ABSTRACT
Endosonography is a distinct method in evaluating gastrointestinal [GI] structural lesions, particularly in the pancreatobiliary system. This procedure has made a fundamental change in the diagnosis of pancreatic mass lesions through fine needle aspiration [FNA]. This study aims to evaluate the results and efficacy of endosonographic fine needle aspiration [EUS-FNA] in patients presenting with solid pancreatic masses. This was a descriptive, prospective, case series study of patients who presented with solid pancreatic masses to Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tehran, Iran over a one year period [from November 2009-2010] In order to determine false negative cases, patients were followed for 6 to 12 months. A total of 53 patients underwent EUS-FNA with no complications. The results were diagnostic in 46 [87%] cases. The majority of patients were male [68%] and 81% had a mass in the pancreatic head. Cytopathology results revealed 36 [68%] adenocarcinomas, 7 [13%] other malignancies, 3 [6%] benign lesions and 7 [13%] nondiagnostic cases. The frequency of nondiagnostic results was significantly more in masses smaller than 3 cm [6 vs. 1, p < 0.002]. Patients with nondiagnostic results were younger than those with malignant cytopathologies [52 +/- 7.5 vs. 66 +/- 7.5 years, p < 0.001]. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy of EUS-FNA in adenocarcinoma cases were 88%, 100%, 100%, 70% and 90%, respectively. EUS-FNA is an effective and safe procedure in the histopathologic diagnosis of pancreatic tumors
ABSTRACT
E-cadherin is a calcium-dependent molecule that contributes to intercellular adhesion. Its proper functioning is important in the maintenance of epithelial structure and integrity. E-cadherin serves as a very important tumor suppressor. In this study, we aim to determine the frequency of E-cadherin expression aberrancy and its relationship to the biological behavior of gastric adenocarcinoma. A total of 52 patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomies in Imam Khomeini Hospital were investigated in a cross-sectional study. Their tissues were stained by immunohistochemistry methods to investigate the expression of E-cadherin. Patients' information including age, gender, Helicobacter pylori infection, lesion location, adenocarcinoma subtype, metastasis, differentiation and regional lymph node involvement, depth of invasion and staging were collected and compared. Age, gender, Helicobacter pylori infection, lesion location, regional lymph node involvement, metastasis, depth of invasion, differentiation and staging did not have a statistically significant relationship with abnormal E-cadherin expression. Abnormal E-cadherin expression was significantly higher in the diffuse sub-type as compared with the intestinal type [90.9% vs. 48.8%, p = 0.016]. The present study assessed the frequency and relationship between abnormal E-cadherin expression and certain biological variables of tumor behavior in Iranian patients with gastric adenocarcinoma. A significant correlation existed only between diffuse sub-typing and reduced E-cadherin expression
ABSTRACT
Hepatitis B is still a major health problem in many parts of the world. In some developing countries the most common cause of chronic hepatitis and liver cirrhosis is hepatitis B virus [HBV]. The progression of chronic hepatitis B to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC] include such viral factors as genotype C and high levels of serum HBV DNA in addition to host factors such as older age, male gender, obesity and diabetes. Other factors that influence progression to cirrhosis and HCC are simultaneous alcohol use, and co-infections with HIV, HDV and HCV. The present study aims to determine the correlations between serum HBV DNA viral load and related factors. In this study, new HBV DNA and ALT levels that enable better separation between different stages of this disease are presented. Materials and Chronic hepatitis B patients who presented to the Liver Clinic at Imam Khomeini Hospital in 1388 who were HBsAg positive for more than six months were enrolled in this study. Patients who had previously been treated or those with concurrent HIV, HCV and HDV infections as well as those with autoimmune hepatitis and fatty liver were excluded. Patients' data, HbeAg state, demographics, liver enzymes, HBV DNA level, smoking history, cirrhosis and disease stage were recorded. In order to better differentiation between non-replicative and reactive chronic hepatitis B patients, statistical analysis was done to distinguish between their HBV DNA levels. Evaluation of the relationships between HBV DNA level and the above mentioned variables was performed. High Levels of HBV DNA correlated with HBeAg positive state, smoking [p=0.005] and elevated liver enzymes [p=0.002]. The cut-off value for ALT level that separated HbeAg-positive group [immunoclearance and immunotolerance phases] was set at 42 U/l on the roc curve[r=0.889 area under curve] with 100% sensitivity and 67.7% specificity. The cut-off value for serum HBV DNA levels that differentiated between the Hbe Ag-negative group [non-replicative and reactive phases] was set at 3000 IU/ml on the roc curve [r=0.987 area under curve] with 97% sensitivity and 92% specificity. The present study determined that serum HBV DNA at a level of 3000 IU/ml was a better level for classification of HBeAg-negative patients into the non-replicative and reactive groups
ABSTRACT
In this study, the antibacterial activities of methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of calyx of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. [Malvaceae] traditionally used as Chai-Makii, against Staphylococus aureus, Staphylococus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeroginosa were investigated by cylinder -plate and bioauthography methods separately. In cylinder - plate method methanolic extract of the calyces were prepared by maceration and after concentrating the extracts, they were dried. Then the concentrations of 50, 25, 12.5, 6.2 and 3.1mg/ml of the methanolic solutions were used for searching antibacterial effects. The standard bacteria with certain concentration [0.5 Mac Far land] were inoculated on to the Muller - Hinton agar medium. Prepared extracts were dropped in cylinders and 18-24 hours after incubation and penetration of extract into the culture medium the antibacterial effects and inhibitory zone were observed. In bioauthography method, the ethyl acetate extract was prepared by decantation of methanolic extract and evaporating to dryness. Then this extract was separated by ethyl acetate: Chloroform: Methanol [32:53:15] by thin layer chromatography method. After placing TLC papers in culture medium with certain concentration of bacteria and incubation, spot of inhibitory zone appeared by using tetrazolium salts and indicated as R[f]. Methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts in cylinder - plate method showed antibacterial effects on all six bacteria. The minimum and maximum applied concentrations were respectively 3.1 and 50mg/ml. In bioauthography method, ethyl acetate extract showed antibacterial effect on Staphylococus epidermidis, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus subtilis and Echerichia coli in R[f] =0.15 and R[f]=0.75. According to ultra violet spectroscopy of these two components, they could be flavones