Effects of accelerated ageing on germination and biochemistry of eight rice cultivars

Rice seed deterioration rate due to aging is correlated with ambient temperature, relative humidity, and moisture. Eight cultivars were analyzed for differences in seed deterioration via accelerated ageing at 45°C and 100% relative humidity (RH) for 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 hr. Khazar and Neda had highest germination percentages when exposed to 120 hr seed ageing. For Lenjan, with increased seed ageing, moisture content increased from 9.8% in the control to 21.7% after the 120 hr treatment. Khazar and Shiroudi had the lowest decrease in shoot length. Root length decreased from 0 hr control to 120 hr treatment, and was lowest in Fajr and Khazar. Minimum electrical conductivity was observed in Neda and Fajr after 120 hr. Lowest increases in lipid peroxidation from control to 120 hr treatment was in Fajr, Khazar, and Neda. Neda and Khazar are the most suitable cultivars to store in the humid, sub-tropics of northern Iran.     

Assessment of gastric cancer survival: using an artificial hierarchical neural network

This study is designed to assess the application of neural networks in comparison to the Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards model in the survival analysis. Three hundred thirty gastric cancer patients admitted to and surgically treated were assessed and their post-surgical survival was determined. The observed baseline survival was determined with the three methods of Kaplan-Meier product limit estimator, Cox and the neural network and results were compared. Then the binary independent variables were entered into the model. Data were randomly divided into two groups of 165 each to test the models and assess the reproducibility. The Chi-square test and the multiple logistic model were used to ensure the groups were similar and the data was divided randomly. To compare subgroups, we used the log-rank test. In the next step, the probability of survival in different periods was computed based on the training group data using the Cox proportional hazards and a neural network and estimating Cox coefficient values and neural network weights (with 3 nodes in hidden layer). Results were used for predictions in the test group data and these predictions were compared using the Kaplan-Meier product limit estimator as the gold standard. Friedman and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used for comparisons as well. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 11.5, Matlab version 7.2, Statistica version 6.0 and S_PLUS 2000. The significance level was considered 5% (alpha = 0.05). The three methods used showed no significance difference in base survival probabilities. Overall, there was no significant difference among the survival probabilities or the trend of changes in survival probabilities calculated with the three methods, but the 4 year (48th month) and 4.5 year (54th month) survival rates were significantly different with Cox compared to standard and estimated probabilities in the neural network (p < 0.05). Kaplan-Meier and Cox showed almost similar results for the baseline survival probabilities, but results with the neural network were different: higher probabilities up to the 4th year, then comparable with the other two methods. Estimates from Cox proportional hazards and the neural network with three nodes in hidden layer were compared with the estimate from the Kaplan-Meier estimator as the gold standard. Neither comparison showed statistically significant differences. The standard error ratio of the two estimate groups by Cox and the neural network to Kaplan-Meier were no significant differences, it indicated that the neural network was more accurate. Although we do not suggest neural network methods to estimate the baseline survival probability, it seems these models is more accurately estimated as compared with the Cox proportional hazards, especially with today's advanced computer sciences that allow complex calculations. These methods are preferable because they lack the limitations of conventional models and obviate the need for unnecessary assumptions including those related to the proportionality of hazards and linearity.     

Mental disorder assessed by General Health Questionnaire and back pain among postmenopausal Iranian women

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between mental disorder and back pain among postmenopausal Iranian women. Three thousand six hundred and fifty five postmenopausal women were interviewed in the second National Health Survey (2nd NHS) in the year 2000, in Iran. Of whom, 2953 women were included in this study. Back pain (BKP) was considered as dependent variable and mental disorder as independent variable. Factors like age, Body Mass Index (BMI), residential area, employment, literacy, smoking habit, marital status and spinal fractures were considered as confounders. Logistic regression models have been applied for data analysis. The BKP prevalence was 40.1% and the prevalence of mental disorder was 44.3%. After adjustment for confounders, mental disorder was positively associated with BKP, OR (CI): 1.615 (1.36, 1.91). This study confirmed that BKP and mental disorder are common problems and these two factors are associated amongst postmenopausal women. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to specify casual inferences.     

Vasorelaxant and hypotensive effects of Allium cepa peel hydroalcoholic extract in rat

The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of onion (Allium cepa) peel hydroalcoholic extract (OPE) on rat hypertension induced by high-fructose diet and aorta contractility. The OPE was prepared by maceration method using 70% ethanol. The thoracic aorta from male adult rat (Wistar) was dissected and suspended in Krebs-Henseleit solution under 1 g resting tension. Tissue preparation was contracted by KCl (80 mM) or phenylephrine (Phe, 1 microM) and then the extract was applied cumulatively (0.0625-2 mg mL(-1)). Hypertension was induced in negative control and three groups of rats by adding fructose (10% WN/V) in drinking water for 6 weeks but control group received tap water. Hypertensive groups received saline or OPE at 200, 400 and 800 mg kg(-1) daily for last 3 weeks by gavage. Results showed that OPE reduces aorta contractions induced by KCl or Phe in a concentration-dependent manner (p < 0.001). Removing aorta endothelium did not attenuate the OPE activity. Inhibition of nitric oxide, cGMP and prostaglandin synthesis by L-NAME (100 microM), methylene blue (10 microM) and indomethacin (10 microM), respectively, did not attenuate OPE activity. Atropine abolished ACh-induced relaxation in Phe precontracted aorta but not the OPE-induced relaxation. Although the extract did not change heart rate but after 3 weeks reduced the hypertension induced by fructose (p < 0.001). Present results indicated that OPE reduces aortic contractions possibly via inhibition of calcium influx but without involving NO, cGMP, endothelium and prostaglandins. The OPE hypotensive effect could be due to extract quercetin content, antioxidant activity and inhibiting vascular smooth muscle cells Ca2+ influx.     

Genetic Relationship of Iranian Pear Genotypes with European and Asian Pears as Revealed by Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA Markers

Genetic variation within specific fruit tree germplasms is an important tool in fruit tree breeding programs. In the present work, the genetic relationship of 31 European and Iranian (Pyrus communis L.) and Asian (Pyrus serotina Rehd) genotypes of pear were studied using 19 randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) primers. Fifteen out of the 19 primers used in this study amplified 3373 clear and reproducible bands associated with 150 loci and many of them were polymorphic. The dendrogram resulting from the unweighted pair-group method of arithmetic cluster analysis separated the cultivars into eight groups. The correlation coefficient between the cophenetic matrix and the similarity matrix was 0.82 (r = 0.82). There was a significant difference between populations and most studied genotypes clustered closely together based on their geographic origin and Iranian pears placed between two groups of pears. Results showed the suitability of RAPD analysis in genetic diversity study of pear.     

The effect of Nesfatin-1 on food intake in neonatal chicks: role of CRF<Subscript>1</Subscript> /CRF2 and H1/ H3 receptors

The present study was designed to determine the effect of central injection of Nesfatin-1 and corticotropin and histaminergic systems on food intake in neonatal meat-type chicks. In this study, 7 experiments were designed, each with 4 treatment groups. In experiment 1, four groups of chicks received the ICV injection of (A) phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), (B) Nesfatin-1 (10 ng), (C) Nesfatin-1 (20 ng) and (D) Nesfatin-1 (40 ng). In experiment 2, (A) PBS, (B) Astressin-B (CRF₁/CRF₂ receptors antagonist; 30 µg), (C) Nesfatin-1 (40 ng) and (D) Nesfatin-1?+?Astressin-B were injected. In experiments 3–6, chicken received ICV injection of the Astressin2-B (CRF₂ receptor antagonist; 30 µg), α-FMH (alpha fluoromethyl histidine; as inhibitor of histidine decarboxylase, 250 nmol), Chlorpheniramine (histamine H₁ receptors antagonist, 300 nmol), Famotidine (histamine H₂ receptors antagonist, 82 nmol) and Thioperamide (histamine H₃ receptors antagonist, 300 nmol) instead of the Astressin-B. Then the cumulative food intake measured until 120 min post-injection. According to the results, ICV injection of Nesfatin-1 dose dependently decreased food intake in neonatal chicks (P?<?0.05). Co-injection of the Nesfatin-1 and Astressin-B (CRF₁/CRF₂) inhibited Nesfatin-1 induced hypophagia (P?<?0.05). ICV inejction of the Nesfatin-1?+?Astressin-B significantly inhibited the effect of Nesfatin-1 on food intake (P?<?0.05). In addition, α-FMH and chlorpheniramine attenuated Nesfatin-1-induced hypophagia in chicks (P?<?0.05); while thioperamide significantly amplified the effect of Nesfatin-1 on food intake in chicks (P?<?0.05). These results suggested Nesfatin-1 has an anorectic effect in 3-hour food deprived neonatal meat-type chicks and this effect was mediated by corticotropin CRF₁/CRF₂ as well as histamine H₁ and H₃ receptors.     

Central histaminergic system interplay with suppressive effects of immune challenge on food intake in chicken

1. The aim of the current study was to investigate the interaction of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and histaminergic systems on appetite regulation in broilers. Effects of intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of α-fluoromethylhistidine (α-FMH, histidine decarboxylase inhibitor), chlorpheniramine (histamine H₁ receptor antagonist), famotidine (histamine H₂ receptor antagonist) and thioperamide (histamine H₃ receptor antagonist) on LPS-induced hypophagia in broilers were studied.

2. A total of 128 broilers were randomly allocated into 4 experiments (4 groups and 8 replications in each experiment). A cannula was surgically implanted into the lateral ventricle. In Experiment 1, broilers were ICV injected with LPS (20 ng) prior to α-FMH (250 nmol). In Experiment 2, chickens were ICV injected with LPS followed by chlorpheniramine (300 nmol). In Experiment 3, broilers were ICV injected with famotidine (82 nmol) after LPS (20 ng). In Experiment 4, ICV injection of LPS was followed by thioperamide (300 nmol). Then, cumulative food intake was recorded until 4 h post-injection.

3. According to the results, LPS significantly decreased food intake. Chlorpheniramine significantly amplified food intake, and LPS-induced hypophagia was lessened by injection of chlorpheniramine. α-FMH, famotidine and thioperamide had no effect on LPS-induced hypophagia.

4. These results suggest that there is an interaction between central LPS and the histaminergic system where LPS-induced hypophagia is mediated by H₁ histamine receptors in 3 h food-deprived broilers.

     

Effect of grape seed extract on lead induced hypertension and heart rate in rat

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the potential protective effect of red Grape Seed Extract (GSE) on lead induced hypertension (HTN) and Heart Rate (HR) in male Wistar rats. The rats were randomly assigned to one of 4 groups: Each group received lead acetate (100 ppm in drinking water), GSE (100 mg kg(-1), orally) or Lead + GSE for 45 days. Another group assigned as control group provided with tap water and regular pellet food. The Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) and heart rate were determined by tail plethysmography coupled to a computer system. There was a sustained elevation of SBP in lead exposed rats that significantly increased at day 18 (lead treated, 112.7 +/- 2.7 mmHg, vs. control, 105.6 +/- 2.6 mmHg, n = 10, p < 0.05) and reached a maximum level at day 36 (lead treated, 124.9 +/- 2.3 mmHg, vs. control, 103.6 +/- 3.1 mmHg, n = 10, p < 0.001). However, the other three groups; showed no significant changes in SBP. Furthermore, the heart rate was increased sustainly in lead exposed animals that was statistically significant at days 36 and 45 (lead treated group, 404.5 +/- 9.4 vs. control group, 381.7 +/- 6.7, n = 10, p < 0.05). The blood lead level in both lead and lead + GSE treated groups was increased significantly compared with control and GSE treated groups (p < 0.001). However, GSE administration had no effect on the blood lead level in lead treated group. According to the result of this study, it may be concluded that GSE could have beneficial effect in protecting the cardiovascular system through its antioxidant activity against oxidative stress.     

Association of Pap smear abnormalities with autoimmune disorders

Recently, it is hypothesized that there might be an association between immunological disorders and cervical premalignant and malignant abnormalities. Related studies have been generally focused on some particular autoimmune disease, specially the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). This study aimed at comparing the rate of Pap smear abnormalities in female patients with autoimmune diseases and normal counterparts. In a case-control setting, 118 female patients with various autoimmune diseases (the case group) and 118 healthy female counterparts (the control group) were recruited in Tabriz Imam Reza Teaching Centre in a 24 months period of time. The two groups were matched for demographics and known risk factors of cervical malignancy. Frequencies of abnormal Pap smear testing were compared between the two groups. The autoimmune disorders were SLE (74 patients), rheumatoid arthritis or RA (32 patients), systcmic sclerosis or SS (7 patients) and ankylosing spondylitis or AS (5 patients) in the case group. Frequency of abnormal Pap smear testing was significantly higher in the case group comparing with that in the controls (7.6% vs. 1.7%; p = 0.03). Frequency of abnormal Pap smear testing was higher in the patients with SLE (8.1%) and RA (9.3%) comparing with that in the controls; However, these differences were marginally nonsignificant (p = 0.06 and p = 0.07, respectively). Frequency of cases with abnormal Pap smear testing was not statistically different between the autoimmune disorders (p = 0.99). Based on these findings and in conclusion, there might be an association between the autoimmune disorders and occurrence of premalignant or malignant lesions in cervix. Further studies with larger samples sizes are recommended.