Evaluation of BIRC6 Expression in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Epithelial Dysplasia, Lichen Planus with and without Dysplasia, and Hyperkeratosis.

BACKGROUND: BIRC6, regarded as the pivotal member of the inhibitor of the apoptosis (IAP) family, has been linked to the development of different types of cancer in humans. The objective of this study was to examine the expression of BIRC6 in various oral conditions, including OLP with dysplasia (OLPD), hyperkeratosis (HK), OLP, epithelial dysplasia (ED), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), to investigate its potential involvement in the development of OSCC and the pathogenesis and malignant transformation of OLP, which is known as a precancerous condition. METHODS: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 99 cases, consisting of 19 cases of OSCC, 21 cases of ED, 23 cases of OLP, 20 cases of OLPD, and 16 cases of HK as the control group, were investigated regarding BIRC6 expression by immunohistochemical staining. After that, the immunohistochemical expression of BIRC6 in the epithelial compartment was analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between the expression of BIRC6 and clinicopathological variables. The statistical analysis of the data involved the use of one-way ANOVA, post hoc Tukey, Kruskal-Wallis, Chi-square, Spearman's correlation, and Mann-Whitney tests. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Positive BIRC6 staining was found in 91.7% of the subjects of OLP, 88.1% of HK, 86.1% of ED, 93% of OLPD, and 94.7% of OSCC. OSCC showed the highest BIRC6 expression (p = 0.00). The average total staining score was remarkably greater in OSCC and dysplastic lesions compared with HK (p = 0.00, p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: While the current study suggested that BIRC6 may play a role in the tumorigenesis of OSCC, its role in the malignant transformation of OLP has yet to be definitively established.

Evaluation of Various Fixation Methods in Acute Scapholunate Dissociation, A Finite Element Study.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the outcomes of fixing scapholunate with pins and screws in parallel, convergent, and divergent orientations. Materials and Methods: In this computer simulation study, the CT scan images of a healthy subject were used to construct a 3D model of the wrist joint using MIMICS software. The imposed force to scaphoid and 3D model lunate bones, as well as the scapholunate angle and distance, were compared in different surgical techniques using parallel, divergent, and convergent pins and screws. Results: In the absence of external force, the imposed stress applied to the scaphoid and lunate bones in cases of parallel pins and screws were 7.5MPa, 5.08MPa (pins), 1.134MPa, and 1.151MPa (screws), and 10.90MPa, 10.90MPa (pins), 9.7MPa, and 34.1MPa (screws) for 50N flexion force. The imposed stress in this approach is significantly lower compared to other interventions. Better outcomes were seen regarding scapholunate angle and scapholunate distance in using parallel pins or screws as well. Conclusion: In conclusion, implementing parallel pins and screws for scapholunate fixation had better results in terms of achieving carpal stability in scapholunate dissociation. However, fixation with pins and screws showed a statistically significant difference. Furthermore, a wide range of motion exercises with no additional forces can be used in the rehabilitation of patients undergoing this surgery.

Comparison of the efficacy of oral fenugreek seeds hydroalcoholic extract versus placebo in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease; a randomized, triple-blind controlled pilot clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to investigate the therapeutic property of hydroalcoholic extract of Fenugreek seeds in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adult patients. METHODS: This randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel trial was conducted from November 2014 to June 2017. Patients aged between 18 and 70 years old with confirmed NAFLD were recruited from the Motahhari clinic, affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Participants either received 1 g hydroalcoholic extract of Fenugreek seeds or placebo daily for 3 months. The primary outcomes were changes in serum alanine transaminase and FibroScan controlled attenuation parameter score. Secondary outcome measures were changes in other laboratory data, liver stiffness measure, liver steatosis percent, and anthropometric variables. Participants were randomly assigned to the groups using blocked randomization method. Participants, investigators, and statistician were blinded to treatments allocation. RESULTS: After screening eighty patients, thirty patients met the inclusion criteria and were divided into two groups (1:1). After 3 months, two and four patients did not complete the trial in Fenugreek and placebo group, respectively. The changes in the anthropometrics, laboratories and FibroScan measurements were not statistically significant between the two groups. CONCLUSION: The evidence to prove the efficacy of the Fenugreek seeds' hydroalcoholic extract in NAFLD was not strong enough; hence, further experiments are still needed to assess the possible efficacy of Fenugreek on the treatment of NAFLD.