Thrombocytopenia as a Marker of Patient Outcome in Medical Intensive Care Unit

Introduction: Thrombocytopenia is a common hematologic disorder observed in many pathological conditions in critically ill patients. The current study aimed at investigating the prevalence of thrombocytopenia and its relationship with the length of stay and mortality among intensive care unit (ICU) patients.Methods: The current prospective cohort study enrolled 150 patients consecutively admitted to the medical ICU during a nine-month period. Patients’ baseline characteristics and underlying diseases were recorded. Laboratory findings and admission mean platelets and platelet counts on the 3rd day of admission were obtained. Patients were divided into thrombocytopenic (platelet count of less than 150×109/L or decrease of platelet to more than 50%) and non-thrombocytopenic groups according to the 3rd day platelet count.Results: Thrombocytopenia was detected in 53(35%) patients while 13 patients (8.6%) had severe thrombocytopenia (platelets count < 50 × 109/L). ICU stay and mortality were significantly higher in patients with thrombocytopenia compared with non-thrombocytopenic patients (16 ± 2.7 vs 12 ± 2.4 days, P = 0.01) and (45.5% vs 37.3%, P = 00.1) respectively.Conclusions: Platelet might be considered as a prognosis monitor in ICU settings. Severe thrombocytopenia could be mentioned as a poor prognostic factor for increased mortality and prolonged hospitalization period in ICU patients

The Effect of Prenatal Exposure to 2.4 GHz Radio Frequency on the Histology and Expression of the osteocalcin and RUNX2 Gene of the Forelimb in an NMRI Mouse

Introduction: Today the use of electromagnetic waves has dramatically increased in modern industrial societies. This study aimed to investigate the effect of prenatal exposure to 2.4 GHz wireless frequency on forelimb development in an NMRI mouse in vivo.Methods: A total of 21 female mice weighing 25-30 g were included in the present study. They were randomly assigned to three groups, namely control (n=7), sham (n=7), and experimental (n=7). After mating, the experimental group was exposed to 2.4 GHz radio frequency at a distance of 20-30 cm from the device, 4 h per day until the delivery. The sham group was placed at a distance of 20-30 cm from the device every day without exposure to electromagnetic waves, and the control group had a pregnancy period without any stress and electromagnetic wave exposure. After giving birth, the forelimbs were isolated from the infants and examined by stereological studies and RT-PCR for the evaluation of osteocalcin and RUNX2 gene expression.Results: Although, at first glance, there was no macroscopic teratogen effect in forelimbs in all groups, via a stereological method, we showed that bone and cartilage volume decreased in the experimental group compared to the other groups. We also found that the experimental group had lower expression of the osteocalcin and RUNX2 gene than the control and sham groups did. However, there were no significant differences between the control and sham groups in terms of bone and cartilage volume and gene expression.Conclusion: Although teratogen effect of prenatal exposure to 2.4 GHz radio frequency on forelimbs was not demonstrated macroscopically, further studies showed negative effects on the forelimb bone, cartilage volume, and gene expression.    

Study of apoptosis inducing activity of calprotectin on fibroblast cell

One of the prominent types of connective tissue cells is fibroblast that synthesizes and maintains the extracellular matrix of many animal tissues. Previous studies illustrated that calprotectin protein has different cytotoxicity effects on fibroblast cells. Calprotectin is abundant in the neutrophil cytosol; it has growth-inhibitory and apoptosis-inducing activities against various cell types such as tumor cells. The present study tries to introduce mechanism of growth inhibitory effect of calprotectin on human foreskin fibroblast cells (HFFF) and compare to etoposide (chemotherapy agent as control). Calprotectin was purified from human neutrophil by chromatography methods. HFFF cell lines were used, maintained in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% FCS in a humidified incubator (37 ºC & 5% CO2). The HFFF cells were exposed to the different concentrations of calprotectin and etoposide for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Cell proliferation was assessed by using dimethylthiazol diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to evaluate the cytotoxic mechanism of calprotectin on HFFF cells. Our results revealed that calprotectin and etoposide induce growth inhibition of HFFF in dose- and time-dependent manners. Sensitivity of HFFF cells to cytotoxic effect of human calprotectin was highly remarkable. In addition, growth inhibitory effect of this cytotoxic agent mostly was governed through induction of apoptosis in the HFFF cells. Taken together, calprotectin not only has more potent anticancer activity in comparison with the etoposide, but it also is an apoptosis inducer that acts on the proliferation of normal cells like fibroblasts

Damage intensity of carvacrol on prostatic cancer cells lineDu145 and molecular dynamic simulation of it effect on apoptotic factors

Prostatic cancer is one of the most dangerous diseases in men worldwide. The apoptotic factors such as BID, BIM and APAF1 have a main role in inducing apoptotic pathways. On the other hand, some compounds can active this apoptotic factors. In this study, this notion was investigated by the use of the comet assay technique and molecular dynamics simulations. In the comet assay technique, different concentrations including 130, 230, and 360 μM of Carvacrol were selected according to IC50 using MTT assay on the cell line DU145. Then, alkaline electrophoresis was performed and 100 comet pictures were analyzed using CASP software. Data were analyzed by SPSS statistical software and also using molecular dynamics simulations, wherein protein and Carvacrol were studied, thus avoiding the necessity for quantum mechanical calculations. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out using with Carvacrol closed in a fully hydrated simulation box with a protein (Bak, Bax, Bim, Apaf1, Bid and P38). The IC50 for Carvacrol was determined at 360μM by MTT test. Rate of tail to head in alkaline electrophoresis at 130, 230, and 360 μM of Carvacrol concentrations were 13. 8±0. 3, 40. 6±0. 3, and 47. 6±0. 5 percent, respectively. Statistical analysis of the molecular dynamics and calculated potential energy, radius of gyration (Rg), temperature, root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) and root mean square deviation (RMSD) indicated that Carvacrol affected protein which stimulated the apoptosis cascade. Therefore, both experimental and theoretical results demonstrate carvacrol directly affects factors initiating apoptosis. © 2016, Sphinx Knowledge House. All rights reserved

Evaluation of phytochemicals, antioxidant and burn wound healing activities of Cucurbita moschata Duchesne fruit peel

Objective(s): Cucurbita moschata Duchesne (pumpkin) is a well-known plant with several pharmacological effects. The aim of the present study was to assess burn wound healing activity of C. moschata peel extract (CE). Also, standardized CE was assessed for antioxidant activity and antibacterial effects against major pathogens of burns. Materials and Methods: Healing properties of topical preparation of 10% and 20% concentrations of CE were assessed on second degree burn in rats during a 14-day period as well as histological studies, total antioxidant power, lipid peroxidation and total thiol content of skin tissue samples. Results: Radical scavenging IC50 and ferric-reducing antioxidant power value were 4.015±0.20 mg/ml and 142.63±2.65 mmol Fe2+/g, respectively. Total mucilage content was 13.8%. The optimal results were obtained by 20% CE that showed 90.80±5.86 % wound closure and tissue repair as well as significant reduction of tissue oxidative stress biomarkers. Histological analyses confirmed wound healing activity of pumpkin peel extract. Conclusion: Considering the high mucilage content of the plant, providing a moist environment for wound, C. moschata peel extract could be a natural remedy for treatment of burns. Further clinical studies are suggested to confirm C. moschata peel extract as a wound healing agent

Thiol-reducing agents abate cholestasis-induced lung inflammation, oxidative stress, and histopathological alterations

Cholestasis is not only influences the hepatic function but also damages many other organs. Lung injury is a critical secondary organ damage associated with cholestasis/cirrhosis. Pulmonary histopathological alterations, respiratory distress, and hypoxia are related to cholestasis/cirrhosis-induced lung injury. It has been found that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in this complication. The current study was designed to investigate the effect of N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and dithiothreitol (DTT) as thiol-reducing and antioxidant agents against cholestasis-induced lung injury. Bile duct ligated (BDL) rats were monitored for the presence of inflammatory cells, TNF-α, and IgG levels in their broncho-alveolar fluid (BALF) at scheduled time intervals (3, 7, 14, and 28 days post-BDL surgery). These markers reached their highest level in the BALF of BDL rats on day 28 after the surgery. Therefore, in another set of experiments, the BDL animals were treated with NAC (100 and 300 mg/kg/day, i.p, for 28 consecutive days) and DTT (10 and 20 mg/kg/day, i.p, for 28 consecutive days). Meanwhile, a significant increase in the levels of TNF-α and IgG was detected in the BALF of BDL rats. The BALF level of neutrophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes was also significantly increased in cholestatic animals. A significant increase in lung tissue biomarkers of oxidative stress was detected in the BDL rats. It was found that NAC and DTT could significantly blunt pulmonary damage induced by cholestasis. The effects of these agents on oxidative stress biomarkers and inflammatory response seem to play a pivotal role in their mechanisms of protective properties