Skeletal muscle-derived stem cells: implications for cell-mediated therapies.

Current advances in stem cell research and innovative biological approaches in the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine could eventually translate into prospective clinical applications. Various adult organs and tissues harbor stem and progenitor cells that could potentially be used to repair, regenerate, and restore a variety of different tissues following acute injury or tissue destructive diseases. Skeletal muscle is a very convenient and plentiful source of somatic stem cells. It contains several distinct populations of myogenic stem cells including satellite cells that are mainly responsible for muscle growth and regeneration, and multipotent muscle-derived stem cells (MDSCs). Although both cell populations share some phenotypic similarities, MDSCs display a much greater differentiation potential in vitro and are capable of regenerating various tissues in vivo. Furthermore, these cells not only participate in the regeneration process by differentiating into tissue-specific cell types, but also promote endogenous tissue repair by secreting a multitude of trophic factors. In this article, we describe the biological aspects of MDSC isolation and characterization and provide an overview of potential therapeutic application of these cells for the treatment of cardiac and skeletal muscle injuries and diseases, urological dysfunction, and bone and cartilage defects. We also discuss major challenges and limitations currently faced by MDSC-based therapies that await resolution before these techniques can be applied clinically.

Rationality of administered gentamicin dose in cerebral coma patients treated in an intensive care unit.

Gentamicin is still widely used in the treatment of patients in an intensive care unit (ICU). The efficacy of aminoglycosides correlates with the peak serum concentration (Cmax), and the toxicity with the minimum serum concentration (Cmin). The aim of this study was to determine Cmax and Cmin in serum of cerebral coma ICU patients when a dosage of gentamicin of 5 mg/kg body weight was administered once daily; to evaluate the rationality of mentioned dose; and to identify factors associated with these concentrations. Material and METHODS. A total of 24 ICU patients suffering from cerebral coma were included into this analysis. A dosage of gentamicin of 5 mg/kg body weight was administered once a day. Gentamicin concentrations were tested twice after the first dose infusion (immediately and 5 hours after 1-hour infusion). Cmax, Cmin, volume of distribution (Vd), and elimination half-life (T1/2) were obtained. RESULTS. The mean Cmax was 17.96 (SD, 4.31) µg/mL (range, 10.30-27.87 µg/mL). The desirable Cmax (≥ 20 µg/mL) was reached only in 6 patients (25%). Cmin was calculated using a special pharmacokinetic program "Kinetica." Cmin of 0.5 µg/mL was not exceeded in any patient. A correlative analysis indicated a significant inverse direct correlation between Cmax and Vd and between Cmax and treatment duration in the ICU. An inverse correlation was observed between Cmin and T1/2, evaluation of coma according to the Glasgow coma scale, and creatinine clearance. CONCLUSIONS. A dosage of 5 mg/kg body weight once a day was not sufficient in cerebral coma ICU patients. This dose was not associated with the nephrotoxic effect of gentamicin (additional risk factors were absent). It is recommended to obtain gentamicin concentration at two time points following administration of the first dose (e.g., immediately after 1-hour infusion and 5 hours later), and using a special pharmacokinetic software, to calculate a necessary dose and interval of administration.

The influence of meteorological factors on growth and vegetation process of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton in Lithuania.

The results of a study on the dependence of growth and vegetation process of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton upon meteorological factors are presented in the article. The investigations were conducted at Kaunas Botanical Garden of Vytautas Magnus University during vegetation periods in 2001-2005. The object of investigations was Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton, a medicinal annual herbaceous plant of Lamiaceae Lindl. family, native of Eastern Asia, which passes the whole development cycle under climatic conditions of Central Lithuania. The duration of vegetation period of Perilla frutescens on the average is 167 days. The earliest beginning of vegetation and optimal climatic conditions for growth are when hydrothermic coefficient reaches 1.60-1.80 (conditions of excessive humidity). Optimal climatic conditions for massive flowering and seed maturation are observed when hydrothermic coefficient decreases to 1.20 - then massive flowering starts 10 days earlier and lasts 25 days longer. A strong correlation was found between massive flowering and hydrothermic coefficient (r(2)=0.9408). Using mathematical-statistical methods, the consistent patterns of growth and vegetation process of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton were determined, specifying the time for raw material preparation what determines its quality and quantity.

[Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents--choice between disturbances of gastrointestinal tract and cardiovascular toxicity]. / Nesteroidiniai vaistai nuo uzdegimo--pasirinkimas tarp zalingo poveikio virskinimo traktui bei galimo sirdies ir kraujagysliu pazeidimo.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents are used more than 100 years. Most of them can cause undesirable effects on gastrointestinal tract: ulceration, bleeding and perforation of stomach and duodenum. Gastrointestinal toxicity is diminished when selective cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors are used. However, recent clinical trials have showed that the use of cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors increases the risk of cardiovascular event and cerebrovascular accident. According to the data such risk may be high using also nonselective nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, however, it is lesser. Incidence rates of the cardiovascular events and cerebrovascular accidents increase due to activated thrombotic activity. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents are very useful in the management of rheumatic diseases and as pain relievers. Choosing appropriate nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent it is essential to consider the risk of gastrointestinal as well cardiovascular damage.

[Development of cough-relieving herbal teas]. / Kosuli slopinanciu vaistazoliu misiniu sukurimas.

Cough-relieving medicinal herbs in tea are used from ancient times. Mucilage present in them or secretion produced under the influence of the active substances covers the oral and throat mucosa soothing its irritability and relieving dry, tiresome cough. It is known that the mixtures of medicinal herbs (Specias) have a complex influence on the human organism and the rational combination of medicinal herbs can improve their curative action and decrease the undesirable side effects. Having summarized the properties of those medicinal herbs we decided to create two formulations of cough-relieving herbal tea. The first formulation consists of marshmallow roots, liquorice roots and lime flowers, the second -- of marshmallow roots, Iceland moss and lime flowers. The methods for identification and assay of the active substances in the compounds were applied. The purity of the mixtures was regulated by limitation of the loss on drying, total ash, microbial contamination, contamination with radionuclides, heavy metals, pesticides and foreign matter. The expiry date of both cough-relieving herbal teas was approved to be 2 years.

[Development of throat clearing herbal teas]. / Atsikosejima gerinanciu vaistazoliu misiniu sukurimas.

Medicinal herbs in tea for throat clearing are used from ancient times. Taking into consideration the bronchial mucus secretion stimulating and antispasmodic, antimicrobial, antiphlogistic and stimulating effect on the ciliated epithelium two new formulations of throat clearing herbal tea were originated. The first formulation consists of liquorice roots, sweet fennel and thyme, and the second one consists of pine gemmae, thyme and elder flowers. The methods for identification and assay of the active substances of the components were adapted. The purity of the mixtures was regulated by the limitation of the loss on drying, total ash, microbial contamination, contamination with radionuclides, heavy metals, pesticides and foreign matter. Expiry date of both throat clearing herbal teas was confirmed to be 2 years.

[Most common cases of the unreasonable medication use]. / Neracionalus vaistu vartojimas.

Doctors prescribing some medications together are often using unreasonable drug combinations. The rationality of prescribing the medications by means of case-records and computerized data base of the state sicknes fund was investigated. The article addresses the most common cases of unreasonable use of medications, which could be divided into five subgroups: 1) Prescribing drug combinations, that increase the possibility of side-effects; 2) Prescribing some medications, that may suppress the effects of each other together; 3) Using medications, that belong to the same group together; 4) Prescribing the medications either without indication or out of indication; 5) Other cases of the unreasonable medication use. This article discusses the risk of using most common drug combinations and provides recommendations that could help to prevent unreasonable medication use.

[Antipsychotic agents and pharmacotherapy of psychoses]. / Antipsichoziniai vaistai ir psichoziu farmakoterapija.

Antipsychotic drugs have been used clinically for approximately 50 years. Reserpine and chlorpromazine were first drugs found be useful in schizophrenia. The term "antipsychotic" is used to describe a group of drugs that has been used mainly for treating of schizophrenia, but also is effective in some other psychoses and agitated states. The dopamine hypothesis is the most fully developed of several hypothesis and is the basis for rational drug therapy. However, the dopamine hypothesis is far from complete. Typical antipsychotic drugs have a wide spectrum of central nervous system, autonomic and endocrine effects. The most recently introduced antipsychotics are at least as potent in inhibiting 5-HT receptors as they are in inhibiting D receptors. A rational choice of antipsychotic drugs may be based on differences between chemical structures and pharmacological differences. No basis exists for choosing drugs for the use against selected target symptoms, as there is no evidence of specificity in their effects.