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Objective: Arthrodesis, usage of metallic implants for internal fixation, is commonly employed as the primary treatment modality for Müller‐Weiss disease (MWD). Nevertheless, the efficacy of the current methods of fixation leaves room for improvement. Inadequate fixation strength and the risk of fixation failure are both critical concerns requiring attention. This study explored the clinical effects of implementing a modified fixation technique in talonavicular arthrodesis for the treatment of MWD. Methods: A total of 14 cases diagnosed with MWD undergoing talonavicular (TN) arthrodesis from January 2021 toMarch 2023 were included in the retrospective study. The fixation method for fusion involved the use of screws, with additional support from the shape‐memory alloy (SMA) staple. Relevant clinical outcomes and complications were evaluated preoperatively and postoperatively. Paired‐samples t‐test was used for all data comparisons. Results: Radiographic evidence confirmed solid fusion, and follow‐up evaluations showed satisfactory results in all cases. The American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores were elevated from 32.21 ± 4.0 (range: 22–38) preoperatively to 86.5 ± 2.7 (range: 81–90) postoperatively (p < 0.001). The visual analog scale (VAS) scores declined from 7.40 ± 0.8 (range: 6–8.5) preoperatively to 1.21 ± 1.1 (range: 0–3) postoperatively (p < 0.001). The lateral Meary's angle changed from 13.50 ± 5.2 (range: 8–24) preoperatively to 4.14 ± 2.9 (range: 1–11) degrees postoperatively (p < 0.001). The calcaneal pitch angle increased from 10.07 ± 4.0 (range: 5–19) preoperatively to 14.35 ± 4.0 (range: 8–21) degrees postoperatively (p < 0.001). The talar‐first metatarsal angle decreased from 11.71 ± 3.8 (range: 8–18) preoperatively to 4.28 ± 3.1 (range: 0–9) degrees postoperatively (p < 0.001). One patient was observed to experience delayed wound healing and wound infection. No nerve damage, malunion, pseudoarthrosis, or fixation failure were observed. Conclusion: The results indicated that the fusion of the TN joint using a combination of screws and shape memory alloy staples, could lead to favorable clinical outcomes and significantly enhance the quality of life for patients with MWD. This technique is not only safe and effective but also straightforward to perform. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding antigen-175 (PfEBA-175) is a candidate antigen for a blood-stage malaria vaccine, while various polymorphisms and dimorphism have prevented to development of effective vaccines based on this gene. This study aimed to investigate the dimorphism of PfEBA-175 on both the Bioko Island and continent of Equatorial Guinea, as well as the genetic polymorphism and natural selection of global PfEBA-175. Methods: The allelic dimorphism of PfEBA-175 region II of 297 bloods samples from Equatorial Guinea in 2018 and 2019 were investigated by nested polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Polymorphic characteristics and the effect of natural selection were analyzed using MEGA 7.0, DnaSP 6.0 and PopART programs. Protein function prediction of new amino acid mutation sites was performed using PolyPhen-2 and Foldx program. Results: Both Bioko Island and Bata district populations, the frequency of the F-fragment was higher than that of the C-fragment of PfEBA-175 gene. The PfEBA-175 of Bioko Island and Bata district isolates showed a high degree of genetic variability and heterogeneity, with π values of 0.00407 & 0.00411 and Hd values of 0.958 & 0.976 for nucleotide diversity, respectively. The values of Tajima's D of PfEBA-175 on Bata district and Bioko Island were 0.56395 and − 0.27018, respectively. Globally, PfEBA-175 isolates from Asia were more diverse than those from Africa and South America, and genetic differentiation quantified by the fixation index between Asian and South American countries populations was significant (FST > 0.15, P < 0.05). A total of 310 global isolates clustered in 92 haplotypes, and only one cluster contained isolates from three continents. The mutations A34T, K109E, D278Y, K301N, L305V and D329N were predicted as probably damaging. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the dimorphism of F-fragment PfEBA-175 was remarkably predominant in the study area. The distribution patterns and genetic diversity of PfEBA-175 in Equatorial Guinea isolates were similar another region isolates. And the levels of recombination events suggested that natural selection and intragenic recombination might be the main drivers of genetic diversity in global PfEBA-175. These results have important reference value for the development of blood-stage malaria vaccine based on this antigen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thrombospondin-related adhesive protein (TRAP) is a transmembrane protein that plays a crucial role during the invasion of Plasmodium falciparum into liver cells. As a potential malaria vaccine candidate, the genetic diversity and natural selection of PfTRAP was assessed and the global PfTRAP polymorphism pattern was described. Methods: 153 blood spot samples from Bioko malaria patients were collected during 2016–2018 and the target TRAP gene was amplified. Together with the sequences from database, nucleotide diversity and natural selection analysis, and the structural prediction were preformed using bioinformatical tools. Results: A total of 119 Bioko PfTRAP sequences were amplified successfully. On Bioko Island, PfTRAP shows its high degree of genetic diversity and heterogeneity, with π value for 0.01046 and Hd for 0.99. The value of dN–dS (6.2231, p < 0.05) hinted at natural selection of PfTRAP on Bioko Island. Globally, the African PfTRAPs showed more diverse than the Asian ones, and significant genetic differentiation was discovered by the fixation index between African and Asian countries (Fst > 0.15, p < 0.05). 667 Asian isolates clustered in 136 haplotypes and 739 African isolates clustered in 528 haplotypes by network analysis. The mutations I116T, L221I, Y128F, G228V and P299S were predicted as probably damaging by PolyPhen online service, while mutations L49V, R285G, R285S, P299S and K421N would lead to a significant increase of free energy difference (ΔΔG > 1) indicated a destabilization of protein structure. Conclusions: Evidences in the present investigation supported that PfTRAP gene from Bioko Island and other malaria endemic countries is highly polymorphic (especially at T cell epitopes), which provided the genetic information background for developing an PfTRAP-based universal effective vaccine. Moreover, some mutations have been shown to be detrimental to the protein structure or function and deserve further study and continuous monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (PfCSP) is a potential malaria vaccine candidate, but various polymorphisms of the pfcsp gene among global P. falciparum population become the major barrier to the effectiveness of vaccines. This study aimed to investigate the genetic polymorphisms and natural selection of pfcsp in Bioko and the comparison among global P. falciparum population. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2018, 148 blood samples were collected from P. falciparum infected Bioko patients and 96 monoclonal sequences of them were successfully acquired and analysed with 2200 global pfcsp sequences mined from MalariaGEN Pf3k Database and NCBI. Results: In Bioko, the N-terminus of pfcsp showed limited genetic variations and the numbers of repetitive sequences (NANP/NVDP) were mainly found as 40 (35%) and 41 (34%) in central region. Most polymorphic characters were found in Th2R/Th3R region, where natural selection (p > 0.05) and recombination occurred. The overall pattern of Bioko pfcsp gene had no obvious deviation from African mainland pfcsp (Fst = 0.00878, p < 0.05). The comparative analysis of Bioko and global pfcsp displayed the various mutation patterns and obvious geographic differentiation among populations from four continents (p < 0.05). The global pfcsp C-terminal sequences were clustered into 138 different haplotypes (H_1 to H_138). Only 3.35% of sequences matched 3D7 strain haplotype (H_1). Conclusions: The genetic polymorphism phenomena of pfcsp were found universal in Bioko and global isolates and the majority mutations located at T cell epitopes. Global genetic polymorphism and geographical characteristics were recommended to be considered for future improvement of malaria vaccine design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A non‑ionic water‑soluble galactomannan, isolated from the seed endosperm of Crotalaria mucronata Desv., may be an ideal thickener to increase food viscosity. The present study hypothesized that the viscous property of Crotalaria galactomannan may be associated with its spatial structure. Therefore, the structure of Crotalaria galactomannan was elucidated using an atomic force microscope. The results of the present study demonstrated that the polysaccharide consisted of a D‑mannose backbone with D‑galactose branches, and the D‑mannose/D‑galactose ratio was 2.375:1. In the three‑dimensional structure of Crotalaria galactomannan, the helix was a common secondary structure, containing numerous ring structures of different sizes. In addition, multiple helixes may link together via hydrogen bonding and van der Waals forces, forming aggregations with small rings or spiral windings. The results of the present study indicated that the multiple‑branching construction of Crotalaria galactomannan may underlie its viscosity‑enhancing properties in the water phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new C-glucosyl flavonoids 6′′-O-feruloylspinosin and 6′′-O-feruloyl-6′′′-p-hydroxybenzoylspinosin, together with five known compounds, were isolated from the seeds ofZiziphus jujube(Rhamnaceae family). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of chemical and spectroscopic evidences. Compounds1–7showed moderate inhibitory effects against COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Ethnopharmacological relevance: Er Zhi Wan (EZW), a Chinese medicinal preparation, has been used clinically for treating menopausal syndrome for its kidney-invigorating function, which contains simply two herbs, Ecliptae Herba (EH) and Ligustri Lucidi Fructus (LLF). Although this herbal extract has been used for many years, there is no scientific basis about its effectiveness on menopausal symptom. Here, we aimed to evaluate the estrogenic activities of EZW and to study the compatibilities of two herbs including different processed-LLF in single and mixed preparation of EZW. Moreover, the weight ratio of EH to LLF in EZW was determined according to their estrogenic activities. Materials and methods: The extractions of LLF, processed-LLF and EH were prepared separately by extracting the powders with water, 50% alcohol or 95% alcohol. Steamed-LLF and EH were extracted separately, or together, in preparing EZW extracts. A promoter-reporter construct (pERE-Luc) containing three repeats of estrogen responsive elements (ERE) was stably transfected into MCF-7 cells, and this stable breast cancer cell line was used to determine the estrogenic property. The cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay. Results: The results showed that EZW could significantly induce the expression of luciferase driven by an estrogen responsive element in a pERE-Luc vector. The proliferation of MCF-7 cells was not altered by this herbal treatment. The best preparation of EZW was from: (i) LLF was firstly steamed over water and then dried to make steamed-LLF; and (ii) steamed-LLF and EH were extracted separately by 95% alcohol and then mixed together according to a weight ratio of 1:1. Conclusions: Under the optimized extracting method, EZW possessed robust effect in activating the estrogenic activity, but which did not alter the proliferation of cultured MCF-7 cells. Thus, EZW is an effective and safe estrogenic herbal extract. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is an essential enzyme that protects red blood cells from oxidative damage. Although G6PD‐deficient alleles appear to confer a protective effect of malaria, the link with clinical protection against Plasmodium infection is conflicting. Methods: A case–control study was conducted on Bioko Island, Equatorial Guinea and further genotyping analysis used to detect natural selection of the G6PD A‐ allele. Results: Our results showed G6PD A‐ allele could significantly reduce the risk of Plasmodium falciparum infection in male individuals (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.20–0.93; p <.05) and homozygous female individuals (AOR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.01–0.84; p <.05). Additionally, the parasite densities were significantly different in the individuals with different G6PD A‐ alleles and individual levels of G6PD enzyme activity. The pattern of linkage disequilibrium and results of the long‐range haplotype test revealed a strong selective signature in the region encompassing the G6PD A‐ allele over the past 6,250 years. The network of inferred haplotypes suggested a single origin of the G6PD A‐ allele in Africans. Conclusion: Our findings demonstrate that glucose‐6‐phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) A‐ allele could reduce the risk of P. falciparum infection in the African population and indicate that malaria has a recent positive selection on G6PD A‐ allele. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants of genus Celastrus (Celastraceae) have been widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Indian medicine to treat cognitive dysfunction, epilepsy, insomnia, rheumatism, gout, and dyspepsia for thousands of years. We critically summarized the current evidence on the botanic characterization and distribution, ethnopharmacology, secondary metabolites, pharmacological activities, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and toxicology of Celastrus species to provide perspectives for developing more attractive pharmaceuticals of plant origin. The relevant information on Celastrus species was gathered from worldwide accepted scientific databases via electronic search (Web of Science, SciFinder, PubMed, Elsevier, SpringerLink, Wiley Online, China Knowledge Resource Integrated, and Google Scholar). Information was also obtained from the literature and books as well as PhD and MSc dissertations. Plant names were validated by "The Plant List" (www.theplantlist.org). Comprehensive analysis of the above mentioned databases and other sources confirmed that ethnomedical uses of plants of Celastrus genus had been recorded in China, India, and other countries in Southern Asia. The phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of β -dihydroagarofuranoids, diterpenoids, triterpenoids, tetraterpenes, phenylpropanoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, lignans, and others. The crude extracts and isolated constituents have exhibited a wide range of in vitro and in vivo pharmacological effects, including antitumor, cytotoxic, insecticidal, antimicrobial, anti-rheumatoid arthritis (RA), anti-inflammatory, anti-ageing and antioxidative, and neuroprotective activities. Plants of genus Celastrus have been confirmed to show a strong potential for therapeutic and health-maintaining effects, in light of their long traditional use and the phytochemical and pharmacological studies summarized here. Currently, pharmacological studies of this genus mainly focus on Celastrus paniculatus Willd. and Celastrus orbiculatus Thunb. Therefore, more pharmacological investigations should be implemented to support traditional uses of other medicinal plants of the genus Celastrus. Moreover, studies on the toxicity, bioavailability, and pharmacokinetics, in addition to clinical trials, are indispensable for assessing the safety and efficacy of the secondary metabolites or extracts obtained from plants belonging to this genus. Secondary metabolites studied in this article : (−)-epiafzelechin (Pubchem CID: 443639); celahypodiol (Pubchem CID: 11948700); celangulin I (Pubchem CID: 23252571); celangulin IV (Pubchem CID: 44149142); celangulin-V (Pubchem CID: 178554); celaspene A (Pubchem CID: 101880840); celaspene C (Pubchem CID: 101880842); celastrofuran A (Pubchem CID: 132487992); celastrofuran B (Pubchem CID: 132487993); celastrofuran C (Pubchem CID: 132487994); celastrofuran D (Pubchem CID: 132487995); celastrofuran E (Pubchem CID: 132487996); celastrofuran F (Pubchem CID: 132487997); celastrol (Pubchem CID: 122724); combretastatin D-2 (Pubchem CID: 11779322); erythrodiol (Pubchem CID: 101761); griffithane D (Pubchem CID: 56597215); hindsiilactone A (Pubchem CID: 102584176); hindsiiquinoflavan B (Pubchem CID: 102584175); isocorniculatolide A (Pubchem CID: 57331848); orthosphenic acid (Pubchem CID: 20056194); pristimerin (Pubchem CID: 159516); wilfornine G (Pubchem CID: 57395888); wilforol A (Pubchem CID: 10096097). Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]