CF-LIBS based elemental analysis of Saussurea simpsoniana medicinal plant: a study on roots, seeds, and leaves.

The plant Saussurea Simpsoniana, which has been used in traditional medicine for its biocompatibility and abundant nutrients, offers a wide range of remedies. Local communities effectively utilize medicines derived from the plant's roots to treat various ailments such as bronchitis, rheumatic pain, and abdominal and nervous disorders. In this study, we present an elemental analysis of the chemical composition (wt%) of this medicinal plant using the laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. In the air atmosphere, an Nd:YAG (Q-switched) laser operating at a wavelength of 532 nm is utilized to create plasma on the sample's surface. This laser has a maximum pulse energy of approximately 400 mJ and a pulse duration of 5 ns. A set of six miniature spectrometers, covering the wavelength range of 220-970 nm, was utilized to capture and record the optical emissions emitted by the plasma. The qualitative analysis of LIBS revealed the presence of 13 major and minor elements, including Al, Ba, C, Ca, Fe, H, K, Li, Mg, Na, Si, Sr, and Ti. Quantitative analysis was performed using calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (CF-LIBS), ensuring local thermodynamical equilibrium (LTE) and optically thin plasma condition by considering plasma excitation temperature and electron number density. In addition, a comparison was made between the results obtained from CF-LIBS and those acquired through energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) analysis.

Beyond Glucose: The Dual Assault of Oxidative and ER Stress in Diabetic Disorders.

Diabetes mellitus, a prevalent global health concern, is characterized by hyperglycemia. However, recent research reveals a more intricate landscape where oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress orchestrate a dual assault, profoundly impacting diabetic disorders. This review elucidates the interplay between these two stress pathways and their collective consequences on diabetes. Oxidative stress emanates from mitochondria, where reactive oxygen species (ROS) production spirals out of control, leading to cellular damage. We explore ROS-mediated signaling pathways, which trigger ß-cell dysfunction, insulin resistance, and endothelial dysfunction the quintessential features of diabetes. Simultaneously, ER stress unravels, unveiling how protein folding disturbances activate the unfolded protein response (UPR). We dissect the UPR's dual role, oscillating between cellular adaptation and apoptosis, significantly influencing pancreatic ß-cells and peripheral insulin-sensitive tissues. Crucially, this review exposes the synergy between oxidative and ER stress pathways. ROS-induced UPR activation and ER stress-induced oxidative stress create a detrimental feedback loop, exacerbating diabetic complications. Moreover, we spotlight promising therapeutic strategies that target both stress pathways. Antioxidants, molecular chaperones, and novel pharmacological agents offer potential avenues for diabetes management. As the global diabetes burden escalates, comprehending the dual assault of oxidative and ER stress is paramount. This review not only unveils the intricate molecular mechanisms governing diabetic pathophysiology but also advocates a holistic therapeutic approach. By addressing both stress pathways concurrently, we may forge innovative solutions for diabetic disorders, ultimately alleviating the burden of this pervasive health issue.

A Curious Case of a Wooden Toothpick Inside a Child's Knee: A Case Report.

CASE: A 10-year-old boy presented with vague symptoms, a few days after a nondescript injury to his left knee. History, examination and blood tests, and imaging were unremarkable. Because of his severe pain, we proceeded to arthroscopy. On proceeding to arthroscopy, a wooden toothpick was found inside the knee joint. The wooden toothpick was removed arthroscopically. CONCLUSION: The physicians/surgeons have to be vigilant and should approach holistically toward history and examination of a child presenting with vague signs and symptoms.

Optimization of calcium gluconate and Bacopa monniera extract levels in calcium enriched herbal ice cream by response surface methodology.

Calcium enriched herbal ice cream was developed using calcium gluconate (CG) as calcium source, Bacopa monniera whole plant extract (BME) is an herb containing saponins. Ice cream was prepared by incorporating CG and BME together. Preliminarily the range of CG and BME levels were fixed as 50-250 mg/100 mL and 10-50 mg/100 mL of ice cream mix respectively. Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the levels of two ingredients (CG and BME). Central Composite Rotatable Design using two variables and five responses comprising of sensory attributes was used for computation of optimized solution. All the responses fitted well into quadratic equation with R2 > 0.60. The optimum levels of CG and BME are 217.34 mg/100 mL and 10 mg/100 mL for preparation of experimental ice cream. RSM recommended with 87% acceptability for the optimum levels of CG and BME. Product is prepared with optimized solution and subjected to sensory evaluation.

Organ-Specific Phytochemical Profiling and Antioxidant Analysis of Parthenium hysterophorus L.

Parthenium hysterophorus is a weed of global concern with high threshold of tolerance against most of biotic and abiotic stresses. Phytochemical profile and in vitro antioxidant analysis may help in understanding its tolerance to stresses. Root, stem, leaf, phyllary, and receptacle (including disc and ray florets) were chemotyped employing GC tof-MS and assessed for antioxidant activity by DPPH, FRAP, HRSA, and TAC assays. Phytochemicals identified were terpenes, fatty acids, hydrocarbons, phytosterols, and compounds of miscellaneous chemical nature. Organ-specific maximum concentration of metabolite was ß-vatirenene (root), hexadecanoic acid methylester (stem), aristolene epoxide (leaf), hexadecanoic acid methylester (phyllary), and hexadecanoic acid methylester (receptacle). Identified metabolites could be associated with stress tolerance mechanisms, basic metabolism, and allelopathy, etc. Root extracts showed highest antioxidant potential followed by receptacle. It can be concluded that diverse and unique phytochemical profile and great antioxidant potential make P. hysterophorus stress-tolerant, hence a weed of global habitat.

Interaction of Glucagon G-Protein Coupled Receptor with Known Natural Antidiabetic Compounds: Multiscoring In Silico Approach.

Glucagon receptor (GCGR) is a secretin-like (class B) family of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) in humans that plays an important role in elevating the glucose concentration in blood and has thus become one of the promising therapeutic targets for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus. GCGR based inhibitors for the treatment of type 2 diabetes are either glucagon neutralizers or small molecular antagonists. Management of diabetes without any side effects is still a challenge to the medical system, and the search for a new and effective natural GCGR antagonist is an important area for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In the present study, a number of natural compounds containing antidiabetic properties were selected from the literature and their binding potential against GCGR was determined using molecular docking and other in silico approaches. Among all selected natural compounds, curcumin was found to be the most effective compound against GCGR followed by amorfrutin 1 and 4-hydroxyderricin. These compounds were rescored to confirm the accuracy of binding using another scoring function (x-score). The final conclusions were drawn based on the results obtained from the GOLD and x-score. Further experiments were conducted to identify the atomic level interactions of selected compounds with GCGR.

Local anaesthetic infiltration for the rubber band ligation of early symptomatic haemorrhoids: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The objective of this article is to systematically analyse the randomized, controlled trials evaluating the effectiveness of local anaesthetic infiltration prior to the rubber band ligation of early symptomatic haemorrhoids. Published randomized, controlled trials comparing the use of local anaesthetic (LA) versus no-local anaesthetic (NLA) for the rubber band ligation of early symptomatic haemorrhoids were analysed using RevMan®, and the combined outcomes were expressed as odds ratios (OR) and standardized mean difference (SMD). Four randomized, controlled trials evaluating 387 patients were retrieved from the standard electronic databases. The risk of treatment failure (OR 0.44; 95% CI 0.07, 2.79; z = 0.87; p = 0.39) and post-procedure complications (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.08, 2.76; z = 0.83; p = 0.41) was similar between two techniques. However, the post-procedure pain score (SMD -5.19; 95% CI -9.08, -1.30; z = 2.62; p < 0.009) was significantly lower in the group of patients undergoing rubber band ligation of haemorrhoids under local anaesthetic injection. The use of LA appears to have clinically measurable advantages over NLA in the rubber band ligation of early symptomatic haemorrhoids to lessen post-procedure pain.

Molecular interaction of acetylcholinesterase with carnosic acid derivatives: a neuroinformatics study.

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain marked by gradual and irreversible declines in cognitive functions. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) plays a biological role in the termination of nerve impulse transmissions at cholinergic synapses by rapid hydrolysis of its substrate, "acetylcholine". The deficit level of acetylcholine leads to deprived nerve impulse transmission. Thus the cholinesterase inhibitors would reverse the deficit in acetylcholine level and consequently may reverse the memory impairments, which is characteristic of the Alzheimer's disease. The molecular interactions between AChE and Carnosic acid, a well known antioxidant substance found in the leaves of the rosemary plant has always been an area of interest. Here in this study we have performed in silico approach to identify carnosic acid derivatives having the potential of being a possible drug candidate against AChE. The best candidates were selected on the basis of the results of different scoring functions.

The diversity of antibacterial compounds of Terminalia species (Combretaceae).

The antibacterial activity of acetone, hexane, dichloromethane leaf extract of five Terminalia species (Terminalia alata Heyne ex Roth., Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wt. and Am., Terminalia bellerica (Gaertn.) Roxb., Terminalia catappa L. and Terminalia chebula Retz.) were tested by Agar-well-diffusion method against human pathogens E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis. The Rf values and relative activities of separated compounds were tested. Hexane and dichloromethane extracts have shown more antibacterial components than the acetone extract indicating the non-polar character of the antibacterial compounds. The non-polar character of the antibacterial compounds was confirmed from the Rf values. It indicated that the antibacterial activity was not due to tannins. Terminalia catappa found to possess the compounds which are more antibacterial. Terminalia arjuna and T. catappa plants were found most promising for isolating antibacterial compounds.

Intravitreal steroids may facilitate treatment of Eales' disease (idiopathic retinal vasculitis): an interventional case series.

PURPOSE: Eales' disease is an idiopathic peripheral perivasculitis leading to proliferative vascular retinopathy, recurrent vitreous haemorrhages, and tractional retinal detachment. It is an elusive cause of blindness in young, otherwise healthy individuals. We studied the effects of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide (IVTA) in patients of Eales' disease, which may eventually reduce the side effects and cost of management, with results equivalent to or better than oral steroids. METHODS: Ethics approval and prior patient consent were obtained. Fluorescein fundus angiograms (FFAs) of 12 eyes of 12 Eales' disease patients were taken before enrolment. These patients received 0.1 ml of 40 mg/ml (4 mg) intravitreal triamcinolone through pars plana under topical anaesthesia. Regular weekly follow-ups were initiated to ascertain Snellen visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP) with Goldman tonometer, and triple mirror examination. Fluorescein fundus angiography was again performed in the 8th week to monitor response to treatment. Decrease in areas of late perivascular dye extravasation on fluorescein angiography was used as marker for improvement. RESULTS: Ten out of a total of 12 (83.33%) eyes treated with IVTA showed significant reduction of late leakage from retinal vessels on fluorescein fundus angiography. Two out of 12 eyes (16.67%) did not show considerable decrease in late perivascular fluorescein dye leakage after 8 weeks of intravitreal triamcinolone injection. Two patients (16.67%) had a significant rise in IOP after IVTA. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal steroids may be advocated for management of idiopathic retinal vasculitis without complications of systemic steroids, and minimize need for more invasive procedures.

Measurement of nutrients in green house soil with laser induced breakdown spectroscopy.

Laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) has been applied for the determination of nutrients in the green house soil samples. We determined appropriate spectral signatures of vital nutrients and calibrated the method to measure the nutrients in a naturally fertilized plot, cultivated with tomato and cucumber plants. From the calibration curves we predicted the concentrations of important nutrients such as Ca, K, P, Mg, Fe, S, Ni and Ba in the soil. Our measurements proved that the LIBS method rapidly and efficiently measures soil nutrients with excellent detection limits of 12, 9, 7, 9, 7, 10, 8 and 12 mg/kg for Ca, K, P, Mg, Fe, S, Ni and Ba respectively with a precision of approximately 2%, The unique features of LIBS for rapid sample analysis demonstrated by this study suggests that this method offers promise for precision measurements of soil nutrients as compared to conventional methods in short span of time.

Vessel dilator enhances sodium and water excretion and has beneficial hemodynamic effects in persons with congestive heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Vessel dilator, a 37-amino acid peptide hormone synthesized in the heart, enhances urine flow 4- to 12-fold and sodium excretion 3- to 6-fold in healthy humans. The present investigation was designed to determine whether vessel dilator might have similar beneficial effects in persons with congestive heart failure (CHF). METHODS AND RESULTS: Vessel dilator (100 ng/kg body weight per minute) given intravenously for 60 minutes to NYHA class III CHF subjects increased urine flow 2- to 13-fold, which was still increased (P<0.001) 3 hours after its infusion was stopped. Vessel dilator enhanced sodium excretion 3- to 4-fold in CHF subjects (P<0.01), which was still significantly (P<0.01) elevated 3 hours after infusion. Vessel dilator decreased systemic vascular resistance 24%, pulmonary vascular resistance 25%, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure 33%, and central venous pressure 27% while increasing cardiac output 34%, cardiac index 35%, and stroke volume index 24% without significantly affecting heart rate or pulmonary artery pressure in the CHF subjects. The control CHF patients did not have any changes in the above parameters. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that vessel dilator has significant beneficial diuretic, natriuretic, and hemodynamic properties in humans with congestive heart failure.

Effect of camel urine on the cytological and biochemical changes induced by cyclophosphamide in mice.

Camel urine treatment was found to cause a significant cytotoxic effect in the bone marrow cells of mice. This cytotoxicity at higher doses was comparable with that of standard drug cyclophosphamide (CP). However, unlike CP, the camel urine treatment failed to induce any clastogenicity. The cytotoxicity induced by camel urine treatment was substantiated by the reduction of liver nucleic acids and glutathione levels and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) contents in the same animals. CP treatment was found to be highly clastogenic, cytotoxic and it reduced the levels of nucleic acids, proteins, glutathione and increased malondialdehyde concentration due to its prooxidant nature. The non-clastogenic nature of camel urine was attributed to the antioxidant and antimutagenic compounds present in camel urine. Pretreatment with camel urine increased the cytotoxicity of CP and intensified the CP induced reduction of liver nucleic acids, glutathione and increased the MDA concentration. The increase of CP induced cytotoxicity appears to be partly due to the additive effect of the two treatments on cellular lipid peroxidation.

Treatment of hypertension induces a fall in platelet basal cytoplasmic calcium concentration without influencing platelet aggregation.

The relationship between blood pressure and platelet basal cytoplasmic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and platelet sensitivity to aggregating agents in hypertension has been investigated in hypertensive patients and normotensive subjects. Ten severely hypertensive patients whose blood pressures were poorly controlled with metoprolol, were given calcium antagonist (either nifedipine or felodipine) as a second line agent. Venous blood samples were collected at each treatment phase for measurement, in whole blood, of platelet aggregation in response to ADP and collagen, and of basal [Ca2+]i using fura-2. Control of blood pressure by the combination of metroprolol and a calcium antagonist induced a significant decrease in median [Ca2+]i from 116 (76-181) to 73 (60-83) nM, which was similar to the median value of 70 (61-80) nM obtained in 14 normotensive subjects. Overall [Ca2+]i correlated with mean blood pressure (r = 0.51). Treatment of hypertension with calcium antagonist did not change the response of platelets to collagen or ADP. The results confirm that effective treatment of hypertension significantly reduced basal [Ca2+]i in platelets but raise doubts whether elevated basal [Ca2+]i is necessarily the sole mechanism by which the sensitivity of platelets to aggregatory agents is increased in hypertension.

Inhibition by retinoic acid of type IV collagenolysis and invasion through reconstituted basement membrane by metastatic rat mammary adenocarcinoma cells.

The activity of type IV collagenase, which enables tumor cells to degrade collagen type IV found in the subendothelial basement membrane, has been correlated with the metastatic potential in several tumor types, including the rat 13762NF mammary adenocarcinoma cell line and its clones. In this study, we examined whether all-trans-retinoic acid (all-trans-RA) and other retinoids, which exhibit antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo, affect the collagenolytic activity of metastatic rat 13762NF mammary adenocarcinoma cells. Cells of the highly metastatic lung-colonizing clone MTF7.T35.3, derived from the 13762NF cell line, were treated for 3 days with 0.1, 1, or 10 microM all-trans-RA, harvested, and seeded on [3H]proline-labeled extracellular matrix deposited by cultured rat lung endothelial cells or on a film of purified [3H]proline-labeled type IV collagen. The amount of radioactivity released into the medium during the subsequent 24 to 72 h was measured, and it was found that all-trans-RA treatment inhibited degradation of extracellular matrix and type IV collagen by 50 to 60%. This effect was observed whether the cells had been treated with all-trans-RA in serum-free medium or in medium supplemented with heat-inactivated or acid-treated fetal bovine serum. The growth of the cells was not inhibited under these conditions, except after treatment with 10 microM all-trans-RA in serum-free medium. The reduction in collagenolytic activity was observed in viable cells as well as in conditioned medium. A 24-h exposure of cells to all-trans-RA was sufficient to cause a 30% decrease in the collagenolytic activity, and this inhibitory effect was reversible. The direct addition of all-trans-RA to conditioned medium had no effect on secreted collagenase activity. The apparent molecular weights of the collagenolytic enzymes were determined by electrophoresis of cell extracts and concentrated conditioned medium in type IV collagen-embedded polyacrylamide gels followed by renaturation and activation of the enzymes within the gels. Two major type IV collagenolytic metalloproteinases exhibiting molecular weights of 64,000 and 88,000, respectively, were detected by this method. These two enzymes were also found to have specificity for gelatin. The Mr 64,000 enzyme could be extracted from viable cells (presumably from the cell membrane) by 2% 1-butanol. Treatment with all-trans-RA decreased the level of these enzymes in the cellular, cell membrane, and conditioned medium compartments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Methanol production from the degradation of pectin by human colonic bacteria.

When ingested, pectin can lower serum cholesterol levels in humans. Pectin is degraded by fecal bacteria in the colon. We examined the release of methanol (MeOH) by this degradation. A 0.2% glucose (2 g/L) mixture was used as the control medium. A pure culture of pectinolytic Erwinia carotovora was the control bacterium. The chief substrates were, in set 1, 0.2% pectin (2 g/L) and, in set 2, 0.1% glucose (1 g/L) and 0.1% pectin (1 g/L). Cultures of fecal bacteria and E carotovora grew for 72 h in each of the solutions. By 72 h the fecal flora culture in set 1 cleaved 30% of the possible methoxyl groups on pectin. The fecal flora in set 2 cleaved 90.7% of all possible methoxyl groups. Balance studies suggest that all of the free MeOH comes from methoxyl groups on pectin. This study demonstrates that fecal bacteria are capable of degrading pectin to release MeOH.

Hypocholesterolemic agents: a comparison of the relative effectiveness of cholestyramine and pectin in rats.

Studies were carried out to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of cholestyramine and pectin as hypocholesterolemic agents. Circulating levels of serum cholesterol and lipoprotein-associated cholesterol were measured in rats fed high cholesterol diet supplemented with either cholestyramine or pectin. When compared with controls, a significant decrease in the level of total cholesterol was observed in rats fed either cholestyramine or pectin (p less than 0.001, 43% reduction in cholesterol, and p less than 0.04, 25% reduction in cholesterol, respectively) and this was due exclusively to the lowering of low density lipoprotein. Further statistical evaluation of data revealed no significant difference between the cholesterol levels of rats fed either cholestyramine or pectin (p greater than 0.07). The data acquired in this study suggest that both cholestyramine and pectin are comparable and effective hypocholesterolemic agents and the observed hypocholesterolemic effect of these agents is mediated through lowering of cholesterol associated with the low density lipoprotein.

Unstirred water layers in rabbit intestine: effects of pectin.

Pectins have been shown to affect the absorption of several different nutrients in clinical studies; however, the mechanisms for decreased absorption have not been defined. A possibility not studied with regards to pectin, but previously demonstrated to be important in absorption, is the effect of change in the unstirred water layer. As the unstirred water layer increases in thickness, the rate of absorption decreases for certain nutrients. The effect of pectin on the unstirred water layer in the lumen of rabbit jejunum was examined by previously described techniques. It was observed that: (1) increases in pectin concentration resulted in an increased thickness of the unstirred water layer; (2) for any stir rate, the addition of pectin increased the thickness of the unstirred water layer; and (3) stir rate is inversely related to the thickness of the unstirred water layer. It was concluded from these results that pectin increases the thickness of the unstirred water layer in rabbit jejunum. This mechanism may explain, in part, the reduction of the rate of absorption of certain nutrients seen following pectin ingestion.

Effect of dietary pectin on iron absorption and turnover in the rat.

The influence of dietary pectin on iron absorption and retention was studied in rats. Basal diet with low and normal iron levels were fed with and without addition of 2% citrus pectin. After 40 days rats were fasted for 24 hours and were given 59Fe in dilute HCl with or without 2% pectin by gavage. Whole-body counting techniques were employed to monitor 59Fe absorption and turnover. Rats maintained on low iron diet absorbed and retained a much higher proportion of 59Fe than rats maintained on normal level of iron. Dietary pectin at the level fed in this study had no influence on iron uptake and/or turnover in rats.