Evaluation of antimotility effect of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lantana camara L.</Emphasis> var. acuelata constituents on neostigmine induced gastrointestinal transit in mice

Background  

Lantana camara L. (Verbenaceae), a widely growing shrub which is toxic to some animal species, has been used in the traditional medicine for treating many ailments. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the antimotility effects of Lantana camara leaf constituents in mice intestine.     

Effect of pioglitazone and rosiglitazone on mediators of endothelial dysfunction, markers of angiogenesis and inflammatory cytokines in type-2 diabetes

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of PPAR-γ agonists (pioglitazone and rosiglitazone) on mediators of endothelial dysfunction and markers of angiogenesis in patients with type-2 diabetes. Pioglitazone group showed favorable reductions in serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol and increase in HDL cholesterol as compared to rosiglitazone group, after 16 weeks of treatment and also with control group. There was significant reduction of CRP level in pioglitazone and rosiglitazone group. The level of serum TNF-α decreased significantly in pioglitazone and mildly decreased in rosiglitazone group. The level of VEGF, IL-8 and Angiogenin were increased in pioglitazone than rosiglitazone group. There were no significant changes observed in the serum angiogenin and IL-8 levels in the control group. Pioglitazone and rosiglitazone therapy in type-2 diabetes subjects have additional benefits of reducing mediators of endothelial dysfunction. Increase in angiogenesis markers in patients receiving pioglitazone could have variable effects in diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy as there may be increased vascular neogenesis. Pioglitazone has advantage over rosiglitazone in lowering lipid and proinflammatory cytokines.     

Shifting bubble-guided sutureless technique for performing descemetorhexis for retained Descemet’s membrane after penetrating keratoplasty

We describe the use of anterior segment optical coherence tomography in the diagnosis of inadvertent retention of Descemet’s membrane (DM) after penetrating keratoplasty, and a novel technique for its removal in a case of congenital hereditary endothelial dystrophy. In this technique, we use a modification of the shifting bubble technique, commonly used in deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty where a viscocohesive ophthalmic viscosurgical device is injected into the false anterior chamber which causes migration of the central air bubble placed in the anterior chamber peripherally and helps in confirming the correct space. The DM is then peeled in a circular fashion with the help of 23-G vitreoretinal micro forceps.     

Ras pathway inhibition prevents neovascularization by repressing endothelial cell sprouting

Vascular networks develop from a growing vascular front that responds to VEGF and other guidance cues. Angiogenesis is required for normal tissue function, but, under conditions of stress, inappropriate vascularization can lead to disease. Therefore, inhibition of angiogenic sprouting may prevent neovascularization in patients with blinding neovascular eye diseases, including macular degeneration. VEGF antagonists have therapeutic benefits but also can elicit off-target effects. Here, we found that the Ras pathway, which functions downstream of a wide range of cytokines including VEGF, is active in the growing vascular front of developing and pathological vascular networks. The endogenous Ras inhibitor p120RasGAP was expressed predominately in quiescent VEGF-insensitive endothelial cells and was ectopically downregulated in multiple neovascular models. MicroRNA-132 negatively regulated p120RasGAP expression. Experimental delivery of α-miR-132 to developing mouse eyes disrupted tip cell Ras activity and prevented angiogenic sprouting. This strategy prevented ocular neovascularization in multiple rodent models even more potently than the VEGF antagonist, VEGF-trap. Targeting microRNA-132 as a therapeutic strategy may prove useful for treating multiple neovascular diseases of the eye and for preventing vision loss regardless of the neovascular stimulus.     

Co-localization of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2-, octomer-4- and CD34-positive cells in rabbit atherosclerotic plaques

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a novel enzyme with possible implications in the treatment of blood pressure disorders. Recent evidence suggests that an upregulation of ACE2 can be stimulated by all-trans retinoic acid (at-RA); however, at-RA also affects regulation of the stem-cell marker octomer-4 (Oct-4) and thus cellular differentiation. We have previously shown that smooth muscle cells and macrophages present within rabbit atherosclerotic plaques are positive for ACE2, Oct-4 and the haematopoietic stem-cell marker CD34. Thus, to provide evidence that possible at-RA treatment could affect both plaque cellular biology (via effects on cellular differentiation) and blood pressure (via ACE2), it is vital to show that cells with atherosclerotic plaques co-express all three markers. Thus, we sought to provide evidence that a subset of cells within atherosclerotic plaques is positive for ACE2, Oct-4 and CD34. We used New Zealand White rabbits that were fed a control diet supplemented with 0.5% cholesterol plus 1% methionine for 4 weeks and then allowed to consume a normal diet for 10 weeks. Immunohistochemistry was performed by standard techniques. We report that ACE2, Oct-4 and CD34 were all present within atherosclerotic plaques. Although macrophages were positive for all three markers, spindle-shaped cells in the media did not show all three markers. The endothelium overlying normal arterial wall showed positive Oct-4 and ACE2 immunoreactivity, but CD34 immunoreactivity was patchy, indicating that such cells might not have fully differentiated. It is concluded that cells in atherosclerotic plaques express co-express ACE2, Oct-4 and CD34. Further studies aimed at establishing the effects of all-trans retinoic acid on blood pressure and atherosclerotic cell differentiation are warranted.     

Physical therapy management of entrapment of the superficial peroneal nerve in the lower leg: A case report

This case report describes a 40-year-old male who presented with complaints of pain in the left lower lateral one-third of the leg. Tenderness was elicited 9.7?cm above the lateral malleoli with a positive Tinel's sign at the same site causing radiating pain into the foot (visual analog scale (VAS) score of 6.3?cm). Physical diagnosis for entrapment of the superficial peroneal nerve at the site of the peroneal tunnel was entertained based on clinical examination and three positive provocation tests. Conventionally, treatment for this type of entrapment has been surgical decompression by splitting the crural fascia, with successful outcomes. This is potentially a first-time report describing physical therapy management of entrapment mechanical interface with pain modalities, soft tissue mobilization, and neural mobilization. Reduction of pain was noted in this patient (VAS score of 0?cm by the sixth session) with complete pain resolution maintained at a six-month follow-up.     

Modulation of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense systems in rat intestine by subchronic fluoride and ethanol administration

Excessive consumption of fluoride and ethanol has been identified as injurious to human health. Fluoride and ethanol co-exposures are commonly seen among the alcoholics residing in endemic fluoride areas worldwide. This study was undertaken to examine the modulation of lipid peroxidation and antioxidant defense systems in rat intestine by subchronic fluoride and ethanol administration. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: group I (control), group II (fluoride was given orally at a dose of 25 mg/kg body weight), group III (30% ethanol was given orally at a dose of 1 mL/kg body weight), and group IV (a combination of fluoride and ethanol was administered orally at the dose described for groups II and III). Lipid peroxidation was elevated (P < .05) in intestine of rats by fluoride or ethanol treatments for 20 or 40 days. However, glutathione content was reduced by fluoride (32 and 44%) and ethanol (21 and 40%) treatments after 20 and 40 days, respectively. Fluoride-exposed animals showed reduction (P < .05) in the activities of superoxide dismutase (22 and 42%), catalase (30 and 37%), glutathione peroxidase (22 and 35%), glutathione reductase (32 and 34%), and glutathione-S-transferase (24 and 30%) after 20 and 40 days. A similar decrease (P < .05) in the activities of these enzymes was also noticed in animals exposed to ethanol for 20 or 40 days. The observed changes in lipid peroxidation, reduced glutathione levels, and enzyme systems were further augmented in intestine of rats exposed to fluoride and ethanol together. Intestinal histology showed large reactive lymphoid follicles along with mild excess of lymphocytes in lamina propria of villi, villous edema, focal ileitis, and necrosis of villi in animals exposed to fluoride and ethanol for 40 days. These findings suggest that fluoride and ethanol exposure induces considerable changes in lipid peroxidation, antioxidant defense, and morphology of rat intestine, which may affect its functions.     

Can Liking,Commenting, and Sharing Enhance Persuasion? The Interaction Effect between Modality Interactivity and Agency Affordances on Smokers’ Quitting Intentions

ABSTRACT

This article examines whether the persuasive potential of modality interactivity on anti-smoking websites can be harnessed by adding agency affordances, such as the like, comment, and share features. Using a 2 × 2 factorial experiment with a current smoker sample (N = 154), we investigated the interaction effects between modality interactivity (low vs. high) and agency affordances (absence vs. presence) on persuasion outcomes. The results showed that the effects of modality interactivity on telepresence, systematic processing, and change in quitting intentions varied depending on the existence of agency affordances on the website. Agency affordances on the anti-smoking website led to a greater sense of agency and systematic processing on the website content. Only in the presence of agency affordances did modality interactivity enhance the feeling of telepresence, which led to greater quitting intentions than in the control condition. Without agency affordances, modality interactivity diminished systematic processing, leading to lower quitting intentions.