BMP signals: Mediated by stroma or thymocytes?

This is an invited comment on the paper by Hager-Theodorides AL, et al. Cell Cycle 2014; 13:324–33; PMID:24240189; http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/cc.27118 which is published in the same journa

Anti – inflammatory and antioxidant effects of Tetrapleura Tetraptera (Schumach & Thonn.) taub. fruit extract in Carrageenan/Kaolin-induced acute monoarthritis in rats

Background: Tetrapleura tetraptera has been reported traditionally for the treatments of various ailments, which include convulsion, leprosy, inflammation and rheumatic pains, schistosomiasis, asthma and hypertension. The antiinflammatory activity of the aqueous extract of T. tetraptera fruit in egg albumin-induced paw oedema as well as in vitro anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity had been documented. However, there had been no studies on the antiarthritic properties of the plant.Objectives: The present study was designed to investigate in vivo anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities of the methanol extract Tetrapleura tetraptera in carrageenan/kaolin-induced acute monoarthritis in rat.Materials and methods: The acute toxicity of the methanol plant extract was determined using Lorke’s method. In vivo carrageenan/kaolin induced arthritis assay was performed on Tetrapleura tetraptera (TtME) extract (100, 200 and 400 mg/kg) using albino rats. Indomethacin (10 mg/kg) and normal saline were employed as positive and negative controls, respectively. Histological study was performed on the knee joint of the animals after collection of blood for antioxidants analysis.Results: Acute toxicity study showed that TtME is safe by oral administration up to 5000 mg/kg body weight. Oral administration of TtME and indomethacin (10 mg/kg) produced a significant (p < 0.05) time and dose-dependent decrease in joint diameter. There was a decrease in malondialdehyde and increase in glutathione and superoxide dismutase. The histological assessment revealed no major adverse effects on the animals.Conclusion: Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit extract possesses anti-arthritic activity, which may be attributed to its antiinflammatory and antioxidant activity.Keywords: Tetrapleura tetraptera, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-arthritic activity, Histopatholog

CFD Port Flow Simulation of Air Flow Rate in Spark Ignition Engine

In the early stages of development of internal combustion engine (ICE), limitations such as speed, range, and lifespan led to series of researches resulting in the reduction or elimination of these limitations. Combustion in ICE is a rapid and controlled endothermic reaction between air in oxygen and fuel which is accompanied by significant increase in temperature and pressure with the production of heat, flame and carbon particle deposits. This combustion process is a phenomenon that involves turbulence, loss of air-fuel mixture during inflow and outflow into the cylinder. The objection of this study is to perform port flow analysis on ICE to determine flow rate and swirl at different valve lift under stationary engine parts.Methodology employed to analyze and solve the ICE port flow simulation is the use of CFD software that uses the finite volume method of numerical analysis to solve the continuity, Navier-Stokes and energy equations governing the air medium in the internal combustion engine cylinder. The model geometry for the analysis was generated using the Ansys Design Modeller for one cylinder, one suction port and one exhaust port, and two valves. The domain considered is internal combustion engine suction port with 86741 nodes and 263155 elements. Study results revealed that air mass was more concentrated around the valve and inlet port cross-section with swirling motion seen, air stream experienced turbulence as it flowed downwards inside the cylinder, air stream spread was turbulent which will eventually enhance smooth combustion, swirling air stream moves towards the cylinder wall where it experienced tumbling and turbulent which will eventually enhance smooth combustion. From the simulation it was revealed that mass flow rate of inlet air increases with valve lift

Nigerian Psychoactive Alcoholic Herbal Mixture Impacts Behavioural Performance and Caused Brain Biochemical and Histopathological Alterations in Mice

Psychoactive alcoholic herbal mixture is popularly consumed because of the belief on its stimulant and curative effects. This study investigated the neurobehavioral, biochemical and histopathological consequences following its single and repeated co-administration with ethanol to mice. Mice were assessed for sensorimotor, anxiety and memory functions following acute and repeated administration of alcohol herbal mixture (AHM). Alterations in brain acetylcholineterase, nitrite, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde levels were assessed in striatum, prefrontal cortex (PFC) and hippocampus. Neuronal cells counts were determined in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampal tissues. In the acute study, AHM significantly impaired locomotor activity and motor coordination in mice. Repeated administration of AHM and AHM combined with ethanol caused significant impairment of locomotor and motor coordination, increased anxiety-like behavior and impaired memory in mice. Acetylcholinesterase activity was significantly increased in the PFC while nitrite level was elevated in the striatum and PFC. There was significant elevation of malondialdehyde and depletion of GSH in all brain regions as well as reduced neuronal cell counts in the PFC and hippocampus. This study showed evidences of behavioral perturbation and brain biochemical changes in mice, hence repeated consumption of alcoholic herbal mixture might produce substance-attributable harm and quicken neurodegenerative diseases in humans

G-protein αq gene expression plays a role in alcohol tolerance in Drosophila melanogaster

Ethanol is a psychoactive substance causing both short- and long-term behavioural changes in humans and animal models. We have used the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the effect of ethanol exposure on the expression of the Gαq protein subunit. Repetitive exposure to ethanol causes a reduction in sensitivity (tolerance) to ethanol, which we have measured as the time for 50% of a set of flies to become sedated after exposure to ethanol (ST50). We demonstrate that the same treatment that induces an increase in ST50 over consecutive days (tolerance) also causes a decrease in Gαq protein subunit expression at both the messenger RNA and protein level. To identify whether there may be a causal relationship between these two outcomes, we have developed strains of flies in which Gαq messenger RNA expression is suppressed in a time- and tissue-specific manner. In these flies, the sensitivity to ethanol and the development of tolerance are altered. This work further supports the value of Drosophila as a model to dissect the molecular mechanisms of the behavioural response to alcohol and identifies G proteins as potentially important regulatory targets for alcohol use disorders

Prevalence and predictors of depression among the elderly in selected rural communities in Delta State, Nigeria

Background: Geriatric depression is sometimes unrecognized by clinicians and often, depressive symptoms are attributed to the ageing process. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and predictors of depression in the elderly in selected rural communities in Delta State, Nigeria.Methods: This descriptive, cross sectional study was carried out in three rural communities in Ukwuani LGA, in Delta State Nigeria. The study population comprised 600 elderly, 60 years and above, selected using a multi stage sampling technique living within households in the communities. Data was collected by a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire which included the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Data was analysed using the IBM SPSS version 21 and statistical association was considered significant at p<0.05.Results: The mean (SD) age of respondents was 68.3 (7.1) years [median age= 67.0 years]. Data showed a prevalence of depression of 268 (44.7%). Being older than 70 years (p=0.006) and having a little or no formal education (p<0.001) was associated with depression in the elderly. However, logistic regression showed that educational status was the only significant predictor of depression in the elderly in this survey OR (95% CI) = 0.633 (0.516-0.776), p<0.001.Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in the study population was significantly associated with a lack of formal education among respondents. Improving universal basic education coverage and providing employment opportunities will thus reduce the burden of depression among the elderly in the upcoming generation. Keywords: Prevalence; Predictors; Depression; Elderly; Delta Stat

Initiation of Dialysis Is Associated With Impaired Cardiovascular Functional Capacity

Background The transition to dialysis period carries a substantial increased cardiovascular risk in patients with chronic kidney disease. Despite this, alterations in cardiovascular functional capacity during this transition are largely unknown. The present study therefore sought to assess ventilatory exercise response measures in patients within 1 year of initiating dialysis. Methods and Results We conducted a cross‐sectional study of 241 patients with chronic kidney disease stage 5 from the CAPER (Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Renal Failure) study and from the intradialytic low‐frequency electrical muscle stimulation pilot randomized controlled trial cohorts. Patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing and echocardiography. Of the 241 patients (age, 48.9 [15.0] years; 154 [63.9%] men), 42 were predialytic (mean estimated glomerular filtration rate, 14 mL·min −1 ·1.73 m −2 ), 54 had a dialysis vintage ≤12 months, and 145 had a dialysis vintage >12 months. Dialysis vintage ≤12 months exhibited a significantly impaired cardiovascular functional capacity, as assessed by oxygen uptake at peak exercise (18.7 [5.8] mL·min −1 ·kg −1 ) compared with predialysis (22.7 [5.2] mL·min −1 ·kg −1 ; P <0.001). Dialysis vintage ≤12 months also exhibited reduced peak workload, impaired peak heart rate, reduced circulatory power, and increased left ventricular mass index ( P <0.05 for all) compared with predialysis. After excluding those with prior kidney transplant, dialysis vintage >12 months exhibited a lower oxygen uptake at peak exercise (17.0 [4.9] mL·min −1 ·kg −1 ) compared with dialysis vintage ≤12 months (18.9 [5.9] mL·min −1 ·kg −1 ; P =0.033). Conclusions Initiating dialysis is associated with a significant impairment in oxygen uptake at peak exercise and overall decrements in ventilatory and hemodynamic exercise responses that predispose patients to functional dependence. The magnitude of these changes is comparable to the differences between low‐risk New York Heart Association class I and higher‐risk New York Heart Association class II to IV heart failure

Comparative Study of Antibacterial Activities of the Fresh and Dried Fruit of Capsicum Species

The fresh and dried fruit extracts of Capsicum species were screened for antibacterial activities against Staph. aureus, S. typhi and B. subtilis using two assay methods. The filter disk and agar plate diffusion were the assay methods employed in the study. The results of the study revealed that the extracts obtained from the fresh tissue of C. annuum and C. longum more potently inhibited the growth of Staph. aureus and S. typhi. Furthermore, they were more active against these pathogenic organisms when the filter disc was used as the assay method. However, the extracts obtained from either the dried or fresh tissue of C. frustescens, C. pubescens and C. grossum demonstrated no activities against the tested organisms in the two assay methods used. Key Words: Fresh fruit, Capsicum species, antibacterial spectrum. Nig. J. Health and Biomed. Sciences Vol.2(2) 2003: 90-9

Further Evaluation of the Anti–inflammatory Activity of Aframomum Melegueta Seed Extract and its Possible Mechanism of Action

The anti–inflammatory effect of aqueous seed extract of Aframomum melegueta (AM) was further evaluated in the study. Sub–chronic inflammatory conditions were induced by 2% formaldehyde and 6% nystatin respectively. Whilst the Selye granuloma pouch technique utilizing carrageenin–induced exudate formation was used as model of chronic inflammation. The membrane stabilizing activity of AM was assessed using rat erythrocyte exposed to hypotonic solution. The results revealed that AM (50–200 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly (P < 0.05) reduced edema induced by formaldehyde and by nystatin. It also produced significant inhibition of inflammatory exudate induced by carrageenin at doses of 50, 100 and 200mg/kg. The extract offered significant (

Pharmacological Evaluation of the Antidiarrhoeal Activity of Aframomum melegueta Seed Extract

This study presents the pharmacological evaluation of the effects of intraperitoneal injection of aqueous seed extract of Aframomum melegueta (AM) on diarrhoea, intestinal fluid secretion and gastrointestinal transit time, induced by castor oil in rodents. The results of the study revealed that AM (50-200 mg/kg) produced a significant inhibition of castor oil-induced diarrhoea in rats. Furthermore, the volume of intestinal fluid secretion was significantly reduced by AM in a dose-related manner. It also demonstrated a dose-dependent anti-transit activity in castor oil-treated mice. Acetylsalicylic acid (100 mg/kg, po.) delayed the onset of diarrhea, reduced the number of animals with diarrhoea droppings and also caused a significant decrease in the volume of intestinal fluid secretion induced by the oil. However, it did not demonstrate significant anti-transit activity in castor oil-treated mice. N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) (2.5-10 mg/kg, ip) produced a dose-dependent inhibition of the incidence of diarrhoea with 100% protection at the dose of 50 mg/kg. At a dose of 10 mg/kg, it significantly reduced both the volume of intestinal fluid secretion and gastrointestinal transit time in castor oil-treated animals. However, neither L-NAME (2.5 mg/kg), L-arginine (200 mg/kg, ip.) nor isosorbide dinitrate (100 mg/kg, ip.) significantly altered the effect of A. melegueta on diarrhoea induced by the oil. Taken together, these findings suggest that A. melegueta possesses antidiarrhoeal activity, which may be related to the inhibition of prostaglandin formation. Key Words: Castor oil, Aframomum melegueta, antidiarrhoeal, prostaglandin, inhibition. Résumé Cette étude presente l'evaluation pharmacologique des effets d'injection intraperitoneale des extraits acqueux du noyau d'Aframomum melegueta (AM) sur la diarrhea, sécretion du fluide intestinal et le temps de transit gastrointestinal induit par l'huile de castor chez les rodents. les resultants ont démontré que AM(50-200mg/kg) produisait des inhibitions significative de la diarrhea induite par l'huile de castor chez les souris. De plus le volume de secretion du fluide intestinal était significativement reduit par l'AM et ce de manière relative à la dose. elle a aussi démontré une activitée anti-transit et ce à dose dependente chez les souris traité à l'huile de castor.L'acide acethylsalisilique (100mg/kg po) prolongeait le debut de la diarrhea, reduisait le nombre des animaux avec une diarrhea,et aussi causait une reduction significative du volume de secrétion intestinal induite par l'huile de castor. Mais n'a pas démontré une activité anti-transit significative chez les souris traité à l'huile de castor. N-nitro-L–arginine methyl ester (L–NAME) (2.5-10mg/kg ip) produisait une inhibition a dose dependente de l'incidence de diarrhea avec 100% de protection a une dose de 50mg/kg. a une dose de 10mg/kg, une reduction sigificative du volume de secretion du fluide intestinal et le temps de transit gastro intestinal chez les animaux traités a l'huile de castor. Neamoins ni L-NAME (2.5mg/kg),L-arginine(200mg/kg ,ip ) au Isosorbide dinitrate(100mg/kg ip) on significativement altére l'effet de l'AM sur la diarrhea induite par l'huile de castor. Dans l'ensemble les resultats sugèrent que AM possede une activité anti-diarrheique qui peut être due a l'linhibation de la formation de la prostaglandine. Mot cles: l'huile de castor, Aframomum melegueta, anti-diarrheique, prostaglandine, inhibition. West Afr. J. Pharmacol. Drug Res. Vol.19 (1&2) 2003: 51-5