MDA Values Research Articles

Pulmonary toxicity assessment of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in rats following intratracheal instillation

In this study, we have evaluated the pulmonary toxicity of intratracheally (i.t.) instilled two multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) in rats. The lungs of rats were instilled with phosphate buffered saline + 1% of Tween 80 or MWCNT or carbonyl iron or quartz particles at a dose of 0.2, 1, and 5 mg/kg b.w. Following exposure, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was collected from the lungs to analyze lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lipid peroxidation products (MDA; malondialdehyde), and total microprotein (MTP) levels at 24 h, one week, one month, and three months post instillation periods. The lungs of particle exposed rats were also collected at the same intervals to evaluate for histopathology. Exposures of MWCNT and quartz particles to rats produced transient dose dependant increase in BAL fluid LDH, ALP, MDA, and MTP values than control at all post exposure periods. Results of lung histopathology revealed that exposure of MWCNT produced a dose dependant focal peribronchiolar lymphoid aggregates, foamy alveolar macrophage accumulation, lymphoplasmocytic infiltration, fibrosis and diffuse alveolar damage. In conclusion, instillation of MWCNT produced a greater pulmonary toxicity in rats and was comparable with that of quartz.

Differential effect of Pistacia vera extracts on experimental atherosclerosis in the rabbit animal model: an experimental study

BackgroundLipid-enriched diets and oxidative stress are risk factors for the development of atherosclerosis. The effects of the methanolic (ME) and cyclohexane (CHE) extracts of the Pistacia vera nut, often included in the Mediterranean diet, were studied in the rabbit model of atherosclerosis.Methods and resultsTwenty-four New Zealand White rabbits received atherogenic diet (Control Group), supplemented with ME (Group ME) or CHE (Group CHE) for 3 months. Previously, a GC-MS and a UHPLC LC-DAD-ESI(-)-HRMS/MS method were developed to investigate the extracts' chemical profiles. Blood samples at baseline and monthly determined lipid profile, lipid peroxidation and liver function. The aorta, myocardium and liver were examined histologically at 3 months.Groups ME and CHE had significantly higher HDL- and non-significantly lower LDL-cholesterol median % changes from baseline than the Control Group. Triacylglycerol was significantly higher in Group CHE vs. Control. MDA values were significantly lower in Group ME vs. Control and CHE. ALT and AST were significantly higher in Group CHE vs. Control. γ-GT was lower in Group ME vs. Control. Aortic intimal thickness was significantly less in Groups ME and CHE vs. Control; Group ME atherosclerotic lesions were significantly less extensive vs. Groups Control and CHE. Only Group CHE had significant liver fatty infiltration.ConclusionsDuring short-term administration concomitantly with atherogenic diet, both P. vera extracts were beneficial on HDL-, LDL-cholesterol and aortic intimal thickness. The ME additionally presented an antioxidant effect and significant decrease of aortic surface lesions. These results indicate that P. vera dietary inclusion, in particular its ME, is potentially beneficial in atherosclerosis management.

Soybean, palm kernel, and animal-vegetable oils and vitamin E supplementation effect on lipid oxidation stability of sous vide chicken meat

There is an increasing demand in precooked chicken meat products for restaurants and catering services. Because cooked chicken meat develops lipid oxidation relatively fast, sous vide chicken meat was studied to assess its shelf-life. Six hundred Cobb x Ross broilers were fed for 6 wk with a basal corn-soybean meal diet including soybean, palm kernel, or animal-vegetable oil, each supplemented with 33 or 200 mg/kg of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. Broilers were randomly assigned into 6 treatments and 4 repetitions with 25 birds each. Boneless breast or thigh muscle pieces were dissected into 5 x 5 x 5 cm cubes, vacuum-packed, cooked in water bath (until 74 degrees C internal temperature), chilled, and stored at 4 degrees C for 1, 5, 10, 25, and 40 d. For each storage day, each pouch contained 3 pieces of meat, either breast or thigh. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances analysis, to quantify malonaldehyde (MDA) values, was conducted to estimate the lipid oxidation development. Nonheme iron values of cooked meat were analyzed. Fatty acid methyl esters analysis was performed in chicken muscle to determine its fatty acid composition. There was no interaction between dietary fat and vitamin E level in all of the variables studied except in nonheme iron. Dietary fat significantly influenced the fatty acid composition of the muscle (P < 0.01), but it did not affect the MDA values, regardless of differences in the muscle fatty acid composition between treatments. Supplementation of the high level of vitamin E significantly reduced the MDA values in both breast and thigh meat (P < 0.01). The maximum MDA values were observed at d 40 of storage in thigh and breast meat in animal-vegetable and soybean oil treatments with the low levels of vitamin E, 0.91 and 0.70 mg/kg, respectively. Nonheme iron values in thigh meat differed between treatments at 1 or 25 d of storage but not in breast meat. In conclusion, refrigerated sous vide chicken meat has a prolonged shelf-life, which is enhanced by dietary supranutritional supplementation of vitamin E.

The effects of estrogen, parathyroid hormone, and testosterone on raw cells

Several clinical and experimental studies suggest that gender affects immune responses. In this regard, there have also been observations of an extraordinarily significant female predominance of inflammatory arthritis. The purpose of our study was to investigate the cellular effects of estrogen (E), testosterone (T), and parathyroid hormone (PTH) on macrophage cells over 24, 48, and 72 hours. Cells treated with T caused enhanced cell proliferation after 24 hours, whereas cells treated with E or PTH caused less cellular proliferation after 24 hours. By 72 hours all treatment groups had less cell number than the untreated control. Cell membranes were not damaged by the increased hormone levels as evidenced by similar MDA values for experimental and control groups. Interestingly, nitric oxide levels were increased in the estrogen treated cells after 72 hours compared to the control cells. Cytological evaluation of the cells revealed increased aggregation of cells and swelling of those treated with T. The increase in nitric oxide levels by E indicates activation of macrophages, which may ultimately lead to the production of inflammatory cytokines. More experiments are necessary to address the effects of E on inflammatory cytokine production by macrophage cell types. Supported in part by NIGMS NIH Grant R 25 GM 50117.

English

Two experiments were planned to study the influence of dietary fat sources (fish oil (FO) or sunflower oil (SO)) and dietary doses of &alpha;-tocopheryl acetate (&alpha;-TA) (0, 60 and 120 mg/kg of feed) and vitamin A (0 IU, 10000 IU and 20000 IU) on lipid oxidation of stored eggs in three stages of 0 or fresh, 1 and 2 months of storage time. In the first experiment, 96 hen layers in six treatments including two oil sources (FO and SO) and two dietary [0, 60 and 120 mg/kg doses of &alpha; -tocopheryl acetate (&alpha;-TA)] were fed for 75 days. In the second experiment, 96 hen layers in six treatments including two sources of &omega;3 and &omega;6 (FO and SO) and three doses&nbsp; 0, 10000 and 20000 IU of vitamin A were fed for 75 days. The results showed that using &alpha;-TA supplementation, lipid stability of enriched eggs increased and was very effective throughout the stored period of the eggs. Yolk TBA value was higher in fish oil than sunflower oil groups (p &lt; 0.01). The treatments that contained 120 mg/kg of &alpha;-TA in diets, showed lower lipid peroxidation than other groups in stages of 2 and 3 storage time (30 and 60 days). The degree of lipid oxidation in fresh, 1 and 2 months of storage eggs was measured by the lipid TBA values. The results showed that TBA value in fresh and stored eggs was higher in groups containing fish oil than other groups (p &lt; 0.01). The MDA value in stage 1 was higher in fish oil group and in 2 and 3 stages was lower in FO + A1. Therefore, addition of Vitamin E and A as natural antioxidants in diets containing oil source for the prevention of lipid oxidation is recommended. &nbsp; Key words:&nbsp;Fish oil, sunflower oil, &alpha;-tocopheryl acetate, vitamin A, TBA value, egg. &nbsp; &nbsp;

The antagonistic action of epigallocatechin-3-gallate on microcystin LR-induced oxidative damage on hepatocytes of mice and the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1

To evaluate the effects of antagonistic action of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on microcystin LR (MC-LR) induced oxidative damage on mice and the expression of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1) which was one of phase Iota detoxification enzymes. A total of 24 specific pathogen free (SPF) male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into four groups, including control group, MC-LR group, low concentration EGCG group, and high concentration EGCG group. Mice were sacrificed on the 15th day, body weight, and the relative organ weight, liver antioxidant enzyme level and lipid peroxidation product, liver histopathology and CYP2E1 gene and protein expression were detected and analyzed respectively. (1) EGCG could antagonise the liver injury which had been damaged by MC-LR. (2) The malonaldehyde (MDA) level ((2.87 +/- 0.03) nmol/mg prot) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) level ((168.18 +/- 2.86) U/mg prot) in MC-LR group were significantly different when compared with the two EGCG treatment groups (the MDA values of the low and high concentration EGCG group were (2.37 +/- 0.05) nmol/mg prot and (1.44 +/- 0.05) nmol/mg prot, F = 906.63, P < 0.01; the SOD values were (176.55 +/- 2.98) U/mg prot and (184.89 +/- 1.53) U/mg prot, F = 32.32, P < 0.01). (3) MC-LR up-regulated the mRNA and protein expression of CYP2E1 (the mRNA values of MC-LR group and control were 1.41 +/- 0.26, 0.86 +/- 0.13, t = -4.22, P = 0.003; the protein values of MC-LR group and control were 0.24 +/- 0.03, 0.12 +/- 0.02, t = -9.21, P < 0.05). EGCG down-regulated the mRNA (the values of the low and high concentration EGCG group were 1.09 +/- 0.08, 0.99 +/- 0.09, F = 9.03, P = 0.004) and protein expression (the values of the low and high concentration EGCG group were 0.21 +/- 0.03, 0.14 +/- 0.02, F = 24.76, P < 0.05) of CYP2E1 which activated by MC-LR. The up-regulation of CYP2E1 which induced by MC-LR was inhibited by EGCG intervention. EGCG might antagonize the oxidation damage of hepatocytes in a certain degree.

Combined effects of thymol, carvacrol and grapefruit seed extract on lipid oxidation and colour stability of poultry meat preparations

SummaryThe combined effects of thymol, carvacrol and grapefruit seed extract (GFSE) on lipid oxidation and colour stability of poultry meat preparations packaged in air or modified atmospheres (MAP: 5% O2; 30% CO2; 65% N2) were investigated using a simplex centroid mixture design. Lipid oxidation was evaluated through measurement of secondary oxidation products (malonaldehyde, MDA) and general appearance with visual assessment and instrumental measurement of colour. Thymol and carvacrol, as individual antioxidants, retarded the oxidation process by maintaining MDA values below 2 mg kg−1 meat. The effect of GFSE was less than thymol and carvacrol. Redness (a*) decreased in all treatments during storage but this reduction was more evident in the control and in samples containing GFSE than in thymol and carvacrol. Although colour acceptability decreased with time, all meat preparations packaged in air maintained desirable appearance better than samples in MAP. Also, off‐odours developed faster in the samples packaged in MAP than in aerobically packaged samples.

Biochemical profile and outcome in normal and high risk subjects.

The present study was carried out to assess the biochemical profile and outcome of pregnancy and study the adverse consequences if any, among normal and high risk pregnant women. The study group included 182 normal and 168 high risk cases attending to private and Government Hospitals in Bangalore. The high risk groups were: Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), Adolescents and anemic cases. Lipid peroxidation was enhanced in PIH and GDM groups (5.56 nmol/ml and 3.98 nmol/ml) MDA values as compared to other groups. Vitamin E levels were significantly (p< 0.05) lower in PIH group (0.38 mg/dl) as compared to other groups. Caesarean as a mode of delivery indicating more number of complications were higher among GDM (61.9%) followed by PIH group. Incidences of low birth weight were observed more in PIH group. The study revealed occurrence of oxidative stress and adverse outcome among high risk pregnancy groups.

Iloprost, a prostacyclin (PGI2) analogue, reduces liver injury in hepatic ischemiareperfusion in rats

To evaluate the effects of iloprost a prostacyclin analogue on the hepatic IR injury in rats. Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats (250-300 g) were divided into four groups each containing 10 rats;(1)--controls: data from unmanipulated animals; (2) sham group: rats subjected to the surgical procedure, except for liver I/R, and given saline; (3) I/R group: rats that underwent liver ischemia for 45 min followed by reperfusion for 45 min; (4) IR/ Iloprost group: rats pretreated with iloprost (10 microg kg-1, i.v). Liver tissues were taken to determine SOD, CAT, GSH, and MDA levels and for biochemical and histological evaluation. The plasma ALT and AST levels were increased in group 3 than in group 4. MDA values and the liver injury score decreased, while the SOD, CAT, and GSH values increased in group 4 compared to group 3. In group 3, hepatocytes were swollen with marked vacuolization. In group 4, there were regular sinusoidal structures with normal morphology without any signs of congestion. We demonstrated hepatoprotective effects of iloprost against severe ischemia and reperfusion injury in rat liver.

A UK comparison for measurements of low levels of gamma-emitters in waste drums

Much of the work of the UK nuclear industry is now concerned with decommissioning many of the existing power stations and other facilities. An important aspect of this work is the accurate measurement of low levels of radioactivity in waste forms such as building materials in order that these materials can be assigned to the correct waste streams. This has led to a call for suitable standards and reference materials, and the specific needs of UK users were identified at an NPL workshop in 2005. One of the highest priorities was for ‘soft waste’ spiked with γ-emitters in a 200 L drum format, with an activity concentration of just under 0.4 Bq g −1. In response, NPL prepared a single reference drum meeting this specification. The low density was achieved by loading the drum with plastic bottles, each partially loaded with ion-exchange resin. The resin in each bottle had been previously spiked with a mixture of 241Am, 137Cs and 60Co, all traceable to national standards. The drum would be used primarily as the basis of a comparison exercise, but feedback on its usefulness as a calibration standard would also be sought. The drum was measured by 17 radioassay groups at 15 UK sites. The monitors used were mostly commercial γ-spectrometry systems designed to accommodate waste drums. Some groups measured the drum on more than one monitor and some used more than one efficiency calibration. Many of the groups used mathematical modelling to derive their efficiencies. The results of the exercise were discussed at a second NPL workshop (2007), after which the participants were allowed to submit supplementary or replacement results (with reasons for any changes clearly stated). In total, 88 results were submitted. A total of 51 results were in agreement with the NPL values; of the remaining results, 24 were explained by the participants concerned (or were revised to provide supplementary values), but the other 13 results were either clearly discrepant or questionable. The exercise demonstrated differences between laboratories who had used the same modelling software for their efficiency calibrations, and indeed facilitated an exchange of models between these laboratories. The importance of an accurate knowledge of the form and structure of the sample in efficiency modelling was clearly demonstrated. Uncertainty budgets were of variable quality. Some participants quoted MDA values for one or more of the radionuclides. A follow-up comparison was requested and this is now being planned.

Effect of Different Dietary Energy Sources on Induction of Fatty Liver-Hemorrhagic Syndrome in Laying Hens

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different dietary energy sources on hepatic lipid content and induction of Fatty Liver-Hemorrhagic Syndrome in laying hens. One hundred and fifty Lohmann commercial layers were divided into three groups of fifty birds each. According to a single factorial arrangement, birds were given one of three experimental diets with control(group 1, 2.65Mcal/kg),or high energy diet which was offered with 7% lard (group 2, 3.06Mcal/kg) and offered with 26% cornstarch (group 3, 3.00Mcal/kg). High energy diets decreased feed intake and egg production (p<0.01), average egg weight of group 3 (cornstarch) was decreased (p<0.01); In chicks fed the 7% lard diet or 26% cornstarch ad libitum, hepatic EE (ether extract) and triglyceride were increased significantly, cornstarch could increase hepatic EE, triglyceride and total cholesterol more significant than lard. The average activity of ALT and AST of high energy was increased to be more than 2 times than control treatment of the last three times blood collection. The LDH of high energy diet was increased with no significant difference of the first three times blood collection. In our experiment, the birds fed the 7% lard diets had the largest increase in plasma triglyceride, but there were no significant treatment effects on plasma triglyceride content by cornstarch all the experiment period. The average hemorrhage score of group 2(lard diet) was the highest in the three groups. In chicks fed the 7% lard diet or 26% cornstarch ad libitum had significantly higher MDA values. In the present study, plasma ALT, AST, LDH activities and TC concentration were positively correlated with hepatic TG concentration (p<0.01). The results showed that measurement of enzyme activities indicative of liver damage in birds, particularly AST, ALT, and plasma TC concentration, is a valuable tool in the diagnosis of fatty liver-hemorrhagic syndrome in a flock of layers. These results suggest that dietary carbohydrate can induce FLHS more efficiently that dietary fat, the hens overfeed high fat diets have significantly more liver hemorrhage than high carbohydrate diets.

A Twenty-First Century Molar Mass for Dry Air

The audience for this paper includes researchers, educators, and engineers in the fields of air conditioning, atmospheric physics, meteorology, psychrometrics, standards, and thermodynamics. This paper provides a brief history of the molar mass of dry air, Mda, followed by the composition of Earth's atmosphere for the year 2008 and the calculation of Mda. A single equation is given to calculate Mda based on the actual abundance of CO2 in the atmosphere, which is currently increasing at an annual rate of 1.9 ìmol·mol−1. This causes an increase in the value of Mda at a rate of 0.0001 kg·kmol−1 (lb·lbmol−1) for every 8.33 ìmol·mol−1 increase in the abundance of CO2. It is practical for many calculations to use the average projected Mda value over a period of a half-century, during which time the value of Mda will increase by approximately 0.0010 kg·kmol−1 (lb·lbmol−1). For most psychrometric calculations, the authors recommend an Mda value of 28.966 kg·kmol−1 (lb·lbmol−1), which is projected for the year 2036. This value will be correct when rounded to three decimal places through 2058 if CO2 increases at its current rate.

Performance of a portable, electromechanically-cooled HPGe detector for site characterization

Characterization is a first step to site cleanup or decommissioning of a disused nuclear facility. Good knowledge of the inventory of nuclides present, both type and location, is important in the design of an effective plan of remediation. Several systems based on HPGe detectors have been developed, both commercially and at laboratories, and are already in use for this purpose. Their use is somewhat complicated by the need for cryogenic cooling of the HPGe detector. Handling of liquid nitrogen in field situations is always difficult. Recent developments in low-power electromechanical cooling for HPGe detectors have made possible the construction of low weight, portable HPGe spectrometers with sufficient efficiency to perform the needed measurements in reasonable count times, without the need for liquid nitrogen. A mobile system was modified to use a battery-powered, Sterling-engine cooler on a nominal 40% relative efficiency detector. This system was characterized for efficiency and uniformity of response. The baseline spectra were analyzed using the DOE EML 1-meter methods to obtain representative MDA values for several nuclides of interest and typical counting times.

Role of endogenous cannabinoids in ischemia/reperfusion injury following testicular torsion in rats

The role of endogenous cannabinoids in ischemia/reperfusion induced germ cell apoptosis in rats was investigated. Baseline group was for basal normal values. The Sham operated group served as a control group. The torsion/detorsion (T/D) group underwent torsion (1 h) and detorsion; AN1, AN2, and AN3 groups received anandamide (10 mg/kg) 30 min before torsion, 30 min after torsion, and just after detorsion, respectively. In the AM251 group, AM251 (0.5 mg/kg) was injected 45 min before torsion and in the AN/AM group, AM251 and anandamide were injected 45 and 30 min before torsion, respectively. Lipid peroxidation, antioxidant enzymes, and germ cell apoptosis was determined. Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the T/D group were significantly higher than the control group. Moreover, MDA values in the AN1, AN2, and AN3 groups were significantly lower than T/D. There were significant decreases in catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in the T/D group versus the control group. These values in the AN1, AN2, and AN3 groups were significantly higher than T/D. It was also shown that MDA levels in the AN/AM group were significantly higher than the AN1 group. In the AN/AM group, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities were significantly lower versus the AN1 group. The mean germ cell apoptosis scores in all animals with testicular T/D were significantly higher than the control group. There was no difference between the apoptotic indices in the AN1, AN2, AN3, and T/D groups. Apoptosis scores in AM251 and AN/AM were significantly higher compared with the T/D and AN1 groups. Although anandamide increased antioxidant markers, it failed to reduce germ cell apoptosis. AM251 worsened the antioxidant defense system, which is reflected as higher germ cell apoptosis.

A Study of the Hepatoprotective effect of &lt;i&gt;Garcinia Kola&lt;/i&gt; Water Extract in Amodiaquine and Artesunate Treated Rats

The effect of kolaviron, a water extract of Garcinia Kola on hepatotoxicity induced by the antimalarial drug, amodiaquine was investigated. The effect was compared with that of artesunate, another antimalarial agent. Thirty (30) adult male rats divided into six (6) groups were used in the study. Groups D, E and F were treated with 100mg/Kg of the extract twice daily for the first one week and 200mg/Kg/day for the subsequent three (3) weeks. Amodiaquine (10mg/Kg/day) was administered orally for four (4) days into rats in groups A and E while rats in groups B and F were treated with artesunate (5mg/Kg/day for four {4} days). Group C was treated with normal saline and kept as test control. All the rats were sacrificed after 4 weeks treatment period. Blood was withdrawn by cardiac puncture while the liver was removed, homogenized and used for both biochemical and histological analysis. Treatment with amodiaquine resulted in increase in relative liver weight while this increase was reversed by pre-treatment with Garcinia kola extract. Amodiaquine treatment also resulted in significant increase in liver postmitochondria lipid peroxidation, while pretreatment with Garcinia Kola significantly decrease the MDA value from the 62.53±0.60 unit/g tissue (prior to Garcinia Kola administration) to 44.43± 2.16unit/g tissues. Treatment with artesunate neither caused a significant change in the relative liver weight nor in the lipid peroxidation value. Amodiaquine treatment also resulted in significant increase in serum ALT and AST activities and a subsequent decrease in these parameters in the liver, whereas, the observed changes were reversed with pretreatment with Garcinia kola extract. Treatment with artesunate and pretreatment with Garcinia kola prior to artesunate administration did not alter these parameters significantly. Histological examinations of the liver slices correlated with the observations in the serum and liver. The present study indicates that Garcinia Kola is effective in preventing the hepatotoxic effect due to prophylactic administration of amodiaquine. It also emphasized that prophylactic treatment with artesunate does not cause a significant alteration in liver function. Keywords: Garcinia Kola, hepatotoxicity, amodiaquine, artesunate, lipid peroxidationNigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 6 (2) 2007: pp. 9-15

Roles of the genetic variation of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes on biomarkers in trauma patients with excessive alcohol intake at emergency department

BackgroundAlcohol abuse has been implicated as an important factor for accidents. We evaluated the roles of different genetic combinations of the ADH2 and ALDH2 genotypes on biomarkers in trauma patients with excessive alcohol intake at our emergency department. MethodsBlood samples were obtained from 80 patients and 88 age-matched controls. The biomarkers, including AST, ALT, GGT, and MDA, were assayed. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used to determine the genetic polymorphisms of ADH2 and ALDH2. ResultsThere were significant differences in the levels of AST, ALT, GGT, MDA, and AST/ALT ratios between the 2 groups. In addition, MDA values and AST/ALT ratios were significantly higher in the patients with normal activity of ADH2 than the patients with low activity of ADH2. Meanwhile, regarding ALDH2 genotypes, there were significantly higher ratios of AST/ALT in the patients with low activity of ALDH2. The highest AST/ALT ratios and MDA values were in the patients with ADH2 (⁎2/⁎2) and ALDH2 (⁎1/⁎2 and ⁎2/⁎2). ConclusionsIn conclusion, our results indicated that alcohol-induced liver damage or oxidative stress might be influenced by the genetic variation of ADH2 or ALDH2. Therefore, the combinations of different ADH2 and ALDH2 genotypes may be influential markers for susceptibility to alcohol-induced liver damage.

Oxidative stress and ferritin levels in haemodialysis patients

Increased oxidative stress (OS) and inflammation are associated with atherosclerotic coronary artery disease in haemodialysis (HD) patients. Ferritin may have other effects in addition to its role in storing intracellular iron. This study was performed to determine any relationships between markers of OS, nutrition and inflammation in HD patients with normal and high ferritin levels. Our cohort comprised 34 maintenance dialysis patients on erythropoietin therapy and 22 healthy controls. HD patients were divided into two groups: 17 with normal (<800 ng/ml) and 17 with high (>800 ng/ml) ferritin levels, and we measured lipid profile, albumin, highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), anti-oxidant enzymes [whole blood glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), paraoxonase, arylestherase (AE) and total anti-oxidant status (TAOC)], anti-oxidants (vitamin C) and lipid peroxidation products [red blood cell malondialdehyde (RBC MDA)]. Compared with controls, the HD patients had higher serum urea, blood pressure, triglyceride, hsCRP, RBC MDA, SOD and TAOC values and lower albumin, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein AI, paraoxonase, AE and whole blood Gpx activities. Serum vitamin C, uric acid, apolipoprotein B, total- and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoprotein B MDA, and lymphocyte levels in the HD patients with normal and high ferritin levels were similar. The OS markers of HD patients did not differ, whether or not they received intravenous iron supplementation or had transferrin saturations < 50% or > or = 50%. HD patients are in a higher oxidative state, which results in the reduction of total anti-oxidant capacity and also have an increased inflammation status. We could not find a relationship between ferritin level and OS markers in HD patients receiving erythropoietin.

Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in cervical cancer patients

Cervical cancer (CaCx) is a global public health problem as it is the second most common cancer leading to the death of women worldwide. Many references revealed that the low levels of antioxidants induce the generation of free radicals leading to DNA damage and further mutations. In the present study attempt have been made to evaluate the levels of serum Lipid peroxide, Nitric Oxide (NO(.)) Erythrocytic-Superoxide Dismutase (RBC-SOD), Vitamin-C, serum Copper (Cu) and serum Zinc (Zn). 120 patients were divided in 4 groups according to the increasing CaCx stages i.e. stage I, II, III & IV respectively. All the patients were around the age group of 25-65 years. 30 healthy women between the same age group were treated as controls. Highly significant increased values of MDA, NO(.) and Cu were observed (p<0.001) whereas the activity of RBC-SOD, levels of Vitamin-C and Zn were significantly decreased in CaCx patients as compared with healthy controls (p<0.001). Cu/Zn ratio was found to be altered in CaCx patients. From our findings it can be concluded that the oxidative stress is induced among CaCx patients, which inturn increases the risk of CaCx.

Evaluation of genus Cenchrus based on malondialdehyde, proline content, specific leaf area and carbon isotope discrimination for drought tolerance and divergence of species at DNA level

Cenchrus (family Poaceae) is an important component of major grass covers of the world. Largely it is apomictic and both annual and perennial species exist in nature. Variations in contents of malondialdehyde, proline, specific leaf area and carbon isotope discrimination for drought tolerance were estimated among eight prominent species of Cenchrus. Simultaneously, genetic variations were also estimated by employing 187 RAPD primers. Of these, 23 primers did not react, 2 performed poorly and 7 produced many non-scorable bands and one primer yielded a single monomorphic band. Rest of the 154 primers generated one or more unambiguously scorable fragments. Twelve hundred and four of the 1,296 putative loci were polymorphic (93%) between at least one pair-wise comparisons among eight species. Dice coefficient and neighbor-joining algorithm analyses showed clustering patterns that fit with the known habitat of the species except perennial, C. myosuroides which formed a node between two annuals species. When these species were subjected to water stress tolerance test, a correlation (r = 0.612) between specific leaf area (SLA) and carbon isotope discrimination (CID) and difference in levels of drought tolerance based parameters among eight species were observed. Of the eight species investigated two annuals viz., C. biflorus and C. echinatus showed highest level of genetic similarity which was also evident from the similar levels of SLA, MDA, proline contents and carbon isotope discrimination values observed in these two species.

Analysis of heat transfer and entropy generation for a thermally developing Brinkman–Brinkman forced convection problem in a rectangular duct with isoflux walls

Heat transfer and entropy generation analysis of the thermally developing forced convection in a porous-saturated duct of rectangular cross-section, with walls maintained at a constant and uniform heat flux, is investigated based on the Brinkman flow model. The classical Galerkin method is used to obtain the fully developed velocity distribution. To solve the thermal energy equation, with the effects of viscous dissipation being included, the extended weighted residuals method (EWRM) is applied. The local (three-dimensional) temperature field is solved by utilizing the Green’s function solution based on the EWRM where symbolic algebra is being used for convenience in presentation. Following the computation of the temperature field, expressions are presented for the local Nusselt number and the bulk temperature as a function of the dimensionless longitudinal coordinate, the aspect ratio, the Darcy number, the viscosity ratio, and the Brinkman number. With the velocity and temperature field being determined, the second law (of thermodynamics) aspect of the problem is also investigated. Approximate closed form solutions are also presented for two limiting cases of MDa values. It is observed that decreasing the aspect ratio and MDa values increases the entropy generation rate.