All Articles

Cellular Mechanics and Therapeutic Resistance of the Cancer Relapse

Abstract:

The aims of this study are to investigate the variation in the mechanical behaviour of the primary cancer from cancer relapse, and measuring the therapeutic resistance acquired by cancer relapse. A431-cultured cells were irradiated for 7 months until 85 Gy. Then, a selected single cell was left to grow as stable A431-R cell line. 106 cells of A431 cells and 106 of A431-R cells suspended in 100 μL of medium were injected into subcutaneous tissues on the right thigh of athymic mice to generate tumor xenografts models of primary cancer (A431-P) and cancer relapse (A431-R). Radiotherapy of a low-dose of 30Gy was applied on xenoimplanted tumors after one week from inoculation. A mock process was performed on untreated groups of mice for controls. Tumor size was monitored starting from inoculation and tumor growth was measured along 42 days. Rates of mitosis and apoptosis and the histologic grade (H_G) that characterize the tumor response were determined as ...

The 5-HT1A Agonist Buspirone Decreases Liver Oxidative Stress and Exerts Protective Effect Against CCl4– Toxicity

Abstract:

We aimed to study the effect of buspirone, an anxiolytic drug and 5-HT1A agonist on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in rats. Rats were orally treated with CCl4 (2.8 mL/kg in olive oil) along with buspirone at 10, 20 or 30 mg/kg once daily starting with CCl4 and for one week thereafter. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) as well as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activities were determined in the serum. Markers of oxidative stress: lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde; MDA), reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (nitrite/nitrate) levels were measured in the liver. Moreover, paraoxonase 1 activity was determined in the liver and serum. The administration of CCl4 led to significant increases in serum ALT, AST, and ALP activities. Results showed that there were significantly increased hepatic MDA, nitrite and decreased GSH levels. PON1 activity decreased both in the liver and serum, respectively. The immunohistochemic...

Exploration of the Implementation of Music Therapy into the Health Services: Lituanian Experience

Abstract:

Integration of music therapy into medical treatment facilities is very uneven in different countries. Scientific evidence of successful examples and sharing of good practices between countries is essential for the further development of music therapy and the improvement of the quality of complex medical services. The goal of this study was to analyse the situation of music therapy implementation into the health services in Lithuania. Analysis of historical background, legislation and overview on music therapy training has been made. Music therapy in Lithuania has gone through more than thirty years of development. Acqaintance and acceptance of music therapy as a relevant and fruitful component to the complexity of the existing medical services was long but successful process. Overview of current initiatives and achievements of the implementation of music therapy into clinical practice and research has shown promissing positive results in developmental pediatrics, ...

Benzoate Concentration and Cooperativity by a Substrate for Benzoate 1,2-dioxygenase from Benzoate-Degrading Rhodococcus Opacus 1CP

Abstract:

We explored the effect of a change in substrate-benzoate (as sole carbon and energy source) concentration in growth medium on the activity of benzoate 1,2-dioxygenase (BDO) of R.opacus 1CP cells, where BDO is the enzyme mediated the initial attack of benzoate. The activity of the enzyme was estimated by a change of respiration of whole freshly harvested bacterial cells (growth of the cells on benzoate) in response to injection of benzoate. It was shown that when concentration of growth substrate-benzoate decreased from 6 g/L to 250 mg/L, the curves of the dependency of the response rate to benzoate on the initial concentration of benzoate demonstrated that kinetics of the process changes from hyperbolic saturation kinetics, or typical Michaelis-Menten kinetics, to sigmoidal dependency of V on S. The semisaturation constant as a characteristic of the strength of substrate binding with BDO changed simultaneously. These changes were accompanied by th...

Association of Non Epileptic Seizures and Epilepsy:2 Cases Reports of Masturbation Seizures

Abstract:

Non epileptic seizures (NES) are little reported in our country.

Glass Chromatography Application: TLC Separation of Benzoic Esters in Pharmaceutical Products

Abstract:

p-hydroxybenzoic acid esters are used as food and drug preservatives. These compounds were quantised by a reversed-phase thin-layer chromatography method based on the use of silanized silica gel as stationary phase. Thin layers chromatography of silanized silica gel (HF₂₅₄) is implemented to separate p-hydroxybenzoic acid and its methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and benzyl esters. Borate buffer (pH 2) was used as a mobile phase with the addition of organic solvent as required. For the quantitative determination, the solutions to be analysed were applied in bands on 5 x 20 cm plates. The plates are developed in glass chromatography chambers lined with filter paper. After the plates have been developed they are dried at room temperature. The spots or bands of the various compounds are visualised under a 250-mµ UV light source. The extraction of the silica gel with methanol was effective. Six preservatives were separated with...

Prenatal Prognostication of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: What are we Looking at?

Abstract:

Data support the use of both ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the prenatal prognostication of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). The aim of this study was to examine our experience and learning curve with both of these diagnostic tools in the setting of a new fetal program.

Sero-Prevalence of HBs Ag, HCV and HIV among Blood Donors in Three Blood Bank Centers in Sana'a city: Yemen

Abstract:

To determine the current prevalence of HBs Ag, Anti-HCV Ab and anti-HIV Abamong blood donors.

How Harm Reduction Programs Work in The Context of Village and Commune Safety Policy: Lessons Learned from A National Non-Governmental Organization in Cambodia

Abstract:

This paper aims to examine the challenges and implications of the Village and Commune Safety Policy (VCSP) on harm-reduction programs and describe lessons learned from a harm-reduction program within the context of the VCSP in Cambodia. Data were collected from a monitoring and evaluation database and reports of a drop-in center that provides a wide range of harm-reduction services. In addition, qualitative data were collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions with 38 participants including people who use drugs (PWUD) and people who inject drugs (PWID). Desk reviews and consultative meetings with key stakeholders were also conducted. In total, 496 PWUD were registered into the program between 2010 and 2012, of which 22.4% were PWID, and 15.0% were women. The mean age of participants was 26 years old. HIV prevalence among PWUD was 1.0% compared to 16.2% among PWID. Remarkable achievements were observed such as high uptake of services by P...

Blockade of Programmed Cell Death Protein-1 Pathway for the Treatment of Melanoma

Abstract:

Metastatic melanoma is a very deadly type of skin cancer with poor prognosis and low 5-year survival rates. Until recently, patients with metastatic melanoma had very few treatment options, which only included dacarbazine and aldesleukin. In 2011, the first checkpoint blocker, ipilimumab was approved for the treatment of unresectable metastatic melanoma but its success was eclipsed by low response rates and high incidence of adverse events. Later in 2014, anti-PD-1 antibodies, nivolumab and pembrolizumab were approved for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. With comparatively high response rates and manageable safety profile, PD-1 blockers were remarkably successful in the treatment of melanoma and also other cancer subtypes such as non-small cell lung cancer and metastatic urothelial carcinoma. This article highlights the success of anti-PD-1 antibodies, discusses the mechanism of PD-1:PD-L1/2 pathway, responses of melanoma patients to PD-1 blockers and the ...