Role of PI3K/AKT pathway in squamous cell carcinoma with an especial focus on head and neck cancers.

PI3K/AKT pathway is an important pathway in the carcinogenesis since it has central impacts in the regulation of metabolic pathways, cell proliferation and survival, gene expression and protein synthesis. This pathway has been reported to be dysregulated in several types of cancers. In the current review, we summarize the role of this signaling pathway in squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) originated from different parts of body cervix, oral cavity, head and neck and skin. The data presented in the current review shows the impact of dysregulation of PI3K/AKT pathway in survival of patients with SCC. Moreover, targeted therapies against this pathway have been found to be effective in reduction of tumor burden both in animal models and clinical settings. Finally, a number of molecules that regulate PI3K/AKT pathway can be used as diagnostic markers for different types of SCCs.

Antimicrobial effects of nanocurcumin gel on reducing the microbial count of gingival fluids of implant‒abutment interface: A clinical study.

Background. This clinical study aimed to prepare and evaluate the effect of antimicrobial nanocurcumin gel on reducing the microbial counts of gingival fluids of the implant‒abutment interface in patients referred to the Tabriz Faculty of Dentistry for the placement of two dental implants. Methods. Fifteen patients applying for at least two dental implants were included in the study. During the uncovering session, nanocurcumin gel was placed in one implant, and no substance was placed in another (the control group). Then, in three sessions, implantation sessions (10 days after the repair abutment closure session), prosthesis delivery (15 days after the implantation session), and one month after prosthesis delivery, the patients' gingival fluid was sampled and cultured to determine bacterial counts in the gingival fluid by colony-forming units (CFU/mL). T-test was used for statistical analysis of data, and statistical significance was set at P<0.05. Results. This study showed that nanocurcumin gel significantly reduced the CFU/mL of gingival fluid in all three sampling stages compared to the control group. Conclusion. According to the results of this study, the application of antimicrobial nanocurcumin gel inside the implant fixture could reduce the microbial counts of gingival fluids.

Effect of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) on Depression in Patients With Myocardial Infarction (MI).

BACKGROUND: Coronary heart disease is the most important cause of death and inability in all communities. Depressive symptoms are frequent among post-myocardial infarction (MI) patients and may cause negative effects on cardiac prognosis. This study was conducted to identify efficacy of EMDR on depression of patients with MI. METHODS: This study is a clinical trial. Sixty patients with MI were selected by simple sampling, and were separated randomly into experimental and control groups. To collect data, demographic questionnaire and Beck Depression Questionnaire were used. In experimental group, EMDR therapy were performed in three sessions alternate days for 45-90 minutes, during four months after their MI. Depression level of patients was measured before, and a week after EMDR therapy. Data were analyzed using paired -t- test, t-test, and Chi-square. RESULTS: The mean depression level in experimental group 27.26±6.41 before intervention, and it was 11.76±3.71 after intervention. Hence, it showed a statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The mean depression level in control group was 24.53±5.81 before intervention, and it was 31.66±6.09 after intervention, so it showed statistically significant difference (P<0.001). The comparison of mean depression level at post treatment, in both groups showed statistically significant difference (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: EMDR is an effective, useful, efficient, and non-invasive method for treatment and reducing depression in patients with MI.

Ex vivo MRI of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To provide a strategy for precise co-localization of lymph nodes on axillary lymph-node dissection (ALND) specimens both on pathology and MR. To identify nodal features suggestive of metastatic involvement on a node-to-node basis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: National Institutional review-board approved this prospective study of 18 patients with breast cancer referred for ALND. Ex vivo T1 and inversion recovery (IR) T2 WI of ALND specimens tightly positioned within scaled plastic cranes was performed immediately after surgery. The correspondence of MR-based or pathologically based nodes location was assessed. The MR size and morphological presentation of metastatic and normal nodes were compared (Student's t-test or Mann-Whitney test). Quantitative variables were compared using Pearson coefficient. RESULTS: 207 nodes were retrieved on pathology and 165 on MR. MR-pathological correlation of nodes location was high regarding MR-identified nodes (r=0.755). An MR short axis threshold of 4mm yielded the best predictive value for metastatic nodal involvement (Se=78.6%; Sp=62.3%). Irregular contours (Se=35.7%; Sp=96.7%), central nodal hyper-intensity on IR T2 WI (Se=57.1%; Sp=91.4%), and a cortical thickness above 3mm (Se=63.6%; Sp=83.2%) were significantly associated with metastatic involvement. CONCLUSION: Ex vivo MR allows node-to-node correlation with pathology. Morphological MR criteria can suggest metastatic involvement.