The beneficial effect of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate in an experimental model of Alzheimer's disease in rat: a behavioral analysis

BACKGROUND: Progressive cognitive decline is one of the hallmark symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) which can be modeled by beta-amyloid injection into specific regions of brain. Since epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a potent antioxidant agent which its role against oxidative stress and inflammation has been shown in prior studies, we tried to determine whether EGCG administration protects against beta-amyloid-induced memory and coordination impairment in rats. METHODS: Animals (male Wistar rats) were divided into four groups: sham operated, EGCG-pretreated sham operated (sham+EGCG), untreated lesion (lesion), and EGCG-pretreated lesion (lesion+EGCG). Animals in lesion, lesion+EGCG, and sham+EGCG groups received sterile saline or saline plus EGCG (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneally one day pre-surgery and every other day for three weeks. The lesion was induced one day after EGCG pretreatment by injection of 4 microl of sterile saline or water containing 2 nmol/microl beta-amyloid (1-40) into the hippocampal fissure. For behavioral analysis, psychomotor coordination (PMC) index and spontaneous alternation behavior were assessed using Rota-rod Treadmill and Y-maze, respectively at the third week post-lesion. RESULTS: We found that beta-amyloid (1-40) injection into hippocampus can decrease these behavioral indexes in lesion group in comparison with sham group which is similar to behavioral changes in AD. On the other hand, pretreatment with EGCG can improve the PMC index and spatial Y-maze alternation in the lesion+EGCG group in comparison with lesion group. CONCLUSION: We concluded that EGCG can be effective in restoring beta-amyloid-induced behavioral derangements in rats regarding coordination and memory abilities.     

The effects of electromagnetic field on the microstructure of seminal vesicles in rat: a light and transmission electron microscope study

In the industrial world, almost everyone is unavoidably exposed to ambient electromagnetic field (EMF) generated from various technical and household appliances. Controversy exists about the effects of EMF on various tissues of the living bodies. Seminal vesicles as one of these accessory glands play an important role in natural seminal fluid formation and the effects of EMF on its tissue is worthy of investigation. In order to examine this 30 rat were selected and kept for one weeks in quarantine and 15 (experimental group) were exposed to 50 Hz (non-ionizing radiation) during postnatal life for 2 months. The materials were processed and observed under a light and transmission electron microscope. In the experimental rats epithelial and basal cells showed significant destructions presented by heterochromatin and dense nuclei. Cell debris and abnormal areas was recognizable in the stromal connective tissue. Obvious vacuolization was present within the epithelial cell cytoplasm and also between the cellular organelles. The nuclei of the endothelial cells of the blood vessels were more rigid and endothelial cell cytoplasm contained a lot of vacuoles and pinoctotic vesicles. The results suggested that EMF exposure may cause profound changes in the vesicle seminal tissues. Therefore exposure to EMF may result in pathological changes that lead to sub fertility and infertility.     

Early detection of immunization: a study based on an animal model using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Vaccines require a period of at least three months for clinical trials, hence a method that can identify elicitation of immune response a few days after the first dose is a necessity. Evolutionary variable selections are modeling approaches for proper manipulation of available data which were used to set up an animal model for classification of time dependent 1HNMR metabolomic profiles and pattern recognition of fluctuations of metabolites in two groups of male rabbits. One group of rabbits was immunized with human red blood cells and the other used as control. Blood was obtained every 48 h from each rabbit for a period of six weeks and the serum monitored for antibodies and metabolites by 1HNMR spectra. Evaluation of data was carried out using orthogonal signal correction followed by principal component analysis and partial least square. A neural network was also set up to predict immunization profiles. A distinct separation in patterns of significant metabolites was obtained between the two groups, just a few days after the first and the second dose. These metabolites were used as targets of neural networks where each sample was used as test, validation and training and their quantitative influence predicted by regression. This model could be used for prediction of immunization in rabbits a few days after the first dose with 96% accuracy. Similar animals and human vaccine trials would assist greatly in reaching early conclusions in advance of the usual two month immunization schedule; resulting in an appreciable saving of cost and time.     

Arsenic-prone rice cultivars: a study in endemic region

Rice is prone to arsenic accumulation compared to other cereals as typically grown up under waterlogged situation favoring arsenic mobility. Arsenic in rice depends on arsenic availability to plants from irrigation water, even differs among cultivars and their plant parts. Present study was concentrated on arsenic accumulation in various plant parts of five common rice cultivars grown using irrigation water from different water sources in various fields in arsenic-endemic region. Additionally, dose response experiment under laboratory net house was conducted on the same cultivars excluding open environmental factors. The common cultivars were categorized according to high to low arsenic accumulator in rice grain, straw and root parts. The cultivar Shatabdi has shown highest arsenic accumulation in rice grain compared to other rice cultivars in fields and when grown at various soil arsenic doses. In field samples, a highest grain arsenic concentration ranged between 0.69 ± 0.04 and 0.78 ± 0.12 mg kg^?1 for Shatabdi, whereas lowest grain arsenic concentration ranged between 0.37 ± 0.07 and 0.41 ± 0.07 mg kg^?1 for the cultivars GB3 and Lalat. Speciation study detected more inorganic arsenic than organoarsenicals with a trend of arsenite > arsenate > DMA > MMA, which would be problem for consumers. The concluding remark is the characterization of common rice cultivars according to arsenic concentration to highlight an important remediation strand by changing to low arsenic cultivar.     

Effect of in utero exposure of Toddy (coconut palm wine) on liver function and lipid metabolism in rat fetuses

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a country liquor Toddy (Coconut palm wine) and an equivalent quantity of ethanol on liver function and lipid metabolism in utero. Female albino rats with an average weight of 125± 5 g were exposed to Toddy from coconut palm (24.5 ml/kg-1 body weight/day) and ethanol (0.52 ml/kg body weight/day) for 15 days before conception and during pregnancy. On day 13 and day 19 of gestation, altered liver function and hyperlipidemia were seen in the fetuses of both the treated groups. Altered liver function was evidenced by the increased activity of alcohol dehydrogenase, aldehyde dehydrogenase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (aspartate amino transferase (GOT)), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (alanine amino transferase (GPT)). Hyperlipidemia was caused by increased biosynthesis since the incorporation of 14C acetate into lipids and activities of HMG CoA reductase and lipogenic enzymes were elevated. Toddy treated fetuses were more severely affected than those exposed to an equivalent quantity of ethanol. Toddy seemed to potentiate the toxicity induced by alcohol suggesting the role of non alcoholic components. Hepatic functions of the day 13 fetuses were effected to a lesser degree than those in the day 19 hepatic liver.     

Estimation of paddy water productivity (WP) using hydrological model: an experimental study

Water productivity (WP) expresses the value or benefit derived from the use of water. A profound water productivity analysis was carried out at experimental field at Field laboratory, Centre for Water Resources, Anna University, India, for rice crop under different water regimes such as flooded (FL), alternative wet and dry (AWD) and saturated soil culture (SSC). The hydrological model soil-water-atmospheric-plant (SWAP), including detailed crop growth, i.e, WOFOST (World Food Studies) model was used to determine the required hydrological variables such as transpiration, evapotranspiration and percolation, and bio-physical variables such as dry matter and grain yield. The observed values of crop growth from the experiment were used for the calibration of crop growth model WOFOST. The water productivity values are determined using SWAP and SWAP–WOFOST. The four water productivity indicators using grain yield were determined, such as water productivity of transpiration (WP_T), evapotranspiration (WP_ET), percolation plus evapotranspiration (WP_ET+Q) and irrigation plus effective rainfall (WP_I+ER). The highest value of water productivity was observed from the flooded treatment and lowest value from the saturated soil culture in WP_T and WP_ET. This study, reveals that deep groundwater level and high temperature reduces the crop yield and water productivity significantly in the AWD and SSC treatment. This study reveals that in paddy fields 66% inflow water is recharging the groundwater. There is good agreement between SWAP and SWAP–WOFOST water productivity indicators.     

The effect of hydro alcoholic nettle (Urtica dioica) extract on oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

Diabetes type 2 is a metabolic disorder that characterized by hyperglycemia and insulin resistance. Hyperglycemia and impairment of oxidant/antioxidant balance, can increase oxidative stress and increase risk of cardiovascular disease. In the present study, Effects of hydro alcoholic extract of Nettle on oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes were evaluated. Fifty patients (27 men, 23 women) with type 2 diabetes patients were studied. They received 100 mg kg(-1) of nettle extract of body weight hydro alcoholic for 8 weeks. At the baseline and end of 8th weeks of intervention blood levels of oxidative stress markers were measured. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 18, p < 0.05 was considered significant for all variables. After 8 weeks, Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) and Superoxidant Dismutase (SOD) showed a significant increase in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The findings showed that the hydro alcoholic extract of nettle has increasing effects on TAC and SOD in patients with type 2 diabetes without no changes in Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Glutathione Peroxides (GPX) after eight weeks intervention.     

The Lerma-Chapala river basin: a case study of water transfer in a closed basin

The water resources of the largest river basin in Mexico, the Lerma-Chapala River, are overcommitted by approximately 10%. A multi-state agreement provides for reallocation of water from agricultural use to environmental and municipal uses during periods of water stress as indicated by extreme low water levels in Lake Chapala. In 1999 the level of water in the lake was such that the ecology of the lake was severely threatened. Based on the agreement, 240 million cubic meters of surface water originally intended for irrigation was diverted to the lake. This represented approximately 70% of the surface supply available to the 700,000 ha of irrigation, and approximately 36% of the total supply. No compensation was paid to the irrigators who lost this resource. The over-use of both the surface and groundwater resources suggests that some permanent reallocation of water from agriculture is inevitable. This case study is abstracted and modified from Wester et al. (2001). For a complete exposition of the institutional characteristics and issues, associated with this case, refer to Wester et al. (2005).     

Safety evaluation of water debittered andean lupins (Lupinus mutabilis): 12-week rat feeding study

In a 12-week feeding study, water debittered grains of Andean lupins (Lupinus mutabilis) were tested as unique protein source in growing male and female rats. Before the phsyiological study, the lupin flour was evaluated with regard to its possible content of anti-nutritive substances, such as alkaloids, cyanogenetic glucosides, trypsin inhibitor activity and hemagutanin activity. During the feeding study, parameters such as body weight, food consumption, hemoglobin and blood cells, glucose, urea, total protein, total lipid, cholesterol, uric acid, as well as weight and histopathological examinations of some organs (liver, kidneys, heart, spleen and brain) were controlled. The lupin flour did not show physiologically significant amounts of anti-nutritive substances. Rats fed on lupin diet did not show any statistically different growth performances as compared to the casein fed control animals. Food consumption as well showed no difference between the two diets, although food utilization of casein was slightly better during the first two months. All other observed parameters gave no indication of physiological differences of the performance of the diet. Results of the 12-week feeding test did not give any indication against the use of the water extracted grains of Andean lupins in human and animal nutrition.     

Extrusion of a model sorghum-barley blend: Starch digestibility and associated properties

Blending cereals can maximise their food values, and understanding material-processing-property relationships guides this. A sorghum-barley (60:40) blend was extruded at different conditions to investigate the effects on extruder responses and extrudate properties. Starch digestion in the extrudates was more than in the non-extrudates, but extrusion feed rate did not significantly (P > 0.05) affect the digestibility. Specific mechanical energy reduced with the feed rate, which suggested suppressed molecular and/or structural transformations in a full extruder. Extrudate properties essentially exhibited a significant (P < 0.05) quadratic relationship with the moisture, with 30 ± 4.3% as the critical moisture, above which, the extrusion was high moisture, rate of starch digestion reduced, indices of water binding and solubility reduced, and extrudates were denser. Extrusion temperature had no significant (P > 0.05) effects on starch digestibility, but with more supplied heat as the temperature increased, water binding properties and transverse expansion increased. The increased frictional heat with the screw speed enhanced the transverse expansion also, and the browning, rate of starch digestion and rapidly digestible starch of the extrudates. There were significant Pearson correlations between the extrudate properties and with the extruder responses, which can assist in selecting conditions for desirable extrudate properties.     

Delivery of epidermal neural crest stem cells (EPI-NCSC) to hippocamp in Alzheimer's disease rat model

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by progressive neuronal loss in hippocamp. Epidermal neural crest stem cells (EPI-NCSC) can differentiate into neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of transplanting EPI-NCSC into AD rat model. Methods: Two weeks after induction of AD by injection of Amyloid-β 1-40 into CA1 area of rat hippocamp, Y-maze and single-trial passive avoidance tests were used to show deficit of learning and memory abilities. EPI-NCSC were obtained from the vibrissa hair follicle of rat, cultured and labeled with bromodeoxyuridine. When Alzheimer was proved by behavioral tests, EPI-NCSC was transplanted into CA3 area of hippocamp in AD rat model. The staining of EPI-NCSC markers (nestin and SOX10) was done in vitro. Double-labeling immunofluorescence was performed to study survival and differentiation of the grafted cells. Results: We showed that transplanted EPI-NCSC survive and produce many neurons and a few glial cells, presenting glial fibrillary acidic protein. Total number of granule cells in hippocamp was estimated to be more in the AD rat model with transplanted cells as compared to AD control group. We observed that rats with hippocampal damage made more errors than control rats on the Y-maze, when reward locations were reversed. Conclusion: Transplanted cells were migrated to all areas of hippocamp and the total number of granule cell in treatment group was equal compared to control group. Transplantation of EPI-NCSC into hippocamp might differentiate into cholinergic neurons and could cure impairment of memory in AD rat model.Key Words: Alzheimer’s disease, Cholinergic neuron, Hair follicle     

Correlating karyomorphology and molecular marker analyses in turmeric: a case study

India is the largest producer and exporter of turmeric (Curcuma longa), and different cultivars of this crop are traditionally characterized using agronomic traits, such as rhizome weight, yield potential, color and aroma of rhizome, curcumin content, and stability of curcumin content, which are influenced by environmental factors. The purpose of the present study was to probe whether karyomorphological and molecular marker attributes of turmeric cultivars could be correlated to validate their distinctiveness. Detailed karyomorphological analyses revealed uniform somatic chromosome number (2n = 63), with symmetric karyotype in all the studied cultivars. Chromosomes varied from 0.67 to 2.03 µm in length, with up to 72% bearing primary constrictions in the nearly median region (i-value ranging from 27.17 to 50). Asymmetry indices also indicated overall karyotypic symmetry among cultivars. On the contrary, random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and inter simple sequence repeat (ISSR) marker analyses revealed significant variability in the genetic constitution among them; Jaccard’s similarity coefficient value ranged from 0.569 to 0.969. Unweighted pair group method with arithmetic average (UPGMA) dendrogram and principal coordinate analysis based on the Jaccard’s coefficient produced four distinct clusters, which showed no geographical bias. Thus, it was concluded that although significant genetic variability that exists among the turmeric cultivars can be utilized for examining their authenticity, practicality of the use of karyomorphological characters for identification is significantly limited by the gross karyotypic similarity. Cryptic genetic changes accumulate in the genome of these plants because of their interaction with the environment. However, these remain confined within each cultivar in the absence of large-scale hybridizations and predominant vegetative propagation. This probably leads to variability in agronomic characters and may even help in developing novel characters in different cultivars. However, detection of any such change in the chromosomal structure would require fluorescent hybridization techniques.     

Recreational exposure to low concentrations of microcystins during an algal bloom in a small lake

We measured microcystins in blood from people at risk for swallowing water or inhaling spray while swimming, water skiing, jet skiing, or boating during an algal bloom. We monitored water samples from a small lake as a Microcystis aeruginosa bloom developed. We recruited 97 people planning recreational activities in that lake and seven others who volunteered to recreate in a nearby bloom-free lake. We conducted our field study within a week of finding a 10-μg/L microcystin concentration. We analyzed water, air, and human blood samples for water quality, potential human pathogens, algal taxonomy, and microcystin concentrations. We interviewed study participants for demographic and current health symptom information. Water samples were assayed for potential respiratory viruses (adenoviruses and enteroviruses), but none were detected. We did find low concentrations of Escherichia coli, indicating fecal contamination. We found low levels of microcystins (2 μg/L to 5 μg/L) in the water and (<0.1 ng/m³) in the aerosol samples. Blood levels of microcystins for all participants were below the limit of detection (0.147μg/L). Given this low exposure level, study participants reported no symptom increases following recreational exposure to microcystins. This is the first study to report that water-based recreational activities can expose people to very low concentrations of aerosol-borne microcystins; we recently conducted another field study to assess exposures to higher concentrations of these algal toxins.     

The study of antinociceptive effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Teucrium oliverianum (a plant used in southern Iranian traditional medicine) in rat by formalin test

Objective: Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of hydroalcoholic extract of Teucrium Oliverianum were investigated by formalin test model. This study was conducted in on the male Wistar rats, weighting 150-180 g. The animals were divided into seven groups (n = 7) and received 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg kg(-1) of hydroalcoholic extract of teucrium oliverianum intraperitoneally, respectively. Negative control group received normal saline (5 mL kg(-1)) and the positive control groups received 2.5 mg kg(-1) morphine and 300 mg kg(-1) aspirin, intraperitoneally respectively. The results showed that all doses of extract have significant analgesic effect (p < 0.05) in all studies times in comparison with negative control. The best result achieved with 600 mg kg(-1) of extract. The result revealed that the analgesic effect of the extract (600 mg kg(-1)) \was less than aspirin (300 mg kg(-1)) on the second phase of pain and less than morphine (2.5 mg kg(-1)) in both phases of the pain, more than aspirin in first phase of pain. One group of animals was treated with naloxone (1 mg kg(-1), i.p.) and suitable dose of extract (600 mg kg(-1), i.p.). Also, Naloxone inhibited analgesic effect of alcoholic extract of Teucrium Oliverianum. It can be concluded that the alcoholic extract of Teucrium oliverianum may exert its effect through opioid receptors, stimulating GABAergic system or promotes the release of endogenous opipeptides or decreasing free radicals.     

Scaling up of a mechanistic dynamic model in a GIS environment to model temperate grassland production at the regional scale

Regional‐scale ecological processes are mediated by processes occurring at local scales. Spatially explicit models are needed to understand the broad‐scale consequences of a large number of local processes, driven by factors which are heterogeneous at a broad scale. A Geographic Information System (GIS)‐based mechanistic model, which can be used as a flexible tool to investigate the regional‐scale effects of changes in environmental factors on herbage production from a Lolium perenne sward, was developed and used to investigate the consequences of aggregating driving variables at different resolutions. The model allows rigorous scaling up of previously existing field‐based modelling approaches within a GIS context. The model's mechanistic approach allows flexibility in the simulation of the separate effects of environmental driving variables and of cutting regimes. The driving variables (temperature, solar radiation, available soil moisture and soil nitrogen status) are scaled up using geostatistical techniques. The model is used to evaluate weekly changes in herbage production under environmental conditions, variable both in space and time, under different cutting regimes. It is shown that, in this model, aggregation at 1 km² is a good compromise between accuracy and practical feasibility, and that, while ignoring heterogeneity over many square kilometres can induce large errors, their magnitude and direction also depend on the model response curve to an input variable. The results obtained were consistent with the known trends in influential environmental factors. The programming within a GIS makes the model flexible in its application and, therefore, makes it easy to apply at a variety of scales.     

Problems of implementing improvements in pest control: a case study of apples in the UK

A major problem in improving pest control is to integrate new pest-control practices into complex, and changing, farming systems, while at the same time making them acceptable to farmers. Therefore, when designing and implementing improvements in pest control, the practical context in which the farmer operates, and particularly the economic attributes of alternatives, need to be understood. The case of pest control in English apples is used to illustrate the type of analysis required. The major pests, their changing status, and their impact on yield and quality are discussed in relation to overall cash flow. The pesticides used, and the strategies of calendar spraying, supervised control, and integrated pest control (IPC) are then considered. Compared with calendar spraying, supervised control seems likely to save up to £20 per hectare on the costs of control. However, because this strategy can result in additional damage to fruit, and a loss of £20 per hectare can easily occur with a slight (1–2%) drop in fruit grades, supervised control is likely to be too risky for many growers. The future prospects for supervised control and IPC are discussed within the context of five major constraints.     

The Lower Rio Grande Valley: a case study of a water market area

The Lower Rio Grande Valley is a sub-tropical area with a productive irrigated agriculture, but with an over-committed single water resource. It is experiencing a rapidly growing population that is placing increasing pressure on the water resource. This, combined with expanding urban areas and land moving out of agriculture, has resulted in a vigorous water market, with transfers from agriculture to municipal uses. For the US portion of the valley, transfers from agriculture to municipalities are either short-term (usually 1 year) or permanent. Prices vary depending upon the location and timing, and result from negotiations between the parties. Over time, and not without difficulty, the water market has been facilitated by appropriate enabling legislation, water rights that have been validated judicially, and an efficient transfer mechanism that has a minimum of transaction cost. Government involvement is primarily for protection of the public, and to facilitate the transfer process.