Immunohistochemical and histological evaluations of cyclophosphamide-induced acute cardiotoxicity in wistar rats: The role of turmeric extract (curcuma).

Chemotherapy-induced cardiac derangement is a major concern in health sector. Cyclophosphamide as a chemotherapeutic agent induces acute cardiotoxicity through its toxic metabolite, acrolein. This study evaluated the effect of ethanol extract of turmeric on cyclophosphamide-induced acute cardiotoxicity in Wistar rats. Thirty-five healthy Wistar rats, weighing 200-250g were randomly assigned into 7 groups (Groups A, B, C, D, E, F and G) N=5. Group A was the control, group B was negative control, and group C was administered 200mg/kg of turmeric extract (orally) only. While groups B, D, E, F and G were all administered 100mg/kg cyclophosphamide (i.p) for 10 days. Groups D and E were administered 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of turmeric extract (orally) respectively for 72 hours before cyclophosphamide administration. Groups F and G were concomitantly administered 100mg/kg cyclophosphamide (i.p) with doses of 100mg/kg and 200mg/kg of turmeric extract (orally) respectively. The rats were sacrificed under ketamine anesthesia (30mg/kg i.m). The left ventricle of the heart was excised. One-way ANOVA was used to analyze data. Results revealed that there was statistically significant (P<0.05) difference in body weight change, CK-MB, and LDH across all experimental groups; which were significantly lower in cyclophosphamide group. Histology and Immunohistochemistry revealed that there were morphological alterations in the myocardium of the left ventricle in group B while turmeric extract ameliorated cyclophosphamide-induced damage in the myocardium in other experimental groups. In conclusion, cyclophosphamide-induced myocardial alterations were significantly ameliorated through administration of ethanol extract of turmeric.

Influence of Kersting's (Kerstingiella geocarpa) groundnut proteins on the physicochemical, bioactive properties and storage stability of orange juice.

Sweet orange ranks as one of the most acceptable fruit juices across the globe as it offers a healthy choice and pleasant taste to a wide spectrum of consumers. This makes it a promising vehicle for conveying functional ingredients into the human body. The present study was designed to produce functional orange juice by incorporating Kersting's groundnut proteins (isolate and hydrolysates) at different proportions (0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 w/v) into freshly produced sweet orange juice. The sample formulations were further analysed for changes in their physicochemical (pH, titratable acidity, total soluble sugars, ascorbic acid and total phenol content), sensory (appearance, colour, flavour, mouthfeel and overall acceptability), antioxidant (radical scavenging, metal chelating, ferric ion-reducing abilities, DPPH, total antioxidant) and antidiabetic (inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme activities) properties as well as their storage stability over a 90-day storage period. The functional orange juice exhibited an improved physicochemical, antioxidant, antidiabetic and shelf life properties based on the respective protein concentrations used over the 90-day study period while the sample with the lowest proportion (0.6%) of functional ingredient had the highest sensory acceptability. Hence, the study concluded that Kersting's groundnut proteins could find useful applications in the formulation of functional orange juice.

Effect of Protease Type and Peptide Size on the In Vitro Antioxidant, Antihypertensive and Anti-Diabetic Activities of Eggplant Leaf Protein Hydrolysates.

Solanum macrocarpon (eggplant) leaf protein isolate (ELI) was hydrolyzed using four different enzymes to produce hydrolysates from alcalase (AH), chymotrypsin (CH) pepsin (PH) and trypsin (TH). CH had an overall stronger antioxidant property and was separated using ultrafiltration membranes into <1, 1-3 and 3-5 kDa peptide fractions. Gel-permeation chromatography confirmed conversion of the ELI (average of 22 kDa) into protein hydrolysates that contained smaller peptides (<6 kDa). A total of 23 peptides consisting of tri and tetrapeptides were identified from the CH, which is a wider spectrum when compared to seven for AH and four each for TH and PH. CH exhibited stronger scavenging activities against DPPH and hydroxyl radicals. CH and TH exhibited the strongest inhibitions against angiotensin-converting enzyme. In contrast, AH was the strongest inhibitor of α-amylase while AH and PH had strong inhibitory activities against α-glucosidase when compared with other hydrolysates. Ultrafiltration fractionation produced peptides that were stronger (p < 0.05) scavengers of DPPH, and hydroxyl radicals, in addition to better metal-chelating and enzyme inhibition agents. The study concluded that the eggplant protein hydrolysates and the UF fractions may find applications in tackling oxidative stress-related diseases and conditions involving excessive activities of the metabolic enzymes.

Comparison of methods for prediction of prostate cancer in Turkish men with PSA levels of 0-10 ng/mL.

PURPOSE: Several concepts to improve the diagnostic accuracy of prostate specific antigen (PSA) for prediction of prostate cancer have been studied. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the methods used for improving the diagnostic accuracy of PSA in a country with low incidence of prostate cancer. METHODS: 997 patients with prostate biopsy were included into study. Predictive models using PSA, PSA density (PSAD), free PSA/total PSA (f/tPSA), binary logistic regression (LR) analysis, artificial neural networks (ANNs), and decision trees (DTs) have been developed. For LR, ANNs and DTs, a validation group consisting of 241 cases was reserved. RESULTS: 193 (19%) biopsies out of 997 showed prostatic cancer. Median PSAD in patients with malignant and benign lesions were 0.21 and 0.16, respectively (p<0.001). According to 25% f/tPSA cut-off level, 18.4% of the patients with PSA<25% and 16.0% of the patients with PSA>25% had prostate cancer (p=0.423). Receiver operating characteristics (ROC) area under the curve (AUC) values for PSA, PSA density, f/tPSA, LR, ANNs, and DTs were 0.587, 0.625, 0.560, 0.678, 0.644, and 0.698, respectively. ROC AUCs in the validation group for LR, ANNs and DTs were 0.717, 0.516 and 0.629 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: For cases with f/tPSA<25%, no increased probability for prostatic carcinoma was observed. Multivariate models have higher AUCs than PSA, PSAD or f/tPSA. LR, DTs and ANNs showed similar results, however application of ANNs to the validation group produced a significantly lower AUC, limiting the value of ANNs in this situation.

Digestion kinetics of native and modified cardaba banana starch: A biphasic approach.

To understand the mechanism through which cardaba banana starch is hydrolysed, the starch digestion kinetics of native and modified cardaba banana starch samples of Nigeria origin were investigated using an in vitro procedure. The digestion kinetics of the starch samples revealed the samples exhibited a biphasic digestogram. A second-order polynomial with an average coefficient of determinant (r2) of 0.7732 (p < 0.005) was used to segment the biphasic digestogram into two monophasic digestograms. The digestion kinetics parameters (average) obtained using a modified first-order model suggested the accuracy of the model in describing the digestogram. The values obtained for the initial and final digestion rate constant (initial, ki = 3-4 × 10-2 min-1; final kf = 6-8.3 × 10-2 min-1) revealed that the final monophasic segment had a faster rate of digestion after the initial resistant to digestion had been overcome. The logistic model approach in which the digestogram was carried out in a single process also accurately predicted the biphasic behaviours of the cardaba banana (average r2 = 0.9736, p < 0.05; root mean square of error, RMSE = 1.588). Weibull model was used for the first time to describe the biphasic approach of cardaba banana starch and according to the digestogram parameters obtained (average r2 = 0.9954, p < 0.05; root mean square of error, RMSE = 0.578), the model accurately predicts the biphasic digestogram. In comparison among the models, the Weibull model best described the biphasic digestogram of the cardaba banana starch. The maximum starch digestion obtained in each of the digestion approaches was less than 100% which is an indication of the presence of resistant starch.

Texture profile analysis and stress relaxation characteristics of protein fortified sweetpotato noodles.

The mechanical stress relaxation and textual characteristics of starch noodles supplemented with soybean protein concentrate (SPC) was studied with an Instron texture analyzer. Noodles strength was observed to increase significantly with increased in SPC concentration from 0 to 20%. Noodles (ES30) formulated with the esterified starch and 30% SPC substitution had the highest deformation modulus index, initial break force, and maximum break force. The stress relaxation data was well fitted by the Maxwell and Peleg-Normand models though the latter was the most suited. The fitted parameters, F3 and λ1 had a higher sensitivity to changes in its viscoelastic properties when compared to k2 or %SR. A significant correlation was established between the stress relaxation index and textural parameters. The result of this study suggests that starch noodles with enhanced textural and break force characteristics can be formulated with 10-20% SPC substitution. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Dried noodles are formulated from raw noodles which have been dehydrated either by hot-air drying or natural drying. It has the advantages of being low-cost, easy to cook, and longer shelf-life. Consumer's acceptance of cooked noodles depends majorly on its textural properties such as its elasticity, hardness, and smoothness. The extent of noodles hardness and its breakpoint features are an influencer of noodles breakage during packaging and shipping. The determination of modeling parameters describing these physical characteristics can help in the production of noodles with improved breakpoint index, textural features, and quality. Therefore, the effects of different percentage of SPC supplementation on the break force and stress relaxation characteristics of noodles formulated from sweet potato starch were evaluated in the present study.

Gluten-free cookies with low glycemic index and glycemic load: optimization of the process variables via response surface methodology and artificial neural network.

This research investigates the effect of baking temperature and time on the resistant starch (RS), glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) of gluten-free cookies, optimized the processing parameter using a chemometrics approach of response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN). The in-vitro starch digestibility of the formulated cookies exhibited a monophasic starch digestogram. Increase in resistant starch, and a decrease in the predicted GI of the cookies, was associated with low temperature and high baking time. The use of RSM and ANN modelling techniques accurately predict the RS, pGI and GL (coefficient of determinant, R2 > 0.93 and root mean square of error = 0.43-0.62) of the gluten-free cookies. The optimal condition for the production of cookies with high RS, low pGI and GL were baking temperature of 158 °C and baking time of 20 min with predicted RS value of 19.61 g/100g of dry starch, pGI value of 56.98 and GL value 52.64.

Kinetics of starch digestion in native and modified sweetpotato starches from an orange fleshed cultivar.

Starch from orange-fleshed sweet potato cultivar was modified using dual autoclave retrogradation, annealing and lintnering modification treatment and their digestibility properties studied. The rate and extent of digestion were suitably predicted with a first-order kinetic model derived in the course of the study. The starches clearly displayed monophasic digestograms while modified starches were observed to have lower glycemic load and glycemic index when compared to the unmodified starch. This study clearly demonstrates the effect of various starch modification treatments on the digestibility of sweet potato starches and also predicted it digestion kinetics parameters.

Radicular peroxide penetration from carbamide peroxide gels during intracoronal bleaching.

AIM: To evaluate and compare radicular peroxide diffusion from different concentrations of carbamide peroxide bleaching gels. METHODOLOGY; Fifty maxillary premolar teeth were separated into five groups (n = 10). Standardized endodontic access cavities were prepared in the occlusal surfaces, and the root canals were prepared using a step back technique and filled using the lateral compaction technique. The gutta-percha filling was removed 4 mm short of the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) and a 2-mm-thick glass-ionomer cement base was placed. Outer root surfaces were sealed with wax and nail polish, leaving the coronal third of the tooth and the CEJ exposed. All teeth were immersed in a plastic tube containing 2 mL of distilled water, and the experimental groups were treated with a bleaching agent of either 10%, 17% or 37% carbamide peroxide (CP) or a mixture of 30% hydrogen peroxide (HP) and sodium perborate (SP) placed into the coronal pulp chamber of teeth and left for 24 h. Peroxide penetration was measured using the ferrothiocyanate method. Statistical analysis of data was conducted by using the Kruskal-Wallis Analysis of Variance and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Higher peroxide penetration occurred with the 30% HP-SP mixture than with the CP bleaching gels, and the 37% CP group also promoted greater peroxide penetration than the other CP groups (P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between 10% and 17% CP groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Peroxide penetration of CP gels was significantly lower than that of a HP-SP mixture.

Characterization of protein isolate from Sesamum indicum seed: In vitro protein digestibility, amino acid profile, and some functional properties.

This work evaluated the impacts of pH and sodium chloride (NaCl) concentration on some functional properties, in vitro protein digestibility, and amino acid profile of sesame (Sesamum indicum) protein isolate (SPI) produced using simultaneous recovery of protein and oil technique. The emulsion activity index (EAI), foam capacity (FC), and protein solubility varied with pH and ionic ability. Foam capacity rose with an increase in ionic strength. Protein solubility ranged from 8.39% at pH 4 to 55.08% at pH 10. In vitro protein digestibility of the SPI with pepsin-pancreatin enzyme systems was 89.57%. Amino acid profile showed that essential amino acids constituted 39.48%. The amino acids had good scores well above 50%. The results showed that SPI extracted by aqueous technique could be used as food ingredient, particularly as thickener, binder, and ingredient in baked food products.

Biochemical Effects of Aqueous Extract of Persea americana (Mill) on the Myocardium of Left Ventricle of High Salt-Fed Adult Wistar Rats.

BACKGROUND: The cardioprotective effects of Persea americana extract was investigated on biochemical activities of high salt-fed adult Wistar rats in this study. METHOD: Forty healthy Wistar rats of both sexes weighing 120 to 150 g were randomly assigned into 8 groups of 5 rats each (groups A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H). Rats in groups A, F, G, and H were fed with standard laboratory pellets, while groups B, C, D, and E were fed on the high-salt diet for 4 weeks. Concomitantly, daily administration of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg of the P americana extract were given orally to groups C and F, D and G, and E and H, respectively, while rats in groups A and B were administered distilled water. Blood samples were taken by cardiac puncture; concentration of sodium ion, potassium ion, nitric oxide, and activity of lactate dehydrogenase were determined. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze data, followed by Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK) test for multiple comparison. RESULTS: Results revealed that concentration of potassium ion and nitric oxide was significantly lower ( P < .05) in high salt-fed groups. Sodium ion concentration and activity of lactate dehydrogenase were higher in high salt-fed group while P americana prevented biochemical perturbations in other experimental groups. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, high salt-diet induced biochemical alterations which were significantly protected by oral administration of P americana extract.

Effects of cooking and fermentation on the chemical composition, functional, and antinutritional properties of kariya (Hildergardia barteri) seeds.

The effects of natural fermentation and cooking on kariya seeds functional properties, chemical composition, and antinutritional properties were evaluated. Result showed a reduction in antinutritional properties and improvement in protein content which were observed to increase with cooking (at 100°C) and fermentation period (24-96 hr). Functional analyses showed an increase in foaming and emulsion properties, while water absorption capacity and swelling power were observed to likewise increase with an increasing temperature between 60°C and 90°C. There was also an improvement in foaming properties with increase in salt (NaCl) concentration, while emulsifying property decreases with an increase in salt (NaCl) concentration. Based on the result of the findings of this study, it can be stated that the cooking and fermentation processes employed in this study can enhance the domestic and industrial utilization of these seeds.

The significance of autoantibodies in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Lymphoproliferative diseases are the most common disorders associated with autoimmune disturbances. We determined the autoimmune phenotype of 64 non Hodgkin's lymphoma patients' and compared their clinicopathologic properties. Serum direct antiglobulin test [(DAT) n=64], indirect antiglobulin test [(IAT) n=61], platelet autoantibodies [(PAA) n=51], anti nuclear antibodies [n=33], anti-native DNA [n=29], anti phospholipid antibodies [n=40] and, lupus anticoagulant [n=33] were used as autoimmune markers. Twenty five patients (39%) displayed one or more autoimmune marker positivity (+). Three patients with (+) DAT and IAT had autoimmune hemolytic anemia and two patients with PAA had autoimmune thrombocytopenia. Male patients were more susceptible to autoimmunity in low grade lymphomas and the statistical difference was significant (p=0.035). Most of the autoimmune markers (+) patients had low grade and disseminated disease but this was not significant. Remission rates were not found to be different between autoimmune marker (+) and (-) patients. Although statistically not significant. median survival was longer in autoimmune marker (-) patients than in the others (50 versus 39 months). The significance of autoimmunity in NHL in a larger series of patients should be investigated in future studies.

Predictive value of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1 beta concentrations on outcome of full term infants with hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy.

AIM: To determine the predictive value of plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) concentrations on the outcome of hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) in full term infants. METHODS: Thirty term infants with HIE were included in the study. HIE was classified according to the criteria of Sarnat and Sarnat. Blood and CSF were obtained within the first 24 hours of life and stored until assay. Five infants died soon after hypoxic insult. Neurological examinations and Denver Developmental Screening Test (DDST) were performed at 12 months in the survivors. RESULTS: At the age of 12 months neurological examination and DDST showed that 11 infants were normal; 14 had abnormal neurological findings and/or an abnormal DDST result. Eleven normal infants were classified as group 1 and 19 infants (14 with abnormal neurological findings and/or an abnormal DDST and five who died) as group 2. CSF IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha concentrations in group 2 were significantly higher than those in group 1. Plasma IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups. IL-1 beta, but not TNF-alpha concentrations, in group 2 were even higher than those in group 1, although non-survivors were excluded from group 2. When the patients were evaluated according to the stages of Sarnat, the difference in the three groups was again significant. Patients whose CSF samples were taken within 6 hours of the hypoxic insult had higher IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha concentrations than the patients whose samples were taken after 6 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Both cytokines probably contribute to the damage sustained by the central nervous system after hypoxic insult. IL-1 beta seems to be a better predictor of HIE than TNF-alpha.

Serum prolactin levels in Behçet's disease.

PURPOSE: Evaluation of serum prolactin levels in Behçet's disease patients in Turkey. METHODS: Serum prolactin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA) in 17 patients with ocular findings, and 20 patients without ocular findings of Behçet's disease, and in 17 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The average prolactin levels were measured as 9.53 ng/mL in patients with ocular findings, 8.84 ng/mL in patients without ocular findings, and 9.59 ng/mL in healthy controls. There was no statistical significance among these three groups. Also, the average levels were 9.84 ng/mL in remission periods and 7.54 ng/mL in attacks. CONCLUSIONS: In some studies, it has been suggested there is a correlation between high serum prolactin levels and activation of some autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis. However, we found no such correlation in Behçet's disease. On the contrary, prolactin levels were lower in attacks than in remissions.

Comparison of biodegradable nanoparticles and multiple emulsions (water-in-oil-in-water) containing influenza virus antigen on the in vivo immune response in rats.

Multiple water-in-oil-water (w/o/w) emulsion and polymeric nanoparticle formulations containing influenza virus surface antigen hemagglutinin (HA) are thought to be suitable carriers for a vaccine delivery system. The multiple emulsion technique leads to high entrapment of HA, while the solvent evaporation technique encapsulates and adsorbs HA within the nanoparticle. Immune responses of these formulations were investigated in rats and compared with the immune response raised against the conventional vaccine. The responses were detected with the hemagglutinin inhibition (HAI) assay. A single administration of multiple emulsion (F1, F2, F3) and nanoparticle (F4) formulations proved to stimulate a more effective immune response in rats than conventional vaccine.

Ischemia modified albumin levels cannot predict stress induced ischemia shown by myocardial perfusion scintigraphy.

PURPOSE: Ischemia modified albumin (IMA) is a new marker of ischemia which is used in especially emergency room. Aim of this study is showing the association of IMA with stress induced ischemia on Tc-99m 2-methoxyisobutyl-nitrate (MIBI) myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS). METHODS: 56 patients (23 F, 33 M; 56.04 ± 8.45 years old) were included in our study. Stress-rest two days protocol Tc-99m MIBI MPS single photon emission tomography (SPECT) was performed to all patients. IMA levels from the blood samples which were taken before and after the treadmill test were measured. Thirty patients additionally underwent coronary angiography. RESULTS: The difference of IMA levels of ischemia between positive and negative groups was not statistically significant. Also, there was not statistically significant difference between IMA levels of patients who have narrowing in the coronary arteries and not. CONCLUSION: Although IMA is an important marker of ischemia, probably because of other ischemic process during stress; it cannot reflect stress induced ischemic changes on MPS.