Evaluation of phytoconstituents of Terminalia arjuna for wound healing activity in rats

The effect of topical application of phytoconstituents (fraction I, II and III) fractionated from a hydroalcohol extract of the bark of the plant, Terminalia arjuna, was assessed on the healing of rat dermal wounds using in vivo models. The results indicated a statistically significant increase in the tensile strength of the incision wounds and the percent epithelialization of excision wounds compared with control (p < 0.05). However, topical treatment with fraction I, consisting mainly of tannins, was found to demonstrate a maximum increase in the tensile strength of incision wounds. Even with respect to excision wounds, the fastest rate of epithelialization was seen with fraction I. Hexosamine estimation of granulation tissue obtained from excision wounds revealed an increase in the hexosamine content with fraction I compared with the control. In addition, fraction I from the hydroalcohol extract of Arjuna bark possessed antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes but not Candida albicans. These results strongly document the beneficial effects of fraction I, consisting mainly of tannins, of Terminalia arjuna in the acceleration of the healing process. Thus, the present study validates the claim made with respect to the plant as well as corroborating the astringent effect of tannins by drawing the tissues closer together.     

Ascending the learning curve--MSI testing experience of a six-laboratory consortium

According to recently published guidelines, microsatellite instability (MSI) testing of colorectal cancers may be clinically indicated on a significant proportion of all colorectal tumors. To date, nothing has been published regarding the reproducibility of MSI testing between laboratories. We present MSI quality control activities experience of a six center multinational consortium, as laboratories developed competency with MSI testing and interpretation. The aim of this paper is to share lessons learned and to describe the final concordance rates in scoring MSI markers within this consortium.     

RLIP76 is a major determinant of radiation sensitivity

RLIP76 (RALBP1) is a glutathione-conjugate transporter that is a critical component of clathrin-coated pit-mediated endocytosis, as well as in stress responses. In cultured cells, it provides protection from stressors including heat, oxidant chemicals, chemotherapeutic agents, UV irradiation, and X-irradiation. Here, we show marked reduction in glutathione conjugate transport capacity and stepwise increase in radiation sensitivity associated with heterozygous or homozygous loss of the RLIP76 gene in mice. Survival after radiation in homozygous knockout animals was significantly shorter than either the heterozygous knockouts or the wild type. Delivery of recombinant RLIP76 to mice lacking RLIP76 via a liposomal delivery system rescued radiation sensitivity. Furthermore, treatment of wild-type mice with RLIP76-containing liposomes conferred resistance to radiation. These findings suggest that inhibiting RLIP76 could be used for sensitization to radiation during cancer therapy and that RLIP76 liposomes could be radioprotective agents useful for treatment of iatrogenic or catastrophic radiation poisoning.     

Current landscape for T-cell targeting in autoimmunity and transplantation

In recent years, substantial advances in T-cell immunosuppressive strategies and their translation to routine clinical practice have revolutionized management and outcomes in autoimmune disease and solid organ transplantation. More than 80 diseases have been considered to have an autoimmune etiology, such that autoimmune-associated morbidity and mortality rank as third highest in developed countries, after cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Solid organ transplantation has become the therapy of choice for many end-stage organ diseases. Short-term outcomes such as patient and allograft survival at 1 year, acute rejection rates, as well as time course of disease progression and symptom control have steadily improved. However, despite the use of newer immunosuppressive drug combinations, improvements in long-term allograft survival and complete resolution of autoimmunity remain elusive. In addition, the chronic use of nonspecifically targeted immunosuppressive drugs is associated with significant adverse effects and increased morbidity and mortality. In this article, we discuss the current clinical tools for immune suppression and attempts to induce long-term T-cell tolerance induction as well as much-needed future approaches to produce more short-acting, antigen-specific agents, which may optimize outcomes in the clinic.     

Peripheral blood sampling for the detection of allograft rejection: biomarker identification and validation

Currently, acute allograft rejection can only be detected reliably by deterioration of graft function confirmed by allograft biopsy. A huge drawback of this method of diagnosis is that substantial organ damage has already taken place at the time that rejection is diagnosed. Discovering and validating noninvasive biomarkers that predict acute rejection, and chronic allograft dysfunction, is of great importance. Many studies have investigated changes in the peripheral blood in an attempt to find biomarkers that reflect changes in the graft directly or indirectly. Herein, we will review the promises and limitations of the peripheral blood biomarkers that have been described in the literature so far.     

3‐D imaging in post‐traumatic malformation and eruptive disturbance in permanent incisors: a case report

Abstract – Injury to the primary dentition is one of the common problems of childhood. Disturbances during crown development of the permanent teeth result in morphologic alterations. This case report highlights the role of 3‐D imaging when conventional dental radiographs are not enough to answer our clinical questions regarding future eruptive disturbances. 3‐D imaging can many times give us a definitive diagnosis and improve the treatment planning after early injuries in the deciduous dentition. The current status of multislice computed tomography (CT) and cone beam CT (CBCT) as diagnostic tools in pediatric dental population is also discussed briefly.     

Vision Loss following Intraocular Listeriosis Associated with Contaminated Cantaloupe

Intraocular listeriosis, a rare manifestation of invasive listeriosis, has a poor visual prognosis. We report an intraocular listeriosis case related to a multistate outbreak associated with contaminated cantaloupe. Increasing awareness of rare listeriosis presentations might facilitate timely diagnosis and treatment, and case reporting can clarify medical and epidemiologic aspects of listeriosis.Key words: Disease outbreaks, Listeria monocytogenes, Endophthalmitis, Eye infections, Cucumis melo