Koomesh
Year:2013 | Volume:14 | Issue:4 (48)|Papers Count:24

Introduction: Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) is one of the glycoprotein hormones of pituitary gland that consists of two subunits, alpha and beta. Beta subunit has 111 amino acids and a signal peptide, which is consisted of 18 amino acids and it is responsible for biological activity of the hormone. The aim of this study was to construct a pcDNA3.1FSHb expression vector in order to transfer FSHb gene into a mammalian cell line.Materials and Methods: To sub-cloning of beta chain from T.vector, a pair of primer was designed that they had a site for EcoRI and HindIII in addition of the start and stop site of the beta chain gene. Amplified beta chain was cloned in pcDNA3.1 at the site of the mentioned enzymes anvd the recombinant plasmid was transformed into E.coli cell. The resulting colonies were checked by PCR re-amplification. The plasmid was purified from some positive colonies. The accuracy of purified plasmids were confirmed by both enzyme digestion and sequencing.Results: Enzyme analysis and sequencing demonstrated that pcDNA3.1-F390b had both correct construction and gene sequence which had an exact correlation with reported FSHb gene in GenBank.Conclusion: This recombinant plasmid structurally is correct and is proper for transmitting into mammalian cell culture.

Introduction: b-D-Xylosidases (EC 3.2.1.37), one of the most important hemicellulases with high potential industrial application such as bioethanol production, are exo-type glycosidases that catalyze the successive removal of b-xylosyl residues from the non-reducing termini of xylobiose and higher linear b- 1, 4-xylooligosaccharides and in conjunction with b-xylanases are essential in completely depolymerizing xylan. The aim of this study was secretive expression of bacterial b-xylosidase gene including hexahistidintag in Pichia pastoris in order to achieve high level expression and enzyme purification subsequently.Materials and Methods: In this study, after optimizing the sequence of protein encoding bacterial b- xylosidase based on the expression codon usage of Pichia pastoris and addition of 6xHis-tag sequence through suitable designed primers to gene, transformation of recombinant plasmids was performed through electroporation method into the expression yeast.Results: The results showed that the recombinant b-xylosidase production was 40 U/L with 0.6 U/mg specific activity in flask culture.Conclusion: Cloning and successful expression of bacterial b-xylosidase gene was carried out in order to obtain an active and stable enzyme with high level expression from yeast expression system.

Introduction: Several reports indicated the role of angiotensin II antagonists in suppression of different tumvors. Some of the recent studies point to the increasing effect of angiotensin II on expression of important factors regarding to the tumor growth. Also the role of integrins in growth and metastasis of tumoral cells is very important but the role of angiotensin II in the expression of integrins is not clear yet.Materials and Methods: Melanoma tumors were induced in C57 mice using S.C. injections of B16-F10 cells. Losartan was I.P. injected to C57 mice. Also B16-F10 cells were cultured and incubated with angiotensin II with or without losartan for two hours and the expression of a3, av and b3 integrins were studied using western blotting.Results: Our results indicate the suppressing role of losartan on tumor growth (day17, P=0.013; day18:P=0.0015). In addition angiotensin II increased significantly the expression of studied integrins in B16-F10 cultured cells (integrin aV: P=0.049; Integrin a3: P= 0.016; integrin b3: P= 0.037), and losartan completely abolished this effect.Conclusion: The role of angiotensin II in tumor growth may be because of reasons including its role in elevating the expression levels of a3, av and 3 integrins. In animal model of melanoma, losartan suppressed the tumor growth through AT1 receptors inhibition. The present study indicates the importance of the drugs such as losartan besides the standard therapeutic approach for tumors.

Introduction: Chronic high doses of morphine inhibit cell proliferation and induce cell death. One of the centers in reward pathway is the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Stimulation of opioid receptors in the reward circuit in the brain by morphine could be enabling a factor induce apoptosis in some brain regions, and expression of death receptors increases on the cell surface. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of morphine on changes in apoptotic factors (Bax/Bcl-2, PARP and caspase-3) in the VTA during the acquisition of morphine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and extinction period.Materials and Methods: In this study, in behavioral experiments, the CPP paradigm was done on 64 adult male albino Wistar rats. In saline-control and three doses of morphine (0.5, 5, 10 mg/kg) experimental groups in acquisition, in addition with effective dose of morphine (5 mg/kg) evaluate extinction period (8 days). Then, in the molecular section the changes in apoptotic proteins assess with western blot technique.Results: We found that apoptotic factors increase in all three experimental groups in response to morphine. However, the most response was significantly occurred at the dose of 5 mg/kg morphine. Additionally, there is no change has been seen in the apoptotic factors during the extinction period.Conclusion: It seems that morphine in all doses cause apoptosis, but quite contrary, by increasing the dose of morphine, the number of receptors involved in apoptosis increases and morphine’s neuroprotective effects are appeared.

Introduction: Gene-set analysis of microarray data determines biological pathways or gene setswith differential expression in a phenotype of interest. In contrast to the analysis of individual genes, gene-set analysis utilizes existing biological knowledge of genes in assessing differential expression. This paper compared the biological performance of two gene-set analysis methods.Materials and Methods: To determinegene sets, which are differentially expressed between acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with BCR/ABL and those with no observed cytogenetic abnormalities, the real microarray data come from a clinical trial in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were used in this study. For this reason, we used two GSA methods; GSEA-category and Global test and then the data were analyzed using by R software.Results: Globaltest identified 114 out of 200 gene sets introduced in KEGG with differentially expressed on comparing the group with BCR/ABL to those with no observed cytogenetic abnormalities. While Category could identify just 30 gene sets of this set.Conclusion: Both of used methods include number of gene sets affecting ALL. So the more thorough study is needed to identify the more metric method. Evaluation of common gene sets among the two methods could identify the latest findings of biologists only by the used statistical methods.

Introduction: Patellfemoral pain syndrome is one of the most common knee joint problems that affect athletes and non-athletes. Knee brace is often used as a treatment method for patellar realignment. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of a patella support brace on myoelectric activity of selected knee muscles during single leg landing in healthy females.Materials and Methods: 19 healthy female students (Mean age: 23.6±1.98 years, height: 163.5±5.88 cm, weight: 62.3±3.6 kg) participated in this study. Myoelectric activity of biceps femoris, semitendinosus, vastus medialis and vastus lateralis were collected during single leg landing in with and without using the patella support brace conditions.Results: Use of the patella support brace had no significant effect on myoelectric activity for the semitendinosus (p=0.668), vastus medialis (VM) (p=0.915) and vastus lateralis (VL) (P=0.134), while myoelectric activity for biceps femoris (p=0.005) and ratio of VM/VL myoelectric activity significantly increased (p=0.045).Conclusion: Our results revealed that biceps femoris activity and vastus medialis/vastus lateralis ratio increased after using patella support brace during single leg landing. Further studies on kinematic and kinetic variables are needed to describe these changes in muscular activity when using the patella support brace.

Introduction: Applying static stretch before sport activities has been emphasized to improve range of motion, flexibility and muscle performance and also to reduce pain and muscle stiffness. Regarding to the controversies about the effect of static stretch and the importance of the balance control to prevent injuries during sport activities, this study was designed to investigate the effect of short and long duration static stretch on the static and dynamic balance indices.Materials and Methods: 45 young healthy non-athletic females were assigned to one of the three; a) 15 seconds static stretch, b) 45 seconds static stretch and c) control groups. Three set of 15 or 45 seconds static stretch exercise were applied over the Hamstring, Quadriceps and Gastrocnemius muscles of both lower limbs of the experimental groups, while no static stretch was applied for the control group. Before and after the intervention, static and dynamic balance indices including; overall, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral balance indices, were measured in all groups by Biodex SD machine.Results: Our findings showed decreased overall, anterior-posterior and medial-lateral dynamic balance indices in the 45 second stretch group compared to the 15 seconds stretch group (P<0.0001) and also the control group (P=0.003), while no significant differences in balance indices were seen between 15 seconds and control groups.Conclusion: The results may indicate that long duration static stretch exercises may disturb the function of the dynamic balance and so may cause sport injuries in athletics. Further studies are needed to investigate the specific effect of static stretch in the different type of sport activities.

Introduction: The rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tearing is more common in female athletes and one of thereasons is the effect of sex hormones. It was illustrated that knee joint position sense (JPS) isaltered across the menstrual cycle and its lowest level is at menses. Therefore, it’s important to find a method to reduce injury risk at menses. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of taping as a stimulator of skin, on the knee JPS in healthy female athletes across the menstrual cycle with different levels of estrogen and progesterone.Materials and Methods: In this semi-experimental study, 16 healthy female athletes with regular menstrual cycle voluntarily participated. Knee JPS was measured at 3 menstrual cycle phases, before and after patellataping. JPS was evaluated by reproduction of the target angle (30o flexion) in standing position, from full extension. Serum estrogen and progesterone levels were collected in these 3 phases. Knee angles were measured by using a system comprised of skin markers, digital photography, and autoCAD software. Absolute error was considered as a dependent variable.Results: There was a significant difference between the knee JPS in 3 phases of measurement before taping (P=0.025), while no significant difference was found between knee JPS in 3 phases after taping (P=0.965).Conclusion: Findings of this study suggest that healthy female athletes have different levels of knee JPS across a menstrual cycle and its accuracy decreasesat menses. This difference can be reduced by skin stimulating methods, such as taping. Therefore, kinesio taping would improve the knee JPSdeficiency at menses.

Introduction: Abnormal scapular movements and position is related to shoulder dysfunctions. Lateral scapular slide test is used to determine scapular position in coronal plane; however, different studies have shown conflicting results for the reliability of the test in position of 90 degrees of abduction. According to the more functionality of scaption compare to the abduction as well as scaption is a familiar task for athletes, in current study, 90 degrees of scaption was used instead of 90 degrees of abduction and then the reliability of modified lateral scapular slide test (MLSST) was evaluated.Materials and Methods: Fifteen healthy overhead sport-men, aged 20 to 40, were recruited in the study. The minimal vertical distance between inferior angle of scapula and spinous process of T7 was measured by two examiners in one session and by one examiner in the next week using a caliper in neutral position (arm is relaxed at the side), 90 degrees of scaption and 180 degrees of elevation.Results: Reliability in neutral position was maximum (ICC 0.83 to 0.97, good to high). In 90 degrees of scaption, inter-rater and intra-rater reliability were 0.70 to 0.75 and 0.65 to 0.83, respectively. In 180 degrees of elevation, inter-rater reliability was 0.58 and intra-rater reliability was 0.84 to 0.89.Conclusion: 90 degrees of Scaption and 180 degrees of elevation, as a functional position in the athletes, may be used as choice positions in lateral scapular slide test.

Introduction: Because of the complex nature of postural control and impairment of the numerous systems involved in it after stroke, various clinical and laboratory methods have been addressed for postural control assessment. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between functional balance tests and postural sway parameters of center of pressure (COP).Materials and Methods: In this correlational study, seventeen chronic stroke patients by mean age of 53.18 (9.88) years and the mean time after injury of 66.18 (77.03) months were selected by simple nonprobability sampling method. Functional Reach (FR) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests were used for clinical assessment of functional balance and force platform was used to measure the average COP velocity, total path excursion, maximum COP displacement in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions in bending and picking up the object on the floor task for each of 6 target locations (in two near and far distances and 3 right, middle and left directions).Results: TUG functional balance test showed significant (p<0.029) moderate to high correlation (r=0.53-0.773) with average COP velocity in all target locations except right-far target and with total path excursion of COP in right-near, left-near, middle-near and left-far targets. There was not any significant correlation between TUG and maximum COP displacement in both anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions as well as between FR and any of COP parameters in different distances and directions.Conclusion: In relationship between different functional balance tests and postural sway parameters in bending and picking up the object on the floor task different results were found.

Introduction: As surgery is a stressful experience for patients and anxiety can lead to sings such as increase of heart rate, hypertension, and bleeding and post-operation symptoms, it is necessary to implement ways to reduce anxiety especially for children. So the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of psychological preparation on reduction of surgery anxiety signs in children.Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study in Shahid Beheshti Hospital in Hamedan (Iran), 30 children, aged 6-12, including 18 boys and 12 girls aging 8.17 (SD=1.82) prepared for a kind of urological surgeries were selected and randomly placed into two groups of experimental and control. The Powell psychological preparation program was conducted for the experimental group. The data collection tools were demographic questionnaire, Hamilton anxiety questionnaire and the observation sheet of vital signs such as systolic, diastolic blood pressure and rate.Results: The data obtained from multivariable variance analysis showed that psychological preparation leads to significant reduction of surgery anxiety in children. Children in the experimental group showed less anxiety prior to surgery compared with those in the control group.Conclusion: The psychological preparation for surgery can be applied as an effective way to reduce surgery anxiety in children in all hospital of the country.

Introduction: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of dead and a major health priority among women. It has influence on physical, mental and social aspects of health and individual’s perception of wellbeing. This study aimed to investigate the general health and related factors in women with CAD.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 200 women with a diagnosis of CAD who were referred to Shahid Rajaei Cardiovascular Medical & Research Center (Tehran) were selected through convenience sampling method. The data were collected using General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12).Results: The mean (SD) score of the general health was5.85±3.32 (range: 0-12). 72.5% of patients (n=145) had unfavorable general health. The women with lower educational level (P=0.004) and economic status (P<0.001) had higher scores of GHQ. There was no significant relationship between general health and age, marital status, occupational situation, duration of disease and co morbidity.Conclusion: Regarding a considerable proportion of women with CAD had some problem in their general health, routine evaluation of health in this group of patients should be consider to identify those at risk, also clinical team should design and implement effective programs aimed at improving the general health especially in patients with lower educational and economic status.

Introduction: Identifying the risk factors in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer patients is a major concern. The aim of this study was to determine prognostic factors for metastasis of breast cancer using a regression model for recurrent data.Materials and Methods: The data used in the study were for the records of 133 women with breast cancer who underwent surgery and treatment at hospital Fayazbakhsh during 2005- 2007. Patients were followed until 2011 April and their final situations recorded. To determine the prognostic factors, a univariate Andersen-Gill model were fitted. Significant factors at univariate model were entered in multiple AG model.Results: During 5833 person-month follow up of patients, 25 patients (18.8%) died and 108 patients (81.2%) were alive. The first metastasis mostly shown in brain and liver (5.3%) and the second one in brain (3.8%). In univariate analysis, grade, Her2 and LNR were shown as prognostic factors for metastasis of breast cancer in multiple analysis model (P<0.05).Conclusion: Creating breast cancer screening and knowledge of women about the importance of periodic checkups and early diagnosis is an important factor for the cure and prevention of metastasis of tumors among breast cancer patients.

Introduction: Many studies are being run to understand the mechanisms of pain modulation. Rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) contributes to pain control by its attenuating and augmentation. In this study, we investigated the role of RVM in chronic and acute pain while RVM inactivated temporarily by lidocaine.Materials and Methods: White rats (weighing 250-200 g) were used in this study. The animals were divided into three groups: control, sham and test group. One week after surgery, saline or lidocaine was injected into the RVM and the hot plate (set temperature 52± 0.1o) and formalin test (injection of 50 mL of formalin 2% to the right hindpaw) were performed and nociceptive responses were recorded.Results: The intra-RVM injection of lidocaine reduced pain in the first phase of formalin test, but it had no effect on the interphase or second phase. Also the lidocaine injection caused analgesia in the hot plate test, in all four time period (60, 30, 15 and 90 minutes) after injection.Conclusion: Our results showed that injection of lidocaine into the RVM could affect acute pain model, but it didn’t show any effect on phase 2 formalin as chronic pain. So, it is likely that the RVM has a substantial role on acute pain through pain transferring or processing.

Introduction: Epilepsy is one of most prevalent disorders of central nervous system that causes sudden convulsions, transient, repetitive and unpredictable seizures. It affects about half to one percent of the world population. Historically, herbs have been used to treat epilepsy. In this study, anti-convulsant effect of Salvia Sahendica extract was investigated in mice.Materials and Methods: Sixty mice were randomly divided into six groups (n=10 in each group). Group one (control group) was received normal saline and another 5 groups were received 150, 300, 600, 900, 1200 mg/kg of the extract. Thirty minute after peritoneal injection of different doses of extract or saline, PTZ (85 mg/kg) were injected and they were immediately transferred to a special cage, and the seizure parameters were evaluated for 30 minutes.Results: The injection of the extract had a dose-dependent effect on prolongation of latency to the onset of clonic and tonic-clonic seizures. The greatest effect was observed at the dose of 600 mg/kg. Tonic-clonic seizures time in the treated animals was also reduced. Additionally, it decreased the rate of mortality and the number of suddenly seizures jumping significantly.Conclusion: The obtained result showed that the extract of Salvia Sahendica has anticonvulsant effects. However, more studies are required to understand its action mechanism and to identify the active components.

Introduction: Almost all of populations have involuntary irradiation from waves that emitted by base station antenna. This in vivo study was planned for evaluating the effects of 950 MHz waves of GSM mobile phone system on dentate gyrus long-term potentiation.Materials and Methods: 32 naive male Wistar rats (3 month old, 220±15 g) randomly divided in four groups: (LTP immediately after sham–exposed, LTP immediately after GSM exposed, LTP 3 hours after sham–exposed and LTP 3 hours after GSM). The exposure program was planned for 10 sessions at 3 days. Animals were exposed to electromagnetic field for 45-min in a circular plastic chamber (mean electric field = 60 V/m). After end exposure, anesthesia was induced for LTP induction. Field potentials were recorded and analyzed using the population spike amplitude, EPSP slope and spike delay time for 60-min.Results: There were no significant differences in population spike amplitude and spike delay time immediately after exposure. But these parameters, three hours after exposure were changed.Conclusion: This experiment provides that rat's long-term potentiation could be affected by the wholebody exposure to 950 MHz field of GSM mobile phone system.

Introduction: Previous studies demonstrated that the systemic injection of corticosterone impairs both retrieval and reconsolidation of fear memory in experimental animals. Here, we investigated whether these disrupting effects of corticosterone depend on the age (recent or remote) of the memory in mice.Materials and Methods: Mice were trained and tested in an inhibitory avoidance task (50 Hz, 1mA for 3 S). Corticosterone (1, 3 and 10mg/kg) injected 30 min before of retrieval test of either a two-day recent or 36-day remote memory. Memory retrieval tested during 10 min. For memory reconsolidation experiments immediately after memory reactivation of two-day recent or 36-day remote memories, mice received corticosterone (1, 3 and 10mg/kg) or vehicle. Two, five, seven and nine days after memory reactivation, mice were returned to the context for 10 min, and step-through latency was recorded.Results: For memory retrieval, corticosterone impaired subsequent expression of both recent and remote memories. Similar effect was found on the reconsolidation of both memories. Additionally, a higher dose of corticosterone was needed to impair retrieval and reconsolidation of remote memory. No significant differences were found on the amount of memory deficit induced by corticosterone among memories with different age.Conclusion: Our data indicate that the efficacy of corticosterone in impairing retrieval and reconsolidation of fear memory is not limited to the age of memory.