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Background: Natural products like flavonoids from the natural or synthetic origin are known to possess anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory activities. However, there is few/no experimental proof presently available regarding these. In the present study, hydroxy thiophene derivative of flavonoid was synthesized by Claisen–Schmidt reaction using grinding technique and evaluated for antioxidant activity. Objective: The present study was aimed to synthesize, characterize and evaluate the free radical scavenging antioxidant activity by using in-vitro assay methods. Methods: Synthesized compound was characterized on the basis of Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR),13 C NMR, Mass Spectroscopy (MS) and elemental analysis. The in vitro scavenging activity was studied on hydroxyl, nitric oxide radicals and superoxide anions. Further in the in vivo studies, the liver homogenate of diabetic mellitus rats induced by low dose streptozotocin fed on a high-fat diet, estimated for lipid peroxidase (TBARS), catalase(CAT), superoxide dismutase(SOD) activity and reduced glutathione (GSH) content by colorimetric assays. Results: The NF compound exhibited the dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity especially at 100mcg to 200mcg/ml concentration but lesser than that of standard drugs. Conclusions: The present study was demonstrated that the novel flavonoid (NF) found to have high antioxidant free radical scavenging activity against various oxidative stress systems which needs to be confirmed by other assays.

Background: People exposed to chronic sustained hypoxia (COPD) ultimately succumb to cardiovascular diseases. The heart is an obligate aerobic organ that requires a continuous supply of oxygen for its normal functions. Hence the structural and functional integrity of coronary microvasculature is very crucial for the normal functioning of the myocardium. Aims and Objectives: To assess the coronary microvascular remodelling in chronic sustained hypoxia exposure and its association with hypoxia signalling molecules. To study the role of cilnidipine, a unique calcium channel blocker (CCB) with dual L/N type calcium channel blocking actions with a documented cardioprotective role on chronic hypoxia-induced coronary microvascular remodelling. Methodology: 24 Wistar strain albino rats were randomly allocated into one of the four groups as follows - group 1, Control, (Normoxia, 21% O2); group 2, Chronic Hypoxia (CH) (10% O2, 90% N); group 3, Normoxia (21% O2) + Cilnidipine (Cil); group 4, Chronic Hypoxia (10% O2, 90% N) + Cilnidipine (CH+Cil). The intervention period was 21 days. Coronary microvascular remodelling was assessed by histopathological examination of the intramyocardial coronary artery. Normalised wall index (NWI) which is an indicator of arterial remodelling was calculated using histological images of coronary microvasculature using ImageJ software (https://imagej.nih.gov/ij/). Hypoxia signalling molecules like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS3), nitric oxide (NO) were estimated in the serum and their correlation with NWI was determined. Results and Conclusion: Histopathological examination of intramyocardial coronary artery demonstrated moderate arteriosclerosis and congestion on CH exposure. NWI was significantly increased indicating an overall increase in wall thickness. NWI and VEGF and eNOS were positively correlated. Cilnidipine treatment ameliorated the chronic hypoxia-induced coronary microvascular remodelling. Hence chronic hypoxia-induced coronary microvascular remodelling may be an early subclinical culprit in the pathogenesis of CVDs in patients exposed to hypoxia. The present study also reiterates the cardioprotective role of cilnidipine while opening new avenues for its role in coronary microvasculature in chronic hypoxia exposure.

Background: β-lactam resistance is more prevalent in Gram negative bacterial isolates worldwide, particularly in developing countries. In order to provide data relating to antibiotic therapy and resistance control, routine monitoring of corresponding antibiotic resistance genes is necessary. Aims: The aim of this study was the characterization of β-lactam resistance genes and its plasmid profile in bacteria isolated from urinary tract infection samples. Materials and Methods: In this study, 298 Gram negative bacteria isolated from 6739 urine specimens were identified by biochemical standard tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains were also detected by the double-disk synergy test. The presence of blaTEM and blaSHV genes in the strains studied was ascertained by polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of all Gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli (69.1%) was the most common strain, followed by Klebsiella sp. (12.1%), Enterobacter sp. (8.4%), Proteus sp. (4.4%), Citrobacter (4%) and Pseudomonas sp. (2%). The most antibiotic resistance was shown to tetracycline (95.16%), nalidixic acid (89.78%) and gentamycin (73.20%) antibiotics. Among all the strains tested, 35 isolates (11.75%) expressed ESBL activity. The prevalence of TEM and SHV positivity among these isolates was 34.29%, followed by TEM (31.43%), TEM and SHV negativity (20.0%) and SHV (14.29%), respectively. Conclusions: Regular monitoring of antimicrobial drug resistance seems necessary to improve our guidelines in the use of the empirical antibiotic therapy.

Background: High prevalence of obesity and the importance of this issue as a risk factor for chronic diseases such as severe cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancer necessitate the need for treatment. The aim of this study was the evaluation of acarbose effect on the weight loss in non diabetic overweight or obese patients in Kerman. Materials and Methods: A double blind randomized controlled clinical trial was performed on 66 patients with the body mass index (BMI) between 25 and 35 kg/m2. Patients were divided in treatment and control groups using the randomization. The treatment group took 100 mg acarbose 3 times a day for 20 weeks in combination with the low calorie diet and exercise. Control group was given placebo, low calorie diet, and exercise. BMI was measured after 20 weeks. The analyses were carried out using t test and repeated measured ANOVA. Results: Patients in acarbose and placebo group had a non significant difference in BMI at baseline. Reducing in weight was considered in every month in both groups, but this reduction was higher in the treatment group. At the 5th month, the difference of BMI in the treatment group was significantly lower than the placebo group (2.31 ± 0.6 vs. 0.76 ± 0.6 kg/m2, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Acarbose, especially in combination with the low calorie diet and exercise, seems to lose weight effectively in obese and overweight patients in communities that have a high carbohydrate intake (like Persian diet).