Impact of radiofrequency radiation on DNA damage and antioxidants in peripheral blood lymphocytes of humans residing in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations

Radiofrequency radiations (RFRs) emitted by mobile phone base stations have raised concerns on its adverse impact on humans residing in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations. Therefore, the present study was envisaged to evaluate the effect of RFR on the DNA damage and antioxidant status in cultured human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs) of individuals residing in the vicinity of mobile phone base stations and comparing it with healthy controls. The study groups matched for various demographic data including age, gender, dietary pattern, smoking habit, alcohol consumption, duration of mobile phone use and average daily mobile phone use. The RF power density of the exposed individuals was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) when compared to the control group. The HPBLs were cultured and the DNA damage was assessed by cytokinesis blocked micronucleus (MN) assay in the binucleate lymphocytes. The analyses of data from the exposed group (n = 40), residing within a perimeter of 80 m of mobile base stations, showed significantly (p < 0.0001) higher frequency of micronuclei when compared to the control group, residing 300 m away from the mobile base station/s. The analysis of various antioxidants in the plasma of exposed individuals revealed a significant attrition in glutathione (GSH) concentration (p < 0.01), activities of catalase (CAT) (p < 0.001) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) (p < 0.001) and rise in lipid peroxidation (LOO) when compared to controls. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed a significant association among reduced GSH concentration (p < 0.05), CAT (p < 0.001) and SOD (p < 0.001) activities and elevated MN frequency (p < 0.001) and LOO (p < 0.001) with increasing RF power density.     

Skeletal muscle post-conditioning by diazoxide, anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic mechanisms

Pretreatment with diazoxide, K_ATP channel opener, increases tissue tolerance against ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury. In clinical settings pretreatment is rarely an option therefore we evaluated the effect of post-ischemic treatment with diazoxide on skeletal muscle IR injury. Rats were treated with either saline, diazoxide (K_ATP opener; 40?mg/kg) or 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD; mitochondrial K_ATP inhibitor; 40?mg/kg) after skeletal muscle ischemia (3?h) and reperfusion (6, 24 or 48?h). Tissue contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities, Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression and muscle histology were determined. Apoptosis was examined (24 and 48?h) after ischemia. IR induced severe histological damage, increased MDA content and Bax expression (24 and 48?h; p?<?0.01) and decreased CAT and SOD activities (6 and 24?h, p?<?0.01 and 48?h, p?<?0.05), with no significant effect on Bcl-2 expression. Diazoxide reversed IR effects on MDA (6 and 24?h; p?<?0.05), SOD (6 and 24?h; p?<?0.01) and CAT (6 and 48?h, p?<?0.05 and 24?h p?<?0.01) and tissue damage. Diazoxide also decreased Bax (24 and 48?h; p?<?0.05) and increased Bcl-2 protein expression (24 and 48?h; p?<?0.01). Post-ischemic treatment with 5-HD had no significant effect on IR injury. Number of apoptotic nuclei in IR and 5-HD treated groups significantly increased (p?<?0.001) while diazoxide decreased apoptosis (p?<?0.01). The results suggested that post-ischemic treatment with diazoxide decrease oxidative stress in acute phase which modulates expression of apoptotic proteins in the late phase of reperfusion injury. Involvement of KATP channels in this effect require further evaluations.     

Comparison of antioxidant enzymes in saliva of elderly smokers and non-smokers

Objectives: This study was designed to compare the levels of copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD), peroxidase (POx) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px) in saliva of smokers and those in saliva of non‐smokers. Methods: Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from 88 elderly males (65 years old or over) who visited a private dental clinic. Forty‐four subjects were current smokers (more than 20 cigarettes daily for at least 30 years) and 44 were non‐smokers. The levels of salivary thiocyanate, Cu/Zn SOD, GSH‐Px, and POx activity were measured using standard procedures. Results: The mean levels of salivary thiocyanate (SCN^?) and SOD were significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the smoking group than in the non‐smoking group, whereas the specific activity levels of POx and GSH‐Px were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the non‐smoking group than in the smoking group. Significant correlation coefficients were found between the levels of SCN^? and SOD (r = 0.37, p < 0.001). In the non‐smoking group, a significant positive association was found between specific activity of POx and age (r = 0.33, p < 0.05). Conclusion: Measurement of SCN^? and Cu/Zn SOD in human saliva might be useful for estimating the level of oxidative stress caused by cigarette smoke. Despite increased H₂O₂ level as a defense system induced by SOD, detoxification of H₂O₂ might be deteriorated in the oral cavity of elderly smokers.     

The Regulation of Exogenous Jasmonic Acid on UV-B Stress Tolerance in Wheat

Enhanced ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B, 280?C320?nm) is recognized as one of the environmental stress factors that cannot be neglected. Jasmonic acid (JA) is an important signaling molecule in a plant??s defense against biotic and abiotic stresses. To determine the role of exogenous JA in the resistance of wheat to stress from UV-B radiation, wheat seedlings were exposed to 0.9?kJ?m^?2?h^?1 UV-B radiation for 12?h after pretreatment with 1 and 2.5?mM JA, and the activity of antioxidant enzymes, the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), the content of UV-B absorbing compounds, photosynthetic pigments, and proline and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were measured. The results of two-way ANOVA illustrated that the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT), MDA level, anthocyanin and carotenoid (Car) content, and almost all chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were significantly affected by UV-B, JA, and UV-B?×?JA (P?<?0.05) [the maximal efficiency of photosystem II photochemistry (F _v/F _m) was not affected significantly by UV-B radiation]. Duncan??s multiple-range tests demonstrated that UV-B stress induced a significant reduction in plant photosystem II (PSII) function and SOD activity and an increased level of membrane lipid peroxidation, indicative of the deleterious effect of UV-B radiation on wheat. JA pretreatment obviously mitigated the detrimental effect of UV-B on PSII function by increasing F _v/F _m, reaction centers?? excitation energy capture efficiency (F _v??/F _m??), effective photosystem II quantum yield (??PSII), and photosynthetic electron transport rate (ETR), and by decreasing nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ) of wheat seedlings. Moreover, the activity of SOD and the content of proline and anthocyanin were provoked by exogenous JA. However, the MDA level was increased and Car content was decreased by exogenous JA with or without the presence of supplementary UV-B, whereas the contents of chlorophyll and flavonoids and related phenolics were not affected by exogenous JA. Meanwhile, exogenous JA resulted in a decrease of CAT and POD activities under UV-B radiation stress. These results partly confirm the hypothesis that exogenous JA could counteract the negative effects of UV-B stress on wheat seedlings to some extent.     

MOOD AND THE CIRCADIAN SYSTEM: INVESTIGATION OF A CIRCADIAN COMPONENT IN POSITIVE AFFECT

The aim of this study was to test if the pattern of human mood variation across the day is consistent with the hypothesis that self-reports of positive affect (PA) have a circadian component, and self-reports of negative affect (NA) do not. Data were collected under two protocols: normal ambulatory conditions of activity and rest and during a 27h constant routine (CR) procedure. Mood data were collected every 3 h during the wake span of the ambulatory protocol and hourly during the 27h CR. In both protocols, rectal temperature data were continuously recorded. In the ambulatory protocol, activity data were also collected to enable estimation of the unmasked (purified) temperature rhythm. Participants were 14 healthy females aged 18–25 yr in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle. Under both protocols, PA exhibited significant 24h temporal variation [CR: F(23,161)=2.12, p<0.01; ambulatory: F(5,55)=2.44, p<0.05] with a significant sinusoidal component [CR: F(2,21)=7.51, p<0.01; ambulatory: F(2,3)=20.49, p<.05] of the same form as the circadian temperature rhythm. In contrast, NA exhibited an increasing linear trend over time under the ambulatory protocol [F(1,11)=5.74, p<0.05] but nonsignificant temporal variation under the CR protocol. The findings support the hypothesis of a circadian component in PA variation.     

DIURNAL VARIATION IN WINGATE TEST PERFORMANCES: INFLUENCE OF ACTIVE WARM-UP

The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of active warm-up duration on the diurnal fluctuations in anaerobic performances. Twelve physical education students performed a medical stress test (progressive test up to exhaustion) and four Wingate tests (measurement of peak power [P_peak], mean power [P_mean], and fatigue index during an all-out 30 s cycling exercise). The tests were performed in separate sessions (minimum interval?=?36?h) in a balanced and randomized design at 08:00 and 18:00?h, either after a 5?min (5-AWU) or a 15?min active warm-up (15-AWU). AWU consisted of pedaling at 50% of the power output at the last stage of the stress exhausting test. Rectal temperature was collected throughout the sessions. A two-way ANOVA (warm-up?×?time of day) revealed a significant interaction for P_peak (F_(1.11)?=?6.48, p?<?0.05) and P_mean (F_(1.11)?=?5.84, p?<?0.05): the time-of-day effect was significant (p?<?0.001) in contrast with the effect of warm-up duration (p?>?0.05). P_peak and P_mean improved significantly from morning to afternoon after both 5-AWU and 15-AWU, but the effect of warm-up duration was significant in the morning only. Indeed, the values of P_peak or P_mean were the same after both warm-up protocols in the afternoon. For rectal temperature, there was no interaction between time-of-day and warm-up duration. Rectal temperature before and after both the warm-up protocols was higher in the afternoon, and the effect of warm-up duration on temperature was similar at 08:00 and 18:00?h. In conclusion, the interpretation of the results of the anaerobic performance tests should take into account time-of-day and warm-up procedures. Longer warm-up protocols are recommended in the morning to minimize the diurnal fluctuations of anaerobic performances. (Author correspondence: n_souissi@yahoo.fr)     

A Comparative Study of the Oxidative Profile in Graves’ Disease, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, and Papillary Thyroid Cancer

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the oxidative profiles of three thyroid disorders: Graves’ disease (GD), Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT), and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Malondialdehyde levels (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities were examined in the plasma of 52 patients (29 untreated HT, 16 untreated GD, and 7 PTC who underwent surgical therapy). Results were compared with those of 30 healthy controls and among the three groups of patients. The GD, HT, and PTC patients exhibited increased plasma MDA levels and SOD activities compared with the controls (p?<?0.05, p?<?0.05, and p?<?0.001, respectively). CAT activities significantly increased only for the PTC and HT patients (p?<?0.001 and p?<?0.05, respectively), whereas GPx activities significantly decreased only in the GD and PTC (p?<?0.05 and p?<?0.01, respectively). The comparison among the three groups of patients has shown increased MDA level and SOD activity for the PTC patients as compared to the GD patients (p?<?0.01 and p?<?0.001, respectively). Compared with HT, PTC patients exhibited significant higher MDA level, SOD, and CAT activities and a significant lower GPx activity (p?<?0.01, p?<?0.001, p?<?0.05, and p?<?0.05, respectively). No significant discrepancies were noted between the GD and HT patients. Our results have clearly shown an oxidative profile that is highly disturbed for the PTC patients as compared to those of autoimmune disorders. Future studies are needed to determine whether or not the oxidative stress has a prognostic value in this pathology.     

CHRONIC SLEEP DEFICIT AND PERFORMANCE OF A SUSTAINED ATTENTION TASK—AN ELECTROOCULOGRAPHY STUDY

Electrooculography (EOG) was used to explore performance differences in a sustained attention task during rested wakefulness (RW) and after 7 days of partial sleep deprivation (SD). The RW condition was based on obtaining regular sleep, and the SD condition involved sleep restriction of 3?h/night for a week resulting in a total sleep debt of 21?h. The study used a counterbalanced design with a 2-wk gap between the conditions. Participants performed a sustained attention task for 45?min on four occasions: 10:00–11:00, 14:00–15:00, 18:00–19:00, and 22:00–23:00?h. The task required moving gaze and attention as fast as possible from a fixation point to a target. In each session, 120 congruent and 34 incongruent stimuli were presented, totaling 1232 observations/participant. Correct responses plus errors of omission (lapses) and commission (false responses) were recorded, and the effect of time-of-day on sustained attention following SD was investigated. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) model showed that SD affected performance on a sustained attention task and manifested itself in a higher number of omission errors: congruent stimuli (F_(1,64)?=?13.3, p?<?.001) and incongruent stimuli (F_(1,64)?=?14.0, p?<?.001). Reaction times for saccadic eye movements did not differ significantly between experimental conditions or by time-of-day. Commission errors, however, exhibited a decreasing trend during the day. The visible prevalence of omissions in SD versus RW was observed during the mid-afternoon hours (the so-called post-lunch dip) for both congruent and incongruent stimuli (F_(1,16)?=?5.3, p?=?.04 and F_(1,16)?=?5.6, p?=?.03, respectively), and at 18:00?h for incongruent stimuli (F_(1,13)?=?5.7, p?=?.03). (Author correspondence: magda.fafrowicz@uj.edu.pl)     

Thiamine deficiency induces oxidative stress in brain mitochondria of Mus musculus

The present investigation evaluates the changes in the levels of antioxidant enzymes, lipid peroxidation (LPO), and protein carbonyl content (PCC) in brain mitochondria following thiamine deficiency (TD). The study was carried out on Mus musculus allocated into three groups, namely control and thiamine-deficient group for 8 (TD 8) and 10 (TD 10) days. The LPO was measured in terms of reduced glutathione (GSH) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS). Antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were measured biochemically. A significant increase in the TBARS (p?<?0.0001) and PCC (p?<?0.001) levels in group II (TD 8) and group III (TD 10) animals was observed in comparison to controls. The GSH levels were found to be reduced in both the treated groups compared to the control. A significant reduction in the activities of SOD was also observed in group II (p?<?0.01) and group III (p?<?0.0001) animals in comparison to the control. Enzymatic activities of CAT (p?<?0.001) and GPx (p?<?0.05) were found to be significantly reduced in group III (TD 10) in comparison to the control. In conclusion, reduction in the activities of antioxidant enzymes as well as an increase in LPO and PCC following TD implies oxidative stress in brain mitochondria that may further leads to neurodegeneration.     

Stimulation and inhibition effects of algae-lytic products from Bacillus cereus strain L7 on Anabaena flos-aquae

Alga-bacterium relationships between a Bacillus cereus strain L7 and Anabaena flos-aquae were studied based on the effects of the algicidal substances on algal growth indicators such as enzyme activity and membrane lipid peroxidation. When exposed to algae-lytic products at a concentration of 0.05?mg?mL^?1, chlorophyll a (Chla), protein and phycobiliprotein contents increased significantly (p?<?0.05); superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations increased slightly to stimulate the algae growth. When exposed to algae-lytic products at a concentration of 0.5?mg?mL^?1, algae growth and composition were inhibited. Chla, protein and phycobiliprotein concentrations decreased significantly (p?<?0.05 for protein, p?<?0.01 for Chla and phycobiliprotein). MDA concentrations increased significantly (p?<?0.05). POD and CAT activities increased by approximately six and three times, respectively, in 24?h compared with the control, then decreased to the initial level in 4?days. Algae-lytic products have not only inhibition but also stimulation effects on A. flos-aquae. Such effects are associated with antioxidative/oxidative reactions as indicated by the biomarkers SOD, POD, CAT, and MDA.     

Assessment of oxidant/antioxidant status in saliva of cell phone users

Hazardous health effects resulting from exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiation (RF-EMR) emitted from cell phones have been reported in the literature. However, the cellular and molecular targets of RF-EMR are still controversial. The aim of this study was to examine the oxidant/antioxidant status in saliva of cell phone users. Saliva samples collected before using a cell phone as well as at the end of 15 and 30?min calls were tested for two commonly used oxidative stress biomarkers: malondialdehyde (MDA) and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-Oxo-dG). The 8-oxo-dG levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) competitive assay, while the MDA levels were measured using the OxiSelect MDA adduct ELISA Kit. The antioxidant capacity of the saliva was evaluated using the oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC) and the hydroxyl radical averting capacity (HORAC) assays according to the manufacture instructions. The mean 8-oxo-dG and the Bradford protein concentrations (ng/ml and mg/ml, respectively) peaked at 15?min. The levels of HORAC, ORAC and MDA progressively increased with time and reached maximum at 30?min. However, there was no significant effect of talking time on the levels of 8-OxodG and MDA. Similarly, there was no statistically significant effect of talking time on the oxygen and hydroxyl radicals averting capacities, (ORAC) and (HORAC), respectively. These findings suggest that there is no relationship between exposure to radio frequency radiation (RFR) and changes in the salivary oxidant/antioxidant profile.     

Circadian Variation in the Response to Experimental Endotoxemia and Modulatory Effects of Exogenous Melatonin

Disturbances in circadian rhythms are commonly observed in the development of several medical conditions and may also be involved in the pathophysiology of sepsis. Melatonin, with its antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, is known to modulate the response to endotoxemia. In this paper, we investigated the circadian variation with or without melatonin administration in an experimental endotoxemia model based on lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to six groups receiving an intraperitoneal injection of either LPS (5?mg/kg), LPS?+?melatonin (1?mg/kg), or LPS?+?melatonin (10?mg/kg) at either daytime or nighttime. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was analyzed in liver samples collected after decapitation. Furthermore, inflammatory plasma markers (cytokines interleukin [IL]-6, IL-10) and oxidative plasma markers (ascorbic acid [AA], dehydroascorbic acid [DHA], and malondialdehyde [MDA]) were analyzed before and 5?h after the onset of endotoxemia. There were significant higher levels of SOD (p?<?0.05), IL-6 (p?<?0.01), and IL-10 (p?<?0.05) during nighttime endotoxemia compared with daytime. At daytime, melatonin 1 and 10?mg reduced the levels of MDA and increased SOD, IL-6, IL-10, and DHA (p?<?0.05). At nighttime, melatonin reduced the levels of MDA and increased DHA (p?<?0.05). Additionally, 10?mg melatonin resulted in lower levels of AA during daytime (p?<?0.05). No dose relationship of melatonin was observed. The results showed that the response induced by experimental endotoxemia was dependent on time of day. Melatonin administration modulated the inflammatory and oxidative stress responses induced by endotoxemia and also resulted in higher levels of antioxidants during daytime. The effect of circadian time on the endotoxemia response and possible modulatory effects of melatonin need further investigations in a human endotoxemia model.     

Acute high-intensity exercise test in soccer athletes affects salivary biochemical markers

Saliva has been reported as a potential biological fluid for biochemical monitoring. This study investigated salivary markers of exercise intensity, oral mucosal immunity, and redox homeostasis in soccer athletes subjected to an acute high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) protocol characterised by a repeated sprint ability test. Thirty-two professional soccer athletes were recruited and saliva aliquots were collected at rest and immediately after HIIE protocol. When compared with pre-test values we observed that HIIE protocol induced moderate changes for total protein (p?=?.015; effect size (ES)?=?0.51; smallest worthwhile change (SWC)_factor?=?5.7) and for cortisol levels (p?factor?=?3.9). Lactate levels showed very large changes (p?factor?=?10.8), while Ig-A alterations were considered unclear. Besides, transferrin changes were trivial and maintained its levels at rest and after HIIE below the proposed threshold of 0.5?mg/dL. Regarding redox homeostasis we observed unclear effects for TBARs, MDA, GSH, GSSG, CAT, and SOD while uric acid showed large decreases (p?=?.005; ES?=?0.80; SWC_factor?=??5.4). HIIE protocol as a physical test conducted in soccer athletes increased salivary concentration of exercise intensity markers, such as lactate, total protein, and cortisol, but did not affect Ig-A levels. Redox homeostasis in saliva seems to be more related with uric acid levels as a possible key factor TBARs homeostasis.     

The evaluation of protective and mitigating effects of vitamin C against side effects induced by radioiodine therapy

The goal of this study was to evaluate the protective and mitigative effect of vitamin C on oxidative stress in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) patients ablated with radioiodine. 58 DTC patients selected for radioactive iodine therapy (RAIT) with 5550 MBq ¹³¹Iodine were divided into four groups. Group 1 (control group) consisted of patients who underwent RAIT routinely. Other patients received 1500 mg vitamin C daily 2 days after (group 2), 2 days before to 2 days after (group 3) and 2 days before RAIT (group 4). Serum oxidative stress markers including malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured immediately before and 2 days after RAIT. A significant increase in MDA after RAIT was observed in all groups (p?<?0.05). The concentrations of MDA were significantly higher in the control group compared to the intervention groups (p?<?0.05). A significant decrease in the control group (p?<?0.05) and increase in group 4 (p?<?0.05) were observed in GSH level after RAIT (p?<?0.05). Mean variation of GSH was significant between control group with groups 3 (p?<?0.01) and 4 (p?<?0.01). The results indicate that activity of SOD remained unchanged in all groups (p?>?0.05). A significant increase was observed in CAT activity after RAIT in all groups (p?<?0.05), which was higher in control group than intervention groups. In groups 3 (p?<?0.05) and 4 (p?<?0.05), this increase in CAT activity was significantly lower than the control group. RAIT causes serum oxidative stress, which can be ameliorated using vitamin C as an antioxidant. These results indicate that radioprotective effect of vitamin C is preferable to its mitigative effect.     

Comparative Analysis of the Protective Effects of Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (CAPE) on Pulmonary Contusion Lung Oxidative Stress and Serum Copper and Zinc Levels in Experimental Rat Model

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) in the lungs by biochemical and histopathological analyses in an experimental isolated lung contusion model. Eighty-one male Sprague–Dawley rats were used. The animals were divided randomly into four groups: group 1 (n?=?9) was defined as without contusion and without CAPE injection. Group 2 (n?=?9) was defined as CAPE 10 μmol/kg injection without lung contusion. Group 3 (n?=?36) was defined as contusion without CAPE-administrated group which consisted of four subgroups that were created according to analysis between days?0, 1, 2, and 3. Group 4 (n?=?27) was defined as CAPE 10 μmol/kg administrated after contusion group divided into three subgroups according to analysis on days?1, 2, and 3. CAPE 10 μmol/kg was injected intraperitoneally 30 min after trauma and on days?1 and 2. Blood samples were obtained to measure catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and level of malondialdehyde (MDA) and for blood gas analysis. Trace elements such as zinc and copper were measured in serum. The lung tissue was also removed for histopathological examination. Isolated lung contusion increased serum and tissue SOD and CAT activities and MDA levels (p?<?0.05). Both serum and tissue SOD, MDA, and CAT levels on day?3 were lower in group 4 compared to group 3 (p?<?0.05). Further, the levels of SOD, MDA, and CAT in group 4 were similar compared to group 1 (p?>?0.05). CAPE also had a significant beneficial effect on blood gases (p?<?0.05). Both serum zinc and copper levels were (p?<?0.05) influenced by the administration of CAPE. Histopathological examination revealed lower scores in group 4 compared to group 3 (p?<?0.05) and no significant differences compared to group 1 (p?>?0.05). CAPE appears to be effective in protecting against severe oxidative stress and tissue damage caused by pulmonary contusion in an experimental setting. Therefore, we conclude that administration of CAPE may be used for a variety of conditions associated with pulmonary contusion. Clinical use of CAPE may have the advantage of prevention of pulmonary contusion.     

Trace element and magnesium levels and superoxide dismutase activity in rheumatoid arthritis

It has been suggested that reactive oxygen metabolites and trace elements play some role in the etiology and pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is believed to exert an important protective role against oxygen toxicity. The aim of the study was to investigate the probable changes in the levels of trace elements and SOD activity in RA. Plasma and erythrocyte copper, zinc, and magnesium levels and erythrocyte SOD activity were measured in groups of controls and RA cases. Significantly increased erythrocyte SOD activity was found in RA patients in comparison with controls(p < 0.0001). A rise in erythrocyte Zn level(p < 0.0001) and plasma Cu level(p < 0.0001) and a decrease in erythrocyte Cu level(p < 0.05) and plasma Zn level(p < 0.05) were obtained in RA patients when compared to controls. Plasma and erythrocyte Mg levels of the RA patients showed slight and statistically insignificant reductions when compared to controls(p > 0.05). In RA patients, there were positive correlations between erythrocyte SOD activity and Mg level (r = 0.4345,p < 0.01) and between erythrocyte Zn level and plasma Cu level(r = 0.4132,p < 0.01). There were negative correlations between erythrocyte SOD activity and plasma Zn level(r =-0.3605,p < 0.05) and between plasma Zn level and erythrocyte Cu level(r =-0.4578,p < 0.01) in RA patients. This work was presented at the International Congress on Free Radicals in Health and Disease, 6–10 September 1995, Istanbul, Turkey.     

Differences in circadian patterns between rural and urban populations: An epidemiological study in countryside

The physiological pattern of the sleep–wake cycle is influenced by external synchronizing agents such as light and social patterns, creating variations in each individual’s preferred active and sleep periods. Because of the demands of a 24-h working society, it may be imperative for many people to adapt their sleep patterns (physiologically) to their daily activities. Therefore, we analyzed the difference in sleep patterns and chronobiological parameters between an essentially rural farming and urban small-town populations. We studied 5942 subjects (women, 67.1%, N?=?3985; mean age, 44.3?±?13.1 years), from which the chronotype, circadian sleep pattern, and period of light exposure were collected using the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ). A structured questionnaire was also made for collection of social and demographic information. Compared with the urban population (N?=?3427, 57.7%), the rural population (N?=?2515, 42.3%) presented a more predominantly early sleep pattern, as determined by the mid-sleep phase (rural: 2.26?±?1.16; urban: 3.15?±?1.55; t-test, p?<?0.001). We also found less social jetlag (rural: 0.32; urban: 0.55; Mann–Whitney U test, p?<?0.001) and higher light-exposure (rural: 9.55?±?2.31; urban: 8.46?±?2.85; t test, p?<?0.001) in the rural population. Additionally, the rural population presented a higher prevalence of psychiatric disorders (rural: 156, 6.20%; urban: 165, 4.80%; Chi-square, p?<?0.05), and a lower prevalence of metabolic diseases (rural: 143, 5.70%; urban: 225, 6.60%; Chi-square, p?<?0.05). The significant difference in sleep parameters, chronotype, and light exposure between groups remained after multivariate regression analysis (r^2?=?0.41, F?=?297.19, p?<?0.001, β?=?1.208). In this study, there was a significant difference between the rural and urban populations in natural light exposure and sleeping patterns. Because of agricultural work schedules, rural populations spend considerable time outside that is an obligation related to work schedules. Our results emphasize the idea that latitude may not be the main factor influencing individual circadian habits. Rather, circadian physiology adapts to differences in exposure to light (natural and artificial) as well as social and work schedules.     

Reproduction characteristics,survival rate and sex-ratio of four brine shrimp Artemia salina (Linnaeus, 1758) populations from Tunisia cultured under laboratory conditions

Artemia has a remarkable genetic variability that can be expressed in various phenotypic characteristics, such as morphometry, growth rate, reproductive isolation or molecular composition. This study presents reproduction characteristics, survival rate and sex-ratio of four Artemia salina populations from Tunisia cultured under standard conditions. Results show that both low (17.8% and 30.6% in Megrine saltwork and Sabkhet Sijoumi, respectively) and high (83.9% for Sahline saltwork) values were recorded for the percentage of total oviparous offspring. The offspring per brood varied from 70.3?±?41.9 (Megrine saltwork) to 73.6?±?51.4 (Sabkhet El Adhibet). Broods per female varied between 3.1?±?0.9 (Sahline saltwork) and 4.5?±?1.2 (Megrine saltwork), and time between broods ranged from 5.7?±?1.1 to 6.5?±?2.2 days for Megrine and Sahline, respectively. Statistical analysis (one-way analysis of variance, Tukey's HSD test, p?<?0.05) revealed no significant differences between reproductive traits of the four studied populations except for mean of oviparous and oviviparous offspring per female (F?=?9.158, p?<?0.05), and brood per female (F?=?4.779, p?<?0.05). The survival rate of the four studied A. salina populations fluctuated between 31.4% and 64.5% for Megrine and Sahline saltwork, respectively. However, the sex-ratio showed that for Megrine saltwork and Sabkhet El Adhibet, males predominated with 1?:?0.90 and 1?:?0.97 (males?:?females), respectively. The comparison between our results and those reported of other Artemia populations showed that the offspring per brood of Tunisian Artemia are comparable to A. persimilis but different to A. salina from Abu Kammash (Libya) and A. urmiana (Urmia Lake, Iran), and that days between brood, are similar to A. salina from Abu Kammash, A. sinica and polyploid A. parthenogenetica, but different from A. persimilis and A. franciscana.     

Morningness–eveningness and the environment hypothesis – A cross-cultural comparison of Turkish and German adolescents

Individuals differ in morningness–eveningness, which is their preferred time for intellectual and physical activities. Although it is a basic human trait, cross-cultural comparisons are scarce but interesting because they help to determine the influence of exogenous factors, such as ambient temperature, climate and photoperiod. We here compare a large sample of German and Turkish adolescents (N?=?26?465) by using the Composite Scale of Morningness and the Morning Affect Factor. First, we show that the Morning Affect Factor and Morningness scores are equivalent in both countries and we report country differences with Turkish adolescents scoring higher on morningness (F_1,26?038?=?1293.313, p?<?0.001) and in the morning affect (F_1,26?038?=?133.833, p?<?0.001). This fits into the environment hypothesis suggesting that populations near the equator should be more morning oriented. Meanwhile, gender differences were small and adolescents showed a lower morningness and a lower morning affect with increasing age.     

Enhancement of exercise endurance capacity by fermented deer antler in BALB/c mice

To investigate the activity of fermented deer antler on exercise endurance capacity, we evaluated endurance capacity in five-week-old male BALB/c mice by administering the fermented deer antler extract (FA) or the non-fermented deer antler extract (NFA) and then subjected the mice to exercise in the form of swimming. The mice administered 500?mg/kg/day of FA showed a significant increase in swimming time compared with mice administered placebo (16.55?min vs. 21.64?min, P?<?0.05). Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the marker of the liver and muscle damage, was significantly lower in FA groups. However, NFA groups did not show significantly different swimming time or serum LDH from that of the control group. Moreover, the FA-500 group had significantly higher hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity after forced swimming than the control and NFA groups (P?<?0.05). These findings suggest that fermentation may increase the exercise endurance capacity of the deer antler.