Kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside from Afgekia mahidoliae promotes keratinocyte migration through FAK and Rac1 activation

The restoration of the epidermal epithelium through re-epithelialization is a critical process in wound healing. Directed keratinocyte migration to the wound is required, and the retardation of this process may result in a chronic, non-healing wound. The present study contributes to research aiming to identify promising compounds that promote wound healing using a human keratinocyte model. The effects of three kaempferol glycosides from an Afgekia mahidoliae leaf extract, kaempferol-3-O-arabinoside, kaempferol-3-O-glucoside, and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, on keratinocyte migration were determined. Interestingly, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside exhibited a pronounced effect on wound closure in comparison to the parental kaempferol and other glycosides. The mechanism by which kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside enhances cell migration involves the induction of filopodia and lamellipodia formation, increased cellular levels of phosphorylated FAK (Tyr 397) and phosphorylated Akt (Ser 473), and up-regulation of active Rac1-GTP. The data obtained in this study may support the development of this compound for use in wound healing therapies.

     

Two patients with rare causes of Weber’s syndrome

We report two patients with rare causes of Weber’s syndrome and review the relevant literature. The first patient presented with Weber’s syndrome caused by a partially thrombosed giant aneurysm of the posterior cerebral artery. The second patient was an immunocompetent patient who presented with progressive hemiparesis and subsequently developed Weber’s syndrome. Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) was eventually diagnosed. To our knowledge, the association between Weber’s syndrome and PCNSL is rare.     

A twin study of the neuropsychological consequences of stimulant abuse

BACKGROUND: Previous studies document neuropsychological deficits associated with stimulant abuse, but findings are inconsistent. METHODS: We identified 50 twin pairs in which only 1 member had heavy stimulant abuse (cocaine and/or amphetamines) ending at least 1 year before the evaluation. The co-twin control research design controls for familial vulnerability and makes it easier to identify neuropsychological deficits that are consequences of stimulant abuse. Subjects were administered an extensive neuropsychological test battery organized into the following 5 functions: attention, executive functioning, motor skills, intelligence, and memory. RESULTS: Multivariate tests showed that abusers performed significantly worse than nonabusers on functions of attention and motor skills. Within each of these functions, univariate tests showed that abusers performed significantly worse on certain tests of motor skills and attention. In contrast, abusers performed significantly better on one test of attention measuring visual vigilance. Within the abuser group, higher levels of stimulant use were largely uncorrelated with neuropsychological test scores, although a few significant correlations indicated better functioning with more stimulant use. CONCLUSIONS: With ideal controls, this study demonstrates that deficits in attention and motor skills persist after 1 year of abstinence from stimulant use and raises hypotheses regarding relative strengths on a vigilance task among abusers.     

Factors affecting the experiences of drug use by adolescents in a Bangkok slum

The purpose of this research was to study the demography, financial status, social status, knowledge of amphetamines, perceived harmfulness of amphetamines, and life skills in the prevention of drug abuse in adolescents. The factors leading to drug use among young people were also studied. The study group was composed of 354 subjects aged 12 to 22 years, living in 2 slums in Bangkok. The research showed that about 7% of the sample group had used drugs before. Four percent had never used drugs, but someone had tried to talk them into using them. Almost 20% had friends who had used drugs, and 11% had friends who were still using drugs. About 13% of the adolescents in the study group had family members who used drugs and another 9% had family members who were still using drugs. In our study, we found that the most common drug group was amphetamines. On average, the participants had a low level of understanding about drug abuse, especially of the symptoms, side effects, and legal penalties. Most of the adolescents realized how harmful amphetamines and other drugs were and had a high degree life skills. Factors influencing adolescent drug use were (1) personal factors, such as monthly income/allowance and life skills; (2) family environment, such as drug abuse history in the family; and (3) social environment, such as a drug abuse history among friends. When studying the life skill factors of the adolescents, which is an independent factor capable of influencing the experience with drugs, the researchers found that the time spent with other members of the family and the family members' drug experiences were the only factors leading to life skills in the prevention of drug abuse in adolescents. In addition to letting children learn on their own, training them to acquire life skills is beneficial when faced with problematic situations. Creating relationships between adolescents and other members of the family, friends, and society can increase their life skills, diminishing the risk of drug abuse.     

Bioactivities of Jc‐SCRIP,a Type 1 Ribosome‐Inactivating Protein from Jatropha curcas Seed Coat

In this study, a type 1 RIP, designated as Jc‐SCRIP, was first isolated from the seed coat of Jatropha curcas Linn. It was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and chromatography on DEAE‐Sephacel? and CM‐cellulose columns. Purification fold of Jc‐SCRIP increased 113.8 times, and the yield was 1.13% of the total protein in the final step. It was shown to be a monomeric glycoprotein with a molecular mass of 38 938 Da, as determined by MALDI‐TOF/MS. It exhibited hemagglutination activity and possessed strong N‐glycosidase activity. The antimicrobial activity of Jc‐SCRIP was tested against nine human pathogenic bacteria and one fungus; the most potent inhibitory activity was against Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, with minimum inhibitory concentration value of 0.20 μm . Jc‐SCRIP demonstrated in vitro cytotoxicity against human breast adenocarcinoma cell line (MCF‐7), a colon adenocarcinoma (SW620), and a liver carcinoma cell line (HepG2), with IC₅₀ values of 0.15, 0.25, and 0.40 mm , respectively. The results suggested that Jc‐SCRIP may be a potential natural antimicrobial and anticancer agent in medical applications.     

Her-2/neu amplification determined by real-time quantitative PCR and its association with clinical outcome of breast cancer in Thailand

HER-2/neu has been found to be amplified or overexpressed in about 20-30% of breast cancers, in association with negative prognosticators and shortened survival. Determination of HER-2/neu status in breast-cancer patients, to select for adjuvant treatment with trastuzumab, is becoming standard breast-cancer clinical practice. This study aimed to investigate HER-2/neu status in breast-cancer by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), allowing accurate and precise quantification of HER-2/neu amplification in tumor tissues. We evaluated 112 breast-cancer samples, of which 42 (37.5%) had HER-2/neu amplification. After a mean follow-up period of 71 months, HER-2/neu amplification was found to be significantly associated with increased risk of death (HR = 6.367, 95% CI = 1.787-22.684), even after adjusting for age, clinical stage, tumor size, lymph-node status, and histologic grade. These findings support a negative prognostic role for HER-2/neu in breast-cancer survival. We suggest that real-time quantitative PCR analysis of HER-2/neu amplification represents an alternative technique for establishing HER-2/neu status in routine clinical practice.     

Antibacterial activity of polysaccharide gel extract from fruit rinds of Durio zibethinus Murr. against oral pathogenic bacteria

Aim: The polysaccharide gel (PG) extract from durian fruit rinds (Durio zibethinus Murr. “Monthong”) is a pectic polysaccharide with antibacterial activity. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro antibacterial activity of PG against oral pathogens, Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (A. actinomycetemcomitans). Methods: The inhibitory activity of PG at 50, 100, and 150 mg/mL against S. mutans (American Tissue Culture Collection 25175) and A. actinomycetemcomitans (American Tissue Culture Collection 43718) was determined after 1‐ and 5‐min exposure by broth macrodilution susceptibility test and scanning electron microscopy. Normal saline or culture broth medium and 0.1% chlorhexidine were used as negative and positive controls, respectively. Results: For 1‐min exposure, 150 mg/mL PG or 0.1% chlorhexidine significantly possessed bactericidal activity against both tested bacteria (P = 0.037), while PG at 100 mg/mL possessed significant bactericidal activity against S. mutans (P = 0.037) and inhibitory activity against A. actinomycetemcomitans (P = 0.05). Blebs, irregular‐shaped cells, and disrupted cells were found in bacteria treated with either 0.1% chlorhexidine or 50–150 mg/mL PG under scanning electron microscopy. Conclusion: The bactericidal activity of PG at 150 mg/mL against oral bacteria at 1‐min exposure suggests its possibility to be used as a natural antibacterial ingredient in oral hygiene products.     

The role of DMSA renal scintigraphy in the first episode of urinary tract infection in childhood

Objective

The role of dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) renal scintigraphy in the first episode of urinary tract infection (UTI) has been the subject of debate for many years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of voiding cystourethrography (VCUG), renal ultrasonography and DMSA renal scintigraphy and to detect renal parenchymal changes by performing DMSA renal scintigraphy at 6 months after the first episode of UTI.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted in 67 hospitalized children (46 boys, 21 girls). Mean age of the patients was 0.97 ± 1.57 years (0.02–7.26 years). All children received VCUG, renal ultrasonography and DMSA renal scintigraphy. DMSA renal scintigraphy was performed at 1 and 6 months after UTI.

Results

Of 67 children, 17 (25.4 %), 23 (34.3 %) and 20 (29.9 %) had vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), abnormal renal ultrasonography and abnormal DMSA renal scintigraphy, respectively. Unilateral hydronephrosis had a significant correlation with VUR at p value 0.024. In renal units, abnormal renal ultrasonography and hydronephrosis had significant correlations with VUR at p values 0.039 and 0.021, respectively. In patients and renal units, hydronephrosis had no significant correlation with abnormal DMSA renal scintigraphy at 1 month after UTI. However, abnormal renal ultrasonography and VUR had significant correlations with abnormal DMSA renal scintigraphy at p values 0.022 and <0.001 in patients and at p values 0.024 and <0.001 in renal units, respectively. Both in patients and renal units, VUR (Grade I–III) had no significant correlation with abnormal DMSA renal scintigraphy. However, severe VUR (Grade IV–V) had significant correlations with abnormal DMSA renal scintigraphy at p values <0.001 and <0.001, respectively. Seventeen patients underwent DMSA renal scintigraphy at 6 months after UTI. In addition, 15 (88.2 %) developed persistent renal scarring.

Conclusion

Abnormal renal ultrasonography and severe VUR identify renal parenchymal changes. DMSA renal scintigraphy in the first episode of UTI should be carried out in those patients. Abnormal DMSA renal scintigraphy at 1 month after UTI has a tendency to persist.