Epidemiological - histopathological status of gynecological cancers in Iranian population: A 9-year study

Introduction: One of the main causes of cancer related deaths among women are gynecological cancers. According to the variety of geographical distribution of gynecological cancers, understanding the epidemiologic pattern of cancers in an area can help us to develop series of educational, therapeutic, and research programs which are responsive to the requirments of that specific region. Current study was performed to determine status of the epidemiological-histopathological of gynecological cancers in Semnan (Iran) from 2001 to 2009. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive and retrospective study, the incidences of gynecological cancers among the samples were sent to Pathobiology Center of Kowsar Hospital (Semnan, Iran) during the years 2001- 2009 and was assessed based on the available data. Results: Among the samples we resent to Pathobiology Center of Kowsar Hospital of Semnan from 2001 to 2009, 8420 cases were related to gynecological system. Among those, 64 cases were suffering from gynecological cancer, 29 cases (45.3%) were suffering from uterine body cancer, 24 cases (37.5%) were suffering from ovarian cancer, 10 cases (15.6%) were suffering from cervical cancer and 1 case was suffering from (1.6%) vulve cancer. The most common type of cancer in the uterus was endometrial adenocarcinoma, in ovary was serocyst-adenocarcinoma and in cervix as well as vulve was squamous cell carcinoma. There was no meaningful correlation between age and different kinds of cancers. (p = 0/622) Conclusion:  In the present study we found that among gynecologic cancers, uterine cancer is the most common cancer. Ovarian, cervical and vulve cancers are the second, third and fourth most common types. It is required to improve the knowledge level of women on risk factors, screening methods and the setting priorities for prevention of gynecological cancers, particularly ovarian and uterine body cancers which indeed require systematic planning and effective measure

Effects of Olibanum Extract on Differentiation of Bone Marrow Stem Cells to Neurons

Introduction: Central nervous system has the low potential for regeneration of damaged neurons. The lack of suitable treatments for neurodegenerative diseases has placed the huge financial burden on the community. Stem cells have self-renewing capabilities and can differentiate into adult cell types under the appropriate conditions. The chemical properties of some plants affect the growth rate and cell proliferation. Previous studies have shown that Olibanum plant plays a role in the formation of dendritic spines and neuronal regeneration. In the present study, the effect of olibanum on the differentiation of bone marrow-derived stem cells (BMSCs) to neuron was investigated. Material and Methods: Bone marrow stem cells were cultured in a Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium, 10% fetal bovine serum, Fibroblast growth factor 2, and Epidermal growth factor (DMEM, FBS, FGF2, and EGF). Olibanum extract 5%, 10%, and 20% were added to culture medium. Then microscopic observations, MTT assay, and immunocytochemistry examination were used to assess morphological, proliferation and differentiation factors. Results: Microscopic observations and viability cell test showed that the 5% Olibanum extract was non-toxic to BMSCs. Immunocytochemistry result denoted that 5% Olibanum extract can increase the differentiation of BMSCs into neuron-like cells. However, when Olibanum extract 10% and 20% were added to the culture medium, such an increase was not seen in treated groups. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the application of 5% Olibanum extract in cell culture medium was shown to have a suitable effect on BMSCs differentiation into the neuron

Alteration of π‑Electron Distribution To Induce Deagglomeration in Oxidized Polar Aromatics and Asphaltenes in an Aged Asphalt Binder

This paper features electronic evaluation explaining molecular association and dissociation during oxidative aging and rejuvenation process in polyaromatic hydrocarbons. Specifically, we employ both computational modeling and laboratory experiments to show how the presence of external stimuli such as biorejuvenator can alter π-electron distribution to further induce deagglomeration. To better link findings to real-world materials and application, the study is done on the oxidized asphaltene and resin molecules; in addition, the disturbance of electron distribution is done using a biorejuvenator derived from animal waste. As petroleum asphalt binder oxidizes, the association forces between polar aromatics are strengthened owing to the introduction of polar chemical functionalities to their molecular structure. This is evidenced by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showing that a new peak at high <i>d</i>-spacing appears after oxidation that is consistent with graphene-oxide-like (GO-like) structures. The GO-like structures become amorphous after the addition of biorejuvenator (BR), and the related peak in the XRD spectra vanishes. Density functional theory calculations show a destructive effect of BR on the π–π interaction between polyaromatics in the aggregation. The resulting π-electron disruption is induced by the polar head of biorejuvenator with electron-withdrawing nature and its hydrocarbon tail with the ability of CH−π stacking with oxidized asphalt molecule. This, in turn, indicates that the biorejuvenator can act to restore oxidized asphalt binder by disassembling asphaltene agglomerates and disrupting resinous GO-like structures through a three-stage mechanism: partial penetration into small pores around agglomerates, partial segregation of agglomerates, and finally dispersion of smaller agglomerates