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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cause of malignant tumor death. The development of novel, more effective drugs is desperately needed to treat CRC. Zingiber officinale is believed to possess anticancer properties due to its flavonoids and phenols. Using Soxhlet (SOXT) and maceration (MACR) techniques, the present study aimed to evaluate the amounts of quercetin, gallic acid, rutin, naringin, and caffeic acid in ginger capsules of Z. officinale. High‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)/ultraviolet was used for separation and quantitation. In vitro toxicity evaluation of ginger capsules on the CRC cell line HT‐29 was also conducted to assess the anticancer activity of the supplement. The cell line HT‐29 (HTB‐38) colorectal adenocarcinoma was utilized for the antiproliferative effect of 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide. Ginger herbal supplement extract at dosages of 200 and 100 μg had strong cytotoxic effects (IC50 < 50 μg/mL) on HT‐29 CRC cells via MACR. This extract is comparable to the SOXT extract, which has an IC50 of less than 50 μg/mL. The anticancer effect of ginger herbal supplement formulations against CRC lines was investigated, and the results obtained from both the MACR and SOXT extraction procedures were noteworthy. The quercetin content was the highest of all the extracts according to the HPLC data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the polyethylene oxide (PEO)/SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) nanocomposite films with various SiO2 NPs concentrations were prepared using an in situ formation of NPs in the polymer matrix for self‐cleaning antireflected surface applications. The effect of SiO2 NPs in PEO/SiO2 NPs nanocomposite films on the structural, morphological, chemical, thermal, optical, and electrical properties of PEO/SiO2 NPs nanocomposite films was performed. According to the x‐ray diffraction and the differential scanning calorimetry analysis, the crystallinity degree of the nanocomposite films decreases by increasing the SiO2 NPs concentrations. The bandgap energy of PEO/SiO2 NPs nanocomposite films decreases from 3.95 to 3.55 eV as the SiO2 NPs concentration increases up to 10 wt.%. The average electrical conductivity of the PEO/SiO2 NPs nanocomposite films increases from 5.1 × 10−7 to 2.0 × 10−6 S/cm as the SiO2 NPs concentration increases up to 10 wt.%. The refractive index decreases to 1.64 at 550 nm for the PEO/SiO2 NPs nanocomposite films with 10 wt.% of SiO2 NPs, and the water contact angle decreases to around 0° after thermal treatment, which confirms that the PEO/SiO2 NPs nanocomposite films can be used as self‐cleaning antireflected surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical and physical modifications of native maize starch subjected to treatment with aqueous Na silicate have been investigated. The application of FTIR, DSC, XRPD, and NMR analysis is discussed herein with respect to the interaction of Na silicate with starch in relation to gelatinization. XRPD results indicate that Na silicate, in the ionized form, disrupts the molecular structure of starch in a manner similar to thermally induced starch gelatinization. In addition, Na silicate forms new CO-O-SiO2Na moieties with the amylopectin starch component. This was ascertained by the detection of the in-plane vibration of the -Si-O as a distinctive FTIR band at 580-600 cm−1 and the appearance of a new carboxyl group (-COOH) NMR chemical shift at 168 ppm for the amylopectin/Na silicate system. DSC analysis showed two adjacent endothermic transitions at 192 and 198°C for starch/amylopectin treated with Na silicate whereas amylose treated with Na silicate did not show any new endothermic/or exothermic transitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study is to assess the safety and the efficacy of radiofrequency ablation (RFA) of osteoid osteoma with Soloist monopolar electrode using tissue impedance, rather than temperature, as an indicator of osteonecrosis. Methods: The medical records and imaging studies of 30 patients (males 18, females 12) who underwent RFA of osteoid osteoma at our institution were reviewed. The mean age of the patients was 15.3 years (range 5-34 years) and the mean duration of follow up was 26.9 months (range 3-52 months). The lesions were located in the femur ( n = 6, 53%), tibia ( n = 8, 27%), hand ( n = 3, 10%), foot ( n = 2, 6%) and humerus ( n = 1, 3%). The procedure was performed with general anaesthesia under CT guidance. The nidus was accessed with 11-gauge bone biopsy needle and then the stylet was removed and replaced by monopolar 16.5G radiofrequency probe with a 9-mm active tip through the coaxial axis. Power delivery via the radiofrequency generator was started at 2 W and increased gradually until the end point of 450-500 Ω reached and 'Roll-Off' achieved indicating coagulation necrosis of the target lesion. Results: The procedure was technically successful in all patients. The mean procedure time was 72 min and the mean RFA time was 12.7 min. The clinical success rate was 93%. In one patient, the procedure was abandoned due to immature Roll-Off despite all measures. In one patient (3%), recurrence occurred 39 months after the procedure. No major complications were encountered. Two minor skin burns occurred that were resolved with conservative measures. Conclusion: RFA of osteoid osteoma using Soloist monopolar electrode is a safe and effective treatment. Tissue impedance could be used as an alternative to temperature to indicate osteonecrosis of osteoid osteoma during RFA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Fat within the filum terminale is frequently seen on routine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbosacral spine (LSS), with prevalence of 1–5%. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and MRI features of isolated lipoma of filum terminale (LFT) in adult population and its correlation with the patient clinical presentations. Methods: Prospective analysis of all lumbosacral MRI performed at King Abdullah University Hospital during a 21-month period. A total of 37 patientswith LFT were included. Patients were divided into two groups. Group A patients have neurological deficit manifested by either motor, sensory or sphincter abnormality.Group B patients have normal neurological examination. Clinical findings were correlated with: A: thickness of LFT, B: length of LFT, C: distance of LFT from conus medullaris (CM), D: age of the patient. Results: The prevalence of isolated LFT in our study was 3.2%. There was no significant correlation between the thickness or length of LFT and the presence of neurological deficit. The distance of LFT from CM was also not correlated with the patient clinical presentation. No significant difference in the age between the two groups. Conclusion: LFT in adult likely represent an incidental finding on routine lumbosacral MRI. Special attention for LFT in children is mandatory as it may indicate clinical tethering in otherwise normal appearing LSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]