Ameliorating effects of Ascorbic acid and Ammi Visnaga seeds on cigarette and water- pipe smoking Cytotoxicity in the lung and heart ventricle

Abstract A current study investigated the effects of smoking (Cigarettes and Water-pipes) on the lung and cardiac ventricles by comparing the cytotoxic effects of smoking with certain natural antioxidants. 56 male albino rats were randomly assigned to 7 groups (N = 8 per group). Group 1 was a negative control that was exposed to fresh air; Group 2 was a positive group exposed to the most popular cigarette brands in the Jordanian market (red LM cigarettes) for 30 consecutive days, one cigarette per rat. Groups 3 and 4 were exposed to a cigarette smoking treatment with one of the natural antioxidants (vitamin C, Ammi Visnagia seed extract, respectively). Rats in group 5 were exposed to flavored water-pipe smoke resulting from the complete burning of 20 g from one coastal for 30 days, one session a day, and groups 6–7 were exposed to cigarette smoking with treatment with one of the selected natural antioxidants (Ascorbic acid vitamin C, Ammi Visnagia seed extract). According to immunohistochemistry investigations, smoking exposure has been linked to negative tissue consequences. Both types of smoking models induced the expression of the p53 protein in heart and lung tissues. However, p53 was mildly expressed in the heart and considerably in the lung. In conclusion, investigations were conducted on the impact of smoking on different levels, such as histological changes in the trachea, lung, and heart ventricle, as well as its influence on the expression of the p53 protein. The administration of Ammi Visnaga seed extract and Ascorbic acid exhibited protective effects against the detrimental effects of smoking through all the aforementioned methods

Twelve-month observational study of children with cancer in 41 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic

Introduction Childhood cancer is a leading cause of death. It is unclear whether the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted childhood cancer mortality. In this study, we aimed to establish all-cause mortality rates for childhood cancers during the COVID-19 pandemic and determine the factors associated with mortality. Methods Prospective cohort study in 109 institutions in 41 countries. Inclusion criteria: children <18 years who were newly diagnosed with or undergoing active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, retinoblastoma, Wilms tumour, glioma, osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, medulloblastoma and neuroblastoma. Of 2327 cases, 2118 patients were included in the study. The primary outcome measure was all-cause mortality at 30 days, 90 days and 12 months. Results All-cause mortality was 3.4% (n=71/2084) at 30-day follow-up, 5.7% (n=113/1969) at 90-day follow-up and 13.0% (n=206/1581) at 12-month follow-up. The median time from diagnosis to multidisciplinary team (MDT) plan was longest in low-income countries (7 days, IQR 3-11). Multivariable analysis revealed several factors associated with 12-month mortality, including low-income (OR 6.99 (95% CI 2.49 to 19.68); p<0.001), lower middle income (OR 3.32 (95% CI 1.96 to 5.61); p<0.001) and upper middle income (OR 3.49 (95% CI 2.02 to 6.03); p<0.001) country status and chemotherapy (OR 0.55 (95% CI 0.36 to 0.86); p=0.008) and immunotherapy (OR 0.27 (95% CI 0.08 to 0.91); p=0.035) within 30 days from MDT plan. Multivariable analysis revealed laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 5.33 (95% CI 1.19 to 23.84); p=0.029) was associated with 30-day mortality. Conclusions Children with cancer are more likely to die within 30 days if infected with SARS-CoV-2. However, timely treatment reduced odds of death. This report provides crucial information to balance the benefits of providing anticancer therapy against the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer

Rosmarinic acid reverses the effects of metronidazole-induced infertility in male albino rats

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural antioxidant that has many biological activities. In the present study we investigated the potential of RA to reverse the negative effects of the widely used antibiotic and antiprotozoal agent metronidazole (MTZ), which is known to induce reversible male infertility. Two doses of RA (5 and 15 mg kg–1) were studied in sexually mature rats with and without MTZ-induced infertility. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mg kg–1 RA or 15 mg kg–1 RA (in distilled water) and, 45 min later, they were intraperitoneally injected with 40 mg kg–1 MTZ (in distilled water). Cauda epididymidal sperm suspensions were used to assess sperm count, motility and morphology. Histological and ultrastructural studies were performed on the testes and cauda epididymidis. In rats in which infertility was not induced, neither dose of RA affected the parameters assessed. However, in sexually mature rats in which infertility was induced by 40 mg kg–1 MTZ, RA at both 5 and 15 mg kg–1 ameliorated the damaging effects of MTZ on final bodyweight (30 days later), sperm motility and morphology. Only 5 mg kg–1 RA, and not 15 mg kg–1 RA, improved the harmful effects of MTZ on the sperm count and testis ultrastructure. The findings of the present study have considerable clinical implications and suggest a possible use for RA to reverse the negative effects of MTZ on male fertility, the male reproductive system and spermatogenesis.</jats:p