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Abstract Background In vivo preclinical imaging of spinal cord injury (SCI) in rodent models provides clinically relevant information in translational research. This paper uses multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate neurovascular pathology and changes in blood spinal cord barrier (BSCB) permeability following SCI in a mouse model of SCI. Methods C57BL/6 female mice (n = 5) were subjected to contusive injury at the thoracic T11 level and scanned on post injury days 1 and 3 using anatomical, dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The injured cords were evaluated postmortem with histopathological stains specific to neurovascular changes. A computational model was implemented to map local changes in barrier function from the contrast enhancement. The area and volume of spinal cord tissue with dysfunctional barrier were determined using semi-automatic segmentation. Results Quantitative maps derived from the acquired DCE-MRI data depicted the degree of BSCB permeability variations in injured spinal cords. At the injury sites, the damaged barriers occupied about 70% of the total cross section and 48% of the total volume on day 1, but the corresponding measurements were reduced to 55% and 25%, respectively on day 3. These changes implied spatio-temporal remodeling of microvasculature and its architecture in injured SC. Diffusion computations included longitudinal and transverse diffusivities and fractional anisotropy index. Comparison of permeability and diffusion measurements indicated regions of injured cords with dysfunctional barriers had structural changes in the form of greater axonal loss and demyelination, as supported by histopathologic assessments. Conclusion The results from this study collectively demonstrated the feasibility of quantitatively mapping regional BSCB dysfunction in injured cord in mouse and obtaining complementary information about its structural integrity using in vivo DCE-MRI and DTI protocols. This capability is expected to play an important role in characterizing the neurovascular changes and reorganization following SCI in longitudinal preclinical experiments, but with potential clinical implications.

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as preservatives add with variable concentrations to corn oil to may improve the shelf life. AuNPs was prepared by pyrolysis in oleic acid then sample was characterized by transmission electron microscope and UV spectroscopy. Rancidity analyses and microbiological properties were performed through storage periods. The results showed that AuNPs decreases total bacterial count and chemical analyses except iodine value but shelf life increases compared to control sample. Practical applications It is of interest to know that, gold nanoparticles not only have the antibacterial function, but also have good safe guarantee in human edible and touchable fields. It is nontoxic, odorless, and safe having passed the FDA attestation in the United States. The future prospective of these nanomaterials give a wide range of chances for the development of innovative products and applications in the food system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was designed to evaluate the effects of rice bran (RB) or its oil (RBO) on lipid metabolism, hepatic insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and hepatic expression of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-Co A (HMG-CoA) reductase in rats fed high-fructose diet (HFD). Rats were divided into four groups: Group 1, animals received standard diet as control, while groups 2, 3 and 4 were fed on a HFD. Groups 3 and 4 animals fed HFD containing RB (5%) instead of cellulose and RBO (10%) instead of corn oil, respectively for 5 weeks. Fructose feeding to rats caused significant elevations in plasma glucose, serum insulin, and lipid profile, while serum total antioxidant capacity was significantly reduced compared to control. Hepatic concentration of IRS-1 was decreased while malondialdehyde (MDA) and HMG-CoA reductase mRNA were elevated compared to control group. Addition of RB or RBO to fructose fed rats alleviated the hazardous effects of fructose. Practical applications Rats fed high-fructose diet were used as a model of insulin resistance accompanied by deleterious metabolic consequences including hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, glucose intolerance, hypertriglyceridemia and hypertension in rats and these metabolic effects are similar to those observed in human multi-metabolic syndrome X. Supplementation of rice bran or rice bran oil to fructose-fed rats improves insulin resistance and reduces lipo- and glucotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diabetes mellitus continues to be a public health concern. Vitamin D had sparked widespread interest in the pathogenesis and prevention of diabetes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D (deficiency & treatment) with alteration in fasting plasma glucose, insulin resistance in alloxan injected rat. Materials and methods: The experiment was carried out using 40 male albino rats (Sprague Dawley) weighing 150±10g. Animals were randomly divided into three groups; first group fed standard diet as a negative control group. Diabetic group injected subcutaneously by alloxan, and fed on standard diet. The third group fed standard diet without vitamin D for two weeks. After that glucose and insulin were determined in each rat of all groups to insure alteration in fasting plasma glucose, insulin resistance, Homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) was calculated. Then the third group was divided to two subgroups. The first subgroup fed basil diet with required vitamin D; while the second subgroup fed standard diet with double dose vitamin D. At the end experiment (4 weeks), glucose, insulin, lipid profile, liver and renal functions were determined in blood and serum, while (HOMA-IR) and LDL were calculated for normal, diabetic group and both treatment subgroups. Results: Vitamin D deficiency group had the nearest results to the diabetic group injected with alloxan group in: insulin, glucose and HOMA-IR. Other groups had lower level than the other two groups in the same parameter. Our data explained the improvement in glucose level after feeding with vitamin D. Diabetic group injected with alloxan had increased in liver enzymes, renal function and lipid profile compared with other groups and showed variable changes in histopathological examination. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency status is associated with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. Vitamin D improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Vitamin D has also been shown to reduce the risk of diabetes associated complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In vivo preclinical imaging of spinal cord injury (SCI) in rodent models provides clinically relevant information in translational research. This paper uses multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate neurovascular pathology and changes in blood spinal cord barrier (BSCB) permeability following SCI in a mouse model of SCL Methods: C57BU6 female mice (n = 5) were subjected to contusive injury at the thoracic Tl I level and scanned on post injury days I and 3 using anatomical, dynamic contrast-enhanced (DCE-MRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The injured cords were evaluated postmortem with histopathological stains specific to neurovascular changes. A computational model was implemented to map local changes in barrier function from the contrast enhancement The area and volume of spinal cord tissue with dysfunctional barrier were determined using semi-automatic segmentation. Results; Quantitative maps derived from the acquired DCE-MRI data depicted the degree of BSCB permeability variations in injured spinal cords. At the injury sites, the damaged barriers occupied about 70% of the total cross section and 4B% of the total volume on day onebut the corresponding measurements were reduced to 55% and 25%, respectively on day 3. These changes implied spatio-temporal remodeling of microvasculature and its architecture in injured SC. Diffusion computations included longitudinal and transverse diffusivities and fractional anisotropy index. Comparison of permeability and diffusion measurements indicated regions of injured cords with dysfunctional barriers had structural changes in the form of greater axonal loss and demylineation, as supported by histopathologic assessments. Conclusion; The results from this study collectively demonstrated the feasibility of quantitatively mapping regional BSCB dysfunction in injured cord in mouse and obtaining complementary information about its structural integrity using in vivo DCE-MRI and DTI protocols. This capability is expected to play an important role in characterizing the neurovascular changes and reorganization following SCI in longitudinal preclinical experiments, but with potential clinical implications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]