Oncolytic viruses improve cancer immunotherapy by reprogramming solid tumor microenvironment.

Immunotherapies using immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy have achieved successful results against several types of human tumors, particularly hematological malignancies. However, their clinical results for the treatment of solid tumors remain poor and unsatisfactory. The immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) plays an important role by interfering with intratumoral T-cell infiltration, promoting effector T-cell exhaustion, upregulating inhibitory molecules, inducing hypoxia, and so on. Oncolytic viruses are an encouraging biocarrier that could be used in both natural and genetically engineered platforms to induce oncolysis in a targeted manner. Oncolytic virotherapy (OV) contributes to the reprogramming of the TME, thus synergizing the functional effects of current ICIs and CAR T-cell therapy to overcome resistant barriers in solid tumors. Here, we summarize the TME-related inhibitory factors affecting the therapeutic outcomes of ICIs and CAR T cells and discuss the potential of OV-based approaches to alleviate these barriers and improve future therapies for advanced solid tumors.

Association of mean platelet volume with echocardiographic findings in patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Introduction: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) is a relatively common cause of mortality among patients in the developing countries, and pure mitral valve failure is the most common form of RHD. An increase in the mean platelet volume (MPV) is considered as an independent risk factor for many cardiovascular diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the association of MPV with echocardiographic findings in patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis. Methods: In a descriptive, analytical study, 100 patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis referred to Shahid Madani hospital of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences and 100 age & sex-matched healthy individuals were included the study. MPV and echocardiographic findings including Wilkins score, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and left atrial spontaneous echo contrast (LASEC) were evaluated in both groups. Results: MPV in the case group was 10.45±0.98 and in the control group was 9.88±0.83. MPV in the patient's groups was significantly higher than the control group (P = 0.001). Also, MPV in patients with positive LASEC findings was 10.69 ± 1.01 and in patients with negative LASEC findings was 10.25 ± 0.91. The difference was found to be statistically significant (P = 0.028). Conclusion: Patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis has a higher MPV compared to the healthy individuals, and it is associated with LASEC sign seen in echocardiography.

Adherence to treatment in patients with Behçet's disease.

AIM: Behçet's disease (BD) is a chronic, inflammatory disease with multisystem involvement. Adherence to treatment is low in chronic diseases as well as inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. This study assessed factors associated with non-adherence to treatment in patients with BD. METHODS: All the patients with BD who visited in the outpatient clinic of Connective Tissue Diseases Research Center in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences were included in the study. Adherence to treatment was evaluated by the consideration of medication compliance and appointment-keeping behavior. The relationships between adherence rate and six groups of variables were examined. A regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: A total of 137 patients (84 male and 53 female) were included. Totally, 50.7% of the patients were non-adherent to treatment. Side effects of medications and the high cost of treatment were the most frequent causes of non-adherence. Non-adherence was significantly more common in men, patients with low income, patients who were unaware of the disease complications, employed persons, and in patients who were on treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). CONCLUSIONS: Non-adherence is common in patients with BD. Male sex, low income, low knowledge about the disease, being employed and being on treatment with NSAIDs are the main risk factors for non-adherence.

Persistent hypocalcemia and hungry bone syndrome after parathyroidectomy and renal transplantation in a patient with end-stage renal disease.

Hungry bone syndrome (HBS) defines as persistent and severe hypocalcemia after parathyroidectomy surgery. It is treated by oral or venous discrimination of calcium carbonate. The present treatment is mostly effective. Hereby, we describe a 60-year-old man who had developed hyperparathyroidism secondary to end-stage renal disease and then parathyroidectomy was performed for him twice before renal transplantation. Up to 500 vials of calcium gluconate (100 mg/ml calcium gluconate 10%) were administered for him to control serum calcium level after parathyroidectomy and renal transplantation. Furthermore, high-dose calcium carbonate was administered for his outpatient care. Therefore, HBS, which was resistant to standard treatment, was detected for him.

Comparison of IIF, ELISA and IgG avidity tests for the detection of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies in single serum sample from pregnant women.

A valid estimate of test efficiency is needed to choose adequate screening and detecting strategies in diagnosis of acute toxoplasmosis. Therefore, in the present study we evaluated the efficiency of diagnostic laboratory methods to detect anti-toxoplasma antibodies in single serum samples of pregnant women by indirect immunofluorescence test (IIF), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and IgG avidity tests in north-western Iran. In an analytical-descriptive study, during March 2010 to April 2013, 391 pregnant women aged 21 to 35 years who were referred by gynaecologists or infectious disease specialists for anti-toxoplasma antibody evaluation were studied. A peripheral blood sample was collected from individuals and serum was prepared immediately for anti-toxoplasma antibody evaluation by IIF, ELISA and IgG avidity tests. ELISA and IgG avidity tests were used as gold standard. Evaluation of anti-toxoplasma antibodies by IIF revealed that 280 cases (71.61%) were seropositive and 111 (28.38%) seronegative, while evaluation by ELISA revealed that 267 cases (68.28%) were seropositive and 124 (31.70%) seronegative; 65 (16.62%) were IgM positive by both IIF and ELISA tests. There were 45 (69.23%) and 7 (10.76%) IgM positive suspected cases respectively in IIF and ELISA confirmed by the IgG avidity test for recent toxoplasmosis. This study highlights how to manage and evaluate pregnant women who are suspected to be infected with toxoplasmosis by using diagnostic tests, especially in a single serum sample indication.

Study of pentoxifylline effects on motility and viability of spermatozoa from infertile asthenozoospermic males.

BACKGROUND: The quality of semen is one of the major parameters in male infertility. Pentoxifylline, a methylxanthine derivative, is an agent primarily used in the treatment of intermittent claudication and other vascular disorders. Studies have shown that pentoxifylline enhances the quality and quantity of sperms. In this study, we have investigated the in vitro effects of pentoxifylline on viability and motility of spermatozoa in samples of infertile oligoasthenozoospermic males. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this observer-blinded clinical trial, semen samples of 25 infertile oligoasthenozoospermic males were collected in Alzahra Educational Medical Center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences from August 2010 to August 2012. After the isolation of spermatozoa by the swim-up method, they were randomized into four groups in ISM1 environment: The controls treated normally: Group 1 treated by pentoxifylline at a dose of 50 µg/ml, Group 2 treated by pentoxifylline at a dose of 100 µg/ml, and Group 3 treated by pentoxifylline at a dose of 200 µg/ml. Sperm viability and motility were compared among the groups on 45 min, 24 h, 36 h, and 48 h intervals. RESULTS: Mean percentages of live sperms were 98.40%, 51.40%, 20.60%, and 6.00% in control group and 98.40%, 69.20%, 38.60%, and 14.60% in Group 3 on the mentioned intervals, respectively. This mean percentage decrease of live sperms was significantly lower in Group 3 comparing with that of other groups (P = 0.01). Mean percentages of motile sperms were 54%, 8.40%, 2.80%, and 0% in control group; and 54%, 16%, 4.80%, and 1.40% in Group 3 on the mentioned intervals, respectively. There was not a significant difference between the four groups in this regard (P = 0.19). CONCLUSION: Pentoxifylline can enhance the viability of sperm of infertile oligoasthenozoospermic males with no significant effect on its motility.

Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level and relation with size of hippocampus in patients with mild cognitive disorders.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive disorders and dementia are common problems, and Alzheimer's disease is one of the major leading causes of death worldwide. Thyroid hormone disorders as a common problem effect on hippocampus size which as a prognostic factor in dementia. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) level and the size of hippocampus in patients with mild cognitive disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a descriptive-analytical study, 41 patients with symptoms of mild cognitive disorders whom referred to take the brain magnetic resonance image (MRI) in a radiology center under the direction of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences (Tabriz, Iran) were evaluated. The right and left hippocampal and brain volume was calculated by MRI at coronal T1-weighted. Serum TSH level was also measured in these patients. Correlation between serum TSH level and hippocampal volume size was evaluated. RESULTS: Male to female ratio was 1.05:1 with mean age of 54.09 ± 3.11 years. Mean serum TSH level of patients was 1.55 ± 1.45 uU/ml. The right and left hippocampal volumes were 1.61 ± 0.42 and 1.62 ± 0.39 ml, respectively. There were slight negative correlations between the right and left hippocampal volumes with TSH level (r = -0.133 and r = -0.092, respectively). Correlations between the right and left hippocampal volumes with TSH level were not statistically significant (P = 0.406, P = 0.566, respectively). CONCLUSION: Based on findings of the present study, there was a weak negative correlation between serum level of TSH with the right and left hippocampal and brain volume ratio, but the correlation was not statistically significant. It seems that controlling of clinical or subclinical hypothyroidism may have a role in slowing of dementia progression and also have a preventive role.

The relationship between histologic grades of invasive carcinoma of breast ducts and mast cell infiltration.

INTRODUCTION: Breast carcinoma is the most prevalent tumors among women. Transformation of inflated cells in immune response leads to increase in inflammatory cells such as macrophages, mast cells (MC) and fibroblasts. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between grades of invasive carcinoma of the breast ducts and MC infiltration around tumoral cells. METHODS: During the present study, 75 female patients suffering from invasive ductal carcinoma who underwent surgery or diagnostic biopsy during 2010 and 2013 in Educational-Medical centers of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, were included in the study. Based on Bloom-Richardson grading system, 25 cases were selected from each grade. To better observe of MCs, samples were stained by Toluidine blue and MCs were counted in 10 40 × 10 fields. RESULTS: The mean age was 47.56 ± 10.84 and the number of MCs was between 6 and 96 and their overall average was 43.01. Average count of MCs in grade 1, 2 and 3 were 15.92 ± 10.07, 45.32 ± 10.47, and 67.8 ± 20.70, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the number of MCs and increase in disease grade (P < 0.001). With increasing grade of malignancy, the number of MCs had grown. No significant relationship was observed between age and grade of disease or age and number of MC. CONCLUSION: According to obtained results, number of MC around tumoral cells increased significantly with an increase in the grade of disease. In order to treat in the first stages of the disease, recognizing primary changes in the stroma of cells could be helpful.

Comparative Study of Dermatoscopic and Histopathologic Results in Facial Basal Cell Carcinoma and Melanocytic Nevi.

BACKGROUND: Dermatoscopy can be applied to diagnose pigmented skin lesions. The aim of the present study was to compare dermatoscopic and histopathologic results in basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and melanocytic nevus of theface. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an analytical-descriptive study, 61 patients suspected of BCC or melanocytic nevi of face were randomly selected. The skin lesions of patients were evaluated with dermatoscopic method from February 2012 to February 2014 and results were compared with pathological features of samples. RESULTS: In this study, mean age of patients was 49.5±18.9. Some 25 (41%) were men and 36 (59%) were women. In 27 cases (44.3%) there was diagnosis of melanocytic nevus, in 28 cases (45.9%) diagnosis of BCC, and in 3 cases (4.9%) there was mixed diagnosis. The relationship between patients' gender and dermatoscopic diagnosis of the patients was statistically significant (P=0.001). For BCC the sensitivity and specificity of dermatoscopic method were 100% and 97% respectively and for melanocytic nevi 96.4% and 97%. CONCLUSIONS: Dermatoscopic study not only can be helpful in improving clinical diagnosis while guiding missed malignant lesions to pathologic evaluations, but also could be useful in evaluating further suspicious or recurrent cases.

Comparative study of intralesional steroid injection and cryotherapy in alopecia areata.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common, non-scarring type of hair loss, affecting approximately 2.1% of the population, many modality of treatment recommended like steroid injection, topical Immunotherapy and several systemic therapies. The aim of this study was to compare intralesional steroid injection and cryotherapyoutcomes in AA. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an analytical-descriptive study, 120 AA patients treated with intralesionalsteroid injection and 120 AA patients treated with cryotherapy were randomly selected. These two groups matched for location, duration and size of lesion and also matched for age and gender. From March 2011 to September 2013, the effect and complications of the therapies after 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks were assessed and results were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Mean age of patients in steroid injection group was 30.2 ± 6.8 and in cryotherapy group was 31.8 ± 7.1. Sexual distribution in both groups was 56.7% and 43.3 % for male and female, respectively. Location of disease in 80% was in scalp and 20% was in face in both groups. The time of beginning response in steroid group was 4.13 ± 2.13 weeks and in cryotherapy group was 6.14 ± 0.29 weeks, difference between two groups was significant (P = 0.001). In term of clinical response at the end of study, in steroid group,20 patients (16.7%) no response, 32 patients (26.7%), moderate response and68 patients (56.7%) had a complete response, and also in cryotherapy group was, 52 patients (43.3%) no response, 40 patients (33.3%) moderate response and 28 patients (23.3%) had a complete response. There was significant different in complete response rate and steroid injection was more effective than cryotherapy(P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: As the cryotherapy isa considerable treatment of AA, alsothis study proposes intralesional injection of corticosteroid, as a replacement of AA therapy; particularly the short-term complications are not significantly different.