Understanding the does reproductive hemodynamic changes during the estrous cycle is crucial for improving reproductive competence and fertility potential in this species. The objective of this study is to investigate the hemodynamic variations in ovarian (OA) and uterine (UA) arteries, histological and morphometric changes in ovarian and uterine tissues throughout the follicular (FP) and luteal (LP) phases in rabbits and determine estrogen (ER), progesterone (PR) receptors, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) distributions using immunohistochemistry.Fourteen adults pluriparous New Zealand rabbits were divided into rabbits at the FP (Day − 1; n = 7) and those at the LP (Day 9; n = 7). Animals were subjected to Doppler, hormonal (estrogen [E2], progesterone [P4], insulin-like growth factor [ILGF], and VEGF), histological, and immunohistochemical analyses. In LP, OA Doppler indices were significantly increased, whereas peak systolic velocity (PSV) was decreased compared with that in FP. UA Doppler indices were significantly decreased in the LP, whereas PSV was increased (P < 0.05). E2 levels were increased in the FP, whereas P4 levels were increased in the LP. The morphometric analysis of uterine tissues during the LP revealed an increase in the mean uterine endometrium length, endometrial connective tissue area percentage (%), endometrial glands number, myometrial area (%) and thickness. Furthermore, ovarian follicles and corpus luteum (CL) displayed strong positive immunoreactivity for ER, PR, and VEGF-A during both phases. The ovarian sections displayed a substantial (P < 0.05) increase in the area % of VEGF-A in the ovarian follicles during FP while in the CL during LP. Conversely, area percentage of VEGF-A immunoreactivity in the uterine luminal and glandular epithelia during the FP and LP revealed no differences. However, the number of VEGF-A–stained blood capillaries revealed an increase during LP than FP. In conclusion, this study demonstrated for the first time the changes in both ovarian and uterine arteries during two different phases of the rabbit cycle in relation to the histo-morphometric analysis and distribution of ER, PR, and VEGF-A, which regulate uterine functions that play a role in reproduction.

A five weeks biological experiment was planned to investigate the impacts of dietary supplementation with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) synthesized by the endophytic fungus Alternaria tenuissima on productive performance, carcass traits, organ relative weights, serum biochemical parameters, histological alteration in some internal organs and concentration of this element in the serum, liver, thigh and breast muscle in broiler chicks. A total of 108 3-day-old commercial broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were individually weighed and equally distributed in a completely randomized design arrangement according to the dose of ZnONPs supplementation into 3 dietary experimental groups. There were 6 replications having 6 birds per replicate (n = 36/ treatment) for each treatment. The three experiential dietary treatments received corn-soybean meal-based diets enhanced with 0 (control), 40 and 60 mg/kg diet of ZnONPs respectively with feed and water were provided ad libitum consumption through 5 weeks life span. Present results indicated that after 5 weeks of feeding trial and as compared to control, the ZnONPs supplementation groups recorded higher body weight, improved feed consumption, feed conversion ratio and performance index. Serum biochemical analyses revealed that serum cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein and uric acid decreased significantly, while high density lipoprotein and liver enzyme concentrations were increased significantly. Meanwhile, zinc accumulation in serum, liver and breast and thigh muscle were linearly increased with increasing zinc supplementation. It could be concluded that supplementation of ZnONPs to broiler diet at 40 or 60 mg/kg improved productive performance, birds' physiological status and the lower levels Zn (40 mg/kg diet) revealed promising results and can be used as an effective feed additive in broilers.

Background The TNF superfamily member B lymphocyte stimulator (BLyS), referred to as BAFF, is known to be an effective modulator of peripheral B cell homeostasis that promotes B cell survival and differentiation. BLyS is expressed by a few stromal cells, T cells, and most myeloid cell. BLyS transgenic mice show an expansion of the peripheral mature B cell compartment, hyperglobulinemia, anti-single-stranded DNA and anti-double-stranded DNA antibodies, and circulating immune complexes. A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) is a homolog to BLyS that is expressed by monocytes, macrophages, DCs, T cells, and others. APRIL is virtually undetectable in normal tissues but is strongly expressed in adenocarcinomas and can accelerate the growth of malignant cells in vitro and in vivo. APRIL/BLyS heterotrimers are present in the serum of patients with systemic autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), SLE, and SS. APRIL over expression promotes a strong survival signal for both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in vivo. T cell dependent humoral responses revealed an increase in serum IgM, while serum IgG levels remained unaffected. T cell independent type II humoral responses were also enhanced, manifested by elevated IgM and IgG serum levels. These two related members of the tumor necrosis factor family, BAFF and APRIL, are already known for their crucial role in normal B-cell survival, differentiation and apoptosis. Objectives is to investigate the relation between levels of BAFF and APRIL in serum of patients with RA and their correlation to clinical disease and some laboratory parameters Methods 60 patients divided into 2 groups. Group 1, 40 patients having RA and fulfilling the (ACR) criteria for diagnosis of the disease. Group 2, 20 healthy age and sex matched individuals as controls for the serum level of BAFF and APRIL. Patients positive for hepatitis C and/or B virus infection were excluded. Patients were subjected to clinical assessment of disease activity by DAS 28 score. Health assessment questionnaire for disability index (HAQ-DI) and x- ray of both hands and feet. Routine laboratory investigations, rheumtoid factor titre by Rose Waaler technique, Anti- cyclic citrullinated peptide Abs titre. Detection of serum and synovial fluid levels of BAFFand APRIL by ELISA Results: VariableAPRIL SynovialBAFF synovial RPrP SJC0.1690.296-.2010.102 TJC-0.0820.615-.1910.103 CRP0.387*0.0140.486*0.012 ESR/1 hr0.378*0.0150.785*0.048 RF0.2560.111-0.0430.792 ANTICCP0.444**0.004-0.2180.177 Serum BAFF-0.1590.2870.990**0.0001 Serum APRIL0.1670.304-0.1690.297 DAS280.487*0.024.405**0.01 HAQ10.0980.553-0.3090.055 Conclusions the elevation of BAFF and APRIL in RA patients supports that B cell activation has a role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis. BAFF and APRIL correlates with inflammatory, autoantibody markers and activity markers which confirm that targeting these cells might be a useful strategy in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

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Vaccination has produced a great improvement to the global health by decreasing/eradicating many infectious diseases responsible for significant morbidity and mortality. Thanks to vaccines, many infections affecting childhood have been greatly decreased or even eradicated (smallpox, measles, and polio). That is why great efforts are made to achieve mass vaccination against COVID-19. However, developed vaccines face many challenges with regard to their safety and stability. Moreover, needle phobia could prevent a significant proportion of the population from receiving vaccines. In this context, microneedles (MNs) could potentially present a solution to address these challenges. MNs represent single dose administration systems that do not need reconstitution or cold-chain storage. Being self-administered, pain-free, and capable of producing superior immunogenicity makes them a more attractive alternative. This review explores microneedles’ types, safety, and efficacy in vaccine delivery. Preclinical and clinical studies for microneedle-based vaccines are discussed and patent examples are included. Graphical abstract Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1208/s12249-022-02250-8.