Analysis of Interleukin-6 Gene Variants (rs1800795, rs1800796, rs1554606, rs1800797, rs2069840, rs12700386, and rs2069861) as Prognostic Markers in Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Network Analysis.

Interleukin-6 (IL-6) has obviously tumor-promoting and tumor-inhibitory effects and can induce an epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype in human breast cancer (BC) cells and implicate its potential to promote BC metastasis. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the association of IL-6 variants (rs1800795, rs1800796, rs1554606, rs1800797, rs2069840, rs12700386, and rs2069861) with the susceptibility to BC. The databases of PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library were searched until December 19, 2022, without any restrictions. The quality assessment of each study was performed based on the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale tool. The Review Manager 5.3 software presented the effect sizes including odds ratio (OR) along with a 95% confidence interval (CI). Both publication bias and sensitivity analyses were carried out by the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 2.0 software. A total of 2,508 records were identified among databases and at last, 27 articles were entered into the meta-analysis. Seven polymorphisms of IL-6 were entered into the analyses. Just rs1800797 polymorphism in the dominant model (OR = 1.51; 95% CI = 1.15-2.00; P = 0.003) and rs2069840 polymorphism in heterozygous (OR = 0.89; 95% CI = 0.81-0.97; P = 0.008) and dominant (OR = 0.91; 95% CI = 0.84-0.99; P = 0.02) models had a significant association with the BC risk. In conclusion, among 7 polymorphisms and despite a few included cases, the present meta-analysis recommended that the AA+GA genotype of rs1800797 polymorphism had a significantly elevated risk and the GC and the CC+GC genotypes of rs2069840 polymorphism had a protective role in the BC patients.

Prognostic factors for cancer-specific survival in 220 patients with breast cancer: A single center experience.

OBJECTIVES: Hospital-based breast cancer survival studies are scarce in western Iran. Furthermore, the relationship between breast cancer survival and clinical parameters has been extensively studied, but many of the findings come from developing countries. This paper aims to estimate the survival of hospital-based breast cancer patients and its predictor factors. METHOD: This retrospective analysis was conducted on 578 patients with primary breast cancer who underwent surgery between 2004 and 2020. Information was collected from medical reports by the Hospital information system in Imam Reza Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran. One-, 2-, 5-, and 10-year breast cancer-specific survival has been calculated using the Kaplan-Meier process. Crude and adjusted Hazard Ratios (HR) were calculated using the Cox proportional regression model. RESULT: One-, 2-, and 5-year overall breast cancer survival were 219 (99.54%), 196 (89.09%), 159 (72.27%), and 70 (31.81%), respectively. Univariate analysis of breast cancer patients with tumor-related variables revealed that factors such as age, menopause status, lymph node metastasis, number of lymph nodes, organ metastasis, and stage of disease were significantly associated with disease-specific survival (p < .05). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that metastasis (HR = 41.77, 95% CI: 15.3-114.15) and lymph node metastasis (HR = 5.26, 95% CI: 1.9-14.6) were significantly related to survival. CONCLUSION: The findings demonstrate that survival is relatively low and is consistent with late-stage disease diagnosis. It is believed that this is due to a poor level of awareness, lack of screening programs, and subsequent late access to treatment.

Changes in liver enzymes and association with prognosis in patients with COVID-19: a retrospective case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 has recently emerged as a serious threat to global health. This study examined the laboratory investigations of patients with COVID-19, with an emphasis on liver enzymes. METHODS: This retrospective, single-center study was performed on patients with COVID-19 who were admitted to Imam Reza Hospital, Iran from March 2020 to February 2021. Laboratory tests included a complete blood cell count, white blood cell (WBC) count, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), lymphocyte/monocyte ratio, and levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase. Patient survival was among the outcome measures investigated in association with laboratory findings. RESULTS: We enrolled 77 patients with COVID-19 and 63 healthy controls. In comparison with the control group, patients with COVID-19 showed COVID-19 increased ALT, WBC, neutrophils, NLR, and PLR, and decreased platelet counts and lymphocytes. CONCLUSION: Although elevated levels of AST, NLR, PLR, and LMR were found in patients with COVID-19, they were not linked to mortality. Given the presence of AST in other tissues, the influence of SARS-CoV-2 on the liver should be interpreted with caution.

The effect of maternal exposure to titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the pain response in offspring mice using formalin test.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of maternal exposure to TiO2 nanoparticles on the pain response in offspring mice. 30 female mice with a mean ± SD weight of 30 ± 5 g were randomly divided into three groups: the control group (group 1) received only the basal diet; the sham group (group 2) received saline plus as a carrier (100 µL/mice) subcutaneously on days 3, 7, 10, and 14 post-mating; and the test group (group 3) received 100 µL/mice TNPs subcutaneously on days 3, 7, 10, and 14 post-mating. Offspring were divided into 6 groups 21 days after birth and underwent formalin test. Blood samples were taken to evaluate possible oxidative changes in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Exposure to TNPs significantly (p < 0.05) decreased pain perception. Except for a significant difference between the sham group and the control group, MDA and TAC were not significantly different among the studied groups. Injection of TNPs to pregnant mice would affect the pain perception in their offspring. This may be attributable to the ability of these particles to pass through the placenta to produce free radicals.

Effect of titanium dioxide nanoparticles administered during pregnancy on depression-like behavior in forced swimming and tail suspension tests in offspring mice.

INTRODUCTION: Applications of engineered nanoparticles are rapidly increasing. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) are used in many products including those produced by pigment and cosmetic manufacturers. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of maternal exposure during pregnancy to TiO2 NPs on depressive-like behavior in the first and second generation offspring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty female albino mice were placed into four groups for 2 weeks. Fertile males were then added to each cage by a ratio of two males to five females. After detection of pregnancy, the mice were transferred to separate cages. The study groups were divided into four groups: the first group, served as control, did not receive any treatment; the second group received injections of normal saline; groups 3 and 4 received, respectively, 50 and 100 µl of TiO2 NP solution injections subcutaneously on days 3, 7, 10, and 14 after mating. Behavioral tests were conducted on postnatal days 21 and 40. FINDINGS: Subcutaneous injection of 50 and 100 µl of TiO2 NPs significantly (p < 0.05) increased the immobility time in the forced swimming test and tail suspension test (TST). No significant difference was observed in measured variables between groups receiving 50 and 100 µl of TiO2 NPs. No significant difference was also found between male and female offspring. Depression-like behavior increased in the second generation of mice in the forced swim test and TST. CONCLUSION: Prenatal exposure of mothers to TiO2 NPs would increase depression-like behavior in neonatal mice.

Comparative in vitro/theoretical studies on the anti-angiogenic activity of date pollen hydro-alcoholic extract: Highlighting the important roles of its hot polyphenols.

Introduction: Date palm pollen (DPP) is the male reproductive soft powder from date flowers widely used as the valuable dietary supplement to fortify the size of testis and ovarian to increase the power of sex. This part of date palm significantly exhibited anti-diabetic, anti-inflammation and protective effects against male and female infertility. Though the anticancer activity of date fruits was previously reported, the DPP anti-angiogenic effects were not reported, and as the first study, its inhibitory effects were examined in the current study. Methods: The DPP soft powder was collected to prepare its hydro-alcoholic extract to examine its anti-angiogenic activity in an in vitro model. At different concentrations, the cytotoxicity of the prepared extract was examined on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) using lactate dehydrogenase method. Cell proliferation was determined using the MTT assay and cytodex-3D model in collagen gel was used to assay its possible anti-angiogenic activity. The expression of VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Finally, molecular docking simulation was used to highlight the possible role of DPP polyphenols to interact with the associated receptors. Results: The prepared hydro-alcoholic extract exhibited significant anti-angiogenic activity in a dose-dependent manner and decreased the endothelial cell proliferation. The calculated IC50 value for the examined extract in angiogenesis model was 260 µg·mL, respectively. Also, the expression of VEGF, MMP-2 and MMP-9 genes were significantly decreased. Docking simulation results unveiled that the isolated DPP polyphenols have the affinity to interact with ctDNA, VEGF and its receptors. Conclusion: The DPP is the new source of non-toxic anti-cancer agents to use as a dietary supplement in the pre-treatment of cancer.