Influence of sugars on the activity of cellulase system from two basidiomycetes cultures

Influence of some sugars was studied on activity of purified cellulase enzymes produced by two white-rot basidiomycetes cultures in submerged fermentation. Exo- and endo-glucanases were found to be stimulated by glucose, sucrose and xylose, but β-glucosidase was inhibited by all sugars tested except sucrose being neutral. Cellobiose severely inhibited all three cellulase activities at all three concentrations taken in reaction mixture.     

Toxic Clostridioides (formerly Clostridium) difficile colitis: No longer a diarrhea associated infection

BackgroundClostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is traditionally taught to be an antibiotic associated diarrheal infection. This diagnosis is based on the presence of clinical symptoms (usually defined as more than 3 watery, loose or unformed stool within 24 h) coupled with a diagnostic test. There is now a new presentation of CDI, including progression to toxic megacolon, in patients without diarrhea.MethodsWe report a case series of 9 surgical patients from a single institution who developed CDI without preceding diarrhea.ResultAll 9 patients had CDI with positive laboratory testing for C. difficile toxin. They, however, presented with a lack of or minimal bowel movements. Six patients had rapid development of abdominal distention, 1 patient had a single episode of watery stool in 3 days, while the other 2 patients presented with constipation. Seven patients received stool softeners, suppositories and/or enemas for presumed constipation. Four patients had a mild course of infection and were successfully treated medically. The other 5 patients developed toxic megacolon, and eventually required total abdominal colectomy. Out of the 5 patients that required total colectomy, 2 expired.ConclusionCDI must be suspected in patients who rapidly develop abdominal distention, vague abdominal complaints or change in bowel function even in the absence of diarrhea, especially if coupled with multi-system organ failure.     

Adenovirus-mediated p53 gene therapy in nasopharyngeal cancer

EBV-associated nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) occurs with high frequency in China and is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. To explore the potential use of adenovirus-mediated tumor suppressor p53 gene therapy In NPC, we first examined the in vitro effects of p53 introduced into the NPC cell lines RPMI 2650, Fadu and Detroit 562. p21(WAF1/CIP1) induction by chemotherapy was used as a functional assay which revealed that RPMI 2650 expresses wild-type p53 whereas Fadu and Detroit 562 encode mutant p53. Infection with p53-expressing adenovirus (Ad-p53) induced apoptosis and inhibited cell growth in all three NPC cell lines, regardless of the endogenous p53 status. Adenovirus infectivity was greatest in RPMI 2650 cells, with 100% of the cells expressing beta-galactosidase following Ad-LacZ infection using an MOI of 100, as compared to 20-30% infectivity with the other NPC lines. Using RPMI 2650 cells injected into nude mice, we developed an animal model for nasopharyngeal cancer. Established tumors (0.6-0.8 cm) were injected with 5x10(9) PFU Ad-LacZ, Ad-p53 or PBS in a 100 mu l volume. We found evidence for in vivo expression of beta-galactosidase or p53 and p21 up to two weeks following Ad-LacZ or Ad-p53 virus injection respectively. Objective regression of tumor size was observed at two weeks in 4/6 Ad-p53-treated tumors, but not in Ad-LacZ or PBS-treated tumors. The results provide an animal model for human nasopharyngeal cancer, and indicate a potential use of p53 in its therapy in vivo.     

Volumetric control of continuous haemodialysis in multiorgan failure.

The authors have developed a system for volumetric control of continuous haemodialysis. The article describes this system and reports its successful use in providing renal support in the intensive care unit to 10 patients with multiorgan failure. In addition to providing effective treatment of uraemia, it permits the precise control of fluid balance in a prospective manner ("dial-up" fluid balance) while reducing nursing workload.     

Papillary thyroid carcinoma in a thyroglossal cyst

The incidence of Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma in a Thyroglossal Cyst is rare. Only about 160 cases have been reported in the last 85 years. We report a case of Thyroglossal Cyst who underwent Sistrunk ’s Operation. The Cyst was reported to contain a focus of papillary thyroid carcinoma. In the absence of metastases in thyroid gland and neck nodes, only thyroid suppression with Thyroxine was given. After I year of follow-up there are no metastases. The importance of Sistrunk’s operation lies not only in complete removal of Thyroglossal Cyst but also in management of small foci of Papillary thyroid Carcinoma.     

Role of mangiferin on biochemical alterations and antioxidant status in isoproterenol-induced myocardial infarction in rats

The current study dealt with the protective role of mangiferin, a polyphenol from Mangifera indica Linn. (Anacardiaceae), on isoproterenol (ISPH)-induced myocardial infarction (MI) in rats through its antioxidative mechanism. Subcutaneous injection of ISPH (200 mg/kg body weight in 1 ml saline) to rats for 2 consecutive days caused myocardial damage in rat heart, which was determined by the increased activity of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase isoenzymes (CK-MB), increased uric acid level and reduced plasma iron binding capacity. The protective role of mangiferin was analyzed by triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) test used for macroscopic enzyme mapping assay of the ischemic myocardium. The heart tissue antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione transferase and glutathione reductase activities, non-enzymic antioxidants such as cerruloplasmin, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and glutathione levels were altered in MI rats. Upon pretreatment with mangiferin (100 mg/kg body weight suspended in 2 ml of dimethyl sulphoxide) given intraperitoneally for 28 days to MI rats protected the above-mentioned parameters to fall from the normal levels. Activities of heart tissue enzymic antioxidants and serum non-enzymic antioxidants levels rose significantly upon mangiferin administration as compared to ISPH-induced MI rats. From the present study it is concluded that mangiferin exerts a beneficial effect against ISPH-induced MI due to its antioxidant potential, which regulated the tissues defense system against cardiac damage.