Investigation of TNF-α and IL-6 Levels in the Sera of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer Patients

Background:TNF-α and IL-6 are both pleiotropic cytokines playing major roles in cancer-associated cytokine networks. They have previously been investigated for their function in skin malignancies, mostly melanomas, and studies on NMSC patients are relatively rare. In this study, we aimed to assess the associations of serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α with NMSCs and its clinicopathological features. Methods:This cases-control study was carried out to investigate the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in 70 NMSC patients, in comparison with 30 healthy individuals, by means of flow cytometric bead-based immuneoassay. Results:Serum levels of both TNF-α and IL-6 were significantly higher in NMSC patients (6.470 vs. 4.355 pg/ml; p = 0.0468, respectively), compared to healthy individuals (3.205 vs. 0.000 pg/ml; p = 0.0126, respectively). In the subgroup analysis, SCC patients had higher serum levels of IL-6 compared to healthy individuals (3.445 vs. 0.000 pg/ml; p = 0.0432). No other significant differences were observed in the serum levels of these two cytokines among different clinicopathological subgroups of the patients. Conclusion:The increased levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in NMSC patients can be introduced as an epiphenomenon of a complex cancer-induced cytokine cascade. Key Words: Biomarkers, Cytokines, Interleukin-6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha     

Does salinity enhance Cd toxicity to soil alkaline phosphatase?

The aim of this study was to provide data to assess the additive effects of soil salinity on the toxicity of Cd to soil alkaline phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.1). Two soils (Langroud acid soil and Shervedan calcareous soil) were artificially salinized with NaCl. The natural and salinized soils were treated with CdSO₄ solutions to give a Cd concentration in the range 3–5000 mg kg^?1. Soil alkaline phosphatase activity was measured after 3 days of incubation. Salinity enhanced the extractable Cd concentration in both Langroud and Shervedan soils. The percentage of soil alkaline phosphatase activity inhibited by Cd was significantly increased from 27.8 to 45 in the Langroud acid soil as salinity increased from natural levels to 28 dS m^?1. An increase in the inhibition percentage was not observed in the Shervedan soil. Lower values for the ecological dose causing 50% inhibition (ED₅₀) under saline conditions in the Shervedan soil supported the hypothesis that Cd may be more toxic to soil alkaline phosphatase when the soil is more saline. We conclude that Cd toxicity to soil alkaline phosphatase is salinity dependent and that higher Cd concentrations under saline conditions are probably responsible for the enhanced Cd toxicity to soil alkaline phosphatase.     

Comparison of Caudal Epidural Anesthesia with Lidocaine-distilled Water and Lidocaine-MgSO4 Mixture in Horses

This study was performed to compare the onset and duration of analgesia produced by either a lidocaine−MgSO₄ or lidocaine−distilled water combination administration in the caudal epidural space of horse. Seven healthy adult horses, aged 11.7 ± 1.4 years (mean ± SD), body weight (kg) 567 ± 32.5 (mean ± SD), were selected for this study. Caudal epidural anesthesia was produced in all horses by administering 2% lidocaine (0.22 mg/kg) diluted in 1 mL distilled water and repeated with 2% lidocaine (0.22 mg/kg) diluted in 1 mL 10% MgSO₄ 2 weeks later. Time to onset (minutes), duration (minutes), and cranial spread of epidural analgesia were recorded. Heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), and body temperature (°C) were recorded. Measurements were taken at 0 (as a baseline value before epidural administrations) and at 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, and 75 minutes after the epidural administrations of each treatment. Statistical analyses included paired Student t test and analysis of variance (computer program SPSS, Analytical Software, version 15.00). Statistical significance was set at P < .05. Onset of analgesia was significantly different (P < .001) between lidocaine-distilled water (2.38 ± 0.47 minutes) and lidocaine−MgSO₄ (4.62 ± 0.54 minutes). Duration of analgesia after lidocaine−MgSO₄ (186.0 ± 7.0 minutes) was longer than lidocaine-distilled water (54.5 ± 7.3 minutes). No significant differences were recorded for HR, RR, and body temperature in comparison with baseline values for each group. Using the lidocaine−MgSO₄ combination for obstetric and surgical procedures could commence relatively soon after epidural injection and could be completed without readministration of anesthetic agent.     

Interactions between Heterodera filipjevi and Fusarium culmorum,and between H. filipjevi and Bipolaris sorokiniana in winter wheat

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Pot experiments with winter wheat were conducted for two successive years to study the relationship between the cereal cyst nematode, Heterodera...     

Pre- and post-McDonald cerclage cervical length, width and funneling rate and their association with duration of pregnancy

Changes of cervical ultrasonographic physical parameters and their association with outcome of cerclage have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed at evaluating association between ultrasonographic physical cervical shapes before and after McDonald cerclage with the length of pregnancy. Cervical length, width and funneling rate were assessed by transvaginal ultrasonography before and after the procedure. Mean pre-cerclage cervical length, width and funneling rate were 29.28 +/- 5.54, 19.92 +/- 10.30 mm and 12.90 +/- 18.87%, respectively. The mean post-cerclage cervical length, diameter and funneling rate were 31.68 +/- 4.21, 9.78 +/- 13.86 and 4.32 +/- 10.89%, respectively (p < 0.001 for all pre- and post-cerclage changes). The mean post-cerclage duration of pregnancy was 19.78 +/- 5.94 weeks. There were significant direct correlations between the pre-and post-cerclage cervical lengths with pregnancy duration (r = 0.24, p = 0.04 and r = 0.44, p < 0.001, respectively). There were significant indirect correlations between the pre- and post-cerclage funneling rate with pregnancy duration (r = -0.30, p = 0.01 and r = -0.20, p = 0.01, respectively). Similar correlations were not significant for the cervical widths. This study showed that the pre- and post-cerclage ultrasonographically determined cervical length and funneling are good predictors of pregnancy duration.     

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Trichodorus golestanensis (Nematoda: Trichodoridae), a new species from Iran

Several species of trichodorid nematodes cause economically important disease on plants. Trichodorus comprises most of the trichodorid species. Trichodorus golestanensis n. sp. is described from a forest park in northern Iran. The new species belongs to the T. lusitanicus morpho-species group and is characterized in male by three ventromedian cervical papillae of which two at level of onchiostyle region, three ventromedian precloacal supplements, the posterior one just anterior to retracted spicules and ventrally curved spicules with mid-blade indentation provided with a few bristles. Females are distinguished by well developed triangular vaginal sclerotized pieces in lateral optical view, a rhomboid-shaped vagina and a transverse slit-like vulva in ventral view. Molecular analysis using the sequence of D2-D3 expansion segment of 28S rDNA differentiated the new species and confirmed the relationships of T. golestanensis n. sp. with T. andalusicus and T. asturanus. The sequences of D2-D3 regions were also provided for previous trichodorid records from Iran T. gilanensis, P. teres and N. minor together with discussion of their relationship.     

Determination of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) peel extract bio‐active substances and its application in Caspian white fish (Rutilus frisii kutum) diet: Growth,haemato‐biochemical parameters and intestinal morphology

In this study, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of grapefruit peel extract (GPE) were equal to 117.3 ± 0.3 µg of gallic acid/mg and 39.30 ± 0.1 µg of quercetin/mg respectively. Caspian white fish (n = 180, 4 ± 0.9 g body weight) was fed with supplemented diets, including 0, 6.25, 12.5 and 25 mg of GPE/kg for 60 days at 25 ± 1°C. The growth performance was markedly improved in fish fed with 25 mg/kg of GPE compared to others (p < 0.05). Moreover, fish fed with 25 mg/kg of GPE showed a significant increase in red blood cell (2.65·10⁶ cell/mm³), white blood cell (17.75·10³ cell/mm³), packed cell volume (48%) and haemoglobin concentrations (8.75 g/dl) compared to the control (p < 0.05). However, the highest alanine aminotransferase (140 U/L), alanine transaminase (14.5 U/L), and alkaline phosphatase (18.5 U/L) were observed in control group. Morphological analysis of intestine revealed the highest amount of villus width (8.4 µM), height (32.86 µM) and surface area (342.7 µM²) in fish fed with 25 mg/kg of GPE (p < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing feed with GPE at 25 g/kg can improve growth performance and haemato‐biochemical parameters of Caspian white fish fry.     

Immunolocalization of Na+, K+-ATPase-rich cells in the gill and urinary system of Persian sturgeon, Acipenser persicus, fry

Localization of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase-rich cells in the gill and urinary system of Acipenser persicus fry was performed through immunofluorescence light microscopy using a mouse monoclonal antibody IgGα₅ raised against the α-subunit of chicken Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase. Different types of epithelia were clearly identified in the gill epithelium: epithelia of branchial arch, interbranchial septum, filament and lamellar epithelium. The Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase-rich cells were found in the epithelia of branchial arch, interbranchial septum, filament, interlamellar region and also in the lamellae. Histologically, the urinary system is divided into head kidney, trunk kidney and short caudal kidney. The head kidney is composed of the pronephric tubules and the haemopoietic tissues, while the trunk kidney is composed of a large number of glomeruli and convoluted nephrons. Each nephron consisted of a large glomerulus and tubules (neck, proximal, distal and collecting tubules) which connected to ureters. Posteriorly, ureters extended and joined together to form a small urinary bladder. In the urinary system, no specific fluorescence staining was observed in the glomerulus, neck segment and proximal tubules. The distal tubule cells and collecting tubule cells showed a strong immunostaining of Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase. Epithelia of ureters and urinary bladder also showed several isolated immunofluorescent cells. Immunofluorescent cells were rich in Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase enzyme which is very important for osmoregulation.     

Glutathione foliar fertilisation prevents lime‐induced iron chlorosis in soil grown Medicago scutellata

It has been proposed that glutathione can relieve the effects of Fe deficiency. This study tested the effects of glutathione foliar treatments to prevent Fe chlorosis, using as positive controls soil and foliar Fe fertilisation. Medicago scutellata plants were grown in soil (5.7% CaCO₃) supplemented or not with 4 and 8% CaCO₃. Two Fe(III)‐EDDHA soil treatments (5 and 10 mg Fe kg^?1), and three foliar treatments (three applications each of 2.14 mM Fe(III)‐EDDHA, 1 mM glutathione, and the previous two combined) were applied. Measurements include leaf chlorophyll and Fe concentrations, biomass, leaf enzymatic and non‐enzymatic antioxidant systems and carboxylates. The addition of CaCO₃ caused typical Fe deficiency symptoms, including changes in chlorophyll, Fe, antioxidant systems and carboxylates, which were prevented by soil and foliar Fe fertilisation. The foliar treatment with glutathione also led to higher chlorophyll, leaf extractable Fe and root Fe, as well as decreases in some antioxidant systems, whereas leaf Fe concentrations decreased. The combined foliar application of glutathione and Fe was even more efficient in preventing chlorosis. Including glutathione in foliar fertilisation programs should be considered as an option for Fe chlorosis prevention, especially when relatively large leaf total Fe concentrations occur in the so called chlorosis paradox.