Inhibition of host- and bacteria-derived proteinases by natural anthocyanins.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Host- and bacteria-derived proteinases are considered to play critical roles in periodontitis progression. This study investigated the ability of a blackcurrant extract and its major anthocyanins (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside and delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside) to inhibit the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), neutrophil elastase and periodontopathogen (Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia and Treponema denticola) proteinases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Enzyme inhibition was detected using fluorometric and colorimetric assays after incubating blackcurrant extract and its major anthocyanins (at concentrations of 6.25, 12.5, 25 and 50 µg/mL) with MMPs, elastase or bacterial proteinases, along with their specific substrates. Substrate degradation was recorded every hour for up to 4 h. RESULTS: The blackcurrant extract (50 µg/mL) inhibited all proteinases tested. MMP-1 and MMP-9 were significantly inhibited by pure anthocyanins at concentrations ranging from 6.25 to 50 µg/mL. Elastase activity was inhibited by cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside in the range of 6.25-50 µg/mL and by delphinidin-3-O-rutinoside at 50 µg/mL. P. gingivalis, T. forsythia and T. denticola proteinases were also significantly inhibited by pure anthocyanins. In all cases, enzyme inhibition was time-dependent. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that a blackcurrant extract and its major anthocyanins were able to inhibit the activity of host- and bacteria-derived proteinases. This suggests that such natural compounds may represent promising agents for use in adjunctive treatments for periodontitis.

[Understanding nephroblastoma. Information dedicated to parents and relatives]. / Comprendre le néphroblastome. Information à l'usage des parents et des proches d'un enfant malade.

In response to the evolution of the information-seeking behaviour of patients and concerns from health professionals regarding cancer patient information, the French National Federation of Comprehensive Cancer Centres (FNCLCC) introduced, in 1998, an information and education program dedicated to patients and relatives, the SOR SAVOIR PATIENT program. The methodology of this program adheres to established quality criteria regarding the elaboration of patient information. Cancer patient information developed in this program is based on clinical practice guidelines produced by the FNCLCC and the twenty French regional cancer centres,the National League against Cancer, The National Cancer Institute, the French Hospital Federation, the National Oncology Federation of Regional and University Hospitals, the French Oncology Federation of General Hospitals, many learned societies, as well as an active participation of patients, former patients and caregivers. The handbook SOR SAVOIR PATIENT Understanding nephroblastoma is an adapted version of various scientific publications and international clinical practice guidelines, validated by oncology experts and by the Nephroblastoma Committee of the French Society against Cancers and Leukaemias in children and adolescents (SFCE). It was elaborated with the active participation of parents and other family members. It is meant to provide a basis for the explanation of the disease, to help parents asking questions, and to facilitate discussions with the healthcare team. It is available from the FNCLCC (101, rue de Tolbiac, 75013 PARIS, Tel. (0033)1 76 64 78 00, www.fnclcc.fr). This document was validated at the end of 2005 and published in May 2006. SOR SAVOIR PATIENT guides are systematically updated when new research becomes available. Information leaflets, extracted from the handbook SOR SAVOIR PATIENT Understanding nephroblastoma and published in this edition of the Cancer et Radiothérapie, describe the physiopathology of nephroblastoma, as well as treatments and follow-up. The guide allows parents and relatives to better understand the disease and the treatments proposed. It also offers health professionals a synthetic evidence-based patient information source which facilitates discussions with the patient.

Phytochemical and biological analysis of skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora L.): a medicinal plant with anxiolytic properties.

The phytochemistry and biological activity of Scutellaria lateriflora L. (American skullcap) which has been traditionally used as a sedative and to treat various nervous disorders such as anxiety was studied. In vivo animal behaviour trials were performed to test anxiolytic effects in rats orally administered S. laterifolia extracts. Significant increases in the number of entries into the center of an "open-field arena"; number of unprotected head dips, number of entries and the length of time spent on the open arms of the Elevated Plus-Maze were found. The identification and quantification of the flavonoid, baicalin in a 50% EtOH extract (40 mg/g) and its aglycone baicalein in a 95% EtOH extract (33 mg/g), as well as the amino acids GABA in H2O and EtOH extracts (approximately 1.6 mg/g) and glutamine in a H2O extract (31 mg/g), was performed using HPLC. These compounds may play a role in anxiolytic activity since baicalin and baicalein are known to bind to the benzodiazepine site of the GABAA receptor and since GABA is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter.

Light-mediated antifungal activity of Echinacea extracts.

This study demonstrated that plant extracts containing acetylenic isobutylamides and polyacetylenes, previously reported as occurring in Echinacea, have phototoxic antimicrobial activity against fungi, including clinically relevant pathogenic fungi. Results show that hexane extracts of Echinacea variably inhibit growth of yeast strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida shehata, C. kefyr, C. albicans, C. steatulytica and C. tropicalis under near UV irradiation (phototoxicity) and to a lower extent without irradiation (conventional antifungal activity). The presence of polyacetylenes and alkylamides in extracts of different organs was confirmed in Echinacea purpurea by HPLC in agreement with previously reported data in the literature, and was related to phototoxic activity. Two representative pure compounds, undeca-2E,4Z-diene-8,10-diynoic acid isobutylamide and dodeca-2E,4E,8Z,10E/Z-tetraenoic acid isobutylamide, were isolated from Echinacea purpurea root extracts, and compared in a disk assay (5 micrograms/disk) with the highly conjugated trideca-1-ene-3,5,7,9,10-pentayne (previously isolated in our laboratory and found here in E. purpurea). Significant phototoxicity was demonstrated by pure trideca-1-ene-3,5,7,9,10-pentayne, while only minor phototoxicity was induced by the other two acetylenic compounds. Phototoxic activity of Echinacea spp. is primarily attributed to the ketoalkenes and ketoalkynes abundantly present in the roots.

A medical readiness model of health assessment or well-being in first-increment air combat command medical personnel.

We used a medical readiness model of health assessment based on the Neuman systems model, a comparative-descriptive design, to assess the health or state of well-being of Air Combat Command medical personnel. Group I consisted of 636 personnel actively participating in medical readiness training, and group II consisted of 127 personnel assigned to a medical treatment facility that recently returned from overseas deployment. In group I, statistically significant differences in developmental, psychological, and sociocultural elements of health varied according to military rank, mobility status, or previous overseas deployment experience. The spiritual element of health differed statistically in both groups according to military rank. The uncertainties of mobility status, lack of previous deployment experience, and contrasts in military rank increased stress. Recommendations include realistic mobility training concentrating on essential job performance elements, leadership providing clear and open channels of communication, and dealing effectively with the emotional impact of humanitarian assistance missions.

Diencephalic idiopathic gliosis: an unusual hypothalamic syndrome of dermopathy, diarrhea and growth arrest.

This case report of a 16-year-old girl describes the association of chronic diarrhea and lower limb dermopathy with an unusual and widespread gliosis within hypothalamic and other diencephalic structures. This syndrome to our knowledge has not been previously reported. Hypothalamic disease was suggested during life by examination findings of sustained hypothermia, altered sleep-wake cycles and abnormal cortisol diurnal rhythms. Profound growth arrest from the age of 8 yr (growth velocity < 1.4cm/yr) despite normal levels of growth hormone and response to physiological stimuli were additional unusual features. Autopsy after sudden death at 16 yr showed extensive gliosis in hypothalamic and adjacent diencephalic structures with proportionately little neuronal loss--suggesting an unidentified stimulus to glial proliferation. In the absence of evidence of other organ dysfunction it is suggested that dermopathy and chronic diarrhea in this case may have an autonomic basis. The impaired tissue response to growth hormone could be due to chronic hypothermia or involvement of some other (unidentified) hypothalamic factor regulating growth velocity.

Hereditary diabetes insipidus: an immunohistochemical study of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.

We report the histological findings in a case of hereditary diabetes insipidus (HDI) using vasopressin (VP) immunohistochemistry. The hypothalamus displayed a marked loss of magnocellular VP neurons, with preservation of the smaller cells. The neurohypophysis was severely atrophic with scanty immunoreactivity. Our results support the hypothesis that HDI results from a selective degeneration of VP neurons affecting chiefly the magnocellular elements projecting to the neurohypophysis. The sparing of the parvocellular component may reflect the projection of these neurons to non-pituitary targets.