Central Neurocytoma: A Review of Clinical Management and Histopathologic Features.

Central neurocytoma (CN) is a rare, benign brain tumor often located in the lateral ventricles. CN may cause obstructive hydrocephalus and manifest as signs of increased intracranial pressure. The goal of treatment for CN is a gross total resection (GTR), which often yields excellent prognosis with a very high rate of tumor control and survival. Adjuvant radiosurgery and radiotherapy may be considered to improve tumor control when GTR cannot be achieved. Chemotherapy is also not considered a primary treatment, but has been used as a salvage therapy. The radiological features of CN are indistinguishable from those of other brain tumors; therefore, many histological markers, such as synaptophysin, can be very useful for diagnosing CNs. Furthermore, the MIB-1 Labeling Index seems to be correlated with the prognosis of CN. We also discuss oncogenes associated with these elusive tumors. Further studies may improve our ability to accurately diagnose CNs and to design the optimal treatment regimens for patients with CNs

Early Childhood Mathematics Curriculum in the light of the standards of the National Council of Mathematics Teachers

This study aims at exploring the preschool mathematics curriculum in light of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Standards. The study researched a sample of (140) preschool educators. An analysis of the mathematical content of preschool Self-Learning curriculum was conducted, and Saudi preschool educators were surveyed, in terms of their educational practices, and the processes used in teaching mathematics in their classes In accordance with the U.S. national standards for mathematicians, it means the methods in which children interact with sports content or content, namely (problem solving- communication- logical thinking - representation - Connection), where the study showed that the reality of the components of the mathematics curriculum applied in kindergartens within Saudi Arabia achieved these standards at these levels was The application of representation, communication and connectivity are the most achieved in the self-learning curriculum units with ratios of (86.4%, 83%, 82%), respectively, while problem-solving and logical thinking have reached the minimum use in the classroom, indicating that these processes are the least interested in application from the sample point of view, with 80%, respectively, using them (80%, 67.80%), despite the critical importance of these two processes specifically in building mathematical concepts as they focus on the ability of the child to be focused on the ability of the child. To use his accumulated sports skills to meet challenges such as predicting and examining hypotheses in order to find a scientific solution to the sports situation

HEPATOPROTECTIVE ACTIVITY OF COSTUS SPECIOSUS (KOEN. EX. RETZ.) AGAINST PARACETAMOL-INDUCED LIVER INJURY IN MICE

Background: Liver diseases are a common cause of mortality and morbidity over the world. It is caused mainly by toxic chemicals and chemotherapeutic agents. Costus speciosus (Koen ex. Retz.) (Zingiberaceae) is widely employed in various traditional medicines for the prevention and treatment of different aliments. The purpose of this study is to assess the protective effect of C. speciosus rhizomes MeOH extract against the injury of the liver induced by paracetamol (PA) in mice. Material and Methods: The mice were pretreated for seven days with distilled H2O, silymarin 12 mg/kg or 100 and 200 mg/kg MeOH extract. Then, PA (750 mg/kg) was also intra-peritoneal administrated once a day. Animals were euthanatized 24 h after the damage inducement. The levels of the serum enzymes aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase, in addition to the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), were determined. Moreover, the histopathological examination was carried out. Results: Administration of the MeOH extract (200 mg/kg) showed improvement in the toxic effects of PA through significant fall on the serum markers enzymes of liver damage: AST, ALT, and ALP, as well as TNF-α, compared to silymarin. In parallel, the histopathological profile in the mice` liver also proved that extract markedly minimized the PA toxicity and maintained the liver tissues` histoarchitecture to near the normal ones more than that achieved by silymarin. Conclusion: The findings suggested that C. speciosus extract acts as a potential hepatoprotective agent against PA-induced liver toxicity. This hepato-protection effect may be due to the existence of steroids, saponins, different glycosides, and phenolic compounds in C. speciosus

Integrating computational methods guided the discovery of phytochemicals as potential Pin1 inhibitors for cancer: pharmacophore modeling, molecular docking, MM-GBSA calculations and molecular dynamics studies

Pin1 is a pivotal player in interactions with a diverse array of phosphorylated proteins closely linked to critical processes such as carcinogenesis and tumor suppression. Its axial role in cancer initiation and progression, coupled with its overexpression and activation in various cancers render it a potential candidate for the development of targeted therapeutics. While several known Pin1 inhibitors possess favorable enzymatic profiles, their cellular efficacy often falls short. Consequently, the pursuit of novel Pin1 inhibitors has gained considerable attention in the field of medicinal chemistry. In this study, we employed the Phase tool from Schrödinger to construct a structure-based pharmacophore model. Subsequently, 449,008 natural products (NPs) from the SN3 database underwent screening to identify compounds sharing pharmacophoric features with the native ligand. This resulted in 650 compounds, which then underwent molecular docking and binding free energy calculations. Among them, SN0021307, SN0449787 and SN0079231 showed better docking scores with values of −9.891, −7.579 and −7.097 kcal/mol, respectively than the reference compound (−6.064 kcal/mol). Also, SN0021307, SN0449787 and SN0079231 exhibited lower free binding energies (−57.12, −49.81 and −46.05 kcal/mol, respectively) than the reference ligand (−37.75 kcal/mol). Based on these studies, SN0021307, SN0449787, and SN0079231 showed better binding affinity that the reference compound. Further the validation of these findings, molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the stability of the ligand-receptor complex for 100 ns with RMSD ranging from 0.6 to 1.8 Å. Based on these promising results, these three phytochemicals emerge as promising lead compounds warranting comprehensive biological screening in future investigations. These compounds hold great potential for further exploration regarding their efficacy and safety as Pin1 inhibitors, which could usher in new avenues for combating cancer

Experiencing mindfulness meditation—a client narrative perspective

The study was based on the non-participant involvement of the researcher in four six-to-eight weeks' mindfulness meditation training courses led by chartered psychologists. The participants suffered from stress/sleeplessness, depression or agoraphobia in the presented cases. They were selected on the basis of recommendations by the psychologist who was the course instructor, who described them as positive and suitable. The participants wrote diaries on a weekly basis, and they were interviewed at the beginning, middle and end of the course. An in-depth analysis of three individual cases will be presented in the form of narratives constructed from their own words. The narratives demonstrate the unique and embodied changes of the individual participant's experiences during the training course. The purpose was to illustrate richly what happens and how changes happen during these weeks of learning and practicing mindfulness meditation. It is not the intention to give evidence about the effectiveness of mindfulness meditation in general, but to present the whats and hows of cases where mindfulness meditation appears to improve quality of life, health and well-being

Molecular study on the effect of dandelion leaf extract and silver nanoparticles in induced diabetic albino rats

The present study investigated the antidiabetic effects of dandelion leaf extract and silver nanoparticles on diabetic albino rats at molecular level, and compared with insulin. Silver nanoparticles were prepared by green chimestry method using dandelion leaf extract as capping and reducing agent, which reduced Silver nitrate (AgNO3) into silver nanoparticles. The morphology, size and crystalline structure, of silver nanoparticles are confirmed by ultraviolet, Scanning electron microscope technique, and X-ray diffraction respectively. The formation and stability of the reduced AgNPs in colloidal solution were detected and monitored by using UV-visible spectroscopy, and the absorption peak appear at 450 nm indicating the specific surface Plasmon resonance of AgNPs. The Scanning Electron Microscope showed that the AgNPs have spherical shape with aparticular size ranging from (13 to 28 )nm.The chemical characterization of synthesized AgNPs was tested using the X-ray diffraction technique, which shows that the average crystalline size was 16nm, and the synthesized silver nanoparticles have a polycrystalline structure. Application of nanoparticles in medicine is an attractive proposition. The present study included 35 female wistar albino rats weighting 200±20 grams

Molecular Study on the Effect of Dandelion Leaf Extract and Silver Nanoparticles in Induced Diabetic Albino Rats

The present study investigated the antidiabetic effects of dandelion leaf extract and silver nanoparticles on diabetic albino rats at molecular level, and compared with insulin. Silver nanoparticles were prepared by green chimestry method using dandelion leaf extract as capping and reducing agent, which reduced Silver nitrate (AgNO3) into silver nanoparticles. The morphology, size and crystalline structure, of silver nanoparticles are confirmed by ultraviolet, Scanning electron microscope technique, and X-ray diffraction respectively. The formation and stability of the reduced AgNPs in colloidal solution were detected and monitored by using UV-visible spectroscopy, and the absorption peak appear at 450 nm indicating the specific surface Plasmon resonance of AgNPs. The Scanning Electron Microscope showed that the AgNPs have spherical shape with aparticular size ranging from (13 to 28 )nm.The chemical characterization of synthesized AgNPs was tested using the X-ray diffraction technique, which shows that the average crystalline size was 16nm, and the synthesized silver nanoparticles have a polycrystalline structure. Application of nanoparticles in medicine is an attractive proposition. The present study included 35 female wistar albino rats weighting 200±20 grams

Stachybotrys chartarum—A Hidden Treasure: Secondary Metabolites, Bioactivities, and Biotechnological Relevance

Fungi are renowned as a fountainhead of bio-metabolites that could be employed for producing novel therapeutic agents, as well as enzymes with wide biotechnological and industrial applications. Stachybotrys chartarum (black mold) (Stachybotriaceae) is a toxigenic fungus that is commonly found in damp environments. This fungus has the capacity to produce various classes of bio-metabolites with unrivaled structural features, including cyclosporins, cochlioquinones, atranones, trichothecenes, dolabellanes, phenylspirodrimanes, xanthones, and isoindoline and chromene derivatives. Moreover, it is a source of various enzymes that could have variable biotechnological and industrial relevance. The current review highlights the formerly published data on S. chartarum, including its metabolites and their bioactivities, as well as industrial and biotechnological relevance dated from 1973 to the beginning of 2022. In this work, 215 metabolites have been listed and 138 references have been cited

Ethnobotanical Uses, Phytochemical Composition, Biosynthesis, and Pharmacological Activities of Carpesium abrotanoides L. (Asteraceae)

Carpesium abrotanoides L. (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant with immense therapeutic importance and bioactivities. It is commonly encountered in various Asian regions. It has numerous ethnomedicinal uses for curing diverse ailments such as toothache, stomach ulcer, boils, tonsillitis, bronchitis, bacterial infection, bruises, swelling, virus infection, fever, and amygdalitis, as well as an anthelmintic versus round-, tape-, hook-, and pinworms. Different classes of phytoconstituents such as sesquiterpenes, sesquiterpene dimers, monoterpenes, and nitrogenous compounds have been reported from this plant. These phytoconstituents have proved to possess anti-inflammatory, cytotoxic, antimicrobial, and insecticidal capacities. The present review aims to summarize all published data on C. abrotanoides including traditional uses, phytoconstituents, bioactivities, and toxicological aspects, as well as the synthesis and biosynthesis of its metabolites through an extensive survey on various databases and various publishers. These reported data could draw the attention of various natural-metabolite-interested researchers and medicinal chemists towards the development of this plant and/or its metabolites into medicine for the prevention and treatment of certain illnesses. Despite the diverse traditional uses of C. abrotanoides, there is a need for scientific evidence to support these claims. Clinical trials are also required to further assure these data and validate this plant utilization in treating several diseases