Anticancer activity of new 3-amino-pyrrolidinedione-nitrogen mustard derivatives on murine sarcoma 180

A 2,5-pyrrolidinedione linked nitrogen mustard derivative, (R,S)3-[N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)]-amino-1-(2'-methoxyphenyl)pyrrolidine- 2,5-dione hydrochloride (I) showed a marked antiproliferative effect on mouse Sarcoma 180. Since (I) is also active against L1210 and P388 leukaemias, its toxicity in mice was evaluated. A study of acute toxicity revealed focal liver cell necrosis. Another derivative, (R,S)3-[N,N-bis-(2-chloroethyl)]amino-1-(4'-n-butoxyphenyl)pyrrolidine- 2,5-dione dihydrate (II), which also possessed significant anticancer effect on P388 and L1210 leukaemias, was inactive against Sarcoma 180.     

The role of hemagglutinins in the midgut extracts of two lines of Aedes aegypti in their susceptibility to Dengue-2 virus

Hemagglutinin activity (HA) was studied in the midgut extracts from highly (h) and lowly susceptible strains of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes to Dengue-2 virus (DEN-2). HA in the midgut extracts from these two isofemale strains of mosquitoes was high in as compared to (h) mosquitoes. HA was found to be higher with chicken red blood cells (RBCs) than with rabbit and human RBCs of O group. Larval midgut extracts showed higher activity than those from adult female mosquitoes. Exposure of midgut extracts to 100 degrees C for 10 mins destroyed the activity. The activity was observed between pH 6 and pH 10. HA in midgut extracts was also studied using twenty different carbohydrates; five of them showed an inhibition of HA. The inhibitory carbohydrates, when incorporated into DEN-2-infected bloodmeal, showed a reduction in the susceptibility of mosquitoes to the virus as compared to the control ones fed on the virus alone. Similarly, when these carbohydrates were incorporated in the DEN-2-infected inoculum, the inoculated mosquitoes showed a reduction in the susceptibility to the virus. HA in the virus-infected midgut extracts was higher than that in the uninfected controls. These results suggest that the presence of HA in the midgut may be one of the factors that affect the susceptibility of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes to DEN-2.     

Associations between Mycoplasma genitalium,Chlamydia trachomatis and pelvic inflammatory disease

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between Mycoplasma genitalium, Chlamydia trachomatis, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) METHODS: A case-control methodology was used. Swab eluates were processed using the QIAamp DNA mini kit. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for M genitalium was carried out using a real time in-house 16S based assay. An endocervical swab was taken and tested for the presence of C trachomatis (ligase chain reaction, Abbott Laboratories), and a high vaginal swab was taken and tested for the presence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and bacterial vaginosis. RESULTS: Of the PID cases 13% (6/45) had evidence of M genitalium infection compared to none of the controls (0/37); 27% (12/45) of the cases had C trachomatis infection compared to none of the controls; and 16% (7/45) of cases only had serological evidence of C trachomatis infection compared to 5% (2/37) of controls. Cases were more likely to present with M genitalium and/or C trachomatis than controls (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that there may be an association between M genitalium and PID, and that this relation is largely independent of C trachomatis. Future studies need to investigate the pathological basis of the relation between M genitalium and PID using samples from women with PID diagnosed using laparoscopy and endometrial biopsy. Little is known about the epidemiology of M genitalium: large scale epidemiological investigations are needed to determine the prevalence, incidence, and factors associated with this emerging infection.     

Inability of amphotericin B(Fungizone) or of sodium deoxycholate to alter natural drug resistance or sensitivity of transplanted murine leukemias

The ability of Amphotericin B ('Fungizone') to alter the natural resistance of leukemia L1210 to vincristine was studied in BDF1 mice Neither Fungizone nor the "solubilizing agent" sodium deoxycholate, when used in combination with vincristine potentiated the activity of the drug against L1210. There was no change in the activity pattern of 5-fluorouracil against L1210 or vincristine against P388 lymphocytic leukemia respectively, which are sensitive to these drugs. Thus, both Fungizone and sodium deoxycholate failed to improve the activity of the drugs in either a naturally resistant or sensitive murine leukemia in vivo.     

Ipsilateral keratoconus associated with long-standing primary hydatid cyst of the orbit

Hydatid cyst is a cyclozoonotic infection of the larvae form of a platyhelminthes Echinococcus granulosus. The majority of hydatid cysts appear in the liver (65%) and lungs (25%). Kidneys and brain are other less common sites for this disease. Only 1% to 2% cases are seen in the maxillofacial region. These commonly appear as cystic lesions located in the mandible, maxillary sinus, orbit, infratemporal fossa, pterygopalatine fossa, parapharyngeal space, tongue, and parotid and submandibular salivary gland. Hydatid cysts of the orbit are rare and account for 1% of all hydatid cysts. The article presents hydatid cyst of the orbit in a 10-year-old child. Clinical features, investigations, surgical approaches, and adjuvant medical management have been emphasized. We believe that the lateral orbital route allows excellent exposure and safe removal of an intraorbital hydatid cyst located posteriorly, superiorly, and laterally without damaging the surrounding important orbital structures. Upper blepharoplasty incision results in good cosmetic outcome.     

Role of locking plates in treatment of difficult ununited fractures: a clinical study

Objective:To present our experience in treatment of difficult ununited long bone fractures with locking plate.Methods:Retrospective evaluation of locking plate fixation in 10 difficult nonunions of lon...     

Vein Involvement During Pancreaticoduodenectomy: Is There a Need for Redefinition of “Borderline Resectable Disease”?

Introduction

Current National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines recommend neoadjuvant therapy for borderline resectable pancreatic adenocarcinoma to increase the likelihood of achieving R0 resection. A consensus has not been reached on the degree of venous involvement that constitutes borderline resectability. This study compares the outcome of patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy with or without vein resection without neoadjuvant therapy.

Methods

A multi-institutional database of patients who underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy was reviewed. Patients who required vein resection due to gross vein involvement by tumor were compared to those without evidence of vein involvement.

Results

Of 492 patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy, 70 (14 %) had vein resection and 422 (86 %) did not. There was no difference in R0 resection (66 vs. 75 %, p?=?NS). On multivariate analysis, vein involvement was not predictive of disease-free or overall survival.

Conclusion

This is the largest modern series examining patients with or without isolated vein involvement by pancreas cancer, none of whom received neoadjuvant therapy. Oncological outcome was not different between the two groups. These data suggest that up-front surgical resection is an appropriate option and call into question the inclusion of isolated vein involvement in the definition of “borderline resectable disease.”