AMELIORATION OF ARSENIC-INDUCED TOXICITY BY ETHANOL LEAF EXTRACT OF PHYLLANTUS AMARUS LINN AND VITAMIN C IN MALE ALBINO RATS

The ameliorative effect of ethanol leaf extract of Phyllantus amarus (EEPA) and vitamin C in arsenic-induced toxicity was studied. Thirty-six (36) male albino rats divided into six groups of six (6) rats each were used for the study. Arsenic toxicity was induced in three of the groups by daily intake of 100 ppm of arsenic as Dimethylarsenate (DMA) in their drinking water.  Two of the arsenic-exposed groups were treated with 200 and 500 mg/kg bwt of EEPA and vitamin C respectively. The third group was not treated during arsenic exposure. The fourth and fifth groups were positive control for P. amarus and Vitamin C respectively, while another group served as the normal control. All treatments were done orally for six weeks. The effects of treatments on lipid profile, lipid peroxidation and liver function were thereafter studied. Increased levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed in plasma and lymphocytes of untreated arsenic-exposed rats compared to the control group. Arsenic increased total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol concentrations, while triacylglycerol concentration was reduced significantly. Treatments with EEPA and Vitamin C however ameliorated the dyslipidemia observed in arsenic-exposed groups. Exposure to DMA increased plasma activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) of the animals, while plasma activity of ALT in rats treated with Vitamin C was not different compared to the control. Both treatments however, had no significant effect (p > 0.05) on the activity of plasma AST. P. amarus may therefore play a role in ameliorating arsenic-induced dyslipidemia in male albino rats.     &nbsp

CD8+ T-cells count in acute myocardial infarction in HIV disease in a predominantly male cohort.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus- (HIV-) infected persons have a higher risk for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) than HIV-uninfected persons. Earlier studies suggest that HIV viral load, CD4+ T-cell count, and antiretroviral therapy are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Whether CD8+ T-cell count is associated with CVD risk is not clear. We investigated the association between CD8+ T-cell count and incident AMI in a cohort of 73,398 people (of which 97.3% were men) enrolled in the U.S. Veterans Aging Cohort Study-Virtual Cohort (VACS-VC). Compared to uninfected people, HIV-infected people with high baseline CD8+ T-cell counts (\u3e1065 cells/mm3) had increased AMI risk (adjusted HR=1.82,

Ascorbate Biosynthesis during Early Fruit Development Is the Main Reason for Its Accumulation in Kiwi

Background: Ascorbic acid (AsA) is a unique antioxidant as well as an enzyme cofactor. Although it has multiple roles in plants, it is unclear how its accumulation is controlled at the expression level, especially in sink tissues. Kiwifruit (Actinidia) is well-known for its high ascorbate content. Our objective was to determine whether AsA accumulates in the fruits primarily through biosynthesis or because it is imported from the foliage. Methodology/Principal Findings: We systematically investigated AsA levels, biosynthetic capacity, and mRNA expression of genes involved in AsA biosynthesis in kiwi (A. deliciosa cv. Qinmei). Recycling and AsA localization were also monitored during fruit development and among different tissue types. Over time, the amount of AsA, with its capacity for higher biosynthesis and lower recycling, peaked at 30 days after anthesis (DAA), and then decreased markedly up to 60 DAA before declining more slowly. Expression of key genes showed similar patterns of change, except for L-galactono-1,4-lactone dehydrogenase and L-galactose-1-phosphate phosphatase (GPP). However, GPP had good correlation with the rate of AsA accumulation. The expression of these genes could be detected in phloem of stem as well as petiole of leaf and fruit. Additionally, fruit petioles had greater ascorbate amounts, although that was the site of lowest expression by most genes. Fruit microtubule tissues also had higher AsA. However, exogenous applications of AsA to those petioles did not lead to its transport into fruits, and distribution of ascorbate was cell-specific in the fruits, with more accumulation occurring in large

CD8 + T-Cells Count in Acute Myocardial Infarction in HIV Disease in a Predominantly Male Cohort

Human Immunodeficiency Virus-(HIV-) infected persons have a higher risk for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) than HIVuninfected persons. Earlier studies suggest that HIV viral load, CD4 + T-cell count, and antiretroviral therapy are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Whether CD8 + T-cell count is associated with CVD risk is not clear. We investigated the association between CD8 + T-cell count and incident AMI in a cohort of 73,398 people (of which 97.3% were men) enrolled in the U.S. Veterans Aging Cohort Study-Virtual Cohort (VACS-VC). Compared to uninfected people, HIV-infected people with high baseline CD8 + T-cell counts (>1065 cells/mm 3 ) had increased AMI risk (adjusted HR = 1.82, < 0.001, 95% CI: 1.46 to 2.28). There was evidence that the effect of CD8 + T-cell tertiles on AMI risk differed by CD4 + T-cell level: compared to uninfected people, HIVinfected people with CD4 + T-cell counts ≥200 cells/mm 3 had increased AMI risk with high CD8 + T-cell count, while those with CD4 + T-cell counts <200 cells/mm 3 had increased AMI risk with low CD8 + T-cell count. CD8 + T-cell counts may add additional AMI risk stratification information beyond that provided by CD4 + T-cell counts alone

Action to protect the independence and integrity of global health research

Storeng KT, Abimbola S, Balabanova D, et al. Action to protect the independence and integrity of global health research. BMJ GLOBAL HEALTH. 2019;4(3): e001746

Efficacy of Quasi Agro Binding Fibre on the Hybrid Composite Used in Advance Application

The choice for natural fibre obtained from agricultural products is on the rise due to its solution to eco-friendly, environmental and improved mechanical properties concerns. Its abundant availability, low cost, emission reduction and adaptability to base material for composite make it a prime material for selection. This review explores diverse perspectives to the future trend of agro fibre in terms of the thermo-mechanical properties as it applies to advanced application in building structures. It is important to investigate the ecofriendliness of the products of composites from fibres in agricultural wastes so as to achieve a green and sustainable environment. This will come to fore by the combined efforts of both researchers and feedback from building stakeholders

Using magnetic techniques to calibrate hydrocarbon migration in petroleum systems modelling: A Case Study from the Lower Tertiary, UK Central North Sea

Magnetic minerals form or alter in the presence of hydrocarbons, making them a potential magnetic proxy for identifying hydrocarbon migration pathways. In this paper, we test this idea by magnetically measuring core samples from the Tay Fan in the Western Central Graben in the Central North Sea. In a companion paper, 3-D petroleum systems modelling has been carried out to forward model migration pathways within the Tay Fan. Rock magnetic experiments identified a range of magnetite, maghemite, iron sulphides, siderite, goethite and titanohematite, some of which are part of the background signal, and some due to the presence of hydrocarbons. Typical concentrations of the magnetic minerals were ∼10–200 ppm. Importantly, we have identified an increasing presence of authigenic iron sulphides (likely pyrite and greigite) along the identified lateral hydrocarbon migration pathway (east to west). This is likely caused by biodegradation resulting in the precipitation of iron sulphides, however, though less likely, it could alternatively be caused by mature oil generation, which subsequently travelled with the migrating oil to the traps in the west. These observations suggest mineral magnetic techniques could be a rapid alternative method for identifying the severity of biodegradation or oil maturity in core sample, which can then be used to calibrate petroleum systems models