Ameliorative effect of vitamins (alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid) on PCB (Aroclor 1254) induced oxidative stress in rat epididymal sperm

The aim of this study was to investigate the possible protective role of vitamins on PCB (Aroclor 1254)-induced spermiotoxicity using qualitative, quantitative and biochemical approaches. Adult male albino rats of Wistar strain were randomly divided into four groups, each group consists of six animals. The control group received corn oil, the second group of rats were administered Aroclor 1254 at a dose of 2 mg/kg bw/day intraperitoneally for 30 days. The third group of rats were treated with Aroclor 1254 along with alpha-tocopherol (50 mg/kg of bw/day) for 30 days, while the fourth group of rats were treated with Aroclor 1254 along with ascorbic acid (100 mg/kg bw/day) orally for 30 days. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment, control and experimental animals were killed by decapitation. Sperm was collected from the cauda epididymal region and its count and motility were detected. Sperm was sonicated and used for the estimation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [hydroxyl radical (HO(*)) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2))], non-enzymic antioxidants [alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and reduced glutathione (GSH)], activity of enzymic antioxidants [superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione-S-transferase (GST)] and lipid peroxidation (LPO). The result of this experiment shows that PCB significantly decreases the level of alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid and GSH and the activities of SOD, CAT, GPx, GR and GST with elevated levels of ROS and LPO. In addition, decreased epididymal sperm motility and count were observed. Simultaneous supplementation with alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid restored these parameters to that of normal range. In conclusion, alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid exhibited protective effect on sperm by inhibiting PCB-induced ROS generation.     

Di 2-ethyl hexyl phthalate affects differentiation and matrix mineralization of rat calvarial osteoblasts – in vitro

Di-2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), an industrial plasticizer and a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, is an established endocrine disruptor (ED). Increasing evidences indicate that some EDs interfere with osteoblast differentiation and function. In the present study, we investigated the effects of DEHP on the expression of cell cycle proteins, differentiation markers, Runx2 and its co-activator TAZ in osteoblasts derived from neonatal rat calvaria. A significant decrease in protein levels of cyclin D1 and CDK-2 was found at high dosage of DEHP (100 μM) after 24 h treatment. DEHP treatment caused a significant decrease in ALP mRNA. While DEHP treatment significantly decreased the TAZ at mRNA and protein levels, it decreased only the Runx2protein levels. Histochemical localization of ALP, collagen and mineralized nodules studied from cells treated with DEHP (10 and 100 μM) for 21 days revealed a drastic decrease in collagen, ALP and mineralization. In conclusion, DEHP affected differentiation of neonatal rat calvarial osteoblasts and mineralization of matrix secreted by these cells.     

A National Analysis of Minimally Invasive Vs Open Segmentectomy for Stage IA Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer

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Sclerosing cholangitis and intracranial lymphoma in a child with classical Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome

Patients with Wiskott–Aldrich syndrome (WAS) are predisposed to malignancy and autoimmunity in addition to infections. We report a male child with WAS, who had presented with recurrent pneumonia, eczema, thrombocytopenia, autoimmune hemolytic anemia, and vasculitic skin lesions. Genetic analysis revealed a classical genotype WAS 155C>T; R41X. At 2 years of follow‐up, he developed persistent headache and progressive hepatomegaly. Brain imaging showed a mass in the right frontal region, which on histopathology was shown to be high‐grade non‐Hodgkin lymphoma. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed features of sclerosing cholangitis. This report extends the clinical spectrum and highlights unusual manifestations of sclerosing cholangitis and intracranial lymphoma in a patient with WAS.