BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The present study investigated whether MSCs derived microvesicles (MVs) or (Exosomes) can exert therapeutic effects on an experimental model of cutaneous injury and explored the underlying involving mechanisms. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three bilateral full thickness circular wounds were created on the back of two groups of dogs using 2-cm dermal punch. The wounds were at least 2.5 cm apart. Saline was subcutaneously injected in 4 places around each wound area in group-I (control), whereas an equal volume of exosomal solution of MSCs derived MVs was similarly injected in group-II. The findings demonstrated that MSCs derived MVs had significantly promoted cutaneous wound healing, collagen synthesis, and vascularization at wound sites. The application of the exosomal solution had not only promoted the generation of newly formed vessels, but also have accelerated their development and maturation leading to a faster healing process. CONCLUSIONS: MSC-Exosomes appeared to be a superior candidate for treating cutaneous wounds than their originator cells, and may represent a promising opportunity to develop a novel cell-free therapy approach that might overcome the obstacles and risks associated with the use of native or engineered stem cells transplantation therapy.
Animals ; Collagen ; Dogs ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells* ; Models, Theoretical ; Skin* ; Stem Cells ; Therapeutic Uses ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries*

AIMTo access beta-endorphin levels in serum as well as seminal plasma in different infertile male groups.

METHODSBeta-endorphin was estimated in the serum and seminal plasma by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method in 80 infertile men equally divided into four groups: non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), obstructive azoospermia (OA), congenital bilateral absent vas deferens (CBVAD) and asthenozoospermia. The results were compared to those of 20 normozoospermic proven fertile men.

RESULTSThere was a decrease in the mean levels of beta-endorphin in the seminal plasma of all successive infertile groups (mean +/- SD: NOA 51.30 +/- 27.37, OA 51.88 +/- 9.47, CBAVD 20.36 +/- 13.39, asthenozoospermia 49.26 +/- 12.49 pg/mL, respectively) compared to the normozoospermic fertile control (87.23 +/- 29.55 pg/mL). This relation was not present in mean serum level of beta-endorphin between four infertile groups (51.09 +/- 14.71, 49.76 +/- 12.4, 33.96 +/- 7.2, 69.1 +/- 16.57 pg/mL, respectively) and the fertile control group (49.26 +/- 31.32 pg/mL). The CBVAD group showed the lowest seminal plasma mean level of beta-endorphin. Testicular contribution of seminal beta-endorphin was estimated to be approximately 40%. Seminal beta-endorphin showed significant correlation with the sperm concentration (r = 0.699, P = 0.0188) and nonsignificant correlation with its serum level (r = 0.375, P = 0.185) or with the sperm motility percentage (r = 0.470, P = 0.899).

CONCLUSIONThe estimation of beta-endorphin alone is not conclusive to evaluate male reproduction as there are many other opiates acting at the hypothalamic pituitary gonadal axis.

Asthenozoospermia ; blood ; metabolism ; Azoospermia ; blood ; metabolism ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; blood ; metabolism ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Semen ; chemistry ; Vas Deferens ; abnormalities ; beta-Endorphin ; blood ; metabolism

Adequate nutrition in early life is proposed to shape a child’s future health by launching the growth trajectory in the proper direction, which helps to avoid negative metabolic programming effects. Protein intake during infancy and early childhood is of great importance, as it plays a key role in infant metabolic programming and the future risk of obesity. Breastfeeding provides the best nutrition in early life, with many benefits tailored for the baby, including the appropriate quantity and quality of proteins. Considering the high prevalence of childhood, and subsequent adult, obesity in the region, a virtual Middle East expert consensus meeting was held to discuss an effective approach for managing childhood obesity. Leading pediatric experts from Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates participated in the meeting. The experts discussed, debated, and agreed on certain directions, including the importance of educating parents, endorsing breastfeeding, and ensuring optimum quantity and quality intake of proteins in early life.This expert consensus may serve as the starting point for healthcare professionals in the region who are interested in shaping a healthy future for the generations to come.

OBJECTIVETo analyze in vivo neuro-pharmacological effects of Alpinia nigra as anxiety is a particular form of behavioral inhibition that occurs in response to novel environmental events.

METHODSIn present study, the extract of Alpinia nigra was evaluated for its central nervous system depressant effect using mice behavioral models, such as hole cross, open field and thiopental sodium induced sleeping time tests for its sedative properties and an elevated plus-maze test for its anxiolytic potential, respectively.

RESULTSIn anxiolytic study, the extract displayed increased percentage of entry into open arm at the dose of 400 and 200 mg/kg. The extract produced a significant (P<0.01) increase in sleeping duration and reduction of onset of sleep compared to sodium thiopental at both doses (200 and 400 mg/kg). The extract (200 and 400 mg/kg) also showed a dose-dependent suppression of motor activity and exploratory activity of the mice in both open field and hole cross test.

CONCLUSIONThis study demonstrates that the treated extract has significant central nervous system depressant effect. Further studies on active constituent of the extract can provide approaches for therapeutic intervention.

Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; genetics ; Food Microbiology ; Gram-Negative Bacteria ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Integrons ; Japan ; Seafood ; microbiology