The antimalarial activity of indole alkaloids and hybrids.

Malaria, caused by the genus Plasmodium, remains a global public health concern. It is estimated by the World Health Organization that over 40% of the world's population lives in areas at risk for malarial transmission, and around half a million people succumb to this infectious disease annually, which is related to the rapid spread of drug-resistant parasite strains. Indole derivatives, which possess broad-spectrum pharmacological properties, play a crucial role in the discovery of new drugs. Many indole derivatives exhibited potential in vitro and in vivo activity against both drug-sensitive and drug-resistant malaria, suggesting that the indole moiety is a useful template for the development of novel antimalarial agents. This review outlines the advances in indole alkaloids and hybrids with antimalarial potential in the recent decade.

Transvaginal ultrasound- and laparoscopy-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for adenomyosis: preliminary results.

Purpose: Adenomyosis is a relatively common disease among women of childbearing age. A minimally invasive alternative technique with low risks, faster recovery and decreased side effects is desired. We hypothesized that percutaneous microwave ablation (PMWA) under laparoscopic guidance would substantially reduce the risk of collateral thermal damage to the intestinal tract and relieve the pelvic adhesions. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, safety and efficacy of transvaginal ultrasound- and laparoscopy-guided PMWA for the treatment of adenomyosis.Materials and methods: From May 2015 to October 2017, a total of 70 patients with symptomatic adenomyosis who underwent transvaginal ultrasound- and laparoscopy-guided PMWA were included in this study. The technical efficacy and complications of PMWA were assessed. Meanwhile, the uterine volume, lesion volume, symptom severity score (SSS) and visual analog scale (VAS) score before PMWA and at 1, 6 and 12 months after PMWA were recorded.Results: PMWA was successfully performed with transvaginal ultrasound guidance and laparoscope assistance in all patients. No major complication was found after PMWA in any patients. The uterine volume, lesion volume, SSS and VAS were all decreased significantly at follow-up (p < .01).Conclusion: Transvaginal ultrasound- and laparoscopy-guided PMWA, which significantly decreased the uterine volume, lesion volume, SSS and VAS score, is a feasible minimally invasive technique for the treatment of adenomyosis.