Effects of oral probiotic and lactoferrin interventions on iron-zinc homeostasis, oxidant/antioxidant equilibrium and diarrhoea incidence of neonatal piglets.

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of early-life host specific probiotic and lactoferrin (LF) supplementations on diarrhoea incidence, iron (Fe)-zinc (Zn) balance and antioxidant capabilities in serum of neonatal piglets. A total of eight sow litters obtained from parity matched sows were randomly divided into four groups and assigned to one of the four interventions: control (2.0 ml normal saline), bovine lactoferrin (bLF) (100 mg bLF in normal saline), probiotic (Pb) (1×109 cfu of swine origin Pediococcus acidilactici FT28 strain) and bLF+Pb (both 100 mg bLF and 1×109 cfu of P. acidilactici FT28). All the piglets received supplementations once daily orally for first 7 days of life. The incidence of diarrhoea markedly decreased in bLF group compared to control group. Notably, no incidences of diarrhoea were recorded in Pb and bLF+Pb groups. The Zn and Fe concentrations were significantly increased from day 7 to 21 in bLF and on day 21 in bLF+Pb group. No such changes were noted in Pb group. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in serum was significantly increased on days 7 and 15 in bLF group and on days 7 and 21 in bLF+Pb group. Malonaldehyde concentration was markedly reduced from day 7 to 21 in bLF and bLF+Pb groups. The concentrations of nitrate on days 15 and 21 and malonaldehyde on day 7 were significantly higher in Pb group, but mean TAC was unaltered from day 0 to 21. Although no correlation between the incidence of diarrhoea and Zn/Fe and oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis was noted in the Pb group, the supplementation of P. acidilactici FT28 alone was sufficient to prevent the incidence of diarrhoea in neonatal piglets. Taken together, it is concluded that strategic supplementation of P. acidilactici FT28 in early life could help in preventing diarrhoea until weaning of piglets.

Potential of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens for biocontrol of bacterial canker of tomato incited by Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis.

A total of 150 rhizobacteria and endorhizobacteria previously isolated from three different horticultural crops; strawberry, apple and apricot were screened for antagonistic activitiy against Clavibacter michiganensis ssp. michiganensis. Among them strain S1, exhibiting significantly higher antagonistic and plant growth promoting ability was characterized as Bacillus amyloliquefaciens based on morphological, biochemical and partial gene sequence analysis of 16S rRNA. B. amyloliquefaciens strain S1 showed maximum growth inhibition of C. michiganensis (12 mm). Moreover, B. amyloliquefaciens strain S1 exhibit significant phosphorus solubilization (94.16 %SEl) and indole acetic acid (27 µg ml-1) production under in vitro conditions. Antagonistic activity of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens strain S1 was compared with other four strains KU2S1, R2S(1), RG1(3) and AG1(7) against bacterial canker of tomato under net house conditions. Minimum bacterial canker disease incidence (30.0%) was recorded in B. amyloliquefaciens S1 followed by RG1(3) after 30 days of inoculation. The bio-control efficacy was higher in B. amyloliquefaciens S1 treated plants, followed by RG1(3).

UV-blocking potential of oils and juices.

OBJECTIVE: Sunscreens are commonly used to protect the body from damage caused by UV light. Some components of organic sunscreens have been shown to pass through the skin during wear which could raise toxicity concerns for these compounds. This study explores the potential for oils and fruit and vegetable juices to be substitutes for these compounds. METHODS: The absorptivity of various oils (canola oil, citronella oil, coconut oil, olive oil, soya bean oil, vitamin E, as well as aloe vera) and fruit and vegetable juices (acerola, beet, grape, orange carrot, purple carrot and raspberry) was measured in vitro. The mean absorptivity was compared with FDA-approved UV absorbers to gauge the potential of the natural products. The most promising candidates were incorporated into formulations, and the UV transmittance of a 20-µm-thick film of the formulation was measured. The formulations were also imaged by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: The absorptivity of oils was at least two orders of magnitude lower compared to the commercial UV blockers. The fruit juice powders were more effective at UV blocking but still showed an order of magnitude lower absorptivity compared to commercial UV blockers. CONCLUSION: The UV blocking from most natural oils is insufficient to obtain a significant UV protection. Formulations containing 50wt% purple carrot showed good UV-blocking capabilities and represent a promising ingredient for sunscreen and cosmetic applications.

Insulin initiation and management in people with Type 2 diabetes in an ethnically diverse population: the healthcare provider perspective.

AIM: To explore barriers to prescribing of insulin, particularly delays in initiation, from the perspective of healthcare professionals involved in managing Type 2 diabetes in a multi-ethnic setting. METHODS: The study was carried out in a UK population with high numbers of people of South Asian (mainly Indian) origin. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 healthcare professionals from primary and secondary care. Analysis involved exploring interview transcripts in terms of themes and sub-themes identified through a process of progressive focusing. RESULTS: Initiation of insulin therapy was described as challenging in all patients irrespective of ethnicity, but some barriers were perceived to be accentuated because of language needs and lower levels of understanding about diabetes and insulin. Additionally, some South Asians were viewed as more likely than their white European counterparts to be influenced by negative observations and experiences about insulin therapy within community networks. Time restrictions were seen as a barrier that was accentuated in the management of South Asian patients. Participants suggested strategies for overcoming patient barriers; with South Asians these included involvement of families and patient peers and availability of South Asian healthcare providers. CONCLUSION: The challenge for healthcare providers is to how to address the tension between the optimal clinical time for commencing insulin therapy and the time when the patient feels psychologically ready. To help make these two time points coincide, our findings suggest the need to adopt a holistic approach involving consideration of the cultural context of patients, including their ethnic background.

Chemical investigation of the essential oil of Thymus linearis (Benth. ex Benth) from western Himalaya, India.

Thymus linearis (Benth. ex Benth) was collected from five distinct locations of western Himalaya (India) during the summer season. The hydro-distilled essential oil (yield 0.84-0.95%) was analysed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 56 constituents, representing 81.55% to 98.11% of the total oil composition, were identified. Thymol (52.28-66.65%), p-cymene (1.81-21.60%) and γ-terpinene (1.94-12.48%) were the major constituents in all populations. Other constituents identified in significant amounts were carvacrol, p-cymen-8-ol, borneol, terpinen-4-ol and thymol methyl ether. The presence of high phenol and essential oil contents in this species make it a suitable substitute for common thyme oil.

A review on potentiality of medicinal plants as the source of new contraceptive principles.

Recently, a review has already been made on the synthetic contraceptive agents whereas this review embraces the natural contraceptives upto year 2001 with 355 references. It also includes the isolation of their active principles, methods of analysis of active ingredients through TLC, HPLC, their side effects and pharmacological action.

Influence of methionine and zinc on liver collagen in molybdenotic rats: relationship with lipid peroxidation.

Protective effects of methionine and zinc on collagenesis in the liver of molybdenotic rats have been studied during present investigations. Further, the relationship between two important pathobiological phenomena (viz. lipid peroxidation and collagenesis) has also been examined. Biological observations suggest that cotreatment with methionine only improves the growth of molybdenotic rats; however, the hepatosomatic index improved in rats supplemented with both methionine and zinc. Administration of methionine and zinc to molybdenum-fed rats decreased liver collagen. Results on urinary hydroxyproline support these observations. Lipid peroxidation was also inhibited in the liver of protected rats. We suggest that collagenesis can be controlled by inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species. An improvement in liver function in rats protected with methionine and zinc has also been suggested.

Selective targeting of habenular, thalamic midline and monoaminergic brainstem neurons by neurotropic influenza A virus in mice.

Infections caused by influenza A virus have been proposed to be associated with neuropsychiatric complications, the mechanisms of which remain to be unravelled. We here report that a neurotropic strain of influenza A virus (A/WSN/33) introduced into the olfactory bulbs of C57BL/6 (B6) mice, selectively attacks habenular, paraventricular thalamic, and brainstem monoaminergic neurons. In the habenular and paraventricular thalamic areas, infection was followed by an almost total loss of neurons within 12 days. In the brain stem monoaminergic areas, viral gene products were eliminated from neurons by 12 days in B6 wildtype mice, but remained for at least 35 days in immunodefective TAP1 (Transporter associated with Antigen Presentation 1) mutant mice. In conclusion, we show that influenza A virus infection in the brain selectively targets regions which have been implicated in neuropsychiatric disturbances, and that this virus can remain for a significant period of time in specific regions of the brain in immunodefective mice.

Metal cations defibrillize the amyloid beta-protein fibrils.

Amyloid beta-protein (A beta) is the major constituent of amyloid fibrils composing beta-amyloid plaques and cerebrovascular amyloid in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We studied the effect of metal cations on preformed fibrils of synthetic A beta by Thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence spectroscopy and electronmicroscopy (EM) in negative staining. The amount of cross beta-pleated sheet structure of A beta 1-40 fibrils was found to decrease by metal cations in a concentration-dependent manner as measured by ThT fluorescence spectroscopy. The order of defibrillization of A beta 1-40 fibrils by metal cations was: Ca2+ and Zn2+ (IC50 = 100 microM) > Mg3+ (IC50 = 300 microM) > Al3+ (IC50 = 1.1 mM). EM analysis in negative staining showed that A beta 1-40 fibrils in the absence of cations were organized in a fine network with a little or no amorphous material. The addition of Ca2+, Mg2+, and Zn2+ to preformed A beta 1-40 fibrils defibrillized the fibrils or converted them into short rods or to amorphous material. Al3+ was less effective, and reduced the fibril network by about 80% of that in the absence of any metal cation. Studies with A beta 1-42 showed that this peptide forms more dense network of fibrils as compared to A beta 1-40. Both ThT fluorescence spectroscopy and EM showed that similar to A beta 1-40, A beta 1-42 fibrils are also defibrillized in the presence of millimolar concentrations of Ca2+. These studies suggest that metal cations can defibrillize the fibrils of synthetic A beta.

The Subcutaneous Heparin and Angioplasty Restenosis Prevention (SHARP) trial. Results of a multicenter randomized trial investigating the effects of high dose unfractionated heparin on angiographic restenosis and clinical outcome.

OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine whether 12,500 IU of unfractionated heparin given subcutaneously twice daily for 4 months after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty beneficially influences the subsequent rate of angiographic restenosis and the incidence of clinical events. BACKGROUND: Heparin has been shown to exhibit powerful antiproliferative effects against smooth muscle cells in several animal models. METHODS: A randomized trial with blinded data analysis was undertaken to assess the effect of unfractionated subcutaneous heparin on angiographic restenosis after coronary angioplasty. After successful angioplasty, patients were randomized to receive no heparin or 12,500 IU of heparin given subcutaneously twice daily for 4 months. Quantitative coronary angiography was performed before angioplasty, immediately after angioplasty and at follow-up ("early" [before 4 months] or electively [at 4 months]). RESULTS: The study group comprised 339 patients, 167 randomly assigned to receive heparin, 172 to receive no heparin. Repeat cardiac catheterization was performed in 90% of randomized patients. At early and elective restudy (mean 4.2 months), the mean +/- SD difference in minimal lumen diameter between the postangioplasty and follow-up measurement was -0.55 +/- 0.58 mm for the no heparin group and -0.43 +/- 0.59 mm for the heparin group (p = NS). Clinical events during the follow-up period did not differ significantly between groups: fatal myocardial infarction (1 patient in each group), coronary bypass grafting (5 patients in each group), repeat angioplasty (12 in the no heparin, 6 in the heparin group), angina at 4-month assessment (33% in the no heparin, 32% in the heparin group). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term treatment with high dose subcutaneous heparin (12,500 IU twice daily) for 4 months did not favorably influence angiographic or clinical outcome after coronary angioplasty.

Effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on coronary blood flow.

BACKGROUND: Although neurostimulation has been shown to be of benefit in angina pectoris, the exact mechanism of its action is not clear. This study was performed to examine the effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on coronary blood flow. METHODS AND RESULTS: The effect of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation was studied in 34 syndrome X patients (group 1), 15 coronary artery disease patients (group 2), and 16 heart transplant patients (group 3). Coronary blood flow velocity (CBFV) in the left coronary system was measured at rest and after a 5-minute stimulation period with a Judkins Doppler. There was a significant increase in the resting CBFV in group 1 (from 6.8 +/- 4.1 to 10.5 +/- 5.7 cm/s, P < .001) and group 2 (from 6.8 +/- 4.1 to 10.5 +/- 5.7 cm/s, P < .001). However, there was no significant change in the resting CBFV in group 3. There were no significant changes in the coronary arterial diameters as a result of neurostimulation. There was a significant decrease in the epinephrine levels in group 1 (from 79.6 +/- 17.8 to 58.5 +/- 17.5 ng/L, P = .01) and group 2 (from 102.2 +/- 27.2 to 64.1 +/- 19.1 ng/L, P = .01). CONCLUSIONS: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation can increase resting coronary blood flow velocity. The findings suggest that the site of action is at the microcirculatory level and that the effects may be mediated by neural mechanisms.

A review of medicinal plants showing anticonvulsant activity.

The term epilepsy is collectively designated for a group of chronic central nervous system disorders characterized by spontaneous occurrence of seizures generally associated with the loss of consciousness and body movements (convulsions). The disease has its origin from an early age. Anticonvulsant drugs are used to control the convulsions by inhibiting the discharge and then producing hypnosis. Various synthetic drugs, viz. sodium diphenyl hydantoin (Dialtin) barbiturates, pyrimidon, succinamides, diazepines etc. are used for the treatment. In this paper various medicinal plants and plant components, which are being used as anticonvulsant and antiepileptic, are discussed.

An exploratory study for identifying opinion leaders for Family Welfare Programme.

PIP: 60 respondents were interviewed in 6 villages of Lucknow District in order to identify the community leaders consulted regarding health and family planning questions and their possible relationship to leaders of other social activities in the village. Most respondents stated they consulted the "pradhan" or private doctor on questions of health, although other members of the community were mentioned, such as the ANM. The majority stated that the pradhan was also a leader in other social matters. 66% of male respondents said that leaders in health and family planning were the same while the remainder said they were different. Women said they would consult dai or ANM for family planning advice, and most stated they would not seek family planning advice from anyone else in the village. The village pradhan, doctor, and dai should be oriented to the benefits of the family planning program so that they can motivate villagers to adopt it.^ieng