Descriptive study on the efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine in the treatment of uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Sudan

Purpose  

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of artemether-lumefantrine in treating uncomplicated Plasmodium falciparum malaria in four sentinel areas in Sudan with different malaria transmission (Damazin, Sinnar, and Kosti in the north, and Juba in the south).     

Effect of fluorinated silicone oil on the rabbit retinal antioxidant status

The high-grade fluorinated silicone oil made in Russia was tested for its effect on the rabbit retinal antioxidant status. Experiments were made on 36 rabbits (72 eyes) undergoing replacement of the excised vitreous body with sterile 0.9 NaCl solution or with one of the study implants (fluorinated silicon oil, silicon oil, or perfluorodecahydronaphthalene) after subtotal vitrectomy. The impact of the study implants on the rabbit retinal antioxidant status was postoperattively investigated. The experimental findings suggest that the high-grade fluorinated silicon oil made in Russia may be used as an implant for short-term vitreous chamber tamponade.     

Traditional medicines and their in-vitro proof against Staphylococcus aureus in Pakistan

Objective:To gather the fragmented literature on ethnobotany,phytochemistry and in-vitro activities of medicinal plants of Pakistan being used against common infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus).Methods: A large number of published and unpublished research studies related to the ethnomedicinal,phytochemical and anti-S.aureus activity of medicinal flora of Pakistan published from 1990-2018 were reviewed using online bibliographic databases such as PubMed,Web of Science,Science Direct,ResearchGate and libraries.Results: S.aureus can cause many human ailments including endocarditis,staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome,septic arthritis,respiratory problems with an estimated infection rate of 25%-35% across the globe.This review comprised of 86 medicinal plants.Data showed that people mostly used leaves(50%) for the preparation of traditional medicines.Correlation analysis on the reviewed data revealed that methanolic extract concentrations of medicinal plants was highly significantly positive correlated(r=0.8;P0.01) with the S.aureus zone of inhibitions.S.aureus reportedly showed complete resistant to the commonly used antibiotic erythromycin.Isolated compounds like altheahexacosanyl lactone,cinnamaldehyde,niloticane,gobicusin A,asparacosin A,muzanzagenin,isoagatharesinol,friedelin,inophynone and eugenol were active against S.aureus.This study provided in-vitro proof for the flora of Pakistan used against different infections caused by S.aureus.Conclusions: Antibacterial agents from natural sources could be more effective against bacterial pathogens and will be helpful in minimizing the adverse effects of synthetic drugs,and hence provides a base for the pharmaceutical industries.     

Induction by transforming growth factor-β1 of epithelial to mesenchymal transition is a rare event <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis>

Introduction  

Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 is proposed to inhibit the growth of epithelial cells in early tumorigenesis, and to promote tumor cell motility and invasion in the later stages of carcinogenesis through the induction of an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is a multistep process that is characterized by changes in cell morphology and dissociation of cell–cell contacts. Although there is growing interest in TGF-β1-mediated EMT, the phenotype is limited to only a few murine cell lines and mouse models.     

ADAMTS1, MPDZ,MVD, and SEZ6: candidate genes for autosomal recessive nonsyndromic hearing impairment

Hearing impairment (HI) is a common disorder of sensorineural function with a highly heterogeneous genetic background. Although substantial progress has been made in the understanding of the genetic etiology of hereditary HI, many genes implicated in HI remain undiscovered. Via exome and Sanger sequencing of DNA samples obtained from consanguineous Pakistani families that segregate profound prelingual sensorineural HI, we identified rare homozygous missense variants in four genes (ADAMTS1, MPDZ, MVD, and SEZ6) that are likely the underlying cause of HI. Linkage analysis provided statistical evidence that these variants are associated with autosomal recessive nonsyndromic HI. In silico analysis of the mutant proteins encoded by these genes predicted structural, conformational or interaction changes. RNAseq data analysis revealed expression of these genes in the sensory epithelium of the mouse inner ear during embryonic, postnatal, and adult stages. Immunohistochemistry of the mouse cochlear tissue, further confirmed the expression of ADAMTS1, SEZ6, and MPDZ in the neurosensory hair cells of the organ of Corti, while MVD expression was more prominent in the spiral ganglion cells. Overall, supported by in silico mutant protein analysis, animal models, linkage analysis, and spatiotemporal expression profiling in the mouse inner ear, we propose four new candidate genes for HI and expand our understanding of the etiology of HI.Subject terms: Genetics, Genetics research     

Three New Iridoid Glucosides from Hedyotis diffusa.

Three new iridoid glucosides, 6-O-p-coumaroyl, 6-O-p-methoxycinnamoyl and 6-O-feruloyl ester of scandoside methyl ester, have been isolated along with a known glucoside, asperuloside from the aerial parts of HEDYOTIS DIFFUSA W ILLD.