Koomesh
Year:2014 | Volume:15 | Issue:4 (52)|Papers Count:25

Over the past decade, tumor immunology as a main topic of cellular and molecular immunology has achieved a great progress. Malignant tumor is defined by proliferation of the cells which loss proliferation control and invade host tissue causing metastasis. The most important characteristics of tumor cells are high proliferation capacity and invasion. Based on "Immune surveillance" theory, physiologic recognition and distraction of transformed cells is the main function of the immune system. Nowadays according to "Cancer immunoediting" framework theory, the immune system can play a dual role in protection against cancer as well as promoting cancer growth. In the immunoediting process, the immune system checks the normal cells by all surface antigen changes constantly. Immune response can recognize and remove the cancerous cells before they can develop into tumor ("elimination" of cancer). Surviving cancer cells continue to divide rapidly, providing a balance between the immune system and tumor growth (equilibrium phase). Over the time, tumor cells can eventually enter into the third and final phase which is called "tumor escape". The switch from equilibrium to escape phase can be due to either changes in tumor cells in response to immune editing function or because of immune system changes in response to tumor induced immunosuppression. In escape phase tumor microenvironment consists of immune suppressor cells such as Treg and Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells and immune suppress biomolecules such as IL-10, Indoleamine-pyrrole 2, 3- dioxygenase (IDO) and TGF-b. Deep knowledge on the complexity and mechanisms of immunomodulation in tumor microenvironment is a prerequisite for development of an effective cancer immunotherapy regiment. In an effective cancer treatment strategy immune effector cells and molecules in tumor microenvironment need to be activated whiel tumor induced immunosuppression has to be inhibited.

Cystic fibrosis is one of the most lethal multi-system disorders and is the most common autosomal recessive disease in Caucasians. The related protein is named cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductive regulator (CFTR). Various mutations in CFTR gene have been reported to cause CFTR loss of function and diseased phenotype. The most prevalent mutation is DF508, deletion of phe at position 508. Here, we briefly explain clinical features and diagnostic methods of the disease firstly, and then the genetics of the disease and its mutations as well as genetic studies in Iranian populations are reviewed. Up to now, totally 56 different mutations have been reported in Iranian patients which 8 of them reported for the first time. Seven common mutations in this population are as follows p.F508del (33.33%), c.1677delTA (7.41%), c.2183_2184delAAinsG (5.56%), p.N1303K (4.81%), c.2789+5G>A (4.44%), p.S466X (4.44%) and p.G542X (4.07%).

Introduction: Staphylococcusaureus causes a wide range of infections, from skin infections disseminated to systemic infections leading to organ failure and death. Drug resistance in this group of pathogens is a world-wide concern and needs the development of novel agents. Lysostaphin, an example of such a novel agents, is a bacteriocin secreted by Staphylococcussimulans to kill Staphylococcus aureus through proteolysis of the Staphylococcus cell wall. The aim of this study was to high level expression and in vitro evaluation of antistaphylococcal activity of recombinant prolysostaphinprotein under invitro conditions.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, lysostaphin gene of Staphylococcussimulans was amplified by PCR method, then was cloned and expressed into the expression vector pET-32a. The expressed protein was purified by affinity- chromatography using (Ni-NTA) resin kit. The Study of antibacterial activity against a cell suspension of S. aureuswere was performed using turbidity assay.Results: PCR and sequencing results showed the successful cloning of the target gene into the recombinant vector. The expression of protein was induced by IPTG and high concentration of the recombinant protein with antistaphylococcal activity was purified using Ni-NTA resin.Conclusion: Our data showed that, the pET32a expression vector is a very efficient system for producing recombinant prolysostaphin protein in E.coli.

Introduction: Physical exercise is well recognized as an important strategy for reducing the risk of chronic disease via improving the inflammatory profile. This study examined and compared the influence of three sessions versus five sessions of aerobic training per week on serum levels of C -reactive protein (CRP) and fibrinogen, and lipids profile in young sedentary obese men.Materials and Methods: This study was an applied one with semi-experimental design. Participants included 28 sedentary obese men (BMI: 30.8±2.81 kg/m2,mean aged: 21 years), which were randomly assigned to control group and two training groups: three sessions of running training (50-75% of heart rate reserve) per week for 50-60 minutes in each session, and five sessions per week for 30-40 minutes in each session. Both groups were trainined for a priod 16 weeks. Serum levels of CRP, fibrinogen, and lipids profile and anthropometric indices were measured before and 48 hours after the last training session.Results: Although three sessions of aerobic training perweek significantly changed the body composition (P<0.05), triglycerid (P=0.047) and LDL-C (P=0.048) levels, but no significant changes were observed in CRP and fibrinogen levels. In the five sessions training group, a significant improvement in anthropometric indices (P<0.05) and lipids profile (P<0.05), and a significant reduction of CRP (P=0.015) and fibrinogen (P=0.003) was observed. Furthermore, there were significant correlations between changes in fibrinogen concentrations and changes in waist circumference in the five sessions training group (P=0.048, r= 0.670).Conclusion: Aerobic training is useful for the improvement of body composition and ameliorating lipids profile. However, due to significant decreases in inflammatory biomarkers, CRP and fibrinogen, in the group with five training sessions per week, this training protocol is recommended to attenuate obesity and inflammation in young sedentary obese men.

Introduction: Obesity is one of the health problems. Obesity, especially abdominal obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Strengthening exercises are usually used to reduce localized fat. Many studies have investigated the effect of whole body vibration on body fat, while there is no study to evaluate the application of local vibration on local fat thickness. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of local vibration and sit-up exercise on abdominal local fat thickness in the young healthy women.Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried out on 54 healthy young women who were obese or overweight. They were randomly assigned in one of the following three experimental groups: local vibration, sit-up exercise, (3times a week for 12 weeks) and control group (no intervention). The local thickness of abdominal fat and the waist circumference were measured before and after intervention.Results: Mean and standard deviation of local fat thickness before and after intervention showed that abdominal local fat thickness significantly decreased in the vibration (p< 0.05) and Sit-up exercise (p< 0.05) groups. In the vibration group, mean changes of local thickness of abdominal fat was significantly higher than the sit up exercise group (p< 0.05). The mean changes of waist circumference did not show significantly difference between three groups (p=0.155).Conclusion: This study showed that local vibration can reduce abdominal local fat thickness in young healthy women. The results also indicated that local vibration is more effective than exercise alone on the abdominal fat reduction.

Introduction: It seems knee joint stability through co-contraction (CC) of hamstrings and quadriceps may be necessary for athletes with quadriceps dominance (QD) neuromuscular deficit. The lower CC and muscle activity ratio in medial compartment of knee can predispose this joint to excessive valgus position that exaggerates anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of perturbation training on quadriceps and hamstring ratios in QD deficit athletes.Materials and Methods: EMG data of quadriceps and hamstrings (during single limb drop landing) of 53 (26 control and 27 experimental) athletes with quadriceps dominance deficit (identified with tuck jump test) acquired in pre-test and post-test. After completing 6 weeks of perturbation training in experimental group, the repeated-measures analyses of variance, independent sample t-test and paired sample t tests used for statistical analysis.Results: After perturbation training, the lateral knee compartment CC decreased and medial knee compartment CC increased (both in feed-forward and feedback phases). The medial to lateral knee compartment ration increased after six weeks of perturbation training. Also in the post test, the higher effect size observed in studied variables.Conclusion: Improvement in CC in knee medial compartment can limit the knee valgus and also anterior shear force that led to ACL optimal control. Considering the extremely large effect size of the perturbation group, we recommend that this program be used in the correction of QD deficit women in future.

Introduction: Prenatal stresses have different effects on structural features and antioxidant system in the fetus and build up disturbances in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenalaxis. Propolis is known as one of the strongest natural antioxidants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Propolis on indices of oxidative stress induced by prenatal stress in the rat fetal brain.Materials and Methods: Pregnant female Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: Control, stress+Propolis solvent, non-stress +Propolis solvent, stress +Propolis 50 mg/kg, stress + Propolis 100 mg/kg and stress + Propolis 200 mg/kg. In the third to sixth groups, stress was created by restrainer for 6 hours per day from day 12 to day 20 of gestation in the rats. Then, the blood corticosterone and malondialdehyde (MDA), ferric ion reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels in brain were measured on day 21 of pregnancy.Results: Chronic prenatal stress significantly increased blood corticosterone levels and MDA, whileas, reduced the levels of FRAP, SOD and GPx in the brain tissue of 21 days old embryos. Treatment of pregnant rats under chronic stress with extract of Iranian Propolis significantly reduced corticosterone levels in blood and brain's MDA and also increased FRAP, SOD and GPx in the brain tissue from fetuses.Conclusion: Our findings showed that Iranian Propolis prevents from increasing serum corticostrone and brain MDA levels and from decreasing FRAP, SOD and GPx levels in brain under prenatal stress.

Introduction: Carnosine is an endogenous dipeptide expressed in many tissues including brain and has a protective effect against ischemic brain damage. However, its effect on brain edema, which is one of the most important variables in determining the amount of secondary brain damage after stroke, is not clear. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of L-Carnosine on brain edema and oxidative stressbiomarkers in an experimental model of focal cerebral ischemia.Materials and Methods: Under Laser Doppler flowmetry, cerebral ischemia was induced by transient occlusion of middle cerebral artery for 1 hour in rats. L-Carnosine at doses of 250 and 500 mg/kg.ip was injected immediately after induction of ischemia. Cerebral edema and enzymes activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were measured 24 hours after ischemia using a standard method and kit.Results: Administration of L-Carnosine at doses 250(%81.5±0.36) and 500 (%80.9±0.30) mg/kg significantly reduced brain edema by 25% and 40% in comparison with the control group (%82.53±0.16), respectively (P<0.001). Additionally, treatment with L-Carnosine significantly reduced MDA content and increased activity of SOD, GPx and total antioxidant capacity in the brain ischemic tissue (P< 0.001).Conclusion: Results showed Carnosine has a protective effect against brain edema in an experimental model of stroke. This is probably due to increase of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, inhibiting free radical generation and attenuating of oxidative stress.

Introduction: According to Association of Collage and Research Libraries (ACRL), information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information". The present study was performed to evaluate information literacy levels among final-year students of Semnan University of Medical Sciences.Materials and Methods: A standard questionnaire including 55 multiple choice questions about 5 different information literacy skills defined by Association of Collage and Research Libraries was used at the current study. The total score was 87 and each correct answer had one point and if a question had more than one correct answer, the number of correct answers was the score of that question. The questionnaire was filled out by all final-year students who graduated in2012.Results: The results showed that information literacy mean of the students was 36.2 (out of 87), which was less than information literacy average score (43.5). No significant difference was observed between students in regard to gender and their major discipline.Conclusion: Since the information literacy levels of final-year students was less than average score, it seems the student have no a comprehensive and in-depth knowledge of information literacy skills when they are graduating from the university and some workshops and modules would be necessary in order to increase their information literacy.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to investigate shorts effects of two common stabilization exercises the Abdominal Hollowing (AH) and the Abdominal Bracing (AB) on abdominal and back muscle recruitment and behavior of lumbar curvature in static standing tasks.Materials and Methods: In this crossover randomized clinical trial study (RCTs), 30 male (mean age 27.7) with NS-CLBP by convenience sampling were randomlly allocated to 3 equal size groups (2 interventions and one control group). Before and immediately after stabilization training (AH and AB), lumbar curvature and surface EMG activity from abdominal and back muscle was simultaneously recorded, in functional task that contain static standing with and without axial loading (12kg weight).Results: In static standing without axial loading, high EMG activity of local muscle was observed in the AH group and a significant reduction in erector spine (ES) and rectus abdominis (RA) activity in the AB groups. Meanwhile, in regards with axial loading, a reduction of TrA/IO in the AH groups and aslo ES with RA in the AB groups was seen (P<0.05).Lumbar curvature was surprisingly increased 2 degree after AH intervention and significantly decreased with axial loading (P<0.05).Conclusion: Short effects of stabilization training with transferred to untrained tasks have ability to effect on curvature and sequentially on posture.

Introduction: Angiogenesis is required for embryogenesis and many physiological and pathological conditions such as tumor growth. The effects of electromagnetic fields on cell development and growth have been investigated. In this experimental study, the synergic effects of saffron aqueous extract and lowfrequency electromagnetic field on angiogenesis were investigated on rat aortic ring.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Wistar rat aorta was divided into pieces 1 mm and cultured in collagen matrices. On day 3, following observed sprouting angiogenesis the samples were classified into 8 groups: Control group, the first sham-exposed group (treated with PBS), the second shamexposed group (treated with electromagnetic field off), and the third sham-exposed group treated with PBS and electromagnetic field off, the experimental groups 1 and 2 treated with 200 Gauss field for 2 hours and the concentrations of 200 and 300 mg/ml of saffron, respectively and the experimental groups 3 and 4 treated with 200 Gauss field for 3 hours and 200 and 300 mg/ml of saffron, respectively. All samples were photographed by invert microscope immediately and also 24 hours after the treatment. The number and length of vessels was determined by Image J software.Results: There was no significant differences between the control samples and the laboratory control samples 1, 2 and 3 with regards to average number and length of (P>0.05). However, the number of vessels in experimental groups 2 and 4 showed a significant reduction (P<0.001). Reducing in the average length of vessels between the experimental groups 2 and 4 (P<0.001) and also between the experimental group 1 and 3 (P<0.01) was significant.Conclusion: Results showed that aqueous extract of saffron has dose dependent inhibitory effects on angiogenesis. This inhibitory effect was increased by the electromagnetic field, suggesting a synergistic effect between them.

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of ultrasono graphic median nerve crosssectional area and median nerve-tunnel indices comparing to nerve conduction study (NCS) test in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).Materials and Methods: eventy-one hand with clinical symptoms of CTS and fifty-five healthy hands were participated in the study. The cross sectional areas of the median nerve and carpal tunnel in proximal and distal of carpal tunnel were obtained by ultra sonography. The proximal and distal nerve/tunnel indices were obtained by calculating the ratio between the proximal and distal cross-sectional areas of the median nerve to those of the carpal tunnel.Results: The mean of nerve-tunnel index in the distal and proximal were significantly different between patients with CTS and normal (p>0.001). The study showed no difference between the proximal and distal nerve/tunnel index and also between nerve-tunnel Index and median nerve cross-sectional area. Designated cut-off points of proximal nerve-tunnel index for mild, moderate and severe CTS was determined at 6.34, 6.36 and 6.76 with a diagnostic sensitivity of 47.4, 75.8 and 85.7%, respectively, while the cut-off point of distal nerve-tunnel Index was 6.58, 6.58 and 7.61with a diagnostic sensitivity of 47.4, 67.6 and 78.6%, respectively.Conclusion: The results showed that the nerve/tunnel index is not a reasonable replace for NCS technique, due to its low sensitivity and specificity, especially in mild cases. Also, our study showed no significant difference between using ultra sonography nerve-tunnel index and median nerve cross-sectional area in the diagnosis of CTS.

Introduction: Malnutrition and none healthy dietary habits may lead to physical and mental growth disorder and cognitive function. This study aimed to determine the relationship between dietary habits and educational achievement among primary school children in Kermanshah suburb areas.Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was designed and 704 primary school children recruited from the Kermanshah suburb area. Food Frequency and demographic questionnaires applied for data collection. The body weight and height measured and body mass index (BMI) percentile for age and gender were calculated. Educational achievement based on age and dental status of decays, missing and filling (DMF) was also investigated.Results: The average age was 9.58±1.03 years, %48.4 boy and %51.6 girl. According to the BMI percentiles the prevalence of wasting, overweight and obesity were %16.7%, 13.2 and 4.3% respectively. The number of decayed teeth among children was 3.42±2.5. 3.3 % of children attended to school without having breakfast and 17.3% of them attend with irregular breakfast eating. There was a positive relationship between children average marks and using milk, meat (P=0.001), chicken (P=0.007), yogurt (P=0.01), rice (P=0.004), salad, dates and nuts (P=0.007). A negative significant correlation observed between consumption of traditional soup (P=0.03), stew and lentil soup (P=0.01).Conclusion: High prevalence of malnutrition (over and under) and inappropriate eating habits especially low diary and meat products consumption with attending in school without having breakfast may negative affect children health and educational achievements. Healthy eating and increasing more nutritional knowledge of primary school children and parents may help to combat the problem.

Introduction: Individuals with diabetes mellitus have been considered as a group at risk of showing deficiency of micronutrients and some vitamins. Accordingly, women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have also been identified as a group at risk of presenting low levels of vitamin A, however, research in this field has come to different conclusions. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship of gestational diabetes mellitus with serum level of vitamin A.Materials and Methods: This was a case-control study in which 41 pregnant women with GDM and 41 healthy women were recruited. Two groups were matched regarding age, gestational age and body mass index. A 5ml venous blood sample were drawn and analyzed with the high performance liquid chromatography for measuring retinol and. At last data were analyzed through Chi-square and t test.Results: The mean serum retinol of the GDM group was 0.46mg/dl and in the control group it was 0.59mg/dl (p=0.01).Conclusion: The level of retinol in the diabetic pregnant women was significantly lower than that in the control group. This reduction may be due to the reduced antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin A in women with GDM.

Introduction: Cadmium (Cd) is one of the main types of heavy metals having wide use in today industrial age. This Heavy metal is very toxic even in very low amount that can cause kidney damage, high blood pressure, bone fraction and destruction of red blood cells. This study was performed with the purpose of producing activated carbon from scrap tires and it’s application to removal of Cd (II) ions from synthetic solution.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, powder activated carbon derived from scrap tires (TDAC) was prepared under laboratory conditions. Structural properties of TDAC were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The special surface area was calculated using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Barret-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) isotherms. In adsorption studies, the effects of Cd (II) ions concentration, pH, contact time and the adsorbent dosage on adsorption process were investigated in batch system. The experimental data were analyzed with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models.Results: The results showed that the efficiency of activated carbon production is at 32-36% range. Main component of TDAC is Carbon (76.78%). It’s special surface area using BET and BJH methods are approximately 185.046 and 146.443 m2/g, respectively. In adsorption studies, increasing of TDAC dosage resulted in a decrease in qmax and also adsorption was increased with increasing the pH, Cd+2 ions. The adsorption experimental data complies with Freundlich equation model (R2 = 0.9987) and the maximum amount of adsorption (qmax) was 83.33 mg/g.Conclusion: Results of this study show producing activated carbon from scrap tire can have some economic and environmental advantages and it can be introduced as a suitable method in order to recovery of scrap tires. The produced activated carbon from scrap tires has high efficiency for Cd removal from aqueous solutions.

Introduction: In order to evaluate the effects of healthy lingual local sense on the phonetic quality of Persian vowels, changes in their main acoustic features were analyzed following local anesthesia the surface and sides of the tongue to partly block the normal neural feedback mechanisms in speech.Materials and Methods: Six Persian vowels (/a/, /o/, /u/, /e/, /i/, /ae/) were prolonged 3 times using habitual loudness with and without lingual local anesthesia (Lidocaine Hydrochloride Oral Topical Solution, USP (Viscous) 2%) by 5 male speakers. The formant frequencies of vowels (F1and F2) were analyzed and compared using the Speech Studio Package (Laryngograph Ltd).Results: The difference between mean values of F1 and F2 before and after lingual local anesthesia were not statistically different for the /a/, /ae/ and /u/ vowels (p<0.05). The mean value of F1 after local anesthesia was not significantly different for the /o/ vowel (p<0.05); however, the mean value of F2 in the anesthetized condition was statistically different for the /o/ vowel (p>0.05). The mean value of F2 for this vowel was decreased to 262 Hz. The difference between the mean values of F1 and F2 before and after local anesthesia were also significantly different for the /e/ and /i/ vowels (p>0.05).Conclusion: According to our results, lingual local sense has effects on the production of some Persian vowels. Perhaps the healthy local sense of the tongue and normal articulatory models has an important role in the production of vowels.

Introduction: Using Rivermead Mobility Scale (RMI) is common to evaluate the mobility in neurological patients. Since, a Persian version of RMI is not still available, this study was designed to develop Persian-RMI version and evaluate its reliability and validity for mobility assessment in patients with multiple sclerosis.Materials and Methods: Forty three MS patients completed Persian version of RMI and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in two different sessions with 2 weeks interval. In addition, they completed three functional tests included; a) Timed Get-Up and Go Test (TGUGT), b) Timed 25 Foot Walk Test (T25FWT), and Twominute Walk Test (2MWT) in the first session.Results: The coefficient of reproducibility of Persian-RMI was ranged from 0.716 to 0.951 for each of items between two sessions and 0.877 for total. The item to total correlation coefficients ranged from 0.426 to 0.903 (P<0.005). Persian-RMI showed a good to excellent correlation with FSS (first session, r=-0.734; second session r=-0.746), T25FWT (r=0.806), TGUGT (r=-0.851) and 2MWT (r=0.795).Conclusion: The results confirm internal consistency and construct validity of the Persian-RMI to evaluate mobility index in Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis. However, more study is needed to investigate its validity to evaluate the mobility in other neurological patients in populations with Persian language.

Introduction: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common and progressive neuropathological disorder due to degeneration of neurodopaminergic system in substantianigra pars compacta. With regard to the role of free radicals and oxidative agents in PD, it seems that aqueous extract of propolis with antioxidant contents can prevent neural degeneration. In this study, neuroporotective effects of intrapritoneal (ip) injection of aqueous extract of Iranian propolis and L-DOPA were compared in an experimental model of PD.Materials and Methods: In this study, forty male rats were randomly divided into 8 groups: normal (N), lesioned (L), lesionedpropolis-treated 50,100mg/kg (L+propolis), lesioned L-DOPA-treated (L+LDOPA), propolis-pretreated and thenlesioned 50,100mg/kg (pretreatment+L) and sham-operated(SH) groups. The early PD model was induced by unilateral (left) intrastriatal injection of 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA,4 mg/ml of saline-ascorbate). The pretreatment+L groups was received intra-peritoneal (ip) pretreatment of aqueous extract of Iranian propolis (AEP) (50,100mg/kg/daily) for 2 weeks before surgery. Two weeks after surgery, the treatment groups were received ip treatment of AEP (50,100 mg/kg/daily) and LDOPA (10mg/kg/daily) respectively for two weeks. After two weeks treatment, the animals were tested for rotational behavior and the number of substantianigra pars compacta (SNC) neurons.Results: Our results showed that the aqueous extract of Iranian propolis decrease the rotational behavior in treatment and pretreatment rats and attenuate the reduction of number of SNC neurons.Conclusion: Our finding shows in experimental model of PD, intra-peritoneal administration of aqueous extract of Iranian propolis has remarkably protective effects against 6-OHDA toxicity.