Low-dose curcuminoid-loaded in dextran nanobubbles can prevent metastatic spreading in prostate cancer cells.

Preventing recurrences and metastasis of prostate cancer after prostatectomy by administering adjuvant therapies is quite a controversial issue. In addition to effectiveness, absence of side effects and long term toxicity are mandatory. Curcuminoids (Curc) extracted with innovative techniques and effectively loaded by polymeric nanobubbles (Curc-NBs) satisfy such requirements. Curc-NBs showed stable over 30 d, were effectively internalized by tumor cells and were able to slowly release Curc in a sustained way. Significant biological effects were detected in PC-3 and DU-145 cell lines where Curc-NBs were able to inhibit adhesion and migration, to promote cell apoptosis and to affect cell viability and colony-forming capacity in a dose-dependent manner. Since the favourable effects are already detectable at very low doses, which can be reached at a clinical level, the actual drug concentration can be visualized and monitored by US or MRI, Curc-NBs can be proposed as an effective adjuvant theranostic tool.

Pneumoperitoneum.

Pneumoperitoneum results from perforation of the gastrointestinal tract in the majority of instances and the necessity of operative treatment is implied. In patients where peritonitis is not a problem, nonoperative treatment is successful. Surgical treatment is not required for those in whom the condition results from barotrauma. The decision to enjoin or withhold operative intervention in individual cases is judgmental.

Hemicorporectomy: a collective review.

Hemicorporectomy or translumbar amputation has been described as the most revolutionary of all operative procedures. Frederick E. Kredel, who first voiced the concept of the operation in 1950, referred to it as halfectomy. Demonstration of his cadaver studies established the feasibility of the operation. Amputation is effected through the lower lumbar area of the body. Necessary life functions are preserved in the upper torso. Kredel envisioned hemicorporectomy as a curative operation for locally advanced cancer, limited to the pelvis, not encompassable by standard operative intervention. Additional indications are intractable decubitus ulcers with malignant change, particularly in paraplegics; pelvic organs, and bone infection with nonhealing fistulae; and crushing trauma to the pelvis. The first hemicorporectomy operation was reported in 1960. Thirty-four operations have been recorded in the world literature. Two heretofore unreported cases are added, raising the total to 36. Review of these 36 cases confirms the conviction that hemicorporectomy is a humane and ethical alternative to the suffering encumbered by advancing, painful, malodorous malignant disease not treatable by conventional means. While cure rates are not substantial, the best results are reported in paraplegics with intractable decubitus ulcers with or without malignancy. Rehabilitation is prolonged and costly. Most survivors have been restored to preoperative occupations or other gainful employment.

Anti-HBc polymeric IgA antibodies in serum from acute hepatitis B patients.

Serum anti-HBc IgA antibodies can be demonstrated in acute hepatitis B patients. At first, they are mainly polymeric (p-IgA), whereas monomeric IgA (m-IgA) become detectable 3 months later. In most cases, anti-HBc IgA cannot be demonstrated after 6-12 months. From a diagnostic point of view, specific p-IgA can be regarded as a marker of active infection but, compared to IgM, their demonstration is more difficult.

[Specific IgA in the serological diagnosis of viral infections]. / Le IgA specifiche nella diagnosi sierologica delle infezioni virali.

In acute viral infections, specific IgM antibodies appear early and persist for a short period of time; by contrast IgG antibodies persist longer. The diagnostic significance of specific serum IgA is still discussed. We observed that in acute systemic infections, serum IgA appear early and are mainly polymeric (p-IgA) whereas monomers (m-IgA) appear in late convalescence. On the other hand, in secondary infections or in reinfections these immunoglobulins are mainly represented by monomers. In mucosa confined infections, serum IgA are almost absent suggesting that their synthesis is not related to mucosal stimulation.

Liver tumor in long-term user of oral contraceptives.

Oral contraceptives are implicated in the development of some liver tumors. Paralleling the widespread use of these drugs has been an increase in reported cases of hepatic cell adenomas. Large, multiple tumors, often manifested by spontaneous rupture and hemoperitoneum, have been associated with prolonged use of oral contraceptives. When use of oral contraceptives is discontinued, the hepatic cell adenoma regresses.

PIP: A 36 year old obese and hypertensive woman visited her family physician because she felt dizzy and generally weak for 3 days. Even though she had been advised to stop taking the combined oral contraceptive (OC) containing 50 ug ethinyl estradiol and .5 mg norgestrel, at the time she consulted the physician she had been using it for 6 years. Upon admission to a South Carolina hospital, she stopped taking the OC. After appropriate treatment, her condition soon stabilized. The next day, however, she had a fever of 39.44 degrees Celsius, abdominal pain, generalized abdominal tenderness, and rebound tenderness. These symptoms continued through a 2nd day and a laparotomy was warranted. A 15x10 cm hepatic cell adenoma on the right lobe of the liver caused hemorrhaging in the peritoneal cavity. In addition, a 5-6 cm mass was found on the inferior surface of the left lobe. A liver spleen scan 3 weeks following surgery indicated diminished activity at the tumor site on the right lobe. 1 1/2 years later, physicians excised the now reduced tumor (4x2 1/2 cm) on the left lobe and the right lobe adenoma had necrotized and regressed. 15 months following excision of the left lobe tumor, a needle liver biopsy showed a mild, fatty change in the liver. No further liver problems have developed. Research demonstrates that prolonged use of OCs predisposes women to the development of hepatic cell adenoma, and large multiple tumors are associated with especially lengthy use. Research also indicates that when OC use stops, these tumors regress, but can reoccur if OC use or any estrogen therapy is reinstituted or if pregnancy occurs.

Interferon gamma does not induce antiviral resistance in T lymphocytes.

We compared the activity of human recombinant alpha and gamma interferons (IFNs) on normal T lymphocytes and various T cell lines. IFN gamma, unlike IFN alpha, did not promote the antiviral state in these cells, or induce the activity of 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase. The lack of antiviral effect was observed using an RNA virus (VSV) and a DNA virus (HSV, type 1) as challenger viruses.

Specific serum IgA in rotavirus gastroenteritis.

Virus-specific serum IgM, IgA, and IgG were detected by ELISA in sera obtained from children with rotavirus gastroenteritis and fractionated by gel filtration. Specific IgM and IgG could be easily demonstrated, whereas IgA were very low. Moreover, polymeric IgA (p-IgA) were not present, whereas in the immune response against viruses causing systemic infections, they are synthetised in large amounts.

[Stability of specific antibodies in blood collected on filter paper disks]. / Stabilita degli anticorpi specifici nel sangue essiccato su carta da filtro.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and M (IgM) stability in serum samples collected on filter paper disks and stored at different temperatures was evaluated. IgG and IgM concentration measured by immunonephelometry was fairly stable for 4 weeks at 4 degrees C, whereas it decreased to about 50% of total at room temperature and at 37 degrees C. By ELISA, no significative loss in antibody activity of IgG was observed after 6 months at 4 degrees C. At 37 degrees C the loss was greater but still acceptable. Antibody activity of IgM decreased more rapidly than that of IgG: IgM were stable at -20 degrees C, whereas had a significative loss of activity after 5 weeks both at 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C. Finally, it is to note that a storage in saturated water vapour seems not to interfere with immunoglobulins stability.