Can Carpobrotus edulis, heal incisional and excisional wounds on the skin?

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the wound healing activity of liposomal Carpobrotus edulis powder extract (CEPE) formulation on incisional and excisional wounds in rat. BACKGROUND: In the event of any damage, the damaged tissue undergoes a process of regenerating itself, which is called wound healing. METHODS: Centella asiatica extract (CAE) was used as the reference molecule in the study. The wound healing process was tested by using the excisional and incisional wound model. On the 12th day of the study, maximum stress, stress, % of elongation values were evaluated in the incisional wound. Also; histological parameters and macroscopic photographic analyses were evaluated in the excisional wound. RESULTS: In the photo evaluations, the improvement was more prominent in both CAE and CEPE groups than in the control group. Histological evaluation showed that CEPE group had significant wound healing activity compared to the control and CAE groups. Axial tensile-elongation experiments in incisional wound tissue show that there was no significant difference between CAE and CEPE groups. CONCLUSION: Liposomal formulations of C.edulis extract were found to have positive effects on the healing process, both on excisional and incisional wound tissues (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 30).

Can Intra-articular 1α, 25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Administration Be Therapeutical in Joint Cartilage Damage?

INTRODUCTION Vitamin D-deficiency is known to cause nerve conduction impairments, cancer and chronic diseases, as well as the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis. Our goal with this study is to evaluate the cartilage healing by applying intraarticular 1α, 25 (OH) 2D3 at different doses in rats with normal vitamin D levels and metabolism, which we made focal chondral damage model in the knee joint. MATERIAL AND METHODS 35 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 20-24 weeks were used in our study. Both knees of rats were cartilage defected surgically on day 0. Joint injections performed at 06:00 am on 0th and 2nd days and after second injection others performed on days 9-16 and 23 following a weekly period. RESULTS In the fourth week, hematoxylin eosin staining measurements showed statistically significant difference according to the groups (p < 0.01) Metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) in histological staining for evaluating cartilage healing and healing levels showed statistically significant differences between the groups at first week and fourth week (p < 0.05). DISCUSSION Vitamin D, which affects many tissues through its receptors, is believed to be chondroprotective and neuroprotective by decreasing the expression of MMP in cartilage fibroblast, macrophage, lymphocyte through its intracellular receptors. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study known to be intraarticular use of 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. Our study has been found to be safe and successful in terms of weight, systemic PTH and 1α, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 levels in rats during treatment as well as better healing of cartilage damage. Key words: vitamin D3 receptor, articular cartilage, orthopedics, nerve conduction.

The effect of collegial solidarity among nurses on the organizational climate.

AIM: This research was carried out in a descriptive and relationship-seeking design to examine the effect on the organizational climate of collegial solidarity among the nurses. BACKGROUND: It is important that nurses work in an organizational climate where they can be in solidarity with their colleagues to offer quality service and to deal with all the problems they face. However, the impact of collegial solidarity on the organizational climate is not yet clear enough. METHODS: This study was performed with a cohort of 333 nurses working in a university hospital in Turkey. Data were collected using the personal information form, the Colleague Solidarity of Nurses' Scale and the Organizational Climate Scale. The data were evaluated using Cronbach's α coefficient, frequency and percentage distribution, the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient and a simple linear regression analysis. RESULTS: A relationship was identified between the collegial solidarity among nurses and the organizational climate. We have determined that collegial solidarity effects organizational commitment, teamwork, supportive climate, stress, negative interaction, human relations, job satisfaction, hierarchy, and the communication and innovative climate. CONCLUSION: Collegial solidarity among nurses has effects on the organizational climate. IMPLICATION FOR NURSING POLICY AND HEALTH POLICY: It is recommended that executive nurses support the colleague solidarity between nurses in healthcare settings, in particular by reducing stress in nurses, strengthening teamwork and communication and, thus, making the organizational climate more positive.

Is Intraarticular Antibiotic Administration Effective in the Treatment of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY Septic arthritis is an infection of joints caused by a pathogenic microorganism. Septic arthritis has a mortality rate of 11-40% when it's not treated properly. The mortality rate with methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)is 5-7%, while the rate with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)is 13-20%. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of intraarticular vancomycin and teicoplanin on joint cartilage in in vivo settings and its utility in routine MRSA treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS In our study, 35 male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 28 days were used. Rats were obtained from the Regenerative and Restorative Medicine Research Center (REMER) of Istanbul Medipol University. Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups each containing 7 rats. Joint injections were administered with isoflurane analgesia every day at 6 am. Three rats (15 rats) from each group were sacrified in seventh day and evaluated immunohistologically to evaluate acute healing in articular cartilage. All remaining rats were sacrificed on day 28 and their knees were evaluated by immunohistochemical examination. RESULTS In our study, there were no complications in any rat during injection and the study period. Hematoxylin eosin (H & E) histological staining for evaluating cartilage healing and healing levels did not show statistically significant differences between the groups at first week (p > 0.05). Matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13) staining did not show any statistically significant difference between the groups. (p > 0.05). DISCUSSION MRSAseptic arthritis, diagnosed for the first time in 1960, has recently been responsible for 6-22% of all septic arthritis and is increasing day by day. The use of systemic vancomycin or teicoplanin is the first-line treatment method in MRSA septic arthritis. Serum levels reach the desired level, especially with intravenous infusion dose. On the other hand, it has been shown that intraarticular concentration does not reach a sufficient level in studies conducted. The use of intraarticular antibiotics during treatment can lead to more effective and early disease control by turning this negative situation into favor of the patient. As a result, intraarticular vancomycin and teicoplanin maximale tolerable and maintenance doses can be safely used beside surgery and intravenous antibiotics to increase efficacy of treatment, reduction of recurrence rates and reduction of mortality in MRSAseptic arthritis. CONCLUSIONS Intraarticular vancomycin and teicoplanin maximale tolerable and maintenance doses can be safely used beside surgery and intravenous antibiotics to increase efficacy of treatment, reduction of recurrence rates and reduction of mortality in MRSA septic arthritis. Key words:arthritis, infectious; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus; mortality.

Pyrethroid intoxication: A rare case report and literature review.

Synthetic pyrethroid cypermethrin is commonly used in agriculture, veterinary, and household insects management. It has been found to be a newer insectiside poisoning reported in Turkey. Acute severe poisoning of cypermethrin is a rare event. Here we report a case of a 25-year-old woman presented with features of cypermethrin poisoning in intensive care unit. Management of acute rare poisoning is discussed in this case with literature review.

Postoperative cognitive dysfunction developed in donor nephrectomy- Case report.

With the effects of anesthetic drugs on all organs and systems, it is known it affects the central nervous system functions at different grades and durations beyond acute unconsciousness. This causes cognitive functions of upper brain activities to be affected at varying degrees after anesthesia. After exposure to anesthetic agents, psychomotor and cognitive functions are deteriorated for 10--12 h, with sensitive tests it was showed that this deterioration lasted for 1--2 days. It has also been reported that this process can last till 3 months. Rapid recovery and mental readiness of patients, applied general anesthesia, are important objects for anesthesiologists. Postoperative cognitive functions are assessed in order to investigate mental changes caused by anesthesia and surgery or determine the level of recovery by determining the effects of anesthetics. In this case report, postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) after donor nephrectomy was aimed.

Esthetic outcomes after immediate and late implant loading for a single missing tooth in the anterior maxilla.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the esthetic outcomes of 1-year follow-up of immediate and late implant loading after implant restoration of a single tooth in the anterior maxilla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 33 patients with missing teeth in the anterior maxilla (Central = 8/lateral = 22/canine = 3) were enrolled in this study (18 immediate loading and 15 late loading). At after cementation, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months photographs were taken of anterior maxilla. The photographs were assessed using pink esthetic score (PES) which consists of seven variables. All PES data were analyzed with independent sample t-tests and repeated measures ANOVAs. RESULTS: PES values increased significantly in both groups at the 1-year follow-up (P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the immediate and late loading groups at any time point (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitation of this study, immediate loading did not have a negative effect on esthetics.

Maintenance of the parturient in the left lateral position after spinal anesthesia with plain levobupivacaine for cesarean section reduces hypotension: a randomized study.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: Hypotension during spinal anesthesia is a main concern in cesarean delivery. The authors hypothesized that keeping parturients in a prolonged left lateral position before turning them to a supine position with left lateral tilt would reduce the incidence of hypotension without jeopardizing the quality of anesthesia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomized comparative unblinded prospective study. This randomized comparative prospective study was conducted at Gaziantep University Hospital between June and December 2011. Sixty parturients undergoing cesarean section were included. Patients were randomized to two groups: turning to the supine position with left lateral tilt immediately or 15 minutes after subarachnoid injection of 2.5 ml 0.5% plain levobupivacaine in the left lateral position. Loss of pinprick sensation to T6 was accepted as adequate for cesarean section, and surgery proceeded. Characteristics of anesthesia; incidences of hypotension, bradycardia, and other adverse events, and ephedrine use were assessed. RESULTS: Compared with the supine group, parturients kept in a lateral position for 15 minutes showed marked reductions in the incidence of hypotension (33.3% vs. 83.3%, p < 0.001) and adverse events related to hypotension, such as nausea and vomiting (16.7% vs. 57.3%, p <0.001). In addition, ephedrine consumption per hypotension case was significantly reduced in the lateral group (5.4 ± 4.7 vs. 8.9 ± 5.8 mg; p < 0.00 1). CONCLUSIONS: Keeping parturients in the lateral position for 15 minutes before turning them to the supine position for cesarean section can provide reliable spinal anesthesia with a lower incidence and severity of hypotension and nausea/vomiting.

Oxidative Status and DNA Damage Following Analgesic Treatment in Patients with Acute Pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: This study is designed to investigate the effect of three different analgesics, used to treat pain in AP, on oxidative stress, DNA damage in mononuclear leukocytes, and on oxidative status. METHODS: This parallel design randomized controlled trial is composed of three treatment arms, intravenous paracetamol, intravenous dexketoprofen, and intravenous tramadol. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients were diagnosed with acute pancreatitis within the study period in the ED. Seventyseven of them were included in the study; 26 patients for the paracetamol group, 24 patients for the dexketoprofen group, and 27 patients for the tramadol group. The mean age of study subjects was 52.73 ± 15.38 and 66% (n = 51) of them were men. At the beginning of the study (before treatment), mean levels of DNA damage, TOS, and OSI levels were significantly higher and TAS was significantly lower in the acute pancreatitis groups than in the control group. DNA damage and OSI in HAPS-positive patients were found to be significantly greater than HAPS-negative patients (p = 0.046). DNA damage and oxidative stress were compared between the three groups. There were no differences between the groups in terms of DNA damage (p = 0.42) and also for the oxidatif stress parameters (OSI,TAS,TOS had p-values of p = 0.26, p = 0.78, p = 0.35, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference between the effects of paracetamol, dexketoprofen, and tramadol, which are commonly used to manage acute pain in AP, on DNA damage in human T-lymphocytes and on serine parameters of oxidative status.

Serum soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 levels in patients with restless legs syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the predisposition for atherosclerosis in patients with RLS through serum sLOX-1 (serum Lectin-Like Oxidized Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-1) measurements. BACKGROUND: Recent epidemiological studies have suggested an association of RLS with certain chronic conditions such as diabetes mellitus (DM), obesity, hypertension (HT), and hyperlipidemia. LOX-1 is expressed in endothelial cells, macrophages, and in smooth muscle cells under the effect of proatherogenic conditions. METHODS: This study was a prospective, cross-sectional, case-controlled. We measured the serum sLOX-1 levels in 37 restless legs syndrome patients and 38 controls. RESULTS: Serum sLOX-1 level was significantly lower in the patient group. The two groups were similar in glucose, HbA1c, creatinine, LDL cholesterol, TG, HDL, total protein, albumin, AST, ALT, GGT, ALP, HGB, HCT, MCV, transferrin saturation rate (TSR), ferritin, CRP, TSH, FT4, FT3, B12, and folic acid levels. Also the two groups were similar with respect to age at menarche, number of previous births, number of abortions and/or curettage, total duration of breastfeeding, percentage of patients in menopause, and age at menopause. CONCLUSION: Our results may suggest a lower atherosclerotic risk among RLS patients as compared to the general population (Tab. 3, Ref. 33).

Surgical outcomes of a civil war in a neighbouring country.

OBJECTIVES: The civil war in Syria began on 15 March 2011, and many of the injured were treated in the neighbouring country of Turkey. This study reports the surgical outcomes of this war, in a tertiary centre in Turkey. METHODS: 159 patients with civilian war injuries in Syria who were admitted to the General Surgery Department in the Research and Training Hospital of the Medical School of Mustafa Kemal University, Hatay, Turkey, between 2011 and 2012 were analysed regarding the age, sex, injury type, history of previous surgery for the injury, types of abdominal injuries (solid or luminal organ), the status of isolated abdominal injuries or multiple injuries, mortality, length of hospital stay and injury severity scoring. RESULTS: The median age of the patients was 30.05 (18-66 years) years. Most of the injuries were gunshot wounds (99 of 116 patients, 85.3%). Primary and previously operated patients were transferred to our clinic in a median time of 6.28±4.44 h and 58.11±44.08 h, respectively. Most of the patients had intestinal injuries; although a limited number of patients with colorectal injuries were treated with primary repair, stoma was the major surgical option due to the gross peritoneal contamination secondary to prolonged transport time. Two women and 21 men died. The major cause of death was multiorgan failure secondary to sepsis (18 patients). CONCLUSIONS: In the case of civil war in the bordering countries, it is recommended that precautions are taken, such as transformation of nearby civilian hospitals into military ones and employment of experienced trauma surgeons in these hospitals to provide effective medical care. Damage control procedures can avoid fatalities especially before the lethal triad of physiological demise occurs. Rapid transport of the wounded to the nearest medical centre is the key point in countries neighbouring a civil war.

Intraperitoneal Administration of Low Dose Aluminium in The Rat: How Good is It to Produce a Model for Alzheimer Disease.

Since neurotoxicity of aluminium (Al) resembles the progressive neurodegeneration observed in Alzheimer Disease (AD), Al administration in several ways has been used to produce AD model. Intraperitoneal (ip) low dose (4.2 mg/ kg) Al injection in rats for long periods is the preferred method by some researchers. In this paper, the efficiency of this method for producing an AD model was evaluated. In this study, we looked at the neuropathology of Al and the characteristic lesions of AD by histological and immunohistochemical techniques and determined oxidative stress markers in the brains of Al-treated and control rats. We also made electrophysiological recordings at the hippocampus and evaluated possible behavioural changes by Morris water maze test. However, no pathologic changes occurred in the animals except for an impairment in long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus (e.g. the LTPs of population spike (PS) amplitude at 15 min post-tetanus were measured as 217±27% in Al-treated rats and as 240±42% in sham-treated rats, of baseline PS amplitude). According to the findings of the present study, low dose of ip Al in rats is not sufficient to produce a good AD model. Higher doses (≥10 mg/kg) should be used.

Electrochemistry of moexipril: experimental and computational approach and voltammetric determination.

The electrochemistry of moexipril (MOE) was studied by electrochemical methods with theoretical calculations performed at B3LYP/6-31 + G (d)//AM1. Cyclic voltammetric studies were carried out based on a reversible and adsorption-controlled reduction peak at -1.35 V on a hanging mercury drop electrode (HMDE). Concurrently irreversible diffusion-controlled oxidation peak at 1.15 V on glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was also employed. Potential values are according to Ag/AgCI, (3.0 M KCI) and measurements were performed in Britton-Robinson buffer of pH 5.5. Tentative electrode mechanisms were proposed according to experimental results and ab-initio calculations. Square-wave adsorptive stripping voltammetric methods have been developed and validated for quantification of MOE in pharmaceutical preparations. Linear working range was established as 0.03-1.35 microM for HMDE and 0.2-20.0 microM for GCE. Limit of quantification (LOQ) was calculated to be 0.032 and 0.47 microM for HMDE and GCE, respectively. Methods were successfully applied to assay the drug in tablets by calibration and standard addition methods with good recoveries between 97.1% and 106.2% having relative standard deviation less than 10%.

Patient survival in uveal melanoma is not affected by oncogenic mutations in GNAQ and GNA11.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in GNAQ and GNA11, encoding the oncogenic G-protein alpha subunit q and 11, respectively, occur frequently in the majority of uveal melanomas. METHODS: Exons 4 and 5 from GNAQ and GNA11 were amplified and sequenced from 92 ciliary body and choroidal melanomas. The mutation status was correlated with disease-free survival (DFS) and other parameters. RESULTS: None of the tumours harboured a GNAQ exon 4 mutation. A GNAQ mutation in exon 5 codon 209 was found in 46 out of 92 (50.0%) of the tumours. Only 1 out of 92 (1.1%) melanomas showed a mutation in GNA11 exon 4 codon 183, whereas 39 out of 92 (42.4%) harboured a mutation in exon 5 of GNA11 codon 209. Six tumours did not show any mutations in exons 4 and 5 of these genes. Univariate analyses showed no correlation between DFS and the mutation status. CONCLUSION: GNAQ and GNA11 mutations are, in equal matter, not associated with patient outcome.

The effects of curcumin on the liver and remote organs after hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury formed with Pringle manoeuvre in rats.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate the effects of curcumin on ischemia/ reperfusion (IR) injury of the liver and distant organs resulting from liver blood flow arrest. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Totally 40 rats, divided into four groups, each included 10 rats were used. Group I as only laparatomy, Group II laparatomy and curcumin application, Group III hepatic IR; and Group IV as hepatic IR and curcumin application group. Ischemia was generated by hepatoduedonal ligament clamping for 30 minutes and then reperfusion is started. Curcumin capsules were opened and appropriate dose had been created within weighing scales. After calculations, the powder was diluted with saline. Fifteen minutes before the ischemia, curcumin was applied via oral gavage. Blood samples were taken from the animals for biochemical analysis at 60th minutes of the experiment in the first and second groups; 30 minutes after beginning reperfusion in the third and forth groups. Simultaneously, liver, lung and kidney tissues were sampled for biochemical and histopathological examinations. RESULTS: Plasma malondialdehyde levels were found to be higher (p < 0.001), but total antioxidant activity values were not different in IR group compared with IR + curcumin group (p > 0.05). Biochemical and histopathological evaluation of tissue samples revealed that there were no differences in total antioxidant activity, total oxidant activity and histopathologic scores in IR + curcumin group compared with values of IR group (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Curcumin did not reduce the effects of hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury on the liver and distant organs including kidneys and lungs significantly.

Comparison of propofol/ketamine versus propofol/alfentanil for dilatation and curettage.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The use of propofol with an analgesic agent is probably the principal technique for the induction of anesthesia for dilatation and curettage (D&C) at the present time. We designed a randomized, double-blind study to compare the clinical efficacy of ketamine and alfentanil when combined with propofol for short-lasting anesthesia during D&C. METHODS: The study included 60 patients scheduled for D&C. Either alfentanil 10 microg/kg(-1) IV (Group A) or ketamine 0.5 mg/kg(-1) IV (Group K) were given to each patient with propofol 0.7 mg/kg(-1) IV for anesthesia induction. Surgeon and patient satisfaction, Aldrete score, Verbal Pain Scale rating, total propofol dose, orientation time, and adverse events such as bradycardia, hypotension, nausea, and vomiting were evaluated. RESULTS: In Group A orientation time was significantly shorter and propofol consumption significantly lower than in Group K. CONCLUSIONS: Both alfentanil/propofol and ketamine/propofol combinations provide reliable and effective hypnosis and analgesia; however, the ketamine/propofol combination leads to higher consumption of propofol and results in a longer orientation time than the alfentanil/propofol combination.

Effect of septoplasty and per-operative antibiotic prophylaxis on nasal flora.

OBJECTIVES: Septoplasty is one of the most commonly performed procedures in otolaryngology practice. Prophylactic use of antibiotics is controversial. Disruption of nasal flora may predispose individuals to infection. We investigated the effect of antibiotic prophylaxis and septoplasty on nasal flora. METHODOLOGY: We included 115 consecutive patients who underwent septoplasty because of symptomatic nasal septal deviation. Patients were divided into study and control groups. Study patients received prophylactic parenteral sodium cefazoline twice a day beginning intra-operatively and while the nasal packing remained in the nose for 48 h, and expandable polyvinyl acetate (Merocel) packing covered with antibiotic ointment containing 0.2% nitrofurazone was inserted into each nostril at the end of the operation. Control patients received neither parenteral antibiotic prophylaxis nor antibiotic ointment around the Merocel packs. Both groups received oral prophylactic cefuroxime axetil for 5 d after nasal packing was removed. Nasal flora was determined pre-operatively, post-operatively when nasal packing was removed, and 3 mo after surgery. RESULTS: Study patients were compared to control patients at pack removal and 1 mo after surgery The effect of antibiotic use in septoplasty on nasal flora was as follows: Increased isolation rate of gram-positive rods (p = 0.007), decreased methicillin-sensitive coagulase-negative staphylococci (p = 0.002). Pre-operative and post-operative culture results at 3 mo were compared. The effect of septoplasty on nasal flora was as follows: Decreased coagulase-negative staphylococci (p = 0.05), decreased Klebsiella (p < 0.001), decreased gram-positive rods (p < 0.001), increased methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Septoplasty increases S. aureus colonization and decreases normal flora. Antibiotics do not protect against S. aureus colonization and contribute to a decrease in normal flora. Antibiotics do not seem to confer benefit in terms of flora changes. Studies investigating flora changes with a longer follow-up should be conducted.

Depression, anxiety and health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with vitiligo.

BACKGROUND: Only a limited number of studies have studied the relationship between vitiligo and psychiatric morbidity and quality of life (QOL) in children and adolescents. AIM: To determine levels of depression, anxiety and QOL in children and adolescents with vitiligo. METHODS: In total, 41 outpatients with vitiligo aged 8-18 years and a control group were assessed using the Child Depression Inventory (CDI), State-Trait Anxiety Inventories for Children (STAI-C) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Parent and Child versions (PedsQL-P and PedsQL-C). Both study and control groups were divided into child (8-12 years old) and adolescent (13-18 years old) groups to exclude the effect of puberty on psychological condition. RESULTS: Children with vitiligo scored higher on the CDI compared with controls; no other significant differences were found between the groups. Vitiligo severity correlated negatively with psychosocial score on PedsQL-P in the adolescent group. Duration of the illness was positively related to physical health score on PedsQL-P in the child group. Involvement of the face, head or neck in boys and involvement of the genital area and legs in girls were related to impaired QOL. CONCLUSIONS: Vitiligo relates to the severity of depression in children, but a similar effect was not observed in adolescents. We suggest that the location of the lesions is a significant factor that leads to QOL impairment, possibly because of its effects on identity development.

Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Neural Progenitor Cells--a Preclinical Evaluation for Stroke Treatment in Mice.

Stem cells such as mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) enhance neurological recovery in preclinical stroke models by secreting extracellular vesicles (EVs). Since previous reports have focused on the application of MSC-EVs only, the role of the most suitable host cell for EV enrichment and preclinical stroke treatment remains elusive. The present study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of EVs derived from neural progenitor cells (NPCs) following experimental stroke. Using the PEG technique, EVs were enriched and characterized by electron microscopy, proteomics, rt-PCR, nanosight tracking analysis, and Western blotting. Different dosages of NPC-EVs displaying a characteristic profile in size, shape, cargo protein, and non-coding RNA contents were incubated in the presence of cerebral organoids exposed to oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD), significantly reducing cell injury when compared with control organoids. Systemic administration of NPC-EVs in male C57BL6 mice following experimental ischemia enhanced neurological recovery and neuroregeneration for as long as 3 months. Interestingly, the therapeutic impact of such NPC-EVs was found to be not inferior to MSC-EVs. Flow cytometric analyses of blood and brain samples 7 days post-stroke demonstrated increased blood concentrations of B and T lymphocytes after NPC-EV delivery, without affecting cerebral cell counts. Likewise, a biodistribution analysis after systemic delivery of NPC-EVs revealed the majority of NPC-EVs to be found in extracranial organs such as the liver and the lung. This proof-of-concept study supports the idea of EVs being a general concept of stem cell-induced neuroprotection under stroke conditions, where EVs contribute to reverting the peripheral post-stroke immunosuppression.

The investigation of effects of quercetin and its combination with Cisplatin on malignant mesothelioma cells in vitro.

Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive and lethal tumour of the serosal surfaces with poor prognosis. In this study, we have investigated the antiproliferative effect of Quercetin (QU) and its combination with Cisplatin (CIS) on SPC212 and SPC111 cell lines. Our experiments showed that QU significantly reduced the proliferation of cell lines, altered the cell cycle distribution, and increased the level of Caspase 9 (C9) and Caspase 3 (C3) in concentration and time-dependent manner. Additionally, the combination of QU + CIS was found more effective when compared with individual treatment of agents.