Cloning and structural elucidation of a brassinosteroids biosynthetic gene (Atdwarf4) and genetic transformation of Indian mustard (Brassica juncea L.)

Phytohormones play critical roles in plant growth and development. Brassinosteroids (BRs) are essential group of phytohormones required for optimum growth of plants and their deficiency causes distinctive dwarf phenotypes in plants. Homeostasis of BRs in plants is maintained by DWARF4 enzyme that mediates multiple 22?-hydroxylation steps in brassinosteroid biosynthesis. Arabidopsis plants over-expressing DWARF4 show increase in inflorescence, number of branches and siliques; thereby increased number of seeds/plant. This suggests that engineering DWARF4 biosynthesis in Brassica plant can be strategized to enhance yield in mustard. In the present study (i) we cloned dwarf4 gene from Arabidopsis using gene specific PCR strategy, (ii) elucidated the three-dimensional structure of DWARF4 protein at molecular level where it revealed presence of four beta sheets and 20 alpha-helices, and (iii) transformed mustard cultivar Pusa Jaikisan with an objective to develop transgenic mustard with enhanced number of siliques. We obtained several putative transgenics with an average transformation efficiency of 3.3%. Molecular characterization with nptII specific primers confirmed presence of transgene in six putative transgenic plants.

Contribution of the carbonized rice husk added to the substrate in the production of vegetable seedlings

The carbonized rice husk (CRH) is an agro-industrial residue with great potential for use in mixtures with other substrates for the production of vegetable seedlings. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of CRH to the commercial substrate for the production of greenhouse seedlings. The evaluated vegetables were lettuce, broccoli and mustard, cultivated in polystyrene foam (Styrofoam®) trays. Five treatments were evaluated: 100% of the commercial substrate (CS); 25% of CRH + 75% of CS; 50% of CRH + 50% of CS; 75% CRH + 25% CS; and 100% CRH, in a completely randomized design with twelve replicates. The substrates were evaluated for their physical and chemical characteristics. The morphometric evaluations were: number of leaves per plant, plant height, shoot fresh matter yield, root length, and shoot and root dry matter yield. The data were submitted to regression analysis, and the homogeneity of the variance between the experiments was confirmed by the Cochran test. With the addition of CRH to the substrate, there was an increase in total porosity and P content and a reduction in density, water holding capacity, cation exchange capacity, electrical conductivity, and N, K, S, Ca and Mg contents. The carbonized rice husk added to the commercial substrate is a viable alternative for the production of lettuce, broccoli and mustard seedlings. The quality of the vegetable seedlings was higher when there was a 25% CRH + 75% CS mixture.

A Randomized Clinical Trial on Therapeutic Effects of Myrtus communis L. Cream on Chronic Skin Lesions and Quality of Life of Sulfur Mustard-exposed Veterans

Abstract: Sulfur mustard is one of the chemical warfare agent. It rapidly reacts with the cutaneous tissues and other tissues, leading to various devastating long-term effects on human health. Mustard-exposed veterans suffer from its chronic skin problems, including itching, burning sensation, and eczema. We aimed to evaluate the protective effects of Myrtus communis L. (myrtle) on chronic skin lesions and quality of life of sulfur mustard-exposed veterans. In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 60 sulfur mustard-exposed patients were evaluated. Thirty patients received myrtle essence 5% cream (case group) and 30 patients received Eucerin cream (placebo group) twice in a day for one month. Then, We assessed the chronic skin problems and itching-related parameters (such as the itching time, severity, distribution, frequency, and calculated itching score), duration of sleep, number of waking up at night, and quality of life in the both groups. Our analysis of data revealed that application of myrtle cream effectively decreased skin problems including; itching and burning sensation. Additionally, myrtle markedly decreased skin lesion symptoms such as excoriation in the case group as compared with before treatment. Noticeably, myrtle cream significantly improved quality of life of the patients in the case group. The present study provides more in-depth information regarding the protective role of myrtle on the sulfur mustard-induces skin complication. Also, myrtle effectively improved quality of life of the sulfur mustard-exposed veterans.

Growth, Yield, Seed and Seedling Quality Parameters of Rapeseed-mustard Varieties under Different Seed Priming Options

Rationale: Crop production and quality of produce get affected by drought, stand establishment and low availability of nutrients. Apart from various prevailing methods, seed treatment through priming now-a-days has been found to noticeably improve crop establishment for increasing seed yield and quality. Aim: To study the effect of various seed priming options on rapeseed-mustard varieties. Place of Study: A field experiment was conducted at AB Block Farm, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal, India during winter season of 2017-2018. Methodology: Experiment comprised six rapeseed-mustard varieties (Anushka, Sanchita, TBM-143,TBM-204, Kranti and Pusa Bold) in main plot and five seed priming options (KH2PO4 @ 0.15 mol 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1, KNO3 @ 0.1 mol 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1, PEG 6000 @ -0.3 MPa 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1, hydro priming @ 100 ml 5 g seeds-1 and control) in subplot, replicated thrice in a split plot design. Observations on growth and yield contributing parameters were recorded from the field. Further, various quality parameters of seed and seedlings were evaluated in the laboratory. Data on all the parameters were finally statistically analyzed. Results: Among the varieties, Pusa Bold performed better in terms of growth, yield contributing parameters and seed yield under seed priming through either KH2PO4 @ 0.15 mol 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1 or PEG 6000 @ -0.3 MPa 100 ml water-1 5 g seeds-1. Seed and seedling quality parameters such as root and shoot lengths, seedling fresh and dry weights, germination % and vigour index were also improved under the same. Conclusion: Cultivation of mustard variety, Pusa Bold by seed priming through any of those two chemicals (KH2PO4 or PEG 6000) can be recommended for New alluvial zone of West Bengal, India.

Integrated OF-HC-EPM approach to assess sedative-anxiolytic potential of honey derived from mustard (Brassica nigra) flower

Background:Mustard honey, a monofloral honey derived from mustard flower is considered a great source of nutritional and medicinal values. The honey is traditionally used as ethnomedicinein different parts of the world to cure many health problems. The present study aimed to evaluate its sedative-anxiolytic potential by integrating three conventional methods in a sequential order. Methods:Open field, hole cross and elevated plus maze experiments were performed in a row with a single oral administration of honey to the Swiss Albino mice. Behavioral parameters like square crossing, rearing, grooming, hole crossing and entry/duration in open arm were observed for each animal in different time intervals.Results:The findings were compared to that of a standard drug, diazepam (1mg/kg). Mustard honey at higher doses showed sedative activity (4g/kg and6g/kg) whereas with low doses (2g/kg) exhibited anxiolytic potential. The physicochemical properties of honey were also screened in this study.Conclusions:The integrated method proved to be an effective approach for assessment of neuropharmacologicalpotential for crude or standard medicine. However, further analysis was recommended to investigate active compound which may lead to a new drug development

Oil Yield and Quality Different Varieties of Indian Mustard (Brassica juncea L.) as Influenced by Organic Manures and Biofertilisers

The study was conducted at the Central Research Field of Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences, Allahabad during 2016-17 and 2017-18. The experiments consisting of two factors viz., 5 varieties and 10 fertiliser treatments was laid out in a factorial randomized block design with replicated thrice. The results of the study revealed that the oil yield was significantly highest with Rani variety while the oil content did not vary significantly amongst different varieties. The fatty acid composition such as palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic & linolenic acid, and arachidic acid contents showed non-significant variations amongst varieties. The biochemical characters viz., total chlorophyll, total soluble sugars and proline content was recorded at 45, and 60 DAS were significantly higher in Rani variety. Both protein content and protein yields were also significantly highest in Rani variety. Application of 75% N through vermicompost produced significantly highest oil content and oil yield, protein content and protein yield, biochemical characters total chlorophyll, total soluble sugars and proline content recorded at 45 and 60 DAS, while palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid were significantly highest with application of recommended dose of chemical fertilisers. Linoleic acid was significantly maximum with fertiliser treatment of 50% N through vermicompost + Azotobacter + Both linolenic and arachidic acid contents remained unaffected by the fertiliser treatments.

Therapeutic effects of proanthocyanidin and coenzyme Q10 on nitrogen mustard-induced ocular injury / Efeitos terapêuticos da proantocianidina e da coenzima q10 em lesão ocular induzida por mostarda de nitrogênio

ABSTRACT Purpose: Nitrogen mustard (NM) is a devastating casualty agent in chemical warfare. There is no effective antidote to treat NM-induced ocular injury. We aimed to assess the effects of proanthocyanidin (PAC) and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on NM-induced ocular injury. Methods: Eighteen male rats were divided into the following 4 groups: NM, NM + PAC, NM + CoQ10, and control. The 3 NM groups received a single dose of NM (0.02 mg/μL) on the right eye to induce ocular injury. The control group received saline only. Thirty minutes after the application of NM, the NM + PAC group received PAC (100 mg/kg) via gastric gavage, while the NM + CoQ10 group received CoQ10 (10 mg/kg) via intraperitoneal injection. PAC and CoQ10 were administered once a day for 5 consecutive days. The rats were then sacrificed. Macroscopic images of the eyes were examined and eye tissues were collected for histology. Results: The treatment groups were compared to the control group with regard to both corneal opacity and lid injury scores. The findings were not significantly different for both the NM + PAC and NM + CoQ10 groups. In both the NM + PAC and NM + CoQ10 groups, the histological changes seen in the NM group demonstrated improvement. Conclusions: Our results indicate that PAC and CoQ10 treatments have therapeutic effects on NM-induced ocular injury in a rat model. PAC and CoQ10 may be novel options in patients with NM-induced ocular injury.

RESUMO Objetivo: A mostarda de nitrogênio (MN) é um agente de guerra química devastador. Não existe um antídoto eficaz para tratar lesões oculares induzidas por MN. Nosso objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos da proantocianidina (PAC) e da coenzima Q10 (CoQ10) na lesão ocular induzida por MN. Métodos: Dezoito ratos machos foram divididos em 4 grupos: MN, MN + PAC, MN + CoQ10 e Controle. Três grupos receberam uma dose única de MN (0,02 mg/μL) destilada no olho direito para gerar lesão ocular. Os animais do grupo controle receberam apenas solução salina. Trinta minutos após a aplicação de MN nos animais, o grupo MN + PAC recebeu PAC (100 mg/kg) por gavagem gástrica, enquanto a CoQ10 (10 mg/kg) foi administrada ao grupo MN + CoQ10 por meio de injeção intraperitoneal. A administração de PAC e de CoQ10 foi realizada uma vez por dia, durante 5 dias consecutivos. Os ratos foram, então, sacrificados. Imagens macroscópicas dos olhos foram examinadas e tecidos oculares foram coletados para histologia. Resultados: Os grupos de tratamento foram comparados ao grupo de controle quanto à opacidade da córnea e quanto aos escores de lesão da cobertura da córnea. Os resultados foram insignificantes para ambos os grupos. Ambos, o grupo MN+PAC e o grupo MN+CoQ10, apresentaram melhoras das alterações histológicas observadas no grupo MN. Conclusões: Nossos resultados indicam que os tratamentos com PAC e com CoQ10 têm efeitos terapêuticos sobre lesões oculares induzidas por MN em um modelo em ratos. A proantocianidina e a CoQ10 podem ser uma nova opção nesses casos.

Evaluation of Phyto-extracts, Biological Agents and Chemicals against the Development of Alternaria brassicae in vitro and in vivo

Alternaria leaf blight caused by Alternaria brassicae and Alternaria brassicola, is one of the most destructive diseases of mustard (Brassica campestris, B. juncea and B.napus) in West Bengal, causing considerable damages to the crop. The experiment was conducted under in vitro and in vivo conditions to see the effect of bio-agents, plant extracts and chemicals (fungicide and SAR compound) against Alternaria brassicae. Maximum inhibition in mycelial growth (95.56%) was observed with Mancozeb 75% Wp followed by Lantana camera (80%), Salicylic acid (73.33%), Allium sativum (54.44%) and Zingiber officinale (17.78%) in comparison to control. Foliar spray with fungicide (Mancozeb 75% WP @ 0.2%) was found to be most effective in reducing disease severity (81,23%) and infection rate which increased the yield (77.23%) of mustard over untreated control. Among the plant extracts, Lantana camera was found to be excellent in controlling the Alternaria blight infection in the field (71.92% reduction in disease severity and 68.18% increase in yield) in comparison to salicylic acid (SAR compound) and bio-agent (Trichoderma viride) 48.33% and 36.27% reduction in disease severity respectively.

Changes in inflammatory factors and protein expression in sulfur mustard(1LD50)-induced pulmonary in- jury in rats / 实用医学杂志

Objective To establish an animal model of SM by equal toxicity dose(1LD50)-induced acute pulmonary injury in rats and compare the differences of inflammatory factor and protein expression. Methods Rats were randomly divided into five groups. ELISA and immunohistochemical methods were measured. Results Serum INF-γ and IL-23 levels in the intraperitoneal SM group were increased compared with the tracheal SM group;there were also significant differences in serum IL-4 levels between the two groups. In the alveolar septum , the positive expression ratios of NF-Kβ1,NF-Kβp65,ERK,JNK,and p38MAPK in the intraperitoneal SM group were increased compared with the tracheal SM group. Conclusion Using SM (1LD50),There are significantly higher serum inflammatory factor levels and protein-related expression in the alveolar septum of rats intraperitoneally injected with SM compared with those administered SM by intratracheal instillation. The results suggest that pulmonary inflammatory reactions associated with SM are dependent on the route of exposure.

Effectiveness of Brassica juncea (mustard green) leaf decoction as an adjunct in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus among Filipinos: a randomized clinical trial / The Health Sciences Journal

Introduction This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mustard green leaf decoction as an adjunct to drug treatment in controlling blood glucose among Filipinos with type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods Participants were randomly assigned to receive mustard decoction or a placebo solution for eight weeks on top of their oral anti-hyperglycemic medication. Fasting blood sugar and complete blood counts were determined at baseline, Week 4 and Week 8, and compared within and across the two groups. Results There was a decreasing trend in the blood sugar in the mustard green group while the opposite was noted in the placebo group. The mean FBS levels of the mustard green group were significantly lower than that of the placebo group at the Week 8 determination (6.10 vs 8.69 mmol/L, p=0.0004). The decrease in blood sugar level on the eight week in the mustard green group was significant compared with the baseline level (p=0.008).Conclusion This study had demonstrated that the intake of Brassica juncea decoction can significantly decrease blood sugar level among type 2 diabetics compared to metformin alone. 

Effectiveness of Brassica juncea (mustard green) leaf decoction as an adjunct in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus among Filipinos: a randomized clinical trial / The Health Sciences Journal

INTRODUCTION@#This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of mustard green leaf decoction as an adjunct to drug treatment in controlling blood glucose among Filipinos with type 2 diabetes mellitus.@*METHODS@#Participants were randomly assigned to receive mustard green decoction or a placebo solution for eight weeks on top of their oral anti-hyperglycemic medication. Fasting blood sugar and complete blood counts were determined at baseline, Week 4 and Week 8, and compared within and across the two groups.@*RESULTS@#There was a decreasing trend in the blood sugar level in the mustard green group while the opposite was noted in the placebo group. The mean FBS levels of the mustard green group were significantly lower than that of the placebo group at the Week 8 determination (6.10 vs 8.69 mmol/ L, p = 0.004). The decrease in blood sugar level on the eighth week in the mustard green group was significant compared with the baseline level (p = 0.008).@*CONCLUSION@#This study has demonstrated that the intake of Brassica juncea decoction can significantly decrease blood sugar levels among type 2 diabetics compared to metformin alone.

Paraclinical findings in Iranian veterans exposed to sulfur mustard gas: A literature review / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Sulfur mustard (SM) causes various systemic disturbances in human beings. This study aimed to assess paraclinical changes caused by exposure to SM gas in Iranian veterans during the war between Iraq and Iran.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A literature review was carried out in international and national medical databases including ISI, Medline, Scopus, Iranmedex and Irandoc. Both Farsi and English literature were searched.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Search of the literature yielded 422 medical articles related to SM poisoning. Among them, 30 relevant articles were thoroughly reviewed. The most important reported complications were leukopenia, neutropenia, lymphopenia, eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, increased bleeding time, positive C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), antinuclear antibody (ANA), decreased T helper cells, natural killer cells, IL6, and IL8 levels, elevation of serum immunoglobulins, decreased levels of T3, T4 and cortisol, increased level of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), proteinuria, hematuria, and elevated liver enzymes. Also, there were some changes in chest assessments.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>SM causes profound systemic complications in victims, even years after exposure. The paraclinical changes can be observed in hematology, immune system, biochemistry, hormonal profile and some imaging studies.</p>

The clinical research of double switch operation with Glenn and hemi-Mustard in CC-TGA in children / 中华胸心血管外科杂志

Objective To avoid complications associated with the complete Senning procedures and to assist right-heart hemodynamics, this study was undertaken to assess the risks and benefits of the double-switch operation using a hemi-Mustard atrial switch procedure and the bidirectional Glenn operation for congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries. we fa-vor a modified atrial switch procedure. Methods Between January 2014 and March 2016, anatomic repair was achieved in 26 patients. A hemi-Mustard procedure was the atrial switch procedure for 26. 9％(7/26). The Rastelli-atrial switch procedure was performed in 5 patients( RAS) and the arterial-atrial switch procedure was performed in 2 patients( AAS) . Results There was no in-hospital death after anatomic repair. There were no late deaths in a median follow-up of 7-21 months. Glenn opera-tion complications were uncommon limited to the perioperative period, atrial baffle-related reoperations or sinus node dysfunc-tion had not been observed. Tricuspid regurgitation decreased to mild for 1 case and mild to moderate for 6 cases. Right ventri-cle-pulmonary artery conduit longevity was significantly improved. Conclusion We recentely describe an experience with the double-switch operation using a modified atrial switch procedure with favorable earlyterm results. The risks of the hemi-mustard and bidirectional Glenn operation are minimal and are limited to a well-defined patient subset. The benefits include reduced baffle-and sinus node-related complications, technical simplicity and inspiring results.

DNA damage effects on human skin keratinocytes induced by sulphur mustard / 军事医学

Objective To investigate the toxic effects and mechanisms of sulphur mustard on DNA damage of human immortalized epidermal keratinocytes (HacaT cells).Methods The inhibitory effect of sulphur mustard on the proliferation of HacaT cells was detected by CCK-8 method.The apoptosis index of cells was measured by Annexin V-FITC method.The effects of sulphur mustard on DNA damage were detected by single cell gel electrophoresis.The expression levels of DNA damage and repair related proteins were detected by Western blot.Results The proliferation rate of HacaT cells was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner after treatment with sulphur mustard for 24 h (IC50 value was 121 mol/L).The apoptotic and comet tailing rates of cells treated with sulphur mustard also increased in a dose-dependent manner.The expression levels of DNA damage and repair related proteins were changed after treatment with sulphur mustard.Conclusion Sulphur mustard has significant cytotoxic effect on HacaT cells,and can induce apoptosis and DNA damage.In addition,ATM-P53-γH2AX-PARP signaling pathway plays an important role in the repair of DNA damage induced by sulphur mustard.

Charaterizing cytotoxicity of nitrogen mustard HN-3 based on cellular high content analysis / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To study the cytotoxic characteristics of nitrogen mustard HN-3 in different cell. METHODS Human epidermal keratinocytes-fetal (HEKf), human dermal fibroblasts-adult (HDFa) and human lung fibroblasts (HLF) cell lines were treated with HN-3100, 300 and 450μmol·L-1 for 0.5, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24 and 48 h, respectively. Multi-parameter analysis technology based on cell imaging was used to examine the effects of HN-3 on cell survival, cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, autophagy and oxidative stress, along with parameters concerning nucleus, cytoskeleton (actin and tubulin), lysosome, nuclear membrane permeability (NMP), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and phosphohistone H 2AX (pH2AX). RESULTS HN-3 caused irreversible cellular damage by significantly decreasing the number of HEKf, HDFa and HLF cells in a time-dependent manner (P<0.01). Before the cell number was reduced robustly, the content of reactive oxygen species and pH2AX significantly increased, but the glutathione content decreased after cells were exposed to HN-3 for 0.5 h (P<0.01). In addition, the content of lyso-some was reduced in HEKf cells at 0.5 h, but increased in HDFa and HLF cells at 0.5 and 2 h respec-tively, accompanied by the increase in microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B) puncta.With the significant reduction of the cell number in HEKf cell line, the nuclear intensity increased, nuclear area decreased, the intensity and area of F-actin and α-tubulin decreased, MMP decreased (P<0.01) and lysosomal intensity increased. But the effects of HN-3 on HDFa and HLF cell lines were quite different. The nuclear area increased, the intensity and area of F-actin and a-tubulin increased, MMP increased (P<0.01) and the intensity of lysosome increased. In HLF cells, there was an increase in LC3B puncta (P<0.01). In all the three cell lines, NMP and manganese superoxide dismutase content were increased, and cell cycle arrested at G2 phase. HN-3 Induced early apoptosis in HDFa cells but late apoptosis in HEKf cells. CONCLUSION HN-3 causes DNA damage, oxidative stress and lysosome damage at an early stage, whereas at the late stage, the imbalance of MMP, increase in NMP, and G2 phage arrest are the major cytotoxic effects. Moreover, HN-3 specifically induces nuclear condensation, cytoskeleton protein aggregation and apoptosis in HEKf cell. HN-3 Induces nuclear swelling, and loose cytoskeleton in HDFa cells and HLF cells, eventually inducing early apoptosis in HDFa cells and autophagic death in HLF cells.

Assessment of Arabidopsis thaliana CENH3 promoter in Brassica juncea for development of haploid inducer lines.

Centromeres are epigenetically specified by the centromeric histone H3 protein (CENH3). The timing and level of expression of CENH3 is tightly regulated to match the demands of the host cell. So far in plants, only CENH3 promoter of Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. has been characterized. However, whether CENH3 promoters retain their characteristic mode of regulation in other species remains to be established. In the present study, activity of AtCENH3 promoter was investigated using reporter gene assay in Brassica juncea (L.) Czern. A 1156 bp promoter fragment of AtCENH3 gene (At1g01370) including the first 111 nucleotides of the coding sequence was amplified and cloned into the pORE-R2 binary vector to ensure translation fusion with the uidA coding sequences. The Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain GV3101 harbouring the recombinant construct was used to transform B. juncea cv. RLM198 hypocotyl explants. Histochemical assay of T0 and T1 transgenics showed GUS expression in shoot apical meristem, leaf, sepal, flower pedicel and root tip. Intense GUS expression was observed in meristematic tissues, particularly at shoot and root apices. However, mature leaves, flowers, pollen and ovules exhibited very low or no GUS expression. Our results showed that AtCENH3 promoter regulates cognate gene expression in Brassica juncea as it does in A. thaliana, and hence a suitable candidate for developing haploid inducer line in B. juncea.

Poisoning mechanism and protective drugs of sulfur mustard: An update / 第二军医大学学报

Sulfur mustard (SM) is a bifunctional alkylating agent that can react with multiple biochemical molecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, and so on, and its alkylation with DNA is one of the major poisoning mechanisms. Presently the pathogenesis of SM included DNA alkylation, poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) activation, oxidative stress, inflammation, activation of immunoregulation and proteolytic enzymes, etc. By now there have been no specific antidotes in clinical treatment, and all the existing drugs are mainly used for symptomatic treatment. The drugs used clinically and currently being under development include free radical scavengers, antioxidant agents, PARP inhibitors, anti-inflammatory drugs and protease inhibitors. This review summarized the advances in pathogenesis of SM and the corresponding protective drugs.

Medical countermeasures against chemical threats:a review of antidotes / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

Chemical warfare agents and chemical terrorism agents have been identified as one of the major threats to human survival and national security currently. The key to dealing with these threats is the effective medical countermeasures of which specific antidotes take center stage. In the past decade,real or potential chemical threats which has sparked regional conflicts,terrorist activities or chemical accidents intentionally or unintentionally have increased the investment in antidotes research and development worldwide. Here,we introduced the research status on medical countermeasures against chemical threat by giving an overview of the United States ″Countermeasures Against Chemi?cal Threats(CounterACT)Program″,and then the recent research progress in antidotes against nerve agents,sulfur mustard and cyanide toxicities were reviewed.

Characteristics and treatment of poisoning of mustard-lewisite mixture / 军事医学

Vesicants are the main agents used to fill chemical weapons, and chemical weapons abandoned by the Japa-nese Army in China.The mustard-lewisite mixture, which was developed for cold weather or high-altitude use due to its lower freezing point, is a special and important agent.The toxicology, emergency treatment and clinical management of mustard-lewisite mixture poisoning are introduced in this paper.

Características físicas y antioxidantes de semillas y productos de mostaza negra (Brassica nigra) y amarilla (Brassica alba) / Physical and antioxidant characteristics of black (Brassica nigra) and yellow mustard (Brassica alba) seeds and their products

En este trabajo se evaluaron la composición, algunas características físicas (densidad, índice de refracción y color), capacidad antioxidante (DPPH) y perfil de ácidos grasos de semillas de mostaza negra (Brassica nigra) y amarilla (Brassica alba), sus aceites y residuos de la extracción del aceite. La densidad de los aceites de mostaza negra y amarilla fue de 0,912 ± 0,01 y 0,916 ± 0,01 g/mL, respectivamente; y el índice de refracción fue de 1,4611 ± 0,01 y 1,4617 ± 0,01, respectivamente, no mostrando diferencias significativas (p>0,05) entre las dos mostazas. Los parámetros de color del aceite de semilla de mostaza negra y amarilla tienden hacia los tonos amarillos-verdosos y tonos amarillos-rojizos, respectivamente; respecto a la actividad antioxidante, se observó una variación desde 25 mg equivalentes de Trolox/100 g en el aceite de semilla de mostaza amarilla hasta 1,366 mg equivalentes de Trolox/100 g en la pasta residual de mostaza negra. El perfil de ácidos grasos de la semillas de mostaza negra muestran que el ácido graso predominante es el oleico (22,96%), seguido por linoleico (6,63%) y linolénico (3,22%), mientras que para la semilla de mostaza amarilla es el erúcico (6,87%), seguido por oleico (5,08%) y linoléico (1,87%).

The composition, some physical properties (density, refraction index, and color), antioxidant capacity (DPPH), and fatty acid profile of seeds of black (Brassica nigra) or yellow mustard (Brassica alba) were evaluated, as well as for their oils and residues from oil extraction. Density of the black and yellow mustard oils were 0.912 ± 0.01 and 0.916 ± 0.01 g/mL, respectively; their refraction indexes were 1.4611 ± 0.01 and 1.4617 ± 0.01, respectively; being not significantly different (p>0.05) between two mustards. Color parameters of the black and yellow mustard oils presented greenish-yellow tones and reddish-yellow tones, respectively; regarding antioxidant activities, these ranged from 25 mg equivalents of Trolox/100 g in the yellow mustard oil to 1,366 mg equivalents of Trolox/100 g in the residues from oil extraction of black seed mustard. The fatty acid profile of the black mustard seed revealed that its predominant fatty acid is oleic (22.96%), followed by linoleic (6.63%) and linolenic (3.22%), whereas for yellow mustard seed the major fatty acid is erucic (6.87%), followed by oleic (5.08%) and linoleic (1.87%) acids.