Mitigating effects of antioxidant properties of black berry juice on sodium fluoride induced hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress in rats

Fluorosis is a serious public health problem in many parts of the world. As in the case of many chronic degenerative diseases, increased production of reactive oxygen species has been considered to play an important role, even in the pathogenesis of chronic fluoride toxicity. Black berry is closely linked to its protective properties against free radical attack. Therefore, the aim of this study was to demonstrate the role of black berry juice (BBJ) in decreasing the hepatotoxicity and oxidative stress of sodium fluoride (NaF). Results showed that NaF caused elevation in liver TBARS and nitric oxide (NO), and reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and glutathione (GSH). Plasma transaminases (AST and ALT), creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), total lipids (TL), cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), and low density lipoprotein–cholesterol (LDL–c) were increased, while high density lipoprotein–cholesterol (HDL–c) was decreased. On the other hand, BBJ reduced NaF-induced TBARS, NO, TL, cholesterol, TG, LDL–c, AST, ALT, CK and LD. Moreover, it ameliorated NaF-induced decrease in SOD, CAT, GSH, TAC and HDL–c. Therefore, the present results revealed that BBJ has a protective effect against NaF-induced hepatotoxicity by antagonizing the free radicals generation and enhancement of the antioxidant defence mechanisms.     

Evaluation of the possible contribution of antioxidants administration in metabolic syndrome

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is common, and its associated risk burdens of diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are a major public health problem. The hypothesis that main constituent parameters of the MetS share common pathophysiologic mechanisms provides a conceptual framework for the future research. Exercise and weight loss can prevent insulin resistance and reduce the risk of diseases associated with the MetS. Interrupting intracellular and extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction could also contribute to normalizing the activation of metabolic pathways leading to the onset of diabetes, endothelial dysfunction, and cardiovascular (CV) complications. On the other hand, it is difficult to counteract the development of CV complications by using conventional antioxidants. Indeed, interest has focused on strategies that enhance the removal of ROS using either antioxidants or drugs that enhance endogenous antioxidant defense. Although these strategies have been effective in laboratory experiments, several clinical trials have shown that they do not reduce CV events, and in some cases antioxidants have actually worsened the outcome. More research is needed in this field.     

Design, synthesis, and biological evaluation of sulfonic acid ester and benzenesulfonamide derivatives as potential CETP inhibitors

Epidemiological studies have established an inverse relationship between plasma high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration, and incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD); thus, the development of novel therapies that attempt to exploit the atheroprotective functions of HDL is a major goal. Inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is one of the approaches targeted to increase HDL cholesterol concentration. CETP is a glycoprotein involved in transporting lipoprotein particles and neutral lipids between HDL and low-density lipoproteins (LDL), and therefore CETP inhibitors could be useful agents in the future for treating dyslipidemia and related disorders. Guided by our previously reported pharmacophore and QSAR models for CETP inhibition, we synthesized and bioassayed a series of sulfonic acid ester and benzenesulfonamide derivatives that can serve as a promising lead compounds for the development of potential and selective CETP inhibitors. The most potent compound 6k illustrated an IC₅₀ of 3.4?μM.     

Evaluation and Prediction of the Bending Behavior of Circular Hollow Steel Tube Sections Using Finite Element Analysis

Circular hollow steel tube columns are widely used in high-rise buildings and bridges due to their ductility and lower weight compared to reinforced concrete. The use of this type of steel section has several advantages over using reinforced concrete members. The present study investigates the bending behavior of steel circular hollow sections when subjected to bending loads. The variations in material characteristics with regard to position along the cross-section of a steel tube member is first considered in this experimental study, providing for a more accurate definition of the material behavior in the model. A supported beam tested by two-point loads is the loading type that is used to study the bending performance of steel tubes. Ten circular hollow beam specimens were prepared and tested up to and post the failure stage with the following dimensions: thickness (2, 3, and 6 mm), diameter (76.2, 101.6, and 219 mm), and span (1000, 1500, and 2000 mm). A finite element analysis has been conducted for these ten specimens using the ANSYS program. The finite element model is compared to experimentally obtained data to verify that both local and global behaviors are correctly considered. The load-deflection results of this analysis showed a good agreement with the experimental results. A parametric study also was performed that considered two variables, which were the effect of the presence of circular rings and the change of opening location in the length direction on the specimens’ behavior. This study showed that the presence of the circular rings in the specimen led to an increase in its ultimate strength (of 53.24%) compared with the non-presence of these rings. In contrast, the presence of openings at 30, 40, and 50% from the specimen length reduced the strength capacity by 8.76, 14.23, and 17.88%, respectively.     

尖锐湿疣患者免疫功能的研究进展

尖锐湿疣(CA)是人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)感染引起的,到目前为止发现HPV的基因型有100余型,可感染生殖器上皮的有35型以上,其中以HPV 6、11、16、18型较为常见,且少数病例与宫颈癌的发生密切相关[1].     

Increased percentage of apoptotic and CTLA-4 (CD152) expressing cells in CD4+/CD8+ cells in COVID-19 patients

Coronavirus infectious disease 2019 (COVID-19) confirmed cases are characterized by T lymphopenia. Total apoptotic and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA-4) expressing cells among CD4⁺/CD8⁺cells were analyzed in 24 COVID-19 patients (16 out-patients and 8 in-patients) and 18 healthy volunteers using flow cytometry to detect their possible role in T lymphopenia. Hospitalized patients did not show significant difference compared to non-hospitalized patients. While the percentage and absolute count of CD4⁺/CD8⁺cells were significantly reduced in COVID-19 cases compared to healthy control (P < .05), the proportion of apoptotic and CTLA-4 expressing CD4⁺/CD8⁺cells were significantly up-regulated in COVID-19 patients (P < .05). In addition, apoptotic and CTLA-4⁺/CD4⁺cells were directly related to dyspnea duration, chest CT score, ferritin, and C-reactive protein and inversely correlated with platelet count in COVID-19 patients. While apoptotic and CTLA-4⁺/CD8⁺cells were directly related to lymphocyte count in COVID-19 patients. The apoptotic and CTLA-4⁺cells were directly related to each other in CD4⁺/CD8⁺cells (P < .05). White blood cells (WBCs) (×10³/L), eosinophils (ratio and count), lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil ratio, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, neutrophil/CD4 ratio, neutrophil/CD8 ratio, CD4⁺ cells ratio, and CTLA-4⁺ cells percentage), and CD8⁺ cells (ratio, count, total apoptotic cell, and CD152 ⁺ cells) were all found to be significantly altered in association with COVID-19. Total lymphopenia and depletion of CD4⁺/CD8⁺cells are characterizing COVID-19 patients. Increased apoptosis and CTLA-4 expression in CD4⁺/CD8⁺cells in COVID-19 and their correlations with reduced cell count and severity indicators as CRP and ferritin can be used for diagnosis and follow up of the clinical severity. Our current study proposes promising future diagnostic and therapeutic targets.     

Do Sleep Disorders and Western Diet Influence Psoriasis? A Scoping Review

Western diet may trigger sleep disorders and vice versa, but their single and mutual effects on systemic inflammatory diseases (i.e., psoriasis) are far from being fully elucidated. At the same time, psoriatic patients display a great burden of sleep disorders and dysmetabolisms related to an unhealthy lifestyle (i.e., diet). These patients are also affected by a chronic disorder deeply modulated by environmental factors (i.e., sleep and diet) capable to influence drug-response and disease progression. Thus, we aimed to summarize the evidence in the literature that may highlight a potential link among psoriasis–diet–sleep in order to further promote a multidisciplinary approach to psoriatic patients in the scientific community.