Chronic Hepatitis E Infection: Risks and Controls

Very recently, an unusual clinical presentation with an altered natural history associated with hepatitis E virus (HEV)infection has emerged in high-income industrialized nations.Although HEV infection does not develop into chronicity in general, viremia can persist for long periods of time in immunocompromised solid organ, bone marrow and stem cell transplant patients. Conceivably, the atypical clinical and virological outcomes in these cases could be related to immunosuppressive chemotherapy, resulting in suboptimal HEV-specific immune responses. In the absence of travel to endemic regions, foodborne autochthonous HEV infection due to viral genotypes 3 and 4 has been implicated in the chronic cases. Presently, pegIFN-α-2a and ribavirin, the commonly used drugs to treat chronic viral hepatitis, are proving very promising in hepatitis E patients. Nevertheless,the most-awaited HEV vaccine could be protective in naive travelers or high-risk group populations. The mechanisms of establishing chronic HEV infection and the disease severity have hitherto not been clearly understood. Therefore, a comprehensive clinical, virological and molecular study is needed to understand and control the disease

Angiographic anatomy of the coronary sinus venous system in adult Kashmiri population

Background: Knowledge of the coronary sinus venous anatomy is an important factor because of its relevance in electrophysiological procedures such as chronic resynchronisation therapy, mapping and ablation of arrhythmias. The advent of advanced invasive and interventional cardiac treatment and management tools for common disorders like heart failure has made understanding of coronary sinus anatomy necessary. The aim was to study the angiographic anatomy of coronary sinus and its tributaries in adult Kashmiri population and provide anatomical basis for cannulation of coronary sinus and its tributaries.Methods: Authors analysed the levophase angiogram of 150 subjects undergoing routine coronary angiography in the right anterior oblique and left anterior oblique view with the necessary caudal or cranial angulations.Results: The coronary sinus was formed by the union of GCV+LMV in 93.3% of subjects and by the union of GCV+PLV in 6.7% of subjects. The GCV and the MCV were the most consistent tributaries present in all the subjects. The mean length of CS was 71.70±9.7 mm when it was formed by GCV+LMV and 70.18±14.98 mm in case of GCV+PLV. The diameter of the CS ostium was 8.48±1.21mm. The mean diameter of GCV was 2.90±1.24 mm, MCV was 2.76±1.08 mm, LMV was 2.23±0.51 mm and the PLV was 2.25±0.53 mm. The opening angle of GCV was obtuse in all the cases, MCV drained at an acute angle in 62% subjects and LMV draining angle was acute in 31.33% cases. The valve of the CS was present in 32.7% subjects and absent in 67.3% subjects. The tortuosity was absent in 75.3%. The distance between CS ostium and the ostium of the vein ideal for lead implantation was between 10-40 mm in 76% subjects.Conclusions: The basic knowledge of coronary sinus and its tributaries play a significant role during electrophysiological procedures. The data obtained from the study can be utilised by interventional cardiologist for cannulation of coronary sinus in Kashmiri population

In-vitro Cytotoxicity and In-silico Insights of the Multi-target Anticancer Candidates from Haplophyllum tuberculatum

This study aimed to investigate the anticancer activity of Haplophyllum tuberculatum(Forsk.) aerial parts ethanol extract and fractions and reveal the potential anticancer targets, binding modes, pharmacokinetics, and toxicity properties of its phytoconstituents. MTT assay was used to investigate the anticancer activity. TargetNet, ChemProt version 2.0, and CLC-Pred web servers were used for virtual screening, and Cresset Flare software was used for molecular docking with the 26 predicted targets. Moreover, pkCSM, swiss ADME, and eMolTox web servers were used to predict pharmacokinetics and safety. Ethanolic extracts of H. tuberculatum on HepG2 and HeLa cell lines showed promising activities with IC50 values 54.12 and 48.1 µg/mL, respectively. Further, ethyl acetate fraction showed the highest cytotoxicity on HepG2 and HeLa cell lines with IC50 values 41.7 and 52.31 µg/mL. Of 70 compounds screened virtually, polygamain, justicidin A, justicidin B, haplotubine, kusunokinin, and flindersine were predicted as safe anticancer drugs candidates. They showed the highest binding scores with targets involved in cell growth, proliferation, survival, migration, tumor suppression, induction of apoptosis, metastasis, and drug resistance. Our findings revealed the potency of H. tuberculatum as a source of anticancer candidates that further studies should support

Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière Essential Oil Alleviates Pain and Inflammation with No Toxicity in Rodent

Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière is an endemic tree with spiritual value, and it was used since immemorial time in folk medicine. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin tests) and analgesic effects (hot plate and acetic acid writhing tests) of the cedarwood essential oil, as well as inspect any toxicity (acute toxicity), using several in vivo assays. Following the acetic acid writhing test and the hot plate test, the EO presented an excellent analgesic effect compared to the controls, especially with the dose of 50 mg/kg. Similar results were found while assessing the anti-inflammatory potential in the carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin assays. The acute toxicity assessment and the subsequent monitoring of the animals, the biochemical analysis, and the relative organ weight, demonstrated a total safety of the EO. The GC/MS analysis of the composition revealed that the major compounds contained in this EO are beta-himachalene (51.95%), followed by alpha-himachalene (15.82%), and gamma-himachalene (12.15%). This study supports the usage of this tree EO to alleviate pain and inflammation

Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière Essential Oil Alleviates Pain and Inflammation with No Toxicity in Rodent

Cedrus atlantica (Endl.) Manetti ex Carrière is an endemic tree with spiritual value, and it was used since immemorial time in folk medicine. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory (carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin tests) and analgesic effects (hot plate and acetic acid writhing tests) of the cedarwood essential oil, as well as inspect any toxicity (acute toxicity), using several in vivo assays. Following the acetic acid writhing test and the hot plate test, the EO presented an excellent analgesic effect compared to the controls, especially with the dose of 50 mg/kg. Similar results were found while assessing the anti-inflammatory potential in the carrageenan-induced paw edema and formalin assays. The acute toxicity assessment and the subsequent monitoring of the animals, the biochemical analysis, and the relative organ weight, demonstrated a total safety of the EO. The GC/MS analysis of the composition revealed that the major compounds contained in this EO are beta-himachalene (51.95%), followed by alpha-himachalene (15.82%), and gamma-himachalene (12.15%). This study supports the usage of this tree EO to alleviate pain and inflammation

Impact of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal strains isolated from soil on the growth, yield, and fruit quality of tomato plants under different fertilization regimens

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have emerged as a promising and environmentally friendly solution for sustainable agriculture, offering a reduction in dependence on chemical inputs. The objective of this greenhouse experiment was to assess the efficacy of a natural endomycorrhizal inoculum obtained from leek root fragments, which acted as a trap plant to capture indigenous fungal spores present in the soil of the Guercif region in Morocco. The investigation aimed to comprehensively evaluate the influence of this inoculum on various parameters related to tomato plant growth, yield, and sensory quality. Additionally, different levels of chemical fertilizers, equivalent to 50%, 75%, and 100% of the recommended dosage, were administered in combination with or without the inoculum. The findings elucidated significant advantages associated with mycorrhizal inoculation. The plants subjected to inoculation exhibited increased plant height, augmented leaf and root dry weights, and improved nutrient uptake compared to the control group. Notably, tomato plants treated with 75% of the recommended chemical fertilizer dosage yielded the highest crop production, with no statistically significant difference observed when compared to those receiving the full dosage (100%). Intriguingly, tomato plants grown in substrates receiving 50% chemical fertilizers demonstrated the highest levels of mycorrhization, exhibiting a frequency (F) of 100% and an intensity (M) of 63%. Importantly, the combination of inoculation with a reduced dose of NPK fertilizer (50% of the recommended amount) resulted in significantly elevated concentrations of calcium (Ca), potassium (K), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), and phosphorus (P) in the plants, attributable to the heightened mycorrhizal colonization of the roots. In terms of fruit characteristics, no significant variations were detected in pH and electrical conductivity (EC) among the treatment groups. However, the inoculated plants exhibited a notable increase in the Brix index, an indicator of sweetness, compared to the control group across all fertilizer doses. Furthermore, inoculation positively influenced the levels of total carotenoids in the fruits. Remarkably, the values of these compounds in the inoculated plants subjected to 50% of the recommended fertilizer dosage surpassed those recorded in the non-inoculated plants receiving the full dosage

Chemical Composition and Anti-Urolithiatic Activity of Extracts from Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels Press-Cake and Acacia senegal (L.) Willd

Ethnobotanical studies have reported the traditional medicinal uses of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. and Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels against kidney stone formation and other chronic kidney diseases. The present work is undertaken to study the litholytic activity and the inhibiting activity of calcium oxalate crystallization by bioactive compounds identified in Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels press-cake (residue of Argan oil) and in Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. The litholytic activity was studied in vitro on cystine and uric acid stones using a porous bag and an Erlenmeyer glass. The study of the inhibiting activity of calcium oxalate crystallization, was based on temporal measurements of the optical density, registered at a 620 nm wavelength for 30 min using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer. The silylation method was performed to identify phytochemicals, followed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrophotometry (GC/MS) analysis. The results show significant litholytic activity of Argania Spinosa press-cake hydro-ethanolic extract on uric acid and cystine stones, respectively, with dissolution rates (DR) of 86.38% and 60.42% versus 3.23% and 9.48% for the hydro-ethanolic extract of Acacia senegal exudate. Furthermore, the percentages of nucleation inhibition are 83.78% and 43.77% (p < 0.05) for Argania spinosa and Acacia senegal, respectively. The results point to the detection of 17 phytochemicals in Argania spinosa press-cake extract, the majority of which are phenolic acids and have potent anti-urolithiatic action.Peer reviewe

Chemical Composition and Anti-Urolithiatic Activity of Extracts from Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels Press-Cake and Acacia senegal (L.) Willd

Ethnobotanical studies have reported the traditional medicinal uses of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. and Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels against kidney stone formation and other chronic kidney diseases. The present work is undertaken to study the litholytic activity and the inhibiting activity of calcium oxalate crystallization by bioactive compounds identified in Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels press-cake (residue of Argan oil) and in Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. The litholytic activity was studied in vitro on cystine and uric acid stones using a porous bag and an Erlenmeyer glass. The study of the inhibiting activity of calcium oxalate crystallization, was based on temporal measurements of the optical density, registered at a 620 nm wavelength for 30 min using an ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer. The silylation method was performed to identify phytochemicals, followed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrophotometry (GC/MS) analysis. The results show significant litholytic activity of Argania Spinosa press-cake hydro-ethanolic extract on uric acid and cystine stones, respectively, with dissolution rates (DR) of 86.38% and 60.42% versus 3.23% and 9.48% for the hydro-ethanolic extract of Acacia senegal exudate. Furthermore, the percentages of nucleation inhibition are 83.78% and 43.77% (p ˂ 0.05) for Argania spinosa and Acacia senegal, respectively. The results point to the detection of 17 phytochemicals in Argania spinosa press-cake extract, the majority of which are phenolic acids and have potent anti-urolithiatic action

Chemical Composition and Anti-Urolithiatic Activity of Extracts from Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels Press-Cake and Acacia senegal (L.) Willd

Ethnobotanical studies have reported the traditional medicinal uses of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. and Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels against kidney stone formation and other chronic kidney diseases. The present work is undertaken to study the litholytic activity and the inhibiting activity of calcium oxalate crystallization by bioactive compounds identified in Argania spinosa (L.) Skeels press-cake (residue of Argan oil) and in Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. The litholytic activity was studied in vitro on cystine and uric acid stones using a porous bag and an Erlenmeyer glass. The study of the inhibiting activity of calcium oxalate crystallization, was based on temporal measurements of the optical density, registered at a 620 nm wavelength for 30 min using an ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometer. The silylation method was performed to identify phytochemicals, followed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrophotometry (GC/MS) analysis. The results show significant litholytic activity of Argania Spinosa press-cake hydro-ethanolic extract on uric acid and cystine stones, respectively, with dissolution rates (DR) of 86.38% and 60.42% versus 3.23% and 9.48% for the hydro-ethanolic extract of Acacia senegal exudate. Furthermore, the percentages of nucleation inhibition are 83.78% and 43.77% (p ˂ 0.05) for Argania spinosa and Acacia senegal, respectively. The results point to the detection of 17 phytochemicals in Argania spinosa press-cake extract, the majority of which are phenolic acids and have potent anti-urolithiatic action