فهرست مطالب امیررضا بوالخیر

The increasing prevalence of thyroid cancer among the survivors of atomic bomb attacks in Japan, nuclear fallout in the Marshall Islands, and Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident indicate a strong relationship between nuclear radiation and the occurrence of thyroid cancer.

Systematic researches were conducted in the medical database of the American National Library of Congress, PubMed, using keywords of thyroid cancer, radiation, papillary thyroid cancer. After screening the titles and abstracts of 1791 citations, a total of 77 citations were identified to include in the current study.

The latency period for developing nuclear radiation-induced thyroid cancers was 5 to 10 years to decades after exposure. The most important risk factor for developing radiation-induced thyroid cancer was the received radiation dose. A strong dose-response relationship between radiation dose and the incidence of thyroid cancer has been reported (P value<0.001). Also, a strong relationship between the age of exposure to nuclear radiation and the incidence of thyroid cancer has been reported among the survivors of atomic accidents. Although the incidence rate of thyroid cancer in girls was 2-3 times more than boys in some studies, in other studies from the Chernobyl accident, no gender effect was observed. The risk of radiation-induced thyroid cancer was estimated to be higher in areas with iodine deficiency. The most common route of internal radiation was through absorption of radioactive iodine isotopes via consumption of the contaminated milk. The main mechanism in the pathogenesis of radiation-induced thyroid cancer was activation of the MAPK pathway through genetic alterations (e.g., gene rearrangements in RET family and NTRK1) or point mutations (e.g., in BRAF). Among these genetic alteration, RET/PTC3 and RET/PTC1 rearrangements were more common in radiation--induced thyroid cancer. The clinical behavior of radiation-induced thyroid cancer was a non-invasive type similar to the sporadic one at the same age

Nuclear radiation, especially at a young age (under 20 years old), directly or indirectly in a dose-dependent manner via reactive oxygen species production induces gene alterations that underlie the increasing incidence of thyroid cancer after radiation exposure. Preparedness to deal with nuclear radiation including prescription of stable iodine prophylaxis, evacuation of the contaminated regions and restriction of access to contaminated foods are recommended in power plant accidents or atomic bomb explosions.

Given that ovarian cancer symptoms are nonspecific and that appropriate surgical staging and pathological grading are important for the best treatment and prognosis of patients, this study aimed to determine the correlation of preoperative serum levels of CA125 and He4 with staging and grading.

This cross-sectional study recruited 29 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer who underwent staging based on FIGO protocol and grading by pathologist during 2011-13. Serum CA125 and He4 were determined preoperatively to measure the correlation of these tumor markers with staging and grading.

We did not observe a significant correlation between preoperative serum levels of CA125 and He4, and ovarian epithelial cancer staging and grading (P>0.05). However, serum levels of CA125 and He4 were significantly correlated with each other (P>0.001).

Based on this study, we cannot differentiate epithelial ovarian cancer surgical staging or pathological grading by preoperative CA125 and He4 serum levels.

As an emerging interdisciplinary area of science with a multitude of potential facilities and applications, synthetic biology integrates different disciplines with one another ranging from basic science to engineering. This interdisciplinary branch therefore encompasses sciences that require specific development and ethical approaches.

Science management principles were used to design the framework of discrete ethical issues of synthetic biology in terms of the creation, storage, distribution and application of synthetic biology.

There is a debate over whether or not the artificial organisms created as living machines deserve ethical considerations. The free storage of knowledge as open libraries about manufacturing the parts, devices and biological systems is another issue. In this respect, technological gap and justice could also be debated. Biosafety and biosecurity are also important in applying synthetic biology, as this science is increasingly facing the community of garage biologists. In biosecurity, creating organisms with dual applications raises ethical issues regarding bioterrorism.

The complexity and broad scope of ethical issues regarding the application of synthetic biology products require that distinct ethical principles be developed in collaboration with experts in ethics and law and futurists in discourse with the civil community.

Cutaneous mucomycosis is an invasive fungal infection that usually develops in the immunodeficient patients. Although it also occurs in cases without underlying disease. So far in Iran and the world, primary cutaneous mucormycosis of the neck without predisposing factor has not  been reported.

In this case,we present a 51 years old patient with progressive neck swelling and skin necrosis without any underlying disease. Firstly, treated as Ludwig Angina and necrotizing fasciitis. Finally diagnosed as neck mucormycosis according to pathologic result. systemic antifungal treatment and multiple surgical debridements with close intervals performed for him.

Primary cutaneous mucormycosis should be considered in any case of cutaneous necrosis ,even without underlying disease. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to improve survival rate of neck mucormycosis patients.

Rapid diagnosis and initiation of systemic antifungal therapy along with invasive surgical debridement  can  improve survival rate and subsequent soft tissue reconstruction of  the neck mucormycosis in patients without underlaying disease.

Synthetic biology is an interdisciplinary branch of biology and engineering. As synthetic biology develops into a promising science and engineering field, we need to clarify the purpose and nature of this science in terms of security, ethics and the recognition of the benefits of potential risks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the researchers’ attitudes toward synthetic biology in Bushehr University of Medical Science.

This is a cross-sectional study conducted on 80 faculty members of Bushehr University of Medical Sciences who have the research experience. To collect information a researcher-made questionnaire consisted of 19 questions in fields of benefits and risks of synthetic biology, compliance with religious beliefs, uncertainty about the boundaries between man and God, the necessity of policy making in this science and the speed of progress of this science were used. Demographics characteristics of subjects were also assessed through the questionnaire.

In this study, 22 women and 58 men with the average age of 43.87±7.35 years of 20.79±14.56 (range 31 to 60 years) with mean history of research of 12.43±6.2 years were enrolled. The results showed that 85.65% of study subjects had a positive approach to the benefits of this science, 72.46% expressed concern about the serious risks of synthetic biology and 72.33% had positive attitude towards policy making in this field. There was an intersectional and boundary relationship between conflicts with religious beliefs and trust the policymakers and scientists (P=0.052). Also, there was no significant relationship between age, sex, and research history with any of the questionnaire items (P-value>0.05).

The academic society was aware from the benefits and risks of synthetic biology. They did not express a conflict between this branch of science and their religious beliefs and trusts. They also considered an interdisciplinary approach and training of a skillful human resource among the fundamental strategic policies in the field of synthetic biology.