Four new copper(II) complexes containing phosphonium substituted hydrazone (L) with the formulations [CuL]Cl(3), [Cu(phen)L]Cl(4), [Cu(bpy)L]Cl(5), [Cu(dbpy)L]Cl(6), (where L = doubly deprotonated hydrazone; phen = 1,10'-phenanthroline; bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine; dbpy = 5,5'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine) have been synthesized. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic methods and in the case of crystalline products by X-ray crystallography. The cytotoxicity and topoisomerase I (topo I) inhibition activities of these compounds were studied. It is noteworthy that the addition of N,N-ligands to the copper(II) complex lead to the enhancement in the cytotoxicity of the compounds, especially against human prostate adenocarcinoma cell line (PC-3). Complex 4 exhibits the highest activity against PC-3 with the IC₅₀ value of 3.2 μΜ. The complexes can also inhibit topo I through the binding to DNA and the enzyme.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the morphologic features of anterior armed transobturator collagen-coated polypropylene mesh and its clinical outcomes in pelvic reconstructive surgery to treat pelvic organ prolapse.
DESIGN: Evidence obtained from several timed series with intervention (Canadian Task Force classification II-3).
SETTING: Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan, Taiwan, China.
PATIENTS: Between April 2010 and October 2012, 70 patients underwent surgery to treat symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse, stage III/IV according to the POP-Q (Pelvic Organ Quantification System).
INTERVENTION: Anterior armed transobturator collagen-coated mesh.
MEASUREMENT AND MAIN RESULTS: Morphologic findings and clinical outcome were measured. Morphologic features were assessed via 2-dimensional introital ultrasonography and Doppler studies. Clinical outcome was measured via subjective and objective outcome. Objective outcome was assessed via the 9-point site-specific staging method of the International Continence Society Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification before the operation and at 1-year postoperative follow-up. Subjective outcome was based on 4 validated questionnaires: the 6-item UDI-6 (Urogenital Distress Inventory), the 7-item IIQ-7 (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire), the 6-item POPDI-6 (Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory 6), and the 12-item PISQ-12 (Pelvic Organ Prolapse/Urinary Incontinence Sexual Questionnaire), at baseline and at 12 months after the operation. Data were obtained for 65 patients who underwent the combined surgery and were able to comply with follow-up for >1 year. Ultrasound studies reveal that mesh length tends to shorten and decrease in thickness over the 1-year follow-up. Vagina thickness also was reduced. Neovascularization through the mesh was observed in <8.5% of patients in the first month and at 1 year, and was evident in approximately 83%. The mesh exposure rate was 6.4%. The recorded objective cure was 90.8% (59 of 65 patients), and subjective cure was 89.2% (58 of 65 patients) at mean (SD) follow-up of 19.40 (10.98) months. At 2 years, UDI-6, IIQ-7, and POPDI-6 scores were all significantly decreased (p < .001), whereas the PISQ-12 score was significantly increased (p = .01).
CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound features suggest that the degeneration of collagen barrier may be longer than expected and that integration of collagen-coated mesh could occur up to 1 year. A substantially good clinical outcome was noted.
KEYWORDS: Anterior vaginal mesh; Collagen-coated mesh; Morphology; Outcome; Pelvic organ prolapse
Intellectual disability (ID) is one of the many features manifested in various genetic syndromes leading to deficits in cognitive function among affected individuals. ID is a feature affected by polygenes and multiple environmental factors. It leads to a broad spectrum of affected clinical and behavioral characteristics among patients. Until now, the causative mechanism of ID is unknown and the progression of the condition is poorly understood. Advancement in technology and research had identified various genetic abnormalities and defects as the potential cause of ID. However, the link between these abnormalities with ID is remained inconclusive and the roles of many newly discovered genetic components such as non-coding RNAs have not been thoroughly investigated. In this review, we aim to consolidate and assimilate the latest development and findings on a class of small non-coding RNAs known as microRNAs (miRNAs) involvement in ID development and progression with special focus on Down syndrome (DS) and X-linked ID (XLID) [including Fragile X syndrome (FXS)].
BACKGROUND: Dengue is a common illness in the tropics. Equally common are neurological complications that stem from dengue infection. However, to date, parkinsonism following dengue has not been reported in medical literature.
CASE PRESENTATION: A previously well 18-year old man developed parkinsonism, in addition to other neurological symptoms following serologically confirmed dengue fever. Alternative etiologies were excluded by way of imaging and blood investigations.
CONCLUSIONS: The authors detail the first reported case of parkinsonism complicating dengue fever. Keeping rare presentations of common illnesses in mind, it behoves clinicians to consider parkinsonism as a complication following dengue infection. This would prevent injudicious treatment with L-dopa and dopamine agonists. Immunosuppression with steroids has been shown to be helpful in certain cases.
Human chorion-derived stem cells (hCDSC) were previously shown to demonstrate multipotent properties with promising angiogenic characteristics in monolayer-cell culture system. In our study, we investigated the angiogenic capability of hCDSC in 3-dimensional (3D) in vitro and in vivo angiogenic models for the purpose of future application in the treatment of ischaemic diseases. Human CDSC were evaluated for angiogenic and endogenic genes expressions by quantitative PCR. Growth factors secretions were quantified using ELISA. In vitro and in vivo vascular formations were evaluated by histological analysis and confocal microscopic imaging. PECAM-1(+) and vWF(+) vascular-like structures were observed in both in vitro and in vivo angiogenesis models. High secretions of VEGF and bFGF by hCDSC with increased expressions of angiogenic and endogenic genes suggested the possible angiogenic promoting mechanisms by hCDSC. The cooperation of hCDSC with HUVECS to generate vessel-like structures in our systems is an indication that there will be positive interactions of hCDSC with existing endothelial cells when injected into ischaemic tissues. Hence, hCDSC is suggested as the novel approach in the future treatment of ischaemic diseases.
Octyl cyanoacrylate has been used for many years for simple skin closure, but its use in hypospadias repair and as a urethral stent fixator has not been previously reported. We report our experience.
L-Glutamate plays a crucial role in neuronal cell death, which is known to be associated with various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases. In this study, we investigated the protective effects of biochanin A, a phytoestrogen compound found mainly in Trifolium pratense, against L-glutamate-induced cytotoxicity in a PC12 cell line. Exposure of the cells to 10 mM L-glutamate was found to significantly increase cell viability loss and apoptosis, whereas pretreatment with various concentrations of biochanin A attenuated the cytotoxic effects of L-glutamate. Specifically, the pretreatment led to not only decreases in the release of lactate dehydrogenase, the number of apoptotic cells, and the activity of caspase-3 but also an increase in the total glutathione level in the L-glutamate-treated PC12 cells. These results indicate that biochanin A may be able to exert neuroprotective effects against L-glutamate-induced cytotoxicity. Furthermore, our findings also imply that biochanin A may act as an antiapoptotic agent in order to perform its protective function.
Adolescent sexual abuse is not an uncommon phenomenon in Malaysia. It is a traumatic experience that complicates the psychosocial development of young people on the threshold of adulthood. This case report highlights the psychosocial sequelae of adolescent sexual abuse by a traditional healer and discusses management issues in the context of unique cultural and belief systems.
Molecular diversity of protists from bovine rumen fluid incubated with condensed tannins of Leucaena leucocephala hybrid-Rendang at 20 mg/500 mg dry matter (treatment) or without condensed tannins (control) was investigated using 18S rRNA gene library. Clones from the control library were distributed within nine genera, but clones from the condensed tannin treatment clone library were related to only six genera. Diversity estimators such as abundance-based coverage estimation and Chao1 showed significant differences between the two libraries, although no differences were found based on Shannon-Weaver index and Libshuff.
Ectopic thyroid or thyroid ectopia is a rare developmental anomaly with the prevalence of 1 per 100,000-300,000 population. Even rarer, such an anomaly manifests as dual thyroid ectopia. To our best knowledge, only one case has been reported on dual thyroid ectopia with Graves' disease in the English literature. We present here a case of dual thyroid ectopia complicated by Graves' disease, whereby the diagnosis was rendered through judicious use of various diagnostic modalities coupled with a close clinical follow-up. In this case, therapeutic consideration should be personalized with proper informed consent of the patient.
Clinacanthus nutans Lindau leaves (CN) have been used in traditional medicine but the therapeutic potential has not been explored for cancer prevention and treatment. Current study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and antiproliferative effects of CN, extracted in chloroform, methanol, and water, on cancer cell lines. Antioxidant properties of CN were evaluated using DPPH, galvinoxyl, nitric oxide, and hydrogen peroxide based radical scavenging assays, whereas the tumoricidal effect was tested on HepG2, IMR32, NCL-H23, SNU-1, Hela, LS-174T, K562, Raji, and IMR32 cancer cells using MTT assay. Our data showed that CN in chloroform extract was a good antioxidant against DPPH and galvinoxyl radicals, but less effective in negating nitric oxide and hydrogen peroxide radicals. Chloroform extract exerted the highest antiproliferative effect on K-562 (91.28 ± 0.03%) and Raji cell lines (88.97 ± 1.07%) at 100 μ g/ml and the other five cancer cell lines in a concentration-dependent manner, but not on IMR-32 cells. Fourteen known compounds were identified in chloroform extract, which was analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectra analysis. In conclusion, CN extracts possess antioxidant and antiproliferative properties against cultured cancer cell lines, suggesting an alternate adjunctive regimen for cancer prevention or treatment.
BACKGROUND AND AIM:
There is currently no published study comparing prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and associated factors among diabetics of different ethnicity in the Asia-Pacific region.
METHODS:
Cross-sectional study of consecutive patients in the Diabetic Clinic in University of Malaya Medical Centre. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and a semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire were used to assess physical activity and dietary intake, respectively. Diagnosis of NAFLD was ultrasound-based and following exclusion of significant alcohol intake.
RESULTS:
Data for 399 patients were analyzed (mean age 62.3 ± 10.5 years, 43.1% men). The racial distribution was Chinese 43.6%, Indian 33.1%, Malay 22.3%, and others 1.0%. The prevalence of NAFLD was 49.6%. On univariate analysis, factors associated with NAFLD were age < 65 years, race, obesity, central obesity, glycated hemoglobin ≥ 7.0%, and elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels. Patients with low physical activity were more likely to have NAFLD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.67, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.06-2.63, P = 0.020). The prevalence of NAFLD was highest among Malays (60.7%), followed by Indians (51.5%), and lowest among Chinese (42.0%) consistent with higher prevalence of central obesity and higher percentage calorie intake from fat in the former groups of patients. On multivariate analysis, independent factors associated with NAFLD were central obesity (OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.29-3.75, P = 0.004) and elevated serum ALT level (OR = 1.98, 95% CI = 1.21-3.25, P = 0.007).
CONCLUSIONS:
NAFLD was seen in half of a cohort of diabetic patients and was independently associated with central obesity and elevated serum ALT level. Prevalence of NAFLD was different and paralleled the difference in prevalence of central obesity and in percentage calorie intake from fat among the different ethnic groups.
Currently, there is no three-dimensional structure of D-specific dehalogenase (DehD) in the protein database. We modeled DehD using ab initio technique, performed molecular dynamics (MD) simulation and docking of D-2-chloropropionate (D-2CP), D-2-bromopropionate (D-2BP), monochloroacetate (MCA), monobromoacetate (MBA), 2,2-dichloropropionate (2,2-DCP), d,l-2,3-dichloropropionate (d,l-2,3-DCP), and 3-chloropropionate (3-CP) into the DehD active site. The sequences of DehD and D-2-haloacid dehalogenase (HadD) from Pseudomonas putida AJ1 have 15% sequence similarity. The model had 80% of the amino acid residues in the most favored region when compared to the crystal structure of DehI from Pseudomonas putida PP3. Docking analysis revealed that Arg107, Arg134 and Tyr135 interacted with D-2CP, and Glu20 activated the water molecule for hydrolytic dehalogenation. Single residue substitutions at 25-30 °C showed that polar residues of DehD were stable when substituted with nonpolar residues and showed a decrease in activity within the same temperature range. The molecular dynamics simulation of DehD and its variants showed that in R134A variant, Arg107 interacted with D-2CP, while in Y135A, Gln221 and Arg231 interacted with D-2CP. It is our emphatic belief that the new model will be useful for the rational design of DehDs with enhanced potentials.
Lignosus rhinocerus (Tiger Milk mushroom) is distributed in South China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Papua New Guinea. In Malaysia, it is the most popular medicinal mushroom used by the indigenous communities to relieve fever, cough, asthma, cancer, food poisoning and as a general tonic. In China, this mushroom is an expensive traditional medicine used to treat liver cancer, chronic hepatitis and gastric ulcers. The sclerotium of the mushroom is the part with medicinal value. This rare mushroom has recently been successfully cultivated making it possible to be fully exploited for its medicinal and functional benefits. The present study was carried out to evaluate the chronic toxicity of the sclerotial powder of Lignosus rhinocerus cultivar (termed TM02), its anti-fertility and teratogenic effects as well as genotoxicity.
Concurrent penetrating injury to the male external genitalia and the anterior urethra is uncommon. This case illustrates an unusual cause of such an injury, and its subsequent management and outcome. A 69-year-old man had his scrotum and anterior urethra pierced by a long thorn when he fell in his farm. He presented with urine leakage from the scrotal wound each time he micturated. Cystoscopic examination confirmed the cause and extent of the injury, and also facilitated the extraction of the thorn. The injury was allowed time to heal by urinary diversion with a urinary catheter. There were no stricture or fistula formations and the patient remained symptom-free at 3 months follow-up. Careful cystoscopic examination was both diagnostic and therapeutic in this case. A conservative approach is a feasible option in the management of selected cases of penetrating anterior urethral injury.
Visceral obesity may be due to the dysregulation of cortisol production or metabolism that lead to metabolic disease. In adipose tissue, the enzyme 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 regulates cortisol metabolism (11beta-HSD1). A previous study showed an increase in the visceral fat deposition in adrenalectomised rats given intramuscular dexamethasone. Glycyrrhizic acid (GCA) has been shown to reduce fat deposition because it is a known potent inhibitor of the 11beta-HSD1 enzyme. Piper sarmentosum (PS) is an edible medicinal plant commonly used in Asia as traditional medicine for treating diabetes, hypertension and joint pains. In this study, we determined the effects of PS extract on the disposition and morphology of perirenal adipocytes of adrenalectomised rats given intramuscular dexamethasone.
Hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) expressed in Escherichia coli is able to self-assemble into large and small capsids comprising 240 (triangulation number T = 4) and 180 (triangulation number T = 3) subunits, respectively. Conventionally, sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and SEC have been used to separate these capsids. However, good separation of the large and small particles with these methods is never achieved. In the present study, we employed a simple, fast, and cost-effective method to separate the T = 3 and T = 4 HBcAg capsids by using native agarose gel electrophoresis followed by an electroelution method (NAGE-EE). This is a direct, fast, and economic method for isolating the large and small HBcAg particles homogenously based on the hydrodynamic radius of the spherical particles. Dynamic light scattering analysis demonstrated that the T = 3 and T = 4 HBcAg capsids prepared using the NAGE-EE method are monodisperse with polydispersity values of ∼15% and ∼13%, respectively. ELISA proved that the antigenicity of the capsids was not affected in the purification process. Overall, NAGE-EE produced T = 3 and T = 4 capsids with a purity above 90%, and the recovery was 34% and 50%, respectively (total recovery of HBcAg is ∼84%), and the operation time is 15 and 4 times lesser than that of the sucrose density gradient ultracentrifugation and SEC, respectively.
The bursa of Fabricius is critical for B cell development and differentiation in chick embryos. This study describes the production in vitro, from dissociated cell suspensions, of cellular agglomerates with functional similarities to the chicken bursa. Co-cultivation of epithelial and lymphoid cells obtained from embryos at the appropriate developmental stage regularly led to agglomerate formation within 48 hours. These agglomerates resembled bursal tissue in having lymphoid clusters overlaid by well organized epithelium. Whereas lymphocytes within agglomerates were predominantly Bu-1a(+), a majority of those emigrating onto the supporting membrane were Bu-1a(-) and IgM(+). Both agglomerates and emigrant cells expressed activation-induced deaminase with levels increasing after 24 hours. Emigrating cells were actively proliferating at a rate in excess of both the starting cell population and the population of cells remaining in agglomerates. The potential usefulness of this system for investigating the response of bursal tissue to avian Newcastle disease virus (strain AF2240) was examined.