Evaluation of a method to determine the natural occurrence of aflatoxins in commercial traditional herbal medicines from Malaysia and Indonesia

Traditional herbal medicines, popularly known as ‘jamu’ and ‘makjun’ in Malaysia and Indonesia, are consumed regularly to promote health. In consideration of their frequent and prolonged consumption, the natural occurrence of aflatoxins (AF) in these products was determined using immunoaffinity column clean-up and high-performance liquid chromatography with pre-column derivatization. The evaluated method, which entails dilution of sample extracts with Tween 20–phosphate buffered saline (1:9, v/v) and a chromatographic system using isocratic mobile phase composed of water–methanol–acetonitrile (70:20:10, v/v/v), was effective in separating AFB₁, AFG₁ and AFG₂ from interference at their retention times. Results were confirmed using post-column derivatization with photochemical reactor. For 23 commercial samples analyzed, mean levels (incidence) of AFB₁, AFB₂ and AFG₁ in positive samples were 0.26 (70%), 0.07 (61%) and 0.10 (30%) μg/kg, respectively; one sample was positive for AFG₂ at a level of 0.03 (4%) μg/kg. In contrast to the high levels of AF in crude herbal drugs and medicinal plants reported previously by other researchers, the low contamination levels reported in this study may be attributed to the higher selectivity to AF of the method applied. Based on the AFB₁ levels and the daily consumption of positive samples, a mean probable daily intake of 0.022 ng/kg body weight was calculated.     

Diet Modification before or during Pregnancy on Maternal and Foetal Outcomes in Rodent Models of Maternal Obesity

The obesity epidemic has serious implications for women of reproductive age; its rising incidence is associated not just with health implications for the mother but also has transgenerational ramifications for the offspring. Increased incidence of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and kidney disease are seen in both the mothers and the offspring. Animal models, such as rodent studies, are fundamental to studying maternal obesity and its impact on maternal and offspring health, as human studies lack rigorous controlled experimental design. Furthermore, the short and prolific reproductive potential of rodents enables examination across multiple generations and facilitates the exploration of interventional strategies to mitigate the impact of maternal obesity, both before and during pregnancy. Given that obesity is a major public health concern, it is important to obtain a greater understanding of its pathophysiology and interaction with reproductive health, placental physiology, and foetal development. This narrative review focuses on the known effects of maternal obesity on the mother and the offspring, and the benefits of interventional strategies, including dietary intervention, before or during pregnancy on maternal and foetal outcomes. It further examines the contribution of rodent models of maternal obesity to elucidating pathophysiological pathways of disease development, as well as methods to reduce the impact of obesity on the mothers and the developing foetus. The translation of these findings into the human experience will also be discussed.     

The influence of SARS‐CoV‐2 on semen parameters of infected infertile male in comparison with those that noninfected

BackgroundCoronavirus disease (COVID‐19) is an infectious disease caused by SARS COV‐2 that has spread globally, the virus can cause different pathological alterations in many organs, such as the lung, kidney, and testis. The study aimed to determine the effect of COVID‐19 on the seminal fluid parameters of infected infertile males compared with those who are noninfected.MethodsThe study was performed in Al‐Hussein Teaching Hospital during the period from September to November, 2021 and it involved 318 patients. The patients’ info included age, address, and vaccination. The sperm count, activity, and morphology were detected using Computer‐assisted semen analysis CASA (Microptic‐Spain) according to the WHO manual.ResultsThere were high significant differences between the infertile males who were infected with COVID‐ 19 and those who were vaccinated (X ² = 12.509, p = 0.001). A high significant relation (p < 0.001) was recorded between types of infection severity and volume of semen (p < 0.001) and nonprogress life sperm (C) (p < 0.001). While significant differences were shown in the moderate progression sperm (B) (p = 0.012), and morphology (p = 0.02), respectively. High significant differences were reported between the types of infection severity (count of the sperm, presence of pus, B, C and D), (p < 0.001), while a significant difference was shown between severity types in relation to A and morphology of the sperms (p = 0.021 and 0.015), respectively.ConclusionThe severity of COVID‐19 has a significant impact on infertility and sperm parameters, particularly progression and sperm morphology, despite the fact that these parameters are unrelated to vaccination.     

Valorization of Rice Husk and Straw Agriculture Wastes of Eastern Saudi Arabia: Production of Bio-Based Silica,Lignocellulose, and Activated Carbon

Bio-based silica, lignocellulose, and activated carbon were simply produced via the recycling of Hassawi rice biomass waste of Al-Ahsa governorate in the eastern Saudi Arabia region using a fast chemical treatment procedure. Rice husk and rice straw wastes were collected, ground, and chemically treated with sodium hydroxide to extract silica/silicate from the dried plant tissues. The liquid extract is then treated with acid solutions in order to precipitate silica/silicate at neutral medium. Lowering the pH of the supernatant to 2 resulted in the precipitation of lignocellulose. Thermal treatment of the biomass residue under N₂ gas stream resulted in activated carbon production. Separated products were dried/treated and characterized using several physical examination techniques, such as FT-IR, SEM/EDX, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy in order to study their structure and morphology. Silica and lignocelluloses products were then preliminarily used in the treatment of wastewaters and water-desalination processes.     

Analysis of anti‐apoptotic PVT1 oncogene and apoptosis‐related proteins (p53, Bcl2, PD‐1, and PD‐L1) expression in thyroid carcinoma

BackgroundAn aberrant expression of long non‐coding RNA PVT1 has been associated with apoptosis in various cancer types. We aimed to explore the PVT1 and four apoptosis‐related proteins (p53, Bcl2, and PD‐1/PD‐L1) signature in thyroid cancer (TC).MethodsThe PVT1 expression level was measured in 64 FFPE TC paired samples by real‐time quantitative PCR. Overall and stratified analyses by different clinicopathological features were done. The apoptotic proteins were evaluated by immunohistochemistry staining.ResultsOverall analysis showed significant PVT1upregulation in TC tissues (p < 0.001). Similarly, subgroup analysis by BRAF ^V600E mutation showed consistent results. Lower expression of p53 was associated with mortality (p = 0.001). Bcl2 overexpression was associated with greater tumor size (p = 0.005). At the same time, HCV‐positive cases were associated with repressed Bcl2 expression levels (54.3% in HCV‐negative vs. 6.9% in HCV‐positive cases, p = 0.011). PD‐1 expression was associated with lymph node metastasis (p = 0.004). Enhanced PD‐L1 expression in the tumor was associated with a higher tumor stage, lymphovascular invasion, and mortality risk. Kaplan–Meier curves for overall survival showed that low p53 and high PD‐L1 expressions were associated with lower survival time. The p53‐positive staining is associated with a 90% decreased mortality risk (HR = 0.10, 95%CI = 0.02–0.47, p = 0.001), while patients with high PD‐L1 were five times more likely to die (HR = 4.74, 95%CI = 1.2–18.7, p = 0.027).ConclusionOur results confirm the upregulation of PVT1 in TC. The apoptosis‐related proteins (p53, Bcl2, and PD‐1/PD‐L1) showed different prognostic utility in TC patients; in particular, low p53 and high PD‐L1 expressions associated with low survival times. Further large‐scale and mechanistic studies are warranted.     

Concomitant coexistence of ACTH‐dependent and independent Cushing syndrome

We report a case of a patient who presented for ACTH‐dependent Cushing after a confirmed hypercortisolism and an inadequate normal ACTH. A transsphenoidal surgery of a pituitary picoadenoma has been done. After surgery, the patient showed the persistence of hypercortisolism. CT scan revealed adrenal adenomas removed surgically and improved the patient.