Research in Medicine
Year:2019 | Volume:43 | Issue:3|Papers Count:10

Background: Esophageal cancer is one of the most common gastrointestinal tract cancers. In cancer cells, interactions take place between apoptosis and cell proliferation and there is a positive correlation between BAX and BCL-2 genes expression levels and cancerous process. The MICAL-2 gene encodes monooxygenase enzyme which causes F-actin instability. Increasing the expression of this gene plays an important role in Epithelial-mesenchymal transition in cancerous tissue and consequently causes metastases. Since no study of MICAL-2, BAX, and BCL2 genes in esophageal cancer has been reported, the present study aimed to determine the expression of these genes in esophageal cancer patients in Kerman, Iran, in 2017-2018 using Real Time RT-qPCR. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was designed to determine the changes in the expression level of BAX, BCL2, and MICAL-2 genes. A total of 40 samples (20 fresh tissues and 20 Paraffin Embedded tissues) and marginal non-tumor control tissues were obtained. First, total mRNAs of the samples were extracted, and then after cDNA synthesis, the expression rates of MICAL2, BAX, and BCL2 were determined using Real-Time RT-qPCR. The data were analyzed using descriptive and deductive statistic methods (Generalized Linear Models) at α < 0. 05 via SPSS software (v. 20). Results: The expression levels of MICAL2 (1. 2%) and BCL2 (2. 04%) in patients with esophageal cancer were higher than those of normal tissues, while BAX (0. 46%) gene expression in the normal tissue was higher than that of the cancerous ones. In the pathologic study, it was found that 62. 5% of the samples were esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion: Regarding the changes in the expression of BAX, BCL2, and MICAL2 genes in esophageal cancer, for determination of the expression level in individuals who have a family history of this problem, these genes can be used as biomarkers, because the diagnosis of cancer in the early stages have definitely a better response to therapies.

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), a common cause of nosocomial infections, has an intrinsic resistance to many antibiotics. Among all the multidrug efflux pumps involved in P. aeruginosa drug resistance, MexAB-OprM is the first efflux pump detected to target different classes of antibiotics. The present study aimed to determine the antibacterial effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) and probiotic bifidobacterium bifidum (BB) on MexA gene expression, as an important component of the MexAB-OprM multidrug efflux system, in P. aeruginosa isolates of the patients referred to major hospitals in Tehran, between 2018-2017. Materials and Methods: In the present descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 60 isolates of P. aeruginosa were isolated from patients admitted to major hospitals of Tehran, Iran. After bacterial identification via biochemical tests, all strains were evaluated for the presence of MexA of MexAB-OprM multidrug efflux pump in P. aeruginosa using PCR method. After treatment, broth microdilution method and Real-time PCR were used to assess the antimicrobial activity of IONPs and probiotic BB and the gene expression level of MexA component, respectively. Changes in MexA gene expression were analyzed using the-2 Δ Δ CT method and independent t-test. Results: In the present study, 10 isolates (%16. 6) of P. aeruginosa harbored MexA gene. The result of MIC testing and gene expression assay showed that IONPs and probiotic BB did not exhibit any inhibitory activity against clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and no change was observed in MexA gene expression. Conclusion: Considering the chromosomally encoded MexA, it can be used as markers for identification of drug resistance of P. aeruginosa as essential elements of an effective infection control program. In the view of the inhibitory activity of IONPs and probiotic Bifidobacterium bifidium on bacterial growth and the low inhibitory effect of the elements on activity of the MexAb-OprM efflux pump, the study of other contributing factors for the development of multi-drug resistance phenotype, including various other efflux pumps and mechanisms influencing maintenance of resistance should not be ignored.

Backgrond: Due to limitations in mechanical plaque control methods, using chemical methods, such as mouthwashes, are used more increasingly and side effects of chemical mouthwashes have resulted in more use of herbal maouthwashes. Considering introduction of silica herbal mouthwash to the market and the manufacturer’ s claim that it is be successful in removing more plaque, we decided to compare the effects of chlorhexidine mouthwashes and silica herbal mouthwash in patients with gentivitis. Materials and Methods: A single blind, randomized, clinical trial and cross over was conducted on 60 participants with gingivitis (mean age: 27/42 ± 1/93). First, scaling and prophylaxis were done for all the people. Four weeks after scaling, plaque index, gingival inflammation, and dental stain were recorded and then the patients randomly were given chlorhexidine and silica and they were asked to use the mouthwashes for two weeks. Then, all patients were examined and clinical parameters were recorded. Once again, scaling and prophylaxis were conducted in all patients and they were asked to use their regular methods for oral hygiene for four weeks (wash out). After this period, the second mouthwash was administered for two weeks and the same parameters were recorded. Changes in three indexes were examined using Mann-U-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests. Results: Changes of gingival inflammation in people who used chlorhexidine mouthwash was 0/41 and 0/38 in those who used silica. The results of Mann-U-Whitney test showed that this difference was statistically significant (p <0/02). Also, the amount of dental plaque in people who used chlorhexidine mouthwash was 0/61 and 0/41 in silica group and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p <0/01). Moreover, the changes of pigment’ s severity and extent in chlorhexidine group were 1/49 and 39. 1, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p <0/001). Conclusion: It seems that Chlorhexidine staining extent was more than that of silica, but its effect on plaque control and gingivitis index was higher than that for silica; however, patients were more satisfied with silica copared with Chlorhexidine.

Background: Sepsis is the systemic response of the body to severe infection and one of the causes of mortality in ICU. Considering the importance of sepsis, in the present study, the effect of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAIDs) drugs (aspirin, indometacin, celecoxib) on inflammatory biomarker of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in liver and lung tissues of rats was investigated. Materials and Methods: In the current experimental study, animals were divided into six groups: the control group, the lapratomy (LAP) group, the CLP group, treatment groups: CLP surgery and immediate treatment of rats with NSAIDs (2 mg/kg b. w) once daily. Two days after CLP, the rats were killed and the liver and lung tissues were isolated and the Real-Time PCR technique was used to determine the expression of the MPO gene. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA followed by LSD in SPSS (version 19. 0). The significance value was considered as P < 0. 05. Results: The results indicated that the expression of MPO gene in lung and liver tissue of the LAP group increased significantly as compared with control group. The level of expression of the MPO gene in the CLP lung and liver tissue was significantly increased as compared to the LAP group. However, in the treatment groups, a significant decrease in the expression of MPO gene was observed. Although all three drugs had a positive effect on reducing gene expression (celecoxib>indomethacin>aspirin), in lung tissue, celecoxib had the highest effect and aspirin had the least effect on reducing the expression of MPO gene. In liver tissue, aspirin, and celecoxib, the least effect on reducing gene expression was observed. Conclusion: It seems that the treatment of animals with selected drugs have the inhibiting effect on the increase of MPO gene expression and results in reducing the damage to the liver and lung tissue caused by sepsis.

Backgroundm: Zinc-Alpha 2-Glycoprotein (ZAG) has recently been implicated in the regulation of adipose tissue metabolism due to its negative association with obesity. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of high intensity interval training on the level of ZAG in plasma and adipose tissue in obese male rats. Methods: In the current experimental study, 21 male rats were divided into three groups of sham control (healthy), control (obese), and interval training (obese with training). The training group received eight weeks of training sessions each with 5-12 repetitions of high intensity training for 15-30 seconds at the speed of 27-34 meters per second on a treadmill followed by one minute of active rest. Then, 24 hours after the training sessions, blood and body fat samples were obtained to measure ZAG levels. The data was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey’ s post hock test at the significance level of 0. 05 (P<0. 05). Results: There were significant differences between the sham control and obese groups with respect to ZAG contents in plasma and adipose tissue, which was lower in obese groups (p<0. 001). The eight-week high intensity interval training significantly increased the amount of secreted ZAG in adipose tissue compared to the control group (p<0. 001). Conclusions: It seems that HIIT training increased ZAG content in the adipose tissue of the male obese rats. This can reduce the amount of adipose tissue through lipolysis of the adipose tissue.

Background: Cardiac diseases are the main cause of 50% of death post menopause. The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of water aerobic training with and without green tea on some cardiovascular risk factors and body composition of sedentary postmenopausal women conducted at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad in 2012. Materials and Methods: In the present experimental study, a total of 30 sedentary postmenopausal women with the mean age of 57. 03± 6. 62 years were randomly divided into three groups (aerobic exercise in water, green tea, exercise + green tea). The aerobic exercise in water program for the exercise group and the exercise group + green tea was eight weeks with a frequency of three sessions per week with an intensity of 55-70% of maximal heart rate. Green tea and exercise groups + Green tea consumed six grams of dried green tea powder daily in three meals. Data were analyzed using dependent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA at a significance level of P<0. 05. Results: The results of the study showed that eight weeks of interventional intervention could not change the liposomal and tonicity indices. However, aerobic power increased in all three groups, while intergroup changes were not meaningful. Conclusion: Aerobic exercise in water for eight weeks alone and along with the use of green tea did not have an effect on the improvement of benign and lipid indices in active postmenopausal women, while increasing their aerobic capacity.

Background: The pediatrics' chest X-rays using digital radiography are considered important because of the high rates of this test as well as the increased sensitivity of children to ionizing radiation compared with adults. Therefore, clarification of radiographic methods that reduce the dose and maintain or even increase the quality of the image is of great importance and thus of interest to researchers. The goal of the present study was to build a chest equivalent homogeneous phantom to evaluate the image quality in radiographic tests in four age groups of children based on the ICRP103 age category classification. Materials and Methods: The X-ray spectrum approved by IPEM was used as the input x-ray source in the Monte Carlo code. The geometric phantom equivalent to the ORNL body was then simulated to calculate the absorb dose using Monte Carlo code. The results of the simulation were used to construct equivalent chest phantom for children. Results: In order to validate and verify the performance of the equivalent phantoms simulated for each age group, the attenuation and dispersion of the phantom at the field were measured. For this purpose, the percentages of the depth dose in the simulation conditions was compared with those of the experimental results, which can be used to examine the attenuation in different layers. The calculated error was less than 5% on the depth dose for the Monte Carlo and the experimental space and it indicates Confirmation of simulated program. After simulation, the phantom was made in similar dimensions with different thicknesses of the Plexiglas pediatrics age ranges. Conclusion: It seems that the phantom designed in the current study can be used to assess the doses of children in different age groups. It can also be used with local fitting for image quality control tools, such as contrast, resolution, etc, for evaluating the parameters related to the quality of the image in the actual condition.

Background: Today, due to increased use of chemical drugs and spread of microbial resistance to antibiotics as well as the side effects of drug consumption, the identification and introduction of plant species with medicinal and antimicrobial properties have widely been regarded important. Different species of salvia L. have been used in traditional and modern medicine for therapeutic purposes. In the current study, the antimicrobial activity of the essential oils and methanolic extracts of aerial parts of four species of Salvia contains S. syriaca L. and S. ceratophylla L and two populations of S. reuterana Boiss., and two populations of S. limbata C. A. Mey. from Kashan region, were investigated. Materials and Methods: An experimental research was conducted in in vitro conditions. Methanolic extract of samples was prepared using soxhlet apparatus. The essential oils were extracted using hydrodistillation using Clevenger method. Antimicrobial activity of this species was investigated using the Agar well diffusion technique and MIC and MBC tests. Findings: The essential oils and methanolic extracts of these sample plants showed antimicrobial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis in 30 mg/ml. In addition, extract of S. reuterana and essential oil of S. limbata from Dorreh inhibit the growth of Candida albicans. Conclusion: It seems that considering the antimicrobial properties of some of the extracts and essential oils observed in the current study, they can be used as substitutions for the current antibiotics after more extensive graduate studies are performed.

Background: Oligospermia and azoospermia play important roles in male infertility. HIWI genes family plays an important role in spermatogenesis from spermatogonial through protection and formation of meiosis. The single-nucleotide change in HIWI2 gene has been reported as a genetic factor affecting male infertility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between HIWI2 (rs508485 C>T) genetic changes and the risk of idiopathic severe oligospermia and azoospermia in infertile men. Materials and Methods: A case-control investigation was performed on 100 blood samples of men with idiopathic azoospermia/severe oligozoospermia and 100 blood samples of fertile men with one chilled and without historical infertility who were referred to the infertility center of Motazedi Hospital in Kermanshah during 2015-2017. To determine HIWI2 C>T gene polymorphism frequency, we used Tetra ARMS-PCR method and data was analyzed using chi-squat test. Results: In our findings, the genotype frequencies did not show a statically significant difference in dominant (P=0. 306, OR=0. 704), recessive (P=0. 359, OR=0. 786), and codominant (P>0. 05, OR=1. 000) heredity models. The allele frequencies did not reveal a statically significant difference between the two groups (P=0. 215, OR=0. 774; CI=0. 516-1. 161). Conclusion: Our investigation did not show any evidence to the effect of HIWI2 rs508485 gene polymorphism as a risk factor for idiopathic azoospermia/severe oligozoospermia.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system which is accompanied by demyelination of the nerves, axonal loss, and disability. The availability of multiple diseasemodifying medications with regulatory approval to treat multiple sclerosis illustrates the substantial progress made in treating the disease. However, these drugs are only partially effective in preventing inflammatory tissue damage in the central nervous system and none of them directly promotes repair. The current treatments for MS largely comprise medications that are either immunomodulatory or immunosuppressive and are aimed at reducing the frequency and intensity of relapses. Recent studies have shown that cellular therapies are capable of repairing CNS neurons and can prevent inflammatory damage caused by the disease. Materials and Methods: A comprehensive review study was performed on MS, the etiologies, and treatment methods using the keywords including Stem Cells, Multiple Sclerosis, and Oligodendrocyte in valid medical databases, mainly PubMed. Among the collected papers, articles that were most relevant to the purposes of the study were selected and studied. Conclusion: Cell therapy is considered a promising potential treatment for multiple sclerosis, perhaps particularly for the progressive form of the disease for which there is currently no useful treatment. Stem cells can be differentiated into nerve cells, including oligodendrocytes, in the patient's body and help repair neuronal myelin. Thus, in the present article, we reviewed a variety of cellular resources and their characteristics for the treatment of MS.