Aspergillus fumigatus and Cylindrocarpon candidum fungi induced apoptosis in HepG 2 cell line through activation of caspases enzymes

Many investigations are now interested to discover naturally occurring compounds, which can be used for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Most natural products which may be used as adjuvant therapy or to reduce the side effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. More than 300 products obtained from microorganisms have antitumor activities. In the study we isolated N-[3-4-Dichlorophenyl] 2-Methyl, 2,3 Dihydroxypropio amide from Aspergillus fumigatus and 2.4.6. Triphenyl pyridine from Cylindrocarpon candidum and investigate the cytotoxic effect and apoptotic effect on HepG2 cell line. The results revealed high cytotoxic effect at the concentration of 400 micro g/ml for both N-[3-4-Dichlorophenyl] 2-Methyl, 2,3Dihydroxypropio amide and 2.4.6. Triphenyl pyridine and effect is increase with time of incubation. The apoptotic effect of both products were investigated by measurement the caspase enzymes, the results showed highest activity of caspase 3 and caspase 9. Also at concentration 400 micro g/ml in both products. From this data we observe that two isolated product have antitumor effect and this effect is related to the concentration of the products and incubation period. Also, the two products induce apoptosis through increase activation of caspase 3 and caspase 9 which lead to programmed of cell death. This study need to furthermore study on experimental animal to confirm our results

2'-Deoxycytidine as a potential biomarker for detection of hepatocellular carcinoma

Background: 2'-deoxycytidine [Dcyd] is one of four major nucleosides found in the different normal body fluids due to dissolution of dead cells, and is increase in the presence of malignancy. Previous studies proved that it can be used as a marker for bladder cancer and acute lymphoblastic leukemia. The aim of this study is to assess 2'Dcyd as a possible biological marker in hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]

Methods: four groups were evaluated for the level 2'-Dcyd as well as alpha-fetoprotein [AFP]; a control group [n = 20], 20 cases of chronic liver diseases [CLD], 20 cases of hepatitis C [HCV] 60 cases of HCC

Results: in the patients with HCC, 2'-Dcyd serum level was 8-fold higher than normal level. It was 3-fold higher in HCV group. A mild increase was noted in patients with chronic liver diseases. Levels >/= 0.14 of 2'-Dcyd had a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 90% for diagnosis of HCC. It also recorded a sensitivity and specificity of 90% for diagnosis of HCV

Conclusions: for diagnosis of HCC, 2'-Dcyd is no better than AFP, as it is elevated in viral hepatitis C. A combination of AFP and 2'-Dcyd could provide broader information in diagnosis and treatment decision

Alkaline phoshatase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and matrix metalloproteinase-8 in crevicular fluid from peri-implantitis versus chronic periodontitis patients

Peri-implantitis is an inflammatory reaction affecting the tissues surrounding osseointegrated dental implants resulting in loss of supporting bone. Recent advances in the understanding of biologic events involved in the pothogenesis of periodontitis indicating that bone mediators e.g. tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-alpha], alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and matrix metalloproteinase-8 [MMP-8] may also be operating in the pathogenesis of peri-implantitis. This study aimed to explore whether pro-inflammatory mediator TNF-alpha and markers of bone loss; ALP and MMP-8 in per-implant crevicular fluid [PICF] provide a diagnostic information as to the status of the implant. The present study evaluated 11 implants in patients having peri-implantitis and 12 without implantitis as compared to 12 patients with chronic periodontitis. The clinical assessment for all patient groups included pocket depth [PD], plaque index [PI] and gingival index [GI]. There were significant differences [p<0.05] in PI, PD and GI in peri-implantitis and periodontitis patient groups as compared to healthy implant group, while there were non significant difference between per-implantitis and periodontitis patient groups. ALP, MMP-8 and TNF-alpha were measured in gingival crevicular fluid [GCF] and PICF 2 years postoperatively. The ALP activity and MMP-8 concentration were significantly higher in periodontitis and peri-implantitis patients than healthy implant group [p<0.01, and p<0.05, respectively]. There were no statistically significant differences TNF-alpha concentration between the three study groups. There were no statistically significant differences in MMP-8 concentration and ALP activity between periodontitis group and patients with per-implantitis. The ALP activity showed a significant positive correlation with GI and PD [p<0.01]. In conclusion, the present results might suggest that ALP and MMP-8 in PICF has a possible role as a markers of peri-implantitis

study of different rigiscan patterns in diabetic impotent patients

Twelve patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus [DM] and 12 patients with non-insulin-dependent DM all with erectile dysfunction of more than one month were assessed with history taking, physical examination and nocturnal penile tumescence monitoring using the rigiscan. There was a significant difference in age between patients with insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent DM as well as between patients with abnormal and normal rigiscan results. An organic pattern was evident in 62.5% of the patients with no significant difference between insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent DM. There was no significant correlation between the different durations of DM and results of rigiscan monitoring. The different rigiscan patterns were low amplitude, uncoupling, dissociation, shortened episode and no events. There was a correlation between the clinical findings and the rigiscan patterns. It was concluded that rigiscan monitoring was recommended to differentiate between organic and psychogenic causes of ED in diabetics. It may also give a clue to the underlying organic cause, thus directing towards the specific step needed in diagnosis

Isolated asthenospermia evaluation of the possible causes in 179 infertile patients

A total of 179 patients with isolated asthenospermia as detected by semen analysis was evaluated by history, clinical and Doppler examinations and laboratory studies. These studies included microbiological culture for aerobes, anaerobes and Chlamydia trachomatis and also immunological screening to detect sperm-coated antisperm antibodies using mixed antiglobulin reaction. Transmission electron microscopy was also performed to check for any sperm tail ultrastructural anomalies. The diagnostic scheme showed that varicocele, genital infection, antisperm antibodies [AsAb] and ultrastructural tail anomalies were present in 54% of the patients as a single etiological factor. In 22.4% of the patients, these identified pathologies existed in different combinations per patient. The remaining 23.6% of the patients were grouped as idiopathic asthenospermia. In conclusion, isolated asthenospermia may be caused by several etiologies that may exist as single or multiple in the patient. Therefore, multidisciplinary approach is required during the evaluation of isolated asthenospermia

study of P53 protein expression in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma

This study aimed to highlight the role of p53 mutations in development and progress of primary cutaneous lymphoma. Cutaneous biopsies of 15 consented patients with primary cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and five normal consented volunteers have been analyzed for p53 immunoreactivity using p53 monoclonal antibodies. The results showed a significant positive correlation between intensity of CD4 monoclonal antibody staining with both nuclear and cytoplasmic p53 overexpression. Accordingly, p53 overexpression may play a role in etiopathogenesis and prognosis of cutaneous T- cell lymphoma. Thus, it may be used as a prognostic marker as well as a monitor of therapeutic response