objective: crocin, the carotenoid isolated from saffron, has numerous medicinal properties which include anticancer and antioxidant activities. some antioxidants, such as carotenoids, can act as pro-oxidants at higher dosages and therefore induce tissue damage. in this situation antioxidant defense systems in the liver activate to prevent tissue damage. this study investigates the possible toxi...

The radiobiological effects of high atomic number and energy (HZE particles) ion beams are of interest for radioprotection in space and tumor radiotherapy. Space radiation mainly consists of heavy charged particles from protons to iron ions, which is distinct from common terrestrial forms of radiation. HZE particles pose a significant cancer risk to astronauts on prolonged space missions. With ...

A brief review is given of the production and analysis of chromosome aberrations induced by ionizing radiation. The various tissues in which it is possible to demonstrate aberrations are noted and particular emphasis is laid on the culture of peripheral blood lymphocytes. Some examples of recent applications of the technique are described. These are in the determination of suspected overdoses t...

objective: the itpa gene is responsible to remove free deaminated purine nucleotides of itp, ditp and xtp from nucleotide pool of the cells. it seems that dysfunction in its activity, not only can increas the base substitution mutations frequency but also can works as a contrived factor to creating instability in genetic materials of the cells. there are several reports about the existence of s...

Background Epicardial adipose tissue is a highly complex endocrine organ that generates various molecules with profound local and systemic effects that can play a role in obesityrelated heart damage. Bariatric surgery is a last-step therapeutic option to ameliorate obesity. Objective: To compare the amount of epicardial adipose tissue, as well as anatomic and functional features of the heart, a...

Objective: To investigate the safety profile of image-guided drainage using the trocar technique. Methods: The medical records of 93 patients undergoing image-guided drainage procedures using the trocar technique at a local regional hospital from September 2004 to December 2006 were reviewed. Results: There were no incidences of significant neurovascular or adjacent organ damage. Conclusion: In...

BACKGROUND Several studies suggest that there is a pathogenic link between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cardiovascular diseases. On the other hand, increased sympathetic tone has been described in several respiratory diseases. Our objective was to determine whether hypertension mediated by sympathetic overactivity is a mechanism that explains the association between COPD and...