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Background: Cancer breast is the commonest cancer affecting females and mastectomy is still the standard therapy. However, uncontrolled intraoperative (IO) and postoperative (PO) pain will progress for long-term and affects patients' quality of life (QOL). Objectives: The effect of perioperative dexmedetomidine (DEX) and Ketamine/Midazolam (KET/MID) infusions on the incidence and severity of postmastectomy pain (PMP) and patients' QOL. Patients and methods: 120 women were randomly divided into Placebo, K/M and DEX groups. Bolus dose (0.5 ml/kg) was given over 10-min before induction, followed by IO and PO infusions at rate of 0.25 and 0.1 ml/ kg/h, respectively. PMP was evaluated at time of discharge and two monthly for 6-m PO for pain sensation with assessment of the neuropathic character of pain using Douleur Neuropathique-4 questionnaire. Patients' QOL at the 6th month PO was evaluated using the Short-form questionnaire and surgeon's satisfaction was evaluated using 5-point scale. Results: incidence of PMP was 55%, 35% and 22.5% in placebo, K/M and DEX groups, respectively. Median PMP score was significantly lower with DEX than other infusions and with K/M than Placebo infusion. Neuropathic pain scoring was significantly higher with placebo than other infusion. Patients' QOL and surgeon's satisfaction scorings were significantly higher with DEX and K/M infusions than Placebo infusion and with K/M infusion than Placebo infusion. Conclusion: Perioperative DEX or KET infusion significantly reduced the incidence and severity of PMP with improvement of patients' QOL and surgeon's satisfaction. DEX perioperative infusion provided superior outcome than K/M infusion.

Sterculia diversifolia, widely distributed in Jordan as an ornamental plant, is a synonoum for Brachychiton populneus. Phytochemical studies examining the volatile chemicals in Sterculia diversifolia leaves are limited, despite the rising demand for their numerous applications. Furthermore, it was only recently that a report described the friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using aqueous extract derived from Brachychiton populneus leaves. Therefore, AgNPs were produced using either aqueous plant extracts (AgWPE) or ethanolic plant extracts (AgEPE), and Shimadzu GC-MS equipment was used to detect volatile compounds in the ethanolic leaf extracts. GC-MS profile of leaf ethanolic extracts of the Jordanian chemotypes of S. diversifolia revealed the existence of major components: (3β)-Lup-20(29)-en-3-ol acetate (30.97%) and 1-octadecyne (24.88). Other compounds are squalene (7.19%), germanicol (6.23), dl-α-tocopherol (5.24), heptacosane (4.41), phytol (3.54) and pentacosane (2.89). According to published studies, these reported chemicals have numerous uses, including as animal feed, vitamin precursors, possible eco-friendly herbicides, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory agents. Aqueous extracts of S. diversifolia leaves had total phenolic of 5.33 mg GAE/g extract and flavonoid contents of 64.88 mg QE/g extract, respectively. The results indicated the contribution of phenolic and flavonoids to this plant’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The reduction in AgNO3 to AgNPs using S. diversifolia leaf extracts was confirmed by the change in solution color from colorless to dark black. Further characterization was attempted by X-ray diffraction, Malvern zeta-sizer and scanning electron microscope. The efficacy of synthesized Ag nanoparticles using aqueous or ethanolic plant extract of S. diversifolia against the Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus showed appreciable activity at 25 µg/mL concentration compared to the source plant extracts.

Two species of Alternaria were collected from southern Ghors of Jordan, isolated and characterized: A. porii, the causal agent of purple blotch of onion, and A. solani, the causal agent of early blight of tomato. Among planted onion cultivars, Beit Alpha was found to be highly susceptible to purple blotch, and Tebal was highly resistant under field conditions. Morphologically, there were distinct differences in conidia and mycelial growth rates between A. porri and A. solani. Alternaria porii was able to infect tomato and cause severe symptoms on its leaves; however, A. solani was not able to infect onion in vitro. Copper sulfate was the most effective salt in reducing the growth of both species in vitro and completely inhibited their fungal growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the relationship between the number of replaced embryos and the outcome of in vitro fertlization/embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in patients with hydrosalpinges using a retrospective and nonrandomized study. Methods used in the study; Indentification of pregnancy and implantation rates which were the main outcome of the study; Discussion of the results.

En la vereda Miraflores, municipio de Quinchía, Risaralda, donde se ha realizado minería aurífera de forma artesanal durante más de tres décadas, se evaluó el contenido de mercurio (Hg) en suelos y lechos de quebradas. Para el efecto se realizó un muestreo sistemático considerando montajes de minería activa, inactiva y áreas sin intervenir. Igualmente se hicieron observaciones en las partes altas, medias y bajas en lechos de quebradas naturales y drenajes formados artificialmente por el desvío de cauces. Los promedios de los valores de Hg (7.1 mg/kg) fueron más altos en aquellos lugares aledaños a los montajes y cuando la precipitación aumentó. Aunque en Colombia existe poca información y normatividad relacionada con la contaminación de suelos, los valores de Hg encontrados superan los niveles permisibles establecidos por países europeos. La degradación de suelos se presenta asociada con la contaminación y los residuos de roca dispuestos, hasta el punto de formar zonas eriales totalmente degradadas.

The clustered mountain mint, Pycnanthemum muticum , is a pleasant-smelling, native North American plant. Despite its wide geographical presence across the United States and Canada, little is known about the specific odorants responsible for its pleasing aroma. Herein, 42 odorants were identified in the plant through solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE), gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Subsequent analysis involved determining flavor dilution (FD) factors using aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA), quantitating 14 odorants through stable isotope dilution assays (SIDA), and calculating their odor activity values (OAVs). Several noteworthy odorants with OAV ≥ 1 included pulegone (mint, medicinal; OAV 276), 1-octen-3-one (mushroom; OAV 149), menthofuran (mint, petrol; OAV 139), nonanal (citrus; OAV 21), γ-nonalactone (coconut; OAV 13), 1,8-cineole (eucalyptus; OAV 12), mintlactone (mint, coconut; OAV 12), menthone (mint, fresh; OAV 7.3), α-pinene (pine; OAV 4), and piperitenone (mint; OAV 1.9). The study also determined the stereochemistry of various chiral odorants. An aroma simulation model was developed to validate the identification and quantitative results; upon evaluation using olfactory profile analysis, no significant differences were found between the aroma model and an aqueous infusion of P. muticum ( P > 0.05). These findings lay the foundation for future investigations into the diversity of P. muticum selections and can provide valuable insights for studies on plant hybridization for food and flavor applications.

Testicular dysfunction is a prevalent health problem frequently reported in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM). Oxidative-inflammatory reactions, hormonal and spermatic abnormalities often accompany this illness. Herbal remedies "particularly wild plants" including chicory (Chicorium Intybus) and purslane (Portulaca Oleracea) are emerging as popular agents for people dealing with these issues due to their ability to act as antioxidants, reduce inflammation, and exhibit antidiabetic effects. According to the collected data, the daily administration of chicory (Ch) seed-extract (250 mg/kg) or purslane (Pu) seed-extract (200 mg/kg) to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (50 mg/kg) for 30 days resulted in the normalization of fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum fructosamine, insulin levels, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), as well as reducing lipid peroxidation end-product malondialdehyde (MDA) level, aldehyde oxidase (AO) and xanthene oxidase (XO) activities. While caused a considerable improvement in glutathione (GSH) content, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) activity, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) when compared to diabetic rats. Ch and Pu extracts had a substantial impact on testicular parameters including sperm characterization, testosterone level, vimentin expression along with improvements in body and testis weight. They also mitigated hyperlipidemia by reducing total lipids (TL), total cholesterol (TC) levels, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Furthermore, oral administration of either Ch or Pu notably attuned the elevated proinflammatory cytokines as tumor necrotic factor (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) together with reducing apoptosis and DNA damage. This was achieved through the suppression of DNA-fragmentation marker 8OHdG, triggering of caspase-3 immuno-expression, and elevation of Bcl-2 protein. The histological studies provided evidence supporting the preventive effects of Ch and Pu against DM-induced testicular dysfunction. In conclusion, Ch and Pu seed-extracts mitigate testicular impairment during DM due to their antihyperglycemic, antilipidemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiapoptotic properties., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Saad et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Culinary sage, Salvia officinalis L., is a popular spice plant commonly used throughout the world. In this study, 35 odorants were identified in dried sage via solvent-assisted flavor evaporation (SAFE) and aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA), including 9 that were identified in sage for the first time. Fifteen odorants were quantitated by stable isotope dilution analysis (SIDA), and their odor activity values (OAVs) were determined. Odorants with high OAVs included (2 E,6Z )-nona-2,6-dienal, 1,8-cineole, and β-myrcene. A formulated aroma simulation model closely matched the aroma profile of an aqueous infusion of dried sage. Enantiomeric proportions of selected odorants were determined by chiral gas chromatography. Furthermore, 6 different sage cultivars were grown in the greenhouse, dried under the same conditions, and analyzed. Sensory analysis determined that all cultivars were dominated by an herbaceous sensory attribute and had varying intensities of eucalyptus, mint, clove, pine, green, earthy, floral, and citrus notes. Cultivars with varying intensities of herbaceous, eucalyptus, pine, and green sensory notes correlated with the OAVs of α-thujone/β-thujone, 1,8-cineole, α-pinene, and (2 E ,6 Z )-nona-2,6-dienal, respectively. This study identified the odorants driving the sensory profiles of different sage cultivars and serves as a foundation for future studies on the aroma chemistry of culinary sage.

Ionizing radiation (IR) severely harms many organs, especially the hematopoietic tissue, mandating the development of protective nutraceuticals. MRN-100, a hydro-ferrate fluid, has been shown to protect γ-radiated fish against hematopoietic tissue damage and lethality. The current study aimed to examine MRN-100's protective effect against irradiated mice and explore the mechanisms underlying its effect. Mice received a single acute, sub-lethal, 5 Gy, whole body dose of X-ray IR. MRN-100 treatment was administered daily for 2-weeks pre-irradiation until 1-week post-irradiation. Spleen and blood were analysed for oxidative stress, hematological, histological and biochemical parameters. Radiation exposure markedly decreased complete blood count (CBC) parameters including hemoglobin, hematocrit, red blood cells, platelets, white blood cells and lymphocytes, and significantly increased neutrophils. In contrast, MRN-100 supplementation to irradiated mice ameliorated all CBC parameters and protected against DNA damage in both splenic cells and serum. It also had an antioxidant effect, increasing the levels of glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity, which were otherwise decreased by irradiation. MRN-100 intake reduced the oxidative stress biomarker levels of nitric oxide, protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde, reactive oxygen species and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, a marker specific to DNA damage. Furthermore, MRN-100 enhanced serum iron and reversed the radiation-induced elevations of liver enzymes. Finally, MRN-100 protected splenic tissue from irradiation as observed by histology. We conclude that MRN-100 consumption may protect against oxidative stress generated by radiation exposure, suggesting that it may be employed as an adjuvant treatment to prevent radiation's severe damage to important organs., (© The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Japanese Radiation Research Society and Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology.)

In vitro studies have shown that Marina Crystal Minerals (MCM), a crystallized mixture of minerals and trace elements from sea water, possesses apoptotic and immune modulatory effects in human breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231. The current study aimed to evaluate MCM's anticancer effect in vivo against murine mammary adenocarcinoma cells and to explore its underlying mechanisms. Mice were inoculated intramuscularly with Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells, a breast adenocarcinoma. Tumors became palpable within 9 days. Tumor-bearing mice were injected with MCM intraperitoneally (IP) or intratumorally (IT) at a dose of 40 mg/kg BW for 6 days/week until day 28 post-inoculation. Tumor growth, cell cycle progression, cell cycle regulatory proteins, apoptosis, apoptotic regulatory markers, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), natural killer (NK) cell activity, and histopathological effects were investigated. Treatment with MCM reduced tumor volume by 49.4% for IP and 59.5% for IT injection. MCM induced cancer cell apoptosis, as indicated by a sub-G1 peak and confirmed by Annexin V/PI assay and histopathological examination. This was mediated by increased Bax expression, caspase-3 activation, decreased Bcl-2 expression, and MMP disruption. Furthermore, MCM treatment induced G1 cell cycle arrest, mediated through significantly increased expression of p53, p21, and p27 and decreased expression of cyclin D1 and PCNA in cancer cells. Finally, MCM treatment markedly enhanced NK cell cytotoxicity. MCM possesses chemopreventive potential to reduce tumor growth by suppressing cell proliferation, inducing apoptosis in EAC cells via a mitochondrial dependent pathway, and activating the immune system. Our results suggest MCM's beneficial potential for treating breast adenocarcinoma., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement The Authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.. All rights reserved.)