Zahedan Journal of Research in Medical Sciences
Year:2016 | Volume:18 | Issue:6|Papers Count:10

Dear editorLoop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) was recently developed by Notomi et al. [1]. LAMP requires a DNA polymerase known as Bst polymerase (Bacillus stearothermophilus) which has strand displacement activity. As, this special feature distinguishes LAMP assay from other commonly used molecular methods such as PCR (polymerase chain reaction) so there is no need for advanced equipment such as thermal cyclers [2].

Background: Beta-ionone is an aroma compound found in the Rosaceae family. Some evidence supported that beta-ionone has a great potential for cancer prevention. To date, the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of beta-ionone in human leukemia cell line K562 were not studied.Objectives: Hence, we investigated whether beta-ionone could inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis in the K562 cells.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, human leukemia cell line K562 was cultured and anti-proliferation effect of beta-ionone with different doses (25 - 400 mm) at different times (24 - 96 hours) on treated cells was evaluated by the MTT assay. To determine apoptosis rate, the Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry was performed.Results: The MTT assay showed that beta-ionone inhibited proliferation of K562 cells in a dose-dependent manner significantly (P= 0.0008). Moreover, the increased apoptotic rate was found after incubation of K562 cells with 200mm beta-ionone. The Hoechst staining and flow cytometry analysis indicated that beta-ionone could increase apoptosis of K562 cells in a dose-dependent manner.Conclusions: The results demonstrated that beta-ionone has anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects on K562 cells, and in the future may be used in the treatment of some leukemia sub-types.

Background: Candida spp. has been considered as the agents of acute and recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis.Objectives: The aim of current study was the evaluation of antifungal activity of Echinops cephalotes (Leaves and stem, manna) plant against species of Candida isolated from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis.Materials and Methods: In this research study identification of clinical isolates (50 cases) was inducted to the species level by means of conventional mycological methods, morophology on corn meal agar and chromogenic agar, germ tube production and biochemical methods. Antifungal activity of the ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extracts of E. cephalotes was studied against isolated Candida using agar well diffusion and microdilution methods.Results: Candida spp. which isolated from patients was C. albicans, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis and C. parapsilosis. The inhibition zone of ethanolic extract was 16.6, 13.3, 14, and 22 mg/mL respectively. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for most the cases were 15.6 mg/mL. The inhibition zone of aqueous extract was 16.8, 16.7, 15 and 15 mg/mL respectively. MIC for most the cases were 15.6-31.2 mg/mL. The inhibition zone of methanolic extract was 15.4, 13.2, 12 and 18 respectively. MIC for most of the cases was 7.8 mg/mL. Among the different extracts, ethanolic extract has the highest and aqueous extract has the lowest anti-Candida activity. Ethanolic, methanolic and aqueous extracts of trehala manna did not show any antifungal activity.Conclusions: This research is the first study on antifungal activity of E. cephalotes. Hence, this plantmaybe used further as medicinal plant against Candida spp.

Background: Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is a doping agent and it is used by athletes.Objectives: This study was carried out to evaluate the chronic, high doses of ND administration on Blood cell, lipid profile, and Liver enzymes in male rats.Materials and Methods: This experiment was executed on 30 wistar- Albino male rats divided, after weighing, in control, placebo, and test groups (n = 10). Test group received 15 mg/kg intramuscular (IM) ND for duration of 8 weeks. Group placebo received the same volume of placebo although control group did not receive any agent during the trial period. At the end, animals were anesthetized by diethyl ether, scarified, and then blood samples were collected from cervical vessels immediately. Blood cell, lipoprotein profile, and liver enzymes were measured by ordinary methods. Obtained data were analyzed by SPSS V. 15, via ANOVA and Tukey test.Results were expressed as mean±SD. Statistical difference was significantly recognized by P£0.05.Results: Results showed that AST, ALT, cell blood count, hemoglobin, hematocrite, and cholesterol values in group test were increased significantly compared to those of other groups, however, HDL value in this group decreased noticeably compared to control and Placebo groups.Conclusions: Present study revealed that chronic high doses of ND administration alter the liver enzymes, lipid profile, and blood parameter in male rats.

Background: Monocyte derived macrophages (MDMs) are appropriate in vitro models to study the function of macrophages in immune related diseases. Not only most of the methods in literature for efficient MDM culture and differentiation are expensive but also they require specific equipment. However, there are some reports indicating that monocyte enrichment is possible through attachment. Purification and differentiation of macrophages occurs in media containing human serum or platelet depleted plasma without extra supplementations. Different variables such as incubation time and serum concentration affect this simple MDM preparation method.Objectives: Here we represent an optimized simple method for MDM preparation from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC).Materials and Methods: To introduce an optimized method we accomplished the present descriptive study. After PBMC isolation and monocyte enrichment in complete RPMI 1640 growth media, macrophages were cultured and differentiated using human serum. Efficient phagocytosis was evaluated using heat-inactivated Escherichia coli followed by SYBR staining. Geimsa staining of macrophages was accomplished to visualize the typical morphology under light microscopy.Results: The derived macrophages have the typical morphology of differentiated macrophages and are able to phagocyte the heat inactivated SYBR stained E. coli.Conclusions: This optimized method is a simple and cost effective method to prepare MDM with typical morphology representations able to phagocytosis efficiently.

Background: Numerous epidemiological and experimental researches indicate that in utero exposure to some environmental chemicals and prescribed drugs during pregnancy can mediate various embryonic abnormalities and complications via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, which damages cellular macromolecules.Objectives: Theaim of the present study was to evaluate the sulfonamide-associated nephrotoxicity with possible underlying mechanisms in chicken embryo.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, one hundred fertile eggs were obtained and divided into five groups: 1) control group (without injection), 2) group injected with 2mgsulfadiazine, 3) group injected with 10mgsulfadiazine, 4) group injected with 30mgsulfadiazine and 5) group injected with 70mgsulfadiazine. After hatching, the renal tissue from the newly hatched chick was harvested for histopathologic investigation and also measurement of oxidative stress parameters [the ferric reducing capacity assay, the glutathione content (GSH) and the situation of lipid peroxidation (LPO)] by spectrophotometer.Results: Histologic examination of the renal tissue revealed that sulfadiazine induces hydropic degeneration, tubular necrosis, glomerular and tubular atrophy, formation of hyaline cast, congestion, hemorrhage, interstitial nephritis and fibrosis.Conclusions: Result showed the dose-dependent administration of sulfadiazine significantly altered the histopathologic structure of renal tissues of chickens. Furthermore, the major histopathologic events in the course of sulfadiazine cytotoxicity are renal tubule epithelial cell necrosis, interstitial nephritis and fibrosis, formation of hyaline cast and congestion and hemorrhage, although sulfadiazine at dose 30 mg and 70 mg caused perturbation in antioxidant defense system by marked increase in LPO, and decrease in GSH.

Background: Artemisia is a diverse genus of Asteraceae family that has pharmacological effects such as antiinflammatory, anticancer, antidiabetic and is used for treatment of diseases, including antioxidant effects against oxidative stress.Objectives: This study investigated the antioxidant effects of Artemisia deserti Krasch extract and diazinon.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Artemisia deserti was collected from Isfahan, Iran then 20 g of flower powder was extracted with 150 mL 80% ethanol and the 100, 200 mg/kg concentrations of ethanolic extract were prepared. The 48 male rats were divided in to 6 groups include the 1. Control, 2. diazinon treated group, 3. Diazinon+extract (100 mg/kg), 4. Diazinon + extract (200 mg/kg), 5 and 6. extract treated groups (100 and 200 mg/kg) respectively. The blood samples were collected and the rate of urea, uric acid, creatinine, serum total antioxidant and MDA (malondialdehyde) were assayed in serum. Also, the kidney tissue was isolated for histopathological examination. Finally, the statistical comparisons were done with one-way ANOVA test.Results: The rate of creatinine and MDA were changed significantly in the group that had received the extract (200 mg/kg) alone. Moreover, results indicate tissue disorders in all groups compared to controls, including the degeneration of proximal and distal tubules, atrophied glomeruli and accumulation of inflammatory cells. These abnormalities were associated with oxidative stress in some groups.Conclusions: Diazinon cause oxidative stress and kidney disorders, similar to the effect of artemisinin on kidney, therefore, simultaneous use of these compounds could enhance the toxic effects.

Dear EditorScreening of prostate cancer has been shown to reduce mortality rate [1]. Health belief model has been related to participation in health behaviors such as prostate cancer screening. The Health belief model consists of the following components: (a) perceived seriousness, (b) perceived susceptibility, (c) perceived barriers, (d) perceived benefits, and (e) health motivation [2]. The aim of this study is to predict prostate cancer screening based on the components of health belief model among men over age 50 years.

Background: The present study was designed to investigate the chronic effects of diazinon on oxidative stress markers in brain and heart of rats and the possible protective effects of tert butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), as an antioxidant.Objectives: Therefore, the present study was undertaken to evaluate the protective role of TBHQ on oxidative stress induced by diazinon in brain and heart tissues of rats after 7 weeks exposure to sub-lethal dose of diazinon.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 28 male Wistar rats which were randomly divided into four groups: diazinon group (10 mg/kg, once a day), TBHQ group (0.028 g/kg of diet, once a day), diazinon + TBHQ group (diazinon, 10 mg/kg, once a day +TBHQ, 0.028 g/kg of diet, once a day) and control group (corn oil, as vehicle of diazinon and TBHQ). The animals were treated with diazinon, TBHQ or corn oil orally using a stomach tube for 7 weeks.Results: At the end of 7th week, total thiol groups, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in brain and heart tissues were investigated. A significant increase in MDA levels (P = 0.01) in heart tissue was evident in diazinon group, when compared to control group. Rats of the TBHQ and diazinon + TBHQ groups presented a significant increase in thiol groups (P = 0.01), when compared to control and diazinon groups. In addition, TBHQ administration significantly increased the FRAP level of brain tissue in TBHQ and TBHQ + diazinon groups, when compared with control and diazinon groups, respectively (P= 0.001).Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that TBHQ treatment could improve antioxidant status in brain and heart tissues of rats with chronic toxicity of diazinon. However, it could not ameliorate the lipid peroxidation sufficiently.

Background: There is rare study on the association between FimH and kidney stone formation in our country.Objectives: Here we studied on stones and identified the bacteria in stones isolated from kidney stone disease and/or UTI patients attending to Hashemi-Nejad hospital (Tehran, Iran) to find out a possible correlation between stone composition and the diseases. We also measure the frequency of fimH gene and its related protein in Escherichia coli isolated from the patients to clarify the effect of this gene in kidney stone formation.Patients and Methods: In This observational-descriptive study, 40 kidney stone samples were gathered and the composition of each sample was determined. The frequency of fimH gene and its related protein was measured using PCR and protein extraction from separated E. coli bacteria.Results: The most prevalence of stones belonged to calcium oxalate stones and the most frequent bacterium in kidney stones was E. coli. The frequency of fimH gene in isolated E. coli was 57.14%.Conclusions: Our data indicated that almost all chemical types of kidney stones may involve in UTI and kidney stone formation. We also realized that although E. coli is a non-urea splitting bacteria, it is the most causative microorganism found in urine and stones. Finally we recognized that fimH gene is seen in the majority of kidney stone samples so it may have a role in formation of kidney stone, although it should be more clarified in future studies.