Introduction: Mucinous compounds are a group of neutral glycoprotein which have a prime effect for protection of surface epithelium against digestion. Studies showed the changes of these compounds in neoplasia and Intestinal metaplasia of the stomach. Materials and Methods: Specimens were taken from 25 surgically resected stomach from gastric lesion and it's periphery and processed as routine in pahology. Praffin blockes were cutted 3-5m thickness and sections were studied histochemically using Alcian blue pH=1 and pH=2.5, Toluidine blue pH=4.5 in Vernol's buffer,H&E and diffrent blocking techniques such as active metylation, mild metylation and active metylation with Saponification. Results: Results of this study showed the acidic nature of glycoprotein in intestinal metaplasia and signet ring cell carcinoma. More ever, sialomucins and sulphomucins were detected in type I and type IIb Intestinal metaplasia. Morever combination of tubidne blue and blocking technique showed that sulphate groups are responsible for metachromasia of mucinous compounds. Conclusion: The presence of sulphomucins in intestinl metaplasia recognized as arisk factor for progression of neoplasia , therfore recognition of these compounds inbiopsy specimen is a important warning and needs a serious follow up of the patient.

Zinc has an important role in skin health and its deficiency reduces immunity to evaluate levels of zinc in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of skin, we studied 44 BCC and 38 SCC cases together with 33 controls. Blood samples were taken and after separation of serum, levels of zinc, albumin and total protein were measured by atomic absorption albumin kit and reflectometer consecutively. Serum globulin levels were estimated by subtracting albumin from total protein levels. Zinc levels were significantly lower in cancer cases than control (P<0.001). Mean serum albumin of BCC cases was significantly more than controls (P<0.01), but in BCC cases was not significantly different. Significant correlations were seen between levels of serum zinc and albumin of SCC (r=0.507, P<0.01) and BCC(r=0.43, P<0.01) patients and controls(r=0.35,P<0.01). Mean globulin levels in cancer cases were significantly lower than control group (P<0.01).We concluded that serum zinc and globulin levels decrease in BCC and SCC of skin.

Milk thistle (Silybum marianum (L.) Gaertn) belonging to the Asteraceae family and known for its valuable secondary metabolite, silymarin. In order to get the cell suspension culture of Silybum marianum, the combination of 2,4-D and BAP hormones each with five different concentrations (0, 0.1, 1, 2 and 5 mg/L) and 3 different seedling explants (cotyledon, hypocotyl and root) was used to callus formation. High-quality callus was observed in eight different of hormone-explant combinations. Successful cell suspension culture was achieved only by using callus created from cotyledon explants treated with 0.1 mg/L 2,4-D and 5 mg/L BAP. Furthermore, the study examined the effects of 2% and 4% Serendipita indica cell wall extract as an elicitor on silymarin production in cell suspension culture at three different inoculation times (24, 48, and 72 h). After 48 h of inoculation with 2% fungal extract, the highest level of silymarin (199 ppm) was observed, which was significantly different from the control (46 ppm). The silymarin content of cells increased over time through elicitation with 4% fungal elicitor, while no similar pattern was observed with 2% fungal extract. Based on the results, the cell wall of S. indica can significantly enhance the amount of SLM in the cell suspension culture of S. marianum.