Hydatid cysts of the brain stem. Two cases

Cerebral hydatid cysts represent 2-3% of all intracranial masses in endemic countries. Its incidence in posterior fossa is very rare. We report two cases of brainstem location. Clinically, the lesion exhibited signs of brainstem tumor. In two patients, CT scan showed a hypodense lesion. There was no enhancement after contrast administration. One patient was explored by MRI; on precontrast images, the lesion appeared homogeneous with hyposignal intensity and smooth limits. T2 weighted MRI and post contrast examination confirmed the cyst nature of the lesion. Surgery was performed in the two patients. The cyst was first aspirated and its membrane was then removed. Post operatively, one patient died, the other one is still alive but severely affected two years later. CT scan showed total disappearance of the cyst. The clinical presentation, radiological findings and surgical procedures are discussed.     

Mouse extensor digitorum longus muscle preparation as a tool in nutrition research: a quantitative comparison to in vivo and cell culture experiments

Incubated restrained and unrestrained extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles from adult non-growing mice were evaluated as a tool in non-steady state nutrition experiments. Energy state was determined by nucleotide determinations in muscles. Protein synthesis was estimated by the amount of L-[U-14C]phenylalanine incorporated into proteins, and protein balance was measured by tyrosine release from muscle proteins. Confluent cultured L6 rat muscle cells served as a reference system in steady state without hypoxia being sensitive to growth factors and regulatory peptides at physiologic concentrations. Irrespective of medium composition, incubated EDL muscles remained in negative protein balance, being unrelated to the resting tension of the incubated muscles. Energy-rich phosphates were not restored to normal levels during incubation, but protein synthesis was not attenuated by the decline in energy state. Fractional protein synthesis (0.05-0.15%/h) remained constant for up to 6 h of EDL incubation, and was comparable to protein synthesis in cultured confluent non-proliferating myocytes (0.20-0.30%/h) and to mixed leg muscles measured in vivo (0.10-0.20%/h). Protein synthesis in incubated EDL muscles reflected alterations in muscle peptide formation in vivo following either oral provision of food or parenteral injection of insulin. EDL muscles were sensitive to in vitro exposure to both insulin (60-125 microU/mL) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) (1000 ng/mL). The sensitivity to insulin seemed to be modified by the nutritional state (starved/fed) of the animals before sacrifice. Protein synthesis in EDL muscles was less responsive to serum-containing growth factors (IGF-1, epidermal growth factor [EGF], platelet-derived growth factor [PDGF]) compared to confluent L6 muscle cells, which probably reflected different receptor expression. Our results demonstrate that protein metabolism in incubated unrestrained mouse EDL muscles reflects in vivo protein metabolism.     

Significance of serum levels of vitamin D and some related minerals in breast cancer patients

Vitamin D and calcium are involved in a wide range of proliferation, apoptosis and cell signaling activities in the body. Suboptimal concentrations may lead to cancer development. The role of phosphate in cancer metabolism is particularly relevant in breast cancer while, magnesium deficiency favors DNA mutations leading to carcinogenesis. Objectives: To determine serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and parathormone in female breast cancer patients and to assess their association with some prognostic factors in breast cancer. Design and methods: This study is done on 98 newly diagnosed female breast cancer patients and 49 age matched apparently healthy female volunteers as controls. Serum samples from all patients and controls were subjected to 25-OH Vit D, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and parathormone measurements. Results: In the breast cancer group, the median serum levels of 25-OH Vit D were 15 ng/ml, while it was 21 ng/ml in the control group. Levels of 25-OH Vit D and other tested minerals were significantly lower while calcium:magnesium (Ca:Mg) ratio, and calcium:phosphorus (Ca:P) ratio were significantly higher in the breast cancer group. Significant negative correlation was detected between phosphorus and calcium, ionized calcium , calcium magnesium ratio, and calcium phosphorus ratio. Conclusion: It is not only the deficient levels of Vit D and other related minerals, but the combination of the abnormal levels of all the studied parameters that might contribute to the development of cancer. Further studies with larger number of patient are needed.     

The aqueous extract of Olea europaea leaves protects from haematotoxicity and kidney damage induced by diclofenac in Swiss albino mice

Olea europaea leaves are one of the most widely used by-products in traditional medicine due to their biological properties. This study evaluated the antioxidant activities, and the beneficial effects of the aqueous extract of “Sahli” Olea europaea leaves on diclofenac-induced haematotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in Swiss albino mice. The mice were divided into four groups of seven each: a control group, a diclofenac-treated group, a group orally gavaged with the extract of olive leaves, and a group pre-treated with the extract of olive leaves and then injected with diclofenac. The results obtained indicated that the injection of the mice with diclofenac alone caused an extensive change in their haematological and biochemical parameters, such as red and white blood cells (RBC and WBC, respectively), platelet count (PLT), and creatinine and urea levels, a significant increase in lipid peroxidation level (TBARS) and a decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) levels. Olive leaf extract administration in the diclofenac-treated mice was found to correct and restore all the investigated parameters and protect the kidney histology by minimizing the oxidative stress induced by diclofenac in the mice tissues.

Olea europaea leaves are one of the most widely used by-products in traditional medicine due to their biological properties.     

Monoclonal antibodies raised against Xenopus p53 interact with human p73

The p53 tumor suppressor gene belongs to a multigene family that includes two paralogues, p63 and p73. The structure of the p63 and p73 genes is quite similar, but both have common activities with p53, such as DNA binding and transactivation. Both p53 and p73 bind to mdm2, but only p53 is degraded through the activity of mdm2. p63 neither binds to nor is degraded by mdm2 despite important conservation in the key interacting residues. Using a panel of monoclonal antibodies raised against human and Xenopus p53, we have been able to find several antibodies that cross-react strongly with human p73. These antibodies react both with exogenous p73 expressed in mammalian cells and with endogenous p73. Interestingly, all these antibodies react with the same epitope localized in the amino-terminus of p53, but have no cross-reaction with p63. This epitope corresponds to the exact mdm2 binding site to p53. These antibodies inhibit the interaction between either p53 or p73 and mdm2, and may be useful tools for the study of these proteins. Furthermore, our studies suggest that there exist specific spatial requirements for the interaction between p53 or p73 and mdm2.