Plastic Cages Research Articles

Comparison of plastic and glass cages on volatile compounds in protein extracted from Protaetia brevitarsis larvae

Edible insects, known for their high-protein production efficiency, are vital for enhancing food security. However, standardized breeding protocols are lacking, and research on the impact of cage materials on insect product composition is limited. This study investigated the volatile compounds and processing properties of protein from Protaetia brevitarsis larvae reared in plastic and glass cages. Protein extracts from larvae reared in plastic cages contained 14 types of hydrocarbons, 4 types of ketones, and 1 type of phenol. Those reared in glass cages contained two types of acids, seven types of alcohols, and five types of aldehydes. Notably, plastic-derived compounds, such as p-xylene (110.87 μg/mL) and o-xylene (37.98 μg/mL), were significantly higher in the extracts from plastic cages, indicating potential plastic exposure. Processing properties, including protein solubility, pH, color, foaming properties, and emulsion characteristics, showed no significant differences between the two rearing conditions (P > 0.05). Therefore, considering the detection and potential accumulation of plastic-derived volatile compounds, using glass cages may be more beneficial for rearing insects for protein production.

Study about environmental naturally fungi infection in pet animals with experimental study

The current study was designed to investigate Environmental and natural fungi infection in pet animals and then experimentally to study fungi effects on tissues. Naturally infectious samples were fifty swabs in different pet animals (dogs, cats, rats, pigeons, and chickens) from the veterinary hospital of Eden Square in January 202. The findings were Cladosporum spp at (16%) ; Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus niger at (14%); Rhizopus spp at (8%); Aspergillus ochraceus, Aspergillus terreus, and Penicillium chrysogenum at (6%); Chrysosporium spp, and Cryptococcus neoformans at (4%); Aspergillus fumigatus , Aspergillus ustus and Fusarium spp at (2%) in percentage with other unknown fungi. In doge, only 9 (9/50) samples of fungi, mainly Aspergillus flavus at (33.3%) with cladogram spp.at (22.3%). In cats, also 9 (9/50), mainly Penicillium spp at (22.25 %). In wild rats, fifty cotton swabs showed 12 (12/50) mainly Aspergillus niger, besides Rhizopus spp. At (25%). While in pigeons, only 10 (10/50), mainly Aspergillus niger, Cladosporum spp., and Cryptococcus neoformans at (20%). In chicken, only 5 (5/50), mainly Aspergillus ochraceus at (40%). Fifty albino mice aged 6-8 weeks and 25± 3gm body weight. They were separated in plastic cages and kept for adaptation at 2-3 weeks in the Animal House of the College of Veterinary Medicine, and they were fed standard pellets and water. These animals were divided into 5 groups containing 10 mice each: 1st one: control group treated with normal saline; 2nd Group infected with 0.1ml of Aspergillus flatus intraperitoneally; 3rd group infected with Aspergillus ochraceus 0.1ml intraperitoneally (IP); 4th group infected with 0.1ml Aspergillu niger IP; 5th group mice infected with Cryptococcus neoformans 0.1ml IP at single dose. After 3 weeks animals were scarified. Histopathological examination, in general, reports high incidences of necrotic lesions with granuloma and severe destructive changes, mainly in areas containing fungi hyphae that appear very clearly enclosed to necrotic and inflammatory foci, lung tissues suffering from prominent interstitial pneumonia with thick exudation, mainly fibrinous type. Liver tissues show massive necrosis with Kupfer cells and other inflammatory cell proliferation and evidence of apoptosis. Kidney samples appear with heavy degenerative changes ranging from swelling tubules to necrosis associated with severe inflammation caused by pyelonephritis and phlebitis. also, we saw fungi in the affected area. Spleen shows severe depletion and megakaryocyte proliferation and necrotic lesion. Fungi naturally infects occurs in pet animals and can transmitted to other animals in different environmental; area and can causes severe pathological lesions.

Test of Specificity in Signalling between Potato Plants in Response to Infection by Fusarium Solani and Phytophthora Infestans.

Plant-plant signalling via volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in response to insect herbivory has been widely studied, but its occurrence and specificity in response to pathogen attack has received much less attention. To fill this gap, we carried out a greenhouse experiment using two fungal pathogens (Fusarium solani and Phytophthora infestans) to test for specificity in VOC induction and signalling between potato plants (Solanum tuberosum). We paired potato plants in plastic cages, one acting as VOC emitter and the other as receiver, and subjected emitters to one of the following treatments: no infection (control), infected by F. solani, or infected by P. infestans. We measured total emission and composition of VOCs released by emitter plants to test for pathogen-specificity in VOC induction, and then conducted a pathogen infection bioassay to assess resistance levels on receiver plants by subjecting half of the receivers of each emitter treatment to F. solani infection and the other half to P. infestans infection. This allowed us to test for specificity in plant VOC signalling by comparing its effects on conspecific and heterospecific sequential infections. Results showed that infection by neither F. solani or P. infestans produced quantitative (total emissions) or qualitative (compositional) changes in VOC emissions. Mirroring these patterns, emitter infection treatment (control vs. pathogen infection) did not produce a significant change in pathogen infection levels on receiver plants in any case (i.e., either for conspecific or heterospecific sequential infections), indicating a lack of signalling effects which precluded pathogen-based specificity in signalling. We discuss possible mechanisms for lack of pathogen effects on VOC emissions and call for future work testing for pathogen specificity in plant-plant signalling and its implications for plant-pathogen interactions under ecologically relevant scenarios involving infections by multiple pathogens.

Multiple Stressors Induce Amygdalohippocampal Volume Reduction in Adult Male Rats as Detected by Longitudinal Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging

BackgroundTraumatic events can cause long-lasting and uncontrollable fear and anxiety. Posttraumatic stress disorder is an intractable mental disorder, and neurobiological mechanisms using animal models are expected to help development of posttraumatic stress disorder treatment. In this study, we combined multiple stress (MS) and longitudinal in vivo magnetic resonance imaging to reveal the effects of long-lasting anxiety-like behaviors on adult male rat brains. MethodsTwelve male Wistar rats (8 weeks old) were exposed to the MS of 1-mA footshocks and forced swimming, while 12 control rats were placed in a plastic cage. Contextual fear conditioning with 0.1-mA footshocks in a context different from the MS was conducted 15 days after the MS for both groups. Three retention tests were administered after 24 hours and 9 and 16 days. Two magnetic resonance imaging scans were conducted, one on the day before MS induction and one the day after the third retention test, with a 32-day interval. ResultsThe MS group showed greater freezing responses than the control group in all retention tests. Whole-brain voxel-based morphometry analyses revealed reduced gray matter volume in the anterior amygdalohippocampal area in MS group rats compared with control rats. These volume changes were negatively associated with freezing time in the third retention test in the MS group. ConclusionsThese results suggest that individual variability in the amygdalohippocampal area may be related to long-lasting fear responses after severe stress.

Residual Activity of Systemic Insecticides against Field-Collected Populations of Redheaded Flea Beetle (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), Systena frontalis, Adults under Laboratory and Greenhouse Conditions1

Abstract Systena frontalis (F.) is an insect pest of nursery production systems in the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast regions of the United States. Adults feed on plant leaves and can reduce salability of container-grown nursery plants. Limited management options are available to protect plants from S. frontalis adult feeding damage. Insecticide spray applications to plant leaves are labor-intensive and not cost-efficient. Systemic insecticide applications to the growing medium may protect plants from S. frontalis adult feeding. In 2023, we conducted two laboratory and two greenhouse experiments to assess the residual activity of the systemic insecticides dinotefuran, thiamethoxam, and acephate against field-collected populations of S. frontalis adults. In the laboratory experiments, growing medium containing Itea virginica L. ‘Little Henry’ plants were treated with these three systemic insecticides. Twenty-five and 45 d after treatments were applied, leaves were collected and placed into petri dishes with a single S. frontalis adult. In the greenhouse experiments, Itea plants were placed into plastic observation cages. Eight S. frontalis adults were released into each cage with a single Itea plant. In the laboratory experiments 25 and 45 d after application of dinotefuran and thiamethoxam, the S. frontalis adults in the dishes with treated leaves had 66–90% mortality after 72 h. In the greenhouse experiments, dinotefuran and thiamethoxam protected Itea plants from S. frontalis adult feeding 45 d after application; 2.4 and 2.8 mm2 of leaf area were fed upon by S. frontalis adults. These results indicate that systemic insecticides can reduce feeding damage by S. frontalis adults on container-grown nursery plants.

Mice Recognise Mice in Neighbouring Rearing Cages and Change Their Social Behaviour.

Mice are social animals that change their behaviour primarily in response to visual, olfactory, and auditory information from conspecifics. Rearing conditions such as cage size and colour are important factors influencing mouse behaviour. In recent years, transparent plastic cages have become standard breeding cages. The advantage of using a transparent cage is that the experimenter can observe the mouse from outside the cage without touching the cage. However, mice may recognise the environment outside the cage and change their behaviour. We speculated that mice housed in transparent cages might recognise mice in neighbouring cages. We used only male mice in this experiment. C57BL/6 mice were kept in transparent rearing cages with open lids, and the cage positions were maintained for 3 weeks. Subsequently, we examined how mice behaved toward cagemate mice, mice from neighbouring cages, and mice from distant cages. We compared the level of interest in mice using a social preference test. Similar to previous reports, subject mice showed a high degree of interest in unfamiliar mice from distant cages. By contrast, subject mice reacted to mice from neighbouring cages as familiar mice, similar to cagemate mice. This suggests that mice housed in transparent cages with open lids perceive the external environment and identify mice in neighbouring cages. Researchers should pay attention to the environment outside the mouse cage, especially for the social preference test.

Behavioral, Maternal and Neurological Effects of Monosodium Glutamate on Pregnant Female Rats During Early and Late Gestation

Seventy-five adult Wistar Albino rats were used in this experiment to detect the effect of MSG on fetus morphology, and pregnant rats’ behavioral, biochemecal, and neurological parameters. They were housed under standard laboratory conditions in plastic cages in a quiet environment with free access to food and water. They were randomly assigned into 4 groups of three replicates for each. Group (1) control, received normal saline. Groups (2, 3, and 4) received daily MSG orally at a dose of 1, 3 and 6 mg/kg respectively for a period of 20 days. There was a reduction in the mean number of fetuses /dam, an altered distribution of implantation, reduction in fetuses’ weight & length, besides some fetuses revealed morphological anomalies and skeletal defects at the 19th day of gestation. In addition, there was a decrease in the number of entrance and spontaneous alternations, increase in line crossing and rearing behaviors, elevation in serum ALT, AlP and creatinine, decrease in serum progesterone, increase in dopamine and glutamate levels (ng/mL) in brain tissues of MSG treated pregnant rats. So that, this study suggests that to diminish MSG in foods during pregnancy to to stay away from harmful effects on pregnant females behavior, brain tissue, and safe fetuses from deformity.

Assessment Of Biosecurity Limitation In Live Poultry Markets Inyaounde, Center Region Of Cameroon

In the poultry value chain, live animal markets are common hotspots for dispersing multiple infectious diseases. This work was initiated to assess biosecurity practices in the poultry market. For this purpose, a survey was conducted in 8 live poultry markets in Yaoundé, in combination with a questionnaire-based survey with the stakeholders of the livestock markets. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that all the markets (100%) were not only used for selling live poultry, and the birds were not confined. In all the markets (100%), poultry was sold without any disinfection observed, and no program was implemented to fight against rodents. The introduction of birds into the market without quarantine was observed at 33.9%; 46.9% of traders and slaughtering persons were working together in closed proximity, birds were kept in wooden cages on the ground in all the market (85.8%) and, when transported inter-urbanely the birds were kept in plastic cages (100%). Cages were piled on top of one another (61.4%) had poultry of different breeds (30.3%) and of different ages (100%). All traders do not put on clean uniforms reserved for their poultry selling activities only, and they do not carry out any medical check-ups. Most customers (72.8%) slaughtered their birds in the market, and the unsold birds (100%) were not returned. Stray dogs, rodents, and cats were found in the market (100%). It was concluded that there is a limited application of biosecurity measures in the live poultry markets in Yaoundé, which, therefore, represents a risk of the dissemination of high pathogenic avian/zoonosis diseases. Live bird market stakeholders should be educated on adhering to biosecurity measures and practices.

Behavioral report of Chrysomya rufifacies in response to substrate infestation by Lucilia sericata and Lucilia cuprina using a tetrahedron olfactometer device.

Calliphoridae are widespread globally and can inhabit a variety of habitats. In this brief report, we assessed the appeal of Chrysomya rufifacies to resources that were previously inhabited by Lucilia sericata and L. cuprina, both common carrion colonizers. Two hundred adult male and female (1:1) C. rufifacies were released under controlled conditions into clear plastic cages (45 x 45 x 45 cm) with four types of substrates: beef-liver; liver with 100 third-instar larvae of L. cuprina; (III) liver containing 100 third-instar larvae of L. sericata; and liver containing 100 third-instar larvae of C. rufifacies. Each substrate was left in place for 24 hours at the end of a tube connected to the cage, where sticky traps were positioned to capture flies that might have been attracted to a specific substrate. The results indicate variations in the attraction of flies to different types of livers colonized by larvae of various species. It is suggested that flies may have specific preferences depending on the species of larvae present in the substrate. The liver without larvae was the preferred choice, while beef liver with C. rufifacies larvae was the least attractive. Results of statistical tests indicated that there is independence between attractiveness preference and the presence of C. rufifacies flies. Although there is a trend among certain levels of the variables in the correspondence analysis, these relationships are not statistically significant. However, they indicate specific patterns of association between different groups of flies and species of larvae. This study demonstrated that C. rufifacies does not show reduced attraction to any of the resources. A tetrahedron olfactometer device has been used for the first time in a behavioral study of C. rufifacies flies. This may enable future studies to enhance the understanding of fly behavior.

Double-decker cage reduces mount frequency and ejaculation latency, resulting in reduced weight loss in male rats after mating behavior.

Rats were the first mammals to be domesticated for scientific research, and abundant physiological data are available on them. Rats are expected to continue to play an important role as experimental animals, especially with advancements such as CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Environmental enrichment aims to promote species-specific behaviors and psychological well-being. In the present study, we designed a double-decker (DD) cage, which utilizes two stacked plastic cages for rat enrichment, and investigated the influence of housing in the DD cage on rat mating behavior. The results indicated that mount frequency, total mount counts, and total ejaculation latency were significantly lower in the DD cages than in the single-decker (SD) cages. Notably, in the DD cages, the body weight loss of male rats after mating behavior was lower than that observed in the SD cage. Water consumption per day during mating behavior was also significantly lower in the DD cages, although no significant differences were observed in daily food intake during mating behavior. In addition, reproductive performance, including pregnancy rate and birth rate, did not change in the DD cages. In summary, our study demonstrated that DD cages reduce mount frequency and ejaculation latency during rat mating, resulting in decreased water consumption and weight loss in male rats. Therefore, housing in DD cages may serve as a beneficial enrichment for rats.

Combined effect of prebiotic and probiotic strains restores cognitive impairment via attenuating synaptosis in the hippocampus of mice fed with high fat diet and streptozotocin diabetes‐induced dementia

AbstractBackgroundDementia is known as neurodegenerative disease which causes decline in the cognitive domains of memory and thinking, leading to memory loss of an individual especially the aged. Diabetes mellitus causes brain structure changes and cognitive decline, and it has been estimated that diabetes doubles the risk for dementia. Probiotics combined with prebiotics on the other hand, seem to have a positive effect and reverse memory lossMethodThis study employed ninety (90) male bulb/c albino mice weighing between 25 and 28 grams (n = 15). Animals were housed in plastic cages at room temperature under good hygienic conditions, had free access to animal pellets and water ad libitum. Mice were fed with a high fat diet to imitate obesity after which Diabetes was induced by one administration of STZ (50 mg/kg, IP) freshly dissolved in citrate buffer following an overnight fasting on 22nd day. Probiotic strains and Prebiotics were administered with prepared suspension containing 107 and 109 CFU/ml of probiotics and prebiotics (3mg and 5 mg) body weight orally for pretreatment and posttreatment after streptozotocin induction.ResultResults from this study shown that there was a significant decrease in glucose levels of animals treated with probiotics and prebiotics combined supplementation in both pretreatment (HFDS +109 CFU/ml + 5 mg) and post‐treatment group (HFDS +109 CFU/ml + 5 mg) with insulin resistance. AChE levels significantly reduced at the combined probiotics and prebiotics pretreatment (HFDS +109 CFU/ml + 5 mg) and post‐treatment group (HFDS +109 CFU/ml + 5 mg). With relation to BDNF gene expression analysis, combined probiotics and prebiotics showed high expression of the BDNF gene in the combined probiotics and prebiotics pretreatment (HFDS +109 CFU/ml + 5 mg) and post‐treatment group (HFDS +109 CFU/ml + 5 mg). Administration of combined probiotics and prebiotics improved memory and learning, insulin resistance, animal weight, glucose levels and BDNF expression.ConclusionCombined probiotics and prebiotics demonstrated neuroprotective and anti‐neuroinflammatory activity in the experimental animals and was able to attenuate synaptosis and promote synaptogenesis in diabetic mice which started receiving treatment. The combined supplementation also restores cognitive impairment and memory function.

Adding of Different Levels of Butyric Fatty Acid in the Diets of Common Carp Cyprinus carpio L. and its Effect on Productive, Physiological and Immunological Characteristics

The experiment was conducted for a period of 84 days in 12 plastic cages with a diameter of 50 cm and a depth of 65 cm in a cylindrical shape, in which 72 common carp Cyprinus carpio L. were randomly distributed, with an average weight of (25 ± 0.08) g/fish, on four experimental treatments, with three replications for each treatment and 6 fish. for each repeater. he fish were fed diets with a protein content of 29.14% and a total energy of 396.726 (Kcal/g). Butyric acid was added by spraying with a small sprinkler after mixing with 30 ml of distilled water for each kg of feed. The four addition ratios were B 0.00%, which was the control, B 0.05%, which was the first treatment, B 0.15%, which was the second treatment, and B 0.20%, It was the third treatment. The fish were fed three meals a day at a rate of 3% of body weight. The results of the statistical analysis showed that the treatment, B 0.15% was superior in all studied growth parameters, FW, WG, DGR, RGR, SGR, MGR, FI, FCR, FCE, and PER. Significantly (p≤0.05) was followed by the treatment B 0.05%, then the treatment B 0.20%. As for blood parameters, the treatment, B 0.15%, also excelled over the rest of the treatments, as it recorded an increase in RBC, Hp, PCV, MCV, MCH, and MCHC. Significantly (p≤0.05) was followed by treatment B 0.05%, then treatment B 0.20%. As for immunological criteria, B 0.15% excelled, followed by B 0.05%, as it excelled in WBC, TSP, and IGM. As for the hormonal aspects, the second treatment excelled in the standard of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), thyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4), followed significantly by the first treatment and then the third treatment. In terms of liver enzymes, the results were within the normal range, although there were significant differences between the experimental treatments in the level of the studied enzymes, namely ALT, AST, and ALP. This indicates that there are no negative effects on fish with added concentrations of acid. It can be said that butyric acid can be used in diets of common carp fish due to its positive effect in many respects, especially in the growth and blood aspects.

Fracture Analysis and Working Stress Calculation of Bearing Cage Used in Charging Pump in a Nuclear Power Plant

This paper presents an analysis of the fracture accident of a cylindrical roller bearing cage used in a charging pump in a nuclear power plant. The causes and mechanisms of bearing cage breakage were investigated by material failure analysis and simulation calculations. Macroscopic observation results confirmed that the cage fracture occurred at the stress concentration position. The microfracture morphology of the cage obtained from scanning electron microscopy showed a fatigue feature. The analysis of residual stress indicated large residual stress perpendicular to the fracture surface. The finite element calculation showed that when the bearing was moving in and out of the working area during operation, large working stress appeared at the stress concentration position. Working stress and residual stress acted together, approaching the fatigue limit of materials, and finally led to the cage fatigue fracture. The stress of the other two structural cages of the same type of bearing was also calculated, and no such large stress concentration was identified; thus, one plastic cage was temporarily used.

Volatile-Mediated Signalling Between Potato Plants in Response to Insect Herbivory is not Contingent on Soil Nutrients

Plant-plant signalling via volatile organic compounds (VOCs) has been studied intensively, but its contingency on abiotic conditions (e.g., soil nutrients, drought, warming) is poorly understood. To address this gap, we carried out a greenhouse experiment testing whether soil nutrients influenced signalling between potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants in response to insect leaf herbivory by the generalist caterpillar Spodoptera exigua. We placed pairs of plants in plastic cages, where one plant acted as a VOC emitter and the other as a receiver. We factorially manipulated soil nutrients for both emitter and receiver plants, namely: unfertilized (baseline soil nutrients) vs. fertilized (augmented nutrients). Then, to test for signalling effects, half of the emitters within each fertilization level were damaged by S. exigua larvae and the other half remained undamaged. Three days after placing larvae, we collected VOCs from emitter plants to test for herbivory and fertilization effects on VOC emissions and placed S. exigua larvae on receivers to test for signalling effects on leaf consumption and larval mass gain as proxies of induced resistance. We found that herbivory increased total VOC emissions and altered VOC composition by emitter plants, but these effects were not contingent on fertilization. In addition, bioassay results showed that receivers exposed to VOCs from herbivore-damaged emitters had lower levels of herbivory compared to receivers exposed to undamaged emitters. However, and consistent with VOC results, fertilization did not influence herbivore-induced signalling effects on receiver resistance to herbivory. In sum, we found evidence of S. exigua-induced signalling effects on resistance to herbivory in potato plants but such effects were not affected by increased soil nutrients. These results call for further work testing signalling effects under broader range of nutrient concentration levels (including nutrient limitation), teasing apart the effects of specific nutrients, and incorporating other abiotic factors likely to interact or covary with soil nutrients.

Investigation of antiparkinsonian activity of new imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acid derivatives on the experimental model of catalepsy

Introduction: To study the antiparkinsonian activity of new ligands of the glutamate NMDA receptor complex – 1,2–substituted imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylic acids – on an experimental model of catalepsy caused by haloperidolintraabdominal injections in rats. Materials and methods: The experiments were performed on Wistar rats weighing 300-350 g, obtained from the Rappolovo nursery of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences (Leningrad Region). The animals were kept in standard plastic cages in vivarium conditions with free access to water and food at a temperature of 22±2 °C and in the experiment were divided into several groups (6 animals each). All the experiments were carried out in the autumn-winter period. The animals were kept in accordance with the rules of laboratory practice (GLP), regulatory documents ”Sanitary Rules for the Device, Equipment and Maintenance of Vivarium” and the Order of the Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Russian Federation dated 23.08.2010 No. 708n “On Approval of the Rules of Laboratory Practice”. Imidazole-dicarboxylic acid derivatives (IEM-2295, IEM-2296) were injected intraperitoneally at doses from 5 mg/kg to 40 mg/kg simultaneously with haloperidol at a dose of 1 mg/kg, after which the duration and severity of catalepsy were evaluated after 30, 60, 120 minutes from 0 to 6 points according to the Morpurgo method. Results: The severity of catalepsy with the injection of IEM-2295 decreased on average to 3 points, while in the control group it remained at the level of 6 points throughout the observation. However, the severity of catalepsy with the introduction of IEM-2296 decreased to an average of 4 points, but the effect itself lasted longer than with the introduction of IEM-2295. Thus, it was noted that by the 120th minute of observation, the severity of catalepsy in rats receiving the IEM-2295 compound averaged 5 points, whereas in animals receiving IEM-2296 – 3 points. Discussion: Basing on the results of our work and similar experiments, we can conclude that the studied compounds, which are not channel blockers, have an active effect on dopaminergic neurotransmission, because of which the symptoms of catalepsy that occur when haloperidol is injected to rats were stopped to one degree or another. Conclusion: The studied substances exhibit antiparkinsonian activity on an experimental haloperidol model of catalepsy in rats and are promising for development as potential therapies for neurodegenerative diseases. Further study of these compounds and other ligands from the NMDA-blocker group in a wider sample on the catalepsy model, as well as on other models of Parkinsonism, is required. Graphical Abstract

Temporal alterations of pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide and its receptors in a rat model induced by recurrent chemical stimulations: Relevant to chronic migraine.

Background: Migraine is a common type of primary headache with disabling brain dysfunction. It has been found that pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide (PACAP) is involved in the pathogenesis of migraine, however, the role of PACAP and its receptors in chronic migraine remains unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to explore the changes of PACAP and its receptors in different duration after recurrent dural inflammation soup stimulations and to investigate the co-expression between PACAP and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Methods: Adult male rats were implanted with cannula surrounding superior sagittal sinus, which was followed by dural infusion of inflammatory soup (IS) or normal saline (NS). The rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n = 8 for each group): IS stimulation for seven days (IS-7 group), IS stimulation for 14days (IS-14 group), IS stimulation for 21days (IS-21 group), and NS control for 21days (CON group). The facial mechanical withdrawal threshold was daily measured during the whole experiment. The behavioral changes (ipsilateral and bilateral face grooming behavior) in a plastic cage of rats were observed and recorded. The expression of PACAP, its receptors (PAC1, VPAC1, VPAC2), and CGRP in the trigeminal ganglia (TG) and the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC) was examined by immunohistochemistry. Immunofluorescence was used to explore the co-expression of PACAP, PAC1 receptor, and CGRP after repeated IS administration in the TG. Results: The ipsilateral facial grooming time of IS-21 group displayed an apparent increase than CON group after repeated stimulation on day 2, while significant differences were observed on day 14. No differences were found between the IS-21 and CON group in bilateral facial grooming. Dural IS stimulation induced a significantly decrease in facial mechanical withdrawal thresholds. PACAP positive cells in the regions of TNC were gradually decreased with the IS days increasing. PACAP and PAC1 receptor expression in the TG had a trend of increasing first and then decreasing. There was no significant difference in expression of VPAC1 and VPAC2 in the TG and the TNC. Immunofluorescence showed that PACAP was mainly expressed in TG neurons. PACAP and PAC1 receptor co-expression decreased gradually after repetitive IS stimulation. While the co-expression between PACAP and CGRP reached the peak in IS-7 group after repetitive IS stimulation, and then decreased. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that repetitive chemical stimulations induced a gradual decrease of PACAP in the TNC, while the PACAP and PAC1 receptor expression in TG showed dynamical changes of increasing first and then decreasing after repeated IS administration. These results suggested exhaustion of PACAP could be involved in the duration of chronic migraine and implied PACAP may contribute to the pathology of migraine through the PAC1 receptor, which was associated with CGRP.

Evaluation of chemosterility effect of different insect growth regulators on Bactrocera zonata population.

The indiscriminate application of synthetic pesticides on horticultural plants for the management of Bactrocera zonata has both economic and environmental implications due to the biomagnification of harmful residues in humans via the food chain. This necessitates the use of some eco-friendly control measures such as insect growth regulators (IGRs) as an alternative. A laboratory experiment was laid out to determine the potential chemosterilant effect of five IGRs including pyriproxyfen, novaluron, lufenuron, buprofezin, and flubendiamide at six different concentrations on B. zonata after treating adult diet. Using the oral bioassay, B. zonata were fed on IGRs impregnated diet (50-300 ppm/5 mL diet) which was replaced with the normal diet after 24 h of feeding. Ten pairs of B. zonata were placed in a separate plastic cage accommodating an ovipositor attractant guava for eggs collection and calculation. An analysis of the result revealed that fecundity and hatchability were higher at a low dose and vice versa. Lufenuron at 300 ppm/5 mL of diet significantly decreased the fecundity rate (31.1%) as compared to pyriproxyfen, novaluron, buprofezin and flubendiamide, which had 39.3%, 39.3%, 43.8%, and 47.5%, respectively. The lowest hatchability (19.9%) was noted in lufenuron treated diet followed by pyriproxyfen, novaluron, buprofezin, and flubendiamide, which had 22.1%, 25.0%, 30.9%, and 31.6%, respectively. Furthermore, in a population of crosses between the lufenuron treated male and female, a significant decrease in fecundity (45.5%) and hatchability (51.7%) was noted as compared to other IGRs. Overall, this study identified the chemosterilant potential of lufenuron on the population of B. zonata which can be integrated for its management strategy.

Plant genetic relatedness and volatile-mediated signalling between Solanum tuberosum plants in response to herbivory by Spodoptera exigua

It has been proposed that plant-plant signalling via herbivore-induced volatile organic compounds (VOCs) should be stronger between closely related than unrelated plants. However, empirical tests remain limited and few studies have provided detailed assessments of induced changes in VOCs emissions across plant genotypes to explain genetic relatedness effects. In this study, we tested whether airborne signalling in response to herbivory between Solanum tuberosum (potato) plants was contingent on plant genetic relatedness, and further investigated genotypic variation in VOCs potentially underlying signalling and its contingency on relatedness. We carried out a greenhouse experiment using 15 S. tuberosum varieties placing pairs of plants in plastic cages, i.e. an emitter and a receiver, where both plants were of the same genotype or different genotype thereby testing for self-recognition, an elemental form genetic relatedness effects. Then, for half of the cages within each level of relatedness the emitter plant was damaged by Spodoptera exigua larvae whereas for the other half the emitter was not damaged. Three days later, we placed S. exigua larvae on receivers to test for emitter VOC effects on leaf consumption and larval weight gain (i.e. induced resistance). In addition, we used a second group of plants subjected to the same induction treatment with the same S. tuberosum varieties to test for herbivore-induced changes in VOC emissions and variation in VOC emissions among these plant genotypes. We found that herbivory drove changes in VOC composition but not total emissions, and also observed quantitative and qualitative variation in constitutive and induced VOC emissions among varieties. Results from the bioassay showed that the amount of leaf area consumed and larval weight gain on receiver plants exposed to damaged emitters were significantly lower compared to mean values on receivers exposed to control emitters. However, and despite genotypic variation in induced VOCs, this signalling effect was not contingent on plant genetic relatedness. These findings provide evidence of VOCs-mediated signalling between S. tuberosum plants in response to S. exigua damage, but no evidence of self-recognition effects in signalling contingent on variation in VOC emissions among S. tuberosum varieties.

Metformin and Bee Venom: a Comparative Detection of Histological Alteration of the Pancreas and Systemic Inflammatory Markers in Diabetic Mice.

Metformin is the approved medication for managing global health issues concerning type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Using natural bioactive compounds as an alternative therapy is crucial to managing several metabolic diseases. Therefore, due to recent limited studies that detected the role of bee venom (BV) in improving diabetic conditions in Iraq, the current study was designed to identify the potential therapeutic role of BV and metformin in diabetic mice. Twenty male mice (Balb/c) aged about 60 days with an average weight of 26.55±2.70 g were randomly divided into four groups (n=5). The animals were placed in plastic cages for acclimatization for one week of access to food and water ad libitum. Overnight fasting was applied to 15 mice which were then injected with 95 mg/kg body weight of prepared alloxan. The mice were supplemented with glucose fluid for 3 days. On day 4, the blood was collected from the tail to measure the circulating glucose level. When blood glucose levels exceed 200 mg/dl, the animals are considered diabetic. After induction of diabetes, the animals were divided as follows: Control group: included five mice that were not subjected to diabetes induction; the animals in this group: did not receive any medications. Diabetic group: including five mice confirmed with diabetes without receiving any treatments. Metformin group: including five diabetic mice exposed to a single oral dose of 150 mg/kg of metformin for 30 days. Bee Venom group: including five diabetic mice exposed to a single intraperitoneal dose of 1 mg/kg Bee Venom for 30 days. After 30 days of treatment, blood was drained, and serum was obtained to detect the levels of glucose, insulin, TNFα, IL6, and IL10 by using precise enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELIZA) kits. Also, the pancreas was collected from all mice for histopathological investigation. The result displayed significantly elevated glucose concentration in diabetic mice, while metformin and BV significantly reversed these increases. A significant decline in insulin concentration was seen in diabetic mice, whereas metformin and BV significantly enhanced this reduction in insulin concentration. Furthermore, mice treated with alloxan exhibited remarkable increases in TNFα and IL6 compared to control mice, while supplemented metformin and BV significantly reduced these high concentrations. Moreover, the level of IL10 markedly declined in diabetic mice, which was reversed significantly in response to metformin and BV. Histological detection of the pancreas in diabetic mice showed significant changes in the shape and size of islets associated with the arrangement and number of beta cells with a reduction of islets covering connective tissue. Metformin slightly restored these alterations; however, significant and remarkable restoring of histological changing was promoted by BV. Thus, BV could be a potential agent for managing metabolic disorders including diabetes.

Effect of cisplatin on oral ulcer-induced nociception in rats

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to investigate effects of cisplatin preadministration on oral ulcerative mucositis-induced nociception by using an experimental model of rats. DesignAfter two rounds of cisplatin administration, oral ulcers developed with topical acetic acid treatment in rats. Spontaneous mouth rubbing behavior was observed as spontaneous nociceptive behavior in a plastic cage. Head-withdrawal behavior was observed as mechanical allodynia by using von Frey test in the oral mucosa of conscious rats. Bacterial invasion and inflammatory cell infiltration into oral ulcerative region and systemic leukocyte phagocytic activity were assessed. ResultsFollowing cisplatin preadministration, oral ulcerative mucositis-induced spontaneous nociceptive behavior was not observed in the model. The preadministration enhanced leukocyte phagocytic activity, leading to reduce bacterial invasion and inflammatory cell infiltration in the oral ulcerative region. In contrast, oral ulcerative mucositis-induced mechanical allodynia was induced. The exaggerated mechanical allodynia in the oral ulcerative region was largely inhibited by topical treatment with the antioxidative drug, ɑ-lipoic acid, or the blocker of N-formyl peptide receptor 1, N-t-butoxycarbonyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine. ConclusionsThese results suggest that cisplatin preadministration suppresses spontaneous nociception in oral ulcerative region, due to antiinflammatory effects by enhancement of leukocyte phagocytic activity, but exaggerates mechanical allodynia due to oxidative stress with N-formyl peptide receptor 1 activation. The suppression of spontaneous nociception is one of the advantages of cisplatin treatment for head and neck cancer patients although the exaggerated allodynia is a serious symptom.