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The stem bark of Populus ciliata is recognized as a valuable source of medicinal and therapeutic compounds. The study focused on extracting bioactive compounds from the ethyl acetate fraction of P. ciliata stem bark. Four flavonoids were isolated for the first time from the plant: EF01 [3,5-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-7-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one], EF02 [5,7-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4H-chromen-4-one], EF03 [2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-3,5,7-trihydroxychromen-4-one] and EF04 [(2S)-5-hydroxy-2- (4- hydroxyphenyl)- 4-oxo- 3,4- dihydro-2H-chromen- 7-yl-2-O-(6-deoxy-α-L-mannopyranosyl)-β-D- glucopyranoside]. These compounds were characterized and evaluated for various biological activities using in vitro and in silico techniques. The findings revealed that EF01 (a flavonol glycoside) and EF04 (a flavanone glycoside) were isolated for the first time from the Populus genus. Among the compounds, EF03 exhibited the strongest biological activities, including antioxidant (IC50: 6.36±1.43 μg/mL; 14.74±1.49 μg/mL), antibacterial (MIC: 6.25-12.50 μg/mL), antifungal (Fusarium oxysporum-6.25 μg/mL; Candida glabrata-15.62 μg/mL), and anti-inflammatory (IC50: 9.39±0.81 μg/mL) activities. Additionally, EF04 demonstrated promising effects against Candida auris (MIC: 31.25 μg/mL). In molecular docking, dynamics stimulations and molecular mechanics-generalized born surface area studies, EF03 showed notable binding affinity (surpassing the positive controls) and stable complexes with human cyclooxygenase-2, human peroxiredoxin 5, N-myristoyl transferase and penicillin-binding protein, reinforcing its potential antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. In conclusion, the flavonoids extracted from P. ciliata exhibit significant biological activity, which may contribute to its medicinal properties. Further research is warranted to identify additional bioactive phytochemicals from P. ciliata with potential applications in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Intestinal obstruction is the impairment or arrest of the passage of contents through the intestine. Tubercular aetiology is the commonest cause of small intestinal obstruction in developing countries, while postoperative adhesions are common in developed countries. Neoplastic aetiology is more common in Large Bowel Obstruction (LBO). Clinical and radiological findings are non specific, and histopathology is required for a definitive diagnosis of the aetiology. Aim: To study histopathological examination of obstructive lesions of the small and large intestine. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2020 to September 2021, including a total of 77 cases of intestinal obstruction due to mechanical causes. Detailed gross and microscopic examinations were performed, along with routine and special stains (wherever required), in the Department of Pathology at Government Medical College, Haldwani, Nainital, Uttarakhand. Data were presented in numbers and percentages. Results: The present study showed a male predominance 46 (59.8%) with a male to female ratio of 1.5:1. The most commonly affected age group was 31-40 years 20 (25.9%). Constipation (76; 98.7%) was the most common clinical symptom, followed by abdominal pain 72 (93.5%). The small intestine was more commonly involved 35 (45.5%). Among cases of large intestine obstruction, the caecum was the most common site 10 (14.2%). Perforation was the most common gross finding 25 (32.9%). Non specific inflammatory pathology was the most common cause of obstruction (23.5%), followed by adenocarcinoma (20.8%). Tubercular pathology was the third most common cause (11.9%). Conclusion: The present study highlights the important pathologies in the aetiology of obstruction. Prevention and early intervention can help control some of the infective diseases and avoid such emergencies. Early diagnosis and treatment of neoplastic pathology, which is a leading cause of LBO, are beneficial for the better management of patients. A detailed histopathological study of small and large intestinal specimens should be conducted in constant correlation with clinical and radiological findings for an accurate diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cold atmospheric pressure plasma jet (CAPJ) has piqued the interest of researchers for various antimicrobial applications such as disinfection, wound decontamination, etc. In the current context, a deeper understanding of the correlation between CAPJ's intrinsic parameters, discharge characteristics, species composition, and antimicrobial activity is required for any successful application. This research evaluated the effect of intrinsic operational parameters such as voltage, frequency, gas flow rate, and operating gas on the reactive species composition of an in-house-developed CAPJ discharge along with the antimicrobial activity. It was observed that the identified excited atoms (Ar I, He I, N2, and O I), ions (Ar+, N2+, N+, H2O+, H3O+, etc.), radical reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) (OH•), and nonradical RONS (O I, O+, OH+, NO+, O2+, O2−, NO2−, N2O2−, NO3−, N2O3−, etc.) might play a synergistic role in bacterial inactivation via oxidative and electrostatic stress. The variation in voltage, frequency, gas flow rate, and operating gas influenced the discharge chemistry, leading to variation in bacterial inactivation. The reactive species in the discharge responsible for such variation was evaluated extensively. This investigation into various operational parameters would aid in determining the most effective settings for a developed CAPJ to achieve high productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The therapeutic effect of NS oil in mild to moderate psoriasis is limited owing to low play load of thymoquinone (<15 %w/w), irritation, dripping, low viscosity and thus, less contact time on the lesions., Aims: This study aimed at developing and characterizing the ethanolic vesicular hydrogel system of Nigella sativa (NS) oil (NS EV hydrogel) for the enhancement of anti-psoriatic activity., Objective: The objective of this study was to develop NS EV hydrogel and evaluate its anti-psoriatic activity., Methods: The identification and quantification of TQ content in different NS seed extracts and marketed oil were measured by an HPTLC method using n-hexane and ethyl acetate as solvent systems. Preparation of ethanolic vesicles (EVs) was performed by solvent injection method, while its antipsoriatic activity was evaluated employing an Imiquad (IMQ)-induced plaque psoriasis animal model., Results: A compact HPTLC band was obtained for TQ at an R f value of 0.651. The calibration plot was linear in the range of 1-10 μg/spot, and the correlation coefficient of 0.990 was indicative of good linear dependence of peak area on concentration. From the different NS sources, the high TQ content was obtained in the marketed cold press oil, i.e., 1.45±0.08 mg/ml. Out of various NS oilloaded EVs, the F6 formulation revealed the smallest particle size (278.1 nm), with log-normal size distribution (0.459) and adequate entrapment efficiency. A non-uniform shape was observed in the transmission electron microscopy. The viscosity of F6 formulation hydrogel was 32.34 (Pa·s), which exhibited plastic behavior. In vivo , efficacy studies demonstrated decreased inflammation of the epidermis and dermis and a marked decrease in the levels of IL-17 by NS EV hydrogel compared to plain NS oil and standard drugs (Betamethasone and Dr. JRK Psorolin Oil)., Conclusion: It may be concluded from the findings that NS-loaded EV gel was as good as betamethasone cream but more efficacious than the other treatments., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)