MR Spectroscopic Evidence of Brain Injury in the Non-Diagnosed Collision Sport Athlete

With growing evidence of long-term neurological damage in individuals enduring repetitive head trauma, it is critical to detect lower-level damage accumulation for the early diagnosis of injury in at-risk populations. Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic scans of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and primary motor cortex were collected from high school American (gridiron) football athletes, prior to and during their competition seasons. Although no concussions were diagnosed, significant metabolic deviations from baseline and non-collision sport controls were revealed. Overall the findings indicate underlying biochemical changes, consequential to repetitive hits, which have previously gone unnoticed due to a lack of traditional neurological symptoms.     

The onus of cannabinoids in interrupting the molecular odyssey of breast cancer: A critical perspective on UPRER and beyond

Cannabinoids, commonly used for medicinal and recreational purposes, consist of various complex hydrophobic molecules obtained from Cannabis sativa L. Acting as an inhibitory molecule; they have been investigated for their antineoplastic effect in various breast tumor models. Lately, it was found that cannabinoid treatment not only stimulates autophagy-mediated apoptotic death of tumor cells through unfolded protein response (UPR^ER) activated downstream effectors, but also imposes cell cycle arrest. The exploitation of UPR^ER tumors as such is believed to be a major molecular event and is therefore employed in understanding the development and progression of breast tumor. Simultaneously, the data on clinical trials following administration of cannabinoid is currently being explored to find its role not only in palliation but also in the treatment of breast cancer. The present study summarizes new achievements in understanding the extent of therapeutic progress and highlights recent developments in cannabinoid biology towards achieving a better cure of breast cancer through the exploitation of different cannabinoids.     

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.