Synthesis and antibacterial activity of nitroaryl thiadiazole-levofloxacin hybrids

Novel levofloxacin-containing hybrids carrying a 5-(nitroaryl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl group were synthesized and evaluated in vitro against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Preliminary data indicated that levofloxacin-nitrofuran and levofloxacin-nitroimidazole hybrids have a potent activity against Gram-positive organisms with enhanced anti-staphylococcal activity compared with the parent quinolone (N-desmethyl levofloxacin).     

Breast Carcinoma with Metastasis to the Heart

Abstract: The purpose of this section is to present in pictorial form the diverse clinical, radiologic, and pathologic aspects of breast disorders.     

Breast cancer management in middle-resource countries (MRCs): consensus statement from the Breast Health Global Initiative

In middle resource countries (MRCs), cancer control programs are becoming a priority as the pattern of disease shifts from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases such as breast cancer, the most common cancer among women in MRCs. The Middle Resource Scenarios Working Group of the BHGI 2010 Global Summit met to identify common issues and obstacles to breast cancer detection, diagnosis and treatment in MRCs. They concluded that breast cancer early detection programs continue to be important, should include clinical breast examination (CBE) with or without mammography, and should be coupled with active awareness programs. Mammographic screening is usually opportunistic and early detection programs are often hampered by logistical and financial problems, as well as socio-cultural barriers, despite improved public educational efforts. Although multidisciplinary services for treatment are available, geographical and economic limitations to these services can lead to an inequity in health care access. Without adequate health insurance coverage, limited personal finances can be a significant barrier to care for many patients. Despite the improved availability of services (surgery, pathology, radiology and radiotherapy), quality assurance programs remain a challenge. Better access to anticancer drugs is needed to improve outcomes, as are rehabilitation programs for survivors. Focused and sustained government health care financing in MRCs is needed to improve early detection and treatment of breast cancer.     

Disseminated Mycobacterium bovis infection after BCG vaccination

The Calmette-Güerin vaccine (BCG) is administered to all the newborns in Iran in order to prevent tuberculosis. Complications of this vaccine are uncommon. We report disseminated BCG disease in 17 patients less than 10 years old. This is a retrospective study of total of 17 cases who were admitted in Children Medical Center Hospital with systemic syndrome compatible with Mycobacterium disease with evidence of histopathologic demonstration of acid-fast bacilli during 1995-2004. Fourteen cases occurred in children younger than 1 year old. Nine patients were female. Ten of the 17 total cases were associated with an immune deficiency including severe combined immunodeficiency, chronic granulomatous disease and cell mediated immune defect. Response to therapy was ineffective and 10 of them (58.8%) died. Disseminated BCG disease is an uncommon but devastating complication of vaccination that should be considered in the appropriate clinical setting. Immune-compromised infants are at greatest risk and they respond poorly to standard therapies.     

The effect of betamethasone and IFN-gamma on replication of Toxoplasma gondii (RH strain) and nitric oxide production in Hela cell culture

Toxoplasmosis is a protozoal infection caused by Toxoplasma gondii. Toxoplasmosis produce severe damage in patients who are immunosuppressed. In those who are immunosuppressed, latent infection can be reactivated resulting in acute disseminating disease. Betamethasone is a synthetic glycocorticoid, used as an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressant in a wide variety of disorders. The aim of this study was evaluation of betamethasone as an immunosuppressor drug on infected cells by Toxoplasma gondii. In this study, at first HeLa cells were grown in 24 well culture plates in culture medium . When confluent monolayer was obtained, we compared 6 groups to evaluate the effect of betamethasone as a corticosteroid drug (two concentrations 4 and 40 micro g/ml) and the effect of IFN-gamma (100 IU/ml ) on growth, replication and Nitric Oxide (NO) production. The results showed, that high number of plaques were seen in group with 40 mug/ml of betamethasone and the lowest number of plaques were seen in group with 100 IU of IFN-gamma. The difference between plaque number in control and groups treated with IFN-gamma and betamethasone was significant (P<0.05). The groups with betamethasone or IFN-gamma without tachyzoites did not show any effect on cell structures. Replication rates in the wells treated with IFN-gamma were decreased significantly 72 h post inoculation in comparison with control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference among different groups in NO production. The results indicated that betamethasone increase the invasion of tachyzoites to host cells in vitro.     

Discharge of children from hospital against medical advice

Background  

Discharge against medical advice (DAMA) from hospital may have negative effects on the well-being of the patients. In pediatric patients the decision for DAMA is made by the parent(s). The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of DAMA and examine the reasons for DAMA provided by the parents.     

Evaluation of triple and quadruple Helicobacter pylori eradication therapies in Iranian children: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Clinical trials in children concerning Helicobacter pylori eradication treatments are scarce. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of proton pump inhibitor (PPI)-based triple therapy using PPI, amoxicillin and clarithromycin in Iranian children. We also evaluated the efficacy of quadruple therapy with PPI, metronidazole, amoxicilin and bismuth citrate in Iranian children. METHODS: This was a randomized clinical trial performed in Emam Khomeini Hospital between 2003 and 2004. Patients with confirmed H. pylori infection by histology were divided into two groups in a randomized 1:1 scheme: the triple regimen group (omeprazole, clarithromycin and amoxicillin for 10 days) and the quadruple regimen group (omeprazole, amoxicillin, metronidazole and bismuth citrate for 10 days). The eradication was assessed by the C-urea breath test 4 weeks after the end of treatment and analyzed by per-protocol and intention-to-treat approaches. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-two patients (mean age 12.36+/-3.06 years) were entered into the study. Only 100 patients completed the study (50 patients in each regimen group). The eradication rates by triple therapy were 92% and 75.5% for the "per-protocol" and "intention-to-treat" approaches, respectively. In the quadruple regimen group, the eradication rates were 84% by the per-protocol approach and 68.8% in the intention-to-treat approach. Symptom responses to therapy were reported in all patients with successful eradication (88% of all patients). CONCLUSION: With regard to recent recommendations, we also suggest PPI, amoxicillin and clarithromycin triple therapy as a first-line eradication treatment, and quadruple therapies as a second-line option, in Iranian children.     

A cytotoxic hydroperoxy sterol from the brown alga,Nizamuddinia zanardinii

Background

The marine environment is a unique source of bioactive natural products, of which Nizamuddinia zanardinii is an important brown algae distributed in Oman Sea. Literature revealed that there is no report on phytochemistry and pharmacology of this valuable algae.

Methods

Bioguided fractionation of the methanolic extract of Nizamuddinia zanardinii, collected from Oman Sea, led to the isolation of a hydroperoxy sterol. Its structure was determined by analysis of the spectroscopic data as 24-hydroperoxy-24-vinyl cholesterol (HVC). In vitro cytotoxic activity of this compound was evaluated against HT29, MCF7, A549, HepG2 and MDBK cell lines.

Results

Although 24(R)-hydroproxy-24-vinylcholesterol has been previously reported from Sargassum and Padina species, it is the first report on the presence of this compound from N. zanardinii. This compound exhibited cytotoxicity in all cell lines (IC₅₀, 3.62, 9.09, 17.96, 32.31 and 37.31 μg/mL respectively). HVC was also evaluated for apoptotic activity and demonstrated positive results in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick End labeling (TUNEL) assay suggesting it a candidate for further apoptotic studies.

Conclusions

Nizamuddinia zanardinii, a remarkable brown algae of Oman Sea, is a good source of hydroproxy sterols with promising cytotoxic on various cell lines particularly human colon adenocarcinoma.