Association between circulating adiponectin levels and polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: Low adiponectin levels in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have been largely attributed to obesity which is common among these patients. In addition, evidence also suggests that low adiponectin in PCOS may be related to insulin resistance (IR) in these women. However, studies on the role of adiponectin in younger and lean patients are limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the association of adiponectin levels in young and lean women with PCOS.<p></p> Methods: A case–control study was conducted at the Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan. Cases were 75 patients of PCOS with Body Mass Index (BMI) &23 aged 16–35 years and 75 healthy age and BMI matched controls were selected from family and friends of the cases. Demographic details, family history and past medical history were obtained through interview by a physician. Anthropometric measurements included weight and height of the participants. Fasting glucose, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), insulin, adiponectin, and androgen levels were determined. IR was calculated using homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Logistic regression models were used to assess the association between adiponectin and PCOS after adjusting for co-variates.<p></p> Results: On multivariable analysis, PCOS cases were 3.2 times more likely to have low adiponectin level (OR = 3.2, 95% CI 1.49-6.90, p-value 0.003) compared to the controls after adjustment for age, BMI, family history, marital status, total cholesterol, HDL level and IR. Females with a family history of PCOS were significantly more likely to have lower adiponectin (OR = 3.32, 95% CI 1.27-8.67, p-value 0.014) compared to those who did not have a family history of PCOS. The associations of IR and family history with low adiponectin level also remained statistically significant after adjustments for covariates.<p></p> Conclusion: Serum adiponectin levels are independently associated with PCOS and are only partly explained by IR. Adiponectin level may serve as a potential independent biomarker for diagnosis of PCOS in young and lean women with fewer symptoms, or women with a family history of PCOS

Quantification of TrigonellineFrom Coffee Beans and its Correlation with the pH

This project analyzed the amount of trigonelline preseent in coffee beans at various stages of the roasting process.https://scholarworks.uni.edu/chemanaly_fa2018/1010/thumbnail.jp

CLOSED NEWTON COTES QUADRATURE RULES WITH DERIATIVES

In this research paper, a new family of numerical integration of closed newton cotes is introduced which uses the mean of arithmetic and geometric means at derivative value for the Evaluation of Definite Integral. These quadrature methods are shown to be more efficient than the existing quadrature rules. The error terms are obtained by using the concept of precision. Finally, the accuracy of proposed method is verified with numerical examples and the results are compared with existing methods numerically and graphically. Keywords – Numerical Integration, Closed Newton-cotes formula, Definite integral, Arithmetic mean, Geometric mean, Numerical examples. DOI: 10.7176/MTM/9-5-06 Publication date: May 31st 201

Algae-Derived Marine Oligosaccharides and Their Biological Applications

The biological relevance of algae-derived marine oligosaccharides has potential significance in numerous applications of industrial biotechnology. Marine oligosaccharides are produced in algae naturally and/or by hydrolysis of derived polysaccharides. The potential of marine oligosaccharides is still unexplored, and these molecules, including their derivatives, are a versatile source of chemical diversity. In-depth knowledge on such molecules will provide novel insights, thus depicting their role in discovering mechanisms and the molecular functions within specific biological applications

Short-term impact of aged garlic extract on endothelial function in diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Impaired endothelial function portends an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Vascular oxidative stress and systemic inflammation play a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of vascular disease. Aged garlic extract (AGE) may improve impaired vascular endothelial function, while decreasing the progression of atherosclerotic plaque. We hypothesized that AGE may improve endothelial function, and in this study, we examined this hypothesis to determine whether this can be achieved over a period of 3 months, measured by the cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), by reducing intracellular oxidant stress and stimulating nitric oxide generation in endothelial cells. We conducted a double-blinded placebo controlled, randomized clinical trial to investigate the effects of AGE on CAVI in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. A total of 65 individuals (38 men and 27 women) with a mean age of 58.8±11.1 years were enrolled and randomized to the AGE or placebo group in a double-blind placebo controlled trial. An ANOVA model with treatment as the main effect was used to compare changes in CAVI from baseline to follow-up between groups. The primary objective of this study was reduction in CAVI over a 3-month period. In the AGE group, CAVI was reduced on average by 0.71±1.27 vs. a mean reduction of 0.13±0.94 in the placebo group (P=0.04). On the whole, this study demonstrates that AGE has a positive impact on endothelial function in patients with T2DM and may play a role in the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease

Determination of caffeine in Peruvian coffee at different levels of roast as measured through Capillary Electrophoresis

For this project, the amount of caffeine per gram of Peruvian coffee at different levels of roast was determined in 14 samples using capillary electrophoresis.https://scholarworks.uni.edu/chemanaly_fa2018/1007/thumbnail.jp

Role of Nigella sativa in Carbon Tetrachloride induced Hepatotoxicity

Objective: To evaluate the protective role of Nigella sativa in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatic changes in rabbits. Material and Methods: This Case control experimental study was conducted at Department of Pharmacology, ISRA University Hyderabad during July 2011 to November 2011. A total of 45 rabbits were divided into three groups consisting of 15 animals in each group A, B and C. Each group was further divided into three sub groups. Sub groups (A1,B1 and C1) received treatment for one week. Sub groups (A2, B2 and C2) received treatment for two weeks. Sub groups (A3, B3 and C3) received treatment for three weeks. The animals in group A (control) received normal saline. The animals in group B were treated with carbon tetrachloride. The animals in group C were treated with carbon tetrachloride and Nigella sativa. Result: In present study sinusoidal congestion, periportal inflammation, kupffer cell hyperplasia, steatosis, necrosis and fibrosis were seen in carbon tetrachloride intoxicated rabbits. These findings were less marked in rabbits treated with Nigella sativa. Conclusion: This study showed the hepatoprotective effects of Nigella sativa in carbon tetrachloride induced hepatotoxicity.&nbsp

Two-phase microalgae cultivation for RAS water remediation and high-value biomass production

The overall goal of this study was to provide solutions to innovative microalgae-based technology for wastewater remediation in a cold-water recirculating marine aquaculture system (RAS). This is based on the novel concept of integrated aquaculture systems in which fish nutrient-rich rearing water will be used for microalgae cultivation. The produced biomass can be used as fish feed, while the cleaned water can be reused, to create a highly eco-sustainable circular economy. Here, we tested three microalgae species Nannochloropis granulata (Ng), Phaeodactylum tricornutum (Pt), and Chlorella sp (Csp) for their ability to remove nitrogen and phosphate from the RAS wastewater and simultaneously produce high-value biomass, i.e., containing amino acids (AA), carotenoids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). A high yield and value of biomass were achieved for all species in a two-phase cultivation strategy: i) a first phase using a medium optimized for best growth (f/2 14x, control); ii) a second "stress" phase using the RAS wastewater to enhance the production of high-value metabolites. Ng and Pt performed best in terms of biomass yield (i.e., 5-6 g of dry weight, DW.L-1) and efficient cleaning of the RAS wastewater from nitrite, nitrate, and phosphate (i.e., 100% removal). Csp produced about 3 g L-1 of DW and reduced efficiently only nitrate, and phosphate (i.e., about 76% and 100% removal, respectively). The biomass of all strains was rich in protein (30-40 % of DW) containing all the essential AA except Methionine. The biomass of all three species was also rich in PUFAs. Finally, all tested species are excellent sources of antioxidant carotenoids, including fucoxanthin (Pt), lutein (Ng and Csp) and & beta;-carotene (Csp). All tested species in our novel two-phase cultivation strategy thus showed great potential to treat marine RAS wastewater and provide sustainable alternatives to animal and plant proteins with extra added values