Molecular Variability of the Fusarium solani Species Complex Associated with Fusarium Wilt of Melon in Iran.

Species of the Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) are responsible for the Fusarium wilt disease of melon (Cucumis melo), a major disease of this crop in Iran. According to a recent taxonomic revision of Fusarium based primarily on multilocus phylogenetic analysis, Neocosmospora, a genus distinct from Fusarium sensu stricto, has been proposed to accommodate the FSSC. This study characterized 25 representative FSSC isolates from melon collected in 2009-2011 during a field survey carried out in five provinces of Iran. Pathogenicity assays showed the isolates were pathogenic on different varieties of melon and other cucurbits, including cucumber, watermelon, zucchini, pumpkin, and bottle gourd. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of three genetic regions, including nrDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS), 28S nrDNA large subunit (LSU) and translation elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1), Neocosmospora falciformis (syn. F. falciforme), N. keratoplastica (syn. F. keratoplasticum), N. pisi (syn. F. vanettenii), and Neocosmospora sp. were identified among the Iranian FSSC isolates. The N. falciformis isolates were the most numerous. This is the first report of N. pisi causing wilt and root rot disease in melon. Iranian FSSC isolates from different regions in the country shared the same multilocus haplotypes suggesting a long-distance dispersal of FSSC, probably through seeds.

CD45RO+TILs: cellular biomarkers for larynx squamous cell carcinoma outcome

Abstract Objective: The prognostic importance of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor microenvironment of various cancers is increasingly recognized. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD45RO + TILs and their relation to histopathological features in larynx squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) samples from 63 primary larynx squamous cell carcinoma patients were immunostained for CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD45RO expression. Positive cells in micrographs from Invasive Margin (IM) and Tumor Center (CT) of tissue specimens counted by ImageJ software and their correlation with disease outcome were analyzed. Results: The expression level of TILs subpopulations was associated with clinicopathological markers as well as Overall Survival (OS) and Disease-Free Survival (DFS). In multivariate analysis, high frequency of CD45RO + cells in IM were confirmed as an independent prognostic marker for DFS (p = 0.007, HR = 4.968) and OS (p = 0.007, HR = 4.957). Similar findings were observed in the multivariate analysis of the combined frequency of CD45RO+cells in IM and CT. Conclusion: TILs are associated with patients clinicopathological features. Also, our findings indicate that CD45RO + TILs are a valuable marker for risk prediction in larynx SCC and could predict patients' outcomes.

CD45RO+TILs: cellular biomarkers for larynx squamous cell carcinoma outcome.

OBJECTIVE: The prognostic importance of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor microenvironment of various cancers is increasingly recognized. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD45RO + TILs and their relation to histopathological features in larynx squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) samples from 63 primary larynx squamous cell carcinoma patients were immunostained for CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD45RO expression. Positive cells in micrographs from Invasive Margin (IM) and Tumor Center (CT) of tissue specimens counted by ImageJ software and their correlation with disease outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: The expression level of TILs subpopulations was associated with clinicopathological markers as well as Overall Survival (OS) and Disease-Free Survival (DFS). In multivariate analysis, high frequency of CD45RO + cells in IM were confirmed as an independent prognostic marker for DFS (p = 0.007, HR = 4.968) and OS (p = 0.007, HR = 4.957). Similar findings were observed in the multivariate analysis of the combined frequency of CD45RO+cells in IM and CT. CONCLUSION: TILs are associated with patients clinicopathological features. Also, our findings indicate that CD45RO + TILs are a valuable marker for risk prediction in larynx SCC and could predict patients' outcomes.

JAK2, CALR, and MPL Mutation Profiles in BCR-ABL Negative Myeloproliferative Neoplasms, a Referral Center Experience in the Middle East.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: JAK2, CALR, and MPL genes play pivotal roles in the pathogenesis of BCR-ABL negative myeloproliferative neoplasms. This study was conducted to evaluate the frequency of JAK2, CALR, and MPL mutations in BCR-ABL negative myeloproliferative neoplasms and their association with demographic data and hematologic parameters in a referral center, in the Middle East. METHODS: Seventy-one patients with BCR-ABL negative myeloproliferative neoplasms were evaluated for JAK2 V617F, CALR type 1, CALR type 2, and MPL by allele-specific PCR and conventional PCR from 2018 to 2019. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients were categorized as polycythemia vera, JAK2 V617F was observed in 91.3% of these cases. Thirty-eight patients were classified as essential thrombocythemia of which 52.6% showed JAK2 V617F, 18.4% demonstrated CALR type 1, 7.9% denoted CALR type 2 and there was no mutation reported in 21.1%. Seven patients were recognized as primary myelofibrosis and exhibited JAK2 V617F mutation in 57.1%, CALR type 1 in 14.3 %, CALR type 2 in 14.3% and no mutation in 14.3%. Three patients were diagnosed as MPN, unclassifiable and 33.3% revealed JAK2 V617F mutation, and no mutation was found in 66.6%. The age (59.15±13.10) and neutrophil percent (70.78±10.14) were higher in patients with JAK2 V617 mutation compared to other mutations (P=0.000, and P=0.03). Platelet count was significantly higher in patients with CALR type 1 mutation (1240400± 402053) (P=0.000). CONCLUSION: JAK2 V617F was associated with patients' higher age and higher neutrophil count in CBC. CALR mutation had an association with higher platelet count. No MPL mutation was found in this study and it seems that its frequency is lower than what is expected in this region.

Are Stem Cells Derived from Synovium and Fat Pad Able to Treat Induced Knee Osteoarthritis in Rats?

BACKGROUND: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease and a significant cause of joint pain, tenderness, and limitation of motion. At present, no specific treatment is available, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown promising potentials in this regard. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the repairing potentials of stem cells derived from the synovium and fat pad in the treatment of OA. METHODS: Twenty-eight male rats (220 ± 20 g, aged 10-12 weeks), were randomly divided into four groups (n = 7): C1: nontreated group, C2: Hyalgan-treated group, E1: adipose tissue-derived stem cell-treated group, and E2: synovial membrane-based stem cell-treated group. Collagenase type II was injected into the left knee; after eight weeks, OA was developed. Then, stem cells were injected, and rats were followed for three months. Afterward, specimens and radiological images were investigated. p value ≤ 0.05 was set as statistically significant. RESULTS: Compared to the C1 group, the E1 and E2 groups showed significantly better results in all six pathological criteria as well as joint space width and osteophytes of medial tibial, medial femoral, and medial fabellar condyles (p ≤ 0.001). Similarly, compared to the C2 group, the E1 and E2 groups had better scores regarding surface, matrix, cell distribution, and cell population viability (p < 0.05). E2 showed considerably higher scores compared to C2 regarding subchondral bone and cartilage mineralization (p < 0.05). The joint space width was similar between the C2 and E groups. CONCLUSION: Treatment of OA with MSCs, particularly synovial membrane-derived stem cells, not only prevented but also healed OA of the knee to some extent in comparison to the Hyalgan and nontreatment groups.

Discrepancies Between Biopsy Gleason Score and Radical Prostatectomy Specimen Gleason Score: An Iranian Experience.

PURPOSE: Considering the importance of treatment decisions for prostate cancer (PCa) and the utility of Gleason scoring system (GS) in this field, we aimed to assess the percent of agreement and disagreement between needle biopsy (NB) Gleason score and radical prostatectomy (RP) specimen Gleason score. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this retrospective study, consecutive patients with PCa, who underwent NB and subsequently RP were enrolled. GS of both NB and RP specimens were recorded for each patient. Patients were classified according to the GS as low-grade (? 3+3), intermediate-grade (3+4 and 4+3), and high-grade (GS?8-10). The levels of agreement and discrepancy of NB GS was compared to its corresponding RP GS using Kappa coefficient of agreement. Over-grading and under-grading of NB GS were also determined. RESULT: A total of 100 embedded RP and corresponding NB were analyzed. The rate of discrepancy for group and individual scoring of GS was 41% and 56%, respectively. The rate of under and over-grading was 34% and 7%, respectively. Kappa value for group and individual scoring was .443 (95%CI: .313 - .573) and .411 (95%CI: .291 - .531), respectively. CONCLUSION: The findings of our study indicate that though the agreement between NB GS and RP GS are fair to moderate, but the feature of discrepancy, i.e. under-grading in low and intermediate grades and over-grading in high grades of NB GS, could help us in making more appropriate clinical decision especially considering other biochemical and pathological factors such as the level of PSA or peri-neural invasion.