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The Nearctic leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus is the primary vector of Flavescence Dorée, a severe grapevine disease in Europe. This insect can complete its life cycle on both cultivated Vitis vinifera and American Vitis species, including rootstock-derived plants that have gone wild. While the movement of S. titanus between wild and cultivated vines is well documented, its biological implications remain unclear, particularly regarding the role of the insect-associated microbiome. In this study, we investigated how rearing S. titanus nymphs on different host plants, including American Vitis and several V. vinifera cultivars, affects its bacterial community. 16S rRNA metabarcoding revealed that the bacterial microbiome was dominated by two obligate symbionts, namely ‘Candidatus Karelsulcia’ and ‘Candidatus Cardinium’, with moderate but significant differences in microbial diversity among host plants and developmental stages. When these dominant symbionts were excluded, variability in the remaining bacterial community increased, indicating a modulation of minor taxa according to the plant offered. These findings suggest that host plant species influence the microbiome structure, potentially affecting the insect performance and the microbial exchange between wild and cultivated vines in the field, contributing to disease dynamics.

High concentrations of graphene oxide (GO), a nanoparticle substance with rapid manufacturing development, have the ability to penetrate the soil surface down to the mineral-rich subsurface layers. The destiny and distribution of such an unusual sort of nanomaterial in the environment must therefore be fully understood. However, the way the chemistry of solutions impacts GO nanoparticle adsorption on clay minerals is still unclear. Here, the adsorption of GO on clay minerals (e.g., bentonite and kaolinite) was tested under various chemical conditions (e.g., GO concentration, soil pH, and cation valence). Non-linear Langmuir and Freundlich models have been applied to describe the adsorption isotherm by comparing the amount of adsorbed GO nanoparticle to the concentration at the equilibrium of the solution. Our results showed fondness for GO in bentonite and kaolinite under similar conditions, but the GO nanoparticle adsorption with bentonite was superior to kaolinite, mainly due to its higher surface area and surface charge. We also found that increasing the ionic strength and decreasing the pH increased the adsorption of GO nanoparticles to bentonite and kaolinite, mainly due to the interaction between these clay minerals and GO nanoparticles’ surface oxygen functional groups. Experimental data fit well to the non-linear pseudo-second-order kinetic model of Freundlich. The model of the Freundlich isotherm was more fitting at a lower pH and higher ionic strength in the bentonite soil while the lowest R2 value of the Freundlich model was recorded at a higher pH and lower ionic strength in the kaolinite soil. These results improve our understanding of GO behavior in soils by revealing environmental factors influencing GO nanoparticle movement and transmission towards groundwater.

Screening genotypes considers an effective method to enhance genetic improvement before releasing plant breeding program efforts based on the observed variation. This study investigates the genotypic diversity of photosynthetic pigments, macronutrient uptake of tomato leaves and fruit quality. It also measures the correlation coefficient of fruit quality traits with their leaves' physical-chemical parameters of twelve tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum L.) genotypes (‘6416 F1’, ‘218 F1’, ‘Bokary’, ‘Chizhik’, ‘Corrida’, ‘Delfo F1’, ‘Fokker F1’, ‘Goldstone’, ‘Malinovka’, ‘Petrovsky’, ‘Siberian’, and ‘Tyler F1’). Tomato genotypes varied concerning chlorophyll, carotene, macronutrient contents in their leaves and characteristics of fruit quality. The highest values for tomato fruit quality such as ASA, lycopene, TSS, maturity degree and taste index were obtained from ‘218 F1’, ‘Fokker F1’ and ‘Siberian’ genotypes. ASA, DM, TSS, and taste index of tomato fruits positively correlates with photosynthetic pigments, nitrogen and potassium contents of tomato leaves. There was a negative correlation of maturity degree with nitrogen and phosphorus contents. Inserting ‘218 F1’, ‘Fokker F1’ and ‘Siberian’ genotypes into tomato breeding programs for increased TSS, lycopene, taste index in tomato fruits is subject to these challenges because these traits had very high heritability ratios (95.6, 98.1 and 95.3%). Furthermore, ten primers showed a total of 45 amplified products to perform RAPD Analysis. Primers OPA-03, OPG-09, OPA-02, OPA-01 and OPA-14 viewed the highest values for polymorphism percentage P%, polymorphism information content (PIC), marker index (MI) and Resolving power (Rp), respectively. UPGMA cluster analysis divided genotypes into three groups. The first cluster was the largest and contains seven genotypes, while the third one was the smallest contains two genotypes. Single marker analysis indicated that the associated markers with studied biochemical traits were probably candidate markers linked to them.

Gefitinib (GFT) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor drug used as a first-line treatment for patients with advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung, colon, and breast cancer. GFT exhibits low solubility and hence low oral bioavailability, which restricts its clinical application. One of the most important trends in overcoming such problems is the use of a vesicular system. Cubosomes are considered one of the most important vesicular systems used to improve solubility and oral bioavailability. In this study, GFT cubosomal nanoparticles (GFT-CNPs) were prepared by the emulsification method. The selected formulation variables were analyzed and optimized by full factorial design and response surface methodology. Drug entrapment efficiency (EE%), transmission electron microscopy, particle size, polydispersity index, in vitro release and its kinetics, and the effect of storage studies were estimated. The chosen GFT-CNPs were subjected to further investigations as gene expression levels of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1) and matrix metalloproteinases-7 (MMP-7), colon biomarkers, and histopathological examination of colon tissues. The prepared GFT-CNPs were semi-cubic in shape, with high EE%, smaller vesicle size, and higher zeta potential values. The in vivo data showed a significant decrease in the serum level of embryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9), and gene expression level of TIMP-1 and MMP-7. Histopathological examination showed enhancement in cancer tissue and highly decreased focal infiltration in the lamina propria after treatment with GFT-CNPs.

Background This study was performed to investigate the effect of Alpha-galactosidase (AlphaGal) supplementation with two energy levels on the growth performance, amino acid ileal digestibility coefficient “AID%,” economic value, intestinal histology, and blood biochemical parameters of broiler chickens. Two-hundred 3-day-old broiler chicks (average body weight 74.34 g ±0.52 Ross 308) were randomly assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement consisting of two energy diets groups: in the first group, the birds were fed on a recommended energy diet (RED) while the second group was reduced 120 kcal/kg diet as a low energy diet (LED) and two levels of AlphaGal (0 or 50 mg/kg diet) for RED and LED for the 35-day feeding period. Results The interaction effects between the energy level and the AlphaGal supplementations resulted in significant decrease ( P  ≤ 0.05) in the body weight, body weight gain, and the relative growth rate. The feed conversion ratio was signficantly increased in LED without supplementation of AlphaGal group during the entire experimental period, this negative effect on the growth performance was corrected by AlphaGal supplementation. The AID% value was increased significantly by AlphaGal supplementation. Blood triglyceride concentrations were significantly decreased ( P  = 0.02) in the LED group with or without AlphaGal supplementation, while the level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) was significantly decreased ( P  = 0.01) in the LED or RED groups supplemented with 50 mg RED AlphaGal. Histologically, the number of intestinal glands and goblet cells increased in both RED and LED groups supplemented with AlphaGal and their secretions were mainly neutral mucopolysaccharides and less acidic mucopolysaccharides. Conclusion AlphaGal supplementation improved the growth performance of broiler chickens fed LED and the growth performance is similar to those fed RED, thereby consequently improving the economic value of these diets. AlphaGal supplementation improves intestinal histology and morphology as well.

Curcumin exerts anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have proven to be of value in the management of several parasitic infections. Investigation of the value of curcumin in the management of trichinosis either alone or as an adjuvant to albendazole. Animals received either curcumin 150 mg/kg, curcumin 300 mg/kg, albendazole 50 mg/ kg or combined curcumin 150mg/kg and albendazole 50 mg/kg and were compared with control infected and non-infected mice. Estimation of intestinal and muscular parasitic load and blood malondialdehyde level, in addition to the histopathological examination of small intestine, skeletal muscle tissue and heart was performed. Also, assessment of the local expression of cyclooxygenase-2 enzyme (COX-2) and CD34 in these samples was done by immunohistochemistry. Curcumin was found efficient in reducing parasitic load. It also lowered serum MDA level, local COX-2 and CD34 expression. An evident anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin was observed in intestinal, skeletal muscle and cardiac muscle histopathological sections. The anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-angiogenic effects of curcumin can help to improve trichinellosis-induced pathology. Curcumin can therefore be of value as an adjuvant therapy to conventional antiparasitic agents and can also produce promising results when used alone at higher doses.

High mortality and morbidity rates are related to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which is the most prevalent type of liver cancer. A new vision for cancer treatment and cancer cell targeting has emerged with the application of nanotechnology, which reduces the systemic toxicity and adverse effects of chemotherapy medications while increasing their effectiveness. It was the goal of the proposed work to create and investigate an anticancer C@Fe@Cu nanocomposite (NC) loaded with Doxorubicin (DOX) for the treatment of HCC. Scanning and transmission electron microscopes (SEM and TEM) were used to examine the morphology of the produced NC. The formulation variables (DOX content, C@Fe@Cu NC weight, and stirring speed) were analyzed and optimized using Box-Behnken Design (BBD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Additionally, X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) were investigated. Doxorubicin and DOX- loaded C@Fe@Cu NC (DOX-C@Fe@Cu NC) were also assessed against HEPG2 cells for anticancer efficacy (Hepatic cancer cell line). The results revealed the formation of C@Fe@Cu NC with a mean size of 7.8 nm. A D-R model with a mean size of 24.1 nm best fits the adsorption behavior of DOX onto the C@Fe@Cu NC surface. DOX-C@Fe@Cu NC has also been demonstrated to have a considerably lower IC50 and higher cytotoxicity than DOX alone in an in vitro investigation. Therefore, DOX-C@Fe@Cu NC is a promising DOX delivery vehicle for the full recovery of HCC.

Hyperlipidemia is still the leading cause of heart disease in patients with hypertension. The purpose of this study is to make rosuvastatin calcium (ROS) and atenolol (AT) bilayer tablets to treat coexisting dyslipidemia and hypertension with a single product. ROS was chosen for the immediate-release layer of the constructed tablets, whereas AT was chosen for the sustained-release layer. The solid dispersion of ROS with sorbitol (1:3 w/w) was utilized in the immediate-release layer while hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), ethylcellulose (EC), and sodium bicarbonate were incorporated into the floating sustained-release layer. The concentrations of HPMC and EC were optimized by employing 32 full factorial designs to sustain AT release. The bilayer tablets were prepared by the direct compression method. The immediate-release layer revealed that 92.34 ± 2.27% of ROS was released within 60 min at a pH of 1.2. The second sustained-release layer of the bilayer tablets exhibited delayed release of AT (96.65 ± 3.36% within 12 h) under the same conditions. The release of ROS and AT from the prepared tablets was found to obey the non-Fickian diffusion and mixed models (zero-order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer–Peppas), respectively. Preclinical studies using rabbit models investigated the impact of ROS/AT tablets on lipid profiles and blood pressure. A high-fat diet was used to induce obesity in rabbits. Bilayer ROS/AT tablets had a remarkable effect on decreasing the lipid profiles, slowing weight gain, and lowering blood pressure to normal levels when compared to the control group.

Agomelatine (AG) is a novel antidepressant characterized by distinct mechanism of action and minimal side effects. However, extensive first-pass hepatic metabolism limits its clinical efficacy after oral administration, leading to low bioavailability (<5%). To get around these restrictions, the current study set out to create and assess a rectal thermosensitive in situ gel using biosynthesized AG-silver nanoparticles (AG-AgNPs). AG-AgNPs were successfully synthesized with gum acacia as a stabilizing agent, using silver nitrate as a precursor, and ascorbic acid as a reducing agent. The in situ gel formulation was optimized using a 32 factorial design, and then physicochemical, in vitro, and in vivo assessments were conducted. Nanoparticle formation was also evidenced by the appearance of a visible color change, UV-VIS, TEM, and XRD analysis techniques, which depicted spherical-shaped nanoparticles and a crystalline nature. The formulated optimized thermosensitive in situ gel showed good properties, which included drug content of 91.64%, gelation temperature of 26.63 °C, pH of 7.2, gel strength of 36.98 s, and sustained drug release of 80.24% in 6 h. The relative bioavailability in animal studies showed a remarkable increase in systemic availability with 277.5% relative bioavailability in comparison to an oral tablet formulation. In summary, results show that the AG-AgNP-loaded thermosensitive in situ gel could have potential use as a rectal delivery drug for bypassing first-pass effects and improving bioavailability for the drug Agomelatine.

Skin is the largest mechanical barrier against invading pathogens. Following skin injury, the healing process immediately starts to regenerate the damaged tissues and to avoid complications that usually include colonization by pathogenic bacteria, leading to fever and sepsis, which further impairs and complicates the healing process. So, there is an urgent need to develop a novel pharmaceutical material that promotes the healing of infected wounds. The present work aimed to prepare and evaluate the efficacy of novel azithromycin-loaded zinc oxide nanoparticles (AZM-ZnONPs) in the treatment of infected wounds. The Box–Behnken design and response surface methodology were used to evaluate loading efficiency and release characteristics of the prepared NPs. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the formulations was determined against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Moreover, the anti-bacterial and wound-healing activities of the AZM-loaded ZnONPs impregnated into hydroxyl propyl methylcellulose (HPMC) gel were evaluated in an excisional wound model in rats. The prepared ZnONPs were loaded with AZM by adsorption. The prepared ZnONPs were fully characterized by XRD, EDAX, SEM, TEM, and FT-IR analysis. Particle size distribution for the prepared ZnO and AZM-ZnONPs were determined and found to be 34 and 39 nm, respectively. The mechanism by which AZM adsorbed on the surface of ZnONPs was the best fit by the Freundlich model with a maximum load capacity of 160.4 mg/g. Anti-microbial studies showed that AZM-ZnONPs were more effective than other controls. Using an experimental infection model in rats, AZM-ZnONPs impregnated into HPMC gel enhanced bacterial clearance and epidermal regeneration, and stimulated tissue formation. In conclusion, AZM -loaded ZnONPs are a promising platform for effective and rapid healing of infected wounds.