Modulatory effects of Chrysophyllum cainito L. extract on gamma radiation induced oxidative stress in rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the possibility of using the crude methanolic extract of Chrysophyllum cainito L. leaves (C. cainito L.); as a source of natural antioxidant compounds; to compensate the oxidative stress induced by ionizing radiation exposure in male rats. Phytochemical investigations of C. cainito L. leaves extract led to the isolation of phytocobstituents such as: Gallic acid (1), together with six flavonoids; 3//Galloyl myrecetrin (2), Rutin (3), Quercetrin (4), Myrecetrin (5), Myricetin (6), and Quercetin (7). In addition to two triterpenoids; ß -amyrin (8), and Lupeol (9). All metabolites were isolated for the first time from the genus Chrysophyllum. The structures were determined by spectroscopic methods (UV, ESI-MS, 1H and 13CNMR). These compounds reflected its beneficial effect to ameliorate the alterations induced by γ-irradiation via the adjustment of the antioxidant status, decreasing of MDA level, and an improvement in liver, kidney functions and lipid profile, as well as histological alterations of liver were reduced. We can conclude that C. cainito L. extract reduces the liver and kidney toxicity induced by exposure to gamma radiation.

Effect of local wound infiltration with ketamine versus dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain and stress after abdominal hysterectomy, a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Postoperative pain and stress elicit hormonal changes. We aimed at comparing the effects of wound infiltration with ketamine versus dexmedetomidine on postoperative pain and stress response. METHODS: This double-blinded study included ninety patients scheduled for total abdominal hysterectomy and were randomly assigned into three groups to receive local wound infiltration with 40 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine (group C), plus 2 mg/kg ketamine (group K) or 2 µg/kg dexmedetomidine (group D). Primary outcome was postoperative morphine consumption; secondary outcomes included first request of analgesia, VAS scores at rest and movement (VAS-R/M) and side effects. Serum cortisol, prolactin and glucose levels at baseline, pre-infiltration, 6 and 24 h postoperatively were measured. RESULTS: Rescue analgesia was less in K (6.80 ± 3.19 mg) and D (8.39 ± 3.86 mg) compared to C (13.33 ± 4.01 mg) (p < 0.05). First request of analgesia was delayed in K (7.60 ± 4.16 h) and D (6.00 ± 3.73 h) compared to C (4.20 ± 1.13 h) (p < 0.05). Both VAS and R/M were significantly lower in K (all over 24 h) and D (for 8 and 4 h, respectively) compared to C. Stress markers were significantly lower in K and D compared to C at 6 and 24 h, and in K compared to D at 24 h (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Local wound infiltration with ketamine or dexmedetomidine added to bupivacaine had an opioid-sparing effect, delayed first request of rescue analgesia, and attenuated postoperative stress response, especially with ketamine in patients underwent total abdominal hysterectomy.

Vertical Muscle Transposition with Augmentation for Treatment of Exotropia Caused by Iatrogenic Lost Medial Rectus Muscle.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of vertical muscle transposition with augmentation in cases of exotropia caused by iatrogenic lost medial rectus muscle. METHODS: This is a retrospective review of 5 cases of lost medial rectus with exotropia and marked limitation of adduction that underwent surgery. All cases had a history of strabismus surgery on the medial rectus and failed attempt at retrieval of the lost muscle. RESULTS: Five patients fulfilled the criteria. Full tendon vertical muscle transposition with augmentation sutures was done for all cases. Surgery led to a significant reduction of the angle of exotropia 25.8±13.6 ?D (P=0.027) and improvement in adduction of 7.5±3.8 degrees (P=0.034). There were no complications. CONCLUSIONS: Isolated vertical muscle transposition with augmentation is a useful option to improve the exotropia and adduction deficit in patients with iatrogenic lost medial rectus muscle.

HLA-G and its relation to proliferation index in detection and monitoring breast cancer patients.

Recent studies indicate an ectopic upregulation of the human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) in tumor cells that may favor their escape from antitumor immune responses. The role of HLA-G in breast cancer has not been defined. Other studies showed that HLA-G transcription may be silenced by epigenetic mechanisms or activated by stress. This work aimed to clarify the expression of HLA-G protein, estimate the possible prognostic role of HLA-G expression and identify if this expression is linked to the DNA index (DI) and S phase fraction (SPF) in breast cancer. HLA-G protein expression and the DNA parameters were studied by flow cytometry and serum secreted HLA-G (sHLA-G) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 45 breast cancer patients and 40 female blood donors as healthy donors. Surface HLA-G was expressed on 40% and the cytoplasmic pattern with no membrane association in 24.4% of the malignant specimens. There was an increased serum sHLA-G level in patients as compared with controls. There were negative correlations between cytoplasmic HLA-G and both DI and SPF and between preoperative sHLA-G and SPF with no relations with patients' clinical outcome. We cannot establish that HLA-G protein can be a useful prognostic marker, but sHLA-G may be used as a tumor marker in breast cancer patients.

Human melanoma cells release soluble and functional receptors.

Cytokines play important roles in the growth and growth arrest of cancer cells. IL-13 via an IL-4R alpha/IL-13R alpha 1 heterocomplex receptor inhibits the growth of renal cell carcinoma cells (RCC). However, it does not inhibit the growth of glioblastoma cells that express the IL-13R alpha 2 chain. In the present studies we investigated whether melanoma cells express IL-13R alpha 1 and IL-13R alpha 2 chains as well as whether they respond to IL-13. Membrane IL13R alpha 2 was co-expressed with IL-4R alpha and IL-13R alpha 1 chains in three of six tested melanoma cell lines. Furthermore, the IL-13R alpha 2 positive cell lines, release a soluble form of IL-13R alpha 2, specifically under IL-13 but not IL-4 stimulation. The release of soluble IL-13R alpha 2 was inhibited by various metalloproteinase inhibitors and EDTA inhibits the biological response to IL-13.

Impact of CD34 subsets on engraftment kinetics in allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation.

Our objective was to evaluate, probably for the first time, the impact of CD34 subsets on engraftment kinetics in allogeneic PBSC transplantation (PBSCT). PBSC graft components were analyzed in 62 cases for the absolute count/kg of total CD34+ and the following subsets: DR- and +, CD71+/-, CD38+/-, CD33+/- and CD61+/-. Time to ANC >0.5 and >1 x 10(9)/l and platelets >20 and >50 x 10(9)/l was reported. The median value for each parameter was used to discriminate rapid from slow engraftment. Four parameters showed significant predictive power of early neutrophil engraftment, namely CD34+ /DR- (P = 0.002), CD34+/38- (P = 0.02), CD34+/CD61- (P = 0.04) and total CD34+ cell dose (P = 0.04). Four parameters showed significant predictive power of early platelet engraftment, namely CD34+/CD61+ (P = 0.02), CD34+ /CD38- and total CD34+ cell dose (P = 0.04) and CD34+ /CD71- (P = 0.05). Comparing patients who received > to those who received < the threshold dose(s), only CD34+ /CD38- lost its significance for neutrophil engraftment; and only CD34+ /CD61+ retained its significance for platelet engraftment (P = 0.03); furthermore, the former group required significantly fewer platelet transfusions (P = 0.018). We concluded that in allogeneic PBSCT, the best predictor of early neutrophil engraftment is the absolute CD34+ /DR- and for early platelet engraftment is the absolute CD34+ /CD61+ cell dose.