Medicinal plants with gastroprotective potential

Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a main source of morbidity and mortality worldwide. It is characterized by erosions in mucosal linings of stomach and duodenum. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and Helicobacter pylori are mainly responsible for peptic ulcer disease. Histamine receptor blockers and proton pump inhibitors are most prominent therapies in the treatment of peptic ulcer. However, severe adverse effects of NSAIDs have been reported. Therefore, focus is now diverted towards herbal formulations of medicinal plants for the treatment of ulcer. Plants contain different phytoconstituents which are responsible for increasing defensive mechanisms of body against peptic ulcer. The current review focuses on the commonly used gastroprotective plants as antiulcer agents.

miR-140-5p suppresses the proliferation, migration and invasion of gastric cancer by regulating YES1

Background: The aberrant expression of microRNA-140-5p (miR-140-5p) has been described in gastric cancer (GC). However, the role of miR-140-5p in GC remains unclear. In this study, the prognostic relevance of miR-140-5p in GC was investigated and YES1 was identified as a novel target of miR-140-5p in regulating tumor progression. Methods: miR-140-5p level was determined in 20 paired frozen specimens through quantitative real-time PCR, and analyzed in tissue microarrays through in situ hybridization. The target of miR-140-5p was verified through a dual luciferase reporter assay, and the effects of miR-140-5p on phenotypic changes in GC cells were investigated in vitro and in vivo. Results: Compared with that in adjacent normal tissues, miR-140-5p expression decreased in cancerous tissues. The downregulated miR-140-5p in 144 patients with GC was significantly correlated with the reduced overall survival of these patients. miR-140-5p could inhibit GC cell proliferation, migration and invasion by directly targeting 3'-untranlated region of YES1. miR-140-5p could also remarkably reduce the tumor size in GC xenograft mice. Conclusions: miR-140-5p serves as a potential prognostic factor in patients with GC, and miR-140-5p mediated YES1 inhibition is a novel mechanism behind the suppressive effects of miR-140-5p in GC

Potencial de protección de las semillas Trachyspermum ammi en la nefrotoxicidad inducida por la gentamicina en modelo de conejo

La nefrotoxicidad es uno de los efectos secundarios más importantes limitaciones terapéuticas de los antibióticos aminoglucósidos, especialmente gentamicina. La nefrotoxicidad inducida por gentamicina implica generación de radicales libres, la reducción en el mecanismo de defensa antioxidante y la disfunción renal. Una serie de extractos de hierbas crudas tienen potencial para mejorar la nefrotoxicidad inducida por gentamicina debido a la presencia de varios compuestos antioxidantes. Por lo tanto, el objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la actividad protectora del extracto acuoso semillas de T. ammi contra la nefrotoxicidad inducida por gentamicina en conejos albinos. Los resultados mostraron que la gentamicina causó graves alteraciones en los parámetros bioquímicos séricos y los marcadores de riñón, junto con alteraciones severas en los tejidos renales. Sin embargo, el extracto de T. ammi, cuando se administra junto con la gentamicina, invierte la gravedad de la nefrotoxicidad inducida por gentamicina por la normalización de los indicadores de la función renal, por ejemplo, urea sérica, creatinina, nitrógeno ureico en sangre, albúmina y los parámetros de electrolitos séricos que indican el potencial nefroprotector de T. ammi. Del mismo modo, el extracto tiene la capacidad para aumentar la maquinaria enzimática antioxidante endógena mediante un aumento de la actividad de la enzima antioxidante catalasa y reduciendo el estado total de oxidante. El potencial nefroprotector fue confirmado por el examen histopatológico. El potencial nefroprotector podría ser debido a la presencia de compuestos polifenólicos antioxidantes en el extracto acuoso de semillas de T. Ammi

TRW: An energy storage capacity model for energy harvesting sensors in wireless sensor networks

International audienceEnergy provisioning trend in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is shifted towards alternate sources by utilizing available ambient energy, of which solar irradiance harvesting is considered a viable alternative to fixed batteries. However, the energy storage buffer for harvested solar energy should be adaptive to the sporadic nature of the diurnal solar radiation availability. We believe that the typical fixed battery models no longer apply in harvesting enabled sensors. Therefore, we propose a random walk based stochastic model namely; Trinomial Random Walk (TRW) model for the storage capacity of harvesting enabled sensors. We then apply the proposed model on a comprehensive solar radiation data set of four different locations around the globe. Our performance evaluation demonstrates that the proposed model better analyze the sporadic nature of the diurnal solar radiation availability for estimating the required storage capacity. We further investigate an optimal power consumption value for a given energy store size, such that the utilization of harvested energy is maximized and the probability of energy depletion is minimized. For a given energy harvesting scenario, our model better approximates the optimal load with probability of up to a maximum of 98%, compared to a maximum of 37% for the binomial random walk model

Energy management in Wireless Sensor Networks: A survey

International audienceEnergy management in Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is of paramount importance for the remotely deployed energy stringent sensor nodes. These nodes are typically powered by attached batteries. Several battery-driven energy conservation schemes are proposed to ensure energy efficient network operation. The constraints associated to the limited battery capacity shifted the research trend towards finding alternate sources by harvesting ambient energy. This survey presents a high level taxonomy of energy management in WSNs. We analyze different battery-driven energy consumption based schemes and energy harvesting based energy provisioning schemes. We also highlight the recent breakthrough of wireless energy transference to a sensor node as an alternative to typical batteries. We recommend taking into account recent energy provisioning advancements in parallel with the traditional energy conservation approaches for a sensor network while designing energy efficient schemes

Robotic total gastrectomy with π-shaped esophagojejunostomy using a linear stapler as a novel technique

Abstract Objective To evaluate the intraoperative and short-term postoperative outcomes of a novel robotic intracorporeal π-shaped esophagojejunostomy (EJS) after D2 total gastrectomy (TG) using the Da Vinci robotic surgical system for intracorporeal anastomosis after TG. Background Intracorporeal π-shaped EJS, using a linear stapler, was recently reported for laparoscopic total gastrectomy in patients with gastric cancer. However, robotic intracorporeal π-shaped EJS using a linear stapler has not been reported. This report aimed to describe the use of a novel technique for π-shaped EJS using the Da Vinci robotic system. Methods Robotic intracorporeal π-shaped esophagojejunostomy after total gastrectomy was performed in 11 consecutive patients diagnosed with early gastric cancer, and their perioperative outcomes were analyzed. Results All the operations were successful without conversion to open or laparoscopic surgery and postoperative complications. The total number of patients was 11 (7 males and 4 females). The mean age of the patients was 63.36 ± 10.56 years old. Seven patients were diagnosed with cardia cancer, 3 patients were diagnosed with gastric body cancer, and 1 patient was diagnosed with gastric antrum cancer. The patients’ mean proximal resection margin was 3.18 ± 1.17 cm, the distal resection margin was 6.18 ± 1.40 cm, the mean length of the incision was 4.55 ± 0.69 cm, the mean operative time was 287.27 ± 30.69 min, the mean day of first flatus was 3.27 ± 0.79 days, the mean day of the start of diet was 2.91 ± 0.94 days, the mean postoperative hospital stay was 11.45 ± 5.13 days, and the mean operative blood loss was 47.27 ± 31.33 ml. No complications were observed during anastomosis, and the median anastomosis time was 19.5 min. The mean number of lymph node dissections was 17.91 ± 4.59, the mean number of positive lymph nodes was 0.45 ± 0.69, all patients were diagnosed with stage I–II gastric cancer, and the mean maximum diameter of the tumor was 2.67 ± 1.30 cm. All the patients had a smooth hospital discharge. Conclusion A novel robotic gastrectomy with intracorporeal π-shaped EJS for esophagojejunal anastomosis described and shows acceptable resulted. This technique has the potential to offer better short-term surgical outcomes and overcomes the drawbacks of laparoscopy with a decreased risk of complications during and after surgery

Graph-Theoretic Complexity Reduction for Markovian Wireless Channel Models

Accurate simulation and analysis of wireless networks are inherently dependent on accurate models which are able to provide real-time channel characterization. High-order Markov chains are typically used to model errors and losses over wireless channels.However, complexity (i.e., the number of states) of a high-order Markov model increases exponentially with the memory-length of the underlying channel. In this paper, we present a novel graphtheoretic methodology that uses Hamiltonian circuits to reduce the complexity of a high-order Markovmodel to a desired state budget.We also demonstrate the implication of unused states in complexity reduction of higher order Markov model. Our trace-driven performance evaluations for real wireless local area network (WLAN) and wireless sensor network (WSN)channels demonstrate that the proposed Hamiltonian Model, while providing orders of magnitude reduction in complexity, renders an accuracy that is comparable to the Markov model and better than the existing reduced state models

Hemato-Biochemical Disruptions by Lambda-Cyhalothrin in Rats

The present study assessed in vivo endocrine disrupting effect of orally administered lambda-cyhalothrin (LCT) on metabolic hormones and correlated it with hematological instabilities. Adult female albino rats were divided in three equal groups; one kept as control and other two treated with 20 and 40 mg/kg BW LCT, respectively by oral gavage for 14 days. At the end of trial, blood was collected for hormonal and hematological analysis. The results showed that LCT led to reduction in serum triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4) level (P<0.001) without modifying serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level in a dose related manner. Lambda-cyhalothrin also caused a significant (P<0.05) reduction in hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, red blood cell (RBC) count, total leukocyte count (TLC), platelets count, pack cell volume (PCV) and lymphocyte count. No significant variation was observed in erythrocytic indices. In sum, orally administered LCT caused reduction in feed intake and body weight along with disruption of hemato-biochemical parameters

Modeling corn growth and root zone salinity dynamics to improve irrigation and fertigation management under semi-arid conditions

Modeling is an advanced technique to study the effects of crop management practices as management scenario simulations in a convenient and economical way. A multi seasonal study was conducted on corn, sown under drip irrigation, to assess its growth under three irrigation intervals (I1: irrigation on daily basis, I2: irrigation on 3rd day and I3: irrigation on 5th day) and three fertigation levels [F1:100 % RFA (recommended fertigation applications), F2:75 % RFA and F3:50 % RFA)] of two types of fertilizers (M1: Imported and M2: Indigenous). The SALTMED model was calibrated and validated, using data collected from experiments, to explore different management scenarios of corn production. The accuracy of the validation process was examined by root mean square error (RMSE), percentage of difference (%D), coefficient of residual mass (CRM) and coefficient of determination (R2). The results showed that corn produced statistically highest plant height (183.7 cm), dry matter (16.9 t/ha), grain yield (8.57 t/ha) and water productivity (1.52 kg/m3) under I1 in comparison to that under other irrigation intervals. Similarly, M1 and F1 produced statistically highest plant height, dry matter, grain yield and water productivity as compared to M2 and other fertigation levels, respectively. SALTMED simulated soil moisture and soil salinity accurately with average values of RMSE, R2 and CRM as 0.013, 0.850 and -0.002, respectively for soil moisture and 0.479, 0.864 and 0.130, respectively for soil salinity. The SALTMED simulations showed good results also for grain yield (RMSE = 0.475, R2 = 0.873, CRM = -0.0013 and highest %D = -4.9 %) and dry matter (RMSE = 0.596, R2 = 0.909, CRM = -0.027 and highest %D = 4.2 %). Overall, it was concluded that corn should be irrigated on daily basis under drip irrigation and fertilized with 100 % RFA. Moreover, the SALTMED model proved to be a useful tool for simulations of different management scenarios regarding corn growth and root zone salinity dynamics with reliable results under semi-arid conditions

Application of electrolyzed water in the food industry: a review

Electrolyzed water is a novel disinfectant and cleaner that has been widely utilized in the food sector for several years to ensure that surfaces are sterilized, and that food is safe. It is produced by the electrolysis of a dilute salt solution, and the reaction products include sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and hypochlorous acid. In comparison to conventional cleaning agents, electrolyzed water is economical and eco-friendly, easy to use, and strongly effective. Electrolyzed water is also used in its acidic form, but it is non-corrosive to the human epithelium and other organic matter. The electrolyzed water can be utilized in a diverse range of foods; thus, it is an appropriate choice for synergistic microbial control in the food industry to ensure food safety and quality without damaging the organoleptic parameters of the food. The present review article highlights the latest information on the factors responsible for food spoilage and the antimicrobial potential of electrolyzed water in fresh or processed plant and animal products.Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation | Ref. 075-15-2020-775Axencia Galega de Innovación | Ref. IN607A2019/0