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 ai...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.展开更多
The aim of the present work is to assess the value of Detarium Senegalense by determining the content of total phenols, total flavonoids and total anthocyanins, and by evaluating the free radical scavenging activity o...The aim of the present work is to assess the value of Detarium Senegalense by determining the content of total phenols, total flavonoids and total anthocyanins, and by evaluating the free radical scavenging activity of Detarium Senegalense extracts. For this purpose, sequential extraction using solvents of increasing polarity was essential. The various extracts obtained underwent phytochemical and biochemical analyses. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, polyphenols, anthocyanins and steroids/terpenes. Quantitative analysis of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and total anthocyanins yielded the following results: total flavonoids (0.803 ± 0029 mg EQ/100g P for acetone extract of roots and 0.871 ± 0.401 mg EQ/100g P for methanol extract of leaves);total polyphenols (23.298 ± 12.68 mg EAG/100g P for acetone extract of roots and 24.69 ± 0.49 401 mg EAG/100g P for methanol extract of leaves);total monomeric anthocyanins (44.697 ± 0.939 mg EC3G/100g P and 16.699 ± 0.193 mg EC3G/100g P respectively for acetone and methanol extracts of stem bark). DPPH free radical scavenging activity was 1.674 ± 0.023 mg/mL for the acetone extract and 0.934 ± 0.24 mg/mL for the methanol extract of roots. .展开更多
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 prop...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.展开更多
According to the World Health Organization, diabetes affects approximately 347 million people worldwide. Its management is not within the reach of all social classes, therefore medicinal plants are still the first res...According to the World Health Organization, diabetes affects approximately 347 million people worldwide. Its management is not within the reach of all social classes, therefore medicinal plants are still the first resort for many populations in Africa. The biological material used in this study was the trunk bark of Guibourtia tessmannii. 50 g of trunk bark powder were decocted in 500 ml of distilled water for 5 minutes were carried out. The method used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) was an organometallic bio-reduction of silver nitrate salts mediated by various secondary metabolites contained in the plant extract. The study of the toxicity acute was conducted according to guideline 423 of the OECD protocol. The pharmacological activities were each carried out with 28 female rats divided into 7 groups of four rats. It was a question for the hypoglycemic activity of administering various doses of silver nanoparticles and other substances to the rats thirty minutes after the carbohydrate intake and for the anti-hyperglycemic activity of administering the same substances to the rats thirty minutes before the carbohydrate intake. The extraction yield was 8.76%. Only the alkaloid test was negative. After acute toxicity study, the LD50 was greater than 2000 mg/kg. Blood sugar tests revealed that glibenclamide 5 mg/kg, which is the reference molecule, lowered blood sugar more than the other treatments applied in the other batches. It was followed by treatment with silver nanoparticles at a dose of 400 μg/kg in both tests. It was therefore concluded that silver nanoparticles from G. tessmannii are good for the formulation of improved traditional medicines and bring up their afficacity .展开更多
Introduction: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. The diagnosis is most often based on the prostate biopsies’ analysis and on histological criteria recognizable on standard coloring. In some case...Introduction: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. The diagnosis is most often based on the prostate biopsies’ analysis and on histological criteria recognizable on standard coloring. In some cases, the use of immunohistochemistry is important. Objectives: This paper aims to specify the p63 phenotypic profile of lesions diagnosed benign, with minimal suspect foci, difficult to interpret, HGPIN (high grade intraepithelial neoplasia) and LGPIN (low-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia) and evaluate the manual technique of p63 immunohistochemistry. Patients and Method: This was a retrospective, descriptive study of prostate biopsies recorded in the PAC service of the HALD from January 1st, 2018 to December 31st, 2018. It was completed by a manual immunohistochemical study of the blocks enrolled from November 19th to December 4th, 2020 in the PAC department of the HPD. The studied parameters were: registry number, age, clinical stage, prostate volume, PSA level, microscopic appearance and p63 immunohistochemical profile. Results: Our study included 60 prostate biopsies. The ages of our patients varied from 45 to 77 years, with an average of 64.2 years and a standard deviation of 6.2. The majority of patients were at clinical stage cT2b (33%) with a prostate volume varying between 33.15 and 169.4 cc. The minimum value of PSA in our series is 5 ng/ml, the maximum being 100 ng/ml with an average level of 24.1 ng/ml and a standard deviation of 21.2. Our series included 50 adenomyomatous hyperplasias, 7 adenomyomatous hyperplasias associated with chronic prostatitis, 2 HGPIN and 1 LGPIN. After re-reading we found 5 discordant cases, which corresponded to minimal suspect foci (kappa = 0.5098). The p63 marking was informative in 53 cases, i.e. 88%, and non-informative in 7 cases, i.e. 12%. Among the uninformative markings, 2 were due to lack of tissue adhesion to the slides. Among the informative markings, 11 were negative. p63 immunohistochemistry was useful in all suspected foci and detected 6 other minimal foci of adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: The immunostaining with the anti-p63 antibody in the prostate cancer diagnosis is of considerable benefit. It made it possible to correct 11.3% of benign diagnosis in minimal malignant focus in our context. Despite the difficulties associated with the manual technique, it is possible to have an informative rate, similar to the automatic technique.展开更多
Background: The association between prenatal exposure to antiseizure medications (ASM) and autism spectrum disorder has been documented. This study sought to examine and synthesize evidence from studies that have eval...Background: The association between prenatal exposure to antiseizure medications (ASM) and autism spectrum disorder has been documented. This study sought to examine and synthesize evidence from studies that have evaluated these associations, with particular focus on the trimester of pregnancy and dosage of exposure. Methodology: PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched following strict inclusion/exclusion criteria. 10 studies were recruited involving children born to mothers with epilepsy who took ASM during pregnancy as cases, and those with epilepsy who did not take any ASM in pregnancy. Results: The relative risk of developing ASD among children exposed to valproic acid (RR, 3.90 [95% CI: 2.36 - 6.44], p < 0.006), was twice higher than that of carbamazepine (RR, 1.65 [95% CI: 0.62 - 4.37], p < 0.0001), or lamotrigine (RR, 1.60 [95% CI: 0.77 - 3.32], p = 0.006). The trimester of exposure and dosage of ASM administered were not significant. Conclusion: In summary, prenatal exposure to ASM increased the risk of developing ASD in children. The relative risk was twice as high in those exposed to valproic acid compared to those exposed to carbamazepine or lamotrigine. Trimester of pregnancy and dosage of ASM used by the mothers were not significant.展开更多
The purpose of this article is to report that some anti-A1 that react at 37°C are IgG antibodies and are clinically significant, as they can cause the destruction of a proportion of A1 cells in vivo following the...The purpose of this article is to report that some anti-A1 that react at 37°C are IgG antibodies and are clinically significant, as they can cause the destruction of a proportion of A1 cells in vivo following the transfusion of red blood cells. Therefore, when a serum of an individual contains anti-A1, further testing of the plasma against group A1, A2, and O by referencing red blood cells and individual cells against anti-A1 lectin (Dolichos biflorus lectin) must be performed. Confirming the specificity of anti-A1 by referencing red blood cells is also important in selecting the appropriate blood for transfusion. ABO antibodies are naturally occurring and activate the complement cascade, making them more likely to cause severe transfusion reactions compared to antibodies to other RBC antigens.展开更多
Primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) is a chronic,progressive,cholestatic,organ-specific autoimmune disease of unknown etiology.It predominantly affects middle-aged women,and is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruct...Primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) is a chronic,progressive,cholestatic,organ-specific autoimmune disease of unknown etiology.It predominantly affects middle-aged women,and is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of small-and medium-size intrahepatic bile ducts,portal inflammation and progressive scarring,which without proper treatment can ultimately lead to fibrosis and hepatic failure.Serum autoantibodies are crucial tools for differential diagnosis of PBC.While it is currently accepted that antimitochondrial antibodies are the most important serological markers of PBC,during the last five decades more than sixty autoantibodies have been explored in these patients,some of which had previously been thought to be specific for other autoimmune diseases.展开更多
AIM To analyze the clinical impact of preformed antiH LA-Cw vs antiH LA-A and/or-B donor-specific antibodies(DSA) in kidney transplantation.METHODS Retrospective study, comparing 12 patients transplanted with DSA excl...AIM To analyze the clinical impact of preformed antiH LA-Cw vs antiH LA-A and/or-B donor-specific antibodies(DSA) in kidney transplantation.METHODS Retrospective study, comparing 12 patients transplanted with DSA exclusively antiH LA-Cw with 23 patients with preformed DSA antiH LA-A and/or B.RESULTS One year after transplantation there were no differencesin terms of acute rejection between the two groups(3 and 6 cases, respectively in the DSA-Cw and the DSA-A-B groups; P = 1). At one year, eG FR was not significantly different between groups(median 59 mL /min in DSA-Cw group, compared to median 51 mL /min in DSA-A-B group, P = 0.192). Moreover, kidney graft survival was similar between groups at 5-years(100% in DSA-Cw group vs 91% in DSA-A-B group, P = 0.528). The sole independent predictor of antibody mediated rejection(AMR) incidence was DSA strength(HR = 1.07 per 1000 increase in MFI, P = 0.034). AMR was associated with shortened graft survival at 5-years, with 75% and 100% grafts surviving in patients with or without AMR, respectively(Log-rank P = 0.005).CONCLUSION Our data indicate that DSA-Cw are associated with an identical risk of AMR and impact on graft function in comparison with "classical" class I DSA.展开更多
AIM:To investigate possible associations of anti-nuclear envelope antibody(ANEA)with disease severity and survival in Greek primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC)patients.METHODS:Serum samples were collected at diagnosis from...AIM:To investigate possible associations of anti-nuclear envelope antibody(ANEA)with disease severity and survival in Greek primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC)patients.METHODS:Serum samples were collected at diagnosis from 147 PBC patients(85%female),who were followed-up for a median 89.5 mo(range 1-240).ANEA were detected with indirect immunofluorescence on 1% formaldehyde fixed Hep2 cells,and anti-gp210 antibodies were detected using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Findings were correlated with clinical data,histology,and survival.RESULTS:ANEA were detected in 69/147(46.9%) patients and 31/147(21%)were also anti-gp210 positive.The ANEA positive patients were at a more advanced histological stage(Ⅰ-Ⅱ/Ⅲ-Ⅳ56.5%/43.5% vs 74.4%/25.6%,P=0.005)compared to the ANEA negative ones.They had a higher antimitochondrial antibodies(AMA)titer(≤1:160/>1:160 50.7%/49.3%vs 71.8%/28.2%,P=0.001)and a lower survival time(91.7 ±50.7 mo vs 101.8±55 mo,P=0.043).Moreover,they had more advanced fibrosis,portal inflammation,interface hepatitis,and proliferation of bile ductules(P =0.008,P=0.008,P=0.019,and P=0.027,respectively).They also died more frequently of hepatic failure and/or hepatocellular carcinoma(P=0.016).ANEA positive,anti-gp210 positive patients had a difference in stage(Ⅰ-Ⅱ/Ⅲ-Ⅳ54.8%/45.2%vs 74.4%/25.6%,P= 0.006),AMA titer(≤1:160/>1:160 51.6%/48.4%vs 71.8%/28.2%,P=0.009),survival(91.1±52.9 mo vs 101.8±55 mo,P=0.009),and Mayo risk score(5.5 ±1.9 vs 5.04±1.3,P=0.04)compared to the ANEA negative patients.ANEA positive,anti-gp210 negative patients had a difference in AMA titer(≤1:160/>1:160 50%/50%vs 71.8%/28.2%,P=0.002),stage(Ⅰ-Ⅱ/Ⅲ -Ⅳ57.9%/42.1%vs 74.4%/25.6%,P=0.033),fibrosis(P=0.009),portal inflammation(P=0.018),interface hepatitis(P=0.032),and proliferation of bile ductules(P=0.031).Anti-gp210 positive patients had a worse Mayo risk score(5.5±1.9 vs 4.9±1.7,P=0.038)than the anti-gp210 negative ones.CONCLUSION:The presence of ANEA and anti-gp210 identifies a subgroup of PBC patients with advanced disease severity and poor prognosis.展开更多
Cashew nut (Anacardium occidental) milk was included as a functional ingredient in soybean (Glycine max L.) milk at 20/80% and was fermented comparatively to commercial yogurt starters by two strains TC6 and A4 (recen...Cashew nut (Anacardium occidental) milk was included as a functional ingredient in soybean (Glycine max L.) milk at 20/80% and was fermented comparatively to commercial yogurt starters by two strains TC6 and A4 (recently isolated from two Ivorian highly flavored neglected traditional staple foods (beer and garlic)) identified as Weissella paramesenteroides and Enterococcus faecalis, after the screening of their probiotic, antioxydant and anti-inflammatory potentialities, respectively. The primary characterization of these plant-milks showed a strong improvement in their sensory, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities. While TC6 from traditional beer Tchapalo increases anti-inflammatory activity by almost eighteen times, A4 isolated from garlic increases antioxidant activity by two times. Due to their aromatic and organosensory potentialities certainly, milks L138, L180 and 130 fermented respectively by the combination of TC6 and A4, TC4 alone and A4 alone were the most appreciated than the plant-milk fermented by the two strains of commercial yogurt. These probiotics, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory plant-milks should be further characterized in terms of their biological activities and tested in animal models to confirm their nutrition-health claims.展开更多
AIM: To assess the prevalence and stability of different antiphospholipid antibodies(APLAs) and their association with disease phenotype and progression in inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD) patients.METHODS: About 458 ...AIM: To assess the prevalence and stability of different antiphospholipid antibodies(APLAs) and their association with disease phenotype and progression in inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD) patients.METHODS: About 458 consecutive patients [Crohn's disease(CD): 271 and ulcerative colitis(UC): 187] were enrolled into a follow-up cohort study in a tertiary IBD referral center in Hungary. Detailed clinical phenotypes were determined at enrollment by reviewing the patients' medical charts. Disease activity, medical treatment and data about evolvement of complications or surgical interventions were determined prospectively during the follow-up. Disease course(development f complicated disease phenotype and need for surgery),occurrence of thrombotic events, actual state of diseaseactivity according to clinical, laboratory and endoscopic scores and accurate treatment regime were recorded during the follow-up,(median, 57.4 and 61.6 mo for CD and UC). Sera of IBD patients and 103 healthy controls(HC) were tested on individual anti-β2-Glycoprotein-I(anti-β2-GPI IgA/M/G), anti-cardiolipin(ACA IgA/M/G)and anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin(anti-PS/PT IgA/M/G) antibodies and also anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies(ASCA IgA/G) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). In a subgroup of CD(n = 198) and UC patients(n = 103), obtaining consecutive samples over various arbitrary timepoints during the disease course, we evaluated the intraindividual stability of the APLA status. Additionally,we provide an overview of studies, performed so far, in which significance of APLAs in IBD were assessed.RESULTS: Patients with CD had significantly higher prevalence of both ACA(23.4%) and anti-PS/PT(20.4%) antibodies than UC(4.8%, p < 0.0001 and10.2%, p = 0.004) and HC(2.9%, p < 0.0001 and15.5%, p = NS). No difference was found for the prevalence of anti-β2-GPI between different groups(7.2%-9.7%). In CD, no association was found between APLA and ASCA status of the patients.Occurrence of anti-β2-GPI, ACA and anti-PS/PT was not different between the group of patients with active vs inactive disease state according to appropriate clinical, laboratory and endoscopic scores in CD as well as in UC patients. All subtypes of anti-β2-GPI and ACA IgM status were found to be very stable over time, in contrast ACA IgG and even more ACA IgA status showed significant intraindividual changes.Changes in antibody status were more remarkable in CD than UC(ACA IgA: 49.9% vs 23.3% and ACA IgG:21.2% vs 5.8%). Interestingly, 59.1% and 30.1% of CD patients who received anti-TNF therapy showed significant negative to positive changes in ACA IgA and IgG antibody status respectively. APLA status was not associated with the clinical phenotype at diagnosis or during follow-up, medical therapy, or thrombotic events and it was not associated with the probability of developing complicated disease phenotype or surgery in a Kaplan-Meier analysis.CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated enhanced formation of APLAs in CD patients. However,presence of different APLAs were not associated with the clinical phenotype or disease course.展开更多
Objective: This study focused on the antibacterial and anti-proliferative activity of extracts from Carica papaya and Cocos nucifera roots. Methodology: The minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericida...Objective: This study focused on the antibacterial and anti-proliferative activity of extracts from Carica papaya and Cocos nucifera roots. Methodology: The minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration of the extracts on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, and Staphylococcus aureus were deduced by the microdilution method. The anti-biofilm activity was determined on all four strains and anti-quorum sensing activity by inhibition of violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum. Anti-proliferative activity on prostate cultured cancer cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Sterols and triterpenes were also assayed in this study. Results: The methanolic extract of Carica papaya showed the best anti-biofilm effect with a percentage inhibition of 66.10 ± 1.79. The methanolic extract of Cocos nucifera had the strongest inhibition on the production of quorum sensing (61.42 ± 0.28). In addition, the methanolic extract of Cocos nucifera roots showed the best cytotoxic effect on prostate cancer LNCaP cell lines (IC<sub>50</sub> = 26.98 ± 2.6 μg/mL) and Carica papaya on the PC-3 lines (IC<sub>50</sub> = 127.20 ± 5.99 μg/mL). The extracts were also rich in triterpenes and sterols. Conclusion: This study provides support for the ethnomedical use of Carica papaya and Cocos nucifera roots as an antimicrobial and anticancer.展开更多
Opilia amentacea (Opiliaceae) is a woody plant with multiple medicinal claimed effects. The present study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the decoction and macerate extracts from th...Opilia amentacea (Opiliaceae) is a woody plant with multiple medicinal claimed effects. The present study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the decoction and macerate extracts from the leaves of Opilia amentacea. Moreover, acute toxicity and phytochemical analysis were performed. The acute toxicity was evaluated on NMRI mice at 2000 mg/kg bw. The anti-inflammatory activity was studied using the carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema and the lipoxygenase inhibition assay. The radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) assays were used to measure the antioxidant capacity of the extracts. Qualitative and quantitative methods served for identifying and quantifying the extract’s phytoconstituents. The decoction demonstrated low acute toxicity;the lethal dose was therefore estimated to be superior to 2000 mg/kg bw. The extracts significantly reduced the mouse paw’s thickness at 600 mg/kg bw. The extracts developed weak radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects. However, the macerate showed a high ability (664.90 ± 0.71 mol Ascorbic Acid Equivalent/g dry extract) to reduce the ferric ions. Saponins, sterols, triterpenes, and flavonoids were qualitatively detected in the two extracts. Total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TF) were found abundant in the extracts, especially the decoction (TP content (TPC) = 94.03 ± 2.66 mg GAE/g;TF content (TFC) = 35.05 ± 0.32 mg QE/g). Strong positive correlations existed between ferric-reducing capacity and TPC (r = 0.959) for the macerate, while TFC was mainly involved in the DPPH radical scavenging of the two extracts. Instead, most correlations were negative between the polyphenol compounds and the anti-inflammatory assays. The results indicate potent in vivo anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant effects of the aqueous extracts from the leaves of Opilia amentacea. Further studies are needed to find the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects mechanism.展开更多
Aim of Work: To investigate the value of the detection of antibodies against modified citrullinated vimentin antibodies (anti-MCV) in comparison with anti-CCP2-for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients ...Aim of Work: To investigate the value of the detection of antibodies against modified citrullinated vimentin antibodies (anti-MCV) in comparison with anti-CCP2-for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients and Methods: The study Included Forty patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They under went assessment by the disease activity score (DAS-28), visual analogue scale (VAS) and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ). Thirty healthy subjects matched for age and sex served as a control group. Blood samples were obtained from patients and controls for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF). Anti-CCP2 and anti-MCV were determined using ELISA technique. Results: Estimated serum levels of anti-CCP2 and anti-MCV were significantly higher in patients compared to controls (p 0.001). There were no significant correlations between anti-MCV levels and age, dis- ease duration, duration of morning stiffness, number of swollen and tender joints, HAQ or ESR in patients with RA, while serum levels correlates significantly with DAS28, VAS and CRP (p 0.05). Anti-CCP2 correlates significantly with DAS28, VAS and CRP and ANA (p 0.05). Serum anti-MCV and anti-CCP2 were significantly correlated with each other (r = 0.483;p The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn and it showed that anti-MCV had diagnostic specificity, sensitivity of 93.3%, 75.5%, respectively, while anti-CCP2 specificity, sensitivity of 98.1%, 85%, respectively. Conclusion: Serum anti-MCV as well as the anti-CCP-2 assay perform comparably well in the diagnosis of RA. In the high-specificity range, however, the anti-CCP2 assay appears to be superior to the anti-MCV test.展开更多
Flat, straight sheets of paper, standing vertically on edge cannot support any load placed upon their top edge, but once formed into fractal tube conic sections, they have been measured to support up to 97.52 (± ...Flat, straight sheets of paper, standing vertically on edge cannot support any load placed upon their top edge, but once formed into fractal tube conic sections, they have been measured to support up to 97.52 (± 2.27) kilograms (215 (± 5) pounds) of weight with strength-per-weight ratio up to 10,336 (± 240). So, strength has been discovered to be an emergent characteristic arising solely from addition of intelligent order. It is proposed to impose such intelligent order upon, preferably, at least 6 laser beams by focusing each of them to form cones of light, arranging the cones to form a wall of a larger fractal cone, and converging all of them to a common focal point inside a vacuum chamber to give them sufficient strength near this focal point to attract, hold, and move neutral antimatter, preferably anti-lithium. This opens the new field of structural engineering of light and re-defines the concept of strength. Means of cancelling out radiation pressure by reflection of laser beams back to the common focal point are proposed to enable laser confinement of particles having low polarizability, such as anti-hydrogen. Counter-circulation of light by reflection at grazing incidence is proposed as a means of returning escaping antimatter back to the common focal point containment area. Means are proposed to inject a stream of matter into the contained antimatter to create a matter-antimatter reactor and propulsion engine. Since anti-lithium is not available, yet, means are proposed to test these structures by confining ordinary lithium, instead, and by hitting it with anti-protons and/or positrons. Means are proposed to modulate the matter-antimatter reaction with information to create modulated gravitational waves for communication. The proposed structures would enable efficient, stable, safe confinement of antimatter, which would allow better study of antimatter, and make possible renewable, clean, safe, matter-antimatter reactor generators and propulsion engines, antimatter-assisted fusion reactors, and modulated gravitational wave generators.展开更多
文摘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.
文摘The aim of the present work is to assess the value of Detarium Senegalense by determining the content of total phenols, total flavonoids and total anthocyanins, and by evaluating the free radical scavenging activity of Detarium Senegalense extracts. For this purpose, sequential extraction using solvents of increasing polarity was essential. The various extracts obtained underwent phytochemical and biochemical analyses. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, polyphenols, anthocyanins and steroids/terpenes. Quantitative analysis of total polyphenols, total flavonoids and total anthocyanins yielded the following results: total flavonoids (0.803 ± 0029 mg EQ/100g P for acetone extract of roots and 0.871 ± 0.401 mg EQ/100g P for methanol extract of leaves);total polyphenols (23.298 ± 12.68 mg EAG/100g P for acetone extract of roots and 24.69 ± 0.49 401 mg EAG/100g P for methanol extract of leaves);total monomeric anthocyanins (44.697 ± 0.939 mg EC3G/100g P and 16.699 ± 0.193 mg EC3G/100g P respectively for acetone and methanol extracts of stem bark). DPPH free radical scavenging activity was 1.674 ± 0.023 mg/mL for the acetone extract and 0.934 ± 0.24 mg/mL for the methanol extract of roots. .
文摘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.
文摘According to the World Health Organization, diabetes affects approximately 347 million people worldwide. Its management is not within the reach of all social classes, therefore medicinal plants are still the first resort for many populations in Africa. The biological material used in this study was the trunk bark of Guibourtia tessmannii. 50 g of trunk bark powder were decocted in 500 ml of distilled water for 5 minutes were carried out. The method used for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNps) was an organometallic bio-reduction of silver nitrate salts mediated by various secondary metabolites contained in the plant extract. The study of the toxicity acute was conducted according to guideline 423 of the OECD protocol. The pharmacological activities were each carried out with 28 female rats divided into 7 groups of four rats. It was a question for the hypoglycemic activity of administering various doses of silver nanoparticles and other substances to the rats thirty minutes after the carbohydrate intake and for the anti-hyperglycemic activity of administering the same substances to the rats thirty minutes before the carbohydrate intake. The extraction yield was 8.76%. Only the alkaloid test was negative. After acute toxicity study, the LD50 was greater than 2000 mg/kg. Blood sugar tests revealed that glibenclamide 5 mg/kg, which is the reference molecule, lowered blood sugar more than the other treatments applied in the other batches. It was followed by treatment with silver nanoparticles at a dose of 400 μg/kg in both tests. It was therefore concluded that silver nanoparticles from G. tessmannii are good for the formulation of improved traditional medicines and bring up their afficacity .
文摘Introduction: Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men. The diagnosis is most often based on the prostate biopsies’ analysis and on histological criteria recognizable on standard coloring. In some cases, the use of immunohistochemistry is important. Objectives: This paper aims to specify the p63 phenotypic profile of lesions diagnosed benign, with minimal suspect foci, difficult to interpret, HGPIN (high grade intraepithelial neoplasia) and LGPIN (low-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia) and evaluate the manual technique of p63 immunohistochemistry. Patients and Method: This was a retrospective, descriptive study of prostate biopsies recorded in the PAC service of the HALD from January 1st, 2018 to December 31st, 2018. It was completed by a manual immunohistochemical study of the blocks enrolled from November 19th to December 4th, 2020 in the PAC department of the HPD. The studied parameters were: registry number, age, clinical stage, prostate volume, PSA level, microscopic appearance and p63 immunohistochemical profile. Results: Our study included 60 prostate biopsies. The ages of our patients varied from 45 to 77 years, with an average of 64.2 years and a standard deviation of 6.2. The majority of patients were at clinical stage cT2b (33%) with a prostate volume varying between 33.15 and 169.4 cc. The minimum value of PSA in our series is 5 ng/ml, the maximum being 100 ng/ml with an average level of 24.1 ng/ml and a standard deviation of 21.2. Our series included 50 adenomyomatous hyperplasias, 7 adenomyomatous hyperplasias associated with chronic prostatitis, 2 HGPIN and 1 LGPIN. After re-reading we found 5 discordant cases, which corresponded to minimal suspect foci (kappa = 0.5098). The p63 marking was informative in 53 cases, i.e. 88%, and non-informative in 7 cases, i.e. 12%. Among the uninformative markings, 2 were due to lack of tissue adhesion to the slides. Among the informative markings, 11 were negative. p63 immunohistochemistry was useful in all suspected foci and detected 6 other minimal foci of adenocarcinoma. Conclusion: The immunostaining with the anti-p63 antibody in the prostate cancer diagnosis is of considerable benefit. It made it possible to correct 11.3% of benign diagnosis in minimal malignant focus in our context. Despite the difficulties associated with the manual technique, it is possible to have an informative rate, similar to the automatic technique.
文摘Background: The association between prenatal exposure to antiseizure medications (ASM) and autism spectrum disorder has been documented. This study sought to examine and synthesize evidence from studies that have evaluated these associations, with particular focus on the trimester of pregnancy and dosage of exposure. Methodology: PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO databases were searched following strict inclusion/exclusion criteria. 10 studies were recruited involving children born to mothers with epilepsy who took ASM during pregnancy as cases, and those with epilepsy who did not take any ASM in pregnancy. Results: The relative risk of developing ASD among children exposed to valproic acid (RR, 3.90 [95% CI: 2.36 - 6.44], p < 0.006), was twice higher than that of carbamazepine (RR, 1.65 [95% CI: 0.62 - 4.37], p < 0.0001), or lamotrigine (RR, 1.60 [95% CI: 0.77 - 3.32], p = 0.006). The trimester of exposure and dosage of ASM administered were not significant. Conclusion: In summary, prenatal exposure to ASM increased the risk of developing ASD in children. The relative risk was twice as high in those exposed to valproic acid compared to those exposed to carbamazepine or lamotrigine. Trimester of pregnancy and dosage of ASM used by the mothers were not significant.
文摘The purpose of this article is to report that some anti-A1 that react at 37°C are IgG antibodies and are clinically significant, as they can cause the destruction of a proportion of A1 cells in vivo following the transfusion of red blood cells. Therefore, when a serum of an individual contains anti-A1, further testing of the plasma against group A1, A2, and O by referencing red blood cells and individual cells against anti-A1 lectin (Dolichos biflorus lectin) must be performed. Confirming the specificity of anti-A1 by referencing red blood cells is also important in selecting the appropriate blood for transfusion. ABO antibodies are naturally occurring and activate the complement cascade, making them more likely to cause severe transfusion reactions compared to antibodies to other RBC antigens.
文摘Primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC) is a chronic,progressive,cholestatic,organ-specific autoimmune disease of unknown etiology.It predominantly affects middle-aged women,and is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of small-and medium-size intrahepatic bile ducts,portal inflammation and progressive scarring,which without proper treatment can ultimately lead to fibrosis and hepatic failure.Serum autoantibodies are crucial tools for differential diagnosis of PBC.While it is currently accepted that antimitochondrial antibodies are the most important serological markers of PBC,during the last five decades more than sixty autoantibodies have been explored in these patients,some of which had previously been thought to be specific for other autoimmune diseases.
文摘AIM To analyze the clinical impact of preformed antiH LA-Cw vs antiH LA-A and/or-B donor-specific antibodies(DSA) in kidney transplantation.METHODS Retrospective study, comparing 12 patients transplanted with DSA exclusively antiH LA-Cw with 23 patients with preformed DSA antiH LA-A and/or B.RESULTS One year after transplantation there were no differencesin terms of acute rejection between the two groups(3 and 6 cases, respectively in the DSA-Cw and the DSA-A-B groups; P = 1). At one year, eG FR was not significantly different between groups(median 59 mL /min in DSA-Cw group, compared to median 51 mL /min in DSA-A-B group, P = 0.192). Moreover, kidney graft survival was similar between groups at 5-years(100% in DSA-Cw group vs 91% in DSA-A-B group, P = 0.528). The sole independent predictor of antibody mediated rejection(AMR) incidence was DSA strength(HR = 1.07 per 1000 increase in MFI, P = 0.034). AMR was associated with shortened graft survival at 5-years, with 75% and 100% grafts surviving in patients with or without AMR, respectively(Log-rank P = 0.005).CONCLUSION Our data indicate that DSA-Cw are associated with an identical risk of AMR and impact on graft function in comparison with "classical" class I DSA.
基金Supported by PENED 2003(03E_66)from the Greek Secretariat of Research and Technology to Theodoropoulos PA
文摘AIM:To investigate possible associations of anti-nuclear envelope antibody(ANEA)with disease severity and survival in Greek primary biliary cirrhosis(PBC)patients.METHODS:Serum samples were collected at diagnosis from 147 PBC patients(85%female),who were followed-up for a median 89.5 mo(range 1-240).ANEA were detected with indirect immunofluorescence on 1% formaldehyde fixed Hep2 cells,and anti-gp210 antibodies were detected using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.Findings were correlated with clinical data,histology,and survival.RESULTS:ANEA were detected in 69/147(46.9%) patients and 31/147(21%)were also anti-gp210 positive.The ANEA positive patients were at a more advanced histological stage(Ⅰ-Ⅱ/Ⅲ-Ⅳ56.5%/43.5% vs 74.4%/25.6%,P=0.005)compared to the ANEA negative ones.They had a higher antimitochondrial antibodies(AMA)titer(≤1:160/>1:160 50.7%/49.3%vs 71.8%/28.2%,P=0.001)and a lower survival time(91.7 ±50.7 mo vs 101.8±55 mo,P=0.043).Moreover,they had more advanced fibrosis,portal inflammation,interface hepatitis,and proliferation of bile ductules(P =0.008,P=0.008,P=0.019,and P=0.027,respectively).They also died more frequently of hepatic failure and/or hepatocellular carcinoma(P=0.016).ANEA positive,anti-gp210 positive patients had a difference in stage(Ⅰ-Ⅱ/Ⅲ-Ⅳ54.8%/45.2%vs 74.4%/25.6%,P= 0.006),AMA titer(≤1:160/>1:160 51.6%/48.4%vs 71.8%/28.2%,P=0.009),survival(91.1±52.9 mo vs 101.8±55 mo,P=0.009),and Mayo risk score(5.5 ±1.9 vs 5.04±1.3,P=0.04)compared to the ANEA negative patients.ANEA positive,anti-gp210 negative patients had a difference in AMA titer(≤1:160/>1:160 50%/50%vs 71.8%/28.2%,P=0.002),stage(Ⅰ-Ⅱ/Ⅲ -Ⅳ57.9%/42.1%vs 74.4%/25.6%,P=0.033),fibrosis(P=0.009),portal inflammation(P=0.018),interface hepatitis(P=0.032),and proliferation of bile ductules(P=0.031).Anti-gp210 positive patients had a worse Mayo risk score(5.5±1.9 vs 4.9±1.7,P=0.038)than the anti-gp210 negative ones.CONCLUSION:The presence of ANEA and anti-gp210 identifies a subgroup of PBC patients with advanced disease severity and poor prognosis.
文摘Cashew nut (Anacardium occidental) milk was included as a functional ingredient in soybean (Glycine max L.) milk at 20/80% and was fermented comparatively to commercial yogurt starters by two strains TC6 and A4 (recently isolated from two Ivorian highly flavored neglected traditional staple foods (beer and garlic)) identified as Weissella paramesenteroides and Enterococcus faecalis, after the screening of their probiotic, antioxydant and anti-inflammatory potentialities, respectively. The primary characterization of these plant-milks showed a strong improvement in their sensory, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory abilities. While TC6 from traditional beer Tchapalo increases anti-inflammatory activity by almost eighteen times, A4 isolated from garlic increases antioxidant activity by two times. Due to their aromatic and organosensory potentialities certainly, milks L138, L180 and 130 fermented respectively by the combination of TC6 and A4, TC4 alone and A4 alone were the most appreciated than the plant-milk fermented by the two strains of commercial yogurt. These probiotics, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory plant-milks should be further characterized in terms of their biological activities and tested in animal models to confirm their nutrition-health claims.
基金Supported by Janos Bolyai Research Scholarship of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences,Internal Research Grant of University of Debrecen and the IOIBD Research Grant
文摘AIM: To assess the prevalence and stability of different antiphospholipid antibodies(APLAs) and their association with disease phenotype and progression in inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD) patients.METHODS: About 458 consecutive patients [Crohn's disease(CD): 271 and ulcerative colitis(UC): 187] were enrolled into a follow-up cohort study in a tertiary IBD referral center in Hungary. Detailed clinical phenotypes were determined at enrollment by reviewing the patients' medical charts. Disease activity, medical treatment and data about evolvement of complications or surgical interventions were determined prospectively during the follow-up. Disease course(development f complicated disease phenotype and need for surgery),occurrence of thrombotic events, actual state of diseaseactivity according to clinical, laboratory and endoscopic scores and accurate treatment regime were recorded during the follow-up,(median, 57.4 and 61.6 mo for CD and UC). Sera of IBD patients and 103 healthy controls(HC) were tested on individual anti-β2-Glycoprotein-I(anti-β2-GPI IgA/M/G), anti-cardiolipin(ACA IgA/M/G)and anti-phosphatidylserine/prothrombin(anti-PS/PT IgA/M/G) antibodies and also anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae antibodies(ASCA IgA/G) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). In a subgroup of CD(n = 198) and UC patients(n = 103), obtaining consecutive samples over various arbitrary timepoints during the disease course, we evaluated the intraindividual stability of the APLA status. Additionally,we provide an overview of studies, performed so far, in which significance of APLAs in IBD were assessed.RESULTS: Patients with CD had significantly higher prevalence of both ACA(23.4%) and anti-PS/PT(20.4%) antibodies than UC(4.8%, p < 0.0001 and10.2%, p = 0.004) and HC(2.9%, p < 0.0001 and15.5%, p = NS). No difference was found for the prevalence of anti-β2-GPI between different groups(7.2%-9.7%). In CD, no association was found between APLA and ASCA status of the patients.Occurrence of anti-β2-GPI, ACA and anti-PS/PT was not different between the group of patients with active vs inactive disease state according to appropriate clinical, laboratory and endoscopic scores in CD as well as in UC patients. All subtypes of anti-β2-GPI and ACA IgM status were found to be very stable over time, in contrast ACA IgG and even more ACA IgA status showed significant intraindividual changes.Changes in antibody status were more remarkable in CD than UC(ACA IgA: 49.9% vs 23.3% and ACA IgG:21.2% vs 5.8%). Interestingly, 59.1% and 30.1% of CD patients who received anti-TNF therapy showed significant negative to positive changes in ACA IgA and IgG antibody status respectively. APLA status was not associated with the clinical phenotype at diagnosis or during follow-up, medical therapy, or thrombotic events and it was not associated with the probability of developing complicated disease phenotype or surgery in a Kaplan-Meier analysis.CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrated enhanced formation of APLAs in CD patients. However,presence of different APLAs were not associated with the clinical phenotype or disease course.
文摘Objective: This study focused on the antibacterial and anti-proliferative activity of extracts from Carica papaya and Cocos nucifera roots. Methodology: The minimum inhibitory concentration and the minimum bactericidal concentration of the extracts on Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus mutans, and Staphylococcus aureus were deduced by the microdilution method. The anti-biofilm activity was determined on all four strains and anti-quorum sensing activity by inhibition of violacein production in Chromobacterium violaceum. Anti-proliferative activity on prostate cultured cancer cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Sterols and triterpenes were also assayed in this study. Results: The methanolic extract of Carica papaya showed the best anti-biofilm effect with a percentage inhibition of 66.10 ± 1.79. The methanolic extract of Cocos nucifera had the strongest inhibition on the production of quorum sensing (61.42 ± 0.28). In addition, the methanolic extract of Cocos nucifera roots showed the best cytotoxic effect on prostate cancer LNCaP cell lines (IC<sub>50</sub> = 26.98 ± 2.6 μg/mL) and Carica papaya on the PC-3 lines (IC<sub>50</sub> = 127.20 ± 5.99 μg/mL). The extracts were also rich in triterpenes and sterols. Conclusion: This study provides support for the ethnomedical use of Carica papaya and Cocos nucifera roots as an antimicrobial and anticancer.
文摘Opilia amentacea (Opiliaceae) is a woody plant with multiple medicinal claimed effects. The present study aimed to assess the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of the decoction and macerate extracts from the leaves of Opilia amentacea. Moreover, acute toxicity and phytochemical analysis were performed. The acute toxicity was evaluated on NMRI mice at 2000 mg/kg bw. The anti-inflammatory activity was studied using the carrageenan-induced mouse paw edema and the lipoxygenase inhibition assay. The radical scavenging (DPPH and ABTS), ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) assays were used to measure the antioxidant capacity of the extracts. Qualitative and quantitative methods served for identifying and quantifying the extract’s phytoconstituents. The decoction demonstrated low acute toxicity;the lethal dose was therefore estimated to be superior to 2000 mg/kg bw. The extracts significantly reduced the mouse paw’s thickness at 600 mg/kg bw. The extracts developed weak radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibitory effects. However, the macerate showed a high ability (664.90 ± 0.71 mol Ascorbic Acid Equivalent/g dry extract) to reduce the ferric ions. Saponins, sterols, triterpenes, and flavonoids were qualitatively detected in the two extracts. Total phenolics (TP) and total flavonoids (TF) were found abundant in the extracts, especially the decoction (TP content (TPC) = 94.03 ± 2.66 mg GAE/g;TF content (TFC) = 35.05 ± 0.32 mg QE/g). Strong positive correlations existed between ferric-reducing capacity and TPC (r = 0.959) for the macerate, while TFC was mainly involved in the DPPH radical scavenging of the two extracts. Instead, most correlations were negative between the polyphenol compounds and the anti-inflammatory assays. The results indicate potent in vivo anti-inflammatory and in vitro antioxidant effects of the aqueous extracts from the leaves of Opilia amentacea. Further studies are needed to find the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects mechanism.
文摘Aim of Work: To investigate the value of the detection of antibodies against modified citrullinated vimentin antibodies (anti-MCV) in comparison with anti-CCP2-for the diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients and Methods: The study Included Forty patients with Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). They under went assessment by the disease activity score (DAS-28), visual analogue scale (VAS) and health assessment questionnaire (HAQ). Thirty healthy subjects matched for age and sex served as a control group. Blood samples were obtained from patients and controls for erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF). Anti-CCP2 and anti-MCV were determined using ELISA technique. Results: Estimated serum levels of anti-CCP2 and anti-MCV were significantly higher in patients compared to controls (p 0.001). There were no significant correlations between anti-MCV levels and age, dis- ease duration, duration of morning stiffness, number of swollen and tender joints, HAQ or ESR in patients with RA, while serum levels correlates significantly with DAS28, VAS and CRP (p 0.05). Anti-CCP2 correlates significantly with DAS28, VAS and CRP and ANA (p 0.05). Serum anti-MCV and anti-CCP2 were significantly correlated with each other (r = 0.483;p The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn and it showed that anti-MCV had diagnostic specificity, sensitivity of 93.3%, 75.5%, respectively, while anti-CCP2 specificity, sensitivity of 98.1%, 85%, respectively. Conclusion: Serum anti-MCV as well as the anti-CCP-2 assay perform comparably well in the diagnosis of RA. In the high-specificity range, however, the anti-CCP2 assay appears to be superior to the anti-MCV test.
文摘Flat, straight sheets of paper, standing vertically on edge cannot support any load placed upon their top edge, but once formed into fractal tube conic sections, they have been measured to support up to 97.52 (± 2.27) kilograms (215 (± 5) pounds) of weight with strength-per-weight ratio up to 10,336 (± 240). So, strength has been discovered to be an emergent characteristic arising solely from addition of intelligent order. It is proposed to impose such intelligent order upon, preferably, at least 6 laser beams by focusing each of them to form cones of light, arranging the cones to form a wall of a larger fractal cone, and converging all of them to a common focal point inside a vacuum chamber to give them sufficient strength near this focal point to attract, hold, and move neutral antimatter, preferably anti-lithium. This opens the new field of structural engineering of light and re-defines the concept of strength. Means of cancelling out radiation pressure by reflection of laser beams back to the common focal point are proposed to enable laser confinement of particles having low polarizability, such as anti-hydrogen. Counter-circulation of light by reflection at grazing incidence is proposed as a means of returning escaping antimatter back to the common focal point containment area. Means are proposed to inject a stream of matter into the contained antimatter to create a matter-antimatter reactor and propulsion engine. Since anti-lithium is not available, yet, means are proposed to test these structures by confining ordinary lithium, instead, and by hitting it with anti-protons and/or positrons. Means are proposed to modulate the matter-antimatter reaction with information to create modulated gravitational waves for communication. The proposed structures would enable efficient, stable, safe confinement of antimatter, which would allow better study of antimatter, and make possible renewable, clean, safe, matter-antimatter reactor generators and propulsion engines, antimatter-assisted fusion reactors, and modulated gravitational wave generators.
