In this study, we have reported the effect of nonionic, anionic, cationic, and zwitterionic detergents on the enzymatic activity and structural stability of Rhizopus niveus lipase. Secondary structural changes were monitored by Far-UV CD which shows that surfactant induces helicity in the Rhizopus niveus lipase protein which was maximum in case of CTAB followed by SDS, CHAPS, and Brij-35. Similarly, tertiary structural changes were monitored by tryptophan fluorescence. We also carried out enzyme kinetics assays which showed that activity was enhanced by 1.5- and 1.1-fold in the presence of CHAPS and Brij-35, respectively. Furthermore, there was a decline in activity by 20 and 30 % in case of SDS and CTAB, respectively. These studies may be helpful in understanding detergent-lipase interaction in greater detail as lipases are used in many industrial processes.

Background/Aims: Recent studies have shown that thymoquinone (TQ) exerts protective effects against ionizing radiation-induced cataracts in lens after total cranium irradiation of rats. Nevertheless, there is no published work investigated the effects of TQ on T cell development and biology in animal models exposed to gamma radiation. Therefore, in the present study we focused on determining the effects of TQ on radiation damage in the thymus, radiation-induced T cell imbalance, and on immune dysfunction induced by gamma-rays. Methods: Three groups of rats were used: a control group, a gamma-irradiated group, and a gamma-irradiated group that was orally supplemented with TQ. Serum lipid profiles, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels were measured to assess gamma irradiation-induced oxidative stress and inflammatory capacity. T cell apoptosis was evaluated by annexin V/propidium iodide staining followed by flow cytometry analysis. The expression of pro-apoptotic proteins such as Bax and caspase-3, the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2, and an exhaustion marker of T cells (PD-1) in CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell populations was evaluated using flow cytometry analysis. The T cell architecture of the thymus gland was evaluated by histological analysis. Results: Exposure to gamma radiation increased triglyceride, cholesterol, LDL-C, MDA, TNF-α and IL-6 levels and decreased HDL-C levels. The altered lipid profile and MDA and pro-inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α and IL-6) levels induced by exposure to gamma radiation were significantly restored in TQ-treated gamma-irradiated rats. Rats exposed to gamma radiation exhibited increased exhaustion of T lymphocytes via down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression and upregulation of PD-1, Bax, and caspase-3 expression, which sensitized these cells to apoptosis. Interestingly, treatment of gamma-irradiated rats with TQ decreased T cell exhaustion and apoptosis by modulating the expression of Bcl-2, PD-1, Bax, and caspase-3. Conclusions: Our results provide evidence for the beneficial effects of TQ as an effective radioprotective candidate that enhances cellular immunity.

Elevated levels of type I interferon (IFN) during type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) are associated with a defective immune response. In the present study, we investigated whether blocking type I IFN signaling during streptozotocin- (STZ-) induced T1D in mice improves lymphocyte proliferation and escape from continuous apoptosis. Three groups of mice were examined: diabetic mice, type I IFN signaling-incompetent diabetic mice, and control nondiabetic mice. We first found that diabetes induction was accompanied by an elevation in the plasma levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), hydroperoxide, malondialdehyde (MDN), and the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6, and CXCL10. Blocking type 1 IFN signaling in diabetic mice significantly decreased the levels of oxidative stress and proinflammatory cytokines. In addition, lymphocytes from diabetic mice exhibited a marked reduction in their proliferative capacity, increased apoptosis, upregulation of the exhaustion marker PD-1, and aberrant phosphorylation of STAT1, STAT2, AKT and IκB-α. Interestingly, following the blocking of type I IFN signaling in diabetic mice, the lymphocytes exhibited restored proliferative capacity, decreased apoptosis, normal expression of PD-1, and normal phosphorylation of STAT1, STAT2, AKT and IκB-α. Our data suggest that elevated levels of type I IFN during T1D trigger lymphocyte exhaustion and a defective lymphocyte-medicated immune response.

Background: The autoimmune disease type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is associated with a defect in the immune response, which increases susceptibility to infection. We recently demonstrated that prolonged elevated levels of type 1 interferon (IFN) induce lymphocyte exhaustion during T1D. Aims: In the present study, we further investigated the effect of blocking the type I IFN receptor signaling pathway on diabetic dyslipidemia, in which an abnormal lipid profile leads to the exhaustion of B cells and alteration of their distribution and functions. Methods: T1D was induced in a mouse model by an intraperitoneal injection of a single dose (60 mg/kg) of streptozotocin (STZ). Three groups of mice were examined: a non-diabetic control group, a diabetic group and a diabetic group treated with an anti-IFN (alpha, beta and omega) receptor 1 (IFNAR1) blocking antibody to block type I IFN signaling. Results: We observed that induction of T1D was accompanied by a marked destruction of β cells and a reduction in the insulin levels in the diabetic group. Diabetic mice exhibited many changes, including alterations in their lipid profiles, expansion of splenic B cells, increased caspase-3, -8 and -9 activity, and apoptosis in peripheral B cells. Blocking type 1 IFN signaling in diabetic mice significantly returned the insulin and lipid profiles to normal levels, subsequently restored the B cell distribution, and rescued the peripheral B cells from apoptosis. Conclusion: Our data suggest the potential role of type I IFN in mediating diabetic dyslipidemia and an exhausted state of B cells during T1D.

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Ranunculus sceleratus L. (Ranunculaceae) is an invasive alien widespread species commonly distributed in canals and drains banks. In Egypt, this plant exhibits extensive growth with occasional pure populations in the Nile Delta region. This study aimed to address the drivers for R. sceleratus abundance, phytochemical composition, and phytoremediation efficiency. The average abundance of R. sceleratus within 60 stands of 25 m2 each was 47.9. The average root and stem lengths were 31.5 and 60.1 cm, respectively. The abundance of R. sceleratus was positively correlated with pH, electric conductivity, organic carbon, Fe, Mn, and Zn, while negatively correlated with total dissolved phosphorus, Cu, Co, Cd, and Pb. The shoot had the highest values of all bioactive-metabolites, where phenols, flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids and saponins were recorded 23.16, 5.11, 14.78, 6.34 and 18.50 mg kg-1 dry weight, respectively. R. sceleratus had shoot and root bioaccumulation factors (BF) in the following orders: Cd> Ni> Cu> Pb> Zn> Fe> Mn> Co. R. sceleratus had BFshoot value of more than one for Ni, Cu, and Pb, while BFroot was greater than one for Cd, Ni, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Fe. Nevertheless, the translocation factor (TF) for all heavy metals were lower than one. Accordingly, R. sceleratus is a candidate for phytostabilization and/or phytoextraction tool for the most investigated heavy metals.