An in vitro study of liposomal curcumin: stability, toxicity and biological activity in human lymphocytes and Epstein-Barr virus-transformed human B-cells.

Curcumin is a multi-functional and pharmacologically safe natural agent. Used as a food additive for centuries, it also has anti-inflammatory, anti-virus and anti-tumor properties. We previously found that it is a potent inhibitor of cyclosporin A (CsA)-resistant T-cell co-stimulation pathway.

Seatbelt injury resulting in functional loss of a transplanted kidney.

The transplanted kidney, lying heterotopically in the iliac fossa, is especially vulnerable to damage from blunt trauma, particularly compression by vehicle seatbelt. We present a case wherein a functioning renal allograft lying in the right iliac fossa was severely injured by seatbelt compression, resulting in significant functional compromise and eventual loss. The patient later underwent successful retransplantation with a second living donor kidney.

Reduction with glutathione is a weakly mutagenic pathway in chromium(VI) metabolism.

Although reductive metabolism of Cr(VI) always results in the production of Cr(III) and extensive Cr-DNA binding, cellular studies have indicated that different reduction processes are not equivalent in the induction of mutagenic events. Here, we examined mutagenicity and formation of Cr-DNA damage by Cr(VI) activated in vitro by one of its important reducers, glutathione (GSH). Our main focus was on reactions containing 2 mM GSH, corresponding to its average concentration in CHO (1.

Successful open pulmonary embolectomy for acute massive pulmonary embolism in a recent kidney transplant recipient.

Background: Patients with acute massive pulmonary embolus have a high mortality even with treatment. For patients in whom thrombolytic intervention is contraindicated, surgical pulmonary embolectomy is a viable option.

Case Report: We present a patient who, four months after kidney transplantation, developed acute massive PE with cardiac arrest.

The chromate-inducible chrBACF operon from the transposable element TnOtChr confers resistance to chromium(VI) and superoxide.

Large-scale industrial use of chromium(VI) has resulted in widespread contamination with carcinogenic chromium(VI). The abilities of microorganisms to survive in these environments and to detoxify chromate require the presence of specific resistance systems. Here we report identification of the transposon-located (TnOtChr) chromate resistance genes from the highly tolerant strain Ochrobactrum tritici 5bvl1 surviving chromate concentrations of >50 mM.

The nociceptin/orphanin FQ (NOP) receptor antagonist J-113397 enhances the effects of levodopa in the MPTP-lesioned nonhuman primate model of Parkinson's disease.

The anti-parkinsonian and levodopa-sparing potential of the nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor (NOP) antagonist J-113397 has been demonstrated in rodent models of Parkinson's disease. Here, we describe the levodopa-sparing potential of J-113397 in MPTP-lesioned marmosets. Coadministration of J-113397 (30 mg/kg) with a sub-therapeutic dose of levodopa (12.

Circulating free fatty acids are increased independently of PPARgamma activity after administration of poloxamer 407 to mice.

Poloxamer 407 (P-407) is a copolymer surfactant that induces a dose-controlled dyslipidemia in both mice and rats. Human macrophages cultured with P-407 exhibit a concentration-dependent reduction in cholesterol efflux to apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) linked to downregulation of the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1). Activators of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), as well as PPARalpha, increase expression of liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha) in macrophages and promote the expression of ABCA1, which, in turn, mediates cholesterol efflux to apoA1.

Functional interaction between adenosine A2A and group III metabotropic glutamate receptors to reduce parkinsonian symptoms in rats.

Non-dopaminergic drugs acting either on adenosine A2A or metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors reduce motor impairment in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD), suggesting a possible functional interaction between these receptors to regulate basal ganglia function. The present study therefore tested the behavioural effects of compounds acting selectively on A2A or on specific mGlu receptor subtypes, alone or in combination, in rodent models of PD. Acute administration of the adenosine A2A receptor antagonists CSC or MSX-3 at the highest doses tested (5 and 1.

Cyclosporin A-induced lipid and protein oxidation in human B-cells and in Epstein-Barr virus-infected B-cells is prevented by antioxidants.

The incidence of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) has increased since cyclosporin A (CsA) became the mainstay of transplant immunosuppression. We have previously shown that, in addition to its potent immunosuppressive property, CsA-induced oxidative stress plays an important role in Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-related PTLD. Using lipid hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde as markers of lipid oxidation, and protein carbonyls as markers of protein oxidation, we further investigated the in vitro effect of CsA on human B cells and EBV-infected human B cells.

Outcomes of a home cycling program using functional electrical stimulation or passive motion for children with spinal cord injury: a case series.

Background/objective: Children with spinal cord injury (SCI) are at risk for musculoskeletal and cardiovascular complications. Stationary cycling using functional electrical stimulation (FES) or passive motion has been suggested to address these complications. The purpose of this case series is to report the outcomes of a 6-month at-home cycling program for 4 children with SCI.

Examination of spasticity of the knee flexors and knee extensors using isokinetic dynamometry with electromyography and clinical scales in children with spinal cord injury.

Background/objective: To examine the role of reflex activity in spasticity and the relationship between peak passive torque, Ashworth Scale (AS), and Spasm Frequency Scale (SFS) of the knee flexors and extensors during the measurement of spasticity using an isokinetic dynamometer in children with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Eighteen children with chronic SCI and 10 children of typical development (TD) participated. One set of 10 passive movements was completed using an isokinetic dynamometer at 15, 90, and 180 degrees per second (deg/s) while surface electromyographic data were collected from the vastus lateralis (VL) and medial hamstrings (MH).

Relationship between offset angle alpha and hip chondral injury in femoroacetabular impingement.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the size of cam lesions and the presence of cartilage damage, labral damage, or changes in range of motion in the hips with signs and symptoms of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI).

Methods: Cross-table lateral radiographs were available for 102 consecutive patients presenting with signs and symptoms of FAI. Radiographs with excessive external rotation, dysplasia, severe arthritis, avascular necrosis, or Legg-Calvé-Perthes syndrome were excluded, leaving 82 patients available for analysis (47 men, 35 women; average age, 25 yr [range, 12 to 55 yr]).

The induction of atherogenic dyslipidaemia in poloxamer 407-treated mice is not mediated through PPARalpha.

The copolymer surfactant poloxamer 407 (P-407) has been used to induce a dose-controlled dyslipidaemia in both mice and rats. Human macrophages cultured with P-407 exhibit a concentration-dependent reduction in cholesterol efflux to apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) due to down-regulation of the ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1). Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) can increase expression of liver X receptor alpha (LXRalpha) in macrophages and thereby promote the expression of ABCA1, which, in turn, mediates cholesterol efflux to apoA1.

Prevalent immunosuppressive strategies in liver transplantation for hepatitis C: results of a multi-center international survey.

To determine current immunosuppression regimens and strategies for acute cellular rejection in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients after liver transplantation (LT), questionnaires were sent to 264 LT programs worldwide. Surveys from 81 programs were reviewed. In 27 centers (33.

Front teeth-to-carina distance in children undergoing cardiac catheterization.

Background: Knowledge of normal front teeth-to-carina distance (FT-C) might prevent accidental bronchial intubation. The aim of the current study was to measure FT-C and to examine whether the Morgan formula for oral intubation depth, i.e.

Cyclosporin A up-regulates and activates protein kinase C-zeta in EBV-infected and EBV-transformed human B-cells.

Background: Protein Kinase C (PKC) is a family of enzymes that plays a key role in cell signaling pathways leading to cellular activation and proliferation. Conventional PKC (cPKC) is dependent on calcium for activation. We have proposed that cyclosporin A (CsA), despite being a calcineurin inhibitor, will activate PKC in B cells, thus promoting Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-induced transformation.

Exercise testing using upper extremity ergometry in pediatric spinal cord injury.

Purpose: To describe an upper extremity ergometer test for children with spinal cord injury (SCI) and examine differences based on injury level for peak heart rate (HR peak), oxygen uptake (VO 2 peak/kg), and peak power output per kilogram (W peak/kg).

Methods: Twenty-nine children with motor complete SCI participated. Nine had low cervical (C7, C8), 9 had upper thoracic (T1-T4), and 11 had mid/low thoracic (T5-T11) SCI.

The effectiveness of progressively increasing stimulation frequency and intensity to maintain paralyzed muscle force during repetitive activation in persons with spinal cord injury.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of progressively increasing stimulation intensity, progressively increasing frequency, or progressively increasing both frequency and intensity on paralyzed quadriceps femoris muscle force maintenance during repetitive activation.

Design: Factorial design with different stimulation protocols as independent variables.

Setting: A muscle performance laboratory.

Surgical treatment of a rare primary renal carcinoid tumor with liver metastasis.

Background: Carcinoid tumors are characteristically low grade malignant neoplasms with neuroendocrine differentiation that arise in various body sites, most commonly the lung and gastrointestinal tract, but less frequently the kidneys, breasts, ovaries, testes, prostate and other locations. We report a case of a carcinoid of renal origin with synchronous single liver metastases on radiological studies.

Case Presentation: A 45 year-old patient who presented with abdominal pain was found on CT scan to have lesions in the right ovary, right kidney, and left hepatic lobe.

Novel use of the Amplatzer duct occluder for percutaneous closure of a large subclavian artery to innominate vein fistula in a neonate.

We report the use of the Amplatzer Duct Occluder for transcatheter closure of a rare subclavian artery to innominate vein fistula in a neonate.

PYM50028, a novel, orally active, nonpeptide neurotrophic factor inducer, prevents and reverses neuronal damage induced by MPP+ in mesencephalic neurons and by MPTP in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

Many experimental data support the enhancement of neurotrophic factors as a means to modify neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease. However, the translation of this to the clinic has proven problematic. This is likely due to the complex nature of the surgical gene delivery and cell-based approaches adopted to deliver proteinaceous neurotrophic factors to targets within the central nervous system.

The molecular basis of retinoid absorption: a genetic dissection.

The intestine and other tissues are able to synthesize retinyl esters in an acyl-CoA-dependent manner involving an acyl-CoA:retinol acyltransferase (ARAT). However, the molecular identity of this ARAT has not been established. Recent studies of lecithin:retinol acyltransferase (LRAT)-deficient mice indicate that LRAT is responsible for the preponderance of retinyl ester synthesis in the body, aside from in the intestine and adipose tissue.

The use of Dacron graft for cavo-cavostomy in orthotopic liver transplantation.

The end-to-end "interposition" technique and end-to-side "piggyback" technique are standard approaches to in situ anastomosis during orthotopic liver transplantation. We demonstrate that anastomosis of liver allograft to a Dacron vena cava graft can be a feasible solution if traditional anastomoses cannot be used. A 55-year-old man with end-stage liver failure from alcoholic cirrhosis underwent orthotopic liver transplantation; however, an intraoperative complication during recipient hepatectomy rendered the native vena cava unsalvageable.