Cuscuta Chinensis potentiate the effect of methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis Induced Rats.

Background Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic destructive inflammatory disease related to a breakdown in immune tolerance. This disease is characterized by joint inflammation, swelling, and in severe cases deformation may occur. Cuscuta Chinensis (C. Chinensis) is a parasitic plant, grow around other plants to absorb nutrient and water from them. C. Chinensis has a wide range of chemicals that produce a wide range of pharmacological activates. Because of its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, it was considered as a good candidate to assess its role in RA. Methods: Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by injection of Complete Freund’s Adjuvant inside the foot-pad of male albino rats. The animals were grouped in four groups as follows group 1 considered as a normal control group, group 2 consider as positive control arthritis, group 3 treated with methotrexate (MTX), group 4 treated with MTX and C. Chinensis extract. On day 14 of immunization, treatments began and last for 21 days, at the end of the experiment all animals were sacrificed and serum was collected. The serum markers that had been evaluated were MMP3, VEGF, and SOD. Throughout the experiment time the body weight was evaluated. Results The combination significantly (P-value ≤ 0.05) improves objective parameter of RA which was the body weight. Also significantly decrease (P-value ≤ 0.05) the serum level of MMP3, VEGF, and considerably increase serum SOD. Conclusion: The combination has a significant beneficial role in suppression of destructive enzyme (MMP3), angiogenic stimulators (VEGF), and increase serum SOD enzyme

SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study

Background Preoperative SARS-CoV-2 vaccination could support safer elective surgery. Vaccine numbers are limited so this study aimed to inform their prioritization by modelling. Methods The primary outcome was the number needed to vaccinate (NNV) to prevent one COVID-19-related death in 1 year. NNVs were based on postoperative SARS-CoV-2 rates and mortality in an international cohort study (surgical patients), and community SARS-CoV-2 incidence and case fatality data (general population). NNV estimates were stratified by age (18-49, 50-69, 70 or more years) and type of surgery. Best- and worst-case scenarios were used to describe uncertainty. Results NNVs were more favourable in surgical patients than the general population. The most favourable NNVs were in patients aged 70 years or more needing cancer surgery (351; best case 196, worst case 816) or non-cancer surgery (733; best case 407, worst case 1664). Both exceeded the NNV in the general population (1840; best case 1196, worst case 3066). NNVs for surgical patients remained favourable at a range of SARS-CoV-2 incidence rates in sensitivity analysis modelling. Globally, prioritizing preoperative vaccination of patients needing elective surgery ahead of the general population could prevent an additional 58 687 (best case 115 007, worst case 20 177) COVID-19-related deaths in 1 year. Conclusion As global roll out of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination proceeds, patients needing elective surgery should be prioritized ahead of the general population.The aim of this study was to inform vaccination prioritization by modelling the impact of vaccination on elective inpatient surgery. The study found that patients aged at least 70 years needing elective surgery should be prioritized alongside other high-risk groups during early vaccination programmes. Once vaccines are rolled out to younger populations, prioritizing surgical patients is advantageous