Chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of the leaf essential oil of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eugenia zuchowskiae</Emphasis> from Monteverde,Costa Rica

The leaf essential oil of Eugenia zuchowskiae from Monteverde, Costa Rica, has been obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC–MS. The principal constituents of E. zuchowskiae leaf oil were α-pinene (28.3%), β-caryophyllene (13.2%), α-humulene (13.1%), and α-copaene (8.1%). The leaf essential oil of E. zuchowskiae showed pronounced in-vitro cytotoxic activity against MCF-7, MDA-MB-468, and UACC-257 human tumor cell lines. The major components showed cytotoxic activities comparable to doxorubicin (LC₅₀ 14–70 μg/ml).     

Therapeutic effect of phenolic compounds isolated from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhododendron ungernii</Emphasis> leaves

The sum of phenolic compounds was obtained from the leaves of Caucasian endemic plant Rhododendron ungernii (Trautv.) in the amount of 7%. The extract contains flavonoids, catechins, and anthocyanidins, in particular, quercetin, isoquercetin, quercitrin, hyperin, rutin, (+)-catechin, (−)-epicatechin, (+)-gallocatechin, and leucoanthocyanidins. The sum of phenolic compounds from Rhododendron ungernii completely inhibits Herpes simplex virus reproduction in a bioassay. A new medicinal preparation (Rhodopes) in the form of a 5% ointment was created on the basis of this extract and tested under clinical conditions at a dental clinic and three other specialized medical departments. The results showed a high therapeutic efficacy: Rhodopes favorably influenced the state of patients and caused neither mucosa irritation nor allergic and other adverse reactions. Rhodopes has received State Registration and is recommended for the treatment of all forms of herpetic disorders. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 41, No. 1, pp. 10–13, January, 2007.     

Karzinomassoziierte Retinopathie (CAR) bei Mammakarzinom und Karzinoid

Fragestellung: Die Karzinomassoziierte Retinopathie (CAR) stellt ein seltenes paraneoplastisches Syndrom dar, das bislang am h?ufigsten bei kleinzelligen Bronchialkarzinomen beschrieben wurde. Wir berichten über 3 Patientinnen mit CAR in Gegenwart eines Mammakarzinoms bzw. eines Karzinoids der Cervix uteri. Patienten und Methode: Es wurden biomikroskopische, perimetrische, angiographische und elektrophysiologische Befunde erhoben. Au?erdem erfolgte eine Testung der Immunreaktivit?t der Seren an humaner Retina. Ergebnisse: Die Befunde umfa?ten ringf?rmige Gesichtsfelddefekte mit statokinetischer Dissoziation und eine pathologische St?bchen- und Zapfenantwort im ERG. Bei 1 Patientin wurde immunhistochemisch eine Reaktion im Bereich der Photorezeptorinnensegmente, der ?u?eren K?rnerschicht sowie der ?u?eren plexiformen Schicht bei fehlendem Nachweis von Antik?rpern gegen Recoverin gefunden. Diskussion: Neben dem kleinzelligen Bronchialkarzinom k?nnen auch andere Prim?rtumoren mit einer CAR vergesellschaftet sein. Der Nachweis von retinalen Autoantik?rpern unterstützt die Annahme einer tumorinduzierten Immunantwort aufgrund der Expression identischer Epitope durch die Tumorzellen. Dabei kommen offensichtlich verschiedene retinale Proteine als Autoantigene in Betracht.      

The interactive role of mucosal T lymphocytes in intestinal growth, development and enteropathy

Abstract Over the past 15–20 years, research has progressively focused on the mucosal T cell as the central factor in the initiation of physiological or pathological changes, first in the growth and maturation of the early (postnatal) intestine, and second in adult-type enteropathies resulting from sensitivity to either food or pathogen-derived antigens. T cell-mediated events may be measured, for example, in terms of specific immunopathologic patterns of change and injury, such as type 1 (lymphocyte infiltration), type 2 (crypt hyperplasia) and type 3 (flat-destructive), which can be recognized and quantitated microscopically; by determination of lymphocyte reactivity through secretion of interleukin-2 receptors (IL-2R) into plasma or expression by mucosal lymphocytes; by quantitation of lymphocyte subsets emigrating into inflamed tissues by immunoperoxidase-labelled monoclonal antibodies; or by the determination of T cell receptor polymorphisms. Alterations in intestinal growth, structure and function at weaning are likely to be T cell-mediated as they are analogous to the same type 1/2 lesions that reflect modulation of adult mucosal architecture in food and parasite-induced hypersensitivity reactions. Enteropathies associated with HIV infection and T cell deficiency display a milder degree of villous flattening and impaired crypt hyperplasia than that typical of gluten-sensitivity, suggesting a reversion to lesser degrees of mucosal pathology (type 1/2). Clearly more information will accrue; meanwhile the remarks in this brief survey should provide a firm basis whereby clinician and scientist can meet, and together recognize and further dissect the modulatory effect of T lymphocytes on mucosal structure and function.     

Validation of silver-stained nucleolar organizer regions for evaluation of invasive character of urinary bladder carcinoma in rats and mice

A series of 8 rat and 16 mouse invasive bladder carcinomas were investigated for the presence of silverstained nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) to clarify whether this parameter is applicable to the estimation of their invasive character. With regard to number of AgNORs per cell, neither rat nor mouse carcinomas showed any difference between invasive and noninvasive sites within the same tumor. However, the frequency of cancer cells bearing bizarre dots, irregular in size and shape, was significantly higher at sites of actual invasion. Quantitative data generated using an image analyzer revealed significantly lower values for NOR roundness and significantly larger NOR size in invasive sites than in noninvasive sites in all groups. Double staining for the proliferation marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and AgNORs was performed on eight rat carcinomas and a close correlation between the two was confirmed. Thus the number of AgNORs in PCNA-positive cells was significantly greater than in PCNA-negative cells. Furthermore, a particularly strong correlation was observed for incidences of PCNA-positive cells and bizarre dots (P<0.01). The quantitative data also demonstrated significant differences in size and shape of dots. It is concluded that AgNORs have diagnostic value for the invasive character of bladder carcinomas.     

Poor ventilatory response to mild hypoxia may inhibit acclimatization at moderate altitude in elderly patients after carotid surgery.

Peripheral chemoreceptors (carotid bodies) are the main sensing organs for hypoxaemia. During carotid surgery, the carotic body in the bifurcation of the common carotid artery is often involved and damaged or destroyed. Animals lose their ability to adapt to high altitude after experimental denervation of the carotid bodies. The objective of our study was to evaluate the ability of human patients to adapt to moderate altitude after single side carotid surgery. Blood gas analysis at rest at 171 m and after car and cable car transport to 1600 m before and after carotid surgery was performed. Mean(s.d.) paO2 decreased insignificantly from 74.8(3.56) at 171 m altitude to 71.6(2.07) at 1600 m (P = n.s.), means(s.d.) paCO2 decreased significantly from 36.2(2.86) to 31.4(2.7) mmHg (P < 0.05) before carotid surgery. Months after surgery, a significant drop in paO2 occurred after identical passive exposure to moderate altitude: mean(s.d.) paCO2 at 171 m 74.4(3.65) mmHg, at 1600 m 65.8(3.70) mmHg (P < 0.01), paCO2 did not change significantly. Mean(s.d.) paCO2 at 171 m: 36.0(2.35), at 1600 m 36.2(2.86) mmHg (P = n.s.). Although the sample investigated was small, after single side carotid surgery patients seem to lose their ability for satisfactory ventilatory response to acute exposure to moderate altitude. This is of possible alpine medical importance.     

Partial Adrenalectomy for Renal Cell Carcinoma With Bilateral Adrenal Metastases

Resection of the adrenal glands precludes participation in many immunotherapy protocols for metastatic renal cell carcinoma. We performed radical nephrectomy with adrenalectomy and contralateral partial adrenalectomy, including adrenal vein ligation for a 4 cm. hilar metastasis without perioperative complications or local recurrence after 30 months. Adrenal function, measured by cosyntropin stimulation tests 6 weeks and 10 months postoperatively, was normal. Partial adrenalectomy with preservation of adrenal function is possible.     

The long-term outcome of head injury: Implications for service planning

As most of those experiencing traumatic brain injury tend to be young, disabled survivors will be gradually accruing in each locality as each year passes. How many need continuing care a decade after injury? How many need day care, or need help with finding work, or continuing support for carers? 190 patients who had been admitted to two UK regional neurosurgical units on average some 7 years earlier were followed up. With an average age of 29 years these patients stayed in hospital for an average 33 days. At follow-up 23% were classified as having moderate disability or worse on the Glasgow Outcome Scale, including 7.4% who had died subsequent to discharge. Survivors were given a neuropsychological assessment and a socioeconomic interview. Of the survivors, 17% had failed to make a good recovery, but 36% were failing to occupy their time in a meaningful way. Age over 30 at time of injury, not occupied before injury, and above-average length of stay were some of the predictors for failing to occupy time. Quality of life was severely curtailed for those who could not occupy their time, as was the case for their carers. Appropriate counselling, vocational evaluation and family support in the early years following injury may help to improve quality of life for both the head-injured person and their carers.