Oliveria decumbens, a Long-Neglected Plant with Promising Phytochemical and Biological Properties.

Oliveria decumbens is a folkloric medicinal plant belonging to the Apiaceae family, traditionally utilized to treat various diseases like gastrointestinal disorders, fever, and wounds. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the plant's phytochemical composition and biological properties, with potential implications for various industries and avenues of further research. The data presented here has been compiled through searches utilizing the keyword "Oliveria" across scientific databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and SciFinder. Carvacrol and thymol have been identified as the primary volatile constituents, though the complete profile of the plant extract remains to be fully elucidated. Notably, Oliveria decumbens essential oil exhibits significant antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Additionally, the plant extract demonstrates promising antiprotozoal, antiviral, hepatoprotective, and immunostimulant effects, although these findings are primarily derived from preliminary studies. While in vitro and in vivo investigations have validated some traditional uses of O. decumbens, further pre-clinical testing is warranted to ascertain both efficacy and safety profiles. Moreover, the identification of specific components within the plant extract is crucial for a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of action underlying its therapeutic properties within the realm of phytomedicine.

Medical, pharmaceutical, and nutritional applications of 3D-printing technology in diabetes.

AIMS: Despite numerous studies covering the various features of three-dimensional printing (3D printing) technology, and its applications in food science and disease treatment, no study has yet been conducted to investigate applying 3D printing in diabetes. Therefore, the present study centers on the utilization and impact of 3D printing technology in relation to the nutritional, pharmaceutical, and medicinal facets of diabetes management. It highlights the latest advancements, and challenges in this field. METHODS: In this review, the articles focusing on the application and effect of 3D printing technology on medical, pharmaceutical, and nutritional aspects of diabetes management were collected from different databases. RESULT: High precision of 3D printing in the placement of cells led to accurate anatomic control, and the possibility of bio-printing pancreas and ß-cells. Transdermal drug delivery via 3D-printed microneedle (MN) patches was beneficial for the management of diabetes disease. 3D printing supported personalized medicine for Diabetes Mellitus (DM). For instance, it made it possible for pharmaceutical companies to manufacture unique doses of medications for every diabetic patient. Moreover, 3D printing allowed the food industry to produce high-fiber and sugar-free products for the individuals with DM. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, applying 3D printing technology for diabetes management is in its early stages, and needs to be matured and developed to be safely used for humans. However, its rapid progress in recent years showed a bright future for the treatment of diabetes.

A simple and cost-effective synthesis route using itaconic acid to prepare a magnetic ion-imprinted polymer for preconcentration of Pb (II) from aqueous media.

A new Pb (II) magnetic ion-imprinted polymer (Pb-MIIP) was successfully investigated for the selective extraction of Pb (II) from an aqueous solution. MIIP nanostructures were developed using itaconic acid-coated iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4@ITA) as a novel magnetic core, ITA as a functional monomer and chelating agent, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linker, and 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The triple application of ITA in the synthesis and reduction of the number of compounds in the preparation of the MIIP, in addition to being economical, reduces the possibility of side reactions. The synthesized products were followed and confirmed in each step by instrumental and microscopic methods. The limit of detection of the Pb (II)-MIIP method was 0.21 µg L-1. Under the optimal conditions, the recovery (R%) was >90% with a relative standard deviation (RSD%) of <4.9%. The synthesized MIIP was reusable and successfully used to extract Pb (II) from tap water samples.

Intraspecific differences in Androctunus crassicauda venom and envenomation symptoms.

Envenomation by Androctunus crassicauda is very frequent in Iran, especially in the south-west. This scorpion is one of the six scorpions whose venom is used to prepare anti-venom. Using HPLC, we discovered venom components of A. crassicauda varies from one specimen to another depending on geographical location, and this result is confirmed by those first found in various symptoms of A. crassicauda sting in envenomed persons from two separate geographical places (north and south of Khuzestan province). There was a significant relationship between symptoms and location of envenomation by A. crassicauda. Muscle spasm was more dominant in envenomed people from Northern cities, and venom chromatogram analysis showed the presence of at least six main sharp peaks in Northern A. crassicauda rather than Southern A. crassicauda. It shows intraspecific differences in venom of A. crassicauda that must be considered in treatment of stung people from different geographical locations as well as in the preparation of anti-venom. See also Figure 1(Fig. 1).

Validation of red cell distribution width as a COVID-19 severity screening tool.

AIM: The aim of this study is the predictive validation of red cell distribution width (RDW) in COVID-19 patients. METHOD: In total, 331 COVID-19 patients were classified as 'severe' and 'nonsevere' groups based on the WHO standard criteria. The levels of RDW standard deviation (SD) were evaluated as both continuous and categorical variables. Multivariate statistical analyses were used. RESULTS: RDW-SD ≤43 and ≤47 fl thresholds showed high specificity (90.1-91.4%) for diagnosing nonsevere illness and no risk of death. RDW-SD >47 indicated severe illness and a high mortality risk while 43

Metal-coded hydrogel magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for preconcentration and cleanup of sarcosine: Determination in urine; coupled to on-column capillary electrophoresis.

In this study, sarcosine metal-coded hydrogel magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer (Hydro-MeC-MMIP) has been fabricated and coupled to on-column derivatization capillary electrophoresis (CE). As a metal-coding approach, sarcosine-Cu2+-ligand (Sar-Cu2+-L) chelate complex was introduced as a template to overcome the problems associated with the fabrication of MMIP for a small molecule having limited functional groups such as sarcosine. To our best knowledge, it is the first time that methacrylamide (MA) coated Fe3O4 (Fe3O4@MA) with abounded reactive double-bound on the surface has been used as a magnetic core in the one-pot synthesis of MMIPs. As prepared, Hydro-MeC-MMIP was characterized by different microscopic, spectroscopic, and thermal gravimetric methods. Hydro-MeC-MMIP was used to extract and preconcentrate sarcosine in the urine sample with no treatment and dilution. Sarcosine was quantified by on-column derivatization capillary electrophoresis equipped with a photodiode array detector. A mixture of thirteen amino acids was separated with a total run time of 12 min. Three structural analogs, including alanine, sarcosine, and glycine, were significantly resolved. Under optimal experimental conditions, the method's detection and quantification limits were 9.93 and 33.10 ng mL-1, respectively. The linear range of 50-2000 ng mL-1 and 96% recovery, along with the relative standard deviation of 6.07% (n = 6) for the target amino acid, were obtained. This method provides a simple, low-cost, fast, and efficient tool for extracting and quantifying sarcosine in the urine. The present method can address inconsistency in evaluating sarcosine as a candidate biomarker for prostate cancer with a simple CE/UV; no need for a sophisticated detection system such as a mass spectrometer.

A randomized clinical trial evaluating the immunomodulatory effect of convalescent plasma on COVID-19-related cytokine storm.

Evaluating the effect of convalescent plasma (CP) on some cytokine storm indices in severe COVID-19 patients. Totally, 62 patients were randomly assigned into two groups for this clinical trial. Patients in the intervention group received one unit (500 mL) plasma on the admission day plus standard drugs while the controls merely received standard treatments. Eventually, primary and secondary outcomes were evaluated. In the CP group, compared with controls, the mean levels of lymphocytes and IL-10 significantly increased while the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and IFN-γ decreased (p < 0.05). The length of in-hospital stay, and mortality rate did not significantly reduce in the CP group compared with controls (p > 0.05) while WHO severity scores remarkably improved (p = 0.01), despite the higher frequency of underlying diseases among the CP group (66.7%) vs. controls (33.3%). Although CP has a remarkable immunomodulatory and antiviral potential to improve the cytokine storm and disease severity in COVID-19 patients, it did not considerably affect the mortality rate.

Isolation, identification, and HPTLC quantification of dehydrodeoxycholic acid from Persian Gulf sponges.

This study aims to investigate the chemical constituents of sponges Dysidea avara (D. avara) and Axinella sinoxea (A. sinoxea), grown up in the Persian Gulf, as well as dehydrodeoxycholic acid (DHCA) content in methanolic extracts of the selected sponges. The chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) fingerprint of bioactive compounds from methanolic extracts of the selected marine sponge samples was investigated. Based on molecular docking results, among chemical compounds found in marine sponges, DHCA has anti-inflammatory and antipsoriatic properties. They also indicated that DHCA generated stable complexes with 1w81, 3bqm, and 3k8o receptors (psoriasis-related targets) with a binding energy (BE) of -9.26, -10.62, and -7.59 kcal mol-1, respectively. DHCA is isolated from the methanolic extracts of marine sponge samples on chromatographic plates was quantified after derivatization with anisaldehyde reagent by the validated HPTLC method. In-situ HPTLC-DPPH was also calculated to evaluate the free radical-scavenging activity (FRSA) of DHCA. In-silico ADME (Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion) predictions revealed that the compound had minimum toxicity and acceptable human intestinal absorption (HIA), as well as low skin permeability. These can potentially be employed as lead compounds to develop a novel antipsoriatic drug.

A fast and simple method for determination of ß-carotene in commercial fruit juice by cloud point extraction-cold column trapping combined with UV-Vis spectrophotometry.

Cloud point extraction with cold column trapping (CPE-CCT) was used for the rapid preconcentration and UV-Vis spectroscopy of beta-carotene in fruit juice samples. A central composite design was employed to optimize parameters such as pH, incubation time, cloud point temperature and surfactant concentration. A detection limit of 0.01 mg/L of beta-carotene (3SB/m), a coefficient of determination of 0.998 and a linear range of 0.04-10 mg/L were obtained. The CPE-CCT method was confirmed in comparison with the corresponding direct HPLC standard method. A simple, portable and cost-effective device was also utilized. Owing to eliminating centrifugation, the conditions of CPE-CCT were more moderate and its sample handling easier compared to conventional CPE.

Chemical profiling and anti-psoriatic activity of marine sponge (Dysidea avara) in induced imiquimod-psoriasis-skin model.

Since Marine sponge Dysidea avara is regarded as a source of anti-inflammatory compounds, we decided to evaluate its potential anti-psoriatic activity in a psoriasis Imiquimod-induced in the mouse model. Psoriatic mice were treated with three different methanolic extracts of Dysidea avara compared with betamethasone-treated mice in in- vivo studies. Clinical skin severity was assessed with the psoriasis area index (PASI), whilst ELISA detected the expression of TNF-α, IL-17A, and IL-22. Dysidea avara activity was studied by employing GC-MS (to distinguish compounds), HPTLC (for skin permeation and accumulation), and SEA DOCK to predict single compound potential anti-inflammatory activity. After 7 days of treatment, mice treated with Dysidea avara displayed a dose-dependent, statistically significant improvement compared to controls (p< 0.001). In line with the clinical results, ELISA revealed a statistically significant decrease in IL-22, IL-17A, and TNF-α after treatment; the same SEA DOCK analysis suggests a possible anti-psoriatic activity of the extracts.

Metformin loaded cholesterol-lysine conjugate nanoparticles: A novel approach for protecting HDFs against UVB-induced senescence.

Cellular senescence is one of the hallmarks of aging. Since senescence of dermal fibroblasts has been reported in vivo, reduction of the deleterious effects of these cells, has been considered an important intervention to counteract skin aging. Promising anti-aging effect of metformin has been reported. However, permeation of metformin due to its high hydrophilicity through skin epidermal barriers is limited. In this study, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) of metformin were designed with the newly synthesized cholesterol-lysine conjugate as lipid for topical delivery of metformin. Characterization of SLNs strongly confirmed the effect of cholesterol-lysine conjugate on increasing entrapment of metformin. The designed SLNs with particle size of 283 nm and spherical morphology represented controlled drug release up to 18 days. Fluorescent tracking of SLNs on mice skin samples showed an increase in epidermal penetration. SLNs containing metformin showed anti-senescence effects on UVB-induced senescence of human dermal fibroblasts, this effect was confirmed by senescence-associated ß-galactosidase staining, RT q-PCR and cell cycle analyses. Furthermore, our drug-free SLNs showed anti-senescence effects, suggesting that they can be a suitable carrier for phytochemicals with anti-aging effect or other hydrophilic compounds which have constraints permeating skin.

Protocol Adherence in Prehospital Medical Care Provided for Patients with Chest Pain and Loss of Consciousness; a Brief Report.

INTRODUCTION: Although many protocols are available in the field of the prehospital medical care (PMC), there is still a notable gap between protocol based directions and applied clinical practice. This study measures the rate of protocol adherence in PMC provided for patients with chest pain and loss of consciousness (LOC). METHOD: In this cross-sectional study, 10 educated research assistants audited the situation of provided PMC for non-traumatic chest pain and LOC patients, presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary level teaching hospital, compare to national recommendations in these regards. RESULTS: 101 cases with the mean age of 56.7 ± 12.3 years (30-78) were audited (55.4% male). 61 (60.3%) patients had chest pain and 40 (39.7%) cases had LOC. Protocol adherence rates for cardiac monitoring (62.3%), O2 therapy (32.8%), nitroglycerin administration (60.7%), and aspirin administration (52.5%) in prehospital care of patients with chest pain were fair to poor. Protocol adherence rates for correct patient positioning (25%), O2 therapy (75%), cardiac monitoring (25%), pupils examination (25%), bedside glucometery (50%), and assessing for naloxone administration (55%) in prehospital care of patients with LOC were fair to poor. CONCLUSION: There were more than 20% protocol violation regarding prehospital care of chest pain patients regarding cardiac monitoring, O2 therapy, and nitroglycerin and aspirin administration. There were same situation regarding O2 therapy, positioning, cardiac monitoring, pupils examination, bedside glucometery, and assessing for naloxone administration of LOC patients in prehospital setting.

Facile synthesis of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer: Perphenazine template and its application in urine and plasma analysis.

Synthesis of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and its surface modification with methacrylic acid (MAA) was performed simultaneously by adding Fe(2+)/Fe(3+) to an alkaline MAA solution under nitrogen atmosphere. MAA coated magnetite (Fe3O4@MAA) has abundant reactive double bonds on the surface that can initiate polymerization. Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs) were synthesized through distillation-precipitation polymerization of MAA as monomer, perphenazine (PPZ) as template, and ethylene glycol di-methacrylate (EGDMA) as cross linker on Fe3O4@MAA, with concise control of experimental conditions in about 90min. The produced super paramagnetic MMIPs can be separated from the solution in the presence of external magnetic field in less than 1min. Characterizations of the synthesized particles were performed by electron microscopes, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and BET. The data showed that Fe3O4@MAA was well encapsulated in the polymer shell. The MMIPs showed high porosity. Moreover, MMIPs were used for rapid pre-concentration and separation of PPZ in human plasma and urine without any dilution and pretreatments using high performance liquid chromatography equipped with a photo diode array detector (HPLC-PDA). The calibration curve in urine and plasma has shown the same slope as the external calibration curve. Linear range of 20-5000ngmL(-1), and a detection limit of 5.3ngmL(-1) was obtained. The results showed 97.92% recovery along with the relative standard deviation of 6.07% (n=6) for 1µgmL(-1) PPZ. Pre-concentration factor was 13. The MMIPs adsorbed PPZ in 1min and then desorbed it by MeOH:HOAc in 2min.

One-step synthesis of agarose coated magnetic nanoparticles and their application in the solid phase extraction of Pd(II) using a new magnetic field agitation device.

A magnetic solid phase extraction method based on agarose coated magnetic nanoparticles)ACMNPs(coupled to a new magnetic field agitation (MFA) device was developed and investigated for the separation, preconcentration and determination of Pd(II) in aqueous solutions. For the first time, the formation of the nanoparticles and their encapsulation in agarose micro-flakes was conducted in a single step. For this purpose, preparation of the magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles was performed in an alkaline agarose solution. The sizes of Fe3O4 nanoparticles and agarose micro-flakes were 10-14 nm and 90-130 µm, respectively. The nanomagnetic agarose particles were functionalized by iminodiacetic acid and subjected to magnetic field agitation in the MFA device. The influence of different analytical parameters such as pH, ionic strength, type and volume of desorption solvent and amount of the adsorbent on the preconcentration of Pd(II) were investigated. Eight replicated analysis at the optimized conditions, resulted in a recovery of 94.1% with an RSD of 5.2% for Pd(II). The detection limit of the method (3σ) was 47 ng L(-1) for the analyte. The method was successfully applied to the determination of Pd(II) in natural water samples.

In-line cold column trapping of organic phase in dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction: enrichment and determination of curcumin in human serum.

A new temperature controlled cold column trapping (CCT) system was developed for in-line sequestration of organic phase in dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (DLLME) method. In the developed CCT-DLLME method, the dispersed organic extraction phase is solidified and trapped in the CCT, packed with glass particles. Subsequently, the sequestered phase is washed out in an elevated temperature by using an appropriate solvent. The column temperature is controlled by a pair of thermal electric cooler (TEC) plates. The new device is simple and portable and can eliminate the need for centrifugation in the DLLME method for solvents with an appropriate melting point. Some important parameters such as types of extraction and disperser solvents and their volumes, minimum and maximum column temperatures and extraction time were optimized for the extraction of curcumin, as a model compound. Using 1-dodecanol as the organic solvent and acetone as the disperser, recoveries exceeding 90% and a relative standard deviation of 2.87% were obtained for 5 replicated analyses of curcumin by an HPLC method. The detection limit of curcumin (3σ) extracted by the CCT-DLLME system was 28 µg L⁻¹. The method was successfully applied to the determination of curcumin in some human serum samples.