mohammadreza jalali nadoushan

CD24 is a small, highly glycosylated membrane protein whose expression is associated with tumorigenesis and the progression of several types of cancer. Prostate adenocarcinoma is one of the most common cancers in men, and microscopic Gleason grading is an important factor affecting prognosis. This study aims to investigate the relationship between immunohistochemical expression of CD24 and its relationship with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and Gleason grade in prostate adenocarcinoma.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 163 patients, with an average age of 70.63±9.05 years, including 78 (47.9%) patients with prostate adenocarcinoma and 85 (52.1%) patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia., referred to Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in Tehran between 2018 and 2021, who underwent open prostatectomy or Trans Urethral Resection of Prostate (TURP). Immunohistochemical staining was used to evaluate CD24 expression, and Gleason grade was determined in the case of prostate adenocarcinoma. Data were analyzed with SPSS 22 and a P-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

The percentage and intensity of CD24 staining in prostate adenocarcinoma patients was significantly higher than in BPH patients (P<0.05). Gleason score strongly correlated with the percentage and intensity of CD24 staining (P<0.05). The immunoreactive score, obtained by multiplying the CD24 expression percentage with staining intensity, was also significantly related to the Gleason score (P<0.05).

CD24 expression can be considered as a factor in differentiating cases of prostate adenocarcinoma from benign prostatic hyperplasia. Also, a high level of this marker can indicate the progress of prostate cancer.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces proliferation of endothelial cells and angiogenesis. VEGF overexpression has been associated with poor clinical outcome in many malignancies. Also, several studies have reported increased expression of VEGF in papillary thyroid carcinoma. So, present study aimed to evaluate VEGF expression and its association with prognostic markers in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

In this cross-sectional study, totally 80 formalin fixed- paraffin embedded samples from papillary thyroid carcinoma patients referred to Shahid Mostafa Khomeini hospital, Tehran during 2017 to 2021 were immunohistochemically stained by VEGF marker. VEGF expression intensity in tumor cells scored as mild (Less than 25%), moderate (25-50%) and strong (more than 50%). Relation between VEGF expression grade with age, gender, tumor size, capsular invasion and lymph node metastasis was analyzed by SPSS software version 16.

Average of patient's age was 40.56±14.48 years and 58 patients (72.5%) were female. Mild, moderate and severe expression of VEGF was seen in 21.3%, 35% and 43.8% respectively. There was no significant relationship between VEGF expression with age, gender and tumor size. Increased expression of VEGF was significantly associated with increased rate of capsular invasion and lymph node metastasis (P<0.001).

VEGF overexpression is frequently seen in papillary thyroid carcinoma. Increased expression of VEGF is an independent prognostic factor for capsular invasion and lymph node metastasis and could be considered as a poor prognostic and potential therapeutic factor in papillary thyroid carcinoma.

Background and

Prostate cancer is the second cause of cancer-related death in men. Early diagnosis and identification of prognostic factors help to predict clinical outcome and select the most effective treatment protocol in each patient. The relationship between CD117 expression and various tumor prognoses has been identified and there is evidence for the role of this marker in prostate cancer pathogenesis. So, the aim of this study was to evaluate CD117 marker expression in prostate benign hyperplasia and adenocarcinoma, and to find its association with Gleason grade.

In this cross-sectional study, paraffin blocks of tissue samples obtained from 85 patients with prostatic benign hyperplasia and 78 patients with prostatic adenocarcinoma, who referred to Shahid Mostafa Khomeini hospital during 2018 to 2021, were immunohistochemically stained by anti-CD117 antibody. Membranous and cytoplasmic staining in more than 10% of epithelial tumor cells was considered as positive result.

Positive CD117 expression was found in 27.1% of prostatic benign hyperplasia and 50% of prostatic adenocarcinoma samples showed a statistically significant difference (P=0.003). There was no significant relationship between CD117 status expression and primary Gleason grade in prostatic adenocarcinoma samples (P=0.166); however, secondary Gleason grade and total Gleason score had a significant relationship with CD117 expression status (P=0.002 and P=0.017, respectively).

CD117 expression was higher in prostatic carcinoma compared to benign prostatic hyperplasia and its higher expression was associated with higher Gleason grade as one of the most important prognostic factors in prostatic carcinoma

Prostatic adenocarcinoma (PAC) is one of the most common tumors worldwide. Immunohistochemical expression of cytokeratins has been evaluated in the diagnosis and prognosis of tumors. The aim of the present study is the evaluation of Cytokeratin-7 (Ck-7) and Cytokeratin-19 (Ck-19) expression and its relationship with Gleason score in patients with PAC.

In this cross-sectional study, 78 samples from 78 patients with PAC referred to Mostafa Khomeini Hospital were gathered. Samples were immunohistochemically stained by Ck-7 and Ck-19 markers. The percentage of each marker in tumor cells was determined, and its relationship with Gleason scores and Gleason grade groups was analysed by SPSS version 24.

The expression of Ck-7 and Ck-19 were seen in 37.2% and 82.1% of samples, respectively. The mean of Ck-7 expression in tumor cells was 4.98%±7.19 (ranged 0 to 26%), while the mean of Ck-19 expression was 41.02%±23.36 (ranged 0 to 78%). There was no relationship between Ck-7 expression with Gleason scores and Gleason grade groups. However, Ck-19 expression was increased in higher Gleason scores and Gleason grade groups (P<0.001). No relationship was found between age and Ck-7 (P=0.309) and Ck-19 (P=0.375).

The Ck-7 expression in PAC samples is weak and focal and had no relationship with the Gleason scores and Gleason grade groups. However, Ck-19 expression in PAC was high and was associated with tumor dedifferentiation of samples. There was no relationship between the expression of both markers with the patient's age.

Identifying the prognostic factors of malignancies is of particular importance in therapeutic decisions and identification of high-risk patients. Since the papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy, we aimed to investigate the expression and prognostic role of CD44 in patients with PTC.

This cross-sectional study was performed in patients with PTC who underwent thyroidectomy in Tehran Mostafa Khomeini Hospital, 2015-2019. Demographic information, and macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the tumor were extracted from pathology reports. CD44 expression was classified from negative to extremely positive. We assessed the correlation between CD44 expression and patients' demographic characteristics and clinicopathological characteristics of the tumor.

Eighty PTC patients (58 females and 22 males) with a mean age of 40.85±4.59 years were studied. The frequency of lymph node and capsule invasion were 27.5% and 48.8%, respectively. The mean tumor size was 3.55±2.27 cm. All patients had more than 5% CD44 expression. Strongly positive and extremely positive cases of CD44 expression accounted for 43.8% and 21.3% of the cases, respectively. There was no significant difference in CD44 expression according to sex, age, and tumor size (P> 0.05). But, CD44 expression was found to be significantly associated with lymph node invasion (OR= 7.55) and especially capsule invasion (OR= 24.52).

Considering the relationship between CD44 expression and capsule and lymph node invasion in PTC, this biomarker can be used as a prognostic factor of more invasive disease in patients with PTC.

Morphine can induce PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) probably by changing glutamate level at the hypothalamic nuclei. This study used low doses of ketamine to survey the interaction of ketamine with morphine-induced PCOS. 48 female Wistar rats were selected as virgins in the weight range of 220-250 g, and categorized randomly into eight groups. The first group received morphine (5 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. The second to fourth groups received ketamine (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg). In groups 5 to 7, the ketamine (1, 2, and 4 mg/kg) was pre-injected to morphine (5 mg/kg) over a period of 20 min. Control group received only saline (1 ml/kg). After 48 h, the blood and serum specimens were provided to record hormone levels, and the animals’ ovaries and uteri were biometrically examined and stained by H & E. Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) under α=0.05. The morphine as well as single ketamine induced the PCOS. However, taking ketamine prior to morphine caused a meaningful reduction in the number of cysts in the ovary. There was also a relative increase in uterine diameter in the group receiving morphine, which was stopped due to ketamine pre-treatment. These effects showed correlation with decreased levels of FSH, and change in estrogen, and prolactin amounts. The interference effect of ketamine with morphine is completely dependent on changes in gonadotropin level.

Menopause in women is associated with many complications that most of them are related to the decrease of estrogen levels in this period. Treatment with high doses of estrogen is common but has side effects. In this study, the effect of l-arginine administration on the level of this hormone in elderly rats was investigated.

Elderly Wistar rats were first studied with the help of Papanicolaou test to identify the stage of female sexual cycle. If confirmed to have diestrus phase, the rats were randomly classified into the following groups: control (saline 1 ml/kg, i.p.) and l-arginine group (5, 25, and 50 mg/kg). They were injected saline or l-arginine over a period of three to nine days. At the end, the rats were anesthetized by an i.p. injection of ketamine 100 mg/kg and xylazine 20 mg/kg and the blood samples were collected and the estrogen levels were measured with ELISA kit. The rats’ ovaries and uteri were also biometrically examined and fixed in the formalin. They were stained by H&E method and the number of cysts in the ovaries were counted. Data were analyzed by the ANOVA.

L-arginine at all doses (5-50 mg/kg) during all injection periods from three to nine days significantly increased the estrogen levels, but prominently reduced the ovarian cysts at the lowest dose (5 mg/kg).

Low doses of l-arginine over short periods of time can relieve menopausal problems including estrogen levels and ovarian status, probably by the modulator nitric oxide.

Prognosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma is associated with age, sex, tumor size, lymph node metastasis, capsule invasion, multifocality, and history of radiation. Today, for prognostic evaluation of different tumors, various markers such as cytokeratin 7 are used. So, in this study our aim was evaluation of cytokeratin 7 expressions in papillary thyroid carcinoma and its correlation with prognostic factors.

In this cross-sectional study, 87 paraffin blocks from patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma referred to Mostafa Khomeini hospital were evaluated for Cytokeratin7 expression by immunohistochemistry method. Expression of this marker was determined as poor (+), moderate (++), strong (+++) and severe (++++). Then the association of cytokeratin 7 with some prognostic factors was evaluated

The patient's mean age was 40.13± 16.97 and 87.4% of patients were female. Cytokeratin 7 expression was seen in all samples. 86.2% of samples showed poor and moderate expression and 13.8% of them showed strong and severe expression. Reduced expression of cytokeratin 7 was significantly associated with an increase in age and lymph node involvement but was not associated with sex, tumor size, and capsule invasion.

Cytokeratin 7 expression is prevalent in papillary thyroid carcinoma samples and it is associated with lymph node involvement but it is not associated with tumor size and capsule invasion as important prognostic factors in papillary thyroid carcinoma. So, definite conclusion in this regard needs long-term studies.

Multinodular goiter is a benign enlargement of thyroid gland and papillary thyroid carcinoma is the most common type of thyroid cancer. Today, immunohistochemical markers can be used in diagnosis and prognosis of tumors. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of CD117 in multinodular goiter and papillary thyroid carcinoma and its association with prognostic factors.

In this cross-sectional study, samples of thyroid tissue from
60 multinodular goiter and 60 papillary thyroid carcinoma cases who underwent thyroidectomy in
Tehran Mostafa Khomeini Hospital during 2011-18, were evaluated for CD117 expression via immunohistochemistry. The expression intensity was scored 0-3.

CD117 was expressed in all samples with generally lower expression scores in malignant samples: 95% and 5% of malignant cases showed scores 1 and 2, respectively. Almost 52% and 48% of benign cases showed score 1 and scores 2 and 3, respectively (P<0.05). Increased CD117 expression was associated with decreased lymph node involvement and increased tumor size (P<0.05), but there was no significant relationship between this marker and other prognostic variables (P=0.081).

There are contradictory findings on the relation between CD117 expression and prognostic factors in malignant cases, therefore, further studies are recommended to clarify the association.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is widely used in traditional medicine. In Iranian folk medicine, turmeric and egg yolk mixture is used for inflammation due to dislocations and strains. Since lecithin (one of the component of egg yolk) is an absorption enhancer, it seems this phospholipid can increase turmeric absorption and its anti-inflammatory effect.

In order to find the role of lecithin in the folklore formulation, anti-inflammatory effects of ointments containing turmeric extract and lecithin have been studied.

Ointment base was prepared using bees wax, vaseline, liquid paraffin and eucerin. Then, hydroalcoholic turmeric extract (2.5 % and 5 %) with lecithin (5 % and 15 %) or without lecithin were added to the ointment base. Anti-inflammatory effect of the ointments was assessed in arthritis model in rat using complete Freund’s adjuvant. Ointments were used daily on the inflamed joints for 20 days. Finally, arthritis index, TNF-α concentration and histopathological changes of joints were determined.

The results showed that arthritis index has decreased in all groups but it was significant in groups of turmeric 2.5 % and turmeric 5 % with lecithin 15 %. TNF-α was decreased in all samples but reduction was more significant in group turmeric 2.5 %. Histopathological changes were significantly less in turmeric groups compared to ointment base group.

It seems that local healers use egg yolk as a binder in formulation. In other words, turmeric 2.5 % ointment is preferable compared to other formulations.

Papillary thyroid cancer is the most common type of thyroid malignancies. For a more accurate diagnosis, immunohistochemistry has been used widely in recent years. Epithelial membrane antigen has been detected in several benign and malignant lesions, and its use as a marker of malignancy has been sought in some studies.

The current study aimed to determine the presence and level of expression of epithelial membrane antigen in papillary thyroid carcinoma and multinodular goiter.

Eighty-five samples of papillary thyroid carcinoma and 40 cases of multinodular goiter were stained histochemically for epithelial membrane antigen. The intensity of staining was classified in a semi-quantitative manner (1+ to 4+). Demographic data of the index cases, history of metastasis, and lymph node involvement, if any, were collected as well.

All PTCs and 87.5% of MNGs were positive for EMA. EMA was expressed more strongly in PTCs than in MNGs (P < 0.00). EMA reactivity was directly associated with lymph node involvement, capsular invasion, and size of the tumor (P = 0.008, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001, respectively). The intensity level of 2 or higher had high specificity for differentiating PTC from MNG.

Strong expression of EMA may be a good marker of malignancy in differentiating PTC from MNG. This marker may also be regarded as an index of invasive behavior of PTC.

As COVID-19 was declared as a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) in March 2020, it is an emerging need to discuss different aspects of this pandemic. In any pandemic, valid and rapid laboratory diagnostic tests are critically important for early diagnosis, which will increase the rate of successful treatment and more importantly prevent the spread of the disease.

Morphine has adverse effects on the female reproductive system. The aim of this study was to investigate the interference effects of MgSO4 (intra ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and naloxone in the rat with polycystic ovaries induced by morphine.

80 female rats (200-250 g) kept under standard conditions were surgically coordinated (Anterior- Posterior: -1/92, Ventral: 9, Lateral: 0.5) using a stereotactic device. After recovery they were microinjected morphine (0.1-0.4 µg/rat, intra-VMH) and pre-injected naloxone hydrochloride (0.1-0.4 µg/rat, intra-VMH) and also MgSO4 (1-5 µg/rat) prior to the naloxone. The control group received physiological saline (1 µL/rat, intra-VMH). 3 days after the experiment, uterus, ovary and brain samples were collected and studied histopathologically using hematoxylin & eosin.

The ovaries in group in which morphine was injected showed polycystic features as compared to the control group. This effect was reversed by the naloxone pre-injection, but, prior treatment with MgSO4 returned the aspect. However, this substance alone did not have a significant effect on the ovaries. In addition, the inflammatory effect of morphine on the ovary and the uterus was reversed with pre-injection of naloxone, but it was also returned by the MgSO4. These materials did not have significant effect on neurons of VMH.

These results indicate that the effect of morphine is mediated by mu opioid receptor which is dependent to the calcium ion signalling mechanism.

Spinal cord compression is a relatively common neurological complication in developing country. This study was designed to assess neuroprotective effect of acetyl L-carnitine.

16 adult Sprague Dawley rats weighing 250 to 300 g were divided into 4 randomized groups, namely, A-laminectomy with daily intraperitoneal injection of acetyl L-carnitine. B- laminectomy with daily intraperitoneal injection of saline. C- group A+ mechanical compression and D- group B+ mechanical compression. After 4 weeks, they were sacrificed for morphological study by light microscope and ultrastructure of synaptic zone of motoneurons was evaluated by electron microscope. The results were analyzed by Tukey’s and ANOVA by SPSS Ver 19. Furthermore, the significance level was P<0.05.

The morphological results indicated that compression causes reduction of spinal cord motoneurons. Acetyl L-carnitine decreased this reduction of motoneurons after spinal cord compression and preserved motoneurons ultrastructure in synaptic zone and mitochondria.

In this study, acetyl L-carnitine was effective on preservation of ultrastructure of motoneuron synapses after mechanical compression in spinal cord. Of course, the measure of these changes in means of decreasing the effect of mechanical compression after spinal cord compression needs further researches.

Male fertility depends on the proper function of a complex system of organs. Harmful effects of morphine on male reproduction and fertility are well documented. Dopamine facilitates sexual behavior in different animal species. The antagonizing of dopamine D2 receptors with sulpiride was aimed to investigate the interaction of dopaminergic system with morphine-induced infertility.

A total of 48 adult male Wistar rats with a weight range of (220-320 g) were studied. In the first category, morphine (5 mg/kg) was injected i.p. The next groups received sulpiride (1-4 mg / kg) alone and prior (20 min) to morphine (5 mg / kg). The control group received only saline (1 ml / kg). All rats were sacrificed under deep anesthesia a week after. Their testicles were collected for examination. LH, FSH and testosterone were measured in the sera. Data were analyzed by ANOVA.

Significant decreases in dimensions of testicles were observed in groups’ rats that receiving morphine or sulpiride prior to the morphine. Seminiferous tube destruction was observed in morphine and in group that receiving sulpiride prior to morphine; destruction was increased with increasing dose of sulpiride. Significant decrease of serum testosterone level was observed in rats receiving morphine and high dosage of sulpiride. Significant increase in serum testosterone level was observed in group receiving sulpiride prior to morphine.

It seems that dopamine has an interacting effect with morphine on induction of male infertility and its mechanism is probably carried out through dopamine D2 receptors.

Morphine can cause harmful effects in the ovaries. The silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) used in health care because of antimicrobial properties, can diffuse into the brain blood barrier. This study investigated the protective effect of Ag-NPs on the induction of polycystic ovary (PCO) due to injection of morphine intra-ventromedial hypothalamus (intra-VMH) of rat compared with the animal receiving the drug (10-100 mg/kg) intraperitoneally (i.p.) twice daily for 7 days to lead to addiction. The rats (bought of Pasture Institute of Iran weighing 200-250 g) were housed under standard conditions and fed ad libitum. They were randomly divided to addict to drug or morphine (0.001 to 0.4 μg/rat) receiving into the VMH (AP: -1.92) a week after stereotaxic surgery. Ag-Nps (0.01, 0.001 and 0.0001 μg/rat) were administered intra-VMH alone or prior to morphine effective dose (0.4 μg/rat). Control group was given only saline. By the end of the treatment, the animals’ ovaries and/or brain were dissected and studied histopathologically. The ovaries were also checked by the marker of the NO, NADPH-diaphorase. All experimental rats’ ovaries treated morphine showed polycystic characteristics and the NO activation was evidenced in the ovaries in the comparison with the saline group (p

Contusion injury causes a major variety of functional and sensory disorders. In this research, we tried to study histological changes after performing contusion model in spinal cord. For this reason, we investigated the effect of acetyl L-carnitine on gliosis reaction by using immunohistochemistry method for GFAP and CNPase after spinal cord injury(SCI).

In this study, 24 male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Laminectomy at T9-T11 was done in all of the rats and based on control groups or study groups, normal saline or acetyl L-carnitine (300 mg/kg) was injected. In study groups, SCI was done by 30 gr compression. After 4 weeks, spinal cords were extracted for morphometry and immunohistochemistry study and data were analyzed using t test and ANOVA at p<0.05.

Motoneurons reduced after SCI and acetyl L-carnitine reduced this reduction in addition to reduction of astrocytes (p<0.05).

For the first time it was shown that in gliosis reaction, acetyl L-carnitine could reduce astrocytes and increase oligodendrocytes (about 3 times) and this improvement may be due to myelin production and also due to better conduction. Further study is needed to distinguish synapse conduction.

Many features of anticancer drugs, including cytotoxicity and/or cytokine induction, are studied using cell lines or human blood leukocytes. However, in a disease such as multiple myeloma, most cancerous cells are resided within bone marrow mononuclear cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of pomalidomide on apoptosis and IL-2 production of bone marrow mononuclear cells in patients with multiple myeloma and controls. The Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells from 10 multiple myeloma patients and 10 controls were cultured using pomalidomide for 48-hour. Apoptosis induction rate, viability, cytotoxicity, and IL-2 production were evaluated. The results showed that apoptosis and cytotoxicity significantly increased in bone marrow mononuclear cells of multiple myeloma patients cultured in the presence of pomalidomide (P The results of the current study confirmed the toxic effect of pomalidomide on bone marrow mononuclear cells of patients, with no toxic effect on controls. On the other hand, pomalidomide has the potential to increase IL2 production within bone marrow mononuclear cells and consequently make changes in the immune response, which requires further studies for more clarifications.

Many features of anticancer drugs, including cytotoxicity and/or cytokine induction, are studied using cell lines or human blood leukocytes. However, in a disease such as multiple myeloma, most cancerous cells are resided within bone marrow mononuclear cells. In the present study, we investigated the effect of pomalidomide on apoptosis and IL-2 production of bone marrow mononuclear cells in patients with multiple myeloma and controls. The Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cells from 10 multiple myeloma patients and 10 controls were cultured using pomalidomide for 48-hour. Apoptosis induction rate, viability, cytotoxicity, and IL-2 production were evaluated. The results showed that apoptosis and cytotoxicity significantly increased in bone marrow mononuclear cells of multiple myeloma patients cultured in the presence of pomalidomide (P The results of the current study confirmed the toxic effect of pomalidomide on bone marrow mononuclear cells of patients, with no toxic effect on controls. On the other hand, pomalidomide has the potential to increase IL2 production within bone marrow mononuclear cells and consequently make changes in the immune response, which requires further studies for more clarifications.

Despite observed post Sulfur Mustard (SM) exposure hemolysis, serum bilirubin concentration does not significantly increase in SM-exposed casualties. The concentration of serum bilirubin can be related to serum levels of inflammatory cytokines.

In this study, the relationship between the serum levels of Interleukin (IL)-1α, IL-1β, IL-1Ra, Tumor Necrotizing Factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 with serum bilirubin concentration was investigated.

Overall, 368 individuals, who were exposed to SM in 1986, and 127 non-exposed control participants were studied in the context of hematological factors, serum bilirubin and inflammatory cytokines. Total serum bilirubin and direct bilirubin were analyzed using an enzymatic method, while the inflammatory cytokines were evaluated by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

The concentration of inflammatory cytokines in the exposed group was significantly different compared to the control group, however the serum concentrations of total and direct bilirubin did not differ between the two groups. Among cytokines, other than the relationship between the IL-6 concentrations and bilirubin level, there were no significant correlations between the levels of other cytokines with direct and total bilirubin.

Considering the lack of correlation between bilirubin concentrations and levels of inflammatory cytokines other than IL-6, we should identify other confounding factors for lack of increase in bilirubin in SM casualties, despite the observed hemolysis

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is the most common thyroid malignancy. Expression of BCL-2, an apoptosis inhibitor, is higher in papillary thyroid carcinoma cells. Prognosis of PTC is associated with some factors such as age, gender, tumor size, capsular invasion and lymph node involvement. The aim of this study was to demonstrate relation between BCL-2 oncoprotein expression and these prognostic factors in PTC.
In this cross-sectional study, 85 pathology samples of PTC patients were analyzed for capsular invasion and BCL-2 oncoprotein expression by immunohistochemistry method. Other data such as age, gender, tumor size and lymph node involvement were collected from clinical records of patients. Data were analyzed by SPSS.
The mean age was 40.8 ±16.4 years (75 females and 10 males). The mean tumor size was 3.7±2.2 cm. Meanwhile, 11 samples had capsular invasion and the others were negative. Lymph node involvement was positive in 19 samples (22.3%). The BCL-2 expression was positive in 71 samples (87.1 %). There was no significant relation between BCL-2 expression and lymph node involvement and capsular invasion. A significant relation was seen between tumor size and BCL-2 expression. BCL-2 expression was associated with a larger tumor size.
BCL-2 expression in PTC patients was high and has relation with tumor size. Lymph node involvement and capsular invasion have not any relation with BCL-2 expression.

Cancers are among the serious problems in communities. In recent years, herbal products have been very promising regarding their anti-tumor and immunomodulatin potentials. SIM5, a herbal preparation, has had good results in discriminating between cancerous cell lines and normal cells, but have not examined directly on patients cells yet. In this study, bone marrow mononuclear cells from cancerous and non-cancerous samples were used to study the effects of SIM5.
Remained bone marrow samples of multiple myeloma patients (7 cases) and individuals who clinically needed bone marrow examination, but finally were diagnosed with no serious pathologic conditions in their leukocytes (7 cases) were considered as control group. Mononuclear cells were isolated and cultured with SIM5 and R10 fraction. After 48 h incubation, toxicity was assessed using LDH release test and vital activity with MTT test.
Cell toxicity with SIM5 was observed only in multiple myeloma samples and not in control group samples. There was a strong correlation between toxicity and the number of plasma cells in bone marrow mononuclear cells. SIM5 induced a decrease in vital activity of cancerous cells but an increase in the normal bone marrow samples.
SIM5 has distinct effects on normal and cancerous cells, and its toxic effect is focused on the latter. Therefore, it possesses the properties of an ideal product to be studied more seriously.

Despite the reduction in the incidence of gastric cancer during the past 75 years, it remains the most common cause of death from cancer in Iran and now despite all the progress made, the 5-year survival of patients is generally 15%. Thus, improvement in current treatments seems necessary. Given the richness of Iranian medicine in ancient texts, a detailed study of the effects of medicinal plants native to Iran in particular is essential. In this research, the cytotoxicity effect of Arnebia euchoromaon AGS was reviewed.
In this study, cells were cultured in RPMI at different concentrations of Arnebia euchoroma extract (5,2,1,0.2,0.1,0.05 and 0.02 mg/ml) at intervals of 24,48 and 72 h and the number of living cells compared with the control group and cytotoxicity effect were measured by MTT assay.
Within 24 hours, drug effects on reduction of cell growth of AGS in comparison to the control group at 5, 1, 0.1, 0.05 and 0.02 mg/ml were significant (P values are 0.0305, 0.0465, 0.0137, 0.0274 and 0.0003, respectively). Within 48 hours, concentrations of 0.1 and 0.02 mg/ml were significant (P values are 0.0398 and 0.0143).Within 72 hours, 5, 0.05 and 0.02 mg/ml reductions were significant (P values are 0.0402, 0.0073 and 0.0349, respectively).
According to the results, Arnebia euchoroma significantly has no killing effect on AGS. Only in the 0.02 mg/ml concentrations the reduction was significant at three times, with a fatality rate of about 20%, which is not enough to be considered cytotoxic.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of a teamwork revision endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in eyes with previously failed external DCR.
This retrospective study was performed on 50 failed external DCR subjects who underwent a teamwork revision endoscopic DCR by an ophthalmologist and an otolaryngologist. Paranasal sinus CT scanning was performed for each patient before the revision surgery. During surgery, any abnormal tissue noticed before silicone intubation was sent for pathological evaluation.
Endoscopic revision DCR was performed on 50 failed external DCR subjects with one‑year follow‑up. Of these, 31 were female (62%). The age range of the subjects was 18‑88 years (mean: 59.98 years). Sinus CT showed at least one abnormality in 94% of cases. Revision endoscopy showed septal deviation (66%), scar formation (32%), ostium problems (28%), and sump syndrome (6%). Pathologic and clinical findings showed that chronic inflammation had a significant association with scar tissue and septal synechia (P = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively). At the final follow‑up, anatomical and functional success was achieved in 45 out of 50 (90%) of subjects.
Endoscopic revision DCR when performed as cooperation of otolaryngologists and ophthalmologists may help resolve the endonasal problems and increase the success rate.

Nasal inflammatory disorders such as chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyp are among the most prevalent complications with high socioeconomic costs. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) plays a key role in angiogenesis and cell proliferation. In the present study the effect of VEGF on the development and prognosis of chronic rhinosinusitis and nasal polyp was investigated.
This cross sectional study was performed on the nasal histological specimens of two groups of patients suffering from nasal polyp or chronic rhinosinusitis, and the expression of VEGF in the two groups was compared immunohistochemically. Based on the percentage of VEGF-positive cells the specimens were classified into four scores. Furthermore, the relations between the VEGF expression and some demographic characteristics were evaluated.
The VEGF immunohistochemistry findings indicated a significantly higher expression of VEGF in nasal polyp group compared to chronic rhinosinusitis without nasal polyp group. In terms of VEGF-expression scoring, in both groups most of the specimens were classified as score-2, namely indicating 10-50% of VEGF-positive epithelial cells. In both groups no significant relation between VEGF expression and age or sex of the patients could be seen.
Local modulation of VEGF expression might be taken as a putative therapeutic strategy in management of sinunasal inflammatory disorders, especially nasal polyps.