Antibacterial activity and inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus NorA efflux pump by ferulic acid and its esterified derivatives

Objective: To evaluate the inhibitory activity of ferulic acid and four of its esterified derivatives (methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl) against resistance mech...     

Systemic oxidative stress in children with cystic fibrosis with bacterial infection including Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

IntroductionOxidative stress (OS) occurs in cystic fibrosis (CF).ObjectiveThe objective of this work is to evaluate the influence of bacterial infection on biomarkers of OS (catalase [CAT], glutathione peroxidade [GPx], reduced glutathione [GSH]), markers of oxidative damage (protein carbonyls [PC], thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]), together with the nutritional status and lung function in children with CF.MethodsCross‐sectional study including CF group (CFG, n = 55) and control group (CG, n = 31), median age: 3.89 and 4.62 years, respectively. CFG was distributed into CFG negative bacteriology (CFGB−, n = 27) or CFG positive bacteriology (CFGB+, n = 28), and CFG negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CFGPa−, n = 36) or CFG positive Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CFGPa+, n = 19).ResultsCompared with CG, CFG (P = .034) and CFGB+ (P = .042) had lower body mass index‐for‐age z‐score; forced expiratory volume in the first second was lower in CFGB+ and CFGPa+ (both P < .001). After adjusting for confounders and compared with CG: CFG showed higher TBARS (P ≤ .001) and PC (P = .048), and lower CAT (P = .004) and GPx (P = .003); the increase in PC levels was observed in CFGB+ (P = .011) and CFGPa+ (P = .001) but not in CFGB− (P = .510) and CFGPa− (P = .460).ConclusionsThese results indicate a systemic OS in children with CF. The presence of bacterial infection particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa seems to be determinant to exacerbate the oxidative damage to proteins, in which PC may be a useful biomarker of OS in CF.     

Central effects of isolated fractions from the root of Petiveria alliacea L. (tipi) in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevance

Petiveria alliacea L. (tipi) a shrub from Phytolaccaceae family is popularly used in folk medicine for treating a wide variety of disorders in South and Central America.

Aim of the study

To investigate the neuropharmacological properties on experimental animals.

Materials and methods

The acetate (FA), hexanic (FH), hydroalcoholic (FHA) and precipitated hydroalcoholic (FHAppt) fractions from the root of tipi were studied to investigate its pharmacological properties in the classical behavioral models (open-field, elevated plus maze-EPM, rotarod, barbiturate-induced sleeping time, forced swimming and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced convulsions tests) using mice. These fractions were administered intraperitoneally and orally to female mice at single doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg.

Results

All these fractions decreased the locomotor activity, rearing and grooming in the open-field test, suggesting a possible central depressant action. No significant effect was evident on motor coordination of the animals in the rotarod test. On EPM, all the fractions of tipi presented a significant reduction on the time of permanence in the open arms, indicating an absence of anxiolytic-like effect. In addition, the fractions increased the immobility time in the forced swimming test and potentiated pentobarbital-induced sleeping time in mice, confirmed a probable sedative and central depressant effect. Furthermore, the fractions increased the latency to the first convulsion and the lethal time of the PTZ-induced convulsions test in the animals, confirmed its popular use as anticonvulsant.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the fractions of P. alliacea L. contains biologically active substance(s) that might be acting in the CNS and have significant depressant and anticonvulsant potentials, supporting folk medicine use of this plant.     

胸腺瘤合并重症肌无力危象30例围手术期的处理

0引言 胸腺切除是治疗重症肌无力(MG)的有效方法,有效率可达80%[1],但胸腺瘤术后常并发MG危象,导致死亡. 1992 02/2003 02我们共手术治疗89例胸腺瘤合并MG患者,术后发生MG 危象 30例,均抢救成功,无围手术期死亡.     

Coexistence of benign phyllodes tumor and invasive ductal carcinoma in distinct breasts: case report

This report describes a rare case of coexistence of benign phyllodes tumor, which measured 9 cm in the right breast, and invasive ductal carcinoma of 6 cm in the left breast, synchronous and independent, in a 66-year-old patient. The patient underwent a bilateral mastectomy due to the size of both lesions. Such situations are rare and usually refer to the occurrence of ductal or lobular carcinoma in situ when associated with malignant phyllodes tumors, and more often in ipsilateral breast or intra-lesional.     

Role of p21 RAS in p210 bcr-abl transformation of murine myeloid cells

The p21 RAS product has been implicated as part of the downstream signaling of certain nonreceptor tyrosine kinase oncogenes and several growth factor receptor-ligand interactions. We have reported that the chronic myelogenous leukemia oncogene p210 bcr-abl transforms a growth- factor-dependent myeloid cell line NFS/N1.H7 to interleukin-3 (IL-3) independence. In these p210 bcr-abl-transformed cells (H7 bcr-abl.A54) and in two other murine myeloid cell lines transformed to IL-3 independence by p210 bcr-abl, endogenous p21 RAS is activated as determined by an elevated ratio of associated guanosine triphosphate (GTP)/guanosine diphosphate (GDP), assayed by thin-layer chromatography of the nucleotides eluted from p21 RAS after immunoprecipitation with the Y13-259 antibody. Treatment of p210 bcr-abl-transformed cells with a specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor herbimycin A resulted in diminished tyrosine phosphorylation of p210 bcr-abl and associated proteins, without major reduction in expression of the p210 bcr-abl protein itself. Inhibition of p210 bcr-abl-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation resulted in a reduction of active p21RAS-GTP complexes in the transformed cells, in diminished expression of the nuclear early response genes c-jun and c-fos, and in lower cellular proliferation rate. To further implicate p21 RAS in these functional events downstream of p210 bcr-abl tyrosine phosphorylation, we targeted G- protein function directly by limiting the availability of GTP with the inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase inhibitor, tiazofurin (TR). In p210 bcr-abl-transformed cells treated for 4 hours with TR, in which the levels of GTP were reduced by 50%, but GDP, guanosine monophosphate, and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were unaffected, p210 bcr-abl tyrosine phosphorylation was at control levels. However, expression of c-fos and c-jun nuclear proto-oncogenes were strongly inhibited and p21 RAS activity was downregulated. These findings show that p210 bcr-abl transduces proliferative signals, in part, through downstream activation of p21 RAS. Furthermore, p21 RAS activity is linked to pathways that regulate c-jun and c-fos expression.     

Endonasal transsphenoidal surgery and multimodality treatment for giant pituitary adenomas

Objective Giant pituitary adenomas (≥40 mm) pose a major management challenge. We describe the experience of a single surgeon and a dedicated neuro‐endocrine team with multimodality treatment of these tumours in three specialized institutions. Design Retrospective data set analyses. Patients Fifty‐one consecutive patients with a giant adenoma (39 endocrine‐inactive, 12 endocrine‐active; mean tumour diameter 45 mm) treated over 10 years by an endonasal transsphenoidal approach were included. All patients had surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and/or medical therapy as judged necessary. Measurements Hormonal and visual status, extent of resection, tumour control rates, complications and use of medical and radiotherapy were evaluated. Results Surgery resulted in gross total, near total and subtotal removal in21 (41%), 10 (20%) and 20 (39%) patients respectively. Complete tumour removal was associated with absence of cavernous sinus invasion (P < 0·001). Long‐term endocrine function improved in 49% of patients and new endocrinopathy occurred in 14·6%; 76% required long‐term hormone replacement therapy. Vision improved in 81·5% of the patients and there was no visual worsening. At the last follow up (median 30 months), tumour control was achieved in 96% of patients: 59% with surgery alone, 20% with surgery plus focussed radiotherapy, 18% with surgery and medical therapy and two with all three modalities. Conclusions Endonasal surgery provides effective initial treatment for patients with giant adenomas. Multimodality therapy was needed in almost 50% of patients and this rate will likely increase with longer follow up. Close collaboration of neurosurgeons with endocrinologists and radiation oncologists is essential for optimal treatment of patients with these challenging tumours.