The expression pattern of the opioid receptor (MOR) in pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNET) and the possible effect of morphine and naloxone on GH3 cell growth and apoptosis were evaluated.
The ...114 pituitary tissues including non-functioning, GH-producing and ACTH-producing PitNET and healthy cadaver pituitary tissues were included. The expression level of the MOR gene and protein was assessed using real-time PCR and Western blot. The association with patient demographic characteristics was assessed. Morphine and naloxone were applied to assess their possible pharmacological role in GH3 pituitary adenoma cell death. The cytotoxic effect, the apoptosis rate, the cell cycle distribution, the content of reactive oxygen species and the caspase 3 activity were measured.
MOR gene levels increased significantly in pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNET) compared to the healthy pituitary samples. The increased level of MOR gene expression was prominent in invasive functional and non-functional pituitary tumors. A consistent expression pattern was demonstrated for MOR protein levels in PitNET samples. A dose- and time-dependent reduction in the rate of GH3 pituitary cells was observed after morphine treatment with an IC50 of 483 µM after 24 h of incubation. Morphine induced early apoptosis, accumulation of cells in sub-G1 phase, increase in cellular ROS levels and caspase-3 activity. The observed effects of morphine were reversed after MOR blockade using 10 and 25 µM naloxone.
The possible contributing role of the MOR in pituitary tumor cell growth and the putative pharmaceutical effect of morphine in pituitary neuroendocrine tumor cell death (PitNET) is illustrated
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Background
Although research continues to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying pituitary tumor pathogenesis, limited information is available on the potential role and expression profile of ...β-catenin in functional and non-functional pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs).
Methods and results
In the current study, 104 pituitary samples (tumors and cadaveric healthy pituitary tissues) were included and the gene and protein expression levels of β-catenin were assessed by Real-Time PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The correlation between expression level of β-catenin and tumor invasive feature and size as well as patient age, gender, and hormonal level was measured. The data showed that PitNET samples expressed higher levels of the β-catenin gene and protein compared to healthy pituitary tissues. Although there was no difference in β-catenin expression level between non-functioning (NF-PitNETs) and growth hormone-producing tumors (GH-PitNETs), both tumor types showed significantly elevated β-catenin levels compared to healthy pituitary tissues. The high level of β-catenin in the invasive functional and non-functional tumors is indicative of the association of β-catenin with PitNETs invasion. The expression pattern of the β-catenin gene and protein was consistently and significantly associated with these tumor types. The correlation between β-catenin and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in GH-PitNETs indicates the potential relevance of β-catenin and IGF-1 for GH-PitNETs.
Conclusions
The simultaneous increase in the expression of β-catenin gene and protein level in PitNET tissues and their relationship to the tumor severity indicates the possible contributing role of β-catenin and its underlying signaling mediators in PitNET pathogenesis.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
Pituitary adenomas as multifactorial intracranial neoplasms impose a massive burden of morbidity on patients and characterizing the molecular mechanism underlying their pathogenesis has received ...considerable attention. Despite the appealing role of cyclooxygenase enzymes and their bioactive lipid products in cancer pathogenesis, their relevance to pituitary adenoma pathogenesis is debated and yet to be determined. Thus, the current study perused this relevance.
The expression level of the isoforms of cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) was evaluated in hormone-secreting and in-active pituitary adenoma tumors and normal pituitary tissues through Real-Time PCR. The level of PGE2, as the main product of enzymes, was assessed using enzyme immunoassay kits in patients and healthy subjects.
The results of the current study demonstrated that COX-1 and COX-2 expression levels were increased in pituitary tumors including non-functional pituitary adenoma (NFPA), acromegaly, Cushing's disease and prolactinoma compared with normal pituitary tissues. A significant expression level of COX-2 was observed in NFPA compared with the other pituitary tumors. Furthermore, the COX-2 expression level was significantly increased in macroadenoma and invasive tumors. The level of PGE2 was consistent with COX enzymes enhanced in pituitary adenoma tumors compared with healthy pituitary tissue. A significant elevation in the PGE2 level was detected in NFPA compared with hormone-secreting pituitary tumors. Additionally, the PGE2 level was increased in macroadenoma compared with microadenoma and in invasive compared with non-invasive pituitary tumors. The diagnostic values of cyclooxygenase isoforms and PGE2 were considerable between patients and healthy groups; however, COX-2 revealed more value in distinguishing endocrinologically active and non-active pituitary tumors.
Data from the current study provides expression patterns of COX-1, COX-2 and PGE2 in prevalent pituitary tumors and their association with patients' clinical features which may open up new molecular targets for early diagnosis/follow up of pituitary tumor growth.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
In this study, a new magnetic metal organic framework (MNP@MOF) with a core–shell structure has been introduced as an efficient and versatile platform for immobilization of Preyssler (H14NaP5W30O110) ...heteropolyacid (PR HPA). The chemical structure of the nanocatalyst was analyzed by using different techniques, including HRTEM, TEM, HRTEM mapping, SEM, EDX, TGA, XRD, VSM, BET and ICP. These analyses confirmed the core–shell and spherical structure of the catalyst and successful immobilization of PR HPA on its surface. After complete characterization, the efficiency of the catalyst was tested for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates by the chemical fixation of carbon dioxide. Different epoxides were converted to cyclic carbonates in the presence of 0.4 mol% of catalyst and a 0.3 MPa CO2 pressure under solvent-free conditions. To date, this reaction has been performed with various heterogeneous catalysts, but this is the first report on the use of PR HPA and MNP@MOF for this reaction.
In this study, a new magnetic metal organic framework (MNP@MOF) with a core-shell structure has been introduced as an efficient and versatile platform for immobilization of Preyssler (H
14
NaP
5
W
30
...O
110
) heteropolyacid (PR HPA). The chemical structure of the nanocatalyst was analyzed by using different techniques, including HRTEM, TEM, HRTEM mapping, SEM, EDX, TGA, XRD, VSM, BET and ICP. These analyses confirmed the core-shell and spherical structure of the catalyst and successful immobilization of PR HPA on its surface. After complete characterization, the efficiency of the catalyst was tested for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates by the chemical fixation of carbon dioxide. Different epoxides were converted to cyclic carbonates in the presence of 0.4 mol% of catalyst and a 0.3 MPa CO
2
pressure under solvent-free conditions. To date, this reaction has been performed with various heterogeneous catalysts, but this is the first report on the use of PR HPA and MNP@MOF for this reaction.
The first report of the use of an acidic magnetic metal organic framework for the chemical fixation of CO
2
as an environmentally friendly reaction.
In this study, a new magnetic metal organic framework (MNP@MOF) with a core–shell structure has been introduced as an efficient and versatile platform for immobilization of Preyssler (H 14 NaP 5 W 30 ...O 110 ) heteropolyacid (PR HPA). The chemical structure of the nanocatalyst was analyzed by using different techniques, including HRTEM, TEM, HRTEM mapping, SEM, EDX, TGA, XRD, VSM, BET and ICP. These analyses confirmed the core–shell and spherical structure of the catalyst and successful immobilization of PR HPA on its surface. After complete characterization, the efficiency of the catalyst was tested for the synthesis of cyclic carbonates by the chemical fixation of carbon dioxide. Different epoxides were converted to cyclic carbonates in the presence of 0.4 mol% of catalyst and a 0.3 MPa CO 2 pressure under solvent-free conditions. To date, this reaction has been performed with various heterogeneous catalysts, but this is the first report on the use of PR HPA and MNP@MOF for this reaction.
Highlights • Performing the simple acupressure protocol at LIV3 and LI4 is an effective method to decrease the severity of PMS symptoms, anxiety and depression, and to improve the QOL. Pressure at ...LIV3 and LI4 appear to be equally effective
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
•Applying acupressure on LIV3 and LI4 acupoints improves the intensity of dysmenorrhea.•Applying acupressure on LIV3 and LI4 acupoints improves the duration of dysmenorrhea.•Applying acupressure on ...LIV3 and LI4 acupoints improves the quality of life in dysmenorrhea.
To evaluate a simple acupressure protocol in LIV3 and LI4 acupoints in women with primary dysmenorrhea.
This paper reports a randomized, single blinded clinical trial. 90 young women with dysmenorrhea were recruited to three groups to receive 20min acupressure every day in either LIV3 or LI4, or placebo points. Acupressure was timed five days before menstruation for three successive menstrual cycles. On menstruation, each participant completed the Wong Baker faces pain scale, and the quality of life short form −12 (QOL SF-12).
Intensity and duration of pain between the three groups in the second and third cycles during the intervention (p<0.05) differed significantly. Significant differences were seen in all domains of QOL except for mental health (p=0.4), general health (p=0.7) and mental subscale component (p=0.12) in the second cycle, and mental health (p=0.9), and mental subscale component (p=0.14) in the third cycle.
Performing the simple acupressure protocol is an effective method to decrease the intensity and duration of dysmenorrhea, and improve the QOL.
Registration ID in IRCT: IRCT2016052428038N1
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZRSKP
This study is designed in order to compare the efficacy and safety of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) with the reference brand.
According to the inclusion criteria, 85 people in 13 Iranian ...centers were randomly selected to receive biosimilar Somatropin (Somatin®) (44 people) and reference Somatropin (Norditropin®) (41 people) at a dose of 35 µg/kg/d, seven days/week for 12 months. The primary outcomes included height velocity (HV) was measured during 12 months of treatment.
The two intervention groups' Height changes were similar. The mean HV was 10.96 cm/year in the biosimilar group and 10.05 cm/year in the reference groups after 12 months. Estimates of the lower bounds of 95% CI for mean height differences in the biosimilar intervention group compared to the reference intervention group did not exceed the 2 cm margin. Therefore, the non-inferiority of biosimilar intervention compared to the brand product is verified. Common ADRs in both groups were nausea in two patients (2.4%), diarrhea in two patients (2.4%), increased body temperature in one patient (1.2%), and headache in one patient (1.2%).
The finding of this study indicated that Somatin® and Norditropin® have comparable efficacy and safety profiles.
www.IRCT.irIRCT20171122037571N1.
Delay in diagnosis and treatment of acute appendicitis (AA) results in an increased rate of perforation, postoperative morbidity, mortality and hospital length of stay. Several biochemical parameters ...including white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL6) and Procalcitonin (PCT) have been used to further improve the clinical diagnosis of AA. The aim of this study was to assess the value of procalcitonin as a predictor of diagnosis and severity of appendicitis in order to improve the clinical decision making, since other studies have been unable to demonstrate a diagnostic value for PCT elevation in acute appendicitis.
One-hundred patients who underwent open appendectomy, including 75 men and 25 women with a mean age of 28 years were included in this study. Procalcitonin values were measured by an immunofluorescent method). Serum PCT>0.5 ng/ml was considered positive. The PCT serum values were measured in four different categories, including ˂0.5ng/ml, 0.5-2 ng/ml, 2-10ng/ml and more than 10ng/ml.
The sensitivity and specificity of PCT level measurement for acute appendicitis diagnosis were 44% and 100% respectively. The value of PCT increased with the severity of appendicitis and also with the presence of peritonitis and infection, at the site of surgery.
Procalcitonin measurement cannot be used as a diagnostic test for adult patients with acute appendicitis and its routine use in such patients is not cost effective and conclusive. Procalcitonin values can be used as a prognostic marker and predictor of infectious complications following surgery and it can help to carry out timely surgical intervention which is highly recommended in patients with PCT values more than 0.5ng/ml.
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