This study evaluated the neuroprotective potential of a combination therapy using liraglutide (LIRA), an antidiabetic agent, and rivastigmine (RIVA), a standard treatment for Alzheimer's disease (AD), in a rat model of aluminum chloride (AlCl₃)‐induced AD. Male rats were divided into five groups: control, AD (AlCl₃,75 mg/kg for 60 days), RIVA‐treated (1 mg/kg daily for 6 weeks), LIRA‐ treated (300 µg/kg daily for 6 weeks), and combination‐treated (LIRA + RIVA). Cognitive function was assessed behaviorally, and hippocampal biomarkers related to AD—such as microtubule‐associated protein Tau (MAPt), Beta‐Site Amyloid Precursor Protein Cleaving Enzyme 1 (BACE1), Sequestosome 1 (SQSTM1/p62), and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity—were evaluated. Histopathological changes, immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy were also assessed. The levels of MAPt, BACE1, SQSTM1/p62, and AChE in the LIRA + RIVA group were 11.32 ± 0.467 ng/mL, 1069 ± 80.1 pg/mL, 408.7 ± 19.41 pg/mL, and 0.805 ± 0.342 µmol of acetylthiocholine iodide hydrolyzed/min/g of tissue, respectively. These levels were significant (p < 0.01) when compared with the AlCl3 group. Histological findings supported these biochemical data, indicating enhanced neuroprotection. LIRA may have a potential neuroprotective effect due to the rise in AChE, BACE1, (SQSTM1/p62) amyloid beta (Aβ), and caspase‐3 levels induced by AlCl3. Co‐administration of LIRA and RIVA provided superior neuroprotective effects compared with RIVA alone, suggesting a promising therapeutic strategy for preserving cognitive function in AD.
 

bstract

Introduction and Aim:

Traumatic humeral shaft fractures are common injuries, often managed conservatively. However, surgical interventions are frequently employed to improve outcomes. Associated primary radial nerve palsy is about 22%. This study aims to evaluate the incidence and consequences of radial nerve palsy in adult patients with traumatic humeral shaft fractures admitted at Assiut University Hospital from April 2022 to March 2023.

Patients and Methods:

A prospective case series was conducted at a level I trauma center on 51 patients (age >16 years) with humeral shaft fractures. Exclusions included pathological fractures, old presentations, or intra-articular extensions. Patients were followed for six months.

Results:

The mean patient age was 37.4 years, and 80.4% were male. Road traffic accidents were the predominant cause (68.6%). Fractures were predominantly AO type A (66.6%). Surgical management included posterior plating (64.7%), anterior plating (13.7%), Long PHILOS (5.8%), MIPO (1.9%), EXFIX (5.8%),Conserve (3.9%). Union was achieved in 94% of cases with an average DASH score of 11.5. Radial nerve palsy occurred in 11 patients (21.57%): 8 primary (15.56%) and 3 iatrogenic (5.88%). Seven patients (63.6%) had spontaneous recovery within 4-6 months following surgical exploration. Four required tendon transfer.

Conclusion:

 Radial nerve palsy was observed in 11 out of 51 patients (21.57%). Surgical exploration showed no visible abnormalities in recovering patients. The posterior approach was the most commonly used (33 cases), with the choice of approach based on fracture site and radial nerve involvement. Successful union was achieved in 94% of cases.

Keywords:  Humeral shaft fractures, radial nerve injury, adults

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are gaining attention due to the increasing number of related grave central nervous system (CNS) and sight-threatening eye infections and their role as Trojan horses for many bacteria and viruses. This study was conducted in Assiut City, Egypt to detect the presence of FLA in different water sources using morphological and molecular approaches and determine their potential pathogenicity. A total of 188 water samples (100 tap, 80 tank, and 8 swimming pool samples) were collected, cultivated on non-nutrient agar seeded with Escherichia coli, and inspected for FLA. Thermo- and osmo-tolerance assays were performed to determine their pathogenicity. Polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis were performed to confirm the identification and analyze the genotype. Overall, 52 samples (27.7%) were positive for FLA. Of these, 20.7% were identified as Acanthamoeba, 1.6% as Vahlkampfiidae, and 5.3% as mixed Acanthamoeba and Vahlkampfiidae. Seven species of Acanthamoeba were recognized, of which A. triangularis, A. polyphaga, A. lenticulata, and A. culbertsoni are thermo- and osmo-tolerant, and A. astronyxis, A. comandoni, and A. echinulata are non-thermo- and non-osmo-tolerant. The phylogeny analysis revealed T4 and T7 genotypes. Among Vahlkampfiids, 61.5% were identified as thermo- and osmo-tolerant Vahlkampfia, and 30.8% were identified as non-pathogenic Naegleria. One isolate (7.7%) was identified as potentially pathogenic Allovahlkampfia, as confirmed by sequencing. This is the first report documenting the occurrence and phylogeny of waterborne FLA (Acanthamoeba …

Potentially pathogenic free-living amoebae (FLA) are unique protozoa that present a healthcare challenge. The appropriate choice of staining technique is crucial to improving the efficiency of microscopic diagnosis of FLA isolated from environmental as well as clinical samples. This study aimed to evaluate different staining techniques for morphologicalidentification of Acanthamoeba and Naegleria isolated from tap water samples in different localities in Assiut City, Egypt. A multi-attribute evaluation was performed to compare these techniques considering staining quality, ease of performance, cost and time of each procedure. Seven staining techniques were used including Lugol’s iodine and lactophenol cotton blue as temporary stains, with Giemsa, trichrome, iron hematoxylin, acid-fast and Gram stains as permanent stains. Both lactophenol cotton blue and Lugol's iodine showed good structural details of different stages of FLA and good contrast at a very short time and reasonable cost, followed by Giemsa. Both trichrome and iron hematoxylin stains gave comparable staining quality but at a longer time with more complex staining procedures and higher cost. Both modified acid-fast and Gram stains didn't provide sufficient staining quality to identify morphological details of FLA. According to the multi-attribute evaluation, both Lugol’s iodine and lactophenol cotton blue achieved the highest rank (92.85%) followed by Giemsa and Gram stains (64.28 %), modified acid-fast stain (57.14%), while iron hematoxylin and Masson’strichrome had the last rank (46.42%).

Bees are essential organisms, with approximately 20,000 species distributed across a variety of environments worldwide. They play a pivotal role in maintaining ecological balance, primarily through their function as key pollinators for plants. This process is not only crucial for sustaining biodiversity but also has a significant impact on both the environment and the global economy. In wetland regions, bees demonstrate their remarkable efficiency in pollinating a wide range of aquatic and semi-aquatic plants. Their role in these areas is particularly significant since they help maintain biodiversity and support the health of clean water systems. Additionally, bees interact with aquatic species, such as fish in lakes, fostering a balance between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Despite their many contributions, bees face numerous challenges that threaten their survival and the crucial services they provide. Climate change, with its disruptions to flowering patterns and weather conditions, poses a significant threat, as does the widespread use of pesticides, which can weaken bee populations. These challenges could lead to declines in bee populations, disrupting ecosystems and food production worldwide. The importance of bees in supporting environmental health underscores their vital role in sustainable development. Bees not only contribute to food production and biodiversity but also play an integral role in ensuring the stability of ecosystems and water systems. By understanding and protecting bees, we can help safeguard the Earth’s ecological balance and contribute to a more sustainable future.

Melatonin promotes plant tolerance to abiotic stresses by stimulating the expression of many stress-related genes and protecting plants from oxidative stress, which has been reviewed extensively. Salinity forces plants to uptake excessive amounts of sodium (Na⁺) and chloride ions, resulting in the alteration of essential minerals such as potassium (K⁺), calcium, magnesium, and iron homeostasis. Moreover, exposure to essential nutrient deficiencies, such as nitrogen, iron, sulfur, and potassium changes ionic homeostasis in plants. This review highlighted the effects of melatonin on the improvement of plant Na⁺-K⁺ balance and micronutrient homeostasis under salinity conditions and on the improvement of ionic homeostasis in plants under nutrient-deficit conditions. Melatonin inhibits Na⁺ loading in roots and increases Na⁺ retrieval from shoots resulting in increased K⁺ accumulation. Melatonin mainly maintains Na⁺-K⁺ homeostasis by upregulating the Na⁺/H⁺ antiporter 1 and AKT serine/threonine kinase 1 transporter genes. Moreover, melatonin improves calcium, magnesium, copper, and iron contents in plants under stress conditions. Under nutrient-deficient stress, melatonin modulates numerous transporter genes and regulates the uptake and translocation of different essential nutrients. In-depth ionomics studies should be performed in plants exposed to salinity and nutrient deficiency stress to better understand the potential mechanism of melatonin-assisted ionic homeostasis under these conditions.

oxic methyl alcohol is widely employed in industry, and it is highly toxic. Only 15 cc ingestion can result in irreversible blindness. The mechanism of toxicity is still a matter of debate. This study was conducted to investigate the incorporation of nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) and Nrf2 signaling pathways in the toxicity of the brain, eye, and pancreas following ingestion of methyl alcohol and the possible protective role of PPAR-γ modulators. Twenty-four adult Wister albino rats were divided into four groups of six rats each: a control group, a pioglitazone group, a methanol group, and a combined pioglitazone and methanol group. Oxidative stress markers, random blood sugar, insulin, and pancreatic function measurements were evaluated. Western blot analysis for PPAR-γ and Nrf2 protein expressions was performed. Histopathological examination was performed for eye, brain, and pancreas tissues, and the results were compared. PPAR-γ seemed to be incorporated in the development of organ toxicity associated with methyl alcohol ingestion. The protective role of PPAR-γ modulators was achieved through the improvement of assessed pathways. Therefore, damage can be dramatically improved through incorporating PPAR-γ agonists in the management plan of methyl alcohol toxicity.

The current study aimed to investigate the molecular toxic effects of zinc sulfide (ZnS) and zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS-NPs) on rat skeletal muscle tissue. It also explored the forensic implications of ZnS toxicity on postmortem carrion infestation, particularly its potential impact on postmortem interval (PMI) estimation. ZnS nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thirty Wistar rats were divided into three groups: control, ZnS-treated, and ZnS-NP-treated (both administered at the LD50 dose of 2000 mg/kg). Muscle tissues were harvested for histopathological, ultrastructural, and acridine orange staining analysis. Arthropods were collected and identified across five decomposition stages to assess changes in carrion infestation patterns. Histopathological and ultrastructural analysis showed marked deformation, necrosis, and degeneration of muscle fibers, more severe in the ZnS-NP group. Collagen deposition significantly decreased in both treatment groups. Electron microscopy revealed dissociation and degradation of myofibrils with increased interfibrillar spacing. Arthropod analysis indicated altered colonization patterns, with decreased adult abundance and disrupted succession stages, especially during the active decay phase. ZnS and ZnS-NPs induce significant skeletal muscle toxicity that may mimic postmortem autolysis and lead to PMI misinterpretation. ZnS-NPs exert more severe effects than bulk ZnS. The observed entomological disruption highlights the forensic relevance of ZnS exposure and underscores the need for integrated toxicological and entomological analyses in PMI estimation.