Quantitative evaluation of abscopal effect based on biological effective dose in breast cancer tumors in mice

Background: Due to abscopal effect, cell damage may occur outside of the radiation field and the quantification of this effect is one of the most challenging debates in radiation therapy. The aim of this study was to estimate the abscopal effect induced in non-irradiated tumors quantitatively by means of biological effective dose [BED]

Materials and Methods: Breast tumors using 4T1 and MC4-L2 cells, were induced into the flank region of Balb/c mice. When palpable, the tumor on one side of the body was irradiated with dose of 28Gy in 14 fractions and 2 Gy per fraction, 5 fractions per week. The tumor on the other side of the body was shielded with a lead plate. BED was estimated based on tumor volume. H and E staining and TUNEL assay were performed to assess histological changes and apoptosis in irradiated and non-irradiated tumors

Results: The effect of radiation on non-irradiated tumors was more than that on irradiated ones. The BED was 4.49 and 6.74 in 4T1 and MC4-L2 tumors, respectively. The ratio of the tumor volume in the last fraction to that in the first fraction for irradiated 4T1 tumors was 2.32 and in non-irradiated was 1.50. This ratio in irradiated and non- irradiated MC4-L2 tumors was 2.64 and 1.98, respectively. The number of apoptotic cells was higher in non-irradiated tissues

Conclusion: Results indicate that the occurrence of abscopal effect is highly depends on the type of tumor. By means of the abscopal effect, more radiation dose can be delivered to the tumor and metastatic sites

Disseminated leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica in a puppy from Karaj, central Iran

A 5-month old puppy with muco-cutaneous lesions in the chin, around lips and eyes was examined physically and microscopically for leishmaniasis. Muco-cutaneous lesions containing a large number of amastigotes of Leishmania spp. were observed. Amastigotes were also detected in liver and spleen of the puppy. The animal was positive with Dipstick rK39 kit and high level of anti-Leishmania antibodies was detected by direct agglutination test [DAT]. DNA, Using PCR-RFLP technique extracted from cultured Leishmania promastigotes and L. tropica was identified. This is the first report of concurrent mucosal and visceral involvement of L. tropica in a puppy from Iran

Antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and acute toxicity effects of Juglans regia L. leaves in mice

Juglans regia leaves have been used in folk medicine to alleviate inflammatory diseases. This study investigates the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and acute toxicity effects of Juglans regia L. leaves in mice. 351 Male and female albino mice were divided into negative [saline], positive [morphine or diclofenac] controls as well as test groups [n=6-8]. The acute [intraperitoneally] toxicity was evaluated for 2 days. Antinociceptive activities were done using hot-plate and writhing tests. Anti-inflammatory effects were studied using xylene induced ear edema and cotton pellet tests. The LD50 values of J. regia aqueous and ethanolic extracts were 5.5 and 3.3 g/kg, respectively. The aqueous [2.87 and 1.64 g/kg] and ethanolic [2.044 and 1.17 g/kg] extracts showed antinociceptive activity in hot-plate test. The pretreatment of naloxone [2 mg/kg, s.c.] did not inhibit the extracts activities. The extracts exhibited antinociceptive activity in writhing test, which were not blocked by naloxone. In xylene test, both extracts showed anti-inflammatory activity in some doses. The extracts showed anti-inflammatory activity against the chronic inflammation. J. regia leaves demonstrated antinociceptive effect through non-opioid receptors and anti-inflammatory effect against acute and chronic inflammation. The extracts of J. regia could be considered as a promising analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents against diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis

Estimation of minibus and taxi induced air pollution in Yazd-Ardakan rord

The Existence of a safe, efficient, clean, fast, and economical public transportation system with the least environmental effects seems to be necessary with increasing population and people's need for using transport vehicles. The aim of this research is the investigation of air pollution in road transportation in Yazd-Ardakan route and estimation of the pollution at this route. In this study, the primary data were first collected by referring to the relevant organizations and departments and then by providing and distributing three questionnaires among drivers and passengers. The data were then analyzed by the Excell and Spss software for estimation of research results. The findings of this study indicated that transportation vehicles and relocation of the passengers in this route resulted in emission of annually 17.65 tons of suspended dust, 59.04 tons of hydrocarbons, 182.76 tons of carbon monoxide, 21.96 tons of sulfur dioxide and 40.8 tons of nitrogen oxide. Railway transportation because of reducing the emission of 286.31 tons of pollutants per year to the atmosphere and road accidents, improving traffic status in Yazd - Ardakan route, carrying many more number of passengers,having high efficiency on speed of transportation, saving and reducing of travel time, energy and cost of using personal vehicles and health proposed as a practical solution

Conceptual hydrosalinity model for prediction of salt load from wastewater flows into soil and ground water

Dynamic hydrosalinity models are available, but are not used extensively on a large scale soil which receives wastewater from industrial areas, partly because adequate database are expensive to be obtained. Thus, for this reason, there is an urgent need to assess the salt and other pollutant loads collected in wastewater flows into the soil and/ or ground water systems. A conceptual hydrosalinity model was used on two major underlying principals of mass balance and steady state. This model was initially tested on the 4,117 km[2] plains west of the Yazd-Ardakan district in the central part of Iran. This model was used at a time when the soil and ground water salinity problem was serious due to the high shortage of water. It was possible to calibrate the model with +/- 2% of the flow volume and total dissolved solids of the industrial wastewater discharge from over 2,000 factories. The verification results were 98% of the measured values. Moreover, this model was tested for the verification of the model data from the analysis of 36 wells' water in the area where industrial wastewater discharge was used. The results showed that most of the indices of total dissolved solids, total suspended solids, biological oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand are above standard levels. The results of the model can be used for the management practice of the reduction of salt pollutant load in the area to achieve sustainable development for location of industries in the study area