The combination of the active principles of Podophyllum hexandrum supports early recovery of the gastrointestinal system via activation of Nrf2-HO-1 signaling and the hematopoietic system, leading to effective whole-body survival in lethally irradiated mice.

This study is aimed at the development of a safe radioprotective formulation to minimize human sufferings during accidental nuclear exposures. In the current study, a combination of three active principles, namely podophyllotoxin, podophyllotoxin beta-D-glucoside, and rutin (G-002M), isolated from Podophyllum hexandrum rhizomes, has been evaluated for its radioprotective potential and mode of action. Total body protection studies have demonstrated that a single prophylactic dose of G-002M delivered more than 85% survival in mice exposed to a lethal (9 Gy) dose of gamma radiation, and significantly protected the radiosensitive hematopoietic and gastrointestinal organs. Studies have also revealed a reduction in free radical generation, lipid peroxidation, protein carbonylation, and cell death in mouse intestine after G-002M treatment, while GSH was observed to be enhanced in the same tissue. Redox-sensitive transcription factor (Nrf2) activation and subsequent upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and SOD-1 revealed the cytoprotective role of G-002M. A histological examination of the jejunum pretreated with the formulation also demonstrated less damage to the villi, crypts, and the mucosal layers. These observations reiterated that the reduction in the ROS levels, protection of cellular macromolecules, and activation of the antioxidant signaling pathway may have been the principle factors involved in G-002M- mediated protection against radiation-induced tissue impairment. The potentially safe and effective radioprotective characteristics of this new combination are encouraging for further studies for human application.

Effect of flaring of natural gas in oil fields of Assam on rice cultivation.

Assam (India) is endowed with natural resources like oil, coal and natural gas. The crude oil, one of the most precious natural resources, is found in the districts of upper Assam. During the process of extraction of crude oil, low-pressure natural gas is burnt in the air. Most of the oil wells in upper Assam are located near rice fields and therefore, rice crop grown near the oil wells is exposed to light uninterruptedly causing grain sterility resulting significant loss in grain yield. To identify promising varieties for these areas, we studied the effect of flare on rice varieties with different photoperiod sensitivity. The high light intensity and increased light hours were the factors responsible for substantial loss in grain yield near the flare resulting from delay in flower initiation, reduction of panicle length, having less number of grains per panicle and more grain sterility. To prevent significant loss in yield, photoperiod-sensitive traditional and improved rice varieties should not be grown up to the distance of 80 and 100 m, respectively from the boundary wall of the flare pit. Modern weakly-photoperiod sensitive varieties like Ranjti and Mahsuri can be grown 40 m away from the wall while modern photoperiod insensitive variety like Jaya, can be cultivated 20 m away from the wall without significant loss in yield.

Synthesis, absolute stereochemistry and molecular design of the new antifungal and antibacterial antibiotic produced by Streptomyces sp.201.

The absolute stereochemistry of the new antifungal and antibacterial antibiotic produced by Streptomyces sp.201 has been established by achieving the total synthesis of the product. A series of analogues have also been synthesized by changing the side chain and their bioactivity assessed against different microbial strains. Among them, 1e (R = C8H17) was found to be the most potent with MIC of 8 microg/mL against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, 12 microg/mL against Escherichia coli and 16 microg/mL against Bacillus subtilis 6 microg/mL against Proteus vulgaris. This was followed by 1b (R = C5H11) with MIC of 10-20 microg/mL range and 1d (R = C7H15) with MIC of 14-24 g/mL, whereas 1a (R = C4H9) and 1f (R = C18H35) were found to be completely inactive. Besides, 1c (R = C6H13) showed certain extent of antibacterial activity in the range of 24-50 microg/mL. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was very sensitive to 1e (R = C8H17) with MIC of 8 microg/mL. Antifungal activity of analogues 1d (R = C7H15) and 1e, (R = C8H17) against Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani were found promising with MFCs in the 15-18 microg/mL range.

[Selenium plasma concentration level in children with food allergy]. / Ocena stezenia selenu w surowicy u dzieci z alergia pokarmowa.

Selenium (Se) is an essential component of many mammalian enzymes and therefore plays an important role in different metabolic processes. Se deficiency occurs in inadequate diet consumption as well as in some digestive tract and allergic diseases. In this research we showed that Se plasma concentration levels in healthy children was 71.8 mg/l, whereas in those with food allergy 54.1 mg/l (with smaller intestinal villus atrophy) or 50.4 mg/l (with greater intestinal villus atrophy). Obtained results indicate that children with food allergy display higher risk of Se deficiency. Antioxidative and immunomodulatory action of Se, connecting with promising literature data of Se supplementation, promote us to state, that this trace element could be used for accessory food allergies treatment.

[Influence of gluten free diet on bone mineral density (BMD) in children with celiac disease]. / Wplyw diety bezglutenowej na gestosc mineralna kosci (BMD) u dzieci chorych na celiakie.

UNLABELLED: In children with celiac disease (CD) bone metabolism and mineralization are frequently disturbed. The present study aimed to assess the influence of gluten free diet (GFD) on bone mineral density (BMD) in 73 children with CD, mean age of 12.4 +/- 0.4 years and mean body mass index (BMI) 17.9 +/- 0.4 kg/m2 (mean +/- SEM). Diagnosis of CD was established according to ESPEGAN criteria. Compliance to the GFD was verified on the basis of interview and by estimation of antiendomysial antibodies (IgAEmA/IgGEmA) in blood serum. BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Plasma calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) concentrations, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and its bone fraction (BAP) were estimated before BMD measurement. All children were divided into two groups. Group A consisted of 33 children where gluten free diet was strictly respected for 11.7 +/- 0.6 years. The second group (Group B) comprised 40 children without strictly respected GFD. Children who strictly followed GFD showed statistically higher BMI, AP-spine BMD and total body BMD in comparison with children without GFD (BMI 19 +/- 0.52 kg/m2 vs 17.3 +/- 0.4 kg/m2; p < 0.01, AP-spine BMD 0.951 +/- 0.04 g/cm2 vs 0.767 + 0.03 g/cm2; p < 0.005, Total Body BMD 1.013 +/- 0.02 g/cm2 vs 0.933 +/- 0.01 g/cm2; p < 0.05) respectively. No significant differences were found in plasma Ca, P, AP, BAP between both groups. A statistically significant positive correlation (p < 0.001) was found between duration of GFD and AP-spine BMD and total body BMD, respectively. A statistically significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) was also found between duration of GFD and BMI. CONCLUSION: Long-term GFD significantly improves BMD and BMI in children with CD.

Uptake and processing of biofilm and free-cell vaccines of Aeromonas hydrophila in indian major carps and common carp following oral vaccination--antigen localization by a monoclonal antibody.

Uptake and processing of biofilm (BF) and free-cell (FC) vaccines of Aeromonas hydrophila were studied in the Indian major carps catla Catla catla, and rohu Labeo rohita and in the common carp Cyprinus carpio following a single dose oral vaccination of 10(11) CFU g(-1) fish. Fish were sampled at 0.5, 1, 3, 6, 12, 24 h and at 2, 3, 5 and 10 d following vaccination and antigen localization was studied in the gut, kidney and spleen employing monoclonal antibody based immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase. The general pattern of antigen localization was similar in catla, rohu and common carp. Initially, both the BF and FC antigens were localized in the gut lumen, followed by their uptake by intraepithelial vacuoles and macrophages. Antigen administered orally was also seen in the spleen and kidney. Both BF and FC antigens were detected in the gut lumen of carp within 30 min following oral delivery. However, BF antigen remained in the lumen of the hindgut for 48 h compared to 6 h in the case of FC antigen. In the early stages, BF antigen was localized in the gut epithelial vacuoles while FC antigen was associated with the small macrophages of the hindgut. Antigen localization in spleen and kidney was observed at 3 h and persisted even up to 10 d following oral delivery. In general, there was a distinct difference between BF and FC vaccines in the duration of retention and quantity of uptake in the gut, kidney and spleen.

[Serum prolactin concentration in children with celiac disease]. / Stezenie prolaktyny w surowicy dzieci z celiakia.

The study encompassed 62 children aged 4-15 years: 51 with a confirmed diagnosis of celiac disease and 11 suspected of having celiac disease (during diagnostic studies). The control group included 30 healthy children aged 4-15 years. Serum prolactin concentration was measured using radioimmunoassay (RIA) kits. Serum prolactin concentrations were significantly higher in children with celiac disease not following a gluten-free diet than in the control group. Children with serious mucosal lesions revealed by small bowel mucosal biopsies had the highest serum prolactin concentrations. Of these children, 36% gad values higher than 15 ng/ml. Differences between children with celiac disease complying with a gluten-free diet and the control group were not significant.