Role of erythropoeitin in prevention of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy

Neurotoxicity complicates the use of several commonly administered chemotherapeutic agents (platinum based alkylating agents, taxanes and vinca alkaloids), with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy being the most common manifestation. Structural damage to the peripheral nervous system results in positive symptoms, e.g., allodynia, hyperalgesia and pain with unpleasant features as burning and shooting. Patients are unable to complete full or optimal treatment schedules. The pathophysiologic basis of nerve injury in chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy is incompletely understood and appears to be unique for each class of the chemotherapeutic agents. Erythropoeitin (EPO), a well-established hematopoietic factor, is a very effective and widely used treatment for anemia in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. It also possesses generalized neuroprotective and neurotrophic properties. Co-treatment of chemotherapy and erythropoietin has been proposed for preventing or reversing the disabling peripheral neuropathy induced by the different chemotherapeutic agents. This study first describes the pathophysiological background of the clinically relevant chemotherapeutic agents-inducing peripheral neuropathy. Secondly, the possible mechanisms that might underlie the neuroprotective effect of erythropoietin in chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. Further clinical trials of EPO in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and suffering from neurological symptoms seem to be warranted in the future. This might improve the quality of life in cancer patients.     

Genome wide association study of grain yield and yield related traits in spring bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under drought and heat conditions in three different locations

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Abiotic stress, especially drought and heat, affects cereal yields and wheat production worldwide, more particularly in West and South Asia, North...     

Synthesis of a DDT analogue with crown ether substituents

Based on considerations of membrane activity, a DDT analogue containing crown ether moieties has been conceived and prepared. The preparation of the compound represents a novel route for obtaining crown ether derivatives.     

Floristic composition and vegetation: Environmental relationships of Wadi Fatimah,Mecca, Saudi Arabia

The present study aimed to determine floristic composition, the structure of the vegetation, and species distribution at 16 sample plots in Wadi Fatimah, Mecca, Saudi Arabia, highlighting the ecological factors that affect species distribution. The study revealed 100 plant species belonging to 34 families. Fabaceae and Poaceae were the dominant families, and chamaephytes and therophytes were predominant life forms, which demonstrate a typical desert life-form spectrum. Altitude showed a highly significant association with species frequency distribution. The highest species richness value of 23 species per plot was recorded in the coastal plain (Vegetation groups II & III). The lowest species richness value of 9 species per plot was recorded in the littoral salt marsh (Vegetation group I). Chorological analysis exhibited the Saharao-Arabian–Sudano-Zambezian chorotypes, 47% of the studied species were bi-regional. Using TWINSPAN, DCA, and CCA multivariate analysis, four major vegetation groups were classified into three main ecosystems (I) Halopeplis perfoliata, Suaeda fruticosa, Acacia tortilis, and Suaeda fruticosa, representing the littoral salt marsh; (II) Rhazya stricta and Haloxylon salicornicum, characterized by the coastal plain; and (III) Senna italica, Glinus lotoides, and Tribulus macropterus were the leading groups in the inland mountainous country. The CCA ordination showed that the separation of Vegetation group III along the axis was affected by Mg, K, and P concentration, and VG IV was significantly associated with silt, clay, and fine sand content. Furthermore, the Vegetation group I was significantly correlated with Na and Ca concentration, and VG II group was significantly correlated with heavy metal concentrations of elements as Fe, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cu.     

Effect of maturity on chlorophyll, tannin, color, and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity of sugarcane juice (Saccharum officinarum Var. Yellow Cane)

A study was conducted to determine the effect of sugarcane maturation on the contents of chlorophyll, tannin, and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity and on color change of sugarcane juice. The maturation period of the cane studied was between 3 and 10 months after planting. Different parts of the cane, namely, the top, middle, and bottom portions, were analyzed. Results obtained indicated that there were significant (P < 0.01) decreases in total chlorophyll a and b and tannin contents during maturity followed by slower rates of decrease of both parameters at the end of maturity stages. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in chlorophyll and tannin contents between the middle and bottom portions. On the other hand, the top portion of the stem had a significantly (P < 0.01) lower concentration of chlorophyll and a significantly (P < 0.01) higher content of tannin. PPO activity of sugarcane juice was determined using chlorogenic acid as a substrate. There was a highly significant difference (P < 0.01) in PPO activity of cane juice during maturity. PPO activity was high at the early development stage, decreased during maturation, and then remained relatively constant at the end of maturity. PPO activity was higher when chlorogenic acid was used as substrate. There were also significant differences (P < 0.01) in juice color (L*, a*, b* values) from different portions at different maturity stages. At the early stages, the color of extracted juice was dark, and then the juice turned to yellowish green during maturity. The decrease in green color or the increase in the yellow color could be associated with the decline in chlorophyll. The overall color change (DeltaE) at maturity indicated that the color of the middle and bottom portions was lower than that of the top portion.     

Payments for ecosystem services in developing world fisheries

Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) is a powerful economic tool that gives positive conditional incentives for the provision of additional ecosystem services over the status quo, which has been used widely in terrestrial conservation. Interest in the concept of marine PES has recently emerged, but the fluid, transboundary and often common pool nature of marine ecosystems presents challenges for PES design and implementation. Here, we consider the potential role of PES in addressing current gaps in fisheries management. Used in combination with conventional regulatory approaches, PES may increase private sector engagement and generate more sustainable financing for fisheries management whilst spreading accountability throughout the supply chain. The approach is most likely to be feasible and effective in commercially valuable fisheries with: (i) demand for one or more ecosystem service and a threat to supply; (ii) suitable baseline data available and potential management actions underpinned by robust science; (iii) clarity and security of property rights; (iv) capacity for hybrid multi‐level governance; (v) capacity for rigorous monitoring, control and surveillance; and (vi) potential for financial sustainability of the scheme. An examination of four contrasting fisheries – Namibian hake, Mozambican shallow‐water shrimp, Western and Central Pacific skipjack tuna and Bangladesh hilsa – demonstrates that a developing world fishery will rarely fulfil each of these preconditions a priori, but that the potential for successful application of PES still exists. In practice, PES design will depend on the institutional context and require creative and innovative approaches to the maintenance of conditionality and additionality.     

Effect of space on the multiplication of the reniform nematode,Rotylenchulus reniformis Lin. & Ol. on cowpea,Vigna sinensis

The effect of space on the multiplication of the reniform nematode,Rotylenchulus reniformis on cowpea was determined under green house conditions. Both plant growth as estimated by root and shoot weights as well as its lengths and multiplication of the reniform nematode were greatly affected by the amount of space (soil). The population ofR. reniformis increased with an increase in the amount of space (soil) around seedling; highest being observed at 1,250 g of soil. The growth pattern of cowpea was attaining highest growth in 1,000 g of soil. Population ofR. reniformis increased with an increase in soil up to 1,250 g with 5 seedlings. The growth of cowpea was highest in 500 g of soil with 2 seedlings.     

Growth,yield components,and yield response of food barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to the application of sulfur nutrient under balanced fertilization at North Central Highland of Ethiopia

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Deficiency of sulfur (S) is increasingly being reported in the soils of Ethiopia. While some studies have shown significant response of barley to S...     

Antidiabetic activity evaluation of glimepiride and Nerium oleander extract on insulin, glucose levels and some liver enzymes activities in experimental diabetic rat model

The present study is aimed to assess the therapeutic potential of sulfonylurea drug glimepiride in comparison with Nerium oleander plant extract on insulin, glucose levels and some liver enzymes activities in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Rats were rendered diabetic by intraperitoneal injection of a single dose of 50 mg kg(-1) body weight streptozotocin. Rats with serum glucose levels > 200 mg dL(-1) were subdivided into three sub-groups: the first sub-group were remained without treatment and considered as diabetics. The second and third subgroups were orally administered 0.1 mg kg(-1) body weight/day glimepiride and 250 mg kg(-1) body weight/day Nerium oleander, respectively for 4 weeks. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats showed hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia compared to controls. Strong negative correlation (r = -0.8) was found between serum insulin and glucose levels in diabetic rats. This correlation was +0.4 and -0.3 in glimepiride and Nerium olender-treated rats, respectively implying that glimepiride and plant extract improved insulin and glucose levels with the former was more efficient. The activities of serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were significantly increased in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats compared to controls. Treatment of diabetic rats with glimepiride or Nerium oleander extract also improved liver enzymes activities.