Journal of Research in Applied and Basic Medical Sciences
Volume:7 Issue: 3, Summer 2021

 Entandrophragma cylindricum (EC) is a tree with a widespread presence in various West African countries. It has wide folkloric use as an anti-sickling, antimalarial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and is widely used traditionally in treating diabetes across West Africa. The purpose of this research is to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of the methanolic leaf extract of Entandrophragma cylindricum (EC) in rats.

Induction of Diabetes mellitus was done by Streptozotocin (STZ) via intraperitoneal route injection. Animals were apportioned into five groups (n=5) for contrasting the activity of EC at three EC doses (25 mg/kg, 50 mg/kg, 150 mg/kg p.o.) against the standard drug (Glibenclamide) and control groups. Rats having elevated glucose levels above 250 mg/dL were considered diabetic and used for the study. Normoglycemic test, Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT), STZ-Induced diabetes, in-vitro antioxidant properties of EC extract, and in vivo antioxidant property of the serum were assessed.

Phytochemistry revealed the presence of tannins, flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, terpenoids, deoxy-sugars, and anthraquinones. The three doses of EC (150, 50, and 25 mg/kg) used in the study caused a significant decrease in blood glucose levels in the STZ-induced diabetic rat model. Also, EC (150, 50, and 25 mg/kg) produced a significant (p< 0.001) increase respectively in the body weight from day 0 to day 30 when compared with the untreated diabetic rat. Our results indicated that EC might be a potent free radical scavenger, as it scavenged the 2,2 -diphenyl picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, hydroxyl radical, and NO radicals in vitro. EC also showed a significant anti-lipid peroxidative effect in vivo. Histologic analysis revealed the regenerative impact of EC on the β-cells of diabetic rats.

Findings revealed that EC possess antihyperglycemic and antioxidant effects.

 Thymoquinone (TQ) as a natural component and the active herbal complex originate in Nigella sativa seed shows the anti-cancer effects acknowledged in the previous studies. The effects of TQ, its mechanism on colorectal cancer, and its combination with other newly chemotherapeutic agents are unclear. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) has been upregulated in a number of malignancies. In this survey, we have investigated the impacts of Thymoquinone and NVP-AUY922 (a newly defined resorcinylic isoxazole–based HSP90 inhibitor) on HT-29 colorectal cancer cell lines.

HT-29 cells were seeded and exposed to Thymoquinone and NVP-AUY922 for 24 hours in various concentrations. Cell viability (water-soluble tetrazolium-1) assay was performed. Moreover, in combination cases, various concentrations of both agents examined using cellular viability analysis.

The TQ significantly inhibited cancer cell growth in colorectal cancer cell lines in various combination doses of NVP-AUY922. Treatment with TQ could augment the cytotoxicity of NVP-AUY922 against the HT-29 as compared with that of NVP-AUY922 alone.

Our findings suggested the anti-proliferative effects of TQ and NVP-AUY922 through cytotoxic pathway to induce cell death.

 Although Peptic ulcer is a benign lesion of the gastrointestinal tract often caused by the secretion of gastric acid and/or the multiplication of Helicobacter pylori, but its rupture (perforated peptic ulcer (PPU)) is a surgical emergency and requires immediate action. PPU could cause ECG changes leading to masking the patient's main disease and wrong treatment. In this study we evaluated the prevalence of changes in the ECG of patients with perforated peptic ulcer in Firouzabadi Hospital.

In this cross-sectional study, demographic data of all patients with PPU in Firouzabadi Hospital were extracted from the archives and electrographs were earned by cardiologists and internal medicine specialists while visiting. Statistical analyses were fulfilled by SPSS V.22 software with significance level of 0.05.

119 patients (86 males and 33 females) with PPU with mean age of 48.99 ± 16.18 were included in this study. Among 66 patients (55.5%) with band changes, 41 patients had one, 16 had two, 4 had three, and 5 had four pathological changes in their ECG. The most common pathological finding was T wave inversion which was observed in 29 patients (24.5%). more in male patients. There was no significant relationship between ECG findings with factors likeage, smoking, alcohol consumption, and a history of diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease (P> 0.05).

More than half of patients with PPU have at least one preoperative electrocardiographic change. Gender is an influential factor in PPU and electrocardiographic changes. Although the frequency of these changes was more common among populations with hypertension, diabetes, and ischemic vascular disease, but there was no statistically connections between them.

Klebsiella pneumonia (K.pneumonia) is one of the causative agents of lung infections, wound infections, urinary tract, and bloody diarrhea. One of the most common ways of transmission in neonatal and surgical wards is through hospital staff, nurses, and physicians. It could be transmitted to hospitalized patients and personnel through feces, respiratory secretions, contaminated equipment, and hands. To prevent the transmission of nosocomial infections, hand washing of employees with biocides can be effective.

The minimum inhibitory concentration of 65 K.pneumonia isolates was determined according to CLSI guidelines compared to common biocides used in educational hospitals in Urmia, Iran, such as benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine. PCR was performed to evaluate the presence of cepA genes.

The results showed a significant relationship between the presence of cepA gene and high MIC compared to chlorhexidine bioside in K. pneumoniae. But there was no significant relationship between the presence of cepA gene and multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates.

It is concluded that, detection of cepA gene or other genes involving drug resistance should be extended by using another tests with more reliability and reproducibility like gene expressions and gene cloning methods.

 Drug excipient incompatibility evaluation is an important part of pre-formulation studies. Drug-excipient interaction may affect drug stability, bioavailability, therapeutic effects, efficacy, and safety. Therefore, development of a successful drug delivery systems or dosage forms depends on correct selection of excipients. The aim of this study is to evaluate of celecoxib-lactose incompatibility reactions at solid state using physicochemical methods.

Celecoxib and lactose were blended in 1:1 mass ratios and added to 20% (v/w) water and stored in closed vials at 60°C (inside the oven). Also, pure drug and pure excipient were prepared. Celecoxib, celecoxib-lactose and lactose tablets prepared using direct compression method. Produced tablets were stored at 60 °C (inside the oven). Finally, celecoxib -lactose incompatibility in the solid state was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) methods over four consecutive weeks.

the incompatibility of celecoxib with lactose was not observed using physicochemical methods including DSC, FTIR spectroscopy and also visual observation.

It can be concluded that using lactose in celecoxib solid pharmaceutical preparations will not cause incompatibilities.

 The threat of antibiotic resistance is rapidly progressing and intensifying. It is an important global issue and health-care problem that needs urgent attention. This study will help provide a better understanding of what the students know and believe about the issue of antibiotic resistance. This study was designed to assess the knowledge, attitude and perception level among students concerning antibiotic resistance as well as their self-reported practices related to antibiotic usage.

A cross sectional descriptive study was conducted among 230 study participants (Interns and post graduates).A semi structured questionnaire was administered to the participants.

All the participants are aware of antibiotic resistance.192 (83.4%) of the participants agreed that indiscriminate and injudicious use of antibiotics leads to ineffective treatment in future. The perception and attitude of the study participants showed that 144 (62.6%) of participants agreed that skipping one or two doses contributes to the development of antibiotic resistance. Majority of the study participants opined that they need more training in the antibiotic selec tion and on antibiotic resistance.

The findings of the study concluded that there is a need for proper planning and devising an effective and tailored educational intervention, which can unlock the initial step to curb the alarming increase in resistance.

 We present an analytical formula (AF) to calculate the total scatter factor of the MLC-shaped small radiation beams.

Pinpoint, Semiflex, and Farmer ion chambers were used for MLC/Jaw-shaped fields extending from (10x10 cm2) down to (1x1 cm2). The total scatters factor, beam profiles, and penumbra was investigated for MLC/Jaw-shaped beams.

We found that the total scatters factor and the penumbra was clearly higher for MLC-shaped beams due to the MLC leakage, which becomes more and more significant for the small fields. The Analytical Formula was introduced as a least-square fit equation and verified against to measure data. The maximum deviation at small field size (< 4 cm2) was within 3.6% and 43.9% from both MLC and Jaw-shaped beams, respectively.

Our analytical formula shows a very good agreement with measured data at a large field size (> 4 cm2), and had small deviation with MLC-shaped small field size, emphasizing that our analytical formula is valid and reasonably good for the total scatters factor calculation of the MLC-shaped beams, especially the ultra-small field size.

The role of radioprotectors to reduce the cellular damage induced by ionizing radiation has been studied in human, animal and in vitro culture models. Radiation therapy cannot eradicate tumors successfully because of soft tissue damage. Proper use of radioprotective agents (before or shortly after radiation) can reduce normal tissue radiation toxicity and improve treatment output. There are three groups of radioprotectors: Synthetic protectors, antioxidant nutrients, and Immunomodulators. We discussed the radioprotective efficacy and its interaction against toxic agents. In addition, we discussed articles that have used radioprotective agents in the treatment of cancer with radiotherapy to protect normal tissue.