Diversity and Abundance of Delineated Earthworm (Annelida: Clitellata) in Pakistan: A Review

Earthworm, a ubiquitous (but neglected) macro-invertebrate, is found in terrestrial vicinity of Pakistan. Moreover, the occurrence of earthworms is often diverse with fluctuating quantity depending upon abiotic factors and land usage patterns. The aim of this study was to summarize all the reported information related to earthworm diversity in different areas of Pakistan. Almost all the data published from year 2001 to 2021 were collected. Following data organization, total 42 earthworm's species including five families (Acanthodrilidae, Lumbricidae, Moniligastridae, Octochaetidae and Megascolecidae) were reported from various researchers. Among five families, family Acanthodrilidae was found to have only one specie (Ramiella bishambari), Lumbricidae consist of 10 species (Apporactodea rosea, Allolobophora trapezoids, Allolobophora chloroticaa, Aporrectodea longa, A. caliginosa, Bimastus parvus, Eisenia fetida, Helodrilus foetidus, Lumbricus terrestris and L. rubillus), Moniligastridae has two species (Drawida nepalensis and D. pellucida) while Octochaetidae possess only one specie (Eutyphoeus incommodus). The most abundant and diverse family Megascolecidae consist of 28 earthworm species in all habitats of different regions of Pakistan. Among geographical areas, Faisalabad was found as the richest territory with most reported earthworm species (i.e. 28). The current study suggests further in depth research to explore the unidentified and/ missing species of earthworms in Pakistan.

Impact of Interplay between Obese Gut Microbiota and Diet in Developing Obesity in Synthetic Community Mice

This study aims at investigating the effects of cultured gut microbiota (GM) of obese human coupled high fat diet (HFD) or chow diet (CD) in development of obesity in mice. 20 stool samples were collected from obese patients and isolated bacteria were identified morphologically and biochemically. Identified isolates were mixed in equal proportions to synthesize obese GM. In vivo study was performed using obese GM combined with HFD/CD using mouse model for three months. Albino mice were treated with ampicillin from one week prior to birth until weaning of the pups at seven weeks of age and then inoculated with obese GM. Sixteen mice were divided into four groups: i.e. group 1 (G1) mice fed with CD, group 2 (G2) mice with HFD, group 3 (G3) mice with GM + HFD and group 4 (G4) mice with GM + CD. Mice from groups 3-4 were considered synthetic community (SC) mice due to transfer of synthesize human GM. 16S rRNA sequencing identified five abundant bacteria as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus sp., Escherichia coli, Morganella morganii, and Klebsiella oxytoca (accession numbers: MZ150742-MZ150746). In vivo study indicated that GM combination with either HFD/CD caused significantly increased body weight in SC mice (BMI; Kg/m²) compared to HFD or CD fed mice groups. One way ANOVA revealed highly significant increase (p ≤ 0.001) in levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides and low density lipoprotein (LDL) in GM coupled diet groups (G3-G4; SC mice) compared to significant increase in HFD group (G2) versus CD group (G1). Our study is first of its kind to report significant effects of using purified strains as obese GM plus diet (HFD/CD) in inducing obesity in SC mice and elevated serum liver parameters as metabolic indicators, hence providing strong evidence about significance of modified GM combination with HFD in developing obesity in SC mice.

Role of modified diet and gut microbiota in metabolic endotoxemia in mice

This study was aimed at investigating the effect of cultured gut microbiota (GM) from obese humans coupled HFD in inducing metabolic endotoxemia in humanized mice. In total, 30 strains were isolated from 10 stool samples of obese patients. Following morphological and biochemical characterization, 16S rRNA gene sequencing of six abundant isolates identified these Klebsiella aerogenes, Levilactobacillus brevis, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Bacillus subtilis (MZ052089-MZ052094). In vivo trial using above isolates, known as human gut microbiota (HGM), was performed for six months. Sixteen mice were distributed into four groups, i.e., G1 (control) mice fed with chow diet, group 2 (G2) with HFD, group 3 (G3) with HFD + HGM and group 4 (G4) with chow diet + HGM. Body mass index (BMI) and plasma endotoxins were measured pre- and post-experiment. In vivo study revealed that HFD + HGM caused significant increase (3.9 g/cm at 20 weeks) in the body weight and BMI (0.4 g/cm post-experiment) of G3 mice compared to the other groups. One-way ANOVA showed significantly higher level of endotoxins (2.41, 4.08 and 3.7 mmol/L) in mice groups G2, G3 and G4, respectively, indicating onset of metabolic endotoxemia. Cecal contents of experimental mice groups showed a shift in microbial diversity as observed by all isolates belonging to either Firmicutes or Bacteroidetes phyla, respectively. In conclusion, current study reported that minor alteration in GM composition through HFD feeding and cultured GM transfer has significant impact in development of metabolic endotoxemia, possibly via modified intestinal permeability.

Antioxidant activities of curcumin and combinations of this curcuminoid with other phytochemicals

Biomedical investigations of curcumin (and curcuminoids) have provided evidence of a wide range of molecular and cellular activities, most related to redox reactions and signal transduction. The main goal of the present study was to compare antioxidant activities of curcumin with those of resveratrol, a polyphenol present in some dietary plants such as Vitis vinifera (L.) and Arachis hypogaea (L.) and many other, non-dietary plants. Combinations of the two were also examined for potential synergism in a heme-enhanced oxidation reaction. Curcumin exhibited antioxidant effects at all time points (1-5 min; 10 microM), e.g., 30.5 +/- 11.9% (SEM) oxidation relative to controls without phytochemicals (p < 0.01) at 3 min, a time chosen for comparisons. The same concentration of resveratrol exhibited about half of curcumin's activity. Curcumin and resveratrol together (5 microM each) resulted in a synergistic antioxidant effect: 15.5 +/- 1.7% greater than an average of individual activities. This synergy was significantly greater (p < 0.05; about 4-fold) than that of curcumin together with the flavonol quercetin. In conclusion, curcumin is a potent antioxidant in a reaction that may be relevant to in vivo toxicity. In relation to two other well-known antioxidants, curcumin shows significantly greater synergism with resveratrol than with quercetin.

c-erbB2 protein overexpression in breast cancer as a target for PET using iodine-124-labeled monoclonal antibodies

ICR 12, one of a panel of rat monoclonal antibodies recognizing the external domain of the human c-erb B2 proto-oncogene product, (Styles, 1990) was chosen as a candidate for radiolabeling with 124I for positron emission tomography of selected patients with breast cancer. By using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS), optimal labeling conditions were established using 125I. The labeling efficiency was determined using instant thin-layer chromatography (ITLC) and gel filtration (HPLC). The antibody was then labeled with the positron emitter 124I, and a labeling efficiency of 96% and immunoreactivity of 80%-90% was obtained. The product was stable, with less than 5% of the radiolabel being eluted after six days storage in plasma at 37 degrees C. Immunolocalization studies were performed in athymic mice bearing human breast carcinoma xenografts overexpressing the c-erb B2 gene product using as controls 125I labeled isotype-matched rat antibody, and antigen-negative tumors. Good uptake of 124I-labeled ICR12 was obtained in c-erb B2 expressing tumors (up to 12% injected dose per gram at intervals up to 120 hr), with localization indices of 3.4-6.2. Tumor xenografts of 6 mm diameter were successfully imaged with high resolution at 24, 48 and 120 hr using the RMH/ICR MUP-PET camera. We suggest that 124I-labeled ICR12 is a suitable agent to image and quantify immunolocalization in patients whose tumors overexpress the c-erb B2 proto-oncogene product.