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Abstract Background Oxidative stress (OS) is the imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant molecules, in favour of oxidants, that has been associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in ART-treated people living with HIV (PLWH). We aimed to assess factors associated with OS in virologically suppressed PLWH on long-term modern ART. Method In this cross-sectional study we evaluated OS by measuring both the levels of derivatives-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and the biological antioxidant potential (BAP). We also calculated the BAP/d-ROMs ratio, (OS index, OSi); a cut-off value

Background: Oxidative stress (OS) is the imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant molecules, in favour of oxidants, that has been associated with an increased risk of morbidity and mortality in ART-treated people living with HIV (PLWH). We aimed to assess factors associated with OS in virologically suppressed PLWH on long-term modern ART. Method: In this cross-sectional study we evaluated OS by measuring both the levels of derivatives-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and the biological antioxidant potential (BAP). We also calculated the BAP/d-ROMs ratio, (OS index, OSi); a cut-off value < 7.3 indicated OS. Factors associated with OS markers were explored by linear regression model. Results: We enrolled 299 experienced PLWH with virological suppression (HIV-RNA < 50cps/mL). The mean of the d-ROMs levels was 409 UCARR (95%CI 394–422), whereas the mean of the BAP levels was 1.809 µmol/L (95%CI 1706–1851). The OSi mean value was 4.84, and 91.6% of the participants were below the cut-off value. By regression analysis, higher production of oxidants was associated with female sex (p < 0.001), current exposition to PIs (p = 0.030) and HCV co-infection (p = 0.006). Higher antioxidant capacity was correlated with higher HDL levels (p = 0.001). A lower OSi was associated with female sex (p = 0.003) and the current use of triple vs. dual regimen (p = 0.036). The OSi correlated negatively with cholesterol levels (p = 0.002) and positively with HDL (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Virologically suppressed PLWH on long-term ART showed a marked OS. Female sex, the exposure to PIs, and HCV co-infection were associated with higher oxidants, while higher HDL levels were linked to better antioxidant capacity. Interestingly, dual therapy, especially INSTI-based regimens, was associated with lower oxidative stress compared to triple therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The primary motive of this research was to check for the presence of microbial species which has the ability to produce biosurfactant. The soil samples were collected from petrol bunk which was contaminated with petroleum oil and enrichment technique was carried out with minimal salt medium (MSM) for isolation of microbial strain. Serial dilutions of the enriched culture were performed. Two bacterial isolates and one fungal isolate showed activity for biosurfactant production. The methods employed for screening were oil displacement, oil drop collapse, blood hemolysis, blue agar plate method and confirmatory tests like phenol-sulphuric acid method. Both, bacterial isolates (MB1 and MB2) and fungal isolate (JAD1) showed emulsification activity of 41.66 %, 64.70 % and 90.90 % respectively. Biosurfactant was extracted and screened for antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram-negative clinical pathogens. These biosurfactant producing isolates can be used to enhance in situ bioremediation of soils contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs).

Objective To evaluate the prognostic significance of oxidative stress ( OS) and antioxidant defence status measurement in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia ( CLL). Methods d- ROMs test and BAP test were evaluated at diagnosis of 165 patients with CLL and correlated with clinical-biological features and prognosis. Results An increased oxidative damage (d- ROMs test) and a reduced antioxidant potential ( BAP test) were found in CLL patients than normal controls ( P<.0001). CLL patients with higher d- ROMs values had higher number of circulating white blood cells and lymphocytes, and higher values of β2-microglobulin. Higher d- ROMs values were found in female ( P=.0003), in patients with unmutated Ig VH ( P=.04), unfavourable cytogenetics ( P=.002) and more advanced clinical stage ( P=.002). Higher BAP test values were found in patients expressing CD49d ( P=.01) and with more advanced clinical stage ( P=.004). At a median follow-up of 48 months, CLL patients with d- ROMs ≥418 CARR U were found to have a shorter time to first treatment ( TFT) ( P=.0002), and a reduced survival ( P=.006) than others. CLL patients with BAP test values ≥2155 μmol/L had a shorter TFT ( P=.008) and a shorter survival ( P=.003). Conclusions OS can affect CLL patients by concomitantly increasing reactive oxygen metabolites production and decreasing antioxidant defences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Inasmuch as female sex hormones can exhibit antioxidative activity, the oxidative-antioxidative imbalance is mechanistically postulated to be involved in menopausal symptoms. Objectives The objectives of this study were to investigate the correlation between the established menopausal index and blood levels of the in vivo antioxidative potential in women. Method Blood antioxidant levels were examined by the biological antioxidative potential (BAP) test and menopausal-like symptoms were determined using the Simplified Menopausal Index (SMI) in 160 healthy Japanese women (mean age 52 years). Results A correlation analysis revealed a significant inverse relationship between the BAP and SMI levels, independent of age and the body mass index. Conclusions The data suggest that menopausal symptoms may be associated with a decrease in antioxidant potential as assessed by the BAP test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS) is characterized by burning sensation and pain in the mouth with or without inflammatory signs and specific lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Aim of the present study was to investigate about a possible correlation between the Burning Mouth Syndrome and oxidative stress. We recruited 18 healthy female patients between 54 and 68 years of age with a diagnosis of "Burning Mouth Syndrome". Oxidative stress assessment was performed by means of an integrated analytical system composed of a photometer and a mini-centrifuge (FRAS4, H&D s.r.l., Parma, Italy). Samples of whole capillary blood were taken by a finger puncture in a heparinized tube and immediately centrifuged; a small amount of samples plasma (10 microL) were thereafter tested for total oxidant capacity (d-ROMs test) and biological antioxidant potential as iron-reducing activity (BAP test) (Diacron International s.r.l., Grosseto, Italy). RESULTS: Our results indicate that female patients affected by Burning Mouth Syndrome show significantly different d-ROMs and BAP levels, similar to those present in oxidative stress condition with respect to the general population. It was also emphasized that, after the most painful phase, the levels representing the present oxidative stress, progressively return to normal, even if still significantly higher 7 days after, with respect to the normal population. No similar study was performed up to now. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms the effectiveness of antioxidant treatments in the patients affected by BMS, in order to prevent or decrease the onset of oxidative stress and the consequent increased risk of oxidative-related systemic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: To clarify the change of systemic redox states in patients carrying the A3243G mutation in mitochondrial DNA (A3243G), we evaluated oxidative stress and antioxidant activity in the serum of patients. Methods: Oxidative stress and antioxidant activity in the serum samples obtained from 14 patients carrying A3243G and from 34 healthy controls were analyzed using the diacron-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) tests, respectively. Results: The mean d-ROMs level of all patients was significantly greater than that of the controls (p < 0.005), and the mean BAP/d-ROMs ratio of all patients was significantly lower than that of the controls (p < 0.02). In the patients with a history of stroke-like episodes (n = 10), both mean d-ROMs and BAP levels were increased compared with those of the controls (both p < 0.01). The mean BAP level of the patients without a history of stroke-like episodes (n = 4) was significantly decreased compared with that of the controls (p < 0.001), but the mean d-ROMs levels were not significantly different. Conclusion: d-ROMs and BAP tests indicated that patients carrying A3243G are always exposed to underlying oxidative stress, even at a remission state of stroke-like episodes. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]