Our ageing society is confronted with a dramatic increase in incidence of age-related neurodegenerative diseases; biomedical research leading to novel therapeutic strategies is crucial to address this problem. Animal models of neurodegenerative conditions are invaluable in improving our understanding of the molecular basis of pathology, potentially revealing novel targets for intervention. Here, we review transgenic animal models of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease reported in mice, zebrafish, Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. This information will enable researchers to compare different animal models targeting disease-associated molecules by genomic engineering and to facilitate the development of novel animal models for any particular study, depending on the ultimate research goals.

Liver X receptors, LXRs, are ligand-activated transcription factors that belong to the group H nuclear receptor (NR) superfamily. In this study, an LXR (HrLXR) cDNA was cloned from the ascidian Halocynthia roretzi hepatopancreas and characterized to examine the functional conservation of ancestral LXRs in chordates. A phylogenetic analysis of HrLXR showed that it belongs to the tunicate (urochordate) LXR subgroup, which is distinct from vertebrate LXRs. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that HrLXR mRNA was expressed predominantly in the gills, and highly expressed in unfertilized eggs followed by decrease at later embryonic and larval stages. Unexpectedly, HrLXR was not activated by GW3965, whereas a synthetic ligand for a farnesoid X receptor, GW4064, activated HrLXR. This activation was abolished by the deletion of 51 amino acids from the N-terminus. In a mammalian two-hybrid system, HrLXR interacted with HrRXR in the presence of GW4064 or 9-cis retinoic acid. The injection of GW3965 and GW4064 in vivo increased the ATPbinding cassette sub-family G member 4 and HrLXR mRNA levels in the hepatopancreas and gills. These results suggest that the mRNA expression and transcriptional properties of HrLXR are different from those of vertebrate LXRs, although HrLXR is likely responsive to the related NR ligand, GW4064.

NaCl Salinity affected differentially the different organs of plant (roots, stems and leaves) of broad bean genotypes (Vicia faba L cv. Wardy) cultivated in .pots (5Kg) the data revealed that the stem was the most salt tolerant whether root was the most salt sensitive organ and leaves was intermediate, accordingly the salt tolerance of the three organs ranked according to the following trend (stem> leaf>root). The leaf area of special interest in this study that the trend of leaf area went parallel to the fresh and dry matter yield of leaves which indicated that the two processes were closely linked under salt stress. The effect of salt stress on photosynthetic pigments (Chl.a, Chl.b and carotenoids)was also varied that while Chl.a decreased slightly the Chl.b increased slightly and carotenoids were intermediate. Phytohormonal treatments (IAA (0.2mM) or salicylic acid (0.5mM) enhanced in most cases all of these parameters which was more pronounced in salicylic acid treated plants than IAA treated plants at most salinization levels.

NaCl Salinity affected differentially the different organs of plant (roots, stems and leaves) of broad bean genotypes (Vicia faba L cv. Wardy) cultivated in .pots (5Kg) the data revealed that the stem was the most salt tolerant whether root was the most salt sensitive organ and leaves was intermediate, accordingly the salt tolerance of the three organs ranked according to the following trend (stem> leaf>root). The leaf area of special interest in this study that the trend of leaf area went parallel to the fresh and dry matter yield of leaves which indicated that the two processes were closely linked under salt stress. The effect of salt stress on photosynthetic pigments (Chl.a, Chl.b and carotenoids)was also varied that while Chl.a decreased slightly the Chl.b increased slightly and carotenoids were intermediate. Phytohormonal treatments (IAA (0.2mM) or salicylic acid (0.5mM) enhanced in most cases all of these parameters which was more pronounced in salicylic acid treated plants than IAA treated plants at most salinization levels.

NaCl Salinity affected differentially the different organs of plant (roots, stems and leaves) of broad bean genotypes (Vicia faba L cv. Wardy) cultivated in .pots (5Kg) the data revealed that the stem was the most salt tolerant whether root was the most salt sensitive organ and leaves was intermediate, accordingly the salt tolerance of the three organs ranked according to the following trend (stem> leaf>root). The leaf area of special interest in this study that the trend of leaf area went parallel to the fresh and dry matter yield of leaves which indicated that the two processes were closely linked under salt stress. The effect of salt stress on photosynthetic pigments (Chl.a, Chl.b and carotenoids)was also varied that while Chl.a decreased slightly the Chl.b increased slightly and carotenoids were intermediate. Phytohormonal treatments (IAA (0.2mM) or salicylic acid (0.5mM) enhanced in most cases all of these parameters which was more pronounced in salicylic acid treated plants than IAA treated plants at most salinization levels.

Two wheat cultivars cv. Sohag 3 (durum wheat) and cv. Seds 12 (bread wheat) were tested to assess their physiological behavior under different water regimes (100%, 70%, 50% and 30% FC) and their responsiveness to foliar application of 8mM silicon. The data clearly indicated the hypersensitivity of cv. Sohag 3 to water deficit as compared to cv. Seds 12 where dramatic reduction of shoots, roots, spikes and grains dry weight. Cv. Sohag 3 reduced total proteins and great accumulated of soluble proteins at the expense of insoluble one as well as reduction of soluble, insoluble and total carbohydrates. On the other hand, cv. Seds 12 maintained the insoluble proteins and enhanced of the soluble one as well as its ability to boost soluble, insoluble and total carbohydrates. In addition, water stress stimulated high oxidative damage in terms of overproduction of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage and lipoxygenase enzyme of cv. Sohag 3 compared to oxidative damage limiting capacity of cv. Seds 12. Silicon application greatly augmented the water scarcity and exhibited better growth under harsh conditions due to the up- regulation of C and N- metabolism of the studied cultivars and reduced membrane damage as indicated by reducing H2O2, MDA, electrolyte leakage and lipoxygenase. All of these criteria answered on the stimulatory effect of silicon on yield attributes (spikes and grains) of the studied cultivars

Two wheat cultivars cv. Sohag 3 (durum wheat) and cv. Seds 12 (bread wheat) were tested to assess their physiological behavior under different water regimes (100%, 70%, 50% and 30% FC) and their responsiveness to foliar application of 8mM silicon. The data clearly indicated the hypersensitivity of cv. Sohag 3 to water deficit as compared to cv. Seds 12 where dramatic reduction of shoots, roots, spikes and grains dry weight. Cv. Sohag 3 reduced total proteins and great accumulated of soluble proteins at the expense of insoluble one as well as reduction of soluble, insoluble and total carbohydrates. On the other hand, cv. Seds 12 maintained the insoluble proteins and enhanced of the soluble one as well as its ability to boost soluble, insoluble and total carbohydrates. In addition, water stress stimulated high oxidative damage in terms of overproduction of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage and lipoxygenase enzyme of cv. Sohag 3 compared to oxidative damage limiting capacity of cv. Seds 12. Silicon application greatly augmented the water scarcity and exhibited better growth under harsh conditions due to the up- regulation of C and N- metabolism of the studied cultivars and reduced membrane damage as indicated by reducing H2O2, MDA, electrolyte leakage and lipoxygenase. All of these criteria answered on the stimulatory effect of silicon on yield attributes (spikes and grains) of the studied cultivars

Two wheat cultivars cv. Sohag 3 (durum wheat) and cv. Seds 12 (bread wheat) were tested to assess their physiological behavior under different water regimes (100%, 70%, 50% and 30% FC) and their responsiveness to foliar application of 8mM silicon. The data clearly indicated the hypersensitivity of cv. Sohag 3 to water deficit as compared to cv. Seds 12 where dramatic reduction of shoots, roots, spikes and grains dry weight. Cv. Sohag 3 reduced total proteins and great accumulated of soluble proteins at the expense of insoluble one as well as reduction of soluble, insoluble and total carbohydrates. On the other hand, cv. Seds 12 maintained the insoluble proteins and enhanced of the soluble one as well as its ability to boost soluble, insoluble and total carbohydrates. In addition, water stress stimulated high oxidative damage in terms of overproduction of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage and lipoxygenase enzyme of cv. Sohag 3 compared to oxidative damage limiting capacity of cv. Seds 12. Silicon application greatly augmented the water scarcity and exhibited better growth under harsh conditions due to the up- regulation of C and N- metabolism of the studied cultivars and reduced membrane damage as indicated by reducing H2O2, MDA, electrolyte leakage and lipoxygenase. All of these criteria answered on the stimulatory effect of silicon on yield attributes (spikes and grains) of the studied cultivars

Two wheat cultivars cv. Sohag 3 (durum wheat) and cv. Seds 12 (bread wheat) were tested to assess their physiological behavior under different water regimes (100%, 70%, 50% and 30% FC) and their responsiveness to foliar application of 8mM silicon. The data clearly indicated the hypersensitivity of cv. Sohag 3 to water deficit as compared to cv. Seds 12 where dramatic reduction of shoots, roots, spikes and grains dry weight. Cv. Sohag 3 reduced total proteins and great accumulated of soluble proteins at the expense of insoluble one as well as reduction of soluble, insoluble and total carbohydrates. On the other hand, cv. Seds 12 maintained the insoluble proteins and enhanced of the soluble one as well as its ability to boost soluble, insoluble and total carbohydrates. In addition, water stress stimulated high oxidative damage in terms of overproduction of hydrogen peroxide, lipid peroxidation, electrolyte leakage and lipoxygenase enzyme of cv. Sohag 3 compared to oxidative damage limiting capacity of cv. Seds 12. Silicon application greatly augmented the water scarcity and exhibited better growth under harsh conditions due to the up- regulation of C and N- metabolism of the studied cultivars and reduced membrane damage as indicated by reducing H2O2, MDA, electrolyte leakage and lipoxygenase. All of these criteria answered on the stimulatory effect of silicon on yield attributes (spikes and grains) of the studied cultivars

NULL