Spigelian hernias: a prospective analysis of baseline parameters and surgical outcome of 34 consecutive patients

Most of the papers published on spigelian hernia are either case reports or small retrospective series. In this prospective multicenter study, we aimed to outline the specific features of spigelian hernias and patients’ characteristics more clearly. Surgeons enrolled patients to be entered into the database as they diagnosed and treated the hernias at will. The baseline and surgical outcome parameters were noted in each patient. A painful mass was the main presenting complaint in half of 34 patients. Accurate preoperative diagnosis was possible in 31 patients. Open intraperitoneal mesh repair was the preferred technique. The mean hospital stay and time until return to normal daily activities were 4.1 and 15.6 days. Although a rare condition, diagnosis of a spigelian hernia is not difficult once remembered. Its surgical repair seems to cause few complications and is very well tolerated by the patient.     

Therapeutic effect of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells on Cisplatin induced testicular damage in adult male albino rat

Infertility represents a major medical, economic, and psychological problem. Stem cells therapy for infertility has a great interest nowadays especially for cancer survivors at pre-reproductive and reproductive age.

 Thirty-two adult male albino rats were used, divided equally into four groups; Group I (Control group) received isotonic saline intraperitoneally (i.p.) as vehicle. Group II (Cisplatin-treated group) received Cisplatin (i.p.) at a single dose of 7 mg/kg, and then were sacrificed after 5 days. Group III (Stem-cell-treated group) received Cisplatin (i.p.) at a single dose of 7 mg/kg, then after 5 days received adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) (1 × 10⁶). Cells were injected in the rete testis, then after 60 days, the animals were sacrificed. Group IV (Auto healing group) received Cisplatin (i.p.) at a single dose of 7 mg/kg, and then left for 65 days then the animals were sacrificed. Cisplatin administration resulted in degenerative changes in the testicular architecture in the form of thickened irregular BM of seminiferous tubules. The germinal epithelium showed disorganization and marked reduction in the thickness, associated with Sertoli cells preservation. Features of apoptosis assured by elevated caspase-3 expression were noticed. The interstitium showed cellular infiltration and distorted Leydig cells. Injection of (ADMSCs) resulted in great improvement of testicular architecture and increase in the testosterone level associated with strong immune reaction of the CD-44. ADMSCs are recommended as a new treatment modality for male infertility.

Abbreviation: i.p.: intraperitoneally; BM: basement membrane; ADMSCs: adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells; WHO: World Health Organization; MSCs: mesenchymal stem cells; DMEM: Dulbecco modified eagles media; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; FACS: fluorescence-activated cell sorting; ELISA: enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; CP: Cisplatin; ROS: reactive oxygen species; CAT: catalase; SOD: superoxide dismutase; OS: oxidative stress; SSCs: spermatogonia stem cells; GCs: germ cells; UCMSCs: umblical cord mesenchymal stem cells; TGFb1: transforming growth factor beta-1; BMP4: Bone morphogenic protein 4; BMP8b: bone morphogenic protein 8b.     

The Relationship Between the Types of Traumatic Events and Well-Being,Post-Traumatic Stress Levels and Gender Differences in Syrian Patients: A Cross-Sectional Controlled Study

Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health - This study aims to compare the types and frequency of traumatic events in Syrian patients. Additionally, the study investigates the relationship between...     

Takayasu’s arteritis occurring under TNF blockers in a patient with spondyloarthritis: is it an association or a paradoxical effect?

Coexistence of spondyloarthritis (SpA) and Takayasu’s arteritis is not a common finding, but such cases have been discussed, particularly in the context of choice of therapy. Inhibition of inflammation by tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi) is a key aspect of the treatment of SpA and also positive effects of such treatment in concomitant large vessel vasculitis have been reported. However, TNFi is also associated with the possibility of initiating vasculitis.The present article based on a case study and the available literature is an attempt to discuss coexistence of these two diseases and the impact of treatment with biological drugs from the anti-TNF group in the course of SpA with Takayasu’s arteritis.     

Synthesis of some heterocycles of potential biological activity

A convenient method for the preparation of imidazobenzimidazole3, imidazoimidazole5, imidazotriazole6 and pyrano [2, 3-c] oxazole7 derivatives is described. This depends on interaction of 2-methyl-4-arylidene-2-oxazolin-5-ones1 with o-diamines, thiosemicarbazide and/or ethylcyanoacetate. The effect of alcoholic potassium cyanide on oxazolinone1 was studied. Antibacterial activity of the obtained products was studied.     

Frequency of serological markers of rheumatoid arthritis in patients with IgA anti‐β2 glycoprotein I antibodies

AimTo determine the frequency of serological markers of RA in patients with anti‐β2 glycoprotein I antibodies (aβ2GPI) of IgA isotype.Material and MethodsA retrospective study was conducted on 67 patients with aβ2GPI‐IgA. Ninety healthy blood donors (HBD) were used as a control group. IgG anti‐cyclic citrullinated peptides antibodies (CCP‐Ab) and rheumatoid factors (RF) IgG, IgA, and IgM were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsSeventeen patients and eight HBD had CCP‐Ab and/or RF (25.4% vs. 8.9%, p = 0.005, CI 95% [14.95; 35.79], odds ratio = 3.5). The frequency of CCP‐Ab was significantly higher in patients than in healthy subjects (14.9% vs. 3.3%, p = 0.009). IgA isotype of RF was significantly higher in patients than in controls (7.5% vs. 0%, p = 0.02). In male patients, CCP‐Ab and/or RF were more frequent than in healthy male subjects (37.5% vs. 11.8%, p = 0.02). In patients, no correlation was found between the levels of aβ2GPI‐IgA and CCP‐Ab (r = 0.082, p = 0.51). There was no correlation between the level aβ2GPI‐IgA and the level of the isotypes of RF (IgG, IgA, and IgM) in patients (r = 0.1, p = 0.37; r = 0.17, p = 0.17 and r = 0.07, p = 0.59 respectively).ConclusionFrequencies of CCP‐Ab and RF are high in patients with aβ2GPI‐IgA suggesting that these patients are susceptible to developing RA.     

Novel flavonoid-based biodegradable nanoparticles for effective oral delivery of etoposide by P-glycoprotein modulation: an in vitro,ex vivo and in vivo investigations

Abstract

A receptor level interaction of etoposide with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and subsequent intestinal efflux has an adverse effect on its oral absorption. The present work is aimed to enhance the bioavailability of etoposide by co-administering it with quercetin (a P-gp inhibitor) in dual-loaded polymeric nanoparticle formulation. Poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles were optimized for various parameters like o/w phase volume ratio, poly-vinyl alcohol concentration, PLGA concentration and sonication time. The cytotoxicity studies (MTT assay) revealed a 9- and 11-fold decrease in the IC 50 values for etoposide-loaded nanoparticles (ENP) and etoposide?+?quercetin dual-loaded nanoparticles (EQNP) when compared to that of free etoposide, respectively, and the results were further supported by florescent-activated cell sorter studies. The confocal imaging of the intestinal sections treated with ENP and EQNP containing fluorescent probe (rhodamine) showed the superiority of the EQNP to permeate deeper. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic studies on rats revealed that EQNP exhibited a 2.4-fold increase in bioavailability of etoposide than ENP with no quercetin. The developed loaded nanoparticles have the high potential to enhance the bioavailability of the etoposide and sensitize the resistant cells.     

Antioxidant,anticholinesterase and tyrosinase inhibition activities,and fatty acids of Crocus mathewii – A forgotten endemic angiosperm of Turkey

Context We report the first ever chemical/biochemical study on Crocus mathewii Kerndorff (Iridaceae) – a Turkish endemic angiosperm. This plant has never been explored for its phytochemistry and bioactivities.

Objective This study explores C. mathewii corm and aerial parts for the chemical and biological properties of hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water fractions of the extracts.

Material and methods Plant material (20 g) was extracted by methanol (250?mL?×?5, 3 days each) and fractioned into hexane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. All fractions were subjected to β-carotene–linoleic acid, DPPH^·, ABTS^·+, CUPRAC, metal chelating and tyrosinase inhibition activities. Hexane fractions were submitted to GC–MS analysis.

Results Ethyl acetate fractions showed excellent IC₅₀ values in DPPH^· (aerial 36.21?±?0.76 and corm 33.87?±?0.02?mg/L) and ABTS^·+ (aerial 33.01?±?0.79 and bulb 27.87?±?0.33?mg/L); higher than the IC₅₀ of the standard α-tocopherol (DPPH 116.25?±?1.97; ABTS 52.64?±?0.37?mg/L), higher than BHA in DPPH (57.31?±?0.25?mg/L), but slightly lower in ABTS (19.86?±?2.73?mg/L). Methanol extract of aerial parts also showed higher activity than α-tocopherol in DPPH (85.56?±?11.51?mg/L) but slightly less (72.90?±?3.66?mg/L) than both the standards in ABTS. Linoleic (aerial 53.9%, corm 43.9%) and palmitic (aerial 22.2%, corm 18%) were found as the major fatty acids.

Discussion and conclusion Some fractions of C. mathewii showed higher antioxidant activities than the standards. There is a need to explore more about this plant.