A phenology-based vegetation index for improving ratoon rice mapping using harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2 data

Ratoon rice,which refers to a second harvest of rice obtained from the regenerated tillers originating from the stubble of the first harvested crop,plays an important role in both food security and agroecology while requiring minimal agricultural inputs.However,accurately identifying ratoon rice crops is challenging due to the similarity of its spectral features with other rice cropping systems(e.g.,double rice).Moreover,images with a high spatiotemporal resolution are essential since ratoon rice is generally cultivated in fragmented croplands within regions that frequently exhibit cloudy and rainy weather.In this study,taking Qichun County in Hubei Province,China as an example,we developed a new phenology-based ratoon rice vegetation index(PRVI)for the purpose of ratoon rice mapping at a 30 m spatial resolution using a robust time series generated from Harmonized Landsat and Sentinel-2(HLS)images.The PRVI that incorporated the red,near-infrared,and shortwave infrared 1 bands was developed based on the analysis of spectro-phenological separability and feature selection.Based on actual field samples,the performance of the PRVI for ratoon rice mapping was carefully evaluated by comparing it to several vegetation indices,including normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI),enhanced vegetation index(EVI)and land surface water index(LSWI).The results suggested that the PRVI could sufficiently capture the specific characteristics of ratoon rice,leading to a favorable separability between ratoon rice and other land cover types.Furthermore,the PRVI showed the best performance for identifying ratoon rice in the phenological phases characterized by grain filling and harvesting to tillering of the ratoon crop(GHS-TS2),indicating that only several images are required to obtain an accurate ratoon rice map.Finally,the PRVI performed better than NDVI,EVI,LSWI and their combination at the GHS-TS2 stages,with producer's accuracy and user's accuracy of 92.22 and 89.30%,respectively.These results demonstrate that the proposed PRVI based on HLS data can effectively identify ratoon rice in fragmented croplands at crucial phenological stages,which is promising for identifying the earliest timing of ratoon rice planting and can provide a fundamental dataset for crop management activities.

Betalains protect various body organs through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory pathways

Betalains are natural coloring pigments with betalamic acid as the core structure of all subclasses.Besides their coloring properties,betalains exhibit various biological activities,including antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties,which are highly imperative.Further in-vivo studies reported that betalains protect various body organs,leading to health enhancement.Body organs,including the heart,liver,kidney,lung,etc.,are important for a healthy life.However,these organs can be affected or damaged by various stress factors,toxicants,and harmful substances.Recent studies have claimed that betalains could protect all vital organs of the body through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.This review article described the in-vivo antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of betalains in various cell-line or animal models.A comprehensive discussion has been provided on the mechanism of action of betalains in protecting various body organs,including cardio-protective effect,hepato-protective ability,renal protection capacity,repro-protective ability,neuro-protective effect,lung protection,and gut protection ability.Finally,future research directions and conclusions have been outlined.

Effect of simulated gastrointestinal digestion on antioxidant,and anti-inflammatory activities of bioactive peptides generated in sausages fermented with Staphylococcus simulans QB7

Dry-fermented sausages are a good source of bioactive peptides,whose stability against gastrointestinal(GI)digestion determines their bioaccessibility.This study focused on evaluating the effect of peptide extracts from sausages fermented with Staphylococcus simulans QB7 during in vitro simulated GI digestion,including peptide profiles and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.Peptides present in sausages were degraded during digestion,with molecular weight reduced from>12 kDa to<1.5 kDa.Besides,the content of amino acids increased from 381.15 to 527.07 mg/g,especially tyrosine being found only after GI digestion.The anti-inflammatory activities were increased after GI digestion,however,the changes in antioxidant activities were the opposite.A total number of 255,252 and 386 peptide sequences were identified in undigested,peptic-digested and GI-digested samples,respectively.PeptideRanker,BIOPEP-UWM and admetSAR were used to further predict the functional properties and intestinal absorption of the identified peptide sequences from GI digestion.Finally,18 peptides were discovered to possess either antioxidant or anti-inflammatory capacities.

On traceable iterated line graph and hamiltonian path index

Xiong and Liu[21]gave a characterization of the graphs G for which the n-iterated line graph L^(n)(G)is hamiltonian,for n≥2.In this paper,we study the existence of a hamiltonian path in L^(n)(G),and give a characterization of G for which L^(n)(G)has a hamiltonian path.As applications,we use this characterization to give several upper bounds on the hamiltonian path index of a graph.

Three anti-inflammatory polysaccharides from Lonicera japonica Thunb.:insights into the structure-function relationships

This study demonstrates the feasibility of producing three polysaccharides(neutral LJP-1,acidic LJP-2 and acidic LJP-3)with significant in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory activities from the flowers of Lonicera japonica.The three polysaccharides differed in chemical composition,molecular weight(Mw)distribution,glycosidic linkage pattern,functional groups and morphology.They exhibited excellent protective effects(in a dose-dependent manner)in lipopolysaccharide-injured RAW264.7 macrophages and Cu SO4-damaged zebrafish via reducing NO production and inhibiting the overexpressions of inflammation-related transcription factors,inflammatory proteins and cytokines in the NF-κB/MAPK signaling pathways.Their antiinflammatory effects varied owing to their different molecular characteristics and chemical compositions.Overall,LJP-2 at 400μg/m L was the most effective.LJP-2 consisted mainly of→5)-α-L-Araf(1→,→4)-α-LGalp A(1→and→2)-α-L-Rhap(1→residues with terminal T-β-D-Glcp.Thus,honeysuckle flowers are good sources of anti-inflammatory polysaccharides,and precise fractionation enables the production of potent antiinflammatory agents for the development of functional foods and healthcare products.

Analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of Cotinus coggygria Scop.extracts in vivo

Objective:To assess the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of standardized extract of Cotinus coggygria(C.coggygria)in different animal models.Methods:C.coggygria extracts(25,50,and 100 mg/kg)were administered to rats and mice(n=6)during hot plate,tail-flick,acetic acid-induced writhing,and formalin tests to determine its analgesic efficacy.The anti-inflammatory activity of C.coggygria extracts was evaluated by histamine and carrageenan-induced paw edema,cotton pellet-induced granuloma,and acetic acid-induced peritoneal capillary dye leakage tests.Results:C.coggygria extracts(50 and 100 mg/kg)significantly alleviated thermal and chemical-induced pain in rodents(P<0.05).It also demonstrated notable anti-inflammatory properties by mitigating histamine and carrageenan-induced paw edema,granuloma deposits,and vascular permeability(P<0.05).Moreover,C.coggygria extracts remarkably reduced TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6,COX-2,and oxidative stress in rat paws(P<0.05).Carrageenan-induced histological aberrations in hind paw tissues were effectively(P<0.05)mitigated by treatment with C.coggygria extracts.Conclusions:C.coggygria Scop.extracts show analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects via inhibition of COX-2 and inflammatory and oxidative mediators.

Association between the cumulative triglyceride-glucose index and the recurrence of atrial fibrillation after radiofrequency catheter ablation

BACKGROUND Triglyceride-glucose(TyG)index values are a new surrogate marker for insulin resistance.This study aimed to explore the relationship between cumulative TyG index values and atrial fibrillation(AF)recurrence after radiofrequency catheter ablation(RFCA).METHODS A total of 576 patients with AF who underwent RFCA at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University were included in this study.The participants were grouped based on cumulative TyG index values tertiles within 3 months after ablation.Cox regression and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to determine the relationship between cumulative TyG index values and AF recurrence.The predictive value of all risk factors was assessed by receiver operating curve analysis.RESULTS There were 375 patients completed the study(age:63.23±10.73 years,64.27%male).The risk of AF recurrence increased with increasing cumulative TyG index values tertiles.After adjusting for potential confounders,patients in the medium cumulative TyG index group[hazard ratio(HR)=4.949,95%CI:1.778–13.778,P=0.002]and the high cumulative TyG index group(HR=8.716,95%CI:3.371–22.536,P<0.001)had a higher risk of AF recurrence than those in the low cumulative TyG index group.The restricted cubic spline regression model also showed an increased risk of AF recurrence with increasing cumulative TyG index values.When considering cumulative TyG index values,left atrial diameter,and lactate dehydrogenase levels as a comprehensive factor,the model could effectively predict AF recurrence after RFCA[area under the curve(AUC)=0.847,95%CI:0.797–0.897,P<0.001].CONCLUSIONS Cumulative TyG index values were a risk factor for AF recurrence after RFCA.Monitoring longitudinal TyG index values may assist with optimized for risk stratification and outcome prediction for AF recurrence.

Systematic review and network meta-analysis of different nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for juvenile idiopathic arthritis

BACKGROUND Various non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs)have been used for juvenile idiopathic arthritis(JIA).However,the optimal method for JIA has not yet been developed.AIM To perform a systematic review and network meta-analysis to determine the optimal instructions.METHODS We searched for randomized controlled trials(RCTs)from PubMed,EMBASE,Google Scholar,CNKI,and Wanfang without restriction for publication date or language at August,2023.Any RCTs that comparing the effectiveness of NSAIDs with each other or placebo for JIA were included in this network meta-analysis.The surface under the cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA)analysis was used to rank the treatments.P value less than 0.05 was identified as statistically significant.RESULTS We included 8 RCTs(1127 patients)comparing 8 different instructions including meloxicam(0.125 qd and 0.250 qd),Celecoxib(3 mg/kg bid and 6 mg/kg bid),piroxicam,Naproxen(5.0 mg/kg/d,7.5 mg/kg/d and 12.5 mg/kg/d),inuprofen(30-40 mg/kg/d),Aspirin(60-80 mg/kg/d,75 mg/kg/d,and 55 mg/kg/d),Tolmetin(15 mg/kg/d),Rofecoxib,and placebo.There were no significant differences between any two NSAIDs regarding ACR Pedi 30 response.The SUCRA shows that celecoxib(6 mg/kg bid)ranked first(SUCRA,88.9%),rofecoxib ranked second(SUCRA,68.1%),Celecoxib(3 mg/kg bid)ranked third(SUCRA,51.0%).There were no significant differences between any two NSAIDs regarding adverse events.The SUCRA shows that placebo ranked first(SUCRA,88.2%),piroxicam ranked second(SUCRA,60.5%),rofecoxib(0.6 mg/kg qd)ranked third(SUCRA,56.1%),meloxicam(0.125 mg/kg qd)ranked fourth(SUCRA,56.1%),and rofecoxib(0.3 mg/kg qd)ranked fifth(SUCRA,56.1%).CONCLUSION In summary,celecoxib(6 mg/kg bid)was found to be the most effective NSAID for treating JIA.Rofecoxib,piroxicam,and meloxicam may be safer options,but further research is needed to confirm these findings in larger trials with higher quality studies.

Actuality and underlying mechanisms of systemic immuneinflammation index and geriatric nutritional risk index prognostic value in hepatocellular carcinoma

This editorial contains comments on the article“Correlation between preoperative systemic immune inflammation index,nutritional risk index,and prognosis of radical resection of liver cancer”in a recent issue of the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery.It pointed out the actuality and importance of the article and focused primarily on the underlying mechanisms making the systemic immuneinflammation index(SII)and geriatric nutritional risk index(GNRI)prediction features valuable.There are few publications on both SII and GNRI together in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and patient prognosis after radical surgery.Neutrophils release cytokines,chemokines,and enzymes,degrade extracellular matrix,reduce cell adhesion,and create conditions for tumor cell invasion.Neutrophils promote the adhesion of tumor cells to endothelial cells,through physical anchoring.That results in the migration of tumor cells.Pro-angiogenic factors from platelets enhance tumor angiogenesis to meet tumor cell supply needs.Platelets can form a protective film on the surface of tumor cells.This allows avoiding blood flow damage as well as immune system attack.It also induces the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of tumor cells that is critical for invasiveness.High SII is also associated with macro-and microvascular invasion and increased numbers of circulating tumor cells.A high GNRI was associated with significantly better progression-free and overall survival.HCC patients are a very special population that requires increased attention.SII and GNRI have significant survival prediction value in both palliative treatment and radical surgery settings.The underlying mechanisms of their possible predictive properties lie in the field of essential cancer features.Those features provide tumor nutrition,growth,and distribution throughout the body,such as vascular invasion.On the other hand,they are tied to the possibility of patients to resist tumor progression and development of complications in both postoperative and cancer-related settings.The article is of considerable interest.It would be helpful to continue the study follow-up to 2 years and longer.External validation of the data is needed.

A Transparent Photoresist Made of Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticle-Embedded Acrylic Resin with a Tunable Refractive Index for UV-Imprint Lithography

Transparent photoresists with a high refractive index(RI)and high transmittance in visible wavelengths have promising functionalities in optical fields.This work reports a kind of tunable optical material composed of titanium dioxide nanoparticles embedded in acrylic resin with a high RI for ultraviolet(UV)-imprint lithography.The hybrid film exhibits a tunable RI of up to 1.67(589 nm)after being cured by UV light,while maintaining both a high transparency of over 98%in the visible light range and a low haze of less than 0.05%.The precision machining of optical microstructures can be imprinted easily and efficiently using the hybrid resin,which acts as a light guide plate(LGP)to guide the light from the side to the top in order to conserve the energy of the display device.These preliminary studies based on both laboratory and commercial experiments pave the way for exploiting the unparalleled optical properties of nanocomposite resins and promoting their industrial application.

Anti-inflammatory Effect of Polysaccharide from Embelia parviflora Wall.on Rheumatoid Arthritis in Rats

[Objectives]To investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of Embelia parviflora Wall.polysaccharide on rheumatoid arthritis(RA)in rats.[Methods]RA rat model was induced by type II collagen.After successful modeling,the rats were divided into model group,positive group,low,medium and high dose of E.parviflora Wall.polysaccharide groups,and normal control group.Body mass,toe volume and arthritis index were measured,and thymus index and spleen index were calculated.The levels of interleukin-1β,interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-αin serum and synovial tissue of ankle joint were detected by ELISA.[Results]Compared with the normal control group,the pathological changes such as synovial hyperplasia and unclear layer were observed in the model group,the body mass was decreased(P<0.05),the toe volume,arthritis index,thymus and spleen index were increased(P<0.05),and the levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-αin serum and ankle synovial tissue were increased(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the histopathological changes in synovium of ankle joint in the positive group and the medium and high dose groups of E.parviflora Wall.polysaccharide were significantly improved,and the body mass was increased(P<0.05).The toe volume,arthritis index,thymus index and spleen index were decreased(P<0.05).The levels of IL-Iβ,IL-6 and TNF-αin serum and synovial tissue of ankle joint were increased(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference between the low dose group of E.parviflora Wall.polysaccharide and the model group(P>0.05).[Conclusions]E.parviflora Wall.polysaccharide can reduce the body's inflammatory response and improve RA,which may be related to the inhibition of the activation of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α.

Systemic immune-inflammation index,neutrophilto-lymphocyte ratio,and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with type 2 diabetes at different stages of diabetic retinopathy

AIM:To investigate systemic immune-inflammation index(SII),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),and plateletto-lymphocyte ratio(PLR)levels in patients with type 2 diabetes at different stages of diabetic retinopathy(DR).METHODS:This retrospective study included 141 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(DM):45 without diabetic retinopathy(NDR),47 with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR),and 49 with proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR).Complete blood counts were obtained,and NLR,PLR,and SII were calculated.The study analysed the ability of inflammatory markers to predict DR using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.The relationships between DR stages and SII,PLR,and NLP were assessed using multivariate logistic regression.RESULTS:The average NLR,PLR,and SII were higher in the PDR group than in the NPDR group(P=0.011,0.043,0.009,respectively);higher in the NPDR group than in the NDR group(P<0.001 for all);and higher in the PDR group than in the NDR group(P<0.001 for all).In the ROC curve analysis,the NLR,PLR,and SII were significant predictors of DR(P<0.001 for all).The highest area under the curve(AUC)was for the PLR(0.929 for PLR,0.925 for SII,and 0.821 for NLR).Multivariate regression analysis indicated that NLR,PLR,and SII were statistically significantly positive and independent predictors for the DR stages in patients with DM[odds ratio(OR)=1.122,95%confidence interval(CI):0.200–2.043,P<0.05;OR=0.038,95%CI:0.018–0.058,P<0.05;OR=0.007,95%CI:0.001–0.01,P<0.05,respectively).CONCLUSION:The NLR,PLR,and SII may be used as predictors of DR.

from Gancao Qinlian Extract and Study of Its Efficacy Screening of Anti-inflammatory Active Ingredients from Gancao Qinlian Extract and Study of Its Efficacy

[Objectives]To establish the chromatographic fingerprint of Gancao Qinlian Extracts(GQE)and reveal the possible material basis of the anti-inflammatory effect of GQE by the correlation analysis between the fingerprint chromatographic peaks of different components of GQE and its anti-inflammatory activity.[Methods]Ultra-performance liquid chromatography(UPLC)was used to detect the different ingredients of GQE to establish its chromatographic fingerprint and analyze the differences among the three medicine components;LPS stimulated RAW264.7 cells to construct an inflammatory cell model.The NO secretion of cells was detected by the Griess method.ELISA was used to detect the changes in TNF-αand IL-10 contents.RT-qPCR tested the mRNA expression levels of TNF-αand IL-10.Grey relational analysis was carried out by combining fingerprint chromatographic peak data and anti-inflammatory activity data.[Results]The GQE fingerprint was established,34 fingerprint characteristic peaks were calibrated,and 33 related chromatographic peaks were screened out.The corresponding chromatographic peaks in the three components were obtained,and the content of the components was calculated;the anti-inflammatory results showed that the content of NO,TNF-α,and the expression of TNF-αmRNA in the high and medium-dose groups of GQE were significantly lower than those in the blank group(P<0.01).The NO content and TNF-αmRNA expression in the high-dose group of GQE I was considerably lower than those in the blank group(P<0.01).The secretion of NO,TNF-α,and the expression of TNF-αmRNA in the high,medium,and low dose groups of GQE II were significantly lower than those in the blank group(P<0.01);the results of grey relational analysis showed that the correlation degree of the three components was GQE II>GQE>GQE I,and the characteristic fingerprint peaks 12,15,22,23,28,31,33 may be closely related to the anti-inflammatory effect.[Conclusions]The best component of the anti-inflammatory effect in GQE is water-soluble component,and its main components are flavonoids and alkaloids.These components can alleviate cellular inflammatory damage by inhibiting the excessive secretion of NO and reducing the expression of TNF-αmRNA.

Antecedent Precipitation Index to Estimate Soil Moisture and Correlate as a Triggering Process in the Occurrence of Landslides

Landslides are highly dangerous phenomena that occur in different parts of the world and pose significant threats to human populations. Intense rainfall events are the main triggering process for landslides in urbanized slope regions, especially those considered high-risk areas. Various other factors contribute to the process;thus, it is essential to analyze the causes of such incidents in all possible ways. Soil moisture plays a critical role in the Earth’s surface-atmosphere interaction systems;hence, measurements and their estimations are crucial for understanding all processes involved in the water balance, especially those related to landslides. Soil moisture can be estimated from in-situ measurements using different sensors and techniques, satellite remote sensing, hydrological modeling, and indicators to index moisture conditions. Antecedent soil moisture can significantly impact runoff for the same rainfall event in a watershed. The Antecedent Precipitation Index (API) or “retained rainfall,” along with the antecedent moisture condition from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, is generally applied to estimate runoff in watersheds where data is limited or unavailable. This work aims to explore API in estimating soil moisture and establish thresholds based on landslide occurrences. The estimated soil moisture will be compared and calibrated using measurements obtained through multisensor capacitance probes installed in a high-risk area located in the mountainous region of Campos do Jordão municipality, São Paulo, Brazil. The API used in the calculation has been modified, where the recession coefficient depends on air temperature variability as well as the climatological mean temperature, which can be considered as losses in the water balance due to evapotranspiration. Once the API is calibrated, it will be used to extrapolate to the entire watershed and consequently estimate soil moisture. By utilizing recorded mass movements and comparing them with API and soil moisture, it will be possible to determine thresholds, thus enabling anticipation of landslide occurrences.

Fabrication of UV-Curing Linalool-Polysiloxane Hybrid Films with High Refractive Index and Transparency

In this article,a series of high refractive indices(1.50-1.53)thiol phenyl polysiloxane(TPS)were synthesized via hydrolytic sol-gel reaction.The Fourier transform infrared spectra(FT-IR)and nuclear magnetic resonance spectra(NMR)results showed that TPS conformed to the predicted structures.Natural terpene linalool was exploited as photocrosslinker to fabricate UV-curing linalool-polysiloxane hybrid films(LPH)with TPS via photoinitiated thiol-ene reaction.LPH rapidly cured under UV irradiation at the intensity of 80 mW/cm^(2) in 30 s,exhibiting good UV-curing properties.The optical transmittance of LPH in the wavelength of 300-800 nm was over 90%,exhibiting good optical transparency.The water contact angle and water vapor permeability results showed that the introduction of phenyl groups enhance the hydrophobicity and water vapor barrier properties of LPH.The results indicated the potential of LPHs in the applications of optical functional coatings.

Surface phonon resonance:A new mechanism for enhancing photonic spin Hall effect and refractive index sensor

Metal-based surface plasmon resonance(SPR)plays an important role in enhancing the photonic spin Hall effect(SHE)and developing sensitive optical sensors.However,the very large negative permittivities of metals limit their applications beyond the near-infrared regime.In this work,we theoretically present a new mechanism to enhance the photonic SHE by taking advantage of SiC-supported surface phonon resonance(SPhR)in the mid-infrared regime.The transverse displacement of photonic SHE is very sensitive to the wavelength of incident light and the thickness of SiC layer.Under the optimal parameter setup,the calculated largest transverse displacement of SiC-based SPhR structure reaches up to 163.8 ym,which is much larger than the condition of SPR.Moreover,an NO_(2) gas sensor based on the SPhR-enhanced photonic SHE is theoretically proposed with the superior sensing performance.Both the intensity and angle sensitivity of this sensor can be effectively manipulated by varying the damping rate of SiC.The results may provide a promising paradigm to enhance the photonic SHE in the mid-infrared region and open up new opportunity of highly sensitive refractive index sensors.

Safety and in Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Activity of Ethanolic Extract of Ficus umbellata (Vahl.) Leaves

Toxicity is the totality of adverse effects, which can be functional and morphological lesions in a living organism, caused by a substance introduced in relatively high single doses or in small, repeated doses. The aim of this study was to assess the OECD-recommended acute oral toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of Ficus umbellata leaves. Animals were given a single oral dose of 1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/Kg body weight (BW) of the extract. For the anti-inflammatory activity test, rats were given the ethanolic extract of F. umbellata leaves at doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg/Kg or aspirin® at a concentration of 100 mg/Kg PC orally, one hour before injection of 0.05 ml of 1% formalin under the plantar fascia of the rat’s right hind paw. Paw volume measurements were taken one, two and three hours after formalin injection, using an electronic caliper. After 14 days of observation, no deaths were observed in treated rats. The LD50 of ethanolic extract of Ficus umbellata leaf powder is greater than 5000 mg/Kg body weight. This extract has no significant effects on hematological parameters and on the main markers of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity for a single dose of less than 5000 mg/Kg PC. It reduces formalin-induced edema. Evaluation of the percentage inhibition showed that the extract had greater anti-inflammatory activity at 3 hours after the start of the experiment. However, better inhibition of inflammatory oedema of the paw of rats treated with 500 mg/Kg was observed at 5 hours after the start of the experiment, with a percentage inhibition of 69.23 ± 1.02, compared with the reference group treated with aspirin® 100 mg/Kg, which showed an inhibition of 63.50 ± 0.98. These results show that F. umbellata leaves possess anti-inflammatory activity, which would justify their use in traditional African medicine to prevent or treat inflammation.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome: A Link with Vitamin D, Body Mass Index and Hyperlipidemia

Introduction: Carbai tunnel syndrome [CTS] is compression of the median nerve at the wrist , this causes tingling in the hands, pain, numbness, tingling in the fingers particularly the thumb, index and middle fingers, loss of sensation in the hands and fingers, also weakness in the hands. The aim of the present study was to study a possible association which could be found between electrophysiological data in CTS, BMI, hyperlipidemia, and vitamin D [Vit D] levels. Methods: We used a sample of 40 females of the same age group, who were divided into Group 1 as a control consists of 18 healthy females and Group II consisted of 22 age matched females with clinical and electrophysiological evidence of CTS. We measured atherogenic index [AI] as a marker of hyperlipidemia, body mass index [BMI], Vit D status and electrophysiological tests of CTS. Results: Subjects with CTS had deficient Vit D status, they had significantly high atherogenic index (AI), and significant high BMI all compared to control Group I. Median sensory conduction velocity was significantly correlated negatively with BMI and atherogenic index, and positively correlated significantly with Vit D status. But median sensory and motor action potential latency were significantly correlated positively with BMI and atherogenic index, and negatively correlated significantly with Vit D status The analysis revealed BMI, atherogenic index and Vit D status as predictors of median nerve sensory and motor action potential latency and sensory nerve conduction velocity in CTS. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that obesity and hyperlipidemia are potent CTS risk factors and declared the direct association between Vit D status and CTS occurrence. Our study supports the notion of the compensatory neuroprotective role of Vit D which could have a direct impact on the nerves integrity as it has an anti-inflammatory property which acts in relieving nervous insults and stress. .

Preoperative prognostic nutritional index predicts long-term outcomes of patients with ampullary adenocarcinoma after curative pancreatoduodenectomy

BACKGROUND The prognostic nutritional index(PNI),a marker of immune-nutrition balance,has predictive value for the survival and prognosis of patients with various cancers.AIM To explore the clinical significance of the preoperative PNI on the prognosis of ampullary adenocarcinoma(AC)patients who underwent curative pancreaticoduodenectomy.METHODS The data concerning 233 patients diagnosed with ACs were extracted and analyzed at our institution from January 1998 to December 2020.All patients were categorized into low and high PNI groups based on the cutoff value determined by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.We compared disease-free survival(DFS)and overall survival(OS)between these groups and assessed prognostic factors through univariate and multivariate analyses.RESULTS The optimal cutoff value for the PNI was established at 45.3.Patients with a PNI≥45.3 were categorized into the PNI-high group,while those with a PNI<45.3 were assigned to the PNI-low group.Patients within the PNI-low group tended to be of advanced age and exhibited higher levels of aspartate transaminase and total bilirubin and a lower creatinine level than were those in the PNI-high group.The 5-year OS rates for patients with a PNI≥45.3 and a PNI<45.3 were 61.8%and 43.4%,respectively,while the 5-year DFS rates were 53.5%and 38.3%,respectively.Patients in the PNI-low group had shorter OS(P=0.006)and DFS(P=0.012).In addition,multivariate analysis revealed that the PNI,pathological T stage and pathological N stage were found to be independent prognostic factors for both OS and DFS.CONCLUSION The PNI is a straightforward and valuable marker for predicting long-term survival after pancreatoduodenectomy.The PNI should be incorporated into the standard assessment of patients with AC.

Roles of Community Pharmacists in Screening and Disseminating of Information about Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Risks: Implications for Drug Safety Assessment

Background: The increasing use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) both on prescription and over the counter raises a major global health concern because of the risks associated with their use if no proper guidance is given by the health care provider. This study assessed the roles of community pharmacists in screening and disseminating information about the risks associated with NSAID use in Zambia. Methodology: This was a national cross-sectional study in which a structured self-administered questionnaire was administered to 245 registered community pharmacists in Zambia. Stata/BE, version 15.1 (Stata Corporation, College Station, Texas, USA) and multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine factors associated with information dissemination about ADRs of NS-NSAIDs. Results: 231 of the 245 distributed questionnaires were returned giving a response rate of 94.3%. All (100%) participating community pharmacists claimed to have practiced dispensing NSAIDs. However, only 26 (11.0%) and 71 (30.8%) regularly screened for risk factor of selective COX-2 NSAIDS (SC2-NSAIDS) and non-selective NSAIDS (NS-NSAIDs) respectively. Information dissemination on adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of SC2-NSAIDS was regularly provided by only 22 (9.5%) of pharmacists while that of NS-NSAIDs was regularly provided by 49 (21.2%). In the multivariate logistic regression model, being the owner of a pharmacy (AOR: 5.4, CI: 1.84 - 16.4) was significantly associated with information dissemination about ADRs of NS-NSAIDs while an hour increase in the working hours per day (AOR: 0.9, CI: 0.64 - 0.95) was associated with less likelihood of information dissemination. Conclusion: Pharmacists working in community pharmacies in Zambia did not regularly screen and disseminate information about the risks associated with NSAID use. Therefore, pharmacists should be able to screen and monitor patients at risk and be aware of the majority of risk factors while dispensing NSAIDs to minimize the associated complications.