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Background: Present study aimed to investigate immunohistochemical parameters in post-surgical cases of invasive breast cancer. Methods: In this single center cross-sectional study we investigated ethnicity, familial history, type of cancer, stage of cancer, lymph node positivity, bilateral involvement, metastasis and immunohistochemical parameters (estrogen and progesterone receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2, as well as frequency of triple positive and triple negative patients merely based on immunohistochemical parameters). Results: Frequency of positive familial history was 27.42% (16.31-38.52%). Lymph node involvement was detected in 55.93% (43.26-68.60%) of the cases. Frequency of positive HER2 was 38.60% (25.96-51.23%). There were 17.54% (7.67-27.42%) of triple positive and 7.02% (0.39-13.65%) of triple negative cases. The most common stage at the time of diagnosis was stage 3 with 43.33% (30.79-55.87%) frequency. In Lur/Lak population higher frequency of positive HER2 cases was detected whereas in Mazani population frequency of positive HER2 cases was low (p=0.0291). Conclusions: These results could contribute to understanding of breast cancer patterns among different ethnicities. In order to draw clear conclusion future investigations have to be done in several health centers, for longer time periods and with larger number of patients.

We assessed the effect of sorafenib-loaded polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer on liver fibrosis induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Male Wistar rats were divided into 9 groups: intact, sham, DMSO + BDL, BDL, sorafenib (30 mg/kg), sorafenib (60 mg/kg), PAMAM + BDL, sorafenib (30 mg/kg) + PAMAM + BDL, sorafenib (60 mg/kg) + PAMAM + BDL. BDL was induced and then rats were treated daily with sorafenib and (or) PAMAM for 4 weeks. Improvement of liver was detected via assessment of ascites formation, collagen deposition, liver blood flow, vascular endothelial growth factor level, and blood cells count. Sorafenib-loaded PAMAM dendrimer in both 30 and 60 mg/kg doses reduced ascites formation, reduced collagen deposition, and improved drug-induced hematological side effects of sorafenib alone in comparison with sorafenib-alone treatment. Sorafenib-loaded PAMAM dendrimer increased liver blood flow compared with sorafenib-received groups. Sorafenib-loaded PAMAM dendrimer reduced BDL-induced liver injury compared with sorafenib-received groups. Moreover, sorafenib-loaded PAMAM dendrimer decreased vascular endothelial growth factor level in serum and liver tissue in comparison with sorafenib-received groups. Sorafenib-loaded PAMAM dendrimer profoundly improved the therapeutic effects of sorafenib in BDL rats. Key words: fibrosis, bile duct ligation, sorafenib, PAMAM dendrimer. Nous avons evalue l'effet du dendrimere de PAMAM (pour <>) charge de sorafenib sur la fibrose hepatique provoquee par une occlusion du canal choledoque (OCC). Nous avons reparti des rats Wistar males dans 9 groupes : intact, intervention factice (<>), DMSO + OCC, OCC, sorafenib (30 mg/kg), sorafenib (60 mg/kg), PAMAM + OCC, sorafenib (30 mg/kg) + PAMAM + OCC et sorafenib (60 mg/kg) + PAMAM + OCC. Nous avons procede a l'OCC puis administre aux rats du sorafenib et/ou de la PAMAM quotidiennement pendant 4 semaines. Nous avons decele les ameliorations sur le plan hepatique en evaluant la formation d'ascite, le depot de collagene, le debit sanguin hepatique, les taux de VEGF (pour <>) et l'hemogramme. Nous avons observe que le dendrimere de PAMAM charge de sorafenib a des doses de 30 comme de 60 mg/kg permettait de reduire la formation d'ascite et le depot de collagene, ainsi que d'attenuer les effets indesirables hematologiques du sorafenib en monotherapie par rapport a l'administration de sorafenib seul. Le dendrimere de PAMAM charge de sorafenib entrainait une augmentation du debit sanguin hepatique par rapport aux groupes ayant recu du sorafenib. Le dendrimere de PAMAM charge de sorafenib entrainait une attenuation des lesions hepatiques provoquees par l'OCC par rapport aux groupes ayant recu du sorafenib. De plus, le dendrimere de PAMAM charge de sorafenib entrainait une diminution des taux de VEGF dans le serum et dans le tissu hepatique par rapport aux groupes ayant recu du sorafenib. En somme, le dendrimere de PAMAM charge de sorafenib permettait d'ameliorer profondement les effets therapeutiques du sorafenib chez le rat soumis a une OCC. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles: fibrose, occlusion du canal choledoque, sorafenib, dendrimere de PAMAM., Introduction Liver fibrosis, a part of the wound healing process, is a common consequence of chronic liver injury such as chronic viral hepatitis, chronic alcohol consumption, genetic abnormalities, steatohepatitis, and [...]

The microbiome of the intestinal system is well-known as a modulatory factor. Having a balanced status of microbiota could help to prevent diseases, especially cancers related to the gastrointestinal system. We investigated the effects of Lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lr) and capecitabine on tumor size and physiologic features, such as bodyweight, liver enzymes, and blood profile, in a subcutaneously induced cancer model using CT-26 murine colon carcinoma cells. We divided 48 male Balb/c inbred mice into six groups. Lr had been orally pre-inoculated to the mice for 14 day consecutively. CT-26 cells were implanted subcutaneously into the mice's flank. Following the injection of cancer cells, Lr was inoculated to the mice three times per week for four weeks. Capecitabine was inoculated in the third week after the induction of cancer. The tumor size was significantly decreased in treated groups in comparison to the cancer group (1174.5 ± 63.8, 1119.2 ± 86.3, and 985.6 ± 48 mm3 vs. 1674.2 ± 66 mm3, P < 0.0001). Data showed that Lr and capecitabine enhanced Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 level compared to cancer group (p < 0.0001). White blood cells (WBCs) were significantly decreased in the capecitabine group compared to probiotic group (P < 0.05). Measurement of bodyweight, liver enzymes, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) level showed that Lr, in addition to preventive and therapeutic effects, might have protective effects against chemotherapy side effects. Preventing WBCs' reduction, protecting mice from losing weight, induction of apoptosis, and enhancing the serum level of IL-6 indicated that Lr might be associated with better management of colorectal cancer and chemotherapy side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gastric cancer (GC) is biologically and genetically heterogeneous with a poorly understood carcinogenesis at the molecular level. Herein, we studied the effects of probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus) on subcutaneous implantation of xenograft GC. Moreover, the effect of probiotics (L. rhamnosus) was compared with the capecitabine drug as known used drug against GC. Human GC tissue was obtained from patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and grafted into mice armpit. Probiotic (L. rhamnosus) was given to animals by gavage 2 weeks prior to GC and 4 weeks after GC induction. Also, capecitabine was orally added through feeding tube at the last week of treatment procedure. All grafted animals received cyclosporine a day before the surgery and during the study period to prevent graft rejection. Capecitabine–probiotic complex reduced the size of the axillary implanted GC when compared with control group. Furthermore, combination of capecitabine and probiotic increased apoptotic and necrotic responses in the grafted tumor, blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelet counts) in comparison with capecitabine. Probiotic (L. rhamnosus) administration effectively improved the therapeutic index and outcomes, and also, improved the therapeutic effects of the capecitabine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since emerging coronaviruses have always become a human health concern globally especially severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus and a novel coronavirus was introduced in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 (called SARS‐CoV‐2), many researchers focused on its epidemics, virological and clinical features. SARS‐CoV‐2 is classified as Betacoronaviruses genus and Sarbecovirus subgenus (lineage B). The virus shows a great similarity with SARS‐CoV and bat SARS‐like coronaviruses. In this study, we evaluate SARS‐CoV‐2 virus phylogeny and evolution by using current virus and related sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 was introduced by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a global pandemic. The disease manifestations ranges from a mild common cold to severe disease and death. It has a higher mortality rate in people with a history of comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease (CVD) and can also contribute to cardiac injury. This study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between troponin levels as a cardiac marker and adverse outcomes in this disease. METHODS: The study sample included 438 patients hospitalized with COVID-19; however, the troponin data of 6 patients were not available. The need to be admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), and death were considered the adverse outcome in patients with COVID-19. Troponin levels were checked in all patients on day 1 and day 3 of hospitalization. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether there was an independent association between the adverse outcomes and troponin enzyme in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 61.29 ± 15.84 years. Among the 432 patients tested on day 1 of hospitalization, 24 patients (5.6%) tested positive (Troponin 1), and among the 303 patients tested on day 3, 13 patients (4.3%) tested positive (Troponin 2). Based on our results, Troponin 1 showed an independent association with both death (3.008 [95%CI = 1.091-8.290]; P = 0.033) and need for ICU admission (8.499 [95%CI = 3.316-21.788]; P < 0.001) in multiple logistic regression analysis. Moreover, the status of Troponin 2 had an independent significant association with both death (4.159 [95%CI = 1.156-14.961]; P = 0.029) and ICU admission (7.796 [95%CI = 1.954-31.097]; P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Troponin showed a significant association with adverse outcomes in people who were hospitalized with COVID-19. The periodical assessment of this enzyme from the time of hospitalization may improve the clinical decision making of clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) as a major health problem has increased globally. The etiology of CRC is among the critical issues. Smoking, obesity, and infectious diseases are probable risk factors of CRC. Meanwhile, chronic infections, such as chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is under investigation. Objectives: The aim of the present study was to determine the rate of HBV genome infection in patients with CRC compared with healthy subjects’ colon tissues. Materials and Methods: Archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) blocks of 157 patients who underwent total colonoscopy that were referred to hospitals affiliated to Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, were enrolled. They were categorized into 66 CRC cases and healthy colon tissues as the control group. After DNA extraction from FFPE specimens a Syber Green Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was carried out. SPSS software version 16 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Of a total of 157 specimens, the mean age ± std. deviation of 66 patients with CRC was 59.3 ± 14.4, and 57.6% (38.66) of them were males. The mean age ± std. deviation of 91 healthy controls was 57.2 ± 14.6, and 57.1% (52) of them were males. By using real-time PCR we found that there were 6.4% (10.157) HBV positive, of them 9% (6.66) had CRC, and 4.4% (4.91) were healthy controls. Different variables did no t have any significant differences. Conclusion: Although some studies reported the association between HBV infection and CRC outcome, we could not prove it. It suggests the role of other risk factors in colorectal cancer incidence. Further studies with larger sample size and different study populations are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hirschsprung disease is a complex genetic disorder of the enteric nervous system (ENS), often called congenital aganglionic megacolon and characterized by the absence of enteric neurons along a variable length of the intestine. The definitive diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease relies on histologic and/or histochemical staining of sections from suction rectal biopsies. Calretinin immunohistochemistry (IHC) may be a useful in its diagnosis. This study aimed to proof the usefulness of immunohistochemical staining for calretinin in rule out of Hirschsprung disease. Methods: Paraffin blocks and slides were retrieved from the pathology archives of Ali Asghar Hospital, Tehran, Iran from 2007 to 2011 with pathology report based on the presence (14 patients) or absence (70 patients) of ganglion cells and transitional zone anatomical region (10 patients). Slides were stained with hematoxylin and eosin method to confirm the initial diagnosis was verification again. After preparing the slides, they were stained by IHC for calretinin. Then, the results were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: In most patients, IHC for calretinin provided highly compatible results with hematoxylin-eosin findings in diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease. The values of specificity and accuracy between calretinin and standard histology (H&E) compared by the Fisher exact test declared calretinin presented significantly higher specificity and accuracy values than H&E staining (P <0.0001). Conclusion: Calretinin IHC overcomes most of the difficulties encountered using the histology hematoxylin-eosin. Then, IHC for calretinin is a good ancillary method used by pathologists in diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nowadays, the immune response to hepatitis C (HCV) treatment has become a crucial issue mostly due to the interleukin 28B (IL-28B) polymorphism effects in chronic HCV patients. The aim of this study was to detect the polymorphism of IL-28B gene (rs12979860) in HCV genotype 1 patients treated with pegylated Interferon and Ribavirin. Methods: From the yr 2010 to 2012, a total of 115 peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of HCV patients who presented to Gastrointestinal & Liver Disease Research Center (GILDRC), Firoozgar Hospital, Tehran, Iran were enrolled in this retrospective cross sectional study. Samples were then categorized based on the presence of sustained virologic response (SVR and no-SVR). Variables including age, gender, serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels of the two groups were investigated based on different IL-28B genotypes. Results: Analysis by the variables of age and gender showed a mean age ± SD of 42.1±14.0 and gender variability of 44 females (38.2%) and 71 males (61.8%). Adding up these results, the analysis of ALT levels revealed that there was between 293 and 14 mg/ml; AST levels ranged between 217 and 17 mg/ml; the viral load (HCV RNA) ranged between 7,822,000 and 50 IU/ml; the prevalence of CC, CT and TT genotypes were 90.9%, 54% and 25.0%. Conclusion: IL-28B polymorphism has an effective impact on the therapeutic response to ribavirin and peginterferon combination therapy in chronic HCV patients infected by different genotypes. This polymorphism is crucial in natural clearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]