Antioxidant and antigenotoxic activities in Acacia salicina extracts and its protective role against DNA strand scission induced by hydroxyl radical

The antioxidant potency of Acacia salicina extracts was investigated. Total antioxidant capacity was determined using an ABTS⁺ assay. Superoxide radical scavenging was measured using riboflavin-light-nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) assay. In addition, the content of phenols, total flavonoids and sterols were measured in the tested extracts. The petroleum ether exhibited a potent scavenging activity toward ABTS radical cations. Whereas, chloroform extract showed the highest activity against superoxides radicals and was also able to protect pKS plasmid DNA against hydroxyl radicals induced DNA damages. The antimutagenicity of these extracts was assayed using the Ames assay against Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and S. typhimurium TA 1535 tester strains at different concentrations. These extracts decreased significantly the mutagenecity induced by sodium azide (SA) and 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NOP). The antioxidant and antimutagenecity activities exhibited by A. salicina depended on the chemical composition of the tested extracts.     

Synthesis of new pyrroles of potential anti-inflammatory activity

We herein disclose a series of novel pyrrole derivatives 1-4 and pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives 6-11 as novel potent anti-inflammatory compounds. The structures were confirmed by IR, (1) H-NMR, and MS. Some newly synthesized compounds were examined for their in-vivo anti-inflammatory activity. Several derivatives showed a promising anti-inflammatory activity compared to ibuprofen. In this paper, we examine and discuss the structure-activity relationships and anti-inflammatory activities of these compounds.     

Prevalence, distribution and correlates of tobacco smoking and chewing in Nepal: a secondary data analysis of Nepal Demographic and Health Survey-2006

Background

In order to improve treatments for cannabis use disorder, a better understanding of factors associated with successful quitting is required.

Method

This study examined differences between successful (n = 87) and unsuccessful (n = 78) cannabis quitters. Participants completed a questionnaire addressing demographic, mental health, and cannabis-related variables, as well as quitting strategies during their most recent quit attempt.

Results

Eighteen strategies derived from cognitive behavioral therapy were entered into a principal components analysis. The analysis yielded four components, representing (1) Stimulus Removal, (2) Motivation Enhancement, (3) (lack of) Distraction, and (4) (lack of) Coping. Between groups comparisons showed that unsuccessful quitters scored significantly higher on Motivation Enhancement and (lack of) Coping. This may indicate that unsuccessful quitters focus on the desire to quit, but do not sufficiently plan strategies for coping. Unsuccessful quitters also had significantly more symptoms of depression and stress; less education; lower exposure to formal treatment; higher day-to-day exposure to other cannabis users; and higher cannabis dependence scores.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that coping, environmental modification, and co-morbid mental health problems may be important factors to emphasize in treatments for cannabis use disorder.     

Successful treatment of traumatic scars with combined nonablative fractional laser and pinpoint technique of standard CO2 laser

To evaluate the use of a pinpoint irradiation technique followed by nonablative fractional technique in treatment of traumatic scars. Thirteen patients with traumatic sacrs were treated with pinpoint technique of CO₂ laser using traditional headpiece activating laser at a frequency (50 Hz) to deliver pulsed mode with power of 1 W using the focusing technique followed by 3–5 passes of the nonablative 1540 nm fractional Er:glass laser. An independent physician evaluator assessed the treatment outcomes using Vancouver scar scale (VSS) and 5‐point grading scale (grade 0, no improvement; grade 1, 1–25%; grade 2, 26–50%; grade 3, 51–75%; grade 4, 76–100% improvement). After the final treatment, average percentage changes of VSS were 41.5%. Improvement was evident in terms of vascularity, pigmentation, and height, while insignificant in terms of Pliability. Based on physician's global assessment, mean grade of 2.5 was achieved. Patient's subjective satisfaction scores paralleled the physician's objective evaluation. Pinpoint irradiation technique by CO₂ laser followed by nonablative fractional laser is a safe and effective modality in treatment of scars.