Comparison of cytotoxicity and genotoxicity effects of silver nanoparticles on human cervix and breast cancer cell lines.

The wide application of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has pointed out the need to evaluate their potential risk and toxic effects on human health. Herein, the cytotoxic effects of Argovit™ AgNPs were evaluated on eight cancer cell lines. Further cytotoxic studies were performed in gynecological cancer cell lines from cervical (HeLa) and breast (MDA-MB-231 and MCF7) cancer. In both cases, the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of AgNPs produced the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) after 24 h of incubation, but it was not statistically significant compared with untreated cells. However, HeLa, MDA-MB-231, and MCF7 cells treated with the maximal IC of AgNPs induced the formation of ROS either at 12 or 24 h of incubation. Genotoxicity achieved by comet assay in HeLa, MDA-MB-231, and MCF7 cells revealed that exposure to IC50 of AgNPs does not induced noticeable DNA damage in the cells. However, the IC of AgNPs provoked severe DNA damage after 12 and 24 h of exposure. We conclude that, Argovit (polyvinylpyrrolidone-coated AgNPs) induce a cytotoxic effect in a time and dose-dependent manner in all the eight cancer cell lines tested. Nevertheless, the genotoxic effect is mainly restricted by the concentration effect. The results contribute to explore new therapeutic applications of AgNPs for malignances in murine models and to study in deep the cytotoxic and genotoxic effects of AgNPs in healthy cells at the surrounding tissue of the neoplasia.

Phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity and in vitro cancer cell cytotoxicity of nine prickly pear (Opuntia spp.) juices.

Juices of nine prickly pears (Opuntia spp.) were characterized in terms of color, acidity, sugar content, phenolics, flavonoids, betalains and antioxidant activity and tested in vitro against four cancer cell lines. The juices had pH s, acidities and sugar ranging from 4.27 to 5.46, 0.03 to 0.27% and 8 to 14.7 degrees Brix, respectively. Juices also varied in color from white to purple and contained total phenolics, flavonoids, betaxanthins, betacyanins and antioxidant capacity ranging from 22 to 226 microg gallic acid eq/g, 95 to 374 microg quercetin eq/g, 3 to 189 microg/g, 1.6 to 300 microg/g and 17 to 25 micromoles Trolox eq./mL, respectively. Among the cancer lines tested, viability of prostate and colon cells were the most affected. Moradillo contained the highest flavonoids and diminished both prostate and colon cancer cell viability without affecting mammary or hepatic cancer cells. Rastrero reduced the growth of the four cancer cell lines without affecting normal fibroblast viability. The research shows intervarietal differences among prickly pears in terms of juice properties and phytochemicals that could prevent oxidative stress and cancer.

Coronary sinus ostial atresia with persistent left superior vena cava.

BACKGROUND: Atresia of the coronary sinus orifice with a persistent left superior vena cava is an intrinsically benign cardiac anomaly with important surgical implications. METHODS: THe medical records of 5 patients with atresia of the coronary sinus orifice with a persistent left superior vena cava were reviewed retrospectively, and a computer search of the world literature describing this cardiac malformation was undertaken. RESULTS: The 5 patients ranged in age from 9 months to 5 years. In 2, the diagnosis was made preoperatively by angiocardiography, and in 3, the abnormality was found incidentally at the time of cardiotomy for repair of associated congenital heart disease. Four of the 5 patients underwent repair of associated cardiac lesions. During operation, care was taken to avoid disruption of left superior vena cava flow to prevent coronary venous obstruction. All patients survived and are doing well at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Atresia of the coronary sinus orifice with persistent left superior vena cava is, in itself, a benign anomaly without physiologic consequence. However, the recognition of this lesion during repair of associated cardiac lesions is of vital importance to the cardiac surgeon. Interruption of this sole route of coronary venous drainage can potentially lead to myocardial ischemia and necrosis.

Successful case of extracorporeal life support in a patient with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock.

Over the past five years, the use of extracorporeal life support in the adult population has gained acceptance. Indications have ranged from respiratory failure secondary to trauma, and adult respiratory distress syndrome, to cardiac failure secondary to a number of causes. The results of extracorporeal life support, when applied to postcardiotomy patients, have been variable. In this article, we present the successful utilization of extracorporeal life support for 28 hours in a patient with postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock following mitral valve replacement.

Airway obstruction following transhiatal esophagogastrectomy.

A 79 year old man suffered acute respiratory distress secondary to delayed gastric emptying several months following esophagogastrostomy. No drainage procedure was performed at the time of the procedure. The need for a drainage procedure is controversial. Symptoms of gastric stasis have reportedly improved with a drainage procedure and the risk of concomitant pyloromyotomy or pyloroplasty has been shown to be minimal and may prevent a potentially catastrophic complication as described in this report.

Surgery and the management of peripheral lung tumors adherent to the parietal pleura.

Among 37 patients with peripheral T3 lung lesions, preoperative clinical and imaging evidence was suggestive of T3 disease in 28 and of T2 disease in nine. Intraoperatively, the T2 designation was changed to T3 on the basis of adherence of the tumor to the parietal pleura. All had mediastinoscopy followed by resection and complete lymph node dissection. There were 17 lobectomies and 20 pneumonectomies. The chest wall was resected in continuity with the lung in 21 patients, and in 16 only an extrapleural resection was done. Follow-up was completed in all patients (range 2 to 14 years, median 7 years). The 5-year actuarial survival rate for all patients was 30%. As expected, the presence of lymph node metastasis affected the 5-year actuarial survival rate: N0 = 41%; N1 = 29%, and N2 = 0%. Histologic examination of the resected specimen confirmed a T3 lesion in 30 patients. The tumor was removed completely in 100% of patients whose chest wall was resected in continuity with the lung but in only 31% in whom an extrapleural resection was done. In the absence of lymph node metastasis, the 5-year survival rate of patients after en bloc resection of the chest wall was 50% compared with 33% for those with extrapleural resection (p less than 0.05). The finding of a peripheral lung tumor adherent to the parietal pleura indicates, in most instances, extension through the parietal pleura. When tumor is firmly adherent to the parietal pleura, an en bloc resection of the chest wall rather than an extrapleural dissection should be performed. This assures complete tumor removal and improves the probability of long-term survival.

Open laparoscopy for laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

This report deals with the first 350 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed at Creighton University, beginning in October 1989, by one of the authors (R.J.F., Jr.). An open technique was used for initial access to the abdominal cavity in 343 patients (98%). Patients included 274 females and 76 males, with an average age of 45.5 years. Weight ranged from 72 to 316 pounds (32-142.2 kg). The laparoscopic procedure was successfully completed in 338 (96.6%). Operative cholangiography was performed in 113 (32.3%), and 52 (14.7%) had acute cholecystitis as determined by the final pathological report. Median operating time was 80 min. There was no operative mortality. Bile duct injury was not seen. Postoperative complications occurred in 21 patients (6%), only two of which were directly related to the open technique (cellulitis of the umbilical wound requiring antibiotics). A third patient (0.3% of 343 successful laparoscopies) required reoperation on postoperative day 4 for a small bowel perforation; the exact cause could not be determined, but conceivably it was related to the umbilical minilaparotomy. We conclude that the open technique is safe and effective method for initial peritoneal access prior to laparoscopic cholecystectomy.