Saeed Y. Al-Ramadan

Osteopontin (OPN) is a phosphorylated acidic glycoprotein that serves various purposes across various systems. Principally, it aids in adhesion and signaling. It is an important protein related to reproduction, which has been discovered in several species, among which is the dromedary camel, where it has been detected in the endometrium and conceptuses at the time of implantation. The objective of this research is to investigate and examine the expression patterns of OPN mRNA and protein in both endometrial uterine horns with their associated fetal membranes during the first trimester of camel pregnancy. Endometrial and fetal membranes were collected from eight pregnant female camels during the first trimester of pregnancy (Days 70–110 of pregnancy). The temporospatial expression of OPN was studied in endometrial tissues and their conceptuses from the left uterine horn (LUH) and right uterine horn (RUH) using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) techniques. The results showed a gradual increase in OPN mRNA expression with advancing pregnancy in both LUH and RUH of endometrial and fetal membranes tissue. OPN protein was predominantly found in the uterine luminal epithelium (LE) and fetal trophectoderm (Tr), stroma, and uterine glands. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that OPN is consistently present in both the endometrium and fetal membranes throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. This observation advances previous knowledge by confirming OPN expression even during the early first trimester, suggesting its crucial role in supporting embryo attachment, implantation, and placentation processes in the dromedary camel.

The thymus gland is the primary lymphoid organ that undergoes postnatal growth followed by gradual atrophies and functional decline with age progress. The thymus gland has similar morphology across species, with a thoracic portion in the cranial mediastinum and a cervical portion along the trachea. Histologically, the thymus consists of an outer cortex populated with darkly stained T lymphocytes and a pale inner medulla. The medulla contains thymic Hassall's corpuscles (THC), which may function as sites for T cell maturation or as communication points between T cells and antigen-presenting cells. The thymus gland in camels has yet to be well studied, with limited research on its macroscopic and microscopic anatomy. In this study, the thymus glands of camel calves were examined. The thoracic portion was triangular and located in the cranioventral part of the mediastinum. The cervical portion extends cranially to the level of the thyroid gland and, in some cases, to the larynx. Histologically, the camel thymus had a fibrous capsule and connective tissue trabeculae, dividing the gland into incomplete lobules. The cortex was heavily populated with thymocytes, while the medulla contained epithelial reticular cells. A perivascular space (PVS) consisting of mature T lymphocytes surrounding blood vessels was also identified. THCs were present in the medulla, with variable shapes and forms ranging from small-sized to very large-sized with degenerative changes. Further research is needed to fully understand the role of the thymus gland in camels and its implications for vaccination programs and immune health.

The spread of John’s disease in camel herds (Camelus dromedarius) has been worldwide reported. Despite extensive studies on Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) infection in camels, the complete pathogenesis and epidemiology of this infection have not been fully exploited. The objective of the study is focusing on the nature of the immune responses, and the types of the recruited cells were studied in the intestine of naturally infected camels employing immunohistochemistry to analyze the expression of CD335, CD103, CD11b, and CD38 markers. Marked expression of some or all of the markers was observed in the ileum, mesenteric, and supramammary lymph nodes of the old infected camels. The expression of CD335, a well-known natural killer (NK) cell marker, was detected in the mesenteric lymph node, while the dendritic cell (DCs) marker, CD103, was markedly expressed in the villi and propria submucosa (PS) of the ileum in old infected camels. CD103 + and CD11b + DCs were detected in the mesenteric lymph nodes of young infected camels. The expression of CD38, a crucial proinflammatory marker, was more noticeable in the peripheral region of the mesenteric lymph node. The expression of these markers in the infected camel intestine was peculiar and is reported for the first time. In summary, the unique expression patterns of CD335, CD103, CD11b, and CD38 markers in naturally infected camel intestines revealed through immunohistochemistry new insights into the immune responses associated with MAP infection. These first-time observations suggest potential roles of innate and adaptive immunity, highlighting specific aspects of MAP immunopathology. Further studies with targeted tools are crucial for a precise understanding of these markers’ roles in the infected intestines.

Hepatotoxic contaminants such as zearalenone (ZEA) are widely present in foods. Marine algae have a wide range of potential applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food products. Research is ongoing to develop treatments and products based on the compounds found in algae. Fucoxanthin (FXN) is a brown-algae-derived dietary compound that is reported to prevent hepatotoxicity caused by ZEA. This compound has multiple biological functions, including anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer properties. Furthermore, FXN is a powerful antioxidant. In this study, we examined the effects of FXN on ZEA-induced stress and inflammation in HepG2 cells. MTT assays, ROS generation assays, Western blots, and apoptosis analysis were used to evaluate the effects of FXN on ZEA-induced HepG2 cell inflammation. Pre-incubation with FXN reduced the cytotoxicity of ZEA toward HepG2 cells. FXN inhibited the ZEA-induced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-1 β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Moreover, FXN increased HO-1 expression in HepG2 by activating the PI3K/AKT/NRF2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, FXN inhibits ZEA-induced inflammation and oxidative stress in hepatocytes by targeting Nrf2 via activating PI3K/AKT signaling.

An experimental study has been conducted to investigate the efficacy of geraniol (GNL) isolated from lemomgrass in protecting against cardiac toxicity induced by tilmicosin (TIL) in albino mice. Compared to TIL-treated mice, those supplemented with GNL had a thicker left ventricular wall and a smaller ventricular cavity. Studies of TIL animals treated with GNL showed that their cardiomyocytes had markedly changed in diameter and volume, along with a reduction in numerical density. After TIL induction, animals showed a significant increase in the protein expression of TGF-β1, TNF-α, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB), by 81.81, 73.75 and 66.67%, respectively, and hypertrophy marker proteins ANP, BNP, and calcineurin with respective percentages of 40, 33.34 and 42.34%. Interestingly, GNL significantly decreased the TGF-β1, TNF-α, NF-kB, ANP, BNP, and calcineurin levels by 60.94, 65.13, 52.37, 49.73, 44.18 and 36.84%, respectively. As observed from histopathology and Masson's trichrome staining, supplementation with GNL could rescue TIL-induced cardiac hypertrophy. According to these results, GNL may protect the heart by reducing hypertrophy in mice and modulating biomarkers of fibrosis and apoptosis.

This study aimed to determine the optimum timing of embryonic thermal manipulation (TM) that may result in improvement of mRNA expression of myogenic upstream activation factors viz. Wnt family member-3 (Wnt-3), sonic hedgehog gene (Shh), proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and paired-box transcription factor-7 (Pax-7) during development and histogenesis of broiler muscle. Fertile eggs (1440) were divided randomly and equally into 5 treatment groups including control (no TM) and four treatment groups (TM1, TM2 TM3 and TM4) that were daily subjected to 39 ̊C for 18 h with 65% relative humidity during embryonic days ED 7–11, ED 11–15, ED 15–18 and ED 7–18 respectively. Pectoral and thigh muscle mRNA expressions of myogenic upstream activation factors were evaluated by semi-quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Out of TM conditions that were investigated, TM1 resulted in a significant improvement of Wnt-3, Shh, PCNA and Pax-7 expressions in broiler pectoral and thigh muscles during embryonic and post-hatch life when compared to the control. Thus, thermal manipulation during early embryongenesis (embryonic days ED 7-11) enhance broiler skeletal muscle myoblast proliferation by triggering and inducing transcription factors that regulates myogenesis and subsequently may lead to improve cell number and size of skeletal muscle. The outcome of this study indicates that TM during ED7-11 improved muscle response to heat stress, was safe to the pectoral and thigh muscles and this method may enhance myogenesis and muscle growth in a positive manner.

Stroke is one of the main causes of mortality and disability, and it is due to be included in monetary implications on wellbeing frameworks around the world. Ischemic stroke is caused by interference in cerebral blood flow, leading to a deficit in the supply of oxygen to the affected region. It accounts for nearly 80–85% of all cases of stroke. Oxidative stress has a significant impact on the pathophysiologic cascade in brain damage leading to stroke. In the acute phase, oxidative stress mediates severe toxicity, and it initiates and contributes to late-stage apoptosis and inflammation. Oxidative stress conditions occur when the antioxidant defense in the body is unable to counteract the production and aggregation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The previous literature has shown that phytochemicals and other natural products not only scavenge oxygen free radicals but also improve the expressions of cellular antioxidant enzymes and molecules. Consequently, these products protect against ROS-mediated cellular injury. This review aims to give an overview of the most relevant data reported in the literature on polyphenolic compounds, namely, gallic acid, resveratrol, quercetin, kaempferol, mangiferin, epigallocatechin, and pinocembrin, in terms of their antioxidant effects and potential protective activity against ischemic stroke.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the optimum protocol timing of thermal manipulation (TM) during embryogenesis, which underline genetic improvement of muscle thermotolerance acquisition. For the present study, 1,440 fertile eggs were divided randomly and equally into control (37.8 °C with 56% relative humidity) and four thermally manipulated groups (TM1, TM2, TM3, and TM4) subjected to 39 °C for 18 h with 65% relative humidity daily during different embryonic periods. Then, at day 35 post-hatch, all groups [...] ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to elucidate the optimum protocol timing of thermal manipulation (TM) during embryogenesis, which underline genetic improvement of muscle thermotolerance acquisition. For the present study, 1,440 fertile eggs were divided randomly and equally into control (37.8 °C with 56% relative humidity) and four thermally manipulated groups (TM1, TM2, TM3, and TM4) subjected to 39 °C for 18 h with 65% relative humidity daily during different embryonic periods. Then, at day 35 post-hatch, all groups

The immune system is formed of sets of tissues and organs that have the ability to discern self-substances from non-self (antigen) substances and to destroy or inactivate the latter. This review presents a literary survey of what has been written on the subject of the histology of the immune system in dromedary camels and compared the structure of these tissue and organs to that of ruminants.