Natural cytotoxicity of NC-2+ cells against the growth and metastasis of WEHI-164 fibrosarcoma

We have previously reported a new receptor (NC-2) for natural cytotoxicity (NC) on murine leucocytes, identified by monoclonal antibody D9 (mAb D9). Pretreatment of mouse spleen cells with different concentrations of mAb D9 in vitro blocked NC against WEHI-164, whereas natural killing (NK) activity against YAC-1 was unaffected. This paper reports the immune surveillance against the growth of WEHI-164 tumour cells in mice by NC-2(+) Cells. The kinetics of in vivo reduction in NC activity were investigated by treating BALB/c and (CBA × C57BL/6) F1 mice with a single injection of 40 μg of mAb D9 and monitoring splenic NC activity by (51) Cr-release assay at intervals from 24 h to 3 weeks. Control mice were injected with OKT8 irrelevant antibody. Results showed a significant (P < 0.05) reduction in splenic NC activity within 24 h which persisted for up to 1 week. Similar results were also obtained when (CBA × C57BL/6) F1 mice were employed (P<0.001). In vivo tumour studies were undertaken to investigate the role of NC-2(+) cells in surveillance against tumour growth and metastasis of the WEHI-164 fibrosarcoma. When syngeneic BALB/c mice were injected with 40 μg of mAb D9 and then challenged with 5 × 10(5) WEHI-164 cells, results showed significantly increased growth rate of the transplanted WEHI-164 fibrosarcoma and tumour nodules in the lungs of animals, when compared to control mice with normal NC activity. Our data support an innate surveillance in metastasis and growth of WEHI-164 fibrosarcoma in mice.     

Do adventitial mast cells contribute to the pathogenesis of ascending thoracic aorta aneurysm?

The precise pathogenesis of the ascending aortic aneurysm (AscAA) remains to be determined. Mast cells in the adventitia of human AscAA lesions may play a role in this pathogenesis. Adventitial mast cell density per 10 high-power fields (0.25 mm(2)) was assessed in multiple biopsy samples, from aneurysmal aortic sections (n = 41) and control (nondilated) aortic specimens (n = 50), stained by orcein-Giemsa method, an inexpensive (<$1) method. In a multivariable adjusted logistic regression model, using AscAA as the dependent variable, mast cell density was found to be an independent predictor of AscAA occurrence (odds ratio = 2.21; 95% confidence interval = 1.58-3.08; P < .001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the proposed cutoff value of ≥3 mast cells per 10 high-power fields was very sensitive to detect AscAA occurrence, yielding a sensitivity of 90% with a specificity of 80%. In conclusion, a significant increase in the number of mast cells in the adventitia of human ascending aortic lesions proposes a role for these cells in the pathogenesis of AscAA.     

Coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with low ejection fraction: the effect of intra-aortic balloon pump insertion on early outcome

Background: Survival benefit with intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) insertion for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients with left ventricular dysfunction is controversial. The aim of this study was to assess the early results of CABG that predict 30-day mortality and prolonged length of hospital stay (LOS) after isolated CABG and the role of IABP application as a main predictor in patients with an ejection fraction (EF) of 30% or less. Materials and Methods: Eight hundred and thirty-three patients who underwent isolated CABG with EF 30% as the control group. Demographic and clinical characteristics and postoperative complications were considered. Data were analyzed using the student's t-test and chi-square test for univariate analysis and the analysis of covariance and logistic regression for multivariate analysis. Results: The thirty-day mortality rate (1.6% vs. 0.7%, P P P = 0.002) and prolonged LOS (P = 0.009). Also, urinary tract infection, prolonged ventilation, and renal failure as postoperative complications were statistically more in the group with the application of IABP. Conclusion: Low ejection fraction can positively affect thirty-day mortality and prolonged LOS and ICU stay in patients who undergo CABG. In these patients, IABP insertion is a strong predictor for early complication and mortality.     

Evaluation of signs,symptoms, and occlusal factors among patients with temporomandibular disorders according to Helkimo index

Objective: This study sought to assess the clinical signs and subjective symptoms of TMD, including the occlusal condition.

Methods: Recruited individuals included 123 patients (58 men, 65 women) aged 15 to 65 years (mean 38.6 years) who had been referred to the TMD department. Helkimo dysfunction, occlusal, and anamnestic indices were used to assess signs of TMD, occlusal condition, and symptoms, respectively. Relationships of occlusal factors with signs and symptoms of TMD were evaluated by Spearman’s correlation test. Associations of TMD with sex and age distributions were assessed by Mann–Whitney and Spearman’s test, respectively.

Results: The prevalence of signs and symptoms was as high as 75%. Occlusal factors had significant associations with signs and symptoms of TMD.

Conclusion: Prevalence of TMD in the study population was high, without preference for age or sex. Occlusal factors may play a role in the etiology of TMD.     

Cloning and Sequence Analysis of Recombinant Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein 1 (PvMSP-142 kDa) In pTZ57R/T Vector

Background:

Carboxy-terminal 42 kDa region of Plasmodium vivax merozoite surface protein-1 is considered as an important antigen in blood stage. Since, this region has been observed to be polymorphic among isolates of P. vivax, it is significant to survey on different regions of this antigen in various areas of the world.

Methods:

In the present study, the genetic diversity of cloned PvMSP-1₄₂ kDa gene from an Iranian patient is analyzed. Parasite DNA was extracted from a P. vivax - infected patient in Iran. The region of PvMSP-1₄₂ kDa was amplified by PCR, cloned into pTZ₅₇R/T vector and then sequenced.

Results:

Sequencing of cloned PvMSP-1₄₂ kDa gene clearly has a high degree of homology (95%) with reference Sal-I sequence and also with the homogeneous sequences from some studied countries (97%). Thirty eight SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphism) were identified in cloned PvMSP-1₄₂ kDa gene which the mutations had localized in the 33 kDa fragment (PvMSP-1₃₃ kDa), while there was nearly no variation in the 19 kDa fragment (PvMSP-1₁₉ kDa). 2 out of 38 mutations were found as to be novel haplotypes.

Conclusion:

High similarity of cloned PvMSP-1₄₂ kDa gene in comparison to reference sequence and other sequences could be beneficial as a remarkable molecular marker for serological diagnostic kits of P. vivax in malarious neighboring countries of Iran and around the world.     

Chemical composition along with anti-leishmanial and cytotoxic activity of Zataria multiflora

Context: Natural products and their compounds are some of the most interesting sources of new drugs. Reviews have reported various pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial effects of Zataria multiflora Boiss (Lamiaceae).

Objective: The present study investigates the chemical composition of Z. multiflora essential oil and evaluates its cytotoxic effects and anti-leishmanial activities against Leishmania tropica in an in vitro model.

Materials and methods: The components of Z. multiflora oil were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) analysis. Anti-leishmanial effects of the essential oil (0–100?μL/mL) and methanol extract of Z. multiflora (0–100 μg/mL) on promastigote forms as well as their cytotoxic activities against J774 cells were evaluated using MTT assay for 72 h. The leishmanicidal activity against amastigote forms of L. tropica was evaluated at the concentrations of 0–50 μg/mL in a macrophage model for 48 h.

Results: The chemical analyses demonstrated that the main components of essential oil were thymol (41.81%), carvacrol (28.85%), and p-cymene (8.36%). Regarding leishmanicidal activity, the IC₅₀ values for the essential oil and methanol extract were 3.2?μL/mL and 9.8 μg/mL against promastigote forms and 8.3?μL/mL and 34.6 μg/mL against amastigote forms, respectively. Essential oil (CC₅₀ 89.3?μL/mL) indicated a higher cytotoxic effect than the methanol extract (CC₅₀ 591.6 μg/mL) of Z. multiflora.

Conclusion: The present study revealed the chemical composition of Z. multiflora that might be a natural source of new anti-leishmanial agents in terms of use against cutaneous leishmaniasis.     

Mu and delta opioid receptor analgesia, binding density, and mRNA levels in mice selectively bred for high and low analgesia

The present study examined mu and delta opioid analgesia, receptor binding, and receptor mRNA levels in lines of mice from two selective breeding projects of relevance to opioid analgesia. Large differences were observed in the analgesic potency of [ -Ala², NMPhe⁴, Gly-ol]enkephalin (DAMGO), [ -Pen^2,5]enkephalin (DPDPE), and [ -Ala²]deltorphin II (DELT), selective mu, delta₁, and delta₂ opioid receptor agonists, respectively, in mice selectively bred for high (HA) and low (LA) swim stress-induced analgesia (SIA). HAR and LAR mice, selectively bred for high and low levorphanol analgesia, respectively, display equally large differences in their analgesic sensitivity to DAMGO, modest differences in sensitivity to DPDPE, and no differences in sensitivity to DELT. These sizable genotypic differences in analgesic potency were accompanied by HA/LA and HAR/LAR differences in whole-brain homogenate [³H]DPDPE and/or [³H]DELT, but paradoxically not [³H]DAMGO, binding. Solution hybridization of mRNA extracts encoding mu (MOR-1) or delta (DOR-1) opioid receptors indicated some regional differences in gene expression between high and low lines. Surprisingly, differences in these in vitro markers were often in the direction of LAR>HAR. The present data indicate that selection for either SSIA or levorphanol analgesia produces differential effects on mu and delta opioid analgesia that are accompanied by alterations on in vitro assays, the significance of which remains to be determined. The data are discussed with regard to the utility of in vitro biological markers and genetic models of analgesia.