Effects of a Curcumin/Silymarin/Yeast-Based Mycotoxin Detoxifier on Redox Status and Growth Performance of Weaned Piglets under Field Conditions.

The aim of this in vivo study was to investigate the effects of a novel mycotoxin detoxifier whose formulation includes clay (bentonite and sepiolite), phytogenic feed additives (curcumin and silymarin) and postbiotics (yeast products) on the health, performance and redox status of weaned piglets under the dietary challenge of fumonisins (FUMs). The study was conducted in duplicate in the course of two independent trials on two different farms. One hundred and fifty (150) weaned piglets per trial farm were allocated into two separate groups: (a) T1 (control group): 75 weaned piglets received FUM-contaminated feed and (b) T2 (experimental group): 75 weaned piglets received FUM-contaminated feed with the mycotoxin-detoxifying agent from the day of weaning (28 days) until 70 days of age. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARSs), protein carbonyls (CARBs) and the overall antioxidant capacity (TAC) were assessed in plasma as indicators of redox status at 45 and 70 days of age. Furthermore, mortality and performance parameters were recorded at 28, 45 and 70 days of age, while histopathological examination was performed at the end of the trial period (day 70). The results of the present study reveal the beneficial effects of supplementing a novel mycotoxin detoxifier in the diets of weaners, including improved redox status, potential hepatoprotective properties and enhanced growth performance.

The Reliability of Rating via Audio-Recording Using the Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria.

Background: The Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC) is an important tool for assessing teacher skill and aspects of the fidelity of mindfulness-based interventions, but prior research on and implementation of the MBI:TAC has used video recordings, which can be difficult to obtain, share for assessments, and which increase privacy concerns for participants. Audio-only recordings might be a useful alternative, but their reliability is unknown. Objective: To assess evaluator perception of the rating process and inter-rater reliability of MBI:TAC ratings using audio-only recordings. Methods: We prepared audio-only files from video recordings of 21 previously rated Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction teachers. Each audio recording was rated by 3 trained MBI:TAC assessors drawn from a pool of 12 who had previously participated in rating the video recordings. Teachers were rated by evaluators who had not viewed the video recording and did not know the teacher. We then conducted semi-structured interviews with evaluators. Results: On the 6 MBI:TAC domains, the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for audio recordings ranged from .53 to .69 using an average across 3 evaluators. Using a single rating resulted in lower ICCs (.27-.38). Bland-Altman plots showed audio ratings had little consistent bias compared to video recordings and agreed more closely for teachers with higher ratings. Qualitative analysis identified 3 themes: video recordings were particularly helpful when rating less skillful teachers, video recordings tended to provide a more complete picture for rating, and audio rating had some positive features. Conclusions: Inter-rater reliability of the MBI:TAC using audio-only recordings was adequate for many research and clinical purposes, and reliability is improved when using an average across several evaluators. Ratings using audio-only recordings may be more challenging when rating less experienced teachers.

Enhanced adsorption of ceftriaxone antibiotics from water by activated carbon derived from agriculture products waste.

The present work determines efficiency of domestic food waste like tea waste in removing pharmaceutical waste such as ceftriaxone (CEF) from synthetic wastewater. Carbonaceous material; Tea waste activated carbon (TAC) has been employed and it showed high removal capacity of 787.5 mg/g. TAC was characterized using; XPS, XRD, SEM, FT-IR, and BET as well as it approved that the adsorbent a has high surface area of .6 m2 /g. Various experimental parameters are evaluated for the removal efficiency of the synthesized adsorbent under the present study. During the adsorption study through batch experiments, it approved that the adsorption isotherm was fitted to Langmuir, while kinetically fitted to pseudo-second-order; the adsorption process was chemisorption process as the adsorption energy was 23.7 kJ mol-1 . From evaluation thermodynamic parameters the adsorption reaction was endothermic and spontaneous reaction. The different real samples spiked with CEF and studies the efficiency of TAC to remove it. On the other hand, investigated the regeneration efficiency of the TAC and exhibit high regeneration efficiency as it will be used after four cycles with good efficiency of about 84.2%.

Emergence of Antifungal Resistant Subclades in the Global Predominant Phylogenetic Population of Candida albicans.

Candida albicans remains the most common species causing invasive candidiasis. In this study, we present the population structure of 551 global C. albicans strains. Of these, the antifungal susceptibilities of 370 strains were tested. Specifically, 66.6% of the azole-nonsusceptible (NS)/non-wild-type (NWT) strains that were tested belonged to Clade 1. A phylogenetic analysis, a principal components analysis, the population structure, and a loss of heterozygosity events revealed two nested subclades in Clade 1, namely, Clade 1-R and Clade 1-R-α, that exhibited higher azole-NS/NWT rates (75.0% and 100%, respectively). In contrast, 6.4% (21/326) of the non-Clade 1-R isolates were NS/NWT to at least 1 of 4 azoles. Notably, all of the Clade 1-R-α isolates were pan-azole-NS/NWT that carried unique A114S and Y257H double substitutions in Erg11p and had the overexpression of ABC-type efflux pumps introduced by the substitution A736V in transcript factor Tac1p. It is worth noting that the Clade 1-R and Clade 1-R-α isolates were from different cities that are distributed over a large geographic span. Our study demonstrated the presence of specific phylogenetic subclades that are associated with antifungal resistance among C. albicans Clade 1, which calls for public attention on the monitoring of the future spread of these clones. IMPORTANCE Invasive candidiasis is the most common human fungal disease among hospitalized patients, and Candida albicans is the predominant pathogen. Considering the large number of infected cases and the limited alternative therapies, the azole-resistance of C. albicans brings a huge clinical threat. Here, our study suggested that antifungal resistance in C. albicans could also be associated with phylogenetic lineages. Specifically, it was revealed that more than half of the azole-resistant C. albicans strains belonged to the same clade. Furthermore, two nested subclades of the clade exhibited extremely high azole-resistance. It is worth noting that the isolates of two subclades were from different cities that are distributed over a large geographic span in China. This indicates that the azole-resistant C. albicans subclades may develop into serious public health concerns.

Genotypic and Phenotypic Diversity of Endemic Golden Camellias Collected from the North of Vietnam.

Golden Camellias have recently been used as a food, cosmetic, and traditional medicine in China and Vietnam. Forty-two species have natural distribution in Vietnam, of which thirty-two species were considered endemic species of this country. The morphology of leaves and flowers of these species were similar; therefore, their taxonomic identification usually needed experts and the authentication has often been confused among species. Our study aims to describe the genetic diversity and the relationship of six species Camellia phanii, Camellia tamdaoensis, Camellia tienii, Camellia flava, Camellia petelotii and Camellia euphlebia by using three chloroplast DNA-barcodes: matK, rbcL and trnH-psbA. We also clarified the significant differences in anatomical characteristics of midvein and blade of their leaves, which suggested the possibility to use these criteria in taxonomy. In addition, preliminary chemical profiles of the methanolic extracts of leaves from six Golden Camellias such as total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), total anthocyanin content (TAC) and chlorogenic acids content (TCGAs) also showed the diversity among them. Interestingly, the discrimination on the catechins profile among six species followed the same tendency with the genetic distance on the phylogeny tree suggesting that catechins (i. e., discriminative catechins) can be biomarkers for the chemotaxonomy of these six Golden Camellias.

Herbal medications and natural products for patients with covid-19 and diabetes mellitus: Potentials and challenges.

Background: The presence of diabetes mellitus (DM) among COVID-19 patients is associated with increased hospitalization, morbidity, and mortality. Evidence has shown that hyperglycemia potentiates SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection and plays a central role in severe COVID-19 and diabetes comorbidity. In this review, we explore the therapeutic potentials of herbal medications and natural products in the management of COVID-19 and DM comorbidity and the challenges associated with the preexisting or concurrent use of these substances. Methods: Research papers that were published from January 2016 to December 2021 were retrieved from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases. Papers reporting clinical evidence of antidiabetic activities and any available evidence of the anti-COVID-19 potential of ten selected natural products were retrieved and analyzed for discussion in this review. Results: A total of 548 papers (73 clinical trials on the antidiabetic activities of the selected natural products and 475 research and review articles on their anti-COVID-19 potential) were retrieved from the literature search for further analysis. A total of 517 articles (reviews and less relevant research papers) were excluded. A cumulative sum of thirty-one (31) research papers (20 clinical trials and 10 others) met the criteria and have been discussed in this review. Conclusion: The findings of this review suggest that phenolic compounds are the most promising phytochemicals in the management of COVID-19 and DM comorbidity. Curcumin and propolis have shown substantial evidence against COVID-19 and DM in humans and are thus, considered the best potential therapeutic options.

The effects of probiotic/synbiotic supplementation compared to placebo on biomarkers of oxidative stress in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: During the last decades, there has been a burst of scientific literature hypothesizing the antioxidant effect of probiotics. However, the results of these studies are inconsistent and a final conclusion has yet to be reached. Thus, the aim of this study was to assess the effects of probiotic/synbiotic supplementation on serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in adults. METHODS AND RESULTS: The following online databases were searched until August 26th 2020: PubMed/Medline, Scopus, Clarivate Analytics Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Science Direct, Google Scholar and Igaku Chuo Zasshi. The effect sizes were expressed as the weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 31 eligible trials with 1681 participants (839 cases and 842 controls) were included in this meta-analysis. The results revealed that the supplementation with probiotics/synbiotics, significantly increased serum TAC (WMD: 54.14 mmol/L, 95% CI: 27.87, 80.40, P < 0.001), GSH (WMD: 40.38 µmol/L, 95% CI: 20.72, 60.03, P < 0.001) and NO (WMD: 3.54 µmol/L, 95% CI: 1.73, 5.34, P < 0.001) levels. In addition, MDA levels were significantly reduced (WMD: -0.45 µmol/L, 95% CI: -0.58,-0.32, P < 0.001) following probiotic/synbiotic supplementation. None of the variables showed a significant change in the sensitivity analysis. CONCLUSION: Available evidence suggests that probiotic/synbiotic supplementation can significantly increase serum TAC, GSH and NO, as well as reduce MDA levels in adults. Therefore, probiotic/synbiotic supplementation may play a role in improving antioxidant indices and reducing oxidative stress in the body.

Dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC), general and central obesity indices and serum lipids among adults: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: In the present meta-analysis, we aimed to summarize the relationship between dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC), general and central obesity indices and lipid profile in adult population. Methods: The electronic databases of Web of Sciences, PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane library were searched for relevant studies from inception to October 2019. The effect size was indicated as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) by using random effects model. The I2 index and Cochran's Q-test were used for evaluating heterogeneity. Results: From 2,469 studies identified, thirty-four studies (nineteen cross-sectional studies, thirteen cohort studies, two case-control studies) were included in the meta-analysis. According to our results, higher categories of TAC were associated with significantly lower serum triglyceride concentartions (TG; WMD: -7.58; CI: -11.42, -3.75; P < 0.001) and waist circumference (WC; WMD: -1.17; 95% CI: -1.47, -0.87; P < 0.001); while no significant change in body mass index (BMI; WMD: -0.17; 95% CI: -0.35, 0.01; P = 0.12), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; WMD: 0.61; 95% CI: -0.16, 1.40; P = 0.12), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; WMD: 1.34; 95% CI: -0.61, 3.30; P = 0.17) and total cholesterol (TC; WMD: 1.19; 95% CI: -1.46, 3.855; P = 0.37) was reported. Conclusion: Higher dietary TAC was related to reduced prevalence of central obesity, reduced WC and TG concentrations in the current meta-analysis. Moreover, subgroup analysis showed that TAC measurement index, geographical area, dietary assessment tool, health status and gender were potential sources of heterogeneity.

Exploration on Syndrome Types and Metabolic Markers of Rat Model with Heart Failure Caused by Transverse Aortic Constriction Based on Theory of Correspondence of Prescription and Syndrome / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the difference in the efficacy of three kinds of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） injections on rat model of heart failure induced by transverse aortic constriction （TAC）， explore the TCM syndrome of the model based on the theory of correspondence of prescription and syndrome， and reveal the biological basis of prescription-syndrome from the perspective of metabolism. MethodRats were treated with TAC for modeling and were divided into Shenmai injection group （6.0 mL·kg-1）， model group， Danhong injection group （6.0 mL·kg-1）， Shenfu injection group （6.0 mL·kg-1） and trimetazidine group （10 mg·kg-1）， and sham operation group was set up as control. After drug intervention for 15 days， echocardiography， serum N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） and myocardial histopathological staining were performed for each group， so as to compare the efficacy to select the effective injection. Colorimetry was used to detect the serum glucolipid metabolism after the intervention of the effective injection， and ultra high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to observe the metabolites and related metabolic pathways in myocardial tissue. ResultCompared with the sham operation group， the left ventricular ejection fraction （LVEF） and left ventricular fractional shortening （FS） in the model group decreased （P<0.01）， while the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter （LVIDd）， left ventricular internal diameter at end-systole （LVIDs） and NT-proBNP level increased （P<0.01）. Compared with model group， LVEF and FS increased （P<0.01）， LVIDd， LVIDs and NT-proBNP level decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01） in Danhong injection group， NT-proBNP level in Shenfu injection group decreased （P<0.05）， LVIDd and NT-proBNP level increased （P<0.05， P<0.01） in Shenmai injection group， in trimetazidine group， LVEF and FS increased （P<0.01）， while LVIDs and NT-proBNP level decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum glucose， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels in Danhong injection group and trimetazidine group were adjusted by callbacks （P<0.01， P<0.05）. There were the callback of 9 myocardial metabolites in Danhong injection group， including glycine， serine and threonine metabolism， glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism， glycerol phospholipid metabolism. There were the callback of 10 myocardial metabolites in trimetazidine group， including glycerol phospholipid metabolism. ConclusionThe efficacy of Danhong injection on heart failure model induced by TAC is significant and superior to Shenfu injection and Shenmai injection， suggesting that the model is closely related to heart-blood stasis. The biological mechanism of Danhong injection interfering with the model involves regulating the metabolic disorder of lipid， glucose， amino acid and butyric acid.

Anti-aging and antioxidant of four traditional malaysian plants using simplex centroid mixture design approach.

Aging is a naturally biological process with adverse effects. The continuous accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) trigger cellular and tissue damage by activating several aging enzymes. The antioxidant properties of traditional medicinal plants used by Jakun aborigine's community are a promising approach to alleviate aging process and prevent Alzheimer. The aim of the current investigation was to optimize a novel anti-aging formulation from traditional plants (Cnestis palala stem, Urceola micrantha stem, Marantodes pumilum stem and Microporus xanthopus fruiting bodies) using simplex centroid mixture design (SCMD). After selecting the optimal formulations based on desirability function of antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS ˙ + and FRAP), they were further examined against the activity of aging-related-enzymes (collagenase, tyrosinase, acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase). The single extracts of C. palala, U. micrantha and the binary mixture of C. palala and U. micrantha were the optimal formulations with high antioxidant activities. Single extract of U. micrantha showed the highest inhibition towards matrix metalloproteinase-1 (49.44 ± 4.11 %), while C. palala water extract showed highest inhibitions towards tyrosinase (14.06 ± 0.31%), acetylcholinesterase (32.92 ± 2.13%) and butyrylcholinesterase (34.89 ± 2.84%) enzymes. The single extracts of C. palala and U. micrantha displayed better activity as compared to the binary mixture formulation. In conclusion, these findings could be a baseline for further exploration of novel anti-aging agents from natural resources.

Role of KNDy Neurons Expressing Kisspeptin, Neurokinin B, and Dynorphin A as a GnRH Pulse Generator Controlling Mammalian Reproduction.

Increasing evidence accumulated during the past two decades has demonstrated that the then-novel kisspeptin, which was discovered in 2001, the known neuropeptides neurokinin B and dynorphin A, which were discovered in 1983 and 1979, respectively, and their G-protein-coupled receptors, serve as key molecules that control reproduction in mammals. The present review provides a brief historical background and a summary of our recent understanding of the roles of hypothalamic neurons expressing kisspeptin, neurokinin B, and dynorphin A, referred to as KNDy neurons, in the central mechanism underlying gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) pulse generation and subsequent tonic gonadotropin release that controls mammalian reproduction.

Effects of Inclusion of Schizochytrium spp. and Forage-to-Concentrate Ratios on Goats' Milk Quality and Oxidative Status.

Although the dietary inclusion level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and the forage: concentrate (F:C) ratio affect milk quality, their interaction has not been broadly studied. To address such gaps and limitations a two-phase trial using twenty-two dairy goats was carried out. During the first phase, both groups (20 HF n = 11; high forage and 20 HG n = 11; high grain) were supplemented with 20 g Schizochytrium spp./goat/day. The 20 HF group consumed a diet with F:C ratio 60:40 and the 20 HG-diet consisted of F:C = 40:60. In the second phase, the supplementation level of Schizochytrium spp. was increased to 40 g/day/goat while the F:C ratio between the two groups were remained identical (40 HF n = 11; high forage and 40 HG n = 11; high grain). Neither the Schizochytrium spp. supplementation levels (20 vs. 40) nor the F:C ratio (60:40 vs. 40:60) affected milk performance. The high microalgae level (40 g) in combination with high grain diet (40 HG) modified the proportions of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and the ω3/ω6 ratio in milk, to a beneficial manner according to human health recommendation guidelines. However, the highest inclusion level of Schizochytrium spp. (40 g) and foremost in combination with the high grain diets (40 HG) induced an oxidative response as observed by the increased protein carbonyls (CP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in milk and blood plasma indicating severe limitations for a long-term, on-farm application. In conclusion, the supplementation with 20 g Schizochytrium spp. and high forage diet (60:40) appears to be an ideal formula to enrich dairy products with essential biomolecules for human health without adversely affect milk oxidative stability.

Effect of melatonin supplementation during IVM of dromedary camel oocytes (Camelus dromedarius) on their maturation, fertilization, and developmental rates in vitro.

The positive impact of melatonin on in vitro embryo production (IVEP) has been reported in many domestic species; however, no studies have been carried out in camelids. We aimed to evaluate the effects of melatonin supplementation in maturation media on in vitro maturation, fertilization, and preimplantation embryo development of dromedary camel oocytes (experiment 1). We also evaluated the concentrations of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the IVM spent medium in relation to melatonin supplementation. Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were cultured in in vitro maturation media (IVM) supplemented with either 0.0, 25.0, 50.0 or 75.0 µM of melatonin for 30 h. Matured oocytes were then fertilized in vitro with epididymal camel spermatozoa. Following IVF, the resulting embryos were cultured in vitro for seven days. The percentage of maturation, fertilization, cleavage, and embryo developmental rates (morula and blastocyst) was recorded (experiment 1). TAC and MDA levels in the IVM spent maturation media were also evaluated at 30 h post-IVM (experiment 2). The results showed that supplementation of IVM media with 25 µM melatonin significantly improved oocyte nuclear maturation, fertilization (18 h post-insemination; pi), cleavage (day 3 pi), morula (day 5 pi) and blastocyst (day 7 pi) rates as compared with the controls and other melatonin-supplemented groups. Furthermore, the TAC in the IVM spent media was significantly increased (P < 0.05) in 25 µM melatonin supplemented groups than those supplemented with 0.0, 50.0, 75.0 µM melatonin. However, the concentration of MDA was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in IVM media supplemented with 25.0 µM of melatonin when compared with the control and other treatment groups. In conclusion, supplementation of IVM medium with 25 µM of melatonin could enhance the in vitro developmental capacity of dromedary camel oocytes.

Implementing the Mindfulness-Based Interventions; Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC) in Mindfulness-Based Teacher Training.

The Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC) was originally developed as a tool to assess the teaching competence of mindfulness-based program (MBP) teachers. The tool was made freely available and has since been used by mindfulness-based teacher training organisations internationally. During this time the MBI:TAC has evolved in its usage, from an assessment tool to one which informally supports how MBP teachers are trained. In this article, we first examine the rationale for implementing the MBI:TAC in MBP teacher training; second, we offer practical guidance on ways of integrating the tool into teacher training pathways with awareness of its potential and possible pitfalls; and third, we offer guidance on using the tool as a framework for giving effective feedback to trainees on their teaching practice. Implementing the MBI:TAC in teacher training may support the quality and integrity of MBP teacher training, and thus ensure high quality MBP teachers graduating. In turn this may help avoid the 'implementation cliff' - that is, the quality of an intervention delivery is delivered in optimal conditions when it is being researched, and drops in quality when delivered in sub-optimal, 'real world' conditions.

Using the Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC) in Supervision.

The Mindfulness-Based Interventions: Teaching Assessment Criteria (MBI:TAC) is a useful framework for supporting teacher development in the context of mindfulness-based supervision (MBS). It offers a framework that enhances clarity, develops reflexive practice, gives a structure for feedback, and supports learning. MBS is a key component of Mindfulness-Based Program (MBP) teacher training and ongoing good practice. Integrating the MBI:TAC within the MBS process adds value in a number of ways including: offering a shared language around MBP teaching skills and processes; framing the core pedagogical features of MBP teaching; enabling assessment of developmental stage; and empowering supervisees to be proactive in their own development. The paper lays out principles for integrating the MBI:TAC framework into MBS. The supervisor needs awareness of the ways in which the tool can add value, and the ways it can inadvertently interrupt learning. The tool enables skills clarification, but the learning process needs to remain open to spontaneous experiential discovery; it can enable structured feedback but space is also needed for open reflective feedback; and it can enable conceptual engagement with the teaching process but space is needed for the supervisee to experientially sense the teaching process. The tool needs to be introduced in a carefully staged way to create optimal conditions for learning at the various stages of the MBP teacher-training journey. Practical guidance is presented to consolidate and develop current practice. The principles and processes discussed can be generalized to other forms of reflective dialogue such as mentoring, tutoring and peer reflection groups.

Assessing Mindfulness-Based Teaching Competence: Good Practice Guidance.

Inclusion of assessment of teaching competence in Mindfulness-Based Program (MBP) teacher training enables international benchmarking of standards, which in turn underpins the integrity of this emerging field and the potential to deliver effective, transformative interventions. However, there is a risk that the inclusion of competence assessment could lead to reductionism and undermining of the pedagogical features that make mindfulness-based teaching distinct. It can also make the costs of training prohibitive. The science underpinning the integrity of competence assessment is not yet robust enough to justify wide scale implementation, but when feasible, including the option for assessment enables trainees to engage in rigorous and effective training processes. When assessment is included, it is critically important that the process is held with awareness and sensitivity, and is implemented by experienced assessors with thoughtful governance. Navigating these issues involves balancing rigour with accessibility and pragmatism. This paper lays out some guidelines for good practice for MBP teaching assessment, and raises unresolved dilemmas and questions.

Androgen Suppresses In Vivo and In Vitro LH Pulse Secretion and Neural Kiss1 and Tac2 Gene Expression in Female Mice.

Androgens can affect the reproductive axis of both sexes. In healthy women, as in men, elevated exogenous androgens decrease gonad function and lower gonadotropin levels; such circumstances occur with anabolic steroid abuse or in transgender men (genetic XX individuals) taking androgen supplements. The neuroendocrine mechanisms by which endogenous or exogenous androgens regulate gonadotropin release, including aspects of pulsatile luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, remain unknown. Because animal models are valuable for interrogating neural and pituitary mechanisms, we studied effects of androgens in the normal male physiological range on in vivo LH secretion parameters in female mice and in vitro LH secretion patterns from isolated female pituitaries. We also assessed androgen effects on hypothalamic and gonadotrope gene expression in female mice, which may contribute to altered LH secretion profiles. We used a nonaromatizable androgen, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), to isolate effects occurring specifically via androgen receptor (AR) signaling. Compared with control females, DHT-treated females exhibited markedly reduced in vivo LH pulsatility, with decreases in pulse frequency, amplitude, peak, and basal LH levels. Correlating with reduced LH pulsatility, DHT-treated females also exhibited suppressed arcuate nucleus Kiss1 and Tac2 expression. Separate from these neural effects, we determined in vitro that the female pituitary is directly inhibited by AR signaling, resulting in lower basal LH levels and reduced LH secretory responses to gonadotropin-releasing hormone pulses, along with lower gonadotropin gene expression. Thus, in normal adult females, male levels of androgen acting via AR can strongly inhibit the reproductive axis at both the neural and pituitary levels.

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy as a Rapid Screening Method for the Determination of Total Anthocyanin Content in Sambucus Fructus.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L., fructus) is a very potent herbal drug, deriving from traditional European medicine (TEM). Ripe elderberries are rich in anthocyanins, flavonols, flavonol esters, flavonol glycosides, lectins, essential oils, unsaturated fatty acids and vitamins. Nevertheless, unripe elderflower fruits contain a certain amount of sambunigrin, a toxic cyanogenic glycoside, whose concentration decreases in the ripening process. Therefore, quality assurance must be carried out. The standard method described in literature is the photometric determination (pH-differential method) of the total anthocyanin content (TAC) that is the highest when the berries are ripe. The drawback of the pH-differential method is the extensive sample preparation and the low accuracy of the method. Therefore, the goal of this publication was to develop a fast non invasive near-infrared (NIR) method for the determination of TAC in whole berries. TAC of elderberries was measured using pH-differentiation method where TAC values of 632.87 mg/kg to 4342.01 mg/kg were measured. Additionally, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside and cyanidin-3-O-sambubioside-5-O-glucoside which represent more than 98% of TAC in elderberry were quantified using ultra high performance liquid chromatography-multiple wavelength detection-ultra high resolution-quadrupole-time of flight-mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MWD-UHR-Q-TOF-MS) and their sum parameter was determined, ranging between 499.43 mg/kg and 8199.07 mg/kg. Using those two methods as reference, whole elderberries were investigated by NIR spectroscopy with the Büchi NIRFlex N-500 benchtop spectrometer. According to the constructed partial least squares regression (PLSR) models the performance was as follows: a relative standard deviation (RSDPLSR) of 13.5% and root mean square error of calibration (RMSECV/RMSEC) of 1.31 for pH-differentiation reference and a RSDPLSR of 12.9% and RMSECV/RMSEC of 1.28 for the HPLC reference method. In this study, we confirm that it is possible to perform a NIR screening for TAC in whole elderberries. Using quantum chemical calculations, we obtained detailed NIR band assignments of the analyzed compounds and interpreted the wavenumber regions established in PLSR models as meaningful for anthocyanin content. The NIR measurement turned out to be a fast and cost-efficient alternative for the determination of TAC compared to pH-differential method and UHPLC-MWD-UHR-Q-TOF-MS. Due to the benefit of no sample preparation and extraction the technology can be considered as sustainable green technology. With the above mentioned inversely proportional ratio of TAC to total amount of toxic cyanogenic glycosides, NIR proves to be a reliable screening method for the ideal harvest time with maximal content of TAC and lowest content of cyanogenic glycosides in elderberry.

Olive oil with high polyphenolic content induces both beneficial and harmful alterations on rat redox status depending on the tissue.

Olive oil (OO) possesses a predominant role in the diet of Mediterranean countries. According to a health claim approved by the European Food Safety Authority, OO protects against oxidative stress­induced lipid peroxidation in human blood, when it contains at least 5 mg of hydroxytyrosol and its derivatives per 20 g. However, studies regarding the effects of a total OO biophenols on redox status in vivo are scarce and either observational and do not provide a holistic picture of their action in tissues. Following a series of in vitro screening tests an OO containing biophenols at 800 mg/kg of OO was administered for 14 days to male Wistar rats at a dose corresponding to 20 g OO/per day to humans. Our results showed that OO reinforced the antioxidant profile of blood, brain, muscle and small intestine, it induced oxidative stress in spleen, pancreas, liver and heart, whereas no distinct effects were observed in lung, colon and kidney. The seemingly negative effects of OO follow the recently formulated idea in toxicology, namely the real life exposure scenario. This study reports that OO, although considered a nutritional source rich in antioxidants, it exerts a tissues specific action when administered in vivo.

Organic Zn and Cu supplementation imprints on seminal plasma mineral, biochemical/ antioxidant activities and its relationship to spermatozoal characteristics in bucks.

This experiment was conducted to study the effect of mineral supplementation on seminal plasma minerals level, biochemical constituents and total antioxidant capacity of Osmanabadi bucks. The study comprised of forty healthy bucks, aged five months were randomly assigned to ten groups (n = 4 per group). The control group was fed with a basal diet without any additional mineral supplementation. In addition to basal diet, treatment bucks were supplemented with three graded doses of organic Zinc (Zn) as 20, 40 and 60 mg/kg dry matter (DM); organic Copper (Cu) as 12.5, 25, 37.5 mg/ kg DM and combination of Zn + Cu as Zn20+Cu12.5, Zn40+Cu25, Zn60+Cu37.5 mg /kg DM basis respectively. Minerals were supplemented for 8 months and the separated seminal plasma used for analysis of minerals, biochemical profile, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid peroxidation (LPO), and protein carbonylation (PC). In treatment groups, significantly lower LPO and PC were observed, except Zn60 and Zn60+Cu37.5, where higher malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.05) formed. The TAC was relatively higher (P < 0.05) in Zn20, Zn40, Cu12.5 and Zn60+Cu37.5 than control. The minerals and biochemical parameters were significantly altered and positive relationship was observed among them. From this study, it was concluded that supplemented minerals changed the seminal plasma minerals profile (Zn- 7-13; Cu- 0.5-1.9 mg/L), reduced the stress (LPO and PC of control Vs treatment as 0.3 Vs 0.1 nmol/ml and 25.7 Vs 4.3 nmol protein carbonyl/mg protein), which improved the sperm quality in Zn40, all Cu treatments and Zn60+Cu37.5 groups respectively.