Effect of processing on the antioxidant activity of millet grains

Millets are generally dehulled and subjected to a hydrothermal treatment before consumption, thus the hulls can be used as a potential source of antioxidants. Several millet grains, namely kodo, finger (Ravi), finger (local), proso, foxtail, little and pearl millet were studied. Antioxidant activities of phenolic extracts obtained from whole grains, as well as their corresponding dehulled and cooked grains and hulls were studied for their total phenolic content (TPC), radical scavenging capacity, and antioxidant activity in a β-carotene/linoleate emulsion. The phenolics present in whole grains were identified and quantified using HPLC and HPLC/MS and results were expressed as total for each of the phenolic groups. The TPC ranged from 2 to 112 μmol ferulic acid equivalents/g defatted meal. All varieties exhibited effective inhibition of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl, peroxyl and superoxide radicals. Dehulling and cooking affected the TPC and radical scavenging and antioxidant activities of the grains, depending on the variety. In general, the antioxidant activity of phenolic extracts was in the order of hull > whole grain > dehulled grain > cooked dehulled grain With the exception of the two finger millet varieties, hulls of other millet grains had high TPC, thus demonstrating their superior antioxidant activity. Hydroxybenzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids and flavonoids in whole grains were identified as contributors to the observed effects. Therefore, dehulling of grain and hydrothermal treatments affect the phenolic content and antioxidant potential of millet grains.     

5-Fluorouracil Treatment of CT26 Colon Cancer Is Compromised by Combined Therapy with IMMODIN

Due to the physiological complexity of the tumour, a single drug therapeutic strategy may not be sufficient for effective treatment. Emerging evidence suggests that combination strategies may be important to achieve more efficient tumour responses. Different immunomodulators are frequently tested to reverse the situation for the purpose of improving immune response and minimizing chemotherapy side effects. Immodin (IM) represents an attractive alternative to complement chemotherapy, which can be used to enhance the immune system after disturbances resulting from the side effects of chemotherapy. In the presented study, a model of CT26 tumor-bearing mice was used to investigate the effect of single IM or its combination with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on colon cancer cells. Our results highlight that the beneficial role of IM claimed in previous studies cannot be generalised to all chemotherapeutic drugs, as 5-FU toxicity was not increased. On the contrary, the chemotherapeutic anti-cancer efficacy of 5-FU was greatly compromised when combined with IM. Indeed, the combined treatment was significantly less effective regarding the tumour growth and animal survival, most probably due to the increased number of tumour-associated macrophages, and increased 5-FU cytotoxic effect related to kidneys and the liver.     

Cancer Cell Response to Anthracyclines Effects: Mysteries of the Hidden Proteins Associated with These Drugs

A comprehensive proteome map of T-lymphoblastic leukemia cells and its alterations after daunorubicin, doxorubicin and mitoxantrone treatments was monitored and evaluated either by paired comparison with relevant untreated control and using multivariate classification of treated and untreated samples. With the main focus on early time intervals when the influence of apoptosis is minimized, we found significantly different levels of proteins, which corresponded to 1%–2% of the total amount of protein spots detected. According to Gene Ontology classification of biological processes, the highest representation of identified proteins for all three drugs belong to metabolic processes of proteins and nucleic acids and cellular processes, mainly cytoskeleton organisation and ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Importantly, we observed significant proportion of changes in proteins involved in the generation of precursor metabolites and energy typical for daunorubicin, transport proteins participating in response to doxorubicin and a group of proteins of immune system characterising response to mitoxantrone. Both a paired comparison and the multivariate evaluation of quantitative data revealed daunorubicin as a distinct member of the group of anthracycline/anthracenedione drugs. A combination of identified drug specific protein changes, which may help to explain anti-cancer activity, together with the benefit of blocking activation of adaptive cancer pathways, presents important approaches to improving treatment outcomes in cancer.     

Creation of arteriovenous fistulae for hemodialysis in octogenarians

Elderly patients, defined as octogenarians and nonagenarians, are an increasing population entering renal replacement therapy. Advanced age appears as an exclusive factor negatively influencing dialysis practice. Elderly patients are referred late for the initiation of hemodialysis and more likely are offered catheters rather than arteriovenous fistulae (AVF), which increase mortality and negatively affect quality of life. We present our approach to the creation of vascular access for hemodialysis in this demanding population. In 2006–2012, 39 patients aged 85.9 ± 2.05 with end‐stage renal disease, mainly resulting from ischemic nephropathy, were admitted to the Department of Nephrology to establish permanent vascular access for hemodialysis: preferably AVF. Temporary dialysis catheters were implanted in uremic emergency to bridge the time to fistula creation/maturation. AVF was attempted in 87.2% of the patients. Primary AVF function was achieved in 54% of the patients. Cumulative proportional survival of AVF at months 12 and 24 was 81.5%. Ninety‐four percent of AVF were localized on the forearm: 74% in the distal and 20% in the proximal part. Mean duration of hemodialysis therapy was 20.80 ± 19.45 months. The mean time of AVF use was 15.9 ± 20.2 months. Until present, 38% have been dialyzed using AVF for 31.0 ± 18.8 months. Five patients died with functioning fistula. Eight patients initiated hemodialysis therapy with fistula. During further observation, the use of AVF increased to 62%. Elderly patients should not be denied creation of AVF as a rule. The outcome of AVF benefits more from acknowledging individual vascular conditions rather than age of the patient.     

Synthesis and characterization of a titanium phosphate-tellurite glass for Faraday rotators

This work is focused on investigation of thermal, structural, optical, magnetic, and magneto-optical properties of novel titanium phosphate-tellurite glass applied as Faraday rotators. The glass belonging to the system 35Li₂O–10Al₂O₃–5TiO₂–45P₂O₅–5TeO₂ was prepared by a nonconventional wet route of raw materials processing, followed by melting-quenching-annealing steps. Some important physical properties of the investigated glass have been measured and calculated, providing knowledge related to glass compactness, electronic structure, glass forming capability, etc. XRD analysis evidenced an amorphous network structure of the investigated glass. The optical absorption in the Vis domain is mainly due to Ti³⁺ ions and Te₂ clusters formed during the glass melting process. A relatively low optical absorption is noticed over 600 nm that activates a significant Faraday magneto-optical effect. Photoluminescence bands in the blue, red, and infrared domains are observed, caused by Te₂ clusters formed during the glass melting process. The magnetization in dependency on applied magnetic field reveals a complex behavior of the glass, depending on temperature. Thus, it is found a ferromagnetic behavior up to 2000 Oe, a paramagnetic component up to 40 000 Oe, followed by a diamagnetic one over 40 000 Oe. Faraday rotation angle and Verdet constant values in the visible domain are correlated with the reduced TeO₂ content of the glass.     

A good practice for making training accessible to university faculty members through ICTs: syllabus planning support training

Universal Access in the Information Society - This study focuses on a case study developed at a higher education institution, which comprises developing a new virtual teaching unit (VTU) aimed at...     

Experiences in building a Grid-based platform to serve Earth observation training activities

Earth observation data processing and storing can be done nowadays only using distributed systems. Experiments dealing with a large amount of data are possible within the timeframe of a lesson and can give trainees the freedom to innovate. Following these trends and ideas, we have built a proof-of-the-concept platform, named GiSHEO, for Earth observation educational tasks. It uses Grid computing technologies to analyze and store remote sensing data, and combines them with eLearning facilities. This paper provides an overview of the GiSHEO's platform architecture and of its technical and innovative solutions.