Raheleh Jabini; Arezoo Mirbolouk; mohamadreza farzanehfar
Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) in ascites caused by various diseases. Moreover, it was attempted to investigate its usefulness in the differential diagnosis between malignant and benign ascites.
Methods: A total of 52 ascitic fluid samples ...
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Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) in ascites caused by various diseases. Moreover, it was attempted to investigate its usefulness in the differential diagnosis between malignant and benign ascites.
Methods: A total of 52 ascitic fluid samples were collected from cirrhotic patients referred to Ghaem Hospital affiliated to Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashad, Iran. Subsequently, the samples were divided into two experimental groups, namely benign ascites (n=26) and malignant ascites (n=26). Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was utilized to determine the presence of Cox-2 mRNA in samples.
Results: According to the results, the mean age of the patients was 56.94±12.04 years (age range: 30-80 years), and the majority of the patients were male (1.88 to 1). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of age and gender. The Cox-2 mRNA was detected in 4 (15.4%) and 15 (57.7%) patients from the benign and malignant groups, respectively (P=0.003). Moreover, the sensitivity, specificity, as well as positive and negative predictive values of Cox2 to differentiate malignant from benign ascites were estimated at 57.7%, 84.6%, 78.9%, and 66.7%, respectively.
Conclusion: The Cox2 mRNA expression assessed by RT-PCR could be a useful method in differential diagnosis and screening of malignant ascites.
Mandana Khodashahi; Zahra Havashki; Kamran Khazaeni; Amir Hossein Jafarian
Abstract
Torticollis or involuntarily twisted neck is considered to be a sign rather than a condition. Some of the main causes of torticollis are trauma, medication side-effects, infectious and inflammatory processes, and head and neck tumors.A 26-year-old female patient presented with acute acquired torticollis ...
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Torticollis or involuntarily twisted neck is considered to be a sign rather than a condition. Some of the main causes of torticollis are trauma, medication side-effects, infectious and inflammatory processes, and head and neck tumors.A 26-year-old female patient presented with acute acquired torticollis for four months, and the conditions had complicated due to constitutional symptoms, such as weight loss, sweating, and decreased appetite, eventually leading to trismus. Neck CT-scan showed bilateral lymph node enlargements, soft tissue stranding, right-sided asymmetry of the fossa of Rosenmüller (pharyngeal recess), and a heterogeneous enhancing mass on the nasopharynx roof with left extension and bilateral pressure on the Eustachian tube. The biopsy of the mass indicated the infiltration of atypical epithelial cells with marked nuclear atypia in small solid nests within the lymphoid tissue of the nasopharynx, which corresponded to nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, the patient had no risk factors for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This study highlighted the importance of a complete work-up for the underlying tumors in the head and neck in the patients presenting with the only finding of torticollis.
Shahaboddin Shabani; Navid Nourizadeh; Mohammadsaleh Soltankhah
Abstract
Thioredoxin system comprised of thiorexin and NADPH dependent thiorexin reductase, is responsible for redox regulation of cells by controlling the apoptosis, proliferation and other vital processes of cells. The efficacy of thioredoxin system has been represented in a wide range of physiological and ...
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Thioredoxin system comprised of thiorexin and NADPH dependent thiorexin reductase, is responsible for redox regulation of cells by controlling the apoptosis, proliferation and other vital processes of cells. The efficacy of thioredoxin system has been represented in a wide range of physiological and biological reactions in bacteria, yeast, plants, mammals and etc. including DNA synthesis, regulation of transcription factors, protein repairing, regulating the photosynthesis and controlling the apoptosis and preventing oxidative stresses, filamentous phage assembly, immune-modulating, neuronal survival, pregnancy and birth and many other physiological and biological functions. The up-regulation of thioredoxin has been observed in various malignancies, which was associated with tumor angiogenesis and development. In this regard, the thiordoxin system has become a putative target in new chemotherapeutic methods. In this study, we mentioned various features of thioredoxin system in malignant cells and reviewed the articles which have evaluated the expression rate of thioredoxin system in malignancies.