Antigenotoxic and antioxidant activities of Pituranthos chloranthus essential oils.

The SOS-chromotest in Escherichia coli is a widely used bacterial genotoxicity assay to test potential carcinogens. The aim of this work is to evaluate the genotoxic and antigenotoxic activities of essential oils obtained from aerial parts of Pituranthos chloranthus. The tested essential oils were not genotoxic towards both E. coli PQ37 and PQ35 strains. These essential oils reduced significantly Nifuroxazide and H(2)O(2)-induced genotoxicity. Essential oils showed a protective effect against damages induced by radicals, obtained from the photolysis of H(2)O(2), on DNA plasmid through free radical scavenging mechanisms. The scavenging capacity of these essential oils was also estimated by evaluating the inhibition of ABTS(+.) radical.

Stability and compatibility of an aerosol mixture including N-acetylcysteine, netilmicin and betamethasone.

The physicochemical stability and the compatibility between N-acetylcysteine (1 g/5 ml), betamethasone (4 mg/1 ml) and netilmicin (100 mg/1 ml) were studied at room temperature (25+/-2 degrees C) over 1 h. During this study, drug concentrations were measured using three separate HPLC methods with UV detection at t=0, 5, 10, 20, 30, and 60 min. The pH of the mixture was determined. Degradation products of the drugs were assayed using HPLC. This study demonstrates the stability and compatibility of the mixture over 1 h at room temperature. The pinkish non-remnant coloration observed when pouring N-acetylcysteine into a recipient has no effect on the stability of the drug.

Small cell anaplastic carcinoma of the prostate: seven new cases, review of the literature, and discussion of a therapeutic strategy.

Small cell anaplastic carcinoma of the prostate (SCCP) is a rare entity; a literature review disclosed fewer than 150 cases. SCCP has an aggressive course, and both local and distant failure is common. The optimal treatment method has not been clearly established. We review our experience with 7 patients, with attention paid to clinical and pathological details based on a review of the histological specimens. Three patients had mixed tumors of both SCCP and adenocarcinoma, 3 had pure adenocarcinomas that recurred as small cell, and 1 had pure small cell. Our series confirms the aggressive nature of the disease, with all patients dying of their disease < or = 42 months after diagnosis. All patients progressed locally, and at least 5 later developed distant metastases. Treatment with combination chemotherapy and/or hormones resulted in short-lived responses in most patients. We recommend use of hormonal manipulation and combination chemotherapy as well as surgery and/or radiation therapy to the prostate for local control and emphasize that histologic recognition of the entity is important for proper treatment.