With the

addition of the OS to the composites, the contact angle between epoxy resin and glass fiber decrease notably. Normalized water sorption by gravimetric measurements showed that the interfacial debonding time of composites with the OS can be prolonged significantly. CAF tests were also consistent with the water sorption results, which suggest Wnt inhibitor that the gravimetric measurement of water sorption is a cost-effective method to assess the CAF resistance of materials. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 122: 2317-2324, 2011″
“A large number of pharmaceuticals exhibit polymorphism; 23% steroids, 60% sulfonamides, and 70% of barbiturates have shown this property. In this study, we have investigated and compared a new technique termed as melt sonocrystallization (MSC) with melt and sonocrystallization (SC) for induction of polymorphism in progesterone (PRG). Polymorphs were characterized by DSC, XRD, FT-IR, and FT Raman spectroscopy. Melt sonocrystallized progesterone (MSC-PRG) contained both the polymorphs, more soluble form II along with less soluble form I, whereas melt progesterone (M-PRG) and sonocrystallized progesterone (SC-PRG) contained only form I. Improvement in dissolution characteristics of both the polymorphs were compared and form II was found to be more readily soluble

than form I in deionized water. Reduction in mean particle size of PRG during SC was also determined using laser diffractometer. During stability testing (40 degrees C/75% ML323 RH) for

1 month, metastable form II of MSC-PRG was found to be transformed into its more stable state. MSC technique was thus found as a useful tool for induction of polymorphism.”
“Background: The aims of this study were: (1) to compare the discriminative ability of a disease-specific instrument, the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) to generic instruments (i.e., EQ-5D learn more and SF-36); and (2), to evaluate the strength of associations among clinical and health-related quality of life (HRQL) measures in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods: We analyzed data collected from 120 COPD patients in a Veterans Affairs hospital. Patients self-completed two generic HRQL measures (EQ-5D and SF-36) and the disease-specific SGRQ. The ability of the summary scores of these HRQL measures to discriminate COPD disease severity based on Global Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage was assessed using relative efficiency ratios (REs). Strength of correlation was used to further evaluate associations between clinical and HRQL measures.

Results: Mean total scores for PCS-36, EQ-VAS and SGRQ were significantly lower for the more severe stages of COPD (p < 0.05). Using SGRQ total score as reference, the summary scores of the generic measures (PCS-36, MCS-36, EQ index, and EQ-VAS) all had REs of <1.

The normal progression of cell expansion in cells arrested in G2 may account for the increase in cell size. Quantitative RT-PCR A 1155463 analysis indicated higher MdCDKA1 expression and reduced MdCYCA2 expression during early fruit development in GG fruits. Together, the data indicate an important role for cell expansion in regulating apple fruit size.”
“Therapeutic interventions following severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are substantially influenced by

complex and interwoven pathophysiological cascades involving both, local and systemic alterations. Our main duty is to prevent secondary progression of the primary damage. This, in turn, obliges us to actively search and identify secondary insults related, for example, to hypoxia, hypotension, Stem Cell Compound Library cost uncontrolled hyperventilation, anaemia, and hypoglycaemia. During pharmacological coma we must rely on specific cerebral monitoring which is indispensable in unmasking otherwise occult changes. In addition,

extended neuromonitoring (SjvO(2), ptiO(2), microdialysis, transcranial Doppler sonography, electrophysiological studies, direct brain perfusion measurement) can be used to define individual pathological ICP levels which, in turn, will support our decision making. Extended neuromonitoring expands the limited knowledge derived from ICP and CPP values, thereby allowing us to adequately adapt the type, extent and speed of different therapeutic interventions. A more individualised and flexible treatment concept depends on extended neuromonitoring.

The present review addresses current evidence in favour of extended neuromonitoring used to guide treatment options aimed at improving intensive care treatment of patients with severe TBI. With increasing experience gained

by the use of extended neuromonitoring in clinical routine we may expect that the evidence obtained within the individual patient will translate to convincing evidence on a larger scale for the entire study population.”
“The authors demonstrate a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensing technique based on electro-optically Selleckchem HSP990 modulated attenuated total reflection. Electro-optic effect is utilized to modulate the wavevector of the light for exciting LSPR with the initial wavevector specified by setting the incident angle. The power variation of the attenuated-total-reflected light with the voltage is analyte-dependent and used as indicator to determine analyte concentration. Increasing the voltage has the effects of enlarging the power variation and enhancing the detection resolution. Detection sensitivity depends on the initial light wavevector and can be tuned under various sensing environments for optimal operation. The presented LSPR biosensing possesses the unique features of convenient sensitivity and resolution tunability. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.

001). The L group

had the greatest decrease in waist circumference (-5.2+/-0.7 cm) and fat mass (-5.4+/-0.7 kg) compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). No significant time-by-group effects were seen in plasma lipids, SHBG, testosterone, blood pressure, find more serum folate, serum ferritin and serum vitamin B12. Conclusion: Lifestyle intervention was more effective in reducing body weight and improving body composition compared to metformin among healthy overweight or obese young women. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“A 20-year-old woman was admitted for psychosis. On further investigation, she was found to be have viral encephalitis and generalized nonconvulsive seizures. After the seizures were controlled, she remained in a selleck kinase inhibitor prolonged catatonic state. Repeated intravenous benzodiazepine administration, improved her cognition dramatically. This case emphasizes that catatonia may occur after encephalitis and nonconvulsive seizures. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.”
“Active

magnetic regenerator (AMR) refrigerators represent an alternative to vapor compression technology that relies on the magnetocaloric effect in a solid refrigerant. Magnetocaloric materials are in development and properties are reported regularly. Recently, there has been an emphasis on developing materials with a high entropy change with magnetization while placing lower emphasis on the adiabatic temperature change. This work uses model magnetocaloric ON-01910 supplier materials and a numerical AMR model to predict how the temperature change and entropy change with magnetization interact and how they affect the performance of a practical

system. The distribution of the magnetocaloric effect as a function of temperature was also studied. It was found that the adiabatic temperature change in a magnetocaloric material can be more important than the isothermal entropy change for certain conditions. A material that exhibits a sharp peak in isothermal entropy change was shown to produce a significantly lower cooling power than a material with a wide peak in a practical AMR system. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3525647]“
“Evaluation of: Alteri CJ, Hagan EC, Sivick KE, Smith SN, Mobley HLT: Mucosal immunization with iron receptor antigens protects against urinary tract infections. PLoS Pathog. 5(9), E1000586 (2009). Urinary tract infection is one of the most common infections in humans. The eradication of uropathogenic Escherichia coil-mediated urinary tract infections has still not been achieved and no effective licensed vaccines are currently available. To overcome the limitations of previous approaches in developing an efficacious vaccine, Alteri et al., through a functional genomic approach, identified six novel vaccine candidates shown to be protective against urinary tract infection in a mouse model.

Findings support previous views that dissection may produce valve-like artifacts (eg, bisection S63845 of an obstructing diaphragm) and that deformation of an otherwise normal urethra may result in megacystis. The designation “”posterior urethral valves” should not be used as a generic expression of urethral obstruction unless actual

valves are demonstrated.”
“A growing body of evidence indicates that the incidence of atherosclerosis is increased in subjects with periodontitis a chronic infection of the oral cavity. This article summarizes the evidence that suggests periodontitis shifts the lipoprotein profile to be more proatherogenic. LDL-C is elevated in periodontitis and most studies indicate that triglyceride levels

are also increased. By contrast, antiatherogenic HDL tends to be low in periodontitis. Periodontal therapy tends to shift lipoprotein levels to a healthier profile and also reduces subclinical indices of atherosclerosis. In summary, periodontal disease alters lipoprotein metabolism in ways that could promote atherosclerosis and cardiovascular 11-deoxojervine disease.”
“The aim of this study was to evaluate the removal of butter cholesterol through three complexation methods with beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD): co-precipitation, kneading, and physical mixture. Photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) was used to evaluate the inclusion complex cholesterol in beta-CD. The co-precipitation method was the most appropriate for removal of butter cholesterol. The composition in fatty acids was not affected by the adopted process. The standardization of the extraction technique of butter cholesterol for its quantification was efficient. The comparison between three quantification methods, enzymatic, high-performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography, showed no significant differences. PAS allowed to evaluate the extraction Citarinostat price of butter cholesterol, and showed that the amount of beta-CD used can be reduced. The results showed that the use of this technique opens new

prospects to confirm the formation of the inclusion complex, the “”guest-beta-CD”". (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) depletion syndrome is a relatively novel cause of hepatic dysfunction in the pediatric population. It is caused by mutations in either mtDNA or nuclear DNA (nDNA) that result in a quantitative reduction in mtDNA and, in turn, dysfunctional oxidative phosphorylation. In infants, it results in the hepatocerebral phenotype, characterized by hyperbilirubinemia, coagulopathy, lactic acidosis, hypoglycemia, lethargy, encephalopathy, developmental delay, and hypotonia. Three infants diagnosed with mtDNA depletion syndrome at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia were identified, and their clinical presentation, disease course, and histologic and ultrastructural features of liver samples (pre- and postmortem) were characterized.

Detailed modeling is given for the type-I band offsets, carrier lifetimes, infrared gain profile and laser threshold current density J(th) in a Fabry-Perot cavity having 20-100 cm(-1) loss. The laser’s temperature of operation is determined by a combination of the radiative

lifetime and the nonradiative lifetime due to unwanted Auger electron-hole recombination. If we keep J(th) below 10 kA/cm(2), then we find that this laser requires cooling in the 100-200 K range, whereas J(th) at 300 K appears to be too high for a practical device. However, this website the GeSn quantum-well laser diode does offer a pathway to room-temperature operation. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3467766]“
“Background: Data on the relation between vitamin D status and body fat indexes in adolescence are lacking.

Objective: The objective was to identify factors associated with vitamin D status and deficiency in obese adolescents to further evaluate the relation of body fat indexes to vitamin D status and deficiency.

Design: Data from 58 obese adolescents were obtained. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) was measured by computed tomography.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure total bone mineral content, bone mineral density, body fat mass (FM), and lean mass. Relative measures of body fat were calculated. Blood tests included measurements of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D], parathyroid hormone (PTH), osteocalcin, type

I collagen C-telopeptide, hormones, and metabolic factors. Vitamin D deficiency JNK-IN-8 was defined HIF inhibitor as 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL. PTH elevation was defined as PTH > 65 ng/mL.

Results: The mean (+/- SD) age of the adolescents was 14.9 +/- 1.4 y; 38 (66%) were female, and 8 (14%) were black. The mean (+/- SD) body mass index (in kg/m(2)) was 36 +/- 5, FM was 40.0 +/- 5.5%, and VAT was 12.4 +/- 4.3%. Seventeen of the adolescents were vitamin D deficient, but none had elevated PTH concentrations. Bone mineral content and bone mineral density were within 2 SDs of national standards. In a multivariate analysis, 25(OH) D decreased by 0.46 +/- 0.22 ng/mL per 1% increment in FM (beta +/- SE, P = 0.05), whereas PTH decreased by 0.78 +/- 0.29 pg/mL per 1% increment in VAT (P = 0.01).

Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, our results show for the first time that obese adolescents with 25(OH)D deficiency, but without elevated PTH concentrations, have a bone mass within the range of national standards (+/- 2 SD). The findings provide initial evidence that the distribution of fat may be associated with vitamin D status, but this relation may be dependent on metabolic factors. This study was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00209482, NCT00120146. Am J Clin Nutr 2009;90:459-67.

The need for standardization of clinical trial design, conduct, analysis and reporting has been also ABT-737 order affirmed as a priority area by the Malaria Vaccine Technology Roadmap.”
“Here, the effect of oral administration of the extract of sangwhang mushroom (Phellinus linteus, PL) grown on germinated brown

rice on lung metastasis of tumor cells was examined in mice, and a possible immunological action was suggested. Oral administration of the extract of sangwhang mushroom grown on germinated brown rice (PB, 90 mg/kg) prior to tumor inoculation significantly inhibited experimental lung metastasis produced by colon 26-M3.1 carcinoma cells. Also oral administration of PB after tumor inoculation significantly inhibited experimental lung metastasis of tumor cells. In addition, oral administration of PB significantly suppressed tumor growth as well as tumor-induced angiogenesis. However, neither PL nor germinated brown rice (BR) was active. Oral administration of PB, but not PL and BR, resulted in a significant enhancement of natural killer (NK)-mediated killing activity against tumor cells. NSC23766 mouse These results suggest that oral administration of PB can induce antitumor activity to inhibit tumor metastasis, and its antitumor effect

is associated with NK cell activation.”
“Background: In biopsy-proven idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS), immunoglobulin M (IgM) and C1q are occasionally deposited in the mesangium. BIBF 1120 in vivo In pediatric nephrology, the significance of mesangial IgM or C1q deposits is controversial, based on previous reports. The aim of this study was to explore the clinical significance of

mesangial IgM and/or C1q deposits in pediatric INS patients, especially the initial responses to steroids and final outcomes.

Methods: We reviewed the clinical courses of 70 children with steroid-dependent or steroid-resistant INS who underwent a renal biopsy at our hospital from 1998 to 2010. There were 30 mesangial IgM immunofluorescence (IF)-positive (IgM+) children. The IgM+ group was compared with the IgM IF-negative (IgM-) group. In addition, we reviewed the clinical characteristics of 8 mesangial C1q IF-positive (C1q+) children.

Results: Of the 30 IgM+ children, 10 (33.3%) were steroid-dependent (IgM- group: 18/40, 45%) and 14 (46.7%) were steroid-resistant (IgM- group: 11/40, 27.5%; p<0.05). Although a high frequency of steroid-resistant INS was observed in the IgM+ group, the efficacy of cyclosporine (CyA) therapy was relatively good (all 14 steroid-resistant children obtained complete or partial remission). Moreover, all 8 C1q+ children obtained complete remission after CyA therapy, although they had a high frequency of steroid resistance (7/8, 87.5%), and 1 child was steroid-dependent.

There is extensive evidence suggesting that inflammatory cytokines are key players in mediating growth failure. Recent studies have confirmed a direct association between levels

of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6, and reduced growth velocity, as well as impaired body composition. Recent studies have also highlighted the beneficial effect of new drugs, such biologics, not only in controlling disease activity, but also in improving growth.

Summary

Growth retardation remains a major problem in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases, P505-15 mw and proinflammatory cytokines are key players in this context. New drugs, specifically targeting inflammatory cytokines appear to be promising for

their effect on growth. Further studies are required to better characterize the cytokine profile in children with inflammatory disease and help in developing effective treatment strategies.”
“Syagrus romanzoffiana is a palm species from the Arecaceae family, commonly known in Brazil as Jeriva. Its fruit is a drupe, global or oval with rigid endocarp that contains a high seed oil content, 52% (w/w) on a wet basis. This study analyzed Jeriva oil composition with regard to fatty acids and some physical-chemical properties related to its quality, aiming at using this oil as a raw material to produce biodiesel. The oil extracted is mainly composed of saturated fatty acids. The quality parameters of the Jeriva oil are in accordance with the European regulations, ASTM and Brazilian standards. Preliminary production tests revealed that the S. romanzoffiana SHP099 inhibitor oil is a viable alternative for the production of biodiesel. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Background: WZB117 research buy Currently, there is one Behcet’s disease (BD) specific self reporting questionnaire developed and published in the literature, The Leeds

BD-quality of life (QoL). We conducted a cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Arabic version of the Leeds BD-QoL

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 41 consecutive patients attending rheumatology clinics at the American University of Beirut Medical Center between June and December 2007. The BD-QoL questionnaire, the Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) questionnaires were co-administered during the same visit, and severity scores were calculated. Cross-cultural adaptation of BD-QoL was performed using forward and backward translations of the original questionnaire. Internal consistency and test-retest reliability of the final version were determined. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) was used to assess the dimensionality of the scale items. External construct validity was examined by correlating Arabic BD-QoL with the severity score, ADL and IADL.

Results: The 30 items of the adapted Arabic BD-QoL showed a high internal consistency (KR-20 coefficient 0.

e. db/db mice. The oral

administration of -AA significantly improved the diabetic condition in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and in diabetic db/db mice at 50 mg kg-1 dose level.”
“Schizophrenia is a heterogeneous psychiatric disorder characterized by an array of clinical manifestations. Although the best known manifestations include serious effects on mood and behavior, patients can also display co-morbidities, including immune system or metabolic abnormalities. Thorough characterization of these conditions using proteomic profiling methods has increased HSP990 concentration our knowledge of these molecular differences and has helped to unravel the complexity and heterogeneity of this debilitating condition. This could lead to patient stratification through characterization of biochemically different subtypes of the disease. In addition, proteomic methods have recently been used for molecular characterization

of the mechanism of action of antipsychotic medications in both preclinical models and patients. This has resulted in identification of molecular panels that show some promise for prediction of response or for monitoring treatment outcome. This review describes how proteomic profiling methods can impact the future of schizophrenia diagnosis and therapeutics, and facilitate personalized medicine approaches for more effective treatment management learn more of schizophrenia patients.”
“Objective: Rapid-acting insulins, including insulin aspart (NovoLog) and lispro (Humalog), do not seem to effectively control postprandial glycemic excursions in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The objective of this study was to determine if insulin glulisine (Apidra), another rapid-acting

insulin analog, would be superior in controlling postprandial hyperglycemia in children with T1DM.

Methods: Mocetinostat manufacturer Thirteen prepubertal children ages 4 to 11 years completed this study. Inclusion criteria included T1DM >= 6 months, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) 6.9 to 10%, blood glucose (BG) levels in adequate control for 1 week prior to study start, multiple daily injections (MDI) with insulin glargine or determir once daily and aspart or lispro premeal. If fasting BG was 70 to 180 mg/dL, subjects received insulin glulisine alternating with aspart prior to a prescribed breakfast with a fixed amount of carbohydrate (45, 60, or 75 g) for 20 days. Postprandial BG values were obtained at 2 and 4 hours.

Results: Mean baseline BG values for insulin glulisine (136.4 +/- 15.7 mg/dL; mean +/- SD) and aspart (133.4 +/- 14.7 mg/dL) were similar (P = .34). Mean increase in 2-hour postprandial BG was higher in glulisine (+ 113.5 +/- 65.2 mg/dL) than aspart (+ 98.6 +/- 66.9 mg/dL), (P = .01). BG remained higher at 4 hours (glulisine: 141.9 +/- 36.5 mg/dL, aspart: 129.0 +/- 37.0 mg/dL) (P = .04). Although statistically insignificant, more hypoglycemic events occurred at 2- and 4-hours postprandial with insulin aspart.

(C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Semin Arthritis Rheum 39:398-404″
“OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for endometrial cancer after benign results of endometrial biopsy or dilation and curettage (D&C).

METHODS: Nested 3-deazaneplanocin A research buy case-control study from Rochester Epidemiology Project data. Among 370 Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents who received an endometrial cancer diagnosis between 1970 and 2008, we identified 90 patients (24.5%) who had previous benign endometrial biopsy or D&C results (no atypical hyperplasia). We compared them with 172 matched control group participants who had benign endometrial

biopsy or D&C results without subsequent endometrial cancer.

RESULTS: Using a multivariable check details conditional logistic regression model, we found that oral contraceptive pill (OCP) use was protective (odds ratio [OR] 0.18, 95% CI [CI] 0.08-0.45; P<.001), and personal history of colorectal cancer (OR 4.44, 95% CI 1.02-19.31; P<.05), endometrial

polyp (OR 4.12, 95% CI 1.40-12.17; P=.01), and morbid obesity (OR 3.40, 95% CI 1.18-9.78; P<.03) were independently associated with subsequent endometrial cancer. Compared with the presence of no risk factor, presence of one and two or more risk factors increased the risk of endometrial cancer by 8.12 (95% CI 3.08-21.44) and 17.87 (95% CI 5.57-57.39) times, respectively. Assuming a 2.6% lifetime risk of endometrial cancer, ORs of 8.12 and 17.87 for one and two or more of the four aforementioned risk factors confer a lifetime risk of approximately 18% and 32%, respectively.

CONCLUSION:

One fourth of patients with endometrial cancer had previous benign endometrial biopsy or D&C results. Personal history of colorectal cancer, presence of endometrial polyps, and morbid obesity are the strongest risk factors for having endometrial cancer after a benign endometrial biopsy or D&C result, and OCP use is the strongest protective factor. (Obstet Gynecol 2012; 120: 998-1004) DOI: http://10.1097/AOG.0b013e31826b9fef”
“Objectives: Q fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii. Its presentation can be atypical, delaying and complicating the diagnosis. Staurosporine We report 7 cases of Q fever mimicking vasculitis, systemic inflammatory disease, or auto-immune disorder.

Methods: Seven cases of Q fever diagnosed between 1995 and 2007 in Nantes University Hospital (France) are described. They occurred in a nonendemic region and were selected on the basis of initial clinical presentation suggesting systemic immune disease. C. burnetii was detected using indirect immunofluorescence serology.

Results: Q fever was acute in 4 of the 7 patients and chronic in 3. None had endocarditis. The initial presentations suggested Crohn’s disease, Goodpasture’s syndrome, polymyalgia rheumatica, adult-onset Still’s disease, polyarteritis nodosa, giant-cell arteritis, and essential type II cryoglobulinemia.

(C) HDAC activity assay 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Chitosan (CS)-polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) cross-linked with sulfosuccinic acid (SSA) and modified with sulfonated polyethersulfone (SPES) mixed-matrix membranes are reported for their application in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). Polyethersulfone (PES) is sulfonated by chlorosulfonic acid and factors affecting the sulfonation reaction, such as time and temperature, are studied. The ion-exchange capacity, degree of sulfonation, sorption, and proton conductivity for the mixed-matrix membranes are investigated. The mixed-matrix membranes are also characterised for their mechanical and thermal properties.

The methanol-crossover flux across the mixed-matrix membranes is studied by measuring the mass balance of methanol using the density meter. The methanol cross-over for these membranes is found to be about 33% lower in relation to Nafion-117 membrane. The DMFC employing CS-PVA-SPES mixed-matrix membrane with an optimum content of 25 wt % SPES delivers a peak power-density of 5.5 mW cm-2 at a load current-density of 25 mA cm-2 while operating at 70 degrees C. (C) 2011 Wiley

Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012″
“Apoptosis/Cytokine/Enteritis/Ileum/Irradiation/Punica granatum/Pomegranate/Radioprotective. Radiation-induced LY3039478 enteritis is a well-recognized sequel of therapeutic irradiation. Therefore we examined the radioprotective properties of Punica granatum peel extract (PPE) on the oxidative damage in the ileum. Rats were exposed to a single whole-body X-ray irradiation

of 800 cGy. Irradiated rats were pretreated orally with saline or PPE (50 mg/kg/day) for 10 days before irradiation and the following 10 days, while control rats received saline or PPE but no irradiation. Then plasma and ileum samples were obtained. Fer-1 cost Irradiation caused a decrease in glutathione and total antioxidant capacity, which was accompanied by increases in malondialdehyde levels, myeloperoxidase activity, collagen content of the tissue with a concomitant increase 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (an index of oxidative DNA damage). Similarly, pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta and IL-6) and lactate dehydrogenase were elevated in irradiated groups as compared to control. PPE treatment reversed all these biochemical indices, as well as histopathological alterations induced by irradiation. Furthermore, flow cytometric measurements revealed that leukocyte apoptosis and cell death were increased in irradiated animals, while PPE reversed these effects. PPE supplementation reduced oxidative damage in the ileal tissues, probably by a mechanism that is associated with the decreased production of reactive oxygen metabolites and enhancement of antioxidant mechanisms.