Classical accommodation is a form of spike frequency adaptation in neurons whereby excitatory drive results in action potential output of gradually decreasing frequency. Here we describe an essential molecular component underlying classical accommodation in juvenile mouse hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. A-type isoforms of fibroblast growth factor homologous factors (FHFs) bound to axosomatic voltage-gated sodium channels bear an N-terminal blocking particle that drives some associated channels into a fast-onset, long-term inactivated state. Use-dependent accumulating channel blockade progressively elevates spike voltage threshold and lengthens interspike intervals. The FHF particle only blocks sodium channels from the open state, and mutagenesis studies demonstrate that this particle uses multiple aliphatic and cationic residues to both induce and maintain the long-term inactivated state. The broad expression of A-type FHFs in neurons throughout the vertebrate CNS suggests a widespread role of these sodium channel modulators in the control of neural firing.

Diabetes mellitus is a major public health issue that considerably impacts mortality, morbidity, and healthcare costs worldwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has created havoc in diabetes management, too, like other spectrums of life. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was adopted to determine the effect of Social Support, Self-Care Behaviour and Self-Efficacy in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2D) during this COVID-19 pandemic. Two hundred T2D patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria were chosen using a convenient sampling procedure. The tool consists of four sections, including socio-demographic characteristics, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), revised Summary of Diabetes Self-Care Activities (SDSCA) Scale and modified Diabetes Management Self-Efficacy Scale (DMS). Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the obtained data. The mean and SD of diabetic management self-efficacy is 5.74 (1.95) and 4.37 (1.4), respectively, for patients with HbA1c < 6.5% and HbA1c ≥ 6.5%. The self-care activities of the patients who had good glycemic control were 4.31 (2.06) compared to 3.50 (1.73) who did not. The social support received by the patients was 6.13 (2.13) vs. 5.31 (1.67) among patients with glycemic control vs. no control. The results show that social support (p = 0.04), self-efficacy (p =0.01) and self-care activities (p = 0.001) were significantly related to the level of glycemic control of the T2D patients. A significant relationship was also identified between gender (p = 0.036), age (p = 0.001) and education status (p = 0.000) with HbA1c control of the participants. This study demonstrates a significant relationship between social support, self-care behaviours, self-efficacy and glycemic management in T2D patients. During this COVID-19 pandemic, interventions to enhance the self-care activities like exercise and social support to boost their self-efficacy; for better diabetes management, reducing diabetes complications or prolonging their onset are the need of the hour.

Kleinia pendula (Forssk.) DC. is a prostrate or pendent dark green succulent herb found in the southwestern mountain regions of Saudi Arabia. The literature survey of the plant reveals a lack of phytochemical and pharmacological studies, although traditional uses have been noted. The objective of the present work was to assess the in vivo analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as, the in vitro cytotoxic potential of the fractions of Kleinia pendula, and correlate these activities to the plant metabolites. The methanolic extract of Kleinia pendula was subjected to fractionation with n-hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, n-butanol, and water. The fractions were screened for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities, as well as cytotoxic activity against breast, liver, and colon cancer cell lines. The n-hexane and chloroform fractions of Kleinia pendula showed significant cytotoxic activity against all three cancer cell lines tested. The ethyl acetate and chloroform fractions showed significant analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. The metabolites in these three active fractions were determined using UPLC-PDA-ESI-MS. Thus, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the plant were attributed to its phenolic acids (caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, protocatechuic, and chlorogenic acids). While fatty acids and triterpenoids such as (tormentic acid) in the hexane fraction are responsible for the cytotoxic activity; thus, these fractions of Kleinia pendula may be a novel source for the development of new plant-based analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer drugs.