Cytoarchitectural differences of myoepithelial cells among goat major salivary glands

Previously, the distribution of myoepithelial cells (mecs) in the salivary glands was studied by both immunohistochemistry, and transmission electron microscopy; however, little was elucidated concerning their morphological features, especially in goats. This study was performed to investigate the correlation between the cytoarchitecture of the mecs in goat major salivary glands (parotid, mandibular, and sublingual glands) and the nature of the saliva secretion. The cytoarchitectural features of the mecs were examined by scanning and transmission electron microscopy as well as immunohistochemically. The secretory endpieces in the parotid gland are of the pure serous type, but in both the mandibular and sublingual glands they are of the mixed type. In all studied glands, the intercalated ducts were covered by mecs which, unlike the large stellate cells that surrounded the secretory endpieces, were spindle-shaped with few cytoplasmic processes. Interestingly, the mecs were found to bulge on the basal surfaces of the serous acini and intercalated ducts in all glands and to be in close contact to the seromucous tubules surface in the mandibular and sublingual glands forming a continuous network around it. In conclusion, the differences in the degree of development of the mecs as well as the number of their cytoplasmic processes may be correlated with the nature of the secretion and the number of the secretory granules. Thus these observations may have some relevance in the diagnosis of atrophy and pathogenic conditions of these glands.     

Effect of different diets on growth of the sub-adult sea cucumber Holothuria scabra

Aquaculture International - In recent years, the demand for commercial sea cucumber diet increased due to the expansion of sea cucumber farming. In this study, we investigated alternative sources...     

Man-made litter on the shores of the United Arab Emirates on the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman

Frequency of occurrence, composition, and distribution of litter accumulating on western and eastern beaches of the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, UAE, were investigated. In this study 27000 m² of UAE beaches were examined and 22771 items noted. An estimated 13.5×10⁶ man-made items are stranded along 800 km of Arabian Gulf and Gulf of Oman shorelines. Plastic fragments constituted 27.1% of the total items encountered. A strong correlation was found between plastic fragments and plastic bottles. Fishing floats and nettings represented 16.9% of the total items examined. A highly significant correlation (r=0.89) existed between the number of polystyrene blocks used as fishing floats and ropes, and nettings washed ashore. The west coast on the Arabian Gulf exhibited a much higher level of pollution by man-made debris than the east coast on the Gulf of Oman. Potential sources are pointed out and comparisons with other regions of the world are discussed.     

Novel oxidations of (+)-catechin by horseradish peroxidase and laccase

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP; EC 1.11.1.7) catalyzed the H(2)O(2)-dependent oxidative coupling of (+)-catechin 1 to form three different biphenyl C-C dimers 2-4, whereas Rhus vernicifera laccase catalyzed the formation of two new catechin-hydroquinone adducts 5 and 6. Spectroscopic evidence showed that HRP dimers were linked through position 8 of the A-ring of one catechin moiety to C-5' of ring B in 2 and 4 and to C-2 of ring C in 3. The unusual catechin dicarboxylic acid dimer 4 was obtained by ortho cleavage of the E-ring. Hydroquinone served as both a shuttle oxidant and a reactant by coupling at C-2' and C-5' of the catechin B-ring during laccase oxidations. HRP and laccase oxidation products were compared to D,L-alpha-tocopherol and (+)-catechin for their abilities to inhibit iron-induced lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates and Fe(3+)-ADP/NADPH in rat liver microsomes, as measured by the intensity of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance. All metabolites exhibited anti-lipid peroxidation with IC(50) values approximately 2-8 times higher than those of standard compounds. Characteristic reaction products may prove to be novel markers for (+)-catechin antioxidant reactions in living systems.     

Biological treatments as a mean to improve feed utilization in agriculture animals-An overview

As a result of agriculture practices, mil ion tons of agriculture are produced as a secondary or by-products;however, with low nutritive values. Many methods are applied to improve the nutritive value ...     

Effects of exogenous enzymes,Lactobacillus acidophilus or their combination on feed performance response and carcass characteristics of rabbits fed sugarcane bagasse

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of Lactobacil us acidophilus (LAC), exogenous enzymes of ZAD? (exogenous enzyme preparation) or their combination on feed conversion, and dressing of ra...     

Anticancer Effects of New Ceramides Isolated from the Red Sea Red Algae Hypnea musciformis in a Model of Ehrlich Ascites Carcinoma: LC-HRMS Analysis Profile and Molecular Modeling

Different classes of phytochemicals were previously isolated from the Red Sea algae Hypnea musciformis as sterols, ketosteroids, fatty acids, and terpenoids. Herein, we report the isolation of three fatty acids—docosanoic acid 4, hexadecenoic acid 5, and alpha hydroxy octadecanoic acid 6—as well as three ceramides—A (1), B (2), and C (3)—with 9-methyl-sphinga-4,8-dienes and phytosphingosine bases. Additionally, different phytochemicals were determined using the liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-HRMS) technique. Ceramides A (1) and B (2) exhibited promising in vitro cytotoxic activity against the human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell line when compared with doxorubicin as a positive control. Further in vivo study and biochemical estimation in a mouse model of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) revealed that both ceramides A (1) and B (2) at doses of 1 and 2 mg/kg, respectively, significantly decreased the tumor size in mice inoculated with EAC cells. The higher dose (2 mg/kg) of ceramide B (2) particularly expressed the most pronounced decrease in serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor -B (VEGF-B) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) markers, as well as the expression levels of the growth factor midkine in tumor tissue relative to the EAC control group. The highest expression of apoptotic factors, p53, Bax, and caspase 3 was observed in the same group that received 2 mg/kg of ceramide B (2). Molecular docking simulations suggested that ceramides A (1) and B (2) could bind in the deep grove between the H2 helix and the Ser240-P250 loop of p53, preventing its interaction with MDM2 and leading to its accumulation. In conclusion, this study reports the cytotoxic, apoptotic, and antiangiogenic effects of ceramides isolated from the Red Sea algae Hypnea musciformis in an experimental model of EAC.     

Effect of sesame seed proteins supplementation on the nutritional,physical, chemical and sensory properties of wheat flour bread

Sesame products (sesame meal, roasted and autoclaved sesame meal, sesame protein isolate and concentrate) were added to Red wheat flour to produce blends at protein levels of 14, 16, 18 and 20 percent. Dough properties were studied using a Brabender Farinograph. Loaves were prepared from the various blends using the straight dough procedure and then evaluated for volume, crust and crumb colour, crumb texture, flavour and overall quality. The water absorption, development time and dough weakening were increased (p<0.05) as the protein level increased in all blends; however, dough stability decreased. Sesame products could be added to wheat flour up to 18 percent protein level (sesame protein isolate) and up to 16 percent protein level (other sesame products) without any observed detrimental effect on bread sensory properties. No significant differences (p>0.05) were recorded in loaf volume between control and breads containing sesame protein isolate (up to 18 percent protein level) and either autoclaved sesame meal or sesame protein concentrate (up to 14 percent protein level). Addition of sesame products increased the content not only of protein but also minerals and total essential amino acids, especially lysine. The addition also improved in-vitro protein digestibility.