Nematicidal Compounds from the Leaves of Schinus terebinthifolius Against Root-knot Nematode, Meloidogyne incognita Infecting Tomato

The root-knot nematode, Meloidogyne incognita caused a serious damage to many plants. The phenolic components of the leaves of Schinus terebinthifolius were investigated as potential nematicidal agents for M. incognita. Nine compounds were isolated and characterized as viz., 1,2,3,4,6-pentagalloyl glucose (1), kaempferol-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside (Afzelin) (2), quercetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside (Quercetrin) (3), myricetin (4), myricetin-3-O-α-L-rhamnoside (Myricetrin) (5), methylgallate (6), protocatechuic acid (7), quercetin (8), and gallic acid (9) using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Compound 1 showed pronounced nematicidal activity compared to Oxamyl as a positive control. It showed the lowest eggs-hatchability (34%) and the highest mortality in nematode population (21% after 72 hours of treatment) at a concentration of 200 µg/mL. It exhibited the best suppressed total nematode population, root galling and number of eggmasses in infected tomato plants. The total carbohydrates and proteins were also significantly induced by 1 with reduction in total phenolics and increase in defense-related proteins. Thus, compound 1 could be a promising, more safe and effective natural nematicidal agent for the control of root-knot nematodes.

Assessment of the osteogenic potential of alendronate on isolated adipose-derived stem cells: an ex-vivo and in-vivo study

Tissue engineering relies on the principle that mesenchymal stem cells are capable of differentiating to optimize almost all craniofacial structures. Temporary biomimetic scaffolds are necessary for accommodating cell growth and tissue genesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of alendronate on adipose-derived stem cells [ADSCs] from dogs and to compare bone regeneration in critical-sized calvarial bone defect in dogs using ADSCs in the presence and the absence of locally delivered alendronate. Seven dogs were used for the study. After isolating the adipose tissue from the inguinal pad of fat, stem cells were harvested and expanded in culture. The effect of alendronate 1 mg/ml on stem cells' osteogenic differentiation was tested for 7 days. Three critical-sized calvarial defects were created in each dog. One defect was filled with stem cells seeded on a chitosan scaffold and soaked in an osteogenic media, the second was fi lled with stem cells seeded on a chitosan scaffold and soaked with osteogenic medium, and the third one was fi lled with stem cells seeded on a chitosan scaffold. Bone formation was tested histologically after 8 weeks in each defect. Alendronate is capable of inducing osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs after 7 days of in-vitro culture. Bones such as trabeculae were deposited in alendronate and osteogenic medium defects, whereas the control group showed only fibrous tissue formation. There was no statistically significant difference in the surface area of the deposited bone trabeculae between the alendronate group and the osteogenic medium group. The surface area of individual bone trabeculae in this group was 147.99 +/- 14.803 compared with the osteogenic group. Alendronate may be used locally at a concentration of 10 mg/ml to induce osteogenic differentiation of ADSCs both in vitro and in vivo. The combination of a local, short-term alendronate treatment with ADSCs and biodegradable chitosan scaffold enhances the bone repair of a critical-sized calvarial defect in vivo

Detection of Coronary Artery Diseases: Comparative Study of Multidetector Computed Tomography Angiogram (64 slice scanner) and Conventional Angiogram.

Methods: It was cross sectional comparative study conducted in National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Total 80 patients were included in the study who underwent MDCT and coronary angiogram. Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy or efficacy for single vessel disease were 87.5%, 96.4%, 91.3%, 94.7% and 93.75% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy or efficacy for double vessel disease were 84.0%, 94.5%, 87.5%, 92.85% and 91.25% respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy or efficacy for triple vessel disease were 69.5%, 91.22%, 76.19%, 88.13% and 85.0% respectively. Conclusion: Coronary angiography is a promising technology that already appears to have high performance to assess patient base, vessel base and segment base sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy in detecting coronary artery stenosis.

OX40/OX40L in systemic lupus erythematosus: association with disease activity and lupus nephritis

OX40-OX40L interaction is implicated in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus [SLE]. We evaluated the role of OX40/OX40L as markers of disease activity and nephritis in SLE patients. Case-control study conducted in 2009 on SLE patients attending the outpatient clinics of Ain Shams University Hospital, Egypt. We assessed the percentage of CD4+ T-lymphocytes expressing OX40 by flowcytometry, and serum OX40 ligand [OX40L] levels in 40 patients with SLE [20 with lupus nephritis and 20 without] and in 20 healthy controls. Disease activity was assessed by the University of Toronto SLE disease activity index [SLEDAI]. The percentage of CD4+ T-lymphocytes expressing OX40 was significantly higher in SLE patients than in controls, and in patients with lupus nephritis than in those without. OX40 expression correlated positively with both serum creatinine levels and SLEDAI. OX40 expression was the highest in patients with class V lupus nephritis and lowest in class II. Serum OX40L levels were significantly higher in SLE patients than in controls, and in patients with nephritis than in those without. Serum OX40L levels correlated with serum creatinine levels but not with SLEDAI. OX40 expression on CD4+ T-cells had a higher sensitivity and specificity in diagnosing lupus nephritis than both OX40L and anti-double-stranded DNA levels. OX40-OX40L interaction plays a role in the pathogenesis of SLE. The expression of OX40 on CD4+ T-lymphocytes and the serum level of OX40L may act as markers of lupus nephritis. Measurements of percentages of CD4+ T-lymphocytes expressing OX40 may serve as an indicator of disease activity in SLE

Effect of flouorides on the respiratory system of rats

The effects of sodium fluoride [NaF] on the isolated pulmonary arterial rings and the isolated tracheal strips of rats as well as the effect of long-term oral administration of NaF on the response pulmonary arterial rings and tracheal strips to biogenic amines were investigated. NaF concentrations of 3, 5 and 10 mM produced a concentration dependent contraction in isolated pulmonary arterial rings and in tracheal strips of rats. NaF-induced contractions were reduced after pretreatment with nifedipine or melatonin. Aminophylline produced significant decline in NaF-induced contraction of isolated pulmonary arterial rings. Phentolamine, atropine, chlorpheniramine, indomethacin, NDGA or L-NAME did not produce any alteration in the NaF-induced contractions. Chronic oral NaF administration produced significant decline in the response of the isolated pulmonary arterial ring and isolated tracheal strips to serotonin [5-HT] and acetylcholine [ACh], respectively. Histopathological examination of iso1ated trachea and lung of treated rats showed marked damage. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that calcium channel and/or release of free radicals may mediate the contractile effects of fluoride in isolated pulmonary arterial rings and in tracheal strips. Furthermore, chronic oral fluoride administration causes damage to tracheal and pulmonary tissues and thus, care should be taken to avoid ingestion of large amount of fluoride especially in children

Biochemical study on gastrin, secretin and somatostatin homeostasis in end stage renal failure

Chronic renal failure is a complex disease that is associated with enormous biochemical alterations which induce marked multiorgan dysfunctions. Gastrointestinal disorders are diagnosed occasionally while renal failure is not yet recognized. The specific mechanisms underlying these complaints are not yet completely known. Aim: The present study aimed to assess the circulating state of three major biologically active gut hormones i.e. gastrin, secretin and somatostalin. Their responses to standard test meal and to hemodialysis were also determined The present study was conducted on 20 patients with CRFdue to variable kidney diseases. Of them 10 patients receiving conservative treatment only [Conservative group] and the remaining 10 patients undergoing maintenance hemo-dialysis [hemodialysis group] beside the conservative therapy. Also 12 healthy volunteers were similarly investigated. Plasma total gastrin, secretin and somatostatin [S.S] concentrations beside the routine investigations were determined. In conservative uremic group, fasting and one hour postprandial plasma total gastrin, secretin and somatostatin levels were significantly higher than their corresponding normal control levels: Moreover, test meal induced significant increase in these hormones in both CRF and control groups in comparison to their fasting levels. In hemodialysis uremic patients, plasma total gastrin, secretin and somatostatin concentrations before dialysis were significantly higher than their corresponding levels in the normal control and in conservative uremic groups. Hemodialysis caused significant reduction of the circulating gastrin, secretin and somatostatin concentrations when compared with their plasma concentrations before dialysis. However, in hemodialyzed uremics, unlike plasma gastrin and secretin concentrations, plasma SS concentration before dialysis was not significantly different from the fasting level in CRF patients on conservative therapy. Hypersecretinemia and hypersomatostatinemia were concomitant finding with hypergastrinemia in CRF. Disproprotionate synthesis and release of gastrin, secretin and somatostatin can be explained by impairment of the feedback loops and cross regulations in between these hormones. However, being excreted mainly by kidney, impaired excretion of these hormones is also a possible cause of their high circulating concentrations.