Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of Chalcone: A Highly Sensitive and Selective Fluorescent Chemosensor for the Detection of Fe3+ in Aqueous Media.

The chalcone compound DHPO was synthesized through a chemical reaction between 1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-ethanone and 3,4-dimethoxy benzaldehyde under ultrasound irradiation. The interaction between the DHPO compound and several metal ions was studied using fluorescence behavior, revealing that the chalcone function as a "turn on and turn off" switch fluorescent sensor, for selectively and sensitively detecting Fe3+ ions. The process of fluorescence quenching and complexation of DHPO with Fe3+ ion was further studied using methods such as Benesi-Hildebrand, Stern-Volmer plot, and job plot.

Extract of Chenopodium album lowers blood pressure in rats through endothelium-dependent and -independent vasorelaxation.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the antihypertensive effect of crude extract of Chenopodium album (Ca.Cr), based on its medicinal use in hypertension. METHODS: Ca.Cr and its fractions were tested in-vivo in normotensive anesthetized rats for blood pressure-lowering effect. In-vitro experiments were performed on isolated rat aortae to explore the vascular mechanism(s). RESULTS: In normotensive anesthetized rats, Ca.Cr produced a dose-dependent (1-300mg/kg) fall (30%mmHg) in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Among the fractions, nHexane was the most potent (46% fall). In rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (PE), Ca.Cr and its fractions (except Ca.Aq) produced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, which was partially reversed with endothelium removal and by pretreating intact aortic rings with L-NAME (10µM) and atropine (1µM). This relaxation to Ca.Cr and fractions (nHexane, ethylacetate and chloroform) was also eliminated with indomethacin pretreatment, however, it unmasked a vasoconstriction effect with Ca.Cr only. Surprisingly, the aqueous fraction produced a calcium sensitive strong vasoconstriction instead of vasorelaxation. The crude extract and its fractions (except Ca.Aq) also antagonized vasoconstriction induced with high K+ (80mM), suggesting calcium antagonistic effect. The aqueous fraction produced mild vasorelaxation against high K+. This effect was further confirmed when pretreatment of the aortic rings with different concentrations of crude extract and fractions suppressed CaCl2 concentration response curves, similar to verapamil. In acute toxicity test, Ca.Cr extract was found safe up to 5g/kg body weight in mice. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that crude extract and fractions of C. album produced vasorelaxant effect through muscarinic receptors linked-NO pathway, prostaglandin (endothelium-dependent) and calcium antagonism (endothelium-independent), which explains the blood pressure lowering effect of C. album in rats.

Gut Microbiota and Development of Vibrio cholerae-Specific Long-Term Memory B Cells in Adults after Whole-Cell Killed Oral Cholera Vaccine.

Cholera is a diarrheal disease caused by Vibrio cholerae that continues to be a major public health concern in populations without access to safe water. IgG- and IgA-secreting memory B cells (MBC) targeting the V. cholerae O-specific polysaccharide (OSP) correlate with protection from infection in persons exposed to V. cholerae and may be a major determinant of long-term protection against cholera. Shanchol, a widely used oral cholera vaccine (OCV), stimulates OSP MBC responses in only some people after vaccination, and the gut microbiota is a possible determinant of variable immune responses observed after OCV. Using 16S rRNA sequencing of feces from the time of vaccination, we compared the gut microbiota among adults with and without MBC responses to OCV. Gut microbial diversity measures were not associated with MBC isotype or OSP-specific responses, but individuals with a higher abundance of Clostridiales and lower abundance of Enterobacterales were more likely to develop an MBC response. We applied protein-normalized fecal supernatants of high and low MBC responders to THP-1-derived human macrophages to investigate the effect of microbial factors at the time of vaccination. Feces from individuals with higher MBC responses induced significantly different IL-1ß and IL-6 levels than individuals with lower responses, indicating that the gut microbiota at the time of vaccination may "prime" the mucosal immune response to vaccine antigens. Our results suggest the gut microbiota could impact immune responses to OCVs, and further study of microbial metabolites as potential vaccine adjuvants is warranted.

Vascular mechanisms underlying the hypotensive effect of Rumex acetosa.

CONTEXT: Rumex acetosa L. (Polygonaceae) is well known in traditional medicine for its therapeutic efficacy as an antihypertensive. OBJECTIVE: The study investigates antihypertensive potential of crude methanol extract (Ra.Cr) and fractions of Rumex acetosa in normotensive and hypertensive rat models and probes the underlying vascular mechanisms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ra.Cr and its fractions were tested in vivo on normotensive and hypertensive Sprague-Dawley rats under anaesthesia for blood pressure lowering effect. In vitro experiments on rat and Oryctolagus cuniculus rabbit aortae were employed to probe the underlying vasorelaxant mechanism. RESULTS: In normotensive rats under anaesthesia, Ra.Cr caused fall in MAP (40 mmHg) at 50 mg/kg with % fall of 27.88 ± 4.55. Among the fractions tested, aqueous fraction was more potent at the dose of 50 mg/kg with % fall of 45.63 ± 2.84. In hypertensive rats under similar conditions, extract and fractions showed antihypertensive effect at same doses while aqueous fraction being more potent, exhibited 68.53 ± 4.45% fall in MAP (70 mmHg). In isolated rat aortic rings precontracted with phenylephrine (PE), Ra.Cr and fractions induced endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation, which was partially blocked in presence of l-NAME, indomethacin and atropine. In isolated rabbit aortic rings pre-contracted with PE and K+-(80 mM), Ra.Cr induced vasorelaxation and shifted Ca2+ concentration-response curves to the right and suppressed PE peak formation, similar to verapamil, in Ca2+-free medium. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The data indicate that l-NAME and atropine-sensitive endothelial-derived NO and COX enzyme inhibitors and Ca2+ entry blocking-mediated vasodilator effect of the extract explain its antihypertensive potential.

X-ray and molecular dynamics studies of butylammonium butanoate-water binary mixtures.

The nanostructural organisation of mixtures of the ionic liquid (butylammonium butanoate) and water at several mole fractions of water has been investigated using small and wide angle X-ray scattering (S-WAXS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The presence of a first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) in the pure ionic liquid has been observed, experimentally and theoretically, suggesting the possibility of segregation of domains of different polarity in the system. With increasing dilution in water, the prepeak is shifted towards smaller Q values, and becomes very weak, while the principal peak moves towards larger Q values. These phenomena suggest the disruption of the hydrogen-bonded network of the ionic liquid, primarily through hydrogen bonding of the anion to water, a conclusion supported by MD simulations.

Mechanisms underlying the antihypertensive properties of Urtica dioica.

BACKGROUND: Urtica dioica has traditionally been used in the management of cardiovascular disorders especially hypertension. The aim of this study was to explore pharmacological base of its use in hypertension. METHODS: Crude methanolic extract of U. dioica (Ud.Cr) and its fractions (Ud.EtAc, Ud.nHex, Ud.Chl and Ud.Aq) were tested in vivo on normotensive and hypertensive rats under anesthesia for blood pressure lowering effect. In-vitro experiments on rat and rabbit aortae were employed to probe the vasorelaxation mechanism(s). The responses were measured using pressure and force transducers connected to PowerLab Data Acquisition System. RESULTS: Ud.Cr and fractions were found more effective antihypertensive in hypertensive rats than normotensive with remarkable potency exhibited by the ethyl acetate fraction. The effect was same in the presence of atropine. In isolated rat aortic rings, Ud.Cr and all its fractions exhibited L-NAME sensitive endothelium-dependent vasodilator effect and also inhibit K(+) (80 mM)-induced pre-contractions. In isolated rabbit thoracic aortic rings Ud.Cr and its fractions induced relaxation with more potency against K(+) (80 mM) than phenylephrine (1 µM) like verapamil, showing Ud.EtAc fraction the most potent one. Pre-incubation of aortic rings with Ud.Cr and its fractions exhibited Ca(2+) channel blocking activity comparable with verapamil by shifting Ca(2+) concentration response curves to the right. Ud.Cr and its fractions also ablated the intracellular Ca(2+) release by suppressing PE peak formation in Ca(2+) free medium. When tested on basal tension, the crude extract and all fractions were devoid of any vasoconstrictor effect. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that crude methanolic extract and its fractions possess antihypertensive effect. Identification of NO-mediated vasorelaxation and calcium channel blocking effects explain the antihypertensive potential of U. dioica and provide a potential pharmacological base to its medicinal use in the management of hypertension.

A new insight into the nanostructure of alkylammonium alkanoates based ionic liquids in water.

In this paper, small angle X-ray scattering has been used to study a series of ionic liquids, alkylammonium alkanoates ([N0 0 0 n][CmCO2]), with varying alkyl chain lengths in the cation and the anion. We investigate the behaviour and the structure of such ionic liquids in their neat state, and in binary mixtures with water. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first structural study dealing with the behaviour of propylammonium propanoate [N0 0 0 3][C2CO2], butylammonium propanoate [N0 0 0 4][C2CO2], propylammonium butanoate [N0 0 0 3][C3CO2] and butylammonium butanoate [N0 0 0 4][C3CO2] when mixed in water. Generally, in the ionic liquids containing alkyl chains on both the cation and the anion, the correlation distance and the resulting scattering peak, which signal intermediate range order, are affected equally by both of the chains. The interesting result obtained regarding these systems is that the shift of the pre- and principal peaks with the addition of water depends on the overall molar concentration of the chains and is generally cumulative. Although, for a given sum of cation and anion chain lengths, the shift is reliant on the cation-anion combination in the neat state, it is not the case in their mixtures with water. In some recent papers, it has been reported that with addition of water, the pre-peak position remains constant, but our results show a shift in both pre- and principal Q peaks.

Role of Transforming Growth Factor-ß1 and Smads Signaling Pathway in Intrauterine Adhesion.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of Smad3, Smad7, and TGF-ß1 in intrauterine adhesion (IUA) patients and experimental rabbit models. 60 IUA patients, 30 control participants, and 18 female rabbits were enrolled in this study. We found that the plasma concentrations and protein expressions of TGF-ß1 were significantly increased in patients and experimental rabbits compared to those in controls (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the mRNA and protein expression levels of Smad3 were significantly elevated, while Smad7 level was markedly decreased in the patients and experimental rabbits compared with controls (P < 0.05). This altered ratio recommended that IUA was positively correlated to the mRNA and protein expression levels of Smad3, Smad7, and TGF-ß1 in blood and uterine tissue. Moreover, we used the specific inhibitor of Smad3 (SIS3) in experimental rabbit. SIS3 obviously reduced the mRNA and protein expression of smad3 and TGF-ß1, while it increased Smad7 expression in the treatment groups as compared with IUA rabbits (P < 0.05). Our study suggested that TGF-ß1/Smad3/smad7 is a major pathway which plays an important role in the regulation of the IUA and specific inhibitor of Smad3 (SIS3) may provide a new therapeutic strategy for IUA.

A comparison of post operative pain and hospital stay between Lichtenstein's repair and Laparoscopic Transabdominal Preperitoneal (TAPP) repair of inguinal hernia: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the open Lichtenstein repair and laparoscopic mesh repair for direct inguinal hernias in terms of immediate post operative pain and length of hospital stay. METHODS: This randomized control trial was conducted at Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi from January 2009 to June 2010. All patients presenting in the surgical OPD with direct inguinal hernia, ASA I/II, were randomly divided in two equal groups. Group-I, patients underwent Lichtenstein's repair and Group-II had hernioplasty by laparoscopic method (TAPP). Post operative pain intensity assessed by VAS and hospital stay measured in hours. RESULTS: A total 60 patients of direct inguinal hernia were studied. The mean age was 61.48±7. The range of postoperative pain experienced was 5.55 as per VAS among all patients. In group-I (open hernioplasty) majority of patients (53.33%, n=16) experience severe type of pain where as in group-II, moderate severity of pain was reported by large number of patients (63.34%, n=19). The mean post operative pain intensity as per VAS was 6.23 in group-I and 4.43 in group-II patients. The mean length of hospital stay was slightly less (35.10 hrs) in group-I as compared to group-II (38.70 hrs). CONCLUSION: There is definitely less post operative pain after laparoscopic repair but hospital stay is same in both the procedures but laparoscopic procedure does increase the cost.

Diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic role of circulating miRNAs in cardiovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. Although much progress has been made for cardiovascular diseases in diagnosis, treatment and prognosis during the past two decades, the clinical need for a novel diagnostic biomarker and new therapeutic interventions to decrease the cardiovascular disease incidence is ongoing. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small (∼22 nucleotides), single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and are detectable in whole blood, serum, plasma, urine and other body fluids in a highly stable form. Accumulating evidence suggests that miRNAs are potential novel biomarkers with high sensitivity for early diagnosis and modern treatment for cardiovascular diseases. Altered circulating miRNAs expressions have been reported in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), acute coronary syndrome (ACS), stable coronary artery disease, heart failure, atherosclerosis, essential hypertension and stroke. In the present review, we examine more recent data regarding circulating miRNAs and their potential roles in diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic strategies for cardiovascular diseases. In addition, we briefly present our own recent experience in detecting circulating miRNAs, and the significance of these miRNAs in AMI prognosis.

Esculetin unveiled: Decoding its anti-tumor potential through molecular mechanisms-A comprehensive review.

BACKGROUND: The growing complexity of cancer has made it a significant concern in the medical community. Although cancer research has advanced, it is still challenging to create new effective medications due to the limitations and side effects of existing treatment strategies. These are enforcing the development of some alternative drugs from natural compounds with fewer drawbacks and side effects. AIM: Therefore, this review aims to provide up-to-date, crucial, and all-encompassing data on esculetin's anticancer activity, including all relevant molecular and cellular processes based on in vivo and in vitro investigations. RESULTS: According to the literature review, esculetin is available in nature and is effective against 16 different types of cancer. The general mechanism shown by esculetin is modulating signaling cascades and its related pathways, like cell proliferation, cell growth, autophagy, apoptosis, necrosis, inflammation, angiogenesis, metastasis, invasion, and DNA damage. Nanoformulation of esculetin improves this natural product's efficacy by improving water solubility. Esculetin's synergistic effects with both natural substances and conventional treatments have been shown, and this method aids in reversing resistance mechanisms by modulating resistance-related proteins. In addition, it has fewer side effects on humans than other phytochemicals and standard drugs with some good pharmacokinetic features. CONCLUSION: Therefore, until standard chemotherapeutics are available in pharmaceutical markets, esculetin should be used as a therapeutic drug against various cancer types.

Salicylic Acid Priming Improves Cotton Seedling Heat Tolerance through Photosynthetic Pigment Preservation, Enhanced Antioxidant Activity, and Osmoprotectant Levels.

The escalating global temperatures associated with climate change are detrimental to plant growth and development, leading to significant reductions in crop yields worldwide. Our research demonstrates that salicylic acid (SA), a phytohormone known for its growth-promoting properties, is crucial in enhancing heat tolerance in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). This enhancement is achieved through modifications in various biochemical, physiological, and growth parameters. Under heat stress, cotton plants typically show significant growth disturbances, including leaf wilting, stunted growth, and reduced biomass. However, priming cotton plants with 1 mM SA significantly mitigated these adverse effects, evidenced by increases in shoot dry mass, leaf-water content, and chlorophyll concentrations in the heat-stressed plants. Heat stress also prompted an increase in hydrogen peroxide levels-a key reactive oxygen species-resulting in heightened electrolyte leakage and elevated malondialdehyde concentrations, which indicate severe impacts on cellular membrane integrity and oxidative stress. Remarkably, SA treatment significantly reduced these oxidative stresses by enhancing the activities of critical antioxidant enzymes, such as catalase, glutathione S-transferase, and ascorbate peroxidase. Additionally, the elevated levels of total soluble sugars in SA-treated plants enhanced osmotic regulation under heat stress. Overall, our findings reveal that SA-triggered protective mechanisms not only preserve photosynthetic pigments but also ameliorate oxidative stress and boost plant resilience in the face of elevated temperatures. In conclusion, the application of 1 mM SA is highly effective in enhancing heat tolerance in cotton and is recommended for field trials before being commercially used to improve crop resilience under increasing global temperatures.

Quantifying Myeloperoxidase-DNA and Neutrophil Elastase-DNA Complexes from Neutrophil Extracellular Traps by Using a Modified Sandwich ELISA.

Certain stimuli, such as microorganisms, cause neutrophils to release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), which are basically web-like structures composed of DNA with granule proteins, such as myeloperoxidase (MPO) and neutrophil elastase (NE), and cytoplasmic and cytoskeletal proteins. Although interest in NETs has increased recently, no sensitive, reliable assay method is available for measuring NETs in clinical settings. This article describes a modified sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantitatively measure two components of circulating NETs, MPO-DNA and NE-DNA complexes, which are specific components of NETs and are released into the extracellular space as breakdown products of NETs. The assay uses specific monoclonal antibodies for MPO or NE as the capture antibodies and a DNA-specific detection antibody. MPO or NE binds to one site of the capture antibody during the initial incubation of samples containing MPO-DNA or NE-DNA complexes. This assay shows good linearity and high inter-assay and intra-assay precision. We used it in 16 patients with COVID-19 with accompanying acute respiratory distress syndrome and found that the plasma concentrations of MPO-DNA and NE-DNA were significantly higher than in the plasma obtained from healthy controls. This detection assay is a reliable, highly sensitive, and useful method for investigating the characteristics of NETs in human plasma and culture supernatants.

Relationship of serum lipid profiles in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy, Bangladesh.

Objective: The purpose of this present study to investigate the lipid profile levels and basal body mass index in preeclampsia and normal pregnancy in Bangladeshi women. Material and methods: This case-control study was conducted at Sheba Hospital Kaligonj Bangladesh with 70 participants among 35 normal pregnancy (control) and 35 preeclampsia women (case) were enrolled from August 2018 to July 2019. Blood samples were obtained for analysis of total cholesterol, triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein by enzymatic assays and low-density lipoprotein by using Fried Ewald's formula in between 22-36 weeks of gestation. Results: This study found the mean age of preeclampsia and normal pregnancy women were 24.71±2.56 and 23.09±2.1 respectively with significant (P= 0.005). Basal body mass index, total cholesterol, triglyceride and low-density lipoprotein significantly higher (P=0.002), (P= 0.000), (P= 0.022) and (P=0.000) in preeclampsia compared to normal pregnancy respectively. While high-density lipoprotein comparatively lower in preeclampsia than normal pregnancy and consider significant as (P=0.037). Conclusion: Abnormal lipid profile and increased body mass index is contributed to the development of preeclampsia. The frequent antenatal monitoring of lipid profiles provides the status which helps to require management and reduces the preeclampsia which enhances maternal and fetal wellbeing and fetal outcome.

Antihypertensive Potential of Tartaric Acid and Exploration of Underlying Mechanistic Pathways.

Tartaric acid is capable of balancing blood pressure. It is the main constituent of antihypertensive agents (grapes and wine) and has not been scientifically explored as an antihypertensive remedy. This study aimed to investigate the antihypertensive effect of a low-dose tartaric acid in vivo and explore underlying mechanisms in vitro. Intravenous administration of tartaric acid at the dose of 50 µg/kg caused a % fall in mean arterial pressure (MAP) in normotensive and hypertensive rats [51.5 ± 1.7 and 63.5 ± 2.9% mmHg]. This hypotensive effect was partially inhibited by atropine (1 mg/kg) and L-NAME (100 µg/kg) pretreatment. In hypertensive rats, oral administration of tartaric acid (.1, .5, 1, 5, and 10 mg/kg) for 2 weeks resulted in 65 ± 7.3 mmHg MAP at 10 mg/kg. This antihypertensive effect was comparable to the orally administered verapamil (10 mg/kg) for 2 weeks which caused a decrease in MAP 60.4 ± 3.8 mmHg. Tartaric acid relaxed phenylephrine (PE) and High K+-induced contractions with EC50 values of .157 (.043-.2) and 1.93 (.07-2) µg/mL in vitro. This endothelium-dependent relaxation was inhibited with atropine (1 µM) and L-NAME (10 µM) pretreatment. Tartaric acid also suppressed phenylephrine contractions in Ca+2 free/EGTA medium and on voltage-dependent calcium channels, causing the concentration-response curves toward right. Tartaric acid induced negative inotropic and chronotropic effects with EC50 values of .26 (.14-.4) and .60 (.2-.8) in rat atria. It showed its effect by complete blockade against atropine and partially in propranolol pretreatment. These findings provide scientific basis to low-dose tartaric acid as an antihypertensive and vasodilatory remedy through muscarinic receptor-linked nitric oxide (NO) pathway and Ca+2 channel antagonist.

Role of MicroRNAs in Cardiac Disease with Stroke in Pregnancy.

Pregnancy-related cardiovascular disease with stroke remains a considerable source of higher maternal morbidity and mortality occurs in periods of pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum. It is essential to counsel the mother before pregnancy by an expert cardiologist and obstetric team to discuss any event related to preexistent cardiac or past preeclampsia for estimation of maternal and fetal risks. In pregnancy, the cardiac state includes hypertensive disorders, ischemic heart disease, valvular disease, and postpartum stroke. The incidence of stroke is increasing in pregnancy, particularly in postpartum, and its strong relationship with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (preeclampsia). The combined cardiologist and obstetrics team requires during pregnancy mainly due to the approach to the management of a cardiac disease that subsequently prevents stroke postpartum. Therefore, a general perception of cardiac disease during pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum should be a core knowledge extent for all cardiovascular and clinicians. Many studies provided linked that deregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs) in maternal circulation and placenta tissue may development of pregnancy complications including preeclampsia considered a diagnostic marker. The desire of this review provides a detailed outline of current knowledge and dealing in this field with strength on the physiological changes during pregnancy.

Overexpression of miR-126 Protects Hypoxic-Reoxygenation-Exposed HUVEC Cellular Injury through Regulating LRP6 Expression.

The aim of the study was to explore the clinical impact of circulatory miR-126 as a candidate for novel biomarker in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and its protective role against hypoxia/reoxygenation- (H/R-) exposed HUVEC cellular injury. A total of 278 subjects, which included 153 subjects with angiographically confirmed CAD, 70 unstable angina subjects, and 55 healthy individuals, along with 18-hour HR-induced HUVECs were recruited in this study. Plasma miR-126 levels were significantly downregulated in stable and unstable CAD patients as well as 18-hour HR-exposed HUVECs as compared with controls. Stable and unstable CAD subjects were significantly differentiated from healthy individuals with a predictive value of AUC 0.903 and 0.923, respectively. Moreover, peripheral circulatory miR-126 expressions in elderly (71-90 years) stable and unstable CAD patients were comparatively lower than younger (30-50 years) subjects. The caspase-3 activity, intracellular ROS concentrations, and cellular viabilities were evidently increased in 18-hour HR-exposed HUVECs than in normal cells (P < 0.001). On the contrary, mimic expressions of miR-126 prominently reduced caspase-3 activity and intracellular ROS levels and markedly enhanced HUVEC cellular viabilities (P < 0.001). LRP6 expressions were significantly elevated in HR-induced HUVECs, whereas overexpression of miR-126 remarkably decreased LRP6 expressions (P < 0.001). Plasma miR-126 could be used as a novel biomarker for early prediction of CAD subjects. Overexpression of miR-126 significantly improved HUVEC cellular viabilities by downregulation of LRP6 protein expression, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for CAD patients.

Evaluation of the Antiasthmatic Activity of Carissa opaca in Animal Models.

Carissa opaca Stapf ex Haines (C. opaca) fruit is used traditionally in the treatment of respiratory illnesses including asthma. However, there is no scientific evidence supporting its antiasthmatic activity. The current study was conducted to evaluate its antiasthmatic effects using in vivo and in vitro approaches. The methanolic crude extract of C. opaca fruit (Co.Cr.) was used and in vivo antiasthmatic activity was carried out using ovalbumin- (OVA-) sensitized and OVA-challenged BALB/c mice. In in vitro bronchorelaxant activity of crude extract, aqueous and n-hexane fractions of C. opaca were carried out on isolated rat tracheal strips. Co.Cr. (200 and 400 mg/kg) attenuated ovalbumin-induced changes in lung histochemistry with % decrease in peribronchial inflammation of 14.1 ± 0.21 and 65.8 ± 0.22 and % decrease in total inflammatory cell count of 35.7 ± 2.80 and 53.3 ± 2.30 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Co.Cr., aqueous, and n-hexane fraction of C. opaca attenuated the precontractions induced by high K+ (80 mM) and carbachol (1 µM), respectively. In conclusion, the results showed that C. opaca possesses antiasthmatic activity via relaxant effect on bronchial smooth muscle which is mediated through calcium channel blockade and antimuscarinic activity. This study provides scientific evidence of the traditional use of C. opaca in the management of allergic asthma.

Recipient screening in IVF: first data from women undergoing anonymous oocyte donation in Dublin.

BACKGROUND: Guidelines for safe gamete donation have emphasised donor screening, although none exist specifically for testing oocyte recipients. Pre-treatment assessment of anonymous donor oocyte IVF treatment in Ireland must comply with the European Union Tissues and Cells Directive (Directive 2004/23/EC). To determine the effectiveness of this Directive when applied to anonymous oocyte recipients in IVF, we reviewed data derived from selected screening tests performed in this clinical setting. METHODS: Data from tests conducted at baseline for all women enrolling as recipients (n = 225) in the anonymous oocyte donor IVF programme at an urban IVF referral centre during a 24-month period were analysed. Patient age at programme entry and clinical pregnancy rate were also tabulated. All recipients had at least one prior negative test for HIV, Hepatitis B/C, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis performed by her GP or other primary care provider before reproductive endocrinology consultation. RESULTS: Mean (±SD) age for donor egg IVF recipients was 40.7 ± 4.2 yrs. No baseline positive chlamydia, gonorrhoea or syphilis screening results were identified among recipients for anonymous oocyte donation IVF during the assessment interval. Mean pregnancy rate (per embryo transfer) in this group was 50.5%. CONCLUSION: When tests for HIV, Hepatitis B/C, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis already have been confirmed to be negative before starting the anonymous donor oocyte IVF sequence, additional (repeat) testing on the recipient contributes no new clinical information that would influence treatment in this setting. Patient safety does not appear to be enhanced by application of Directive 2004/23/EC to recipients of anonymous donor oocyte IVF treatment. Given the absence of evidence to quantify risk, this practice is difficult to justify when applied to this low-risk population.

Relationship of COVID-19 with pregnancy.

COVID-19 a pandemic disease caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus, which has been emerged in Wuhan city China from early December 2019 which subsequently spreading globally. As a consequence of the physiological adaptive changes and immunosuppressive condition during pregnancy are more susceptible to respiratory tract infection and pneumonia that perhaps makes them more at risk to COVID-19. There is scarce information available on COVID-19 pregnancy and no reliable evidence for vertical transmission. It is a concern that newborns are risk from postpartum contamination. Meanwhile, there was no vaccine and specific therapeutic drugs for COVID19. The Multidisciplinary team will manage by close supervision, isolated negative pressure room, and routinely fetal monitoring. The timing and mode of delivery depend on the critical condition of the mother and fetal. The newborns need a14 days period of precautionary isolation. In the present study, addressed the most recent data on 149 pregnant women and 96 newborns with typical symptoms and planning of management which response to COVID-19 that will help for frontline doctor to the management of COVID-19 associated pregnancy and newborns baby. Repeated testing, contact tracing and self-isolation will assist to control the spread of SARS-CoV2 infection and COVID-19 disease until specific vaccine and pharmaceuticals drugs of COVID-19 are available.