Effectiveness of intradiscal injection of radiopaque gelified ethanol (DiscoGel^®) versus percutaneous laser disc decompression in patients with chronic radicular low back pain

( Masoud Hashemi ),( Payman Dadkhah ),( Mehrdad Taheri ),( Pegah Katibeh ),( Saman Asadi ) 대한통증학회 2020 The Korean Journal of Pain Vol.33 No.1

Background: Low back pain secondary to discopathy is a common pain disorder. Multiple minimally invasive therapeutic modalities have been proposed; however, to date no study has compared percutaneous laser disc decompression (PLDD) with intradiscal injection of radiopaque gelified ethanol (DiscoGel^®). We are introducing the first study on patient-reported outcomes of DiscoGel^® vs. PLDD for radiculopathy. Methods: Seventy-two patients were randomly selected from either a previous strategy of PLDD or DiscoGel^®, which had been performed in our center during 2016- 2017. Participants were asked about their numeric rating scale (NRS) scores, Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, and progression to secondary treatment. Results: The mean NRS scores in the total cohort before intervention was 8.0, and was reduced to 4.3 in the DiscoGel^® group and 4.2 in the PLDD group after 12 months, which was statistically significant. The mean ODI score before intervention was 81.25% which was reduced to 41.14% in the DiscoGel^® group and 52.86% in the PLDD group after 12 months, which was statistically significant. Between-group comparison of NRS scores after two follow-ups were not statistically different (P = 0.62) but the ODI score in DiscoGel^® was statistically lower (P = 0.001). Six cases (16.67%) from each group reported undergoing surgery after the follow-up period which was not statistically different. Conclusions: Both techniques were equivalent in pain reduction but DiscoGel^® had a greater effect on decreasing disability after 12 months, although the rate of progression to secondary treatments and/or surgery was almost equal in the two groups.

Evaluation of the Efficiency of Chitosan Hydrogel Containing Berberis integerrima Root Extract on a Full-Thickness Skin Wound in a Rat Model

Maryam Hashemi,Fatemeh Kalalinia,Mobina Razi,Fatemeh Moameri,Bibi Sedigheh Fazly Bazzaz,Mehrdad Iranshahi,Jebrail Movaffagh 한국고분자학회 2022 Macromolecular Research Vol.30 No.8

Some species of the Berberidaceae family and natural biopolymer chitosan have good effects on wound healing. In this research, a new formulation of chitosan hydrogel containing alcoholic root extract of Berberis integerrima (Chi-BIE) was designed and evaluated for the treatment of full-thickness skin wounds in an animal model. Alcoholic extract of Berberis integerrima root (BIE) was prepared, and its total amount of berberine was determined using UV/visible spectroscopy. Chitosan gel containing 10 and 20% BIE was prepared, and their extract release profile was assayed. The antimicrobial activity of Chi-BIE was investigated by the minimum inhibitory concentration assay. Finally, the efficiency of Chi-BIE formulations on the full-thickness wound healing was physically and histologically evaluated in an animal model. BIE was successfully loaded into the chitosan hydrogel and showed a burst release of extract during the first 4 h (60%) followed by a sustained release. Formulation of BIE in chitosan hydrogel could increase the antimicrobial activity of chitosan and BIE alone against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilius, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans. Chi-20% BIE indicated more antimicrobial activity compared to Chi-10%BIE. Formulation of BIE in chitosan hydrogel could increase the wound healing effects of chitosan and BIE alone. Chi-20% BIE had a faster restorative effect than other treatment groups due to more formation of epithelial tissue and faster maturation of bud tissue. Based on the results of this study, the chitosan hydrogel containing BIE is proposed as a suitable dressing for wound-healing.

Evaluation of Factors Impacting Cosmetic Outcome of Breast Conservative Surgery - a Study in Iran

Olfatbakhsh, Asiie,Mehrdad, Neda,Ebrahimi, Mandana,Alavi, Nasrin,Hashemi, Esmat,Kaviani, Ahmad,Najafi, Masoume,Haghighat, Shahpar,Arefanian, Saeed Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.6

Background: Breast conservative surgery (BCS) followed by radiotherapy is the standard approach in management of stage I-II breast cancer. Several factors can affect cosmetic outcomes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cosmetic results of BCS and influencing factors in the Iranian Breast Cancer Research Center. Materials and Methods: Patients who had undergone BCS were included. Photographs were taken of both breasts of the patients in three aspects and were evaluated by three specialists. The cosmetic scores were calculated based on a standard questionnaire. The data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate regression for relationships between cosmetic scores and clinical data. Results: A total number of 103 patients were included in the study. Mean age and BMI of the patients were $46.8{\pm}8.9$ and $28.1{\pm}3.9$, respectively. Breast cup sizes C and D accounted for 74.7% of the study group. The mean cosmetic score obtained from three referees was 5.72+2.06, consisting of 35.9% excellent-good, 35% moderate, and 29.1% unsatisfactory results. Patient BMI, volume of the resected tissue and breast cup size (D) showed significant correlation with the cosmetic score. On multivariate regression analysis, cosmetic score and BMI (p=0.022,) as well as breast cup size (p=0.040), remained significant. Conclusions: Immediate or delayed symmetrization of the breasts is suggested during breast conservative surgery, meanwhile performing oncoplastic techniques to improve the results significantly. Also it is suggested to discuss anticipation of less satisfactory results with patients having higher BMI and large breast cup size.

Apoptotic Killing of Breast Cancer Cells by IgYs Produced Against a Small 21 Aminoacid Epitope of the Human TRAIL-2 Receptor

Amirijavid, Shaghayegh,Entezari, Maliheh,Movafagh, Abolfazl,Hashemi, Mehrdad,Mosavi-Jarahi, Alireza,Dehghani, Hossein Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup3

TRAIL, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand belongs to one of important cytokine superfamilIES, tumor necrosis factor ($TNF{\alpha}$). TRAIL-2 receptor agonists activate several cell signaling pathways in cells in different manners and could lead to apoptosis or necrosis. Agonistic egg yolk antibodies like IgY which have been developed in a selective manner could activate TRAIL death receptors such as TRAIL-2 (DR5) and thus apoptosis signaling. We here investigated induction of apoptosis in human breast cancer cells (MCF7 cell line) by an IgY produced against an 21 aminoacid epitope of the human TRAIL-2 receptor. As the first step a small peptide of 21 aminoacids choosen from the extracellular domain of DR5 protein was produced with a peptide synthesizer. After control assays and confirmation of the correct amino acid sequence, it was injected to hens immunized to achieve high affinity IgYs. At the next step, the produced IgYs were extracted and examined for specificity against DR5 protein by ELISA assay. Subsequently, the anticancer effect of such IgYs was determined by MTT assay in the MCF7 human breast cancer cell line. The produced peptides successfully immunized hens and the produced antibodies which accumulated in egg yolk specifically recognized the DR5 protein. IgYs exerted significant toxicity and killed MCF7 cells as shown by MTT assay.

Cytotoxicity Effects of Mouse IgG Produced against Three Nanoliposomal Human DR5 Receptor Epitopes on Breast Cancer Cells

Amirijavid, Shaghayegh,Entezari, Maliheh,Movafagh, Abolfazl,Hashemi, Mehrdad,Mosavi-Jarahi, Alireza,Dehghani, Hossein Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup3

Cancer causes cells to avoid death while being the second cause of death in the world itself. Damaged cells in the absence of apoptosis will increasingly amplify their inefficient genome. Of the two main apoptosis inducing pathways in cells, the first has p53 protein as the main initiating factor in the cascade. According to research results this protein s mutated in 50% of cancers and sointerest has cooncentrated on the second pathway that features death receptors. Among these receptors TRAIL1/DR5 is especially expressed in cancer cells. So targeting such receptors can initiate the apoptotic cascade in cells. Interestingly by substitution of activating ligands with antibodies as agonists, we could efficiently turn on the apoptosis pathway. First of all, three small peptides from the DR5 protein extracellular domain were synthesized and injected with two different kind of adjuvants (Fround and liposomal encapsulation) separately into mice at 15 day intervals. As a result, liposomal peptides induced the immune system more efficient than Frounds adjuvant and at the end point the antibodies which were obtained from liposomal peptide injection induced much more effective death. Liposomal formol could be used as an adjuvant in immunization utilizing small peptides. They carry, protect and deliver peptides very efficiently. In addition, small peptides of a certain size from the extracellular domain of DR5 proteins not only can induce immune system but also produce antibodies playing a remarkable anti-cancer roles against breast cancer cells (MCF-7).

Overexpression of the MUC1 Gene in Iranian Women with Breast Cancer Micrometastasis

Mansouri, Neda,Movafagh, Abolfazl,Soleimani, Shahrzad,Taheri, Mohammad,Hashemi, Mehrdad,Pour, Atefeh Heidary,Shargh, Shohreh Alizadeh,Mosavi-Jarahi, Alireza,Sasaninejad, Zahra,Zham, Hanieh,Hajian, Par Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup3

The membrane epithelial mucin MUC1 is expressed at the luminal surface of most simple epithelial cells, but expression is greatly increased in most breast cancers. The aims of present study were to investigate expression of the MUC1 gene and interactive affects in metastases. Whole cell RNA isolation from 50 sentinel lymph nodes (SNLs) of breast cancer patients was performed using reverse transcription and real-time PCR. All patients were diagnosed with breast cancer and without metastasis, confirmed by IHC staining. The evaluation of tumor and normal samples for expression of MUC1 gene, the results were 49.1% non-expressive and 45.3% expression (Student t, p = 0.03). Also in comparison of normal breast tissue and breast cancer SLN for MUC1 gene, MUC1 negative SLNs were 75.0% (18 samples) and MUC1 positive samples were 25.0% (6 samples). Over-expression of MUC1 gene may offer a target for therapy related to progression and metastasis in women with breast cancer.

Lack of Altered BECN1 Gene Expression in Iranian Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Keyvan, Ladan,Bidoki, Seyed Kazem,Abdollahi, Davood Zare,Mansouri, Neda,Hashemi, Mehrdad,Tabatabaei, SA Mortazavi,Fardmanesh, Hediyeh,Meimandi, Mansour,Ayatollahi, Seyed Majid,Movafagh, Abolfazl Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.12

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML), one of the most prevalent leukemia types in adults, demonstrates great heterogeneity in molecular and clinical terms. Hence, there is a necessity to the mechanisms involved in AML generation in order to determine optimal treatment. This cross sectional study aimed to assess changes in BECN1 gene expression in with blood samples from 30 AML patients, compared with samples from 15 healthy persons. RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized and Real Time PCR applied to determine BECN1 gene expression. The results showed no significant differences in BECN1 gene expression between patients with AML and normal controls (P > 0.05). It appears that expression of BECN1 does not play a significant role in genesis of AML leukemia.

Evaluation of Methylobacterium radiotolerance and Sphyngomonas yanoikoaie in Sentinel Lymph Nodes of Breast Cancer Cases

Yazdi, Hamid Reza,Movafagh, Abolfazl,Fallah, Fateme,Shargh, Shohreh Alizadeh,Mansouri, Neda,Pour, Atefeh Heidary,Hashemi, Mehrdad Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup3

It has been established that different kinds of bacteria agents are involved in various cancers. Although the mechanism of tumorigenesis is not clearly understood, there is evidence for the presence of bacteria within tumors, with at least a progression effect for some bacteria that prepare suitable microenvironments for tumor cell growth. The aim of current study was to evaluate bacterial dysbiosis in sentinel lymph nodes of breast cancer patients. One hundred and twenty three fresh-frozen sentinel lymph nodes and a corresponding number of normal adjacent breast tissue specimens and five normal mastectomy samples were investigated employing RT-PCR. In addition using genus-specific primers were applied. There was a significant differences as presence of Methylobacterium radiotolerance DNA recorded between patients and normal control group (p= 0.0). Based on our research work, further studies into the role of microbes in breast cancer would be of great interest.

Spiritual Therapy in Coping with Cancer as a Complementary Medical Preventive Practice

Abolfazl Movafagh,Mohammad Hassan Heidari,Morteza Abdoljabbari,Neda Mansouri,Afsoon Taghavi,Aliasghar Karamatinia,Narjes Mehrvar,Mehrdad Hashemi,Mona Ghazi 대한암예방학회 2017 Journal of cancer prevention Vol.22 No.2

There are many of methods of treating cancer. However, the concept of curing the cancer is beyond our current knowledge. Some patients who have the cancer may seek an alternative manner of curing their disease. Alternative medicines, such as spiritual and complementary therapy, are able to cure the cancer and, at the least, are safe. Research on the importance of spirituality in cancer care has mainly been performed in geographically heterogeneous populations. The results are limited to these specific religious-cultural contexts and enlightened by contributions from ethnicity and religion. This article focused on the religiousness and spiritual support of cancer patients from diverse and heterogeneous groups around the globe. An electronic search of peer-reviewed articles was systematically performed to obtain the relevant literature with the CINAHL, PsycINFO, and PubMed databases. The keywords included religion, cancer, illness, psychotherapy, and spiritual and alternative treatment/therapies. The inclusion criteria for the reviews were that the documents were original quantitative research and published in English. Articles that were not directly relevant to the present objective were excluded. The present outcome of these review resources suggest that it may be helpful for clinicians to address spirituality, particularly with regard to prevention, healing, and survival of cancer patients. This article indicates that it may be useful for clinical oncologists to be informed of the prevalence of the use of spiritual medicine in their specialized field. In addition, patients should routinely be asked about the use of spiritual medicine as part of every cancer patient’s evaluation.