Selenium improves cardiac function by attenuating the activation of NF-kappaB due to ischemia-reperfusion injury

Although selenium, an essential trace element and a component of glutathione peroxidase, is known to protect the heart from ischemia-reperfusion (I/R)-induced injury, the mechanisms of this protection are not fully understood. For this purpose, isolated rat hearts were subjected to 30 min of global ischemia followed by 30 min of reperfusion; sodium selenite (25-1,000 nM) was added in the perfusion medium 10 min prior to ischemia, as well as during reperfusion. Selenium caused a dose-dependent improvement in cardiac performance and attenuated the decrease in the ratio of reduced glutathione to oxidized glutathione, as well as the increased level of malondialdehyde in I/R heart. Elevated ratios of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) in particulate and cytosolic fraction and of phosphorylated NF-kappaB and total NF-kappaB in I/R hearts were reduced by selenium. Cardiac dysfunction in hearts perfused with xanthine plus xanthine oxidase mixture, as well as hydrogen peroxide, or subjected to Ca2+ paradox was also attenuated by selenium. These data suggest that selenium protects the heart against I/R injury due to its action on the redox state and deactivation of NF-kappaB in I/R hearts.     

Susceptibilities of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to isoniazid and rifampin on blood agar

In this study, blood agar was used instead of 7H10 agar for the susceptibility testing of 34 clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RIF) in accordance with the NCCLS. The BACTEC 460 TB system (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, Md.) was used as a "gold standard." Results for both media were in agreement for RIF and INH at 100 and 94.1%, respectively. For INH, the specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were found to be 71.4, 100, 93.1, and 100%, respectively, while these values were 100% for RIF. In addition, the results of the susceptibility test performed with blood agar were obtained on day 14 of incubation. In conclusion, results were obtained much earlier with blood agar (2 weeks) than with 7H10 agar (3 weeks), and the results of this study suggest that blood agar may be used as an alternative medium for the susceptibility testing of M. tuberculosis to INH and RIF.     

Results of rhabdomyosarcoma treatment in a developing country

Fifty-one children (median age: 4.5 years; 4 months-16 years) diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma were treated in our center between 1980-1999. The primary sites were head and neck in 31.4%, the genito-urinary system in 21.6%, and extremities in 9.8% of the patients. The histopathologic subtypes were embryonal in 80.4%, alveolar in 9.8%, and undifferentiated in 9.8%. The majority of the patients were considered group III (47%) and group IV (25.5%) according the criteria of the Intergroup Rhabdomyosarcoma Study (IRS). Primary total tumour resection was performed in only 27.5% of the patients. The patients were treated with assigned regimens of IRS II and IRS III protocols. Radiotherapy was applied to 92.1% of the patients. Thirty-four patients (66.7%) were lost to follow up, and of the remaining 17 patients, 7 patients (41.2%) died, relapse occurred in 9 patients (52.9%) and 10 patients (58.8%) are alive. The percentage of cases lost to follow up during the first 10 years and the following 9 years of the study were 77.4% and 50%, respectively. In compliance with cancer treatment remains a major problem in developing countries.     

Protective effect of lycopene against ochratoxin A induced renal oxidative stress and apoptosis in rats

This study was designed to investigate the possible protective effect of lycopene against the renal toxic effects of OTA. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (<200 g, n = 6) were treated with OTA (0.5 mg/kg/day) and/or lycopene (5 mg/kg/day) by gavage for 14 days. Histopathological examinations were performed and apoptotic cell death in both cortex and medulla was evaluated by TUNEL assay. Besides, biochemical parameters and activities of renal antioxidant selenoenzymes [glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR)], catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD); concentrations of total glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were measured. OTA treatment was found to induce oxidative stress in rat kidney, as evidenced by marked decreases in CAT (35%) activity and GSH levels (44%) as well as increase in SOD activity (22%) vs control group. Furthermore, TUNEL analysis revealed a significant increase in the number of TUNEL-positive cells in cortex (49%) and medulla (75%) in OTA administrated group compared to control (p < 0.05). Lycopene supplementation with OTA increased GPx1 activity and GSH levels, and decreased apoptotic cell death in both cortex and medulla vs. control. The results of this study showed that at least one of the mechanisms underlying the renal toxicity of OTA is oxidative stress and apoptosis is the major form of cell death caused by OTA. Besides, our data indicate that the natural antioxidant lycopene might be partially protective against OTA-induced nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress in rat.     

Pneumatosis Cystoides Intestinalis Associated with Perforated Chronic Duodenal Ulcer and Meckel’s Diverticulum

A case of pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI) associated with perforated duodenal ulcer and Meckel’s diverticulum is presented. The patient was managed with direct suturing of the perforation and reinforcement with an omental patch. Meckel’s diverticulum was excised. PCI was followed up and disappeared postoperatively in the 4^th week.     

Humoral immune response to MUC5AC in patients with colorectal polyps and colorectal carcinoma

Background  

MUC5AC is a secreted mucin aberrantly expressed by colorectal polyps and carcinoma. It has been hypothesized that aberrant expression of MUC5AC in colorectal carcinoma tissues increased the overall survival of patients with colorectal carcinoma. The present study investigates the incidence of naturally occurring MUC5AC antibodies in the sera of normal individuals, patients with colonic polyps and patients with advanced colorectal carcinoma. A second aim was to determine the relationship of MUC5AC antibody with the prognosis of colorectal carcinoma.     

The effects of di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate on rat liver in relation to selenium status

This study was performed to determine the hepatotoxicity of di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) in relation to selenium status. In 3‐week‐old Sprague‐Dawley rats, selenium deficiency was induced by a ≤0.05 selenium mg/kg. A selenium supplementation group was given 1 mg selenium/kg diet for 5 weeks. Di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate‐treated groups received 1000 mg/kg dose by gavage during the last 10 days of the experiment. Histopathology, peroxisome proliferation, catalase (CAT) immunoreactivity and activity and apoptosis were assessed. Activities of antioxidant selenoenzymes [glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPx1), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4), thioredoxin reductase (TrxR1)], superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione S‐transferase (GST); aminotransferase, total glutathione (tGSH), and lipid peroxidation (LP) levels were measured. Di(2‐ethylhexyl)phthalate caused cellular disorganization while necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration were observed in Se‐deficient DEHP group (DEHP/SeD). Catalase activity and immunoreactivity were increased in all DEHP‐treated groups. Glutathione peroxidase 1 and GPx4 activities decreased significantly in DEHP and DEHP/SeD groups, while GST activities decreased in all DEHP‐exposed groups. Thioredoxin reductase activity increased in DEHP and DEHP/SeS, while total SOD activities increased in all DEHP‐treated groups. Lipid peroxidation levels increased significantly in SeD (26%), DEHP (38%) and DEHP/SeD (71%) groups. Selenium supplementation partially ameliorated DEHP‐induced hepatotoxicity; while in DEHP/SeD group, drastic changes in hepatic histopathology and oxidative stress parameters were observed.     

The Abbé island flap for the reconstruction of severe secondary cleft lip deformities

Primary repair of the cleft lip is often associated with secondary deformities, which require revision and secondary reconstruction. Patients with one or all of the following, a tight lip restricting use of orthodontic appliances, absence of a Cupid's bow, or absence of vermilion tubercle, were treated with the Abbé island flap. A triangular muco-musculo-cutaneous island flap was designed in the central segment of the lower lip. A full-thickness incision of skin, muscle, and mucosa was made in the midline of the upper lip, dividing the lip into two segments, and the island Abbé flap was inserted. One week after surgery, the pedicle of the island flap was divided and the inset of the flap completed. Sixty patients with severe secondary cleft lip deformities (36 males and 24 females) were treated. Good aesthetic and functional results were achieved during 1 to 17 years of follow-up. Insertion of the Abbé flap resulted in release of the tight upper lip and a new, inconspicuous scar. Use of orthodontic appliances was facilitated, and tightness of the tissue, which restricted the expansion of the alveolar process, was eliminated. Adequate tissue was transferred to the upper lip, which improved the bulk of the lip and vermilion tubercle. The retrusion of the midface and the projection of the upper lip were also improved, and the upper and lower lips became better balanced. Donor site morbidities were insignificant. Use of the Abbé flap in selected patients resulted in successful reconstruction of secondary cleft lip deformities.