Assessment of Serum Levels of Advanced Oxidation Protein Products in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with and without Retinopathy Taking Different Antidiabetic Treatments

The goal of this study was to investigate the protein peroxidation role by measuring serum levels of advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP) in type 2 diabetic patients with or without retinopathy and comparing them to controls to see if circulating AOPP levels can be used as a detection biomarker for DR. And see which of the two widely used antidiabetic treatment groups had the most impact on this oxidative stress marker. The groups were divided into two subgroups: 1) 70 type 2 diabetic patients (36 male, 34 female), 35 with diabetic retinopathy (DR) and 35 with no evidence of DR, and 2) non-diabetic controls (11 male, 9 female) were chosen from Ibn AL-Haitham Hospital for Ophthalmology and a Specialized Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes. AOPP levels were significantly higher in diabetic patients with (12.5±5.6 ng/ml) or without DR (5.1±4 ng/ml) when compared to those of controls (1.45  0.8 ng/ml) (p<0.05). AOPP levels were higher in the late stage of DR compared to the early stage(14   3.15 ng/ml ) and ( 10  2.13 ng/ml) respectively so. Furthermore, Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4 inhibitors) cause a better reduction in AOPP levels compared to Sulfonylureas (SUs) in the NDR group. Increased protein oxidation may involve in the pathogenesis and severity of DR and the serum AOPP levels have the prospect to become a marker for the diagnosis of DR. DPP-4 inhibitors were better in slowing the progression of the disease compared to SUs

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Catnip (Nepeta cataria L.): Recent Advances in Pharmacognosy, Cultivation, Chemical Composition and Biological Activity

Plant preparations are said to be medicinal or herbal when they are used to promote health beyond basic nutrition. It is indeed quite interesting to observe that our ancients were duly equipped with the vast, in depth and elaborated knowledge of drugs from the vegetable origin but unfortunately they possessed a scanty knowledge with regard to the presence of chemically pure compounds in most of them. The genus Nepeta L. (catmint), a large genus of the family Lamiaceae, is named after the ancient Italian City of Nephi It is also known as Glechoma and Cataria and it contains about 280 annual and perennial species, the majority of which are aromatic plants native to temperate Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America. The wide variety and high content of terpenoid, flavonoid and phenolic compounds of Nepeta species provide diverse pharmacological effects, justifying its traditional utilization for medicinal purposes. Nepeta cataria (catnip or catmint, N. cataria), an aromatic perennial herb, belongs to genus Nepeta of Lamiaceae family and has been well known for its medicinal and therapeutic values. The name Cataria has been originated from Cathus, an old Latin word, which mean of cats. Like other aromatic plants which have showed flavoring and medicinal properties and act as renewable source for the same, N. cataria has also been known for its essential oil and secondary metabolites, which showed tremendous applications in pharmaceutical, agrochemical and food industries. It was shown by the different research groups that the essential oil and different extracts isolated from N. cataria have been a rich source of nepetalactones and related compounds (iridoids), which have been mainly responsible for different biological activities of the plant, viz. cat attractant, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, antidiabetic activities, as well as sedative, antidepressant, spasmolytic, anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities. Experiments show that this plant influences sexual activity, and expresses anticancer properties. Antimicrobial activity against a number of bacteria is also noted, as well as repellent and insecticidal properties. Nematodidal and allelopathic effects are also noted. This review emphasizes on latest information regarding the botany, distribution, cultivation taxonomy, traditional uses and more focused on phytochemistry, pharmacology. &nbsp

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background: Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods: The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results: NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion: As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population