Chemopreventive effects of aloin against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine-induced preneoplastic lesions in the colon of Wistar rats

Chemoprevention opens new window in the prevention of all types of cancers including colon cancer. Aloin, an anthracycline in plant pigment, can be utilized as a protective agent in cancer induction. In the present study, we have evaluated the chemopreventive efficacy of aloin against 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-induced preneoplastic lesions in the colon of Wistar rats. DMH-induced aberrant crypt foci (ACF) and mucin-depleted foci (MDF) have been used as biomarkers of colon cancer. Efficacy of aloin against the colon toxicity was evaluated in terms of biochemical estimation of antioxidant enzyme activities, lipid peroxidation, ACF, MDF, histopathological changes, and expression levels of molecular markers of inflammation and tumor promotion. Aloin pretreatment ameliorates the damaging effects induced by DMH through a protective mechanism that involved reduction in increased oxidative stress enzymes (p < 0.001), ACF, MDF, cyclooxygenase-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, interleukin-6, proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein expression, and tumor necrosis factor-α (p < 0.001) release. From the results, it could be concluded that aloin clearly protects against chemically induced colon toxicity and acts reasonably by inducing antioxidant level, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative markers.

Valley polarized quantum Hall effect and topological insulator phase transitions in silicene

The electronic properties of silicene are distinct from both the conventional two dimensional electron gas and the famous graphene due to strong spin orbit interaction and the buckled structure. Silicene has the potential to overcome limitations encountered for graphene, in particular the zero band gap and weak spin orbit interaction. We demonstrate a valley polarized quantum Hall effect and topological insulator phase transitions. We use the Kubo formalism to discuss the Hall conductivity and address the longitudinal conductivity for elastic impurity scattering in the first Born approximation. We show that the combination of an electric field with intrinsic spin orbit interaction leads to quantum phase transitions at the charge neutrality point, providing a tool to experimentally tune the topological state. Silicene constitutes a model system for exploring the spin and valley physics not accessible in graphene due to the small spin orbit interaction.

Coat protein based molecular characterization of Barley yellow dwarf virus isolates identified on oat plants in Pakistan

Barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) is a potential threat to the agriculture production. The amplified complete coat protein sequences of the isolate M07 and M12 were determined to be 597 bp and 603bp, respectively. M07 showed maximum nucleotide sequence identity of 87.6% (84.3% amino acid sequence identity) to a Chinese isolate of BYDV-PAV. Whereas, the isolate M12 showed maximum nucleotide sequence identity of 94.5% (94.0% amino acid sequence identity) to French isolate BYDV-PAV. Since more than 10 o/o differences, among the amino acid level of any gene product, is the sole criterion to discriminate between species within the family Luteoviridae, the isolate M07 that shows maximum of 84.3% (less than 90%) amino acid sequence identity with previously known Luteovirus species, is thus, recommended to be a distinct PAV species within the genus Luteovirus.

An unusual transmission event of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135 type 2a in a healthcare setting, England, 2012

We report an outbreak of Neisseria meningitidis serogroup W135, associated with a transient transmission event between asymptomatic individuals in a healthcare setting. Two elderly persons subsequently developed invasive meningococcal disease. The duration and type of close contact for those directly involved in the probable transmission incident would not have warranted chemoprophylaxis according to current guidelines. Meningococcal infection in older persons usually presents with pneumonia rather than meningitis or septicaemia with purpura.

Gap opening in the zeroth Landau level in gapped graphene: pseudo-Zeeman splitting in an angular magnetic field

We present a theoretical study of gap opening in the zeroth Landau level in gapped graphene as a result of pseudo-Zeeman interaction. The applied magnetic field couples with the valley pseudospin degree of freedom of the charge carriers leading to the pseudo-Zeeman interaction. To investigate its role in transport at the charge neutrality point (CNP), we study the integer quantum Hall effect in gapped graphene in an angular magnetic field in the presence of pseudo-Zeeman interaction. Analytical expressions are derived for the Hall conductivity using the Kubo-Greenwood formula. We also determine the longitudinal conductivity for elastic impurity scattering in the first Born approximation. We show that pseudo-Zeeman splitting leads to a minimum in the collisional conductivity at high magnetic fields and a zero plateau in the Hall conductivity. Evidence for activated transport at CNP is found from the temperature dependence of the collisional conductivity.

Phytate and other nutrient components of feed ingredients for poultry

Samples of feed ingredients were collected from poultry feed mills in the United States and Canada: corn (133), soybean meal (114), corn distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS; 89), bakery by-product meal (95), wheat (22), wheat middlings (31), canola meal (21), and wheat shorts (15). The samples were assayed by standard wet chemical techniques for CP, fat, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber, calcium, phosphorus, phytate phosphorus, and ash. There was considerable variation found in most of the ingredient components. Forty-two of the 64 CV were above 10.0%. The calcium contents of the ingredients were the most variable, followed by the fat contents. The CP contents were the least variable. There were some fairly consistent relationships observed across samples; in general, acid detergent fiber and NDF were positively correlated, as were ash and mineral levels. Crude protein and fiber levels were positively related, except for wheat shorts, but the relationships were not strong. Phytate P was found to be positively related to ash and total P, as expected, except for corn DDGS. The fat content of corn was found to be negatively related to the NDF content. Significant (P < 0.004) linear regressions were found between phytate P and total P for corn, soybean meal, bakery by-product meal, wheat, wheat middlings, and wheat shorts. The average nonphytate P content of the ingredients was 49.8%, ranging from 38.8% for wheat middlings to 73.2% for DDGS. The phytate P content of wheat and wheat by-products could be predicted from their proximate compositions, with coefficients of determination in excess of 0.740. Predictions for the other ingredients were not as good.

P5-23-03: Breast Cancer in Elderly Treatment Algorithm – A New Approach To Optimize the Management of Breast Cancer in Older Patients

Background: Elderly patients have been receiving a sub-standard treatment for early breast cancer when compared to younger age group patients. A higher percentage of them are being treated with primary endocrine therapy (PET) based on the premise that they may not survive surgery or live long enough to benefit from it. In clinical practice, however, there is no validated assessment in place to assess their surgical risk or estimate their life expectancy. This study aimed to optimize the treatment of early breast cancer in older patients using comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA). It tested the hypothesis that CGA could be used to predict 2-year survival in older breast cancer patients. Based on that a treatment algorithm was devised which could be used to recommend whether PET or surgery plus endocrine treatment would be best indicated in individual patients. Methods: The study included women &gt;70 years of age with early breast cancer, seen in a dedicated Leicester clinic between 04/2005 and 04/2007. All patients had comprehensive assessment including documentation of co-morbidities, Mini-mental state examination (MMSe), Geriatric depression score (GDS), Activities of daily living (ADL), Instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) and American society of anesthesiologist score (ASA). Analysis was performed to find components of the CGA that were helpful in predicting 2-year survival in these patients.

Results: 123 patients were included; age range was 70–94 (median-82). Twenty-two patients died within 2-years. Logistic regression analysis found MMSe, ADL, and ASA score to have an independent association with 2-year survival. A statistically significant correlation (p-value 0.000) was found between the dichotomized combined-score of these components and 2-year survival. Breast Cancer in Elderly Treatment Algorithm (BCETA) was devised using the scores of these three components. Patients who scored one or higher (high-risk group), were found to have &lt;48% two-year survival; those, who scored zero (low-risk group), have &gt;86% chance of two-year survival. The overall accuracy for the algorithm was 81%.

Conclusion: Breast Cancer in Elderly Treatment Algorithm is a new and systematic approach to optimize the management of breast cancer in elderly patients. It is helpful in identifying high-risk patients with expected short-survival who may benefit from PET, if their cancer is hormone receptor positive. Patients with predicted longer life expectancy (low-risk) may be recommended standard treatment. A prospective study is ongoing at Leicester research clinic to validate the results.

BREAST CANCER IN ELDERLY TREATMENT ALGORITHM

Name:

Hospital No: DOB:

Address: Diagnosis:

COMPREHENSIVE GERIATRIC ASSESSMENT

Temperature effects on the magnetoplasmon spectrum of a weakly modulated graphene monolayer

In this work, we determine the effects of temperature on the magnetoplasmon spectrum of an electrically modulated graphene monolayer as well as a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). The intra-Landau band magnetoplasmon spectrum within the self-consistent field approach is investigated for both the aforementioned systems. Results obtained not only exhibit Shubnikov-de Haas (SdH) oscillations but also commensurability oscillations (Weiss oscillations). These oscillations are periodic as a function of inverse magnetic field. We find that both the magnetic oscillations, SdH and Weiss, have a greater amplitude and are more robust against temperature in graphene compared to a conventional 2DEG. Furthermore, there is a π phase shift between the magnetoplasmon oscillations in the two systems which can be attributed to Dirac electrons in graphene acquiring a Berry's phase as they traverse a closed path in a magnetic field.

Evaluation of an indigenous source of rock phosphate as a supplement for broiler chickens

This study investigated the effects of replacing dicalcium phosphate (DCP) with Hazara rock phosphate (HRP) on the growth performance of broiler chickens. The purpose was to determine the maximum level of F that could be well tolerated. The HRP (13.16% P and 2.98% F) was incorporated into a standard corn- and soybean meal-based diet by replacing 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% of DCP based on P. Each treatment consisted of 5 replicate pens of 10 chicks each. The Ca and nonphytate P contents of all diets were maintained constant at 1.0 and 0.45%, respectively. Replacing 25% DCP with HRP significantly increased average BW gain. Substituting 100% HRP (562 mg of F/kg) decreased (P < 0.05) BW gain. The BW gain was maximized at 63.5:36.5 (DCP:HRP) using a quadratic relationship: BW gain (g) = 1,128.6 + 2.6848 × HRP - 0.0368 × HRP(2). Increasing the level of HRP decreased feed intake: feed intake (g) = 1,987.4 + 2.775 × HRP - 0.0515 × HRP(2). The effect of HRP was not pronounced (significant at P < 0.05) until 75% of DCP was replaced by HRP. Feed intake decreased by an average 3.77 g with each 1.0% increase in the levels of HRP beyond 27% HRP substitution. Replacing DCP with HRP up to 50% caused a significant increase in hot carcass weights. The Ca content of tibia was a quadratic function of HRP and was predicted to be highest at 56% HRP substitution. However, increasing HRP in the diet gradually decreased tibia P content (linear function). Serum Ca was increased by substituting HRP for DCP (linear effect). Increasing HRP in the diet decreased the P content of the serum and was predicted to be lowest (P < 0.05) beyond 50% HRP substitution, suggesting poor P availability at high HRP. In conclusion, growth was maximized by feeding about 36.5% HRP (205 mg of F/kg) and 63.5% DCP as P supplements. Using a multiple range test, it was concluded that between 25 and 50% DCP with HRP replacement (141 and 281 mg of F/kg, respectively) could be used safely without significantly decreasing the growth performance of broiler chickens.

Sustainable Campus Design in Malaysia: An Evaluation of Student’s Perception on Four Research University Campuses

The issue of sustainability has been around for a long time. However, it has become a hot issue after the Earth Summit taking place in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro and in 2002 in Johannesburg. Conference in 1992 led to the formulation of Agenda 21, an action plan containing broad principles to help governments and other institutions in carrying out the policies and programs for sustainable development in their respective countries. The aim of this research was to examine the effectiveness of campus physical development planning in Malaysia in creating a sustainable living on campus by assessed the problems that exist. The study was conducted in four public university campuses and limited to only the campus physical planning. Selected campuses are the research universities campus. The case studies were conducted on each campus. The methodology used in this study is qualitative and quantitative techniques. Quantitative technique involves collecting data using questionnaires distributed among 100 respondents for each campus. Meanwhile, the qualitative technique involves collecting comments and opinions from the respondents obtained from questionnaires, behavioral observation and visual research. The results were then compared for each campus for an explanation of the problem. The findings revealed that all campuses had a similar problem. However, there are some differences about the extent or severity of the problems based on campus physical development plan that is different. The result showed that there are minimal problems occurs on the campus that planned more compact compare to a wide and dispersed campus. It also indicates that a compact campus tend to create a sustainable life on campus.

Effect of methimazole-induced hypothyroidism on histological characteristics of parotid gland of albino rat

BACKGROUND

The current study was carried out to investigate the effect of hypothyroidism on the histological structure of parotid salivary gland of the rat.

METHODS

Twenty male albino rats, weighing between 130-150 grams, were used which were divided into two groups: control group (A) and an experimental group (B), each containing 10 animals. Group B was rendered hypothyroid by giving methimazole (MMI) as 0.02% solution in drinking water daily for 3 weeks. On day 22nd parotid and thyroid glands were removed, weighed and processed for light microscopy. Salivary gland was fixed in Bouin's solution, H&E and Toluidine blue stains were used for histological examination. Serum T3, T4 and TSH levels were determined by enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

In group A, serum concentration of T3, T4 and TSH was 12.58 +/- 3.05 etag/ml, 4.72 +/- 1.20 microg/dl, and 0.25 +/- 0.24 microIU/ml respectively, where as in group B it was 2.14 +/- 1.83 etag/ml, 1.04 +/- 0.44 microg/dl and 1.44 +/- 0.20 microIU/ml respectively. When differences between T3, T4 and TSH of the groups were compared, the p-value was < 0.000, < 0.000, and < 0.000 respectively. Mean thyroid weight significantly increased in group B (44.1 0 +/- 1.66 mg) when compared to that in group A (33.70 +/- 1.56 mg). These findings established the occurrence of hypothyroid state in the experimental group. There was a statistically significant reduction in the parotid gland weight in the animals of the experimental group (38.30 +/- 1.15 mg) when compared to the control group (39.60 +/- 0.84 mg), (p < 0.01). With light microscopy, group A showed a normal structure of parotid salivary gland, whereas multiple histological changes were observed in parotrid gland of the experimental group. Number of mast cells in parotid gland was also significantly higher (p < 0.017) in group B (3.70 +/- 1.11/mm2) than in group A (2.25 +/- 1.34/mm2).

CONCLUSION

The level of T3, T4 decreased and that of TSH increased in the experimental group when compared with control group; there were also changes in the histological structure of the parotid salivary gland.

Thermodynamic properties of a weakly modulated graphene monolayer in a magnetic field

Theoretical investigation of thermodynamic properties of an electrically modulated graphene monolayer in the presence of a perpendicular magnetic field B is presented. This work is aimed at determining the modulation-induced effects on the thermodynamic properties of graphene. The results obtained are compared with those of conventional two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) systems realized in semiconductor heterostructures. The one-dimensional periodic potential, due to electric modulation lifts the degeneracy of the Landau levels and converts them into bands whose width oscillates as a function of B. We find commensurability (Weiss) oscillations for small values of B and de Haas-van Alphen (dHvA)-type oscillations at larger values of B. We find that the modulation-induced effects on the thermodynamic properties are enhanced and less damped with temperature in graphene compared with conventional 2DEG systems. Furthermore, we have derived analytic asymptotic expressions which allow us to determine the critical temperature and critical magnetic field for the damping of magnetic oscillations in the thermodynamic quantities considered here.

The magnetoplasmon spectrum of a weakly modulated two-dimensional electron gas system

The magnetoplasmon spectrum of a magnetically modulated two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is investigated. We derive the inter- and intra-Landau-band magnetoplasmon spectrum within the self-consistent field approach. The derivation is performed at zero temperature as well as at finite temperature. Results are presented for the inter- and intra-Landau-band magnetoplasmon spectrum as a function of the inverse magnetic field. Magnetic Weiss oscillations are found to occur in the magnetoplasmon spectrum as a result of magnetic modulation. Furthermore, our finite temperature theory facilitates the analysis of effects of temperature on the magnetoplasmon spectrum. The results are compared with those obtained for an electrically modulated 2DEG system. In addition, we derive and discuss the effects of simultaneous electric and magnetic modulations on the magnetoplasmon spectrum of the 2DEG when the modulations are in phase as well as when they are out of phase. Magnetic oscillations are affected by the relative phase of the two modulations and the position of the oscillations depends on the relative strength of the two modulations in the former case while we find complete suppression of Weiss oscillations for a particular relative strength of the modulations in the latter case.

Teratogenic effects of lead acetate on kidney

BACKGROUND

Lead remains a considerable occupational and public health problem, which is known to cause a number of adverse effects in both men and women. Conflicting reports have appeared on lead induced nephrotoxicity in experimental studies in the past. There is hardly any work on its teratogenic effects on kidney. Present study was therefore designed to investigate the effects of lead acetate on developing kidney.

METHODS

Twelve mice were used as experimental model and were divided into two groups of six animals each; group A served as control group and B was used as an experimental group. Lead acetate (10 mg/kg) dissolved in 0.02 ml of distilled water was administered as a single daily dose orally to group B whereas weight related amount of distilled water was given to group A for the entire period of experiment. On 18th day of gestation foetuses were dissected free of uterine wall under the dissecting microscope and were sacrificed; kidneys were removed and fixed in 10% formalin, dehydrated in ascending grades of alcohol, cleared in xylene and infiltrated with filtered paraffin. The paraffin blocks were made and five micron thin sections were obtained using a rotary microtome. The sections were stained with Hematoxylin and eosin and, PAS; these were examined under light microscope.

RESULTS

Significant decrease in cortical thickness was observed which varied from 578.61 +/- 1.4 microm in group A to 515.6 +/- 5 microm in group B (p < 0.001). Diameter of renal corpuscles varied from 57.7 +/- 0.07 microm in group A to 50.5 +/- 0.07 microm in group B (p < 0.001). Moderate cortical tubular atrophy showing thickening of endothelial basement membrane in glomeruli, desquamated epithelium with degenerated nuclei in proximal and distal tubules were observed in group B in contrast to group A.

CONCLUSION

The results of the investigation indicated that lead acetate administration to the dams produced deleterious effects on the developing kidney in mice.

Cyclosporin induced effects on foetal kidney in albino mice

BACKGROUND

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is an immunosuppressive agent which is used to prevent graft rejection and to treat autoimmune disorders. Its teratogenic effects remain unexplored despite its extensive use even during pregnancy. Current study was, therefore, undertaken to investigate the effects of CsA on the developing kidney.

METHODS

Twelve pregnant mice were divided into two groups, A and B, having six animals each. Cyclosporin was freshly prepared in normal saline daily and administered subcutaneously by a single dose of 50 mg/kg in the morning to experimental group B during pregnancy from day 0 to day 18. The control group A was given comparable volume of normal saline only. The pregnant mice were sacrificed at the end of experimental period. The foetal kidneys were dissected and fixed in 10% formalin for histological preparations.

RESULTS

The results showed that weight of the foetuses and their kidneys exposed to CsA was consistently reduced. The mean weight of the foetuses exposed to CsA was 1.34 +/- 0.08 g as compared to 1.48 +/- 0.18 g in the control group whereas the mean kidney weight from CsA treated group was 9.47 +/- 0.27 mg when compared to the control having 10.79 +/- 0.53 mg. Morphometric analysis revealed reduction in total number of glomeruli and hypertrophy of remaining glomeruli. The total number of glomeruli/mm2 in the kidneys from CsA treated group was 26.85 +/- 4.43 as compared to 41.33 +/- 3.66 from the control group and the mean diameter of glomeruli from the foetuses of groups A and B was 7.11 +/- 0.47 mm and 8.66 +/- 0.63 mm respectively; the differences between the groups A and B of the animals on all the parameters above were statistically significant (p < 0.000).

CONCLUSION

The results of the investigation indicated that CsA administration to the pregnant dams produced deleterious effects of on the developing kidney in mice. On the analogy of the results, comparable effects of CsA are expected in case of human; this, however, needs further investigations.

Differentially expressed genes during malting and correlation with malting quality phenotypes in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Breeding for malting quality is an important goal of malting barley breeding programs. Malting quality is a complex phenotype that combines a large number of interrelated components, each of which shows complex inheritance. Currently, only a few genes involved in determining malting quality have been characterized. We combined transcript profiling with phenotypic correlations to identify candidate genes for malting quality. The Barley1 GeneChip array containing 22,792 probe sets was used to conduct transcript profiling of genes expressed in several different stages of malting of four malting cultivars. Genes that were differentially expressed in comparisons between different malting stages relative to ungerminated seed, as well as in comparisons between malting cultivars in the same malting stage were identified. Correlation analysis of 723 differentially expressed genes with malting quality phenotypes showed that 11-102 of these genes correlated with six malting quality phenotypes. Genes involved in carbohydrate metabolism were among the positively correlated genes. Genes for protein and lipid metabolism, cell wall organization and biogenesis, and genes involved in stress and defense response also correlated with malting quality phenotypes. Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) were generated from a 'malting-gene enriched' cDNA library made by suppression subtractive hybridization between malted and ungerminated seeds of 'Morex'. Eleven percent of the ESTs had no significant homology with sequences in the databases, suggesting that there may be other malting-related genes not represented in the barley gene chip array. The results provide candidate genes for malting quality phenotypes that need to be functionally validated.