Arch Med Sci
-
In this study, we analyzed the effect of plumbagin (PL) on cultured SiHa cervical cancer cells using fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry techniques to identify the mode of cell death and to elucidate whether cells die through apoptosis or non-apoptosis. ⋯ In addition, a Cytoscape-based protein-PL interaction network analysis provided very strong evidence in support of the specific mode of cell death in the context of autophagy, which has also been one of the desired endpoints in human papillomavirus-positive cervical cancer therapy and apoptotic cell death-resistant cancer treatment. Thus, this study is the first to test PL against the SiHa cervical cancer cell line, providing leads for further testing on non-apoptotic cell death for application in cervical cancer management.
-
The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) is widely used as a diagnostic tool for impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) in clinical settings and animal experiments. The area under the curve (AUC) is then developed to quantify the total increase in blood glucose during the OGTT. Similarly, attenuation of the increased AUC indicates the improvement of IGT in animals. Variations in fasting plasma glucose between individuals stimulate the development of incremental area under the curve (iAUC). However, the iAUC determined from subtracting the baseline value of fasting plasma glucose (similar to ΔAUC) has been challenged as problematic without evidence. ⋯ iAUC seems unsuitable for application in cases where subjects are receiving chronic medication(s).
-
Due to an imbalanced redox status, cancer cells generate intrinsically higher levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) compared to normal cells. Targeting ROS is an important therapeutic strategy for cancer as exemplified by cancer drugs, which induce ROS-dependent synergistic cytotoxicity in gastric cancer cells. The present study was designed to assess the level of selected oxidative stress biomarkers in blood plasma derived from gastric cancer patients. ⋯ The present study indicates considerable oxidative/nitrative stress in gastric cancer patients. Our pilot study shows that not a single marker, but a biomarker panel, may be a more reliable representation of oxidative stress in patients with gastric cancer.
-
The aim of the study was to evaluate the correlation between the nutritional status of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and levels of vaspin (VASP), neuropeptide B (NPB), neuropeptide W (NPW) and total antioxidant status (TAS). ⋯ The high level of NPB despite treatment and normalization of VASP level may suggest that there are chronic neuroendocrine disorders at play in anorexia nervosa.
-
Percutaneous vertebroplasty is commonly used to treat spinal fractures. The authors compare radiation exposure as potential risk for the surgical team during vertebroplasty guided by O-arm combined with neuronavigation versus vertebroplasty guided by C-arm fluoroscopy. ⋯ During vertebroplasty with the O-arm combined with neuronavigation the radiation dose is significantly lower as compared with the C-arm used for fluoroscopic guidance, minimizing the potential risk of radiation exposure to surgeons.