Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Volume:10 Issue: 2, Summer 2007

Adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) is a rare malignant tumor originating from the salivary glands, the rather bland histological appearance of which masks its ultimate biological aggresiveness. Evaluation of cell cycle and mitoses has been useful in predicting malignancy in many tumors. Ki-67 antigen is a human nuclear antigen that appears in all active phases of cell cycle. The study has been planned to find out (any kind of) relationships between Ki-67 expression ratio and the morphological growth pattern and the histological grade of the tumor. Tissue samples of 19 ACC, were selected from the files in the archive of the Oral Pathology Department, of Mashhad University. All samples were picked up minor salivary glands including 11 men and 8 women with an avarage age of 46. One section was stained with H&E to confirm the diagnosis and the other with Ki - 67 monoclonal antibody. All samples were graded and scored for Ki-67 immunoreactivity, then the ratio of Ki-67 positive cells was calculated.The incidence of tumor was higher in 4th and 5th decades of age, particularly in women. The most common site of tumors was palate. Ki-67 expressed in 68% of all samples. The Ki-67 immunoreativity ranged from 15% to 85%. Although the avarage percentage of Ki-67 expression seemed to increase with histological grade, the difference between grade III and grade I, and between grade III and mixed I / II was not statistically significant (p value = 0.3).For ACC, Ki-67 immunostaining, regarding to histological grading, was not a reliable tool in predicting the intensity of tumor aggressiveness and seemed to have less value. Further studies with greater series of samples are needed to confirm this issue.

Objectivethe goal of this study was to prepare and characterize alginate microspheres as anantigen delivery system and adjuvant for immunization against leishmaniasis.Materials and MethodsMicrospheres were prepared by an emulsification technique and characterized for size, encapsulation efficiency, and release profile of encapsulates. Selection of appropriate parameters (viscosity of alginate, emulsifier, and sonication times) enabled the preparation of alginate microspheres with a mean diameter of 1.8 ± 1.0µm, as determined by Scanning Electron Microscopy and Particle Size AnalyzerResultsThe encapsulation efficiency was about 34.2 ± 6.7% for autoclaved leishmania major and 63.5 ± 6.9% for CpG-ODN, as determined by spectrophotometric assays. In vitro release profile showed a slow release rate for encapsulated ALM, while higher release rate was observed for CpG-ODN. The molecular weight was evaluated by SDS-PAGE and showed that the process of encapsulation did not affect the molecular weight of the entrapped antigen. ConclusionWith regard to the optimum diameter (less than 5 µm), slow release rate and preservation of antigen molecules, alginate microspheres could be considered as a promising antigen delivery system for ALM.

To determine and compare the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) and moisturizing effects of the liposomal and conventional lotion formulations containing octyl methoxycinnamte (OMC) as a sunscreen by in vivo methods.The multilamellar liposomes (MLVs) containing OMC were prepared by fusion method and o/w emulsion was prepared as FDA standard sunscreen method. The SPFs of the formulations were determined by in vivo method according to Australian standard. The exposure area was the back of ten volunteers. Subsites of the backs were exposed to solar simulator as ultraviolet (UV) source. The minimum erythemal dose (MED) for unprotected skin was observed in the next day. The sunscreen was spread (2 mg/cm2) over the area with a finger stall to achieve a uniform film. Each test subsite in a series was exposed to controlled amounts of simulated sunlight by a constant ratio. In the third day, the MEDs of the formulations were observed. The SPF was determined by the ratio between the time required to produce the minimal erythematous reaction by using sunscreen and the time needed to produce the same reaction without using sunscreen. The moisture content of the skin was determined after 30 min, 2, 3, 6 and 10 hours post-application of the formulations containing OMC and also NaCl 3% in eucerin (as a positive control) using Corneometer by measuring electrical capacitance. The SPF obtained from our in vivo results for standard Homosalate reference was almost the same as published SPF for this standard. The SPF of the liposomes containing OMC was a little bit more than lotion at the same concentration of OMC. All the tested formulations significantly increased the moisture content of the skin compared to control (without any treatment), in all the tested point times. After 30 minutes of post-application, the skin moisture content resulted from OMC-lotion was significantly more than liposomal-OMC and NaCl 3% in eucerin; however, 10 hours after post-application there were no significant differences in the skin moisture content of these three treatment groups. MLV liposomes prepared by fusion method is a good vehicle for OMC as a sunscreen since it provides proper SPF and increase the moisture content of the skin.

Mustard gas (MG) is a poisoning chemical, mutagenic and carcinogenic alkylating agent. It is used during World War I and also Iran-Iraq conflict. The p53 tumor suppressor gene is involved in the pathogenesis of malignant disease. The aim of this study is to determine possible mutation in p53 gene of lung sample from mustard gas exposed patients.Twelve lung biopsy samples from 12 Mustard Gas exposed soldiers cases along with control cell line were studied for the presence of mutations in exons 4-9 of the p53 gene by PCR and direct sequencing.Among examined biopsies most of the samples demonstrated normal polymorphism with no significant defected mutations but in one sample one type of p53 gene alteration at codon 278 (CCT→CCA) on transcribed strand was detected. This Mutation has not been observed in another studies related to mustard gas exposure and p53 mutation databases. In this study we have reported for the first time new p53 mutation in the lung sample of MG exposed patients. It is concluded that only one silent mutation were scanned with no signs of any type of cancer. This type of mutation was not in IARC p53 gene mutation database. Moreover, surrounding sequences of the mutated p53 gene codons have more 5''-GT and 5-GC sequences which have been found both by our study and only one another study on Japanese exposed to MG.

We have previously shown that Rose Bengal (RB) alone, not as a photosensitiser, could induce apoptotic- and non-apoptotic cell death in different melanoma cell lines. To clarify RB-induced toxicity mechanisms, role of caspases and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were studied in melanoma cells. Human melanoma cell lines, Me 4405 and Sk-Mel-28 were cultured in DMEM medium. Cell viability was quantitated by MTT assay. Apoptotic cells were determined using PI staining of DNA fragmentation by flow cytometry (sub-G1 peak). Role of caspase were studied using the pan-caspase inhibitor z-VAD-fmk. ROS was measured using DCF-DA by flow cytometry analysis. This study showed that while z-VAD-fmk completely inhibited apoptosis of melanoma induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL), it only partially blocked RB-induced apoptosis in Me4405 and Sk-Mel-28 melanoma cell lines. RB also increased ROS production in melanoma cells but pretreatment with antioxidant γ-glutamylcysteinylglycine (GSH) could not decrease RB-induced toxicity. Both caspase-dependent and -independent pathways were induced by RB in melanoma cells. RB-induced generation of ROS does not play a significant role in RB-induced toxicity and it is independent of ROS production in melanoma cells.

Roughness is the main parameter in interlocking bonding mechanism. Yet there is no model designed to evaluate the effect of surface roughness on adhesion of coating materials in pharmaceutical sciences.In this study polymethyl metacrylate spherical beads with different sizes were poured into 10 mm mold, then it was pressed by hand screw and finally heated to 141o C. The texture of the resulted surfaces of the discs was quantified and qualified for roughness using Surface Texture Measurement Instrum Model Sarcum110 and SEM, respectively. Solutions of Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC E15) and polyvinylpyrrolidon (PVP K90) were used as binding agents. After conditioning, shear testing technique was carried out for bond strength evaluation using calibrated shear cell bar.The resulted bond strengths were in the rank order of decreasing particle size and HPMC E15 resulted in higher bond strength.It could be concluded that this model of roughness, which is easy to prepare, is suitable for studying adhesion of pharmaceutical binders.

Dot Blot (DB) assay provides highly specific results, but usually is not reliable for quantification of antibody production. The need for a more objective DB assay to provide a better definition of the immune status, against HIV antigens, promoted this study to develop a quantitative DB assay. Dot blot (DB) strips for antibodies, directed to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 and 2, were analyzed by a video densitometer. This method was used to quantify the antibody response to different HIV proteins in infected patients. In order to increase reproducibility, reagents and protocols were accurately standardized and internal controls were added. In the first format, an internal control band consisting of Human IgG was added to each dot to minimize the effects of band intensity variation. In the second format, antibody concentrations were calculated from the ratio of the densities produced by test sera and by positive and negative standard sera. The sera under scrutiny were also examined by standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the obtained results were compared with those of the corresponding DB. A statistically significant positive correlation was found between the results obtained with the two methods, and this was especially evident when ELISA titers were compared to corrected DB values (p = 0.001). Densitometric analysis of DB assays led to quantify the antibodies against HIV-1 and 2 Gag and Env proteins and might be useful to investigate possible humoral immune correlates of production in HIV vaccine studies and antibody production in the early phase of infection.

HER-2/neu is overexpressed in diverse human cancers. Studies suggest a role of this protein in tumor progression by specifically promoting the invasive capacity of tumor cells. Our aim was to evaluate HER-2/neu overexpression in resectable gastric cancer in 100 North-Eastern Iranian patients and to assess the relationship between its expression and clinicopathologic tumor parameters.Indirect immunostaining was employed to evaluate the expression of this receptor in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples.HER-2/neu overexpression was present in 26 (26%) of 100 gastric carcinomas. This was significantly more common in the intestinal type of gastric cancer (33%) compared to diffuse (5%) or the mixed type (0%). HER-2/neu overexpression was also more common in well-differentiated gastric cancers versus other grades (41% vs 7%). However, it was not associated with gender, age at diagnosis or stage.HER-2/neu overexpression is common in gastric carcinoma and more prevalent in intestinal and well-differentiated subtypes. There is no correlation between HER-2/neu expression and tumor stage. The relatively high percentage of HER-2/neu positive tumors may provide a useful target for immunotherapy of these cancers.