Investigating lead and zinc uptake and accumulation by Stipa hohenackeriana trin and rupr. in field and pot experiments / Investigação sobre a captação e acúmulo de chumbo e zinco por Stipa hohenackeriana trin. & rupr. em experimentos de campo e em vaso

This study was conducted to evaluate Pb and Zn uptake, mobility, and accumulation in Stipa hohenackeriana using field soil in pot and field experiments. Moreover, the effects of Municipal Solid Waste Compost (MSWC) (0, 1, and 2%) and Nano-Silica (NS) (0, 250, and 500 mg/kg) on Stipa biomass, Pb and Zn availability in the soil, and Pb and Zn uptake and accumulation were studied using pot experiments. Samples of soil, root, and shoots of Stipa were collected from field and greenhouse and after drying, extraction of Pb and Zn was done by acid digestion. Bio- Concentration Factor (BCF) and Translocation Factor (TF) were calculated to determine Pb and Zn phytoremediation efficiency. The amount of Zn and Pb remediation by Stipa from soil was determined by remediation factor (RF). The results of field experiments showed the Pb and Zn level decreased in the order of: soil >shoot>root. Results of the pot experiments also showed that plants grown in NS500-amended pots had 33% and 32% higher Pb in roots and shoots compared to control pots, respectively. In comparison, roots Pb concentration in pots amended with MSWC1% and MSWC2% decreased 22.4% and 1.7%, respectively. Roots and shoots Zn concentration in NS500-amended pots was 5.6% and 6.5% higher, respectively. However, root Zn concentration in treatments of MSWC1% and MSWC2% decreased 52.3% and 39.4%, respectively. Shoots Zn concentration decreased 52.5% and 40.0%, respectively. Although MSWC decreased the uptake and accumulation of Pb and Zn in Stipa roots and shoots, it improved the plant growth and consequently increased RF and soil remediation compared to the NS. Thus, it seems that applying MSWC and NS simultaneously can be a suitable strategy for the purpose of improving phytoremediation capability of Stipa in the Pb and Zn contaminated soils. In general, Stipa can be a suitable candidate for the accumulation of heavy metals, especially for Pb and Zn contaminated soils.

Este estudo foi conduzido para avaliar a absorção, mobilidade e acumulação de Pb e Zn em Stipa hohenackeriana em experiências usando solo de campo em vaso e em campo. Além disso, os efeitos do Composto Municipal de Resíduos Sólidos (MSWC) (0, 1 e 2%) e de nanopartículas de sílica (NS) (0, 250 e 500 mg/kg) na biomassa de Stipa, na disponibilidade de Pb e Zn no solo, e na absorção e acúmulo de Pb e Zn foram estudados usando experiências em vaso. Amostras de solo, raiz e brotos de Stipa foram coletadas do campo e da estufa e, após a secagem, a extração de Pb e Zn foi feita por digestão ácida. O Fator de Bioconcentração (BCF) e o Fator de Translocação (TF) foram calculados para determinar a eficiência de fitorremediação de Pb e Zn. A quantidade de remediação de Zn e Pb pela Stipa a partir do solo foi determinada pelo Fator de Remediação (RF). Os resultados das experiências de campo mostraram que o nível de Pb e Zn diminuiu na seguinte ordem: solo > broto > raiz. Os resultados das experiências em vaso também mostraram que as plantas cultivadas em vasos corrigidos com NS500 apresentaram teores de Pb 33% e 32% maiores em raízes e brotos em comparação com vasos de controle, respectivamente. Em comparação, a concentração de Pb em raízes em vasos corrigidos com MSWC1% e MSWC2% diminuiu 22,4% e 1,7%, respectivamente. A concentração de Zn em raízes e brotos em vasos corrigidos com NS500 foi de 5,6% e 6,5% maior, respectivamente. No entanto, a concentração de Zn da raiz nos tratamentos de MSWC1% e MSWC2% diminuiu 52,3% e 39,4%, respectivamente. A concentração de Zn nos brotos diminuiu 52,5% e 40,0%, respectivamente. Embora o MSWC tenha diminuído a absorção e acumulação de Pb e Zn nas raízes e brotos de Stipa, melhorou o crescimento da planta e consequentemente aumentou o RF e a remediação do solo em relação ao NS. Assim, parece que aplicar MSWC e NS simultaneamente pode ser uma estratégia adequada com o objetivo de melhorar a capacidade de fitorremediação de Stipa nos solos contaminados com Pb e Zn. Em geral, a Stipa pode ser um candidato adequado para a acumulação de metais pesados, especialmente para solos contaminados com Pb e Zn.

Up-regulation of miR-21, miR-25, miR-93, and miR-106b in gastric cancer

Background: Differential expression profile of microRNAs [miRNAs] could be a diagnosis signature for monitoring gastric cancer [GC] progression. In this study, we focus on the comparison of expression levels of miR-21, miR-25, miR-93, miR-106b, and miR-375 during the sequential pattern of GC development, including normal gastric, gastric dysplasia, and GC sample

Methods: We used SYBR Green-based quantitative-PCR to quantify miRNAs expression

Results: Our analysis revealed the increased expression levels of miR-21 [p = 0.034], miR-25 [p = 0.0003], miR-93 [p = 0.0406], and miR-106b [p = 0.023] in GC samples. In addition, GC patients with positive lymph node metastasis showed the up-regulation of miR-25, miR-93, and miR-106b [p < 0.05]

Conclusion: Our findings suggested that the expression of miR-21, miR-25, miR-93, and miR-106b altered in GC, and some of them may be further investigated as biomarkers for GC early detection and prognosis prediction

Fever ,weight loss and early satiety due to gastric inflammatorymyofibroblastic tumor; case report and literature review

Gastric inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor [IMT] is a rare tumor with and unpredictable prognosis usually find in young adults. We present an 18-year-old man with gastric IMT. He complained of epigastric pain, intermittent fever and night sweating associated with weight loss since two years ago. Physical examination showed anemic and cachestic features with mild abdominal tenderness in palpitation as well as an abdominal mass in epigastrium. Abdominal CT scan revealed a huge mass that was arising from the stomach. Upper endoscopy revealed a submucosal lesion in fundus of stomach of approximately 8cm. Endoscopic ultrasound showed a large sub-mucosal non homogenous fundal mass with areas of calcification. The patient underwent laparoscopic partial gastrectomy. Histopathologyand immunohistochemistryevaluation revealed an IMT

Factors affecting the survival of patients with gastric cancer undergone surgery at Iran cancer institute: univariate and multivariate analyses

Gastric cancer is the most prevalent cancer among men and the third most prevalent cancer among women in Iran. Its most important reason for death is its belated diagnosis at the advanced stages of the disease. Various factors can be effective on the survival of these patients after surgery, which are the major concern in this study. Data from 330 patients with Gastric cancer who had undergone surgery at Iran Cancer Institute from 1995 to 1999 were analyzed. The Survival Time of patients was determined after surgery and the effect of individual and demographic; clinical and diagnostic; and treatment and post-surgical factors on patients' survival was studied. For data analysis, Kaplan- Meier, Log-Rank test and Proportional Hazards Model were used. The median of survival time was 16.33 months. The one-year, three-year, and five-year survival rates were, 0.66, 0.31, and 0.21. Based on univariate analysis results of age[P<0.001], metastases[P=0.012], disease stage[P=0.016], and number of renewed treatments[P<0.001], as well as multivariate analysis which was used to investigate the simultaneous effect of influencing variables on patients' survival showed that age[61-70:HR=1.40,>70:HR=2.08], marital status[HR=0.39], number of renewed treatments[1:HR=0.54,2:HR=0.30,3:HR=0.22], relapse[HR=1.51], type of gastrectomy [Subtotal: HR=1.12, Distal:HR=0.49, Partial:HR=0.94, Proximal:HR=0.52], liver metastases [HR=1.79], distance metastases[HR=1.84], and disease stage[II:HR=1.28,III:HR=2.12,IV:HR=1.90] variables had a significant effect on patients' survival. Patients who call on doctors in early stages of disease will have a higher survival rate due to early diagnosis whereas disease progression will increase the risk and will decrease the survival. Identifying factors affecting patients' survival and improving diagnostic methods can prevent disease progression and increase survival rate

Ectopic decidual reaction mimicking irritable bowel syndrome: a case report

Ectopic decidualization with gross involvement of the peritoneum is one of the rare findings in pregnant women particularly when ectopic decidualization disseminated as an asymptomatic intra-abdominal nodule. We present here a case of an ectopic decidualization in a 33-year-old pregnant woman with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome during pregnancy

Left sided colorectal adenomatous polyps have more risk for high grade dysplasia

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death worldwide. Through risk assessment of malignancy in polyps, screening programs can achieve the best results. This study aimed to determine the association between the grade of dysplasia and the location of colorectal polyps. 240 colorectal adenomatous polyps which were referred to department of pathology at Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital between 2005 and 2009 met the inclusion criteria. Demographic data and information about size of polyps, grade of dysplasia and location of polyps were collected and analyzed by Chi-square and t-test. 124 [58.8%] patients were male and 87 [41.2%] were female. The mean age of the patients was 61.6 years. 47 [19.6%] polyps were right-sided and 193 [80.4%] were left sided. 39 [16.2%] polyps had high grade dysplasia. 27 [12.8%] patients had 56 synchronous polyps [23.3%]. 176 [73.3%], 39 [16.2%] and 25 [10.5%] polyps were of tubular, tubulovillous and villous types respectively. The greatest dimension of 110 [45.8%] polyps was <0.5 cm, 97 [40.4%] 0.5-1 cm, 22 [9.2%] between 1 and 2 cm and finally 11 [4.6%] >2 cm. High grade dysplasia was detected in 3 [6.3%] of right-sided and 36 [18.6%] of left-sided polyps. The obtained results revealed that size of polyp and amount of villous component were strongly associated with high grade dysplasia. Left side location of polyps was independently associated with high grade dysplasia. Left-sided colorectal polyps must be treated more seriously, especially the larger ones with villous component. There was no association between age and gender and the grade of dysplasia

Fulminant hepatic failure due to primary hepatic lymphoma: a case report

Primary hepatic lymphoma is a rare malignancy usually presenting with symptoms of fever, hepatomegaly, jaundice and weight loss. This picture mimics infectious and inflammatory disorders and thus delays the diagnosis. Here, we present a 47-year old man with prolonged fever who underwent several investigations and, in the meantime, developed fulminant hepatic failure before the diagnosis could be reached

Platelet count and MPV, routinely measured but ignored parameters used in conjunction with the diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome: single study center in Iranian population, 2010

Myocardial infarction is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in industrialized countries. Platelet count and the mean platelet volume [MPV], a simple and reliable indicator of platelet size which correlates with platelet activation, might associate with troponin in acute chest pain. We analyzed MPV of 851 patients who were admitted to Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital with acute chest pain during the year 2010. Two blood samples were taken from each patient within 4 hours of their arrival for routine hematology, including platelet count and MPV, and cardiac troponin T. Also, electrocardiograms of the patients were recorded. Association of MPV and platelet count with troponin was observed. The patients in troponin positive group, who had also ischemic electrocardiographic changes, had higher MPV values than non- acute coronary syndrome [ACS] patients with normal cardiac troponin T levels [9.9 vs 9.5 fl with p< 0.001]. In troponin negative group, the mean of platelet count was higher than that in the positive group [221683 vs 198814/micro l with p< 0.001]. MPV and platelet count are inexpensive laboratory tests which can be measured in association with other laboratory biomarkers in patients presenting with acute chest pain. This could help to lower hospitalization rates and also avoid misdiagnosis and having complications of patients with ACS

Analysis of colonic mucosa mast cell count in patients with chronic diarrhea

Chronic diarrhea is defined as a decrease in fecal consistency lasting for four or more weeks. Prevalence of this complication in the general population is 5%. Mast cells that play an important role in the regulation of gastrointestinal visceral sensitivity and vascular permeability may be involved in functional chronic diarrhea. In this study we tried to evaluate mast cells density in colonic mucosa of patients with chronic diarrhea. 50 patients with chronic diarrhea and 50 persons as control group were investigated. All specimens were immunohistochemically stained for mast cell tryptase [MCT] with monoclonal mouse anti-human MCT as well as toluidine blue. Mean number of mucosal mast cells were counted in 10 high power microscopic fields of patients and control groups. In patients group [age range, 15-78 years; 26 females], the number of mast cells per high power field in the immunohistochemistry staining was 21.3 +/- 4.8 compared to 14.2 +/- 3.4 in the control group [age range, 18-78 years; 24 females] [P < 0.001]. Also number of mast cells in toluidine blue staining was 10.3 +/- 3.6 per high power field in cases and 7.1 +/- 2.4 in the control group [P < 0.001]. Elevated number of colonic mast cells exist in patients with chronic diarrhea. Further research should be considered on application of these findings for new therapeutic opportunities.

The frequency of latent prostate carcinoma in autopsies of over 50 years old males, the Iranian experience

Latent adenocarcinoma of prostate refers to cases who present no obvious sign or symptom during their life spans and the tumor is incidentally found at postmortem examination. Its frequency can be very important in epidemiologic investigations, prevention and treatment. No previous study has been done in this regard in Iran and the studies performed in other countries show various results. The aim of present study is to determine the frequency of latent prostate carcinoma by studying the corpora of men above 50 years old referred to forensic medicine organization in Tehran in 2008 and 2009. In this study, 149 men aged above 50 who had died of different reasons and undergone autopsy were examined. Their prostates were excised and the slides were studied for the presence of adenocarcioma and prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia [PIN]. In each case, age, weight of prostate, location of lesion, and grading according to Gleason's system were determined and the results were analyzed by SPSS software [version 16]. Out of 149 cases, 34[22.8%] had low grade PIN, 26[17.4%] high grade PIN, and 14[9.4%] invasive adenocarcinoma. Most of the tumors were located in posterior lobe of prostate and they were more frequent in older cases [>65 years of age] and heavier prostates [p value <0.05]. All invasive adenocarciomas were accompanied by PIN. Worldwide studies show lower prevalence of latent carcinoma of prostate in Asian men than white European ones. Considering the absence of such studies in Iran, a larger study to compare and find out the precise rate of this kind of carcinoma, is recommended

Comparison of the results of Cox proportional hazards model and parametric models in the study of length of stay in a tertiary teaching hospital in Tehran, Iran

Survival analysis is a set of methods used for analysis of the data which exist until the occurrence of an event. This study aimed to compare the results of the use of the semi-parametric Cox model with parametric models to determine the factors influencing the length of stay of patients in the inpatient units of Women Hospital in Tehran, Iran. In this historical cohort study all 3421 charts of the patients admitted to Obstetrics, Surgery and Oncology units in 2008 were reviewed and the required patient data such as medical insurance coverage types, admission months, days and times, inpatient units, final diagnoses, the number of diagnostic tests, admission types were collected. The patient length of stay in hospital 'leading to recovery' was considered as a survival variable. To compare the semi-parametric Cox model and parametric [including exponential, Weibull, Gompertz, log-normal, log-logistic and gamma] models and find the best model fitted to studied data, Akaike's Information Criterion [AIC] and Cox-Snell residual were used. P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. AIC and Cox-Snell residual graph showed that the gamma model had the lowest AIC [4288.598] and the closest graph to the bisector. The results of the gamma model showed that factors affecting the patient length of stay were admission day, inpatient unit, related physician specialty, emergent admission, final diagnosis and the number of laboratory tests, radiographies and sonographies [P<0.05]. The results showed that the gamma model provided a better fit to the studied data than the Cox proportional hazards model. Therefore, it is better for researchers of healthcare field to consider this model in their researches about the patient length of stay [LOS] if the assumption of proportional hazards is not fulfilled

[Comparing knowledge, attitude and practice of American, Chinese and Iranian college students about tobacco use]

To assess and compare knowledge, attitudes and practice regarding tobacco use of college students in Iran, US and Chain. A modified questionnaire used in each of country US, Chain and Iran. A total of 3089 usable surveys were collected [47.5% for male and 52.5% for female]. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tests were employed in data analysis. Compared to male participants, American's female and male students scored higher in knowledge, Iranian genders [both female and male] students scored higher in negative attitude scale of the questionnaire regarding tobacco use. Knowledge of female students was a little greater than male students and their attitude was more negative. Male respondents also were more likely to smoke cigarettes and use other tobacco products and in heavier quantities. The findings provide exploratory information about aspects of tobacco use among students [as an important and reference class of the Iranian society], and based on the results, recommendations are made to national health policy makers and health educators for reducing tobacco related risks through improving associated knowledge, attitude and practice

Delayed onset bacterial keratitis after implantation of intrastromal corneal ring segments

The incidence of microbial keratitis after Intacs implantation is extremely low and channel infection has been infrequently reported. We present a 23-year-old woman with keratoconus of both eyes who underwent implantation of two intrastromal corneal ring segments [Intacs, KeraVision, Inc., Fremont, CA, USA] in the right eye. After 2.5 months, the patient presented with decreased vision, inflammation, and stromal infiltration at the lower channel site of Intacs. Culture was positive for Escherichia coli. The patient was treated with removing of lower segment of Intacs, and subconjunctival and topical antibiotics. The keratitis resolved, leaving opacity and thinning and mild neovascularization in the lower channel site. Our case report illustrates the risk of microbial keratitis even months after Intacs implantation. It shows need for long-term postoperative attention by both patient and physician

Visual outcome after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation in patients with anterior lenticonus due to Alport syndrome / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

· AIM: We describe visual improvement after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in 7 eyes with anterior lenticonus secondary to Alport syndrome.· METHODS: 7 eyes from 4 patients with Alport syndrome underwent phacoemulsification with IOL implantation due to anterior lenticonus.· RESULTS: All of the patients resumed excellent visual acuity after surgery.· CONCLUSION: We recommend the phacoemulsification with IOL implantation as a safe procedure in anterior lenticonus due to Alport syndrome.