Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences
Year:2012 | Volume:15 | Issue:1|Papers Count:11

Cervical cancer is, globally known to be, one of the most common cancers among women especially in developing countries. More than 90% of cervical cancers are associated with high-risk human papillomaviruses (HPVs) particularly HPV types 16 and 18. Two major strategies have been developed for prevention and treatment of cervical cancer and other HPV-associated malignancies, the first one is based on HPV virus-like particles (VLPs) containing HPV structural proteins. VLP based vaccines can induce genotype specific virus neutralizing antibodies for preventing HPV infections. The other strategy is based on HPV early genes especially E6 and E7 for eliminating the established HPV infections, therefore they are classified as HPV therapeutic vaccines. This article reviews the preventive and therapeutic vaccines against HPV infections and cervical cancer.

The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO) and certain acute phase proteins (caeruloplasmin, transferrin, haptoglobin, C-reactive protein) in Nigerian subjects after short and prolonged exercises.Materials and Methods: A total of 57 subjects (34 males and 23 females) between ages of 19 and 45 years participated in this study and were divided into three groups: Group 1 (Prolonged exercise) consisted of footballers (10 males and 9 females) who played football for at least two hrs daily, Group II (Moderate exercise) consisted of individuals (14 males and 5 females) who played football for 30 min 3 times a week, Group III (10 males and 9 females) were sedentary workers, who rarely had any form of physical exercise. The plasma samples were assayed for NO, C-reactive protein (CRP), caeruloplasmin, haptoglobin, and transferrin using spectrophotometer and immunoplates. Statistical analysis was done using the student’s-t-test.Results: The result showed that there was a significant reduction in the level of NO in prolonged exercise (P<0.05) when compared with control subjects while the increase of NO in subjects with moderate exercise was not statistically significant when compared with control subjects. C-reactive protein was significantly increased (P<0.01) while transferrin and haptoglobin were significantly reduced (P<0.001 and P<0.01 respectively) in subjects with prolonged exercise when compared with control subjects. In moderate exercise, haptoglobin was significantly reduced (P<0.05) while the reduction in the levels of caeruloplasmin and transferrin was not statistically significant when compared with control subjects. The mean level of CRP was significantly raised in prolonged exercise compared with controls or moderate exercise while the level of caeruloplasmin was significantly reduced in prolonged exercise compared with controls or moderate exercise.Conclusion: Moderate exercises should be encouraged.

Objective(s): The aim of this study was to formulate and evaluate microencapsulated controlled release preparations of theophylline using ethylcellulose as the retardant material with high entrapment efficiency.Materials and Methods: Microspheres were prepared by water-in-oil-in-oil (W/O1/O2) emulsion-solvent diffusion (ESD). A mixed solvent system consisting of acetonitrile and dichloromethane in a 1: 1 ratio and light liquid paraffin were chosen as primary and secondary oil phases, respectively. In the current study formulations with different drug/polymer ratios were prepared and characterized by drug loading, loading efficiency, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).Results: The best drug to polymer ratio was 0.5: 1 (F2 formulation). F2 Formulation showed 29.53% of entrapment, loading efficiency of 88.59%, and mean particle size of 757.01 mm. SEM studies showed that the microspheres were spherical. FTIR, SEM, XRD and DSC showed that drug in the microspheres was stable and revealed crystallinity form.Conclusion: The results showed that, generally, an increase in the ratio of drug to polymer resulted in a reduction in the release rate of the drug which may be attributed to the hydrophobic nature of the polymer. The release of theophylline was found to be diffusion controlled and was influenced by the drug to polymer ratio, loading efficiency, and particle size. Thein vitro release profile could be modified by changing various processing and formulation parameters (as stirring rate, the volume of dispersing medium, and non-solvent concentration) to give a controlled release of drug from the microparticules.

Objective(s): This investigation was conducted to evaluate the effects of diabetes on the structure and function of testicular tissue.Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced in male adult rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. Body and testicular weight, hormonal analyses, histological and ultrastructural analyses were measured.Results: The body and testicular weights were dropped significantly (P<0.05) in diabetic rats in comparison with control rats. On the other hand, in diabetic rats, the blood glucose level increased significantly (P<0.05). The blood plasma levels of testosterone, 17-b estradiol, progesterone, FSH and LH were reduced in diabetic rats.Histomorphological studies were revealed reduction in diameter of seminiferous tubules and germinal epithelium height, edema in interstitial tissue, germ cell depletion, decrease in cellular population and activity with disruption of spermatogenesis in diabetic rats. Ultrastructural study showed the mitochondrial change and reduction of smooth endoplasmic reticulum in Sertoli and presence of lipid droplets in Leydig cells of diabetic rat’s testes.Conclusion: The results of the present study confirmed that, the ultrastructural changes of Sertoli and Leydig cells, brought about by streptozotocini nduced diabetes, because of the alterations in pituitary gonadotropins, and these changes influence the normal spermatogenesis in rats.

Objective(s): The primary objective of this study was to determine whether local and imported cigarette brands used in Iran, have elevated levels of metals or not. The produced data of cigarette brands are compared both with each other and with the existing brands in different countries.Materials and Methods: In present study, nineteen various cigarettes brands were randomly purchased from the commercially available cigarettes in Iranian market (Birjand city) including local Iranian branded and imported cigarettes.All samples were analyzed for heavy metals, viz. Cd,, Cu, Co Ni, Zn and Pb by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer after microwave-assisted wet digestion method with nitric and perchloric acids.Results: The observed average metals concentrations for cadmium in all cigarette brands was 2.71 and ranging 1.76 to 3.20, copper 9.7 (5.18-17.6), cobalt 4.42 with range of 2.57-6.49, nickel 17.93 (10.0-30), zinc 27.02 (18.1-42.2) and value for lead was 2.07 with range of 1.05 to 3.10 (μg/g dry weight) and mean metals content per cigarette was also measured. The produced data of imported and local cigarette brands are discussed and compared together and with studies from elsewhere.Conclusion: The investigation may confirm that the level of metal contents in Iranian cigarettes is similar to the other parts of the world. However, the concentration of these metals was slightly higher in comparison with other investigation.

Objective(s): Ocimum basilicumL. is widely used in folk medicine of many countries including Iran. Both O. basilicum and its oil extract have received considerable attention for their potential medicinal properties, but there are a few reports about possible toxicity of this plant. Therefore, in the present study, acute and subchronic toxicity ofO. basilicum hydroalcohlic extract have been evaluated in Wistar rats.Materials and Methods: For the acute toxicity assessment, five groups of 10 animals (5 male, 5 female) received four different single dose of extract orally, the animals were, then, kept under observation for 14 days. For subchronic toxicity, the animals were divided into four groups (5 male, 5 female) and were gavaged daily by 50, 200 and 500 mg/kg of extract. Mortality, clinical signs, body weight changes, food and water consumption, and hematological and biochemical parameters were monitored during the study period. On the 45th day, animals were sacrificed and gross findings, weight of liver and left kidney and liver histological markers were assessed.Results: The results of acute study indicated that LD50 of O. basilicum is higher than 5 mg/kg. In subchronic study, no adverse effects were observed on serum parameters in male and female rats. The hematological results showed a reduction in the hematocrit, platelets and RBC in both sexes. No abnormalities were observed in other parameters.Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, present data suggest that hematologic system could serve as a target organ in oral toxicity of this plant.

Objective(s): Production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) by enteric bacteria continues to be a major problem in hospitals and community. ESBLs producing bacteria cause many serious infections including urinary tract infections, peritonitis, cholangitis and intra-abdominal abscess. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ESBLs producingEscherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria isolated from clinical samples of patients attending Imam Reza and Ghaem University Hospitals, Mashhad, Northeast of Iran.Materials and Methods: During 2009 and 2010, 82 strains ofE. coli and 78 strains of K. pneumoniae were isolated from out-patients and hospitalized patients and they were examined by Oxoid combination disk test and PCR methods.Results: We found that 43.9% ofE. coli and 56.1% of K. pneumoniae produced ESBLs. The frequency of SHV and TEM among the ESBLs producing isolates were 14.4% and 20.6%, respectively. Ratios of ESBLs positive isolates from out-patients to hospitalized patients were 24/33.Conclusion: This study shows that the prevalence of ESBLs producingE. coli and K. pneumoniae is high in both study groups (out-patients and hospitalized patients). Therefore it seems that continuous surveillance is essential to monitor the ESBLs producing microorganisms in hospitals and community.

Objective(s): In addition to several molecular methods and in particular 16S rDNA analysis, the application of a more discriminatory genetic marker, i.e., 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer gene sequence has had a great impact on identification and classification of mycobacteria. In the current study we aimed to apply this sequencing power to conclusive identification of some Iranian clinical strains of mycobacteria.Materials and Methods: The test strains consisted of nineteen mycobacterial isolates which were initially identified by the use of conventional phenotypic techniques and molecular methods and subjected to further definitive identification using the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer gene sequencing.Results: Out of 19 studied strains, 7 isolates were found to be rapidly growing and 12 isolates as slowly growing mycobacteria. With the exception of one isolate, i.e., the isolate HNTM87, which yielded a distinct ITS sequence incomparable with all previously identified mycobacteria, the remaining isolates produced the sequences similar to the established mycobacteria and were clearly identified and differentiated from closely related taxa. A phylogenetic tree based on maximum parsimony analysis of 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer gene sequences constructed showing the relatedness of Iranian clinical isolates with the closely related type species of mycobacteria.Conclusion: This study showed that the 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer gene of the genusMycobacterium exhibits a high variation which is of value for discriminating closely related taxa and could be used independently or in combination with 16S rDNA sequencing to delineate the true identity of rare mycobacterial species.

Objective(s): Curative treatment of breast cancer patients using chemotherapy often fails as a result of intrinsic or acquired resistance of the tumor to the drug. ERK is one of the main components of the Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK cascade, which mediates signal from cell surface receptors to transcription factors to regulate different gene expression. In this study, cytotoxicity and the expression of Erk1/2 and phospho-ERK was compared in MDA-MB-231 (ER-) and MCF-7 (ER+) cell lines after treatment with doxorubicin (DOX) or docetaxel (DOCT).Materials and Methods: Cell cytotoxicity of DOX or DOCT was calculated using MTT assay. Immonofluorescent technique was used to show MDR-1 protein in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells after treatment with DOX or DOCT. The expression of ERK1/2 and phpspho-ERK was assayed with immunoblotting.Results: Comparing IC50 values showed that MDA-MB-231 cells are more sensitive than MCF-7 cells to DOX or DOCT. Immonofluorescent results confirmed the expression of MDR-1 in these two cell lines after DOX or DOCT treatment. In MDA-MB-231 cells the expression of ERK1/2 and phospho-ERK was decreased after DOX treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast in MCF-7 cells the expression of ERK1/2 and phospho-ERK was increased after DOX treatment. DOCT treatment demonstrated the same result with less significant differences than DOX.Conclusion: The heterogeneity seen in cell lines actually reflects the heterogeneity of breast cancers. That is why, patients categorized in one group respond differently to a single treatment. These results emphasize the importance of a more accurate classification and a more specific treatment of breast cancer subtypes.

Objective(s): The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of PER-1-type ESBLs in drug resistantPseudomonas aeruginosaisolates.Materials and Methods: During one-year period (2008-2009), following isolation and identification of 56P. aeruginosa, the E -test method was performed for determination of minimal inhibitory concentration of ceftazidim. The isolates that they had MIC ³16 mg/ml against ceftazidim were used for determination of ESBL-producing by combined disk test (CDT) and double disk synergy test (DDST) methods.Bla PER-1 gene was investigated by PCR.P. aeruginosaKOAS was used as positive control.Results: Twenty-nine (51.78%) out of fifty six isolates had MIC³16 mg/ml to ceftazidime, twenty two (75.86%) of them were ESBL producers. Some isolates (27.5%) containedbla PER-1 gene.Conclusion: PER-1-type ESBLs producingP.aeruginosa has not been reported previously in Tabriz but there has been a rather high prevalence of it.

Objective(s): P53is an important tumor suppressor, which is mutated in later stages of many cancers and leads to resistance to chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to reveal mutations ofTP53 in colorectal cancer in Kerman province.Materials and Methods: A total of Forty-three colon cancer specimens as paraffin block or fresh tissues, which passed stage IIIA, were selected. Three exons 5, 7 and 8 ofP53 were amplified by PCR technique and sequenced directly.Results: The results showed two deletions at codon 140 and 142 in one tumor sample. GAT→AAT mutation at codon 184, and CGG→TGG mutation at codon 248 were seen in some tumor samples. Some mutations were also observed in middle of intron 7 in some tumor or normal tissues.Conclusion: Some of those patients with mutation inP53 gene had metastasis in other organs. Therefore, genetic test before chemotherapy is helpful for successful treatment.