Evaluation of the genotoxic potential of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in meristematic cells of the root of Vicia faba

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is an organic solvent with several biological applications. It is extensively used to dissolve compounds that hardly dissolve in water to detect their genotoxic activity in vitro. In this study DMSO will be tested to determine its genotoxic potential. The effect of DMSO on the frequency of chromosomal aberrations in anaphase as well as DNA fragmentation through the comet assay has been evaluated in the meristematic cells of the root tips of Vicia faba. It has been observed that the frequency of chromosomal aberrations increases when the concentration of DMSO increases, reaching its maximum value with 20% of DMSO and decreasing at 30 and 40% of DMSO, in comparison to this maximum value, but significantly higher than the values observed in the control. Similarly, the percentage of fragmentation and damage index evaluated through the comet assay showed the same behavior; some of the possible mechanisms of action are discussed.     

Recurrent nephrogenic adenoma in bladder diverticulum: case report and literature review

Nephrogenic adenoma is an uncommon benign lesion of the urinary tract induced by chronic irritation of the vesical mucosa, due to infection, trauma, surgery, calculi, foreign bodies and chemical agents. A 68-year-old male was admitted to our linic for a periodical cystoscopic evaluation as part of a follow-up initiated due to a past transitional cell carcinoma. The scheduled cystoscopy revealed, within a bladder diverticulum, an unexpected and completely asymptomatic nephrogenic adenoma that we removed by transurethral resection. We followed up the patient at 24 months, then later we made the diagnosis of nephrogenic adenoma. During this time, the patient experienced three relapses within the same diverticulum, always involving a nephrogenic adenoma we persistently treated by transurethral resections. As the nephrogenic adenoma is considered a benign lesion without any direct evidence of a possible evolution to an overt cancer, we successful attempted a half-yearly cystoscopic follow-up to control the growth of a highly recurrent benign entity, interposing between controls a periodical imaging. This paper represents the second report of a nephrogenic adenoma within a bladder diverticulum, but the first case of a nephrogenic adenoma highly recurrent within the same diverticulum and managed conservatively by regular transurethral resection scheduled over the time.     

Induction of Apoptosis in HT-29 Cells by Extracts from Isothiocyanates-rich Varieties of Brassica Oleracea

Among the vegetables with anti-carcinogenic properties, members of the genus Brassica are the most effective at reducing the risk of cancer. This property may be explained by their principle bioactive compounds, isothiocyanates (ITCs). The aim of this study was to measure the amounts of ITCs in extracts from vegetables of the Brasssica genus and assay them for potency of induction of apoptosis in a colorectal cancer cell line (HT-29). ITCs were determined by the cyclocondensation assay with 1,2-benzenedithiol and induction of apoptosis by assessment of cell viability, caspase-3 activity and DNA fragmentation. Purple cabbage extract showed the highest ITC concentration per gram, fresh weight, followed by black cabbage and Romanesco cauliflower. At ITC concentrations of 7.08 μ g/mL these extracts decreased cell viability and induced caspase-3 and DNA fragmentation at 48h. Brussels sprouts showed the strongest effects on cell viability and caspase-3 activity. Varieties of Brassica Oleracea are rich sources of ITCs that potently inhibit the growth of colon cancer cells by inducting apoptosis. All the extracts showed anticancer activity at ITC concentrations of between 3.54 to 7.08 μ g/mL, which are achievable in vivo. Our results showed that ITC concentration and the chemopreventive responses of plant extracts vary among the varieties of Brassica Oleracea studied and among their cultivars.     

The Effect of Body Mass Index on the Outcome of Critically Ill Surgical Patients

Background: The incidence of obesity is rising, and an increasing number of obese patients are admitted to surgical intensive care units (SICUs). However, it is not clear whether obesity is an independent risk factor for increased morbidity and mortality in SICU patients. We examined the effect of obesity on morbidity and mortality in patients admitted to the SICU in this study. Method: We reviewed prospectively acquired SICU data in normal and obese patients with an SICU length of stay >24 hours. Comparability of the groups was assessed using a χ² test or Fisher exact test, as appropriate, for categorical variables and analysis of variance (ANOVA) or the Kruskal‐Wallis test, as appropriate, for continuous variables. Results: Of the 1792 consecutive patients evaluated, 711 had a normal body mass index (BMI), and 993 were either preobese or obese. There was no statistically significant difference across the 5 BMI groups with respect to any of the 3 comorbidity indices (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation III [APACHE III], Simplified Acute Physiology Score, or Multiple Organ Dysfunction Score). There was no statistically significant difference in the intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay and hospital length of stay or time‐to‐ICU mortality (log‐rank test P = .054) among the 5 BMI groups. A Cox regression analysis and backward elimination algorithm selected APACHE III to be the most important explanatory variable for survival time. Conclusion: Obesity does not affect the mortality of patients admitted to the SICU. We conclude that obesity cannot be used as an independent predictive mortality outcome variable in patients admitted to the SICU.     

Manejo de la amiloidosis traqueobronquial mediante técnicas broncoscópicas terapéuticas

Amyloidosis is a systemic disease caused by abnormal deposition of amyloid material that is detected with Congo red staining and is difficult to diagnose. Involvement of the tracheobronchial tree is rare and is a challenge for pulmonologists because of the wide differential diagnosis of this disease. We present two cases where tracheobronchial affectation has been observed: in one of them as a primary disease, and in another as secondary affectation. The use of bronchoscopic techniques is essential for the diagnosis of tracheobronchial involvement. In the absence of an effective drug therapy, local management of this disease with endoscopic techniques for bronchial repermeabilization is able to provide clinical improvement and expand the treatment options and prognosis in this disease.     

Two-way television: An experiment in interactive programming for the elderly

This study was conducted to 1) assess the effectiveness of an experimental two-way cable TV system in reaching the older people for whom it was designed, and 2) assess the attraction of this locally-based age-targeted system for its viewers. The study evaluates the system's effectiveness in reaching its target audience by examining information about the types of viewers—both younger and older—who have been attracted to the system. In addition, differences in factors that predict viewing frequency for younger and older people are used to illuminate life stage differences in people's attraction to locally-based TV programming. Findings show that the system had successfully reached its target audience within two years of inception. Watching the interactive TV programs because of the system's provision of information about local events and because of the senior citizens' focus strongly predicted viewing frequency for both older and younger respondents. The ability of locally-based interactive TV programming to serve social and informational needs of older people which are unmet by traditional broadcast television is discussed.