Rosmarinic acid affects immunological and inflammatory mediator levels and restores lung pathological features in asthmatic rats

Background: The effects of rosmarinic acid (RA) on immunological and inflammatory mediator levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as well as lung pathological changes in asthmatic rats were investigated. Methods: The levels of IFN-gama, IL-4, IFN-gama/IL-4 ratio, IgE, PLA2, and total protein (TP) in BALF and pathological changes in the lung were evaluated in control group (C), asthma group (sensitized to ovalbumin) (A), asthma groups treated with RA and dexamethasone. Results: Compared to the control group, asthmatic rats showed increased levels of IL-4, IgE, PLA2, and TP as well as all pathological scores with decreased levels of IFN-gama and IFN-gama/IL-4 ratio (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). The levels of IL-4, IgE, PLA2, and TP significantly reduced in groups treated with all concentrations of RA compared to asthma group (P < 0.001 for all cases). IFN-gama was significantly decreased in groups treated with two lower concentrations of RA but IFN-gama/IL-4 ratio was increased in groups treated with two higher concentrations of RA compared to asthma group (P<0.05 to P < 0.001). Treatment with all doses of RA led to significant improvement in pathological scores in asthmatic animals (P < 0.05 to P < 0.001). Most measured parameters were also significantly improved in dexamethasone-treated animals (P<0.01 to P < 0.001) but IFN-gama/IL-4 ratio and the scores of interstitial fibrosis, bleeding and epithelial damage did not change in this group. Conclusion: The results indicated a preventive effect for RA on immunological and inflammatory mediators as well as lung pathological changes in asthmatic rats which were comparable or even more potent than that of dexamethasone

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Rosmarinic acid affects immunological and inflammatory mediator levels and restores lung pathological features in asthmatic rats.

BACKGROUND: The effects of rosmarinic acid (RA) on immunological and inflammatory mediator levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as well as lung pathological changes in asthmatic rats were investigated. METHODS: The levels of IFN-γ, IL-4, IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio, IgE, PLA2, and total protein (TP) in BALF and pathological changes in the lung were evaluated in control group (C), asthma group (sensitized to ovalbumin) (A), asthma groups treated with RA and dexamethasone. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, asthmatic rats showed increased levels of IL-4, IgE, PLA2, and TP as well as all pathological scores with decreased levels of IFN-γ and IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio (P<0.05 to P<0.001). The levels of IL-4, IgE, PLA2, and TP significantly reduced in groups treated with all concentrations of RA compared to asthma group (P<0.001 for all cases). IFN-γ was significantly decreased in groups treated with two lower concentrations of RA but IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio was increased in groups treated with two higher concentrations of RA compared to asthma group (P<0.05 to P<0.001). Treatment with all doses of RA led to significant improvement in pathological scores in asthmatic animals (P<0.05 to P<0.001). Most measured parameters were also significantly improved in dexamethasone-treated animals (P<0.01 to P<0.001) but IFN-γ/IL-4 ratio and the scores of interstitial fibrosis, bleeding and epithelial damage did not change in this group. CONCLUSION: The results indicated a preventive effect for RA on immunological and inflammatory mediators as well as lung pathological changes in asthmatic rats which were comparable or even more potent than that of dexamethasone.

Diagnostic accuracy of body coil MRI in describing the characteristics of perianal fistulas.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of synergic body coil MRI using SPIR technique without contrast, in the determination of fistula characteristics in patients with clinically positive signs. METHOD AND SUBJECTS: This was a case-series prospective study including 29 consecutive patients with clinically suspected fistulas-in-ano. The standard synergic body coil was used and all patients had T2-weighted SPIR sequences. One radiologist, without prior knowledge of the clinical examination, analysed images and noted the presence of the fistula, its classification and the presence and number of any collections or extensions. The surgeon noted the MRI findings and looked for lesions suggested on MRI. The results of the MRI and surgical assessments were then compared. Results of surgical exploration while the surgeon was aware of MRI results were considered as the gold standard of surgical anatomy. RESULTS: Twenty-three (79.31%) of 29 fistula tracks were seen on MRI which correctly determined the type of all fistulas. In the six cases where the fistula was not seen on MRI, five were low trans-sphincteric and one was rectovaginal. MRI identified 8 of 10 collections. CONCLUSION: The synergic body coil MRI with SPIR sequencing without endoanal coils had a high accuracy in the diagnosis of high fistulas collections, complex fistulas and extensions.

Potentiometric membrane sensor based on 6-(4-nitrophenyl)-2,4-diphenyl-3,5-diaza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene for detection of Sn(II) in real samples.

A Sn2+ ion-selective electrode which was prepared with a polymeric membrane based on 6-(4-nitrophenyl)-2,4-diphenyl-3,5-diaza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hex-2-ene (NDDBH) as a ionophore. Effects of experimental parameters such as membrane composition, nature and amount of plasticizer, the amount of additive and concentration of internal solution on the potential response of Sn2+ sensor were investigated. The electrode exhibited a Nernstian slope of 28.8+/-1.1 mV/decade of Sn2+ over a concentration range of 1.0 x 10(-5) to 1.0 x 10(-1) M of Sn2+ in an acidic solution (pH 1). The limit of detection was 4.0 x 10(-6) M. The results show that this electrode can be used in ethanol media until 20% (v/v) concentration without interference. It can be used for more than 6 weeks without any considerable divergence in the potentials. The proposed membrane electrode revealed very good selectivity for Sn(II) ions over a wide variety of other cations and could be used in acidic media. The standard electrode potentials were determined at different temperatures and used to calculate the isothermal coefficient of the electrode. The stability constant (log K(s)) of the Sn(II)-ionophore complex was determined at 25 degrees C by potentiometric titration in mixed aqueous solution. It was used as indicator electrode in potentiometric determination of Sn(II) ion in real samples.

Evaluation of the end colostomy complications and the risk factors influencing them in Iranian patients.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of end colostomy complications and the evaluation of factors influencing outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Three hundred and thirty patients with end colostomy were studied. All patient were recalled for examination for recent complications. Early complications included stoma site pain, early dermal irritation (during the first month after surgery), mucosal bleeding, stomal prolapse and psychosocial complications. Late complications included peristomal hernia, stomal stenosis, late dermal irritation (after the first month), stomal retraction, stomal necrosis and other stoma complications (perforation, fistula etc.). Probable underlying factors were studied. To evaluate risk factors affecting complications, univariable analysis and then multivariable analysis by binary logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: One hundred and one (30.6%) patients had no complications and the remainder had at least one of early or late complications. Overall, psychosocial complications, 56.4%; mucosal bleeding, 34.5%; early dermal irritation, 23.5% were the most frequent complications. Peristomal hernia (11.2%) was the most common late complication. Those aged > 40 years had significant associations with psychosocial problem (OR = 2.77), mucosal haemorrhage (OR = 2.19), and early dermal irritation (OR = 3.14). The risks of peristomal hernia and early dermal irritation are greater in the patients with BMI > 25 kg/m2 (OR = 2.08 and 2.55, respectively). CONCLUSION: The risk of most prevalent complications of colostomy construction increases in elder patients. The high prevalence of psychosocial and skin problems in patients with a colostomy, needs special attention especially from the viewpoint of education by trained stoma nurses and preparation of standard equipment.

First anionic 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylate containing metal complex obtained from a novel 1:1 proton-transfer compound: synthesis, characterization, crystal structure, and solution studies.

The new 1,10-phenanthroline containing 1:1 proton-transfer compound LH(2), [pyda.H(2)](2+)[phendc](2-), was synthesized from the reaction of 2,6-pyridinediamine, pyda, and 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarboxylic acid, phendc.H(2), and characterized by elemental analysis, ES-Ms, IR, (1)H, (13)C NMR, and UV/vis spectroscopies. Subsequently, the first example of [phendc](2)(-) containing anionic complex [pyda.H](2)[Co(phendc)(2)].10H(2)O, was prepared, using the above novel proton-transfer compound, and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The complex crystallizes in the space group P2(1)/n of the monoclinic system with four molecules in a unit cell of dimensions a = 11.877(3) A, b = 31.473(9) A, c = 12.915(4) A, and beta = 116.223(5) degrees. The structure has been refined to a final value for the crystallographic R factor of 0.0524 based on 9021 observed independent reflections. The complexation reactions of pyda, phendc.H(2), and LH(2) with H(+) as well as LH(2) with Co(II) in aqueous solution were investigated by potentiometric pH titrations, and the equilibrium constants for all major complexes formed are described. The results are presented in the form of distribution diagrams revealing the concentrations of individual complex species as a function of pH. The results revealed that, at a pH range of 5.2-6.2, the major complex species is [(pyda.H)](2)[Co(phendc)(2)], similar to the isolated crystalline complex.