Background: Cupressus arizonica Greene is a coniferous tree with great importance in fragrance and pharmaceutical industries. Essential oils from C. arizonica (EC) have shown potential antioxidant, and anti-microbial activities. This study aimed at investigating the anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects/mechanisms of EC. Methods: The EC was evaluated for anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities on male Wistar rats using a formalin test and carrageenan-induced paw edema, respectively. Also, we pre-treated some of the animals with naloxone and flumazenil in the formalin test to find out the possible contributions of opioid and benzodiazepine receptors to EC anti-nociceptive effects. Finally, gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis was used to identify the EC’s constituents. Results: EC in intraperitoneal doses of 0.5 and 1 g/kg significantly decrease the nociceptive responses in both early and late phases of the formalin test. From a mechanistic point of view, flumazenil administration 20 minutes before the most effective dose of EC (1 g/kg) showed a meaningful reduction in the associated antinociceptive responses during the early and late phases of the formalin test. Naloxone also reduced the anti-nociceptive role of EC in the late phase. Furthermore, EC at the doses of 1, 0.5, and 0.25 g/kg significantly reduced paw edema from 0.5 hours after carrageenan injection to 4 hours. GC/MS analysis showed that isolated EC is a monoterpene-rich oil with the major presence of α-pinene (71.92%), myrcene (6.37%), δ-3-carene (4.68%), β-pinene (3.71%), and limonene (3.34%). Conclusions EC showed potent anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities with the relative involvement of opioid and benzodiazepine receptors.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) with their self-renewal ability are accepted as cells which initiate tumors. CSCs are regarded as interesting targets for novel anticancer therapeutic agents because of their association with tumor recurrence and resistance to conventional therapies, including radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells are engineered T cells which express an artificial receptor specific for tumor associated antigens (TAAs) by which they accurately target and kill cancer cells. In recent years, CAR-T cell therapy has shown more efficiency in cancer treatment, particularly regarding blood cancers. The expression of specific markers such as TAAs on CSCs in varied cancer types makes them as potent tools for CAR-T cell therapy. Here we review the CSC markers that have been previously targeted with CAR-T cells, as well as the CSC markers that may be used as possible targets for CAR-T cell therapy in the future. Furthermore, we will detail the most important obstacles against CAR-T cell therapy and suggest solutions.

Two new sesquiterpenes, trivially named ricinusoids A (1) and ricinusoids B (2), were isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of Ricinus communis. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic techniques, including 1D- and 2D-NMR, UV, IR spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The compounds (1-2) were also assessed for in-vivo sedative and analgesic like effects in open field and acetic acid induced writhing tests respectively at 5, 10, and 20 mg·kg i.p. Pretreatment of both test compounds caused significant (P ≤ 0.05) reduction in locomotive activity like sedative agents and abdominal constrictions like analgesics. Both compounds (1-2) possessed marked sedative and antinociceptive effects in animal models.
Analgesics ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Animals ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Locomotion ; drug effects ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Molecular Structure ; Pain ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Ricinus ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

A retrospective study was performed to report the case occurrence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) in three hospitals of north-eastern region in Punjab Province, Pakistan. We reviewed retrospectively the clinical records of patients in 4 hospitals which were diagnosed with CE during 2012–2017. A total of 198 cases, 82 (41.4%) male and 116 (58.6%) females were detected as CE. The most Highest incidence was revealed in.... 21–30 years-old group (24.2%) followed by 41–50 (22.7%), 31–40 (16.2%), 11–20 (13.6%), 51–60 (8.1%), below 10 (5.5%), over 71 (5.1%) and 61–70 year-old group (4.5%). CE was detected in various organs of infected individuals. However, most of CE cases were detected in the liver (47.4%) and lung (18.6%). The present study indicated that CE is more or less prevalent in surveyed areas and one of the most important public health problems in Punjab Province, Pakistan.
Echinococcosis ; Epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver ; Lung ; Male ; Pakistan ; Public Health ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effectiveness of Judet's quadricepsplasty for treatment of knee contractures and to identify the effect of local infiltration of epinephrine on blood loss associated with this procedure.

METHODSA retrospective cohort study was conducted in which all cases of knee contractures managed with Judet's quadricepsplasty from 1st January 2009 to 31st December 2013 were included and were divided into two groups. The epinephrine group included patients who were infiltrated with diluted epinephrine (1:400,000) along with xylocaine, around the operative field 15 min prior to the incision time, while the control group did not receive any infiltration. Judet's outcome, blood loss, drop in hemoglobin and required blood transfusion were noted for all patients and compared between both groups.

RESULTSMost common preceding pathology identified for the development of knee contractures was periarticular fracture while ilizarov application was the most common etiology. Both groups were found similar in all preoperative characteristics except preoperative flexion contracture (p = 0.02). All functional outcome measures including Judet's outcome were similar in both groups. In contrast, duration of surgery (p = 0.01), blood loss (p = 0.02), drop in hemoglobin (p = 0.01) and number of transfusions (p = 0.03) were significantly reduced in epinephrine group.

CONCLUSIONJudet's quadricepsplasty is a useful procedure to increase the range of motion of rigid knees and local infiltration of epinephrine is effective in decreasing the amount of subsequent blood loss and transfusion requirements.

Toxoplasmosis is a protozoan disease that is caused by Toxoplasma gondii in livestock and humans. Due to its medical and veterinary importance, it is essential to study the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection among humans and animals in various parts of the world. The major objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and spatial distribution of toxoplasmosis in small ruminants (sheep and goats) of north-eastern region, Pakistan. A total of 1,000 animals comprising of sheep (n=470) and goats (n=530) were examined for T. gondii infection by using ELISA. An epidemiological data was collected in the form of questionnaire. A surface has been generated by using method of interpolation in Arc GIS with the help of IDW (inverse distance weight). The results showed higher seroprevalence of T. gondii in goats (42.8%) as compared to sheep (26.2%). The seroprevalence was higher in females as compared to males in all examined ruminants. Similarly, there is a wide variation in the seroprevalence of T. gondii in different breeds of sheep and goats showing higher seroprevalence in Teddy (52.8%) and Damani breed (34.5%) of goat and sheep's, respectively. The geographical and spatial distribution of T. gondii shows that it is widely distributed in different parts of the north-eastern region of Pakistan. Our results suggest widespread environmental contamination with T. gondii oocysts. It suggests us that small ruminants could be a potentially important source of T. gondii infection if their infected meat is consumed undercooked.
Animals ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Goats* ; Humans ; Livestock ; Male ; Meat ; Methods ; Oocysts ; Pakistan* ; Ruminants ; Seroepidemiologic Studies* ; Sheep* ; Toxoplasma ; Toxoplasmosis*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the sedative effect of Diospyros lotus L (D. lotus) extract in mice using the open field and Rota rod tests. METHODS: For the sedative and muscle relaxants activities of extract/fractions of the plant, in-vivo open field and phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time were used, while the Roda rod test was employed in animals for the assessment of muscle relaxant activity. RESULTS: Results from this investigation revealed that the extracts of D. lotus have exhibited significant sedative effect in mice (45.98%) at 100 mg/kg i.p. When the extract was partitioned with different solvents, the n-hexane fraction was inactive whereas the chloroform fraction was the most active with 82.67% sedative effect at 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p. On the other hand, the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions displayed significant sedative effects (55.65% and 40.87%, respectively) at 100 mg/kg i.p. Among the tested extract/fractions, only chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed significant (P < 0.05) muscle relaxant activity in the Rota rod test. CONCLUSIONS: In short, our study provided scientific background to the traditional uses of D. lotus as sedative.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate pharmacologically the traditional use of Diospyros lotus as antipyretic and antinociceptive in various animal models.

METHODSIn vivo experimental models were used in this study. Antipyretic activity of extract/fractions was evaluated in brewer's yeast induced hyperthermic mice while antinociceptive activity was studied in acetic acid induced writhing test at 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p.

RESULTSThe crude extract strongly ameliorated the induced pyrexia during various assessment times. Upon fractionation, the antipyretic effects were strongly augmented by the chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions of the plant. However, hexane and butanol fractions were insignificant in their effect as antipyretic. The extract showed marked inhibition on the noxious simulation induced by post acetic acid injection. The effect was strongly supported by other fraction expect hexane.

CONCLUSIONSIn short, our study scientifically validated the traditional use of the plant as antipyretic.

Objective: To investigate the antipyretic and anticonvulsant activities of n-hexane fraction of Viola betonicifolia (V. betonicifolia). Methods: The antipyretic effect was scrutinized using brewer’s yeast induced pyrexia and anticonvlsion effect was tested using pentylenetetrazol and strychnine induced convulsion in mice. Results: N-hexane fraction of V. betonicifolia demonstrated highly significant antipyretic activity during various assessment times (1-5 h) when challenged in yeast induced pyrexia test. The effect was in a dose dependent manner with maximum attenuation (82.50%) observed at 300 mg/kg i.p. When tested in pentylenetetrazol induced convulsion test, the 1st stage (Ear and facial twitching) and 2nd stage (Convulsive wave through the body) was 100% protected during 24 h at all the test doses (300, 400 and 500 mg/kg i.p.), while the latency time of remaining stages was significantly increased. The maximum effect was observed by n-hexane fraction of V. betonicifolia at 400 and 500 mg/kg i.p., as the latency time for generalized clonic-tonic seizure (5th stage) was increased up to 25.34 min. However, n-hexane fraction of V. betonicifolia had no protection in strychnine induced convulsion test. Conclusions:In conclusion, phytopharmacological studies provide scientific foundation to the folk uses of the plant in the treatment of pyrexia and neurological disorders.

PURPOSE: To compare the stone clearance rate, efficiency quotient (EQ), and early complications of shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for solitary lower-pole renal stones measuring 15 to 20 mm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective matched-pair analysis of 142 patients (78 in the SWL and 64 in the PCNL group). Preoperative imaging was done by use of noncontrast computed tomography (CT kidney, ureter, and bladder [KUB]), intravenous urogram, or plain X-ray and ultrasound KUB to assess the largest dimension of the stones. Only patients with radiopaque stones were included. The stone-free rates were assessed with plain X-ray and ultrasound at 4 weeks. Data were analyzed by use of SPSS ver. 19. RESULTS: The patients' demographic profiles (age, body mass index) and the stone sizes were comparable in the two groups. The mean stone size was 17.4+/-2.12 in the PCNL group compared with 17.67+/-2.04 in the SWL group (p=0.45). At 4 weeks, 83% of patients undergoing PCNL were stone-free compared with 51% in the SWL group (p<0.001). The EQ for the PCNL group was 76% compared with 44% for the SWL group (p<0.001). Ancillary procedures were required by 9% of patients in the PCNL group compared with 15% in the SWL group. The complication rate was 19% in both groups. The SWL complications were minor. CONCLUSIONS: Stone clearance from the lower pole of solitary stones sized 15 to 20 mm at the greatest diameter following SWL is poorer. These calculi can be better managed with percutaneous surgery owing to its higher efficacy and acceptably low morbidity.
Calculi ; Humans ; Kidney ; Kidney Calculi ; Lithotripsy ; Matched-Pair Analysis ; Nephrostomy, Percutaneous ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder