Local cholesterol metabolism orchestrates remyelination

Cholesterol is an essential component of all cell membranes and particularly enriched in myelin membranes. Myelin membranes are a major target of immune attacks in the chronic neurological disorder multiple sclerosis (MS). During demye- linating insults, cholesterol is released from damaged myelin, increasing local levels of this unique lipid and impeding tissue regeneration. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of cholesterol-dependent processes during demyelination and remyelination, emphasizing cell type-specific responses. We discuss cellular lipid/ cholesterol metabolism during early and late disease phases and highlight the con- cept of lipid-based pharmacological interventions. We propose that knowledge of the interplay between cell type-specific cholesterol handling, inflammation, and blood–brain barrier (BBB) integrity will unravel disease processes and facilitate development of strategies for therapies to promote remyelination

Preparation of Pumpkin Pulp and Peel Flour and Study Their Impact in the Biscuit Industry

Pumpkin pulp and peels were processed into flour after drying each part separately. The two types of flour were analyzed for their proximate composition and functional properties. Ash, fat and carbohydrates contents in pulp and peel flour were not significantly different (P <0.05), in contrast, significant differences (P <0.05) in moisture and protein content were found in both types of flour. Pumpkin pulp flour and peel flour differed significantly (P <0.05) in water absorption and oil binding. No significant difference was observed between two types of flour for swelling index. Biscuits prepared by replacement of wheat flour with pumpkin flour (pulp and peel) (0%, 3%, 6%, 9% and 12%) were analyzed for their physical measurements and sensory evaluation. There was a slight significant decrease (P <0.05) in the mean diameter and thickness with increasing the ratio of pulp flour compared with the standard treatment (0%), also, a significant increase was recorded in spread ratio by increasing ratio of replacing. There was a significant decrease (P <0.05) in mean diameter and spread ratio with increasing the replacement ratio of peel flour compared with standard treatment. The mean thickness increased by increasing the ratio of replacement compared with standard treatment and biscuit of pulp flour. Significant differences (P <0.05) were recorded for sensory characteristics such as appearance, color, odor, taste, texture and overall acceptability between biscuits. Biscuits with a replacement ratio of 3% of pulp and peel flour were the most acceptable for all sensory evaluation parameters. There was a slight significant decrease (P <0.05) for the previously mentioned sensory parameters among biscuits prepared with different ratios of pumpkin peel flour, the replacement ratio of 3% gave the highest mean values. Keywords: Pumpkin flour, pumpkin composition, functional properties, biscuit, sensory evaluation, pumpkin biscuit, pumpkin pulp, pumpkin peel, physical properties, Spread ratio. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-6-05 Publication date:March 31st 202

Studying the Antimicrobial Activity of Tamarind Extract (Tamarindus indica L.)

The present study included the preparation of Tamarindus indica extract (pulp and seeds) at different concentrations (25, 50, 70 and 100) mg\ml in the manner of 1:1 water –alcohol extraction. To determine the sensitivity of some positive and negative Gram bacteria to the different concentration mentioned above of the extract such as E.coli , Pseudomonas, Staph aureus, Bacillus ceres compared with antimicrobial Ampicillin, Tetracycline and Amoxicillin. Concentration  of 100 mg\ml gave the highest rates of inhibition (22, 19, 18 and 17 mm) for the pulp extract respectively and for the same previous arrangement of the bacteria, while the diameter of the transparent halo decreased with the reduction of concentration of the tamarind extract compared with the control treatment, its inhibition was 5mm. On the other hand, the results of tamarind seed extract showed the highest inhibition for all types of bacteria used in the experiment with the highest rates of inhibition diameters (21, 22, 25 and 17 mm) for the highest concentration 100 mg\ml and the previous bacteria sequence. Tetracycline was given the highest rates of inhibition of bacteria in the same order (30, 24, 28 and 25 mm) respectively, while no inhibitory effect was observed for Ampicillin and   Amoxicillin. Keywords: antimicrobial, Tamarind extract, antibiotics DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/90-04 Publication date:September 30th 201

Histological Evaluation of A unilateral Critical-Sized Mandibular Defect Reconstruction using human dental pulp stem cells by Light Microscope and Real-Time Quantitative PCR

Objective: To evaluate the osteogenic differentiation potential of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) isolated from the dental pulp of third molar teeth in vitro cultures, and to evaluate the bone regenerative capacity of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) when transplanted into a unilateral critical-sized bone defect in the mandibular bone in vivo after receiving a hydroxyapatite matrix and polylactic-polyglycolic acid (HA/PLGA) scaffold. Material and methods: A total of 18 mandibular defects were made, and three groups (each n = 6) were created. The first group: the transplanted DPSCs implanted in the critical-sized bone defect after receiving (HA/PLGA) scaffold. The second group received only (HA/PLGA) scaffold. The third group, which served as the control, had a critical-sized defect left empty. After characterization, Von Kossa [VK] and Alizarin red staining were employed to identify differentiated osteoblasts at the 14th and 21st days, and histological analyses, as well as polymerase chain reactions (PCR), were also used. Results: It showed that DPSCs had high proliferation potential and typical fibroblastic shape. Additionally, osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs was validated by morphological alterations, histological examination, and the expression of lineage-specific genes confirmed osteogenic differentiation of DPSCs. Conclusion: High proliferation potential and the capacity to differentiate into osteoblasts are two characteristics of DPSCs taken from impacted third molars

Inducible targeting of CNS astrocytes in Aldh1/1-CreERT2 BAC transgenic mice

Background: Studying astrocytes in higher brain functions has been hampered by the lack of genetic tools for the efficient expression of inducible Cre recombinase throughout the CNS, including the neocortex. Methods: Therefore, we generated BAC transgenic mice, in which CreERT2 is expressed under control of the Aldh1l1 regulatory region. Results: When crossbred to Cre reporter mice, adult Aldh1l1-CreERT2 mice show efficient gene targeting in astrocytes. No such Cre-mediated recombination was detectable in CNS neurons, oligodendrocytes, and microglia. As expected, Aldh1l1-CreERT2 expression was evident in several peripheral organs, including liver and kidney. Conclusions: Taken together, Aldh1l1-CreERT2 mice are a useful tool for studying astrocytes in neurovascular coupling, brain metabolism, synaptic plasticity and other aspects of neuron-glia interactions

The Continuous Non-Thermal Sterilization of Drinking Water Using Low Electric Field

A continuous non-thermal sterilizer of drinking water using low electric field was designed, manufactured and tested in food engineering laboratory, food science department, Basrah University. It consists of tank, electrodes made from stainless steel and valve. Three electric field intensities have applied in this study are 40, 70 and 100 Vcm-1. The complete randomize design has been used to analyze data statistically. The parameter studied were electric Conductivity, total aerobic bacteria count, total coliform  Bactria, E. coli, calculation of survival microorganism's ratio to total (C/CT), rate of microorganisms' destruction and reducing microorganism percentage. The results showed that the electric conductivity of water ranged from 0.127 - 0.159 Sm-1. Moreover, total count bacteria, total coliform Bactria, E. coli and survival microorganism's ratio to total were decreased significantly with the increase of the electric field intensities. As well as, rate of microorganisms' destruction was ranged between -281 to -2.81 CFU/L s-1 and the reducing microorganism percentage has ranged between 99.94 – 99.99% at range of electric field intensities from 40 – 100 Vcm-1 respectively. On the other hand, equation of calculation C/CT has been developed by adding the electric field intensity effect in it which produced a new equation for the first time in this field. Keywords: drinking water, sterilization, electric field, non-thermal treatmen

Influence of ionic conductivity of the nano-particulate coating phase on oxygen surface exchange of La0.58Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3-δ

The oxygen surface exchange kinetics of mixed-conducting perovskite La0.58Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3 d (LSCF) ceramics coated with a porous nano-particulate layer of either gadolinea (Gd2O3), ceria (CeO2) or 20 mol% Gd-doped ceria (GCO) was determined by electrical conductivity relaxation (ECR). The measurements were performed in the temperature range 700–900 C, following pO2-step changes between 0.2 and 0.4 atm. The apparent value of the surface exchange coefficient, kchem, is found to vary with the loading amount and ionic conductivity of the coated phase whilst, as expected, the chemical diffusion coefficient Dchem remains invariant with the applied coating. Partial coverage of the LSCF surface with non-ionic conductive Gd2O3 or CeO2 lowers the value of kchem relative to that observed for bare LSCF, which is attributed to surface blocking effects. In contrast, partial coverage of LSCF with GCO electrolyte particles enhances the apparent value of kchem up to a factor of 6 compared to bare LSCF. The data of pulse isotope exchange (PIE) measurements show that the surface exchange reaction on bare LSCF is predominantly limited by dissociative adsorption of O2. Different mechanisms for the improved oxygen surface exchange kinetics after partially covering the LSCF surface with GCO are discussed

Pros and Cons of Marijuana in Treatment of Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder of adult onset in the United States. It is a debilitating condition and presents with both motor and non-motor symptoms. Current treatment options are scarce and include replacement of dopamine deficiency with levodopa which targets only motor symptoms of the disorder, does not halt its progression, and is associated with side effects of its own, including dyskinesia. With medical marijuana gaining popularity and being legalized in the United States, we examined the pros and cons of marijuana in the treatment of Parkinson's disease