Chemical profiling by UHPLC-Q-TOF-HRESI-MS/MS and antibacterial properties of Entada abyssinica (Fabaceae) constituents.

A rapid untargeted UHPLC-Q-TOF-ESI-MS/MS-Based metabolomic profiling of the medicinal plant Entada abyssinica was performed. A total of 18 metabolites were detected, of which 10 could not be identified. Based on this result, an extensive chemical investigation of the CH2Cl2-MeOH (1:1) extract of this plant was carried out, leading to the isolation of a new ceramide, named entadamide (1), together with nine known compounds: monomethyl kolavate (2), 24-hydroxytormentic acid (3) chondrillasterol (4), 3-O-ß-D glucopyranosylstigmasterol (5), 3-O-ß-D glucopyranosylsitosterol (6), quercetin 3'-methylether (7), 2,3-dihydroxypropyl icosanoate (8), 2,3-dihydroxy-propyl 23-hydroxytricosanoate (9) and 2,3-dihydroxy-propyl 24-hydroxytetracosanoate (10). Their structures were elucidated by the analyses of their spectroscopic and spectrometric data (1D and 2D NMR, and HRESI-MS) in comparison with those reported in the literature. Furthermore, the crude extract and some isolated compounds were tested against non-ciprofloxacin resistant strains viz, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Samonella thyphi (ATCC 19430) and Samonella enterica (NR4294). The tested samples demonstrated significant activity against all the tested bacteria (MIC values: 3.12-12.5 µg/mL).

Indigenous practitioners' views on causes of female infertility.

Background: The use of indigenous practices has increased remarkably throughout the world. Subsequently, society uses this practice for the treatment of various health problems, including infertility. This research focussed on the role of indigenous practitioners (IPs) using a holistic approach to explore the causes of infertility in women. Aim: This study aimed to explore and describe the views of IPs on the causes of female infertility in Ngaka Modiri Molema health district. Setting: The study was conducted in Ngaka Modiri Molema, North West Province, one of the most rural provinces in South Africa. Methods: The study followed a qualitative explorative design. A purposive sampling technique identified five IPs who were experts in managing infertility. Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted, and data analysis used Creswell's method of qualitative data analysis. Results: Findings revealed that IPs offered a wide range of services in the treatment and management of infertility among rural women. Hence, the following themes emerged, namely, history taking regarding infertility, treatment of infertility and holistic care on infertility. Conclusion: The IPs are important providers of healthcare in the management of infertility in indigenous communities. The findings revealed that there are various causes of female infertility according to the indigenous healthcare system. Contribution: In contribution, the study described the unique practices found in the community as executed by the IPs. This care focusses on holistic care, including treatment and continuous care for the healthcare user and the family. Noteworthy to mention, this holistic care extends to subsequent pregnancies. However, there is a need for further research to valorise the indigenous knowledge unearthed in this study.

A conceptual framework for psychosocial health management grounded in the therapeutic merits of indigenous KhoiSan health dialogues.

BACKGROUND: The researchers established that an indigenous KhoiSan community functions healthily without western mental health services. This community relies on indigenous healthcare with positive health outcomes over centuries. Despite this positive evidence, the community's therapeutic achievements have not been explored previously. AIM: To explore the therapeutic merits embedded in dialogues of healing to formulate a generic approach to managing psychosocial challenges. SETTING: The study was conducted in an indigenous KhoiSan community, Northern Cape province, South Africa. METHODS: A qualitative approach, by using an indigenous African research design, was followed. An African Indigenous Health Research Framework (AIHRF) was employed, particularly applying a classical African indigenous method of data-collection, namely orature. Theoretical sampling was used for the purpose that the emerging data guide the researcher to the next participants. The four-step analysis of the mentioned framework was deployed for data analysis. RESULTS: It was deduced that the therapeutic merits of dialogues go beyond the word of mouth, leading to the emergence of themes related to the successful management of psychosocial health challenges in the KhoiSan community. CONCLUSION: These findings were used to generate a baseline conceptual framework for the management of psychosocial challenges in the KhoiSan community. CONTRIBUTION: Revitalisation of communal indigenous practices for the management of psychosocial health challenges within the KhoiSan community. The latter will sensitise research, teaching and learning to foster culturally informed counseling approaches. Moreover, these will inform policy formations to posses a culturally competent approach towards indigenous communities such as the KhoiSan community in the Northern Cape, South Africa.

¿Cómo realizamos el cribado de infección tuberculosa latente en pacientes candidatos a terapias biológicas en España? Una encuesta multidisciplinar / Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Patients who are Candidate for Biological Therapies in Spain? A Multidisciplinary Survey

Introducción: El tratamiento con terapias biológicas aumenta la incidencia de enfermedad tuberculosa. La implementación sistemática del cribado de la infección tuberculosa latente en pacientes que van a recibir estas terapias ha conseguido reducir el riesgo de desarrollarla. En 2016 se publicó en España el Documento de consenso sobre la prevención y el tratamiento de la tuberculosis en pacientes candidatos a tratamiento biológico. El objetivo principal del estudio fue evaluar la adherencia al mismo. Métodos: Estudio multicéntrico, descriptivo, observacional en forma de encuesta anónima online, difundida entre las diferentes sociedades médicas que trabajan con biológicos. Resultados: Se recibieron 747 respuestas. La mayoría de los encuestados realizaba el cribado en el momento adecuado y con la indicación correcta (93,7%). Solo un 36,6% de los encuestados solicitaba las pruebas diagnósticas adecuadas, mientras que el 56,3% acertaron las indicaciones de quimioprofilaxis. Hasta el 96% conocía las pautas de quimioprofilaxis recomendadas, mientras que solo el 63,9% las iniciaba en el momento adecuado. La especialidad con más participación y que más realizaba el cribado de infección tuberculosa latente fue reumatología (54%). En la mayoría de los casos, los neumólogos participaban como consultores. Conclusiones: Este estudio pone de manifiesto un bajo grado de adherencia a las recomendaciones, realizando un cumplimiento aceptable el 56% de los encuestados. Enfatizando en las pruebas diagnósticas adecuadas y en el algoritmo diagnóstico de infección tuberculosa latente, se podría reducir aún más la incidencia de enfermedad tuberculosa en los pacientes que van a recibir terapias biológicas

Introduction: Treatment with biological therapies increases the incidence of tuberculous disease. The introduction of systematic screening for latent tuberculosis infection in patients who are to receive these therapies has reduced this risk. In 2016, the consensus document on the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis in patients who are candidates for biological treatment was published in Spain. The main objective of this study was to evaluate adherence to these guidelines. Methods: Multicenter, descriptive, observational study via an anonymous online survey sent to medical societies involved in biologics. Results: We received 747 responses. Most respondents performed screening at the right time in the right patients (93.7%). Only 36.6% of respondents requested the appropriate diagnostic test, while 56.3% correctly recommended chemoprophylaxis. Up to 96% were familiar with the recommended chemoprophylaxis regimens, while only 63.9% initiated them at the right time. The specialist area that participated most and screened most patients for latent tuberculosis infection was rheumatology (54%). In most cases, pulmonologists were involved in an advisory capacity. Conclusions: This study shows poor overall adherence to recommendations, with only 56% of respondents reporting appropriate compliance. The incidence of tuberculous disease in patients who are to receive biological therapies could be reduced further by emphasizing the importance of the right diagnostic test and use of the diagnostic algorithm for latent tuberculosis infection

Screening for Latent Tuberculosis Infection in Patients who are Candidate for Biological Therapies in Spain? A Multidisciplinary Survey. / ¿Cómo realizamos el cribado de infección tuberculosa latente en pacientes candidatos a terapias biológicas en España? Una encuesta multidisciplinar.

INTRODUCTION: Treatment with biological therapies increases the incidence of tuberculous disease. The introduction of systematic screening for latent tuberculosis infection in patients who are to receive these therapies has reduced this risk. In 2016, the consensus document on the prevention and treatment of tuberculosis in patients who are candidates for biological treatment was published in Spain. The main objective of this study was to evaluate adherence to these guidelines. METHODS: Multicenter, descriptive, observational study via an anonymous online survey sent to medical societies involved in biologics. RESULTS: We received 747 responses. Most respondents performed screening at the right time in the right patients (93.7%). Only 36.6% of respondents requested the appropriate diagnostic test, while 56.3% correctly recommended chemoprophylaxis. Up to 96% were familiar with the recommended chemoprophylaxis regimens, while only 63.9% initiated them at the right time. The specialist area that participated most and screened most patients for latent tuberculosis infection was rheumatology (54%). In most cases, pulmonologists were involved in an advisory capacity. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows poor overall adherence to recommendations, with only 56% of respondents reporting appropriate compliance. The incidence of tuberculous disease in patients who are to receive biological therapies could be reduced further by emphasizing the importance of the right diagnostic test and use of the diagnostic algorithm for latent tuberculosis infection.

Conceptualisation of African primal health care within mental health care.

BACKGROUND:  It is believed by western education systems that the first contact should be with the nurse in primary health care. However, it is not the case. Therefore, the researcher attempts to correct this misconception by conceptualising the correct beginning of health seeking behaviour in an indigenous African community, namely African Primal Health Care (APHC). 'Primal' was coined during a colloquium by Dr Mbulawa and Seboka team members; however no formal conceptualisation took place, only operational definition. Due to the study scope, conceptualisation is narrowed to mental health, but this concept is applicable in the broader health context. The research purpose was to contribute to the body of indigenous knowledge systems to advocate towards co-existence of primal health care and mental health care. AIM:  Formulate APHC within a mental health care context. OBJECTIVES:  To explore philosophical grounding of APHC and describe epistemology of APHC. To analyse and crystallise the exploration to establish understanding within mental health and conceptualise APHC within mental health care to enhance co-existence. METHODOLOGY:  Narrative synthesis, concept analysis (qualitative design). Lekgotla was used as a method of data collection and data were analysed using Leedy and Ormrod's five steps of data analysis. RESULTS:  APHC is a health care system that existed in Africa prior to the introduction of the western health care system. It is based on the African belief system and practices. The practices come from the community, for the community and are authenticated by the community. APHC uses a holistic approach and the family and community are involved in the healing process.

Selenium-containing chrysin and quercetin derivatives: attractive scaffolds for cancer therapy.

Selenium-containing chrysin (SeChry) and 3,7,3',4'-tetramethylquercetin (SePQue) derivatives were synthesized by a microwave-based methodology. In addition to their improvement in terms of DPPH scavenging and potential GPx-like activities, when tested in a panel of cancer cell lines both selenium-derivatives revealed consistently to be more cytotoxic when compared with their oxo and thio-analogues, evidencing the key role of selenocabonyl moiety for these activities. In particular, SeChry elicited a noteworthy cytotoxic activity with mean IC50 values 18- and 3-fold lower than those observed for chrysin and cisplatin, respectively. Additionally, these seleno-derivatives evidenced an ability to overcome cisplatin and multidrug resistance. Notably, a differential behavior toward malignant and nonmalignant cells was observed for SeChry and SePQue, exhibiting higher selectivity indexes when compared with the chalcogen-derivatives and cisplatin. Our preliminary investigation on the mechanism of cytotoxicity of SeChry and SePQue in MCF-7 human mammary cancer cells demonstrated their capacity to efficiently suppress the clonal expansion along with their ability to hamper TrxR activity leading to apoptotic cell death.

In vitro exposure of Acer negundo pollen to atmospheric levels of SO2 and NO2: effects on allergenicity and germination.

In the last years, a rising trend of pollen allergies in urban areas has been attributed to atmospheric pollution. In this work, we investigated the effects of SO(2) and NO(2) on the protein content, allergenicity, and germination rate of Acer negundo pollen. A novel environmental chamber was assembled to exposure pollen samples with SO(2) or NO(2) at two different levels: just below and two times the atmospheric hour-limit value acceptable for human health protection in Europe. Results showed that protein content was lower in SO(2)-exposed pollen samples and slightly higher in NO(2)-exposed pollen compared to the control sample. No different polypeptide profiles were revealed by SDS-PAGE between exposed and nonexposed pollen, but the immunodetection assays indicated higher IgE recognition by all sera of sensitized patients to Acer negundo pollen extracts in all exposed samples in comparison to the nonexposed samples. A decrease in the germination rate of exposed in contrast to nonexposed pollen was verified, which was more pronounced for NO(2)-exposed samples. Our results indicated that in urban areas, concentrations of SO(2) and NO(2) below the limits established for human protection can indirectly aggravate pollen allergy on predisposed individuals and affect plant reproduction.

Experiences and support needs of poverty-stricken people living with HIV in the Potchefstroom district in South Africa.

This study was undertaken to address the lack of support for poverty-stricken people living with HIV that was identified in the Potchefstroom district in the North-West Province in South Africa. A qualitative phenomenological design was used to explore the experience, identify the support needs, and formulate guidelines for effective support for poverty-stricken people living with HIV. A total of 25 in-depth interviews guided by two central questions resulted in the following themes: facilitative and impeding experiences of poverty-stricken people living with HIV, basic needs, psychosocial needs, cultural-spiritual needs, and self-actualization needs. The experience of poverty-stricken people living with HIV in the Potchefstroom district is closely related to their support needs. To address these needs holistically and to enhance the quality of life of poverty-stricken people living with HIV, the needs should first be addressed individually. Following that, the collective needs can be addressed by a support system.

Modulation of selenoprotein P expression by TGF-beta(1) is mediated by Smad proteins.

Selenoprotein P (SeP) is a selenium-rich plasma protein which accounts for more than 50% this study, the effect of TGF-beta(1) on the expression of SeP in the human liver cell line HepG2 was investigated. Western analysis revealed a dose-dependent reduction of SeP content in cell supernatant. RT-PCR analysis of SeP-mRNA expression demonstrated a marked inhibition and a reporter gene under control of the SeP promoter was negatively regulated by TGF-beta(1). Smad proteins are the transcriptional mediators of TGF-beta signaling. A putative Smad-binding element (SBE) is present in the SeP promoter. In electrophoretic-mobility-shift assays, TGF-beta(1) enhanced the binding of nuclear proteins to this SBE. Overexpression of Smad3 and 4 resulted in a downregulation of SeP-promoter activity whereas deletion of the SBE led to a loss of TGF-beta(1) responsiveness. We conclude that SeP expression is modulated by the binding of Smad3/4 complexes to a functional SBE in the SeP promoter.

A novel method for the purification of selenoprotein P from human plasma.

Selenoprotein P was purified from human plasma using conventional chromatographic methods featuring metal-chelate-affinity chromatography as the final step. Two distinct isoforms with different selenium content were isolated and identified by N-terminal sequencing and immunoblot analysis. Their molecular mass is 61 and 51 kDa, respectively. Both isoforms could be detected in fresh plasma from five individuals. This rules out the possibility of the second isoform being an artifact which results from degradation of full-length selenoprotein P during purification.

Metallothionein in isolated pancreatic islets of mice: induction by zinc and streptozotocin, a naturally occurring diabetogen.

Metallothionein (MT) concentrations were determined in the cytosol of isolated pancreatic islets of mice, using both the cadmium (Cd)-heme and the Cd-Chelex assay. Both constitutive MT levels and significant MT induction were detected in islet cells. For MT induction, mice were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) with either zinc sulfate (Zn) or the diabetogen streptozotocin (STZ). Following an i.p. injection of 15 mg Zn.kg-1 body weight (body wt), the mean index of MT induction found in islets was comparable to that found in liver tissue, which was used as control. After i.p. injection of 30 mg Zn.kg-1 or a single high dose of STZ (100 or 200 mg.kg-1), the indices of MT induction in islets exceeded those in liver by a factor of 1.3, 2.5, or 1.5. After multiple low doses of STZ (3 or 5 x 40 mg.kg-1 given on consecutive days), in contrast, the MT induction indices in islets exceeded those in liver by a factor of 3.5 and 3.9 for 3 x 40 respectively 5 x 40 mg STZ.kg-1. In conclusion, our results demonstrate constitutive MT levels in isolated pancreatic islets and significant MT induction after i.p. injection with Zn or STZ, in particular after repeated low doses of STZ.

Reducing heart rate reactivity to stress with feedback. Generalization across task and time.

Heart rate (HR) reactions to two behavioral stressors (videogame and mental arithmetic) were measured in 8 experimental subjects who received biofeedback training and 8 matched control subjects during three assessment periods: pretraining, posttraining, and one-week follow-up. Experimental subjects exhibited significant reductions in HR following a training session in which they received ongoing HR feedback while playing a videogame. Control subjects, who played the same number of videogames without HR feedback, showed smaller HR reductions. During the training session, all subjects were instructed to reduce HR while maximizing game performance. In comparison to controls, experimental subjects (a) maintained lower HRs during videogame presentations after a one-week period and (b) generalized these HR reductions to the mental arithmetic challenge at follow-up. Performance on the videogame declined from posttraining to follow-up for experimental subjects but not for control subjects. No group difference in mental arithmetic performance was observed.

Neural tube defects: British vitamin trial starts slowly.

KIE: Despite failure to recruit the full complement of 2,000 subjects, Britain's controversial clinical trial of vitamins in the prevention of neural tube defects has begun. The Medical Research Council (MRC) recommended a randomized trial after preliminary research indicated that vitamin supplements, especially folic acid, might prevent spina bifida and similar defects if taken before and after conception. One of the four subject groups at risk will receive a placebo, a decision that has been criticized as unethical in light of prima facie evidence of the effectiveness of the supplements. The MRC maintains that all subjects are fully informed about the trial, and is reasonably confident that more subjects can be recruited.^ieng

Adrenergic control of hypothalamic function during osmotic stress in the mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos).

The role of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and biogenic amines (BA) in regulating the level of corticoids in the serum of osmotically stressed mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) was analyzed employing three experimental approaches: 1) pharmacologic alteration of central BA levels, 2) microscopic evaluation of BA distribution, and 3) placement of electrolytic lesions into the PVN. Reserpine and alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine (alphampt), agents that decrease the amount of BA's in the central nervous system, produced a fivefold increase in the concentration of serum corticoids. Conversely, pargyline and amphetamine, agents that increase the functional pool of BA's, prevented the rise in serum corticoid concentration normally observed in birds challenged with an intraperitoneal injection of hypertonic saline. When the topographic distribution of BA's was analyzed in the brains of osmotically stressed and nonstressed ducks distinct changes in the intensity of catecholamine (CA) fluorescence were observed in only bone location, the PVN of the hypothalamus. Additionally, electrolytic lesions stereotaxically placed in the PVN blocked the osmotic stress-induced rise in serum corticoid concentration. These data therefore indicate that the PVN in the mallard duck plays some role in regulating the observed stress-induced rise in serum corticoid concentration, and that this regulatory function is probably inhibited by catecholamines.

Corticoid uptake by the paraventricular nucleus in the hypothalamus of the duck, Anas platyrhynchos.

3H-corticoids were localized by autoradiography in small neurons in the area of the magnocellular paraventricular nucleus of mallard ducks. Correlative data show that: (1) the label is principally unmetabolized steroid, (2) the hypothalamus competitively binds corticosterone, (3) the paraventricular nucleus contains immunoreactive neurophysin, is richly innervated by boutons of monoaminergic nerves and is involved in the adaptive response to osmotic stress.