Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Induces Hepatocyte Cell Death, Active Autophagosome Formation and Caspase 3 Up-Regulation in Postmortem Cases: Stereological and Molecular Study.

This research investigated the histopathological changes in the tissue of the lung, heart and liver, hepatocyte cell death, autophagy, and the apoptosis inductions in the postmortem cases. Since December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a significant global health concern. In order to clarify the changes in tissues of the lung, heart and liver by COVID-19, samples were taken from five patients who died of COVID-19 and five control cases, and the pathological changes in the lung, liver, and heart tissue were studied by X-ray, computed tomography, histological studies, and stereological analysis. The formation of hyaline membranes, alveolar wall edema, and fibrin exudate was seen on histological analysis of the lungs in the COVID-19 group. Stereological analysis illustrated the number of hepatocytes, volume of the sinusoid, and volume of the liver have been decreased, however the pathological changes in the heart tissue were not observed. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and angiotensin-converting enzyme significantly increased. Real-time PCR results showed that the Bcl2, Caspase3, ATG5, and LC3 decreased while the Bax increased. COVID-19 causes fibrotic changes in the lung tissue and hepatocyte mortality in the liver tissue. Besides, it elevates the level of apoptosis and autophagy markers.

TERT Promoter Mutation in Benign and Malignant Salivary Gland Tumors; A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background & Objective: Telomere-related tumorigenesis mechanisms in the salivary gland, including mutation in the promoter region of TERT, have been rarely investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the mutation in the promoter region of TERT in benign and malignant salivary gland tumors. Methods: This was a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study. Tissue samples of 54 patients with primary salivary gland tumors sent to the pathology department of Rasool-e-Akram Hospital from September 2017 to September 2021 were examined. Fifteen samples including two groups of the most common benign tumors (n=5; 3 pleomorphic adenomas and 2 Warthin tumors) and four groups of the most common malignant tumors (n=10; 3 mucoepidermoid carcinomas, 3 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 2 acinic cell carcinoma, and 2 salivary duct carcinoma) were selected. The promoter region of TERT, including well-known hot spot regions, is sequenced using the Sanger sequencing method. Data were analyzed using statistical software R version 4.1.2. Results: Of 15 salivary gland tumor specimens, consisting of 5 benign tumors and 10 malignant tumors after DNA sequencing, TERT promoter region mutation was only seen in one of the adenoid cystic carcinoma samples, located at -146 bp upstream from ATG (chr5: 1,295,250 C>T). Conclusion: TERT promoter mutation was not different in malignant and benign salivary tumors. Nonetheless, there are a few studies that report TERT promoter mutation in adenoid cystic carcinoma of the salivary gland, necessitating the need for further investigations.

Low-Level Laser and Bovine Amniotic Fluid-derived Cream Accelerating Skin Neck Wound Healing and Reducing Inflammation and Wound Scar in a Rat Animal Model.

Background: Nowadays, wound healing is one of the main problems of patients. Therefore, extensive research is underway to discover mechanisms associated with non-scarring of wounds. Using amniotic fluid and laser may potentially play a key role in wound healing and scar reduction due to its presence in tissue growth and repair agents. Aim: The present study evaluated the effect of bovine amniotic fluid (BAF)-derived cream and low-power laser (LPL) on accelerating skin wound healing and reducing scarring in an animal model. Materials and Methods: Therefore, 72 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups (each group: 24). A wound 6 mm in diameter was then inflicted on the rats' backs. In the first group that was the control group, the wound was only used. Moreover, BAF was implemented for the second group, and in the third group, LPL radiation was utilized. On the 1st, 3rd, 5th, 14th, and 21st days, the healing condition of the wound and scar created were examined. Results: Hence, evaluation of wound healing status on days 5 and 14 showed that the wound healing scale in the BAF group and LPL group was significantly better than that of the control group. On the 21st day, the average Scar Scoring Scale in the BAF and LPL groups was significantly lower than that of the control group. Histological images showed a significant repair in the LPL and BAF groups. Conclusion: To conclude, considering the positive effect of LPL and BAF on wound healing and less scarring, it seems that LPL and BAF can heal wounds faster. Moreover, they can be used to prevent scarring after wound healing.