bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variability of Total Flavonoid, Polyphenol and Tannin Contents in Some Lythrum salicaria Populations
Authors: Bencsik Tímea , Horváth Györgyi , Papp Nóra
Published: March 2019

Lythrum salicaria L. can vary in some morphological and phytochemical features according to its habitat. The present study investigates and compares the total flavonoid, polyphenol and tannin composition of twelve populations of L. salicaria collected from different ecological habitats in south-west Hungary. We studied the plant heights and soil moistures of the habitats analyzing the potential correlation between the morphological and environmental factors and chemical compositions. Total flavonoid, polyphenol and tannin contents were determined according to the valid spectroscopic methods of the European Pharmacopoeia. Total flavonoid content was higher in the populations collected during the main blooming period in August than at the beginning of flowering in July. Higher values for total polyphenol and tannin were detected in flowering branch tips in August than in July, and higher ones in leaves and shoots in July than in August. The highest flavonoid content was measured in the leaves, followed by the flowering branches and shoots as opposed to the total polyphenol and tannin contents, which were higher in the flowering branch tips than in the other organs.
Traditional Uses of Medicinal Plants for Respiratory Diseases in Transylvania
Authors: Papp Nóra , Bartha Sámuel , Boris Gyöngyvér , Balogh Lajos
Published: March 2019

Inhabitants of some Transylvanian farms in Romania have a valuable archaic knowledge of medicinal plants because of their isolation and the insufficiency of official medical treatment. In this work we present ethnobotanical data about the use of medicinal plant taxa for various respiratory diseases in the villages Lövéte and Nagybacon. Altogether 34 plant taxa were documented in Lövéte and 26 species in Nagybacon with 15 concordant data of the villages. This information plays an important role in the documentation of the disappearing indigenous medical information of the villages.
Selenium Concentrations of Selected Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Turkey
Authors: Ozkutlu Faruk , Sekeroglu Nazım , Koca Ufuk , Yazıcı Gizem
Published: March 2019

Recent scientific studies have proven the importance of trace elements on human health. The main food supplies are plants and animals, which are significant sources of these minerals. Studies on determining mineral compositions of herbs, spices and some other crops have increased all over the world. Published works revealed that spices, herbs and medicinal plants should be consumed to obtain beneficial trace elements. Selenium (Se), one of the most vital trace elements, has a significant role in human diet acting as a preventative agent against some serious illnesses. Despite numerous scientific works on mineral compositions of medicinal and aromatic plants, investigations of selenium content in these foods could not be successfully studied until recently due to the lack of suitable analytical methods for selenium analysis. Thus, publications on selenium concentrations of foods are recent. In this regard, selenium contents of some medicinal and aromatic plants commonly used as spices, herbal teas and traditional medicines in Turkey were studied in the present research. Selenium contents of the most used parts of these plants were analyzed by ICP-OES (Varian Vista-Pro, Australia). Of the analyzed 26 medicinal and aromatic plants, the highest Se concentration (1133 μg kg-1) was found in sweet basil ( Ocimum basilicum L.) and the lowest in sumac ( Rhus coriaria L.) fruits (11 μg kg-1).
Characterization and Comparison of Volatile Constituents of Juice and Peel from Clementine, Mandarin and their Hybrids
Authors: Barboni Toussaint , Paolini Julien , Tomi Pierre , Luro Fançois , Muselli Alain , Costa Jean
Published: March 2019

The volatile compositions of juice and peel of clementine ( Citrus reticulata x Citrus sinensis var. Commune), mandarin ( Citrus reticulata Blanco var. Willow Leaf) and their hybrids were analyzed by headspace solid-phase extraction (HS-SPME) coupled with gas chromatography and either a flame ionization detector (FID) or a mass spectrometer (MS). The major compounds of the volatile fractions of clementine and mandarin were limonene and limonene/γ-terpinene, respectively. The volatile compositions of juice and peel of the same fruit showed qualitative and quantitative differences. The data analysis established the existence of three main groups based on volatile compounds that correlated with sample genotypes (clementine and mandarin) and fruit samples (peel and juice).
Characterization of Essential Oil and Effects on Growth of Verbena gratissima Plants Treated with Homeopathic Phosphorus
Authors: Santos Fúlvia M. , Monfort Lucila E. F. , Castro Daniel M. , Pinto José E. B. P. , Leonardi Michele , Pistelli Luisa
Published: March 2019

Plant models offer a method to examine the efficacy of homeopathic solutions. Homeopathic Phosphorus (P) dynamizations were evaluated on the linear growth and dry biomass of Verbena gratissima, a plant native to Brazil. The yields and chemical characterization of the essential oil are also given. Plants exhibited phenotypic plasticity after the homeopathic Phosphorus treatments. The dynamization 9CH, in particular, interfered with plant growth, height, diameter of stems and total dry mass. 9CH treatment showed the highest yield of essential oil. The essential oil composition of V. gratissima varied according to the different dynamization used. Homeopathic Phosphorus provided the greatest amount of β-pinene, trans-pinocarveol, trans-pinocamphone and trans-pinocarvyl acetate in comparison with controls.
Chemical Composition and Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil of Cupressus atlantica
Authors: Arjouni My Youssef , Bahri Fouad , Romane Abderrahmane , Fels My Ahmed El Alaoui El
Published: March 2019

Cupressus atlantica Gaussen, an endemic species from Morocco, is used in traditional medicine. The chemical composition of the essential oil isolated by hydrodistillation from the leaves was investigated by capillary gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, and also evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial activity. Sixty-one components, representing 98.1% of the total, were detected of which fifty-seven were identified. Germacrene D (34.8%), α-pinene (13.6%), δ-cadinene (6.1%), α-phellandrene (5.5%), γ-cadinene (5.0%), β -caryophyllene (4.8%) and α-humulene (4.4%) were the predominant compounds. The oil was characterized by a relatively high amount of oxygenated monoterpenes (66.5%). The oil, screened for antimicrobial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative, showed pronounced activity against all the microbes tested, except Pseudomonas, which showed resistance.
Anti-inflammatory Activity of Pistacia lentiscus Essential Oil: Involvement of IL-6 and TNF-α
Authors: Maxia Andrea , Sanna Cinzia , Frau Maria Assunta , Piras Alessandra , Karchuli Manvendra Singh , Kasture Veena
Published: March 2019

The topical anti-inflammatory activity of essential oil of Pistacia lentiscus L. was studied using carrageenan induced rat paw edema and cotton pellet induced granuloma. The effect on serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rats inserted with cotton pellet was also investigated. On topical application, the oil exhibited a significant decrease in paw edema. The oil also inhibited cotton pellet-induced granuloma, and reduced serum TNF-α and IL-6. It can be concluded that the essential oil of Pistacia lentiscus reduces leukocyte migration to the damaged tissue and exhibits anti-inflammatory activity.
Essential Oil of Myrtus communis Inhibits Inflammation in Rats by Reducing Serum IL-6 and TNF-α
Authors: Maxia Andrea , Frau Maria Assunta , Falconieri Danilo , Karchuli Manvendra Singh , Kasture Sanjay
Published: March 2019

The topical anti-inflammatory activity of the essential oil of Myrtus communis L. was studied using croton oil induced ear edema and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in mice, and cotton pellet induced granuloma, and serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rats. On topical application, the oil exhibited a significant decrease in the ear edema as well as MPO activity. The oil also inhibited cotton pellet-induced granuloma and serum TNF-α and IL-6. It can be concluded that the essential oil of Myrtus communis reduces leukocyte migration to the damaged tissue and exhibits anti-inflammatory activity.
Effect of Salt, Drought and Metal Stress on Essential Oil Yield and Quality in Plants
Authors: Biswas Shreyasee , Koul Monika , Bhatnagar Ashok Kumar
Published: March 2019

Essential oil extracted from plants is of high commercial value in medicine, cosmetics and perfumery. Enhancing yield and maintaining the quality of oil is of significant commercial importance. Production of oil in plants is dependent on various biotic and abiotic factors to which the plants are subjected during their growth. Plants are exposed to various degrees of stress on account of natural and human-induced factors. Salinization, drought and presence of heavy metals in the substratum cause substantial effect on the yield and quality of bioactive constituents in the oil. In many plants, the level and kind of stress have detrimental effects on the growth and development. This review provides an account of the studies on some common abiotic stresses to which essential oil plants are exposed during their growth period and their influence on quality and quantity of oil. The yield and quality vary in different plants and so is the response. Enhancing essential oil productivity is an important challenge, and understanding the role played by stress may offer significant advantages to the essential oil farmers and processing industry. Scientific evaluation of the data on many important but unexplored essential oil plants will also help in mitigating, ameliorating and minimizing the harmful effects caused by stress.
Isolation of Friedelin from Black Condensate of Cork
Authors: Pires Ricardo A. , Aroso Ivo , Silva Susana P. , Mano João F. , Reis Rui L.
Published: March 2019

Black condensates (BC) are wastes of the insulation corkboard industry that contain several valuable chemicals, including friedelin, a terpene exhibiting biological activity. Herein, we report a straightforward procedure to extract friedelin from BC. Using this procedure, we were able to extract friedelin with yields between 0.4% and 2.9% and to further purify it obtaining purities from 77.0% to 99.3% (HPLC). The initial BC (2 batches), extracted raw product and purified friedelin were analyzed using FTIR. The extraction yields and purities were found to be directly related to the intensity of the carbonyl vibration at 1713 cm−1 in the FTIR spectrum of the used BC batch. Therefore, these spectra can be used to screen and select BC batches suitable for friedelin extraction.
Amplexicine, an Antioxidant Flavan-3-ol from Polygonum amplexicaule
Authors: Tantry Mudasir A. , Rahman Aziz A.
Published: March 2019

Bioassay guided fractionation of an ethanolic extract of Polygonum amplexicaule D. Don led to the isolation of amplexicine, a new flavan-3-ol (1), along with khellactone (2). The structure of the isolates was established by UV, IR, HRESI/MS and NMR, including 1D and 2D experiments. Compound 1 exhibited considerable antioxidant activity in a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging assay.
A New Flavonoid Glycoside from Vaccaria hispanica
Authors: Zhang Haijiang , Wang Kuiwu , Wu Jie , Chen Yao , He Peipei
Published: March 2019

A profiling analysis for the methanol extract of the seeds of Vaccaria hispanica (Mill.) Rauschert was performed using a HPLC-ESIMS technique. Five compounds were identified according to their retention times, UV spectroscopic and MS features, and by comparison with literature data. Among them, a new flavonoid glycoside, named vaccarin H, was isolated and the structure determined by spectral and chemical analysis as isovitexin 2″- O-α-L-arabinopyranosyl-4′- O-(6″″- O-dihydroferuloyl)-β-D-glucopyranoside.
Phenolic Constituents of Knautia arvensis Aerial Parts
Authors: Moldoch Jaroslaw , Szajwaj Barbara , Masullo Milena , Pecio Lukasz , Oleszek Wieslaw , Piacente Sonia , Stochmal Anna
Published: March 2019

A new C-6 flavone glycoside (6), together with seven known compounds, cryptochlorogenic acid (1), chlorogenic acid (2), 2- O- trans-caffeoylhydrocitric acid (3), isovitexin 7-β-D-glucopyranoside (4), 7,4′-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavone-6- C-β-D-glucopyranoside (5), 3,5- O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (7) and 4,5- O-dicaffeoylquinic acid (8), were isolated from the aerial parts of Knautia arvensis. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods including 1D- (1H, 13C and TOCSY) and 2D-NMR (DQF-COSY, HSQC, HMBC) experiments, as well as ESIMS analysis. Compounds 1, 3-5 and 8 are reported for the first time in Knautia arvensis.
AFLP Marking and Polymorphism among Progenies of Gymnema sylvestre: an Important Medicinal Plant of India
Authors: Osman Magda Abbaker , Dhawan Sunita Singh , Bahl Janak Raj , Darokar Mahendra P , Khanuja Suman P S
Published: March 2019

The level of polymorphism among twelve selected progenies of Gymnema sylvestre was investigated through AFLP markers by multiplexing PCR reactions using 64 (8×8) primer combinations. Fourteen primer combinations were selected as the most suitable combination for G. sylvestre. Analysis of the 12 progenies with these 14 primer pairs produced 1689 fragments of which 972 (57.5%) were polymorphic and 485 (28.7%) were unique to a particular genotype. The number of fragments produced by individual primer pairs was in the range of 55 to 225. Out of these, polymorphic fragments were in the range of 34 (E-ACC/M-CAC) to 157 (E-AGG/M-CAG) and unique bands observed were 8 (E-ACC / M-CAC) to 69 (E-AGG/M-CAC). Different primer combinations detected different levels of polymorphism, ranging from 33% (E-AGG/ M-CAC) to 69.8% (E-AGG/ M-CAC). From the observations, it appears that the primer combinations E-AGG/M-CAC, E-AGG/CTG, E-AGG/CAG and E-ACA / CAT were the most informative for the detection of polymorphism among the progenies compared with others, since they produced a high number of unique fragments. The similarity coefficient ranged from 0.212 to 0.731. High similarity was observed between progeny S8 and S9 (73%) and high divergence between progenies S3 and S11. Among the selected progeny, S9 was found to be the most similar to the parent (63%), while genotype S11 was the most distant (36.9%).
Volatile Constituents of Two Hypericum Species from Tunisia
Authors: Hosni Karim , Msaâda Kamel , taârit Mouna Ben , Chahed Thouraya , Marzouk Brahim
Published: March 2019

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation from the aerial parts of the Tunisian Hypericum perforatum and H. ericoides ssp. roberti was elucidated by a combination of GC and GC-MS analyses. The main constituents of the oil of H. perforatum were α-pinene (11.8%), α-ylangene (10.4%), germacrene-D (9.5%), n-octane (6.5%) and α-selinene (5.9%). The oil of H. ericoides ssp. roberti exhibited a higher amount of aliphatic and branched hydrocarbons and the main constituents were n-octane (29.1%), α-pinene (10.9%), pulegone (7.7%) and acetophenone (7%). Both qualitative and quantitative differences were observed between the studied oils. This chemical variability seems likely to result from the genetic variability, since samples of both species were collected at the same location and processed under the same conditions.
Chemical Composition and Possible in vitro Antigermination Activity of Three Hypericum Essential Oils
Authors: Marandino Aurelio , Martino Laura De , Mancini Emilia , Milella Luigi , Feo Vincenzo De
Published: March 2019

The essential oils of Hypericum perforatum, H. perfoliatum and H. hircinum, growing in Southern Italy, were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. In the three oils, 111 compounds in all were identified: 53 for the oil of H. hircinum (93.7% of the total oil), 55 for H. perforatum (96.5% of the total oil) and 63 for H. perfoliatum (98.7% of the total oil). The major fraction of the essential oils of H. perforatum and H. hircinum was represented by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, while the monoterpene α-pinene, and the phenol thymol were the most abundant compounds in the essential oil of H. perfoliatum.

The oils were evaluated for their potential in vitro phytotoxic activity against germination and early radicle elongation of Raphanus sativus and Lepidium sativum. The germination of this latter was significantly inhibited by the essential oil of H. hircinum, at the highest doses tested, whereas radicle elongation of garden cress was significantly inhibited by the essential oils of H. perfoliatum and H. hircinum. The radicle elongation of radish was inhibited by the essential oil of H. hircinum to a major extent and by H. perforatum and perfoliatum in a minor measure.
Sibiralactone: A New Monoterpene from Sibiraea angustata
Authors: Xie Guangbo , Wang Xianlong , Kurtán Tibor , Mándi Attila , Wang Tianzhi
Published: March 2019

Sibiralactone (1), a new monoterpene derivative, was isolated from the leaves of Sibiraea angustata. The structure was determined by the analysis of its NMR data and the absolute configuration was established by TDDFT ECD calculation of the solution conformers.
Microbial Hydroxylation of S-(-)-Perillyl Alcohol by Fusarium heterosporium
Authors: Kiran Ismail
Published: March 2019

S-(-)-Perillyl alcohol ( p-mentha-1, 8-diene-7-ol) (1) (500 mg) was converted by Fusarium heterosporium ATCC 15625 over 10 days at 25°C to a new metabolite, 1,2-dihydroxyperillyl alcohol ( p-mentha-8-en-1,2,7-triol) (3) in a yield of 13% (70 mg). The structure of 3 was established by IR and NMR spectroscopic, specific rotation, and mass spectral studies.
Steroidal Saponins from the Fruits of Cestrum ruizteranianum
Authors: Elier Galarraga M. , Mitaine-Offer Anne-Claire , Amaro-Luis Juan Manuel , Miyamoto Tomofumi , Tanaka Chiaki , Pouységu Laurent , Quideau Stéphane , Rojas Luis B. , Lacaille-Dubois Marie-Aleth
Published: March 2019

Seven spirostane and furostane-type glycosides were isolated from the aqueous methanolic extract of the fruits of Cestrum ruizteranianum and characterized mainly by 2D NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. These known saponins belong to the Δ5-spirostene and Δ5-furostene series and are reported in this species for the first time.
Two New Cyclopeptides and One New Nonenolide from Xylaria sp. 101
Authors: Li Yao-Yao , Hu Zhi-Yu , Shen Yue-Mao
Published: March 2019

Two novel cyclopeptides, xylarotides A (1), and B (2), and one novel nonenolide, xylarolide (3), along with two known compounds, coriloxin (4), and 2-hydroxy-3-methoxy-5-methyl- p-benzoquinone (5) were isolated from the fungal strain Xylaria sp. 101. This strain was isolated from the fruiting body of Xylaria sp. collected in Gaoligong Mountain, Yunnan Province. The chemical structures were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, including 1D- and 2D-NMR spectroscopic experiments, and on the basis of HR-Q-TOF mass spectrometry. Antibacterial assays of 1 - 3 were carried out; no effects on the growth of the tested bacteria and yeast were observed.
Bioactive Compounds, RP-HPLC Analysis of Phenolics, and Antioxidant Activity of Some Portuguese Shrub Species Extracts
Authors: Luís Ângelo , Domingues Fernanda , Duarte Ana Paula
Published: March 2019

In the ecosystem of Serra Da Estrela, some plant species have the potential to be used as raw material for extraction of bioactive products. The goal of this work was to determine the phenolic, flavonoid, tannin and alkaloid contents of the methanolic extracts of some shrubs ( Echinospartum ibericum, Pterospartum tridentatum, Juniperus communis, Ruscus aculeatus, Rubus ulmifolius, Hakea sericea, Cytisus multiflorus, Crataegus monogyna, Erica arborea and Ipomoea acuminata), and then to correlate the phenolic compounds and flavonoids with the antioxidant activity of each extract. The Folin-Ciocalteu's method was used for the determination of total phenols, and tannins were then precipitated with polyvinylpolypyrrolidone (PVPP); a colorimetric method with aluminum chloride was used for the determination of flavonoids, and a Dragendorff's reagent method was used for total alkaloid estimation. The 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene bleaching tests were used to assess the antioxidant activity of extracts. The identification of phenolic compounds present in extracts was performed using RP-HPLC. A positive linear correlation between antioxidant activity index and total phenolic content of methanolic extracts was observed. The RP-HPLC procedure showed that the most common compounds were ferulic and ellagic acids and quercetin. Most of the studied shrubs have significant antioxidant properties that are probably due to the existence of phenolic compounds in the extracts. It is noteworthy to emphasize that for Echinospartum ibericum, Hakea sericea and Ipomoea acuminata, to the best of our knowledge, no phytochemical studies have been undertaken nor their use in traditional medicine been described.
HPLC/PDA/ESI-MS Evaluation of Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) Adulteration
Authors: Sabatino Leonardo , Scordino Monica , Gargano Maria , Belligno Adalgisa , Traulo Pasqualino , Gagliano Giacomo
Published: March 2019

The present study evaluated the reliability of the ISO/TS 3632-2 UV-Vis spectrometric method for saffron classification, making experiments on saffron samples to which were added increasing concentrations of common saffron spice adulterants (safflower, marigold and turmeric). The results showed that the ISO/TS 3632-2 method is not able to detect addition of up to 10-20%, w/w, of saffron adulterants. For additions from 20 to 50%, w/w, of the three adulterants, saffron was classified in a wrong category; addition of higher than 50%, w/w, determined variations in the investigated parameters that did not allow identification of the product as “saffron”. In all cases, the method did not permit the recognition of the nature of the adulterant. On the contrary, the specificity of the HPLC/PDA/MS technique allowed the unequivocal identification of adulterant characteristic marker molecules that could be recognized by the values of absorbance and mass. The selection of characteristic ions of each marker molecule has revealed concentrations of up to 5%, w/w, for safflower and marigold and up to 2% for turmeric. In addition, the high dyeing power of turmeric allowed the determination of 2%, w/w, addition using exclusively the HPLC/PDA technique.
Isolation and Characterization of a new Benzofuran from the Fungus Alternaria sp. (HS-3) Associated with a Sea Cucumber
Authors: Xia Xuekui , Qi Jun , Wei Fang , Jia Airong , Yuan Wenpeng , Meng Xiumei , Zhang Miansong , Liu Changheng , Wang Changyun
Published: March 2019

A new compound, 4-acetyl-5-hydroxy-3, 6, 7-trimethylbenzofuran-2(3H)-one (1), together with two known compounds, 2-carboxy-3-(2-hydroxypropanyl) phenol (2) and 5-methyl- 6-hydroxy-8-methyoxy-3-methylisochroman (3) were isolated from the fungus Alternaria sp. (HS-3) associated with a sea cucumber from the Yellow Sea in China. Their structures were elucidated by spectral methods.
Potent Toxic Macrocyclic Trichothecenes from the Marine-Derived Fungus Myrothecium verrucaria Hmp-F73
Authors: Zhao Li , Liu Li , Wang Nan , Wang Shu-Jin , Hu Jing-Chun , Gao Jin-Ming
Published: March 2019

Activity-guided fractionation of a methanol extract from the culture broth of Myrothecium verrucaria Hmp-F73, a fungus associated with the sponge Hymeniacidon perleve, afforded six macrocyclic trichothecenes, verrucarin J (1), 8-hydroxyverrucarin J (2), verrucarin A (3), 8-acetoxyroridin H (4), isororidin E (5), and roridin E (6), along with trichoverrin B (7). All seven metabolites displayed potent toxicity to the brine shrimp ( Artemia salina). In addition, compounds 2, 3, and 6 showed weak phytotoxic activities against lettuce seeds. A preliminary structure-activity relationship of the metabolites is also discussed.
Synthesis and Bioactivity of Novel Coumarin Derivatives
Authors: Guan Ai-Ying , Liu Chang-Ling , Li Miao Li, Zhi-Nian , Zhang Ming-Xing , Zhang Hong
Published: March 2019

A series of coumarin derivatives (6-8) containing ( E)-methyl 2-(methoxyimino)-2-phenylacetate, ( E)-2-(methoxyimino )-N-methyl-2-phenylacetamide and methyl methoxy(phenyl)carbamate were synthesized from substituted resorcinols (1) and substituted β-keto esters (2) as starting material via cyclization and condensation reactions. The test results indicated that ( E)-methyl 2-{2-[(3-hexyl-4-methyl-coumarin-7-yloxy)methyl]phenyl}-2-(methoxyimino)acetate (6f) was the optimal structure with good fungicidal activity against cucumber grey mold (CGM) giving 100% control at 100 mg L−1 concentration, much higher than that of coumoxystrobin. Methyl 2-[(3,4-dimethyl-coumarin -7-yloxy)methyl]phenyl(methoxy)carbamate (8a) was another optimal structure with good fungicidal activity against wheat powdery mildew (WPM) showing 100% control at 50 mg L−1 concentration, at the same level as that of the commercial kresoxim-methyl, and very significantly higher than that of coumoxystrobin (no control against WPM at 400 mg L−1).
Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Effects of Mexican Medicinal Plants
Authors: Jacobo-Salcedo Maria del Rosario , Alonso-Castro Angel Josabad , Salazar-Olivo Luis A. , Carranza-Alvarez Candy , González-Espíndola Luis Ángel , Domínguez Fabiola , Maciel-Torres Sandra Patricia , García-Lujan Concepción , González-Martínez Marisela del Rocio , Gómez-Sánchez Maricela , Estrada-Castillón Eduardo , Zapata-Bustos Rocio , Medellin-Milán Pedro , García-Carrancá Alejandro
Published: March 2019

The antimicrobial effects of the Mexican medicinal plants Guazuma ulmifolia, Justicia spicigera, Opuntia joconostle, O. leucotricha, Parkinsonia aculeata, Phoradendron longifolium, P. serotinum, Psittacanthus calyculatus, Tecoma stans and Teucrium cubense were tested against several human multi-drug resistant pathogens, including three Gram (+) and five Gram (-) bacterial species and three fungal species using the disk-diffusion assay. The cytotoxicity of plant extracts on human cancer cell lines and human normal non-cancerous cells was also evaluated using the MTT assay. Phoradendron longifolium, Teucrium cubense, Opuntia joconostle, Tecoma stans and Guazuma ulmifolia showed potent antimicrobial effects against at least one multidrug-resistant microorganism (inhibition zone > 15 mm). Only Justicia spicigera and Phoradendron serotinum extracts exerted active cytotoxic effects on human breast cancer cells (IC50≤30 μg/mL). The results showed that Guazuma ulmifolia produced potent antimicrobial effects against Candida albicans and Acinetobacter lwoffii, whereas Justicia spicigera and Phoradendron serotinum exerted the highest toxic effects on MCF-7 and HeLa, respectively, which are human cancer cell lines. These three plant species may be important sources of antimicrobial and cytotoxic agents.
Garcina cambogia Leaf and Seawater for Tannase Production by Marine Aspergillus awamori BTMFW032 under Slurry State Fermentation
Authors: Beena P.S , Basheer Soorej M. , Bhat Sarita G. , Chandrasekaran M.
Published: March 2019

Garcinia gummi-gutta (syn. G. cambogia, G. quaesita), known to have medicinal properties, was evaluated as a substrate and inducer for tannase production by a marine Aspergillus awamori BTMFW032, under slurry state fermentation using Czapekdox-minimal medium and sea water as the cultivation medium. Among the various natural tannin substrates evaluated, Garcinia leaf supported maximal tannase production. The cultivation conditions and components of the cultivation medium were optimized employing response surface methodology. The experimental results were fitted to a second-order polynomial model at a 92.2% level of significance (p<0.0001). The maximal tannase activity was obtained in a slurry state medium containing 26.6%, w/v, Garcinia leaf, supplemented with 0.1% tannic acid as inducer. The optimum values of pH, temperature and inoculum concentration obtained were 5.0, 40°C and 3%, respectively. A Box-Behnken model study of the fermentation conditions was carried out, and the best production of tannase was registered at 40°C without agitation. Optimization strategy employing response surface methodology led to nearly 3-fold increase in the enzyme production from 26.2 U/mL obtained in unoptimized medium to 75.2 Units/mL in Box Behnken design, within 18 h of fermentation. It was observed that sea water could support maximal tannase production by A. awamori compared with other media suggesting that the sea water salts could have played an inducer role in expression of tannase encoding genes. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on production of tannase, an industrially important enzyme, utilizing Garcinia leaf as substrate under slurry state fermentation by marine A. awamori and sea water as the cultivation medium.
Barrett’s esophagus: novel strategies for screening and surveillance
Authors: Sanghi Vedha , Thota Prashanthi N.
Published: March 2019

Barrett’s esophagus is the precursor lesion for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Screening and surveillance of Barrett’s esophagus are undertaken with the goal of earlier detection and lowering the mortality from esophageal adenocarcinoma. The widely used technique is standard esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsies per the Seattle protocol for screening and surveillance of Barrett’s esophagus. Surveillance intervals vary depending on the degree of dysplasia with endoscopic eradication therapy confined to patients with Barrett’s esophagus and confirmed dysplasia. In this review, we present various novel techniques for screening of Barrett’s esophagus such as unsedated transnasal endoscopy, cytosponge with trefoil factor-3, balloon cytology, esophageal capsule endoscopy, liquid biopsy, electronic nose, and oral microbiome. In addition, advanced imaging techniques such as narrow band imaging, dye-based chromoendoscopy, confocal laser endomicroscopy, volumetric laser endomicroscopy, and wide-area transepithelial sampling with computer-assisted three-dimensional analysis developed for better detection of dysplasia are also reviewed.
Randomized controlled trial: a pilot study of a psychoeducational intervention for fatigue in patients with quiescent inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: O’Connor Anthony , Ratnakumaran Raguprakash , Warren Lisa , Pullen Debbie , Errington Anna , Gracie David J. , Sagar Rebecca C. , Hamlin P. John , Ford Alexander C.
Published: March 2019

Introduction:

Fatigue is a frequent, debilitating symptom of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Despite this, studies report dissatisfaction among IBD patients regarding how little attention is given to fatigue-related issues during consultations. We performed a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess whether a brief, structured, multidisciplinary psychological support program improved fatigue, mood and quality of life indices in patients with quiescent IBD.

Methods:

The intervention consisted of three small-group psychoeducational sessions over 6 months. Primary outcomes were effect on fatigue severity and impact scores. Secondary outcomes included effect on depression, anxiety, somatization scores, generic and disease-specific quality of life.

Results:

Twenty-three patients were enrolled, 10 in the intervention arm and 13 controls. Mean fatigue severity and impact scores improved for patients in the intervention group (by 14.5–13.1 and 49.7–45.8, respectively), and worsened in controls (by 11.5–12.6 and 33.5–35 respectively). Mean Short Form 36 (SF-36) scores for role limitations due to physical health decreased from 44.4 to 38.9 in the intervention group, but increased from 44.2 to 51.9 among controls. Energy scores in the intervention group improved from 17.8 to 26.6, but only from 31.4 to 31.7 among controls. Short IBD questionnaire scores improved in both groups, from 46.2 to 45.2 in controls compared with 44.4–40 in the intervention group.

Discussion:

In this small pilot RCT, positive effects were demonstrated on fatigue, energy levels and other quality of life outcomes. Larger, adequately powered studies with longer follow up are required. ClincialTrials.gov identifier: NCT02709434.
The impact of antecedent primary malignancy in soft tissue sarcoma patients
Authors: Torigoe Tomoaki , Imanishi Jungo , Yazawa Yasuo , Kadono Yuho , Oda Hiromi
Published: March 2019

Background:

It is unclear whether antecedent primary malignancies (APMs) have any negative impact on the prognosis of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). We retrospectively reviewed STS patients with APMs (STS-APM) and compared their survival to those of STS only (STS-O).

Methods:

Twenty-one cases of STS-APM from 2008 to 2017 in our institution were analyzed. One hundred and seventy cases of STS-O at the same period were compared as a control group. Overall survival was estimated using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and prognostic factors were analyzed using logistic regression analyses and contingency table analyses.

Results:

As the final status of STS-APM patients, 12 patients were in disease-free survival, 5 were alive with disease, 3 have died of disease, and 1 has died of another disease. There was no case that died of APM. The 5-year overall survival rates were 88% in STS-APM and 78% in STS-O, showing no statistical significant ( p = 0.65). The 5-year overall survival rates in each stage of STS-APM and STS-O were 100/100% in stage I, 100/85% in stage II, 86/72% in stage III, and the 3-year overall survival rates were 67/51% in stage IV, with no statistical significance. With regard to prognostic factor, histological grade of STS was the only significant factor. Although antecedent radiotherapy tended to show a high odds ratio, the association was not statistically significant. Antecedent chemotherapy did not show any estimated prognostic risk.

Conclusions:

Our study suggested that APM in STS patient would not be a negative prognostic factor.
Return to Sport at 6 Months After Shoulder Surgery
Authors: Weber Amy , Paraparan Ragu , Lam Patrick H. , Murrell George A.C.
Published: March 2019

Background:

Many surgical procedures are intended to return patients to sport early, but it is unknown how realistic these expectations are after shoulder surgery.

Purpose:

To determine which of the commonly performed surgical interventions in the shoulder best facilitated return to sport, and which did not, by 6 months postoperatively.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

The study was a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from patients who underwent shoulder surgery from a single surgeon over 12 years. To be included, at least 20 patients needed to have undergone that procedure and complete a questionnaire evaluating their shoulder’s function preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. The primary outcome was a change in the response to the question, “What is your current level of sport?”

Results:

A total of 2261 surgical procedures in 13 categories met the inclusion criteria. Capsular release was the only procedure associated with improved patient-reported sporting level at 6 months ( d = 0.18 [95% CI, 0.05-0.30]; P = .009). This represented a mean improvement of 41% from the preoperative sporting level. Bankart repair was associated with the greatest decrease in patient-reported sporting level at 6 months (mean decline of 21%) ( d = –0.17 [95% CI, –0.34 to –0.01]; P = .034), followed by rotator cuff repair (mean decline of 13%) ( d = –0.06 [95% CI, –0.03 to –0.10]; P = .0004). There were no significant changes in sporting level at 6 months postoperatively for rotator cuff repair with acromioplasty, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) patch repair, acromioplasty, superior labral anterior to posterior (SLAP) repair, total shoulder arthroplasty, reverse total shoulder arthroplasty, rotator cuff repair with capsular release, rotator cuff repair with stabilization, calcific debridement, or hemiarthroplasty.

Conclusion:

Capsular release was the only surgical procedure that provided a significant improvement in patient-reported sporting level in a relatively short period of time (6 months). Patients who underwent rotator cuff repair and Bankart repair were the only surgical groups that reported a significant decline in sporting level 6 months postoperatively.
Relation Between Health-Care Medical Provider Opinion and Hemodialysis Patient Attitude Toward Fasting in Ramadan
Authors: El-Kannishy Ghada , Elsawaf Reham , Tarek Elsaber Rana , Magdi Elbanasawi Hebatalla , Magdi Elbahnasawi Menatalla , Latif Soha Ali Abdel , Megahed Abir , Sayed-Ahmed Nagy
Published: March 2019

Introduction:

Muslim hemodialysis (HD) patients are motivated to practice fasting in Ramadan. Health-care providers may be unable to make a recommendation based on lack of evidence. The aim of the present study was to investigate patients’ and medical professionals’ opinion toward fasting in 4 HD centers in Egypt as well as the impact of physicians’ attitude on their patient behavior.

Materials and Methods:

This observational multicentric study was conducted on 161 patients undergoing HD and 23 physicians in 4 HD centers in Egypt just after Ramadan 1438 Hijri. Patients’ demographic characteristics as well as any associated comorbidities were recorded. Patients and physician were interviewed and were asked about their opinion toward fasting in HD patients and any experienced complications during fasting.

Results:

Eighty-one (50.3%) patients of the studied HD patients practiced fasting in Ramadan. No statistical difference was observed between fasting and nonfasting groups regarding age, gender, and duration of HD. Eighty percent of patients reported no complications. Fifteen (65.2%) physicians support the opinion that HD patients are capable to fast with precautions. There was a significant variation in fasting frequency among HD patients in the studied centers with a significantly low fasting frequency observed in the third center (10.5%). Most physicians from this HD center adopted that HD patients should not fast.

Conclusion:

HD patients were keen to practice fasting in Ramadan and were to a considerable extent capable of completing this Islamic worship. Patient decision seems to be affected by their physician’s opinion. Absence of clear recommendations to guide fasting in Ramadan in HD patients as in diabetic patients makes permission or prohibition of such practice unjustified.
Patient-Physicians: Identities and Expertise Brought Into the Light of Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Arroyave Carlos Andrés , Téllez Marlín
Published: March 2019

Researchers continue establishing a clear-cut division between identities of doctors and patients, but the perspective of the physician in the event that they became a patient is seldom analyzed. This article shows empirical evidence of the discursive construction of identities and expertise in the accounts of 24 patient-physicians diagnosed and treated for acute or chronic disease in the city of Bogotá, Colombia (2009-2015). An approach to these accounts from Science and Technology Studies, which is a perspective emerged among the field of social sciences during the 1970s that has achieved in our time a broader understanding of expertise, leads to the questioning of stereotypes about who doctors are and who patients are, and to illustrate the difficulty of drawing boundaries between experts and laypeople. Finally, it was concluded that identities and expertise are reconfigured in interaction, in a contingent and situated way, when considering diagnosis and treatment. New meanings of the relationship between doctor and patient were proposed, from a more symmetrical stance.
Extra Digital Glomus Tumor: A Rare Cause for Undiagnosed Chronic Pain in Unusual Sites
Authors: Asaad Haneen , Osman Gaber M. A. , Ibraheam Abdulrahman
Published: March 2019

Glomus tumor, also known as Glomangioma, originates in the neuromyoarterial glomus, a normal arteriovenous shunt abundantly supplied with nerve fibres and fulfilling a temperature-regulating function. The classic location of the glomus tumor is the subungual region, but it can occur elsewhere in the skin, soft tissues, nerves, stomach, nasal cavity, and trachea. There is some question as to whether this is a true neoplasm or simply a normal structure. Glomus tumor constitutes 1% to 5% of all hand tumors. It usually occurs at the subungual region and more commonly in aged women. Its classical clinical triad consists of pain, tenderness, and temperature intolerance, especially cold sensitivity. Glomus tumors are usually benign, but on rare occasions may exhibit an uncertain or malignant behavior as with glomangiosarcoma. In this article, we present a case of a 60-year-old female patient diagnosed with extradigital glomus tumor of the palm of right hand.
Familial predisposition to TP53/complex karyotype MDS and leukemia in DNA repair-deficient xeroderma pigmentosum
Authors: Sarasin Alain , Quentin Samuel , Droin Nathalie , Sahbatou Mourad , Saada Véronique , Auger Nathalie , Boursin Yannick , Dessen Philippe , Raimbault Anna , Asnafi Vahid , Schmutz Jean-Luc , Taïeb Alain , Menck Carlos F. M. , Rosselli Filippo , La Rochelle Laurianne Drieu , Robert Caroline , Sicre de Fontbrune Flore , Sébert Marie , Leblanc Thierry , Kannouche Patricia , De Botton Stéphane , Solary Eric , Soulier Jean
Published: March 2019

There is a Blood Commentary on this article in this issue.
Physiological and Pathological Androgen Actions in the Ovary
Authors: Astapova Olga , Minor Briaunna M N , Hammes Stephen R
Published: March 2019

Androgens, although traditionally thought to be male sex steroids, play important roles in female reproduction, both in healthy and pathological states. This mini-review focuses on recent advances in our knowledge of the role of androgens in the ovary. Androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in oocytes, granulosa cells, and theca cells, and is temporally regulated during follicular development. Mouse knockout studies have shown that AR expression in granulosa cells is critical for normal follicular development and subsequent ovulation. In addition, androgens are involved in regulating dynamic changes in ovarian steroidogenesis that are critical for normal cycling. Androgen effects on follicle development have been incorporated into clinical practice in women with diminished ovarian reserve, albeit with limited success in available literature. At the other extreme, androgen excess leads to disordered follicle development and anovulatory infertility known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), with studies suggesting that theca cell AR may mediate many of these negative effects. Finally, both prenatal and postnatal animal models of androgen excess have been developed and are being used to study the pathophysiology of PCOS both within the ovary and with regard to overall metabolic health. Taken together, current scientific consensus is that a careful balance of androgen activity in the ovary is necessary for reproductive health in women.
A focus on scope
Authors: Briscoe James , Brown Katherine
Published: March 2019

Summary: In this Editorial, we take stock of the ever-evolving scope of Development, which reflects changes in the field and future priorities for the journal.
Health Care Spending and Utilization in Public and Private Medicare
Authors: Curto Vilsa , Einav Liran , Finkelstein Amy , Levin Jonathan , Bhattacharya Jay
Published: March 2019

We compare health care spending in public and private Medicare using newly available claims data from Medicare Advantage (MA) insurers. MA insurer revenues are 30 percent higher than their health care spending. Adjusting for enrollee mix, health care spending per enrollee in MA is 9 to 30 percent lower than in Traditional Medicare (TM), depending on the way we define “comparable” enrollees. Spending differences primarily reflect differences in health care utilization, with similar reductions for “high-value” and “low-value” care, rather than health care prices. We present evidence consistent with MA plans encouraging substitution to less expensive care and engaging in utilization management. (JEL G22, H44, H51, I11, I13)
A STUDY ON THE QUALITY OF VARIOUS TYPES OF CHEESE PRODUCED AND CONSUMED IN GREECE
Authors: ΣΚΟΥΝΤΖΟΣ Κ. , ΑΣΙΚΗΣ Ι.
Published: March 2019

Laboratory examination of 828 samples of four typss of Greek cheese («telemes» : 415, «kasseri» : 164, «kefalotyrion» : 170, «gruyère» : 79) obtained from the Attikan market area, revealed, that : a. There is great variation relative to the water as well as the fat contents of the various types of cheese, resulting in the lack of standardized organoleptic and quantitative characteristics in the types of cheeses sold. b. The «kefalotyrion» cheese in particular contains significantly high quantities of sodium chloride. The authors suggest that ins criterion of fat content established so far for the quantitative classification of Greek cheese types be replaced by the criterion of protein content.
A MYXOMATOSIS CASE IN GREECE
Authors: ΣΤΟΦΟΡΟΣ Ε. Ν. , ΜΑΣΤΡΟΓΙΑΝΝΗ-ΚΟΡΚΟΛΟΠΟΥΛΟΥ Μ. , ΡΑΝΤΣΙΟΣ Α. , Souyioultzoglou Irakleitos Ν.
Published: March 2019

During October 1973 myxomatosis on clinical grounds has been apeared the first in one big breeding of rabbits. These rabbits were imported from England and were not vaccinated against myxomatosis. The autors studied the disease from the clinical point of view as well as using Laboratory tests such as experimental inoculation, isolation of the virus on tissue culture and embryonated eggs and immunodiffusion. They used histological methods too. All the above investigations strongly suggest that the disease in cause was myxomatosis.
The effect of a one-time 15-minute guided meditation (Isha Kriya) on stress and mood disturbances among operating room professionals: a prospective interventional pilot study
Authors: Rangasamy Valluvan , Thampi Susheela Ammu , Mueller Ariel , F. H. Chang Tracy , Sadhasivam Senthilkumar , Subramaniam Balachundhar
Published: March 2019

Background: Operating room professionals are exposed to high levels of stress and burnout. Besides affecting the individual, it can compromise patient safety and quality of care as well. Meditation practice is getting recognized for its ability to improve wellness among various populations, including healthcare providers.

Methods: Baseline stress levels of perioperative healthcare providers were measured via an online survey using a Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) questionnaire. An in-person meditation workshop was demonstrated during surgical grand rounds and an international anesthesia conference using a 15-minute guided Isha Kriya meditation. The participants were then surveyed for mood changes before and after meditation using a Profile of Mood States (POMS) questionnaire. 

Results: Surgeons and anesthesiologists were found to have higher median (interquartile range) Perceived Stress Scores as compared to nurses respectively (17 [12, 20] and 17 [12, 21] vs 14 [9, 19]; P = 0.01). Total mood disturbances were found to be significantly reduced after meditation in both the surgical grand rounds (pre-meditation median [IQR] 99 [85, 112] vs 87 [80, 93] post-meditation; P < 0.0001) and anesthesia conference cohorts (pre-meditation 92 [86, 106] vs 87 [81, 92] post-meditation; P < 0.0001).

Conclusions: Isha Kriya, a guided meditation, is easy to learn and takes less than 15 minutes to complete. This meditation technique improves mood changes and negative emotions among operating room professionals and could be used as a potential tool for improving wellness.