End Of Eighth Week Research Articles

Diphencyprone reduces the CD8+ lymphocytes and IL-4 and enhences IgG2a/IgG1 ratio in pathogenicity of acute leishmania major infection in BALB/c mice

BackgroundThe exact role of different immune cells and cytokines in control or promotion of intracellular growth of leishmania has still remained a controversial topic. The aim of the present study was to study effects of cellular changes and relevant cytokines in cell mediated immunity by diphencyprone (DCP) in pathogenicity of acute L.major infection in BALB/c mice. Methods45 healthy female BALB/c mice were injected with L. major promastigotes under the base of tail. The mice were randomly divided to three groups of 15 mice: (1) control group without any treatment. (2) acetone group: Acetone was applied topically on the cutaneous lesions weekly and (3) DCP group: DCP was applied topically on the cutaneous lesions with increasing concentrations to induce local allergy. The mice were followed by the end of eighth week, and then macroscopic changes, histopathology, immunology studies, and organ parasite burden were determined. ResultsIn DCP group, in comparison to other groups the ulcer size and parasite burden in ulcer site and spleen increased, significantly. There was a deep lymphohistiocytic infiltration in the ulcer site. Total IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a levels as well as IgG2a/IgG1 ratio and intracellular IFN-gamma in CD8+ lymphocytes were significantly higher. IL4 and T CD8+ lymphocytes were significantly lower in DCP group. The IgG2a/IgG1 ratio was more than 1 in all groups. ConclusionOur findings demonstrated that DCP reduced the CD8+ lymphocytes and IL-4 production. In spite of increased IgG2a/IgG1 ratio, the parasite burden and inflammation severity increased in infected mice. The results can show the pivotal role of CD8+ lymphocytes in conjunction with Th1 lymphocytes in the control of acute leishmania infection in mice.

Simultaneous treatment with cells and rosemary extract ameliorates 6-OHDA-induced toxicity in the hippocampus of mice.

In this study, we delved into the hippocampal region to understand the effects of adipose stem cells (ADSCs) and rosemary extract (RE). Our main objective was to explore how these substances influence spatial memory, neurotrophins, and changes in antioxidant enzymes. Moreover, we meticulously investigated the impact of dopamine deficiency, a notable characteristic linked with Parkinson's disease (PD), on memory impairment. This study comprised five groups of Wistar rats - all male, all selected randomly. We labeled two of these gatherings "lesion" (L) and "sham" (SH). Each got injections in the bilateral form with 6 μg - one group getting saline, while another got 6-OHDA. From couple weeks before the neurotoxin injection to 8 weeks later on, our lesion cohort was treated with rosemary at a dosage rate of 50 mg/kg body weight - let's call it RE for simplicity sake. Moreover, there is also this other lot, designated as cell-transplanted lesion group or catchy exercise (CE) as we prefer to interpret them; they had cell transplants conducted exactly 7 days after receiving their respective injections. Bringing up the rear, we got a group treated with both cell transplant and rosemary (CE+R). We performed spatial memory tests at 4 weeks, then again at 8. At the end of eighth week, the brains were extracted for q-PCR, enzymatic and immunohistochemical studies. Turning our gaze toward a comparison between the CE+R and CE groups versus the L group, we spot an intriguing drop in escape latency time. There is also more time spent in quadrants. Digging deeper into this matter, the CE+R bunch unveiled a clear surge when it comes to the expression of four genes, namely NGF, BDNF, NT3, and NT4! This was notable especially while comparing with both R and even other fellows from its very own broader group - CE. In a bit complex bit related to enzyme activity now, there is some good news as well for those in favor of potent antioxidants such as GPx or SOD. CE + R group, showed a significant increase of GPX and SOD enzymes, compared to the SH and L groups, and a significant decrease of MDA activity as compared to other treated groups. A significant decrease of escape latency and increase of time in quadrant were observed in the CE+R and CE groups compared to L group. What's more, the levels of MDA in the CE+R group plummeted significantly when set up against the SH group. Wrapping things up, a definite downscale was observed in the density of GFAP-positive cells throughout different regions located within the hippocampus; this decline presented itself not solely in treatment groups but gripped onto those falling under SH as well, especially when compared to its comrade - the L group. Using ADSCs and taking RE orally have shown promising results in improving memory issues linked with PD.

A Randomized controlled clinical trial on dose optimization of thalidomide in maintenance treatment for recurrent aphthous stomatitis.

Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is the most common oral mucosal disease, and ulcer-free periods are a major concern for patients. Thalidomide has been shown to be an effective systemic drug in the treatment of RAS, but the value of undertaking a trial to evaluate various maintenance doses was warranted. We performed this randomized controlled clinical trial with a two-stage design. Firstly, all the 125 cases of RAS received prednisone at a starting dose of 15mg/d for one week as an initial therapeutic drug. Secondly, the 100 cases of RAS in the experimental group received thalidomide (50mg/d vs. 25mg/d) as a maintenance drug to observe its efficacy and safety. During maintenance medication at the fourth and eighth weekend, the two doses (50 and 25mg/d) of thalidomide were equivalent in reducing the incidence of ulcers, ulcer number, and ulcer pain, respectively (all p>0.05). Notably, the ulcer-free period in the group using 25mg/d thalidomide for eight weeks was longer (mean, >3months) than those in the other groups (all p<0.05). Importantly, the total adverse events in the group using 25mg/d thalidomide were significantly less than those in the group using 50mg/d (p<0.001). Moreover, the effect of 50mg/d thalidomide on the levels of various salivary cytokines was not superior to 25mg/d medication (p>0.05). This dose optimization study concluded that 25mg/d thalidomide had a long-term effect on extending the recurrence interval of RAS with better safety.

Comparison of the Effect and Follow-up of Eight-Week Corrective Exercises With and Without the Myofascial Release on Forward Head and Forward Shoulder Deformity

Background and Aims: The purpose of the present research was to compare the effect and follow up of eight-week corrective exercises with and without the myofascial release forward head and forward shoulder deformity in young adults. Methods: A total of 45 male students suffering from abnormal forward head more than 46° and forward shoulder more than 52° deformity with the Mean±SD age of 22.12±2.88 years, height of 175.44±6.80 cm, and weight of 71.21±7.31 kg were selected and randomly distributed in three groups: corrective exercises, combinational exercises (corrective and myofascial release), and control. These groups performed the exercises for eight weeks under the direct observation of the researcher. Prior to starting the exercises, after the end of eighth week, and four weeks after the end of the exercises, the angles of the forward head and forward shoulder of the participants were measured using a photography method. Then, the collected data was analyzed using the variance analysis tests with repeated measurements and ANCOVA. Results: The results showed that the degree of forward head and forward shoulder after eight weeks of exercises in both training groups in post-test and follow-up test was significantly lower than those of the pretest. The ANCOVA test results also demonstrated that the forward shoulder degree in corrective exercises group with myofascial release in post-test and follow-up test was significantly lower than that of the corrective exercises (P≤0.05). However, the forward head degree did not show a significant difference between the intervention groups in post-test and follow-up tests (P≥0.05). Conclusion: According to the results, it can be stated that the corrective exercises program with myofascial release is more effective than the corrective exercises in correcting the forward shoulder deformity.

Studies on feeding of azolla meal on growth performance of Kadaknath poultry

The present investigation entitled “Studies on feeding of Azolla meal on growth performance of Kadaknath poultry” was carried out to assess the effect of Azolla meal on Body weight, Dressing percentage and Economics of Kadaknath poultry bird’s production. 192, Chicks of day old straight run commercial Kadaknath breed were procured from Government hatchery, Nagpur (Maharashtra). They were randomly and equally distributed into four treatment groups T1, T2, T3 and T4 with 48 numbers of chicks in each group. Azolla meal was added in experimental ration at different levels. The dietary treatments consisted of one basal control (T1), supplemented with 2.5% Azolla meal (T2), 5% Azolla meal (T3) and 7.5% Azolla meal (T4). The corresponding average live body weights at the end of eighth week of age were 701.50, 736.25, 787.72 and 846.35 gm for treatment T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The average weekly body weight gains at eighth week of age were 112.24, 120.43, 132.92 and 148.20 gm. for treatment T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The average dressing percentage among the different treatment groups varied between 70.54 to 73.24 per cent. Numerically higher dressing percentage was recorded in treatment T4 (73.24). The net profit per bird was highest in T4 (Rs. 257.42), T3 (Rs. 233.21), T2 (Rs. 210.35) and T1 (Rs. 194.17). The result therefore concludes that supplementation of 7.5 per cent dried Azolla meal was beneficial to improve the growth performance of birds.

Feeding value of defatted cashew kernel as an alternative protein source in broiler diets

This study was carried out to determine chemical composition of defatted cashew kernel cake (CKC) and cashew kernel oil (CKO), assess performance characteristics and nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens fed diets containing two grades of CKC. In the study, 210, one-day old Arbor acre broiler chicks which were stabilized on commercial diets (23% CP and 2900kcal/kgME) for 2 weeks before introduced to the seven experimental diets were used. The experiment was laid out in a 2 x 3 factorial arrangement which consisted of a control treatment without CKC while treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5, 6, 7consisted of 33.33%, 66.67% and 100% replacement of groundnut cake (GNC) with grade I and grade II CKC respectively. Digestibility trial was carried out at the end of eighth week of the study. Data on performance attributes and coefficient of nutrient digestibility were collected and analysed using a general linear model of SAS. The results of proximate composition showed no substantial difference in dry matter, crude protein, soluble and insoluble carbohydrate except ether extract. Caloric content in CKC was slightly higher than GNC. Both physical and chemical properties of the defatted cashew oil were similar to that of groundnut. The performance traits measured in terms of body weight gained, total feed intake and feed conversion were significantly (P&lt;0.05) different across the treatments with birds on CKC showing superior performance than birds on GNC diet with 17.72% and 13.35% higher BWG in grade I and II respectively. Fat deposition was notably (P&lt;0.05) higher in birds on CKC diets. Digestibility of nutrients indicated that the dry matter, crude protein, ether extract and crude fibre digestibility were significantly (P&lt;0.05) affected across the treatments by the inclusion of CKC in the diets, while the Ash and NFE digestibility were not significantly (P&gt;0.05) influenced. Economically, the use of CKC reduced the heightened cost of production by 9.1%. It can be concluded that grade I CKC could completely and favourably replace GNC in diets of chicken to improve growth, feed efficiency and to reduce the cost of feed per unit egg.

Mineral composition of chicken meat floss produced from broilers fed diets with low energy levels

This study was designed to investigate the mineral composition of floss prepared from broiler chickens fed low energy diets. Three experimental diets comprising three energy levels of 2, 400 (A); 2, 600 (B) and 2, 800 ME Kcal/Kg (C) were formulated and fed to the broiler chickens. The crude protein of the starter and finisher diets were fixed at 24 and 20%, respectively. A total of 270, one-day old Cobb 500 broiler chicks were weighed and randomlyallocated to three treatments (A, B and C) of 90 birds per treatment, each treatment having three replications of 30 birds. At the end of eighth week, three birds were randomly taken from each replication for the preparation of meat floss. Triplicate samples of the raw and broiler chicken meat floss were analysed for calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and potassium (K). The experiment was laid in a Completely Randomized Design. Raw meat ofbroiler chicken fed diet containing 2, 800 ME Kcal/Kg had the highest values of Ca (50.72 mg/Kg), Na (48.02 mg/Kg) and K (80.96 mg/Kg). Mineral composition of meat floss fro broiler chicken fed diet containing 2, 800 ME Kcal/Kg had the highest value of Na (48.6 mg/Kg) and K (78.81 mg/Kg). It is concluded that the raw meat and floss of broiler chickens fed diet containing 2, 800 ME Kcal/Kg had highest values of Na and K.

CONTROL OF WHITE MOLD DISEASE ON EGGPLANT CAUSED BY FUNGUS SCLEROTINIA SCLEROTIORUM BY INTEGRATION BETWEEN SOIL SOLARIZATION AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL WITH FUNGUS TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM

This study was conducted in determine the efficiency of each of temperature, exposure time and bio-control agent Trichoderma harzianum in inhibition of the sclerotia myceliogenic germination of S. sclerotiorum and its mycelial growth on PDA and field. The laboratory experiment included determine efficient temperatures and its exposure hours needed to inhibit pathogen germination in order to use for minimizing disease dissemination in the field through soil solarization technique. The study showed that temperature of 60 ºC with exposure time of 5 and 6 hours were the most efficient treatments in inhibition of myceliogenic germination (55.55, 100 %) respectively. The result antagonism between T. harzianum and S. sclerotiorum by dual culture technique showed high efficacy of the bio-control agent T. harzianum inhibition anti mycelial growth of the pathogen S. sclerotiorum on PDA scoring antagonism rate of 2 degree. In terms of disease incidence the results showed that soil solarization alone and its integration with bio-control agent were completely prevented the occurrence of the disease achieving the maximum reduction in incidence rate (100 %) for all studied depths at the end of eighth weeks compared with control treatment in which the average of incidence was (85.42 %) , followed by the treatment of bio-control agent alone by a reduction rate of (42.08 %) respectively with a significant difference compared with inoculated control treatment.

CONTROL OF WHITE MOLD DISEASE ON EGGPLANT CAUSED BY FUNGUS SCLEROTINIA SCLEROTIORUM BY INTEGRATION BETWEEN SOIL SOLARIZATION AND BIOLOGICAL CONTROL WITH FUNGUS TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM

This study was conducted in determine the efficiency of each of temperature, exposure time and bio-control agent Trichoderma harzianum in inhibition of the sclerotia myceliogenic germination of S. sclerotiorum and its mycelial growth on PDA and field. The laboratory experiment included determine efficient temperatures and its exposure hours needed to inhibit pathogen germination in order to use for minimizing disease dissemination in the field through soil solarization technique. The study showed that temperature of 60 ?C with exposure time of 5 and 6 hours were the most efficient treatments in inhibition of myceliogenic germination (55.55, 100 %) respectively. The result antagonism between T. harzianum and S. sclerotiorum by dual culture technique showed high efficacy of the bio-control agent T. harzianum inhibition anti mycelial growth of the pathogen S. sclerotiorum on PDA scoring antagonism rate of 2 degree. In terms of disease incidence the results showed that soil solarization alone and its integration with bio-control agent were completely prevented the occurrence of the disease achieving the maximum reduction in incidence rate (100 %) for all studied depths at the end of eighth weeks compared with control treatment in which the average of incidence was (85.42 %) , followed by the treatment of bio-control agent alone by a reduction rate of (42.08 %) respectively with a significant difference compared with inoculated control treatment.

Effects of soy isoflavones on serum systemic and vascular inflammation markers and oxidative stress in peritoneal dialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is common in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. This study was designed to investigate the effects of isoflavones on systemic and vascular inflammation markers and oxidative stress in PD patients. In this randomized clinical trial, 40 PD patients were randomly assigned to either the isoflavone or the placebo group. The isoflavone group received 100 mg soy isoflavones daily for 8 weeks, whereas the placebo group received corresponding placebos. At baseline and the end of eighth week, serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), intercellular adhesion molecule type 1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule type 1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin, and malondialdehyde were measured. Serum VCAM-1 decreased significantly in the isoflavone group at the end of Week 8 compared to baseline (p = .01), whereas no significant change was observed in the placebo group. Serum ICAM-1 decreased significantly in the isoflavone (p = .01) and placebo (p = .01) group compared to baseline. However, the reduction of ICAM-1 was significantly higher in the isoflavone group than in the placebo group (p = .02). There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes of serum E-selectin, malondialdehyde, and hs-CRP. This study indicates that isoflavones reduce serum VCAM-1 and ICAM-1, which are two CVD risk factors, in PD patients.

Effect of Tiaoshen Kaiqiao acupuncture in the treatment of ischemic post-stroke depression: a randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Tiaoshen Kaiqiao acupuncture in the treatment of ischemic post-stroke depression. MethodsThis research was a single-blind, positive-controlled trial done in a single entity. Totally 58 patients with ischemic post-stroke depression were randomly divided into two groups. The acupuncture group was given Tiaoshen Kaiqiao acupuncture therapy and placebo starch tablets treatment, while the control group was treated with fluoxetine tablets and body acupuncture treatment. Evaluated the clinical efficacy of the two groups with Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Anti Depression Drug Side Effects Rating Scale (SERS), Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI) respectively before treatment, the fourth weekend of treatment, the eighth weekend of treatment, the twelfth weekend of treatment. The adverse reactions in two groups were observed and documented. ResultsThe HAMD scale scores of the two groups in different treatment period were significantly decreased compared with that before treatment (P < 0.05); the score reduction of HAMD scale between the two groups had no significant differences (P > 0.05). There was significant difference between the SERS scores of two groups (P < 0.05); the control group had more adverse reactions, and the score would be increased with the extension of treatment time. Effect index (EI) of CGI in the acupuncture group is better than that of control group (P < 0.05). ConclusionThe effects of Tiaoshen Kaiqiao acupuncture and fluoxetine in the treatment of ischemic post-stroke depression were similar, but the former had no obvious adverse reaction and side effects.

Toxicological effects of raw jack beans, bambara groundnuts and benne seeds on organs of cockerel

The study was carried out to determine and compare the toxicological effects of raw jack beans (RJB), bambara groundnuts (RBG) and benne seeds (RBS) on organs of cockerels (Goldmine strain).Full fat soya was replaced with RJB, RBG and RBS at 25% and 50% levels, respectively. One hundred and forty (140) cockerels were randomly distributed into seven dietary groups in an eight week feeding trial. Antinutritional factors such as canavanine, haemagglutinin, trypsin inhibitor, tannin and phytate contents were analyzed in the plant seeds. At the end of eighth week, the birds were killed by cervical dislocation while the internal organs were quickly dissected out. The liver, kidney, pancreas and testis were thereafter preserved in 10% formalin solution. The tissues of the organs were trimmed, fixed in Bouin’s fixative for 24h, embedded in wax, sectioned at 6µm with microtome and finally stained with haematoxylin and eosin for histopathological examination. The livers of the birds fed 25% RJB and 50% RJB showed extensive multifocal and lymphocytic infiltration with necrosis of hepatocytes. Moreover, the pancreas of birds fed RBG and RJB based diets showed necrosis of glandular cells, lymphoid aggregates, thickening of the supporting stroma and multifocal interstitial lymphocytic infiltration. In the testes of birds fed 25% RJB and 50% RJB, there was extensive degeneration of the seminiferous tubular epithelia cells with widespread interstitial lymphocytic infiltrations of the stroma. The liver, pancreas, kidney and testes of birds fed RBS showed moderate lesions. It is concluded in this study that RJB showed more toxicity than RBG and RBS with respect to lesions in the organs, thus depicting a severe negative effect when fed to cockerels. There is therefore the need to detoxify the raw plant seeds with a view to enhancing their nutritive value in diets of cockerels.Bang. J. Anim. Sci. 2016. 45 (2): 18-23

Effect of high-fat diet on the intestinal short-chain fatty acids in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease rats

Objective To observe the changes of blood lipid and intestinal short-chain fatty acids in rats with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by high-fat diet, and to explore the role of intestinal short-chain fatty acids in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Methods Male SD rats (n=12) were randomly divided into control group and high-fat group according to the random number table. The control group was fed with normal diet, while the high-fat group was fed with high-fat diet. The rats were sacrificed at the end of eighth week after experiment. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the liver in the two groups, the changes in serum lipid profile were measured, and the changes of the contents of feces short-chain fatty acids in the two groups of rats were determined by gas chromatography. Results The levels of serum alanine transaminase [(139.6±17.29)U/L vs.(37.67±5.28)U/L], aspartate transaminase [(367±49.36)U/L vs.(97.67±13.92)U/L], triglyceride [(0.83±0.08)mmol/L vs.(0.60±0.04)mmol/L], total cholesterol [(6.34±0.53)mmol/L vs.(1.77±0.29)mmol/L], and very-low-density lipoprotein [(0.31±0.03)mmol/L vs.(0.22±0.01)mmol/L] in the high-fat group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the contents of acetic acid, propionic acid and total short-chain fatty acids in the high-fat group were significantly lower [(0.16±0.03)ng/μl vs.(0.21±0.04)ng/μl; (0.05±0.01)ng/μl vs.(0.08±0.01)ng/μl; (0.25±0.05)ng/μl vs.(0.33±0.05)ng/μl; all P<0.05). Conclusions The level of intestinal short-chain fatty acids is reduced in the NAFLD rats induced by high-fat diet. Monitoring of feces short-chain fatty acids may play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of NAFLD. Key words: High-fat diet; Non-alcoholic fatty liver; Short-chain fatty acid

Effect of Feeding Bacillus subtilis natto on Hindgut Fermentation and Microbiota of Holstein Dairy Cows.

The effect of Bacillus subtilis natto on hindgut fermentation and microbiota of early lactation Holstein dairy cows was investigated in this study. Thirty-six Holstein dairy cows in early lactation were randomly allocated to three groups: no B. subtilis natto as the control group, B. subtilis natto with 0.5×1011 cfu as DMF1 group and B. subtilis natto with 1.0×1011 cfu as DMF2 group. After 14 days of adaptation period, the formal experiment was started and lasted for 63 days. Fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of each animal on the morning at the end of eighth week and placed into sterile plastic bags. The pH, NH3-N and VFA concentration were determined and fecal bacteria DNA was extracted and analyzed by DGGE. The results showed that the addition of B. subtilus natto at either treatment level resulted in a decrease in fecal NH3-N concentration but had no effect on fecal pH and VFA. The DGGE profile revealed that B. subtilis natto affected the population of fecal bacteria. The diversity index of Shannon-Wiener in DFM1 decreased significantly compared to the control. Fecal Alistipes sp., Clostridium sp., Roseospira sp., beta proteobacterium were decreased and Bifidobacterium was increased after supplementing with B. subtilis natto. This study demonstrated that B. subtilis natto had a tendency to change fecal microbiota balance.

Effect of simvastatin on the expression of farnesoid X receptor in diabetic animal models of altered glucose homeostasis.

Statin therapy has affected glucose homoeostasis of type 2 diabetes patients, which could be related with bile acids metabolism. Whether bile acid metabolism and the expression of farnesoid X receptor (FXR), liver X receptor-α (LXR-α) and sterol regulatory element-binding protein (Srebp)-1c is regulated by hyperglycemia, or whether simvastatin therapy led to higher glucose is related with down-regulated expression of FXR in diabetic rats remained unclear. Forty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal control rats, insulin resistance rats, diabetic model rats, and the late simvastatin induced diabetic rats. Normal control rats were fed with standard diet, others were fed with high-fat diet. Diabetic model rats were induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ). The late simvastatin induced diabetic rats started simvastatin administration after STZ induced diabetic model rats. Characteristics of fasting blood glucose (FPG), lipid files and total bile acids (TBAs) were measured and the oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed after overnight fasting at the eighth weekend. RNA and protein levels of FXR, LXR-α and Srebp-1c were tested by Western blotting and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The insulin resistance rats showed higher glucose, lipid files and lower expression of FXR compared with normal control rats (P > 0.05). The diabetic model rats showed significantly higher glucose, lipid files, TBA and lower expression of FXR compared with insulin resistance rats (P < 0.05). The late simvastatin induced diabetic rats displayed higher glucose and TBA and lower expression of FXR compared with diabetic model rats (P < 0.05). Changes in bile acid homeostasis, including the alterations of bile acid levels and bile acid receptors, are either a cause or a consequence of the metabolic disturbances observed during diabetic models. Statin therapy induced hyperglycemia may be related with FXR, SHP, LXR-α and Srebp-1 pathways.

Effects of melatonin on biochemical factors and food and water consumption in diabetic rats.

Background:Diabetic neuropathy is one of the serious problems due to microvessel vasculopathy in diabetes. It has been reported that hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia are the underlying mechanisms in inducing and progression of diabetic neuropathy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of melatonin on serum glucose and lipid levels, as well as food consumption and water intake in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.Materials and Methods:Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to six groups including; normal control group, diabetic control group and 4 diabetic experimental groups that received melatonin intraperitoneally at doses of 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg at the end of sixth week after verification of neuropathy by means of evaluation of sciatic nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), for two weeks. Blood glucose and lipid levels, body weight, the amounts of food consumption, and water intake were determined in all groups at weeks 0 (before diabetes induction), 3, 6, and at the end of eighth week.Results:Treatment with melatonin reduced significantly the serum glucose (P < 0.001) and triglyceride (P < 0.05) levels, food consumption (P < 0.001), and water intake (P < 0.001) in diabetic rats at the end of eighth week. However, melatonin had no significant effect on body weight of diabetic animals.Conclusions:Treatment with melatonin could improve several signs of diabetes, including hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, polyphagia, and polydipsia. Therefore, melatonin may be used as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of diabetes.

Effects of Command and Guided Discovery Teaching Styles on Retention of a Psychomotor Skill

The main purpose of the study was to identify the effect of command and guided discovery teaching styles in retention of skill of ball-bouncing (dribbling) and to assess the trend and effect of command and guided discovery teaching styles in retention of ball-bouncing skill (dribbling). Two groups with two experimental conditions were followed; this consisted of command and guided discovery-teaching styles. For this purpose two experimental groups were employed. To accomplish this task it was decided to utilize 18 fifth standard students. The randomly selected students were in the age group of nine and ten. The students randomly selected from each group were assigned randomly to the two experimental conditions, command and guided discovery- teaching styles. The samples of command and guided discovery groups were treated by command and discovery style teaching of the skill of ball-bouncing for a period of 12 weeks respectively, three days per week in alternate days. Test on the skill of ball-bouncing was conducted prior to the treatment (Pre-test), end of fourth week, end of eighth week and at the end of the treatment (twelfth week -post-test). This twelve-week period was considered as acquisition period. Retention period was four weeks. On thirteenth, fourteenth and sixteenth week again test on the skill of ball-bouncing was administered. This four-week period formed retention period. In the initial data analysis, 'F' test (ANACOVA) was applied to the pre-test and post-test means among the groups on acquisition and retention of the skill of ball-bouncing. To test the sources for significant changes of command and guided teaching style on retention, the Scheffe's post-hoc test was applied. The following conclusions were drawn from the obtained results. 1. The practice of scientifically structured twelve weeks of command and guided discovery teaching style may help to acquire the skill of ball-bouncing. 2. Eight weeks of command and guided discovery teaching style may be sufficient to acquire the skill of ball- bouncing. 3. For the retention of the acquired psychomotor skill under the guided discovery style, a child-centered teaching approach is superior when compared with command style teaching approach, a teacher-centered teaching approach. Hence it is recommended to include formal physical education programme in the form of movement education in the curriculum of primary school children in India and training in child-centered teaching styles may be included in the Physical Education Teacher Education curriculum.

MicroRNA in a Case of Unexplained Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

The present report describes the relative quantitation of a group of selected miRNAs in a twenty one years old Palestinian woman who experienced 8 unexplained first trimester pregnancy losses. The relative expression of miR-21, miR-126, miR-155, miR-182, miR-222 and miR-517* in her plasma was measured before pregnancy and in the seventh week of her ninth pregnancy. The relative expression of the same miRNAs was also measured before pregnancy and in the eighth week of fifth pregnancy in a healthy control woman who has four live children and without any history of pregnancy loss. The results of the case woman showed an extremely decreased level of all the investigated microRNAs during her pregnancy as compared to their level before being pregnant, except for miR-517* which was elevated. The relative quantitation of miR-21, miR-126, miR-155, miR-182, miR-222 and miR-517* was 0.026, 0.12, 0.23, 0.26, 0.28 and 1.4, respectively. However, the relative quantitation of the respective miRNAs in the control was 0.92, 0.75, 0.6, 1.1, 1.11 and 10.9. Unfortunately, at the end of eighth week of her pregnancy the case woman lost her fetus. We believe that the dysregulation of miRNA is involved in the recurrent pregnancy losses in the case presented in this report.

Combination of bone marrow stromal cell transplantation with mobilization by granulocyte-colony stimulating factor promotes functional recovery after spinal cord transection

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in severe neurological deficit. However, the functional recovery following SCI is very poor due to the neural lost and limited axonal regeneration. To date, there was no effective treatment. Recent studies have shown that bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) transplantated into the central nervous system (CNS) can survive and differentiate into neuronal-like cells. Additionally, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) can mobilize hematopoietic stem cells and inhibit neural cell apoptosis. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the combined effect of BMSC transplantation and G-CSF administration on rats with traverse spinal cord injury. BMSCs were cultured in vitro, labeled with Hoechst33342, and then transplanted into the lesion site with or without G-CSF administration (50 microg/kg/day) for 5 subsequent days. The groups included an untreated control, along with treatment by G-CSF alone, BMSCs alone, and G-CSF + BMSCs. In this study, by the end of eighth week after SCI injury, the animals in group treated with G-CSF + BMSCs showed higher BBB scores than the other two groups. Morphometric assessment showed that the lesion areas in the rats of the G-CSF + BMSCs group were much smaller. Compared with the control, BMSC, and G-CSF groups, less expression of apoptosis cells and more neural-cell markers around the spinal cord injury were found in rats treated with G-CSF + BMSCs. The animals with the combination treatment achieved a better functional and morphologic recovery, although partial. This synergistic effect between BMSCs and G-CSF may be attributed to extrinsic and endogenous neurogenesis in the traverse spinal cord injury.

Effect of 'weekend therapy' with omeprazole on basal and stimulated acid secretion and fasting plasma gastrin in duodenal ulcer patients.

The effect of intermittent dosage with omeprazole on basal and pentagastrin stimulated gastric acid secretion and fasting plasma gastrin was assessed in eight duodenal ulcer subjects who were in remission. Omeprazole (20 mg daily) was given for a three day 'weekend' each week for two months. Twenty four hours after the first and eighth weekend, basal and peak acid output were still markedly suppressed (greater than 50%) compared with pretreatment. After the treatment free four days, however (just before the eighth weekend), peak acid output had returned to pretreatment values; basal acid output was still somewhat reduced (mean 3.6 mmol/l) but the difference from baseline was not statistically significant. Fasting plasma gastrin concentration increased slightly but significantly, from a baseline median of 17 pmol/l to 25 and 31 pmol/l respectively, 24 hours after the first and eighth weekends. All but two values (of 16) remained within the reference range. Before the fourth and eighth weekends, and again at 12 days and three months after treatment, gastrin values were not significantly different from baseline. Thus a 'weekend therapy' regimen with this long acting antisecretory compound produces substantial acid suppression, but for only part of the week, with modest and reversible changes in fasting plasma gastrin. It should therefore be suitable for efficacy testing for prevention of recurrence of peptic ulcer or reflux oesophagitis.