Introduction: The New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit model is commonly used for the research of
posterolateral intertransverse lumbar arthrodesis. The standard approach reported by many
researchers are a muscle splitting approach through the intermuscular plane between multifidus and longissimus muscles. Methods: In this research the fusion bed was exposed by retracting the three groups of paraspinal muscles (multifidus, longissimus and iliocostalis) medially. Results: This alternative method showed good exposure of the transverse processes and intertransverse membrane with less bleeding from the muscles observed. No death due to surgical complication was observed out of twenty-four rabbits operated. Conclusion: An easy and safe method for performing posterolateral intertransverse lumbar arthrodesis was demonstrated and recommended as an alternative approach for surgery on New Zealand White rabbits.
Over the decades, organic arsenic has been thought to be less toxic than inorganic arsenic. Monosodium methylarsonate (MSMA) is a potent organoarsenical herbicide that is still being used in most Asian countries. Reported studies on the effects of organic arsenic are mainly to the gastrointestinal system, however there are limited research on its impacts to the liver. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of MSMA exposure on hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSEC). Materials and Methods: Fourteen Sprague Dawley rats (n=14) were divided equally into arsenic-exposed (n=7) and control (n=7) groups. The rats in arsenic-exposed group were given MSMA at 63.20 mg/kg daily for 6 months through oral gavage. While the rats in control group were given distilled water ad libitum. At the end of the duration, they were euthanized and underwent liver perfusion for tissue preservation. Liver tissues were harvested and processed for light microscopy, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The findings were analysed descriptively. Results:MSMA had caused necrotic and apoptotic changes to the liver. Normal organelles morphology were loss in the hepatocytes while LSEC revealed defenestration. Conclusion:In this study, chronic low dose organic arsenic exposure showed evidence of toxicity to hepatocytes. Interestingly, LSEC demonstrated capillarization changes
Hydroxychavicol (HC) is a phenolic compound of betel leaf (Piper betle). It has been reported to have antifungal properties against dermatophytes including T. rubrum. The aim of this study was to identify the effects of the HC against T. rubrum. Broth dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the HC. Microscopic study of the treated fungus was done by transmission electron microscope (TEM). Cytotoxicity study using pre-adipocyte (3T3-L1) cell line was performed by means of MTT cell proliferation assay. The MIC and MFC results of the HC were both 0.49 µg/ml. Microscopic study revealed the destruction of the fungal cell wall and organelles. Cytotoxicity study showed HC to be non-toxic to the tested human cell line. In conclusion, HC may potentially be used as an alternative therapeutic agent against T. rubrum infections.
Trichophyton rubrum is a common pathogenic fungal species that is responsible for causing infection on
human skin, hair and nail. The antifungal-resistant strains complicate the treatment regime.
Hydroxychavicol (HC) is one of the main compounds from Piper betel leaf that have antifungal potential and
its mechanism of action has not been studied yet. The objective of this preliminary study to determine the
antifungal properties of HC against T. rubrum using transmission electron microscope (TEM) on gross and
ultrastructure of T. rubrum hypha. T. rubrum was treated with HC and miconazole (MI) at concentrations of
1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/mL for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days continuously. Generally, fungi structures became more
severely damaged at increasing treatment duration. Microscopically, the fungi’s cell wall treated with HC
showed a rough surface, shrinkage and demolition similar to the MI treated group. The fungi organelles were
also demolished and disorganized. This study revealed that HC has the ability to inhibit T. rubrum growth
and has potential to be an antifungal agent for skin infections.