Potential in vitro antioxidant and protective effects of Gymnema montanum H. on alloxan-induced oxidative damage in pancreatic β-cells, HIT-T15

The present study describes the antioxidant activities of ethanol extract from Gymnema montanum (GLEt) which is an endemic plant of India. Antioxidant activity of the GLEt was studied in vitro based on scavenging of hydroxyl radicals, superoxide anions, nitric oxide, hydrogen peroxide, peroxynitrite, reducing power and inhibition of lipid peroxidation estimated in terms of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Further, we examined its protective effect against alloxan-induced oxidative stress in pancreatic β-cells, HIT-T15 by measuring the free radical generation, malonaldehyde formation and antioxidant levels such as CAT, GPx and GSH. Results showed that G. montanum leaves exhibited significant antioxidant activities measured by various in vitro model systems. The HIT-T15 cell line studies showed the tendency of GLEt to increase antioxidant levels meanwhile decrease the free radical formation and inhibit the lipid peroxidation. The antioxidant activity was found to be well correlated with the phenolic phytochemicals present in the extract. GC–MS analyses revealed the presence of few phenolic compounds in the extract. As this plant has already been demonstrated for a variety of medicinal properties from our laboratory, results of this study suggest that G. montanum is an interesting source for antioxidant compounds and useful for various therapeutic applications.     

Multi-scale techniques of measuring the dynamic properties of biological tissues.

The overall aim of this study is to establish relationships between the histology of biological tissues and their mechanical properties, especially their dynamic modulus. The emphasis is on the physical scale of the probe used in relation to the size of the histological features in the material of interest. The selection of a model system (connective tissue) is described along with a corresponding gelatin-based system in which the make-up of the material can be "engineered" reproducibly. Next three experimental rigs are described with regard to their suitability for making measurements at a variety of scales; the micro-scale, the meso-scale and the macro-scale. Finally, some preliminary measurements on the micro-scale rig are presented and preliminary conclusions drawn on the methodology.     

Thoracic vertebral osteomyelitis secondary to chronic esophageal perforation

Background ContextOsteomyelitis secondary to perforation of the esophagus is a rare condition. Thoracic osteomyelitis after chronic esophageal perforation has never been described in the literature.PurposeWe report a case of vertebral osteomyelitis resulting from a chronic esophageal perforation.Study Design/SettingCase report/University hospital.MethodsA 52-year-old woman presented with dysphagia, severe mid back, and epigastric pain over a 6-week period. Endoscopic and radiological investigations revealed the presence of a paraspinal inflammatory mass protruding into the posterior esophageal wall. Two weeks after admission, the patient developed septic complications which required surgical intervention. This revealed the presence of an esophageal perforation and osteomyelitis of the T4–T5 and T7–T8 vertebrae. After T-tube closure of the esophageal perforation along with surgical debridement of the vertebrae and a 6-week course of antibiotics, the patient made a sound recovery. However, there was persistence of back pain with exaggerated thoracic spine kyphosis at T7–T8 which needed thoracic spine stabilization with pedicle screw instrumentation and fusion.ResultsThis treatment led to complete recovery with no recurrence of symptoms at 8-months' follow-up.ConclusionsTo date this is the first case of thoracic osteomyelitis secondary to a chronic esophageal perforation to be reported in the literature. A high index of suspicion of this diagnosis is warranted in patients who present with similar clinical and radiological findings to enable prompt diagnosis and avoid the high mortality of esophageal perforation.     

An analysis of different types of surgical fixation for avulsion fractures of the anterior tibial spine

This is a retrospective study of 25 patients, looking at the outcome of open reduction and fixation of displaced anterior tibial spine avulsion fractures with absorbable and non-absorbable materials. The mean period of follow-up was 44 months (range, 21 to 88 months). The results of surgery were assessed clinically and radiologically. Outcome was evaluated by using the Lysholm knee scoring system. Anterior cruciate ligament laxity was assessed by using a KT-1000 arthrometer and range of movements with a goniometer. Overall, children did better than adults, but age per se did not appear to affect the final outcome. There was no significant difference between children fixed with absorbable or non-absorbable materials. Adults fixed with non-absorbable material had significantly better results than those fixed with absorbable material. Herbert screws had a tendency to migrate into the bone substance, and are best avoided. Protected early mobilisation in a knee brace was found to be safe and helped to regain early range of movements in the knee joint.     

Quality improvement of patient care - forensic pathologists' perspective

In the U.S. today, the pathologists, both hospital-based and forensic, are regularly involved in quality assurance (QA) programs, the evaluation of patient safety at all levels of medical care, including treatments in walk-in clinics and medical offices. In the United States, official death investigations are conducted by the Medical Examiner's Office. The Medical Examiner's Office is aided in its work by a network of coordinating agencies to provide complete, comprehensive reporting and investigation of deaths placed under its jurisdiction. Those agencies are the Health Department, the Registrar of Vital Statistics on Births and Deaths, Division of Health Facilities, the Hospital Office of Decedent Affairs and the State medical licensing agencies, as well as the various law enforcement and regulatory agencies and the prosecuting attorney's office. Forensic pathologists are witnesses to the fatal results of often avoidable untoward events. They need to use their experiences to address and emphasize overall prevention programs to improve the quality of life in the community, to publicize the avoidable actions which can lead to untoward results. In the current growing atmosphere of threatening chemical, biological and radiation terrorist attacks, the health care system, especially hospitals, including emergency services, are mobilizing to develop plans to meet possible anticipated need for disaster preparedness.     

Estimation of Pentraxin‐3 Levels in the Gingival Tissues of Chronic and Aggressive Periodontitis Participants: An In Vivo Study

Background: Pentraxins are acute‐phase proteins that belong to a family of evolutionarily conserved proteins, and they are considered markers of inflammation. Pentraxin‐3 (PTX3) is a prototype of the long pentraxin group. It is suggested to play an important role in innate resistance against pathogens, regulation of inflammation, and clearance of apoptotic cells. The aim of this study is to estimate the level of PTX3 in gingival tissues of individuals with chronic (CP) and aggressive (AgP) periodontitis and control participants and further correlate the level of PTX3 with clinical parameters. Methods: The study population consisted of 50 participants ranging in age from 20 to 55 years and attending the outpatient section of Department of Periodontics, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Chennai, India. The study groups included the following: 1) group A, patients with generalized CP (n = 20); 2) group B (n = 20), patients with generalized AgP (GAgP); and 3) group C (n = 10), healthy controls. Tissue samples from participants were assayed for PTX3 levels using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Gingival tissues from patients with GAgP (8.349 ± 5.076 ng/mL) had a higher mean concentration of PTX3 than tissues from patients with generalized CP (5.068 ± 3.274 ng/mL) and controls (0.251 ± 0.277). The PTX3 levels in the gingival tissues correlated positively with clinical parameters in all the groups. Among the parameters, probing depth was the most significant predictor variable associated with PTX3 in cases with periodontitis. Conclusions: PTX3 concentration in gingival tissues of patients with GAgP was higher than in tissues from patients with CP, and the levels correlated positively with clinical parameters. Hence, tissue PTX3 level can be considered a marker of inflammation in periodontal disease.     

Embolization of liver tumors: Past, present and future

Curative therapies for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC),such as resection and liver transplantation,can only be applied in selected patients with early tumors.More advanced stages require local or systemic therapies.Resection of HCC offers the only hope for cure.Even in patients undergoing resection,recurrences are common.Chemoembolization,a technique combining intraarterial chemotherapy with selective tumor ischemia,has been shown by randomized controlled trials to be efficacious in the palliative setting.There is now renewed interest in transarterial embolization/transarterial chemoembolization(TACE) with regards to its use as a palliative tool in a combined modality approach,as a neoadjuvant therapy,in bridging therapy before transplantation,for symptomatic indications,and even as an alternative to resection.There have also been rapid advances in the agents being embolized trans-arterially(genes,biological response modifiers,etc.).The current review provides an evidence-based overview of the past,present and future trends of TACE in patients with HCC.     

Protective Role of Withaferin-A on Red Blood Cell Integrity During 7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene Induced Oral Carcinogenesis

The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of Withaferin-A on red blood cell integrity during 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) induced oral carcinogenesis. The protective effect of Withaferin-A was assessed by measuring the status of glycoconjugates, membrane bound enzyme activity and red blood cell osmotic fragility. Oral squamous cell carcinoma was induced in the buccal pouch of Syrian golden hamsters by painting with 0.5% DMBA in liquid paraffin thrice a week for 14 weeks. The levels of glycoconjugates, membrane bound enzyme activity, osmotic fragility and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were analyzed by using specific colorimetric methods. We observed 100% tumor formation in DMBA painted hamsters. Increase in plasma glycoconjugates at the expense of red blood cell membrane glycoconjugates levels were observed in DMBA painted hamsters as compared to control hamsters. Erythrocytes from DMBA painted hamsters were more fragile than those from control hamsters. The activity of membrane bound enzyme (Na⁺ K⁺ ATPase) decreased whereas TBARS level was increased in DMBA painted hamsters as compared to control hamsters. Oral administration of Withaferin-A at a dose of 20mg kg⁻¹ bw significantly prevented the tumor formation as well as normalized the biochemical variables in DMBA painted hamsters. Our results thus demonstrate the protective effect of Withaferin-A on red blood cell integrity during DMBA induced oral carcinogenesis.     

Protective effect of ferulic acid on 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-induced skin carcinogenesis in Swiss albino mice

Our aim was to evaluate and compare the chemopreventive potential of topically applied and orally administered ferulic acid in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin carcinogenesis. Estimating the status of phase I and phase II detoxication agents, lipid peroxidation byproducts and antioxidants during DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis assessed the mechanistic pathway for its chemopreventive efficacy. Skin squamous cell carcinoma was induced in the shaved back of mice, by painting with DMBA (25 μg in 0.1 mL^?1 acetone) twice weekly for 8 weeks. We have observed 100% tumor formation in the 15th week of experimental period in mice treated with DMBA alone. Marked alterations in the status of phase I and phase II detoxication agents, lipid peroxidaton byproducts and antioxidants were observed in tumor bearing mice. Oral administration of ferulic acid completely prevented the formation of skin tumors, whereas topically applied ferulic acid did not show significant chemopreventive activity during DMBA-induced mouse skin carcinogenesis. Also, oral administration of ferulic acid reverted the status of phase I and phase II detoxication agents, lipid peroxidaton byproducts and antioxidants to near-normal range in DMBA-treated mice. Our results thus demonstrate that orally administered ferulic acid has potent suppressing effect on cell proliferation during DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis. This is probably due to its modulating effect on the status of lipid peroxidation, antioxidants and detoxication agents during DMBA-induced skin carcinogenesis.