Feed additives are used frequently in variable combinations to maximize broiler productivity and consumer safety. Therefore, we evaluated the efficiency of feed additives used in four different ...diets: a basal diet, a probiotic (PRO-PAC
) supplement diet, an egg yolk purified immunoglobulin Y (IgY) supplemented diet, and a combination of IgY and PRO-PAC
supplement (
= 15 for each group). We assessed the improvement of behavioral and hematological parameters of Ross broilers before and after an immune stress challenge using lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Behavioral as well as physiological parameters were analyzed. The standing frequency was the highest (
< 0.05) in broilers supplemented with a combination of probiotics and IgY. Likewise, latency approach score to a novel object improved (
< 0.01) in the combination group at week-3. After intraperitoneal injection of LPS, this combination group achieved the best gait score at week-3, followed by week-5, compared to birds fed the basal diet. The heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio, heterophil differential count, and eosinophil differential count in the basal diet group that was challenged with LPS were significantly increased (
< 0.01,
< 0.001,
< 0.05, respectively) compared to the combination groups. Therefore, we concluded that the combination of IgY and probiotics can significantly improve the behavior and the underlying physiological parameters of Ross broilers. Consequently, this combination can improve the broilers' health, welfare and produce a safe meat free from harmful chemical residues.
N-nitrosodiethylamine (ND) is an extremely toxic unavoidable environmental contaminant. Copper
-albumin (CuAB) complex, a newly developed Cu complex, showed antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ...potential. Hereby, we explored the plausible neuroprotective role of CuAB complex toward ND-evoked neurotoxicity in mice. Twenty-four male mice were sorted into 4 groups (6 mice each). Control group, mice were administered oral distilled water; and CuAB group, mice received CuAB complex at a dose of 817 µg/kg orally, three times weekly. In ND group, ND was given intraperitoneally (50 mg/kg body weight, once weekly for 6 w). CuAB+ND group, mice were administered a combination of CuAB and ND. The brain was quickly extracted upon completion of the experimental protocol for the evaluation of the oxidative/antioxidative markers, inflammatory cytokines, and histopathological examination. Oxidative stress was induced after ND exposure indicated by a reduction in GSH and SOD1 level, with increased MDA level. In addition, decreased expression of SOD1 proteins, Nrf2, and 5-HT mRNA expression levels were noticed. An apoptotic cascade has also been elicited, evidenced by overexpression of Cyt c, Cl. Casp 3. In addition, increased regulation of proinflammatory genes (TNF-α, IL-6, iNOS, Casp1, and NF-κB (p65/p50); besides, increment of protein expression of P-IKBα and reduced expression of IKBα. Pretreatment with CuAB complex significantly ameliorated ND neuronal damage. Our results recommend CuAB complex supplementation because it exerts neuroprotective effects against ND-induced toxicity.
Aflatoxin Bsub.1 (AF) is an unavoidable environmental pollutant that contaminates food, feed, and grains, which seriously threatens human and animal health. Arabic gum (AG) has recently evoked much ...attention owing to its promising therapeutic potential. Thus, the current study was conducted to look into the possible mechanisms beyond the ameliorative activity of AG against AF-inflicted hepatic injury. Male Wistar rats were assigned into four groups: Control, AG (7.5 g/kg b.w/day, orally), AF (200 µg/kg b.w), and AG plus AF group. AF induced marked liver damage expounded by considerable changes in biochemical profile and histological architecture. The oxidative stress stimulated by AF boosted the production of plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) level along with decreases in the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Additionally, AF exposure was associated with down-regulation of the nuclear factor erythroid2–related factor2 (Nrf2) and superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1) protein expression in liver tissue. Apoptotic cascade has also been evoked following AF-exposure, as depicted in overexpression of cytochrome c (Cyto c), cleaved Caspase3 (Cl. Casp3), along with enhanced up-regulation of inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and nuclear factor kappa-B transcription factor/p65 (NF-κB/p65) mRNA expression levels. Interestingly, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory contents of AG may reverse the induced oxidative damage, inflammation, and apoptosis in AF-exposed animals.
N-myc downstream-regulated gene 2 (NDRG2) as a tumor suppressor is frequently downregulated in human T-lymphotropic retrovirus (HTLV-1)-infected adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and variety of cancers, ...and negatively regulates PI3K signaling pathways through dephosphorylation of PTEN with protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). We recently identified that protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) is one of novel NDRG2 binding proteins and the knockdown of PRMT5 induces cell apoptosis with degradation of several signaling molecules. To investigate how the apoptosis is induced by the knockdown PRMT5 expression, heat shock protein 90 alpha (HSP90A) was identified as a binding protein for NDRG2 or PRMT5 by immunoprecipitation-mass analysis. NDRG2/PP2A complex inhibited arginine methyltransferase activity of PRMT5 through dephosphorylation at Serine 335 (S335); however, in NDRG2
ATL-related cells, highly phosphorylated PRMT5 at S335 was mainly localized in cytoplasm with binding to HSP90A, resulting in enhancing arginine-methylation at the middle domain (R345 and R386). Since knockdown of PRMT5 expression or forced expression of HSP90A with alanine replacement of R345 or R386 induced apoptosis with the degradation of client proteins in NDRG2
ATL-related and other cancer cells, we here identified that the novel arginine methylations of HSP90A are essential for maintenance of its function in NDRG2
ATL and other cancer cells.
Abstract
Background
Pulmonary carcinoid is a rare diagnosis with surgery remaining the standard treatment of choice. However, resection may impact patients’ daily activities due to decreased lung ...volume reserve and postoperative pain. Our study aims to compare the impact of different types of surgical resection on the post-operative quality of life with the application of a strict peri-operative pulmonary care program.
Methods
Patients who underwent surgery for bronchopulmonary carcinoid tumors in a tertiary cancer center between August, 2017 and March, 2020 were identified and demographic data was collected. Patients were contacted via phone for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of pain and quality of life, utilizing the Arabic version of Short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire and Activity of Daily Living (ADL) instrument respectively. Lung reserve was assessed before and after surgery. Statistical analysis used Chi-Square for categorical variables and ANOVA for continuous variables.
Results
A total of 16 patients underwent different type of resection. The majority were male (n = 10; 63%) with a mean age of 44 years (19–81). Most common clinical stage was stage I (n = 12, 75%) with typical carcinoid features recorded in more than half of the cases (n = 11, 69%). Almost all patients underwent surgical excision (n = 15, 94%) with negative resection margin and no major post-operative complications. Bilobectomy was the most frequent procedure (n = 6, 40%) and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) was utilized in 8 patients (50%). Expected changes were recorded in pre- and postoperative pulmonary function test with an average drop of 10 in FEV1 and 14 mL/min/mmHg in DLCO. The majority of patients (n = 15, 94%) were totally independent doing daily activities. Mild intermittent pain was found in 7 patients (44%) who scored an average intensity of 1.6 out of 10.
Conclusions
Excellent long-term outcomes can be achieved following surgical resection of pulmonary carcinoid tumors with little to no effect on patients’ lung function and quality of life in regard to performance status and post-operative pain when a good peri-operative pulmonary, physical rehabilitation, and pain management programs are adopted and strictly implemented.
Abstract
Background
Regardless of its rare occurrence, Thymoma remains the most frequently encountered primary tumor of the anterior mediastinum comprising about 50% of all masses in the region. ...Surgical resection, via thymectomy, remains the mainstay treatment modality. In locally advanced and borderline resectable tumors, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) may be utilized to increase the chance of R0 resection, raising the question of its efficacy and safety.
Methods
Demographic and clinical data from patients who presented to a tertiary cancer center between January 2015–October 2021 with a diagnosis of thymoma and underwent curative surgical resection was collected. Computed tomography scan was used to delineate clinical staging, tumor size and to detect post-therapeutic variations in tumor burden. The response evaluation criteria in solid tumors (RECIST) was used to classify the effect of NACT on tumor burden. The pathological response was determined by measuring the percentage of necrotic tissue.
Results
A total of 23 patients were diagnosed with thymoma. Most patients were male with a mean age 46 (± 15) years at diagnosis. The most common clinical stage was stage II with 5 patients (22%). A total of 12 patients had NACT as compared to 11 patients who had upfront surgery. The mean change in tumor volume was 165 cm
3
(p = 0.079) and the change in and maximum diameter was 1.53 ± 1.49 cm (p < 0.01). The effect of NACT on tumor burden based on RECIST criteria was minimal as 8 patients had stable disease. Based on pathological findings, the average necrotic portion of the tumor was 39.5% (p = 0.152). The overall survival rate is 95.65%, mean survival was 115 months (4–125). Recurrence occurred in 5 patients. The NACT group had a higher risk for recurrence (4; 33.3%) with a mean survival of 43.8 months compared to 59.6 months in those who did not receive induction therapy.
Conclusions
The exact role of induction chemotherapy in locally advanced thymoma patients remains controversial. NACT effect after utilizing radiological and pathological assessment tools was not found to significantly improve oncological outcomes compared to upfront surgery in locally advanced disease, with minimal radiologic and pathologic effect. To further demonstrate the impact of induction chemotherapy, we recommend multicentric collaborative studies.
PDF
