Potential application of cryogenic freezer on turbot sperm cryopreservation.

BACKGROUND: Cryopreservation is a common practice to preserve fish sperm for prolonged periods. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of different freezing protocols on sperm characteristics, fertilization, and hatching rate of turbot. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Milt was obtained from ten 8-year-old turbot (54.3 ± 1.7 cm in length and 3,106 ±283 g in weight) at the peak of spawning season. Six batches of milts with >90% motility was pooled and diluted to 1:3 by adding dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO, 10%) as cryoprotectant. Then straws filled with semen were subjected to three freezing protocols (cooling rates). Sperm characteristics were assessed using sperm class analyzer before and after cryopreservation. Cryopreserved and fresh sperm were used for artificial fertilization to assess fertilization and hatching rates. RESULTS: Cryopreservation protocol has significantly deleterious effects on total motility, progressive motility, curvilinear velocity, straight line velocity, average path velocity, linearity index, straightness index, oscillation index, and amplitude of lateral head displacement of sperm. However, the beat frequency of cryopreserved sperm was found to be similar to control sperm. The fertilization rate of sperm subjected to three freezing protocols were similar, varying between 65.3 % and 75.6 %, and the hatching rates varied from 51.2 % to 70.7 %. CONCLUSION: The results show the potential application of cryopreservation in fish hatcheries. doi.org/10.54680/fr22410110312.

Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting for Implantable Medical Devices.

A thermoelectric energy harvesting system is proposed to supplement the primary power supply of an implantable medical device. A low-power synchronous boost converter capable of boosting 10mV input voltage to 1V output voltage is designed in a 180nm CMOS process. To increase the charging speed, a maximum power transfer scheme is utilized. The harvester delivers up to 10µW power with a minimum temperature gradient of 1-degree, which results in a power efficiency over 40%.Clinical Relevance- The use of this technology could enhance the longevity of battery-operated implanted medical devices by reducing the possibility of invasive battery replacement surgery.

The predictive role of biomarkers for mortality in COVID-19 patients.

Many biomarkers are used in addition to radiologic examinations to determine the severity of COVID-19. This study aims to determine WBC, neutrophil, lymphocyte, platelet, D-dimer, CRP, AST, ALT, LDH, PT, APTT, INR, urea, creatinine, lactate, and ferritin levels in COVID-19 patients and the effect of their changes on mortality rate. The study was conducted between 11 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 (during the COVID-19 pandemic). A total of 502 patients older than 18 years who presented with suspected COVID-19 were included in the study. Of these 502 patients who applied to the hospital, 229(45.6%) were male and 273(54%) were female. 301(60%) patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 through computed tomography and PCR tests. 201(40%) patients with negative test results constituted the control group. Patients with positive test results 48.2% (n=145) were men, and 51.8% (n=156) were women. The median age of the patients was 51±25 years. The patients tested positive for COVID-19 were divided into three groups as outpatients (26.9%), inpatients (68.8%), and intensive care unit patients (4.3%). The mortality rate of the patients followed via the patient follow-up system after 30 days was determined as 2.7%. The biomarker values of patients examined in this study tested negative and positive for COVID-19 were compared. In the study, D-dimer, ferritin, Lactate, AST, ALT, LDH, Urea, Creatinine, APTT, and INR levels were found to be higher in the positive tested patients than the negative ones. In the study, it was concluded that neutrophil, lymphocyte, CRP, and ferritin ratios should also be followed in the follow-up phase of the disease. It is important that additional measures should be taken in cases when these biomarkers increase by following the values of the patients who started taking treatment. Also, the ratio of biomarkers is crucial in determining whether the treatment has been effective or not.

Ileal rhabdomyosarcoma in a patient with a history of squamous cell lung cancer.

Rhabdomyosarcoma is an infrequent muscular cancer seen in adults. We present a case of ileal intussusception due to pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in a patient diagnosed previously with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung (SCCL). The patient was a 68-year-old man with a history of SCCL. He was admitted to the emergency department for nausea, emesis and obstipation. Surgical investigation of the abdomen revealed an intussusception caused by a tumour located 160cm distal of the ligament of Treitz. Pathological examination showed that tumour was a primary rhabdomyosarcoma of the ileum. This case contributes to the literature by defining an infrequent presentation of rhabdomyosarcoma causing ileal intussusception in an adult patient.

High dose zoledronic acid increases ischemia-reperfusion damage of the liver.

OBJECTIVE: Zoledronic acid (ZA), a nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate, has been reported to exhibit a protective effect against cancers and prevent bone fractures. It also induces apoptosis by increasing proinflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress. Oxidative stress increases significantly during ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. The liver is highly sensitive to IR injury. In this study, we aim to investigate whether high-dose ZA treatment affects the liver during IR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used twenty-one Sprague-Dawley male rats in our study, and they were subdivided randomly into three groups, each containing seven rats. A single dose of 100 µg/kg ZA was administered via the intraperitoneal route in the ZA group. Forty-eight hours after the ZA administration, infrarenal abdominal aortic cross ligation was performed on the ZA and IR groups. After 2 hours of ischemia, 2 hours of reperfusion was applied. RESULTS: The malondialdehyde (MDA) level of the control group was significantly lower than the IR (p = 0.006) and ZA (p<0.001) groups. However, the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) values of the control group were significantly higher than the values of the IR group (p<0.05, p<0.001, and p<0.05) and ZA group (p = 0.002, p<0.001, and p<0.001). Caspase-3 activity was significantly higher in the IR group as compared to the control group (p<0.001). The caspase-3 activity in the ZA group, on the other hand, was higher than both the control (p<0.001) and IR groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: High-dose ZA may exacerbate liver injury during IR by increasing reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis.

Diagnostic value of serum glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100B serum levels in emergency medicine patients with traumatic versus nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) is a brain-specific astroglial protein that is released into the blood soon after traumatic brain injury by mature astrocytes. S100B is rapidly released into the cerebrospinal fluid and bloodstream after brain damage. We compared the serum concentrations of these proteins in patients with severe head trauma (bleeding and/or fracture) or nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage and healthy individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 63 patients (33 males and 30 females) with traumatic cerebral hemorrhage and/or cranial bone fractures or nontraumatic cerebral hemorrhage and 30 healthy control subjects. The reasons for attending the emergency department were as follows: fall from a height (n = 32), traffic accident (n = 18), nontraumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (n = 6), animal kick to the head (n = 4), and blow to the head (n = 3). RESULTS: Of the 63 patients included in the study, 33 (52.4%) were male and 30 (47.6%) were female. Of the 30 healthy controls, 12 (40%) were male and 18 (60%) were female. The average age of the patients was 27 years (range, 1 month to 86 years) and the average age of the control group was 21 years (range, 18-30 years). The mean serum GFAP concentrations were 86.37 ng/mL in the patients and 38.07 ng/mL in the controls (P < 0.05). The mean serum S100B concentrations were 428.37 pg/mL in the patients and 103.44 pg/mL in the controls (P < 0.05). Eight (12.7%) patients died in the hospital; of those, the mean GCS score was 4.6, and the mean GFAP and S100B levels were 127.8 ng/mL and 860.6 pg/mL, respectively. CONCLUSION: The GFAP and S100B concentrations were significantly higher in patients with traumatic or nontraumatic brain injury than in healthy individuals, indicating that serum levels of these biomarkers may provide an alternative to computed tomography for the diagnosis of brain injury.

The impact of pretreatment with simvastatin on kidney tissue of rats with acute sepsis.

It has been reported that changes in cytokine levels affect mitochondrial functions, levels of hypoxia-inducible factor α (HIF-1α), and tissue damage during sepsis. We aimed to investigate the effects of simvastatin pretreatment on mitochondrial enzyme activities, and on levels of ghrelin, HIF-1α, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in kidney tissue during sepsis. Rats were separated into four groups, namely, control, lipopolysaccharides (LPS) (20 mg/kg), simvastatin (20 mg/kg), and simvastatin + LPS. We measured the levels of mitochondrial enzyme activities and TBARS in the kidney using spectrophotometry. The histological structure of the kidney sections was examined after staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), IL-10, HIF-1α, and ghrelin immunoreactivity were examined using proper antibodies. In tissue, TNF-α (p < 0.01) and HIF-1α (p < 0.05) levels were increased in the simvastatin + LPS and LPS groups. TBARS levels were higher in the LPS group than in the other groups (p < 0.01), but they were similar in the simvastatin + LPS and control groups (p > 0.05). Ghrelin immunoreactivity was lower in the LPS group (p < 0.05) and higher in the simvastatin + LPS group than in the LPS group (p < 0.01). We observed tubular damage in the sections of the LPS group. There were no differences in mitochondrial enzyme activities between the groups (p > 0.05). We observed that pretreatment of simvastatin caused favorable changes on ghrelin and TBARS levels in rats with sepsis.

Is parturition-timing machinery related to the number of inhibitor CD94/NKG2A positive uterine natural killer cells?

PURPOSE: Prematurity is the most common cause of infant mortality and morbidity. To prevent this, the timing of parturition and its mechanisms should be understood. It is likely that inhibitor CD94/NKG2A positive decidual natural killer cells (uNK) provide for the continuation of pregnancy. Here, we aimed to evaluate whether CD94/NKG2A positive uNK cells are highest in elective cesarian section (C/S) (suggesting ongoing gestation), moderate in normal full-term birth, and lowest in pre-eclamptic parturition. METHODS: Of 48 pregnant women, 21 C/S, 16 normal, and 11 pre-eclamptic deliveries were included in this study. Five placentas in each group were assigned randomly. After staining, the volumetric analysis of the placental villi and villous blood vessels was performed via the Cavalieri principle. The CD94/NKG2A positive uNK cells were counted using the physical disector method. RESULTS: The gestation periods and birth weights of the pre-eclamptic deliveries were lower than those of the other two groups. Additionally, the villi and villous vascular volumes were lowest in the pre-eclamptic placentas. As proposed in our hypothesis, the inhibitor CD94/NKG2A positive uNK cells were the highest in the C/S, moderate in the normal, and lowest in the pre-eclamptic placentas. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that CD94/NKG2A positive uNK cells are related with the continuation of pregnancy, and that our human model could be used to search for parturition-timing machinery. We believe that CD94/NKG2A positive uNK cells are also related to the timing of birth.

Topiramate has protective effect on renal injury.

BACKGROUND: Topiramate (TPM) decreases tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and oxidative stress. We investigated protective effects of TPM on cell damage in kidney tissue during ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) damage. METHODS: A total of 30 male Wistar albino rats were divided into three groups: control, I/R, and I/R plus TPM (I/R+TPM). Laparotomy without I/R injury was performed in control group. After laparotomy, cross ligation of infrarenal abdominal aorta was applied for two hours in I/R groups which was followed by two hours of reperfusion. TPM (100 mg/kg/day) was orally administrated to animals in the I/R+TPM group for seven consecutive days before I/R. RESULTS: The I/R group's TNF-α and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) levels were significantly higher (1184.2 ± 129.1 pg/mg protein; 413.1 ± 28.8 pg/mg protein, respectively) than those of the control (907.8 ± 113.0 pg/mg protein, p = 0.002; 374.7 ± 23.7 pg/mg protein, p = 0.010, respectively) and I/R+TPM groups (999.5 ± 115.2 pg/mg protein, p < 0.001; 377.9 ± 30.9 pg/mg protein, p = 0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: TPM may partially prevent renal damage in rats. The opening of new horizons of this kind of knowledge will help understand the complex challenge in the prevention of renal I/R damage (Tab. 1, Fig. 3, Ref. 42).

The relation between oxidative stress, inflammation, and neopterin in the paraquat-induced lung toxicity.

Paraquat (PQ) is a well-known quaternary nitrogen herbicide. The major target organ in PQ poisoning is the lung. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inflammation play a crucial role in the development of PQ-induced pulmonary injury. Neopterin is synthesized in macrophage by interferon γ and other cytokines. We aimed to evaluate the utility of neopterin as a diagnostic marker in PQ-induced lung toxicity. Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups (sham and PQ), administered intraperitoneally 1 mL saline and PQ (15 mg/kg/mL) respectively. Blood samples and lungs were collected for analyses. Lung injury and fibrosis were seen in the PQ group. Serum total antioxidant capacity, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and lung transforming growth factor-1ß (TGF-1ß) levels were significantly higher than the sham group (in all, p < 0.001). In addition, in the PQ group, serum neopterin and lung malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also significantly higher than the sham group (in all, p = 0.001). Serum neopterin levels were correlated with LDH activities, lung MDA, lung TGF-1ß levels, and the degree of lung injury. These findings demonstrated that oxidative stress, reduction of antioxidant capacity, and inflammation play a crucial role in the PQ-induced lung injury. Elevated serum neopterin levels may be a prognostic parameter to determine extends of PQ-induced lung toxicity. Further studies may be performed to clarify the role of neopterin by different doses of PQ.

Aspartame induces angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo models.

Angiogenesis is the process of generating new blood vessels from preexisting vessels and is considered essential in many pathological conditions. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate the effect of aspartame on angiogenesis in vivo chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) and wound-healing models as well as in vitro 2,3-bis-2H-tetrazolium-5-carboxanilide (XTT) and tube formation assays. In CAM assay, aspartame increased angiogenesis in a concentration-dependent manner. Compared with the control group, aspartame has significantly increased vessel proliferation (p < 0.001). In addition, in vivo rat model of skin wound-healing study showed that aspartame group had better healing than control group, and this was statistically significant at p < 0.05. There was a slight proliferative effect of aspartame on human umbilical vein endothelial cells on XTT assay in vitro, but it was not statistically significant; and there was no antiangiogenic effect of aspartame on tube formation assay in vitro. These results provide evidence that aspartame induces angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo; so regular use may have undesirable effect on susceptible cases.

Comparison between electronic method and conventional method recording and follow-up of general surgery ward-round notes taken.

AIM: Patient anamneses and ward-rounds notes taken are two key elements which have been and will be used to ensure accurate and reliable sustainability at surgery services. In this study, we aimed to find a new method which is capable of better addressing the needs in this process, simplifying it and also saving time. We also targeted to compare this new method used by us with the method, also known as conventional method, having been used for years. METHODS: Thirty patients were included in the study. The prehospitalization anamneses of the patients were taken using the two methods and the durations were recorded separately for the two methods. Thereafter, the patients were visited by two methods in the morning on each day of their stay. The durations were recorded daily and separately for the two methods. The durations were statistically evaluated separately for the anamneses and ward-round notes taken. RESULTS: Evaluations showed that the method using hand terminal (1.2250 minutes) is more advantageous in terms of duration in recording ward-round scores than the conventional method (1.3853 minutes). It was founded that in regard to the duration, the average duration of manual anamnesis taking (16.3350 minutes) is higher than that of taking anamnesis by means of hand terminal (15.4733 minutes). Furthermore, it was also seen that the use of this new technique eliminated the problems previously experienced in data transfer, access to historical data etc. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this method that is tested by use of hand terminal is more advantageous than the conventional method in terms of time saving and accurate data transfer. It is our opinion that it will provide advantages in many more aspects if it is worked on.

The protective effect of infliximab on cisplatin-induced intestinal tissue toxicity.

OBJECTIVE: Cisplatin (CP) is a popular chemotherapeutic agent. However, high doses of CP may lead to severe side effects to the gastrointestinal system. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of infliximab on small intestine injury induced by high doses of CP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The A total of 30 rats were equally divided into three groups, including sham (C), cisplatin (CP), and cisplatin + infliximab (CPI). The CP group was treated with 7 mg/kg intraperitoneal cisplatin, and a laparotomy was performed 5 days later. The CPI group received 7 mg/kg infliximab intraperitoneally, were administered 7 mg/kg cisplatin 4 days later, and a laparotomy was performed 5 days after receiving cisplatin. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis of small intestine tissue sections were performed, and superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, and TNF-α levels were measured. RESULTS: Histopathological evaluation revealed that the CP group had damage in the epithelium and connective tissue, but this damage was significantly improved in the CPI group (p < 0.05). In addition, these histopathological findings were confirmed by biochemical analyses. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that infliximab is protective against the adverse effects of CP.

A safety-based comparison of pure LigaSure use and LigaSure-tie technique in total thyroidectomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Sutureless total thyroidectomy by using vessel sealing devices has been shown to be safe in some recent clinical studies. However, some surgeons are still concerned about the use of these energy devices in the vicinity of there current laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the use of pure LigaSure on postoperative complications and to discuss the pertinent literature. METHODS: A total of 456 patients having undergone a total thyroidectomy operation between June 2009 and March 2011 were included in the study. Data were prospectively collected and retrospectively evaluated. Patients were separated into 2 groups. Group L comprised of 182 patients where onlyLigaSure was used, and group LT consisted of 274 patients where ligation was used in the vicinity of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and parathyroid glands, and LigaSure was used in all other parts of the surgery. Patient's blood calcium values were checked preoperatively and at postoperative 24, 48, and 72 hours. Groups were assessed in terms of demographic properties, thyroid pathology, duration of operation, and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Groups were similar in respect of demographic properties, operation duration, thyroid gland pathology. No mortality rate was recorded. Laboratory hypocalcemia rate was higher in group L (P 0.003), but no significant difference was identified between groups in terms of symptomatic hypocalcemia.No permanent hypocalcemia or recurrent laryngeal nerve injury developed in any of the patients in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Pure LigaSure for total thyroidectomy may increase laboratory hypocalcemia rate, but not symptomatic hypocalcemia. Hemorrhage related complications were similar and low in the two groups. Ligations in the places close to delicate anatomic structures did not cause longer operative times and may be a safer option in total thyroidectomy.

Hyperbaric oxygen treatment and N-acetylcysteine ameliorate acetaminophen-induced liver injury in a rat model.

An overdose of acetaminophen (APAP) produces centrilobular hepatocellular necrosis. We aimed to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) only and hyperbaric oxygen (O(2)) treatment (HBOT) combined with NAC, and their anti-inflammatory properties in liver tissue. In the current study, a total of 32 male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups: sham, APAP, NAC, and NAC + HBOT. In the APAP, NAC, and NAC + HBOT groups, liver injury was induced by oral administration of 1 g/kg APAP. The NAC group received 100 mg/kg NAC per day. NAC + HBOT group received intraperitoneal injection of 100 mg/kg/day NAC and were given HBOT at 2.8 ATA pressure with 100% O(2) inhalation for 90 min every 12 h for 5 days. Rats in the sham group received distilled water only by gastric tube. All animals were killed on day 6 after APAP or distilled water administration. Serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, hepatic neopterin, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels were measured. There was a significant increase in serum AST and ALT activities in the APAP group compared with the sham group (in both p = 0.001). NAC and NAC + HBOT groups had significant decreases in hepatic neopterin, TNF-α, and IL-6 levels compared with the APAP group. APAP administration caused extensive hepatic necrosis. NAC and NAC + HBO treatments significantly reduced APAP-induced liver injury. Our results showed that the liver damage in APAP toxicity was attenuated by NAC and NAC + HBO treatments. NAC + HBOT exhibit hepatoprotective activity against APAP-induced liver injury in rats.

Elevated serum levels of endocan in patients with psoriasis vulgaris: correlations with cardiovascular risk and activity of disease.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis vulgaris is an inflammatory disease characterized by epidermal hyperproliferation, leucocyte adhesion molecule expression and leucocyte infiltration. Psoriasis is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Endothelial dysfunction is widely regarded as being the initial process in the development of atherosclerosis. Human endothelial cell-specific molecule-1 (endocan) is a novel human endothelial cell-specific molecule. Previous studies suggested that endocan may be a novel endothelial dysfunction marker. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between serum levels of endocan and both cardiovascular risk and disease activity in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. METHODS: A total of 29 patients with psoriasis vulgaris and 35 control subjects were included in the study. Endocan, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) were measured in all subjects. RESULTS: Serum endocan levels were significantly different between the two groups (P < 0.001). In patients with psoriasis, serum endocan levels correlated with Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, hsCRP and cIMT (r = 0.477, P = 0.009; r = 0.484, P = 0.008; r = 0.408, P = 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Circulating endocan may represent a new marker that correlates with cardiovascular risk as well as the severity of disease in patients with psoriasis vulgaris. Endocan may be a surrogate endothelial dysfunction marker and may have a functional role in endothelium-dependent pathological disorders. Whether endocan levels could become a treatment target merits further investigation.

The protective effects of taurine on experimental acute pancreatitis in a rat model.

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effects of taurine (Tau) on experimental acute pancreatitis (AP) in a rat model by measuring cytokines and oxidant stress markers. Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups: sham, AP, Tau and AP + Tau. AP was induced with sodium taurocholate. No treatment was given to the AP. All rats were killed 5 days later. Pancreatic tissues of rats and blood samples were obtained. Tau treatment significantly decreased serum amylase activity (p < 0.001), total injury score (p < 0.001), malondialdehyde levels (p < 0.001) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the Tau and AP + Tau groups in serum and pancreatic tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-6 levels (p = 1.000). Histopathologic scores in the AP + Tau and Tau groups were significantly lower compared with the AP group (both p < 0.001). These results showed that Tau reduces lipid peroxidation, amylase and MPO activities and the concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines secondary to AP and also increases superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities in rats with sodium taurocholate-induced AP. It also has a marked ameliorative effect at histopathologic lesions. With these effects, Tau protects the cells from oxidative damage, reduces inflammation and promotes regression of pancreatic damage.

Scolicidal activity of taurolidine for the treatment of hydatid disease.

OBJECTIVES: In this experimental study, we have evaluated in vivo and in vitro activities of taurolidine (TRD) against protoscolices of Echinococcus granulosus. BACKGROUND: Scolicidal agent application is mandatory for the interventional treatment of hydatid cysts. Serious adverse effects of current scolicidal agents forced the scientist to search for less toxic chemicals. METHODS: One milliliter of protoscolices suspension was administered into twelve Petri's dishes, six of them containing 5 ml of isotonic saline, and six of them containing 5 ml (5 mg/ml) TRD. Forty, male Balb/c mice were divided into five equal groups. Group 1: protoscolices inoculated group; Group 2: protoscolices inoculated and thereafter immediately administered with a single dose intravenous (IV) 0.5 ml TRD (400 mg/kg); Group 3: protoscolices inoculated and thereafter immediately administered with a single dose intraperitoneal (IP) 0.5 ml TRD (400 mg/kg); Group 4: three months after inoculating the protoscolices, one day before the sacrifice single dose IV 0.5 ml TRD (400 mg/kg) administered; Group 5: three months after inoculating the protoscolices, one day before the sacrifice single dose IP 0.5 ml TRD (400 mg/kg) administered. RESULTS: All the protoscolices were dead in TRD-added Petri's Dishes in 90 minutes. In group 2 and group 3, no mouse had an intraabdominal hydatid cyst. CONCLUSION: The results of this study are encouraging us to suggest TRD as an alternative scolicidal agent. Further clinical studies are needed to define the effectiveness and the mode of application of TRD for the treatment of hydatid disease (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 30).

NPRL2 gene expression in the progression of colon tumors.

Genetic and epigenetic factors affecting DNA methylation and gene expression are known to be involved in the development of colon cancer, but the full range of genetic alterations and many key genes involved in the pathogenesis of colon cancer remain to be identified. NPRL2 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene identified in the human chromosome 3p21.3 region. We evaluated the role of this gene in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer by investigating NPRL2 mRNA expression in 55 matched normal and tumor colon tissue samples using quantitative RT-PCR analysis. There was significantly decreased NPRL2 expression in 45% of the patients. Lower NPRL2 expression was observed significantly more frequently in poorly differentiated tumor samples than in highly or moderately differentiated tumors. We conclude that expression of NPRL2 contributes to progression of colon cancer.