Detection of HPV in cancerous and non-cancerous esophageal tissues from Turkmen-Sahra, Iran

The aim of this study were to assess the presence of HPV esophageal infection among Iranian Turkmen who live in an area located in the cancer belt in Asia. The specimens derived from 120 patients previously diagnosed for Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) non-cancerous tissue derived from esophagus. All specimens were examined for the presence of HPV DNA PCR was utilized to amplify a 150 bp segment of HPV L1 gene using the consensus primers. The amplified region was subsequently sequenced to identify the HPV genotypes. The HPV DNA was detected in 49.4% of patients with SCC, and 58% of non-cancerous tissue of esophagus. The positive samples included HPV-16 (46.6%), HPV-6 (24.6%), HPV-66 (8.2%), HPV-52 (4.1%), HPV-18 (2.7%); 14% of cases were positive for more than one type of HPV. The results confirm the presence of HPV in both esophageal cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. These results imply two different interpretations: 1) Due to non-significant difference between the rate of HPV positive in cancerous and non-cancerous tissues, HPV has no important role in esophageal cancers, which is less probable. 2). Because of a highly incidence of esophageal cancer in Turkmen-Sahra region, the HPV is a possible etiologic agent in esophageal carcinogenesis, most probably acting synergistically with physical, chemical, and/or nutritional factors that have previously been found to be related to this malignancy in Turkmen-Sahra. © 2006 Academic Journals Inc., USA

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA in intraosseus ameloblastoma

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection has been shown as a risk factor in oral carcinogenesis. The association between HPV and benign and malignant neoplasm of oral mucosa, especially surface epithelium-derived tumors, is well established. The role of HPV in pathogenesis of odontogenic cysts and tumors has been published in few articles. The aim of this study was detection of HPV in Iranian patients with intrabony ameloblastoma and investigation of specific risk factors associated with ameloblastoma. One hundred intrabony ameloblastoma and 50 age-sex matched samples as controls were evaluated by polymerase chain reaction for the detection and typing of HPV. Fisher exact and chi square tests were used to assess the data. HPV DNA was detected in 32% of patients and 10% of controls. HPV-6 was the most prevalent genotype (31.6%) in infected cases. It was followed by HPV-11 (12.5%), HPV-16 (12.5%) and HPV-31 (3.1%). We found a significant association between presence of HPV and location of tumor (p = 0.02), traumatic history (p = 0.03) and ododontic therapy (p = 0.01). These findings indicated that HPV-6 probably is one of the most important etiologic agents in causing intraosseous ameloblastoma in Iranian population. © 2006 Academic Journals Inc., USA

Representations of death in the poetry of Stevie Smith

The English poet, Stevie Smith, is best known for poetry which offers childlike poetic voices and accompanying drawings, traits which resulted in her often being overlooked as a serious twentieth century poet. But what lies beneath Smith’s strange poetic veneer that continue to engage her readers? In this thesis, which comprises an exegesis on Smith and an original creative verse novel, Mokhtari examines how death dominates Smith’s poems on human suffering, gender and sexuality, culture and politics. She argues that Smith offers a kind of Nietzschean solution to the horrors of existence – the drive toward death and the exploration of that drive through art. The death theme of her poems that was deemed so precarious by Smith’s friends and colleagues seemed to allow Smith to embrace her marginality and avoid the despair of poets such as Plath and Sexton. Smith didn’t see her obsession to its awful, fatal conclusion, escaping it through imaginary constructs for her readers rather than at her own hand. In analysing and engaging with Smith’s work and responding to it through her own creative practice, Mokhtari offers new insights into this odd, paradoxical poet, her obsession and her work

AC Impedance Analysis of the Al/ZnO/p-Si/Al Schottky Diode: C-V Plots and Extraction of Parameters

In this research, we report on the measurement of the capacitance-voltage (C-V) characteristics Al / ZnO / p-Si / Al Schottky diode at room temperature and in dark condition fabricated by spray pyrolysis process. C-V characteristics, within the range of frequencies 5 kHz-5 MHz, are investigated and microelectronic parameters are extracted. Donor density and diffusion potential vary with frequency from 15 to 28 1014 cm – 3, 0.21 to 0.45 V. Besides, the interface state density of Al /ZnO /pSi/Al Schottky is determined and found to be 1012 (eV cm²) – 1. Calculated at 1 MHz, the interfacial layer thickness and depletion layer width are of 760 Å and 0.28 m

Prevalence of human respiratory syncytial virus circulating in Iran

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory infection during early childhood and is associated with a great burden on patients, parents, and society. While no treatment is yet available, results from recent phase 2 clinical trials of cell-entry inhibitors and RSV vaccines are promising. To prepare for introduction of these novel therapeutics, good understanding of its molecular epidemiology and continuous RSV surveillance data are necessary. This paper provides an overview of RSV prevalence and genotype distribution in Iran from 1996 to 2013. This meta-analysis includes 21 published studies. In total, 775 (18.7) of 4140 respiratory specimens were positive for RSV infection. The male-female ratio of RSV-positive patients was 1.5:1. Significant peaks of RSV infection were detected during the cold season (November-March). RSV infection was mainly observed in patients <2 years of age. Phylogenetic studies showed that genotypes GA1, GA2, GA5, and BA co-circulated in Iran in 2007-2013. This review highlights the necessity of introducing standard molecular surveillance programs to inform the epidemiological, clinical, and pathological characteristics of various RSV genotypes. Improved understanding of the molecular epidemiology will be useful for development of novel RSV therapeutics. © 2015 King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences

Isolation and typing of the influenza viruses in the Caspian littoral of Iran

Present study introduces results of common influenza virus strains in the north of Iran. Samples collected from 65 patients with acute respiratory illness by throat washing and swabs, randomly from north of Iran (Mazandaran, Golestan and Guilan provinces). The patients suffered from fever (high), cough, sore throat, general malaise, chill and myalgia. Viruses were isolated by cell culture and confirmed with HA (Hemagglutination) test and then typed by and HI (Hemagglutination Inhibition) test. Out of 65 throat samples, 12 influenza viruses were isolated and typed. Isolated viruses belonged to A (H1N1), A (H3N2) and B influenza viruses. This study showed that Influenza viruses displayed identical pattern to other provinces in Iran and to other countries. To fight against epidemics and pandemics, we should collect enough data about status of influenza each year and data of exact vaccine formulation application for use in different areas of the world. Acquired data has shown that the vaccine for above viruses that confirmed by WHO can result in decreased risks of influenza in at risk cases in provinces of north Iran

Impact of melatonin supplementation in the rat spermatogenesis subjected to forced swimming exercise

Oxygen consumption increases many times during exercise, which can increase reactive oxygen species. It negatively affects fertility in male athletes. Melatonin is exerting a regulatory role at different levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. However, there is no evidence that the protective effects of melatonin persist after long duration exercise on the spermatogenesis. Therefore, this study was conducted to examine the impacts of melatonin on the testis following the administration of swimming exercise. Rats were separated into five different groups, including Control, sham M: received the solvent of melatonin, M: received melatonin, S: the exercise protocol, MS: received melatonin and the exercise protocol. After 8weeks, animals were scarified and antioxidant enzymes levels of testes, spermatogenic cells apoptosis and sperm quality were measured. Swimming decreased all parameters of spermatozoa. Nevertheless, melatonin could significantly improve the progressive motility of spermatozoa in MS rats. Swimming caused an increased apoptosis of S group and decreased all antioxidant enzymes. Melatonin could drastically reduce apoptosis and increased these enzymes. Therefore, melatonin seems to induce the production of antioxidant enzymes of testicular tissues and diminish the extent of apoptotic changes caused by forced exercise on the testis, which can, in turn, ameliorate the sperm parameters

Remyelination of the corpus callosum by olfactory ensheathing cell in an experimental model of multiple sclerosis

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) causes loss of the myelin sheath, which leads to loss of neurons. Regeneration of myelin sheath stimulates axon regeneration and neurons� survival. In this study, olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation is investigated to restore myelin sheath in an experimental model of MS in male mice.OECs were isolated from the olfactory mucosa of seven-day-old infant rats and cultured. Then, cells were evaluated and approved by flow cytometry by p75 and GFAP markers. A total of 32 mice (C57BL /6) were studied in four groups; 1) without any treatment (control), 2) Sham (receiving PBS), 3) MS model and 4) MS and OEC transplantation. MS was induced by adding Cuprizon in the diet of animals for six weeks. After the expiration of 20 days, histologic analysis was performed with approval of the presence of cells in the graft area and the removal of myelin and myelin regeneration with two types of luxal fast blue (LFB) staining and immunohistochemistry. The purity of the cells ensheathing the olfactory was 90. There was a significant difference in Myelin percentage of PBS and OEC recipient groups (P�0.05). MBP and PLP of the myelin sheath in the group receiving OECs were more than MS group.According to the findings, in MS model MBP and PLP of the myelin sheath is reduced. In the group receiving OECs, it was returned to a normal level significantly compared to the sham group received only PBS significant differences were observed. The OECs transplantation can improve myelin restoration. © 2015 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

The results of biplanar distal femoral osteotomy; a case series study

Background: Distal femur wedge osteotomies for varus or valgus alignment of the lower extremity could be done in either uniplanar or biplanar fashion. Union time and stability of the osteotomy site has been considered important in this anatomic region. In this study, clinical and radiographic findings of biplane distal femur osteotomy were reported. Methods: Clinical, functional, and radiological findings of eight patients (10 knees) underwent biplane distal femur osteotomy were evaluated. Visual analogue score (VAS) and Lysholm-Tegner knee score were used for the assessment of pain and function before and three months after surgery. Results: In this study, eight patients were included. All patients were female. The mean age was 28±6.3. The mean pre-operative mechanical angle was 8.7±2.2° and the post-operative angle was 1.4±0.53° in patients with valgus alignment whileit was 7.0±1.0°preoperatively and 0.66±1.2° postoperatively in patients with varus alignment. The mean lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) was 85±8.0° before surgery and was 88±1.3° after surgery. According to Lysholm-Tegner knee score, in the post-operative visit, six knees were good and four were excellent. The mean union time was 9.2±2.3 weeks. Conclusions: Biplane distal femur osteotomy is a reliable technique that creates larger surfaces and more stability at the osteotomy site with further rapid union. © 2015 BY THE ARCHIVES OF BONE AND JOINT SURGERY