Prevalence of Nucleotide Alterations of EGFR Gene in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Kerman

Abstract: Background & Aims: Esophageal Cancer is the sixth fatal cancer in the world. Squamous and adenocarcinoma account for 95% of esophageal cancer. The expression of EGFR has a role in the pathophysiology of epidermal-based malignancies such as esophageal cancer. EGFR is also an important criterion in the evaluation of disease staging and prognosis. The aim of this study was to survey the prevalence of EGFR gene mutations in patients with esophageal cancer by MLPA Technique. Methods: A total of 60 parafinated blocks from patients with esophageal cancer were investigated for the presence of EGFR mutations by MLPA technique. Results: EGFR mutation was discovered in 82 percent of samples of which 52% were deletion mostly seen in exon 2 (52%) and duplication mostly seen in exon 27 (54%). In some cases deletion and/or duplication were seen in more than one exon simultaneously. Conclusion: With regard to the obtained results and since the definitive diagnosis of esophageal cancer is made by biopsy and pathology techniques, it is suggested that all biopsy specimens be detected for EGFR mutations, particularly on exons 2 and 27 in order to achieve a noninvasive molecular diagnostic technique in future. Keywords: Esophageal neoplasm, EGFR, Mutation, MLP

A Rare Case of Intestinal Obstruction due to Taenia Saginata

Abstract: Intestinal obstruction may be duo to various mechanical or functional reasons. Worms, especially Ascaris worms are one of the mechanical reasons of intestinal obstruction. Obstruction due to Taenia saginata is a rare phenomenon. Here we report a case of intestinal obstruction due to Taenia saginata infection in a 30 year-old male patient undergoing laparatomy with the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction. The cause of intestinal obstruction was unknown initially, but during milking of intestinal contents through naso- gastric tube a Taenia saginata worm was accidentally detected in the tube. Keywords: Intestinal obstruction, Taenia saginat

A Rare Case of Intestinal Obstruction due to Taenia Saginata

Abstract: Intestinal obstruction may be duo to various mechanical or functional reasons. Worms, especially Ascaris worms are one of the mechanical reasons of intestinal obstruction. Obstruction due to Taenia saginata is a rare phenomenon. Here we report a case of intestinal obstruction due to Taenia saginata infection in a 30 year-old male patient undergoing laparatomy with the diagnosis of intestinal obstruction. The cause of intestinal obstruction was unknown initially, but during milking of intestinal contents through naso- gastric tube a Taenia saginata worm was accidentally detected in the tube. Keywords: Intestinal obstruction, Taenia saginat

Comparison of Scolicidal Effects of Amphotricin B, Silver Nanoparticles,_and Foeniculum vulgare Mill on Hydatid Cysts Protoscoleces

BACKGROUND: Surgery is the preferred treatment for hydatid cyst (cystic echinococcosis, CE). At present, various scolicidal agents have been used for inactivation of protoscoleces during surgery, but they are associated with adverse side effects. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the scolicidal effects of amphotricin B, Silver nano particles, Foeniculum vulgare Mill, essential oil and hypertonic saline against protoscoleces of hydatid cyst on an in vitro model. METHODS: Protoscoleces were aseptically aspirated from the naturally infected livers of sheep and goats. Various concentrations of AmB (2.5-20 mg/ml), Ag-NPs (0.5-4 mg/ml), F. vulgare essential oil (0.125-1 mg/ml) and hypertonic saline (10-20%) were used for 5-60 min. Eosin exclusion test was used to determine the viability of protoscoleces. RESULTS: Maximum protoscolicidal effect of AmB and Ag-NPs was found at concentrations of 20 and 4 mg/mL, resulting in only 82.3% and 71.6% of the protoscoleces after 60 min of incubation, respectively. In contrast, F. vulgare essential oil at concentration of 1 mg/ml and hypertonic saline 20% killed 100% protoscoleces after 5 and 10 min of exposure, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results indicated weak scolicidal activity of AmB and Ag-NPs; whereas F. vulgare essential oil had potent scolicidal activity against protoscoleces of hydatid cyst that revealed the potential of F. vulgare as a natural source for the production of new scolicidal agent for use in hydatid cyst surgery. However, further studies will be needed to confirm these results by checking the essential oil and its active component in the in vivo model