Acetoacetate enhancement of glucose mediated DNA glycation.

Acetoacetate (AA) is a ketone body, which generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS production is impacted by the formation of covalent bonds between amino groups of biomacromolecules and reducing sugars (glycation). Glycation can damage DNA by causing strand breaks, mutations, and changes in gene expression. DNA damage could contribute to the pathogenesis of various diseases, including neurological disorders, complications of diabetes, and aging. Here we studied the enhancement of glucose-mediated DNA glycation by AA for the first time. The effect of AA on the structural changes, Amadori and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) formation of DNA incubated with glucose for 4 weeks were investigated using various techniques. These included UV-Vis, circular dichroism (CD) and fluorescence spectroscopy, and agarose gel electrophoresis. The results of UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy confirmed that AA increased the DNA-AGE formation. The NBT test showed that AA also increased Amadori product formation of glycated DNA. Based on the CD and agarose gel electrophoresis results, the structural changes of glycated DNA was increased in the presence of AA. The chemiluminescence results indicated that AA increased ROS formation. Thus AA has an activator role in DNA glycation, which could enhance the adverse effects of glycation under high glucose conditions.

Seasonal variation in exposure level of types a and B ultraviolet radiation: an environmental skin carcinogen.

BACKGROUND: The main source of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is the sun, affecting organs such as the skin, eyes, and immune system. According to American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienist (ACGIH) reports, the amount of UVR reaching the Earth's surface is increasing yearly and is responsible for an increase in solar radiation-related diseases. AIMS: To investigate the amount of UVR reaching the Earth's surface and understand the risk of UVR on disease among outdoor laborers in one of the central provinces of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Arak city was divided into two geographic areas, and the weekly measurement of UVR was done in three locations) asphalt, grass and rooftop). To measure UVR, Hanger UV spectrometer, standard deviation (SD8-A), and SD8-B detectors were used. Amounts of UVR for a consecutive year and varying weather conditions were measured. Finally, values obtained were compared to ACGIH standards. RESULTS: The minimum and maximum levels of UV type A radiation occurred in April 1.27 (0.724) W/m(2) and September 7.147 (4.128) W/m(2), these figures for UV type B were in March-April 0.005 (0.003) and September 0.083 (0.077). The maximum UVR is received between 11 and 15 o'clock. CONCLUSIONS: In the central cities of Iran, the minimum and maximum UV type A and B is received in March-April and in September, respectively. Based on the results, the angular position of the sun in the sky, cloud cover, and height from ground level affected the amount of UVR received, but the geographic locations studied did not.

Synergic study of α-glucosidase inhibitory action of aloin and its antioxidant activity with and without camel ß-casein and its peptides.

Regular consumption of natural antioxidants reduces the risk of developing diseases. Aloin is one of the main active phenolic components of Aloe vera. The main disadvantage of aloin is its concentration limit of use that causes cell damage. One of the aims of this study was to investigate the antioxidant activity of aloin in the presence and absence of camel ß-casein ( ß-CN) and its peptide fractions. The mixture of aloin, ß-CN and peptides showed a very high antioxidant activity in a synergistic manner as compared to each component alone. The alpha ( α)-glucosidase inhibitory activity of aloin was also investigated in the presence and absence of ß-CN and its peptides. Aloin alone is a potent inhibitor of α-glucosidase. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity of aloin is reduced in the presence of ß-CN or its peptides. The combination of aloin and ß-CN or its peptides makes a high antioxidant functional ingredient.

Poststernotomy pseudo-arthrosis due to foreign body reaction to bone wax.

A case of repeated pseudo-arthrosis of the sternum following two median sternotomies for coronary artery bypass surgery is reported. This was due to a chronic foreign body reaction to the bees' wax used during the first operation to reduce bleeding from the sternal edges.