Toxicology and Metabolic Effects of Methanol and Formaldehyde on the Brain, a Review Article

Background: Methanol is a toxic alcohol for the human body. The molecular biology of methanol metabolites affecting different organs, such as the brain, is under investigation. This systematic review aimed to consider methanol toxic molecular biology, based on the original articles obtained from data banks to figure out recent achievements.Methods: Scientific articles regarding the toxic effects and metabolites of methanol on the central nervous system (CNS) were collected from valid databases and classified based on their validity. Exclusion criteria were articles with duplicates, no available full text, review articles, case reports, and letters.Results: Current metabolic reactions were addressed in the development of CNS diseases, such as optic neuropathy, basal ganglia lesions, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, proteomic investigations introduced new metabolic changes, and serum proteins regarding blood coagulation, vitamin A metabolism, and immune responses were suggested for early detection of toxicity.Conclusion: Besides CNS disorders introduced for methanol toxicity, there is no exact proteomic serum marker to diagnose toxicity soon; however, the interleukin-1 beta system is suggested as a candidate, and more investigation is required to improve its competency

Vandetanib alters the tumoricidal capacity of human breast cancer stem cells via inhibiting vasculogenic capacity

Introduction:The inhibition of vascularization into tumor stroma as well as dynamic cell growth is the center of attention. Here, we aimed to examine the role of vandetanib on angiogenesis capacity of breast cancer stem cell (CSCs). Methods: MDA-MB-231 cells were exposed to different doses of vandetanib and survival rate was monitored. Stimulatory effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) were evaluated in vandetanib-treated MDA-MB-231 cells. In vitro tubulogenesis capacity was studied on the Matrigel surface. The synergistic effects of vandetanib on cell survival were also assessed after PI3K and/or Wnt3a inhibition. Vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), -9, Wnt3a, and p-Akt/Akt ratio were measured using western blotting. Results:Vandetanib reduced survival rate in a dose-dependent manner (P&lt;0.05). Proliferative effects associated with VEGF, FGF, and EGF were blunted in these cells pre-exposed to vandetanib (P&lt;0.05). The microcirculation pattern’s triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) was suppressed by 1, 5 µM of vandetanib (P&lt;0.05). Hence 1, 5 µM of vandetanib potentially decreased the population of CD24– cells. 1 and 5 µM of vandetanib inhibited cell proliferation by blocking PI3K and Wnt3a pathways and decreased the p-Akt/Akt ratio, Wnta3 protein levels (P&lt;0.05). 1 and 5 µM vandetanib combined with PI3K inhibitor diminished metastatic markers including, MMP-2, and MMP-9. The concurrent treatment (PI3K, inhibitor+ 1, 5 µM vandetanib) also considerably reduced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers such as VE-cadherin (P&lt;0.05). Conclusion: Vandetanib suppressed vasculogenic mimicry (VM) networking through blunting stemness properties, coincided with suppression of VE-cadherin in CSCs(Figure Presented).</p

Ninety-six–hour starved peripheral blood mononuclear cell supernatant inhibited LA7 breast cancer stem cells induced tumor via reduction in angiogenesis and alternations in Gch1 and Spr expressions

Introduction The microenvironment of solid tumors such as breast cancer is heterogeneous and complex, containing different types of cell, namely, cancer stem cells and immune cells. We previously reported the immunoregulatory behavior of the human immune cell in a solid tumor microenvironment-like culture under serum starvation stress for 96 h. Here, we examined the effect of this culture-derived solution on breast cancer development in rats. Method Ninety-six–hour starved PBMCs supernatant (96 h-SPS) was collected after culturing human PBMCs for 96 h under serum starvation condition. Breast cancer stem cells, LA7 cell line, was used for in vitro study by analyzing gene expression status and performing cytotoxicity, proliferation, scratch wound healing assays, followed by in vivo tumor induction in three groups of mature female Sprague Dawley rats. Animals were treated with 96 h-SPS or RPMI and normal saline as control, n = 6 for each group. After biochemical analysis of iron, lactate, and pH levels in the dissected tumors, Ki67 antigen expression, angiogenesis, and necrosis evaluation were carried out. Metabolic-related gene expression was assessed using RT-qPCR. Moreover, 96 h-SPS composition was discovered by Nano-LC-ESI-MS/MS. Results 96 h-SPS solution reduced the LA7 cell viability, proliferation, and migration and Gch1 and Spr genes expression in vitro ( p < 0.05), whereas stemness gene Oct4 was upregulated ( p < 0.01). The intracellular lactate was significantly decreased in the 96 h-SPS treated group ( p = 0.007). In this group, Gch1 and Spr were significantly downregulated ( p < 0.05), whereas the Sox2 and Oct4 expression was not changed significantly. The number of vessels and mitosis (Ki67 + cells) in the 96 h-SPS–treated group was significantly reduced ( p = 0.024). The increased rate of necrosis in this group was statistically significant ( p = 0.04). Last, proteomics analysis revealed candidate effectors’ components of 96 h-SPS solution. Conclusion 96 h-SPS solution may help to prevent cancer stem cell mediated tumor development. This phenomenon could be mediated through direct cytotoxic effects, inhibition of cell proliferation and migration in association with reduction in Gch1 and Spr genes expression, angiogenesis and mitosis rate, and necrosis augmentation. The preliminary data obtained from the present study need to be investigated on a larger scale and can be used as a pilot for further studies on the biology of cancer development

Different Stroke Scales; Which Scale or Scales Should Be Used?

Background:&#160;There has been considerable development in the clinometric of stroke. But, researcher is concerned that some scales are too generic, inherently and the insight may not be provided. The current study was conducted to determine which scale or scales should be used in stroke survivors. Methods: We selected 67 studies which published between January 2010 and December 2018 from Up to date, CINAHL, ProQuest, Scopus, PubMed, Embase, Medline, Elsevier and Web of Science with MeSH terms. Inclusion criteria were: clinical trials, prospective studies, retrospective cohort studies, or cross-sectional studies; original research in adult human stroke survivors. We excluded the following articles: non-adult population; highly selected studies or treatment studies without incidence data; commentaries, single case reports, review article, editorials and non-English articles or articles without full text available. Results: Face Arm Speech Test and Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale scales because of easy to learning and rapidly administrating recommended to use in prehospital, but there is not gold standard in stroke diagnosis in prehospital. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale valuable in the acute stage for middle cerebral artery, not chronic or long term post stroke outcome. The Barthel Index scores at approximately three weeks could predict activities of daily living disabilities at 6 months. Conclusion: Every scale has advantage and disadvantage and we not able to introduce gold standard for each item, but some special scale was more used in studies, preferred for comparing with other studies to match the research results

A survey of nurses' compliance with hand hygiene guidelines in caring for patients with cancer in a selected center of Isfahan, Iran, in 2016

Background: Hand hygiene is one of the key ways of preventing healthcare-associated infections (HCAI), especially in patients with cancer. The aim of this study was to determine nurses' compliance with hand hygiene guidelines in caring for patients with cancer in a selected center in Isfahan, Iran, in 2016. Materials and Methods: The present observational study was conducted on nurses in a cancer center in Isfahan in 2016. The participants were selected via convenience sampling method. Nurses serving at bedsides and willing to participate were entered into the study. Data were collected through the direct observation of nurses during delivering routine care, using the standard checklist for direct observation of the “five moments for hand hygiene” approach. Results: In the present study, 94 nurses were studied at 500 clinical moments. The overall hand hygiene compliance rate was 12.80%. The highest hand hygiene compliance rate was observed in the after body fluid exposure moment (72.70%). In addition, hand hygiene compliance rate in preprocedure indications (before patient contact and before aseptic procedure) and postprocedure indications (after patient contact, after body fluid exposure, and after patient surrounding contact) were 3.40 and 21%, respectively, which had a significant correlation (p = 0.001). Conclusions: The findings indicate that the hand hygiene compliance rate among nurses was low. Further research in this regard is recommended in order to find the causes of low compliance with hand hygiene and design interventions for improvement in hand hygiene compliance rate among nurses

Antioxidant and hepatoprotective effects of Artemisia dracunculus against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats

Objective: The present study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant and hepatoprotective activity of the hydro-alcoholic extract of aerial parts of Artemisia dracunculus (HAAD) against CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. Materials and Methods: The antioxidant activity was evaluated by reducing power, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2, 20-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) assays. Rats were pre-treated with either 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg of HAAD or silymarin (100 mg/kg; served as the positive control group) for 15 days and they received a single dose of CCl4 on the last day. Hepatoprotective effects were investigated by assessment of serum biochemical enzymes such as alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total protein (TP), total bilirubin (TB), malondialdehyde (MDA), and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, GST and GSH), along with histopathological studies. Results: Total phenolic content was 197.22±3.73 mg gallic acid equivalent/g HAAD dry weight. HAAD indicated powerful activity in FRAP, DPPH and ABTS tests. Acute toxicity study showed that the extract had an LD50 of >5000 mg/kg. Oral treatment with HAAD exhibited a significant decrease in the levels of AST, ALT, ALP and TB and an increase in the level of TP. The extract significantly diminished MDA levels. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes were significantly augmented in rats pretreated with HAAD 200 mg/kg. Histopathological examination demonstrated lower liver damage in HAAD-treated groups as compared to CCl4 groups. Conclusion: Our findings indicated hepatoprotective effects of the hydro-alcoholic extract of A. dracunculus on CCl4-induced hepatic damage in rats and suggested that these effects may be produced by reducing oxidative stress