Zinc has an important role in skin health and its deficiency reduces immunity to evaluate levels of zinc in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of skin, we studied 44 BCC and 38 SCC cases together with 33 controls. Blood samples were taken and after separation of serum, levels of zinc, albumin and total protein were measured by atomic absorption albumin kit and reflectometer consecutively. Serum globulin levels were estimated by subtracting albumin from total protein levels. Zinc levels were significantly lower in cancer cases than control (P<0.001). Mean serum albumin of BCC cases was significantly more than controls (P<0.01), but in BCC cases was not significantly different. Significant correlations were seen between levels of serum zinc and albumin of SCC (r=0.507, P<0.01) and BCC(r=0.43, P<0.01) patients and controls(r=0.35,P<0.01). Mean globulin levels in cancer cases were significantly lower than control group (P<0.01).We concluded that serum zinc and globulin levels decrease in BCC and SCC of skin.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn) belonging to the Asteraceae family and known for its valuable secondary metabolite, silymarin. In order to get the cell suspension culture of Silybum marianum, the combination of 2,4-D and BAP hormones each with five different concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 2 and 5 mg/L) and 3 different seedling explants (cotyledon, hypocotyl and root) was used to callus formation. High-quality callus was observed in eight different of hormone-explant combinations. Successful cell suspension culture was achieved only by using callus created from cotyledon explants treated with 0.1 mg/L 2,4-D and 5 mg/L BAP. Furthermore, the study examined the effects of 2% and 4% Serendipita indica cell wall extract as an elicitor on silymarin production in cell suspension culture at three different inoculation times (24, 48, and 72 h). After 48 h of inoculation with 2% fungal extract, the highest level of silymarin (199 ppm) was observed, which was significantly different from the control (46 ppm). The silymarin content of cells increased over time through elicitation with 4% fungal elicitor, while no similar pattern was observed with 2% fungal extract. Based on the results, the cell wall of S. indica can significantly enhance the amount of SLM in the cell suspension culture of S. marianum.

Basal cell carcinoma is the, most common skin cancer that has nodular, superficial, micronodular, Morpheaform, pigmented, metatypical and fibroepithelioma of Pinkus subtypes. In this report, we evaluated the efficacy of cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen for basal cell carcinoma in three patients. The response was good and patients were followed regularly. There were no recurrences after 25 months follow-up. This method is fast and appropriate for certain types of basal cell carcinomas.      

In this study a 31 y/o woman who was housewife, came from Mazandaran and lived in Behshahr is presented. Patient's complaints were diarrhea, bloating, abdominal pain and weight loss. Abdominal radiography showed loop dilatation. In primary Para clinic assessments she had Alb: 2.8, Ca: 6.4, P: 2.3 and PTH: 201. Considering malabsorption in early evaluation, upper endoscopy was done. Intestinal folds were disappeared in second and third part of duodenum in endoscopic view and duodenal biopsy was done. Then pathological assessment revealed a large accumulation of intraepithelial lymphocytes and obvious villus atrophy that was accordant to celiac sprue. She was advised to be on gluten free diet. After about 1 month, She was referred because of sever lower extremities edema. Serum albumin was checked that was 2. Enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes were detected in sonography. Considering non- responding treatment, IHC staining of intestinal biopsy was performed with celiac sprue complication suspicion.Therefore the patient was referred to chemotherapy center with the diagnosis of T-cell lymphoma following celiac sprue. She was spent 6 course chemotherapy with CHOP regimen and radiotherapy.

Phytoremediation of lead using plants in lead-contaminated soils is a new and safe environmental technology. By adding chelators and increasing plant extraction, the efficiency of this technology can be increased. In this regard, we evaluated the effect of adding EDTA chelates to lead-contaminated soils to investigate the amount of lead accumulation in a medicinal plant, Calendula officinalis. We designed a factorial experiment in the form of a completely randomized, with three replicates in pots and two factors including EDTA at two levels (0, 50 mg kg-1) and lead at four levels (0, 30, 90, and 270 mg kg-1). In this plant, the accumulation of lead was accompanied by an increase in the amount of lead in the soil due to the addition of EDTA to the soil. The results showed that EDTA significantly increased the lead translocation of lead from roots to the aerial part of the plant.Total Chl. and shoot dry weight decrease significantly in EDTA treatment than control specific at a high level of Pb in the soil. Also, the results showed that EDTA increased lead removal from soil to soil solution and increased lead translocation from roots to the aerial part of the plant of Calendula officinalis. In general, the results of this research showed that with the careful management and EDTA use in lead extraction, it has provided a cost-effective and safe environmentally strategy.

Primary cutaneous CD30+ T cell lymphoma is a rare lymphoma originally in and confined to the skin. These lymphomas usually present as a large solitary and often ulcerated nodule. Its prognosis is good and has a good response to radiotherapy. We report a 34-year-old man, who had primary cutaneous CD30+ T cell lymphoma on his face, which presented as an ulcerated nodule.    

Background & Aims: Cancer is one of the most causes of mortality worldwide. Products derived from natural plants that induce apoptosis are used for cancer treatment. Therefore investigation of different herbal components for new anti-cancer drug is one of the main research activities throughout the world.This study is the first to investigate the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of Anacyclus pyrethrum plants extract in KB cancer cell lines.Materials & Methods: Cytotoxic effects of Anacyclus pyrethrum plant extract was measured using MTT assays. To show induction of apoptosis by this plant TUNNEL assay and DNA Fragmentation were performed.Results: In the present study, Anacyclus pyrethrum extract noticeably killed cancer cells. TUNNEL test and DNA Fragmentation assay showed apoptotic characteristic in Anacyclus pyrethrum extract treated cells.Conclusion: Our studies revealed that ethanol extracts of Anacyclus pyrethrum is effective in apoptosis inducing in KB cancer cells which may be beneficial in cancer therapy.

Background: Many studies have focused on oxidative stress induced damage and hence, the protective effects conferred by antioxidants. An example is neurodegenerative diseases which is thought to occur due to neuronal loss associated with oxidative stress. However, some antioxidants such as vitamin E have been shown to also exert pro-oxidative effects at high concentration. Objective: In this study the cytotoxicity and neuroprotective potentials of Chlorella vulgaris (CV), Momordica charantia (MC) and Piper betle (PB) were investigated and correlated with the antioxidant potential. Tocotrienol Rich Fraction (TRF) served as positive control since it had been shown previously to have high antioxidant potential as well as to exert neuroprotective and neurocytotoxic effects. Method: Free radical scavenging activities of hot water extract of CV, aqueous extract of MC, aqueous extract of PB and TRF were determined by using DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl) assay. Cytotoxicity and neuroprotective effects were measured by using 3 - (4, 5 -dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium salt (MTS) against BSO-induced neuron cell death. Results: Results showed that TRF has the highest radical scavenging activity followed PB> MC>CV. The MTS results showed that TRF (1-50mg/ml) as positive control, PB (0.001-100mg/ml) and MC (1-500mg/ml) conferred significant protection against BSO-induced cell death. These plants were cytotoxic at high concentrations. However CV extract did not show significant neuroprotective effect against BSO-induced cell death nor cytotoxic effect. Conclusion: The present findings showed that plant extracts with the higher free radical scavenging activity showed neuroprotective effects at low concentrations but were cytotoxic at higher concentrations.