OBJECTIVE: To document the arthropod succession pattern and to identify forensically important species in northeastern Egypt (32° 15' E and 30° 36' N) for the first time. METHODS: Carcasses were exposed in an open area for 60 days during summer season. Ambient daily temperature (maximum and minimum) and relative humidity (RH) were recorded and existing keys were used for identification of different species. RESULTS: During the period of study, the mean of maximum and minimum temperatures were 34.85 °C and 29.2 °C respectively, while the mean of RH was 53.5%. Four stages of decomposition were observed: fresh, bloat, decay and dry. The most abundant orders were found to be Diptera, Coleoptera and Hymenoptera. Arthropods were collected belonging to 4 families of Diptera: Muscidae, Fanniidae, Calliphoridae and Sarcophagidae. While there were 2 families of Coleoptera: Dermestidae and Histeridae. Monomorium species was the only Hymenoptera family in this study. CONCLUSION The present work provided a basis for further studies dealing with insect colonization of carcasses in different seasons and locations in Egypt.
Animals ; Arthropods ; classification ; physiology ; Coleoptera ; Diptera ; Egypt ; Entomology ; Feeding Behavior ; Forensic Medicine ; methods ; Hymenoptera ; Insecta ; classification ; Rabbits ; Rats ; Seasons ; Temperature

Objective:To investigate the role and mechanism of microRNA (miR)-4472 targeting PIN1 in regulating the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling pathway in a rat model of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).Methods:Between January 2022 and January 2024, sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to six groups at The Second Hospital of Jiaxing using a random number table method: a normal control group, an HIE model group, an inhibition control group, a miR-4472 inhibition group, a miR-4472 inhibition + interference control group, and a miR-4472 inhibition + PIN1 interference group, with ten rats in each group. There was no significant difference in body mass among the six groups (all P > 0.05). Rat models of HIE were established using the Rice-Vannucci method. Behavioral performance was assessed using the Morris water maze test, while neurological function was evaluated using the Longa scoring method. Apoptosis was detected using the TUNEL assay, and the expression of NF-κB and STAT3 protein was measured using Western blot analysis. Results:Compared with the HIE model group, the miR-4472 inhibition group and the miR-4472 inhibition + interference control group showed a shortened escape latency, while the miR-4472 inhibition + PIN1 interference group exhibited an extended escape latency (all P < 0.05). The number of platform crossings in the miR-4472 inhibition + PIN1 interference group [(2.13 ± 0.54) times] was significantly lower than that in the HIE model group [(3.56 ± 0.71) times], the inhibition control group [(3.61 ± 0.87) times], the miR-4472 inhibition group [(5.47 ± 1.29) times], and the miR-4472 inhibition + interference control group [(5.58 ± 1.32) times] ( t = 5.07, 4.57, 7.55, 7.65, all P < 0.05). The Longa score in the miR-4472 inhibition + PIN1 interference group [(3.03 ± 0.30) points] was significantly lower than that in the HIE model group [(2.45 ± 0.54) points], the inhibition control group [(2.38 ± 0.69) points], the miR-4472 inhibition group [(1.27 ± 0.46) points], and the miR-4472 inhibition + interference control group [(1.29 ± 0.51) points] ( t = 2.97, 2.73, 10.13, 9.30, all P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons in the miR-4472 inhibition + PIN1 interference group [(25.34 ± 6.16)%] was significantly lower than that in the HIE model group [(18.42 ± 5.46)%], the inhibition control group [(17.95 ± 4.38)%], the miR-4472 inhibition group [(8.89 ± 2.10)%], and the miR-4472 inhibition + interference control group [(9.13 ± 2.57)%] ( t = 2.97, 2.73, 10.13, 9.30, all P < 0.05). Compared with the HIE model group, the miR-4472 inhibition group and the miR-4472 inhibition + interference control group exhibited decreased gray values of NF-κB and STAT3 protein, while the miR-4472 inhibition + PIN1 interference group showed increased gray values of NF-κB and STAT3 protein (all P < 0.05). Conclusion:miR-4472 targets and regulates PIN1, which contributes to HIE injury through the activation of the NF-κB/STAT3 signaling pathway.

Objective: To observe changes in the molecular expression of the NLR Family Pyrin Domain Containing Protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway in depressed rats after treatment with Xiaoyaosan, and identify the regu-latory mechanism of this compound. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups with 12 rats in each group, including the control group, model group, Fluoxetine group, Xiaoyaosan group, and MCC950 group. A depression model was generated by chronic immobilization stress (induced by 3 h of restraint immo-bilization every day), and the drugs were administered at the same time in each group for 21 days. The effects of Xiaoyaosan on behavioral changes of depressed rats were observed through macroscopic characterization, body mass, open field experiments, and a sucrose preference test. The mRNA and protein expression of the NLRP3 signaling pathway was examined by fluorescence real-time quantitative PCR and Western blot assays. Results: The Xiaoyaosan group, Fluoxetine group, and MCC950 group rats showed improved depressive behavior and an increased weight of sucrose water consumption. The protein and mRNA expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, and IL-1β were also decreased in the Fluoxetine, Xiaoyaosan, and MCC950 groups. Conclusion: NLRP3, Caspase-1, and IL-1β protein and mRNA expression levels were increased in the cortex of depressed rats, while Xiaoyaosan protected cortical tissue in these rats by decreasing NLRP3, Caspase-1, and IL-1βprotein and mRNA expression.