Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that involves the narrowing of the lung airways and excessive mucus production. Resveratrol (RES), a polyphenolic stilbene, is known to control asthmatic attacks via different molecular mechanisms. However, no studies have examined the effect of resveratrol on the microbiome in the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced asthma mouse model. In this study, we induced asthma in BALB/c mice by injecting OVA followed by 7 days treatment with RES. Plethysmography showed that the expiratory resistance in the lung tissue was significantly reduced in the RES treated group, while mean volume, peak expiratory flow, and frequency of respiration was increased. Histopathological examination of the lungs of the RES-treated group showed significant reduction in inflammatory cell infiltration and led to restoration of normal lung tissue architecture. In addition, there were significant increases in the expression of the genes encoding tight-junction molecules (claudin-1 and cadherin-18) in the RES-treated group. We performed 16S rRNA microbial analysis of cecal flushes and pulmonary tissues, which showed that RES treatment alters the gut microbiome by significantly increasing the level of Bacteroides acidifaciens spp. compared to disease controls. In addition, there was a significant increase in Akkermansia muciniphila (AM) species within the lungs after RES treatment. AM is a gram-negative, non-spore-forming bacterium known to induce mucus degradation. Since asthma is characterized by an increase in mucus in the lungs, we concluded that RES improves asthma in OVA-induced mouse model by significantly increasing AM and preventing mucus build-up in the lungs.
Abdominal fat synthesizes a variety of adipokines, including vaspin and chemerin, that affect the resistance to insulin. This research was conducted to demonstrate the effect of pioglitazone, one insulin sensitizer used to decrease insulin resistance, on these adipokines in obese patients with polycystic ovary (PCOS). Twenty-five obese women with PCOS were treated with pioglitazone 15mg/bid for 12 weeks. Modifications in fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum fasting insulin (FSI), chemerin and vaspin serum levels, follicle stimulation hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), and in baseline and post-therapy were assessed. Body mass index decreased without any substantial variance after 12 weeks of piogl
... Show MoreObjective: To evaluate the therapeutic activity of probiotics mixture of Lactobacillus plantarum and Lactobacillus acidophilus towards Cryptosporidium infection in experimentally infected mice. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium were separated from the stool of humans to infect mice. Methods: Forty male albino mice were split equally into four groups, every group contained 10 mice, the group I (early treated group), were treated from the 1st day from infection to the 11th post-infection, group II (late treated group), were treated from the 4th day from infection to the 15th post-infection, and group (III) (untreated group), were mice considered as a positive control group. Results: It was showed that daily application of a mixture of L. plantarum w
... Show MoreSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with polymorphic expression. B cells have an essential contribution in immune system activation via the production of different cytokines and functioning as potent antigen-presenting cells. Therefore, a drug that particularly targets B cells may represent an ideal therapeutic approach for SLE. Rituximab (RTX), an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody causing transient B-cell depletion, has been used to manage SLE. This study aims to assess Rituximab effects on lupus nephritis (LN) patients when added to conventional immunosuppressants. Twenty four patients, 15-32 years old, with class III/IV/V LN were involved in this study. All were on steroids before lupus nephritis occurrence. They were
... Show MorePilots are trained using computerized flight simulators. A flight simulator is a training system where pilots can acquire flying skills without need to practice on a real airplane. Simulators are used by professional pilots to practice flying strategies under emergency or hazardous conditions, or to train on new aircraft types. In this study a framework for flight simulation is presented and the layout of an implemented program is described. The calculations were based on simple theoretical approach. The implementation was based on utilizing some of utilities supported by ActiveX, DirectX and OpenGL written in Visual C++. The main design consideration is to build a simple flight simulation program can operate without need to high computer e
... Show MoreThis article discusses the function of semiotics in political discourse after the socio-political processes taking place in Iraq since 2003 and its role in the development of textual criticisms of some Iraqi politicians, analyzes the reasons for its functioning in the speech of politicians. The research is mainly focused on finding out to what extent political text studies draw on sign systems that can store and transmit information, the nature of its purpose and the use of available fields for the purpose to be achieved. The chief purpose of the study is to investigate and also clarify the symbols and signs appear within the framework of discursive Iraqi politicians, the nature of the symbols used, and the meanings that are include
... Show MoreThis study found that one of the constructive, necessary, beneficial, most effective, and cost-effective ways to meet the great challenge of rising energy prices is to develop and improve energy quality and efficiency. The process of improving the quality of energy and its means has been carried out in many buildings and around the world. It was found that the thermal insulation process in buildings and educational facilities has become the primary tool for improving energy efficiency, enabling us to improve and develop the internal thermal environment quality processes recommended for users (student - teacher). An excellent and essential empirical study has been conducted to calculate the fundamental values of the
... Show MoreDuctal carcinoma in situ is the most commonly diagnosed early stage breast cancer. The efficacy of intraductally delivered poly(ethylene glycol)‐doxorubicin (PEG‐DOX) nanocarriers, composed of one or more DOX conjugated to various PEG polymers, was investigated in an orthotopic ductal carcinoma in situ‐like rat model. In vitro cytotoxicity was evaluated against 13762 Mat B III cells using MTT assay. The orthotopic model was developed by inoculating cancer cells into mammary ducts of female Fischer 344 retired breeder rats. The ductal retention and in vivo antitumour efficacy of two of the six nanocarriers (5 kDa PEG‐DOX and 40 kDa PEG‐(DOX)4) were investigated based o
KE Sharquie, AA Noaimi, AM Oweid, JSSDDS, 2009 - Cited by 2