New fluorobenzamidine exerts antitumor activity against breast cancer in mice via pro-apoptotic activity.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidities. The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of bithiophene-fluorobenzamidine (BFB) against breast cancer induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in female Swiss mice and reveal the underlining mechanisms. METHODS: The mice were randomly divided into five groups; control, BFB-treated group, DMBA-treated group, and the last two groups received DMBA then tamoxifen or BFB. RESULTS: BFB reduced the tumor incidence by ~ 88% versus 30% after TAM. DMBA significantly increased the expression of CDK1 and HER2 and reduced the expression of p53, p21 (CDKN1A), ESR-α, and CAS3. BFB caused significant down-regulation of CDK1 and HER2 and upregulation of p53, p21, ESR-α, and CAS3. In the DMBA-treated mice, cancerous cells metastasized to several organs. This was prevented by the administration of BFB. The antimetastatic and proapoptotic activities were confirmed in MCF7 cells in vitro by the wound healing and annexin V assays, respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the BFB increased survival. In the DMBA group, tumors showed invasive carcinoma of grade III with central necrosis, polymorphism, mitotic activity, and numerous newly formed ductules, and colloidal mucinous secretions within adenoid cysts. BFB administration restored the normal structure of the mammary glands. CONCLUSION: Taken together, BFB has antitumor, pro-apoptotic, and anti-metastatic activities against breast cancer in mice and therefore, it merits further investigations.

Combined measurement of fetal lung volume and pulmonary artery resistance index is more accurate for prediction of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in preterm fetuses: a pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to estimate optimal cut-off values for mean fetal lung volume (FLV) and pulmonary artery resistance index (PA-RI) as non-invasive measures to predict neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm fetuses. METHODS: A prospective study conducted at Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital, Egypt from May 2015 to July 2017: 80 eligible women diagnosed with preterm labor were recruited at 32-36 weeks' gestation. Before delivery, three-dimensional ultrasound was used to estimate FLV using virtual organ computer-aided analysis (VOCAL), while PA-RI was measured by Doppler ultrasonography. RESULTS: A total of 80 women were examined. Thirty-seven (46%) of the newborns developed neonatal RDS. FLV was significantly lower in neonates who developed RDS (p = .04), whereas PARI was significantly higher in those who did not (p = .02). Cut-off values of FLV ≤27.2 cm3 and PARI ≥0.77 predicted the subsequent development of RDS. Combining both cut-offs generated a more sensitive and specific methodical approach for the prediction of RDS (sensitivity 100%, specificity 88.5%). CONCLUSION: Measurement of FLV or PA-RI can predict RDS in preterm fetuses. Combined use of both measures bolstered their predictive significance.

Prevalence of cestode parasites in sheep slaughtered in Riyadh City, Saudi Arabia.

Prevalence of tapeworm infections among sheep slaughtered in Riyadh City were studied from February 2007 to March 2008. A total of 76 out of 3300 sheep were infected with adult cestodes (2.3%). The highest infection rate was in autumn (8.1%), and the lowest one was in summer (1.7%). The cestodes were identified as Moniezia expansa (96.3%) and M. deuticulata (3.7%). Concerning seasonal dynamics of the worms, the highest number was recorded in October and November (13.5 & 8.3%), while the lowest one was in June and July (0.7 & 1.3%). The examination of muscle samples from rump, shoulders and thigh of 1001 sheep revealed Cysticercus ovis in 120 sheep (12%). The highest infection rate (17.5%) was in autumn, and the lowest one (6.2%) was in summer.