Role of red blood cells “annexin V” and platelets “P-selectin” in patients with thalassemia

Objective/Background

Certain hemostatic anomalies found in patients with thalassemia suggest the existence of a chronic hypercoagulable state. Several etiologic factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of the hypercoagulable state in those patients. One of these factors is abnormal thalassemic red blood cells (RBCs), which may provide a procoagulant. To substantiate these findings, we measured the ability of RBCs from thalassemia patients to bind annexin V with increased fraction of platelets carrying the activation marker CD62P (P-selectin). To study the expression of RBC annexin V and platelets P-selectin in study patients (those with thalassemia major, thalassemia intermedia, thalassemia minor) and control group, four-color flow cytometry was performed and the correlation between these two markers was evaluated.

The Effects of Abscisic Acid on Angiogenesis in Both ex vivo and in vivo Assays

Background: Angiogenesis is a complex biological process wherein novel capillary blood vessels mature from pre-existing vasculature for delivering tissues with oxygen and nutrients. Natural molecules that have anti-angiogenic activity and toxicity can raise the focus on using plant sources as essential therapeutic agent. Objective: The current research was intended to estimate the probable anti-angiogenic activity of abscisic acid alone and in combination with prednisolone, a well-known angiostatic glucocorticoid. Methods: two months old albino rats were used in this study. ABA and prednisolone stock solutions were prepared and added after embedding aortic rings in growth media. The ex vivo rat aorta ring assay (RAR) was applied to explore the anti-angiogenic effect of ABA. The in vivo chorioallantoic membrane assay (CAM) was applied to quantify the blood vessels inhibition zone by ABA effect. That zone was calculated as the mean inhibition region on eggs in mm ± SD. Results: Abscisic acid screened byex vivo and in vivo assays, revealed a significant dose-dependent blood vessels inhibition in comparison to the negative control with IC50= 7.5µg/ml and a synergism effect when combined with prednisolone. Conclusion: The synergism activity of ABA with prednisolone can significantly inhibit blood vessels growth in RAR and CAM assays. These results shed the light on the potential clinic values of ABA, and prednisolone combination in angiogenesis-dependent tumors.     

Studies on the antidiabetic activities of Momordica charantia fruit juice in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Context: Momordica charantia Linn (Cucurbitaceae) (MC) is used in folk medicine to treat various diseases including diabetes mellitus.

Objective: This study investigates the antidiabetic activities of Momordica charantia (bitter gourd) on streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetes mellitus in rats.

Materials and methods: Male Wister rats were randomly assigned to 4 groups. Group I, Normal control; Group II, STZ diabetic; Group III and IV, Momordica charantia fruit juice was orally administered to diabetic rats (10?mL/kg/day either as prophylaxis for 14 days before induction of diabetes then 21 days treatment, or as treatment given for 21 days after induction of diabetes). The effects of MC juice were studied both in vivo and in vitro by studying the glucose uptake of isolated rat diaphragm muscles in the presence and absence of insulin. Histopathological examination of pancreas was also performed.

Results: This study showed that MC caused a significant reduction of serum glucose (135.99?±?6.27 and 149.79?±?1.90 vs. 253.40*?±?8.18) for prophylaxis and treatment respectively, fructosamine (0.99?±?0.01 and 1.01?±?0.04 vs. 3.04?±?0.07), total cholesterol, triglycerides levels, insulin resistance index (1.13?±?0.08 and 1.19?±?0.05 vs. 1.48?±?1.47) and pancreatic malondialdehyde content (p?p?p?Conclusions: Momordica charantia presents excellent antidiabetic and antioxidant activities and thus has great potential as a new source for diabetes treatment whether it is used for prophylaxis or treatment.     

Initial outcomes with image‐guided partial breast irradiation delivered with intensity‐modulated radiation therapy

Patients were treated at a single institution to a dose of 30 Gy in five fractions delivered every other day using image‐guided intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) partial breast irradiation. A total of 34 patients were treated with a median follow‐up of 4.6 months. The rate of acute Grade 1 dermatitis was 23.5% (n = 8), and Grade 1 fatigue was 17.6% (n = 6), with no Grade 2 or higher acute toxicities. The rate of chronic Grade 1 dermatitis was 25.0% (n = 6), Grade 1 fat necrosis 4.2% (n=1), with no patients demonstrating other chronic toxicities. Image‐guided APBI delivered with IMRT is associated with low rates of acute and chronic toxicity though additional follow‐up is warranted.     

The Role of Muscle in Bone Repair: The Cells, Signals, and Tissue Responses to Injury

Bone repair is a complicated process that includes many types of cells, signaling molecules, and growth factors. Fracture healing involves a temporally and spatially regulated biologic process that involves recruitment of stem cells to the injury site, tissue specific differentiation, angiogenesis, and remodeling. In light of its proximity to bone and abundant vascularity, muscle is an important potential source of cells and signals for bone healing. More complete understanding of the role of muscle in bone formation and repair will provide new therapeutic approaches to enhance fracture healing. Recent studies establish that muscle-derived stem cells are able to differentiate into cartilage and bone and can directly participate in fracture healing. The role of muscle-derived stem cells is particularly important in fractures associated with more severe injury to the periosteum. Sarcopenia is a serious consequence of aging, and studies show a strong association between bone mass and lean muscle mass. Muscle anabolic agents may improve function and reduce the incidence of fracture with aging.     

New modalities to deliver surfactant in premature infants: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Context: Surfactant is the principle treatment of respiratory distress syndrome, but the ideal method of its administration remains controversial. The intubation, surfactant administration and extubation (InSurE) method is proven to work but is invasive. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the modalities of surfactant administration.

Methods: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRAL (inception to December 2015) for randomized trials comparing new modalities with InSurE method. The primary outcome was mortality and development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD).

Results: We screened 1837 citations and identified five unique trials were included; all were of unclear risk of bias. Four trials (400 infants) compared endotracheal catheters with InSurE, and one trial (70 infants) compared laryngeal masks (LMA) with InSurE. There was no significant difference between using endotracheal catheters compared with InSurE regarding infant mortality (risk ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.57–1.94, 4 trials, 400 patients, p 0.87, I² 0%) or BPD (risk ratio 0.73, 95% CI 0.43–1.21, 4 trials, 400 patients, p 0.22, I² 0%). Adverse events were under-reported.

Conclusion: The use of endotracheal catheters may provide comparable results to the InSurE method. There is limited evidence on the comparative efficacy of LMA.     

Urinary Tumor Necrosis Factor-Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis (uTWEAK) as a biomarker for lupus nephritis activity and its correlation with histolopathological findings of renal biopsy

Background: Lupus nephritis (LN) remains the strongest predictor of overall patient morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Aim of the work: To evaluate urinary Tumor Necrosis Factor-Like Weak Inducer of Apoptosis (uTWEAK) as a biomarker for LN activity and its correlation with histological findings of renal biopsy. Patients and methods: 42 SLE patients were recruited and 20 control. SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and rSLEDAI were calculated. uTWEAK was estimated by ELISA. Patients were divided into those with (n?=?22) and without (n?=?20) active renal disease. Renal biopsy was perfromed to those with active LN. The activity index (AI) and Chronicity Index (CI) were scored. Results: The 42 patients were 35 (83.3%) females and 7 (16.7%) males (F:M 5:1) with a mean age of 31.3?±?11.1?years (18–50?years). There was a significant difference in the uTWEAK levels between patients with active LN, inactive LN and control (7?±?4.5, 2.5?±?1.4 and 0.3?±?0.4?ng/mg Cr respectively) (p?<?0.0001). uTWEAK significantly correlated with rSLEDAI (r?=?0.47, p?=?0.02), and with AI (r?=?0.47, p?=?0.03), hypercellularity (r?=?0.47, p?=?0.03), fibrinoid necrosis (r?=?0.46, p?=?0.03), cellular crescent (r?=?58, p?=?0.004) and tubular atrophy (r?=?48, p?=?0.02) in renal biopsy of active LN patients. uTWEAK was a significant independent predictor of LN (p?=?0.003) with a sensitivity of 77.3% and specificity of 90%. Conclusion: uTWEAK might clearly be a candidate marker for LN activity and may replace invasive renal biopsy, potentially serving as a helpful biomarker in the clinical follow-up. It could represent an interesting biological tool if the diagnosis of a flare is in doubt.