Preclinical evaluation of the antimetastatic efficacy of Pentoxifylline on A375 human melanoma cell line.

Melanoma is the most common malignant skin cancer, appears indestructible and is notoriously resistant to all current modalities of cancer treatment strategies. Pentoxifylline (PTX), a non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, has shown to have radiosensitizing properties for a variety of cancers. Recently, we have shown that PTX exhibits antimetastatic and anti-angiogenic activities in B16F10 melanoma cells in vitro as well as in vivo.

Endophytic fungi produce gibberellins and indoleacetic acid and promotes host-plant growth during stress.

We isolated and examined two endophytic fungi for their potential to secrete phytohormones viz. gibberellins (GAs) and indoleacetic acid (IAA) and mitigate abiotic stresses like salinity and drought. The endophytic fungi Phoma glomerata LWL2 and Penicillium sp.

Pure culture of Metarhizium anisopliae LHL07 reprograms soybean to higher growth and mitigates salt stress.

Little is known about the role of endophytic fungi against abiotic stresses and isoflavonoids (IF) contents of soybean. In current study, we investigated the role of fungal endophytes on the growth of soybean under salt stress conditions. Pure cultures of nine endophytic fungi were isolated from the roots of field-grown soybean plants, and their culture filtrates were screened on Waito-C and Dongjin-byeo rice cultivars; for identification of plant growth promoting fungal strains.

Coronary angiographic findings and conventional coronary artery disease risk factors of Indo-Guyanese immigrants with stable angina pectoris and acute coronary syndromes.

Background: The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) among migrant Indian populations exceeds that of Caucasians. Migrant Indians also suffer from more premature, clinically aggressive and angiographically extensive, (i.e.

Rhizonin A from Burkholderia sp. KCTC11096 and its growth promoting role in lettuce seed germination.

We isolated and identified a gibberellin-producing Burkholderia sp. KCTC 11096 from agricultural field soils. The culture filtrate of plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) significantly increased the germination and growth of lettuce and Chinese cabbage seeds.

Analysis of antibiotic resistance patterns and detection of mecA gene in Staphylococcus aureus isolated from packaged hamburger.

Presence of Staphylococcus aureus, antibiotic resistance pattern and PCR detection of mecA gene in isolated strains were investigated in total of 256 packaged hamburgers in Iran-Tehran. For this purpose we used standard disk-diffusion method and sensitive and specific PCR technique, respectively. Results showed that 25% of samples were positive for S.

Simple measurement of aneurysm residual after treatment: the SMART scale for evaluation of intracranial aneurysms treated with flow diverters.

Background: Primary endovascular reconstruction with flow diversion represents a fundamental paradigm shift in the technique of endovascular aneurysm treatment. Unlike coil embolization, often there remains residual post-procedural filling within the aneurysm with flow diverters, the curative reconstruction presumably occurring over a period of weeks. Thus, conventional grading scales for post-procedural aneurysm occlusion and recanalization are inadequate.

Assessment of angiographic outcomes after flow diversion treatment of intracranial aneurysms: a new grading schema.

Introduction: Flow diverter (FD) devices have emerged as an alternative treatment for a subgroup of intracranial aneurysms. The principle of endovascular flow diversion is inherently different from endosaccular coil embolisation. To monitor the angiographic outcomes for FDs, a sensitive and reliable new measure is required.

Early experience in the treatment of intra-cranial aneurysms by endovascular flow diversion: a multicentre prospective study.

Introduction: Flow diversion is a new approach to the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms which uses a high density mesh stent to induce sac thrombosis. These devices have been designed for the treatment of complex shaped and large size aneurysms. So far published safety and efficacy data on this approach is sparse.

C-arm flat detector computed tomography: the technique and its applications in interventional neuro-radiology.

Introduction: Flat detector computed tomography (FDCT) is an imaging tool that generates three-dimensional (3-D) volumes from data obtained during C-arm rotation using CT-like reconstruction algorithms. The technique is relatively new and, at current levels of performance, lags behind conventional CT in terms of image quality. However, the advantage of its availability in the interventional room has prompted neuro-radiologists to identify clinical settings where its role is uniquely beneficial.

Therapeutic effects of recombinant forms of full-length and truncated human surfactant protein D in a murine model of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Aspergillus fumigatus (Afu) is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that can cause fatal invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) in immunocompromised individuals. Previously, surfactant protein D (SP-D), a surfactant-associated innate immune molecule, has been shown to enhance phagocytosis and killing of Afu conidia by phagocytic cells in vitro. An intranasal treatment of SP-D significantly increased survival in a murine model of IPA.

Atheroscerlotic heart disease in Bangladeshi immigrants: risk factors and angiographic findings.

Background: The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) among Bangladeshis greatly exceeds that of Caucasians. Bangladeshis also suffer from premature onset, clinically aggressive and angiographically extensive disease. The role of conventional CAD risk factors (CCRFs) has been questioned.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection: case series and review.

Spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) is a rare but important cause of acute coronary syndromes. SCAD can cause unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction, and sudden death. Predisposing factors include atherosclerosis, the peripartum period, and structural and inflammatory conditions affecting the arterial wall.

Effect of aspirin on postoperative bleeding in coronary artery bypass grafting.

Purpose: It is not uncommon for aspirin therapy to be withheld before coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) because it is thought to increase the risk of postoperative bleeding. Many studies have shown that continued aspirin therapy reduces postoperative myocardial infarction and increases survival. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of preoperative aspirin on postoperative bleeding in patients undergoing CABG.

Surface-plasmon-polariton assisted diffraction in periodic subwavelength holes of metal films with reduced interplane coupling.

Metal films grown on an Si wafer perforated with a periodic array of subwavelength holes have been fabricated and anomalous enhanced transmission in the midinfrared regime has been observed. High order transmission peaks up to Si(2,2) are clearly revealed due to the large dielectric constant contrast of the dielectrics at the opposite interfaces. The Si(1,1) peak splits at oblique incidence both in TE and TM polarization, which confirms that anomalous enhanced transmission is a surface-plasmon-polariton (SPP) assisted diffraction phenomenon.

Comparison of platelet function and morphology in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention receiving bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin versus clopidogrel pretreatment and bivalirudin.

We hypothesized that direct thrombin inhibition could attenuate platelet activation and release of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L), a marker of inflammation, during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). To assess platelet function under flow conditions with bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin (UFH), we employed the cone and plate(let) analyzer (CPA) assay in drug-spiked blood samples from volunteers (n = 3) in vitro, and then in PCI patients who received bivalirudin alone (n = 20), UFH alone (n = 15), and clopidogrel pretreatment plus bivalirudin (n = 15). Scanning electron microscopy was employed to image bivalirudin or UFH-treated platelets to determine whether platelet function observations had a morphologic explanation.

Necrotizing fasciitis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Objectives: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an uncommon infection of the subcutaneous tissue and superficial fascia. Any delay in treatment can lead to catastrophic results with high mortality. It is well known that patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are at increased risk of infection, from the disease and/or its treatment.

Brief report: beta-blocker use among veterans with systolic heart failure.

Background: Beta-blockers reduce mortality in patients with systolic chronic heart failure (CHF), yet prescription rates have remained low among primary care providers.

Objective: To determine the beta-blocker prescription rate among patients with systolic CHF at primary care Veterans Affairs (VA) clinics, its change over time; and to determine factors associated with nonprescription.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Anomalous right coronary artery originating from the left anterior descending artery.

An anomalous right coronary artery (RCA) arising from the left anterior descending artery (LAD) is very rare, and has previously been considered a variant of single coronary artery. This is the first report of an anomalous RCA arising from the LAD with a coexisting proximal RCA. The anomaly was discovered incidentally during cardiac catheterization for severe mitral regurgitation.

Differential regulation of metabolic genes in skeletal muscle during starvation and refeeding in humans.

This study investigated the molecular alterations underlying the physiological adaptations to starvation and refeeding in human skeletal muscle. Forty-eight hours' starvation reduced whole-body insulin sensitivity by 42% and produced marked changes in expression of key carbohydrate (CHO) regulatory genes and proteins: SREBP1c and hexokinase II (HKII) were downregulated 2.5- and 5-fold, respectively, whereas the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) was upregulated 4-fold.

Significance of apoptosis in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia and carcinoma.

This study was carried out to assess the significance of apoptosis in prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN) and prostate cancer. A total of 120 prostatic specimens were studied in the department of Pathology [corrected] JNMC, Aligarh. The rate of apoptosis in PIN and prostate cancer was examined by quantifying the number of apoptotic bodies per hundred cells (apoptotic index) on haematoxylin and eosin stained histological sections [corrected] A significant correlation was noted between increasing apoptotic indices and increasing Gleason grades within a cancer.