Introduction: Ruthenium polypyridyl complex (RPC), [Ru(dppz)2PiP]2+ or RuPiP, where dppz = dipyridophenazine, and PiP = 2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenantroline has been shown to exhibit anticancer activities by stalling the replication fork progression in human cancer cell line, causing DNA double-strand break (DSB) leading to the initiation of DNA damage response (DDR). Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzymes are activated in response to DNA damage thus, RuPiP may be advantageously combined with the inhibitors of PARP to improve its efficacy in cancer cell killing. This study was conducted to investigate the cytotoxic effects of RuPiP and selected PARP inhibitor, NU1025, alone or in combination in vitro and the possible combinations in order to achieve synergism against three different cancer cell lines. Methods: Cell viability was determined by MTT assay based on established method and the combination index (CI) values were calculated using Chou and Talalay method. Results: Here, we reported that the treatment with RuPiP alone led to dose-dependent decreases in the cell viability meanwhile NU1025 exhibited no toxicity as a single agent. The CI values (
A nutritional status study was carried out among a group of young Chinese adults, aged between 19 and 25, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Subjects comprised 108 young adults (55 women, 53 men) who were students at two institutes of higher learning. Physical characteristics were evaluated by anthropometric measurements while food intake was determined with a 3-day food record. Blood cholesterol and triglyceride were assessed using the Reflotron analyser. Birthweight was obtained from birth certificates or by proxy. The results showed that the mean body mass index (BMI) for men and women was 21.4 ± 3.3 and 20.0 ± 2.0, respectively, indicating normal weight. Further analysis of BMI classification demonstrated that 28% of men and 39% of women were underweight, 11% of men and 2% of women were overweight while 2% of men were obese. Mean waist-to-hip ratio showed that the subjects had a low risk of developing cardiovascular disease (0.72 ± 0.03 women; 0.81 ± 0.05 men). Mean energy intake was 8841 ± 1756 kJ per day for men and 6426 ± 1567 kJ per day for women. Closer analysis of energy intake of the subjects showed that 86% of men and 91% of women were consuming below the Malaysian recommendation for energy. Nutrients found to be deficient in at least one third of women were calcium, vitamin A, niacin and iron. Mean cholesterol intake in the diet was 278.7 ± 108.7 mg in men and 207.0 ± 82.5 mg in women and there was a significant difference between genders. Blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels were 3.88 ± 0.76 mmol/L and 1.08 ± 0.33 mmol/L, respectively in men, while these levels were lower in women, 3.87 ± 0.80 mmol/L for cholesterol and 0.99 ± 0.29 mmol/L for triglyceride. A general trend of higher mean blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels was shown in adults who were born with lower birthweights.
Introduction: Ruthenium compounds are widely studied for its biological activity. However, potent ruthenium drugs often have limited bioavailability due to its poor aqueous solubility. In order to assist the preparation of these hydrophobic compounds, a carrier or drug delivery agent is often introduced. Herein, we encapsulated a hydrophobic ruthenium polypyridyl complex [Ru(dppz)PIP]2+, (dppz = dipyrido-[3,2-a:20,30-c]phenazine, PIP = 2-phenylimidazo[4,5-f][1,10] phenanthroline) in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN). Methods: The MSN was synthesized by using ionic liquid 1-hexadecylphenanthrolinium as a novel template and have 833.99 m2/g in surface area. The cytotoxicity of the synthesized ruthenium complex, MSN and MSN-loaded ruthenium was studied on Hela and A549 cancer cell lines. Results: MSN was non-toxic at lower dosage (
Testicular adrenal rest tumours (TART) are aberrant adrenal tissue within the testes (1). Although benign, they can lead to obstruction of the seminiferous tubules and infertility in patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). We report six boys who developed TART, a complication of CAH. Diagnosis was confirmed by ultrasound and testicular vein sampling of elevated 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) levels. Glucocorticoids dosages were increased 1½-2 folds to suppress size of the aberrant adrenal tissues. Despite reductions in 17-OHP, the lesions remained unchanged. Three patients had testis-sparing surgery to excise the TART and to preserve normal testicular tissues.
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airway which is often misdiagnosed and undertreated. Early diagnosis and vigilant asthma control are crucial to preventing permanent airway damage, improving quality of life and reducing healthcare burdens. The key approaches to asthma management should include patient empowerment through health education and self-management and, an effective patient-healthcare provider partnership.