JOURNAL OF ADVANCED BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Year:2015 | Volume:5 | Issue:3|Papers Count:21

Background & Objectives: The most common parasitic lung disease is echinococcosis, and usually young male patients suffer from this disease. Lung involvement is more common in children, and it is important to consider this involvement as a diagnosis. Anesthesia and surgical management are always challenging for both Anesthesiologist and surgeon.Case: In this case we report successful anesthetic and surgical management of a giant hydatid cyst in the lung of an eightyear-old boy.Conclusion: Successful anesthetic management during hydatid cyst surgery of lung in pediatrics using cuffed endobronchial tube is possible if the anesthesiologist and the surgeon are swift, well-coordinated, and synchronized.

Background & Objectives: Molluscum contagiosum is a benign viral infection of the skin in the genital area of adult patients and children’s faces, arms, legs, and trunk. It is spread by direct contact. Lesions are small, flesh-colored, and umbilicated with central cores containing white keratinous material. It is rarely observed in palmar and plantar areas.Case: We present a case of Molluscum contagiosum in the plantar area of a 30-year-old lady as small, painless, nonpruritic and umbilicated papules in the right. By squeezing lesions cheesy materials were pushed out. The diagnosis was made by excisional biopsy. The patient became asymptomatic by surgical excision and cutherizations.Result: Despite the previous opinion that Molluscum contagiosum is based on the synthesis of new hair follicles and only seen in hairy body, it is in fact a viral infection that can affect the whole surface of the body including palmar and plantar area.

In the last 15 years, there has been a significant increase in the number of researchers interested in studying Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs). MSCs are self-renewing, heterogenic, and multipotent cells that have multi-lineage potential to differentiate not only in to cell types of mesodermal origin but also other various cell lineage MSCs migrate to inflammatory tissues and apply immunosuppressive effects. The usages of these cells as diagnostic tool, secretor of some growth factors and cytokines, gene expresser of engineered cells, and other characteristics such as relatively easy preparation and proliferation, add to the attraction of these cells. Scientists suggest that the transplantation of these cells is a proper alternative for treatment of some incurable illnesses of bone, heart, skin, and liver such as diabetes. However, these kinds of treatment, not clearly associated with the definitive remedial results, are going on in an additive manner. Introducing stem cells with their miracle properties as a predictive precipitance and their curative potential in the recent years, led to many questions, concerns, and expectations regarding this newly proposed therapeutic method. Nowadays, knowing the true extent of the curative effect of these cells, especially in some tissues more clearly reduces concerns and makes expectations more rational like other treatments.

Background & Objectives: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and one of the leading causes of death in the productivity ages. Mammography screening is the main method for the diagnosis of breast cancer. While analog mammography counts as the standard method of screening, the digital one can be an alternative. This review compared the effectiveness and safety of these technologies.Materials & Methods: In order to collect evidence of the effectiveness of analog and digital mammography, a systematic review of diagnostic accuracy studies from 1990 to March 2014 was conducted. The most relevant databases included Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE), NHS Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EEDs), Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, TRIP, PubMed, and Medline. The keywords included mammography and its roots. After identifying the appropriate studies, the quality was evaluated by QUADAS, and the meta-analysis was used for extracted data pooling.Results: Of all the 35,284 related studies, 166 were selected after topic review. Subsequently, 13 studies were selected for analysis, removing duplicates and abstracts or full paper reviews. The quality of 9 studies was good while that of the rest was average. The meta-analysis revealed that the sensitivity of analog and digital mammography in women under 50 years of age was 0.61 and 0.81, respectively.Conclusion: Owing to the higher sensitivity and safety of digital mammography and based on the increasing prevalence of breast cancer among the Iranian women, especially in the ages of 45-50, we recommend digital rather than analog mammography for breast cancer screening and diagnosis.

Background & Objectives: Almost 9% to 12% of construction workers are exposed to dust in their workplace. However, few studies have assessed the risks and complications of this exposure. This study aims to evaluate the pulmonary effects of construction workers’ occupational exposure to dust.Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the southeast of Fars province. In this research a total of 50 construction workers and 50 referent workers from a food industry were studied. From each individual the data of spirometric parameters and related factors (age, weight, history of lung disease, and smoking) were collected. These data were analyzed via independent sample t test, Chi-square test, logistic regression, and Pearson correlation using SPSS16 software.Results: This study showed that the means of FVC and FEV1 in construction workers were significantly higher than those of food industry workers (p=0.008 and p<0.0001, respectively). However, the Odds Ratio of abnormal spirometry pattern showed no significant difference between two groups. Between the spirometric parameters, only the FEV1 / FVC ratio had a significant positive correlation with age. This correlation was equal in both groups (r ~ 0.3 and p<0.05).Conclusion: The findings of this study provide evidence to support the proposition that construction workers are not at risk of developing respiratory disorders.

Background & Objectives: Breast cancer is nowadays one of the most harmful threats to women’s health. However, exercise training plays an adjuvant role in breast cancer (Adjuvant also means preventive. So, no need to repeat preventing.). Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate the effect of 6-week endurance training on the levels of interleukin-8 in the tumor and Interleukin-17 in the serum of mice suffering from breast cancer.Materials & Methods: In this study, 20 female Balb/C mice were randomly divided into exercise-tumor (RET) and rest-tumor (RRT) groups. The mice were oriented in the environment, and one million estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells (MC4L2) were injected into the top of the right thigh of each mouse. Subsequently, the RET group performed the endurance exercise 5 days per week for 6 weeks. The tumor volume was measured by a digital caliper each week. Finally, the mice were sacrificed, and the tumor tissue was removed and kept in -70oC. Then, ELISA method was performed and the data were collected.Results: After 6 weeks of training, a significant decrease was observed in the RTE group in the serum level of IL-17 and IL-8 protein in tumor (P< 0.05). These results were consistent with the tumor growth rate.Conclusion: The findings of the present study indicate that endurance training can reduce IL-8 and IL-17 proteins in the tumor and serum of mice ill with breast cancer. Therefore, the physical activity is utilized as an important factor in the improvement of adjutant therapy along with other therapeutic methods to treat breast cancer.

Background & Objectives: Interaction of cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B with toll-like receptors of dendritic cells leads to early signaling and innate immune responses. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B on the maturation and function of monocyte-derived dendritic cells in treated groups in comparison with control groups.Materials & Methods: Blood samples were taken from 5 healthy volunteers. Following the generation of monocytederived dendritic cells on the fifth day of cell culture, half of the immature dendritic cells were treated with cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B, and the rest of them were induced to mature dendritic untreated cells and were used as the control group. The maturation and function of dendritic cells were evaluated in these two groups.Results: The gene expression level of toll-like receptor-4 significantly increased in the group treated with glycoprotein B (p<0.05), whereas there were no significant differences in the expression rates of CD83, CD86, CD1a, and HLA-DR and the secretion of IL-23 from monocyte-derived dendritic cells between the treated groups and the controls.Conclusion: The increase in the gene expression of toll-like receptor-4 in monocyte-derived dendritic cells treated with cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B showed that cell contact is required to elicit cellular antiviral response and toll-like receptor activation. Thus, it is critical to recognize the viral and cellular determinants of the immune system in order to develop new therapeutic strategies against cytomegalovirus.

Background & Objectives: Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Obesity, hormones, and growth factors are the risk factors for this kind of cancer. One of the changes observed in patients suffering from breast cancer is the elevated Visfatin or nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase (NAMPT) in their tumor tissues and blood. The increased activity of Visfatin and SIRT1 (Sirtuin 1) in breast cancer and many other cancers has been determined, and its value is correlated with cancer prognosis. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of Visfatin on SIRT1 activity in MCF-7 breast cancer cell line.Materials & Methods: In this study, in order to investigate the effects of Visfatin on SIRT1 activity in MCF-7 cells, cells were treated after cell culture by Visfatin for 12, 24, and 48 hours. Subsequently, the cells were lysed by nuclear extraction kit, and their total protein concentrations were measured by Bradford assay. Finally, we estimated the general activity of SIRT1 by measuring the SIRT1 activity with the assay kit via spectrofluorometric device.Results: The findings of this research show that SIRT1 activity is not significantly changed following Visfatin treatments for 12 and 24 hours. However, after 48 hour, Visfatin increases SIRT1 activity about 2 times more than control group.Conclusion: The antiapoptotic effects of Visfatin are exerted by increasing SIRT1 activity in MCF-7 cells, and these effects happen after 24 hours.

Background & Objectives: In the brain ischemia, the production of free radicals increases. Salvia is a rich source of antioxidant compounds; therefore, in this study we will examine the effects of Salvia extracts on brain edema and score of neurological deficits.Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 35 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, each containing 7 rats. The control group received distilled water, and the other three groups received intraperitoneally hydroalcoholic extracts of Salvia officinalis with dosages of 50, 75, and 100 mg/kg for 3 weeks. Thereafter, each main group underwent 60 min middle cerebral artery occlusion 2 hours after the last injection of Salvia extracts. This occlusion caused ischemia in the right hemisphere. Then, the brain edema was assessed, and the neurologic deficits were analyzed. The sham group was not treated and no induction of brain ischemia. Brain edema was analyzed through SPSS18 software and LSD method, while the analysis of neurologic deficits was carried out by Mann-Whitney U.Results: Our study results indicate that the hydroalcoholic extracts of Salvia reduced permeability brain edema in three dosages of 50, 75, and 100mg/kg (83.29±0.42, 82.10±0.32 and 81.29±0.48, respectively) compared with the control group (85.31±0.58). They also reduced the neurologic deficits in experimental groups of 75 and 100 mg/kg (1.43±0.37 and 1±0.31, respectively) compared with the control group (3.71±0.42) (p<0.05).Conclusion: Salvia officinalis apparently have a protective effect against stroke damage due to the reduced brain edema and neurological disorders.

Background & Objectives: Dental caries is the most important disease caused by some bacteria specially Streptococcus Mutans from Viridans family. The aim of this study is to evaluate the inhibitory effect of Chlorella vulgaris extract on growth, proliferation, and biofilm formation of Streptococcus mutans.Materials & Methods: Microalgae Chlorella vulgaris was extracted via maceration using chloroform, methanol, and acetone (2/1/1) as solvents. The antibacterial activities were evaluated through methods such as disk diffusion, well diffusion, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimal bactericidal concentration (MBC); besides, the antibiofilm formation of Chlorella vulgaris extract was indicated. In the present study, a method utilizing brine shrimp lethality was used to screen the toxicity of Chlorella vulgaris extract, and the mortality of brine shrimps was counted by Magnifying glass in a 24-hour period.Results: The results of disc diffusion and well diffusion of Chlorella vulgaris extract revealed the averages of 16.5 and 23 mm zones of inhibition in Mueller-Hinton agar, respectively. The minimal inhibitory concentration was 25 mg/ml and the minimal bactericidal concentration was 50 mg/ml. The anti-biofilm formation concentration of Chlorella vulgaris extract was 50 mg/ml, and the concentration of brine shrimp toxicity was100 mg/ml.Conclusion: The present study showed that Chlorella vulgaris extract has more significant antimicrobial properties than ampicillin and is able to eliminate Streptococcus mutans biofilm.

Background & Objectives: Lithium is the metal used in bipolar disorder treatment. As for the prevalence of the disorder infertility (childbearing) age and the use of lithium, this study aimed at studying the effects of drugs on histological changes, and the ovarian function in the first generation of adult female offspring was performed.Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 40 pregnant mice were divided into 5 groups of 8, including a control group. The control and the experimental groups consumed three dosages of 60, 120, and 180 mg/kg lithium carbonate for 21 days. At the end of the sixth week postpartum, 10 mice were randomly selected from the offspring in each group and were then phlebotomized in order to measure the estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH hormones. Their ovaries were removed, and after preparing and staining the tissue sections, the types of follicles were counted. The results were analyzed using SPSS-18 software and ANOVA and Tukey's tests. Finally, the significant difference of data P≤0.05 was considered.Results: The results showed that lithium caused a significant increase in the number of atresia follicles and a reduction in primordial, primary, and secondary follicles, graph and corpus luteum, estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH hormones in the first generation offspring at P≤0.05.Conclusion: Using lithium during pregnancy led to an increase in the atresia follicle and a decrease in other follicles in the first generation offspring; moreover, the sex hormone levels also decreased probably due to the reduction in the follicle and corpus luteum.

Background & Objectives: Painful neuropathy is a state resulting from somatosensory disease or injury. Neurotrophins such as NT-4 are crucial for neural growth and development and protect the integrity of function and structure of nervous system. Paying heed to the importance of physical activity in neural plasticity, this study focuses on the investigation of chronic effect of decreased activity on the form of spinal nerve ligation on NT-4 gene expression of male Wistar rat’s sciatic nerve fiber.Materials & Methods: Ten adult male Wistar rats in the weight range of 250±30 gr were randomly divided into two groups, including one healthy control group (C) and one group with decreased physical activity (SNL). Over six weeks, neuropathic pain behavior tests were conducted continually in both groups. At the end of the sixth week, the changes in NT-4 gene expression in sciatic nerve were measured with Real time technique.Results: The behavioral tests demonstrated that spinal nerve ligation induced thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in the SNL group. Decreased pain threshold was observed throughout the study period (p<0.05). Additionally, in comparison with the C group, NT-4 gene expression in sciatic nerve fiber was significantly higher in the SNL group (p<0.05).Conclusion: In the present study, it was discovered that the decreased activity in the form of SNL is associated with increased NT-4 gene expression in the experimental group. With respect to the physiologic functions of NT-4 in nervous system, this elevation is probably a mechanism for neurogenesis in the injured area, and based on the previous studies, it seems that the increased activity could enhance the increased NT-4 gene expression and accelerate neurogenesis.

Background & Objectives: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women. Incorrect pattern of gene expression involved in epigenetic including APOBEC3B, DNMT-1, and TET-1 can develop breast cancer. Quercetin is a natural flavonoid with antioxidant and anti-cancer properties which have been reported in other studies. To investigate the effect mechanism of quercetin, this study examined the effect of quercetin on the expression of genes which were referred to in two classes of breast cancer cell lines.Materials & Methods: Cell lines including MCF-7 and MDA-MB-453 in separate boxes in the control group and the treated groups with two dosages of 50 and 100 mm of quercetin were cultured for 24 and 48 hours, respectively. RNA was extracted from the cells and then was converted to cDNA. Real-time PCR was used for APOBEC3B, DNMT_1, and TET-1 expression.Results: The results showed that quercetin had conflicting results after 24 hours in two cell lines as there was a decrease in the gene expression of APQBEC3B and an increase in that of DNMT-1 in MCF-7 cell line. In contrast, the cell line of MDA-MB-453, APOBEC3B, and DNMT-1 gene expression increased. While the 48-hour results showed that quercetin reduced the gene expression of APOBEC3B and DNMT-1 and increased that of the TET-1 in both cell lines.Conclusion: Due to the satisfactory effects of quercetin on breast cancer cells after 48 hours, these effects can be probably applied through epigenetic mechanisms. However, the final decision needs further investigation.

Background & Objectives: Dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) are alternate source of mesenchymal stem cells. Subsequent to tooth avulsion and fracture, DPSCs can play a prominent role in tissue regeneration. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of soymilk and milk on survival of dental pulp stem cells.Materials & Methods: DPSCs were isolated from 16 freshly extracted incisors of 5 rabbits. The 3rd passage was seeded in 24 well plates, and after 3 days, soymilk, cow milk, HBSS, and distilled water were replaced with culture media. After 45 minutes, 1.5, 3, and 6 hours, the viability of DPSCs were investigated. Mesenchymal nature of stem cells was investigated by RT-PCR. The cell viability was determined by Trypan blue exclusion. Karyotyping was done to evaluate the cytogenetic stability of cells.Results: The viability of DPSCs in all media were significantly more than distilled water at all intervals. After 6 h, the viability of DPSCs in soymilk, cow milk, and HBSS were 100,000±0.00, 100,000±0.00, and 74.74±5.70, respectively. After 6 h, both soymilk and cow milk maintained cells significantly better than HBSS.Conclusion: Like cow milk, soymilk is a suitable alternative transfer media for avulsed and broken teeth that can increase the survival of DPSCs.

Background & Objectives: Adipose tissue secretes adipokines Visfatin as a new adipokine which has an important role in homeostasis of energy and glucose metabolism. In the present study, serum Visfatin levels in restricted diet, type 2 diabetic, and insulin resistant rats have been measured and compared to the control group. The relationship between Visfatin and blood sugar, lipid profile, insulin, and HOMA-IR in these groups have been also investigated.Materials & Methods: 32 male Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups (8 rats in each group) as control (group 1), restricted diet (group 2), induced type 2 diabetic rats (group 3), and insulin resistant rats (group 4). After 6 weeks, the animal weights and other biochemical factors such as FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar), lipid profile, insulin, and visfatin were measured. The results of this study were analyzed using SPSS16 and then examined and reported as ± average of standard deviation. The values with p< 0.05 were considered statistically significant.Results: In the present study, FBS, Triglyceride, Visfatin, and HOMA-IR increased significantly in type 2 diabetic rats and insulin resistant group.Conclusion: Restricted diet or reduced energy level kept the insulin level low and therefore reduced serum Visfatin level .The improvement of serum glucose level and lipid profile was better in this group.