Cardioprotective activity of synthetic guggulsterone (E and Z-isomers) in isoproterenol induced myocardial ischemia in rats: A comparative study

Guggulsterone, a mixture of cis (E) and trans (Z) isomers (7∶3 w/w) was synthesized from 16-DPA. The isomers were separated by column chromatography and evaluated for cardioprotective and antioxidant activities. Myocardial necrosis induced by isoproterenol in rats caused marked increase in serum creatine phosphokinase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase. Simultaneously in ischemic heart, phospholipase, xanthine oxidase and lipid peroxides were enhanced following depletion of glycogen, phospholipids and cholesterol. Treatment with guggulsterone and its both isomers at the dose of 50 mg/kg po., significantly protected cardiac damage as assessed by the reversal of blood and heart biochemical parameters in ischemic rats. The cardioprotective activity of guggulsterone and of both the isomers were compared with that of gemfibrozil at the same doses. Guggulsterone and both the isomers at tested concentrations (5–20mM) inhibited oxidative degradation of lipids in human low-density lipoprotein and rat liver microsomes induced by metal ionsin vitro. The drug counteracted against the generation of superoxide anions (O₂) and hydroxyl radicals (OH⁻) in non-enzymic test systems. It is suggested that cardioprotective and antioxidant activities of synthetic guggulsterone and guggulsterone obtained from gum resinCommiphora mukul that contains isomers E & Z in the ratio of 46∶54w/w are the same.     

A preliminary study of protein thiols and serum cholinesterase in assisted reproduction

In this study we sought to investigate the levels of serum protein thiols and cholinesterase levels before and after intrauterine insemination (IUI).We observed 68% patients showed a decrease in protein thiols and 63% showed a decrease in serum cholinesterase levels after insemination as compared to their respective pre procedure levels. The fall in thiols was statistically significant (p=0.021) indicating there is increased oxidative stress after the procedure. However, we could not comment on any reason for the fall in cholinesterase. Whether the changes in above parameters may have some implication on the overall success rate of IUI is yet to be ascertained.     

Evaluation of oxidative stress, antioxidants and prolactin in infertile women

The objective of the study was to estimate the serum concentrations of oxidative stress markers-lipid hydroperoxide (MDA-Malondialdehyde), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), nitrite; and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) — a measure of total antioxidant capacity in serum. Serum nitrite levels were high in fertile women than in infertile women (p<0.001), whereas MDA was high in infertile women than in fertile group (p<0.018). On classifying the entire group of women with infertility based on the etiology, serum MDA and LDH levels were higher in women with infertility due to unexplained factor than in women with other causes contributing to infertility compared to controls (p<0.001, p<0.02). A positive correlation among serum prolactin and nitrite suggested that hyperprolactinemia could contribute to infertility by inducing oxidative damage. Serum FRAP levels showed no significant difference in the groups studied. Lipid peroxidation was high in women with unexplained infertility which may be due to hyperprolactinemia.     

Stability and synchronization criteria for fractional order competitive neural networks with time delays: An asymptotic expansion of Mittag Leffler function

Competitive neural networks(CNNs) has not been well developed in nonlinear fractional order dynamical system, which is developed first time in this paper. Then, by means of a proper Lyapunov functional, asymptotic expansion of Mittag-Leffler function properties, together with some Caputo derivative properties, the testable novel sufficient conditions are given to guarantee the existence, uniqueness of the equilibrium point as well as global asymptotic stability for a class of fractional order competitive neural networks (FOCNNs) are all derived in the form of matrix elements. Furthermore, the boundedness for the solution of FOCNN is presented by employing Cauchy–Schwartz inequality and Gronwall inequality. Besides, a linear feedback control and adaptive feedback control are designed to achieve the global asymptotic synchronization criterion for FOCNNs with time delay and these explored consequences are extended from some previous integer order CNNs output. At last, two numerical simulations are performed to illustrate the effectiveness of our proposed theoretical results.     

Radio Astronomy: A Strong Link Between Undergraduate Education and Research

The program at the MIT Haystack Observatory has added a new opportunity for students as part of our overall national effort to encourage research by undergraduates. Radio astronomy complements other branches of astronomy, augments science education broadly, and serves to promote interdisciplinary research and education. In the past 2 years, we have conducted a successful pilot program to develop and test a program that facilitates the linking of undergraduate research and education through radio astronomy. As a result of this effort, a small radio telescope has been developed and can be used as a hands-on introduction to radio astronomical techniques and instrument calibration. The telescope is presently being commercialized so that it can be purchased as a low-cost kit for assembly. Remote access to the Haystack 37-m antenna has made it possible for students nationwide to access a research grade facility and we invite faculty everywhere who are interested in this possibility to use our facility. Undergraduate students can participate in the exciting world of research by performing experiments with the telescope. Radio astronomy materials for faculty, students, and interested amateurs have been developed are posted on our web site (http://www.haystack.mit.edu). The materials will continue to be upgraded and enhanced, and the contributions from participating teachers and students nationwide will be added to the project files. We hope to make this not only a resource for someone using our facility but also for the community in general.We are now bringing the Haystack telescopes and radio astronomy to the broad undergraduate community. Based on our pilot experiences, we envision students everywhere being able to exploit the opportunity to strengthen their education through practical research using radio astronomy.