Topical aqueous extract of Ephedra alata can improve wound healing in an animal model / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>PURPOSE</b>Ephedra alata (E. alata) is perennial tough shrub plant that grows in Palestine and other regions. It is used often in folk's medicine for the treatment of various diseases. In this project, E. alata extract was tested for its ability to improve wound and burn healing.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>An aqueous extract of E. alata was prepared and underwent several phytochemical analyses for the presence of the major classes of phytochemical compounds. After that, a polyethylene glycol-based ointment containing the extract of E. alata was prepared and its wound and burn healing activities were tested in-vivo using an animal model for deep wound and full thickness skin burn. The effect was compared against a placebo ointment. Skin biopsies were evaluated by a blinded clinical histopathologist, in addition to digital analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Phytochemical analysis demonstrated the presence of the major classes of phytochemical compounds in the prepared extract including flavonoids, alkaloids, phytosteroids, phenolic compounds, volatile oils and tannins. As compared to placebo ointment, E. alata ointment significantly improved the healing of the wound ulcers, whereas it showed no advantage on the quality of the healing of burn ulcers.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>E. alata extract is rich in phytochemical compounds and can improve wound healing when applied topically.</p>

Epstein-Barr virus and Hodgkin lymphoma in Jordan

Background and objectives: This study aims to examine the possible association of Epstein-Barr virus [EBV] in Classical Hodgkin lymphoma [cHL] and to shed light on the epidemiology of Hodgkin lymphoma [HL] in Jordan

Patients and Methods: We examined 100 consecutive cases of HL for the presence of EBV in tumor cells by immunohistochemistry for latent membrane protein-1 [LMP-1]. We collected patient data on age, sex and histologic subtype. We reviewed the pathological findings in each case and confirmed diagnosis

Results: Nodular lymphocyte predominant HL was diagnosed in 6% of the cases and these were negative for EBV LMP-1. Of the 94 cases of cHL, 65% were males, the most common subtype was nodular sclerosis [NS], representing 70% of the cases, and 45.7% of cHL [43% of all HL] cases were positive for EBV LMP-1. The positive cases were significantly related to age: 51 years [p: 0.009 and 0.014 respectively], male gender [p: 0.03] and mixed cellularity [MC] subtype [p: <0.0001]. In line with other developing countries, there also appears to be a trend towards a decreasing association of EBV with cHL and a subtype switch from MC to NS in Jordan

Conclusion: The epidemiology of HL in Jordan and some developing countries is approaching that of developed countries