Human osteoblasts' proliferative responses to strain and 17beta-estradiol are mediated by the estrogen receptor and the receptor for insulin-like growth factor I.

The mechanism by which mechanical strain and estrogen stimulate bone cell proliferation was investigated using monolayer cultures of human osteoblastic TE85 cells and female human primary (first-passage) osteoblasts (fHOBs). Both cell types showed small but statistically significant dose-dependent increases in [3H]thymidine incorporation in response to 17beta-estradiol and to a single 10-minute period of uniaxial cyclic strain (1 Hz). In both cell types, the peak response to 17beta-estradiol occurred at 10(-8) - 10(-7) M and the peak response to strain occurred at 3500 microstrain ((mu)epsilon). Both strain-related and 17beta-estradiol-related increases in [3H]thymidine incorporation were abolished by the estrogen receptor (ER) modulator ICI 182,780 (10-8 M). Tamoxifen (10(-9) - 10(-8) M) increased [3H]thymidine incorporation in both cell types but had no effect on their response to strain. In TE85 cells, tamoxifen reduced the increase in [3H]thymidine incorporation associated with 17beta-estradiol to that of tamoxifen alone but had no such effect in fHOBs. In TE85 cells, strain increased medium concentrations of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) II but not IGF-I, whereas 17beta-estradiol increased medium concentrations of IGF-I but not IGF-II. Neutralizing monoclonal antibody (MNAb) to IGF-I (3 microg/ml) blocked the effects of 17beta-estradiol and exogenous truncated IGF-I (tIGF-I; 50 ng/ml) but not those of strain or tIGF-II (50 ng/ml). Neutralizing antibody to IGF-II (3 microg/ml) blocked the effects of strain and tIGF-II but not those of 17beta-estradiol or tIGF-I. MAb aIR-3 (100 ng/ml) to the IGF-I receptor blocked the effects on [3H]thymidine incorporation of strain, tIGF-II, 17beta-estradiol, and tIGF-I. HOBs and TE85 cells, act similarly to rat primary osteoblasts and ROS 17/2.8 cells in their dose-related proliferative responses to strain and 17beta-estradiol, both of which can be blocked by the ER modulator ICI 182,780. In TE85 cells (as in rat primaries and ROS 17/2.8 cells), the response to 17beta-estradiol is mediated by IGF-I, and the response to strain is mediated by IGF-II. Human cells differ from rat cells in that tamoxifen does not block their response to strain and reduces the response to 17beta-estradiol in TE85s but not primaries. In both human cell types (unlike rat cells) the effects of strain and IGF-II as well as estradiol and IGF-I can be blocked at the IGF-I receptor.     

Mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from chronic perianal fistula

Perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma is a rare tumour which may be associated with long‐standing chronic perianal sepsis. Early diagnosis is challenging and is based on a high index of clinical suspicion and specific histological features. Definitive treatment is surgical, in the form of an abdomino‐perineal resection. We hereby describe a case of a perianal mucinous adenocarcinoma arising from long‐standing recurrent perianal fistula and complement this with a brief review of the literature pertaining in particular to the management of this condition.     

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.     

Validation of the PAM-13 instrument in the Hungarian general population 40 years old and above

The European Journal of Health Economics - Patient activation comprises the skills, knowledge and motivation necessary for patients’ effective contribution to their care. We adapted and...     

Pain during sexual activity and ejaculation following hernia repair: A retrospective comparison of transabdominal preperitoneal versus Lichtenstein repair

Pain during sexual activity and ejaculation are the unspoken long-term complications of groin hernia repair. Laparoscopic surgical techniques are associated with decreased post-operative pain and earlier return to daily activities, but its effect on these complications is unclear. This study aims to investigate the effect of transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) on de-novo pain during sexual intercourse and ejaculation and to compare with open repair. For this reason, two groups were determined according to the surgical technique: the Lichtenstein repair and the TAPP groups and a questionnaire was sent to the patients a minimum of 6 months following the surgery. A total of 317 patients included, as 115 in TAPP and 202 in Lichtenstein repair group. No significant difference was observed concerning pre-operative pain during sexual activity and ejaculation in both groups (p = .75, p = .56). Following the surgery, the number of patients experiencing painful sexual activity was significantly higher in the Lichtenstein repair group compared to the TAPP group (19.3% vs. 11.3%, respectively, p = .03). The post-operative painful ejaculation rate was also significantly lower for the TAPP group (p = .04). The lower rates of post-operative dysejaculation and pain during sexual activity can be achieved with the advantage of laparoscopic surgery.     

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.     

Tension-type headache in children: A clinical evaluation

BACKGROUND: Headache Society (IHS) criteria for episodic tension-type headache were included in the present study. Pain characteristics, associated symptoms, and stress-triggering factors were evaluated. Psychiatric and psychosocial evaluations were performed according to DSM-IV criteria. RESULTS: Pain was bilateral in 93.7% of patients and bitemporal in 50% of children. The intensity of pain increased with motion and stress in more than half of the patients, while pain decreased with rest and massage in 43.7% of patients. Ten of the 16 (62.5%) patients were diagnosed as having a psychiatric disorder. The most common stress-triggering factors were difficulty in adaptation at school and relationship problems with family members. All of the children reported 26 stress factors. Of these stress factors, 20 (76.9%) were reported by children diagnosed with psychiatric disorder. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that in children with tension-type headache a thorough psychiatric evaluation should be performed to rule out underlying psychiatric disorders.