Effect of neurogenic acupoint cupping on high sensitive C-reactive protein and pain perception in female chronic pelvic pain: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives:To determine the effect of neurogenic acupoint dry cupping therapy on high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level, pain perception & intensity, and life impact of pelvic pain in women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP), with regard to the biological and neurophysiological impacts of dry cupping on acupoint.Methods:Thirty women with CPP were randomly divided into two equal groups; the study group received dry cupping on neurogenic acupoints plus lifestyle modifications for 8 weeks (n=15), while the control group received only lifestyle modifications for 8 weeks (n=15). Women were assessed pre- and post-rehabilitation program with the hs-CRP blood test, the short-form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), and the pelvic pain impact questionnaire (PPIQ).Results:Comparing both groups post-treatment revealed that there were significant reductions in levels of hs-CRP, and scores of SF-MPQ & PPIQ (p<0.05) in the study group compared with the control group. Also, there were significant positive correlations between hs-CRP and both SF-MPQ “Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Present Pain Intensity (PPI) index & Pain Rating Index (PRI)” and PPIQ (p<0.05).Conclusion:Neurogenic acupoint cupping therapy had significantly improving effects on the degree of inflammation, pain perception & intensity, and life impact of pelvic pain in women with CPP.     

Interaction Between “Safe Sites” and “Safe Sides” for Germination of Neurada procumbens (Neuradaceae) in the Middle East

The seed bank of Neurada procumbens, a prostrate annual common in sandy desert habitats, is vulnerable to surface disturbances. Moreover, its seeds are highly heteromorphic, having both spinose and non-spinose sides, which affects both the vertical distribution of seeds and diaspores, and the precise position in which they lie in the soil. Here we explore the ecological implications of two factors, “safe sites” within habitats and seed orientation or “safe sides”, on seedling establishment and the seed bank. In three natural populations, the vertical distribution of buried, germinable diaspores decreased with soil depth. Most diaspores occurred at the surface (0–1 cm below the surface), while none were observed below 10 cm. Seedling emergence decreased with depth and reached zero in diaspores below 5 cm. Seedling emergence also proved highly sensitive to the orientation of diaspores in soil. Diaspores lying on their smooth side with the spinose upper side directed upwards reached the highest seedling emergence of 61 %. Root length ranged from 10 to 16 cm, and the root to shoot ratio varied between 22.8 and 30.3 cm, depending on diaspore size. Diaspores near the surface may constitute a more transient component of the seed bank, as few of these remained viable for more than a year. Persistence of Neurada seed banks seems to depend not only on vertical movement of diaspores among habitat “safe sites” but also on different seed position alternatives.     

Subcellular localization of glycogen synthase with monoclonal antibodies

Two monoclonal antibodies, designated 7H5 and 8E11, were produced against glycogen synthase purified from rabbit skeletal muscle. Both antibodies were of the IgG1 (k) isotype. Western blot analysis of extracts of rat and rabbit tissues showed that antibody 7H5 recognized glycogen synthase from skeletal and cardiac muscles, but not from liver. Antibody 8E11 gave similar results but the responses were weaker. Antibody 7H5 also recognized a 69,000 dalton tryptic fragment of glycogen synthase whereas antibody 8E11 did not bind this fragment. Immunocytochemical staining of rabbit skeletal muscle with antibody 7H5 indicated two major sites of glycogen synthase localization. A granular localization present in the cytoplasm and a band-like staining associated with the Z-disk region of the myofibrils. Rabbit cardiac muscle presented a similar pattern though less cytoplasmic staining was apparent. An assay of subcellular fractions for glycogen synthase indicated that the enzyme in cardiac and skeletal muscles is distributed between the soluble (80-90%) and myofibrilar (10-20%) fractions of the tissues. These results provide direct evidence for the presence of glycogen synthase in subcellular fractions other than the soluble fraction of skeletal and cardiac muscles.     

Reproductive diversity and survival of the potential annual Diplotaxis harra (Forssk.) Boiss (Brassicaceae) in Egypt

Diplotaxis harra is a common annual species in the desert of Egypt, The investigated population was located in Wadi Hof near Helwan city. Additional water in relatively wet years cause these ephemeral plants to live longer and become perennials. The species has ephemeral, modular and coppiced life‐cycles and may shift from a r‐ to a K‐selected strategy. The germinable seed bank represented 15,6% of the total seed rain, out of which only 0,03% established as adult plants. About 72.7% of the adult plants were ephemeral. 27.0% modular and 0.3% coppiced plants. The highest contribution of the seed rain came from modular plants and the lowest contribution from coppiced plants. The survivorship curve of the coppiced plants exhibited a combination of Deevey type I and III curves. The ephemeral and modular plants showed steep curves. In contrast to ephemeral plants, the coppiced plants attained the highest reproductive value and the lowest reproductive effort, while the modular plants demonstrated intermediate values. The active phonological cycle started earlier in coppiced plants than in the modular and ephemeral plants. The period from the start of vegetative growth lo shoot‐die back extends from mid‐December to early June in coppiced plants, from February to May in modular plants, and from late February to early May in ephemeral plants. The living stumps of the coppiced plants remained dormant during summer and autumn months. Seeds collected from coppiced plants attained high germinability and viability, while those from ephemeral and modular plants attained low values. Seed longevity was higher in the modular plants (> 10 yr) than in seeds of ephemeral and coppiced plants (7–8 yr). The high energy content of the seeds produced from different cohorts over ten years of storage enabled the population to maximize the germinability. viability and longevity of seeds despite the unpredictable environment. The potential annual behaviour of D. harra is mainly attained by the persistence of viable seed bank and root‐shoot stock. The ability to shift from a r‐ to a K‐selected life‐cycle, phenological variations among the different cohorts of the population, variations in seed longevity and energy content strengthen intra‐population interactions.     

Bioactive jatrophane diterpenes from Euphorbia guyoniana

Chromatographic investigation of the methylenechloride/methanol extract of the aerial parts of Euphorbia guyoniana afforded two jatrophane diterpenes, designated guyonianins E and F, in addition to a known jatrophane diterpene. The structures of the compounds were determined by comprehensive NMR analyses, including DEPT, COSY, HMQC, HMBC, NOESY and HRMS. These compounds exhibited cytotoxicity against human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells with IC₅₀ values of 35–100 μM.     

Targeting ERK/COX-2 signaling pathway in permethrin-induced testicular toxicity: a possible modulating effect of matrine

Molecular Biology Reports - Permethrin (PER), the prevalent synthetic pyrethroid, was reported to have genotoxic effects along with male reproductive organs impairment. Matrine, the Chinese herb...