Antidiabetic and Safety Properties of Ethanolic Leaf Extract of Corchorus olitorius in Alloxan-Induced Diabetic Rats

Diabetes is a major metabolic disease of global concern. Ethanolic extract of Corchorus olitorius leaf was investigated for antidiabetic activity in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. A total of thirty-six albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) with body weight 150.50 ± 10.50 g were randomly selected into six groups (A–F). Group A animals were non-diabetic and received 0.5 mL distilled water, groups B, C, D, E and F were made diabetic by administration of alloxan monohydrate (150 mg/kg, body weight i.p). Group B was diabetic untreated, group C was diabetic and treated with glibenclamide, while groups D, E and F received the ethanolic extract of C. olitorius leaf at a dose of 200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg and 800 mg/kg body weight respectively. Phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, tannins, saponins, phlobatannin anthraquinones, phenol and cardiac glycoside and saponin. The blood glucose of the alloxanized rats after 72 hours which ranged from 17.30–25.33 mmol/L were significantly (p < 0.05) and progressively reduced in treated groups which compared favorably with the standard drug group. The significantly (p < 0.05) elevated levels of serum and liver bilirubin (direct and total), transaminases (AST and ALT), alkaline phosphatase, urea, creatinine, total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-C, as well as reduced levels of total protein, globulin, albumin and HDL-C in the diabetic untreated rats were normalized upon treatment with ethanolic extract of C. olitorius leaf. These results suggest that the ethanolic extract of C. olitorius leaf possesses antihyperglycemic property with no major side effect hence it could be considered safe for the management of diabetes

Pulmonary arterial hypertension in interferonophaties: a case report and a review of the literature

Background: Pulmonary arterial hypertension consists in an increase of mean pulmonary arterial pressure (PAPm 65 25 mmHg), and may lead to right ventricular failure. Pulmonary arterial hypertension can arise in several disorders, encompassing inflammatory conditions and connective tissue diseases. The occurrence of pulmonary arterial hypertension has recently been reported in monogenic interferonopathies and in systemic lupus erythematosus, highlighting the pathogenic role of type I interferons and paving the way to therapies aimed at inhibiting interferon signaling. Case: We describe a 17-year-old boy with DNase II deficiency, presenting a clinical picture with significant overlap with systemic lupus erythematosus. During treatment with the Janus kinase inhibitor ruxolitinib, he developed pulmonary arterial hypertension, raising the question whether it could represent a sign of insufficient disease control or a drug-related adverse event. The disease even worsened after drug withdrawal, but rapidly improved after starting the drug again at higher dosage. Summary and conclusion: Pulmonary arterial hypertension can complicate type I interferonopathies. We propose that ruxolitinib was beneficial in this case, but the wider role of Janus kinase inhibitors for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension is not clear. For this reason, a strict cardiologic evaluation must be part of the standard care of subjects with interferonopathies, especially when Janus kinase inhibitors are prescribed

PVT properties of an alternative biofuel: dimethyl ether

Dimethyl ether is an important chemical material and it has many engineering applications. It is a clean and economical alternative fuel and an ozone-friendly refrigerant. In this work, its PVT properties have been object of study. In particular, the experimental work was performed both in the two-phase region and in the superheated vapor region phase by means of the isochoric method. The isochoric measurements were carried out at temperatures from 219 K to 363 K and at pressures from 22 kPa up to 1,740 kPa. A total of 159 points, both in the two phase (71 points) and in the superheated vapor region (88 points) were obtained. The present experimental PVT data contribute to the deeper knowledge of the behaviour of the fluid both in the superheated vapour and in the saturation pressure region and to the development of a new equation of state

Genetic association study of QT interval highlights role for calcium signaling pathways in myocardial repolarization.

The QT interval, an electrocardiographic measure reflecting myocardial repolarization, is a heritable trait. QT prolongation is a risk factor for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD) and could indicate the presence of the potentially lethal mendelian long-QT syndrome (LQTS). Using a genome-wide association and replication study in up to 100,000 individuals, we identified 35 common variant loci associated with QT interval that collectively explain ∼8-10% of QT-interval variation and highlight the importance of calcium regulation in myocardial repolarization. Rare variant analysis of 6 new QT interval-associated loci in 298 unrelated probands with LQTS identified coding variants not found in controls but of uncertain causality and therefore requiring validation. Several newly identified loci encode proteins that physically interact with other recognized repolarization proteins. Our integration of common variant association, expression and orthogonal protein-protein interaction screens provides new insights into cardiac electrophysiology and identifies new candidate genes for ventricular arrhythmias, LQTS and SCD

A prospective survey in European Society of Cardiology member countries of atrial fibrillation management: baseline results of EURO bservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot General Registry

Aims: Given the advances in atrial fibrillation (AF) management and the availability of new European Society of Cardiology (ESC) guidelines, there is a need for the systematic collection of contemporary data regarding the management and treatment of AF in ESC member countries. Methods and results: We conducted a registry of consecutive in- and outpatients with AF presenting to cardiologists in nine participating ESC countries. All patients with an ECG-documented diagnosis of AF confirmed in the year prior to enrolment were eligible. We enroled a total of 3119 patients from February 2012 to March 2013, with full data on clinical subtype available for 3049 patients (40.4% female; mean age 68.8 years). Common comorbidities were hypertension, coronary disease, and heart failure. Lone AF was present in only 3.9% (122 patients). Asymptomatic AF was common, particularly among those with permanent AF. Amiodarone was the most common antiarrhythmic agent used (~20%), while beta-blockers and digoxin were the most used rate control drugs. Oral anticoagulants (OACs) were used in 80% overall, most often vitamin K antagonists (71.6%), with novel OACs being used in 8.4%. Other antithrombotics (mostly antiplatelet therapy, especially aspirin) were still used in one-third of the patients, and no antithrombotic treatment in only 4.8%. Oral anticoagulants were used in 56.4% of CHA 2DS2-VASc = 0, with 26.3% having no antithrombotic therapy. A high HAS-BLED score was not used to exclude OAC use, but there was a trend towards more aspirin use in the presence of a high HAS-BLED score. Conclusion: The EURObservational Research Programme Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot Registry has provided systematic collection of contemporary data regarding the management and treatment of AF by cardiologists in ESC member countries. Oral anticoagulant use has increased, but novel OAC use was still low. Compliance with the treatment guidelines for patients with the lowest and higher stroke risk scores remains suboptimal. © The Author 2013