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Background Worldwide, mosquito vectors are transmitting several etiological agents of important human diseases, including malaria, causing millions of deaths every year. In Saudi Arabia, as elsewhere, vector-control is based mostly on chemical insecticides which may be toxic and cause environmental deprivation. Here, to support the development of bio-pesticide alternatives, a study was conducted to identify native Bacillus thuringiensis ( Bt ) isolates with improved toxicity against the malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae ( s.l .). Methods Sixty-eight Bt isolates were obtained from 300 soil and other samples collected from 16 sites across Saudi Arabia. Bt identification was based on morphological characteristics of colonies, shape of parasporal crystals and biochemical profiles. After characterization of their mosquitocidal activity, larvicidal strains were described through 16S ribosomal DNA gene sequencing, cry , cyt and chi genes PCR-amplification profiles, and SDS-PAGE protein analyses. Results Spherical Bt crystals were predominant amongst the 68 isolates (34%), while irregular, bi-pyramidal and spore-attached crystals were found in 32, 13 and 21% of strains, respectively. LC 50 and LC 90 bioassays showed that 23/68 isolates were larvicidal, with distinct biochemical activity profiles compared to non-larvicidal Bt strains. Eight larvicidal strains showed larvicidal activity up to 3.4-fold higher (LC 50 range: 3.90–7.40 μg/ml) than the reference Bti- H14 strain (LC 50  = 13.33 μg/ml). Of these, 6 strains had cry and cyt gene profiles similar to Bti -H14 ( cry4Aa, cry4Ba, cry10, cry11, cyt1Aa, cyt1Ab, cyt2Aa ). The seventh strain ( Bt 63) displaying the highest larvicidal activity (LC 50  = 3.90 μg/ml) missed the cry 4Aa and cyt 1Ab genes and had SDS-PAGE protein profiles and spore/crystal sizes distinct from Bti- H14. The eight strain ( Bt 55) with LC 50 of 4.11μg/ml had cry and cyt gene profiles similar to Bti -H14 but gave a chi gene PCR product size of 2027bp. No strains harbouring cry2, cry17 + 27, cry24 + 40, cry25, cry29, cry30, or cyt2Ba were detected. Conclusion This study represents the first report of several Saudi indigenous Bt strains with significantly higher larvicidal efficacy against An. gambiae than the reference Bti -H14 strain. The very high toxicity of the Bt 63 strain, combined with distinct cry and cyt genes and SDS-PAGE-protein profiles makes it a promising candidate for future applications in mosquito bio-control.

Background Prolonged wound healing is a complication of diabetes that contributes to mortality. Impaired wound healing occurs as a consequence of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Whey protein (WP) is able to reduce the oxygen radicals and increase the levels of the antioxidant glutathione. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine whether dietary supplementation with WP could enhance normal inflammatory responses during wound healing in diabetic rats. Animals were assigned into a wounded control group (WN), a wounded diabetic group (WD) and a wounded diabetic group orally supplemented with whey protein (WDWP) at a dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. Results Whey protein was found to significantly decrease the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) and ROS. A significant restoration of the glutathione level was observed in WDWP rats. During the early wound healing stage, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, IL-4 and neutrophil infiltration were significantly decreased in WD mice. WP supplementation was found to restore the levels of these inflammatory markers to the levels observed in control animals. In addition, the time required for wound healing was significantly prolonged in diabetic rats. WP was found to significantly decrease the time required for wound healing in WDWP rats. Conclusion In conclusion, dietary supplementation with WP enhances the normal inflammatory responses during wound healing in diabetic mice by restoring the levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines.

The microbiological, rheological, and sensory properties of set-type yoghurt were investigated in the presence of camel and cow casein hydrolysates produced by the action of trypsin enzymes. The hydrolysates significantly decreased the fermentation and coagulation time of the yoghurt production. The rate of pH decrease was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in samples treated with cow casein hydrolysate in comparison with control samples. Compared with the control, the cell growth of the yoghurt culture increased with the supplementation of the casein hydrolysate. Moreover, the survival of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) was enhanced by the addition of hydrolysates. The fortification of cow milk with camel and cow casein hydrolysates contributed to a significant improvement of the rheological and sensory properties of yoghurt. In conclusion, camel and cow casein hydrolysate could be used as a supplement in set-type yoghurt production with a potential beneficial effect on fermentation time, survival of total bacterial count, and overall acceptability.

Background Long and persistent uncontrolled diabetes tends to degenerate the immune system and leads to an increased incidence of infection. Whey proteins (WPs) enhance immunity during early life and have a protective role in some immune disorders. In this study, the effects of camel WP on the chemotaxis of B and T cells to CXCL12 and CCL21 in diabetic mice were investigated. Results Flow cytometric analysis of the surface expressions of CXCR4 (CXCL12 receptor) and CCR7 (CCL21 receptor) on B and T cells revealed that the surface expressions of CXCR4 and CCR7 were not significantly altered in diabetic and WP-supplemented diabetic mice compared with control mice. Nevertheless, B and T lymphocytes from diabetic mice were found to be in a stunned state, with a marked and significant ( P < 0.05) decrease in CXCL12- and CCL21-mediated actin polymerization and subsequently, a marked decrease in their chemotaxis. WP supplementation in the diabetes model was found to significantly increase CXCL12- and CCL21-mediated actin polymerization and chemotaxis in both B and T cells. Conclusion Our data revealed the benefits of WP supplementation in enhancing cytoskeletal rearrangement and chemotaxis in B and T cells, and subsequently improving the immune response in diabetic mice.

Background Impaired wound healing is a complication of diabetes and a serious problem in clinical practice. We previously found that whey protein (WP) was able to regulate wound healing normally in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic models. This subsequent study was designed to assess the effect of WP on heat shock protein-72 (Hsp72) and keratin16 (Krt16) expression during wound healing in diabetic rats. Methods WP at a dosage of 100 mg/kg of body weight was orally administered daily to wounded normal and STZ-diabetic rats for 8 days. Results At day 4, the WP-treated diabetic wound was significantly reduced compared to that in the corresponding control. Diabetic wounded rats developed severe inflammatory infiltration and moderate capillary dilatation and regeneration. Treated rats had mild necrotic formation, moderate infiltration, moderate to severe capillary dilatation and regeneration, in addition to moderate epidermal formation. Hsp72 and Krt16 densities showed low and dense activity in diabetic wounded and diabetic wounded treated groups, respectively. At day 8, WP-treatment of diabetic wounded animals revealed great amelioration with complete recovery and closure of the wound. Reactivity of Hsp72 and Krt16 was reversed, showing dense and low, or medium and low, activity in the diabetic wounded and diabetic wounded treated groups, respectively. Hsp72 expression in the pancreas was found to show dense reactivity with WP-treated diabetic wound rats. Conclusion This data provides evidence for the potential impact of WP in the up-regulation of Hsp72 and Krt16 in T1D, resulting in an improved wound healing process in diabetic models.

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to provide the latest information on mergers and acquisition (M&A) activities in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh from 2000 to 2009. Design/methodology/approach - Using data available from Thomson Financial Service's Worldwide Mergers and Acquisitions database, the paper analyzed M&A transactions listed in the database that were announced between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2009, in which the target firm or acquirer was located in India, Pakistan or Bangladesh. Findings - M&A in India is a lot more active than that in Pakistan or Bangladesh. One unique feature of Pakistani M&A market is that it has a high ratio (more than 80 percent) for Pakistani firms buying non-Pakistani companies. In Bangladesh, non-Bangladeshi firms acquiring Bangladeshi companies accounted for more than 90 percent of all large M&A value. Originality/value - The paper provides the latest information on M&A activities in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh from 2000 to 2009. Some similarities and differences among the three countries were compared and discussed.

With rising growth rates and per capita income levels on the Indian subcontinent, foreign direct investment in the region, especially through mergers and acquisitions, has increased over the past decade. Using transaction data regarding the industry affiliation of the target and acquiring firms, deal size, deal structure, and deal completion rates from a worldwide M&A database compiled by Thomson Reuters' Financial Services, this article aims to provide contemporary and comparative information on merger and acquisition (M&A) activity in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka over the last decade, 2010-2019. The largest numbers and values of mergers occurred in India. Surprisingly, Sri Lanka had the second largest number of M&A deals, followed by Pakistan and Bangladesh. Pakistan accounted for the second highest transaction value, followed by Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. The Sri Lankan M&A market had a high ratio (60 percent) of Sri Lankan firms acquiring other Sri Lankan firms, while in Bangladesh, non-Bangladeshi companies accounted for ninety-three percent of the value of all large M&A deals. Future trends, important caveats, policy issues, and implications for managers planning M&A deals in the region are presented.

Data have demonstrated that whey protein (WP) enhances the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the effects of WP from three camel breeds on oxidative stress, blood lipid profile and the cytokine levels. Seventy five male mice were randomly split into five groups. The first served as a control group. The second, the third and the fourth groups were orally administrated the WP from Majaheim, Maghateer and Soffer camel breeds, respectively, at a dose of 100 mg/kg mouse body weight. The fifth group was supplemented with bovine serum albumin (BSA). Results showed similar electrophoretic patterns of the three whey proteins. WP was found to significantly inhibit the hydroperoxide and the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in leukocytes, liver and skin as well as the blood cholesterol level in a time dependent manner. A significant enhancement of glutathione was revealed in WP groups. Furthermore, WP was found to significantly elevate the IL-2 with a significant time dependent enhance of IL-8. On contrast, a significant lowering effect of whey proteins on the pro-inflammatory cytokines, IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 was detected. Moreover, a mitogenic activity of WP was observed on the lymphocytes. Non-significant changes were observed in AST, ALT, creatinine and glucose level. These findings suggest that WP significantly improved the levels of the oxidative markers and the immune functions without any difference in the bioactivities of the three studied whey proteins.

Background Ant venom shows antimicrobial, anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory activities, both in vitro and in vivo. Our recent studies have confirmed the role of samsum ant venom (SAV) as a powerful antioxidant. This study aimed to investigate whether SAV as a potential treatment for CCl4-induced acute liver toxicity in an animal (rat) model. Methods Thirty-two rats were assigned into four groups; the first one served as the control. The second group received a single dose of 1 ml/kg CCl 4 in a 1:1 ratio with olive oil through an intraperitoneal injection. The third group received a single dose of 1 ml/kg CCl 4 and then treated with SAV at a dose of 100 μg SAV twice a week for three weeks. The fourth group received a dose of 100 μg SAV only twice a week for three weeks. ELISA, RT-PCR and histopathological examinations were applied. Results Results showed that antioxidant enzymes were significantly reduced in the diseased animals. SAV was found to significantly restore the oxidative stability in diseased animals. ELISA estimation and RT-PCR analysis also showed significant upregulation of both nuclear factor (κB) NF-κB and inhibitor (κB) IκB, respectively, in the diseased animals compared to the normal ones. The expression of tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and pro-apoptotic receptor (Fas) were also significantly up-regulated in the diseased rats. Interestingly, SAV was found to significantly restore NF-κB, IκB and TNF-α in the diseased rats to the normal values. As a result, liver enzymes, serum proteins and lipid concentrations were significantly improved by SAV in CCl4-animals in comparison with the control ones. Moreover, SAV obviously improved the hepatic tissues of the same group was. Conclusion SAV treatment restores the normal biochemical and oxidative stability by improving the TNF-α/NF-κB mediated inflammation in CCL4-treated rats.

Background Diabetes mellitus alters oxidative stability and immune response. Here, we investigated the impact of a peptide extracted from camel milk (CMP) on the oxidative status, transcription factor kappa-B (NF-kB) and inflammatory cytokine in diabetic wounds. Methods Rats were assigned into three groups: control, diabetic induced (DM) and diabetic induced with multiple doses of CMP for a week (DM-CMP). Results DM showed a sharp decline in the activity of major antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH) compared to the control. The DM-CMP group, however, showed a noticeable replenishment in the activity of these enzymes compared to the DM group. The CMP-treated group also showed a normal level of lipid peroxidation marker (MDA) compared to the DM rats. Furthermore, ELISA analysis of serum TNF-α protein showed an elevated level in diabetic rats in comparison to control serum. However, RT-PCR analysis of locally wounded skin tissues revealed that diabetes down-regulates the RNA expression of both TNF-α and MIF genes in comparison to the control samples but that CMP was found to restore RNA expression significantly. Although it was elevated in CMP-treated rats after one day of wound incision, the NF-kB protein level was significantly decreased seven days after the incision in comparison to the animals in the diabetic group. Conclusion CMP, therefore, can be seen an effective antioxidant and immune stimulant that induces oxidative stability and speeds up wound healing in diabetic model animals, making it a potential adjuvant in improving wound healing in those with diabetic conditions.