Systemic effects of starved fibroblasts culture supernatant on immunosuppressed rats treated with cancer stem cells

Background: The present study aimed to investigate and compare the effect of starved fibroblast culture supernatant (SFS), DMEM and normal saline alone or along with LA7 on dexamethasone-treated immunosuppressed Wistar rats. Methods: After the isolation of fibroblasts from the fresh foreskin of children, it was cultured in serum-free DMEM, and the supernatant collected after 16 hours (16h-SFS). This solution and the other treatments were injected subcutaneously into the rats from each group once daily for 14 days. The liver, intestine and lung histology along with blood cellular and biochemical characteristics were studied. Results: The results showed that dexamethasone as immunosuppressant reduced the body weight. The histological change in the liver was mild fibrosis induced by LA7+16h-SFS. Also, among the different blood cellular and biochemical indices measured,  the eosinophil percentage in the 16h-SFS treated rats ,  glucose levels in the 16h-SFS+LA7 group and triglyceride concentrations  in the 16h-SFS group were changed (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the secretions of starved fibroblasts especially that combined with LA7 cancer stem cells could induce some minor histological and biochemical changes in immunosuppressed rats, and also it opened a new window for subsequent investigations on unknown mechanisms related to this work

The effects of capsaicin ointment application to the K-K9 acupressure point on nausea and vomiting during cesarean section under spinal anesthesia

Background: Nausea and vomiting are among the most important and the most common intraoperative and postoperative complications. Objective: This study aimed to determine the effects of capsaicin ointment application to the K-K9 acupressure point on intraoperative and postoperative nausea and vomiting associated with cesarean section (CS) under spinal anesthesia. Methods: This double-blind three-group randomized controlled trial was conducted on 120 women who referred to Ommolbanin Hospital, Mashhad, Iran, to undergo nonemergency CS under spinal anesthesia. Women were randomly allocated to three groups to receive capsaicin ointment on the K-K9 point (intervention group), capsaicin ointment on the K-D2 point (control group), and Vaseline ointment on the K-K9 point (placebo group). Nausea, vomiting, and retching were assessed at five time points, namely during and 30, 60, 90, and 120 min after CS. Moreover, the need for antiemetic medications was also assessed in all three groups. The data were analyzed through running the one-way analysis of variance, the Kruskal�Wallis, the Friedman, and the Chi-square tests. Results: There were no significant differences among the groups, respecting the scores of nausea, vomiting, and retching at different measurement time points (P > 0.05). However, the number of women who needed antiemetic medication in the intervention group (11) was significantly less than the control (22) and the placebo (15) groups (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Capsaicin ointment application to the K-K9 acupressure point is an easy-to-use noninvasive method for significantly reducing the need for antiemetic medications during and after CS under spinal anesthesia

Halloysite Nanoclay with High Content of Sulfonic Acid-Based Ionic Liquid: A Novel Catalyst for the Synthesis of Tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans

One of the main drawbacks of supported ionic liquids is their low loading and consequently, low activity of the resultant catalysts. To furnish a solution to this issue, a novel heterocyclic ligand with multi imine sites was introduced on the surface of amino-functionalized halloysite support via successive reactions with 2,4,6-trichloro-1,3,5-triazine and 2-aminopyrimidine. Subsequently, the imine sites were transformed to sulfonic acid-based ionic liquids via reaction with 1,4-butanesultone. Using this strategy, high loading of ionic liquid was loaded on halloysite nanoclay. The supported ionic liquid was then characterized with XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, FTIR, BET, TGA and elemental mapping analysis and utilized as a metal-free Brønsted acid catalyst for promoting one-pot reaction of aldehydes, dimedone and malononitrile to furnish tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans. The catalytic tests confirmed high performance of the catalyst. Moreover, the catalyst was stable upon recycling

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans challenges: a case series and review of the literature

Abstract Background Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a rare variant of skin sarcoma which is characterized by proliferation of spindle cells in a storiform pattern. Although it is mostly benign in its primary stages, it can cause a high burden of morbidity unless it is thoroughly excised. Case presentation Here, we review six cases of DFSP which were characterized by skin lesions in various parts of the body. Patients were from 26 to 51 years old; four were Asian men and two were Asian women. Wide surgical excision was performed for all these patients and no extra treatment was considered. Samples were studied by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) tests. Only one of our patients experienced recurrence after the initial surgery. Conclusion Determining the best surgical method is still a dilemma in the treatment of DFSP lesions. There are numerous studies to prove the efficacy of various surgical interventions. Although DFSP is not commonly known as a malignant skin lesion, delay in treatment will have a catastrophic impact on patients’ lives. Thus, applying an in-time surgical method (wide local excision in our cases) in treating DFSP is crucial in preventing recurrence as well as decreasing the morbidity burden of DFSP

The Upregulation of HLA-G1 and miRNA-34a in Lens Epithelial Cells of Diabetic Retinopathy Patients

Background: Retinopathy of diabetes is a chronic diabetes mellitus complication affecting retinal vessels, and some ocular complications’ molecular mechanisms remain obscure.Objective: To evaluate the expression of HLA-G1, HLA-G5, miRNA-181a, and miRNA-34a in the lens epithelial cells of patients with retinopathy of diabetes.Methods: In a case-control study, 30 diabetic patients with retinopathy, 30 diabetic patients without retinopathy, and 30 cataract patients without diabetes mellitus as the control group were enrolled after a full description with details about the study methods and objectives. The expression of HLA G1, HLA G5, miRNA-181a, and miRNA-34a in lens epithelial cells was assessed by quantitative RT PCR. Moreover, the levels of HLA-G protein in aqueous humor were evaluated by the ELISA method.Results: HLA-G1 expression was significantly upregulated in the retinopathy group (P=0.003). The aqueous humor of diabetic retinopathy patients contained significantly higher levels of HLA-G protein compared with the non-diabetic patients (P=0.001). miRNA-181a was significantly downregulated in the diabetic retinopathy group compared with the patients without diabetes (P=0.001). In addition, miRNA-34a was upregulated in the retinopathy group (P=0.009).Conclusion: Taken together, the present results showed that HLA-G1 and miRNA-34a can be valuable markers for diabetic retinopathy. Our data offers new perspectives for improving the control of inflammation in the lens epithelial cells by considering HLA-G and miRNA

Splenogonadal fusion: A rare case report and literature review

Introduction and importance: Splenogonadal fusion is a rare congenital anomaly occurs when splenic tissue presents near or within a gonad. It mostly involves male children. Although it is benign and rare, making a pre-operation precise diagnosis is challenging which can lead to unnecessary invasive treatments. Case presentation: A 3-year-old boy was presented by the chief complaint of a painless mass on the left testis and left inguinal hernia. He had a previous history of bilateral cryptorchidism and orchiopexy. Ultrasonography showed a small mass on the inferior pole of left testis and left reducible inguinal hernia. He went under left orchiectomy and hernia repair. Pathological investigation of the specimen resembled normal splenic tissue next to testicular tissue and the diagnosis of splenogonadal fusion was made. Clinical discussion: Splenogodal fusion cases can be challenging. Pain and sensation of mass in the scrotal sac are the most common presentation of splenogonadal fusion. Testicular malignancies can be considered as their main differential diagnosis, despite the fact that imaging and intra-operation frozen section can be helpful in making a definite diagnosis in some cases. It is mostly diagnosed incidentally during other procedures such as hernia repair or orchiopexy. Since it is benign, removal of tumor without orchiectomy is curative. Conclusion: In dealing with testicular mass in children, raising awareness of splenogonadal fusion have utmost importance to prevent unnecessary radical surgical interventions

Research Paper: Effect of Custom-Made Insole Fabricated With Medial Heel Skive Technique on Plantar Pressure in Individuals With Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome

Objective Knee problems, particularly patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), are one of the common complaints of adolescents and young adults. PFPS is also known as "runner's knee" or "jumper's knee" due to its high prevalence among sportspersons. Its symptoms can be aggravated by ascending and descending stairs, squatting, deep squatting, kneeling, prolonged sitting, standing up from sitting, and running. Hence, it affects many aspects of daily life, including the ability to perform pain-free exercise or work-related activities. Non-surgical treatments such as physiotherapy, insoles, and knee orthoses are commonly used to treat people with PFPS. Insoles with medial heel skive is a new method of insole modification that can control pronation and involves the selective removal of small amounts of medial plantar heel of the positive cast of the foot.  The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of custom-made insole with medial heel skive technique on plantar pressure in PFPS subjects. Materials & Methods In this controlled before-after study, 14 subjects with PFPS were recruited. Plantar pressure and contact area in eight areas of the foot with and without insole with medial heel skive technique were measured using the Pedar system. A paired t-test was used for statistical analysis.  Results The results of this study showed that the use of insole with medial heel skive technique resulted in decreased plantar pressure in the medial hind foot (P=0.001) compared to without insole. Also, the average plantar pressure (P=0.003) and contact area (P=0.002) in the medial mid-foot with the insole with medial heel skive significantly increased in comparison to without insole. However, no significant change was observed in other regions. Conclusion The above-mentioned insoles managed to control pronation and alter plantar pressure distribution. However, since the insoles simply transferred the pressure from one area to another area and failed to distribute the pressure equitably over the examined regions, they cannot be considered to have improved plantar pressure distribution in patients with PFPS.&nbsp