Protective effect of syringic acid on kidney ischemia-reperfusion injury

The objective of the present study was to determine whether preischemic administration of syringic acid (SA) would attenuate renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Rats were divided into three groups: Sham group; IR group; and IR?+?SA group. The effects of SA were examined using biochemical parameters including serum ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), tissue superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA). The apoptosis status and histopathological changes were evaluated. After calculating the score for each histopathological change, the total score was obtained by summing all the scores. In the SA group, MDA, IMA, TOS, and OSI decreased significantly compared to the IR group. After SA administration, the increase in GPx activity was found to be significant. Apoptosis decreased significantly in the SA group compared with the IR group. The total score significantly decreased after administration of SA. Taken together, our findings suggest that SA preconditioning is effective in reducing tissue damage induced in kidney IRI. Renal histology also showed convincing evidence regarding the protective nature of SA.     

Evaluation of the role of L-arginine on spermatological parameters,seminal plasma nitric oxide levels and arginase enzyme activities in rams

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of L-arginine on spermatological parameters, seminal plasma nitric oxide levels and arginase enzyme activities. Fertile rams that are 2–3 years old and weighing 50–60 kg were used as material. The semen was collected by artificial vagina at 1st, 4th, 24th, 48th, 72nd, 96th and 120th hours for the control group before L-arginine administration. For treatment groups, L-arginine was administered intraperitoneally at a dose of 5 mg kg⁻¹ bw⁻¹ and semen was collected at the time point described for the control group. Spermatological characteristics of semen samples (semen volume, pH, sperm motility, concentration and abnormal sperm rate), seminal plasma nitric oxide levels and arginase enzyme activities were determined. Increased seminal plasma nitric oxide level (p < .01), seminal plasma arginase activity (p < .01), semen volume (p < .05), semen mass activity (p < .05), sperm motility (p < .05) and concentration (p < .01) and decreased abnormal sperm rate (p < .05 and p < .01) were observed by L-arginine administration. In conclusion, it may be concluded that L-arginine application in rams during the breeding season may have positive effects on rams' reproductive performance.     

The neutralization effect of montelukast on SARS-CoV-2 is shown by multiscale in silico simulations and combined in vitro studies

Small molecule inhibitors have previously been investigated in different studies as possible therapeutics in the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). In the current drug repurposing study, we identified the leukotriene (D4) receptor antagonist montelukast as a novel agent that simultaneously targets two important drug targets of SARS-CoV-2. We initially demonstrated the dual inhibition profile of montelukast through multiscale molecular modeling studies. Next, we characterized its effect on both targets by different in vitro experiments including the enzyme (main protease) inhibition-based assay, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectroscopy, pseudovirus neutralization on HEK293T/hACE2+TMPRSS2, and virus neutralization assay using xCELLigence MP real-time cell analyzer. Our integrated in silico and in vitro results confirmed the dual potential effect of montelukast both on the main protease enzyme inhibition and virus entry into the host cell (spike/ACE2). The virus neutralization assay results showed that SARS-CoV-2 virus activity was delayed with montelukast for 20 h on the infected cells. The rapid use of new small molecules in the pandemic is very important today. Montelukast, whose pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties are very well characterized and has been widely used in the treatment of asthma since 1998, should urgently be completed in clinical phase studies and, if its effect is proved in clinical phase studies, it should be used against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).     

Novel noninvasive detection method for endometriosis: research and development of scintigraphic survey on endometrial implants in rats

In this experimental study on endometriosis, the majority of the implants were successfully detected with technetium-(99mTc) labeled red blood cell scintigraphy.     

Contribution of diffusion‐weighted imaging to dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI in the characterization of papillary breast lesions

Papillary lesions have a broad spectrum of appearances on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI ). The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC ) values of papillary lesions can be used to characterize lesion as benign or malignant. This retrospective study included 29 papillary lesions. Diagnostic values of dynamic contrast‐enhanced MRI (DCE‐MRI), DWI ‐ADC , and DCE ‐MRI plus DWI ‐ADC were separately calculated. The malignant papillary lesions (0.744×10^?3 mm²/s) exhibited significantly lower mean ADC values than the benign lesions (1.339×10^?3 mm²/s). Addition of DWI to standard DCE ‐MRI provided 100% sensitivity. We hypothesized that this combination may prevent unnecessary excisional biopsies.     

Influence of misoprostol (PGE1) on amniotic fluid and maternal serum adrenomedullin levels

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the levels of adrenomedullin (AdM) in amniotic fluid (AF) and maternal serum of misoprostol (PGE1)-induced pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 40 women were included in the study: 20 were in active labor and were delivered vaginally and a further 20 were not in labor and misoprostol induction was performed. Women who were undergoing labor induction received 50 microg of misoprostol, which was placed in the posterior fornix of the vagina every 4 hrs until the onset of labor. In each patient, maternal plasma and AF samples were collected. Samples of AF were collected by transvaginal route at the time of rupture of the membranes. The labor was at the same stage in both the groups during the sample collection. In all pregnant subjects, maternal blood samples were drawn from the cubital vein at the time of AF sampling. Amniotic fluid and serum AdM concentration was measured by using reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Misoprostol-induced pregnant women showed significantly higher AdM concentrations than control pregnant women in AF (79.48 +/- 6.14 pmol/ml versus 21.28 +/- 0.90 pmol/ml, P = 0.000) and maternal serum (88.20 +/- 4.34 pmol/ml versus 29.78 +/- 4.51 pmol/ml, P = 0.000). There was no significant difference between maternal serum and AF-AdM concentrations in misoprostol and control subjects. CONCLUSION: Increased serum and AF-AdM concentrations may be necessary to initiate cervical ripening in misoprostol-induced pregnant women.     

The protective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on ischemia-reperfusion injury in rat ovary

OBJECTIVE: This experimental study was designed to determine the changes in tissue levels of malondialdehyde, end-product of lipid peroxidation (MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH) and xanthine oxidase (XO) and the effect of caffeic acid (3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid) phenethyl ester (CAPE) on these metabolite levels after adnexal torsion-detorsion model in rats. METHOD: Forty adult female albino rats were divided into five groups: basal control (n = 8), sham operation (n = 8), torsion-detorsion plus saline (n = 8), torsion-detorsion plus CAPE (n = 8). and only torsion (n = 8). Rats in the sham operation group underwent a surgical procedure similar to the other groups but the adnexa was not torsioned. Rats in the torsion group were killed after 360 degrees clockwise adnexal torsion for 3 h and ovaries were harvested. CAPE was injected intraperitoneally 30 min before detorsion in the CAPE/detorsion group and saline was administered in the saline/detorsion group. After 3 h of adnexal detorsion, the rats in both groups were killed and adnexa were surgically removed. RESULTS: MDA levels and XO activities in torsion-detorsion plus saline group increased significantly when compared to basal control, torsion and sham operation groups (P < 0.001). In the CAPE group, MDA levels and XO activities were lower than those of torsion-detorsion plus saline group, and differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001). GSH levels in torsion-detorsion plus saline group were decreased significantly when compared to basal control and sham operation groups (P < 0.001). GSH levels in the CAPE group were higher than those of torsion-detorsion plus saline group, and differences between the two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.004). Morphologically, polymorphonuclear leukocytic infiltration and vascular dilatation were obvious in the ischemia-reperfusion damaged ovary, a change partially reversed by CAPE. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that administration of CAPE has beneficial effects in the prevention of ischemia-reperfusion injury of the ovaries.     

Multidisciplinary perspectives towards the education of young low-income immigrant children

This paper examines the issues surrounding low-income immigrants in the U.S. and the ways they shape the educational experiences of their young children. Using a multidisciplinary lens including sociology, family studies, education, and mental health, the authors analyse multiple perspectives towards the educational experiences of children in low-income immigrant families. After providing a sample case study focusing on the educational experiences of Burmese refugee parents with early elementary education (Grades K through 3) in the Midwestern United States, the authors frame desirable responses from policy and practice that would best support the educational experiences of young children in low-income immigrant families including (a) understanding cultural strengths, (b) creating a positive and inclusive classroom environment, (c) supporting bilingual and bicultural competencies, (d) providing immigrant families with leadership opportunities, (e) teacher professional development on mental health and poverty, and (f) building integrated supports for the family.     

Synchronous endometrial and cervical tumors in a 26-year-old nullipara: diagnostic modalities updated

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), performed on conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, provides useful information at the biochemical level. MRS has been used to measure tissue concentrations of proton-containing compounds such as organic and amino acids, and sugars in living tissues. We have used MRS in a 26-year-old female with suspected cervical and endometrial carcinomas. With the use of the above mentioned technique, biochemical differences in the endometrium and the cervix tissues were detected. The presented case is the first virgin patient in the relevant literature in whom endometrial and cervical carcinoma was detected. Choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), N-acetylaspartate (NAA), lipid and lactate region of the MRS spectrum suggested that the technique could be used as an indicator of metabolic alterations in the cervical and endometrial tumor cells.