The protective effect of shrimp cooked in different methods on high-cholesterol- induced fatty liver in rats

This study examined the impact of different cooking methods on fatty acid (FAs) composition of shrimp meat and the ability of these foods to protect against high cholesterol (HC) diet-induced non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in rats. Shrimp were cooked for 10 min boiled, grilled, or fried in sunflower oil. Rats (n = 6/group) were fed a normal diet (ND)or high-cholesterol diet (HC) each containing boiled, grilled or fried shrimp powder (15% w/w) (NDBS, NDFS, NDGS for ND or HCBS, HCFS, HCDGS for HC diet). Frying alone significantly reduced total levels of saturated FAs (SFA) and increased total mono- and polyunsaturated FAs (MSFA, and PUFAs, respectively) in shrimp meat. It also increased levels of n-6 PUFAs and linoleic acid (LA) and decreased levels of n-3 PUFAs including eicosapentaenoic FAs (EPA) and docosahexaenoic fatty acid (DHA). When fed to HC rats, only diets containing the grilled and boiled shrimp powders significantly prevented the weight loss, lowered fasting and glucose levels, improved glucose and insulin tolerance, and prevented the increase in serum liver markers, ALT and AST. They also reduced hepatic fat accumulation, reduced serum levels and hepatic levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (TGs), reduced hepatic levels of MDA, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and IL-6, and increased those of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). No alterations in all these parameters were observed in HC-fed rats which fed fried shrimp. In conclusion, boiling and grilling but not frying are the best method to cook shrimp to preserve their fatty acid content and its nutritional value in ameliorating NAFLD.     

Adverse effects of members of the Enterobacteriaceae family on boar sperm quality

Semen samples collected in 2012 from 1785 boars belonging to five different breeds were recruited from the quality control laboratory of Magapor SL, Spain. These samples came from 43 boar studs and resulted from diluting the ejaculates in commercial semen extenders. Evaluation of the semen sample characteristics (color, smell, pH, osmolality, concentration, motility of sperm cells, agglutination, acrosome integrity, short hypoosmotic swelling test, and abnormal forms) revealed that they met the international standards. The samples were also tested for the presence of aerobic bacterial contamination. In the present study, 14.73% (n = 263) of the semen samples were contaminated above 3 × 10² colony-forming units/mL with at least one type of bacteria. The Enterobacteriaceae family was by far the major contaminant, being present in 40.68% of the contaminated samples (n = 107). Bacterial strains of the Enterobacteriaceae family isolated from boar semen samples were in order of incidence (percentage of the contaminated samples): Serratia marcescens (12.55%), Klebsiella oxytoca (11.79%), Providencia stuartii (9.12%), Morganella morganii (3.80%), Proteus mirabilis (1.90%), and Escherichia coli (1.52%). We have seen that the presence in semen samples of S. marcescens, K. oxytoca, M. morganii, or P. mirabilis, but not P. stuartii or E. coli, was negatively associated with sperm motility (P < 0.05). The mean sperm concentration (P < 0.05), the mean percentage of spermatozoa with curled tails after the short hypoosmotic swelling test (P < 0.01), and the incidence of morphologically normal acrosomes (P < 0.05) were also lower in semen samples infected with M. morganii compared with uninfected ones. Moreover, P. mirabilis was negatively associated with the presence of abnormal forms. Thus, on the basis of the pathological effects that some of these strains may have on boar sperm quality, bacterial contamination should always be examined in semen samples prepared for artificial insemination.     

Factors affecting the adsorption of buchnericin LB,a bacteriocin produced by Lactobacillus [correction of Lactocobacillus] buchneri

Buchnericin-LB adsorbs to gram-positive but not to gram-negative bacteria. The tested gram-positive bacteria were species of Lactobacillus, Pediococcus, Leuconostoc, Enterococcus, Lactococcus, Listeria, Bacillus, Staphylococcus; gram-negative bacteria belonged to the genera Salmonella, Escherichia, Yersinia and Pseudomonas. Buchnericin-LB adsorption depended on pH but not on time and temperature. Also some anions of salts and lipoteichoic acid reduced or inhibited its adsorption. Treatment of cells and cell walls of sensitive bacteria with detergents, organic solvents or enzymes did not affect subsequent binding of buchnericin-LB. Treatment with buchnericin-LB caused sensitive cells to lose high amounts of intracellular K+ ions and UV-absorbing materials and became more permeable to o-nitrophenol-beta-D-galactopyranoside. Buchnericin-LB (640-2560 AU/ml) decreased the colony forming units (99%) and absorbance values of Listeria monocytogenes and Bacillus cereus. These results indicate that the mode of action of buchnericin-LB is bactericidal and its lethal effect is very rapid.     

Enantioseparation of mandelic acid on vancomycin column: Experimental and docking study

So far, no detailed view has been expressed regarding the interactions between vancomycin and racemic compounds including mandelic acid. In the current study, a chiral stationary phase was prepared by using 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and succinic anhydride to graft carboxylated silica microspheres and subsequently by activating the carboxylic acid group for vancomycin immobilization. Characterization by elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, and thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated effective functionalization of the silica surface. R and S enantiomers of mandelic acid were separated by the synthetic vancomycin column. Finally, the interaction between vancomycin and R/S mandelic acid enantiomers was simulated by Auto-dock Vina. The binding energies of interactions between R and S enantiomers and vancomycin chiral stationary phase were different. In the most probable interaction, the difference in mandelic acid binding energy was approximately 0.2 kcal/mol. In addition, circular dichroism spectra of vancomycin interacting with R and S enantiomers showed different patterns. Therefore, R and S mandelic acid enantiomers may occupy various binding pockets and interact with different vancomycin functions. These observations emphasized the different retention of R and S mandelic acid enantiomers in vancomycin chiral column.     

Evaluating the effects of different processing methods on the nutritional composition of shrimp and the antioxidant activity of shrimp powder

Shrimp is a prevalent food in the Arabian Gulf that is known for its good sensory properties and high nutritional value. The aim of the present work was to assess the effects of diverse processing methods on the nutritional composition of shrimp and the antioxidant activity of shrimp powder. Shrimp (Penaeus semisulcatus) flesh was treated using four processes (salting, frying, grilling, and boiling), following which its macronutrient content, fatty acid profile, vitamins and mineral contents were measured. Also, the antioxidant activity of all shrimp powder extracts was assessed using the 2, 2 diphenyl 1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), linoleic acid oxidation inhibition, and reducing power methods. The results revealed that the fresh and processed shrimp flesh had significant nutritional value and the fresh and treated shrimp powders have high antioxidant activity, but the cooking processes have significant effects on the nutritional value and antioxidant activity of shrimp flesh. These effects were greater significantly in grilled shrimp followed by boiled shrimp and then fried shrimp. It is concluded that the high nutritional value and antioxidant activity of shrimp flesh make it an important food for nutritional health promotion for the community.     

Synthesis of 9-[1-(1-Hydroxyethyl)-3-(Phosphonomethoxy)Propyl] Adenine and Prodrug as Possible Antiviral Agents

The appropriately protected C-1′-hydroxyethyl-3-hydroxypropyl-N⁹-adenine nucleoside was prepared from 1-pivaloyloxy-5-tert-butyldiphenylsilyloxy-3-pentanol and adenine through the Mitsunobu reaction. One of the terminal hydroxyls was converted to the phosphonomethoxy derivative and the prodrug.     

Comparative analysis of cytokines and growth factors in the conditioned media of stem cells from the pulp of deciduous,young, and old permanent tooth

ObjectivesTo compare and analyze the secretome profile of stem cells obtained from the deciduous tooth (SHEDs), young (yDPSCs), and old permanent tooth (oDPSCs).MethodsAll the stem cells were assessed for mesenchymal stem cell markers. The stem cells were differentiated into osteoblasts and chondrocytes using lineage-specific differentiation media. Conditioned media was collected from growing stem cells, and a cytometric bead array was performed to estimate secreted cytokines and growth factor levels by flow cytometry. Gene expresseion levels were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.ResultsAge did not affect the mesenchymal characteristics of dental stem cells from various age groups. The secretomes of SHEDs and young yDPSCs exhibit more growth factors and lesser pro-inflammatory cytokines than oDPSCs. Osteo and chondrogenic differentiation potential were higher in SHEDs and young yDPSCs than in the oDPSCs. TLR1, TLR2, TLR3 show decreased expression levels with age and TLR5, TLR6 show increased expression with age.ConclusionThe superior regenerative potential of SHEDs and yDPSCs may be due to the higher growth factors and lower pro-inflammatory cytokine profile.     

Evaluation and implementation of strategies to reduce the intravenous admixture returns

Background and objectivesPharmaceutical sterile wastes are not only environmental hazard but an economical loss. There are many strategies employed in various parts of the world for minimizing the parenteral admixture returns in hospitals, however, they are not practiced in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study was done to assess the impact of a) intravenous (IV) pharmacy round and b) twice daily batching, as reduction strategies on the number of IV admixture returns and the associated cost of medication wastage.MethodThis study was conducted at the central IV room of the in-patient pharmacy unit at King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia for general intensive care unit (ICU) IV returns. Phase 1 of the study was intended to measure the baseline parameters, while the Phase 2 and 3 were measured with the application of IV pharmacy round plan, and twice-daily batching strategies, respectively. Comparison of IV returns were done in each of the phases and economical loss was calculated.ResultsOut of number of IV admixtures prepared and supplied to ICU during a month, 4.85% of the items were deemed wasted during baseline phase with as estimated cost of IV wasted items to be 2,128.02 USD. In the IV pharmacy round and twice-daily batching strategies, the percentage of the wasted items decreased to 4.27% and 3.73%, respectively. Moreover, there is 13.84% and 42. 48% reduction in the estimated cost in the wasted items in, pharmacy round and twice-daily batching strategies, respectively, compared to baseline phase.ConclusionImplementation of interventions caused reduction in total recycled, wasted items and the associated cost of medication wastage of sterile pharmaceutical preparations. Twice daily batching strategy has better effect in decreasing the IV returns and its associated cost.     

Development of a Disperse Dye Immunoassay Technique for Detection of Antibodies against Neospora caninum in Cattle

In this study a disperse dye immunoassay method was standardized and evaluated for detection of antibodies against Neospora caninum in cattle. Sera from 150 cattle with a recent history of abortion were collected and tested by commercial ELISA kit and a standardized in-house dye immunoassay system. The positivity rate for the sera used in this study was 34.6% for the disperse dye immunoassay (DDIA) compared to 32% obtained by ELISA kit. This study showed no significant difference between DDIA and ELISA. The results indicated that the DDIA provide an economic, simple, rapid and robust test for detection of N. caninum infection in cattle.