Chemical composition and antimicrobial activities of wood vinegars from carambola, coconut shells and mango against selected plant pathogenic microorganisms

Aims@#This work aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of three different sources of wood vinegars obtained from pyrolysis of carambola (Averrhoa carambola), coconut shells (Cocos nucifera) and mango (Mangifera indica) and to identify their chemical composition. @*Methodology and results@#Agar well diffusion technique was employed to assay the antifungal activity of the wood vinegars against Fusarium oxysporum, Colletotrichum gleosporoides, and Pestalotiopsis microspora and disc diffusion technique for antibacterial screening against Ralstonia solanacearum. The chemical compositions of these wood vinegars were also analyzed using GC-MS by employing the headspace technique. All wood vinegars exhibited antimicrobial activity against tested pathogens. Wood vinegar from carambola exhibited the most promising antimicrobial effect followed by coconut shells and mango. The GC-MS analysis revealed the wood vinegars from coconut shells, carambola, and mango are different in the chemical composition and active compounds. Major compounds identified in coconut shells are furfural, phenol, benzofuran, acetic acid, hexanal, ethanone, and formic acid. In carambola, the main compounds are furfural, imidazole, 3-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, benzaldehyde, phenol, benzofuran, indene, acetic acid, indazole, naphthalene, cyclohexanecarboxylic acid, palmitamide, palmitic acid, heptadecanenitril, and sterylamide. Meanwhile, the main chemical compounds in the pruning of mango-based vinegar consist of toluene, furfural, imidazole, annulene, benzaldehyde, phenol, carbamic acid, acetic acid, naphthalene, heptadecanenitril, and stearylamide.@*Conclusion, significance and impact of study@#It is suggested that wood vinegar from carambola, coconut shells, and mango is a promising antimicrobial agent in plant disease control, showing good potential for inhibition of selected plant pathogenic microorganisms.

Histomorphological study of placenta in gestational diabetes mellitus / Estudio histomorfológico de la placenta en diabetes mellitus gestacional

Evidence from the literature shows that well-controlled glucose levels during pregnancy are usually associated with normal placental morphology. The aim of this study was to identify the lacental changes attributed to maternal hyperglycemia. A total of 20 placentae were selected for study from a tertiary care medical center in Makkah city, Saudi Arabia. Out of 20, 10 placentae were from patients diagnosed with GDM based on IADSPG criteria, and 10 placentae were from patients with normal pregnancies without GDM. The morphometric measurements were recorded. The mean weight of GDM placentae were more than the normal placentae. Upon histopathology, significant changes such as syncytial knots, cytotrophoblastic cell proliferation, fibrinoid necrosis, stromal fibrosis, and hyalinized villi were observed in GDM placentae. GDM produces significant morphological alterations in the placentae, which might affect the developing fetus.

La evidencia de la literatura muestra que niveles de glucosa bien controlados durante el embarazo generalmente se asocian con una morfología placentaria normal. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar los cambios placentarios atribuidos a la hiperglucemia materna. Un total de 20 placentas fueron seleccionadas para un estudio en un centro médico de atención terciaria en la ciudad de La Meca, Arabia Saudita. De 20 placentas, 10 de estas fueron de pacientes diagnosticadas con diabetes mellitus gestacional (DMG) según los criterios de IADSPG, y 10 placentas fueron de pacientes con embarazos normales sin DMG. Las mediciones morfométricas fueron registradas. El peso medio de las placentas GDM fue mayor que la placenta normal. Tras la histopatología, se observaron cambios significativos tales como nudos sincitiales, proliferación celular citotrofoblástica, necrosis fibrinoide, fibrosis estromal y vellosidades hialinizadas en placenta con DMG. La DMG produce alteraciones morfológicas significativas en las placentas, que pueden afectar al desarrollo del feto.

Functional endoscopic sinus surgery as a primary modality of treatment for primary and recurrent nasal polyposis

Objectives: To describe the efficacy of Functional Endoscopic Sinus Surgery [FESS] in our set up in comparison with other published studies to treat primary and recurrent nasal polyposis

Method: This descriptive study was conducted in 02 years at Ear Nose Throat Department Combined Military Hospital [CMH] Multan from October 2013 to October 2015. Convenient sample comprising 116 patients of both sexes of age group from 18 to 60 years were selected from ENT Out Patient Department, with documented diagnosis of nasal polyposis that underwent functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Out of 116 patients, 15 [12.9%] had recurrent nasal polyposis while 101 [87.1%] had primary nasal polyposis. Patients were assessed clinically. Preoperative nasal endoscopy and CT scan of nose and paranasal sinuses were performed in every patient to assess the extent of disease and evaluate the surgical anatomy. Patients were followed up 03 monthly, 06 monthly and after 01 year. Clinical signs of nasal polyposis were evaluated by nasal endoscopy at each follow up visit

Results: There were 116 patients with documented diagnosis of nasal polyposis. Among these, 75 [64.7%] were male and 41 [35.3%] were female patients. Mean age of presentation in males was 39.1 years and that of females was 36.7 years. Only 15 patients [12.9%] developed recurrent disease within a year

Conclusion: Functional endoscopic sinus surgery is preferred as a primary treatment modality for primary and recurrent nasal polyposis. Mucosal polyps can be carefully debrided, the natural ostia enlarged, the ethmoid sinuses are unroofed, and sphenoid sinuses are opened in nasal cavity and sinus nasal mucosa is mostly preserved due to excellent visualization and surgical technique. Improvement in symptoms with minimal chance of recurrence may be expected in more than 90% patients

Acute visual loss with ophthalmoplegia after spinal surgery: Report of a case and review of the literature.

We report a case of a 15‑year‑old boy who presented with profound visual loss and complete ophthalmoplegia after an uneventful spinal surgery for removal of cervical osteoblastoma. Postoperative visual loss following nonocular surgery is, fortunately rare, yet a devastating complication. The most common cause is ischemic optic neuropathy, but it can also be due to central retinal occlusion or cortical blindness. Visual loss in conjunction with ophthalmoplegia is rarely seen, and there are very few reports in the literature. We also review the related literature and highlight the mechanism and preventive measures.

Characterization of cephalosporin-resistant clinical Enterobacteriaceae for CTX-M ESBLs in Bahrain

OBJECTIVE@#To detect the presence of specific CTX-M class of extended spectyum β-lactamases (ESBLs) in a collection of cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates from Bahrain.@*METHODS@#A subset of 80 cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae collected from Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, were characterized further for the presence of specific genogroups of CTX-M β-lactamases by multiplex- and monoplex- PCRs. The primers used for the multiplex and monoplex PCRs were of genogroups- 1, 2, 8, 9 and 25. Sequencing of the representative isolates was performed to find the circulating CTX-M-types.@*RESULTS@#A total of 93.8% (75/80) isolates showed the amplicons corresponding to any of the genogroups (1, 2, 8, 9, 25) and the remaining 6.2% isolates turned out negative in multiplex PCR. Some of the isolates demonstrated multiple bands corresponding to the sizes of different genogroups. Further confirmation with respective monoplex PCR on these 75 isolates demonstrated that 93.3% (70/75) harbored CTX-M genogroup-1 and 6.7% (5/75) harbored genogroup-9. We did not find the presence of genogroups 2, 8, and 25 in these isolates by monoplex PCR. Sequencing results of genogroup-1 isolates demonstrated the presence of CTX-M-15-like ESBL, however, discrepant results were noticed in genogroup-9 isolates, sequencing showed them as CTX-M-55-like ESBL.@*CONCLUSIONS@#This is the first report from Bahrain characterizing the CTX-M genogroups of ESBLs and reporting the emergence of blaCTX-M-55-like gene in this region.

Schwannoma of the Scrotum: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Schwannomas are benign nerve sheath tumors composed of Schwann cells, which normally produce the insulating myelin sheath covering the peripheral nerves. Common locations include the head, neck, mediastinum, and retroperitoneum. These tumors are usually asymptomatic until they become large and compress the surrounding tissues. Most schwannomas occur during the third and fourth decades of life, with an equal gender distribution. We present the case of a schwannoma that originated in the scrotum.

Characterization of cephalosporin-resistant clinical Enterobacteriaceae for CTX-M ESBLs in Bahrain

Objective: To detect the presence of specific CTX-M class of extended spectyum β-lactamases (ESBLs) in a collection of cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae isolates from Bahrain. Methods: A subset of 80 cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae collected from Salmaniya Medical Complex, Bahrain, were characterized further for the presence of specific genogroups of CTX-M β-lactamases by multiplex- and monoplex- PCRs. The primers used for the multiplex and monoplex PCRs were of genogroups- 1, 2, 8, 9 and 25. Sequencing of the representative isolates was performed to find the circulating CTX-M-types. Results: A total of 93.8% (75/80) isolates showed the amplicons corresponding to any of the genogroups (1, 2, 8, 9, 25) and the remaining 6.2% isolates turned out negative in multiplex PCR. Some of the isolates demonstrated multiple bands corresponding to the sizes of different genogroups. Further confirmation with respective monoplex PCR on these 75 isolates demonstrated that 93.3% (70/75) harbored CTX-M genogroup-1 and 6.7% (5/75) harbored genogroup-9. We did not find the presence of genogroups 2, 8, and 25 in these isolates by monoplex PCR. Sequencing results of genogroup-1 isolates demonstrated the presence of CTX-M-15-like ESBL, however, discrepant results were noticed in genogroup-9 isolates, sequencing showed them as CTX-M-55-like ESBL. Conclusions: This is the first report from Bahrain characterizing the CTX-M genogroups of ESBLs and reporting the emergence of bla

Prevalence of CTX m extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in clinical gram-negative bacteria

Research reports about molecular characterization of CTX M extended spectrum p-lactamascs are fragmentary from Bahrain. To characterize Gram-negative bacterial isolates for the prevalence of specific Geno-groups and Geno-types of CTX M extended-spectrum p-lactamases. A Prospective Point Prevalence Study. Pathology Department, King Hamad University Hospital, Bahrain. Forty-seven Gram-negative bacterial isolates resistant to third [3GC] and/or fourth-generation cephalosporins [4GC] and 16 Gram-negative isolates susceptible to these classes of cephalosporins were studied. The bacterial identification and antibiotics sensitivity was performed by automated systems. Isolates were further characterized for CTX M geno-groups and types by multiplex PCR, monoplex PCR and sequencing of the representative isolates. The majority of the isolates were found to be multiple-drug resistant showing concomitant resistance of cephalosporins with other classes, such as fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides. However, this collection of bacterial isolates was persistently sensitive to carbapenems such as imipenem and meropenem. In addition, few isolates demonstrated resistance to tigecycline. Sixty-three isolates were studied; 47 [74.6%] showed resistance to 3GC and/or 4GC. Multiplex PCR demonstrated the presence of blaCTX M in 45 [95.7%] isolates. Further confirmation with multiplex and monoplex PCR revealed 41 [91.1%] and 4 [8.9%] bacterial isolates harboring blaCTX M Geno-group 1 and blaCTX M Geno-group 9, respectively. Out of 16 3GC/4GC sensitive isolates, 3 [18.8%] had CTX M genes, all were Geno-group 1. Sequencing revealed the presence of CTX-M 15 type ESBL from Geno-group 1 positive isolates; however, Group 9 isolates did not reveal any CTX-M type, rather they were non-specific amplifications. Bahraini G-ve bacterial population demonstrated multi-drug resistance to antibiotics. CTX M 15 type of ESBL is prevalent in Bahrain

Historical perpective of shaqeeqa [Migraine] with special reference to contribution of greco-arab physicians

The current practice of medicine indebted much to the knowledge and achievements of the past. It is really surprising that far back Greco-Arab physicians were aware of the various diseases and mentioned them in a scientific manner. Most of the knowledge is still in practice. Modern days practice relies on the fundamentals proposed by them. In the classical text of Unani Medicine, headache is described in detail. The Shaqeeqa [migraine] is described nearly in all classical text of Unani medicine as a disease entity includes definition, aetiopathology, clinical feature and treatment

Influence of ellagic acid on prostate cancer cell proliferation: a caspase-dependent pathway

OBJECTIVE@#To evaluate the effect of allagic acid treatment on the cell viability of human prostate cancer cells.@*METHODS@#Ellagic acid (10-100 mol/L) treatment (48 h) of human prostate carcinoma PC3 cells was found to result in a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth and apoptosis of PC3 cells as assessed by MTT assay, western blotting, flow cytometry and confocal microscopy.@*RESULTS@#We observed that ellagic acid treatment of PC3 cells resulted in a dose dependent inhibition of cell growth/cell viability. This ellagic acid caused cell growth inhibition was found to be accompanied by induction of apoptosis, as assessed by the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and morphological changes. Further, induction of apoptosis accompanied a decrease in the levels of antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 and increase in proapoptotic protein Bax, thus shifting the Bax: Bcl-2 ratio in favor of apoptosis. Ellagic acid treatment of PC3 cells was also found to result in significant activation of caspases, as shown by the dose dependent decrease in the protein expression of procaspase-3, -6, -8 and -9. This ellagic acid-mediated induction of apoptosis was significantly (80%-90%) inhibited by the caspase inhibitor N-benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp (OMe)-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK). Thus these data suggested an essential role of caspases in ellagic acid-mediated apoptosis of PC3 cells.@*CONCLUSIONS@#It is tempting to suggest that consumption of tropical pigmented fruits and vegetables could be an effective strategy to combat prostate cancer.