Bioactive compounds guided diversity of endophytic fungi from Baliospermum montanum and their potential extracellular enzymes.

Baliospermum montanum (Willd.) Muell. Arg, a medicinal plant distributed throughout India from Kashmir to peninsular-Indian region is extensively used to treat jaundice, asthma, and constipation. In the current study, 203 endophytic fungi representing twenty-nine species were isolated from tissues of B. montanum. The colonization and isolation rate of endophytes were higher in stem followed by seed, root, leaf and flower. The phytochemical analysis revealed 70% endophytic isolates showed alkaloids and flavonoids, 13% were positive for phenols, saponins and terpenoids. Further, these endophytes produced remarkable extracellular enzymes such as amylase, cellulase, phosphates, protease and lipase. The most promisive three endophytic fungi were identified by ITS region and secreted metabolites were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The GC-MS profile detected twenty-five bioactive compounds from ethyl acetate extracts. Among endophytic fungi, Trichoderma reesei isolated from flower exhibited nine bioactive compounds namely, 2-Cyclopentenone, 2-(4-chloroanilino)-4-piperidino, Oxime-methoxy-Phenyl, Methanamine N-hydroxy-N-methyl, Strychane, Cyclotetrasiloxane, Octamethyl and 1-Acetyl-20a-hydroxy-16-methylene. The endophyte, Aspergillus brasiliensis isolated from root and Fusarium oxysporum isolated from seed produced nine and seven bioactive compounds, respectively. Overall, a significant contribution of bioactive compounds was noticed from the diverse endophytic fungi associated with B. montanum and could be explored for development of novel drug with commercial values.

Significance of Amylase Monitoring in Peritoneal Drainage Fluid after Splenectomy: A Clinical Analysis of Splenectomy in 167 Patients with Hepatolenticular Degeneration.

Different kinds of complications after splenectomy in hepatolenticular degeneration patients with hypersplenism have been reported in the past decades, but studies on pancreatic fistula and the corresponding targeted prevention and treatment after splenectomy still remain much unexplored. The present work investigated the pathogenic factors of pancreatic fistula after splenectomy and the variation tendency of amylase in drainage fluid, aiming to verify the significance of monitoring amylase in the abdominal drainage fluid in the early diagnosis of pancreatic fistula after splenectomy. One hundred sixty-seven patients with hepatolenticular degeneration and hypersplenism who underwent splenectomy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2016 to August 2018 were selected and analyzed. The amylase in the abdominal drainage fluid was monitored routinely after splenectomy. We also conducted the statistics on the incidence of different types of pancreatic fistula and analyzed the influence factors of pancreatic fistula formation. After splenectomy, biochemical fistula occurred in 11 patients (6.6%), grade B fistula in six patients (3.6%), grade C fistula in one patient (0.6%), and the incidence of pancreatic fistula was 4.2 per cent (biochemical fistula excluded). The amylase in the peritoneal drainage fluid was closely concerned with the incidence of pancreatic fistula according to our statistics. Furthermore, by analyzing the different influence factors of pancreatic fistula, Child-Pugh grading of liver function (P = 0.041), pancreatic texture (P = 0.029), degree of splenomegaly (P = 0.003), and operative method (P = 0.001) were supposed to be closely related to the formation of pancreatic fistula. Monitoring of amylase in peritoneal drainage fluid is regarded as an important physiological parameter in the early diagnosis of pancreatic fistula after splenectomy, which provides effective clinical reference and plays a significant role in preventing the occurrence and development of pancreatic fistula.

An Open-Label Uncontrolled Trial of the Efficacy and Safety of a Hug with Singing and Rocking for Promotion of Relaxation in Pediatric Patients with Severe Motor and Intellectual Disabilities: Study Protocol.

Children with severe motor and intellectual disabilities (SMID) are continually exposed to stress due to their need to receive daily care. In particular, chronic physical and acute mental stress derived from daily medical care due to unstable health status are issues specific to SMID children. Therefore, it is important to approach these issues for the maintenance of their lives and quality of life. Seventeen children with a SMIDmedical care dependent group (SMID-MCDG) score of 25 or more will be enrolled in this study. Intervention by a hug while singing and rocking will be performed once a week for 24 weeks. The practitioner will sing, and slowly rock the child back and forth. Primary endpoint is high-frequency component of heart rate variability by frequency analysis. Secondary endpoints are low-frequency/high-frequency components of heart rate variability by frequency analysis, activity of salivary amylase, the incidence of adverse events, and changes in appearance. Frequency analysis of heart beat changes and salivary amylase activity are used as physiological indexes for assessing response to being held while singing and rocking. In this study, we will examine the efficacy and safety of hugging while singing and rocking as a practice of Ryouiku to promote relaxation in SMID-MCDG children.

Effects of single-point acupuncture (HT7) in the prevention of test anxiety: Results of a RCT.

BACKGROUND: The number of students using neuro enhancement to improve their performance and to prevent test anxiety is increasing. The acupuncture point Heart 7 (HT7) has been described as being prominent in reducing states of anxiety. METHODS: We conducted a randomized placebo-controlled, two-armed pilot trial to investigate the efficacy of a single-point acupuncture treatment at bilateral HT7 compared to sham laser acupuncture on test anxiety. Test anxiety was induced applying the standardised protocol of the Trier Social Stress Test. Outcome measures included saliva samples analysed for cortisol and amylase, anxiety questionnaires and heart rate variability. RESULTS: Twenty-five male subjects (age 28 ± 5 years) were allocated to either verum acupuncture (n = 12) or sham laser acupuncture (n = 13). Cortisol peaked 20 min after the stress test (2-fold, 18.11 ± 2 nmol/l) and amylase 10 min after (2-fold, 259 ± 49 U/ml) with no difference between groups. There were no differences between groups regarding either anxiety questionnaires or physiological parameters. Compared to reference data (3-fold increase in cortisol), increase in stress hormones and heart rate seemed somewhat reduced. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture may be a possible approach for the treatment of anxiety. Due to the lack of a no control treatment group, we cannot determine the magnitude of possible specific needle effects at HT7 to promote specific effects in the neuroendocrine system. Finally this study only examines the efficacy of a single time treatment.

Identification of Different Bile Species and Fermentation Times of Bile Arisaema Based on an Intelligent Electronic Nose and Least Squares Support Vector Machine.

Fermentation is one of the most traditionally utilized methods to process the raw materials of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Bile Arisaema (BA) is produced by the fermentation of the roots of Arisaema heterophyllum with bile. Fermentation time and bile species are the key factors in producing BA. The study was aimed to develop a new and rapid method for the identification of different fermentation times and bile species of BA. The polysaccharide content (PC), protease activity (PA), and amylase activity (AC) of BA were determined. The changes of PC, PA, and AC were significant indicators for the evaluation of different fermentation times. On the basis of the odor data of BA obtained by electronic nose technology (E-nose), the principal component analysis (PCA) was used to identify bile species. The results were further verified by the least squares support vector machine (LS-SVM). The trained LS-SVM was also used to predict the PC, PA, and AC of the samples to identify fermentation time. The present study indicated that E-nose combined with LS-SVM could effectively predict the PC, PA, and AC of the samples and identify the bile species and fermentation time of BA, and it was proved to be a useful strategy for quality control of fermented products of TCMs.

Amylase Zymography.

Amylase zymography was carried out for the detection of amylases produced by a Geobacillus stearothermophilus strain isolated from the Thermal Center "Las Trincheras" in Venezuela. Zymography is an electrophoretic technique used to study hydrolases by means of thin gels containing copolymerized-specific substrates, under nonreducing conditions. In this study, 0.1% starch was incorporated into the gel as substrate. The formation of clear zones against a dark background in the gel stained with iodine indicated the presence of amylolytic activity. The thermophilic bacteria released several extracellular amylases to a selective growth medium supplemented with 1% soluble starch at 55 °C after 40 h incubation. The amylolytic enzymes showed an optimum temperature of 60 °C and an optimum pH at 6.0. The amylases were partially purified by cold acetone precipitation followed by two chromatographic techniques. These purified amylases showed different molecular masses which were determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate gel electrophoresis and confirmed by zymography.

Low-methoxyl lemon pectin attenuates inflammatory responses and improves intestinal barrier integrity in caerulein-induced experimental acute pancreatitis.

SCOPE: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common clinical acute abdominal disease. The intestinal injury associated with AP will aggravate the condition retroactively. This study investigates whether the low-methoxyl pectin (LMP) isolated from lemon could attenuate AP and associated intestinal injury. METHODS AND RESULTS: Experimental AP was induced in BALB/c mice by caerulien (CAE) hyperstimulation. Nutritional prophylactic group was pre-fed with 5% LMP supplemented forage 3 days before AP induction. We found that LMP supplementation attenuated the severity of AP as evidenced by reduced serum amylase and lipase levels, pancreatic edema and myeloperoxidase activity. The protective effect was also confirmed by histological examination of pancreatic damage. LMP suppressed the production of pancreatic proinflammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1ß, and IL-6. Moreover, LMP supplementation restored AP-associated disruption of intestinal barrier integrity as evidenced by upregulation of tight junction modulatory proteins occludin, zonula occludens (ZO)-1, antimicrobial peptides ß-defensin-1 (DEFB1) and CRAMP as well as increase in SCFAs production. LMP supplemented mice with AP exhibited suppressed intestinal inflammation as shown by decreased ileal and colon cytokine production compared with CAE group. CONCLUSION: Our results support dietary LMP supplementation as an effective nutritional intervention for AP and associated intestinal injury.

A proposal of "core enzyme" bioindicator in long-term Pb-Zn ore pollution areas based on topsoil property analysis.

To study the effects of long-term mining activities on the agricultural soil quality of Mengnuo town in Yunnan province, China, the heavy metal and soil enzyme activities of soil samples from 47 sites were examined. The results showed that long-term mining processes led to point source heavy metal pollution and Pb, Cd, Zn and As were the primary metal pollutants. Polyphenoloxidase was found the most sensitive soil enzyme activity and significantly correlated with almost all the metals (P < 0.05). Amylase (for C cycling), acid phosphatase (for P cycling) and catalase (for redox reaction) activities showed significantly positive correlations (P < 0.05) with Pb, Cd, Zn and As contents. The correlations between soil enzymes activities and Cd, Pb and Zn contents were verified in microcosm experiments, it was found that catalase activity had significant correlations (P < 0.05) with these three metals in short-term experiments using different soils under different conditions. Based on both field investigation and microcosm simulation analysis, oxidoreductases activities (rather than a specific enzyme activity) were suggested to be used as "core enzyme", which could simply and universally indicate the heavy metal pollution degrees of different environments. And hydrolases (for C, N, P and S recycling) could be used as a supplement to improve correlation accuracy for heavy metal indication in various polluted environments.

[Effects of Atractylodis Macrocephale Rhizoma processed by different methods on salivary amylase and D-xylose excretion rate in rats].

To observe the effects of Atractylodis Macrocephale Rhizoma processed by different methods (sulfur-fumigation, different temperatures baking and microwave sterilization) on salivary amylase and D-xylose excretion rate in spleen deficiency rats. The rats were divided into blank control group, rhubarb-induced spleen deficiency model control group, and Atractylodis Macrocephale Rhizoma experimental groups processed with different methods. Amylase colorimetric method was used to determine the activities of salivary amylase and D-xylose excretion rate was measured with O-benzylamine method. Then the correlation of salivary amylase activity and D-xylose excretion rate in urinary was analyzed. As compared with blank control group, Atractylodis Macrocephale Rhizoma baked at 100,110 ℃ can increase the unit content of rat salivary amylase and D-xylose excretion rate, with a significant difference (P<0.05). As compared with the model group, Atractylodis Macrocephale Rhizoma baked at 70 ℃ and Atractylodis Macrocephale Rhizoma with microwave treatment had stronger effects than the others, with statistically significant differences (P<0.01). Atractylodis Macrocephale Rhizoma could improve D-xylose absorption function and salivary amylase activity in spleen deficiency rats. In addition, D-xylose excretion rate in urine was positively correlated with salivary amylase activity. Atractylodis Macrocephale Rhizoma processed with different temperatures baking and microwave sterilization had little impact on salivary amylase activity and D-xylose excretion rate in urine of spleen deficiency rats, while sulfur fumigation had great effects on the above two indexes.

Secretome analysis of Pleurotus eryngii reveals enzymatic composition for ramie stalk degradation.

Pleurotus eryngii (P. eryngii) can secrete large amount of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes to degrade lignocellulosic biomass. In spite of several researches on the individual lignolytic enzymes, a direct deconstruction of lignocellulose by enzyme mixture is not yet possible. Identifying more high-performance enzymes or enzyme complexes will lead to efficient in vitro lignocelluloses degradation. In this report, secretomic analysis was used to search for the new or interesting enzymes for lignocellulose degradation. Besides, the utilization ability of P. eryngii to ramie stalk substrate was evaluated from the degradation of cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in medium and six extracellular enzymes activities during different growth stages were discussed. The results showed that a high biological efficiency of 71% was obtained; cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin decomposition rates of P. eryngii were 29.2, 26.0, and 51.2%, respectively. Enzyme activity showed that carboxymethyl cellulase, xylanase, laccase, and peroxidase activity peaks appeared at the primordial initiation stage. In addition, we profiled a global view of the secretome of P. eryngii cultivated in ramie stalk media to understand the mechanism behind lignocellulosic biomass hydrolysis. Eighty-seven nonredundant proteins were identified and a diverse group of enzymes, including cellulases, hemicellulases, pectinase, ligninase, protease, peptidases, and phosphatase implicated in lignocellulose degradation were found. In conclusion, the information in this report will be helpful to better understand the lignocelluloses degradation mechanisms of P. eryngii.

Effect of repeated applications of buprofezin and acephate on soil cellulases, amylase, and invertase.

The impact of repeated applications of buprofezin and acephate, at concentrations ranging from 0.25 to 1.0 kg ha(-1), on activities of cellulases, amylase, and invertase in unamended and nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium (NPK) fertilizer-amended soil planted with cotton was studied. The nontarget effect of selected insecticides, when applied once, twice, or thrice on soil enzyme activities, was dose-dependent; the activities decreased with increasing concentrations of insecticides. However, there was a rapid decline in activities of enzymes after three repeated applications of insecticides in unamended or NPK-amended soil. Our data clearly suggest that insecticides must be applied judiciously in pest management in order to protect the enzymes largely implicated in soil fertility.

Amylase production by endophytic fungi Cylindrocephalum sp. isolated from medicinal plant Alpinia calcarata (Haw.) Roscoe

Amylases are among the most important enzymes used in modern biotechnology particularly in the process involving starch hydrolysis. Fungal amylase has large applications in food and pharmaceutical industries. Considering these facts, endophytic fungi isolated from the plant Alpinia calcarata (Haw.) Roscoe were screened for amylolytic activity on glucose yeast extract peptone agar (GYP) medium. Among thirty isolates of endophytic fungi, isolate number seven identified as Cylindrocephalum sp. (Ac-7) showed highest amylolytic activity and was taken for further study. Influence of various physical and chemical factors such as pH, temperature, carbon and nitrogen sources on amylase production in liquid media were studied. The maximal amylase production was found to be at 30ºC and at pH 7.0 of the growth medium. Among the various carbon and nitrogen sources tested, maltose at 1.5% and Sodium nitrate at 0.3% respectively gave optimum amylase production.

Comprehensive study of honey with protected denomination of origin and contribution to the enhancement of legal specifications.

In this study the characterization of a total of 60 honey samples with Protected Denomination of Origin (PDO) collected over three harvests (2009-2011, inclusive), from the Northeast of Portugal was carried out based on the presence of pollen, physicochemical and microbiological characteristics. All samples were found to meet the European Legislation, but some didn't meet the requirements of the PDO specifications. Concerning the floral origin of honey, our results showed the prevalence of rosemary (Lavandula pedunculata) pollen. The microbiological quality of all the analyzed samples was satisfactory, since fecal coliforms, sulfite-reducing clostridia and Salmonella were absent, and molds and yeasts were detected in low counts. Significant differences between the results were studied using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's HSD test. The samples were submitted to discriminant function analysis, in order to determine which variables differentiate between two or more naturally occurring groups (Forward Stepwise Analysis). The variables selected were in this order: diastase activity, pH, reducing sugars, free acidity and HMF. The pollen spectrum has perfect discriminatory power. This is the first study in which a honey with PDO was tested, in order to assess its compliance with the PDO book of specifications.

Alta frecuencia de pancreatitis aguda asociada a patología biliar en niños chilenos / Elevated frequency of acute pancreatitis associated to biliary illness in Chilean children

Acute Pancreatitis (AP) in children presents significant morbimortality. Most common etiologies in this age group are trauma, systemic illness and idiopathic pancreatitis. This is different from adult AP, where lithiasis and alcohol consumption are the predominant causes. In Chile, where billiary disease is highly prevalent, there is little information regarding AP among children. Objective: To determine the main clinical characteristics of acute pancreatitis in a group of Chilean children. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study (1998-2008) of patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of AP. The diagnosis was confirmed by elevation of pancreatic enzymes and through images. Demographic data, etiology, complications and resolutions, need for parenteral nutrition, and use of antibiotics were examined. Results: Eighteen patients were identified (8,3 +/- 4 y.o.). Etiology of AP was listed as: lithiasis and alterations of biliary duct: 38,8 percent, idiopathic: 22,2 percent, secondary to medications: 22,2 percent and other: 16.8 percent. Two patients presented peripancreatic infected collections; a similar number formed pancreatic pseudocysts. Six patients (33,3 percent) required one type of surgical procedure as part of their treatment. Two-thirds of all patients required treatment in ICU. One half of the patients required parenteral nutrition, and two thirds received IV antibiotics. The median length of hospital stay was 20 days (ave 24,9 +/- 14,3 ds). There was no mortality in this serie. Conclusions: Unlike previously described, biliary AP was the most common cause in this serie. Biliary pathology should be actively studied among Chilean children with AP.

La pancreatitis aguda (PA) en niños presenta una morbimortalidad considerable. Las etiologías más frecuentes en este grupo etario son la PA secundaria a trauma, por enfermedades sistémicas y la PA idiopática, a diferencia de la población adulta en que predomina la litiasis biliar y el consumo de alcohol. En Chile, donde la patología biliar es altamente prevalente, existe escasa información clínica respecto de la PA en niños. Objetivo: Determinar las características clínicas de la pancreatitis aguda en un grupo de niños chilenos. Método: Estudio retrospectivo (1998-2008) de pacientes hospitalizados con PA. Se confirmó el diagnóstico por elevación de enzimas pancreáticas e imágenes; se obtuvieron los datos demográficos y se analizó: etiología, complicaciones y su resolución, necesidad de nutrición parenteral y uso de antibióticos. Resultados: Se identificaron 18 pacientes (8,3 +/- 4 años). Etiología de la PA: litiasis y alteraciones anatómicas de la vía biliar (38,8 por ciento), idiopática (22,2 por ciento), drogas (22,2 por ciento), otras (16.8 por ciento). Dos pacientes presentaron colecciones peripancreáticas infectadas; igual número evolucionó con formación de pseudoquistes pancreáticos. Seis pacientes (33,3 por ciento) requirieron algún tipo de procedimiento quirúrgico como parte de su tratamiento. Dos tercios de los pacientes ingresaron a la Unidad de Pacientes Críticos. La mitad de los pacientes recibió nutrición parenteral y dos tercios antibióticos endovenosos. La mediana de hospitalización fue de 20 días (promedio 24,9 +/- 14,3 días). No hubo mortalidad en la serie. Conclusiones: A diferencia de lo descrito en la literatura, la PA biliar fue la etiología más frecuente en esta serie. La patología biliar debe ser estudiada activamente en niños chilenos con PA.

[Report on how to stimulate local economy using forest therapy and on effect of forest therapy in Akazawa].

In 2006, the Akazawa National Forest was accredited as a base of forest therapy. On the assumption that forest therapy is effective for the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, we started a project to prove the medical effectivity of forest therapy. We also attempted to find a way to stimulate the local economy using forest therapy. As an application of forest therapy for local economy stimulation, we established a clinic in the Akazawa National Forest and offered medical advice and suggested hiking routes. About 150 people visit this clinic each year. We are also offering forest therapy in combination with a complete medical check up. We measured the concentration of the amylase in the saliva from the group who underwent forest therapy and from another group who carried out the same task in the city as a control. We found a significant difference between the two groups. We also measured the levels of 8-OHdG and HRV before and after the forest therapy. In the people who showed a markedly high oxidative stress before the therapy, we observed a significant decline of oxidative stress. It was difficult to measure the effects of forest therapy objectively. However, through this project, we consider that we will be able to obtain some positive effects that will support the usefulness of forest therapy. We still need to continue our research and collect data to prove its usefulness.

Characterization of artisanal honey produced on the Northwest of Portugal by melissopalynological and physico-chemical data.

Honey has always been regarded as a food which is advantageous for one's health and as a product which has healing qualities. For this reason, is necessary to protect consumers from the fraudulent mislabeling of inferior honeys. The purpose of this study was to investigate some properties of artisanal honey samples (n=45) collected from the Northwest of Portugal by using different honey analysis tests such as moisture, ash, pH, free acidity, electrical conductivity, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), apparent sucrose, reducing sugars and diastase activity. 77.8% of the total exceeded the quality parameters and should be labeled as "virgin" (humidity ≤18% and HMF ≤25 mg/kg). The present study found a linear correlation (y=0.551x-0.089; R=0.995) between the electrical conductivity of honeys and their ash content. All of the samples showed an Erica sp. pollen percentage ≥15%, and 42% of the total were monofloral Erica sp. In respect to coliforms and Salmonella's presence, all the honey's samples shown to be negative. The existence of sulphite-reducing Clostridia was low, and well below the established limit by MERCOSUR. Yeasts, moulds and aerobic mesophiles were detected in low amounts.

Effect of spontaneous fermentation and amylase-rich flour on the nutritive value, functional and viscoelastic properties of cowpea-fortified nixtamalized maize.

Studies were conducted to evaluate the combined effects of spontaneous fermentation and amylase-rich flours (ARF) on some nutritive value, functional and viscoelastic properties of cowpea-fortified nixtamalized maize. A 2 x 3 x 3 factorial design, with fermentation medium, fermentation time and ARF level, was performed. The blends were fermented for the specific times and analysed for their titratable acidity, pH, water absorption capacity, viscoelastic properties, texture, protein and mineral content. Fermentation and ARF addition influenced titratable acidity, pH, water absorption, viscoelastic properties and texture of the cowpea-fortified nixtamalized maize. Addition of ARF decreased the viscoelastic properties, texture and pH of all the blends with a corresponding increase in acidity. Slight increases in protein and ash contents were noted with products fermented in coconut water, but ARF addition had only a marginal effect. Thus, fermentation and ARF addition could be applied to cowpea-fortified nixtamalized maize to enhance the functionalities with reduced viscosity and texture suitable for weaning food formulations.

Effect of a proprietary Magnolia and Phellodendron extract on stress levels in healthy women: a pilot, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Recent research has established correlations between stress, anxiety, insomnia and excess body weight and these correlations have significant implications for health. This study measured the effects of a proprietary blend of extracts of Magnolia officinalis and Phellodendron amurense (Relora) on anxiety, stress and sleep in healthy premenopausal women. METHODS: This randomized, parallel, placebo controlled clinical study was conducted with healthy, overweight (BMI 25 to 34.9), premenopausal female adults, between the ages of 20 and 50 years, who typically eat more in response to stressful situations and scores above the national mean for women on self-reporting anxiety. The intervention was Relora (250 mg capsules) or identical placebo 3 times daily for 6 weeks. Anxiety as measured by the Spielberger STATE-TRAIT questionnaires, salivary amylase and cortisol levels, Likert Scales/Visual Analog Scores for sleep quality and latency, appetite, and clinical markers of safety. The study was conducted by Miami Research Associates, a clinical research organization in Miami, FL. RESULTS: The intent-to-treat population consisted of 40 subjects with 26 participants completing the study. There were no significant adverse events. Relora was effective, in comparison to placebo, in reducing temporary, transitory anxiety as measured by the Spielberger STATE anxiety questionnaire. It was not effective in reducing long-standing feelings of anxiety or depression as measured using the Spielberger TRAIT questionnaire. Other assessments conducted in this study including salivary cortisol and amylase levels, appetite, body morphology and sleep quality/latency were not significantly changed by Relora in comparison to placebo. CONCLUSION: This pilot study indicates that Relora may offer some relief for premenopausal women experiencing mild transitory anxiety. There were no safety concerns or significant adverse events observed in this study.

Modulation of digestive enzyme activities during ontogeny of Labeo rohita larvae fed ascorbic acid enriched zooplankton.

The effect of supplementation of ascorbic acid through enriched zooplankton [10%, 20% and 30% ascorbyl palmitate (AP) inclusion in diet of zooplankton] on different digestive enzyme activities during ontogeny of Labeo rohita larvae was studied from 4 day to 15 day post hatch. Ascorbic acid (AA) content in different groups of unenriched (8.6+/-0.71) and enriched zooplankton were, 750+/-29.3, 1409.1+/-45.5, 2009.21+/-199.2 mug/g respectively on dry matter basis with differences (P<0.05) between the treatments. A difference (P<0.05) was found in tissue AA level in different dietary groups. Low amylase, protease, lipase and alkaline phosphatase activities were present in rohu larvae from the mouth opening stage which showed increasing trend with the age of larvae and increasing dietary AA content. A clear dose-dependent modulation of digestive enzyme activities in response to 10%, 20% and 30% AP enriched zooplankton feeding was evidenced from positive correlations between dietary AA content with magnitude of elevation of enzyme activity in different groups. There were 57, 55, 29.2 and 2 fold increases in amylase activity; 7.35, 7.02, 4.43 and 2.73 fold increases in protease activity; 45.636, 41.50, 19.83 and 13.69 fold increases in lipase activity and 6, 5, 3, and 2 fold increases in alkaline phosphatase activity observed in the 15th day post hatch larvae fed 20%, 30%, 10%AP enriched and normal zooplankton respectively, than 4-day post hatch larvae of the respective groups. Enzyme activities were also positively correlated with specific growth rates of wet weight of rohu larvae at the 15th day post hatch. Increased AA might have played an important role in advancing morphological transformation of the digestive tract, protecting gastric mucosa and accelerating growth by the process of tissue formation, which necessitated the requirement of more nutrient thereby, increasing digestive enzyme activity. The regulatory role of AA in the modulation of different digestive enzymes activity and its physiological consequences of nutrient digestibility and utilization during ontogenesis could be extrapolated for better nutrient management of the larvae.

Effect of psychological stress on the salivary cortisol and amylase levels in healthy young adults.

OBJECTIVE: Saliva sampling has the advantage that it is non-invasive, making multiple sampling easy and stress free. We examined the effects of psychological stressor and soother on the salivary cortisol and amylase levels in young adults, and compared the characteristics of these parameters. DESIGN: The subjects completed the trait version of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) to assess the predisposition to personal anxiety. The video of corneal transplant surgery was served as the stressor for 15 min. A scenic beauty video viewing was also used as the soother. Unstimulated whole saliva was collected every 3 min throughout the session. RESULTS: The amylase level was significantly increased just after the beginning of the stressful video viewing, and immediately returned to the pre-stress level just after the end of the video viewing. The cortisol level was also increased, but to a lesser extent compared with that of amylase. The latency time to the peak level for cortisol was longer than that of amylase. The carry-over effect was not observed in the amylase response but was in cortisol. Although the correlation between the amylase level and the STAI score was highly significant, cortisol level did not. In addition, soothing video viewing significantly decreased the amylase level, but did not affect the cortisol level. CONCLUSION: Salivary amylase level was more significantly increased and reacted more rapidly than cortisol by psychological stressor, suggesting that it is a better index of stress. Furthermore, it is suggested that the enzyme is a soothing or relaxation index.