Passive opium smoking does not have beneficial effect on plasma lipids and cardiovascular indices in hypercholesterolemic rabbits with ischemic and non-ischemic hearts

Background

To scientifically test a traditionally belief of some Asian countries residents that opium may prevent or have ameliorating effects on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) we investigated the effect of passive opium smoking (POS) on plasma lipids and some cardiovascular parameters in hypercholesterolemic rabbits with ischemic and non-ischemic hearts.

Methods

40 rabbits were fed for 2 weeks with cholesterol-enriched diet and divided to control (CTL), short-term opium (SO) and long-term opium (LO) groups. SO and LO groups were exposed to POS for 3 days and 4 weeks respectively. ECG, blood pressure (BP) and left ventricular pressure recorded and serum lipid and cardiac troponin I levels were measured. Isoproterenol (ISO) injected for induction of cardiac ischemia and after 4 h the above variables were measured along with cardiac histopathology assessment.

Results

HDL cholesterol decreased significantly in LO compared to CTL group (35 ± 5 vs 53 ± 5 mg/dl). Groups treated with ISO showed significantly higher increments in troponin I level (P < 0.05) except for LO group and reduction of BP was higher in ISO and SO + ISO groups compared to CTL and SO groups respectively (−38 ± 6 vs −23 ± 4 and −37 ± 11 vs −11 ± 3 percent respectively, P < 0.05). Reduction in BP was significantly lower in LO + ISO compared to ISO group. Opium exposure caused a trend of increase in blood pressure, LDL cholesterol and ECG disturbances, attenuated ISO induced myonecrosis but augmented tissue congestion and hemorrhage.

Conclusion

POS can be considered as a CVD risk factor. Opium does not reduce BP or cholesterol level, as is anticipated by its users.     

Increased copy number at 17q22-q24 by CGH in breast cancer is due to high-level amplification of two separate regions

Studies by comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) have defined a chromosomal site at 17q22-q24 that is often overrepresented in breast cancer, neuroblastoma, and several other tumor types. Due to the limited resolution and dynamic range of CGH, it remains unclear whether this gain reflects high-level amplification of small subregion(s) or low-level gain of most of the distal 17q. We used 32 physically mapped 17q probes to construct more accurate copy number profiles for 14 breast cancer cell lines by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Six cell lines (43%) showed an increased copy number of the 17q22-q24 region by CGH, and seven (50%) by FISH. FISH copy number profiles had a substantially higher dynamic range than did CGH profiles. FISH revealed two independent, highly amplified regions (A and B) at 17q23, separated by about 5 Mb of non-amplified DNA. These regions were distinctly telomeric from the ERBB2 gene locus. However, region A was often co-amplified with ERBB2, whereas B was amplified in cell lines that showed no ERBB2 amplification. We conclude that distal 17q gains recently discovered in breast cancer by CGH are due to high-level amplifications of two different regions at 17q23. This chromosomal region has previously been reported to undergo allelic loss and therefore was thought to harbor a tumor suppressor gene. The present FISH data provide support for the presence, and a starting point for the positional isolation, of 17q23 genes whose upregulation by amplification may play a role in the progression of breast cancer and many other tumor types. Genes Chromosomes Cancer 20:372–376, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The Investigation of Risk Factors Impacting Breast Cancer in Guilan Province

Introduction: Breast cancer is multifactorial therefore more recognition of risk factors is important in its prevention. Objective: This study was conducted in order to determine the factors influencing breast cancer in women referred to health centers in Guilan province in 2015-2016. Method: In a case- control study, 225 women with breast cancer were investigated. The control group consisted of 225 healthy women of the relatives (third-rank) whose phone numbers were obtained from the patients. Data were collected through telephone interviews. Results: The risk of breast cancer raised in women who have a family history of other cancers (OR= 3.5; 95% CI= 1.96-6.6) ,exposure to X-Ray (OR= 2.5; 95% CI=1.1-5.5), having more than 4 children (OR= 2.695% CI=1.2-4.8), age more than 36 years at first pregnancy(OR=2.3; 95% CI=0.7-5.1),primary levelof education (OR= 5.4;95% CI=2.8-11.2) and inadequate intake of fruit (OR=1.5; 95% CI=1-2.2). Also, presence of the following factors reduced breast cancer risk: regular menstruation (OR= 0.66; CI=0.4- 0.9), duration of breastfeeding more than 12 months, less than 6 months and 7-12 months (OR=0.23; 95% CI=0.09-0.59 , OR=0.29; 95% CI=0.17-0.49 and OR=0.03; 95% CI=0.01-0.08) and parity (OR=0.4; 95% CI=0.27-0.83) In multiple linear regression analysis of higher education (OR=0.16; 95% CI=0.03-0.77), using contraceptives for more than 16 years (OR=2.3; 95% CI=1.4-3.9), family history of other cancers (OR=6.1; 95% CI=1.9-19.3) and a history of X-Ray exposure (OR=4.4; 95% CI=1.07-18.1) were considered as predictive factors. Conclusion: The results of this study emphasize the importance of informing women about breast cancer risk factors. So, identification of these risk factors is required as important means of prevention and treatment of breast cancer.     

Objective assessment of obstructive sleep apnea in normal pregnant and preeclamptic women

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between OSA and preeclampsia. Methods: Between 30 and 39 weeks gestation, objective sleep apnea were evaluated in 38 normal pregnant and 40 preeclamptic women. Preeclampsia was defined by having a blood pressure (BP) > 140/90 mmHg on two occasions after the 20th week of pregnancy with excess protein in the urine (> 300 mg in 24 h) or 30 mg persistent proteinuria (+ 1 in dipsticks) in random samples. Objective sleep apnea was evaluated using an overnight in-hospital sleep evaluation using the SOMNOwatch plus Respiratory Screener. OSA was defined as an apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) ≥ 5, and further grouped into severity categories: mild (5–14.9), moderate (15–29.9), and severe (≥ 30). Results: Mean AHI was 33.3 ± 12.1 in preeclamptic women and was 23.8 ± 15.8 in normal pregnant women (p = 0.008). There was significant difference in prevalence of OSA severity (none, mild, moderate, or severe) between groups. Out of 33 preeclamptic women, 11 women had moderate and 22 women had severe OSA. Whereas, among 33 normal pregnant women, 8, 13, and10 women had mild, moderate, and severe OSA, respectively. Two normal pregnant women had no OSA (AHI< 5). Conclusion: Our study suggests women are susceptible to developing OSA during pregnancy that is associated with an increased risk of preeclampsia.     

The effects of Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) pretreatment on the resistance of the heart to myocardial injury

Context: The antihyperlipidemic, antiarrhythmic, neuroprotective and hepatoprotective effects of Melissa officinalis L. (Lamiaceae) have been reported. However, no study has examined its effects on the resistance of the heart to stressful conditions.

Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of aqueous extract of M. officinalis aerial parts on Wistar rat heart with/without cardiac injury.

Materials and methods: Animals were grouped as control, isoproterenol (ISO), M. officinalis without (M50, M100, and M200) and with isoproterenol (M50?+?ISO, M100?+?ISO, and M200?+?ISO). The aqueous extract of M. officinalis was orally administered at dosages of 50, 100, and 200?mg/kg/d, respectively, for 7 consecutive days. On the 6th and 7th day, ISO, M50?+?ISO, M100?+?ISO, and M200?+?ISO groups received 85?mg/kg of isoproterenol for myocardial injury induction. On day 8, hemodynamic parameters were recorded and samplings were done.

Results: The extract (50, 100, and 200?mg/kg) significantly reduced the heart rate (264?±?5, 259?±?5 and 281?±?3 versus 377?±?13 in control group, p?<?0.01). Blood pressure was significantly decreased in M50?+?ISO (75?±?5) versus M50 (110?±?6) and M100?+?ISO (72?±?6) versus M100 (105?±?5?mmHg, p?<?0.01). The malondialdehyde levels of the injured hearts were lower in M50?+?ISO and M100?+?ISO groups than in the ISO group (p?<?0.05). Serum cardiac troponin I was higher in the M200?+?ISO group (5.1?±?1.7) than in the ISO group (2.7?±?0.7?ng/ml, p?<?0.05).

Conclusion: The lower dose of extract, by improving the balance of the redox system and by reducing the heart rate, may increase the heart resistance to injury. However, the higher doses of extract may intensify the injury of ischemic heart.     

Hypertrophic lichen planus on lip mimicking SCC

The lichen planus (LP) is an inflammatory and immune‐mediated disorder that can affect the hair, mucous membranes, nails, and skin. Lichen planus rarely affects the lips. In cases of lip involvement, it presents as radiated streaks, lace‐like papules, and erosions. There is no report of lip LP presenting as hypertrophic plaque. Here, we report interesting and rare clinical presentations of LP in a 45‐year‐old male patient that presented with a verrucous hyperkeratotic plaque on the lower lip mimicking squamous cell carcinoma. However, oral examination revealed, reticulated white patches on the bilateral buccal mucosa, and a biopsy of the lip lesion revealed lichenoid dermatitis which led to the diagnosis of hypertrophic lichen planus. Familiarity with the different clinical presentations of LP and its variants is essential for prompt diagnosis and effective treatment.     

dsDentinal translucency and width of cementum: predicting the age over 55 years in South Indian adults using extracted sectioned teeth

The main intention of this article was to evaluate the reliability of root dentine translucency (RDT) and the width of cementum (CW) in indicating the age over 55 years in forensic and criminal investigations. 600 non-restored, single rooted teeth (300 males and 300 females) which were extracted for periodontal or orthodontic reasons were collected. Each tooth was sectioned longitudinally until the desired thickness (250 µm) was obtained. Both the length of the RDT and CW were measured from these unstained ground sections of teeth using ImageJ computer software. Pearson’s correlation coefficient indicated a very strong and positive correlation for RDW and CW with age in both sexes. Cut-off values of RDT= 7.07 and CW= 52.06 were obtained using the maximum Youden’s index. The value for the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.987 for RDT and 0.910 for CW was seen as indicating a very high discrimination. The performance of these cut-off values was tested in a separate sample of sectioned teeth (n= 300) and was analyzed using contingency tables in both sexes. The sensitivity was 88.2% and 92.3%, while specificity was 98.9% for RDT in males and females. For CW, the sensitivity was 96.1% and 90.3%, and specificity was 76.7% and 74.4% in males and females, respectively. Bayes post-test probability was 98.9% for RDT in both sexes, while 80.5% in males and 78% in females, for CW. Based on our study findings, it can be concluded that both variables have performed well in predicting the age over 55 years. Further research concerning the radiographic study of secondary dentine deposition to predict legal age thresholds would be a great benefit for living adults who require age estimation in civil proceedings.     

Low‐intensity endurance exercise plus nandrolone decanoate modulates cardiac adiponectin and its receptors

相似文献