Thymoquinone induces apoptosis and increase ROS in ovarian cancer cell line.

Nigella sativa is also known for its properties as a traditional herbal healing for many ailments. In this study, the anticancer properties of thyomquinone (TQ), the active ingredient of N. sativa, were studied using ovarian cancer cell line (Caov-3 cells). The anti-proliferative activity of TQ was determined using MTT and the apoptosis was investigated using Flowcytometry and Annexin-V Assays. Multiparameteric cytotoxicity bioassays were used to quantify the changes in cell permeability and mitochondrial membrane potential. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis-involved cell markers were examined to verify cell death mechanism. The MTT-assay showed that TQ induces anti-proliferative activity on Caov-3 with an IC50 of 6.0±0.03 µg/mL, without any cytotoxic activity towards WRL-68 normal hepatocytes. A significant induction of early phase of apoptosis was shown by annexin-V analysis. Treatment of Caov-3 cells with TQ induces decreases in plasma membrane permeability and mitochondrial membrane potential. Visible decrease in the nuclear area was also observed. A significant decrease is observed in Bcl-2 while Bax is down-regulated. TQ-triggered ROS-mediated has found to be associated with Hsp70 dysregulation, an indicator of oxidative injury. We found that TQ induced anti-cancer effect involves intrinsic pathway of apoptosis and cellular oxidative stress. Our results considered collectively indicated that thyomquinone may be a potential agent for ovarian cancer drug development.

Can dietary antioxidants reduce the incidence of brain tumors?

The incidence of brain tumor and other types of cancer are markedly increased during the last few decades. There are many etiological and environmental factors involved in the initiation of different types of cancers including brain tumors. Mutations in tumor suppressor gene p53 and its expression are associated with shorter survival and higher mortality rate of patients with brain tumors. Another factor, N-nitrosamines have received much attention as a potential risk factor for brain tumor. These compounds are potent carcinogens and occur widely in the environment, and also can be formed endogenously in the stomach from the interaction of ingested nitrate or nitrite with secondary amines. Free radicals are another etiological factor of brain tumor and are removed by cellular antioxidants in the human body. Brain tissue is vulnerable to the damaging effects of free radicals as a result of low antioxidant levels. Interestingly, there is an inverse correlation between the total antioxidant levels and oxidative DNA damage in transitional meningioma compared with normal brain tissues. Also, an inverse relationship between antioxidant levels and grades of malignancy has been found after histopathological examination of brain tumors. Moreover, high intake of vitamin E is correlated with greater survival for all patients diagnosed as Grade III malignant glioma. Dietary supplementation with antioxidants [e.g. vitamins C & E] was found to reduce the incidence of brain tumors in children whose mothers took these vitamins throughout pregnancy. On the other hand, decreases in antioxidant levels were correlated with the severity of malignancy of brain tumors, and also with accumulation of considerable amounts of oxidative stress products including free radicals which damage this tissue. The mechanisms of protection of these antioxidants against brain tumors might be due to inhibition of the nitrosation process, decreasing of tumor necrotic factor, scavenging of free radicals, inhibition of telomerase activity which facilitates telomere attrition. It is concluded that administration of antioxidants could reduce the incidence of brain tumors and probably other types of cancer.

Basilar artery percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. Technique and results.

SUMMARY: This is a retrospective study of 15 cases with symptomatic basilar artery atherosclerotic chronic stenosis. One patient presented with reversible ischemic neurological deficits and another with completed infarction, the rest of patients presented with progressive transient neurological deficits (TIA) that was refractory to medical treatment. The protocol of PTA included the use of single lumen balloon catheter (Stealth; Boston Scientific, Boston, MT) and the pre-balloon inflation injection of Urokinase (UK). All lesions were successfully dilated except for one. Those with uncomplicated successful dilatation had good control of their neurological status with disappearance of the pre-PTA TIA. The authors conclude that PTA for basilar artery atherosclerotic lesions is possible and a promising procedure when the patients are carefully selected and the operation is performed by a team with good experience in such lesions.

Childhood intracranial arteriovenous malformation in Saudi Arabia.

Twenty-three patients in whom intracranial arteriovenous malformation (ICAVM) occurred while they were in the pediatric age group (16 years or less) were identified. The patients had presented to three major centers in Saudi Arabia (King Fahad Hospital of the University, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, and Riyadh Military Hospital). The incidence of ICAVM in Saudi Arabia is estimated. ICAVM in the pediatric age group accounts for 7.72% of all ICAVM cases. Most of the pediatric patients presented with intracranial bleeding, and seizure was the only other mode of presentation. Spontaneous changes involving ICAVM occurred in 4 children, in the form of either increase or decrease in size or new vascularization. Most children had higher grade ICAVM and the morbidity rate was higher than in adults. The cure rate was 50% with different therapeutic modalities. This report represents the first study to provide the hospital-based frequency of pediatric ICAVM in Saudi Arabia.

Cranial aneurysmal bone cyst "with special emphasis on endovascular management".

OBJECTIVE AND METHOD: Most of the literature about cranial aneurysmal bone cyst represents case reports, the aim of this paper is to gather information in solid clear statements about this disease in the region of the skull. This is a retrospective analysis of all available case reports on aneurysmal bone cyst involving the skull between 1960 and June 1998. The jaw was excluded. RESULTS: Sixty one cases of aneurysmal bone cyst involving the skull were found. 33 were males and 28 were females. The average age at presentation was 17.5 years. A painless enlarging mass was the most common mode of presentation. Features of pressure on intracranial structures with increased intracranial pressure were present in some patients. Most patients were managed by total excision of the lesion when feasible. Partial resection resulted in recurrence in some patients. Endovascular embolization has been used as a single mode of therapy or as pre-operative to decrease the intra-operative bleeding. CONCLUSION: Aneurysmal bone cysts not uncommonly affect the skull. The pathological changes are similar to those affecting other parts of the body. Clinical presentation varies and depends on the part of the skull involved. Endovascular embolization plays a very important role in the management either as pre-operative or as the only method of treatment.

Aneurysmal bone cyst involving the skull base: report of three cases.

Aneurysmal bone cyst is a bening, non-neoplastic lesion that present most frequently under the age of 20 years. The metaphysis of long bones is the usual site of origin. The involvement of the skull is rare. In the 2.5 to 6% of such cases reported in the literature, the skull vault is more often the site than the skull base. Three cases of aneurysmal bone cyst involving the skull base have been managed at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center. Two females and one male, all 10 years of age and younger, presented with a painless, progressive swelling. The preoperative radiological studies showed characteristic findings and were highly suggestive of the diagnosis. Angiography also gave characteristic findings. Preoperative endovascular embolization of the arterial feeders to the tumor was performed in two patients who had a significant decrease in intraoperative bleeding from the tumor. All cases underwent surgical excision with a good outcome.

Collaborative management of intracranial arteriovenous malformation.

Full text is available as a scanned copy of the original print version.

Meningioma in children: a report of nine cases and a review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Meningioma is a common tumor of the central nervous system in adults, accounting for 10%-20% of all primary intracranial tumors. It is rare in children, with an incidence of 2.19% (0.85%-2.3%). Although there are numerous case reports in the literature, no firm conclusions can be drawn. For this report we accumulated, reviewed, and analyzed reports in the literature from 1960-93. METHODS: A total of 318 patients with meningioma were managed in King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre from 1981-93. Nine of these patients (2.8%) were children aged 16 years or less. These cases were analyzed retrospectively with regard to age, sex, clinical presentation, radiologic finding, pathologic findings, management and outcome. RESULTS: Childhood meningioma represented 2.8% of all meningioma cases and 2.2% of all central nervous system tumors seen in children. There were six males and three females. The average age at presentation was 10.1 years (range 1-16 years). There were four cases of meningioma in the orbit an one each in the temporal region, foramen magnum, tentorial region, subfrontal base, sellar region and ethmoidal air sinus. There were two cases of multiple meningioma. Meningothelial meningioma was the type most frequently seen. CONCLUSION: Meningioma is rare in children and males are affected more than females. Tumor locations that are rare in adults are more common in children. The meningothelial type is most frequently seen. Prognosis is poor compared with that in adults, as the tumors tend to grow more rapidly and to a larger size, undergo malignant changes, and have a greater rate of recurrence. Whenever feasible, every effort should be made to achieve total resection of the tumor at the first attempt. If radiation therapy is used in children it should be limited to those who have recurrent tumors so as to minimize organic and psychologic complications.

Medulloblastoma in adults.

Seventeen adult patients (16 years of age and over) with medulloblastoma were managed at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre between 1981 and 1992. Nine patients were males and eight were females. The average age at diagnosis was 26.7 years; the females were younger than the males. The average duration of history before diagnosis was 14.5 weeks, the females presenting earlier than the males. The tumors were located in the midline (9) and the hemispheres (8). Nine patients had the desmoplastic variant and eight had standard primitive neuroectodermal tumor. Hydrocephalus developed in 14 of the patients only seven of whom required a shunting procedure. All patients had either subtotal or gross total removal of the tumor. Sixteen patients had postoperative radiation therapy; one patient refused radiation therapy. Two patients had chemotherapy following recurrence of the tumor. The clinical presentation, radiological studies, histological variants, treatment and outcome are discussed in this report.

Stapedial artery supplying sphenoid wing meningioma: case report.

A 46-year-old woman presented complaining of resting tremor of the right arm and attacks of inappropriate crying and laughing. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging of the head revealed a large left sphenoid wing meningioma. Preoperative cerebral angiography demonstrated a persistent stapedial artery, terminating as a middle meningeal artery which was the main blood supply to the tumour.