Molecular characterization of Echinococcus granulosus in paraffin-embedded human tissues from Southwest Iran

Objective: To investigate Echinococcus (E.) granulosus genotypes as the causative agents of hydatidosis in humans in the southwest of Iran (Khuzestan province). Methods: In this study, isolates of 80 archived human paraffin embedded hydatid cysts were collected from pathology laboratories in Ahvaz city, Khuzestan province. DNA was extracted and examined by nested-PCR of ribosomal DNA (rDNA) internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), and PCR-RFLP. In addition, the sequences of fragments of genes coding for Cox space1 and NADH dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) were also examined. Results: Of the 80 paraffin samples, 44 (55.0%) were from the liver, 27 (33.8%) from the lung, and the rest from other organs. The amplified hydatid genomic DNA showed that the cysts were E. granulosus strains. The results of PCR-RFLP and sequencing analysis revealed the presence of G1 genotype (sheep strain) in all human isolates. Furthermore, no camel strain (G6) was detected among all samples in the regions studied. Conclusions: The molecular findings indicate that the predominant genotype involved in E. granulosus transmission in southwest of Iran is the common sheep strain (G1), which occurs in human populations. These results may have important implications for hydatid disease control in the studied areas.

Efficacy of combined albendazol and praziquntel and their loaded solid lipid nanoparticles components in chemoprophylaxis of experimental hydatidosis

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of combined ABZ and PZQ and their solid lipid nanoparticles in chemoprophylaxis of cystic echinococcosis (CE). Methods ABZ and PZQ loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) were prepared by high shear homogenization and microemulsion congealing techniques with some minor modification. Nanoparticles average size, polydispersity index (PDI), and particle size distribution were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photon correlation spectroscopy. Forty females BALB/c were experimentally infected by protoscoleces (PSC) and randomly divided into four equal groups of 10 mice. After the end of the 3 months treatment period and 2 months rest, mice were sacrificed and the peritoneal cavity was opened for removal, counting, measuring, and histological analysis of hydatid cyst. Results The results indicated that ABZ and PZQ chemoprophylaxis treatment reduced the wet weight and size of developed cysts 77.3% and 79%, respectively. The corresponding result for the ABZ and PZQ loaded SLNs was 83% and 85%, respectively. Conclusions This study for the first time demonstrated that ABZ and PZQ loaded SLNs is superior to free ABZ and PZQ for the chemoprophylaxis of CE in mice.

Cerebellar neuroblastoma in 2.5 years old child

Neuroblastoma is the third most common malignancy of childhood, after leukemia and brain tumors. Only 2% of all neuroblastoma occur in the brain. Primary cerebellar neuroblastoma is an specific subset of Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumors [PNET]. Meduloblastoma is a relatively common and well-established entity, consisting of primitive and multipotential cells that may exhibit some evidence of neuroblastic or gliad differentiation. But cerebellar neuroblastoma with ultrastractural evidence of significant neuroblastic differentiation is extremely rare. We report a rare case of neuroblastoma in the cerebellum. A 2.5-year-old Iranian boy presented with vomiting and nausea in the morning and ataxia. CT scan showed a tumor mass in the cerebellum and the report of radiologist was medulloblastoma. Light microscopic assay showed a small cell neoplasm with lobules of densely packed cells [lobulated pattern] and better differentiated cells. Neuron-Specific Enolase was positive. Pathologic diagnosis confirmed the existence of cerebellar neuroblastoma. Chemotherapy followed surgical removal. No relapse occurred 12 months after surgery

Study of the protective effect of teucrium polium L. extract on acetaminophen-Induced hepatotoxicity in mice

In the present study, protective effect of Teucrium polium L. [Labiatae] extract on acetaminophen-induced hepatotoxicity was investigated in mice. Animals were divided into six groups, each group consist of 8 mice. Group one as the negative control group received normal saline, while group two received only crude extract of T. polium L. [500 mg/Kg] for five days and group three as the positive group received acetaminophen [500 mg/Kg]. Groups four, five and six received crude extract in doses of 125, 250 and 500 mg/Kg, respectively, and on the fifth day, one hour after the last administration, acetaminophen was given orally [500 mg/Kg]. Then on the 6[th] day, animals were sacrificed, their blood was collected to determine serum enzyme activities of ALT, AST and ALP to measure the serum levels of directed and total bilirubin. The livers were removed for histological examination. The results of this study showed the protective effect in all doses but the most significant protection was observed in doses of 250 and 500 mg/Kg [p < 0.05]. Also these findings were supported and confirmed by histological examination

Focal adhesion kinase [FAK] involvement in human endometrial remodeling during the menstrual cycle

Endometrial remodeling occurs during each menstrual cycle in women. Reports have shown that, in a variety of cell types, processes such as proliferation, signaling complex formation and extra cellular matrix remodeling require a cytoplasmic tyrosine kinase, focal adhesion kinase [FAK]. The present study has focused on the expression pattern of FAK in human endometrium during the menstrual cycle. The purpose of this study was to ascertain the probable function of FAK in menstrual cycle changes and the role of FAK in tissue repair and tissue remodeling in vivo. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded endometrial samples were obtained from 400 pre-menopausal, non-pregnant women, who underwent hysterectomy and biopsy for benign diseases. Forty six samples with no tissue abnormalities were studied and ABC staining method of immuno-histochemistry methods was applied. Positive staining of FAK by different cell types of human endometrium was scaled and compared with each other by using histologic score method. All different cell types of endometrium showed various patterns of FAK expression in different stages of menstruation. FAK in glandular and luminal epithelial cells is up-regulated during the early proliferative [EP] to mid-secretory [MS] phases. FAK in stromal cells is up-regulated during the EP, early and MS phases in comparison to the late secretory [LS] phase. FAK expression in endothelial cells is up-regulated during the EP and MS phases in comparison to LS phase. This study showed that endometrial FAK expression is a phase-dependent manner during the menstrual cycle. It appears that up-regulation of FAK during the proliferative phases is responsible for endometrial regeneration and high expression of FAK in the EP and MS phases may associate with the implantation. Down-regulation of FAK during the LS phase may facilitate apoptosis in human endometrium. It seems that FAK as a key kinase plays a critical role in endometrial remodeling that it may regulate by steroid hormones

Hepatoprotective activity of capparis spinosa root bark against CC1[4] induced hepatic damage in mice

Many hepatoprotective herbal preparations have been recommended in alternative systems of medicine for the treatment of hepatic disorders. No systematic study has been done on protective efficacy of Capparis spinosa [Capparidaceae] to treat hepaticjdiseases. Protective action of C. spinosa ethanolic root bark extract was evaluated by this study in an animal model of hepatotoxicity induced by carbon tetrachloride. Healthy male mice [30-35 g body weight, 6-8 weeks old] were divided into 7 groups. Group 1 was normal control group; Group 2, the hepatotoxic group was given CCL[4]; Group 3 was administered olive oil [vehicle]; Groups 4-6 received different doses of ethanolic root bark extract [100. 200 and 400 mg/kg] with CCL[4]; Group 7 was administered overdose of extract [800 mg/kg]. The parameters studied were alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase activities and duration of sleep. The hepatoprotective activity was also supported by histopathological studies of liver tissue. Results of the biochemical studies of blood samples of CCL[4] treated animals showed significant increase in the levels of serum enzyme activities reflecting the liver injury caused by CCL[4]. Whereas blood samples from the animals treated with ethanolic root bark extracts showed significant decrease in the levels of serum markers indicating the protection of hepatic cells. The results revealed that ethanolic root bark extract of C. spinosa could afford significant dose-dependent protection against CCL[4] induced hepatocellular injury

Extra mammary tumors metastasis to the breast

In patients with known extramammary malignancies, Metastatic disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a palpable breast mass, particularly if there is a history of extramammary malignancy. Breast metastasis is usually indicative of diffuse metastatic disease and a poor prognosis. Biopsy and careful review of previous pathologic material assures prompt treatment and avoids an unnecessary radical operation. Breast metastases from extramammary tumors are rare with few cases reported. Four cases of metastasis to the breast are presented and the diagnostic problems of this condition are reviewed. Correlation between the histology of primary tumor and the cytology of breast metastatic tumors can avoid the surgical breast biopsy and unnecessary mastectomy. In conclusion, Metastasis to the breast has poor prognosis. We report a case of metastasis leukemia to breast presenting as a breast lump

protective effect of cetirizine against bleomycine induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats

To evaluate the protective effect of cetrizine against bleomycin induced pulmonary fibrosis in rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats [n=30], received an intratracheal injection of bleomycin [7.5 IU/kg] in saline solution for induction of pulmonary fibrosis. Two treatment groups received daily cetirizine five and 20mg/kg/day, seven days before and four weeks after administering a single-dose bleomycin [7.5IU/kg]. The cytokines [IL-8, TNF-alpha, TGF-alpha1] through ELISA kits, the amount of collagen in the lungs [hydroxyproline content], and pharmacological activity of the lung strip tissues were determined. The cytokine levels have been decreased in the treated groups by cetirizine 5 [p< 0.05] and 20 [p<0.01] mg/kg/day, in comparison to positive control group. Cetirizine may have a protective effect against bleomycine induced pulmonary fibrosis as evident by the reduction of the severity of lung tissue changes, collagen amounts and cytokines levels caused by bleomycine in rats lungs tissues

Investigation of protective effect of prednisolone in nephropathy induced by co-trimoxazole in rat

Co-trimoxazole is a sulfonamide derivative, which is used as an antibacterial drug. Prednisolone is a dermo-corticostroid derivative, which is widely used as an anti-inflammatory and in the treatment of allergic reaction and collagen vascular diseases. The aim of this study was to find out the effect of co-trimoxazole on the renal interstitum and protective effect of predenisolone in rat. Four groups of animal were selected, namely A, B, C and control group. Groups A and B were treated with co-trimoxazole [150mg/Kg sulfa methoxazole + 30mg/Kg trimethoprim] while group C was treated with Co-trimoxazole and prednisolone [4mg/Kg] for 10 days. The reference group only received some dose of water. The blood samples were collected from groups A and C, 24 hours and from group B, 14 days after the last dose of drug were administrated. Microscopic samples from kidney tissue were prepared. The slides staining was done with Hematoxelin and Eosine [H and E] stain for histopathological study. The creatinine level in serum of group A [1.54] showed a significant increase as compared with the control group [1.04]. In the group that received co-trimoxazole the histopathological study showed acute interstitial nephritis [AIN]. In the group that was treated with co-trimoxazole + prednisolone showed no histopathological changes. The results from present study, support the theory that AIN is drug allergic reaction when co-trimoxazole is used

Relationship between expression of p53 protein and tumor subtype and grade in renal cell carcinoma

Our aim was to evaluate the overexpression of p53 protein, product of mutated TP53 gene, in histologic sections of the kidneys with renal cell carcinoma [RCC] and its association with tumor grade and subtype. A total of 66 histologic sections of the kidneys of patients with the diagnosis of RCC were re-evaluated and tumor grade, tumor subtype, and p53 expression were determined. Of the total 66 histologic sections with the diagnosis of RCC, 34 [51.5%], 27 [41%], and 5 [7.5%] were conventional, papillary, and chromophobe subtypes, respectively. Fifty-one [77.3%], 14 [21.2%], and 1 [1.5%] of tumors were grade 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Thirty [45.4%] sections were positive for p53 immunohistochemical staining. In 7 cases [20.6%] of the conventional tumors, p53 staining was positive, while 18 papillary [66.6%] and 5 chromophobe tumors [100%] had a positive staining for p53 [P <.001]. Seventeen out of 51 grade 2 tumors [33.4%] and 12 out of 14 grade 3 tumors [85.7%] were positive for p53. The single case of grade 4 tumor was positive for p53 protein, too [P =.001]. Increased expression of p53 protein is rather prevalent in RCC. This factor is associated with tumor grade and subtype. According to our findings, it is generally accompanied by nonconventional subtypes and higher tumor grades

effect of tragacanth mucilage on the healing of full-thickness wound in rabbit

Wound repair is a natural reaction to injury, which results in restoration of tissue integrity. Wound healing occurs in 3 phases including inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. There are common pathways in wound healing of human and certain animal species. To examine the healing effect of tragacanth mucilage on excisional full-thickness wound in rabbit. Mucilage was extracted from the dried tragacanth gum, using a mixture of water and glycerin [4:1] as the vehicle. Three percent, 6%, and 9% creams of tragacanth mucilage were prepared in the eucerin base. A full-thickness wound was made on the left flank of rabbits. Tragacanth creams were applied on the wound area twice daily. Control groups were treated with the drug-free cream base or commercial phenytoin cream 1%. Healing was determined quantitatively as the reduction in wound area. Histological study was performed using hematoxylin and eosin stain under light microscope. The wound healing profile of tragacanth-treated groups was significantly better than the nontreated groups. The best healing effect was observed with the 6% tragacanth cream, which exerted the lowest period for healing. This effect was significantly different from the control phenytoin or drug-free eucerin bases. The extent of tissue repairment was confirmed by histological examination. Tragacanth mucilage exhibited a considerable potency for wound healing. This is probably due to an acceleration of collagenation and proliferation phases of the wound repair