IRANIAN SOUTH MEDICAL JOURNAL (ISMJ)
Year:2017 | Volume:20 | Issue:5 |Papers Count:8

Background: The CYBA (Cytochrome B-245 Alpha Chain; p22phox) gene encodes an essential subunit of NADH/NADPH-oxidase This enzyme expressed in smooth muscle cells of arterieswhich produces the active oxygen species. On the other hand oxidative stress has a significant role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this study was to investigate the association of rs7195830 (c. *49T>C) and rs9932581 (c.-930G>A) polymorphisms in CYBA gene with coronary artery disease in an Iranian population. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, citrated blood samples were obtained from 180 subjects including 85 patient with CAD and 95 healthy people. The fragments containing rs7195830 and rs9932581 of CYBA gene from extracted genome were amplified by polymerase chain reaction. Then the genotype of samples was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Genetic association analysis was assessed by logistic regression test. Results: Data analysis of c.-930G>A polymorphism revealed a significant association between AA genotype and risk of CAD (OR: 2. 71, 95%CI: 1. 04-7. 06, p= 0. 041). Also, allelic analysis revealed that there was a significant association between A allele and CAD risk (OR: 1. 65, 95%CI: 1. 05-2. 57, p=0. 029), while there was no significant association between c. *49T>C polymorphism and risk of CAD. Conclusion: Findings showed that, the c.-930G>A polymorphism may have some role in the susceptibility to CAD. which it can consider as a potential biomarker in further researches.

Background: Salmonella is the important bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family that are very diverse biochemically and serologically, and mainly transmitted through food. The spread of non-typhoid Salmonella is one of the challenging issues in current research. Therefore rapid diagnosis and typing of the pathogensprovide efficient information about detection and controlling of infection. The aim of this study is typing the clinical strains of Salmonella Infantis. Materials and Methods: In this study, strains of Salmonella Infantis were isolated from different health centers. All of the strains were identified by standard microbiology, biochemical and molecular methods. Genetic relationship between strains was analyzed by ERIC-PCR method. Results: In this study, from 842 stool and blood sample of patients with diarrhea, 48 different strains were isolated which related to Salmonella Infantis. Strains categorized into 14 different groups by genotyping using ERIC-PCR method that highest number of the strains were placed in group 5 (20%, 10 strains). Conclusion: Results of this study demonstrated that strains of Salmonella Infantis which are examined genetically were diverse which can be due to the prevalence of polyclonal strains in human samples. It was also shown that ERIC-PCR method has great differential power for the molecular typing.

Background: SCZ (Schizophrenia) is common psychiatric and mentally disorder which display common genetic vulnerability. The α 7 neuronal nicotinic receptor gene (CHRNA7) is located on chromosome 15q13-q14. There are many single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in exons, introns and promoter sites inside the CHRNA7 gene. The aim of this research was study of polymorphism CHRNA7 with the development of schizophrenia in Iranian population. Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 100 patients with schizophrenia and 100 normal peoples as a control group were investigated. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples. Genotypes were detected by using a PCR-RFLP method. Statistical analysis was done by using the SPSS software version 20. Results: Frequency of CC, TC, TT genotypes in patients group were 18%, 42%, 40% and in normal groups were 14%, 45%, 41%, respectively. Statistical analysis were showed that in the total sample (male and female), there was no significant association between CHRNA7 gene polymorphism with schizophrenia disease. Conclusion: The presence of the T allele in CHRNA7 gene at rs904942 is not considered as a risk factor for schizophrenia. Therefore, further genetic studies with more SNPs and larger samples covering various populations, are needed.

Background: Today, heavy metals pollution in aquatic ecosystems is one of the most important global environmental problems. Because this metals have characteristics such as chemical stability, low degradability and bioaccumulation ability at different levels of the food chain cause the abundant ecological risks for organisms. Therefore, this study investigates the concentration of heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, lead, chromium, copper, nickel, zinc and iron) and ecological risk assessment of them in coastal sediments in the Special Economic Energy Zone-South Pars. Materials and Methods: In order to assess the concentration of metals, 16 stations along the coast was selected and three samples were taken at each station. After preparation and digestion of the samples, the concentrations of these metals were determined by using Polarography. Results: The results showed that the average total concentration of metals in sediment were (Fe > Zn> Cu > Ni> Cr > Pb > Cd > Hg), to amount (56. 065 ± 2. 04 > 45. 91± 12. 035 > 28. 58± 1. 77 > 18. 96 ± 0. 84 > 8. 59± 0. 47 > 0. 447 ± 0. 07 > 0. 03 ± 0. 016 mg/kg) respectively. In addition, evaluation indicators of the environment such as; Geo accumulation index (Igeo), Contamination factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI) represents less pollution and partly average in the region. Also the investigation ecological risk and environmental risk of heavy metals showed the risk was alike with (Cd >Cu> Pb> Ni> Zn> Cr> Hg) respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, it can be concluded that pollution in the region for Hg, Zn, Cr, Pb and Ni were low and moderate for Cd and Cu. High concentrations of cadmium in comparison with the corresponding amount in the crust of the Earth, along with high levels of pollution factor, pollution modified for Cd, Cu implies the effects of human activities on pollution and accumulation of these heavy metals in sediments. Based on the calculation of the ecological risk index of metals we can expressed that among the measured elements, sediments in terms of Cadmium are in moderate ecological risk.

Background: Bushehr Province has been located in the south west of Iran and due to water shortage crisis in this province, the water quality assessment of its rivers is very important. This study was conducted with the aim of the quality assessment of Shapour, Dalaki, Helleh, Baghan, Mond and Bahoosh in Bushehr Province by using NSFWQI and IRWQISC indexes, because of the importance of these rivers in drinking, agricultural and industrial consumption. Materials and Methods: In this study, water sampling information were taken from 11 stations along 6 rivers including Shapour, Dalaki, Helleh, Mond, Bahoosh and Baghan during 2011-2013. Then, Tthe quality assessment of above-mentioned rivers was implemented by using NSFWQI and IRWQISC indexes. PO4, NO3, DO, BOD, and COD were the parameters that used for the calculation of IRWQISC whereas DO, NO3, PO4, and BOD were utilized for the measurement of NSFWQI index. One way analysis of variance was applied for the comparison of the mean of water quality parameters among different years. Moreover, ArcGIS 10. 1 was applied for spatial analysis of water quality parameters and water quality indexes. Results: The results of this study indicated that according to IRWQISC index, Baghan and Dalaki rivers with scores of 31. 3 and 39. 8 were categorized as bad quality rivers while Shapour, Mond, Bahoosh and Helleh with 46 and 53 scores were included in the average quality category. In addition, with respect to NSFWQI index; Baghan River with a water quality index value of 68 was in the average quality group whereas the rest of rivers with values of 73 and 80 were in the good quality rivers. Conclusion: The findings of this study proved that the of Shapour, Dalaki, Helleh, Mond, Bahoosh and Baghan rivers water were suitable for agricultural purposes while it should be purified for drinking purposes.

Background: Mussel bivalves produce and secret sticky proteins which facilitate the adherence to surfaces in the aquatic environments. Specific properties of these proteins such as adhesion, resistance and biocompatibility have introduced their uses in biomedical engineering, dentals and production of biological adhesives. Materials and Methods: With respect to the morphologic indexes and COI gene sequence, the species of dwarves from the Persian Gulf were sampled. To identify the polyphenol glands, which produce the adhesive proteins, tissue sections were prepared from the foot. Then, the mussel fp-2 protein was purified by the ionexchange chromatography using salt and pH gradients and, the gel filtration chromatography. To confirm the presence of proteins in each fraction the Arnow test and NBT staining were used. For detection of the protein homogeneity, in each purification stage the SDS-PAGE electrophoresis was used. The NBT positive chromatogram peaks, after concentration and electrophoresis by Acid-Urea method, were blotted on nitrocellulose and detected by NBT test. Results: The specie morphology and taxonomy were recorded and matched to the FAO criteria and, "The Mollusks of Persian Gulf" the Persian reference book. It was belong to the Mytilidae family and Modiolus genus. The DNA and protein sequences were recorded in NCBI data bank as AB972412. 1 and BAP16437. 1 respectively. Also, the molecular weight of the purified fp-2 protein was about 45 KD. Conclusion: The present study was led to the morphologic and genetic identification of Modiolus sp. PG from the Persian Gulf along with the purification of fp-2 adhesive protein.

Background: Due to broad spectrum antimicrobial activity of Levofloxacin, it has been used widely around the world. Recently levofloxacin-resistance reports have been published. This study was done to evaluate resistance to levofloxacin in positive urine and blood cultures in Persian Gulf hospital in Bushehr, during 2015-16. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study all positive urine and blood cultures were enrolled, if the amount of the isolated pathogen colony counts were more than 105. Culture samples were divided into 3 groups including sensitive, intermediate and resistant; based on bacterial growth around discs. SPSS version 18. 0 was used as the statistical analysis program, and a p-value of less than 0. 05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Cultures belonged to 150 patients including 61 (%40. 7) male and 89 (%59. 3) female subjects with mean age of 42. 98 ± 29. 25 years were studied. Culture samples were consisted of urine (% 50. 7) and blood cultures (% 49. 3). E. coli was the most common pathogen (% 46) and Klebsiella (% 16. 7) was the second pathogen in all cultures. Regarding sensitivity to levofloxacin, 119 (% 79. 3) samples were sensitive, 22 (% 14. 7) culture had intermediate sensitivity and 9 (%6) samples were resistant to levofloxacin. The only resistant pathogen was E. coli. Conclusion: This study showed that Levofloxacin has good activity against many pathogens except for E. coli infections that showed some resistance. However, it can still be a good choice in treatment of most infections.

Background: According to the Royal Academy of Engineering (2009), “ synthetic biology aims to design and engineer biologically-based parts, novel devices and systems as well as redesigning existing, natural biological systems” . It has been predicted that synthetic biology would be one of twelve destructive and creative technologies in the future and would transform the life, business and economic world. Methods: By considering critical infrastructures in biological sciences, biomedical research centers, biotechnological infrastructures, national innovation system, national scientific roadmap and centers for doctoral training in I. R. Iran and recent experiences for progress of synthetic biology in different countries, a conceptual framework for the development of synthetic biology in I. R. Iran was designed. Results: Five strategies may be considered in order to develop synthetic biology in I. R. Iran. 1. The establishment of centers of excellence for research in synthetic biology; 2. Support of multidisciplinary cores for biomedical technologies in universities; 3. Networking and building a national Smart Specialization Platform for synthetic biology; 4. Education and training in synthetic biology to provide the critical national workforce mass; 5. Public engagement with synthetic biology. Conclusion: Together these five strategies provide an important foundation for establishment of essential infrastructures and expert workforce for the development of synthetic biology in I. R. Iran. By conducting a practical roadmap, Iran would be a leading nation in synthetic biology in the west part of Asia in the future.