Anticonvulsant and sedative effects of Salvadora persica L. stem extracts

The effect of Salvadora persica L. stem extracts on the potentiation of sodium pentobarbital activity and on generalized tonic-clonic seizure produced by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) on the rat is reported. The extracts of Salvadora persica L. extended sleeping-time and decreased induction-time induced by sodium pentobarbital; in addition it showed protection against pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion by increasing the latency period and diminishing the death rate.

Coherence measure in hamiltonian systems with many degrees of freedom

We study the phase space region of two- and three-dimensional lattices where a transition from chaotic to ordered dynamics takes place when the energy is lowered. In this region we find coexistence of degrees of freedom (DOF's), endowed with different levels of chaos. The analysis of this complex dynamical pattern requires the introduction of diagnostic tools suitable for a characterization of single DOF's: coherence angles and coherence times. We find that the coherence times-which give a measure of the time each DOF needs to relax to equilibrium-are roughly proportional to the inverse of the specific energy. This may be useful to evaluate the reliability of statistical results obtained in computer experiments performed on condensed matter systems at low energy.

Effects of Teucrium divaricatum Heldr. ssp. divaricatum decoction on experimental ulcer in rats

The effects of chronic intragastric administration of the aerial parts decoction of Teucrium divaricatum Heldr. ssp. divaricatum (Labiateae) on experimental acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)-induced ulcer were studied in rats. The ulcer index and histological mucosa regeneration were evaluated. The ulcer index significantly decreased (U.I. 1.7+/-1.5; P<0.05) after treatment with a lyophilized decoction of T. divaricatum (500 mg/kg os), once daily for 7 days, compared to the control (U.I. 11.4+/-2.3). The ultrastructure modifications of gastric mucosa were observed by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) confirming the antisecretory effect exercised by administration of the T. divaricatum decoction. Treatment with T. divaricatum seems to block up parietal cell acid secretion and to stimulate in the chief cells the formation of zymogen granules.

Time-related ultrastructural changes in an experimental model of whole brain irradiation

To stimulate therapeutic irradiation, we exposed rats to conventional fractionation (200 +/- 4 cGy/d, 5 d/wk; total dose, 4000 cGy). The effects of this regimen were assessed by electron microscopic examinations of brain microvascular and parenchymal cells 15 and 90 days after irradiation. Studies of the transendothelial passage of horseradish peroxidase provided information about the functional status of the blood-brain barrier. At 15 days after irradiation, there was an increased vesicular transport of horseradish peroxidase across the intact endothelium without opening of the tight junctions, and without evidence of structural alterations of neuropil, neuronal bodies, and astrocytes. Ninety days after irradiation, well-defined ultrastructural alterations were observed, involving the microvasculature, the neuropil, the neuronal bodies, and astrocytes. The main ultrastructural feature of cortical microvessels was their collapsed aspect, associated with perivascular edema containing cell debris. Altered neurons and reactive activated astrocytes were also noticeable. These data suggest a possible association, not necessarily causal, between damage of the microvascular/glial unit of tissue injury and development of radiation-induced brain toxicity.

Progressive perturbations in cerebral energy metabolism after experimental whole-brain radiation in the therapeutic range

Basic mechanisms underlying the tolerance and reaction of the central nervous system to ionizing radiation have not been fully elucidated in the literature. The authors employed the [14C]-2-deoxy-D-glucose autoradiography method to investigate the effect of whole-brain x-irradiation on local cerebral glucose utilization in the rat brain. The animals were exposed to conventional fractionation (200 +/- 4 cGy/day, 5 days/week for a total dose of 4000 cGy), and the effects of this regimen were assessed at 2 weeks and 3 months postirradiation. In rats evaluated 2 weeks after treatment, statistically significant decreases in cerebral metabolic activity were found in 13 of the 27 regions studied, compared to control animals. In rats studied 3 months after treatment, additional metabolic suppression and statistically significant decreases in cerebral metabolic activity were found in 11 of the 27 regions, compared to rats studied 2 weeks after treatment. A weighted-average rate for the brain as a whole was approximately 15% and approximately 25% below that of control animals 2 weeks and 3 months after exposure, respectively. Although the difference in species is significant enough so that direct extrapolation to humans may not be appropriate, the data reported here may have potential clinical implications for the evaluation of the risk-benefit ratio for radiotherapy. This model can be used reproducibly for further investigations, including evaluation of therapies that may reduce irradiation-induced brain injury.

Palliative-radiotherapy in lumbosacral carcinomatous neuropathy

The authors report their own experience in obtaining pain relief in 13 recurrent or disseminated cancer patients affected by lumbosacral carcinomatous neuropathy (LCN). The site, where the disease involved the lumbosacral plexus or its branches, was palliatively irradiated with a few large fractions. The average duration of response was 196 days. Median survival (uncensored) was 185 days (range 47-636 days).

[Contribution of computerized tomography to the diagnosis of patients with non-calcified solitary pulmonary nodule, without known neoplasm]

We define a solitary pulmonary noncalcified nodule (NPS) as a single focal rounded or ovoid lesion in the lung parenchyma, less than 4 cm in diameter, without associated adenopathy, atelectasis or pneumonia. An NPS, in the absence of a known primary malignancy, can be lung cancer (NPSM), a metastasis of unknown origin (NPSMT), or a benign lesion (NPSB). The best approach to the management of NPS and the value of CT are still controversial and uncertain. The finding on cross-section CT of a bronchus leading directly to, or contained within, the nodule is called "positive CT bronchus sign" (CT-BS). Our study was aimed at investigating the usefulness of CT bronchus sign, as studied on thin-slice (2 mm thick) CT sections, in order to establish the most appropriate diagnostic sequence in patients with solitary noncalcified pulmonary nodules (NPS). We evaluated 47 NPS (9 NPSB, 34 NPSM and 4 NPSMT) with thin-slice CT to detect the presence of CT bronchus sign. Seventeen cases had CT-BS (15 NPSM; 1 NPSB; 1 NPSMT); of them, 13 were diagnosed by means of transbronchial biopsy and brushing (TBB). Only one case (NPSM) of the 30 (19 NPSM; 3 NPSMT; 8 NPSB) without CT-BS, was diagnosed by TBB. TBB was negative in the 9 NPSB. The CT-BS is not pathognomonic of malignancy; in fact, the sign was observed in NPSB (one tuberculoma) too. Our results suggest that the CT bronchus sign is valuable in predicting the success of TBB in malignant solitary pulmonary nodules. On the other hand, it seems to be useless for NPSB. Therefore, to establish the most appropriate diagnostic sequence, thin-section CT should be performed in each patient with peripheral noncalcified lung lesions to plan whether TBB or transthoracic needle aspiration should come next. If biopsy results are poor, either surgery or the "wait and watch for growth" approaches can be suggested. The choice can be guided by the presence of predisposing factors for cancer or infection.

[Conservative treatment of early breast carcinoma. Localization of the booster field]

The definition of the methods for localizing the booster field used in the conservative treatment of early breast cancer is often blurred in several studies in the current literature. This paper is aimed at reporting a surgical-radiological method more objective than the clinico-anamnestic one used, so far, for planning the booster field. To this purpose 33 patients underwent conservative surgery in healthy tissue and radiopaque clips were inserted at the margins of the excision cavity. The booster field as defined with clinico-anamnestic standards was then simulated and later verified by a radiation therapy simulator. The clinical fields thus set up were correct in 15/33 cases. The authors discuss their results and compare them with literature data. The importance of the use of the surgical-radiological method to localize the booster field is stressed.

[Cerebral metabolism and permeability of the hemato-encephalic barrier in an experimental model for brain radiotherapy]

Whole brain irradiation (WBR) can produce acute and chronic neurological adverse effects, which are usually divided into acute, early delayed and late delayed reactions according to the time of onset. To assess the impact of WBR on brain functional parameters during the early-delayed phase, we employed the [14C]-2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) and the [14C]-alfa-aminoisobutyric (AIB) acid quantitative autoradiographic techniques to study local cerebral glucose utilization and blood-brain barrier permeability, respectively. Sprague-Dowley albino rats were exposed to conventional fractionation (200 Gy/day 5 days a week) for a total dose of 4000 Gy. Experiments were made 3 weeks after completion of the radiation exposure. In comparison with control and sham-irradiated animals, cerebral metabolic activity was diffusely decreased following irradiation. As a rule, brain areas with the highest basal metabolic rates showed the highest percentage drop in glucose utilization. Changes in blood-brain barrier function, as assessed by an increased transcapillary transport of AIB, were also demonstrated in specific brain regions. This study illustrates how moderate doses of WBR induce well-defined changes in brain metabolism and BBB function, which are possibly involved in the pathogenesis of the early-delayed radiation-induced cerebral dysfunction in humans.

Effect of x-radiation to brain on cerebral glucose utilization in the rat

We assessed, by means of the [14C]-2-deoxy-D-glucose autoradiography method, the effect of whole-brain x-radiation on local cerebral glucose utilization in the rat brain. Animals were exposed to conventional fractionation (200 +/- cGy/day given 5 days a week) to a total dose of 4000 cGy. Metabolic experiments were made 2 weeks after completion of the radiation exposure. In comparison with control and sham-irradiated animals, cerebral metabolic activity was diffusely decreased following irradiation. Statistically significant decreases in metabolic activity were observed in 13 of 27 brain regions studied. In general, brain areas with the highest basal metabolic rates showed the greatest percentage drop of glucose utilization. Post-irradiation metabolic alterations possibly provide an explanation for the syndrome of early delayed deterioration observed in humans after whole-brain radiotherapy.

[Prognosis of colorectal tumors in patients with synchronous polyps]

A retrospective study was carried out in 110 patients who underwent colon resection for cancer of the colon-rectum. Polypoid formation reappeared in 10 (21.5%) patients in whom synchronous polyps were found around carcinoma during initial staging; during the follow-up polyps were only found in 3% of patients in whom synchronous polyps had not been documented. A similar ratio was found in the incidence of neoplastic recurrences which was greater (14%) in patients with synchronous polyps. This incidence was higher in cases with multiple polyps and/or polyps larger than 2 cm in size, and in relation to their histological type. The authors suggest that a more comprehensive operation, for example subtotal colectomy, should be performed in patients at greater risk to develop a second primary carcinoma, and/or that a particularly careful post-operative follow-up should be carried out in these patients.

Steroid patterns of benign breast disease

We briefly review some biochemical aspects of benign breast disease (BBD), mainly focusing on free and conjugate estrogen content of breast cyst fluid (BCF), also in relation to cyst type. Evidence is reported that high K(+)-type I-cysts clearly associate with low Cl- levels and accumulate significantly higher quantities of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) and estrone-3-sulfate (E1S). In spite of the limited number of cases, both increasing DHAS and E1S levels correlate with the increment of K+ to Na+ ratio. A positive correlation was also found between DHAS and E1S. Using electrochemical detection (ECD) on-line to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the reverse phase mode, we also studied the free estrogen profile. We observed that in type I BCF there are significantly increased amounts of free estrone (E1). The E1S to E1 ratio was significantly different in the two cyst subpopulations; again, a positive correlation was found between free and sulfated E1 (r = 0.820, p less than 10(-6). This last, together with other experimental observations, allows us to hypothesize that in BCF a main pathway of steroids should be E1S----E1. Besides, high specific activity of sulfatase, as well as beta-glucuronidase enzymes, has been demonstrated for BBD. Preliminary information is also reported concerning the BCF pattern of free estrogens, including the highly polar ones, i.e., catecholestrogens (CCE) and the parent methoxy (MeO) conjugates, which represent, in BCF, a predominant portion of all free estrogens. Both CCE levels and ratios appear unevenly distributed in the two different cyst types. In addition, some BCFs show very high concentrations of 16 alpha-OH-E1. Further studies are needed to answer the main question: whether estrogen patterns could represent additive parameters to further categorize breast cystic disease (BCD) or whether they are of minor interest to determine patients' risk of developing breast cancer.