Ameliorative effect of vitamin C on the haematological changes induced by exposure of chlorpyriphos and lead acetate in Wistar rats

The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of chlorpyriphos, lead acetate and vitamin C alone and in combinations, on various haematological parameters in Wistar rats. Rats of 150–200 g body weight were divided into eight groups of six animals each and were subjected to various daily oral treatment regimes for 98 days. Group C served as control receiving only corn oil, group CP received chlorpyriphos at 5.5 mg/kg in corn oil and group L received lead acetate at100?ppm in water, whereas animals in group CP + L received a combination of chlorpyriphos at 5.5 mg/kg in corn oil and lead acetate at 100 ppm in water. Group VC received vitamin C at 100 mg/kg in water; group CP + VC received a combination of chlorpyriphos at 5.5 mg/kg and vitamin C at 100 mg/kg; group L + VC received lead acetate at 100 ppm in water and vitamin C at 100 mg/kg and group CP + L + VC received chlorpyriphos at 5.5 mg/kg, lead acetate at 100 ppm in water and vitamin C at 100 mg/kg. Blood samples were collected on days 0, 30, 60 and 98 post exposure and analysed for packed cell volume (PCV), total erythrocyte count (TEC), haemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), total leucocyte count (TLC) and differential leucocyte count. A significant decrease in TEC, PCV and Hb and a significant increase in ESR values were observed. However, lead acetate caused an increase in TLC while chlorpyriphos resulted in a decrease in TLC. Both of these toxicants potentiated toxicity of each other. The study demonstrated that treatment of chlorpyriphos- and lead-treated rats with vitamin C significantly altered some of the important haematological parameters revealing the protective effect of this vitamin against haematological alterations induced by chlorpyriphos and lead.     

Synthesis,structures, and catalytic efficiency in ring opening polymerization of rac-lactide with tridentate vs. bidentate cobalt(ii), zinc(ii), and cadmium(ii) complexes containing N-substituted N,N-bis((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)amine ligands

A series of Co(ii), Zn(ii), and Cd(ii) complexes supported by 1-(3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)-N-((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-N-(furan-2-ylmethyl)methanamine (L_A) and N,N-bis((3,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrazol-1-yl)methyl)-4-isopropylaniline (L_B) were synthesized. The direct chelation of CoCl₂·6H₂O, ZnCl₂, and CdBr₂·4H₂O by the ligands produced [L_nMX₂] (L_n = L_A or L_B; M = Zn or Co, with X = Cl; M = Cd, with X = Br) complexes in high yields. Structural studies revealed that [L_BCoCl₂] and [L_BZnCl₂] adopted distorted tetrahedral geometries, as L_B coordinated the metal centers in a bidentate fashion, while L_A coordinated the metal centers in a tridentate fashion through the nitrogen atoms of the pyrazole and amine moieties, so that [L_ACoCl₂] and [L_AZnCl₂] exhibited trigonal bipyramidal geometries and [L_ACdBr₂] a square pyramidal geometry. [L_BCdBr₂] has two Cd-containing structures per unit cell, whereby one Cd center adopted a distorted tetrahedral geometry and the other exhibited square bipyramidal geometry. The in situ-generated alkyl derivatives of the synthesized complexes were assessed in the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide. Heterotactic polylactides (PLAs) were furnished with all complexes. The [L_BZnCl₂]/MeLi system produced PLA with a superior heterotactic bias (P_r up to 0.94) at −25 °C. PLAs with wide-ranging polydispersity indices (1.16–2.23) and low molecular weights were produced in all cases, irrespective of the specific M(II) center and ancillary ligand utilized.

Co(ii), Zn(ii), and Cd(ii) complexes supported by bis-pyrazolyl ligands were applied to the ring-opening polymerization of rac-lactide to produce heterotactic polylactides (PLAs) with superior heterotactic bias i.e. P_r up to 0.94 at −25 °C.     

Chromophobe renal cell carcinoma: a morphologic and immunohistochemical study of 45 cases

The aim of this study was to evaluate the morphological spectrum of chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CRCC) and diagnostic utility of a panel of three immunohistochemical stains. All cases of CRCC reported between 2002 and 2012 in the Section of Histopathology, Aga Khan University Hospital, were retrieved. A total of 45 cases were identified. Slides were reviewed and immunohistochemical stains (CK7, CD117, and vimentin) were performed. Ages ranged from 18 to 90 years (mean, 48.5 years). Male-to-female ratio was 0.8:1. The tumor was located in the left kidney in 24 patients and the right kidney in 20 patients. The tumor size ranged from 3.5 to 22 cm (mean 10 cm). Histologically, 4 were classic, 22 were eosinophilic, 16 were mixed, and 3 were sarcomatoid type. Morphologic patterns included broad alveolar, solid, nested, tubular, tubulocystic, trabecular, papillary, and microglandular. Binucleation and perinuclear halos were seen in all cases. Nuclear grooves and pseudoinclusions were seen in 17 and 6 cases, respectively. Multinucleated cells were seen in 19 cases. Mitoses ranged from 1 to 11/10 HPFs (mean 3/10 HPFs). Hyalinized stroma was seen in 38 cases and calcification in 26 cases. Necrosis was seen in 18 cases. Palisading of smaller cells around the broad alveolar pattern was noted in 5 cases. The Furhman’s nuclear grade was I (11), II (26), III (5), and IV (3). Hale’s colloidal iron was positive in all cases. Immunohistochemical stain CK7 and CD117 were positive in 100% and 95.5% of cases respectively. Vimentin was negative in all cases, except in the sarcomatoid areas of 3 cases. In conclusion, chromophobe renal cell carcinoma has certain unique morphological features and immunohistochemical profile which help to distinguish it from conventional renal cell carcinoma and oncocytoma. We identified nuclear pseudoinclusions, microglandular pattern and palisading of smaller cells, which have not been reported earlier.     

Protoporphyrin-IX accumulation and cutaneous tumor regression in mice using a ferrochelatase inhibitor

The use of endogenously created porphyrins as an alternative to photosensitizer injection for photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer is a rapidly evolving area of study. In-situ accumulation of protoporphyrin-IX (PpIX) by hemebiosynthesis inhibition represents a novel method for PDT of cancer cells. The kinetics of PpIX accumulation and cutaneous tumor regression in mice was studied using lead (a known and effective inhibitor of ferrochelatase). Cutaneous tumors were exposed to various doses of ferrochelatase enzyme inhibitor (lead) and to different durations and doses of visible light. The maximum increase in PpIX levels (blood, skin and tumor) was observed 48 h after the parenteral administration of second injection of lead within a period of 1 month. The maximum tumor regression was observed in mice that were exposed to visible light at a light dose of 648J/cm(2) (1h exposure in four sessions of 15 min, with a gap of 10 min between each exposure). Continuous treatment for 6 consecutive days resulted in almost complete regression of the tumors in most of the animals. Histopathological sections of tumors after light exposure showed necrotic tissue with degenerated lymphocytes, monocytes, and neutrophils. Since the ferrochelatase inhibitor (lead) used in the present study is toxic, the search must continue for a safe, non-toxic inhibitor to enhance sensitizer-mediated PDT.     

The Canadian Natural Health Products (NHP) regulations: industry perceptions and compliance factors

Background  

The use of natural health products, such as vitamins, minerals, and herbs, by Canadians has been increasing with time. As a result of consumer concern about the quality of these products, the Canadian Department of Health created the Natural Health Products (NHP) Regulations. The new Canadian regulations raise questions about whether and how the NHP industry will be able to comply and what impact they will have on market structure. The objectives of this study were to explore who in the interview sample is complying with Canada's new NHP Regulations (i.e., submitted product licensing applications on time); and explore the factors that affect regulatory compliance.     

Instability of reference diameter in the evaluation of stenosis after coronary angioplasty: Percent diameter stenosis overestimates dilative effects due to reference diameter reduction

Purpose: To examine changes in the reference segment luminal diameter after coronary angioplasty. Methods: Sixty-one patients with stable angina pectoris or old myocardial infarction were examined. Coronary angiograms were recorded before coronary angioplasty (pre-angioplasty) and immediately after (post-angioplasty), as well as 3 months after. Artery diameters were measured on cine-film using quantitative coronary angiographic analysis. Results: The diameters of the proximal segment not involved in the balloon inflation and segments in the other artery did not change significantly after angioplasty, but the reference segment diameter significantly decreased (4.7%). More than 10% luminal reduction was observed in seven patients (11%) and more than 5% reduction was observed in 25 patients (41%). More than 5% underestimation of the stenosis was observed in 22 patients (36%) when the post-angioplasty reference diameter was used as the reference diameter, compared with when the pre-angioplasty measurement was used and more than 10% underestimation was observed in five patients (8%). Conclusion: This study indicated that evaluation by percent diameter stenosis, with the reference diameter from immediately after angioplasty, overestimates the dilative effects of coronary angioplasty, and that it is thus better to evaluate the efficacy of angioplasty using the absolute diameter in addition to percent luminal stenosis.     

Factors affecting the formation of white particulate matter in red blood cell components

BACKGROUND: Recently white particulate matter (WPM) in red blood cell (RBC) components has received increased attention. The nature and causes of WPM formation were investigated. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Whole-blood units were collected from 18 healthy subjects with three different types of collection sets. Six units were collected into each type. Units were divided into four equal parts and stored for 4 hours: two parts at room temperature and two at 4 degrees C. RBCs were prepared from each quarter-unit: two by heavy centrifugation (5000 x g) and two by light centrifugation (2000 x g). Whole blood was inspected for WPM over 4 hours and RBCs over 1 hour. RESULTS: No WPM was detected in whole blood, but WPM was detected in at least one RBC component from 9 of the 18 donations. The 36 components prepared by heavy centrifugation were more likely to contain WPM than the 36 prepared by light centrifugation (50% vs. 19%; p < 0.02). The incidence of WPM was similar among RBCs stored at room temperature and 4 degrees C. Donors of RBCs with WPM had higher total cholesterol levels than donors of components without WPM (191 +/- 20 mg/dL vs. 163 +/- 32 mg/dL; p < 0.04), but there was no difference in triglyceride levels between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: WPM is an expected consequence of standard RBC manufacturing methods, but it is more frequent in RBCs prepared by heavy centrifugation and from donors with higher cholesterol levels.     

Two displaced intrauterine contraceptive devices (copper-T)

An unusual case of two displaced intrauterine contraceptive devices (copper-T) is described in a 34 years old lady. One copper-T was found in the urinary bladder with stone formation around it and the other embedded in the posterior wall of the urinary bladder. This was managed operatively and the patient made a smooth recovery.     

A CD36 nonsense mutation associated with insulin resistance and familial type 2 diabetes

Mutations in CD36 / fatty acid translocase (FAT) gene are responsible for insulin resistance in the rat but contribution to human Type 2 diabetes is unknown. A nominal evidence for linkage of familial T2D at the CD36 locus led us to identify a rare nonsense mutation c.1079T>G (p.L360X) in one Caucasian pedigree presenting with autosomal dominant diabetes. Adiponectin levels, as marker of insulin sensitivity, were found to be significantly lower in the p.L360X variant carriers compared to homozygous for wild type CD36. Furthermore, expression studies of the truncated protein showed a defective binding of acetylated-LDL. Thus, our findings suggest a possible role for CD36 in the pathogenesis of T2D associated with reduced insulin sensitivity.