Serological assays for SARS-CoV-2 are being utilized at an exponential rate for surveillance programs. This enterprise was designed to develop and validate a qualitative immunochromatographic test, via the Lateral Flow Assay (LFA), for detection of immunoglobulins M and G (IgM and IgG) against both nucleocapsid (N) and the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2. Both targeted proteins were cloned and expressed in baculovirus expression system utilizing insect cells Sf9. The recombinant RBD and N proteins were purified and conjugated with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to set up the coating antigens pad. Both anti-human IgG and IgM were dispensed on nitrocellulose membrane to capture human antibodies in serum samples. A home-made dispensing system was developed to draw identical test and control lines. The validity of the developed LFA was verified by testing serum samples from 103 convalescent COVID-19 patients who were PCR positive for SARS-CoV-2 along with 28 control serum samples. The developed strips showed distinctive bands for IgM and IgG of both proteins (RBD and N) in positive samples. The sensitivity of RBD-based LFA was 70.9% and 39.8% for IgG and IgM, respectively, with a specificity of 100% for both. The N-based LFA exhibited a sensitivity of 73.8% and 35.9% for IgG and IgM, respectively, while its specificity was 75% and 100% for IgG and IgM, respectively. Our developed LFA could afford a tool for surveillance programs in low-resource countries. Moreover, it might be functional for rapid and inexpensive monitoring of the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in the sera of vaccinated individuals.

Background: Zearalenone (ZEA) is particularly toxic to the reproductive system, resulting in uterine enlargement, alterations to the reproductive tract, decreased fertility, and changes in the levels of ovarian hormones in laboratory animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the toxicity effect of zearalenone on ovarian biochemical, and histological changes. Methods: Animals were divided into two groups (N= 12); Control and ZEA group: orally intoxicated by a dose of 2.7mg/kg. b.w. The biochemical and histological changes were reported for two groups and statistically analyzed. Results: Estrogenic mycotoxin increases the level of CA-125, Caspase-3 and decreases the level of Progesterone. Histologically there is deformity and degeneration of ovarian follicles and corpus luteal with increased interfollicular fibrosis. Conclusion: ZEA caused toxicological effects including abnormal hormone levels and biomarkers in the female rats.

Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide problem characterized by hyperglycemia as well as the damage of the microscopic structure of the beta cells of Langerhans pancreatic islets. In the present study, the histological, immunohistochemical, morphometric, and biochemical alterations to pancreatic beta cells in streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were assessed in rats treated with curcumin (CU) (100 mg/kg/day) or nano-curcumin (nCU) (100 mg/kg/day) for 1 month. Twenty-four adult male Wistar albino rats were distributed into four groups: the nondiabetic control group, the diabetic untreated group, and two diabetic groups treated with CU or nCUR, respectively. Blood glucose, serum insulin levels, and lipid profile were measured. The pancreatic tissues were collected and processed into paraffin sections for histological and immunohistochemical examination, oxidative stress markers, and real-time PCR expression for pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1). The insulin expression in beta cells was assessed using immunohistochemistry. Morphometrically, the percentage area of anti-insulin antibody reaction and the percentage area of islet cells were determined. STZ-induced deteriorating alteration in beta cells led to declines in the number of functioning beta cells and insulin immunoreactivity. In STZ-treated rats, CU and nCUR significantly reduced blood glucose concentration while increasing blood insulin level. It also caused a significant increase in the number of immunoreactive beta cells to the insulin expression and significant reduction of the immunoreactive beta cells to the caspase-3 expression. In conclusion, CU and nCUR could have a therapeutic role in the biochemical and microscopic changes in pancreatic beta cells in diabetes-induced rats through STZ administration with more bio-efficacy of nCUR.

One of the most dangerous environmental contaminants is carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) that induces oxidative stress damage in various pathophysiological situations. It's critical to find a potent antioxidant that can reverse CCl4-induced kidney damage. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of cinnamon ethanolic extract (CE) to modulate the kidney damage induced by CCl4. The CCl4 was given intraperitoneally twice a week for four weeks as a positive kidney toxic agent at a dose of 0.5 mL/kg. Compared to normal group, CCl4 increased significantly MDA level and decreased significantly both SOD and GSH levels whereas, CE significantly decreased MDA level and increased both SOD as well as GSH levels relative to CCl4 group. CCl4 also led to increase in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), beta-2 microglobulin (β2-MG) and kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1) which indicated the nephrotoxicity induced by CCl4. Based on its strong antioxidant activity and its phenolic and terpenoid contents, CE significantly decreased oxidative damage and pro-inflammatory markers compared to CCl4 treated group.

The aim of the research was to examine the effects of various antidiabetic agents in albino rats by the selection of two antidiabetic agents, one of which is chemical (metformin) and the other is a natural plant (Costus), and to investigate their possible beneficial effects on diabetes. A total of 36 normal male adults albino rats ( Sprague strain) were randomly assigned into six equal groups. Three of them were normal rats. The first normal group served as the control group. The second normal group received costus rhizome extract at a dose of 250 mg/ kg B. W. once a day for 30 days. The third normal group received metformin cure at a dose of 500 mg/ kg B. W. once a day for 30 days. The other three groups were diabetic rats that injected STZ (45 mg/ kg B.W. /i.p.). The first diabetic group served as control group. The second diabetic group received costus rhizome extract at a dose of 250 mg/ kg B. W. by oral gavage once a day for 30 days, the third diabetic group received metformin cure at a dose of 500 mg/ kg B. W. by oral gavage once a day for 30 days. Our results showed that metformin and hexane extract of costus sp. treated groups revealed enhancement and improvement of disturbance of liver functions, kidney functions, immunological parameters, antioxidant parameters and histopathology of the pancreas.