Insulin secretion enhancing activity of roselle calyx extract in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Our recent study revealed the antihyperglycemic activity of an ethanolic extract of roselle calyxes (Hibiscus sabdariffa) in diabetic rats. The present study had, therefore, an objective to investigate the mechanism underlying this activity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague Dawley rats were induced to be diabetes by intraperitoneal injection of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). Normal rats as well as diabetic rats were administered with the ethanolic extract of H. sabdariffa calyxes (HS-EE) at 0.1 and 1.0 g/kg/day, respectively, for 6 weeks. Then, blood glucose and insulin levels, at basal and glucose-stimulated secretions, were measured. The pancreas was dissected to examine histologically. RESULTS: HS-EE 1.0 g/kg/day significantly decreased the blood glucose level by 38 ± 12% in diabetic rats but not in normal rats. In normal rats, treatment with 1.0 g/kg HS-EE increased the basal insulin level significantly as compared with control normal rats (1.28 ± 0.25 and 0.55 ± 0.05 ng/ml, respectively). Interestingly, diabetic rats treated with 1.0 g/kg HS-EE also showed a significant increase in basal insulin level as compared with the control diabetic rats (0.30 ± 0.05 and 0.15 ± 0.01 ng/ml, respectively). Concerning microscopic histological examination, HS-EE 1.0 g/kg significantly increased the number of islets of Langerhans in both normal rats (1.2 ± 0.1 and 2.0 ± 0.1 islet number/10 low-power fields (LPF) for control and HS-EE treated group, respectively) and diabetic rats (1.0 ± 0.3 and 3.9 ± 0.6 islet number/10 LPF for control and HS-EE treated group, respectively). CONCLUSION: The antidiabetic activity of HS-EE may be partially mediated via the stimulating effect on insulin secretion.

Modulation of antibody responses against Gnathostoma spinigerum in mice immunized with crude antigen formulated in CpG oligonucleotide and montanide ISA720.

This study aimed to investigate the antibody responses in mice immunized with Gnathostoma spinigerum crude antigen (GsAg) incorporated with the combined adjuvant, a synthetic oligonucleotide containing unmethylated CpG motif (CpG ODN 1826) and a stable water in oil emulsion (Montanide ISA720). Mice immunized with GsAg and combined adjuvant produced all antibody classes and subclasses to GsAg except IgA. IgG2a/2b/3 but not IgG1 subclasses were enhanced by immunization with CpG ODN 1826 when compared with the control groups immunized with non-CpG ODN and Montanide ISA or only with Montanide ISA, suggesting a biased induction of a Th1-type response by CpG ODN. After challenge infection with live G. spinigerum larvae, the levels of IgG2a/2b/3 antibody subclasses decreased immediately and continuously, while the IgG1 subclass remained at high levels. This also corresponded to a continuous decrease of the IgG2a/IgG1 ratio after infection. Only IgM and IgG1 antibodies, but not IgG2a/2b/3, were significantly produced in adjuvant control groups after infection. These findings suggest that G. spinigerum infection potently induces a Th2-type biased response.

Fine needle aspiration in a malignant lymphoepithelial lesion: a case report.

BACKGROUND: A primary malignant lymphoepithelial lesion (MLEL) of the salivary gland is a rare tumor. Though histologic morphology of this lesion is well documented, the cytologic findings regarding fine needle aspiration (FNA) are not yet well described. CASE: A 56-year-old Thai woman from Udonthanee was admitted to Srinagarind Hospital with a 2-year history of a painless mass in the left parotid gland. FNA of the left parotid mass was performed, and findings suggestive of malignancy were discovered. A wide local excision was performed 1 year later, and MLEL with metastasis to the regional lymph nodes was diagnosed by histopathology. CONCLUSION: We report our first experience of cytologic findings from FNA of histologically diagnosed MLEL. The aspirate comprised groups of cohesive and isolated malignant epithelials with a background of numerous lymphocytes. Cytotechnologists should be reminded of this rare lesion when confronted with a lymphocytic background from either benign or malignant lesions.

Rituximab combined with CHOP for successful treatment of aggressive recurrent, pediatric B-cell large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

This report is the first to describe the successful treatment of a 14-year-old boy with aggressive recurrent, CD20-positive, B-cell large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The patient responded to three 4-week courses of rituximab (MabThera) given every 6 months and six cycles of CHOP given every 3 weeks in addition to a modified BFM 86 protocol. Transient neutropenia and lymphopenia occurred but with no clinical significance. The boy has been disease-free for the last 48 months (after 64 months of follow-up); his organ functions are normal. Rituximab and CHOP in addition to chemotherapy may be an alternative treatment for aggressive recurrent, pediatric CD20-positive B-cell large cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma if highly intensive chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation are not available.

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction, conventional and MRSA screen latex agglutination methods for detection of methicillin-resistant, -borderline and -susceptible Staphylococcus aureus.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), is difficult and expensive to treat, therefore early screening is essential. Several phenotypic and genotypic methods are used to detect MRSA; however, the method of choice remains problematic. We have evaluated four phenotypic methods, broth microdilution (MIC), oxacillin disk agar diffusion (ODD), oxacillin screening salt agar (OSS), and a new rapid phenotypic (MRSA screen latex agglutination, MSLA) with the genotypic gold standard of PCR mecA detection to determine the most appropriate method for routine laboratory use. We randomly collected 203 S. aureus isolates from patients and carriers at two hospitals in Thailand. Using MIC method, three sub-groups were differentiated from among these isolates, namely MRSA (106 isolates), borderline-resistant S. aureus (BRSA) (65 isolates), and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA)(32 isolates). A total of 10 methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) isolates were also included. The sensitivity and specificity of MIC, ODD, OSS, and MSLA were 99 and 96, 100 and 97, 100 and 97, and 100 and 100%, respectively. Our study indicated that ODD is still appropriate for routine laboratory. MSLA had the highest sensitivity and specificity and is rapid but expensive, so is the most appropriate method for emergency cases. MIC method was better for BRSA detection and OSS method was more appropriate for screening clinical specimens and carriers.