23959361
Polyaromatic hydrocarbon profile of a mineral oil (JBO-P) by gas chromatography.
The present investigation was aimed at identifying the compound(s) responsible for the carcinogenic activity of a variety of jute batching oil (known as non-FDA variety, pre-FDA variety, or JBO-P), a crude petroleum distillate substantially used in jute industries. This was initially performed by isolating from JBO-P a polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) fraction containing compounds of more than three rings. This fraction was then analysed for its PAH profile by gas chromatography and individual components identified by comparing its flame ionisation detector (FID) signal with those obtained from reference PAHs. The results revealed that PAHs of more than three rings, reported to be a recognised class of chemical carcinogens, were present in the JBO-P sample at the level of 3300 mg/kg of oil (0.33%, w/w); benzo(a)pyrene and dibenz(a,h)anthracene, known to be highly potent carcinogens, constituted 129 mg/kg (0.0129%, w/w) and 29 mg/kg (0.0029%, w/w) of the total oil, respectively; and except for a few signals, the PAH profile of JBO-P was found to be somewhat similar to that reported for a sample of carcinogenic used engine oil.
5785486
Identification of the site of photocross-linking formed in the absence of magnesium nucleotide from SH2 (Cys-697) in myosin subfragment 1 labeled with 4'-maleimidylbenzophenone.
The site of photocross-linking between Cys-697 (SH2), prelabeled with 4'-[14C]maleimidylbenzophenone, and the 50-kDa segment of myosin S1 on irradiation in the absence of nucleotide has been determined by isolation of the 20-50-kDa adduct and subsequent tryptic proteolysis. Isolation and partial sequencing of the radioactively labeled peptide indicate that the site of cross-linking is Arg-239. This result indicates that, in the absence of nucleotide, Arg-239 resides at about 1.0 nm from SH2 and, on the basis of the recent work of Sutoh and Hiratsuka (Sutoh, K. and Hiratsuka T. (1988) Biochemistry 27, 2964-2969) places Arg-239 at no more than 1.45 nm from either Lys-184 or Lys-189 of the nucleotide-binding "glycine-rich" loop prior to the binding of nucleotide.
35457752
Nordihydroguaiaretic acid, an inhibitor of lipoxygenase, also inhibits cytochrome P-450-mediated monooxygenase activity in rat epidermal and hepatic microsomes.
Nordihydroguaiaretic acid (NDGA), a plant lignan and phenolic antioxidant, is a known lipoxygenase inhibitor. In this study, we investigated the effect of NDGA on rat epidermal and hepatic monooxygenase activity and its interaction with rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450. The addition of NDGA to epidermal microsomes prepared from control and 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC)-pretreated rats and hepatic microsomal preparations from control, 3-MC-pretreated, and phenobarbital (PB)-pretreated rats resulted in a concentration-dependent inhibition of aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (ERD) activities. The 50% inhibitory dose for NDGA ranged from 4.1 x 10(-5) to 13.1 x 10(-5) M for AHH and ERD activities in these microsomal preparations. The addition of NDGA to hepatic microsomes prepared from PB-pretreated rats resulted in spectral changes characterized by absorbance maxima at 380 nm and minima at 414 nm, typical of type I binding difference spectra. It also showed time- and concentration-dependent inhibition of the binding of carbon monoxide to dithionite or NADPH-reduced cytochrome P-450. We speculate that perhaps hydroxyl groups present in NDGA play an important role in inhibiting the monooxygenase activity and suggest that NDGA may have potential as an antimutagen and/or anticarcinogen. Furthermore, caution must be exercised in elucidating the role of lipoxygenase in metabolic pathways based solely on the criterion of inhibition by NDGA.
46117096
ras protein p21 processing enzyme farnesyltransferase in chemical carcinogen-induced murine skin tumors.
Farnesylation of ras protein p21 is crucial for the protein's membrane localization, which is essential for its cell-transforming activity, which in turn is thought to be critical for the ultimate induction of cancer. The cytosolic enzyme farnesyltransferase plays a major role in posttranslational modification of p21, but the level of farnesyltransferase activity in mammalian tumors and its relationship to the processing of cytosolic p21 that leads to tumorigenesis are unknown. We report here that farnesyltransferase activity was significantly higher in chemical carcinogen-induced benign skin papillomas in SENCAR mice than in the epidermises of control animals. The enzyme is primarily epidermal in origin, and kinetic studies with cytosol from epidermis and papillomas showed that the reaction was linear with respect to time, substrate concentration, and protein content. Skin papillomas showed significantly elevated levels of both cytosolic and membrane-bound Ha-ras p21, whereas far lesser cytosolic and almost negligible amounts of membrane-bound p21 were present in the epidermis of control mice. There was a positive correlation between increased enzyme activity in papilloma cytosol and the processing of overexpressed cytosolic Ha-ras p21 for its localization to membrane.
37464296
Introduction to Special Issue on Molecular Basis for Cancer Prevention with Bioactive Food Components in Nutrition and Cancer--an International Journal.
The advance of technology and understanding of the process of cancer development suggests that the reported lesser incidence and death due to cancer in countries other than the Western and European countries might also be due to under- diagnosed and under-represented cases. Further, increases in life span as well as ignorance about the disease puts populations in South and South East Asian countries at higher risk to develop cancer. With the increasing rate of cancer incidence every year in non -Western countries, cancer is estimated to become the deadliest disease in coming decades. Conventional chemo- and radio-therapies during the past three decades have not been able to contain the disease, and also have serious side effects. Many natural agents, especially small molecules from plants are non-toxic, easily available and may have anticancer potential. Thus, screening phytochemicals as anticancer agents could be a better approach in cancer prevention and treatment. This chemoprevention approach may have translational significance for prevention and treatment of cancer. 
 
Therefore to emphasize the potential role of phytochemicals in cancer prevention and therapy, it was our privilege to host the International Symposium on Recent Advances in Cancer Research: Therapeutics to Chemoprevention, at Central University of Gujarat (CUG), Gandhinagar. The conference was co-organized by the University of Colorado Denver, USA; University of Pittsburgh, USA; University of Oklahoma, USA, during 8–9 February, 2012. Modern biological strategies, specifically the latest developments for the targeted prevention and treatment of cancer via dietary, natural and synthetic agents were discussed in detail. The symposium also emphasized the translational aspect of cancer chemoprevention strategies for various cancers. 
 
The symposium deliberations include the ideas for combinatorial chemoprevention by phytochemicals as a promising approach for cancer control and emerging trends for the use of herbal radio-modulators to sensitize the cancer cells for apoptotic cell death. Many bioactive phytochemicals such as silibinin, benzyl isothiocyanate, anthocyanidins, nexrutine, tocopherol, etc. were discussed for their in vivo efficacy in animal tumor models, associated mechanisms and translational potential. Targeting tumor microenvironment with small molecules was found promising and having translational potential for prostate and breast cancer chemoprevention. 
 
The novel work and ideas presented at the symposium were helpful in guiding the research orientation of scientists, especially the young researchers who will be benefitted at all levels of their career development. Since chemoprevention of cancer is becoming an attractive approach for controlling cancer, we felt that the deliberations of this symposium should reach to the wider section of the researchers. Therefore, it was planned to bring out a special issue on Molecular Basis for Cancer Prevention with Bioactive Food Components in Nutrition and Cancer – An International Journal. We appreciate the researchers for contributing their novel work and ideas to this special issue. We are grateful to the Editor of Nutrition and Cancer – An International Journal, for his initiative to bring out this special issue on this relevant topic. We believe that this volume will be enlightening for the researchers working in the area of cancer chemoprevention.
6837472
Apoptosis is an early event during phthalocyanine photodynamic therapy-induced ablation of chemically induced squamous papillomas in mouse skin.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising new modality to treat malignant neoplasms including superficial skin cancers. In our search for an ideal photosensitizer for PDT, Pc 4, a silicon phthalocyanine, has shown promising results both in in vitro assays and in implanted tumors. In this study we assessed the efficacy of Pc 4 PDT in the ablation of murine skin tumors; and the evidence for apoptosis during tumor ablation was also obtained. The Pc 4 was administered through tail vein injection to SENCAR mice bearing chemically induced squamous papillomas, and 24 h later the lesions were illuminated with an argon ion-pumped dye laser tuned at 675 nm for a total light dose of 135 J/cm2. Within 72-96 h, almost complete tumor shrinkage occurred; no tumor regrowth was observed up to 90 days post-PDT. As evident by nucleosome-size DNA fragmentation, appearance of apoptotic bodies in hematoxylin and eosin staining and direct immunoperoxidase detection of digoxigenin-labeled genomic DNA in sections, apoptosis was clearly evident 6 h post-PDT at which time tumor shrinkage was less than 30%. The apoptotic bodies, as evident by the condensation of chromatin material around the periphery of the nucleus and increased vacuolization of the cytoplasm, were also observed in electron microscopic studies of the tumor tissues following Pc 4 PDT. The extent of apoptosis was greater at 15 h than at 6 and 10 h post-PDT. Taken together, our results clearly show that Pc 4 may be an effective photosensitizer for PDT of nonmelanoma skin cancer, and that apoptosis is an early event during this process.
206198477
A new technique for repair of acquired split-ear-lobe deformity: the free conchal cartilage sandwich graft.
BACKGROUND
Split-ear-lobe repair is one of the commonest requests in cosmetic facial surgery. Frequently, the ear lobe split is prone to recurrence following surgical repair. A new technique is described that strengthens the ear lobe tissues using locally available conchal cartilage to prevent recurrence. A new classification of split ear lobe is also presented.


METHODS
Twenty-two women in the age range from 18 to 62 years with varying grades of split ear lobe were operated using the technique of conchal cartilage reinforcement of ear lobe. Eight females had bilateral involvement, and a total of 30 split ear lobes were repaired. A conchal cartilage disc was harvested at the time of repair of the ear lobe. This disc was placed in a pocket created in the ear lobe, and the ear lobe was repaired over this pocket. Simultaneous re-perforation of the ear lobe was done in a central location through the implanted conchal disc, and stud earring was applied.


RESULTS
Satisfactory aesthetic and functional results have been obtained in the series using the technique of conchal cartilage-graft augmentation of the ear lobe. All patients had high degree of satisfaction in being able to come out of the operating room with earrings on. There has been no stretching or re-tear of the ear lobe following implantation of conchal cartilage, over a follow-up period of 36 months.


CONCLUSION
The conchal cartilage-graft sandwich procedure allows immediate re-perforation of the repaired ear lobe at the time of repair in a central aesthetic location, as well as providing necessary strength to the ear lobe; thus preventing recurrence in primary and recurrent, acquired split-ear-lobe deformity.
205184982
Short-term vitamin D receptor activation increases serum creatinine due to increased production with no effect on the glomerular filtration rate.
Vitamin D receptor activation has been associated with increased serum creatinine and reduced estimated glomerular filtration rates, raising concerns that its use may be detrimental to kidney function. Here we studied the effect of vitamin D receptor activation on serum creatinine, creatinine generation, and its clearance. We measured baseline serum creatinine and 24-h urine creatinine in 16 patients with chronic kidney disease. The measurements were repeated every day for 7 days, during which time the patients received 2 μg paricalcitol, an orally active vitamin D receptor activator, every morning. At 4 days after stopping the vitamin analog, measurements were continued for 3 days. Geometric mean parathyroid hormone levels decreased from 77 pg/ml at baseline to 43 pg/ml at the end of treatment and significantly rebounded to 87 pg/ml following paricalcitol withdrawal, thereby supporting the biological efficacy of the analog dose used. With this therapy, the serum creatinine significantly increased at a rate of 0.010 mg/dl/day and urine creatinine at a rate of 17.6 mg/day. Creatinine and iothalamate clearances did not change, whereas urine albumin decreased insignificantly. Thus, short-term vitamin D receptor activation increases creatinine generation and serum creatinine, but it does not influence the glomerular filtration rate.
18890065
Sleep and activity in chronic kidney disease: a longitudinal study.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Commonly sleep is disrupted and physical activity is restricted among patients with CKD and those on long-term dialysis. However, few studies have assessed patients longitudinally.


DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS
We compared the prevalence of sleep disturbances measured both subjectively using a questionnaire and objectively using actimetry among patients with CKD (n = 145), those on hemodialysis (n = 116), and people without kidney disease (n = 19). Activity level during the day was measured using actimetry, and patients were then followed for up to 2 years.


RESULTS
Compared with people without kidney disease, patients with CKD not on dialysis had disruption of sleep that was independent of several risk factors. However, disrupted sleep was correlated with neither estimated GFR in cross-sectional nor longitudinal assessment. Those on hemodialysis had sleep disruption that was of much greater severity than that found among those with CKD not on dialysis. Furthermore, missing or shortening the prescribed duration of dialysis was associated with greater severity of sleep disturbance in cross-sectional but not in longitudinal assessment. Day-time activity declined both in duration and intensity from controls to CKD to hemodialysis.


CONCLUSIONS
The loss of kidney function is related to both reduced duration and intensity of day time physical activity. Although patients with CKD have disrupted sleep, this is independent of estimated GFR. However, compared with those with CKD, dialysis patients have more severely disrupted sleep; this is related to missing dialysis. Thus, shortening patients' dialysis may reduce their sleep.
39024721
Efficacy and safety of iodopovidone in chemical pleurodesis: a meta-analysis of observational studies.
The search for an 'ideal' agent for pleurodesis continues. Iodopovidone is a topical antiseptic and has been shown to be safe and effective in many studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of iodopovidone as an agent for chemical pleurodesis. We performed a systematic review of all the observational trials which have used iodopovidone for chemical pleurodesis. Six studies including 265 patients who had undergone chemical pleurodesis with iodopovidone were included for this analysis. Iodopovidone was used for variety of indications, which included pleural effusion (157 patients), and pneumothorax (108 patients). Pleurodesis was performed through tube thoracostomy in 144 patients and through thoracoscopy in 121 patients. The success rate of pleurodesis varied from 64.2% to 100%, and summary success rate of all the studies was 90.6% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 86.4-93.8). The success rate was independent for the procedure (tube thoracostomy [126/144; 87.5%, 95% CI 80.9-92.4] or thoracoscopy [114/121; 94.2%, 95% CI 88.4-97.6]) used for performing pleurodesis or for the indication (pleural effusion [139/157; 88.5%, 95% CI 82.5-93.1] or pneumothorax [101/108; 93.5%, 95% CI 87.1-97.4]). The only significant complication reported was chest pain of varying degree. Systemic hypotension was reported in three patients in only one study. There were no deaths related to chemical pleurodesis with iodopovidone. Overall, this review supports the safety and efficacy of iodopovidone as an agent for chemical pleurodesis in cases of recurrent pleural effusions and pneumothoraces regardless of their etiology.
21184188
Temperature sensitivity and fluorescence detection.
Fluorescence detectors are about three orders of magnitude more sensitive and specific making them ideal for trace analysis and complex sample matrices. However, temperature dependence of the signal is a disadvantage to fluorescence detectors. We have previously reported degradation of malondialdehyde (MDA)-thiobarbituric acid (TBA) adduct at room temperature. The present experiments tested the notion that the detector response may be blunted due to increase in temperature over time. Repeated injections of the same standard curve over 4 h found a significant effect of time on the slopes of peak area-concentration curves. When the samples were iced and injected alternating with ambient temperature standard curve samples, no differences in slopes were seen between iced and ambient temperature samples. Cooling the housing of the fluorescence lamp significantly increased the fluorescence in the samples. Fluorescence increased 2.5% (95% confidence interval, 1.5-3.6%) for each 1 degrees C fall in temperature. MDA-TBA adduct remained stable at room temperature. Since the fluorescence signal is temperature sensitive, letting the detector warm up for 2 h to obtain a steady temperature is more likely to give reproducible results compared to a detector that has not warmed up. These results have implications for other applications utilizing fluorescence detectors.