Combined antiparasitic and anti-inflammatory effects of the natural polyphenol curcumin on turbot scuticociliatosis.

The histiophagous scuticociliate Philasterides dicentrarchi is the aetiological agent of scuticociliatosis, a parasitic disease of farmed turbot. Curcumin, a polyphenol from Curcuma longa (turmeric), is known to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the in vitro effects of curcumin on the growth of P. dicentrarchi and on the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in turbot leucocytes activated by parasite cysteine proteases. At 100 µm, curcumin had a cytotoxic effect and completely inhibited the growth of the parasite. At 50 µm, curcumin inhibited the protease activity of the parasite and expression of genes encoding two virulence-associated proteases: leishmanolysin-like peptidase and cathepsin L-like. At concentrations between 25 and 50 µm, curcumin inhibited the expression of S-adenosyl-L-homocysteine hydrolase, an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of the amino acids methionine and cysteine. At 100 µm, curcumin inhibited the expression of the cytokines tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) produced in turbot leucocytes activated by parasite proteases. Results show that curcumin has a dual effect on scuticociliatosis: an antiparasitic effect on the catabolism and anabolism of ciliate proteins, and an anti-inflammatory effect that inhibits the production of proinflammatory cytokines in the host. The present findings suggest the potential usefulness of this polyphenol in treating scuticociliatosis.

Particle size and traffic of phagocytes between the turbot peritoneal cavity and lymphoid organs.

New adjuvants based on microparticles are being developed for use in fish vaccines. The size of the microparticles may affect the immune response generated, as the adjuvant can either be retained at the site of injection or transported to lymphoid organs. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the maximum size of particles that can be exported out of the cavity, to determine the phagocytosis kinetics and to establish the routes whereby particle-containing cells move from the peritoneal cavity after injection. Fish were injected intraperitoneally with fluorescent cyclodextrins or with fluorescent particles of different size (0.1-10 µm). Phagocytes containing beads of size 4 µm or larger did not reach lymphoid organs, although some were able to cross the peritoneal mesothelium. The number of free peritoneal neutrophils and macrophage-like cells containing beads peaked at 6 and 24 h respectively, and the numbers then decreased quickly, indicating migration of cells to the peritoneum or other body areas. Migration of cells containing beads mainly occurs through the visceral peritoneum. These cells were found on the latero-ventral surfaces of the peritoneal folds that connect the visceral organs. Except for some vascularised areas, the surfaces of liver, stomach and intestine were devoid of particle-containing cells. Some cells containing beads were also found attached to the parietal peritoneum, although in lower numbers than in the visceral peritoneum. Such cells were also found in high numbers in the spleen and kidney 6 h post injection. Because cells containing phagocytosed material quickly become attached to the peritoneum or migrate to lymphoid organs, the immune response generated by a vaccine or by an inflammatory stimulus should probably be evaluated in attached cells as well as in free peritoneal cells.

[Multiple organ metastasis following nephrectomy for renal carcinoma]. / Metástasis a múltiples órganos posterior a la nefrectomía, por carcinoma renal.

We report a case of TNM stage II renal carcinoma with metastasis to lungs, contralateral adrenal gland and skin within 5 years following nephrectomy. The patient underwent lobectomy, adrenalectomy and cutaneous excision biopsy. The clinical course and management of metastases are discussed.

Balanitis xerotica obliterans: surgical treatment.

A case of BXO treated with complete surgical removal of the mucosal lesion and skin flap meatoplasty with excellent results 26th months later is reported.

Nuclear magnetic resonance in advanced prostate cancer (stage D).

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), a recently developed diagnostic method, has proved to be useful in the study of patients with prostatic disease. The authors report their experience with this technique in 10 cases of advanced prostate cancer (stage D) treated with LH-RH agonists (HOE 766-Buserelin). NMR provided information on the size of the prostate, the invasion of the vesical floor and seminal vesicles and the involvement of the pelvic and retroperitoneal nodes. It was also useful for ruling out metastases in the pelvis and spinal column, and showed an excellent correlation with the bone scan. In 2 untreated cases, NMR was sufficient by itself to diagnose metastatic prostate cancer. However, given the current lack of experience, it is not yet possible to draw conclusions concerning the superiority of this technique over other methods in the diagnosis and staging of prostatic carcinoma.

Comparative pharmacoclinical evaluation between talampicillin and ampicillin in urinary infections.

500 mg of powdered ampicillin (AMP; activity 108%) and 325 mg of talampicillin chlorhydrate (TMP; equivalent to 200 mg ampicillin with an activity of 100%) were administered orally to two groups of 15 fasting patients selected at random. Blood samples were collected after 1/2, 1, 2, 4 and 6 h and urine samples after 1, 2, 4 and 6 h. The AMP concentrations were determined by the microbiologic method. All patients received food 1 h after the drugs administration. Urine samples wee taken daily for the bacteriologic examination. The maximum seric peak for TMP was 4.2 microgram/ml at 1/2 h and for AMP of 4.6 microgram/ml after 1 h. It was stated that TMP is absorbed more quickly than AMP and it was not affected by the presence of food. Nevertheless, no differences were observed in the results of the clinical study.

Treatment of renal tuberculosis. II. Microbiological study of 271 renal tuberculous cavities.

271 renal cavities from 94 nephrectomies were studied with fluorescence stain and Lowenstein-Jensen medium cultures. The degree of the sterilization of the lesions is demonstrated by the existence of Koch's bacilli into the cavities. The latter have been classified in different development stages according to their contents and the histological aspect of the wall. The results of this study showed that a reduced healing time allows a better conservation of the parenchyma. The in vivo rifampicin + isoniazid + ethambutol association produces the best and quickest stabilization of the cavities.

Lymphovenous shunting in a case of retroperitoneal seminoma.

Lymphovenous shunting in a patient presenting with a metastatic retroperitoneal seminoma is reported. Its aetiology as well as the prognostic value are discussed. A search of the literature has been made and the various theories offered to explain such a phenomonen have been evaluated, in an attempt to corelate them with the findings in our case.

Urethro-balanitis xerotica obliterans.

A clinical report of 5 cases of balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) with urethral involvement is presented. Involvement of the urethra in the BXO is emphasized and the fact that this process is often unnoticed, is stressed. The clinical and histological characteristics of this disease are described in its different localizations. Investigations are suggested to diagnose urethral involvement and the suitable therapy is outlined.

Treatment of renal tuberculosis. I. Clinical and bacteriological patterns and results.

The clinical and bacteriological results of 200 cases of renal tuberculosis treated with rifampicin (RFM), isoniazid (INH) and ethambutol (EMB) over a period of 4 months to 2 years are presented. This combination produced the highest theoretical score.