Amyloid-beta aggregation implicates multiple pathways in Alzheimer's disease: Understanding the mechanisms.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by tau pathology and accumulations of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) along with amyloid-beta (Aß). It has been associated with neuronal damage, synaptic dysfunction, and cognitive deficits. The current review explained the molecular mechanisms behind the implications of Aß aggregation in AD via multiple events. Beta (ß) and gamma (γ) secretases hydrolyzed amyloid precursor protein (APP) to produce Aß, which then clumps together to form Aß fibrils. The fibrils increase oxidative stress, inflammatory cascade, and caspase activation to cause hyperphosphorylation of tau protein into neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), which ultimately lead to neuronal damage. Acetylcholine (Ach) degradation is accelerated by upstream regulation of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme, which leads to a deficiency in neurotransmitters and cognitive impairment. There are presently no efficient or disease-modifying medications for AD. It is necessary to advance AD research to suggest novel compounds for treatment and prevention. Prospectively, it might be reasonable to conduct clinical trials with unclean medicines that have a range of effects, including anti-amyloid and anti-tau, neurotransmitter modulation, anti-neuroinflammatory, neuroprotective, and cognitive enhancement.

Camel milk ameliorates diabetes in pigs by preventing oxidative stress, inflammation and enhancing beta cell function.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to determine how camel milk affects hyperglycemia, beta-cell function, oxidative stress, and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetic pigs. Methods: Twenty-five (25) pigs were separated into five (5) groups of five pigs each, with five (5) non-diabetic and twenty (20) diabetic pigs in each group. Groups 1 and 2 received distilled water as the standard control and diabetic control groups, respectively, while Groups 3 and 4 received camel milk at 250 mL/day and 500 mL/day, respectively, and Group 5 received metformin at 500 mg/day. The experiment lasted ten weeks. At the end of the ten weeks, all the pigs were euthanized. Results: Treatments with camel milk substantially enhance glucose fasting levels by reducing hyperglycemia in diabetic pigs, significant level at (p < 0.05). When pigs given camel milk were compared with untreated diabetic pigs, there was a substantial rise (p < 0.05) in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and reduced glutathione (GSH) levels. Also, camel milk substantially lowered the levels of interleukin (IL-1ß) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in diabetic pig serum. Similarly, immunohistochemical analysis of islet cells revealed an increase in insulin production, implying improved glycemic control and the eventual commitment of glucose to glycolysis. Conclusion: The bioactive-mediated anti-hyperglycemic and insulin release potential of camel milk treatments contributed to improving type 2 diabetes mellitus. Camel milk improved beta-cell function while reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in type 2 diabetic pigs.

Molasses, Antox® and EN-FLORAX® decreased antibody decay rate and enhanced response to a very virulent infectious bursal disease virus and Newcastle disease vaccine La Sota in ISA Brown chicks.

This study evaluated the effects of molasses, Antox® and EN-FLORAX® on antibody (Ab) decay and response to a very virulent IBD virus (vvIBDV) and ND vaccine La Sota (NDVLS) in ISA Brown chicks. Five groups, (A, B, C, D and E) of 50 chicks each were used for the study. Groups A, B and C were supplemented with molasses, Antox® and EN-FLORAX®, respectively, orally from 1 to 49 days, and inoculated with a vvIBDV at 28 days of age. Groups D, and E were positive, and negative controls, respectively. At 35 days of age, all groups were vaccinated with NDVLS. Antibody (Ab) titers to vvIBDV, and NDV, were determined by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (I-ELISA), and hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) tests, respectively. Results revealed significantly (P < .05) decreased Ab decay rates in supplemented groups (A, B, and C) compared to controls (D and E) up to day 28. There were significantly (P < .05) higher mean IBDV and ND HI Ab titers in supplemented groups compared to D with the highest in A up to day 49. Molasses, Antox®, and EN-FLORAX® decreased rate of Ab decay, elicited stronger Ab response against vvIBDV and production of protective NDVLS HI Ab titers.

Very virulent infectious bursal disease virus infection caused changes in cloacal temperature and clinical manifestations in pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and is transmitted to sentinel chickens.

In this study, changes in cloacal temperature and clinical manifestations due to very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (vvIBDV) infection in pigeons (Columba livia domestica) and transmission to chickens were demonstrated. Thirty pigeons (3-6 weeks old) and thirty chickens (3 weeks old) divided into 4 groups (I-IV) were used for this study. Group I comprised of 10 uninoculated pigeons only; II comprised of 10 inoculated pigeons and 10 sentinel chickens; III comprised of 10 sentinel pigeons and 10 inoculated chickens, while IV comprised of 10 uninoculated chickens only. Pigeons in group II and chickens in group III were each inoculated with 0.20 mL (titre of 109.76CID50/mL) of vvIBDV (Nigerian strain). Cloacal temperature was monitored and clinical manifestations scored post-inoculation (pi). Results indicated significant (P < 0.05) pyrexia at 2 days pi (dpi), mild clinical signs and no mortality in inoculated pigeons. Significant (P < 0.05) pyrexia at 2-4 dpi, severe clinical signs and mortality (50%; 60%) were observed in inoculated and sentinel chickens. IBDV antigen and antibody were detected in pigeons and chickens. Pigeons showed response to vvIBDV infection thus suggesting susceptibility of pigeons to IBD. Sentinel chickens presented clinical manifestations of IBD and this suggests transmission from pigeons to chickens. This study therefore documents pyrexia and clinical manifestations due to vvIBDV infection in pigeons and successful transmission of the virus between pigeons and chickens.

Age-dependent variations in haematological and serum biochemical parameters of domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica).

In this study, the age-dependent variations in haematological and serum biochemical parameters of domestic pigeons were evaluated. Sixty apparently healthy domestic pigeons comprising 30 young (2-7 weeks of age) and 30 adult (>7 weeks of age) were sampled from local breeders. Blood was collected from each bird via brachial venipuncture and divided into 2 parts; one part dispensed into labeled tubes containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as anticoagulant was processed for haematological analyses. The other part was dispensed into labeled plain tubes, serum harvested and processed for serum biochemical analyses. Results revealed overall packed cells volume (PCV), haemoglobin concentration (HGB) and red blood cells (RBC) of 42.97 ± 4.53%, 13.15 ± 1.82 g/dL and 3.63 ± 0.50 × 1012/L respectively. All haematological parameters except mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and lymphocyte count showed statistical (p < 0.05) differences between young and adult pigeons. Values recorded for serum total protein, albumin, globulin, serum/albumin ratio, urea, creatinine and urea/creatinine ratio were 4.32 ± 0.74 g/dL, 2.07 ± 0.30 g/dL, 2.25 ± 0.74 g/dL, 1.04 ± 0.43, 0.48 ± 0.33 mg/dL, 0.75 ± 0.52 mg/dL and 0.73 ± 0.51 respectively. Serum urea and creatinine concentrations were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in adult (0.62 ± 0.40; 1.04 ± 0.60 mg/dL) compared to young (0.34 ± 0.13; 0.47 ± 0.15 mg/dL) pigeons. This study therefore demonstrated age-dependent variations in haematological and serum biochemical parameters of domestic pigeons.

Pigeons (Columba livia domestica) Are Susceptible to Infectious Bursal Disease: A Comparative Study of Their Hematological and Serum Biochemical Alterations.

The hematological and serum biochemical alterations following very virulent infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) infection in pigeons and chickens were evaluated in this study. Sixty IBDV seronegative birds comprising 30 (3-6 weeks old) pigeons and 30 (3 weeks old) chickens were randomly divided as follows: 10 uninoculated pigeons only, 10 inoculated pigeons + 10 sentinel chickens, 10 inoculated chickens + 10 sentinel pigeons, and 10 uninoculated chickens. Inoculated birds were administered 0.20 ml of inoculum containing very virulent IBDV (vvIBDV). Blood was collected postinoculation/exposure (pi/pe) and processed for hematology and biochemistry. The results revealed significantly (P < 0.05) increased packed cell volume, decreased mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and MCH concentration (MCHC) in inoculated and sentinel chickens. Total leukocyte count (TLC), heterophil, and heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio were increased from 3 dpi/dpe in inoculated pigeons and from 3 to 14 dpi/dpe in inoculated and sentinel chickens. At 10 and 14 dpi/dpe, there was significantly (P < 0.05) increased serum total protein and globulin concentrations and decreased albumin/globulin ratio in pigeons and chickens. Serum urea concentration showed significant (P < 0.05) increase in inoculated and sentinel chickens at 3 and 4 dpi/dpe. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report on hematological and serum biochemical alterations due to vvIBDV infection in pigeons.

Research Note: Detection of infectious bursal disease virus antibodies in free-living wild birds in Zaria, Nigeria.

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) is an immunosuppressive pathogen of poultry causing great economic losses to the poultry industry. In this study, the IBDV antibodies were detected in captured free-living wild birds in Zaria, Nigeria. One hundred and fifty free-living wild birds, comprising 30 birds each of 5 different species, were sampled over a period of 9 months. Blood samples were collected from each bird, and harvested sera were tested for IBDV antibodies using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results indicated IBDV seroprevalences in speckled pigeon (6.67%) and cattle egret (3.33%). In conclusion, the detection of IBDV antibodies in free-living wild birds in this study is indicative of previous natural exposure of these birds to the virus. These species of wild birds could therefore serve as carriers of these viruses and, consequently, transmit these viruses to chickens.

Survey for highly pathogenic avian influenza from poultry in two northeastern States, Nigeria.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a major global zoonosis. It has a complex ecological distribution with almost unpredictable epidemiological features thus placing it topmost in the World Organization for Animal Health list A poultry diseases. Structured questionnaire survey of poultry farmer's knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) in two Nigerian states revealed the presence of risk farming practices that may enable avian influenza high chance of introduction/reintroduction. There existed significant statistical association between farmer's educational levels and AI awareness and zoonotic awareness (P < 0.005). Poultry rearing of multiage and species (81%), multiple sources of stock (62%), inadequate dead-bird disposal (71%), and access to live bird markets (LBMs) (62%) constituted major biosecurity threats in these poultry farming communities. Haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test detected antibodies against H5 avian influenza (AI) in 8 of the 400 sera samples; rapid antigen detection test kit (RADTK) was negative for all the 400 cloaca and trachea swabs. These results and other poultry diseases similar to AI observed in this study could invariably affect avian influenza early detection, reporting, and control. We recommend strong policy initiatives towards poultry farmers' attitudinal change and increasing efforts on awareness of the implications of future HPAI outbreaks in Nigeria.