Astaxanthin effectiveness in preventing multiple sclerosis in animal model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to reveal the effect of therapeutic and prophylactic potential of astaxanthin in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) as an acceptable model for the study of multiple sclerosis (MS). BACKGROUND: Astaxanthin has powerful antioxidant activities as well as several essential biological functions while multiple sclerosis prevention is highly regarded by researchers. METHODS: The astaxanthin potential in prevention of multiple sclerosis was examined in the chronic model of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) by using female C57BL/6 mice induced with oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). Splenocytes were assessed to measure the levels of proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, proliferation rate and FoxP3+Treg cell frequency. Immunohistochemical examinations were performed on spinal cord and brain tissue. RESULTS: Astaxanthin reduced splenocytes proliferation index and proinflammatory cytokine levels, and vice versa increased the anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. Immunohistochemical studies of the spinal cord and brain showed that the infiltration with inflammatory cells was highly confined in the central nervous system. Protective effects of astaxanthin were visible by assigning low score recording in clinical behavior and disease severity. CONCLUSION: Astaxanthin is a powerful tool for intervention in EAE on a model of multiple sclerosis, so it can be studied further to prevent and treat MS (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 41).

Chimeric Allografts Induced by Short-Term Treatment With Stem Cell Mobilizing Agents Result in Long-Term Kidney Transplant Survival Without Immunosuppression: II, Study in Miniature Swine.

Transplantation is now lifesaving therapy for patients with end-stage organ failure but requires lifelong immunosuppression with resultant morbidity. Current immunosuppressive strategies inhibit T cell activation and prevent donor-recipient engagement. Therefore, it is not surprising that few host cells are demonstrated in donor grafts. However, our recent small animal studies found large numbers of recipient stem cells present after transplantation and pharmacological mobilization, resulting in a chimeric, repopulated organ. We now confirm these findings in a well-characterized large animal preclinical model. Here, we show that AMD3100 and FK506 mobilization of endogenous stem cells immediately post kidney transplantation combined with repeat therapy at 1, 2, and 3 months led to drug-free long-term survival in maximally immunologically mismatched swine. Three long-term recipients have stable chimeric transplants, preserved antidonor skin graft responses, and normal serum creatinine levels despite withdrawal of all medication for 3 years.

Heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations of egg quality traits in Iranian native fowl.

1. The objective was to estimate heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations for egg quality traits of Iranian native fowl at the Yazd Breeding Centre. 2. External and internal egg quality traits were measured on 1200 eggs from 794 hens of the 6th generation. A multivariate animal model with restricted maximum likelihood procedure was applied to estimate heritability, genetic and phenotypic correlations for egg quality traits using ASREML. 3. Heritability estimates for external egg quality traits ranged from 0·18 to 0·57 and for internal egg quality traits from 0·24 to 0·60. 4. For external egg quality traits, genetic correlation between egg weight and eggshell thickness (EST) was positive (0·36) and EST showed high genetic correlations with eggshell weight (0·84) and eggshell strength (0·55). This implies that heavier eggs tend to have thicker and stronger shells. 5. For internal egg quality traits, albumen height showed high positive genetic correlations with albumen weight (0·52), albumen index (0·98), yolk height (0·72) and yolk index (0·57). 6. Our results show that it is feasible to improve egg quality in Iranian fowl through selection for albumen height.

Determination of the amount of protein and amino acids extracted from the microbial protein (SCP) of lignocellulosic wastes.

With the increasing world population, the use of lignocellulosic wastes for production of microbial protein as animal feed becomes a necessity of our time. In order to verify the most productive protein, the amount of protein and amino acid extracted from Single Cell Protein (SCP) needs to be determined by an effective method. In this study Microbial protein was produced by treatment of wheat straw with Pleurotus florida; with heat at 100 degrees C and NaOH 2% as substrate by solid state fermentation. Concentration of protein was 62.8% per 100 g of dried microbial protein. Then the extracted protein hydrolyzed with HCl 6 Normal for 48 h under 110 degrees C temperature condition. Then the amino acids analyzed by using A-200 Amino Nova analyzer. The results of this study indicated that the ratio of essential amino acids to total amino acids was 65.6%. The concentration of essnyial amino acids were: Lysine = 9.5, histidine = 19.8, threonine = 0.6, valine = 6.6, methionine = 2.1, isoleucine = 7.3, leucine = 6.8, phenylalanine = 4.3 and arginine = 8.3 g/100 g of extracted protein that indicated the obtained microbial protein can be a good or suitable substitute in the food program of animal feed.

The children reference range of thyroid hormones in Northern Iran.

Hypothyroidism is associated with mental and growth abnormality in children. The aim of this study was to determine the reference range of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). Thyroxin (T4) and triodothyronine (T3) of children in Northern Iran. The sample population for this study consists of subjects of 4 age groups up to 21 years. The subjects were selected randomly from people referred to Danesh Medical Diagnostic Laboratory in Gorgan Northern Iran. Thyroid hormone level were investigated with Radio immunoassay. The mean concentration for T4, T3, TSH for the sample population of 4 groups were as follow (113.5, 107.4, 102.9, 99.2 nmol L(-1)), (1.9, 1.7, 1.9, 1.6 nmol L(-1)) and (2.1,3.5, 2.9, 2.7 mIu L(-1)). The mean value of T3, TSH were higher for females but the mean value of T4 was slightly higher in males. The findings of this investigation indicated that there is an inverse age correlation in particular for T4 in all age groups. On the bases of the results from this study, we conclude that reference range, in all age groups and lower, upper limits of our reference range are not universally similar; therefore determination of reference range in each region is a critical need for clinical practice.

Determination of daidzein and genistein in soy milk in Iran by using HPLC analysis method.

The HPLC system separated completely isofavonoids such as daidzein (15.2 min) and genistein (17.3 min). Initially, the concentrations of major isoflavone Genistein and Daidzein in the tested soy milk were determined. Commercial soy milk samples were analyzed for isoflavones and two major isoflavones detected: genistein 25.86 (mg L(-1)) +/- 0.66 SD and daidzein 8.25 (mg L(-1)) +/- 1.13 SD. Concentrations of genistein in soy milk were higher than daidzein. The results obtained in this study can serve as a basis for estimating amount of soy milk can be consumed by people as related to its main isoflavone content.

Age related prostate-specific antigen reference range among men in south-East Caspian Sea.

The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution of serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) and to determine age-specific reference range in a population of Persian men. Venous blood samples were taken from 287 men, from Gorgan located in the North of Iran, South-East of Caspian Sea, aged 15 > or = 80 year. The serum PSA levels was measured using Enzyme-linked Immunosorbant-Assay (ELISA) technique and age-specific range for PSA level was determined. The serum prostate-specific antigen level for six age group of 15-40 years, 41-50 years, 51-60 years, 61-70 years, 71-80 years and >80 years were mainly in the range of 0-2.5 ng mL(-1), for 76.6%, 2.6-4 ng mL(-1) for 9.1% and as whole 85.7% of all men in this study had < or = 4 ng mL(-1), 8.7 and 5.6% all men of six age group had PSA level of 4.1-10 ng mL(-1) and >10 ng mL(-1), respectively. The findings of present study indicated that a large proportion (76.6%) men in this region have a lower PSA level of 0-2.5 ng mL(-1) and only 9.1% of men have PSA level of 2.6-4 ng mL(-1). It is therefore concluded that acceptable reference range of 0-4 ng mL(-1) for PSA level require further reassessment.

Application of robotic technology to automated sequence fingerprint analysis by oligonucleotide hybridisation.

We describe our production line for the rapid analysis of large cDNA libraries applying robotic techniques to automatically pick, amplify, array, hybridise and analyse the clones. We also outline the current state of the hybridisation techniques and describe anticipated future developments of the system. Our approach faces the large-scale analysis of cDNA clones with partial sequence analysis by oligonucleotide fingerprinting in the following way: after picking of individual colonies and arraying them automatically in quadruple density (384-well) microtitre plates, the cDNA clones are amplified by an automated waterbath polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which allows us to run about 46,000 reactions in parallel. The PCR products are automatically transferred to nylon membranes in a high density pattern using a robotic device. We routinely produce twelve 22 cm x 22 cm membranes in 90 min. Each membrane contains 20,736 clones, although much higher densities might be feasible using both miniaturized glass matrices and fluorescence based hybridisation techniques. Theoretical analysis and preliminary computer simulations indicate that about 100-200 sequence specific hybridisations of octanucleotides to about 100,000 PCR products of 1000-1500 base-pairs length will generate sufficient information for classifying the clones into groups of identical or related genes and to identify a large number of previously uncharacterized cDNA clones.

Controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of rice powder-based oral rehydration solution on the outcome of acute diarrhea in infants.

We report a controlled clinical trial of rice powder-based oral rehydration solution (ORS) versus glucose ORS on the outcome of acute diarrhea in infants. The rice ORS group (n = 30) received ORS containing 50 g rice powder instead of standard WHO solution (20 g glucose, n = 30). Formula-fed male infants were enrolled to enable calculation of milk intake and excretion of urine. Patient allocation to either group depended on the method of random permuted blocks. Both groups were comparable regarding age (4-18 months), duration of diarrhea, number of bowel movements or vomiting per 24 h, rectal temperature, dehydration score, and nutritional status. Results revealed that the rice ORS group had a shorter duration of diarrhea (28.4 +/- 5.1 vs 34.3 +/- 2.3 h) and greater mean weight gain in the first 24 h as percentage of recovery weight (5.7 +/- 0.5% vs 4.1 +/- 0.6%). Furthermore, the mean amount of ORS intake, mean stool output, and mean number of episodes of vomiting were lower in the rice-ORS group as compared with the glucose ORS group. All differences were statistically significant. Due to its observed superiority and low cost, the widespread use of rice ORS should be considered for treatment of acute diarrhea.