Flow cytometric DNA analysis of fresh prostatic resections: Correlation with conventional prognostic parameters in patients with prostate cancer

Background. DNA ploidy analysis has been investigated as a prognostic indicator in prostate cancer. Most of the data is derived from retrospective studies using paraffin-embedded tissue. This method has drawbacks related to the quality of DNA histograms and uncontrolled data collection. Methods. DNA ploidy analysis of freshly resected prostatic tissue was prospectively compared with conventional prognostic variables in 97 men treated with radical prostatectomy for localized prostate cancer. Results. Regarding the patients, 31.9% were African American and 66% had pathologic Stages C or D1 disease. Only 9.6% of patients with Stages A2 and B had a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value greater than 10 ng/ml, whereas 97% of patients with PSA values greater than 20 ng/ml had pathologic Stages C and D1. PSA levels correlated with Gleason score (P = < 0.05); 51% and 100% of patients with Gleason score 5–7 and 8–10, respectively, had PSA values greater than 10 ng/ml. Twenty-two patients (23%) had DNA aneuploid tumors. Comparisons of mechanical to enzymatic cell suspensions indicated that DNA aneuploidy was better preserved in mechanical cell preparations. DNA ploidy correlated with pathologic stage (P = < 0.05) and Gleason score (P = < 0.05). Fifteen of 79 patients (18.9%) with Gleason score 5–7 had DNA aneuploid tumors versus 71.4% of patients with Gleason score 8–10. PSA groups correlated with ploidy status (P = 0.01). Although the majority of patients (19 of 22) with DNA aneuploid tumors had elevated preoperative PSA levels, none had a PSA value greater than 50 ng/ml. Conclusions. DNA ploidy analysis correlated with established prognostic indicators in prostate cancer; however, its independent correlation with natural history and treatment outcome must be established for it to have an effect on therapeutic decisions.     

Early and late survival in Hodgkin disease among whites and blacks living in the United States

Background. The independent effect of race on response to treatment and prognosis in Hodgkin disease is unclear. Methods. The study included 9482 patients with histologically confirmed Hodgkin disease reported by 1084 different hospitals and institutions in the United States. The independent effect of race on response to treatment and recurrence was estimated using the logistic model. Cox proportional hazard model was applied to determine the independent effect of race and other covariables on risk of death. Results. Complete remission occurred in more white patients (67.3%) than black patients (58.2%). Recurrences were reported more often in black patients than in white patients (40.3% and 30.9% respectively). Controlling for confounding variables, race has a significant independent effect on remission and recurrence (P < 0.05). In the first 5 years after diagnosis of Hodgkin disease, the patient age at diagnosis, clinical stage, and histologic type were significant predictors for the risk of death. At 5–10 years after a diagnosis of Hodgkin disease, age, clinical stage, and race of the patient were found to be significant risk factors (whites versus blacks: RR = 0.56; P < 0.05). Conclusions. Race is a significant predictor for remission, recurrence and survival in Hodgkin disease. Black patients have a more unfavorable prognosis than do white patients.     

Half Metallic Ferromagnetism and Transport Properties of Zinc Chalcogenides ZnX2Se4 (X = Ti,V, Cr) for Spintronic Applications

In ferromagnetic semiconductors, the coupling of magnetic ordering with semiconductor character accelerates the quantum computing. The structural stability, Curie temperature (T_c), spin polarization, half magnetic ferromagnetism and transport properties of ZnX₂Se₄ (X = Ti, V, Cr) chalcogenides for spintronic and thermoelectric applications are studied here by density functional theory (DFT). The highest value of T_c is perceived for ZnCr₂Se₄. The band structures in both spin channels confirmed half metallic ferromagnetic behavior, which is approved by integer magnetic moments (2, 3, 4) μ_B of Ti, V and Cr based spinels. The HM behavior is further measured by computing crystal field energy ΔE _crystal, exchange energies Δ _x(d), Δ _x (pd) and exchange constants (N_o α and N_o β ). The thermoelectric properties are addressed in terms of electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, Seebeck coefficient and power factor in within a temperature range 0–400 K. The positive Seebeck coefficient shows p-type character and the PF is highest for ZnTi2Se4 (1.2 × 10¹¹ W/mK²) among studied compounds.     

Preparation and optimization of aloe ferox gel loaded with Finasteride-Oregano oil nanocubosomes for treatment of alopecia

Alopecia areata is a skin disorder characterized by scarless, localized hair loss that is usually managed by topical treatments that might further worsen the condition. Therefore, the current study aimed to develop nano-cubosomes loaded with finasteride (FI) and oregano oil (Or) to improve drug solubility and permeation through skin and then incorporate it into an aloe ferox gel base. An l-optimal coordinate exchange design was adopted to optimize nano-cubosomes. Phytantriol and Alkyl Acrylate were employed as the lipid material, and surfactant respectively for cubosomes manufacture. The produced formulations were assessed for their particle size, entrapment efficiency (EE%), FI steady-state flux (Jss) and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Pro-pionibacterium acnes. Optimal FI-Or-NCu had a particle size of 135 nm, EE% equals 70%, Jss of 1.85 μg/cm2.h, and MIC of 0.44 μg/ml. The optimum formulation loaded gel gained the highest drug release percent and ex vivo skin permeation compared to FI aqueous suspension, and pure FI loaded gel. Aloe ferox and oregano oil in the optimized gel formulation had a synergistic activity on the FI permeation across the skin and against the growth of p. acne bacteria which could favor their use in treating alopecia. Thus, this investigation affirms the ability of FI-Or-NCu loaded aloe ferox gel could be an effective strategy that would enhance FI release and permeation through skin and maximize its favorable effects in treating alopecia.     

Detection of oqxA and oqxB efflux pump genes among nosocomial coliform bacilli: An observational cross-sectional study

Objectives: To identify and test the antibiotic susceptibility of nosocomial coliform bacilli and investigate the presence of oqxA and oqxB genes among the multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes. Methods: One hundred and twenty different healthcare-associated infection samples were collected. Coliform bacilli were isolated, identified by conventional methods, and then antibiotic susceptibility tests were done using the VITEK2 system and disk diffusion methods. OqxAB operon was identified using a conventional PCR-based technique. oqxA and oqxB genes were compared between MDR Klebsiella pneumonia (K. pneumonia) phenotypes and MDR Escherichia coli (E. coli) phenotypes. Besides, oqxAB operons were compared between phenotypes of K. pneumonia and E. coli isolates. Results: Seventy coliform bacilli were isolated with the predominance of K. pneumonia and E. coli. Besides, 82.1％ of K. pneumonia strains and 53.3％ of E. coli isolates were MDR phenotypes. Significant more oqxB genes alone were found in MDR E. coli than that in MDR K. pneumoniae phenotypes (χ2=10.160, P=0.003). OqxAB operon was significantly more in MDR phenotypes of E. coli than that in the susceptible phenotypes (P<0.001). There was significantly less of this operon in susceptible E. coli isolates than that in susceptible K. pneumoniae isolates (P<0.001). OqxAB positive isolates that were also resistant to fluoroquinolones, tetracycline, trimethoprim, and chloramphenicol, most probably suggested functional pumps. Conclusions: MDR coliform bacilli are strongly implicated in healthcare-associated infection. Attention should be paid to the presence of oqxAB pump, as an important mechanism in the development of resistance against many antimicrobials because it contributes to co-resistance with other categories; therefore, this pump could be a good target for efflux pump inhibitors.