Skin thermophysiological effects of 448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency in healthy adults: A randomised crossover study and comparison with pulsed shortwave therapy

Radiofrequency-based electrophysical agents (EPA) have been used in therapy practice over several decades (e.g., shortwave therapies). Currently, there is insufficient evidence supporting such devices operating below shortwave frequencies. This laboratory-based study investigated the skin physiological effects of 448 kHz capacitive resistive monopolar radiofrequency (CRMRF) and compared them to pulsed shortwave therapy (PSWT). In a randomised crossover study, seventeen healthy volunteers received four treatment conditions – High, Low and Placebo dose conditions receiving 15-min CRMRF treatment and a Control condition receiving no intervention. Fifteen participants also received high dose PSWT for comparison. Treatment was applied to the right lower medial thigh. Pre, post and 20-min follow-up measurements of skin temperature (SKT), skin blood flow (SBF) and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) were obtained using Biopac MP150 system. Group data were compared using the ANOVA model. Statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05 (0.8P, 95%CI). Significant increase and sustenance of SKT with both high and low dose CRMRF was demonstrated over the other groups (p < 0.001). PSWT increased SKT significantly (p < 0.001) but failed to sustain it over the follow-up. However, among the five conditions, only high dose CRMRF significantly increased and sustained SBF (p < 0.001). Overall, the CRMRF physiological responses were significantly more pronounced than that of PSWT. No significant changes in NCV were noted for any condition. Physiological changes associated with CRMRF were more pronounced when compared to PSWT, placebo or control. Any potential stronger therapeutic benefits of CRMRF need to be confirmed by comparative clinical studies.     

Ethnobotanical significance of medicinal plants: Beta-amyloid and tau aggregation inhibitors against Alzheimer's disease

Among the various neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is identified as one of primary causes of dementia in the elderly, which progresses slowly leading to cognitive decline and ability to function independently. Although various pathological mechanisms have been proposed, the exact mechanism is not yet elucidated. Numerous processes such as old age, mitochondrial dysfunction, and genetics lead to the aggregation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) as amyloid plaques and tau proteins as neurofibrillary tangles in the neurons leading to their death and destruction, finally leading to AD. The current treatment measures can only temporarily improve the symptoms, slowing cognitive decline without any effect on AD pathology for better therapeutic effect. Furthermore, the high failure rates of a number of drugs during clinical trials due to their side effects has led the researchers to focus on alternative sources for drug development. As natural ingredients were considered the primary line of treatment in the olden days, and as several medicinal plant products are also proven as effective AD targets, it will be wise to investigate those with significant ethnobotanical value as potential neuroprotectives, nootropics or memory boosters. Throughout the study, propanoids, glycosides, iridoids, carotenoids and flavonoids that show potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cholinesterase were also found to be inhibitors of Aβ and tau aggregation, where Saikosaponin C, Fisetin, and Morin can act as dual inhibitors. The review provides an insight in the need for proper and complete scientific evaluation of these ethnobotanically useful medicinal plants to be identified as potential leads in AD therapy.     

Evaluation of insecticidal properties of botanicals for sustainable management of sucking pests of horticultural crops

Aphids, thrips, whiteflies, mealy bugs and mites could cause significant yield losses in horticultural crops. Many synthetic chemicals highly hazardous to non-target organisms and the environment are in use in their management. Botanicals are ideal for safe sustainable pest management by keeping synthetic chemical use at a minimum. We studied the insecticidal properties of three botanicals viz., Annona squamosa, Ricinus communis and Sapindus mukorossi seed extracts against sucking pests viz., aphids (Aphis gossypii and Aphis craccivora) on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and bittergourd (Momordica charantia), thrips (Scirtothrips dorsalis) on chilli (Capsicum frutescens), whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) on eggplant (Solanum melongena), mealy bugs (Maconellicoccus hirsutus) on betel vine (Piper betle) and mites (Tetranychus urticae) on eggplant (Solanum melongena) under laboratory conditions. The bioassay showed that A. squamosa seed extract has potent insecticidal properties on all sucking pests, except T. urticae. Though S. mukorossi seed extract exhibited no insecticidal property, had a significant acaricidal property. A. squamosa and S. mukorossi seed extracts will therefore be additional botanicals for use in organic farming for managing the sucking pests effectively.     

Dandy�CWalker malformation: An incidental finding

Dandy–Walker malformation (DWM) is a rare intracranial congenital abnormality that affects the cerebellum and some of its components; particularly cerebellar vermis, fourth ventricle and is characterized by an enlarged posterior fossa. Although there is an extensive list of signs attributed to DWM, final diagnosis is solely dependent on imaging techniques as there are no signs that are characteristic of DWM. This article reports a case with DWM who was diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging.     

In vivo metabolism of beta-N-oxalyl-L-alpha,beta-diaminopropionic acid: the Lathyrus sativus neurotoxin in experimental animals.

A comparative study of the metabolism of 1,2,3 (14)C-ODAP and 4,5 (14)C-ODAP in mice, rats and chicks has been carried out. Following oral administration of 1,2,3 (14)C-ODAP to either black or white mice, nearly 16% of the radioactivity appeared in the expired CO2 within 8 h, while in the rat only 3% of it appeared and in chicks it was less than 2%. No 14CO2 appeared in the expired air in mice given 4,5 (14)C-ODAP. Electrophoregrams of the spot urine samples from the animals given 1,2,3 (14)C-ODAP showed the presence of one radioactive metabolite (metabolite-1) in addition to ODAP. While the urine from rats and mice given 4,5 (14)C-ODAP indicated the presence of metabolite-1 as well as 14C-oxalate, in chicks, however, no 14C-oxalate was present and only metabolite-1 could be detected. The results indicate that ODAP can to some extent undergo oxidation in vivo in mice (and to a lesser extent in rats) leading to the formation of CO2 and oxalate and a similar pathway might be more prominent in humans leading to a near complete oxidation of ODAP.