Automated Detection of Cervical Carotid Artery Calcifications in Cone Beam Computed Tomographic Images Using Deep Convolutional Neural Networks.

The aim of this study was to determine if a convolutional neural network (CNN) can be trained to automatically detect and localize cervical carotid artery calcifications (CACs) in CBCT. A total of 56 CBCT studies (15,257 axial slices) were utilized to train, validate, and test the deep learning model. The study comprised of two steps: Step 1: Localizing axial slices that are below the C2-C3 disc space.

Farsi version of the CLEFT-Q: translation, cultural adaptation process and reliability.

Background: The purpose of this study was the translation and cultural adaptation of the CLEFT-Q to Farsi and evaluating the reliability of it.

Methods: The English version of the CLEFT-Q was translated to Farsi following the guidelines set forth by the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR). To calculate the reliability, 50 participants filled out the Farsi version of the questionnaire twice at 2-week intervals.

Recombinant CD137-Fc, its synthesis, and applications for improving the immune system functions, such as tumor immunotherapy and to reduce the inflammation due to the novel coronavirus.

CD137 (ILA/4-1BB), a member of tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, is one of the most important T cell costimulatory molecules. Interaction of this molecule with its ligand transmits a two-way signal that activates both T lymphocyte and antigen presenting cells. The soluble form of CD137 (sCD137) reduces the activity of its membrane isoform and is associated with T lymphocyte activation-induced cell death.

Sodium Butyrate as a Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor Affects Toll-Like Receptor 4 Expression in Colorectal Cancer Cell Lines.

We assessed the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) as a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) on Toll-like receptor 4 () gene expression levels, in low expressing (HCT116) and high expressing (SW480) colorectal cancer cells. The cytotoxic effect of SB was assessed by culturing SW480 and HCT116 cell lines using a broad spectrum of times and concentrations of SB. The MTT assay was done to check the cytotoxic properties of different SB concentrations.

Study of the tumor microenvironment during breast cancer progression.

Background: Different cells and mediators in the tumor microenvironment play important roles in the progression of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the composition of the microenvironment during tumor progression in order to discover new related biomarkers and potentials for targeted therapy.

Methods: In this study, breast cancer biopsies from four different stages, and control breast biopsies were collected.

An extended mathematical model of tumor growth and its interaction with the immune system, to be used for developing an optimized immunotherapy treatment protocol.

Background: Chemotherapy is usually known as the main modality for cancer treatment. Nevertheless, most of chronic cancers could not be treated with chemotherapy alone. Immunotherapy is a new modality for cancer treatment that is effective for early stages of cancer and it has fewer side effects compared to chemotherapy, specifically for those types of cancer that are resistant to it.

Increased efficacy of a dendritic cell-based therapeutic cancer vaccine with adenosine receptor antagonist and CD73 inhibitor.

Dendritic cells are important in initiating immune responses; therefore, a range of dendritic cell-based approaches have been established to induce immune response against cancer cells. However, the presence of immunosuppressive mediators such as adenosine in the tumor microenvironment reduces the efficacy of dendritic cell-based cancer immunotherapy. In this study, we investigated whether blockade of the A2A adenosine receptor with a selective antagonist and a CD73 inhibitor may increase the efficacy of a dendritic cell-based cancer vaccine.

CD73 specific siRNA loaded chitosan lactate nanoparticles potentiate the antitumor effect of a dendritic cell vaccine in 4T1 breast cancer bearing mice.

The efficacy of conventional anti-tumor immunotherapeutic approaches is markedly affected by the immunosuppressive microenvironment of tumor. Since adenosine is one of the main orchestra leaders in immunosuppression symphony of tumor, targeting its producing molecules such as CD73 can help to achieve a better clinical outcome following conventional cancer immunotherapeutic approaches. In the present study, we evaluated the efficacy of CD73-specific siRNA-loaded chitosan-lactate nanoparticles (ChLa NPs) in combination with tumor lysate pulsed dendritic cells (DCs) vaccine in treatment of 4T1 (murine derived) breast cancer bearing mice.

Inhibition of HIF-1α enhances anti-tumor effects of dendritic cell-based vaccination in a mouse model of breast cancer.

Considerable evidence shows that the tumor microenvironment is an active participant in preventing immunosurveillance and limiting the efficacy of anticancer therapies. Hypoxia is a prominent characteristic of the solid tumor microenvironment. The transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is an important mediator of hypoxic response of tumor cells that modulates the expression of specific genes involved in tumor immunosuppression.

Multiple Low Doses of 5-Fluorouracil Diminishes Immunosuppression by Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells in Murine Melanoma Model.

Background: Melanoma progression and metastasis is suggested to be mediated by increased accumulation of myeloid derived suppressor cells. Various chemotherapeutic drugs such as 5-Fluorouracil in single low concentration have the capacity, at least in part, to reverse tumor progression by reducing myeloid derived suppressor cells-mediated immunosuppression.

Objective: To assess whether multiple low doses of 5-fluorouracil could repress myeloid derived suppressor cells in low frequency and, in turn, could enhance anti-tumor responses and promote a more prolonged survival in a murine melanoma model.

Expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factors a and C in patients with peptic ulcers and gastric cancer.

Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is one of the most important growth factors for metastatic tumors. To clarify the role of VEGF-A and C in patients with peptic ulcer disease (PUD) or gastric cancer (GC), we evaluated the expression levels of these two molecules. We also analyzed the effect of Helicobacter pylori infection on VEGF-A and C expression levels.