SAID SHEHATA

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-secretome represent a promising cell-free strategy for bone regeneration, overcoming cell therapies’ drawbacks. This study compares the bone repair capabilities of secretomes derived from human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and human gingival stem cells (hGMSCs) in a rabbit tibial defect model. Secretomes were prepared, and levels of RUNX, osterix, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were quantified using ELISA. Six-mm defects were created in rabbit tibiae treated with either hDPSCs or hGMSCs secretomes, collagen scaffolds, or left untreated. The mineral apposition rate (MAR) was assessed using fluorescent labeling. Histomorphometric analysis (including bone area percentage, mature/immature bone and bone marrow quantification) and qRT-PCR for osteocalcin were conducted at 3 and 6 weeks. Results showed significantly higher concentrations of RUNX, osterix, and ALP in hDPSCs secretome compared to hGMSCs. Additionally, defects treated with hDPSCs secretome exhibited a higher MAR and greater new bone formation, accelerated maturation (higher mature bone area; p < 0.05), and reduced bone marrow spaces at 3 weeks than those treated with hGMSCs, collagen, or control groups. By 6 weeks, both secretomes achieved comparable bone maturation (83–85% bone area), significantly surpassing controls. Both secretomes upregulated osteocalcin gene expression. These findings show the therapeutic potential of dental MSCs secretomes, and particularly hDPSCs secretomes, as a cell-free, clinically relevant method for improving bone regeneration. This approach addresses limitations associated with traditional bone grafting and possibly presents a new pathway for regenerative therapies in dentistry and orthopedics.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-secretome represent a promising cell-free strategy for bone regeneration, overcoming cell therapies’ drawbacks. This study compares the bone repair capabilities of secretomes derived from human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and human gingival stem cells (hGMSCs) in a rabbit tibial defect model. Secretomes were prepared, and levels of RUNX, osterix, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were quantified using ELISA. Six-mm defects were created in rabbit tibiae treated with either hDPSCs or hGMSCs secretomes, collagen scaffolds, or left untreated. The mineral apposition rate (MAR) was assessed using fluorescent labeling. Histomorphometric analysis (including bone area percentage, mature/immature bone and bone marrow quantification) and qRT-PCR for osteocalcin were conducted at 3 and 6 weeks. Results showed significantly higher concentrations of RUNX, osterix, and ALP in hDPSCs secretome compared to hGMSCs. Additionally, defects treated with hDPSCs secretome exhibited a higher MAR and greater new bone formation, accelerated maturation (higher mature bone area; p < 0.05), and reduced bone marrow spaces at 3 weeks than those treated with hGMSCs, collagen, or control groups. By 6 weeks, both secretomes achieved comparable bone maturation (83–85% bone area), significantly surpassing controls. Both secretomes upregulated osteocalcin gene expression. These findings show the therapeutic potential of dental MSCs secretomes, and particularly hDPSCs secretomes, as a cell-free, clinically relevant method for improving bone regeneration. This approach addresses limitations associated with traditional bone grafting and possibly presents a new pathway for regenerative therapies in dentistry and orthopedics.

Climate change poses significant challenges for agricultural pest management, particularly concerning the distribution of phytophagous insects. This study investigates the current and future distribution patterns of three economically important leaf-mining fly species (Agromyzidae) in Morocco: Cerodontha (Cerodontha) denticornis, Phytoliriomyza oasis, and Phytoliriomyza perpusilla. We used MaxEnt modeling with bioclimatic data and occurrence records (2014–2024) to model current potential distributions, analyze species–environmental relationships, and project future range shifts under SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios for 2041–2060.

Coinfections and reactivation of persistent or latent viral infections such as herpesviruses (HHV) and/or measles virus (MeV) have been reported among COVID-19 patients. However, there is limited information regarding cancer patients who experienced severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the interplay between SARS-CoV-2, HHV and MeV in cancer patients, aiming to provide insights into the pathophysiology of these infections and to enhance the patients’ health outcomes.

Persea americana (Avocado) and Diospyros kaki (Persimmon) trees possess nutritional and therapeutic values. The various preparations from different parts of the plant, especially the leaves, have been utilized in folk medicine to manage multiple health conditions. This study involved the green production of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) utilizing avocado and persimmon leaf aqueous extracts. The Ag-NPs were well-characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, TEM, FTIR, zeta potential, and particle size. The synthesized Ag-NPs from avocado extract exhibited spherical morphology with particle sizes ranging from 5.21 to 14.6 nm, while those produced from persimmon extract were also spherical, with sizes varying between 6.78 and 15.6 nm. The green-synthesized Ag-NPs demonstrated enhanced antioxidative, antibacterial, and anticancer capabilities compared to crude ethanolic extracts of avocado and persimmon. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) analyses showed that avocado leaves exhibited the highest values, recording 425.28 ± 5.48 mg GAE/g and 245.63 ± 3.11 mg GAE/g, respectively. In contrast, persimmon leaves presented the lowest TPC and TFC, with 382.34 ± 6.56 mg GAE/g and 100.74 ± 2.05 mg GAE/g, respectively. Besides, the Ag-NPs synthesized from Persea americana and Diospyros kaki plants exhibited enhanced antioxidant activity at a 1000 μg/mL concentration with increases of 84.6±0.12% and 87.6±0.12%, from DPPH, 80.4±0.05% and 81.9±0.12% from ABTS, and 90.8±0.11% and 95.7±0.09% as determined by the FRAP test, respectively. The Ag-NPs from both plants exhibited remarkable antibacterial and antifungal activities. The prepared Ag-NPs from avocado aqueous leaf extract showed a significant cytotoxic effect against the Caco2 cell line, inhibiting the cell viability by 97.51% at a concentration of 320 μg/mL. Due to the elevated concentration of bioactive compounds in avocado, it can be used as a bioresource in medical uses. Ag-NPs synthesized from avocado and persimmon leaf extracts can also be effectively utilized as promising antioxidants, antimicrobials, and anticancer agents.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) poses a global health challenge, demanding innovative approaches for effective treatments. Clerodendrum infortunatum Linn. (Lamiaceae) is a shrub traditionally used as a medicinal plant to treat inflammation, skin diseases, and bronchitis. This study aims to identify the main bioactive metabolites in C. infortunatum using LC-QTOF-MS/MS and investigate its potential in protecting against cognitive decline in rats with scopolamine-induced AD disease. Metabolite profiling was performed on the methanol extract of the plant’s aerial parts using LC-QTOF-MS/MS. The inhibitory activity of the acetylcholinesterase enzyme was measured in vitro. To evaluate the cognitive effects, the methanol extract was orally administered at three doses (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) to scopolamine-induced AD rats, and their cognitive functions were assessed using the novel object recognition test. Additionally, acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity, as well as the levels of acetylcholine, dopamine, noradrenaline, glutathione, malondialdehyde, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and amyloid-β in the rat hippocampus, were measured using ELISA, followed by histopathological evaluation. A total of 79 metabolites, spanning various chemical classes, such as organic acids, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoids and phenylethanoids, flavonoids, coumarins, other phenolics, and fatty acids and their derivatives, were identified. The results showed that the extract promoted enhanced cognitive functions in the novel object recognition test. Scopolamine administration significantly altered the acetylcholinesterase enzyme activity and biomarker levels in the rat’s hippocampus. However, treatment with C. infortunatum at 200 and 400 mg/kg almost restored these neurotransmitter levels to normal, which was further confirmed by histopathological analysis. This study demonstrates the therapeutic potential of C. infortunatum in mitigating cognitive decline in AD, with its first metabolite profiling revealing a range of bioactive compounds. The extract improved cognitive function in scopolamine-induced AD rats, restored acetylcholinesterase activity, normalized neurotransmitter levels, and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation. These findings suggest that C. infortunatum is a promising candidate for the development of natural therapies targeting AD.

This study seeks to examine water as a liminal symbol that reflects and symbolizes the liminal identities of adolescents and young adults in two selected plays for young adults: Feeding the Moonfish (2011) by Barbara Wiechmann and Our Place (2015) by Terry Gabbard. Feeding the Moonfish deals with the young adults Martin and Eden who suffer from traumatic experiences. They go to the dock by the lake to rediscover themselves, and, eventually, heal by the water. In a similar setting, Our Place comprises five stories that revolve around adolescents and young adults’ feelings of loss, fragmentation, frustration, love, and death. In both plays, the characters go through the three stages of liminality defined by Arnold van Gennep: the pre-liminal, the liminal, and the post-liminal and, finally, emerge as reborn/healed. Water is a complex liminal symbol that reflects the experiences of adolescence and young adults, and combines contradictory meanings which are essential, expressive, and, most importantly, complementary for the development of the characters and for their eventual recovery. Using the concept of liminality and adolescent psychology to read scenes in which liminal experiences (confusion, indecisiveness, and disorientation) are present, this study argues that the depiction of liminal experiences near water in these plays for young adults offers complex symbols for the study of young adulthood and for encountering and responding to traumas experienced in adolescence.

This study seeks to examine water as a liminal symbol that reflects and symbolizes the liminal identities of adolescents and young adults in two selected plays for young adults: Feeding the Moonfish (2011) by Barbara Wiechmann and Our Place (2015) by Terry Gabbard. Feeding the Moonfish deals with the young adults Martin and Eden who suffer from traumatic experiences. They go to the dock by the lake to rediscover themselves, and, eventually, heal by the water. In a similar setting, Our Place comprises five stories that revolve around adolescents and young adults’ feelings of loss, fragmentation, frustration, love, and death. In both plays, the characters go through the three stages of liminality defined by Arnold van Gennep: the pre-liminal, the liminal, and the post-liminal and, finally, emerge as reborn/healed. Water is a complex liminal symbol that reflects the experiences of adolescence and young adults, and combines contradictory meanings which are essential, expressive, and, most importantly, complementary for the development of the characters and for their eventual recovery. Using the concept of liminality and adolescent psychology to read scenes in which liminal experiences (confusion, indecisiveness, and disorientation) are present, this study argues that the depiction of liminal experiences near water in these plays for young adults offers complex symbols for the study of young adulthood and for encountering and responding to traumas experienced in adolescence.

Lung cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Cuproptosis, a new form of programmed cell death, is emerging as a key regulator in tumor progression. In this review, we talk about the interplay between cuproptosis, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), and epigenetic modifications in lung cancer. We performed an extensive review of recent literature to explore the function of ncRNAs in the regulation of cuproptosis, their effects on tumor microenvironment remodeling, immune response regulation, and drug sensitivity. ncRNAs were found to modulate cuproptosis by influencing copper metabolism, apoptosis, and oxidative stress response. Specific ncRNA signatures possess prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target potential in lung cancer. In addition, ncRNA-mediated epigenetic regulation has significant influence on deciding lung cancer formation and treatment outcome. The integration of non-coding RNAs related to cuproptosis into therapies offers great promise for the improvement of lung cancer prognosis. Further studies are needed to validate these findings and promote their implementation in clinical practice.

Ambrosia maritima L. (family Asteraceae) is an annual herb widely distributed throughout the Mediterranean region and Africa. The herb is employed in folk medicine for the treatment of many ailments. Herein, we report a comprehensive investigation of the diverse biological potential of two sesquiterpene lactones, damsin and neoambrosin, isolated from Ambrosia maritima. 1D and 2D NMR and HR-ESI-MS/MS were employed to characterize the chemical structures of both compounds. In order to identify biological targets of both compounds we investigated their potential affinity for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and transient receptor potential (TRP) channels, which are pleiotropic classes of receptors implicated in essential functions of the body. This was investigated using a luciferase assay and a calcium fluorometric assay. A carbonic anhydrase inhibition assay was also performed using stopped flow CO2 hydrase spectrophotometric assay. Our analysis revealed that unlike damsin, neoambrosin showed a selective partial agonist effect on PPARγ receptors and TRPA1 channels. Its binding mode was investigated through in silico analysis. Both compounds showed no affinity for the tested carbonic anhydrases. Overall, our study details the chemical properties of neoambrosin and damsin and highlights neoambrosin as novel, cost-effective partial agonist of PPARɣ and TRPA1 receptors despite additional in vivo studies are needed to elucidate its biological and pharmacological properties.