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The association between kidney and liver polycystosis and arterial aneurysms is well documented. However, it remains unclear whether these patients are at increased risk of malignant transformation. In this article, we describe a case of a primary angiosarcoma of the femoral artery with metastatic spread into the lungs and hilar lymph node arising in a 74-year-old man with kidney and liver polycystosis and multiple arterial aneurysms., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Cryptostephanus vansonii I. Verd., an endemic Amaryllidaceae species from Zimbabwe, was evaluated for its acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory and cytotoxicity properties using Ellman's colorimetric method and the tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay against Vero monkey kidney cells, respectively. The plant extracts were also evaluated for their antibacterial activity against five bacteria. Furthermore, phytochemical profiles of the extracts were determined using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry analysis. A plant part-dependent AChE inhibitory activity was observed, in the order, root > rhizome > basal leaf > leaf. Overall, C. vansonii extracts exhibited better antibacterial activity against Gram-negative compared with Gram-positive bacteria. Cytotoxic effects were not detected in Vero monkey kidney cell lines suggesting the possible absence of toxophores in C. vansonii extracts. Similar to the trend in biological activity, a distinct plant part-dependent variation in hydroxybenzoates, hydroxycinnamates and flavonoids was observed in the plant extracts. In addition, 5-hydroxymetylfurfural and eucomic acid were detected in the different plant parts of C. vansonii. The results of the present study provide valuable AChE inhibition activity, toxicological and phytochemical profiles of C. vansonii. Further studies on isolation of bioactive compounds and their subsequent evaluation in other pharmacological and toxicological model systems are required. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., (Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Colorectal cancer represents the most common tumour of the gastrointestinal tract and the second most common tumour in men as well as women. The trend of increasing incidence of colorectal cancer is alerting. We undertook a retrospective study on 588 patients with rectal cancer and operated by rectal resection with anastomosis between the years 2002-2012. In our sample, we observed 54 (9.2 %) cases of anastomosis insufficiencies requiring reoperation. Out of 54 insufficient anastomoses, 36 (66 %) were in the lower two thirds of the rectum and only 18 (34 %) in the oral one. Although we have observed similar occurrences of anastomosis insufficiency in both groups - classical vs. staple suture (9.5 % and 9.0 %, respectively), the majority of stapler anastomoses (94 %) were made in the aboral part of the rectum. However, we can state that a majority of authors prefer the staple anastomosis as the one with lowest risk, mainly in the distal region of anastomosis. The high ligation of inferior mesenteric artery was performed in 182 (31 %) patients; out of these, we observed anastomosis insufficiency in 12 cases (22 %), which is exactly similar to that in the group of patients without high ligation of the inferior mesenteric artery. We did not observe the use of antibiotics in therapeutical doses as a positive factor for anastomosis insufficiencies, and neither was oncological therapy observed as a risk factor. In our group of patients we agreed that age, level of anastomosis and corticosteroids are high-risk factors. The purpose of these reports, is for the sake of future to share and reference our experiences with cases of rectal and rectosigmoideal resection over the last 11 years. We consider it important to reference our results, especially the risk factors regarding the healing of rectal anastomosis, because anastomotic healing is a surgical problem with potentially deadly consequences for patients (Tab. 4, Ref. 24).

The possibility of the use of heteropoly anions formed by addition of phosphate to the solutions of either molybdate or tungstate in the determination of phosphorus by the simple method of potentiometric titration was studied. The heteropoly anions are titrated on the ion-pairing principle using a titrant containing a lipophilic counter-ion, i.e. 1-(ethoxycarbonyl)pentadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (Septonex), the titration being monitored by carbon paste electrode, although other liquid membrane-based electrodes can also be used. Calibration plots of the titrant end-point consumption vs. concentration are not linear, but allow one to evaluate the content of phosphorus. Similar procedures, when optimized, should be elaborated for determination of numerous other elements forming heteropoly anions.

Carcinomatous tissue consumes intensely polyenic fatty acids which are the building elements of growing biomembranes. The authors compared plasma levels of essential fatty acids (EFA) in three groups of subjects: 1. patients with carcinoma, 2. control group, 3. groups with sub-nutrition. The profile in these three groups differs significantly. In patients with carcinoma the level of derived EFA is reduced (20:4w6, 20:5w3, 22:6w3), while primary EFA (linoleic acid 18:2w6) is unaltered. The results suggest that in patients with carcinoma there is a specific reduction of EFA essential for the formation of cellular biomembranes. The reduction is probably due to the increased consumptions of derived EFA by carcinomatous tissues.

The effects of polyunsaturated fatty acids of the omega-3 family (PUFA n-3), (addition of fish oil), on the molecular composition of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides in plasma and liver perfusate of rats were studied. Rats fed a diet rich in saturated fatty acids (addition of lard) served as controls. Supplemention with PUFA n-3 not only decreases the plasma concentrations of free cholesterol, cholesteryl esters, and triglycerides, it also significantly alters the plasma composition of cholesteryl esters and triglycerides. Analyses of liver perfusate indicate a decrease in triglycerides secretion by in vitro perfused liver and reciprocal changes in relative contents of cholesteryl esters fractions with C(16) and C(20) acyl chains. This finding may be a result of chain-shortening of long-chain fatty acids probably in peroxisomal beta-oxidative system. Alterations in plasma cholesteryl esters and triglycerides composition of the fish oil group could be affected further by additional factors such as increased plasma cholesterol esterification activity and presence of triglyceride species of intestinal origin.