Beneficial effect of oral administration of zinc sulfate on 5-fluorouracil-induced gastrointestinal mucositis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: This experimental study explored the potential of oral zinc sulfate to protect the gut mucosa from 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced degenerative lesions in Wistar rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Female Wistar rats were used and divided into 2 interventional groups (Z with 6 animals and F with 5 animals) and one control group (M with 5 rats). After 2 hours of fasting, group Z received via oral gavage 1.5 ml of solution, corresponding to 15 mg zinc sulfate for 9 consecutive days. Groups F and M received only the vehicles. On day 3, 400 mg/kg of 5-FU was administered intraperitoneally to groups Z and F. Tissue samples were collected from the duodenum, jejunum, colon and liver. Histological assessment for each gastrointestinal tract segment was determined semi-quantitatively by rating 11 histological features from normal (0) to severe (3). The independent groups were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and the Mann-Whitney U-test, with a Bonferroni correction for alpha (p ≤ 0.016). RESULTS: In group F the jejunum was the most affected area with a mean histological score of  27 (25-32). In the Z group, significantly lower histological scores were obtained compared with group F (duodenum Z vs. F: U = 0, p = 0.004; jejunum Z vs. F: U = 0, p = 0.006 and colon: Z vs. F: U = 0, p = 0.005). Graded liver necro-inflammatory lesions were significantly lower in group Z compared with group F (U = 0, p = 0.004), suggesting fewer bacterial intestinal translocation processes. CONCLUSIONS: Zinc sulfate has a beneficial role, decreasing the severity of gut mucosal injuries induced by 5-FU in Wistar rats.

Rifaximin modulates 5-fluorouracil-induced gastrointestinal mucositis in rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study assessed the protective potential of rifaximin in 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) induced intestinal mucositis in the Wistar rats'. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine Wistar rats were divided into 4 interventional groups of 6 animals (A, B, C and F) and one control group (M) of 5 animals. Groups A, B and C received for three days consecutively rifaximin orally: 50 mg/kg (group A), 100 mg/kg (group B) and 200 mg/kg (group C). In the fourth day, 500 mg/kg of 5-FU was administered intraperitoneally to the groups A, B, C and F. A semi-quantitative histological assessment for duodenum, jejunum and colon were obtained by rating 11 histological characteristics of mucositis from 0 (normal) to 3 (severe). Semi-quantitative grades were a measure for TLR4 immunopositive cells. Statistical comparisons used - U Test, with a Bonferroni correction for alpha (p ≤ 0.016). RESULTS: In the group F the most affected areas were the jejunum (median histological score 25) and the duodenum (median histological score 22). The assessment of duodenum histological lesions depicted significant difference between F and B groups (U = 1.5, p = 0.007) and between F and C groups (U = 0, p = 0.003). Graded microscopic degenerative lesions on jejunum were significantly different between F and C groups (U = 0, p = 0.004). Graded TLR4 immunopositive cells in the jejunum surface epithelium was significantly different between groups F and C (U = 2.5, p = 0.006). In the colonic mucosa, significantly differences were noted on microscopic degenerative lesions between F and A groups (U = 0, p = 0.004) and between F and C groups (U = 0, p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Pretreatment with 200 mg/kg of rifaximin for 3 consecutive days proved efficient in preventing intestinal mucosal degenerative lesions induced by 5-FU.

HLA Genotyping using Next Generation Sequencing.

From an oncological perspective, the second most common malignancies in children are brain tumors. Despite the recent therapeutic breakthroughs in this field, concerning surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy alike, some cases still have poor outcomes in curability. This is especially the case in patients with high-risk histological types of tumors, and those suffering from residual, remitting and disseminated diseases. Due to the unique neuroanatomical emplacement of brain tumors and their aggressive infiltrative behavior, their total removal remains a demanding task. This can be perceived in the high rates of failure treatment and disease recurrence. Furthermore, the adjacent healthy brain tissue is inevitably damaged in the surgical process of effectively removing these tumors. Thus, stem cell transplantation may be a viable solution for the clinical management of these malignancies, as proven by various recent breakthroughs. In the current concise review, we present the role of next generation sequencing in HLA typing for stem cell transplantation in primary CNS pediatric malignancies.

In vivo behavior of surface modified Ti6Al7Nb alloys used in selective laser melting for custom-made implants. A preliminary study.

The objectives of this study were to test the biocompatibility and to evaluate the osseointegration of Titanium-Aluminum-Niobium (Ti6Al7Nb) alloy used in the manufacturing of personalized implants with selective laser melting (SLM) technology and to compare the growth viability of osteoblastic-like cells on different Ti6Al7Nb alloy samples (plain, coated with hydroxyapatite or SiO2-TiO2) implanted into the cranial bone of Wistar rats. In terms of biocompatibility, the cone-beam computer-tomography head scans taken at the moment of sacrifice of each group (one, two and three months) showed no implant displacement, no osteolysis and no liquid collection around the implants. At one month, around all types of implants new bone formation was noticed, although around the plain Ti6Al7Nb implant a large amount of powder debris was present. Still, no inflammatory reaction was seen. At two months, the distance between the implants and the calvarial bone margins diminished. A thin layer of fibrous tissue was noticed around the Ti6Al7Nb implant coated with hydroxyapatite but no bone contact was achieved. In the group sacrificed at three months there was still no bone contact, but noticeable were the SiO2-TiO2. In the group sacrificed at three months SiO2-TiO2 particles detached from the implant and completely integrated in the tissue were noticeable. All results suggested that the Ti6Al7Nb alloy with or without infiltration is well biologically tolerated.

Paraneoplastic syndromes with connective tissue involvement. "It's not always lupus!".

Paraneoplastic syndromes (PNS) are remote effects of cancer that are, by definition, caused neither by invasion of the tumor or its metastases nor by infection, ischemia, metabolic and nutritional deficits, surgery or other forms of tumor treatment. The purpose of the current review was to present the challenging elements of differential diagnosis in oncology, as they may represent the main clinical problem in a patient diagnosed with cancer, even though the complete knowledge of both their clinical aspects and pathogenesis remain quite poor. This review focuses on the paraneoplastic syndromes related to dermatology and rheumatology, as the most frequent manifestations come from connective tissues that might determine a patient to ask for consultation by a general practitioner.