Brain abscesses caused by Nocardiaare rare but have a very high mortality and specific requirements of antibiotic treatment. Nocardial brain abscesses are mainly found in patients with predisposing conditions such as pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP), a disease associated with chronic exposure to silica dust. We present a case of multiple nocardial brain abscesses in a man with PAP probably due to long-term occupational exposure to silica dust. Conclusively, in patients presenting brain abscesses and a history of chronic exposure to silica dust, PAP and opportunistic nocardial infection should always be considered as possible diagnoses.

Fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes has distinctive features like younger age at onset, presence of large intraductal calculi, aggressive course of the disease, and proneness for pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic calculi are the hallmark for the diagnosis. We report a 32-year-old male patient, a known case of diabetes since 2 years, presented with recurrent pain abdomen, malabsorption, and neuropathic symptoms. The diagnosis was established on the basis of clinical examination, biochemical and radiological investigations. He was prescribed two doses of premix insulin and pancreatic enzyme supplements for relief of abdominal pain and steatorrhea.

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is the most common cause of maternal death in the world. Some studies showed that inadequate intake of foods rich in antioxidant leads to increase oxidative stress and adverting obstetrical outcomes. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between antioxidant status and dietary nutrient intake in pregnant women with PE. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 55 pregnant women with PE admitted in the Obstetrics and Gynecology department of Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Isfahan, Iran. The subjects were interviewed about demographic data and dietary intakes by using a 168-items semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). The total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of this serum was measured by using a double-antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). Nonparametric correlation statistics were used to meet assumptions of normality and equal variances. Results: Total antioxidant status was significantly higher in comparison with healthy pregnant women (which measured as pilot). Intake of vitamin E was below the dietary reference intakes, and was positively associated with serum TAC (r = 0.367, P = 0.003), but this correlation was significantly negative about dietary selenium. There wasn't any significant correlation between intake of vitamin C, β-carotene, riboflavin, copper and serum TAC. Conclusion : Our findings showed that intake of vitamin E was positively associated with serum TAC. Little support was found on a relationship between dietary intakes of other micronutrients and serum TAC. Further research is required to explore the relationships between maternal nutrient intake and antioxidant status in women with PE.

Background: Hypotension is a serious and the most common adverse effect of spinal anesthesia. Many studies have focused on prevention of hypotension due to spinal anesthesia. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of three different methods of using colloid, ephedrine and wrapping of extremities on the incidence of hypotension and bradycardia following spinal anesthesia in patients undergoing elective lumbar disc surgery in knee–chest position. Materials and Methods: A total of 180, ASA (I–II), adult patients candidate of lumbar disc surgery in one or two levels who met the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated in one of three treatment groups of receiving Voluven (6% hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 in 0.9% sodium chloride injection), ephedrine and leg wrapping. After establishment of spinal anesthesia, patients were outsourced and knee–chest position was done. Heart rate and blood pressure of patients were recorded at different times till 60 min after spinal injection. Statistical analyses of data were performed with SPSS (version 20) and by considering groups, values of P < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Mean systolic blood pressure (119.5 ± 7.4± mmHg) and mean heart rate (71.7 ± 6.7± b/min) were higher in a group receiving Voluven (P < 0.05). The Voluven group significantly experienced less nausea and vomiting in recovery room in comparing with other groups (P = 0.027). They also received significantly less ephedrine (P = 0.012) and ondansetron [12 (20%)] (P = 0.02). Furthermore, patients receiving elastic bandage had significantly more blood loss than the other groups (P = 0.013). Conclusion: Colloid therapy was the most effective method in keeping hemodynamic stability, prevention of decrease in systolic blood pressure and incidence of side effects during spinal anesthesia for lumbar disc surgery in knee–chest position.

Background: The incidence of urinary stone disease has shown a steep rise in recent decades along with marked modifications in dietary habits and life- style. There has been an increased prevalence of urinary stone disease in patients with diabetes. We took up this study to determine the association of diabetes mellitus with kidney stones in patients undergoing surgical treatment. Materials and Methods: Patients presenting with renal stones for surgical management formed the study group. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated by noting the weight and height of the patient. The extracted stone/stone fragments were analyzed to determine the chemical composition. Urinary pH was similarly noted in all. Results: The mean BMI among the diabetics was 26.35 ± 5.20 (range 17.75-35.60), whereas the mean BMI among the non-diabetics was 23.41 ± 2.85 (range 17.71-31.62) (P < 0.0004). The incidence of uric acid calculi in the diabetics was significantly high (P < 0.03). The mean urinary pH among the diabetics was 5.61 ± 0.36 and among the non-diabetics was 6.87 ± 0.32, which was significantly lower (P < 0.000044). Conclusions: There is a strong association between type 2 diabetes and uric acid stone formation. There is also a strong association between diabetes mellitus, BMI, and also with lower urinary pH.

Background: The zinc finger transcription factor zinc finger protein, X-linked (ZFX) acts as an important director of self-renewal in several stem cell types. Moreover, ZFXexpression abnormally increases in various cancers and relates to tumor grade. We performed this study, to examine its role in the pathogenesis of astrocytoma and meningioma. Materials and Methods: We used real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction method for evaluation of ZFXexpression in 25 astrocytoma tumoral tissue and 25 meningioma tumoral tissues with different WHO grades. Furthermore, the association of gene expression with various clinic-pathological characteristics was examined. Results: We found that there is a significant association between gene expression and different tumor grades, the presence or absence of invasion, forming and nonforming of glomeruloid vessels, the age over or under 50 and the presence or absence of calcification in astrocytomas. This is the first report that shows that ZFXwas directly correlated with the central features of the neoplastic phenotype, including the growth of cancer cells, angiogenesis, and invasion. Conclusion: Regarding all the above-mentioned studies, it is highly plausible that silencing the expression of ZFXgene in gliomas has a major role in the therapeutic interventions of the disease in future.

Background: The presence of estrogen receptor alpha has been reported in the cell and tissue levels in gastric cancer; however, its impact on patients' survival remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of estrogen receptor in gastric carcinoma as well as its relationship with the clinicopathologic findings of the patients. Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 100 endoscopic biopsies of gastric adenocarcinoma for estrogen receptor expression using an immunohistochemical method, and their relationship with the clinicopathologic findings of the patients, such as age, gender, tumor site, size, grade, depth of tumor invasion (T), and lymphatic status (N), were analyzed using independent sample t-test and Pearson Chi-square test. A P < 0.05 was considered significant in all analyses. Results: Using an immunohistochemical method on endoscopic biopsies of 74 males and 26 females with the mean age of 63 years, estrogen receptor was found to be positive in 41% of patients. No significant difference was found between estrogen receptor expression and other clinicopathologic findings (P = 0.75). There was a significant difference between estrogen receptor (+) and estrogen receptor (−) groups in nodal involvement (P = 0.001). The estrogen receptor (+) patients had more number of lymph nodes involved. Conclusion: This study showed that lymph node involvement has a significant relationship with estrogen receptor expression. However, no significant relationship was found between estrogen receptor expression and other clinicopathologic findings such as age, gender, tumor site in stomach, tumor size, tumor grade, and T-stage.

Background: Human basic fibroblast growth factor (hBFGF) is a heparin-binding growth factor and stimulates the proliferation of a wide variety of cells and tissues causing survival properties and its stability and biological activity improvements have received much attention. Materials and Methods: In the present work, hBFGF produced by engineered Escherichia coliand purified by cation exchange and heparin affinity chromatography, was PEGylated under appropriate condition employing 10 kD polyethylene glycol. The PEGylated form was separated by size exclusion chromatography. Structural, biological activity, and stability evaluations were performed using Fourier transform infrared (FITR) spectroscopy, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and effect denaturing agent, respectively. Results: FITR spectroscopy revealed that both PEGylated and native forms had the same structures. MTT assay showed that PEGyalated form had a 30% reduced biological activity. Fluorescence spectrophotometry indicated that the PEGylated form denatured at higher concentrations of guanidine HCl (1.2 M) compared with native, which denatured at 0.8 M guanidine HCl. Conclusions: PEGylation of hBFGF makes it more stable against denaturing agent but reduces its bioactivity up to 30%.

Background: Aloe verahas antioxidant, antiinflammatory, healing, antiseptic, anticancer and antidiabetic effects. The aim of the present study was to design and evaluate the formulation of Aloe verachewing gum with an appropriate taste and quality with the indications for healing oral wounds, such as lichen planus, mouth sores caused by cancer chemotherapy and mouth abscesses as well as reducing mouth dryness caused by chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: In Aloe verapowder, the carbohydrate content was determined according to mannose and phenolic compounds in terms of gallic acid. Aloe verapowder, sugar, liquid glucose, glycerin, sweeteners and different flavors were added to the soft gum bases. In Aloe verachewing gum formulation, 10% of dried Aloe veraextract entered the gum base. Then the chewing gum was cut into pieces of suitable sizes. Weight uniformity, content uniformity, the organoleptic properties evaluation, releasing the active ingredient in the phosphate buffer (pH, 6.8) and taste evaluation were examined by Latin square method. Results: One gram of Aloe verapowder contained 5.16 ± 0.25 mg/g of phenolic compounds and 104.63 ± 4.72 mg/g of carbohydrates. After making 16 Aloe verachewing gum formulations, the F₁₆ formulation was selected as the best formulation according to its physicochemical and organoleptic properties. In fact F₁₆ formulation has suitable hardness, lack of adhesion to the tooth and appropriate size and taste; and after 30 min, it released more than 90% of its drug content. Conclusion: After assessments made, the F₁₆ formulation with maltitol, aspartame and sugar sweeteners was selected as the best formulation. Among various flavors used, peppermint flavor which had the most acceptance between consumers was selected.

Background: Segmentation of leukocytes acts as the foundation for all automated image-based hematological disease recognition systems. Most of the time, hematologists are interested in evaluation of white blood cells only. Digital image processing techniques can help them in their analysis and diagnosis. Materials and Methods: The main objective of this paper is to detect leukocytes from a blood smear microscopic image and segment them into their two dominant elements, nucleus and cytoplasm. The segmentation is conducted using two stages of applying K-means clustering. First, the nuclei are segmented using K-means clustering. Then, a proposed method based on region growing is applied to separate the connected nuclei. Next, the nuclei are subtracted from the original image. Finally, the cytoplasm is segmented using the second stage of K-means clustering. Results: The results indicate that the proposed method is able to extract the nucleus and cytoplasm regions accurately and works well even though there is no significant contrast between the components in the image. Conclusions: In this paper, a method based on K-means clustering and region growing is proposed in order to detect leukocytes from a blood smear microscopic image and segment its components, the nucleus and the cytoplasm. As region growing step of the algorithm relies on the information of edges, it will not able to separate the connected nuclei more accurately in poor edges and it requires at least a weak edge to exist between the nuclei. The nucleus and cytoplasm segments of a leukocyte can be used for feature extraction and classification which leads to automated leukemia detection.

Background: Although tobacco, alcohol abuse are well-recognized risk factors for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), there is evidence to indicate that herpes simplex virus (HSV) may also play some inducing role. The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of HSV in Iranian patients with OSCC using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Materials and Methods: Biopsies of OSCC were obtained from 60 patients, 54 males and 6 females, aged between 36 and 80 years old. Paraffin-embedded, histologically confirmed specimens were analyzed for the presence of HSV DNA using PCR. >Results: Only three samples (5%) was positive, suggesting that HSV may not play an important role in this group of patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of HSV-1 positive sample in this study was 5%. It shows that HSV-1 has no important role in OSCC.

Background: The present study was designed to investigate the association of GH and LEP genes': single-nucleotide polymorphisms with fat-tail measurements (fat-tail dimensions) in Makooei sheep. Materials and Methods: DNA was extracted from whole blood samples collected from 100 sheep. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products were subjected to single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) denaturation and polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Data were collected at the Makooei Sheep Breeding Station in Makoo (36°, 35′S and 48°, 22′E) of West Azerbaijan province. Climatically, this location has temperate summers and cold winters and receives a mean annual rainfall of about 400 mm. Ewes are raised in an annual breeding cycle starting in September. In general, the flock is managed under a semi-migratory system. Results: In the tested Makooei sheep population, significant statistical results were found in all traits of fat-tail measurements for GH and LEP genes. Individuals with the G4, L4 genotype of GH and LEP genes had lower tail length (rump length), fat thickness (the thick rump), and tail width (rump width) when compared to those of individuals with other genotypes (P &#60; 0.05). In addition, the results demonstrated that individuals with the G5, L5 genotype of GH and LEP genes had superiority of tail length (rump length) and fat thickness (the thick rump) compared to those individuals with other genotypes (P &#60; 0.05). Individuals with the G2, L2 genotype of GH and LEP genes had superiority of tail width (rump width) compared individuals with other genotypes (P &#60; 0.05). Conclusion: These results confirmed potential usefulness of GH and LEP genes in marker-assisted selection programs of sheep breeding.