Ameliorating effect of microdoses of a potentized homeopathic drug,Arsenicum Album,on arsenic-induced toxicity in mice

Background  

Arsenic in groundwater and its accumulation in plants and animals have assumed a menacing proportion in a large part of West Bengal, India and adjoining areas of Bangladesh. Because of the tremendous magnitude of the problem, there seems to be no way to tackle the problem overnight. Efforts to provide arsenic free water to the millions of people living in these dreaded zones are being made, but are awfully inadequate. In our quest for finding out an easy, safe and affordable means to combat this problem, a homeopathic drug, Arsenicum Album-30, appears to yield promising results in mice. The relative efficacies of two micro doses of this drug, namely, Arsenicum Album-30 and Arsenicum Album-200, in combating arsenic toxicity have been determined in the present study on the basis of some accepted biochemical protocols.     

抗血管生成因子Angiostatin与Endostatin作用下肿瘤血管生成的二维数值模拟

目的数值模拟抗血管生成因子Angiostatin和Endostatin对肿瘤血管生成的影响。方法建立肿瘤内外血管生成的二维离散数学模型。模型耦合两种抗血管生成因子Angiostatin和Endostatin的抑制效应,数值模拟在促血管生成因子诱导下肿瘤微血管网生成,讨论血管生成抑制因子的影响。结果抗血管生成因子Angiostatin对肿瘤内外血管网络生成的速度和成熟度有抑制作用。抗血管生成因子Angiostatin和Endostatin耦合作用时,在肿瘤血管生成的早期有明显的抑制效应;在肿瘤血管生成的中后期,它们可以降低肿瘤血管化程度。结论本文模型能够较好的模拟抗血管生成因子Angiostatin和Endostatin对内皮细胞迁移和增殖的抑制作用。     

Long-Term Results of Prophylactic Donor Lymphocyte Infusions for Patients with Multiple Myeloma after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

The major reason for treatment failure after allografting in multiple myeloma (MM) is relapse. Donor lymphocyte infusions (DLIs) are considered a valuable post-transplant strategy mainly for relapsed patients but using them to prevent relapse in MM has been reported rarely. In the present study, we examined the efficacy of prophylactic DLIs after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in myeloma patients with a long-term follow-up of more than 5 years. A total of 61 patients with MM who did not relapse or develop disease progression after allo-HSCT were treated with prophylactic DLI in an escalating fashion (overall 132 DLI procedures) to deepen remission status and prevent relapse. Overall response rate to DLI was 77%. Thirty-three patients (54%) upgraded their remission status, 41 patients (67%) achieved or maintained complete remission, and 26% achieved a molecular remission. Incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) grade II to IV was 33% and no DLI-related mortality was noted. After a median follow-up of 68.7 months from first DLI the estimated 8-year progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) in a landmark analysis was 43% (95% confidence interval [CI], 28% to 57%) and 67% (95% CI, 53% to 82%), respectively, with best outcome for patients who acquired molecular remission (8-year PFS was 62% and 8-year OS was 83%). Prophylactic escalating DLI in a selected cohort of MM patients to prevent relapse after allograft resulted in a low incidence of severe GVHD and encouraging long-term results, especially if molecular remission is achieved.     

Primary cells as feeder cells for coculture expansion of human hematopoietic stem cells from umbilical cord blood--a comparative study

Although umbilical cord blood (UCB) has been widely accepted as an alternative source of hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) for transplantation, its use in adults is restricted because of low absolute HSC numbers. To overcome this obstacle, expansion of HSC in coculture with feeder cells is a promising possibility. In this study, we compared the potential of three human primary cell types, namely, mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells (HUVEC), and Wharton's jelly cells (WJC), for use as feeder cells in a potentially clinically applicable coculture system. In first experiments, we evaluated procedures needed to obtain feeder cells, the possibility to separate them from cells derived from CD34(+) cells after coculture, their ability to activate allogeneic T cells, and their survival in CD34(+)-adapted medium. Finally, we compared their support for UCB-derived CD34(+) expansion. MSC and WJC were superior to HUVEC in terms of ease and reliability of isolation procedures needed. None of the potential feeder cells expressed CD34 or CD45, thus providing markers for cell sorting after coculture. Other markers (CD31, CD90, CD105, CD166) were expressed differently on feeder cell types. While MSC in higher concentrations did not activate allogeneic T cells, those were stimulated by lower concentrations of MSC as shown by CD25, CD69, and CD71 expression. In contrast, HUVEC and WJC were proven to activate T cells at all ratios tested. Feeder cells survived a 7-day culture in CD34(+)-adapted medium. In cocultures of UCB CD34(+)cells with primary feeder cells, mononuclear cell expansion was 30- to 60-fold, colony-forming cell expansion 20- to 40-fold, and cobblestone area-forming cell expansion 10- to 50-fold. We conclude that after a careful further evaluation especially of their immunological properties, all three primary cell types might possibly be suitable for use in a potentially clinically applicable system for expansion from UCB CD34(+)cells, with WJC being best choice and MSC still superior to HUVEC.     

Effects of pressure,cold and gloves on hand skin temperature and manual performance of divers

Cold water immersion and protective gloves are associated with decreased manual performance. Although neoprene gloves slow hand cooling, there is little information on whether they provide sufficient protection when diving in cold water. Nine divers wearing three-fingered neoprene gloves and dry suits were immersed in water at 25 and 4 degrees C, at depths of 0.4 msw (101 kPa altitude adjusted) and 40 msw (497 kPa) in a hyperbaric chamber. Skin temperatures were measured at the fingers, hand, forearm, chest and head. Grip strength, tactile sensitivity and manual dexterity were measured at three time intervals. There was an exponential decay in finger and back of hand skin temperatures with exposure time in 4 degrees C water. Finger and back of hand skin temperatures were lower at 40 msw than at 0.4 msw (P < 0.05). There was no effect of pressure or temperature on grip strength. Tactile sensitivity decreased linearly with finger skin temperature at both pressures. Manual dexterity was not affected by finger skin temperature at 0.4 msw, but decreased with fall in finger skin temperature at 40 msw. Results show that neoprene gloves do not provide adequate thermal protection in 4 degrees C water and that impairment of manual performance is dependent on the type of task, depth and exposure time.     

Parasite communities of the Salzhaff (Northwest Mecklenburg, Baltic Sea). I. Structure and dynamics of communities of littoral fish, especially small-sized fish

The parasites of ten fish species, including four Gobiidae, three Gasterosteidae, two Syngnathidae, and one Zoarcidae from the Salzhaff region, Northwest Mecklenburg, Baltic Sea, were investigated in 1995 and 1996. As many as 36 parasite species, represented by diverse groups of helminths and protozoans as well as annelids and copepods, are found during 4 seasons in these hosts. By far the most abundant group is represented by digeneans, comprising 15 species, followed by 7 cestodans and 6 nematodes. With regard to component communities, 8 host-parasite combinations are core and secondary species with more than 40% prevalence in which generalists such as the digeneans Podocotyle atomon and Cryptocotyle concavum (in 3 hosts). C. lingua, Diplostomum spathaceum, and Acanthostomum balthicum, and the nematode Hysterothylacium are involved. Also, specialists such as Aphalloides timmi in Pomatoschistus microps as well as Magnibursatus caudofilamentosa and Thersitina gasterostei in Gasterosteus aculeatus attain high levels of prevalence. A comparison of different investigations reveals greater prevalence of allogenic and autogenic parasite species with 3 host cycles in the Rerik-Riff (free Baltic) and higher levels of prevalence of autogenic parasite species with 1 or 2 host cycles in the entire Salzhaff. The component communities of gobies from Dahmeshöved, Lübeck Bight, attain generally lower degrees of prevalence than those of the Salzhaff region. The infracommunities consist mostly of 1–3 parasite species per host specimen; this value is surpassed on occasion in P. microps (maximum 7 species) and in G. aculeatus (maximum 9 species, which may compete for 5 microhabitats in a host specimen). In this context the theory of empty niches propagated by some parasitologists is critically discussed and substituted by the assumption of variable niche widths. The seasonality of the more abundant parasites is either unclear – as in the case of C. concavum– or evident – as in the case of P. atomon, which prevail in early spring and summer, or A. timmi, which dominate in late summer, as do M. caudofilamentosa, which is absent in spring. The main causes of the infestation of fish hosts may be their ages and the availability of parasites due to the presence of intermediate hosts.     

In vivo magnetic resonance imaging of iron oxide-labeled, arterially-injected mesenchymal stem cells in kidneys of rats with acute ischemic kidney injury: detection and monitoring at 3T

PURPOSE: To evaluate MRI for a qualitative and quantitative in vivo tracking of intraaortal injected iron oxide-labeled mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) into rats with acute kidney injury (AKI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro MRI and R2* measurement of nonlabeled and superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)-labeled MSC (MSC(SPIO)) was performed in correlation to cellular iron content and cytological examination (Prussian blue, electron microscopy). In vivo MRI and R2* evaluation were performed before and after ischemic/reperfusion AKI (N = 14) and intraaortal injection of 1.5 x 10(6) MSC(SPIO) (N = 7), fetal calf serum (FCS) (medium, N = 6), and SPIO alone (N = 1) up to 14 days using a clinical 3T scanner. Signal to noise ratios (SNR), R2* of kidneys, liver, spleen, and bone marrow, renal function (creatinine [CREA], blood urea nitrogen [BUN]), and kidney volume were measured and tested for statistical significance (Student's t-test, P < 0.05) in comparison histology (hematoxylin and eosin [H&E], Prussian blue, periodic acid-Schiff [PAS], CD68). RESULTS: In vitro, MSC(SPIO) showed a reduction of SNR and T2* with R2* approximately number of MSC(SPIO) (R2 = 0.98). In vivo MSC(SPIO) administration resulted in a SNR decrease (35 +/- 15%) and R2* increase (101 +/- 18.3%) in renal cortex caused by MSC(SPIO) accumulation in contrast to control animals (P < 0.01). Liver, spleen, and bone marrow (MSC(SPIO)) showed a delayed SNR decline/R2* increase (P < 0.05) resulting from MSC(SPIO) migration. The increase of kidney volume and the decrease in renal function (P < 0.05) was reduced in MSC-treated animals. CONCLUSION: Qualitative and quantitative in vivo cell-tracking and monitoring of organ distribution of intraaortal injected MSC(SPIO) in AKI is feasible in MRI at 3T.     

Ectopic ureter and ureterocele: their varied sonographic manifestations

The sonographic examinations of four patients with simple ectopic ureters and 11 with ectopic ureteroceles were reviewed to determine distinguishing characteristics. Ectopic ureters, in cases of extreme dilatation and tortuosity, sometimes mimic multiseptated, cystic abdominal masses. However, the proximal portions of some severely dilated ureters are surprisingly small. Ectopic ureters sometimes indent the lower vesical wall, simulating a ureterocele. Ectopic ureteroceles are dynamic structures, changing in shape and size according to intravesical pressure. The lower pole of a duplex kidney may be difficult to detect because of displacement by the dilated upper renal pelvis and ureter. The renal parenchyma associated with an ectopic ureter may be equally difficult or impossible to find because of diminutive dysplasia or, less commonly, acquired atrophy. Dysplasia is characterized sonographically by highly echogenic parenchyma, lack of corticomedullary differentiation, and occasionally massive enlargement by cysts. Ectopic ureters and ureteroceles can be identified by fetal sonography.     

Enhancement of chemotactic factor-stimulated neutrophil oxidative metabolism by leukotriene B4

Leukotriene B4 (LTB4) is a potent primary stimulator of neutrophil chemotaxis, aggregation, and degranulation and induces superoxide production at higher concentrations. In order to determine whether LTB4 modulates neutrophil responses to oxidative stimuli, human neutrophils (PMNs) were incubated with LTB4 prior to stimulation with f-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP, 10(-7) mol/L), opsonized zymosan (OZ, 250 micrograms/mL), or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA, 32 nmol/L). Superoxide (O2-) production by stimulated PMNs was assessed by the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of cytochrome c. LTB4 alone did not stimulate O2- production in concentrations below 10(-7) mol/L and had no effect on the O2- assay. In the concentration range of 10(-12) to 10(-8) mol/L, LTB4 did not alter O2- release induced by OZ or PMA. In contrast, LTB4-treated cells demonstrated enhanced O2- production following exposure to fMLP, and in the presence of 10 nmol/LLTB4, generated 180% +/- 41% of O-2 quantities produced by control cells (n = 23). Enhancement was LTB4 dose-dependent, was maximal in the range of 1 to 10 nmol/L LTB4, was not reversed by removal of the lipid from the medium prior to fMLP stimulation, and was not dependent on the presence of Ca++ or Mg++ in the suspending medium. Chemiluminescence of fMLP-stimulated neutrophils was increased to 323% of controls in neutrophils preincubated with 10 nmol/L LTB4. Unlike augmentation of oxidative responses to fMLP seen with other degranulating stimuli, enhancement by LTB4 was not correlated with an increase in 3H-fMLP receptor binding. These results indicate that, in addition to its primary effects on neutrophil function, LTB4 modulates PMN oxidative responses to the chemotactic peptide and, thus, may amplify the release of oxygen metabolites at inflammatory foci.