Supernumerary nostril together with esophageal atresia, imperforate anus and patent ductus arteriosus: a case report and review of the literature

Supernumerary nostril is an extremely rare congenital entity which results from aberrant embryological development. The review of the literature reveals that only 30 cases of supernumerary nostril have been reported. We report a rare case of supernumerary nostril in association with esophageal atresia, imperforate anus, and patent ductus arteriosus. To our knowledge, this is the first case of supernumerary nostril which has been accompanied by three other congenital anomalies. In addition to the presented case, we review all the literature cases of supernumerary nostril.     

Low back pain in 1,100 Iranian pregnant women: prevalence and risk factors

BackgroundLow back pain (LBP) is a common and costly problem in pregnancy. It is one of the main reasons for disability, absence from work, and responsible for huge direct and indirect economical impact.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of LBP during pregnancy.Study designA cross-sectional study was carried out on Iranian pregnant women.Patient sampleEleven hundred randomly selected pregnant women.Outcome measuresA structured questionnaire including demographic, lifestyle, as well as prevalence and characteristics of LBP was used. Visual Analog Scale and Oswestry low back disability questionnaires were also used to assess the pain intensity and functional disability, respectively.MethodsAfter ethical approval from Medical Ethics Board at the Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences and Health Services, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,100 pregnant women from 18 health centers in Sari district, at northern Iran.ResultsPoint, last-month, last 6-month, last-year, and lifetime prevalence of LBP were 40.2%, 55.9%, 59.4%, 76.2%, and 84.1%, respectively. Prolonged standing and rest were found to be the most significant aggravating and relieving factors (76.3% and 87.7%, respectively). LBP was significantly correlated with history of previous LBP and LBP in previous pregnancy (p=.000 in both cases).ConclusionThe prevalence of LBP in pregnant women appears to be high and future research should focus on different preventive strategies during pregnancy.     

The effect of the surface coating of a strontium mono-aluminate europium dysprosium-based (SrAl2O4:Eu2+,Dy3+) phosphor by polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS) and their dual system on the photoluminescence properties of the pigment

SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ as a known strontium mono-aluminate europium dysprosium-based phosphor is widely used in paints and coating formulations as a photoluminescence pigment. It has two major drawbacks: improper dispersion in organic-based paints and weak water and moisture resistance. To address the above-mentioned drawbacks, the surface coating of phosphors with polyethylene and polystyrene individually and in combination using a solution technique was performed. The FT-IR spectra showed that the used polymers were coated on the phosphor properly. Also, the EDS spectra showed the presence of elemental carbon for the treated phosphors with different amounts. No regular trend was observed for element ratios when the polyethylene content in the coating layer was reduced from 100 to 0%. Based on the XRD patterns, the crystalline structure of the coated phosphors was not affected by the polymeric coated layer. In the SEM micrographs, the sharp and rough edges of the uncoated phosphor changed to a smooth and soft state for the coated phosphors. The brightness of most of the coated phosphors was independent of time and did not change over a period of 5 minutes after UV irradiation. This property makes the polymeric coated phosphors suitable as photoluminescence pigments in all kinds of paints and coatings.

SrAl₂O₄:Eu²⁺,Dy³⁺ as a known strontium mono-aluminate europium dysprosium-based phosphor is widely used in paints and coating formulations as a photoluminescence pigment.     

Effect of Curcumin in Comparison with Trichostatin A on the Reactivation of Estrogen Receptor Alpha gene Expression,Cell Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis Induction in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Hepa 1-6 Cell lLine

Background: A multistep process with an accumulation of epigenetic alterations of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) can induce cancer. Abnormal regional hypermethylation and histone deacetylation of several TSGs has been observed in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Acetylation and deacetylation of histone are carried out by histone acetyltransferase (HAT) and histone deacetylase (HDAC) respectively. Besides, DNA methylation is carried out by DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs). Previously, we evaluated the effect of DNA demethylating agents and histone deacetylase inhibitors on HCC and colon cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of curcumin (CUR) in comparison with trichostatin A (TSA) on estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) reactivation, apoptotic induction, and cell growth inhibition in HCC. Methods: the cells were cultured and treated with various concentrations of CUR and TSA and the MTT assay, flow cytometry assay and Real-Time RT-PCR were achieved to determine cell viability, cell apoptosis, and ERα gene expression respectively. Results: CUR indicated dose and time-dependent antiproliferative effects (P < 0.035). A similar antiproliferative effect was observed by TSA (P < 0.001). Both compounds indicated significant apoptotic effects in all different periods (P < 0.001), CUR indicated a more significant apoptotic effect than TSA (P < 0.001). The ERα gene expression quantity was increased significantly by treatment with CUR and TSA (P <0.012). Conclusion: CUR and TSA play important roles in restoring the ERα resulting in cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction. Therefore, ERα may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention in the treatment of HCC.     

Effect of Zebularine in Comparison to and in Combination with Trichostatin A on CIP/KIP Family (p21Cip1/Waf1/Sdi1, p27Kip1, and p57Kip2), DNMTs (DNMT1, DNMT3a,and DNMT3b), Class I HDACs (HDACs 1, 2, 3) and Class II HDACs (HDACs 4, 5, 6) Gene Expression,Cell Growth Inhibition and Apoptosis Induction in Colon Cancer LS 174T Cell Line

Background: A pattern of epigenetic modifications and changes, DNA methylation and histone modification, is central to many human cancers. A variety of tumor suppressor genes (TSGs) have been demonstrated to be silenced because of histone deacetylation and DNA hypermethylation in several cancers. Recent in vitro studies have shown that two known mechanisms of epigenetic alteration consisting of methylation and histone deacetylation seem to be the best candidate mechanisms for inactivation of CIP/KIP family (p21Cip1/Waf1/Sdi1, and p27Kip1) in numerous cancers. Numerous investigations have indicated that DNA demethylating and histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) can restore the CIP/KIP family gene expression. Previously, we evaluated the effect of trichostatin A (TSA) and 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine (5-AZA-CdR) on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The present study was designed to investigate the effect of zebularine in comparison to and in combination with trichostatin A on p21Cip1/Waf1/Sdi1, p27Kip1, p57Kip2, DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b, Class I HDACs (HDACs 1, 2, 3) and Class II HDACs (HDACs 4, 5, 6) gene expression, cell growth inhibition and apoptosis induction in colon cancer LS 174T cell line. Materials and Methods: The colon cancer LS 174T cell line was cultured and treated with zebularine and TSA. To determine cell viability, apoptosis, and the relative expression level of the genes, MTT assay, cell apoptosis assay, and qRT-PCR were done respectively. Results: Both compounds significantly inhibited cell growth, and induced apoptosis. Furthermore, both compounds increased p21Cip1/Waf1/Sdi1, p27Kip1, and p57Kip2 significantly. Additionally, zebularine and TSA decreased DNMTs and HDACs gene expression respectively. Conclusion: The zebularine and trichostatin A can reactivate the CIP/KIP family through inhibition of DNMTs and HDACs genes activity.