Radiolabeling and preclinical animal model evaluation of DTPA coupled 99mTc-labelled flutamide complex ([99mTc]DTPA-FLUT) as a potential radiotracer for cancer imaging.

BACKGROUND: Advances in molecular imaging strategies have had an effect on precise diagnosis and treatment. Research has been intensified to develop more effective and versatile radiopharmaceuticals to uplift diagnostic efficiency and, consequently, the treatment. PURPOSE: To label the flutamide (FLUT) coupled with diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (DTPA) with technetium-99 m (99mTc) and to evaluate its binding efficiency with rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) cancer cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Radiolabeling of FLUT with 185 MBq freshly eluted 99mTcO4-1 was carried out via DTPA bifunctional chelating agent using stannous chloride reducing agent at pH 5. The labeled compound was assessed for its purity using chromatography analysis, stability in saline and blood serum, AND charge using paper electrophoresis. Normal biodistribution was studied using a mouse model, while binding affinity with RMS cancer cells was studied using an internalization assay. The in vivo accumulation of RMS cancer cells in a rabbit model was monitored using a SPECT gamma camera. RESULTS: Radiolabeling reaction displayed a pharmaceutical yield of 97% and a stability assay showed >95% intact radiopharmaceutical up to 6 h in saline and blood serum. In vitro internalization studies showed the potential of [99mTc]DTPA-FLUT to enter into cancer cells. This biodistribution study showed rapid blood clearance and minimum uptake by body organs, and scintigraphy displayed the [99mTc]DTPA-FLUT uptake by lesion, induced by RMS cancer cell lines in rabbit. CONCLUSION: Stable, newly developed [99mTc]DTPA-FLUT seeks its way to internalize into RMS cancer cells, indicating it could be a potential candidate for the diagnosis of RMS cancer.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Analysis of Bioprinting.

Regenerative medicine has evolved with the rise of tissue engineering due to advancements in healthcare and technology. In recent years, bioprinting has been an upcoming approach to traditional tissue engineering practices, through the fabrication of functional tissue by its layer-by-layer deposition process. This overcomes challenges such as irregular cell distribution and limited cell density, and it can potentially address organ shortages, increasing transplant options. Bioprinting fully functional organs is a long stretch but the advancement is rapidly growing due to its precision and compatibility with complex geometries. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), a carestone of computer-aided engineering, has been instrumental in assisting bioprinting research and development by cutting costs and saving time. CFD optimizes bioprinting by testing parameters such as shear stress, diffusivity, and cell viability, reducing repetitive experiments and aiding in material selection and bioprinter nozzle design. This review discusses the current application of CFD in bioprinting and its potential to enhance the technology that can contribute to the evolution of regenerative medicine.

Characteristics and health implications of fine particulate matter near urban road site in Islamabad, Pakistan.

The escalating issue of air pollution has become a significant concern in urban regions, including Islamabad, Pakistan, due to the rise in air pollutant emissions driven by economic and industrial expansion. To gain a deeper understanding of air pollution, a study was conducted during winter 2022-2023, assessing physical, chemical, and biological factors in Islamabad. The findings revealed that the average concentration of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) was notably greater than the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, reaching 133.39 µg/m³. Additionally, the average concentration of bacteria (308.64 CFU/m³) was notably greater than that of fungi (203.55 CFU/m³) throughout the study. Analytical analyses, including SEM-EDS and FTIR, showed that the PM2.5 in Islamabad is composed of various particles such as soot aggregates, coal fly ash, minerals, bio-particles, and some unidentified particles. EF analysis distinguished PM2.5 sources, enhancing understanding of pollutants origin, whereas Spearman's correlation analysis elucidated constituent interactions, further explaining air quality impact. The results from the Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) indicated a gradual increase in the total elemental composition of PM2.5 from autumn to winter, maintaining high levels throughout the winter season. Furthermore, a significant variation was found in the mass concentration of PM2.5 when comparing samples collected in the morning and evening. The study also identified the presence of semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) in PM2.5 samples, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phenolic compounds, with notable variations in their concentrations. Utilizing health risk assessment models developed by the US EPA, we estimated the potential health risks associated with PM2.5 exposure, highlighting the urgency of addressing air quality issues. These findings provide valuable insights into the sources and composition of PM2.5 in Islamabad, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of air quality and its potential environmental and health implications.

Phytochemicals, Health-Promoting Effects, and Enzyme Inhibition Traits of Phlomis stewartii Extracts.

Phlomis stewartii is a wild, perennial woody plant used for diverse therapeutic targets. The present work evaluated the influence of independent variables such as extraction time, solvent concentration, and speed in the range of (100 mL, 150 mL, and 200 mL), (2 h, 5 h, and 8 h), and (100 rpm, 150 rpm, and 200 rpm), respectively, on extraction yields, phytochemical components, total phenolic contents (TPC), and total flavonoid contents (TFC) of P. stewartii extract. In the present work, response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the extraction yield. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was performed to detect the bioactive constituents of the extracts. The potent extracts were analyzed to study α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities. Under the optimized conditions of solvent concentration (200 mL), extraction time (8 h), and speed (150 rpm), the whole plant methanol extract (WPME) showed a maximum extraction yield of 13.5%, while the leaves methanol extract (LME) showed a maximum TPC of 19.5 ± 44 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE) per gram of extract and a maximum TFC of 4.78 ± 0.34 mg of quercetin equivalent (QE) per gram of extract. HPLC analysis showed the presence of p-coumaric, gallic acid, quercetin, salicylic acid, sinapic acid, and vanillic acid. LME showed the highest α-amylase inhibitory activity (IC50 = 46.86 ± 0.21 µg/mL) and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC50 value of 45.81 ± 0.17 µg/mL). Therefore, in conclusion, LME could be considered to fix the α-amylase and α-glucosidase-mediated disorders in the human body to develop herbal phytomedicine.

Differences in psychological treatment outcomes by ethnicity and gender: an analysis of individual patient data.

PURPOSE: There are discrepancies in mental health treatment outcomes between ethnic groups, which may differ between genders. NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression provide evidence-based psychological therapies for common mental disorders. This study examines the intersection between ethnicity and gender as factors associated with psychological treatment outcomes. Aims were to explore by gender: (1) differences in psychological treatment outcomes for minoritized ethnic people compared to White-British people, (2) whether differences are observed when controlling for clinical and socio-demographic factors associated with outcomes, and (3) whether organization-level factors moderate differences in outcomes between ethnic groups. METHODS: Patient data from eight NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression services (n = 98,063) was used to explore associations between ethnicity and outcomes, using logistic regression. Stratified subsamples were used to separately explore factors associated with outcomes for males and females. RESULTS: In adjusted analyses, Asian (OR = 0.82 [95% CI 0.78; 0.87], p < .001, 'Other' (OR = 0.79 [95%CI 0.72-0.87], p < .001) and White-other (0.93 [95%CI 0.89-0.97], p < .001) ethnic groups were less likely to reliably recover than White-British people. Asian (OR = 1.48 [95% CI 1.35-1.62], p < .001), Mixed (OR = 1.18 [95% CI 1.05-1.34], p = .008), 'Other' (OR = 1.60 [95% CI 1.38-1.84], p < .001) and White-other (OR = 1.18 [95% CI 1.09-1.28], p < .001) groups were more likely to experience a reliable deterioration in symptoms. Poorer outcomes for these groups were consistent across genders. There was some evidence of interactions between ethnic groups and organization-level factors impacting outcomes, but findings were limited. CONCLUSIONS: Across genders, Asian, 'Other' and White-other groups experienced worse treatment outcomes across several measures in adjusted models. Reducing waiting times or offering more treatment sessions might lead to increased engagement and reduced drop-out for some patient groups.

Societal knowledge, attitude, and practices towards dengue and associated factors in epidemic-hit areas: Geoinformation assisted empirical evidence.

Dengue is one of Pakistan's major health concerns. In this study, we aimed to advance our understanding of the levels of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAPs) in Pakistan's Dengue Fever (DF) hotspots. Initially, at-risk communities were systematically identified via a well-known spatial modeling technique, named, Kernel Density Estimation, which was later targeted for a household-based cross-sectional survey of KAPs. To collect data on sociodemographic and KAPs, random sampling was utilized (n = 385, 5 % margin of error). Later, the association of different demographics (characteristics), knowledge, and attitude factors-potentially related to poor preventive practices was assessed using bivariate (individual) and multivariable (model) logistic regression analyses. Most respondents (>90 %) identified fever as a sign of DF; headache (73.8 %), joint pain (64.4 %), muscular pain (50.9 %), pain behind the eyes (41.8 %), bleeding (34.3 %), and skin rash (36.1 %) were identified relatively less. Regression results showed significant associations of poor knowledge/attitude with poor preventive practices; dengue vector (odds ratio [OR] = 3.733, 95 % confidence interval [CI ] = 2.377-5.861; P < 0.001), DF symptoms (OR = 3.088, 95 % CI = 1.949-4.894; P < 0.001), dengue transmission (OR = 1.933, 95 % CI = 1.265-2.956; P = 0.002), and attitude (OR = 3.813, 95 % CI = 1.548-9.395; P = 0.004). Moreover, education level was stronger in bivariate analysis and the strongest independent factor of poor preventive practices in multivariable analysis (illiterate: adjusted OR = 6.833, 95 % CI = 2.979-15.672; P < 0.001) and primary education (adjusted OR = 4.046, 95 % CI = 1.997-8.199; P < 0.001). This situation highlights knowledge gaps within urban communities, particularly in understanding dengue transmission and signs/symptoms. The level of education in urban communities also plays a substantial role in dengue control, as observed in this study, where poor preventive practices were more prevalent among illiterate and less educated respondents.

Agrobacterium-Mediated Genetic Transformation of Withania coagulans (Dunal) with rol A Genes and Its Antioxidant Potential.

In ancient times, Withania coagulans Dunal was used as a therapeutic plant for the treatment of several diseases. This report aims to examine the effect of Agrobacterium tumefactions-mediated transformation of W. coagulans with the rolA gene to enhance secondary metabolite production, antioxidant activity, and anticancer activity of transformed tissues. Before transgenic plant production, the authors designed an efficient methodology for in vitro transformation. In this study, leaf explants were cultured on Murashage and Skoog (MS) media containing different amounts of naphthalene acetic acid (NAA) and benzyl adenine (BA). The best performance for inducing embryogenic callus was in MS medium containing 4 µM NAA and 6.0 µM BA, while the best results for shooting (100%) were obtained at 8 µM benzyl adenine. On the other hand, direct shooting was attained by subculturing leaves on MS medium supplemented with 8 µM benzyl adenine. Prolonged shoots showed excellent in vitro rooting results (80%) with 12 µM indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). The samples were precultivated for 3 days and were followed by 48 h infection with A. tumefaciens strain GV3101 having pCV002. Then, a vector expressed the rol A gene of strain Agrobacterium rhizogenes. Furthermore, three independent transgenic shoot lines and one callus line (T2) were produced and exhibited stable integration of transgene rol A genes, as revealed by PCR analysis. Transgenic strains showed a significant increase in antioxidant potential as compared to untransformed plants. Additionally, LC-MS analysis showed that the transformed strains have a higher withanolide content as compared to untransformed ones. Moreover, the reduced proliferation of prostate cancer cells was observed after treatment with extracts of transgenic plants. Furthermore, these transformed plants exhibited superior antioxidant capability and higher withanolide content than untransformed ones. In conclusion, the reported data can be used to select withanolide-rich germplasm from transformed cell cultures.

Exploring the adsorption behavior of molecular hydrogen on CHA-zeolite by comparing the performance of various force field methods.

Molecular hydrogen (H2) adsorption plays a crucial role in numerous applications, including hydrogen storage and purification processes. Understanding the interaction of H2 with porous materials is essential for designing efficient adsorption systems. In this study, we investigate H2 adsorption on CHA-zeolite using a combination of density functional theory (DFT) and force field-based molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Firstly, we employ DFT calculations to explore the energetic properties and adsorption sites of H2 on the CHA-zeolite framework. The electronic structure and binding energies of H2 in various adsorption configurations are analyzed, providing valuable insights into the nature of the adsorption process. Subsequently, force field methods are employed to perform extensive MD simulations, allowing us to study the dynamic behavior of H2 molecules adsorbed on the CHA-zeolite surface. The trajectory analysis provides information on the diffusion mechanisms and mobility of H2 within the porous structure, shedding light on the transport properties of the adsorbed gas. Furthermore, the combination of DFT and MD results enables us to validate and refine the force field parameters used in simulations, improving the accuracy of the model, and enhancing our understanding of the H2-CHA interactions. Our comprehensive investigation into molecular hydrogen adsorption on CHA-zeolite using density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations yields valuable insights into the fundamental aspects of the adsorption process. These findings contribute to the development of advanced hydrogen storage and separation technologies, paving the way for efficient and sustainable energy applications.

Enhancement of photocatalytic activity of Ba-doped CoO for degradation of Emamectin benzoate in aqueous solution.

The present study was focused on the preparation of cobalt oxide (CoO) and barium-doped cobalt oxide (Ba-doped CoO) by following the co-precipitation method for the degradation of Emamectin benzoate pesticide in the aqueous medium. The prepared catalysts were characterized using SEM, EDX, and XRD to confirm the formation of catalysts and to observe the variation in the composition of catalysts during the degradation study. It can be suggested from the results of SEM, EDX, XRD, and FTIR analyses that Ba atom has successfully incorporated in the crystalline structure of CoO. The degradation of Emamectin benzoate pesticide was studied under the influence of different factors like solution pH, the dose of catalyst, contact time, temperature, and initial concentration of pesticide. It was observed that solution pH affects the degradation of the pesticide, and maximum degradation (23% and 54%) was found at pH 5.0 and 6.0 using CoO and Ba-doped CoO, respectively. The degradation of pesticides was found to be increased continuously (27-35% in case of CoO while 47-58% in case Ba-doped CoO) with the time of contact. However, the degradation was found to be decreased (23-3% in case of CoO while 47-44% in case Ba-doped CoO) with an increase in temperature. Likewise, in the beginning, degradation was observed to be increased up to some extent with the dose of catalyst and initial concentration of pesticide but started to decrease with further augmentation in the dose of catalyst and initial concentration of pesticide. It may be concluded from this study that doping of Ba considerably enhanced the photocatalytic ability of CoO for Emamectin benzoate pesticide.

Measurement invariance of the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 across males and females seeking treatment for common mental health disorders.

BACKGROUND: The nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and the seven-item Generalised Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7) scales are routinely used in research and clinical practice. Whilst measurement invariance of these measures across gender has been demonstrated individually in general population studies and clinical samples, less is known about invariance of the distinct but correlated latent factors ('depression' and 'anxiety'). The current study assessed measurement invariance of these constructs across males and females seeking treatment for common mental health disorders. METHODS: Data were provided from eight psychological treatment services in London, England. Data from initial assessments with the services where individual items on the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were available were included in analyses. Measurement invariance was explored across self-identified genders, with 'male' and 'female' categories available in the dataset. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using propensity score matching on sociodemographic and clinical variables. RESULTS: Data were available for 165,872 patients (110,833 females, 55,039 males). There was evidence of measurement invariance between males and females in both the full sample and a propensity score matched sample (n = 46,249 in each group). CONCLUSIONS: Measurement invariance of the correlated depression and anxiety factors of PHQ-9 and GAD-7 were indicated in this sample of individuals seeking psychological treatment for CMHDs. These results support the use of these measures in routine clinical practice for both males and females. This is of particular importance for assessing the prevalence of clinically significant levels of symptoms as well as comparing treatment outcomes across genders.

The association between trajectories of change in social functioning and psychological treatment outcome in university students: a growth mixture model analysis.

BACKGROUND: The transition to university and resultant social support network disruption can be detrimental to the mental health of university students. As the need for mental health support is becoming increasingly prevalent in students, identification of factors associated with poorer outcomes is a priority. Changes in social functioning have a bi-directional relationship with mental health, however it is not clear how such measures may be related to effectiveness of psychological treatments. METHODS: Growth mixture models were estimated on a sample of 5221 students treated in routine mental health services to identify different trajectories of change in self-rated impairment in social leisure activities and close relationships during the course of treatment. Multinomial regression explored associations between trajectory classes and treatment outcomes. RESULTS: Five trajectory classes were identified for social leisure activity impairment while three classes were identified for close relationship impairment. In both measures most students remained mildly impaired. Other trajectories included severe impairment with limited improvement, severe impairment with delayed improvement, and, in social leisure activities only, rapid improvement, and deterioration. Trajectories of improvement were associated with positive treatment outcomes while trajectories of worsening or stable severe impairment were associated with negative treatment outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in social functioning impairment are associated with psychological treatment outcomes in students, suggesting that these changes may be associated with treatment effectiveness as well as recovery experiences. Future research should seek to establish whether a causal link exists to understand whether integrating social support within psychological treatment may bring additional benefit for students.

A Clinical Overview of Anorexia Nervosa and Overcoming Treatment Resistance.

Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a type of eating disorder that has been increasing in incidence and has been encountered more commonly by physicians in their daily practice. Both environmental and genetic risk factors paired along with a more susceptible neurobiology are at play in the emerging resistance to treatment in AN. Preoccupations with intense fear of weight gain, dietary restrictions, excessive exercise, and how the individual is perceived by society mixed with underlying psychopathology all further add to the issue. Many patients who fall into this cycle of obsessive and restrictive patterns refuse to get treatment. As clinicians, it is essential we recognize the early signs of both eating disorders during the initial primary care appointments. To review the literature on the etiology of AN, possible misdiagnosis leading to inappropriate management of this condition, and understand the treatment-resistant AN and its management. Additionally, it will explore possible reasons that contribute to the resistance to treatment, the underlying psychopathology of anorexics, its genetic predisposition, psychiatric comorbidities, identification of the early signs and symptoms, and timely prevention. Early recognition by a physician includes a thorough history and physical examination, pertinent laboratory, and electrolyte studies, and identifying comorbid psychiatric conditions. The treatment of AN is intricate and requires a holistic approach. Treatment includes multiple modalities such as nutritional rehabilitation and psychosocial and pharmacological therapies. An interdisciplinary team of medical professionals for managing chronic AN is recommended.

Symptom-specific effects of counselling for depression compared to cognitive-behavioural therapy.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) and counselling for depression (CfD) are recommended first-line treatments for depression. While they approach change differently, there is little understanding of the impact those approaches have on change during treatment. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify whether CBT and CfD target different symptoms and explore the implications of modelling choices when quantifying change during treatment. METHODS: Symptom-specific effects of treatment were identified using moderated network modelling. This was a retrospective cohort study of 12 756 individuals who received CBT or CfD for depression in primary/community care psychological therapy services in England. Change was modelled several ways within the whole sample and a propensity score matched sample (n=3446). FINDINGS: CBT for depression directly affected excessive worry, trouble relaxing and apprehensive expectation and had a stronger influence on changes between suicidal ideation and concentration. CfD had a stronger direct influence on thoughts of being a failure and on the associated change between being an easily annoyed and apprehensive of expectation. There were inconsistencies when modelling change using the first and second appointments as the baseline. Residual score models produced more conservative findings than models using difference scores. CONCLUSIONS: CfD and CBT for depression have differential effects on symptoms demonstrating specific mechanisms of change. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: CBT was uniquely associated with changes in symptoms associated with anxiety and may be better suited to those with anxiety symptoms comorbid to their depression. When assessing change, the baseline should be the first therapy session, not the pretreatment assessment. Residual change scores should be preferred over difference score methods.

Nanoformulation of Curcuma longa Root Extract and Evaluation of Its Dissolution Potential.

Medicinal plants have been widely used for therapeutic purposes for a long time, but they have been found to have some major issues such as low water solubility and bioavailability. In the present study, the nanoformulation of Curcuma longa L. plant extract was prepared to enhance its dissolution potential and biological activities. For the formulation of the nanosuspension, an ethanolic extract of C. longa was prepared through Soxhlet extraction using the nanoformulation technique. The nanosuspensions were formulated using four different stabilizers, namely sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), and polysorbate-80 (P-80). The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), polydispersity index, and ζ potential were used for characterization of the nanoformulation. Among all of these, the surfactant stabilizer SLS was found to be the best. The average particle size of the selected optimized nanosuspension was found to be 308.2 nm with a polydispersity index (PDI) value of 0.330. The ζ potential value of the optimized nanosuspension was recorded at -33.3 mV. The SEM image indicated that the particles were slightly agglomerated, which may have occurred during lyophilization of the nanosuspension. The highest dissolution rate recorded at pH = 7 was 192.32 µg/mL, which indicates pH = 7 as the most appropriate condition for the dissolution of the C. longa nanosuspension. The antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities of the optimized nanosuspension were also determined with regard to the coarse plant extract. The study findings suggested that the nanoprecipitation approach helps in enhancing the dissolution potential and biological activities of C. longa root extract.

Photocatalytic degradation of industrial dye using hybrid filler impregnated poly-sulfone membrane and optimizing the catalytic performance using Box-Behnken design.

Mixed Matrix Membranes have gained significant attention over the past few years due to their diverse applications, unique hybrid inorganic filler and polymeric properties. In this article, the impregnation of nano-hybrid filler (polyoxometalates (∼POMs) encapsulated into the metal-organic framework (MOF) âˆ¼ PMOF) on the polysulfone membrane (∼PSF) was done, resulting in a mix matrix membrane (∼PMOF@PSF). The developed structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopes (TEM). The results confirmed that the nano-hybrid filler was successfully fabricated on the surface of PSF. Different loading ratios of nano-hybrid filler (5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%) were used for impregnation. The study's objective was to enhance catalytic performance using optimization curves designed using a three-level Box-Behnken Design (BBD) simulation. The photodegradation of Methylene Blue (∼MB) was studied against PMOF@PSF30% and was found to perform optimally when the concentration of catalyst, time of degradation, and temperature were 0.05-0.15 gm, 40-120 min, and 30-70 °C respectively. These experiments were replicated 15 times, and obtained results were further processed using a two-quadratic polynomial model to develop response surface methodology (RSM), which allowed for a functional relationship between the decolorization and experimental parameters. The optimal performance of the reaction mixture was calculated to be 0.15 gm for concentration, 70 °C for temperature, with an 80 min reaction time. Under these optimal conditions, the predicted decolorization of MB was 98.09%. Regression analysis with R2 > 0.99 verified the fit of experimental results with predicted values. The PMOF@PSF PSF30% demonstrated excellent reusability as its dye degradation properties were significantly unaffected after ten cycles.

Anti-Diabetic and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Phlomis stewartii Plant Phytochemicals on Cigarette Smoke Inhalation and Alloxan-Induced Diabetes in Wistar Rats.

The generation of free radicals in body causes oxidative stress and consequently different metabolic disorders. There are numerous environmental and emotional factors that trigger free radical generation, cigarette smoke (CS) is one of them. In addition to free radical production, it also increases the risk of developing type II diabetes, cancer, and has adverse effects on other organs such as liver and kidneys. In the present study, extracts of leaves, flower, and whole plant of P. stewartii Hf. in methanol were analyzed using LC-ESI-MS and investigated for their cytotoxic properties against HepG2 cell line and CS alloxan-induced diabetes in Wistar albino rats model. A total of 24 rats were kept in aerated cage for eight weeks and exposed to CS following the administration of single dose of alloxan@140 mg/kg body weight at the end of six weeks to induce diabetes mellitus (DM). The cytotoxic activity of extracts against HepG2 was recorded in the order; leaves methanol (LM) > flower methanol (FM) and whole plant methanol (WPM). The IC50(1/4) values were in the order of 187 (LM) > 280 (FM) > 312 (WPM) µg/mL against HepG2. In positive control group, CS- and alloxan-induced diabetes significantly increased (p < 0.05) the level of alanine alkaline phosphatase (ALP), aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), low density lipoprotein (LDL), bilirubin, total protein, creatinine, uric acid, blood urea, globulin, total oxidant status (TOS), and malondialdehyde (MDA), as compared to negative control group. In conclusion, according to the results of this study, P. Stewartii methanol extracts showed good antioxidant, anticancer activity and worked well to recover the tested clinical parameters in CS/alloxan-induced diabetes animals, which indicated the extracts also possess good antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective potential.

Radiosynthesis, quality control, biodistribution, and infection-imaging study of a new 99mTc-labeled ertapenem radiopharmaceutical.

Ertapenem is a member of carbapenem antibiotics used for the treatment of moderate-to-severe intra-abdominal, urinary tract, acute pelvic, and post-surgical gynecologic infections. The antibacterial activity of ertapenem is mediated through binding to penicillin-binding proteins which results in inhibiting the cross-linking of the peptidoglycan layer of the bacterial cell wall. Therefore, ertapenem can be labeled with technetium-99m (99mTc), a gamma emitter radionuclide, for the diagnosis of deep-seated bacterial infections, such as urinary tract, intra-abdominal, osteomyelitis, and post-surgical gynecologic infections. The labeling procedure was carried out by varying the reaction conditions, such as the amount of the ligand and reducing agent, pH, reaction time and temperature, and radioactivity. At optimized reaction conditions more than 93% 99mTc-ertapenem radioconjugate was obtained. 99mTc-ertapenem was found 90% intact in saline medium up to 6 h, while 88% intact in human blood serum up to 3 h. Biodistribution study showed target-to-non-target ratios of 2.91 ± 0.19, 2.39 ± 0.31, and 1.23 ± 0.22 in S. aureus, E. coli, and turpentine oil-infected rat models, respectively. The SPECT scintigraphy showed high uptake of 99mTc-ertapenem in bacterial-infected abscesses, and low counts were recorded in normal and turpentine oil-inflamed tissues. In conclusion, 99mTc-ertapenem can be a potent infection-imaging agent, which can diagnosis deep-seated bacterial infections at early stage but need further pre-clinical evaluation in variety of infection models.

Vitamin C supplementation ameliorates liver function profile and antiviral treatment response in Hepatitis C patients.

An imbalance between oxidative stress and antioxidative defence mediates a variety of diseases pathogenesis. The present study aims to assess the possible outcome of supplementation of oral vitamin-C (VC), an antioxidant, in Viral Hepatitis C (HCV) treatment as an adjuvant therapy. 200 HCV-patients were selected, 100 were given Vitamin-C (1000 mg/day) along with anti HCV treatment (sofosbuvir plus daclatasvir) while the other 100 took only anti-HCV treatment for 4weeks. The serum ascorbic acid (Vitamin-C) levels and functions of the liver were tested before and after the VC supplementation. HCV patients with relatively low serum ascorbic acid showed significant improvement after the intake of vitamin C. After 4 weeks of treatment, AST, ALP, albumin, and total, direct and indirect bilirubin were improved significantly in the VC group; whereas only ALT and indirect bilirubin were improved in both groups when associated with the control subjects. Comparing the two treatment groups at 4weeks; more effective and significant improvement was observed in ALT (p<0.01), AST (p<0.001), direct (p<0.01) and indirect bilirubin (p<0.001), total proteins (p<0.001) and albumin (p<0.05) in patients with VC supplementation on anti-viral treatment compared to only anti-viral treatment group. Thus, VC supplementation improves the antiviral therapy outcome by bestowing a beneficial effect in minimizing liver damage in HCV cases.

Isolation and characterization of novel antihypertensive bioactive peptides from brassica napus and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ace) inhibition potential.

Present study aimed to explore the antihypertensive potential of bioactive peptides isolated from Brassica napus protein as inhibitor of angiotensin converting enzyme. Protein was extracted and assessed for antihypertensive potential. The extracted protein showed 72% antihypertensive activity/potential with IC50 value of 24±5.60µg/mL. Thirty-one fractions of peptides were isolated by hydrolyzing protein at different time intervals, pH, temperature and enzyme/substrate ratio. The antihypertensive potential of all isolated fractions was measured. It was found that only one peptide fraction exhibited significantly high (75%) antihypertensive potential. This hydrolyzed fraction was characterized through Liquid-Chromatography-Electrospray-Ionization-Mass-Spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Eleven bioactive peptides were identified in hydrolyzate of Brassica napus which include Serine-Threonine, Methionine-Valine, Methionine-Leucine, Glutamine-Phenylalanine, Alanine-Threonine-Phenylalanine, Alanine-Leucine-Proline-Glycine, Valine-Alanine-Phenylalanine-Glycine, Aspartic acid-Proline-Methionine-Glutamine, Valine-Glutamine-Cysteine-Tyrosine, Methionine-Cysteine-Tyrosine-Tyrosine-Phenylalanine and Alanine-Leucine-Leucine-Alanine-Cysteine-Proline-Alanine. The current study showed that Brassica napus is an important food, having high amount of bioactive peptides with high antihypertensive potential, can control blood pressure very efficiently.