Retrospective preoperative assessment of the axillary lymph nodes in patients with breast cancer and literature review.

AIM: To evaluate the accuracy of axillary ultrasound, compared with published literature, identify women at low risk for lymph node (LN) involvement, and to determine which clinical, pathological, and imaging findings best predict LN involvement. MATERIAL AND METHODS: From June 2010 to April 2012, 288 women with breast lesions that were suspicious of malignancy (category 4) or malignant (category 5) underwent axillary ultrasound examination. A 3 mm LN cortical thickness was used as the threshold to prompt fine-needle aspiration biopsy (FNAB) of the LN. Data were gathered regarding size, site, and grade of the index breast lesion and cortical thickness of the LN. RESULTS: Using a cut-off point of <3 mm versus ≥3 mm, abnormal cortical thickness had a sensitivity and specificity of 56.3% and 86.7%, respectively. Breast cancer size was significantly associated with the odds of LN metastasis (p<0.001). There were 69 patients with breast cancers of ≤10 mm and 18% had positive axillary LNs. A much higher rate of malignancy was observed in breast cancers located in multiple sites and in a central location. CONCLUSION: The likelihood of axillary LN metastasis increases with cortical thickness ≥3 mm and this concurs with the literature. A low-risk group of women was identified with screen-detected, low-grade small cancers with LNs with a cortical thickness of <3 mm. Additional features other than cortical thickness >3 mm (such as shape [rounding], echogenicity [markedly hypo-echoic cortex], and morphology [hilar compressional displacement, loss of echogenic outer capsule and angular margins]) should be used to indicate FNAB in patients with a palpable lump, multiple or central cancers, and cancers >20 mm.

Improvement of Cd(2+) uptake ability of SmtA protein by Lys/Cys mutation; experimental and theoretical studies.

The improved Cd(2+) surface affinity characteristics of a mutated cyanobacterial metallothionein SmtA (K45C) were investigated via experimental and theoretical methods. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out using a model of Cd(2+) and other ions enclosed in a fully hydrated simulation box with the wild-type or mutated SmtA protein. The theoretical results suggested that mutated SmtA was more powerful in absorption of Cd(2+) than the wild-type protein. Then, the mutated smtA gene (from Synechococcus PCC 7942) was synthesized by simplified gene synthesis method and expressed on isopropyl-beta-d-thiogalactopyranoside induction. The protein expression was investigated by SDS-PAGE and verified by Western blotting. Finally, cadmium uptake ratio of mutant protein toward wild type was analyzed by atomic absorption. This study is the first example of cytoplasmic expression of a mutant protein. Experimental results also verified that the mutation intensifies uptake of Cd(2+) ions.

Design of a novel metal binding peptide by molecular dynamics simulation to sequester Cu and Zn ions.

Heavy metal toxicity has serious adverse effects on the environment. The metal sequestering characteristics of a novel metal binding peptide (Glu-Cys)11 Gly+linker+hexahistidine (EC11:His6) was investigated to determine if it can absorb Cu(2+) or Zn(2+) cations. Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out using a model of 6 Cu(2+) or Zn(2+) and other ions enclosed in a fully hydrated simulation box with the designed peptide. Totally, 240 nano second (ns) simulations were done in three phases. Results showed that the selected linker is able to separate two domains of this peptide and that the carboxyl oxygens of Glu residues of EC11 in the designed peptide can absorb these ions. Sequestration of Cu(2+) or Zn(2+) ions by the designed peptide does not change overall tertiary and secondary structures of peptide.

Carrier frequency of SMA by quantitative analysis of the SMN1 deletion in the Iranian population.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a common autosomal recessive neuromuscular disorder. Carrier frequency studies of SMA have been reported for various populations. Although no large-scale population-based studies of SMA have been performed in Iran, previous estimates have indicated that the incidence of autosomal recessive disorder partly because of the high prevalence of consanguineous marriage is much higher in the Iranian population than in other populations. METHODS: In this study, we used a reliable and highly sensitive quantitative real-time PCR assay with SYBR green I dye to detect the copy number of the SMN1 gene to determine the carrier frequency of SMA in 200 healthy unrelated, non-consanguineous couples from different part of Iran. RESULTS: To validate the method in our samples, we determined the relative quantification (RQ) of patients with homozygous deletion (0.00) and hemyzygous carriers (0.29-0.55). The RQ in 10 of 200 normal individuals were within the carrier range of 0.31-0.57, estimating a carrier frequency of 5% in the Iranian population. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show that the SMA carrier frequency in Iran is higher than in the European population and that further programs of population carrier detection and prenatal testing should be implemented.

MRI changes in multiple sclerosis following treatment with lofepramine and L-phenylalanine.

As part of a large, randomized placebo-controlled trial of inpatients with multiple sclerosis (MS), a subsample of 15 underwent cerebral MRI at baseline and 6-months (eight on lofepramine and l-phenylalanine; seven on placebo). Unlike the placebo group, the active group showed a significant reduction in lesion number visible on T1-weighted scans (p < 0.05). The lateral ventricular volume increased, on average, by 1020 mm3 in the untreated group and 600 mm3 in the treated group. In the treated patients the ventricular size change correlated with both change in Gulick MS-related symptoms scale scores (rs = 0.71, p = 0.07) and Gulick MS-related activities of daily living scale scores (rs = -0.83, p = 0.02). It is concluded that treatment with lofepramine and l-phenylalanine is associated with significant MRI changes.

Serological and biochemical characteristics of virulence plasmid of Yersinia enterocolitica isolates from chicken in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica harbour plasmid that is essential for virulence. We studied the characteristics of virulence plasmid using serological, biochemical and bioassay tests in Y. enterocolitica isolates of chicken using plasmid curing. Plasmid-cured isogenic derivatives (2029c and 2150c) were obtained from two isolates of Y. enterocolitica (RTCC 2029 and RTCC 2150). The results demonstrated that plasmid-bearing isolates (2029 and 2150) were human-serum-resistant when grown at 37 degrees C, but were sensitive when grown at 25 degrees C, whereas plasmid-cured isolates (2029c and 2150c) were sensitive when grown at both temperatures. Also autoagglutination, calcium-dependency tests and experimental infection in mice demonstrated that these phenotypes were associated with the virulence plasmid.

Serological and biochemical characteristics of virulence plasmid of Yersinia enterocolitica isolates from chicken in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Pathogenic Yersinia enterocolitica harbour plasmid that is essential for virulence. We studied the characteristics of virulence plasmid using serological, biochemical and bioassay tests in Y. enterocolitica isolates of chicken using plasmid curing. Plasmid-cured isogenic derivatives [2029c and 2150c] were obtained from two isolates of Y. enterocolitica [RTCC 2029 and RTCC 2150]. The results demonstrated that plasmid-bearing isolates [2029 and 2150] were human-serum-resistant when grown at 37 ّC, but were sensitive when grown at 25 ّC, whereas plasmid-cured isolates [2029c and 2150c] were sensitive when grown at both temperatures. Also autoagglutination, calcium-dependency tests and experimental infection in mice demonstrated that these phenotypes were associated with the virulence plasmid

Are young arab women eating a healthy diet? A qualitative dietary study among college hostel students.

BACKGROUND: Two recent studies conducted on young College Arab Women showed a trend towards over nutrition. It is well known that good eating habits adopted early in life not only improve health and control obesity in the youthful years but also promote healthy eating behaviours in later life. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the dietary habits of young college women and identify specific areas for nutrition education. METHODS: A self-administered questionnaire containing 20 items related to qualitative dietary history was distributed to all the college (King Faisal University, Dammam) women residing in the hostel during a one-week period in April 1998. RESULT: Out of a total of 56 women, 50.7% frequently missed out on breakfast and lunch. To satisfy their state of hunger, frequent snacking with deserts/carbohydrate-rich food items (21.4%) and consumption of regular cola drinks (32.1%) was common. Fast food rich in fat and calories from restaurants was popular among a majority (98.2%) of the students. On the other hand, there was a deficient intake of protective foods and nutrients for repair, maintenance and growth, such as fruits (73.2%), vegetables (85.6%), milk and milk products (66.1%) and protein-rich foods (82.1%). CONCLUSION: To decrease the risk of malnutrition among young college women, there is a need to target them for nutrition education and adoption of healthy eating practices within the context of a healthy life style.