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Resveratrol is a natural compound that affects cellular calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis and viability in different cells. This study examined the effect of resveratrol on cytosolic free Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) and viability in OC2 human oral cancer cells. The Ca2+-sensitive fluorescent dye fura-2 was used to measure [Ca2+]i, and water-soluble tetrazolium-1 was used to measure viability. Resveratrol evoked concentration-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i. The response was reduced by removing extracellular Ca2+. Resveratrol also caused manganese-induced fura-2 fluorescence quench. Resveratrol-evoked Ca2+ entry was inhibited by nifedipine and the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor GF109203X but was not altered by econazole, SKF96365, and the PKC activator phorbol 12-myristate 13 acetate. In Ca2+-free medium, treatment with the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ pump inhibitor 2,5-di-tert-butylhydroquinone (BHQ) abolished resveratrol-evoked [Ca2+]i rise. Conversely, treatment with resveratrol inhibited BHQ-evoked [Ca2+]i rise. Inhibition of phospholipase C (PLC) with U73122 abolished resveratrol-evoked [Ca2+]i rise. At 20–100 μM, resveratrol decreased cell viability, which was not affected by chelating cytosolic Ca2+with 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid-acetoxymethyl ester. Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate staining data suggest that resveratrol at 20–40 μM induced apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. Collectively, in OC2 cells, resveratrol induced [Ca2+]i rise by evoking PLC-dependent Ca2+ release from the endoplasmic reticulum and by causing Ca2+ entry via nifedipine-sensitive, PKC-regulated mechanisms. Resveratrol also caused Ca2+-independent apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigate a control systems analysis on HIV infection dynamics with regard to enhancement of the immune response. The HIV dynamic model is modified to include the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of antiretroviral HIV drugs, and the intake of drug is considered as impulsive control input. As it is administrated at discrete time instants, we assume that this yields an impulsive control problem for a nonlinear continuous-time system. Based on this new model, we study clinical experiments about antirretoviral treatments via numerical simulation and analyse the experimental results. It is noted that this modeling approach can help to provide a theoretical explanation of the clinical results. The analysis result in the paper could imply that the protocol of the experiment might enhance the immune response against HIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Family ecology in early childhood may influence children's activity and participation in daily life. The aim of this study was to describe family functioning, family expectations of their children, family support to their children, and supports for families of young children with cerebral palsy ( CP) based on children's gross motor function level. Methods Participants were 398 children with CP (mean age = 44.9 months) and their parents residing in the USA and Canada. Parents completed four measures of family ecology, the Family Environment Scale ( FES), Family Expectations of Child ( FEC), Family Support to Child ( FSC) and Family Support Scale ( FSS). Results The median scores on the FES indicated average to high family functioning and the median score on the FSS indicated that families had helpful family supports. On average, parents reported high expectations of their children on the FEC and strong support to their children on the FSC. On the FES, higher levels of achievement orientation were reported by parents of children in Gross Motor Function Classification System ( GMFCS) level II than parents of children in level I, and higher levels of control were reported by parents of children in level I than parents of children in level IV. On the FEC, parents of children with limited gross motor function (level V) reported lower expectations than parents of children at all other levels. Conclusions Family ecology, including family strengths, expectations, interests, supports and resources, should be discussed when providing interventions and supports for young children with CP and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

What is known and Objective: Teicoplanin and vancomycin show similar clinical and bacteriological efficacy in clinical trials. Teicoplanin has been reported to have a lower adverse drug reaction (ADR) rate than vancomycin. Cross-reactivity between these two glycopeptides is controversial. Our aim was to study the cross-reactivity between teicoplanin and vancomycin through an assessment of all the reported ADRs of these drugs in our University hospital. Methods: Over a period of 2 years, 170 cases of vancomycin therapy, which were closely monitored by doctors and clinical pharmacists, were used to analyse ADRs. Teicoplanin therapy was used as an alternative in cases of vancomycin intolerance. When an ADR related to vancomycin or teicoplanin was suspected, specialists were consulted to confirm if these were true ADR and to determine whether the implicated drug should be stopped. All ADRs for the two glycopeptides were assessed for causality using the Naranjo probability scale. Results and Discussion: Thirty-eight of 170 patients (22·4%) treated with vancomycin developed ADRs. Twenty-four patients were switched to teicoplanin. However, 14 of those 24 patients (58·3%) developed ADRs. The time of onset of ADRs involving vancomycin was 12·7 ± 10·9 days (range, 1-46 days). The time of onset of sequential teicoplanin-induced ADRs was 11·7 ± 4·7 days (range, 2-20 days). Of the 14 patients with ADRs related to sequential teicoplanin therapy, six showed cross-reactivity between vancomycin and teicoplanin. The incidence of vancomycin-induced neutropenia was 4·7% (8/170), whereas the incidence of teicoplanin-induced neutropenia subsequent to vancomycin intolerance was as high as 33·3% (8/24). Furthermore, 71·4% (10/14) of the teicoplanin-induced ADRs were associated with haematological abnormalities such as neutropenia, thrombocytopenia or leucopenia. What is new and Conclusion: Teicoplanin, used as an alternative in cases of vancomycin intolerance, was associated with a high incidence of ADRs and haematological reactions, most notably neutropenia. This high rate of ADRs suggests cross-reactivity between the two glycopeptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and study aims: It is critical that the risk of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is evaluated for determining the suitability of endoscopic resection for T1 colorectal cancer (CRC). Reported risk factors for LNM in completely resected T1 CRC are deep submucosal invasion, grade 3, an-giolymphatic invasion, and budding. The aim of the present study was to identify the histopatho-logic factors associated with LNM in T1 CRC Patients and methods: The study involved 435 patients with T1 CRC treated by endoscopic or surgical resection between January 2001 and April 2010 at the National Cancer Center, Korea. The 435 patients were classified into two groups - those undergoing surgical resection (n=324) and those undergoing endoscopic resection (n=111). In the surgically resected group, details regarding depth of submucosal invasion, angiolymphatic invasion, tumor grade, budding, and background adenoma (BGA) were evaluated with respect to presence or absence of LNM. In the endoscopically resected group, the results of follow-ups and additional salvage surgeries were studied. Results: In the surgically resected group, LNM was detected in 42 patients (13.0%). Grade 3, angiolymphatic invasion, budding, and the absence of BGA were identified as factors associated with LNM in univariate and multivariate analyses (P<0.05). Among the 50 patients in the en-doscopically resected group with high risk, three were diagnosed as being LNM-positive during the follow-up period. There was no LNM in the endoscopically resected group with low risk. Conclusions: Grade 3, angiolymphatic invasion, budding, and the absence of BGA are the risk factors that predict LNM in patients with T1 CRC. In cases where endoscopically resected T1 CRC has no risk factor, cautious follow-up could be recommended. However, if the tumor has any risk factor, additional surgical resection should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]