Clinicopathological relevance of stem cell marker growth and differentiation factor 3 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Iran, often diagnosed in advanced stages with a poor prognosis. Growth and differentiation factor 3 (GDF3) is a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) superfamily. It acts as an inhibitor of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) signaling pathway associated with pluripotent embryonic and cancer stem cells (CSCs) characteristics. Since its expression in ESCC has not yet been evaluated, the clinicopathological relevance of GDF3 expression was elucidated in ESCC patients. Expression of GDF3 in tumor tissues from 40 ESCC patients was compared to the related margin normal tissues by relatively comparative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Glyceraldehydes 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) was used as the endogenous control. Likewise, the function of GDF3 in the differentiation and development of embryonic stem cells (ESCs) was also reviewed. GDF3 was significantly overexpressed in 17.5% of tumors and a significant correlation between GDF3 expression and the depth of tumor invasion was observed (P = 0.032). The results suggest that GDF3 expression is likely to have substantial roles in the progression and invasiveness behavior of ESCC. Having considered the importance of CSC markers identification and their exploitation in targeted cancer therapy, GDF3 may be introduced as a promising therapeutic target to inhibit the invasion of tumor cells in ESCC.

Hesperetin ameliorates electroconvulsive therapy-induced memory impairment through regulation of hippocampal BDNF and oxidative stress in a rat model of depression.

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders and it is generally characterized by negative mood. Although electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment for depression, however, it can cause cognitive deficit. Hesperetin, an active ingredient in citrus peels, has antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. In this study, we evaluated the effect of hesperetin on memory impairment induced by ECT in a reserpine-induced depression model in male rat. For this purpose, 105 male rats weighing 230-250 g were randomly divided into control and reserpine-treated groups. The reserpine-treated animals were subdivided into: Reserpine, Hesperetin (10 and 20 mg/kg), ECT and ECT+Hesperetin (10 and 20 mg/kg). After taking the drugs, the effect of hesperetin was evaluated through behavioral NORT, Y Maze, FST, SPT and also via assessment of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and oxidative stress biomarkers i.e., MDA, SOD and GSH. As a result, our biochemical studies showed a significant decrease of MDA in groups treated with ECT+Hesperetin as compared to ECT and hesperetin groups (P < 0.001) and a marked increase in SOD, GSH and BDNF in ECT+Hesperetin 20 group as compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Also, the results of behavioral tests revealed that treatment with hesperetin can increase the novel object recognition index and alternation behaviors in Y maze test as compared to the groups treated with hesperetin or ECT (p < 0.05). These results suggest that co-administration of hesperetin with ECT is effective for improvement of cognitive function and can alleviate ECT-induced memory impairment in reserpine-treated rats.

Effect of Borago Officinalis Extract on Moderate Persistent Asthma: A Phase two Randomized, Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Borago officinalis and its derivatives are used in folk medicine to treat asthma because of its special effect on allergic disorders. It suppresses the tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and delivers gamma-linolenic acid. The objective of this clinical trial was to determine the effect of Borago officinalis on clinical and physiological findings in moderate persistent asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial was conducted on patients aged 15-90 years with moderate asthma and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) of 60-79% of predicted who presented to a sub-specialty clinic of pulmonary medicine. We randomly allocated subjects to receive either Borago extract (5 mL three times a day) or a matched placebo for one month. The primary outcome was the asthma control test (ACT) score and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) test. Secondary outcomes included clinical findings, spirometry, and sputum cytology including inflammatory cells. RESULTS: Thirty-eight subjects with a mean age of 46.8±15.3 years and mean duration of asthma of 71±103 months were enrolled in our study. Cough, dyspnea, wheezing, nocturnal symptoms, and airway hyper-responsiveness reduced significantly in the Borago group after the treatment and ACT scores improved significantly (10.8±5.26 before and 15.4±5.12 after the trial). Flare up of asthma and emergency department visits in the Borago group also decreased significantly (3.6±2.33 to 2±1.86 flare ups per month and 0.62±0.9 to 0.05±0.23 for emergency department visits per month). Physiological parameters including spirometry, FENO, and sputum cytology including eosinophil and neutrophil did not change significantly. CONCLUSION: Borago improved the clinical findings of asthma, but it was not able to suppress the inflammation involved in asthma.

Pharyngeal carriage rate of Neisseria meningitidis before and after the Hajj pilgrimage, in Zahedan (southeastern Iran), 2012.

BACKGROUND/AIM: The annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which attracts more than 3 million Muslim pilgrims from around the world, has played a role in the global spread of meningococcal infection. We aimed to compare pharyngeal carriage of Neisseria meningitidis in Hajj pilgrims before departure and after returning to Iran, Zahedan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective and cross-sectional study was conducted among Hajj pilgrims in Zahedan (southeast Iran) in 2012. We studied all pilgrims who agreed to participate in this study and who met the inclusion criteria. Sampling was done by swabbing the posterior pharyngeal wall through the mouth with direct plating or keeping transport time to below 5 h. Specific culture, oxidase test, and carbohydrates tests were done on the positive samples. RESULTS: Among 422 pilgrims (42.2% male, 57.8% female; with age range 21-95 years), 6 (1.4%) were positive for N. meningitidis after the Hajj pilgrimage. Nobody was positive before departure. During the Hajj 58.5% of the participants received antibiotics. CONCLUSION: According to the results of our study, the prevalence of pharyngeal carriage of N. meningitidis in pilgrims after returning to Zahedan was low (1.4%). The quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine and antibiotic therapy were effective in reducing the number of carriers among pilgrims after travel.

Knowledge and Performance about Nursing Ethic Codes from Nurses' and Patients' Perspective in Tabriz Teaching Hospitals, Iran.

INTRODUCTION: Nursing profession requires knowledge of ethics to guide performance. The nature of this profession necessitates ethical care more than routine care. Today, worldwide definition of professional ethic code has been done based on human and ethical issues in the communication between nurse and patient. To improve all dimensions of nursing, we need to respect ethic codes. The aim of this study is to assess knowledge and performance about nursing ethic codes from nurses' and patients' perspective. METHODS: A descriptive study Conducted upon 345 nurses and 500 inpatients in six teaching hospitals of Tabriz, 2012. To investigate nurses' knowledge and performance, data were collected by using structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis was done using descriptive and analytic statistics, independent t-test and ANOVA and Pearson correlation coefficient, in SPSS13. RESULTS: Most of the nurses were female, married, educated at BS degree and 86.4% of them were aware of Ethic codes also 91.9% of nurses and 41.8% of patients represented nurses respect ethic codes. Nurses' and patients' perspective about ethic codes differed significantly. Significant relationship was found between nurses' knowledge of ethic codes and job satisfaction and complaint of ethical performance. CONCLUSION: According to the results, consideration to teaching ethic codes in nursing curriculum for student and continuous education for staff is proposed, on the other hand recognizing failures of the health system, optimizing nursing care, attempt to inform patients about Nursing ethic codes, promote patient rights and achieve patient satisfaction can minimize the differences between the two perspectives.