550 research outputs found
Two novelties in the genus Trias Lindl. (Orchidaceae)
No full textOne new orchid, Trias bonaccordensis Sathish, is described from the Bonaccord forests of Trivandrum, Kerala State, India. Affinities with the related T. stocksii Benth. ex Hook, f., T. disciflora (Rolfe) Rolfe and T. nasuta (Reichb. f.) Stapf are discussed. One new combination, viz. T. crassifolia (Thw. ex Trimen) Sathish, is proposed for the Sri Lankan Bulbophyllum crassifolium. Operculum features of the genus are illustrated and a distribution map is supplied
Supplemental material - AO Spine Guideline for the Use of Osteobiologics (AOGO) in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Spinal Degenerative Cases
No full textSupplemental material for AO Spine Guideline for the Use of Osteobiologics (AOGO) in Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Spinal Degenerative Cases by Hans-Jörg Meisel, Amit Jain, Yabin Wu, Christopher T. Martin, Juan Pablo Cabrera, Sathish Muthu, Waeel O. Hamouda, Ricardo Rodrigues-Pinto, Jacobus J Arts, Arun-Kumar Viswanadha, Gianluca Vadalà, Pieter-Paul A. Vergroesen, Stipe Ćorluka, Patrick C. Hsieh, Andreas K. Demetriades, Kota Watanabe, John H. Shin, K Daniel Riew, Luca Papavero, Gabriel Liu, Zhuojing Luo, Sashin Ahuja, Tamás Fekete, Atiq Uz Zaman, Mohammad El-Sharkawi, Daisuke Sakai, Samuel K. Cho, Jeffrey Wang, Tim Yoon, Nancy Santesso, and Zorica Buser in Global Spine Journal.</p
Assessing the Chemical Profile and Biological Potentials of Tamarix aphylla (L.) H.Karst. and Tamarix senegalensis DC. by In Vitro, In Silico, and Network Methodologies
No full textThe present study aimed to investigate the chemical profile, antioxidant, and enzyme inhibition properties of extracts from fruits and aerial parts (leaves and twigs) of Tamarix aphylla and T. senegalensis. Hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc), and methanol extracts were prepared sequentially by maceration. Results revealed that EtOAc extracts of T. senegalensis and T. aphylla fruits contained the highest total phenolic content (113.74 and 111.21 mg GAE/g) while that of T. senegalensis (38.47 mg RE/g) recorded
the highest total flavonoids content. Among the quantified compounds; ellagic, gallic, 3-hydroxybenzoic, caffeic, syringic, p-coumaric acids, isorhamnetin, procyanidin B2, and kaempferol were the most abundant compounds in the two species. EtOAc extracts of the two organs of T. senegalensis in addition to MeOH extract of T. aphylla aerial parts displayed the highest chelating power (21.00–21.30 mg EDTAE/g, p > 0.05). The highest anti- AChE (3.11 mg GALAE/g) and anti-BChE (3.62 mg GALAE/g) activities were recorded
from the hexane and EtOAc extracts of T. senegalensis aerial parts and fruits, respectively. EtOAc extracts of the fruits of the two species exerted the highest anti-tyrosinase (anti-Tyr) activity (99.44 and 98.65 mg KAE/g, p > 0.05). Also, the EtOAc extracts of the both organs of the two species exhibited highest anti-glucosidase activity (0.88–0.90 mmol ACAE/g, p > 0.05) while the best anti-α-amylase activity was recorded from the dichloromethane extract of T. senegalensis fruits (0.74 mmol ACAE/g). In this study, network pharmacology was employed to examine the connection between compounds from Tamarix and their
potential effectiveness against Alzheimer’s disease. The compounds demonstrated potential interactions with pivotal genes including APP, GSK3B, and CDK5, indicating a therapeutic potential. Molecular docking was carried out to understand the binding mode and interaction of the compounds with the target enzymes. Key interactions observed, such as H-bonds, promoted the binding, and weaker ones, such as van der Waals attractions, reinforced it. These findings suggest that these two Tamarix species possess bioactive properties with health-promoting effects
Matrix Development for the Detection of Phosphorylated Amyloid-beta Peptides by MALDI-TOF-MS
No full textAmyloid-β (Aβ) peptides, including post-translationally modified variants thereof, are believed to play a key role in the onset and progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Suggested modified Aβ species with potential disease relevance include Aβ peptides phosphorylated at serine in position eight (pSer8-Aβ) or 26 (pSer26-Aβ). However, the published studies on those Aβ peptides essentially relied on antibody-based approaches. Thus, complementary analyses by mass spectrometry, as shown for other modified Aβ variants, will be necessary not only to unambiguously verify the existence of phosphorylated Aβ species in brain samples but also to reveal their exact identity as to phosphorylation sites and potential terminal truncations. With the aim of providing a novel tool for addressing this still-unresolved issue, we developed a customized matrix formulation, referred to as TOPAC, that allows for improved detection of synthetic phosphorylated Aβ species by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. When TOPAC was compared with standard matrices, we observed higher signal intensities but minimal methionine oxidation and phosphate loss for intact pSer8-Aβ(1–40) and pSer26-Aβ(1–40). Similarly, TOPAC also improved the mass spectrometric detection and sequencing of the proteolytic cleavage products pSer8-Aβ(1–16) and pSer26-Aβ(17–28). We expect that TOPAC will facilitate future efforts to detect and characterize endogenous phosphorylated Aβ species in biological samples and that it may also find its use in phospho-proteomic approaches apart from applications in the Aβ field
Combining chemical profiles and biological abilities of different extracts from Tanacetum nitens (Boiss. & Noë) Grierson using network pharmacology
No full textTanacetum nitens (Boiss. & Noë) Grierson is an aromatic perennial herb used in Turkish traditional medicine to treat headache, fever, and skin diseases. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition, antioxidant, enzyme inhibition, and cytotoxic properties of T. nitens aerial parts. Organic solvent extracts were prepared by sequential maceration in hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, and methanol while aqueous extracts were obtained by maceration or infusion. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and LC-DAD-MS analysis allowed the identification and quantification of different phytoconstituents including parthenolide, tanacetol B, tatridin B, quinic acid derivatives, β-sitosterol, and glycoside derivatives of quercetin and luteolin. The type and amount of these phytochemicals recovered by each solvent were variable and significant enough to impact the biological activities of the plant. Methanolic and aqueous extracts displayed the highest scavenging and ions-reducing properties while the dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts exerted the best total antioxidant activity and metal chelating power. Results of enzyme inhibition activity showed that the hexane, ethyl acetate, and dichloromethane extracts had comparable anti-acetylcholinesterase activity and the latter extract revealed the highest anti-butyrylcholinesterase activity. The best α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition activities were obtained from the hexane extract. The dichloromethane and ethyl acetate extracts exhibited the highest cytotoxic effect against the prostate carcinoma DU-145 cells. In conclusion, these findings indicated that T. nitens can be a promising source of biomolecules with potential therapeutic applications
Paramagnetic Rim Lesions in Multiple Sclerosis: Comparison of Visualization at 1.5-T and 3-T MRI
No full textBackground: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by both acute and chronic intrathecal inflammation. A subset of MS lesions show paramagnetic rims on susceptibility-weighted MRI sequences, reflecting iron accumulation in microglia. These paramagnetic rim lesions (PRLs) have been proposed as a marker of compartmentalized smoldering disease. PRLs have been demonstrated at 7 T and, more recently, at 3 T. As susceptibility effects are weaker at lower field strength, it remains unclear if PRLs are visible at 1.5 T. Objective: To compare the visualization of PRLs using susceptibility-weighted imaging at 1.5-T and 3-T MRI in patients with MS. Methods: This retrospective study included 9 patients (5 women, 4 men; mean age, 46.8 years) with MS who underwent both 1.5-T and 3-T MRI using a comparable susceptibility-weighted sequence from the same manufacturer (GE SWAN). Lesions measuring >3 mm were annotated. Two reviewers independently assessed images at each field strength in separate sessions, classifying the annotated lesions based on susceptibility-weighted images as isointense, diffusely paramagnetic, or PRL. Discrepancies were discussed at consensus sessions including a third reviewer. Agreement was assessed using kappa coefficients. Results: Of 140 annotated lesions, based on the 3-T consensus readings, 115 (82%) were isointense, 16 (11%) were diffusely paramagnetic, and 9 (6%) were PRLs; based on the 1.5-T consensus readings, 115 (82%) were isointense, 14 (10%) were diffusely paramagnetic, and 11 (8%) were PRLs. Mean lesion diameter was 11.9 mm for PRLs, versus 6.4 mm for diffusely paramagnetic lesions (p=.006) and 7.8 mm for isointense lesions (p=.003). Interrater agreement for lesion classification as PRL was substantial at 1.5 T (kappa=0.65) and 3 T (kappa=0.70). Agreement for PRL was also substantial between the consensus readings at the two field strengths (kappa=0.79). Conclusion: We show comparable identification of PRLs at 1.5-T and 3-T MRI, with substantial interrater agreement at both field strengths and substantial consensus agreement between the field strengths. Clinical Impact: PRL may be an emerging marker of chronic neuroinflammation in MS. Their visibility at 1.5 T supports the translational potential of PRL identification to more widespread clinical settings, where 1.5-T scanners are prevalent
ON THE OSCILLATION OF A THIRD ORDER NONLINEAR DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS WITH NEUTRAL TYPE
No full textIn this article, we investigate that oscillation behavior of the solutions of the third-order nonlinear differential equation with neural type of the form
where . Some new oscillation results are presented that extend those results given in the literature
Approach to a patient with connective tissue disease
No full textConnective tissue disease (CTDs), though rare in childhood, are an important cause of morbidity. Most of them involve multiple organ systems and are associated with presence of autoantibodies. Systemic lupus eryethematosus (SLE) is the most common CTD, the others being Juvenile dermatomyositis, systemic sclerosis, mixed connective disease and Sjogren syndrome. The clinical presentation of CTD in childhood can range from an acute severe illness mimicking a serious infection, to an insidious onset of disease with gradual accumulation of symptoms and signs over wks to months. The presence of multi-system involvement, evidence of inflammation and lack of any obvious cause should alert a clinician to the possibility of CTD. Diagnosis is usually clinical and features like malar rash, Raynaud's phenomenon, Gottron's rash, photosensitivity, oral ulcers suggest a possibility of CTD. Presence of autoantibodies like anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-dsDNA etc. provide supportive evidence to a diagnosis of CTD. Most CTDs are treated with immunosuppressive drugs with good success. Early recognition and prompt treatment results in excellent outcome
Phosphorylation of the amyloid β-peptide at Ser26 stabilizes oligomeric assembly and increases neurotoxicity
No full textAggregation and toxicity of the amyloid beta-peptide (A beta) are considered as critical events in the initiation and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent evidence indicated that soluble oligomeric A beta assemblies exert pronounced toxicity, rather than larger fibrillar aggregates that deposit in the forms of extracellular plaques. While some rare mutations in the A beta sequence that cause early-onset AD promote the oligomerization, molecular mechanisms that induce the formation or stabilization of oligomers of the wild-type A beta remain unclear. Here, we identified an A beta variant phosphorylated at Ser26 residue (pSer26A beta) in transgenic mouse models of AD and in human brain that shows contrasting spatio-temporal distribution as compared to non-phosphorylated A beta (npA beta) or other modified A beta species. pSer26A beta is particularly abundant in intraneuronal deposits at very early stages of AD, but much less in extracellular plaques. pSer26A beta assembles into a specific oligomeric form that does not proceed further into larger fibrillar aggregates, and accumulates in characteristic intracellular compartments of granulovacuolar degeneration together with TDP-43 and phosphorylated tau. Importantly, pSer26A beta oligomers exert increased toxicity in human neurons as compared to other known A beta species. Thus, pSer26A beta could represent a critical species in the neurodegeneration during AD pathogenesis
Morphometric Assessment of Pterygomaxillary Fissure and Pterygopalatine Fossa using Cone-Beam Computed Tomography: A Retrospective study
No full textBACKGROUND:
The Pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) is a small pyramidal space below the apex of the orbit on the lateral side of the skull. This space is an inverted pyramid-shaped space surrounded by the junction of the maxilla, palatine, and sphenoid bones. Pterygomaxillary fissure (PMF) is located in the medial aspect of infra temporal fossa and it is formed by divergence of maxilla from the pterygoid process of sphenoid bone. Detailed evaluation of variations in the Pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) and Pterygomaxillary fissure (PMF) is needed to avoid complication such as headaches, lacrimation, nasal congestion, rhinohorrea and ptosis during fracture management and implant placement.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the detailed anatomy of the Pterygomaxillary fissure (PMF) and Pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT).
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
• CBCT scan records will be retrieved from our institution’s Digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM) archive folder.
• The CBCT scans of 100 patients were selected in the study based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria.
• Anatomical variations in Pterygomaxillary fissure and Pterygopalatine fossa for the purpose of implant placement and management of Le fort - 1 osteotomy.
• All CBCT exposures were performed using PlanmecaPromax 3D classic CBCT machine with PLANMECA ROMEXIS SOFTWARE version 6. operating at 90 kVp and 14 mA, 406 × 406 matrix, 14 bits grayscale and no added filtration.
RESULTS:
Out of 100 samples the subjects were divided into 3 age groups as (19 – 34), (35-50) and (51-66) respectively. On comparing the mean PMF area in sagittal plane between right and left sides for all the 3 age groups by one-way ANOVA test shows “P” value of 0.040 in right side which was less than P < 0.05 considered to be statistically significant.
• Out of 100 samples subjects were divided according to gender as male and female. on comparing the mean PMF area in the axial plane between right and left sides for male and female by INDEPENDENT “T” test shows “P” value of 0.023 in female groups, 0.000 in right side and 0.040 in left side which was less than P< 0.05 considered to be statistically significant.
• Out of 100 samples subjects were divided according to gender as male and female. On comparing the mean PMF area in coronal plane between right and left sides for male and female by INDEPENDENT “T” test shows “P” value of 0.004 in female groups and 0.011 “P” value in right side which was less than P< 0.05 considered to be statistically significant.
• Out of 100 samples subjects were divided according to gender as male and female. on comparing the mean PMF area in sagittal plane between right and left sides for male and female by INDEPENDENT “T” test shows “P” value of 0.007 in right side and 0.011 “P” value in left side which was less than P < 0.05 considered to be statistically significant.
• Out of 100 samples subjects were divided according to gender as male and female. On comparing the mean PPF volume in sagittal plane between right and left side for male and female by INDEPENDENT “T” test gives “P” value of 0.040 for female group and 0.002 “P” value in right side respectively which was lesser than P< 0.05 considered to be statistically significant.
CONCLUSION:
In our study comparison of PMF area and PPF volume for right and left side among age group between 19-66 showed no statistical significance. This may be due to the smaller sample size in our study groups. On comparing the PMF area and PPF volume among the genders showed statistical significance. According to gender male shows greater area and volumes than female. According to location in male, the area and volume were greater on the right side and in female the area and volume were greater on left side. So further studies conducted with a larger sample size may show significant differences for PMF area and PPF volume among different age groups
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