Metabolite profiling and antidiabetic attributes of ultrasonicated leaf extracts of Conocarpus lancifolius

Objective: To profile the secondary metabolites and to evaluate the antidiabetic potential of hydroethanolic leaf extracts of Conocarpus lancifolius.Methods: The various hydroethanolic extracts o f Conocarpus lancifolius leaf were prepared by ultrasonication assisted freeze-drying. Total phenolic contents, flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitions of leaf extracts were determined. The metabolite profiling was accomplished by UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis. The antidiabetic assessment of the most potent extract was carried out by measuring the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect in the high fat diet-fed diabetic albino mice. The blood glucose level, haemoglobin, total cholesterol, high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL) were determined. Results: The 60％ ethanolic extract exhibited the highest phenolic and flavonoid contents of (349.39 ± 2.13) mg GAE/g dry extract and (116.95 ± 2.34) mg RE/g dry extracts, respectively, and the highest DPPH scavenging activity with an IC50 value of (32.87 ± 1.11) μg/mL. The IC50 values for α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibitions were (38.64 ± 0.93) μg/mL and (44.80 ± 1.57) μg/mL, respectively. UHPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS analysis confirmed the presence of gallic acid, ellagic acid, corilagin, kaempherol-3-O-rutinoside, caffeic acid derivative, isorhamnetin and galloyl derivatives in the 60％ ethanolic extract. Plant extract at a dose of 450 mg/kg body weight reduced blood glucose level, total cholesterol, LDL and HDL, and increased haemoglobin in alloxan-induced diabetic mice, Conclusions: Conocarpus lancifolius leaves are proved as a good source of biologically functional metabolites and possess antidiabetic activity which may be further explored to treat diabetes.

Perioperative complications of transurethral resection of the prostate according to clavien classification system

Purpose: The aim of the study was to evaluate the applicability of the modified Clavien classification system [CCS] in grading perioperative complications of transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP]

Methods: All patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia submitted to monopolar TURP from January 2011 to February 2013 at hospitals of Damascus University were evaluated for complications occurring up to the end of the first postoperative month. All complications were classified according to the modified CCS. If multiple complications per patient occurred, categorization was done in more than one grade. Results were presented as complication rates per grade

Results: Forty-four complications were recorded in 31 out of 198 patients [overall perioperative morbidity rate: 15.7%], and their grading was generally easy, non-time-consuming and straightforward. Most of them were classified as grade I [59.1%] and II [29.5%]. Higher grade complications were scarce [grade III: 2.3% and grade IV: 6.8%, respectively] There was one death [grade V: 2.3%] due to acute myocardial infarction [overall mortality rate: 0.5%]. Negative outcomes such as mild dysuria during this early postoperative period or retrograde ejaculation were considered sequelae and were not recorded. Nobody was complicated with severe dysuria. There was one reoperation due to residual adenoma [0.5%]

Conclusions: The modified CCS represents a straightforward and easily applicable tool that may help urologists to classify the complications of TURP in a more objective and detailed way. It may serve as a standardized platform of communication among clinicians allowing for sound comparisons

[Results of prostate pathology in patients undergoing radical cystectomy]

Radical cystectomy is the most effective therapeutic approach for patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Due to the incidence of sexual and continence complications associated with this procedure, alternative techniques such as cystectomy with partial prostatectomy have been described in selected cases in order to reduce complications. To evaluate the possible oncological risks of prostate-sparing cystectomy, and to determine the associated pathological findings in the prostate for patients with invasive bladder cancer treated by radical cystoprostatectomy.Between 1/1/2009 and 30/6/2010, 146 patients with urothelial bladder carcinoma who were candidates for Radical cystectomy were retrospectively evaluated. Patient and tumor characteristics were evaluated.The median patient age was 62 years [range: 38-72]. Prostatic adenocarcinoma was detected in 5 of the 146 [3.42%] patients. There was prostatic involvement as a result of direct invasion by the primary bladder tumor in 10 cases [6.85%]. Concomitant transitional cell carcinoma of the prostatic urethra was detected in 9 specimens [6.17%]. Additional findings were high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia in 6 patients [4.11%] and benign prostatic hyperplasia in 98 [67.12%]. The percentage of incidentally detected Prostatic adenocarcinoma in radical cystectomy specimens in our study is much lower than the reported rates in Western countries. Using the standard technique, with thin slices taken from the whole gland, a higher incidence of prostate cancer can be discovered. Our study supplement the importance of appropriate case selection for those undergoing prostate-sparing cystectomy, and the careful selection of cystectomy and diversion type for each case depending on the clinical and pathological data

Medium optimization of protease production by Brevibacterium linens DSM 20158, using statistical approach

Various cultivation parameters were optimized for the production of extra cellular protease by Brevibacterium linens DSM 20158 grown in solid state fermentation conditions using statistical approach. The cultivation variables were screened by the Plackett-Burman design and four significant variables (soybean meal, wheat bran, (NH4)2SO4 and inoculum size were further optimized via central composite design (CCD) using a response surface methodological approach. Using the optimal factors (soybean meal 12.0g, wheat bran 8.50g, (NH4)2SO4) 0.45g and inoculum size 3.50%), the rate of protease production was found to be twofold higher in the optimized medium as compared to the unoptimized reference medium.

[Clinical and pathological characteristics of primary bladder cancer at Damascus university hospitals]

Bladder cancer is the second most common urogenital tumor. The stage, grade, number and diameter of urinary bladder cancer is an important factors in determining prognosis of the disease. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are also critical to improve survival. This retrospective study was performed to determine the clinico-pathological features of primary bladder cancer at first presentation at Damascus University hospitals. From Jan 2009 to June 2010, we retrospectively evaluated 96 patients with primary bladder cancer. All patients were evaluated with regards to clinical presentation, cystoscopic findings and histo-pathological data. Our study population [96 patients] comprised 18.75% females and 81.25% males. The median age was 62 years [range:38-72], 62 patients [64.58%] had history of cigarette smoking. Most patients [82.29%] presented with painless hematuria. Primary transitional cell carcinoma was the most common [i.e. 94.79%] histological variety of bladder carcinoma. We found that 23.96% of patients had [Ta] cancer, 41.67% had tumor with subepithelial connective tissue invasion [T1], 34.38% of patients had muscle invasive tumors [>/=T2] and 5.21% were associated with [CIS] at the time of presentation. Regional or distant metastases were found in 6.25% of patients. Well differentiated tumor [G1] was seen in 33.33% of the patients, moderately differentiated tumor [G2] was found in 29.17% and poorly differentiated tumor [G3] was found in 37.5% of the patients. Most bladder tumours in our study are TCCs, and majority of them are in T1 stage. They are more common in men than in women and the incidence increases with age. Macroscopic hematuria is the most common symptom. Awareness is needed among the public and treating physicians as they tend to neglect the symptoms of hematuria, resulting in an advanced stage of bladder cancer at presentation. And the situation can be further improved by the awareness about smoking risks, adopting proper screening programs and performing appropriate investigations

[Comparison of TNM staging of bladder cancer before and after radical cystectomy: a retrospective clinical- radiological- pathological study]

Radical cystectomy is the most effective therapeutic approach for patients with muscleinvasive bladder cancer. Accurate staging is important for treatment planning, and prognostication. This study retrospectively compared TNM staging before and after radical cystectomy in a series of patients with bladder cancer. Between 1/1/2007 and 30/12/2009, 162 patients with urothelial bladder carcinoma who were candidates for Radical cystectomy with curative intent were retrospectively evaluated. Preoperative clinical and pathological [i.e. TURBT] features were compared to pathological outcomes in the cystectomy specimen [TNM staging before and after radical cystectomy]. Our study population comprised 7.41% females and 92.59% males. The median patient age was 65 years [range: 40-73]. In 70.37% of patients radical cystectomy was indicated after the progression of an initially superficial bladder carcinoma. In the other 29.63% of patients, bladder neoplasms were muscle-invasive at the time of initial diagnosis. The median time interval between diagnosis of muscle invasion and radical cystectomy was 4 weeks [range: 0-72]. T staging of the primary tumour before radical cystectomy was recurrent multifocal [CIS] or [cT1] in 16.05%, [cT2] in 44.44%, [cT3] in 29.63% and [cT4] stage in 9.88% of patients. Whereas T staging after radical cystectomy was distributed as follows: 9.88% of patients had stage

Isolation and purification of complex II from proteus mirabilis strain ATCC 29245

A respiratory complex was isolated from plasma membrane of pathogenic Proteus mirabilis strain ATCC 29245. It was identified as complex II consisting of succinate:quinone oxidoreductase (EC 1.3.5.1) containing single heme b. The complex II was purified by ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The molecular weight of purified complex was 116.5 kDa and it was composed of three subunits with molecular weights of 19 kDa, 29 kDa and 68.5 kDa. The complex II contained 9.5 nmoles of cytochrome b per mg protein. Heme staining indicated that the 19 kDa subunit was cytochrome b. Its reduced form showed absorptions peaks at 557.0, 524.8 and 424.4 nm. The á-band was shifted from 557.0 nm to 556.8 nm in pyridine ferrohemochrome spectrum. The succinate: quinone oxidoreductase activity was found to be high in this microorganism.

[Modified method for treatment rectourethral fistulas]

To evaluate modified technique [Delorme operation] for treatment recto urethral fistules [14] were treated with this technique from 1999 to Dec 2005; the fistule was congenital in 5 patients [35.7%], traumatic in [4] patients [28.6%], iatrogenic in 2 patients, and primary in 3 patients [21.4%]. The fistule was near dentate line in 3 patients [21.4], and above it in 11 patients [78.6%]. The fistule above verumontanum in 6 patients [42.5%], and below 8 patients [57.1%]. The operation after colostomy was done trans midline perineal incision, and rectal mucosa and sub mucosa was stripping off the muscularis layer for 1-2 cm above the fistule, then closeding the orifice, the mucosa rotated by [45] degree. The success cutting and sphincter was performed in 4 patients [28.6%] rate 100% without any recurrence, and without complications. The operation was easy to done without recurrence the fistule and without complications