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Ivermectin is a macrocyclic lactone widely used in veterinary medicine for its broad-spectrum antiparasitic properties. It has been proven to be effective and safe. The purpose of this study was to develop a high-performance liquid chromatography method with a diode array detector for ivermectin screening in feed and water for animal consumption. Furthermore, the objective was to quantify ivermectin levels that were higher than 0.5 mg/kg in solid matrixes and 0.1 mg/kg in water. Doramectin was used as process standard. Samples were extracted using solid phase extraction with silica and C-18 columns. The method involved the use of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a diode array detector (DAD). The results were interpreted using a calibration curve built with ivermectin standards at multiple concentrations (0.5, 1, 2, 5, and 12.5 mg/kg). Statistical evaluation of data was done using ANOVA. The data analysis showed that the linear regression was highly significant (P < 0.001), the intercept values were not significantly different from zero, and the correlation coefficient values (>0.999) indicated excellent linearity. Further tests demonstrated that this method is also useful when studying soil matrixes. The soil was dried and analyzed in the same way as feed; the same recoveries were realized on the spiked samples. The method is easy, inexpensive, precise, and repeatable; it requires very small amounts of sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bleu TX-III was isolated from Bothrops leucurus snake venom on one-step analytical chromatography reverse phase HPLC, was homogeneous on SDS-PAGE, and was confirmed by Q-Tof Ultima API ESI/MS (TOF MS mode) mass spectrometry in 14243.8 Da. Multiple alignments of Bleu TX-III show high degree of homology with basic PLA2 myotoxins from other Bothrops venoms. Our studies on local and systemic myotoxicity "in vivo" reveal that Bleu TX-III is myotoxin with local but not systemic action due to the decrease in the plasmatic CK levels when Bleu TX-III is administrated by intravenous route in mice (dose 1 and 5 g). And at a dose of 20 μg myotoxin behaves like a local and systemic action. Bleu TX-III induced moderate marked paw edema, evidencing the local increase in vascular permeability. The inflammatory events induced in the mice (I.M.) were investigated. The increase in the levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α was observed in the plasma. It is concluded that Bleu TX-III induces inflammatory events in this model. The enzymatic phospholipid hydrolysis may be relevant to these phenomena. Bothrops leucurus venom is still not extensively explored, and the knowledge of its toxins separately through the study of structure/function will contribute for a better understanding of its action mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mageu is a fermented, non‐alcoholic maize‐derived product unique to southern Africa. The aim of this study was to identify the health benefits of a polyphenolic extract of commercially produced mageu related to the antioxidant properties and effects on lipid accumulation in differentiated 3T3‐L1 adipocytes. A pooled sample of mageu Number 1 brand (original non‐flavored) was subjected to in vitro gastroduodenal digestion (GDD). Reverse phase high‐performance liquid chromatography of unfractionated undigested (UD) and GDD mageu revealed that with digestion there was an increased extraction of 1.2, 1.83, 1.45, 4.86, and 3.17‐fold of caffeic acid, 3,4‐dihydroxybenzoic acid, p‐coumaric acid, 4 hydroxybenzoic acid and ferulic acid, respectively. An associated increase in the total phenolic acid content and antioxidant activity in the <3 kDa fraction was obtained. In contrast with digestion, inhibition of advanced glycation end products formation and low‐density lipoprotein oxidation was found in the <30 kDa fraction indicating the contribution of larger, possibly feruloylated polysaccharides, to activity. Cellular antioxidant activity in Caco‐2 cells was >90% for all UD fractions, but with GDD was reduced. All fractions had low scavenging of nitric oxide in the lipopolysaccharide/murine cell model. Exposure of 3T3‐L1 adipocytes to all the UD and GDD mageu fractions (at 1% and 10% concentrations) during differentiation resulted in at least a 35% reduction in lipid accumulation, which was not associated with a loss of cellular viability. In conclusion, mageu, UD, and subjected to GDD contains phenolic acids with beneficial bioactive properties that contribute to antioxidant activity and reduces lipid accumulation in adipocytes. Practical applications: Mageu is a non‐alcoholic fermented maize product which when digested has increased bioactivity. Its reported health benefits are due to its caloric content therefore the practical application of this research is to validate the scientific benefits of this food and encourage increased consumption of this functional food. This is especially important in the context of the South African population where this product is widely consumed as increasing obesity is associated with an increased risk of non‐communicable disease. Furthermore, as a non‐alcoholic drink, consumption can be promoted for all ages' groups and religions, and a commercialized manufacture processes can be optimized to increase phenolic acid release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An increase in the number of elderly people indicates a higher life expectancy. However, this is also a new challenge since the elderly tends to have age-related diseases, thus the physical, psychological, and sensory disorders that will affect their nutritional status. The development of geriatric foods such as cream soup made from pumpkin and tempeh is considered to be the solution to prevent this situation. This study used a factorial randomized design, containing processing methods (fresh and instant) and the addition of tempeh (0%, 75%, and 100%). Sensory evaluation (rating and ranking test), physical characteristics (pH, yield, rehydration, and viscosity), nutritional analysis (proximate, crude fibre, dietary fibre, vitamins B6 and B12, and β-carotene content), and acceptance analysis of cream soup fresh and instant were examined. Physical characterization revealed that the product had a pH of 5.4–5.7, a viscosity of 1250–2190 cP, a rehydration ratio of 5.51–6.47 g mL-1, and a yield of 19.44%–26.9%. The result of sensory evaluation showed that the processing method and tempeh addition had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on the product acceptance. This also affects the nutritional value, in which fresh products had higher nutritional value than the instant product, and products with tempeh had higher ash, protein, dietary fibre, and vitamin B12 than products without tempeh. Based on this analysis, the instant cream soup with 75% tempeh is the best formula. In one portion size (50 g), instant cream soup with 75% tempeh met 10% or more of the Indonesian recommended dietary allowance (RDA) for the elderly in terms of protein, carbohydrates, fat, energy, dietary fibre, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, and vitamin A, so it can be recommended as a complementary food for the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recombinant proteins are produced for various applications in laboratory and industrial settings. Among them, therapeutic applications have evolved into a mature field in recent years, affecting the face of contemporary medical treatment. This, in turn, has stimulated an ever-greater need for innovative technologies for the description, expression, and purification of recombinant protein biopharmaceuticals. Therefore, many biopharmaceuticals are synthesized in heterologous systems to obtain satisfactory yields that cannot be provided by natural sources. As more than 35 years has passed since the first recombinant biopharmaceutical (human insulin) successfully completed clinical trials in humans, we provide a brief review of the available prokaryotic and eukaryotic expression systems, listing the advantages and disadvantages of their use. Some examples of therapeutic proteins expressed in heterologous hosts are also provided. Moreover, technologies for the universal extraction of protein molecules are mentioned here, as is the methodology of their purification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Etiolation of vegetables is a complex phenomenon implying qualitative and quantitative protein changes. The 2-DE protein profile of green and etiolated fleshy stalk samples has shown great differences in the 4-7 pH and 10 to 250 kDa mass range. Currently, a shortage of Cynara DNA or protein sequences has required the use of de novo sequencing and BLAST similarity searches for protein identification. Highlighted herein is an application of proteomics to the identification of proteins, which in a great part matched those from the Viridiplantae order. Quantitative evaluation, statistical analyses, and MALDI-TOF MS characterization of the resolved spots in green and etiolated samples of C. cardunculus enabled us to identify 46 out of 60 spots, containing 21 spots included conserved Viridiplantae domains. The etiolation process is discussed in light of the identification of some proteins involved in specific biochemical and metabolic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives – Electrophysiological studies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients reveal not only lower motor neuron involvement, but also widespread signs of its hyperexcitability. They might be the consequence of changes in the level of amino acids acting as neurotransmitters. Material and methods – Electrophysiological examination of 31 patients with sporadic ALS was performed. A hyperexcitability index (HI) was created to describe the amount of double discharges, fasciculation potentials or `giant' F-waves. Glutamate, aspartate, glycine and GABA concentration in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were estimated, using the high performance liquid chromatography technique. Results – The electrophysiological studies revealed marked variability in HI in the patients group. HI did not correlate with duration of the disease and the degree of disability expressed with Norris score, as well as with the level of excitatory or inhibitory amino acids in the body fluids. Conclusion – Hyperexcitability of the motor unit observed in ALS is not directly related to changes in serum and CSF level of amino acids acting as neurotransmitters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acclimatization is a major pathophysiological concern during ascent to high altitude and may cause mortality in unacclimatized individuals. Absence of target drugs, especially prophylactics, emphasizes the need for development of herbal agents. Present study revealed that animals pre‐administered with aqueous extract of Ganoderma lucidum (GLAQ) dose dependently (50, 100, 200 mg/kg) delayed onset of convulsion following severe hypoxia (SH) and restored rectal temperature post‐cold restraint (CR) and hypobaric hypoxia (HBH). The compromised antioxidant status (MDA, GSH, SOD, GPx), biochemical (ALT, AST, glucose, triglycerides, cholesterol, urea), and hematological parameters (red blood cells, white blood cells) were ameliorated with GLAQ treatment. Further, extract modulated inflammatory and thermogenic response by attenuating pro‐inflammatory cytokines (NFĸB, TNFα, IL6) and restoring UCP1, SIRT1, respectively. Notably, extract did not produce any noxious effects subchronically in rats of both sexes with GLAQ administered at 100, 500, and 1,000 mg/kg in a single dose/day for 90 days, deeming it fit for therapeutic purpose. Practical applications: GLAQ exhibited better efficacy compared to internal control (gallic acid) suggest that array of bioactive compounds in extract might contribute toward efficacy. Further, antistress properties of GLAQ against multiple stressors including SH, CR, and HBH demonstrate its therapeutic potential for inducing rapid acclimatization and preventing mountain sickness. Conclusively, the present study based on Ganoderma lucidum extract intents to fill the lacunae behind development of nontoxic therapeutic agent for controlling high altitude‐related maladies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]