Prevalence of linguatula serrata nymphs in mesenteric lymph nodes of cattle and buffaloes slaughtered in Ahvaz Abattoir, Iran

Linguatula serrata, one of the parasitic zoonoses, inhabits the canine respiratory system [final hosts]. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of L. serrata nymphs in mesenteric lymph nodes [MLNs] of cattle and buffaloes [intermediate hosts] that were processed in the Ahvaz, Iran abattoir. During November 2010 to March 2011, 223 animals [119 cattle and 104 buffaloes], in different sex and three age groups [<2, 2-<3 and 3->3 years old] were sampled randomly at Ahvaz abattoir. Up to 35 grams of their mesenteric lymph nodes were examined separately for nymphal stages of L. serrata by digesting the samples with acid- pepsin method, collected the nymphs and counted under stereomicroscope. Overall 37[16.6%] of 223 animals were infected with L. serrata nymphs in their mesenteric lymph nodes. Prevalence of the infection in cattle and buffaloes were 16.8% and 16.3% respectively. The number of collected nymphs of MLNs was ranged from 1 to 16. No significant differences were seen in the infection rates between males and females [sexes] and age groups in the cattle and buffa-loes [P <0.05]. Linguatula serrata has an active life cycle in the studied area and a zoonotic potential for transmission between animal and human. Avoiding use of raw MLNs to dogs can help reduce the infection.

Evaluation of a simple belly-board device for reduction of small bowel inside rectal cancer radiotherapy fields

We evaluated the efficacy of a simple belly-board device [BED] designed and made in our department for reduction of small bowel inside the post-operative pelvic radiotherapy fields of rectal carcinomas. A very simple BBD was designed and manufactured in our department. It was made of acrylic glass, and was 128 cm long, 40 cm wide, and 9 cm high, with a 25x25 cm square opening, the lower border of which was set to be positioned about 3 cm above patients' iliac crest. Patients to be treated post-operatively for rectal cancers were simulated using oral contrast with and without the BBD for postero-anterior [PA] and lateral fields. The small bowel surface area [SBSA] inside the fields was measured and compared in the films with and without the BBD. Twenty-one patients, mean age 56 years, male-to-female ratio 2:1, 12 abdominoperineal [APR] and 9 low anterior resection [LAR], gave consent for this study. The mean SBSA were 7 and 13 cm[2] in the lateral fields and 29 and 60 cm[2] in the PA fields with and without the BBD, respectively [p = 0.001]. The mean reduction in SBSA was 61% in the lateral fields, 53% in the PA fields, and 57% in both lateral and PA fields [p<0.001]. The mean reduction in SBSA in lateral fields was 77% after LAR and 49% after APR [p=0.08]. This difference was not significant for PA fields. The only factor with a significant effect was operation type [LAR versus APR] for reduction of SBSA in lateral fields [p=0.05]. Gender, age, body mass index, and field sizes did not have a significant effect. The simple BBD could significantly reduce the SBSA inside the pelvic radiotherapy fields of rectal cancers. This reduction seems more pronounced after LAR in the lateral fields, compared to APR

Treatment results and epidemiologic factors in oral tongue cancer: analysis of 110 patients in cancer institute of Tehran

Tongue cancer is one of the most common cancers of the oral cavity, excluding lip, and the median age of the patients is approximately 60 years. Treatment results of a total of 110 patients with oral tongue cancer admitted to cancer Institute of Tehran University between 1999-2003 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were treated by surgery or radiotherapy or chemotherapy in a curative setting. The median age at the time of first visit was 67 years [range 27- 91years].51 patients [46.4%] were female and 59 [53.6%] were male. Primary treatment was surgery in 86 patients [78.2%], radiotherapy alone in 12 patients [10.9%], chemo radiation in 3 patients [2.7%] and chemotherapy [as neo adjuvant therapy] in 8 patients [7.3%]. Median dose of radiation in patients who received radiotherapy was 6000CGY in the range of [5000-7500 CGY]. Median of follow-up of patients was 10 months in range of [1-78] months. Local and loco-regional recurrence remains a major clinical problem in oral cavity tumors. Additional studies and detailed analysis of the selection criteria and treatment outcomes across trials are needed to define the best treatment modalities

[ efficacy of Iranan made saliva substitue vs. VA-OraLube in improvement of oral-health-related quality of life in radiotherapy-induced xerostomia]

Xerostomia is a common complication of radiotherapy for head and neck cancer which can increase the risk of oral and dental disease and negatively affect patients' quality of life. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of Iranian Made Saliva Substitute vs. VA-OraLube in improvement of Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life. This study was a randomized double-blinded, crossover clinical trial. 27 patients [49.1 +/- 14.7 years] with post-radiotherapy xerostomia were randomly allocated to receive either Iranian Made Saliva Substitute or VA-OraLube, or vice versa, each product for 1 week, with a 10 day wash-out period in between. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Questionnaire Head and Neck Cancer Module [EORTC-QLQ-H and N 35] was completed by patients at days 1,8,18 and 25. To compare the groups the repeated measurement analysis of variance test was used then comparison of paired was performed by t-paired test. Oral-Health-Related Quality of Life score has been changed almost the same degree by both VA-OraLube and Iranian made saliva substitute and both treatments were effective. But none of them affected pain relief. A trend was seen for VA-OraLube to improve senses. With regard to significant improvement in Standard score in different group of questionnaire after using saliva substitute, both saliva substitutes were effective in alleviating the symptoms of xerostomia and helping patients to have better life

[Benzydamine for prophylaxis of radiation-induced oral mucositis in head and neck cancers; a double-blind clinical trial]

This study has been conducted to determine the effect of using oral rinse benzydamine in prevention of radiation induced mucositis. Patients with head and neck cancers, who referred to Cancer Institute between 2004 and 2005, were enrolled in a double blind clinical trail. They had to receive 15 cc of oral rinse benzydamine or placebo, four times a day, from the first day of radiotherapy up to the end of the course. The incidence of mucositis grade 3 or more was evaluated. From 100 patients who were randomized in this trail, 19patients were excluded of the analysis due to minor side-effects of drug, or stopping the radiotherapy. The incidence of mucositis grade 3 or more was 43.6% among 39 cases in treated group, whereas among 42 cases in placebo group this rate was 78.6%. The difference was, therefore, significant [P<0.005]. Mucositis grade 3 or more was 1.8 times more frequent in placebo group [Relative Risk=1.8]. Also, if the patients did not receive benzydamine the attributive risk of mucositis was 35%. After the third week of treatment, the mean grade of mucositis was more than 2 in the placebo group; but in the benzydamine group it was less than 2 up to the end of radiotherapy [P<0.001]. According to these results it seems that oral rinse benzydamine is effective, safe, and well-tolerated for prophylactic treatment of radiation-induced oral mucositis in head and neck tumors. There is a need to evaluate the efficacy of benzydamine in another large study in Iran

Evaluation of the effects of biological prognostic and predictive factors on survival of breast cancer patients

The molecular basis of metastatic potential of human breast carcinoma cells can be useful information to determine the practical implications in the diagnosis, determining prognosis and treatment of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to identify predictors of aggressive biological behavior and metastatic potential in breast carcinoma among a number of intrinsic biomarkers of tumor cells. We used routine formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tumor samples; sections were stained immunohistochemically to determine the expression of estrogen receptor [ER], progesterone receptor [PR], HER2/neu, Ki67, p53 and cathepsin D in 66 breast carcinoma patients. The result of the quantitative immunohistochemical assays were correlated with clinical and histological data such as patient age, tumor size, axillary lymph node status, tumor grade, the therapeutic regimens and survival rates. Univariate analysis revealed a statistically significant relation between tumor size and overexpression of p53, and between tumor grade and PR status, p53 status and Ki67. In multivariate analysis the independent factors predicting for tumor grade were Ki67 and PR status. Among patients with ER expression, negative p53 or Ki67 status, tumors with lower grades and negative axillary lymph nodes [or < 4 involved lymph nodes], there was a higher survival rate [either disease free or overall]; however, relationship was not statistically significant, most probably due to the low number of studied patients. In conclusion, Ki67 was an independent factor to predict tumor grade in our study; the use of this proliferation activity marker in routine approach to patients with breast cancer is recommended, at least to evaluate the accuracy of tumor grading by mitotic count