A novel semi-quantitative method for measuring tissue bleeding.

In this study, we describe a new semi-quantitative method for measuring the extent of bleeding in pathohistological tissue samples. To test our novel method, we recruited 120 female patients in their first trimester of pregnancy and divided them into three groups of 40. Group I was the control group, in which no dilation was applied. Group II was an experimental group, in which dilation was performed using classical mechanical dilators. Group III was also an experimental group, in which dilation was performed using a hydraulic dilator. Tissue samples were taken from the patients' cervical canals using a Novak's probe via energetic single-step curettage prior to any dilation in Group I and after dilation in Groups II and III. After the tissue samples were prepared, light microscopy was used to obtain microphotographs at 100x magnification. The surfaces affected by bleeding were measured in the microphotographs using the Autodesk AutoCAD 2009 program and its "polylines" function. The lines were used to mark the area around the entire sample (marked A) and to create "polyline" areas around each bleeding area on the sample (marked B). The percentage of the total area affected by bleeding was calculated using the formula: N = Bt x 100 / At where N is the percentage (%) of the tissue sample surface affected by bleeding, At (A total) is the sum of the surfaces of all of the tissue samples and Bt (B total) is the sum of all the surfaces affected by bleeding in all of the tissue samples. This novel semi-quantitative method utilizes the Autodesk AutoCAD 2009 program, which is simple to use and widely available, thereby offering a new, objective and precise approach to estimate the extent of bleeding in tissue samples.

Cytotoxic effects of palladium (II) and platinum (II) complexes with O,O'-dialkyl esters of (S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-2-(4-methyl) pentanoic acid on human colon cancer cell lines.

PURPOSE: As novel therapeutic agents relevant to colon cancer therapy are explored continuously, we tested 4 R2edda-type ligand precursors O,O'-dialkyl esters of (S,S)-ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-2-(4-methyl)pentanoic acid (L1.2HCl-L4.2HCl) and corresponding palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes against the human colon cancer cell lines CaCo-2, SW480 and HCT116. METHODS: The effects of the tested compounds on cell viability were determined using MTT colorimetric technique. RESULTS: Analysis of cancer cell viability showed that all tested ligand precursors, palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes were cytotoxic on human colon cancer cells in dose-dependent manner. The cytotoxic activity of all palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes toward selected cancer cells was significantly higher in comparison to cisplatin. Among the tested platinum(II) and palladium(II) complexes the lowest activity was observed for the compounds with the shortest ester chain and the highest activity was noted for palladium(II) complex No.2 with the n-Pr group in ester chain and for platinum(II) complex No.7 with the n-Bu group in ester chain. CONCLUSION: Palladium(II) complex No.2 and platinum(II) complex No.7 seem to be good candidates for future pharmacological evaluation in the field of colon cancer research and treatment.

A new semiquantitative method for evaluation of metastasis progression.

PURPOSE: Although recent technical advancements are directed toward developing novel assays and methods for detection of micro and macro metastasis, there are still no reports of reliable, simple to use imaging software that could be used for the detection and quantification of metastasis in tissue sections. We herein report a new semiquantitative method for evaluation of metastasis progression in a well established 4T1 orthotopic mouse model of breast cancer metastasis. METHODS: The new semiquantitative method presented here was implemented by using the Autodesk AutoCAD 2012 program, a computer-aided design program used primarily for preparing technical drawings in 2 dimensions. RESULTS: By using the Autodesk AutoCAD 2012 software- aided graphical evaluation we managed to detect each metastatic lesion and we precisely calculated the average percentage of lung and liver tissue parenchyma with metastasis in 4T1 tumor-bearing mice. The data were highly specific and relevant to descriptive histological analysis, confirming reliability and accuracy of the AutoCAD 2012 software as new method for quantification of metastatic lesions. CONCLUSION: The new semiquantitative method using AutoCAD 2012 software provides a novel approach for the estimation of metastatic progression in histological tissue sections.

The cytotoxic effects of some selected gold(III) complexes on 4T1 cells and their role in the prevention of breast tumor growth in BALB/c mice.

PURPOSE: to investigate the cytotoxic activity of newly synthesized gold(III) complexes [AuCl(2)(en)](+), [AuCl(2) (SMC)](+), [AuCl(2)(DMSO)(2)(+) (en: ethylenediamine, SMC: S-methyl- L-cysteine and DMSO: for dimethylsulfoxide) in 4T1 mouse breast cancer cell line in vitro and in vivo and to compare their antitumor characteristics with cisplatin complex [PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)]. METHODS: the in vitro, effects of the tested complexes on 4T1 cell viability were determined using MTT colorimetric technique. In vivo, progression of mouse breast tumor growth in BALB/c mice was measured by using external caliper. RESULTS: among the tested gold(III) complexes, [AuCl(2) (en)](+) showed best cytotoxic effects in vitro. The cytotoxic effects of [AuCl(2)(en)](+) and [PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)] were similar at all concentrations. The data from the in vivo experiment showed that among the tested gold(III) complexes only [AuCl(2)(en)](+) can prevent the primary breast tumor growth. [AuCl(2)(en)](+) was tolerated well and much better than [AuCl(2)(DMSO)(2)(+), [AuCl(2)(SMC)](+) and [PtCl(2)(NH(3))(2)] complex which was confirmed by weight gain in mice that received [AuCl(2)(en)](+). In addition, mice that received [AuCl(2)(en)](+) showed better survival time in comparison with mice that received [PtCl(2) (NH(3))(2)] complex. CONCLUSION: [AuCl(2) (en)](+) complex seems to be good candidate for future pharmacological evaluation in breast cancer research.