We investigated the possible anticancer mechanisms of Pteris vittata [PV] n-hexane extract on MCF-7 [breast cancer cell line]. Cultured cell lines were treated with various concentrations of this extract ± Baf-A1 [autophagic inhibitor]. Cells’ viability, apoptotic markers [caspase-7, Bax, and Bcl-2], autophagic markers [light chain 3 [LC-3] and P62/SQSTM1]], and the tumor suppressor P53 and its mRNA were checked by their corresponding methods. Treated cell lines showed significant concentration and timedependent reductions in cell viability in response to PV-n-hexane extract and also exhibited a concomitant induction of apoptosis [increased chromatin condensation, nuclear fragmentation, and pro-apoptotic Bax, and cleaved caspase-7 levels while decreased Bcl-2 levels] and autophagy [increased autophagosomes vacuoles, and LC3B II levels while decreased P62/SQSTM1 levels]. Moreover, PV-n-hexane extract-treated cells showed significant increases in the P53 and its mRNA levels. The addition of Baf-A1 reversed the PV-n-hexane extract autophagic effects and increased apoptotic cell percentage with a much increase in the cleaved caspase-7 and P53 protein and its mRNA levels. We concluded that the PV-n-hexane extract exhibits cytotoxic effects on the MCF-7 cell line with significant reductions in cell viability and concomitant autophagy and apoptosis induction. Inhibition of autophagy in the PV-treated MCF-7 cells enhances apoptosis via a p35-dependent pathway.

Background: While microbiome and host regulation contribute independently to many disease states, it is unclear how circumcision in pediatric population influences subsequent changes in penile microbiome.

Objective: Our study aims to analyze jointly paired taxonomic profiles and assess pathways implicated in inflammation, barrier protection, and energy metabolism.

Design, setting, and participants: We analyzed 11 paired samples, periurethral collection, before and after circumcision, to generate microbiome and mycobiome profiling. Sample preparation of 16S ribosomal RNA and internal transcribed spacer sequencing was adapted from the methods developed by the National Institutes of Health Human Microbiome Project.

Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: We obtained the predictive functional attributes of the microbial communities between samples using Silva-Tax4Fun and the Greengenes-Phylogenetic Investigation of Communities by Reconstruction of Unobserved States (PICRUSt) approach. The predictive functioning of the microbial communities was determined by linearly combining the normalized taxonomic abundances into the precomputed association matrix of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes orthology reference profiles.

Results and limitations: Several notable microbiome and mycobiome compositional differences were observed between pre- and postcircumcision patients. Pairwise comparisons across taxa revealed a significant decrease (p < 0.05, false discovery rate corrected) of microbiome organisms (Clostridiales, Bacteroidales, and Campylobacterales) and mycobiome (Saccharomycetales and Pleosporales) following circumcision. A total of 14 pathways were found to differ in abundance between the pre- and postcircumcision groups (p < 0.005, false discovery rate <0.1 and linear discriminant analysis score >3; five enriched and nine depleted). The pathways reduced after circumcision were mostly involved with amino acid and glucose metabolism, while pathways prior to circumcision were enriched in genetic information processing and transcription processes. As expected, enrichment in methyl-accepting chemotaxis protein, an integral membrane protein involved in directed motility of microbes to chemical cues and environment, occurred prior to circumcision, while the filamentous hemagglutinin pathway (a strong immunogenic protein) was depleted after circumcision CONCLUSIONS: Our results offer greater insight into the host-microbiota relationship of penile circumcision and may serve to lay the groundwork for future studies focused on drivers of inflammation, infection, and oncogenesis.

Patient summary: Our study showed a significant reduction in bacteria and fungi after circumcision, particularly anaerobic bacteria, which are known to be potential inducers of inflammation and cancer. This is the first study of its kind showing the changes in microbiome after circumcision, and some of the changes that occur in healthy infants after circumcision that may explain the differences in cancer and inflammatory disorders in adulthood.

Keywords: 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing; Circumcision; Microbiome; Mycobiome.

Abstract

Multiple organs, including the testes, are damaged by iron overload. It has been shown that N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) influences oxidative stress in iron overload. The present study aimed to evaluate the roles of acetylated peptide (AOP) and NAC in the inhibition of ironoverload induced-testicular damage. At the beginning of the experiment, NAC (150 mg / kg) was given for a week to all 40 rats. Then, four groups were formed by dividing the animals (10 rats/group). Group I included healthy control rats. Group II (iron overload) was given intraperitoneal iron dextran (60 mg/kg/day) 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Group III (NAC) was given NAC orally at a dose of 150 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks in addition to iron dextran. Group IV (AOP) was given AOP orally at a dose of 150 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks besides iron dextran. When the experiment time was over, testosterone serum level, testicular B cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) and protein kinase B (PKB) protein levels, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), and Beclin1 mRNA expression levels, and malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were determined by ELISA, quantitative reverse transcription- PCR, and chemical methods. Finally, histopathological examinations and immunohistochemical detection of claudin-1 and CD68 were performed. The iron overload group exhibited decreased testosterone, BCL-2, PKB, claudin-1, and GSH and increased MDA, NF-κB, Beclin1, and CD68, while both NAC and AOP treatments protected against the biochemical and histopathological disturbances occurring in the iron overload model. We concluded that NAC and AOP can protect against testes damage by iron overload via their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiapoptotic, and ant-autophagic properties. The NAC and AOP may be used as preventative measures against iron overload–induced testicular damage.

Simple Summary: Fresh water Nile tilapia can be infected by numerous parasites, which can
result in high mortality and significant economic losses. The early detection of parasites and the
improved control of the major risk factors related to infection are among the main approaches
for controlling infection. Limited information is available on fish parasites in Upper Egypt. The
present study examined the prevalence of parasitic infection among 300 fish samples collected
from different markets in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt, using a series of detection techniques,
including microscopic, parasitological, histopathological and morphometric methods. Moreover, the
associations of the demographic factors with the distribution of parasitic infection in Nile tilapia were
also investigated.
Abstract: Fish are a source of high-quality protein with low cholesterol, but they are susceptible to
parasitic infections, which have a significant impact on aquaculture, in addition to their zoonotic
potential. The present study estimated parasitic infections and evaluated the diversity of zoonotic
parasites in freshwater Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Assiut Governorate, Upper Egypt. A total
of 300 samples were randomly collected from the Assiut Governorate. These fish were examined for
both ectoparasites and endoparasites, followed by the experimental infection of mice with encysted
metacercariae (EMC) for the retrieval of the adult worms. The overall prevalence of the variable
parasites was 82% (246 of 300). Both ecto- and endoparasites were detected in 41% (123 of 300) of the
examined fish. The identified ectoparasites were Gyrodactylus, Dactylogrus, Cichlidogyrus, Trichodina
and Icthyophthirius multifiliis, in 5%, 4%, 22%, 6% and 4% of the fish, respectively. The endoparasites
were trematodes (Orientocreadium batrachoides 3%), nematodes (Contracaecum. 2%), acanthocephala
(Acanthosentis tilapiae 25%) and protozoa that included Isospora and Eimeria spp., in 1% and 8% of
fish, respectively. Myxobolus was detected in 2% of the examined fish. The overall prevalence of
encysted metacercariae (EMC) was 95% (285 of 300), while infection with macroscopic EMC had a
prevalence of 37% and microscopic EMC had a prevalence of 58%. The adult worms recovered fromthe experimental infections were Prohemistomum vivax and Mesostephanus spp., which belong to the
family Cyathocotylidae. Collectively, these findings reflect the relatively high occurrence of parasites
among the studied fish, confirming the necessity of strict measures to control infection

Keywords: Nile tilapia fish; ectoparasites; endoparasites; experimental infections; Upper Egyp

Abstract: As a synthetic analog of codeine, tramadol is often prescribed to treat mild to moderate pains. This study was
designed to estimate and compare the histological effect of tramadol on testes of both juvenile and adult male albino mice. A
total number of 40 healthy male albino mice were classified into two main groups as follows: group I (juvenile group, includes
20 mice aged three weeks) subdivided equally into group Ia (control group received isotonic saline) and group Ib (tramadoltreated
group received 40 mg/kg/d tramadol orally for 30 days); group II (adult group, includes 20 mice aged two months)
subdivided equally into group IIa (control group received isotonic saline) and group IIb (tramadol-treated group). Juvenile
and adult tramadol-treated groups showed numerous testicular changes, including blood vessels congestion, widening of
intercellular spaces, vacuolization in interstitial tissues, luminal germ cells exfoliation, and increased expression of caspase-3
that indicated cellular apoptosis. In the ultrastructural examination, spermatogenic cells degenerated with the frequent
appearance of apoptotic cells. Sertoli cells showed vacuolations, large lipid droplets, and disrupted intercellular cell junctions.
These observed testicular changes were markedly observed in the juvenile group. Testicular abnormalities and apoptotic
changes can be caused by tramadol administration. These abnormalities are more common in juvenile mice.

Abstract: This study compared the cardioprotective action of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and
PUFAs in a rat model of gentamicin (GM)-induced cardiac degeneration. Male Wistar albino rats
were randomized into four groups of eight rats each: group I (control group), group II (gentamicintreated
rats receiving gentamicin intraperitoneally (IP) at dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 10 consecutive
days), group III (gentamicin and PUFA group receiving gentamicin IP at dose of 100 mg/kg/day
for 10 consecutive days followed by PUFAs at a dose of 100 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks), and group
IV (gentamicin and MSC group receiving gentamicin IP at dose of 100 mg/kg/day followed by a
single dose of MSCs (1  106)/rat IP). Cardiac histopathology was evaluated via light and electron
microscopy. Immunohistochemical detection of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), caspase-3
(apoptosis), Bcl2, and Bax expression was performed. Moreover, cardiac malonaldehyde (MDA)
content, catalase activity, and oxidative stress parameters were biochemically evaluated. Light and
electron microscopy showed that both MSCs and PUFAs had ameliorative effects. Their actions
were mediated by upregulating PCNA expression, downregulating caspase-3 expression, mitigating
cardiac MDA content, catalase activity, and oxidative stress parameters. MSCs and PUFAs had
ameliorative effects against gentamicin-induced cardiac degeneration, with MSCs showing higher
efficacy compared to PUFAs.