Spearmint induced hypothalamic oxidative stress and testicular anti-androgenicity in male rats – altered levels of gene expression, enzymes and hormones

Mentha spicata Labiatae, commonly known as spearmint, can be used for various kinds of illnesses in herbal medicines and food industries. One of the prominent functions of this plant extract is its anti-androgenic activity. The present study investigated the probable correlation between oxidative stress in hypothalamic region and anti-androgenic action of this plant’s aqueous extract on rats. Decreased activities of enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase in hypothalamus of treated rats indicated spearmint induced oxidative stress. Further RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis demonstrated the decreased expression of some of the steroidogenic enzymes, cytochrome P450scc, cytochrome P450C17, 3β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD), 17β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD) and other related proteins like, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, androgen receptor and scavenger receptor class B-1. Further, in vitro enzyme assays demonstrated depressed activities of testicular 3β-HSD and 17β-HSD enzymes. Histopathology indicated a decreased sperm density in cauda epididymis and degeneration of ductus deference. Our study suggested that spearmint probably induced oxidative stress in hypothalamus resulting in decreased synthesis of LH and FSH which in turn down-regulated the production of testicular testosterone through the disruption of a number of intermediate cascades.     

用于白内障超声乳化训练的活体白内障动物模型

目的：制备用于白内障超声乳化训练的活体白内障动物模型。 方法：狗在全身麻醉下用26号带有斜面的针刺破左眼的晶状体前囊，制备白内障模型，形成白内障后，行超声乳化手术。 结果：眼部检查显示晶状体后部皮质混浊开始于穿刺术后5～7d，并于术后75d白内障全部形成，在所有的白内障形成的眼上行超声乳化手术，并植入人工晶状体，所有的狗均恢复了视力。 结论：考虑到无经验的眼科医生在行白内障超声乳化手术的初始阶段引起的巨大损失，我们认为这个活的动物模型明显优于目前用于训练超声乳化手术的尸体眼。     

Successful non-surgical treatment of disseminated polymicrobial fungal infection in a patient with pancytopenia and graft-versus-host disease

Invasive fungal infections after bone marrow transplantation have an extremely poor prognosis. Surgical excision in combination with antifungal therapy is considered necessary for treatment, especially for central nervous system (CNS) infection. We describe successful medical management with lipid complex amphotericin B (ABLC) and itraconazole, without surgical excision, of disseminated fungal infection involving the lungs and CNS in a patient with pancytopenia and graft-versus-host disease.     

Dopamine increases the efficacy of anticancer drugs in breast and colon cancer preclinical models.

PURPOSE: Because neurotransmitter dopamine inhibits vascular permeability factor/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced angiogenesis and as anti-VEGF agents act synergistically with anticancer drugs, we therefore investigated whether dopamine can increase the efficacies of these drugs. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The effect of dopamine was investigated in human breast cancer-(MCF-7) and colon (HT29) cancer-bearing mice. Experimental groups received either dopamine or doxorubicin or dopamine plus doxorubicin in MCF-7 tumor-bearing mice, and either dopamine or 5-fluorouracil or dopamine plus 5-fluorouracil in HT29-bearing mice. Thereafter, tumor growth, angiogenesis, tumor cell apoptosis, life span, and the effect of dopamine on the growth and survival of tumor cells in vitro were determined. Finally, the effects of dopamine on tumor vascular permeability; on VEGF receptor-2, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation; and also on the proliferation and migration of tumor endothelial cells were investigated. RESULTS: Dopamine, in combination with anticancer drugs, significantly inhibited tumor growth and increased the life span when compared with treatment with dopamine or anticancer drugs alone. Dopamine had no direct effects on the growth and survival of tumor cells. The antiangiogenic action of dopamine was mediated by inhibiting proliferation and migration of tumor endothelial cells through suppression of VEGF receptor-2, mitogen-activated protein kinase, and focal adhesion kinase phosphorylation. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that dopamine significantly enhances the efficacies of commonly used anticancer drugs and also indicates that an inexpensive drug like dopamine, which is being extensively used in the clinics, might have a role as an antiangiogenic agent for the treatment of breast and colon cancer.     

WNT5A expression increases during melanoma progression and correlates with outcome

PURPOSE: Wnt ligands play a major role in development and are important in cancer. Expression microarray analysis correlates one member of this family, WNT5A, to a subclass of melanomas with increased motility and invasion. There are no large studies of clinical samples primarily addressing the importance of WNT5A in melanoma progression or outcome. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the protein expression of WNT5A during melanoma progression and its effect on outcome. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Expression of WNT5A was determined in a series of 59 primary melanomas with matched metastases. To provide a benchmark of progression against which to assess WNT5A, expression of p16(ink4a) was analyzed, as this has been previously well documented in melanoma. The effect of WNT5A protein expression on outcome was assessed in 102 melanomas. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic WNT5A showed a trend of increasing expression with melanoma progression (P = 0.013), whereas there was diminishing p16(ink4a) expression (P = 0.006). Nevi showed relatively strong WNT5A expression. Strong cytoplasmic WNT5A was an independent risk factor for reduced metastasis-free and overall survival in multivariate analysis (P = 0.001 and 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Cytoplasmic WNT5A increases with melanoma progression and strong expression is associated with poor outcome.     

A theorist envisions the future and speaks to nursing administrators

Planning for a preferred future for nursing is based on a vision of the world of the 21st century. A theorist shares her vision that stems from themes of scientific changes in cosmology and quantum theory, as well as her thoughtful reconsideration of the assumptions of her work for the future. These insights provide principles for planning that the nursing administrator can use for change at individual, institutional, and societal levels.     

The visible and invisible fields that shape the future of the nursing care system

Nursing care systems, past and future, are shaped by issues, trends, and visions that are both visible and invisible. The founding of Nursing Administration Quarterly twenty-five years ago was a visionary response to identify contemporary issues and predict future trends effectively. The vision stemmed from the deep values and commitment about the role of nursing administration in the health care system. Likewise nurse administrators of the 21st century face the challenge of shaping continuity and change within a unique set of issues and trends that call for new visions. The issues and trends are only part of the fields, or nonphysical forces, that nurse administrators use to shape the future of nursing care systems. The focus of this article is to examine both visible and invisible forces for determining the future. Key issues and trends are looked at from the perspective of personal and professional values and commitments. The purpose of exploring this perspective is to stimulate thinking about strategies to create possible and plausible futures.     

Insulin sensitivity and fertility

This review sets in context significant recent advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The occurrence of variable insulin sensitivity in individuals is discussed. Information is presented to demonstrate that prolonged anovulation decreases insulin sensitivity and, conversely, that improvement in insulin sensitivity normalizes ovarian function in PCOS. In addition, a meta-analysis of studies on metformin and troglitazone treatment in PCOS is presented.     

The CT and MR evaluation of migrational disorders of the brain

The migrational disorders are a rare group of congenital malformations of the brain. They consist of the following entities--lissencephaly (agyria-pachygyria), pachygyria, schizencephaly, heterotopia and polymicrogyria. We studied 40 children with migrational disorders radiologically with CT and MR. This article (part I) deals with our patients their characteristic CT and MR findings along with their clinical presentation and course. These patients presented with one or a combination of the following symptoms, hypotonia, seizures, failure to thrive, microcephaly and occasionally hydrocephalus. These two groups of migrational disorders have abnormalities affecting the gyral-sulcal pattern of the cortex and gray-white matter distribution of the brain. MR provided better delineation of these disorders than CT. Because some forms of the migrational disorders can be inherited, it is extremely important for the radiologist to understand the characteristic findings for correct diagnosis which is essential for parental counseling.     

Zona in a 6-month-old infant. Apropos of one case

The authors report an unusual case of zona in a 6-month-old infant whose mother was affected by varicella on the fourth month of pregnancy. The course and outcome were benign.