The effect of Setarud (IMOD(TM)) on angiogenesis in transplanted human ovarian tissue to nude mice.

Background: One of the promising methods in fertility preservation among women with cancer is cryopreservation of ovarian cortex but there are many drawbacks such as apoptosis and considerable reduction of follicular density in the transplanted ovary. One solution to reduce ischemic damage is enhancing angiogenesis after transplantation of ovarian cortex tissue.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Setarud, on angiogenesis in transplanted human ovarian tissue.

Looking at diabetic ketoacidosis through electrocardiogram window!

Background: Initial serum potassium (K+) in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) often does not reflect the true amount of total body K+ storage, and it is not a good predictor of subsequent hypokalemia. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that a deficiency of the total body K+ storage can be detected initially on surface electrocardiography (ECG).

Method: Medical records of 350 patients with a diagnosis of DKA were reviewed.

Synthetic Cannabinoids and Their Effects on the Cardiovascular System.

Background: In the past couple of years, there has been an outbreak of synthetic cannabinoid (SC) use in major cities in the United States. Patients can present with various symptoms affecting the central nervous and cardiovascular systems. The effects of endocannabinoid on contractility and Ca(2+) signaling have been shown through both cannabinoid receptors and a direct effect on ion channels.

Adherence to Mediterranean diet and risk of breast cancer in premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

Background: Mediterranean diet (MD) has long been suspected to impact on health promotion. Epidemiologic studies reveal the protective role of adherence to this dietary pattern on cancer incidence. However, its association with breast cancer risk remains unclear.

When a seizure is not a real seizure!

We report here 2 cases of methadone induced Torsades de Pointes with a clinical presentation mimicking convulsive seizures in a substance abuser. These cases highlight the importance of being aware of methadone-induced Torsades de Pointes and the occasional atypical clinical presentations of this condition.

Mutations in the histamine N-methyltransferase gene, HNMT, are associated with nonsyndromic autosomal recessive intellectual disability.

Histamine (HA) acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain, which participates in the regulation of many biological processes including inflammation, gastric acid secretion and neuromodulation. The enzyme histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) inactivates HA by transferring a methyl group from S-adenosyl-l-methionine to HA, and is the only well-known pathway for termination of neurotransmission actions of HA in mammalian central nervous system. We performed autozygosity mapping followed by targeted exome sequencing and identified two homozygous HNMT alterations, p.

Underestimated and unreported prolonged QTc by automated ECG analysis in patients on methadone: can we rely on computer reading?

Background: Recognition of prolonged corrected QT (QTc) interval is of particular importance, especially when using medications known to prolong QTc interval. Methadone can prolong the QTc interval and has the potential to induce torsades de pointes.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the accuracy of computerized ECG analysis in correctly identifying and reporting QTc interval in patients on methadone.

Hyperthermia and severe rhabdomyolysis from synthetic cannabinoids.

Synthetic cannabinoids (SC) have exploded on to the scene. With this rise in SC use, the number of complications and potential adverse effects are also well documented in the literature and is on the rise. The most frequently cited side effects are behavioral in nature and range for severe agitation to psychosis and delirium.

Hazards with ordering troponin in patients with low pretest probability of acute coronary syndrome.

Background: In clinical practice, we progressively rely on biomarkers, without estimating the pretest probability. There is not enough support for the use of cardiac troponin (cTn) I in the management of noncardiac patients. We studied the rate at which this test was ordered, the prevalence of detection of a positive result in noncardiac patients, and the impact of this incidental finding on clinical management.

Transcriptome analysis of the cancer/testis genes, DAZ1, AURKC, and TEX101, in breast tumors and six breast cancer cell lines.

Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer with second mortality rate in women worldwide. Lack of validated biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer to warranty the diagnosis and effective treatments in early stages has directed to the new therapeutic approach. Cancer/testis antigens which have restricted normal expression in testis and aberrant expression in different cancers are promising targets for generating cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, or dendritic cell-based immunotherapy.

Isolated T Wave Inversion in Lead aVL: An ECG Survey and a Case Report.

Background. Computerized electrocardiogram (ECG) analysis has been of tremendous help for noncardiologists, but can we rely on it? The importance of ST depression and T wave inversions in lead aVL has not been emphasized and not well recognized across all specialties. Objective.

Comparable vitamin D3 metabolism in the endometrium of patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion and fertile controls.

Vitamin D exerts important roles during pregnancy, and its deficiency may be associated with several pregnancy complications, including pregnancy loss, yet no data are available for molecules involved in vitamin D metabolism in patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion. In this study, we investigated possible difference in endometrial expression of vitamin D3 receptor (VDR), 1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1), and 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion (n = 8) and healthy controls (n = 8). Gene expression of VDR, CYP27B1, and CYP24A1 was determined by real-time PCR, while VDR and CYP27B1 proteins were localized by immunohistochemistry and their abundance was validated by Western blot.

Investigating the Effect of rs3783605 Single-nucleotide Polymorphism on the Activity of VCAM-1 Promoter in Human Umbilical Vein Endohelial Cells.

The interaction between immune cells and endothelial lining of blood vessels is vital in many processes such as inflammatory and immune responses as well as cancer cell metastasis. The expression level of VCAM-1 is regulated by many factors including the promoter activity that is possibly affected by the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in the promoter. There are previous reports suggesting an important role for rs3783605 at -420 position in the pathogenesis of VCAM1-associated diseases.

Comparison of the in vitro Effect of Chemical and Herbal Mouthwashes on Candida albicans.

Background: During the recent decades research has focused to find scientific evidence for the effects of herbal medicines. Researchers are interested in herbal remedies for medication and aim to substitute herbal material instead of chemical formula with limited side effects for human being.

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to compare the in vitro effect of herbal and chemical mouthwashes against Candida albicans.

Stress analysis of mandibular implant-retained overdenture with independent attachment system: effect of restoration space and attachment height.

In this in vitro study, 2 implants were embedded in the interforaminal region of an acrylic model. Two kinds of retention mechanisms were used to construct complete overdentures: ball type and direct abutment (Locator). The ball-type retention mechanism models included 3 different collar heights (1, 2, and 3 mm) with 15 mm occlusal plane height, and 3 different occlusal plane heights (9, 12, and 15 mm) with 1 mm collar height.

Quantification of sperm specific mRNA transcripts (PRM1, PRM2, and TNP2) in teratozoospermia and normozoospermia: New correlations between mRNA content and morphology of sperm.

Sperm mRNAs could be used as a predictor of fertilization capacity since the transcriptional profile of a gamete is critical for the production of viable human sperm. The aim of this study was to determine if PRM1, PRM2, and TNP2 transcripts in spermatozoa from normozoospermic and teratozoospermic men correlate with sperm morphology and/or assisted-reproduction outcomes. Human ejaculates were collected from 138 men referred to an infertility clinic, and were separated in two groups, teratozoospermic (n =72) and normozoospermic (n =66), based on World Health Organization criteria (2010).

The effect of sortilin silencing on ovarian carcinoma cells.

Background: Our preliminary data on the protein expression of SORT1 in ovarian carcinoma tissues showed that sortilin was overexpressed in ovarian carcinoma patients and cell lines, while non-malignant ovaries expressed comparably lower amount of this protein. In spite of diverse ligands and also different putative functions of sortilin (NTR3), the function of overexpressed sortilin in ovarian carcinoma cells is an intriguing subject of inquiry. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the functional role of sortilin in survival of ovarian carcinoma cell line.

Investigation on estrogen receptor alpha gene polymorphisms in Iranian women with recurrent pregnancy loss.

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a multifactorial disorder. Environmental factors and genetics can affect pregnancy outcomes.

Objective: Conflicting data suggest an association between estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) gene polymorphisms and RPL.

The effect of homozygous deletion of the BBOX1 and Fibin genes on carnitine level and acyl carnitine profile.

Background: Carnitine is a key molecule in energy metabolism that helps transport activated fatty acids into the mitochondria. Its homeostasis is achieved through oral intake, renal reabsorption and de novo biosynthesis. Unlike dietary intake and renal reabsorption, the importance of de novo biosynthesis pathway in carnitine homeostasis remains unclear, due to lack of animal models and description of a single patient defective in this pathway.

In vitro Therapeutic Effects of Low Level Laser at mRNA Level on the Release of Skin Growth Factors from Fibroblasts in Diabetic Mice.

Background: Numerous in vitro reports suggest that Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) affects cellular processes by biostimulation, however most of them emphasize on using visible light lasers which have low penetration. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of infrared laser light (which is more useful in clinic because of its higher penetration) on secretion of Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), Platelet Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), as important growth factors in wound healing.

Methods: Fibroblasts were extracted from the skin of 7 diabetic and 7 nondiabetic mice and cultured.

Lead aVL on electrocardiogram: emerging as important lead in early diagnosis of myocardial infarction?

Although a diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) that mandates emergency reperfusion therapy requires ST-segment elevation greater than 1 mm in at least 2 contiguous leads, some of the early electrocardiogram (ECG) changes of AMI can be subtle. Any ST-segment depression or T-wave inversion in lead aVL may be implicated in left anterior descending artery lesion or early reciprocal changes of inferior wall myocardial infarction, particularly when the clinical context suggests ischemia. Early recognition of reciprocal changes and serial ECG help initiate early appropriate intervention.

Optimized condition for enhanced soluble-expression of recombinant mutant anabaena variabilis phenylalanine ammonia lyase.

Purpose: Recently discovered Anabaena variabilis phenylalanine ammonia lyase (AvPAL) proved to be a good candidate for enzyme replacement therapy of phenylketonuria. Outstanding stability properties of a mutant version of this enzyme, produced already in our laboratory, have led us to the idea of culture conditions optimization for soluble expression of this therapeutically valuable enzyme in E. coli.