Studies to Elucidate the Mechanism of Cardio Protective and Hypotensive Activities of Anogeissus acuminata (Roxb. ex DC.) in Rodents

Anogeissus acuminata (Roxb. ex DC.) is a folkloric medicinal plant in Asia; including Pakistan; used as a traditional remedy for cardiovascular disorders. This study was planned to establish a pharmacological basis for the trivial uses of Anogeissus acuminata in certain medical conditions related to cardiovascular systems and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Mechanistic studies suggested that crude extract of Anogeissus acuminata (Aa.Cr) produced in vitro cardio-relaxant and vasorelaxant effects in isolated paired atria and aorta coupled with in vivo decrease in blood pressure by invasive method; using pressure and force transducers connected to Power Lab Data Acquisition System. Moreover; Aa.Cr showed positive effects in left ventricular hypertrophy in Sprague Dawley rats observed hemodynamically by a decrease in cardiac cell size and fibrosis; along with absence of inflammatory cells; coupled with reduced levels of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and renin concentration along with increased concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP). In Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) model; creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactic acid dehydrogenase (LDH levels) were found to be decreased; along with decreased necrosis; edema and recruitment of inflammatory cells histologically. In vivo and ex vivo studies of Anogeissus acuminata provided evidence of vasorelaxant; hypotensive and cardioprotective properties facilitated through blockage of voltage-gated Ca++ ion channel; validating its use in cardiovascular disease

Impact of Clinical and Socio-Demographic Factors on the Quality of Life in Romanian People with Epilepsy

This study investigates the impact of different clinical and demographic factors on the quality of life in people with epilepsy hospitalized at a health institution of Brasov County, Romania, using a QOLIE-31-P questionnaire and to reflect on the opportunities and limitations of incorporating such an instrument into the clinical practice. Methods: Ninety-one patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy evaluated by video-electroencephalography in the Clinical Hospital of Psychiatry and Neurology in Brasov, Romania, were recruited. After the confirmation of the diagnosis based on clinical, electrophysiological and imagistic examination, and of their compliance with the hospitalization criteria, the patients filled in the QOLIE-31-P questionnaire. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected. Results: The seizure frequency was negatively correlated with almost all QOLIE-31-P domains (p < 0.05). Age, employment status, level of education and uncontrolled disease were significant factors associated with a low quality of life. The mean (SD) QOLIE-31-P scores were 64.89 (14.72), the mean age was 43.04 (14.92) years, with the average age of the first seizure onset 30.66 (17.45) years. Conclusion: The use of measuring instruments to assess the quality of life of patients with epilepsy despite the challenges should become a routine practice, the information collected in this way can improve the outcomes in the care of these patients. In addition to the goal of reducing the frequency of seizures, physicians must also take into account other parts of the experiences of people with epilepsy

Challenges in the Prevention of Cervical Cancer in Romania

Approximately every two hours, a Romanian woman is diagnosed with cervical cancer as the country ranks first in the EU in terms of its mortality rate. This paper aims to identify the main reasons that have led to this situation. First, a study based on secondary data was conducted in order to identify measures taken by the Romanian Ministry of Health for the prevention of this type of cancer. Second, a quantitative study was conducted to evaluate the impact that exposure to information and awareness campaigns has on women’s behavior regarding cervical cancer prevention through screening. The results of the research show an increased percentage of the women understanding the importance of screening and the benefits of early diagnosis, but also shows that a high percentage of women postpone the routine checks due to lack of time and financial resources. The research results also indicate that the only free screening program implemented in Romania during 2012–2017 was a failure due to poor procedures, low number of women tested, underfunding and the lack of promotion. Our conclusion is that the Romanian Ministry of Health has to take immediate action by conducting major awareness campaigns and also by implementing functional screening programs

Full-Length Genome and Partial Viral Genes Phylogenetic and Geographical Analysis of Dengue Serotype 3 Isolates

Dengue fever is among the most common vector-borne diseases. Dengue virus (DENV), responsible for dengue fever as well as dengue hemorrhagic fever, belongs to the genus flavivirus and family Flaviviridae. Flaviviruses infect various vertebrate species and arthropods and are also responsible for diseases in birds, wild animals, and primates. DENV consists of a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome ~11 kb in size. Complete genome and partial gene sequences of geographically distinct DENV-3 strains were retrieved from the GenBank database. The evolutionary divergence of the 33 whole-genome and individual gene sequences of the nucleotides and amino acids of DENV-3 strains were generated with the maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian phylogenetic study (BEAST) methods using the MEGA 7 software. The genome size varied from 10,484 to 10,724 nucleotides among the strains with distinct geographical backgrounds belonging to Central America, South-Central Asia, and Eastern Asia. A phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of these DENV-3 isolates revealed extensive differences in the topologies due to PrM/M, NS1, NS2B, and NS3 genes. These results suggest substantial variation in the evolutionary pathways of the studied genes and genomes

Achyranthes aspera Extracts as Adjuvants for the Redressal of Antibiotic Resistance

Achyranthes aspera seeds and leaves are believed to reverse antibiotic resistance and increase the efficacy of current drugs. Achyranthes aspera seeds and leaves contain many secondary metabolites needed for the redressal of antibiotic resistance. In the present study, seven different antibiotics were used against five different strains of bacteria such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. For Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Cefoxitin, Penicillin, and Co-trimoxazole were resistant out of seven antibiotics. The zone of inhibition for all these three antibiotics goes from the resistant to the sensitive range after the combination with plant extracts. For Enterococcus faecalis, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Imipenem, and Vancomycin were resistant after treatment with the plant extracts, and the Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Imipenem, and Vancomycin zones of inhibition were from the resistant to the sensitive range. An increase in zone sizes was observed for Penicillin, but it remained resistant while no zone of inhibition was observed for Amoxicillin. For Acinetobacter baumannii, Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, Ceftriaxone, Ceftazidime, and Imipenem were resistant. After a combination of these antibiotics with plant extracts, a change in zone sizes was observed for Levofloxacin and Ceftriaxone, but it was not considerable as it remained in the resistance and intermediate ranges. No zones of inhibition were observed for Ciprofloxacin, Ceftazidime, or Imipenem. For Klebsiella pneumoniae, all the antibiotics were resistant. An increase in zone sizes was observed after a combination with plant extracts for Ceftazidime and Imipenem in Klebsiella pneumoniae, but it remained in the resistance category. No zone of inhibition was observed for Pseudomonas aeruginosa before or after using plant extracts against any antibiotic. This study suggests that the Achyranthes aspera seed and leaf extracts can reverse antibiotic resistance without any side effects on the human body, and that they can reverse antibiotic resistance naturally