Evaluating the inhibitory potential of Withania somnifera on platelet aggregation and inflammation enzymes: An in vitro and in silico study

Context Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is traditionally used for treating various ailments, but lacks scientific evaluation.

Objective This study evaluates Withania somnifera (WS) for its effect on platelet activity and inflammatory enzymes.

Materials and methods Aqueous and ethanolic (1:1) leaf extracts were subjected to in vitro indirect haemolytic activity using Naja naja venom, human platelet aggregation was quantified for lipid peroxidation using arachidonic acid (AA) as agonist and 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) levels were determined using standard spectrometric assays. Further, molecular docking was performed by the ligand fit method using molegro software package (Molegro ApS, Aarhus, Denmark).

Results The study found that aqueous and ethanol extracts have very negligible effect (15%) with an IC₅₀ value of 13.8?mg/mL on PLA₂ from Naja naja venom. Further, extracts of WS also had very little effect (18%) with an IC₅₀ value of 16.6?mg/mL on malondialdehyde (MDA) formation. However, a 65% inhibition of 5-LOX with an IC₅₀ value of 0.92?mg/mL was observed in 1:1 ethanol extracts. The same was evident from SAR model with the active ingredient withaferin A binding predominantly on Phe 77, Tyr 98, Arg 99, Asp 164, Leu 168, Ser 382, Arg 395, Tyr 396 and Tyr 614 with an atomic contact energy value of??128.96 compared to standard phenidone (?103.61). Thus, the current study validates the application of WS for inflammatory diseases.

Conclusion This study reveals the inhibitory potential of W. somnifera on inflammatory enzymes and platelet aggregation. Thus, WS can serve as a newer, safer and affordable medicine for inflammatory diseases.     

经食管实时三维超声心动图评价房性心律失常对二尖瓣结构和功能的影响

目的:应用经食管实时三维超声心动图(RT-3D-TEE)技术,探讨房性心律失常对二尖瓣结构和功能的影响.方法:选取2018年6月~2019年6月本院收治的房性心律失常拟行射频消融的患者49例纳入观察组,另外选取21例正常窦性心律者作为对照组,所有患者均行经胸超声心电图(TTE)和经食管实时三维超声心动图(RT-3D-TEE)检查,将两组患者的瓣环投影面积(A2D)、瓣环周长(C3D)、瓣环高度(H)、瓣环前后径(DAP)、瓣环前外侧至后内侧直径(DAIPm)、左室射血分数(LVEF)、左心房前后径(Lad)等参数进行比较,并分别计算对合面积和对合指数,之后采取二项Logistic回归分析或逐步线性回归对各参数及临床因素与对合指数的相关性进行分析.结果:两组患者在LVEF和对合面积方面的比较无明显差异(P>0.05),在A2D、C3D、H、DA、PDAIPm、Lad方面的比较,房性心律失常组患者明显高于正常窦性心律组患者(P<0.05),且观察组患者的对合指数明显降低(P<0.05).将49例观察组患者以不同心律失常类型分为持续性房颤、阵发性房颤、房扑、混合型房性心律失常4个亚组,采用单因素方差分析,发现在LVEF、C3D、Lad、对合指数方面的比较,各亚组间无明显差异(P>0.05).采用二项Logistic回归分析发现,女性是导致对合指数低的危险因素,另外对合指数较低、房性心律失常是导致二尖瓣返流的重要因素.结论:房性心律失常对患者二尖瓣的A2D、C3D、H、DA、PDAIPm、Lad等都会造成较大影响,从而降低对合指数,影响二尖瓣的正常功能,导致二尖瓣返流的发生.     

Influence of Fine Grains on the Bending Fatigue Behavior of Two Implant Titanium Alloys

By means of the ultrasonic surface impact (amplitude of 30 μm, strike number of 48,000 times/mm²), nanograins have been achieved in the surfaces of both Ti6Al4V(TC4) and Ti3Zr2Sn3Mo25Nb(TLM) titanium alloys, mainly because of the dislocation motion. Many mechanical properties are improved, such as hardness, residual stress, and roughness. The rotating–bending fatigue limits of TC4 and TLM subjected to ultrasonic impact are improved by 13.1% and 23.7%, separately. Because of the bending fatigue behavior, which is sensitive to the surface condition, cracks usually initiate from the surface defects under high stress amplitude. By means of an ultrasonic impact tip with the size of 8 mm, most of the inner cracks present at the zone with a depth range of 100~250 μm in the high life region. The inner crack core to TC4 usually appears as a deformed long and narrow α-phase, while the cracks in TLM specimens prefer to initiate at the triple grain boundary junctions. This zone crosses the grain refined layer and the deformed coarse grain layer. With the gradient change of elastic parameters, the model shows an increase of normal stress at this zone. Combined with the loss of plasticity and toughness, it is easy to understand these fatigue behaviors.     

行为-结构化-关系干预模式对短期住院孤独症谱系障碍儿童的疗效分析

目的 探讨以行为-结构化-关系(BSR)干预模式对短期住院孤独症谱系障碍(ASD)儿童的干预疗效,为改善ASD儿童的预后提供参考依据。方法 选取2015年12月－2016年12月确诊为ASD的2~6岁儿童141例,随机分为治疗组和对照组。治疗组ASD儿童均接受BSR模式的短期课程训练,训练课程包括个别辅导、游戏课、运动课、音乐课等,每天训练时间6 h,持续1个月;对照组ASD儿童处于干预等待,接受随访观察和评估。所有ASD儿童干预前、后均接受儿童心理教育评估(第三版)(PEP-3)来进行各方面能力变化的评估。结果 治疗组、对照组干预前各副测验的原积分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。两组ASD儿童干预后认知、语言理解、模仿、情感表达、社会互动、行为特征-非语言、适应行为的原积分比较,差异均有统计学意义(t=2.41、2.02、4.14、3.69、4.42、2.69、2.96,P<0.05);但小肌肉、大肌肉、自理的原积分比较,差异无统计学意义(t=-1.13、-1.05、-0.84,P>0.05)。结论 BSR干预模式能够有效改善短期住院ASD儿童的预后,可推广用于儿童ASD的治疗。     

Chalcone hybrids and their antimalarial activity

Malaria, one of the most striking, re-emerging infectious diseases caused by the genus Plasmodium, places a huge burden on global healthcare systems. A major challenge in the control and eradication of malaria is the continuous emergence of increasingly widespread drug-resistant malaria, creating an urgent need to develop novel antimalarial agents. Chalcone derivatives are ubiquitous in nature and have become indispensable units in medicinal chemistry applications due to their diverse biological profiles. Many chalcone derivatives demonstrate potential in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity, so chalcone could be a useful template for the development of novel antimalarial agents. This review covers the recent development of chalcone hybrids as antimalarial agents. The critical aspects of the design and structure–activity relationship of these compounds are also discussed.     

Health Implications and Counseling Considerations for Individuals With Piercings and Tattoos

Body art has become common and mainstream. Tattoos and body piercings represent highly individual expressions of identity and personal values. Health care services are enhanced when clinicians understand the anatomy and physiology, common discomforts, and real but rare serious risks of body modification and are prepared to provide compassionate support for individuals’ choices. Special consideration must be given to the needs of childbearing women. By opening channels of communication, clinicians can engage with clients in shared decision making to help those who possess or desire body art take steps to reduce the risk of adverse effects and obtain prompt and effective medical care when problems arise. Through respectful discussion of existing body art, the therapeutic relationship is strengthened, and greater insight into an individual’s health needs may be achieved.     

浅色脂溢性角化症特殊皮肤镜表现一例

患者，女，57岁。躯干部白色丘疹3年。本例皮肤镜表现独特之处在偏振光浸润模式下与典型脂溢性角化病不同，由于色素减退，皮沟与皮嵴表现为浅褐色背景下放射状分布亮白色线状条纹，呈珊瑚样结构。