Articles

Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy-associated condition, which is characterized by the onset of hypertension and proteinuria. It is one of the leading causes of maternal and neonatal mortality and this affliction has been recorded in around 8% of all pregnancies in the world. In addition to this, the etiopathology of this condition is very less understood and the resources available to diagnose and treat it are limited. Prior studies suggest more than a hundred possible diagnostic biomarkers that could be used to detect this disease early on. However, most of them are not feasible due to several reasons including stability, cost, safety, etc. Here two biomarkers HtrA3 (high-temperature requirement A3) and NGAL (Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin) are selected for the detection of pre-eclampsia, and we compare their efficacy in the detection of pre-eclampsia based on their specificity, ease of use, speed, stage of detection and source (invasiveness). We found that these two biomarkers are efficient under some parameters, and inefficient under others. The scoring system used in the current study suggests that NGAL is a superior biomarker. The results of this study help to develop a stronger understanding of both these biomarkers in the short and long term to classify the biomarkers more efficiently and understand the complicated pathologies of pre-eclampsia.

Metabolites of Brazilian Cerrado species are considered an immense font of biologically active compounds The diversity of organic compounds generated by the secondary metabolism of various Cerrado plants draws attention especially because many of these compounds have the capacity to be structurally modified and, consequently, produce other very interesting derivatives for pharmacological purposes. Despite this, little is described in the literature about fast, easy, and accessible identification methods for any laboratory, such as infrared spectroscopy. In this sense, this work demonstrates the synthesis and elucidation through spectroscopic techniques of lapachol and its synthetic derivatives. Through quick and simple extractions or reactions, lapachol, β-lapachone, and hydroxy-hydrolapachol were obtained with adequate yields. From this, the main FTIR absorptions of the mentioned naphthoquinones are described, which facilitates the identification of these metabolites with high biological potential. The present work contributes could become a simpler source of data for extraction, synthesis, and spectroscopic characterization by FTIR of the compounds.

Introduction: The bone marrow aspirate examination is defined as a quantitative and qualitative study of bone marrow cells obtained by puncture and aspiration. Aim: Our objective was to evaluate the practice of this exam at Andrainjato Fianarantsoa University Hospital in order to improve its diagnostic relevance.Method: This is a prospective and descriptive cross-sectional study of all bone marrow aspirates performed at the Andrainjato Fianarantsoa University Hospital Madagascar, during 18 months, from January 2021 to June 2022.Results: Forty-two bone marrow aspirate examinations were performed during the study period, among the 338 requests for hematological analysis received, representing a percentage of 1.26%. The average age of the patients was 32.17 years, with a sex ratio of 2.5. The prescription was of hospital origin in 83.3% of patients, motivated by the disturbance of the blood count in 78.6% of cases. Thirty-three requests were evaluated as relevant prescriptions. Coupled with the realization of the bone marrow examination, the haemograms were pathological in 78.6% of cases. The result of the bone marrow aspirate showed normal marrow cytology (16.7%), reactive marrow (23.8%), pathological marrow (50.0%), and hemodiluted marrow (9.5%). Dysmyelopoiesis (33.3%), multiple myeloma (23.8%), and acute leukemia (19.0%) were the main pathologies found. The difficulties encountered were related to the poor quality of the equipment and the non-availability of other complementary explorations.Conclusion: The bone marrow aspirate examination is technically feasible at Andrainjato Fianarantsoa University Hospital despite the existence of difficulties. The commitment to the process of continuous improvement of quality would impose the improvement of the technical platform.

Immune cytopenias occur when the body produces antibodies that target specific hematopoietic cells, inducing extravascular antibody-mediated phagocytosis by monocyte-macrophages in the spleen and/or liver through activation of Fcγ Receptors (FcγRs). Immune cytopenias include Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia (AIHA), Hemolytic Transfusion Reactions (HTR), Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn (HDFN), and Autoimmune Neutropenia (AIN). Thus, novel therapeutics that inhibit phagocytosis would be useful, especially for short-term use while other therapies are being evaluated. In our earlier studies, we successfully identified two small-molecule drugs able to inhibit in vitro phagocytosis with a low IC50 concentration and negligible toxicity. These drugs, known as KB-151 and KB-208, have the potential to be utilized as lead compounds for further studies, once their mechanism of action is more clearly understood. In this regard, we have developed preliminary results that suggest that these small molecules may bind to the Fc receptors on monocyte macrophages and block the subsequent attachment of antibody-opsonized red blood cells to prevent phagocytosis.

This study aimed to investigate the treatment effects of ZnO NPs plus thiamine on histo-stereological and biochemical parameters in diabetic mouse skin. In total 54 BALB/C mice were used and divided into nine groups. Twenty-four mice were coordinately assigned as control groups (I), thiamine (II), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (III and IV; 1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg). Diabetes was induced in the remaining rats with a dose of 180 mg/kg of alloxan; diabetes group (group V). Other diabetic mice were treated with ZnO NPs (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg) alone (groups VI and VII, respectively) and along with thiamine (groups VIII and IX, respectively). An increase in weight was observed in the diabetic group compared to the control group. Diabetic skin showed decreasing in volume density of collagen bundles and decreasing in the epidermis and dermis thickness, as well as an increase in the hypodermis's thickness. Administration of ZnO NPs (0.1 and 0.5 mg/kg) alone and along with thiamine in the diabetic animals resulted in anti-hyperglycemic activity, reducing GGT, BUN, Cr, MDA, and NO levels in treated diabetic mice. In conclusion, the concomitant use of ZnO NPs along with thiamine presents the potential as a combination therapy for the treatment of alloxan-induced diabetic mice skin changes.

Over half of the world's population is fed by rice. It is consumed as a staple food by many countries worldwide. It is affected by a number of diseases among which fungal diseases contribute to its significant loss. Kashmir Valley located in the North Western Himalayan region of India is known for various coarse varieties of rice for their taste and elite class. However, the diseases cause a serious problem for the local farmers as well as the people who also consume rice as their staple food. One of the best remedies for disease management is the adoption of integrated disease management strategies, which include the use of resistant varieties, cultural practices, and judicious use of fungicides. In this review, we present the major fungal diseases affecting rice in Kashmir Valley and their management using Integrated Plant Disease Management (IDM).

Free amino acids-based biostimulants are gaining momentum in Europe for sustainable agriculture. They stimulate plant growth, improve crop productivity, and reduce reliance on harmful fertilizers. Enzymatic hydrolysis is used to develop biostimulants from animal by-products, such as greaves and protein-rich wastewater from processed animal proteins. The effectiveness of enzymatic hydrolysis depends on selecting the appropriate conditioning stage for the by-products, yielding protein in the range of 86% to 97%. These protein hydrolysates, with optimal amino acid compositions, are evaluated as biostimulants. Promising results show growth improvements of 17% to 31% in Chinese cabbage and lettuce seeds. The optimal dilution concentration ranges from 0.05% to 0.3%, depending on the protein hydrolysate used. The findings highlight the potential of these biostimulants to enhance plant growth and productivity while reducing environmental impact by replacing chemical fertilizers. They offer sustainable alternatives for promoting environmentally friendly practices in agriculture.

The digital transformation in the health sector represents an extraordinary challenge not only concerning patient care and assistance processes but also for the purpose of promoting new models capable of responding to the growing complexity of the environment and its impact on health. Psychological services are among the non-medical healthcare services heavily invested by this radical transformation. The constant increase in online psychology demand by users follows the need to carefully regulate its practice since this digital space, virtually a non-place, is the focus of large commercial interests. Being a part of the application of digital technologies to psychological performance, the aim of the paper was to emphasize clinical work, especially focused on childhood and adolescence with the need of identifying the limits and problems of digital health psychology in this group of subjects. Considering also that the massive use of digitization in healthcare also raises considerations of a bioethical nature regarding the priority of the principle of patient autonomy in the complex and articulated process of healthcare and protection. In conclusion, although TM is spread in our area in an uneven way, the representations of TM are mostly positive. However, it seems to emerge a picture in which part of some professionals still look to be too cautious and resist this new way.

Glutathione (GSH), a dynamic biomolecule, is popularly called the “master antioxidant”. This tripeptide thiol is almost ubiquitously found in prokaryotes, and eukaryotes, with some organism exceptions, and is known for its several significant roles including in plants. GSH in plant systems restricts itself not only to plant growth and development but its role is crucial in providing resistance to plants against several environmental hazards also. 

Introduction: Twin pregnancy, compared to a singleton pregnancy, is associated with a higher risk of preterm birth and other neonatal complications. This study aimed to compare neonatal mortality rates and risk factors among births with the gestational age of 34 weeks - 37 weeks in twin and singleton pregnancies.Methods: The study design was cross-sectional and population-based. We extracted the data from the birth information registry in Iran. Mothers' and neonates' information was removed from the registry systems between 2018 and 2020. We used Statistical R software to compare neonatal mortality rate, demographic variables, and risk factors between two groups of twin and singleton neonates.Results: Out of 579,873 live births with a gestational age of 34 weeks - 37 weeks, 729 (1.4/1000) singleton and 54(0.77/1000) twins (one out of two) neonates died in the delivery room in the first hour of life. Of the neonates who left the delivery room alive, 3129 (4.9 per 1000) neonates had died (5.7/1000 singleton and 3.04/1000 twin). The neonatal mortality rate in hospitalized singleton neonates (1.85%) was higher than twin group (1.06%). After adjustment of other variables, the mortality rate in twin pregnancy was significantly lower than in singletons (p value < 1/1000), with an odds ratio of 0.47 (CI: 0.39 - 0.55). Antenatal corticosteroid treatment in the twin group was significantly higher than in singletons.Conclusion: Twin neonatal mortality rate was lower than singletons in the neonates with gestational age 34 weeks - 37 weeks. Clinicians could consider these results for delivery timing in uncomplicated twin pregnancies. Antenatal corticosteroid therapy can be considered to reduce the mortality rate of late preterm neonates in resource-limited countries.