Protective effects of quercetin on nicotine induced oxidative stress in ‘HepG2 cells’

Nicotine is a natural component of tobacco plants and is responsible for the addictive properties of tobacco. Nicotine has been recognized to result in oxidative stress by inducing the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The purpose of this work was to estimate the hepatotoxicity effect of nicotine on viability and on antioxidant defense system in cultures of HepG2 cell line and the other hand, ameliorative effect of quercetin (Q) as an antioxidant was analyzed. Nicotine induced concentration dependent loss in HepG2 cell line viability. The results indicated that nicotine decreased activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione reductase (GR) and increased activities of catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione (GSH) content in the HepG2 cells. Q significantly increased activity of SOD, GR and GSH content and decreased activity of GPX in nicotine?+?Q groups. Our data demonstrate that Q plays a protective role against the imbalance elicited by nicotine between the production of free radicals and antioxidant defense systems, and suggest that administration of this antioxidant may find clinical application where cellular damage is a consequence of ROS.     

Surrounding ipsilateral eruptive seborrheic keratosis as a warning sign of intraductal breast carcinoma and Paget's disease (Leser Trelat sign)

Paget disease of the breast, most often occurs in middle-aged women. Leser-Trelat sign is a rare cutaneous manifestation of internal malignancy that is usually associated with visceral-type adenocarcinoma. We report a patient with Paget disease of the nipple and intraductal carcinoma who presented with ipsilateral, eruptive grouped seborrheic keratoses of the areola and nipple of the breast.     

3D printed chitosan/polycaprolactone scaffold for lung tissue engineering: hope to be useful for COVID-19 studies

To prevent or reduce mortality from lung diseases, new biological materials and scaffolds are needed to conduct more accurate research and support lung tissue regeneration. On the other hand, the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus and its targeting of the human lung has caused many deaths worldwide. The main aim of this study was to provide a biologically and mechanically suitable 3D printed scaffold using chitosan/polycaprolactone bioink for lung tissue engineering. Design-Expert software was employed for studying various compositions for 3D printing. The selected scaffolds underwent physiochemical, biological and mechanical studies to evaluate if they are capable of MRC-5 cell line growth, proliferation, and migration. Based on the results, the average diameter of the chitosan/polycaprolactone strands was measured at 360 μm. Chitosan concentration controlled the printability, while changes in polycaprolactone content did not affect printability. The scaffolds showed excellent potential in swelling, degradation, and mechanical behavior, although they can be modified by adjusting the polycaprolactone content. The scaffolds also revealed notable cell adhesion, nontoxicity, low apoptosis, high proliferation, and cell biocompatibility in vitro. To sum up, scaffold 3 (chitosan/polycaprolactone ratio: 4 : 1) revealed better activity for MRC-5 cell culture. Thereby, this scaffold can be a good candidate for lung tissue engineering and may be applicable for more studies on the COVID-19 virus.

The aim of this study was to provide a biologically and mechanically suitable 3D printed scaffold using chitosan/polycaprolactone bioink for lung tissue engineering.     

Ameliorative effects of quercetin on folliculogenesis in diabetic mice: a stereological study

Abstract

A high risk of reproductive disorders can be seen in diabetic pregnancy. Reproductive disorders associated with diabetes may result from alterations in the function of the ovary. In this study, we investigated the ameliorative effects of quercetin as a phytoestrogen and antidiabetic agent on the folliculogenesis in diabetic mice. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were treated with 30?mg/kg/day quercetin for four weeks. The volume of ovary, follicles, and corpus luteum were significantly decreased in the diabetic mice. The number of growing follicles (secondary, antral, and Graafian follicles) and corpus luteum was significantly decreased in the diabetic mice. Also, the volume of oocytes was significantly decreased in antral and Graafian follicles. Our results indicated that the administration of quercetin in diabetic mice increased the volume of the ovary and growing follicles, the number of growing follicles and corpus luteum. It also significantly decreased the number of atretic follicles. As a result, it may be concluded that the impaired follicular growth and development caused by hyperglycemia in diabetic mice can be alleviated by quercetin treatment.     

Urticaria and lip fasciculation may be prodromal signs of brain malignancy

The association of urticaria and cancer usually is seen with lymphoreticular system malignancies. Recalcitrant intra-nostril pruritus has been associated with fourth-ventricle tumors of the brain. Rarely, urticaria has been described with cancer of the lung, usually small-cell adenocarcinoma. We describe a girl who suffered with chronic urticaria for 3 months before lip fasciculation began to be observed. CT scan revealed a brain tumor adjacent to the cerebellum, which was diagnosed as astrocytoma grade II. Because of the location, the tumor was not operable, but after one course of radiotherapy, both the urticaria and lip fasciculation disappeared.     

Association of <Emphasis Type="Italic">cagA</Emphasis> Positive <Emphasis Type="Italic">Helicobacter pylori</Emphasis> Infection and Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A PCR Approach

Helicobacter pylori is a gram-negative bacillus causing benign and malignant gastric diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux (GER). In larynx, H. pylori causes chronic inflammation and mucosal destruction that may lead to malignant changes. Although, H. pylori poses several virulence factors, cagA is probably the main factor in this regard. To evaluate the role of cagA gene in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC), a case–control study was conducted on patients with laryngeal complaints during 2010–2012. Seventy-two patients with LSCC (case group) and 72 patients without malignancy (control group) were included in the study. The H. pylori and cagA factor were assessed in laryngeal specimen of patients with PCR technique. 33 % of patients in case group (24 patients) and 45.8 % (33 patients) of control group were positive for H. pylori. CagA gene was present in 13.8 % (10 patients) of case group specimens and 31.9 % (23 patients) of control group. This difference was statistically significant with Mantel–Haenszel statistical test analyses. The results showed that patients with LSCC have significantly lower incidence of laryngeal H. pylori infection and cagA virulence factor than those without LSCC. Findings from this study support the protective effect of H. pylori infection against laryngeal cancer.     

Cancer therapy-related complications in the bowel and mesentery: an imaging perspective

Cancer therapy-induced complications in the bowel and mesentery are fairly common. It is important for clinicians to be aware of these complications and the agents most frequently implicated. Cancer therapy is rapidly evolving and often encompasses both classic cytotoxic drugs and newer molecular targeted agents. Drugs from both broad classes can have numerous adverse effects on the bowel and mesentery that can be detected on imaging. These adverse effects include ileus, various forms of enterocolitis, gastrointestinal perforation, pneumatosis intestinalis, secretory diarrhea, and sclerosing mesenteritis. These complications are diverse and range from relatively benign to life threatening. The management is also variable, but many of these conditions are easily controlled and reversed with supportive care and cessation of the particular cancer therapy. The objective of this pictorial essay is to demonstrate some of the more common cancer therapy-induced complications of the bowel and mesentery, with a focus on the radiographic findings.     

Anatomical and histopathological profile of head and neck neoplasms in Persian pediatric and adolescent population

Background

Neoplasms of the head and neck region are relatively uncommon in childhood. The present study aimed to describe and compare the anatomical and histopathological distribution of head and neck neoplasms in Persian pediatric and adolescent population.

Methods

Patients who presented with primary head and neck tumors were included in this study. Orbital and skin tumors and neoplasms with secondary (metastatic) involvement of the head and neck were excluded from the study. Based on the data obtained from a tertiary referral hospital tumor registry and oncology department, a total of 152 benign and malignant neoplasms of the head and neck in patients aged 19 years or younger (99 boys), whom were reported to this institution between 2000 and 2007, were analyzed in this study. This number represented 10% of all pediatric and adolescent population.

Results

The patients’ age at presentation was 1-19 years (median 12 years). The peak incidence was observed in the adolescent population (34.2% of patients). There were 136 (89.5%) malignant tumors and 16 (10.5%) benign neoplasms. Cervical lymph nodes, nasopharynx, sinonasal and salivary glands were the most frequent primary sites and accounted for 60% of all primary sites. Lymphomas [Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (30%), Hodgkin's disease (25%)], carcinomas (20%), and sarcomas (10.5%) were the most frequent histopathological types.

Conclusion

The most frequent primary site, malignant histopathological type, and male-female ratio in our study were comparable with other reported series; however, the ratio of benign to malignant lesions is different from most studies.