Oxidative stress parameters and keap 1 variants in T2DM: Association with T2DM,diabetic neuropathy,diabetic retinopathy,and obesity

IntroductionChronic hyperglycemia activates the inflammatory pathways and oxidative stress mechanisms with consequent damage to nerve tissue and retina. The Keap1‐Nrf2 pathway acts as one of the most important antioxidant pathways of the organism. Variants of Keap1 could affect susceptibility to diabetes and its complications.MethodsIn a case‐control study, 400 individuals included type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients without complication, with neuropathy, with retinopathy, and healthy individuals were investigated. The levels of glutathione (GSH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), malondialdehyde (MDA), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured using chemical methods. Using the PCR‐RFLP method, the Keap1 (rs11085735) variants were identified.ResultsNeuropathic patients had significantly lower levels of GSH, GPx, and TAC and higher levels of total oxidative status (TOS), MDA, and oxidative stress index (OSI) compared to T2DM patients without complication and controls. Lower levels of GSH and GPx and a higher level of MDA were observed in patients with retinopathy compared with controls. Obesity was associated with significantly lower GPx activity and higher TOS. A significantly higher Keap1 AA genotype was found in patients with neuropathy than T2DM without complication and controls. The presence of Keap1 AA genotype correlated with lower GPx activity compared to CC genotype.ConclusionsOur study suggests the role of reduced antioxidant system and Keap1 variants in the pathogenesis of T2DM and its complications of neuropathy and retinopathy and also obesity in enhanced oxidative stress. Monitoring oxidative stress parameters in diabetic patients, especially those with complication and their treatment with antioxidants is suggested.     

The effect of l‐carnitine supplementation on serum levels of omentin‐1, visfatin and SFRP5 and glycemic indices in patients with pemphigus vulgaris: A randomized,double‐blind,placebo‐controlled clinical trial

Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a chronic autoimmune disorder with potentially fatal outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of l ‐carnitine (LC) on secreted frizzled‐related protein‐5 (SFRP5), omentin, visfatin, and glycemic indices in PV patients under corticosteroid treatment. In this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial, 52 patients with PV were divided randomly into two groups to receive 2 g of LC or a placebo for 8 weeks. Serum levels of SFRP5, omentin, visfatin, and also glycemic indices were evaluated at the baseline and end of the study. LC supplementation significantly decreased the serum level of visfatin (95% CI [?14.718, ?0.877], p = .05) and increased the serum levels of SFRP5 (95%CI [1.637, 11.380], p < .006) and omentin (95% CI [9.014, 65.286], p < .01). However, LC supplementation had no significant effects on the serum levels of glycemic factors such as insulin (95% CI [?1.125, 3.056], p = .426), fasting blood sugar (95% CI [?4.743, 3.642], p = .894), homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (95% CI [?0.305, 0.528], p = .729), and quantitative insulin‐sensitivity check index (95% CI [?0.016, ?0.010], p = .81). LC supplementation decreased visfatin serum level and increased omentin‐1 and SFRP5 serum levels in patients with PV. However, it has no significant effect on the serum levels of insulin and glycemic indices.     

Application of Pauson–Khand reaction in the total synthesis of terpenes

The Pauson–Khand reaction (PKR) is a formal [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition involving an alkyne, an alkene and carbon monoxide mediated by a hexacarbonyldicobaltalkyne complex to yield cyclopentenones in a single step. This versatile reaction has become a method of choice for the synthesis of cyclopentenone and its derivatives since its discovery in the early seventies. The aim of this review is to point out the applications of PKR in the total synthesis of terpenes.

The Pauson–Khand reaction (PKR) is a formal [2 + 2 + 1] cycloaddition involving an alkyne, an alkene and carbon monoxide mediated by a hexacarbonyldicobaltalkyne complex to yield cyclopentenones in a single step.     

Hypersensitivity reactions to latex in patients having topical treatment applied by health professionals wearing latex gloves

Pomegranate is the fruit of the pomegranate tree ( Punica granatum ), native to Africa, introduced into the Mediterranean area, and now widely cultivated. The tree be-longs to the Myrtaceae family and is currently used therapeutically for gingivitis and gastric-duodenal trait. The fruit pulp is made up of a cluster of red-violet seeds.     

Comparison of drug administration logistics between prothrombin complex concentrates and plasma in the emergency department

Background

Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) is used as an alternative to fresh frozen plasma (FFP) for emergency bleeding. The primary objective of this study was to compare the time from order to start of administration between 3-factor PCC (PCC3), 4-factor (PCC4), and FFP in the emergency department (ED). The secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of an ED pharmacist on time to administration of PCCs.

George Peters Award: How does breast-specific gamma imaging affect the management of patients with newly diagnosed breast cancer?

Background

We sought to determine the number of patients with known breast cancer who were found to have an additional, mammographically occult lesion detected on breast-specific gamma imaging (BSGI).

Methods

An institutional review board-approved review of all patients who underwent BSGI at Beth Israel Medical Center from 2006 to 2008 was performed.

Results

A total of 82 patients underwent BSGI for newly diagnosed breast cancer. Of these, 18 had an additional abnormality, and 17 were biopsied. There were 4 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma, 1 invasive lobular carcinoma, 1 ductal carcinoma in situ, 1 lobular carcinoma in situ, 2 papillomas, and 8 benign biopsies. One patient proceeded directly to mastectomy and an area of ductal carcinoma in situ was found, corresponding to the BSGI.

Conclusions

In our study group, 22% of patients had a surgical change in management based on BSGI findings. BSGI detected additional carcinoma in 9%. BSGI plays an important role in the clinical management of patients with known breast cancer.     

Diluted magnetic semiconductor properties in TM doped ZnO nanoparticles

The hydrothermal method was used to create dilute magnetic semiconductor nanoparticles of Zn_1−xCo_xO (x = 0, 0.01, 0.05, 0.09). The effect of cobalt doping on the microstructure, morphological and optical properties of Zn_1−xCo_xO was also studied and the Co doping to host ZnO was confirmed from XRD and EDX analysis. The structural analysis showed that doping of cobalt into ZnO decreased the crystallinity, but the preferred orientation didn''t change. SEM analysis revealed that the cobalt dopant did not have a strong influence on the shape of the synthesized nanoparticles. No defect-related absorption peaks were observed in the UV-Vis spectra. The crystallinity of the doped samples was improved by high growth temperature and long growth time. Ferromagnetic behavior above room temperature was detected in co-doped ZnO nanoparticles. The ferromagnetic behavior increased with increasing Co (up to x = 0.05) doping. The ferromagnetic behavior declined when the Co content was further increased. Related research shows that doped ZnO nanoparticles have better dielectric, electrical conductivity, and magnetic properties than pure ZnO. This high ferromagnetism is usually a response reported for dilute magnetic semiconductors. These semiconductor nanoparticles were further used to designed spintronic based applications.

The enlarged central part M–H loop shows for the Co = 0.09 doped ZnO sample, the ferromagnetic (FM) behavior increased, i.e., a M_r of 0.2412 emu g⁻¹ with a H_c of 85 Oe.     

Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis of the Lung and Thyroid, Co-Existing with Papillary Thyroid Cancer

A 24-year-old man presented to our center with a huge goiter compressing his airway. He had a previous diagnosis of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) of the lung. Core needle biopsy was consistent with histiocytosis. Thyroidectomy was performed. A very invasive mass was encountered at the time of surgery. Histopathology result was consistent with an invasive papillary cancer of thyroid co-occurring with LCH. Although association of LCH with different malignancies has been reported, co-existing invasive papillary thyroid cancer and LCH is a rare combination.