Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Larvicidal and Anticancer Activities of Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Extracts from Fruits of Lagerstroemia speciose and Flowers of Couroupita guianensis.

The present study aimed to analyze the in vitro antibacterial, antioxidant, larvicidal and cytotoxicity properties of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) using aqueous extracts from fruits of Lagerstroemia speciosa and flowers of Couropita guinensis. Synthesized Ag NPs were characterized using UV-DRS, FTIR, XRD, DLS, and High-Resolution SEM and TEM analyses. Absorption wavelength was observed at 386 nm by UV-DRS analysis and energy band gap was calculated as 3.24 eV. FTIR analysis showed the existence of various functional groups in the aqueous extract and in the NPs. DLS analysis showed the stability and particle size of the synthesized Ag NPs. SEM analysis revealed that Ag NPs are in a face centered cubic symmetry and spherical shape with a size of 23.9 nm. TEM analysis showed particle size as 29.90 nm. Ag NPs showed antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. DPPH scavenging trait of Ag NPs was ranging from 20.0 ± 0.2% to 62.4 ± 0.3% and observed significant larvicidal activity (LC50 at 0.742 ppm and LC90 at 6.061 ppm) against Culex quinquefasciatus. In vitro cytotoxicity activity of Ag NPs was also tested against human breast cancer (MCF-7) and fibroblast cells (L-929) and found that cells viabilities are ranging (500 to 25 µg/mL) from 52.5 ± 0.4 to 94.0 ± 0.7% and 53.6 ± 0.5 to 90.1 ± 0.8%, respectively. The synthesized Ag NPs have the potential to be used in the various biomedical applications.

A Mixed-Methods Pilot Study of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for HIV-Associated Chronic Pain.

Treatment guidelines for chronic pain recommend nonpharmacologic modalities as part of a comprehensive management plan. Chronic pain is common among people living with HIV/AIDS, but there is little data to guide the choice of nonpharmacologic therapies in this complex population. We performed a mixed-methods feasibility study of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) versus health education control with 32 inner city, HIV-infected participants. Outcome measures included: the Brief Pain Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, HIV Symptoms Index, autonomic function testing, and audiotaped focus groups. Post-intervention, participants reported modest improvements in pain measures and perceived stress, but no effect of group assignment was observed. At 3-month follow-up, 79% of MBSR participants were still practicing, and pain intensity was improved, whereas in the control group pain intensity had worsened. Qualitative analysis revealed a strong sense of community in both groups, but only MBSR was perceived as useful for relaxation and pain relief.

Vitamin D3 supplementation and body composition in persons with obesity and type 2 diabetes in the UAE: A randomized controlled double-blinded clinical trial.

BACKGROUND & AIM: The co-existence of vitamin D deficiency with obesity and type 2 diabetes is highly prevalent in the United Arab Emirates. We do not have studies evaluating the vitamin D dose response and sufficiency, and if sufficient substitution dose during a longer period could decrease obesity or change fat distribution in obese type 2 diabetic vitamin D deficient Emiratis. METHODS: A randomized double-blind clinical trial was conducted for 6 months followed by another 6 months of un-blinded follow up with 87 obese, type 2 diabetic participants. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (S-25(OH)D), anthropometric data, and life-style factors such as diet and sunlight exposure were measured. The study was executed in 3 phases in two arms vitamin D arm (n = 45) and placebo arm (n = 42); in Phase 1 the vitamin D arm received 6000 IU vitamin D3/day (3 months) followed by Phase 2 with 3000 IU vitamin D3/day. During follow up (phase 3) both the arms were un-blinded and supplemented with 2200 IU vitamin D3/day for another 6 months. RESULTS: At the baseline a significant (p < 0.01) positive association between body fat mass and body weight (r = 0.97) muscle mass (r = 0.47), water mass (r = 0.54), waist circumference (r = 0.82) and serum PTH (r = 0.28) was observed. On supplementation no significant changes in anthropometric dimensions was observed. S-25(OH) D peaked in phase 1 (77.2 ± 30.1 vs 28.5 ± 9.2, p = 0.003) followed by a decrease in phase 2 (62.3 ± 20.8, p = 0.006) paralleled by a decrease in parathyroid hormone in phase 2 (5.9 ± 2.4 vs 4.5 ± 1.8, p < 0.01) compared to baseline in vitamin D group. CONCLUSION: This study shows no significant influence of vitamin D supplementation on weight, fat mass or waist circumference in type 2 diabetic obese vitamin D deficient participants of Arab ethnicity after one year. Despite a relatively high daily dose of vitamin D3 we did not achieve target levels of S-25(OH)D above 75 nmol/L in this population. However, supplementation was safe, improved s- 25 (OH)D also reducing the incidence of eucalcemic parathyroid hormone elevation. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02101151.

Hypnosis for treatment of HIV neuropathic pain: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: Painful HIV distal sensory polyneuropathy (HIV-DSP) is the most common nervous system disorder in HIV patients. The symptoms adversely affect patients' quality of life and often diminish their capacity for independent self-care. No interventions have been shown to be consistently effective in treating the disorder. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether hypnosis could be a useful intervention in the management of painful HIV-DSP. METHOD: Participants were 36 volunteers with HIV-DSP who received three weekly training sessions in self-hypnosis. Participants were followed for pain and its sequelae for 7 weeks prior to the intervention, and for 7 weeks postintervention. Participants remained on the same standard-of-care pain regimen for the entire 17 weeks of the protocol. The primary outcome measure was the Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire cale (SFMPQ) total pain score. Other outcome measures assessed changes in affective state and quality of life. RESULTS: Mean SFMPQ total pain scores were reduced from 17.8 to 13.2 (F[1, 35] = 16.06, P < 0.001). The reductions were stable throughout the 7-week postintervention period. At exit, 26 out of 36 (72%) had improved pain scores. Of the 26 who improved, mean pain reduction was 44%. Improvement was found irrespective of whether or not participants were taking pain medications. There was also evidence for positive changes in measures of affect and quality of life. CONCLUSION: Brief hypnosis interventions have promise as a useful and well-tolerated tool for managing painful HIV-DSP meriting further investigation.

Control of hypertension among adults--National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, United States, 2005-2008.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, and approximately 1 million heart attacks and 700,000 strokes occur annually. Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke; the unadjusted prevalence of hypertension among U.S. adults aged ≥18 years is approximately 31% (representing 68 million adults), and hypertension increases with age to approximately 70% among persons aged ≥65 years. Hypertension contributes to one out of every seven deaths in the United States, and approximately 70% of persons who have a first heart attack or stroke or who have heart failure have hypertension. In clinical trials, treatment of hypertension was associated with substantial reductions in stroke incidence (35%-40%), myocardial infarction (20%-25%), and heart failure (>50%). The estimated annual direct costs of hypertension are approximately $69.9 billion, and the estimated annual indirect costs are $23.6 billion.