MicroRNAs as Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Therapeutic Targeting of Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer is the major cause of gynecologic cancer-related mortality. Regardless of outstanding advances, which have been made for improving the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of ovarian cancer, the majority of the patients will die of the disease. Late-stage diagnosis and the occurrence of recurrent cancer after treatment are the most important causes of the high mortality rate observed in ovarian cancer patients. Unraveling the molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer may help find new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ovarian cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression, mostly at the posttranscriptional stage, through binding to mRNA targets and inducing translational repression or degradation of target via the RNA-induced silencing complex. Over the last two decades, the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of various human cancers, including ovarian cancer, has been documented in multiple studies. Consequently, these small RNAs could be considered as reliable markers for prognosis and early diagnosis. Furthermore, given the function of miRNAs in various cellular pathways, including cell survival and differentiation, targeting miRNAs could be an interesting approach for the treatment of human cancers. Here, we review our current understanding of the most updated role of the important dysregulation of miRNAs and their roles in the progression and metastasis of ovarian cancer. Furthermore, we meticulously discuss the significance of miRNAs as prognostic and diagnostic markers. Lastly, we mention the opportunities and the efforts made for targeting ovarian cancer through inhibition and/or stimulation of the miRNAs.

Histopathological Survey on Sarcocystis Species Infection in Slaughtered Cattle of Zabol-Iran

Objective: Sarcocystosis is an important zoonotic protozoal disease with worldwide distribution and wide range of hosts. The aim of the present study was to determine the intensity of Sarcocystis spp. infection and to show histopathological features of their cystic lesions in slaughtered cattle of Zabol- Iran. Methods: From April to September 2018, 500 tissue samples from esophagus, heart, diaphragm, tongue and masticatory muscles were prepared from 100 slaughtered cattle. All samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin and routine tissue processing protocol was performed. Results: The microscopic results showed that 92.2% of specimens had thin-walled cysts of S. cruzi and 14% had thick-walled Sarcocystis (S. hirsuta and S. hominis) but macrocyst was only observed in one cattle. The positivity rate of thin walled cysts was 58.8% for heart, 13.9% for masticatory muscles, 10.2% for tongue, 9.3% for esophagus and 7.8% for diaphragm. The positivity rate of thick walled cysts was 32.8% for esophagus, 28.6% for tongue, 22.9% for heart, 15.7% for masticatory muscles and 0% for diaphragm, which could represent either S. hominis or S. hirsuta. The most infected tissue was heart and the least infected tissue was diaphragm. Thin walled cysts (S. cruzi) were mostly found in heart and were less found in diaphragm. However, thick-walled cysts (S. hirsuta and S. hominis) were mostly detected in esophagus. No thick-walled cysts were found in diaphragm muscle. Conclusion: A high positivity rate of sarcocystosis in slaughtered cattle in Zabol abattoir revealed heavily environmental contamination of Sistan region by this important parasitic disease.

Oxidative stress and hepatic injury induced in mice fed a Sarcocystis hirsuta cyst extract.

We studied the toxic effects of a Sarcocystis hirsuta cyst extract fed to mice. Degenerative changes were found in mice gavage-fed fresh, frozen, and heat-treated S. hirsuta cyst extract. There were increases in the levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase as well as hepatic and brain malondialdehyde (MDA) levels along with concomitant decreases in catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities of mice receiving fresh and frozen S. hirsuta extracts. Gavage feeding of heat-treated S. hirsuta cyst extract had no effects on liver enzymes or brain MDA content, but the liver MDA level did increase. Mice in the heat-treated cyst group showed reduced CAT and SOD activities as well as increased hepatic MDA levels compared to those in the control group. These results indicate that an extract of S. hirsuta cyst can induce oxidative stress and hepatic injury, even after heat treatment.

Comparative prevalence of hepato-pulmonary hydatidosis among native and imported cattle in north of Sistan and Baluchestan: Iran.

The objective of present study was comparison of hepato-pulmonary hydatidosis among imported and native cattle. The present study was performed during 2011-2012. 2,657 and 525 imported and native cattle were inspected in slaughter house of Zahedan and Zabol respectively. The present and number of hydatid cysts were evaluated. Also the fertility rate of cysts has been estimated. The prevalence of infection in imported and native cattle were 15.1 and 5.3 % respectively and the statistical correlation was significant (P value <0.001). Also the fertility rate of hydatid cysts in the imported and native cattle were 16 and 18.2 % respectively and the statistical correlation was not significant (P value >0.05). The results of present study shows significant differences in hydatidosis rate between native Iranian and imported cattle in Sistan and Baluchestan provinces of Iran. Slaughtering of imported livestock should be done in industrial centers to prevent potential increasing in canine echinococcosis and consequently human and farm animals hydatidosis.

Application of polyaniline for the reduction of toxic Cr(VI) in water.

Various oxidation states of polyaniline, as film and powder, were used for reduction of highly toxic Cr(VI) to less toxic Cr(III) ion. The effects of various parameters such as synthesis method, physical and oxidation state of polyaniline, film thickness, solution pH and initial Cr(VI) concentration on the kinetics and efficiency of reduction process were investigated. Results showed that a very broad concentration range of Cr(VI) solutions (10-10(5)ppb by emeraldine base and 10-10(6.5)ppb by leucoemeraldine) can be efficiently (>98%) reduced by polyaniline as film or powder. Cr(VI) solutions with concentrations higher than these ranges were caused to the overoxidation and degradation of polymer. Decreasing of solution pH, increased the kinetics and performance of reduction process, but lowered the Cr(VI) concentration ranges caused the overoxidation and degradation of the polymer. Higher reduction efficiencies were obtained for thicker electrochemically synthesized polyaniline films and for thinner chemically prepared polyaniline free standing films. The ability or capacity of various forms of polyaniline in Cr(VI) reduction was evaluated as the milligrams of Cr(VI) reduced by one gram of various forms of polyaniline.