Actinomycosis complicating sigmoid diverticular disease: a case report

A 63-year-old Caucasian woman was admitted to hospital as hypotensive with abdominal tenderness and vaginal discharge. Laboratory investigations showed microcytic anaemia, low albumin and high white cell count. Computerised tomography scans revealed small bowel dilatation, sigmoid diverticula, ascites and pelvic fluid. The endometrial pipelle was positive and vaginal swab was negative for actinomyces. Post mortem examination revealed widespread sigmoid diverticular disease and bowel perforation with an intense inflammation. Actinomycotic granules were noted in the diverticular inflammatory debris, pelvic abscess and lung sections. Clinical course and histomorphological findings favour the perforating sigmoid diverticular actinomycosis as an origin of the systemic infection

Association of prooxidant-antioxidant disorders with the development of morphofunctional disorders in rats with subtotal cerebral ischemia

The aim of the study was to investigate morphofunctional disorders of neurons in the cerebral cortex and changes in the prooxidant-antioxidant state in rats after subtotal cerebral ischemia. Material and methods. The experiments were performed on 20 white outbred male rats. Surgical interventions were carried out under intravenous thiopental anesthesia (40–50 mg/kg). Subtotal cerebral ischemia was simulated by both common carotid arteries ligation. Animals were decapitated after 60 minutes of ischemia. Morphological and functional changes in the neurons of the parietal cortex and hippocampal CA1 field, and intensity of free radical oxidative processes (content of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and thiol-disulfide system components) in brain homogenates were studied. Results and discussion. Brain ischemia has been followed by oxidative stress in brain tissue. The cellular metabolism has been disturbed under the oxidative stress that leads to a water-electrolyte imbalance, manifested by deformation of neuron bodies, wrinkling, and swelling. The changes in parietal cortex are to a greater extent expressed, as the neurons are more sensitive to oxygen deficiency

Совершенствование структуры управления предприятиями лесопромышленного комплекса Республики Беларусь

The paper considers basic problems concerning development of a timber industry complex in the Republic of Belarus. Comparative analysis of «Bellesbumprom» Concern activity and timber industry complex as a whole is given in the paper. As one of ways pertaining to reformation of timber industry complex and management development it is proposed to establish holding companiesРассмотрены основные проблемы в развитии ЛПК Республики Беларусь, проведена сравнительная оценка деятельности концерна «Беллесбумпром» и ЛПК в целом. В качестве одного из путей реформирования ЛПК и совершенствования управления предприятиями предлагается создание холдинговых компаний

Topological Defect Densities in Type-I Superconducting Phase Transitions

We examine the consequences of a cubic term addition to the mean-field potential of Ginzburg-Landau theory to describe first order superconductive phase transitions. Constraints on its existence are obtained from experiment, which are used to assess its impact on topological defect creation. We find no fundamental changes in either the Kibble-Zurek or Hindmarsh-Rajantie predictions.Comment: Revtex4, 1 eps figure, 6 pages. Change in title and in sections II and III so to broaden the scope of the paper. Additional author is include

Morphological disturbances of rat parietal cortex and hippocampus neurons in the dynamics steady subtotal ischemia of the brain

The purpose of the work is to analyze changes in the morphological characteristics of neurons of phylogenetical different parts of the cerebral cortex (parietal cortex and hippocampus) of rats at different periods in the dynamics of stepwise subtotal experimental cerebral ischemia. Methods. The experiments were performed on 42 males of outbred white rats. Step subtotal cerebral ischemia was performed as follows: first, one common carotid artery was ligated, simulating partial ischemia. Then, with an interval of 1 day (subgroup 1), 3 days (subgroup 2) or 7 days (subgroup 3), the second common carotid artery was ligated. Results. A microscopic study of the size, shape, degree of chromatophilia of the cytoplasm and the content of ribonucleoproteins in pyramidal neurons of phylogenetically different parts of the cerebral cortex have shown the dependence of the severity of brain damage on the interval between the cessation of blood flow in both carotid artery. Adaptation was better with a 7-day interval between dressings, while the ligation with an interval of 1 day, the degree of morphological changes was maximum indicating a lack of resources for the implementation of adaptation mechanisms

Sirt3, Mitochondrial ROS, Ageing, and Carcinogenesis

One fundamental observation in cancer etiology is that the rate of malignancies in any mammalian population increases exponentially as a function of age, suggesting a mechanistic link between the cellular processes governing longevity and carcinogenesis. In addition, it is well established that aberrations in mitochondrial metabolism, as measured by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), are observed in both aging and cancer. In this regard, genes that impact upon longevity have recently been characterized in S. cerevisiae and C. elegans, and the human homologs include the Sirtuin family of protein deacetylases. Interestingly, three of the seven sirtuin proteins are localized into the mitochondria suggesting a connection between the mitochondrial sirtuins, the free radical theory of aging, and carcinogenesis. Based on these results it has been hypothesized that Sirt3 functions as a mitochondrial fidelity protein whose function governs both aging and carcinogenesis by modulating ROS metabolism. Sirt3 has also now been identified as a genomically expressed, mitochondrial localized tumor suppressor and this review will outline potential relationships between mitochondrial ROS/superoxide levels, aging, and cell phenotypes permissive for estrogen and progesterone receptor positive breast carcinogenesis

Preliminary study of the antioxidant properties of flowers and roots of Pyrostegia venusta (Ker Gawl) Miers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Free radical stress leads to tissue injury and can eventually to arthritis, atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, neurodegenerative diseases and carcinogenesis. Several studies are ongoing worldwide to find natural antioxidants of plant origin. We assessed the <it>in-vitro </it>antioxidant activities and screened the phytochemical constituents of methanolic extracts of <it>Pyrostegia venusta </it>(Ker Gawl) <it>Miers</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We evaluated the antioxidant potential and phytochemical constituents of <it>P. venusta </it>using 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2, 2'-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) studies were also undertaken to assess the phytochemical composition of the flower extracts.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Phytochemical analyses revealed the presence of terpenoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, and saponins. The reducing ability of both extracts was in the range (in μm Fe(II)/g) of 112.49-3046.98 compared with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT; 63.56 ± 2.62), catechin (972.02 ± 0.72 μm) and quercetin 3208.27 ± 31.29. A significant inhibitory effect of extracts of flowers (IC₅₀= 0.018 ± 0.69 mg/ml) and roots (IC₅₀= 0.026 ± 0.94 mg/ml) on ABTS free radicals was detected. The antioxidant activity of the extracts of flowers (95%) and roots (94%) on DPPH radicals was comparable with that of ascorbic acid (98.9%) and BHT (97.6%). GC-MS study revealed the presence of myoinositol, hexadecanoic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid in the flower extracts.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These data suggest that <it>P. venusta </it>is a natural source of antioxidants. The extracts of flowers and roots of <it>P. venusta </it>contain significant amounts of phytochemicals with antioxidative properties and could serve as inhibitors or scavengers of free radicals. <it>P. venusta </it>could be exploited as a potential source for plant-based pharmaceutical products. These results could form a sound basis for further investigation in the potential discovery of new natural bioactive compounds.</p

Mineral analysis of complete dog and cat foods in the UK and compliance with European guidelines

Mineral content of complete pet food is regulated to ensure health of the companion animal population. Analysis of adherence to these regulatory guidelines has not been conducted. Here, mineral composition of complete wet (n = 97) and dry (n = 80) canine and feline pet food sold in the UK was measured to assess compliance with EU guidelines. A majority of foods complied with ≥8 of 11 guidelines (99% and 83% for dry and wet food, respectively), but many failed to provide nutritional minimum (e.g. Cu, 20% of wet food) or exceeded nutritional maximum (e.g. Se, 76% of wet food). Only 6% (6/97) of wet and 38% (30/80) of dry food were fully compliant. Some foods (20–30% of all analysed) had mineral imbalance, such as not having the recommended ratio of Ca:P (between 1:1 to 2:1). Foods with high fish content had high levels of undesirable metal elements such as arsenic. This study highlights broad non-compliance of a range of popular pet foods sold in the UK with EU guidelines (94% and 61% of wet and dry foods, respectively). If fed exclusively and over an extended period, a number of these pet foods could impact the general health of companion animals

Antioksidativno djelovanje NSAID hidroksamskih kiselina

In the present study, seven hydroxamic acid derivatives of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (ibuprofen, fenoprofen, ketoprofen, indomethacin and diclofenac) were found to possess significant antioxidant, radical scavenging and metal chelating activities. The most active antioxidant and radical scavenger was N-methylhydroxamic acid of diclofenac (ANT = 88.0 % and EC50 = 60.1 microg mL-1). The activity of the standard substance, butylated hydroxyanisole, in the two assays was ANT = 86.9 % and EC50 = 18.8 microg mL-1, respectively. Ibuproxam was the strongest iron chelator among investigated hydroxamic acids (EC50 = 255.6 microg mL-1), yet significantly weaker than the standard substance, EDTA (EC50 = 29.1 microg mL-1). It seems that different mechanism is involved in metal chelating activity than in antioxidant and radical scavenging activity. Antioxidant and radical scavenging activities may be connected with conjugation of the nitrogen lone electron pair with the carbonyl group. On the other hand, more hydrophilic substances tend to be better iron chelators.U radu je opisano antioksidativno djelovanje te sposobnost hvatanja slobodnih radikala i stvaranja kelata sedam hidroksamskih kiselina, derivata nesteroidnih protuupalnih lijekova ibuprofena, fenoprofena, ketoprofena, indometacina i diklofenaka. Najjače antioksidativno djelovanje i najjaču sposobnost hvatanja slobodnih radikala imala je N-metilhidroksamska kiselina diklofenaka (ANT = 88,0 % i EC50 = 60,1 g mL1). Vrijednosti za standardnu supstanciju, butilirani hidroksianisol, bile su: ANT = 86,9 % i EC50 = 18,8 g mL1. Derivat ibuprofena bio je najjači kelator među ispitivanim hidroksamskim kiselinama (EC50 = 255,6 g mL1), ali značajno slabiji od standardne supstancije, EDTA (EC50 = 29,1 g mL1). Pretpostavlja se da su različiti mehanizmi uključeni u keliranje metala i antioksidativno djelovanje, odnosno hvatanje slobodnih radikala. Antioksidativno djelovanje i sposobnost hvatanja slobodnih radikala moglo bi biti povezano s konjugacijom slobodnog para elektrona na dušiku s karbonilnom skupinom. S druge strane, hidrofilnije supstancije pokazale su se kao jači kelatori iona željeza