ABSTRACT
Canthariasis is a human disease caused by infestation of beetle larvae. We report here an unusual cause of urogenital infection due to Tenebrio molitor in a 10-year-old boy suffering from severe and intermittent suprapubic pain from Nehbandan City, Northeastern Iran in 2018. After 9 months, three larvae were excreted. Keratinization of bladder wall was observed in histopathology. All laboratory evaluations were normal except for presence of microscopic hematuria. This report implicated that T. molitor could infest bladder accidentally and cause canthariasis and clinical symptoms that may lead to severe pain and bladder inflammation and hyperemia.
ABSTRACT
Research has suggested that natural antioxidant, crocin, an active ingredient of saffron, may protect against diazinon (DZN)-induced toxicity. Although increased production of lipid peroxidation by DZN in rat aorta has been shown previously, the effects of DZN on oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in vascular system have not been evaluated. In this study, the effect of crocin on DZN-induced apoptosis in rat vascular system was investigated. The rats were divided into 7 groups: corn oil (control), DZN (15 mg/kg/day, gavage), crocin (12.5, 25, and 50 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneally (i.p.)) + DZN, vitamin E (200 IU/kg, i.p., 3 days a week) + DZN, and crocin (50 mg/kg/day, i.p.). The treatments were continued for 4 weeks. Levels of apoptotic (Bax, caspase 3, and caspase 9) and antiapoptotic proteins (Bcl2) were analyzed by Western blotting. Transcript levels of Bax and Bcl2 genes were determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results showed DZN-induced apoptosis by activation of caspase 9 and caspase 3 and by increasing the Bax/Bcl2 ratio (both protein and messenger RNA levels). Crocin and vitamin E inhibited apoptosis induced by DZN. In summary, subchronic exposure to DZN induced caspase-mediated apoptosis, and crocin reduced the toxic effects of DZN by inhibiting apoptosis in aortic tissue.
Subject(s)
Apoptosis/drug effects , Carotenoids/pharmacology , Diazinon/toxicity , Animals , Antioxidants/pharmacology , Cardiovascular System/drug effects , Cardiovascular System/metabolism , Caspase 3/genetics , Caspase 3/metabolism , Caspase 9/genetics , Caspase 9/metabolism , Crocus/chemistry , Insecticides/toxicity , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Male , Oxidative Stress/drug effects , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Protective Agents/pharmacology , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Toxicity Tests, Subchronic , Vitamin E/pharmacology , bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics , bcl-2-Associated X Protein/metabolismABSTRACT
We evaluated the concordance rate and diagnostic accuracy of digital cytology slides reviewed by experienced pathologists at the University of Miami and the Ohio State University in comparison with review of conventional glass slides by the pathologist at the Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. In addition, we evaluated interobserver reproducibility in telecytology diagnosis in pleural effusion smears between Ohio State and Miami University. For this, we selected 50 pleural effusion smears with different diagnoses. For each case, digital images were sent via the Internet to the consulting pathologists at the two US universities. The accuracy of the telecytology diagnoses was 83% and 87% at the two US universities and the accuracy of glass slide review was 89%. The inter-observer reproducibility of telecytology diagnosis between these two universities was 0.71. The concordance rate, inter-observer reproducibility and diagnostic accuracy of telecytology diagnosis in pleural effusion smears between the three institutions were good. Telecytology diagnosis of pleural effusion smears is potentially useful in screening and diagnosis and may allow more efficient use of scarce cytopathologist resources and expertise.
Subject(s)
Cytodiagnosis/methods , Pleural Effusion/pathology , Pleural Neoplasms/pathology , Remote Consultation , Telepathology/methods , Feasibility Studies , Humans , Iran , Mass Screening/methods , Observer Variation , Reproducibility of Results , United StatesABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the ethanolic extract of Nigella sativa L (NS) seeds on kidney calculi in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: group A received tap drinking water for 30 days (intact control). Groups B, C, and D received 1% ethylen glycol for induction of calcium oxalate calculus formation. As the preventive, and treatment subjects, rats in groups C and D received ethanolic extract of NS, 250 mg/kg, in drinking water since day 0 and day 14, respectively. Urine was collected on days 0, 7, 14, and 30 of the study period. After 30 days, the kidneys were removed and prepared for histologic evaluation of calcium oxalate deposits. Urine calcium oxalate concentrations were determined by atomic absorption. RESULTS: The number of CaOx deposits was significantly greater in group B (P = .001). Calcium oxalate concentrations in the urine on days 14 and 30 increased significantly in group B and were higher than those in group C (P = .006 and P = .002, respectively). Urine oxalate concentration in group D decreased on day 30 and was lower than that in group B (P = .04). CONCLUSION: Treatment of rats with ethanolic extract of NS reduced the number of calcium oxalate deposits in a group of rats that received ethanolic extract of NS. The NS could also lower the urine concentration of calcium oxalate. We suggest further studies on the therapeutic and preventive effects of the NS on kidney calculus formation in human.
