A prospective study to evaluate the gender prediction of blastocysts by using cell-free DNA within a culture medium

Background: Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) has been used as an option for couples with the possibility of having a baby with a genetic disorder. The common method for performing this test involves isolating 1 cell from day 3 or a few cells from day 5 embryos and performing genetic studies on the cell-extracted DNA. This method is invasive and can cause abortion after implantation in the uterus. Because of this, 2 noninvasive methods for performing a PGD have been studied: PGD using blastocyst fluid and PGD using embryo culture medium. Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the sensitivity of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique to detect the Y chromosome using cell-free DNA within a culture medium for gender prediction of blastocysts. Materials and Methods: In this study, the gender of 30 embryos on day 5 was determined using embryonic DNA extraction from the culture medium and the PCR technique to evaluate the sex-determining region Y and fragile X mental retardation genes. Then, the accuracy was assessed using ultrasound. Results: The results of the PCR technique showed that 7 embryos were male, but an ultrasound revealed that 13 were male. Conclusion: The given results indicated that, because of the low amount of DNA extracted from the culture medium, the diagnosis of the existence of the Y chromosome by this method is still not accurate enough for detecting the gender of the embryo. Key words: Preimplantation diagnosis, Embryo implantation, Culture media, Blastocyst, Polymerase chain reaction

Carbon tetrachloride induced kidney and lung tissue damages and antioxidant activities of the aqueous rhizome extract of Podophyllum hexandrum

BACKGROUND: The present study was conducted to evaluate the in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum. The antioxidant potential of the plant extract under in vitro situations was evaluated by using two separate methods, inhibition of superoxide radical and hydrogen peroxide radical. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl(4)) is a well known toxicant and exposure to this chemical is known to induce oxidative stress and causes tissue damage by the formation of free radicals. METHODS: 36 albino rats were divided into six groups of 6 animals each, all animals were allowed food and water ad libitum. Group I (control) was given olive oil, while the rest groups were injected intraperitoneally with a single dose of CCl(4 )(1 ml/kg) as a 50% (v/v) solution in olive oil. Group II received CCl(4 )only. Group III animals received vitamin E at a concentration of 50 mg/kg body weight and animals of groups IV, V and VI were given extract of Podophyllum hexandrum at concentration dose of 20, 30 and 50 mg/kg body weight. Antioxidant status in both kidney and lung tissues were estimated by determining the activities of antioxidative enzymes, glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD); as well as by determining the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). In addition, superoxide and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity of the extract was also determined. RESULTS: Results showed that the extract possessed strong superoxide and hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity comparable to that of known antioxidant butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT). Our results also showed that CCl(4 )caused a marked increase in TBARS levels whereas GSH, SOD, GR, GPX and GST levels were decreased in kidney and lung tissue homogenates of CCl(4 )treated rats. Aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum successfully prevented the alterations of these effects in the experimental animals. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that the aqueous extract of Podophyllum hexandrum could protect the kidney and lung tissue against CCl(4 )induced oxidative stress probably by increasing antioxidant defense activities

In Vitro

Arnebia benthamii is a major ingredient of the commercial drug available under the name Gaozaban, which has antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties. In the present study, in vitro antioxidant and anticancer activity of different extracts of Arnebia benthamii were investigated. Antioxidant potential of plant extracts was evaluated by means of total phenolics, DPPH, reducing power, microsomal lipid peroxidation, and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity. The highest phenolic content (TPC) of 780 mg GAE/g was observed in ethyl acetate, while the lowest TPC of 462 mg GAE/g was achieved in aqueous extract. At concentration of 700 µg/mL, DPPH radical scavenging activity was found to be highest in ethyl acetate extract (87.99%) and lowest in aqueous extract (73%). The reducing power of extracts increased in a concentration dependent manner. We also observed its inhibition on Fe2+/ascorbic acid-induced lipid peroxidation (LPO) on rat liver microsomes in vitro. In addition, Arnebia benthamii extracts exhibited antioxidant effects on Calf thymus DNA damage induced by Fenton reaction. Cytotoxicity of the extracts (10–100 µg/mL) was tested on five human cancer cell lines (lung, prostate, leukemia, colon, and pancreatic cell lines) using the Sulphorhodamine B assay

Antioxidant and Protective Effect of Ethyl Acetate Extract of Podophyllum Hexandrum Rhizome on Carbon Tetrachloride Induced Rat Liver Injury

The antioxidant and hepatoprotective activities of ethyl acetate extract was carefully investigated by the methods of DPPH radical scavenging activity, Hydroxyl radical scavenging activity, Superoxide radical scavenging activity, Hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity and its Reducing power ability. All these in vitro antioxidant activities were concentration dependent which were compared with standard antioxidants such as BHT, α-tocopherol. The hepatoprotective potential of Podophyllum hexandrum extract was also evaluated in male Wistar rats against carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver damage. Pre-treated rats were given ethyl acetate extract at 20, 30 and 50 mg/kg dose prior to CCl4 administration (1 ml/kg, 1:1 in olive oil). Rats pre-treated with Podophyllum hexandrum extract remarkably prevented the elevation of serum AST, ALT, LDH and liver lipid peroxides in CCl4-treated rats. Hepatic glutathione levels were significantly increased by the treatment with the extract in all the experimental groups. The extract at the tested doses also restored the levels of liver homogenate enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione-S- transferase) significantly. This study suggests that ethyl acetate extract of P. hexandrum has a liver protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity and possess in vitro antioxidant activities

Desarrollo de un dispositivo para el seguimiento continuo de los parámetros de la estructura de bobinado de las bobinas textiles

Introduction: The research “Improving the control methods for winding structure at friction drive machines” was conducted at Azerbaijan State Economic University in 2017.  Methods: To assess the efficiency of the proposed technique for processing signals, a model of a WA device, which allowsthe unwinding of the package, was designed and manufactured.  Results: The authors developed a methodology and a corresponding device to quantitatively assess the parameters of the winding structure by the light-section method.  Conclusions: The dimensions adopted while designing the device make it possible to exclude the influence of the non-roundness of the bobbin on the measurement results.  Originality:  The equipment advancement and quality control improvement are the most urgent issues in textile industry. The quality requirements for package is constantly growing, while this research contribute to maintain it at a corresponding level, which ensures further development of textile industry as a whole.  Limitations: The research results can be practically implemented in new winding motion design for spinning frames with cross-winding bobbin.Introducción: la investigación “Mejoramiento de los métodos de control para la estructura de bobinado en máquinas de fricción” se llevó a cabo en la Universidad Estatal de Economía de Azerbaiyán en el 2017.   Métodos: para evaluar la eficiencia de la técnica propuesta para el procesamiento de señales, se diseñó y se fabricó un modelo de dispositivo de análisis de bobinado (ab), el cual permite desenrollar el paquete.   Resultados: los autores desarrollaron una metodología y el dispositivo correspondiente para realizar la evaluación cuantitativa de los parámetros de la estructura de bobinado mediante el método de sección luminosa.   Conclusiones: las dimensiones adoptadas al diseñar el dispositivo permiten excluir la influencia de la ausencia de redondez de la bobina en los resultados de la medición.   Originalidad: el avance del equipo y la mejora del control de calidad son los temas más urgentes en la industria textil. Los requisitos de calidad para el paquete están en constante crecimiento, en tanto que esta investigación contribuye a mantenerlo en el nivel correspondiente, lo cual garantiza un mayor desarrollo de la industria textil en su conjunto.   Limitaciones: los resultados de la investigación se pueden implementar de manera práctica en nuevos diseños de movimiento de enrollamiento para marcos giratorios con bobina de bobinado cruzado

Synthesis and cntibacterial activity of silver/montmorillonite nanocomposites

Silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) were successfully synthesized into the interlayer space of Montmorillonite (MMT) by chemical reduction method. AgNO3 and NaBH4 were used as a silver precursor and reducing agent, respectively. The properties of Ag/MMT nanocomposites were studied as a function of the AgNO3 concentration. The UV-vis spectra of synthesized Ag-NPs showed that the intensity of the maximum wavelength of the plasmon peaks increased with increasing AgNO3 concentration. The crystalline structure of the Ag-NPs and basal spacing of MMT and Ag/MMT were also studied by Powder X-Ray Diffraction (PXRD). The antibacterial activity of Ag-NPs was investigated against gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Escherichia coli O157:H7 and K. pneumonia) and gram-positive bacterium (Staphylococcus aureus) by disk diffusion method using Muller-Hinton Agar (MHA) at different sizes of Ag-NPs. The smaller Ag-NPs were found to have significantly higher antibacterial activity. These results showed that Ag-NPs can be used as effective growth inhibitors in different biological systems, making them applicable to medical applications such as in surgical devices

Vitamin D in Clinical Practice: Current Perspectives

India is a heliophobic country; despite ample sunshine, almost 490 million people are vitamin D deficient in the country. Additionally, the Indian diet has not been successful in providing the daily need for vitamin D, leading to a vitamin D deficiency. The need to fortifying food with vitamin D has been raised several times. Besides, there have been discussions about whether vitamin D is a hormone or a vitamin? In this review, the authors have reviewed vitamin D deficiency and its status in India, assessment and screening, the role of vitamin D in various disease conditions, dosage recommendation and regimen

Exploring the immunomodulatory effects of Ajuga bracteosa and Atropa accuminata towards understanding of the their Anti-Arthritic potential

Rheumatoid Arthritis poses a major health concern with an ever rising global burden. Owing to the chronic nature of the disease and limitations and risks of conventional therapy, the past decade has witnessed use of herbal medicines as potent therapeutic agents. Atropa acuminata and Ajuga bracteosa have been widely used in folk medicine for rheumatism and other related inflammatory disorders. Our aim was to study immunomodulation of autoimmune arthritis by these two herbs and to delineate their possible mode of action using several animal models. Since Rheumatoid arthritis has a strong T-cell based immune mediated pathogenesis, our first aim was to investigate the possible immunoregulatory effects of the herbs if any on systemic T helper immunity in SRBC immunized Balb/C mice. Circulating antibody titers, DTH responses and spleenocyte proliferation were monitored as markers of Th1 and Th2 immune responses. Lymphocyte immunophenotying (CD4/CD8 cell counts) and intracellular Th1/Th2 cytokine concentrations were determined using flow cytometry. Our results indicated a unique immunomodulatory profile for each herbal extract. A.accuminata demonstrated mixed biphasic modulation of effector T-helper immunity. At lower doses, significant up regulation of Th1 immunity was observed. However, contrastingly at higher doses significant Th2 upregulation was observed. It was therefore considered that A.accuminata at higher doses induces and stimulates Th2 immune response and concomitantly inhibits the Th1 pathway at the same dose via inhibition of Th1 cytokines and the T-cell proliferation. Contrastingly, A.bracteosa exhibited dual Th1/Th2 immunopotentiating effects at lower doses with significant down regulation at higher doses. Also, since both the test extracts were found to downregulate T- cell immune responses in the higher dose range, this premised evaluation of extracts for anti- inflammatory properties on in vitro and in vivo acute inflammatory models. Our findings summarized novel anti-inflammatory mechanisms for both A.accuminata and A.bracteosa based on dual in vitro Cycloxygenase 1&2/5-Lipoxygenase inhibitory activities and also significant downregulation of nitric oxide (NO) and pro- inflammatory cytokine (TNF-α and Il-1 β) release in LPS-stimulated RAW 246.7 macrophage cell line . In acute inflammatory models in vivo (carrageenan induced edema, carrageenan induced pleurisy in rats and vascular permeability in mice), the test extracts exhibited an extensive diverse mechanism for anti-inflammatory properties. This was indicated on the basis of dose dependent suppression of multi targeted inflammatory mediators., NO,TNF-α and IL-1β, eicosanoids (PGE2) and leukotriene s (LTB4) along with significantly decreased leucocyte migration , ex udation and decreased vascular permeability .These effects were more potent and prolong ed than traditional NSAIDS, thereby indicating fewer side effects .Both test ex tracts were found to be safe for long term administration, as confirmed by the result s of acute toxicity studies and MTT assay. The complex mode of action of the herbs was attributed possibly due to the high polyphenolic, flavanol and flavonoid content present in the extracts as observed by means of qualitative and quantitative screening for phytochemicals. To study y further the effects of the test extracts on the progression of the disea se and to explore the underlying mechanisms of action in view of immunological responses, we evaluated the extracts for their effectiveness against the Mycobacterium tubercull i - induced model of arthritis in male Wistar rats. The polyarthiritis test reve aled a significant anti-arthritic activity both in the developing and developed phase of the disease. This was associated with significant suppression of the array of pro-inflammatory mediators (PGE2 , NO and LTB4 ) and Th1 cytokines (IL -2, TNF-α, I FN-γ, IL-6) as measured in arthritic paw tissue homogenate, slpeenocytes and serum of AA & AB treated animals . Significant upregulation of Th2 cytokines (IL-4 and IL -10) was observed only for A.accuminata. This finding strongly indicated that the test e xtract not only inhibited the T cells and Th1 cytokines but also elevated the natural capacity of the immune system to keep the Th1 cytokines under control by increa sing IL-4 and IL-10. Both the test extracts were also observed to protect rats against the primary and secondary arthritic lesions, body weight changes and haematolo gical perturbations (Hb, ESR, WBC and RBC) induced by CFA. The serum markers of inflammation and arthritis, such as C-reactive protein and rheumatoid factor, were also reduced in the AA & AB treated arthritic rats. The overall severity of arthrit is as determined by radiological analysis and pain scores indicated that the extra cts quite potently decelerated the progression of arthritis in rats. Histopathological assessment and biochemical parameters (SOD, GSH , GRX) further xconfirmed the reduced signs of chronic inflammatory response and cartilage damage. The study indicates a possiblility of using Atropa accuminata and Ajuga bracteosa as promising therapeutic agents in the treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis.The diverse set of properties might be due to the additive / antagonistic effects of bioactive constituents present in the extracts. The multipronged attack on the inflammatory mediators and Th1 /Th2 cytokines and strong potency of these extracts may have relevance for inhibition of the acute and chronic inflammatory responses in arthritis and other related diseases. It is further suggested that for an insight into the molecular mechanism of such effects, bioassay guided fractionation and isolation of active constituents and in depth studies on transcripiton factors for cytokines, iNOS, COX 1/2, 5-LOX and others is required. This could provide us with novel immunostimulatory /anti-arthritic leads for newer and safer therapeutic options in the management of arthritis and related disorders

Vitamin D in Clinical Practice: Current Perspectives

India is a heliophobic country; despite ample sunshine, almost 490 million people are vitamin D deficient in the country. Additionally, the Indian diet has not been successful in providing the daily need for vitamin D, leading to a vitamin D deficiency. The need to fortifying food with vitamin D has been raised several times. Besides, there have been discussions about whether vitamin D is a hormone or a vitamin? In this review, the authors have reviewed vitamin D deficiency and its status in India, assessment and screening, the role of vitamin D in various disease conditions, dosage recommendation and regimen