Small molecule inhibitor of TLR4 inhibits ovarian cancer cell proliferation: new insight into the anticancer effect of TAK-242 (Resatorvid)

Cancer Chemotherapy and Pharmacology - Despite all advances in the treatment of ovarian cancer (OC), it remains the most lethal gynecological malignancy worldwide. There are growing amounts of...     

Safety of vaginal birth after cesarean delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of labor induction in women with a history of 1 cesarean section (CS) who undergo trial of labor. METHODS: A prospective observational study of 702 pregnant women who had 1 previous CS was conducted at Women's Hospital, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar, between April 2003 and April 2004. Those with no history of vaginal delivery were assigned to one group and those with a history of vaginal delivery were assigned to another group, and the latter group was then divided into 2 subgroups according to the results of trial of labor. RESULTS: Of these 702 women with a history of 1 CS, 62.4% also had a history of vaginal delivery. After trial of labor, vaginal delivery occurred more often among women with no history of vaginal delivery (64.8%). Moreover, trial of labor resulted in a vaginal delivery more often in women who were delivered only once and by CS (87.7%) than in women who also had a history of vaginal delivery (79.2%). CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that women who have had a CS should strongly consider natural delivery for subsequent pregnancies.     

Prognostic value of positive T wave in lead aVR in patients with non‐ST segment myocardial infarction

Background

Lead aVR provides prognostic information in various settings in patients with ischemia. We aim to investigate the role of a positive T wave in lead aVR in non‐ST segment myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).

Methods

In a prospective cohort study, we included 400 patients with NSTEMI. Presentation electrocardiogram (ECG) was investigated for presence of a positive T wave as well as ST segment elevation (STE) in aVR and study variables were compared. Predictors of primary outcome defined as hospital major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and secondary outcome, defined as three‐vessel coronary disease and/or left main coronary artery stenosis (3VD/LMCA) stenosis in angiography, were determined in multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

Patients with a positive T wave in aVR were significantly older and were more likely to be female. Left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly lower in patients of positive T group. Positive T group was more likely to have 3VD/LMCA stenosis (58.3% vs. 19.8%, p < .001). The prevalence of a positive T wave in aVR was significantly higher in MACE group (54.9 % vs. 24.8%, p < .001). However, in multivariate analysis, it was not an independent predictor of MACE (OR: 1.083 95% CI: [0.496–2.365], p: .841). Though, it was independently associated with presence of 3VD/LMCA stenosis (OR: 3.747 95% CI: [2.058–6.822], p < .001).

Conclusion

Though positive T wave in lead aVR was more common in patients with MACE; it was not an independent predictor. Additionally, a positive T wave in aVR was an independent predictor of 3VD/LMCA stenosis in NSTEMI.

     

Comparison between Negative T waves characteristics in acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism

Background

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is the first available modality used in patients with chest pain and dyspnea in emergency rooms.We aimed to study differences between acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and acute pulmonary embolism (APE) in patients presented primarily with abnormal negative T waves on their admission Electrocardiogram.

The effects of smoking on corneal endothelial cells: a cross-sectional study on a population from Isfahan,Iran

Purpose: The aim of this study is to compare the effect of smoking in corneal endothelial cell number and morphology by specular microscopy on a non-smoker population.

Methods: Our cross-sectional study was performed on 150 participants from a non-smoker population. Non-contact specular microscopy (Tomey Corporation Inc., Nagoya, Japan) was performed in the center of the cornea of all subjects. The cell density (CD), average cell size (AVG), percent of hexagonality (HEX%) and central corneal thickness (CCT) were calculated and compared in both groups.

Results: Totally, 76 eyes of 76 smokers and 74 eyes of 74 non-smokers were enrolled in the study from 2015 to 2016. The mean age of smokers and non-smokers were 48.61?±?17.04 and 46.39?±?13.02, respectively. The mean number of pack/year among the smokers was 17.36?±?14.68. Also, the mean values of AVG and CD were significantly different for these two groups (p?=?0.011 and p?=?0.039, respectively). Other corneal endothelial variables did not show a significant difference between smokers and non-smokers (p?>?0.05). However, smokers with severe nicotine dependency had significantly greater AVG and lower CD in comparison with the non-smokers (p?=?0.004 and p?=?0.013, respectively).

Conclusion: Our study showed that smoking can cause significant changes in some of the corneal endothelial variables, but not all of them.     

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Solanum xanthocarpum leaf extracts against CCl4-induced liver injury in rats

Context: Solanum xanthocarpum Schard. and Wendl. (Solanaceae) has been used in traditional Indian medicines for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiasthmatic properties.

Objective: The present study demonstrates the antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of S. xanthocarpum. On the basis of in vitro antioxidant properties, the active fraction from column chromatography of the methanol extract of S. xanthocarpum leaves (SXAF) was chosen as the potent fraction and used for hepatoprotective studies in rats.

Materials and methods: The antioxidant activity was evaluated by 2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and reducing power assays. Rats were pre-treated with 100 and 200?mg/kg b.w. of SXAF for 14?d with a single dose of CCl₄ in the last day. Hepatoprotective properties were determined by serum biochemical enzymes, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GSH, and GST), and histopathology studies.

Results: SXAF exhibited significant antioxidant activity in scavenging free radicals with IC₅₀ values of 11.72?µg (DPPH) and 17.99?µg (ABTS). Rats pre-treated with SXAF demonstrated significantly reduced levels of serum LDH (1.7-fold), ALP (1.6-fold), and AST (1.8-fold). Similarly, multiple dose SXAF administration at 200?mg/kg b.w. demonstrated significantly enhanced levels of SOD (1.78?±?0.13), CAT (34.63?±?1.98), GST (231.64?±?14.28), and GSH (8.23?±?0.48) in liver homogenates. Histopathological examination showed lowered liver damage in SXAF-treated groups.

Discussion and conclusion: These results demonstrate that SXAF possesses potent antioxidant properties as well as hepatoprotective effects against CCl₄-induced hepatotoxicity.