Transcranial Infrared Laser Stimulation for the Treatment of Traumatic Brain Injury: A Case Series.

Introduction: This study intended to evaluate the safety and possible therapeutic effect of transcranial infrared laser stimulation (TILS) based on photobiomodulation (PBM) among patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: Eleven participants who were diagnosed with TBI after full neurological examination and MRI evaluation by a board-certified neurologist completed five to eight 20-minute TILS sessions using the Cytonsys CytonPro-5000 apparatus (pilot laser control, focused wavelength of 1064 nm, maximum output power of 10W, maximum optical power density of 500 mW/cm2, effective area 4.5 cm2 in diameter). Per TILS session, participants underwent a laser dose of 250 mW/cm2 continuous laser wave to each hemisphere using predetermined patient-specific coordinates. Structural imaging was used to neuronavigate individual treatment targets in the frontal cortex (Brodmann area 10). The primary safety measure for this study was the occurrence of adverse events (AEs) or serious adverse events (SAEs). The primary efficacy outcome measure was the participant-rated global rating of change (GRC) post-intervention. Secondary outcome measures included a battery of neuropsychological testing and mood questionnaires done both pre- and post-intervention. Results: All patients enrolled in this study protocol were able to tolerate the study procedures without any AEs or SAEs. Nine out of eleven participants had clinically significant improvements in GRC score (≥ +2). Neuropsychological testing and mood questionnaire outcomes also suggested a positive therapeutic effect. Conclusion: This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the safety and potential efficacy of TILS as a non-invasive clinical intervention for individuals with TBI.

How best to halt and/or revert UV-induced skin ageing: strategies, facts and fiction.

Once considered mainly a cosmetic issue, photoageing research has long moved to the forefront of investigative dermatology. Besides obvious market pressures, increasing insight into the mechanistic overlap between UV-induced skin cancer and UV-induced skin ageing has contributed to this development. Also, as strategies that work to antagonize intrinsic skin ageing/senescence may also be exploited against photoageing (and vice versa!), it has become an important skin research challenge to dissect both the differences and the overlap mechanisms between these interwined, yet distinct phenomena. Finally, the current surge in putative 'antiageing' products, devices, and strategies - too many of which boldly promise to fight and/or repair the perils that come along with a lifetime spent in the sun in the absence of convincing evidence of efficacy - makes it particularly pertinent to critically review the available evidence to support often made antiageing claims. The current CONTROVERSIES feature, therefore, aimed to provide both guidance through, and critical voices in, the antiageing circus. Here, a panel of experts defines relevant key problems, points the uninaugurated to intriguing aspects of photoageing that one may not have considered before, highlights promising strategies for how best to halt and/or revert it, and spiritedly debates some controversially discussed approaches.

Quantitative determination of cucurbitacin E and cucurbitacin I in homoeopathic mother tincture of Gratiola officinalis L. by HPLC.

"Hedgehyssop" Gratiola officinalis L. (Scrophulariaceae) is found as an ingredient in homeopathic remedies. Among the active compounds found in G. officinalis, the cucurbitacines constitute a group of triterpenoid substances which are well-known for their bitterness and toxicity. Due to the toxicity of the cucurbitacin's aglycones it becomes necessary to determine the content of the aglycones and glycosides that may be responsible for the pharmacological activity and toxicity in homeopathic tinctures according to the European Pharmacopeia guidelines. In this context a HPLC method was developed for the identification and determination of cucurbitacin E and I in homeopathic mother tinctures. To evaluate the total concentration of the aglycones, cucurbitacin E and I formed after hydrolysis we determined the concentration of both compounds after enzymatic hydrolysis with beta-glucosidase in vitro. Reversed-phase HPLC with a Eurospher C18 column with precolumn and acetonitrile-water gradient system as the mobile phase proved to be suitable for direct determination of both aglycons, cucurbitacin E and I in Gratiola-mother tinctures. The contents of cucurbitacin E, cucurbitacin I, cucurbitacin E glycoside and cucurbitacin I glycoside were found as 0.0065%, 0.0031%, 0.0011% and 0.0006%, respectively in Gratiola-mother tincture prepared according to method 2a HAB.

Effect of oral gabapentin on postoperative epidural analgesia.

BACKGROUND: Gabapentin has been used successfully as a non-opioid analgesic adjuvant for postoperative pain management. We hypothesized that gabapentin might be a useful adjuvant for postoperative analgesia provided with patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA). METHODS: Forty patients undergoing lower extremity surgery procedures were randomly assigned to receive (i) placebo capsules (control) or (ii) gabapentin (1.2 g day(-1)) before and for 2 days after surgery. Anaesthetic technique was standardized. Postoperative assessments included verbal rating scale scoring for pain and sedation, PCEA usage, quality of recovery assessment, times of GI function recovery, and patient satisfaction scoring for pain management. RESULTS: Pain scores at 1, 4, 8, 12, and 16 h (P<0.001), PCEA bolus requirements (n) at 24 [21 (3), 14 (2)], 48 [15 (4), 10 (3)] and 72 [8 (5), 2 (3)] (P<0.05) and paracetamol (mg) consumption [700 (523), 350 (400)]; P<0.05), were significantly lower in the gabapentin-treated patients than in the control group. Patient satisfaction with postoperative pain management at 24 h was better in gabapentin-treated patients [85.5 (7.5), 66.5 (15)]; P<0.001). Gabapentin-treated patients had less motor block when compared with control group. Times of return of bowel function, hospitalization, and resumption of dietary intake were similar in the groups. However, the incidence of dizziness was higher in the gabapentin group (35% vs 5%; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Oral gabapentin (1.2 g day(-1)) as an adjunct to epidural analgesia decreased pain and analgesic consumption. Despite an increased incidence of dizziness it also increased patient satisfaction.

Quantitative and cytotoxic activity determinations on Galanthus nivalis subsp. cilicicus.

Aerial and underground parts of Galanthus nivalis subsp. cilicicus, a wild-growing species in Turkey, were collected during two different vegetation periods in flowering and fruiting seasons. Herba and bulbus Galanthi were prepared from each specimen. With the aim of collecting data for prospective monographs on this drug, contents of humidity, ash, sulphated ash and total alkaloids were determined according to DAB 10. The specimens were also analyzed quantitatively for two of the principal alkaloids of the genus, galanthamine and lycorine, by using a method based on spectrophotometry complemented with TLC. LC50 values were determined for the ethanolic and alkaloidal extracts of each of the specimens using brine shrimp lethality bioassay.

Antimicrobial activity of Sternbergia sicula and Sternbergia lutea.

n-Hexane, ethyl acetate, ethanolic and aqueous extracts of the bulbs and aerial parts of Sternbergia sicula and Sternbergia lutea were tested for their antimicrobial and antifungal activity.

Galanthindole: a new indole alkaloid from Galanthus plicatus ssp. byzantinus.

A new indole alkaloid, galanthindole, was isolated from Galanthus plicatus ssp. byzantinus (Amaryllidaceae), a plant native to northwestern Turkey. Incorporating a non-fused indole ring, galanthindole may represent the prototype of a new subgroup of the Amaryllidaceae alkaloids. Two other bases, (+)-11-hydroxyvittatine and hordenine, are also reported from the same plant.