Abstract Objective: The prognostic importance of Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor microenvironment of various cancers is increasingly recognized. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the prognostic value of CD3+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD45RO + TILs and their relation to histopathological features in larynx squamous cell carcinoma. Methods: Formalin-Fixed and Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) samples from 63 primary larynx squamous cell carcinoma patients were immunostained for CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD45RO expression. Positive cells in micrographs from Invasive Margin (IM) and Tumor Center (CT) of tissue specimens counted by ImageJ software and their correlation with disease outcome were analyzed. Results: The expression level of TILs subpopulations was associated with clinicopathological markers as well as Overall Survival (OS) and Disease-Free Survival (DFS). In multivariate analysis, high frequency of CD45RO + cells in IM were confirmed as an independent prognostic marker for DFS (p = 0.007, HR = 4.968) and OS (p = 0.007, HR = 4.957). Similar findings were observed in the multivariate analysis of the combined frequency of CD45RO+cells in IM and CT. Conclusion: TILs are associated with patients clinicopathological features. Also, our findings indicate that CD45RO + TILs are a valuable marker for risk prediction in larynx SCC and could predict patients’ outcomes.

Abstract Hepatoprotective effects of many herbal agents have been reported in animal studies and clinical trials. In this study, five hepatoprotective plants with potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and hypolipidemic effects were chosen to prepare a polyherbal compound for managing NAFLD. Sixty patients with NAFLD were randomly divided into treatment and control groups (2:1 ratio). Both group were advised to take healthy diet and exercise. The treatment group also received herbal capsules containing 400 mg of the mixture of Anethum graveolens, Citrus aurantium, Cynara scolymus, Portulaca oleracea, and Silybum marianum (2 capsules, thrice daily, for two months). The liver ultrasound and biochemical markers including the serum lipids, liver enzymes, and glucose were evaluated before starting the study and at the end of the treatment. Thirty patients in the treatment group and sixteen patients in the control group completed the study. The herbal compound significantly decreased the serum level of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and total cholesterol. Treatment with the herbal compound significantly improved the grade of the fatty liver, but no significant change was found in the control group. In conclusion, the formulated herbal compound appeared to be effective in biochemical improvement and decreasing the grade of the fatty liver in the patients with NAFLD.

Abstract Marine invertebrate fossils have long been considered important tools for age dating and stratigraphic interpretation of the Paleogene deposits of Central Asia, however information has not yet been provided from the Kopet-Dagh Basin (NE Iran). In this research, fossiliferous horizons of the Chehelkaman Formation at the Sheikh and Ghaleh-Zou sections (which have never been recognized previously), both in the Sheikh Syncline area, are discussed. These sedimentary beds overlay the terrestrial siliciclastic Pesteligh Formation and are the first evidence of marine flooding of the Paleogene transgression in the central Kopet-Dagh. Systematic paleontological studies of molluscan fossils in this succession led to the identification of ten genera, twelve species and two subspecies of bivalves and five genera and five species of gastropods. The assemblage belongs to four different fossilif-erous horizons: (1) Turritellidae Dominated Assemblage (TDA), (2) Pycnodonte - Turkostrea horizon, (3) Cordiopsis-Cardium horizon and (4) Globularia shell beds in the Sheikh section and only TDA horizon in the Ghaleh-Zou section. The age of the whole succession, based on Cordiopsis subathooensis - Turritella subathooensis Zone cooccurrence with nannofossil zones NP12 and NP13, is Late Ypresian (early middle Cuisian). The TDA in both sections confirms the abundance of nutrients and their bimodal orientation demonstrates effects of oscillatory waves rather than unidirectional paleo-currents. High rates of bioerosion, encrustation, fragmentation, disarticulation and corrosion of the shells in the Pycnodonte - Turkostrea horizon reveals high volumes of nutrients and energy-rich conditions. This interval, overlain by the Cordiopsis - Cardium horizon in a pavement arrangement, represents the stable conditions after a storm. The Globularia shell beds inter-bedded with marly beds indicate stability and a deepening trend of the environment, terminating to deeper marine shales and marls of the Khangiran Formation.

Resumen Los fósiles de invertebrados marinos se han considerado herramientas importantes para la recolecta de datos por edades y la interpretación estratigráfica de los depósitos de paleógenos de Asia Central, sin embargo, aún no se ha proporcionado información de la cuenca de Kopet-Dagh (NE Irán). En esta investigación, se discuten los horizontes fosilíferos de la Formación Chehelkaman en las secciones Sheikh y Ghaleh-Zou (que nunca antes se habían reconocido), ambos en el área Sheikh Syncline. Estos lechos sedimentarios se superponen a la Formación de Pesteligh siliciclástica terrestre y son la primera evidencia de inundación marina de la transgresión del Paleógeno en el centro de Kopet-Dagh. Los estudios paleontológicos sistemáticos de fósiles de moluscos en esta sucesión condujeron a la identificación de: diez géneros, doce especies, dos subespecies de bivalvos, cinco géneros y cinco especies de gasterópodos. El conjunto pertenece a cuatro horizontes fosilíferos diferentes: (1) Conjunto Dominado por Turritellidae (TDA), (2) Pycnodonte-Turkostrea horizonte, (3) Cordiopsis - Cardium horizonte, (4) Camas de concha Globularia en la sección Sheikh y solo horizonte TDA en la sección de Ghaleh-Zou. La edad de toda la sucesión es Ypresian tardío (Cuisian medio temprano). Ésta edad está basada en Cordiopsis subathooensis - Turritella subathooensis co-ocurrencia de la zona con las zonas de nannofósiles NP12 y NP13. El TDA en ambas secciones confirma la abundancia de nutrientes y su orientación bimodal demuestra los efectos de las ondas oscilatorias en lugar de las paleocorrientes unidireccionales. Las altas tasas de bioerosión, incrustación, fragmentación, desarticulación y corrosión de las conchas en Pycnodonte - Turkostrea horizonte revela altos volúmenes de nutrientes y condiciones ricas en energía. Este intervalo, cubierto por la Cordiopsis - Cardium horizonte en una disposición de pavimento, representa las condiciones estables después de una tormenta. Los lechos de conchas de Globularia intercalados con lechos de marga, indican estabilidad y una tendencia cada vez más profunda del medio ambiente terminando en lutitas y margas más profundas de la Formación Khangiran.

O gene supressor tumoral p53 abriga um polimorfismo funcional que codifica ou arginina (Arg) ou prolina (Pro) no códon 72 da proteína p53. Este polimorfismo tem sido considerado associado com o desenvolvimento e prognóstico do carcinoma espinocelular de cabeça e pescoço (CECP). OBJETIVO: Foram avaliados genótipo e freqüências alélicas do códon 72 do p53 em pacientes iranianos com CECP. TIPO DE ESTUDO: Estudo de Caso. MATERIAIS E MÉTODOS: Um total de 132 pacientes com CECP e 123 controles saudáveis foram genotipados. A fonte de DNA foi composta de células mononucleares do sangue periférico. A amplificação do DNA foi realizada através da reação em cadeia da polimerase específica para alelos. RESULTADOS: A distribuição dos alelos e genótipos não foi significativamente diferente entre os pacientes e controles. Além disso, nenhuma associação estatisticamente significativa foi encontrada entre o polimorfismo do códon 72 do p53 e localização, sexo ou idade no momento do diagnóstico. No entanto, o genótipo Pro/Pro estava significativamente aumentado em pacientes no estágio IV (30,8%) quando comparado ao estágio I-III da doença (11,1%) (p=0,03), e um número significativamente maior de doentes com o alelo Pro teve um aumento no risco de desenvolver doença no estágio IV (OR=2,2, IC= 95% =1.2-4.2, p=0,01). CONCLUSÃO: Os dados revelaram que o polimorfismo do p53 não afeta o risco de CECP em iranianos; porém, pode afetar a progressão para um estágio superior tumor.

p53 tumoral suppressor gene harbors a functional polymorphism which codes either arginine (Arg) or proline (Pro) in the protein p53 of codon 72. Such polymorphism has been associated with the development or prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). AIM: we assessed codon 72 p53 allelic frequencies and genotypes in HNSCC Iranian patients. STUDY DESIGN: Case Study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: a total of 132 HNSCC patients and 123 healthy controls were genotyped. DNA source was from mononuclear cells of the peripheral blood. DNA amplification was done by means of the allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: genotypes and allele distribution were not significantly different between patients and controls. Moreover, no statistically significant association was found between the 72 and p53 codon tumor location, gender or age at the time of diagnosis. However, the Pro/Pro genotype was significantly increase in stage IV patients (30.8%) when compared to stages I-III of the disease (11.1%) (p=0.03), and a significantly higher percentage of patients with the Pro allele had and a risk increase in stage IV disease (OR=2.2, 95% CI=1.2-4.2, p=0.01). CONCLUSION: data revealed that the p53 polymorphism do not impact the risk of HNSCC in Iranians, nonetheless, it can affect tumor progression to a higher tumor stage.