Structural and mechanistic insights into a Bacteroides vulgatus retaining N-acetyl-β-galactosaminidase that uses neighbouring group participation

Bacteroides vulgatus is a member of the human microbiota whose abundance is increased in patients with Crohn's disease. We show that a B. vulgatus glycoside hydrolase from the carbohydrate active enzyme family GH123, BvGH123, is an N-acetyl-β-galactosaminidase that acts with retention of stereochemistry, and, through a 3-D structure in complex with Gal-thiazoline, provide evidence in support of a neighbouring group participation mechanism.

Preventive and protective effects of wild basil in ethanol-induced liver toxicity in rats

In the present study, preventive and protective effects of Ocimum gratissimum in ethanol-induced hepatotoxicity are assessed in albino rats. A methanol extract of O. gratissimum leaves is prepared, with a yield of 3.5% (w/w) of the dry weight of leaves. Graded doses of the extract (10, 20, 40 and 80 mg/kg body weight), together with ethanol (5 gm/kg body weight) are administered orally to experimental groups for 30 days. Normal control rats receive distilled water only, while rats in an alcohol control group (AC) receive ethanol only for 30 days. O. gratissimum reduced the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance in all experimental groups (E1-E4). Alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase levels fell in all experimental groups (E1-E4), but this reduction was significant only in groups E3 and E4 (P < 0.05), indicating inhibition of lipid peroxidation by free radicals generated after ethanol metabolism. Levels of antioxidants also increased. Ascorbic acid and glutathione levels increased in all experimental groups (E1-E4; P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). A significant increase in catalase (P < 0.05) was noted only in group E4, although an upward trend was noted in all experimental groups. This study shows that O. gratissimum prevents free radical damage to the liver and thus protects the organ from oxidative stress.

Recent trends in the incidence of anxiety and prescription of anxiolytics and hypnotics in children and young people: An e-cohort study

BACKGROUND

Little is known regarding the recognition of anxiety in children and young people (CYP) in primary care. This study examined trends in the presentation, recognition and recording of anxiety and of anxiolytic and hypnotic prescriptions for CYP in primary care.

METHOD

A population-based retrospective electronic cohort of individuals aged 6-18 years between 2003 and 2011 within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank primary care database was created. Incidence rates were calculated using person years at risk (PYAR) as a denominator accounting for deprivation, age and gender.

RESULTS

We identified a cohort of 311,343 registered individuals providing a total of 1,546,489 person years of follow up. The incidence of anxiety symptoms more than tripled over the study period (Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR)=3.55, 95% CI 2.65-4.77) whilst that of diagnosis has remained stable. Anxiolytic/hypnotic prescriptions for the cohort as a whole did not change significantly over time; however there was a significant increase in anxiolytic prescriptions for the 15-18 year age group (IRR 1.62, 95% CI 1.30-2.02).

LIMITATIONS

There was a lack of reliable information regarding other interventions available or received at a primary, secondary or tertiary level such as psychological treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

There appears to be a preference over time for the recording of general symptoms over diagnosis for anxiety in CYP. The increase in anxiolytic prescriptions for 15-18 year olds is discrepant with current prescribing guidelines. Specific guidance is required for the assessment and management of CYP presenting with anxiety to primary care, particularly older adolescents.

Anxiety and depression following traumatic limb amputation: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Traumatic amputation can result in multiple physical, psychological and socio-economic sequalae. While there has been a significant increase in investment and public profile of the rehabilitation of patients who have experienced traumatic limb amputation, little is known about the prevalence of anxiety and depression, especially in the long term.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between traumatic limb amputation and anxiety and depression.

DATA SOURCES

A literature search of available databases including Cochrane, Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO was performed for relevant studies since 2002. Secondary outcomes included the effect on employment, substance misuse, relationships and quality of life.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised control trials, observational studies or reviews which met the inclusion, exclusion and quality criteria.

RESULTS

Levels of anxiety and depression are significantly higher than in the general population. Significant heterogeneity exists between studies making meta-analyses inappropriate. Improved rehabilitation is having a positive effect on employment rates. There appears to be no significant effect on substance abuse and relationships.

CONCLUSIONS

All studies demonstrated high prevalence of anxiety and depression in post-traumatic amputees. No good prospective data exists for levels of anxiety and depression beyond two years of follow up and this should be an area of future study.

Elektronentransfer und Kontaktionen-Bildung, 45 [1, 2] Strukturänderungen bei der Einelektronen-Reduktion von Tetraphenylbutatrien zum Radikalanion und bei der Zweifach-Deprotonierung von Tetraphenyl-butin-2 zum Tetraphenylbutatrien-Dianion / Electron Transfer and Contact Ion Pair Formation, 45 [1,2] Structural Changes on Single Electron Reduction of Tetraphenylbutatriene to its Radical Anion and on Twofold Deprotonation of Tetraphenylbutyne-2 to the Tetraphenylbutatriene Dianion

Tetraphenylbutatriene is reduced under aprotic conditions to its ESR/ENDOR-spectroscopically characterized radical anion and to its dianion, with both electron transfers quasireversible according to cyclovoltammetric measurements. The alkali cation salts, the red contact ion pair [(H5C6)4C4·⊖][Na⊕ (H3COCH2CH2OCH3)3] and the dark violet contact ion triple [(H5C6)4C4⊖⊖][Li⊕(H3COCH2CH2OCH3)3]2 can be prepared by single electron reduction at a sodium metal mirror or by twofold de-protonation of 1,1,4,4-tetraphenylbutyne-2 using lithium-n-butyl. Their single crystal structures as well as that of the parent acetylene have been determined at low temperatures. The essential structural changes observed are the twisting of both molecular halves (H5C6)2CC relative to each other with increasing negative charge. The simultaneously resulting bond alternancy >C = C = C = C< → >C⊖ - C ≡ C⊖ - C < within the cumulene chain is discussed based on MNDO calculations for the structures determined.

[Rivaroxaban, dabigatran and apixaban: new anticoagulants in operative urology]

The periprocedural management of patients receiving long-term oral anticoagulant therapy is a common but complex clinical problem. It is well established that maintaining oral anticoagulation is associated with an increased risk of bleeding in the periprocedural period while discontinuing anticoagulant therapy postoperatively leads to an elevated risk for thromboembolic events, especially in high risk patients. Nowadays there is growing evidence to maintain antiplatelet therapy with acetylsalicylic acid (ASS, Aspirin®) perioperatively in a setting of secondary prophylaxis. Beyond that the increasing routine clinical use of novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs), such as the direct factor IIa inhibitor dabigatran and the direct factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban and apixaban, presents a challenge for urological surgeons. These agents are approved in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (rivaroxaban, dabigatran and apixaban) and in patients after deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (rivaroxaban). Due to their relatively short elimination half-lives and rapid onset of action, these new drugs have the potential to simplify periprocedural anticoagulant management making heparin bridging therapy redundant. Critical consideration is necessary regarding potential pitfalls, such as impaired renal function, insufficient possibility of laboratory monitoring and lack of antidotes in cases of postoperative hemorrhage. Although periprocedural protocols for the use of NOACs are emerging, robust clinical data are still scarce. This article provides a practical, clinician-focused approach to periprocedural management of NOACs.