Comparing T2 weighted images/diffusion weighted imaging and T2 weighted images/dynamic contrast enhanced MRI for endometrial carcinoma myometrial invasion

Objectives: To evaluate accuracy of combined T2 and diffusion weighted images (DWI) in comparison to combined T2WI and dynamic contrast enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) for assessment of the depth of myometrial invasion. Methods: Sixty-two patients diagnosed pathologically as endometrial carcinoma underwent MRI pelvis examination. Technique of examination for each patient includes T1 (axial), T2 (axial, sagittal and oblique sagittal) weighted images. Diffusion weighted images were done with b values of 0 and 1000 s/mm2. Dynamic contrast enhanced-magnetic resonance imaging done after administration of 0.1 mmol/kg gadolinium at 2 ml/s. The pathological diagnosis used as a gold standard for comparison with imaging. Results: Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity of combined T2/diffusion weighted images (DWI) were 92%, 90% and 95.6% while for combined T2/dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) were 79%, 77% and 82.6% for myometrial invasion 50%. Conclusion: Combined T2WI-DWI has superior diagnostic accuracy compared to combined T2WI-DCE-MRI in assessment of depth of myometrial invasion in endometrial cancer. T2WI-DWI can eliminate contrast material injection especially for patients who cannot tolerate contrast administration

Antioxidant, Anti-Cancer Activity and Phytochemicals Profiling of <i>Kigelia pinnata</i> Fruits

Over the past few years, research studies on the therapeutic benefits of medicinal plants with potent antioxidant activity and few side effects have grown significantly. This has sparked interest in determining whether naturally occurring antioxidants could take the place of synthetic antioxidants, which are currently being constricted because of their toxic and carcinogenic properties. The identification and quantification of phytochemicals in the methanolic extract of Kigelia pinnata fruits was measured using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) techniques. Additionally, the methanolic extract of fruits was used to determine antioxidant activity. Free radical-scavenging (DPPH) and ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power were measured using spectrophotometry, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) was compared with two common antioxidants, vitamin C and α-tocopherol. Moreover, mature fruits have high DDPH, ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power and total antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, mature fruits have high levels of total phenolic, flavonoid, and tannin content; these compounds are thought to be the sources of the antioxidant activity. The major constituents of the methanolic extracts from the mature fruits of K. pinnata were found to be larixinic acid, 3,5-Dihydroxy-6-methyl-2,3-dihydro-4H-pyran-4-one (DMDP), and 5-Hydrxoymethylfurfural. We performed the elemental analysis of the whole fruit. Huh-7 (liver cancer), PANC-1 (pancreatic cancer), Colo-205 (colorectal cancer), HT-29 (colorectal cancer), SNU-16 (gastric carcinoma), SW620 (colorectal adenocarcinoma) and HCT116 (colon carcinoma) were tested in vitro for anticancer activity. Both methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of mature fruits had a positive effect on all cancer cell lines as compared to the doxorubicin drug. In addition, the methanolic extracts of mature fruits showed more potent cytotoxic effects than the ethyl acetate extracts. Moreover, the most pronounced cytotoxic effects of the methanolic extract were detected in SW620 (colorectal adenocarcinoma), with an IC50 value of 6.79 μg/mL, SNU-16 (gastric carcinoma), with and IC50 value of 8.69 μg/ ml, and in PANC-1 (pancreatic cancer) with an IC50 value of 10.34 μg/mL. Moreover, the results show that the water, ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of mature fruits have antioxidant capacity, ferric ion-reducing antioxidant power, DPPH scavenging activity and also anticancer activity. Therefore, the present study suggests that the phytochemical profiles of mature fruits of K. pinnata may be used as potential natural antioxidants and anti-cancer cell lines