Determination of superoxide dismutase mimetic activity in common culinary herbs

BACKGROUND: Under conditions of oxidative stress, the removal of superoxide, a free radical associated with chronic inflammation, is catalysed by superoxide dismutase (SOD). Thus in addition to acting as an antioxidant, SOD may also be utilized as an anti-inflammatory agent. Some plant derived foods have been shown to have SOD mimetic (SODm) activity however it is not known if this activity is possessed by culinary herbs which have previously been shown to possess both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the study was to ascertain if the culinary herbs rosemary, sage and thyme possess SODm activity, and to investigate the influence of cooking and digestion on this activity. Transition metal ion content was also determined to establish if it could likely contribute to any SODm activity detected. FINDINGS: All extracts of uncooked (U), cooked (C) and cooked and digested (C&D) herbs were shown to possess SODm activity, which was significantly correlated with previously determined antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of these herbs. SODm activity was significantly increased following (C) and (C&D) for rosemary and sage only. The impact of (C) and (C&D) on the SODm for thyme may have been influenced by its transition metal ion content. CONCLUSIONS: SODm activity may contribute to the herbs' antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities however the source and significance of this activity need to be established

Post-intentional phenomenology inquiry to explore white educators’ stories of developing a critical consciousness of race

Title from PDF of title page, viewed May 17, 2023Dissertation advisor: Loyce CaruthersVitaIncludes bibliographical references (pages 241-272)Dissertation (Ed.D.)--Department of Educational Leadership, Policy and Foundations. University of Missouri--Kansas City, 2023The current makeup of the PK-12 educational workforce is largely White persons. However, the demographic makeup of the student body is soon to be a majority of students of color. This is problematic due to the disproportionate statistics of students of color being suspended at higher rates than White students, the “achievement gap” language surrounding students of color, and deficit-based narratives. White educators who do not possess a critical consciousness of race will uphold these inequities towards students of color. This post-intentional phenomenology with narrative and heuristic inquiry sought to understand the phenomenon of White educators who have developed a critical consciousness of race. The participants’ experiences were detailed through the process of post-intentionality. This study acknowledged the gap in literature about White educators’ development of a critical consciousness of race. Findings revealed that participants had a shared journey of development including (a) the White bubble; (b) lack of calling; (c) I am a part of the problem and I have a choice to do better; and (d) moving towards action and continual learning. The results from this study have implications towards the development of a critical consciousness of race in early childhood and PK-12 settings in addition to professional development in universities and school settings.Introduction -- Theoretical framework -- Literature review -- Methodology -- Findings -- Implications of finding

Culinary herbs and spices: their bioactive properties, the contribution of polyphenols and the challenges in deducing their true health benefits

Herbs and spices have been used for both culinary and medicinal purposes for centuries. Over the last decade, research into their role as contributors of dietary polyphenols, known to possess a number of properties associated with reducing the risk of developing chronic non-communicable diseases, has increased. However, bearing in mind how these foods are consumed, normally in small quantities and in combination with other foods, it is unclear what their true benefit is from a health perspective. The aim of this review is to use the literature to discuss how preparative and digestive processes, bioavailability and interactions between foods may influence the bioactive properties of these foods, and whether or not polyphenols are responsible for these properties. Furthermore, this review aims to highlight the challenges that need to be addressed so as to determine the true benefits of these foods and the mechanisms of action that underpin their purported efficacy

Validation of the Abbreviated Socio‑Political Control Scale for Youth (SPCS‑Y) Among Urban Girls of Color

This study tested and validated the factor structure of the abbreviated Sociopolitical Control Scale for Youth (SPCS-Y) among a sample of urban girls of color. Participants include (N = 830) urban girls of color from a northeastern United States community. Confirmatory Factor analyses (CFA) were conducted using AMOS Structural Equation Modeling Software. Cluster groups were created using Latent Class Cluster Analysis (LCA) and tested using Multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) with conceptually related variables. CFA results supported the two-factor structure of the abbreviated SPCS-Y among the sample. Following the creation of cluster groups, MANCOVA analyses revealed significant heterogeneity among cluster groups of participants on neighborhood sense of community, social support, ethnic identity, and lower levels of drug use. Findings support the factor structure of the SPCS-Y and its use to measure empowerment among girls of color. Results contribute significantly to the field of social work and encourages the importance of promoting strengths-based approaches among girls of color. Implications for social work practice with girls of color are conveyed in light of the need for reliable measurement tools for practitioners

An investigation of the relationship between the anti-inflammatory activity, polyphenolic content and antioxidant activities of cooked and in vitro digested culinary herbs

There is little research on how cooking and digestion affect the anti-inflammatory activity of culinary herbs. Thus, the aim of this paper was to investigate this activity following cooking and in vitro digestion of the common culinary herbs, rosemary, sage, and thyme, and the relationship between their anti-inflammatory activity, polyphenol content, and antioxidant capacity. The anti-inflammatory activity of uncooked (U), cooked (C), cooked and in vitro digested (C&D), and standardised (STD, 30 mg/mL) culinary herbs was assessed by measuring their effect on interleukin 8 (IL-8) release from stimulated human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and Caco-2 cells. The trolox equivalent capacity (TEAC) and estimated total phenolic content of the herbs were also determined. There was a significant decrease in IL-8 release from PBLs stimulated with H(2)O(2) incubated with (U), (C), (C&D), and (STD) herbs and from Caco-2 cells stimulated with TNFα incubated with (C&D) and (STD) herbs. PBLs pre-incubated with (C&D) herbs prior to stimulation (H(2)O(2) or TNFα) caused a significant inhibition in IL-8 release. The significant correlations between TEAC and estimated phenolic content and the anti-inflammatory activity suggest a possible contributory role of polyphenols to the anti-inflammatory activity of the culinary herbs investigated

Ethanolic extract of Annona muricata leaf and its effect on the liver

The effect of ethanolic extract of Annona muricata leaf on the liver of albino rats were investigated in this study. Twenty (20) male albino rats weighing between 180-200 g were used in this study. The animals were divided into groups A, B, C and D. Group A was treated with 2 ml/kg body weight of distilled water, Group B was treated with 100 mg/kg body weight of the extract, Group C was treated with 200 mg/kg body weight of the extract and Group D was treated with 300 mg/kg body weight of the extract. The treatments were given orally and lasted for a period of 30 days. After the last day of treatment, the animals were sacrificed and the liver harvested, weighed and fixed in 10% formal saline for histological studies. Blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture for biochemical analysis. Data were analysed using one-way ANOVA and SPSS version 2.0. Results showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in liver weight when compared to control and a significant (P<0.05) increase in serum levels of ALP, ALT and AST at highest dose. Histopathological findings showed distortions of the liver cytoarchitecture with the highest dose having a more significant effect. Consumption of ethanolic extract of A. muricata leaf at higher doses has the potential of causing liver damage. Thus, its consumption should be regulated or better still taken at lower doses. Keywords: Annona muricata; Liver; Liver enzymes; Albino rat

A Biochemically Active MCM-like Helicase in Bacillus Cereus

The mini-chromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins serve as the replicative helicases in archaea and eukaryotes. Interestingly, an MCM homolog was identified, by BLAST analysis, within a phage integrated in the bacterium Bacillus cereus (Bc). BcMCM is only related to the AAA region of MCM-helicases; the typical amino-terminus is missing and is replaced by a segment with weak homology to primases. We show that BcMCM displays 3'-->5' helicase and ssDNA-stimulated ATPase activity, properties that arise from its conserved AAA domain. Isolated BcMCM is a monomer in solution but likely forms the functional oligomer in vivo. We found that the BcMCM amino-terminus can bind ssDNA and harbors a zinc atom, both hallmarks of the typical MCM amino-terminus. No BcMCM-catalyzed primase activity could be detected. We propose that the divergent amino-terminus of BcMCM is a paralog of the corresponding region of MCM-helicases. A divergent amino terminus makes BcMCM a useful model for typical MCM-helicases since it accomplishes the same function using an apparently unrelated structure.Molecular and Cellular Biolog

Phytochemical investigations of three Rhodocodon (Hyacinthaceae Sensu APG II) species

The genus Rhodocodon (Hyacinthaceae sensu APG II) is endemic to Madagascar and its phytochemistry has not been described previously. The phytochemistry of three species in this genus has been investigated and eight compounds, including three bufadienolides (compounds 1, 4, and 5), a norlignan (2), and four homoisoflavonoids (compounds 3 and 6-8) have been isolated and identified. Compounds 1-3 and 6-8 have not been described previously. The COX-2 inhibitory activity of compound 6 and compound 7 acetate (compound 7A) were investigated on isolated colorectal cancer cells. Compounds 6 and 7A inhibited COX-2 by 10% and 8%, respectively, at a concentration of 12.5 M compared to 12% for 1 mM aspirin (the positive control)