Systemic lupus erythematosus arising in a patient with epidermodysplasia verruciformis

Few cases have been published relating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and epidermodysplasia verruciformis (EV). We describe a patient with this association. A 22-year-old female with classical skin lesions of EV since childhood together with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) which developed 10 years later. According to the knowledge of the authors, this case is the third report of association of EV and SLE and the first report of a patient with EV who developed SLE several years after initiation of EV.     

Investigating the effects of adult neural stem cell transplantation by lumbar puncture in transient cerebral ischemia

Stem cells have the ability to self renew and are therefore a good source for cell therapy following ischemia. In this study, we transplanted adult rat neural stem cells (NSCs) by lumbar puncture (LP) to investigate whether these cells can migrate and differentiate into neurons or glial cells, thereby improving functional outcome in cerebral ischemia. Transient ischemia was induced in adult rats (n = 16) for 1 h. Three days after the induction of ischemia, NSCs obtained from the subventricular zone of adult rats were injected into ischemic animals (n = 8) by LP at the level of L6–S1. Improved recovery of the coordination of movement on the 1st, 7th, 14th, 21st and 28th days after the injury was examined by the Rotarod test and compared with non-transplanted ischemic animals (n = 8). The presence of NSCs in the brain tissue of the animals was examined by immunohistofluorscence and immunohistochemical techniques. The coordination of movement in ischemic animals that received neural stem cells was improved significantly (P < 0.05) compared with untreated ischemic animals. Cells labeled with PKH26 were observed in the ischemic area of brain tissue sections. The alkaline phosphatase test and immunohistochemical techniques demonstrated a gathering of NSCs in the lateral ventricle. A number of cells which expressed neuronal and astrocytic cell markers had migrated from the lateral ventricle to the subjacent brain parenchyma. NSCs injected by LP were able to migrate to the ischemic tissue and differentiate into neural-like cells. These differentiated cells may have improved the coordination in movement in the ischemic animals injected with NSCs.     

Adenosine deaminase activity in the serum and malignant tumors of breast cancer: the assessment of isoenzyme ADA1 and ADA2 activities

OBJECTIVE: The potential relationship between adenosine deaminase activity and cancer progression was examined by investigating the activity of total ADA and its isoenzymes in serum and simultaneously in the cancerous tissue of each patient with breast cancer. METHODS: Total ADA and its isoenzymes were measured using the Giusti method. ADA2 activity was measured in the presence of a specific ADA1 inhibitor, EHNA. RESULTS: Our results indicated that ADA2 and total ADA activities were higher in serum and malignant tissues than those of corresponding controls (P < 0.05). Tumor ADA2 and total ADA activities were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with lymph node involvement, histological grade and tumor size, whereas their levels in serum were significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with menopausal status and patient age. CONCLUSION: Although serum and tumor total ADA activity and its ADA2 isoenzyme were both found to be increased, distinct correlation patterns were observed with some of the prognostic factors. It can be speculated that increased ADA and isoenzyme activities in serum originated from sources other than the breast tumors.     

Dysregulation of vitamin D synthesis pathway genes in colorectal cancer: A case‐control study

BackgroundThe cytochromes P450 are a superfamily of enzymes that control the synthesis of the biologically active form of vitamin D, 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3. These enzymes contribute to the formation of 1,25‐dihydroxyvitamin D3, which starts with a 25‐hydroxylation by CYP2R1 and CYP27A1 and a subsequent 1α‐hydroxylation via CYP27B1.MethodsBy using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR), we analyzed the expression ratio of CYP2R1, CYP27A1 and CYP27B1 genes within the vitamin D metabolic pathway in a total of 75 colorectal cancer (CRC) tissues compared to the adjacent tissues. Furthermore, we evaluated the association of CYP27B1 rs4646536 and CYP2R1 rs12794714 and rs10766196 polymorphisms with CRC risk in a total of 490 subjects, including 245 CRC patients and 245 non‐cancer controls. The genotyping was performed using tetra‐primer amplification refractory mutation system polymerase chain reaction (TP‐ARMS–PCR) method.ResultsThe results indicated 2.3 and 2.7 upregulation of CYP2R1 and CYP27B1 genes in colorectal cancer tissues compared to the adjacent tissues, respectively. Rs12794714 AG genotype increased the risk of CRC (P = .03). Furthermore, a significant association was observed under the dominant inheritance model (P = .039).Conclusion CYP2R1 and CYP27B1 genes were over‐expressed in CRC samples compared to the adjacent control tissues. Furthermore, CYP2R1 rs12794714 variant was associated with the risk of CRC in the studied samples. CYP2R1 rs10766196 and CYP27B1 rs4646536 are not responsible for CYP2R1 and CYP27B1 genes expression alteration, respectively, but CYP2R1 rs12794714 polymorphism may be the reason of CYP2R1 upregulation and increased the risk of CRC.     

A bio-inspired strategy for the synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the cell extract of cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. EA03: from biological function to toxicity evaluation

Cyanobacteria, as one of the largest groups of phototrophic bacteria, have a high potential as an excellent source of fine chemicals and bioactive compounds, including lipid-like compounds, amino acid derivatives, proteins, and pigments. This study aimed to synthesize ZnO nanoparticles using the cell extract of the cyanobacterium Nostoc sp. EA03 (CEN-ZnO NPs) through a rapid and eco-friendly approach. The biosynthesized nanoparticles, CEN-ZnO NPs, were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), zeta potential measurement, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)/thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), FTIR, SEM, TEM, and EDX spectroscopy. The UV-Vis spectrum showed an absorption peak at 370 nm. The star-shaped CEN-ZnO NPs, as observed in the TEM and SEM images, had an average diameter of 50–80 nm. MIC and MBC values for E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus, were determined to be, respectively, 2000, 2000, and 64 μg ml⁻¹, and 2500, 2500 and 128 μg ml⁻¹. Further analysis through confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) provided the observable confirmation that the CEN-ZnO NPs stunted the bacterial growth, preventing the formation of exopolysaccharides. The AFM analysis of surface topography of bacterial biofilm samples treated with CEN-ZnO NPs showed a rugged topography in some parts of the biofilm surface, indicating the destruction of biofilms. In contrast, in the untreated control samples, the structured biofilms were flat and prominent. MTT assay indicated that CEN-ZnO NPs had less cytotoxicity on the MRC-5 lung fibroblast cells compared with the cancerous treated A549 cells. As the concentration of the CEN-ZnO NPs increased, the amount of ROS produced in the tested bacterial strains also increased. Analyzing the data obtained from flow cytometry showed that the higher concentrations of CEN-ZnO NPs lead to a reduction in the viability of P. aeruginosa PAO1, E. coli and S. aureus. The biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles using Nostoc cell extracts exhibited different attributes, inspiring enough to be considered for further investigation.

Cyanobacteria, as one of the largest groups of phototrophic bacteria, have a high potential as an excellent source of fine chemicals and bioactive compounds, including lipid-like compounds, amino acid derivatives, proteins, and pigments.     

Using of Ileucecal Interposition as a Neo-stomach in Dogs with Total Gastrectomy (Presentation of a Novel Technique)

Total gastrectomy and R&Y reconstruction is the standard treatment of gastric cancer except distal form one. Malnutrition is a common adverse effect of this technique, and in this study, we preset a novel technique in order to help to reduce the rate of it. We use seven dogs as participants and after total gastrectomy; we used the 10 cm of the ileum and its concomitant cecum as a neo-stomach in them. For 3 months, the dogs were evaluated in nutrition status. Three of the dogs died—one due to endocarditis and two due to internal hernia. No anastomosis leakage or stricture was seen and there were no unusual neo-stomach dilation or food stasis. This technique can help the nutrition status of total gastrectomy patients but needs more comparative human studies.     

The use of the “puffed‐cheek” computed tomography technique to confirm the diagnosis of pneumoparotitis

Pneumoparotitis is a rare etiology of symptomatic parotid gland enlargement that is often misdiagnosed clinically. Pneumoparotitis results from air refluxing into the parotid ductal system via an incompetent Stensen duct orifice. We report a protracted case of pneumoparotitis evaluated with the “puffed‐cheek” computed tomography technique to help confirm the diagnosis.     

First report on natural Leishmania infection of Phlebotomus sergenti due Leishmania tropica by high resolution melting curve method in Southeastern Iran

Objective:To identify the Leishmania species in infected sand flies by Real-time PCR coupled with HRM analysis.Methods:Real-time PCR coupled with HRM analysis targeting the first internal transcribed spacer(ITS1)of nuclear ribosomal DNA as the genetic marker was used to identify and distinguish Lelthmania species in sand flies specimens.Results:Three out of 115females of Phlebotomus sergenti(P.sergenti)(2.6%)were positive to Leishmania tropica(L.tropica).Conclusions:This is the first report on P.sergenti as the main and proven vector of anthroponitic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Dehbakri County using Real-time PCR coupled with HUM analysis.This method is rapid,sensitive and specific for diagnosing of parasites in infected Sand flies and ideal for large scale genotyping projects.