In Vitro Assessment of the Anti-Proliferative and Anti-Viability Effects of Salivary Gland Extracts from Hyalomma ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on Human Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Background: The saliva and salivary glands of ticks possess a wide range of immuno-pharmacologically active molecules that effectively modulate the activity of enzymes, antibodies, and amines that have a role in different biological processes. Derived components from saliva and salivary glands of hard ticks Ixodidae have been characterized as potential natural sources for discovering promising anti-cancer drug candidates. Methods: The anti-cancer activity of salivary gland extracts (SGEs) from Hyalomma anatolicum, Hyalomma dromedarii, Hyalomma marginatum, and Hyalomma schulzei was assessed. MTT assays and flow cytometry were done on the HT-29 colorectal cancer cell line to evaluate the anti-viability and proliferative inhibition. Results: Based on the MTT assay results, the SGEs from Hy. dromedarii had the highest and lowest substantial anti-viability effects on the HT-29 cancer cell and human foreskin fibroblast (HFF) normal cell, respectively. The cytometric assessment revealed a significant increase in the apoptosis and necrosis ratio of the HT-29 cancer cells after treatment with Hy. dromedarii SGEs. Conclusion: The results demonstrated that Hy. dromedarii SGEs have significant anti-proliferative, anti-viability, and apoptotic potential. The result of this study suggests that Hy. dromedarii SGEs is an appropriate candidate for further investigations to identify and purify the mechanisms and molecules involved in the anti-cancer activity of the SGEs.

Gender comparison of exposed trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder in a community sample of adolescents.

This study surveys the prevalence of exposed traumatic events and posttraumatic stress disorder among the high school students. A total of 735 students were selected by stratified cluster sampling. The self-report trauma checklists and Mississippi Scale were used. The most common traumatic experiences were "witnessing or being in a bad car accident," "getting some really bad news unexpectedly," and witnessing violence. The last 2 experiences were more common among girls. The rate of the subjects who scored more than the cutoff point in the Mississippi Scale was 27.2%. There is an extremely high rate of exposed trauma rate, and approximately one third of them have posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms.

Subclavian artery-esophageal fistula after placement of a self-expanding metal stent in a patient with esophagogastric anastomosis stenosis.

BACKGROUND: There have been reports on stent-related vascular erosions about patients with benign or malignant stenosis of the esophagus who received endoscopic stent insertion for palliative intention for oral intake. CASE PRESENTATION: A 61-year-old woman with esophageal cancer located in the middle part of esophagus was treated with esophagectomy. Two years following the surgery, malignant stenosis recurred in the esophagogastric anastomosis. A non-covered self-expanding metal stent (10 cm length with a diameter of 18 mm at expanded state) was inserted. Three months later, a massive hematemesis with subsequent hemorrhagic shock developed from the proximal end of the stent which resulted in the final diagnosis of arterioesophageal fistula on the left subclavian artery. An endovascular repair using a stent graft for the left subclavian artery via the right common iliac artery was performed and the patient remained well until discharge. CONCLUSION: Increase in the treatment of esophageal strictures by stent insertion increases the risk of stent-related vascular fistula. These complications should be considered in any patients with massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Chemical Composition and Repellent Activity of Achillea vermiculata and Satureja hortensis against Anopheles stephensi.

BACKGROUND: One of the best ways to control the malaria disease and to be protected human against Anopheles mosquito biting is the use of repellents. Throughout repellents, herbal ones may be an appropriate and safe source for protection. METHODS: Chemical constituents of Achillea vermiculata and Satoreja hortensis were determined by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Efficacy and the protection time of these plants were assessed on Anopheles stephensi under the laboratory condition. RESULTS: The mean assessed protection time and efficacy for A. vermiculata was 2.16 and 3.16 hours respectively and the obtained ED50 and ED90 for this plant was 5.67 and 63 µl/cm(2) respectively. The figured for S. hortensis was 4.16 and 5 hours respectively. ED50 and ED90 for this plant were 5.63 and 45.75µl/cm(2) respectively. CONCLUSION: Results of investigation showed that S. hortensis plant has an acceptable protection time, therefore, this plant could be considered as a good herbal repellent against anopheles mosquitoes.

Experimental study of iron and multivitamin drops on enamel microhardness of primary tooth.

OBJECTIVES: Iron and multivitamin drops are being frequently prescribed in children less than 2 years of age. Due to their low pH levels, these drops may lead to the softening of enamel and accelerate the destructive process. The aim of the present study was to investigate the enamel microhardness of primary teeth after exposing them to iron and multivitamin drops. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty healthy anterior teeth were randomly divided into four groups of 10 samples each. Samples were exposed to two iron drops of Kharazmi (Iran) and Ironorm (UK) and two multivitamin drops of Shahdarou (Iran) and Eurovit (Germany) for 5 min. The surface microhardness was measured before and after exposure and data processing was done using statistical paired t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) test. The surface structure of the teeth was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM). RESULTS: In all groups, microhardness was decreased, but it was not significant in Eurovit multivitamin group (P = 0.088). The reduction rate in Kharazmi iron group was significant compared to that in other groups (P < 0.005). Hardness reduction percent for Kharazmi iron drop was 28/12 ± 47/43. In SEM analysis, irregular granular appearance was observed in the enamel exposed to Kharazmi iron drop. CONCLUSION: The results showed that all the studied drugs have the potential to cause erosion; this potential is the most in Kharazmi iron drop and the least in Eurovit multivitamin drops. Therefore, after using these kinds of drops, preventive measures should be used in children.

The stinging Apidae and Vespidae (Hymenoptera: Apocrita) in Iranian islands, Qeshm, Abu-Musa, Great Tunb and Lesser Tunb on the Persian Gulf.

OBJECTIVE: To study the stinging flying Hymenoptera (Apidae and Vespidae) fauna in four Iranian Islands, Qeshm, Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb and Abu-Musa on the Persian Gulf. METHODS: The flies were captured by used of Malaise trap, fly trap, bottle trap and insect net-hashing from March 2011 to July 2012. RESULTS: In this study, 11 species of stinging Hymenoptera were reported for the first time in Persian Gulf region. CONCLUSIONS: Some of this species such as Vespa orientalis and Polistes olivaceus are more common in the Persian Gulf islands and can cause clinical problem to islands resident and travelers.

The insecticidal effect of diatomaceous earth against adults and nymphs of Blattella germanica.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the insecticidal effect of diatomaceous earth (DE) against adults and nymphs of Blattella germanica. METHODS: This cross sectional study has been done on the laboratory strain of German cockroaches. Two stages, nymph and adult, were exposed to six dose rates of the DE, 2.5, 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 g/m(2), at 24, 48 and 72 h exposure period. Mortality (number of dead cockroaches) was assessed after 24 h. Other exposed specimens were transferred to the beakers contained food and water for counting the retard mortality rate after 1 week. RESULTS: Increasing in dose rates of DE increased mortality rate, so that the lowest and highest mortality rates were observed in 2.5 and 25 g/m(2), respectively. The results of the statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the lethality of 50% of DE plus water on the German cockroach nymphs. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the resistance of German cockroach against organochloride, organophosphorus, carbamate and pyrethriodes insecticides, it is suggested to use DE for insect's control.

Corrected QT interval and QT dispersion in cirrhotic patients before and after liver transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Liver cirrhosis is associated with different types of electrophysiological changes, including QT prolongation, which may adversely affect long-term prognosis of these patients. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of orthotopic liver transplantation (LT) on corrected QT (QTc) interval and QT dispersion (QTd) in cirrhotic patients of various etiologies. METHODS: We enrolled 249 patients with end-stage liver disease between 2004 and 2009 at Shiraz Transplant Research Center, Shiraz, Iran. The QTc interval and QTd were measured by 12 lead ECGs for baseline and at 3 months after LT. Mean QTc interval and mean QTd were calculated. A QTc interval above 440 ms was considered abnormal. RESULTS: Within 3 months following surgery, 6 patients died. There were 105 patients (43.2%) with prolonged QTc before transplantation; in 91 (86.6%) patients, the mean QTc normalized after transplantation (baseline: 490.9 ± 45.74 ms; post-transplantation: 385 ± 48.74 ms; P < 0.0001). Fourteen patients (13.3%) had evidence of some shortening of the QTc interval although the QTc remained above the upper limit of normal. Prolongation of the QTc interval in cirrhotic patients was independent of the etiology of cirrhosis. A normal QTc was seen in 138 patients (56.7%) before transplantation, of which 4 (2.9%) developed prolonged QTc after transplantation. The mean QTd decreased significantly after transplantation (baseline: 30 ± 20 ms; post-transplantation: 30 ± 10 ms; P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Many cirrhotic patients have prolonged QTc intervals before LT regardless of disease etiology. In the majority of patients this value returns to normal after LT, suggesting that liver cirrhosis has independent unfavorable, but reversible electrophysiological effects.