Hypoglycemic activity of Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels seed extracts: an approach to in vitro, in vivo, and in silico studies.

This research is carried out to explore the hypoglycemic activity of Syzygium cumini seed extracts by in vitro, in vivo, and in silico methods. For in vitro studies the α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzyme inhibition assays were employed. For in vivo studies 30 alloxan induced Wistar rats were used. They were orally administered with glibenclamide and low/high dose of the extracts and were monitored regularly for the change in blood glucose levels for about 28 days. The in silico molecular docking was conducted to evaluate the binding interaction of 1,2,3-Benzenetriol with human pancreatic α-amylase and α-glucosidase. It was found that all the extracts were able to inhibit the α-amylase and α-glucosidase enzymes. Among which the acetone extract showed greater inhibition with 72.52 ± 0.51% and 63.02 ± 0.73% for both the enzymes, respectively. There was significant (p < 0.05) reduction in blood glucose levels in the rats administered with glibenclamide and extracts. In silico docking results revealed that the compound 1,2,3-Benzenetriol exhibited the highest binding affinity for human pancreatic α-amylase with binding energy -7.7 kcal/mol. Thus suggesting the utilization of S. cumini seeds in the management of diabetes mellitus.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Elucidation of intermolecular interactions between chlorogenic acid and glucose-6-phosphate translocase: A step towards chemically induced glycogen storage disease type 1b model.

Glucose-6-phosphate translocase enzyme, encoded by SLC37A4 gene, is a crucial enzyme involved in transporting glucose-6-phosphate into the endoplasmic reticulum. Inhibition of this enzyme can cause Von-Gierke's/glycogen storage disease sub-type 1b. The current study dealt to elucidate the intermolecular interactions to assess the inhibitory activity of Chlorogenic acid (CGA) against SLC37A4 was assessed by molecular docking and dynamic simulation. The alpha folded model of SLC37A4 and CGA 3D structure were optimized using CHARMM force field, using energy minimization protocol in the Discovery Studio software. Glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) and CGA molecular docking, Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, analysis of binding free energy of G6P-SLC37A4 and CGA-SLC37A4 complexes was performed for 100 ns using GROMACS, followed by principal component analysis (PCA). The docking score of the CGA-SLC37A4 complex exhibited a higher docking score (- 8.2 kcal/mol) when compared to the G6P-SLC37A4 complex (- 6.5 kcal/mol), suggesting a stronger binding interaction between CGA and SLC37A4. Further, the MD simulation demonstrated a stable backbone and complex Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), the least RMS fluctuation, and stable active site residue interactions throughout the 100 ns production run. The CGA complex with SLC37A4 exhibits higher compactness and formed 8 hydrogen bonds to achieve stability. The binding free energy of the G6P-SLC37A4 and CGA-SLC37A4 complex was found to be - 12.73 and - 31.493 kcal/mol. Lys29 formed stable contact for both G6P (- 4.73 kJ/mol) and SLC37A4 (- 2.18 kJ/mol). This study imparts structural insights into the competitive inhibition of SLC37A4 by CGA. CGA shows potential as a candidate to induce manifestations of GSD1b by inhibiting glycogenolysis, and gluconeogenesis. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13205-023-03661-5.

May-Thurner syndrome.

May-Thurner syndrome (MTS) is a venous compression syndrome in which the left common iliac vein (LCIV) is compressed between the lower lumbar spine and the right common iliac artery (RCIA). Variations are known where in the right lower limb can be affected. While most of the cases are asymptomatic, it can cause severe morbidity in symptomatic individuals, most commonly deep vein thrombosis and post thrombotic sequelae. In this article, we review the key clinical features, multimodality imaging findings and treatment options of this disorder. Our goal is to raise awareness of this under-diagnosed condition among clinicians in order to promote early detection and recognition to enhance positive and expedited outcomes.

Thoracic Trauma: Aortic Injuries.

Thoracic aortic injuries caused by high impact trauma are life-threatening and require emergent diagnosis and management. With improvement in the acute care services, an increasing number of such injuries are being managed such that patients survive to undergo definitive therapies. A high index of clinical suspicion is required to order appropriate imaging. Computed tomography angiography is used to classify the injuries and guide treatment strategy. While low-grade injuries might be managed conservatively, high-grade injuries require urgent surgical or endovascular intervention. Over the past decade, endovascular repair of the thoracic aorta with or without a surgical bypass has become the preferred treatment with reduced mortality and morbidity. Rapid advancements in the stent graft technology have reduced the anatomic barriers to endovascular therapy and increased the confidence of the operators. Detailed planning prior to the procedure, understanding of the anatomy, correct choice of hardware, and adherence to technical protocol are essential for a successful endovascular procedure. These patients are often young and the limited data on the long-term outcome of aortic stent grafts make a case for a robust follow-up protocol.

Endovascular treatment of psuedoaneurysm arising from common hepatic artery bifurcation with complete disruption of gastroduodenal artery and high flow arterioportal fistula.

Arterio-portal fistulas (APFs) are characterized by anomalous communication between arteries and the portal vein (PV) system. Treatment of APF is imperative as an emergency or if there is development of portal hypertension/heart failure in chronic cases. Both endovascular and surgical managements can be attempted, however since endovascular management carries comparatively low intra and post procedural morbidity it is mostly preferred. This is a case report on endovascular management of post-traumatic pseudoaneurysm arising from bifurcation of common hepatic artery with complete disruption of the gastroduodenal artery and high-flow APF. This report describes the intraprocedure challenges in exclusion of fistula from the circulation, without disruption of portal system and anticipation of recruitment of new collateral feeders to the fistula immediate post exclusion with its embolization, which needs appropriate positioning of the catheter prior to exclusion of the fistula.

Modeling the effect of pH on biosorption of heavy metals by citrus peels.

Biosorption by materials such as citrus peels could be a cost effective technique for removing toxic heavy metals from wastewater. Orange peels, lemon peels and lemon-based protonated pectin peels (PPP) had Langmuir sorption capacities of 0.7-1.2 mequiv./g (39-67 mg/g) of Cd per biosorbent dry weight. A potentiometric titration was interpreted using a continuous pK(a) spectrum approach. It revealed four acidic sites with pK(a) values of 3.8, 6.4, 8.4 and 10.7, and a total site quantity of 1.14 mequiv./g. Sorption isotherms of untreated citrus peels showed an unusual shape with two plateau values. Protonated pectin peels on the other hand showed a typical Langmuir behavior with a higher sorption capacity than untreated peels. At lower pH, metal binding was reduced due to increased competition by protons. This was modeled using pH-sensitive isotherm equations. It was not necessary to assume four binding sites; using one site with pK(a) 3.8 and a quantity of 1.14 mequiv./g was sufficient. It was possible to accurately predict metal uptake at one pH using the metal binding constant determined at a different pH. A 1:1 stoichiometry model fit the sorption isotherms shape better than a 1:2 stoichiometry. For constant pH, the 1:1 stoichiometry reduces to the Langmuir model.

Pectin-rich fruit wastes as biosorbents for heavy metal removal: equilibrium and kinetics.

Biosorption can be used as a cost effective and efficient technique for the removal of toxic heavy metals from wastewater. Waste materials from industries such as food processing and agriculture may act as biosorbents. This study investigates the removal of cadmium by fruit wastes (derived from several citrus fruits, apples and grapes). Citrus peels were identified as the most promising biosorbent due to high metal uptake in conjunction with physical stability. Uptake was rapid with equilibrium reached after 30-80 min depending on the particle size (0.18-0.9 mm). Sorption kinetics followed a second-order model. Sorption equilibrium isotherms could be described by the Langmuir model in some cases, whereas in others an S-shaped isotherm was observed, that did not follow the Langmuir isotherm model. The metal uptake increased with pH, with uptake capacities ranging between 0.5 and 0.9 meq/g of dry peel. Due to their low cost, good uptake capacity, and rapid kinetics, citrus peels are a promising biosorbent material warranting further study.