Effects of high-isoflavone soy diet vs. casein protein diet and obesity on DMBA-induced mammary tumor development

Obesity and elevated serum insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) level are major risk factors in the development of breast cancer. We investigated the long-term effects of high-isoflavone soy intake and obesity on 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA)-induced mammary tumor development and on serum IGF-1 and binding protein (IGFBP-3) levels. Lean and obese female Zucker rats fed casein or high-isoflavone soy protein were orally gavaged at age 50 days with DMBA and sacrificed after 147 days. The majority of lean casein-fed rats (69%) developed mammary tumors compared to 50% in lean soy-fed rats (P=0.176). In the obese groups, 76% of soy-fed rats developed mammary tumors compared to 15% of obese casein-fed rats (P<0.001). At age 43 days, IGFBP-3 was increased in the lean soy-fed rats compared to the lean casein-fed rats (P<0.05). At age 99 days, soy- and obese casein-fed rats exhibited increased serum IGF-1 compared to the lean rats and this increase was maintained for the rest of the experiment (P<0.05). Obese rats fed casein exhibited increased IGFBP-3 levels (P<0.001). However, obese rats fed soy exhibited a significant decrease in IGFBP-3 levels compared to the lean soy-fed rats (P<0.001) and a significant decrease in IGFBP-3 levels compared to the obese casein-fed rats (P<0.001). At age 197 days, IGFBP-3 levels were increased in obese casein-and soy-fed rats (P<0.001). The results suggest that female Zucker rats fed casein diets are protected against DMBA-induced mammary tumors, which is not the case for those on high-isoflavone soy diet, and changes in the concentration of serum IGFBP-3 may contribute to the incidence of DMBA-induced mammary tumors.     

The effects of fresh garlic on the serum concentration of total cholesterol, total triglyceride and adipose tissues of broilers

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of garlic on total cholesterol, total triglyceride and adipose tissues in chickens, since garlic is typically used as a dietary supplement in broilers' diets. One hundred male broiler chicks were divided randomly into two groups. From the day after they were born, group one received standard feed plus 20 kg/ton dried fresh garlic and group two received just standard feed without added garlic. On day 50, the chickens were individually weighed and slaughtered. Carcasses and adipose tissues were weighed out separately. During the slaughtering process, blood samples were collected to provide serum samples. The sera were used to measure total cholesterol and total triglyceride using routine laboratory methods. All samples were analysed and the results assessed statistically using the t test method. The results showed no significant changes in chicken weights or in chicken carcass weights. However, the results indicated significant decreases in total cholesterol, total triglyceride and adipose tissue, in Group 1 compared with Group 2 (p?<?0.001). The results suggest that fresh garlic may reduce total cholesterol, total triglyceride and the amount of carcass adipose tissue in chickens.     

Effect of Rutin on Diabetic Auditory Neuropathy in an Experimental Rat Model

ObjectivesDiabetic auditory neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes mellitus that has a major impact on patients’ quality of life. In this study, we assessed the efficacy of rutin in treating diabetic auditory neuropathy in an experimental rat model.MethodsForty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: group 1, control; group 2, diabetic rats; and groups 3–5, rats treated with rutin (at doses of 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg, respectively). We used auditory brain stem response, stereology of the spiral ganglion, and measurements of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) to evaluate the effects of treatment.ResultsSignificant improvements in auditory neuropathy were observed in the rutin-treated groups in comparison with the diabetic group (P<0.05). Auditory threshold, wave latency, wave morphology, the volume and number of neurons in the spiral ganglion, and SOD and MDA activity showed improvements following treatment.ConclusionRutin shows promise as a treatment modality for diabetic auditory neuropathy, but more trials are warranted for its clinical application.     

Living-related liver transplantation in patients with variceal bleeding: outcome and prognostic factors

BACKGROUND:Liver transplantation currently represents the ultimate therapy for bleeding esophageal varices in patients with liver cirrhosis.It is the only therapy that cures both portal hypertension and the underlying liver disease.The outcome of liver transplantation is thought to be correlated with several factors.In this study,the clinical outcome of living-related liver transplantation(LRLT) was evaluated in patients with variceal bleeding,and the prognostic indicators of short-term survival in these pa...     

Unilateral Quadriceps Fatigue Induces Greater Impairments of Ipsilateral versus Contralateral Elbow Flexors and Plantar Flexors Performance in Physically Active Young Adults

Non-local muscle fatigue (NLMF) studies have examined crossover impairments of maximal voluntary force output in non-exercised, contralateral muscles as well as comparing upper and lower limb muscles. Since prior studies primarily investigated contralateral muscles, the purpose of this study was to compare NLMF effects on elbow flexors (EF) and plantar flexors (PF) force and activation (electromyography: EMG). Secondly, possible differences when testing ipsilateral or contralateral muscles with a single or repeated isometric maximum voluntary contractions (MVC) were also investigated. Twelve participants (six males: (27.3 ± 2.5 years, 186.0 ± 2.2 cm, 91.0 ± 4.1 kg; six females: 23.0 ± 1.6 years, 168.2 ± 6.7 cm, 60.0 ± 4.3 kg) attended six randomized sessions where ipsilateral or contralateral PF or EF MVC force and EMG activity (root mean square) were tested following a dominant knee extensors (KE) fatigue intervention (2×100s MVC) or equivalent rest (control). Testing involving a single MVC (5s) was completed by the ipsilateral or contralateral PF or EF prior to and immediately post-interventions. One minute after the post-intervention single MVC, a 12×5s MVCs fatigue test was completed. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs revealed that ipsilateral EF post-fatigue force was lower (-6.6%, p = 0.04, d = 0.18) than pre-fatigue with no significant changes in the contralateral or control conditions. EF demonstrated greater fatigue indexes for the ipsilateral (9.5%, p = 0.04, d = 0.75) and contralateral (20.3%, p < 0.01, d = 1.50) EF over the PF, respectively. There were no significant differences in PF force, EMG or EF EMG post-test or during the MVCs fatigue test. The results suggest that NLMF effects are side and muscle specific where prior KE fatigue could hinder subsequent ipsilateral upper body performance and thus is an important consideration for rehabilitation, recreation and athletic programs.Key points

• Non-local muscle fatigue effects were found in the elbow flexors ipsilateral to the fatigued knee extensors but not in the contralateral elbow flexors.
• Non-local muscle fatigue effects were not apparent in ipsilateral or contralateral plantar flexors to the fatigued knee extensors.
• Ipsilateral elbow flexors displayed single MVC as well as fatigue index performance deficits.
• The results of this study suggest that non-local muscle fatigue effects are muscle specific.

Key words: Quadriceps, plantar flexors, elbow flexors, crossover fatigue, force, electromyography     

Lactoferrin plus health education versus total dose infusion (TDI) of low-molecular weight (LMW) iron dextran for treating iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common medical disorder disturbing pregnancies particularly in low resources countries, and contributes significantly to morbidities and mortalities. Thus, early diagnosis and prompt management of IDA is highly recommended.

Aim: To Test the efficacy and safety of oral lactoferrin plus health education provided by a nurse versus total dose infusion (TDI) of low-molecular weight (LMW) iron dextran for treating IDA in the second and third trimester of pregnancy.

Design: A prospective interventional, randomized, parallel-group, single-center longitudinal study.

Setting: Woman’s Health Assiut University Hospital, Assiut, Egypt, at the outpatient clinic and inpatient unit. It comprised 120 cases divided into two groups as pineapple flavored lactoferrin oral sachets 100?mg twice daily with health education (group A) and TDI of LMW iron dextran (group B).

Main outcome measures: The primary efficacy parameter was clinical improvement and the amount of increase in hemoglobin concentration by 4 weeks after therapy, secondary outcome measures included measurement of the rest of RBC, and iron indices, the adverse effects related to iron therapy and the patient compliance to the treatment.

Results: There was insignificant difference between both groups regarding sociodemographic data, parity and mean gestational age. Both groups showed a significant clinical improvement of anemia 4 weeks post-therapy. There was no statistically significant difference in mean Hb level improvement in both groups after 1 month of therapy. However, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) improved significantly more in group B than A while iron indices (serum iron and serum ferritin) were significantly more in group A than group B.

Conclusions: Pineapple flavored lactoferrin oral sachets plus health education can be widely used as an alternative to TDI iron dextran supplementation due to clinical as well as laboratory improvement of IDA during pregnancy after 1 month of treatment. Proper health education of the pregnant women with nurse recommendations of balanced diet containing good sources of iron would increase awareness of pregnant women and help eradicate IDA with its serious sequel during pregnancy.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03279536.     

Overlapping synthetic peptides as vaccines

Several vaccine strategies aim to generate cell-mediated immunity (CMI) against microorganisms or tumors. While epitope-based vaccines offer advantages, knowledge of specific epitopes and frequency of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) alleles is required. Here we show that using promiscuous overlapping synthetic peptides (OSP) as immunogens generated peptide-specific CMI in all vaccinated outbred mice and in different strains of inbred mice; CMI responses also recognized viral proteins. OSP immunogens also induced CMI ex vivo in dendritic cell/T-cell cocultures involving cells from individuals with different HLA haplotypes. Thus, broad CMI was induced by OSP in different experimental settings, using different immunogens, without identifying either epitopes or MHC backgrounds of the vaccinees.     

Synthesis of some new annulated pyrazolo-pyrido (or pyrano) pyrimidine, pyrazolopyridine and pyranopyrazole derivatives

The bifunctional pyrazolopyridine (2) and pyrano-pyrazole (3) derivatives were prepared by the reaction of 2-(2,4-dinitrophenyl)-5-methyl-2,4-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one (1) with p-methoxybenzaldehyde, malononitrile in the presence of ammonium acetate or piperidine, respectively. Compound 2 was used as the key intermediate to prepare the pyrazolo-pyrido-pyrimidine derivatives through its reaction with formic acid, formamide-formic acid-DMF, ammonium thiocyanate or reaction with triethyl orthoformate followed by cyclization with hydrazine hydrate. Reaction of 3 with triethyl orthoformate followed by cyclization with hydrazine hydrate gave the pyrazolo-pyrano-pyrimidine derivative 11. Reaction of ethyl-3-oxo-2-[2-phenyl-diazenyl]butanoate and ethyl 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)diazenyl]-3-oxobutanoate with 1 to give the pyrazolone derivatives 13a and 13b, was also considered.