Physiological factors influencing radioantibody uptake: a study of four human colonic carcinomas.

We evaluated the accretion of 131I-labeled NP-4 anticarcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) into 4 size-matched human colonic carcinomas grown s.c. in nude mice. Antibody uptake for LS174T and GW-39 tumors was relatively high (19 to 23% ID/g on day 3), whereas moderate uptake was seen in the Moser tumor (7.5% on day 3) and low uptake was detected in the GS-2 tumor (1.8% on day 3). Blood clearance of radioantibody was twice as fast in mice with GS-2 tumors than in mice with GW-39, LS174T or Moser tumors. Seven physiological parameters that might influence radioantibody accretion were evaluated in order to better understand the differences in observed tumor targeting: vascular volume, blood flow rate, vascular permeability, tumor antigen content, serum antigen content and complexation of radioantibody, intratumoral antigen distribution, and intracellular antigen distribution. Although marked variability in vascular physiology, antigen content and antibody complexation of the 4 tumors grown in the same host and site existed, it was insufficient to explain the differences in antibody uptake. However, intra-tumoral distribution of antigen, and sub-cellular accessibility of antigen for radioantibody were important considerations. GS-2 tumors are well differentiated and have polarized cells. CEA in GS-2 is largely inaccessible to radioantibody; most of the antigen is located in the lumen of the glands or on the apical surface of gland cells and most of the antibody distributes to the stromal region on the basolateral surface. The low antibody targeting in GS-2 could therefore be explained by restricted intra-tumor accessibility of antibody. Scatchard analysis of NP-4 binding to Moser cells under non-internalizing and internalizing conditions revealed that 90% of the antigen is found within the cell, unavailable to bind with the NP-4 antibody, which is slow to internalize. In contrast, CEA in LS174T cells was almost entirely accessible. The reduced antibody targeting to Moser xenografts might therefore, be explained by restricted antibody accessibility at the cellular level.     

The effects of fenugreek seed extract supplementation in patients with Alzheimer's disease: A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled trial

The aim of the current randomized control trial (RCT) study was to investigate the effects of fenugreek seed extract on memory, depression, quality of life, blood pressure, and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) levels in adult AD patients. This randomized clinical trial was conducted in geriatric homes in Iran. The study participants included 82 AD patients with mild-to-moderate memory deficit. Patients in the intervention group received 5 cc of fenugreek seed extract for 4 months and subjects in the control group received a placebo. Memory, depression, quality of life, and BP levels, as well as serum MDA and TAC, were assessed before and after the intervention. There was a significant increase in serum levels of TAC (p < 0.001) and a reduction in serum MDA status (p < 0.001) after 4 months of fenugreek seed extract supplementation. In addition, increasing levels of memory (p < 0.001) and quality of life (p < 0.001), as well as reduction of depression (p = 0.002), systolic BP (p < 0.001), and diastolic BP (p < 0.001) levels were detected in the intervention group compared with baseline. Fenugreek seed extract supplementation in AD patients shows promising positive effects on memory, quality of life, BP, and selective oxidative indices levels.     

HPV circulating tumor DNA to monitor the efficacy of anti‐PD‐1 therapy in metastatic squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal: A case report

Squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal (SCCA) is a rare HPV‐associated cancer with limited sensitivity to standard chemotherapy. In a phase 2 study, nivolumab, an anti PD‐1 immune checkpoint inhibitor, demonstrated significant efficacy as single‐agent therapy in metastatic SCCA patients. Nevertheless, imaging assessment by standard RECIST criteria of the efficacy of immune therapy can be difficult in some patients due to tumor immune cell infiltration, and biomarkers of treatment efficacy are needed. We have previously developed a quantitative droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) technique to detect HPV circulating tumor DNA (HPV ctDNA), with excellent sensitivity and specificity. Here, we report, for the first time, the kinetics of HPV ctDNA during therapy in a patient with metastatic SCCA, who obtained sustained partial response to single‐agent nivolumab. We observed an early and very significant decrease of HPV ctDNA during therapy from the baseline level of 3713 copies/ml plasma to 564 copies/ml plasma at 4 weeks, and 156 copies/ml at 6 weeks, followed by a plateau. This observation provides proof‐of‐concept that HPV ctDNA can be used as a noninvasive early dynamic biomarker to monitor the efficacy of new immunotherapy agents.     

Using quadratic inference functions to determine the factors associated with obesity: findings from the STEPS Survey in Iran

PurposeThe last study that had a representative sample of the Iranian population and examined the association between sociodemographic and lifestyle factors with obesity used data from the 1999 to 2000 National Health Survey in Iran. Concern about the increased prevalence of obesity has heightened interest in the association between varieties of these factors with obesity among Iranian households.MethodsData (20,917 adults) were taken from the 2009 STEPwise approach to Surveillance survey in Iran that was conducted under the supervision of World Health Organization. Using quadratic inference function, we evaluated the relation of age, sex, physical activity, serving of fruit and vegetable, employment status, smoking, and place of residence with obesity.ResultsUsing 20–30 years as the reference group, the obesity odds ratios (ORs) were 2.48, 3.79, 3.52, and 3.15 for ages 30–40, 40–50, 50–60, and 60+ years, respectively. Obesity OR for female was 2.63, compared with male. Obesity ORs for smokers and ex-smokers were 0.64 and 1.18, respectively, compared with nonsmokers. Among Iranian adult, obesity ORs for the moderate and vigorous physical activity were 0.99 and 0.90, respectively, compared with low level. The estimated odds of obesity were 46% higher for rural adults. Obesity ORs for public and private employed were 0.79 and 0.76, respectively, compared with unemployed.ConclusionsOur results may provide better insights of the factors associated with obesity and can be used as a basis to reinforce health programs to prevent obesity in Iran.     

The Spinal Cord Injury Spasticity Evaluation Tool: A Persian adaptation and validation study

Objective: To adapt the Spinal Cord Injury Spasticity Evaluation Tool (SCI-SET) into the Persian language (SCI-SETp) and to examine the reliability and validity of the SCI-SETp in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Design: A cross-sectional and prospective cohort validation study.

Setting: University Neurological Physiotherapy Clinic.

Participants: Adult patients with SCI.

Main Outcome Measures: SCI-SET.

Results: There was no missing data. No floor or ceiling effect was observed. Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.862. Factor analysis suggested 1 factor structure (Eigenvalue?=?8.49) explained 24.27% of the total variance. The ICC_agreement for test-retest reliability was 0.84. The standard error of measurement and the smallest detectable change was 0.30 and 0.82, respectively. The divergent relationships demonstrated the SCI-SETp uniqueness construct.

Conclusion: The results support the reliability and validity of the SCI-SETp for assessing the impact of spasticity on daily life of patients with SCI.     

Determination of heavy metals in albumen of hen eggs from the Markazi Province (Iran) using ICP-OES technique

Increase of distribution of environmental contaminants such as heavy metals have been caused the knowledge of the safety and hygiene of food is very important, especially eggs, because of its role in the daily diet. There are very few studies about the investigation of the heavy metal contents in egg-white. In this study, six heavy metals include Aluminium (Al), Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Mercury (Hg), Antimony (Sb) in egg-white from 32 industrial poultry farms were investigated, by ICP-OES. All the samples were collected in all area of Markazi Province, Iran in autumn 2013. The mean concentrations of heavy metals in egg-white as follows: 0.119 for Al, 0.785 for As, 0.750 for Pb, 0.249 for Cd, 0.270 for Hg and 0.186?mg/kg for Sb. Also, the concentration of the some heavy metals were higher than maximum allowable concentration that probably it is associated to use pesticides and activities of industrial factories around the poultry farms.     

Validating the Self-assessed Wisdom Scale (SAWS) in an Iranian Sample: Psychometric and Developmental Findings

Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology - This study aimed to investigate the validity and factor structure of the Self-Assessed Wisdom Scale (SAWS; Webster in J Adult Dev 10:13–22, 2003) in an...