[Study of cyclooxygenase-2 expression in Sprague Dawley rat gastric cancer induced by H. pylori]

Gastric cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal tumors; the incidence and mortality of gastric cancer are on the increase nowadays. Helicobacter pylori [H.Pylori] causes chronic active gastritis and peptic ulcer disease. Cycloocygenase-2 [COX-2] is the central enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway to prostaglandins. Studies from different laboratories suggested that over-expression of COX-2 was detected in colon and other tumors. To obtain direct evidence concerning this relationship, we investigated the immunohistochemical findings of gastric mucosa using an animal model of gastric cancer induced by H. pylori in sprague dawley rat. The rats were randomly assigned into three groups [n=5]. Those of experimental group2 were given MNU. One week after completion of MNU administration, rats in experimental groups 1 were inoculated with H. pylori three times every other day. Rats in control group [group 3] received neither MNU nor H. pylori. Rats of groups 1, 2, and control group were maintained on standard diets throughout the experiment. Rats were weighed and sacrificed under anesthesia with ether at 20 weeks after infection. One half of the excised stomachs, were fixed in neutral-buffered 10% formalin and were cut into approximately six strips, which were processed by standard methods, embedded in paraffin, sectioned at 6 micro m, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin [H and E] and immunohistochemistry for Cox-2 protein detection. To confirm H. pylori infection, samples [3-mm[2]] of stomach mucosa transferred to appropriate medium and colonies were identified by characteristic Gram's stain morphology, and by urease, catalase, and oxidase activity sample was also placed into the gel of a rapid urease test kit. Data showed a significant decrease of animal body weight in experimental groups compared with control group. Histopathological studies showed severe infiltration of the lamina propria and submucusaal layer by polymorphonuclear and mononuclear cells appeared in the antrum, with an increase in epithelial cell proliferation, and the infiltration of focal oesophageal. Control animals showed no abnormal findings throughout the entire observation period. COX-2 protein was expressed in experimental groups but there were no evidence of cox-2 protein expression in control group. Data showed that the H. pylori caused significant decrease of body weight in experimental group. In addition, histological studies showed evidence of metaplasia in rat stomach. Immunohistochemichas studies showed cox-2 protein expression occurred during early stage of metaplasia induction

[Fire work-related injuries in Tehran's Charshanbe Soori]

Fireworks are the leading cause of injuries in the ceremony of Chaharshanbeh Soori in Iran. The present study was designed to assess the prevalence and the severity of such injuries, the high-risk population, the causes and the accompanying morbidities in such ceremonies. This cross-sectional study was performed on individuals referred to different medical centers by Tehran Emergency Service due to fireworks- and Chaharshanbe soori-related injuries in 2007. The patients' demographic data, the cause of the accident, the type of the firework, the severity and the site of the injury, the performed prehospital and hospital care, and the patients condition at the time of discharge were extracted from the patients medical records. The information on the severity of the remaining morbidities in 8 months after the accident was also gathered. About 197 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the patients was about 20.94 +/- 11.31 years. The majority of them were males. Crackers and home-made grenade were the most frequent cause of injury. The most frequently reported injuries consisted of bums, laceration and contusion, soft tissue injury and bone injuries, respectively. Fireworks should be produced and distributed based on standard regulations. Educating the families and students, and holding public ceremonies under the direct control of the families are considered as important strategies in reducing such injuries