Molluscicidal activity of Solanum elaeagnifolium seeds against Galba truncatula intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica: Identification of β-solamarine

Context: The persistence of fascioliasis in many developing countries urges the search for simple, cheap, and effective substances. In this view, plants provide interesting molluscicidal activities thanks to the secondary metabolites they produce. The genus Solanum is known for its potent effect on vector snails.

Objective: The molluscicidal activity of Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. (Solanaceae) seeds against Galba truncatula Müll. (Lymnaeidae), intermediate host of Fasciola hepatica L. (Fasciolidae), was evaluated.

Materials and methods: Solanum elaeagnifolium seeds were powdered and successively extracted using n-hexane, methylene chloride, acetone, and methanol, for 20?h each. After filtration, solvents were evaporated. An acid–base treatment was conducted on seed methanolic extract to isolate total alkaloids and β-solamarine. Total saponins fraction was obtained after successive macerations and evaporations. The molluscicidal activity was evaluated by subjecting snails, in groups of 10, for 48?h to 500?mL of extracts, fractions, and pure product aqueous solutions, each containing amounts, ranging from 1 to 50?mg of plant material in 5?mg increments.

Results: The methanolic extract of seeds, β-solamarine isolated for the first time from this plant and total saponins fraction showed very potent activities on snails, giving respective median lethal concentrations (LC₅₀) of 1.18, 0.49, and 0.94?mg/L. Total alkaloids fraction obtained from the methanolic extract was less active giving an LC₅₀ value of 14.67?mg/L.

Discussion and conclusion: This study emphasizes that glycoalkaloids and saponins of Solanum elaeagnifolium are potent molluscicidal agents. Seed methanolic extract, β-solamarine, and total saponins fraction may be used as molluscicides.     

Proinflammatory Macrophages Enhance the Regenerative Capacity of Human Myoblasts by Modifying Their Kinetics of Proliferation and Differentiation

Macrophages have been shown to be essential for muscle repair by delivering trophic cues to growing skeletal muscle precursors and young fibers. Here, we investigated whether human macrophages, either proinflammatory or anti-inflammatory, coinjected with human myoblasts into regenerating muscle of Rag2^−/− γC^−/− immunodeficient mice, could modify in vivo the kinetics of proliferation and differentiation of the transplanted human myogenic precursors. Our results clearly show that proinflammatory macrophages improve in vivo the participation of injected myoblasts to host muscle regeneration, extending the window of proliferation, increasing migration, and delaying differentiation. Interestingly, immunostaining of transplanted proinflammatory macrophages at different time points strongly suggests that these cells are able to switch to an anti-inflammatory phenotype in vivo, which then may stimulate differentiation during muscle regeneration. Conceptually, our data provide for the first time in vivo evidence strongly suggesting that proinflammatory macrophages play a supportive role in the regulation of myoblast behavior after transplantation into preinjured muscle, and could thus potentially optimize transplantation of myogenic progenitors in the context of cell therapy.     

Proteomic biomarkers for the diagnosis and risk stratification of polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review

Background  The exact causes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are uncertain, and treatment could be improved. Discovery-based approaches like 'proteomics' may result in faster insights into the causes of PCOS and improved treatment.
Objectives  To identify the number and nature of proteomic biomarkers found in PCOS so far and to identify their diagnostic and therapeutic potential.
Search strategy  All published studies on proteomic biomarkers in women with PCOS identified through the MEDLINE (1966–2008), EMBASE (1980–2008) and the ISI web of knowledge (v4.2) databases.
Selection criteria  The terms 'polycystic ovary syndrome' and 'proteomic', 'proteomics', 'proteomic biomarker' or 'proteomics biomarker' without any limits/restrictions were used.
Data collection and analysis  Original data were abstracted where available and summarised on a separate Microsoft Excel (2007) database for analysis.
Main results  Seventeen articles were identified, of which 6 original papers and 1 review article contained original data. Tissues investigated included serum, omental biopsies, ovarian biopsies, follicular fluid and T lymphocytes. Sample sizes ranged from 3 to 30 women. One hundred and forty-eight biomarkers were identified. The biomarkers were involved in many pathways, for example the regulation of fibrinolysis and thrombosis, insulin resistance, immunity/inflammation and the antioxidant pathway. Eleven groups of biomarkers appeared to be independently validated. The individual sensitivities for the diagnosis of PCOS were reported for 11 named biomarkers and ranged from 57 to 100%.
Author's conclusions  Proteomic biomarker discovery in PCOS offers great potential. Current challenges include reproducibility and data analysis. The establishment of a PCOS-specific biomarker data bank and international consensus on the framework of systematic reviews in this field are required.     

Association between the -2518G/A polymorphism in the monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) gene and hypertension in Tunisian patients

ObjectivesMonocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1:CCL2) has been demonstrated to be involved in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and hypertension. This study was aimed to investigate whether the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at ?2518 of the MCP-1 gene promoter region is associated to hypertension in a sample of Tunisian population.Design and methodsA total of 290 Tunisian patients with hypertension and 390 normotensive controls were included in the study. The SNP of the MCP-1 gene was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.ResultsA significant difference in genotype distribution and allele frequency was observed between patients and controls. Patients with hypertension had a frequency of 7.2% for the GG genotype, 35.2% for the AG genotype and 57.6% for the AA genotype. Normotensive subjects had a frequency of 3.6% for the GG genotype, 29.7% for the AG genotype and 66.7% for the AA genotype (χ² = 8.02, p = 0.01). The hypertension patient group showed a significant higher frequency of the G allele compared to the controls [0.24 vs. 0.18; OR (95%CI), 1.46 (1.11–1.91), p = 0.004]. The association between the ?2518 G/A polymorphism of MCP-1 gene and hypertension remained significant after adjustment for other well-established cardiovascular risk factors.ConclusionThe present study showed a significant and independent association between the ?2518G/A polymorphism of the MCP-1 gene (presence of G allele) and hypertension in the Tunisian population.     

The paraoxonase L55M and Q192R gene polymorphisms and myocardial infarction in a Tunisian population

ObjectivesIn the present study, we examined a possible association between the PON1 Q192R and L55M polymorphisms and myocardial infarction (MI) in a sample of the Tunisian population.Design and methodsThree hundred and ten patients with MI and 375 controls were recruited. Paraoxonase gene polymorphisms at codon 192 and 55 were analyzed by PCR-RFLP.ResultsGenotype distributions and allele frequencies of L55M were similar among the control and MI groups. For the Q192R polymorphism patients with MI had significantly higher frequency of the RR genotype compared to controls [17.1% vs. 10.9%; OR (95% CI), 1.93 (1.24–3.02); p = 0.004]. The MI patient group showed a significantly higher frequency of the R allele compared to the controls [38% vs. 30%; χ² = 10.74, p = 0.001]. The association between the PON1 Q192R polymorphism and MI remained significant after adjustment for other well-established cardiovascular risk factors.ConclusionsThe present study showed a significant and independent association between the PON1 Q192R polymorphism (presence of R allele) and MI in the Tunisian population.     

药物负荷超声与经胸超声测定冠状动脉储备在冠心病诊断中的价值

目的比较和评价药物负荷超声心动图与经胸多普勒超声测定冠状动脉血流储备(CFR)对冠心病的诊断价值。方法47例疑为冠心病患者于冠状动脉造影(CAG)前进行双嘧达莫药物负荷超声心动图检查,并用经胸多普勒技术测定左前降支(LAD)的CFR。结果根据CAG结果分为LAD显著狭窄组(A组,n=13)和非显著狭窄组(B组,n=34)。显著狭窄组的LAD供血区域室壁运动积分显著增高(P<0.001)而CFR显著降低(P=0.001)。两项技术结合,诊断LAD显著狭窄的敏感性、特异性和准确性分别达到92%、82%和85%。结论双嘧达莫负荷超声心动图结合CFR测定可提高诊断LAD显著狭窄的敏感性。