Dr Mohammed Mahmoud Youssif

The current investigation was performed to study the incidence, morphological characters and molecular identification of Cryptosporidium species infecting domestic pigeons in the Giza governorate, Egypt. The incidence of Cryptosporidium spp. by modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain technique was 12 % and 14 % of the examined intestinal and bursal samples respectively. Seasonal incidence showed that winter had the highest rate (15.38 % and 21.74 %) while the lowest one was in autumn (7.95 % and 8.33 %) of the intestinal and bursal samples respectively. Two forms of Cryptosporidium spp. were detected. The small oocysts had average size (4.6 ± 0.63 × 4.44 ± 0.76 μm) while the large one had average size (5.64 ± 0.39 × 5.57 ± 0.41 μm). The PCR products of Cryptosporidium spp. were analyzed using two pairs of primers. The analysis revealed that the amplicons of the 18S rRNA region had 830 bp and 760 bp. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the amplified products indicated that the species under investigation were C. meleagridis and C. baileyi with accession numbers OR631411 and OR631417, respectively. To our knowledge, the identification and genetic characterization of C. meleagridis and C. baileyi within the genus Cryptosporidium infecting domestic pigeons is reported for the first time in Egypt.

Increasing Cropland Area and its Associated Human-induced Water Consumption Puts Ebinur Lake at Risk of Drying up

BACKGROUND: Equine habronemiasis, caused by Habronema (H.) muscae, H. microstoma, and Draschia megastoma, is a parasitic disease that presents in both gastric and cutaneous forms. Conventional diagnostic methods often lack sensitivity due to intermittent egg shedding and nonspecific clinical signs. This study aimed to enhance diagnostic accuracy by integrating molecular identification, oxidative stress profiling, and cytokine gene expression analysis.

METHODS: A total of 100 horses from a private farm in Giza, Egypt, were clinically examined for signs of habronemiasis. Fecal and skin samples were examined using parasitological techniques alongside polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) gene. The serum levels of oxidative stress biomarkers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), were quantified. Additionally, the expression of cytokines (interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6))was assessed via real-time PCR.

RESULTS: Habronema spp. eggs were detected in 62% of fecal samples, with molecular analysis confirming H. muscae as the predominant species. Infected horses exhibited significantly elevated oxidative stress markers compared with those in healthy controls. Cytokine gene expression analysis demonstrated a marked upregulation of proinflammatory markers, indicating a Th1-dominated immune response.

CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the value of molecular diagnostics combined with immunological profiling for the detection and characterization of equine habronemiasis. The integration of oxidative stress and cytokine biomarkers provides important insights into host-pathogen interactions and may contribute to the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

BACKGROUND: Equine habronemiasis, caused by Habronema (H.) muscae, H. microstoma, and Draschia megastoma, is a parasitic disease that presents in both gastric and cutaneous forms. Conventional diagnostic methods often lack sensitivity due to intermittent egg shedding and nonspecific clinical signs. This study aimed to enhance diagnostic accuracy by integrating molecular identification, oxidative stress profiling, and cytokine gene expression analysis.

METHODS: A total of 100 horses from a private farm in Giza, Egypt, were clinically examined for signs of habronemiasis. Fecal and skin samples were examined using parasitological techniques alongside polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COXI) gene. The serum levels of oxidative stress biomarkers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC), were quantified. Additionally, the expression of cytokines (interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin-6 (IL-6))was assessed via real-time PCR.

RESULTS: Habronema spp. eggs were detected in 62% of fecal samples, with molecular analysis confirming H. muscae as the predominant species. Infected horses exhibited significantly elevated oxidative stress markers compared with those in healthy controls. Cytokine gene expression analysis demonstrated a marked upregulation of proinflammatory markers, indicating a Th1-dominated immune response.

CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the value of molecular diagnostics combined with immunological profiling for the detection and characterization of equine habronemiasis. The integration of oxidative stress and cytokine biomarkers provides important insights into host-pathogen interactions and may contribute to the development of improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Taenia ovis is an economically significant cestode affecting sheep. Its larval stage, Cysticercus ovis, causes ovine cysticercosis, leading to substantial economic losses due to carcass condemnation and reduced meat quality. This study utilized a comprehensive approach to investigate the prevalence, phylogenetic characterization, immune response, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological changes associated with T. ovis infection in naturally infected sheep. Among 220 slaughtered sheep examined post-mortem, an overall prevalence of 18.63 % was observed, with infection rates higher in males (20.83 %) than in females (16 %). Seasonal variation demonstrated the highest prevalence in spring (41.46 %), followed by winter (29.27 %), autumn (17.07 %), and summer (12.20 %). Molecular characterization of T. ovis isolates, which is based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, revealed a high genetic similarity between Egyptian isolates and those from New Zealand, indicating genetic stability across geographically distinct regions. Immune response profiling showed significant upregulation (P < 0.0001) of cytokines such as interleukin 1β, interleukin 10, transforming growth factor β, interleukin 5, toll-like receptor 7, and gata-binding protein 3, indicating a robust inflammatory and immune-modulatory response. Further analysis of oxidative stress markers revealed marked increases in malondialdehyde and total oxidant status, reflecting heightened oxidative damage, while elevated total antioxidant capacity suggested a compensatory antioxidant response. Histopathological examination confirmed the infection through the observation of granulomatous inflammation, fibrosis, myositis, and calcification in the affected tissues. These findings underscore the pathogenic impact of T. ovis and provide valuable insights into its biology, emphasizing the need for improved diagnostic and control strategies to mitigate its economic and agricultural burdens.

Taenia ovis is an economically significant cestode affecting sheep. Its larval stage, Cysticercus ovis, causes ovine cysticercosis, leading to substantial economic losses due to carcass condemnation and reduced meat quality. This study utilized a comprehensive approach to investigate the prevalence, phylogenetic characterization, immune response, oxidative stress markers, and histopathological changes associated with T. ovis infection in naturally infected sheep. Among 220 slaughtered sheep examined post-mortem, an overall prevalence of 18.63 % was observed, with infection rates higher in males (20.83 %) than in females (16 %). Seasonal variation demonstrated the highest prevalence in spring (41.46 %), followed by winter (29.27 %), autumn (17.07 %), and summer (12.20 %). Molecular characterization of T. ovis isolates, which is based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene, revealed a high genetic similarity between Egyptian isolates and those from New Zealand, indicating genetic stability across geographically distinct regions. Immune response profiling showed significant upregulation (P < 0.0001) of cytokines such as interleukin 1β, interleukin 10, transforming growth factor β, interleukin 5, toll-like receptor 7, and gata-binding protein 3, indicating a robust inflammatory and immune-modulatory response. Further analysis of oxidative stress markers revealed marked increases in malondialdehyde and total oxidant status, reflecting heightened oxidative damage, while elevated total antioxidant capacity suggested a compensatory antioxidant response. Histopathological examination confirmed the infection through the observation of granulomatous inflammation, fibrosis, myositis, and calcification in the affected tissues. These findings underscore the pathogenic impact of T. ovis and provide valuable insights into its biology, emphasizing the need for improved diagnostic and control strategies to mitigate its economic and agricultural burdens.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive and treatment-resistant brain tumor. Recent advancements have highlighted the crucial role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in GBM's molecular biology. Unlike protein-coding RNAs, lncRNAs regulate gene expression through transcription, post-transcriptional modifications, and chromatin remodeling. Some lncRNAs, like HOTAIR, CCAT2, CRNDE, and MALAT1, promote GBM development by affecting tumor suppressors and various signaling pathways like PI3K/Akt, mTOR, EGFR, NF-κB, and Wnt/β-catenin. Conversely, certain lncRNAs such as TUG1, MEG3, and GAS8-AS1 act as tumor suppressors and are associated with better prognosis. The study presented in the manuscript aims to explore the involvement of lncRNAs in GBM, focusing on their roles in tumor progression, proliferation, invasion, and potential implications for early detection and immunotherapy. The research seeks to elucidate the mechanisms by which specific lncRNAs influence GBM characteristics and highlight their potential as therapeutic targets or biomarkers in managing this aggressive form of brain cancer.

The rapid development of miniaturized energy storage systems, such as batteries and fuel cells, requires compact, stable, and liquid-junction-free reference electrodes for precise electrochemical characterization. This study presents a novel all-solid-state reference electrode (S-RE) based on polymeric ion exchangers embedded in a carbon-paste matrix, offering a sustainable solution for potentiometric and electrochemical power sources. The S-RE eliminates liquid junctions, providing superior stability, broad electrolyte compatibility, and ease of miniaturization, making it ideal for next-generation energy applications. The polymeric ion exchangers in the S-RE ensure low solubility, high ion-exchange capacity, and strong mechanical and pH stability, making it compatible with various electrolytes. Electrochemical evaluations were performed in acidic, alkaline, neutral, and non-aqueous media, confirming the electrode's reliability. The optimized design, incorporating a cation-exchanger and an anion-exchanger, enhances stability and long-term performance in extreme environments. Benchmarking against hydrogen reference electrodes and Hg/HgO electrodes validated its suitability for energy storage applications. Additionally, the S-RE demonstrated statistical equivalence to Ag/AgCl electrodes in the potentiometric determination of isoxsuprine (ISX). Its miniaturized design supports sample volumes as low as 500 μL, while its cost-effective fabrication makes it scalable for industrial applications, positioning the S-RE as a promising alternative for electrochemical diagnostics in energy storage and sensing technologies.

Abstract Neurological disorders remain a major challenge in modern medicine due to the brain’s complexity and the limited efficacy of genetic therapies. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) is a key target in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. In this study, a series of modified 4-benzyloxychalcone derivatives (9a–j) were synthesized and structurally characterized using various spectroscopic techniques, including IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and HRMS. Quantum chemical calculations, along with MM/GBSA and MM/PBSA analyses, were performed to evaluate the electronic properties and binding free energies of the compounds. All compounds met Lipinski’s criteria. Molecular docking and dynamics simulations revealed that compound 9c exhibited the most stable interaction with AChE (PDB ID: 4EYZ), supported by a strong binding profile. Additionally, the small HOMO–LUMO energy gap indicates the compounds' potent anticholinesterase capabilities via the POM/DFT approach. Furthermore, high hyperpolarizability and polarizability values suggest additional potential as pharmacophores. The derivatives demonstrated favorable binding with active site residues of the enzyme, suggesting their potential as effective AChE inhibitors. Overall, the findings indicate that benzyloxychalcones (9a–j) bind key amino acids in the 4EYZ binding pocket, highlighting their potential as candidates for Alzheimer’s disease treatment.