The Roles of miRNAs in Medulloblastoma: A Systematic Review

Medulloblastoma is considered one of the most threatening malignant brain tumors with an extremely high mortality rate in children. In the medulloblastoma, there are several genes and mutations found to work in an unregulated manner that works together to push the cells into a cancerous state. With the discovery of non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs), it has been shown that a different layer of gene regulations may be disrupted which would cause cancer. This fact led scientists to put their focus on the role of miRNAs in cancer. A mature miRNA contains a seed sequence which gives the miRNA to identify and attach to the interest mRNA; this attachment may lead degradation of mRNA or suppress of translation of the mRNA. The expression of miRNAs in medulloblastoma shows that some of these non-coding RNAs are overexpressed (OncomiRs) which help cells to proliferate and keep their stemness features. On the other hand, there are other forms of these miRNAs which normally inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell differentiation (tumor suppressor). These are down-regulated during cancer progression. In this systematic review, we attempted to gather several important studies on miRNAs’ role in medulloblastoma tumors and the importance of these non-coding RNAs in the future study of cancer.

Evaluation of sHLA-G levels in serum of patients with prostate cancer identify as a potential of tumor marker / 대한해부학회지

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer type in men and is the second cause of death, due to cancer, in patients over 50, after lung cancer. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) is a widely used tumor marker for prostate cancer. Recently, PSA is discovered in non-prostatic cancer tissues in men and women raising doubts about its specificity for prostatic tissues. PSA exists in low serum level in healthy men and in higher levels in many prostate disorders, including prostatitis and prostate cancer. Thus, a supplementary tumor marker is needed to accurately diagnose the cancer and to observe the patient after treatment. Recently, soluble human leukocyte antigen-G (sHLA-G) has been introduced as a new tumor marker for different cancer types, including colorectal, breast, lung, and ovary. The present descriptive-experimental study was carried out including patients with malignant prostate tumor, patients with benign prostate tumor, and a group of health men as the control group, as judged by an oncologist as well as a pathologist. After sterile blood sampling, sHLA-G was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in each group. The data was then analyzed using one-way ANOVA. P≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The results showed that the mean of sHLA-G level was high in patients. Also, it was found that there was a significant difference in sHLA serum level between the three groups. The data revealed that sHLA-G can be a novel supplementary tumor marker in addition to PSA to diagnose prostate cancer.

Genomic Profiling of Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia: Basic and Clinical Approach

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a hematological stem cell cancer driven by BCR-ABL1 fusion protein. We review the previous and recent evidence on the significance of CML in diagnostic and clinic management. The technical monitoring of BCR-ABL1 with quantitative real time-PCR has been used in assessing patient outcome. The cytogenetic mark of CML is Philadelphia chromosome, that is formed by reciprocal chromosomal translocations between human chromosome 9 and 22, t(9:22) (q³⁴:q¹¹). It makes a BCR-ABL1 fusion protein with an anomaly tyrosine kinase activity that promotes the characteristic proliferation of progenitor cells in CML and acute lymphoblastic lymphoma. The targeting of BCR-ABL1 fusion kinase is the first novel paradigm of molecularly targeted curing.

Spiritual Therapy in Coping with Cancer as a Complementary Medical Preventive Practice

There are many of methods of treating cancer. However, the concept of curing the cancer is beyond our current knowledge. Some patients who have the cancer may seek an alternative manner of curing their disease. Alternative medicines, such as spiritual and complementary therapy, are able to cure the cancer and, at the least, are safe. Research on the importance of spirituality in cancer care has mainly been performed in geographically heterogeneous populations. The results are limited to these specific religious-cultural contexts and enlightened by contributions from ethnicity and religion. This article focused on the religiousness and spiritual support of cancer patients from diverse and heterogeneous groups around the globe. An electronic search of peer-reviewed articles was systematically performed to obtain the relevant literature with the CINAHL, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases. The keywords included religion, cancer, illness, psychotherapy, and spiritual and alternative treatment/therapies. The inclusion criteria for the reviews were that the documents were original quantitative research and published in English. Articles that were not directly relevant to the present objective were excluded. The present outcome of these review resources suggest that it may be helpful for clinicians to address spirituality, particularly with regard to prevention, healing, and survival of cancer patients. This article indicates that it may be useful for clinical oncologists to be informed of the prevalence of the use of spiritual medicine in their specialized field. In addition, patients should routinely be asked about the use of spiritual medicine as part of every cancer patient' evaluation.

Erratum to: Evaluation of sHLA-G levels in serum of patients with prostate cancer identify as a potential of tumor marker / 대한해부학회지

No abstract available.

VDR and CYP24A1 expression analysis in Iranian relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients

Objective: Multiple sclerosis [MS] is a common disease of the central nervous system. This disease may be initiated by either vitamin deficiency or triggered by abnormality in CYP24A1 and vitamin D receptor

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, the expression of genes encoding vitamin D receptor [VDR] and CYP24A1 in relapsing-remitting MS [RR-MS] patients was compared with normal individuals in the Iranian population. RNA from whole blood of 50 RR-MS patients [HLA-DRB1*15-negative and responders to interferon-beta with a normal vitamin D level] and 50 normal controls was extracted. The levels of CYP24A1 and VDR expression were measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction

Results: The RR-MS group had a significantly more than 2 times higher expression level of VDR than the normal group [P=0.04]. On the other hand, there was a 0.89 times decrease in the expression level of CYP24A1 in RR-MS patients which was not statistically significant. There was no linear correlation between the risk of expanded disability status scale of Kurtzke [EDSS] and the expression level of either CYP24A1 or VDR. In addition, the expression level of CYP24A1 or VDR was not correlated with the duration of the disease

Conclusion: Up-regulation of VDR is likely to happen in RR-MS patients in the Iranian population. We did not observe a gene expression-phenotype correlation for CYP24A1 which may be due to limited statistical power as a result of the small sample size. Although the individuals taking part in this study had normal levels of vitamin D, the increase in VDR expression levels may perhaps be a response to a defect in vitamin D processing. Another possibility is that despite an increase in VDR expression level, factors such as micro-RNAs may result in their deactivation while an increase in VDR expression level can be seen as a compensatory response. Of course, further studies are required to identify the mechanism of action of vitamin D by analyzing genes involved in its signaling pathway, particularly VDR and CYP24A1

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency does not increase the susceptibility of sperm to oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂ / 대한생식의학회지

OBJECTIVE: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common human enzyme defect. G6PD plays a key role in the pentose phosphate pathway, which is a major source of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH). NADPH provides the reducing equivalents for oxidation-reduction reductions involved in protecting against the toxicity of reactive oxygen species such as H₂O₂. We hypothesized that G6PD deficiency may reduce the amount of NADPH in sperms, thereby inhibiting the detoxification of H₂O₂, which could potentially affect their motility and viability, resulting in an increased susceptibility to infertility. METHODS: Semen samples were obtained from four males with G6PD deficiency and eight healthy males as a control. In both groups, motile sperms were isolated from the seminal fluid and incubated with 0, 10, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 120 µM concentrations of H2O2. After 1 hour incubation at 37℃, sperms were evaluated for motility and viability. RESULTS: Incubation of sperms with 10 and 20 µM H₂O₂ led to very little decrease in motility and viability, but motility decreased notably in both groups in 40, 60, and 80 µM H₂O₂, and viability decreased in both groups in 40, 60, 80, and 120 µM H₂O₂. However, no statistically significant differences were found between the G6PD-deficient group and controls. CONCLUSION: G6PD deficiency does not increase the susceptibility of sperm to oxidative stress induced by H₂O₂, and the reducing equivalents necessary for protection against H₂O₂ are most likely produced by other pathways. Therefore, G6PD deficiency cannot be considered as major risk factor for male infertility.

Application of multiplex PCR for Rapid and sensitive detection of human papillomaviruses in cervical cancer

Objectives: Reffering to an increase in cervical cancer in the recent years, rapid, sensitive and economical detection of human papillomaviruses [HPVs] as causative agents of cervical cancer is important. The traditional methods for the detection of HPVs in cervical cancer, such as pap smear, suffer from limitation and PCR has a potential to overcome the limitaitons. The purpose of present research work was to identify the five important strains of HPV [16, 18, 31, 33 and 45] simultaneously by Multiplex PCR application

Methods: Study was done on 100 cervical lesions of women. DNA was extracted from specimens by a genomic DNA purification kit. A 5-plex PCR was developed for the simultaneous detection of major HPV. Five pair of new primers was designed for detection of HPV 16, 18, 31, 33 and 45 by Multiplex PCR

Results: Among the 100 evaluated samples, 82 were found positive to HPVs. In the meantime the highest rate of infection was for HPV 16. Also 30 of HPV positive samples had infections with two or more HPV types

Conclusion: Multiplex PCR assay used in present study can provide a rapid, sensitive and economical method for detection of viral infections and is applicable to small volumes of vaginal samples

New developments in chronic myeloid leukemia: implications for therapy

Context: Chronic myeloid leukemia [CML] is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by overproduction of immature and matured myeloid cells in the peripheral blood, bone marrow and spleen

Evidence Acquisition: A hallmark of CML is the presence of [9; 22] [q34; q11] reciprocal translocation, which is cytogenetically visible as Philadelphia chromosome [Ph] and results in the formation of BCR-ABL1 fusion protein. This fusion protein is a constitutively active tyrosine kinase which is necessary and sufficient for malignant transformation. The introduction of imatinib, a BCR-ABL1- targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitor [TKI] has revolutionized CML therapy. Subsequently, two other TKIs with increased activity against BCR-ABL1, dasatinib and nilotinib, were developed and approved for CML patients. Nevertheless, CML therapy faces major challenges

Results: The first is the development of resistance to BCR-ABL1 inhibitors in some patients, which can be due to BCR-ABL1 overexpression, differences in cellular drug influx and efflux, activation of alternative signaling pathways, or emergence of BCR-ABL1 kinase domain mutations during TKI treatment. The second is the limited efficiency of BCR-ABL1-TKIs in blast crisis [BC] CML. The third is the insensitivity of CML stem cells to BCR-ABL1 inhibitors. Conventional chemotherapeutics and BCR-ABL1 inhibitors which act by inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis, are ineffective against quiescent CML stem cells

Conclusions: A better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie TKI resistance, progression to BC, genomic instability and stem cell quiescence is essential to develop curative strategies for patients with CML

Chromosome structural alteration an unusual abnormality characterizing human neoplasia

Background and Aim: Ring chromosomes are rare cytogenetic abnormalities that occur in less than 10% of hematopoietic malignancies. They are rare in blood disorder. The present review has focused on the ring chromosome associated with oncology malignancies

Materials and Methods: By reviewing the web-based search for all English scientific peer review articles published, was initiated using Medline/PubMed, Mitelman database [http:/cgap.nci.nih.gov/Chromosomes/Mitelman], and other pertinent references on websites about ring chromosomes in Oncology. The software program as End Note was used to handle the proper references for instruction to author. Karyotype descriptions were cited according to ISCN

Conclusion: Ring chromosomes are rare chromosomal aberrations, almost many times are of de novo origin, presenting a different phenotype regarding the loss of genetic material. The karyotype represents the main analysis for detection of ring chromosomes, but other molecular technics are necessary for complete characterization. The information of this review article adds to the spectrum of both morphology and genetic rearrangements in the field of oncology malignancies

Anticancer activity of curcumin on human breast adenocarcinoma: role of Mcl-1 gene

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death among females in the world. To date, chemotherapy has been the most frequently used treatment for breast cancer and other cancers. However, some natural products have been used, as alternative treatments for cancers including breast cancer, due to their wide range of biological activities and low toxicity in animal models. The present study examined the anti-proliferative activity of curcumin and its effect[s] on the apoptosis of breast cancer cells. This study was performed by an in vitro assay and the anticancer effects of curcumin were determined by MTT [3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide]. We used quantitative real time Polymerase Chain Reaction [PCR] for detection of Mcl-1 gene expression in treated groups and then compared them to control samples. In the treatment group, there were higher levels of cell death changes than the control group. The results also showed that the Mcl-1 gene expression declined in the tested group as compared to the control group. Our present findings indicated that curcumin significantly inhibited the growth of human breast cancer cell MCF-7 by inducing apoptosis in a dose- and time- dependent manner, accompanied by a decrease in MCF-7 cell viability. Furthermore, our results showed that quantitative real-time PCR could be used as a direct method for detection Mcl-1 gene expression in tested samples and normal samples

Reverse staining method of polyacrylamide gels by imidazole-zinc salts for detection and purification of L1 capsid protein in E.coli

The human papillomavirus L1 major capsid protein [HPV L1], the basis of the current vaccines, self-assembles into virus-like particles [VLPs]. Herein, we describe the expression and purification of recombinant HPV16 L1 in E. coli system. The L1 protein was generated in a fused form using an inducible expression system. The recombinant GST-L1 fusion protein migrated as a 82 kDa protein in SDS-PAGE. The L1 proteins formed inclusion bodies which were purified by Zn+2 reverse staining of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gels [SDS-PAGE] as a sensitive detection method. In western blotting, the existence of a 82 kDa band for GST-L1 protein was confirmed by anti-HPV16 L1 monoclonal antibody Camvir 1. The purified protein fraction was concentrated by ultrafiltration and dialyzed against PBS. This study has implications for the development of L1 protein purification as well as chromatographic separation used by other studies. Indeed, we could present a simple method to purify L1 protein in E. coli

Study of pentoxifylline drug effect on Bax gene expression changes in kidney after ischemic/reperfusion in rat

Ischemia Reperfusion injury is the tissue damage caused when blood supply returns to the tissue after a period of ischemia or lack of oxygen. Ischemia Reperfusion induces cell death and endemic reaction that is one of the most important clinical problems with acute renal failure and renal transplantation. In this study, the effect of pentoxifylline on rat kidney function and cell injury following Ischemia Reperfusion were evaluated. In this experimental study, 20 male wistar rats with average weight of 250-300g were selected and then were accidently divided them on two tenth group of control and treatment groups. In the control group, celiotomy was performed by ventral midline incision. The left kidney was isolated, and then both the renal artery and vein were obstructed. After 60 minutes of warm ischemia, vessel obstruction resolved and the right kidney was removed. 72 hours after reperfusion, tissue samples were taken from left kidney for histopathology. All these steps in treatment group were exactly repeated after administration of 45 mg/kg/PO pentoxifylline [3 hours before operation] and in this group treatment was continued every 12h until 3 days. In this research quantitative real-time PCR is used for the detection expression Bax gene in ischemia group and PNT drug group and compared to normal sample .The results showed the gene dosage ratio of 1.24 for ischemia groups and 0.64 for drug group. The results showed the expression Bax gene in PNT group decline than to ischemia group. Therefore, quantitative real time PCR could be used as a direct method for detection of Bax gene expression in tested and normal samples

structure biology and application of phytohemagglutinin [PHA] in phytomedicine: with special up-to-date references to lectins

Lectins first discovered more than 100 years ago in plants, they are now known to be present throughout nature. Phytohemagglutinin [PHA], the lectin extract from the red kidney bean [Phaseolus Vulgaris], contain potent, cell agglutinating and mitogenic activities. They play a role in biological recognition phenomena involving cells and proteins towards medical applications. The present article is a brief review of the history of lectin in nature. By reviewing the web-based search for all types of peer review articles published, was initiated using ISI web of Sciences and Medline / PubMed, and other pertinent references on websites about lectins. Here, we present a brief account of 100-plus years of lectin research and show how these proteins have become the focus of intense interest for biologists and in particular for the research and applications in medicine. Phytohemagglutinin, has been widely used for mitotic stimulation to human lymphocytes, cell arrest, or apoptosis, potential sources for developing novel pharmaceutical preparation and intensive interest for health care services, biologist and phytomedicine research can be considered

Cytogenetic risks and possible adverse health effects by narcotic substances dependent

Illicit drug abuse has crossed social, economic, and geographical borders, and remains one of the major health problems that modern society is facing worldwide. The role of multiple drug abuse as a basic for chromosome damage has been overlooked and it is important to determine its possible adverse health effects. This study aimed to compare the frequency of chromosomal damages between drug addicts and free drug controls. Cytogenetic study was obtained from 146 illicit drug-users and 200 free drug controls. Subjects were grouped into three categories depending on main drug of dependence. Cytogenetic studies on cultured lymphocytes showed an increase the frequency of chromosomal damages among addicts including opiate [5.89%], heroin [7.65%], and crystal [4.9%] when compared with drug free controls [1.45%]. The frequency of chromosomal abnormalities was breaks, gaps, marker, and acentric, respectively. Our findings are also important as they are among the first to suggest here, illicit drug addiction continue to be significant public health problems in Iran

Variant complex chromosome translocation with chronic and acute myeloid leukemia

A large number of simple or complex translocation involving the CML and AML chromosomal abnormalities has been described. This study was aimed to investigate the complex chromosome aberrations in the series of myeloid malignancies including CML and AML. The present report deals analyzed 187 consecutive with CML and AML patients, using Methotrexate cell synchronization and un-stimulated cultures of cells to determine the incidence of chromosomal aberrations and association of complex variant chromosome anomalies according to French American British morphological subtypes. The results revealed an abnormal karyotype with a novel complex translocation involving chromosomes 1,2,4,9,11,22. Complex variant translocations were found in two cases of AML and two cases of CML. The present reports provides sufficient grounds for assuming that a chromosomes involving of complex abnormalities plays an important role in the development of malignancy

Major congenital metabolic disorders in the first 12 years of life in 79,100 consecutively born children in Qazvin province

Deficient enzyme activity may cause congenital metabolic defects. These defects are inherited in an autosomal recessive, autosomal dominant, and X-linked patterns. This study was aimed at investigating the occurrence of metabolic diseases in Qazvin Province. This cross-sectional study was performed on 79,100 children aged 12 years or less between 2000 and 2010. Clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and all other essential information were assessed to precisely diagnose the metabolic diseases. The sorted information on congenital metabolic defects of the patients, information included in a checklist, and data were analyzed using SPSS. A total of 57 metabolic disorders were recorded. The difference in the prevalence of metabolic disorders between male [29 cases] and female [28 cases] was not statistically significant. The most frequent congenital metabolic disorder among our patients was phenylketonuria [PKU; 5 per 1,000 cases], and the least common disorder was galactosemia [3 per 1,000 cases]. Timely detection and management of congenital metabolic disorders can help save the affected children. Prenatal screening programs, molecular gene therapy, and counseling for consanguineous marriage can play important roles in reducing the rate of metabolic disorders in this province

Parallel increases in heterochromatin variants and chromosome damages in drugs addicts

Polymorphisms of the size of heterochromatin regions and abnormalities of chromosomes have been well documented in human genome; they consist of DNA sequences that are not transcribed. The prime aim of the present study was to evaluate the heterochromatin polymorphism and numerical and structural abnormalities associated with chromosomes in drug addicts. No data exists in Iran regarding the cytogenetic characteristics of drug addiction lymphocytes. Therefore, cytogenetic investigations were performed in 93 drug addiction lymphocytes and 93 normal controls. This randomized collected study was conducted on 93 consecutive drug addiction individuals and 93 healthy individuals in Loghman and private hospitals, Tehran, Iran between the years 2007-2009. By applying Barium Hydroxide saline Giemsa [BSC] method, the variant heterochromatin polymorphism of chromosomes 1, 9 and 16 on lymphocyte cultures were evaluated. Cytogenetic analysis was performed in drug addicts' lymphocytes cultures.Constitutive heterochromatin polymorphism of chromosomes 1 in drug addicts revealed statistical significant when compared with chromosome of healthy controls [P=0.004]. The differences were significant for chromosome 9 [P=0.029], it was 94.1% in drug addiction and 5.9% in the control group [P=0.196]. The differences were also significant for chromosome 16: it was 91.9% in addicts and 8.1% in the control group [P=0.052]. Also the frequency of partial and complete inversion did not show any significant differences between the drugs addicts and the control group. The occurrence of chromosomal defects including, chromatid break [12 addicts], chromatid gap [8 addicts], dicentric [2 addicts], was higher in our observation. Our constitutive heterochromatin polymorphism blocks and chromosomal abnormalities in drugs addicts' chromosome may provide an opportunity to serve as a marker for the detection and characterization of the damages chromosomes in drug addicts

Persistent unstable chromosomal aberrations in lymphocytes of radiotherapy workers after 1[st] mitotic divison in Tehran, Iran

Studies indicate that ionizing radiation can induce persistent genetic instability in a high proportion of exposed cells. It has also been reported that exposure of radiotherapy workers to ionizing radiation causes chromosomal damages. Some of the damaged cells show a large number of aberrations such as dicentrics, polycentrics, rings, and numerous acentric fragments.To determine, whether chromosomal damages can be used as a biomarker of possible radiation in occupational exposure in a hospital setting. In this study, chromosome abnormalities were evaluated in peripheral blood lymphocytes from fifty medical radiotherapy workers who handled ionizing radiation for an average of twelve years, and forty three control individuals who did not knowingly come in contact with any radiation source. Chromosome aberrations were evaluated by the conventional solid stain technique. Dicentrics, fragments, followed by ring chromosomes, as well as total chromosome aberrations were elevated in the experimental group. We did not observe any aneuploidy chromosome in the present study. Although the level of exposure was below the annual permissible limit of twenty mSv/y recommended by the International Commission for Radiation Protection for whole body exposure, the mean frequencies of different chromosomal aberrations were higher in radiotherapy workers compared with controls [P=0.041]. Although the mean frequencies of chromosomal aberrations in the female workers [3.5 +/- 1.42] was slightly higher than in males [3.28 +/- 0.95], there was no significant differences [P=0.74] in the frequency of chromosome aberration between males and females of ionizing radiotherapy workers. The results of this study underscore the need of adopting measures to avoid or minimize overexposure to radiation in hospital settings

Specific chromosomal abnormalities in patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia from the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Cytogenetic analysis performed at diagnosis is considered to be the most valuable prognostic factor in acute non-lymphocytic leukemia (ANLL), a very heterogeneous disease. Little data exist in Iran regarding the cytogenetic characteristics of ANLL . Therefore, cytogenetic investigations were performed for 58 patients with various subtypes of ANLL with unstimulated short term culture and high resolution cell synchronization techniques. Among the 58 evaluated patients, 45 (77.5%) showed clonal karyotypic abnormalities and the percentages of the abnormal cells were recorded within the range of 30%-100%. Some 14 were classified as M1, 20 as M2, 19 as M3 , 3 as M4, 1 as M5 and 1 as M6. The most common chromosome rearrangements were t(15;17), t( 8;21) and t(9;22). Trisomy of chromosome 8 (+8) was the most frequent numerical alteration in 3 patients with M1, M2 and M6. The incidence of other chromosomal defects, including -10, DMCs , -19 , 5q- , dicentric(dic), chromatid breaks, and marker chromosomes was relatively high. Similarities and dissimilarities of our study with others may be due to the role of genetic sensitivities as well as uneven geographic distribution in the pathogenesis of ANLL. Further prospective studies are warranted to precisely elucidate ethnic differences in the pathogenesis of this disease in different populations.