Comprehensive high-performance thin-layer chromatography analysis of Monteverdia ilicifolia leaf and its adulterants.

The leaves of Monteverdia ilicifolia (syn. Maytenus ilicifolia) are widely used in traditional South American medicine to treat gastrointestinal problems such as gastritis and ulcers. Several herbal products containing the leaves of M. ilicifolia can be found in the market. However, other species with similar leaf morphology are confounding materials, e.g. Monteverdia aquifolia (Celastraceae), Citronella gongonha (Cardiopteridaceae), Jodina rhombifolia (Santalaceae), Sorocea bonplandii (Moraceae) and Zollernia ilicifolia (Fabaceae). This study aimed to identify M. ilicifolia and distinguish it from its potential adulterants using high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) technique. Comprehensive HPTLC analysis revealed specific fingerprints that can be used to assess the minimum content of epicatechin and the quality of commercial espinheira-santa samples. The results of the study demonstrated that the HPTLC method is capable of detecting adulterations and distinguishing M. ilicifolia from all confounding materials in commercial products available on the market, showing that most of the products are of poor quality due to adulterations.

Multifunctional lipid-coated calcium phosphate nanoplatforms for complete inhibition of large triple negative breast cancer via targeted combined therapy.

Combined and targeted therapy have been extensively employed to achieve more effective elimination of tumor tissues. In this study, biocompatible multifunctional lipid-coated calcium phosphate nanoparticles (LCP NPs) were designed and constructed as an efficient targeted delivery system for combined gene/photothermal therapy to inhibit growth of the triple negative breast tumor (MDA-MB-468) in vitro and in vivo. LCP NPs were functionalized with a bispecific antibody (BsAb) via non-covalent bond specific for methoxy group of PEG (mPEG) on the particle surface. This BsAb is also able to target epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expressed on MDA-MB-468 cells. Such LCP-BsAb NPs loaded with Cell Death (CD)-siRNA and indocyanine green (ICG) were efficiently taken up by MDA-MB-468 cells, significantly inducing cell apoptosis and synergistically suppressing cell proliferation upon irradiation of 808 nm near-infrared laser. These targeted multifunctional LCP NPs more efficiently accumulated in the tumor tissue. The combined RNAi (CD-siRNA) and photothermal (ICG) therapy using the targeted LCP NPs nearly eliminated both small tumors (∼100 mm3) and large tumors (∼500 mm3) in the mouse model. Thus, the well-devised multifunctional LCP NPs are one of the most promising delivery systems for combined and targeted cancer therapy.

The maternal vaginal microbiome partially mediates the effects of prenatal stress on offspring gut and hypothalamus.

Early prenatal stress disrupts maternal-to-offspring microbiota transmission and has lasting effects on metabolism, physiology, cognition, and behavior in male mice. Here we show that transplantation of maternal vaginal microbiota from stressed dams into naive pups delivered by cesarean section had effects that partly resembled those seen in prenatally stressed males. However, transplantation of control maternal vaginal microbiota into prenatally stressed pups delivered by cesarean section did not rescue the prenatal-stress phenotype. Prenatal stress was associated with alterations in the fetal intestinal transcriptome and niche, as well as with changes in the adult gut that were altered by additional stress exposure in adulthood. Further, maternal vaginal transfer also partially mediated the effects of prenatal stress on hypothalamic gene expression, as observed after chronic stress in adulthood. These findings suggest that the maternal vaginal microbiota contribute to the lasting effects of prenatal stress on gut and hypothalamus in male mice.

Effects of multimicronutrient home fortification on anemia and growth in Bhutanese refugee children.

BACKGROUND: Anemia remains a significant public health problem in refugee settings. Home fortification with micronutrient powders has been proposed as a feasible option to alleviate micronutrient deficiencies; its efficacy in reducing anemia in children aged 6 to 24 months has been demonstrated in several trials. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a large-scale micronutrient powder distribution program in reducing anemia prevalence and promoting growth in refugee children aged 6 to 59 months. METHODS: Four representative cross-sectional surveys were conducted 13 months before and 7, 14, and 26 months after initiation of the supplementation program. Data collected on children aged 6 to 59 months included hemoglobin concentration, anthropometric indicators, morbidity, feeding practices, and information on the micronutrient distribution program. The study had a pre-post design with no control group. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of anemia in children did not change significantly between baseline (43.3%) and endpoint (40.2%). The prevalence of moderate anemia decreased over the same period from 18.9% to 14.4% (p < .05). The levels of severe anemia were negligible (< 1%) in all surveys. The prevalence of stunting decreased significantly from 39.2% at baseline to 23.4% at endpoint (p < .001), a relative decrease of40%. Reported coverage, use, and acceptance of micronutrient supplements remained consistently high throughout the study. CONCLUSIONS: In the absence of a control group, changes in key outcomes should be interpreted with caution. The minor effect on hemoglobin status requires further investigation of underlying causes of anemia in this population. The large positive effect on linear growth may be a significant benefit of supplementation if confirmed by future studies.

Intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET): a viable alternative to surgery for low back pain in workers' compensation patients?

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study was conducted to evaluate improvements in pain and disability in a series of 53 consecutive worker's compensation patients with discogenic low back pain following treatment with the intradiscal electrothermal therapy (IDET) procedure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 2002 and 2004, a total of 53 consecutive patients, who were claimants of worker's compensation, were treated using IDET for their discogenic low back pain. The outcomes of these patients were analyzed statistically for the current study by physical exam and self-assessment questionnaires of pain and disability at baseline and at 24-months post-procedure. Pain and disability outcomes were assessed by visual analog pain score (VAS) on a 0-100 mm scale and Oswestry Disability Index respectively. RESULTS: The mean patient age was 41.83 years (range 20 to 61 years). Caucasians (53 %), African-Americans (30%), and Hispanics (17%) formed the majority of population. Forty-nine percent were using narcotic pain medications at the time of initial assessment. The first definitive end point was considered at 24 months after the procedure. Median follow-up period was 56 months (range 29-72 months). A mean reduction (p < 0.001) of 63% in the VAS score and 70% in the Oswestry scores was noted after IDET. The patient's initial VAS and Oswestry scores (p < 0.05) significantly affected the final outcomes. Forty-seven percent of the patients returned to some degree of economic productivity and only seven (initial 26) consumed narcotic analgesics. CONCLUSION: IDET procedure can be a useful, safe and cost-effective option in the management of carefully selected workers' compensation claimants with chronic low back pain of discogenic etiology.