Carboxymethyl cellulose/sericin-based hydrogels with intrinsic antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties promote re-epithelization of diabetic wounds in rats.

Diabetic wound healing encounters significant challenges due to the extreme oxidative stress resulting from excessive inflammation and microbial infections, disrupting the typical cascade of wound healing and thwarting the re-epithelialization of skin tissues. Benefiting from the biological activities of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and sericin, we thus fabricated multifunctional hydrogels of CMC-Sericin. The hydrogel revealed high swelling performance alongside its porous structure. The incorporation of sericin bestowed the CMC-Sericin hydrogels with a prominent capacity to scavenge free radicals and antibacterial activity. In vivo investigations using diabetic full-thickness excision wounds demonstrated the capability of CMC-Sericin dressing to enhance diabetic wounds in rats treated or untreated with insulin concurrently. Furthermore, histopathological examinations manifested the skin tissue regeneration evidenced by the development of skin appendages like hair follicles and collagen deposition after treatment with CMC-Sericin hydrogel. Moreover, the levels of antioxidant parameters, including GSH and SOD, were substantially augmented and associated with a significant diminution in lipid peroxidation, implying a decrease in oxidative stress in the tissues. Beyond that, CMC-Sericin dressing downregulated the pro-inflammatory markers and upregulated the heat shock proteins, indicating the restoration of physiological features in cells. Strikingly, CMC-Sericin dressing remarkably promoted the healing of diabetic wounds without insulin treatment.

Silver nanoparticles instigate physiological, genotoxicity, and ultrastructural anomalies in midgut tissues of beetles.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have long been materials of great interest in numerous fields; however, there is escalating alarm over their toxicity to public health since exposure to these particles is inevitable. This study sheds light on the deleterious impacts of AgNPs on the midgut tissues of beetles (Blaps polychresta) collected from Egypt as a biological model. The investigations were conducted on the beetles administered with a sublethal dose of AgNPs (0.03 mg/g body weight) after 30 days. Oxidative stress parameters and antioxidant enzyme activities were assessed, which exposed critical disruption in the antioxidant defense system of treated beetles. Remarkably, metallothionein (MT) gene expression was significantly increased, while reduced glutathione (GSH) level was notably decreased in midgut tissues subjected to AgNPs. These findings manifestly imply the presence of overproduction in terms of reactive oxygen species (ROS) inside the cells. Additionally, DNA impairment and apoptosis of midgut cells were appraised employing comet and flow cytometry analyses, respectively. The comet results revealed a significant increase in comet cells for the AgNPs treated beetles compared with the control group. Furthermore, the apoptosis results demonstrated a substantial diminution in viable cells with significant growth in apoptotic cells in midgut cells exposed to AgNPs, manifesting their striking correlation with comet and biochemical findings. Noticeably, the histopathological and ultrastructural inspections revealed substantial aberrations in the midgut tissues in the AgNPs treated group, substantiating the previous results. As far as we know, no research has been found that surveyed how the AgNPs at low doses affect the midgut tissues of beetles. Overall, these findings evince the aberrant influences of AgNPs on living organisms.

Insights into Ag-NPs-mediated pathophysiology and ultrastructural aberrations in ovarian tissues of darkling beetles.

With the evolution of nanostructure materials, silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) emerged as the predominantly exploited nanomaterial in multifarious sectors due to their versatile properties. Along with the heightening applications of Ag-NPs, however, there is increasing concern over their indubitable toxicity towards the ecosystem, which indeed affects surrounding organisms and human health. In this study, we evaluated the detrimental effects of Ag-NPs in relation to Egyptian wild female beetles, Blaps polychresta, after injection with a single dose of Ag-NPs at different doses and monitoring for 30 days to determine the sublethal dose. Accordingly, the sublethal dose revealed the lowest negative influence was found at 0.03 mg/g body weight. The adverse impacts of Ag-NPs on the ovaries of female beetles were investigated by estimating the enzyme activities, DNA damage using a comet assay, and apoptosis by means of flow cytometry. Besides, the ultrastructural abnormalities were surveyed adopting transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results manifested comet cells of 7.67 ± 0.88% and 22.33 ± 0.51 for Ag-NPs treated and control groups, respectively. Similarly, the data from flow cytometry demonstrated a substantial reduction in viable cells associated with a significant rise in apoptotic cells for the Ag-NPs treated group in comparison with the control group. Moreover, significant disturbances in enzyme activities for the treated group were perceived correlated with evident diminutions in antioxidant enzymes. Remarkably, the ultrastructural investigation emphasized these findings, exposing considerable deformities of the ovaries in the Ag-NPs treated group compared with the control group. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report discussing the influence of Ag-NPs at the lowest dose on ovaries of B. polychresta. Collectively, our findings would significantly contribute to considering the critical effects of Ag-NPs at low levels, in addition to the potential use of B. polychresta as a good bio-indicator in ecotoxicological analyses.

Time-delayed effects of a single application of AgNPs on structure of testes and functions in Blaps polychresta Forskal, 1775 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae).

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are currently the most frequently used engineered nanoparticles. The penetration of AgNPs into ecosystems is undeniable, and their adverse effects on organism reproduction are of fundamental importance for ecosystem stability. In this study, the survival time of the Egyptian beetle Blaps polychresta Forskal, 1775 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), after a single application of 7 different doses, was calculated for 30 days. Then, for the group for which the effect on mortality was calculated as LOAEL - the Lowest Observed Adverse Effect Level, namely, 0.03 mg AgNPs/g body weight (b.w.t.), the following were assessed: structure and ultrastructure of gonads by TEM and SEM, cell viability by cytometry, DNA damage by the comet assay, and a variety of stress markers by spectrophotometric methods. A dose-dependent reduction in the survival time of the insects was revealed. Detailed analysis of the testes of beetles treated with 0.03 mg AgNPs/g b.w.t. revealed numerous adverse effects of nanoparticles in structure and ultrastructure, accompanied by increased apoptosis (but not necrosis), increased DNA damage, increased lipid peroxidation, and decreased levels of antioxidant enzymes. Most likely, the observed results are connected with the gradual release of Ag+ from the surface of the nanoparticles, which, once applied, are internalized in cells and become a long-lasting, stable source of Ag+ ions. Thus, a single exposure to AgNPs may have the effects of chronic exposure and lead to structural damage and dysfunction of the gonads of B. polychresta.

Aquatic beetles Cercyon unipunctatus as bioindicators of pollution in Lake Edku and Mariut, Egypt.

The lakes of the North Delta give a rich and imperative territory for marine fish and its regeneration, and have dependably been major areas of fish creation in Egypt, 75% of the production was collected from them. As of late, many difficulties are confronting these lakes and prompt the exhaustion of fish production from them. The aim of the present study is to evaluate different inorganic pollutants in Coleopterons aquatic insect (Cercyon unipunctatus) taken from both Lake Edku and Mariut and also, to estimate their effect on oxidative stress markers and chromosomal aberrations. The average concentrations of heavy metals differ in the two locations. The concentration of (Pb, Cd, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, and Mn) was significantly higher in water samples of Lake Mariut than those of Lake Edku. Also, the present work, showed the physical and chemical characters of the two lakes water. In the current study, the obtained results showed that there was a significant increase in (Pb, Cd, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, and Mn) concentrations in C. unipunctatus tissues which were collected from Lake Mariut. The biochemical parameters of oxidative stress have been affected by the pollution in Lake Mariut water. Significant increases in the activity level of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, and malondialdehyde concentration were recorded, while there were significant decreases in (total protein content, GSH content, and GPx activity). The result of chromosomal aberration test showed that there were different types of aberrations as binucleate cell, lagging chromosome, and abnormal distribution of chromosomes. The obtained data showed that C. unipunctatus highly affected by environmental stressors in water. So we suggest that these beetles could be a suitable monitor for ecotoxicological studies.

Defense response of susceptible and resistant Biomphalaria alexandrina snails against Schistosoma mansoni infection.

In Egypt, Biomphalaria alexandrina is the intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni. The fates of Schistosoma miracidia in the snails varies between different species of Biomphalaria. The internal defense system is one of the factors that influence the susceptibility pattern of the snails. The interaction between Biomphalaria snails and S. mansoni needs to be identified for each species, and even between the members of the same species with different degrees of susceptibility. In the present study, the first generation of susceptible and resistant parents of B. alexandrina was examined histologically at the 30th day post exposure. The study includes the characterization of the immune response, as expressed by tissue reactions, of susceptible and resistant B. alexandrina snails against S. mansoni. It was also designed to determine the impact of the resistance increase in parent snails, on the mechanisms of interaction of their offspring against infection. The results showed that the infection rate of the offspring from the susceptible parents was 92%. No susceptible offspring was produced from the resistant parents. When the parents were of equal number of susceptible and resistant snails, they gave an offspring with an infection rate of 20%. Susceptible snails that had susceptible parents showed a higher degree of susceptibility than those that had both susceptible and resistant parents. A common feature of the resistant snails was the absence of any viable parasites. The tissue reactions of the resistant snails having only resistant parents occurred at the site of miracidial penetration. In resistant snails for which susceptible ones were included in their parents, the reactions occurred in the deep tissues. These results characterized the immune response of B. alexandrina snails against Schistosoma infection which was found to occur by two different mechanisms. One type of defense occurs in highly resistant snails, and employs direct miracidial destruction soon after parasite penetration. The other type occurs in less resistant snails where a delayed resistance development occurs after the dissemination of the sporocysts in the snail tissues. It seems that B. alexandrina snails respond more or less similar to B. glabrata. The results also proved that the immune response of the internal defense system increased with increasing the number of the inherited resistant genes.

Defense response of susceptible and resistant Biomphalaria alexandrina snails against Schistosoma mansoni infection

In Egypt, Biomphalaria alexandrina is the intermediate host for Schistosoma mansoni. The fates of Schistosoma miracidia in the snails varies between different species of Biomphalaria. The internal defense system is one of the factors that influence the susceptibility pattern of the snails. The interaction between Biomphalaria snails and S. mansoni needs to be identified for each species, and even between the members of the same species with different degrees of susceptibility. In the present study, the first generation of susceptible and resistant parents of B. alexandrina was examined histologically at the 30th day post exposure. The study includes the characterization of the immune response, as expressed by tissue reactions, of susceptible and resistant B. alexandrina snails against S. mansoni. It was also designed to determine the impact of the resistance increase in parent snails, on the mechanisms of interaction of their offspring against infection. The results showed that the infection rate of the offspring from the susceptible parents was 92%. No susceptible offspring was produced from the resistant parents. When the parents were of equal number of susceptible and resistant snails, they gave an offspring with an infection rate of 20%. Susceptible snails that had susceptible parents showed a higher degree of susceptibility than those that had both susceptible and resistant parents. A common feature of the resistant snails was the absence of any viable parasites. The tissue reactions of the resistant snails having only resistant parents occurred at the site of miracidial penetration. In resistant snails for which susceptible ones were included in their parents, the reactions occurred in the deep tissues. These results characterized the immune response of B. alexandrina snails against Schistosoma infection which was found to occur by two different mechanisms. One type of defense occurs in highly resistant snails, and employs direct miracidial destruction soon after parasite penetration. The other type occurs in less resistant snails where a delayed resistance development occurs after the dissemination of the sporocysts in the snail tissues. It seems that B. alexandrina snails respond more or less similar to B. glabrata. The results also proved that the immune response of the internal defense system increased with increasing the number of the inherited resistant genes.

En Egipto, Biomphalaria alexandrina es el huésped intermediario de Schistosoma mansoni. La supervivencia de los miracidios de Schistosoma en los caracoles varía entre las especies de Biomphalaria. El sistema de defensa interno es uno de los factores que influyen en el patrón de susceptibilidad de los caracoles. La interacción entre los caracoles Biomphalaria y S. mansoni requiere ser identificada para cada especie e incluso, entre los miembros de la misma especie con diferente grado de susceptibilidad. En el presente estudio, la primera generación de padres susceptibles y resistentes de B. alejandrina fue examinada histológicamente al día 30, después de la exposición. El trabajo fue realizado tanto para caracterizar la respuesta inmune, según las reacciones de los tejidos, de los caracoles susceptibles y resistentes de B. alejandrina contra S. mansoni. También, el estudio se diseñó para determinar el impacto en el aumento de la resistencia en los caracoles padres, en los mecanismos de interacción de sus crías contra la infección. Los resultados mostraron que la tasa de infección para las crías, de padres susceptibles, fue del 92%. No se originaron crías susceptibles de los padres resistentes. Cuando los padres incluían un número igual de caracoles susceptibles y resistentes, dieron como resultado crías con una tasa de infección del 20%. Los caracoles susceptibles que tuvieron padres susceptibles mostraron un mayor grado de susceptibilidad que los que tenían tanto padres sensibles como resistentes. Una característica común de los caracoles resistentes fue la ausencia de parásitos viables. Las reacciones en los tejidos de los caracoles resistentes de sólo padres resistentes ocurrió en el sitio de penetración del miracidio. En los caracoles resistentes, para los que variedades susceptibles fueron incluídas entre sus padres, las reacciones se produjeron en tejidos profundos. Los resultados caracterizaron la respuesta inmune de los caracoles B. alexandrina contra la infección por Schistosoma, que ocurre por dos mecanismos diferentes. El primer tipo de defensa la cual se produce en los caracoles con alta resistencia, utiliza la destrucción directa del miracidio poco después de la penetración de los parásitos. El segundo tipo se produce en los caracoles menos resistentes, en el cual se después de la difusión de los esporocistos en los tejidos del caracol. Parece que los caracoles B. alexandrina responden de una manera más o menos similar a B. glabrata. Los resultados también demostraron que la respuesta inmune del sistema de defensa interna aumentó cuando en el número de genes de resistencia heredados es mayor.