In vitro cytotoxic effect of garlic extract on malignant and nonmalignant cell lines

Cancer is one of the major causes of death in the world and despite many years of research, the treatment of cancer is still a problem. Epidemiological observations and laboratory studies have indicated anticarcinogenic potential of garlic, which has been traditionally used for various human diseases around the world. In this study the cytotoxicity of garlic extract against three malignant cancer cell lines including gastric (AGS), breast (MCF-7) and colon (HT-29) and a nonmalignant cell line (L929) were evaluated by the MTT assay. The results of this study reveal MCF-7 and AGS cells were sensitive to garlic extract. Despite a many reports on inhibitory effects of garlic on cancer cell line, our data showed these effects are tumor specific and dose dependent. Further studies on animal models and humans are needed to clarify the important molecules and their mechanisms.     

Huge Isolated Port-Site Recurrence after Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy: A Case Report

A 66-yr-old man with pain and swelling in the right flank was referred to our clinic for diagnosis. In 2005, the patient underwent a laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for renal cancer of the lower pole of the right kidney. A computed tomography scan revealed a 20-cm tumor in the right abdominal wall, resulting in a suspected diagnosis of port-site metastasis from the first laparoscopic operation. The patient underwent open surgery, which confirmed the diagnosis. After the operation, the patient recovered rapidly.     

Aktueller Stellenwert der Laparoskopie für die Nierentransplantation

Laparoscopic techniques have not only become increasingly more important for patients on dialysis or after kidney transplantation, they also represent the operative standard procedures as almost all patients additionally suffer from concomitant diseases and do carry a higher operative risk. Therefore, these patients will derive special benefits from minimally invasive procedures offering lower morbidity and quick recovery. In centers with expertise in minimally invasive procedures, laparoscopic donor nephrectomy has already replaced open live donor nephrectomy as the standard procedure.     

Life cycle of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Sarcocystis camelicanis</Emphasis> infecting the camel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Camelus dromedarius</Emphasis>) and the dog (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Canis familiaris</Emphasis>), light and electron microscopic study

In the present study, the heteroxeneous life cycle of Sarcocystis sp. infecting camels were studied. A total of 180 slaughtered camels collected from different localities in Egypt were investigated for sarcocysts. Only 116 animals were found to be infected (the infection rate was 64%). Muscle samples of esophagus, diaphragm, tongue, skeletal, and heart muscles were examined. Exclusively, microscopic sarcocysts were detected in all examined organs. The infection rates of the esophagus, diaphragm, tongue, skeletal, and heart muscles were 60%, 50%, 40%, 40%, and 10%, respectively. By means of transmission electron microscopy, details of the ultrastructure of the sarcocysts were studied. The specific architecture and ornaments of the cyst wall, its protrusions, and the cyst interior were recorded. Unique features of protrusions of the primary cyst wall, the knob-like structures, arise around each protrusion. Experimental infection of carnivores by feeding heavily infected camel muscles revealed that the dog, Canis familiaris, is the only final host of the present Sarcocystis species. Gamogony, sporogonic stages, and characteristics of sporulated oocysts were also investigated.     

Fine‐needle aspiration of dedifferentiated acinic cell carcinoma: Report of a case with cyto‐histological correlation

Dedifferentiated Acinic Cell Carcinoma (DAcCC) is a rare salivary gland malignancy. It has a high tendency to recur and metastasize and thus has a poor prognosis. So far, to our knowledge, only one case of DAcCC has been reported in the cytology literature. Herein, we describe a second case of DAcCC from a fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) along with its subsequent histological correlation. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Fluorinated 1,2,4‐Triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine‐6‐carboxylic Acid Derivatives as Antimycobacterial Agents

A series of fluorinated 1,2,4‐triazolo[1,5‐a]pyrimidine‐6‐carboxylic acid derivatives was designed and synthesized as fluoroquinolone analogues. The synthesized compounds were screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇R_v strain at 6.25 μg/mL concentration. Compound 4 , the 7‐oxo‐2‐(trifluoromethyl)‐4,7‐dihydro‐1,2,4‐triazolo[5,1‐a]pyrimidine‐6‐carboxylic acid was found to be a very potent inhibitor, being able to inhibit 92% growth of M. tuberculosis H₃₇R_v at 6.25 μg/mL concentration. At the same time, it proofed to be nontoxic to mammalian cells (IC₅₀ > 62.5 μg/mL in VERO cells).     

Expression of the Endothelin-axis in the different histologic subtypes of renal cell carcinoma: a tissue microarray analysis

Endothelin-1 and its receptors ETAR and ETBR, commonly referred to as the Endothelin-axis, are emerging to play a role in cancer. The Endothelin-axis has been shown to be involved in proliferation, angiogenesis and metastasis in various human tumours. To assess the role of the Endothelin-axis in renal cell carcinoma, we analysed its expression in archival tumour tissue of 183 patients. Representative tumour blocks were selected for constructing a tissue microarray. Paraffin sections were assessed immunohistochemically using monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies for Endothelin-1, ETAR and ETBR. Staining intensities were analysed semiquantitatively and the results were correlated with various histopathologic factors. Overexpression of Endothelin-1, ETAR and ETBR was identified in 12.8%, 84.1% and 93.3% of cases, respectively. No association with pathological tumour stage and histologic grading was found. Papillary renal cell carcinomas expressed highly significantly more Endothelin-1 than clear cell renal cell carcinomas (34.5% vs. 6.7%, p<0.001), while there was no difference between ETAR- and ETBR-expression in these histologic subtypes. However, ETAR tended to be overexpressed in the subgroup of G3-tumours (p=0.044). Studies are underway assessing the role of the Endothelin-axis and its potential use as a molecular target in renal cell carcinoma.