Cytotoxic Effect of Vincarosea Aqueous Crude Extraction Human Brain Carcinoma Cell Line (AMGM) In Vitro

The present study investigated the cytotoxic effects of aqueous crude extracts of Vincarosea leaves, flowers and seeds on Human brain carcinoma cell line (AMGA, Ahmed Majeed Glioblastoma Multiform ) in vitro, by using serial double dilution (concentration between 1.95-1000 µg/ml). The results showed that the cytotoxic effect of extracts was depended on type of parts of plant extracted, concentration and exposure time. The concentration 1000 µg/ml gave inhibition rate (IR), were (34, 49 and 64) % of leaves, flowers and seeds extracts respectively compared with control 100% after 24 hours from exposure time. However, low concentrations of aqueous extracts were found to induce the AMGA cells growth and proliferation (PR), it was 115% by treatment with aqueous extract offlowers extract in 1.95 µg/ml after 24 hours of exposed

STUDY OF THE ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF FLAVONOIC EXTRACT OF A MEDICINAL PLANT (CALOTROPIS PROCERA) OF AHAGGAR TAMANRASSET

Calotropis procera (family Lamiaceae) is a famous medicinal plant in the region of Hoggar Tamanrasset in southern Algeria. In this study, will have undertaken the study of the antioxidant activity of the flavonoid extract of this plant using several solvents (diethylether, ethyl acetate and N-butanol), the potential antioxidant extracts was determined on the based on their scavenging activity of the stable 1.1-Diethyl-2, hydrazylpyrryl (DPPH) free radicals. The values ​​of IC50 (mg / ml) were for the extract of 0.020 g / l, 0.014 g / l and 0.029 g / l successively for diethyl ether, ethyl acetate and N-butanol. Compared to the salts of ascorbic acid (VC) and tocopherol acid (VE) which were 0.011g / l and 0.015 g / l respectively. In addition the FRAP (Fenic antioxidant power reduction) effective acetate test on the same extract. By using VEAC (Vit E equivalent antioxidant capacity) it is found that the ethyl acetate extract has a higher reducing power than the other extracts equal to 1.115 g / l. diethyl ether 0.956g / l and n-butanol 0.987 g / l and ascorbic acid (VC) was considered a positive test with a VEAC is equal to 2.031g /

Respiratory syncytial virus infection alters surfactant protein A expression in human pulmonary epithelial cells by reducing translation efficiency

Infection of neonatal lung by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of respiratory dysfunction. Lung alveolar type II and bronchiolar epithelial (Clara) cells secrete surfactant protein A (SP-A), a collectin that is an important component of the pulmonary innate immune system. SP-A binds to the virus, targeting the infectious agent for clearance by host defense mechanisms. We have previously shown that while the steady-state level of SP-A mRNA increases approximately threefold after RSV infection, steady-state levels of cellular and secreted SP-A protein decrease 40–60% in human type II cells in primary culture, suggesting a mechanism where the virus alters components of the innate immune response in infected cells. In these studies, we find that changes in SP-A mRNA and protein levels in RSV-infected NCI-H441 cells (a bronchiolar epithelial cell line) recapitulate the results in SP-A expression observed in primary lung cells. While SP-A protein is normally ubiquitinated, there is no change in the level of SP-A protein ubiquitination or proteasome activity during RSV infection, suggesting that the reduced levels of SP-A protein are not due to degradation by activated proteasomes. SP-A mRNA is appropriately processed and exported from the nucleus to the cytoplasm during RSV infection. As evidenced by polysome analysis of SP-A mRNA and pulse-chase analysis of newly synthesized SP-A protein, we find a decrease in translational efficiency that is specific for SP-A mRNA. Therefore, the decrease in SP-A protein levels observed after RSV infection of pulmonary bronchiolar epithelial cells results from a mechanism that affects SP-A mRNA translation efficiency

Incidence and Predictors of Early Treatment-Related Mortality In Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia In Baghdad (Iraq)

The overall cure rates for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treated and managed in high-income countries have reached approximately 80% over the last two decades. Unfortunately, these advances in survival have not fully translated into low-income countries where the survival rates remain significantly lower (<35%). Potential reasons for these different results include higher rates of relapse, a high degree of treatment abandonment, insufficient diagnostic work-up procedures, limited availability of effective drugs and supportive measures, and, consequently, high rates of treatment-related mortality (TRM). We examined the incidence, causes and risk factors for early (<60 days) TRM in pediatric patients (15 years) with newly diagnosed ALL managed at the oncology unit of the Children Welfare Teaching Hospital in Baghdad (Iraq), over a 3-year period (2007 – 2009). Data were prospectively collected in Baghdad and analyzed at the GIMEMA Data Center in Rome. From January 2007 to December 2009, a total of 319 children (median age 5.2 years, range 0.3–13.9; 171 males and 148 females) with newly diagnosed ALL were registered; the diagnosis of ALL was confirmed by BM aspirate, according to the FAB classification; patients with L3 morphology (6 cases) were included. The median duration of symptoms prior to diagnosis was 4 weeks, ranging from 1 to 76 weeks. At disease onset, 179 children (56%) presented fever and 30 (9.4%) had hemorrhages; liver and renal functions were impaired in 9/290 (3%) and 21/289 (7.3%) patients with available data. The median Hb level was 7.0 g/dl (range 2.4–14.9), the median WBC count was 16.9 x 109/l (range 0.2–900) and the median platelet count was 35.0 x 109/l (range 0.1–598). CSF was positive in 14/290 children (4.8%). Patients were defined as low (153, 48%), intermediate (127, 40%) or high (33, 10%) risk according to clinical and laboratory parameters (age, hepatosplenomegaly, mediastinal mass, WBC, Hb level, platelet count, CNS and testicular infiltration). Sixteen children were discharged following the parents’ decision (14 before any treatment and 2 after 2 days); 303 children are evaluable for early TRM. Treatment consisted of a modified BFM-95 protocol in the first 31, a modified MRC UKALL-2003 protocol in 266 and the LMB/FAB-96 protocol in the 6 children with ALL-L3 morphology. Up to September 25, 2008 all trials did not include the 7-day steroid pre-phase that was introduced thereafter. A total of 249 children (82%) achieved a complete response in the first 60 days of treatment. The cumulative incidence of early TRM was 16% (48/303); it significantly decreased throughout the study period (2007: 21/88, 24%; 2008: 15/98, 15%; 2009: 12/117, 10% p 0.009). Several variables (sex, age, symptoms duration, hepatosplenomegaly, Hb level, WBC count, platelet count, bleeding, fever, impaired liver and renal function, CNS positivity, risk group, steroid pre-phase and induction complications) were examined as potential predictors of TRM. In univariate analysis, the occurrence of induction complications significantly increased the early TRM: hemorrhage 26% vs 11% p 0.001; infection 18% vs 2% p 0.005. A highly significant favorable impact on early TRM was represented by the 7-day steroid pre-phase; 36/169 children (21%) who did not receive the pre-phase died within the first 60 days of treatment compared to 12/134 children (9%) who underwent the steroid pre-phase (p 0.003). When the steroid pre-phase was placed in multivariable models with each of induction complications or other clinical parameters, it remained an independent predictor of TRM. Our experience confirms that a protocol-based care of children with ALL has to include the prednisone pre-phase that in low-income countries may contribute to a better risk definition and also to a significant reduction of early TRM

Diagnostic accuracy of the Xpert® MTB/RIF cycle threshold level to predict smear positivity: a meta-analysis.

SETTING: Xpert® MTB/RIF is the most widely used molecular assay for rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB). The number of polymerase chain reaction cycles after which detectable product is generated (cycle threshold value, CT) correlates with the bacillary burden.OBJECTIVE To investigate the association between Xpert CT values and smear status through a systematic review and individual-level data meta-analysis. DESIGN: Studies on the association between CT values and smear status were included in a descriptive systematic review. Authors of studies including smear, culture and Xpert results were asked for individual-level data, and receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated. RESULTS: Of 918 citations, 10 were included in the descriptive systematic review. Fifteen data sets from studies potentially relevant for individual-level data meta-analysis provided individual-level data (7511 samples from 4447 patients); 1212 patients had positive Xpert results for at least one respiratory sample (1859 samples overall). ROC analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.85 (95%CI 0.82-0.87). Cut-off CT values of 27.7 and 31.8 yielded sensitivities of 85% (95%CI 83-87) and 95% (95%CI 94-96) and specificities of 67% (95%CI 66-77) and 35% (95%CI 30-41) for smear-positive samples. CONCLUSION: Xpert CT values and smear status were strongly associated. However, diagnostic accuracy at set cut-off CT values of 27.7 or 31.8 would not replace smear microscopy. How CT values compare with smear microscopy in predicting infectiousness remains to be seen