Surveillance mammography after treatment for male breast cancer

Breast Cancer Research and Treatment - To identify the practice patterns related to use of surveillance mammography in male breast cancer (MaBC) survivors. Using administrative claims data from...     

Triple-component nanocomposite films prepared using a casting method: Its potential in drug delivery

The purpose of this study was to fabricate a triple-component nanocomposite system consisting of chitosan, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and drug for assessing the application of chitosan–PEG nanocomposites in drug delivery and also to assess the effect of different molecular weights of PEG on nanocomposite characteristics. The casting/solvent evaporation method was used to prepare chitosan–PEG nanocomposite films incorporating piroxicam-β-cyclodextrin. In order to characterize the morphology and structure of nanocomposites, X-ray diffraction technique, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy were used. Drug content uniformity test, swelling studies, water content, erosion studies, dissolution studies, and anti-inflammatory activity were also performed. The permeation studies across rat skin were also performed on nanocomposite films using Franz diffusion cell. The release behavior of films was found to be sensitive to pH and ionic strength of release medium. The maximum swelling ratio and water content was found in HCl buffer pH 1.2 as compared to acetate buffer of pH 4.5 and phosphate buffer pH 7.4. The release rate constants obtained from kinetic modeling and flux values of ex vivo permeation studies showed that release of piroxicam-β-cyclodextrin increased with an increase in concentration of PEG. The formulation F10 containing 75% concentration of PEG showed the highest swelling ratio (3.42 ± 0.02) in HCl buffer pH 1.2, water content (47.89 ± 1.53%) in HCl buffer pH 1.2, maximum cumulative drug permeation through rat skin (2405.15 ± 10.97 μg/cm²) in phosphate buffer pH 7.4, and in vitro drug release (35.51 ± 0.26%) in sequential pH change mediums, and showed a significantly (p < 0.0001) higher anti-inflammatory effect (0.4 cm). It can be concluded from the results that film composition had a particular impact on drug release properties. The different molecular weights of PEG have a strong influence on swelling, drug release, and permeation rate. The developed films can act as successful drug delivery approach for localized drug delivery through the skin.     

Mycobacterium fortuitum infection masquerading as an orbital mass

Orbital infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria is rare and usually presents as an inflammatory process. We report a case of a 34-year-old male hospital worker with a positive purified protein derivative skin test who had Mycobacterium fortuitum infection that presented as an orbital mass causing diplopia. This presentation is unlike previously published reports and demonstrates the importance of orbital biopsy and tissue culture.     

Curcumin enhances the effects of 5-fluorouracil and oxaliplatin in mediating growth inhibition of colon cancer cells by modulating EGFR and IGF-1R

Curcumin (diferuloylmethane), which has been shown to inhibit growth of transformed cells, has no discernible toxicity and achieves high levels in colonic mucosa. 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or 5-FU plus oxaliplatin (FOLFOX) remains the backbone of colorectal cancer chemotherapeutics, but with limited success. The present investigation was, therefore, undertaken to examine whether curcumin in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agent(s)/regimen will be a superior therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer. Indeed, results of our in vitro studies demonstrated that curcumin together with FOLFOX produced a significantly greater inhibition (p < 0.01) of growth and stimulated apoptosis (p < 0.001) of colon cancer HCT-116 and HT-29 cells than that caused by curcumin, 5-FU, curcumin + 5-FU or FOLFOX. These changes were associated with decreased expression and activation (tyrosine phosphorylation) of EGFR, HER-2, HER-3 (72-100%) and IGF-1R (67%) as well as their downstream effectors such as Akt and cycloxygenase-2 (51-97%). Furthermore, while these agents produced a 2-3-fold increase in the expression of IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), curcumin together with FOLFOX caused a 5-fold increase in the same, when compared to controls. This in turn led to increased sequestration of IGF by IGFBP-3 rendering IGF-1 unavailable for binding to and activation of IGF-1R. We conclude that the superior effects of the combination therapy of curcumin and FOLFOX are due to attenuation of EGFRs and IGF-1R signaling pathways. We also suggest that inclusion of curcumin to the conventional chemotherapeutic agent(s)/regimen could be an effective therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer.     

Prolonged maternal separation decreases granule cell number in the dentate gyrus of 3-week-old male rats

Maternal separation (MS) early in life affects many aspects of development and we have previously observed significant decreases in NMDA and AMPA receptor and elevated glutamate transporter expression in the hippocampus of MS360 animals relative to MS15. We hypothesized that this disruption of the glutamatergic system in adult animals was a sign of a reduction in hippocampal neuronal number in 3-week-old animals. Male Wistar rat pups were separated litter-wise for 15 min (MS15) or 360 min (MS360) from postnatal day 1 to 21. Conventional laboratory reared animals were also included. At postnatal day 22, brains were dissected and sliced on a cryostat. Immunohistochemistry labeled neurons (NeuN) and astrocytes (GFAP) and the number of neurons was quantified using the disector method and Cavalieri principle for stereology for the CA1, CA2, CA3 and dentate gyrus regions of the hippocampus. The volume of 4 regions did not differ across the 3 experimental groups. Numerical density of neurons, however, was significantly different in CA3 (one-way ANOVA; p = 0.044) and the dentate gyrus (one-way ANOVA; p < 0.0001) with post hoc differences MS360 vs. MS15. Finally, the total number of neurons was calculated and MS360 animals had significantly fewer neurons than MS15 animals in the dentate gyrus. Therefore, the maternal separation procedure affected development of the hippocampus directly at 3 weeks of age. The differences observed consequently place young MS360 animals in a vulnerable state for challenges later in life.     

Probiotic Bifidobacteria in Managing Periodontal Disease: A Systematic Review

Although various probiotic organisms have been evaluated for their utility in the management of periodontitis, their strain-specific mechanisms of action are still unclear. We aimed to systematically review the effect of bifidobacterial probiotics on periodontopathogens and host immune responses in periodontal diseases. An electronic search of articles published until June 2022 in Medline, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases was performed. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and in vitro and animal studies were assessed, and the data regarding antimicrobial properties, immunomodulation, and clinical outcomes were analysed. A total of 304 studies were screened, but only 3 RCTs and 6 animal and in vitro studies met the inclusion criteria. The use of different strains of bifidobacteria led to (1) a reduction of key players of the red complex periodontopathogens; (2) reduced levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (eg, interleukin [IL]1-β and IL-8) and higher levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10); (3) enhanced levels of osteoprotegerin and reduced levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand; and (4) a reduction of the dental plaque, bleeding on probing, alveolar bone loss, and clinical attachment loss. Bifidobacterial probiotic adjuvant supplementation, especially with Bifidobacterium animalis subspecies lactis, appears to help improve clinical periodontal parameters and develop a healthy plaque microbiome through microbiological and immunomodulatory pathways. Further human and animal studies are warranted prior to the therapeutic use of bifidobacteria in the routine management of periodontal infections.