OBJECTIVES Leptin is a hormone responsible for nutritional status and immune competence coordination. In rheumatoid arthritis (RA) increased leptin levels were observed in both serum and synovial fluid. Its influence on development of the disease still remains unclear. So far, research on leptin's influence on the emission of reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) measured with chemiluminescence (...

Water inrush caused by mining below the seafloor seriously affects safety and production of mines. Identifying end element mine accurately calculating mixing ratios elements are basis for a reasonable evaluation water risk. Based on hydrogeochemical stable isotope indexes, combined with spatial distribution characteristics brine, classification brine in study area was preliminarily determined a...

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is a cytokine produced by activated macrophages and other cells. In order to verify whether the serum levels of TNF-α in American tegumentary leishmaniasis patients are associated with the process of cure or aggravation of the disease, 41 patients were studied: 26 cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and 15 of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL). During active...

The pharmacokinetics of cefepime following administration of a single 2-g dose were evaluated for 12 adult patients with thermal burn injury and suspected or documented infection. Serial blood and urine samples for cefepime concentration determination were obtained for 24 h following drug administration. Serum and urine cefepime concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromato...

This paper addresses a question concerning phonological operations involved standard Farsi vowel Compensatory Lengthening (CL) due to glottal consonant deletion in syllabic coda. Specifically, I question two current views related to CL process. One view suggests that glottal allophonic weakening is compensated by vowel lengthening. Another view suggests that glottal consonant is deleted, but va...

The transmembrane distribution of chloride anions (Cl⁻) determines the direction of the Cl⁻ flux through GABA(A) receptors; this establishes whether GABA(A) receptor-mediated responses are hyperpolarizing or depolarizing in neurons. Thus an activity-dependent reduction in the efficacy of inhibitory responses can be the result of an activity-induced reduction of the Cl⁻ driving force. Using Cl(-...

Different neurotransmitter and neuromodulatory systems regulate synthesis and secretion of GnRH. Whereas the endocrine and neural systems are activated in response to the metabolic status and the circulating levels of specific blood metabolites, glutamate receptors have been reported at hepatic level. This study evaluated the possible effect of glutamate supplementation upon changes in serum co...

We compared the Beckman Cl/CO2 Analyzer to the American Instrument Company chloride titrator for measurement of chloride in serum, sweat, and spinal fluid. We also compared it to the Natelson gasometer and a modified continuous-flow (AutoAnalyzer) technique for measurement of carbon dioxide in serum. Effects of bilirubin and hemoglobin on results for both the CO2, and Cl were negligible. The li...

BACKGROUND This study investigates the protective effects of turmeric (Curcuma longa, CL) on acetic acid-induced colitis in rats. METHOD Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was induced in male Wistar rats by intra-rectal administration of 1 ml of 4% acetic acid at 8 cm proximal to the anus for 30 s. Curcuma longa (CL) powder, (1, 10, or 100 mg/kg/day) was administered for either 3 days before or...