The New Nucleus 5 Model Cochlear Implant: a New Surgical Technique and Early Clinical Results

Cochlear Implants International. Jun, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22333886

OBJECTIVE: The Nucleus 5 or CI500 series cochlear implants are the new generation of Nucleus(®) cochlear implants. The receiver-stimulator package has a low profile without a pedestal projecting from the medial surface. This study aimed to demonstrate that the new design can facilitate a minimally invasive surgical approach, without the need for tie-down sutures and without a seat drilled for the receiver-stimulator package. METHODS: The surgical technique involved placing the device directly on the surface of the bone in a secure sub-periosteal pocket with a channel drilled for the lead. A well or ramped seat was not drilled and tie-down sutures were not used. Measurements were taken from the transmitting coil to the tragus and the coil to the lobule immediately after implantation, and serially thereafter to document implant position. RESULTS: To date, over 200 implants have been performed with the Nucleus 5 device. In all cases, healing was uneventful without major complications. Of 137 patients with at least 6-week follow-up data, 8% showed a measurement change of greater than 1 cm whereas only 4.4% demonstrated any clinically evident movement. None had any complications relating to migration and none required repositioning of the device. DISCUSSION: The new design can safely be inserted without drilling a well for the receiver-stimulator package. Some early post-operative movement of the package was observed which caused no clinical impact. This modified surgical technique reduces the risk of intracranial complications and reduces operating time.

Assessment of Intracochlear Trauma Caused by the Insertion of a New Straight Research Array

Cochlear Implants International. Jun, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22333934

OBJECTIVE: To assess the degree of intracochlear trauma using the Cochlear™ Straight Research Array (SRA). This electrode has recently been released by Cochlear™ on the CI422 implant. BACKGROUND: Electroacoustic stimulation (EAS) enables recipients to benefit from cochlear implantation while retaining their natural low-frequency hearing. A disadvantage of short EAS electrodes is that short electrodes provide limited low-frequency stimulation. Thus, loss of the residual hearing may require reimplantation with a longer electrode. In order to overcome this problem, the slim diameter SRA with increased length (20-25 mm) has been designed to provide a deeper, yet non-traumatic insertion. METHODS: Two insertion studies into temporal bones were undertaken. The first involved dissection of the cochlea to gain a view into the scala vestibuli and insertion of the SRA and control electrodes with a microactuator for a surgeon-independent yet controlled insertion. High-speed photography was used to record data. The second study involved a high-resolution X-ray microcomputed tomography (microCT) study to assess electrode placement and tissue preservation in surgeon-implanted bones. RESULTS: The SRA had a smooth insertion trajectory. The average angular insertion depth was 383° when inserted until resistance was encountered, and 355° if inserted to a predetermined mark for EAS use. In addition, microCT data showed that this caused no significant trauma or distortion of the basilar membrane up to 20 mms depth. CONCLUSION: Temporal bone studies show that the SRA appears to cause no intracochlear trauma if used as an EAS electrode up to 20 mm depth of insertion.

Measurement of Atherosclerosis Markers in Patients With Periodontitis: A Case-Control Study

Journal of Periodontology. Nov, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22060049

Objective: Periodontitis is suggested to enhance the process of vascular inflammation leading to atherosclerosis. The present study explores the effect of periodontitis in relation to the clinical and ultrasound markers of carotid atherosclerosis. Methods: Sixty systemically healthy patients over 45 years of age (30 with chronic periodontitis and 30 without periodontitis) were studied in a university dental school. Traditional cardiovascular risk factors for atherosclerosis were evaluated. Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) was assessed by ultrasound. Results: The IMT of the internal carotid was 0.77 and 0.81 mm, respectively, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (p=0.538). There were significant differences in the presence of carotid atheroma plaques and the severity of periodontitis (p=0.003). In the logistic regression analysis, significant differences in terms of age and periodontitis were recorded in relation to the presence of atheroma plaques in the carotid intima. Conclusion: The severity of periodontitis was seen to influence the presence of carotid atheroma plaques.

Ultrastructural Changes During Asexual Multiple Reproduction in Trichomonas Vaginalis

Parasitology Research. Nov, 2011  |  Pubmed ID: 22076052

Trichomonas vaginalis, a flagellated protozoan parasite, is commonly found in the genitourinary tract of humans. Its mode of reproduction has always been reported to be binary fission. The high parasite numbers seen in a relatively short period in in vitro cultures led us to believe that there must be other modes of reproduction. The present study for the first time provides transformational evidence at the ultrastructural level seen in tropohozoites of T. vaginalis undergoing a multiple asexual mode of reproduction. The findings show that the single cell with a nucleus is capable of dividing to as many as eight nuclei within the cytoplasmic body. Before the commencement of division, the nucleus remained round or ovoid in shape with condensed chromatin masses and only a few endoplasmic reticula surrounding the nucleus. During the division, the nucleus started to elongate and become irregular in shape with visible chromatin masses condensing with the accumulation of numerous endoplasmic reticula. Nuclear division gave rise to as many as eight nuclei within a cell, which could be seen to be connected by numerous endoplasmic reticula. In addition, a high number of hydrogenosomes and vacuoles can be seen in multinucleated T. vaginalis compared with single nucleated T. vaginalis. This study confirms that multiple modes of nuclear division do exist in T. vaginalis and are a precursor to progeny formation.

Banana (Musa Sp. Var. Elakki Bale) Flower and Pseudostem: Dietary Fiber and Associated Antioxidant Capacity

Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Jan, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22122826

Banana flower (BF) and pseudostem (PS) are byproducts of banana cultivation and are known to have health beneficial effects. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the dietary fiber composition and antioxidant effect of BF and PS. In the present study, BF and PS were found to be rich in dietary fiber (65.6 ± 1.32 and 28.8 ± 0.98%, respectively). Dietary fiber fractions were extracted and characterized in terms of sugar profile, and antioxidant activities were determined. BF and PS fractions were rich in sugars and showed wide diversity with respect to the nature of the sugars. Hemicellulose A fraction of BF showed high amounts of total polyphenols and total antioxidants, which were 121.8 ± 1.9 and 39.03 ± 0.118 μg/mg extract, respectively. HPLC analysis showed the presence of phenolic acids in hemicellulose A and B fractions of BF. These results indicate that BF and PS are rich sources of dietary fiber associated with polyphenols, which could promote health beneficial effects.

Novel Therapeutic Approaches to CNS Metastases in Malignant Phaeochromocytomas - Case Report of the First Patient with a Large Cystic CNS Lesion

Clinical Endocrinology. Jan, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22288775

Clofarabine, Cyclophosfamide, and Etoposide for the Treatment of Relapsed or Resistant Acute Leukemia in Pediatric Patients

Leukemia & Lymphoma. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22303898

ABSTRACT Clofarabine is a promising, new chemotherapeutic agent that is active in the treatment of pediatric acute leukemia. Forty children ( 16 AML, 24 ALL), aged 1-20 years (median 7.6 years) with relapsed or refractory Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) or Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) were treated because of resistance to first line treatment (5) , or for first (22) , second (11), or third relapse (2) . They received clofarabine (40 mg/m(2)/day) associated with etoposide (100 mg/m(2)/day) and Cyclophosphamide (440 mg/m(2)/day) administered as 1 or 2 induction cycles (5 days of chemotherapy) in an attempt to reach complete remission (CR) or CR without platelet recovery (CRp). This was followed by 1 to 3 consolidation cycles (4 days of chemotherapy) for a maximum of 4 cycles. Seven (44%) out of 16 and 10 (42%) out of 24 evaluable children with AML and ALL respectively, responded to treatment. The most common adverse events were infections and gastrointestinal and hepatic toxicity. Thirteen (76%) out of 17 responders underwent SCT. 24-month OS was 25%, while it was 59% among patients who responded to the first induction cycle. Our study suggests that this drug regimen is well tolerated and can be effective in heavily pretreated relapsed or refractory pediatric patients with acute leukemia.

A Comparative Evaluation of the Anti-Bacterial Efficacy of Honey, In Vitro and Anti-Plaque Efficacy in a 4 Day Plaque Regrowth Model In Vivo - Preliminary Results

Journal of Periodontology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22309178

Background: Honey has a potent broad-spectrum antibacterial action which may make it suitable for "anti-infective" treatment of periodontal disease. Aim: 1) To evaluate the anti bacterial efficacy of honey against oral bacteria and compare the same with 0.2% chlorhexidine 2) Compare anti-plaque efficacy in vivo with chlorhexidine. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in two parts: an invitro part wherein the inhibitory effects of three test agents, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, honey mouthwash and saline, against 6 oral bacteria at concentrations of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256 and 512 micrograms per millliter were tested in duplicate. The MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) was set as the lowest concentration of the agent that completely inhibited the growth of the test species. The in vivo part consisted of a double blind parallel clinical trial based on a 4 day plaque regrowth model. Sixty six volunteers aged 20-24 years participated in the study and the plaque scores were compared at baseline and at the end of 4 days. Kruskal Wallis test was used for significance and Mann Whitney U test was used for pairwise comparison of the groups. The mean plaque scores were 1.77±0.86, 1.64±0.90, 3.27±0.83 for groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Results: The honey mouthrinse effectively inhibited the 6 tested microorganisms. The chlorhexidine gluconate rinse had the lowest MICs in comparison with honey and saline rinses, for all test species examined. The in vivo results revealed that plaque formation was inhibited/ reduced by chlorhexidine and honey rinses. Conclusion: Honey has antibacterial action against tested oral microorganisms and also has anti-plaque action.

Oxidative Stress and Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn Treated with Inhaled Nitric Oxide and Different Oxygen Concentrations

The Journal of Maternal-fetal & Neonatal Medicine : the Official Journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22320379

Abstract Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of inhaled NO with different oxygen concentrations on the inflammatory cascade in newborns with hypoxic respiratory failure (HRF) secondary to persistent pulmonary hypertension. Methods: 60 newborns received iNO and 30 of them received an initial oxygen concentration of 45% (group 1), while the other 30 newborns received an initial oxygen concentration of 80% (group 2). The levels of inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) were measured. The clinical outcome was also recorded. Results: The findings show that interleukin concentrations (IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α) were significantly decreased between 0 to 72 hours (p <0.01) in the newborns exposed to initial oxygen concentration of 45% and significantly increased in the other group. Conclusions: When inhaled NO was co-administered with concentration of O(2) < 45%, anti-inflammatory responses occurred, in accord with evidence in the published literature. The benefits of iNO on the clinical outcome in the current study demonstrate that inhaled NO in both groups was associated with improved short-term oxygenation.

Tobacco Addiction and The Risk of Upper Aerodigestive Tract Cancer in A Multicenter Case-Control Study

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337537

BACKGROUND: While previous studies on tobacco and alcohol and the risk of upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers have clearly shown dose-response relations with the frequency and duration of tobacco and/or alcohol, studies on addiction to tobacco itself as a risk factor for UADT cancer have not been published, to our knowledge. The aim of this report is to assess whether smoking addiction is a risk factor for UADT SCC risk in the multicenter case-control study (ARCAGE) in Western Europe independent of tobacco smoking or alcohol drinking intensity or duration.METHODS: The analyses included 1,905 ever smoking UADT SCC cases (871 oral cavity/oropharynx, 814 hypopharynx/larynx, 127 esophagus, and 93 overlapping oral cavity/pharynx) and 1,489 ever smoking controls. The addiction variables included first cigarette after waking up, difficulty refraining from smoking in places where it is forbidden, and cigarettes per day. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for UADT cancers with addiction variables were estimated with unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for center, age, sex, education level, alcohol consumption, and tobacco smoking.RESULTS: Among current smokers, 76.47% of cases were categorized in the highest addiction level, whereas 54.69% of controls were in that category. The participants who smoked their first cigarette within 5 minutes of waking up were two times more likely to develop UADT SCC (OR = 2.22, 95% CI 1.57-3.15) than those who smoked 60 minutes after waking up. A higher modified Fagerstram score, reflecting greater tobacco addiction, was associated with an increased risk of UADT SCC among current smokers, but not among former smokers.CONCLUSION: We observed that time to first cigarette after waking up was associated with UADT SCC risk, regardless of heavy smoking or alcohol drinking behaviors. These results are consistent with residual effect of smoking that was not captured by the questionnaire responses alone. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.

Lifestyle and Dietary Risk Factors for Colorectal Hyperplastic and Adenomatous Polyps

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337539

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence suggests that colon hyperplastic polyps (HP) increases predisposition to the development of colon cancer, albeit to a lesser degree than colon adenoma. Data on behavioral and lifestyle risk factors for HP are limited.METHODS: We compared the risk factor profiles for colon adenoma and colon HP in 1,826 patients without known history of colorectal cancer or polyps who are undergoing screening colonoscopy at our institution. Five hundred and eight patients were diagnosed with one or more colon adenomas, 215 with HP, 140 patients with both adenoma and HP, and 963 with negative colonscopic examination. Information on behavioral and lifestyle risk factors and dietary habits were collected by computer-assisted personal interview (CAPI) and Food Frequency Questionnaire prior to colonoscopy. We used multivariate unconditional logistic regressions to assess risk associations.RESULTS: Positive association were found between adenomatous polyps and male gender (OR 1.702, 95% CI 1.210-2.394, p 0.002), current smoker (OR 1.598, 95% CI 1.091-2.340, p 0.016) and family history (OR 1.409, 95% CI 1.034-1.920, p 0.030). For hyperplastic polyps, positive associations were found between current smoker (OR 2.038, 95% CI 1.207-3.441, p 0.008) and regular alcohol drinker (OR 1.661, 95% CI 1.057-2.610, p 0.028). For both types of polyps positive associations were found between male gender (OR 2.282, 95% CI 1.233-4.222, p 0.009), current smoker (OR 2.692, 95% CI 1.475-4.912, p 0.001) and family history (OR 2.472, 95% CI 1.506-4.057, p 0.00). In a subgroup analysis by gender, regular alcohol consumption (OR 1.780, 95% CI 1.008-3.143, p 0.047) was associated with increased risk and HRT (OR 0.450, 95% CI 0.225-0.903, p 0.025) was associated with a decreased risk of hyperplastic polyps in females. Whereas in males, ever smokers (OR 3.074, 95% CI 1.357-6.965, p 0.007) and current smokers (OR 3.311, 95% CI 1.307-8.389, p 0.012) were associated with an increase risk of hyperplastic polyps.CONCLUSION: Our data indicate that there are several lifestyle and dietary risk factors that are associated with both colorectal adenomatous and hyperplastic polyps. These risk factors vary not only by type of polyp but also gender. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.

Research Addressing Follow-Up for Abnormal Cancer Screening Tests: NCI Portfolio Analyses

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337540

PURPOSE: The study's purposes were to identify the portfolio of grants awarded by the National Cancer Institute that addressed follow-up to abnormal screening tests for colon, breast and cervical cancer, document key research design characteristics, and discuss questions and issues for future practice and research.METHODS: A standardized form was used to audit grants funded from 2002 through 2011. Grant text was independently reviewed by two auditors; differences in reports were discussed until consensus was reached. The investigators then summarized findings in order to distill trends and issues.RESULTS: Twelve grants met inclusion criteria; 5, 4, 2 and 1 addressed follow-up of Pap tests, mammography, and colorectal tests and multiple screens respectively. Fifty percent were R01 awards, the majority of which applied group or individual RCT designs. One was a prospective cohort study. R21s typically emphasized qualitative methods and stressed behavioral epidemiology, measurement tool development and intervention planning; several listed aims related to determining prevalence. Definition of outcome measures was variable: e.g. completion of a follow-up test; time to follow-up; and steps until diagnosis. Four studies explicitly focused on ethnic/racial disparities; 5 on low income and underserved populations. Several emphasized measurement development. Three included cost analyses research questions. Most focused on individual level change, although changes in the broader multi-level context were proposed, but at times implicit, often viewed as process measures. A majority included aims related to understanding important mediator and moderator variables. Few explicated multilevel theories, although models reflected an ecological orientation.CONCLUSIONS: Future practice and research priorities include development of clear operational definitions of follow-up; conceptual and descriptive evaluations of how providers, patients, and organizations interact across the steps and interfaces of follow-up care; determination of priorities for multilevel intervention testing and improvement of measures, and application of appropriate and innovative study designs using multi-methods.This project has been funded in whole or in part with federal funds from the National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, under Contract No. HHSN261200800001E. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.

Epidemiological Risk Factors Associated with Inflammatory Breast Cancer Triple Negative Subtype

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337546

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory breast cancer (IBC) is rare and accounts for ∼1% of all invasive breast cancers. The 5-year survival rates are significantly lower than for other types of breast cancer, highlighting the significance of cancer prevention in IBC. A disproportionately higher percentage of IBC patients have triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC; ER(-), PR(-) and Her2(-)) than patients with non-IBC. TNBCs are thought to arise from normal breast stem cells. Our preliminary data indicates that normal breast stem cells are enriched in adjacent normal tissues of patients with TN IBC. We hypothesize that parity and breastfeeding, risk factors that influence the normal stem cell compartment in the breast, will differ between TN IBC and non-TN IBC subtypes.METHODS: We identified 144 patients diagnosed with IBC in 1991-2011 at MD Anderson. Breast cancer risk factors including parity and breast-feeding were compared between patients with TN and non-TN IBC with chi square or Wilcoxon rank sum tests.RESULTS: The average age at diagnosis was 54 years; 83% of patients were non-Hispanic white; and 36% were TN IBC. We found that patients with TN IBC had significantly lower frequency (p = 0.02) and duration of breastfeeding (p = 0.02) compared with non-TN IBC patients. No differences were found in the frequency of other breast cancer risk factors.CONCLUSION: The association between breastfeeding and TNBC indicates that stem cells that are retained in the absence of breastfeeding may be the cell of origin for TN IBC. These results highlight the importance of evaluating epidemiologic risk factors of IBC according to receptor subtype, which could lead to the identification of distinct etiologic pathways that could be targeted for prevention. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.

Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in Relation to Tricyclic Antidepressant Use

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337549

PURPOSE: We investigated the relationship between prior use of tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphomas (NHL), both overall and for common subtypes of NHL; previous studies provided some evidence of an association with NHL, but did not assess the risk of specific subtypes of NHL, which have been shown to be etiologically diverse.METHODS: We conducted a population-based matched case-control study among members of Group Health (GH), an integrated healthcare delivery system. Cases included GH members diagnosed with NHL between 1980-2011 at age ≥25 with no record of a prior cancer or of certain autoimmune conditions, who had been enrolled for ≥2 years at the reference date (date of diagnosis). Eight controls were matched to each case on age, sex, enrollment on the reference date, and length of prior enrollment at GH. Information on prior TCA use, including dose, duration, recency, and type, was ascertained from automated pharmacy data. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for NHL (and common subtypes) in relation to various patterns of TCA exposure using conditional logistic regression adjusted for confounders.RESULTS: We identified 2,768 cases and 22,127 matched controls. We did not observe an appreciably increased risk of NHL among persons who had filled ≥2 TCA prescriptions prior to the reference date compared to those who had filled none (OR: 1.1; 95% CI: 1.0-1.2). Overall risk of NHL was associated to at most a small degree with longer-term use (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 1.0-1.4 for ≥10 prescriptions), high-dose use (OR: 1.1; 95% CI: 0.8-1.5 for ≥50 mg or equivalent), or use that began more than 5 years prior to reference date (OR: 1.0; 95% CI: 0.9-1.2). TCA use was generally not associated with most major NHL subtypes, though longer-term TCA use was associated with increased risk of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-2.0).CONCLUSIONS: We found little evidence that TCA use increases risk of NHL, overall or for specific common subtypes of NHL. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.

Relationship Between Use of Different Oral Contraceptive Formulations and Breast Cancer Risk Among Young Women

Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention : a Publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, Cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22337552

PURPOSE: Prior studies suggest that recent oral contraceptive (OC) use is associated with a modest increased risk of breast cancer among young women. However, the majority of these reports have relied on self-reported use and have not characterized risks associated with newer OC formulations.METHODS: We conducted a nested case-control study among health plan enrollees at a large health maintenance organization, Group Health Cooperative, which serves the greater Seattle-Puget Sound region. Cases consisted of 1,102 women 20-49 years of age diagnosed with invasive breast cancer from 1990-2009. We randomly selected 21,952 controls matched on age, year, and enrollment length. Detailed information on recent OC use, including formulation, dose, and duration was ascertained from electronic pharmacy records. Multivariate-adjusted conditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) as estimates of relative risks and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).RESULTS: Recent OC use (within 1 year of diagnosis) was associated with a 60% (95% CI = 1.3-1.9) increased breast cancer risk. The association was slightly stronger for estrogen receptor (ER) positive compared to ER-negative disease (ER-positive OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.3-2.1 and ER-negative OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.8-1.8), though this difference was not statistically significant. The ORs varied somewhat by OC formulation, with recent use of OCs containing the progestin ethynodiol diacetate (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.4-4.7) or high dose estrogen (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.2-6.4) associated with particularly elevated risk estimates compared to non-use of OCs in the prior year. In contrast, risk estimates for recent use of OCs with the progestin norgestimate or low dose estrogen suggested either a modest association or no association (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 0.6-2.2 and OR = 1.0, 95% CI = 0.6-1.7, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that recent use of contemporary OC formulations is associated with an elevated risk of breast cancer among women ages 20-49, with associations varying somewhat by OC formulation. Although breast cancer is rare among young women, the potential risk of breast cancer associated with certain formulations could impact OC recommendations by providers if these findings are confirmed. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 21(3); 1-9. ©2012 AACR.

The Use of Melatonin in Hypoxic Ischemic Brain Damage: an Experimental Study

The Journal of Maternal-fetal & Neonatal Medicine : the Official Journal of the European Association of Perinatal Medicine, the Federation of Asia and Oceania Perinatal Societies, the International Society of Perinatal Obstetricians. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22348528

Abstract Objective: Oxidative stress (OS) plays a key role in perinatal brain damage. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of melatonin as a neuroprotective drug by investigating the influence of melatonin on OS and inflammation biomarkers in an animal model of cerebral hypoxia-ischemia. Methods: 5 minutes after hypoxic-ischemic (HI) injury melatonin was administered to 28 rats (HI-Mel group). At the same time 28 hypoxic-ischemic rats were vehicle-treated (V-HI group). 5 rats were used as sham operated (CTL). OS biomarkers: isoprostanes (IsoPs), neuroprostanes (NPs) and neurofurans (NFs), and microglial activation markers (GFAP and ED1) were measured in the cerebral cortex of the two lobes. Results: A significant increase of IsoPs on the left lobe was observed in V-HI after 1 hour (h) from HI injury (p<0.001); a significant increase of NPs on both side (p<0.05) and a significant increase of NFs on the left (p<0.05) were also observed in V-HI after 24h. A significant increase of IsoPs on the left (p<0.05) and of NPs on both lobes (p<0.05) were observed in HI-Mel after 48h. The ED1 and GFAP expression was lower in the HI-Mel brain tissue. Conclusions: Melatonin reduces OS and inflammatory cells recruitment and glial cells activation in cerebral cortex after neonatal HI damage. These results lay the groundwork for future clinical studies in infants.

In Vivo Versus in Vitro Individual Radiosensitivity Analysed in Healthy Donors and in Prostate Cancer Patients with and Without Severe Side Effects After Radiotherapy

International Journal of Radiation Biology. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22348555

Abstract Background: A high cellular radiosensitivity may be connected with a risk for development of severe side effects after radiotherapy and indicate cancer susceptibility. Hence, a fast and robust in vitro test is desirable to identify radiosensitive individuals. Materials and methods: The study included 25 prostate cancer patients with (S) and 25 patients without severe side effects (0) after radiotherapy as well as 23 male healthy age-matched donors. Blood samples were exposed to 0.5 Gy or 1 Gy of γ-rays. The initial level of double strand breaks (dsb) and repair kinetics measured by phosphorylation of histone H2A (γ-H2AX-assay), apoptosis (Annexin V-assay) and the induction of chromatid aberrations after irradiation in the G2-phase of the cell cycle (G2-assay) were analysed. Results: A significant higher chromatid aberration yield was found in lymphocytes from prostate cancer patients when compared to healthy donors. We found no significant differences between patients S and patients 0. Conclusions: There is no obvious correlation between clinical and cellular radiosensitivity in lymphocytes of prostate cancer patients when all chosen in vitro assays are considered. Although 25 % of the patients showed both severe side effects and increased radiation-induced chromosomal sensitivity, predictive value of G2-assay is doubtful.

Herbal Drugs for Diabetic Treatment: An Updated Review of Patents

Recent Patents on Anti-infective Drug Discovery. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22353000

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder, affecting 16 million individuals in the United States and 200 million worldwide. Despite the use of advanced synthetic drugs for the treatment, use of herbal remedies is gaining higher importance because of synthetic drugs have drawbacks and limitations. The herbal drugs with antidiabetic activity are extensively formulated commercially because of easy availability, affordability and less side effects as compared to the synthetic antidiabetic drugs. Antidiabetic herbal formulations (AHF) are considered to be more effective for the management of diabetes. There are around 600 herbal drug manufacturers in India of which almost all manufacturers are developing AHF in addition to others. Till date, no article is published to give detailed information of the patents on AHF. Thus, this review article undertake the attempt for providing updated information on the type of diabetes and patented AHF which will enhance the existing knowledge of the researchers.

Cross-linked Hybrid Nanofiltration Membrane with Anti-biofouling Properties and Self Assembled Layered Morphology

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22360398

A new siloxane monomer, 3-(3-(diethoxy(2-(5-(4-(10-ethoxy-4-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-11-oxa-2-ammonio-6-aza-10-silatridecan-10-yl)phenyl)-1,3,4-oxadi azol-2-ylthio)ethyl)silyl)propylamino)-2-hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethylpropan-1-aminium chloride (OA), was synthesized by reported 3-((4-(5-(2-((3-aminopropyl) diethoxysilyl)ethylthio)-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)phenyl) diethoxysilyl)propan-1-amine (APDSMO) and glycidyltrimethylammonium chloride (GDTMAC) by epoxide ring opening reaction. OA-poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) hybrid anti-biofouling nanofilter (NF) membranes were prepared by acid catalyzed sol-gel followed by formal cross-linking. Membranes showed worm like arrangement and self assembled layered morphology with varying OA content. Hybrid NF membrane, especially OA-6, showed low surface roughness, high hydrophilic nature, lowr biofouling, high cross-linking density, thermally and mechanically stable, solvent and chlorine tolerant nature along with good permeability and salt rejection. Prepared OA-6 hybrid NF membrane can be used efficiently for desalting and purification of water with about 2.0 g/l salt content (ground water in major part of India). Described method provides novel route for producing anti-biofouling membranes of diversified applications.

Nanosponges: a Novel Class of Drug Delivery System - Review

Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences : a Publication of the Canadian Society for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Société Canadienne Des Sciences Pharmaceutiques. Oct, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22365092

Effective targeted drug delivery systems have been a dream for a long time, but it has been largely frustrated by the complex chemistry that is involved in the development of new systems. The invention of nanosponges has become a significant step toward overcoming these problems. Nanosponges are tiny sponges with a size of about a virus, which can be filled with a wide variety of drugs. These tiny sponges can circulate around the body until they encounter the specific target site and stick on the surface and begin to release the drug in a controlled and predictable manner. Because the drug can be released at the specific target site instead of circulating throughout the body it will be more effective for a particular given dosage. Another important character of these sponges is their aqueous solubility; this allows the use of these systems effectively for drugs with poor solubility. This article is open to POST-PUBLICATION REVIEW. Registered readers (see "For Readers") may comment by clicking on ABSTRACT on the issue's contents page.

"Successful Treatment of a Post-transplant Ebv-related Meningoencephalitis by Intravenous Rituximab Monotherapy"

Leukemia & Lymphoma. Feb, 2012  |  Pubmed ID: 22372847