Rivaroxaban in Rheumatic Heart Disease-Associated Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Testing of factor Xa inhibitors for the prevention of cardiovascular events in patients with rheumatic heart disease-associated atrial fibrillation has been limited.

Methods: We enrolled patients with atrial fibrillation and echocardiographically documented rheumatic heart disease who had any of the following: a CHADSVASc score of at least 2 (on a scale from 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating a higher risk of stroke), a mitral-valve area of no more than 2 cm, left atrial spontaneous echo contrast, or left atrial thrombus. Patients were randomly assigned to receive standard doses of rivaroxaban or dose-adjusted vitamin K antagonist.

Association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D and cardiometabolic risk factors in adults in rural and urban settings.

Background: An inverse association between vitamin D status and cardiometabolic risk has been reported but this relationship may have been affected by residual confounding from adiposity and physical activity due to imprecise measures of these variables. We aimed to investigate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and cardiometabolic risk factors, with adjustment for objectively-measured physical activity and adiposity.

Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study in 586 adults in Cameroon (63.

Pennogenin-3--α--Rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α--Rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β--Glucopyranoside (Spiroconazol A) Isolated from L. var. Induces Autophagic Cell Death by p38 MAPK Activation in NSCLC Cells.

In our previous study, we reported the isolation of pennogenin-3--α--rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-[α--rhamnopyranosyl-(1→3)]-β--glucopyranoside (spiroconazol A), a steroidal saponin, from the flowers of L. var. .

Protein Quality Evaluation of Some Commonly Consumed Bird Egg Varieties Using Amino Acid Scores.

Objective: Food proteins provide amino acids (AAs) and serve as building blocks of all vital organs, muscles, hormones, and biological fluids such as blood. Eggs are known as a good source of protein. This study compared the protein quality of bird eggs (raw and boiled), using their AA scores since some individuals consume raw eggs for various reasons.

Siamoside A: a new -glycosylated flavone from (Lam.) H. S. Irwin & Barneby (Caesalpiniaceae).

Phytochemical investigation of the methanol extracts from the leaves and bark of resulted in the isolation of one new flavone -glycoside: apigenin-8--[6''-feruloyl]---glucopyranoside] (), together with sixteen known compounds including quercetin-3----rhamnoside (), vitexin (), isovitexin (), quercetin-3----glucopyranoside (), quercetin-3----arabinopyranoside (), quercetin (), kaempferol (), methyl inositol (), sucrose (), betulinic acid (), vanillic acid (), stigmastane-3,6-diol (), aurantiamide acetate (), robinetinidol (), catechin () and epicatechin (). The structures of these compounds were established on the basis of their spectroscopic (1 D and 2 D NMR) and mass spectrometric (ESI-TOF-MS) data. The methanol extracts, fractions and some of the isolated compounds were screened for their antimicrobial properties against five microbial strains.

The current state of clinical mycology in Africa: a European Confederation of Medical Mycology and International Society for Human and Animal Mycology survey.

Africa, although not unique in this context, is a favourable environment for fungal infections, given the high burden of risk factors. An online survey was developed asking about laboratory infrastructure and antifungal drug availability. We received 40 responses (24·4% response rate) of 164 researchers contacted from 21 African countries.

Germplasm A and B Genomic Composition Differentially Affects Their Susceptibility to Banana Bunchy Top Virus and Its Aphid Vector, .

Banana bunchy top disease (BBTD), caused by the banana bunchy top virus (BBTV, genus ), is the most destructive viral disease of banana and plantain ( spp.). The virus is transmitted persistently by the banana aphid, Coquerel (Hemiptera: Aphididae).

Evolutionary changes between pre- and post-vaccine South African group A G2P[4] rotavirus strains, 2003-2017.

The transient upsurge of G2P[4] group A rotavirus (RVA) after Rotarix vaccine introduction in several countries has been a matter of concern. To gain insight into the diversity and evolution of G2P[4] strains in South Africa pre- and post-RVA vaccination introduction, whole-genome sequencing was performed for RVA positive faecal specimens collected between 2003 and 2017 and samples previously sequenced were obtained from GenBank (=103; 56 pre- and 47 post-vaccine). Pre-vaccine G2 sequences predominantly clustered within sub-lineage IVa-1.

Relation between haptoglobin polymorphism and oxidative stress status, lipid profile, and cardiovascular risk in sickle cell anemia patients.

Objective: The haptoglobin (Hp) gene located on chromosome 16q22 exhibits a polymorphism that can impact its capacity to inhibit the deleterious oxidative activity of free hemoglobin. We aimed to determine the influence of Hp polymorphism on oxidative stress, lipid profile, and cardiovascular risk in Cameroonian sickle cell anemia patients (SCA patients).

Method: The Hp genotypes of 102 SCA patients (SS), 60 healthy individuals (AA), and 55 subjects with sickle cell trait (AS) were determined by allele-specific PCR, and the blood parameters were assessed using standard methods.

The number of tree species on Earth.

One of the most fundamental questions in ecology is how many species inhabit the Earth. However, due to massive logistical and financial challenges and taxonomic difficulties connected to the species concept definition, the global numbers of species, including those of important and well-studied life forms such as trees, still remain largely unknown. Here, based on global ground-sourced data, we estimate the total tree species richness at global, continental, and biome levels.

Antioxidant and cytotoxicity activities of δ-tocotrienol from the seeds of .

Chemical investigation of P. Beauv fruits led to the isolation of a new -tocotrienol, 3-hydroxy-δ-tocotrienol () together with eight known compounds (-). Compound ( was allylated () and prenylated ( and ) to give three new semi-synthesized derivatives which were fully characterized as: 6--allyl-3-hydroxy-δ-tocotrienol (), 6--prenyl-3-hydroxy-δ-tocotrienol () and 6-,5-C-diprenyl-3-hydroxy-δ-tocotrienol ().

Haptoglobin Gene Polymorphism among Sickle Cell Patients in West Cameroon: Hematological and Clinical Implications.

Haptoglobin is a protein involved in protecting the body from the harmful effects of free hemoglobin. The haptoglobin gene exhibits a polymorphism, and the different genotypes do not have the same capacity to combat the free hemoglobin effects. The present study aimed at determining the polymorphic distribution of haptoglobin in sickle cell patients (SCPs) from West Cameroon and their impact on the hematological parameters, as well as clinical manifestations of the disease severity.

Peptide conjugates of 18β-glycyrrhetinic acid as potent inhibitors of α-glucosidase and AGEs-induced oxidation.

18β-Glycyrrhetinic acid (18β-GA) is known for several biological activities, and has been the focus of extensive research for the development of therapeutic agents. In the current study, 18β-GA-peptide conjugates 2-11 were evaluated for their in vitro α-glucosidase inhibitory and antiglycation activities. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) established and molecular interactions of active bioconjugates with the enzyme's binding sites were predicted through molecular modeling approach.

Pyrrovobasine, hybrid alkylated pyrraline monoterpene indole alkaloid pseudodimer discovered using a combination of mass spectral and NMR-based machine learning annotations.

A new vobasine-tryptamine-based monoterpene indole alkaloid pseudodimer was isolated from the stem bark of . As a minor constituent occurring in a thoroughly investigated plant, this molecule was targeted based on a molecular networking strategy and a rational MS-guided phytochemical investigation led to its isolation. Its structure was formally established based on HRMS, 1D/2D NMR data, and the application of the tool Small Molecule Accurate Recognition Technology (SMART 2.

Updates on sphingolipids: Spotlight on retinopathy.

The sphingolipids ceramide (Cer), ceramide-1-phosphate (C1P), sphingosine (Sph), and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)) are key signaling molecules that regulate many patho-biological processes. During the last decade, they have gained increasing attention since they may participate in important and numerous retinal processes, such as neuronal survival and death, proliferation and migration of neuronal and vascular cells, inflammation, and neovascularization. Cer for instance has emerged as a key mediator of inflammation and death of neuronal and retinal pigment epithelium cells in experimental models of retinopathies such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), and retinitis pigmentosa.

Potent Nrf2-inducing, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects and identification of constituents validate the anti-cancer use of Uvaria chamae and Olax subscorpioidea.

Background: Uvaria chamae (UC) and Olax subscorpioidea (OS) roots are included in traditional anti-cancer remedies and some studies have identified their chemopreventive/chemotherapeutic potential. This study aimed to identify some cellular/molecular mechanisms underlying such potential and the associated chemical constituents.

Methods: Effect on the viability of cancer cells was assessed using the Alamar Blue assay; ability to modulate oxidative stress was assessed using the 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) assay; potential to modulate Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor like-2 (Nrf2) activity was assessed in the AREc32 luciferase reporter cell line; and anti-inflammatory effect was assessed using lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide release model in the RAW264.

QuinoMit Q10-Fluid attenuates hydrogen peroxide-induced irregular beating in mouse pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes.

Background: Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a crucial component of the mitochondrial structure which is involved in producing more than 90% of cellular ATP. This study aimed to investigate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of QuinoMit Q10-Fluid against hydrogen peroxide (HO)-induced arrhythmias on cardiomyocytes (CMs).

Methods: Undifferentiated stem cell-derived CMs were cultured in the presence of different concentrations of QuinoMit Q10-Fluid.

Expanding the Myxochelin Natural Product Family by Nicotinic Acid Containing Congeners.

Myxobacteria represent a viable source of chemically diverse and biologically active secondary metabolites. The myxochelins are a well-studied family of catecholate-type siderophores produced by various myxobacterial strains. Here, we report the discovery, isolation, and structure elucidation of three new myxochelins N1-N3 from the terrestrial myxobacterium sp.

Urine metabolites for the identification of Onchocerca volvulus infections in patients from Cameroon.

Background: The tropical disease onchocerciasis (river blindness), caused by Onchocerca volvulus filarial nematodes, is targeted for elimination by mass treatment with nematocidal and antimicrobial drugs. Diagnosis of O. volvulus infections is based on counts of skin-borne microfilariae, but additional diagnostic tools, e.

Analogs of the carotane antibiotic fulvoferruginin from submerged cultures of a Thai sp.

A recent find of a species in Northern Thailand led to the isolation of five unprecedented derivatives of the carotane antibiotic fulvoferruginin (), fulvoferruginins B-F (-). The structures of these sesquiterpenoids were elucidated using HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR, as well as CD spectroscopy. Assessing the bioactivity, fulvoferruginin emerged as a potent cytotoxic agent of potential pharmaceutical interest.

Separation and anti-inflammatory evaluation of phytochemical constituents from Pleurospermum candollei (Apiaceae) by high-speed countercurrent chromatography with continuous sample load.

Pleurospermum (Apiaceae) species possess a wide range of biological properties viz. analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and so on. Pleurospermum candollei (DC.