Effect of short-term oral supplementation of crocin on age-related oxidative stress, cholinergic, and mitochondrial dysfunction in rat cerebral cortex.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Aging is associated with oxidative stress and altered cholinergic and mitochondrial function. Crocin is a carotenoid antioxidant that quenches free radicals and protects cells and tissues from oxidation in biological systems. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effect of oral supplementation of Crocin on age-associated oxidative stress, cholinergic, and mitochondrial function in rat cerebral cortex. MAIN METHODS: The middle-aged (15 months old) rats were segregated into three groups (n = 6): Control (ad-libitum fed +0.9% saline as vehicle), Cro 50 (ad-libitum fed + crocin 50 mg/kg/day), Cro 150 (ad-libitum fed + crocin 150 mg/kg/day). The experiment was scheduled for 45 days. The serum and brain parameters were estimated after euthanasia. KEY FINDINGS: Crocin supplementation of Cro 50 and Cro 150 displayed a relative decline in body weight gain during the experimental period and significantly reduced age-associated serum triglyceride level over control. In rat cerebral cortex, age-associated macromolecular damage, decline in endogenous antioxidants and an increase in intracellular calcium concentration were significantly reversed due to oral supplementation of Crocin. Cro 150 significantly improved acetylcholine content as a consequence of acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Further, remarkable mitochondrial function was observed in Cro 150 over the control group as determined by citrate synthase and cytochrome C oxidase enzyme activities. SIGNIFICANCE: Oral supplementation of Crocin significantly reversed age-associated oxidative stress and neuroinflammatory markers. Meanwhile, Cro 150 remarkably improved cholinergic and mitochondrial function over the control group and facilitated further delay in the aging process due to enhanced cognitive effect.

Multifaceted targeting of neurodegeneration with bioactive molecules of saffron (Crocus sativus): An insilco evidence-based hypothesis.

Oxidative stress-mediated neurodegeneration is responsible for 12% mortality around the globe. Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) are the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, associated with modulation of acetylcholine levels and amyloid beta accumulation & dopamine level and alpha-synuclein oligomerization, respectively. Therefore, a better understanding of their pathological mechanisms reveals novel target proteins and encourages exploitation of suitable lead molecules. In the present study, targets for AD and PD were sought not only to suppress the pathological condition but to restore the normal physiological function. In this view, activation of retinoic acid receptor alpha can be formulated as a novel target to improve choline acetyltransferase transcription that works together with acetylcholine esterase and beta-secretase 1 inhibition against AD. Likewise, inhibition of Polo-like kinase 2 fails to phosphorylate alpha-synuclein and motivates efficient autophagic clearance. Therefore, PLK2 inhibition, together with L-DOPA supplementation and monoamine oxidase B inhibition widens the therapeutic options for PD. As oxidative stress is the major factor for neurodegeneration, AMPK activation stabilizes energy metabolism and Sirtuin 1 (histone deacetylase 1) activation enhances AMPK, PGC1a and Nrf gene expressions. Phytochemical extracts from saffron stigma were broadly appreciated on memory enhancement and cognition. However, the exact mechanism was not established. Therefore, this inspires the exploitation of phytochemicals in saffron stigma extract using in-silico tools, to anticipate lead molecules that interact with various neurodegeneration associated protein targets.

Scattering phase function spectrum makes reflectance spectrum measured from Intralipid phantoms and tissue sensitive to the device detection geometry.

Reflectance spectra measured in Intralipid (IL) close to the source are sensitive to wavelength-dependent changes in reduced scattering coefficient ([Formula: see text]) and scattering phase function (PF). Experiments and simulations were performed using device designs with either single or separate optical fibers for delivery and collection of light in varying concentrations of IL. Spectral reflectance is not consistently linear with varying IL concentration, with PF-dependent effects observed for single fiber devices with diameters smaller than ten transport lengths and for separate source-detector devices that collected light at less than half of a transport length from the source. Similar effects are thought to be seen in tissue, limiting the ability to quantitatively compare spectra from different devices without compensation.

Treatment of idiopathic infertility, cervical mucus hostility, and male infertility: artificial insemination with husband's semen or in vitro fertilization?

Couples with male infertility (n = 86), idiopathic infertility (n = 68), and cervical mucus hostility (n = 48) of a long duration were treated either by in vitro fertilization (IVF) or artificial insemination with husband's semen (AIH). The incidence of pregnancy per cycle in couples in whom the male partner was infertile was significantly (P less than 0.01) higher after IVF, compared with AIH (21% versus 5%, respectively). The differences were most apparent in couples with asthenospermia (47% versus 0%, respectively); no significant difference was found when the infertility was caused by oligospermia only (11% versus 9%, respectively). More patients with idiopathic infertility became pregnant after one cycle with IVF, compared with AIH (20% versus 8%, respectively); but, because of intragroup disparity in size, this difference was not significant. A highly significant difference (P less than 0.01) was found after one attempt with IVF, compared with AIH, in patients with cervical mucus hostility (38% versus 3%, respectively).

Dose tables for 125I seed implants.

Dose tables are given for 125I implants, as well as detailed information about the dose distribution which is calculated for different square planar and cubic volume implants using recently published depth dose data. Minimum peripheral and maximum central doses are evaluated for different areas and volumes for seeds with 1 mCi (37 MBq) equivalent activy and spaced 1 cm apart. The dose delivered at any specific point in a permanent implant is the dose rate at that point multiplied by the mean life (2,080 hrs) and the activity per seed (1 mCi). The effect of spacing is studied and a spacing rule is suggested.

Primary management of operable breast cancer by minimal surgery and radiotherapy.

109 cases of breast cancer were treated by tumorectomy and radiotherapy or radiotherapy alone. Almost 30% with small tumors (T1, T2) were considered inoperable for medical reasons and 70% refused mastectomy. Over the past five years the number of patients refusing mastectomy has definitely increased. 59 cases of surgically resectable cancers (T1, T2, T3, N0, N1) had a minimum followup of two years (average 4 years +/- 3 months). Absolute and determinate survivals NED were 65% and 86%. There were four local recurrences (8%). Secondary mastectomy could be performed on three. Microscopic involvement of the surgical margin by cancer did not alter the local control rate. The cosmetic results were good in 98%. Gross removal of the tumor followed by radiotherapy may be offered as an alternative to mastectomy in patients with operable breast cancer.

Dose distribution around an 125I seed source in tissue.

Dose distribution about an 125I source in tissue has been calculated using absorbed dose constant and point isotropic source buildup factors. The effect of encapsulation material has been included. Depth-dose values have been verified by measurements with thermoluminescent dosimeters. Present data gives a value for absorbed dose constant of 1.32 rads cm2/mCi-hr. compared to the presently used value of 1.7. Depth-dose values are compared with other published data.

Local control of breast cancer with tumorectomy plus radiotherapy or radiotherapy alone.

58 cases of breast cancer treated primarily by radiotherapy were evaluated to determine the optimum dose for local control. Of 36 patients with T1 + T2 lesions who had tumorectomy prior to radiotherapy, incomplete excision of tumor was demonstrated on microscopic examination in 18. The minimum tumor dose to the breast was 4,500 rads in 5 weeks. Treatment failed to control local tumor in only 2 (5%) and metastases in 1.26 (72%) remained disease-free for 2 to 9 years. Of the 22 patients with T3 + T4 lesions, treatment failed to control both local tumor and metastases in 12 (54%); in those who received 6,000 rads or less in 6 weeks, treatment failed to control any of these lesions. 4,500-5,500 rads controlled the tumor in 95% of those with NO + N1 disease, compared to only half of those with N2 + N3 tumors.

Radiation-related eosinophilia. Correlation with delayed hypersensitivity, lymphocyte count, and survival in patients treated by curative radiotherapy.

Abdominal irradiation may produce eosinophilia. The relationship between radiation-related eosinophilia (RRE), reactivity to 2-4 dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB), lymphocyte count, and prognosis was evaluated in 98 patients irradiated for tumors below the diaphragm. Forty-two per cent manifested RRE and 62% reacted to DNCB. Fifteen of 19 (79%) reactors who had RRE were disease-free at 6 months. Fourteen of 22 (64%) nonreactors who had RRE and 26 of 42 (62%) DNCB reactors without RRE were controlled. Fourteen of 15 (93%) nonreactors without RRE had disease at 6 months. Those who had RRE had double the median survival of those who did not.