Bauhinia purpurea leaves’ extracts exhibited in vitro antiproliferative and antioxidant activities

The antiproliferative and antioxidant activities of various extracts of the leaves of Bauhinia purpurea were studied using in vitro standard assays. The aqueous and chloroform extracts successfully inhibited the proliferation of all cancer cells while the methanol extract inhibited the proliferation of all cells except the CEMss cells when assessed using the 3,(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) (MTT) assay. The aqueous extract was effective against MCF-7 (IC50 ≈ 9 μg/ml), MDA-MB 231 (IC50 ≈ 17 μg/ml) and Caov-3 (IC50 ≈ 16 μg/ml); the chloroform extract was highly effective against the CEMss (IC50 ≈ 18 μg/ml) and HeLa (IC50 ≈ 21 μg/ml); and the methanol extract was highly effective only against the HL-60 (≈ 12 μg/ml) cell lines. Interestingly, all extracts did not inhibit the proliferation of 3T3 cells suggesting their non-cytotoxic properties. The aqueous and methanol, but not chloroform, extracts of B. purpurea (20, 100 and 500 μg/ml) exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity only in the superoxide scavenging assay, but low to moderate activity in the 2,2- diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay, which could be associated with their total phenolic contents. In conclusion, the B. purpurea leaf possesses potential antiproliferative and concentration-dependent antioxidant activities. Purification and determination of active compounds are required for further study.Keywords: Bauhinia purpurea, in vitro, antiproliferative activity, antioxidant activity, phenolic compound

Cephalexin Adsorption by Acidic Pretreated Jackfruit Adsorbent: A Deep Learning Prediction Model Study

This is the final version. Available on open access from MDPI via the DOI in this recordCephalexin (CFX) residues in the environment represent a major threat to human health worldwide. Herein we investigate the use of novel approaches in deep learning in order to understand the mechanisms and optimal conditions for the sorption of cephalexin in water onto an acidic pretreated jackfruit peel adsorbent (APJPA). The interaction between the initial concentration of CFX (10–50 mg/100 mL), APJAP dosage (3–10 mg/100 mL), time (10–60 min), and the pH (4–9), was simulated using the one-factor-at-a-time method. APJPA was characterized by FESEM images showing that APJPA exhibits a smooth surface devoid of pores. FTIR spectra confirmed the presence of -C-O, C–H, C=C, and -COOH bonds within the APJPA. Maximum removal was recorded with 6.5 mg/100 mL of APJAP dosage, pH 6.5, after 35 min and with 25 mg/100 mL of CFX, at which the predicted and actual adsorption were 96.08 and 98.25%, respectively. The simulation results show that the dosage of APJAP exhibits a high degree of influence on the maximum adsorption of CFX removal (100%) between 2 and 8 mg dose/100 mL. The highest adsorption capacity of APJAP was 384.62 mg CFX/g. The simulation for the effect of pH determined that the best pH for the CFX adsorption lies between pH 5 and 8.Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia (MOHE)Royal SocietyKing Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabi

Microarray analysis revealed different gene expression patterns in HepG2 cells treated with low and high concentrations of the extracts of Anacardium occidentale shoots

In this study, the effects of low and high concentrations of the Anacardium occidentale shoot extracts on gene expression in liver HepG2 cells were investigated. From MTT assays, the concentration of the shoot extracts that maintained 50% cell viability (IC50) was 1.7 mg/ml. Cell viability was kept above 90% at both 0.4 mg/ml and 0.6 mg/ml of the extracts. The three concentrations were subsequently used for the gene expression analysis using Affymetrix Human Genome 1.0 S.T arrays. The microarray data were validated using real-time qRT–PCR. A total of 246, 696 and 4503 genes were significantly regulated (P < 0.01) by at least 1.5-fold in response to 0.4, 0.6 and 1.7 mg/ml of the extracts, respectively. Mutually regulated genes in response to the three concentrations included CDKN3, LOC100289612, DHFR, VRK1, CDC6, AURKB and GABRE. Genes like CYP24A1, BRCA1, AURKA, CDC2, CDK2, CDK4 and INSR were significantly regulated at 0.6 mg/ml and 1.7 mg but not at 0.4 mg/ml. However, the expression of genes including LGR5, IGFBP3, RB1, IDE, LDLR, MTTP, APOB, MTIX, SOD2 and SOD3 were exclusively regulated at the IC50 concentration. In conclusion, low concentrations of the extracts were able to significantly regulate a sizable number of genes. The type of genes that were expressed was highly dependent on the concentration of the extracts used

A genome-wide linkage study of mammographic density, a risk factor for breast cancer

Abstract Introduction Mammographic breast density is a highly heritable (h2 > 0.6) and strong risk factor for breast cancer. We conducted a genome-wide linkage study to identify loci influencing mammographic breast density (MD). Methods Epidemiological data were assembled on 1,415 families from the Australia, Northern California and Ontario sites of the Breast Cancer Family Registry, and additional families recruited in Australia and Ontario. Families consisted of sister pairs with age-matched mammograms and data on factors known to influence MD. Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping was performed on 3,952 individuals using the Illumina Infinium 6K linkage panel. Results Using a variance components method, genome-wide linkage analysis was performed using quantitative traits obtained by adjusting MD measurements for known covariates. Our primary trait was formed by fitting a linear model to the square root of the percentage of the breast area that was dense (PMD), adjusting for age at mammogram, number of live births, menopausal status, weight, height, weight squared, and menopausal hormone therapy. The maximum logarithm of odds (LOD) score from the genome-wide scan was on chromosome 7p14.1-p13 (LOD = 2.69; 63.5 cM) for covariate-adjusted PMD, with a 1-LOD interval spanning 8.6 cM. A similar signal was seen for the covariate adjusted area of the breast that was dense (DA) phenotype. Simulations showed that the complete sample had adequate power to detect LOD scores of 3 or 3.5 for a locus accounting for 20% of phenotypic variance. A modest peak initially seen on chromosome 7q32.3-q34 increased in strength when only the 513 families with at least two sisters below 50 years of age were included in the analysis (LOD 3.2; 140.7 cM, 1-LOD interval spanning 9.6 cM). In a subgroup analysis, we also found a LOD score of 3.3 for DA phenotype on chromosome 12.11.22-q13.11 (60.8 cM, 1-LOD interval spanning 9.3 cM), overlapping a region identified in a previous study. Conclusions The suggestive peaks and the larger linkage signal seen in the subset of pedigrees with younger participants highlight regions of interest for further study to identify genes that determine MD, with the goal of understanding mammographic density and its involvement in susceptibility to breast cancer

Laparoscopy in management of appendicitis in high-, middle-, and low-income countries: a multicenter, prospective, cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Appendicitis is the most common abdominal surgical emergency worldwide. Differences between high- and low-income settings in the availability of laparoscopic appendectomy, alternative management choices, and outcomes are poorly described. The aim was to identify variation in surgical management and outcomes of appendicitis within low-, middle-, and high-Human Development Index (HDI) countries worldwide. METHODS: This is a multicenter, international prospective cohort study. Consecutive sampling of patients undergoing emergency appendectomy over 6 months was conducted. Follow-up lasted 30 days. RESULTS: 4546 patients from 52 countries underwent appendectomy (2499 high-, 1540 middle-, and 507 low-HDI groups). Surgical site infection (SSI) rates were higher in low-HDI (OR 2.57, 95% CI 1.33-4.99, p = 0.005) but not middle-HDI countries (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.76-2.52, p = 0.291), compared with high-HDI countries after adjustment. A laparoscopic approach was common in high-HDI countries (1693/2499, 67.7%), but infrequent in low-HDI (41/507, 8.1%) and middle-HDI (132/1540, 8.6%) groups. After accounting for case-mix, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.55, 95% CI 0.42-0.71, p < 0.001) and SSIs (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.14-0.33, p < 0.001). In propensity-score matched groups within low-/middle-HDI countries, laparoscopy was still associated with fewer overall complications (OR 0.23 95% CI 0.11-0.44) and SSI (OR 0.21 95% CI 0.09-0.45). CONCLUSION: A laparoscopic approach is associated with better outcomes and availability appears to differ by country HDI. Despite the profound clinical, operational, and financial barriers to its widespread introduction, laparoscopy could significantly improve outcomes for patients in low-resource environments. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02179112

Pooled analysis of WHO Surgical Safety Checklist use and mortality after emergency laparotomy

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) Surgical Safety Checklist has fostered safe practice for 10 years, yet its place in emergency surgery has not been assessed on a global scale. The aim of this study was to evaluate reported checklist use in emergency settings and examine the relationship with perioperative mortality in patients who had emergency laparotomy. Methods In two multinational cohort studies, adults undergoing emergency laparotomy were compared with those having elective gastrointestinal surgery. Relationships between reported checklist use and mortality were determined using multivariable logistic regression and bootstrapped simulation. Results Of 12 296 patients included from 76 countries, 4843 underwent emergency laparotomy. After adjusting for patient and disease factors, checklist use before emergency laparotomy was more common in countries with a high Human Development Index (HDI) (2455 of 2741, 89.6 per cent) compared with that in countries with a middle (753 of 1242, 60.6 per cent; odds ratio (OR) 0.17, 95 per cent c.i. 0.14 to 0.21, P <0001) or low (363 of 860, 422 per cent; OR 008, 007 to 010, P <0.001) HDI. Checklist use was less common in elective surgery than for emergency laparotomy in high-HDI countries (risk difference -94 (95 per cent c.i. -11.9 to -6.9) per cent; P <0001), but the relationship was reversed in low-HDI countries (+121 (+7.0 to +173) per cent; P <0001). In multivariable models, checklist use was associated with a lower 30-day perioperative mortality (OR 0.60, 0.50 to 073; P <0.001). The greatest absolute benefit was seen for emergency surgery in low- and middle-HDI countries. Conclusion Checklist use in emergency laparotomy was associated with a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate. Checklist use in low-HDI countries was half that in high-HDI countries.Peer reviewe