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Background: Volume contraction frequently contributes to the development of acute kidney injury. The rapid assessment of volume status in patients with acute kidney injury could improve decision making and outcomes. Methods: The maximum and minimum diameters and percent collapsibility of the inferior vena cava (IVC) were measured in 30 patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit with laboratory evidence of acute kidney injury. These measurements were made on the day of admission and 24 hours following admission. Information about age, gender, body mass index, serum creatinine levels, and fluid balances was recorded. Results: This study included 30 patients with a mean age is 62.4 ±16.0 years. The mean initial creatinine was 4.3 ± 4.2 mg/dL (range: 1.7 mg/dL to 22.1 mg/dL). The mean fractional excretion of sodium was 2.06 ± 2.65%. The mean maximum diameter of inferior vena cava was 1.8 ± 0.5 cm with the range is 0.4-2.65 cm. The mean percent collapse was 32 ± 20%. Five patients had evidence of hypovolemia using guidelines from the American Society of Echocardiology; 6 patients had evidence of hypervolemia. Nineteen patients had measurements between these 2 categories. There is no significant change in mean diameters following fluid administration for 24 hours. An initial IVC diameter of 0.94 cm predicted ≥ 30% collapsibility with an area under the curve is 0.748. Discussion: Patients with acute kidney injury based on laboratory measurements had evidence for hypovolemia, euvolemia, and hypervolemia based on IVC measurements. There was no consistent change in IVC dimensions following fluid administration, even though the creatinine fell in most patients. Simple bedside measurements of IVC dimensions can facilitate fluid administration decisions but must be used with clinical assessment.

Drugs, including those used during diagnostic procedures, can have adverse effects and potentially serious side-effects, especially in complicated patients with significant comorbidity. Benzocaine is frequently used as an oropharyngeal anesthetic agent during bronchoscopy, transesophageal echocardiography, and upper GI endoscopy and can cause methemoglobinemia, a potentially life-threatening event if not diagnosed and treated quickly. Co-oximetry is the gold standard for the diagnosis of methemoglobinemia and can quantitate blood levels, which in turn correlate with the clinical presentation and the urgency for treatment. Methylene blue is the treatment of choice for methemoglobinemia. In this case report we discuss the pathophysiology, the clinical presentation, the diagnosis, and the treatment of benzocaine-induced methemoglobinemia.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in patients with chronic kidney disease. Heart failure may lead to acute kidney injury and vice versa. Chronic kidney disease may affect the clinical outcomes in patients with cardiovascular disorders. Renal impairment with any degree of albuminuria has been increasingly recognized as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events and heart failure hospitalizations, while chronic heart failure may cause chronic kidney disease. The bidirectional nature of these disorders contributes to the complexity and the composite definitions of cardiorenal syndromes. However, the most important clinical trials in heart failure tend to exclude patients with significant renal dysfunction. The mechanisms whereby renal insufficiency worsens the outcome in heart failure are not known, and several pathways could contribute to the ‘‘vicious heart/kidney circle.’’ Traditionally, renal impairment has been attributed to the renal hypoperfusion due to reduced cardiac output and decreased systemic pressure. The hypovolemia leads to sympathetic activity, increased renin-angiotensin aldosterone pathway, and arginine-vasopressin release. These mechanisms cause fluid and sodium retention, peripheral vasoconstriction, and volume overload. Therapy to improve renal dysfunction, reduce neurohormonal activation and ameliorate renal blood flow could lead to a reduction in mortality and hospitalization in patients with cardiorenal syndrome.

We are reporting a case of familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection in a 26-year-old man with no significant past medical history and a family history of dissecting aortic aneurysm in his mother at the age of 40. The patient presented with cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain. Chest X-ray showed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. CT scan of the chest showed a dissection of the ascending aorta. The patient underwent aortic dissection repair and three months later he returned to our hospital with new complaints of back pain. CT angiography showed a new aortic dissection extending from the left carotid artery through the bifurcation and into the iliac arteries. The patient underwent replacement of the aortic root, ascending aorta, total aortic arch, and aortic valve. The patient recovered well postoperatively. Genetic studies of the patient and his children revealed no mutations in ACTA2, TGFBR1, TGFBR2, TGFB2, MYH11, MYLK, SMAD3, or FBN1. This case report focuses on a patient with familial TAAD and discusses the associated genetic loci and available screening methods. It is important to recognize potential cases of familial TAAD and understand the available screening methods since early diagnosis allows appropriate management of risk factors and treatment when necessary.

The main cause of cancer death among women is breast cancer. The most common type of breast cancer is the estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. Discovery of estrogen receptor provided a highly effective target for treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancer. Selective estrogen receptor inhibitors are useful for halting the growth of breast cancer cells and inducing apoptosis. Tamoxifen, a popular selective estrogen receptor modulator, can treat breast cancer but also has unfavourable side effects due to its estrogenic activity in other tissues. Many herbal remedies and bioactive natural compounds, such as genistein, resveratrol, ursolic acid, betulinic acid, epigallocatechin-3-gallate, prenylated isoflavonoids, zearalenol, coumestrol, pelargonidin, delphinidin, and biochanin A, have the ability to specifically modulate the estrogen receptor alpha. Moreover, several of these compounds speed up cell death by supressing estrogen receptor gene expression. This opens wide avenue to introduce number of natural medicines with a revolutionary therapeutic impact and few side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This research explores sustainable applications for waste generated from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum‐graecum), a plant with both nutritional and medicinal uses. The study specifically targets waste components as potential sources of nutrients and bioactive compounds. Objectives: The focus is to conduct detailed metabolic profiling of fenugreek waste, assess its anti‐inflammatory properties by studying its cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitory effect, and correlate this effect to the metabolite fingerprint. Materials and Methods: Ethanolic extracts of fenugreek fruit pericarp and a combination of leaves and stems were subjected to untargeted metabolic profiling using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry integrated with online database searches and molecular networking as an effective dereplication strategy. The study also scrutinized the COX inhibitory capabilities of these extracts and saponin‐rich fractions prepared therefrom. Molecular docking was employed to investigate the specific interactions between the identified saponins and COX enzymes. Results: The analysis led to the annotation of 81 metabolites, among which saponins were predominant. The saponin‐rich fraction of the fruit pericarp extract displayed the strongest COX‐II inhibitory activity in the in vitro inhibition assay (IC50 value of 81.64 ± 3.98 μg/mL). The molecular docking study supported the selectivity of the identified saponins towards COX‐II. The two major identified saponins, namely, proto‐yamogenin 3‐O‐[deoxyhexosyl (1 → 2)] [hexosyl (1 → 4)] hexoside 26‐O‐hexoside and trigofenoside A, were predicted to have the highest affinity to the COX‐II receptor site. Conclusion: In the present study, we focused on the identification of COX‐II inhibitory saponins in fenugreek waste through an integrated approach. The findings offer valuable insights into potential anti‐inflammatory and cancer chemoprotective applications of fenugreek waste. The ethanolic extracts of fenugreek wastes were subjected to LC‐MS/MS untargeted metabolic profiling and molecular networking, leading to the annotation of 81 metabolites, with saponins being major constituents. A saponin‐rich fraction was prepared from each waste extract. The COX inhibitory effect of the waste extracts and saponin‐rich fractions was evaluated. The saponin‐rich fractions showed a preferential COX‐II inhibition that was stronger than the ethanolic extracts. Molecular docking proved the selectivity of the identified saponins towards COX‐II enzyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three previously undescribed dibenzylbutane lignans, laxilignans A−C, together with fifteen known compounds were isolated and characterized from the leaves of Terminalia laxiflora Engl. The structures of laxilignans A−C were elucidated by extensive 1D and 2D NMR analyses, together with mass spectrometry. The inhibitory activity of the isolated compounds against α -glucosidase enzyme, obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae , was evaluated in comparison to acarbose (IC 50 = 16.42 ± 0.14 µM). The results revealed that corilagin, chebulagic acid, laxilignan A, termilignan B, termitomenin C, arjunglucoside II, and laxilignan B possess α -glucosidase inhibitory potential, with IC 50 values in the range of 1.61 ± 0.05 – 403.5 ± 29.5 μM, respectively. The results of the molecular docking revealed that the two laxilignans A and B showed comparable binding affinities to those of acarbose with the binding sites of the human α -glucosidase enzyme. These findings suggest that dibenzylbutane lignans may act as promising lead compounds for the development of α -glucosidase inhibitors. [Display omitted] • Three new dibenzylbutane lignans, laxilignans A-C, were isolated from the leaves of Terminalia laxiflora. • Laxilignan A exhibited a greater α -glucosidase inhibitory activity than that of acarbose. • Laxilignans A and B were docked to human α -glucosidase enzyme at the same binding site of the co-crystalized inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics poses a high level of danger worldwide. Bacterial resistance mechanisms are spreading globally, impeding our ability to treat common infectious diseases. Misuse and overuse of antibiotics accelerate microbial resistance to antibiotics. Despite the exerted efforts, none of the newly developed antibiotics are expected to be effective against the dangerous forms of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Since many plants have been shown to contain powerful antimicrobial compounds that can act synergistically or alternatively to antibiotics, the demand for herbal medicines has recently increased to cotreat microbes that are resistant to antibiotics. Maximum benefit can be achieved when the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of natural products match the antibiotic. This review article refers to nine highly effective and key herbs to use alongside antibiotics to overcome crises of antibiotic resistance. Their unique molecular mechanisms of action have been highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dolomiaea costus (Falc.) Kasana & A.K. Pandey Family Asteraceae, formerly known as Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch contains a rich treasury of diverse bioactive compounds such as monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, sterols, cardenolides, flavonoids, coumarins, lignans, phenylpropanoids and alkaloids. The sesquiterpene lactones, costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone in D. costus, possess unique promising in vitro and in vivo biological activities for the prevention and cure of diverse ailments like Parkinson's disease, oxidative stress, hyperpigmentation, ulcerative colitis, breast cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, colon cancer, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, leukemia, stomach cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, osteosarcoma, neuroblastoma, allergy, type 2 diabetes, hepatotoxicity, bronchitis, pulmonary fibrosis, thrombosis and various microbial infections. Costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone are potential drug candidates that could lead to the development of new medications for a variety of difficult-to-treat diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is a serious concern as it is one of the causes of kideny failure and pulmonary fibrosis. An important therapeutic strategy for treating chronic hypertension is to inhibit the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE). ACE inhibition reduces kidney damage, pulmonary artery pressure, and high blood pressure. Due to their high efficacy and low risk of side effects, natural renin‐angiotensin system inhibitors have drawn increasing attention over the past decades. Alkaloids, amino acids, anthocyanidins, flavonoids, glucosinolates, isoflavonoids, phenolic acids, polyphenolics, and triterpenoids are among the bioactive metabolites pocessing an impressive ACE inhibitory activity. Many herbs including Rosmarinus officinalis, Hibiscus sabdariffa, Curcuma longa, Rauwolfia serpentina, Emblica officinalis, Cynara scolymus, Punica granatum, Mucuna pruriens, Capsicum annuum, and Moringa olifera were found having ACE inhibitory activities comparable to captopril and enalpril. These enticing natural ACE inhibitors deserve to be a safeguard medicine against hypertension, respiratory distress syndrome, and chronic kidney diseases. More clinical trials are required before new natural compounds and herbs can be used to treat chronic hypertension and its ramifications, such as respiratory distress syndrome and kidney failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The debate about which surgical technique for tonsillectomy could be superior over another is continuous. Tonsillectomy techniques are classified into cold and hot procedures. In cold techniques, no heat is used; they include dissection, guillotine, microdebrider, harmonic scalpel, and cryosurgery. Hot techniques include electrocautery, coblation, radio frequency, and laser. In Egypt, the used methods are cold dissection, electrocautery, cold dissection with electrocautery hemostasis, coblation, and less commonly laser. In this study, we described the advantages and disadvantages of each technique. Hot techniques have shorter operative time and less intraoperative bleeding, while cold dissection technique has less postoperative pain and less postoperative complications especially secondary hemorrhage, with more rapid wound healing. However, coblation technique may have less pain in the first few hours postoperatively relative to cold technique. Electrocautery technique is the most painful method with delayed wound healing. Laser technique is nearly equivalent to electrocautery with slightly less pain. Cold dissection technique is less costly when compared to other techniques. Family satisfaction after tonsillectomy is dependent mainly on less postoperative pain and rapid recovery. Cold dissection is still considered the gold standard technique. Caution should be taken on using hot techniques especially when used for dissection, and the trainee surgeons should become familiar with cold dissection before shifting to other tonsillectomy techniques. From this study, we can say that hot techniques should not be used except after mastering the cold dissection tonsillectomy; also, the new advanced techniques can be reserved for high-risk patients such as having bleeding disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Breast cancer is the most devastating disease for women. There is a great demand for new sources to treat this disease. Medicinal plants are an indispensable source of bioactive compounds with wide range of pharmacological activities. In-vitro cytotoxic activity of Otostegia fruticosa methanolic extract against human breast cancer was studied using MCF-7 cell line. The extract showed mildly potent activity (IC50 = 51 ± 9.836 µg/mL) in comparison to the standard anticancer doxorubicin (IC50 = 7.467 ± 1.05 µg/mL). Potential compounds responsible for activity have been identified using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) module on the major compounds detected by HPLC-MS/MS technique against estrogen alpha receptor (ERα+: PDB ID 2JF9). 3,5-di-O-dicaffeoylquinic acid, hyperoside and rutin showed similar binding and antagonistic interaction with the estrogen alpha receptor as tamoxifen in several poses. The retrieved results confirm that we can add this plant to a powerful arsenal that combats this insidious disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ink that cephalopods secrete to hide and frighten the enemies contains a treasury rich in bioactive diverse compounds like DOPA, melanin, melanin synthase, tyrosinase, angiotensin converting enzyme, catecholamines, oligopeptides, polyphenols, flavonoids, alkaloids, polysaccharides, fatty acids and minerals. These groups of the aforementioned compounds have promising unique in-vitro and in-vivo biological activities like antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory, vasopressin, anti-Parkinson, anti-cancer, anti-coagulant, antimicrobial, anti-retroviral, anti-ulcerogenic and immune boosting activities. Cephalopods ink can be offered in its raw state or after separation and purification of its chemical constituents for use as natural medicine to treat many diverse diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Polyphenolics are the most common class of plant‐derived natural products. They play an important role in the protection of both plants and humans. Acylated polyphenolics, i.e., polyphenolics esterified with either phenolic or organic acids, are abundant in several plant families including Fabaceae. This review article is intended to shed light on the distribution, isolation, chemodiversity, and bioactivity of acylated polyphenolics obtained from selected fabaceous plants mentioned herein. Isolation of these metabolites was mostly performed via successive column chromatography, including preparative and semi‐preparative HPLC. Structure elucidation was achieved through interpretation of spectral data. Meanwhile, detection was chiefly accomplished via diverse liquid chromatography/mass spectrometric analyses. Compared to usual polyphenolics, these unique acylated compounds were found of higher stability and bioactivity. The current survey targets to provide a comprehensive overview of the medicinal role of acylated polyphenolics that may encourage the incorporation of fabaceous plants in pharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of our continuous research efforts to investigate the molecular mechanisms of Eucalyptus kino polyphenolics for healing liver solid tumors, in-vivo histopathological studies of the solid tumor tissues and in-silico molecular docking were carried out. Histopathology of female mice treated with a dose of 200 mg/kg Eucalyptus kino methanolic extract in combination with low level ionising γ-radiation (0.25 Gy) recovered a near-to-normal histological structure revealing a substantial number of cells with hyper-chromachia in nuclei, fibroblast lobules and necrotic cells. Analysis for matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) by Western blot and also molecular docking study were conducted to evaluate and rank the potential of the individual components dominated in the extract to inhibit MMP-9 and TGF-β. The current study presents new lead compounds for the design of novel MMP-9 and TGF-β strong inhibitors of natural origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Halogenated anesthetics are known to cause hepatotoxicity that can be evaluated by the emerging genomic biomarkers, that is, miRNA-122 and miRNA-192. Thirty Wister rats were distributed randomly in five equal groups; Control Group (group C); Desflurane Group (group D); Hypoxia Group (group H); Hypoxia + Desflurane Group (group HD); and Hypoxia + Desflurane + Laparotomy Group (group HDL). Animals in the Groups D, HD, HDL were exposed to 6% desflurane. Rats were exposed to hypoxic mixture in Groups H, HD, and HDL. Animals in Group HDL were additionally subjected to laparotomy with liver palpation. After 24 hours, plasma ALT, AST, GGT, blood and tissue miR-122, and miR-192 gene expression and histopathological examination of liver biopsies were performed. Plasma and tissue miR122 and miR192 showed significant increase ascendingly in H, D, HD, HDL groups (p value <0.05), significant elevation of ALT, AST, GGT in HD and HDL groups (p value <0.05). Hepatic histopathological findings revealed 33.3% inflammatory infiltration in group D, 50% in group H, 66.6% in HD and HDL groups. 16.7% apoptosis was detected in D & H groups and 33.3% in HD and HDL groups, while none showed necrosis. This experimental study concluded that each desflurane and hypoxia has deleterious effect on hepatic integrity, which increased by their combination and aggravated by surgical influence as verified by miR-122 and miR-192, as well as histopathological examination. Assessment of hepatotoxic effects of other various anesthetics and different surgical approaches in experimental study using hepatic genomic biomarkers is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifteen compounds belong to phenolic acids, derivatives of phenolic acids, iridoids, xanthones and flavonoids were characterized in the methanolic extract of Otostegia fruticosa leaves using HPLC-MS/MS. Extract has been also investigated for its MAO-B inhibitory activity, antioxidant activity, total phenolic and total flavonoid content. The extract exhibited interesting MAO-B inhibitory activity (IC50; 2.24 ± 0.08) compared to the reference compound selegiline (0.55 ± 0.02 µg/mL). It also showed a potent antioxidant activity proven in both DPPH and ORAC assay methods. The extract showed an IC50 of 3.64 ± 1.22 µg/mL in the DPPH test which was significantly lower than that of the standard ascorbic acid which attained an IC50 of 18.3 ± 1.41 µg/mL. Moreover, in the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay (ORAC) the extract showed a decline in the IC50 to 3.48 ± 1.16 µg/mL as compared to the standard Trolox which exhibited an IC50 of 27.0 ± 13.41. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Withania somnifera, Angelica sinensis, Glycyrrhiza glabra, and Simmondsia chinensis were acquired from the Egyptian market, profiled for their chemical constituents, screened for the in-vitro MAO-B inhibitory activity and evaluated for the total phenolic content. Thirty compounds were characterized in the selected herbs using HPLC-MS/MS. In-vitro MAO-B inhibitory activity and total phenolic content of the acquired herbs were compared with those of a prepared herbal formula consisting of a mixture of equal amounts of the four mentioned herbs. The most potent MAO-B inhibitory activity was exerted by the methanol extract of the prepared formula (IC50 of 712.19 ± 13.90 ng/mL) compared to selegiline (IC50 of 581.69 ± 11.35 ng/mL). The highest value of the total phenolic content was shown by Angelica sinensis methanolic extract (76.15 ± 0.1 mg/g) followed by Glycyrrhiza glabra methanolic extract (65.74 ± 0.1 mg/g), then the mixture's methanolic extract of the four herbs (37.04 ± 0.1 mg/g). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are many studies about the epidemiology of hepatitis E virus (HEV) in the general population, but the data about HEV infection among patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) give conflicting results. Although the parenteral route may be involved in the transmission of HEV infection, several investigators have suggested that fecal-oral transmission is the primary transmission mode. We aimed to identify the seroprevalence of HEV in hemodialysis (HD) patients compared to the seroprevalence of HBV and HCV infection, and examine the role of parenteral transmission.Methodology: Eighty-four patients from TBRI's HD unit who had been receiving dialysis for more than six months were involved in the study. All the patients were subjected to detailed medical history, full clinical examination, and routine investigations, including virology screening and abdominal ultrasound. HEV seropositivity was investigated by ELISA for HEV-Ab (IgG), while active viremia was assessed by RT-PCR for HEV RNA. Results: Out of the 84 patients, anti-HEV IgG antibodies were detected in five cases (6.0%). A minor (P=0.001) and a moderate (P=0.01) increase in liver echogenicity by ultrasound were significantly correlated with HEV seropositivity. Blood transfusion and HEV seropositivity did not significantly correlate (P=0.6). Neither HBsAg nor HCV-Ab was related to anti-HEV antibody seropositivity. HEV RT-PCR was only positive in one case. Conclusion: Compared to HCV (34.5%), the prevalence of HEV seropositivity was low (6%) in our patients. Parenteral transmission of HEV was less likely. HEV routine screening may help lower the related morbidity and mortality in HD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

30 secondary polyphenolic metabolites were characterised in Eucalyptus kino methanol extract using HPLC-MS/MS. The antitumor activity of the extract in combination with low level ionising radiation in female mice with solid tumors from inoculated Ehrlich ascites carcinoma cells was investigated. Tumor cell-inoculated mice received daily extract doses (100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kgBW) with or without a single exposure to 0.25 Gy γ-rays, and cis-platin as a reference anticancer drug. Changes in the tumor volume, oxidative state, levels of caspase-3, TGF-β and Nf-κB were assessed by q-PCR. Surprisingly, a dose of 200 mg/kg extract together with γ-radiation remarkably reduced the tumor volume, improved the oxidative and apoptotic biomarker levels. In conclusion, results showed that a combination of kino extract with low level γ-radiation synergistically reduced tumor progression due to the antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities of the polyphenolics in the extract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to screen different extracts (E) such as total ethanol (TE), petroleum ether (PE) chloroform (CH), ethyl acetate (EA) and methanol (AM) extracts of Peltophorum africanum Sond. (PA) and Saraca indica L. (SI) leaves (family fabaceae) for their in-vitro antidiabetic activity using α-amylase inhibition assay. The extracts that showed remarkable in vitro activity were further subjected to in vivo anti-diabetic assessment using streptozotocin-induced diabetes model in experimental animals where serum glucose, C-peptide, liver glycogen content in addition to lipid peroxide level in both serum and liver were estimated biochemically in normal and diseased rats. The average percent of weight change and kidney to body weight ratio percent were calculated for all animal groups. Histopathological examination of pancreas, liver and kidney sections isolated from all animals was carried out. UPLC/MS/MS analysis of TEE of PA and SI for chemical investigation was performed. Results of the in vitro anti diabetic activity revealed that EAE, PEE& TEE of PA and TEE & EAE of SI possessed the highest inhibitory activity as compared to acarbose. In vivo antidiabetic activity of the selected extracts revealed that animal groups treated daily with EAE of PA and SI exhibited a significant improvement in carbohydrate metabolism and lipid peroxide level, with superior effect in comparison with that of TEE and PEE of both plants. Histopathological findings showed marked protection particularly in sections isolated from animals treated with EAE of PA. UPLC/MS/MS analysis of TEE of both plants identified 46 metabolites belonging to various classes. It could be suggested that active extracts of both plants could be considered as potential natural antioxidant and anti-diabetic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Antibiotic resistance is a major problem that is spreading and increasing while the development of new antibiotics is ceasing. As a result, some bacterial infections that were easily treated previously became untreatable. The antibacterial activity of Clerodendrum inerme and Clerodendrum splendens leaves were investigated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the widely known multi-drug resistant bacterium. UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS is characterized by high sensitivity, resolution and speed for identification of plant metabolites even the minor ones. The chemical constituents of the leaves of C. inerme and C. splendens were investigated by UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS metabolic analysis. Methods: The antibacterial activity of the ethanol extracts of the leaves of the two species under investigation was evaluated against the multi-ethanol drug resistant bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis using MABA assay. The methanol extracts of the leaves of C. inerme and C. splendens were subjected to comparative UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS analysis. Results: The ethanol extract of C .inerme leaves showed significant antibacterial activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, while that of C. splendens showed moderate activity. The UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS analysis revealed a total of 36 metabolites detected and tentatively identified in the two species under investigation, among them 28 chromatographic peaks were assigned in C. inerme while only 14 were assigned in these C. splendens. The main classes of secondary metabolites detected were Phenylpropanoid and, iridoid glycosides, flavonoids, diterpenoids, phenolic acid and fatty acid derivatives. Conclusion: The results of the antibacterial activity and UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/ MS analysis showed stronger activity and higher number of metabolites for C. inerme as compared to C. splendens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cirrhotic patients have impaired hemostasis with variable incidence of hypersplenism necessitating splenectomy. Rotation thromboelastometery (ROTEM) facilitates diagnosis and guides management. This study evaluates perioperative effects of desflurane versus propofol on hemostasis in cirrhotic patients undergoing splenectomy guided by ROTEM and laboratory hemostatic tests. Methods: Thirty hepatic Child A patients, ASA II- III, of either sex, aged 25–55 years, undergoing splenectomy were randomly allocated into two equal groups: Group D; anesthetized with desflurane 1 MAC (6%) and Group P; with propofol Target Controlled Infusion 2–5 µg/ml. Six blood samples were collected; preoperatively, after splenic artery ligation, immediately, first, third postoperative day then one month later. The samples were handled to measure complete blood picture, liver and kidney functions, screening coagulation tests (INR, PT and PTT), specific hemostatic factors (P-Selectin/CD62P, fibrinogen and D-dimer) as well as ROTEM criteria; clotting time (CT), clot formation time (CFT) and maximum clot firmness (MCF) via EX-TEM, IN-TEM and FIB-TEM commercial kits. Results: This study displayed postoperative hemoglobin reduction; however, platelet and WBCs as well as CT, CFT and MCF increased versus baseline. Screening and specific hemostatic factors as all other changes were within reference range and comparable between both groups. Conclusions: The current study concluded comparable effects of desflurane and propofol anesthesia on coagulation parameters within acceptable range as monitored by ROTEM and laboratory coagulation tests in cirrhotic patients with hypersplenism. Thus both anesthetics are considered safe in such patients who have high incidence of coagulopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives : To determine the importance of bilateral neck dissections which is done as a routine procedure in patients with supraglottic carcinoma and N0 neck, in terms of detecting the incidence of positive lymph nodes on the contralateral side. Study Design : Prospective study including 50 patients with supraglottic carcinoma & N0 neck. Setting : 50 patients were admitted from Otolaryngology department, Kasr-Al Aini hospital, Cairo University during the period from January 2016 till August 2017. Subjects and Methods : All patients were diagnosed with supraglottic carcinoma with N0 lymph nodes. Bilateral neck dissections were done - in conjugation to laryngectomy - to detect the incidence of the positive contralateral lymph nodes in these cases. Those with the extensive tumor midline cross over, unfit ones, or who were refusing surgery were excluded. Results : In this study, 48% of the cases had positive lymph nodes on the ipsilateral side while 16% had positive lymph nodes on the contralateral side. Level II on both sides was the most affected with 67% on the ipsilateral side & 100% on the contralateral side. A correlation was detected between the T-stage of the primary lesion of the larynx and the incidence of positive lymph nodes for both sides of neck (p value <0.05). It was also revealed that the incidence of the contralateral positive neck nodes was increased as the incidence of the ipsilateral positive nodes increased in N0 cases (p value <0.05). Conclusions : It could be concluded that bilateral neck dissections should be routinely done in cases of supraglottic carcinoma N0 patients, especially with the higher T stages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turraea fischeri is an East African traditional herb, which is widely used in traditional medicine. In this study, we profiled the secondary metabolites in the methanol extract of T. fischeri bark using HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS, and 20 compounds were tentatively identified. Several isomers of the flavonolignan cinchonain-I and bis-dihydroxyphenylpropanoid-substituted catechin hexosides dominated the extract. Robust in vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties were observed in 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, and in the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. Additionally, the extract exhibited promising hepatoprotective activities in D-galactosamine (D-GaIN) treated rats. A significant reduction in the elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin, gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and increase of glutathione (GSH) was observed in rats treated with the bark extract in addition to D-galactosamine when compared with rats treated with D-galactosamine alone. In conclusion, T. fischeri is apromising candidate for health-promoting and for pharmaceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Muscle regeneration depends on satellite cells (SCs), quiescent precursors that, in consequence of injury or in pathological states such as muscular dystrophies, activate, proliferate, and differentiate to repair the damaged tissue. A subset of SCs undergoes self-renewal, thus preserving the SC pool and its regenerative potential. Unacylated ghrelin (UnAG) is a circulating hormone that protects muscle from atrophy, promotes myoblast differentiation, and enhances ischemia-induced muscle regeneration. Here we show that UnAG increases SC activity and stimulates Par polarity complex/p38-mediated asymmetric division, fostering both SC self-renewal and myoblast differentiation. Because of those activities on different steps of muscle regeneration, we hypothesized a beneficial effect of UnAG in mdx dystrophic mice, in which the absence of dystrophin leads to chronic muscle degeneration, defective muscle regeneration, fibrosis, and, at later stages of the pathology, SC pool exhaustion. Upregulation of UnAG levels in mdx mice reduces muscle degeneration, improves muscle function, and increases dystrophin-null SC self-renewal, maintaining the SC pool. Our results suggest that UnAG has significant therapeutic potential for preserving the muscles in dystrophies. S tem C ells 2017;35:1733-1746 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of our continued search for bioactive secondary metabolites from marine sources using a bioassay-guided fractionation technique (Cytotoxic and anti-trypanosome activities), we have examined the organic extract of Papua New Guinean collection of the green alga Udotea orientalis growing on the Gorgonian coral Pseudopterogorgia rigida. Successive HPLC investigations resulted in isolation of three new compounds, (+) curcuepoxide A, (+) curcuepoxide B and (+)-10α-hydroxycurcudiol. Analysis of different spectroscopic data e.g. UV, IR, LRMS, HRMS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR on the isolated compounds allowed for construction of the planar structures. Stereochemistry assignment at C-7 and C-10 in the new compounds was discussed. Isolated compounds were found to be active in an in vitro assay of antitrypanosome activity. The isolated compounds were found to have variable cytotoxic activity in human lung cancer cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A bioassay-guided investigation (cancer cell cytotoxicity) of a Moorea producens collection from Key West, Florida, led to the discovery of two new bioactive natural products [(+)-malyngamide Y and a cyclic depsipeptide, (+)-floridamide]. Their planar structures were deduced through extensive analysis of 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data and supported by HRFAB mass spectrometry. The new cyclic depsipeptide contains four amino acids units, including N-methyl phenylalanine, proline, valine and alanine, beside the unique unit, 2,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-octanoic acid. In addition to the discovery of these two new compounds, two previously reported metabolites were also isolated and identified from this cyanobacterial collection; (−)-C-12 lyngbic acid and the antibacterial agent (−)-malyngolide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of our efforts to identify bioactive agents from marine algae, we have isolated and identified one new halogenated monoterpene 1 [(-)-(5E,7Z)-348-trichloro-7-dichloromethyl-3-methyl-157-octatriene] in addition to three known compounds (2, 3 and 4) from the red alga Plocamium cartilagineum collected by hand from the eastern coast of South Africa. Compound 1 was found to be active as a cytotoxic agent in human lung cancer (NCI-H460) and mouse neuro-2a cell lines (IC50 4 μg/mL). Two of these compounds (3 and 4) were found to have cytotoxic activity in other cell line assays, especially against human leukaemia and human colon cancers (IC50 1.3 μg/mL). None of these metabolites were active as sodium channel blockers or activators. All structures were determined by spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, LRMS, HRMS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR). 1D and 2D NOE experiments were carried out on these compounds to confirm the geometry of the double bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a part of ongoing investigation of Acokanthera oppositifolia (Lam.) Codd., four compounds were isolated from its seeds, a new compound; lup-20(29)-en-3β-O-(3′-β-hydroxy) palmitate (1), three known compounds; a triterpene; lupeol (2), a cardiac glycoside; acovenoside A (3) and a sterol; β-sitosterol (4). Their structures were investigated using 1D & 2D- 1H and 13CNMR spectroscopy. Antimicrobial potential of the compounds was evaluated against 10 microorganisms responsible for endocarditis. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the compounds was determined using broth microdilution method. The new compound (1) evidenced significant antibacterial activity especially aganist Pseudomonas aeruginosa with (MIC 7.81 μg/ml). Lupeol (2) exhibited remarkable antimicrobial activity against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus fumigates and Candida albicans (MIC 3.9, 0.24 and 3.9 μg/ml, respectively). On the other hand, acovenoside A (3) inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli (MIC 0.98 μg/ml). We herein present the potential of A. oppositifolia as a cardioprotective agent against the microorganisms responsible for endocarditis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Haplophyllum tuberculatum is a plant belongs to family rutacee. It is rich in volatile oils, fixed oils, alkaloids, and furanocoumarins. It is well known for the huge number of folkloric uses in middle east. Objective: The aim of this study is to establish the chemical composition of the essential oils of Libyan H. tuberculatum and to investigate their cytotoxic potentialities.Materials and Methods: The essential oils of the aerial parts and flowers of H. tuberculatum growing in Libya were prepared by hydrodistillation. GC/MS analyses were performed on a Shimaduz capillary gas chromatograph (GC 17A ver.3) instrument directly coupled to mass spectrometer-MS QP5050A. Oil A and F of H. tuberculatum at different concentrations (0-50 µg/ml) in DMSO were tested for cytotoxicity against human tumor cell lines. Results: Oil yield was found 0.4 and 1.5 (v/w %) on dry weight basis respectively. GC/MS analysis resulted in identification of total 35 compounds. 15 compounds were common to both oils. oil A of H. tuberculatum exhibited antitumor activities against. liver carcinoma cell line (HEPG2) and lung carcinoma cell line (H1299) 4.7 µg/ml and 4.1 µg/ml. Conclusion: Essential oil of the aerial parts of H. tuberculatum is potentially active against lung (H-1299), and liver (HEPG2) carcinoma cell lines. The observed cytotoxic, activities can be attributed to the dominance of α and γ-terpinene in this oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The family of polyhalogenated monoterpenes from Plocamium counts over a hundred known members. Using glyceraldehyde acetonide as a chiral-pool precursor, an enantioselective and divergent strategy was developed that provides a blueprint for the synthesis of many of the small yet complex acyclic members of this family. The broad applicability of this approach is demonstrated with the short, eight-step synthesis of four natural products and three analogues. These syntheses are the first of any members of the acyclic polyhalogenated Plocamium monoterpenes and permitted the evaluation of their selectivity against a range of tumor cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cryopreservation and post-thawing affects sperm quality and subsequent fertilizing ability. Antioxidants of natural origin, such as plant extracts, rich in flavonoid and phenolic compounds, are of special interest in scavenging ROS. The supplementation of goat semen extender with 375 µg/mL T. fischeri leaf extract improved the functional and ultrastructural characteristics of cryopreserved sperm by maintaining antioxidant capacity, thus preventing membrane injury and reducing apoptosis. This study evaluated the efficacy of Turraea fischeri leaf extract for maintaining the viability of cryopreserved goat sperm. Ejaculated semen was collected from 5 mature Baladi bucks (50–60 kg, 2–4 years of age) and those samples with mass motility ≥ 70% and sperm concentration ≥ 2.5 × 109/mL were selected, pooled, and divided into 4 aliquots. Each aliquot was diluted in Tris-citric-soybean lecithin extender containing a different concentration of T. fischeri leaf extract (0, 125, 250, or 375 µg/mL). Treated semen samples were cooled to 5 °C, transferred to 0.25-mL French straws, and stored in liquid nitrogen (LN2) at −196 °C. After thawing, membrane integrity was examined by transmission electron microscopy, apoptotic activity by Annexin/propidium iodide staining and flow cytometry, and both enzyme activities and antioxidant capacity by spectroscopic assays. The leaf extract at 375 µg/mL significantly improved semen quality as indicated by enhanced total antioxidant capacity, reduced H2O2 concentration, a greater proportion of structurally intact motile sperm, and concomitant reductions in apoptosis and necrosis. The extract also significantly increased the proportion of sperm with a contiguous plasma membrane and intact acrosome (p < 0.05). Furthermore, LC-MS revealed numerous secondary metabolites in the extract that may contribute to sperm cryopreservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomedical engineering is employing hydrogels with increasingly exciting possibilities for the treatment and regeneration of pathologically altered, degenerated, or traumatized tissues. Still, the sterilization processes may undesirably change the chemical and physical properties of hydrogels through cross-linking reactions. This work aims to characterize a new method of producing polyethylene oxide (PEO) hydrogels exploiting hydroxy-tyrosol (HT), an anti-oxidant molecule derived from olive leaf and olive oil, as a free radical scavenger to either prevent or limit gamma-ray-induced cross-linking. For this purpose, we produced hydrogels with PEO with two different buffer solutions (phosphate and citrate), varying HT concentration. We analyzed hydrogel preparations before and after gamma-ray irradiation, assessing the viscosity through rheological analysis and the chemical changes through IR analysis. We performed high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis to measure residual HT in hydrogels after irradiation. The obtained results show that radiation-induced cross-linking and increase in viscosity of PEO hydrogels can be prevented by tailoring the concentration of HT as a free radical scavenging agent. Irradiation only consumes small amounts of HT; its presence in polymeric hydrogels can significantly impact biomedical applications by its anti-oxidant and anti-microbial activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In rural and remote areas, solar photovoltaic energy (PV) water pumping systems (SPWPSs) are being favored over diesel-powered water pumping due to environmental and economic considerations. PV is a clean source of electric energy offering low operational and maintenance cost. However, the direct-coupled SPWPS requires inventive solutions to improve the system's efficiency under solar power variations while producing the required amount of pumped water concurrently. This paper introduces a new quadratic V/f (Q V/f) control method to drive an induction motor powered directly from a solar PV source using a two-stage power converter without storage batteries. Conventional controllers usually employ linear V/f control, where the reference motor speed is derived from the PV input power and the dc-link voltage error using a simple proportional–integral (PI) controller. The proposed Q V/f-based system is compared with the conventional linear V/f control using a simulation case study under different operating conditions. The proposed controller expectedly enhances the system output power and efficiency, particularly under low levels of solar irradiance. Some alternative controllers rather than the simple PI controller are also investigated in an attempt to improve the system dynamics as well as the water flow output. An experimental prototype system is used to validate the proposed Q V/f under diverse operating conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aims to characterize a new method to recover low-manipulated human adipose tissue, enriched with adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ATD-MSCs) for autologous use in regenerative medicine applications. Lipoaspirated fat collected from patients was processed through Lipocell, a Class II-a medical device for dialysis of adipose tissue, by varying filter sizes and washing solutions. ATD-MSC yield was measured with flow cytometry after stromal vascular fraction (SVF) isolation in fresh and cultured samples. Purification from oil and blood was measured after centrifugation with spectrophotometer analysis. Extracellular matrix preservation was assessed through hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and biochemical assay for total collagen, type-2 collagen, and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) quantification. Flow cytometry showed a two-fold increase of ATD-MSC yield in treated samples in comparison with untreated lipoaspirate; no differences where reported when varying filter size. The association of dialysis and washing thoroughly removed blood and oil from samples. Tissue architecture and extracellular matrix integrity were unaltered after Lipocell processing. Dialysis procedure associated with Ringer's lactate preserves the proliferation ability of ATD-MSCs in cell culture. The characterization of the product showed that Lipocell is an efficient method for purifying the tissue from undesired byproducts and preserving ATD-MSC vitality and extracellular matrix (ECM) integrity, resulting in a promising tool for regenerative medicine applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]