Augmented anticancer efficacy of doxorubicin-loaded polymeric nanoparticles after oral administration in a breast cancer induced animal model.

The present investigation reports an extensive evaluation of in vitro and in vivo anticancer efficacy of orally administered doxorubicin-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (Dox-NPs) in a breast cancer induced animal model. Spherically shaped Dox-NPs were prepared with an entrapment efficiency and particle size of 55.40 ± 2.30% and 160.20 ± 0.99 nm, respectively, and freeze-dried with 5% trehalose using stepwise freeze-drying. Cytotoxicity, as investigated on C127I cell line, revealed insignificant differences between the IC(50) of free Dox and Dox-NPs treated cells in the first 24 h, while higher cytotoxicity was demonstrated by Dox-NPs, following 72 h of incubation. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) imaging corroborated that nanoparticles were efficiently localized into the nuclear region of C127I cells. The cellular uptake profile of Dox-NPs revealed both time and concentration dependent increases in the Caco-2 cell uptake as compared to the free Dox solution. Further, Dox-NPs significantly suppressed the growth of breast tumor in female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats upon oral administration. Finally, orally administered Dox-NPs showed a marked reduction in cardiotoxicity when compared with intravenously injected free Dox as also evident by the increased level of malondialdehyde (MDA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine phosphokinase (CK-MB) and reduced levels of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The reduced cardiotoxicity of orally administered Dox-NPs was also confirmed by the major histopathological changes in the heart tissue after the treatments of intravenously injected free Dox and orally delivered Dox-NPs.

Use of Memokath 051 metallic stent in the management of ureteral strictures: a single-center experience.

INTRODUCTION: Memokath 051 represents a nickel-titanium stent that has been used to treat patients with incurable ureteral strictures. In the current study we present our experience in using this technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2003 and 2008, 19 metallic stents were placed in 13 patients. All of them had been previously treated by using JJ stents or dilatation. The etiology was benign in 10, while in 3 patients malignancy was involved. The mean age was 60.7 years. Mean stricture length was 3.2 cm while the median stent length was 6 cm. No severe complications were noticed postoperatively. Mean follow-up was 14.3 months. RESULTS: Six patients (46%) experienced a satisfactory result after first insertion. Stent migration was observed in 6 patients and in 3 it was replaced successfully. One patient was offered a simple nephrectomy due to a poorly functioning kidney. Eventually, 10 of 13 patients (77%) had a successful outcome after the final stent insertion. CONCLUSION: Memokath stents suggest a possible alternative in treating chronic/recurrent ureteral strictures. Their most important disadvantage seems to be migration. Their role in endourological practice remains to be validated.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for ureteral stones: do decompression tubes matter?

OBJECTIVES: Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL) offers an effective and minimally invasive method for treating ureteral stones. In the current study we investigated whether the presence of a double-J (JJ) stent or a percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) has any impact on the SWL success rates for ureteral stones. METHODS: All adult patients with ureteral stones treated with the second-generation Siemens Lithostar® Multiline (Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) lithotriptor between 2002 and 2007 were included. Exclusion criteria comprised radiolucent or nonsolitary stones, calculi >10 mm in diameter in the lower ureter, stones that were pushed back into the kidney during JJ stent insertion and patients who had undergone stent or nephrostomy tube insertion after initiation of SWL therapy, though having started treatment as "tubeless." In total, 342 individuals were divided into 3 groups: group I (n = 56) consisted of patients with a PCN; group II (n = 73) included patients with a JJ stent; and group III (n = 213) comprised individuals without any decompression tubes. All patients were reviewed in the outpatient clinic. RESULTS: The mean age for all patients was 50.1 years (range 16-90 years) and the mean ureteral stone size was 9.4 mm (SD = 3.6 mm). Successful stone clearance was achieved in 60.7%, 47.9%, and 59.2% of the 3 groups, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in success rates between the aforementioned groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the current study suggest that the presence of either a PCN or a JJ uretral stent does not exert any influence on stone clearance after SWL treatment.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome, renal transplant and percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a case report and review of the literature.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder with obesity, polydactly, retinitis pigmentosa, hypogenitalism, intellectual impairment and varying degree of renal abnormalities. Fewer than ten cases of paediatric renal transplantation for BBS have been reported in literature so far. This is the only case report of BBS transplant urolithiasis which was dealt with percutaneous nephrolithotomy and has been stone free for seven years. This is a complex case with a rare genetic disorder, renal transplant, renal stone, ileal conduit, long loop and inversely placed kidney. This case exemplifies the need for multidisciplinary management of complex cases and emphasises PCNL as the safe method.

Studies on some glitazones having pyridine as the linker unit.

Molecular modeling on various well-known glitazones carrying a pyridine ring instead of benzene ring as the middle linker unit showed conformational rigidity as compared to their parent molecules. Blocking the lone pair of electrons on the pyridine N, made them flexible once again. A few representatives of these analogues were synthesized and their efficacy as PPARgamma agonists evaluated.

Comprehensive outpatient approach to stroke rehabilitation.

The purpose of this study was to describe the outcome of stroke rehabilitation in a comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility. The study consisted of 115 stroke patients, seen during a 3-year period, who were treated with outpatient Physiatric services, physical, occupational, and speech therapies, and social work services. Patient progress was measured by an Individual Functional Profile in the areas of mobility, self-care, communication, and social function. Improvements were shown from admission to discharge, in mobility by 73% of the patients, in activities of daily living (ADL) by 81%, in communication by 82%, and in social function by 58% of the patients. Maintenance of function was reported by telephone 3 months post-discharge, in mobility by 75% of the patients, in ADL by 75%, in communication by 88%, and in social function by 73%. In addition, improvements were shown by 4% in mobility, 12% in ADL, 7% in communication, and 14% in social function at 3 months. The study suggests that a comprehensive team approach in an outpatient setting for stroke rehabilitation is beneficial for a majority of the patients.