Acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity of a neurosteroidal alkaloid from the upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda venom

Abstract Natural compounds from marine organisms have been rarely studied for their acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activities. The aim of this study was to isolate novel compounds with antiAChE activity from the venom of upside-down jellyfish Cassiopea andromeda Forskål, 1775. The compounds of the fractionated venom on gel filtration chromatography were identified by analyzing gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy data. The structure of the isolated compound that showed the most potent antiAChE activity in a docking study was elucidated by different spectral data, including 1H NMR and 13C NMR. Three compounds, including a neurosteroidal alkaloid androtoxin B, were identified from two venom fractions. This neurosteroidal alkaloid showed strong acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity (IC50 2.24 ± 0.1 µM) compared with the reference standard, galantamine. The results obtained by a docking study demonstrated that Androtoxin B had close contact with two of the three amino acid residues of the catalytic triad of acetylcholinesterase gorge and was accommodated within a peripheral hydrophobic pocket composed of numerous aromatic site chains. In conclusion, the isolated neurosteroidal alkaloid from Cassiopea andromeda was a potent antiAChE agent with strong binding to both the catalytic and peripheral sites of acetylcholinesterase that correlated well with the experimental data. Further studies are required to determine whether androtoxin B could be a potential treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Bone single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) in a patient with Pancoast tumor: a case report / Tomografia óssea computadorizada por emissão de fóton único (SPECT) em paciente com tumor de Pancoast: um relato de caso

CONTEXT: Non-small cell lung carcinomas (NSCLCs) of the superior sulcus are considered to be the most challenging type of malignant thoracic disease. In this disease, neoplasms originating mostly from the extreme apex of the lung expand to the chest wall and thoracic inlet structures. Multiple imaging procedures have been applied to identify tumors and to stage and predict tumor resectability in surgical operations. Clinical examinations to localize pain complaints in shoulders and down the arms, and to screen for Horner's syndrome and abnormalities seen in paraclinical assessments, have been applied extensively for differential diagnosis of superior sulcus tumors. Although several types of imaging have been utilized for diagnosing and staging Pancoast tumors, there have been almost no reports on the efficiency of whole-body bone scans (WBBS) for detecting the level of abnormality in cases of superior sulcus tumors. CASE REPORT: We describe a case of Pancoast tumor in which technetium-99m methylene diphosphonate (Tc-99m MDP) bone single-photon emission-computed tomography (SPECT) was able to accurately detect multiple areas of abnormality in the vertebrae and ribs. In describing this case, we stress the clinical and diagnostic points, in the hope of stimulating a higher degree of suspicion and thereby facilitating appropriate diagnosis and treatment. From the results of this study, further clinical trials to evaluate the potential of SPECT as an efficient imaging tool for the work-up on cases of Pancoast tumor are recommended.

CONTEXTO: Carcinomas pulmonares de células não pequenas (NSCLCs) do sulco superior são considerados como o maior desafio nos tumores malignos torácicos. Nesta doença, as neoplasias se originam principalmente do ápice do pulmão e se expandem pela parede e pelas estruturas torácicas. Diversas técnicas de imagem têm sido utilizadas para identificar e estagiar os tumores, permitindo um prognóstico para a sua ressecção em procedimentos cirúrgicos. O exame clínico tem sido bastante usado para diagnóstico diferencial de tumores do sulco superior nas queixas de dores no ombro, síndrome de Horner e anormalidades observadas em exames paraclínicos. Embora diversos tipos de exames de imagem sejam utilizados para diagnóstico e estadiamento de tumores de Pancoast, praticamente não existem relatos sobre a eficácia do exame ósseo do corpo todo (WBBS) na detecção do nível de anormalidade em casos de tumores do sulco superior. RELATO DE CASO: Descrevemos um caso de tumor de Pancoast, em que foi realizada a tomografia computadorizada óssea por emissão de fóton único (SPECT) com metileno difosfonato de tecnécio-99 (Tc-99m MDP). Este exame foi capaz de detectar com acurácia as múltiplas áreas de anormalidade em vértebras e costelas. Ao descrever este caso, os autores ressaltam os pontos clínicos e diagnósticos, esperando estimular maior grau de suspeita, facilitando assim o diagnóstico e tratamento apropriados. A partir dos resultados deste trabalho, outros estudos clínicos podem avaliar o potencial do SPECT como uma ferramenta eficiente de imagem a ser recomendada na investigação de casos de tumor de Pancoast.

Concurrent increased high sensitivity C-reactive protein and chronic infections are associated with coronary artery disease: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: An elevated serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) is an independent predictor of coronary artery disease (CAD). Chronic infections have also been implicated in the pathogenesis of CAD. AIMS: To investigate how concomitant chronic infection and CRP related to electrocardiogram-defined CAD in a general population. SETTING AND DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional study, which was conducted in three Iranian ports in the northern Persian Gulf. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For evaluation of CAD, we used Minnesota coding criteria of a 12-lead resting electrocardiogram in 1,754 subjects, aged 25 years and over, selected by cluster random sampling. Sera were analyzed for IgG antibodies to Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae), Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) using ELISA. Measurement of CRP by a high-sensitivity CRP assay was done. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Multiple logistic regression analysis was used. RESULTS: None of the infectious agents (CMV, H. pylori, C. pneumoniae and HSV-1) showed a significant association with electrocardiogram-defined CAD after adjusting for sex and age. Elevated CRP levels did not show significant association with electrocardiogram-defined CAD independent of seropositivity to one of the four infectious agents, but concurrent elevated CRP levels (>10.0 mg/L) and anti-C. pneumoniae [OR = 1.68 (CI, 1.24-2.59; P=0.04)], H. pylori [OR = 1.98 (CI, 1.26-3.13; P=0.003)], CMV [OR = 1.66 (CI, 1.10-2.49; P=0.01)] or HSV-1 [OR=1.79 (CI, 1.18-2.72; P=0.006)] IgG antibodies were associated with prevalence of electrocardiogram-defined CAD in the general population, after adjustment for multiple risk factors, including age, sex and the components of the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Beyond traditional cardiovascular risk factors, concomitant chronic infection and elevated CRP are significantly correlated with electrocardiogram-defined CAD.

A school-based intervention to teach 3-4 grades children about healthy heart; the Persian Gulf healthy heart project.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular health promotion in children has the potential to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis in both the individual child and the population at large. It thus seems eminently reasonable to initiate healthful lifestyle training in childhood to promote improved cardiovascular health in adult life. AIMS: To test the hypothesis that a year long, classroom-based education for the third and fourth graders could change their knowledge scores about healthy heart. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A randomized, controlled trial in elementary schools of Bushehr/Iran. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 14 elementary schools, categorized by socioeconomic types and male and female setting were selected and randomized into control or intervention groups. Subjects were 1128 third and fourth graders, aged 9 to 10 years (49.1% boys and 50.9% girls). Over a course of 8 weeks, health educators and sport teachers of the elementary schools presented two hours sessions per week on heart function, nutrition, and exercise for healthy heart and living tobacco free for the intervention group. The education program was based on HeartPower! Program, an American Heart Association program. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test and Bonferroni correction for the two pair wise comparisons were used. RESULTS: Total heart knowledge at posttest was 25% correct higher in the intervention than in the control group (p< 0.001). Difference in means of total healthy heart knowledge scores between control and intervention group increased from 1.43 points in baseline to 4.02 points in posttest (p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the classroom-based cardiovascular health promotion had a significant effect on the heart healthy knowledge. Therefore, schools provide an excellent setting for introducing comprehensive healthy heart education and promotion of cardiovascular health to the general population.