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Objective: Adjuvants or alternatives to antibiotics in urinary tract infections (UTIs) during pregnancy seem advisable because of possible fetal stress. The present study assessed the effectiveness of a food supplement containing L-methionine and Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and Boswellia serrata Roxb. extracts as a treatment for symptomatic UTIs in pregnancy., Design: Pregnant patients with symptomatic cystitis were screened for UTIs in three different clinical centers. Those unwilling to take antibiotics were offered two alternative treatments: (A) a 1-week treatment with the food supplement or (B) a week in which they were advised to increase their fluid consumption to more than 1.5 L daily. After 1 week, group B patients who still had positive urine cultures (UCs) or had no UC performed took the food supplement for an additional week. UCs were performed on all patients at the first visit (w0) and on most of them at 7 days (w1). Patients who were still positive at w1 or had no UC performed at w1 had UC performed 14 days (w2) thereafter., Results: Of 264 pregnant women enrolled, 216 joined group A, while 48 joined group B. At w1, 70.0% of group A patients and 43.2% of those in group B had negative UCs (p = 0.003). The reduction of bacterial load was 42.2% ± 8.0% and 4.5% ± 9.2%, respectively (p < 0.0001). At w1, symptoms disappeared in 135 patients (62.5%) in group A and 22 patients (45.8%) in group B (p = 0.03). At w2, 30 of 32 group B patients who switched to taking the supplement for the second week had negative UCs, including 20 who had been positive at w1. At w2, all group A patients had negative UCs. No side effects were reported., Conclusions: The food supplement provided effective treatment and might be an adjuvant or alternative to antibiotic therapy of symptomatic UTI in pregnancy.

Liposomes formulated with dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-phosphatidylcholine, DMPC, and either one of the cationic gemini surfactants (S,S)-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-bis(N-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethylammonio)butane bromide, 1a, and (S,R)-2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-bis(N-hexadecyl-N,N-dimethylammonio)butane bromide, 1b, were investigated as vehicles of the photosensitizer m-tetrahydroxyphenylchlorin, m-THPC, to cell models of malignant glioma. The delivery efficiency of DMPC/1a and DMPC/1b liposome formulations were evaluated on the murine glioblastoma cell line C6 and on the human glioblastoma cell line LN229 by flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy. The stereochemistry of the spacer of the gemini was found to strongly influence the delivery efficiency of m-THPC to cells, the mode of interaction with the cell membrane, and the intracellular distribution of m-THPC. The physicochemical features of liposomes were investigated with the aim of explaining the parameters that control their biological features. Differences that could account for the different biological activity of the formulations concern the values of surface potential and the environment of m-THPC at the water/liposome interface.

Aluminum and magnesium are the lightest structural metals, and therefore, various alloys based on them are widely used in both, automotive and aerospace industries. However, aluminum and magnesium are very easily affected by atmospheric and aqueous corrosion, and, therefore, the alloying elements should enhance their corrosion stability. In this work, the thermodynamic analysis of phase and chemical equilibria involving aluminum and magnesium alloys doped with silicon in oxygen–containing air environments, as well as the analysis of chemical and electrochemical equilibria involving these alloys in aqueous environments is conducted. The phase and chemical equiliibria in the Al–Mg, Al–Si, Mg–Si, and Al–Mg–Si systems at 298 K are considered, and the thermodynamic activities of the components of common Al–Mg–Si system alloys are calculated. The invariant chemical equilibria in the systems Al–Mg–O, Al–Si–O, Mg–Si–O at 298 K are considered, the isothermal section of the state diagrams of these systems are plotted, and the oxidation scheme of the Al–Mg–Si system alloys in excess oxygen is proposed. The chemical and electrochemical equilibria in the Al–Mg–Si–H2O system at 298 K are considered and presented in form of the activity – pH and the potential – pH diagrams, and the oxidation of the Al–Mg–Si system alloys in aqueous environments is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of cytoriductive surgical in females with ovarian carcinoma in advanced stadium, and to define the role of this surgical for the survival of females with hepatic metastases., Methods: This is a retrospective study. 164 females with ovarian cancer in IV stadium was examined. 64 females had hepatic metastasis. All patients had cytoriductive surgical., Results: The survival in the patients without hepatic metastasis was 38 months if the cytoreduction was very good; it was 18.3 months if there is residual disease. The survival in the patients with hepatic metastasis was 50.1 months if the cytoreduction was very good; it was 27 months if there is residual disease., Conclusions: A very good surgical is very important for the survival of patients with ovarian cancer in advanced stadium. This is true also in the patients with hepatic metastases.

Background: The aim of the present study was to compare the laparoscopic second-look with laparotomic second-look as regards the consistency of diagnosis of residual tumoral disease after first step treatment in patients affected by ovarian cancer, and to evaluate the feasibility of the laparoscopic second-look., Methods: Twenty-one patients affected by ovarian cancer underwent laparoscopic second-look followed by laparotomic second-look. Six months after the first surgical intervention all the patients showed no contraindications to laparoscopic second-look. All the surgeries were performed with the same procedure: after the introduction of the trocars the lysis of adherences was carried out, the whole abdominal cavity was explored, 18 abdominal-pelvic sites were examined, direct biopsies were performed and samples for the cyto- and histological analysis were obtained., Results: Positive predictive value for laparoscopy was 100% (6 out of 6 cases), while negative predictive value was 84% (2 false negative cases out of 12). The complete abdominal-pelvic examination was possible in 95% of cases with laparotomy while in 41% of cases with laparoscopy, because of post-operative severe adherences., Conclusions: Laparoscopic second-look has a good consistency as regards the diagnosis of residual tumoral disease, but its feasibility is lower than laparotomy owing to the presence of severe adherences and the high risk of intra- and post-operative compliances.

Bone tumors are invasive diseases with a tendency toward recurrence, disability, and high mortality rates due to their grievous complications. As a commercial polymeric biomaterial, polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement possesses remarkable mechanical properties, injectability, and plasticity and is, therefore, frequently applied in bone tissue engineering. Numerous positive effects in bone tumor treatment have been demonstrated, including biomechanical stabilization, analgesic effects, and tumor recurrence prevention. However, to our knowledge, a comprehensive evaluation of the application of the PMMA cement in bone tumor treatment has not yet been reported. This review comprehensively evaluates the efficiency and complications of the PMMA cement in bone tumor treatment, for the first time, and introduces advanced modification strategies, providing an objective and reliable reference for the application of the PMMA cement in treating bone tumors. We have also summarized the current research on modifications to enhance the anti-tumor efficacy of the PMMA cement, such as drug carriers and magnetic hyperthermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, cancer is one of the deadliest diseases, needing a meticulous diagnosis and targeted treatment plan to achieve an initial prognosis, followed by precision and optimization in treatment. Nonselective targeting, difficulty in accurately monitoring treatment end-results, serious drug side-effects, and severity of disease resulting in metastasis are the key flaws of traditional techniques. Nanotechnology and nanoparticles possess special features to completely transform the field of diagnosis and treatment of cancer. A holistic strategy that employs a dual function of diagnosis and therapy while utilizing a nanocarrier is referred to as a nanotheranostic. The nanotheranostic framework was created to surmount a variety of biological and physiological obstacles, effectively delivering the cargo to the intended target location, while simultaneously facilitating therapeutic intervention, surveillance, and validation to demonstrate improved treatment effectiveness. As a result, a nanotheranostic platform can be useful for targeted drug delivery, release, and distribution assessment, in addition to patient classification and survival. Nanotheranostic techniques also lead to reduced drug side-effects compared with conventional therapies. In this review, we outline current studies on nanotheranostics and their advantages over conventional treatment strategies, the applications and challenges/limitations of nanotheranostics, and the mechanisms of targeting in breast and prostate cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Glyco-oxidation products and homeostasis of some minerals have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. A cross-sectional study was conducted from April 2014 to June, 2015 to assess the association of HbA1c and advanced glycooxidation end products (AGEs) levels with zinc, chromium, magnesium, manganese and copper concentrations in diabetic subjects. After written informed consent, 182 type 2 diabetic patients were recruited along with 80 age matched non-diabetic healthy subjects. Mean age of diabetics was 44.5 ± 4.8 years (range 43-69) and controls was 46.2 ± 2.9 years (range 45-70). Fasting blood glucose (183 ± 5.4 mg/dl versus 99 ± 6.2 mg/dl), glyco-oxidation products HbA1c (12.8 ± 0.09% versus 6.9 ± 1.6%) and AGEs (4.9 ± 1.23 U/ml versus 1.22 ± 0.69 U/ml) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in case group as compared to the control subjects. Serum Zn (125.6 ± 15.89 μg/dl versus 178.07 ± 11.96 μg/dl), Mg (2.4 ± 0.26 mg/dl versus 2.9 ± 0.29 mg/dl) and Cr (0.04 ± 0.01 μg/dl versus 0.07 ± 0.04 μg/dl) levels were lower in diabetic group as compared to the control group. Contrary to that, elevated Cu (13.7 ± 1.9 μg/l versus 12.49 ± 2.3 μg/l) and Mn (25.17 ± 1.5 μg/l versus 24.99 ± 2.3 μg/l) concentrations in diabetic subjects compared to non-diabetic were observed. Results of the study gave an insight into the fluctuations in minerals levels in diabetic patients. However, no association between oxidation products and minerals levels were observed. Fine coordination of AGEs and minerals in diabetes mellitus is less obvious, that demands additional research to establish better understanding of the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stimuli-responsive drug delivery systems were obtained by encapsulating near-infrared (NIR) sensitive hollow gold nanoshells (HGNs) together with the molecule to be released into biodegradable poly-lactic acid (PLA) sub-micron particles. The rapid heating of the PLA particles caused by NIR radiation enabled use of the PLA-HGN composites as a photo-triggered drug release system. Rhodamine was used as a test molecule to obtain release profiles under different irradiation conditions. HGNs (32 nm diameter, 4.5 nm shell thickness) were synthesized via galvanic replacement of cobalt nanoparticles, using poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) as a stabilizer. PLA-HGN sub-micron particles (with mean diameters around 200 nm) encapsulating rhodamine were obtained using the supercritical emulsion extraction (SEE) technique. A good gold dispersion and a loading efficiency around 50% in the polymeric matrix were obtained for different HGN loadings. The release rate could be tuned by controlling the intensity of NIR exposition. Rhodamine release was completed in less than 10 hours when applying intense NIR irradiation for a few minutes, whereas 12 days of release was necessary in its absence. The system also allowed rhodamine release in a pulsed pattern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In chemistry textbooks, the p K [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A mono-substituted resveratrol derivative, resveratrol-modified stearate (RMS), was synthesized by selectively coupling of stearic acid to the monohroxyphenyl of resveratrol in order to enhance both the stability and bioavailability of resveratrol. The RMS self-assembles into liposomes and a series of suprastructural transformations into metastable helical ribbon, linear wire-like structures, and inert spherical nanoparticles were detected that may be induced by the hydrogen-bonding interactions. As a model for drug-release investigations, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were encapsulated successfully by RMS to generate vesicles and succeed to release AuNPs druing the transformation to a ribbon-like metastable stucture at ambient temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  Studies on rats with experimental diabetes induced by administration of alloxan showed that transcranial electrostimulation of endorphinergic brain structures stimulates the regeneration of damaged β-cells in pancreatic islets of Langerhans. This was identified on pancreatic sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. De novo formation of small islets was noted, as evidenced by their regeneration from progenitor cells. After transcranial electrostimulation, islet β-cells stained by the Gomori method showed recovery of granularity-a sign of insulin production. Application of an immunoenzyme method demonstrated recovery of blood insulin levels, the dynamics of increases in which showed a highly significant negative correlation with a decrease in blood glucose. These data led to the conclusion that the antihyperglycemic effect of transcranial electrostimulation in experimental alloxan diabetes results from reparative regeneration of β-cells in islets of Langerhans with recovery of their insulin-producing function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A group of differently substituted acetoxy- and methoxystilbenes were synthesised via Heck reaction. A comparison between the use-as coupling reagents-of iodobenzene derivatives and diazonium salts was performed. A successful microwave-assisted demethylation by pyridine hydrochloride of some methoxystilbenes was carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Previous reports have demonstrated the suitability of adding different chemotherapeutic drugs to acrylic cement for the treatment of bone metastases. The best results so far have been obtained with methotrexate (MTX) for which diffusion from the implanted cement has been demonstrated both in vitro and in vivo. In this study the suitability of adding MTX to acrylic cement as local adjuvant chemotherapy was investigated. Methods: Using an in vitro model of human breast cancer cells we demonstrated that the drug is eluted in an active form able to exert a cytotoxic effect over a long period of time. The use of different concentrations of drug on the kinetic of elution and on the mechanical properties of cement was also evaluated. Results: The results obtained suggest that the release of MTX is higher at the beginning and progressively decreases over time being affected by the concentration of drug used. Our results also demonstrated that the addition and the subsequent elution of MTX does not alter the compressive properties of the cement. Conclusion: These findings confirm the suitability of MTX-supplemented cement and support its use as an effective aid for the management of bone metastases requiring surgical curettage and acrylic cement implantation for structural support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal and epidemiological studies point to a cancer preventive/therapeutic role for tomato products and its antioxidant, lycopene. It is hypothesized that lycopene will behave as an antioxidant at low concentrations and as a prooxidant at high concentrations in LNCaP human prostate cancer cell culture systems. We characterized the antioxidant, and prooxidant effects of a hexane extract of tomato paste (TP) and water solublized lycopene at different concentrations using a prostate cancer cell line. Placebo (5% triglyceride, Roche Inc.) was used as a control. After 6, 24 hr and 48 hr incubation, LNCaP cells were harvested and used for each measurement. Cellular proliferation was determined using the MTT colorimetric assay. Lycopene and TP hexane extract inhibited cell growth in a dose-dependent (0.1–50 μM lycopene) manner and growth inhibition was 55% and 35% at 1 μM lycopene and TP hexane extract, respectively after 48 hr incubation. The levels of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine/deoxyguanosine (an oxidative DNA damage product) was significantly increased starting at 5 μM lycopene from both TP hexane extract and pure lycopene after 24 and 48 hr incubation with no protection at the lower concentrations. Malondialdehyde formation (a lipid peroxidation product measured by HPLC separation of the MDA-TBA adduct) was significantly reduced at low concentrations (0.1–1 μM) of lycopene in all treatments. Clinically relevant concentrations of lycopene and the tomato fraction containing lycopene significantly reduced LNCaP cancer cell survival which can only be partially explained by increased DNA damage at high lycopene concentrations (> 5 μM). Low concentrations of lycopene acted as a lipid antioxidant but did not protect DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although Helicobacter pylori is a risk factor for gastric cancer, the role of the bacterium in the development of this malignancy is not defined precisely. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) could play an important role in carcinogenesis by inducing DNA damage. The aims of the present study were: 1) to assess the production of ROS and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), a sensitive marker of oxidative DNA injury, in gastric mucosa, according to H. pylori status and cytotoxic associated gene product A (CagA); 2) to determine the relationship between ROS generation and amount of 8-OHdG. Methods: Gastric biopsy specimens were obtained from 60 consecutive patients. ROS generation was measured by luminol enhanced chemiluminescence. 8-OHdG detection was performed by an immunoperoxidase method, using a specific anti 8-OHdG monoclonal antibody. Results: 40/60 patients (67%) were H. pylori-positive. ROS generation was significantly higher in patients positive for H. pylori infection as compared to negative. 8-OHdG detection was performed in 30 patients in which CagA presence was also investigated. High expression of 8-OHdG was detected in 14/20 (70%) H. pylori positive patients (13 CagA[sup +] and 1 CagA[sup -]) and in 2/10 (20%) H. pylori-negative patients. A significant correlation was found between ROS production and 8-OHdG content. Conclusion: H. pylori infection by a CagA[sup +] strain is associated with the highest production of ROS to which a severe oxidative DNA damage corresponds. This sequence of events could support the hypothesis that the oxygen-free radicalsmediated damage due to H. pylori cytotoxic strains could be a driving force that leads from chronic gastritis to gastric carcinoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, increasing interest in the use of natural products in anticancer therapy field has been observed, mainly due to unsolved drug-resistance problems. The antitumoral effect of natural compounds involving different signaling pathways and cellular mechanisms has been largely demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo studies. The encapsulation of natural products into different delivery systems may lead to a significant enhancement of their anticancer efficacy by increasing in vivo stability and bioavailability, reducing side adverse effects and improving target-specific activity. This review will focus on research studies related to nanostructured systems containing natural compounds for new drug delivery tools in anticancer therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review focuses on synthetic and natural amphiphilic systems prepared from straight-chain and macrocyclic compounds capable of self-assembly with the formation of nanoscale aggregates of different morphology and their application as drug carriers. Since numerous biological species (lipid membrane, bacterial cell wall, mucous membrane, corneal epithelium, biopolymers, e.g., proteins, nucleic acids) bear negatively charged fragments, much attention is paid to cationic carriers providing high affinity for encapsulated drugs to targeted cells. First part of the review is devoted to self-assembling and functional properties of surfactant systems, with special attention focusing on cationic amphiphiles, including those bearing natural or cleavable fragments. Further, lipid formulations, especially liposomes, are discussed in terms of their fabrication and application for intracellular drug delivery. This section highlights several features of these carriers, including noncovalent modification of lipid formulations by cationic surfactants, pH-responsive properties, endosomal escape, etc. Third part of the review deals with nanocarriers based on macrocyclic compounds, with such important characteristics as mucoadhesive properties emphasized. In this section, different combinations of cyclodextrin platform conjugated with polymers is considered as drug delivery systems with synergetic effect that improves solubility, targeting and biocompatibility of formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We assessed the effectiveness of the joint use of a pH meter in combination with dietary supplements in restoring the urinary pH balance of patients with medical history of uric acid or calcium phosphate/calcium oxalate stones in real-world practice. Methods: An interventional, prospective, and open-label study was performed. At baseline visit, patients were assigned to a group according to the type of previous calculus and urinary pH: the alkalinizer group (uric acid stones and/or pH < 5.5) and acidifier group (calcium oxalate stones and/or pH > 6.2) received dietary supplement to increase or decrease, respectively, urinary pH. Patients were examined at baseline and after treatment for 30, 60, and 90 days. Urinary pH, type of therapy, compliance, and self-reported renal colic events were recorded at each visit. Results: The study included 143 patients, 45.5% in the alkalinizer group and 54.5% in the acidifier group, and the mean age was 53.60 years. Both nutraceuticals were significantly effective in normalizing urinary pH (P < 0.00001) at all follow-up visits compared with baseline, with a maximum percentage of patients who achieved nonlithogenic pH (54.9%) at day 60 (P < 0.00001). Analysis of the effect of treatment compliance at 60 days indicated that 71.8% of compliant and 45.9% of noncompliant patients achieved nonlithogenic pH (odds ratio [OR]: 3.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.29-6.66). A Cox-regression model indicated that nonlithogenic pH at 90 days (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.428, 95% CI: 0.193-0.947) and compliance at 60 days (HR: 0.428, 95% CI: 0.189-0.972) were independently associated with colic complaints-free survival. Conclusions: In patients with medical history of renal lithiasis, monitoring of pH in combination with dietary supplements may be useful in maintaining nonlithogenic pH values, yielding very high ratios of success, especially in compliant patients. Besides this main outcome, a reduction in self-reported colic complaints associated with pH balance was also observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]