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The present study evaluates the effect of nickel oxide nanoparticles on some biochemical parameters and midgut tissues in the ground beetle Blaps polychresta as an indicator organism for nanotoxicity. Serial doses of the NiO-NPs colloid (0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, and 0.06 mg/g) were prepared for injecting into the adult beetles. Insect survival was reported daily for 30 days, and the sublethal dose of 0.02 mg/g NiO-NPs was selected for the tested parameters. After the treatment, nickel was detected in the midgut tissues by X-ray microanalysis. The treated group demonstrated a significant increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities when compared to the untreated group. However, the treated group demonstrated a significant decrease in ascorbate peroxidase (APOX) activity when compared to the untreated group. Histological and ultrastructural changes in the midgut tissues of treated and untreated beetles were also observed. The current findings provide a precedent for describing the physiological and histological changes caused by NiO-NPs in the ground beetle B . polychresta .

Tartrazine (E-102) is one of the most widely used artificial food azo-colors that can be metabolized to highly sensitizing aromatic amines such as sulphanilic acid. These metabolites are oxidized to N-hydroxy derivatives that cause neurotoxicity. Melatonin is a neurohormone. That possesses a free-radical scavenging effect. The present work was mainly designed to evaluate the possible ameliorative role of melatonin against tartrazine induced neurotoxicity in cerebral cortex and cerebellum of male rats. Adult male rats were administered orally with tartrazine (7.5 mg/kg) with or without melatonin (10 mg/kg) daily for four weeks. The data revealed that tartrazine induced redox disruptions as measured by significant (p < 0.05) increased malondialdehyde (MDA) level and inhibition of (GSH) concentration and catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) antioxidant enzyme activities. Besides, brain acetyl cholin (Ach) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) were elevated while, dopamine (DA) was depleted in trtrazine -treated rats. Moreover, tartrazine caused a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the brain interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1 β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα). At the tissue level, tartrazine caused severe histopathological changes in the cerebellum and cerebral cortex of rats. The immunohistochemical results elucidated strong positive expression for Caspase-3 and GFAP and weak immune reaction for BcL2 and synaptophysin in tatrazine- treated rats. The administration of melatonin to tartrazine -administered rats remarkably alleviated all the aforementioned tartrzine-induced effects. It could be concluded that, melatonin has a potent ameliorative effect against tartrazine induced neurotoxicity via the attenuation of oxidative/antioxidative responses.

This study aims to evaluate the protective role of curcumin (Curc) against hematological and biochemical changes, as well as renal pathologies induced by lead acetate [Pb (CH 3 COO) 2 ·3H2O] treatment. Male albino rats were intraperitoneally treated with Pb 2+ (25 mg of lead acetate/kg b.w., once a day) alone or in combination with Curc (30 mg of Curc/kg b.w., twice a day) for 7 days. Exposure of rats to Pb 2+ caused significant decreases in hemoglobin (Hb) content, hematocrit (Ht) value, and platelet (Plt) count, while Pb 2+ -related leukocytosis was accompanied by absolute neutrophilia, monocytosis, lymphopenia, and eosinopenia. A significant rise in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and a marked drop of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were evident in the kidney, liver, and serum of Pb 2+ group compared to that of control. Furthermore, significantly high levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and a sharp drop in serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) level were also seen in blood after injection of Pb 2+ . Additionally, hepatorenal function tests were enhanced. Meanwhile, Pb 2+ produced marked histo-cytological alterations in the renal cortex. Co-administration of Curc to the Pb 2+ -treated animals restored most of the parameters mentioned above to near-normal levels/features. In conclusion, Curc appeared to be a promising agent for protection against Pb 2+ -induced toxicity.

Introduction: Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsivity that often persist until adulthood. Frequent comorbid disorders accompany ADHD and two thirds of children diagnosed with ADHD also suffer from behavioural disorders and from alteration of sensory processing. We recently characterized the comorbidity between ADHD-like symptoms and pain sensitisation in a pharmacological mouse model of ADHD, and we demonstrated the implication of the anterior cingulate cortex and posterior insula. However, few studies have explored the causal mechanisms underlying the interactions between ADHD and pain. The implication of inflammatory mechanisms has been suggested but the signalling pathways involved have not been explored. Methods: We investigated the roles of purinergic signalling, at the crossroad of pain and neuroinflammatory pathways, by using a transgenic mouse line that carries a total deletion of the P2X4 receptor. Results: We demonstrated that P2X4 deletion prevents hyperactivity in the mouse model of ADHD. In contrast, the absence of P2X4 lowered thermal pain thresholds in sham conditions and did not affect pain sensitization in ADHD-like conditions. We further analysed microglia reactivity and the expression of inflammatory markers in wild type and P2X4KO mice. Our results revealed that P2X4 deletion limits microglia reactivity but at the same time exerts proinflammatory effects in the anterior cingulate cortex and posterior insula. Conclusion: This dual role of P2X4 could be responsible for the differential effects noted on ADHD-like symptoms and pain sensitization and calls for further studies to investigate the therapeutic benefit of targeting the P2X4 receptor in ADHD patients.

Background Eustoma grandiflorum is a new floral crop for the international flowers market, moderately cold-tolerant annual or biennial plant. A large number of seedlings can be produced by seed propagation but the quality is not uniform due to variations in the flowering time, plant height, and the number of flowers. Propagation of Eustoma grandiflorum plant by tissue culture technique is relatively low. Inducing mutations is one of the powerful tools for breeding biotechnology. Laser mutagenesis is an easy and new tool. The goal of the present work was to investigate the influence of laser irradiation on in vitro growth, anatomy, flowering, chemicals composition, and gene mutagenesis. Results The most of morphological, floral parameters, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, and anthocyanin pigment contents in the flower recorded increment by most treatments of laser types. The highest survival percentage of acclimatized plants (95%) and highest values of number of branches and branches length (cm) were obtained from treated plantlets by 20 min of green laser, while most of highest floral parameters, anthocyanin pigment contents in flower, and anatomical structural parameters recorded increasing using 20 min of blue laser and 20, 25 min of green and red laser, respectively. Contrary, the lowest values of photosynthetic pigments and carotenoids were obtained from 20 min of green laser. Conclusions The current research concluded that laser irradiation has remarkable effect on plant morphology, flowering, chemical constituents, and gene mutagenesis.

The blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896, is considered to be a luxury meal, especially in touristic cities. It contains more than 20 types of amino acids and provides all the needed amounts for human growth. This study describes the morphology and complex differentiation in the gonadosomatic index, morphological and ultrastructure features of the reproductive system, spermatogenesis, and spermatophores structure; this is due to the need to maintain natural and fishing stocks. Mature adult male crabs (carapace length 59 ± 7.12; width 126 ± 18.8 mm) were obtained from Abu-Qir Bay from November 2018 to October 2019 and transported alive in seawater to the laboratory. The reproductive system was dissected and weighed to the nearest 0.001g using the electronic balance, and the gonadosomatic index was subsequently calculated. The morphological analysis showed the developing testes with highly compacted seminiferous tubules. Using Periodic acid–Schiff stain, the spermatophore appeared with a zigzag-shaped wall that indicates its carbohydrate constituents. Each Spermatophore consisted of an inner spermatozoal mass embedded in a matrix, whose main components were secretions 1 and 2, and an outer thin acellular layer composed of secretions 3 and 4 from the anterior vas deferens (AVD). Secretions 5 and 6 (S5 and S6) also appeared with carbohydrate constituents using Mallory triple stain. The transverse section of the middle vas deferens (MVD) showed spermatophores with rod-shaped secretion S6 and granular secretions 7 (S7), forming a complex matrix between spermatophores. The secretion found in the MVD was granular, strongly acidophilic, and secreted by its highly columnar epithelium (S7). The ultrastructure showed that the testes were surrounded by a monolayer of myoid cells with an elongated nucleus, which also contained the following stages: spermatogonia, primary spermatocyte, secondary spermatocytes, and spermatids as well as spermatozoa. On the other hand, scanning electron microscope studies for fully formed spermatophore taken from the middle part of the vas deferens indicated that it is ellipsoidal in its outline with terminal stalk. Furthermore, the spermatophore was surrounded by a thick capsule of non-cellular substances and contained mature spermatozoa.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the probable protective effect of quercetin (QUE) against cadmium (Cd)-induced sub-chronic toxicity in rats. Adult male rats were given either Cd (as cadmium chloride; 5 mg/kg) alone or in combination with QUE (50 mg/kg) daily for 4 weeks by oral gavage. At the end of the experimental period, Cd accumulation, and selected hematological, thyroid, and reproductive markers were assessed. Results revealed that Cd treatment significantly increased Cd concentrations in blood, thyroid gland, and testicular tissue of rats. Cd also caused a decline in hemoglobin content, hematocrit value, and total erythrocyte and leucocyte counts. Further, significant suppressions in the blood levels of hormones related to thyroid gland function, and male reproductive hormones (i.e., testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone), were observed in Cd-treated rats compared to the control. In parallel, low sperm count and sperm motility, increased sperm abnormalities, and marked pathology occurred in testis. Combination with QUE recorded amelioration of the deleterious effects of Cd, involving regulation of hematological toxicity and thyroid hormonal levels and subsequently modulation of testicular function. In conclusion, it appears that dietary QUE can rescue from Cd-induced hematological dysfunctions and testicular damage by reversing the hypothyroid state.

Acrylamide (AA) is a well-known potent carcinogen and neurotoxin that has been recently linked to atherosclerotic pathogenesis. The present study is aimed at investigating the protective effect of silymarin (SIL) as an antioxidant against AA-induced hyperlipidemic cardiomyopathy in male rats. The obtained results showed that animals exposed to AA exhibited a significant increase in the levels of cardiac serum markers, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with a significant decrease in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Furthermore, AA intoxication significantly increased the malondialdehyde level (a hallmark of lipid peroxidation) and reduced antioxidant enzyme activities (i.e., superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase). SIL administration significantly attenuated all these biochemical perturbations in AA-treated rats, except for the decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Our results were confirmed by histopathological assessment of the myocardium. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a beneficial effect of SIL therapy in the prevention of AA-induced cardiotoxicity by reversing the redox stress and dyslipidemia in experimental animals.

Embora técnicas de autenticação tradicionais, como tokens JWT e OAuth2, ofereçam um alto nível de proteção, elas impõem a intervenção humana durante a confguração inicial, limitando a fexibilidade e efciência do auto-registro de dispositivos IoT em um Middleware IoT. Abstract: With the accelerated advancement of the Internet of Things (IoT), the number of active devices is projected to reach 39.9 billion by 2033, underscoring the need for secure and effective solutions for this technology ecosystem. To address these limitations, we propose a hybrid authentication approach within IoT Middleware, combining supervised methods, involving initial configuration by a user, with unsupervised methods, allowing autonomous device registration. Na solução de (Khudoyberdiev et al., 2019), é proposto um auto-registro de recursos IOT e acesso aos serviços utilizando um servidor DNS (sistemas de nome de domínio) no ambiente da Open Connectivity Foundation (OCF), em redes confguradas com IPV4. No fuxo de autenticação supervisionada o usuário é responsável por fornecer as informações necessárias para a identifcação e autenticação inicial, já no fuxo de autenticação não-supervisionada existe um auto-registro do dispositivo e autenticação automática, o próprio equipamento envia suas informações diretamente para o Middleware IoT, sem intervenção humana. 3.