Some chemical and physical properties of bambara groundnut (Voandzeia subterranea Thouars) seed and products

Some chemical and physical properties of bambara groundnut seed were determined. The proximate composition of the bambara groundnut seed was found to be 9.7% moisture, 16.6% protein, 5.9% fat, 2.9% ash, 4.9% crude fibre and 64.9% carbohydrate. Maximum water absorption was attained after soaking for 11, 9, 6, and 4 h at 25, 40, 50, and 60 degrees C, respectively. Maximum dehulling efficiency was attained when the seeds absorbed 54.7% water and drying for 9 h at 60 degrees C. Study of the microstructure of the raw flour and seed showed that they contained differently shaped and sized starch granules and protein materials within the cell wall in the cotyledon. Milling disorganised the arrangement of these components in the cotyledons. In the steamed moin-moin ('okpa'), all components in the seed had lost their identity and integrity.

Validity of force platform measures for stance stability under varying sensory conditions

Maintaining stance stability under varying sensory environment is an essential function in the elderly and among patients. Testing sensory organization ability of standing balance, the Sensory Organization Test (SOT), has become a standard procedure in many clinical and laboratory settings. The stance stability can be quantified by two forceplate measures in the SOT: the equilibrium score (ES) and the sway area (SA). This study compares the validity of the ES and the SA in detecting gender, trial, and sensory effects on stability in twenty (ten male, ten female) healthy young adults. Subjects were tested under six sensory conditions: eyes open (EO), eyes closed (EC), sway-referenced vision (Vs), sway-referenced support surface (Ss), eyes closed sway-referenced support surface (ECSs), and sway-referenced visual surround and support surface (VsSs). A visual surround and/or the support surface were tilted proportionately to the subject's spontaneous sway in the sway-referenced conditions. Three trials, 20-second for each trial, were repeated for each sensory condition. Above results demonstrated that the Pearson correlation coefficients between the ES and the SA were all highly significant (p < .0001) except for the first trial of the EO condition. The consistencies in which the two measures discriminated among sensory conditions were tested by the Kendall's coefficient of concordance. The Kendall's coefficient for the ES (W = .843) and the SA (W = .866) were high and similar. Separate ANOVA procedure for the ES and SA revealed that both measures satisfactorily detected a significant sensory condition and trial effects and insignificant gender effect. We can conclude that ES and SA are valid measures of stance stability during the SOT. Our results confirm that healthy young adults have a poorer postural stability when the visual and somatosensory inputs are simultaneously altered. Moreover, the learning effect is observed during repeated trials within test conditions.

Identification of ent-16 beta, 17-dihydroxykauran-19-oic acid as an anti-HIV principle and isolation of the new diterpenoids annosquamosins A and B from Annona squamosa

Phytochemical analysis of the fruits of Annona squamosa yielded 12 known kaurane derivatives (1-11, 13) and two new kaurane diterpenoids, which have been named annosquamosin A (16 beta-hydroxy-17-acetoxy-ent-kauran-19-al) (12) and annosquamosin B (19-nor-ent-kaurane-4 alpha,16 beta,-17-triol) (14). The structures of the new compounds were established by spectral analyses and chemical evidence. Among these 14 compounds, 16 beta, 17-dihydroxy-ent-kauran-19-oic acid (2) showed significant activity against HIV replication in H9 lymphocyte cells with an EC50 value of 0.8 microgram/mL (therapeutic index > 5).

Isolation of synaptosomes from the rat urinary bladder

Synaptosomes are nerve-end particles (NEP) isolated by using the technique of differential centrifugation. The synaptosome offers a good model for biochemical and pharmacological studies of the nerve endings. No report has been made on synaptosome isolation from the urinary bladder. The purpose of our work was to develop the use of synaptosome in the research of neurophysiology and neuropharmacology of the urinary bladder. Synaptosome-rich fraction was prepared from tissue homogenate of male Wistar rat urinary bladder by differential centrifugation (1000, 17,000 and 100,000 g) with discontinuous sucrose gradient. Electron microscopy showed synaptosomes as thin-walled bags containing a large number of synaptic vesicles. Two types of synaptosomes were easily discerned: those containing small agranular vesicles, and those containing dense-cored vesicles. The acetylcholine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine contents in the preparation were measured by the method of high-performance liquid chromatography. The respective concentrations were 300.4 +/- 30.1, 962.8 +/- 58.5, 617.3 +/- 59.8 and 1354.8 +/- 144.2 pmol/mg synaptosomal protein. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that synaptosome-rich fractions can be prepared from the rat urinary bladder. Thus it is possible to apply this methodology for the investigation of the neurobiology of urinary bladders.

Alterations in urinary bladder synaptosomal neurotransmitter concentrations in two-week streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Three-month-old male Wistar rats were rendered diabetic with a single intravenous injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight). Two weeks after induction of diabetes, synaptosome-rich fractions were prepared from urinary bladder tissue homogenate of the diabetic rats and control rats by differential centrifugation (1000 x g, 17,000 x g and 100,000 x g) with discontinuous sucrose gradient. Synaptosomal acetylcholine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine were measured by the method of high-performance liquid chromatography. The respective neurotransmitter concentrations for the diabetic rats were 1537.8 +/- 65.3, 4757.7 +/- 361.9, 3720.7 +/- 276.1, and 2447.8 +/- 196.8 pmol/mg synaptosomal protein, respectively; those for the control rats were 338.1 +/- 25.0, 1009.0 +/- 54.6, 645.3 +/- 52.2, and 1426.1 +/- 123.9 pmol/mg protein, respectively. Thus, the synaptosomal concentrations for all the measured neurotransmitters were significantly higher in the diabetic rats (P < 0.05 for each comparison). In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that the vesicle-bound acetylcholine and catecholamines in the synaptosome-rich fraction of the urinary bladder were significantly increased in 2-week diabetic rats. This finding would suggest impaired neurotransmitter release from both the bladder sympathetic and parasympathetic efferent nerve endings in early streptozotocin-induced diabetes.

Comparisons of neurotransmitter concentrations in the synaptosomal preparation of the normotensive and hypertensive rat urinary bladder

Synaptosome-rich fractions were prepared from tissue homogenate of the urinary bladder of the spontaneously hypertensive rat and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rat by differential centrifugation (1000 x g, 17 000 x g and 100 000 x g) with discontinuous sucrose gradient. Synaptosomal acetylcholine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine were measured by the method of high-performance liquid chromatography. The respective neurotransmitter concentrations for the normotensive rats were 300.4 +/- 30.1, 962.8 +/- 58.5, 617.3 +/- 59.8, and 1354.8 +/- 144.2 pmol/mg synaptosomal protein. For the hypertensive rats, the acetylcholine concentration (203.8 +/- 23.0 pmol/mg protein) was significantly lower (P < 0.05), while the norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine concentrations (1459.0 +/- 180.3, 971.3 +/- 62.2, and 2161.0 +/- 243.4 pmol/mg protein, respectively) were significantly higher (P < 0.05 for all) than those of the normotensive rats. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that the vesicle-bound catecholamines in the synaptosome-rich fraction of the urinary bladder were significantly increased in hypertensive rats. On the contrary, the synaptosomal acetylcholine concentration was significantly decreased. These findings are suggestive of increased sympathetic innervation and decreased parasympathetic innervation in the urinary bladder of the spontaneously hypertensive rat.

The norepinephrine tissue concentration and neuropeptide Y immunoreactivity in genitourinary organs of the spontaneously hypertensive rat

Tissue concentration of norepinephrine and neuropeptide-Y immunoreactivity (NPY-IR) were measured in the urinary bladder, urethra, prostate and corpus cavernosum of the spontaneously hypertensive rat, as well as the normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rat. The results showed significantly increased tissue norepinephrine concentrations in the urinary bladder, urethra and prostate of the spontaneously hypertensive rat when compared to those of the normotensive rat (hypertensive, n = 18: 18.3 +/- 2.1, 14.9 +/- 1.7, 22.6 +/- 2.3 vs. normotensive, n = 18: 11.2 +/- 1.9, 10.4 +/- 1.3, 16.7 +/- 2.4 nmol/g tissue, respectively, P < 0.05 in each case). No difference was noted in the cavernosal tissue (hypertensive, n = 18: 11.3 +/- 1.6 vs. normotensive, n = 18: 10.1 +/- 1.8 nmol/g tissue, P > 0.01). Correspondingly, tissue NPY-IR was significantly increased in the bladder, urethra and prostate tissue of the spontaneously hypertensive rat (hypertensive, n = 18: 39.7 +/- 5.6, 25.3 +/- 3.4, 31.5 +/- 2.8 vs. normotensive, n = 18: 27.4 +/- 3.1, 18.6 +/- 2.7, 24.2 +/- 3.2 pmol/g tissue, respectively, P < 0.05 in each case). Again, no significant difference was observed in the cavernosal tissue (hypertensive, n = 18: 15.9 +/- 2.2 vs. normotensive, n = 18: 14.8 +/- 2.6 pmol/g tissue, P > 0.01). It is therefore concluded that increased tissue concentration of norepinephrine and NPY-IR were present in the urinary bladder, urethra and prostate of the spontaneously hypertensive rat. The significance of such biochemical findings needs further investigation but may suggest increased sympathetic innervation or activity. On the contrary, no corresponding changes were observed in the corpus cavernosum of the hypertensive rat.

Treatment effect of "ryu-wei-ti-huang-wan" (a Chinese herbal prescription) on the sexual performance of male rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes

The treatment effect of "ryu-wei-ti-huang-wan', a Chinese prescription composed of extracts from six plants, on diabetic impotence was evaluated in the present study. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: (1) rats rendered diabetic with a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg body weight); (2) rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes treated with a ryu-wei-ti-huang-wan powder preparation at a dose of 30 mg powder/kg body weight twice a day, and (3) control rats. A male rat was caged with an adult ovariectomized female rat during the dark cycle. Infra-red-light-illuminated video recording was utilized to evaluate the sexual performance. The diabetic rats exhibited depressed mounting activity and no intromission or ejaculation. After ryu-wei-ti-huang-wan treatment either for 1 day or 2 weeks, the diabetic rats showed significant improvement in mounting performance with preservation of intromission and ejaculation. No significant difference in the blood sugar level was noted between the treatment and non-treatment groups. In conclusion, the diabetic rats showed impairment in sexual arousal, erectile as well as ejaculatory functions. Ryu-wei-ti-huang-wan was effective in preserving these functions with a rapid onset. It is evident that the extracts exert the therapeutic effects not through a lowering of blood sugar. These substances are potentially useful in the clinical treatment of male diabetic impotence.

Evidence of nonadrenergic, noncholinergic contraction in rat urinary bladder by 1,1-dimethylphenylpiperazinium stimulation in vivo

Nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) contraction has been demonstrated in animal urinary bladder. However, the exact nature of the NANC innervation is still unclear. 1,1-Dimethylphenylpiperazinium (DMPP), which generates action potentials in the cell body of the postganglionic neuron and causes neurotransmitter release (both acetylcholine and noradrenaline), was given intravenously (0.1-0.7 mg/kg) to 3-month-old female Wistar rats under anesthesia (n = 20). Intravesical pressure, heart rate and blood pressure of the rats were monitored on Gould polygraph. Monophasic dose-dependent contractile response was observed upon administration of DMPP in 12 of 20 rats. After total adrenergic and cholinergic blockade with atropine, guanethidine, phentolamine and propranolol, the contractile response was reduced, not completely, in the animals. At the dose of 0.7 mg/kg, the contraction was reduced to about 48% of the original response. The study provides in vivo evidence for NANC contraction in the rat urinary bladder, moreover, the neurotransmitter is released from the postganglionic neurons.

Dark-cycle video surveillance of sexual performances of normal and diabetic rats

Clinically, a 59% prevalence of impotence was reported among diabetic male patients. Neurological, vascular, endocrinologic and psychological factors are probably involved. Previous reports with the rat model found deterioration of sexual behavior and reproductive function caused by streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes. The purpose of the present study was to develop the dark-cycle video recording methodology for the observation of rat sexual activities and to study the effect of STZ-induced diabetes on sexual performances of the rat. Adult male Wistar rats were rendered diabetic with intraperitoneal injection of STZ (60 mg/kg body weight). In the 4th week a diabetic rat or a control rat was caged with an adult ovariectomized female rat during the dark cycle. The female had been brought into behavioral estrus with intramuscular injection of 0.1 mg estradiol benzoate 3 days before and 1.0 mg progesterone 3 h before testing. Infrared-light-illuminated video recording was performed to evaluate the sexual performances. The mounting latency and frequency, intromission latency and frequency, the hit rate as well as the post-ejaculatory period of the diabetic rats were significantly deteriorated when compared with the controls (p < 0.05). However, the ejaculatory latency showed no significant difference between the two groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that with this methodology, behavioral studies on nocturnal animals like the rat can be carried out conveniently. It was shown that the sexual arousal mechanism and copulation-ejaculatory mechanism were both depressed in STZ-induced diabetic rats. The same study model can be used for further pathophysiological and pharmacological researches on the sexual behaviors of diabetic rats.

Effect of alpha-chymotrypsin on the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic contraction of the rat urinary bladder in vitro

The role of peptides in mediating the nonadrenergic, noncholinergic (NANC) response of the rat urinary bladder was studied. Electrical stimulation of muscle strips from 3-month-old female Wistar rat urinary bladders in the presence of autonomic blockers (atropine 10(-6) mol/l, propanolol 10(-6) mol/l, phentolamine 10(-6) mol/l, and guanethidine 10(-6) mol/l) showed NANC contraction accounting for 60% of the maximum contractile responses at 40 Hz. Frequency-response studies showed that in the presence of alpha-chymotrypsin (2 U/ml, 30-min incubation), the NANC contractile responses to electrical stimulation at lower frequencies (3-10 Hz) were enhanced (p < 0.05; n = 9). However, no significant differences were observed at higher frequencies (20-40 Hz). With repetitive 4-Hz stimulation, alpha chymotrypsin caused a 19% increase in the NANC contractile response (p < 0.05; n = 8). It is postulated that the NANC response of the rat bladder smooth muscle is composed of an excitatory (contractile) and an inhibitory (relaxant) component. Some peptide(s) is/are responsible for mediating the inhibitory response.

Effect of protein and starch degradation rates on rumen metabolism in Taiwan native goat

Six ruminal and duodenal cannulated Taiwan native goats (body weight = 20 kg) were fed 35% roughage, 65% concentrate diet (crude protein = 9.5%) in a 6 x 6 Latin square design to study the effect of the combination of 3 varying starch (corn) and 2 varying protein (soybeans) ruminal degradation rates on ruminal microbial density and ruminal nutrient digestibilities. Goats in treatment consisting of both rapid starch and protein ruminal degradation rates had higher total bacterial and protozoal numbers than did those in other treatments (p < 0.05). The combination of rapid starch degradation rate and slow protein degradation rate supported the highest numbers of Holotrichs whereas the combination of both rapid starch and protein degradation rate supported the highest numbers of Entodiniomorphs. Ruminal starch digestibilities were higher for treatment diets with autoclaved corn than for those with raw corn whereas ruminal digestibility of protein was greater in diets with raw soybeans than in those with heated ones. Higher neutral detergent fiber digestibilities in the rumen were found with the raw corn rations and the raw soybean rations.

Effects of pregnancy and progesterone on autonomic function in the rat urinary bladder

Previous studies have shown that pregnancy is associated with a decrease in cholinergic function in the rabbit urinary bladder. The present study aimed at evaluating the effects of pregnancy on the autonomic function of the rat urinary bladder and to elucidate whether progesterone is responsible for such alterations. Female Wistar rats, 3 months old, were divided into four groups: (1) 2-week pregnant rats; (2) rats given daily intramuscular injections of progesterone 5 mg/kg for 2 weeks; (3) rats given intramuscular injections of vehicle for 2 weeks, and (4) controls. Cystometry showed a significant increase in bladder capacity in the pregnant rats. The wet weight of the pregnant rat bladder was also significantly increased. Histologic study revealed increased bladder wall thickness with interstitial edema and urothelium proliferative changes to a papillary configuration in these pregnant bladders. Bladder muscle strip study showed significantly reduced maximum contractile responses to acetylcholine and methoxamine in the pregnant and the progesterone groups. Muscarinic receptor binding study demonstrated reduced Bmax in the pregnant rats and rats receiving progesterone injections (control group Bmax = 57 +/- 11, pregnant group Bmax = 44 +/- 8, p < 0.05; progesterone group Bmax = 40 +/- 7, vehicle group Bmax = 58 +/- 9 fmol/mg protein, p < 0.05). The contractile response to lower concentrations (10(-6) mol/l to 10(-4) mol/l) of ATP was elevated in the pregnant rats.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Evaluation of substrates and storage conditions for preparing and maintaining starter cultures for tempeh fermentation

Heat-pasteurized cassava root, cowpeas, partially defatted peanuts, rice and soybeans were evaluated for their suitability to support growth and sporulation of the tempeh mold, Rhizopus microsporus var. oligosporus, and the oncom mold, Neurospora intermedia, at 25, 30 and 37 degrees C. The molds grew best and sporulated most luxuriantly on cassava and rice incubated at 37 degrees C. Viability of molds remained high for up to 30 weeks when dried (a(w) 0.48), powdered substrates on which the molds had been cultured, were stored at 5, 25 and 37 degrees C. Survival was best when powders were stored at 5 degrees C, although storage at 25 degrees C did not cause a marked decline in CFU/g. R. microsporus var. oligosporus starter cultures produced on rice and then stored for 20 weeks at these temperatures compared most favorably with commercial starter cultures for preparing high-quality soybean tempeh. The simple technology required to prepare these starter cultures enhances the potential for their application in developing countries where the introduction of nontraditional fermented legume foods to low-protein diets could help to ameliorate malnutrition.

[Combined CA-125 test and ultrasonography in the presurgical evaluation of ovarian mass]

Clinicians are urgently searching for ways of differentiating a malignant from a benign ovarian mass. How to approach or what is the prognosis? Some have shown the CA-125 test combined with ultrasonography to be highly sensitive and specific, when compared to single parameter. We examined 238 patients who underwent laparotomy for adnexal mass. Of these 44 were found to suffer from malignant tumors and 194 from benign lesions. Before the operation, CA-125 level was measured; pelvic ultrasonography was performed on each patient and the sonographic data were evaluated on an echostructural scoring system. After a sophisticated computer assisted analysis, the results of the combined tests were CA-125 greater than or equal to 65 U/ml or US score greater than or equal to 8 with a sensitivity of 77.3%, a specificity of 81.4% and a diagnostic accuracy of 80.7%. Therefore we confirm that CA-125 may be considered as a useful adjunct to sonography in the differential diagnosis of adnexal mass.