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The identification and characterization of two phenolic compounds from the ethyl acetate (EtAc) extract of Calotropis procera aerial parts were performed using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods namely Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC), Preparative Thin Layer Chromatography (PTLC), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H-NMR, 13C-NMR). Two major compounds were isolated to be the 3, 3', 4', 5, 7-pentahydroxy flavones-3-rutinoside (Rutin) and 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoic acid (Gallic acid), the results were confirmed by comparison with standards. In addition, the insecticidal activity of these isolated compounds was determined against Parlatoria blanchardi targ individuals, 71.73% and 59.44% mortality were recorded at 0.5 mg/ml of Rutin and Gallic acid respectively, after 24 h of treatment; whereas, the larval stages were the most sensitive to Rutin treatment (LD50 equal to 0.10 mg/ml for 1st larva and 0.18 mg/ml for 2nd larva). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the phytochemical constituents and in vitro biological activities of hydromethanolic extract and fractions from Algerian Sahara Myrtus nivellei (M. nivellei) collected in Hoggar region and to identify the active fraction that can act as an alternative of commonly used antibiotics and as antileishmanial or antioxidant agents. Methods: Phytochemical screening of M. nivellei aerial parts was realised according to the literature. Extract was firstly prepared by using aqueous methanol then fractionated with ethyl acetate and butanol solvents. Total phenolics, tannis and flavonoids, of the hydromethanolic extract and their fractions were determined by Folin–Ciocalteu method as gallic acid equivalents and by aluminium chloride as rutin equivalent respectively. Extract and fractions were tested for their antimicrobial and antiparasital activities against standard bacteria using agar diffusion method and two kinds of leishmania visceral and cutaneous. The antioxidant activities were realized using phosphomolybdenum, FRAP and DPPH tests. Results: Preliminary phytochemical screening exhibited the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids. The experimental results showed that plant extract and fractions were high in phenolic compounds and exhibited an important role as antioxidant, antimicrobial and had a moderate antileishmanial activity. Conclusions: These observations lead us toward more studies in this field, so that we can get more benefits from our local Algerian medicinal plants.

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Copyright of Bulletin of Engineering Geology & the Environment is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Well defined concurrent replicated data structure is very important to design collaborative editing system, particularly, certain properties like out-of-order execution of concurrent operations and data convergence. In this paper, we introduce novel linear data structure based on unique identifier scheme required for indexed communication. These identifiers are real numbers holding specific pattern of precision. Based on the uniqueness and the total order of these identifiers, here, we present two concurrency control techniques to achieve high degree of concurrency according to strong and lazy happened-before relations. Our data structure preserves data convergence, yields better performance and avoids overheads as compared to existing approaches.

Introduction and Importance: Placenta accreta is characterized by the abnormal attachment of the placenta to the myometrium without the usual presence of decidua in between. In its percreta form, this attachment extends deeply into the myometrial wall, reaching the serosa and occasionally affecting nearby organs like the bladder and rectum. The advancement of these conditions often leads to hemorrhagic complications, significantly jeopardizing maternal well-being., Case Report: We present a case of placenta percreta presenting with hemorrhage and hemoperitoneum at 31 weeks' gestation due to a spontaneous uterine rupture. Swift action with a total hysterectomy for maternal rescues was performed, unfortunately the fetus was already dead on arrival., Discussion: Placenta accreta spectrum occurs when the placenta adheres abnormally to the myometrium and serosa rather than to the decidua. Spontaneous uterine rupture caused by placenta accreta is a rare and serious complication leading to hemorrhage and in sometimes unfortunately to mortality, as was the case in our patient. Antenatal diagnosis by ultrasound is recommended to avoid complications and improve management. Definitive diagnosis is made after pathological examination., Conclusion: The incidence of placenta percreta has surged alongside the notable increase in cesarean section rates. While it remains rare, this condition presents a potentially fatal complication. Early antenatal diagnosis plays a crucial role in mitigating the risk of complications and maternal mortality., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this case report., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Cellular angiofibroma is a rare benign mesenchymal tumor, typically occurring in the vulvar region of middle-aged women. This report highlights the importance of histological analysis in diagnosing this uncommon condition and emphasizes its benign nature and straightforward management. We present a case of a 58-year-old North African woman who had a large, well-defined mass in the left labia majora, which had been evolving over 2 years. MRI confirmed the resectability of the tumor by delineating its boundaries. The tumor, despite its slow growth leading to delayed diagnosis, was effectively treated with wide surgical excision. Diagnosis was confirmed through histological and immunohistochemical evaluations, revealing spindle cell proliferation with thick-walled vessels. Cellular angiofibroma, although initially alarming due to its size, is generally managed successfully with surgery and prognosis is favorable with a low risk of recurrence., Competing Interests: None declared., (Published by Oxford University Press and JSCR Publishing Ltd. © The Author(s) 2024.)

Deceptive flowers, unlike in mutualistic pollination systems, mislead their pollinators by advertising rewards which ultimately are not provided. Although our understanding of deceptive pollination systems increased in recent years, the attractive signals and deceptive strategies in the majority of species remain unknown. This is also true for the genus Aristolochia, famous for its deceptive and fly-pollinated trap flowers. Representatives of this genus were generally assumed to be oviposition-site mimics, imitating vertebrate carrion or mushrooms. However, recent studies found a broader spectrum of strategies, including kleptomyiophily and imitation of invertebrate carrion. A different deceptive strategy is presented here for the western Mediterranean Aristolochia baetica L. We found that this species is mostly pollinated by drosophilid flies (Drosophilidae, mostly Drosophila spp.), which typically feed on fermenting fruit infested by yeasts. The flowers of A. baetica emitted mostly typical yeast volatiles, predominantly the aliphatic compounds acetoin and 2,3-butandiol, and derived acetates, as well as the aromatic compound 2-phenylethanol. Analyses of the absolute configurations of the chiral volatiles revealed weakly (acetoin, 2,3-butanediol) to strongly (mono- and diacetates) biased stereoisomer-ratios. Electrophysiological (GC-EAD) experiments and lab bioassays demonstrated that most of the floral volatiles, although not all stereoisomers of chiral compounds, were physiologically active and attractive in drosophilid pollinators; a synthetic mixture thereof successfully attracted them in field and lab bioassays. We conclude that A. baetica chemically mimics yeast fermentation to deceive its pollinators. This deceptive strategy (scent chemistry, pollinators, trapping function) is also known from more distantly related plants, such as Arum palaestinum Boiss. (Araceae) and Ceropegia spp. (Apocynaceae), suggesting convergent evolution. In contrast to other studies working on floral scents in plants imitating breeding sites, the present study considered the absolute configuration of chiral compounds., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Vaginal agenesis is a rare congenital condition, with an incidence of 1 in 4500 female births., Case Report: We present a clinical case of vaginal aplasia with cervical atresia in a 31-year-old woman with primary amenorrhea. We aim to report the diagnostic process and provide a comprehensive outline of different possible treatments., Discussion: The most common etiology of these agenesis cases is Mayer-Rokitansky-Küster-Hauser syndrome associated with uterine aplasia. However, vaginal aplasia can occur in 9 % of cases where the uterus is present. During embryogenesis, the Müllerian ducts give rise to the fallopian tubes, uterus, and upper two-thirds of the vagina, while the lower portion of the vagina develops from the urogenital sinus. Vaginal aplasia arises from a failure in the development of the terminal portion of the paramesonephric ducts. Abdominal pain, especially periodic pain, is the most common symptom, followed by primary amenorrhea. MRI is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis and precise description of female genital tract anomalies., Conclusion: Total hysterectomy remains a preferred option for cases of complete vaginal atresia to mitigate the risk of cervical or vaginal stenosis, adhesions, and pelvic inflammation resulting from poor menstrual blood drainage., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests relevant to the content of this article., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Cystic lymphangioma is rare benign tumor that results from a lymphatic system malformation. The mesenteric location is even more uncommon., Case Report: We report the case of a menopausal 63-year-old woman who presented with a persistent painful well-defined mass of the pelvis. On ultrasound and computed tomography, the mass appeared as thick-walled unilocular homogenous cyst in favor of an ovarian cystadenoma. During laparotomy, the misdiagnosis was confirmed as the tumor was found to be embedded in the mesentery of the ileum. Subsequent histopathological examination confirmed the benign cystic lymphangioma diagnosis., Discussion: Mesenteric cystic lymphangioma is rare peritoneal tumor of the adult. Clinically, it often masquerades as other abdominopelvic masses like ovarian cysts. Differential diagnosis is often challenging because of the overlapping clinical abdominal presentation and radiological features. Histopathological is the gold standard in diagnosing mesenteric cystic lymphangioma. Surgery is the mainstay treatment, and the recurrence rate is low if negative surgical margins are achieved., Conclusion: Mesenteric cystic lymphangioma often mimics more frequent and potentially malignant lesions. It is essential for surgeons to remain vigilant for the possibility of this diagnosis when evaluating abdominopelvic cystic masses., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement The authors declare that they have no competing interests relevant to the content of this article., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Introduction and Importance: Fibroma, thecoma, and fibrothecoma collectively denote a range of non-cancerous sex cord-stromal tumors distinguished by the presence of fibroblastic stromal cells and/or cells resembling luteinized theca cells., Case Presentation: In this report, we present a case study of a 52-year-old patient in whom this uncommon tumor was identified via MRI, highlighting the distinctive diagnostic and treatment considerations associated with it., Clinical Discussion: Ovarian fibrothecoma tumors are infrequent, constituting less than 4 % of all ovarian tumors. Although they may manifest at any age, they are more commonly observed in elderly and post-menopausal individuals. Diagnosis hinges on clinical and paraclinical data, yet definitive confirmation is predominantly achieved through anatomopathological examination. For younger patients, conservative surgery is usually favored, whereas peri- or post-menopausal individuals may undergo radical treatment., Conclusion: Ovarian Fibrothecoma, though rare, are typically benign tumors frequently found in older patients. Diagnosis primarily relies on histological examination. Fortunately, the prognosis for these tumors is generally favorable., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest statement The authors declare that they have no competing interests relevant to the content of this article., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Torsion occurs as a complication in 10% of cases of ovarian tumors. It predominantly occurs in benign ones, while malignant tumors are less prone to torsion. Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors are highly unusual sex cord-stromal tumors of the ovary, accounting for less than 0.2% of all ovarian cancers. A 39-year-old patient presented to the emergency department with a Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor diagnosed due to ovarian torsion. The clinical presentation was characterized by abdominal pain. Ultrasound indicated signs of torsion, and torsion of the right ovary was subsequently confirmed during laparotomy. A salpingo-oophorectomy was performed, and histological examination revealed a moderately differentiated Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor. Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors often present with hormone-related or non-hormonal symptoms. Surgery plays a crucial role in both diagnosis and treatment. Postoperative treatment is not necessary for well-differentiated Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors in stage IA-IB. However, patients with grade 2-3 disease, advanced stage, or heterologous elements may consider adjuvant treatment. As these tumors are rare, this case contributes to the documentation of Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors, with a case diagnosed due to ovarian torsion. The case highlights the importance of establishing international registries of Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor cases for standardized management., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Introduction: Herlyn-Werner-Wunderlich syndrome is a rare complex congenital disorder, presenting with obstructed vagina, uterus didelphys and ipsilateral renal agenesis. Hemivaginal obstruction firstly asymptomatic, leads to symptoms after menarche such as dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain or infertility., Case Presentation: A 15-year-old patient presenting with few symptoms, transvaginal ultrasound reveals an hematocolpos, we report also typical findings of this disorder on magnetic resonance imaging., Discussion: The pelvic pain caused by the hematocolpos is the main symptom that leads patients to consult often urgently, the MRI is the gold standard exam to confirm diagnosis, the treatment consists on incision the septum vaginal and leads to avoid complications., Conclusion: Early diagnosis of this syndrome usually leads to initiate surgical treatment in order to avoid complications., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests relevant to the content of this article., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Ovarian vein thrombosis (OVT) is a rare but serious complication, most commonly occurring in the postpartum period. This article reports the case of a 40-year-old woman who presented 12 days after a normal vaginal delivery with fever and pelvic pain. An initial diagnosis of endometritis was made, and empiric antibiotic therapy was administered, but the fever persisted. An ultrasound scan was then done to rule out appendicitis, which revealed a thrombosis of the right ovarian vein extended to the inferior vena cava. Appropriate anticoagulant therapy was immediately started with spectacular clinical improvement. Ovarian vein thrombosis is difficult to diagnose as the signs are nonspecific, like fever and pelvic pain; radiological exploration, typically doppler ultrasound and computerized tomography, are therefore required. Early treatment is crucial to prevent severe complications, especially pulmonary embolism. This case emphasizes the need for heightened clinical awareness and a multidisciplinary approach to achieve optimal outcomes in managing ovarian vein thrombosis., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Introduction: Parietal endometriosis is the most common form of extra-pelvic endometriosis. It develops on the surgical scar of c-section or hysterectomy. It is one of the causes of scar pain., Case Presentation: A 26 years old patient presents with recurring pain and swelling of a Pfannenstiel scar 6 years after a caesarean section. Physical examination revealed a firm tender subcutaneous nodule that appeared at MRI as a heterogenous parietal mass infiltrating the rectus abdominis muscles. The patient underwent a wide excision of the nodule., Discussion: Parietal endometriosis can be the cause of debilitating scar pain even in patients with no history of deep endometriosis. It presents as firm parietal nodule that can become large and infiltrative if left untreated. Diagnosis is purely histological. Surgery remains the treatment of choice and requires a wide excision., Conclusion: Parietal endometriosis, potentially more common due to rising number of caesarean sections, should be considered with persistent scar pain. Surgery is the preferred treatment, offering a conclusive diagnosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no competing interests relevant to the content of this article., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Interstitial pregnancy is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy. The aim of our publication is to describe the diagnosis and treatment of this entity., Case Report: We report the case of a ruptured interstitial pregnancy diagnosed in a 32 years old patient admitted for acute abdominal pain., Discussion: The main symptom was severe pelvic pain in a context of amenorrhea. The ultrasound found the ectopic pregnancy in the form of an eccentric gestational sac with an empty uterine cavity as well as intraperitoneal effusion. A ruptured ectopic pregnancy was suspected and the patient was admitted immediately for emergency laparotomy with cornusotomy and salpingectomy., Conclusion: Interstitial ectopic pregnancy is associated with high morbidity. Its diagnosis and management should be early and adequate in order to avoid complications and preserve fertility., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this case report., (© 2022 The Author(s).)

The taxonomy of the Mediterranean Aristolochia pallida complex has been under debate since several decades with the following species currently recognized: A . pallida , A . lutea , A . nardiana , A . microstoma , A . merxmuelleri , A . croatica , and A . castellana . These taxa are distributed from Iberia to Turkey. To reconstruct phylogenetic and biogeographic patterns, we employed cpDNA sequence variation using both noncoding (intron and spacer) and protein-coding regions (i.e., trnK intron, matK gene, and trnK - psbA spacer). Our results show that the morphology-based traditional taxonomy was not corroborated by our phylogenetic analyses. Aristolochia pallida , A . lutea , A . nardiana , and A . microstoma were not monophyletic. Instead, strong geographic signals were detected. Two major clades, one exclusively occurring in Greece and a second one of pan-Mediterranean distribution, were found. Several subclades distributed in Greece, NW Turkey, Italy, as well as amphi-Adriatic subclades, and a subgroup of southern France and Spain, were revealed. The distribution areas of these groups are in close vicinity to hypothesized glacial refugia areas in the Mediterranean. According to molecular clock analyses the diversification of this complex started around 3-3.3 my, before the onset of glaciation cycles, and the further evolution of and within major lineages falls into the Pleistocene. Based on these data, we conclude that the Aristolochia pallida alliance survived in different Mediterranean refugia rarely with low, but often with a high potential for range extension, and a high degree of morphological diversity., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2022 The Authors. Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objectives: Determination of cardiac troponin (cTn) is central in the emergency department (ED) for the diagnosis of myocardial infarction. In view of adverse effects of long waiting time on patient outcome, implementation of point-of-care-testing (POCT) is suggested if the turn-around-time is longer than 60min. The present study aimed to determine the 99th percentile and imprecision of two POCT in a healthy population measuring cTnI and cTnT and compare these analytical characteristics against three central laboratory test (CLT) for cTnI., Design & Methods: CTnI and cTnT were determined in parallel by means of the AQT90 FLEX analyzer in about 2250 plasma samples from individuals with known health status. Results were compared to previously determined performance data of three CLT., Results: The 99th percentile of cTnI in the POCT was determined at 19ng/L, the lowest concentration with an imprecision of 10% was reached at 22ng/L while an imprecision of 20% was reached at 13ng/L. Age, sex, or physical activity did not affect the 99th percentile of cTnI. Compared to CLT the AQT90 cTnI POCT the analytical performance was equivalent. The cTnT POCT could not be assessed due a considerable number of high values and an inadequate imprecision profile., Conclusion: While the cTnI POCT showed analytical performance comparable to CLT, the results of the cTnT assay on the same device did not suffice to determine a reliable 99th percentile. The present evaluation supports the usage of the cTnI POCT, but application of the cTnT POCT needs further evaluation., (Copyright © 2017 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Blood-sucking leeches like the medicinal leech, Hirudo medicinalis, have been used for medical purposes since ancient times. During feeding, medicinal leeches transfer a broad range of bioactive substances into the host's wound to prevent premature hemostasis and blood coagulation. Hirudin is probably the best known of these substances. Despite its long history of investigation, recombinant production and clinical use, there still exist conflicting data regarding the primary structure of hirudin. Entirely unclear is the potential biological significance of three different subtypes and many isoforms of hirudins that have been characterized so far. Furthermore, there is only incomplete information on their cDNA sequences and no information at all on gene structures and DNA sequences are available in the databases. Our efforts to fill these gaps revealed the presence of multiple hirudin-encoding genes in the genome of Hirudo medicinalis. We have strong evidence for the expression of all three subtypes of hirudin within individual leeches and for the expression of additional hirudins or hirudin-like factors that may have different biological functions and may be promising candidates for new drugs.