---

Background and Objective: Change in the cell surface and extracellular matrix glycoconjugates has been reported in many cancers. Moreover, diagnostic and prognostic importance of these substances and also their roles in therapeutic modalities for cancerous patients has been emphasized. This study was designed to explore the histochemical study of cellular mucopolysaccharides in esophageal and gastric carcinoma and its relation to tumor differentiation. Materials and Methods: In this laboratory study tissue samples of 40 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and 40 patients with stomach adenocarcinoma in different grades of tumor were selected from pathology department of Emam Reza hospital in Mashhad, Iran. Tissue samples were stained with Alcian Blue (PH 1 and PH 2.5) for Sulfated and Carboxylated mucosubstances respectively, along with positive and negative controls. Results: Normal esophageal epithelium and carcinoma cells of different grades showed negative reactivity but normal and tumoral stromal cells depicted positive staining in both PHs. In PH 1, normal glandular and carcinoma cells of the stomach were negative but in PH 2 glandular cells were positive though carcinoma cells showed weakly staining. Normal and tumoral gastric stromal cells showed positive staining in PH 1 and PH 2.5. Conclusion: It is highly probable that in the process of cancerization of normal esophageal squamous cells, functional changes, from the perspective of producing Carboxylated and Sulfated mucosubstances, do not occur, whereas some changes in glandular cells of stomach which result in diminishing the production of Carboxylated mucosubstances during cancerization process are observable.

---

Background and Objective: The food additives, like sodium and potassium benzoate are used in many food products and drugs to prevent the growth of yeast and molds. There is no report about the histopathological effect of potassium benzoate. Placenta, has a critical role in embryonic development therefore this study was set up to evaluate the effects of potassium benzoate on placenta of BALB/c mice.

Materials and Methods: 45 BALB/c female mice were allocated into two experimental (1, 2) and one control groups. Experimental groups received daily intraperitoneal injection of 280 and 560 mg/kg/body weight of potassium benzoate and control group received normal saline. All injections were done during 10 days before mating and 5^th to 16^th of gestational days (GD). In GD 18 all placenta were removed via cesarean section. Macroscopic studies for morphological abnormalities were done and after measuring of placental weight and diameter, for microscopic studies the specimens were fixed and tissue passage were done. Tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and histopathological changes were studied. Weight, diameter and percentage of agenesis of placenta in all groups were gathered. Data analyzed with using
SPSS-11.5, ANOVA and Tukey tests.

Results: The mean weight and diameter of the placenta in both experimental groups 1 and 2 were significantly decreased compared to control group. Also atrophy of placenta in the experimental groups was increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). Comparison of weight and diameter between groups 1 and 2 was not significant. Percentage of placenta agenesis in the experimental groups was increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). Massive hemorrhage in labyrinth zone, fetal and maternal zones were seen in both experimental groups.

Conclusion: This study showed that exposure of potassium benzoate during mice pregnancy cause morphological and histopathological changes of placenta, including decrease of weight and diameter, agenesis, hemorrhage and tissue disorders.

---

Background and Objective: Carbamazepine during pregnancy can induce various malformations. Recent studies have showed an increase in homocysteine level due to Carbamazepine administration. This study was to evaluate the effect of Carbamazepine on homocysteine serum level in pregnant mice and fetal malformations outcome. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 BALB/c timed-pregnant mice were allocated into 2 experimental and 2 control groups. The experimental groups were received daily intraperitoneal injections of 30 mg/kg (group I) or 60 mg/kg (group II) of Carbamazepine on gestational days 6 to 15. The control groups were received either - normal saline or Tween 20. Dams underwent Cesarean section on GD 18. External examinations were done and all data concerning malformations, weight and crown-rump of fetuses collected. Blood samples were collected from Dams' hearts prior to performing the Cesarean section. Homocysteine was measured using ELISA method. Data were analyzed using SPSS-18, ANOVA, Chi-Square and Tukey tests. Results: Significant increase in Homocysteine levels of dams’ serum compared to control groups was seen in both experimental groups I and II (10.56±1.31 and 11.11±1.64 µmol/L, respectively, P<0.05). The mean weight and crown-rump of the fetuses in both experimental groups were significantly reduced compared with those of the control groups (P<0.05). Various malformations such as limb defects, vertebral defects, facial deformity and severe malformations were observed in fetuses of both experimental groups. Conclusion: Serum elevation of homocysteine in Carbamazepine exposed pregnant mice may be a risk factor for induction of fetal malformations.

---

Background and Objective: The increasing usage of cell phones, have raised concerns about the potential effects of these waves on the health of individuals. In the present research the effect of mobile phone radiation on the expression of DAZL gene in BALB/c mice were studied.
Methods: 18 male mice were divided into three groups: Control, sham-exposed and experimental. Experimental mice were exposed to mobile waves for 2 hours daily, during 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, the testes were excised and RNA extraction and Real-Time PCR were performed. Sperm counts in deferen channel and the study of sperm motility in epididymis were done.
Results: The percentage of non-progressive sperm motility significantly increased in experimental group in compared to control group (P<0.05).The level of DAZL gene expression in the experimental group was significantly lower than the control group (P<0.05). Weight of the testis, percentage of live sperm, percentage of rapid progressive sperm motility and percentage of slow progressive sperm motility non-significantly reduced in experimental group in comparison with controls.
Conclusion: Exposure to cell phone waves for 21 days and 2 hours a day impairs spermatogenesis by reducing the quality and motility of sperm and also reduction of expression of DAZL gene.