78 research outputs found

    Review of the protective effects of rutin on the metabolic function as an important dietary flavonoid

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    The purpose of our study was to examine the relationship between the volatility of price multiples and the volatility of stock prices in the Swedish market from 2003 to 2012. Our focus was on the price-to-earnings ratio and the price-to-book ratio. Some previous studies showed a link between the price multiples and the volatility of stock prices, this made us question whether there should be a link between the volatility of the price multiples and the volatility of the stock prices. The importance of this subject is accentuated by the financial crisis, as we provide investors with information regarding the movements of price multiples and stock prices. Moreover, we test if the volatility of the price multiples can be used to create a prediction model for the volatility of stock prices. Also we fill the gap in the previous researches as there is no previous literature about this topic. We conducted a quantitative research using statistical tests, such as the correlation test and the linear regression test. For our data sample we chose the Sweden Datastream index. We first calculated the volatility using the GARCH model and then continued with our statistical tests. The results of our tests showed that there is a relationship between the volatility of the price multiples and the volatility of the stock prices in the Swedish market in the past ten years. Our findings show that the correlation coefficients vary across industries and over time in both strength and direction. The second part of our tests is concerned with the linear regression tests, mainly calculating the coefficient of determination. Our results show that the volatility of the price multiples do explain changes in the volatility of stock prices. Thus, the volatility of the P/E ratio and the volatility of the P/B ratio can be used in creating a prediction model for the volatility of stock prices. Nevertheless, we also find that this model is best suited when the economic situation is unstable (i.e. crisis, bad economic outlook) as both the correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination had the highest values in the last five years, with the peak in 2008

    Bioinformatics Approach for Pattern of Myelin-Specific Proteins and Related Human Disorders

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    Background: Recent neuroinformatic studies, on the structure-function interaction of proteins, causative agents basis of human disease have implied that dysfunction or defect of different protein classes could be associated with several related diseases. Objectives: The aim of this study was the use of bioinformatics approaches for understanding the structure, function and relationship of myelin protein 2 (PMP2), a myelin-basic protein in the basis of neuronal disorders. Methods: A collection of databases for exploiting classification information systematically, including, protein structure, protein family and classification of human disease, based on a new approach was used. Knowledge discovery was carried out based on collections criteria and in silico integrative in vitro studies. Results: The results of the evaluation of bioinformatics comorbid proteomics studies revealed that PMP2, an intracellular andmembrane myelin protein, is specific for a neuritis disease and collaborative to other diseases. Leprosy, another neuronal disease that could be related to neuritis, consists of interferon gamma (IFNG), a secreted protein included various protein classes from what is neuritis. Conclusions: The growth rate of information in bioinformatics databases could facilitate studies of live organisms prior to observation studies. Two different protein classes could be causative agents of one disease. However, two related diseases from one disease group could consist of different protein classes. Future research in the field of proteomics could allow modern insight to reshuffling of proteins in different diseases, and lead to the discovery of the etiology of such diseases

    An Overview on the Effects of Sodium Benzoate as a Preservative in Food Products

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    Context: Food spoilage has been acommonproblem throughout history, andmuchof the spoilage is caused the activity of microorganisms or enzymatic reactions during the storage of food. Thus, using chemical substances could prevent or delay food spoilage and this has led to the great success of these compounds in the treatment of human diseases. Sodium benzoate is one of the synthetic additives that are widely used in the food industry. Evidence Acquisition: In this review we summarized the history and role of benzoate sodium in the food industry, its limited value in different food, other uses, pharmacokinetics, and its toxicity in animal studies. A literature search was carried out using MEDLINE, Scopus, Science Direct, and Scientific Information Databases (SID). Results: Sodium benzoate is used in different industries as well as the food industry and it has adverse effects similar to other food additives. Conclusions: Studies on natural ingredients in foods to find compounds with similar effects as benzoate with less adverse effects is necessary. Keywords: Sodium Benzoate, Preservative, Food Safety, Spoilag

    Modulation of the Expression of the GABAA Receptor β1 and β3 Subunits by Pretreatment with Quercetin in the KA Model of Epilepsy in Mice -The Effect of Quercetin on GABAA Receptor Beta Subunits-

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    Objectives: Quercetin is a flavonoid and an important dietary constituent of fruits and vegetables. In recent years, several pharmacological activities of quercetin, such as its neuroprotective activity and, more specifically, its anti-convulsant effects in animal models of epilepsy, have been reported. This study evaluated the role of quercetin pretreatment on gene expression of γ-amino butyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor beta subunits in kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures in mice. Methods: The animals were divided into four groups: one saline group, one group in which seizures were induced by using KA (10 mg/kg) without quercetin pretreatment and two groups pretreated with quercetin (50 and 100 mg/kg) prior to seizures being induced by using KA. Next, the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) levels of the GABAA receptor β subunits in the hippocampus of each animal were assessed at 2 hours and 7 days after KA administration. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was used to detect mRNA content in hippocampal tissues. Results: Pretreatments with quercetin at doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg prevented significant increases in the mRNA levels of the β1 and the β3 subunits of the GABAA receptor at 2 hours after KA injection. Pretreatment with quercetin (100 mg/kg) significantly inhibited β1 and β3 gene expression in the hippocampus at 7 days after KA injection. But, this inhibitory effect of quercetin at 50 mg/kg on the mRNA levels of the β3 subunit of the GABAA receptor was not observed at 7 days after KA administration. Conclusion: These results suggest that quercetin (100 mg/kg) modulates the expression of the GABAA receptor β1 and β3 subunits in the KA model of epilepsy, most likely to prevent compensatory responses. This may be related to the narrow therapeutic dose range for the anticonvulsant activities of quercetin

    Efficacy of topical chamomile on the incidence of phlebitis due to an amiodarone infusion in coronary care patients: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial

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    BACKGROUND: Amiodarone is a useful antiarrhythmic drug. Phlebitis, caused by intravenous amiodarone, is common in patients in coronary care units (CCUs). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of topical chamomile on the incidence of phlebitis due to the administration of an amiodarone infusion into the peripheral vein. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS AND INTERVENTIONS: This was a randomized, double-blind clinical trial, conducted on 40 patients (n = 20 per group) in two groups-an intervention group (chamomile ointment) and a control group (lanoline, as a placebo), hospitalized in the CCUs and undergoing an amiodarone infusion into the peripheral vein over 24 h. Following the cannulation and commencement of the infusion, placebo or chamomile ointment was rubbed in, up to 10 cm superior to the catheter and repeated every eight hours for three days. The cannula site was then assessed based on the phlebitis checklist. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The incidence and time of occurrence of phlebitis, relative risk, severity of phlebitis were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: Nineteen patients (19/20) in the control group had phlebitis on the first day of the study and one patient (20/20) on the second day. In the intervention group, phlebitis occurred in 13 cases (13/20) on the first day and another two (2/7) was found on the second day. The incidence of phlebitis was significantly different between two groups (P = 0.023). The cumulative incidence of phlebitis in the intervention group (15/20) is significantly later and lower than that in the control group (20/20) during two days (P = 0.008). Two patients in the intervention group did not develop phlebitis at all during the 3-day study. Also, the relative risk of phlebitis in the two groups was 0.68 (P = 0.008 5). A significant difference was not observed with regard to phlebitis severity in both groups. CONCLUSION: It seems that phlebitis occurred to a lesser extent and at a later time frame in the intervention group compared to control group. Topical chamomile may be effective in decreasing the incidence of phlebitis due to an amiodarone infusion

    Bioinformatics Approach for Pattern of Myelin-Specific Proteins and Related Human Disorders

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    Background: Recent neuroinformatic studies, on the structure-function interaction of proteins, causative agents basis of human disease have implied that dysfunction or defect of different protein classes could be associated with several related diseases. Objectives: The aim of this study was the use of bioinformatics approaches for understanding the structure, function and relationship of myelin protein 2 (PMP2), a myelin-basic protein in the basis of neuronal disorders. Methods: A collection of databases for exploiting classification information systematically, including, protein structure, protein family and classification of human disease, based on a new approach was used. Knowledge discovery was carried out based on collections criteria and in silico integrative in vitro studies. Results: The results of the evaluation of bioinformatics comorbid proteomics studies revealed that PMP2, an intracellular andmembrane myelin protein, is specific for a neuritis disease and collaborative to other diseases. Leprosy, another neuronal disease that could be related to neuritis, consists of interferon gamma (IFNG), a secreted protein included various protein classes from what is neuritis. Conclusions: The growth rate of information in bioinformatics databases could facilitate studies of live organisms prior to observation studies. Two different protein classes could be causative agents of one disease. However, two related diseases from one disease group could consist of different protein classes. Future research in the field of proteomics could allow modern insight to reshuffling of proteins in different diseases, and lead to the discovery of the etiology of such diseases. Keywords: Bioinformatics Databases, Myelin Protein 2 (PMP2), Protein Classes, Human Disorder

    Functional differences of Toll-like receptor 4 in osteogenesis, adipogenesis and chondrogenesis in human bone marrow- derived mesenchymal stem cells

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    Multipotent human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) are promising candidates for bone and cartilage regeneration. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is expressed by hMSCs and is a receptor for both exogenous and endogenous danger signals. TLRs have been shown to possess functional differences based on the species (human or mouse) they are isolated from therefore, the effects of knockdown of TLR4 were evaluated in humans during the differentiation of MSCs into bone, fat and chondrocyte cells in vitro. We investigated the expression profile of TLR4 during the differentiation of hMSCs into three different lineages on days 7, 14 and 21 and assessed the differentiation potential of the cells in the presence of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, as an exogenous agonist) and fibronectin fragment III-1c (FnIII-1c, as an endogenous agonist). TLR4 expression increased following the induction of hMSC differentiation into all three lineages. Alkaline phosphatase activity revealed that FnIII-1c accelerated calcium deposition on day 7, whereas LPS increased calcium deposition on day 14. Chondrogenesis increased in the presence of LPS; however, FnIII-1c acted as a reducer in the late stage. TLR4 silencing led to decreased osteogenesis and increased adipogenesis. Furthermore, Wnt5a expression was inversely related to chondrogenesis during the late stage of differentiation. We suggest that understanding the functionality of TLR4 (in the presence of pathogen or stress signal) during the differentiation of hMSCs into three lineages would be useful for MSC-based treatments

    Anticonvulsant effects of aerial parts of Passiflora incarnata extract in mice: involvement of benzodiazepine and opioid receptors

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    <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Passion flower (<it>Passiflora incarnata</it>) is used in traditional medicine of Europe and South America to treat anxiety, insomnia and seizure. Recently, it has shown antianxiety and sedative effects in human.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study, anticonvulsant effects of hydro- alcoholic extract of Passiflora, Pasipay, were examined by using pentylentetrazole model (PTZ) on mice. Pasipay, diazepam, and normal saline were injected intraperitoneally at the doses 0.4–0.05 mg/kg, 0.5–1 mg/kg and 10 ml/kg respectively 30 minutes before PTZ (90 mg/kg, i.p). The time taken before the onset of clonic convulsions, the duration of colonic convulsions, and the percentage of seizure and mortality protection were recorded. For investigating the mechanism of Pasipay, flumazenil (2 mg/kg, i.p) and naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p) were also injected 5 minutes before Pasipay.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>An ED<sub>50 </sub>value of Pasipay in the PTZ model was 0.23 mg/kg (%95 CL: 0.156, 0.342). Pasipay at the dose of 0.4 mg/kg prolonged the onset time of seizure and decreased the duration of seizures compared to saline group (p < 0.001). At the dose of 0.4 mg/kg, seizure and mortality protection percent were 100%. Flumazenil and naloxone could suppress anticonvulsant effects of Pasipay.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>It seems that Pasipay could be useful for treatment absence seizure and these effects may be related to effect of it on GABAergic and opioid systems. More studies are needed in order to investigate its exact mechanism.</p

    Pharmacological Effects of Glycyrrhiza spp. and Its Bioactive Constituents: Update and Review

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    The roots and rhizomes of various species of the perennial herb licorice (Glycyrrhiza) are used in traditional medicine for the treatment of several diseases. In experimental and clinical studies, licorice has been shown to have several pharmacological properties including antiinflammatory, antiviral, antimicrobial, antioxidative, antidiabetic, antiasthma, and anticancer activities as well as immunomodulatory, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective effects. In recent years, several of the biochemical, molecular, and cellular mechanisms of licorice and its active components have also been demonstrated in experimental studies. In this review, we summarized the new phytochemical, pharmacological, and toxicological data from recent experimental and clinical studies of licorice and its bioactive constituents after our previous published review

    Review on the mesenchymal stem cells and their potential application in regenerative medicine

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    Stem cells are unspecialized cells that are capable of self-renewal and differentiate into a variety of cell types. Indeed, stem cells are able to differentiate into functional specialized cells e.g. myocardiocyte, neurocyte, osteoblast, adipocyte, chondrocyte, etc. Among stem cells, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been considered by researchers on account of having differentiation ability into variety of cells with no risk of tumorogenicity and immune system stimulation. The aim of this article is reviewing of stem cell types, their sources, MSCs, their features and characteristics, their potential in regenerative medicine and their clinical application in medicine. Information have been gathered in the present review study in 2017, by referring to the following databases; PubMed, Science Direct, Ovid Databases, Scopus, Wiley and Springer. MSCs have an ability to differentiate into various cells e.g. osteoblast, adipocyte, myocardiocyte, chondrocyte, myoblast, neurocyte, neuroglia cells, myocyte, endothelial cells, isle cells, etc. Also, it seems that MSCs have been preferred in regenerative medicine because of having immunomodulatory properties and ability of secretion of various cytokines and growth factors. Development of human knowledge in the field of producing, proliferation and differentiation of stem cells, bring the hope of using these cells in treatment of neural lesion e.g. spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer, parkinsonism, etc. Keywords: Stem cell, Mesenchymal stem cell, Regenerative medicin
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