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Objective: To evaluate the multi-parametric MRI in predicting chemotherapy response in pathologically proven cases of osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma. Correlation between the tumor size changes and internal breakdown using RECIST 1.1, modified RECIST, quantitative ADC and tumor volume as well as dynamic contrast enhanced MRI. Methods: The study included 104 patients pathologically proved osteosarcoma (53) and Ewing`s sarcoma (51) underwent MRI examinations; beforeand after chemotherapy. All patients were assessed using the RECIST 1.1 criteria, m-RECIST, quantitative ADC, and tumor volume evaluation. 21 patients underwent DCE-MRI curve type with quantitative parameters. Correlation between the different evaluations was carried out. Results were correlated with the postoperative pathology in 42 patients who underwent surgery and for statistical evaluation, Those patients were classified into responders (≥90% necrosis) and non-responders (<90% necrosis). Results: The initial mean ADC of 104 patients of osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma (0.90 ± 0.29) and (0.71 ± 0.16) respectively, differed significantly from that after treatment (1.62 ± 0.46) and (1.6 ± 0.39) respectively with (P<0.001). ADC variations (ADC%) in the non-progressive group were higher than those of the progressive group (128.3 ± 63.49 vs 36.34 ± 78.7) % with (P<0.001). ADC values and ADC variations were inversely correlated with morphologic changes, regardless of the effectiveness of chemotherapy expressed as changes in tumor size based on (RECIST 1.1, RECIST, and 3D volume). Linear regression analysis revealed a Pearson correlation coefficient of r=(-0.427, -0.498 and -0.408), respectively with (P<0.001). An increase in the ADC value was not always associated with a reduction in tumor volume. The disease control rate (defined as the percentage of CR+PR+SD patients) was 89.4% and 93.9% according to RECIST 1.1 and m-RECIST respectively. 42 out of the 104 patients had postsurgical histological evaluation as regards the chemotherapeutic response divided into two groups. ADC values showed a statistically significant difference between Group A and Group B being more evident with minimum ADC% (P<0.001). Conclusion: Quantitative DW imaging with ADC mapping and ADC % after chemotherapy allows a detailed analysis of the treatment response in osteosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma. The therapeutic response can be underestimated using RECIST 1.1, so the modified RECIST should be also considered. Advances in knowledge: Quantitative ADC especially ADC% provided an accurate non-invasive tool in the assessment of post-therapeutic cases of osteosarcoma and Ewing's sarcoma

BackgroundThe beneficial effects of the polyphenol (PP) rich fruits and Lactic acid bacteria fermented foods had been reported as cost-effective strategies for health promotion. Randomized controlled trial was designed to test the hypothesis that daily intake of polyphenol rich pomegranate juice (PGJ) or/ and lactic acid bacteria fermented sobya (FS) improved selected biomarkers of relevance to heath status.MethodsThe design of the human trial consisted of 35 healthy adults, who were distributed to 5 equal groups; The first group served as control and received no supplements; the second group received fresh apricot fruits (200 g); the third (PGJ) (250 g), the fourth a mixture of PGJ (150 g) and FS (140 g) and the fifth group received (FS) (170 g). The supplements were served daily between 5 – 6 pm for 21 days. Blood and urine samples were collected at days zero and 22 of the dietary intervention. The supplements were analyzed chemically for (PP) contents and total antioxidative activities and microbiologically for selected bacteria and yeast counts. The blood samples were assayed for plasma antioxidative activities and for erythrocytic glutathione transferase activity (E-GST). Urine samples were analyzed for the excretions of total PP, antioxidative activity and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Statistical analysis: Two way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted and included the main effects of treatment, time and treatment x time interaction.ResultsDaily intake of (PGJ) for 3 weeks significantly increased the plasma and urinary anti-oxidative activities and reduced the urinary excretion of (TBARS). Daily intake of (FS) for 3 weeks increased only (E-GST) activity. Daily intake of a mixture of PGJ and (FS) was also effective.ConclusionsThe daily intakes of PGJ and/ or (FS) affected positively selected biomarkers of relevance to health status. These functional foods have potential implication for use as bio-therapeutic foods.Trial registrationThe study was approved by the research ethical committee of the Ministry of Health & population, Egypt. The trial registration - the unique identifying number. (REC) decision No 12-2013-9, which complied with the Declaration of Helsinki guidelines (2004). The protocol was fully explained to all subjects and written informed consent was obtained before their participation in the trial.

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Insecticides are widely employed in agriculture to control pests and as major factors for enhancing crop productivity. Thiacloprid (TH) is one of the most-used insecticides worldwide. In this study, the negative impact of TH on the brain tissue of developing chicken embryo models and the modulatory effect of chicoric (CA) and rosmarinic (RA) acids were investigated. The eggs were injected in ovo with different doses of TH (0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μg/egg). TH significantly increased the oxidative damage in the brain of exposed embryos in a dose-dependent manner (p < 0.05). TH significantly elevated the oxidative stress markers; protein carbonyl, malondialdehyde content, and DNA damage (p < 0.05). Myeloperoxidase activity and nitric oxide significantly increased with overexpression of the pro-inflammatory cytokines (interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and interleukin-1 beta) and stress-related and apoptotic genes (NF-KB, Caspase-3) in the brain tissue on both biochemical and molecular levels (p < 0.05), while downregulating the expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2. Co-treatment of CA and RA with TH markedly decreased the insecticide-induced toxicity with a prominent synergistic effect (p < 0.05). In conclusion, TH is suggested to be a possible neurotoxic to embryos of vertebrates including human. The study also revealed the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, genoprotective, and antiapoptotic property of CA and RA against TH toxicity.