Cystone,an ayurvedic herbal drug imparts protection to the mice against the lethal effects of γ‐radiation: A preliminary study

The effect of 5, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120, and 160 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) of aqueous extract of cystone (an ayurvedic herbal medicine) administered intraperitoneally was studied on the radiation‐induced mortality in mice exposed to 10 Gy of γ‐radiation. Treatment of mice with different doses of cystone, consecutively for five days before irradiation, delayed the onset of mortality and reduced the symptoms of radiation sickness when compared with the non‐drug treated irradiated controls. The pretreatment of mice with different doses of cystone before exposure to 10 Gy of γ‐radiation resulted in a dose‐dependent elevation in the survival up to 40 mg/kg b. wt., where the highest number of survival (55.55%) was observed by 30 days post irradiation, when compared with the 10 Gy irradiated control (6.66%). Thereafter, the number of survivors declined and reached a nadir at 160 mg/kg, where no survivors could be observed. The optimum protection against irradiation was observed for 40 mg/kg cystone, where the highest number of survivors were reported by 30 days post irradiation and it was 8.34‐fold greater than that of the irradiated control group.     

木糖对小鼠润肠通便作用的影响

采用复方地芬诺酯制造小鼠便秘模型,观察木糖对便秘模型小鼠的首次排黑便时间,6h内排便粒数,粪便湿、干重及水分含量的影响;采用肠段称重法,观察木糖对正常小鼠小肠与大肠水分吸收的影响。结果表明：低剂量组与便秘模型组相比,6h内小鼠排便粒数（P〈0．05）、粪便干重（P〈0．01）、湿重（P〈0．01）及粪便水分含量（P〈0．05）均显著增加;中、高剂量组与便秘模型组相比能显著缩短小鼠首次排黑便时间（P〈0．01）、显著增加小鼠排便粒数（P〈0．001）及粪便干重（P〈0．001）、湿重（P〈0．001）及粪便水分含量（P〈0．01或P〈0．001）;木糖高剂量组与正常对照组的小肠含水量比较,差异有显著性（P〈0．05）,而木糖3个剂量组大肠含水量均高于正常对照组（P〈0．05）。木糖能显著增加便秘小鼠粪便粒数、湿粪和干粪重量及粪便含水量,缩短首次排便时间;同时增加正常小鼠小、大肠道含水量。因此,木糖具有润肠通便的作用。     

金银花提取物对中波紫外线辐射致雄性小鼠生殖系统损伤的保护作用

研究金银花提取物对中波紫外线（UVB）辐射致雄性小鼠生殖系统损伤的保护作用。将60只雄性小鼠随机分为6组,分别为空白对照组、金银花提取物单独处理组、辐射模型组、金银花提取物低、中、高剂量处理组。其中金银花提取物单独处理组和低、中、高剂量组每天上午灌胃400、200、400和600 mg·kg-1·d-1的金银花提取物,空白和辐射模型组灌胃生理盐水,除空白和金银花提取物单独处理组外,其余4组均在下午接受3 h的UVB（285 nm）照射。实验处理30 d后,测定各组小鼠睾体比、精子活率、睾丸组织病理学变化及超氧化物歧化酶（SOD）活力和丙二醛（MDA）含量。结果表明,与空白对照组相比,辐射模型组小鼠睾体比和精子活率均显著下降（p<0.05）,睾丸曲细精管生精上皮排列疏松,可见生精细胞脱落至管腔,睾丸组织SOD活性显著降低而MDA含量显著升高（p<0.01）。与辐射模型组相比,金银花提取物低、中、高剂量处理组小鼠睾体比和精子活率均显著升高（p<0.05）,生精上皮排列越来越致密,睾丸组织SOD活性显著增加而MDA含量显著下降（p<0.01）,并且呈现良好的剂量-效应关系。以上结果表明,金银花提取物对UVB辐射致雄性小鼠生殖系统损伤有一定的保护作用。      

Efficacy of naltrexone in smoking cessation: a preliminary study and an examination of sex differences.

This double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of naltrexone as an adjunct to standard smoking cessation treatment. Participants (N = 110) were adult male and female nicotine-dependent smokers who expressed interest in quitting smoking. All subjects received six sessions of behavioral counseling (1 hr/session for 6 weeks), and 1 month of the nicotine patch (21 mg for the first 2 weeks, 14 mg the third week, 7 mg the fourth week). Subjects were randomly assigned to the naltrexone or placebo group. The naltrexone group started at 25 mg daily for 3 days prior to the quit date, and increased to 50 mg/day on the quit date and following 8 weeks. At the end of medication treatment, the naltrexone group had better quit rates versus the placebo group (48% quit on naltrexone vs. 41% on placebo), but this difference was not statistically significant. However, men and women differed on several measures: in the placebo group, women had significantly lower quit rates than men (39% vs. 67%, p<.05), but in the naltrexone group, women had quit rates comparable with those of men (58% vs. 62%, p = ns). Further examination revealed that naltrexone significantly reduced men's and women's cessation-related weight gain and selectively reduced women's urge to smoke to relieve negative affect and withdrawal. The results suggest continued examination of naltrexone as an adjunct in smoking cessation, particularly in female smokers, who have historically shown worse outcomes with traditional treatment methods.     

Manufacture of jameed using a spray drying process: a preliminary study

Jameed powder was manufactured using a controlled fermentation with a yogurt starter followed by spray drying. The composition and physical properties of the spray dried jameed were analysed and compared with local sun dried jameed. It was found that the moisture content of the spray dried jameed was lower than that of the sun dried product. In addition, the dispersibility of the spray dried jameed was higher and the average particle size was smaller; wettability, bulk density and colour were comparable between the two products.     

Characterisation of a Bifidobacterium strain with acquired resistance to cholate--a preliminary study

The susceptibility levels against bile salts (ox gall) and sodium cholate of 19 Bifidobacterium strains from different origins ranged between 0.125% and 2.0% and 0.05% and 0.4%, respectively. Seven of these strains were subsequently selected for the isolation of sodium cholate resistant derivatives by exposure to gradually increasing concentrations of this compound. Derivatives resistant to at least 1.2% of cholate were obtained from Bifidobacterium bifidum CECT 4549 and B. bifidum M6. Further analysis of the CECT 4549 derivative indicated that the phenotype induced was stable; the enzymatic activities analysed remained unchanged and no major rearrangements of chromosomal DNA were produced. However, the cells of the resistant derivative were smaller and more regular in average size than those of the original strain. In addition, the derivative had lost the ability to use lactose, fructose and galactose, and showed reduced expression levels of two membrane proteins of 78 and 114 kDa. Finally, the resistant strain displayed higher survival and lower growth inhibition in the presence of cholate than the original strain.     

Evaluation of the radioprotective effect of the leaf extract of Syzygium cumini (Jamun) in mice exposed to a lethal dose of gamma-irradiation

The effects of various concentrations (5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, and 80 mg/kg body weight (b.wt.) of the leaf extracts of Syzygium cumini Linn. and Eugenia cumini (SCE, black plum, Jamun, family Myrtaceae) on the radiation-induced sickness and mortality in mice exposed to 10 Gy gamma-irradiation were studied. The treatment of mice with different doses of SCE, consecutively for five days before irradation, delayed the onset of mortality and reduced the symptoms of radiation sickness when compared with the nondrug-treated irradiated controls. All doses of SCE provied protection against the gastrointestinal death increasing the survival by 66.66% after treatment with 20, 30, and 40 mg/kg SCE versus a 12% survival in the irradiated control group (oil + irradiation). Similarly, SCE provided protection against the radiation-induced bone marrow death in mice treated with 10-60 mg/kg b.wt. of SCE. However, the best protection was obtained for 30 mg/kg b.wt. SCE, where the number of, survivors after 30 days post-irradiation was highest (41.66%) when compared with the other doses of SCE.     

Modification of food ingredients by ultrasound to improve functionality: A preliminary study on a model system

The use of high-intensity ultrasound for food processing applications is being constantly explored. Extraction of gingerol from ginger, homogenisation of milk and generation of high quality emulsions from food ingredients are some examples where ultrasonication has been found to be efficient, at least in laboratory-scale trials. These ultrasonic processes primarily rely upon the physical effects of ultrasound. However, the potential restrictions and/or uses of the chemical effects generated by ultrasound-induced cavitation phenomena have often been overlooked. Our investigation shows that unwanted reactions between ultrasonically generated radicals and food ingredients could be minimised by selecting lower ultrasonic frequencies for food processing. However, high frequency ultrasound could also be used for food processing, provided suitable radical scavengers are present in the solution. Preliminary results identified the potential of sonochemical hydroxylation of phenolic compounds as an efficient way of enhancing the antioxidant properties of certain food materials. Overall, these investigations have enabled the development of strategies for management of radical sonochemistry in food processing applications.Industrial relevanceThe aim of this work is to identify the problems associated with the application of high power ultrasound in food processing in order to make ultrasonic food processing a safe, viable and innovative processing technology in food industry. Several food and chemical industries will be able to adopt sonochemical treatment to improve the quality and the productivity of specific products. As an adjunct to existing processing technologies the application of ultrasonics can reduce energy requirements and simplify formulation with less need to add ingredients as processing aids.     

Modified packaging as protection against photodegradation of the colour of pasteurized, sliced ham

Carbon dioxide flushing and packaging under slight overpressure has been found to eliminate discoloration of vacuum-packed ham, normally encountered as a result of photooxidation of nitric oxide pigments during the first 24 h of display in illuminated cabinets. On exposure to light, even when the product is packed in high-vacuum, residual oxygen invariably present in the product gives rise to significant photochemical pigment degradation and general poor oxidative stability, and has warranted up to 4 days of dark storage prior to display. Replacement of the atmosphere with carbon dioxide, even when repeated, followed by the establishment of vacuum, does not yield a similar protection.     

饲料酵母培养物提高异育银鲫的抗氧化、免疫能力及CyHV-2病毒攻毒保护能力

为了研究饲料中酵母培养物(Yeast culture,YC)代替等质量鱼粉对异育银鲫生长性能和生理健康的影响。在含豆油(正对照)、氧化豆油(负对照)的基础饲料中分别以0%、1%、2%、3%的YC替代等质量的鱼粉,分别记为S、SC1、SC2、SC3、O、OC1、OC2、OC3,在池塘中养殖异育银鲫[初始体重为(7.08±0.01) g] 65 d。养殖实验结束后,用异育银鲫CyHV-2病鱼内脏组织液对各实验组鲫鱼进行攻毒实验。结果显示:SC1、SC2、SC3组与S组比较,SGR和FCR无显著差异(P0.05)。O组与S组比较,SGR下降6.53%(P0.05);FCR提高16.27%(P0.05)。O组结果比较:OC1、OC2、OC3组SGR均提高(P0.05),FCR均下降(P0.05)。各组血细胞和血清指标发生一定程度的变化。攻毒实验结果显示,与S组比较,SC1、SC2、SC3组累积死亡数降低;与O组比较,OC1、OC2、OC3组累积死亡数也降低。本实验结果表明,1)在基础日粮鱼粉为12%的条件下,用1%～3%YC替代等质量的鱼粉具有一定的可行性。2)氧化豆油会导致异育银鲫氧化损伤。3)在含有氧化豆油的日粮中,饲料YC可以一定程度修复氧化损伤。4)本实验条件下,饲料YC可以增强异育银鲫免疫防御能力、抗氧化损伤的能力,综合表现为对CyHV-2病毒攻毒保护具有较好的效果。     

Gynaecomastia linked to the intake of a herbal supplement fortified with diethylstilbestrol

This study reports the findings of a supplement marketed on the Internet for prostate problems. The supplement was orally taken by a 60-year-old man with divergent hormonal levels and who was surgically treated for gynaecomastia: development of abnormally large mammary glands in males. The supplement showed a strong effect in a yeast oestrogen bioassay, expressing a yeast-enhanced green fluorescent protein (yEGFP) upon exposure to oestrogens. Using both nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and a gradient liquid chromatographic time-of-flight mass spectrometric (LC/TOF-MS) method, the response was shown to be caused by very high levels of diethylstilbestrol, known for causing gynaecomastia. The gynaecomastia was most probably caused by this orally taken ‘natural’ herbal supplement, as the patient's hormonal levels also returned to normal again when stopping the use of it. This case demonstrates that physicians need to be aware of the use of supplements with illegal components that may be responsible for unwanted side-effects.     

Prediction of the ripening times of Manchego cheese using multivariate statistical analyse: a preliminary study

 Multiple linear regression, principal component regression, and partial least squares (PLS) regression were used to calculate ripening time in standard Manchego cheeses based on water activity (Aw), pH, and other proteolysis parameters. The root mean square error of prediction by cross-validation was used to study the prediction accuracy of the models. PLS regression yielded the best predictions of ripening time and was used to predict the ripening times of eight commercial Manchego cheeses. Received: 8 October 1997 / Revised version: 20 January 1998     

Evaluation of the transfer rate of ochratoxin a to decoctions of herbal medicines

Ochratoxin A (OTA), a mycotoxin classified as a potentially carcinogenic to humans, is slightly soluble in water. In this study, the transfer rate of OTA in herbal medicines to decoctions was investigated. Herbal medicine decoctions were prepared by boiling and autoclaving herbal medicines contaminated with OTA after soaking and not soaking in water. OTA amounts in decoctions and residues were analyzed using HPLC. Transfer of OTA (12.72–61.33%) from herbal medicines to decoctions was observed. Soaking and autoclaving steps enhanced the transfer rate of OTA to decoctions. The results meant that there is a potential risk for consumption of herbal medicine decoctions. Therefore, regular monitoring for mycotoxins, including OTA, in herbal medicines and proper management to ensure the safety of herbal medicines is necessary to protect consumers.     

Prediction of the ripening times of Manchego cheese using multivariate statistical analyse: a preliminary study

 Multiple linear regression, principal component regression, and partial least squares (PLS) regression were used to calculate ripening time in standard Manchego cheeses based on water activity (Aw), pH, and other proteolysis parameters. The root mean square error of prediction by cross-validation was used to study the prediction accuracy of the models. PLS regression yielded the best predictions of ripening time and was used to predict the ripening times of eight commercial Manchego cheeses. Received: 8 October 1997 / Revised version: 20 January 1998     

甲壳低聚糖对糖尿病小鼠降糖作用的实验研究

研究分子量为1500 u的甲壳低聚糖对ICR高血糖小鼠的降糖作用.方法:通过小鼠腹腔注射四氧嘧啶(200 mg/kg)诱导糖尿病模型小鼠,随机分为模型对照组、阳性药物拜糖苹组(20 mg/kg)、甲壳低聚糖高(200 mg/kg)、中(100 mg/kg)、低(50 mg/kg)剂量组及空白对照组.灌胃(ig)给药28 d,于14、28 d测量血糖.结果:1500 u甲壳低聚糖高、中剂量具有一定降糖作用,低剂量降糖不明显.结论:1500 u甲壳低聚糖对四氧嘧啶高血糖小鼠具有一定的治疗和控制血糖作用.