Cadmium toxicity can disturb brain chemistry leading to depression, anxiety, and weakened immunity. Cadmium disturbs the neurotransmitter dopamine, resulting in low energy, lack of motivation, and depression, which are predisposing factors for violence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the ameliorative effect of grape seed extract (GSE) on the brain of 40 male albino rats after exposure to cadmium chloride (Cd) toxicity. The rats were separated into either the control group, the Cd group, the GSE group, or the GSE and Cd mixture (treated) group. The cerebrum showed evidence of degeneration of some nerve fibers and cells. Fibrosis, vacuolations, and congestion in the blood vessels were demonstrated. Satelletosis was located in the capsular cells. Immunohistochemical expression of Bax was strongly positive in the Cd group and decreased in the treated group. These histopathological changes were decreased in the brain tissue of the treated group, but a few blood vessels still had evidence of congestion. Cadmium administration increased the level of MDA and decreased MAO-A, acetylcholinesterase, and glutathione reductase (GR), while the treatment with GSE affected the alterations in these parameters. In addition, cadmium downregulated the mRNA expression levels of GST and GPx, while GSE treatment normalized the transcript levels. The expression of both dopamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter was downregulated in the rats administered cadmium and the addition of GSE normalized the expression of these aggression associated genes.

This study was designed to isolate and characterize endophytic and rhizospheric bacteria associated with the halophyte plant Sesuvium verrucosum, grown under extreme salinity soil in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The plant growth promotion activities of isolated bacterial were evaluated in vitro. A total of 19 salt tolerant endophytic and rhizospheric bacterial isolates were obtained and grouped into six according to genetic similarity based on RAPD data. These six isolates were identified by amplification and partial sequences of 16S rDNA as Enterobacter cancerogenus,Vibrio cholerae, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and two Enterobacter sp. Isolates were then grown until exponential growth phase to evaluate the atmospheric nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, and production of phytohormones such as indole-3-acetic acid, as well as 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity. While, All of the six strains were negative for ACC deaminaseactivity, two isolates showed Nitrogen fixation activity, three isolates produce the plant hormone (Indole acetic acid) and two isolates have the activity of solubiliztion of organic phosphate. Among the six isolates, the isolate (R3) from the soil around the roots is able to perform the three previous growth promoting possibilities together and it is ideal for use in promoting the growth of plants under the high salinity conditions. This isolate is candidate to prepare a friendly biofertelizer that can be used for the improvement of the crops performance under salinity conditions.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(3): 552-560

Taif-roses are a famous rose type that cultivated in Taif region and well known with their deep and intensive fragrance in the Arabian World. Despite of the great economical importance of Taif-roses for the kingdom of Saudi Arabia, their genetic origin has not been yet elucidated. The present study was mainly aimed to assess the genetic relationship between Taif-roses and some rose genotypes that grown in some kingdom neighboring countries using molecular markers and aromatic amino acids contents. Three Taif-roses genotypes namely Hada, Shafa-1 and Shafa-2 were compared to nine different rose genotypes that are grown in Egypt and Syria. Out of 12 RAPD, 8 ISSR and 8 SSR primers used, clear and repeatable band profile of 8, 6 and 7 primers was obtained from the three markers, respectively. Total of 111, 64 and 15 bands with polymorohism of 96.4, 90.6 and 93.3% were obtained using RAPD, ISSR and SSR, respectively. The discriminating power of the three markers has led to efficient grouping of the 12 rose genotypes using Unweighted Pair Group Method (UPGMA). Among the 12 genotypes, Syrian-Gory rose shown the highest genetic similarity of 75, 92 and 65% with the three Taif-roses genotypes Hada, Shafa-1 and Shafa-2, respectively. The established dendrogram was clearly separated the 12 rose genotypes into four major groups in which the three Taif-roses genotypes were clustered in the same group with the Gory rose-Syrian genotype. Moreover, the data revealed that among the studied rose genotypes, the contents of aromatic amino acids in Syrian-Gory rose and the Taif rose-Hada was the highest and followed by the Egyptian Balady rose 1. While Dutch rose 1, 2, 3 and Dutch tulip 1, 2 were recorded to be the lowest. Together, these results indicate that Taif-rose has closed genetic relations to the Gory rose-Syrian cultivated in Syria. Additionally, a reproducible protocol for In vitro propagation, of Taif-rose genotype (Hada) was developed.

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Mowat-Wilson syndrome (MWS) is a rare autosomal dominant syndrome characterized by dysmorphic features, mental retardation, and congenital heart disease (CHD). MWS results from microdeletions of chromosome 2q23 or de novo SNVs involving the ZEB2 gene. Here, we report on an Egyptian MWS patient diagnosed by chromosomal microarray (CMA). A 1-year-old male child was referred to the CHD clinic, National Research Centre, presenting with dysmorphic features and CHD. The patient was referred to the human cytogenetics department for cytogenetic analysis and for screening of subtelomere rearrangements and microdeletion loci, using MLPA, and all revealed normal results. CMA revealed an interstitial 2.27-Mb microdeletion in chromosome 2q, involving the entire ZEB2 gene and other genes. This study emphasizes the significance of CMA in the detection of microdeletions/microduplications and as a screening tool in cases presenting with CHD and extracardiac manifestations. MWS should be suspected in patients presenting with the characteristic facial dysmorphism, developmental delay, seizures, Hirschsprung disease, and congenital heart anomalies, especially those involving the pulmonary arteries or pulmonary valves. It is recommended to include the ZEB2 locus in the MLPA microdeletions probes.

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A collection of ten cultivars of tomato grown in Egypt were screened with 20 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers in order to determine genetic identities, genetic diversity and genetic relationships among these cultivars. On an average, 38 alleles were amplified using SSR primers with scorable fragment sizes ranging from approximately 75 to 275 bp. 23 alleles were polymorphic thus revealing 60.5% of polymorphism. The genetic similarity estimated according to SSR data was scaled between 17.6 and 93.2%, suggesting the potential of SSR markers in discriminating among plants of close or distant genetic backgrounds. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic mean (UPGMA) clustering grouped the cultivars into two groups where the two Egyptian cultivars Edkawy and Giza 80 were clustered in different group. In addition, clustering was found consistent with the known information regarding growth habit. The genetic distance information obtained in this study might be useful to breeder for planning crosses among these cultivars.

Growth monitoring is an essential element of child health care. Children’s healthy growth and development, and detection of variations from typical growth can be confirmed by proper growth monitoring. Objective This study aimed to evaluate detection and referral processes of cases of stunting among a sample of children aged less than 5 years attending maternal and child Healthcare centers in Cairo. Methods a quality of performance study carried out to observe children aged less than 5 years attending two primary healthcare centers during their growth monitoring process to assess the quality of documentation (14 items), body measurements (Anthropometric Measurements – 11 items for height and 8 for weight measurements), plotting (3 items), interpretation (4 items) and referral of detected cases (2 items) using observational checklist. Interviewing questionnaire for healthcare workers to assess their knowledge and skills in the process of detection of stunting. Results Observed growth monitoring process was undertaken for 300 children, 51% boys and 49% girls, 44% were breastfed. Out of the sample 27 (9.3%) were < -2 Z-score height for age, 5 (1.7%) were < -2 Z-score weight for age, 5 (1.7%) were < -2 Z-score weight for height and 4 (1.3%) were < -2 Z-score body mass index for age. By Observational checklist results for growth monitoring process for documentation (28.5%) of items were not done, (53.7%) were good done and (17.8%) were satisfactory done. For measuring height (9%) of items were not done, (45.5%) were poor done, (9%) were satisfactory done and (36.5%) were good done. For measuring weight (25%) of items were not done, (6.2%) were poorly done, (12.5%) were satisfactory done and (56.3%) were good done. For plotting on growth chart (66.7%) of items were not done and (33.3%) were good done. For Interpretation of the growth pattern and referral (100%) of items not done. Conclusion Growth monitoring shows areas in need for improvement as the detection process including documentation and follow standardized anthropometric measurements, up-to-date and periodic staff training. Developing formal and well organized referral of detected stunted is a mandate.