Review Article
Joharia azhar
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2009, Pages 51-58
Abstract
Carcinogenesis is a multistep process characterized by the gradual accumulation of genetic changes that ultimately lead to cancer. These genetic mutations can impart limitless replicative potential to the cancer cells making them immortal. Telomeres are repeat nucleotide sequence TTAGGG that ...
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Carcinogenesis is a multistep process characterized by the gradual accumulation of genetic changes that ultimately lead to cancer. These genetic mutations can impart limitless replicative potential to the cancer cells making them immortal. Telomeres are repeat nucleotide sequence TTAGGG that are present at the end of chromosomes. Its functions are to protect the chromosomal ends and to ensure that these ends are not recognized as DNA strand break by the polymerase enzyme. They also act as a clock like mechanism to count the number of times a cell divides. These telomeres are maintained in the cell by an enzyme called as telomerase. The function of telomerase enzyme is to protect the cells from telomere erosion and senescence. Thus, the cell can become immortal and replicate forever. This is called as the canonical function of telomerase. Normally telomerase is present in stem cells, germ cells and blood cells only and the somatic cells usually do not express telomerase. However, a very high concentration of telomerase has been identified in various cancer cells. A few years back it was observed that low levels of telomerase are present in the S phase of cell cycle of somatic cells at levels that are not sufficient to maintain telomeres lengths. Additionally it was observed that ectopic expression of telomerase causes stem cell division, mobilization and migration, increased wound repair and an increased tumor burden. Based on these facts it has been deduced that telomerase has at least one non-canonical and elongation-independent function. Both canonical and non-canonical functions of telomerase are considered to play important roles in development and progression of tumorogensis.
Original Research
Mahmood Khaniki; Zeynab Nazary; Kazem Zendehdel; Fereshte Fakur
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2009, Pages 59-64
Abstract
Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the screening performance of a new modified liquid-based cytology method (Liquiprep™) with conventional PAP smear (CP) in a low risk population, using colposcopy followed by histology as “gold standard”. Patients ...
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Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the screening performance of a new modified liquid-based cytology method (Liquiprep™) with conventional PAP smear (CP) in a low risk population, using colposcopy followed by histology as “gold standard”. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on random referred specimens to a general gynecological clinic in Tehran, during 20 months by a split-sample method. In both CP and Liquiprep™ group, all positive and 10% of negative results of smears were followed by colposcopy. A biopsy was taken whenever any atypical transformation zone seen. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive predictive values (PV), and overall accuracy of both methods were analyzed in relation to histology. Results: A total of 1265 patients were analyzed by two methods. In 158 (12.5%) of cases histological diagnosis was made. Liquiprep™ samples (94.7%) were more adequate than CP (92.1%). There was not any low or high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL). Atypical squamous cell of undetermined significance (ASC_US) was diagnosed more with CP than with Liquiprep™ (1.43% vs. 0.79%) while pathologically 60% of ASC_US in Liquiprep™ and 16.6% in CP had degrees of SIL. The Liquiprep™ had a significantly higher sensitivity (83% vs. 66%) and positive PV (83% vs. 33%) than the CP to detect SIL at histology but the difference in specificity was non significant (98% vs. 86%). Conclusions: This study confirms the superiority of the Liquiprep™ method to detect cervical lesions in a low risk population.
Original Research
Zahra Meshkat; Hessam Mirshahabi; Hoorieh Soleimanjahi; Zuhair Mohamad Hassan
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2009, Pages 65-70
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Some of the human papillomaviruses (HPVs) can infect genital tracts and are sometimes associated with anogenital tract cancers. HPVs induced cervical cancers through the expression of E6 and E7 genes by inactivating the tumor suppressor proteins. In this study, E6 and ...
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Background and Objectives: Some of the human papillomaviruses (HPVs) can infect genital tracts and are sometimes associated with anogenital tract cancers. HPVs induced cervical cancers through the expression of E6 and E7 genes by inactivating the tumor suppressor proteins. In this study, E6 and E7 genes were chosen in order to construct an expression vector which is able to express target proteins. Patients and Methods: This experimental investigation was performed in Virology Department of Tarbiat Modares University. An expression vectorcontaining human papillomavirus type 16 E6 and E7 genes was constructed. The accuracy of the plasmid was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction enzyme analysis. The construct was transfected into the eukaryotic cells and its ability for protein production was confirmed by Western blotting. Results:The colonies containing desired plasmid have the fragment about 995 bp. For confirming the ability of the construct for protein production in eukaryotic cells, Western blotting was done using the lyses-cells as antigen and they showed the desired bands using monoclonal antibodies. Conclusion: The designed vector can consider as a based vaccine for construction a therapeutic vaccine in suitable vectors for gene therapy in order to administration in Iranian patients with cervical cancer.
Original Research
Amitis Ramezani; Ali Eslamifar; Arezoo Aghakhani; Ebrahim Kalantar; Mohammad Banifazl; Akbar Velayati
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2009, Pages 71-74
Abstract
Background and Objective: The outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be influenced by host factors like Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). We have investigated HLA-A and DRB1 alleles in patients with persistent hepatitis B infection compared to subjects who had spontaneously recovered from ...
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Background and Objective: The outcome of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection may be influenced by host factors like Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA). We have investigated HLA-A and DRB1 alleles in patients with persistent hepatitis B infection compared to subjects who had spontaneously recovered from HBV infection. To complete the findings of this study we performed another survey in certain HLA alleles that were significantly related to the outcome of HBV infection. The current study aimed to determine association between HBV infection outcome and HLA-A and DRB1 genotyping in North part of Iran. Patients and Methods: Ninety-four HBV infected patients were enrolled in this cross sectional study. First HLA-A and DRB1 alleles were analyzed by using low resolution PCR sequence-specific-primer (PCR-SSP) and then we used high resolution PCR-SSP method for subtyping HLA-A*33 and DRB1*13 alleles which were significantly related to the outcome of HBV infection. Results: HLA-A*33 allele was significantly higher in persistent group than recovered group and sub typing showed HLA-A*3303 in 75% and HLA-A*3301 in 25% of cases. HLA-DRB1*13 allele was significantly lower in persistent group than in recovered group and its subtypes were DRB1*1301 in 66.7% and DRB1*1303 in 33.3% of subjects. Conclusion: Host HLA polymorphism is an important factor to determining the outcome of HBV infection. HLA-A*3303 and DRB1*1301 were the predominant subtypes of HLA-A*33 and DRB1*13 alleles in Iranian HBV infected patients.
Original Research
Maryam Amini; Mozhgan Bahador; Maryam Bahador
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2009, Pages 75-79
Abstract
Background and Objective: Bacterial meningitis is an important cause of mortality and long-term neural morbidity. Immediate diagnosis and treatment are necessary in appropriate time. This study was designed in Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman to evaluate meningitis causes, frequency and CSF laboratory ...
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Background and Objective: Bacterial meningitis is an important cause of mortality and long-term neural morbidity. Immediate diagnosis and treatment are necessary in appropriate time. This study was designed in Afzalipour Hospital in Kerman to evaluate meningitis causes, frequency and CSF laboratory changes. Patients and Methods: In this retrograde descriptive study from September 2003 to September 2005, documents of all the hospitalized patients with diagnosed meningitis in Afzalipour Hospital of Kerman, southeast of Iran were studied. Findings: During this period, 126 patients were hospitalized . The age average was 15.2 ± 5.2 yr. Males were more than females (69% vs 31%) & 64% were children.Majority of patients were admitted in winter (42.9%) followed by spring (31%) . 9.5% had viral meningitis . 89.5% of patients with bacterial meningitis had negative CSF culture . Positive culture included 6 cases of haemophilus influenzae type B , 3 cases of pneumococcal and 3 cases of meningococcal. Average level of glucose in CSF in positive culture group was less than negative culture group (22.5mg/dl vs 53.5mg/dl) . All positive culture patients had pro>100mg/dl and WBC>1000/mm3. Conclusion: 10.5% of patients had positive culture, which might suggest that there were some errors in microbial cultures done in this hospital. More prevalence of meningitis in children was similar to other studies. The most common cause was haemophilus influenzae , so Iranian children vaccination should be considered.
Original Research
Arezoo Aghakhani; Amitis Ramezani; Minoo Mohraz; Mohammad Banifazl; Ali Eslamifar
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2009, Pages 80-84
Abstract
Background and Objective: Presence of hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) is defined, as isolated anti-HBc. little is known about the clinical significance of the isolated anti-HBc in hepatitis ...
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Background and Objective: Presence of hepatitis B core antibody (anti-HBc) in the absence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) is defined, as isolated anti-HBc. little is known about the clinical significance of the isolated anti-HBc in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of anti-HBc as the only marker of HBV infection in high risk patients. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 395 patients including 289 patients on chronic hemodialysis (HD) and 106 HIV infected subjects were enrolled. HBsAg, anti-HBs, anti-HBc, Hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) and Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were tested in all subjects. The presence of HBV-DNA was determined quantitatively in plasma samples of patients with isolated anti-HBc by real-time PCR. Results: Of 395 patients, 40 (10.13%, 95% CI, 7.1%-13.1%) had isolated anti-HBc. HBV-DNA was detectable in 12 of 40 patients (30%, 95% CI, 15.8%-44.2%) who had isolated anti-HBc. Conclusion: Our study showed that detection of isolated anti-HBc could reflect unrecognized HBV infection; hence, screening of these patients is useful to preventing of HBV transmission.
Original Research
Sara Sabery Raieni
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2009, Pages 85-87
Abstract
Background and Objective: The Fallopian tube plays an essential role in tubal transportof both gametes and embryos and successful pregnancy. We assessed the histomorphological effect of smoking on the fallopian tubes in rats, in this study. Patients and Methods: Twelve female rats were divided ...
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Background and Objective: The Fallopian tube plays an essential role in tubal transportof both gametes and embryos and successful pregnancy. We assessed the histomorphological effect of smoking on the fallopian tubes in rats, in this study. Patients and Methods: Twelve female rats were divided to two groups as subjects (n=7) and controls (n=5). They have been exposed to smoke four times daily for 4 weeks. The histomorphological effect of smoking on the fallopian tubes was assessed by H&E. Results: The findings were hydrosalpinx in two cases and inflammation in one of them. There was no reduction in the number of either the ciliated cells or the cilia. Conclusion: The findings did not confirm our theory regarding smoking effect on the fallopian tubes' tissue. Further studies with electronic microscope are recommended.
Case Reports
Mohsen Emami Aleagha; Etrat Javadi Rad; Siamak Shariat Torbaghan
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2009, Pages 88-91
Abstract
Littoral cell angioma is a splenic vascular tumor of splenic sinus lining cells that is considered benign in general. This report describes a case of littoral cell angioma with no malignant histological features. The lesion is composed of anastomosing vascular channels resembling splenic sinus; ...
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Littoral cell angioma is a splenic vascular tumor of splenic sinus lining cells that is considered benign in general. This report describes a case of littoral cell angioma with no malignant histological features. The lesion is composed of anastomosing vascular channels resembling splenic sinus; they are lined by endothelial cells which show mitotic activity very rare. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for both endothelial (Factor VIII-AG, CD34) and histiocytic markers (KP1 or CD68). The morphologic and immunohistochemical findings in this tumor confirm the presence of dual (endothelial / histiocytic) characteristics of the reticuloendothelial cells lining the splenic sinus, justifying the term littoral cell angioma.
Case Reports
Atieh Makhlough; Seyyedeh Fatemeh Emadi tarkami
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2009, Pages 92-95
Abstract
Anderson-Fabry disease is a rare inherited X-linked lysosomal storage disease caused by deficiency of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. Hereby we report a 39 year old male that presented with proteinuria and edema. Histopathologic, immunofluorescence and ultrastractural examination of renal tissue ...
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Anderson-Fabry disease is a rare inherited X-linked lysosomal storage disease caused by deficiency of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase A. Hereby we report a 39 year old male that presented with proteinuria and edema. Histopathologic, immunofluorescence and ultrastractural examination of renal tissue were in favor of Fabry disease in associate with IgA nephropathy. Fabry's disease associated with IgA nephropathy apparently is extremely rare, and the present case is among few reported cases in literature.
Case Reports
Mitra Mehrazma; Khadije Mahlouji; Reza Taghipour
Volume 4, Issue 2 , April 2009, Pages 96-100
Abstract
Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by inability of phagocytes to generate oxygen radicals needed for intracellular killing of phagocytic microorganisms. We report a 2.5-year-old Iranian female with multiple liver abscesses. She was admitted in surgical ...
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Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare inherited disorder characterized by inability of phagocytes to generate oxygen radicals needed for intracellular killing of phagocytic microorganisms. We report a 2.5-year-old Iranian female with multiple liver abscesses. She was admitted in surgical ward because of abdominal pain and fever for one month duration that had no response to conventional antibiotic treatment. The results of laboratory tests were: WBC=17000, Neutrophils=82%, lymph=17%, ESR=100. Other tests except nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) and dihydrorhodamine (DHR) tests were negative and according to these two tests the final diagnosis was CGD. Supportive care along with recombinant interferon γ and oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for prophylaxis of infections started. Now after 18 months she is alive and healthy. Any patient with recurrent or unusual lymphadenitis, hepatic abscesses, osteomyelitis at multiple sites, a family history of recurrent infections, or unusual infections with catalase positive organisms, like S. aureus, requires evaluation for CGD.
