Role of Food Safety Regulations in Protecting Public Health.

Food safety is a critical public health issue worldwide as the consumption of unhygienic food causes millions of illnesses annually. The contaminated food is primarily unsafe due to the presence of microorganisms (i.e.

Fisetin prevents the aging-associated decline in relative spectral power of α, β and linked MUA in the cortex and behavioral alterations.

Mental health in old age is of great concern due to the increased incidence of neurological and psychiatric diseases. With age, probability of cognitive and behavioral deficits increase and the prognosis deteriorates. Although a few in vitro studies have reported that flavonoid fisetin is beneficial for healthy aging, its effect on deteriorating mental health with aging in vivo is very limited and poorly understood.

Curcumin's antiepileptic effect, and alterations in Na1.1 and Na1.6 expression in iron-induced epilepsy.

The present study was carried out to evaluate: the antiepileptic effect of dietary curcumin, and the effect of epileptic state and curcumin on the molecular expression of voltage-activated Na channel subtypes Na1.1 and Na1.6 in the iron-induced experimental epilepsy in the rat.

Antiepileptic effect of fisetin in iron-induced experimental model of traumatic epilepsy in rats in the light of electrophysiological, biochemical, and behavioral observations.

Background: Traumatic epilepsy is defined by episodes of recurring seizures secondary to severe brain injury. Though drugs are found effective to control seizures, their long-term use have been observed to increase reactive oxygen species in animals. Flavonoid fisetin, a natural bioactive phytonutrient reported to exert anticonvulsive effect in experimental seizure models.

A new anaerobic fungus (Oontomyces anksri gen. nov., sp. nov.) from the digestive tract of the Indian camel (Camelus dromedarius).

Two cultures of anaerobic fungi were isolated from the forestomach of an Indian camel (Camelus dromedarius). Phylogenetic analysis using both the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large-subunit (LSU) regions of the rRNA locus demonstrated that these isolates were identical and formed a distinct clade within the anaerobic fungi (phylum Neocallimastigomycota). Morphological examination showed that these fungi formed monocentric thalli with filamentous rhizoids and uniflagellate zoospores, broadly similar to members of the genus Piromyces.

Preparation of low galactose yogurt using cultures of Gal(+) Streptococcus thermophilus in combination with Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus.

Streptococcus thermophilus is an important lactic starter used in the production of yogurt. Most strains of S. thermophilus are galactose negative (Gal(-)) and are able to metabolize only glucose portion of lactose and expel galactose into the medium.

Abnormal lipid metabolism in collagen-induced arthritis rat model: in vitro, high resolution NMR spectroscopy based analysis.

Collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) was induced in female Wistar rats by intradermal injection of porcine immunization grade native collagen type II (Chondrex). Development and progression of CIA was monitored by studying histopathological, radiographical and biochemical features of arthritic manifestations in the knee joints, hind limb and blood plasma. In addition, oxidative stress status of arthritic animals was determined by measuring lipid peroxidation and the antioxidant enzymes: catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.

A comparative study of physical properties of gypsums manufactured in India.

Gypsum products are one of the most widely used materials in dentistry. The wide use of plaster of paris motivated a number of manufacturers to introduce different brands of the profession but their physical and mechanical properties were still questionable. The aim of this study was to access, compare and evaluate the physical properties of different brands of laboratory gypsum available in Indian dental market.

Exopolysaccharides producing Lactobacillus fermentum strain for enhancing rheological and sensory attributes of low-fat dahi.

Lactobacillus fermentum V10 was able to show large capsules surrounding the cell surface and produced 247.37 ± 0.76 mg/L polysaccharides in fermentation medium.

Dehydroepiandrosterone's antiepileptic action in FeCl3-induced epileptogenesis involves upregulation of glutamate transporters.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), a neuroactive androgen steroid, has antiepileptic action in iron-induced experimental epilepsy (which models post-traumatic clinical epilepsy). In iron-induced epilepsy increased extracellular glutamate resulting from its reduced glial uptake due to the down-regulation (decreased expression) of transporters (glial and or neuronal) is active during epileptogenesis. The present study was aimed at determining whether the mechanism of antiepileptic action of DHEA involved upregulation (increased expression) of glutamate transporters.

Current status and emerging role of glutathione in food grade lactic acid bacteria.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have taken centre stage in perspectives of modern fermented food industry and probiotic based therapeutics. These bacteria encounter various stress conditions during industrial processing or in the gastrointestinal environment. Such conditions are overcome by complex molecular assemblies capable of synthesizing and/or metabolizing molecules that play a specific role in stress adaptation.

Multifaceted attributes of dairy propionibacteria: a review.

Dairy propionibacteria are Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status microorganisms which have been traditionally used for the manufacture of Swiss type cheeses. In the last two decades various added features and functionalities have been discovered and developed from these bacteria. Propionibacteria are robust organisms with remarkable adaptability to technological and physiological stress conditions.

Effect of L-deprenyl treatment on electrical activity, Na+, K+ ATPase, and protein kinase C activities in hippocampal subfields (CA1 and CA3) of aged rat brain.

L-deprenyl is considered to protect against age-related cognitive deficits by improving long-term learning/memory in the aged brain. The CA1 and CA3 hippocampal areas are the sites at which initial learning and memory processes occur. Chronic deprenyl treatment significantly augmented the basal electrical firing rate (multiple-unit action potentials), and Na+, K(+)-ATPase and protein kinase C activities of both CA1 and CA3 indicating that the drug increased the excitability of CA1 and CA3.

D1/D2 domain of large-subunit ribosomal DNA for differentiation of Orpinomyces spp.

This study presents the suitability of D1/D2 domain of large-subunit (LSU) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) for differentiation of Orpinomyces joyonii and Orpinomyces intercalaris based on PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). A variation of G/T in O. intercalaris created an additional restriction site for AluI, which was used as an RFLP marker.

A Simple Method for the Efficient Isolation of Genomic DNA from Lactobacilli Isolated from Traditional Indian Fermented Milk (dahi).

A simple, inexpensive and effective genomic DNA isolation procedure for Lactobacillus isolates from traditional Indian fermented milk (dahi) is described. A total of 269 Lactobacillus isolates from fermented milk collected from four places in North and west India were tested for lysis by an initial weakening of the Gram positive cell wall with Ampicillin followed by Lysozyme treatment. The average genomic DNA yield was ~50 μg/ml log phase culture.

Antiepileptic action of exogenous dehydroepiandrosterone in iron-induced epilepsy in rat brain.

In the study described here, the antiepileptic effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) treatment on iron-induced focal epileptiform activity in the rat brain was investigated. DHEA is a neuroactive corticosteroid hormone synthesized both in the adrenal cortex and in the brain. Its antioxidant properties are well known.

Exopolysaccharide-producing mesophilic lactic cultures for preparation of fat-free Dahi - an Indian fermented milk.

Forty seven exopolysaccharide (EPS) producing mesophilic lactic acid bacteria have been isolated from Dahi and raw milk and selected cultures were evaluated for their influence on rheological and sensory properties of fat-free Dahi. Two isolates namely B-6 and KT-24 that showed promising technological attributes were identified as Lc. lactis subsp.

Curcumin counteracts the aluminium-induced ageing-related alterations in oxidative stress, Na+, K+ ATPase and protein kinase C in adult and old rat brain regions.

This study investigated the effect of curcumin on aluminium-induced alterations in ageing-related parameters: lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione-s-transferase (GST), protein kinase C (PKC), Na(+), K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase (Na(+), K(+)-ATPase) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of the brain of 10- and 24-month-old rats. Measurements taken from aluminium-fed rats were compared with those from rats in which curcumin and aluminium were co-administered. In aluminium-treated rats the levels of lipid peroxidation, PKC and AChE were enhanced while the activities of SOD, GPx, GST and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase were significantly decreased in both the brain regions of both age-groups.

Aluminium-induced electrophysiological, biochemical and cognitive modifications in the hippocampus of aging rats.

Aluminium (Al) is the most abundant metal known for its neurotoxicity in humans. It gains easy access to the central nervous system under normal physiological conditions and accumulates in different brain regions. It has been reported to be involved in the etiology of several neurodegenerative diseases.

Effect of paradoxical sleep deprivation on oxidative stress parameters in brain regions of adult and old rats.

The present study examined the effects of paradoxical sleep (PS) deprivation on the oxidative stress parameters: lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and glutathione in brain regions: cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, and brain stem of adult (8 months) and old (24 months) rats. PS deprivation (96 h) was performed by the classical flower pot technique. PS deprivation did not affect oxidative stress parameters in the striatum of both age groups; and the activity of glutathione peroxidase was not affected in any of the studied brain regions in both age groups.

Iron-induced experimental cortical seizures: electroencephalographic mapping of seizure spread in the subcortical brain areas.

The iron-induced model of post-traumatic chronic focal epilepsy in rats was studied by depth-electrode mapping to investigate the spread of epileptiform activity into subcortical brain structures after its onset in the cortical epileptic focus. Electrical seizure activity was recorded in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 areas, amygdala and caudate-putamen, in rats with iron-induced chronic cortical focal epilepsy. These experiments showed that the epileptiform activity with its onset in the cortical focus synchronously propagated into the studied subcortical brain areas.

Antibiotic resistance in food lactic acid bacteria--a review.

Antibiotics are a major tool utilized by the health care industry to fight bacterial infections; however, bacteria are highly adaptable creatures and are capable of developing resistance to antibiotics. Consequently, decades of antibiotic use, or rather misuse, have resulted in bacterial resistance to many modern antibiotics. This antibiotic resistance can cause significant danger and suffering for many people with common bacterial infections, those once easily treated with antibiotics.

Aluminium-induced enhancement of ageing-related biochemical and electrophysiological parameters in rat brain regions.

We investigated alterations in the ageing-related parameters: multiple-unit action potentials, Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity, glutathione-s-transferase (GST) activity, glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin contents in the brain regions cerebral cortex, striatum, hippocampus and thalamus, resulting from the chronic administration of aluminium chloride (AlCl3) in drinking water to rats of 6 and 12 months of age. Aluminium treatment significantly depressed Na(+), K(+)-ATPase, GST and GPx activities, elevated lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin contents, and produced intense epileptiform activity in the electroencephalograms of the studied brain regions together with a concomitant increase in the multiple-unit action potentials (MUA) indicating a vigorous neuronal epileptic hyperactivity. Taken together the aluminium-induced alterations in these parameters are indicative of an accelerated ageing process.

Neurostimulatory and antioxidative effects of L-deprenyl in aged rat brain regions.

This study investigated the influence of chronically administered L-deprenyl on normal ageing-related parameters: multiple unit action potentials, the activities of the enzymes Na(+),K(+)-adenosine triphosphatase, glutathione-s-transferase and glutathione peroxidase, and the levels of lipid peroxidation products and lipofuscin contents in the brain regions (cerebral cortex, hippocampus, striatum and thalamus) of 24-month-old rats. The drug increased the activity of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase and glutathione-s-transferase. The activity of glutathione peroxidase remained unaffected.