Rho kinase inhibition ameliorates cyclophosphamide-induced cystitis in rats

Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology - Hemorrhagic cystitis often develops in patients treated with cyclophosphamide (CYP). Studies have indicated that Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitors...     

MMP-9 and MMP-2 regulation in patients undergoing non-oncological and non-vascular elective surgery independent of the use of propofol or sevoflurane

BackgroundThere is debate regarding whether inhaled sevoflurane or intravenous propofol used during anesthesia achieves the best outcome. Propofol has been shown to affect expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). MMPs are enzymes that play a role in extracellular matrix remodeling, with activity balance disturbances during surgery. The goal of this study was to compare MMP-2/9 concentrations, activity, and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) 1/2 concentrations in blood of who had undergone 2 types of anesthesia: based on volatile sevoflurane and intravenous propofol during non-oncological, non-vascular surgery.Methods39 patients were enrolled into analysis, 20 anesthetized with total intravenous anesthesia with propofol (P), 19 with volatile induction/maintenance of anesthesia with sevoflurane (S). Plasma samples collected before and 24 h after surgery were analyzed for MMP-2/9, and TIMP-1/2 concentrations using ELISAs. Additionally, MMP-2/9 activities were assessed by gelatin zymography.ResultsStudy revealed increased MMP-9 concentration (ELISA) (P:p = 0.011; S:p = 0.001) and activity (zymography) (P:p = 0.004; S:p = 0.008) in both groups 24 h after surgery. We noticed decreased (both groups) MMP-2 concentration (P:p = 0.044; S:p = 0.027) with MMP-2 activity increase (P:p = 0.002; S:p = 0.006) 24 h after surgery. We observed decreased TIMP-1 plasma concentrations (P:p = 0.002; S:p = 0.000) 24 h after procedures, while TIMP-2 plasma levels remain unchanged (P:p = 0.097; S:p = 0.172). There were no differences between concentration and activity of MMPs and TIMPs in regard to anesthetic used. Meperidine administration correlated with lower MMP-9 activity (R=-0.430; p = 0.006).ConclusionsConcluding, neither sevoflurane nor propofol used as anesthetics modulate MMP-2 and MMP-9 concentrations and activities during non-oncological, non-vascular elective surgery. Meperidine seems to decrease MMP-9 activity.     

Technology and characterization of medicinal polymer films with doxorubicin

Medicinal polymer films with the antitumor antibiotic doxorubicin have been developed for the treatment of malignant neoplasms of mucous membranes. The optimum concentration of doxorubicin in the films is 0.14 mg cm², and the optimum base material is hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. The optimum conditions of doxorubicin determination by HPLC have been established, which stipulate the use of a reverse-phase sorbent column Nova-Pak C18 (150 × 3.9 mm), an isopropanol — acetate (3: 7) buffer (pH = 4,5) as the mobile phase, and a photodiode matrix detector. The chromatographic process parameters and the characteristics of the chromatographic peak of doxorubicin have been determined. A linear dependence of the area under chromatographic peak on the drug content in a sample is valid in the interval from 0.01 to 0.6 μg. The proposed method of the quantitative determination of doxorubicin in the parent substance and ready-to-use medicinal films is characterized by high sensitivity, reproducibility, and accuracy. Using this method, the stability of the main quality parameters of the polymer films with doxorubicin is established for a 24-month storage (observation time) at 4 ± 2°C in a place protected from sunlight. It is established that the films with doxorubicin produce rather insignificant cytotoxic action on the healthy tissues of mucous membranes of the oral cavity in rabbits. __________ Translated from Khimiko-Farmatsevticheskii Zhurnal, Vol. 40, No. 12, pp. 30–34, December, 2006.     

Body composition and physiological characteristics of law enforcement officers

The physical work capacity, body composition, and physiological characteristics of 12 law enforcement officers (9 males, 3 females) were measured. Subjects included a representative sample from the occupational categories of detective, staff, investigative and patrol officer. Mean maximal oxygen uptake of the men was 42.1 +/- 8.9 ml.kg-1min-1 with mean values of 41.5 +/- 8.7 ml.kg-1min-1 for the women. Measurement of body composition indicated an average of 24.4 +/- 7.1% body fat for the men and 30.9 +/- 1.2% for the women. Muscular power, strength, and endurance as measured by isolated limb flexion-extension movement and fitness test performance was considered average with no excessive bilateral differences. The results of this study were compared with other investigations of law enforcement officers of similar age groups. The officers displayed average or above health and physical fitness scores for their age classification and were able to complete all police task-oriented tests.     

Lymphocytapheresis and lymphosorption as the methods of pathogenetic therapy of nonspecific ulcerative colitis]

The article presents an analysis of results of treatment of 41 patients with different forms of nonspecific ulcer colitis, in 18 of them drainage of thoracic lymphatic duct was used with the following lymphocytapheresis with the help of a home blood fractionator RK-0.5, SKN activated charcoal sorbents and carbohydrate fiber absorbent, lymphosorption and lymph reinfusion. The method of treatment is highly effective for critical and mild forms of ulcer colitis in patients with total and subtotal injury of the large intestine. The results were followed up during 12-30 months and demonstrated stable remission of the disease.     

Inclusive community in a diverse world: Pursuing an elusive goal through narrative‐based dialogue

How can we create spaces for building relationships where people restore integrity and justice and create sustainable communities in the century ahead? This article explores the theoretical aspects of using narrative and dialogue in the process of community building and presents the results of a local experiment. Findings demonstrate the viability of this model, while experience in planning and conducting these dialogues reveals forces that emerge to shape the concept and practice and to take the effort in sometimes diverging directions. We explore two major tensions foreshadowed in theory and evident in our case. The first tension lies between a search for coherence in contemporary discourse and a postmodern distrust for the silencing of marginal voices when such coherence emerges. The second tension lies between viewing talk and action as integrally related in community building versus viewing talk and action in opposition: one promoting inclusion of diverse views, the other promoting cohesion and commitment. We conclude by highlighting the strengths of this model while acknowledging both limitations and alternative directions that may emerge. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Current possibilities of the treatment of severe forms of nonspecific ulcerative colitis]

Treatment of patients with a severe form of nonspecific ulcer colitis with subtotal alteration of the colon is described. The disease was complicated by intestinal bleeding which could not be arrested by conservative therapy, so the Hartman operation was performed. Not traditional methods of treatment of ulcer colitis were used such as drainage of the thoracic lymph duct, lymphocytapheresis, lymphosorption, plasmapheresis which allowed to stabilize the patient's state and to perform radical proctectomy, subtotal colectomy with blind gut descended to the anal canal.     

Immunobiology of primary intracranial tumors. Part 1: studies of the cellular and humoral general immune competence of brain-tumor patients.

Cellular and humoral immune parameters were evaluated in a series of brain-tumor patients, 42 with glioblastoma multiforme, 17 with other anaplastic gliomas, and 17 with meningiomas. A degree of anergy was found, which seems in the group as a whole to be proportional to the degree of anaplasia. In addition, serial bimonthyl testing in individual cases revealed further reduction in certain immune responses coincident with clinical decline.