Salubrious effects of ulinastatin and quercetin alone or in combination in endothelial dysfunction and vascular dementia.

BACKGROUND: Vascular dementia is the second most prevalent form of dementia. Hypertension is the leading risk factor for endothelial dysfunction and the progression of dementia that is of vascular origin. This study investigates the role of ulinastatin (UTI) and quercetin alone as well as in combination in hypertension-induced endothelial dysfunction and vascular dementia (VaD). METHOD: Two-kidney one-clip (2K1C) renovascular model was set up to induce hypertension in the Albino Wistar rats (males). Rats were assessed for mean arterial blood pressure, behavioral function (Morris water maze, attention set-shifting tests), vascular endothelial function, and biochemical levels (aortic superoxide anion and serum nitrite/nitrate), as well as brains' thiobarbituric acid reactive species-TBARS, reduced glutathione-GSH, interleukin-6, 10, tumor necrosis factor-TNF-α and acetylcholinesterase-AChE). UTI (10,000 U/kg, ip) and quercetin (60 mg/kg) were used alone and in combination for treatment. Donepezil (0.5 mg/kg) was used as a positive control. RESULTS: 2K1C rats showed impairment in learning, memory, executive functioning, and reversal learning. These rats further showed endothelial dysfunction as well as an increase in mean arterial blood pressure, brains' oxidative stress, inflammation, and AChE-activity. Treatment with UTI and quercetin alone as well in combination significantly attenuated the 2K1C model induced impairments in the behavioural, biochemical, and endothelial parameters. CONCLUSION: 2K1C renovascular hypertension-induced impairment in behavioural, biochemical, and endothelial parameters were attenuated by the treatment with UTI and quercetin alone as well as in combination. Therefore, the utility of these agents might be studied further to understand their full potential in hypertension-induced VaD.

Neurobehavioral and neurobiochemical effect of atomoxetine and N-acetylcysteine in streptozotocin diabetes induced endothelial dysfunction and related dementia.

Metabolic conditions like diabetes, is a major risk factor for the development of dementia of vascular origin. This study investigates the efficacy of atomoxetine (ATX) and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in streptozotocin (STZ) diabetes induced vascular endothelium dysfunction and related dementia. Single dose STZ (50 mg/kg i.p) was administered to Albino Wistar rats (male, 200-250 g) by dissolving in citrate buffer. Morris water maze (MWM) and attentional set shifting tests (ASST) were used to assess the spatial learning, memory, reversal learning, and executive functioning in animals. Body weight, serum glucose, serum nitrite/nitrate, vascular endothelial function, aortic superoxide anion, brains' oxidative markers (thiobarbituric acid reactive species-TBARS, reduced glutathione-GSH, superoxide dismutase-SOD, and catalase-CAT), inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, and myeloperoxidase-MPO), acetylcholinesterase activity-AChE and histopathological changes were also assessed. Atomoxetine - ATX (2 mg kg-1/ 4 mg kg-1) and N-acetylcysteine- NAC (250 mg kg-1/ 500 mg kg-1) were used alone as well as in combination, as the treatment drugs. Donepezil (0.5 mg kg-1) was used as a positive control. STZ administered rats showed increase in serum glucose levels and decrease in body weight. Rats administered with STZ also showed reduction in learning, memory, reversal learning, executive functioning, impairment in endothelial function, increase in brains' oxidative stress, inflammation, AChE activity and histopathological changes. Administration of ATX and NAC in two different doses as well as in combination, significantly attenuated the STZ induced diabetes induced impairments in the behavioral, endothelial, biochemical parameters and histopathological changes. Co-treatment of ATX and NAC was better in comparison to the doses when given alone. Hence, STZ administration caused diabetes induced dementia of vascular origin which was attenuated by the administration of ATX and NAC. Therefore, these agents may be studied further for the assessment of their full potential in diabetes induced dementia of vascular origin conditions.

Protective effect of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) modulator, against behavioral, biochemical and structural damage in experimental models of Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheime's disease (AD) is an overwhelming neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by synaptic dysfunction, memory loss, neuro-inflammation and neural cell death. Very few treatments are in hand for the management of AD and they are only concentrating on peculiar aspects. Hence, an immense thrust is required to find utmost therapeutic targets to conquer this condition. This study investigates a potential role of vanillin, a selective agonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) in the experimental models of AD viz. intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) streptozotocin (STZ) and aluminum trichloride (AlCl3)+d-galactose induced AD in mice. The i.c.v. administration of STZ and intraperitoneally administration of AlCl3+d-galactose have significantly impaired learning-memory (Morris water maze and attentional set-shifting test), brain structure (hematoxylin, eosin and Congo red staining), enhanced brain oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substance - TBARS and glutathione - GSH), nitrosative stress (nitrite/nitrate), acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE), inflammation (MPO), and calcium levels (Ca(++)). Treatment with vanillin in different doses and donepezil have significantly ameliorated i.c.v. STZ and AlCl3+d-galactose induced reduction in executive function, impaired reversal learning, cognition, memory and brain damage. Treatment with these drugs has also reduced the brain oxidative stress (TBARS and GSH), nitrosative stress (nitrite/nitrate), and AChE, MPO, and Ca(++) levels. These results indicate that vanillin, a selective agonist of TRPV1 and donepezil, a potent acetylcholine esterase inhibitor have attenuated i.c.v. STZ and AlCl3+d-galactose induced experimental AD. Hence, pharmacological positive modulation of TRPV1 channels may be a potential research target for mitigation of AD.

Calcium Channel Blockade and Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptor γ Agonism Diminish Cognitive Loss and Preserve Endothelial Function During Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is considered as a main risk factor for vascular dementia. In the past, we have reported the induction of vascular dementia (VaD) by experimental diabetes. This study investigates the efficacy of a nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker and pioglitazone in the pharmacological interdiction of pancreatectomy diabetes (PaD) induced vascular endothelial dysfunction and subsequent VaD in rats. Attentional set shifting (ASST) and Morris water-maze (MWM) test were used for assessment of learning and memory. Vascular endothelial function, blood brain barrier permeability, serum glucose, serum nitrite/nitrate, oxidative stress (viz. aortic superoxide anion, brain thiobarbituric acid reactive species and brain glutathione), brain calcium and inflammation (myeloperoxidase) were also estimated. PaD rats have shown impairment of endothelial function, blood brain barrier permeability, learning and memory along with an increase in brain inflammation, oxidative stress and calcium. Administration of nifedipine and pioglitazone significantly attenuated PaD induced impairment of learning, memory, blood brain barrier permeability, endothelial function and biochemical parameters. It may be concluded that nifedipine, a calcium channel blocker may be considered as a potent pharmacological agent for the management of PaD induced endothelial dysfunction and subsequent VaD.

Retraction: Characterization of cellulolytic activities of newly isolated Thelephora sowerbyi from North-Western Himalayas on different lignocellulosic substrates.

Characterization of cellulolytic activities of newly isolated Thelephora sowerbyi from North-Western Himalayas on different lignocellulosic substrate J. Basic Microbiol. 2015, 55, 1-11 - DOI: 10.1002/jobm.201500107 The above article from the Journal of Basic Microbiology, published online on 08 June 2015 in Wiley Online Library as Early View (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jobm.201500107/pdf), has been retracted by agreement between the authors, the Editor-in-Chief and Wiley-VCH GmbH & Co. KGaA. The retraction has been agreed because the microorganism studied in the described experiments has been identified as the fungus Cotylidia pannosa (Gene Accession No. KT008117) instead of Thelephora sowerbyi. The culture has been identified on the basis of the sequence of the amplified ITS region of the microorganism which was submitted by the authors to the NCBI database.

Studies on long-term impact of STCR based integrated fertilizer use on pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum)-wheat (Triticum aestivum) cropping system in semi arid condition of India.

A long-term field experiment on pearl millet - wheat cropping system with soil test crop response correlation (STCR) based fertilizer application was initiated during kharif- 2003 on a sandy loam soil (Typic Halustept) at a research farm of Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi. The aim of the experiment was to study the impact of STCR based integrated fertilizer application for targeted yield of pearl millet - wheat cropping sequence yield and changes in soil health. The result showed a significant and positive impact of integrated use of the fertilizerwith FYM on productivity of the cropping sequence and soil fertility. The STCR based integrated fertilizer recommendations with FYM produced significantly higher grain and straw yields of pearl millet and wheat crops as compared to other treatments. The highest average (2003 to 2010-11) grain and straw yield of pearl millet (2.85 and 6.59 t ha(-1)) and wheat (5.32 and 7.17 t ha(-1)) was recorded with the application of STCR based integrated fertilizer recommendations (T2) for targeted level of yield 2.5 and 5.0 ha(-1), respectively. Average increase in grain and straw yield of pearl millet was 203 and 197% and 196 and 193% of wheat under T2 treatment over control (T4). After harvest of wheat crops (2010-11), the physical, biological properties and fertility status i.e. available N, P and K of soil were improved in the treatments where STCR based integrated fertilizer dose with 10 t FYM (T2) and FYM @20 t ha(-1)(T1) were applied in both the crops and were significantly higher as compared to T3 treatment except available phosphorus. Economic analysis based on average yield of eight cropping sequence (2003 to 2010-11), pearl millet - wheat cropping sequence gave maximum net return of Rs. 100,907 ha(-1) yr(-1) and total return of Rs. 64,992/ ha(-1)yr(-1) over control with STCR based integrated fertilizer recommendations (T2). It is concluded that STCR based integrated fertilizer can be adopted by the farmers of arid region for getting higher yield, profit and improving soil health.

Benefits of agomelatine in behavioral, neurochemical and blood brain barrier alterations in prenatal valproic acid induced autism spectrum disorder.

Valproic acid administration during gestational period causes behavior and biochemical deficits similar to those observed in humans with autism spectrum disorder. Although worldwide prevalence of autism spectrum disorder has been increased continuously, therapeutic agents to ameliorate the social impairment are very limited. The present study has been structured to investigate the therapeutic potential of melatonin receptor agonist, agomelatine in prenatal valproic acid (Pre-VPA) induced autism spectrum disorder in animals. Pre-VPA has produced reduction in social interaction (three chamber social behavior apparatus), spontaneous alteration (Y-Maze), exploratory activity (Hole board test), intestinal motility, serotonin levels (prefrontal cortex and ileum) and prefrontal cortex mitochondrial complex activity (complex I, II, IV). Furthermore, Pre-VPA has increased locomotor activity (actophotometer), anxiety, brain oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive species, glutathione, and catalase), nitrosative stress (nitrite/nitrate), inflammation (brain and ileum myeloperoxidase activity), calcium levels and blood brain barrier leakage in animals. Treatment with agomelatine has significantly attenuated Pre-VPA induced reduction in social interaction, spontaneous alteration, exploratory activity intestinal motility, serotonin levels and prefrontal cortex mitochondrial complex activity. Furthermore, agomelatine also attenuated Pre-VPA induced increase in locomotion, anxiety, brain oxidative stress, nitrosative stress, inflammation, calcium levels and blood brain barrier leakage. It is concluded that, Pre-VPA has induced autism spectrum disorder, which was attenuated by agomelatine. Agomelatine has shown ameliorative effect on behavioral, neurochemical and blood brain barrier alteration in Pre-VPA exposed animals. Thus melatonin receptor agonists may provide beneficial therapeutic strategy for managing autism spectrum disorder.

In vivo and in vitro attenuation of naloxone-precipitated experimental opioid withdrawal syndrome by insulin and selective KATP channel modulator.

RATIONALE: Opiate exposure for longer duration develops state of dependence in humans and animals, which is revealed by signs and symptoms of withdrawal precipitated by opioid receptor antagonists. The sudden withdrawal of opioids produces a withdrawal syndrome in opioid-dependent subjects. Insulin and ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel-mediated glucose homeostasis have been shown to modulate morphine withdrawal. OBJECTIVE: Present study has been structured to investigate the role of insulin and pharmacological modulator of KATP channel (gliclazide) in experimental morphine withdrawal syndrome, both invivo and invitro. METHODS: In this study, naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal syndrome in mice (invivo) as well as in rat ileum (invitro) were utilized to assess opioid withdrawal phenomenon. Morphine withdrawal syndromes like jumping and rearing frequency, forepaw licking, circling, fore paw tremor, wet dog shake, sneezing, overall morphine withdrawal severity (OMWS), serum glucose, brain malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), nitrite/nitrate, and calcium (Ca(+2)) were assessed. RESULTS: Naloxone has significantly increased morphine withdrawal syndrome, both invivo and invitro. Insulin and gliclazide have significantly attenuated, naloxone induced behavioral changes like jumping and rearing frequency, forepaw licking, wet dog shake, sneezing, straightening, circling, OMWS, and various biochemical impairments such as serum glucose, brain MDA, GSH, nitrite/nitrate, and Ca(+2) in morphine-dependent animals (invivo). In vitro, insulin and gliclazide have significantly reduced naloxone-induced contraction in morphine-withdrawn rat ileum preparation. CONCLUSIONS: Insulin and gliclazide (KATP channel blocker) have attenuated naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal syndrome, both invivo and invitro. Thus, insulin and KATP channel modulation may provide new avenues for research in morphine withdrawal.

Mesofaunal biodiversity and its importance in Thar desert.

Soil animals are considered as important contributors to soil fertility However, there is paucity of such information for harsh climatic conditions. Therefore, the below ground faunal density and frequency have been studied in relation to physicochemical properties of soil in Thar desert. The selected soil systems were Vigna radiata--Cuminum cyminum, grassland, flower garden and Zizyphus mauritiana. Acari and other soil arthropods exhibited seasonal variation in their populations. There were two population peaks, one in February/March and other in August/September. The highest population was in flower garden, whereas lowest was in Z. mauritiana field. It clearly indicates that the soil fauna population develops in different degrees. The relative density showed that the acarines were more prevalent in comparison to other soil arthropods. The prostigmatids exhibited maximum relative density in comparison to cryptostigmatids and mesostigmatids in all fields. Pauropus showed higher relative density among all other soil arthropods. Acari had higher frequency of occurrence, while the other soil arthropods indicated lower frequency of occurrence in all systems. The highest frequency of occurrence was recorded in July/August and the lowest in May/June. The soil temperature, moisture, organic carbon, total nitrogen and carbon/nitrogen ratio varied significantly throughout the year The fluctuations in physicochemical characteristics of soil greatly influenced below ground faunal density in different fields. A highly significant and positive correlation was obtained among different soil fauna groups. Faunal population showed a significant positive correlation with soil moisture, organic carbon and total nitrogen. The abiotic factors such as temperature, pH and C/N ratio showed negative correlation with moisture, organic carbon and total nitrogen. However, moisture, organic carbon and total nitrogen had positive correlation among themselves. The present study suggests that the plantation may be done for improvement of physicochemical and biological health of soil on a sustainable basis in desert.

Fauna-associated changes in chemical and biochemical properties of soil.

OBJECTIVE: To study the impacts of abundance of woodlice, termites, and mites on some functional aspects of soil in order to elucidate the specific role of soil fauna in improving soil fertility in desert. METHODS: Fauna-rich sites were selected as experimental sites and adjacent areas were taken as control. Soil samples were collected from both sites. Soil respiration was measured at both sites. The soil samples were sent to laboratory, their chemical and biochemical properties were analyzed. RESULTS: Woodlice showed 25% decrease in organic carbon and organic matter as compared to control site. Whereas termites and mites showed 58% and 16% decrease in organic carbon and organic matter. In contrast, available nitrogen (nitrate and ammonical both) and phosphorus exhibited 2-fold and 1.2-fold increase, respectively. Soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity at the sites rich in woodlice, termites and mites produced 2.5-, 3.5- and 2-fold increases, respectively as compared to their control values. Fauna-associated increase in these biological parameters clearly reflected fauna-induced microbial activity in soil. Maximum decrease in organic carbon and increase in nitrate-nitrogen and ammonical-nitrogen, available phosphorus, soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity were produced by termites and minimum by mites reflecting termite as an efficient soil improver in desert environment. CONCLUSION: The soil fauna-associated changes in chemical (organic carbon, nitrate-nitrogen, ammonical-nitrogen, phosphorus) and biochemical (soil respiration, dehydrogenase activity) properties of soil improve soil health and help in conservation of desert pedoecosystem.

Impact of land use practices on faunal abundance, nutrient dynamics and biochemical properties of desert pedoecosystem.

Increased dependence of resource-poor rural communities on soils of low inherent fertility are the major problem of desert agroecosystem. Agrisilviculture practices may help to conserve the soil biota for maintaining essential soil properties and processes in harsh climate. Therefore, the impacts of different land use systems on faunal density, nutrient dynamics and biochemical properties of soil were studied in agrisilviculture system of Indian desert. The selected fields had trees (Zizyphus mauritiana, Prosopis cineraria, Acacia nilotica) and crops (Cuminum cyminum, Brassica nigra, Triticum aestivum) in different combinations. Populations of Acari, Myriapoda, Coleoptera, Collembola, other soil arthropods and total soil fauna showed significant changes with respect to different land use practices and tree species, indicating a strong relation between above and below ground biodiversity. The Coleoptera exhibited greatest association with all agrisilviculture fields. The Z. mauritiana system indicated highest facilitative effects (RTE value) on all groups of soil fauna. Soil temperature, moisture, organic carbon, nitrate- and ammonical-nitrogen, available phosphorus, soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity were greater under tree than that of tree plus cropping system. It showed accumulation of nitrate-nitrogen in tree field and more utilization by crops in cultivated lands. Positive and significant correlation among organic carbon, nitrate- and ammonical-nitrogen, phosphorus, soil respiration and dehydrogenase activity clearly reflects increase in soil nutrients with the increase in microbial and other biotic activity. P. cineraria field was the best pedoecosystem, while C. cyminum was the best winter crop for cultivation in desert agroforestry system for soil biological health and soil sustainability. The increase in organic carbon, soil nutrients and microbial activity is associated with the increase in soil faunal population which reflect role of soil fauna in fertility building. This suggests that strategies may be developed for nurturing fertility-building soil fauna and managing degraded pedoecosystem in desert just by adopting suitable agricultural practices.

Effects of of habitats and pesticides on aerobic capacity and survival of soil fauna.

OBJECTIVE: Faunal health is largely dependent on their soil environment and available litter quality. So the effects of different soil habitats and pesticides on citrate synthase (CS) activity of soil fauna and its population were studied. METHODS: The soil animals were collected from different pedoecosystems for habitat study. Whereas Vigna radiata based system was selected for pesticidal observations. The field was divided into five equal plots for control and treatment of gamma-BHC, quinalphos, carbaryl and cypermethrin. Soil fauna was collected by quadrat method and extracted by Tullgren funnel. Individuals of a species having similar sizes were collected for the estimation of CS activity. They were homogenized and fractions were obtained by differential centrifugation. The activity of CS was assayed spectrophotometrically. RESULTS: Citrate synthase (CS) activity of beetle (Rasphytus fregi), woodlouse (Porcellio laevis) and centipede (Scolopendra morsitans) varied significantly with respect to changes in different soil habitats. Though the CS activity of R. fregi, P. laevis, and S. morsitans differed among themselves but the highest activity of CS in these animals was in V. radiata and lowest in A. nilotica based pedoecosystem. The aerobic capacity of centipede was maximum followed by woodlouse and beetle. The treatment of gamma-BHC, quinalphos, carbaryl and cypermethrin significantly reduced the CS activity of these animals. Gamma-BHC showed maximum reduction in CS activity indicating highly toxic effect of organochlorine on aerobic metabolism of soil fauna. However, minimum reduction was observed in response to carbaryl (in beetle) or cypermethrin (in woodlouse/centipede) leading to impairment of aerobic capacity. The differences in pesticide effects might be assigned to the differences in chemical nature of pesticides and their interactions with below-ground fauna. Treatment of gamma-BHC and quinalphos reduced the population of Acari, Coleoptera, Collembola, other arthropods as well as total soil fauna. Acari was least affected by gamma-BHC and maximally affected (72%) in response to quinalphos. The effect of gamma-BHC was fairly similar on Coleoptera, Collembola, other arthropod and total soil fauna suggesting almost similar sensitivity to this pesticide. Likewise, quinalphos was similarly effective on Collemobola and other soil arthropods. Application of carbaryl decreased Acari and Coleoptera population but increased Collembola, other arthropods and total faunal populations. However, application of cypermethrin significantly reduced the population of Acari, Coleoptera, Collembola and total soil fauna and increased the population of other soil arthropods. In both the cases, acarine population was least affected. CONCLUSION: The observations show the habitat-specific variation in aerobic capacity of soil fauna. However, pesticide-dependent loss in population might be due to impairment of aerobic capacity of soil inhabiting animals in desert.

Temperature related seasonal changes in Golgi complex of brain, heart and intestine of a teleost.

Impact of temperature related seasonal changes in density of Golgi complex were studied in brain, heart and intestine of the freshwater catfish, Clarias batrachus (Linnaeus). The density of Golgi complex was more in these organs of the fish acclimatized to a lower temperature (20 degrees C) than that to a higher temperature (29 degrees C). This suggests that lower temperature induces secretory activity in cells to cope up with the changes in surrounding environment. It could be a kind of histophysiological adaptation in poikilothermic animal.

Prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a tertiary referral hospital in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

We report the prevalence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in our hospital located in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Out of total 549 strains of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from different clinical specimens 301 (54.85%) were found to be methicillin resistant. More than 80% of MRSA were found to be resistant to penicillin, cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, erythromycin, tetracycline, 60.5% to amikacin and 47.5% to netilmicin. However, no strains were resistant to vancomycin. Many MRSA strains (32.0%) were multi-drug resistant. To reduce the prevalence of MRSA, the regular surveillance of hospital associated infection, monitoring of antibiotic sensitivity pattern and formulation of definite antibiotic policy may be helpful.

Epithelial adherence of Candida albicans is enhanced by passage through rat small intestine.

Seven Candida albicans isolates (four from patients with diarrhoea and three from healthy persons) underwent two passages through rat ileal loop (RIL) to see the effect of consecutive passages on the adherence to rat intestinal epithelium. The isolates from patients with diarrhoea showed a significant enhancement in adherence after the first passage (1.95 x 10(4) cfu/cm2 versus 3.67 x 10(4) cfu/cm2). There was no further increase between the first passage (3.67 x 10(4) cfu/cm2) and the second one (3.61 x 10(4) cfu/cm2). A similar pattern was observed with the three nondiarrhoeal isolates. Animal passage of this fungus probably leads to better interactions between the cell surfaces causing the enhanced adherence.