Assessing Nordihydroguaiaretic Acid Therapeutic Effect for Glioblastoma Multiforme.

In this study, we demonstrate that Raman microscopy combined with computational analysis is a useful approach to discriminating accurately between brain tumor bio-specimens and to identifying structural changes in glioblastoma (GBM) bio-signatures after nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA) administration. NDGA phenolic lignan was selected as a potential therapeutic agent because of its reported beneficial effects in alleviating and inhibiting the formation of multi-organ malignant tumors. The current analysis of NDGA's impact on GBM human cells demonstrates a reduction in the quantity of altered protein content and of reactive oxygen species (ROS)-damaged phenylalanine; results that correlate with the ROS scavenger and anti-oxidant properties of NDGA. A novel outcome presented here is the use of phenylalanine as a biomarker for differentiating between samples and assessing drug efficacy. Treatment with a low NDGA dose shows a decline in abnormal lipid-protein metabolism, which is inferred by the formation of lipid droplets and a decrease in altered protein content. A very high dose results in cell structural and membrane damage that favors transformed protein overexpression. The information gained through this work is of substantial value for understanding NDGA's beneficial as well as detrimental bio-effects as a potential therapeutic drug for brain cancer.

Positive improvement in palatability of metabolic formula with the use of miraculin protein in patients with inborn errors of metabolism and healthy adults / Cambio positivo en la palatabilidad de la fórmula metabólica con el uso de la proteína miraculina en pacientes con errores innatos del metabolismo y adultos sanos

ABSTRACT As palatability of medical formulas has been documented as unpleasant, new options are required to improve acceptance and adherence in people with inborn errors of metabolism (IEM). Miracle fruit (Synsepalum dulcificum) has a glycoprotein named miraculin that transforms a sour, bitter taste such as the one found in metabolic formula, into a sweet perception. The objective of this work is to analyze the response in the taste perception of metabolic formula with the use of the miraculin tablets in patients with IEM and healthy adults. To test this hypothesis a prospective, longitudinal, quasi-experimental, analytical study was performed. Patients with IEM and healthy adults were recruited. All participants assessed 3 different liquids (lemon, apple cider vinegar and metabolic formula) before and after the administration of miraculin tablets and completed a questionnaire. The sensory responses were evaluated using hedonic scales, analyzed with nonparametric tests for paired data. Seven patients with IEM and 14 healthy subjects were included. After miraculin intake 57% of patients (Z ≤ -1.89 p= 0.059) and healthy adults (Z≤ -2.31 p= 0.021) had a positive change in their taste perception. The absolute frequency of patients who did not like the metabolic formula decreased from 4 to 1, and in patients who liked it or loved, it increased from 0 to 2 and from 0 to 1 respectively; the frequency of patients who perceived the metabolic formula as indifferent or hated it, did not change. Response in taste perception had a positive change of 57% in both groups. The use of miraculin tablets may improve palatability of metabolic formula.

RESUMEN La palatabilidad de las fórmulas médicas se ha reportado como desagradable, se requieren nuevas opciones para mejorar la aceptación en personas con errores innatos del metabolismo (EIM). La fruta milagrosa (Synsepalum dulcificum) contiene una glucoproteína llamada miraculina que transforma el sabor agrio y amargo en dulce. El objetivo fue analizar la respuesta en la percepción del sabor de la fórmula metabólica con el uso de las tabletas de miraculina en pacientes con EIM y adultos sanos. Se realizó un estudio analítico prospectivo, longitudinal, cuasi-experimental. Los participantes evaluaron la percepción de 3 líquidos (limón, vinagre de manzana y fórmula metabólica) antes y después de la administración de tabletas de miraculina y completaron un cuestionario. Las respuestas sensoriales se evaluaron mediante escalas hedónicas, analizadas con pruebas no paramétricas para datos pareados. Se incluyeron 7 pacientes con EIM y 14 adultos sanos. Después de la miraculina el 57% de los pacientes (Z ≤ -1,89 p= 0,059) y adultos sanos (Z≤ -2,31 p= 0,021) tuvieron un cambio positivo en su percepción del sabor. La frecuencia absoluta de pacientes a los que no les gustó la fórmula disminuyó de 4 a 1, y en quienes les gustó o les encantó, aumentó de 0 a 2 y de 0 a 1 respectivamente; la frecuencia de los pacientes que percibieron la fórmula como indiferente u odiada, no cambió. La respuesta en la percepción del sabor cambió positivamente en el 57% en ambos grupos. El uso de miraculina puede mejorar la palatabilidad de la fórmula metabólica.

Evaluación de la actividad antiinflamatoria del extracto etanólico del fruto de Passiflora mollissima (Kunth) L.H. Bailey "tumbo serrano" y su uso como activo biológico en industria cosmética / Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory activity of the ethanolic extract of the fruit of Passiflora mollissima (Kunth) L. H. Bailey "tumbo serrano" and its use as a biological asset in the cosmetic industry

Passiflora mollissima (Kunth) L.H.Bailey "tumbo serrano" es una planta nativa peruana, utilizada en medicina tradicional por sus beneficios en la salud y valor nutricional. Presenta compuestos polifenólicos principalmente flavonoides; responsables de la capacidad antioxidante y mayoría de propiedades farmacológicas. Los objetivos del presente trabajo: determinar la actividad antiinflamatoria del extracto etanólico del fruto de Passiflora mollissima (Kunth) L.H.Bailey "tumbo serrano" utilizando el modelo experimental: edema auricular inducido por TPA y su uso como activo biológico en la industria cosmética a través de pruebas de seguridad in vitro por el método Irritection Assay System (potencial de irritación dérmica) y el método HET CAM (potencial de irritación ocular). El extracto etanólico al 20% de Passiflora mollissima (Kunth) L.H.Bailey "tumbo serrano" presentaron actividad antiinflamatoria en las dosis de 500 y 1000 µg. En las pruebas de seguridad in vitro, se observó ligero potencial irritante. Conclusiones, en las condiciones experimentales se demostró que el extracto etanólico de Passiflora mollissima (Kunth) L.H.Bailey "tumbo serrano" presentó actividad antiinflamatoria y seguridad como activo biológico en la industria cosmética.

[Phyllodes tumor in a pediatric patient. Case report and literature review]. / Tumor phyllodes en un paciente pediátrico. Informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND: Phyllodes tumors occur with a frequency of 0.3- 0.9% and are rare in young women. Their clinical presentation is unilateral and behavior and management are unclear. We present a phyllodes tumor in an 11-year-old female and we reviewed the literature regarding this pathology. CASE REPORT: We present the case of an 11-year-old female with a diagnosis of phyllodes tumor. Her disease began 4 months previously. We made an incision biopsy followed by simple mastectomy. Histological report demonstrated benign phyllodes tumor. The patient is currently disease free after 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Small phyllodes tumors can be excised with a 1-cm surgical border, whereas larger phyllodes tumors are treated with simple mastectomy. Precise pathological evaluation is necessary to plan a better surgical approach and to determine recurrence possibility.

Tumor phyllodes en un paciente pediátrico: informe de un caso y revisión de la literatura / Phyllodes tumor in a pediatric patient: case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Phyllodes tumors occur with a frequency of 0.3- 0.9% and are rare in young women. Their clinical presentation is unilateral and behavior and management are unclear. We present a phyllodes tumor in an 11-year-old female and we reviewed the literature regarding this pathology. CASE REPORT: We present the case of an 11-year-old female with a diagnosis of phyllodes tumor. Her disease began 4 months previously. We made an incision biopsy followed by simple mastectomy. Histological report demonstrated benign phyllodes tumor. The patient is currently disease free after 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: Small phyllodes tumors can be excised with a 1-cm surgical border, whereas larger phyllodes tumors are treated with simple mastectomy. Precise pathological evaluation is necessary to plan a better surgical approach and to determine recurrence possibility.