GALLIC ACID IMPROVES OXIDATIVE STRESS AND INFLAMMATION THROUGH REGULATING MICRORNAS EXPRESSIONS IN THE BLOOD OF DIABETIC RATS.

CONTEXT: Endothelial dysfunction and diabetic cardiomyopathy are critical complications of diabetes. Gallic acid (GA) plays a significant role in cardiovascular disorders resulted from diabetes. In addition, increased plasma miR-24, miR-126 associated with endothelial dysfunction. AIM: The current study was designed to assess the effects of GA on plasma miR-24, miR-126 levels in the diabetic rats. ANIMALS AND METHODS: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups (n=8): control (C), diabetic (D) and diabetic group treated with GA (D+G, 25 mg/kg, by gavage) for eight weeks. The blood glucose level, body weight, lipid profile, blood pressure, plasma miR-24 and miR-126 levels, antioxidant and inflammatory biomarkers were measured. RESULTS: The plasma levels of miR-24, miR-126, body weight, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), total anti-oxidant capacity (TAC) and the systolic blood pressure significantly reduced and blood glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c), malondialdehyde (MDA), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) significantly elevated among the diabetic rats compared with the control group. However, GA restored body weight, blood pressure, TC, TG, VLDL-c, TNF-α, miR-126, blood glucose, HDL-c, MDA, TAC, miR-24 and IL-6 among the GA treated rats compared with the diabetic group. CONCLUSION: GA improves inflammation, oxidative stress and hypotension result from diabetes. These protective effects are probably mediated via increasing plasma miR-24 and miR-126 levels.

Benchmarking of Siemens Linac in Electron Modes: 8-14 MeV Electron Beams.

BACKGROUND: Radiation therapy using electron beams is a promising method due to its physical dose distribution. Monte Carlo (MC) code is the best and most accurate technique for forespeaking the distribution of dose in radiation treatment of patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We report an MC simulation of a linac head and depth dose on central axis, along with profile calculations. The purpose of the present research is to carefully analyze the application of MC methods for the calculation of dosimetric parameters for electron beams with energies of 8-14 MeV at a Siemens Primus linac. The principal components of the linac head were simulated using MCNPX code for different applicators. RESULTS: The consequences of measurements and simulations revealed a good agreement. Gamma index values were below 1 for most points, for all energy values and all applicators in percent depth dose and dose profile computations. A number of states exhibited rather large gamma indices; these points were located at the tail of the percent depth dose graph; these points were less used in in radiotherapy. In the dose profile graph, gamma indices of most parts were below 1. The discrepancies between the simulation results and measurements in terms of Zmax, R90, R80 and R50 were insignificant. The results of Monte Carlo simulations showed a good agreement with the measurements. CONCLUSION: The software can be used for simulating electron modes of a Siemens Primus linac when direct experimental measurements are not feasible.

Effect of nitrogen sources on some morphological characteristics of in vitro stevia rebaudiana Bertoni.

Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni belongs to Asteraceae family that leaves 200-300 times sweeter than sugar. Low seed fertility is one of the most important problems in Stevia production. So, Plant tissue culture is an efficient method for mass propagation of Stevia. In this research, we studied the effect of various concentrations of nitrogen on some morphological traits of stevia under in vitro conditions. We used axillary nodes as explants and they were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing inorganic nitrogen sources i.e. NH4NO3(0, 825 and 1650 mg/l), KNO3(0, 950 and 1900 mg/l) were observed. The cultures were kept for 4 weeks at a temperature of 25±2°C with a photoperiod of 16/8 hour low light/dark each day. Maximum shoot length (89.33 mm), dry weight of plants (0.10 mg) and leaf fresh weight (0.42 mg) was observed on MS medium with 1650 mg/l NH4NO3 and 950 mg/l KNO3. Minimum shoot length (6.13 mm), root length (6.60 mm), leaf number (4.26), leaf dry weight (0.01 mg), leaf fresh weight (0.05 mg), total dry and fresh weight (0.02 and 0.15 mg) and growth rate was observed on a MS medium without nitrogen sources. Moreover, presence of nitrogen sources increases both shooting and rooting in Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni.

Skin Dosimetry in Radiotherapy of Breast Cancer: a Comparison between EBT and EBT3 Radiochromic Films.

OBJECTIVE: Radiochromic EBT3 film is a later generation of radiochromic films. The aim of this study is to compare EBT and EBT3 radiochromic films in radiotherapy fields of breast cancer. METHODS: A RANDO phantom was irradiated by a 6 MV Siemens Primus linac with medial and lateral fields of radiotherapy of breast cancer. Dosimetry was performed in various points in the fields using EBT and EBT3 films. Films were scanned by a Microtek color scanner. Dose values from two films in corresponding points were compared. RESULTS: In the investigation of calibration, net optical density (NOD) of EBT radiochromic is more than the EBT3 radiochromic film. The highest percentage difference between NODs of two films is related to 0.75 Gy and equals to 14.19%. The lowest value is related to 0.2 Gy dose and is equal to 3.31%. The highest percentage difference between two films on the RANDO phantom in breast cancer fields is 13.51% and the minimum value is equal to 0.33%. CONCLUSION: From the comparison between the two films, most of the points show differences in dose in the measurements in fields of breast cancer radiotherapy. These differences are attributed to the thickness of the active layers, the overall thickness of the films, and the difference in the calibration fitted functions. The advantage of EBT film over EBT3 is a higher sensitivity; on the other hand EBT3 film allows to use its both sides in the scanning process and it is a new version of this film type.

Calculation of Thyroid Dose with Planner System and Evaluation of Thyroid Function after Radiotherapy for Patients with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Much research has widely been conducted into thyroid hormones levels following radiotherapy for breast cancer. Consequently, in this study, we evaluated to relate the rate of thyroid hormones levels with the dose distribution among breast cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients were treated with 4-field breast cancer radiotherapy. The dose volume histograms, the volume percentage of the thyroid absorbing respectively 20, 30, 40 and 50 Gy were then estimated (V20, V30, V40 and V50) together with the individual average thyroid dose over the whole gland derived from their computed tomography-based treatment plans. Then, in serum samples triiodothyronine [T3], thyroxine [T4], thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH] of the patients were measured before and after radiotherapy. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in thyroid hormones levels before and after radiotherapy for patients with breast cancer (P value >.05). CONCLUSION: On the balance, we understood that thyroid stimulating hormones levels did not change before and after cancer breast radiotherapy.

Calculation of Thyroid Dose with Planner System and Evaluation of Thyroid Function after Radiotherapy for Patients with Breast Cancer.

BACKGROUND: Much research has widely been conducted into thyroid hormones levels following radiotherapy for breast cancer. Consequently, in this study, we evaluated to relate the rate of thyroid hormones levels with the dose distribution among breast cancer patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty patients were treated with 4-field breast cancer radiotherapy. The dose volume histograms, the volume percentage of the thyroid absorbing respectively 20, 30, 40 and 50 Gy were then estimated (V20, V30, V40 and V50) together with the individual average thyroid dose over the whole gland derived from their computed tomography-based treatment plans. Then, in serum samples triiodothyronine [T3], thyroxine [T4], thyroid-stimulating hormone [TSH] of the patients were measured before and after radiotherapy. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in thyroid hormones levels before and after radiotherapy for patients with breast cancer (P value >.05). CONCLUSION: On the balance, we understood that thyroid stimulating hormones levels did not change before and after cancer breast radiotherapy.

Dietary diversity score and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Studies examining the association between dietary diversity score (DDS) and obesity have led to inconsistent findings. Therefore, the purpose of this review is to summarize and elucidate the source of heterogeneous results reported in different studies. METHODS: PubMed, ISI Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar were searched through December 2013 to identify all relevant articles. Sixteen publications met the inclusion criteria for the systematic review and 10 articles were entered into the meta-analysis. Eight studies had data on the odds ratio (OR) for overweight/obesity and eight compared the mean body mass index (BMI) among subjects with highest versus the lowest DDS. RESULTS: A meta-analysis on eligible studies failed to show a significant association on either overweight/obesity OR (OR: 0.72; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.45-1.16; P=0.174) or mean differences (MD) in BMI (MD: 0.22; 95% CI: -0.70-1.14; P=0.643) comparing the highest and lowest diverse diets. Between-study heterogeneity was high, and subgroup analysis failed to identify the source of heterogeneity. CONCLUSIONS: Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that there was no significant association between DDS and BMI status, which may be due to use of different methods for assessing dietary intake and determination of DDS. Thus, well-designed prospective studies with similar approaches to assess DDS are highly recommended.

Freeman-Sheldon syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Freeman-Sheldon syndrome is a rare hereditary disorder characterised by three basic abnormalities, namely microstomia, camptodactyly with ulnar deviation of the fingers, and clubfoot. The majority of these patients have microstomia and dental crowding, making oral hygiene difficult and increasing the risk of caries. Treatment of these patients requires a coordinated effort by a team of specialists, including a paediatrician, an anaesthesiologist, a plastic surgeon, a paediatric dentist, and an orthodontist. Herein, we describe dental problems of a child with Freeman-Sheldon syndrome and the treatment procedures performed.

Towards proposition of a diagnostic reference level for mammographic examination in the greater Khorasan Province, Iran.

Although, over the past few years, the application of mammography has risen up sharply in Iran, very little, if any, has been reported of the extent of patient's dose from this type of imaging. The purpose of this study was to establish local diagnostic reference level (DRL) arising from mammography in the great Khorasan province of Iran. It is generally assumed that the glandular tissue is the most vulnerable type of breast tissue. Therefore, the mean glandular dose (MGD) has been widely accepted as the most appropriate dosimetric quantity to predict the risk of radiation-induced cancer. Literary, DRL for mammography is defined as the 75th percentile of MGD distribution. In Khorasan province, 7 out of 40 centres were randomly selected. In this work, 100 patients were studied. Thermoluminescence dosimeters have been used to measure entrance surface doses (ESDs). Since, it is difficult to directly measure MGD, Monte Carlo model-based conversion factors were utilised to conclude MGD from ESD. The results have revealed that patients dose is varied widely. The measured ESDs ranged from 0.74 to 19.81 mGy for the craniocaudal (CC) view and 1.20 to 25.79 mGy for the mediolateral oblique (MLO) view. The average MGDs per image were 0.88 and 1.11 mGy for CC and MLO views, respectively. Based on the internationally adopted definition, DRL arising from mammography tests for Khorasan is 1.33 mGy. Implementation of a dose reduction programme is suggested because of the large variations observed in patient MGD values. In this study, the DRL value is significantly lower than the corresponding values suggested by other researchers elsewhere.

Microstructural evolution of bainitic steel severely deformed by equal channel angular pressing.

High Si bainitic steel has been received much of interest because of combined ultra high strength, good ductility along with high wear resistance. In this study a high Si bainitic steel (Fe-0.22C-2.0Si-3.0Mn) was used with a proper microstructure which could endure severe plastic deformation. In order to study the effect of severe plastic deformation on the microstructure and properties of bainitic steel, Equal Channel Angular Pressing was performed in two passes at room temperature. Optical, SEM and TEM microscopies were used to examine the microstructure of specimens before and after Equal Channel Angular Pressing processing. X-ray diffraction was used to measure retained austenite after austempering and Equal Channel Angular Pressing processing. It can be seen that retained austenite picks had removed after Equal Channel Angular Pressing which could attributed to the transformation of austenite to martensite during severe plastic deformation. Enhancement of hardness values by number of Equal Channel Angular Pressing confirms this idea.

Effect of renal transplantation on sperm quality and sex hormone levels.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of successful renal transplantation on semen variables, sexual function and sex hormone profiles in a clinical trial. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients on haemodialysis underwent renal transplantation; before and after surgery, their sperm density, motility and morphology were analysed, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin and testosterone levels measured and compared, and sexual function assessed using an abbreviated version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), with a successful outcome defined as a level of satisfaction of 4 or 5 on a 5-point scale. The paired t-test was used to assess the statistically significance of differences in all analyses. RESULTS: Sperm motility improved significantly (P < 0.001) but there were no significant changes in morphology or density (P = 0.33 and 0.068, respectively). Testosterone levels increased and FSH, LH and prolactin decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after renal transplantation. The IIEF showed that of the 30 patients, 14 were impotent before surgery and only six remained so afterward (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although sperm morphology and density did not improve after renal transplantation, there were highly significant changes in sperm motility. Hormonal levels in patients on haemodialysis improved after transplantation and returned to nearly normal; sexual function was also significantly better. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.