Ameliorative effect of vitamin C on the haematological changes induced by exposure of chlorpyriphos and lead acetate in Wistar rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of chlorpyriphos, lead acetate and vitamin C alone and in combinations, on various haematological parameters in Wistar rats. Rats of 150–200 g body weight were divided into eight groups of six animals each and were subjected to various daily oral treatment regimes for 98 days. Group C served as control receiving only corn oil, group CP received chlorpyriphos at 5.5 mg/kg in corn oil and group L received lead acetate at100?ppm in water, whereas animals in group CP + L received a combination of chlorpyriphos at 5.5 mg/kg in corn oil and lead acetate at 100 ppm in water. Group VC received vitamin C at 100 mg/kg in water; group CP + VC received a combination of chlorpyriphos at 5.5 mg/kg and vitamin C at 100 mg/kg; group L + VC received lead acetate at 100 ppm in water and vitamin C at 100 mg/kg and group CP + L + VC received chlorpyriphos at 5.5 mg/kg, lead acetate at 100 ppm in water and vitamin C at 100 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 30, 60 and 98 post exposure and analysed for packed cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total leucocyte count (TLC) and differential leucocyte count. A significant decrease in TEC, PCV and Hb and a significant increase in ESR values were observed. However, lead acetate caused an increase in TLC while chlorpyriphos resulted in a decrease in TLC. Both of these toxicants potentiated toxicity of each other. The study demonstrated that treatment of chlorpyriphos- and lead-treated rats with vitamin C significantly altered some of the important haematological parameters revealing the protective effect of this vitamin against haematological alterations induced by chlorpyriphos and lead.     

Dolichandroside A,a new α‐glucosidase inhibitor and DPPH free‐radical Scavenger from Dolichandrone falcata seem

A new phenylpropanoid glycoside, dolichandroside‐A, together with seven known compounds α‐lapachone, lapachol, aloesaponarin II, 8‐hydroxydehydroiso‐α‐lapachone, β‐sitosterol, 3,8‐dihydroxydehydroiso‐α‐lapachone and verbascoside were isolated from the active ethyl acetate soluble extract of heartwood of Dolichandrone falcata. All except for dolichandroside‐A are known compounds, but have been isolated for the first time from this plant. The structure of all these compounds was determined on the basis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectral data. All the isolates were tested for α‐glucosidase inhibitory and DPPH radical scavenging activity. This is the first report identifying DPPH scavenging activity and α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity in D. falcata. Furthermore, along with a new compound, dolichandroside‐A, this study also assigns for the first time α‐glucosidase inhibitory activity to verbascoside and aloe saponarin‐II. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Bishop scoring: Perceived benefits of using in labour induction by Turkish midwives

It is not always possible to achieve a successful induction. Bishop scoring system is an efficient method used in determining whether the induction will be effective or not. The aim of this study was to train midwives on the benefits and use of the Bishop scoring system and to minimize the unnecessary use of induction. This study was conducted as pretest–posttest quasi‐experimental design. This study was conducted in a maternity hospital in Erzurum between 01 February and 31 July 2012. In the study, the midwives received training on the use of the Bishop scoring system, and changes in their knowledge levels and application during practice of induction were then evaluated. While only 20% of midwives were using the Bishop score before the training, 56.7% started to use this tool after the training. Comparing the examinations performed on pregnant women by the midwives in the pre‐induction period before and after the training, the mean of the Bishop score changed from 7.26 to 9.68 after the training. It was determined that the training could increase the knowledge levels of midwives regarding the Bishop scoring system and their attention paid to the Bishop scoring system in the practice of induction.     

The Relationship Between Sexual Quality of Life, Happiness, and Satisfaction with Life in Married Turkish Women

The quality of sexual life is based on a physical, relational, and emotional assessment of an individual. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between sexual quality of life, happiness, and satisfaction with life. The research comprised of 204 women, aged between 18 and 63. The average age of participants was 31.98. In this study, the sexual quality of life questionnaire-female, Oxford happiness questionnaire-short form, and satisfaction with life scale were used as data collection tools. The findings indicated that the sexual quality of life in women has a positive relationship with happiness and satisfaction with life. Therefore, sexual quality of life is a significant predictor of happiness and satisfaction with life. It also explains 19 % of the variance concerning happiness and 25 % of the variance regarding satisfaction with life. As a result, the findings obtained from the present study show that the sexual quality of life in women is important in relation to happiness and satisfaction with life.     

Protoporphyrin-IX accumulation and cutaneous tumor regression in mice using a ferrochelatase inhibitor

The use of endogenously created porphyrins as an alternative to photosensitizer injection for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer is a rapidly evolving area of study. In-situ accumulation of protoporphyrin-IX (PpIX) by hemebiosynthesis inhibition represents a novel method for PDT of cancer cells. The kinetics of PpIX accumulation and cutaneous tumor regression in mice was studied using lead (a known and effective inhibitor of ferrochelatase). Cutaneous tumors were exposed to various doses of ferrochelatase enzyme inhibitor (lead) and to different durations and doses of visible light. The maximum increase in PpIX levels (blood, skin and tumor) was observed 48 h after the parenteral administration of second injection of lead within a period of 1 month. The maximum tumor regression was observed in mice that were exposed to visible light at a light dose of 648J/cm(2) (1h exposure in four sessions of 15 min, with a gap of 10 min between each exposure). Continuous treatment for 6 consecutive days resulted in almost complete regression of the tumors in most of the animals. Histopathological sections of tumors after light exposure showed necrotic tissue with degenerated lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils. Since the ferrochelatase inhibitor (lead) used in the present study is toxic, the search must continue for a safe, non-toxic inhibitor to enhance sensitizer-mediated PDT.     

Circulating and local bone marrow renin-angiotensin system in leukemic hematopoiesis: preliminary evidences

Until last the decade, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) was considered as a circulating endocrine system. It is now known that there are local RASs in many tissues. It has also recently been hypothesized that there exists a local bone marrow (BM) RAS with paracrine/autocrine pathobiological functions. The aim of this study was to detect BM and peripheral blood levels of the essential RAS components in normal and leukemic hematopoiesis. Concentrations of renin and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) were assayed in BM aspirates and in simultaneously drawn peripheral blood samples of 16 pre-chemotherapy leukemic and 10 post-treatment megaloblastic anemia patients with normal blood counts, as controls. In the leukemia group, the ACE concentration was found to be significantly higher in the BM (38+/-6.2 U/l) than in the peripheral blood (29.5+/-5.3 U/l), (p=0.029). In the leukemia group, although the BM renin concentration was higher than the peripheral blood levels (21.3+/-8.3 vs. 18.6+/-6.2 U/l), this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.196). In the control group, mean BM renin levels were insignificantly lower than in the peripheral blood (8.6+/-3 vs. 12.1+/-4.6 pg/ml) (p=0.059). In the leukemia group, serum ACE levels positively correlated with BM and peripheral blood blast percentages (p<0.05). Serum LDH level (p<0.01), BM blast (p<0.05) and peripheral blast percentages (p<0.01) were inversely correlated with serum potassium in the leukemia group.The results of this study can be considered as the preliminary evidence supporting the hypothesis of the presence of a local BM RAS. Further, molecular biologic and immunohistochemical studies are needed to shed light on this important subject. A better understanding of the interrelationships of RAS and hematopoiesis will bring new insights into the pathobiology and even novel therapies for such neoplastic diseases.     

The Canadian Natural Health Products (NHP) regulations: industry perceptions and compliance factors

Background  

The use of natural health products, such as vitamins, minerals, and herbs, by Canadians has been increasing with time. As a result of consumer concern about the quality of these products, the Canadian Department of Health created the Natural Health Products (NHP) Regulations. The new Canadian regulations raise questions about whether and how the NHP industry will be able to comply and what impact they will have on market structure. The objectives of this study were to explore who in the interview sample is complying with Canada's new NHP Regulations (i.e., submitted product licensing applications on time); and explore the factors that affect regulatory compliance.     

Instability of reference diameter in the evaluation of stenosis after coronary angioplasty: Percent diameter stenosis overestimates dilative effects due to reference diameter reduction

Purpose: To examine changes in the reference segment luminal diameter after coronary angioplasty. Methods: Sixty-one patients with stable angina pectoris or old myocardial infarction were examined. Coronary angiograms were recorded before coronary angioplasty (pre-angioplasty) and immediately after (post-angioplasty), as well as 3 months after. Artery diameters were measured on cine-film using quantitative coronary angiographic analysis. Results: The diameters of the proximal segment not involved in the balloon inflation and segments in the other artery did not change significantly after angioplasty, but the reference segment diameter significantly decreased (4.7%). More than 10% luminal reduction was observed in seven patients (11%) and more than 5% reduction was observed in 25 patients (41%). More than 5% underestimation of the stenosis was observed in 22 patients (36%) when the post-angioplasty reference diameter was used as the reference diameter, compared with when the pre-angioplasty measurement was used and more than 10% underestimation was observed in five patients (8%). Conclusion: This study indicated that evaluation by percent diameter stenosis, with the reference diameter from immediately after angioplasty, overestimates the dilative effects of coronary angioplasty, and that it is thus better to evaluate the efficacy of angioplasty using the absolute diameter in addition to percent luminal stenosis.