Patient-reported outcomes in Primary Spinal Intradural Tumours: a systematic review.

STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. OBJECTIVES: Primary Spinal Intradural Tumours (PSITs) are rare pathologies that can significantly impact quality of life. This study aimed to review patient reported outcomes (PROs) in PSITs. METHODS: A systematic search of Pubmed and Embase was performed to identify studies measuring PROs in adults with PSITs. PRO results were categorised as relating to Global, Physical, Social, or Mental health. Outcomes were summarised descriptively. RESULTS: Following review of 2382 records, 11 studies were eligible for inclusion (737 patients). All studies assessed surgically treated patients. Schwannoma was the commonest pathology (n = 190). 7 studies measured PROs before and after surgery, the remainder assessed only post-operatively. For eight studies, PROs were obtained within 12 months of treatment. 21 PRO measurement tools were used across included studies, of which Euro-Qol-5D (n = 8) and the pain visual/numerical analogue scale (n = 5) were utilised most frequently. Although overall QoL is lower than healthy controls in PSITs, improvements following surgery were found in Extramedullary tumours (EMT) in overall physical, social, and mental health. Similar improvements were not significant across studies of Intramedullary tumours (IMT). Overall QoL and symptom burden was higher in IMT patients than in brain tumour patients. No studies evaluated the effect of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. CONCLUSION: Patients with PSITs suffer impaired PROs before and after surgery. This is particularly true for IMTs. PRO reporting in PSITs is hindered by a heterogeneity of reporting and varied measurement tools. This calls for the establishment of a standard set of PROs as well as the use of registries.

Patient-Led Skin Cancer Teledermatology without Dermoscopy during the Covid pandemic: Important lessons for the development of future patient-facing teledermatology & AI-assisted self-diagnosis.

MySkinSelfie was a mobile phone application for skin self-monitoring enabling secure sharing of patient-captured images with healthcare providers. This retrospective study assessed MySkinSelfie's role in remote skin cancer assessment at two centres for urgent (melanoma & squamous cell carcinoma) and non-urgent skin cancer referrals, investigating the feasibility of using patient-taken images without dermoscopy for remote diagnosis. Total number of lesions utilising MySkinSelfie was 814 with mean age of 63. Remote consultations reduced face-to-face appointments by 90% for basal cell carcinoma and 63% for two-week-wait referrals. Diagnostic concordance (consultant vs histological diagnosis) rates of 72% and 83% were observed for basal cell carcinoma (n=107) and urgent skin cancers (n=704), respectively. Challenges included image quality, workflow integration and lack of dermoscopy. Higher sensitivities have been observed in recent Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms employing dermoscopy. While patient-taken images proved useful during the pandemic, further research is needed to explore the feasibility of widespread patient-led dermoscopy to enable direct patient-to-AI diagnostic assessment.

Ziziphus spina-christi extract-stabilized novel silver nanoparticle synthesis for combating Fusarium oxysporum-causing pepper wilt disease: in vitro and in vivo studies.

The novelty of the present study is studying the ability of aqueous Ziziphus spina-christi leaves' extract (ZSCE) to produce eco-friendly and cost-effective silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) against Fusarium wilt disease. Phytochemical screening of ZSCE by HPLC showed that they contain important antimicrobial substances such as Rutin, Naringin, Myricetin, Quercetin, Kaempferol, Hesperidin, Syringeic, Eugenol, Pyrogallol, Gallic and Ferulic. Characterization methods reveal a stable Ag NPs with a crystalline structure, spherical in shape with average particle size about 11.25 nm. ZSCE and Ag NPs showed antifungal potential against F. oxysporum at different concentrations with MIC of Ag NPs as 0.125 mM. Ag NPs treatment was the most effective, as it gave the least disease severity (20.8%) and the highest protection rate (75%). The application of ZSCE or Ag NPs showed a clear recovery, and its effectiveness was not limited for improving growth and metabolic characteristics only, but also inducing substances responsible for defense against pathogens and activating plant immunity (such as increasing phenols and strong expression of peroxidase and polyphenol oxidase as well as isozymes). Owing to beneficial properties such as antifungal activity, and the eco-friendly approach of cost and safety, they can be applied in agricultural field as novel therapeutic nutrients.

Pomegranate Peel Extract Stabilized Selenium Nanoparticles Synthesis: Promising Antimicrobial Potential, Antioxidant Activity, Biocompatibility, and Hemocompatibility.

The green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) had been synthesized by pomegranate peel extract (PPE). The antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of the synthesized Se NPs, as well as their hemocompatibility, were investigated. Se NPs were characterized by UV-Vis., SEM, XRD, HR-TEM, DLS, EDX, FTIR, and mapping techniques. HR-TEM image represented the spheroidal forms with moderately monodispersed NPs with a mean diameter 14.5 nm. The SEM image of Se NPs, incorporated with PPE, exhibits uniform NP surfaces, and the appearance was clear. The antimicrobial results confirmed the potential of Se NPs to hinder the growth of some tested pathogenic microbes. Results revealed that Se NPs exhibited promising antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus mutans where inhibition zones were 29, 16, 41, 22, and 54 mm, respectively. Likewise, it exhibited antifungal activity where the values of inhibition zones were 41, 40, 38, and 36 mm against Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus, and A. niger, respectively. The antioxidant activities of Se NPs at concentrations 250-4000 µg/mL were greater than 90% in all cases. Se NP concentrations of 500 µg/mL or less are safe in usage according to hemocompatibility study. Se NPs had an IC50 of 113.73 µg/mL in a cytotoxicity experiment. Results revealed that Se NPs have promising anticancer activities against MCF7 and Mg63 cancerous cell line, where IC50 was 69.8 and 47.9 µg/mL, respectively. In conclusion, Se NPs were successfully biosynthesized using PPE for the first time; these Se NPs had promising antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities.

Informing the UK Muslim Community on Organ Donation: Evaluating the Effect of a National Public Health Programme by Health Professionals and Faith Leaders.

There is a significant shortage of transplantable organs in the UK particularly from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) groups, of which Muslims make a large proportion. The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) held a nationwide series of community gatherings with the aim of describing the beliefs and attitudes to organ donation amongst British Muslims and evaluate the efficacy of a national public health programme on views and uncertainties regarding religious permissibility and willingness to register. Eight public forums were held across the UK between June 2019 and March 2020 by the British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA). A panel of experts consisting of health professionals and Imams discussed with audiences the procedures, experiences and Islamic ethico-legal rulings on organ donation. Attendees completed a self-administered questionnaire which captured demographic data along with opinions before and after the session regarding religious permissibility and willingness to register given permissibility. A total of 554 respondents across seven UK cities were included with a M:F ratio 1:1.1. Only 45 (8%) respondents were registered as organ donors. Amongst those not registered multiple justifications were detailed, foremost of which was religious uncertainty (73%). Pre-intervention results indicated 50% of respondents were unsure of the permissibility of organ donation in Islam. Of those initially unsure or against permissibility or willingness to register, 72% changed their opinion towards deeming it permissible and 60% towards a willingness to register indicating a significant change in opinion (p < 0.001). The effectiveness of our interventions suggests further education incorporating faith leaders alongside local healthcare professionals to address religious and cultural concerns can reduce uncertainty whilst improving organ donation rates among the Muslim community.

Hydrothermal assisted biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles: A potential study on virulent candida isolates from COVID-19 patients.

Till now the exact mechanism and effect of biogenic silver nanoparticles on fungus is an indefinable question. To focus on this issue, the first time we prepared hydrothermal assisted thyme coated silver nanoparticles (T/AgNPs) and their toxic effect on Candida isolates were determined. The role of thyme (Thymus Vulgaris) in the reduction of silver ions and stabilization of T/AgNPs was estimated by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, structure and size of present silver nanoparticles were detected via atomic force microscopy as well as high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The biological activity of T/AgNPs was observed against Candida isolates from COVID-19 Patients. Testing of virulence of Candida species using Multiplex PCR. T/AgNPs proved highly effective against Candida albicans, Candida kruzei, Candida glabrata and MIC values ranging from 156.25 to 1,250 µg/mL and MFC values ranging from 312.5 to 5,000 µg/mL. The structural and morphological modifications due to T/AgNPs on Candida albicans were detected by TEM. It was highly observed that when Candida albicans cells were subjected to 50 and 100 µg/mL T/AgNPs, a remarkable change in the cell wall and cell membrane was observed.

Photocatalytic and Antimicrobial Activities of Biosynthesized Silver Nanoparticles Using Cytobacillus firmus.

The toxicity of the ecosystem has increased recently as a result of the increased industrial wastewater loaded with organic contaminants, including methylene blue (MB), which exerts serious damage to the environment. Thus, the present work aims to green the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) and to evaluate their degradability of notorious MB dye, as well as their antimicrobial activities. Ag-NPs were synthesized by Cytobacillus firmus extract fully characterized by UV-vis, TEM, DLS, XRD, and FTIR. Ag-NPs showed good antibacterial and antifungal activities against Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Enterococcus feacalis ATCC 29212, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, and Candida albicans ATCC 90028. Moreover, Ag-NPs exhibited a high biodegradability level (98%) of MB dye after 8 h of co-incubation in the presence of sunlight. Additionally, the phytotoxicity of treated MB dye-contaminated water sample showed good germination of Vicia faba as compared with non-treated MB dye-contaminated solution. In conclusion, the herein biosynthesized Ag-NPs demonstrated its feasibility of the purification of contaminated water from microbes and methylene blue dye and the probability of reusing purified water for agricultural purposes.

Design, Synthesis, and Spectroscopic Studies of Some New α-Aminophosphonate Analogues Derived from 4-Hydroxybenzaldehyde with Special Reference to Anticancer Activity.

Introduction: As biological activity components, α-aminophosphonates and their moieties play important roles in medicinal chemistry. Alpha-phosphonic acids are significant α-amino acid counterparts. Due to its strong biological activity, this class of molecule has recently been discovered to have numerous medical applications. Results and Discussion: A new class of α-aminophosphonates and arylidene derivatives was synthesized. Various spectroscopic and elemental analyses were used to confirm the prepared products. The produced materials were tested as anticancer against breast carcinoma cells and normal human cells (PBMC). Besides the analysis results, it was found that (7b, 4c, 5k, 6, 5a, 7c, 5f, 5b, and 5g) against MCF-7 line cells. As a reference anticancer drug, 5-fluorouracil was used. The anticancer activities showed that the compounds 7b, 4c, containing α-aminophosphonate and Schiff base groups, respectively, showed high inhibition activity against the MCF-7 cell line, with 94.32% and 92.45% inhibition compared to the inhibition by 5-FU with 96.02% inhibition. The results showed that the compounds 5k, 7b, 6, and 5a, respectively, had very low activity against normal human cells PBMC, with 12.77%, 13%, 13.13%, and 17.88% inhibition compared to the inhibition by 5-FU with 12.50% inhibition. The binding energy for non-bonding interactions between the ligand (studied compounds) and receptor, thymidylate synthase, was determined using molecular docking (pdb code: 1AN5). Conclusion: α-aminophosphonate derivatives, arylidines, and disphosphonate derivatives derived from 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde were synthesized, purified, elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, and finally tested against carcinoma breast cancer to give high to moderate to low activity.

Multifunctional Silver Nanoparticles Based on Chitosan: Antibacterial, Antibiofilm, Antifungal, Antioxidant, and Wound-Healing Activities.

The purpose of this study is to create chitosan-stabilized silver nanoparticles (Chi/Ag-NPs) and determine whether they were cytotoxic and also to determine their characteristic antibacterial, antibiofilm, and wound healing activities. Recently, the development of an efficient and environmentally friendly method for synthesizing metal nanoparticles based on polysaccharides has attracted a lot of interest in the field of nanotechnology. Colloidal Chi/Ag-NPs are prepared by chemical reduction of silver ions in the presence of Chi, giving Chi/Ag-NPs. Physiochemical properties are determined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) analyses. TEM pictures indicate that the generated Chi/Ag-NPs are nearly spherical in shape with a thin chitosan covering around the Ag core and had sizes in the range of 9-65 nm. In vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa by a resazurin-mediated microtiter plate assay. The highest activity was observed with the lowest concentration of Chi/Ag-NPs, which was 12.5 µg/mL for both bacterial strains. Additionally, Chi/Ag-NPs showed promising antifungal features against Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus terreus, and Aspergillus niger, where inhibition zones were 22, 29, 20, and 17 mm, respectively. Likewise, Chi/Ag-NPs revealed potential antioxidant activity is 92, 90, and 75% at concentrations of 4000, 2000, and 1000 µg/mL, where the IC50 of Chi/Ag-NPs was 261 µg/mL. Wound healing results illustrated that fibroblasts advanced toward the opening to close the scratch wound by roughly 50.5% after a 24-h exposure to Chi/Ag-NPs, greatly accelerating the wound healing process. In conclusion, a nanocomposite based on AgNPs and chitosan was successfully prepared and exhibited antibacterial, antibiofilm, antifungal, antioxidant, and wound healing activities that can be used in the medical field.

Synthesis of Chitosan-Based Gold Nanoparticles: Antimicrobial and Wound-Healing Activities.

The global spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria has become a significant hazard to public health, and more effective antibacterial agents are required. Therefore, this study describes the preparation, characterization, and evaluation of gold nanoparticles modified with chitosan (Chi/AuNPs) as a reducing and stabilizing agent with efficient antimicrobial effects. In recent years, the development of an efficient and ecofriendly method for synthesizing metal nanoparticles has attracted a lot of interest in the field of nanotechnology. Colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared by the chemical reduction of gold ions in the presence of chitosan (Chi), giving Chi/AuNPs. The characterization of Chi/AuNPs was carried out by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Chi/AuNPs appeared spherical and monodispersed, with a diameter ranging between 20 to 120 nm. The synergistic effects of AuNPs and Chi led to the disruption of bacterial membranes. The maximum inhibitory impact was seen against P. aeruginosa at 500 µg/mL, with a zone of inhibition diameter of 26 ± 1.8 mm, whereas the least inhibitory effect was reported for S. aureus, with a zone of inhibition diameter of 16 ± 2.1 mm at the highest dose tested. Moreover, Chi/AuNPs exhibited antifungal activity toward Candida albicans when the MIC was 62.5 µg/mL. Cell viability and proliferation of the developed nanocomposite were evaluated using a sulphorhodamine B (SRB) assay with a half inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 111.1 µg/mL. Moreover, the in vitro wound-healing model revealed that the Chi/AuNP dressing provides a relatively rapid and efficacious wound-healing ability, making the obtained nanocomposite a promising candidate for the development of improved bandage materials.

Inhibition of Aspergillus flavus Growth and Aflatoxin Production in Zea mays L. Using Endophytic Aspergillus fumigatus.

Aspergillus flavus infection of vegetative tissues can affect the development and integrity of the plant and poses dangerous risks on human and animal health. Thus, safe and easily applied approaches are employed to inhibit A. flavus growth. To this end, the fungal endophyte, i.e., Aspergillus fumigatus, was used as a safe biocontrol agent to reduce the growth of A. flavus and its infection in maize seedlings. Interestingly, the safe endophytic A. fumigatus exhibited antifungal activity (e.g., 77% of growth inhibition) against A. flavus. It also reduced the creation of aflatoxins, particularly aflatoxin B1 (AFB1, 90.9%). At plant level, maize seedling growth, leaves and root anatomy and the changes in redox status were estimated. Infected seeds treated with A. fumigatus significantly improved the germination rate by 88.53%. The ultrastructure of the infected leaves showed severe disturbances in the internal structures, such as lack of differentiation in cells, cracking, and lysis in the cell wall and destruction in the nucleus semi-lysis of chloroplasts. Ultrastructure observations indicated that A. fumigatus treatment increased maize (leaf and root) cell wall thickness that consequentially reduced the invasion of the pathogenic A. flavus. It was also interesting that the infected seedlings recovered after being treated with A. fumigatus, as it was observed in growth characteristics and photosynthetic pigments. Moreover, infected maize plants showed increased oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation and H2O2), which was significantly mitigated by A. fumigatus treatment. This mitigation was at least partially explained by inducing the antioxidant defense system, i.e., increased phenols and proline levels (23.3 and 31.17%, respectively) and POD, PPO, SOD and CAT enzymes activity (29.50, 57.58, 32.14 and 29.52%, respectively). Overall, our study suggests that endophytic A. fumigatus treatment could be commercially used for the safe control of aflatoxins production and for inducing biotic stress tolerance of A. flavus-infected maize plants.

Pseudomonas indica-Mediated Silver Nanoparticles: Antifungal and Antioxidant Biogenic Tool for Suppressing Mucormycosis Fungi.

Mucormycosis is considered one of the most dangerous invasive fungal diseases. In this study, a facile, green and eco-friendly method was used to biosynthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Pseudomonas indica S. Azhar, to combat fungi causing mucormycosis. The biosynthesis of AgNPs was validated by a progressive shift in the color of P. indica filtrate from colorless to brown, as well as the identification of a distinctive absorption peak at 420 nm using UV-vis spectroscopy. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results indicated the existence of bioactive chemicals that are responsible for AgNP production. AgNPs with particle sizes ranging from 2.4 to 53.5 nm were discovered using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Pattern peaks corresponding to the 111, 200, 220, 311, and 222 planes, which corresponded to face-centered cubic forms of metallic silver, were also discovered using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Moreover, antifungal activity measurements of biosynthesized AgNPs against Rhizopus Microsporus, Mucor racemosus, and Syncephalastrum racemosum were carried out. Results of antifungal activity analysis revealed that the biosynthesized AgNPs exhibited outstanding antifungal activity against all tested fungi at a concentration of 400 µg/mL, where minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were 50, 50, and 100 µg/mL toward R. microsporus, S. racemosum, and M. racemosus respectively. In addition, the biosynthesized AgNPs revealed antioxidant activity, where IC50 was 31 µg/mL when compared to ascorbic acid (0.79 µg/mL). Furthermore, the biosynthesized AgNPs showed no cytotoxicity on the Vero normal cell line. In conclusion, the biosynthesized AgNPs in this study can be used as effective antifungals with safe use, particularly for fungi causing mucormycosis.

Investigation of the Anticancer Effect of α-Aminophosphonates and Arylidine Derivatives of 3-Acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2(1H)-one on the DMBA Model of Breast Cancer in Albino Rats with In Silico Prediction of Their Thymidylate Synthase Inhibitory Effect.

Breast cancer is a major cause of death in women worldwide. In this study, 60 female rats were classified into 6 groups; negative control, α-aminophosphonates, arylidine derivatives of 3-acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2(1H)-one, DMBA, DMBA & α-aminophosphonates, and DMBA & arylidine derivatives of 3-acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2(1H)-one. New α-aminophosphonates and arylidine derivatives of 3-acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2(1H)-one were synthesized and elucidated by different spectroscopic and elemental analysis. Histopathological examination showed marked proliferation of cancer cells in the DMBA group. Treatment with α-aminophosphonates mainly decreased tumor mass. Bcl2 expression increased in DMBA-administered rats and then declined in the treated groups, mostly with α-aminophosphonates. The level of CA15-3 markedly declined in DMBA groups treated with α-aminophosphonates and arylidine derivatives of 3-acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2(1H)-one. Gene expression of GST-P, PCNA, PDK, and PIK3CA decreased in the DMBA group treated with α-aminophosphonates and arylidine derivatives of 3-acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2(1H)-one, whereas PIK3R1 and BAX increased in the DMBA group treated with α-aminophosphonates and arylidine derivatives of 3-acetyl-1-aminoquinolin-2(1H)-one. The molecular docking postulated that the investigated compounds can inhibt the Thymidylate synthase TM due to high hydrophobicity charachter.

Preparation of Electrochemical Supercapacitor Based on Polypyrrole/Gum Arabic Composites.

The current research focused on the super capacitive behavior of organic conducting polymer, i.e., polypyrrole (PPy) and its composites with gum arabic (GA) prepared via inverse emulsion polymerization. The synthesized composites material was analyzed by different analytical techniques, such as UV-visible, FTIR, TGA, XRD, and SEM. The UV-Vis and FTIR spectroscopy clearly show the successful insertion of GA into PPy matrix. The TGA analysis shows high thermal stability for composites than pure PPy. The XRD and SEM analysis show the crystalline and amorphous structures and overall morphology of the composites is more compact and mesoporous as compared to the pure PPy. The electrochemical properties of modified solid state supercapacitors established on pure polypyrrole (PPy), polypyrrole/gum arabic (PPy/GA) based composites were investigated through cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge-discharge (GCD). The specific capacitance of the PPy modified gold electrode is impressive (~168 F/g). The specific capacitance of PPy/GA 1 electrode has been increased to 368 F/g with a high energy density and power density (~73 Wh/kg), and (~599 W/kg) respectively.

Synthesis of Isatin Derivatives Exhibiting Antibacterial, Antifungal and Cytotoxic Activities.

OBJECTIVE: The current objective was to synthesize biologically active Isatin derivatives. For this purpose, six (06) chemical entities of Isatin derivatives such as 3a-3c and 4a-4c were synthesized from Isatin substrate. METHODS: The pure compounds were characterized with the help of 1H-NMR, FT-IR, EIMS spectroscopic techniques. The synthesized amines 3a-3c and hydrazones 4a-4c were evaluated for their toxicity potential with the help of brine shrimp bioassay. RESULTS: The obtained results revealed that 3c exhibited promising toxicity (LD50 = 1.03 × 10-5 M) against Artemia salina. The pure chemical entities such as compounds 3a-3c and 4a-4c were evaluated against four Gram-negative (E. coli, P. aeruginosa, S. typhi, S. flexneri) and two Gram-positive (B. subtilis, S. aureus) bacteriae. The compound 3a displayed significant activity against two bacterial strains; i.e. P. aeruginosa, S. typhi, compound 3c demonstrated significant activity against P. aeruginosa. Compound 4b was the most active against S. typhi, displaying a greater diameter of the growth of inhibition zone (GIZ) than the standard drug. Compound 4c exhibited significant activity against P. aeruginosa and S. typhi. Compounds 3a-3c and 4a-4c exhibited moderate to significant antibacterial activity against three out of five strains. Only Compound 3c revealed promising toxicity (LD50 = 1.03 × 10-5 M) against Artemia salina. Antifungal studies of the compounds 3a-3c and 4a-4c against six fungal cultures; T. longifusus, C. albicans, A. flavus, M. canis, F. solani, and C. glabrata. All the compounds were active against one or more pathogens having inhibition (10- 90 %). Compound 3a exhibited significant inhibition i.e. 90 % against M. canis, 70 % against T. longifusus, compound 4b further displayed significant inhibition (90 %) against A. flavus and thus proved to be the most active member of the series. CONCLUSION: All compounds showed better antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic activities, which may provide a ground to prepare enhanced molecules with much higher antibacterial activities.

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Relationship with Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Fibromyalgia: a Systematic Review of the Literature.

Fibromyalgia is a debilitating chronic condition which poses a therapeutic challenge to the clinician. With a large backlog in patient flow subsequent to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising numbers of patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) presenting with fibromyalgia-like clinical features, there is an increasingly pressing need to identify broad cost-effective interventions. Low levels of vitamin D have previously been reported in patients with fibromyalgia, though any causative link has been difficult to establish. A systematic literature review on the association between vitamin D deficiency and fibromyalgia was performed examining retrospective evidence both for and against an association between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and fibromyalgia and evaluating the therapeutic benefit from supplementation. A group of six studies were selected based on relevance, use of controls, quality of research and citations. Four primary studies assessing the prevalence of VDD in fibromyalgia patients versus controls were evaluated with a total 3,496 subjects. Three included females only and one larger study assessed males. Two (n = 313) concluded the presence of a statistically significant association, and two (n = 161) found none. Two randomised controlled trials assessing the effect of vitamin D supplementation in a total of 80 subjects found conflicting results, with pain reduction in one and none in the other. It is likely there exists an association between VDD deficiency and fibromyalgia in a large subset of patients, although establishing primary causation is difficult. There is a need for larger randomised controlled trial designs with more effective comparison with healthy subjects and control for confounding factors. Given VDD is a major problem in the general population, we recommend supplementation be recommended by healthcare professionals to fibromyalgia patients for the purpose of maintaining bone health given their potentially increased susceptibility to developing deficiency and its sequelae.

PREVALENCE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF MULTIFOCAL CHOROIDITIS/PUNCTATE INNER CHOROIDOPATHY IN PATHOLOGIC MYOPIA EYES WITH PATCHY ATROPHY.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of multifocal choroiditis/punctate inner choroidopathy (MFC/PIC) in eyes with patchy atrophy because of pathologic myopia. METHODS: Five hundred eyes of 253 patients with patchy atrophy were examined between 2014 and 2020 at the Advanced Clinical Center for Myopia. The main outcome measures included the prevalence and characteristics of active MFC/PIC lesions diagnosed by optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: Fifty-five of the 500 eyes (11%) diagnosed with patchy atrophy had optical coherence tomography features of active MFC/PIC lesions, such as focal elevations of the retinal pigment epithelium filled with medium hyperreflectivity material, curvilinear scars (Schlaegel lines), and/or areas of outer retinal atrophy. At the time when the MFC/PIC was diagnosed, the mean age was 57.3 ± 12.0 years, and the mean axial length was 29.2 ± 1.8 mm. Macular neovascularization was found in 45 of eyes (81.8%) with MFC/PIC versus 151 eyes without such findings (33.9%; P < 0.001). In 25 of the 55 eyes (45.5%), active MFC/PIC lesions were found before the development of the patchy atrophy. The Bruch membrane defects were colocated with these lesions. CONCLUSION: Active MFC/PIC lesions were identified in a minority of eyes with pathologic myopia, and a subset of these lesions were observed to progress to findings indistinguishable from myopic patchy atrophy. Evidence of MFC/PIC in eyes with pathologic myopia appeared to be a risk factor for the development of macular neovascularization.

Antiviral Activity of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Mediated by Plumbago indica L. Extract Against Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1).

INTRODUCTION: Plumbago indica L. is considered a valuable source in the Plumbaginaceae family for various types of active compound such as alkaloids, phenolics and saponins. To promote the usage of P. indica in the bionanotechnology field, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) were biosynthesized by using its alcoholic extract. The inhibitory effects of ZnONPs and the plant extract were also evaluated against HSV-1. METHODS: ZnONPs were described by the following techniques, UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS), zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The phenolic and flavonoid contents of P. indica extract, which are accountable for bioreduction, formation and stabilization of the nanoparticles, were analyzed by HPLC technique. The antiviral assessment was implemented on both agents by using Vero cell lines. RESULTS: DLS revealed that the average size of ZnONPs was 32.58 ± 7.98 nm and the zeta potential was -20.8 mV. The observation of TEM analysis revealed that the particle size of ZnONPs varied from 2.56 to 8.83 nm. The XRD analysis verified the existence of pure crystals of hexagonal shapes of nanoparticles of ZnO with a main average size of 35.28 nm that is approximating to the values of particle size acquired by SEM analysis (19.64 and 23.21 nm). The HPLC analysis of P. indica ethanolic extract showed that gallic acid, chlorogenic acid and rutin were the major compounds, with concentrations equal to 8203.99, 2965.95 and 1144.99 µg/g, respectively. Regarding the antiviral assessment, the synthesized uncalcinated ZnONPs were found to exhibit a promising activity against HSV-1, with CC50 and IC50 values equal to 43.96 ± 1.39 and 23.17 ± 2.29 µg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSION: The green synthesized ZnONPs are considered promising adjuvants to enhance the efficacy of HSV-1 drugs.

The Effect of Endophytic Talaromyces pinophilus on Growth, Absorption and Accumulation of Heavy Metals of Triticum aestivum Grown on Sandy Soil Amended by Sewage Sludge.

Sewage sludge improves agricultural soil and plant growth, but there are risks associated with its use, including high heavy metal content. In this study, experiments were carried out to investigate the role of endophytic Talaromyces pinophilus MW695526 on the growth of Triticum aestivum cultivated in soil amended with sewage sludge and its phytoremediation ability. T. pinophilus could produce gibberellic acid (GA) and stimulate T. aestivum to accumulate GA. The results showed that inoculation with T. pinophilus boosted plant growth criteria, photosynthetic pigments, osmolytes (soluble proteins, soluble sugars and total amino acids), enzymatic antioxidants (catalase, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase), K, Ca and Mg. On the other hand, it reduced Na, Na/K ratio, Cd, Ni, Cu and Zn in the growth media as well as in the shoot and root of T. aestivum. The results suggest that endophytic T. pinophilus can work as a barrier to reduce the absorption of heavy metals in T. aestivum cultivated in soil amended with sewage sludge.

Exploring Amantadine Derivatives as Urease Inhibitors: Molecular Docking and Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) Studies.

This article describes the design and synthesis of a series of novel amantadine-thiourea conjugates (3a-j) as Jack bean urease inhibitors. The synthesized hybrids were assayed for their in vitro urease inhibition. Accordingly, N-(adamantan-1-ylcarbamothioyl)octanamide (3j) possessing a 7-carbon alkyl chain showed excellent activity with IC50 value 0.0085 ± 0.0011 µM indicating that the long alkyl chain plays a vital role in enzyme inhibition. Whilst N-(adamantan-1-ylcarbamothioyl)-2-chlorobenzamide (3g) possessing a 2-chlorophenyl substitution was the next most efficient compound belonging to the aryl series with IC50 value of 0.0087 ± 0.001 µM. The kinetic mechanism analyzed by Lineweaver-Burk plots revealed the non-competitive mode of inhibition for compound 3j. Moreover, in silico molecular docking against target protein (PDBID 4H9M) indicated that most of the synthesized compounds exhibit good binding affinity with protein. The compound 3j forms two hydrogen bonds with amino acid residue VAL391 having a binding distance of 1.858 Å and 2.240 Å. The interaction of 3j with amino acid residue located outside the catalytic site showed its non-competitive mode of inhibition. Based upon these results, it is anticipated that compound 3j may serve as a lead structure for the design of more potent urease inhibitors.