Resveratrol as an antitumor agent for glioblastoma multiforme: Targeting resistance and promoting apoptotic cell deaths.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive brain and spinal cord tumors. Despite the significant development in application of antitumor drugs, no significant increases have been observed in the survival rates of patients with GBM, as GBM cells acquire resistance to conventional anticancer therapeutic agents. Multiple studies have revealed that PI3K/Akt, MAPK, Nanog, STAT 3, and Wnt signaling pathways are involved in GBM progression and invasion. Besides, biological processes such as anti-apoptosis, autophagy, angiogenesis, and stemness promote GBM malignancy. Resveratrol (RESV) is a non-flavonoid polyphenol with high antitumor activity, the potential of which, regulating signaling pathways involved in cancer malignancy, have been demonstrated by many studies. Herein, we present the potential of RESV in both single and combination therapy- targeting various signaling pathways- which induce apoptotic cell death, re-sensitize cancer cells to radiotherapy, and induce chemo-sensitizing effects to eventually inhibit GBM progression.

Using Ozone Therapy as an Option for Treatment of COVID-19 Patients: A Scoping Review.

Recent investigations are seeking a novel treatment to control the new pandemic of coronavirus 19 (COVID-19). The aim of this systematic review was to study the effect of ozone therapy on COVID-19 patients and the available supporting evidence. Electronic databases including MEDLINE (via PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Library (CENTRAL), and TRIP, clinical trial registries, and preprint sources were searched for published evidence-based articles. In addition, manual searching was conducted for articles published up to April 6, 2020, using MeSH and free text keywords with no language limitation. Articles were screened, categorized, and extracted for relative data. Data were reported in a descriptive manner. Among 234 articles, 9 were selected for review of the inclusion criteria. No published original articles were found regarding the efficacy of ozone therapy on COVID-19. Five review studies were found in which the potential role of systemic ozone therapy was concluded to be effective in controlling COVID-19 because of its antiviral, oxygenation, anti-inflammatory, oxidation balancing, and immunomodulation effects. Three ongoing clinical trials were registered in China. A preliminary report of an ongoing study in Italy on 46 patients (11 intubated and 35 non-intubated) showed that in 39 (84%) of the patients, an improvement was seen. In spite of the promising background data, as well as the expert opinions and a preliminary report indicating the effectiveness of ozone, there is still not enough evidence to confirm this as a viable treatment option for COVID-19.

Merkel cell carcinoma on the right calf in association with chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A case report.

This study showed a rare case of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) with atypical manifestations accompanied by chronic lymphocytic leukemia of B-cell type that underwent chemotherapy and had poor prognosis. The findings suggest that the physicians should consider MCC when performing diagnosis and assess all possible associated risk factors like neoplasms to achieve good prognosis.

Comparison of Helicobacter pylori eradication regimens in patients with end stage renal disease.

AIM: The aim of this study was to compare the Helicobacter pylori (HP) eradication regimens in patients with end stage renal disease. BACKGROUND: In patients undergoing hemodialysis, the pathologic changes seen in the stomach may be the result of high serum levels of gastrin, delayed gastric emptying or HP infection. METHODS: Our study was a randomized clinical trial in which 120 patients with ESRD (Patients who undergo hemodialysis) confirmed HP infection, were divided to four groups having 2-week eradication regimens; Group I: LCA (lansoprazole 30 mg-BD,clarithromycin 250 mg-BD, amoxicillin 500 mg-BD), Group II: LCM (lansoprazole 30 mg-BD,clarithromycin 250 mg-BD, metronidazole 500 mg-BD), Group III: LCAM (lansoprazole 30 mg-BD,clarithromycin 250 mg-BD,amoxicillin 500 mg-BD, metronidazole 500 mg-BD) and Group IV: Sequential (lansoprazole 30 mg-BDfor two weeks; first week: amoxicillin 500 mg-BD and second week: clarithromycin 250 mg-BD, metronidazole 500 mg-BD).6 weeks after treatment, Urea Breath Test (UBT) was performed for all patients. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 43.1±11.2 years. 55.8% of patients were male. The success rates of HP eradication in 4 groups were76.7%, 70%, 90% and 90%, respectively. HP eradication rates were not statistically different among the regimens (p=0.11). There were not significant differences among the groups regarding demographic and anthropometric variables. CONCLUSION: The results showed there was no significant difference between the success rates of HP eradication regimens for ESRD patients. According to approved regimen for 90% eradication rate, with a lower number of medications and given the less risk of side effects and drug interactions, the sequential regimen is the best.

Outcome of surgical treatment for proximal long segment post intubation tracheal stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Post intubation long segment tracheal stenosis is a serious problem which usually requires multiple methods of treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of surgical treatment in long segment post intubation tracheal stenosis. METHODS: Between 2004 to 2008, 20 patients with proximal long segment tracheal stenosis and resection of over 40% of tracheal length, were analyzed in terms of age, sex, clinical symptoms, etiology of stenosis, length of stenosis and resection, role of suprahyoeid release with bilateral hyoeid bone cutting maneuver, post operative complications and life quality 3 year after surgery. RESULTS: M/F was 2/5, with the average age of 23.5 ± 0.5 years. Average length of stenosis was 4.2 ± 0.4 cm and the average length of resected segment was 5.2 ± 0.4 cm. Early postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients (20%), 5 patients (25%) had late stenosis and 4 of them were treated with multiple dilation and one patient needed tracheostomy and prolonged T. tube. We didn't have any mortality. 80% of patients had excellent surgical results in follow up period. CONCLUSION: Surgery is the best method of treatment in long and multi segment tracheal stenosis.

Anterior mediastinal tracheostomy for malignancy: analysis of 12 cases.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior mediastinal tracheostomy is indicated in extensive cervicothoracic malignancy with cervical mediastinal involvement of the trachea. This study was designed to assess the therapeutic outcome of anterior mediastinal tracheostomy. METHODS: From 2001 to 2010, 10 men and 2 women, with a median age of 64.5 years, underwent anterior mediastinal tracheostomy and were followed up for at least for 1 year. Seven patients had stomal recurrence following laryngectomy, 3 had carcinoma of the cervical esophagus, 1 had squamous cell carcinoma of the trachea invading the subglottic larynx, and 1 had adenoid cystic carcinoma of the trachea invading the subglottic larynx. They were evaluated in terms of etiology of the primary lesion, previous treatment, complications, hospital death, and Kaplan-Meier survival estimate. RESULTS: The tumor was completely resected in all cases. Postoperative complications included atelectasis (3 patients), stomal necrosis (1 patient), and anastomotic leak (1 patient). There were 2 (16.6%) postoperative hospital deaths. The mean duration of follow-up was 23 months, and the mean overall survival time was 25.59 months. Survival was calculated for 3 groups based on primary etiology: stomal recurrence of laryngeal carcinoma (12.85 months), cervical esophageal cancer (28 months), and primary malignancy of the trachea (29 months). CONCLUSION: Because of the small number of patients, a definitive conclusion was difficult, but acceptable morbidity, mortality, and relative survival in selected patients, in whom an extensive cervicothoracic operation was performed by an experienced and skilled team of surgeons, demonstrated that anterior mediastinal tracheostomy can be a helpful procedure for patient survival.