Syzygium aromaticum ethanol extract reduces AlCl_3-induced neurotoxicity in mice brain through regulation of amyloid precursor protein and oxidative stress gene expression

Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of Syzygium aromaticum(S.aromaticum)extract(500 mg/kg) on AlCl_3(300 mg/kg)-induced mouse model of oxidative stress and neurotoxicity.Methods: An ethanolic extract of S.aromaticum seeds was prepared and the active compounds were identified using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.BALB/c mice were divided into five groups(negative control, AlCl_3-treated, self-recovery, AlCl_3 + S.aromaticum, S.aromaticum only; n=10) and treated with AlCl_3 and S.aromaticum extract.Expression of oxidative markers [Superoxide dismutase 1(SOD1) and peroxiredoxin 6(Prdx6)] and amyloid precursor protein(APP) in the hippocampus and cortex was evaluated via PCR.Histopathological assessment was performed to investigate the extent of neurodegeneration.Results: It was observed that AlCl_3 exposure increased the expression of APP770 while simultaneously down regulated the expression of APP695.AlCl_3 also induced a significant decrease(P0.05) and an increase(P0.05) in the expression level of SOD1 and Prdx6, respectively.A substantial decrease substantial(P0.05) in the density of Nissl substance was also observed in cortex of the mice treated with AlCl_3.Interestingly, treatment with S.aromaticum extract normalized the alterations in the expression level of SOD1, Prdx6 and APPisoforms and improved the neuronal structural damage.Conclusions: The results showed that S.aromaticum is a promising antioxidant and a neuroprotective agent.     

High prevalence of diabetes in Adana, a southern province of Turkey

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of diabetes and glucose intolerance and their relationship with risk factors in Adana, a southern province of Turkey, where risk factors are more prominent, probably because of social and economic reasons. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The study population included 1637 randomly selected adults aged 20-79 years. Diagnosis of diabetes was based on plasma glucose values using the 1999 diagnostic criteria recommended by the World Health Organization. RESULTS: The crude prevalence of diabetes was 12.9% in men and 10.9% in women (P = 0.207). Total prevalence of diabetes was 11.6%. The screening process identified previously undiagnosed diabetes in 4.2% of individuals and impaired glucose homeostasis (consisting of impaired glucose tolerance and impaired fasting glucose) in an additional 4.3% of subjects. The prevalence of hypertension was 26.4% among men and 36.6% among women (P < 0.0001). Total prevalence of hypertension was 32.9%, and prevalence of obesity was 43.4%. Age, sex, BMI, waist circumference, hypertension, family history of diabetes, and triglycerides were independently associated with diabetes. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of diabetes in Adana is higher than expected in both urban and rural areas. Obesity and hypertension also seem to be common metabolic disorders in this area. Age, hypertension, obesity, high triglyceride level, and family history of diabetes are independently associated with diabetes. Therefore, primary prevention through lifestyle modifications may have a critical role in the control of diabetes.     

Investigating the Impact of Cu2+ Doping on the Morphological,Structural, Optical,and Electrical Properties of CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles for Use in Electrical Devices

This study investigated the production of Cu²⁺-doped CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles (CFO NPs) using a facile sol−gel technique. The impact of Cu²⁺ doping on the lattice parameters, morphology, optical properties, and electrical properties of CFO NPs was investigated for applications in electrical devices. The XRD analysis revealed the formation of spinel-phased crystalline structures of the specimens with no impurity phases. The average grain size, lattice constant, cell volume, and porosity were measured in the range of 4.55–7.07 nm, 8.1770–8.1097 Å, 546.7414–533.3525 ų, and 8.77–6.93%, respectively. The SEM analysis revealed a change in morphology of the specimens with a rise in Cu²⁺ content. The particles started gaining a defined shape and size with a rise in Cu²⁺ doping. The Cu_0.12Co_0.88Fe₂O₄ NPs revealed clear grain boundaries with the least agglomeration. The energy band gap declined from 3.98 eV to 3.21 eV with a shift in Cu²⁺ concentration from 0.4 to 0.12. The electrical studies showed that doping a trace amount of Cu²⁺ improved the electrical properties of the CFO NPs without producing any structural distortions. The conductivity of the Cu²⁺-doped CFO NPs increased from 6.66 × 10⁻¹⁰ to 5.26 × 10⁻⁶ ℧ cm⁻¹ with a rise in Cu²⁺ concentration. The improved structural and electrical characteristics of the prepared Cu²⁺-doped CFO NPs made them a suitable candidate for electrical devices, diodes, and sensor technology applications.     

Human papillomavirus subtype 16 is common in Pakistani women with cervical carcinoma.

INTRODUCTION: Human papillomavirus (HPV) is recognized as a major causative agent for cervical carcinomas. Based on their oncogenic potential, HPV subtypes have been divided into high- and low-risk. In Pakistan, screening for HPV in female patients is not commonly practiced, and as a consequence, the degree of HPV prevalence and its correlation with cervical cancer is unknown. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we have attempted to estimate the prevalence of HPV infection, and also the HPV subtype profile, among Pakistani women with cervical cancer from varied geographical, racial, and social backgrounds within Pakistan. METHODOLOGY: Women visiting two tertiary care hospitals in Karachi, diagnosed with carcinoma of the cervix within the past 15 years, were analyzed for HPV subtypes in their cancer specimens. Retrospectively, 60 paraffin-embedded cervical cancer biopsies were examined for the presence of HPV DNA. After DNA extraction from these samples, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to amplify the HPV L1 gene using the consensus (general) primers, and primers specific for subtypes 16 and 18. RESULTS: Of the 60 samples analyzed, only one sample was HPV negative; the rest of the samples were positive for the presence of HPV. Of the 59 HPV positive samples, 56 showed the presence of HPV16 and one sample was positive for HPV18; HPV subtype could not be determined in two samples. CONCLUSION: Our results show a strong relationship between HPV infection and cervical cancer among Pakistani women. These results underscore the need to implement regular HPV screening for Pakistani women. An early diagnosis of HPV infection will allow better health management to reduce the risk of developing cervical cancer.     

High epidermal growth factor receptor amplification rate but low mutation frequency in Middle East lung cancer population

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) exon 18-21 mutations were shown to be highly predictive of response to gefitinib (Iressa) therapy in lung cancer. Studies on Western and Japanese lung cancers have indicated substantial differences in the EGFR mutation frequency between these populations. To investigate the prevalence of EGFR in another distinct ethnic group, EGFR alterations were studied in 47 consecutive non small cell lung cancers from Saudi Arabia by immunohistochemistry, fluorescence in situ hybridization, and DNA sequencing. Detectable EGFR expression was seen in 69.8% of 43 interpretable cancers. Epidermal growth factor receptor amplification, present in 15.3% of 39 analyzable cancers, was strongly associated with high levels of EGFR expression (P = .0047). Only 1 exon 18-21 mutation was seen among 34 lung cancers that could be successfully sequenced. It is concluded that EGFR exon 18-21 mutations are rare in Middle East patients with lung cancer and occur in a similar range as in Western patients. The remarkable high rate of EGFR gene amplifications could potentially facilitate studies on the predictive role of gene copy number changes for response to anti-EGFR therapies in Middle East patient sets.     

High throughput tissue microarray analysis of FHIT expression in diffuse large cell B-cell lymphoma from Saudi Arabia.

Recent studies have suggested a potential prognostic role of alterations of the fragile histidine triad (FHIT) gene in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. To evaluate possible mechanisms of FHIT inactivation and to further clarify its potential prognostic relevance, we analyzed a set of 114 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with clinical follow-up information. Tissue microarrays were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for protein expression, and corresponding DNA samples were analyzed for FHIT promotor hypermethlyation. Reduced or absent FHIT expression was found in 75 of 114 diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (66%), but was unrelated to clinical tumor stage or patient prognosis. FHIT promotor hypermethylation was observed in 29 of 93 (23%) interpretable diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Hypermethylation was not significantly correlated to protein expression loss, which could be explained by competing mechanisms for FHIT inactivation in a substantial fraction of non FHIT hypermethylated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Hypermethylation was significantly associated with poor prognosis of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma patients and predominantly seen in nongerminal center diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (27%), but less frequent (13%) in germinal center diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In summary, these data suggest that promotor hypermethylation is responsible for reduced FHIT expression in a substantial subset of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, which is primarily composed of nongerminal center subtype with poor patient prognosis.     

The effect of cyclosporin A on alveolar bone in rats subjected to experimental periodontal disease

Cyclosporine A (CsA), broadly used in organ transplantation, may contribute to pathogenesis of osteoporosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of CsA on alveolar bone in rats subjected or not to experimental periodontal disease using biochemical, radiographic, and histometric analysis. Forty Wistar rats were divided into 4 equal groups: Group I (Control), Group II (CsA was injected subcutaneously in a daily dose of 10 mg/kg), Group III (Ligature was placed around the mandibular molars), Group IV (Ligature+CsA). After 60 days, rats were decapitated, serum alkaline phosphatase and calcium levels were measured. Radiographic-alveolar bone loss (ABL), histometric-ABL, and percentage of new alveolar bone formation (NABF%) were determined on mandibular molars. Significant increase in serum alkaline phosphatase levels (p < 0.001), no significant difference in calcium levels were observed (p > 0.05) in Group IV compared to Group III. Radiographic and histometric-ABL were significantly less (p < 0.001), NABF% was significantly greater (p < 0.05) in Group IV than in Group III. No significant difference in any of the parameters between Group II and Group I was found. It can be concluded that in the presence of periodontal disease, CsA treatment may bring out an imbalance in the alveolar bone homeostasis by decreasing resorption and stimulating formation of alveolar bone in rats.