Epigenetic alterations of miR-155 and global DNA methylation as potential mediators of ochratoxin A cytotoxicity and carcinogenicity in human lung fibroblasts

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a well-known mycotoxin that adversely affects different human cells. Inhalational exposure to OTA and subsequent pulmonary diseases have been previously reported, yet its potential carcinogenicity and underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to evaluate the OTA-induced cytotoxicity and the epigenetic changes underlying its potential carcinogenicity in fetal lung fibroblast (WI-38) cells. OTA cytotoxicity was assessed by MTT assay; RT-qPCR was used to determine the expression of BAX, BCL-2, TP53, and miR-155, while ELISA was used for measuring 5-methyl cytosine percentage to assess global DNA methylation in OTA-treated versus control cells. WI-38 cells demonstrated sensitivity to OTA with IC50 at 22.38 μM. Though BAX and Bcl-2 were downregulated, with low BAX/BCL-2 ratio, and TP53 was upregulated, their fold changes showed decline trend with increasing OTA concentration. A significant dose-dependent miR-155 upregulation was observed, with dynamic time-related decline. Using subtoxic OTA concentrations, a significant global DNA hypermethylation with significant dose-dependent and dynamic alterations was identified. Global DNA hypermethylation and miR-155 upregulation are epigenetic mechanisms that mediate OTA toxicity on WI-38 cells. BAX downregulation, reduced BAX/BCL-2 ratio together with miR-155 upregulation indicated either the inhibition of TP53-dependent apoptosis or a tissue specific response to OTA exposure. The aforementioned OTA-induced variations present a new molecular evidence of OTA cytotoxicity and possible carcinogenicity in lung fibroblast cells.

Preliminary Study of sCD14 and sCD163 as Predictors of Disease Severity and ICU Admission in COVID-19: Relation to Hematological Parameters, Blood Morphological Changes and Inflammatory Biomarkers

Background and Objectives

Research supports the role of monocyte/macrophage activation in COVID-19 immunopathology. This study aimed to evaluate sCD14 and sCD163 - the monocyte activation markers - and to investigate their relation to hematological parameters and blood morphology in COVID-19 infection.

Methods

This is a case-control study that included 70 COVID-19 patients. Patients were subdivided into two groups: 23 severely diseased ICU-admitted patients and another group of 47 non-ICU-admitted patients. sCD163 and sCD14 levels were determined using ELISA.

Results

sCD163 and sCD14 showed significantly higher levels in sera of patients compared to the control group, with significantly higher levels of sCD163 in ICU-admitted patients than non-ICU admitted patients. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated the usefulness of sCD163 with a cut-off value of 734 ng/mL as a potential marker to discriminate between ICU and non-ICU admitted COVID-19 patients (sensitivity of 81.16%; specificity of 96.67% and positive predictive value of 98% with area under the curve of 0.930). sCD163 levels showed a positive correlation with total white blood cells, absolute neutrophilic count, Neutrophil/Lymphocyte ratio, and a negative correlation with platelet count. sCD14 levels positively correlated with D-dimer values associated with a shift to the left and neutrophilic toxic granulations in blood morphology.

Conclusion

High sCD163 and sCD14 levels, hematological parameters, and blood morphology reflect monocyte activation in COVID-19 infection. sCD163 is a potential marker of disease severity. These findings support further study of therapeutics targeting macrophage activity in COVID-19 patients with high sCD163 levels.

[Analysis of preferences and behaviors towards dosing devices of liquid oral forms and study of the impact of a pharmaceutical education on the safety of their use]

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to analyze patients' preferences and behaviors towards dosing devices of oral liquid medication and the impact of pharmaceutical education on their handling practices.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was carried out at a pharmacy. Participants were asked to answer a pre-established questionnaire about their preferences and behaviors towards oral liquid administration devices. The impact of pharmaceutical education was assessed by simulating filling a 5mL dose using a metering device of their choice. The data collected was analyzed by SPSS 20.0.

RESULTS

Preferences and behaviors regarding dosing devices were variable according to the characteristics of the population. Of the 396 participants, one third continued to use household spoons and only 54% of them chose calibrated dosing devices. Pharmaceutical education had a positive impact on administration practices.

CONCLUSIONS

Particular attention should be carried to dosing devices of oral liquid forms. An inventory should be drawn up to assess the quality and safety of the marketed specialties.

Preparation and Characterization of Osmodehydrated Fruits from Lemon and Date By-products

An osmotic dehydration process (ODP) was established in order to formulate osmodehydrated fruits from lemon and date by-products. ODP was conducted at 40°C, maintained using an oven, or a water bath with continuous stirring. The kinetics of the osmodehydration in a water bath showed a better mass transfer. Then, osmodehydrated fruit (ODF) preparations of about 40°Brix were formulated using different isotonic solutions (sucrose, glucose/sucrose, glucose, and date juice). All the formulated products showed better characteristics (lower acidity, higher sugar content, etc.) than the untreated lemon by-product. The isotonic solution composition influenced their physical characteristics such as microstructure and viscosity. In fact, ODF prepared in glucose and glucose/sucrose solutions presented more open structures, lower viscosities, and water holding capacities (WHC) than the others. The products were microbiologically stable during 3 months at 4°C. These results support the valorization of lemon and date by-products as ODF that could be consumed or incorporated as an ingredient in food formulations.

Chemical Composition and Lipid Fraction Characteristics of Aleppo Pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) Seeds Cultivated in Tunisia

The proximate composition of Aleppo pine ( Pinus halepensis Mill.) seeds cultivated in Bizerta (Tunisia) were investigated for their fatty acid composition, and their thermal and physical properties of lipid fraction. The proximate analysis of pine seeds showed the following composition (on a dry-weight basis): protein 22.7%, oil 43.3%, ash 8.3% and total carbohydrate 25.7%. Potassium, magnesium and calcium were the predominant mineral elements present in the seeds and reached, together, about 1%. Oleic and linoleic acids were the major unsaturated fatty acids (27.3 and 48.8%, respectively), while the main saturated one was palmitic acid (8.75%). Myristic, myristoleic, palmitoleic, margaric, margaroleic, stearic, linolenic, arachidic, eicosenoic, eicosadienoic, eicosatrienoic, behenic and lignoceric acids were also detected. Thermal profile of Pinus halepensis Mill. seed oil, determined by its DSC melting curve, showed that the entire liquefaction of the Aleppo pine seed oil occurs at 8°C. CieLab colour parameters ( L*, a*, b*), oxidative stability by Rancimat test and viscosity were also determined. Physico-chemical properties of the oil include: saponification number 190, peroxide value 3.18, iodine index 117, and a low acidity of 0.61%. Results suggested that the production of oil from Pinus halepensis seeds could provide a potential use in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics and other non-food industries.

Quality Characteristics and Oxidative Stability of Date Seed Oil During Storage

Studies were conducted on some quality characteristics of date seed oil from two date palm cultivars ( Phoenix dactylifera L.): Deglet Nour and Allig. The following values were obtained for Deglet Nour and Allig cultivars respectively: unsaponifiable matter 8.92-7.76%, iodine value 45.49-44.08, total phenols 520.81-220.32µg/g oil, chlorophylls 0.86-0.58µg/g oil, viscosity 18.50-20.50mPa.s, refractive index 1.457-1.462, acidity 1.06-2.10mg KOH/g oil and peroxide index 16.00-25.00meq O2/100g oil. Lipid fractionation of date seed oil yielded 98.30-97.30% neutral lipids, 97.26-96.90% triglycerides, 0.25-0.18% phospholipids and 0.36-0.31% sterols. Gas-liquid chromatography revealed that the major unsaturated fatty acid was oleic acid (39.17-42.13%) while the main saturated fatty acid was lauric acid (24.34-22.56%). Date seed oil showed high medium molecular weight triglycerides (C32-C42, about 27%). Extinction coefficients at 232nm and 270nm increased slightly during 40days in oven (60°C) showing that date seed oil could be easily stored. The production of oil from date seeds provides the use of a renewable resource, and at the same time adding value to agricultural products.

Evaluation of antileishmanial, cytotoxic and antioxidant activities of essential oils extracted from plants issued from the leishmaniasis-endemic region of Sned (Tunisia)

In this study, we tested 10 essential oils (EOs) extracted from 10 plants issued from Sned region (Tunisia) to evaluate both their leishmanicidal effects against Leishmania major and L. infantum, and their cytotoxicity against murine macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 (ATCC, TIB-71). The antioxidant activity was also monitored by the DDPH method, while the chemical composition of active EO was assessed by GC-MS analysis. The results showed that the EOs obtained from Thymus hirtus sp. algeriensis (rich on monoterpenoids, especially linalool at 17.62% and camphor at 13.82%) is significantly active against both L. major and L. infantum, whereas Ruta chalepensis EO (rich on 2-undecanone at 84.28%) is only active against L. infantum. Both oil extracts showed low cytotoxicity towards murine macrophages. The characteristic ratios (IC₈₀ Raw264.7 cells/IC₅₀ L. infantum and IC₈₀ Raw264.7 cells/IC₅₀ L. major) were, respectively, 2.7 and 1.57 for T. hirtus sp. algeriensis, and 1.34 and 0.19 for R. chalepensis. However, when measuring the antioxidant effects (DDPH method), the two latter EOs presented a moderate 2,2-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl hydrate scavenging effects compared to EOs from Eucaliptus globulus, Pinus halepensis, Pituranthos tortuosus, Rosmarinus officinalis, Tetraclinis articulata or to BHT.

Enhanced reactivity to malondialdehyde-modified proteins by systemic lupus erythematosus autoantibodies

OBJECTIVE

Evaluation of the reactivity of autoantibodies of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients directed against malondialdehyde (MDA)-modified catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and different Hep2 protein fractions (hydrophobic, hydrophilic, and nuclear).

METHOD

Thiol groups and MDA-protein adducts were first assessed among 65 SLE patients and 60 healthy controls. Then, the reactivities of SLE immunoglobulin (Ig)G autoantibodies towards MDA-modified and unmodified proteins were compared using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

An increase in the levels of MDA-modified proteins and a decrease in the concentration of thiol groups among SLE patients (p < 0.05) were observed. IgG circulating autoantibodies in the sera of SLE patients exhibited a significant enhanced reactivity (p < 0.05) against catalase and SOD-modified proteins. The same data were observed in the different protein fractions extracted from cultured cells (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

These data reinforce the role of oxidative stress and especially lipid peroxidation products in the progression of SLE disease.

Pectin Extraction from Lemon By-product with Acidified Date Juice: Rheological Properties and Microstructure of Pure and Mixed Pectin Gels

The microstructure and the rheological properties of lemon-pectin mixtures were studied and compared to those of pure lemon (high methoxyl: HM) and date (low methoxyl: LM) pectins. Rheological properties were carried out in the presence of 30%, 45% and 60% sucrose, and increasing calcium concentrations (0-0.1%). The presence of date with lemon pectin led to a gel formation at 45% sucrose and in the presence of calcium, which was not the case for lemon pectin alone under the same conditions. It is suggested that lemon and date pectins interacted, leading to gel formations at different gelling temperatures, which were strongly dependant on degree of methylation. These results were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, which revealed inhomogeneous gels where dense aggregated network and loose, open network areas were present. Addition of calcium to pectin mixture gels led to stronger and faster gel formation.

Compositional, Physical, Antioxidant and Sensory Characteristics of Novel Syrup from Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

This study is a contribution to valorise date palm sap (Phoenix dactylifera L.) by elaboration of high quality syrup. Sap was concentrated by evaporation and the obtained product was characterized by its physicochemical, rheological, thermal, sensory properties and by its antioxidant activity. Syrups from date palm sap have a good nutritional value marked by high amounts of sugars (58—75 g/100 g fresh matter basis), minerals (2.1—2.6 g/100 g fresh matter basis) and phenolics (147.61—224.55 mg of ferulic acid equivalents/kg fresh weight). Syrup also presents an antioxidant activity that appears related to total phenolic content. Rheological properties indicate that syrup preserves a Newtonian behavior from 10 °C to 55 °C well modeled by Arrhenius equation. Hedonic evaluation showed that consumers’ appreciation of date palm syrup was not significantly different to the most known sap syrup: maple syrup.

Effects of date seed oil on testicular antioxidant enzymes and epididymal sperm characteristics in male mice

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of date seed oil (DSO) on epididymal sperm characteristics and testicular antioxidant enzymes in male mice. DSO was diluted into isotonic saline solution (0.9%) and different doses (5, 10, 15 and 20%) were prepared. Fifty male mice were divided into five groups; in four groups DSO was given by intraperitoneal injection of oil solution for 28 days. The control group was injected by isotonic saline solution without DSO. Body and reproductive organ weights, sperm characteristics (count, motility, viability and morphology) were assessed. In addition, levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were investigated in testes. A significant increase in sperm count, motility and viability of all treated animal groups was observed when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Unlike, the percentage of abnormal sperm was significantly lower in all treated groups than in the control group (P < 0.05). A significant decrease in MDA levels and marked increase in SOD and CAT activities in mice treated with high doses of DSO (15 and 20%) were also noted. We suggest that DSO can improve the epididymal sperm quality and could ameliorate the testicular strategy defences.

Physico-chemical change and heat stability of extra virgin olive oils flavoured by selected Tunisian aromatic plants

Objectives of this work were studying physico-chemical change and heat stability of olive oils flavoured by selected Tunisian aromatic plants. Flavoured olive oils were prepared by maceration of fresh plant materials (rosemary, lavender, sage, menthe, basil, lemon and thyme) with olive oil at a 5% w/w level for 15 days. A sensorial evaluation was applied to select more appreciate flavoured olive oils by consumers. An oxidative procedure was applied to test the stability of selected flavoured olive oils: oils samples were kept in glass bottles and heated at 60 and 130 degrees C during 55 days and 6h, respectively. The resistance to oxidation of these selected flavoured oils was compared to a control samples by measuring PV, K232 and K270 values and change in chlorophyll, carotenes and polyphénols contents. Obtained results show that addition of aromatic plants causes a slight increase in free acidity and viscosity of aromatised olive oils. L*, b* and a* values show that addition of thyme cause a great change in olive oil colours. Heat stability results shows that from selected aromatic plants, rosemary was effectiveness against oxidation followed by thyme and lemon. However, olive oil flavoured with basil exhibit a similar behaviour versus thermal oxidation then the natural olive oil.

Increased levels of autoantibodies against catalase and superoxide dismutase associated with oxidative stress in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the level of autoantibodies against superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the sera of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) Tunisian patients, to study the oxidative profile among the same patients and to establish a correlation between the two parameters in order to understand the role of each one in the genesis of the two diseases.

METHOD

Using a standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgM directed against CAT and SOD in the sera of 39 RA patients, 40 SLE patients, and 50 control healthy individuals were evaluated. The oxidative/antioxidative profile was tested by measuring serum malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes (CD), CAT activity, and SOD activity.

RESULTS

Our data showed increased levels of IgG antibodies (Ab) against CAT in both groups of patients (p<0.05) compared to control subjects. However, the SLE patients displayed an increased level of anti-SOD IgG (p<0.05). In all patients the lipid peroxidation was confirmed by high levels of MDA and conjugated dienes (p<0.05). RA patients exhibited an increasing CAT and SOD activity in their sera (p<0.05) with a positive correlation observed between CAT and IgG anti-CAT (p<0.05). The same results were observed for SLE patients. In addition, a positive correlation was observed between anti-CAT Ab and anti-SOD Ab in SLE patients (p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Collectively, these results suggested that the primary factor causing the oxidative stress observed in RA and SLE is excessive free radical production rather than impaired CAT or SOD activity due to autoantibody inhibition.

Donor Outcomes in Right Lobe Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation: Single-Center Experience in Egypt

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is an alternative source of organs for patients with end-stage liver disease (ESLD) in absence of deceased donor LT. In LDLT the greatest concern is donor safety. Our objective was to evaluate the outcome of donors after right lobe liver donation in a single LT center in Egypt.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Fifty LDL resections were performed from 2001 to 2004. The mean donor age was 29.2 +/- 6.4 years. Residual liver volume was 41.1 +/- 4.5%. Mean operative time was 560 +/- 62.2 minutes; mean ICU stay, less than 24 hours; mean hospital stay, 15.4 +/- 7.7 days; and mean follow-up period, 6 months.

RESULTS

There was no mortality. The overall complication rate was 68% (34 donors). Major complications included intraoperative bleeding in one, biliary leak in two, and pneumonia in three donors. Minor complications included mild pleural effusion in 13 donors, transient ascites in 10, mild depression in 7, intra-abdominal collections in 3, and wound infections in 1 donor. Residual liver volume did not affect the complication rate. None required reoperation. Return to predonation activity occurred within 6 to 8 weeks. No liver impairment occurred during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Right lobe adult LDLT is a safe procedure with regard to donor outcome. Major complications occurred in only 10% of our series.

Dromedary milk lactic acid fermentation: microbiological and rheological characteristics

The ability of dromedary skim milk to form an acid curd during a lactic acid starter fermentation was investigated. The activity of the starter in dromedary milk was characterized by a longer lag phase ( approximately 5 vs. approximately 1 h) and by an earlier decline phase. This suggests the presence of inhibiting factors. The maximum buffering capacity of dromedary milk as well as its minimum apparent viscosity were obtained at lower pH values. Similarly, its elastic modulus appeared later (pH 5.7 vs. 6.3). Because these rheological and biochemical events took place at lower pH values, dromedary skim milk seems to present a higher physical stability toward the increase of acidity. Determination of the rheological and microscopic characteristics of the dromedary milk coagulum (pH 4.4) did not reveal curd formation but indicated a fragile and heterogeneous structure. This coagulum, which is very different from that of cows' milk, seems to be made up of dispersed casein flakes.

Vaccination against Schistosoma mansoni infection using 74 kDa Schistosoma protein antigen

An IgG2a anti-Schistosoma mansoni mouse monoclonal antibody was shown to passively protect Swiss mice. The 74 kDa target antigen was isolated from antigenic extracts of S. mansoni adult worms. Swiss and C57 BL/6J mice were immunized with 30, 50, 100 and 200 microg antigen/mouse doses with and without Freund's adjuvant. Sera of immunized mice showed high reactivity against 74 kDa antigen. The highest protection level (76.6% in Swiss mice and 50.1% in C57 BL/6J mice) was obtained using the 50 microg antigen dose with and without Freund's adjuvant. A marked reduction in granuloma number and intensity of collagen and reticular granuloma fibers was observed. The 74 kDa antigen has the ability to protect mice of different strains and to modulate the host immune system.

Vaccination against Schistosoma mansoni infection using 74 kDa Schistosoma protein antigen

An IgG2a anti-Schistosoma mansoni mouse monoclonal antibody was shown to passively protect Swiss mice. The 74 kDa target antigen was isolated from antigenic extracts of S. mansoni adult worms. Swiss and C57 BL/6J mice were immunized with 30, 50, 100 and 200 microg antigen/mouse doses with and without Freund's adjuvant. Sera of immunized mice showed high reactivity against 74 kDa antigen. The highest protection level (76.6% in Swiss mice and 50.1% in C57 BL/6J mice) was obtained using the 50 microg antigen dose with and without Freund's adjuvant. A marked reduction in granuloma number and intensity of collagen and reticular granuloma fibers was observed. The 74 kDa antigen has the ability to protect mice of different strains and to modulate the host immune system.

Induction of resistance against Schistosoma mansoni infection by passive transfer of an IgG2a monoclonal antibody

Monoclonal antibodies can confer resistance to schistosome infections. This has led to identification of several protective antigens. An IgG2a monoclonal antibody designated BRL4 mAb identified a 74-kDa antigen in antigenic extract of Schistosoma mansoni adult worms. The target antigen was localized in gut and tegument. In 3 passive transfer experiments, the BRL4 mAb conferred 51.6, 41.9 and 53.8% protection levels into female Swiss mice. Histopathological examination revealed a marked decrease in number, size, collagen and reticular fibers of the liver granulomas. Further experiments using purified 74-kDa-target antigen as a candidate vaccine will be performed.

Rumen ciliate protozoal fauna of native sheep, friesian cattle and dromedary camel in Libya

Rumen ciliate species and composition were surveyed on the native sheep, Friesian-cattle and dromedary (one-humped) camels kept in Libya. As a result of survey, 5 genera including 14 species with 5 formae in native sheep, 9 genera including 27 species with 6 formae in Friesian-cattle and 6 genera including 13 species and 7 formae in dromedary camels were identified. All of the ciliate species and their percentage composition detected from the Libyan sheep and cattle in this examination were similar to those found from corresponding animals in the other countries. Libyan camels lacked some peculiar ciliate species found from camels in the other countries, but had many cosmopolitan species common with those in the domestic ruminants, suggesting that ciliate faunae of camel are easily affected by the other domestic ruminants kept together. The ciliate density was estimated as 105/ml in every host species.

Immunochemical purification and characterization of a 74.0-kDa Schistosoma mansoni antigen

A polypeptide antigen of 74.0 kDa molecular weight was detected in the antigenic extracts of the 3 developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni (eggs, cercariae, and adult worms) by western blotting using BRL4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) that significantly protected mice at the levels of 51.6%, 42%, and 53.8% against challenge S. mansoni infection in 3 separate experiments. This antigen was isolated and purified from crude soluble worm antigen preparation by immunoaffinity chromatography using CNBr-activated sepharose-4B beads coupled with the BRL4 mAb. The purified antigen showed a single peak when analyzed by both high-performance liquid chromatography and high-performance capillary electrophoresis. The 74-kDa antigen was characterized as a protein in nature with 56.9% hydrophilic amino acids and 43.1% hydrophobic amino acids. This antigen was detected in 93% of urine samples from infected cases with specificity of 89% among noninfected cases using an enzyme immunoassay-fast dot-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay based on BRL4 mAb.

Effect of retinoids on follicular cells

It has been demonstrated that topical application of all-trans retinoic acid and other retinoids can alter the hair-growth cycle in the C3H mouse model. The anagen phase is prolonged and the telogen phase is shortened. This effect is similar to the effect of minoxidil on the hair-cycle dynamics in this animal model. The levels of cellular retinoic acid binding protein measured by radioreceptor assay in whole skin of C3H mice were higher during anagen and lower during telogen. Topical application of certain retinoids caused elevated levels of cellular retinoic acid-binding protein (cRABP) in the whole skin homogenates during both phases of the cycle. Of the retinoids tested, those most effective in altering the levels of cRABP in the skin of the mice were also capable of significantly altering the hair-cycle dynamics. There appeared to be a relationship between the ability of retinoid to increase cRABP, increase 3H-thymidine incorporation, and alter the dynamics of the hair cycle. Only cRABP-II is detectable in human cultured dermal fibroblasts and dermal papilla cells. Dermal fibroblasts showed higher amounts of cRABP-II as compared to dermal papilla cells. The difference in cRABP-II expression might explain a distinct response to RA by these two cell populations. Whether the difference in expression of cRABP-II might be of physiologic importance remains to be determined. Treatment of human dermal papilla cells in culture with retinoic acid does not appear to affect proliferation, at least at the doses tested.