Evaluation of NMU-Induced Breast Cancer Treated with Sirolimus and Sunitinib on Breast Cancer Growth

Objective: To analyze the effect of sirolimus and sunitinib in blocking the tumor growth and to evaluate the expressions of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PgR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2/neu) after treated with sirolimus and sunitinib. Methods: Thirty-two female Sprague Dawley rats at age 21-days old were administered intraperitoneally with N-Methyl-N-Nitroso Urea (NMU), dosed at 70mg/kg body weight. The rats were divided into 4 groups; Group 1 (Control, n=8), Group 2 (Sirolimus, n=8), Group 3 (Sunitinib, n=8) and Group 4 (Sirolimus+Sunitinib, n=8), being treated twice when the tumor reached the size of 14.5±0.5 mm and subsequently sacrificed after 5 days. The protein expressions of ER, PgR and HER2/neu of the tumor tissues were evaluated by using immunohistochemistry analysis. Results: Treatment with sirolimus alone lowered expressions of ER and PgR of breast cancer and reduced tumor size. There was no significant difference of ER and PgR expressions between control and sunitinib treated tumor. Sunitinib treated tumors reduce in diameter after the first treatment, however the diameter increases after the second treatment. Histologically, sunitinib treated tumor did not show any aggressive invasive carcinoma of no special type (NST) histological subtypes. In addition, all NMU-induced tumors are HER2/neu-negative scoring. Conclusion: Sirolimus is neither synergistic nor additive with sunitinib for breast cancer treatment.     

New approach in the treatment of refractory vitiligo: CO2 laser combined with betamethasone and salicylic acid solution

The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of fractional carbon dioxide laser (CO₂) with betamethasone and salicylic acid solution in the treatment of patients with refractory vitiligo in hands. Each hand of the patient was randomly assigned to one of two groups: lesion treated with fractional carbon dioxide laser associated with betamethasone and salicylic acid solution administration or lesion treated only with betamethasone and salicylic acid solution. We conclude that combined treatment with fractional carbon dioxide laser and betamethasone associated with salicylic acid solution could effectively and safely be used in the treatment of refractory vitiligo.     

A nutraceutical extract from Inula viscosa leaves: UHPLC-HR-MS/MS based polyphenol profile,and antioxidant and cytotoxic activities

Nowadays, advanced extraction techniques and highly sensitive metabolic profiling methods are effectively employed to get new information on plant chemical constituents. Among them wild medicinal plants or their parts, with large and ancient use in folk medicine, are investigated for their potential functional use and cultivation. In this context, Inula viscosa leaves engaged our attention. A simple experimental design, based on Soxhlet extraction and chromatographic fractionation, allowed us to obtain the investigated polyphenol fraction (IvE). UHPLC-HRMS analyses revealed shikimoyl depsides of caffeic acid and unusual dihydrobenzofuran lignans as main secondary metabolites. These compounds, together with cinchonain-type phenols, and hydroxycinnamoyl flavonol glycosides, are reported for the first time in inula. Overall, forty-three secondary metabolites were identified. The extract exerted a remarkable antiradical activity towards DPPH^• and ABTS^+•. Furthermore, it was able to inhibit cell viability and mitochondrial redox activity of neuroblastoma, hepatoblastoma and colon carcinoma cells, whereas it did not affect cell density of HaCaT cells immortalized human keratinocytes. As detected by the oxidant-sensing probe 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, the inhibitory responses seemed to be related to IvE-induced increase of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). The obtained results highlighted that inula leaves, nowadays even undervalued and unexplored, could be considered a renewable source of nutraceutical compounds.     

Analysis of cellular response to isocyanate using N‐succinimidyl N‐methylcarbamate exposure in cultured mammalian cells

Isocyanates (R? N?C?O), one of the highly reactive industrial intermediates, possess the capability to modulate the bio‐molecules by forming toxic metabolites and adducts which may cause adverse health effects. Some of their toxic degradations have previously been unknown and overlooked; of which, molecular repercussions underlying their genetic hazards upon occupational/accidental exposures still remain as an intricate issue and are hitherto unknown. To assess the genotoxic potential of methyl isocyanate in cultured mammalian cells after in vitro exposure, we performed a study in three different normal cell lines MM55.K (mouse kidney epithelial), B/CMBA.Ov (mouse ovarian epithelial), and NIH/3T3 (primary mouse embryonic fibroblast). Cellular DNA damage response was studied for qualitative phosphorylation states of ATM, γH2AX proteins and quantitative state of p53 phosphorylation; DNA cell cycle analysis and measure of cellular apoptotic index before and after treatment were also investigated. Our results demonstrate that methyl isocyanate by negatively regulating the DNA damage response pathway, might promote cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis in cultured mammalian cells suggestive of causing genetic alterations. We anticipate that these data along with other studies reported in the literature would help to design better approaches in risk assessment of occupational and accidental exposure to isocyanates. We also predict that increasing knowledge on DNA damage‐triggered signaling leading to cell death could provide new strategies for investigating the effects of DNA repair disorders and decreased repair capacity on the toxicity and carcinogenic properties of environmental toxins. Environ. Mol. Mutagen., 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

De-Misty-fying the mesentery: an algorithmic approach to neoplastic and non-neoplastic mesenteric abnormalities

Mesenteric abnormalities are often incidentally discovered on cross-sectional imaging performed during daily clinical practice. Findings can range from the vague “misty mesentery” to solid masses, and the possible etiologic causes encompass a wide spectrum of underlying pathologies including infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic processes. Unfortunately, the clinical and imaging findings are often non-specific and may overlap. This article discusses the various diseases that result in mesenteric abnormalities. It provides a framework to non-invasively differentiate these entities, when possible.     

苏丹患者200例行前单瓣外路泪囊鼻腔吻合术的研究(英文)

目的:介绍苏丹患者实施前单瓣外路泪囊鼻腔吻合术的手术效果。方法:我们对两百个接受了前单瓣外路泪囊鼻腔吻合术并有至少1a随访的连续病例的临床资料进行回顾性分析。手术是由同一名医生即第一作者施行的,患者在术后随访1a。1a后出现泪溢且探通冲洗无效视作手术失败。结果:本研究样本中患者的平均年龄为29.7a(范围:4~65a)。男女性别比例为1∶2。手术成功率是98%。有4例患者报告手术失败,其中两例是外伤性患者,有先前存在的眼眶畸形。结论:此研究进一步证实了前单瓣外路泪囊鼻腔吻合术的有效性。尽管这种手术技巧更加简易,其成功率与文献报道的传统手术方法的成功率具有可比性。     

Relationship between drug abuse and intimate partner violence: a longitudinal study among women receiving methadone

OBJECTIVES: We examined whether frequent drug use increases the likelihood of subsequent sexual or physical intimate partner violence (IPV) and whether IPV increases the likelihood of subsequent frequent drug use. METHODS: A random sample of 416 women on methadone was assessed at baseline (wave 1) and at 6 months (wave 2), and 12 months (wave 3) following the initial assessment. Propensity score matching and multiple logistic regression were employed. RESULTS: Women who reported frequent crack use at wave 2 were more likely than non-drug using women to report IPV at wave 3 (odds ratio [OR]=4.4; 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.1, 9.1; P<.01), and frequent marijuana users at wave 2 were more likely than non-drug users to report IPV at wave 3 (OR=4.5; 95% CI=2.4, 8.4; P<.01). In addition, women who reported IPV at wave 2 were more likely than women who did not report IPV to indicate frequent heroin use at wave 3 (OR=2.7; 95% CI=1.1, 6.5; P=.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the relationship between frequent drug use and IPV is bidirectional and varies by type of drug.     

Sociodemographic disparities in supplemental service utilization among male methadone patients

The high prevalence of health and psychosocial needs among methadone treatment patients has prompted efforts to supplement methadone treatment with additional services. Research has generally focused on linking supplemental service utilization to drug treatment outcomes, with fewer studies aimed at understanding supplemental service utilization itself. This study with randomly selected male methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP) patients examined associations between sociodemographic factors and supplemental service utilization while controlling for need for services and treatment duration. Findings indicate that MMTP patients who are African American, Latino, uninsured, or have less education were less likely to report any supplemental service utilization. Hypotheses positing sociodemographic differences in regular vs. occasional service utilization were not supported. There is a need to improve access to supplemental services for minority and disadvantaged MMTP patients, and MMTPs may represent an important venue to address health disparities in general.