Mapping genes for phosphorus utilization and correlated traits using a 4k SNP linkage map in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica).

A large F2 cross with 920 Japanese quail was used to map QTL for phosphorus utilization, calcium utilization, feed per gain and body weight gain. In addition, four bone ash traits were included, because it is known that they are genetically correlated with the focal trait of phosphorus utilization. Trait recording was done at the juvenile stage of the birds. The individuals were genotyped genome-wide for about 4k SNPs and a linkage map constructed, which agreed well with the reference genome. QTL linkage mapping was performed using multimarker regression analysis in a line cross model. Single marker association mapping was done within the mapped QTL regions. The results revealed several genome-wide significant QTL. For the focal trait phosphorus utilization, a QTL on chromosome CJA3 could be detected by linkage mapping, which was substantiated by the results of the SNP association mapping. Four candidate genes were identified for this QTL, which should be investigated in future functional studies. Some overlap of QTL regions for different traits was detected, which is in agreement with the corresponding genetic correlations. It seems that all traits investigated are polygenic in nature with some significant QTL and probably many other small-effect QTL that were not detectable in this study.

Gender differences in anomalous subcortical morphology for children with ADHD.

Although studies showed subtle reductions in brain volume in fronto-striatial regions in children with ADHD, there have been limited investigations of volume and lateralizaton in subcortical structures and a paucity of exploration of the influence of gender on these findings. This study aims to examine morphology of subcortical structures and their association with ADHD symptoms in boys and girls as compared to their typically-developing (TD) peers. One hundred and eighty five children aged 7-14 years with and without ADHD were included from ADHD-200 Consortium. Results showed that compared to TD boys, boys with ADHD had reduced accumbens, amygdala and hippocampus volumes. There were no volumetric differences in any structure between ADHD and TD girls. Asymmetry analysis revealed right lateralization compressions within the thalamus in ADHD boys relative to TD boys. The findings suggest a gender dimorphic pattern of differences in subcortical structures in children with ADHD, and a possible neurobiological mechanism where boys with ADHD demonstrate increasing difficulties with hyperactivity/impulsivity.

Panchagavya Ghrita, an Ayurvedic formulation attenuates seizures, cognitive impairment and oxidative stress in pentylenetetrazole induced seizures in rats.

Panchagavya Ghrita (PG), according to Ayurvedic formulary of India (AFI), is used to treat epilepsy (apasmara), fever (jvara), mania (unmade) and jaundice (kamala). In the present study, we examined its effect on convulsions, oxidative stress and cognitive impairment in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced seizures in rats. PG @ 250, 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg was administered orally for 7 days to male Wistar rats. On day 7, PTZ (60 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally 2 h after the last dose of PG. Sodium valproate (300 mg/kg) was used as positive control. Latency to myoclonic jerks, clonus and generalized tonic clonic seizures (GTCS) were recorded for seizure severity. Cognitive impairment was assessed using elevated plus maze and passive avoidance tests. Malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione levels were measured in rat brain. The results have shown that pretreatment with PG @ 500, 1000, 2000 and 4000 mg/kg exhibited 16.6, 33.3, 50 and 100% protection against occurrence of GTCS. The pretreatment with PG has significantly improved cognitive functions and the oxidative stress induced by seizures demonstrating its protective effect against PTZ induced seizures, and further, use of PG as an anticonvulsant in Ayurvedic system of medicine.

Histochemical evaluation of catechins in PEG stressed transgenic tea plants using catechin-specific-diazotized sulfanilamide reagent.

We investigated the applicability of catechin-specific-reagent (CSR) for histochemical evaluation of catechins. The diazotized arylamine moiety in CSR reacts specifically with the A-ring of catechins to yield a golden yellow complex. This makes it highly specific for spectrophotometric quantification of catechins. Therefore, microtome cut sections of untransformed and osmotin-expressing transgenic leaves and stem of tea were stained with CSR. We found catechins in the form of golden yellow globules. The catechin globules increased in the structurally intact and highly turgid cells of osmotin expressing transgenic tea plants after stress treatment with 20% PEG; by contrast, the cells in non-transgenic plants accumulated fewer catechin globules. Spectrophotometric quantification of catechins also confirmed higher levels in transgenics compared to untransformed plants. We found elevated accumulation of catechins in stress tolerant cells of tea leaves.

Imbalance of folic acid and vitamin B12 is associated with birth outcome: an Indian pregnant women study.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Maternal nutrient supplementation in developing countries is generally restricted to provision of iron and folic acid. Along with folic acid, vitamin B12 is also an important determinant of fetal growth and development. During pregnancy, the increased requirement of folic acid is met with supplementation, while vitamin B12 remains untreated and possibly deficient. The objective of our study was to study the combined effect of maternal plasma folate and vitamin B12, and their ratio on birth anthropometrics. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We carried out an observational study on 49 full-term pregnant women at KEM Hospital, Pune, India, during 2006-2008, and measured plasma folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine in venous blood at 36 weeks of gestation. Neonatal anthropometrics (birth weight, length, head circumference, abdominal circumference, mid arm circumference, chest circumference, triceps skinfold and subscapular skinfold thickness) were measured within 24 h of birth. RESULTS: Maternal plasma folate and vitamin B12 were not correlated to neonatal anthropometrics. The combined association of folate and vitamin B12 expressed as folate to vitamin B12 ratio was correlated to the neonatal anthropometrics. Imbalance in the maternal micronutrients with increasing ratio of folate to vitamin B12 was associated with an increase in plasma homocysteine (P=0.014), lowering of neonatal birth weight (P=0.009), birth length (P=0.034), head circumference (P=0.018) and chest circumference (P=0.009), while no significant association to other anthropometrics was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of vitamin B12 in addition to supplementation of folic acid in pregnancy may be important for improving birth weight, birth length, head circumference and chest circumference.

Different effects on bone strength and cell differentiation in pre pubertal caloric restriction versus hypothalamic suppression.

Hypothalamic amenorrhea and energy restriction during puberty affect peak bone mass accrual. One hypothesis suggests energy restriction alters hypothalamic function resulting in suppressed estradiol levels leading to bone loss. However, both positive and negative results have been reported regarding energy restriction and bone strength. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate energy restriction and hypothalamic suppression during pubertal onset on bone mechanical strength and the osteogenic capacity of bone marrow-derived cells in two models: female rats treated with gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists (GnRH-a) or 30% energy restriction. At 23 days of age, female Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to three groups: control group (C, n=10), GnRH-a group (n=10), and Energy Restriction (ER, n=12) group. GnRH-a animals received daily injections for 27 days. The animals in the ER group received 70% of the control animals' intake. After sacrifice (50 days of age), body weight, uterine and muscle weights were measured. Bone marrow-derived stromal cells were cultured and assayed for proliferation and differentiation into osteoblasts. Outcome measures included bone strength, bone histomorphometry and architecture, serum IGF-1 and osteocalcin. GnRH-a suppressed uterine weight, decreased osteoblast proliferation, bone strength, trabecular bone volume and architecture compared to control. Elevated serum IGF-1 and osteocalcin levels and body weight were found. The ER model had an increase in osteoblast proliferation compared to the GnRH-a group, similar bone strength relative to body weight and increased trabecular bone volume in the lumbar spine compared to control. The ER animals were smaller but had developed bone strength sufficient for their size. In contrast, suppressed estradiol via hypothalamic suppression resulted in bone strength deficits and trabecular bone volume loss. In summary, our results support the hypothesis that during periods of nutritional stress the increased vertebral bone volume may be an adaptive mechanism to store mineral which differs from suppressed estradiol resulting from hypothalamic suppression.

Antimicrobial activity of the extracts of Craniotome furcata (Lamiaceae).

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Craniotome furcata (Link.) O. Kuntze (Lamiaceae) is used in the traditional medicine for the treatment of cuts and wounds indicating antimicrobial activity. AIM OF THE STUDY: To validate the traditional medicinal claim, in vitro antimicrobial activity of the extracts was screened against eleven human pathogenic bacteria and fungi. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ethyl acetate (CE) and n-butanol (CB) extracts of the aerial parts of Craniotome furcata were tested against four Gram-positive bacteria, four Gram-negative bacteria and three fungi species. Antimicrobial activity was determined by the tube-dilution method. RESULTS: The CE and CB extracts showed antimicrobial activity against all of the tested microorganisms, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range of 0.41-4.58mg/ml. CONCLUSIONS: The tested microbes Micrococcus flavus and Escherichia coli were highly susceptible to extract CE and antimicrobial activity of CB is comparable to that of extract CE against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus faecalis while it is better than that of extract CE, against Klebsiella pneumoniae. Both the extracts were found less susceptible against tested fungi.

Portal hypertension associated with sickle cell disease.

We report a 12-year-old girl with sickle cell disease who presented with pain in abdomen, fever, joint pain and hematemesis. On examination she had mild jaundice and splenomegaly. Upper GI endoscopy showed esophageal varices. She was treated with variceal band ligation and is well on folic acid supplements and propranolol.

Antioxidant activity of bakuchiol: experimental evidences and theoretical treatments on the possible involvement of the terpenoid chain.

The protective activity of the plant-derived meroterpene, bakuchiol [1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,7-dimethyl-3-vinyl-1,6-octadiene, 1], against oxidative damages to lipids and proteins has been investigated and rationalized based on the scavenging activity of 1 against various oxidizing radicals (Cl(3)CO(2)(*), linoleic acid peroxyl radicals, LOO(*), DPPH radicals, (*)OH, and glutathiyl radicals). The rate constants of the scavenging reactions, transients formed in these reactions, and their mechanistic pathways have been probed using optical pulse radiolysis technique. Besides 1, its methyl ether derivative 2 also could prevent lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenate, indicating the probable participation of their terpenoid chains in scavenging LOO(*). This was further corroborated from the pulse radiolytic studies on the reaction between the glutathiyl radicals and the compounds 1 and 2 as well as two other congeners, 3 and 4, which showed transient absorptions at approximately 300 nm attributable to some C-centered allylic radicals. On the basis of the strong signals at approximately 300 nm with 1-3 as compared to compound 4, formation of the allylic radical adjacent to the trisubstituted olefin function in 1-3 was envisaged. This was confirmed by quantum chemical calculations of the relative energies of the probable radical species derivable from 2 using Hartree-Fock and density functional theory along with self-consistent reaction field model. In the case of 1, the allylic radical was found to be transformed into the phenoxyl radical at a later stage. All of these data revealed, for the first time, the importance of the terpenoid moiety of bakuchiol in controlling its antioxidant action via radical scavenging.

An A-type proanthocyanidin from Prunus armeniaca.

Roots of Prunus armeniaca yielded a new A-type proanthocyanidin whose structure was assigned as ent-epiafzelechin-3-O-p-hydroxybenzoate-(4alpha-->8, 2alpha-->O-->7)-epiafzelechin (1). The structure of 1 was determined through extensive 1D and 2D NMR studies.

Establishment and comparison of fibroblast cell lines from the medial collateral and anterior cruciate ligaments of the rabbit.

We have developed a procedure to explant fibroblasts from the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the medical collateral ligament (MCL) of the rabbit knee, and have optimized conditions for maintaining them in culture. Maximal growth for both ACL and MCL cells was obtained with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium supplemented with 15% fetal bovine serum and 250 microM ascorbate. ACL and MCL fibroblasts displayed intrinsic differences in their responses to changes in culture parameters. Specifically, they displayed different growth responses when plated at different densities and responded to RPMI 1640 medium in very different ways. There were also biochemical differences between the cell types. Both cell types produced similar amounts of collagen in culture, but the ratio of type I to type III, the major collagen subtypes produced by these cells, were different. ACL fibroblasts produced 86.7% type I and 13.3% type III, and MCL fibroblasts produced 71.1% type I and 28.9% type III. In addition, total protein produced by ACL fibroblasts was higher than that produced by MCL cells. This confirms the suggestions of previous researchers that such differences might exist.

Acute and long term effect of nifedipine on pulmonary hypertension secondary to chronic obstructive airways disease.

To determine whether Nifedipine reduces pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance in patients with hypoxic pulmonary hypertension, we have studied ten clinically stable patients with chronic obstructive airways disease following acute administration of sublingual Nifedipine 20 mg and also after three months long term treatment with Nifedipine tablets 20mg bd. In the acute study, Nifedipine significantly raised mean pulmonary artery pressure from 30.32 +/- 13.07 mm Hg to 34.15 +/- 14.33 mm Hg (p less than 0.001) and pulmonary wedge pressure from 6.15 +/- 5.09 mm Hg to 7.6 +/- 3.39 mm Hg (p less than 0.1). There was a significant fall in mean systematic artery pressure from 99.06 +/- 12.05 mm Hg to 89.47 +/- 10.04 mm Hg (p less than 0.005) and a rise in heart rate from 79 +/- 9.7 beats/minute to 85.45 +/- 13.46 beats/minute (p less than 0.5). There was a significant change in cardiac index from 2.96 +/- 0.76 l/min/m2 to 3.2 +/- 0.51 l/min/m2 p(less than 0.1). There was no statistically significant change in pulmonary vascular resistance from 5.06 +/- 3.45 mm Hg/l/min to 4.92 +/- 3.10 mm Hg/l/min. In the long term study, no statistically significant differences over the base line values were found in measurements of mean pulmonary artery and pulmonary wedge pressures, mean systemic artery pressure, cardiac index and PO2. There was a greater fall in pulmonary vascular resistance in comparison with the acute study. The pulmonary vascular resistance fell from 5.06 +/- 3.45 mm Hg/l/min to 4.24 +/- 2.31 mm Hg/l/min but did not achieve statistical significance.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)