SOX2 and Bcl-2 as a Novel Prognostic Value in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression

Sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2) is a stem cell transcription factor and a major regulator of self-renewal and pluripotency of cancer stem cells (CSCs). In many types of cancer, SOX2 is dysregulated due to overexpression associated with tumor progression and low survival rate. Many HCC cases encounter recurrence and metastasis which might be due to CSCs and also apoptosis. Since little is known about the expression pattern of SOX2 and apoptotic genes in HCC, we aimed to determine the prognostic significance of SOX2, Bax, and Bcl-2 in clinicopathological features, tumor progression, and survival rate of the HCC patients. The expression of SOX2, Bax, and Bcl-2 were evaluated using qRT-PCR in 53 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues (FFPE) of patients and 44 controls. Correlation of these genes was analyzed with clinicopathological features and tumor progression. The correlationship between SOX2 expression and ALBI grade as prognostic indicators were calculated. Survival rates were determined by Kaplan–Meier survival curves. SOX2 and Bcl-2 were remarkably overexpressed in HCC patients compared to controls (p = 0.04 and p = 0.003, respectively). A significant association was found for both SOX2 and Bcl-2 overexpression with TNM staging (p = 0.02, p = 0.04) and tumor grading (p = 0.01, p = 0.003), respectively. A significant correlation was observed: patients with SOX2 overexpression had a lower 5-year overall survival rate (p = 0.04); however, there was no significant association between Bcl-2 and survival (p = 0.5). Collectively, overexpression of SOX2 and Bcl-2, alone or combined, may be a potential marker to evaluate prognosis and response to HCC treatment

Association of FCγRIIA (CD32) polymorphism with susceptibility to brucellosis

Background: Brucellosis is the major bacterial zoonoses of global importance caused by Brucella spps. FCγRIIA receptor plays a central role in phagocytosis of IgG2-opsonized bacteria. FCγRIIA exhibits allelic polymorphisms with different capacities for binding IgG2 and phagocytosis. Cells expressing Fc γ RIIa-H131, bind more efficiently to complexes of IgG2 than those expressing the Fc γ RII A -R131 variant. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of FCγRIIA polymorphisms with susceptibility to or severity of brucellosis. Materials and Methods: In this study, we evaluated FCγRIIA polymorphisms (R/R131, R/H131, H/H131) in 67 patients with brucellosis and 67 age, sex and geographical matched healthy volunteers. FCγRIIA genotyping was performed by using a sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR). Results: The comparison of the FCγRIIA genotypes distribution in patients with brucellosis and controls showed a higher frequency in FCγRIIA-R/R131 homozygosity in patients than controls (47.8% vs. 28.4%). Logistic regression analysis showed that there is a significant correlation between R/R131 genotype and brucellosis (OR=2.3, 95%CI=1.3-4.2, P=0.04). Although the frequency of the FCγRIIA-R/R131 was higher in patients with chronic brucellosis compared with acute brucellosis, we did not find any statistically significant differences (53.8% vs. 46.3%, P=0.65). Conclusion: The result of this study showed that the homozygous genotype of FCγRIIA-R/R131 in patients with brucellosis may be associated with susceptibility to brucellosis as a genetic risk factor

The combined effect of fish oil containing Omega-3 fatty acids and Lactobacillus plantarum on colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the deadliest malignancies. Recent attempts have indicated the role of diet in the etiology of CRC. Natural dietary compounds such as probiotics and Omega-3 fatty acids that act synergistically can be beneficial in finding a tremendous solution against CRC. To date, the combined effect of fish oil containing Omega-3 fatty acids (Omega-3) and Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum) on CRC has been left behind. We here evaluated the effects of co-encapsulation of Omega-3 and probiotic bacteria on CRC cell lines compared to normal cells. Omega-3 and L. plantarum bacteria were co-encapsulated in three ways, including gelatin–gum Arabic, gelatin–chitosan, and chitosan–gum Arabic complex coacervate microcapsules. After treatment of cells (Normal [L929] and colorectal [C26]) by L. plantarum, Omega-3, and microcapsules, viability and growth capacity of cell lines were measured using the MTT (3-[4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. Isolated total RNA was used to evaluate the expression profile of BCL2-associated X protein (BAX), B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2), and Caspase-3 (CASP3) genes by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 25 software. A value of p < .05 was considered statistically significant. The results indicated a significant reduction in cell viability of C26 in a concentration-dependent manner in the treated cells with all treatments, except gelatin–gum Arabic microcapsules. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level of the BAX and CASP3 genes in C26 cells being treated with all treatments significantly increased than in untreated cells, and the expression level of the anti-apoptotic factor of the BCL-2 gene decreased in C26 cells simultaneously (p < .05). Although, the combined effect of Omega-3 and L. plantarum and microcapsulated treatments had no more effect on viability and apoptosis gene expression of cancer cells compared to Omega-3 or L. plantarum. In conclusion, combination therapy with fish oil containing Omega-3 and L. plantarum does not improve the anticancer effect of each alone

Prevalence of EPIYA motifs in Helicobacter pylori strains isolated from patients with gastroduodenal disorders in northern Iran

Background: Cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA)-positive strains of Helicobacter pylori are associated with gastroduodenal diseases. Evidences have suggested that the type of H pylori CagA EPIYA motifs may be associated with specific disorders (i.e., gastritis, peptic ulcer, or gastric cancer).  We investigated the prevalence of different EPIYA motifs (A, B, C, or D) in H. pylori strains isolated from patients with recurrent dyspepsia who underwent upper gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. Materials and Methods: H. pylori strains were isolated from biopsy specimens of 220 patients with dyspepsia symptoms. The presence of glmM gene, as a housekeeping gene CagA and pattern of cagA EPIYA motifs were genotyped using by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method.The association between the type of motifs and disease state determined by the Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test, and logistic regression.Results: CagA-positive H. pylori were identified in 125(57%) of patients with gastrointestinal disorders, of whom 36(28.6%) were isolated from gastritis, 31 (24.6%) from duodenal ulcer, and 58 (46.4%) from gastric cancer. The frequency of pattern of cagA EPIYA motifs were 39 (31.2%) AB motifs, 54 (43.2%) ABC motifs, and 32 (25.6%) ABCC motifs and not detected D motifs. Gastric cancer risk was estimated to be 2.57 times higher in patients infected by strains with ABCC motif when compared with gastritis and duodenal ulcer patients (P=0.03). Moreover, patients with C- containing motifs were 2.27 times more likely to be affilicted with gastric cancer than duodenal ulcer. AB motif was more associated with gastritis and duodenal ulcer than ABC and ABCC motifs. Conclusion: The results suggested that cag-EPIYA ABCC might be associated with gastric cancer, while EPIYA-AB might be is associated with duodenal ulcer

Comparison of Total Calcium Level during General and Spinal Anesthesia in Gynecologic Abdominal Surgeries

 Background: Calcium (Ca+2) plays an important role in many biophysiological mechanisms .The present study was carried out to assess alterations in total serum calcium level before and after operations in consider to the type of anesthesia. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 74 women who candidate for gynecological abdominal operations during one year at Al-zahra maternity Hospital in Rasht, Iran. The patients underwent General Anesthesia (GA) (N=37) or Spinal Anesthesia (SA) (N=37) randomly. Blood samples (2 cc), were obtained an hour before the anesthesia and two hours after that. The blood samples had been sent to the laboratory for analyzing .Total serum calcium level, magnesium (Mg) and albumin level were measured by photometric methods. Inferential statistic was analyzed with the Vilkson non-parametric and Pearson's correlation test. P-values less than 0.05 have been considered as significant different. Results: There was a significant trend to decrease in calcium levels after all gynecological abdominal operations, but there was a significant correlation between General anesthesia (GA) and reduction of serum calcium level (p=0.026) . Therefore, General Anesthesia (GA) is accompanied by more calcium reduction than Spinal Anesthesia (SA). Conclusion: Serum Calcium levels tend to decrease after all gynecological abdominal surgeries, but General Anesthesia (GA) is accompanied by more calcium reduction than Spinal one. It needs to further specific studies, to illustrate association between different methods of anesthesia and Ca+2 changes

An Investigation of the Role of Sex Difference in the Effect of Fluoxetine on Behavioral and Biochemical Changes in Male and Female Rats Exposed to Stress

Background and purpose: Unpredictable stressors cause changes in behavioral parameters such as motor and exploratory behaviors, feeding, and sexual and anxiety behaviors. Stress leads to the release of corticosteroids and, as a result, causes dysfunction in different parts of the nervous system. A decrease in the synaptic levels of serotonin or norepinephrine in different parts of the brain such as the prefrontal cortex and a decrease in BDNF production in the hippocampus may also contribute to stress-related complications. Posttraumatic stress disorder occurs in some people after facing a severe stressful event. In PTSD, the activity and function of many physiological systems are disturbed. Fluoxetine, or Prozac, is used to treat neurological disorders such as depression and anxiety and inhibits the reuptake of serotonin by the serotonin transporter (SERT) in neurons. Some studies have shown that females respond better to SSRI antidepressants than males, which may be due to the interaction between estrogenic and serotonergic pathways. BDNF is a member of the neurotrophin family and is expressed in several tissues and cells such as the brain and blood. Its role in several mental disorders, such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and PTSD, has been identified. SPS (single prolonged stress) as an animal model of PTSD decreases the mRNA expression of BDNF in hippocampus rats and causes anxiety-like behaviors. The role of gender differences in the effect of antidepressants and clinical interventions in psychotic diseases is also discussed. Sex hormones in women affect the pharmacokinetics and efficacy of antidepressants. Women respond better to fluoxetine than men during reproductive years. Considering the different results regarding the effectiveness of effective drugs in the treatment of psychotic diseases in both sexes, in this study, we aim to investigate the response of male and female rats exposed to stress to the trial of fluoxetine. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, Wistar male and female rats with an average weight of 200-250 grams were used (56 animals, 8 groups of 7). The selection of the number of animals was based on previous studies in this field. After the drug intervention period, and fear and anxiety suppression test, the animals were killed under deep anesthesia, and a blood sample was collected to prepare serum to measure BDNF and corticosterone levels (using the Eliza kit of Germany Zelbio Company and according to the kit protocol). All experiments were performed according to the laboratory animal protocol of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. The work steps are as follows: 1. Creation of PTSD through SPS was done in three stages, 2. Drug intervention: the drug dose for all groups is 10 mg/kg/day for 4 weeks dissolved in drinking water, 3. Evaluation of anxiety-like behaviors with the light-dark box (L/D BOX), 4. Evaluation of the ability to forget painful memories with the fear silence test, 5. Measurement of BDNF and corticosterone in serum by Eliza method. Results: In this study, it was observed that male and female rats that were exposed to single prolonged stress showed a decrease in fear extinction an increase in anxiety-like behaviors in the dark-light box test, and an increase in serum corticosterone. Fluoxetine led to an increase in the percentage of fear extinction, a decrease in the Entrance Latency in the light area, the Time in the Light Compartment, the number of rearing, and a decrease in serum corticosterone significantly in both sexes(P<0.05). The change in serum BDNF levels in both sexes before and after stress was not significant. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that exposure to stress leads to behavioral and biochemical damage in male and female rats. The use of fluoxetine 10 mg/kg for 4 weeks improved the damage caused by stress, but there was a significant difference in Response of both genders to the above treatment was not observed

Frequency of Marital Conflicts in Iranian Families During the COVOD-19 Pandemic in Mazandaran Province, 2020

Background and purpose: Stress and socio-economic and psychological consequences of COVID-19 pandemic have affected family and marital relationships. The present study investigated the frequency of marital conflicts and related factors in Mazandaran province, north of Iran during this pandemic. Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 357 married people were selected by convenience sampling via social networks in 2020. Data were electronically collected using demoghraphic and medical checklist and the Marital Conflict Questionnaire- revised form (MCQ-R). Data were analyzed in SPSS V25. Results: The average age of participants was 38.2±9.9 years. The average duration of marriage was 14.9±10.7 years. The total mean score for marital conflicts was 103.8±28.3 indicating a moderate level of conflict. The respondents reported mild (n=188, 57.7), moderate (n=132, 40.5), and severe (n=6, 1.8) levels of marital conflicts. Significant direct relationships were found between marital conflicts and age, gender, educational level, remarriage, nuclear family or extended family, history of marital conflict before the pandemic, individual or family history of COVID-19, and number of children (P<0.05). Conclusion: According to current study, social health authorities are suggested to be prepared to predict the family-marital consequences of a pandemic such as COVID-19 and take necessary preventive and treatment actions

Analysis of the association Hind III Polymorphism of Lipoprotein Lipase gene on the risk of coronary artery disease

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the leading causes of death and disability around the world. Interaction between genetic and environmental factors determines susceptibility of an individual to develop coronary artery disease . Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) play an important role in the metabolism of HDL-C ( High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ), LDL-C (Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol ) and triglycerides (TG). Dysfunction of LPL as a result of genetic variants of lipoprotein lipase gene is associated with increased risk of CAD. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the risk of coronary artery disease and LDL-C, HDL-C and TG (triglycerides) levels by lipoprotein lipase gene Hind III polymorphism. Materials and Methods: A total of 202 subjects including 114 patients with coronary artery disease and 88 control participated in this study. The Hind III polymorphism of the lipoprotein lipase gene was determined by PCR- RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) . In the presence and absence of restriction site, the genotypes are described H+/+ , H-/- respectively. Results: In this survey, a highly significant association between the frequent H+/+ genotype and unfavorable TG levels was observed in our population . For the Hind III genotypes, within the healthy subjects (n=88), the H+/+ genotype was found in 67 individuals (58.8%), H-/+ genotype in 38 individuals (33.3%) , and 9 individuals (7.8%) carried the H-/- genotype. Within the CAD group (n=114), 47 individuals (53.4%) with H+/+ genotype, 36 (41%) with H-/+ genotype, and 5 (5.6%) carried the H-/- genotype. Conclusion: There was a significant difference between the distribution of LPL–Hind III genotypes and the healthy subjects and the patients with CAD (P<0.05, 0. 645). LPL–Hind III polymorphisms were not detected as independent risk factors for CAD in this study group, but had significant associations with TG levels (P<0.05)