Evaluation of topoisomerase II, ki-67, and P53 expression in non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma and their clinical significance

Background: Transurethral resection of tumor is the main treatment of non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma, but it is associated with high rate of recurrence and/or progression and this arouses the need for adjuvant therapy. Topoisomerase II (Top II), KI-67, and P53 are proliferation and cell cycle regulation markers that may predict tumor response to therapy. Aim: This study aimed to assess Top II, KI-67, and P53 expression and their effect on clinical outcome and response to therapy of non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma. Materials and Methods: Fifty cases of non-muscle invasive urothelial carcinoma were collected; Top II, KI-67, and P53 expression was evaluated. Patients received treatment then tumor recurrence was correlated with the expression of previous markers. Results: There was a significant association between high Top II score, P53, and KI-67 and high tumor grade (P = 0.0001, 0.001, and 0.0001), submucosal infiltration (P = 0.0001 and 0.01), and recurrence (P = 0.01, 0.001, and 0.001). Conclusion: Top II, P53, and KI-67 may predict tumor response to therapy and the clinical outcome in non-muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma

Modification of optical and electrical properties of nanocrystalline VO2·0.5 H2O/ZrV2O7: influence of Cs, Cr and Ga doping

A facile and economical route has been demonstrated for large-scale synthesis of nano VO2·0.5 H2O/ZrV2O7 and it is doping with Cs, Cr and Ga using combined precipitation-hydrothermal that followed by a gentle heating at low temperature. The growth mechanism of doping is discussed and investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, Raman, TGA, DSC, and UV–vis spectroscopy. The band gap is enhanced with doping. The results show that the all composites have a negative thermal coefficient in the range 25–100 °C while it has a positive thermal coefficient in the range 100–300 °C. Also, Cs doped has increase in conductivity as compared to Cr doped which may be due to the enhancement of oxygen vacancies as resulted from addition of low valence cations. Doping with Cr or Cs show the contribution of grain and grain boundary properties, respectively, while the doping with Ga shows the insulating behavior. Keywords: VO2·0.5 H2O/ZrV2O7, Doping, Band gap, Grain and grain boundary, Ionic conductivity, Electrical conductivit

Evaluation of ARK5 and SIRT3 expression in renal cell carcinoma and their clinical significance

Abstract Background Globally Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) represents 3% of malignant tumours in adults and 1.78% in Egypt. AMPK-related protein kinase 5 (ARK5) is mainly associated with a hypoxic microenvironment which is a feature of the major RCC subtypes. Additionally, it displays decreased mitochondrial respiration. SIRT3 is a mitochondrial deacetylase that modifies multiple mitochondrial proteins. Material and methods Fifty eight cases of RCC, and 30 non-neoplastic cases (of End-Stage Kidney Disease (ESKD) were subjected to immunohistochemistry by ARK5 and SIRT3. The results of IHC were correlated together and correlated with the available clinicopathologic and survival data. Results Although no significant difference was detected between RCC and ESKD groups regarding ARK5 expression, there was a significant association with RCC regarding H-score and nucleocytoplasmic expression (both P = 0.001). Also, SIRT3 was highly expressed in RCC in comparison to the ESKD group (H-score: P = 0.001). There were significant associations between nucleocytoplasmic ARK5 expression and higher tumour grade, low apoptotic and high mitotic indices, tumour extent, advanced tumour stage, and impaired response of tumours to chemotherapeutic drugs (P = 0.039, P = 0.001, P = 0.027, P = 0.011, P = 0.009, and P = 0.014 respectively). Moreover, the H score of ARK5 expression showed significant associations with tumour grade, apoptotic and mitotic indices, tumour extension, tumour stage, and response to therapy (P = 0.01, 0.035, 0.001, 0.004. 0.003 and 0.013). Regarding SIRT3 expression, it showed significant associations with apoptotic and mitotic indices, tumour extent, tumour stage and response to therapy (P = 0.022, 0.02, 0.042, 0.039 and 0.027). Interestingly, there was a highly significant correlation between the expression of ARK5 and SIRT3 (P = 0.009). Univariate survival analysis revealed a significant association between short survival duration and both nucleocytoplasmic expression of ARK5 and positive SIRT3 expression (P = 0.014 and 0.035). Conclusion ARK5 and SIRT3 are overexpressed in RCC and associated with parameters of poor prognosis as well as short survival. Both seem to influence response to therapy in RCC. So, they could be new targets for therapy that may improve tumour response and patients’ survival. There is a postulated relationship that needs more extensive investigation

Predictive Factors of Positive Circumferential and Longitudinal Margins in Early T3 Colorectal Cancer Resection

Background. Malignant involvement of circumferential resection margin (CRM) and longitudinal resection margin (LRM) after surgical resection of colorectal cancer (CRC) are associated with higher rates of recurrence and development of distant metastasis. This can influence the overall patient’s prognosis. The aim of the current study was to identify pathological factors as predictors for the involvement of resection margins in early T3 CRC. Patients and Methods. Fifty patients radiologically diagnosed to have cT3a/b (CRC) were included in the study. After resection, the pathological examination was performed to identify patients with positive CRM and/or LRM. Relations between the different pathological parameters and the CMR and LRM involvements were assessed. Results. Positive CRM was present in 17 cases (34%), while positive LRM was found in 6 cases (12%). The involvement of both margins was significantly associated with rectal tumors and tumors with infiltrative gross appearance, grade III, deeper invasion, and positive lymph node metastases. Also, there was a significant association between both margins’ positivity and other pathological parameters as signet ring carcinoma, tumor budding, perineural and vascular invasion, high microvessel density (MVD), and sinusoidal vascular pattern, while the presence of necrosis and infiltrative advancing tumor front was significantly associated with CRM involvement only. The depth of tumor invasion and signet ring carcinoma were identified as independent predictor factors for positive CRM and LRM, respectively. Conclusion. Preoperative identification of these pathological parameters can be a guide to tailor the management plan accordingly

Morphological and electrical properties of zirconium vanadate doped with cesium

Cesium doped zirconium vanadate ZrV2O7 with different Cs dopant content (Cs/Zr varied from 0 to 0.5 in weight ratio) were fabricated by hydrothermal technique at 120 °C for 60 min. The synthesized materials are thermally treated using microwave technique. The structural and morphological properties of the synthesized materials and thermally treated samples were investigated using XRD and SEM respectively. It was evident that all synthesized specimens have cubic phase structural without any extra phase but after heat treatment Orthorhombic phase appear with doped samples. However, the morphological structure of the doped synthesized materials has transferred from nanoparticles into rods aspect with heat treatment for the different dopant ratio. Moreover, the electrical properties of both the synthesized and thermally treated materials are studied by AC impedance measurements. The results indicated that the ionic conductivity of Cs-doped ZrV2O7 materials decreased by increasing the dopant ratio while that thermally treated samples the ionic conductivity increase by increasing the dopant ratio. Finally, the concentration of cesium dopants is found to play crucial role in tuning the morphology and electrical properties of nanostructures

Novel Biosynthesis of Graphene-Supported Zero-Valent Iron Nanohybrid for Efficient Decolorization of Acid and Basic Dyes

Herein, respiratory nitrate reductases (NAR) were utilized in the biosynthesis of zero-valent iron (ZVI) graphene nanocomposite as a simultaneous reducing and capping agent, for the first time, to efficiently adsorb methylene blue (MB) and direct red-81 (DR-81). Under anaerobic conditions, the greenly synthesized graphene was incubated with iron precursor in the presence of crude-NAR enzyme for 48 h to obtain the ZVI graphene composite followed by characterizing this composite using physiochemical analyses. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques assured the chemical composition and the interaction between ZVI and graphene. The influences of operating conditions such as contact time, pH and adsorbent dose on the adsorption efficacy were explored in the case of ZVI graphene, graphene and ZVI. ZVI graphene nanocomposite displayed the highest removal efficiency of MB and DR-81 compared to graphene and ZVI-NPs. The removal percentages of DR-81 and MB by ZVI graphene nanocomposites were 88.3 ± 2.66% and 87.6 ± 2.1%, respectively, at pH 7, adsorbent dose 20 mg/50 mL, initial MB or DR-81 concentration of 10 mg/L and shaking speed of 150 rpm. A pseudo first-order model could describe the adsorption kinetics, and the adsorption mechanism was discussed. The promising results of the current study support the potential of the recruitment of ZVI graphene nanocomposites in eliminating various pollutants from industrial effluents on a larger scale. Further, the prepared nanohybrid can be used in other applications such as photocatalysis, Fenton and persulfate activation processes

Novel Biosynthesis of Graphene-Supported Zero-Valent Iron Nanohybrid for Efficient Decolorization of Acid and Basic Dyes

Herein, respiratory nitrate reductases (NAR) were utilized in the biosynthesis of zero-valent iron (ZVI) graphene nanocomposite as a simultaneous reducing and capping agent, for the first time, to efficiently adsorb methylene blue (MB) and direct red-81 (DR-81). Under anaerobic conditions, the greenly synthesized graphene was incubated with iron precursor in the presence of crude-NAR enzyme for 48 h to obtain the ZVI graphene composite followed by characterizing this composite using physiochemical analyses. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques assured the chemical composition and the interaction between ZVI and graphene. The influences of operating conditions such as contact time, pH and adsorbent dose on the adsorption efficacy were explored in the case of ZVI graphene, graphene and ZVI. ZVI graphene nanocomposite displayed the highest removal efficiency of MB and DR-81 compared to graphene and ZVI-NPs. The removal percentages of DR-81 and MB by ZVI graphene nanocomposites were 88.3 ± 2.66% and 87.6 ± 2.1%, respectively, at pH 7, adsorbent dose 20 mg/50 mL, initial MB or DR-81 concentration of 10 mg/L and shaking speed of 150 rpm. A pseudo first-order model could describe the adsorption kinetics, and the adsorption mechanism was discussed. The promising results of the current study support the potential of the recruitment of ZVI graphene nanocomposites in eliminating various pollutants from industrial effluents on a larger scale. Further, the prepared nanohybrid can be used in other applications such as photocatalysis, Fenton and persulfate activation processes

Anti-<i>Heliobacter pylori</i> and Anti-Inflammatory Potential of <i>Salvia officinalis</i> Metabolites: In Vitro and In Silico Studies

Due to its rising antibiotic resistance and associated inflammations, Helicobacter pylori poses a challenge in modern medicine. Salvia officinalis, a member of the Lamiaceae family, is a promising medicinal herb. In this regard, a phytochemical screening followed by GC-MS and LC-MS was done to evaluate the chemical profile of the total ethanolic extract (TES) and the essential oil, respectively. The anti-H. pylori and the anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated by a micro-well dilution technique and COX-2 inhibition assay. Potential anti-H. pylori inhibitors were determined by an in silico study. The results revealed that the main metabolites were flavonoids, sterols, volatile oil, saponins, and carbohydrates. The LC-MS negative ionization mode demonstrated 12 compounds, while GC-MS showed 21 compounds. Carnosic acid (37.66%), epirosmanol (20.65%), carnosol1 (3.3%), and 12-O-methyl carnosol (6.15%) were predominated, while eucalyptol (50.04%) and camphor (17.75%) were dominant in LC-MS and GC-MS, respectively. TES exhibited the strongest anti-H. pylori activity (3.9 µg/mL) asymptotic to clarithromycin (0.43 µg/mL), followed by the oil (15.63 µg/mL). Carnosic acid has the best-fitting energy to inhibit H. pylori (−46.6769 Kcal/mol). TES showed the highest reduction in Cox-2 expression approaching celecoxib with IC50 = 1.7 ± 0.27 µg/mL, followed by the oil with IC50 = 5.3 ± 0.62 µg/mL. Our findings suggest that S. officinalis metabolites with anti-inflammatory capabilities could be useful in H. pylori management. Further in vivo studies are required to evaluate and assess its promising activity

GC-MS Profiling, Anti-Helicobacter pylori, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of Three Apiaceous Fruits&rsquo; Essential Oils

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori is a challenge due to rising antibiotic resistance and GIT-related disorders. Cuminum cyminum, Pimpinella anisum, and Carum carvi are fruits belonging to the Apiaceae family. Their essential oils were extracted, analyzed using GC-MS, tested for anti-H. pylori activity by a micro-well dilution technique, identified for potential anti-H. pylori inhibitors by an in-silico study, and investigated for anti-inflammatory activity using a COX-2 inhibition assay. Results showed that the main components of C. cyminum, P. anisum, and C. carvi were cumaldehyde (41.26%), anethole (92.41%), and carvone (51.38%), respectively. Essential oil of C. cyminum exhibited the greatest anti-H. pylori activity (3.9 &micro;g/mL) followed by P. anisum (15.63 &micro;g/mL), while C. carvi showed the lowest activity (62.5 &micro;g/mL). The in-silico study showed that cumaldehyde in C. cyminum has the best fitting energy to inhibit H. pylori.C. cyminum essential oil showed the maximum ability to reduce the production of Cox-2 expression approaching celecoxib with IC50 = 1.8 &plusmn; 0.41 &micro;g/mL, followed by the C. carvi oil IC50 = 7.3 &plusmn; 0.35 &micro;g/mL and then oil of P. anisum IC50 = 10.7&plusmn;0.63 &micro;g/mL. The investigated phytochemicals in this study can be used as potential adjunct therapies with conventional antibiotics against H. pylori

Endophytic Fungus from Opuntia ficus-indica: A Source of Potential Bioactive Antimicrobial Compounds against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

Endophytic Aspergillus species represent an inexhaustible source for many medicinally important secondary metabolites. The current study isolated the endophytic Aspergillus niger (OL519514) fungus from Opuntia ficus-indica fruit peels. The antibacterial activities were reported for both Aspergillus species and Opuntia ficus-indica fruit peel extract. Extraction of the endophytic fungal metabolites using ethyl acetate and fractionation was performed, yielding dihydroauroglaucin (C1), isotetrahydroauroglaucin (C2), and cristatumin B (C3). Resistant bacterial strains were used to investigate the efficiency of the total fungal ethyl acetate extract (FEA) and the isolated compounds. FEA showed promising wide spectrum activity. (C3) showed excellent activity against selected Gram-negative resistant bacteria; However, (C2) exhibited tremendous activity against the tested Gram-positive resistant strains; conversely, (C1) possessed the lowest antibacterial activity compared to the two other compounds. An in silico virtual molecular docking demonstrated that cristatumin B was the most active antimicrobial compound against the selected protein targets. In conclusion, the active metabolites newly isolated from the endophytic fungus Aspergillus niger (OL519514) and present in plants&rsquo; waste can be a promising antimicrobial agent against multidrug-resistant bacteria