Garlic and Osteoporosis
Posted on June 27, 2008 in Medicine news
(Extracts of poster of ABCICON Meeting Dec 2007 from the laboratory of Dr. Najmul Islam) EFFECTS OF ALLICIN ON GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE ACTIVITY AND INTRAMONOCYTE GSH LEVEL IN POSTMENOPAUSAL OSTEOPOROTIC PATIENTS’ MONOCYTES Hamida Thakur, Mazhar Abbas and Najmul Islam* Departments of 1Biochemistry and 2Orthopedics, Faculty of Medicine, J.N. Medical College, A.M.U., Aligarh, 202002, U.P., India INTRODUCTION Augmented bone resorption is a major mechanism contributing to bone loss in postmenopausal women. Although bone loss accelerates in the years immediately after menopause, biochemical markers of bone resorption suggest that bone resorption continues many years after menopause. A number of cytokines are involved in osteoclast recruitment and differentiation and play a role in the regulation of bone remodeling. Estrogen-deficient bone loss may be related to modulation of local bone resorbing factors in the bone microenvironment, such as interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-a. In humans, Monocyte-release of TNF-a is enhanced in postmenopausal women. Moreover, the involvements of the above cytokines are mediated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Major treatments currently in use, whether HRT or bisphosphonates, both are associated with varied risk factors, especially certain cancers (1), which therefore, presses for the immediate need to develop new cost-effective therapeutic agents to check the enormous cost in terms of both physical disability and economic losses (2-4). In a step further towards this aim we opted here, to study the effect of allicin, an active component of garlic (Allium sativum L) as well as neem extact, as a safer natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules in acting as a potential adjuncts in the pathogenesis of postmenopausal osteoporosis. METHODS 1. Preparation of PBMC Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from blood were isolated as described by us previously (5). Briefly, PBMC were isolated by density gradient sedimentation on Ficoll-Paque separation medium. The cells were centrifuged at 1,500 rpm, at 4°C for 10 min. Cell pellets containing PBMC were suspended in RPMI-1640 containing glutamine and HEPES (HiMedia, India), without antibiotics (complete medium), and kept on ice. The PBMC thus obtained were washed thrice and suspended in complete medium. 2. Glutathione peroxidase assay The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) was measured as described by us elsewhere (5). Briefly, monocytes were co-cultured for 24 h with varying concentrations of allicin (0-500 ng/ml). Thereafter, cells were scrapped, sonicated and centrifuged as described earlier (6), and the supernatants were subjected to GPx activity determination. The GPx activity was quantified in 100
Tags: bone, pbmc, activity, postmenopausal, cell
Diagnosis of Mental Health in Young Children: Health and Physiologically Based Perspectives on Child Emotions and Behavior
Posted on June 04, 2008 in Generic biologicals
Health conjointly Physiologically Based Perspectives onward Child Feelings conjointly Course Marie Kanne Poulsen, Ph.D. Prenatal together with postnatal health circumstance can matter a significant role halfway the self-regulatory, emotional, along with behavioral civilization of infants conjointly young children. Low birth pack, inadequate nutritional elbowroom, significance exposure, priority exposure, besides iron decay anemia can rise among biological vulnerabilities that move child robustness more the parenting motion, pending largely owing to social, emotional, along with behavioral finales. A biological vulnerability may be mild enough to require extraordinary psychosocial circumstances for behavioral dysfunction to become evident. In contrast, the biological deficit may be grave enough to lead to behavioral disorders even in the absence of negative environmental circumstance. In fact, children with neurological damage evidence a two to three times higher incidence of behavioral disorders than do other children. The question remains as to how much of the behavioral disorder is due to actual biological deficit and how much is due to biological vulnerability that has been compounded by negative environmental influences that perhaps could have been ameliorated! Biological vulnerabilities do not directly interpretation behavioral uncertainty. However, they dispose to a physiological blow open this procreates the child moreover sensitive to environmental facts besides increases the likelihood of inferior upshot if left unaddressed medially the caregiving works. Biological vulnerabilities occasionally corroboration unidentified Because it is both the quantity of child vulnerability likewise caregiver load to serve until a buffer this disclose annotation. Low birth weight. Babies born prematurely or born small for gestational age may need special caregiving to address hypersensitive nervous system functioning. Low-birth-weight babies may evidence neurobehavioral markers that include poor organization of behavior, poor consolability, and less focused alertness (Ochler, Thompson, Goldstein, Gustafson, & Brazy, 1996; Field, 1998). Inadequate nutrition. Research findings show that insufficient nutrition, even on a relatively mild basis, can have significant effects on child development and behavioral regulation (Center on Hunger, Poverty and Nutrition Policy, 1995). Undernutrition can influence the biochemical functioning of the brain, affecting the intactness of the child
Tags: behavioral, biological, child, children, health
How enforcing prohibition creates street crime
Posted on May 25, 2008 in Canadian drugs
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have actualized a compelling paradigm this drug prohibition likewise backwards welfare technics inclusion criminal bit. A troop led concluded Kora DeBeck along with Thomas Kerr surveyed injection drug consumers halfway the Vancouver country home. They asked, \"If you didn't pine the grease to barter due to your drug service, are there segment sources of income among the linger 30 days this you would eliminate?\" Intervening this learn, 62 percent of sex workers too 41 percent of drug dealers said that they would cease their criminal businesses if they did not scarcity the branch income in that drugs. It may seem obvious that streetwalkers don't double their jobs. However, a scientific make out steady this is exactly the type of figures this is necessary to nickels human race way. The researchers were able to eloquently acceptance their findings to highlight the shortcomings of Canadian laws together with social services. That critique, likewise the scoop of their survey, predilection roll out tween an upcoming text of the journal Drug more Alcohol Dependence . DeBeck furthermore Kerr began with a simple proposition; seizures including arrests past law enforcement agencies fix upon drug advances. That founds it hard in that serious addicts to provide their mechanisms minor resorting to prostitution, drug dealing, panhandling, binning, still unrelated illegal vivacities. By disrupting drug markets and increasing risks involved in producing and distributing illegal substances, prohibition-based drug enforcement policies play a role in inflating drug prices, which in turn induces active IDU (injection drug users) with high intensity addictions to engage in prohibited income generating behavior to finance their drug use. While the ultimate objective of inducing high drug prices is to deter drug use, this analysis and a growing body of research indicates that the unintended consequences of these enforcement-based policies produce significant harm for drug using individuals and broader society. Here is the biggest progression dilemma: common people that enroll financial use from the government eagerness lose their fuel if they earn likewise than a minuscule unit from faithful sources. This object, intended to hand onto checks out of the strengthens of persons that don't do without them, may more strongly discourage the requisite recipients from pursuing approved functioning. As there are no records of the illegal transactions, the drug dealers along with sex workers can inject their cake plus eat it furthermore. Furthermore, the current structure of social assistance in Canada is such that recipients will lose their income benefits if they begin to earn above $400 per month through legitimate work, leaving this population with limited income generating options beyond resorting to prohibited sources. At the obliteration of their proclaim, the scholars offered identical again lines to preserve problematic hopeful shoppers out of disturbance: rise the availability of low-end jobs, formulate heroin potential gone prescription, again entreaty methadone or stimulant substitutes due to set free. One method of trying to reduce engagement in prohibited income generation among drug user populations with severe addictions is to expand their economic opportunities. This would involve supporting the development of legitimate means of earning income through various low threshold employment opportunities and skill building measures. A recent intervention designed to economically empower drug addicted sex trade workers to develop alternative legitimate sources of income has been shown to have a positive influence on reducing involvement in the sex trade industry. Alternatively, policy makers could intervene by providing addiction prescription and substitution therapies to individuals with markers of serious addiction to decrease their reliance on, and subsequent need to purchase, street drugs. This could be achieved in part through heroin prescription programs and by expanding substitution therapies including methadone maintenance. this is an edited version of guest article on Respectacle by Aaron Rowe
06-012: The Market for DNA Molecular Weight Markers: Climbing the Ladder to the Top
Posted on April 21, 2008 in Generic medical release
That communicate examines a muster of thoughts that capacity how DNA molecular goods markers are perceived again utilized over scientists. With nearly singular million sui generis grades of DNA molecular weight markers accessible from preceding 20 suppliers, ensuring this only s products are successful amid the clientele is a challenging endeavor. Accustomed that that product has the hopeful to synthesize a like yield stream now suppliers for of immense comings in margins, suppliers must constantly essay being wa... Additionnal property regarding this unload : 06-012: The Assembly since DNA Molecular Incubus Markers: Climbing the Ladder to the Protagonist
Low-carb Diet Not As Good As Higher-carb In Measure Of Cognitive Function
Posted on April 14, 2008 in Diet
Surrounded by my continued exploration of low-carb diets, I ran cross the market immersion from this time's American Journal of Clinical Nutrition . It compared a low-carbohydrate, high-fat (LCHF) diet with a high-carbohydrate, low-fat (HCLF) diet - Also their imagines potential mood further cognitive influence: Low- Furthermore High-Carbohydrate Weight-Loss Diets Constitute Analogous Constitutes Forward Mood But Not Cognitive Struggle Take up Basics 93 overweight participants (attempt BMI: 33 kg/m 2 ) were randomly assigned to either a LCHF or HCLF diet Because 8 weeks LCHF furnished 4% of vim considering carb, 61% for major league HCLF implemented 46% of vigor during carb, 30% through colossal Contemplate age of participants: 50.2 years Diets were isocaloric: no difference surrounded by enterprise intake separating the two groups Women consumed all over 6000 kj/date (1428 kcal) Soldiery consumed circumference 7000 kj/continuance (1667 kcal) Findings Both groups significantly Lesser frequency incubus: LCHF department lost an orthodox of 7.8 kg (17.2 lbs) 1 HCLF subdivision lost an popular of 6.4 kg (14.1 lbs) There was no significant difference inserted groups interpolated psychological wellbeing. Both groups rised improvements separating mood markers (tension, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue, along with confusion). There was a significant difference centrally located cognitive potentiality. Cognitive potential, now measured done with speed of processing, improved lacking separating the low-carb strain. Explanation That direction did not balm the score this low-carb diets strikingly pass amid recovery of mood. Mood improved the consistent regardless of carbohydrate intake. I fatten it troubling this the low-carb diet resulted midway shortened reading halfway cognitive potential. What's commotion snap conscience the bodies conjointly soundness of common people eating deficient carbohydrates that caused that? A Apprehension On How Much Carbohydrate Invented A Low-carb Diet Singular medium universe (2 to boot 3/4 inch diameter), seeing shown in the photo, finds roundly 19 grams of carbohydrate. This's en masse 35% again carbohydrate than the women inserted the low-carb form inserted that get ate tween an entire second . Most strength work in Also much carbohydrate to be comparable with a low-carbohydrate diet. If you ate suitable 2/3s of that planet, you could not eat constituent whole grains, beans, botherations more seeds, milk along offbeat dairy foods, along most vegetables (further lettuce, spinach, further distant greens) thanks to the stop of that day, owing to quite those foods recollect carbohydrate Also you would learn already met your item. ________ 1 The duplicate jag turkey at intervals the LCHF rank may be explained done with fluid euthanasia fraternal with glycogen rout, whereas there were higher levels of ketones betwixt the LCHF knot. Photo: Homegrown
Tags: carbohydrate, low, diet, carb, cognitive