Investigating the Contribution of Blending on the Dough Rheology of Roller-Milled Hard Red Wheat.

The flour functionality and particle size distribution of wheat flour obtained on roller milling are dependent on the type of wheat, tempering conditions, and milling conditions. In this study, the impact of the tempering conditions (moisture and time) on the chemical and rheological properties of flour from blends of hard red wheat were analyzed. The wheat blends B1-25:75 (hard red spring (HRS)/hard red winter (HRW)), B2-50:50, and B3-75:25, which were tempered to 14%, 16%, and 18% for 16, 20, and 24 h, respectively, were milled using a laboratory-scale roller mill (Buhler MLU-202). Protein, damaged starch, and particle characteristics were influenced by blending, tempering, and milling streams. For all the blends, the protein content varied significantly among the break flour streams; the damaged starch content varied greatly in the reduction streams. The increased damaged starch content of the reduction streams proportionally increased water absorption (WA). Higher proportions of HRS in the blends significantly decreased the pasting temperature of the dough, as measured using Mixolab. Principal component analysis proved that the protein content was the key determinant in particle characteristics, WA, and pasting properties of the flour, especially in blends with a higher proportion of HRS.

Bioactive healthy components of bulgur.

Bulgur has been one of the most important traditional Durum wheat products in Turkey and Middle Eastern countries for ages. The objective of this study was to reveal the composition of some healthy components of industrial bulgur samples produced in Turkey. Total starch, resistant starch, dietary fibre and total phenolic contents and their high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) profile and antioxidant capacity of bulgur samples using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging activity methods were investigated. The results showed that total dietary fibre ranged between 5.8 ± 0.7 and 8.2 ± 0.7% and resistant starch between 2.1 ± 0.2 and 2.8 ± 0.2%. Moreover, phenolic content with an average of 59.5 ± 5.2 mg Gallic acid/100 g dry matter and a moderate level of antioxidant capacity with an average of 22.2 ± 2.4% DPPH scavenging activity and 563.3 ± 60.7 µmol Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity/100 g dry matter of ABTS scavenging activity add value to the health benefits of bulgur product.

The effect of sesame and sunflower oils on the plasma disposition of ivermectin in goats.

The effect of sesame oil (SSO) and sunflower oil (SFO) (the excipients) on the plasma disposition of ivermectin (IVM) following intravenous (i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) administration at a dosage of 200 microg/kg was investigated in goats. Ten clinically healthy crossbred goats were used in the study. The animals were allocated by weight and sex into two groups of five animals each. Group 1 (n = 5) received the drug and excipient by the i.v. route only and group 2 received drug and excipient by the s.c. route only. The study was designed according to a two-phase crossover design protocol. In the first phase three animals in group 1 were i.v. administered IVM (0.2 mg/kg) + SSO (1 mL) and the other two animals received IVM (0.2 mg/kg) + SFO (1 mL). In the second phase animals were crossed over and received the alternate excipient with IVM at the same dosages. In group 2 during the first phase, three animals were s.c. administered IVM (0.2 mg/kg) + SSO (1 mL) and the other two animals were received IVM (0.2 mg/kg) + SFO (1 mL). In the second phase animals were crossed over and received the alternate excipient with IVM at the same dosages. A 4-week washout period was allowed between the two phases. In group 2 significantly increased dermal thickness was observed at the s.c. injection site of the all animals which received IVM during phase I regardless of the excipient. There was almost no change observed at the injection site of any animal during the second phase of the study following s.c. administration. In group 2 the plasma concentrations of IVM in the second phase for both excipient combinations were much higher than the plasma concentrations following first administration and appeared to be related with the dermal changes. The mean plasma disposition of IVM in combination with SSO or SFO was similar following i.v. administration. Longer terminal elimination half-lives and resultant longer mean resident time were observed after s.c. administration of the both combinations compared with i.v. administration.

The effects of exhaustive swimming and probiotic administration in trained rats: Oxidative balance of selected organs, colon morphology, and contractility.

The duration and intensity of exercise are significant factors in oxidative, morphological, and functional changes of the gastrointestinal tract. This study aimed to investigate the effects of both exhaustive swimming and probiotic VSL#3 on rats that had been previously trained with moderate swimming. The rats were divided into four groups labeled: control (C), probiotic (P), exercise (E), and probiotic-exercise (PE). Groups P and PE were fed with probiotic mixture VSL#3. Groups E and PE had a 5-week moderate swimming program (1 h/day for 5 days/week), followed by a 1-week exhaustive swimming program (trained like in moderate program but 3 times with 150 min resting sessions, for 5 days/week). At the end of the program, the rats were euthanized. Malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and reduced glutathione levels were measured in tissue samples from the gastrocnemius muscle, heart, liver, kidney, and colon. In vitro contractile activity and histomorphology of the colon were also determined. Exercise and/or probiotic decreased the oxidative stress and also increased the level of one or more of the antioxidant enzymes in some of the organs. Probiotics had more pronounced effects on colon morphology than exercise but unexpectedly this effect was non-trophic. In the colon, the thickness of the tunica muscularis and the number of goblet cells were not affected; however, probiotic administration decreased the crypt depth and tunica mucosa thickness. Exercise increased the Emax value of acetylcholine (ACh), while decreased its sensitivity. These findings suggest that exhaustive swimming does not cause oxidative stress and that probiotic consumption improves oxidative balance in trained rats. The probiotic intake does not alter the effect of exercise on the contractile activity of the colon. Colon mucosal changes induced by probiotics are independent of exercise.

Protective effects of silymarin and curcumin on cyclophosphamide-induced cardiotoxicity.

INTRODUCTION: Cyclophosphamide (CP) is a potent anticancer agent; its clinical use is limited due to its marked cardiotoxicity. AIM: The present study was aimed at evaluating the cardioprotective effects of silymarin (SLY) and curcumin (CUR), which have strong antioxidant properties, against the toxic effects of high-dose CP on the heart of rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 36 adult Wistar albino female rats were randomly divided into six groups. Group I (control group; nothing was administered), Group II (CP group; 30mg/kg/day CP was administered intraperitoneally to each animal for seven days), Group III (SLY group; 100mg/kg/day SLY by gavage for 14 days), Group IV (CUR group; 100mg/kg/day CUR by gavage for 14 days), Group V (SLY+CP group; 100mg/kg/day SLY by gavage for 14days plus 30mg/kg/day CP intraperitoneally starting from the seventh day) and Group VI (CUR+CP group; 100mg/kg/day CUR by gavage for 14days plus 30mg/kg/day CP intraperitoneally starting from the seventh day). Biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical methods were utilised for evaluation of the cardiotoxicity. RESULTS: The result showed that an increase in heart MDA and DNA fragmentation levels were detected while significant decreases were seen in SOD levels in CP alone group when compared to the other groups. CP caused severe damage in the histopathological status of heart tissue including intersititial oedema, haemorrhage, degeneration and necrosis in muscle fibrils and perinuclear vacuolization. A significant increase in the percentage of TUNEL-positive cells and γH2AX protein expression was detected in the CP-treated group compared to the control and other treated groups. There was significant increase in the percentage of caspase 3-positive cells and decrease in the percentage of Bcl-2 positive cells in the CP group compared to the control group and other treated groups. However, a significant decrease in the percentage of cTnI and cTnT immunoreactivity was also observed in the CP-treated group compared to the control and other treated groups. In the groups in which SLY and CUR were administered concurrently with CP, biochemical parameters, histopathological and immunohistochemical results were found to be significantly lower than in the CP-only group. CONCLUSIONS: These results lead to conclusion that the natural antioxidant SLY and CUR might have protective effects against CP-induced cardiotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats.

Pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in adult goats: a comparative study of subcutaneous, oral and intravenous administration.

AIMS: To determine the plasma disposition of meloxicam in goats following S/C, oral or I/V administration at a single dose of 0.5 mg/kg bodyweight. METHODS: Five healthy Saanen goats, aged 12-14 months and weighing 35-40 kg, were used for a three phase cross-over design with a 10-day washout period, with meloxicam administered I/V, then orally and S/C. Heparinised blood samples (5 mL) were collected from all animals prior to drug administration (0 hours) and subsequently up to 96 hours. Concentrations of meloxicam in plasma were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Concentration-time curves were fitted and pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated for each administration group. RESULTS: Subcutaneous administration of meloxicam exhibited unique plasma distribution characteristics that differed from oral and I/V administration. Mean peak plasma concentrations were greater (1.91 (SD 0.39) vs. 0.71 (SD 0.17) µg/mL) and the time to reach them shorter (3.20 (SD 1.64) vs. 14.33 (SD 2.19) hours) following S/C compared with oral administration (p<0.05). The terminal half-life was longer (15.16 (SD 4.74) vs. 10.69 (SD 1.49) hours) and the MRT was shorter (15.67 (SD 2.37) vs. 24.33 (SD 3.12) hours) following S/C than oral administration (p<0.05), but bioavailability was similar (98.24 (SD 9.62) vs. 96.49 (SD 10.71)%). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Subcutaneous administration of meloxicam resulted in long-term presence of drug at high concentration in goat plasma. This unique plasma disposition characteristic may offer an advantage in some clinical cases towards potentially improving the treatment efficacy in goats.

Plasma pharmacokinetics and faecal excretion of ivermectin (Eqvalan paste) and doramectin (Dectomax, 1%) following oral administration in donkeys.

Ivermectin (IVM- Eqvalan paste, 1.87%) and doramectin (DRM-Dectomax 1%) were each administered orally to donkeys at 200 microgkg(-1) bodyweight. Blood and faecal samples were collected at predetermined times over 30 days and plasma pharmacokinetics and faecal excretion determined. Maximum plasma concentrations (C(max)) of IVM (23.6 ngml(-1)) and DRM (33.9 ngml(-1)) were obtained at (t(max)) 19.2 and 24h, respectively. The area under the concentration curve (AUC) of DRM (228.9 ngdayml(-1)) was significantly larger than that of IVM (119.3 ngdayml(-1)) and mean residence time (MRT) was 6.5 days for IVM and 9.1days for DRM. The highest (dry weight) faecal concentrations (9.33 microgg(-1) - IVM, 12.12 microgg(-1) - DRM) were detected at 55.9 and 48.0 h, respectively and each compound was detected (0.05 microgg(-1)) in faeces between 11h and 9 days following oral administration in donkeys.

Diffuse fibrous proliferation of tunica vaginalis associated with testicular infarction: a case report.

Fibrous pseudotumor of the tunica vaginalis testis is an uncommon lesion of unknown pathogenesis. Although this reactive process of testicular tunics is benign, this usually is diagnosed after radical orchiectomy. The authors describe a case of fibrous pseudotumor of the tunica vaginalis testis associated with testicular infarction. To our knowledge, this is the first case presented with similar association, second case consisting predominantly of myofibroblasts and the fourth reported case encountered in childhood.

Evaluating the effects of amylose and Concord grape extract powder substitution on physicochemical properties of wheat flour extrudates produced at different temperatures.

In this study, the effects of Concord grape extract powder (CGEP), high-amylose starch, and their combinations on quality parameters of extruded products were investigated by substituting wheat flour with those ingredients in the formulations. Physical quality parameters such as water absorption, bulk density, diametric expansion and hardness of extrudates were evaluated in addition to thermal properties, pasting properties and resistant starch contents. Average values obtained for 90, 120 and 150 °C extrusion temperatures changed respectively as follows: 0.916, 0.987 and 0.467 N for hardness; 2.12, 4.07 and 5.12 ml water/g sample for water absorption; 1.35, 2.09 and 2.51 for diametric expansions and 1286.6, 723.6 and 311.1 kg/m(3) for bulk densities. Extrusion temperature was found to have more distinct effect on physical quality parameters of extrudates than the substitution level of ingredients. Both CGEP and amylose additions negatively affected pasting properties, slightly affected resistant starch content and prevented gelatinization. However retardation of retrogradation was more evident when substitution was with CGEP alone rather than its combination with amylose.

Cerebriform fibrous proliferation vs. proteus syndrome.

Proteus syndrome is a rare, congenital hamartomatous syndrome that presents with a wide range of abnormalities. Regardless of different manifestations found in different patients, there exists three mandatory criteria for the diagnosis of this syndrome: a mosaic distribution of the lesions, a progressive course, and sporadic occurrence. When these criteria are met, the presence of additional connective tissue nevi, which are encountered mostly on the plantar surface of the feet, suffices for the diagnosis of Proteus syndrome. The authors present a 48-year-old woman who had been evaluated for a lesion on the plantar aspect of her left foot that was diagnosed as keloid and was treated unsuccessfully. In the light of the literature and with the help of histopathological reevaluation, the authors thought this unique lesion may be a localized form of Proteus syndrome.