Antioxidant properties and prevention of cell cytotoxicity of Phlomis persica Boiss

The free radical scavenging capacity, reducing power and inhibition of beta-carotene peroxidation of Phlomis persica [PP] extracts was investigated. In addition, the effect of this extract on reduction of the hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity in non-immortalized fibroblast was examined. The extracts showed free radical scavenging capacity, and the ethyl acetate extract showed marked effect on inhibition of lipid peroxidation similar to that of gallic acid. These results were further supported by a protective effect of Phlomis crude extract on H[2]O[2]-induced cytotoxicity in human non-immortalized fibroblasts

[Diagnostic value of fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products and its comparsion with urine cytology in the diagnosis of bladder carcinoma]

The bladder tumar is common in urinary system and its certain diagnostic method is cystoscopy that is a noninvasive method. In this study the sensitivity and specificity of the urinary FDP [Fibrin Degradation Products] in diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma of bladder was determined and compared with urine cytology during the course of the disease. In this evaluation study of diagnostic test, 60 cases with confirmed bladder carcinoma admitted to Rahnemoon Hospital in Yazd were included. Urine samples were collected before any intervention for cytologic examination and also for checking the FDP according to manufacturer's instruction [FDP Aurateck Kit]. Patients were randomy divided into three groups based on the stages and grades of the disease. Sensitivity and specificity of each test was also determined. Sixty urine samples were evaluated. Thirty four patients were male and 26 were female. Mean age of patients was 62.3 +/- 11 years. Sensitivity of FDP and Cytology in patients with grade I was 63% and 8%, in grade II 64% and 28%, and in grade III and also IV 89% and 50% respectively. These values in patients with stage Ta were 64% and 34%, in stage T1 and T2 65% and 22% and in stage T3 and, T4 63% and 43% respectively. Overall, the sensitivity of FDP was 68% and for cytology was 38% [p<0.005]. The positive predictive value for FDP was 100% and the negative predictive value was 30.4%. Our study showed that urinary FDP is a valuable diagnostic test which has greater sensitivity and specificity than cytology in bladder carcinoma and its accuracy is not affected by the stage and grade of the tumor

Relation between histology of testicular biopsy and level of sex hormones in infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermia

Testicular retrieval of spermatozoa which is known as testicular extraction [TESE] with subsequent microinjection of spermatozoon into oocyte intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI], is an effective treatment program for cases with azoospermia. The main objective of this prospective study was to evaluate the histology of testicular biopsy and it,s correlation with sex hormones of men with non-obstructive azoospermia. A total of 50 infertile men with above condition with mean age of 32.6 years were involved in this study. The level of FSH, LH and testosterone with the TESE results and the size of testicles were recorded in full. In the absence of sperm in TESE samples, the specimens were sent to pathology Laboratory for further evaluation. The results show that spermatozoa were present in TESE samples of 12 cases, while 15 and 7 cases show sertoli cell only syndrome and maturation arrest, respectively. A total of 46%[23 cases] were presented with small testicular size, and 16 of them had high level of FSH. Only 4 individuals with normal size of testis had high elevation of FSH, which was directly related, with the level of LH. However, the abnormal concentration of FSH LH was indirectly correlated with abnormal levels of testosterone. In addition, an indirect correlation between abnormal FSH with type of testicular pathology was noticed. The results indicate that a successful TESE could be done regardless of the hormonal condition of FSH LH, Therefore, it is important to note that TESE is unnecessary in cases with atrophied testis with extremely high concentration of FSH. This certainly reduces not only the surgical cost, but also may reduce the psycho-stress upon the infertile couples