bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Therapeutic potential of Calotropis gigantea extract against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis
Authors: Ali Enas M. , Alfwuaires Manal A. , Badr Gehan M. 
Published: August 2022

Objective:
To characterize the antifungal activity of methanolic leaf extract of Calotropis gigantea alone or in combination with amphotericin B against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in mice.

Methods:
GC/MS was used for analysis of active constituents of Calotropis gigantea extract. Spore germination assay and broth micro-dilution method were used to determine antifungal potential of Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B against Aspergillus fumigatus. Neutropenic mice were randomly assigned into 5 groups: group 1 was neutropenic (control); group 2 was infected with Aspergillus fumigatus; group 3 was infected with Aspergillus fumigatus, and treated with Calotropis gigantea extract; group 4 was infected with Aspergillus fumigatus and treated with amphotericin B; group 5 was infected with Aspergillus fumigatus and treated with both Calotropis gigantea extract and amphotericin B. Fresh lung tissues were histopathologically examined. Fungal burden and gliotoxin concentration were evaluated in lung tissues. Catalase, superoxide dismutase, and malondialdehyde content were determined in lung tissues. Myeloperoxidase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1, and interleukin-17 were also estimated by the sandwich enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay.

Results:

Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B had a minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal concentration of 80 and 160 μg/mL, respectively, for Aspergillus fumigatus. Additionally, Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B significantly reduced lung fungal burden by 72.95% and inhibited production of gliotoxin in lung tissues from 6 320 to 1 350 μg/g lung. Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B reduced the oxidative stress of the lung via elevating the activity of antioxidant enzymes and decreasing the levels of lipid peroxidation. Myeloperoxidase activity and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines were also significantly reduced. Scanning electron microscopy revealed deteriorations in the hyphae ultrastructure in Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B treated Aspergillus fumigatus and leak of cellular components after damage of the cell wall. In vivo study revealed the suppression of lung tissue damage in mice of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, which was improved with Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B compared to the control group.

Conclusions:

Calotropis gigantea/amphotericin B is a promising treatment to reduce lung fungal burden and to improve the drugs’ therapeutic effect against invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.
Essential oil from Saussurea costus inhibits proliferation and migration of Eca109 cells via mitochondrial apoptosis and STAT3 signaling
Authors: Hu Xia-Fen , Liu Wan-Xin , Zhang Ren , Zhang Wei , Wang Chao , Chen Meng , Shu Rong , Yang Xin-Zhou , Wang Qiang 
Published: August 2022

Objective:
To investigate the effect and its underlying molecular mechanisms of essential oil from Saussurea costus in esophageal cancer cell line Eca109.

Methods:
The chemical composition of essential oil from Saussurea costus was investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The anti-proliferative, anti-migrative, and apoptotic effects of essential oil from Saussurea costus against Eca109 cells were analyzed. Moreover, the expression of proteins associated with cell cycle, metastasis, and apoptosis was determined.

Results:
GC-MS analysis showed that essential oil from Saussurea costus was predominantly comprised of sesquiterpenes. Saussurea costus essential oil inhibited the viability of Eca109 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner with IC50 values of (24.29±1.49), (19.16±2.27) and (6.97±0.86) μg/mL at 12, 24, and 48 h, respectively. The expression levels of target proteins in the cell cycle (phase G1/S), including cyclin D1, p21, and p53, were affected by Saussurea costus essential oil. The essential oil also downregulated the expression of metastasis-related proteins MMP-9 and MMP-2. Moreover, it induced apoptosis of Eca109 cells through the mitochondrial pathway, as well as inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation.

Conclusions:
The essential oil from Saussurea costus exhibited anti-proliferative, anti-migrative, and apoptotic effects on Eca109 cells, and could be further explored as a potential anti-esophageal cancer agent.
Dieckol isolated from Eisenia bicyclis extract suppresses RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis in murine RAW 264.7 cells
Authors: Cho Su-Hyeon , Kwon Tae-Hyung , Jeong Hoibin , Kim Jin Sook , Kim Song-Rae , Jeong Myeong Seon , Park SeonJu , Choi Miri , Woo Jung-Hee , Ahn Juhee , Kim Kil-Nam 
Published: August 2022

Objective:
To demonstrate the effect of dieckol from Eisenia bicyclis on osteoclastogenesis using RAW 264.7 cells.

Methods:
Murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cells were subjected to dieckol treatment, followed by treatment with receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) to induce osteoclastogenesis. Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) activity was examined using a TRAP activity kit. Western blotting analysis was conducted to examine the level of osteoclast- related factors, including TRAP and calcitonin receptor (CTR), transcriptional factors, including c-Fos, c-Jun, and nuclear factor of activated T cells cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1), nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK). Immunofluorescence staining was conducted to examine the expression of c-Fos, c-Jun, and NFATc1.

Results:
Among the four phlorotannin compounds present in Eisenia bicyclis, dieckol significantly hindered osteoclast differentiation and expression of RANKL-induced TRAP and CTR. In addition, dieckol downregulated the expression levels of c-Fos, c-Jun, NFATc1, ERK, and JNK, and suppressed NF-κB signaling.

Conclusions:
Dieckol can suppress RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Therefore, it has therapeutic potential in treating osteoclastogenesis- associated diseases.
Syringic acid induces cancer cell death in the presence of Cu (II) ions via pro-oxidant activity
Authors: Rashedinia Marzieh , Nasrollahi Azita , Shafaghat Marzieh , Momeni Shahrzad , Iranpak Forough , Saberzadeh Jamileh , Arabsolghar Rita , Sabahi Zahra 
Published: August 2022

Objective:
To investigate the effects of syringic acid on HEK 293 and HepG2 cells in the absence and presence of exogenous Cu (II) and Fe (II) ions.

Methods:
The antiproliferative effects of syringic acid on HEK 293 and HepG2 cells in the absence and presence of exogenous Cu (II) and Fe (II) ions were examined by MTT assay. Additionally, colony-forming, reactive oxidative species (ROS) generation, apoptosis induction, autophagy, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial mass were investigated.

Results:
At 24 and 72 h, no significant differences were observed in the viability of HepG2 cells between the control and syringic acid + Fe (II) groups. However, exposure of HepG2 cells to syringic acid + Cu (II) for 72 h reduced the cell viability significantly. Furthermore, ROS formation, induction of apoptosis, and autophagic vacuoles were significantly increased in HepG2 cells without marked changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial mass. Moreover, syringic acid + Cu (II) reduced the plating efficiency and surviving fraction significantly.

Conclusions:
The combination of syringic acid with Cu (II) was toxic to cancer cells and showed pro-oxidant activity. In addition, this combination induced autophagy in cancer cells with less cytotoxic effects on normal cells, which is a potential candidate for the development of novel therapeutics towards cancer.
Anti-angiogenesis and anti-inflammatory effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract in the early stages of streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy in rats
Authors: Thongrung Ruttiya , Senggunprai Laddawan , Hipkaeo Wiphawi , Tangsucharit Panot , Pannangpetch Patchareewan 
Published: August 2022

Objective:
To investigate the effect of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on angiogenesis and inflammatory process in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetic nephropathy.

Methods:
Four weeks after a single injection of 50 mg/kg streptozotocin, rats were treated with 100 or 200 mg/kg/day Moringa oleifera leaf extract, 1 mg/kg/day dapagliflozin, or a combination of Moringa oleifera leaf extract and dapagliflozin for further eight weeks. Renal function, kidney histology, and gene expression were evaluated at the end of the experiment.

Results:
Renal function of diabetic rats was significantly impaired as evidenced by increased blood urea nitrogen, albuminuria, 24-h proteinuria, and high creatinine clearance which indicated glomerular hyperfiltration. In addition, diabetic rats showed an increase in gene expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A), angiopoietin-2 (Ang2), the Ang2/Ang1 ratio, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated a significant increase in the density of glycoprotein CD34. Moringa oleifera leaf extract markedly improved all renal dysfunction markers and modulated the upregulated expression of angiogenic factors and inflammatory genes.

Conclusions:

Moringa oleifera leaf extract could suppress abnormal angiogenesis and inflammatory processes possibly by downregulating gene expression of angiogenesis factors and proinflammatory cytokines.
Senna petersiana inhibits key digestive enzymes and modulates dysfunctional enzyme activities in oxidative pancreatic injury
Authors: Olofinsan Kolawole A. , Erukainure Ochuko L. , Msomi Nontokozo Z. , Islam Md. Shahidul 
Published: August 2022

Objective:
To evaluate the effect of Senna petersiana leaf extracts on key digestive enzymes and FeSO4-induced oxidative injury.

Methods:
Dried Senna petersiana leaf powder (60 g) was defatted in n-hexane and then extracted sequentially at room temperature with dichloromethane, methanol, and distilled water. The total phytochemical content of the extracts was estimated using established methods. The in vitro antioxidant, anti-lipase, and antidiabetic activities and the effect of the extracts on intestinal glucose absorption and FeSO4-induced pancreatic oxidative injury were determined using different protocols. Moreover, GC-MS analysis was performed to identify the main compounds of the plant extract. Molecular docking analysis was also carried out to evaluate the binding energy of compounds with digestive enzymes.

Results:

Senna petersiana leaf extracts showed significant antioxidant activities in FRAP, DPPH, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays. They also inhibited pancreatic lipase and lowered intestinal glucose absorption by suppressing activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Treatment with the extracts also lowered lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde), nitric oxide level, acetylcholinesterase, and ATPase activities with simultaneous improvement of antioxidant (catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione) capacity in the type 2 diabetes model of oxidative pancreatic injury. GC-MS characterization of the extracts revealed the presence of stilbenoids, alkaloids, and other compounds. Molecular docking screening assay indicated the extract phytochemicals showed strong interaction with the active site amino acids of the targeted digestive enzymes. Among the Senna petersiana compounds, veratramine had the highest affinity for α-amylase and lipase, whereas dihydrostilbestrol was most attracted to α-glucosidase.

Conclusions:

Senna petersiana inhibits carbohydrate digestive enzymes, reduces intestinal glucose absorption, and exerts ameliorative effects on FeSO4-induced oxidative pancreatic injury with significant antioxidant capabilities. Detailed in vivo studies are underway to understand the plant's therapeutic potential in diabetes management.
Characteristics of pediatric COVID-19 patients admitted to the emergency department and factors associated with pneumonia
Authors: Yurtseven Ali , Turan Caner , Özenen Gizem Güner , Işik Halit , Bal Zümrüt Şahbudak , Sertöz Rüçhan , Saz Eylem Ulaş 
Published: August 2022

OBJECTIVES:
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) that causes a respiratory illness, continues to be a global pandemic. In this study, we purpose to identify the features of children with COVID-19 and the factors affecting disease severity.

METHODS:
This is a retrospective, observational study was conducted on patients who presented with suspicion of COVID-19 from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021, at a tertiary care medical center in Turkey. The characteristics of 640 children who were confirmed to have COVID-19 by real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction were retrieved from medical records.

RESULTS:
The mean age of the cases was 10 ± 6 years, and 56% of them were male. Seasonal difference did not affect the number of cases. The majority of the cases (n = 501, 78%) were infected by family members. Fever (67%) and cough (38%) were common complaints. The mean duration of fever was 1.9 ± 1.1 days. One-fourth of the cases were asymptomatic, 462 (72%) had mild upper respiratory tract infections, and 18 (3%) had pneumonia. Patients with pneumonia were more likely to have comorbidities and had a longer fever duration (both P < 0.001). Fever, cough, and respiratory distress were more common in patients with pneumonia (P = 0.010, P = 0.023, and P < 0.001, respectively). The mean C-reactive protein (CRP) value of the patients with pneumonia was significantly higher than that of the others (P < 0.001). A total of 70 (11%) complicated patients were hospitalized, 5 of them requiring intensive care admission. All hospitalized patients were discharged with recovery.

CONCLUSIONS:
Although pediatric COVID-19 patients tended to have a mild disease, some children with comorbidities can still develop a severe illness. CRP value is a useful indicator in the diagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. Furthermore, the prevalence rate of COVID-19 did not decrease with hot seasons.
Ocular morbidity among adult patients with chronic leukemia presenting to tertiary hospitals in Jos, North-Central Nigeria
Authors: Alfin Ruth J. , Ramyil Alice V. , Damulak Obadiah D. 
Published: August 2022

Background
Chronic leukemia is the most common leukemia subtype seen among adults in Jos, Nigeria, with few reported isolated cases of ocular morbidity. There are no published comprehensive data on adult leukemic ophthalmopathy from this region.

Aim
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, pattern, and causes of visual impairment (VI) among adult patients with chronic leukemia in Jos, North-Central Nigeria.

Patients and methods
The study included adult patients diagnosed with either chronic myeloid leukemia or chronic lymphocytic leukemia, confirmed by bone marrow biopsy, in two tertiary hospitals in Jos, North-Central Nigeria, between January 2016 and June 2017. Visual acuity was assessed and categorized using the International Classification of Diseases. Detailed ocular examination was carried out and causes of vision loss were noted.

Results
A total of 104 eyes of 52 patients were examined within the study period. The mean age of the patients was 45±17.7 years, and 35 (67.3%) patients were males. The majority (63.4%) of the participants had chronic myeloid leukemia. Ocular disorders were present in 32 (61.5%) of all patients, and 10 (19.2%) patients were visually impaired. Of these, nine (90.0%) had moderate VI due to refractive errors, cataract, glaucoma, and disk swelling; and one (10.0%) person was bilaterally blind from exudative retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage. Only 27% of all causes of VI were leukemia specific and included disk swelling, exudative retinal detachment, and vitreous hemorrhage.

Conclusion
Although ocular disorders were frequent among adults with chronic leukemia in Jos, the magnitude of vision loss from chronic leukemia-specific ocular disorders was low.
Double-flanged 6/0 polypropylene suture versus flanged haptic technique for intraocular lens fixation
Authors: Elsayed Tamer G. , Hegab Mohammed A. , Al-Nashar Haitham Y. , Dessouky Reem A.K. 
Published: August 2022

Background
Aphakia due to inadequate capsular support is a well-known complication of cataract surgery. Secondary intrascleral IOL fixation is favoured by many surgeons to overcome this problem. However, the technique of intrascleral fixation of the IOL still remains controversial and no single technique is considered ideal.

Aim
The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of double-flanged 6/0 polypropylene (prolene) suture and flanged haptic technique for intraocular lens fixation in patients with aphakia and inadequate capsular support.

Patients and methods
This is a retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative study. The study included 50 eyes of 50 patients with aphakia and inadequate capsular support. They were divided into 2 groups: 25 eyes underwent the double-flanged 6/0 polypropylene suture technique (group I) and 25 eyes underwent the flanged haptic-fixation technique (group II). All patients were subjected to complete preoperative ophthalmic evaluation. The mean operative time was calculated for each method. Postoperatively, the best-corrected visual acuity (BVCA), endothelial cell count, and intraocular pressure were measured at 1-week, 1-month, 3-month, and 6-month intervals. Any intraoperative or postoperative complications were recorded.

Results
Both groups showed statistically significant improvement in BVCA at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively compared with the preoperative BVCA (P<0.001). The mean operative time was significantly shorter in group II than in group I (12.3±1.93 min vs. 21.8±2.5 min, respectively, P<0.001). Differences in the mean endothelial cell counts and mean intraocular pressure values at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively were not statistically significant within or between groups (P>0.05). Furthermore, there were no statistically significant differences in the frequency of intraoperative or postoperative complications between the 2 groups (P>0.05).

Conclusions
Both surgical techniques showed similar outcomes in the treatment of aphakic patients without capsular support, each with unique benefits. The double-flanged 6/0 polypropylene suture technique has a shorter learning curve and variable intraocular-lens options, while the flanged haptic technique is a faster procedure in the hands of experienced surgeons.
A clinicoepidemiological study of orbital mucormycosis in COVID-19 pandemic at a tertiary healthcare hospital, North-West Rajasthan, India
Authors: Kewaliya Rashmi , Yadav Dinesh K. , Lunia Gautam , Jangir Shilpa 
Published: August 2022

Background
Mucormycosis is an opportunistic fungal infection with high morbidity and mortality.

Purpose
The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors, clinical presentation, management, and outcome of management of orbital mucormycosis during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Patients and methods
This is a prospective hospital-based observational study that was conducted on cases of rhino-orbital cerebral mucormycosis (ROCM) presented to a tertiary health-care center in North-West Rajasthan, India, during the second wave of COVID-19 over a period of 1 month (May 26, 2021 to June 25, 2021). The patients were followed up for 3 months. A total of 40 cases fulfilling the clinical, radiological, and pathological or microbiological criteria for the diagnosis of ROCM were included in the study.

Results
Out of a total of 126 mucormycosis patients, 40 had ocular manifestations ranging from lid edema, chemosis, and ptosis to severe manifestations such s ophthalmoplegia, optic neuritis, and cavernous sinus thrombosis. Rare presentations of corneal eschar and corneal ulcer were also reported. Among the 40 patients of orbital mucormycosis, 57.5% were in the age group of 51–65 years, 65% were males, 62.5% were COVID positive, 37.5% had a history of oxygen therapy during the COVID-19 illness, and 85% were not vaccinated against COVID-19. All patients with orbital involvement had rhinitis at presentation. Intravenous Amphotericin B was given to all patients. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery was done in 92.5% of the cases and orbital exenteration was done in 35% of the patients to prevent the spread of mucor and to reduce mortality. In 32.5% of the patients, retrobulbar Amphotericin B was given. The mean length of hospital stay was 24.62±11.70 days and 70% of the patients were discharged from the hospital on oral antifungal therapy. A total of 30% of the patients with cerebral involvement passed away. During the follow-up of 3 months, three (7.5%) more patients who discontinued treatment progressed to advanced disease and died, while 62.5% (25 out of 40) patients were alive with stable/regressed disease. The survival rate with retrobulbar Amphotericin B was 92.30% and with exenteration was 92.85%, which was statistically significant compared with the 5% survival rate in the cases in whom no such intervention was done.

Conclusion
Early diagnosis and treatment of ROCM reduced morbidity and mortality in mucormycosis patients.
Risk factors for ectasia after laser in situ keratomileusis in an Egyptian population sample
Authors: Abdelmoneim Hebatallah M.T. , Abdelazeem Khaled , Nouby Gamal , Abdelmoneim Mohamed Tarek , Fathalla Ahmed M.F. 
Published: August 2022

Purpose
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of post-laser in situ keratomileusis (post-LASIK) ectasia in an Egyptian population sample.

Design
This is a retrospective case–control study.

Patients and methods
The study included 44 patients, who were classified into two groups. The first group (post-LASIK ectasia) included 31 eyes (18 patients) and the second group (LASIK without complications) included 52 eyes (26 patients). The comparison between the two groups included the pre-LASIK refractive error, corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), corneal curvature, corneal thickness, corneal elevations, ectasia risk scoring, flap thickness, and residual stroma after LASIK. We also evaluated the changes that occurred in patients with ectasia in comparison to their pre-LASIK parameters.

Results
The prevalence of post-LASIK ectasia was 0.22%. The degree of myopia, astigmatism, maximum keratometry reading (K-max), ectasia risk scoring, and flap lift for retreatment were significantly higher in the ectasia group compared with the control group (P=0.041, 0.006, 0.016, 0.038, and 0.017, respectively), while the CDVA and residual stroma after LASIK were significantly less in the ectasia group (P=0.039 and 0.003, respectively). There was a statistically significant increase in astigmatism and change in its type and increased K-max and corneal elevations after ectasia.

Conclusions
The degree of myopia, astigmatism, CDVA, K-max, ectasia risk scoring, residual stroma after LASIK, and retreatment are risk factors for ectasia development.