THE ANTI–ANGIOGENIC ACTIVITY OF PHOENIX DACTYLIFERA SEEDS EXTRACTS

Objective: To identify the possible anti–angiogenic activity of Phoenix dactylifera seeds extract.Methods: The powder of the date palm seeds was extracted sequentially with petroleum ether, chloroform, methanol and water using the cold method "maceration" as extraction process. The ex vivo rat aorta ring assay was used to screen the extracts for possible anti–angiogenesis activity, this assay was also used to determine the dose–response effect of the active extract(s) by preparing serial concentrations. Free radical scavenging activity of the active extract(s) was determined using DPPH (1, 1–diphenyl–2–picrylhydrazyl) assay.Results: The obtained data revealed that the four extracts exhibited significant inhibition of blood vessels growth when they were compared to the negative control (received DMSO 1%) (P<0.001), but chloroform and methanol extracts showed the highest percent of inhibition of blood vessels growth. According to the screening results, both chloroform and methanol extracts were selected for further investigation. Each of chloroform and methanol extracts of Phoenix dactylifera seeds exhibited a significant dose–dependent anti–angiogenesis effect with IC50 (30.9 µg/ml and 28.4 µg/ml) respectively. Furthermore, chloroform and methanol extracts exhibited a significant free radical scavenging activity (P<0.05) with IC50 (81.02 µg/ml and 16.33 µg/ml) respectively.Conclusion: the results revealed that each of chloroform and methanol extracts of phoenix dactylifere seeds exhibited the best and most significant anti–angiogenesis activity as well as a significant free radical scavenging activity.Â

An Inductive Link-Based Wireless Power Transfer System for Biomedical Applications

A wireless power transfer system using an inductive link has been demonstrated for implantable sensor applications. The system is composed of two primary blocks: an inductive power transfer unit and a backward data communication unit. The inductive link performs two functions: coupling the required power from a wireless power supply system enabling battery-less, long-term implant operation and providing a backward data transmission path. The backward data communication unit transmits the data to an outside reader using FSK modulation scheme via the inductive link. To demonstrate the operation of the inductive link, a board-level design has been implemented with high link efficiency. Test results from a fabricated sensor system, composed of a hybrid implementation of custom-integrated circuits and board-level discrete components, are presented demonstrating power transmission of 125 mW with a 12.5% power link transmission efficiency. Simultaneous backward data communication involving a digital pulse rate of up to 10 kbps was also observed

Peasant settlers and the ‘civilizing mission’ in Russian Turkestan, 1865-1917

This article provides an introduction to one of the lesser-known examples of European settler colonialism, the settlement of European (mainly Russian and Ukrainian) peasants in Southern Central Asia (Turkestan) in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It establishes the legal background and demographic impact of peasant settlement, and the role played by the state in organising and encouraging it. It explores official attitudes towards the settlers (which were often very negative), and their relations with the local Kazakh and Kyrgyz population. The article adopts a comparative framework, looking at Turkestan alongside Algeria and Southern Africa, and seeking to establish whether paradigms developed in the study of other settler societies (such as the ‘poor white’) are of any relevance in understanding Slavic peasant settlement in Turkestan. It concludes that there are many close parallels with European settlement in other regions with large indigenous populations, but that racial ideology played a much less important role in the Russian case compared to religious divisions and fears of cultural backsliding. This did not prevent relations between settlers and the ‘native’ population deteriorating markedly in the years before the First World War, resulting in large-scale rebellion in 1916

Anti Angiogenic Activity of Vitex Agnus Castus Methanol Extract In Vivo Study: Anti angiogenic Activity of Vitex agnus castus Methanol Extract

This study aimed to investigate the anti-angiogenic activity of Vitex agnus castus methanol extract in vivo. Eggs were incubated for three days, small whole made on the fine pinpoint. The next day, the egg’s sac was penetrated and a small frame was made in the shell. The window was resealed and the eggs were returned to the incubator until day 10 of chick embryo development, 20 μl of 500mg/ml of the methanol extract was transferred to the Chick Embryo Chorioallantoic Membrane (CAM), and eggs incubated for 72 hours (n = 6); The zone of inhibition was calculated as mean of inhibition area in millimetre (mm) ±standard deviation (SD). Functional groups of the chemicals component inside the extract has been identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FT-IR and High performance liquid chromatography HPLC was used to identify the most likely causative agent. The results showed that the zones of inhibition area more than 10 mm. FT-IR showed that some of the identified functional group may relate to flavonoids. Casticin has been identified in methanol extract. Because of the above results the mechanism of anti-angiogenic activity for the methanol extract of the Vitex agnus castus may be related to the Casticin which has the ability to block the VEGF-receptor, thereby inhibiting the angiogenesis process

The Anti-Angiogenic Activity of Phoenix Dactylifera Seeds Methanol Extract in Vivo Study: Phoenix dactylifera seeds Methanol Extract in vivo study

The aim of the study was to identify the antiangiogenic activity of Phoenix dactylifera seeds methanolic extract in vivo and the probable anti-angiogenic mechanism of action. The date seeds were extracted withmethanol using cold method, the crude extract was tested on chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) as an in vivo anti-angiogenic assay. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy FT-IR was carried to identify the functional group for the active chemical constituents. The results demonstrated significant inhibition of blood vessels growth, and FTIR showed the presence of different functional group such as OH, NH2 and phenols. From the data above the mechanism of action may relate to the presence of flavonoids and other phenolic compounds, as they have direct perturbing action on blood vessels and prevent cell proliferation of endothelial cells growth via their potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

The Relationship Between Serum Vitamin D Level and Psychosomatic Symptoms in Females in Mosul City

Background: A widespread severe deficiency of vitamin D (vit D) exists in Iraq, especially among women of reproductive age. Depression or anxiety is related to deficiency of vit D. These patients may present with psychosomatic symptoms which are symptoms with no sufficient organic cause in the body but from psychological causality. The study aimed to investigate the serum level of vit D in females with psychosomatic symptoms residing in Mosul City, Iraq and explore the effect of vitamin D3 (vit D3) supplements for treating psychosomatic symptoms. Methods: A total of 73 female patients aged 15–45 years presented with several symptoms. All patients underwent physical examination and psychiatric interviews. Patients with minimal to mild depression were selected. All included patients underwent investigation of first serum vit D level. The supplementation with vitamin D3 was started. The second serum vit D level was investigated at first post-improvement visit. Results: In the improved group, the post-supplementation serum vit D level was higher than that before the supplementation (p = 0.00). In addition, the vit D serum difference before and after its supplementation was greater in the improved group than the nonimproved one (p = 0.00). Patients not only experienced improvement in their mood swings, but also recovered from other recorded symptoms such as headache, fatigue, tiredness, and joint pain. Conclusion: This study revealed a noticeable association concerning serum levels of 25-OH D and mild depression in addition to psychosomatic symptoms in females living in Mosul City. Supplementation with suitable loading vit D3 dosages improved these symptoms showing a probable causal relationship