Cancer recurrence and severe side effects of currently being used chemotherapeutic agents reduce their clinical efficacy. Thus, there is a constant need to develop alternative anticancer drugs. Sustainable supply is an important challenge facing marine-based drug discovery. Primmorph, a 3D cell culture system, could provide a sustainable source to produce metabolites for anticancer drugs from marine sponges. In the present work, the anticancer activity of primmorph extracts and mesohyls of Negombata magnifica, Hemimycle arabica, Crella spinulata, and Stylissa carteri sponges was evaluated. Anti-proliferative activity was studied in terms of cytotoxicity, colony formation, cell cycle, and apoptosis. Migration was assessed by migration assay and matrix metalloproteinase activity. The expression of proliferation and migration-related genes was analyzed using real time PCR. Migration and proliferation activities of HepG2 cells were inhibited by treatment with primmorph extracts and mesohyls of N. magnifica, H. arabica, and C. spinulata. The mesohyl of S. carteri did not show any anticancer activity although the primmorph extract led to cell cycle arrest. Among the selected sponge species, the prim-morph extract of C. spinulata was the most promising anticancer agent regarding antiproliferative and antimigratory activities. In addition, primmorph extracts have the advantage of working under well-defined and controlled conditions, which allows the easy application as a bioreactor.

Objective: This study examined the risk factors and survival outcomes of dogs infected with CPV-2. Molecular characterization of CPV-2 genotypes circulating in Egypt was performed to determine the evolution of CPV-2 nationally and globally. Methods: An age-matched case-control study was conducted on 47 control and 47 CPVinfected dogs. Conditional logistic regression analysis examined the association between the potential risk factors and CPE in dogs. Survival analysis was performed to determine the survival pattern of the infected dogs. Thirteen fecal samples from infected dogs were collected to confirm the CPV genotype by CPV-2 VP2 gene sequencing, assembly of nucleotide sequences, and phylogenic analysis. Results: Unvaccinated and roamer dogs had eight and 2.3 times higher risks of CPV infection than vaccinated dogs and non-roamer dogs, respectively. The risk of death from CPE was high among dogs without routine visits to veterinary clinics and among non-roamer dogs.Molecular characterization of CPV-2 confirmed its genotype identity and relationship with the CPV-2 c and b clade types. Conclusions and Relevance: This study highlights the potential factors for CPE control, especially vaccination and preventing dogs from roaming freely outside houses. Isolated CPV genotypes are closely related to southern Asian genotypes, suggesting a substantial opportunity for global transmission.

Spinal extradural arachnoid cyst (SEAC) is a rare cause of spinal cord compression. Bifocal location of thoracic and sacral SEACs is rarely reported in the literature. We report a case of thoracic spinal cord compression by SEAC associated with asymptomatic multiple sacral Tarlov cysts (TC). The surgical management and postoperative outcome of the patient are discussed. A 34-year-old woman was referred to the hospital for acute thoracic pain with a history of chronic long-standing back pain. She complained of walking difficulties. Neurological examination demonstrated incomplete spastic paraplegia with sensory level in T9. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large cystic formation from T7-11 and at the level of the sacrum. We performed laminectomies at the level of interest from T7-11. The cysts were dissected from the underlying dura after removal of the cerebrospinal fluid. We found nerve tissue in the cysts. We excised the cyst and preserved the nerve roots. Subsequently, a duraplasty was performed with autologous grafts from the lumbar fascia. The condition of the patient improved after surgery and he was recovering well at follow-up. Although the surgical treatment of TC is controversial, especially at the sacral lumbar level, decompression at the dorsal level in this case is indisputable.
Adult ; Arachnoid ; Back Muscles ; Back Pain ; Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Decompression ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Laminectomy ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Nerve Tissue ; Neurologic Examination ; Paraplegia ; Sacrum ; Spinal Cord Compression* ; Spinal Cord* ; Tarlov Cysts* ; Transplants ; Walking

Treatment of AIDS (HIV) and hepatitis C virus needs protease inhibitors (PI) to prevent viral replication. Uses of PI in therapy are usually associated with a decrease in body weight and dyslipidemia. Acylation stimulating protein (ASP) is a protein synthesized in adipocytes to increase triglycerides biosynthesis, for that the relation of PI and ASP to adipogenesis is tested in this work. ASP expression was increased during 3T3-L1 differentiation and reached a peak at day 8 with cell maturation. Addition of PI during adipocytes differentiation dose dependently and significantly (p < 0.5) inhibited the degree of triglycerides (TG) accumulation. Moreover, presence of ASP (450 ng/mL) in media significantly (p < 0.5) stimulated the degree of TG accumulation and there was additive stimulation for ASP when added with insulin (10 microgram/mL). Finally, when ASP in different doses (Low, 16.7; Medium, 45 and High, 450 ng/mL) incubated with a dose of x150 PI, ASP partially inhibited the PI-inhibited adipogenesis and TG accumulation. The results in this study show that PI inhibit lipids accumulation and confirm role of ASP in TG biosynthesis and adipogenesis.
3T3 Cells ; Adipogenesis/*drug effects ; Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation/*drug effects ; Hypoglycemic Agents/pharmacology ; Insulin/pharmacology ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/*pharmacology ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects ; Mice ; Protease Inhibitors/*pharmacology ; Time Factors

Various anomalies for the origin of the middle meningeal artery (MMA) have been described in the literature. However, origin of the MMA from the basilar trunk is an extremely rare variant. We report on a 54-year-old female who presented with frequent headaches; magnetic resonance imaging showed a right parietal meningioma. The abnormal origin of the middle meningeal artery from the basilar artery was diagnosed by angiography performed for preoperative embolization of the tumor. We report on the case with a review of the embryologic basis, possible explanations for this aberrant origin, and its clinical implications.
Anatomic Variation ; Angiography ; Basilar Artery* ; Embryology ; Female ; Headache ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Meningeal Arteries* ; Meningioma ; Middle Aged ; Rabeprazole

OBJECTIVE: Preoperative endovascular embolization of intracranial tumors is performed to mitigate anticipated intraoperative blood loss. Although the usage of a wide array of embolic agents, particularly polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), has been described for a variety of tumors, literature detailing the efficacy, safety and complication rates for the usage of Onyx is relatively sparse. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed our single institutional experience with pre-surgical Onyx embolization of extra-axial tumors to evaluate its efficacy and safety and highlight nuances of individualized cases. RESULTS: Five patients underwent pre-surgical Onyx embolization of large or giant extra-axial tumors within 24 hours of surgical resection. Four patients harbored falcine or convexity meningiomas (grade I in 2 patients, grade II in 1 patient and grade III in one patient), and one patient had a grade II hemangiopericytoma. Embolization proceeded uneventfully in all cases and there were no complications. CONCLUSION: This series augments the expanding literature confirming the safety and efficacy of Onyx in the preoperative embolization of extra-axial tumors, underscoring its advantage of being able to attain extensive devascularization via only one supplying pedicle.
Hemangiopericytoma ; Humans ; Meningioma ; Polyvinyl Alcohol

Objective: To isolate and identify chemical constituents with antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory effects of the ethanolic extract of Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) leaves. Methods: The alcoholic extract was subjected to successive solvent fractionation. The antioxidant active fractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate and aqueous fractions) were subjected to a combination of different chromatographic techniques guided by the antioxidant assay with DPPH. The structures of the isolated compounds were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidences and correlated with known compounds. The antioxidant activity was assessed quantitively using DPPH and β-carotene methods. The inhibitory potential against enzyme lipoxygenase was assessed on soybean lipoxygenase enzyme. Results: Ten flavonoids and four lignans were isolated. Flavonoid aglycones showed stronger antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory effects than their glycosides. Lignoid glycosides showed moderate to weak antioxidant and lipoxygenase inhibitory effects. Conclusions: A total of 14 compounds were isolated and identified from Simmondsia chinensis; 12 of them were isolated for the first time. This is the first report that highlights deeply on the phenolic content of jojoba and their potential biological activities and shows the importance of this plant as a good source of phenolics in particular the flavonoid content.

Objective: Pain is one of the most common nonmotor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease (PD), with variable characteristics among populations. This multicenter Egyptian study aimed to translate and validate the King’s Parkinson’s Disease Pain Scale (KPPS) and Questionnaire (KPPQ) into Arabic versions and to investigate the pain characteristics in Egyptian people with PD (PWP). Methods: A total of 192 PWP and 100 sex- and age-matched controls were evaluated by the KPPS-Arabic and KPPQ-Arabic. Both tools were assessed for test–retest reliability, floor or ceiling effects, construct validity and convert validity. PWP were also assessed by the Movement Disorders Society-Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y), Non-Motor Symptom Scale (NMSS), PD Questionnaire-39, and Non-Motor Fluctuation Assessment (NoMoFA). Results: The KPPS-Arabic and KPPQ-Arabic showed inter- and intrarater consistency and high validity, with an acceptable ceiling effect. A total of 188 PWP (97.9%) reported at least 1 type of pain (p < 0.001). The severity and prevalence of all pain domains in the KPPS-Arabic were significantly higher among PWP than among controls (p < 0.001). Fluctuation-related and musculoskeletal pains were the most common (81.3% and 80.7%, respectively). In the PD group, the total and domains of KPPS-Arabic were significantly correlated to the MDS-UPDRS total score and the scores of Parts I, II, III, postural instability gait disorder, axial, and H&Y but not with age or age of onset. The predictors of KPPS-Arabic scores included the total MDS-UPDRS, the part III-OFF, disease duration, the total NMSS, and the NoMoFA scores. Conclusion The current multicenter study provided validated Arabic versions of the KPPS and KPPQ, which exhibited high reliability and validity, and demonstrated a high prevalence and severity of pain within Egyptian PWP and characterized its determinants.

Background: and Purpose Randomized trials proved the benefits of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for select patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) within 24 hours of last-known-well (LKW). Recent data suggest that LVO patients may benefit from MT beyond 24 hours. This study reports the safety and outcomes of MT beyond 24 hours of LKW compared to standard medical therapy (SMT). Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of LVO patients presented to 11 comprehensive stroke centers in the United States beyond 24 hours from LKW between January 2015 and December 2021. We assessed 90-day outcomes using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Results: Of 334 patients presented with LVO beyond 24 hours, 64% received MT and 36% received SMT only. Patients who received MT were older (67±15 vs. 64±15 years, P=0.047) and had a higher baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS; 16±7 vs.10±9, P<0.001). Successful recanalization (modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction score 2b-3) was achieved in 83%, and 5.6% had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage compared to 2.5% in the SMT group (P=0.19). MT was associated with mRS 0–2 at 90 days (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.73, P=0.026), less mortality (34% vs. 63%, P<0.001), and better discharge NIHSS (P<0.001) compared to SMT in patients with baseline NIHSS ≥6. This treatment benefit remained after matching both groups. Age (aOR 0.94, P<0.001), baseline NIHSS (aOR 0.91, P=0.017), Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography (ASPECTS) score ≥8 (aOR 3.06, P=0.041), and collaterals scores (aOR 1.41, P=0.027) were associated with 90-day functional independence. Conclusion In patients with salvageable brain tissue, MT for LVO beyond 24 hours appears to improve outcomes compared to SMT, especially in patients with severe strokes. Patients’ age, ASPECTS, collaterals, and baseline NIHSS score should be considered before discounting MT merely based on LKW.

Callistemon viminalis (C. viminalis) is a plant that has been reported to have various medicinal values such as antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant activities and other pharmaceutical and insecticidal properties. This review covers the potentials, applications and properties of different extracts from different parts (branches, flowers, fruits, bark, leaves) of C. viminalis. Furthermore, the chemical structures of the bioactive compounds were reported for biological activities. All the results supported the traditional uses of C. viminalis in folk medicine. In addition, some researches supported the use of C. viminalis extracts for the preparation of metal oxide nanoparticles.