Iranian South Medical Journal
Year:2009 | Volume:11 | Issue:2|Papers Count:14

Background: The positive effect of Kozak sequence on the translational efficiency of the eukaryotic genes has been noted and can be used in order to increase recombinant protein expression. Methods: A CMV-regulated human factor IX (hFIX) –expressing plasmid containing factor IX minigene– equipped with the Kozak sequence was constructed. After verification, the constructed plasmid which was in parallel with a Kozak-less hFIX-minigene expressing plasmid (the positive control) and a parental plasmid (pcDNA3) as the negative control were used to transfect Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells, separately. The expression of the recombinant hFIX (rhFIX) was evaluated by performing one-stage coagulation test on the cultured media collected from the transfected cells after 2 and 3 days. Results: This study indicated the expression of biologically active hFIX by cells transfected with either of the recombinant plasmids in comparison with negative control. The data also shows a higher coagulation activity in the cultured media taken from the cells transfected with the Kozak: hFIX-minigene compared to that of the cells transfected with the Kozak-less hFIX-minigene. Conclusion: In addition to confirming the positive effect of Kozak sequence on the translational efficiency of the eukaryotic genes, the constructed plasmids provide new tools for systematic analysis of the ability of the transfected cells for the production of biologically active hFIX.

Background: Finding new antitumor compounds is essential for treating cancer. Streptomyces species are the major producers of antitumor agents. The objective of the present study was to screen the products of soil isolated Streptomyces species using cell culture technique to detect antitumor agents. Methods: Growth curve of Streptomyces was determined. In the production process, spore suspensions were inoculated to preculture medium and after 48 hours incubation, the bacteria were transfered to production medium. After 120 hours incubation of production medium, the process was stopped and fermentation broths were obtained. "Differential agar diffusion bioassay for cytotoxic substances", as a technique, was performed for the screening of antitumor compounds, so that the fermentation broths were examined on mouse T cell lymphoma using the mentioned technique. Cytotoxicity effect on T cell lymphoma was detected with appearance of blue zone on the cultures containing cancerous cells. Results: Two out of 125 products of Streptomyces showed positive result (blue zone). Conclusion: Two soil isolated Streptomyces products exhibited cytotoxic activity against tumor cell line. Therefore, these two products may have antitumor properties which warrant the need of further investigations.

Background: Magnesium acts as an essential cofactor for the activity of many enzymes. It regulates the work of cardiovascular system. The activity of sodium–lithium countertransport (SLC) and the concentrations of plasma biochemical parameters such as VLDL, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine are changed in cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of magnesium on SLC activity and some of the plasma biochemical parameters. Methods: New Zealand white rabbits (weighed 1350 ± 50g) were chosen for these experiments. This study was conducted through two in vitro and in vivo techniques. Through in vitro method, the effects of different concentrations of magnesium on SLC activity were investigated. In order to conduct in vivo method, the rabbits were divided into two groups (5 /group). One group was treated by MgSo4 (40 mg/kg body weight) through peritoneum for two weeks. For the second group, deionized water was used. The activity of SLC and mentioned biochemical parameters were determined. Results: The results of both in vitro and in vivo studies showed that magnesium can significantly decrease the SLC activity and also causes an increase in Km and decreased Vmax/Km of the system; and plasma concentrations of VLDL, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly decreased. Conclusion: Magnesium may cause a reduction in blood pressure through decreasing the SLC activity and affecting the concentrations of VLDL, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides and so improvement the cardiovascular diseases.

Background: Gastric cancer is the second most common cancer and the second cause of death due to cancer worldwide. Gastric adenocarcinoma is the most common fatal cancer in Iran and the number of patients with diagnosis of gastric cancer is increasing every year. The aim of this study was to compare the histological findings of the biopsies of non cancerous gastric mucosa of patients with gastric cancer and biopsies of gastric mucosa of dyspeptic patients without gastric cancer. Methods: In this case control study, the gastric biopsies of the non neoplastic area of 54 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and 54 gastric biopsies of dyspeptic patients without gastric cancer were reviewed by two pathologists at an Institute of cancer in Tehran, without knowing from which group the specimens were coming. The investigated variables were atrophic gastritis, dysplasia, intestinal metaplasia and lymphatic nodules. Results: There was no statistically significant difference regarding eosinophilic infiltration, but in patients with gastric carcinoma there were significant differences comparing to the patients without neoplasia in atrophic gastritis (76% and 42%, respectively; p=0.001), dysplasia (23% and 9%, respectively; p=0.0001), intestinal metaplasia (22% and 5%, respectively; p=0.01), and lymphatic nodules (98% and 39%, respectively; p=0.0001). Conclusion: Intestinal metaplasia, dysplasia and even atrophic gastritis can be considered as risk factors for gastric carcinoma. Therefore, in biopsied patients with these findings, a regular follow up is necessary.

Background: Brucella spp. is the causative agent of brucellosis. It was clarified that type-1 immunity is important in controlling Brucella infection. In this regard, macrophages have critical roles. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) which is a Th2-type cytokine that inhibits macrophage activation has been inversely associated with the disease severity in human. It is known that production of IL-10 is affected by its gene promoter polymorphisms. In this study, we investigated the relationship between IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms and susceptibility to brucellosis. Methods: A total of 190 patients with brucellosis and 81 healthy subjects who owned infected animals and consumed their contaminated dairy products were included in this study. All individuals were genotyped for three bi-allelic IL-10 gene promoter polymorphisms at positions -1082(G/A), -819(T/C), and -592(A/C) using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Results: The distribution of CC genotypes and C alleles at positions -592 and -819 of IL-10 were significantly higher in patients than in the healthy subjects (P=0.034 and P=0.0086, respectively). IL-10 ATA single and double haplotypes were significantly higher in controls, compared to the patients (P= 0.0278 and P=0.013, respectively). Conclusion: Higher frequency of C alleles at positions -592 and -819 of IL-10 and lower frequency of ATA/ATA haplotype in patients can be considered as genetic factors for susceptibility to brucellosis.

Background: Nowadays, there is an increasing interest in studying on herbal drugs for decreasing blood levels of lipid and glucose. There is a controversy in studies about the effect of psyllium on hyperlipidemia. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, a total of 72 subjects with serum triglyceride between 160 to 200 mg/dl and cholesterol between 130 to190 mg/dl, were randomly allocated into two case and control groups. We administered 5 gram per day psyllium for the case group, and 5 gram of per day cellulose for the control group. After 60 days, levels of serum lipids and glucose were assessed. Results: There was no significant difference in triglyceride levels between the case and control groups; but the serum LDL-cholesterol levels increased in both groups: 161.07 compared to 147.5 mg/dl in psyllium group (P= 0.002) and 156.8 compared to 132.10 mg/dl in control group (P<0.0001), while HDL-cholesterol level decreased only in the control group (48088 compared to 33.34 mg/dl; P<0.0001). Conclusion: Psyllium can decrease LDL-cholesterol level without affecting the serum HDL-cholesterol level.

Background: Vitex agnus-castus is a herbal drug with antiprolactin effect and it is effective in premenstrual syndrome and hypermenorrhea. The purpose of this study was to evaluate vitex agnus-castus extract (chaste tree) in comparison with placebo in treating patients with mastalgia, and evaluation of its acceptability and side effects. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 117 women with mastalgia, aged 15-50 years old, referring to women’s health centers, were divided into two groups. One group (55 patients) received 60 drops of vitex agnus-castus daily for three months and the control group (62 patients) received placebo for the same period of time. Results: By the end of the treatment, 88.4% of the vitex agnus-castus group and 17/7% of the placebo group showed positive response (P=0.0001). vitex agnus-castus was well tolerated and caused no side effects. Conclusion: Vitex agus-castus is an effective herbal drug with few side effects in treating mastalgia and it is well tolerated.

Background: Obesity in children and adolescents is a significant health problem that requires comprehensive prevention and intervention efforts. The present study was carried out to assess the effect of implementation of health promotion program in school on control of risk factor for obesity in obese adolescents and those at risk of obesity. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was carried out involving two groups (case and control) in 1385 in Tehran. Two boys’ secondary schools were selected randomly from secondary schools of 6th region of Education Ministry in Tehran. Body weight and height of the students were measured and body mass indexes (BMI) were calculated. They were divided into two case and control groups, each containing 35 students. The case group consisted overweight and at risk for overweight students (Overweight and at risk for overweight were defined as ³ 85th and ³ 95th percentile of age-sex-specific CDC 2000 BMI values, respectively). The tools for data collection included electronic scale, stadiometer, demographic questionnaires of adolescents and parents, Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), nutritional knowledge and a questionnaire for recording physical activity and watching TV in one week. They were distributed to be filled out by students before and one month after the intervention. The interventional program was done in four months included separate educational sessions for teachers, parents and adolescents and changes in school environment. Results: There was no significant differences between the adolescents’ mean Body Mass Index (BMI) in two group after intervention (P>0.05). There was a significant difference between mean nutritional knowledge score in the case group before and after the intervention (P=0.0015). We found significant differences between the mean of intake of dairy products, salty snack, sweets, carbonated beverages and fast food in the case group after and before the intervention (P=0.001, P=0.006, P=0.034, P=0.001; respectively), but there was no significant difference between the intake mean of these food products in the control group after and before the intervention (P>0.05). There were significant differences between the mean time of vigorous physical activity in one week and TV watching in the case group after and before the intervention (P=0.04, P=0.001 respectively) whereas there is no significant differences between mean time of these activities in control group (P>0.05). Conclusion: This research showed that although there were no significant differences between the students’ mean BMI between the two groups after intervention but implementation of this program to control risk factors for obesity regarding dietary pattern and physical activity was successful. Therefore, it is recommended to investigate the effectiveness of such interventions over time in further studies.

Background: Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mass and microarchitectural deterioration of bone, leading to enhanced bone fragility. Prevalence of osteoporosis increases with age. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of osteoporosis in women older than 50 years old in Bushehr port, irrespective of osteoporosis risk factors. Methods: A total of 406 women over 50 years old were selected from 13 cluster areas of Bushehr port using random sampling method. We used dual x-ray absorptimetry (DXA) for measuring bone mineral density of femoral neck and lumbar areas. Demographic data, smoking, physical activity, daily intake of vitamin D and calcium, body mass index and waist to hip ratio were recorded for each women. Results: Mean BMDs of lumbar spine and femoral area were 0.944 (±0.844) g/cm2 and 0.842 (± 0.181) g/cm2, respectively. BMDs had a trend to decrease with increasing age (P<0.0001). The prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in lumbar spine were 32.0% and 7.4%, respectively and the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in femur were 29.6% and 3.9%, respectively. No significant differences were observed between normal women and osteoporotic women in secondary osteoporosis risk factors. But osteoporotic women had more history of present or past smoking in comparison to normal women (P<0.05). Conclusion: Prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in women older than 50 years old in Bushehr port is less than USA, Europe and Tehran populations.

Background: Determination of thyroid volume using ultrasound has been recommended for monitoring public control of iodine deficiency programs in areas with mild iodine deficiency or with no iodine deficiency, instead of physical examination, in order to estimate the prevalence rate of goiter. The aim of this study was to determine the reference ranges of thyroid volume in Bushehr port. Methods: Thyroid volume of 1247 primary schoolchildren aged 7-10 years who were selected by probability proportionate to size method from rural and urban areas of Bushehr port was determined using ultrasonography. Medians and percentiles of thyroid volumes for age and body surface area were calculated for both genders. Results: The 97th percentiles of thyroid volume of Bushehr port schoolchildren according to age and sex were all lower than the corresponding sex-specific normative WHO reference values. Goiter prevalence was 1.68% according to WHO thyroid volume references for age in the studied population. The goiter prevalence according to age and body surface area-specific new normative WHO reference values were 7.13 and 7.17%, respectively. Conclusion: The 97th percentile for thyroid volume, calculated by ultrasonography in Bushehr port schoolchildren, were lower than the international WHO newly recommended reference values in all ages. Therefore, determination of a native reference value for estimating the prevalence rate of thyroid is highly recommended. According to ultrasonographically determined goiter prevalence, Bushehr is an iodine sufficient area.

Background: esophageal cancer is the 6th most common cancer in Iran. Prognosis in these patients is poor. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic factors that might affect survival of patients with esophageal cancer. Methods: All patients with esophageal cancer who were registered in Fars cancer registry between 2001 and 2005 were evaluated. They were followed from their diagnostic date until March 20, 2005 (as failure time). Prognostic factors were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier (univariate method) and Cox regression model (multivariate method). Results: Of 161 patients, 99 cases (61.5%) were male. The mean and median survival time was 21.46 and 12 months, respectively. According to the Kaplan-Meier method, variables such as marital status, males' and females' occupation, smoking and type of first treatment were determined as the factors which influence overall survival times of patients. Also, three variables of age at diagnosis, grade of tumor and type of first treatment were identified as independent prognostic factors for survival as determined by Cox regression model. Conclusion: Age at diagnosis and grade of tumor should be considered as the most important prognostic factors in esophageal cancer and early treatment should be considered in order to increase survival time of these patients.

Background: Blood transmitted infections have always made problems in the use of blood and blood products. In this survey, the seroprevalence of blood-borne infections among regular, sporadic (lapsed) and first-time blood donors of Bushehr city were determined. Methods: In a retrospective study, the prevalence of transfusion transmitted infections was surveyed among all donors of Bushehr city (20294 persons) during March 2006 to February 2007 and infections markers for hepatitis B and C, HIV AIDS and syphilis were surveyed through screening and confirmatory tests. Results: Among 20294 who donated blood through one year in Bushehr province, 8513 were regular donors (41.94%), 2523 sporadic donors (12.43%), 9258 first-time donors (45.61%) and 495 (2.40%) persons were determined as self-exclusion. Of these donors, 48 (0.23%) were HBsAg positive, 42 (0.20%) HCV-Ab reactive, and all were negative for HIV-Ab and syphilis. We found only 0.04% HBsAg positive among regular donors. Conclusions: Blood borne infections among regular blood donors were much less than non regular donors.