Survival analysis of 1148 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Southern Iran

Background  

While there has been much research regarding risk factors and prognostic factors for breast cancer in general, research specific to Iran is sparse. Further, the association between breast cancer survival and socio-demographic and pathologic factors has been widely studied but the majority of these studies are from developed countries. Southern Iran has a population of approximately 4 million. To date, no research has been performed to determine breast cancer survival and to explore the association between the survival and socio-demographic and pathologic factors in Southern Iran, where this study was conducted.     

Genetic variations in ATM and H2AX loci contribute to risk of hematological abnormalities in individuals exposed to BTEX chemicals

BackgroundLoci controlling DNA double‐strand breaks (DSBs) repair play an important role in defending against the harmful health effects of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene (BTEX), but their gene variants may alter their repair capacity. The aim of the current study was to determine the relationship of functional polymorphisms ATM‐rs228589 A>T, WRN‐rs1800392 G>T and H2AX‐rs7759 A>G in DBS repair loci with the abnormal hematological indices in workers who exposed to BTEXs.MethodsWe included 141 cases with one or more abnormal hematological parameters, who had been occupationally exposed to BTEX chemicals and 152 controls with a similar exposure condition but without any abnormal hematological parameters. Atmospheric concentrations of BTEXs were measured and whole blood samples were taken from the participants to determine hematologic parameters and SNP genotyping.ResultsResults showed that T allele of ATM‐rs228589 and G allele of H2AX‐rs7759 had a higher frequency in cases than controls (p = 0.012 and p = 0.001, respectively). Also, AT and TT genotypes of ATM‐rs228589 and AG and GG genotypes of H2AX‐rs7759 were higher in cases compared to controls. The AT and TT genotypes of ATM‐rs228589 have significant associations with a risk of hematological abnormalities in the codominant (AT vs. AA, p = 0.018), dominant (AT + TT vs. AA, p = 0.010) and overdominant (AT vs. AA + TT, p = 0.037) models. The GG and AG genotypes of H2AX‐rs7759 were in relation with increased risk of abnormal hematological indices under codominant (GA vs. AA, p = 0.009 & GG vs. AA, p = 0.005), dominant (AG + GG vs. AA, p = 0.001), and recessive (GG vs. AA + AG, p = 0.025) models.ConclusionsThese observations may help to understand the mechanisms of BTEX hematotoxicity and identify useful biomarkers of risk assessment for workers exposed to BTEX.     

Preparation and Evaluation of 68Ga-ECC as a PET Renal Imaging Agent

Purpose

Development of a gallium-68-labeled renal tracer can be a good substitute for Tc-99m, a known SPECT tracer. In this study, effort was made to develop ⁶⁸Ga-ethylenecysteamine cysteine (⁶⁸Ga-ECC).

Methods

Ga-ECC was prepared using generator-based ⁶⁸GaCl₃ and ethylenecysteamine cysteine (ECC) at optimized conditions. Stability of the complex was checked in human serum followed by partition coefficient determination of the tracer. The biodistribution of the tracer in rats was studied using tissue counting and PET/CT imaging up to 120 min.

Results

Ga-ECC was prepared at optimized conditions in 15 min at 90 °C (radiochemical purity ≈97 ± 0.88 % ITLC, >99 % HPLC, specific activity: 210 ± 5 GBq/mM). ⁶⁸Ga-ECC was a water-soluble complex based on partition coefficient data (log P; −1.378) and was stable in the presence of human serum for 2 h at 37 °C. The biodistribution of the tracer demonstrated high kidney excretion of the tracer in 10–20 min. The SUV_max ratios of the liver to left kidney were 0.38 and 0.39 for 30 and 90 min, respectively, indicating high kidney uptake.

Conclusion

Initial biodistribution results showed significant kidney and urinary excretion of the tracer comparable to that of the homologous ^99mTc compound. The complex could be a possible PET kidney imaging agent with a fast imaging time.     

Management of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak: Iranian“247” National Committee's position paper on primary percutaneous coronary intervention

World Health Organization has designated coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic. During the past several weeks, a considerable burden has been imposed on the Iranian's healthcare system. The present document reviewed the latest evidence and expert opinion regarding the management of ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction during the outbreak of COVID-19 and outlines a practical algorithm for it.     

Do mitochondrial DNA haplogroups play a role in susceptibility to tuberculosis?

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Mitochondrial DNA has a unique role in ATP production and subsequent mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in eukaryotic cells and there is a potential role for ROS and oxygen burst against Mycobacterium tuberculosis, an intracellular pathogen. This study aimed to determine whether the frequency of different mitochondrial haplogroups was significantly different in patients with tuberculosis (TB) compared with a normal population. METHODS: Mitochondrial DNA haplogroups M, N, J and K were studied by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequencing. Cases were 54 patients with confirmed smear positive pulmonary TB. Controls were 256 healthy persons. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between those with TB and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: There was no statistically significant association between mtDNA haplogroups and the presence of TB infection.