In vitro synergistic cytoreductive effects of zoledronic acid and radiation on breast cancer cells

INTRODUCTION: Bisphosphonates are mostly used in the treatment of bone metastases. They have been shown to act synergistically with other chemotherapeutic agents. It is not known, however, whether similar synergistic effects exist with radiation on breast cancer cells. METHODS: Human MCF-7 breast cancer cells were treated with up to 100 μM zoledronic acid, were irradiated with up to 800 cGy or were exposed to combinations of both treatments to determine the antiproliferative effects of zoledronic acid and radiation. RESULTS: Zoledronic acid and radiation caused a dose-dependent and time-dependent decrease in cell viability (approximate 50% growth inhibition values were 48 μM and 20 μM for 24 hours and 72 hours, respectively, for zoledronic acid and 500 cGy for radiation). A synergistic cytotoxic effect of the combination of zoledronic acid and radiation was confirmed by isobologram analysis. CONCLUSION: These data constitute the first in vitro evidence for synergistic effects between zoledronic acid and radiation. This combination therapy might thus be expected to be more effective than either treatment alone in patients with metastatic breast carcinoma

Polyurethane composite adsorbent using solid phase extraction method for preconcentration of metal ion from aqueous solution

Polyurethane composite adsorbent polymeric material was prepared and investigated for selected solid-phase extraction for metal ions, prior to its determination by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. The surface characterisation was done using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The separation and preconcentration conditions of the analytes investigated includes influence of pH, sample loading flow rate, elution flow rate, type and concentration of eluents. The optimum pH for the highest efficient recoveries for all metal ions, which ranged from 70 to 85 %, is pH 7. The metal ions were quantitatively eluted with 5 mL of 2 mol/L HNO3. Common coexisting ions did not interfere with the separation. The percentage recovery of the metal ions ranged between 70 and 89 %, while the results for the limit of detection and limit of quantification ranged from 0.249 to 0.256 and 0.831 to 0.855, respectively. The experimental tests showed good preconcentration results of trace levels of metal ions using synthesised polyurethane polymer adsorbent composite

Alternative postharvest treatments to control decay of table grapes during storage

The aim of this study is to determine efficacy of some alternative postharvest treatments to sulfur dioxide (SO(2)) in maintaining quality and reducing fungal decay during cold storage of table grapes. The table grapes cv. Pafi was subjected to the following treatments after harvest: (1) Hot water dips at 24 °C, 45 °C, 50 °C or 55 °C for 3 min followed by packaging in perforated polyethylene (PPE) bags; (2) Packaging with ethanol vapor generating sachets of Antimold (R) 30 or Antimold (R) 60 in PPE bags; (3) Packaging with SO2 generating pad in PPE bags; (4) Packaging in PPE bags. Berries were stored at 0 °C for 3 months. Antimold (R) 60 sachet was more effective in reducing fungal decay than control and the SO(2) generating pad treatment without adverse effect on quality parameters during 3 months of cold storage. Stem browning occurred at slightly higher level in grapes dipped in hot water or packaged with Antimold®30 sachet and might limit their use, despite providing effective control of fungal decay