Significant Increase In Levels Research Articles

Impact of mixing layer height variations on air pollutant concentrations and health in a European urban area: Madrid (Spain), a case study

The occurrence of local high-pollution episodes in densely populated urban areas, which have huge fleets of vehicles, is currently one of the most worrying problems associated with air pollution worldwide. Such episodes are produced under specific meteorological conditions, which favour the sudden increase of levels of air pollutants. This study has investigated the influence of the mixing layer height (MLH) on the concentration levels of atmospheric pollutants and daily mortality in Madrid, Spain, during the period 2011-2014. It may help to understand the causes and impact of local high-pollution episodes. MLH at midday over Madrid was daily estimated from meteorological radio soundings. Then, days with different MLH over this urban area were characterized by meteorological parameters registered at different levels of an instrumented tower and by composite sea level pressure maps, representing the associated synoptic meteorological scenarios. Next, statistically significant associations between MLH and levels of PM10, PM2.5, NO, NO2, CO and ultra-fine particles number concentrations registered at representative monitoring stations were evaluated. Finally, associations between all-natural cause daily mortality in Madrid, MLH, and air pollutants were estimated using conditional Poisson regression models. The reduction of MLH to values below 482m above-ground level under strong atmospheric stagnation conditions was accompanied by a statistically significant increase in levels of NO, NO2, CO, PM2.5 and ultra-fine particle number concentrations at urban-traffic and suburban monitoring sites. The decrease of the MLH was also associated to a linear increase of the daily number of exceedances of the UE NO2 hourly limit value (200μg/m3) and levels of air pollutants at hotspot urban-traffic monitoring stations. Also, a statistically significant association of the MLH with all-natural cause daily mortality was obtained. When the MLH increased by 830m, the risk of mortality decreased by 2.5% the same day and by 3.3% the next day, when African dust episodic days were excluded. They were also higher in absolute terms than the increases in risk of mortality that were determined for the exposition to any other air pollutant. Our results suggest that when the prediction models foresee values of MLH below 482m above-ground level in Madrid, the evolution of high-contamination episodes will be very favourable. Therefore, short-term policy measures will have to be implemented to reduce NO, NO2, CO, PM2.5 and ultra-fine particle emissions from anthropogenic sources in this southern European urban location.

Efficiency of Three Extracts of Carica papaya as Molluscicidal and Anti-schistosomal Agents against Biomphalaria alexandrina and Schistosoma mansoni by Flow Cytometry

Schistosomias is a prevalent parasitic disease in tropical and sub-tropical areas, which comes in the second place in terms of socioeconomic and public health burden. Around 600 million people in 74 countries are infected yearly, predominantly in the developing world. The aim of this work was to assess the efficiency of three extracts from Carica papaya (methanol, ethanol and butanol extracts) for their molluscicidal and anti-schistosomal activities. The LC50 of methanol, ethanol and butanol extracts of Carica papaya against B. alexandrinea were 180, 499.3 and 509.1 mg/L while the respective LC90 values were 220.3, 700.6, 769.6 mg/L respectively. The effect of these extracts on Biomphalaria alexandrina snails and larval stages of Schistosma mansoni, for miracidia the LC50 of methanol, ethanol and butanol extracts of Carica papaya against miracidia were 3.4, 15.4 and 8.1 mg/L, respectively, while the respective LC90 values were 8.4, 38.2, 11.2 mg/L, and for cercariae the LC50 of methanol, ethanol and butanol extracts of Carica papaya were 2, 20 and 4 mg/L, while the respective LC90 values were 13.5, 80.5, 18.5 mg/L respectively was evaluated, in addition to flowcytometric analysis of CD4, CD25, FOXP3 and TGF-β levels during S. mansoni infection in mice. The in-vivo results showed that the three extracts have variable potential against snails and miracidia and cercariae of S. mansoni. The mortality rate in B. alexandrina snails for methanol, ethanol and butanol extracts of Carcia papay were 86%, 45% and 64%, respectively. While it was 83%, 35% and 66%, respectively in miracidia and 92%, 40% and 70%, respectively in cercariae. The results indicated that methanol extract from Carica papaya recorded higher activity against snails, miracidia and cercariae. The levels of CD4, CD25, FOXP3 regulatory T (Treg) cells were decreased significantly (p<0.001) in infected mice compared to healthy controls. However, there was a significant (p<0.001) increase in levels of TGF-β. A significant increase in the levels of CD4, CD25, and FOXP3 Treg in Carica papaya treated group compared to infected control group, with a significant (p<0.001) decrease in TGF-β level than infected group. In conclusion, methanol extract was more effective at concentration of LC50 180 and LC90 220.3 than ethanol and butanol extracts of Carica papaya therefore controlling B. alexandrina snails by methanol extract is a promising way as it is an eco-friendly strategy in rural areas of developing countries, where schistosomiasis is endemic. Moreover, the increased immune defense mechanism in treated group with the same extracts is a promising target for new immune modulatory strategies against schistosomiasis.

Influences of circulatory factors on intervertebral disc aging phenotype.

Whether disc aging is influenced by factors beyond its local environment is an important unresolved question. Here we performed heterochronic parabiosis in mice to study the effects of circulating factors in young and old blood on age-associated intervertebral disc degeneration. Compared to young isochronic pairs (Y-Y), young mice paired with old mice (Y-O) showed significant increases in levels of disc MMP-13 and ADAMTS4, aggrecan fragmentation, and histologic tissue degeneration, but negligible changes in cellular senescence markers (p16INK4a, p21Cip1). Compared to old isochronic pairs (O-O), old mice paired with young mice (O-Y) exhibited a significant decrease in expression of cellular senescence markers (p16, p21, p53), but only marginal decreases in the levels of disc MMP-13 and ADAMTS4, aggrecan fragmentation, and histologic degeneration. Thus, exposing old mice to young blood circulation greatly suppressed disc cellular senescence, but only slightly decreased disc matrix imbalance and degeneration. Conversely, exposing young mice to old blood accelerated their disc matrix imbalance and tissue degeneration, with little effects on disc cellular senescence. Thus, non-cell autonomous effects of circulating factors on disc cellular senescence and matrix homeostasis are complex and suggest that disc matrix homeostasis is modulated by systemic factors and not solely through local disc cellular senescence.

Co-administration of prazosin and propranolol with glibenclamide improves anti-oxidant defense system in endothelial tissue of streptozotocin-induced diabetic Wistar rats.

Background Due to increasing prevalence of diabetes and associated endothelial dysfunction, this study was carried out to investigate the effects of co-administration of adrenoceptor blockers (prazosin and propranolol) and glibenclamide on plasma biomarkers of endothelial functions in diabetic rats. Methods Experiments were carried out on 35 male Wistar rats (170-200g). They were divided into seven groups (n=5) as follows: normal control, diabetic control, diabetic+glibenclamide (GLB-5mg/kg/day), diabetic+ prazosin (PRZ-0.5mg/kg/day), diabetic+PRZ+GLB, diabetic+propranolol (PRP-10mg/kg/day), diabetes+PRP+GLB. Experimental diabetes was induced with streptozotocin (60mg/kg) and drugs were administered orally for 3 weeks. Blood pressure was measured and animals were sacrificed afterwards. Blood samples were collected by cardiac puncture, and major marker of endothelial functions, nitric oxide derivatives (NOx), as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured on the plasma. The aorta was harvested for histological examination. Data were subjected to descriptive statistics and analysed using ANOVA at α 0.05. Results There was a significant increase in levels of NOx and SOD, and a decrease in MDA level in diabetic treated groups compared to diabetic control. Mean blood pressure increased in diabetic control and diabetic+GLB group when compared with normal control, while it was mildly reduced in diabetic group treated with PRZ and PRP, and co-administered GLB. More so, Aorta histology was altered in diabetic control groups when compared with normal control and all diabetic treated groups. Conclusions Results from this study suggest that PRZ, PRP, and GLB (singly and in combined therapy) could have a restorative effect on endothelial functions in diabetes.

Use of Virtual Reality Cognitive Training to Improve Executive and Complex Attentional Functions: Can Virtual Reality Performance PredictNeurorehabilitation Outcomes?

Background: VR has proven successful in simulating activities and settings that prove inaccessible or unsafe to rehabilitate patients in. Current VR rehabilitation studies largely focus on assessing cognitive skills, not on training cognitive deficits. The current study focused on repeated exposure with a VR-based cognitive intervention to improve deficits known to impact the ability to resume complex activities. Associations between the VR Stroop and neuropsychological, speech therapy, and global rehabilitation measures were examined. We included a brain injured control group to address this frequently cited methodological concern. Design: This was a mixed design study with quasi-experimental Intervention group (N = 12) and retrospective Control group (N = 12). Both groups comprised individuals with brain injury admitted to an outpatient day neurorehabilitation program. Results: Patients with higher level of education and shorter acute medical course deliberated longer before responding on specific Virtual Stroop indices. The brain injury group receiving Virtual Stroop intervention demonstrated a significant increase in level of independence in the home and in community participation by discharge from day neurorehabilitation, compared with the Control group. Increased independence of the virtual reality group was associated with improved attention and self-monitoring, and less disinhibition on the Virtual Stroop. Conclusion: Patients with brain injury demonstrated improvements in various executive functioning and attention indices on the Virtual Stroop, compared with patients who received standard neurorehabilitation. Neurocognitive training within an immersive real-world setting was associated with improved global and specific neurorehabilitation outcomes. Performance on the Virtual Stroop also demonstrated a relationship with cognitive flexibility on traditional neuropsychological testing.

Protective Effects of Tribulus terrestris Against Gentamicin Mediated Nephrotoxicity, Oxidative Damage and Apoptosis in Male Rats

Gentamicin (GNT) is an aminoglycoside antibiotic that is that's employed in the treatment of diverse forms of bacterial infections. However, gentamicin evoked renal toxicity. Therefore, the present experiment investigated the protecting impact of Tribulus terrestris and vitamin C against GNT-induced renal toxicity in albino rats. Six groups with eight rats each were used for this purpose; they included the normal control group that received physiological saline, the second group received Tribulus terrestris(200 mg kg orally), the third group received Vit. C(200 mg kg, orally). The fourth group injected gentamicin sulfate (100mg/kg I/P). The fifth group received Tribulus terrestris (200 mg kg orally) then injected with gentamicin sulfate, the sixth group received Vit. C (200 mg kg orally) then injected with gentamicin sulfate. The results showed that GNT significantly decreases serum levels of total protein and albumin. On the other hand, there were significant increases in levels of BUN, creatinine, and uric acid. Significant decreases were recorded in the levels of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In addition, there was a substantial increase in the kidney contents of malondialdehyde (MDA). Serum levels of beta 2 microglobulin (β2M), nitric oxide (NO), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) were substantially magnified but glutathione S transferase (GST) was significantly declined. Also, GNT caused histopathological changes and increased the expression of caspase-3 in the kidney tissues. However, administration of Tribulus terrestris as well as vitamin C, ameliorated the GNT-induced nephrotoxicity, perhaps via their antioxidant properties.

Effect of the aqueous root extract of Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) against thermally oxidized oil-induced hematological, biochemical and histopathological alterations

This study was performed to evaluate the role of using Curcuma longa L. (turmeric) against thermally oxidized oil-induced hematological, biochemical, and histopathological alterations. Eighty male rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups (20 of each) and treated for 90 days as follows: The first one was kept as standard control group. Groups 2 and 3 received Curcuma longa (CL) 13 g/kg, 5% thermally oxidized oil to ration separately, where the last group was supplemented by CL together with the thermally oxidized oil. Blood samples were collected via ear veins from all rabbits for hematological and biochemical markers analysis. After 30 days, there were non-significant changes in hematological parameters in all groups. The third group exhibits a considerable increase of ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, urea, creatinine, uric acid, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, and MDA with a considerable decrease in HDL-c and CAT, while the second and fourth groups display non-significant deviations in the previous parameters. Where at 90 days, the third group showed a significant diminution in the RBCs count, PCV, Hb concentration, and MCHC with increase in the MCV and MCH. The fourth group shows a significant increase in levels of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL-c with a significant decrease in HDL-c. Microscopically at 30 days, liver, kidneys, and spleen showed severe degeneration and necrosis which were increased at 90 days that confirm hemato-biochemical findings. It was achieved that CL demonstrated protective effects of C. longa against thermally oxidized oil-induced toxicities. These ameliorative effects are attributed to the inherent phytochemical constituents of turmeric. Therefore, turmeric and its derivatives should be a regular constituent of our diets. Also, turmeric may be exploited as an adjuvant in the phytotherapeutic management of some toxicities.

The Role of Relationship Changes in College Students' Heavy Episodic Drinking.

The beginning of college is a period in which increased alcohol use often coincides with greater involvement in romantic relationships. Existing literature yields inconsistent findings regarding the influence of relationship types on drinking behavior, perhaps because these studies have not accounted for recent changes in the way college students engage in dating/sexual relationships. The present study sought to address this issue using a longitudinal study design by examining the effects of both relationship type and sexual activity on heavy episodic drinking (HED) among 1,847 college students over the course of the first 3 semesters of college. Results indicated that the effects of relationship type depended on whether an individual was sexually active. Nondating but sexually active students reported rates of HED comparable to students who defined themselves as casual daters. Conversely, nondating students who were not sexually active reported drinking behavior similar to those involved in exclusive relationships. Further, transitions between low- and high-risk relationship/sexual activity types were associated with corresponding changes in HED. Transitioning into a high-risk relationship was associated with significant increases in levels of HED, whereas transitioning into a low-risk relationship was associated with significant decreases in HED. Together, results indicate that engaging in nonexclusive dating or casual sexual relationships may play an important role in the development of problematic patterns of alcohol use during the early college years. These findings have potentially important implications both for future research and for prevention and intervention efforts targeting high-risk college drinkers.

Dibutyl phthalate aggravated asthma-like symptoms through oxidative stress and increasing calcitonin gene-related peptide release.

Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) is one of the most ubiquitous phthalate esters found in everyday products, and is receiving increased attention as an immunologic adjuvant. However, information regarding DBP-aggravated allergic asthma is still limited. This study used a mouse model sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) to determine any adverse effects of DBP on allergic asthma. Our results reveal that allergic asthmatic mice exposed to DBP for an extended period had a significant increase in inflammatory cell infiltration; a significant increase in levels of serum immunoglobulin and T helper 2cell (Th2) and T helper 17cell (Th17) cytokines in lung tissue; and significant changes in lung histology and AHR, all of which are typical asthmatic symptoms. The levels of oxidative stress and levels of the neuropeptide, calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP), were also elevated after DBP exposure. Interestingly, blocking oxidative stress by administering melatonin (MT) not only reduced oxidative stress and CGRP levels, but also ameliorated the asthmatic symptoms. Collectively, these results show that DBP exacerbates asthma-like pathologies by increasing the expression of CGRP mediated by oxidative stress.

Effect of the intervention mindfulness based compassionate living on the - level of self - criticism and self – compassion

Mindfulness-Based Compassionate Living (MBCL) is an intervention developed to teach individuals to cope with physical, mental, emotional or relational stress in a healthy way. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of a short-term online version of the MBCL intervention on level of self-criticism and self-compassion in a non-clinical convenience sample. The participants were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group. After the intervention and the follow-up, the experimental group consisted of 26 participants who were sent daily emails instructing them to complete the MBCL tasks for 15 consecutive days. At that time, the control group consisted of the remaining 24 participants who did not perform any of the tasks. Data collection was conducted through an online battery of questionnaires measuring level of self-criticism and self-compassion, which we administered three times – before the intervention, after the intervention and as a follow-up two months later. The data were analysed using the repeated measures ANOVA and paired samples t-test. In case of non- normal distribution, the Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test were used. The results showed a significant decrease in level of self-criticism and a significant increase in level of self-compassion after completion of the MBCL intervention, and the results persisted in the follow-up. The main limitations of our research are the small sample and high attrition rate. To conclude, the MBCL could also be administered in online format and have a lasting impact on self-criticism and self-compassion.

Ketogenic diet improves and restores redox status and biochemical indices in monosodium glutamate-induced rat testicular toxicity

This study investigated the effect of ketogenic diet on monosodium glutamate (MSG)-induced testicular dysfunction. Forty-six male rats (180 ± 40 g) were grouped into two groups (23 rats each); control group and MSG-induced group (4 mg/kg bw) for 28 days. At the 29th day, 5 rats from both group were sacrificed to establish testicular dysfunction. The remaining animals from the control group was further divided into three sub-groups and treated for 42 days; untreated group, ketogenic diet only and curcumin only as the standard drug (150 mg/kg bw). In the pre-treatment, the administration of MSG resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the testis-body weight ratio, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), acetylcholine esterase (AChE), cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), nitric oxide (NO), glycogen, protein and antioxidant enzymes in the testis. In the post treatment, the MSG only group significantly reduced testicular cholesterol, catalase (CAT) and NO. In contrast, MSG + ketogenic diet group showed a significant increase in levels of rat testicular acid phosphatase (ACP), ALP, cholesterol, HMG-CoA, TG, malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and NO. The ketogenic diet showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the levels of NO, ALP, cholesterol, HMG CoA reductase and (TG). In addition, significant increases in levels of rat testicular ACP, ALP, HMG-CoA, (CAT), SOD and GSH were recorded for MSG + Curcumin group. Taken together, the findings support the prospects of ketogenic diet to enhance the testicular function in rats.

The predictive role of amylase and lipase levels on pancreas injury diagnosis in patients with blunt abdominal trauma.

Objectives Despite the low incidence of pancreatic injury in the abdominal blunt trauma (BTA), its early diagnosis is very important; since pancreatic injury is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. However, due to the high association of pancreatic injury with injury of other abdominal organs, its diagnosis may be delayed and complicated. The use of imaging modalities is also subject to limitations for reasons such as cost, unavailability, and harmfulness. Consequently, the present study aimed to investigate the predictive role of amylase and lipase enzyme levels in the final diagnosis of pancreatic injury in patients with BTA. Methods In a prospective diagnostic study, 384 patients with BTA referring to Imam Khomeini hospital of Sari (north of Iran) were enrolled according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Initial patient data including age and sex were recorded. Blood samples were analyzed in the laboratory to measure complete blood count (CBC), amylase and lipase enzyme levels. Patients were followed up during hospitalization and focal ultrasound for abdominal trauma (FAST), CT-Scan and laparotomy results were recorded. Finally, the data was analyzed using SPSS version 22. Results The level of amylase enzyme was significantly higher in males (p=0.04), but the level of lipase enzyme was not significantly different between two genders (p>0.05). The most common symptoms and signs in patients were pain, tenderness, and hematoma, respectively. The frequency of pancreatic injury in all patients with blunt abdominal trauma was 7.5% based of FAST, 7% based on CT-Scan and 12.4% based on laparotomy. Comparison of laboratory findings based on FAST, CT-Scan and laparotomy results showed that the level of amylase and lipase enzymes in patients with internal organ and pancreatic damage were higher than in patients without internal organ injury (p<0.05). But based on FAST results; patients with pancreatic injury and injury of other organs had no significant difference (p>0.05). However, comparison of laboratory findings based on CT-Scan and laparotomy results showed a significant increase in the level of amylase and lipase enzymes in patients with pancreatic trauma compared to patients with injury of other organs (p<0.001). Conclusions The results of this study showed that pancreatic injury in blunt trauma is associated with a significant increase in levels of amylase and lipase enzymes. In addition, an increase in levels of amylase and lipase enzymes is associated with internal organ damage. Serum amylase and lipase levels can be used as useful biomarkers to decide whether to perform CT-Scan or laparotomy.

Activated monocytes and markers of inflammation in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis.

In multiple sclerosis (MS), the inflammation and demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS) develop in distinct ways. This makes diagnosing patients difficult, imperative to initiating early and proper treatment. Several common features exist, among them a profound infiltration of monocytes into the CNS mediating demyelination and tissue destruction. In the periphery, monocytes are divided into three subsets depending on expression of CD14 and CD16, representing different stages of activation and differentiation. To investigate their involvement in MS, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 61 patients with incipient, untreated MS and 22 symptomatic control (SC) patients as well as 6 patients with radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS) were characterized ex vivo. In addition, paired serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were analyzed with a panel of biomarkers. In PBMC samples, we demonstrate decreased levels of nonclassical monocytes with a concomitant significant decrease of human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) H3 envelope epitopes on this monocyte subset compared with SC and RIS. The observed HERV expression is present on nonclassical monocytes irrespective of MS and thus presumably a result of the inflammatory activation. For the other surface markers analyzed, we found significantly decreased expression between classical and nonclassical monocytes. In matched samples of CSF a highly significant increase in levels of soluble markers of activation and inflammation is shown, and notably this is not the case for the serum samples. Of the soluble markers investigated, interleukin (IL)‐12/IL‐23p40 had the highest discriminatory power in differentiating patients with MS from SC and RIS, almost comparable to the immunoglobulin G index.

Oral Substitution of Melatonin in Critical Care: A Pharmacokinetic Study in Patients with Intracranial Hemorrhage

Background: Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a devastating condition with a high mortality and morbidity rate. Neuroprotective agents protect surrounding brain tissue from the toxic effects of hematoma and can result in better outcomes. There is evidence demonstrating the neuroprotective benefits of melatonin in experimental animal models of ICH. Reduced melatonin levels have been reported in the intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate baseline melatonin levels and pharmacokinetic profile of melatonin in ICH patients.&#x0D; Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial in which 24 patients with non-traumatic ICH were divided into melatonin and control groups. Subjects in the melatonin group received 30 mg of melatonin for 5 days. Another group of 12 healthy volunteers also were recruited for the study. Baseline serum melatonin levels were measured for all groups. For the pharmacokinetic study, sampling intervals were 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.5, 3, 6 and 10 hours after melatonin administration. Samples were analyzed using an HPLC system with fluorescence detection.&#x0D; Results: Serum melatonin concentrations found to be decreased in all patients. Patients showed a significant increase in levels by the third day but still lower than healthy volunteers. By day 5, the melatonin group reaches melatonin levels, statistically similar to healthy volunteers, but the control group didn't reach normal levels even on the seventh day of study.&#x0D; Conclusion: Our study suggests that monitoring melatonin levels and supplementing with exogenous melatonin can correct the reduced levels. Further studies focused on melatonin administration in ICH patients can be helpful in evaluating clinical outcomes in these patients.&#x0D; J Pharm Care 2020; 8(1): 3-10.

Gelatinasas como marcadores de consumo crónico de alcohol: un estudio piloto en Uruguay

Chronic alcohol consumption in Uruguay is a growing problem, however, determinations of consensual biomarker are not performed systematically neither potential markers are explored. To validate the hypothesis that matrix metalloproteinases with gelatinase activity are biomarkers of chronic alcohol consumption, blood samples of 100 alcoholics that began medical treatment at the Unidad de TrastornosRelacionados con el Alcohol and 50 healthy non-alcoholic donors were evaluated. Alcoholic samples showed gelatinase activity that tripled that of controls and small but significant increases in levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate-aminotransferase and mean cellular volume. Carbohydrate deficient transferrin values were lower in alcoholics than in controls. These results allow proposing gelatinases as the most sensitive indicators of sustained alcohol consumption in the population analyzed since hepatic enzymes and mean cellular volume showed a tendency consistent with the literature but did not reach values associated with thepathology. Since carbohydrate-deficient transferrin is considered the most sensitive and specific indirect biomarker of chronic alcohol consumption, lower values in alcoholics related to controls suggest methodological problems that could be solved by applying other measurement techniques or the presence of yet unknown interferences. Finally, these findings justify an extension of this pilot work, as well as additional studies focused on the participation of matrix metalloproteinases with gelatinase activity in the cascades of damage associated with chronic alcohol consumption.

Anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin D3 on chronic gingivitis

Aims: To investigate the effects of vitamin D3 on chronic gingivitis and to evaluate its effect on Tumor necrosis factor-α and Interleukin-6 in their saliva. Material and Method: Forty patients were classified into two groups: - group 1: (20) chronic gingivitis patients, did not receive any medication (control group), group 2: (20) chronic gingivitis patients (treatment group), received Vitamin D3 1000IU capsule/ day. Scaling and polishing have been carried out for each volunteer to reach the base line for gingival index, oral hygiene index and calculus index. Then these indices were measured for all patients on the next day, after 3 weeks and after 6 weeks in both groups. Five milliliters of unstimulated saliva were collected for measurement of human salivary Tumor necrosis factor-α and Interleukin-6 by ELISA Kits. Results: significant differences were observed between treatment and control groups throughout study days with significant reduction in oral health indices in 21st and 42nd days of treatment group. Comparisons between the salivary parameters showed significant decreases in Tumor necrosis factor-α and Interleukin-6 levels throughout 1st, 21st and 42nd day in treatment group, while in control group no significant differences were observed for IL-6 but significant increase in levels of TNF α was detected. Conclusion: Vitamin D3 has beneficial effect during treatment of chronic gingivitis.

Effect of supra-nutritional selenium-enriched probiotics on hematobiochemical, hormonal, andDoppler hemodynamic changes in male goats.

In this study, the influence of supra-nutritional organic selenium (Se) supplement on hematology and plasma biochemicals, including antioxidant parameters and plasma reproductive hormones, as well as blood flow characteristics in the supratesticular and common carotid arteries (STA and CCA, respectively) were investigated. For this purpose, 15 male goats were used and classified into three equal groups according to the supplementation of the basal diet (BD): negative control (NC), probiotic (Pro), and Se-probiotic (Se-Pro) groups. Blood perfusion in the STA and CCA was assessed by Doppler ultrasonography at three different time intervals: at the experimental onset (T0), 3weeks of dietary supplement (T3), and after 6weeks of observation (T6). Concomitantly, blood samples were withdrawn for hematobiochemical and hormonal changes. Results revealed no evidence of clinical abnormality, with some enhanced hematological parameters and antioxidant (SOD and GPX) levels in goats of the Se-Pro and Pro groups. High concentrations of FSH were found in the Se-Pro at T6 compared to its values in other groups. Similarly, testosterone levels were elevated in the Pro and Se-Pro groups at T3 compared to other time points. There were significant increases in levels of IGF-1 in the Pro and Se-Pro groups compared to the NC group. Significant (P < 0.05) increases in the values of the blood volume within the CCA and the STA were noted in the Se-Pro group, and the highest values were observed at T6 (CCA, 427.4 ± 33ml/min; STA, 49.9 ± 5.0ml/min). In conclusion, supra-nutritional organic selenium improves some hematobiochemical parameters, reproductive hormones, and the blood perfusion within the CCA and STA in goats.

Evaluation the correlation between Inulin and Cystatin C with kidney function tests and GFR in patients with renal disorders

Background: Kidneys are important organs in the human body because of their great importance in assisting the body to remove waste products that resulting from food metabolism through renal filtration of blood plasma from unwanted substances and excreted through diuresis and recover substances that body needs to the blood, relative effectiveness of the kidney can be estimated by measuring the efficiency of glomerular filteration rate (GRF), represented by amount of inulin filtrate into renal tubules for a specified period of time, any difference in normal value indicates the presence of a disorder in the kidney, which affects on performance of its functions and occurrence of imbalance in internal environment of the body, and leads to disrupting functions of other parts of the body, measuring rate of renal filtration is one of the best ways to know function of the kidneys and diagnose various kidney diseases and prevent their development.&#x0D; Materials and Methods : The study included measuring rate of inulin clearance in the blood plasma, and estimating level of cystatin C and a number of biochemical variables in serum and evaluation the effect of body mass index BMI. 50 sample was collected from patients with chronic renal failure, and 50 sample of patients with diabetic nephropathy and 50 sample as control group.&#x0D; Results: The results indicate that a significant decrease in the rate of inulin clearance in plasma and serum albumin, with a significant increase in level of serum cystatin C, glucose, urea and creatinine, and a non significant differences in level of serum uric acid in patients with chronic renal failure and diabetic nephropathy as compared to control group.

Meprin-β activity modulates the β-catalytic subunit of protein kinase A in ischemia-reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury

Meprin metalloproteases have been implicated in the progression of kidney injury. Previous work from our group has shown that meprins proteolytically process the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKA-C), resulting in decreased PKA-C kinase activity. The goal of the present study was to determine the PKA-C isoforms impacted by meprin-β and whether meprin-β expression affects downstream mediators of the PKA signaling pathway in ischemia-reperfusion (IR)-induced kidney injury. IR was induced in 12-wk-old male wild-type (WT) and meprin-β knockout (βKO) mice. Madin-Darby canine kidney cells transfected with meprin-β cDNA were also subjected to 2 h of hypoxia. Western blot analysis was used to evaluate levels of total PKA-C, PKA-Cα, PKA-Cβ, phosphorylated (p-)PKA-C, and p-ERK1/2. Meprin-β expression enhanced kidney injury as indicated by levels of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and cystatin C. IR-associated decreases were observed in levels of p-PKA-C in kidney tissue from WT mice but not βKO mice, suggesting that meprin-β expression/activity is responsible for the in vivo reduction in kinase activity. Significant increases in levels of PKA-Cβ were observed in kidney lysates for WT mice but not βKO mice at 6 h post-IR. Proximal tubule PKA-Cβ increases in WT but not βKO kidneys were demonstrated by fluorescent microscopy. Furthermore, IR-induced injury was associated with significant increases in p-ERK levels for both genotypes. The present data demonstrate that meprin-β enhances IR-induced kidney injury in part by modulating mediators of the PKA-Cβ signaling pathway.

Clinical Level of Evidence Presented at the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) Annual Meeting Over 10 Years (2008-2017): A Systematic Review.

Systematic review. We systematically reviewed the level of clinical evidence presented at Cervical Spine Research Society annual meetings from 2008 through 2017. The Cervical Spine Research Society is dedicated to advancing knowledge of the cervical spine to promote evidence-based care. Research presented at these meetings impacts clinical practice. A total of 774 paper abstracts presented at Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) annual meetings were independently assessed by two reviewers. Reviewers designated a clinical level of evidence (LOE) to each included abstract from level I to level IV based on criteria set forth by the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. Reviewer agreement was assessed using Cohens Kappa coefficient (k) and disagreements were discussed until a consensus was reached. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to assess for differences in LOE grades. Chi-squared testing was used to assess nonrandom changes in level of evidence and in excluded studies. A total of 583 abstracts were included. Over the last 10 CSRS meetings, 5.15% of presentations were level I, 27.8% level II, 27.4% level III, and 39.6% level IV. The average LOE from 2008 to 2017 was 3.02 (median = 3). Additionally, 49.7% were therapeutic studies, 37.6% prognostic studies, and 12.7% diagnostic studies. When comparing the first 5 years (2008-2012) to the last 5 years (2013-2017), we observed a significant increase in Level II (P = 0.007) evidence and a corresponding decrease in level IV evidence (P < 0.001). The average LOE improved from 3.14 (2008-2012) to 2.91 (2013-2017); there was a significant improvement in LOE between the two periods (P = 0.001). Emphasis on evidence-based medicine within cervical spine research has positively influenced the clinical level of evidence disseminated at CSRS annual meetings between 2008 and 2017. Continued focus on higher quality Level I studies is warranted. 4.