The effects of cetuximab and cisplatin anti-cancer drugs on the mechanical properties of the lung cancerous cells using atomic force microscope.

Each anti-cancer drug has special effects on the target cells. One of the most important reasons to recommend an anti-cancer drug is related to the influences of it on the mechanical properties of the target cells. In this study, the effects of cetuximab and cisplatin anti-cancer drugs on the mechanical properties of A-549 and Calu-6 cells as the cancerous lung cells have been investigated. For both of the cells and anti-cancer drugs, MTT assessment has been used to define the convenient dosages for 24 and 48 h incubations based on IC50 concentration for the cell line viability. The mechanical specifications of the cells before and after treatment were obtained using nanoindentation by the JPK Instruments' NanoWizard3 atomic force microscope. The results show that cetuximab increases the stiffness of A-549 cell from 1225 to 3403 and 12 690 Pa for 24 and 48 h incubations. The influence of cetuximab on the Calu-6 shows that the elastic modulus after 24 and 48 h culture times increases about cisplatin anti-cancer drug, for A-549 cell indicates that the elastic modulus rises from 1225 to 1506 and 2375 Pa for 24 and 48 h, respectively. For Calu-6 cell, cisplatin has an important role to increase the stiffness of the cell. Applying cisplatin increases the elastic modulus from 33 to 682.8 Pa for 24 h and 1105 Pa after 48 h incubations.

Attenuated Renal and Hepatic Cells Apoptosis Following Swimming Exercise Supplemented with Garlic Extract in Old Rats.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: One of the problems associated with aging is the development of apoptosis in different tissues. There is evidence that physical activity and herbal remedies can be useful. This study aimed to determine the effect of swimming training (SW) alone or combined with garlic extract on renal and hepatic cells apoptosis, as wellas on the liver and kidney function biomarkers in old rats. METHODS: A total of 35 old rats (aged 40-50 weeks) were randomly divided into 5 groups including control, saline (S), exercise training (ET), garlic (G) and exercise training+ garlic (ET.G) groups. Exercise was started for 5 min/day and then gradually extended to 60 min/day and the G and E+G groups received 1 mL/kg of this mixture by gavage. Twenty-four hours after completion of 8 weeks training, liver, kidney and blood samples were collected for histopathological examinations, liver and kidney functions, oxidative stress and apoptosis biomarkers. RESULTS: The tissue sections of the SW exercise, control and saline groups showed some mild histopathological changes in liver and kidney, while SW supplemented with garlic prevented these damages. The SW alone or supplemented with garlic significantly increased the Bcl-2 value and declined the BAX level in both liver and kidney (p<0.05). The activities of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver and kidney of the control and saline groups were lower than those in E, G and G+E groups, while a significant increase for malondialdehyde (MDA) value was found in the control and saline groups. Furthermore, the E+G significantly declined the activity of hepatic (ALT, AST and ALP) and renal damage (uric acid, urea and creatinine) biomarkers compared to the control and saline groups (p<0.05). DISCUSSION: Swimming exercise supplemented with garlic extract not only improves antioxidant capacity but also declines oxidative damages and apoptosis through reducing Bax levels and enhancing Bcl-2 value.

Supracrural rerouting as a technique for resolution of posterior urethral disruption defects.

INTRODUCTION: Selection of an acceptable method for the treatment of posterior urethral disruption defects would be highly desirable. We determined the efficacy and success rate of some techniques including supracrural rerouting for removing of these defects among our patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Records of 200 consecutive men treated with anastomotic urethroplasty for traumatic posterior urethral strictures were reviewed at our teaching hospital. Prior treatment, surgical approach, and ancillary techniques required during reconstruction were evaluated. RESULTS: Success rate due to posterior urethral reconstruction was achieved in 78.0% of cases. Supracrural urethral rerouting was performed in 11 patients (5.5%), of whom 7 sustained recurrent stricture requiring intervention. The highest success rate of defect resolving was reported by urethral mobilization (92.4%). CONCLUSION: Supracrural rerouting is not an acceptable technique and can result in postoperative complications such as recurrent stricture in most of the patients with posterior urethral disruption defects.

Fistula repair after hypospadias surgery using buccal mucosal graft.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the success rate of urethrocutaneous fistula repair using buccal mucosal graft in patients with a previous hypospadias repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed records of our patients with urethrocutaneous fistula developed after hypospadias repair in whom buccal mucosal graft fistula repair had been performed. All of the patients had been followed up for 24 postoperative months. A successful surgical operation was defined as no fistula recurrence or urethral stricture. Retrograde urethrography and urethrocystoscopy would be performed in patients who had any history of decreased force and caliber of urine or any difficulty in urination. RESULTS: Fistula repair using buccal mucosa patch graft had been done in 14 children with urethrocutaneous fistula developing after hypospadias reconstruction. The mean age of the children was 8.70 +/- 1.99 years old (range, 4 to 11 years). Seven fistulas were in the midshaft, 4 were in the penoscrotal region, and 3 were in the coronal region. Repair of the fistulas was successful in 11 of 14 patients (78.6%). In the remaining children, the diameter of the fistula was smaller than that before the operation, offering a good opportunity for subsequent closure. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that fistula repair using buccal mucosal graft can be one of the acceptable techniques for repairing fistulas developed after hypospadias repair.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy with ultrasonography-guided renal access in the lateral decubitus flank position.

PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with ultrasonography (US)-guided renal access in the lateral decubitus flank position. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From July 2006 to March 2008, 40 patients with renal stones > 2 cm underwent PCNL with US-guided renal access in the lateral decubitus flank position by a single surgeon. We report our technique and the outcomes in detail. RESULTS: Successful access was achieved in 40 patients (100%). Complete stone clearance rate was 85% (34 patients). After surgery, six (15%) patients had stones (6-11 mm) detected by plain abdominal radiography or sonography and were referred for shockwave lithotripsy. The mean stone size was 29 mm (range 22-43 mm). The mean operative time was 45 minutes (range 32-75 min), and the mean hospital stay was 2.8 days (range 2-4 d). Postoperative US did not reveal considerable fluid collection. There were no visceral injuries. Also, there was no significant bleeding that led to transfusion intraoperatively and postoperatively. CONCLUSION: PCNL with US-guided renal access in the lateral decubitus flank position is safe and convenient, and prevents harmful effects of radiation for the surgeon, the surgical team, and the patient.