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A defining feature of the brain is the ability of its synaptic contacts to adapt structurally and functionally in an experience-dependent manner. In the human cortex, however, direct experimental evidence for coordinated structural and functional synaptic adaptation is currently lacking. Here, we probed synaptic plasticity in human cortical slices using the vitamin A derivative all-trans retinoic acid (atRA), a putative treatment for neuropsychiatric disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease. Our experiments demonstrated that the excitatory synapses of superficial (layer 2/3) pyramidal neurons underwent coordinated structural and functional changes in the presence of atRA. These synaptic adaptations were accompanied by ultrastructural remodeling of the calcium-storing spine apparatus organelle and required mRNA translation. It was not observed in synaptopodin-deficient mice, which lack spine apparatus organelles. We conclude that atRA is a potent mediator of synaptic plasticity in the adult human cortex. The brain has an enormous capacity to adapt to its environment. This ability to continuously learn and form new memories thanks to its malleability, is known as brain plasticity. One of the most important mechanisms behind brain plasticity is the change in both the structure and function of synapses, the points of contact between neurons where communication happens. These sites of synaptic contact occur through microscopic protrusions on the branches of neurons, called dendritic spines. Dendritic spines are very dynamic, changing their shape and size in response to stimuli. Previous studies have shown that alterations in synaptic plasticity occur in various animal models of brain diseases. However, it remains unclear whether human cortical neurons express synaptic plasticity similarly to those in the rodent brain. Recently, a derivative of vitamin A has been linked to synaptic plasticity. In addition, several studies have evaluated the effects of this derivative in patients with cognitive dysfunctions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Fragile X syndrome, and depression. However, there is no direct experimental evidence for synaptic plasticity in the adult human cerebral cortex related to vitamin A signaling and metabolism. To investigate this, Lenz et al. used human cortical slices prepared from neurosurgical resections and treated them with a solution of the vitamin A derivative all-trans retinoic acid for 6-10 hours. Lenz et al. employed a variety of techniques, including patch-clamp recordings to measure neuron function as well as different types of microscopy to evaluate structural changes in dendritic spines. These experiments demonstrated that the derivative promoted the synaptic plasticity in the adult human cortex. Specifically, it increased the size of the dendritic spines and strengthened their ability to transmit signals. In addition, Lenz et al. found that the spine apparatus organelle – a structure found in some dendritic spines – was a target of the vitamin A derivative and promoted synaptic plasticity. These findings advance the understanding of the pathways through which vitamin A derivatives affect synaptic plasticity, which may aide the development of new therapeutic strategies for brain diseases. More generally, the results contribute to the identification of key mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in the adult human brain.

In this study, six different organo-hydrogel containing Agar-Glycerol (AG) based Coconut Oil (CnO) were synthesized using different crosslinkers to ensure the controlled release of D3 Vitamine and 5-Fluorouracil (5-Flu). Synthesized organo-hydrogels were characterized by FT-IR, Afterwards, swelling behaviors were investigated in ethanol, acetone, ethanol/ID water (1:1), acetone /ID water (1:1) and gasoline environments and different pH. As a result of hemolysis, blood clotting and antioxidant analysis, organo-hydrogels have been shown to have blood compatibility and antioxidant properties. The effects of the initial pH of the solution on the drug release process were investigated. It was observed that the most release occurred at pH 2 and glutaraldehyde crosslinker. Release kinetics models were applied to understand the mechanism of the release system of D3 Vitamine and 5-Flu (anti-cancer) with poly(Agar-co-Glycerol-co-Coconut Oil) (p(AG-co-CnO)) organo-hydrogel. The value of the correlation coefficient (R2) was used as the best model fit indicator of different models and it was determined that the balance data fit the Korsmeyer-Peppas with large R2s and the Higuchi kinetic model. The results showed that the p(AG-co-CnO) organo-hydrogel can be used as a suitable carrier for the controlled release of D3 Vitamin and 5-Flu.

This study investigated whether vitamin D is associated with the presence or severity of chronic tic disorders and their psychiatric comorbidities. This cross-sectional study compared serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] (ng/ml) levels among three groups: children and adolescents (3–16 years) with CTD (n = 327); first-degree relatives (3–10 years) of individuals with CTD who were assessed for a period of up to 7 years for possible onset of tics and developed tics within this period (n = 31); and first-degree relatives who did not develop tics and were ≥ 10 years old at their last assessment (n = 93). The relationship between 25(OH)D and the presence and severity of tics, as well as comorbid obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), were analysed controlling for age, sex, season, centre, latitude, family relatedness, and comorbidities. When comparing the CTD cohort to the unaffected cohort, the observed result was contrary to the one expected: a 10 ng/ml increase in 25(OH)D was associated with higher odds of having CTD (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.27–3.42, p < 0.01). There was no association between 25(OH)D and tic severity. However, a 10 ng/ml increase in 25(OH)D was associated with lower odds of having comorbid ADHD within the CTD cohort (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.36–0.84, p = 0.01) and was inversely associated with ADHD symptom severity (β = − 2.52, 95% CI − 4.16–0.88, p < 0.01). In conclusion, lower vitamin D levels were not associated with a higher presence or severity of tics but were associated with the presence and severity of comorbid ADHD in children and adolescents with CTD.

Giant fennel (Ferula communis L) toxicity has been commonly reported in different species, especially sheep, cattle, pig, horse and human but not in goat. A herd of 30 Damascus goats grazed during two days an area where F communis was very abundant. One week later, most animals presented clinical signs with locomotor disorders, anorexia and fever. Diagnosis of the intoxication was based on haematological parameters, toxicology research, necropsy and botanical investigation. Two goats survived following a treatment with vitamin K1. A total of 13 animals died of which most were young. The present study is the first report providing information about F communis intoxication in goat.

Making sure you get the right amount of daily vitamins can be difficult. Today, a booming multi-billion-dollar industry of gummy vitamins and supplements claims its products make it both easier and tastier. But how do they compare with traditional vitamin pills? Ali Rogin speaks with registered dietitian Shyla Davis-Cadogan to learn more.

Introduction. Different cultivars of lychee are produced all around the world and to date no information has been published on the nutritional value of cv. Tailandes, which is a new lychee cultivar introduced into Brazil and other tropical countries. Our study performed a pioneering evaluation of the physical and chemical characteristics, carotenoids, vitamins, and minerals in pulp of fruit of this cultivar. Materials and methods. Titratable acidity was determined by volumetric neutralization, pH by potentiometry, soluble solids by refractometry, moisture by gravimetry after oven drying, ash by calcination in a muffle furnace, proteins by the micro-Kjeldahl method, dietary fibers by the gravimetric non-enzymatic method and lipids by gravimetry after extraction in ethyl ether. Vitamin C (ascorbic and dehydroascorbic acids) and carotenoids (a-carotene, b-carotene, b-cryptoxanthin and lycopene) were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with diode array detection, vitamin E (a-, b-, g- and d-tocopherols and tocotrienols) was analyzed by HPLC with fluorescence detection, and fourteen minerals were analyzed by atomic absorption spectrometry in inductively coupled plasma. Results and discussion. The lychee cv. Tailandes showed high pulp yield (59.0%), moisture (80.7 mg×100 g–1) and dietary fiber (2.2 g×100 g–1), and a low total energy value (70.2 kcal×100 g–1). It presented no carotenoids, but was an excellent source of vitamin C (34.7 mg×100 g–1). The total vitamin E content was 117.0 g×100 g–1. Pulp of lychee cv. Tailandes was shown to be a source of iron (0.86 mg×100 g–1) and magnesium (12.90 mg×100 g–1), a good source of copper (0.12 mg×100 g–1) and an excellent source of potassium (1067.33 mg×100 g–1). Conclusion. The lychee cv. Tailandes showed high pulp yield and low total energy. The pulp is a source of dietary fiber, vitamin C, iron, magnesium, copper and potassium. Introduction. Différents cultivars de litchi sont produits dans le monde mais aucune information n’a été publiée jusqu’à présent sur la valeur nutritive du cv. Tailandes, nouveau cultivar de litchi introduit au Brésil et dans d’autres pays tropicaux. Notre étude a permis d’évaluer pour la première fois les caractéristiques physiques et chimiques, et les teneurs en caroténoïdes, vitamines et minéraux de la pulpe du fruit de ce cultivar. Matériel et méthodes. L’acidité titrable a été déterminée par neutralisation volumétrique, le pH par potentiométrie, les solides solubles par réfractométrie, l’humidité par gravimétrie après séchage au four, la teneur en cendres par calcination dans un four à moufle, les protéines par la méthode micro-Kjeldahl, les fibres alimentaires par la méthode non-enzymatique gravimétrique et les lipides par gravimétrie après extraction à l’éther éthylique. La vitamine C (acides ascorbique et déhydroascorbique) et les caroténoïdes (a-carotène, b-carotène, b-cryptoxanthine et lycopène) ont été analysés par chromatographie liquide à haute performance (HPLC), la vitamine E (a-, b-, g- et d-tocophérols et tocotriénols) a été analysée par HPLC avec détection de fluorescence, et quatorze minéraux ont été analysés par spectrométrie. Résultats et discussion. Les fruits de litchi cv. Tailandes ont présenté un rendement élevé en pulpe (59,0 %), en humidité (80,7 mg×100 g–1) et fibres alimentaires (2,2 g×100 g–1) ; ils ont montré une faible valeur énergétique totale (70,2 kcal×100 g–1). Ces fruits n’ont pas révélé de caroténoïdes, mais ils sont une excellente source de vitamine C (34,7 mg×100 g–1). La teneur totale en vitamine E a été de 117 g×100 g–1. Les fruits du litchi cv. Tailandes se révèlent être une source de fer (0,86 mg×100 g–1) et de magnésium (12,90 mg×100 g–1), une bonne source de cuivre (0,12 mg×100 g–1) et une excellente source du potassium (1067,33 mg×100 g–1). Conclusion. Les fruits du litchi cv. Tailandes ont montré un rendement élevé en pulpe et une faible valeur énergétique totale. La pulpe est une source de fibres alimentaires, de vitamine C, de fer, de magnésium, de cuivre et de potassium. Introducción. En el mundo se producen diferentes cultivares de lichi, pero hasta ahora no se publicó ninguna información sobre el valor nutritivo del cv. Tailandes, nuevo cultivar de lichi introducido en Brasil y en otros países tropicales. Nuestro estudio permitió de evaluar por primera vez las características físicas y químicas, los contenidos de carotenos, vitaminas y minerales de la pulpa del fruto de este cultivar. Material y métodos. La acidez valorable se determinó mediante neutralización volumétrica, el pH mediante potenciometría, los sólidos solubles mediante refractometría, la humedad mediante gravimetría después de secado en horno, el contenido de cenizas mediante calcinación en un horno de mufla, las proteínas mediante el método micro-Kjeldahl, las fibras alimentarias mediante el método gravimétrico no enzimático y los lípidos mediante gravimetría después de extracción con éter etílico. La vitamina C (ácidos ascórbico y dehidroascórbico) y los carotenos (a-caroteno, b-caroteno, b-criptoxantina y licopeno) se analizaron mediante cromatografía líquida de alta eficacia (HPLC), la vitamina E (a-, b-, g- y d-tocoferoles y tocotrienoles) se analizaron mediante HPLC con detección de fluorescencia, y catorce minerales se analizaron mediante espectrometría. Resultados y discusión. Los frutos de lichi cv. Tailandes presentaron un elevado rendimiento de pulpa (59,1 %), de humedad (80,7 mg×100 g–1) y fibras alimentarias (2,2 g×100 g–1). Mostraron un valor energético total flojo (70,2 kcal×100 g–1). Estos frutos no mostraron carotenos, pero son una excelente fuente de vitamina C (34,7 mg×100 g–1). El contenido total de vitamina E fue de 117 g×100 g–1. Los frutos del lichi cv. Tailandes resultan ser una fuente de hierro (0,86 mg×100 g–1) y de magnesio (12,90 mg×100 g–1), una buena fuente de cobre (0,12 mg×100 g–1) y una excelente fuente de potasio (1067,33 mg×100 g–1). Conclusión. Los frutos del lichi cv. Tailandes mostraron un elevado rendimiento de pulpa y un valor energético total flojo. La pulpa es una fuente de fibras alimentarias, de vitamina C, de hierro, de magnesio, de cobre y de potasio.

Oxidative reactions caused by cigarette smoke (CS) chemicals have been shown to initiate crucial events in atherogenesis. However, physicians and scientists are confronted with the paradoxical situation that an antioxidative treatment of smokers improves acute smoking effects but hardly has any impact on long term outcome of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). In this review we make an attempt to explain this paradox. First, smoke-derived free radicals and oxidants are part of CS causing a pro-oxidative state in the circulatory system. Further, smoke chemicals down-regulate antioxidant defence enzymes that would counteract the oxidative burden by cigarette smoke. With the prolonged exposure to smoke, oxidation catalysing metals accumulate in the vessel wall and mediate local oxidation reactions. Therefore, pharmacological intervention relying on nonselective antioxidants often appears to be ineffective. Consequently a novel strategy for the prevention and treatment of CVD caused by smoking is suggest, relying on a combined application of antioxidants, substitution of factors important for physiological oxidant defence, and metal-detoxifying agents.

A deeper analysis taking into account the severity of the DOA phenotype showed that, compared with healthy controls, nicotinamide was lowered by 37% in asymptomatic carriers (p < 0.05), by 35% in DOA patients (p < 0.001) and by 64% in patients with most severe syndromic form of the disease referred to as DOA+ (p < 0.001) (Fig. 1, unpublished data). [...]primary open-angle glaucoma, was the third disease for which our hypothesis-free metabolomics approach revealed a nicotinamide deficiency in affected individuals compared to healthy controls. The origin of this relative deficiency in nicotinamide is undoubtedly not of dietary origin but probably rather the result of a dysfunction of mitochondrial energy metabolism leading to an excessive consumption of nicotinamide used by cells for the endogenous synthesis of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) which plays a major role in this energetic metabolism.

Objective:Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, itchy, recurrent, and recurrent inflammatory skin disease that affects 2-20% of the population, especially in childhood. Its pathophysiology is complex and occurs as a result of genetic, immunological, and environmental factors, especially epithelial-barrier dysfunction. We determined the frequency of food sensitization and vitamin D deficiency in patients with AD.Methods:This cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted by examining the files of patients who were admitted to the pediatrics allergy and immunology outpatient clinic with AD. A total of 72 patients with eczema were included in the study.Results:37.5% (n=27) of the patients were girls. The mean age was 3.8±3.6 years. Food sensitization was proven in 40.2% (n=29) of all cases included in the study. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 30.6% (n=22) of the cases. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were found to be lower in the patient group than in the control group. The limitation of our study is that it was retrospective and blood tests could not be re-evaluated after treatment in all patients.Conclusion:In patients with AD, serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower. We examined vitamin D deficiency in AD patients who applied to us as a clinical team. According to our study, we can say that both food sensitization and vitamin D deficiency should be investigated in AD patients.

The present study aimed check the relation amidst level oxidate and Anti oxidants of person at changeful heart discomfort (type of heart disease), myocardiac breach while identify role oxidate in develop disease of individual province of diwaniya-iraq. the study of patients who are divided into three category (A) included 45 patients changeful heart discomfort pectoris in different age, category (B) included 45 patients with acute myocardiac breach at different age and category 45 (C) as control. The results demonstrate show a significant decrease (p⩾ 0.05) in vitamin E, C, glutathion peroxidas and Glutathione ( GSH ) but the reverse was significant increase (p⩽ 0.05) caeruloplasmin (ferroxidase enzyme), and Malondialdehyde( MDA) of individual changeful heart discomfor pectoris and myocardiac breach. The conclusion of study the negative role of high free radical was subsisted heart esdisorder progress. The acute myocardiac breach work reduction of O2 surrender to myocardiaic lead produce of interactive O2 groupe that effective role in the development and generate heart desorder.