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These Lipid Association of India (LAI) recommendations refer to specific patient populations. They follow the previously published LAI part 1 recommendations. These part 2 LAI recommendations focus on specific patient groups. These include patients with heart failure, chronic kidney disease, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, cerebrovascular disease, thyroid disorders, inflammatory joint diseases, familial hypercholesterolaemia and human immunodeficiency virus infection. We also consider women, the elderly and post-transplantation patients. The current recommendations are based, as much as possible, on available data from Indian populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: cholangiocarcinoma with highly heterogeneous, aggressive, and multidrug resistance has a poor prognosis. although babaodan (BBD) combined with cisplatin improved non-small cell lung cancer efficacy, its impact on overcoming resistance in cholangiocarcinoma remains unexplored. Objective: this study explored the role and mechanism of BBD on cisplatin resistance in cholangiocarcinoma cells (ccas). Materials and methods: cisplatin-resistant ccas were exposed to varying concentrations of cisplatin (25-400 μg/ml) or BBD (0.25-1.00 mg/ml) for 48 h. ic50 values, inhibition ratios, apoptosis levels, DNa damage, glutathione (GSH) levels, oxidized forms of Gsh, total Gsh content, and glutaminase relative activity were evaluated using the cell counting kit 8, flow cytometry, comet assay, and relevant assay kits. Results: BBD-reduced the cisplatin ic50 in ccas from 118.8 to 61.83 μg/ml, leading to increased inhibition rate, apoptosis, and DNa damage, and decreased expression of B-cell lymphoma-2, p-Yes-associated protein 1/ Yes-associated protein 1, solute carrier family 1 member 5, activating transcription factor 4, and eRcc excision repair 1 in a dose-dependent manner with maximum reductions of 78.97%, 51.98%, 54.03%, 56.59%, and 63.22%, respectively; bcl2-associated X and gamma histone levels were increased by 0.43-115.77% and 22.15-53.39%. the impact of YaP1 knockdown on cisplatin-resistant ccas resembled BBD. Gsh, oxidized Gsh species, total Gsh content, and glutaminase activity in cisplatin-resistant ccas with BBD treatment also decreased, while YaP1 overexpression countered BBD's effects. Discussion and conclusion: this study provides a scientific basis for BBD clinical application and provides a new direction for BBD biological mechanism research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) is a synthetic amino acid that blocks the biosynthesis of reduced glutathione (GSH), an endogenous antioxidant cellular component present in tumor cells. GSH levels have been associated with tumor cell resistance to chemotherapeutic drugs and platinum compounds. Consequently, by depleting GSH, BSO enhances the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents in drug-resistant tumors. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review with meta-analysis of preclinical studies utilizing BSO in cancer treatments. The systematic search was carried out using the following databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and EMBASE up until March 20, 2023, in order to collect preclinical studies that evaluated BSO, alone or in association, as a strategy for antineoplastic therapy. One hundred nine investigations were found to assess the cytotoxic potential of BSO alone or in combination with other compounds. Twenty-one of these met the criteria for performing the meta-analysis. The evidence gathered indicated that BSO alone exhibits cytotoxic activity. However, this compound is generally used in combination with other antineoplastic strategies, mainly chemotherapy ones, to improve cytotoxicity to carcinogenic cells and treatment efficacy. Finally, this review provides important considerations regarding BSO use in cancer treatment conditions, which might optimize future studies as a potential adjuvant antineoplastic therapeutic tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A growing body of research studies the relationship between probiotic bacteria in the gut and the host organism, including the impact on cognitive functioning. Data from human studies are scarce; however, recent studies point toward the beneficial role of probiotics for cognitive functioning. One of the mechanisms involved in this relationship is the probiotic's ability to influence inflammation and immune response. The aim of this initial study was to investigate the effects of probiotic supplementation with Bifidobacterium Lactis BS01 and Lactobacillus Acidophilus LA02 on cognitive functioning in healthy, young adult females. A total of 53 participants aged 19–31 were enrolled, and 38 completed the trial. A 6-week probiotic or placebo treatment was conducted. Five measures of cognitive functioning were applied pre- and post-treatment. Both groups showed general improvement at the second assessment. Contrary to our hypothesis, the placebo group improved slightly, but significantly, in four out of five measures of cognitive functioning, with the exception of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST). The supplementation group improved significantly in two measures of the WCST, compared to the placebo group. Similar results have been previously reported. Probiotic supplementation, while not harmful, might not be beneficial for cognition in the healthy population, or at least not universally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental age indicators should be evaluated in different populations. The aim of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of the estimated age results of tooth coronal index (TCI) and to develop a new staging system using panoramic radiography for the southern Turkish population. The study group consisted of panoramic radiographs of 1000 individuals aged 11–77 years. The study group was divided into four subgroups according to age of patients: Group 1 (11–18 years of age), Group 2 (18–29 years), Group 3 (30–50 years), Group 4 (51–77 years). The mandibular first molar was measured. TCI and a new staging system were assessed in the southern Turkish population by two observers. The novel model includes six new parameters. Multiple regression models, intraclass correlation coefficient and Durbin-Watson analysis were used. The estimation error of TCI and the novel model were 14.25 and 11.04, respectively. The parameters of the novel model were more powerful than TCI's. There was no significant difference in sex. For both methods, the estimated age in Group 3 (between 30–50 years) provides the highest accuracy in all age groups. The results showed that the novel age estimation model is more reliable in the southern Turkish population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperuricemia and gout are metabolic diseases characterized with high serum urate and impact human health significantly. Although some drugs have been developed to treat gout, hyperuricemia represents a substantial health problem. Reducing purine absorption through intestinal microbiota, which can be managed through intake of probiotics, emerges as a promising way to reverse elevated serum urate. Probiotics have shown several benefits such as immune modulation and improvement of intestinal functions. Therefore, this review briefly summarizes purine metabolism and molecular mechanisms for hyperuricemia and gout with the focus on recent development on the use of probiotics to alleviate hyperuricemia and gout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main problem on a global scale is the demand for functional foods among consumers in terms of healthy diets and wellbeing. In this context, high-pressure homogenization (HPH) is a new technology with a variety of potential uses in the food industry, such as the modification of food biopolymer structures to direct their functionalities, the creation of nanoemulsions, the inactivation of microorganisms and enzymes, and the disruption of cells for the extraction of intracellular components. Furthermore, new opportunities for homogenization processing have been opened up by recent developments in high-pressure homogenization technology. This has made it possible to produce novel products that can be recognized from traditional ones by sensory, structural, or functional attributes. The fact that the product experienced heavy mechanical stresses during the process, such as cavitation and shear forces, is the cause of all these consequences. It has been suggested that HPH may have a role in the creation of functional probiotic dairy products and other beverages with enhanced sensory qualities in the functional food industry. Additionally, it has been demonstrated that HPH can change the volatile-molecule profiles of milk and beverages, increase specific cellular enzymatic activities, inhibit microbial growth, strengthen the probiotic properties of bacterial strains, extend shelf-life through microbial inactivation, and extend shelf-life with minimal effects on nutritional value and sensory qualities. Therefore, this review compiles and summarizes the workings, benefits, and applications of HPH in the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We undertook the present study to investigate the cognitive status of patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) and its relationship to pulmonary function and cardiovascular efficiency. Fifty-one patients with a diagnosis of ILD [mean duration = 3.13 years (SD = 3.01)] received a respiratory examination, including spirometry and the six-minute walk test, and completed a neuropsychological assessment including several cognitive domains. Eighty-eight healthy individuals matched on age, education, and gender, completed the neuropsychological test battery. Patients performed more poorly than their healthy peers on cognitive tasks related to verbal and visual memory, visual perception, and working memory, but not attention, processing speed and executive functioning. Stepwise linear regression analyses showed that exercise-related measures (heart rate, oxygen saturation and distance walked) predicted performance on neuropsychological tests of psychomotor speed, verbal memory and word production. Additionally, an index of pulmonary function, specifically, lung diffusion capacity, predicted performance on selective and sustained attention and word generation. The present preliminary findings may have implications for the quality of life and treatment compliance of patients with ILD and warrant further study with a larger sample of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) on transient receptor potential melastatin 2 (TRPM2) channel expression in rat kidney and liver tissues following experimental malathion intoxication. We used seven groups of six male Wistar albino rats: control group, NAC, pralidoxime + atropine, malathion, malathion + pralidoxime + atropine, malathion + pralidoxime + atropine + NAC, and malathion + NAC. Single doses of 100 mg/kg N-acetyl cysteine, 40 mg/kg pralidoxime, 2 mg/kg atropine and 1/3 the lethal dose of malathion were administered. No difference in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, apoptosis or TRPM2 immunoreactivity was found in liver tissue among the groups. In kidney tissue, MDA levels, apoptosis and TRPM2 immunoreactivity were increased significantly in the malathion and malathion + NAC groups compared to the control group. We found that organophosphate intoxication did not affect MDA, apoptosis or TRPM2 immunoreactivity in rat liver during the acute period. By contrast, we found that in kidney tissue, MDA, apoptosis, and TRPM2 immunoreactivity were increased significantly following administration of malathion. Also, NAC given in addition to pralidoxime and atropine reduced MDA to control levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of telehealth to deliver neuropsychological services has proven to be a feasible approach, however, there is limited research which has examined the reliability of home-based assessment models using a comprehensive intelligence test. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and feasibility of a home-based videoconferencing administration of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales-4th Edition (WAIS-IV). Thirty healthy participants (aged 18–40 years) completed the WAIS-IV both in-person and via home-based videoconferencing utilizing a randomized counter-balanced methodology to attempt to control for an order effect. Paper record forms for Coding/Symbol Search and Blocks were sent and returned via tamper proof courier packs. Participants completed an online survey of their experiences of TNP following completion of their assessments. Group mean comparisons, intra class correlation coefficients (ICCs) and Bland-Altman measures of bias were calculated. Findings from both modalities were highly concordant across all WAIS-IV subtests and indices, with all ICCs rated as "excellent," (≥0.9). There were no significant mean group differences and no evidence of proportional bias. The majority of participants were very satisfied with the use of videoconferencing as an application for cognitive assessment and high levels of participant compliance were observed. In this non-clinical cohort home-based videoconference administration of the WAIS-IV was feasible, reliable and acceptable. TNP may offer an alternative for those consumers where there are challenges in accessing a face-to-face service delivery model, thereby improving equity, and enabling continuation of service delivery. Future research is needed with a larger and more ethnically diverse clinical population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to determine the relationship between foreign workers' food handling knowledge, attitude, and practices toward their job competency. The survey was administered at 14 restaurants in Shah Alam using structured questionnaires. A total of 350 completed questionnaires were collected and analyzed using descriptive analysis and Pearson correlation. The workers' knowledge, attitude and practices showed a significant relationship (p <.05) with job competency, while training effectiveness did not seem to have an effect. Although training is one way to impart knowledge to trainees, other methods are needed to ensure foreign workers have some basic knowledge of safe handling of food. This paper is among the first to attempt to measure the attributes that influence foreign workers' food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices and to examine how these attributes affect job competency in the Malaysian context. Focus on 14 Indian-Muslim and Chinese coffee shop theme eateries are limitations that could be overcome in future research through the inclusion of other themed eateries, different districts through a larger sample population as well as incorporating qualitative approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was objected to assess the ability of lactic acid bacteria in the reduction of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in a simulated human gastrointestinal tract. In this work, eight treatments were prepared to compare the ability of noted probiotic bacteria in AFB1 reduction in different simulated gastrointestinal conditions. The results of the present study revealed a significant reduction in AFB1 in all of the treatments in which the highest reduction rate was observed by L. acidophilus in the absence of sterilized milk. Moreover, the findings showed that bacteria, gastric juice, and small intestine may contribute to the reduction of AFB1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(b) Mass awareness raising regarding neuropsychological consequences of COVID-19 are necessary for patients to get community rehabilitation supports (Wilson et al., [5]) from family members and other health care providers. While many patients fully recover from the acute phase of COVID-19, many others have been showing ongoing symptoms such as headache, difficulty breathing, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, etc., long after the recovery, which is being called long-COVID or post-COVID syndrome. [Extracted from the article]

Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) causes alteration in the redox status and membrane-bound transporters. Melatonin has pleiotropic effects on normal physiology and acts as a potential antioxidant. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of ALAN-induced alterations in the membrane transporters, oxidative stress biomarkers and to evaluate the protective effects of melatonin supplementation prior to exposure of light in a circadian-disrupted model of rat. Young male Wistar rats 250 ± 20 g were randomly segregated into following groups; Group (I) control, Group (II) melatonin-treated group (10 mg/kg, orally), Group (III) ALAN (500 lux), Group (IV) ALAN with melatonin, for 10 days. Results show that melatonin is an effective mediator of membrane-bound transporters revealed by activation of Na+/K+-ATPase (NKA), plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase (PMCA) and suppression of Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE) activity. Oxidative stress biomarkers such as total thiol (T-SH), sialic acid (SA), lipid hydroperoxides (LHs) and protein carbonylation (PC) are also restored to the normal level after supplementation of melatonin. These findings demonstrate the protective effect of melatonin on membrane-bound enzymes along with other oxidative stress biomarkers against light-mediated oxidative damage in erythrocyte membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress is caused by homeostasis disrupted by excessively increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) due to intrinsic or extrinsic causes. Among diseases caused by the abnormal induction of ROS, cancer is a representative disease that shows gender specificity in development and malignancy. Females have the advantage of longer life expectancy than males because of the genetic advantages derived from X chromosomes, the antioxidant protective function by estrogen, and the decrease in exposure to extrinsic risk factors, such as alcohol and smoking. This study first examines the ordinary biological responses to oxidative stress and the effects of ROS on cancer progression and describes the differences in cancer incidence and mortality by gender and the differences in oxidative stress affected by sex hormones. This paper summarized how several important transcription factors regulate ROS-induced stress and in vivo responses, and how their expression is changed by sex hormones. Estrogen is associated with disease resistance and greater mitochondrial function and reduces mitochondrial damage and ROS production in females than in males. In addition, estrogen affects the activation of nuclear factor-erythroid 2 p45-related factor (NRF) 2 and the regulation of other antioxidant-related transcription factors through NRF2, leading to benefits in females. Because ROS have a variety of molecular targets in cells, effective cancer treatment requires understanding the potential of ROS and focusing on the characteristics of the research target, such as the patient's gender. Therefore, this review intends to emphasize the necessity of discussing gender specificity as a new therapeutic approach for the efficient regulation of ROS considering individual specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the phagocytic cell response in malnourished children after oral feeding of a fermented product containing clinically proven probiotic strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus, LBKV-3. The bacterial strain is used as a probiotic for humans to test its effect on immune cell activity in undernourished children below 8 years of age. To study the immune cell activity, implantation abilities of the culture in the GI tract of malnourished children, forty-five children of 6–7 and 7–8 years were randomly selected and distributed in three groups, each comprising 15 children in each of the age group. The test group of the children was receiving 100 g product volunteers/day of freshly prepared probiotic acidophilus milk containing 107 cfu/g of culture. The control group was receiving 100 g freshly prepared "dahi" containing 107 cfu/g of the LAB while the blank group of the volunteers was receiving thermal processed (85° C/30 min) buffalo milk containing 5% fat and 10% SNF at the rate of 100 ml/day/volunteer. Feeding trial was continued for 12 weeks. Blood samples were collected at W2, W4, W8, and W12. The blood serum samples were analyzed for monocytes, neutrophils, basophils, and lymphocytes by BC-3000 + Auto Hematology Analyzer. In conclusion, consumption of PAM increased the proportion of immune cells, including monocytes, neutrophils, basophils, and lymphocytes, as well as their phagocytic activity in all age groups but proportion was significant in the test group of 7–8 years. The effects were higher during W12 compared to W2, W4, and W8, which suggest regulation of the immune system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age estimation is a vital part in many of forensic investigations, be it for the dead or living. Despite its importance, accuracy of age estimation has always been an issue in legal matters, especially in the adult population. This study has been conducted on a North Indian adult population, furthering the research on formulated odonto-metric indices and their variation among the population, with the aim of establishing their suitability for estimation of age in the population under study. The two methods employed on first and second molars were tooth coronal index (TCI) and pulp chamber tooth height ratio (PCTHR). Of the two teeth, the second molar was found to have a significant correlation compared with the other one and the TCI was found to be marginally better than PCTHR when applied on second molars. The error ranges for TCI (first molar and second molar) and PCTHR (second molar) methods were found to be same, i.e. ±7 years. The choice of an age-group specific method is important for the most accurate and reliable dental age estimations in forensic contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to evaluate the applicability of the tooth coronal index (TCI) and Olze's method for age estimation in Turkish individuals. The digital panoramic radiographs of 860 individuals ranging from 18 to 60 years of age were evaluated. The TCI was calculated using the ratio between coronal pulp cavity height and crown height in mandibular premolar teeth. We also analysed, four dental parameters (secondary dentin formation, attrition, periodontal recession, cementum apposition) of Olze's method. Linear and multiple regression models were established for each tooth groups. The correlations between age and TCIs were r= -0.45 and r= -0.53 for the mandibular first and second premolars, respectively (p<0.01). The regression equations that were derived for age estimation using TCI showed a coefficient of determination (R2) ranging between 0.20 to 0.32; the standard errors of estimates (SEE) ranged from 10.01 to 10.96 years. For Olze's method, R2 values ranged between 0.76 and 0.80; SEE ranged from 5.64 to 6.08 years. We concluded that Olze's method was useful for age estimation among Turkish adults. The TCI method found to be of more limited the use in age estimation due to a higher standard error of estimations, compared with Olze's method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hippo pathway is a chain of kinases consists of a series of protein kinases and transcription factors. Meanwhile, oxidative stress is a condition of elevated concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause molecular damage to vital structures and functions. Both of them are key regulators in cell proliferation, survival, and development. These processes are strictly regulated by highly coordinated mechanisms, including c-Jun n-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway, mTOR pathway and a number of extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Recently, emerging evidence suggests that Hippo pathway is involved in the responses to cellular stresses, including mechanic stress, DNA damage, and oxidative stress, to mediate biological process, such as apoptosis, pyroptosis, and metastasis. But the exact mechanism remains to be further explored. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize recent findings and discuss how Hippo pathway, oxidative stress, and the crosstalk between them regulate some biological process which determines cell fate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To predict the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) profile of candidate drugs a variety of preclinical models can be applied. The ADME and toxicological behavior of newly developed drugs are often investigated prior to assessment in humans, which is associated with long time-lines and high costs. Therefore, good predictions of ADME profiles earlier in the drug development process are very valuable. Good prediction of intestinal absorption and renal and biliary excretion remain especially difficult, as there is an interplay of active transport and metabolism involved. To study these processes, including enterohepatic circulation, ex vivo tissue models are highly relevant and can be regarded as the bridge between in vitro and in vivo models. In this review the current in vitro, in vivo and in more detail ex vivo models for studying pharmacokinetics in health and disease are discussed. Additionally, we propose novel models, i.e., perfused whole-organs, which we envision will generate valuable pharmacokinetic information in the future due to improved translation to the in vivo situation. These machine-perfused organ models will be particularly interesting in combination with biomarkers for assessing the functionality of transporter and CYP450 proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reveal putative bioactivation pathways of diclofenac, in vitro human liver materials such as microsomal fractions and hepatocytes were used to confirm metabolic activation of diclofenac by 35S-cysteine trapping assay and covalent binding assay. Candidate human liver proteins possibly targeted by 14C-diclofenac via bioactivation were investigated using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis followed by detection of remaining radioactivity on the modified proteins with bio-imaging analyzer. In the 35S-cysteine trapping assay, three and two adducts with 35S-cysteine were observed in NADPH-fortified and UDPGA-fortified human liver microsomes, respectively. In the covalent binding assay using 14C-diclofenac in human hepatocytes, the extent of covalent binding of diclofenac to human hepatic proteins increased time-dependently. Addition of glutathione attenuated the extent of covalent binding of 14C-diclofenac to human liver microsomal proteins. Fifty-nine proteins from human hepatocytes were proposed as the candidate proteins targeted by reactive metabolites of diclofenac. Proteins modified by cytochrome P450-mediated reactive metabolites were identified by using a cytochrome P450 inhibitor, 1-aminobenzyltriazole and seven of the nine radioactive protein spots were removed by 1-aminobenzyltriazole treatment. In contrast, the remaining two radioactive protein spots, mainly containing human serum albumin and heat shock proteins, were not affected by the addition of 1-aminobenzyltriazole, which suggested the involvement of the acyl glucuronide of diclofenac, formed via uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyl transferases, in the covalent modifications induced by diclofenac. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carnosic acid (CA) is a phenolic diterpene with many important biological activities including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory properties, and anti-proliferative properties. The aim of the present study was to investigate cytotoxic activity, cell cycle, apoptotic, and molecular effects attributed to CA in non-tumoral IMR-90 (human fetal lung fibroblasts), as well as tumoral NCI-H460 (human non–small-cell lung cancer) cell lines. Cell proliferation was evaluated by Real-Time Cell Analysis system, while apoptosis and cell cycle were assessed using flow cytometry. RT-qPCR was used to estimate the relative expression of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA damage and repair, and apoptosis induction. CA inhibited proliferation of IMR-90 and NCI-H460 cells via cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 and G2/M phases, according to the treatment concentration. The mRNA levels of genes encoding cyclins A2, B1, and B2 were downregulated in response to CA treatment of IMR-90 cells. Apoptosis was induced and proapoptotic gene PUMA was upregulated in both cell lines. mRNA levels of genes ATR, CCND1, CHK1, CHK2, MYC, GADD45A, H2AFX, MTOR, TP53, and BCL2, CASP3 were not markedly changed following CA treatments. Although CA exerted antiproliferative activity against NCI-H460 tumor cells, this phytochemical induced toxic effects in non-tumoral cells, and thus needs to be considered carefully prior to pharmacological use therapeutically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Various sources of radiation including radiofrequency, electromagnetic radiation (EMR), low- dose X-radiation, low-level microwave radiation and ionizing radiation (IR) are indispensable parts of modern life. In the current review, we discussed the adaptive responses of biological systems to radiation with a focus on the impacts of radiation-induced oxidative stress (RIOS) and its molecular downstream signaling pathways. Materials and methods: A comprehensive search was conducted in Web of Sciences, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Keywords included Mesh terms of "radiation," "electromagnetic radiation," "adaptive immunity," "oxidative stress," and "immune checkpoints." Manuscripts published up until December 2019 were included. Results: RIOS induces various molecular adaptors connected with adaptive responses in radiation exposed cells. One of these adaptors includes p53 which promotes various cellular signaling pathways. RIOS also activates the intrinsic apoptotic pathway by depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential and activating the caspase apoptotic cascade. RIOS is also involved in radiation-induced proliferative responses through interaction with mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPks) including p38 MAPK, ERK, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Protein kinase B (Akt)/phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway has also been reported to be involved in RIOS-induced proliferative responses. Furthermore, RIOS promotes genetic instability by introducing DNA structural and epigenetic alterations, as well as attenuating DNA repair mechanisms. Inflammatory transcription factors including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT-3) paly major role in RIOS-induced inflammation. Conclusion: In conclusion, RIOS considerably contributes to radiation induced adaptive responses. Other possible molecular adaptors modulating RIOS-induced responses are yet to be divulged in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a clinical perspective, there is a need for a reliable and comprehensive list of diseases causing AA amyloidosis. This list could guide clinicians in the evaluation of patients with AA amyloidosis in whom an obvious cause is lacking. In this systematic review, a PubMed, Embase and Web of Science literature search were performed on causes of AA amyloidosis published in the last four decades. Initially, 4066 unique titles were identified, but only 795 full-text articles and letters were finally selected for analysis. Titles were excluded because of non-AA type of amyloidosis, language, no full-text publication or irrelevance. Hundred and fifty diseases were initially reported to be associated with the development of AA amyloidosis. The presence of AA amyloid was proven in 208 articles (26% of all) of which 140 (67%) showed a strong association with an underlying disease process. Disease associations were categorized and 48 were listed as strong, 19 as weak, 23 as unclear, and 60 as unlikely. Most newly described diseases are not really unexpected because they often cause longstanding inflammation. Based on the spectrum of identified causes, a pragmatic diagnostic approach is proposed for the AA amyloidosis patient in whom an obvious underlying disease is lacking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While much research has been published on the Compost Heat Recovery Systems (CHRs), little has been documented on the design and performance evaluation of the Hydronic compost heat exchangers using numerical and computational methods, occasionally resulting in compost process inhibition. A CHRs (0.036 m3/7.2 m2) Hydronic-type heat exchanger and 12.43 m2/2.83 m3, compost reactor (CR), was designed and developed with the main objective of evaluating the design and its performance. The numerical design and performance evaluation was achieved by using Kern's and the effectiveness and Number of Transfer Units methods (ε-NTU), respectively. Empirically, data were captured by using the Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thermocouples connected to the TC-8 Picolog Data loggers. Data validation (empirical and mathematical), was achieved by modifying a free computer-based software developed by the Chemical Engineering Calculations (CHECAL), into a Hydronic Compost Heat Exchanger design and performance evaluation software (HYDROCOHE). Between the HYDROCOHE and numerical, and between empirical and HYDROCOHE, R2 values of 0.99938–0.9995, and R2 of 0.99269–0.9432 with the effectiveness of 0.4853–0.4848 were achieved with 0.99 kW-empirical and 2.10 kW-HYDROCOHE, respectively. The power disparity may be ascribed to the compost reactor's insufficient thermal insulation. Counterflow arrangement was more effective (0.4766) than crossflow (0.4622) and parallelflow (0.4430) setups. Parallelflow heat exchanger system, therefore, has the potential to extract heat steadily, minimizing the composting cycle inhibition. Further work on the impact of various flowrates on the direction of flow and heat extraction is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

4-Hydroxynonenal (HNE), a major end-product of free-radical activated peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, has attracted great scientific interest. HNE is more stable than free radicals and can diffuse within the cell or leave it and react with targets far from the initial site. These reactive aldehyde species are considerably reactive, producing multiple intra- and inter-molecular covalent adducts with biomolecules such as proteins, DNA and phospholipids. HNE is the most intensively studied aldehyde in relation to its physiological and protective function as a signalling molecule that stimulates gene expression and cell survival, as well as for its pathophysiological role as a toxic messenger that can propagate and amplify oxidative injury and promote mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent form of chronic liver disease in the world associated with oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and hepatocellular apoptosis. In this review we focus our attention on the molecular mechanism of the signalling and regulatory action of HNE. The role of HNE as a potent mediator for progression of liver injury in NAFLD is also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decades, consumer´s preference for and their attention to food products presented as healthy and with favorable nutritional information has been significantly increased. In this line, both the addition of dietary fiber and the incorporation of probiotic strains in the elaboration of fermented meat products has been established as a useful tool for the development of healthy products. Thus, the aim of this review is to present an overview of the studies involving fermented meat products with added dietary fiber and probiotic microorganisms, and also, to discuss about some of the challenges regarding the reformulation of this innovative product category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aldehydes are carbonyl compounds found ubiquitously in the environment, derived from both natural and anthropogenic sources. As the aldehydes are reactive species, therefore, they are generally toxic to the body. To reduce the toxicity and pathogenesis related to aldehydes, the human body contains several aldehyde metabolizing enzyme systems including aldehyde oxidases, cytochrome P450 enzymes, aldo-ketoreductases, alcohol dehydrogenases, short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases and aldehyde dehydrogenases (ALDHs). These enzyme systems maintain a low level of aldehydes in the body by catalytically converting them into less-harmful and easily excreted products. The human ALDH (hALDH) superfamily consists of 20 functional ALDH genes identified so far at distinct chromosomal locations, expressing 20 ALDH proteins, which belong to 11 different ALDH families. They are involved in the NAD(P)+-dependent oxidation of a wide range of exogenous and endogenous aldehydes to their corresponding carboxylic acids. The hALDHs are present in all sub-cellular locations and have a wide tissue distribution. This review gives an account of aldehydes; their source, toxicity and metabolism, different aldehyde metabolizing enzymes with special emphasis on ALDHs including their biochemical, physiological and pathophysiological roles in the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Systemic and uncontrolled administration of erlotinib hydrochloride (ETB) is associated with severe toxicity. A novel targeted and extended release nanosponge (NS) was synthesized from glutathione (GHS) by a one-step reaction between β-cyclodextrin and pyromellitic dianhydride at room temperature for delivery of ETB in lung cancer. Characterization studies were performed using sophisticated instruments. In-vitro release study was performed in the presence of incremental concentrations of GHS which was analyzed using HPLC. Cell cytotoxicity study was evaluated on human lung cancer (A549) cell lines. In-vivo tumour inhibition and biodistribution of ETB-loaded GHS-NS (ETB-NS) were performed on BALB/c mice. NS obtained was spherical, size 212 ± 2.45 nm and high drug entrapment (92.34 ± 5.31%) (p < .001). In-vitro extended drug release (76.89 ± 0.1% release at 168 h), which was directly proportional to the concentration of GHS, demonstrated tumour targeting. There was enhanced in-vitro cytotoxicity and 97.5% inhibition in tumour growth on administering NS when compared to plain ETB (48% inhibition) indicating targeting of NS to the tumour site. Biodistribution study and in-vivo tumour growth inhibition study revealed drug release to the cancerous cell, thus preventing unnecessary drug exposure. ETB-NS exhibits extended drug release proportional to the external GSH concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biomarkers of oxidative stress are relevant in the evaluation of the disease status and prooxidant-antioxidant balance, advanced oxidation protein products and lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal) are being extensively evaluated regarding their relationship with clinical presentation and disease severity. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to evaluate the levels of the above-mentioned parameters in plasma of 39 men and 17 women with Parkinson's disease, originated from the Republic of Serbia and their relation to clinicopathological characteristics (gender, age at examination, duration of the disease, and Hoehn and Yahr score) and oxidative status. Results: The incidence of disease was 2:1 towards males. The investigated oxidative parameters were gender and Hoehn and Yahr related. Significant association of higher Hoehn and Yahr scores was observed for malondialdehyde (p = 0.01) and prooxidant-antioxidant balance (p = 0.02). Relation between oxidant-antioxidant status was further supported by observed positive correlation between 4-hydroxynonenal (p = 0.04) and prooxidant-antioxidant balance (p = 0.03). Finally, the multivariate analysis indicated that prooxidant-antioxidant balance and malondialdehyde were partially determined by gender (10.6% and 7.6%) and Hoehn and Yahr scores (13.6% and 18.8%), while Hoehn and Yahr scores contributed to the variance of advanced oxidation protein products with 13.2%. Conclusion: Our results indicate the higher level of oxidative stress (oxidant-antioxidant imbalance) and possible relation of several markers with gender and disease stage in patients with Parkinson's disease. The analyzed markers could be used to specify the severity of oxidative stress; however, their potential value should be analyzed in further studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability of certain cancer cells to maintain a highly reduced intracellular environment is correlated with aggressiveness and drug resistance. Since the glutathione (GSH) and thioredoxin (TRX) systems cooperate to a tight regulation of ROS in cell physiology, and to a stimulation of tumour initiation and progression, modulation of the GSH and TRX pathways are emerging as new potential targets in cancer. In vivo methods to assess changes in tumour redox status are critically needed to assess the relevance of redox-targeted agents. The current study assesses in vitro and in vivo biomarkers of tumour redox status in response to treatments targeting the GSH and TRX pathways, by comparing cytosolic and mitochondrial redox nitroxide electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) probes, and cross-validation with redox dynamic fluorescent measurement. For that purpose, the effect of the GSH modulator buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) and of the TRX reductase inhibitor auranofin were measured in vitro using both cytosolic and mitochondrial EPR and roGFP probes in breast and cervical cancer cells. In vivo, mice bearing breast or cervical cancer xenografts were treated with the GSH or TRX modulators and monitored using the mito-TEMPO spin probe. Our data highlight the importance of using mitochondria-targeted spin probes to assess changes in tumour redox status induced by redox modulators. Further in vivo validation of the mito-tempo spin probe with alternative in vivo methods should be considered, yet the spin probe used in vivo in xenografts demonstrated sensitivity to the redox status modulators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Application of the Markov approach in the reliability analysis of phased-mission systems (PMS) may encounter the problem of state space explosion. In this paper, a relationship is derived to compute the non-zero elements of the transition rate matrix (TRM) of a Markov model on the basis of the states binary description. Moreover, a TRM compressed storage scheme (TRMCS) is proposed, and an algorithm for matrix vector multiplication under TRMCS is presented. A method to solve the state probability vector using the Krylov subspace is proposed. The performance and the effectiveness of the proposed methods are demonstrated through a typical example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Acrolein is a potent irritant and a vesicant that was used by the French during WWI as the warfare agent named: “papite”. Nowadays, it is produced in large amounts all over the world in the industry for the production of acrylic acid and for agriculture use as herbicide. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of acute eye exposure to acrolein vapor and to evaluate the efficacy of a topical post-exposure combination treatment with a local anesthetic and a steroid. Methods: Rabbit eyes were exposed to three doses of acrolein vapor (low, intermediate and high) and treated topically with either 0.4% benoxinate hydrochloride (localin, for 2 h) or dexamethasone (dexamycin, for 6 days) or a combination of both drugs. Clinical follow-up using slit lamp examinations and histological evaluation was performed 4 weeks post-exposure. Results: Acrolein vapor caused immediate eye closure with excess tearing, corneal erosions and severe inflammation of the anterior chamber. This was followed by corneal neovascularization (NV) starting as early as 1 week post-exposure. The damage to the eyes was long lasting, and at 4 weeks following exposure, significant pathological changes were observed. Immediate post-exposure application of the local anesthetic, localin, prevented the eye closure, and the dexamycin treatment reduced significantly the initial inflammation as well as the extent and incidence of corneal NV. Conclusions: Short-term eye exposure to the irritant acrolein may result in immediate eye closure and long lasting pathologies that could lead to blindness. An anti-inflammatory treatment combined with short-term application of a local anesthetic prevents incapacitation and might minimize significantly the extent of eye injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We performed a cross-sectional, multicentre study in Japan to detect the differences in biomarkers of exposure and cardiovascular biomarkers between smokers and non-smokers. Several clinically relevant cardiovascular biomarkers differed significantly between smokers and non-smokers, including lipid metabolism (high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations – lower in smokers), inflammation (fibrinogen and white blood cell count – both higher in smokers), oxidative stress (8-epi-prostaglandin F2α – higher in smokers) and platelet activation (11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 – higher in smokers) (p ≤ 0.0001). These results provide further evidence showing that cardiovascular biomarkers can discriminate smokers from non-smokers, and could be used to evaluate the risks associated with tobacco products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial dysfunction is centrally involved in heart ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Increased reactive oxygen species production, impaired respiratory chain complexes activity and opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore have been suggested as possible factors responsible for mitochondrial dysfunction in heart I/R injury. Cardiolipin (CL), a phospholipid of the inner mitochondrial membrane, plays an important role in mitochondrial bioenergetics. CL alterations have been shown to play a causative role in mitochondrial dysfunction in a variety of pathological conditions, as well as in cell death. The role of CL alterations in mitochondrial dysfunction in heart I/R injury is here reviewed. Several cardioprotective strategies to prevent myocardial injury during I/R targeting mitochondrial CL are also examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, an attempt was made to derive wind speeds from the wave parameters recorded by a high-frequency (HF) radar by resorting to the techniques of an artificial neural network (ANN) and a model tree (MT) and by considering it as an inverse-modelling problem. The time series of significant wave height, average wave period, wave direction and wind direction collected over the years 2007 and 2008 by the Bodega Marine Laboratory (BML) at the Bodega Bay, California, were used along with the corresponding wind speeds measured by a floating buoy in the vicinity. The ANN and MT models were trained and tested using alternative data splits to assess their performance over varying sample sizes. Both these methods worked very well in this application, with the ANN showing better flexibility in model fitting. This study thus indicates that data-driven methods can be effectively used to derive unobserved wind speed values in HF radar measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ovarian Sertoli-Leydig cell tumours (SLCT), also termed arrhenoblastomas, are the most frequent virilising tumours in women of reproductive age. Very rare secretory Brenner tumours (BT) have been described, generally after the menopause. A 31-year-old woman sought medical advice for secondary amenorrhoea, progressive hirsutism and a 5-year history of virilisation syndrome with clitoromegaly. Testosterone was markedly high (285 ng/dl, N<85) with moderate elevation of delta 4-androstenedione (D4AD) (311 ng/dl, N <270), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) (366 μμg/dl, N <340) and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17OHP) (275 ng/dl). LH was 9 IU/l, FSH 4.3 IU/l, estradiol 60 pg/ml and progesterone 314 ng/100 ml. Cortisol was decreased (1.3 μμg/dl) after the dexamethasone suppression test. Pelvic MRI showed a 5-cm right ovarian tumour with a 2.5 cm nodular component and cystic areas, and two nodules measuring 11 mm and 15 mm above the right and left ovaries. After right ovariectomy by laparoscopy, pathological examination concluded on a 3-cm SLCT and a 2-cm BT; the nodules above the ovaries were dysembryoplastic cysts. Postoperatively, testosterone level was normal after 24 h (26 ng/dl), estradiol and progesterone rapidly decreased, cyclic secretion then resumed and the patient menstruated at day 27. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an ovarian tumour associating a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumour and a Brenner tumour in a patient with virilisation syndrome which resolved after ovariectomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulation and forecasting of significant wave heights and average zero-cross wave periods in real time are done for a specified location, given the past observed sequence of wind speed and wind direction. This is based on time series forecasting implemented using the two recent data-driven methods of genetic programming (GP) and model trees (MT). The wave buoy measurements made at eight different offshore locations around the west as well as the east coast in India are considered. Both genetic programming and model trees perform satisfactorily in the given task of wind-wave simulation and forecasting as reflected in the values of the six different error statistics employed to assess the performance of developed models over testing sets of data. Although the magnitudes of error statistics do not indicate a significant difference between the performance of GP and MT, qualitative scatter diagrams and time histories showed the tendency of MT to estimate higher waves more correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to many forms of cellular stress, including DNA damage, the p53 protein functions to induce growth arrest, DNA repair, or apoptosis. Common allele variants in the TP53 gene modulate pathways of lung carcinogenesis and susceptibility to or prognosis of lung cancer. The prognostic role of the polymorphism was assessed in 422 subjects using PCR-RFLP. Logistic regression analysis showed a dominant presentation of Pro/Pro homozygotes in lung carcinoma population than in control population (OR = 2.1, P = 0.003). We further investigated the association of p53 codon 72 polymorphism with prognosis in 170 lung cancer patients. Kaplan-Meier survival analyses showed a significant difference in survival between p53 variant genotypes and overall survival (P = 0.02). Cox regression analysis showed p53 Arg72Pro heterozygous genotype was overall an independent prognostic factor (Risk ratio of death, 2.2; P = 0.02), suggesting Pro72Pro genotype to be a potential risk factor favoring the development of lung carcinoma and that Arg72Pro genotype is independently associated with a poorer prognosis of lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is highly prevalent and its pathogenesis is still not completely clarified. Clinically stable patients ( n =21) and healthy subjects ( n =24) were studied for blood markers of oxidative injury and antioxidant status. The plasma concentration of protein carbonyls was significantly increased in COPD patients, both ex-smokers (0.76&PlusMinus;0.28 nmol mg -1 ) and smokers (0.99&PlusMinus;0.20 nmol mg -1 ) versus controls (0.49&PlusMinus;0.14 nmol mg -1 ). The concentration of total thiols was slightly enhanced in plasma of the COPD patients (ex-smokers 492&PlusMinus;23 μmol l -1 and smokers 505&PlusMinus;36 μmol l -1 versus controls 450&PlusMinus;67 μmol l -1 ; p <0.05). The activity of the antioxidant enzyme superoxide dismutase was increased in erythrocytes (activity in U g -1 haemoglobin: ex-smokers 4460&PlusMinus;763 and smokers 4114&PlusMinus;1060 versus 3015&PlusMinus;851 in controls; p <0.01), while glutathione peroxidase activity was decreased in total blood (activity in U g -1 haemoglobin: ex-smokers 27&PlusMinus;9 and smokers 23&PlusMinus;9 versus 47&PlusMinus;25; p <0.01). Lower levels of selenium in plasma were also found for COPD patients (concentration in mg l -1 : ex-smokers 0.030&PlusMinus;0.019 and smokers 0.032&PlusMinus;0.024 versus 0.058&PlusMinus;0.023 in controls; p <0.01), being more evident in those with very low levels of arterial oxygen pressure. In addition, the levels of potassium and rubidium were increased in blood cells of the patient group. All these changes might reflect oxidant damage and an altered electrolytic homeostasis and can be interpreted as markers of COPD rather than as indicators of smoking habits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Acute lymphoblastic leukemia presenting with avascular necrosis of the elbow," by Kevin Kelly and colleagues.

Avascular necrosis of bone is a well-described complication of cancer chemotherapy containing corticosteroids and has been observed in lymphomas and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). This study reports the case of a young male patient in whom avascular necrosis of right femur head was the presenting feature of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The temporal association in this instance implicates a pathophysiologic relationship between the development of ALL and necrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]