Association of p53 (-16ins-pro) haplotype with the decreased risk of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in Iranian-Azeri patients.

Association of P53 polymorphisms with the increased risk of various cancers has been investigated in numerous studies. However, the results were conflicting and no polymorphism has been determined as a definite risk factor. It is likely that the study of P53 combined genotypes and haplotypes may be more useful than individual polymorphisms. Thus, in this study, we analyzed the associations of intron 3 Ins16bp and exon 4 Arg72Pro polymorphisms, as well as their combined genotypes and haplotypes with the risk of differentiated thyroid carcinoma in Iranian-Azeri patients. This case-control study was performed on 84 Iranian Azeri patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma and 150 healthy subjects. Intron 3 genotype was determined using PCR products analysis on polyacrylamide gels and AS-PCR was used for genotyping Arg72Pro polymorphism. The javastat online statistics package software and SHEsis program were applied for data analysis. There was no significant difference in genotype frequencies of both two polymorphisms between cases and controls. However, the (-16 ins/-16 ins) (Arg/Pro) genotype combination had a noticeable but not significant association with decreased risk of thyroid cancer development (OR = 0.497 95%CI: 0.209-1.168 P = 0.080) and also the frequency of (-16 ins-Pro) haplotype was significantly higher in controls rather than patients (OR = 0.543 95%CI: 0.326-0.903 P = 0.018). In our study, there was association between (-16 ins-Pro) haplotype with decreased risk of differentiated thyroid carcinoma development in Iranian-Azeri patients.

Intrathoracic splenosis: a rare false-positive cause of somatostatin imaging in characterization of solitary pulmonary nodule.

Scanning using a somatostatin receptor analog such as Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC has sensitivity and specificity similar to those of FDG-PET, which has high accuracy in the characterization of a solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN). We describe a 63-year-old man with well-defined SPN in the left lung on chest x-ray and CT scan. Whole-body scanning and chest SPECT were performed with Tc-EDDA/HYNIC-TOC for the characterization of SPN. Abnormal focal increased radiotracer uptake in the left hemithorax was detected. In addition, no spleen activity was observed in the anatomical location. Cytopathologic evaluation of SPN revealed splenosis.

A clinical epidemiologic study of thyroid carcinoma in patients under 25 years old in Tabriz, Iran (1995-2010).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the epidemiology and prognostic factors of thyroid cancer among children and adolescents in Tabriz, Iran. METHODS: The retrospective descriptive-analytical study, assessing the tumour and characteristics of 356 patients with thyroid carcinoma aged 5-25, was conducted at the Department of Surgery, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences from April 1995 to April 2010. All malignant neoplasms of the thyroid gland registered during the study period were studied, and their demographic and medical data was evaluated and, compared to identify the epidemiology and prognosis factors related to survival. SPSS 16 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: Of the total, there were 100 (28%) male and 256 (72%) female subjects, with their mean age being 12.6+/-8.4 years. In terms of the disease, there was no statistically significant difference between the two genders (p=0.65). The five-year survival rate was 345 (97%) in patients aged 5-25 years. Gender was not a statistically significant marker (p=0.82). CONCLUSION: The study indicated an increase in cases of thyroid cancer incidence. It also underlined the need for standardisation of diagnostic, classification and registration criteria which shall be a fundamental requirement for future studies of thyroid carcinoma in young people.

The effect of total extract of Securigera securidaca L. seeds on serum lipid profiles, antioxidant status, and vascular function in hypercholesterolemic rats.

AIM OF THE STUDY: Seeds of Securigera securidaca are used for the treatment of disorders such as hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and epilepsy in Iranian folk medicine. The possible hypolipidemic and antioxidative effects of hydroalcoholic extract of S. securidaca seeds as well as the effect of the extract on vascular reactivity were investigated in hypercholesterolemic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: High-fat fed wistar rats received orally different doses of the extract for 20 days. At the end of the experiment vein blood and liver were collected to measure the lipid profile, lipid peroxidation, and antioxidative enzyme activities. The thoracic aorta was excised and used for isolated vessel preparation and histological study. RESULTS: The extract produced significant reductions (p<0.05) in the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglyceride with concomitant reduction in lipid deposition in the liver. The extract also suppressed markedly (p<0.001) the hypercholesterolemia-induced elevation of malondialdehyde levels both in serum and liver. In hypercholesterolemic rats the endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was improved significantly (p<0.05) by 100mg/kg/day of the extract. However, in histological study no atherosclerotic lesion was observed. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that S. securidaca seed in addition to decrease lipid levels and peroxidation, is able to improve vascular endothelium-dependent relaxation in hypercholesterolemia.