Mosquito and tick repellency of two Anthemis essential oils from Saudi Arabia

The essential oils (EOs) of Anthemis melampodina (Am) and Anthemis scrobicularis (As) (Asteraceae) were extracted from the aerial parts of the plants by hydrodistillation, and their chemical compositions were analyzed using GC-FID and GC-MS. Fifty-six components representing 85.5% of the oil composition of Anthemis melampdina were identified, and the major components were α-pinene (17.1%) and β-eudesmol (13.8%). Forty-one components representing 86% of the oil composition of Anthemis scrobicularis were identified, and the major component was β-eudesmol (12.8%). Laboratory bioassays were conducted to determine repellency of Am and As EOs against the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti L. and the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum L. The minimum effective doses (MEDs) of the Am and As EOs against mosquitoes were 0.187?±?0.000 and 0.312?±?0.063?mg/cm² respectively, which were significantly higher than that of DEET (0.023?±?0.000?mg/cm²) in human-based repellent bioassays. The As EO was more repellent than Am EO against nymphal ticks but was less effective than DEET in vertical paper bioassays.     

3,4‐Dihydroxybenzaldehyde lowers ROS generation and protects human red blood cells from arsenic(III) induced oxidative damage

Arsenic (As) is a potent environmental toxicant and chronic exposure to it results in various malignancies in humans. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the etiopathogenesis of As‐induced toxicity. This investigated the protective effect of plant antioxidant 3,4‐dihydroxybenzaldehyde (DHB) on sodium meta‐arsenite (SA), an As‐(III) compound, induced oxidative damage in human red blood cells (RBC). The RBC were first incubated with different concentrations of DHB and then treated with SA at 37°C. Hemolysates were prepared and assayed for various biochemical parameters. Treatment of RBC with SA alone enhanced the generation of reactive oxygen species and increased lipid and protein oxidation. Reduced glutathione levels, total sulfhydryl content and cellular antioxidant power were significantly decreased in SA alone treated RBC, compared to the untreated control cells. This was accompanied by membrane damage, alterations in activities of antioxidant enzymes and deranged glucose metabolism. Incubation of RBC with DHB, prior to treatment with SA, significantly and dose‐dependently attenuated the SA‐induced changes in all these parameters. Scanning electron microscopy of RBC confirmed these biochemical results. Treatment of RBC with SA alone converted the biconcave discoids to echinocytes but the presence of DHB inhibited this conversion and the RBC retained their normal shape. These results show that DHB protects human RBC from SA‐induced oxidative damage, most probably due to its antioxidant character.     

Comparative pharmacodynamics of garenoxacin, gemifloxacin, and moxifloxacin in community-acquired pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae: a Monte Carlo simulation analysis

OBJECTIVE: This study used Monte Carlo simulations to assess the potential for attainment of pharmacodynamic targets with the fluoroquinolones garenoxacin, gemifloxacin, and moxifloxacin against Streptococcus pneumoniae in serum and epithelial lining fluid (ELF) from hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). METHODS: Data on the free AUC over 24 hours (fAUC(0-24)), a measure of drug exposure, were derived from previously described population pharmacokinetic models for therapeutic doses of the 3 fluoroquinolones. MIC distribution data for S pneumoniae were obtained from the Canadian Respiratory Organism Susceptibility Study. These data were used to produce the ratio of fAUC(0-24) to the MIC(90) (fAUC(0-24)/MIC(90)), a pharmacodynamic predictor of bacterial eradication. Monte Carlo simulations were used to analyze the potential for garenoxacin 400 mg QD, gemifloxacin 320 mg QD, and moxifloxacin 400 mg QD to achieve target fAUC(0-24)/MIC(90) ratios of 30, 40, 100, and 120 against S pneumoniae in serum and ELF from hospitalized patients with CAP. Target ratios of 30 and 40 were used to assess the probability of bacterial eradication, while ratios of 100 and 120 were used to assess the probability of preventing development of resistance. RESULTS: Monte Carlo simulations indicated that all 3 fluoroquinolones had a high probability (>90%) of attaining target fAUC(0-24)/MIC(90) ratios of 30 and 40 against S pneumoniae in both serum and ELF. Garenoxacin 400 mg QD was associated with a >95% probability of achieving target fAUC(0-24)/MIC(90) ratios of 100 and 120 in both serum and ELF. Both gemifloxacin 320 mg QD and moxifloxacin 400 mg QD were associated with high probabilities of attaining fAUC(0-24)/MIC(90) ratios of 100 and 120 in ELF (>95%); the probability of gemifloxacin and moxifloxacin attaining these targets in serum ranged from 78.3% to 88.0%. CONCLUSION: Based on these simulations, garenoxacin 400 mg QD, gemifloxacin 320 mg QD, and moxifloxacin 400 mg QD appeared likely to achieve target serum and ELF concentrations against S pneumoniae in hospitalized patients with CAP, with a low potential to select for resistance.     

Global malalignment in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: the axial deformity is the main driver

European Spine Journal - To evaluate the global alignment of non-operated subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. A total of 254 subjects with AIS and 64 controls underwent low dose biplanar...     

Alterations of 3D acetabular and lower limb parameters in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

European Spine Journal - To evaluate the 3D deformity of the acetabula and lower limbs in subjects with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and their relationship with spino-pelvic alignment. Two...     

The importance of submalleolar deformity in determining leg length discrepancy

Background and purposeThe association of leg length discrepancy (LLD) with a number of clinical disorders has made its determination a significant part of the physical examination. We believe that submalleolar causes of LLD may be under-acknowledged. The most common clinical method used to measure LLD is by tape from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to medial malleolus which disregards the potential for LLD arising from asymmetry in the foot distal to the tibiotalar joint.MethodsThe present pilot study involves a group of 5 volunteers (experimental group) and a group of 3 patients with flexible flat feet (clinical study). The differences in tibial tubercle height from the ground between full pronation and full supination were measured using the CODA MPX 30^® system (Charnwood Dynamics Limited, Leicestershire, England). Correlations of the patterns within each group were produced.ResultsA significant relationship with leg lengths was found in the experimental group when they induced maximum pronation (R-squared = 0.62, p = 0.007) while an inverse relationship occurred with supination, although marginally significant (R-squared = 0.37, p = 0.064).ConclusionsWe have demonstrated that significant leg length discrepancy can occur in patients who do not have obvious deformity when non weight bearing. We recommend using the blocks method routinely. Appropriately measuring LLD is of vital importance to properly diagnosing and treating patients with unequal leg lengths or related symptoms.     

Progesterone in transient ischemic stroke: a dose–response study

Rationale

Previous studies demonstrate the neuroprotective effects of progesterone in numerous animal injury models, but a systematic dose–response study in a transient ischemic stroke model is lacking.

Objectives

We investigated the effects of progesterone at different doses on post-stroke brain infarction and functional deficits in middle-aged rats.

Methods

Cerebral ischemia was induced in 13-month-old male Sprague–Dawley rats by right middle cerebral artery occlusion for 2 h followed by reperfusion. Rats received intraperitoneal injections of 8, 16, or 32 mg/kg of progesterone (P8, P16, P32) or vehicle at 2 h post-occlusion followed by subcutaneous injections at 6 h and every 24 h post-injury for 7 days. Functional recovery was evaluated at intervals over 22 days using motor, sensory, and cognitive tests. Infarct size was evaluated at 22 days post-stroke.

Results

Repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant group effects on grip strength, rotarod, and sensory neglect. All progesterone-treated groups had improved (p?p?Conclusions Although all doses were somewhat effective, progesterone given at 8 mg/kg led to the most consistent improvements across a panel of behavioral/functional tests and reduced the severity of ischemic infarct injury.