Flavonoid and phenolic acid profile by LC-MS/MS and biological activity of crude extracts from Chenopodium hybridum aerial parts.

Extracts from leaves and stems of Chenopodium hybridum were characterised for the presence and quantity of flavonoids and phenolic acids by LC-ESI-MS/MS. Five flavonoids and eight phenolic acids were detected for the first time in aerial parts of this plant species, the most abundant compounds being rutin (2.80 µg/g DW), 3-kaempferol rutinoside (2.91 µg/g DW), 4-OH-benzoic (1.86 µg/g DW) and syringic acids (2.31 µg/g DW). Extracts were tested for anti-inflammatory/antiarthritic, antihyaluronidase and cytotoxic activities against human prostate cancer (Du145, PC3) and melanoma cell lines (A375, HTB140 and WM793) of different malignancy. None of the extracts protected bovine serum albumin from heat-induced denaturation. Antihyaluronidase effect at the tested concentration was higher than standard naringenin. Cytotoxic activity was generally low with an exception of the extract from the leaves, which was found most effective against prostate Du145 cell line with 98.28 ± 1.13% of dead cells at 100 µg/mL.

The BCL11 gene family: involvement of BCL11A in lymphoid malignancies.

Many malignancies of mature B cells are characterized by chromosomal translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) locus on chromosome 14q32.3 and result in deregulated expression of the translocated oncogene. t(2;14)(p13;q32.3) is a rare event in B-cell malignancies. In contrast, gains and amplifications of the same region of chromosome 2p13 have been reported in 20% of extranodal B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHL), in follicular and mediastinal B-NHL, and in Hodgkin disease (HD). It has been suggested that REL, an NF-kappaB gene family member, mapping within the amplified region, is the pathologic target. However, by molecular cloning of t(2;14)(p13;q32.3) from 3 cases of aggressive B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/immunocytoma, this study has shown clustered breakpoints on chromosome 2p13 immediately upstream of a CpG island located about 300 kb telomeric of REL. This CpG island was associated with a Krüppel zinc finger gene (BCL11A), which is normally expressed at high levels only in fetal brain and in germinal center B-cells. There were 3 major RNA isoforms of BCL11A, differing in the number of carboxy-terminal zinc fingers. All 3 RNA isoforms were deregulated as a consequence of t(2;14)(p13;q32.3). BCL11A was highly conserved, being 95% identical to mouse, chicken, and Xenopus homologues. BCL11A was also highly homologous to another gene (BCL11B) on chromosome 14q32.1. BCL11A coamplified with REL in B-NHL cases and HD lymphoma cell lines with gains and amplifications of 2p13, suggesting that BCL11A may be involved in lymphoid malignancies through either chromosomal translocation or amplification.

Different treatment modalities of tinnitus at the EuromedClinic.

A retrospective study at the ear, nose, and throat department of the EuromedClinic showed considerable improvements immediately after the end of the treatments for acute and for chronic tinnitus. Eighty percent of our patients suffering from acute tinnitus showed an improvement with intravenous medication without hyperbaric oxygen treatment, and 65.7% showed improvement with infusion therapy and hyperbaric oxygen. However, at 3 months and then later (long-term results), the figures decreased to 67% and 46%, respectively. In the chronic tinnitus group, the therapeutic effect dropped from 66.7% to 34% (with only intravenous medication) and from 60% to 28% (with combined therapy). These facts can explain the importance of beginning the treatment of patients suffering from tinnitus as early as possible (i.e., acute stage).

Hancokinol from Vincetoxicum officinale.

Hancokinol (1), a member of migrated lupane triterpenoids, was isolated from the aerial parts of Vincetoxicum officinale, along with known plant sterols and long chain alkanols.

Colostrum mediates the development of mother preference by newborn lambs.

The first sucking bouts have strong rewarding properties in the establishment of a preference for the mother by newborn lambs. In this study we designed an artificial teat (Experiment 1) and a method of tube feeding (Experiment 2) to investigate the role of nonnutritive sucking and colostrum intake as reinforcers in the development of this relationship (Experiment 3). In this third experiment, lambs of the control group (n=10) had free access to the udder. In the other groups they were prevented from sucking between birth and 6 h by covering the ewe's udder while lambs received one of the following treatments: access to nonnutritive teats fitted onto the mother's udder (n=12), tube fed with colostrum (n=11), or fully deprived (n=10). When tested in a two-choice test at 24 h of age, controls and lambs receiving colostrum spent significantly more time near their mother than near the alien ewe. By contrast, deprived lambs did not. Half of the lambs having access to nonnutritive teats displayed a preference for their mother; the other half chose the alien ewe. However, most lambs that were affected by the treatments displayed a preference for their mother when a second test was performed at 48 h. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that a neonatal nasogastric infusion of colostrum has the same rewarding properties as a complete sucking bout. They also provide evidence for the first time that a relationship with the dam can be established via a nutritional signal originating from the gastrointestinal sphere.

Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of human brain after cardiac resuscitation.

We used 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to study the cerebral metabolic function of eight patients with severe postischemic anoxic encephalopathy secondary to cardiac arrest. Spectroscopy was performed at 18 +/- 13 and 64 +/- 20 hours after resuscitation. Glasgow Coma Scale scores at the time of initial and repeat spectroscopy were 3.6 +/- 1.2 and 3.5 +/- 1.2, respectively. In those patients whose spectra were of adequate quality to monitor pH, all demonstrated tissue alkalosis in at least one brain region. The mean brain pH at initial spectroscopy was 7.14 +/- 0.09 and was significantly alkalotic when compared with age- and sex-matched normal controls (pH = 6.98 +/- 0.04, p less than 0.0001). Five of the eight patients showed at least one region of persistent alkalosis at repeat spectroscopy, whereas one patient demonstrated severe acidosis with a pH of 6.42. Spectra demonstrated marked metabolic heterogeneity, ranging from normal in appearance to complete obliteration of all high-energy phosphates with only inorganic phosphate remaining.

[Electrostimulation in treatment of scoliosis]. / Elektrostymulacja w leczeniu skolioz.

The efficiency of electrical stimulation in the treatment of idiopathic scoliosis was assessed on the basis of 95 patients reviewed. In 63% of cases an improvement or inhibition of progression of the curvature was achieved. The infantile and juvenile positive therapeutic effect was found in 70% patients, providing the onset of the therapy took place before the tenth year of life. Adolescent scoliosis were affected by this kind of therapy only to the very little extent.

Body composition and nutrient intakes of college men and women basketball players.

Computer analysis of diet records was used to compare adequacy of nutrient intake for 16 male and 10 female intercollegiate basketball players. Significant differences (p less than .05) between men and women were observed for the provision of nutrients from food alone; mean percent RDAs of all nutrients except vitamins A and D was greater for men. This was due primarily to caloric intakes by the men, which averaged twice those of the women. Nutrient supplements had a significant effect on the women's total intake. With the exceptions of energy, protein, and vitamin C, differences between men and women in percent RDAs were eliminated when the contribution of nutrient supplements was included. The data made apparent the need for dietitians familiar with sports nutrition to counsel female athletes on means of obtaining nutrients via an adequate diet.