Trans-4-lodo,4′-boranyl-chalcone induces antitumor activity against malignant glioma cell lines <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">in vivo</Emphasis>

Chalcones are considered the precursors of flavonoids and have been identified as interesting compounds with antitumor properties. Boronic-chalcone derivatives are more toxic to breast cancer cells compared to normal breast cells. Here, we studied the antitumor activities of trans-4-lodo,4′-boranyl-chalcone (TLBC), which is a boronic-chalcone derivative, in several glioma cell lines. TLBC showed a dose-dependent inhibition with inhibitory concentration 50% value in the μM range (5.5–25.5 μM) in various glioma cell lines. Flow cytometric and western blot assay demonstrated that TLBC induced apoptosis independent of changes to the tumor suppressor p53. This cytotoxic effect was the caspase-dependent manner. Also, TLBC lowered levels of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and/or Bcl-X_L protein in several of the cell lines. To examine the antitumor effect of TLBC in vivo, we used a malignant glioma xenograft model. This result showed that in the mice treated with TLBC at 20 mg/kg, mean tumor volume was reduced by 43.9% (P < 0.01) in comparison with the control group. Immunohistochemical and western blot analysis showed that Bcl-2 protein levels were decreased and Bax protein levels were slightly increased in the tumors injected with 20 mg/kg TLBC compared with the control tumors. Therefore, we conclude that TLBC may be a potential chemotherapeutic agent for human glioma.     

In vitro activity of methylrosaniline chloride (gentian violet) as disinfectant against Candida spp. and Trichosporon spp. isolated from blood samples

OBJECTIVE: Methylrosaniline Chloride (MRC) is recognized as a disinfectant, but recently is rarely used in the clinic, because of its cytotoxicity when used continuously with conventional concentrations (1% MRC). We have reported the antibacterial activity of MRC with lower concentration against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this study, we evaluated the antifungal activity of MRC with lower concentrations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Antifungal activities of MRC against Candida spp. and Trichosporon spp. were tested. All strains tested were isolated from 106 blood or intravenous catheter samples at Juntendo University Hospital from 1995 to 2004. Minimum inhibitory concentrations against fungi were assayed by agar dilution, under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. RESULTS: A 0.01% or less concentration of MRC solutions showed marked antifungal activity against Candida spp. and Trichosporon spp. under aerobic or anaerobic conditions. CONCLUSION: A 0.01% or less concentration of MRC should be reevaluated for the control of fungal infection and MRSA infection control.     

Diffusion-weighted images of the liver: comparison of tumor detection before and after contrast enhancement with superparamagnetic iron oxide

PURPOSE: To study the recognition of malignant lesions of the liver on diffusion-weighted images (DWI) can be improved by the administration of superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Pre- and post-SPIO mediated DWI of the liver was compared in six patients with suspected malignant liver lesions at 1.5 Tesla using a parallel imaging technique. RESULTS: Post-SPIO DWI showed improved contrast-to-noise ratio between malignant lesions and liver. Furthermore, the spleen signal was decreased on post-SPIO DWI, thus avoiding the overlap of the spleen and left lobe of the liver on maximum intensity projections (MIP). CONCLUSION: Recognition of malignant lesions of the liver was improved by SPIO on DWI. On MIP images of DWI, SPIO helped to decrease the overlap of spleen signal on the liver in some projection angles.     

Efficacy of Gastric Blood Supply Redistribution by Transarterial Embolization: Preoperative Procedure to Prevent Postoperative Anastomotic Leaks Following Esophagoplasty for Esophageal Carcinoma

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative redistribution of gastric blood supply on the prevention of anastomotic leakage following surgical reconstruction of the esophagus. Methods: In 37 patients with esophageal carcinoma, transarterial embolization (TAE) of the left gastric, right gastric, and splenic arteries was preoperatively performed with coils so that gastric blood supply was dependent only on the right gastroepiploic artery. Results: In 34 of 37 patients, preoperative redistribution was successfully performed. The gastric tissue blood flow (TBF) of a gastric tube was higher than in 12 nonredistributed patients. Reduction in the gastric TBF during preparation of a gastric tube was 27.5% in successful patients, in contrast to 68.9% in 12 nonredistributed patients (p < 0.005). Conclusion: Preoperative redistribution by TAE reduced the drop in gastric TBF during preparation of a gastric tube and helped prevent postoperative anastomotic leakage in esophageal reconstruction.