Antiproliferative activity of biomass extract from Pseudomonas cedrina

Background: The study of plant-associated microorganisms is very important in the discovery and development of bioactive compounds. Pseudomonas is a diverse genus of Gammaproteobacteria comprising more than 60 species capable of establishing themselves in many habitats, which include leaves and stems of many plants. There are reports of metabolites with diverse biological activity obtained from bacteria of this genus, and some of the metabolites have shown cytotoxic activity against cancer cell lines. Because of the high incidence of cancer, research in recent years has focused on obtaining new sources of active compounds that exhibit interesting pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic properties that lead to the development of new therapeutic agents. Results: A bacterial strain was isolated from tumors located in the stem of Pinus patula, and it was identified as Pseudomonas cedrina. Extracts from biomass and broth of P. cedrina were obtained with chloroform:methanol (1:1). Only biomass extracts exhibited antiproliferative activity against human tumor cell lines of cervix (HeLa), lung (A-549), and breast (HBL-100). In addition, a biomass extract from P. cedrina was fractioned by silica gel column chromatography and two diketopiperazines were isolated: cyclo-(L-Prolyl-L-Valine) and cyclo-(L-Leucyl-L-Proline). Conclusions: This is the first report on the association of P. cedrina with the stems of P. patula in Mexico and the antiproliferative activity of extracts from this species of bacteria against human solid tumor cell lines.

Consideration of anticancer therapeutic agents in early gastric cancer / 中国实用外科杂志

Early gastric cancer is mainly treated withradical resection by either endoscopic resection or radical surgery. but there arestill patients finally developrecurrence and metastasis. There are arguments on how to identify these patients with poor prognosis,and how to manage the treatment,and the value and timing ofanticancer therapeutic agents. Because of low level of evidence, the current clinical guidelines are relatively vague on these questions, and oncologists differ in treatment optionin real world. The role of anticancer therapeutic agents in early gastric cancer needs to be re-examined given the advances in molecular biology,bioinformatics and new drugs.

Diversity and Bioactive Potential of Culturable Fungal Endophytes of Medicinal Shrub Berberis aristata DC.: A First Report

Bioactive natural compounds, isolated from fungal endophytes, play a promising role in the search for novel drugs. They are an inspiring source for researchers due to their enormous structural diversity and complexity. During the present study fungal endophytes were isolated from a well-known medicinal shrub, Berberis aristata DC. and were explored for their antagonistic and antioxidant potential. B. aristata, an important medicinal shrub with remarkable pharmacological properties, is native to Northern Himalayan region. A total of 131 endophytic fungal isolates belonging to eighteen species and nine genera were obtained from three hundred and thirty surface sterilized segments of different tissues of B. aristata. The isolated fungi were classified on the basis of morphological and molecular analysis. Diversity and species richness was found to be higher in leaf tissues as compared to root and stem. Antibacterial activity demonstrated that the crude ethyl acetate extract of 80% isolates exhibited significant results against one or more bacterial pathogens. Ethyl acetate extract of Alternaria macrospora was found to have potential antibacterial activity. Significant antioxidant activity was also found in crude ethyl acetate extracts of Alternaria alternata and Aspergillus flavus. Similarly, antagonistic activity of the fungal endophytes revealed that all antagonists possessed inhibition potential against more than one fungal pathogen. This study is an important step towards tapping endophytic fungal diversity for bioactive metabolites which could be a step forward towards development of novel therapeutic agents.

Emerging trends in management of propionic acidemia / Tendências emergentes no manejo da academia propiônica

Objetivo : To evaluate the therapeutic agents used during metabolic crises and in long-term management of patients with propionic acidemia (PA).Materials and methods : The records of PA patients were retrospectively evaluated.Results : The study group consisted of 30 patients with 141 admissions. During metabolic crises, hyperammonemia was found in 130 (92%) admissions and almost all patients were managed with normal saline, ≥ 10% dextrose, and restriction of protein intake. In 56 (40%) admissions, management was done in intensive care unit, 31 (22%) with mechanical ventilation, 10 (7%) with haemodialysis, 16 (11%) with vasopressor agents, and 12 (9%) with insulin. In the rescue procedure, L-carnitine was used in 135 (96%) patients, sodium bicarbonate in 116 (82%), sodium benzoate in 76 (54%), and metronidazole in 10 (7%), biotin in about one-quarter, L-arginine in one third, and antibiotics in three-quarter of the admissions. Blood/packed RBCs were used in 28 (20%) patients, platelets in 26 (18%), fresh frozen plasma in 8 (6%), and granulocyte-colony stimulating factors in 10 (7%) admissions. All patients were managed completely/partially with medical nutrition formula plus amino acid mixture, vitamins and minerals. For long-term management 24 (80%) patients were on L-carnitine, 22 (73%) on sodium benzoate, 6 (20%) on biotin, one half on alkaline therapy and 4 (13%) on regular metronidazole use. Almost all patients were on medical formula and regular follow-up.Conclusion : Aggressive and adequate management of acute metabolic crises with restriction of protein intake, stabilization of patient, reversal of catabolism, and removal of toxic metabolites are essential steps. Concerted efforts to ensure adequate nutrition, to minimize the risk of acute decompensation and additional therapeutic advances are imperative to improve the outcome of PA patients. Arq Bras Endocrinol Metab. 2014;58(3):237-42.

Objetivo : Avaliar os agentes terapêuticos usados durante as crises metabólicas e para o manejo de longo prazo de pacientes com academia propiônica (AP).Materiais e métodos : Avaliação retrospectiva das fichas médicas de pacientes com AP.Resultados : O grupo estudado consistiu de 30 pacientes com 141 hospitalizações. Durante as crises metabólicas, a hiperamonemia foi observada em 130 (92%) pacientes hospitalizados e quase todos foram tratados com solução salina regular, ≥ 10% dextrose e restrição da ingestão de proteína. Em 56 (40%) das hospitalizações, o manejo foi feito na unidade de terapia intensiva, 31(22%) com ventilação mecânica, 10 (7%) com hemodiálise, 16 (11%) com vasopressores e 12 (9%) com insulina. Para o resgate, a L-carnitina foi usada em 135 (96%) pacientes, o bicarbonato de sódio em 116 (82%), o benzoato de sódio em 76 (54%), o metronidazole em 10 (7%), a biotina em cerca de um quarto, a L-arginina em um quarto e antibióticos em três quartos dos pacientes hospitalizados. Sangue/concentrado de hemácias foram usados em 28 (20%), plaquetas em 26 (18%), plasma fresco congelado em 8 (6%) e fatores estimulantes de colônias de granulócitos em 10 (7%) pacientes hospitalizados. Todos os pacientes foram manejados completamente/parcialmente com fórmula de nutrição hospitalar mais uma mistura de aminoácidos, vitaminas e minerais. Para o manejo de longo prazo, 24 (80%) dos pacientes foram tratados com L-carnitina, 22 (73%) com benzoato de sódio, 6 (20%) com biotina, a metade com tratamento alcalino e 4 (13%) com uso regular de metronidazole. Quase todos os pacientes foram tratados com fórmulas médicas e acompanhamento regular.Conclusão : O manejo adequado e agressivo de crises metabólicas com restrição da ingestão de proteína, ...

Therapeutic Approaches for Preserving or Restoring Pancreatic beta-Cell Function and Mass

The goal for the treatment of patients with diabetes has today shifted from merely reducing glucose concentrations to preventing the natural decline in beta-cell function and delay the progression of disease. Pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction and decreased beta-cell mass are crucial in the development of diabetes. The beta-cell defects are the main pathogenesis in patients with type 1 diabetes and are associated with type 2 diabetes as the disease progresses. Recent studies suggest that human pancreatic beta-cells have a capacity for increased proliferation according to increased demands for insulin. In humans, beta-cell mass has been shown to increase in patients showing insulin-resistance states such as obesity or in pregnancy. This capacity might be useful for identifying new therapeutic strategies to reestablish a functional beta-cell mass. In this context, therapeutic approaches designed to increase beta-cell mass might prove a significant way to manage diabetes and prevent its progression. This review describes the various beta-cell defects that appear in patients with diabetes and outline the mechanisms of beta-cell failure. We also review common methods for assessing beta-cell function and mass and methodological limitations in vivo. Finally, we discuss the current therapeutic approaches to improve beta-cell function and increase beta-cell mass.

Advances in molecular pathogenesis and clinical therapy of multiple myeloma: a 2013 EHA annual meeting press releases / 白血病·淋巴瘤

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a genetically complex disease that is becoming more common in today' s aging population.In the 18th European Hematology Association (EHA) annual meeting,there were a number of key topics focusing on the development of MM from intraclonal heterogeneity,novel therapeutic agents,and relapse and refractory MM therapy,etc.

Mushrooms as therapeutic agents

Mushrooms have been known for their nutritional and culinary values and used as medicines and tonics by humans for ages. In modern terms, they can be considered as functional foods which can provide health benefits beyond the traditional nutrients. There are monographs that cover the medicinal and healing properties of some individual traditional mushrooms. There has been a recent upsurge of interest in mushrooms not only as a health food which is rich in protein but also as a source of biologically active compounds of medicinal value which include complementary medicine/dietary supplements for anticancer, antiviral, hepatoprotective, immunopotentiating and hypocholesterolemic agents. However the mechanisms of the various health benefits of mushrooms to humans still require intensive investigation, especially given the emergence of new evidence of their health benefits. In the present paper the medicinal potential of mushrooms is being discussed.

Advance on the research and clinical treatment of gastrointestinal stromal tumors / 中国癌症杂志

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs) are rarely one of gastrointestinal carcinomas that originate from mesenchymal tissue.GISTs are characterized by expression of CD117 receptor in cells and have variable biological phenotypes ranging from benign to highly malignant.The most common complaints of patients with GISTs are abdominal pain,peptic ulcer,bleeding or/and obstruction in digestive tract.GISTs have an extraordinarily high rate of recurrence after surgical resection and are highly resistant to radiation and standard chemotherapy.The imatinib mesylate(Gleevec) is a selective inhibitor of the tyrosine kinase receptor.The outcome for the patients with GISTs treated by Gleevec was promising in terms of immediate response and survival fraction.Recent research shows that a new targeting therapeutic agent,SU11248,can prolong the survival time of the patients with GISTs who were resistant to Gleevec therapy.

Design and Clinical Application of Safe Air-Pressure Reduction System for Intussusception

PURPOSE: This study was performed to design a safe air-pressure reduction system which can absorb rapidlyrising intraluminal pressure during intussusception, and comparison with other reduction systems to test itsclinical availability. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The air-pressure reduction system consisted of a pressure gauge,air insufflators, a pressure controller, buffers, and rapid exhaustion devices, and to determine itsabsorbability, it was connected with a bowel model. By using it in 20 infants with intussusception, we comparedthe absorbability of our air-pressure reduction system with preexisting systems. RESULTS: While extraluminalpressure was applied to the bowel model in which baseline intraluminal pressure was set to 120mmHg, this rose to176mmHg (56mmHg high to standard, 100%) in the direct infusion system, but to only 130 mmHg (10mmHg high tostandard, 17.9%) in a system connected to a large buffer of 10,500 mL capacity. Immediately after the applicationof extraluminal pressure for less than 1 sec, this air-pressure reduction system showed better absorbability thanthe hydrostatic reduction system. Applying this system to 20 infants with intussusception, this was successfullyreduced in 19 cases(95%), without complications. CONCLUSION: In this experiment, it was proved that the systemabsorbed rapid intraluminal pressure elevation. Its use would help prevent bowel perforation during air reductionoccurring during intussusception.