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In the face of 21st-century challenges driven by population growth and resource depletion, understanding the intricacies of climate change is crucial for environmental sustainability. This review systematically explores the interaction between rising atmospheric CO2 concentrations and soil microbial populations, with possible feedback effects on climate change and terrestrial carbon (C) cycling through a meta-analytical approach. Furthermore, it investigates the enzymatic activities related to carbon acquisition, gene expression patterns governing carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and metagenomic and meta-transcriptomic dynamics in response to elevated CO2 levels. The study reveals that elevated CO2 levels substantially influence soil microbial communities, increasing microbial biomass C and respiration rate by 15 % and upregulating genes involved in carbon and nitrogen metabolism by 12 %. Despite a 14 % increase in C-acquiring enzyme activity, there is a 5 % decrease in N-acquiring enzyme activity, indicating complex microbial responses to CO2 changes. Additionally, fungal marker ratios increase by 14 % compared to bacterial markers, indicating potential ecosystem changes. However, the current inadequacy of data on metagenomic and meta-transcriptomic processes underscores the need for further research. Understanding soil microbial feedback mechanisms is crucial for elucidating the role of rising CO2 levels in carbon sequestration and climate regulation. Consequently, future research should prioritize a comprehensive elucidation of soil microbial carbon cycling, greenhouse gas emission dynamics, and their underlying drivers.
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Cassia fistula (C. fistula) has shown strong anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, antitussive, antibacterial, and antifungal properties and is being used for healing wounds and gastrointestinal illness. This study was planned to obtain fruit extract from C. fistula using ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) technique and evaluated for phytochemical contents, anti-hyperlipidemia, and hematological parameters. The results showed that total phenolic (TPC), total flavonoids (TFC), condensed tannin (CT), and saponins were 13.07 mg GAE/g, 5.24 mg QE/g, 4.01 mg/g, and 27.55%, respectively, in the extract. Proximate composition of the extract showed 2.48%, moisture, 1.25% fat, 2.80% ash, 4.59% fiber, 11.93% protein, and 76.95% NFE. The 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) activity was 63.30 µg/mL and 15.02 nmol/g, respectively. High-fat diet (HFD)-induced hyperlipidemic rats were orally administrated with 0.5 and 1.0 g of extract/kg body weight (bw) daily. The reduction of total cholesterol (TC: 90.83 ± 8.86 mg/dL), triglycerides (TG; 74.16 ± 9.10 mg/dL), and low-density lipoproteins (LDL; 74.83 ± 4.66 mg/dL) and increase of high-density lipoproteins (HDL; 41.83 ± 8.4 mg/dL) was observed. Significant changes in red blood cells (RBCs; 8.03 ± 0.67106/µL), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC; 35.02 ± 1.78 g/dL), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH; 18.00 ± 0.26 pg), and mean corpuscular volume (MCV; 55.36 ± 4.01 fL) at 1.0 g extract intake was observed. Extract administration also improved significantly liver enzymes, body weight, and liver morphology. Therefore, C. fistula extract can be effectively used as a therapeutic agent to improve serum biochemistry and hematological values.
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Early screening and management of postpartum posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) can reduce hospital stay and complications. Obstetricians, gynecologists, ophthalmologists, and even general physicians should be aware of PRES since its presentation is variable.
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Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt placement is the most frequently used treatment for hydrocephalus. This procedure is not always free of complications, and patients may need additional surgeries to overcome these complications. We are presenting the case of a seven-month-old baby who underwent myelomeningocele repair and VP shunt placement 13 days ago and now presents with inguinal swelling extending into the scrotum. The radiological workup revealed that the peritoneal end of the VP shunt had migrated to the scrotum, causing hydrocele. The shunt was relocated to the abdomen after a right herniotomy and sac reduction. He was discharged on the second postoperative day without any complications, and the further recovery was good at three months. Scrotal migration of a VP shunt is a rare complication and can be avoided by careful early assessment of inguinal hernia or patent processus vaginalis and its surgical repair.
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Anxiety-like conditions can interfere with daily activities as the adaptive mechanism fails to cope with stress. These conditions are often linked with increased oxidative stress, and abrupt neurotransmission and electroencephalography (EEG) wave pattern. Geraniol, a monoterpenoid, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as brain-calming effects. Therefore, in this study, geraniol was tested for the potential anxiolytic effects in a rat model of anxiety. The rats were exposed to an electric foot shock (1â¯mA for 1â¯s) to develop anxiety-like symptoms. Treatment was carried out using geraniol (10 and 30â¯mg/kg) and the standard diazepam drug. The behavior of the rats was analyzed using the open field test, light-dark test, and social interaction test. Afterward, the rats were decapitated to collect samples for neurochemical and biochemical analyses. The cortical-EEG wave pattern was also obtained. The study revealed that the electric foot shock induced anxiety-like symptoms, increased oxidative stress, and altered hippocampal neurotransmitter levels. The power of low-beta and high-beta was amplified with the increased coupling of delta-beta waves in anxiety group. However, the treatment with geraniol and diazepam normalized cortical-EEG wave pattern and hippocampal serotonin and catecholamines profile which was also reflected by reduced anxious behavior and normalized antioxidant levels. The study reports an anxiolytic potential of geraniol, which can be further explored in future.
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Monoterpenos Acíclicos , Ansiolíticos , Ansiedade , Comportamento Animal , Eletroencefalografia , Hipocampo , Estresse Oxidativo , Ratos Wistar , Transmissão Sináptica , Animais , Monoterpenos Acíclicos/farmacologia , Estresse Oxidativo/efeitos dos fármacos , Ansiedade/tratamento farmacológico , Masculino , Hipocampo/efeitos dos fármacos , Hipocampo/metabolismo , Ansiolíticos/farmacologia , Ratos , Transmissão Sináptica/efeitos dos fármacos , Comportamento Animal/efeitos dos fármacos , Eletrochoque , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Terpenos/farmacologia , Diazepam/farmacologia , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Ondas Encefálicas/efeitos dos fármacosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is highly prevalent in the Arab Gulf countries. Despite this, limited culturally-adapted lifestyle intervention studies have been conducted in this region. METHODS: In this culturally adapted 12-month cluster randomized trial, 382 patients with type 2 diabetes, aged 20-70 years were recruited from 6 public healthcare centers (3 interventions and 3 controls) in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates. The primary outcome of this study was a change in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The secondary outcomes were Body Mass Index (BMI), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), triglycerides, total cholesterol, dietary intake, and physical activity levels. A diet and physical activity intervention, guided by the social cognitive theory, was delivered individually and in group format to the intervention group. The control group continued receiving only their usual diabetes management care. The data were collected at baseline and 1 year after participation. RESULTS: The mean baseline HbA1c levels of the control and the intervention groups were 7.45 ± 0.11% and 7.81 ± 0.11%, respectively. At the end of the 12-month intervention, there was no significant difference in the changes of mean HbA1c between the intervention and the control groups. On the other hand, BMI and daily caloric intake were significantly decreased in the intervention compared to the control group by 1.18 kg/m2 (95% CI: -1.78 - -0.60) and 246 kcal (95% CI: -419.52 - -77.21), respectively, after controlling for age, gender, education, marital status, duration since diabetes diagnosis, diabetes treatment, treatment clinic, and baseline values. Sitting time during the week-end was significantly lower, difference 52.53 minutes (95% CI: 93.93 - -11.14). CONCLUSIONS: This community-based lifestyle intervention for patients with baseline HbA1c <8% did not result in a significant decrease of HbA1c but reduced caloric intake, body weight, and weekend inactivity after controlling for the covariates. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered on February 11, 2020 with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04264793).
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Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2 , Exercício Físico , Hemoglobinas Glicadas , Humanos , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/terapia , Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2/sangue , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Masculino , Feminino , Adulto , Hemoglobinas Glicadas/metabolismo , Hemoglobinas Glicadas/análise , Idoso , Dieta , Emirados Árabes Unidos , Índice de Massa Corporal , Adulto Jovem , Estilo de VidaRESUMO
Chemical kindling is broadly used experimental model to investigate novel treatments on the process of epileptogenesis and coexisting behavioral comorbidities. The current study aimed to investigate the low dose perampanel (PER) (0.125 and 0.5 mg/kg) and pregabalin (PG) (15 mg/kg) as standalone treatments and in combination on kindling-induced seizure progression with concurrent electroencephalographic alterations. Mice were subjected to pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced kindling followed by neurobehavioral assessment for anxiety-like activity and cognitive deficit through behavioral experiments. The monotherapy with PER at 0.5 mg/kg and PG at 15 mg/kg delayed the kindling process but PRP+PG yielded pronounced benefits and hindered the development of seizures of higher severity. PER+PG combination relieved the animals from anxiety-like behavior in various employed anxiogenic tests. Furthermore, the kindling-associated cognitive deficit was protected by PER+PG combination as increased alteration behavior, discrimination index and latencies to enter the dark zone were noted in y-maze, object recognition and passive avoidance tests, respectively while shorter escape latencies were noted in water maze. The brain samples of kindled mice had elevated malondialdehyde and reduced catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase enzymes while treatment with PER and PG combination shielded the mice from heightened kindling-associated oxidative stress. Overall, the findings of the present study illustrate that concurrent administration of PER and PG effectively hindered the process of epileptogenesis by protecting neuronal excitability and brain oxidative stress. The results predict the dominance of PER and PG combination over monotherapy which might serve as an effective novel combination to combat drug resistance and behavioral disorders in epileptic patients.
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Epilepsia , Excitação Neurológica , Humanos , Camundongos , Animais , Pentilenotetrazol/farmacologia , Pregabalina/efeitos adversos , Convulsões/induzido quimicamente , Convulsões/tratamento farmacológico , Epilepsia/tratamento farmacológico , Estresse Oxidativo , Anticonvulsivantes/efeitos adversosRESUMO
The present study aimed to investigate the nutritional constituents of common market available spices in the United Arab Emirates. Seven commonly consumed spices namely, ginger (Zingiber officinale), cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), black seed (Nigella sativa), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), cloves (Syzygium aromaticum) and saffron (Crocus sativus) were obtained from local markets. Proximate analyses were performed according to AOAC procedures. Assessment of major (Ca, K, Mg, Na, P and S) and minor (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) elements was conducted using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Findings revealed varying macronutrient, micronutrient and mineral contents which are highly valuable for dietary purposes. The present study demonstrates that these edible spices could be used for nutritional support, due to their micro and macronutrient contents.
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Dieta Mediterrânea , Oligoelementos , Zingiber officinale , Especiarias/análise , Minerais , Zingiber officinale/química , Oligoelementos/análiseRESUMO
Aim: This study aimed to identify the key parameters to assist the early diagnosis of Dengue Infection to prevent severe outcomes. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 2022 to December 2022 at a tertiary care hospital. 149 patients who presented with dengue symptoms for less than 5 days were enrolled in the study. Hepatic functioning was assessed by monitoring Serum Alanine Transaminase (ALT) (normal = 7-56 IU/L), and serum Aspartate Transaminase (AST) (normal = 10-40 IU/L) levels. Abdominal ultrasound and chest X-Ray were performed, and findings were recorded. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS Version 24. Results: 81 patients (54.36%) were found to have Classical DF, while 46 patients (45.64%) were diagnosed with DHF or DSS. Dengue fever is more common in males than in females, and it disproportionately affects those under the age of 30. Only 81 (54.63%) of the total 149 individuals developed DF, but of those, 79 (74.4%) had normal ALT levels and 2 (4.26%) had elevated ALT levels. Among the 68 patients with DHF (45.64%), 41 (87.23%) had elevated ALT, while only 23 (22.55%) had normal ALT and all 4 (8.51%) with DSS did as well. The p-value for the correlation between platelet count and elevated ALT levels is 0.007, which is statistically significant. Conclusion: Management of dengue disease requires close monitoring of hepatic enzyme levels, particularly ALT and AST, along with the platelet count. It will aid in reducing the severity of the dengue virus. In addition, there should be particular outdoor exposure guidelines, particularly during dengue season evenings, i.e., monsoon.
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Introduction: The pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced kindling model acts through the antagonism of central GABAA receptors and is one of the most widely used experimental animal models to study the characteristics of seizure development, behavioral manifestations and evaluation of antiseizure effects of existing and new drug candidates. Methodology: In the current study, we investigated the impact of chronically administered levetiracetam (50 mg/kg) and sodium selenite (Sod.Se: 0.25 and 0.5 mg/kg) alone and in combination during the kindling process (21 days) in rats. Moreover, the behavioral changes (through the integration of a wide array of behavioral tests) and markers of oxidative stress in isolated brain homogenates were assessed in PTZ- kindled rats. Results: The outcomes from the fully kindled rats revealed the increased seizure score and severity over time with marked behavioral deficits. However, the animals treated with the selected dose of LEV alone showed partial protection from epileptogenesis and amelioration (P < 0.05) of anxiety-like behavior (open filed, light/dark, elevated plus maze tests), cognitive impairment (y-maze, novel object recognition and water maze tests) and depression (sucrose preference test). Moreover, combining the LEV with sodium selenite resulted in a significant neuroprotective effect in comparison to monotherapy by reducing the disease progression and ameliorating behavioral outcomes. The combination of Sod.Se in a dose-dependent manner with LEV produced additive effects as maximum animals remained seizure-free compared to kindled rats (P < 0.05). The attenuation of PTZ induced oxidative stress was evident from the reduced malondialdehyde and elevated superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) level with P < 0.05, as compared to control epileptic rats. These observed results of combination therapy might be due to the antioxidant and neuroprotective properties of Sod.Se, thus augmenting the seizure-modifying potentials of levetiracetam. Conclusion: Overall, the current findings support the prominence of combining the Sod.Se with LEV, over monotherapy to deal with prevailing challenges of drug resistance and neuropsychiatric sufferings common in epileptic patients.
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The increased incidences of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases among adults are becoming the chief public health concern in most Arab countries. Economic expansion has contributed to a nutrition shift from a traditional seasonal diet to Westernized eating habits coupled with a sedentary lifestyle. Despite the rising concern for NCD mortality, public health policies are inadequately addressed. This narrative review aims to discuss the effectiveness of nutritional interventions focusing on diet and physical activity in the management of NCDs among Arab adults. A comprehensive literature search was performed using different database platforms such as Cochrane reviews, Scopus, and PubMed for articles published between 1 December 2012 and 31 December 2021. Fifteen recent research articles addressing NCDs, mainly diabetes and obesity, from different Arab countries were included in this review. Structured lifestyle interventions involving behavioral therapy approaches and personalized goals for diet and physical activity were found to improve specific health outcomes in most studies. Significant improvements in health outcomes were reported for longer-duration interventions with follow-ups. A combination of both online and face-to-face sessions was found to be effective. It is important to identify barriers to physical activity for a culturally acceptable lifestyle intervention and conduct further studies to evaluate interventions for the long-term maintenance of health outcomes.
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Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a combination of physiologically dysregulated parameters that can include elevated fasting blood glucose, high blood pressure, central obesity, increased triglyceride levels, insulin resistance, diabetes, elevated low density lipoprotein levels, and reduced high density lipoprotein levels in the blood. Effective clinical management of MetS is critical as it is strongly associated with long lasting and fatal complications in patients. Alongside standard care of lifestyle changes and medication, dietary supplements derived from herbal resources could be an alternative therapeutic strategy that is safe, efficient, culturally acceptable, and has few side effects. Of the dietary supplements, spicy foods have always been considered a great source of functional bioactive compounds. Herbal therapy is broadly used in many countries as a treatment or as a preventive measure in the management of MetS risk factors, including blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipid levels. Herein, an attempt is made to evaluate the recent studies in the management of MetS with herbal alternatives, and to explore the possibility of their use as therapeutic treatments or supplements.
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Suplementos Nutricionais , Síndrome Metabólica/dietoterapia , Compostos Fitoquímicos/administração & dosagem , Fitoterapia , Especiarias/análise , Glicemia/metabolismo , Feminino , Humanos , Lipoproteínas HDL/sangue , Lipoproteínas LDL/sangue , Masculino , Síndrome Metabólica/etiologia , Síndrome Metabólica/metabolismo , Síndrome Metabólica/prevenção & controle , Triglicerídeos/sangueAssuntos
Desenvolvimento Infantil , Depressão , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Paquistão , Grupo Associado , Gravidez , VoluntáriosRESUMO
This study aims to elucidate the appropriate factor structure for Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale (HADS) for assessment of anxiety and depression symptoms during pregnancy among Pakistani women. This cross-sectional study was conducted during a 5 month period (2014) in four teaching hospitals of Lahore, Pakistan. Convenience sampling was done to recruit pregnant women availing obstetrics and gynecology services for routine prenatal or perinatal care in the respective departments of the four institutes. Trained interviewers interviewed the consenting participants using a pre-tested scale. All data were analyzed using SPSS v.20. Factor structure of the HADS was explored using Principal Axis Factoring (PAF) method. Goodness of fit of the factor structure was assessed using the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Cronbach's alpha value for whole scale was good (α = 0.81). Sensitivity analysis involving assessment of Cronbach's alpha value after removal of each item, did not reveal any major deviations in overall internal consistency of the HADS. Parallel analysis suggested one factor solution to be viable. When one factor was extracted as a uni-dimensional measure of anxiety and depression: item 11 (I feel restless as I have to be on the move) and 14 (I can enjoy a good book or radio or TV program) were deemed problematic for having low communalities and factor loading values.
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Ansiedade/complicações , Depressão/complicações , Complicações na Gravidez/psicologia , Adulto , Ansiedade/diagnóstico , Estudos Transversais , Depressão/diagnóstico , Análise Fatorial , Feminino , Humanos , Paquistão , Gravidez , Complicações na Gravidez/diagnóstico , Escalas de Graduação Psiquiátrica , Reprodutibilidade dos TestesRESUMO
Catatonic schizophrenia is defined by catatonia seen either with alternating phases of stupor and motor rigidity or the extreme phase of catatonic excitement. This variant of schizophrenia has been identified with poor prognosis, mainly due to the higher association with negative symptoms and young age onset. In this paper, we illustrate a similar clinical picture of catatonic schizophrenia in two brothers, with no genetic predisposition to schizophrenia and no proximal stressors apart from the aggressive/violent behavior of their elder brother. Case presentation 1 (Patient A): An 18-year-old male from a lower socio-economic class with no previous mental health issues presented to the emergency department with complete mutism, marked psychomotor retardation, posturing along with a refusal to drink or eat, and complete lack of self-care for about two months. The diagnosis of catatonic schizophrenia was made, and the patient was started orally on aripiprazole and lorazepam. On the third day of admission, noticeable changes were observed, and in the following days, he started eating and going to the toilet while still being completely mute. After two weeks on treatment, he started responding with one-word answers. Case presentation 2 (Patient B): The biological brother of patient A, a 30-year-old male, presented on the same day with an identical history of mutism, decreased psychomotor activity, posturing along with a refusal to drink or eat, and lack of self-care for the past few months. The diagnosis of catatonic schizophrenia was made. The patient was started orally on both, olanzapine and lorazepam. He showed a quicker response to treatment with the maintenance of eye contact on the second day of treatment and started giving short answers to questions on the fifth post-admission day. We here discuss a possible genetic predisposition to catatonic schizophrenia and its initial improvement with lorazepam and subsequent treatment with olanzapine proving to be more efficacious than aripiprazole.
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OBJECTIVE: The clusters of participants with a homogeneous psychological make-up can be identified using sophisticated machine learning techniques such as the two-step clustering algorithm. It can also help us to identify the synergistic and additive effects of a range of psychometric variables. The identification of synergistic effect of this clustering of defense mechanism has significant practical implications as they share a certain variance. This study aims to identify the clusters of ego defenses and their relationship with academic performance and mental health outcome in medical students. RESULTS: The high achievers scored higher on mature and neurotic defense styles and lower on immature than their counter parts. A higher proportion of medical students in high achievers group had normal scores on depressive symptoms than low achievers. While a majority among low achievers suffered from severe anxiety levels than high achievers group. High achievers scored higher on sublimation, humor, anticipation, suppression, pseudo-altruism, idealization, reaction formation, autistic fantasy, denial, and rationalization.
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Sucesso Acadêmico , Ansiedade/psicologia , Mecanismos de Defesa , Depressão/psicologia , Estudantes de Medicina/psicologia , Adulto , Ansiedade/epidemiologia , Estudos Transversais , Depressão/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Paquistão/epidemiologia , Estudantes de Medicina/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto JovemRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is a rare, locally aggressive cutaneous tumor of intermediate to low-grade malignancy. COL1A1-PDGFß translocation is specific to dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, where the abnormally fused COL1A1-PDGFß gene directs formation of an abnormal combined (fusion) protein that researchers believe to ultimately function like the platelet-derived growth factor-beta protein. CASE PRESENTATION: In this report, we present a case of a 63-year-old Asian man with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the right orbit with intracranial extension. He had a prior history of recurrent leiomyomas at the identical site. He underwent near-total en bloc resection of the tumor through a wide craniectomy with a 6 cm rim of the frontal scalp, allowing the tumor to be resected en bloc, leaving negative margins. Microscopically, the tumor comprised spindle cells with mild nuclear atypia and a low mitotic index embedded in a spiraling pattern of decussating fascicles consistent with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans. The lesion was positive for CD34 and BCL2. Following resection, the patient was started on imatinib mesylate therapy (800 mg/day). CONCLUSIONS: We propose that platelet-derived growth factor, which has been implicated in the progression of leiomyomas by augmenting mitogenesis, may have acted in an autocrine manner to cause cell division, which may have led to the development of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in our patient. Further research is imperative to find certain molecular associations between the discussed soft tissue tumors. Also important is the effective utilization of platelet-derived growth factor receptor kinase inhibitors to prevent transformation to any platelet-derived growth factor-driven tumor, which in our patient was a dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans.