Lack of significant association between Helicobacter pylori infection and homocysteine levels in patients with cardiac syndrome X

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several diseases such as cardiac syndrome X (CSX), which includes chest pain, positive exercise stress test and normal angiography. Also, elevation of homocysteine (Hcy) level is associated with CSX, as it can severely disturb vascular endothelial function. We aimed to elucidate whether the infection of H.pylori affect the level of Hcy in CSX. Methods: Eighty-eight patients with CSX (32 men, 56 women; mean age: 53.8 ± 11.9) and 97 healthy controls (36 men, 61 women; mean age: 45.7 ± 7.3) were enrolled. Plasma samples were tested for the presence of IgG antibody to H.pylori using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. Hcy levels were measured enzymatically. Results: Plasma Hcy concentration in CSX patients is higher than control group (13.1 ± 2.6 vs. 11.8 ± 2.5 mmol/L; p = 0.002). There was no significant difference between Hcy in H.pylori+ and H.pylori– individuals in CSX group (13.1 ± 2.7 vs. 12.2 ± 0.6 mmol/L; p = 0.554) and between two groups in controls, respectively (12.1 ± 2.2 vs. 11.4 ± 2.9 mmol/L; p = 0.148). Conclusions: Although there is Hcy level increase in H.pylori+ CSX patients and controls comparing to H.pylori– subjects, but other factors may affect on Hcy level, too. (Cardiol J 2012; 19, 5: 466-469

Etiologic Agents of Otomycosis in the North-Western Area of Iran

Background: Otomycosis is a superfcial fungal infection often involves the pinna and external auditory canal. It is a pathologic condition, with Candida and Aspergillus, the most common fungal species. It is common worldwide but more prevalent in tropical and subtropical countries Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the etiologic agents and local epidemiologic pattern of otomycosis in northwest Iran. Patients and Methods: A series of 140 patients with clinically symptomatic otomycosis were studied in 21 cities, towns, and villages throughout northwest Iran between 2009 and 2011. Clinical samples were collected by swabs and then assessed by mycological investigation. Results: Otomycosis was diagnosed in 129 cases (92%, 76 male, 53 female) with the highest prevalence of cases occurring in males between 21 - 40 years of age. From an etiological point of view, 116 patients (90%, 21 - 40 years old) were infected by saprophytic mold and 9 patients (7%) were infected by yeast. Three cases (2%) involved dermatophytes, and in one case (1%) the subject was infected with Eurotium (the perfect stage of Aspergillus fumigatus). Aspergillus niger was the most common mold that was isolated, followed by A. flavus, A. fumigatus, Penicillium spp., Fusarium spp., and Rhizopus spp. A total of 2 yeasts belonging to genus Candida, C. albicans and C. tropicalis, were isolated. Conclusions:Our study showed a high prevalence of otomycosis in the northwestern area of Iran. As such, proper diagnosis and treatment by aseptic techniques for this disease is urgently needed

Interactions of melatonin with various signaling pathways: implications for cancer therapy

Abstract Melatonin is a neuro-hormone with conserved roles in evolution. Initially synthetized as an antioxidant molecule, it has gained prominence as a key molecule in the regulation of the circadian rhythm. Melatonin exerts its effect by binding to cytoplasmic and intra-nuclear receptors, and is able to regulate the expression of key mediators of different signaling pathways. This ability has led scholars to investigate the role of melatonin in reversing the process of carcinogenesis, a process in which many signaling pathways are involved, and regulating these pathways may be of clinical significance. In this review, the role of melatonin in regulating multiple signaling pathways with important roles in cancer progression is discussed, and evidence regarding the beneficence of targeting malignancies with this approach is presented

Effects of Ramadan Fasting on Serum Amyloid A and Protein Carbonyl Group Levels in Patients With Cardiovascular Diseases

Introduction: Serum amyloid-A (SAA) and protein carbonyl group are rigorously related with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) as a sensitive marker of an acute inflammatory state and as an important index of oxidative stress, respectively. Moreover, diet is one of the main factors that canmodify cardiovascular risks. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of Ramadanfasting on SAA and protein carbonyl group levels in patients with CVDs.Methods: Twenty-one patients (21 male; mean age 52±9 years old) with CVDs (coronaryartery disease, cerebrovascular, or peripheral arterial diseases) were participated in this study.Biochemical parameters were measured in patients 2 days before and 2 days after Ramadanfasting. SAA levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Cayman’sprotein carbonyl colorimetric assay was provided for measuring protein carbonyl groups.Results: According to the findings of the study, post-Ramadan levels of inflammatory biomarker,SAA was decreased significantly in patients with CVDs in comparison with the baseline beforefastingvalues (16.84±8.20 vs. 24.40±6.72 μg/ml, P = 0.021). In addition, Ramadan fastingsignificantly reduced the levels of protein carbonyl group in patients as compared with those ofbaseline values (33.08±15.31 vs. 43.65±16.88 nmol/ml, P = 0.039).Conclusion: Ramadan fasting has impressive effects on modulating CVDs by decreasinginflammation and oxidative stress markers. However, to get a clear conclusion with more results,further investigation is warranted

DNA damage response and breast cancer development: Possible therapeutic applications of ATR, ATM, PARP, BRCA1 inhibition

Breast cancer is the most common and significant cancers in females regarding the loss of life quality. Similar to other cancers, one of the etiologic factors in breast cancer is DNA damage. A plethora of molecules are responsible for sensing DNA damage and mediating actions which lead to DNA repair, senescence, cell cycle arrest and if damage is unbearable to apoptosis. In each of these, aberrations leading to unrepaired damage was resulted in uncontrolled proliferation and cancer. Another cellular function is autophagy defined as a process eliminating of unnecessary proteins in stress cases involved in pathogenesis of cancer. Knowing their role in cancer, scholars have tried to develop strategies in order to target DDR and autophagy. Further, the interactions of DDR and autophagy plus their regulatory role on each other have been focused simultaneously. The present review study has aimed to illustrate the importance of DDR and autophagy in breast cancer according to the related studies and uncover the relation between DDR and autophagy and its significance in breast cancer therapy.Depto. de Inmunología, Oftalmología y ORLFac. de MedicinaTRUEpu

Therapeutic potential of polyphenols in cardiovascular diseases: Regulation of mTOR signaling pathway.

Cardiovascular diseases comprise of non-communicable disorders that involve the heart and/or blood vessels and have become the leading cause of death worldwide with increased prevalence by age. mTOR is a serine/threonine-specific protein kinase which plays a central role in many physiological processes including cardiovascular diseases, and also integrates various proliferative signals, nutrient and energy abundance and stressful situations. mTOR also acts as central regulator during chronic stress, mitochondrial dysfunction and deregulated autophagy which are associated with senescence. Under oxidative stress, mTOR has been reported to exert protective effects regulating apoptosis and autophagy processes and favoring tissue repair. On the other hand, inhibition of mTOR has been suggested to have beneficial effects against atherosclerosis, cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure, and also in extending the lifespan. In this aspect, the use of drugs or natural compounds, which can target mTOR is an interesting approach in order to reduce the number of deaths caused by cardiovascular disease. In the present review, we intend to shed light on the possible effects and molecular mechanism of natural agents like polyphenols via regulating mTOR

Targeting STATs in neuroinflammation: The road less traveled!

JAK/STAT transduction pathway is a highly conserved pathway implicated in regulating cellular proliferation, differentiation, survival and apoptosis. Dysregulation of this pathway is involved in the onset of autoimmune, haematological, oncological, metabolic and neurological diseases. Over the last few years, the research of anti-neuroinflammatory agents has gained considerable attention. The ability to diminish the STAT-induced transcription of inflammatory genes is documented for both natural compounds (such as polyphenols) and chemical drugs. Among polyphenols, quercetin and curcumin directly inhibit STAT, while Berberis vulgaris L. and Sophora alopecuroides L extracts act indirectly. Also, the Food and Drug Administration has approved several JAK/STAT inhibitors (direct or indirect) for treating inflammatory diseases, indicating STAT can be considered as a therapeutic target for neuroinflammatory pathologies. Considering the encouraging data obtained so far, clinical trials are warranted to demonstrate the effectiveness and potential use in the clinical practice of STAT inhibitors to treat inflammation-associated neurodegenerative pathologies