Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most serious form of degenerative motor neuron disease in adults, characterized by upper and lower motor neuron degeneration, skeletal muscle atrophy, ...paralysis, and death. High prevalence of malnutrition and weight loss adversely affect quality of life. Moreover, two thirds of patients develop a hypermetabolism of unknown cause, leading to increased resting energy expenditure. Inasmuch as lipids are the major source of energy for muscles, we determined the status of lipids in a population of patients with ALS and investigated whether lipid contents may have an impact on disease progression and survival.
Blood concentrations of triglycerides, cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured in a cohort of 369 patients with ALS and compared to a control group of 286 healthy subjects. Postmortem histologic examination was performed on liver specimens from 59 other patients with ALS and 16 patients with Parkinson disease (PD).
The frequency of hyperlipidemia, as revealed by increased plasma levels of total cholesterol or LDL, was twofold higher in patients with ALS than in control subjects. As a result, steatosis of the liver was more pronounced in patients with ALS than in patients with PD. Correlation studies demonstrated that bearing an abnormally elevated LDL/HDL ratio significantly increased survival by more than 12 months.
Hyperlipidemia is a significant prognostic factor for survival of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This finding highlights the importance of nutritional intervention strategies on disease progression and claims our attention when treating these patients with lipid-lowering drugs.
The entomopathogenic fungi (EPF), as a biological control agent, can provide an alternative option for high-risk insecticides.
Beauveria bassiana
is one of the most potential EPF of pest control all ...over the world. The EPF isolate Y-F_ITS1 was isolated from Egyptian fauna on
Beauveria
-specific selective medium (BS medium). Molecular screening of the
B
.
bassiana
isolate, using PCR amplification with
B. bassiana
-specific primers and nucleotide sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, confirmed the isolate as
B. bassiana
(accession no. MK773644.1). Efficacy of the isolate Y-F_ITS1 was examined against fourth instar larvae of
Galleria mellonella
L. as a model insect using concentrations from 10
4
to 10
7
spores ml
−1
in a contact toxicity assay under laboratory conditions. The pathogenicity experiment showed that all the tested concentrations caused mortalities ranged from 75 to 98.33%, within 5 days posttreatment with cumulative mortalities, reached 100%, before 7 days with typical symptoms of infection and sporulation. Further investigations are needed to prove its efficacy against different economic pests as a credible candidate of integrated pest management (IPM) program.
Investigations on the parasites that infect migrating birds worldwide are ongoing. To identify the parasite species that infect ardeids, morphological and morphometric characteristics were used. A ...total of 20 Bubulcus ibis (Ardeidae) specimens were collected from the agricultural lands belonging to the Faculty of Agricultural at Cairo University, which were then examined for nematode parasites. Only one acuariid species, belonging to the Acuariidae family, has been identified, with a prevalence rate of 50 % (10/20) among infected egrets. The Desportesius species isolated from the gizzard of the egret host is morphologically and morphometrically compatible with Desportesius invaginatus, which was previously identified from several Ciconiiformes hosts of Bubulcus ibis (Egypt, India, and Taiwan), Egretta garzetta (France), and Egretta rufescens (USA). Additionally, utilizing the partial small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) gene sequence, maximum parsimony based on the Tamura-Nei model was used to infer the phylogeny of the recovered Desportesius species. The query sequences revealed 99.37 % identity for the 18S (MW358651.1) of the previously mentioned D. invaginatus. In addition to clarifying several morphological features of D. invaginatus, this study also provided new DNA data for this species.
Integrated pest management of herbivorous pests relies on combining bio-insecticides and chemical insecticides for a satisfactory population control. The present study focused on evaluating the ...comparative toxicity of five insecticides, with different modes of action, against third and fifth instar larvae of Spodoptera littoralis and their influence on extent of oxidative stress in insect via detecting vitamin C content as well as measuring the activity of phenol oxidase (PO), catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) antioxidant enzymes compared to control. The results revealed that emamectin benzoate and indoxacarb were the most potent insecticides among the selected insecticides, based on their respective LC50 values. Thiacloprid, indoxacarb and emamectin benzoate significantly reduced Vitamin C content. Almost all treatments significantly increased PO activity. Only emamectin benzoate and Bacillus thuringiensis significantly induced POX activity. Indoxacarb and emamectin benzoate increased CAT activity in both instar larvae, whereas thiacloprid and indoxacarb decreased GST activity. In conclusion, emamectin benzoate and indoxacarb were the most potent insecticides. Activity of oxidative stress biomarkers upon insecticidal pressure has showed variable response.
Two field experiments were carried out in Agric. Expt. Farm, Fac. of Agric., Ain Shams Univ. at Shalakan, Kaleobia Governorate, Egypt during 2013 and 2014 growing seasons. These experiments aimed to ...study the effect of seed hardening treatments (without, -4 bar, -6 bar and -8 bar polyethylene glycol (PEG6000)) on yield and its attributes and nitrogen physiological parameters of maize (zea maize) under irrigation periods (irrigation every 14, 21 and 28 day) . The data revealed that all tested treatments affected significantly yield and its attributes traits except ear length. The highest values of ear weight (246.2 g), ear diameter (4.62 cm), number of rows/ear (13.6), shelling percentage (82,64%), grain yield/fad (3.58 ton), biological yield/fad (11.81 ton) and 100 kernels weight (g) (39.07) were recorded with -8 bar (PEG) treatment. Moreover -8 bar (PEG) this treatment recorded the highest values of grain nitrogen yield (kg/fad) and lowest value of grain nitrogen percentage (%). Irrigation every 14 days was characterized by significant higher yield attributes, which reflected its yield parameters and produced significant maximum grain yield. Irrigation every 14 day recorded significant highest grain and biological yield, which reflected its grain N yield and total N absorbed in plant. Maximum values of NUE and NRE ware optioned when maize plant irrigated every 14 day followed by irrigation every 21 day and irrigation every 28 day. On the other hand, NPE and NHI of studied irrigation periods were significantly differed; the highest values were recorded when maize irrigated every 28 day. The results also showed that seed hardening treatments (-4, -6 and -8 bar PEG) under irrigation periods 14 and 21 day recorded the highest values of ear length (cm) and ear diameter (cm). The high performance of irrigation every 14 day with hardening -8 bar PEG in yield attributes was reflected on its yield parameters. These parameters reached their highest significant values included grain and biological yield ware 3.97 and 13.55 ton/fad respectively; meanwhile; the lowest values in case of without hardening under irrigation every 28 day ware 2.17 and 7.84 ton/fad respectively .
Bioinsecticides are needed to diminish environmental biohazards and host resistance to conventional insecticides against insect pests. Immune defense against biopesticides is a critical factor in ...their application. Transferrin is a protein involved in immune response, iron metabolism, and may act as antioxidant in insects. In this study, the insect immune response upon treating 4th instar larvae of S. littoralis with bioinsecticides Viruset (SpliNPV only) and Profect (Bt+SpliNPV) was studied in terms of detecting and monitoring transferrin gene expression. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) permitted the isolation of 215 bp fragments corresponding to putative S. littoralis transferrin gene (SpliTsf) from both control and treated insects. The deduced amino acid sequence showed high homology to other insect transferrins. The Gene expression of SpliTsfpost-immune challenge with bioinsecticides was determined using qRT-PCR. It was found that Profect caused upregulation in SpliTsf expression, while Viruset caused its down-regulation. The role of transferrin in immune response was discussed.
The cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis (Biosduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is one of the most serious cotton pests in Egypt. New control methods are needed to diminish reliance on conventional ...insecticides as part of IPM programs. In the present study, the effect of Bacillus thuringiensis and NPV as bioinsecticides as well as the two neonicotinoid compounds, imidacloprid and acetamiprid were evaluated. Imidacloprid was recommended to be used over acetamiprid for both 2nd and 4th larval instars due to its low LC^sub 50^ values, while profect and viruset showed the same virulence toward 2nd and 4thinstars. Successive application of LC^sub 25^ of profect, followed by LC^sub 25^ of acetamiprid was superior in reducing the number of 2nd instar larvae, while treatment of 4th instar larvae with viruset, followed by acetamiprid was superior in reducing larval population. The total protein content and activity of enzymes that may play a role in insect immune response were determined.
ABSTRACT Parasites infecting migratory birds all over the world are still under investigation. The identification of parasitic taxa infecting ardeids was done concerning their morphological and ...morphometric features. A total of 20 Bubulcus ibis (Ardeidae) specimens were collected and investigated for nematode parasites. Only one nematode species, belonging to the Heterakidae family, has been identified, with a prevalence rate of 40% (8/20) among infected egrets. The Heterakis species isolated from the lumen of the ceca of the egret host is morphologically and morphometric compatible with Heterakis gallinarum. Additionally, utilizing the partial small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) and mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) genes, maximum parsimony based on the Tamura-Nei model was used to infer the phylogeny of the recovered Heterakis species. The query sequences revealed 99.61% and 97.11% identities for the 18S (MK844591.1) and COI (MF066715.1) genes of the previously mentioned H. gallinarum. In addition to clarifying several morphological features of H. gallinarum, this study also provided new DNA data for this species. The combination of morphological and molecular data could be helpful to other veterinaries in finding a way to treat and control this infection in the cattle egret.
RESUMO Os parasitas que infectam as aves migratórias em todo o mundo ainda estão sendo investigados. A identificação dos táxons parasitas que infectam os ardeídeos foi feita com base em suas características morfológicas e morfométricas. Um total de 20 espécimes de Bubulcus ibis (Ardeidae) foi coletado e investigado quanto a parasitas nematoides. Apenas uma espécie de nematoide, pertencente à família Heterakidae, foi identificada, com uma taxa de prevalência de 40% (8/20) entre as garças infectadas. A espécie Heterakis isolada do lúmen do ceco do hospedeiro garça é morfológica e morfometricamente compatível com Heterakis gallinarum. Além disso, utilizando os genes parciais da subunidade pequena do RNA ribossômico (18S rRNA) e da subunidade I da citocromo c oxidase mitocondrial (COI), a parcimônia máxima baseada no modelo Tamura-Nei foi usada para inferir a filogenia das espécies de Heterakis recuperadas. As sequências de consulta revelaram 99,61% e 97,11% de identidades para o 18S (MK844591.1) e COI (MF066715.1) do H. gallinarum mencionado anteriormente. Além de esclarecer várias características morfológicas do H. gallinarum, este estudo também forneceu novos dados de DNA para essa espécie. A combinação de dados morfológicos e moleculares pode ser útil para que outros veterinários encontrem uma maneira de tratar e controlar essa infecção na garça-vaqueira.
The present study aimed to investigate chemical formulations of water samples collected from area extended between Ras Al–Halal and El Haniea, Libya. The geographic location of the Mediterranean ...governs the water temperature and salinity. The hot climate of the eastern basin raises the water temperature, causing increased evaporation and high salinities. The present study included visiting the study sites (8 stations on the eastern coast of Libya) during winter and summer seasons 2019. The concentration of different water quality parameters was analyzed and reported accordingly. The palnktonic composition was also evaluated.
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