Hesperidin attenuates mitochondrial dysfunction during benzo(a)pyrene‐induced lung carcinogenesis in mice

The present study is designed to assess the mitochondrial status during benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P)‐induced lung carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice and to reveal the modulatory effect of hesperidin over it. B(a)P (50 mg/kg body weight)‐induced mitochondrial abnormalities was evident from alterations in mitochondrial lipid peroxides, antioxidant status (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione‐S‐transferase, reduced glutathione, vitamin E, and vitamin C), major tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle enzyme activities (isocitrate dehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase, malate dehydrogenase, alpha‐ketoglutarate dehydrogenase), electron transport chain (ETC) complexes activities and ATP levels. Ultrastructural changes in lung mitochondria were also in accord with the above aberrations. Hesperidin (25 mg/kg body weight) supplementation effectively counteracted all the above changes and restored cellular normalcy, indicating its protective role during B(a)P‐induced lung cancer.     

二甲双胍和瑞格列奈对非肥胖的2型糖尿病患者非血糖性心血管危险标志的影响比较

在2型糖尿病患者中，反映炎症和内皮功能障碍的生物标志已经与心血管疾病和代谢调节联系起来。二甲双胍和促胰岛素分泌剂被证明有相同的抗高血糖作用。此研究比较了二甲双胍和促胰岛素分泌剂瑞格列奈在非肥胖的2型糖尿病患者的心血管疾病生物标志上的效能。     

Adsorbed proteins influence the biological activity and molecular targeting of nanomaterials.

The possible combination of specific physicochemical properties operating at unique sites of action within cells and tissues has led to considerable uncertainty surrounding nanomaterial toxic potential. We have investigated the importance of proteins adsorbed onto the surface of two distinct classes of nanomaterials (single-walled carbon nanotubes [SWCNTs]; 10-nm amorphous silica) in guiding nanomaterial uptake or toxicity in the RAW 264.7 macrophage-like model. Albumin was identified as the major fetal bovine or human serum/plasma protein adsorbed onto SWCNTs, while a distinct protein adsorption profile was observed when plasma from the Nagase analbuminemic rat was used. Damaged or structurally altered albumin is rapidly cleared from systemic circulation by scavenger receptors. We observed that SWCNTs inhibited the induction of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) by lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 1 ng/ml, 6 h) and this anti-inflammatory response was inhibited by fucoidan (scavenger receptor antagonist). Fucoidan also reduced the uptake of fluorescent SWCNTs (Alexa647). Precoating SWCNTs with a nonionic surfactant (Pluronic F127) inhibited albumin adsorption and anti-inflammatory properties. Albumin-coated SWCNTs reduced LPS-mediated Cox-2 induction under serum-free conditions. SWCNTs did not reduce binding of LPS(Alexa488) to RAW 264.7 cells. The profile of proteins adsorbed onto amorphous silica particles (50-1000 nm) was qualitatively different, relative to SWCNTs, and precoating amorphous silica with Pluronic F127 dramatically reduced the adsorption of serum proteins and toxicity. Collectively, these observations suggest an important role for adsorbed proteins in modulating the uptake and toxicity of SWCNTs and nano-sized amorphous silica.     

Flow cytometric analysis of human spermatozoa treated with antiserum to human seminal inhibin

Inhibin from human seminal plasma is structurally identical to sperm coating antigen. Using the flow cytometric technique it has been demonstrated that there is a positive correlation between initial motility of sperm and the amount of inhibin coated on the spermatozoal surface.     

Meningitis and midline facial deformity

A baby with unilateral cleft lip, midline cleft palate and hypertelorism developed meningitis in the first 48 h of life. Examination of the nasopharynx showed a soft tissue mass, which was confirmed as a basal encephalocele by computed tomography. There was also congenital hydrocephalus and the corpus callosum was absent. Surgical treatment included repair of the anterior basal skull defect, repair of the lip and palate, and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. There is currently evidence of developmental delay and right-sided visual impairment due to Morning Glory syndrome. This case demonstrates that basal encephalocele should be considered in any baby with midline facial deformity who develops meningitis.     

Role of prophylactic antibiotics in surgery for advanced head and neck cancer.

Four regimens of prophylactic antibiotics were utilized in 122 consecutive patients of stages III and IV carcinoma of the upper aero-digestive tract undergoing major resections in a randomized single-blind study. Ampicillin, gentamicin, cephalexin and metronidazole were used in different combinations for periods of 5 or 10 days. A cephalexin-metronidazole protocol for 10 days was associated with lowest post-operative infection rate. Oral-oropharyngeal resection and use of pectoralis major myocutaneous flap were the most important factors contributing to infection.     

Radiologic case study. Abrasion chondroplasty mimicking avascular necrosis

Arthroscopic abrasion arthroplasty, subchondral drilling, and microfracture continue to be performed with some frequency in younger patients with focal chondral defects and occasionally for patients with moderate degenerative knee arthritis. The plain radiographic appearance after those procedures may mimic avascular necrosis, but MRI is a sensitive method used to exclude the diagnosis of avascular necrosis and evaluate the extent to which fibrocartilaginous repair tissue has formed. When combined with an appropriate clinical history, dedicated articular cartilage imaging sequences improve the sensitivity and specificity that MRI provides in these patients with chondral knee injuries.     

Office-based transurethral microwave thermotherapy using the TherMatrx TMx-2000

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) is an effective therapy for symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but the trade-off between the magnitude of clinical improvement and side effects and patient tolerance has limited its appeal to patients and urologists. This study, using the TherMatrx TMx-2000, a TUMT device that directly heats the transition zone to greater than 50 degrees C, has been focused on resolving these issues and developing a truly office-based therapy that is well tolerated with a benign post-treatment course. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study was multi-institutional and designed as a blinded, randomized, and sham-controlled trial. A series of 200 patients with an AUA Symptom Index (AUASI) of >12, a peak flow rate of <12 mL/sec, and cystoscopic evidence of BPH were randomized 2:1 (active to sham) and treated in seven physician offices under a Food and Drug Administration-supervised and audited premarket approval protocol. No intravenous sedation was used in any patient. Follow-up for the sham-treatment group was 3 months, at which time, patients could cross over to an active treatment. A total of 119 patients have completed 1-year follow-up. RESULTS: The active and sham groups were statistically identical at baseline. The 1-hour total treatment was extremely well tolerated using urethral lidocaine and oral medications; not a single prostate block or parental dose of medication was required. The active-treatment group demonstrated a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in AUASI at 3 months compared with sham treatment, with an AUASI decrease from 22.4 to 12.4 (n = 124) for active v 22.9 to 17 for sham (n = 62). For the 119 patients in the active arm who have reached 12 months, the AUASI has fallen to 10.6 points (47.1% decrease), and the peak flow rate has increased 5.0 mL/sec (58.1%). Postprocedure catheterization was typically 2 or 3 days, and the 16.8% of patients who failed their first voiding trial all voided within 1 week. No major adverse events such as stricture, rectal findings, or ejaculatory changes have been reported. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the TherMatrx TMx-2000 TUMT effectively treats symptomatic BPH in the physician office with minimal morbidity.