Antioxidant and antibacterial activities of Piliostigma reticulatum (DC.) Hochst extracts

The methanol and aqueous extracts of Piliostigma reticulatum barks were investigated for its antioxidant and antibacterial activities. The antioxidant test using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method demonstrated important radical scavenging activity for the methanol extract with IC50 = 0,37 ± 0,04 μgmL-1. The 2 extracts were then examined for antibacterial activity by using the broth micro dilution method. The extracts possessed the antibacterial effect against the almost germs tested; the aqueous extract exhibited a better activity than methanol extract. These results indicate that methanol and aqueous extracts of P. reticulatum could be used as a source of antioxidant and antibacterial ingredients in the food industry.Keywords: Piliostigma reticulatum, Ceasalpiniaceae, bark extracts, antioxidant, antibacterialAfrican Journal of Biotechnology Vol. 9(33), pp. 5407-5411, 16 August, 201

Autism with intellectual disability is associated with increased levels of maternal cytokines and chemokines during gestation.

Immune abnormalities have been described in some individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) as well as their family members. However, few studies have directly investigated the role of prenatal cytokine and chemokine profiles on neurodevelopmental outcomes in humans. In the current study, we characterized mid-gestational serum profiles of 22 cytokines and chemokines in mothers of children with ASD (N=415), developmental delay (DD) without ASD (N=188), and general population (GP) controls (N=428) using a bead-based multiplex technology. The ASD group was further divided into those with intellectual disabilities (developmental/cognitive and adaptive composite score<70) (ASD+ID, N=184) and those without (composite score⩾70) (ASD-noID, N=201). Levels of cytokines and chemokines were compared between groups using multivariate logistic regression analyses, adjusting for maternal age, ethnicity, birth country and weight, as well as infant gender, birth year and birth month. Mothers of children with ASD+ID had significantly elevated mid-gestational levels of numerous cytokines and chemokines, such as granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, interferon-γ, interleukin-1α (IL-1α) and IL-6, compared with mothers of children with either ASD-noID, those with DD, or GP controls. Conversely, mothers of children with either ASD-noID or with DD had significantly lower levels of the chemokines IL-8 and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 compared with mothers of GP controls. This observed immunologic distinction between mothers of children with ASD+ID from mothers of children with ASD-noID or DD suggests that the intellectual disability associated with ASD might be etiologically distinct from DD without ASD. These findings contribute to the ongoing efforts toward identification of early biological markers specific to subphenotypes of ASD

Palatal Rugae as a Discriminating Factor in Determining Sex: A New Method Applicable in Forensic Odontology?

The purpose of this study is a new method that can help to identify the sex through the study of palatal rugae, comparing sagittal sections of the hard palate using Cartesian coordinates and evaluating the assistance given by digital technology and its applicability in this method. In this study, 57 digital impressions were examined and divided in two groups based on sex. Results: 2223 impression sections were studied and 145 coordinates that were present with a frequency greater than 50% in one or both groups were obtained: 52 discriminating traits (DT) in the male group, 29 discriminating traits in the female group, and 64 common traits (CT). The DTs in the female group showed no statistically significant difference from the same coordinates in the male one (p = 0.832). Statistically significant differences were observed in the DTs in the male group compared to the same coordinates in the female group (p = 0.018). No statistically significant differences were observed in the frequency of DTs in both sexes (p = 0.056). Further research in forensic odontology is needed to determine its scientific certainty. It is certain that digital technology may one day be a valuable support for the forensic odontologist but to date the lack of dedicated and certified programs limits its reliability

Evaluation des moyens de lutte contre les simulies dans le cadre du programme OCP (Onchocerciasis Control Programme)

Le Programme de Lutte contre l'Onchocercose en Afrique de l'Ouest, pour contrôler le vecteur #S. damnosum s.l., utilise des larvicides qui sont essentiellement épandus par voie aérienne. Malgré la résistance plus ou moins réversible de certaines espèces du complexe #S. damnosum aux organophosphorés (téméphos et chlorphoxime), le Programme a réussi à trouver des insecticides de remplacement efficaces. Ces larvicides utilisés en alternance en tenant compte des débits des rivières, des espèces simulidiennes présentes, et de leur sensibilité aux divers insecticides, ont permis de maintenir les bons résultats acquis par le Programme. Par la seule lutte antivectorielle, l'OCP a réussi à contrôler la maladie sur plus de 90 % de l'aire initiale. Les terres fertiles qui étaient autrefois abandonnées du fait de l'onchocercose sont en voie de repeuplement et de nombreux projets de développement socio-économique sont en cours d'exécution. Les extensions effectuées vers l'Ouest et le Sud du Programme, et l'utilisation de l'ivermectine, un microfilaricide, permettront encore d'améliorer ces résultats. (Résumé d'auteur

Cardiovascular Implantable Electronic Device Infection and New Insights About Correlation Between Pro-inflammatory Markers and Heart Failure: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Surgical approaches to treat patients with abnormal pro-inflammatory parameters remain controversial, and the debate on the correlation between hematological parameter alteration in cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection and the increase in mortality continues. Methods: We performed a systematic review using the PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. Twenty-two articles from May 2007 to April 2020 were selected and divided according to the following topics: prevalence of microbes in patients with CIED infection; characteristics of patients with CIED infection; comparison between patients who underwent and did not undergo replantation after device extraction; and correlation between alteration of hematological parameters and poor prognosis analysis. Results: Epidemiological analysis confirmed high prevalence of male sex, staphylococcal infection, and coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS). The most common comorbidity was heart failure. Complete removal of CIED and antimicrobial therapy combination are the gold standard. CIED replacement was associated with higher survival. High preoperative white blood cell count and C-reactive protein levels increased the risk of right ventricular failure (RVF) development. Increased red blood cell distribution width (RDW) value or decreased platelet count was correlated with poor prognosis. No correlation was noted between preoperative leukocytosis and CIED infection

Case Report: Unusual Clinical Presentation of a Rare Cardiac Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor in Children: The Differential Diagnosis With Pediatric Emergencies

Introduction: There are still no guidelines about pediatric cardiac cancers. The purpose of this work is to provide new scientific data facilitating the differential diagnosis of a rare cardiac tumor with an unusual presentation, such as the cardiac inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT). Case Presentation: A 3-year-old male child presented with several symptoms including unconsciousness, vomiting, and drowsiness. A clinical and neurological examination revealed a unilateral (right) motor delay and positive unilateral Babinski sign. Electrocardiogram (ECG) was normal. Diagnostic Assessment: The total body computed tomography (CT) scans showed hypodensity in the left temporal\u2013parietal lobe, a large hypodense area in the right frontal lobe, and a second area in the left frontal lobe were found with head CT. A magnetic resonance (MR) also noted cerebral areas of hypointensity. The echocardiographic images revealed an ovoid mass, adherent to the anterolateral papillary muscle. The histological exams, performed with hematoxylin\u2013eosin, Masson's trichrome, Alcian blue PAS, Weigert and Van-Gieson stain, allowed observing the microscopic structure of the neoplastic mass. The immunohistochemical analysis was performed through subsequent antibodies: anti-vimentin, anti-actina, anti-ALK, anti-CD8, anti-CD3, anti-CD20, anti-kappa and lambda chains, and anti CD68 antibodies. The healthcare professionals diagnosed a cardiac IMT with brain embolism. Differential Diagnosis: The ventricular localization, observed through radiological exams, required a differential diagnosis with fibroma and rhabdomyoma, the presence of brain embolism with sarcoma, and its morphology with fibroma. Neurological symptoms might be attributed to encephalitis, primitive cerebral cancer, such as astrocytoma or neuroblastoma, cerebral metastases due to any malignancy, or embolic stroke. Conclusion: New studies are encouraged to better define IMT behavior and draw up guidelines confirming the crucial role of multidisciplinary approach and treatment protocol selected on the basis of the characteristics of the tumors, in the case of this rare type of cancer

Deliveries by caesarean sections on request of women: legal-medical evidence

Introduction: In Italy the use of caesarean delivery has a rising trend moving away from European standards appeared on Euro-Peristat on maternal and child health, presenting the highest percentage of use of this procedure with significant regional differences. This study have analyzed the most recent data of a Sicilian reality about normal delivery and caesarean sections carried out in a hospital situated in Messina (Italy). Materials and methods: A total number of 1,573 medical records from 1st January 2011 to 31st December 2013 were analyzed and data gathered were statistically examined to describe general and specific parameters of the sample making use of Epi Info 7.1.4 software (CDC Atlanta – USA). Chi-square test was used to show any statistic differences among studied population. Results: Overall data showed that were carried out 38.27% of spontaneous deliveries, 7.06% of induced labor, and 54.67% of caesarean deliveries. There were no significant statistical differences between recourse to caesarean section and vaginal delivery in relation to nationality, age, level of education and/or work. The enrolled group, based on the parameters examined, was divided into appropriate caesarean section, in 79.49% of cases, inappropriate in 7.20% (mother’s request) and unjustified in 13.31% (with no indication, incomplete medical record). An examination of the anesthetic medical records showed that the caesarean section was considered to be urgent in 31.74% of the cases; however in 17.92% of these cases there is no information in the medical records justifying the use of emergency procedures. Conclusion: The reported data from the study that we conducted, lead to medical-legal and juridical considerations, especially as regards the use of caesarean delivery on the woman request. The complexity of the phenomenon requires the development of a variety of intervention strategies, not only for issues related to the reduction of health care costs, but also with regard to the clinical risk management and medical legal aspects related to the several profiles of professional responsibility