Effect of Bidens pilosa on infection and drug resistance of Eimeria in chickens.

Extensive use of current anti-coccidial drugs together with drug resistance and residue has raised concerns about public health and poultry development. Here, we studied the anti-coccidial properties of Bidens pilosa. A phytochemical approach was developed for analysis of B. pilosa utilized as a feed additive. The protective effects of B. pilosa supplemented chicken diet were evaluated chickens infected with Eimeria tenella. B. pilosa, at doses of 0.5%, 1% and 5% of the chicken diet, significantly protected against E.tenella as measured by reduction in mortality, weight loss, fecal oocyst excretion and gut pathology in chickens. Finally, drug resistance of E. tenella to B. pilosa was assessed in chickens using the anti-coccidial index. This index showed that B. pilosa induced little, if any, drug resistance to Eimeria in chickens. Collectively, this work suggests that B. pilosa may serve as a novel, natural remedy for coccidiosis with low drug resistance in chickens.

Rice prolamin extract ameliorates acute murine colitis by inhibiting nuclear factor-kappa B and modulating intestinal apoptosis and cell proliferation.

We investigated the impact of rice prolamin extract (RPE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nuclear factor (NF)-κB signalling in intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages, and determined the therapeutic efficacy of RPE in acute murine colitis. The effect of RPE on LPS-induced NF-κB signalling and proinflammatory gene expression was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, immunofluorescence and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). The in-vivo efficacy of RPE was assessed in mice with 3% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Apoptotic and cellular proliferative activities were evaluated by immunostaining with cleaved caspase-3 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) antibodies. RPE inhibited LPS-induced expression of monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, interleukin (IL)-6 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and LPS-induced NF-κB signalling in intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages. RPE-fed, DSS-exposed mice showed less weight loss, longer colon length and lower histological score compared to control diet-fed, DSS-exposed mice. Immunostaining analysis revealed a significant decrease of cleaved caspase-3 positive cells in RPE-fed, DSS-exposed mice compared to DSS-exposed mice. Also, the number of PCNA-positive cells within intact colonic crypts decreased significantly in RPE-fed, DSS-exposed mice compared to control diet-fed, DSS-exposed mice. DSS-induced NF-κB signalling was inhibited by RPE. RPE ameliorates intestinal inflammation by inhibiting NF-κB activation and modulating intestinal apoptosis and cell proliferation in an acute murine colitis.

Bipolar spinal cord stimulation attenuates mechanical hypersensitivity at an intensity that activates a small portion of A-fiber afferents in spinal nerve-injured rats.

Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is used clinically to treat neuropathic pain states, but the precise mechanism by which it attenuates neuropathic pain remains to be established. The profile of afferent fiber activation during SCS and how it may correlate with the efficacy of SCS-induced analgesia are unclear. After subjecting rats to an L5 spinal nerve ligation (SNL), we implanted a miniature quadripolar electrode similar to that used clinically. Our goal was to determine the population and number of afferent fibers retrogradely activated by SCS in SNL rats by recording the antidromic compound action potential (AP) at the sciatic nerve after examining the ability of bipolar epidural SCS to alleviate mechanical hypersensitivity in this model. Notably, we compared the profiles of afferent fiber activation to SCS between SNL rats that exhibited good SCS-induced analgesia (responders) and those that did not (nonresponders). Additionally, we examined how different contact configurations affect the motor threshold (MoT) and compound AP threshold. Results showed that three consecutive days of SCS treatment (50 Hz, 0.2 ms, 30 min, 80-90% of MoT), but not sham stimulation, gradually alleviated mechanical hypersensitivity in SNL rats. The MoT obtained in the animal behavioral study was significantly less than the Aα/ß-threshold of the compound AP determined during electrophysiological recording, suggesting that SCS could attenuate mechanical hypersensitivity with a stimulus intensity that recruits only a small fraction of the A-fiber population in SNL rats. Although both the MoT and compound AP threshold were similar between responders and nonresponders, the size of the compound AP waveform at higher stimulation intensities was larger in the responders, indicating a more efficient activation of the dorsal column structure in responders.

Phase II study of weekly vinorelbine and 24-h infusion of high-dose 5-fluorouracil plus leucovorin as first-line treatment of advanced breast cancer.

We prospectively investigated the efficacy and safety of combining weekly vinorelbine (VNB) with weekly 24-h infusion of high-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and leucovorin (LV) in the treatment of patients with advanced breast cancer (ABC). Vinorelbine 25 mg m(-2) 30-min intravenous infusion, and high-dose 5-FU 2600 mg m(-2) plus LV 300 mg m(-2) 24-h intravenous infusion (HDFL regimen) were given on days 1 and 8 every 3 weeks. Between June 1999 and April 2003, 40 patients with histologically confirmed recurrent or metastatic breast cancer were enrolled with a median age of 49 years (range: 36-68). A total of 25 patients had recurrent ABC, and 15 patients had primary metastatic diseases. The overall response rate for the intent-to-treat group was 70.0% (95% CI: 54-84%) with eight complete responses and 20 partial responses. All 40 patients were evaluated for survival and toxicities. Among a total of 316 cycles of VNB-HDFL given (average: 7.9: range: 4-14 cycles per patient), the main toxicity was Gr3/4 leucopenia and Gr3/4 neutropenia in 57 (18.0%) and 120 (38.0%) cycles, respectively. Gr1/2 infection and Gr1/2 stomatitis were noted in five (1.6%) and 59 (18.7%) cycles, respectively. None of the patients developed Gr3/4 stomatitis or Gr3/4 infection. Gr2/3 and Gr1 hand-foot syndrome was noted in two (5.0%) and 23 (57.5%) patients, respectively. Gr1 sensory neuropathy developed in three patients. The median time to progression was 8.0 months (range: 3-25.5 months), and the median overall survival was 25.0 months with a follow-up of 5.5 to 45+ months. This VNB-HDFL regimen is a highly active yet well-tolerated first-line treatment for ABC.

Phase II study of weekly oxaliplatin and 24-h infusion of high-dose 5-fluorouracil and folinic acid in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of combining weekly oxaliplatin with weekly 24-h infusion of high-dose 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and folinic acid (FA) in treatment of patients with advanced gastric cancer. Patients with histologically confirmed, locally advanced or recurrent/metastatic gastric cancer were studied. Oxaliplatin 65 mg m(-2) 2-h intravenous infusion, and 5-FU 2600 mg m(-2) plus FA 300 mg m(-2) 24-h intravenous infusion, were given on days 1 and 8, repeated every 3 weeks. Between January 2001 through January 2002, 55 patients were enrolled. The median age was 64 years (range: 22-75). In all, 52 patients (94.5%) had recurrent or metastatic disease and three patients had locally advanced disease. Among 50 patients evaluable for tumour response, 28 patients achieved partial response, with an overall response rate of 56% (95% confidence interval (CI): 41.8-70.3%). All 55 patients were evaluated for survival and toxicities. Median time to progression and overall survival were 5.2 and 10.0 months, respectively, during median follow-up time of 24.0 months. Major grades 3-4 toxicities were neutropenia in 23 cycles (7.1%) and thrombocytopenia in 16 cycles (5.0%). Treatment was discontinued for treatment-related toxicities in nine patients (16.4%), of whom eight were due to oxaliplatin-related neurotoxicity. One patient (1.8%) died of neutropenic sepsis. This oxaliplatin-containing regimen is effective in the treatment of advanced gastric cancer. Except for neurotoxicity that often develops after prolonged use of oxaliplatin, the regimen is well tolerated.

The influence of propolis ethanol extract on liver microsomal enzymes and glutathione after chronic alcohol administration.

Propolis designates a series of gums, resins and balms of viscous consistency, which are gathered by honeybees from certain parts, mainly the buds and barks of plants, especially those found on coniferous trees. Bees bring propolis back to the hive, where it is modified and mixed with other substances including the bees' own wax and salivary secretions. In this study, the influences of propolis ethanol extract on chronic alcohol induced liver microsomal enzyme changes were investigated. Three grams of alcohol was added to rats' daily diet for four weeks to induce chronic alcohol liver injuries, and two different doses of propolis ethanol extract were p.o. administrated three times per day on the 28th, 29th, and 30th day. During the period of propolis administration, the ethanol diet was continued. After sacrifice, the rat livers were excised for assay of microsomal enzymes activity, glutathione (GSH) concentration, glutathione-S-transferase (GSTase) and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase (gamma-GCSase) activity. It was found that 30 mg/kg of propolis ethanol extract significantly prevented the elevations of total cytochrome P-450 enzymes, NADPH-dependent cytochrome C reductase, aniline hydroxylation, 7-ethoxyresorufin hydroxylation (7-ERH), 7-penthoxyresorufin hydroxylation (7-PRH), and lipid peroxidation induced by chronic ethanol administration. Additionally, propolis ethanol extract (100 mg/kg) also induced GSTase and gamma-GCSase activities and decreased glutathione levels in the liver.

The hepatoprotective and therapeutic effects of propolis ethanol extract on chronic alcohol-induced liver injuries.

Propolis designates a mixture of gums, resins and balms, of viscous consistency, which are gathered on certain parts (buds and bark, mainly) of vegetables (especially coniferous trees) by honeybees. They bring this back to the hive, where it is modified and mixed with other substances (essentially their own wax and salivary secretions). In this study, the hepatoprotective and therapeutic effects of propolis ethanol extract on chronic alcohol-induced liver injuries were investigated in rats. 3.125 ml of 99.5% alcohol was added to animal's daily diet for four weeks to induce chronic alcohol liver injuries. After sacrifice, serum transaminases (GOT, GPT), triacylglyceride and hepatic triacylglyceride (HTG) concentration were assayed to observe liver injuries induced by chronic alcohol abuse. In addition, the phenomenon of alcohol induced fatty liver were also observed by histopathological changes. Different doses of propolis ethanol extract were p.o. administered three times per day for three days, after four weeks' alcohol administration. It was found that 10 mg/kg of propolis ethanol extract significantly decreased the elevations of serum GOT, GPT, TG and HTG. In histopathological examination, 30 mg/kg of propolis ethanol extract also remarkably decreased the hepatocellular fatty degeneration, apparent as vacuolization, induced by chronic alcohol abuse.

Intussusception associated with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection.

Intussusception associated with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection was developed in three boys; two of them had a history of drinking untreated water. All intussusceptions were localized at the ileocolic region, and all patients completely recovered with Gastrografin enema and supportive treatment without complication and operation.

Psychotherapist and expansion of awareness.

The author emphasizes the therapist's well-integrated and matured personality as the crucial element for being a good psychotherapist; therefore, it is essential for a psychotherapist to make ceaseless efforts regarding his own personality growth with his ongoing therapeutic experiences. Nevertheless, nowadays students are apt to satisfy themselves with or cling to the theories and techniques of psychotherapy, neglecting their own personality growth. The author attributes such a tendency, on the one hand, to the contemporary thought of 'technology first and convenience first', on the other, to the current system of medical education which is extremely faithful to scientism. He warns that concepts or theories sometimes serve as a barrier in one's mind and falsify the reality. He reiterates the importance of the therapist's own maturity and expansion of awareness. In this context, the author recommends Zen meditation or Theravada meditation as one of the advanced courses of training for psychotherapists. He elucidates a way of promoting one's awareness in Zen meditation and what the ultimate state of "no-self" of Zen should be, based on his own experience of Zen practices.