Effect of oleaster (Elaeagnus angustifolia L.) flour addition combined with high-pressure homogenization on the acidification kinetics, physicochemical, functional, and rheological properties of kefir

In this study, the effects of peeled oleaster flour (OF) addition (0.5% and 1%) with high-pressure homogenization (HPH) at 100 MPa on acidification kinetics, physicochemical, functional, and rheological properties of kefir made from bovine whole milk were investigated. The fermentation kinetic parameters such as Vmax and T f decreased by 23.63% and 20%, respectively, with 1% OF and application of HPH. The combined use of two treatments had a positive effect on Lactobacillus and Lactococcus counts, reaching a maximum of 9.63 and 9.31 log cfu/mL, respectively. Also, total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity reached maximum values of 85.31 mg GAE/g and 17.22%, respectively. The ΔE value was more limited with HPH. The maximum firmness and water-holding capacity values were determined in the sample produced with 1% OF and application of HPH. Rheological analysis revealed that all kefirs exhibited shear thinning behavior, and the Ostwald-de-Waele (R 2 > .99) model was suitable to describe the rheological behavior of all kefir samples. The highest viscosity (0.049 Pa.s, at 50/s shear rate) and consistency index (1.115 Pa.sn) were observed in kefir with 1% OF and application of HPH. Kefir samples were characterized as weak gel behavior because storage modulus (G') was much greater than loss modulus (G") and the power-law model was used to characterize the viscoelasticity. The overall quality assessment indicated that the improvement of the fermentation process and the enhancement of textural and functional properties of kefir samples could be achieved with the addition of 1% OF and application of HPH.

Serum Levels of High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein in Drug-naÏve First-episode Psychosis and Acute Exacerbation of Schizophrenia

Objective

Findings about inflammatory processes in schizophrenia are increasing day by day. Inflammatory processes in schizophrenia are associated with both its etiology and clinical symptoms. Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is also one of these inflammatory processes. Particularly, it is thought to be closely related to clinical findings of patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

In this study, the relationship between clinical findings of hsCRP levels of patients with drug-naïve first-episode psychosis (FEP) and patients with schizophrenia in acute exacerbation phase is investigated. Clinical findings, psychometric properties (the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms, the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms, Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale), and hsCRP levels of patients were compared.

Results

Forty-eight patients with FEP, 74 patients with schizophrenia in acute exacerbation phase and 54 healthy controlled volunteers are included in the study. The most substantial finding in the study is that there is a positive correlation between hsCRP levels and severity of positive symptoms of both patient groups, with FEP and with schizophrenia. The second most substantial finding is there is no significant difference between patients with FEP and schizophrenia, in terms of hsCRP.

Conclusion

The relationship between hsCRP and positive symptom severity in two groups of patients supports the inflammatory hypothesis in the etiopathogenesis of schizophrenia. This finding is supportive of close relation between inflammatory processes and clinical findings of patient with schizophrenia.

Early effects of fibrin sealant on colonic anastomosis in rats: an experimental and case-control study

BACKGROUND

Leakage from colonic anastomoses leads to mortality and morbidity. Fibrin adhesives can be used to increase the strength of the anastomosis. In this study, we evaluated the early effects of fibrin sealant and hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose on colonic anastomosis in rats.

METHODS

Anastomoses were made in the descending colon of 38 female Wistar-Albino rats, in three groups: control group (n = 12), group 1 treated with hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose (n = 16), and group 2 treated with fibrin sealant (n = 10). After 72 hours, adhesion scores, bursting pressure, rupture strength and histopathologic healing scores were evaluated.

RESULTS

Due to postoperative mortality, we evaluated 10, 10 and 9 rats in the control group and in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Of these, we excluded 4, 5 and 4 rats that had macroperforations at autopsy. In the remaining rats, bursting pressure (123.2 +/- 14.8 mmHg) and rupture strength (400 +/- 16 mg) in the fibrin sealant group were significantly greater than in the two other groups (

CONTROL

68.0 +/- 10.6 p = 0.006 and 325 +/- 52 p = 0.009; Group 1: 74.0 +/- 9.8 p = 0.03, 330 +/- 27 p = 0.016). However, we did not observe any significant difference between adhesion scores (2.5 +/- 0.6, 2.0 +/- 0.7, 2.0 +/- 0.7, p = 0.343).

CONCLUSIONS

In this experimental study, fibrin sealant increased bursting pressure and rupture strength of colonic anastomoses while hyaluronic acid-carboxymethylcellulose had no effects in rats, but both of them showed no effect on adhesion scores. In order to use fibrin sealant to decrease the rate of early leakages from colonic anastomoses, further studies have to be performed.

Comparison of the effects of acarbose and metformin use on ovulation rates in clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of metformin and acarbose on insulin resistance, hormone profiles and ovulation rates in patients with clomiphene citrate-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

METHODS

Thirty clomiphene citrate-resistant patients were selected randomly and divided into two groups. Group I was treated with 100 mg/day clomiphene citrate and 300 mg/day acarbose 100 mg/day orally, for 3 months. Group II was treated with clomiphene citrate 100 mg/day and metformin 1700 mg/day orally, for 3 months. Serum fasting insulin and glucose, FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone, prolactin and total testosterone levels plus body mass index (BMI) were measured before and after treatment. Follicle growth was followed by transvaginal ultrasonography.

RESULTS

LH:FSH ratio and total testosterone concentrations decreased (P<0.05) and ovulation rates increased in both groups. Reduction in weight and BMI was only significant in the acarbose group.

CONCLUSIONS

Both treatment modalities were effective in the treatment of insulin resistance and improving ovulation rates. Increase in the number of eumenorrhoeic and normoinsulinaemic cases and decrease in the number of insulin-resistant cases were significant in both groups (P<0.05). Ovulation rate was greater in the metformin group in the second month of therapy (P<0.05). Acarbose was found to be a safe and effective agent that could be used in cases with clomiphene-resistant PCOS.

Radioprotective effects of exogenous glutathione against whole-body gamma-ray irradiation: age- and gender-related changes in malondialdehyde levels, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in rat liver

Age- and gender-related changes in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in rat livers exposed to different doses of whole-body gamma-ray radiation were determined. In addition, the effects of exogenous glutathione (GSH) against radiation injury in rat livers were investigated. We found that MDA levels have an age-associated increment and an increasing radiation dose-related elevation, although they decrease slightly in the 4 Gy group. The MDA levels in old rats were lower in males than in females, while those of young rats did not change. There were no observed age-related changes in SOD activities, although male rats had higher SOD activity than females. Female rats had the highest CAT activities in the 4 Gy group, while male rats had the highest CAT activities in the 6 Gy group. CAT activities in the 8 Gy group were lower than those of the 2 Gy group for each gender and age. While MDA levels were decreased and CAT activities increased by GSH, SOD activities remained unchanged. The results indicate that gamma-ray radiation affects gender- and age-dependent MDA levels, SOD and CAT activities. Administration of GSH appears to be a useful approach to reduce radiation injury by reducing MDA levels and increasing CAT activities.

Diagnosis of hepatitis B infections and monitoring of treatment

Worldside viral hepatitis is still recognized as a major problem particularly in developing countries. During the past two decades there has been important progress in the field of viral hepatitis; the adaptation of molecular biology techniques to viral hepatitis has proven to be of great utility in the diagnosis of 'classical' hepatitis viruses, in monitoring during treatment, and also in learning more about the 'new' viruses. Here, the progress and pitfalls of serologic and molecular diagnosis techniques for viral hepatitis, unusual profiles and benefits of quantitative DNA/RNA tests will be discussed.

A comparison between short synacthen test and depot synacthen test in the evaluation of cortisol reserve of adrenal gland in normal subjects

Synacthen test has been widely used as a screening test for evaluation of adrenal cortisol reserve. We investigated whether depot Synacthen test can be used in place of short Synacthen test in the evaluation of cortisol reserve of the adrenal gland. The study included 20 healthy volunteers of both sexes. We examined plasma cortisol response 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after administration of plain Synacthen, 250 micrograms, iv (Group 1), and depot Synacthen, 1000 micrograms, im (Group 2). Peak cortisol values were statistically similar between the groups. The increment in cortisol levels following Synacthen was also similar between the groups. A plasma cortisol value above 550 or 600 nmol/L was achieved in both groups during the test of 90 or 120 minutes duration, respectively. We think that depot Synacthen test, im 1000 micrograms, may be used in place of plain Synacthen, iv 250 micrograms, for evaluation of adrenal cortisol reserve.

Estimation of increased hospital stay due to nosocomial infections in surgical patients: comparison of matched groups

An investigation, using a prospective cohort study, was performed to estimate the prolongation of hospital stay caused by nosocomial infections in surgical patients. An evaluation of the one-to-one matching method, as a model for similar studies was also undertaken. Between 1992 and 1994, 225 of 1482 surgical patients (15%) developed infection. Of these, 223 evaluable patients were compared with 1256 uninfected cases, in an unmatched analysis. In a further analysis, 151 infected cases were matched one-to-one with uninfected controls, and other factors such as age, length of preoperative stay, presence of malignancy or diabetes and presence of foley catheters or drains, were evaluated. Patients with infection were hospitalized for 10.6 days longer than the matched controls. In the unmatched analysis, infected patients appear to remain in hospital for a further 17 days. The difference in the prolongation of stay between matched and unmatched groups indicates the importance of matching as an essential model for such studies. In cases where matching cannot be performed, the median can be a good alternative measure to the arithmetic mean.

Inverse relationship between the size of pattern reversal visual evoked potentials from the left brain and the degree of left-hand preference in left-handed normal subjects: importance of the left brain

The relation of the degree of left-hand preference to pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (VEPs) from right and left brain was studied in male left-handers. The degree of the left-hand preference was assessed by the Waterloo Handedness Questionnaire. Visual stimuli consisted of black and white checkerboard patterns generated on a TV screen. VEPs were simultaneously recorded from occipital leads of the right and left hemispheres. The degree of left-hand preference was found to be inversely and significantly related to size of VEPs only from left brain, not from right brain. That is, the conduction time, amplitude, duration, and area of N1-P1 waves linearly decreased as the degree of left-hand preference increased. These results were in accord with the testosterone hypothesis of cerebral lateralization, but not compatible with the right shift theory of handedness. It was concluded that visuomotor control by the left brain would be the main biological correlate of left-hand preference with regard to sensorimotor and cognitive functions.

Inverse relationship between nonverbal intelligence and the parameters of pattern reversal visual evoked potentials in left-handed male subjects: importance of right brain and testosterone

The relationships between latencies of visual evoked potentials (VEPs) and nonverbal intelligence test scores (IQs from Cattell's Culture Fair Intelligence Test) and correlations between serum testosterone level and VEP latencies were studied to examine the neural speed hypothesis of intelligence and its hormonal mechanisms in left-handed male subjects (Geschwind Scores). In accordance with the speed theory of intelligence, N1 and P1 latencies (and amplitudes) were found to be inversely related to IQ. However, this was true only for the right brain; the left brain did not contribute to this relationship. There was an inverse relationship between serum testosterone level and P1 latency; left minus right N1 latency, depending on N1 latency from right brain, linearly increased with testosterone. It was concluded that nonverbal intelligence largely depends on speed of information processing only by the right brain, not by the left brain in left-handed male subjects. This may have been created by testosterone in these subjects. Inconsistencies in the IQ literature concerning the speed hypothesis of intelligence may be explained by differences in cerebral lateralization.

Relationships among nonverbal intelligence, hand speed, and serum testosterone level in left-handed male subjects

The relationships among nonverbal intelligence, hand speed, and serum testosterone level were studied in male left-handers ranging in age from 17 to 19 years. Hand speed was measured by a peg moving task. To assess the differences between nonverbal IQs. Cattell's Culture Fair Intelligence Test was used. There was a direct correlation between IQ and testosterone. IQ increased linearly with right-hand speed, which was directly related to testosterone. There was no significant correlation between IQ and left-hand speed, which was not significantly correlated with testosterone. IQ decreased with left- minus right-hand speed, which also decreased with testosterone. It was suggested that nonverbal spatial reasoning ability may be directly associated with the efficiency of left brain, which is favored by testosterone in male left-handers. It was also concluded that the left to right asymmetry in hand speed may depend on efficiency of the right brain in left-handed males.

Contributions of the right and left brains to manual asymmetry in hand skill in right-handed normal subjects

The relation of intermanual difference in hand skill to cerebral lateralization was studied in right-handed male and female subjects. Hand preference was assessed by the Edinburgh Handedness Inventory. Hand skill was measured by the peg moving task. In subjects with familial sinistrality (FS+), the mean right hand peg moving times (PMTs) were found to be significantly and negatively linearly correlated with the mean left minus right (L - R) hand PMTs in females (no correlation in males). Contrarily, there was a direct relationship between the mean L - R hand PMTs and the mean left hand PMTs in FS+ males (no correlation in FS+ females). Similar results were obtained with the FS- subjects. The correlations were modified by eye and foot preferences. The overall results suggested that generally the right brain in males and the left brain in females are of importance in determining the intermanual difference in hand skill; an insufficient right brain (a slower left hand) in males and a sufficient left brain (a faster right hand) in females would create a more asymmetrical organization in skill between hands.

There is a direct relationship between nonverbal intelligence and serum testosterone level in young men

It was confirmed that there is a direct relationship between serum testosterone level and nonverbal intelligence (Cattel's Culture Fair Intelligence Test) only in right-handed male subjects without familial sinistrality (FS-), with right eye preference. There was no significant correlation between these variables in young women and young men with mixed eye preference. It was concluded that testosterone would be an important factor which affects cognitive development in men.