Anticonvulsant Effect of Cicer arietinum Seed in Animal Models of Epilepsy: Introduction of an Active Molecule with Novel Chemical Structure

Background: Cicer arietinum (Chickpea) is one of the most important harvests in the world with high nutritional value. Lack of essential oils in the seeds of Chickpea is an advantage in search for drug-like molecules with less toxicity. We evaluated anticonvulsant effect of C. arietinum in common animal models of epilepsy. Methods: Dichloromethane extract was obtained from C. arietinum seeds by percolation. Acute toxicity of the extract was assessed in mice. Protective effect of the extract was examined against tonic seizures induced by maximal electroshock (MES; 50 mA, 50 Hz, 1 s) in mice, clonic seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ; 60 mg/kg, i.p.) in mice, and electrical kindling model of complex partial seizures in rats. The extract was fractionated by n-hexane to f1 and f2 fractions. The extract and fractions underwent phytochemical analysis by thin layer chromatography. The active anticonvulsant fraction, f1, was subjected to matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass analysis. Results: The crude extract had neither toxicity up to 7 g/kg nor protective activity in MES and kindling models. However, it significantly inhibited clonic seizures induced by PTZ. f1 fraction mimicked protective effect of the extract. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of considerable amount of alkaloids in the extract and fractions. Moreover, a novel structural class was detected in f1 fraction. Conclusion: Finding an anticonvulsant molecule pertaining to a new structural class in the seeds of C. arietinum promises an effective and inexpensive source of antiepileptic medication. Further studies are needed to identify its mechanism of action and more clues into its structure-activity relationship. Key Words: Anticonvulsants, Cicer, Kindling, Pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)     

Assessment of the impact of dissemination of genetically improved Abbassa Nile tilapia strain (GIANT‐G9) versus commercial strains in some Egyptian governorates

WorldFish initiated a selective breeding program in Abbassa—Egypt to develop and produce the genetically improved Nile tilapia strain known as “Genetically Improved Abbassa Nile tilapia (GIANT)”, adopting the same technology used for the Genetically Improved Farmed Tilapia (GIFT), in Asia. WorldFish provided the Ninth Generation (G9) broodstock of the GIANT to 11 Broodstock Multiplication Centers (BMC’s) in five governorates; these centres then disseminated improved mixed‐sex fry to 160 tilapia hatcheries which supplied all‐male fry to 1,500 fish farms in 2017. We present results of an impact assessment of the G9 of GIANT in 83 of these fish farms in four Egyptian governorates (Kafr El‐Sheikh, Fayoum, Behera and Alexandria). Results indicate that the use of GIANT in all governorates achieved significantly higher (18.8%) fish yields (12.3%–26.4%) and 15.7% lower FCR (feed conversion ratio), reflecting a positive impact on their net profits compared with those who used commercial strains. Overall, fish farmers who stocked GIANT had significantly higher average fish sales (5,567 US$/ha) than those who stocked non‐improved commercial strains (5,192 US$/ha) in all governorates. However, when comparing within governorates, the difference was significant only in Fayoum and Alexandria noting a mixed performance of the GIANT strain. The mixed performance indicates that some hatcheries may have crossed the different strains, which lowered the performance differences. To get an objective analysis of the performance of the GIANT, it is recommended that similar assessment be undertaken with new generations of the strain supported by on‐farm performance trials.     

Alleviating effects of β‐glucan in Oreochromis niloticus on growth performance,immune reactions,antioxidant, transcriptomics disorders and resistance to Aeromonas sobria caused by atrazine

Three hundred Oreochromis niloticus were divided into five groups; the control fish (CNT) were fed a basal diet, beta glucan (βG) group was fed 0.5 g/kg^?1 βG, atrazine (ATZ) group was exposed to 1/5 96‐hr LC₅₀ (1.39 mg/L) ATZ, the (βG/ATZ) group was fed βG while being exposed to ATZ, and the (βG then ATZ) group was supplemented with βG for fifteen days before exposed to ATZ. ATZ exposure caused a decline in growth that was ameliorated by βG. ATZ reduced the levels of total and different types of leucocytes. Additionally, ATZ exposure caused reductions in total proteins, globulins, α 1‐globulin, α 2‐globulin, ?‐globulin, immunoglobulin M, lysozymes, superoxide dismutase, nitric oxide and catalase but increases in hepatic transaminases and malondialdehyde without any variations in albumin and β‐globulin. Exposure to ATZ also resulted in a rise in the mRNA level of IL‐8. In contrast, expression of IgM, SOD and CAT were decreased in the tilapias exposed to ATZ. Exposure to ATZ increases the susceptibility response to Aeromonas sobria challenge, as indicated by an increase in cumulative mortality post‐challenge. Supplementation with βG fifteen days before (βG then ATZ group), counteracted the adverse effects of ATZ on the immune, biochemical and antioxidants values, though only slight alleviation was observed with simultaneous treatment (βG/ATZ group). Our results established that ATZ has adverse impacts on immune responses, antioxidant equilibrium and its related genes. While, supplementation with βG before exposure to ATZ may be valuable for counteracting the possible damage caused by ATZ water pollution than its simultaneous treatment with ATZ.     

Restless Legs Syndrome in shift workers: A cross sectional study on male assembly workers

Background  

Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) is a common neurological movement disorder characterized by symptoms that follow a circadian pattern. Night and rotating shift work schedules exert adverse effects on functions of the human body by disturbing circadian rhythms, and they are known to cause sleep disturbances and insomnia. In this paper, we investigate the possible association between shift work and RLS.     

Effect of Monensin on Serum Lipoproteins, Triglycerides, Cholesterol and Total Lipids of Periparturient Dairy Cows

Serum concentrations of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL), low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), triglycerides, cholesterol, and total lipids of a group of monensin-treated cows (n = 7) were compared with those of a control group (n = 6) from about 10 days before calving to 45 days postpartum. Monensin was fed in the diet from about 20 days before predicted calving date to 45 days after parturition. Blood samples were obtained on days 20 and 10 before predicted calving, and on days 4, 15, 25 (phase I), and days 35 and 45 (phase II) post calving. Cholesterol (p = 0.046) and total lipids (p = 0.003) were lower in the treatment group 10 days before calving. Concentrations of serum triglycerides and VLDL (p = 0.017), and that of LDL (p = 0.032) were significantly higher in the treatment group in phase I postpartum. No significant difference was detected between groups during phase II. Comparison of the entire length of the trial showed higher concentrations of triglycerides and VLDL in the treatment group (p = 0.009). It is concluded that monensin is effective in increasing secretion of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins from the liver during the postpartum transition period of dairy cows. This may be effective in reducing the intensity of hepatic lipidosis and the incidence of periparturient diseases resulting from disturbances in energy metabolism.     

Antibiotics,Penicillin and Sreptomycin improve semen quality indices of endangered Caspian brown trout,Salmo trutta caspius (Kessler, 1870) during in vitro short‐term storage

In this study, we examined the effects of 500 IU mL^?1 penicillin + 500 μg mL^?1 streptomycin sulphate on semen quality indices of endangered caspian brown during 12 days short‐term storage at 4°C. Twenty‐four millilitre semen samples with good quality were considered for the experiment. The semen samples were then stored in the presence and absence of 500 IU mL^?1 penicillin + 500 μg mL^?1 streptomycin sulphate. The semen quality parameters including percentage and duration of sperm motility were measured 0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 days after storage. In the antibiotic receiving group, the values of percentage and duration of sperm motility reduced 3 and 6 days after storage respectively and reduced to lowest levels at day 12. In the antibiotic‐free group, the duration and percentage of sperm motility decreased significantly after 3 days of storage and reached to lowest values at day 12. Also, percentage and duration of sperm motility in each storage time were significantly higher in the antibiotic receiving group than in the antibiotic‐free group. The overall values of percentage and duration of sperm motility for all storage periods were higher in the antibiotic receiving group than in the antibiotic‐free group. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that 500 IU mL^?1 penicillin + 500 μg mL^?1 streptomycin sulphate improves the viability of caspian brown trout during short‐term storage.     

Comparing the efficacy of dietary α-tocopherol with that of dl-α-tocopheryl acetate, both either alone or in combination with ascorbic acid, on growth and stress resistance of angelfish, Pterophylum scalare, juveniles

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of dietary α-tocopherol with that of dl-α-tocopheryl acetate, both either alone or in combination with vitamin C (ascorbic acid), on the growth performance, survival, and stress resistance of angelfish, Pterophylum scalare, juveniles. Juveniles were fed ad libitum for four weeks with Artemia enriched with no vitamins (control), vitamin C (T_c), α-tocopherol (T_α), dl-α-tocopheryl acetate (T _dl ), α-tocopherol and vitamin C (T_α+C), and dl-α-tocopheryl acetate and vitamin C (T _dl+C). After four weeks, an osmotic stress test was performed using seawater (25 g/L) to evaluate juvenile’s resistance to stress. Whole-body glucose and cortisol were used as stress indicators. At the end of the feeding trial, growth performance and survival of the juveniles fed vitamin-enriched Artemia were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than for the control fish. Best performance was recorded for the T_α+C group. Survival, however, was not significantly (P > 0.05) different between the vitamin-fed groups. Osmotic stress significantly elevated the stress indicators, whole-body cortisol and glucose levels (P < 0.05), highest and lowest values being observed in control and T_α+C groups, respectively. Survival after osmotic stress of juveniles fed the T_α+c diet was significantly higher (by 46.2%, P < 0.001) than for controls. Results suggested that α-tocopherol has greater efficacy than dl-α-tocopheryl acetate and enriching Artemia with α-tocopherol and vitamin C together improves growth performance, survival, and stress resistance of angelfish juveniles.     

Effect of ethanolic extract of Zingiber officinale on growth performance and mucosal immune responses in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

This study was conducted to examine the effect of ethanolic ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract on growth performance and some skin mucus immune parameters in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A total of 600 rainbow trout fingerling (10.07 ± 0.21 g) were randomly assigned to four groups in triplicate and fed for 45 days with 1, 2.5 and 5 g kg^?1 of ginger extract and with unsupplemented basal diet as the control. The total protein content and lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase and protease activities of skin mucus were investigated following 15, 30 and 45 days of feeding. Results showed that administration of 2.5 and 5 g kg^?1 of ethanolic ginger extract for 45 days improved weight gain, feed utilization efficiency and feed conversion ratio of O. mykiss (P < 0.05). Significantly higher (P < 0.05) skin mucus lysozyme, alkaline phosphatase and protease activity and protein level were observed in the 2.5 and 5 g kg^?1 ginger extract groups on the 30th and 45th day compared to the controls. The findings suggest that ethanolic extract of ginger enhances growth performance and skin mucus immune parameters of rainbow trout.     

Growth performance,immune response and disease resistance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed Thymus vulgaris essential oils

Efficacy of Thymus vulgaris essential oils was assessed on growth, immune response and disease resistance of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Fish weighing 10 g were fed with dietary supplemented of the oils at 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 ml/kg feed for 2 months. Fish fed with the oils at 0.5 ml/kg feed demonstrated a better weight gain and specific growth rate, compared to other treatments (p < .05). Fish fed with 1.0 ml the oils showed the highest up‐regulation of complement component 3 (C3) and (cluster of differentiation 4) (CD4) genes expression (p < .05), while lysozyme gene expression level significantly increased in fish fed with 2.0 ml of the oils. In addition, at the end of the experiment, the expression of C3 and CD4 genes were significantly up‐regulated in fish fed with 1.0 and 2.0 ml of the oils, while IL‐1ß and lysozyme genes expression levels were significantly decreased in fish fed 2.0 ml oils, towards the end of the trial (p < .05). There was a fluctuation in the levels of Alanine aminotransferase, Aspartate aminotransferase and Alkaline phosphatase in all treatments during the experiment. When treated fish were challenged with Aeromonas hydrophila, the highest survival rate was observed in 0.5 ml/kg treatment, followed by 2 and 1 mg/kg treatments. Overall, these findings demonstrated that dietary administration of T. vulgaris oils especially at 0.5 mg/kg feed can be considered as a potential component for enhancing of the growth, immune responses and disease resistance of trout against motile Aeromonas septicemia caused by A. hydrophila.