Effect of isotretinoin (Netlook) on the testis of adult male albino rats and the role of omega 3 supplementation: A histological and biochemical study.

Isotretinoin is an oral retinoid which used across the world in the treatment of patients especially adolescents complaining of acne. In spite of the prevalent clinical use of isotretinoin, the generation of oxidative stress with the affection of several organs leads to the limitation and restriction of its use. Omega-3 (N-3) is an essential polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFAs) with powerful antioxidant properties.

Expression and purification of hepatitis B surface antigen S from Escherichia coli; a new simple method.

Background: Hepatitis B is a liver disease primarily caused by hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. It is distributed worldwide and associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. HBV infections can be avoided by the administration of the currently available vaccine and can be easily diagnosed through commercially available kits.

Circulating viral core and E1 antigen levels as supplemental markers for HCV chronic hepatitis.

The performance of polyclonal monospecific rabbit anti-sera raised against synthetic peptides derived from conserved HCV sequences of genotype 4 was evaluated for efficient detection of viral core and E1 antigens in circulating immune complexes (ICs) precipitated from 65 serum samples of HCV patients. The infection was established in those patients by the presence of HCV RNA in their sera. A novel enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the detection of HCV core and E1 antigen in serum samples.

HepG2 cells support viral replication and gene expression of hepatitis C virus genotype 4 in vitro.

Aim: To establish a cell culture system with long-term replication of hepatitis C virus (HCV) genome and expression of viral antigens in vitro.

Methods: HepG2 cell line was tested for its susceptibility to HCV by incubation with a serum from a patient with chronic hepatitis C. Cells and supernatant were harvested at various time points during the culture.

Ascorbate as an induction inhibitor of beta-lactamase in a strain of Enterobacter cloacae.

The effect of ascorbate and anaerobiosis of beta-lactamase content (constitutive and inducible) in relation to the susceptibility of a standard strain of Enterobacter cloacae to ampicillin was studied. Enterobacter cloacae ATCC 13047 showed increasing susceptibility to ampicillin when incubated anaerobically in the presence of increasing concentrations of ascorbic acid. The inducible beta-lactamase activity in the cell-free extracts of Ent.

Evidence for superoxide radical production by a simple flavoprotein: glucose oxidase.

Nitroblue tetrazolium was reduced to blue formazan during the oxidation of glucose by glucose oxidase. The rate of blue color formation was dependent on the concentrations of glucose, nitroblue tetrazolium and glucose oxidase. The rate of the reaction was negligible below pH 8.

Role of oxygen and metal ions in the instability of streptolysin O.

Thiol-containing preparations of streptolysin O (SLO) and pure cysteine generate superoxide radicals in alkaline buffer on autoxidation of the thiol groups. Autoxidation is stimulated by cupric ions. Reconstituted SLO preparations accumulate hydrogen peroxide with a concomitant loss of activity on storage at room temperature.

A nitrate reductase-based colorimetric assay for the study of bacterial adherence.

Washed intact cells of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, grown under partial anaerobic conditions in nitrate media, reduced nitrate quantitatively when formate was used as a reducing substrate. Nitrate reductase was applied as an index for bacterial adherence to different target surfaces including uroepithelial cells, HeLa cells and fibrin clots. Nitrate reduction by adhered as well as control cells was determined by quantitative diazotization reaction for nitrite.

Antioxidant enzymes in Trichomonas vaginalis.

The activities of artificial donor peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase in clinical isolates of T. vaginalis were studied. None of the tested strains exhibited activity of the three enzymes.

Antimicrobial activity of artemisinin and its derivatives against anaerobic bacteria.

Artemisinin and nine of its semisynthetic derivatives were tested for antibacterial activity against anaerobic, facultative anaerobic, microaerophilic and aerobic bacteria. Only anaerobic bacteria and gonococci showed sensitivity to artemisinin derivatives. Artemisinin and its deoxy derivatives had no activity at 100 micrograms/ml concentration.

Influence of new quinolones on normal immune capabilities.

Ciprofloxacin, pefloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin were investigated for immunomodulatory activity on humoral and cell-mediated immune responses. Ciprofloxacin and pefloxacin altered the humoral immune responses of mice to sheep red blood cells. This effect was not exhibited by norfloxacin or ofloxacin.

The patients' view of life in a psychiatric hospital. A questionnaire study and associated methodological considerations.

In any assessment of hospital life, the patients' view is indispensable, but there is no generally accepted way of seeking it. In this study, the views of 258 patients in four 'traditional' English psychiatric hospitals were obtained by a questionnaire of 45 items supplemented by freehand comments. Their experience of fellow patients, the staff and the material and institutional aspects of hospital care were explored.

Peroxidase-mediated oxidation of isoniazid.

Oxidation of isonicotinic acid hydrazide (isoniazid) by horseradish peroxidase at the expense of H2O2 yielded reactive species which were able to reduce nitroblue tetrazolium and bleach p-nitrosodimethylaniline. Nicotinic acid hydrazide oxidation did not cause these effects. At slightly alkaline pH, oxidation of isonicotinic acid hydrazide by horseradish peroxidase proceeded at the expense of molecular O2, and the reaction was oxygen consuming.

Enzymatic and nonenzymatic superoxide-generating reactions of isoniazid.

During the course of horseradish peroxidase-mediated oxidation of either o-dianisidine or 2-2'-azino-di(3-ethyl-benzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), no O2 consumption took place. When isonicotinic acid hydrazide (isoniazid) (INH) was included in the reaction mixture, O2 was consumed in amounts linearly related to the INH concentration. Nicotinic acid hydrazide at equimolar concentrations induced lower rates of O2 consumption.

Evidence for the generation of active oxygen by isoniazid treatment of extracts of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra.

Crude extracts of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra, an isonicotinic acid hydrazide (isoniazid) (INH)-susceptible strain which has peroxidase activity, catalyzed the production of catechol from phenol in the presence of INH and H2O2 as shown by the development of the 444-nm absorption peak of oxidized catechol product. Extracts of the INH-resistant strain of M. tuberculosis H37Ra, which has no peroxidase, did not catalyze the reaction.

Effect of oxygen radical scavengers on K-cell cytolysis.

We have shown that the hydroxyl radical scavengers sodium benzoate, phenol, dimethyl sulfoxide, sodium formate, and mannitol protect chicken erythrocyte (Ec) target cells from lysis by K-cells in plaque assays. The protection afforded by benzoate, phenol, mannitol, and dimethyl sulfoxide was abrogated if the target cells were pretreated with sodium chromate. Neither superoxide dismutase nor catalase protected Ec target cells, indicating that superoxide and H2O2 are not involved in lysis.

Synthesis and biological activity of some quinoline acrylamides.

Synthesis of some quinoline acrylamides is described. The NMR spectra of some representatives are discussed. Screening of the synthesized compounds for molluscicidal and bactericidal activity is commented.

Synthesis and biological activity evaluation of some quinolines.

Synthesis of some quinolines having the thiosemicarbazide and nitrostyryl moieties is described. 8-nitroquinoline-4-acraldehyde undergoes Vilsmeier reaction with dimethylacetamide to afford the respective pentadiene amide. Screening of the synthesized quinolines for bactericidal and mollusicidal activities is reported.