Prognostic value of matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma and its association with angiogenesis

Background: Breakdown of extracellular matrix (ECM) is one of the important hallmarks of cancer progression which facilitates the invasion of tumoral cells to the surrounding tissue. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can degrade various components of the ECM and basement membrane. The aim of this study was to determine the role of matrix metalloproteinases-9 protein in the biologic behavior of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and its relation with tumor angiogenesis. Material and Methods: In this study 42 OSCC and 15 normal epithelium were reviewed by immunohistochemical staining for matrix metalloproteinases-9 and CD105. Results: Matrix metalloproteinases-9 expression was detected in 32 OSCC specimens (76.1%), with 28 specimens (66.6%) showing moderate or strong expression. We observed that the expression level of matrix metalloproteinases-9 was positively correlated with the status of lymph node metastasis (N0vs. N1) ( P =0.00), and clinical stage (I-II vs. III-IV) in OSCC patients. Microvessel density in intratumoral tissue has an association with lymph node metastasis and advanced clinical stage ( P =0.003 and p =0.01, respectively). We observed that tumors with matrix metalloproteinases-9 overexpression had a higher microvessel density counts compared with tumors with absent or focal immunostaining (16.2±5.6 vs 10.3±3.5 respectively, P =0.03). Conclusions: In conclusion present results demonstrate the marked expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 and CD105 in OSCC and suggest that the expression of these markers is associated with tumor progression and could offer additional information about the aggressiveness of OSCC. In addition a significant relationship was noted between microvessel density count and expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 which suggest that MMP9 expression may be closely related to tumor angiogenesi

Comparison of the therapeutic effects of the dietary and topical forms of Zizyphus jujuba extract on oral mucositis induced by 5-fluorouracil: a golden hamster model

Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a common inflammatory complication among cancerous patients as an ad verse effect of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects and identify the appropriate route of administration of extract of Zizyphus jujuba in 5-flurouracile induced OM induction in golden hamster. Materials and Methods: In a prospective randomized double blind animal study, OM was induced in 56 male golden hamsters by 5-FU (60 mg/kg) on days 0, 5, and 10 of the study. The cheek pouch was scratched with a sterile needle on once daily on days 3 and 4. On days 14-17, 300 mg/kg dietary and 20% Z. jujuba gel and gel base groups were treated and then compared with a control group. Microscopic scores and pouch content of malondialdehyde (MDA), plus activities of superoxide dismutase and myeloperoxidase in pouch tissue were evaluated. Results: Histopathology scores of mucositis were lower in the systemic and 20% Z. jujuba gel groups than the gel base and control groups ( P <0.05). Also, lower MDA level and higher activities of MPO and SOD were detected in the systemic and 20% Z. jujuba gel groups in comparison to the gel base and control groups ( P <0.001). Conclusions: The use of Z. jujuba hydroalcoholic extract in systemic and topical forms may be associated with reduced intensity of OM, diminished concentration of MDA, and increased activity of MPO and SOD on induced OM in golden hamster undergoing 5-FU consumptio

Development and Optimization of Culture Medium for the Production of Glabridin by Aspergillus eucalypticola: An Endophytic Fungus Isolated from Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Fabaceae)

AbstractGlabridin is a well-known active isoflavone found in the root of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.) that possess a wide range of biological activity. Plant cells, hairy roots, and fungal endophytes cultures are the most important alternative methods for plant resources conservation and sustainable production of natural compounds, which has received much attention in recent decades. In the present study, an efficient culture condition was optimized for the biomass accumulation and glabridin production from fungal endophyte Aspergillus eucalypticola SBU-11AE isolated from licorice root. Type of culture medium, range of pH, and licorice root extract (as an elicitor) were tested. The results showed that the highest and lowest biomass production was observed on PCB medium (6.43 ± 0.32 g/l) and peptone malt (5.85 + 0.11 g/l), respectively. The medium culture PCB was produced the highest level of glabridin (7.26 ± 0.44 mg/l), while the lowest level (4.47 ± 0.02 mg/l) was obtained from the medium peptone malt. The highest biomass (8.51 ± 0.43 g/l) and glabridin (8.30 ± 0.51 mg/l) production were observed from the PCB medium adjusted with pH = 6, while the lowest value of both traits was obtained from the same medium with pH = 7. The highest production of total glabridin (10.85 ± 0.84 mg/l) was also obtained from the culture medium treated with 100 mg/l of the plant root extract. This information can be interestingly used for the commercialization of glabridin production for further industrial applications

Assessing the quality of dental services using SERVQUAL model

Background: The measurement of service quality had an important role in managing service provided, diagnosing the problem, and assessing service performance. Patient satisfaction is one of the key indicators of quality in health-care organizations. This study aimed to measure the service quality gap of patients' perceptions and expectations in five dimensions at a military Specialized Dental Clinic in Iran using SERVQUAL tool. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytical study conducted at a Specialized Dental Clinic affiliated to the Armed Forces of Islamic Republic of Iran in Tehran in 2013. All 385 patients referring to the studied clinic during two working shifts of morning and evening in one month, August, were selected. The required data were collected using the modified SERVQUAL questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 through statistical tests including Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis tests. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The results showed that the quality of services provided to patients was significantly lower than their expectations and the quality gaps were statistically significant in all studied dimensions (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the highest and lowest quality gap was related to empathy (−1.16) and reliability (−0.61), respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, the managers of this clinic should take steps toward improving the quality of services in all dimensions, especially responsiveness and empathy, through planning properly, prioritizing services, and reviewing processes with regard to the patients' expectations