An evaluation the effect of glycyrrhetinic and glycyrrhizic acids derived from licorice extract on gastric cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Gastric cancer is the second most prevalent carcinogenic disease and surgery, chemotherapy and radiation are its principal treatment modalities. However, in most cases, poor response to treatment and adverse side effects are observed regarding these modalities. Given the lack of response to treatment and growing rates of gastric cancer, researchers are trying to come up with more efficient treatments with fewer side effects. In the traditional medicine, licorice has been suggested as a cancer treatment considering its high antioxidant properties and few side effects. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of licorice extract on gastric cancer cell lines. METHODS: In this experimental study, adenocarcinoma gastric cell lines were prepared from cell bank and were cultured. After passage, the cells were transferred into a 96-well plate. In each well, approximately 2,000 cells in RPMI-1640 culture medium with FBS (10%) were placed. The cells were repeatedly exposed to different concentrations of Glycyrrhetinic acid (0, 1, 10 and100.1 μM) and Glycyrrhizic acid (10, 1, 100 and 0.1 μM) for 24 and 48 hours. Finally, the obtained results of the experimental and control groups were compared with each other. FINDINGS: According to our results, the toxic effect of Glycyrrhetinic and Glycyrrhizic acids is dose and time dependent. In 24 hours, the mean optical density (MOD) in 100 μM concentration of Glycyrrhetinic acid was 0.41±0.02 and 0.79±0.04 in the experimental and control groups, respectively (p=0.0002). After 48 hours, MOD was 0.16±0.004 and 1.749±0.24 in the experimental and control groups, respectively (p=0.0003). Moreover, the MOD of 100 μM concentration of Glycyrrhizic acid was 0.78±0.53 and 2.09±0.49 in the experimental and control groups in 48 hours. There was a significant difference between the experimental and control groups (p=0.035). CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrated that the licorice compounds have a toxic effect on carcinogenic cells. Therefore, it is recommended to perform more study on both Glycyrrhizic and Glycyrrhizic acids as effective compounds on gastric cancer treatmen

Psychometric properties of hits screening tool (Hurt, insult, threaten, scream) in detecting intimate partner violence in Iranian women

Background: Absence of a screening tool for domestic violence seriously influences clinical practice and research in Iran. Objectives: In this study, a four-item Hurt-Insult-Threaten-Scream (HITS) screening tool was translated into Persian and evaluated in the Iranian women. Methods: The HITS was translated into Persian, evaluated, and finalized by a panel of experts, with acceptable face and content validity. Married women who referred to Psychiatry Clinic and family practice offices of Tabriz and Kermanshah Universities of Medical Sciences first answered Farsi HITS and then underwent a psychiatric interview. The results of these two evaluations were compared. The participants were invited to answer HITS four weeks later again to evaluate the reliability. Results: A total of 269 participants (Azeri, Kurdish and Fars ethnicity) were included with a mean age ± standard deviation of 34.96 ±9.83 years. Based on reports of the psychiatric interview, 58 women (21.5%) were victimized by domestic violence. The ROC curve analysis, reported the best cut-off point for the Persian version of HITS to be 9, giving a sensitivity of 91.4% and a specificity of 94.3%. About 75% showed up for the second time, and Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for testing the consistency of answers for all questions of Farsi HITS showed acceptable reliability. Conclusions: The Persian version of HITS is now available as a valid tool for screening domestic violence in Iranian women with acceptable validity and reliability

Flow Cytometric Analysis of Inflammatory Cells in Experimental Acute Pancreatitis

 Background: Accumulating evidence indicates that inflammatory cells migrate into the pancreas tissue and play an important role in the pathogenesis of acute pancreatitis (AP). The aim of this study was to establish a flow cytometric method to enumerate these infiltrating cells in the pancreas of an experimental AP.Materials and Methods: Twelve hours after inducing of AP, mice pancreatic tissues were cut into small fragments and single cells were prepared by mechanical dissociation. The isolated cells were stained with either anti-mouse CD45-PerCP or isotype antibody and analyzed by flow cytometry. Using side scatter (SSC)/CD45 gating we were able to identify inflammatory cells from non-inflammatory cells.Results: The mean percentage of leukocytes was 5.9±1.6 in the control group whereas, it was 26.7±8.1 in the AP. Moreover, we found that the percentage of lymphocytes, monocytes and granulocytes were 1.1±0.2, 0.9±.04 and 2.9±1.8 of total pancreatic cells, respectively, in the control mice. In contrast to lymphocytes, the percentage of monocytes and granulocytes were significantly increased in the AP group and it was 3±1.3 and 18.2±3.2 for monocytes and granulocytes, respectively.Conclusion: Quantitative flow cytometric analysis is feasible and provides a reliable and rapid assay to determine the number and percentage of inflammatory cells in experimental AP

Non-Surgical Retreatment of Maxillary Lateral Incisor with Unusual Anatomy: A Case Report and Mini Review

Knowledge about internal anatomy plays a crucial role in the success of the root canal treatment. Many studies on internal anatomy have repeatedly reported that maxillary lateral incisors have only one canal. The primary aim of this article was to describe successful non-surgical retreatment of a permanent maxillary lateral incisor with two root canals and open apices. The treatment was carried out using dental operating microscope and the canals were obturated with mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) as an apical plug. A review of literature was also conducted to evaluate the anatomical variations of maxillary lateral incisors.Keywords: Maxillary Lateral Incisor; Retreatment; Root Canal Anatom

The impact of sleep deprivation on sexual behaviors and FAAH expression in the prefrontal cortex of male rats

Sleep deprivation (SD) causes alterations in the function of the endocannabinoid (EC) system and also results in alteration in many behaviors such as increased anxiety, deteriorated alertness, memory deficits, as well as sexual behaviors. Controversial data about the effects of SD on sexual response are provided. Fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH), the enzymes involved in the degradation of the EC system play an important role in the function of the EC system. This study aimed to investigate the effect of REM SD (RSD) and total SD (TSD) on the sexual behaviors and FAAH expression in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of male rats. RSD was carried out through the flower pot technique for 24 h and 48 h, and TSD also was induced by keeping awake the rats by gentle handling for 6 h. Immediately after RSD and TSD, sexual behaviors were recorded for 45 min. Sexual behaviors were reduced by both types of RSD and TSD. The deleterious effects of 24 h RSD were more severe compared with 6 h of TSD. Serum testosterone concentration was significantly higher after TSD but not RSD compared to the normal sleep (NS) group. FAAH expression in the PFC was significantly reduced after both RSD and TSD compared to the NS group. Given that the function of the EC system has been previously shown to change different behaviors such as sexual activity, our results could suggest that behavioral effects of both types of SD on sexual behavior may partially result from activation of this signaling pathway by the reduction of FAAH in the PFC

Predictors of Transition in Different Stages of Smoking: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract We investigated longitudinally the prevalence of smoking according to three stages of smoking (never smoking, experimenting the smoking, and regular smoking), the rates of transition from one stage to another one, and determinant predictors of transition through these stages of smoking. Of all 10th grade students in Tabriz, 1785 students were randomly selected and assessed twice, with a 12-month interval, with respect to the changes of stage. The predictor variables were measured when the students were in the 10th grade. Logistic regression and principal component analysis were used to analysis data at grade 11. Of 1785 students, 14.3% (CI 95%: 12.3-16.4) and 2.8% (CI 95%: 2.0-4.0) of the never smokers became experimenters and regular smokers, respectively and 16.5% (CI 95%: 12.4-21.7) of the experimenters became regular smokers. Among never smokers, participating in smoker groups (OR = 1.24), having smoker friends (OR = 1.85) and a positive attitude towards smoking (OR = 1.22) predicted experimentation; and participating in smokers groups (OR = 1.35) and a lower socioeconomic class (OR = 0.36) predicted regular smoking. Among experimenters, students having general high risk behaviors (OR = 2.56) and participating in smoker groups (OR = 2.58) were distinguished as those who progressed to regular smoking in follow-up. Programs aimed at smoking prevention and intervention should incorporate plans which focus on predictors of transition through smoking stages, and targeting participation in smoker groups

Transitional Care for Young People with Movement Disorders: Consensus-Based Recommendations from the MDS Task Force on Pediatrics

Movement disorders: PediatricsTrastornos del movimiento; PediatríaTrastorns del moviment; PediatriaBackground The International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS) set up a working group on pediatric movement disorders (MDS Task Force on Pediatrics) to generate recommendations to guide the transition process from pediatrics to adult health care systems in patients with childhood-onset movement disorders. Methods To develop recommendations for transitional care for childhood onset movement disorders, we used a formal consensus development process, using a multi-round, web-based Delphi survey. The Delphi survey was based on the results of the scoping review of the literature and the results of a survey of MDS members on transition practices. Through iterative discussions, we generated the recommendations included in the survey. The MDS Task Force on Pediatrics were the voting members for the Delphi survey. The task force members comprise 23 child and adult neurologists with expertise in the field of movement disorders and from all regions of the world. Results Fifteen recommendations divided across four different areas were made pertaining to: (1) team composition and structure, (2) planning and readiness, (3) goals of care, and (4) administration and research. All recommendations achieved consensus with a median score of 7 or greater. Conclusion Recommendations on providing transitional care for patients with childhood onset movement disorders are provided. Nevertheless several challenges remain in the implementation of these recommendations, related to health infrastructure and the distribution of health resources, and the availability of knowledgeable and interested practitioners. Research on the influence of transitional care programs on outcomes in childhood onset movement disorders is much needed.This study was funded by the International Parkinson's and Movement Disorders Society. The authors have no financial disclosures or conflicts of interest concerning the research related to the manuscript

Optimal characteristics determination of engine mounting system using TRA mode decoupling with emphasis on frequency responses

It is possible to improve vehicle vibration by tuning the parameters of engine mounting system. By optimization of mount characteristics or finding the optimal position of mounts, vibration of the engine and transmitted force from the engine to the chassis can be reduced. This paper examines the optimization of 6-degree-of-freedom engine mounting system based on torque roll axis (TRA) mode decoupling, so that TRA direction coincides with one of the natural modes of vibration. This is achieved by determination of optimal location and stiffness of mounts. In order to find feasible results, physical constraints are taken into account in optimization process. A detailed procedure of optimization problem is explained. Finally, by comparing the frequency and time responses of the optimal design with the original configuration, it is concluded that TRA decoupling is a proper objective function in engine mounting optimization and can greatly improve the vibration behavior of the engine. Achieving decoupled system, the optimal configuration has a better chance of placing dominant natural frequency below the operation range. Also, the forces transmitted through the mounts are reduced noticeably in the optimal design