Phonopheresis Associated with Nanoparticle Gel from Phyllanthus amarus Relieves Pain by Reducing Oxidative Stress and Proinflammatory Markers in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis

Objective: To determine the changes in serum levels of inflammatory biomarkers and antioxidant levels among the knee osteoarthritis(OA) patients after treatment with Phyllanthus amarus(PP) by nanoparticle gel phonophoresis. Methods: This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-control, parallel-group, clinical trial involving 30 subjects with mild-to-moderate degree of knee OA. The patients were allocated to two groups using a computer-generated random numbers, and received conventional ultrasound therapy(control group, 15 cases) and PP(treatment group, 15 cases) once daily for 10 sessions. The pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay(ELISA). Nitric oxide(NO) was determined by modified Griess reagent. The antioxidant effects, including superoxide dismutase(SOD) and total antioxidant capacity(TAC), were also measured by ELISA assay. Results: The VAS score was significantly decreased in the treatment group compared with the control group after treatment(P0.01). The serum concentrations of TNF-α and NO were significantly reduced in the treatment group compared with the control group(P0.01) after treatment. However, the serum concentrations of SOD and TAC in the treatment group were significantly higher after treatment compared with the control group(P0.01). Conclusion: PP could alleviate knee pain and significantly reduce systemic antiinflammatory effects in knee OA patients.     

Five-year follow up of thymoglobulin versus ATGAM induction in adult renal transplantation

BACKGROUND: One-year results of a randomized, double-blinded trial of Thymoglobulin versus Atgam for induction therapy in renal transplantation revealed that Thymoglobulin was associated with higher event-free survival (94% vs. 63%), less acute rejection (4% vs. 25%), and better graft survival. This article compares the safety and efficacy of Thymoglobulin versus Atgam induction through 5 years. METHODS: Review and analysis of clinic records and electronic databases. RESULTS: At 5 years, event-free survival (73% vs. 33%, P<0.001), graft survival (77% vs. 55%, P=0.047), and freedom from rejection (92% vs. 66%, P=0.007) were higher with Thymoglobulin versus Atgam. No additional cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease occurred after the first year with Thymoglobulin or Atgam (13% vs. 33%, P=0.056). There were two cases of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) with the Atgam arm and none with Thymoglobulin. Thymoglobulin was associated with profound lymphopenia at 2 years after transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: Thymoglobulin was associated with higher event-free survival, graft survival, and freedom from rejection without increased PTLD or CMV disease at 5 years compared with Atgam. The prolonged and profound lymphopenia may contribute to the long-term results associated with Thymoglobulin.     

An open-label, prospective study of an oral polyvalent bacterial lysate (Luivac) in the treatment of recurrent respiratory tract infections in Thai patients

An open-label, non-comparative study was performed in the Department of Otolaryngology, Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, to assess the safety, tolerability, acceptability and efficacy of an oral polyvalent bacterial lysate (Luivac) in the treatment of recurrent respiratory tract infections (RTIs) in Thai patients. Thirty-three patients were included in this study, 18 males and 15 females, with a mean age of 34.0 +/- 14.7 years. The mean number of RTIs during the 12-month period preceding the study was 9.5 per patient. During the study each patient received one tablet of Luivac daily for 28 days followed by a treatment-free period of 28 days. This was followed with another 28 days on Luivac, after which there was a 28-day treatment-free follow-up period. This study lasted 4 months with five scheduled patient visits (V1-V5). Laboratory studies were done at baseline (V1) and after treatment (V4), which included complete blood count and serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgE, IgG and IgM). The incidence of all adverse events was 15.2% and no case was related to the studied drug. There were no clinical relevant changes in laboratory parameters after treatment. The reduction rate of RTIs per month at the end of the study period was 63.5% when compared to the average RTIs rate per month during the 12 months preceding the study. A comparison of the first study period (V1-V3) and the second study period (V3-V5) showed a reduction in duration of RTIs (23.1%), in the clinical infection score (17.5%), in the number of antibiotics used (2.1%), in the number of symptomatic treatments (3.5%), and in the number of days absent from school or work (50.0%). Overall tolerability and acceptability were assessed as very good and good in 96.8% of the patients. This study suggests that oral polyvalent bacterial lysate (Luivac) was safe and also showed a tendency to be effective in preventing RTIs in Thai patients with or without risk factors for recurrent RTIs. Other clinical advantages were reduction in the severity and duration of infection as well as in reduction of the cost of treatment and the number of days absent from school or work.     

Morelloflavone from Garcinia dulcis as a Novel Biflavonoid Inhibitor of HMG‐CoA Reductase

Morelloflavone, a biflavonoid from Garcinia dulcis previously shown to have hypocholesterolemic activity, was examined for its effect on HMG‐CoA reductase, the rate‐limiting enzyme of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. By using the catalytic domain of house mouse HMG‐CoA reductase, morelloflavone was found to inhibit the enzyme activity by competing with HMG‐CoA whereas it was non‐competitive towards NADPH. The inhibition constants (K_i) with respect to HMG‐CoA and NADPH were 80.87 ± 0.06 µm and 103 ± 0.07 µm , respectively. Both flavonoid subunits of this compound, naringenin and luteolin, equally competed with HMG‐CoA with K_i of 83.58 ± 4.37 µm and 83.59 ± 0.94 µm , respectively, and were also non‐competitive with NADPH (K_i of 182 ± 0.67 µm and 188 ± 0.14 µm , respectively). Due to these findings, we suggest that each subunit of morelloflavone would occupy the active site of the enzyme, thereby blocking access of its substrate. The present study thus demonstrates the ability of morelloflavone from G. dulcis to inhibit HMG‐CoA reductase in vitro. As a result, this biflavonoid might serve as a new candidate for the future development of hypocholesterolemic agents. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Performance of the CRAFTi portable fluorometer comparing with the HPLC method for determining serum retinol

Objective

To determine the performance of a portable fluorometer for measuring serum retinol (SR) concentration.

Design and methods

Serum samples were obtained from 75 factory worker women and 143 school children. SR concentration was quantified using a portable fluorometer (‘CRAFTi’) and HPLC analysis.

Results

SR by HPLC (1.23 ± 0.43 μmol/L) and CRAFTi (1.16 ± 0.46 μmol/L) was significantly correlated. Sensitivity and specificity were 85.3% and 78.0% (cutoff of 1.05 μmol/L). Kappa statistics showed moderate agreement.

Conclusions

CRAFTi portable fluorometer is a promising field-friendly tool for screening vitamin A deficiency.     

A facile one-pot green synthesis of gold nanoparticle-graphene-PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite for selective electrochemical detection of dopamine

A facile one-pot and green method was developed to prepare a nanocomposite of gold nanoparticle (AuNP), graphene (GP) and poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). Graphene was first electro-exfoliated in a polystyrene sulfonate solution, followed by a one-step simultaneous in situ formation of gold nanoparticle and PEDOT. The as-synthesized aqueous dispersion of AuNP-GP-PEDOT:PSS was thereafter used to modify the glassy carbon electrode (GCE). For the first time, the quaternary composite between AuNP, GP, PEDOT and PSS was used for selective determination of dopamine (DA) and uric acid (UA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA). In comparison to a bare GCE, the nanocomposite electrode shows considerably higher electrocatalytic activities toward the oxidation of DA and UA due to a synergistic effect between AuNP, GP, PEDOT and PSS. Using differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), selective determination of DA and UA in the presence of AA could be achieved with a peak potential separation of 110 mV between DA and UA. The sensor exhibits wide linear responses for DA and UA in the ranges of 1 nM to 300 μM and 10 μM to 1 mM with detection limits (S/N = 3) of 100 pM and 10 μM, respectively. Furthermore, the proposed sensor was also successfully used to determine DA in a real pharmaceutical injection sample as well as DA and UA in human serum with satisfactory recovery results.

A facile one-pot green synthesis of gold nanoparticle-graphene-PEDOT:PSS nanocomposite was successfully demonstrated.     

Lens cell targetting for gene therapy of prevention of posterior capsule opacification

Posterior capsule opacification is the main complication of cataract surgery. Using adenovirus-mediated gene transfer, we recently reported that it was feasible to prevent PCO by overexpressing pro-apoptotic molecules such as pro-caspase 3 or Bax in the residual lens epithelial cells post-cataract surgery. However, this approach is feasible only if gene transfer can be restricted to the residual cells responsible for PCO. Initially, we tested an adenovirus (human serotype 5, HAd5), a lentivirus (HIV) and an oncoretrovirus (MLV) vector for the their in vivo transduction efficiency of rabbit lens cells. We found that HAd5 vectors were the most efficient (>90% of the cells could be transduced). Six potential lens-specific promoters were then cloned into HAd5 vectors and assayed for their ability to target expression to a specific population of cells, using in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo rabbit tissues and human lens capsular bags. We found that the LEP503, MIP and Filensin promoters induced strong lens-specific expression of a reporter gene, in human lens cells. Following this ex vivo assay, we showed in a rabbit PCO model that gene transfer could be spatially restricted to the capsular bag by confining the vector with Matrigel. Our combined approach using a lens-specific promoter and a biocompatible gel should render feasible a novel therapeutic strategy for PCO that targets the remaining lens cells.     

Cyclosporine minimization and cost reduction in renal transplant recipients receiving a C2-monitored, cyclosporine-based quadruple immunosuppressive regimen

BACKGROUND: Targeting 2-hr postdose cyclosporine (C2) levels to 1,000 to 1,700 mg/dL during the first 6 months after renal transplantation is recommended for triple immunosuppressive regimens. This trial determines whether lower C2 levels could be targeted safely in de novo kidney transplant recipients under a quadruple regimen compared with a similar cohort monitored with trough (C0) levels. METHODS: This single-center, sequential, cohort-designed trial included patients who received Thymoglobulin, corticosteroids, an antimetabolite, and cyclosporine monitored by C2 (n=50) or C0 (n=50). Cyclosporine was tapered to maintain the C2 between 1,000 and 1,200 ng/mL months 0 to 3 and between 600 and 1,000 ng/mL thereafter and C0 between 250 and 350 ng/mL months 0 to 3 and between 100 and 250 ng/mL thereafter. RESULTS: Baseline patient and donor characteristics were similar. There were no differences in graft survival (100% C2 vs. 100% C0), acute rejection (4% C2 vs. 6% C0), allograft function, or adverse events at 6 months. C2 levels were lower than the suggested guidelines throughout the study (33% lower at 1 month and 48% lower at 6 months). Lower cyclosporine doses were achieved in the C2 arm compared with the C0 arm by 1 month and were sustained throughout the trial, which translated into an average cyclosporine cost savings of USD $773 in the C2 arm during the 6-month period (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: With a quadruple immunosuppressive regimen and lower C2 targets than recommended for triple therapy, safe and effective cyclosporine minimization was achieved. Lower cyclosporine doses were achieved in C2-monitored patients compared with C0-monitored patients, translating into lower immunosuppressive costs.     

Salmonellosis and the food chain in Khon Kaen, northeastern Thailand

Non-typhoidal salmonellosis is a major cause of food-borne illness in Thailand. Specific serotyping of Salmonellae, linked with certain foods, can be used to identify outbreaks, transmission, and for surveillance. We aimed to identify the chain of non-typhoidal Salmonella transmission from food to humans in five slums, two open markets, four supermarkets and an abattoir in the municipality of Khon Kaen. During three months representing the cool-dry, hot-dry, and rainy seasons of 2002, culture samples were collected from water, food, pork, and chicken. Stool cultures of food venders, and others in the same area, were performed. Serological typing was done by the WHO National Salmonella and Shigella Center in Thailand. Of the food, drinking water, and stool samples from food handlers and healthy persons, 18, 7, 11, and 5%, respectively, were positive for Salmonella. Nearly all (96-98%) of the fresh pork and chicken, both from the open markets and supermarkets, were positive for Salmonella. The major Salmonella serovars were S. Anatum, S. Rissen, S. Virchow, S. Enteritidis and S. Panama, similar throughout the food chain and to the other reports that year. To reduce the incidence of human salmonellosis, several preventative measures must be taken where animals are produced, slaughtered and processed, and at home and in eateries. Vulnerable groups, such as infants, the elderly and the immuno-compromised, should be made aware of their increased susceptibility to food-borne disease.     

Green and sustainable zero-waste conversion of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) into superior magnetic carbon composite adsorbents and supercapacitor electrodes

Troublesome aquatic weed, water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) was converted into solid and liquid fractions via green and energy-saving hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). The solid product, hydrochar, was employed as a precursor to prepare magnetic carbon materials by simple activation and magnetization using KOH and Fe³⁺ ions, respectively. The obtained magnetic adsorbent possessed good magnetic properties and presented outstanding capacities to adsorb methylene blue (524.20 mg g⁻¹), methyl orange (425.15 mg g⁻¹) and tetracycline (294.24 mg g⁻¹) with rapid adsorption kinetics even at high concentrations (up to 500 mg L⁻¹), attributed to high specific surface area and mesopore porosity. Besides the solid hydrochar, the water-soluble liquid product was used to fabricate carbon-based supercapacitors through facile KOH activation with a considerably lower KOH amount in comparison to conventional activation. The supercapacitor electrode made from activated liquid product possessed an extremely high specific surface area of 2545 cm² g⁻¹ and showed excellent specific capacitance (100 F g⁻¹ or 50 F cm⁻³ at 1 A g⁻¹) and good retention of capacitance (92% even after 10 000 cycles). This work demonstrated that both solid and liquid HTC fractions from this bio-waste can serve as effective sources to prepare functional carbon materials, making this approach a sustainable zero-waste biomass conversion process.

Our facile approach converts embarrassing weed to value-added products through environmentally friendly routes towards zero-waste scheme.