Transgenic porcine induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells are attractive cell sources for the development of genetically engineered pig models, because they can be expanded without senescence and have the potential for multiple gene manipulation. They are also useful cell sources for disease modeling and treatment. However, the generation of transgenic porcine iPS cells is rare, and their embryonic development after nuclear transfer (NT) has not yet been reported. We report here the generation of liver-specific oncogenes (TGF-α/c-Myc)-overexpressing porcine iPS (T/M iPS)-like cells. They expressed stem cell characteristics and were differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells that express oncogenes. We also confirmed that NT embryos derived from T/M iPS-like cells successfully developed blastocysts in vitro. As an initial approach toward porcine transgenic iPS cell generation and their developmental competence after NT, this study provides foundations for the efficient generation of genetically modified porcine iPS cells and animal models.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its complications are prominent public health issues. Many experimental models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced and high-fat diet (HF)-induced DM have been used to study this disease. Studies have indicated that unilateral nephrectomy (UN) accelerates the development of diabetic nephropathy. We hypothesized that UN stimulates HF and STZ combination-induced DM in mice. Seventy-two female C57BL/6J mice were divided into four treatment groups: HF; HF + STZ120 (HF and STZ, 120 mg/kg); UN + HF + STZ120 (UN, HF and STZ, 120 mg/kg); and HF + STZ200 (HF and STZ, 200 mg/kg). Onset of DM, survival rate, blood pressure, urine glucose level, and pancreatic histology were investigated. Additionally, renal function was evaluated in the UN + HF + STZ120 group after STZ injection. DM was induced in the UN + HF + STZ120 and HF + STZ200 groups within one week. The UN + HF + STZ120 group had lower mortality than the HF + STZ200 group and greater pancreatic destruction than the HF and HF + STZ120 groups. Two weeks after STZ injection, blood pressure was not significantly different among the groups. Nephrotoxicity associated with the combination of UN and STZ was not observed. In conclusion, the combination of these three techniques - UN, HF and STZ induced DM rapidly and effectively.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and its complications are prominent public health issues. Many experimental models of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced and high-fat diet (HF)-induced DM have been used to study this disease. Studies have indicated that unilateral nephrectomy (UN) accelerates the development of diabetic nephropathy. We hypothesized that UN stimulates HF and STZ combination-induced DM in mice. Seventy-two female C57BL/6J mice were divided into four treatment groups: HF; HF + STZ120 (HF and STZ, 120 mg/kg); UN + HF + STZ120 (UN, HF and STZ, 120 mg/kg); and HF + STZ200 (HF and STZ, 200 mg/kg). Onset of DM, survival rate, blood pressure, urine glucose level, and pancreatic histology were investigated. Additionally, renal function was evaluated in the UN + HF + STZ120 group after STZ injection. DM was induced in the UN + HF + STZ120 and HF + STZ200 groups within one week. The UN + HF + STZ120 group had lower mortality than the HF + STZ200 group and greater pancreatic destruction than the HF and HF + STZ120 groups. Two weeks after STZ injection, blood pressure was not significantly different among the groups. Nephrotoxicity associated with the combination of UN and STZ was not observed. In conclusion, the combination of these three techniques – UN, HF and STZ induced DM rapidly and effectively.

This study is conducted to investigate the prophylactic effect of thymoquinone (TQ), the major active ingredient of Nigella sativa seeds, against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Forty rats were divided into four even groups. The first group served as control. The second, third and fourth groups received CCl4, CCl4 and TQ, and TQ only, respectively for 5 weeks. CCl4 (2 ml/kg b.w.) was given orally by gastric tube twice a week on Sunday and Thursday. TQ (20 mg/kg b.w.) was given daily in corn oil by gastric tube. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed, and blood samples and liver specimens were obtained for biochemical analysis and morphological examination, respectively. Control and TQ-treated rats showed normal serum activity for alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) aminotransferases, and normal liver histology. Treatment of rats with CCl4 significantly increased serum activity of ALT and AST aminotransferases compared to control rats. Histopathologically, livers from CCl4-treated rats showed dilatation of blood sinusoids and portal blood vessels, Kupffer cell activation, vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes, focal areas of necrosis and mild hepatic fibrosis. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), CCl4 caused clear lesions in the liver including dilatation of endoplasmic reticula, increased extracellular matrix and formation of abundant fatty globules and numerous autophagosomes in hepatocytes. On the other hand, co-administration of TQ with CCl4 significantly decreased serum ALT and AST activities, and attenuated most of CCl4-induced hepatic pathological changes. The present study indicates that TQ has the potential to attenuate CCl4-induced hepatic damage in SD rats.

This study is conducted to investigate the prophylactic effect of thymoquinone (TQ), the major active ingredient of Nigella sativa seeds, against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatic damage in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Forty rats were divided into four even groups. The first group served as control. The second, third and fourth groups received CCl4, CCl4 and TQ, and TQ only, respectively for 5 weeks. CCl4 (2 ml/kg b.w.) was given orally by gastric tube twice a week on Sunday and Thursday. TQ (20 mg/kg b.w.) was given daily in corn oil by gastric tube. At the end of the experiment, rats were sacrificed, and blood samples and liver specimens were obtained for biochemical analysis and morphological examination, respectively. Control and TQ-treated rats showed normal serum activity for alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) aminotransferases, and normal liver histology. Treatment of rats with CCl4 significantly increased serum activity of ALT and AST aminotransferases compared to control rats. Histopathologically, livers from CCl4-treated rats showed dilatation of blood sinusoids and portal blood vessels, Kupffer cell activation, vacuolar degeneration of hepatocytes, focal areas of necrosis and mild hepatic fibrosis. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), CCl4 caused clear lesions in the liver including dilatation of endoplasmic reticula, increased extracellular matrix and formation of abundant fatty globules and numerous autophagosomes in hepatocytes. On the other hand, co-administration of TQ with CCl4 significantly decreased serum ALT and AST activities, and attenuated most of CCl4-induced hepatic pathological changes. The present study indicates that TQ has the potential to attenuate CCl4-induced hepatic damage in SD rats.

The objectives of this study were to elucidate the clinical findings in male dromedary camels with phimosis (PHI, n = 43) and to investigate the association of this syndrome with the hemogram, nitric oxide metabolites (NOMs), and testosterone concentrations. History and signalment were obtained, and a breeding soundness examination was performed. The penis was exteriorized after administration of a pudendal nerve block. Abnormal masses obtained from the prepuce and penis were prepared for histopathology. Blood samples for hemogram assessment were taken from the diseased animals and from 10 healthy control males. Total nitrates/nitrites were determined in sera using the Griess assay. Testosterone was estimated in sera using ELISA. Phimosis associated with detectable pathologic lesions, mainly including ulcerative posthitis and lacerated glans penis, was present in 34 (79.1%) of the 43 cases (PHI-P), whereas the remaining nine (20.9%) of the 43 cases had no noticeable lesions (PHI-N). The PHI-P group showed higher leukocyte counts (P = 0.001), especially neutrophils (P = 0.0001), and greater NOM concentrations (P = 0.002) than the PHI-N and control groups. However, testosterone concentrations did not differ among groups. In conclusion, PHI in the male dromedary camels was mainly associated with ulcerative posthitis and laceration of the glans penis. The presence of pathologic lesions in cases with PHI was associated with leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and high NOM concentrations.

The objectives of this study were to elucidate the clinical findings in male dromedary camels with phimosis (PHI, n = 43) and to investigate the association of this syndrome with the hemogram, nitric oxide metabolites (NOMs), and testosterone concentrations. History and signalment were obtained, and a breeding soundness examination was performed. The penis was exteriorized after administration of a pudendal nerve block. Abnormal masses obtained from the prepuce and penis were prepared for histopathology. Blood samples for hemogram assessment were taken from the diseased animals and from 10 healthy control males. Total nitrates/nitrites were determined in sera using the Griess assay. Testosterone was estimated in sera using ELISA. Phimosis associated with detectable pathologic lesions, mainly including ulcerative posthitis and lacerated glans penis, was present in 34 (79.1%) of the 43 cases (PHI-P), whereas the remaining nine (20.9%) of the 43 cases had no noticeable lesions (PHI-N). The PHI-P group showed higher leukocyte counts (P = 0.001), especially neutrophils (P = 0.0001), and greater NOM concentrations (P = 0.002) than the PHI-N and control groups. However, testosterone concentrations did not differ among groups. In conclusion, PHI in the male dromedary camels was mainly associated with ulcerative posthitis and laceration of the glans penis. The presence of pathologic lesions in cases with PHI was associated with leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and high NOM concentrations.

The objectives of this study were to elucidate the clinical findings in male dromedary camels with phimosis (PHI, n = 43) and to investigate the association of this syndrome with the hemogram, nitric oxide metabolites (NOMs), and testosterone concentrations. History and signalment were obtained, and a breeding soundness examination was performed. The penis was exteriorized after administration of a pudendal nerve block. Abnormal masses obtained from the prepuce and penis were prepared for histopathology. Blood samples for hemogram assessment were taken from the diseased animals and from 10 healthy control males. Total nitrates/nitrites were determined in sera using the Griess assay. Testosterone was estimated in sera using ELISA. Phimosis associated with detectable pathologic lesions, mainly including ulcerative posthitis and lacerated glans penis, was present in 34 (79.1%) of the 43 cases (PHI-P), whereas the remaining nine (20.9%) of the 43 cases had no noticeable lesions (PHI-N). The PHI-P group showed higher leukocyte counts (P = 0.001), especially neutrophils (P = 0.0001), and greater NOM concentrations (P = 0.002) than the PHI-N and control groups. However, testosterone concentrations did not differ among groups. In conclusion, PHI in the male dromedary camels was mainly associated with ulcerative posthitis and laceration of the glans penis. The presence of pathologic lesions in cases with PHI was associated with leukocytosis, neutrophilia, and high NOM concentrations.

Listeria monocytogenes is a serious foodborne zoonotic pathogen capable of causing gastroenteritis and severe systemic infections such as septicemia, meningitis or abortion in the infected individuals what is called listeriosis. The bacterium is reported as the third leading cause of death among the foodborne pathogens preceded by nontyphoidal Salmonella spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. The power to tolerate a wide range of temperatures is considered the most prominent trait distinguishing it from the other foodborne pathogens. Within the infected host, the bacteria harbor inside macrophages and jump from cell to another without leaving the safeguarding milieu of the host's cells utilizing a set of genes including hly (listeriolysin O), plcA (phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase c), plcB (phosphatidylcholine-phospholipase C) and actA (actin-assembly inducing protein). In addition to the health concerns associated with antibiotics, treatment failure likely occurs among listeriosis-infected persons especially with the inability of most antibiotics to access intracellular replicative niches and achieve the optimum therapeutic concentrations within the infected cells. Recently, one novel choice, peptide nucleic acid (PNA), has been emerged to target this bacterium as a model of targeting intracellular pathogens with anti-sense agents. PNA is a one of the DNA analogues which works via specific inhibition of bacterial gene expression.

Listeria monocytogenes is a serious foodborne zoonotic pathogen capable of causing gastroenteritis and severe systemic infections such as septicemia, meningitis or abortion in the infected individuals what is called listeriosis. The bacterium is reported as the third leading cause of death among the foodborne pathogens preceded by nontyphoidal Salmonella spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. The power to tolerate a wide range of temperatures is considered the most prominent trait distinguishing it from the other foodborne pathogens. Within the infected host, the bacteria harbor inside macrophages and jump from cell to another without leaving the safeguarding milieu of the host's cells utilizing a set of genes including hly (listeriolysin O), plcA (phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase c), plcB (phosphatidylcholine-phospholipase C) and actA (actin-assembly inducing protein). In addition to the health concerns associated with antibiotics, treatment failure likely occurs among listeriosis-infected persons especially with the inability of most antibiotics to access intracellular replicative niches and achieve the optimum therapeutic concentrations within the infected cells. Recently, one novel choice, peptide nucleic acid (PNA), has been emerged to target this bacterium as a model of targeting intracellular pathogens with anti-sense agents. PNA is a one of the DNA analogues which works via specific inhibition of bacterial gene expression.