In vitro Development of Controlled-Release Nanoniosomes for Improved Delivery and Anticancer Activity of Letrozole for Breast Cancer Treatment.

Introduction: Breast cancer is among the most prevalent mortal cancers in women worldwide. In the present study, an optimum formulation of letrozole, letrozole-loaded niosome, and empty niosome was developed, and the anticancer effect was assessed in in vitro MCF-7, MCF10A and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines. Materials and Methods: Various niosomal formulations of letrozole were fabricated through thin-film hydration method and characterized in terms of size, polydispersity index (PDI), morphology, entrapment efficiency (EE%), release kinetics, and stability. Optimized niosomal formulation of letrozole was achieved by response surface methodology (RSM). Antiproliferative activity and the mechanism were assessed by MTT assay, quantitative real-time PCR, and flow cytometry. Furthermore, cellular uptake of optimum formulation was evaluated by confocal electron microscopy. Results: The formulated letrozole had a spherical shape and showed a slow-release profile of the drug after 72 h. The size, PDI, and eEE% of nanoparticles showed higher stability at 4°C compared with 25°C. The drug release from niosomes was in accordance with Korsmeyer-Peppa's kinetic model. Confocal microscopy revealed the localization of drug-loaded niosomes in the cancer cells. MTT assay revealed that all samples exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells. The IC50 of mixed formulation of letrozole with letrozole-loaded niosome (L + L3) is the lowest value among all prepared formulations. L+L3 influenced the gene expression in the tested breast cancer cell lines by down-regulating the expression of Bcl 2 gene while up-regulating the expression of p53 and Bax genes. The flow cytometry results revealed that L + L3 enhanced the apoptosis rate in both MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines compared with the letrozole (L), letrozole-loaded niosome (L3), and control sample. Conclusion: Results indicated that niosomes could be a promising drug carrier for the delivery of letrozole to breast cancer cells.

A high dose of estrogen can improve renal ischemia-reperfusion-induced pulmonary injury in ovariectomized female rats.

Renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (RIRI) as a pathological process induces remote organ injury such as lung complications and it is regulated in a hormone-dependent manner. This study investigates the effect of estrogen on RIR-induced pulmonary injury in ovariectomized (OV) rats. A total of 60 female Wistar rats were divided into six groups: (i) intact sham, (ii) OV sham, (iii) OV sham + estradiol valerate (E), (iv) intact ischemia, (v) OV ischemia, and (vi) OV ischemia + E. Bilateral ischemia was performed for 45 min in all groups except sham. Before the ischemia, OV groups received an intramuscular (i.m.) injection of E. After reperfusion, blood samples were collected for serum analysis and kidney and lung tissue were separated for pathological experiment and malondialdehyde (MDA) and nitrite measurement. The left lung was weighed to measure pulmonary edema. Estrogen deficiency caused a greater increase in blood urea nitrogen and creatinine levels during IRI. Ischemia reduced nitrite of serum and lung tissue. The increased level of MDA during ischemia, returned to normal levels via estrogen injection. The severity of renal and lung damage in ischemic groups increased significantly, and estrogen improved this injury. Estrogen as an antioxidant agent can reduce oxidative stress and may improve renal function and ameliorating lung damage caused by RIR.

Submental intubation in maxillofacial trauma patients.

INTRODUCTION: To describe a modified technique for submental intubation in severely traumatized maxillofacial patients and to evaluate complications arising from the procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Submental intubation was performed in twelve patients with maxillofacial trauma ,from 2007-2012, which were operated under general anesthesia for treatment of facial fractures. RESULTS: The patients ranged in age from 14 to 39 years. No complications due to submental intubation, such as infection, hypertrophic scarring, lingual nerve injury, hematoma, bleeding, ranula formation, or orocutaneous fistula, were observed following submental intubation. CONCLUSION: Submental intubation is a very useful technique in the management of maxillofacial trauma patients, with a low complication rate.

in vitro Decellularization of Rabbit Lung Tissue.

OBJECTIVE: The bioscaffold can be used in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The scaffolds used in tissue engineering must have high porosity to facilitate accelerated angiogenesis for feeding cells and repelling cell waste outside the scaffold. In this experimental study, we attempted to produce lung three-dimensional scaffold and assay its effect on cell penetration and migration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an experimental study, rabbit lung tissue was decellularized and used as a scaffold for rabbit blastema cells. The scaffolds were studied on the 15(th) day after culturing. RESULTS: Microscopic features revealed high porosity in the lung tissue scaffold. Electron microscopic imaging also showed collagen and elastin were intact, which are important properties in scaffolds designed for tissue engineering. Migration and permeation of blastema cells into the lung tissue scaffold was also observed. CONCLUSION: Rabbit lung tissue scaffolds have high porosity. Blastema cells successfully migrated toward and permeated the scaffold inside.

In vitro Assay of Human Gingival Scaffold in Differentiation of Rat's Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Keratinocystes.

OBJECTIVES: Tissue engineering is an attractive science because it promises new therapeutic strategies for repairing organs that have lost functions due to damage. The purpose of this study was to evaluate induction effect of human gingival scaffold in tissue engineering for skin regeneration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tissue samples were obtained from crown-lengthening procedures and wisdom teeth removal. The samples were decellularized and used as a scaffold for loading of rat BM-MSCs. The human gingival scaffolds loaded by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were derived from Wistar rat. Finally, it was evaluated via electron micrographs, as well as immunohistochemical techniques at day 7, 14, and 28 after initial seeding. RESULTS: The histologic sections of human gingival scaffold -loaded rat BM-MSCs demonstrated formation of epithelial like layers at days 7, 14 and 28 after initial seeding. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) of the scaffolds indicated formed desmosomal adhesions, which revealed a degree of differentiation toward keratinocytes. The results of immunohistochemical staining were strongly positive for multi cytokeratin (CK) 14 days after initial seeding in epithelial differentiation. Rat BM-MSCs which loaded on human gingival scaffold is capable of differentiating toward keratinocytes. CONCLUSION: Gingival tissues were presented as a natural scaffold for attachment and differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells towards keratinocytes, and might be used as suitable scaffold for reconstruction of the skin.

A schwannoma of the soft palate in a child: histological and immunohistochemical features and surgical method.

INTRODUCTION: Schwannoma, or neurilemmoma, is a benign neoplasm of Schwann cells that is extremely rare in the soft palate. Herein we present a case of a soft palate schwannoma presenting with an ulcerated surface and purplish colour in a 12 year-old girl. This report also introduces a successful surgical technique for coverage of the defect left by surgery.

A bilateral pediculated palatal periosteal connective tissue flap for coverage of large bone grafts in the anterior maxillary region.

INTRODUCTION: Coverage of bone grafts is very important in reconstructive surgery. In edentulous alveolar ridges this coverage is particularly important for supporting dental prostheses. Here we present the case of a patient with a large deficient maxillary anterior region that was reconstructed with a bilateral palatal submucosal periosteal connective tissue flap: a soft tissue reserve for upper jaw reconstructive surgeries. The bilateral pediculated palatal periosteal connective tissue flap was used for coverage of a large bone graft in the anterior maxillary region. CONCLUSION: Palatal submucosa can be used as a soft tissue reserve in upper jaw reconstructions.

Vermilion lower lip cross flap - An anatomic study on 22 fresh cadavers.

CONTEXT: Vermilion lower lip cross flap is indicated for reconstruction of upper lip in residual deformities following trauma or cleft lip. Flap survival depends on incorporation of inferior labial artery in pedicle. AIMS: This article reports measurement of vertical distance between inferior labial artery and vermilion surface under light microscope in midline sagittal cross-sectional specimens harvested from 22 fresh male cadavers, to design cross lip vermilion flap more accurately and reduce morbidity of donor site. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This study is designed to measure vertical distance between uppermost parts of inferior labial artery to vermilion surface in 22 fresh male cadavers. Tissue specimens were taken from lower lip midline in sagittal plane. Histological sections stained with Hematoxylin-eosin were reviewed by Pathologist. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Measurements were done by staged micrometer which was calibrated in 10 µm subdivisions under light microscope. Vertical distance was measured in millimeter and artery location was defined as submucosal, in superficial muscle and deep muscular layer. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Descriptive study. RESULTS: Analysis of data shows that mean distance was 2.42 ± 1.67 mm. In 77.27% of cases, the artery was in submucosal layer and in 13.64% of cases this artery was located in superficial muscular layer. CONCLUSIONS: As a result 4-mm depth incision of lower lip vermilion that incorporate superficial layer of orbicularis oris muscle will ensure blood supply of lower lip vermilion cross flap.