Prophylactic and curative anti-ulcerogenic activity and the possible mechanisms of action of some desert plants.

The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-ulcerogenic activities and the possible mechanisms of action of seven desert plants from different families. (L.) Desf.

Effect of Emex spinosa, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Haloxylon salicornicum and Ochradenus baccatus extracts on the reproductive organs of adult male rats.

Context: Emex spinosa (L.) Campd. (Polygonaceae), Leptadenia pyrotechnica (Forsk.

Comparative evaluation of humic substances in oral drug delivery.

Major and biologically most explored components of natural organic matter (NOM) are humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA). We have explored rock shilajit as a source of NOM. On the other hand carbamazepine (CBZ) is a well known anticonvulsant drug and has a limited accessibility to brain.

Original Article: Investigation of Bcl-2 and PCNA in Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Relation to Chronic HCV.

Background And Objective: Bcl-2 family members can be functionally divided into anti-apoptotic and proapoptotic groups. The balance between these two groups may determine the fate of tumor cells. In hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), this balance is often tilted towards the anti-apoptotic members in tumor cells, leading to resistance to cell death and rapid proliferation.

Effect of Aegle marmelos on DEN initiated and 2-AAF promoted hepatocarcinogenesis: a chemopreventive study.

In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of Aegle marmelos methanolic extract on diethylnitrosamine (DEN) initiated and 2-acetyl aminofluorene (2-AAF) promoted liver carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats. Interestingly, it was found that A. marmelos (25 and 50 mg/kg body weight) resulted in a marked reduction of the incidence of liver tumors, which was further confirmed with histopathology.

HPTLC densitometric analysis of arbutin in bulk drug and methanolic extracts of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi.

A high-performance thin layer chromatographic densitometric method for the analysis of arbutin was developed and validated in the present investigation. Arbutin was separated on aluminium-backed silica gel 60 F(254) plates with methanol : chloroform (3:7)% (v/v) as the mobile phase. This system was found to give a compact spot of arbutin at a retention factor (R(f)) value of 0.

A new HPTLC densitometric method for analysis of swertiamarin in Enicostemma littorale and commercial formulations.

A high-performance thin layer chromatographic densitometric method for the analysis of swertiamarin in 60% methanolic extract of Enicostemma littorale and commercial formulations has been developed and validated in this study. Swertiamarin was separated on aluminium-backed silica gel 60 F₂₅₄ plates using ethyl acetate : methanol : water (77 : 15 : 8)% v/v as the mobile phase. This system was found to give a compact spot of swertiamarin at R(f) value 0.

Cell type specific expression of the apoptosis stimulating protein (ASPP-2) in human tissues.

Apoptosis stimulating proteins of p53 (ASPP-l and ASPP-2) are a novel family of proteins that have been found to co-stimulate p53 activation of Bax (Bcl-2 associated protein X) inducing caspase-mediated apoptosis. Therefore, these proteins may play an important role in regulating apoptosis in normal and neoplastic cells. However, their cellular and tissue distribution has not been documented.

Review: Stem cells and gene therapy.

Both stem cell and gene therapy research are currently the focus of intense research in institutions and companies around the world. Both approaches hold great promise by offering radical new and successful ways of treating debilitating and incurable diseases effectively. Gene therapy is an approach to treat, cure, or ultimately prevent disease by changing the pattern of gene expression.

Effect of a 6-week rehabilitation program on gait parameters after total knee arthroplasty.

Objective: To investigate early changes in gait parameters following total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: Fifteen patients scheduled to undergo unilateral TKA at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre (KFSHRC), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between March 2009 and February 2010, were included in the study. This study was a prospective pretest-posttest experimental design; all patients underwent unilateral TKA, and were subjected to a 6-week standard postoperative rehabilitation program.

Swords of cell death: caspase activation and regulation.

Apoptosis represents a crucial process in modulating organ development in the embryo, in organ homeostasis in the adult, and in fostering appropriate immunological function. Caspases represent two central classes of molecules that are either involved with the stimulation of the apoptotic cascade (initiator caspases), or the various sequential biological pathways required for its execution (effector caspases). With an eye towards therapeutic opportunities, this review discusses in detail the lineage of initiator and effector caspases, how they are each activated, their substrates, their regulation, and maps out how they interact throughout the process from initiation of the first apoptotic signal to the final consequential breakdown of cellular integrity.

Transpalatal distraction osteogenesis prior to alveolar bone grafting in cleft lip and palate patients.

Alveolar bone grafting is a standard method for treating alveolar cleft. To ensure the best outcome, improving the arch form as well as soft tissue quality in the area around the cleft is recommended. In this study, 11 patients who presented with alveolar cleft and collapsed maxillary arch were treated in the following sequence: transpalatal distraction osteogenesis followed by soft tissue surgery in some cases and by cancellous bone graft.

H1N1 update review.

There is worldwide concern on the spreading pandemic wave of the new swine influenza virus (S-OIV). The WHO has placed the pandemic threat alert to level 6. World leaders and scientists importantly stress that regulations and pandemic preparedness may lower the morbidity and mortality.

The role of apoptotic proteins in patients with systemic lupus erythematosis.

Lymphocytes and granulocytes from healthy donors and SLE patients were used to investigate the role of Fas/FasL system in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Determination of lymphocyte subpopulations was carried out by flowcytometry. Fas and FasL expression in lymphocytes and granulocytes were measured by immunofluorescence.

Modulation of dendritic cell activation chemokines and cellular injury.

Dendritic cells (DC) are professional antigen presenting cells expressing MHC class II, derived from a common marrow precursor. They are motile, diffused and have a spidery shape with many long cytoplasmic processes. The aim of this project was to test the hypothesis that cellular injury induces the activation and functional maturation of DC.