Nabil El-Wakeil

Hantaviruses (HTVs) are lethal zoonotic pathogens responsible for hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome and HTV cardiopulmonary syndrome; however, no specific antiviral treatments or vaccines have been approved. Bee products, such as propolis, honey, royal jelly, bee venom, and bee pollen, demonstrate extensive antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory properties against various RNA and DNA viruses. No published research has directly evaluated bee products in relation to HTV infection. This review proposes a hypothesis-driven mechanistic framework suggesting that bioactive compounds from bee products may concurrently inhibit HTV replication, alleviate the cytokine storm, diminish oxidative stress, and maintain endothelial barrier integrity. We explicitly recognize the lack of direct experimental evidence regarding bee products’ efficacy against HTVs. Considering the mechanistic similarities with other enveloped viral infections and the recognized functions of NF-κB, Nrf2, and endothelial signaling pathways in HTV pathogenesis, we present a scientifically substantiated rationale for forthcoming research endeavors. The diverse bioactive compounds present in bee products including bee pollen, bee venom, honey, propolis, and royal jelly could provide a multifaceted strategy for inhibiting HTV pathology. We propose systematic in vitro, in silico, and in vivo investigations to assess the potential of bee-derived flavonoids, peptides, and fatty acids as adjunctive therapeutic strategies for HTV disease.

The pink stem borer (PSB), Sesamia cretica (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) purple-lined borer (PLB), Chilo agamemnon (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and European corn borer Ostrinia nubilalis, (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) are considered the most devastating insect pests of maize production in the Mediterranean region. The frequent use of chemical insecticides has resulted in the evolution of resistance to various insect pests as well as the pernicious impact on natural enemies and environmental hazardousness. Therefore, developing resistant and high-yielding hybrids is the best economic and environmental approach to cope with these destructive insects. Accordingly, the objective of the study was to estimate the combining ability of maize inbred lines (ILs), identify promising hybrids, determine gene action controlling agronomic traits and resistance to PSB and PLB, and investigate inter-relationships among evaluated traits. A half-diallel mating design was employed to cross seven diverse maize inbreds to generate 21 F₁ hybrids. The developed F₁ hybrids, alongside high-yielding commercial check hybrid (SC-132), were assessed in field trials for two years under natural infestation. Substantial variations were obtained among the evaluated hybrids for all recorded characteristics. The non-additive gene action was major for grain yield and its contributing traits, while the additive gene action was more important in controlling the inheritance of PSB and PLB resistance. The inbred line IL1 was identified to be a good combiner for earliness and developing short-stature genotypes. Additionally, IL6 and IL7 were recognized as excellent combiners to enhance resistance to PSB, PLB and grain yield. The hybrid combinations IL1×IL6, IL3×IL6, and IL3×IL7 were determined to be excellent specific combiners for resistance to PSB, PLB and grain yield. Strong positive associations were identified among grain yield, its related traits, and resistance to PSB and PLB. This implies their importance as useful traits for indirect selection for improving grain yield. Otherwise, the resistance against PSB and PLB was negatively associated with the silking date, indicating that earliness would be favorable for escaping from the borer’s attack. It could be concluded that the inheritance of PSB and PLB resistance can be governed by the additive gene effects, and the IL1×IL6, IL3×IL6, and IL3×IL7 hybrid combinations can be recommended as excellent combiners for resistance to PSB and PLB and good yield.