MEDICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL OF ISLAMIC AZAD UNIVERSITY
Year:2015 | Volume:25 | Issue:1|Papers Count:11

In oncology, Pharmacogenomics is still considered to be the best strategy to personalize cancer therapy. Although, its clinical application is still limited to a few genes, And also in a number of cancers, the correlation between genotype and clinical outcome have been promising. However, since the current pharmacogenomic studies do not take into account the emerging role of cancer stem cells (CSCs) in drug sensitivity and resistance, Favorable results were not achieved. CSCs are the only tumor-initiating cells within a malignancy; due to this CSCs are at the apex of human cancer hierarchy system. But genetic variants affecting their activity in some specific signal-transduction pathways are generally neglected in current pharmacogenomic studies. Moreover, in several malignancies, CSCs represent a rare sub-population; therefore, whole tumor profiling might mask CSC gene expression patterns. This article reviews current evidence on CSC chemoresistance and shows how common genetic variations in CSC-related genes may predict individual response to anticancer agents. Furthermore, this article provides insights into the design of pharmacogenomic studies to address the clinical usefulness of CSC genetic profiling.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of infertility and endocrinopathy in women due to lack of ovulation. Silymarin has anti-inflammatory properties and is a modulator of the immune system. In this experimental study, the effect of silymarinon PCOS-induced rats was studied.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 144 adult Wistar rats were divided into groups of control, sham, PCOS (S.C. injection of 2mg estradiol valerate/ rat, once) and treated with silymarin. After induction of PCOS during 60 days, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg BW silymarin was injected intraperitoneally for 10 days. Sham and control groups received DMSO and no injection, respectively. All groups were anesthetized and the serum and ovary of groups were collected in order to investigate the histological and serologic changes. Data were tested using ANOVA in Instat software and P <0.05 was considered significant.Results: PCOs induction resulted in elevation of follicular cyst formation, abnormal follicular development and increasing of androgen compared with control rats. Silymarin attenuated ovarian cysts and thickness of theca layer and improved hormonal balance and follicle development in PCOS rats.Conclusion: Silymarin can reduce the histological and hormonal symptoms of PCOS, and has a protective effect on ovary. It seems that this potency is due to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of silymarin, which can reduce cyst counts and improve the development of ovarian follicles.

Background: Burn wound, as a chemical and physical phenomenon, is a leading cause of mortality in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Cinnamon zeylanicum extract on burn wounds in diabetic and non-diabetic male rats by local usage and injection method.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 48 Wistar male rats were divided into 2 groups of non-diabetic burn wound group and diabetic group which was divided itself into 4 subgroups. To create wounds, a hot iron seal placed on the skin. Testing duration was 21 days. At the end of every week, some photographs and measurement were taken.Results: In diabetic control and local treatment group, a significant reduction was found on 14th day in wound surface in comparison of diabetic group that received extract. For local treatment, a significant reduction was observed in healthy treatment group on 7th, 14th and 21th days. Both healthy treatment and control group who received injection had a significant reduction on 14th and 7th days compared to healthy control group.Conclusion: Application of cinnamon zeylanicum extracts would contribute to burn wound improvement and it seems more effective in non-diabetic group compared to diabetic group, and also the injection method was more effective. Perhaps, this is due to better absorption of Eugenol and Cinnamaldehyde in extract by injection rather than local treatment.

Background: Brain ischemia is one of the most important problems in the world and causes severe brain damages, especially in CA1 region of hippocampus. Calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil, have neuroprotective effects. This study was done to investigate neuroprotective effects of verapamil on the CA1 region of hippocampus in the male rat.Materials and methods: This experimental study was conducted on 24 male adult Wistar male rats (250-300 g) that were divided into four groups: control, ischemia, vehicle and treatment. For induction of ischemia, both common carotid arteries were blocked for 20 minute followed by reperfusion. Verapamil (10 mg/kg) was administrated 1 hour before and after ischemia intraperitoneally in treatment group. The brains were dissected and processed for Nissl staining. The results were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s tests.Results: Data showed no significant difference between the number of viable pyramidal cells in CA1 region of hippocampus in control and 10 mg/kg verapamil treated groups, but number of pyramidal cells reduced in ischemia and vehicle groups and there was significant difference between these groups with control (P<0.05). This study showed that the injection 10mg/kg of verapamil can reduce damaged cells in CA1 region of hippocampus in rats that were subjected to transient global cerebral ischemia.Conclusion: It seems that administration of verapamil (10mg/kg) decreases severity of neuronal damage in CA1 cells of hippocampus in rat following transient ischemia reperfusion.

Background: The rat pheochromocytoma cell line (PC12) differentiates and converts into neuron-like cells in in vitro condition under inductive factors. Researchers have shown that different growth factors, like neurotrophic growth factor (NGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), have different effects in proliferation, survival and differentiation of the cells. It was hypothesized that porous biodegradable polymer scaffolds support the formation of complex 3D tissues during differentiation of PC12 cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of nanofibrous scaffold PCL/gelatin on neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells.Materials and methods: In this basic study the PC12 cells were seeded on PCL/gelatin under identical media and growth factor supplementation conditions. Gene expression including Nestin and Map2 (Microtubule-associated protein 2) was analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR and immunostaining. Cellular morphology was analyzed with light microscopy; sphere ultra structure was analyzed with scanning electron microscopy.Results: PC12 cells could efficiently differentiate into neuron-like cells on 3D culture and PCL/gelatin scaffold had no adverse effect and toxicity on PC12 cells.Conclusion: Using tissue engineering provides a potential mechanism for creating viable human neural tissue structures for future therapeutic applications in neural pathologies such Parkinson’s disease, spinal cord injury, and Glaucoma.

Background: As cytotoxicity and antibacterial properties are considered as two essential factors for advanced wound care dressings, many attempts have been made to introduce and apply potent substances to provide these requirements. In this study, keratin as a valuable substance extracted of human hair waste and fabricated to a nanofibrous scaffold for achieving to least cytotoxic and improved antibacterial properties.Materials and Methods: Keratin was extracted of human hair waste by an alkaline method and it was characterized by SDS-PAGE electrophoresis method. Extracted keratin was accompanied in different concentrations with PVA and silver nanoparticles and then fabricated into nano-fibrous scaffold through electrospinning method. Fabricated scaffolds were investigated and compared by scanning electron microscopy, measuring antibacterial activity (AATCC Test method 100-2004) and MTT assay (directly and by ISO 10993-5 standard method).Results: Keratin with molecular masses of 56-65 kDa observed in the extracted substance. 3D scaffolds of nanofibers with diameter between 90-180 nm fabricated with different concentrations of kertain successfully. With the increase in keratin concentrations in fabricated scaffolds, their antibacterial activity against both Escherichia coli (ATCC8793) and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC6538) bacteria were improved significantly. Furthermore, incorporating of keratin caused improved cell viability about 21% more in compare with the control sample.Conclusion: Valuable keratin was obtained from an economical source with an alkaline method. Beside the intrinsic and proven properties of keratin such as compatibility with human skin, introducing this substance to nanofibrous scaffolds caused improved antibacterial properties and cell viability making it as a potent candidate for advanced wound caring purposes.

Background: One of the radioactive sources in operating room is fluoroscopy which is used in a variety of surgical operations. Because the operating room walls are not protected by lead, this study was done to measure the radiation receiving dose at nearby room during fluoroscopic percutaneous nephrolithotomy.Materials and methods: After randomization, we measured x-ray in distance of 0.5 m, behind wall (3.50 m), and 30 meter (background dose) in 40 urological procedures in a simultaneous manner for a period of two months by using 12 thermoluminescent chips, and compared the results using independent T test.Results: The total fluoroscopy time was 66.90 minutes and the mean voltage used was 76.38 kV. Mean radiation dose for 40 procedures received at a distance of 0.5 meter was 0.426 ± 0.188 with minimum of 0.260 and maximum 0.689 mSv, while radiation dose received by a nearby room was zero. There was statistically significant difference between the amount of radiation received at distance of 0.5 meter and the adjoining room (P <0.05).Conclusion: The amount of radiation received at 0.5 meter was high and safety guidelines should be considered. Furthermore, the dose of radiation received in a neighboring room like the background dose was zero which means that working in adjoining rooms is safe.

Background: Intelligence is one of the most important individual differences among members of the community. Spiritual intelligence is performance with insight warmth and compassion with the outer and inner calm. Purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between spiritual intelligence, self-control, and defense mechanisms in the third grade high school girls in the city of Mehran.Materials and methods: This descriptive and correlational study was performed on all girl students in the third grade high school girls in Mehran city (n=a08). Spiritual intelligence questionnaire of Abdullahzadeh, defense mechanisms questionnaire of Hosseini and Tanjy self-control questionnaire were used. Data were analyzed with statistical software SPSS 19.Results: A significant positive correlation was observed between spiritual intelligence and self-control level (p<0.01). There were positive correlation between spiritual intelligence and breaking mechanism and also rationalization (p<0.01), but there were no significant correlation between the spiritual intelligence and return mechanism, displacement, denial, fantasies, sublimated, and transformation. Conclusion: This study showed that spiritual intelligence strengthens mature defense mechanisms, and people can deal with stressors in a right way.

Background: Diabetic nephropathy is a dangerous complication of diabetes which has a high prevalence among diabetic patients and is a cause of end stage renal failure in these patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate and determine the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy and related factors of diabetic nephropathy in Shahroud.Materials and methods: This descriptive study was carried out on 858 diabetic patients referred to diabetic center of shahroud city in 2011. General examination and nephrologic study with collection of urin protein in 24 hours and sonography was done.Results: 858 patients with mean age of 47.9± 11.7 years were studied. Mean duration of diabetes, BMI and fasting blood glucose was 53.8±48.5 months, 27.9 ± 4.9 kg/m2 and 287.5 ± 158.4 mg/dl, respectively. 24hr urine protein exam showed 607 (70.7%) normal condition and 251 (29.3%) diabetic nephropathy, in which 23.4% had mild type and 5.9% had severe type. Significant relationship were observed between diabetic nephropathy and age of patients (p<0.005), type II diabetes (p<0.003), duration of diabetes (p<0.003), fasting blood sugar (p<0.008) and kind of anti-diabetic drugs (p<0.003), but there was not a relationship between gender and diabetic nephropathy (p=0.345).Conclusion: By timely diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, controlling the accelerating factors of diabetic nephropathy and informing the patients, we can decrease prevalence of this important complication of diabetes mellitus.

Background: Health care working should be considered as an occupational hazard. Risk of blood-borne viruses and preventing needle stick injuries, high costs of treatment and many patients capability lead to principles are called standard precautions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the standard precautions for preventing hepatitis B infection in the health care staff.Materials and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 135 employees of health services. Data were collected using questionnaire es for data analysis and statistical software was used SPSS-Ver19.Results: 23% of employees had been injured at least one time during their working years. 30 (21%) cases of injuries were reported. logistic regression analysis showed that the most important factors of decreasing the risk of injuries and raising the standard precautions were health care workers willingness to work (OR =1.78, CI=6.38-0.49) and standard precautions at the health center officials (OR =1.67, CI=3.62-0.53). Between jobs (p= 0.12), jobs status, educational level and the cause of injury (P< 0.05) with injuries significant relation were observed. The most common cause of injury was getting blood (10.40%) and the most prevalent means or instrument of damage was needle (11.10%).Conclusion: Our findings need to be revised in new construction principles affecting specialists' standard precautions for prevention of hepatitis B infection.