Neuroprotective effects of adalimumab on rats with experimental peripheral nerve injury: An electron microscopic and biochemical study.

BACKGROUND: Adalimumab, a new-generation anti-inflammatory agent, exerts its effect through tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), secreted from immune response cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes. TNF-α has been shown to play an important role in the processes of apoptosis and demyelination, and blockage of its activity may improve neural healing. Investigated in the present study is the probable neuroprotective influence of adalimumab in rats using a peripheral nerve injury model with biochemical and electron microscopic methods. METHODS: Forty adult Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into control, sciatic nerve trauma, low-dose adalimumab, and high-dose adalimumab groups. Six rats from each group were assigned biochemical microscopy, and 4 were assigned electron microscopy. Neural injury was induced with clip compression following dissection of sciatic nerves. Adalimumab was simultaneously injected. The rats were sacrificed after 2 weeks of adalimumab treatment. RESULTS: Nerve tissue lipid peroxidation values were found to be significantly decreased in both the low- and high-dose adalimumab treatment groups, compared to the group subjected only to sciatic nerve trauma. CONCLUSION: Results demonstrate that adalimumab is an effective neuroprotective agent for neural healing, particularly in the early phase.

The effects of UV radiation during the vegetative period on antioxidant compounds and postharvest quality of broccoli (Brassica oleracea L.).

In this study, the effects of supplementary UV radiation during the vegetative period on antioxidant compounds, antioxidant activity and postharvest quality of broccoli heads during long term storage was studied. The broccolis were grown under three different doses of supplementary UV radiation (2.2, 8.8 and 16.4 kJ/m(2)/day) in a soilless system in a glasshouse. Harvested broccoli heads were stored at 0 °C in modified atmosphere packaging for 60 days. The supplementary UV radiation (280-315 nm) during the vegetative period significantly decreased total carotenoid, the chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b content but increased the ascorbic acid, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of broccolis. All supplementary UV treatments slightly reduced the antioxidant activity of the broccolis, however, no remarkable change was observed between 2.2 and 8.8 kJ/m(2) radiation levels. The sinigrin and glucotropaeolin contents of the broccolis were substantially increased by UV treatments. The prolonged storage period resulted in decreased ascorbic acid, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as antioxidant activity. Discoloration of the heads, due to decreased chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, was also observed with prolonged storage duration. Glucosinolates levels showed an increasing tendency till the 45th day of storage, and then their levels started to decline. The weight loss of broccoli heads during storage progressively increased with storage time in all treatments. Total soluble solids, solids content and titratable acidity decreased continuously during storage. Titratable acidity was not affected by UV radiation doses during the storage time whereas soluble solids and solids content (dry matter) were significantly affected by UV doses. Supplementary UV radiation increased the lightness (L*) and chroma (C*) values of the broccoli heads. Pre-harvest UV radiation during vegetative period seems to be a promising tool for increasing the beneficial health components of broccolis.

The neuroprotective effects of rituximab in rat spinal cord injury model: an immunohistochemical study.

AIM: In the present study, we investigate the neuroprotective effects of rituximab, a monoclonal antibody directed towards B cell mediated humoral immunity, on a rat spinal cord injury (SCI) model with immunohistochemical methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-four rats were used for the study. Rats were divided as control, SCI, and rituximab-treated SCI groups. Intraperitoneal rituximab administration was performed on days 0, 3 and 5 in the third group. Rats were sacrificed 7 days after trauma. Antibodies against IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α and CD20 were studied with the ELISA method together with electron microscopic analysis. RESULTS: It was found that rituximab suppressed oligodendrocytes at the phagocytic stage but was still inefficient for the regenerative phase. TNF-α expression was markedly increased in rats subjected to SCI and suppressed after rituximab treatment. Decreased CD20 expression was another prominent finding in rats under rituximab therapy. However, expressions of IL-1ß and IL-6 were both increased in glial cells without significant change after rituximab administration. CONCLUSION: TNF-α expression was augmented at the level of SCI both in neuronal and glial cells, particularly in oligodendrocytes. All were suppressed after rituximab administration and rituximab reduced CD20 expression both in neuronal and supportive glial cells which may be related to neural healing.

Microsurgical resection of supratentorial cerebral cavernomas.

AIM: More than two thirds of cerebral cavernomas are located supratentorially. The transsulcal approach without excision of the perilesional gliotic parenchyma and simple lesionectomy are keys to surgery on eloquent areas. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present 11 supratentorial cerebral cavernomas operated between 2003 and 2007 with signs of seizures in six and focal neurological deficit in four cases. The age ranged from 19 years to 69 years with a mean of 40 years and the male/female ratio was 6:5. The mean follow-up was 26 months. RESULTS: All lesions were lobar and the size ranged between 18 and 48 mm. Four were located in eloquent areas and two were deeply seated. Total lesionectomy was performed in all without major complications. A gliotic hemosiderin ring was noted in 7 and resected in 5 of them. Postoperative outcome was improved in all patients with complete seizure control in four. Seizure control was partial in 2 of the cases without any recurrence or residual mass. CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic cerebral cavernomas should be followed with regular MR scans. Symptomatic ones in noneloquent or accessible areas should be resected. Deeply situated cavernomas in eloquent areas should also be resected with the guidance of fMRI and stereotactic marking if available.

Control of the mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), with plant extracts.

BACKGROUND: The most serious insect pest problems affecting the cultivation of mushroom [Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach] in Turkey are mushroom flies (sciarids, cecids and phorids). Mushroom phorid fly, Megaselia halterata (Wood), is the most common insect pest species during April-October. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential for eight botanical materials (two commercial neem-based products and six hot-water plant extracts) to control M. halterata populations in three successive growing periods. RESULTS: Treatment efficacy was evaluated by assessing adult emergence and sporophore damage rates compared with that of a standard insecticide, chlorpyrifos-ethyl (positive control). All plant extracts caused significant reductions in the mean number of emerging adults and sporophore damage rates compared with the water-treated control (negative control). Reduction in adult emergence in both neem treatments, Neemazal and Greeneem oil, was greater than that in the positive control. While Neemazal and Origanum onites L. extract had significantly lower sporophore damage rates than the positive control, there were no significant differences between the chlorpyrifos-ethyl, Greeneem oil and Pimpinella anisum L. extract treatments. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that both neem products and hot-water extracts of O. onites and P. anisum may be potential alternatives to conventional pesticides for the control of mushroom phorid fly.

The effect of vegetable materials on the yield and productivity of agaricus bisporus / El efecto de materiales vegetales en el rendimiento y la productividad de agaricus bisporus / O efeito de materiais vegetais no rendimento e a produtividad de agaricus bisporus

To produce high yield, quality crops of mushrooms is an important component of the mushroom industry. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of seven vegetable materials (two commercial neem-based products, Neemazal-T/S® and Greeneem oil®, containing azadirachtin-A, and five hot water extracts from plants: Inula viscosa L., Ononis natrix L., Origanum onites L., Pimpinella anisum L. and Teucrium divericatum Sieber) on the yield and productivity of white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach. The concentration used was 5ml·l-1 water for the neem products, and 50g·l-1 dried material in water for the plant extracts tested. Dilute sprays of all the materials tested (150ml per bag, corresponding to 1200ml·m-2) were applied by soil drench to the casing layer using handgun sprayers. The effect of the test materials was evaluated by yield (kg per bag) and productivity (relation between fresh mushroom weight and fresh compost weight, as %). The applications of vegetable materials by soil drench to the casing layer had a stimulatory effect on mushroom yields. Yield increased with all vegetable treatments over the water-treated control. With the exception of O. natrix and O. onites extracts, significant productivity increases (7.7 to 21.9%) compared to the control were observed as a result of plant extract applications. The results suggest that plant materials may play an important role on the yield and productivity of A. bisporus, and may also be used in organic mushroom cultivation.

La producción de cosechas de frutos de calidad y alto rendimiento es un componente importante de la industria de champiñones. El presente estudio se llevó a cabo para evaluar el efecto de siete materiales vegetales (dos productos comerciales: Neemazal-T/S® y aceite Greeneem®, conteniendo azadirachtin-A, y cinco extractos en agua caliente de plantas: Inula viscosa L., Ononis natrix L., Origanum onites L., Pimpinella anisum L. y Teucrium divericatum Sieber) sobre el rendimento y productividad del champiñón Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach. La concentración empleada fue de 5ml·l-1 en agua para los productos comerciales y de 50g·l-1 de material seco en agua para los extractos. Se aplicaron aspersiones diluidas empapando la superficie (150ml por bolsa, equivalente a 1200ml·m-2) por medio de aspersores manuales. El efecto de los materiales se evaluó en cuanto a rendimiento (kg por bolsa) y productividad (relación entre pesos frescos de hongos y compost, en porcentaje). La aplicación de los materiales vegetales estimuló el rendimiento, que fue mayor en todos los casos que en el control con agua. Con excepción de los extractos de O. natrix y O. onites, hubo aumentos significativos en productividad (7,7-21,9%) como resultado de las aplicaciones al comparar con el control. Los resultados sugieren que los materiales vegetales podrían tener un papel importante en el rendimiento y productividad de A. bisporus, y también pueden ser usados en cultivos orgánicos de champiñones.

A produção de colheitas de frutos de qualidade e alto rendimento é um componente importante da indústria de champinhons. O presente estudo foi realizado para avaliar o efeito de sete materiais vegetais (dois produtos comerciais: Neemazal-T/S® e óleo de Greeneem®, contendo azadirachtin-A, e cinco extratos em água quente de plantas: Inula viscosa L., Ononis natrix L., Origanum onites L., Pimpinella anisum L. e Teucrium divericatum Sieber) sobre o rendimento e produtividade do champinhon Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Imbach. A concentração empregada foi de 5 ml·l-1 em água para os produtos comerciais e de 50g·l-1 de material seco em água para o extrato. Aplicaram-se aspersões diluídas empapando a superfície (150 ml por saco, equivalente a 1.200 ml·m-2) por meio de aspersores manuais. O efeito dos materiais foi avaliado quanto ao rendimento (kg por saco) e produtividade (relação entre pesos frescos de cogumelos e compost, em porcentagem). A aplicação dos materiais vegetais estimulou o rendimento, o qual foi maior em todos os casos comparados ao controle com água. Com exceção dos extratos de O. natrix y O. onites, houve aumentos significativos em produtividade (7,7-21,9%) como resultado das aplicações ao comparar com o controle. Os resultados sugerem que os materiais vegetais poderiam ter um papel importante no rendimento e produtividade de A. bisporus, e também podem ser usados em cultivos orgânicos de champinhons.