Expression of E-cadherin in primary breast cancer and its correlation with prognostic factors

Background and aim: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women and after lung cancer it is the second cause of death in women. Different biological markers are being used for determination of prognosis and patients’ responses to the therapy regimes. E-cadherin is one of these markers. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of E-cadherin expression in primary breast cancer and its correlation with the grade size of tumor and axillary lymph nodes involved. Methods: This cross –sectional study was performed on 85 patients with primary breast cancer who were admitted in Mostafa Khomeini Hospital in Tehran Iran (2003-2007). One section was prepared from the tumoral tissue and lymph nodes sections from all patients and they were stained with H & E. In another tissue section E-cadherin was evaluated by a immunohistochemical method and then the tumor size its grade and the number of lymph nodes involved were determined. The data were analyzed with SPSS software 11.5 using Chi-square Mann –Whitney and Spearman correlation tests. Results: Our data showed that 95.3% of the samples were positive for E-cadherin and 67.1% of the patients had lymph nodes involvement. The average size of the tumor was found 3.09±1.33 cm. In this study 41% of the tissue samples were stained with E-caherin more than 75% (3+). No significant relationship was found between E-cadherin expression and related variables but a significantly reverse relationship was found between E-cadherin expression and the grade tumor size and the number of lymph nodes involved (

FAILING OF INFORMATION TRANSMISSION BY DORSAL HIPPOCAMPUS DUE TO MICROINJECTION OF COLCHICINE IN RAT'S CORTICAL AREA 1

ABSTRACTObjective: Colchicine has been introduced recently as a neurotoxin with damage effect on neurons of hippocampal cortical area 1 (CA1). Effect ofcolchicine, a plant derived neurotoxin on memory retrieval was explored experimentally by means of novelty seeking task in intact Wistar rats.Methods: The subjects were cannulated by stereotaxic apparatus at coordinates adjusted for the CA1 area. After recovery, all animals experiencedthe novelty seeking paradigm using an unbiased conditioning device. First, they were habituated with the conditioned place preference (CPP)apparatus. They were then confined in one part of the CPP box for 3 consecutive days. Finally, the animals were microinjected colchicine (1-25 μg/rat)intra‑hippocampal CA1 prior to testing. Control group was cannulated too, but, solely injected saline (1-μl/rat, intra-CA1). The time spent in the novelpart of the device and the motivational signs of the rats were measured. Furthermore, the possible cell injury effect of the toxin on the CA1 layer wasverified.Results: The alkaloid caused significant novelty seeking behavior in the experimental animals though did not show a significant effect on thecompartment entering. The destruction effect of the neurotoxin on the treated rats' dendrites spines was evidenced.Conclusion: Based on this finding the information transmission by dorsal hippocampal pyramidal cells may impair with an administration ofneurotoxin colchicine, intra-CA1.Keywords: Colchicine, Memory retrieval, Novelty seeking behavior, Cortical area 1, Pyramidal cell layer

Targeting BamA, the essential component of the Acinetobacter baumannii β-barrel assembly machinery, hinders its ability to adhere to and invade human alveolar basal epithelial cell line

The lungs are commonly targeted by Acinetobacter baumannii. The human alveolar basal epithelial cell line, A549, serves as a valuable in vitro model for probing pathogen-cell dynamics. This study examined two Acinetobacter strains, ATCC 19606 and the clinical isolate 58ST, investigating their adherence, internalization, and cytotoxicity within the A549 cell line to illuminate pathogenic mechanisms. Anti-BamA antibodies were expressed, purified, and detected via indirect ELISA. The toxicity of BamA was assessed across BALB/c mice. Both A. baumannii strains were used to infect A549 cells to scrutinize cell invasion diversity. Serum resistance, biofilm creation and inhibition, adhesion, internalization, and intracellular proliferation of live and inactivated A. baumannii were probed with and without anti-BamA sera. A549 cell viability was evaluated in the presence of live A. baumannii and anti-BamA sera-exposed bacteria. Cytoskeleton inhibitor tests were conducted on epithelial cells. A. baumannii strains displayed differing cell invasion aptitudes, with the clinical variant manifesting the highest invasion capability. During internalization, A. baumannii cells localized within vacuoles and migrated towards the nucleus using a zipper-like invasion mechanism. Bacterial division inside host cells culminated in cell demise. Pre-treatment with anti-BamA antibodies substantially impeded A. baumannii's adherence and invasion in epithelial cells. Microscopic imaging validated the intracellular presence of A. baumannii in A549 cells, verifying their invasive potential and residency. These findings substantiate A. baumannii's capacity to proliferate in epithelial cells, with BamA pivotal role against A. baumannii-epithelial cell interplay. This study augments our insight into A. baumannii pathogenesis, facilitating the development of efficacious strategies against A. baumannii infections

Immunoprotectivity of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis virulence protein, InvH, against Salmonella typhi

Objective(s):Typhoid fever is a dreadful disease of a major threat to public health in developing countries. Vaccination with bacterial immunodominant components such as surface proteins may prove as a potent alternative to live attenuated vaccines. InvH, an important part of needle complex in type three secretion system (TTSS) plays important role in efficient bacterial adherence and entry into epithelial cells. Materials and Methods:In this work we used a 15 kDa recombinant InvH protein of Salmonella enteric serovar Enteritidis to provoke antibody production in mouse. The mice were immunized by recombinant InvH and challenged with Salmonella typhi. Histopathology of spleen and liver were studied. Results:The immunized mice showed a significant rise of antibody after the second booster. The immunization induced protection against high doses of S. typhi. The bacterial challenge with sera showed significant protection against challenge dose of 2×109 CFU. Immunized sera reacted with          S. typhi markedly. Immunoreaction of bacterially infected sera and InvH protein was significantly higher than the control group. Bacterial loads of S. typhi in spleen was more than liver. Decreased bacterial load was evident in immunized mice after 7 days. Histological examination of the liver showed the immunized mice liver remained unaffected. Conclusion: Efficacy of the virulence protein, InvH, in inhibition of this phenomenon by active immunization was shown here. It may be concluded that InvH, as an antigen, can develop protection against S. typhi infections. InvH may be exploited in protective measures as well as a diagnostic tool in Salmonella infections

Expression of Estrogen and Progesterone Receptors in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma

Background: Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), occurs mostly in women and sex hormones may play a role in the pathogenesis and clinical course. The objective of this study was to determine the status and prevalence of estrogen and progesterone receptors in PTC with regard to age, gender, tumor size and lymph node involvement. Methods: Immunohistochemical stains were performed on 92 tissue blocks of PTC for estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) expression in tumor cells. Chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to determine statistical difference using statistical software SPSS. Results: The mean age of patients was 39.32±1.7 years (range 13-80) with 79(85.9%) women and 13 (14.1%) men. Lymph node involvement was seen in 76.1% of patients. The average tumor size was 3.6±2.21 cm. The rate of ER and PR expression were 46.75% and 5.6%, respectively. ER expression for females was higher than males (P=0.014), but no relation was found between males and females in PR expression (P=0.7). Also there was no statistical difference between ER and PR expression with respect to age, lymph node involvement and tumor size. Conclusion: Our study showed higher ER expression in females than males with PTC. No relation was found between the expression of these receptors and age of presentation, lymph node involvement and tumor size. Further investigation is required to determine the prognostic importance of ER and PR in PTC

Teamwork endoscopic endonasal surgery in failed external dacryocystorhinostomy

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the results of a teamwork revision endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) in eyes with previously failed external DCR. Methods: This retrospective study was performed on 50 failed external DCR subjects who underwent a teamwork revision endoscopic DCR by an ophthalmologist and an otolaryngologist. Paranasal sinus CT scanning was performed for each patient before the revision surgery. During surgery, any abnormal tissue noticed before silicone intubation was sent for pathological evaluation. Results: Endoscopic revision DCR was performed on 50 failed external DCR subjects with one-year follow-up. Of these, 31 were female (62%). The age range of the subjects was 18-88 years (mean: 59.98 years). Sinus CT showed at least one abnormality in 94% of cases. Revision endoscopy showed septal deviation (66%), scar formation (32%), ostium problems (28%), and sump syndrome (6%). Pathologic and clinical findings showed that chronic inflammation had a significant association with scar tissue and septal synechia (P = 0.001 and 0.008, respectively). At the final follow-up, anatomical and functional success was achieved in 45 out of 50 (90%) of subjects. Conclusion: Endoscopic revision DCR when performed as cooperation of otolaryngologists and ophthalmologists may help resolve the endonasal problems and increase the success rate

Factors associated with suicidal ideation among medical residents in Tehran during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multicentric cross-sectional survey.

BackgroundThe mental health of medical residents, challenged by their intensive training, is of utmost concern. In light of reported suicides among Iranian medical residents in 2021, this study investigates the factors behind suicidal ideation among medical residents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tehran.MethodsThis study conducted a cross-sectional online survey among medical residents in various specialties in Tehran, Iran, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Suicidal ideation was assessed using the Beck Scale for Suicidal Ideation (BSSI), while depression, anxiety, and stress were measured using the DASS-21. It also collected demographic and clinical data from the participants. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, and multiple linear regression to examine the prevalence and determinants of suicidal ideation among medical residents.ResultsThe study enrolled 353 medical residents and found that 34.3% of them had suicidal ideation, with 10.2% indicating a high risk. The study also found high levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among the participants. The variables that significantly predicted suicidal ideation were depression, history of alcohol/substance use, personal history of suicide attempts, history of self-mutilation, family history of suicide attempts, number of shifts in a month, death of close persons because of COVID-19, and income. Depression was the strongest predictor of suicidal ideation.ConclusionThese findings underscore the urgent need for effective interventions and support systems to address the mental health needs of medical residents in Iran. The strategies should prioritize destigmatizing mental health, promoting access to mental health services, fostering a supportive training environment, and enhancing income opportunities

STROBE statement—Checklist of items that should be included in reports of observational studies.

STROBE statement—Checklist of items that should be included in reports of observational studies.</p

Association between suicidal ideation and other clinical and demographic variables.

Association between suicidal ideation and other clinical and demographic variables.</p