Restorative role of persimmon leaf (Diospyros kaki) to gamma irradiation-induced oxidative stress and tissue injury in rats

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of persimmon leaf extract (PL (as a rich plant source) in modulation of radiation-induced liver injury and some metabolic variations in gamma-irradiated rats.

Materials and methods: PL at a dose of 1000?mg/kg body weight (P₁₀₀₀) was administered to male albino rats via gastric intubation for 15 days after whole body γ-irradiation (6?Gy).

Results: Irradiated rats showed significant decreases in hepatic glutathione content (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) activities with significant increases in malondialdehyde (MDA) level and xanthine oxidase (XO) activity designating oxidative stress. In parallel significant increases in serum aspartate and alanine transaminase (AST, ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), γ-glutamyl-transferase (GGT) activities and bilirubin content were recorded indicating liver injury. In addition, hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia and dyslipidemia (elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol and Atherogenic Index and decreased high density lipoprotein-cholesterol) were recorded. PL treatment has significantly attenuated radiation-induced oxidative stress in hepatic tissues concomitant with significant amelioration of liver function and metabolic disturbances.

Conclusion: It is concluded that PL may have therapeutic potential to alleviate the severity of radiation-induced liver injury, hyperglycemia, hypoinsulinemia and dyslipidemia.     

The leftward deletion alpha-thal-2 haplotype in a black subject with hemoglobin SS

We have identified a black individual with homozygous sickle cell anemia who is the silent carrier of alpha-thalassemia (genotype - alpha/alpha alpha) due to heterozygosity for the leftward deletion alpha-thal-2 haplotype. This deletion has not been described previously in a black subject and is the only leftward deletion that we have found among 255 alpha-thal-2 chromosomes from sickle cell subjects. Its effects on the clinical, hematologic, biosynthetic, and cellular pathology of sickle cell anemia resemble those reported for the common alpha-thalassemia genotypes of the black population.     

国产麻黄的形态组织学研究——Ⅰ.北方主产的七种麻黄

据文献记载和作者的调查,我国产麻黄属(Ephedra)植物共有13种3变种1变型。本文报道我国北方生产的7种麻黄生药形态组织学比较研究结果。7种麻黄是:草麻黄Ephedra sinica Stapf、木贼麻黄E.equisetina Bunge、中麻黄E.intermedia Schrenk ex Mey.、膜果麻黄E.przewalskii Stapf,单子麻黄E.monosperma Gmel.ex Mey.、雌雄麻黄E.fedtschenkoae Pauls和细子麻黄E.reaeliana Florin。文中附有生药性状与组织构造特征比较表及生药组织图     

Effect of medial arch-heel support in inserts on reducing ankle eversion: a biomechanics study

Background  

Excessive pronation (or eversion) at ankle joint in heel-toe running correlated with lower extremity overuse injuries. Orthotics and inserts are often prescribed to limit the pronation range to tackle the problem. Previous studies revealed that the effect is product-specific. This study investigated the effect of medial arch-heel support in inserts on reducing ankle eversion in standing, walking and running.     

Behavioural risk factors for HIV/AIDS in a low-HIV prevalence Muslim nation: Bangladesh.

A review of published and unpublished data indicates the prevalence of high-risk behaviours for HIV transmission in segments of the Bangladeshi population. These include casual unprotected sex, heterosexual as well as between males, prior to and after marriage. Intravenous drug use (IVDU) exists though illicit drugs are more commonly inhaled. There is a fear, however, that inhalers may turn to injecting drugs, as is common in neighbouring countries. The lack of public awareness of HIV/AIDS, and misconceptions about the disease, may contribute to continued high-risk behaviours by segments of the population and, thus, to the spread of HIV. Bangladesh's proximity to India and Myanmar (countries with high HIV endemicity and a rapidly growing number of cases) increases fears of an epidemic in Bangladesh. This proximity will only be a risk factor, however, if high-risk contacts occur between nationals of these countries.