Resumo Diabetes mellitus (DM) é uma síndrome endócrina caracterizada por níveis elevados de glicose no sangue devido à atividade anulada da insulina. Os tratamentos existentes para o DM têm efeitos colaterais e vários graus de eficácia. Portanto, é fundamental que novas abordagens sejam desenvolvidas para aprimorar o manejo do DM. As plantas terapêuticas foram acreditadas como tendo eficácia comparativamente alta com menos efeitos adversos. O presente estudo visa elucidar o perfil fitoquímico, efeitos anti-hiperlipidêmicos e antidiabéticos do extrato metanólico de D. salicifolia (folhas) em camundongos diabéticos induzidos por aloxana. Alloxan foi injetado por via intraperitoneal (150 mg kg-1, b.w), para induzir diabetes em camundongos. Os camundongos foram divididos em três grupos (n = 10). Grupo 1 (controle normal) recebeu ração normal e água purificada, Grupo II (controle diabético) recebeu ração regular e água limpa, e o grupo III (tratamento diabético) recebeu extrato metanólico da planta (300 mg kg-1) por 28 dias com uma dieta típica e água limpa durante todo o experimento. Amostras de sangue foram coletadas para verificar a glicose sérica e a concentração de LDL, TC, TG. O extrato demonstrou atividade anti-hiperglicêmica significativa (P <0,05), enquanto melhorias no peso corporal e no perfil lipídico dos camundongos foram observadas após o tratamento com o extrato. Este estudo estabelece que o extrato tem alta eficácia com comparativamente menos toxicidade e pode ser usado para o controle do DM.

Abstract Diabetes mellitus (DM), an endocrine syndrome characterized by high blood glucose levels due to abrogated insulin activity. The existing treatments for DM have side effects and varying degrees of efficacy. Therefore, it is paramount that novel approaches be developed to enhance the management of DM. Therapeutic plants have been accredited as having comparatively high efficacy with fewer adverse effects. The current study aims to elucidate the phytochemical profile, anti-hyperlipidemic, and anti-diabetic effects of methanolic extract D. salicifolia (leaves) in Alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Alloxan was injected intraperitoneally (150 mg kg-1, b.w), to induced diabetes in mice. The mice were divided into three groups (n=10). Group 1 (normal control) received normal food and purified water, Group II (diabetic control) received regular feed and clean water and group III (diabetic treated) received a methanolic extract of the plant (300 mg kg-1) for 28 days with a typical diet and clean water throughout the experiment. Blood samples were collected to checked serum glucose and concentration of LDL, TC, TG. The extract demonstrated significant antihyperglycemic activity (P<0.05), whereas improvements in mice's body weight and lipid profiles were observed after treatment with the extract. This study establishes that the extract has high efficacy with comparatively less toxicity that can be used for DM management.

Science-related subjects including chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, and medicine have all benefited greatly from advanced technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI). Recently, the significance of AI in promoting chemistry research to improve the chemical industry has evolved. The goal of the researchers is to advance drug development by creating novel medications at a minimal cost. AI assists in achieving this goal. Other areas of chemistry that will benefit from AI include compound solubility, optimizing reaction conditions, and providing production methods for challenging target molecules. Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have discovered a potent new antibiotic molecule using a machine-learning system. Typically, AI may produce ten times more antibody sequence clusters than a lab-based approach alone. Systems containing hundreds of interacting ions and electrons can now be modeled using an approximation of the physical laws. This is because modern algorithms and supercomputers make these applications possible.

SUMMARY: Over dose or long-term clinical use of therapeutic doses of acetaminophen (APAP) causes hepatotoxicity. Various strategies attempted to ameliorate APAP-hepatotoxicity have been found to be unsuitable for clinical practice. This study was aimed to illustrate the histopathological changes induced by therapeutic dose of APAP and investigate the hepatoprotective role of oral co-administration of selenium/ Tribulus terrestris (TT) extract concurrently against hepatotoxicity induced by APAP in rats. Fifty-four healthy male albino Wistar rats were randomized into nine groups (G1-G9) of six rats each, and administered with APAP and TT orally for 30 days as follows: Control (2ml normal saline), APAP (470 mg/kg), APAP (470 mg/kg) + selenium (2 mg/kg), APAP (470 mg/kg) + TT (98 mg/kg), APAP (470 mg/kg) + selenium (2mg/kg) + TT (98 mg/kg), APAP (470 mg/kg) + silymarin (200 mg/kg), selenium (2 mg/ kg), TT (98 mg/kg) and silymarin (200 mg/kg) groups. The results demonstrated that exposure of rats to therapeutic dose of APAP for 30 days caused significant histopathological changes parallel to elevated blood chemistry parameters. Co-administration of selenium/TT extract showed significantly reduced histopathological lesions and, restored or decreased levels of the examined blood chemistry parameters. Liver histology in selenium/TT extract showed normal hepatic architecture with mild changes and silymarin treated rats showed no histopathological changes. Histochemically PAS staining, showed that APAP-induced hepatotoxicity was characterized by hepatocytes glycogen depletion. Selenium/TT co-supplementation plays a potential role in preventing APAP-induced glycogen depletion by increasing detoxification and scavenging the reactive metabolites. Selenium/TT extract oral co-administration possesses a significant hepatoprotective property and mitigates APAP-induced hepatotoxicity by enhancing its antioxidant role and improving tissue integrity. Selenium/TT supplementation could represent an effective treatment against APAP-induced hepatotoxicity. Further studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanism underlying the protective role of TT extract.

RESUMEN: La dosis excesiva o el uso clínico a largo plazo de dosis terapéuticas de acetaminofeno (APAP) causa hepatotoxicidad. Se ha descubierto que varias estrategias que intentaron mejorar la hepatotoxicidad por APAP no son adecuadas para la práctica clínica. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo ilustrar los cambios histopatológicos inducidos por la dosis terapéutica de APAP e investigar el papel hepatoprotector de la administración conjunta de extracto de selenio / Tribulus terrestris (TT) simultá- neamente contra la hepatotoxicidad inducida por APAP en ratas. Cincuenta y cuatro ratas Wistar albino machos sanas se aleatorizaron en nueve grupos (G1 - G9) de seis ratas cada una, y se administraron con APAP y TT por vía oral durante 30 días de la siguiente manera: Control (2 ml de solución salina normal), APAP (470 mg / kg), APAP (470 mg / kg) + selenio (2 mg / kg), APAP (470 mg / kg) + TT (98 mg / kg), APAP (470 mg / kg) + selenio (2 mg / kg) + TT (98 mg / kg), APAP (470 mg / kg) + silimarina (200 mg / kg), selenio (2 mg / kg), TT (98 mg / kg) y silimarina (200 mg / kg). Los resultados demostraron que la exposición de las ratas a la dosis terapéutica de APAP durante 30 días causó cambios histopatológicos significativos paralelos a parámetros elevados de química sanguínea. La administración conjunta de extracto de selenio / TT mostró lesiones histopatológicas significativamente reducidas y niveles restaurados o disminuidos de los parámetros de química sanguínea. La histología hepática en el extracto de selenio / TT mostró una arquitectura hepática normal con cambios leves y las ratas tratadas con silimarina no mostraron cambios histopatológicos. La tinción histoquímica de PAS mostró que la hepatotoxicidad inducida por APAP se caracterizó por la pérdida de glucógeno de los hepatocitos. La suplementación con selenio / TT juega un papel potencial en la prevención de la pérdida de glucógeno inducido por APAP al aumentar la desintoxicación y eliminar los metabolitos reactivos. La administración conjunta de extracto de selenio / TT posee una propiedad hepatoprotectora significativa y mitiga la hepatotoxicidad inducida por APAP al mejorar su papel antioxidante y la integridad del tejido. La suplementación con selenio / TT podría representar un tratamiento efectivo contra la hepatotoxicidad inducida por APAP. Se necesitan más estudios para dilucidar el mecanismo exacto que subyace a la función protectora del extracto TT.

SUMMARY: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are widely used in many commercial products, nanomedicine, agriculture, personal care products, different industries and pharmaceutical preparations with potential risk in human health and the environment. The current work was conducted to investigate the renal damage that might be induced by the acute toxicity TiO2 NPs. A total of 40 healthy male adult Wistar albino rats (Rattus norvegicus) were exposed to TiO2 NPs (126, 252, 378 mg/kg bw) for 24 and 48 h. Fresh portions of the kidneys from each rat were processed for histological and histochemical alterations. In comparison with respective control rats, exposure to TiO2 NPs has marked the following glomerular, tubular and interstitial alterations including the followings: glomerular congestion, Bowman's capsule swelling and dilatation, inflamed glomeruli, renal tubules cloudy swelling, karyorrhexis, karyolysis, infiltration of inflammatory cells, congestion, necrosis, hydropic degeneration, dilatation and congestion of blood vessels, hyaline droplets and hyaline casts precipitation, interstitial edema and fibrosis. From the findings of the current work one may conclude that TiO2 NPs are capable of inducing kidney damage with more insulation in the cortex and the proximal convoluted tubules than the medulla and the distal ones respectively. In addition, it might be concluded that renal damage induced by these nanomaterials is dose and duration of exposure dependent. Further hematological, biochemical, immunohistochemical, and ultra-structural studies are recommended.

RESUMEN: Las nanopartículas de dióxido de titanio (TiO2 NP) se usan ampliamente en muchos productos comerciales, nanomedicina, agricultura, productos para el cuidado personal, diferentes industrias y preparaciones farmacéuticas con riesgo potencial para la salud humana y el medio ambiente. El trabajo actual se realizó para investigar el daño renal que podría ser inducido por la toxicidad aguda NP de TiO2. Un total de 40 ratas Wistar albinas adultas sanas (Rattus norvegicus) fueron expuestas a TiO2 NP (126, 252, 378 mg / kg de peso corporal) durante 24 y 48 h. Las muestras de los riñones de las ratas se procesaron para estudios histológicos e histoquímicos. En comparación con las ratas control, la exposición de las ratas a TiO2 NP presentaron las siguientes alteraciones glomerulares, tubulares e intersticiales: congestión glomerular, dilatación de la cápsula de Bowman, inflamación glomerular, túbulos renales aumentados, cariorrexis, cariólisis, infiltración de células inflamatorias, congestión, necrosis, degeneración hidrópica, dilatación y congestión de vasos sanguíneos, gotas y precipitaciones hialina, edema intersticial y fibrosis. A partir de los hallazgos del trabajo actual, se puede concluir que las NP de TiO 2 son capaces de inducir daño renal con más aislamiento en la corteza y en los túbulos contorneados proximales que en la médula y los túbulos contorneados distales, respectivamente. Además, se podría concluir que el daño renal inducido por estos nanomateriales depende de la dosis y la duración de la exposición. Se recomiendan estudios adicionales hematológicos, bioquímicos, inmunohistoquímicos y ultraestructurales.

RESUMO: A losna-branca (Parthenium hysterophorus) é considerada uma planta invasora no mundo inteiro e está ameaçando a biodiversidade do Paquistão. Para estudar o potencial alelopático da espécie, foram realizados estudos em laboratório e vasos durante os meses de julho-agosto e outubro-novembro de 2010 no Laboratório de Pesquisa sobre Plantas Daninhas, Departamento de Plantas Daninhas, University of Agriculture Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão. Os experimentos foram conduzidos para investigar o efeito alelopático da losna-branca nas culturas de Triticum aestivum, Cicer arietinum e Brassica campestris e de plantas daninhas, incluindo Avena fatua, Asphodelus tenuifolius e Lolium rigidum. As folhas frescas de P. hysterophorus foram secas à sombra e trituradas. A quantidade desejada de pó foi embebida durante 16 horas na quantidade desejada de água para produzir a solução-estoque da concentração máxima (75 g L-1). Cinco sementes de cada espécie foram colocadas em placas de Petri e em vasos, e os extratos foram aplicados quando necessário. Um grupo controle (0 g L-1) também foi incluído para fins de comparação. Ambos os experimentos foram definidos como fatoriais, em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado (DCI) com quatro repetições e duas corridas experimentais cada. Como não houve diferenças estatísticas significativas entre as corridas experimentais, os dados foram agrupados antes de serem submetidos a ANOVA e separação de médias. As diferenças entre as espécies testadas e as doses de extratos de P. hysterophorus foram estatisticamente significativas (P?0,05) para todos os traços investigados. Já para a interação entre espécie x concentração de P. hysterophorus, as diferenças foram significativas (P?0,05) apenas para altura da planta no experimento em vaso. Os resultados mostraram que, com o aumento da concentração de P. hysterophorus, todos os parâmetros estudados nas seis espécies testadas tiveram redução significativa. Assim, o presente estudo sugere que P. hysterophorus afeta o agroecossistema e precisa ser manejada corretamente. Além disso, o efeito alelopático dessa espécie nas plantas daninhas é um resultado promissor para o manejo sustentável delas.

ABSTRACT: Parthenium hysterophorus being a declared invasive weed worldwide is threatening the biodiversity of Pakistan. To study its allelopathic potential, laboratory and pots based studies were undertaken during July-August and October-November, 2010 in Weed Research Laboratory, Department of Weed Science, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. The experiments were conducted to investigate the allelopathic effect of parthenium on crops Triticum aestivum, Cicer arietinum and Brassica campestris, and weeds including Avena fatua, Asphodelus tenuifolius and Lolium rigidum The fresh leaves of P.hysterophorus were dried in shade and grinded. The desired quantity of powder was soaked for 16 hr. in the desired quantity of water to make the stock solution of the maximum concentration viz. 75 g L-1. Five seeds of each species were placed in Petri dishes and in pots, extracts were applied when needed. Control (0 g L-1) was also included for comparison. Both experiments were laid out as Factorial in completely randomized design (CRD) with four replications and two runs each. Since the statistical differences between the runs were non-significant the data were pooled before subjecting it to ANOVA and mean separation. The differences among the test species and the rates of parthenium extracts were different statistically (P?0.05) for all the traits examined, while for the species x parthenium concentration interaction, the differences were only significant (P?0.05) for plant height in the pot experiment. The results showed that with the increasing concentration of P. hysterophorus, all the parameters studied in the six test species were significantly decreased. Hence, the present study suggests that P. hysterophorus affects the agro-ecosystem and needs to be properly managed, moreover, its allelopathy on weeds is an encouraging finding for the weed managers for the sustainable management of weeds.

Os autores estudaram por meio do ecoencefalógrafo 440 pacientes os quais foram divididos em três grupos, de acordo com a medida do desvio das estruturas centrais do cérebro (ao contrário dos clássicos dois grupos — com menos de 3 mm e mais de 3 mm de desvio). Subseqüentemente cada um dos três grupos foi analisado com relação ao diagnóstico final de cada paciente. Os pacientes do grupo I, com desvio máximo de 2,5 mm e considerados normais com relação ao ecoencefalograma, apresentaram aproximadamente 10% de patologia intracraniana que não foi denunciada pelo eco. O grupo II, considerado questionável e com desvio de 2,5 até 3,5 mm, mostrou uma incidência de patologia intracraniana de 46% e, porisso mesmo, claramente necessita outros meios diagnósticos. No grupo III, com mais de 3,5 mm de desvio e considerado anormal, quase todos os doentes apresentaram patologia intracraniana séria, principalmente de ordem tumoral.

A series of 440 patients studied by echoencephalography is reported. Rather than dividing the patients in the classic two groups of less than 3 mm and more than 3 mm deviation of the midline, the patients in this study were divided into three groups, correlating the degree of midline shift to the presence of intracranial pathology. Group I, showing 0 to 2.5 mm shift proves to be normal with a "miss" rate of only 10%. Group II, showing 2.5 to 3.5 mm shift is regarded as a borderline group with an incidence of significant intracranial pathology of 46%, clearly indicating the need for further evaluation. Group III, demonstrating greater than 3.5 mm shift from the midline, is designated with confidence as abnormal, with a yield of significant intracranial pathology of 100% in this study.