Acylated flavonol glycoside from Psidium gauijava L. seeds

Ten phenolic and flavonoid compounds including one new acylated flavonol glycoside were isolated from Psidium gauijava seeds. The structures of the new compound quercetin-3-O-beta-D-(2"-O-galloyl glucoside)-4'-O-vinylpropionate and of the known compounds were elucidated by different chemical and physical methods, 1H- and 13C NMR spectral analysis.     

Possible synergistic prostate cancer suppression by anatomically discrete pomegranate fractions

We investigated whether dissimilar biochemical fractions originating in anatomically discrete sections of the pomegranate (Punica granatum) fruit might act synergistically against proliferation, metastatic potential, and phosholipase A2 (PLA2) expression of human prostate cancer cells in vitro . Proliferation of DU 145 human prostate cancer cells was measured following treatment with a range of therapeutically active doses of fermented pomegranate juice polyphenols (W) and sub-therapeutic doses of either pomegranate pericarp (peel) polyphenols (P) or pomegranate seed oil (Oil). Invasion across Matrigel by PC-3 human prostate cancer cells was measured following treatment with combinations of W, P and Oil such that the total gross weight of pomegranate extract was held constant. Expression of PLA2, associated with invasive potential, was measured in the PC-3 cells after treatment with the same dosage combinations as per invasion. Supra-additive, complementary and synergistic effects were proven in all models by the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric H test at p < 0.001 for the proliferation tests, p < 0.01 for invasion, and p < 0.05 for PLA2 expression. Proliferation effects were additionally evaluated with CompuSyn software median effect analysis and showed a concentration index CI < 1, confirming synergy. The results suggest vertical as well as the usual horizontal strategies for discovering pharmacological actives in plants.     

Nocturnal enuresis and allergy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether an interaction exists between nocturnal enuresis and allergy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-seven (20 boys, 17 girls) children with monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis were recruited. We studied an allergy panel that included total IgE, 10 examples of inhalant-specific IgE, 10 examples of food-specific IgE, eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) and Phadiotop. The same panel was studied in a control group of 18 children without monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis. RESULTS: We did not determine statistically significant differences between the enuretic group and the control group in terms of levels of total IgE, the 10 examples of inhalant-specific IgE and Phadiotop. However, two (soybean and hazelnut) of the 10 food-specific IgE and ECP levels did differ significantly between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This first specific IgE study showed that there may be a relationship between nocturnal enuresis and soybean and hazelnut food allergens. Our findings may explain some cases of nocturnal enuresis. However, further studies are necessary to explain the underlying mechanisms and management of this disorder.     

Intracerebral bleeding in a patient with neurosarcoidosis while on corticosteroid therapy

Neurosarcoidosis can have variable clinical manifestations. Intracerebral bleeding is very rare in the setting of neurosarcoidosis and has been reported only twice. In this report, we describe a patient with neurosarcoidosis who had intracerebral bleeding while on corticosteroid therapy, despite apparent clinical improvement.     

Lipid composition of winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus)

The lipids were extracted from the winged bean (Psophocarpus tetragonolobus) seed with water-saturated n-butanol. Lipids were separated into groups by preparative TLC on silica gel G. The amount of each lipid type was determined by analysis of the fatty acid constituents in each lipid type. Glyceride was the major lipid accounting for 89.6% of the total, followed by an unknown lipid 4%, free fatty acid of 2.3%, 1,3-diglyceride, 1,2-diglyceride and steryl ester as 1% each and finally a polar lipid as 0.2%. The results show that winged bean oil should be suitable for edible purposes. Triglycerides showed a similar profile of fatty acids to those of whole lipid: the major fatty acids were palmitic (10.9%), stearic (4.5%), oleic (37.1%), linoleic (19.0%), eicosenoic (3.6%), behenic (18.5%) and lignoceric (4.2%) acids. Compared to soybean oil, winged bean oil contained long chain fatty acids and a fairly small amount of linolenic acid which is favorable regarding oil stability against autoxidation.     

Exposure of nuclear antigens in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded necropsy human spinal cord tissue: detection of NeuN

Immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence staining approaches are powerful tools for characterization of the endogenous protein expression and subcellular compartmentalization. However, several technical problems hamper identification of low-abundance nuclear proteins in archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human neural tissue. These include loss of protein antigenicity during tissue fixation and processing, and intrinsic auto-fluorescence associated with the tissue related to its fixation and the presence of lipofuscin. We evaluated several antigen retrieval methods to establish a strategy for detection of neuronal nuclear proteins in human spinal cord formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue. Thus, using immunostaining of the neuron-specific nuclear protein NeuN as the outcome measure, we found that heating tissue sections in an alkaline pH buffer unmasked protein epitopes most effectively. Moreover, staining by immunohistochemistry with diaminobenzidine tetrahydrochloride chromagen was superior to immunofluorescence labeling, likely due to the signal amplification steps included in the former approach. Auto-fluorescence in the tissue sections can be effectively reduced, but a sufficient fluorescence signal associated with specific antibody labeling could not be detected above this background for NeuN in the nucleus.     

Retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma and enlarged epididymis associated with a positive pregnancy test

A 57-year-old man presented with a 1-month history of progressive abdominal pain and weight loss. A palpable, nonpulsatile, firm abdominal mass was felt below the xiphisternum down to the pelvis. A pregnancy test performed on a urine sample was positive. Testicular examination and testicular ultrasound were normal. Computerized tomography of the abdomen revealed a retroperitoneal mass measuring 30 x 21 x 13 cm. Serum beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-HCG) was serially increased (19.71-22.71 mIU/mL). Results of histopathology tests confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyosarcoma. The level of serum beta-HCG decreased to < 0.2 mlU/mL after chemotherapy. Beta-HCG is usually increased in germ-cell tumors but few reports in the literature describe beta-HCG-secreting leiomyosarcomas. The incidence of increased levels of beta-HCG in sarcomas in general, and its potential role as a tumor marker, is not known. A simple urine pregnancy test may be done in the work-up of abdominal masses.     

New methoxyflavone glycosides from Verbena bipinnatifida Nutt

Two new methoxyflavone glycosides: chrysoeriol-7-O-(2,6-dirhamnosyl)-glucoside and chrysoeriol-7-O-neohesperidoside and seven other known flavonoids, were isolated and characterised from the aerial parts of Verbena bipinnatifida Nutt. (Verbenaceae). Their structures were elucidated by spectral and chemical methods of analysis.