Jungia sellowii suppresses the carrageenan-induced inflammatory response in the mouse model of pleurisy

This study was conducted to explore the anti-inflammatory effect of Jungia sellowii (Asteraceae) using a murine model of pleurisy induced by carrageenan (Cg). This plant is used in southern Brazil to treat inflammatory diseases. J. sellowii leaves were extracted with ethanol/water to obtain the crude extract (CE), which was fractionated with different solvents, yielding n-hexane (Hex), dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and n-butanol (BuOH) fractions, and aqueous fraction (Aq). The major compounds succinic acid (SA) and lactic acid (LA) were isolated from Aq fraction, and their structures were determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. Pleurisy was induced by Cg (Saleh et al. 1996). The leukocytes, exudation, myeloperoxidase (MPO) and adenosine–deaminase (ADA) activities, metabolites of nitric oxide (NO _x ) levels, protein levels and mRNA expression for interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin 17A (IL17A) and inducible of nitric oxide synthase (iNOs), and p65 protein phosphorylation (NF-κB) were analysed 4 h after pleurisy induction. Animals pre-treated with CE, BuOH, Aq, SA, or LA inhibited leukocytes, exudation, MPO and ADA activities, NO _x , IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-17A levels, and the mRNA expression for IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-17A, iNOS, and p65 protein phosphorylation (NF-κB) (p < 0.05). Our study demonstrated that J. sellowii can protect against inflammation induced by Cg by decreasing the leukocytes and exudation. Its effects are related to the decrease of either proinflammatory cytokines and/or NO _x . The isolated compounds SA and LA may play an important role in this anti-inflammatory action by inhibiting all the studied parameters. The anti-inflammatory properties of these compounds are due to the downregulation of NF-κB.     

Dosage along the matchline between upper head-and-neck IMRT fields and conventional supraclavicular fields.

There is concern about dose along the matchline when upper head-and-neck fields are treated with IMRT and the lower (supraclavicular) field is treated with a conventional fixed beam. An anatomical phantom was scanned and planned with IMRT upper head-and-neck fields and a fixed-beam supraclavicular field. The plans were fused and dose was calculated to points along the matchline. These doses were compared with thermolaminescent dosimetry measurements in the phantom, as the phantom was treated according to the plans.     

Metastatic sacral tumors

Therapeutic approaches are still a matter of debate. Given the complexity of the sacral anatomy and the vicinity of major neural structures and vital organs, advantages of radical resection for local disease control must be weighed against the anticipated treatment morbidities and complications. It becomes imperative to establish a multidisciplinary team approach to provide the best environment for establishing individualized management plans.     

Glycosaminoglycans affect the action of human plasma kallikrein on kininogen hydrolysis and inflammation

Human plasma kallikrein (huPK) is a serine proteinase involved in many biological processes including those of the kallikrein-kinin system. The action of huPK on kininogen results in bradykinin (BK) release, a potent mediator of inflammatory responses. BK generation may be influenced by several agents, and the aim of this work was to investigate the effect of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) on human high-molecular-weight kininogen (HK) hydrolysis by huPK and on inflammation. huPK was pre-incubated in the absence and presence of different GAGs, followed by the addition of kininogen. Bradykinin released at different times was measured by radioimmunoassay, and KM and kcat were calculated. Tuna and bovine dermatan sulfates, the most potent GAGs studied, reduced by 80% and 68%, respectively, the catalytic efficiency of huPK (control = 4. x 10(4) M(-1) s(-1) in BK release. The effect of bovine dermatan sulfate (BDS) on inflammatory response was studied in rat paw edema induced by carrageenin and hourly determined (1-4 h) by plethysmography. BDS significantly reduced the inflammatory response in the first and second hours of measurements (24% and 28%, respectively), p < 0.05. GAGs were shown to reduce bradykinin release "in vitro" and in an inflammation model. This reduction may play a role in the control or maintenance of some pathological and physiological processes.     

Cost-effective dental protection during rigid endoscopy

We describe a simple method to create a reusable and customizable dental guard using readily available materials. Our method does not require an extra patient visit and does not add operative time. Furthermore, our guard is rigid, which allows force to be distributed over adjacent teeth, unlike soft mouth guards.