Clonal Diversity, Cultivar Traits, Geographic Dispersal, and the Ethnotaxonomy of Cultivated Qat (Catha edulis, Celastraceae)

2020 ◽  
Vol 74 (3) ◽  
pp. 273-291
Author(s):  
Luke R. Tembrock ◽  
Mark P. Simmons ◽  
Christopher M. Richards ◽  
Patrick A. Reeves ◽  
Ann Reilley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clonal Diversity ◽  
Catha Edulis ◽  
Geographic Dispersal

Composition of essential oil and antioxidant activity of Khat (Catha edulis Forsk), Ethiopia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chem Int
Keyword(s):  
Gas Chromatography ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Antioxidant Activities ◽  
Radical Scavenging Activity ◽  
Radical Scavenging ◽  
Free Radical Scavenging ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Bahir Dar ◽  
Dpph Radical ◽  
Catha Edulis

In this study, we determined the chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the essential oils from two different varieties of khat (Catha edulis Forsk) cultivated in Ethiopia. The essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation using the Clevenger type apparatus, identifications of compounds were made by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Seventy seven different compounds were identified from essential oils of the two different khat cultivars. The essential oils in the samples from Bahir Dar and Wendo were composed of 50 and 34 compounds, respectively. The major compound identified in khat essentials oils include: limonene, 1-phenyl-1,2-propanedione, 1-hydroxy,1-phenyl-2-propanone, camphor, (sulfurous acid)-2-propylundecyl ester, hexadecane, O-mentha-1(7), 8-dien-3-ol, heptadecane, 10-methylnonadecane, (phthalic acid)-isobutyl octadecyl ester, and tritetracontane. The antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity of the oils were assessed by means of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay. The scavenging activities of the oils were 23.5-23.6 μg AAE/kg of fresh khat sample.

Clonal Diversity of Ig and T-Cell–Receptor Gene Rearrangements Identifies a Subset of Childhood B-Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia With Increased Risk of Relapse

Blood ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (3) ◽  
pp. 952-958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine Green ◽  
Carmel M. McConville ◽  
Judith E. Powell ◽  
Jillian R. Mann ◽  
Philip J. Darbyshire ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Receptor ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Clonal Diversity ◽  
Cell Receptor ◽  
Prognostic Indicators ◽  
Gene Rearrangements ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Standard Risk

Abstract Current prognostic indicators such as age, sex, and white blood cell count (WBC) fail to identify all children with more aggressive forms of B-precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and a proportion of patients without poor prognostic indicators still relapse. Results obtained from an analysis of 65 pediatic B-precursor ALL patients indicated that subclone formation leading to clonal diversity, as detected by Ig and T-cell receptor (TCR) gene rearrangements, may represent a very useful prognostic indicator, independent of age, sex, and WBC. Disease-free survival was significantly shorter in those patients showing clonal diversity at presentation. Furthermore, clonal diversity was detected not only in the majority of high-risk patients who relapsed but was also associated with a high probability of relapse in standard-risk patients. Sixty-five percent (13/20) of standard-risk patients who also showed clonal diversity subsequently relapsed, whereas the percentage of relapses among standard-risk patients without clonal diversity was much lower at 19% (7/36). Continued clonal evolution during disease progression is an important feature of aggressive B-precursor ALL. All 5 patients with clonal diversity who were followed up in our study showed a change in the pattern of clonality between presentation and relapse. This implies an important role for clonal diversity as a mechanism of disease progression through the process of clonal variation and clonal selection. © 1998 by The American Society of Hematology.

scholarly journals Clinical and microbiological characteristics of nosocomial, healthcare-associated, and community-acquired Klebsiella pneumoniae infections in Guangzhou, China

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tingting Le ◽  
Ling Wang ◽  
Chaoying Zeng ◽  
Leiwen Fu ◽  
Zhihua Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Bacterial Resistance ◽  
Empirical Therapy ◽  
Clonal Diversity ◽  
Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase ◽  
Microbiological Characteristics ◽  
Carbapenemase Gene ◽  
Cross Transmission ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Abstract Background Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is a common pathogen associated with hospital and community-onset infections. This study aimed to compare the clinical and microbiological characteristics of nosocomial, healthcare-associated (HCA), and community-acquired (CA) K. pneumoniae infections. Methods Clinical data were extracted from electronic medical records and analyzed retrospectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production were determined for all identified strains. Carbapenemase and ESBL genes were amplified by PCR. Genotyping of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) and ESBL-producing strains was performed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Results Of 379 K. pneumoniae infections, 98 (25.9%) were nosocomial, 195 (51.5%) were healthcare-associated, and 86 (22.6%) were community-acquired. Hematological malignancy (OR = 4.467), and hypertension (OR = 2.08) and cerebral vascular disease (OR = 2.486) were associated with nosocomial and HCA infections respectively, when compared to CA infections. Overall, the incidence of antimicrobial resistance for the majority of agents tested was similar between nosocomial and HCA infections (P > 0.05) and both groups had a higher incidence than CA infections (P < 0.05). Moreover, 95.1% (78/82) of CRKP strains were isolated from the nosocomial and HCA groups. The blaKPC was the most prevalent carbapenemase gene among CRKP strains (80.5%, 66/82). ESBL-producing strains were prevalent among nosocomial (40.8%), HCA (35.9%) and CA groups (24.4%). The blaCTX-M-9-group and blaCTX-M-1-group genes were predominant in nosocomial (65.0%) and CA strains (66.7%), respectively. PFGE results showed ESBL-producing and CRKP strains were genetically diverse. Identical PFGE profiles were observed among HCA and nosocomial strains. Conclusions Nosocomial and HCA K. pneumoniae infections presented similar clinical features and antimicrobial resistance, and both two types of infections were different to CA infections. CRKP and ESBL-producing strains were disseminated mainly in HCA and nosocomial groups, and showed a clonal diversity. The cross transmission of CRKP was existed among HCA and nosocomial patients. This finding suggests that similar empirical therapy should be considered for patients with nosocomial and HCA K. pneumoniae infections and bacterial resistance surveillance of these infections is necessary.

scholarly journals Cytotoxic Influence of Khat (Catha edulis (Vahl) Forssk. ex Endl) on Oral Fibroblasts, Squamous Carcinoma Cells, and Expression of α Smooth Muscle Actin

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3524
Author(s):  
Azeem Ul Yaqin Syed ◽  
Muhammad A. Ahmed ◽  
Eman I. AlSagob ◽  
Mansour Al-Askar ◽  
Abdulrahman M. AlMubarak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Death ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Smooth Muscle Actin ◽  
Control Cell ◽  
Squamous Carcinoma ◽  
Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Muscle Actin ◽  
Catha Edulis ◽  
Squamous Carcinoma Cells ◽  
Dose Dependent

The aim was to determine the cytotoxicity of Khat (Catha edulis (Vahl) Forssk. ex Endl) on normal oral fibroblasts (NOFs) and SCC4 (squamous carcinoma cells) along with expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in fibroblasts. Khat filtrate was prepared to obtain a concentrated viscous solution. NOFs and SCC4 cells were cultured in biological cabinets and were grown in Dulbeccos’ modified Eagles medium. Frozen cells were thawed at 37 °C and cell seeding was performed. NOFs and SCC4 cells were seeded on 96 well plates and allowed to attach. The medium was removed and a fresh medium containing different concentrations of Khat was added. The group without Khat served as a negative control and 4% paraformaldehyde as the positive control. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay and effect of Khat on fibroblast and SCC4 phenotypes was evaluated by immunostaining. Analysis of variance was used to assess data (p < 0.05). NOF 316 showed cell death in response to 4% paraformaldehyde, 12.5, 6.25, and 3.12 mg/mL of Khat. The highest concentration of Khat (25 mg/mL) failed to cause cytotoxicity of NOF 316. NOF 319 and NOF 26 displayed cell death at all concentrations of Khat, however, cytotoxicity was not dose dependent. NOF 18 and SCC4 cells showed dose-dependent cell death. NOF 316 showed α-SMA expression after 1 mg/mL of Khat exposure. Not all fibroblasts were α-SMA-positive, suggesting specific activation of a subset of fibroblasts. Khat is cytotoxic to NOF and SCC4 cells. Furthermore, it can also cause activation and phenotypic changes in oral fibroblasts, indicating a potential role in progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

scholarly journals In Silico Drug Prescription for Targeting Cancer Patient Heterogeneity and Prediction of Clinical Outcome

Cancers ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 1361
Author(s):  
Elena Piñeiro-Yáñez ◽  
María José Jiménez-Santos ◽  
Gonzalo Gómez-López ◽  
Fátima Al-Shahrour
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Tumour Progression ◽  
Drug Prescription ◽  
A Priori ◽  
Growth Factor Receptor ◽  
Clonal Diversity ◽  
Molecular Alterations ◽  
Patient Heterogeneity ◽  
Epidermal Growth

In silico drug prescription tools for precision cancer medicine can match molecular alterations with tailored candidate treatments. These methodologies require large and well-annotated datasets to systematically evaluate their performance, but this is currently constrained by the lack of complete patient clinicopathological data. Moreover, in silico drug prescription performance could be improved by integrating additional tumour information layers like intra-tumour heterogeneity (ITH) which has been related to drug response and tumour progression. PanDrugs is an in silico drug prescription method which prioritizes anticancer drugs combining both biological and clinical evidence. We have systematically evaluated PanDrugs in the Genomic Data Commons repository (GDC). Our results showed that PanDrugs is able to establish an a priori stratification of cancer patients treated with Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) inhibitors. Patients labelled as responders according to PanDrugs predictions showed a significantly increased overall survival (OS) compared to non-responders. PanDrugs was also able to suggest alternative tailored treatments for non-responder patients. Additionally, PanDrugs usefulness was assessed considering spatial and temporal ITH in cancer patients and showed that ITH can be approached therapeutically proposing drugs or combinations potentially capable of targeting the clonal diversity. In summary, this study is a proof of concept where PanDrugs predictions have been correlated to OS and can be useful to manage ITH in patients while increasing therapeutic options and demonstrating its clinical utility.

scholarly journals Qualitative ultrastructural analysis of the submandibular salivary glands after administration of khat: in vivo study

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gamilah Al-Qadhi ◽  
Rabab Mubarak
Keyword(s):  
Salivary Glands ◽  
Arabian Peninsula ◽  
Submandibular Salivary Gland ◽  
Catha Edulis ◽  
Ductal Cells ◽  
Cytoplasmic Vacuoles ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Salivary Gland Cells ◽  
Submandibular Salivary Glands

Abstract Objective Khat (Catha edulis Forssk) plant has been widely chewed for its psychostimulatory effects in the African and Arabian Peninsula, particularly in Yemen. Considering the khat leaves are gradually chewed without swallowing, while its active constituents are extracted into saliva, studying the effect of khat on salivary glands is necessary. This work is an extension of the previously published work that studied the effect of khat extract on the rats' submandibular salivary glands in terms of histological and immunohistochemical evaluations. The current research note aimed to better understand this effect on the ultrastructure of submandibular salivary gland cells by using transmission electron microscope. Results Oral administration of khat extract produced degenerative changes in the secretory and ductal cells of rats' submandibular salivary glands. These changes involved irregular boundaries of variable sized-nuclei, dilated RER, cytoplasmic vacuoles as well as swollen and degenerated mitochondria.

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