Semipurified Ethyl Acetate Partition of Methanolic Extract of Leaves Exerts Gastroprotective Activity Partly via Its Antioxidant-Antisecretory-Anti-Inflammatory Action and Synergistic Action of Several Flavonoid-Based Compounds.

Recent study has demonstrated the gastroprotective activity of crude methanolic extract of leaves. The present study evaluated the gastroprotective potential of semipurified extracts (partitions): petroleum ether, ethyl acetate (EAMM), and aqueous obtained from the methanolic extract followed by the elucidation of the gastroprotective mechanisms of the most effective partition. Using the ethanol-induced gastric ulcer assay, all partitions exerted significant gastroprotection, with EAMM being the most effective partition.

An orally active geranyl acetophenone attenuates airway remodeling in a murine model of chronic asthma.

2,4,6-Trihydroxy-3-geranyl acetophenone (tHGA) is a synthetic compound that is naturally found in Melicope ptelefolia. We had previously demonstrated that parenteral administration of tHGA reduces pulmonary inflammation in OVA-sensitized mice. In this study, we evaluated the effect of orally administered tHGA upon airway remodeling in a murine model of chronic asthma.

Neurochemical and behavioral effects of Nigella sativa and Olea europaea oil in rats.

Objectives: In the last few decades, therapeutic uses of medicinal compounds present in food as a normal constituent has risen substantially, largely because of their fewer side effects and adequate efficacy. This study is designed to investigate a role of brain serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) in the potential nootropic, anxiolytic, and other beneficial effects of Nigella sativa (NS) and Olea europaea (OE) oil in rat models.

Methods: Animals were treated with NS and OE oil orally at doses of 0.

Analytical Ultracentrifuge Analysis of Nucleosomes Assembled from Recombinant, Acid-Extracted, HPLC-Purified Histones.

The accumulating discoveries of new posttranslational modifications (PTMs) and the increasing relevance of histone variants within the frame of epigenetics demand the availability of methods for a rapid and efficient nucleosome reconstitution to analyze their structural and functional implications. Here we describe a method suitable for this purpose, starting from bacterially expressed histones, solubilized by acid and purified by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. This method allows the preparation of micrograms to milligram amounts of in vitro-assembled nucleosomes.

A review of heavy metals in indoor dust and its human health-risk implications.

Indoor dust acts as a media for heavy metal deposition. Past studies have shown that heavy metal concentration in indoor dust is affected by local human activities and atmospheric transport can have harmful effects on human health. Additionally, children are more sensitive to heavy metals due to their hand-to-mouth behaviour and rapid body development.

Role of Macrotextured Shaped Extra Full Projection Cohesive Gel Implants in Primary Aesthetic Breast Augmentation.

Background: Extra full projection implants are used in a select group of aesthetic breast surgery patients. Their use is selective enough that they have not been included in long term manufacturer studies and the indications for their use have attracted much debate. Only a handful of studies have reported the outcomes from implantation of these devices.

The sequential pathway between trauma-related symptom severity and cognitive-based smoking processes through perceived stress and negative affect reduction expectancies among trauma exposed smokers.

Background And Objectives: Smoking rates are markedly higher among trauma-exposed individuals relative to non-trauma-exposed individuals. Extant work suggests that both perceived stress and negative affect reduction smoking expectancies are independent mechanisms that link trauma-related symptoms and smoking. Yet, no work has examined perceived stress and negative affect reduction smoking expectancies as potential explanatory variables for the relation between trauma-related symptom severity and smoking in a sequential pathway model.

Characterization of mussel H2A.Z.2: a new H2A.Z variant preferentially expressed in germinal tissues from Mytilus.

Histones are the fundamental constituents of the eukaryotic chromatin, facilitating the physical organization of DNA in chromosomes and participating in the regulation of its metabolism. The H2A family displays the largest number of variants among core histones, including the renowned H2A.X, macroH2A, H2A.

Comparative effectiveness of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions for orthodontic pain relief at peak pain intensity: A Bayesian network meta-analysis.

Introduction: The objective of this network meta-analysis was to synthesize the evidence of the comparative effectiveness for various interventions used for orthodontic pain relief during peak pain intensity.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases were searched to December 31, 2014, to identify relevant studies. Additional studies were found by hand searching of journals and reference lists.

Quantitative ultrasound bone profile and vitamin D status in 5-11 years old children with intellectual disability.

Objective: To measure serum vitamin D levels and quantitative ultrasound bone profile parameters and their correlation with each other in children with various grades of intellectual disability and bone health.

Methods: The descriptive study was conducted from January to December, 2011, at the University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan, and comprised children aged 5-11 years having intelligence quotient less than 70. Quantitative ultrasound measurements at hand phalanges were taken using an ultrasonic bone profiler.

Unique yeast histone sequences influence octamer and nucleosome stability.

Yeast nucleosomes are known to be intrinsically less stable than those from higher eukaryotes. This difference presents significant challenges for the production of yeast nucleosome core particles (NCPs) and chromatin for in vitro analyses. Using recombinant yeast, human, and chimeric histone proteins, we demonstrate that three divergent amino acids in histone H3 (Q120 K121 K125 ) are responsible for the poor reconstitution of yeast histones into octamers.

Brain phosphorylation of MeCP2 at serine 164 is developmentally regulated and globally alters its chromatin association.

MeCP2 is a transcriptional regulator whose functional alterations are responsible for several autism spectrum and mental disorders. Post-translational modifications (PTMs), and particularly differential phosphorylation, modulate MeCP2 function in response to diverse stimuli. Understanding the detailed role of MeCP2 phosphorylation is thus instrumental to ascertain how MeCP2 integrates the environmental signals and directs its adaptive transcriptional responses.

Cystathionine-beta-synthase inhibition for colon cancer: Enhancement of the efficacy of aminooxyacetic acid via the prodrug approach.

Colon cancer cells contain high levels of cystathionine-beta-synthase (CBS). Its product, hydrogen sulfide (HS) promotes the growth and proliferation of colorectal tumor cells. In order to improve the antitumor efficacy of the prototypical CBS inhibitor aminooxyacetic acid (AOAA), we have designed and synthesized YD0171, a methyl ester derivative of AOAA.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms due to giant cell aortitis.

We present three cases of thoracic aortic aneurysms caused by giant cell aortitis. Thoracic aortic aneurysms are common and usually related to hypertension, a bicuspid aortic valve or connective tissue diseases such as Marfan syndrome. Our report serves as a reminder that giant cell aortitis is an unusual yet very important cause of thoracic aortic aneurysm.

Methanolic Extract of Clinacanthus nutans Exerts Antinociceptive Activity via the Opioid/Nitric Oxide-Mediated, but cGMP-Independent, Pathways.

The objectives of the present study were to determine the mechanisms of antinociceptive effect of methanol extract of Clinacanthus nutans (Acanthaceae) leaves (MECN) using various animal nociceptive models. The antinociceptive activity of orally administered 10% DMSO, 100 mg/kg acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), 5 mg/kg morphine, or MECN (100, 250, and 500 mg/kg) was determined using the acetic acid-induced abdominal constriction (ACT), formalin-induced paw licking (FT), and hot plate tests (HPT). The role of opioid and nitric oxide/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO/cGMP) systems was also investigated.

Improving Trainees' Experience During The Implementation Of Out Of Hours' Rotas.

During clinical induction for psychiatry at Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, doctors covering out of hours rotas are expected to attend a meeting to finalise on call duties. The meeting aims to support doctors to utilise leave whilst ensuring patient safety. The meeting has being cited as being a negative experience for doctors.

Nutritional Status of Patients Admitted in a General Surgical Ward at a Tertiary Hospital of Punjab.

Nutritional assessment, as a method to identify malnourishment, has long been documented as an essential component of patient management which predicts adverse outcomes. The objective of the study was to find out the frequency of malnutrition and its association with the frequency of complications and deaths postoperatively. This study included all patients who were operated upon in a general surgical unit of Mayo Hospital, Lahore from June to August, 2013.

The characterization of macroH2A beyond vertebrates supports an ancestral origin and conserved role for histone variants in chromatin.

Histone variants play a critical role in chromatin structure and epigenetic regulation. These "deviant" proteins have been historically considered as the evolutionary descendants of ancestral canonical histones, helping specialize the nucleosome structure during eukaryotic evolution. Such view is now challenged by 2 major observations: first, canonical histones present extremely unique features not shared with any other genes; second, histone variants are widespread across many eukaryotic groups.

Temporal arteritis with erythrocyte sedimentation rate <50 mm/h: a clinical reminder.

Temporal arteritis, also known as giant cell arteritis (GCA), is a systemic vasculitis that predominantly involves the temporal arteries. It is a medical emergency and should be treated promptly as it can lead to permanent loss of vision. It is very commonly associated with a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), usually >50 mm/h, one of the essential criteria defined by the American College of Rheumatology classification of GCA.

Quality-of-life indicators and falls due to vitamin D deficiency.

Objective: To determine whether the number of falls and quality-of-life indicators relate to serum levels of vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and calcium levels.

Design: A prospective study.

Participants: Patients being admitted with a fall with or without sustaining a fragility fracture post fall.

Radiation Metabolomics: Current Status and Future Directions.

Human exposure to ionizing radiation (IR) disrupts normal metabolic processes in cells and organs by inducing complex biological responses that interfere with gene and protein expression. Conventional dosimetry, monitoring of prodromal symptoms, and peripheral lymphocyte counts are of limited value as organ- and tissue-specific biomarkers for personnel exposed to radiation, particularly, weeks or months after exposure. Analysis of metabolites generated in known stress-responsive pathways by molecular profiling helps to predict the physiological status of an individual in response to environmental or genetic perturbations.

Assessing personal financial management in patients with bipolar disorder and its relation to impulsivity and response inhibition.

Introduction: Impulsivity and risk-taking behaviours are reported in bipolar disorder (BD). We examined whether financial management skills are related to impulsivity in patients with BD.

Methods: We assessed financial management skills using the Executive Personal Finance Scale (EPFS), impulsivity using the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) and response inhibition using an emotional go/no-go task in bipolar individuals (N = 21) and healthy controls (HC; N = 23).

Using LinkedIn for Continuing Community of Practice Among Hand Surgeons Worldwide.

Background: Hand surgeons need continuing professional development due to rapid advancement in the field. Traditional approaches have proven to be challenging due to the nature of surgical practice and other demands. Social media sites have shown the potential to build an online community of practice.

Photoplethysmographic Signal to Screen Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Hospitalized Heart Failure Patients: Feasibility of a Prospective Clinical Pathway.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the plethysmographic signal-derived oxygen desaturation index (ODI) as an inpatient screening strategy to identify sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF).

Background: SDB is highly prevalent among patients hospitalized with CHF but is widely underdiagnosed. We evaluated overnight photoplethysmography as a possible screening strategy for hospitalized patients with CHF.

The Structural Determinants behind the Epigenetic Role of Histone Variants.

Histone variants are an important part of the histone contribution to chromatin epigenetics. In this review, we describe how the known structural differences of these variants from their canonical histone counterparts impart a chromatin signature ultimately responsible for their epigenetic contribution. In terms of the core histones, H2A histone variants are major players while H3 variant CenH3, with a controversial role in the nucleosome conformation, remains the genuine epigenetic histone variant.