The potential use of daphnia meal as substitute for fishmeal in diets of hybrid red tilapia affects growth performance, activities of digestive enzymes, antioxidant, immune status and intestinal histological parameters

The current study aimed to evaluate growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, antioxidant status, nonspecific immune response and intestinal histological status of red tilapia fed Daphnia meal (DM) as a substitute for fishmeal (FM). Hybrid red tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus × Oreochromis aureus) fry (0.54 ± 0.05 g fish-1 ) was allocated in nylon haba cages (100 fry m-3 ) for 2 weeks as an acclimation period. The fish were divided into five groups (three replicates each). The experimental diets were prepared by replacing FM with DM at concentrations of 25%, 50%, 75% and 100% respectively. The results indicated that fish fed increasing levels of DM (50%-75%) experienced high growth performance, feed utilisation and protein content. The activities of digestive enzymes were significantly increased in all groups fed DM diets compared to the control. The antioxidant balance was improved by decreasing the level of malondialdehyde and increased the total antioxidant capacity, catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione reductase activities in the liver of fish fed DM. The nonspecific immune response, including lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase activities and total protein level improved significantly with increasing FM substitution levels by DM in a dose-dependent manner. Histometric analysis of the intestinal wall revealed an increase in the villus length, crypts depth and goblet cells number in groups fed DM meal up to 50% substitution level compared to other treatments. It may be concluded from results of this feeding trial that in the aquaculture of hybrid tilapia, FM may be substituted with up to 50% DM without compromising intestinal health, growth performance and immune status of the fish.

Algal Extracts for Green Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Promising Approach for Algae Bioremediation

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) possess unique properties, making them a popular material across various industries. However, traditional methods of synthesizing ZnO-NPs are associated with environmental and health risks due to the use of harmful chemicals. As a result, the development of eco-friendly manufacturing practices, such as green-synthesis methodologies, has gained momentum. Green synthesis of ZnO-NPs using biological substrates offers several advantages over conventional approaches, such as cost-effectiveness, simplicity of scaling up, and reduced environmental impact. While both dried dead and living biomasses can be used for synthesis, the extracellular mode is more commonly employed. Although several biological substrates have been successfully utilized for the green production of ZnO-NPs, large-scale production remains challenging due to the complexity of biological extracts. In addition, ZnO-NPs have significant potential for photocatalysis and adsorption in the remediation of industrial effluents. The ease of use, efficacy, quick oxidation, cost-effectiveness, and reduced synthesis of harmful byproducts make them a promising tool in this field. This review aims to describe the different biological substrate sources and technologies used in the green synthesis of ZnO-NPs and their impact on properties. Traditional synthesis methods using harmful chemicals limit their clinical field of use. However, the emergence of algae as a promising substrate for creating safe, biocompatible, non-toxic, economic, and ecological synthesis techniques is gaining momentum. Future research is required to explore the potential of other algae species for biogenic synthesis. Moreover, this review focuses on how green synthesis of ZnO-NPs using biological substrates offers a viable alternative to traditional methods. Moreover, the use of these nanoparticles for industrial-effluent remediation is a promising field for future research.

Commercial Seaweed Liquid Extract as Strawberry Biostimulants and Bioethanol Production

Seaweeds are increasingly intriguing as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds. They have applications in agriculture, fuels, feed, and food products. To become a cost-competitive product with zero waste, a biorefinery approach is applied, where several products are valorized at the same time. True-Algae-Max (TAM^®) has been investigated for its ability to improve the yield and nutritional facts of a strawberry plant. Three concentrations of TAM (0, 50, and 100%) were examined by foliar spray in 2017 with 50% NPK chemical fertilizer. Results indicated that growth, yield, chlorophyll, and potassium content were significantly improved by TAM treatments. TAM50 % resulted in maximum root length, leaf area, plant fresh weight, fruit weight, and yield with an increase ranging from 10 to 110% compared to control. Compared to the NPK control, strawberries grown with TAM50% improved total soluble solids (TSS) from 7.58 to 10.12% and anthocyanin from 23.08 to 29.42 mg CGE 100 g^-1. Noteworthily, this reduced total sugar, and total phenolics were boosted by TAM applications, while non-reducing sugar was reduced compared to control. On the other hand, whole seaweed biomass and TAM residuals were used for bioethanol production by acid scarification. The maximum bioethanol yield was observed in residual biomass (0.34 g g^-1 dw), while the whole seaweed biomass showed only 0.20 g g^-1 dw. These results proved the biorefinery concept of using seaweed extract as a biostimulator and bioethanol production.

Nonlinear Optical Properties of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Colloids Prepared by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Distilled Water

The nonlinear optical properties of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) in distilled water were measured using a femtosecond laser and the Z-scan technique. The ZnONPs colloids were created by the ablation of zinc bulk in distilled water with a 532 nm Nd: YAG laser. Transmission electron microscopy, an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer, and atomic absorption spectrophotometry were used to determine the size, shape, absorption spectra, and concentration of the ZnONPs colloids. The nonlinear absorption coefficient and nonlinear refractive index were measured at different excitation wavelengths and intensities. The nonlinear absorption coefficient of the ZnONPs colloids was found to be positive, caused by reverse saturable absorption, whereas the nonlinear refractive index was found to be negative due to self-defocusing in the ZnONPs. Both laser parameters, such as excitation wavelength and input intensity, and nanoparticle features, such as concentration and size, were found to influence the nonlinear optical properties of the ZnONPs.

Excitation Wavelength and Colloids Concentration-Dependent Nonlinear Optical Properties of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized by Laser Ablation

We reported experimental results from investigations that employed the Z-scan method to explore the dependence of silver nanoparticles' (AgNPs) nonlinear optical properties on the excitation wavelength, AgNP concentration, and size. Using a 532 nm Nd: YAG laser beam at 100 mJ/pulse for different ablation times, AgNPs were synthesized from a silver target immersed in distilled water. UV-Vis spectroscopy and an atomic absorption spectrometer are used to characterize the optical properties of laser-synthesized AgNPs as well as their concentrations. The AgNPs' size and shape are determined using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The laser-synthesized AgNPs are spherical, with an average particle size of 12 to 13.2 nm. Whatever the ablation time, the AgNP colloids exhibit reversed saturable absorption and a negative nonlinear refractive index (n₂). Both n₂ and the nonlinear absorption coefficient (α₃) increase as the AgNP concentration increases. As the excitation wavelength and average size of the AgNPs increase, n₂ and α₃ decrease.

Equilibrium and Kinetic Modeling of Crystal Violet Dye Adsorption by a Marine Diatom, Skeletonema costatum

Significant efforts have been made to improve adsorbents capable of eliminating pollutants from aqueous solutions, making it simple and quick to separate from the treated solution. In the current study, the removal of Crystal Violet Dye (CVD) from an aqueous synthetic solution onto a marine diatom alga, Skeletonema costatum, was investigated. Different experiments were conducted as a function of different pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, temperature, and initial CVD concentration. The highest adsorption efficiency (98%) was obtained at 0.4 g of S. costatum, pH 3, and a contact time of 120 min, at 25 °C. Furthermore, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results display that binding of CVD on S. costatum may occur by electrostatic and complexation reactions. Moreover, the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis (BET) obtained was 87.17 m² g^-1, which, in addition to a scanning electron microscope (SEM), reveals large pores that could enhance the uptake of large molecules. However, the equilibrium adsorption models were conducted by Halsey, Langmuir, Freundlich, Henderson, and Tempkin isotherm. In addition, multilayer adsorption isotherm best described the uptake of CVD onto S. costatum. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity (q_max) was 6.410 mg g^-1. Moreover, thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption studies suggested that the uptake of CVD onto S. costatum was endothermic and spontaneous. The pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intra-particle diffusion kinetic equations were applied to model the adsorption kinetic data. It was seen that the kinetics of the adsorption may be described using pseudo-second-order kinetic equations. Finally, the present work concluded that the marine diatom alga S. costatum is suitable as a natural material for the adsorption of CVD.

Enhanced and tunable femtosecond nonlinear optical properties of pure and nickel-doped zinc oxide films

The nonlinear optical properties of pure ZnO and Ni-doped ZnO thin films are explored using the Z-scan technique at different input laser intensities and an excitation wavelength of 750 nm by 100 fs laser pulses. The pure ZnO and Ni-doped ZnO thin films were prepared by radio frequency magnetron sputtering at room temperature. A scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy was used to measure the thickness and composition of the thin films, while a UV-visible spectrophotometer was used to measure the linear optical properties. The structure of the thin films was measured using x-ray diffraction. Saturable absorption (SA) was observed in the pure ZnO thin film, while Ni-doped ZnO illustrated a combination of SA and reverse SA (RSA). The nonlinear absorption coefficient (β) and nonlinear refractive index (n₂) of both pure ZnO and Ni-doped ZnO thin films were found to be input laser intensity dependent. As the input laser intensity increased, the nonlinear absorption coefficient and the nonlinear refractive index of both samples increased. An enhancement of two times in the nonlinear refractive index was observed for the Ni-doped ZnO thin film compared to the pure ZnO thin film. The optical limiting behavior of pure ZnO and Ni-doped ZnO thin films was investigated, and the data demonstrated that Ni-doped ZnO thin film is a good candidate for optical limiter applications due to the presence of strong RSA.

Using Femtosecond Laser Pulses to Explore the Nonlinear Optical Properties of Au NP Colloids That Were Synthesized by Laser Ablation

In this study, we experimentally investigated the nonlinear optical properties of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) that were prepared in pure distilled water using the laser ablation method. The Au NPs were prepared using a nanosecond Nd:YAG laser with an ablation time of 5 or 10 min at a constant laser energy of 100 mJ. The structure and the linear optical properties of the Au NPs were investigated using a transmission electron microscope (TEM) and UV-visible spectrophotometer analysis, respectively. The TEM measurements showed that the average size of the Au NPs varied from 20.3 to 14.1 nm, depending on the laser ablation time. The z-scan technique was used to investigate the nonlinear refractive index (n2) and nonlinear absorption coefficient (γ) of the Au NPs, which were irradiated at different excitation wavelengths that ranged from 740 to 820 nm and at different average powers that ranged from 0.8 to 1.6 W. The Au NP samples exhibited a reverse saturable absorption (RSA) behavior that increased when the excitation wavelength and/or incident laser power increased. In addition, the Au NPs acted as a self-defocusing material whenever the excitation wavelength or incident power were modified.

Growth Performance, Immune-Related and Antioxidant Genes Expression, and Gut Bacterial Abundance of Pacific White Leg Shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, Dietary Supplemented With Natural Astaxanthin

The current study examines the effect of dietary supplementation of ethanolic extract of Arthrospira platensis NIOF17/003, which is mainly natural astaxanthins (97.50%), on the growth performance, feed utilization, bacterial abundance, and immune-related and antioxidant gene expressions of the Pacific white leg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. A total of 360 healthy L. vannamei postlarvae (0.19 ± 0.003 g) were divided into four groups (0, 2, 4, and 6 g natural astaxanthins/kg diet) each in three replicates, at an initial density of 30 PLs per tank (40 L capacity). The shrimp were fed the tested diets three times a day at a rate of 10% of their total body weight for 90 days. Diets supplemented with different astaxanthin levels significantly improved shrimp growth performance and feed conversion ratio compared to the control diet. No significant differences were observed in survival rates among all experimental groups. The immune-related genes (prophenoloxidase, lysozyme, beta-glucan binding protein, transglutaminase, and crustin) mRNA levels were significantly upregulated in groups fed with different concentrations of the natural astaxanthins in a dose-dependent manner. The prophenoloxidase gene is the highest immune-upregulated gene (14.71-fold change) in response to astaxanthin supplementation. The superoxide dismutase mRNA level was significantly increased with increasing dietary astaxanthin supplementation. In addition, increasing astaxanthin supplementation levels significantly reduced the count of heterotrophic bacteria and Vibrio spp. in the culture water and shrimp intestine. Overall, the current results concluded that diet supplementation with natural astaxanthin, extracted from Arthrospira platensis, enhanced the growth performance, immune response, and antioxidant status of L. vannamei.

Fabrication of Robust Superhydrophobic Nickel Films on Steel Surface With High Corrosion Resistance, Mechanical and Chemical Stability

Superhydrophobic films were successfully grafted on a steel substrate using potentiostatic electrodeposition of nickel followed by treatment with myristic acid (MA) as a low surface energy material. A scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used to investigate the surface topography of the prepared superhydrophobic films. The results revealed that the prepared Ni films modified by myristic acid have micro-nano structures. Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showed that the steel substrate was coated with nickel film modified with myristic acid. Three different nickel films were prepared: the Ni-MA (I) deposited from pure nickel sulfate bath (1.0 M NiSO4), Ni-MA (II) deposited from pure nickel chloride bath (1.0 M NiCl2. 6H2O), and the third Ni-MA (III) film deposited from Watts bath (0.2 M NiCl2. 6H2O and 0.8M NiSO4). The superhydrophobic Ni-MA (I) film has the highest corrosion resistance, chemical stability, and mechanical abrasion resistance, while Ni-MA (II) film has the lowest properties.

Dried Brown Seaweed’s Phytoremediation Potential for Methylene Blue Dye Removal from Aquatic Environments

The dried form of the brown seaweed Sargassum latifolium was tested for its ability to remove toxic Methylene Blue Dye (MBD) ions from aqueous synthetic solutions and industrial wastewater effluents. In a batch adsorption experiment, different initial concentrations of MBD (5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg L⁻¹), sorbent dosages (0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 g L⁻¹), contact time (5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120 min), pH (3, 5, 8, 10, and 12), and temperature (30, 40, 50, 60 °C) were observed. Dried powder of S. latifolium was characterized before and after adsorption of MBD using different techniques, such as FTIR, SEM, UV visible spectral examination, and BET techniques. The BET surface area suggests the formation of S. latifolium was 111.65 m² g⁻¹, and the average pore size was 2.19 nm. The obtained results showed that at an MBD concentration of 40 mg L⁻¹, the adsorption was rapid in the first 5, 10, and 15 min of contact time, and an equilibrium was reached in about 60 and 120 min for the adsorption. At the optimum temperature of 30 °C and the adsorbent dose of 0.1 g L⁻¹, approximately 94.88% of MBD were removed. To find the best-fit isotherm model, the error function equations are applied to the isotherm model findings. Both Tempkin and Freundlich isotherm models could appropriate the equilibrium data, as well as the pseudo 2nd order kinetics model due to high correlation coefficients (R²). Thermodynamic and Freundlich model parameters were assessed and showed that the mechanism of the sorption process occurs by an endothermic and physical process. According to the results of the experiments, S. latifolium is a promising environmentally friendly approach for eliminating MBD from the aqueous solution that is also cost-effective. This technology could be useful in addressing the rising demand for adsorbents employed in environmental protection processes.

Prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 pathogenic sequence variants in ovarian cancer patients in the Gulf region: the PREDICT study

BACKGROUND

Patients with pathogenic sequence variants (PSVs) in BRCA1/BRCA2 are at high risk of developing ovarian cancer (OC). However, genetic testing for BRCA1/BRCA2 PSVs is still not a routine practice in the Middle East. With the lack of epidemiological studies in the region, we aim to describe the prevalence of BRCA1/BRCA2 PSVs in patients with OC across different countries in the Gulf region.

METHODS

The PREDICT study was an observational, prospective, epidemiological study, which consecutively recruited women with ovarian, primary peritoneal, and fallopian tube cancers from the following Gulf countries over the period from July 2017 to July 2019; United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, and Oman. The study was approved by the local ethics committee of participating centers. The BRCA1/BRCA2 PSVs were assessed by tissue genetic testing using next-generation sequencing (NGS).

RESULTS

A total of 105 women were included with a median age at diagnosis of 52 years (IQR 44.5 - 61.0). Nearly 11.4% of patients reported a family history of ovarian or breast cancer, while 4.7% of patients reported a family history of other cancers. Most of the patients (70.3%) had advanced disease (FIGO stage III/IV) at presentation. Eighty-eight patients (84%) were successfully tested for somatic BRCA1/BRCA2 PSVs. Fifteen patients (17%) were found to have PSVs in either BRCA1, BRCA2, or both genes; of them, 10 patients (11.2%) had BRCA1 somatic PSVs alone, eight patients (9.1%) had BRCA2 somatic PSVs, while three patients (2.9%) had both PSVs. Five patients with BRCA1/BRCA2 somatic PSVs had germline PSVs tests, and three of them tested positive. Concerning treatment, 87.6% of patients received perioperative chemotherapy and 6.6% as first-line palliative chemotherapy. Eighty-seven (82.9%) patients underwent debulking surgery, with no residual disease in 42.5% of patients.

CONCLUSION

Our study showed that the prevalence of BRCA1/BRCA2 somatic PSVs in patients with OC is higher than the reported global figures (2-8%). However, more studies are warranted to further elucidate the prevalence of BRCA1/BRCA2 somatic and germline PSVs, as well as other relevant genetic alterations, to better understand their impact on OC patient outcomes in Gulf countries.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

NCT03082976 .

Ammonia Bioremediation from Aquaculture Wastewater Effluents Using Arthrospira platensis NIOF17/003: Impact of Biodiesel Residue and Potential of Ammonia-Loaded Biomass as Rotifer Feed

The present work evaluated the capability of Arthrospira platensis complete biomass (ACDW) and the lipid-free biomass (LFB) to remove ammonium ions (NH4+) from aquaculture wastewater discharge. Under controlled conditions in flasks filled with 100 mL of distilled water (synthetic aqueous solution), a batch process ion-exchange was conducted by changing the main parameters including contact times (15, 30, 45, 60, 120, and 180 min), initial ammonium ion concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, and 100 mg·L-1), and initial pH levels (2, 4, 6, 8, and 10) at various dosages of ACDW and LFB as adsorbents (0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08, and 0.1 g). After lab optimization, ammonia removal from real aquaculture wastewater was also examined. The removal of ammonium using ACDW and LFB in the synthetic aqueous solution (64.24% and 89.68%, respectively) was higher than that of the real aquaculture effluents (25.70% and 37.80%, respectively). The data of IR and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the existence of various functional groups in the biomass of ACDW and LFB. The adsorption equilibrium isotherms were estimated using Freundlich, Langmuir, and Halsey models, providing an initial description of the ammonia elimination capacity of A. platensis. The experimental kinetic study was suitably fit by a pseudo-second-order equation. On the other hand, as a result of the treatment of real aquaculture wastewater (RAW) using LFB and ACDW, the bacterial counts of the LFB, ACDW, ACDW-RAW, and RAW groups were high (higher than 300 CFU), while the LFB-RAW group showed lower than 100 CFU. The current study is the first work reporting the potential of ammonia-loaded microalgae biomass as a feed source for the rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis). In general, our findings concluded that B. plicatilis was sensitive to A. platensis biomass loaded with ammonia concentrations. Overall, the results in this work showed that the biomass of A. platensis is a promising candidate for removing ammonia from aquaculture wastewater.

One-year outcome of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy in morbidly obese adolescents

Background

Adolescent obesity is an important health issue. Non-surgical weight management programs, even the most aggressive, have shown modest weight reduction results. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is gaining reliability as a low surgical risk bariatric procedure with proper efficiency for this age group. The aim of this study was to present our initial experience with LSG in morbidly obese adolescents and to report short-term clinical and metabolic outcome.

Results

Mean age was 16.43 years, and mean preoperative weight and body mass index (BMI) were 132.68 kg and 48.90 respectively. Mean excess weight loss (EWL) was 54.11 kg 1 year after LSG, corresponding to 74 EWL% as well as mean BMI loss (BML) of 19.89. LSG improved fatty infiltration of the liver in 75% of cases and other comorbidities in 100% of patients.

Conclusions

LSG proved to be a safe procedure with significant short-term clinical and metabolic success for adolescent obesity.

Impact of Commercial Seaweed Liquid Extract (TAM®) Biostimulant and Its Bioactive Molecules on Growth and Antioxidant Activities of Hot Pepper (Capsicum annuum)

Bioactive molecules derived from seaweed extracts are revolutionary bio-stimulants used to enhance plant growth and increase yield production. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a commercially available seaweed liquid extract, namely, True-Algae-Max (TAM^®), as a plant growth stimulant on nutritional, and antioxidant activity of Capsicum annuum. Three concentrations of TAM^® (0.25, 0.5, and 1%) of various NPK: TAM^® ratios were investigated via foliar spray, over 2017 and 2018 cultivation seasons, under greenhouse conditions. TAM^® is rich in phytochemical compounds, such as ascorbic acid (1.66 mg g^-1), phenolics (101.67 mg g^-1), and flavonoids (2.60 mg g^-1) that showed good antioxidant activity (54.52 mg g^-1) and DPPH inhibition of 70.33%. Promoting measured parameter results stated the extensive potentiality of TAM^® application, in comparison with conventional NPK treatment. Yield and composition of C. annuum were significantly improved in all TAM^® treated groups, especially the TAM_0.5% concentration, which resulted in maximum yield (4.23 Kg m^-2) and significant amounts of profuse biological molecules like chlorophyll, ascorbic, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and total nutrients. Compared to the NPK control treatments, C. annuum treated with TAM_0.5% improved the total antioxidant activity of hot Pepper from 162.16 to 190.95 mg g^-1. These findings indicate that the extract of seaweed can be used as an environmentally friendly, multi-functional biostimulant in the agricultural field for more sustainable production, in addition to reducing the use of hazardous synthetic fertilizers.

Studying the Adsorptive Behavior of Poly(Acrylonitrile-co-Styrene) and Carbon Nanotubes (Nanocomposites) Impregnated with Adsorbent Materials towards Methyl Orange Dye

In this study, a polymeric (acrylonitrile-co-styrene) P(AN-co-St) composite was impregnated with adsorbents, such as sulfonated and multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), to increase the adsorptive characteristics of the nanocomposite upon the removal of methyl orange (MO) dye under different conditions. A novel nanocomposite copolymer mixture of P(AN-co-St) and SP(AN-co-St) was used. MWCNTs were prepared by a low-cost chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. Variation in MO adsorption onto the three nanocomposites was examined in an aqueous solution via the batch technique with respect to contact time, initial MO concentration, adsorbent dosage, pH, and temperature. The surface of the nanocomposites was characterized by a scanning electron microscope (SEM), particle size distribution (PSD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman analysis. The experimental data showed that the efficiency of P(AN-co-St)/ MWCNT removal increased under the conditions of an acidic pH (3 and 5) with an agitation speed of 140 rpm, a sorbent weight of 0.01 g, and 20 mg of initial dye. The maximum sorption capacities were 121.95, 48.78, and 47.84 mg g-1 for the P(AN-co-St)/ MWCNTs, SP(AN-co-St), and P(AN-co-St) composites, respectively, as assessed by the Langmuir model. Additional isotherm models, such as the Freundlich, Temkin, and Halsey models, were used to examine the experimental data. A pseudo-second-order model was found to be more fitting for describing the sorption.

Population Dynamics, Fecundity and Fatty Acid Composition of Oithona nana (Cyclopoida, Copepoda), Fed on Different Diets

Simple Summary

Marine larval production is the most critical stage in the life of the marine aquacultured species, which depends on the use of different zooplanktonic organisms as live feed. Copepods are high-quality live prey that could be efficiently used to overcome the transition period from live food to weaning with an artificial diet in the post-larval stages. The main culture systems of copepods use microalgae as uni-food, nevertheless for the more sustainable and cost-efficient production of copepods, the development of artificial diets is the core of its production techniques. The present study was conducted to improve the production and nutritional quality of copepod, Oithona nana, using different diets (soybean, yeast, rice bran, and corn starch). Among all diets, corn starch revealed the highest population growth. Meanwhile, animals nourished by rice bran showed the highest percent of copepodite, nauplii, and fecundity. The nutritional quality of copepods referred to fatty acids profile showed a high percentage of unsaturated fatty acids in copepods fed on rice bran. In conclusion, the dry feeds are very applicable, more economic, and simply alternative diets to substitute microalgae and maximize the fecundity and population of O. nana in fish hatcheries.

Abstract

The marine copepod species Oithona nana is considered as one of the most successfully mass cultured Cyclopoida species in marine hatcheries. This study investigated the effects of four feed diets (soybean, yeast, rice bran, and corn starch) on the population growth, growth rate, population composition, fecundity, and fatty acid composition of native isolated Cyclopoida copepod species O. nana. The experiment was continued for 15 days and the copepods were fed on one of the four diets with a concentration of 1 g 10⁻⁶ individual day⁻¹. The results revealed that corn starch was found to be the most supportive diet for population growth and population growth rate. For nutritional value, copepods fed on rice bran were detected to have the highest content of MUFA, PUFA, and the lowest SFA and SFA/UFA ratio; more importantly, the rice bran diet was the only treatment that showed C20:5ω3. Moreover, copepods fed on rice bran showed the highest significant female fecundity, copepodite, and nauplii percent. Finally, the protocols described in the current study concluded that the dry feeds, especially corn starch, are very useful and applicable in hatcheries for maximizing the fecundity and density of Cyclopoida copepod species, O. nana.

Frequency of germline mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2 in ovarian cancer patients and their effect on treatment outcome

Aim of work

Reporting the incidence and the variants of BRCA1/2 mutations in ovarian cancer patients exploring their effects on the treatment outcomes.

Patients and methods

In total, 104 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer were prospectively recruited to the study. Analysis consisted of the sequencing of all the translated exons and immediately adjacent intronic regions of the BRCA1/2 genes. Responses to multiple lines of chemotherapy were assessed, as well as the effect of BRCA gene mutations on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

Pathogenic BRCA1/2 mutations were found in 21.15% of the patients. BRCA1 mutations represented 68.2% of the total mutations. Two novel BRCA1 mutations were identified. Age at diagnosis was a strong predictor of the presence of a pathogenic BRCA1/2 mutation. Patients with a family history of cancer had a higher incidence of BRCA mutations (P=0.005). As high as 72% of the patients with BRCA mutations were diagnosed at advanced stage. High-grade serous tumors have a higher incidence of pathogenic mutation (P=0.07). Response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was high (93.9%). All patients underwent surgery which was optimal in 73.1% of the patients. As high as 85.6% of the patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. Relapse rate was 45.2%. Visceral metastasis was more often in BRCA carriers (P=0.01). Patients carrying pathogenic BRCA1/2 mutations had a longer median PFS of 42.43 months (95% CI 32.04–52.83) compared to 22.24 months (95% CI 14.83–29.58) for non-carriers (P=0.08). OS was 64.32 months (95% CI 38.09–90.06) for BRCA mutation patients versus 56.63 months (95% CI 50.05–63.21) (P=0.04) for non-carriers. In multivariate analysis, early stage at diagnosis and optimal debulking were the only independent predictors of better PFS and OS.

Conclusion

We documented a number of pathogenic BRCA1 and 2 mutations in this patients cohort; two novel mutations were detected. BRCA status seemed to affect survival in ovarian cancer patients.

Cytotoxic effect of aqueous ethanolic extract of Luffa cylindrica leaves on cancer stem cells CD44+/24- in breast cancer patients with various molecular sub-types using tissue samples in vitro

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Luffa cylindrica (L.) M.Roem is a climbing plant its parts have been used as traditional medicine for the treatment of different types of diseases including diarrhea, inflammation, cancer and viral infections. The parts used include fruit, seeds and leaves.

AIM OF THE STUDY

Our study aims to investigate the effect of the aqueous-ethanol extract of Luffa cylindrica leaves on breast cancer stem cells CD44⁺/24^- and other cell sub-populations using clinical samples with different molecular sub-types of breast cancer in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Breast tissues were obtained from patients undergoing surgery for the removal of breast tumors after complete clinical and pathological investigations. Tissue samples were processed to cell suspensions and treated with the extract in the tissue culture laboratory. Percentages of cell sub-populations within tumors and viability were measured by flowcytometry using clusters of differentiation as cell markers.

RESULTS

Our results revealed that there were decreases in the total cell viability, CD44⁺/24^- and total CD24⁺ cell sub-populations percentages after treatment with the extract, this may be an important indication of using Luffa leaves extract in the treatment of breast cancer or in combination with the traditional treatments.

CONCLUSION

Luffa cylindrica has proven to have anticancer activity on three different subtypes of breast cancer including luminal A, luminal B and Her2/neu enriched more over it has cytotoxic effect on both bulk tumor cells as well as cancer stem cells sub population CD44⁺/24^- which possess high tumorigenic potency, these results were confirmed by measuring their viable number after treatment and sphere formation assay results.

Cytotoxicity of Luffa cylindrica (L.) M.Roem. extract against circulating cancer stem cells in hepatocellular carcinoma

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Luffa cylindrica (L.) M.Roem. has been recognized as traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases like inflammatory diseases, diarrhea and viral infections. The usual parts used include fruit, seeds and leaves.

AIM OF THE STUDY

To evaluate the anticancer activity of the hot water extract of the whole plant of Luffa cylindrica using circulating tumor cells and cancer stem cells isolated from the peripheral blood of hepatocellular carcinoma patients in vitro.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy five adult patients who reported as stage II and III Hepatocellular carcinoma were selected. Blood samples were withdrawn and the circulating tumor cells were isolated from the whole blood. Tumor cells and cancer stem cells were detected and isolated by flow cytometric techniques. The isolated cell types were cultured and propagated in the tissue culture facility, the extract was tested on the isolated cells.

RESULTS

Luffa cylindrica hot water extract has shown cytotoxic activity against circulating tumor cells of hepatocellular carcinoma especially the cells sub-population CD133⁺/CD44⁺ with little effect among CD133⁺/CD44^- sub-population.

CONCLUSION

Hot water extract of Luffa cylindrica whole plant could decrease the ratio of cancer stem cells in blood of HCC patients and may be used to minimize recurrence and metastasis in hepatocellular carcinoma patients.

Evaluating the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of three Egyptian seaweeds: Dictyota dichotoma, Turbinaria decurrens, and Laurencia obtusa

Abstract Seaweeds have a growing number of successful applications in the food industry, medicine and in the cosmetic industry, which increases the importance of evaluating their chemical composition. In the present study, three common Egyptian seaweeds (Dictyota dichotoma, Turbinaria decurrens and Laurencia obtusa) were collected from the Red Sea coast, Suez, Egypt. The chemical profile of the three seaweeds was studied beside the antioxidant activity of their extracts. The results indicated that the amount of carbohydrate was greater than the protein and lipid contents in the three seaweeds, with a natural richness in minerals and antioxidants besides considerable amounts of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, including Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. All essential amino acids for human were found in the three seaweeds, with significant amounts of aspartic and glutamic acids. Furthermore, the results of the antioxidant activity assays were consistent with the antioxidant contents (phenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, vitamin C, carotenoids) of each seaweed. D. dichotoma was the most valuable seaweed of the three species studied, due to its relatively high protein content of 7.28 ± 0.25%, moderate carbohydrate content of 25.35 ± 0.32%, and highest pigment and antioxidant contents. In conclusion, these three seaweeds, especially Dictyota dichotoma, have an interesting chemical composition with a prospective nutritional and pharmaceutical value.

Efficacy and safety of crizotinib in patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive advanced-stage non-small-cell lung cancer

Introduction

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, despite advances in management, especially with targeted agents and immunotherapy. Numerous oncogenes have been identified that control the growth of these malignancies. Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) is a tyrosine kinase that develops distorted functioning as a result of chromosomal rearrangement. Crizotinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2011 for the treatment of advanced ALK-positive non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and methods

In this chart review, we compiled data from two cancer hospitals in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia which were collected from patients with advanced NSCLC treated between January 2013 and September 2017 with crizotinib after diagnosed with ALK-positive disease. Crizotinib 250 mg BID was given orally with/without food intake. We assessed overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), duration of the response, and dose reduction/cessation.

Results

De-identified data from 38 subjects were compiled. Their median age was 53 years, 65.8% were male, the 1-year OS was 88%, and the PFS was 16.5 months. Two cases (5.3%) had a complete response (CR), while 17 (44.7%) had a partial response (PR). Side effects of grade III/IV occurred, including elevated transaminase levels, diarrhea, and prolonged QT intervals, in 8% patients, with dose reduction in six patients (15.8%).

Conclusion

In NSCLC, crizotinib is a viable treatment option with good response and tolerable toxicity for patients with ALK-positive advanced disease.

Chemical Composition of Aqueous Ethanol Extract of Luffa cylindrica Leaves and Its Effect on Representation of Caspase-8, Caspase-3, and the Proliferation Marker Ki67 in Intrinsic Molecular Subtypes of Breast Cancer in Vitro

Breast cancer constitutes the second most prevalent cancer in Egypt, the problem needs more trends in treatment and treatment development either by regimen modification or introducing new drugs, and the main objective of this study is to screen the effects of the aqueous ethanol herbal extract of Luffa cylindrica leaves on different types of breast cancer cell lines representing different molecular subtypes of the disease. The major active constituents of the extract were tentatively identified by LC/MS which revealed the presence of phenolic compound derivatives and saponin that may be responsible in part for the activity of the extract. The emphasis was laid on the main apoptotic pathways as well as the extract effect on the normal cell line. Results of phytochemical investigation, cell cycle analysis, and molecular analysis of apoptotic and proliferative markers have shown effective anticancer activity against MCF-7, BT-474, and MDA-MB-231 cell lines which represent three subtypes of breast cancer, luminal A, luminal B, and triple negative, respectively. On the other hand, the effects on normal lung fibroblast cell line are less prominent at the dose used for treating breast cancer cell lines.

Effectiveness of ravidasvir plus sofosbuvir in interferon-naïve and treated patients with chronic hepatitis C genotype-4

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Although treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HCV-genotype-4 (GT4) has become very effective, it remains very expensive, and affordable options are needed, especially in limited resource countries. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of the combination of ravidasvir (an NS5A inhibitor) and sofosbuvir to treat patients with chronic HCV-GT4 infection.

METHODS

A total of 300 patients with HCV-GT4 infection were recruited in three groups: treatment-naïve patients with or without compensated Child-A cirrhosis (Group 1); interferon-experienced patients without cirrhosis (Group 2); and interferon-experienced patients with cirrhosis (Group 3). Groups 1 and 2 received ravidasvir 200 mg QD plus sofosbuvir 400 mg QD for 12 weeks and were randomized 1:1 to treatment with or without weight-based ribavirin. Group 3 patients received ravidasvir plus sofosbuvir with ribavirin and were randomized 1:1 to a treatment duration of 12 weeks or 16 weeks. The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response at 12 weeks post-treatment (SVR12).

RESULTS

A total of 298 patients were enrolled: 149 in Group 1, 79 in Group 2 and 70 in Group 3. SVR12 was achieved in 95.3% of all patients who started the study, including 98% of patients without cirrhosis and 91% of patients with cirrhosis, whether treatment-naïve or interferon-experienced. Ribavirin intake and history of previous interferon therapy did not affect SVR12 rates. No virologic breakthroughs were observed and the study treatment was well tolerated.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment with ravidasvir plus sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, was well tolerated and associated with high sustained virologic response rate for HCV-GT4 infected patients with and without cirrhosis, regardless of previous interferon-based treatments.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02371408.

LAY SUMMARY

This study evaluated efficacy and safety of the new oral hepatitis C drug ravidasvir in combination with the approved oral drug sofosbuvir in 298 patients infected with hepatitis C type 4. Our results showed that treatment with ravidasvir plus sofosbuvir, with or without ribavirin, was well tolerated and associated with high response rate in patients with and without cirrhosis.

Intracranial hypertension secondary to high dose cytosine arabinoside - A case study

We report a rare case of intracranial hypertension following high dose cytosine arabinoside (HiDAC) in a 20-year-old man, with precursor B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A five drug induction protocol for ALL was initiated; post induction consolidation was with HiDAC (3 g/m² IV every 12 h on days 1, 3 and 5). Post consolidation, cytogenetic remission was attained and he received an intensification and maintenance regimen for ALL, for a period of approximately 24 months. Four months following the completion of his treatment, the patient relapsed within the central nervous system (CNS). Intravenous salvage chemotherapy was initiated using a combination of fludarabine 30 mg/m², followed by cytarabine 2 g/m² 4 h later on days 1 through 5 (FA). On day # 23 of FA, he developed a severe headache. A gadolinium-enhanced brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed increased intracranial pressure. On day # 25, ophthalmology examination suggested bilateral papilledema. He was started on acetazolamide 250 mg twice daily. He had spontaneous resolution of his symptoms. The patient had no recurrence of papilledema or any other neurological symptoms. Intracranial hypertension secondary to HiDAC, is an exceedingly rare complication and is not regularly associated as a common side effect of cytarabine administration. Prompt action in diagnosing and treating intracranial hypertension will save the patient from consequences, such as loss of vision, that are prevalent in this condition.

Frequency of EGFR Mutation and EML4-ALK fusion gene in Arab Patients with Adenocarcinoma of the Lung

Introduction: Improvement in the clinical outcome of lung cancer is likely to be achieved by identification of the molecular events that underlie its pathogenesis.

The frequency of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations is ethnicity-dependent, with a higher proportion in Asian populations than in whites, while the incidence of EML4-ALK (echinoderm microtubule-associated-protein like 4-anaplastic lymphoma kinase) fusion gene ranged from 1.6% to 16.4% in patients with NSCLC and these individuals were distinct from those harbouring mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene.

This study was conducted to determine the frequency of EGFR mutation and EML4-ALK fusion gene in our population and to determine the effect of different clinicopathological features on the expression of those mutations in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.

Results: EGFR mutations were detected in approximately 33% of our patients in this series; the most frequently detected mutation was exon 19 deletion. EML4-ALK fusion gene was detected in 7.3% of patients.

Conclusion:

Our population exhibited the incidence of EGFR mutation approximately similar to that reported in East Asia and Japanese patients, higher than that recorded in USA, and Australia. However, more studies with larger patients’ numbers are needed to verify this finding.

Introduction of vincristine mini-bags and an assessment of the subsequent risk of extravasation

INTRODUCTION

Numerous international organisations have advocated the preparation of vincristine in small volume intravenous bags in order to eliminate inadvertent intrathecal administration. However, the risk of extravasation is a significant deterrent, and adoption of this practice has been variable and only hesitantly accepted in the clinical setting.

PURPOSE

We carried out a study with the aims of establishing the incidence of reported extravasation of vincristine administration to paediatric and adult patients in mini-bags; here we describe motivating factors and barriers faced by clinical staff. The secondary aim was to support the need for change and implementation of the international recommendations.

METHODS

Chemotherapy-certified nurses completed a survey spanning August 2009 to August 2011, to ascertain the incidence of extravasation associated with the administration of vincristine in mini-bags.

RESULTS

This period captured 421 occasions of vincristine administration in 25-ml or 50-ml mini-bags (in 0.9% sodium chloride). The median age of patients was 13 years (range 2.5 months to 99 years). Vincristine was administered through peripheral lines (26.4%), portacath (52.0%), PICC line (15.9%) and Hickman line (5.7%). The majority of infusions were over at least 10 minutes (50.1%). There were no cases of extravasation reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The administration of vincristine in small volume intravenous bags was safe, practical, and feasible in all patient groups. The successful implementation of the international recommendations for vincristine administration in mini-bags to eliminate potential inadvertent intrathecal administration was dependent on stakeholder buy-in.

New Purine Derivatives from the Marine Sponge Petrosia nigricans

Four new purine analogues (nigricines 1 – 4) have been isolated from the Indonesian marine sponge Petrosia nigricans. The structures were elucidated by extensive 2D-NMR spectroscopic experiments and mass spectrometry.

Kahalalide derivatives from the Indian sacoglossan mollusk Elysia grandifolia

Two new cyclic depsipeptide derivatives, kahalalides R (1) and S (2), together with two known congeners, kahalalides F (3) and D (4), were isolated from the Indian sacoglossan mollusk Elysia grandifolia. The structures of the new compounds were unambiguously established on the basis of NMR spectroscopic (1H, 13C, COSY, HMBC) and mass spectrometric (FABMS, ESIMS, MALDI-TOF/PSD) data, which also included Marfey amino acid analyses. The new derivative kahalalide R was found to exert comparable or even higher cytotoxicity than the potential drug candidate kahalalide F toward the MCF7 human mammary carcinoma cell line.

A new ultrasound protocol for extrusion of coelomocyte cells from the earthworm Eisenia fetida

There is mounting evidence that earthworms could be used as a sentinel species for soil ecotoxicity evaluation. In this aspect, phagocytosis by coelomocytes was shown to be a sensitive biomarker of exposure to xenobiotics. In this paper, we introduce a simple method for ultrasound extrusion of earthworm coelomocytes that generates a high cell yield, does not interfere with phagocytic competence, and requires a minimum of manipulations. Coelomocytes were extruded from the earthworm Eisenia fetida using this new ultrasound method and compared with ethanol and electrical extrusion. The ultrasonic extrusion showed the highest cell recovery with 3.17 +/ -0.8 x 10(6) cells per earthworm compared with 2.22 +/- 0.8 x 10(6) cells per earthworm for electrical extrusion and 1.57 +/- 0.07 x 10(6) cells per earthworm for ethanol extrusion. No significant differences in the cell viability were observed using propidium iodide and flow cytometry with viability for extrusion with ethanol of 63.8 +/- 12.7%, electrical 76.8 +/- 7.5%, and ultrasound 68.2 +/- 7.8%. To compare the potential effect of extrusion on cell quality, the cells extruded using the three methods were subjected to an 18-h in vitro exposure to methylmercury chloride (MeHgCl; CH3HgCl) with concentrations ranging from 10(-9) to 10(-4)M. The half-maximal effective concentration (EC50) for inhibition of phagocytosis occurred between 10(-7) and 10(-6)M. We found no significant differences among the extrusion methods for the phagocytic potential of the coelomocytes. This method does not harm the worms and can certainly improve collection of coelomocytes from earthworms and therefore contribute to the development of bioassays using invertebrates.

Life threatening complications caused by bronchogenic and oesophageal duplication cysts in a child

An 11-year-old girl presented with severe respiratory distress, fever and septic manifestations. Computed tomography scan (CT) of the chest showed 2 separate superior and posterior mediastinal cysts, the upper one causing severe extrinsic compression of the trachea, and the oesophagus, while the lower cyst was at the subcarinal region compressing the 2 major bronchi. Emergency thoracotomy was performed permitting complete resection of intra-mural oesophageal enteric cyst, and a subcarinal bronchogenic cyst. The postoperative course was uneventful.