Phytochemical Screening and Hepatoprotective Effect of Alhagi maurorum Boiss (Leguminosae) Against Paracetamol-Induced Hepatotoxicity in Rabbits

Purpose: To evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of aqueous-ethanol (30:70 %) extract of Alhagi maurorum Boiss. (Leguminosae) whole plant against paracetamol-induced liver injury in experimental rabbits.Methods: Aqueous-ethanol extract of Alhagi maurorum at doses of 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg body weight, p.o., was administered for 7 days in paracetamol (2 gm/kg, s.c.) intoxicated rabbits and compared with silymarine (50 mg/kg, p.o.)-treated rabbits. Biochemical parameters, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT) and total bilirubin (TB) levels were recorded to investigate the degree of improvement in the conditions of the rabbits. The liver was removed, washed with normal saline and preserved in 10 % formalin and used in histopathological studies of hepatic architecture by microscopy. Phytochemical screening of the extract was also carried out.Results: The levels of biochemical parameters were increased in paracetamol intoxicated rabbits when compared with the normal group. The extract, at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg, exhibited significant (p < 0.001) reduction in biochemical parameters (ALP, SGOT, SGPT and TB). Hepatoprotective activity was also confirmed by histopathological findings. Furthermore, the phytochemical profile of the extract revealed the presence of tannins, alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids.Conclusion: These results suggest that Alhagi maurorum extract possesses significant hepatoprotective effect against paracetamol-induced hepatotoxicity and this may be due to the presence of flavonoids and tannins.Keywords: Alhagi maurorum, Hepatoprotective, Paracetamol, Silymarin, Histopatholog

Video dataset of sheep activity for animal behavioral analysis via deep learning

A primary dataset capturing five distinct types of sheep activities in realistic settings was constructed at various resolutions and viewing angles, targeting the expansion of the domain knowledge for non-contact virtual fencing approaches. The present dataset can be used to develop non-invasive approaches for sheep activity detection, which can be proven useful for farming activities including, but not limited to, sheep counting, virtual fencing, behavior detection for health status, and effective sheep breeding. Sheep activity classes include grazing, running, sitting, standing, and walking. The activities of individuals, as well as herds of sheep, were recorded at different resolutions and angles to provide a dataset of diverse characteristics, as summarized in Table 1. Overall, a total of 149,327 frames from 417 videos (the equivalent of 59 minutes of footage) are presented with a balanced set for each activity class, which can be utilized for robust non-invasive detection models based on computer vision techniques. Despite a decent existence of noise within the original data (e.g., segments with no sheep present, multiple sheep in single frames, multiple activities by one or more sheep in single as well as multiple frames, segments with sheep alongside other non-sheep objects), we provide original videos and the original videos’ frames (with videos and frames containing humans omitted for privacy reasons). The present dataset includes diverse sheep activity characteristics and can be useful for robust detection and recognition models, as well as advanced activity detection models as a function of time for the applications

Development of polymeric nanocomposite (Xyloglucan-co-Methacrylic acid/Hydroxyapatite/SiO 2 ) scaffold for bone tissue engineering applications—In-vitro antibacterial, cytotoxicity and cell culture evaluation

Advancement and innovation in bone regeneration, specifically polymeric composite scaffolds, are of high significance for the treatment of bone defects. Xyloglucan (XG) is a polysaccharide biopolymer having a wide variety of regenerative tissue therapeutic applications due to its biocompatibility, in-vitro degradation and cytocompatibility. Current research is focused on the fabrication of polymeric bioactive scaffolds by freeze drying method for nanocomposite materials. The nanocomposite materials have been synthesized from free radical polymerization using n-SiO2 and n-HAp XG and Methacrylic acid (MAAc). Functional group analysis, crystallinity and surface morphology were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, respectively. These bioactive polymeric scaffolds presented interconnected and well-organized porous morphology, controlled precisely by substantial ratios of n-SiO2. The swelling analysis was also performed in different media at varying temperatures (27, 37 and 47 °C) and the mechanical behavior of the dried scaffolds is also investigated. Antibacterial activities of these scaffolds were conducted against pathogenic gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Besides, the biological behavior of these scaffolds was evaluated by the Neutral Red dye assay against the MC3T3-E1 cell line. The scaffolds showed interesting properties for bone tissue engineering, including porosity with substantial mechanical strength, biodegradability, biocompatibility and cytocompatibility behavior. The reported polymeric bioactive scaffolds can be aspirant biomaterials for bone tissue engineering to regenerate defecated bone

Acute myopathy secondary to oral steroid therapy in a 49-year-old man: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Acute myopathy caused by oral corticosteroids is rare. We present a case of myopathy occurring after two doses of methylprednisolone. Typically, acute steroid myopathy occurs with therapy using intravenous corticosteroids at high doses. Acute myopathy developing very early in the course of treatment with oral corticosteroids has been reported only once in the literature. Corticosteroid therapy may be complicated by myopathy, usually chronic, after prolonged high-dose therapy. Acute myopathy caused by exogenous corticosteroids is rare, usually with intravenous corticosteroids at high doses.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>A 49-year-old Caucasian man developed acute myopathy after taking oral methylprednisolone for only two days, 24 mg on day 1 and 20 mg on day 2. He discontinued the medication because of new-onset myalgias and lethargy on day 3 and was seen in our clinic four days after beginning therapy. He completely recovered in four weeks by discontinuing the corticosteroids.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Among the many complications of corticosteroid therapy, acute myopathy is very rare. It requires prompt recognition and adjustment of therapy.</p

Rofecoxib for dysmenorrhoea: meta-analysis using individual patient data

BACKGROUND: Individual patient meta-analysis to determine the analgesic efficacy and adverse effects of single-dose rofecoxib in primary dysmenorrhoea. METHODS: Individual patient information was available from three randomised, double blind, placebo and active controlled trials of rofecoxib. Data were combined through meta-analysis. Number-needed-to-treat (NNT) for at least 50% pain relief and the proportion of patients who had taken rescue medication over 12 hours were calculated. Information was collected on adverse effects. RESULTS: For single-dose rofecoxib 50 mg compared with placebo, the NNTs (with 95% CI) for at least 50% pain relief were 3.2 (2.4 to 4.5) at six, 3.1 (2.4 to 9.0) at eight, and 3.7 (2.8 to 5.6) at 12 hours. For naproxen sodium 550 mg they were 3.1 (2.4 to 4.4) at six, 3.0 (2.3 to 4.2) at eight, and 3.8 (2.7 to 6.1) at 12 hours. The proportion of patients who needed rescue medication within 12 hours was 27% with rofecoxib 50 mg, 29% with naproxen sodium 550 mg, and 50% with placebo. In the single-dose trial, the proportion of patients reporting any adverse effect was 8% (4/49) with rofecoxib 50 mg, 12% (6/49) with ibuprofen 400 mg, and 6% (3/49) with placebo. In the other two multiple dose trials, the proportion of patients reporting any adverse effect was 23% (42/179) with rofecoxib 50 mg, 24% (45/181) with naproxen sodium 550 mg, and 18% (33/178) with placebo. CONCLUSIONS: Single dose rofecoxib 50 mg provided similar pain relief to naproxen sodium 550 mg over 12 hours. The duration of analgesia with rofecoxib 50 mg was similar to that of naproxen sodium 550 mg. Adverse effects were uncommon suggesting safety in short-term use of rofecoxib and naproxen sodium. Future research should include restriction on daily life and absence from work or school as outcomes

Logistic regression prediction model identify type 2 diabetes mellitus as a prognostic factor for human papillomavirus-16 associated head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Background: HPV-16–positive HNSCC and HPV-16–negative HNSCC have different clinical factors, representing distinct forms of cancers. The study aimed to identify patient-specific factors for HPV-16-positive HNSCC based on baseline clinical data. Method: Factors associated with HPV-16-positive HNSCC were identified using the data from 210 patients diagnosed with HNSCC at University College of London Hospital between January 1, 2003, and April 30, 2015, inclusive. A series of models were developed using logistic regression methods, and the overall model fit was compared using Akaike Information Criterion. Survival analysis was carried with Cox proportional hazards model for survival-time outcomes. The survival time for individual patients was defined as the time from diagnosis of HNSCC to the date of death from any cause. For patients who did not die, they were censored at the end of study on April 30, 2015. Results: Of the 210 patients, 151 (72%) were found to have HPV-16-positive HNSCC. The logistic regression model showed that the prevalence of developing HPV-16-positive HNSCC was 3.79 times higher in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) (odd ratio [OR], 3.79; 95% CI, 1.70–8.44) than in those without T2DM, and 8.84 times higher in patients with history of primary HNSCC (OR, 8.84; 95% CI, 2.30–33.88) than in those without a history of primary HNSCC. HPV-16–positive HNSCC was also observed more in tonsils (OR, 4.02; 95% CL, 1.56–10.36) and less in non-alcohol drinker’s oral cavity (OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.03–0.56). Furthermore, individual patients were followed-up for 1 to 13 years (median of 1 year). Patients with HPV-positive HNSCC had a median survival of 5 years (95% CI, 2.6–7.3 years). Among HPV-16–positive HNSCC cohort, T2DM was a risk for poorer prognosis (hazard ratio, 2.57; 95% Cl, 1.09–6.07), and had lower median survival of 3 years (95% CI, 1.8–4.1 years), as compared to 6 years (95% CI, 2.8–9.1 years) in non-T2DM. Conclusions: Patient-specific factors for HPV-positive HNSCC are T2DM, history of primary HNSCC and tonsillar site. T2DM is associated with poorer prognosis. These findings suggest that it might be beneficial if routine HPV-16 screening is carried out in T2DM patients which can provide better therapeutic and management strategies

Antispasmodic and vasodilator activities of Morinda citrifolia root extract are mediated through blockade of voltage dependent calcium channels

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Morinda citrifolia </it>(Noni) is an edible plant with wide range of medicinal uses. It occurs exclusively in tropical climate zone from India through Southeast Asia and Australia to Eastern Polynesia and Hawaii. The objective of this study was to explore the possible mode(s) of action for its antispasmodic, vasodilator and cardio-suppressant effects to rationalize its medicinal use in gut and cardiovascular disorders.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Isolated tissue preparations such as, rabbit jejunum, rat and rabbit aorta and guinea pig atria were used to test the antispasmodic and cardiovascular relaxant effects and the possible mode of action(s) of the 70% aqueous-ethanolic extract of <it>Morinda citrifolia </it>roots (Mc.Cr).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The Mc.Cr produced a concentration-dependent relaxation of spontaneous and high K⁺induced contractions in isolated rabbit jejunum preparations. It also caused right ward shift in the concentration response curves of Ca⁺⁺, similar to that of verapamil. In guinea-pig right atria, Mc.Cr caused inhibition of both atrial force and rate of spontaneous contractions. In rabbit thoracic aortic preparations, Mc.Cr also suppressed contractions induced by phenylephrine (1.0 μM) in normal- Ca⁺⁺and Ca⁺⁺-free Kerb's solutions and by high K⁺, similar to that of verapamil. In rat thoracic aortic preparations, Mc.Cr also relaxed the phenylephrine (1.0 μM)-induced contractions. The vasodilatory responses were not altered in the presence of L-NAME (0.1 mM) or atropine (1.0 μM) and removal of endothelium.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>These results suggest that the spasmolytic and vasodilator effects of Mc.Cr root extract are mediated possibly through blockade of voltage-dependent calcium channels and release of intracellular calcium, which may explain the medicinal use of <it>Morinda citrifolia </it>in diarrhea and hypertension. However, more detailed studies are required to assess the safety and efficacy of this plant.</p