Effects of quercetin on the gastrointestinal tract in rats and mice

Intraperitoneal administration of quercetin (6.25–50 mg/kg) significantly (p<0.5-0.01) reduced intestinal transit in mice and this effect was antagonized by yohimbine and phentolamine but not by atropine or naloxone. Quercetin (12.5–50 mg/kg) reduced also (p<0.05-0.01) intraluminal accumulation of fluid and diarrhoea induced by castor oil and these effects were antagonized by yohimbine. Finally quercetin (12.5–50 mg/kg) reduced the area of gastric ulcer but not the number. It is suggested that α2-adrenergic receptors mediate the effect of quercetin on intestinal motility and secretion.     

Cellular events associated with autoimmune oophoritis and ovarian tumorigenesis in neonatally thymectomized mice

Thymectomy at 3 days of age (Tx-3) in (C3H/HeMs x 129/J)F1 (C31) female mice results in post-pubertal ovarian dysgenesis associated with high levels of circulating auto-oocyte antibodies (AOA) prior to ovarian tumor formation. Evidence suggests that the etiology for the ovarian dysgenesis resulting from Tx-3 is autoimmune and involves helper T cell abnormalities. The present study characterized circulating leukocytes and mitogenic activity using concanavalin A (ConA) with serologically selected spleen T cells. We observed no sustained abnormalities in either number of circulating leukocytes or percentages of granulocytes or lymphocytes. Circulating mononuclear cells with positive immunofluorescence for Thy 1.2 and Lyt 1.1+Lyt 1.2 cell markers were similar in all mice. However, the spleen cells from Tx-3 mice with ovarian dysgenesis remaining after adsorption with antisera to the Lyt 2.1+Lyt 2.2 antigens (helper T cells remaining) showed increased incorporation of [3H]thymidine compared to the intact mice. This stimulated activity occurred during the periods of early ovarian dysgenesis and active tumor growth. Apparently, the autoimmune oophoritis results from an imbalance within the Lyt 1 cells which may represent a primary insult to the ovary that results in later ovarian tumor development.     

Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy: the Use of Immunohistochemical Analysis

The Melanotic Neuroectodermal Tumor of Infancy (MNTI) is an asymptomatic, pigmented neoplasm characterized by a fast and locally aggressive growth along with a rare tissue formation. In the diagnostic process, the use of imaging exams can suggest a local destruction suggestive of malignancy, a sign of bone remodeling and expansion. Therefore, as any early diagnosis minimizes risks and improves the prognosis of treatment for the patient, the aim of this study was, based on a clinical case report, to corroborate the use of histopathological analysis associated with immunohistochemistry. Thus, we conclude that the immunohistochemical exam is of great importance for a better complementation of the MNTI diagnosis process. In addition, it can reveal signs of possible aggressive growth.     

Coaxial Drainage versus Standard Chest Tube after Pulmonary Lobectomy: A Randomized Controlled Study

Chest tubes are routinely inserted after thoracic surgery procedures in different sizes and numbers. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy of Smart Drain Coaxial drainage compared with two standard chest tubes in patients undergoing thoracotomy for pulmonary lobectomy. Ninety-eight patients (57 males and 41 females, mean age 68.3 ± 7.4 years) with lung cancer undergoing open pulmonary lobectomy were randomized in two groups: 50 received one upper 28-Fr and one lower 32-Fr standard chest tube (ST group) and 48 received one 28-Fr Smart Drain Coaxial tube (SDC group). Hospitalization, quantity of fluid output, air leaks, radiograph findings, pain control and costs were assessed. SDC group showed shorter hospitalization (7.3 vs. 6.1 days, p = 0.02), lower pain in postoperative day-1 (p = 0.02) and a lower use of analgesic drugs (p = 0.04). Pleural effusion drainage was lower in SDC group in the first postoperative day (median 400.0 ± 200.0 mL vs. 450.0 ± 193.8 mL, p = 0.04) and as a mean of first three PODs (median 325.0 ± 137.5 mL vs. 362.5 ± 96.7 mL, p = 0.01). No difference in terms of fluid retention, residual pleural space, subcutaneous emphysema and complications after chest tubes removal was found. In conclusion, Smart Drain Coaxial chest tube seems a feasible option after thoracotomy for pulmonary lobectomy. The SDC group showed a shorter hospitalization and decreased analgesic drugs use and, thus, a reduction of costs.     

Response from the inferior colliculus in the rat to tone bursts and amplitude-modulated continuous tones

Responses from the inferior colliculus in the rat to tone bursts and bursts of broad-band noise were compared with cross-correlograms of the responses to continuous tones and noise that were amplitude modulated with pseudorandom noise. The waveform of the cross-correlograms showed great similarities with that of the evoked response, but the latency of the former showed less dependence on stimulus intensity than did the latency of the latter.     

Urinary incontinence after radical vulvectomy treated with Macroplastique implantation

Postradical vulvectomy urinary incontinence is a common surgery-related complication, especially after subtotal urethrectomy. However, only 1 trial has been reported in the previous literature that described a case of total urinary incontinence treated with an Aldridge sling operation. We present 2 cases of patients affected by postradical vulvectomy, with partial urethral resection and total incontinence successfully treated by transurethral Macroplastique injection. This procedure could be considered as a valid, minimally invasive surgical option to improve the well-being of patients with vulvar cancer affected by postradical vulvectomy urinary incontinence, especially in elderly patients at high operative risk.     

BOOST: a phase 3 trial of sorafenib vs. best supportive care in first line treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with deteriorated liver function

Aim: Only patients with good liver function {[Child-Pugh (CP)] A class} were eligible for trials testing sorafenib as first-line treatment of hepatocellular car...