Evaluating diagnostic accuracy of Ovarian instant frozen sections compared to delayed paraffin embedded permanent sections

Introduction: Frozen section is mainly performed to determine malignity, so it is of fundamental importance to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of frozen sections performed for each group of tissues in order to reduce false diagnoses, unnecessary surgeries and following unwanted complications. This study is conducted to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of frozen section performed on ovary tissue compared to permanent sections. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, we evaluate frozen sections performed at Taleghani hospital pathology department in five years and their results were compared with permanent sections’ results to calculate sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value and positive predictive value. In cases which results were discordant, we check for probable reasons. Results: 83 species were evaluated from patients with a mean age of 42.9 years; the smallest was 19 and the oldest was 86 years old (Std. dev: 12.84). 75 cases of frozen sections were benign (90.4%) and 8 cases were malignant. 73 cases of permanent sections were benign (88%) and 10 cases were malignant (12%. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value rates were 66%, 100%, 100% and 96.55% respectively. Conclusions: This study shows the importance of cooperation between pathologist and surgeons that they can prevent unnecessary surgeries. In our study the only cases of discordancy were borderline tumors and the diagnostic accuracy for all other species were perfect.  &nbsp

Genotoxic damage to glioblastoma cells treated with 6 MV X-radiation in the presence or absence of methoxy estradiol, IUDR or topotecan

Objective: To explore the cumulative genotoxic damage to glioblastoma (GBM) cells, grown as multicellular spheroids, following exposure to 6 MV X-rays (2 Gy, 22 Gy) with or without, 2-methoxy estradiol (2ME2), iododeoxyuridine (IUDR) or topotecan (TPT), using the Picogreen assay. Materials and Methods: The U87MG cells cultured as spheroids were treated with 6 MV X-ray using linear accelerator. Specimens were divided into five groups and irradiated using X-ray giving the dose of 2 Gy after sequentially incubated with one of the following three drug combinations: TPT, 2-ME2/TPT, IUDR/TPT or 2ME2/IUDR/TPT. One specimen was used as the irradiated only sample (R). The last group was also irradiated with total dose of 22 Gy (each time 2 Gy) of 6 MV X-ray in 11 fractions and treated for three times. DNA damage was evaluated using the Picogreen method in the experimental study. Results: R/TPT treated group had more DNA damage double strand break (DSB)/single strand break (SSB) compared with the untreated group (P<0.05). Moreover the R/TPT group treated with 2ME2 followed by IUDR had maximum DNA damage in spheroid GBM indicating an augmented genotoxicity in the cells. The DNA damage was induced after seven fractionated irradiation and two sequential treatments with 2ME2/IUDR/TPT. To ensure accuracy of the slope of dose response curve the fractionated radiation was calculated as 7.36 Gy with respect to α/β ratio based on biologically effective dose (BED) formulae. Conclusion: Cells treated with 2ME2/IUDR showed more sensitivity to radiation and accumulative DNA damage. DNA damage was significantly increased when GBM cells treated with TPT ceased at S phase due to the inhibition of topoisomerase enzyme and phosphorylation of Chk1 enzyme. These results suggest that R/TPT-treated cells increase sensitivity to 2ME2 and IUDR especially when they are used together. Therefore, due to an increase in the level of DNA damage (SSB vs. DSB) and impairment of DNA repair machinery, more cell death will occur. This in turn may improve the treatment of GBM. © 2015, Royan Institute (ACECR). All rights reserved

The Immediate Effects of Static versus Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Stretching with Kinesiology Taping on Hamstring Flexibility in Teenage Taekwondo Players

Introduction: This study evaluated the acute responses to static stretching versus the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching technique with and without applying kinesio tape on hamstring muscle flexibility, as scarce evidence exists in this field. Materials and Methods: Twenty teenage professional black/red belt taekwondo players participated in this study. Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) and static hamstring stretching was performed for both legs of each subject. Then a Y-shape Kinesio Tape (KT) with 30% tension was applied over one leg chosen randomly. Active Knee Extension Test (AKET) and Passive Straight Leg Raise (PSLR) were performed at base line, immediately and 24 hours after interventions. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA was used to statistically analyze the data. PSLR test results demonstrated a significant increase in hamstring flexibility over time, while the AKET results showed no significant changes. No significant differences were observed between PNF and Static stretch (SS) or the KT and Non-Taped (NT) groups immediately or after 24 hours. Conclusion: The current study showed that there is no superiority in SS or PNF stretching techniques for increasing hamstring flexibility, and using KT over stretched muscles could not help improve flexibility.Keywords: Flexibility; Kinesiology taping; Stretching; Taekwondo playe

The role of job stress and job satisfaction in predicting job burnout of teachers of students with special needs

The aim of this study was to determine the role of job stress and job satisfaction in predicting job burnout in teachers of students with special needs in Shiraz, Iran. The sample included 136 teachers of students with special needs that were selected through convenience sampling. For data collection, the Burnout Inventory, Job Stress Questionnaire, and the Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire were used. Data were analysed using Pearson correlation coefficient and simultaneous multiple regression. The results showed that job stress positively and significantly predicted job burnout and job satisfaction negatively and significantly predicted job burnout. According to the findings of this study, it is suggested that organisations related special education field to design and develop appropriate educational and supportive programs (such as holding workshops on stress management in the workplace, providing free counseling and psychological services, identifying individual and environmental factors affecting job satisfaction in teachers of students with special needs, helping to increase their job satisfaction, providing assistants for these teachers, and etc.). This will increase job satisfaction and reduce job stress in teachers of students with special needs. In this way, the burnout of teachers of students with special needs will be reduced

Detection of Citrus tristeza virus by using fluorescence resonance energy transfer-based biosensor

Due to the low titer or uneven distribution of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in field samples, detection of CTV by using conventional detection techniques may be difficult. Therefore, in the present work, the cadmium-telluride quantum dots (QDs) was conjugated with a specific antibody against coat protein (CP) of CTV, and the CP were immobilized on the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to develop a specific and sensitive fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based nanobiosensor for detecting CTV. The maximum FRET efficiency for the developed nano-biosensor was observed at 60% in AuNPs-CP/QDs-Ab ratio of 1:8.5. The designed system showed higher sensitivity and specificity over enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with a limit of detection of 0.13μgmL(-1) and 93% and 94% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. As designed sensor is rapid, sensitive, specific and efficient in detecting CTV, this could be envisioned for diagnostic applications, surveillance and plant certification program

Evaluation of the effects of pulsed wave LLLT on tibial diaphysis in two rat models of experimental osteoporosis, as examined by stereological and real-time PCR gene expression analyses

Osteoporosis (OP) and osteoporotic fracture are major public health issues for society; the burden for the affected individual is also high. Previous studies have shown that pulsed wave low-level laser therapy (PW LLLT) has osteogenic effects. This study intended to evaluate the impacts of PW LLLT on the cortical bone of osteoporotic rats’ tibias in two experimental models, ovariectomized and dexamethasone-treated. We divided the rats into four ovariectomized induced OP (OVX-d) and four dexamethasone-treated (glucocorticoid-induced OP, GIOP) groups. A healthy (H) group of rats was considered for baseline evaluations. At 14 weeks following ovariectomy, we subdivided the OVX-d rats into the following groups: (i) control which had OP, (ii) OVX-d rats treated with alendronate (1 mg/kg), (iii) OVX-d rats treated with LLLT, and (iv) OVX-d rats treated with alendronate and PW LLLT. The remaining rats received dexamethasone over a 5-week period and were also subdivided into four groups: (i) control rats treated with intramuscular (i.m.) injections of distilled water (vehicle), (ii) rats treated with subcutaneous alendronate injections (1 mg/kg), (iii) laser-treated rats, and (iv) rats simultaneously treated with laser and alendronate. The rats received alendronate for 30 days and underwent PW LLLT (890 nm, 80 Hz, 0.972 J/cm2) three times per week during 8 weeks. Then, the right tibias were extracted and underwent a stereological analysis of histological parameters and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). A significant increase in cortical bone volume (mm3) existed in all study groups compared to the healthy rats. There were significant decreases in trabecular bone volume (mm3) in all study groups compared to the group of healthy rats. The control rats with OP and rats from the vehicle group showed significantly increased osteoclast numbers compared to most other groups. Alendronate significantly decreased osteoclast numbers in osteoporotic rats. Concurrent treatments (compounded by PW LLLT and alendronate) produce the same effect on osteoporotic bone. © 2016, Springer-Verlag London

Oncogenic role of connective tissue growth factor is associated with canonical TGF-β cascade in colorectal cancer

TGF-β signaling pathways promote tumour development and control several downstream genes such as CTGF and MMPs. This study aimed to investigate the association between CTGF and MMP-1 mRNA expressions with clinicopathological status and survival rate in colorectal cancer patients. We investigated expression levels of CTGF and MMP-1 genes in paraffin-embedded tumours and adjacent normal tissue blocks (ADJ) by Real Time-PCR. Then, the expression of Smad2 and Smad4 proteins in the TGF-β canonical pathway was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Finally, the correlation between CTGF, MMP-1, and the canonical TGF-β-signalling pathway with the clinicopathological features was investigated. Expression levels of MMP-1and CTGF were higher in tumours compared with adjacent normal tissues. Overexpression levels of MMP-1 and CTGF were associated with lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, tumour histopathological grading, advanced stage, and poor survival (p 0.05). Additionally, a significant association between the upregulation of MMP-1 and tumour location was noted. Upregulation of Smad2 and Smad4 proteins were also significantly correlated with lymph node metastasis, distant metastasis, advanced stage, and poor survival (p 0.0001). This study showed that canonical TGF-β signalling regulates both CTGF and MMP-1 expression and CRC progression. Moreover, TGF-β signalling and its downstream genes could be used as novel biomarkers and novel approaches for targeted therapy in CRC

Ameliorative Effects of N-acetylcysteine on the Expression of Oxidative Stress-Related Genes and Inflammatory Biomarkers in the Cardiac Tissues of Rats Exposed to Lead

Background: Lead, as the most important toxic heavy element, has several devastating effects on human health and influences most biochemical and physiological functions. It is widely accepted that lead can adversely affect the cardiovascular system since it can be quickly absorbed and recycled in the blood strain. Objectives: This survey scrutinized the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on the oxidative damage, inflammation, and expression of protein kinase C-alpha (PKC-alpha) and ankyrin repeat domain 1 (ANKRD1) genes in the heart tissue of rats exposed to lead (Pb). Methods: The rats were incidentally divided into five groups, including four study groups for the investigation of the effects of the single and continuous doses of lead were examined with and without NAC and a control group (G1). The levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), interleukin (IL)-10, and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) were analyzed. A reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was applied to investigate the expression of PKC-alpha and ANKRD1 genes. Results: Continuous exposure to Pb significantly decreased serum levels of TAC and IL-10; however, it increased MDA and TNF-alpha contents (P<0.001). The continuous dose of Pb also dramatically increased the expression of PKC-alpha and ANKRD1 genes in the cardiac tissue by 4.27-fold and 3.07-fold, respectively (P<0.001). N-acetylcysteine treatments not only improved morphological changes, oxidative stress, and inflammatory biomarkers but also compensated antioxidant capacity and the expression of PKC-alpha and ANKRD1 genes in cardiac tissues. Conclusion: Lead exposure is remarkably related to cardiotoxicity mainly by inducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and antioxidant discharge. N-acetylcysteine ameliorates Pb-induced cardiotoxicity by improving the antioxidants capacity, mitigating oxidative stress, and down expressing PKC-alpha and ANKRD1 genes