Bioactive Hydroperoxyl Cembranoids from the Red Sea Soft Coral Sarcophyton glaucum

A chemical investigation of an ethyl acetate extract of the Red Sea soft coral Sarcophyton glaucum has led to the isolation of two peroxide diterpenes, 11(S) hydroperoxylsarcoph-12(20)-ene (1), and 12(S)-hydroperoxylsarcoph-10-ene (2), as well as 8-epi-sarcophinone (3). In addition to these three new compounds, two known structures were identified including: ent-sarcophine (4) and sarcophine (5). Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis, with the relative configuration of 1 and 2 confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Isolated compounds were found to be inhibitors of cytochrome P450 1A activity as well as inducers of glutathione S-transferases (GST), quinone reductase (QR), and epoxide hydrolase (mEH) establishing chemo-preventive and tumor anti-initiating activity for these characterized metabolites

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

Sulphated tubers extract from the giant taro Alocasia macrorrhiza inhibits the carcinogenesis initiation and modulates macrophage functions

Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G. Don, Araceae, is a traditionally edible plant known as giant taro. This work aimed to prepare sulphatedpolysaccharide extract of A. macrorrhizos tubers (SAM) and to investigate its tumor anti-initiation and anti-promotion activities. Methods:Enzymatic, colorimetric, fluorometric, and cell-based assays were used throughout the study. Tumor anti-initiation activity was investigatedby estimation of SAM effect on cytochrome P450 1A1 (Cyp1A1) glutathione-S-transferases (GST), glutathione (GSH), epoxide hydrolase(mEH), and quinone reductase (QR), while Tumor anti-promotion activity was investigated by macrophage proliferation, nitric oxide (NO),and LPS binding to macrophages. SAM inhibited the carcinogen metabolizing enzyme Cyp1A1 and it induced, to variable extent, thedetoxification enzymes (GST, mEH and QR), especially mEH. Additionally, SAM showed anti-inflammatory property by inhibiting NO andit induced the affinity of macrophage to bind pathogens and neoplastic cells. Additionally, SAM was cytotoxic to colon HCT-116 cells.The findings suggested SAM as a promising inhibitor of the carcinogenesis initiation phase.Keywords: Alocasia macrorrhiza; sulphated; Tumor anti-initiation; Cyp1A1; Epoxide hydrolase; glutathione-S-transferases; quinonereductase; FITC-LPS; macrophag

Sulphated tubers extract from the giant taro Alocasia macrorrhiza inhibits the carcinogenesis initiation and modulates macrophage functions

Alocasia macrorrhizos (L.) G. Don, Araceae, is a traditionally edible plant known as giant taro. This work aimed to prepare sulphatedpolysaccharide extract of A. macrorrhizos tubers (SAM) and to investigate its tumor anti-initiation and anti-promotion activities. Methods:Enzymatic, colorimetric, fluorometric, and cell-based assays were used throughout the study. Tumor anti-initiation activity was investigatedby estimation of SAM effect on cytochrome P450 1A1 (Cyp1A1) glutathione-S-transferases (GST), glutathione (GSH), epoxide hydrolase(mEH), and quinone reductase (QR), while Tumor anti-promotion activity was investigated by macrophage proliferation, nitric oxide (NO),and LPS binding to macrophages. SAM inhibited the carcinogen metabolizing enzyme Cyp1A1 and it induced, to variable extent, thedetoxification enzymes (GST, mEH and QR), especially mEH. Additionally, SAM showed anti-inflammatory property by inhibiting NO andit induced the affinity of macrophage to bind pathogens and neoplastic cells. Additionally, SAM was cytotoxic to colon HCT-116 cells.The findings suggested SAM as a promising inhibitor of the carcinogenesis initiation phase.Keywords: Alocasia macrorrhiza; sulphated; Tumor anti-initiation; Cyp1A1; Epoxide hydrolase; glutathione-S-transferases; quinonereductase; FITC-LPS; macrophag

Biocompatibility properties of polyamide 6/PCL blends composite textile scaffold using EA.hy926 human endothelial cells

Enhancing the cytocompatibility profiles, including cell attachment, growth and viability, of designed synthetic scaffolds, has a pivotal role in tissue engineering applications. Polymer blending is one of the most effective methods for providing new desirable biomaterials for tissue scaffolds. This article reports a novel polyamide 6/poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PA6/PCL) blends solution which was fabricated to create composite fibrous tissue scaffolds by varying the concentration ratios of PA6 and PCL. Highly porous blends of fibrous scaffold were fabricated and their suitability as cell-support for EA.hy926 human endothelial cells was studied. Our results demonstrated that the unique nanoscale morphological properties and tune porosity of the blends scaffold were controlled. We found that these properties are mainly dependent on the PA6/PCL blending viscosity value, and the viscosity of the blending solution has an intense effect on the properties of the blends scaffold. The influence of the scaffolds extraction fluids and the scaffold direct contact of both the metabolic viability and the DNA integrity of EA.hy926 endothelial cells, as well as the cell/scaffold interaction analysis by scanning electron microscope, after different co-culturing intervals, demonstrated that PA6/PCL blend scaffolds showed different behaviors. Blend scaffolds of PA6/PCL of 90:10 ratio proved to be excellent endothelial cell carriers, which provided a good cell morphology, DNA integrity and viability, induced DNA synthesis/replication, and enhanced cell proliferation, attachment, and invasion. These results indicate that blends of PA6/PCL composite fibers are a promising 3D substitute for the next generation of synthetic tissue scaffolds that could soon find clinical applications