Evaluation of stability and size distribution of sunflower oil-coated micro bubbles for localized drug delivery

Background

In recent years magnesium alloys have been intensively investigated as potential resorbable materials with appropriate mechanical and corrosion properties. Particularly in orthopedic research magnesium is interesting because of its mechanical properties close to those of natural bone, the prevention of both stress shielding and removal of the implant after surgery.

Methods

ZEK100 plates were examined in this in vitro study with Hank's Balanced Salt Solution under physiological conditions with a constant laminar flow rate. After 14, 28 and 42 days of immersion the ZEK100 plates were mechanically tested via four point bending test. The surfaces of the immersed specimens were characterized by SEM, EDX and XRD.

Results

The four point bending test displayed an increased bending strength after 6 weeks immersion compared to the 2 week group and 4 week group. The characterization of the surface revealed the presence of high amounts of O, P and Ca on the surface and small Mg content. This indicates the precipitation of calcium phosphates with low solubility on the surface of the ZEK100 plates.

Conclusions

The results of the present in vitro study indicate that ZEK100 is a potential candidate for degradable orthopedic implants. Further investigations are needed to examine the degradation behavior.     

Validation of the theoretical domains framework for use in behaviour change and implementation research

Background

An integrative theoretical framework, developed for cross-disciplinary implementation and other behaviour change research, has been applied across a wide range of clinical situations. This study tests the validity of this framework.

Methods

Validity was investigated by behavioural experts sorting 112 unique theoretical constructs using closed and open sort tasks. The extent of replication was tested by Discriminant Content Validation and Fuzzy Cluster Analysis.

Results

There was good support for a refinement of the framework comprising 14 domains of theoretical constructs (average silhouette value 0.29): ??Knowledge??, ??Skills??, ??Social/Professional Role and Identity??, ??Beliefs about Capabilities??, ??Optimism??, ??Beliefs about Consequences??, ??Reinforcement??, ??Intentions??, ??Goals??, ??Memory, Attention and Decision Processes??, ??Environmental Context and Resources??, ??Social Influences??, ??Emotions??, and ??Behavioural Regulation??.

Conclusions

The refined Theoretical Domains Framework has a strengthened empirical base and provides a method for theoretically assessing implementation problems, as well as professional and other health-related behaviours as a basis for intervention development.     

RHYTHM-AF: design of an international registry on cardioversion of atrial fibrillation and characteristics of participating centers

Background

Cigarette exposure increases brain oxidative stress. The literature showed that increased brain oxidative stress affects cardiovascular regulation. However, no previous study investigated the involvement of brain oxidative stress in animals exposed to cigarette and its relationship with cardiovascular regulation. We aimed to evaluate the effects of central catalase inhibition on baroreflex and cardiovascular responses in rats exposed to sidestream cigarette smoke (SSCS).

Methods

We evaluated males Wistar rats (320-370 g), which were implanted with a stainless steel guide cannula into the fourth cerebral ventricle (4th V). Femoral artery and vein were cannulated for mean arterial pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) measurement and drug infusion, respectively. Rats were exposed to SSCS during three weeks, 180 minutes, 5 days/week (CO: 100-300 ppm). Baroreflex was tested with a pressor dose of phenylephrine (PHE, 8 ??g/kg, bolus) to induce bradycardic reflex and a depressor dose of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 50 ??g/kg, bolus) to induce tachycardic reflex. Cardiovascular responses were evaluated before, 5, 15, 30 and 60 minutes after 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (ATZ, catalase inhibitor, 0.001 g/100 ??L) injection into the 4th V.

Results

Central catalase inhibition increased basal HR in the control group during the first 5 minutes. SSCS exposure increased basal HR and attenuated bradycardic peak during the first 15 minutes.

Conclusion

We suggest that SSCS exposure affects cardiovascular regulation through its influence on catalase activity.     

Analyse du statut oxydatif spermatique chez des patients infertiles

Introduction

Male infertility constitutes public health problems. Several factors are at the origin of this phenomenon. Currently, the oxidative stress is accused to be one of the leading causes. In our study, we sought a correlation between the markers of the oxidative stress and the sperm characteristics (morphology).

Material and methods

We evaluated the antioxidant status in the seminal plasma of 129 infertile men. Patients were characterized by infertility of variable duration. They were divided into four groups: normozoospermics who were considered as controls (n=34), asthenozoospermics (Astheno; n=43), oligozoospermics (Oligo; n=22) and teratozoospermics (Terato; n=30). Among the oxidative stress markers, we evaluated, in seminal plasma, zinc, calcium, magnesium and selenium by spectrophotometry of atomic absorption to flame and furnace. The malondialdehyde (MDA) is proportioned by spectrofluorometry.

Results

Our results show that the seminal concentrations of zinc and selenium are higher in the control group than the concentrations of these same elements in the three other groups. The seminal zinc concentration was significantly correlated with the sperm count (r=0.49; p < 0.001) and MDA (r=- 0.35; p<0.05). Sperm motility was correlated with calcium (r=0.41; p<0.001) and magnesium (r=0.31; p<0.05). The MDA concentration is higher in the three groups of patients: oligozoospermics (3.22±1.37 ??g/ml), asthenozoospermics (3.52±1.93 ??g/ml) and teratozoospermics (3.64±1.73 ??g/ml) compared with controls (2.32±0.94 ??g/ml). A single positive correlation was observed between the MDA and morphology (r=0.19; p<0.05).

Conclusion

Our study confirms that the oxidative stress plays an important role in the process of deteriorations of the spermatozoa. The free radicals can, indeed, modify the membrane structure as well as the membrane structure of the deoxyribonucleic acid. These deteriorations also lead to an increase in the percentage of sperm of abnormal forms.     

Reduced trabecular bone mineral density and cortical thickness accompanied by increased outer bone circumference in metacarpal bone of rheumatoid arthritis patients: a cross-sectional study

Introduction

The objective of this study was to assess three-dimensional bone geometry and density at the epiphysis and shaft of the third meta-carpal bone of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in comparison to healthy controls with the novel method of peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT).

Methods

PQCT scans were performed in 50 female RA patients and 100 healthy female controls at the distal epiphyses and shafts of the third metacarpal bone, the radius and the tibia. Reproducibility was determined by coefficient of varia-tion. Bone densitometric and geometric parameters were compared between the two groups and correlated to disease characteristics.

Results

Reproducibility of different pQCT parameters was between 0.7% and 2.5%. RA patients had 12% to 19% lower trabecular bone mineral density (BMD) (P ≤ 0.001) at the distal epiphyses of radius, tibia and metacarpal bone. At the shafts of these bones RA patients had 7% to 16% thinner cortices (P ≤ 0.03). Total cross-sectional area (CSA) at the metacarpal bone shaft of pa-tients was larger (between 5% and 7%, P < 0.02), and relative cortical area was reduced by 13%. Erosiveness by Ratingen score correlated negatively with tra-becular and total BMD at the epiphyses and shaft cortical thickness of all measured bones (P < 0.04).

Conclusions

Reduced trabecular BMD and thinner cortices at peripheral bones, and a greater bone shaft diameter at the metacarpal bone suggest RA spe-cific bone alterations. The proposed pQCT protocol is reliable and allows measuring juxta-articular trabecular BMD and shaft geometry at the metacarpal bone.     

Magnesium in health and disease

Introduction

Magnesium is an essential electrolyte in living organisms, which has to be supplied daily in a sufficient amount.

Methods

The clinical importance of a magnesium overload or a magnesium intoxication is seldom. However, a magnesium deficiency is of special importance in humans, despite of a normal magnesium supplementation. The primary effect of a magnesium deficiency results in a reduction of energy production. This reduced energy production can result in a disturbed membrane function, calcium magnesium antagonism and cell dysfunction.

Results

Thereby consequences may result in an organ dysfunction and an altered answer to external and internal stress. The reduced energy status is responsible for the recovery of unhealthy individuals - e.g. cardiac arrhythmias, primary hypertension, pre-eclampsia, cramps, allergic reactions—upon repletion of Mg status.

Conclusions

The importance of an oral or intravenously supplementation of magnesium has often been described in a variety of diseases. In addition of special interest is the use of magnesium in critically ill patients in intensive care medicine.     

Three dimensional socket preservation: a technique for soft tissue augmentation along with socket grafting

Background

A cursory review of the current socket preservation literatures well depicts the necessity of further esthetic considerations through the corrective procedures of the alveolar ridge upon and post extraction. A new technique has been described here is a rotational pedicle combined epithelialized and connective tissue graft (RPC graft) adjunct with immediate guided tissue regeneration (GBR) procedure.

Results

We reviewed this technique through a case report and discuss it??s benefit in compare to other socket preservation procedures.

Conclusion

The main advantages of RPC graft would be summarized as follows: stable primary closure during bone remodeling, saving or crating sufficient vestibular depth, making adequate keratinized gingiva on the buccal surface, and being esthetically pleasant.     

Les urgences andrologiques en milieu urbain au Cameroun : aspects cliniques et thérapeutiques

Goal

Describe clinical and therapeutic aspects of andrologic emergencies in an urban area, received in a university teaching hospital in Cameroon.

Methodology

We prospectively studied during 36 months all andrologic emergencies received at Laquintinie Hospital of Douala.

Results

We had a total of 291 patients. The mean age was 42.50 years. Most of our patients?? age was between 0 and 45 years. The most frequent lesion was genito-urinary trauma (51.50%) and uro-genital infections (23.71%). Priapism and torsion of the spermatic cord were also frequent. We carried out 185 emergency surgical interventions. Exploration and suture of wounds of the external genitalia (38.91%) and the exploratory scrototomy (21.62%) were the main emergency procedures.

Conclusion

Genito-urinary trauma are the most encountered andrologic emergencies in an urban area of Cameroon. Priapism and torsion of the spermatic cord were not rare.     

Neuropeptide-inducible upregulation of proteasome activity precedes nuclear factor kappa B activation in androgen-independent prostate cancer cells

Background

Upregulation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF??B) activity and neuroendocrine differentiation are two mechanisms known to be involved in prostate cancer (PC) progression to castration resistance. We have observed that major components of these pathways, including NF??B, proteasome, neutral endopeptidase (NEP) and endothelin 1 (ET-1), exhibit an inverse and mirror image pattern in androgen-dependent (AD) and -independent (AI) states in vitro.

Methods

We have now investigated for evidence of a direct mechanistic connection between these pathways with the use of immunocytochemistry (ICC), western blot analysis, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and proteasome activity assessment.

Results

Neuropeptide (NP) stimulation induced nuclear translocation of NF??B in a dose-dependent manner in AI cells, also evident as reduced total inhibitor ??B (I??B) levels and increased DNA binding in EMSA. These effects were preceded by increased 20?S proteasome activity at lower doses and at earlier times and were at least partially reversed under conditions of NP deprivation induced by specific NP receptor inhibitors, as well as NF??B, I??B kinase (IKK) and proteasome inhibitors. AD cells showed no appreciable nuclear translocation upon NP stimulation, with less intense DNA binding signal on EMSA.

Conclusions

Our results support evidence for a direct mechanistic connection between the NPs and NF??B/proteasome signaling pathways, with a distinct NP-induced profile in the more aggressive AI cancer state.     

Analysis of non-cellulosic polysaccharides helps to reveal the history of thick organic surface layers on calcareous Alpine soils

Background and aims

We investigated the potential of non-cellulosic polysaccharides (NCP) as biomarkers to identify the plant types that dominate present and past litter input into organic surface covers on calcareous Alpine soils and to reveal historic vegetation changes.

Methods

At two sites in the Alps, NCP monomers were quantified in different organs of site-dominating plants, the Oa horizon of four Folic Leptosols, and different sections of thick organic surface layers of four Folic Histosols on calcareous bedrock.

Results

The dominating plant types at our study sites differ markedly in their NCP composition and (galactose + mannose)/(arabinose + xylose) [GM/AX] ratio (grasses and sedges: 0.2; dicots Fagus and Vaccinium: 0.2–0.6; conifers Abies, Picea, Pinus: 0.7–2.4; mosses: 5). For all except one soil, the NCP signature of the uppermost Oa horizon reflects the present vegetation. For all Histosol O horizons, NCP signatures indicate a dominance of conifer litter throughout their development (up to 1,500 years). Different NCP and GM/AX depth profiles reflect specific patterns of O layer genesis.

Conclusions

NCP and GM/AX depth profiles in organic surface covers of soils provide important information about dominating litter sources in the past and can be valuable tools to reveal historic vegetation and/or land use changes.     

BMPR2 expression is suppressed by signaling through the estrogen receptor

Background

Low endogenous testosterone levels have been shown to be a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular benefits associated with testosterone replacement therapy are being advocated; however, the effects of endogenous testosterone levels on acute coronary vasomotor responses to androgen administration are not clear. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of acute androgen administration on in vivo coronary conductance and in vitro coronary microvascular diameter in intact and castrated male swine.

Methods

Pigs received intracoronary infusions of physiologic levels (1?C100 nM) of testosterone, the metabolite 5??-dihydrotestosterone, and the epimer epitestosterone while left anterior descending coronary blood flow and mean arterial pressure were continuously monitored. Following sacrifice, coronary arterioles were isolated, cannulated, and exposed to physiologic concentrations (1?C100 nM) of testosterone, 5??-dihydrotestosterone, and epitestosterone. To evaluate effects of the androgen receptor on acute androgen dilation responses, real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry for androgen receptor were performed on conduit and resistance coronary vessels.

Results

In vivo, testosterone and 5??-dihydrotestosterone produced greater increases in coronary conductance in the intact compared to the castrated males. In vitro, percent maximal dilation of microvessels was similar between intact and castrated males for testosterone and 5??-dihydrotestosterone. In both studies epitestosterone produced significant increases in conductance and microvessel diameter from baseline in the intact males. Androgen receptor mRNA expression and immunohistochemical staining were similar in intact and castrated males.

Conclusions

Acute coronary vascular responses to exogenous androgen administration are increased by endogenous testosterone, an effect unrelated to changes in androgen receptor expression.     

Genetic testing in diffuse parenchymal lung disease

Background

Mutations in SCO2 cause cytochrome c oxidase deficiency (COX) and a fatal infantile cardioencephalomyopathy. SCO2 encodes a protein involved in COX copper metabolism; supplementation with copper salts rescues the defect in patients?? cells. Bezafibrate (BZF), an approved hypolipidemic agent, ameliorates the COX deficiency in mice with mutations in COX10, another COX-assembly gene.

Methods

We have investigated the effect of BZF and copper in cells with SCO2 mutations using spectrophotometric methods to analyse respiratory chain activities and a luciferase assay to measure ATP production..

Results

Individual mitochondrial enzymes displayed different responses to BZF. COX activity increased by about 40% above basal levels (both in controls and patients), with SCO2 cells reaching 75-80% COX activity compared to untreated controls. The increase in COX was paralleled by an increase in ATP production. The effect was dose-dependent: it was negligible with 100 ??M BZF, and peaked at 400 ??M BZF. Higher BZF concentrations were associated with a relative decline of COX activity, indicating that the therapeutic range of this drug is very narrow. Combined treatment with 100 ??M CuCl₂ and 200 ??M BZF (which are only marginally effective when administered individually) achieved complete rescue of COX activity in SCO2 cells.

Conclusions

These data are crucial to design therapeutic trials for this otherwise fatal disorder. The additive effect of copper and BZF will allow to employ lower doses of each drug and to reduce their potential toxic effects. The exact mechanism of action of BZF remains to be determined.     

Physiological and biochemical impacts of magnesium-deficiency in two cultivars of coffee

Aim

To evaluate biochemical and physiological impacts of magnesium-deficiency on seedlings of two cultivars (Catuaí and Acaiá) of Coffea arabica L..

Methods

Six month old seedlings from both cultivars were transferred to plastic receptacles containing solutions with different concentrations of magnesium (Mg). Fully expanded leaves and roots were evaluated at the beginning of treatment and after 10, 20 and 30 days for chlorophyll and carotenoid content, biomass allocation, partitioning of carbohydrates and antioxidant metabolism.

Results

Mg-deficiency was characterized by an increase in the shoot/root dry weight ratio, which may be related to accumulation of carbohydrates in leaves. This accumulation is probably responsible for triggering a reduction in the consumption of reducing equivalents, providing favorable conditions for the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The increase in ROS production was accompanied by increases in ascorbate concentration and enzyme activity of the antioxidant metabolism.

Conclusions

The Catuaí cultivar is more sensitive to Mg-deficiency than the Acaiá cultivar. When exposed to magnesium deficiency the Catuaí cultivar had reduced growth and its antioxidant metabolism was less efficient at removing ROS.     

Biochemical and kinetic characterization of GH43 β-d-xylosidase/α-l-arabinofuranosidase and GH30 α-l-arabinofuranosidase/β-d-xylosidase from rumen metagenome

The present study focuses on characterization of two hemicellulases, RuXyn1 and RuXyn2, from rumen bacterial metagenome and their capabilities for degradation of xylans. Glycosyl hydrolase (GH) family?43 ??-d-xylosidase/??-l-arabinofuranosidase RuXyn1 can hydrolyze p-nitrophenyl-??-d-xylopyranoside (pNPX), p-nitrophenyl-??-l-arabinofuranoside (pNPA), and xylo-oligosaccharide substrates, while GH30 1,5-??-l-arabinofuranosidase/??-d-xylosidase RuXyn2, the first ??-l-arabinofuranosidase assigned to this GH family, shows activities towards 1,5-??-l-arabinobiose and pNPX substrates but no activity for pNPA. Kinetic analysis for aryl-glycosides revealed that RuXyn2 had higher catalytic efficiency than RuXyn1 toward pNPX substrate. RuXyn1 shows high synergism with endoxylanase, elevating by 73% the reducing sugars released from brichwood xylans, and converted most intermediate xylo-oligosaccharide hydrolysate into xylose. The high xylose conversion capability of RuXyn1 suggests it has potential applications in enzymatic production of xylose and improvement of hemicellulose saccharification for production of biofuels. RuXyn2 shows no obviously synergistic effect in the endoxylanase-coupled assay for enzymatic saccharification of xylan. Further cosmid DNA sequencing revealed a neighboring putative GH43 ??-l-arabinofuranosidase RuAra1 and two putative GH3 ??-xylosidase/arabinosidases, RuXyn3 and RuXyn5, downstream of RuXyn2, indicating that this hemicellulase gene cluster may be responsible for production of end-product, xylose and arabinose, from hemicellulose biomass.     

Characterization of the antiproliferative activity of Xylopia aethiopica

Background

Xylopia aethiopica, a plant found throughout West Africa, has both nutritional and medicinal uses. The present study aims to characterize the effects of extracts of this plant on cancer cells.

Results

We report that X. aethiopica extract prepared with 70% ethanol has antiproliferative activity against a panel of cancer cell lines. The IC50 was estimated at 12 ??g/ml against HCT116 colon cancer cells, 7.5 ??g/ml and > 25 ??g/ml against U937 and KG1a leukemia cells, respectively. Upon fractionation of the extract by HPLC, the active fraction induced DNA damage, cell cycle arrest in G1 phase and apoptotic cell death. By using NMR and mass spectrometry, we determined the structure of the active natural product in the HPLC fraction as ent-15-oxokaur-16-en-19-oic acid.

Conclusion

The main cytotoxic and DNA-damaging compound in ethanolic extracts of Xylopia aethiopica is ent-15-oxokaur-16-en-19-oic acid.     

IL-3 and TNFα increase Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin Receptor (TSLPR) expression on eosinophils and enhance TSLP-stimulated degranulation

Background

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and eosinophils are prominent components of allergic inflammation. Therefore, we sought to determine whether TSLP could activate eosinophils, focusing on measuring the regulation of TSLPR expression on eosinophils and degranulation in response to TSLP, as well as other eosinophil activation responses.

Methods

Eosinophil mRNA expression of TSLPR and IL-7R?? was examined by real-time quantitative PCR of human eosinophils treated with TNF?? and IL-5 family cytokines, and TSLPR surface expression on eosinophils was analyzed by flow cytometry. Eosinophils were stimulated with TSLP (with and without pre-activation with TNF?? and IL-3) and evaluated for release of eosinophil derived neurotoxin (EDN), phosphorylation of STAT5, and survival by trypan blue exclusion. A blocking antibody for TSLPR was used to confirm the specificity of TSLP mediated signaling on eosinophil degranulation.

Results

Eosinophil expression of cell surface TSLPR and TSLPR mRNA was upregulated by stimulation with TNF?? and IL-3. TSLP stimulation resulted in release of EDN, phosphorylation of STAT5 as well as promotion of viability and survival. TSLP-stimulated eosinophil degranulation was inhibited by a functional blocking antibody to TSLPR. Pre-activation of eosinophils with TNF?? and IL-3 promoted eosinophil degranulation at lower concentrations of TSLP stimulation.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that eosinophils are activated by TSLP and that eosinophil degranulation in response to TSLP may be enhanced on exposure to cytokines present in allergic inflammation, indicating that the eosinophil has the capacity to participate in TSLP-driven allergic responses.