Nematicidal activity of aqueous tinctures of medicinal plants against larvae of the nematodes Strongyloides papillosus and Haemonchus contortus

The study focuses on in vitro effect of aqueous tinctures of 48 species of herbaceous, shrub and tree plants on the first-third stage larvae of Strongyloides papillosus (Wedl, 1856) and third-stage larvae of Haemonchus contortus (Rudolphi, 1803) Cobb, 1898. The highest level of the effect was exerted by 3% aqueous tinctures of Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC., Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle, Laburnum anagyroides Medik., Quercus petraea subsp. iberica (Steven ex M. Bieb.) Krassiln., Ginkgo biloba L., Colchicum autumnale L., Aristolochia manshuriensis Kom., Celastrus scandens L., Securigera varia (L.) Lassen, Magnolia kobus DC. Over 90% of the first and second non-invasive stage larvae of S. papillosus died at contact with these tinctures. The lowest parameters of LD50 were seen for L. anagyroides, Juniperus sabina L., C. scandens, M. kobus, A. manshuriensis, Wisteria sinensis (Sims) DC. and Securigera varia (L.) Lassen. Invasive larvae of S. papillosus and H. contortus were resistant to the effect of all the 48 surveyed species of plants. Third-stage larvae of H. contortus remained vital when exposed for 24 h to all the studied concentrations up to 3% aqueous tincture of plants. The results of the experiments and also the analysis of the literature indicate the necessity to continue the survey on nematocidial activity of aqueous tinctures and alcveshol extracts of plants

An unusual complication of ureteral double-J stent placement: ureteral perforation

Ureteral double-J stent implantation has become a routine procedure in the management of a variety of urinary tract pathologies. Although this is a safe and simple procedure, there can be unexpected severe complications such as malpositioning, encrustation, ureteral erosion, intravascular migration, hematoma and ureterovascular fistula. Intraoperative fluoroscopic examination and postoperative imaging modalities are useful in early diagnosis and prevention of these complications. We present a case of right ureteral perforation during retrograde double-J stent implantation. To our knowledge ureteral perforation due to double-J stent placement has not been previously described

Cuticular wax composition of mature leaves of species and hybrids of the genus Prunus differing in resistance to clasterosporium disease

The interaction of a host plant with pathogen implies an extremely complex process involving the outer waxy layer of the cuticle, cutin, cell membrane, and intracellular structures. However, the initial contact between plants and pathogens takes place in cuticular waxes covering the surface of leaves, stems and fruits. Despite many findings on the role of plant epicuticular waxes, there is a gap in the understanding of the relationship between individual compounds and their functions. The pathogenic fungus Clasterosporium carpohilum (Lev.) Aderh. parasitizes the tissues of many stone fruit trees, damaging leaf and fruit surface. The aim of this work was to find out if the quantity and composition of leaf epicuticular wax could be responsible for the resistance to clasterosporium disease. The study of differences of plants in fungal resistance was carried out on species and hybrids of the genus Prunus from the collection of the Botanical Garden of Oles Honchar Dnipro National University (Dnipro city, Ukraine). The chloroform extracts of epicuticular waxes from the surface of mature leaves were analyzed by gas chromatography connected to mass-spectrometry. GC/MS assay was performed using Shimadzu GCMS-QP 2020 El equipped with capillary column (5% diphenyl/95% dimethyl polysiloxane), and helium as a carrier gas. Mass Spectrum Library 2014 for GSMS was used to identify the separated compounds of the wax extracts. The maximum total wax amount on the adaxial and abaxial leaf surface of hybrid 2 was twice the minimum wax accumulation for hybrid 4. Overall, 20 individual compounds belonging to six hydrocarbon classes were identified. Leaf epicuticular wax composition both in Prunus persica (L.) Batsch and P. dulcis (Mill.) D. A. Webb, and hybrids was dominated by long-chain n-alkanes with even carbon number (77.6–90.9% of total sum). The alkenes’ class was represented only by 17-pentatriacontene detected in the wax of both Prunus species. Octadecanaldehyde was found in epicuticular wax of P. dulcis while absent in wax of the more resistant species P. persica. Prime alcohols 1-tetradecanol and 1-hexacosanol were detected in leaf waxes of hybrid 4 and P. dulcis respectively. The ester class contained seven compounds found in leaf epicuticular waxes of both plant species and all hybrid forms. The identification of phthalic acid esters in leaf wax extracts was unexpected, and the phthalates’ origin is discussed. Strong positive correlation between leaf damage and tetrapentacontane content in epicuticular waxes could presumably be the result of infection-induced metabolism reprogramming in epidermal cells of infected leaves

Variability of the antioxidant properties of Berberis fruits depending on the plant species and conditions of habitat

Plant fruits, leaves, stems, and other parts are of high nutritional value, and are the source of physiologically active compounds, which can contribute to the treatment of many diseases caused by oxidative stress. Enrichment of the species spectrum of the fruit plants expands the possibilities of their use in dietary nutrition and human treatment. Unfortunately, the introduction of the new fruit plant species in industrial gardens in the Steppe Dnieper is limited to a large extent by the unfavorable climate. In this regard, the assessment of the possibility of realizing the genetic potential of fruit plants from different geographical areas in the steppe climate acquires both scientific and practical significance. The study was conducted on the basis of the fruit plants collection collection of the Botanical Garden of the DNU including four introduced species and one natural species from the genus Berberis. The anomalous weather conditions during the growing season of 2017 (snowfall in April followed by a drought in June) were accompanied by an earlier stage appearance of leaves, flowering and fruit ripening of all introduced plants, especially the Asian species B. amurensis and B. koreana, compared to the native species B. vulgaris. In accordance with the results obtained, fresh weight of the ripe fruits of Berberis species decreased in the order of B. amurensis > B. vulgaris > B. canadensis > B. koreana > B. x declinata. The highest total phenolics content, determined in the isopropanolic fruit extracts by Folin – Ciocalteau assay, was found in the fresh ripe fruits of B. koreana (1362 ± 66 mg GAE/100 g WW), followed by B. x declinata and B. vulgaris fruits (91% and 77% of the B. koreana phenolics content respectively). The highest total flavonoids content determined using the aluminum chloride method was revealed in the fruits of B. koreana (210 ± 6 mg RE/100 g FW) exceeding the content in fruits of other Berberis species by 1.1–2.1 times, while the lowest value (103 ± 4 mg RE/100 g FW) was found in the fruits of B. amurensis. The total reducing power, determined by RP assay, varied in the range from 5.0 to 9.6 mg AAE/100 g DW, and the highest levels were found in the fruits of B. koreana and B. x declinata (respectively, 9.6 ± 0.6 and 8.6 ± 0.5 mg AE/100 g DW) exceeding the reducing capacity of other Berberis species by 1.7–1.9 times. In the fruits of genus Berberis species strong positive correlation was found between the total reducing power and the total content of phenols (r = 0.87), as well as between the reducing power and the total content of flavonoids (r = 0.84). High correlation coefficients confirm the significant contribution of the Berberis fruit phenolic compounds, including the flavonoids, to the antioxidant capacity. So, the study results showed that fruits of all examined Berberis species can be an easily accessible source of antioxidants, however, the antioxidant capacity of fruits decreased in order of B. koreana > B. x declinata > B. vulgaris > B. amurensis > B. canadensis

Long-Term Renal Function in Liver Transplant Recipients After Conversion From Calcineurin Inhibitors to mTOR Inhibitors

BACKGROUND: Renal dysfunction often occurs in liver transplant (LT) recipients receiving calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-based immunosuppressive regimens, increasing morbidity and mortality rates. Replacement of CNIs by mTOR inhibitor-based immunosuppressive protocols may prevent renal impairment in LT recipients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Outcomes in patients who underwent LT between 1996 and 2010 at our center and who were switched from CNI-based to mTOR inhibitor-based immunosuppression were retrospectively analyzed. Renal course, hyperlipidemia, and graft rejection were assessed in patients maintained on this CNI-free regimen for at least 24 months. RESULTS: Of the 85 patients switched from CNI-based to mTOR inhibitor-based, CNI-free immunosuppression, 78 met the inclusion criteria. Within the first 6 weeks after switching, the covariable adjusted estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) increased 5.6 mL/min [95% confidence interval 2.6–8.7 mL/min, p<0.001], but there were no further statistically noticeable changes in eGFR. Concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides increased statistically, noticeable within the first 12 months after drug conversion. Histologically proven graft rejection was observed in 4 patients (5.1%) after conversion. CONCLUSIONS: Conversion from CNI-based to CNI-free, mTOR inhibitor-based immunosuppression after LT is safe and can result in significant renal recovery. CNI-free, mTOR inhibitor-based immunosuppression is a potential option for patients with contraindications for CNIs and for LT recipients with rapid reduction in kidney function due to CNIs

Achieving Complete Remission of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Significant Predictor for Recurrence-Free Survival after Liver Transplantation

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (LT) is a curative treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying primary liver disease; however, tumor recurrence is still a major issue. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess predictors and risk factors for HCC recurrence after LT in patients within and outside the Milan criteria with a special focus on the impact of different bridging strategies. METHODS: All patients who underwent LT for HCC between 07/2002 and 09/2016 at the University Hospital of Muenster were consecutively included in this retrospective study. Database research was performed and a multivariable regression analysis was conducted to explore potential risk factors for HCC recurrence. RESULTS: A total of 82 patients were eligible for the statistical analysis. Independent of bridging strategy, achieving complete remission (CR) was significantly associated with a lower risk for tumor recurrence (p = 0.029; OR = 0.426, 95% CI 0.198-0.918). A maximal diameter of lesion < 3 cm was also associated with lower recurrence rates (p = 0.040; OR = 0.140, 95% CI 0.022-0.914). Vascular invasion proved to be an independent risk factor for HCC recurrence (p = 0.004; OR = 11.357, 95% CI 2.142-60.199). CONCLUSION: Achieving CR prior to LT results in a significant risk reduction of HCC recurrence after LT independent of the treatment modalities applied

Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure (PRISM): A Novel Visual Instrument to Quantify Suffering in Liver Cirrhosis Patients and Liver Transplant Recipients

BACKGROUND: The level of suffering of chronically ill patients does not necessarily correlate with illness severity. In this study, we evaluated the burden of suffering and its impact on health-related quality of life in liver transplant recipients and liver cirrhosis patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Pictorial Representation of Illness and Self Measure (PRISM) was used to explore levels of suffering in outpatients of Münster University Hospital, Germany. Self-illness separation scores were analyzed as a measure of disease-specific burden of suffering. Health-related quality of life was measured using the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36). RESULTS: Data from 201 subjects were statistically analyzed. Median Self-illness separation scores for liver transplant recipients and patients with liver cirrhosis were 13.5 (minimum/maximum: 0.2/25.6) cm and 6.3 (0.1/25.6) cm (p<0.001), respectively. The median SF-36 Mental Component Summary and Physical Component Summary scores were 46.4 (12.5/66.2) and 40.1 (12.3/61.1), respectively. Higher health-related quality of life was associated with greater self–illness separation. Liver transplant recipients showed normal Mental Component Summary scores compared with the general German population; patients with liver cirrhosis had significantly lower Mental Component Summary scores. Physical Component Summary scores were significantly higher in liver transplant recipients than in patients with liver cirrhosis, but still lower than in the general population. CONCLUSIONS: PRISM is a novel, simple tool for measuring the illness burden in liver transplant recipients and patients with liver cirrhosis. This measure may help to identify patients at a higher risk of psychological disorders