The Effect of Subacute Marijuana Smoke Inhalation on Experimentally Induced Dermonecrosis by S. Aureus Infection

Dermonecrosis was induced in ICR mice by subcutaneous implantation of Staphylococcus aureus absorbed onto sterile cotton pellets. This model was used to assess the effects of marijuana smoke, marijuana placebo smoke and $DL⁹-tetrahydrocan-nabinol ($DL⁹-THC) on the local immune response to bacterial infection. Mice were exposed to 40 or 80 “puffs” of marijuana smoke, marijuana placebo smoke or air daily for 4 consecutive days. The estimated dose of $DL⁹THC per day generated from 40 or 80 puffs of marijuana smoke was 3.2 and 6.4 mg/kg, respectively. A group of sentinel (Shelf) control mice were included in each experiment. The necrotic index (NI) of mice exposed to 40 or 80 puffs of marijuana smoke were 67% and 44% of control, respectively. Air exposed mice showed a necrotic index comparable to the shelf control group. In chronically (60 days) exposed mice (80 puffs per day) the necrotic index was about 12% of control, while air-exposed mice were about 40% of control.

Placebo marijuana smoke exposed mice had a NI comparable to that of marijuana smoke exposed mice which suggested that the reduction in NI was unrelated to the pychomimetic component $DL⁹THC. To further explore which of the constituents of marijuana were responsible for the decreased NI, the ethanol extract from marijuana leaves was partioned between water (cannabinoid free) and chloroform (cannabinoid rich). Injection of the cannabinoid free fraction produced comparable decrease in the NI as observed with whole marijuana smoke, while the cannabinoid rich fraction produced no effect. $DL⁹THC at a dose of 10 mg/kg per day did not alter the NI.     

New serological assay for detection of putative Helicobacter pylori virulence factors

We evaluated a new immunoblot assay (Helicoblot 2.1) for Helicobacter pylori infection and CagA and VacA status by using serum samples from 222 patients. The test accurately detected H. pylori infection and VacA status, but improvements in the interpretation criteria are required before it can be recommended for determination of CagA status.     

Treatment of Vitamin B12 Deficiency after Gastric Surgery for Severe Obesity

Background: Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency after gastric surgery for obesity is due to a failure of separation of vitamin B₁₂ from protein foodstuffs and to a failure of absorption of crystalline vitamin B₁₂ in the presence of intrinsic factor. The purpose of this study was to determine which of four oral doses of crystalline vitamin B₁₂ was most effective in treating vitamin B₁₂ deficiency in 102 patients. Methods and Results: At time of entry into the study, the patients had a serum vitamin B₁₂ < 100 pmol L ⁻¹, were 29.9 ± 21.7 months post-op, were 37 ± 8 years old and had a body mass index of 30 ± 6 kg m⁻². Eight (8%) had had a vertical banded gastroplasty and 94 (92%) a gastric bypass. For the first 3 months all patients received 350 μg per day of crystalline vitamin B₁₂ and all increased their serum vitamin B₁₂ levels to over 100 pmol L⁻¹. The patients were then assigned to receive for a further 3 month period one of four oral doses of crystalline vitamin B₁₂-100 μg, 250 μg, 350 μg and 600 μg. Serum vitamin B₁₂ levels were greater than 150 pmol L⁻¹ after 6 months in 83.3% of patients who received 100 μg; 92.3% of patients who received 250 μg; 94.7% after 350 μg and 95.2% after 600 μg (p%0.525). Conclusion: At least 350 μg per day is the appropriate oral dose of crystalline vitamin B₁₂ after gastric surgery for obesity to correct low serum vitamin B₁₂ levels in 95% of patients.     

Photoprotective effects of some quinoxaline 1,4-dioxides in hairless mice

2-benzoyl-3-phenylquinoxaline 1,4-dioxide (BPQ) and other substituted quinoxaline 1,4-dioxides (QdO) were tested for their ability to inhibit the stimulations of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) enzyme activity and DNA synthesis, two biochemical markers linked to skin tumour promotion by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Topical application of BPQ on the dorsal skin of hairless mice was found to inhibit in a dose-dependent manner UVB-induced ODC activity and DNA synthesis. When applied 20 min before UVB radiation, a dose of 17 mg BPQ applied in 0.4 ml of vehicle inhibited UVB-induced ODC activity and DNA synthesis by 95% and 85%, respectively. This inhibitory effect is dependent on the time of administration of BPQ relative to UVB radiation, with a generally greater inhibition observed when this compound is applied before rather than after UVB treatment. The inhibitory abilities of the other QdO on the ODC and DNA responses induced by UVB radiation greatly varied and appear to be dependent on the structure of the compounds and their metabolic activation in the skin following irradiation. The remarkable effectiveness of BPQ against the ODC and DNA markers of UVB promotion is also observed following multiple applications of this agent. These results suggest that QdO, in particular BPQ and certain derivatives of it, may be useful in protecting the skin against UVB-induced skin damage.     

Evolution of the retinal function by flash-ERG in one child suffering from neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis CLN2 treated with cerliponase alpha: case report

Documenta Ophthalmologica - Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (CLN) are neurodegenerative disorders among the most frequent, inherited as an autosomal recessive trait. Affected patients can present...     

Modulating effect of ginger extract on rats with ulcerative colitis

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Ginger rhizomes are used traditionally for management of different gastrointestinal disturbances. Several studies proved that the rhizome possesses diverse biological activities such as cytotoxic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. Recently, interest in ginger for treatment of chronic inflammatory conditions has been renewed. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the potential role of ginger extract [GE] in modulating the extent and severity of ulcerative colitis (UC), a chronically recurrent inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats received 3 different doses of GE, sulfasalazine, or vehicle for 3 consecutive days before induction of UC by intra-rectal acetic acid administration, and continued further for 7 days after the induction. The colonic mucosal injury was assessed by macroscopic scoring, and histological examination. Furthermore, the mucosal content of malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PCO), and reduced glutathione (GSH) with the catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, were appraised as parameters of the redox state. Acute inflammatory response was determined by measuring myeloperoxidase (MPO), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-alpha), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). RESULTS: All parameters were altered in ulcerated rats, and improved in animals receiving GE, an effect that was comparable to that of the standard sulfasalazine, especially at the highest dose level. Colonic mucosal injury parallels with the histological and biochemical evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: Results showed a valuable effect of ginger extract against acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis possibly by its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.     

Twin pregnancies in Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan over four decades: natural twinning is on the increase

Objective

To assess trends in twinning over four decades using a population-based registry.

Design

Ecological study to conduct trend analysis of twin pregnancies in a geographically defined area over 40 years.

Setting

All pregnancies in the Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan area of South Wales from 1965 to 2004, as recorded in the Cardiff Birth Survey (CBS) database.

Methods

Trends of the incidence of all twin pregnancies (≥18 weeks of gestation) were calculated in 5-year increments, beginning with 1965–1969 and ending in 2000–2004. Natural twinning rates could only be calculated for the terminal five time periods (i.e., 1980–1984, 1985–1989, 1990–1994, 1995–1999, and 2000–2004), when information regarding non-spontaneous (iatrogenic) twinning was first collected in the database. All results were adjusted for maternal age.

Results

The total twinning rate was 13.1 per 1000 pregnancies in the 1st time period (1965–1969). Subsequently, there was a gradual reduction in twinning, reaching a nadir of 10.3 per 1000 for the time period 1980–1985 (Z = 3.15, P value < 0.001). This was followed by a gradual increase in twinning, reaching a maximum of 15.7 per 1000 for both 1995–1999 and 2000–2004 (Z = −5.18, P value < 0.0001). After exclusion of the cases of iatrogenic pregnancies, the natural twinning rate showed a continuous and gradual increase from 10 per 1000 spontaneous pregnancies in 1980–1984 to 13.3 per 1000 in 2000–2004 (Z = −5.08, P value < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The data showed a gradual, continuous increase in natural twinning rates over the last two decades. Such an increase cannot be attributed to the rise in maternal age alone.     

Valorization of Rice Husk and Straw Agriculture Wastes of Eastern Saudi Arabia: Production of Bio-Based Silica,Lignocellulose, and Activated Carbon

Bio-based silica, lignocellulose, and activated carbon were simply produced via the recycling of Hassawi rice biomass waste of Al-Ahsa governorate in the eastern Saudi Arabia region using a fast chemical treatment procedure. Rice husk and rice straw wastes were collected, ground, and chemically treated with sodium hydroxide to extract silica/silicate from the dried plant tissues. The liquid extract is then treated with acid solutions in order to precipitate silica/silicate at neutral medium. Lowering the pH of the supernatant to 2 resulted in the precipitation of lignocellulose. Thermal treatment of the biomass residue under N₂ gas stream resulted in activated carbon production. Separated products were dried/treated and characterized using several physical examination techniques, such as FT-IR, SEM/EDX, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy in order to study their structure and morphology. Silica and lignocelluloses products were then preliminarily used in the treatment of wastewaters and water-desalination processes.     

Successful Topical Application of Botulinum Toxin After Microneedling Versus Microneedling Alone for the Treatment of Atrophic Post Acne Scars: A Prospective,Split-face,Controlled Study

BackgroundAcne scars are a source of cosmetic concern for most of the patients.ObjectiveWe sought to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of topical botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) application immediately after microneedling (Mn) versus Mn with saline in the treatment of atrophic acne scars.MethodsForty patients with atrophic acne scars (rolling, boxcar, and mixed types) were enrolled in a split-face study; microneedling was performed on both sides of the face followed by an application of topically diluted botulinum toxin on one side (Side A) and saline on the other (Side B) for two sessions both two weeks apart. Evaluation was done at baseline, two and four weeks after the session. Follow-up was performed after six months. The assessments included blinded clinical assessment and patient’s satisfaction.ResultsAfter the treatment, acne scars in (Side A) showed 70 percent overall improvement versus zero percent in Side B (P<0.0001). A statistically highly significant reduction of acne scars severity occurred in (Side A) (P=0.0008). Patient’s satisfaction was higher in (Side A) (P<0.0001). No serious side effects were reported.ConclusionMicroneedling delivery of BTX-A could be simple, safe, and innovative modality improving the appearance and decrease the depth of atrophic acne scars.