Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is one of common cancers worldwide which has high rate among various populations. Despite serious efforts worldwide, GBM remains a deadly disease which is associated with poor prognosis. Multiple lines evidence indicated that deregulation of a variety of cellular and molecular pathways are related with GBM pathogenesis. Among of various targets involved in GBM pathogenesis, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been emerged as targets which deregulation of them are related with various stages of GBM. These molecules are small non-coding RNAs which could affect on a variety of cellular and molecular pathways involved in GBM. It has been showed that deregulation of them are associated with initiation and progression of GBM. MiR-21 is one of important miRNAs involved in GBM pathogenesis. A large number studies indicated that this miRNA could affect on a variety of cellular and molecular pathways such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-3 (IGFBP3), RECK, and TIMP3. Exosomes are one of important players in GBM pathogenesis. Among of various exosomes, exosomal miR-21 may has key roles in GBM pathogenesis. These findings indicated that miR-21 has critical roles in GBM pathogenesis and could be used as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers for GBM patients. Here, we summarized the roles of miR-21 and exosomal miR-21 in GBM pathogenesis. Moreover, we highlighted utilization of miR-21 as diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker for GBM patients.

Spondylolisthesis is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by subluxation of a vertebral body over another in the sagittal plane. Its most common form is isthmic spondylolisthesis (IS). This study aims to compare clinical outcomes of posterolateral fusion (PLF) with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) with posterior instrumentation in the treatment of IS. We performed a randomized prospective study in which 80 patients out of a total of 85 patients with IS were randomly allocated to one of two groups: PLF with posterior instrumentation (group I) or PLIF with posterior instrumentation (group II). Posterior decompression was performed in the patients. The Oswestry low back pain disability (OLBP) scale and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) and pain, respectively. Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate fusion rate and the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare categorical data. Fusion in group II was significantly better than in group I (p=0.012). Improvement in low back pain was statistically more significant in group I (p=0.001). The incidence of neurogenic claudication was significantly lower in group I than in group II (p=0.004). In group I, there was no significant correlation between slip Meyerding grade and disc space height, radicular pain, and low back pain. There was no significant difference in post-operative complications at 1-year follow-up. Our data showed that PLF with posterior instrumentation provides better clinical outcomes and more improvement in low back pain compared to PLIF with posterior instrumentation despite the low fusion rate.

Present findings show that GSTO2 DD genotype decreases the risk of gastric cancer in individuals without history of cancer in their first-degree relatives.

OBJECT Despite advances in surgical and anesthesiology techniques, many patients continue to experience postoperative pain after lumbar disc operations. This study aims to investigate the effects of methylene blue (MB) on preventing postoperative low-back pain (LBP) with or without radicular pain and improving the quality of life (QOL) in patients undergoing lumbar open discectomy. METHODS This is a prospective, randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, which was conducted at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences between July 2011 to January 2012. Of a total of 130 patients, 115 were eligible for participation; 56 received 1 ml of MB solution at a concentration of 0.5% (MB group) and 59 received an equivalent volume of normal saline (control group). Primary outcomes were the control of LBP with or without radicular pain, which was evaluated preoperatively and at 24 hours and 3 months after surgery with the use of a visual analog scale (VAS), and the improvement of QOL, which was assessed preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively by means of the Persian translation of the Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire. RESULTS The mean VAS scores for LBP were significantly lower in the MB group compared with the control group at 24 hours (1.25 ± 0.97 vs 2.80 ± 0.69, p < 0.001) and 3 months (1.02 ± 1.29 vs 2.07 ± 1.10, p = 0.019) after treatment. The mean radicular pain scores decreased significantly in the 2 groups at 24 hours after surgery, but the mean radicular pain score was significantly lower in the MB-treated patients than the control group. However, the difference between radicular pain scores in the MB group (1 ± 1.1) and the control group (1.2 ± 1) was not statistically significant (p = 0.64). The reduction in LBP was greater in the MB group than the control group (8.11 ± 1.74 vs 6.07 ± 1.52, p = 0.023, CI 95% −1.37 to −0.10). The functional QOL improved significantly 3 months after the operation in both groups (p < 0.001). Moderate disability occurred more frequently in the control group than in the MB group (14.5% vs 7.7%, p = 0.004). No toxicity, adverse effects, or complications were found in the group of patients treated with MB injection. CONCLUSIONS A single dose of MB (1 ml 0.5%) for coating the dura and surrounding tissues (facet and muscle) shows promising results in terms of safety, reduction of postoperative pain, and functional outcome compared with placebo.

Background: Breakthrough invasive fungal infections (bIFIs) are an area of concern in the scarcity of new antifungals. The mixed form of bIFIs is a rare phenomenon but could be potentially a troublesome challenge when caused by azole-resistant strains or non-Aspergillus fumigatus. To raise awareness and emphasize diagnostic challenges, we present a case of mixed bIFIs in a child with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Case presentation: A newly diagnosed 18-month-old boy with acute lymphoblastic leukemia was complicated with prolonged severe neutropenia after induction chemotherapy. He experienced repeated episodes of fever due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli bloodstream infection and pulmonary invasive fungal infection with Aspergillus fumigatus (early-type bIFIs) while receiving antifungal prophylaxis. Shortly after pulmonary involvement, his condition aggravated by abnormal focal movement, loss of consciousness and seizure. Cerebral aspergillosis with Aspergillus niger diagnosed after brain tissue biopsy. The patient finally died despite 108day antifungal therapy. Conclusions: Mixed bIFIs is a rare condition with high morbidity and mortality in the patients receiving immunosuppressants for hematological malignancies. This case highlights the clinical importance of Aspergillus identification at the species level in invasive fungal infections with multiple site involvement in the patients on antifungal prophylaxis.

Expression pattern analysis has been revealed that glutathione S-transferase omega 2 (GSTO2, a member of class omega) is ubiquitously expressed. Over expression of GSTO2 induced apoptosis. The gene encoding GSTO2 was localized to human chromosome 10q24.3, a region that may harbor gene(s) involved in the developing of colorectal cancer. To investigate the association between GSTO2 N142D genetic polymorphism and susceptibility to colorectal cancer the present study was done. We studied 63 (26 females, 37 males) colorectal cancer patients and 126 (52 females, 74 males) healthy individuals. The control subjects were frequency matched for age and gender with the colorectal cancer group. The genotypes were performed using RFLP-PCR method. The ND and DD genotypes were not associated with risk of colorectal cancer, in comparison with the NN genotype. Family history for cancer in the first degree of relatives significantly differed between cases and controls (P = 0.012). The profiles of GSTO2 genotypes and family history in control and cancerous groups were compared to each other. Subjects with NN genotype and positive family history significantly were at high risk to develop colorectal cancer in comparison with subjects with DD or ND genotypes and negative family history (P = 0.003). Present findings indicating that GSTO2 NN genotype increase the risk of colorectal cancer in persons with positive family history for cancer in the first degree relatives.

Chemical interactions between CO2, brine, and caprock-forming minerals might lead to dissolution of the fractures present in the caprock of CO2 storage sites. One factor that can affect the chemically induced fracture alterations is mineral heterogeneity in the caprock. In this study, we investigate the effect of mineral heterogeneity on fracture dissolution of four carbonate-rich caprock samples, having different levels of heterogeneity, where CO¬2-rich brine flows through the fractured caprocks. A HPHT geomaterial microfluidic experimental setup is used to monitor the evolution of the fractures. Results indicate that the homogeneous caprock samples, i.e. the samples that are mainly composed of calcite, show a uniform fracture wall dissolution while fracture wall roughness increases for heterogeneous samples. The effluent chemistry analyses show that the sample-scale calcite dissolution rate decreases over time, which can be due to the mass transfer limitations in the boundary layer near the fracture wall (for the homogeneous sample) or in the altered layer formed around the fracture (for the heterogeneous samples). Microfluidic experiments were also done for one carbonate rich finegrained shale sample, which showed no detectable fracture alteration. However, the effluent analysis for the shale sample confirmed the calcite dissolution.

Association between polymorphisms of X-ray repair crosscomplementation group 1 (XRCC1, at codons 194 and 399) and also several classes of glutathione S-transferases (GSTs such as GSTS1, GSTL1) and risk of breast cancer have been studied extensively [1][2][3][4][5][6]. A significant association has been found between XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and breast cancer risk [1,2]. The null genotype of GSTM1 increased the risk of breast cancer [6]. There is only one study investigating the association between genetic polymorphism of GSTO2 N142D and risk of breast cancer, using very small sample size. However, no significant association was reported [7]. There is no study investigating the additive effects of these polymorphisms and the breast cancer risk. To get more insight into the possibility of contribution of these genetic variations to susceptibility of breast cancer, the present study was done.The present case-control study used participants from our previous study [8]. We lost DNA samples of 11 subjects. Therefore, we include 181 breast cancer patients and 181 healthy subjects in the analysis. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, and the study was approved by the institutional review board at our university. Genotypic analysis for the study polymorphisms and laboratory quality control were described previously [3,[8][9][10].Frequency of the GSTM1 null genotype among breast cancer patients and control subjects were 61.3 and 50.2%, respectively. There was significant difference between cases and controls (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.03-2.38, P = 0.035). The prevalence of GSTT1 null genotype was similar between cases and controls (25.9 vs. 24.8%; OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.66-1.70, P = 0.809). In the recessive effect of the 399Gln allele of XRCC1 (comparison between Gln/Gln versus Arg/Arg ? Arg/Gln), Gln/Gln genotype significantly increased the risk of breast cancer (OR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.16-4.19, P = 0.015). The association between Arg194Trp polymorphism of XRCC1 and breast cancer risk was not significant (Trp/Trp ? Arg/Trp versus Arg/Arg genotype; OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 0.79-2.37, P = 0.266). The present results confirmed previous reports [1][2][3][4][5][6].For the N142D polymorphism of GSTO2, the prevalence of NN, ND, and DD were 44.2, 43.1, and 12.7% in control group and 40.9, 41.4, and 17.7% among patient subjects, respectively. The ND (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 0.66-1.62, P = 0.865) and DD (OR = 1.50, 95% CI: 0.80-2.80, P = 0.198) genotypes had no significant effect on risk of breast cancer, in comparison with the NN genotype. Neither recessive (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 0.82-2.63, P = 0.189) nor dominant (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 0.75-1.75, P = 0.524) models of the 142D allele were significant, confirming previous report [7].Genetic polymorphisms that were significant by P \ 0.3 (GSTM1, GSTO2, XRCC1 at codons 194 and 399) in the univariate analysis were included in the analysis for investigating the additive effects of the genotypes. Table 1 showed the profiles of GSTs and XRCC1 genotypes in control and cancerous groups. The refer...