6-Shogaol induces apoptosis in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cells by targeting p53 signalling pathway and generation of reactive oxygen species

Combination therapies, using medicinal herbs, are broadly recommended to attenuate the chemotherapy adverse effects. Based on our previous findings considering the anti-leukaemic effects of ginger extract on acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) cells, the present study was aimed to investigate the anti-cancer role of this pharmaceutical plant on ALL mice models. Moreover, we worked towards identifying the most anti-leukaemic derivative of ginger and the mechanism through which it may exert its cytotoxic impact. In vivo experiments were performed using five groups of six C57BL/6 nude mice, and the anti-leukaemic activity of ginger extract alone or in combination with methotrexate (MTX) was examined. Results showed increased survival rate and reduced damages in mice brain and liver tissues. Subsequently, MTT assay demonstrated synergistic growth inhibitory effect of 6-shogaol (6Sh) and MTX on ALL cell lines and patients primary cells. Eventually, the molecular anti-neoplastic mechanism of 6Sh was evaluated using Bioinformatics. Flow cytometry illustrated 6Sh-mediated apoptosis in Nalm-6 cells confirmed by Western blotting and RT-PCR assays. Further analyses exhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through 6Sh. The current study revealed the in vivo novel anti-leukaemic role of ginger extract, promoted by MTX. Moreover, 6-shogaol was introduced as the major player of ginger cytotoxicity through inducing p53 activity and ROS generation.     

Physiological and Molecular Effects of Silver Nanoparticles Exposure on Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.)

Russian Journal of Plant Physiology - Due to the antifungal and antibacterial properties, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are now widely used in consumer products. In this research, the effects of...     

Immune response variations to Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi recombinant porin proteins in mice

ObjectivesTyphoid fever is caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi. OmpC, OmpF and OmpA, the three major outer membrane proteins (OMPs), could serve as vaccine candidates.MethodsThe porins antigenicity was predicted in silico. The OMP genes were amplified, cloned and expressed. Sero-reactivities of the recombinant proteins purified by denaturing method were assayed by ELISA. BALB/c mice were immunized with the recombinant porins followed by bacterial challenge.ResultsBacterial challenge of the animal model brought about antibody triggering efficacy of the antigen in OmpF > OmpC > OmpA order. Experimental findings validated the in silico results. None of the antigens had synergic or antagonistic effects on each other from immune system induction points of view. Despite their high immunogenicity, none of the antigens was protective. However, administration of two or three antigens simultaneously resulted in retardation of lethal effect. Porins, in addition to their specific functions, share common functions. Hence, they can compensate for each other's functions.ConclusionsThe produced antibodies could not eliminate the pathogenicity by blockade of one or some of the antigens. Porin antigens are not suitable vaccine candidates alone or in denatured forms. Native forms of the antigens maybe studied for protective immunogenicity.     

Fine needle aspiration cytology of foreign bodies presenting as cystic abdominal masses. A report of three cases

BACKGROUND: Foreign body material (gauze sponges) presented as cystic abdominal masses and were confused with malignant tumors. CASES: Two females and one male presented with abdominal masses. They had undergone laparotomy 5-12 years earlier. Clinically the masses were diagnosed as benign or malignant cystic lesions. Fine needle aspiration revealed necrotic material, hemosiderin-laden macrophages, foreign body giant cells, cholesterol crystals and many fragments of birefringent material. The possibility of malignancy was ruled out. Cut sections of the excised cystic lesions revealed gauze sponges surrounded by a thick, fibrotic wall. CONCLUSION: This report underscores the usefulness of fine needle aspiration in ruling out malignancy.     

Follicular variant of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. A cytologic study of 15 cases

OBJECTIVE: To study the cytologic findings of follicular variant of papillary thyroid carcinoma (FVPTC) and to compare them with the cytologic findings on other thyroid lesions. STUDY DESIGN: The study group consisted of aspirate smears from 15 cases of histologically proven FVPTC. The control group consisted of 152 cases, including adenomatous colloid goiter (70), usual papillary carcinoma (40), follicular adenoma (30), Hürthle cell neoplasm (7) and medullary carcinoma (5). RESULTS: The smears of FVPTC revealed numerous colloid balls in the background, multilayered microfollicles (rosettes), numerous nuclear grooves and inclusions in the monolayer sheets of follicular cells, very rare giant cells, absence of calcification and papillary clusters. Rosettelike microfollicles and numerous colloid balls were not seen in the control group. CONCLUSION: The combination of numerous colloid balls and rosettelike microfollicles was frequently seen in FVPTC. This combination was not observed in the control group.     

Medullary thyroid carcinoma. Rare cytologic findings

OBJECTIVE: To describe some rare cytologic findings in medullary thyroid carcinoma. STUDY DESIGN: Review of the fine needle aspiration smears from 15 cases of medullary thyroid carcinoma that were confirmed on histologic sections. The ages ranged between 31 and 67 years; 10 were female and 5 male. Thirteen were sporadic forms, and two were familial forms. RESULTS: Eight cases were classified as pleomorphic cell type and seven as monomorphic cell type. The smears revealed round, oval, triangular, polygonal and spindle-shaped cells, intracytoplasmic red granules, occasional intranuclear inclusions, amyloid, binucleated and multinucleated cells, and thick, granular chromatin. CONCLUSION: The rare cytologic findings in this study were grape cells, cytoplasmic nippling, elongated cytoplasmic processes, carrot-shaped nuclei, nuclear buddings, mast cell-like cells and a Burkitt's lymphoma-like appearance. These findings were rarely reported before.     

Splenic lesions: FNA findings in 48 cases

OBJECTIVE: To study fine needle aspiration (FNA) cytological findings of splenic lesions and assess the role of FNA in the diagnosis of splenomegaly or splenic tumours. METHODS: This study consisted of 48 cases, 25 males and 23 females. The ages ranged between 3 and 71 years. Most of these cases were aspirated under ultrasonographic guidance and a small number were also aspirated directly by using a 22- to 23-gauge needles. The smears were stained with Wright-Giemsa and Papanicolaou methods. Special stains were used whenever necessary. RESULTS: In this study 14 cases were diagnosed as lymphoma-leukaemia, 7 cases as tuberculosis, 12 cases as kala-azar, 2 cases as hydatid cyst, 3 cases as storage diseases, 3 cases as simple cyst, 2 cases as myeloproliferative disorders, 2 cases as malignant tumours and 3 cases as hamartomas (these were wrongly diagnosed as malignant tumours). CONCLUSION: Splenic aspiration is a safe procedure and is very useful in the diagnosis of parasitic and infectious diseases, especially in endemic countries like Iran.     

Cytologic findings of a pleomorphic adenoma of the breast: a case report

BACKGROUND: Pleomorphic adenoma of the breast is a rare benign tumor. Only a few cases have been reported. The histologic features have been described well. However, the cytologic findings have been described in only a few papers. CASE: A 47-year-old female presented with a left breast mass of several months' duration. The clinical and mammographic findings were highly suspicious for malignancy. Following an aspiration biopsy diagnosis of "positive for malignancy," the mass was excised. The histologic diagnosis was pleomorphic adenoma (mixed tumor of salivary gland type) rather than carcinoma. CONCLUSION: The cytologic presentation of pleomorphic adenoma of the breast can masquerade as that of a malignant tumor, in this case colloid carcinoma. This case delineates the cytomorphologicfeatures of pleomorphic adenoma, which may mimic carcinoma.     

Giant cystic metaplastic carcinoma of the breast: a case report with diagnosis by fine needle aspiration

BACKGROUND: Breast cysts are mainly benign and are reported in association with fibrocystic disease and phyllodes tumor. Rarely have cystic changes been reported to occur in malignant tumors. They are usually small but large in rare cases. Giant breast cysts are very rare, and only a few cases have been reported. CASE: A 37-year-old woman presented with a rapidly growing breast mass. Mammography showed a huge, well-circumscribed cystic mass (17 x 16 x 16 cm) suggestive of a benign lesion. Cytologic examination revealed a highly cellular tumor composed of malignant cells of various sizes and shapes in a necrotic background. The smears were diagnosed as positive for malignancy and suggested metaplastic carcinoma. Mastectomy was performed, and histologic study confirmed the cytologic diagnosis. CONCLUSION: This is the first reported case of a breast cyst of this size. Clinically the cyst was confused with a benign lesion. The fine needle aspiration aided the diagnosis and planning of treatment.