Possible mechanism of bamboo shoots (Bambusa balcooa) induced thyroid disruption - An in vitro study.

Endemic goitre and associated iodine deficiency disorders (IDDs) are a major concern in public health even in the period of post salt iodization in many regions. Among others the consumption of cyanogenic plants found responsible for the persistence of such diseases. Bamboo shoots (BS) is one such cyanogenic plant food that caused disruption of certain thyroid hormone synthesizing regulatory element as has already been reported in our earlier study. In this investigation the possible mechanism of thyrocytes disruption along with interruption of thyroid hormone biosynthesis by BS has been worked out. Commonly consumed BS, Bambusa Balcooa Roxb (BBR) water extract was analysed by GC MS; three doses below IC50 were administered to thyrocytes in culture with and without iodine. Expressions of thyroglobulin (Tg), pendrin (PDS) and monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) were evaluated in thyrocytes with cell cycle analysis, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, DNA oxidation and apoptotic regulation through Bax, Bcl-2 and p53. Phytochemical analysis of BBR extract revealed the presence of precursors and metabolic end products of cyanogenic glycosides. Dose dependent decrease in expression of Tg and PDS with concomitant decrease in gene expression of these with MCT8 were observed. Increased ROS, DNA oxidation and associated imbalance were found through increased Bax and p53 with decreased Bcl-2 that perturbed thyrocytes cell cycle. Cyanogenic constituents of BBR generates ROS associated oxidative changes in thyrocytes with DNA damage and oxidation and cell cycle disruption followed by inhibition of thyroid hormone synthesizing regulatory elements; addition of extra iodine showed partial prevention.

Necessity to identify the causative agent for appropriate treatment in fungal corneal ulcer: an in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: Fungal corneal ulcers are a major cause of preventable blindness. Different antifungal agents as natamycin, nystatin, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole are used to treat these ulcers. Among these, natamycin is most widely used as a treatment modality. In natamycin non-responding cases, other drugs especially voriconazole is used. This study was done to assess the use of antifungal drugs in the treatment of fungal corneal ulcer by determining the minimum inhibitory concentration against common fungal pathogens. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Minimum inhibitory concentration of fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, nystatin and natamycin was assessed against the 61 isolated corneal fungal pathogens as per CLSI guidelines. RESULTS: MIC value of different antifungal agents varies as per fungal strains. Voriconazole showed the lowest MIC against the isolated fungi, in comparison to fluconazole and itraconazole. In comparison to other fungi, higher natamycin MIC was observed against Aspergillus species. Itraconazole is poorly effective against Fusarium sp. CONCLUSION: Identification of causative fungi is necessary before antifungal treatment. Lowest voriconazole MIC promotes its use as 1st line drug. Comparative higher natamycin MIC, especially against Aspergillus species, warns clinician to have MIC in each case of a non-responding fungal corneal ulcer.

Interrelationship between iodine nutritional status of lactating mothers and their absolutely breast-fed infants in coastal districts of Gangetic West Bengal in India.

Iodine nutritional status of 128 lactating mothers and their breast-fed infants (1-3 months) from iodine-replete villages during post-salt iodization period was evaluated. Mothers' urine, blood, and breast milk (BM) and infants' urine and blood were collected and analyzed for iodine and serum FT4 and TSH estimation. Mothers' and infants' age, parity, occupation, education, and household income were recorded. Median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) of infants was 250 µg/L, indicating their iodine intake was more than adequate. Mothers' median UIC was 185 µg/L, indicating adequate iodine nutrition; however, 13.28% had mild to severe deficiency. Median breast milk iodine concentration (BMIC) was 230 µg/L, which was more than their median UIC 185 µg/L. In iodine-deficient mothers, positive correlation was found between mothers' and infants' serum FT4 and TSH levels, and negative correlation was found between mothers' and infants' serum FT4 and TSH levels in excessive iodine nutrition group. CONCLUSION: Iodine intake of breast-fed infants was at the limit of above requirement, and they are possibly at the risk of excess iodine intake. In iodine deficient and excessive iodine intake mothers, their infants' serum FT4 and TSH are independent on their iodine nutritional status but dependent on thyroid hormone profile of their mothers but differently. What is Known: • A median urinary iodine of 100 µg/L is used to define adequate iodine intake of lactating mothers and children < 2 years. However, adequate iodine intake in terms of urinary iodine of infants of age 1-3 months is not known. What is New: • Iodine intake of absolutely breast-fed infants (1-3 months) was more than adequate, though their mother's intake was adequate as breast milk contains more iodine than urine. The infants of iodine deficient and excessive iodine intake mothers, infants' hormonal profile is independent of their iodine nutritional status but dependent on their mothers thyroid hormone profile.

BMI and season are associated with vitamin D deficiency in women with impaired fertility: a two-centre analysis.

PURPOSE: Animal and human studies suggest that vitamin D regulates functions of the reproductive system. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in women of reproductive age. Vitamin D status has been associated with in vitro fertilisation outcome, features of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and endometriosis. The aims of our study were to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency of infertile women living in central Germany, to identify risk factors for vitamin D deficiency and to specify seasonal variations of vitamin D status. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study at an academic tertiary care centre (N = 113) and an Outpatient Centre for Reproductive Medicine (N = 193) of women presenting for infertility treatment. The statistical evaluation was descriptive and explorative. Possible risk factors associated with an increased risk for vitamin D deficiency were assessed using multiple logistic regression models. Variables with p value less than 0.05 were further assessed in a multivariable logistic regression model. RESULTS: Overall, 98.2 % of patients at centre 1 and 81.3 % of women with impaired fertility at centre 2 had deficient or insufficient vitamin D levels. Overweight BMI and limited exposure to sun (winter, spring and autumn trimester) were associated with an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D levels did not vary according to age or infertility associated disorders (e.g. endometriosis, PCOS). CONCLUSION: The rate of vitamin D deficiency among women with impaired fertility is alarming. Prospective studies are pressingly needed to confirm a causal relationship and to investigate the potential therapeutic benefits of vitamin D supplementation in this population.

Modelling phosphate adsorption to the soil: application of the non-ideal competitive adsorption model.

Phosphorus (P) transport in subsurface runoff has increased despite the limited mobility of P in soils. This study investigated the ability of the non-ideal competitive adsorption (NICA) model to describe phosphate (PO(4)) adsorption for soils in southern Quebec (Canada). We measured the surface charge and PO(4) adsorption capacity for 11 agricultural soils. Using the experimental data and a nonlinear fitting function, we derived the NICA model parameters. We found that the NICA model described accurately the surface charge of these soils with a mean R(2)>0.99, and described the adsorption data with a mean R(2)=0.96. We also found that the variable surface charge was distributed over the two binding sites with the low pH sites demonstrating a stronger binding energy for hydroxyl and PO(4) ions. We established that the NICA model is able to describe P adsorption for the soils considered in this study.

Intergeneric hybridization between Erucastrum cardaminoides and two diploid crop Brassica species.

Two intergeneric hybrids involving wild species Erucastrum cardaminoides (2 n=18, E(cd) E(cd)) and two crop brassica species, Brassica rapa (2 n=20, AA) and B. nigra (2 n=16, BB), were synthesized through in vitro sequential ovary culture. Morphological, molecular and cytological studies were conducted to establish their hybridity. Both hybrids, though morphologically distinct, were intermediate phenotypically between their respective parents. Cytological analysis of the E. cardaminoides x B. rapa hybrid (2 n=19), revealed the occurrence of 17 I+1 II at diakinesis/metaphase in the majority (28%) of the pollen mother cells (PMCs), whereas in E. cardaminoides x B. nigra hybrid (2 n=17), 13 I+2 II was the predominant (32%) meiotic configuration. A maximum of 5 II was recorded in both hybrids, indicating homoeologous pairing in the respective combined genomes. Chromosome doubling by colchicine application gave rise to two new amphiploids (AA E(cd)E(cd) and BB E(cd)E(cd)) having normal chromosome pairing and pollen fertility. The occasional occurrence of one quadrivalent in the amphiploids confirmed partial homoeology between the E(c) and A/B genomes. The E. cardaminoides x B. nigra hybrid and amphiploid appeared to be tolerant to alternaria blight under field conditions.

Identification of causal relationships among traits related to drought resistance in Stylosanthes scabra using QTL analysis.

Previous studies have shown that a negative relationship exists between transpiration efficiency (TE) and carbon isotope discrimination (Delta) and between TE and specific leaf area (SLA) in Stylosanthes scabra. A glasshouse experiment was conducted to confirm these relationships in an F(2) population and to study the causal nature of these relationships through quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis. One hundred and twenty F(2) genotypes from a cross between two genotypes within S. scabra were used. Three replications for each genotype were maintained through vegetative propagation. Water stress was imposed by maintaining plants at 40% of field capacity for about 45 d. To facilitate QTL analysis, a genetic linkage map consisting of 151 RAPD markers was developed. Results from this study show that Delta was significantly and negatively correlated with TE and biomass production. Similarly, SLA showed significant negative correlation with TE and biomass production. Most of the QTL for TE and Delta were present on linkage groups 5 and 11. Similarly, QTL for SLA, transpiration and biomass productivity traits were clustered on linkage groups 13 and 24. One unlinked marker was also associated with these traits. There were several markers coincident between different traits. At all the coincident QTL, the direction of QTL effects was consistent with phenotypic data. At the coincident markers between TE and Delta, high alleles of TE were associated with low alleles of Delta. Similarly, low alleles of SLA were associated with high alleles of biomass productivity traits and transpiration. At the coincident markers between trans-4-hydroxy-N:-methyl proline (MHP) and relative water content (RWC), low alleles of MHP were associated with high alleles of RWC. This study suggests the causal nature of the relationship between TE and Delta. Phenotypic data and QTL data show that SLA was more closely associated with biomass production than with TE. This study also shows that a cause-effect relationship may exist between SLA and biomass production.

Novel bioactivities of Curcuma longa constituents.

Bioassay-directed fractionation of ethyl acetate extract from Curcuma longa Linn. rhizomes yielded three curcuminoids, which displayed topoisomerase I and II enzyme inhibition activity. Curcumin III (3) was the most active curcuminoid, inhibiting topoisomerase at 25 micrograms mL-1. Curcumin I (1) and curcumin II (2) inhibited the topoisomerases at 50 micrograms mL-1. Fractionation of the volatile oil from the rhizomes afforded ar-turmerone (4), which displayed mosquitocidal activity with an LD100 of 50 micrograms mL-1 on Aedes aegyptii larvae. Bioassay-directed fractionation of hexane extract from the turmeric leaves yielded labda-8(17),12-diene-15,16 dial (5) with antifungal activity against Candida albicans at 1 micrograms mL-1 and inhibited the growth of Candida kruseii and Candida parapsilosis at 25 micrograms mL-1. In addition, 5 displayed 100% mosquitocidal activity on A. aegyptii larvae at 10 micrograms mL-1.

Supercritical carbon dioxide extraction and quantification of bioactive neolignans from Magnolia virginiana flowers.

Magnolia virginiana L. flowers were extracted sequentially with supercritical CO2, supercritical CO2 modified with 5% chloroform, and supercritical CO2 modified with 5% methanol at 40 degrees C and 400 atm. The biologically active neolignans 3,5'-diallyl-2',4-dihydroxybiphenyl (1), 4,4'-diallyl-2,3'-dihydroxybiphenyl ether (2), 5,5'-diallyl-2,2'-dihydroxybiphenyl (3), and 3,5'-diallyl-2'-hydroxy-4-methoxybiphenyl (4) present in these extracts, were quantified by HPLC using photodiode array detection. Compounds 1-4 present in one gram dried flowers were found to be 0.11, 1.16, 1.66, and 0.42%, respectively. This is the first report of the supercritical extraction and quantification of bioactive neolignans from Magnolia virginiana L. flowers.

Calcification of the urinary bladder in the wild cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus).

Calcification of the urinary bladder epithelium was observed in 19 of 30 and 18 of 30 wild cotton rats from control and petrochemical-contaminated sites, respectively. The rats in the two sites did not differ significantly in respect of serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations. The calcification was considered to be dystrophic in nature. An unidentified factor common to both control and petrochemical-contaminated sites was considered to be responsible for this syndrome.

Antimicrobial screening of essential oils and extracts of some Humulus lupulus L. cultivars.

The essential oils as well as solvent extracts of 11 hop cultivars, 1 hop variety and a wild type of hop were screened for their antimicrobial activities using the agar overlay technique. The oils were isolated from the cones of the various hop plants by hydrodistillation, the extracts were obtained by soaking the hop cones in chloroform. The oils and the extracts showed activity against the Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and the fungus (Trichophyton mentagrophytes var. interdigitale), but almost no activity against the Gram-negative bacterium (Escherichia coli) and the yeast (Candida albicans) used in the screening. The peak area percentages of the main volatile components and the contents of the bitter acids of the extracts were determined for all cultivars using chromatographic methods.

A host-mediated in vivo/in vitro assay with peritoneal murine macrophages for the detection of carcinogenic chemicals.

We have developed a host-mediated assay system for the detection of the transforming action of chemical carcinogens on peritoneal macrophages. Directly as well as indirectly acting carcinogenic substances administered intraperitoneally to NMRI mice could be examined in this way. Resident macrophages were recovered by peritoneal lavage from treated and untreated mice and were cultured in soft agar. After 5-6 days normal and transformed cells could be distinguished. Statistical analysis comparing cells, for example, from alpha-naphthylamine or diphenylhydantoin-treated animals with those from control mice proved that the test is positive at least on a significance level of 5% using the t-test. Further substances revealing a cell-transformation potential were benzene, benz(a)pyrene, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, N-nitrosodimethylamine, ethidium bromide, aflatoxin B1,N-methyl-N-nitrosourea, 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine, 2-naphthylamine, dieldrin, suramin and trichloroethylene. A weak transforming potential was found for chlorambucil as well as for tetrachloroethylene. With toluene or azidothymidine no cell transformation could be observed. Several immortal cell lines could be established form NMRI mice treated with alpha-naphthylamine or N-methyl-N-nitrosourea. Athymic nu/nu mice injected subcutaneously with these cells developed tumors, establishing the oncogenic potential of these cell lines.

A norepinephrine-cyclic AMP link in the hypothalamic pathways which mediate fever induced by endotoxin and prostaglandin E2 in the rat.

The changes in rectal temperature, metabolic rate, cutaneous temperatures and respiratory evaporative heat loss produced by an injection of a bacterial endotoxin piromen (4-40 ng in 1 microliter) into the anterior hypothalamus were assessed in conscious rats in both sexes from a wide range of body mass and at various ambient temperatures (TaS). Intrahypothalamic injection of piromen increased metabolism and decreased cutaneous temperatures which led to fever in rats at Ta 8-30 degrees C. The monophasic fever was not significantly correlated with either body mass, sex difference of the Ta at which the experiments are carried out. Furthermore, daily intrahypothalamic injections of piromen produced no pyrogenic tolerance. Intrahypothalamic injections of either prostaglandin E2, norepinephrine, aminophylline or dibutyryl cyclic AMP also produced increased metabolism and decreased cutaneous temperature which led to fever at Ta 8-30 degrees C. In addition, the fever induced by intrahypothalamic injections of piromen, prostaglandin E2 or nor-epinephrine was greatly antagonized by pretreatment with intrahypothalamic injections of alpha or beta adrenergic antagonist. However, the fever induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP or aminophylline was not affected by pretreatment with adrenergic receptor blockade. The data indicate that a norepinephrine- cyclic AMP link occurs in the hypothalamic pathways which mediate the piromen-induced or the prostaglandin E2-induced fever in rats.

Hypothalamic and striatal dopamine receptor activation inhibits heat production in the rat.

Direct injection of dopaminergic agonist apomorphine into the lateral cerebral ventricle, the preoptic anterior hypothalamus, the caudate-putamen complex, or the globus pallidus caused hypothermia, decreased metabolism and cutaneous vasoconstriction at ambient temperature (Ta) 8 and 22 degrees C, and hyperthermia and cutaneous vasoconstriction in the rat at Ta 30 degrees C. On the other hand, local injection of dopaminergic antagonists such as haloperidol and pimozide into the preoptic anterior hypothalamus and the striatal nuclei caused hyperthermia, increased metabolism and cutaneous vasoconstriction at Ta 8, 22, and 30 degrees C. However, there was no change in respiratory evaporative heat loss in response to administration of either dopaminergic agonist or antagonists in the rat at all Ta studied. The data indicate that hypothalamic and striatal dopaminergic receptor activation inhibits metabolic heat production in rats. In addition, intrahypothalamic injection of 5-hydroxytryptamine caused hypothermia, decreased metabolism and cutaneous vasodilatation in the rat at Ta 8 and 22 degrees C, whereas at Ta 30 degrees C caused an insignificant change in the thermoregulatory responses. Furthermore, the thermal responses induced by intrahypothalamic injection of apomorphine were not altered by depletion of hypothalamic 5-hydroxytryptamine. These observations do not support the contention that there is a dopamineserotonin link in the hypothalamic pathways that mediate heat loss mechanisms in the rat.

Serotoninergic mechanisms of the hypothermia induced by clerodenron fragrans (Ventenaceae) in the rat.

The effects of the Chinese herb Chou-Mou-Li, clerodenron fragrans (Ventenaceae) on metabolic, respiratory and vasomotor activities as well as body temperature were assessed in conscious rats at three different ambient temperatures (Ta) of 8, 22 and 30 degrees C. Intraperitoneal administration of Chou-Mou-li produced dose-dependent hypothermia in rats at both 8 and 22 degrees C Ta- At 8 degrees C Ta the hypothermia in response to Chou-Mou-Li was due to decreased metabolism, while at 22 degrees C Ta the hypothermia was due to both decreased metabolism and cutaneous vasodilatation. There was no change in respiratory evaporative heat loss. Furthermore, the hypothermia induced by Chou-Mou-Li was greatly antagonized by pretreatment of animals with p-chlorophenylalanine (a selective depletor of brain serotonin), but not by either atropine sulfate (a selective blocker of cholinergic receptors), regitine (a selective blocker of alpha-adrenergic receptors) or DL-propranolol (a selective blocker of beta-adrenergic receptors). However, at 30 degrees C Ta, systemic administration of Chou-Mou-Li produced no change in rectal temperature or other thermoregulatory responses. On the other hand, direct administration of serotonin into the lateral cerebral ventricle of conscious rats also produced dose-dependent hypothermia at 8 and 22 degrees C Ta. Again, the hypothermia in response to serotonin was due to decreased metabolism at 8 degrees C Ta and was due to both decreased metabolism and cutaneous vasodilatation at 22 degrees C Ta. At 30 degrees C Ta administration of serotonin also produced no change in thermoregulatory functions. The data indicate that Chou-Mou-Li produces hypothermia by increasing sensible heat loss and decreasing metabolic heat production, probably via the release of endogenous serotonin within brain.

Needle stimulation of acupuncture loci Chu-Chih (LI-11) and Ho-Ku (LI-4) induces hypothermia effects and analgesia in normal adults.

The effects of acupuncture stimulation on the Chu-Chih (LI-11) and Ho-Ku (LI-4) loci on both thermoregulatory function and analgesic activity were assessed in normal adults. Stimulation of Chu-Chih and Ho-Ku each produced both hypothermia and analgesia. The hypothermia was brought about by decreased metabolic heat production and cutaneous vasodilatation (as estimated by an increase in cutaneous temperature). The analgesic effect was shown by an increase in the latency to palm lift in the hot plate test. Thus, the data indicate that stimulation of acupuncture loci Chu-Chih and Ho-Ku is an ideal treatment for both the fever and painful syndromes.

Effects of needle stimulation of acupuncture loci Nei-Kuan (EH-6), Tsu-San-Li (St-36), San-Yin-Chiao (Sp-6) and Chu-Chih (LI-11) on cutaneous temperature and pain threshold in normal adults.

The effects of stimulation of acupuncture loci Nei-Kuan (EH-6), Tsu-San-Li (St-36), San-Yin-Chiao (Sp-6) and Chu-Chih (LI-11) on cutaneous circulation and/or pain threshold were assessed in eight normal adults. Stimulation of acupuncture locus San-Yin-Chiao (located in the right leg) produced vasoconstriction in the right leg skin temperature (Tright leg) and in the left leg skin temperature (Tleft leg). There was no change in either right arm skin temperature (Tright arm), left arm skin temperature (Tleft arm), metabolic rate, or respiratory evaporative heat loss. Stimulation of Nei-Kuan (located in the right arm) produced vasoconstriction only in both Tright arm and Tleft arm without changes in Tright leg or Tleft leg. Stimulation of acupuncture locus Tsu-San-Li (located in the left leg) produced vasoconstriction in both Tleft leg and Tright leg without changes in either Tright arm or Tleft arm. Stimulation of acupuncture locus Chu-Chih (located in the left arm) produced vasodilatation in both Tleft arm and Tright arm without changes in either Tright leg or Tleft leg. On the other hand, stimulation of acupuncture locus San-Yin-Chiao (right side) produced analgesia only in the right foot sole, while stimulation of acupuncture locus Chu-Chih (left side) produced analgesia only in the left hand palm. Thus, the data indicate that each acupuncture locus may have its own topographical representation with special reference to both cutaneous circulation and pain threshold in normal adults.