Congratulations from the Dean of the College to the Coptic brothers on the glorious Resurrection Day
Lung cancer (LC) primarily affects men and is the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Treatment for LC involves many phases, each with specific challenges arising from the characteristics of malignancy and the limitations of chemotherapy. GSK-3β, a serine/threonine kinase factor, is essential for several signals that control important cellular functions and a variety of diseases, including cancer. GSK-3β regulates transcription factors through phosphorylation, which in turn activates signaling pathways such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, Wnt/β-catenin, and NF-κB. These signaling pathways might affect LC. Additionally, targeting GSK-3β offers a promising approach to overcoming drug resistance in cancer therapy. Inhibiting GSK-3β has been demonstrated to boost chemotherapy sensitivity, making cancer cells more responsive to treatment, while also suppressing their growth and survival. We provide an in-depth analysis of scientific literature that investigates the manner in which inhibiting GSK-3β with various compounds might be used to treat, impede, and improve the therapeutic response in LC cells. Next, we suggested that GSK-3β inhibition might be a therapeutic option to increase patient survival in patients with LC. For this reason, further studies on this subject will be required in the coming years.
Green-synthesized zinc nanoparticles (ZnNP) have attracted considerable attention for use as aqua-feed supplements. The effect of ZnNPs on cellular energy, amino acid metabolism, and gene expression of major histocompatibility-II (MHC-II) is poorly understood. Our study explored the effect of dietary ZnNPs supplementation on hepatic function and overall health status. Farmed Nile tilapia cultured in a hapa-culturing system were fed ZnNPs with two ascending doses of 30 and 60 mg/kg dry feed for 8 weeks. Liver function enzymes, hepatic energy, amino acid profiles, gene expression analysis, and hepatic morphom etry were evaluated. Non-significant changes were observed in the estimated biochemi cal indices, and a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activ ity was recorded in ZnNPs60 mg/kg dry feed compared to the control non-supplemented f ish. Hepatic energy adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and CoQ10 were increased (P < 0.05) in the supplemented groups, whereas adenosine monophosphate (AMP) showed the opposite trend. The hepatic amino acid profile indicates the selectivity of dietary ZnNPs in modulat ing specific protein-metabolic pathways. A higher relative expression of IL-1β, along with no statistical changes in IL-10, HSP70, and MHC-II, was recorded. Normal liver histology and a significant dose-dependent increase in mean hepatocytic area were observed. Our results suggest that incorporating ZnNPs as a functional Nile tilapia supplement is benefi cial. However, further comparative investigations of different fish species are required to determine the optimal dose
Diabetic nephropathy is recognized as the predominant cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide. In reaction to metabolic stress, the peptide hormone spexin-14, is synthesized in both central and peripheral tissues. Its level is reduced in type II diabetes mellites and may play a role in glucose metabolism. However, in the context of DN, the mechanisms through which spexin exerts its effects remain largely unknown. This research employed a rat model of DN to explore the therapeutic potential and the underlying mechanisms associated with spexin treatment. For the development of this experimental model, rats were subjected to an eight-week regimen of a high-fat, high-fructose diet prior to receiving a single dose of streptozotocin (35 mg/kg body weight). Subsequently, spexin was administered subcutaneously on a daily basis for a duration of eight weeks at a dosage of 50 µg/kg body weight. The evaluation methods employed encompassed renal function assessments, macromorphological examinations, histopathological evaluations, and analyses of inflammatory and oxidative stress mediators. Additionally, immunohistochemical staining for NF-kB and E-cadherin, along with PCR analysis of mTOR, Bcl2, and Bax gene expressions in renal tissues, were conducted. Following the administration of spexin to the diabetic rats, there was a significant reduction in serum levels of glucose, urea, creatinine, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α), alongside a marked restoration of antioxidant enzyme activities. Furthermore, a significant decline in the levels of NF-κB, mTOR, and Bax was noted and accompanied with increased expressions of Bcl-2 and E-cadherin proteins. The observed improvements in histopathological changes significantly corroborated the biochemical results. In summary, spexin has proven to be effective in alleviating DN by its capacity to mitigate metabolic disturbances, oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis.
The eye of the laughing dove (Spilopelia senegalensis) is uniquely adapted to thrive in arid environments, withstanding airborne particles and harsh conditions, demonstrating its remarkable structural and functional resilience. This study aimed to explore the cellular composition of the laughing dove's cornea, focusing on telocytes-a cell type previously unreported in avian corneas. This work represents the first demonstration of telocytes in the cornea of any bird species. We used hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining to comprehensively visualize the corneal layers, while silver staining, methylene blue, toluidine blue staining, and immunofluorescence with telocyte-specific markers (CD34, PDGFRα, and vimentin) were utilized to identify telocytes and confirm their distribution. The cornea of the laughing dove was shown to consist of five unique layers: the epithelium, Bowman's layer, stroma, Descemet's membrane, and endothelium. Telocytes were detected using silver, methylene blue, and toluidine blue stains as spindle-shaped cells with branched extensions known as telopodes. Double immunofluorescence for PDGFRα and CD34 confirmed the existence of telocytes across all corneal layers. In the epithelium, intraepithelial telocytes were sparsely distributed, possibly contributing to epithelial maintenance and cellular signaling. In Bowman's layer, telocytes were identified, likely supporting structural integrity and intercellular interactions. The stroma exhibited the highest abundance of telocytes, highlighting their critical role in extracellular matrix remodeling and cellular connectivity. In Descemet's membrane, telocytes likely contribute to the structural stability of this basement membrane, while in the endothelium, they appear to play roles in endothelial repair, fluid regulation, and signaling processes. Double immunofluorescence of vimentin and CD34 revealed distinct localization patterns. While CD34 identified telocytes in all corneal layers, vimentin expression was confined to the stroma, predominantly in the superficial region. Vimentin was specifically localized to telopodes, while CD34 was more evenly distributed, with strong expression in both the central bodies of telocytes and telopodes. The partial co-expression of CD34 and vimentin suggests functional specialization within telocytes, with vimentin likely supporting telopode structure and long-range signaling. Our findings underscore the critical role of telocytes in corneal structure and function, particularly their contributions to the laughing dove's adaptation to harsh environmental conditions. This study not only identifies telocytes in the avian cornea for the first time but also highlights their presence in all corneal layers, suggesting their broader functional roles in maintaining corneal homeostasis and resilience.
Staphylococcus aureus is the causative agent of zoonotic diseases that are of increasing epidemiological importance and have significant implications for public health. One hundred fifty ready-to-eat meat product samples were collected from local shops in Qena City, Egypt, to investigate the bacteriological profile of S. aureus and evaluate the antimicrobial effects of marine algal extracts against identified S. aureus isolates in vitro. S. aureus was detected in 30.7% of the samples examined, with the highest incidence in luncheon samples. Detection of virulence genes revealed that 58.7%, 47.8%, 0%, 13%, and 0% of S. aureus isolates harbored coa, nuc, sea, seb, and sec genes. S. aureus isolates demonstrated a high level of antimicrobial resistance. Genetic analysis of antimicrobial resistance determinants revealed that 65.2% of the isolates carried the mecA gene, 72.2% harbored the vanA gene, and 33.3% contained the optrA gene. These findings indicate a significant prevalence of genetic markers associated with resistance to methicillin, vancomycin, and oxazolidinones, respectively, among the studied S. aureus isolates. In addition, these isolates produced various biofilm phenotypes. The most-produced biofilm phenotype was strong (32.6%). Luncheon meat showed the highest MRSA confirmation rate (36.4%), followed by sausage (37.5%), while burger products had the lowest confirmation rate (25.0%). Halimeda opuntia, Jania rubens, and Caulerpa racemosa marine algal extracts' antimicrobial activity was studied. The major constituent of Caulerpa racemosa extract was spathulenol, and the methanol extract of Caulerpa racemosa (1.5 mg/ml) exhibited the strongest antimicrobial activity against S. aureus. RT-PCR revealed significant downregulation of coa (98.7% reduction) and nuc (68.8% reduction) in Caulerpa racemosa extract-treated S. aureus. Algal extracts present a hopeful prospect for developing innovative antibacterial substances with great promise for application in food preservation and medicine.
The lingual apparatus of the birds was used to determine the food type of the birds. The tongue of the Japanese quail showed great plasticity in morphology, histology and function. Although little literature spoke in details about the developmental anatomy of the Japanese quail tongue and its attachment during embryogenesis and the post-hatching period, our data were carried out on 85 healthy random specimens arranged on 45 Japanese quail embryos with ages from the 5th day of incubation to hatching day old and 40 quail chicks with the age of 7, 14, 30 and 60 days old. Those investigations found that the primordium of the tongue arose from the oropharyngeal floor primordium as a clear elongated projection supported by basihyale at the 5th and 6th days old of the embryonated egg. The tongue primordium was attached by a thin layer of epithelium (frenulum linguae primordium). With age advancing, the tongue took different shapes, starting from a ‘U’ shape to a triangular elongated shape. Consequently, its parts were fully developed into a lingual apex that was supported by the paraglossale apical process and paraglossale corpus and the lingual body supported by both the posterior part of paraglossale and basihyale. Besides that, (ala linguae) primordia became more prominent as two oval projections with caudal serrated borders at the 10-day-old embryo which were supported by posterior processes of os paraglossale. But at 13 days old, the transverse papillary crest primordium began to appear, which consisted of caudally directed finger-like papillae. Those papillae were developmentally variable in number, shape and length. The lingual muscle primordia could be noticed: ceratoglossus, hypoglossus anterior and genioglossus muscles at 5, 6 and 7 days old of incubation, respectively. However, the genioglossus muscle showed a degenerative process at the 11-day-old embryo. Lingual glands were compound tubular and tubulo-alveolar end pieces, which its primordia appeared at the 7 and 8-day-old embryo. Histochemically, the glands showed different reactions to AB and PAS, and combined stains, which the developmental stains reaction ended with a slightly alcinophilic reaction.
ABSTRACT
The lingual apparatus of the birds was used to determine the food type of the birds. The tongue of the Japanese quail showed great plasticity in morphology, histology and function. Although little literature spoke in details about the developmental anat- omy of the Japanese quail tongue and its attachment during embryogenesis and the post-hatching period, our data were carried out on 85 healthy random specimens arranged on 45 Japanese quail embryos with ages from the 5th day of incubation to hatching day old and 40 quail chicks with the age of 7, 14, 30 and 60 days old. Those investigations found that the primordium of the tongue arose from the oropharyngeal floor primordium as a clear elongated projection supported by basihyale at the 5th and 6th days old of the embryonated egg. The tongue primordium was attached by a thin layer of epithelium (frenulum linguae primordium). With age advancing, the tongue took different shapes, starting from a ‘U’ shape to a triangular elongated shape. Consequently, its parts were fully developed into a lingual apex that was supported by the paraglossale apical process and paraglossale corpusand the lingual body supported by both the posterior part of paraglossale and basihyale. Besides that, (ala linguae) primordia became more prominent as two oval projections with caudal serrated borders at the 10- day-old embryo which were supported by
posterior processes of os paraglossale. But at 13 days old, the transverse papillary crest primordium began to appear, which con- sisted of caudally directed finger-like papillae. Those papillae were developmentally variable in number, shape and length. The lingual muscle primordia could be noticed: ceratoglossus, hypoglossus anterior and genioglossus muscles at 5, 6 and 7 days old of incubation, respectively. However, the genioglossus muscle showed a degenerative process at the 11-day-old embryo. Lingual glands were compound tubular and tubulo-alveolar end pieces, which its primordia appeared at the 7 and 8-day-old embryo. Histochemically, the glands showed different reactions to AB and PAS, and combined stains, which the developmental stains reaction ended with a slightly alcinophilic reaction.