Physalin pool from Physalis angulata L. leaves and physalin D inhibit P2X7 receptor function in vitro and acute lung injury in vivo.

P2X7 receptor promotes inflammatory response and neuropathic pain. New drugs capable of impairing inflammation and pain-reducing adverse effects extracted from plant extracts have been studied. Physalis angulate L. possesses traditional uses and exhibits antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, antimalarial, antileishmanial, immunosuppressive, antiasthmatic. diuretic, and antitumor activities. The most representative phytochemical constituents identified with medicinal importance are the physalins and withanolides. However, the mechanism of anti-inflammatory action is scarce. Although some physalins and withanolides subtypes have anti-inflammatory activity, only four physalins subtypes (B, D, F, and G) have further studies. Therefore, we evaluated the crude ethanolic extract enriched with physalins B, D, F, and G from P. angulata leaves, a pool containing the physalins B, D, F, G, and the physalins individually, as P2X7 receptor antagonists. For this purpose, we evaluated ATP-induced dye uptake, macroscopic currents, and interleukin 1-ß (IL-1ß) in vitro. The crude extract and pool dose-dependently inhibited P2X7 receptor function. Thus, physalin B, D, F, and G individually evaluated for 5'-triphosphate (ATP)-induced dye uptake assay, whole-cell patch-clamp, and cytokine release showed distinct antagonist levels. Physalin D displayed higher potency and efficacy than physalin B, F, and G for all these parameters. In vivo mice model as ATP-induced paw edema was potently inhibited for physalin D, in contrast to physalin B, F, and G. ATP and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced pleurisy in mice were reversed for physalin D treatment. Molecular modeling and computational simulation predicted the intermolecular interactions between the P2X7 receptor and physalin derivatives. In silico results indicated physalin D and F as a potent allosteric P2X7 receptor antagonist. These data confirm physalin D as a promisor source for developing a new P2X7 receptor antagonist with anti-inflammatory action.

Preterm Babies: Management and Challenges Associated with Survival in a Resource-Limited Setting.

BACKGROUND: Preterm babies have constituted a major constraints on human and material resources due to early mortality and long term disability among survivors. Rates of disability among survivors have increased over the period, with high rates of broncho-pulmonary dysplasia. OBJECTIVE: To determine the survival and management challenges of preterm babies in University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Maiduguri Borno State REUSLTS: Of the 1129 preterm babies managed in the Special Care Baby Unit (SCBU), 714 cases notes were retrieved and analyzed giving a retrieval rate of 63%. There were 256 (35.9%) preterm babies as in-born, while 458 (64.1%) were out-born. Male preterm babies were 372 (52.1%), while female preterm babies were 342 (47.9%); with female to male ratio of 1.08:1. Extreme low birth weight (<1000grams) were 17 (2.3%), very low birth weight (1000-1499 grams) were 288 (40.3%) while low birth weight (1500-2499 grams) were 406 (56.9%). We also documented 3 preterm babies whose weights >2500 grams were large for gestational age weight. Duration of oxygen therapy (p = 0.620), duration of phototherapy (p = 0.474), and EBT (p = 0.466) showed no association with their survival while only duration of incubator care (p = 0.005) demonstrated significant association with outcome. CONCLUSION: The population of preterm babies studied is 32.70% and their survival has remarkably improved. However, this improved survival of preterm babies especially the extreme and very low birth weight categories has posed a big challenge due to limited access to incubator care, use of caffeine and surfactant which might influence the outcome.

Care-seeking behavior for neonatal jaundice in rural northern Nigeria.

Objective: This study determined the predictors of maternal knowledge and health-seeking behavior for neonatal jaundice in rural Kumbotso, northern Nigeria. Study design: Cross-sectional survey. Method: A total of 361 mothers were interviewed using structured questionnaires. Knowledge scores and care-seeking practices were determined. Adjusted odds ratios were generated from logistic regression models. Results: The proportion of respondents with good, fair and poor knowledge of neonatal jaundice were (46.0%, n â€‹= â€‹166), (24.1%, n â€‹= â€‹87) and (30.0%, n â€‹= â€‹108), respectively. Of the 117 mothers with a jaundiced child, (67.5%, n â€‹= â€‹79) and (20.5%, n â€‹= â€‹24) received treatment from health facilities and traditional healers, respectively, whereas (12.0%, n â€‹= â€‹14) resorted to home remedies. Maternal education Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) â€‹= â€‹2.39; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.16-4.91) (secondary school versus no formal), source of information on neonatal jaundice (AOR â€‹= â€‹11.3; 95%CI: 5.84-21.93) (health worker versus 'others'), recent delivery in a health facility (AOR â€‹= â€‹1.83; 95%CI: 1.06-3.14) and having a previously jaundiced child (AOR â€‹= â€‹5.06; 95%CI: 2.76-9.27) predicted knowledge. Preference for health facility treatment was predicted by a previously jaundiced child (AOR â€‹= â€‹10.04; 95%CI: 5.73-17.60), antenatal care (AOR â€‹= â€‹2.97; 95%CI: 1.43-6.15) (≥4 versus 0 visits), source of information on neonatal jaundice (AOR â€‹= â€‹2.33; 95%CI: 1.30-4.17) (health worker versus 'others'), and maternal ethnicity (AOR â€‹= â€‹0.36; 95%CI: 0.14-0.96) (Hausa-Fulani versus 'others'). Conclusion: Maternal knowledge of neonatal jaundice was sub-optimal. Being educated, health facility delivery, having had a jaundiced child, and receiving information from health workers predicted good knowledge. Having a previously jaundiced child, antenatal care, obtaining information from health workers and maternal ethnicity predicted preference for health facility treatment. Policies and programs should be strengthened to focus on prevention, early detection and prompt management of neonatal jaundice.

Blighia sapida K.D. Koenig: A review on its phytochemistry, pharmacological and nutritional properties.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ackee plant (Blighia sapida K. D. Koenig) (Sapindaceae) is used in Sub-Saharan Africa (where it has its origin) and in different parts of the world (The Caribbean, North and South America, Europe). Traditionally it is used to manage numerous ailments like backache, constipation, cancer, fever in young children, gonorrhea, dysentery, psychosis, hernia, stomach ache, malaria, rheumatism, typhoid etc. It is also used as a cosmetic and food source. The fruit aril is the main constituent of the Jamaican National Dish. This review summarizes its phytochemistry, nutritional properties, ethnobotany and pharmacology. The need to gather up to date information on this plant, to facilitate in vivo and in vitro investigations for verification of some of the local claims necessitated this review. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A literature search was performed on Ackee using ethno botanical text books and scientific databases such as PubMed, Scopus, EBSCO, Science-direct, Google, Google Scholar and other web sources like records from PROTA, PROSEA, JSTOR and Botanical Dermatology Database. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This review highlights the traditional uses of parts of the Ackee plant: the bark, the leaves, capsules, roots and seeds. They are used in the management of diverse disease conditions such as diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, fever, internal hemorrhage, dysentery, cutaneous skin infections, and bacterial infections amongst others. Only nineteen compounds have been reportedly isolated from the parts of B. sapida; Alkaloids, quinines, polyphenols, and steroids, their glycosides, sesquiterpenes and triterpenes. Some of the plant extracts and its isolated compounds showed anticancer, antimicrobial, antidiarrheal, antioxidant and hypoglycemic activities both in vitro and in vivo. The seed/leaves have also been used as insect repellants and the leaves have been reported to have lethal effects on larvae of various mosquitoes' species. The oil contains a lot of nutrients and may be considered for edible consumption after safety has been confirmed. Hypoglycin A and the less malignant hypoglycin B are found in the unripe aril of Ackee and consumption results in hypoglycemia, vomiting, gluconeogenesis disruption which can result in coma and death. The untapped economic potential of its fruits is glaring in West Africa countries. CONCLUSION: Though B.sapida has been put to enormous traditional use, the pharmacological studies conducted are not sufficient, most studies are either in-vivo or in-vitro. More work is required (well-designed pharmacological tests, randomized clinical trials) to evaluate these medicinal claims. This review provides a basis for future research. The isolation of more compounds,detailed pharmacological investigations, exploration of food use and detoxification techniques are key areas to investigate.

A phase III study comparing SB3 (a proposed trastuzumab biosimilar) and trastuzumab reference product in HER2-positive early breast cancer treated with neoadjuvant-adjuvant treatment: Final safety, immunogenicity and survival results.

BACKGROUND: The equivalent efficacy between SB3, a proposed trastuzumab biosimilar, and the trastuzumab reference product (TRZ) in terms of the breast pathologic complete response rate after neoadjuvant therapy in patients with early or locally advanced human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer was demonstrated in the previous report. Here, we report the final safety, immunogenicity and survival results after neoadjuvant-adjuvant treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomised 1:1 to receive neoadjuvant SB3 or TRZ for 8 cycles concurrently with chemotherapy (4 cycles of docetaxel followed by 4 cycles of 5-fluorouracil/epirubicin/cyclophosphamide). Patients then underwent surgery, followed by 10 cycles of adjuvant SB3 or TRZ as randomised. End-points included safety, immunogenicity, event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival through the adjuvant period. RESULTS: Of 875 patients randomised, 764 (SB3, n = 380; TRZ, n = 384) completed the study. The median follow-up duration was 437 days in the SB3 group and 438 days in the TRZ group. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events was comparable between groups (SB3, 97.5%; TRZ, 96.1%) during the overall study period. Up to the end of study, the overall incidence of antidrug antibody was low in both treatment groups (3 patients each). EFS was comparable between groups with a hazard ratio (SB3/TRZ) of 0.94 (95% confidence interval, 0.59-1.51) and EFS rates at 12 months of 93.7% for SB3 and 93.4% for TRZ. CONCLUSIONS: Final safety, immunogenicity and survival results of this study further support the biosimilarity established between SB3 and TRZ. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02149524); EudraCT (2013-004172-35).

Critical analysis of excessive utilization of crude protein in ruminants ration: impact on environmental ecosystem and opportunities of supplementation of limiting amino acids-a review.

Protein quality plays a key role than quantity in growth, production, and reproduction of ruminants. Application of high concentration of dietary crude protein (CP) did not balance the proportion of these limiting amino acids (AA) at duodenal digesta of high producing dairy cow. Thus, dietary supplementation of rumen-protected AA is recommended to sustain the physiological, productive, and reproductive performance of ruminants. Poor metabolism of high CP diets in rumen excretes excessive nitrogen (N) through urine and feces in the environment. This excretion is usually in the form of nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, nitrate, and ammonia. In addition to producing gases like methane, hydrogen carbon dioxide pollutes and has a potentially negative impact on air, soil, and water quality. Data specify that supplementation of top-limiting AA methionine and lysine (Met + Lys) in ruminants' ration is one of the best approaches to enhance the utilization of feed protein and alleviate negative biohazards of CP in ruminants' ration. In conclusion, many in vivo and in vitro studies were reviewed and reported that low dietary CP with supplemental rumen-protected AA (Met + Lys) showed a good ability to reduce N losses or NH3. Also, it helps in declining gases emission and decreasing soil or water contamination without negative impacts on animal performance. Finally, further studies are needed on genetic and molecular basis to explain the impact of Met + Lys supplementation on co-occurrence patterns of microbiome of rumen which shine new light on bacteria, methanogen, and protozoal interaction in ruminants.

Considering choline as methionine precursor, lipoproteins transporter, hepatic promoter and antioxidant agent in dairy cows.

During the transition period, fatty liver syndrome may be caused in cows undergo negative energy balance, ketosis or hypocalcemia, retained placenta or mastitis problems. During the transition stage, movement of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA) increases into blood which declines the hepatic metabolism or reproduction and consequently, lactation performance of dairy cows deteriorates. Most of studies documented that, choline is an essential nutrient which plays a key role to decrease fatty liver, NEFA proportion, improve synthesis of phosphatidylcholine, maintain lactation or physiological function and work as anti-oxidant in the transition period of dairy cows. Also, it has a role in the regulation of homocysteine absorption through betaine metabolite which significantly improves plasma α-tocopherol and interaction among choline, methionine and vitamin E. Many studies reported that, supplementation of rumen protected form of choline during transition time is a sustainable method as rumen protected choline (RPC) perform diverse functions like, increase glucose level or energy balance, fertility or milk production, methyl group metabolism, or signaling of cell methionine expansion or methylation reactions, neurotransmitter synthesis or betaine methylation, increase transport of lipids or lipoproteins efficiency and reduce NEFA or triacylglycerol, clinical or sub clinical mastitis and general morbidity in the transition dairy cows. The purpose of this review is that to elucidate the choline importance and functions in the transition period of dairy cows and deal all morbidity during transition or lactation period. Furthermore, further work is needed to conduct more studies on RPC requirements in dairy cows ration under different feeding conditions and also to elucidate the genetic and molecular mechanisms of choline in ruminants industry.

Lactobacillus casei and bifidobacterium lactis supplementation reduces tissue damage of intestinal mucosa and liver after 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid treatment in mice.

Probiotics (PB) are living microorganisms that act as a commensal population in normal intestines and confer numerous beneficial effects on the host. The introduction of probiotics in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) prolongs remission. The aim of this study was to investigate the intestinal and hepatic effects of PB supplementation in an experimental IBD model in mice induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). In the first step of the experimental procedure, CD-1 male mice, 5 to 6 weeks old, were randomly divided into 3 groups and inoculated intrarectally with, respectively, saline, alcohol, or TNBS to assess the experimental IBD model. In the second step, mice treated, or not, with TNBS inoculation, were treated with PB (Lactobacillus Casei, Bifidobacterum Lactis) for 1, 2 or 3 weeks, on a daily basis. Large bowel (colon and rectum) and liver were processed for histological alterations, according to a scoring system. Large bowel was also assessed for apoptosis by TUNEL assay. TNBS induced, as expected, severe damage and inflammation in the large bowel, including nuclear alterations and apoptosis, and, to a lesser extent, to the liver. Administration of PB determined significant reduction of both histological alterations and apoptosis. PB administration in advance protects from inflammation. In conclusion, supplementation with Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterum lactis PB is able to ameliorate the colitis by reversing the histological changes caused by TNBS in mice. Experimentation in human subjects in needed to prove their efficacy in reducing histological alterations that may be present in subjects with IBD.

POME is treated for removal of color from biologically treated POME in fixed bed column: applying wavelet neural network (WNN).

As Malaysia is one of the world's largest producer of palm oil, large amounts of palm oil mill effluent (POME) is generated. It was found that negatively charged components are accountable for POME color. An attempt was made to remove residual contaminants after conventional treatment using anion base resin. Adsorption experiments were carried out in fixed bed column. Various models such as the Thomas, the Yoon-Nelson, the Wolborska and BDST model were used to fit the experimental data. It was found that only the BDST model was fitted well at the initial breakthrough time. A wavelet neural network model (WNN) was developed to model the breakthrough curves in fixed bed column for multicomponent system. The results showed that the WNN model described breakthrough curves better than the commonly used models. The effects of pH, flow rate and bed depth on column performance were investigated. It was found that the highest uptake capacity was obtained at pH 3. The exhaustion time appeared to increase with increase in bed length and decrease in flow rate.

Knowledge and practice of alternatives to the conventional inferior dental block amongst dentists in Lagos.

BACKGROUND: The conventional inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) has been used for mandibular anaesthesia for many years. It is associated with a number of complications including failure of anaesthesia. Alternative techniques were therefore developed for the mandibular anaesthesia. OBJECTIVE: This study is to evaluate the knowledge and practice of alternatives to the conventional inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) amongst dentist in government owned hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS: Self administered questionnaires to assess the knowledge and practice of alternatives to the conventional inferior dental block for mandibular anaesthesia were sent to dentists in clinics situated in General hospitals and Teaching hospitals in Lagos. The information recorded included demographics (age and sex), institution of practice, and length of practice. The knowledge and practice of alternatives to the conventional IANB were also recorded. RESULTS: Of the 90 questionnaires sent out, only 66 (73.3%) were returned. Most respondents 43 (65.5%) practiced in the tertiary institutions. All respondents used the conventional IANB as their primary technique. Difficulty to achieve anaesthesia due to trismus 22 (34.4%) and pain on injection 20 (32.3%) were the most common complications/difficulty associated with the IANB. Forty (60.6%) of the respondent practiced the Akinosi/Varzirani technique (AVT) as a secondary technique while only 1 had ever attempted the Gow-Gate technique (GGT). Both the knowledge and practice of the alternative techniques had a statistically significant relationship to both formal training and primary training institution (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Formal training in the use of alternative techniques to the IANB in achieving mandibular anaesthesia was a very important factor that determined the practice and knowledge of these techniques. Although the IANB was still the primarychoice for all of our respondents, there are claims by a lot of the respondents that with more formal training the alternatives will used more regularly.

Convulsiones febriles / Febrile seizures

Las crisis febriles son el evento convulsivo más frecuente en niños menores de 5 años. La etiología es desconocida, aunque existe una importante predisposición genética. En general, la clínica es suficiente para hacer el diagnóstico, sin necesidad de ninguna prueba complementaria. El tratamiento agudo de las crisis, la evaluación del síndrome febril y una cuidadosa información a los padres son los principales objetivos del tratamiento. La profilaxis con fármacos antiepilépticos no está indicada para la prevención de las recurrencias. La mayoría de los niños con convulsiones febriles tienen buen pronóstico a largo plazo (AU)

Febrile seizures are the most common convulsive event in children younger tan 5 years of age. The etiology is unknown but there is an important genetic predisposition. Usually clinical assessment is sufficient for diagnosis, without need of any complementary test. Acute seizure treatment, evaluation of febrile syndrome and careful parental counseling are the most important goals of treatment. Prophylaxis with antiepileptic drugs is not indicated to prevent recurrences. The majority of children with febrile seizures have a normal long-tem outcome (AU)

Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies on Butyrospermum paradoxum.

The methanolic extracts of the leaves, stem bark, root bark, fruits and seeds kernels of Butyrospermum paradoxum have been evaluated for their phytochemical constituents, antibacterial and antifungal properties.

[Determination of immediate hypersensitivity to pollen in allergic patients in the Federal District]. / Determinación de hipersensibilidad inmediata a pólenes en pacientes alérgicos del Distrito Federal.

AIMS: The immediate hypersensibility immediate mediated by IgE represents the damage mechanism type 1 according to the original classification of Gell & Coombs. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Observational study, descriptive, transverse in the one which were checked the files of 1250 patient of the Allergy Service of the Hospital Infantil de Mexico Federico Gomez with diagnostic of rhinitis allergic; asthma; asthma and rhinitis allergic. RESULTS: 1250 patient studied 468 were of the feminine sex (37.44%) and 782 (62.58%) of the masculine with a mean age in either case of 7.9 +/- 3.5 SD. With respect to result of cutaneous test 154 (12.32%) were negative and 1096 (87.68%) were positive to one or more antigens. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results indicate the importance of accomplishing greater number of studies that relate not only the percentages of positive in the determination of immediate hypersensitive, but also to the frequency of pollens in the means to the one which is unfolded the patient, together with the stages of pollination throughout the Mexican Republic, in pediatric population as well as in adult, to effect cutaneous tests selects according to the zone and to stablish a specific treatment and adapted for each patient.

Thyroid function surveillance in CAPD patients.

We monitored thyroid function in 75 peritoneal dialysis patients (55 +/- 15 years). A total of 20 (27%) were hypothyroid; 9 were diagnosed about the time of initiation of dialysis, and 11 prior to onset of renal failure. Thyroid function surveillance found an increase in serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentration to hypothyroid values in only one patient. On replacement therapy serum thyroxine was similar in euthyroid and hypothyroid patients (6.94 +/- 1.69 vs 6.52 +/- 1.65 micrograms/dL, respectively; p = 0.380), but TSH was higher in hypothyroid patients (5.61 +/- 5.67 vs 2.59 +/- 1.49 microU/mL, respectively; p = 0.001). Serum creatinine (8.6 +/- 3.1 vs 11.4 +/- 5.1 mg/dL, respectively; p = 0.049) and albumin concentrations (3.76 +/- 0.47 vs 3.33 +/- 0.71 g/dL, respectively; p = 0.006) were lower in hypothyroid than euthyroid patients. Hyperthyroid patients had higher serum triglyceride concentrations than euthyroid patients (306 +/- 176 vs 189 +/- 122 mg/dL, respectively; p = 0.013). Parathyroid hormone (PTH) was lower in hypothyroid than normothyroid patients (108 +/- 80 vs 261 +/- 265 pg/mL, respectively; p = 0.032). No differences were observed in serum calcium, phosphorus, and alkaline phosphatase. We conclude that hypothyroidism is common in peritoneal dialysis patients, usually antedates dialysis therapy, results in lower serum albumin and creatinine concentrations and higher serum triglyceride concentrations, is associated with lower serum PTH concentrations, and that thyroid function surveillance is not necessary in the absence of symptoms suggestive of hypothyroidism.

Selenium independent glutathione peroxidase activity associated with cationic forms of glutathione transferase in human heart.

Glutathione peroxidase activity with both hydrogen peroxide and cumene hydroperoxide was measured in the cytosolic fractions prepared from five human hearts obtained from post-mortem victims. In all the samples the activity with cumene hydroperoxide was higher than that obtained with hydrogen peroxide, suggesting that the selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase could also be present in this tissue. To determine its presence in heart tissue we fractionated the cardiac cytosol fraction on a column of Sephadex G-100 and measured glutathione peroxidase activity with both the substrates. Glutathione transferase activity was measured with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene in the fractionated cytosol. The results indicated that a selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase activity was present (about 30% of total activity). Fractionation of the cytosol by gel filtration showed that peroxidase activity co-eluted with glutathione transferase activity. Subsequently the fractions containing glutathione transferase and selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase activity obtained from gel filtration experiments were passed through an affinity column and analyzed by isoelectric focusing. It was found that the selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase copurified with three isoenzymes of glutathione transferase which had a pI of 9.2, 8.9 and 8.6 respectively. In contrast the acidic isoenzymes of glutathione transferase lacked peroxidase activity. It is suggested that the selenium-independent glutathione peroxidase may play an important role in neutralizing oxygen toxicity in heart when the selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase activity is impaired.