Metformin therapy in COVID-19: inhibition of NETosis

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis -     

New pentacyclic triterpenes from the roots of Hemidesmus indicus

Phytochemical studies on the roots of Hemidesmus indicus resulted in the isolation of six new pentacyclic triterpenes including two oleanenes identified as olean-12-en-21 beta-yl acetate, and olean-12-en-3 alpha-yl acetate, three ursenes characterized as 16(17)-seco-urs-12,20(30)-dien-18 alpha H-3 beta-yl actetate, urs-20(30)-en-18 beta H-3 beta-yl acetate and 16(17)-seco-urs-12,20(30) dien-18-alpha H-3 beta-ol and a lupene formulated us lup-1,12-dien-3-on-21-ol including a known compound, beta-amyrin acetate, on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and chemical means.     

Transbronchial needle aspiration of mediastinal lymph node

In Malaysia, transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a relatively new procedure performed only in a handful of respiratory centres. We reviewed TBNA of mediastinal lymph node performed in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) to determine the yield and its complications. Data was retrieved from endoscopy databases and patients' records, CT thorax images and all cytological and histological slides were reviewed. Twenty-five patients had TBNA performed. TBNA was positive in 15 patients (60%). Overall, 80% had confirmed malignancy after bronchoscopy. Only four patients had documented bleeding after TBNA and in two of them, bleeding stopped spontaneously and another two patients required diluted adrenaline to stop the bleed. No mortality was reported from this procedure. Hence, TBNA is a safe procedure.     

Granulomatous mastitis: a clinicopathological review of 26 cases

AIMS: Twenty-six cases of granulomatous mastitis were examined to determine the common histological and clinical features and the possible association with micro-organisms. METHODS: A retrospective review of the clinical and histological features of these cases was undertaken, including granuloma, inflammatory cell infiltrate, multinucleated giant cells, necrosis and lymphocytic lobulitis, as well as special stains for micro-organisms including Mycobacterium, other bacteria and fungus. PCR for Mycobacterium tuberculosis DNA was also performed in 19 cases. RESULTS: Granulomas were present in all cases (100%) while multinucleated giant cells were seen in 17 cases (65%), background inflammatory cell infiltrate in 23 cases (88%), predominantly lymphocytes in 18 cases (69%), significant lymphocytic lobulitis in 13 of 19 cases (68%) and necrosis in three cases (11%). Special stains and cultures for micro-organisms were all negative. Clinically, four cases (15%) were associated with duct ectasia, eight (31%) with abscess, and there was no such association in 14 cases (54%). Of the 19 cases with PCR for tuberculosis, one case showed Mycobacterium DNA in the sample, raising the possibility of occult tuberculosis infection. CONCLUSIONS: Granulomatous mastitis is a heterogeneous group of diseases with a diverse clinical picture and association. Most idiopathic cases are not associated with specific micro-organisms.     

Prevention of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Hepatotoxicity by the Ethanol Extract of Capparis moonii Fruits in Rats

The effect of the ethanol extract of Capparis moonii Hook. f. Thoms. (Capparidaceae) fruits was studied in carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The hepatotoxicity was induced in rats with the administration of 1 : 1 (v/v) mixture of CCl₄ in olive oil at the dose of 1 ml/kg subcutaneously on day 7. The ethanol extract of C. moonii (200 mg/kg) and the standard drug silymarin (25 mg/kg) were given orally from day 1 to day 9. The extract of C. moonii produced significant (p < 0.001) lowering of the elevated Serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminace (SGOT) Serum glutamicpyraric transaminase (SGPT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and a rise of depleted total protein when compared with the toxic control. The results were comparable with the standard drug silymarin.     

Transbronchial needle aspiration of mediastinal lymph node

In Malaysia, transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) is a relatively new procedure performed only in a handful of respiratory centres. We reviewed TBNA of mediastinal lymph node performed in Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA) to determine the yield and its complications. Data was retrieved from endoscopy databases and patients' records, CT thorax images and all cytological and histological slides were reviewed. Twenty-five patients had TBNA performed. TBNA was positive in 15 patients (60%). Overall, 80% had confirmed malignancy after bronchoscopy. Only four patients had documented bleeding after TBNA and in two of them, bleeding stopped spontaneously and another two patients required diluted adrenaline to stop the bleed. No mortality was reported from this procedure. Hence, TBNA is a safe procedure.     

The effectiveness of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 caused by Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Inflammopharmacology - Meta-analyses were utilized to determine the overall effectiveness of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine (Pfizer vaccine) against COVID-19 caused by Delta variant from large real-world...     

The use of corticosteroids in patients with COVID-19 vaccine–related cerebral venous thrombosis

Neurological Sciences -     

New ursane-type triterpenic esters from the stem bark of Thevetia peruviana

Phytochemical studies on the stem bark of Thevetia peruviana resulted in the isolation of six new ursane-type triterpenes, named peruvianursenyl acetate A, peruvianursenyl acetate B, isolupenyl acetate, peruvianursenyl acetate C, lupedienyl acetate and peruvianursenyl glucoside along with two known triterpenoids, namely alpha-amyrin acetate and lupeol acetate. The structures of the new phytoconstituents have been established as 23--nor methyl urs-12-en-4 alpha-ethylenic-18 alpha-H-3 beta-yl acetate, urs-5.21-dien-18 alpha-H-3 beta-yl acetate, lup-20 (29)-en-3 alpha-yl acetate, urs-12 en-18 alpha-H-3 beta-yl acetate, lup-5,20 (29)-dien-3 beta-yl acetate, and urs-12-en-18 alpha-H-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside, respectively.