[Comparison of BAX expression in papillary carcinoma and papillary microcarcinoma of thyroid and its relationship with prognostic factors]

Background and Aim: thyroid papillary carcinoma [PTC] is the most common thyroid cancer. BAX gene is the first known pro-apoptotic member of the Bcl-2 protein family. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between BAX expression and some nprognostic factors in PTC and papillary microcarcinoma [PMC]

Materials and Methods: in this cross-sectional, descriptive - analytical study, we obtained data from the records of 105 patients who had undergone thyroidectomy with a final diagnosis PMC and PTC, in Mostafa-Khomeini Hospital, from 2012 to 2014. The data included age, gender, tumor size and lymph node involvement. We investigated BAX expression by immunohistochemistry staining and capsular invasion by hematoxylin - eosin staining. Considering the percentage of positive tumor cells, BAX grading was done. Data were analyzed by Fischer's ,Chi-Square and T tests

Result: in this study, 87.5% of patients were female. 81.9 % of patients had no lymph node involvement. There was only a significant association between the type of tumor and lymph node involvement [P= 0.02]. We found no significant difference between papillary and micropapillary carcinoma in regard to BAX expression. Different grades of BAX expression had significant relationship with tumor size, lymph node involvement, and capsular invasion [P<0.001]. Age [P< 0.02], BAX gene expression [P=0.001] and tumor size [P<0.001] showed significant statistical relationships with one another

Conclusion: BAX expression is associated with lymph node involvement, capsular invasion and mean tumor size; and can be used to estimate the prognosis of PMC and PTC

study of hematological changes in sheep naturally infected with Anaplasma spp. and Theileria ovis: Molecular diagnosis

Ovine anaplasmosis and theileriosis are important tick-borne diseases of sheep and goats which are dis-tributed in the tropical and subtropical areas of the world. This study was performed to assess hematological status in sheep naturally infected with Anaplasma and Theileria spp. to clarify the pathogenic aspects of various species involved in ovine anaplasmosis and theileriosis in Ahvaz region. 109 sheep were sampled, and blood parasite infections were diagnosed by microscopic examination and PCR. The blood samples were also subjected to hematologic assessment. PCR analysis revealed A. ovis infection in 86.2% of sheep, while mixed infections with A. marginale were also detected in 53.2% of them. However, Anaplasma inclusion bodies were only observed in 32.1% of the tested animals. T. ovis were found in 88% of the inspected sheep by PCR, and 67.8% of them were detected microscopically, as well. Hematologic assessment showed that mean RBC, PCV, Hb, and MCHC were significantly lower, whereas MCV and RDW were higher in the animals with mixed infections of'Anaplasma with parasitemia and Theileria, compared to the uninfected sheep and groups with single infection or without parasitemia. In brief, it seems that Anaplasma can be activated and induce its pathogenesis in the presence of other infective agents in the carrier or asympthomatic animals. It can also be concluded that mixed infections of Anaplasma with parasitemia and Theileria may induce a regenerative anemia which is most likely attributable to a combined effect of the two

[ effect of aquae extract of Aloe vera on synaptophysin expression after spinal cord compression in adult rats]

Spinal cord compression is one of causes for disability. Nowadays to minimize these complication is a goal. The effect of aquae extract of Aloe vera on motoneuron death and chemical neurotransmitter for cell signaling in paralysed rats. We used 32 female rats from Razi institute. They were randomized divided to 4 groups: 1- control 2- treated with Aloe vera 3- treated with Aloe vera + spinal cord compression by clips aneurysm 4- control +spinal cord compression by clips aneurysm. Perituneal injection continued for 4 weeks [every day]. We used 2.5 mg/kg aquae extract of Aloe vera. Compression has caused, motoneuron in ventral horn decreases with cavitation. In second group these changes are less [p

[Nurses' experience of the perception of nursing conscience: a phenomenological study]

Introduction: Perception of conscience is related to the qualities and actions of the conscience and what one thinks of the origin of conscience. Among the health staff, perception of conscience is obviously different. Thus, the current study was carried out to evaluate the nurses' experience of the perception of nursing conscience

Method: The study was a qualitative approach, performed with phenomenological method. In scheduled times the participants attended unstructured interviews. The interviews were recorded and then transcribed. Data analysis was performed according to Colaizzi's method. The accuracy of the data was verified by checking its creditability, confirmability, reliability, and transferability

Results: Nine nurses---, attended in-depth interviews. By continuous analysis of the data as well as analysis of the handwritings related to the interviews on the experience --- of nurses with respect to their perception of the conscience nature, four major categories of existence, promotion, establishment, and acts [roles] of conscience emerged in ten sub-categories

Conclusion: The lived experiences of nurses on the perception of conscience were as internal sense that guide and supervises human being. Meanwhile the conscience is constant but fluctuating. The nurses percept that they can improve the conscience by right symbolization

[ effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral group therapy on self-concept and body image in burnt women]

Burn with disfigurement and disability causes physiologic and psychological disruption. One of the important disorders is the disturbance in self-concept and body image that causes diverse effects on burnt person's well-being. The current study was aimed to examine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral group therapy on self-concept and body image in burnt women. This was a quasi-experimental study carried out on two pre-test and post-test groups composed of 30 burnt women aged 20-40 years with 2[nd] or 3[rd] degree burn who had passed their acute phase and admitted to Rajaei Hospital in Qazvin during March to September 2011. Patients were selected through convenience sampling and divided into two groups of 15 members each. One group received cognitive-behavioral therapy and the other only received usual medical treatment. Data were collected using two questionnaires, the victim's body image of burn injury questionnaire [Ali Hosseini] and the Beck self-concept questionnaire and further data analyzed by using of the co-variance test and t-test the comparison of the independent median. There were significant differences regarding both the body image [F=8.92] and self concept [F=9.23] between the experimental and control groups [P<0.05]. In the follow up made one month later, there was positive improvement in body image [t=3.69] with no continuous positive effect on self-concept [t=1.64]. CBT positively improved the body image and increased the self-concept in burnt women. Hence, to achieve continuous positive change, arrangement for workshops with serious supervision is recommended

Histological evaluation of the pulp of primary teeth after pulpotomy with formocresol and SUAB2

Formocresol is a popular pulpotomy medicament in primary dentition. Because of its systemic and local side effects, it may be essential to use another material instead of formocresol. The purpose of this study was to assess the pulpal response after pulpotomy histologically with two different agents; namely, formocresol and SUAB2. In this randomized clinical trial study, 14 teeth of seven children that should had been extracted because of orthodontic treatment were selected. These teeth were randomly divided into two formocresol and SUAB2 [Shahed University Anti Bleeding 2] groups. Seven teeth were pulpotomized with formocresol and seven teeth with SUAB2. These teeth were extracted after 2 months and the pulpal response was evaluated. Finally, the data were analyzed with exact fisher and Mann-Whitney tests. In the formocresol group, severe inflammation was seen in four teeth, mild inflammation in three teeth, abscess in four teeth, necrosis in two teeth, fibrosis in three teeth and internal resorption in four teeth. In the SUAB2 group, severe inflammation was not seen. Moderate and mild inflammation was seen in four teeth, abscess in two teeth, necrosis in two teeth, fibrosis in three teeth and internal resorption in four teeth. Mann-Whitney test revealed that inflammation is significantly less in the SUAB2 group compared with the formocresol group [p<0/05]. Based on the results of this study, SUAB2 may be used in primary teeth pulpotomy

Epidermal growth factor receptor gene in prostate cancer after radical prostatectomy

The aim of this study was to evaluate over expression of epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR] gene in localized prostate cancers and determine its relation with clinical and pathological factors affecting the progression of the disease. In the tissue samples of the patients with prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy, EGFR expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry technique. Those with scores 2 and 3 were considered to be positive for the expression. The relation between gene expression and grade was evaluated by chi-square test. Of 100 tissue samples evaluated, 80 and 20 had Gleason score [GS] < 7 and >/= 7, respectively. Also, 68 and 32 had PSA level 10, respectively. A total of 59 samples were positive for EGFR expression, of whom, 46 had GS < 7 and 13 had GS > 7 [P-value = 0.39]. Forty patients had PSA < 10 and 19 had PSA > 10 [P-value = 0.5]. Fifty-nine percent of the patients with localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy were EGFR positive. No significant relation was found between EGFR and grading [GS] or PSA

Phytobiological characteristics of Rosa hemisphaerica Herrm. extract

Roses are one of the most important groups of ornamental plants referred to as the queen of flowers and their fruits and flowers are used in a wide variety of food, nutritional products and different traditional medicines. A large diversity is expected to be found in Iranian Damask rose landraces with different biological properties. The antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxicity of methanolic and aqueous extracts of Rosa hemisphaerica Herrm. were studied. Methods: The agar disc diffusion method was employed for the determination of antimicrobial activities. Total phenol contents of both extracts were estimated. Antioxidative properties of the extracts were determined by bleaching of beta carotene or 2, 20-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl [DPPH]. The Ferric-Reducing Antioxidant Power [FRAP] was expressed as gallic acid equivalents. Cytooxicity of the extracts were tested using Hela and human healthy peripheral blood cells. of various microorganisms tested, only S. aureus was found susceptible. The total phenol contents of the methanolic and aqueous extracts were 138.33 +/- 11.37and 129.67 +/- 4.51 micro g Gallic acid equivalent/mg sample respectively. DPPH scavenging and lipid peroxidation inhibition effects were higher than those of the synthetic antioxidants. Ferric-reducing antioxidant power [FRAP] of the methanolic and aqueous extracts were determined as 96.134 +/4.25 mg/g and 98.63 +/- 2.51 mg/g respectively. The 50% cytotoxic concentrations were found to be 0.327 mg/ml 0.177 mg/ml for Hela cells and human lymphocytes respectively. It can be concluded from the above results that R. hemisphaerica extract exhibited antimicrobial activity only against S. aureus. The extracts provided better antioxidative activity as compared with synthetic antioxidants. The extracts were toxic to the Hela cells as well as human lymphocytes. Hence, the R. hemisphaerica extract may be exploited as a natural antioxidant and health promoting agent

Expression of E-cadherin in primary breast cancer and its correlation with prognostic factors

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and after lung cancer, it is the second cause of death in women. Different biological markers are being used for determination of prognosis and patients' responses to the therapy regimes. E-cadherin is one of these markers. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of E-cadherin expression in primary breast cancer and its correlation with the grade, size of tumor and axillary lymph nodes involved. This cross sectional study was performed on 85 patients with primary breast cancer who were admitted in Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in Tehran, Iran [2003-2007]. One section was prepared from the tumoral tissue and lymph nodes sections from all patients and they were stained with H and E. In another tissue section, E-cadherin was evaluated by a immunohistochemical method and then the tumor size, its grade and the number of lymph nodes involved were determined. The data were analyzed with SPSS software 11.5, using Chi-square, Mann -Whitney and Spearman correlation tests. Our data showed that 95.3% of the samples were positive for E-cadherin and 67.1% of the patients had lymph nodes involvement. The average size of the tumor was found 3.09 +/- 1.33 cm. In this study, 41% of the tissue samples were stained with E-caherin more than 75% [3+]. No significant relationship was found between E-cadherin expression and related variables, but a significantly reverse relationship was found between E-cadherin expression and the grade, tumor size and the number of lymph nodes involved [P<0.01]. Considering the results of this study, it seems that the reduction in E-cadherin expression in tumor cells, leads to increase in tumor size, its grade and the number of lymph nodes involved

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome among adults in a rural area

Metabolic syndrome [MS] is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Limited information is available about the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in rural areas of Iran. A total 1402 adults [1042 females and 360 males], aged between 18-90 yrs, participated in a community-based cross-sectional study. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was determined by the definition of the National Cholestrol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III [NCEP ATPIII], and results were compared with those based on the revised ATPIII and International Diabetes Federation [IDF] definitions. Overall prevalence of ATP III defined metabolic syndrome was 25.6% compared to 29% and 33% using the revised ATP III, IDF definition respectively. The results of multiple logistic regression model showed after adjusting for age, sex, Body Mass Index [BMI], marital status, and education level, there was no difference between men and women for metabolic syndrome [P=0.2] by ATP III and revised ATP III definitions while prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 1.97 times greater in women versus men [95% Cl: 1.4 - 2.7, p< 0.001] by the IDF-definition. Sex-adjusted prevalence of metabolic syndrome [by three definitions] increased 1.05%, for each one year increase in age [95% Cl: [1.04-1.06]]. In the current study, low serum High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol [HDL-C] was the most common component of metabolic syndrome, while high fasting plasma glucose was the least common. These results show that the metabolic syndrome is prevalent in rural areas and interventional strategies should be considered for weight reduction and treating components of metabolic syndrome in this population

histological study of the efficacy of the madrepora particles on parietal bone healing of rabbit

G.B.R is a procedure which is used for treatment of the osseous defects. In this procedure new bone forms in the defect. The aim of this study was to compare the bone formation with madrepora and membrane, madrepora alone and membrane alone. This study was done on 5 white Newzl and rabbits. Three defects were created in parietal bone. The first defect was filled with madrepora particles [250-500 micron] and covered with a piece of membrane. The second defect was filled only with madrepora and the third defect was left empty and covered with membrane. After 8, 9, 11, 14, and 15 weeks animals were sacrificed. Statistical analyses were done by Kruskal - wallis and Mann -whitney U tests. Histologically the defect which contained madrepora and membrane was filled with trabecules after 15 weeks. In the second defect the trabecules were seen only in the periphery. The defect was filled with connective tissue in the third defect. Madrepora's pieces have biocompability with rabbit tissues and the process of repair in the osseous defect was accelerated

[Histopathological evaluation of pulp changes after ferric sulfate and formocresol pulpotomy in primary teeth]

Formocresol is an inrtacanal medicament commonly used for pulpotomy in the primary dentition. Because of its toxic and carcinogenic potential, it has been challenged by other chemical treatments. The purpose of this study was to histologically assess the pulpal healing process in pulpotomized primary teeth, using two different agents: formocresol and ferric sulfate. A total of 16 primary cuspids [8 pairs] from 8 patients who were scheduled for orthodontic extraction were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups. One tooth from each pair of contralatcral teeth was assigned to either formocresol or ferric sulfate pulpotomy. Four pairs were extracted after 1 month and the other 4, after 2 months. Pulpal response was determined according to the degree of inflammation and extent of pulpal involvement. Dentinal bridge formation was also evaluated. The data were analyzed using Wilcoxon test. No significant difference was found between the two groups for inflammation, absecess, root resorption and dcntinal bridge formation. Necrosis was more extensive in the formocresol pulpotomy group [p<0.05]. Based on these results, formocresol can be substituted with ferric sulfate for pulpotomy of primary teeth

[Expression of Bcl-2 gene in primary breast cancer and its correlation with some prognostic factors]

The breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Bcl-2 expression has been determined in more than half of the cases of breast cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine the expression of bcl-2 gene in primary breast cancer and its correlation with grade, stage and axillary lymph node involvement. The study was a cross-sectional one that was performed on 75 patients with breast cancer admitted to Mostafa Khomeini hospital [2000-2005]. After preparing the samples, a tissue section from each sample was obtained. One of the tumoral sections and one of the lymph node sections were stained using H and E. We determined the type of the tumor, the number of lymph nodes, the stage and the grade of the tumor. We studied Bcl-2 with polyclonal antibody by IHC. Our study showed that 69.3% of patients had hymph node involvment. In addition, 41.3% of samples were positive for Bcl-2, 58.7% of samples were in stage II and many patients [42.7%] were in grade III. In this study, we didn't find any relationship between bcl-2 and stage and lymph node involvment. We also found a significant association between bcl-2 and grade [P<0.006]. Also, high bcl-2 expression was more frequent in high-grade tumor. According to the results obtained from earlier studies and our study, it seems that bcl2 is a prognostic factor in breast cancer. But further investigations with more specimens and long-time follow-up are required to clarify the exact role of Bcl-2 in the prognosis of breast cancer

Correlation between grade in transitional cell carcinoma [TCC] and expression of epidermal growth factor receptor [EGFR]

The present study was undertaken to investigate the correlation of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor [EGFR] expression with grade of Transitional Cell Carcinoma [TCC]. Tumor samples of 75 patients from Mostafa Khomaini Hospital with Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the bladder were analyzed by immunohistochemistry for expression of EGFR. In this context, we assigned the bladder tumors a grade according WHO classification. Results analyzed for possible correlation with the expression status of the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor [EGFR]. This cross-sectional study showed that all grades of Transitional Cell Carcinoma expressed EGFR, and 14 cases were EMP [18.9%] which 10 cases among them had negative cells according EGFR point of view [71.4%] and 4 cases had reported positive [28.6%]. Thirty five cases were low grade [46.7%] which 18 cases among them had reported negative cells [51.4%] and 17 cases had positive cells [48.6%]. Twenty six cases were high grade [34.7%] that 9 cases among them had reported negative cells [34.6%]. Seventeen cases had positive cells [65.4%]. Mann-Witney test showed the relation between grade and expression of EGFR [P<0.05]. This study showed that expression of EGFR is correlated with grade of tumor

Some ecological aspects of phlebotomine sand flies in an endemic focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran

Following annual report of new cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis from different areas of Kuhpayeh district, Esfahan County, an investigation was carried out on some ecological aspects of Phlebotomine sand flies during 2000-2002. Sand flies were collected biweekly from outdoor and indoor resting places with the aid of 30 sticky traps from the beginning to the end of the active season. Female sand flies from rodent burrows were dissected and examined for the presence of pro-mastigote infection. Blood meals of engorged sand flies were identified by ELISA method. Totally, 4993 sand flies were collected and identified. The following species were found indoors: P. papatasi, P. sergenti, P. caucasicus, P. mongolensis, P. alexandri, P. ansarii, P. major, P. kandelakii, S. sintoni, and the subsequent species were found outdoors: P. papatasi, P sergenti, P. caucasicus, P. mongolensis, P. ansarii, P. major, S. sintoni, S. dentata, S. pawlowskyi. The sand flies active season began from May till October in this region. Natural promastigote infections observed in 1.06% of P. papatasi and also in one out of four of P. caucasicus. The human and rodent blood indices in P. papatasi were 61.9% and 20.69%, respectively. It seems that P. papatasi is the probable vector among rodents and also transmit Leishmania major, the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis to man, and P. caucasicus transmit the agent of the disease among rodents

[Effect of nucleus paragigantocellularis destruction on Caffeine and Naloxone withdrawal sings precipitations in male rats]

It is showed that the activity of paragiganocellularis [PGi] nucleus is diminished in addict animals, but in contrast this activity was augmented during withdrawal period. Also, regarding interrelation of opiate and adenosine systems, it was obvious that in each system not only the specific antagonists but also the contrast antagonists system could produce withdrawal signs. In this study the role of PGi nucleus in precipitation of withdrawal signs induced by opiate and adenosine antagonists was investigated. In this experimental study, dependency was induced by escalating doses of morphine via drinking water which were prescribed to the animals during a 21 days period. Then addicated rate were subjected to four groups: 1-Intact 2-Sham 3-unilateral PGi destruction and 4-bilateral PGi destruction. Withdrawal signs were induced by 1-Naloxone [2 mg/kg sc.] and 2-Caffeine [50 mg/Kg ip.] administration in each group. Data was gathered and then analyzed using one way ANOVA, Tukey and Chi square tests. P< 0.05 was considered significant. Naloxone withdrawal signs were consisted of diarrhea, ejaculation, teeth chattering, ptosis, irritability, wet dog shake, strop tail, jumping and weight loss. Following bilateral PGi destruction there was a marked attenuation in three signs of irritability, teeth chattering and jumping sings. The number of withdrawal signs which were produced by Caffeine administration were less than Naloxone [diarrhea, ejaculation, teeth chattering, chewing, irritability and jumping]. However, destruction of PGi nucleus [bilateral] diminished four sgins including: diarrhea, ejaculation teeth chattering, and irritability. The present study showed that the withdrawal signs precipitated with Caffeine are less different than Naloxone, and the bilateral PGi destruction could markedly attenuate these sings in Caffeine group more than Naloxone ones

[ cytotoxic effects a of ACA1 on human melanoma cell line]

Different methods such as surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and immunotherapy are used for treatment of melanoma cancer. Unfortunately they don't always have desirable results and they may have unfavorable side effects. Researchers try to find new, more effective drugs with low side effects. In this study we evaluated the cytotoxic effect of ACA-1, a water extract of a traditional Iranian medicinal herbs on a melanoma cell line SKMEL-3. The SKMEL3 cell line was obtained from Pasture institute, Tehran, Iran and cultured in RPMI media supplemented with 10% FBS. Equal number of cells were added to a 96 well microplate and were incubated with various doses of ACA1 [5,2,1,0.2,0.1,0.05,0.02 and 0.01 mg/ml] for 24, 48 and 72 hours in parallel. The cytotoxic effects of the drug was evaluated using MTT assay. The Results showed that ACA1 has significant cytotoxic effects with dose and time dependent manner on SKMEL3. The optimum dose [5 mg/ml] showed 47% cytotoxicity in 24 h, 65% cytotoxicity in 48 h and 71% cytotoxicity in 72 h. Based on the results of this research, ACA1 is a suitable candidate for chemotherapy of melanoma patients. Further studies are necessary in order to find effective drugs, their effects on other cell lines and approved in vivo models and clinical trials

Correlation between apoptosis and histological grade of transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder

To evaluate the relationship between histological grade and apoptotic index [AI] in transitional cell carcinoma [TCC] of urinary bladder. Formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from 75 patients with TCC, who undergone transurethral resection [TUR] were studied. One 3-micron section was provided from each TUR samples. In one section after hematoxylin and eosin [H and E] staining, tumor grade was determined according to World Health Organization/International Society of Urology and Pathology [WHO/ISUP] criteria. The apoptotic cells were determined using a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase [TdT] mediated dUTP biotin nick end labeling [TUNEL] technique. Apoptotic index was then obtained as the percent of TUNEL positive cells from observations of at least 1000 cells in each section. Forty-nine patients were men and 26 were women. Mean age was 56.34 +/- 9 years. Mean AI was 2.30 +/- 0.50. The relationship between grade and AI was significant [p=0.000, r=0.551]; a higher grade was associated with a higher AI. Apoptosis index has a positive correlation with bladder TCC's grade. Further studies are needed to better determine the effect of apoptosis index on prognosis

[Detection and typing of human papilloma virus DNA in cervical cancer with in situ hybridization method]

Cervical cancer is one of the most frequently found cancers in women and appears to have a viral aetiology certain types of the human papillomavirus [HPV] are well established as the primary causes of cervical cancer. Clinical follow-up data, histopathologic diagnosis, in situ hybridization [ISH] and HPV DNA typing were available from 60 patients. ISH technique was performed with comercial biotinylated probes. The presence of 7 high risk HPV was evaluated in 60 cervical biopsies with squamous cell carcinoma [SCC] and Cervical Intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN] of different degrees by ISH. We analysed 60 biopsies from Iranian women. 42 of 60 [70%] carcinoma specimens were positive for HPV-DNA. HPV 31/33/51 [25%] was most frequently found, followed by HPV 16/18 [23.33%] and HPV 6/11 [21.66%] while HPV negative cases were 18[30%]. High risk HPV types appear to be most frequently associated with SCC and CIN. ISH is a sensitive test in the detection and typing of HPV DNA both in clinical and latent infections