwide. The effect of colibacillosis on the immune response of vaccinated rabbits against rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV) was studied. Four groups (G1-G4) were included.

Comparative immune response and pathogenicity of the H9N2 avian influenza virus after administration of Immulant, based on Echinacea and Nigella sativa, in stressed chickens.

Avian influenza vaccines are commonly used in the poultry industry, and some medicinal plants can increase the efficacy of such vaccines. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of Immulant (IMU) (a commercial product based on Echinacea and Nigella sativa) on stress induced by dexamethasone (DEX) in chickens vaccinated (VAC) against the H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV-H9N2). Seven experimental groups were included: the negative control, VAC, DEX, VAC + DEX, VAC + DEX + IMU, VAC + IMU and IMU groups.