Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis of HER-2/neu in brushings of normal oral mucosa

Oncogene alterations have been clearly demonstrated to be related to the carcinogenesis and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). However, the analysis of these alterations for screening and early diagnostic purposes generally requires invasive techniques for surgical removal of pathological epithelium. The aim of the present study was to assess the feasibility of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis of HER-2/neu amplification in oral mucosa brushings and to compare the HER-2/neu status with the history and smoking and drinking habits of healthy subjects. Cells obtained by centrifugation of oral brushings from 21 subjects (overall no. of cells: 5125) were suspended in physiological saline and fixed onto two slides for cytological evaluation and FISH analysis (dual-target, dual-color fluorescence assay) of the HER-2/neu gene and CEP17 centromere. A mean of 89.8% of the cells showed two HER-2/neu signals and a mean of 94% had two CEP17 signals at fluorescent microscopy. Finally, a mean of 96% of cells with HER-2/neu / CEP17 had a ratio equal to 1. No association between smoking and drinking habits, age and the HER-2/neu and CEP17 characteristics evaluated by FISH was found.     

Clinical outcome of bonded partial indirect posterior restorations on vital and non-vital teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Clinical Oral Investigations - The survival rate of indirect partial adhesive restorations on vital versus endodontically treated teeth is still controversial. The hypothesis is that there may be a...     

Novel PEG-coated niosomes based on bola-surfactant as drug carriers for 5-fluorouracil

Innovative niosomes made up of α,ω-hexadecyl-bis-(1-aza-18-crown-6) (bola), Span 80® and cholesterol (2:5:2 molar ratio) are proposed as suitable delivery systems for the administration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), an antitumoral compound largely used in the treatment of breast cancer. The bola-niosomes, after sonication procedure, showed mean sizes of ~200 nm and a loading capacity of ~40% with respect to the amount of 5-FU added during the preparation. Similar findings were achieved with PEG-coated bola-niosomes (bola, Span 80®, cholesterol, DSPE-mPEG2000, 2:5:2:0.1 molar ratio respectively). 5-FU-loaded PEG-coated and uncoated bola-niosomes were tested on MCF-7 and T47D cells. Both bola-niosome formulations provided an increase in the cytotoxic effect with respect to the free drug. Confocal laser scanning microscopy studies were carried out to evaluate both the extent and the time-dependent bola-niosome-cell interaction. In vivo experiments on MCF-7 xenograft tumor SCID mice models showed a more effective antitumoral activity of the PEGylated niosomal 5-FU at a concentration ten times lower (8 mg/kg) than that of the free solution of the drug (80 mg/kg) after a treatment of 30 days.     

Bovine serum albumin nanospheres carrying progesterone inclusion complexes

Bovine serum albumin nanospheres carrying cyclodextrin complexes for the delivery of progesterone were produced. Inclusion complexes composed of progesterone and hydroxypropyl-β -cyclodextrin or dimethyl-β -cyclodextrin were prepared by spray-drying or freeze-drying methods. Prog alone and its inclusion complexes were incorporated into bovine serum albumin nanospheres using a coacervation method and cross-linking with heating. The nanosphere suspensions were essicated by spray-drying or freeze-drying. The inclusion complexes and the nanospheres were characterized by Fourier Transform-Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Phase-solubility diagrams and stability constants were determined in distilled water at different temperatures (10, 25, and 37°C). Size of nanospheres, their drug loading capacity and swelling ability were evaluated, as well as the in vitro controlled release profiles at pH 5.5 and 7.4.     

Epidemiology of female ano-genital condylomata acuminata. In relation to the presence of specific types of the human papillomavirus]

The presence of 7 human papillomavirus (HPV) types in genital condylomata acuminata (GCA) from 94 otherwise healthy women was detected by in situ hybridization, employing 3 different DNA probe cocktails (6/11, 16/18 and 31/35/51). HPV+ and HPV- GCA did not differ significantly as to the multiplicity and site of lesions, nor the prevalence of younger age, previous pregnancies or abortions, oral contraception, concurrent vaginal infection, aspecific PAP-test abnormalities and cutaneous hypo-anergy. Of note is that 13/18 HPV+ GCA (72.2%) lodged HPV types (16, 18, 31, 35, 51) which are more commonly related to dysplastic and neoplastic lesions of the female genital tract.     

Fatty acid composition and degradation level of the oils used in canned fish as a function of the different types of fish

An experimental investigation was carried out to assess the fatty acid composition and the degradation level of the covering oil present in canned fish. The most commonly marketed canned fish types were considered (tuna, sardines, anchovies, mackerels), as well as different kinds of covering oil: extra virgin olive oil, olive oil, refined seed oil. A total of 68 samples were analyzed. Two-way analysis of variance, followed by Fisher's Least Significant Difference test for multiple comparisons, and principal component analysis were carried out to compare the effect of both type of oil used and kind of fish on oil quality. The obtained results showed the lowest extent of both hydrolytic and oxidative degradation in samples containing extra virgin olive oil. In particular, the contents of triacylglycerol oligopolymers, imputable to secondary oxidative degradation, were equal to 0.17%, 0.50% and 0.74% for extra virgin olive oil, olive oil and refined seed oil, respectively. Olive oil showed significantly higher hydrolytic degradation, with diacylglycerols equal to 3.37%, but lower oxidative degradation and trans isomers content than refined seed oil. Finally, the type of fish did not seem to influence the extent of oxidative and hydrolytic degradation, with the only exception of sardines’ covering oil. This oil, characterized by the highest polyunsaturated fatty acid content, showed the highest values of oxidized triacylglycerols (1.32%) and specific absorption at 232 (K₂₃₂, 4.030), indices of primary oxidative degradation.     

Treatment of Cutaneous Calciphylaxis with Sodium Thiosulfate

Cutaneous calciphylaxis is a potentially fatal condition characterized by calcium deposition in dermal arterioles and the subsequent development of livedo reticularis, plaques, and extremely painful ulcers. This condition may be present in up to 4% of end-stage renal disease patients. Several treatments, which mainly attempt to control calcium phosphate metabolism, are available for this condition. We describe two patients treated with sodium thiosulfate with good results. Moreover, we also performed a PubMed literature search of sodium thiosulfate treatment for calciphylaxis. We found 41 cases of which most (> 90%) presented a rapid and sustained resolution, indicating this drug is a very good candidate for the treatment of this condition.