The protective role of melatonin on L-arginine-induced acute pancreatitis in adult male albino rats

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is an inflammatory disease that has an increasing incidence worldwide. AP is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates ranging 15–40% in its severe form. Oxidative stress plays an important role in pancreatic acinar cell injury in case of AP. Melatonin (Mel) is proven to have both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The aim of the work was to investigate the protective role of Mel against L-arginine (L-arg)-induced AP in adult male albino rats. Materials and methods: Thirty-six adult male albino rats were used in this study. Animals were divided into four groups; Control group (Group A; n = 6), Mel group (Group B; n = 6), L-arg group (Group C; n = 12) receiving two doses of L-arg injection with 1 h interval in-between, and L-arg+Mel group (Group D; n = 12) receiving Mel 1 h after each L-arg injection. 24 h after the second L-arg injection, the serum levels of amylase (AM), lipase (LP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrotic factor-alpha (TNF-α) were determined. Then, pancreatic specimens were processed for histological and immunohistochemical staining with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the area percentage of VEGF and collagen content were measured by digital image analysis. Results: Microscopic examination revealed that animals received L-arg only (Group C) showed loss of the pancreatic lobular architecture with marked fibrosis, acinar degeneration, inflammatory reaction and marked oedema with vascular congestion. Also, L-arg-induced AP caused a significant elevation of the serum levels of AM, LP, IL-6. All these histo-pathological and serological parameters were markedly improved by Mel administration. Conclusions: Melatonin exhibits strong therapeutic effects in the course of AP. Hence, the use of Mel as adjuvant treatment in AP is recommended.

Yellow pea flour and protein isolate as sources of antioxidant peptides after simulated gastrointestinal digestion

Although peas are widely consumed legumes throughout the world, the bioactivity ofthe peptides released by the gastrointestinal digestion has not been sufficiently studiedso far. The objective of the present work was to evaluate the potential of floursand protein isolates obtained from two varieties of yellow peas as sources of antioxidantpeptides. Flours and protein isolates were prepared and submitted to a simulatedgastrointestinal digestion. Protein hydrolysis degree (TNBS method) andprotein solubility (in phosphate buffer saline, pH = 7.4) values were independent onthe starting material. Antioxidant activity measured by oxygen radical absorbancecapacity (ORAC) and hydroxyl radical averting capacity (HORAC) showed no differencesbetween varieties. A lower activity was registered for protein isolates withrespect to flours in the case of HORAC, which could be associated with a loss of moleculeswith molecular masses lower than 43 kDa in the protein isolates. A significantincrease in activities was evidenced by both methods after gastrointestinal digestion,except in the case of HORAC activity of flours. Digested from protein isolates presenteda greater ratio of molecules smaller than 1.4 kDa and a lower ratio of thoselarger than 6.5 kDa with respect to digested flours, according to electrophoresis andgel filtration chromatography studies. Results suggested that the presence of othercomponents or/and the initial state of proteins would affect proteolytic attack ofdigestive enzymes. Both, pea flours and protein isolates, present interesting potentialas antioxidants food ingredients.Fil: Cipollone, María Agustina. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; ArgentinaFil: Tironi, Valeria Anahi. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; Argentin

Vowel Harmony: An Historical Account

All languages change over time. English has undergone continuous change throughout its three major periods: Old English (roughly from 450 to 1100 AD), Middle English (from 1100 to 1500), and Modern English (from 1500 to the present). Sound is one of the most easily influenced parts of language to be subject to different changes.  Sound change is inevitable and it is a live indication of the continuous growth of language. The evidence to prove the regularity and systematicity of sound change has been the main concern of linguists, This paper seeks to provide more evidence on how vowel harmony played a key role on the regularity of sound change by extracting samples of sound changes that have taken place throughout the English history

Polarographic Study of Some Nitrosonaphthols at d.m.e. in Aqueous Solutions & Water-Ethanol Mixtures of Varying pH

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Polarographic Study of Some Nitrosonaphthols at d.m.e. in Aqueous Solutions & Water-Ethanol Mixtures of Varying pH

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Spectrophotometric Studies of Some Nitrosonaphthols

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Corticotropin releasing factor-1 receptor antagonism associated with favorable outcomes of male reproductive health biochemical parameters

BackgroundDisruption in androgen profiles and testicular adrenal rest tumors in males with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) can negatively affect sexual activity and fertility. Adrenal hyperandrogenism suppresses gonadotropin secretion and testicular adrenal rest tumors (TARTS), despite being noncancerous lesions, cause obstructive azoospermia and impaired testosterone (T) production. Circulating T in men with uncontrolled CAH is often predominantly adrenal in origin, which is reflected in high androstenedione/testosterone ratios (A4/T). Therefore, decreased luteinizing hormone (LH) levels and an increased A4/T are markers of impaired fertility in these individuals.MethodsOral tildacerfont 200 to 1000 mg once daily (QD) (n=10) or 100 to 200 mg twice daily (n=9 and 7) for 2 weeks (Study 201), and 400 mg QD (n=11) for 12 weeks (Study 202). Outcomes measured changes from baseline in A4, T, A4/T, and LH.ResultsMean T levels increased in Study 201 from 375.5 ng/dL to 390.5 ng/dL at week 2 (n=9), 485.4 ng/dL at week 4 (n=4) and 420.7 ng/dL at week 6 (n=4). In Study 202, T levels fluctuated in the normal range from 448.4 ng/dL at baseline to 412.0 ng/dL at week 12. Mean LH levels increased in Study 201 from 0.68 IU/L to 1.59 IU/L at week 2 (n=10), 1.62 IU/L at week 4 (n=5) and 0.85 IU/L at week 6 (n=4). In Study 202, mean LH levels increased from 0.44 IU/L at baseline to 0.87 IU/L at week 12. Mean A4/T decreased across both studies. In Study 201, the mean A4/T changed from a baseline of 1.28 to 0.59 at week 2 (n=9), 0.87 at week 4 (n=4), and 1.03 at week 6 (n=4). In Study 202, the A4/T decreased from baseline of 2.44 to 0.68 at week 12. Four men were hypogonadal at baseline; all experienced improved A4/T and 3/4 (75%) reached levels <1.ConclusionTildacerfont treatment demonstrated clinically meaningful reductions in A4 levels, and A4/T with concomitant increased LH levels indicating increased testicular T production. The data suggests improvement in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function, but more data is required to confirm favorable male reproductive health outcomes

An Exploration of Neurophysiological Symptoms in Patients with Joint Hypermobility Syndrome and their Impact on Quality of Life.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of neurophysiological symptoms in patients with Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) and their impact on quality of life. Relevance: Clinical experience suggests patients with JHS suffer from neurophysiological symptoms contributing to skill and health impairments affecting quality of life. MethodsA sample of 90 JHS-patients (mean age 34.7 ± 9.9 years), diagnosed according to the Brighton Criteria were compared with 113 healthy volunteers (mean age 35.7 ± 12.9) with no musculoskeletal pain. Neurophysiological symptoms were collected in a self report questionnaire. The Functional Difficulties Questionnaire was used for the assessment of developmental coordination disorder (DCD). A pain chart was employed to collect data relating to musculoskeletal pain. The SF-12 medical outcomes questionnaire was used for assessing quality of life. Analysis: Chi-square was employed to compare group proportions. Continuous numerical data comparisons were analysed using independent sample t-tests. Regression analysis was employed to analyse multiple variables. Results: Patients with JHS were significantly more likely to report the following than healthy volunteers; autonomic symptoms (70%, 12%); gastrointestinal symptoms (71%, 9%); DCD (56%, 19%) and chronic fatigue syndrome (31%, 1%). The mean number of pain sites reported for patients with JHS were 9.83 ± 4.18. Patients with JHS reported significantly lower physical component summary scores (PCS) of the SF-12 than healthy volunteers (p < 0.001). Pain was a significant predictor of reduced PCS of the SF-12 (p < 0.001) in a model that explained 23% of the variance. Conclusions Neurophysiological symptoms were common. Pain was a significant contributor to the health burden of patients with JHS. Research is required to explore the connectivity and implications of these symptoms in relation to the central nervous system. Implications: There is a requirement to acknowledge and understand the multidimensional nature of JHS

Spectral Studies on Some Hydrazones of 6-Formyl-7-hydroxy-5-methoxy-2-methylchromone

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