Optimization and Pretreatment for Hot Water Extraction of Korean Deer (Cervus canadensis Erxleben) Velvet Antlers

Velvet antler (VA) is a historically traditional medicinal supplement and is well known in Asian countries for its pharmaceutical and health benefits. The objectives for this study were to optimize the hot water extraction (HWE) of VA for the Korean VA industry, and to determine the most effective pretreatment method among microwave (MW), ultrasonication (US), and enzymatic (EZ) techniques. Using response surface methodology, optimum extraction temperatures and times were determined by central composite design configuration based on extraction yield and sialic acid content. Various quality parameters of VA extract including yield, soluble solid, protein, and sialic acid contents were also compared with the conjunction of HWE and pretreatment. The yield and sialic acid content of VA extract were determined to be 40% and 0.73 mg/g, respectively, under an optimum temperature of 100°C at 24 h of extraction time. The yields from VA extracts pretreated with MW, US, and EZ were 17.42%, 19.73%, and 29.15%, respectively. Among the tested commercial enzymes, pepsin was the most effective proteolytic enzyme and led to the highest yield (47.65%), soluble solids (4.03 °brix), protein (1.12 mg/ml), and sialic acid (3.04 mg/ml) contents from VA extract.

PYRAZOLE BEARING MOLECULES AS BIOACTIVE SCAFFOLDS: A REVIEW

Pyrazole being a heterocyclic motif has secured an eccentric status in the field of medicinal chemistry. Pyrazole and its derivatives have tremendous biological applications like anti-cancer, anti-microbial, antiviral, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, insecticidal etc. In this review,  some recent developments  have been reported  for the synthesis of biologically active pyrazole  based molecules having biological potential such as anti-SIRT1 and SIRT2, anti-FAAH, anti-NOSs, as liver X receptor partial agonist, CB2 receptor ligand and glucagon receptor antagonists.

EFFICIENT SYNTHESIS OF NOVEL TRICYCLIC BENZOXAZINE DERIVATIVE VIA RING OPENING OF EPOXIDE ALONG THE MP AND DFT STUDIES OF STRUCTURAL, SPECTROSCOPIC (IR, RAMAN, UV-VIS), THERMODYNAMIC, ORBITALS AND NLO PROPERTIES OF DESIRED TRICYCLIC BENZOXAZINE DERIVATIVE

Ring opening of 2-nitro phenyl glycidyl ether by chelated amino acid ester enolate provides access to desired novel benzoxazine derivative just over a few steps. Theoretical study on the molecular structure of 2,2,2-trifluoro-N-(1-oxo-2,3,3a,4-tetrahydro-1H-benzo[b]pyrrolo[1,2-d][1,4]ox-azin-2-yl) acetamide (S11) is presented by using second order Moller Plesset (MP2) as well as density functional theory (DFT) level calculations. The calculated vibrational frequencies were assigned into normal modes of vibration by the use of potential energy distribution (PED). The positive charge on all hydrogen atoms were obtained by charge distribution calculations using Mulliken, electrostatic and natural charge distributions. Similar electrophilic and nucleophilic regions were observed from the calculated electrostatic potential surface calculations. The time dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations were performed to obtain electronic transitions within the molecule. The frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis was leading to the possible charge transfer within the molecule. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis provided information regarding the interaction between the donor and acceptor in bond. The statistical thermodynamic functions (dipole moment, internal energy, enthalpy, Gibbs free energy, entropy, heat capacities and partition functions) were calculated at the range of temperature from 10-500 K

Pulmonary Embolism and Right Heart Strain: Can It Be Diagnosed Based on Electrocardiographic Findings?

Attitudes and Perceptions among Iraqi Young Adults towards Organs Donation and Transplantation: A Call for Action

Background: Organs transplantation is the only treatment for end-stage organ failure. However, the disparity between organs availability and the number of patients in the waiting lists is widening globally, especially in Iraq for many reasons. This study aims to assess the level of attitudes and perceptions among Iraqi young adults towards organs donation and transplantation as the first study to be conducted in Iraq for such purpose. Methods: This observational study was conducted among 912 Iraqi young adults through a structured questionnaire which was disseminated among social media platforms. Participants consented before filling the questionnaire and their responses were analyzed to test the hypothesis of the study. Results: Most of the participants were females, Muslims and in their undergraduate level. Overall, 84.2% of the participants were willing to donate their organs after death and (97.9%) of them actually agreed to sign for organs donation. Most of those who were not willing to donate have no idea whether their religion approves it or not. There was no statistically significant difference in willingness to donate between different socioeconomic classes or residency areas. Conclusions: Most of the participants are convinced with donating their organs after death and are willing to sign for organ donation programs, advocating for initiating an official governmental transplant agency with multiple local committees distributed among health directorates all over the country managing it. The hesitancy to donate organs was attributed mostly to religious and associated with lack of knowledge issues, thus education might be the key to positive attitudes. Significance for public health Organs donation and transplantations are crucial for end stage organ failure patients. Assessing the attitudes and perceptions of the population especially of young adults will help to create a throughout vision on the future of this socially conflicting issue. These attitudes will reflect back to affect the population as a whole. Putting these findings out as the first study ever conducted in Iraq on such topic will definitely help the policy makers to observe the need for an action by providing yet another scientific and accurate justification to work actively on the project of organs donation for the sake of general Iraqi people.

Impact of a mixture of nanofiller and intrinsic pigment on tear strength and hardness of two types of maxillofacial silicone elastomers

Background: The ideal maxillofacial prosthesis should have fine and thin boundaries that bind with the surrounding facial structures and possess high tear strength. This study aims to determine the best percentages of nanofiller (TiO2) and intrinsic pigment (silicone functional intrinsic) that could be mixed in as additives to improve the tear strength of Cosmesil M511 and VST50F silicone elastomers with the least effect on their hardness. Materials and Methods: In this in vitro experimental study, a total of 80 samples, 40 for each elastomer, were fabricated. Each elastomer sample was split into two equal groups to test for tear strength and Shore A hardness. Each group consisted of 20 samples, including 10 control samples without additives and 10 experimental samples with additives (mixtures of 0.2 wt% nano-TiO2 + 0.25 wt% intrinsic pigment and 0.25 wt% nano-TiO2 +0.25 wt% intrinsic pigment for the Cosmesil M511 and VST50F silicone elastomers, respectively). Two-way ANOVA and Tukey test were used for comparison; P 0.05). Conclusion: Incorporation of select percentages of TiO2nanofiller and intrinsic pigment into Cosmesil M511 and VST50F silicone elastomers yields improvements in tear strength with a slight increase in hardness.

A comparative evaluation on the effect of oral zinc 50 mg with or without 0.1% triamcinolone orabase on oral lichen planus

Lichen planus is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease, in which CD8+ T-cells releases the cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-12 disrupting basement membrane integrity. Treatment modalities were directed toward the relief in signs and symptoms and preventing recurrences. Zinc activates caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation, resulting in the apoptosis of keratinocytes. Prevention of matrix metalloproteinases1 (MMP1) activation, inhibits the Tcell accumulation in oral lichen planus (OLP) and by inhibiting MMP9, prevents the cleavage of collagen resulting in maintaining the integrity of the basement membrane.

Dermoscopy of focal epithelial hyperplasia

Development and testing of an audio-visual self-help yoga manual for Indian caregivers of persons with schizophrenia living in the community: A single-blind randomized controlled trial

To test the feasibility and effectiveness of an audio-visual self-help audio-visual yoga manual on burden of Indian caregivers of persons with schizophrenia, living in the community.

Chemopreventive agents in oral premalignancy: A medical management review

The term chemoprevention denotes the use of specific natural or synthetic chemical agents to prevent carcinogenesis. Chemoprevention may help delay the process of carcinogen activation and prevent the conversion of preneoplastic cells. These agents play an active role in the secondary level of prevention and reduce malignancy-associated morbidity and mortality. A new term, "prophylactic antioxidant therapy," was coined and proposed. This review has assessed all major chemopreventive agents used for oral premalignancy and malignant conditions, which will reduce the economic burden on the patients.