Squamous cell carcinoma in burn scars: report of three cases

Introduction: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a malignant tumour of epidermal keratinocytes. SCC may arise in chronically inflamed lesions such as burn scars and chronic ulcers. Here, we report three cases of SCC arising from pre-existing burn scars. Cases presentation: Case 1: A 63-year-old lady presented with a four-months duration of progressive skin tumour over right shoulder scar. She had burn injury over the right shoulder for more than 50 years. She underwent wide local excision of the mass and the histopathological examination (HPE) reported as well-differentiated SCC. Case 2: A 53-year-old gentleman presented with a one-year history of skin growth over left shin. He had burn injury over left lower limb since the age of 10. He underwent left above-knee amputation (AKA) and HPE reported as well-differentiated SCC. Case 3: A 31-year-old man presented with non-healing ulcers over bilateral ankles. He sustained burn injury over bilateral upper and lower limbs at the age of 11. He underwent right AKA and HPE reported as well differentiated SCC. Discussion: Malignant transformation from burn is usually slow. This type of SCC is aggressive and associated with poor prognosis. Conclusion: SCC can complicate long-standing burn scars; therefore, follow-up is recommended to look for malignant changes

Thymoquinone prevents β-amyloid neurotoxicity in primary cultured cerebellar granule neurons

Thymoquinone (TQ), a bioactive constituent of Nigella sativa Linn (N. sativa) has demonstrated several neuropharmacological attributes. In the present study, the neuroprotective properties of TQ were investigated by studying its anti-apoptotic potential to diminish β-amyloid peptide 1–40 sequence (Aβ1–40)-induced neuronal cell death in primary cultured cerebellar granule neurons (CGNs). The effects of TQ against Aβ1–40-induced neurotoxicity, morphological damages, DNA condensation, the generation of reactive oxygen species, and caspase-3, -8, and -9 activation were investigated. Pretreatment of CGNs with TQ (0.1 and 1 μM) and subsequent exposure to 10 μM Aβ1–40 protected the CGNs against the neurotoxic effects of the latter. In addition, the CGNs were better preserved with intact cell bodies, extensive neurite networks, a loss of condensed chromatin and less free radical generation than those exposed to Aβ1–40 alone. TQ pretreatment inhibited Aβ1–40-induced apoptosis of CGNs via both extrinsic and intrinsic caspase pathways. Thus, the findings of this study suggest that TQ may prevent neurotoxicity and Aβ1–40-induced apoptosis. TQ is, therefore, worth studying further for its potential to reduce the risks of developing Alzheimer’s disease

Phytochemical screening and antioxidant activity of Tuhau (Etlingera coccinea) rhizome and leaf

The indigenous people of Borneo have historically utilized the wild ginger Etlingera coccinea, locally known as Tuhau, for its medicinal properties. However, most of its medicinal properties are yet to be investigated. Therefore, this study aims to assess the phytochemical profile and antioxidant capacity of Tuhau leaf and rhizome. Phytochemical screening was conducted to assess the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, proteins and amino acids, tannins, and steroids. Additionally, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined. The antioxidant potential of the extracts was evaluated through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2'-azino-bis(3 ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. Results revealed the presence of flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, proteins and amino acids, tannins, and steroids in the leaf extract. Furthermore, the leaf extract exhibited higher total phenolic (61.57 ± 0.29 mg GAE/g dry extract) and flavonoid contents (30.32 ± 0.42 mg CE/g dry extract) compared to the rhizome extract (33.57 ± 0.29 mg GAE/g dry extract and 9.38 ± 0.02 mg CE/g dry extract, respectively). Moreover, the leaf extract demonstrated significantly superior antioxidant activity (71.48 ± 0.53 %, 28.48 ± 0.14 %, and 2.31 ± 0.03 mM Fe2+/g dry extract) compared to the rhizome extract in DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assays, respectively. Consequently, Tuhau leaf exhibited promising potential to be utilized in the food industry

Effects of White Rice, Brown Rice and Germinated Brown Rice on Antioxidant Status of Type 2 Diabetic Rats

Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, and can be increased by diet like white rice (WR). Though brown rice (BR) and germinated brown rice (GBR) have high antioxidant potentials as a result of their bioactive compounds, reports of their effects on oxidative stress-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes are lacking. We hypothesized therefore that if BR and GBR were to improve antioxidant status, they would be better for rice consuming populations instead of the commonly consumed WR that is known to promote oxidative stress. This will then provide further reasons why less consumption of WR should be encouraged. We studied the effects of GBR on antioxidant status in type 2 diabetic rats, induced using a high-fat diet and streptozotocin injection, and also evaluated the effects of WR, BR and GBR on catalase and superoxide dismutase genes. As dietary components, BR and GBR improved glycemia and kidney hydroxyl radical scavenging activities, and prevented the deterioration of total antioxidant status in type 2 diabetic rats. Similarly, GBR preserved liver enzymes, as well as serum creatinine. There seem to be evidence that upregulation of superoxide dismutase gene may likely be an underlying mechanism for antioxidant effects of BR and GBR. Our results provide insight into the effects of different rice types on antioxidant status in type 2 diabetes. The results also suggest that WR consumption, contrary to BR and GBR, may worsen antioxidant status that may lead to more damage by free radicals. From the data so far, the antioxidant effects of BR and GBR are worth studying further especially on a long term to determine their effects on development of oxidative stress-related problems, which WR consumption predisposes to

Modulation of High-Fat Diet-Induced Brain Oxidative Stress by Ferulate-Rich Germinated Brown Rice Ethyl Acetate Extract

The oxidative stress resulting from the production of reactive oxygen species plays a vital role in inflammatory processes and is associated with neurodegenerative changes. In view of the ability of germinated brown rice (GBR) to improve learning and memory, this present study aimed to investigate the mechanistic basis of GBR’s neuroprotection in a high-fat diet (HFD)-induced oxidative changes in adult Sprague–Dawley rats. Ferulate-rich GBR ethyl acetate extract (GBR-EA; 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg body weight) was supplemented orally for the last 3 months of 6 months HFD feeding during the study. GBR-EA supplementation was found to improve lipid profile and serum antioxidant status, when compared to the HFD group. Elevated mRNA expressions of SOD1, SOD2, SOD3, Catalase, and GPX were demonstrated in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of GBR-EA treated animals. The pro-inflammatory changes induced by HFD in the hippocampus were attenuated by GBR-EA through the downregulation of CRP and TNF- α and upregulation of PPAR-γ. GBR also reduced the hippocampal mRNA expression and enzyme level of acetylcholinesterase. In conclusion, this study proposed the possible transcriptomic regulation of antioxidant and inflammation in neurodegenerative processes resulting from high cholesterol consumption, with an emphasis on GBR’s potential to ameliorate such changes

Derivation and internal validation of an equation for albumin-adjusted calcium at a tertiary hospital in Selangor, Malaysia

Introduction: Total calcium concentration is widely used to assess body calcium status although limited by many confounding factors. Thus, this study aimed to derive and internally validate an albumin-adjusted calcium equation for a selected Malaysian population. Method: This cross-sectional study involved 1011 adults at an emergency department of a tertiary hospital. Patients who had total calcium, ionised calcium and albumin measurements taken simultaneously were included. Derivation of the albumin-adjusted calcium equation was based on the adjustment equation obtained from the Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine 2015 position paper. Additionally, the equation was internally validated and compared with ionised calcium (gold standard) and the conventional Payne’s equation. Results: The newly derived equation = total calcium + 0.017 (41.35 – albumin). Internal validation exhibited the amount of shrinkage of 0.049. It tends to overestimate the adjusted calcium by a mean difference of 0.029 mmol/L compared to Payne’s equation. The comparison between Payne’s equation and the new equation with ionised calcium reclassified 402 and 486 patients, respectively into different calcium status. When both equations were compared, calcium status classification significantly differed in all and hypoalbuminaemic subjects by 90 and 16 patients, respectively. Conclusion: Locally derived albumin-adjusted calcium equation differed statistically in calcium status classification when compared to the Payne’s equation. However, to confirm this significance, the result must be compared to ionised calcium under strict, controlled preanalytical conditions. In terms of clinical significance, there was no difference in classification of calcium status between Payne’s and the new equation at medical decision limits

Mechanistic basis for protection of differentiated SH-SY5Y cells by oryzanol-rich fraction against hydrogen peroxide-induced neurotoxicity

Background Apoptosis is often the end result of oxidative damage to neurons. Due to shared pathways between oxidative stress, apoptosis and antioxidant defence systems, an oxidative insult could end up causing cellular apoptosis or survival depending on the severity of the insult and cellular responses. Plant bioresources have received close attention in recent years for their potential role in regulating the pathways involved in apoptosis and oxidative stress in favour of cell survival. Rice bran is a bioactive-rich by-product of rice milling process. It possesses antioxidant properties, making it a promising source of antioxidants that could potentially prevent oxidative stress-induced neurodegenerative diseases. Methods Thus, the present study investigated the neuroprotective properties of oryzanol-rich fraction (ORF) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced neurotoxicity in differentiated human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. ORF was extracted from rice bran using a green technology platform, supercritical fluid extraction system. Furthermore, its effects on cell viability, morphological changes, cell cycle, and apoptosis were evaluated. The underlying transcriptomic changes involved in regulation of oxidative stress, apoptosis and antioxidant defence systems were equally studied. Results ORF protected differentiated SH-SY5Y cells against H2O2-induced neurotoxicity through preserving the mitochondrial metabolic enzyme activities, thus reducing apoptosis. The mechanistic basis for the neuroprotective effects of ORF included upregulation of antioxidant genes (catalase, SOD 1 and SOD 2), downregulation of pro-apoptotic genes (JNK, TNF, ING3, BAK1, BAX, p21 and caspase-9), and upregulation of anti-apoptotic genes (ERK1/2, AKT1 and NF-Kβ). Conclusion These findings suggest ORF may be an effective antioxidant that could prevent oxidative stress-induced neurodegenerative disorders