Koomesh
Year:2019 | Volume:21 | Issue:4 (76)|Papers Count:24

Chemotherapy has been the main known treatment for cancer diseases. However, its achievement rate remains low, mainly because of the restricted accessibility of drugs to the tumor tissue, their painful toxicity, and development of multi-drug resistance. In recent years, either better understanding of tumor biology or development of the evergrowing field of nanotechnology has proposed new treatment strategies for cancer diseases. Conspiciously, at nanoscale range, particles act in surprising ways and the properties of materials alter as their size approaches the nanoscale which causes them to offer novel optical, electronic, and structural properties. In novel pharmaceutical science, nanoparticles engineer in such a way that is capable of carrying large doses of chemotherapeutic agents into cancer cells, while sparing normal tissues from dose-limiting side effects. New targeted drug delivery approaches using different nanosystems and bioconjugate techniques providing possibilities in developing successful cancer therapy. The present review summarizes two different targeted drug delivery methods (passive and active targeting) and also provides an insight into properties of nanoparticles in targeted drug delivery systems, bioconjugation, and challenges in this regard.

Introduction: Cohort studies are defined as studies that investigate the correlation between exposures and diseases. Meanwhile, studies that investigate the effect of different exposures on children are of high priority, especially those focused on neurodevelopment. This study aimed to introduce available surveys in Persian language suitable for cohort studies that could be used for assessing neurodevelopment of young children. Materials and Methods: The protocols of well-known international birth cohort studies all around the world were reviewed. The surveys and questionnaires used for evaluating neurodevelopment in young children were extracted. A comprehensive search was conducted to identify which surveys/questionnaires are validated in Farsi. Results: 13 surveys and questionnaires used in international birth cohort studies, including Dubowitz neurological examination, The Infant Behavior Questionnaire, Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scale, The Early Childhood Behavior Questionnaire, Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers-Revised with Follow-Up Interview, Child Behavior Checklist, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale, Strength and Difficulties Questionnaires, Development and Well-Being Assessment, Denver Developmental Screening Test-II, Ages and Stages Questionnaire and Bayley-III were found to have a valid Farsi version. Conclusion: Here, 13 usable surveys and questionnaires for using in cohort studies and assessing neurodevelopment in Iranian population were introduced and shortly explained.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common diseases of the central nervous system with high prevalence in the world and Iran. The common complications of disease are depression and sleepiness. Due to structural and functional brain changes following depression and sleepiness in patients with MS, brain electrical stimulation may be considered as an effective intervention in therapy. Materials and Methods: In this double blind clinical trial, 30 patients with MS were randomly divided into experimental and sham a-tDCS groups according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Correspondingly, the anode electrode was placed on the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and cathode on the opposite supra orbital. In the experimental group, 20-minute DLPFC a-tDCS with intensity of 1. 5 mA was performed during 10 sessions for 20 days with a one-day rest interval between sessions. However, in the sham a-tDCS group, although the electrodes were placed in the same positions as it used for the experimental group, the stimulation was slowly turned off after 30 seconds. Results: The results in the experimental group showed that the depression after intervention was significantly decreased as compared to before intervention (P<0. 05), but there was no significant differences in the rate of sleepiness before and after the intervention (P>0. 05), although the trend of sleepiness was toward reduction. Also, sleepiness and depression level were significantly improved after the intervention in experimental as compared to control group. Conclusion: Multi-session a-tDCS over the left DLPFC have a significant effects on the improvement of depression and rate of sleepiness in patients with MS.

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders are one of the most important causes of the pain, and the myofascial pain syndrome is one of the most commonly reported cases which characterized by the presence of trigger points. The purpose of the present study was to compare the therapeutic effects of two methods of dry needling and inhibitory kinesio taping on the pain intensity and functional disability in females with upper trapezius myofascial pain syndrome. Materials and Methods: A total of 75 patients with active trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle were enrolled and divided into experimental group 1 (dry needling treatment), experimental group 2 (inhibitory kinesio taping treatment) and control group (without intervention). The experimental group 1 and 2 received two sessions treatment with three days’ interval. The severity of the pain and the functional disability index were assessed before treatment (pre-test), three days after treatment (post-test 1), and 10 days after treatment (post-test 2). Results: In the both post-tests, the pain intensity and the functional disability index were significantly decreased in the both experimental groups compared to the control group (P<0. 05). However, there were no significant differences between the two experimental groups in the both post-tests (P>0. 05). Conclusion: The use of the dry needling or the inhibitory kinesio taping method in the subjects with the myofascial trigger points in the upper trapezius muscle causes short-term improvement in the pain and the functional disability.

Introduction: One of the negative consequences of such a fear is a decline in the person's ability to perform daily life activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mental practice on fear of falling in activity of daily living, satisfaction, functional mobility and balance in the community-dwelling elderly people. Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 40 elderly people participated aged 60-80 who were referred to rehabilitation centers in Tehran, Iran were investigated. Correspondingly, all participants were randomly assigned to two groups of intervention (20 people) and control (20 people). Activity Balance Confidence test, Canadian Occupational Performance Measure, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach Test, and Timed Up and Go were respectively administered for assessment of fear of falling, satisfaction in activity of daily living, functional balance, and mobility before and after intervention and after the follow up period. In addition to home-based balance exercise (30 minutes), the intervention group received mental practice training 3 days (15 minutes) a week for 4 weeks, while the control group only performed home based balance exercises with the same duration and frequency. Results: Mental practice training significantly reduced the fear of falling in elderly (P = 0. 01), But in satisfaction level, balance and functional mobility did not have a significant effect (P > 0. 05). Conclusion: Mental practice training can significantly reduce fear of falling in elderly (P = 0. 01). These exercises can be useful for researchers and therapists in prevention and reduction planning for elderly's fear of falling.

Introduction: Anxiety is common in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Some studies have shown that one of the decreasing factors in anxiety is relaxation. Importantly, this study has been done with the aim of investigate the effect of Jacobson's relaxation on anxiety in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind clinical trial 56 patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention randomly assigned in to two test and control groups. Participants completed the state and trate anxiety Spilberberg questioner 50 minutes prior to the femoral Catheter outlet, then in test group, patients relaxed for 15 minutes. There was no intervention in the control group. In the two groups before the arterial catheter outlet, stat anxiety was measured again using Spilberger's state Anxiety Questionnaire. Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding age, marital status, education, place of residence and health insurance status. Interestingly, the findings showed that the mean of trait anxiety had no difference in two groups. The mean of state anxiety in relaxation group before and after intervention had Statistical significant difference but there was no significant difference in control group. Conclusion: Remarkably, the results of this study showed that Jacobson's relaxation can reduce anxiety in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Therefore, Jacobson's relaxation can be suggested as a non-invasive method to reduce the anxiety of patients before coronary intervention.

Introduction: All infants should be exclusively breastfed until the age of six months. In this way, the aim of this project was to investigate the effect of education based on the theory of self-efficacy and health literacy on exclusive breastfeeding in pregnant women referred to health centers of Mashhad in 2015. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, 90 nulliparous women with gestational age of ≥ 32 weeks were selected using the multi-stage sampling method and were assigned to control and intervention groups. Data collection instruments were maternal health literacy and also breastfeeding self-efficacy questionnaires. An educational intervention was designed based on self-efficacy theory and the health literacy and implemented in the form of three 60-minute sessions. The questionnaires were completed three months after completion of the educational intervention. Remarkably, given that the mothers had given birth during this time, their breastfeeding level was evaluated based on the Labbok breastfeeding level questionnaire. Results: Before the intervention, there were no significant differences between interventional and control group in maternal health literacy and breastfeeding self-efficacy scores, but after the intervention, there was a significant difference in maternal health literacy (p<0/001) and breastfeeding self-efficacy (p<0/001) and exclusive breast feeding (p=0/007) of interventional group. Conclusion: According to the results, design and implementation of educational interventions based on selfefficacy and health literacy of pregnant women can increase exclusive breastfeeding.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are major cause of early disability in the community workforces; in addition to the patient, it affects other family members and even the community. The aim of the study was to explore the effect of empowerment program according to the health belief model (HBM) on the activity daily living (ADL) of patients with acute coronary syndrome (PACS). Materials and Methods: The double-blinded-randomized-controlled clinical-trial was conducted on the 70-PACS in the year 2016-2017. Patients were randomly assigned in the intervention and control groups by convenience sampling and random allocation with quadric-blocks. Considerably, at the first, the ADL questionnaire was filled-out in the two groups, then, for the intervention group, the empowerment program according to the HBM in 7-session and for the control group, the usual care was conducted. Immediately, one and three months later, the questionnaire was filed out in the two groups, again. Results: The mean and standard deviation of ADL of patients immediately after intervention in the intervention were 3. 2 ± 3. 48 and in the control groups were 0. 03 ± 1. 47. The two groups were matched according to the demographic information (P>0. 05). The comparison of changes in the ADL in the two intervention and control groups showed that the changes in the post-intervention than the pre-intervention were significantly higher in the intervention than the control group (P <0. 001). Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the empowerment program according to the HBM could increase the ADL of patients with acute coronary syndrome.

Introduction: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) that occurs after eccentric exercise can cause limitations in sports activities, especially in professional athletes. Relatively, different studies have been designed to prevent and control the consequence of the DOMS. Previous studies have confirmed the impact of local vibration (LV) and whole body vibration (WBV) to reduce the symptoms of DOMS. However, the effects of these two methods have not been compared in any study. The aim of the present research was to compare the effects of LV and WBV to prevent the symptoms of DOMS. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine typical, non-athletic volunteers were assigned randomly into two experimental (LV and WBV) and a control groups. The VT group received 50 Hz vibration on the left and right quadriceps, hamstring and calf muscles for 1 min. The WBVT group, the intervention was one minute of vibration (35Hz) using a vibratory platform with 100° of knee flexion. The control group did not receive any intervention. Then, three groups walked downhill on a 30° declined treadmill at a speed of 4 km/hour. The DOMS symptoms (isometric maximum voluntary contraction force of quadriceps muscles, DOMS level by visual analogue scale, thigh circumference and Serum Creatine Kinase) were measured before and 48 hours after the intervention. Results: The WBV and LV groups showed significant changes in the DOMS symptoms in the form of less maximal isometric and voluntary strength loss, lower creatine kinase levels, and less muscle soreness (P <0. 05) compared with the control group. However, the intensity of DOMS was not significantly different between the WBV and LV groups (p>0. 05). Conclusion: This study showed that the LVand WBV had same effects on the DOMS symptoms. The LV procedure is more convenient and more economical to be used by the athletes, its application is recommended.

Introduction: Methamphetamine consumption is associated with cognitive and neuropsychological damage. Determining the effect of this substance on the activities and characteristics of the human brain can lead to the prevention and treatment of complications caused by abuse. There are diverse chemical formulas in Iran with unknown properties. Moreover, few studies have focused on electrophysiological changes in this field which accounts for a robust study in Iran. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 18 recently abstinent methamphetamine dependent individuals with the matched non-user counterparts were recruited. Brain signals were recorded through EEG with open eyes. Absolute and relative power values were calculated based on frontal, parietal, temporal and occipital regions for each group. Results: Remarkably, it was revealed that absolute power values were lower in Cz, Pz and Fz electrodes in terms of four frequency bands in delta and theta waves (p = 0. 01). Interestingly, relative power values were lower among methamphetamine users in delta and theta frequency bands compared to the control group. Conclusion: methamphetamine users have more decreased delta, theta and beta frequency bands especially at parietal regions. Chemical or subtle structural changes may be responsible for this result (p = 0. 048).

Introduction: Patients' anxiety in cardiac electrophysiological studies (EPS) and ablation due to its unknown aspects needs more attention and the necessary measures to reduce it. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the preparation program on patients' anxiety waiting for these interventions. Materials and Methods: This clinical trial was carried out in parallel with the participation of 51 hospitalized patients which is purposefully selected and randomly divided into two groups, intervention (n = 25) and control (n = 26). The anxiety of the patients in both groups was measured by the Spielberger State Anxiety inventory, and then the program of preparation, including the show of the film, oral explanations and educational pamphlet, were presented to the patients in the intervention group. In the day of EPS and ablation, the anxiety of the patients was measured in both groups. Results: In the day of EPS and ablation, the mean anxiety score of the intervention group (43. 20± 12. 21) and control group (56. 87± 7. 17) were significantly different (p=0. 000). Importantly, in the intervention group, the mean of anxiety score was significantly decreased after the preparation program (p=0. 000). The mean anxiety score in the all women before the intervention (58. 77 ± 9. 97) was significantly higher than the anxiety in the all men (46. 58± 8. 88) (p=0. 000). Conclusion: The preparation program can significantly reduce the level of anxiety in patients undergoing EPS and ablation. Therefore, implementation of this program is recommended to reduce patients' anxiety and create the suitable conditions for the success of these interventions.

Introduction: One of the effective factors on the academic achievement is stressors. Correspondingly, the aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the stress behavioral items and the academic achievement among the students of the various branches of medicine. Materials and Methods: It was a descriptive-analytic study performed on 408 students in Semnan University of Medical Sciences (Semnan, Iran) (2015-2016). In this study, the multi-stage sampling method was used. The data was collected using the Gudzla's Student Stress Questionnaire. The average of each students’ final scores was considered as the academic achievement index. Results: The results showed that there was no direct and significant correlation between the academic achievement and the students’ general stress score (P = 0. 728, r =-0. 017). But, a negative and a significant correlation between the behavioral stress item and the academic achievement (P = 0. 046, r =-0. 202) was observed. Conclusion: The results of the study indicated that there was no significant relationship between the stress score and the academic achievement. However, there is a significant correlation between the behavioral stress items and the academic achievement in the negative direction. Hence, it is suggested the stress management short-term courses could help students to manage their stress.

Introduction: The aim of the present study was to investigate relationship among phonological awareness, rapid naming and spelling in normally developing Farsi speaking children. Materials and Methods: In this description-analytical cross sectional study 30 normally developing students randomly selected from Tehran (Iran). The students performed Nama reading and dyslexia, rapid automatized naming, phonological awareness, and spelling tests. Results: There were significant relationships between intra syllabic awareness and rapid colors, numbers, and letters naming respectively and between total score of phonological awareness and rapid letters naming. Among different sub-tests of phonological awareness, the significant relationship was just between syllabic awareness and spelling. Among different sub-tests of rapid atomized naming the significant relationship was between rapid numbers naming and spelling (p<0. 05). Conclusion: The relationships were found among rapid numbers naming and phonological awareness with spelling. Conspiciously, the lack of significant relationship between phonological awareness and rapid naming shows these two skills probably are independent in Farsi.

Introduction: Caffeine has the athletic performance-enhancing effects, but its effect on concentrations of anabolic hormones is unclear. Therefore, this research examines the short– term effect of caffeine consumption on anabolic hormones of growth (GH) and testosterone (TS) after performing resistance exercise (RE). Materials and Methods: In this randomized double-blind, and placebo-controlled crossover study, 30 volunter men (mean age 21. 72 ± 4. 06, height 179. 31 ± 5. 08 centimeter, wight 77. 31 ± 14. 70 kilogram) who did resistance exercise consumed caffeine supplement (6 mg. k-1 of the body weight) and placebo (maltodextrine 6 mg. k-1 of the body weight) one hour before the RE, and the blood samples were taken before, after and 15 min after RE. Results: Analysis of data showed that GH concerntration showed a significant difference between the conditions of caffeine and placebo immediately and and 15 minutes after RE (P<0. 05), but no significant diference was found in TS concentration caffeine and placebo groups at any times. Conclusion: In general, the present study indicated that caffeine (6 mg. k-1 ) leads to the significant increase in GH concentration after RE (85% of 1RM) in athletes, but, it had not any effect on the concentration of TS.

Introduction: Since the use of antibiotics and the release of their residuals to the environment have extensively been growing, it is expected to see mutagenated and resistant bacteria, which are a serious threat to the human health and natural ecosystems. In this study, a novel electrochemical advanced oxidation process by means of the β-PbO2 was employed in order to decompose ciprofloxacin. Materials and Methods: This experimental cross-sectional study was performed by a pilot-scale reactor. In order to prepare the β-PbO2 electrode, the electrochemical method was applied and SEM and XRD analyses were used to survey the morphology of the electrode’ s surface. Operating parameters of pH, current density (CD), temperature, and antibiotics content were optimized. Moreover, COD removal and electrical energy consumption were studied. Results: The findings illustrated that the parameters and the formation of the stable layer of β-PbO2 had a basic role in ciprofloxacin destruction and the maximum removal efficiency happened under optimum conditions as follows: CD 40 mA/cm 2, pH 3 and contact time 90 min. Additionaly, the antibiotic was treated better than COD and energy consumption was 38 kWh/m 3 in these conditions. Also, a lower CD can be utilized for ciprofloxacin degradation, which this makes the electrode more stable in longer contact times. Conclusion: This employed method in this present study could remove the antibiotic better than conventional processes. Generally, this method has high removal efficiency in ciprofloxacin destruction with minimum investments.

Introduction: There are many reports published about the use of cold atmospheric plasma in cancer treatment recently. In this way, the selective effects of cold plasma on the breast (MDA-MB-231) and cervical (Hela) cancer cells were studied as a new cancer treatment method. Materials and Methods: In this study, cold atmospheric pressure plasma was generated using a plasma jet reactor and also optical emission spectroscopy (OES) was used to investigate the free radicals produced by the plasma. Futhermore, the effects of helium and helium-oxygen gas mixtures and the time of plasma radiation on the viability of MDA-MB-231 and Hela cells immediately, 24 and 48 hours after radiation were determined by MTT assay. In this account, in order to investigate the selective effects of plasma, direct treatment method was used to evaluate the viability of normal fibroblast cell line. Results: The results of optical emission spectroscopy showed that decreasing the sample distance from the plasma jet nozzle and increasing operating voltage increased the free radicals produced by plasma. Increasing the time of direct plasma radiation from one to five minutes reduced the vitality of the cancer cells. The most anti-cancer response was observed 48 hours after plasma irradiation and in the helium-oxygen gas mixture. Also, the results showed that cancer cells are more sensitive than normal fibroblast cells to plasma treatment. Conclusion: According to the promising results of this study, reducing the viability of cancer cells and fewer toxic effect on normal cells, cold plasma therapy can be considered as a new method for cancer therapy.

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive neuronal dysfunction. Growing evidence has shown that oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease. Correspondingly, the current study evaluated the protective effect of topiramate in 6hydroxydopamine induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in PC12 cells as an in vitro model for PD. Materials and Methods: PC12 cells, a cellular model of PD, were treated with topiramate for 24 h. Then they were treated with 75 μ M 6-hydroxydopamine for 24 h. Cell viability was examined by 3-(4, 5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2, 5diphenyl-2-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using 2, 7 dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) assay. The levels of lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant power (TAP) were also measured. Results: Remarkably, topiramate at concentration of 8 μ M increased survival of PC12 cells exposed to 6hydroxydopamine. Cell viability of PC12 cells on 6-hydroxydopamine was decreased compared to controls, which was reversed by topiramate. Topiramate also reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level and cellular lipid peroxidation. In addition, topiramate significantly increased total antioxidant power in 6-OHDA-treated cells. Conclusion: Findings of this study showed that the topiramate protects PC12 cells against 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity through its potent antioxidant activity.

Introduction: Long-term stress disturbs HPA axis and increases glucocorticoids release, which disturbs neural plasticity in the hippocampus and may lead to learning and memory deficits. Noticeably, vitamin D plays a protective role in the nervous system and has receptors in the hippocampus. This behavioral study investigates the possible protective role of vitamin-D against the negative effects of chronic stress on learning and memory. Materials and Methods: All the Rats were randomly divided to two groups; stress and control groups (each had 3 subgroups). Stress-group animals were exposed to restraint stress for 28 days, 3 hours/day. During 28 days, vitamin D (5 or 10 mg/kg), or vehicle was injected (IP) twice weekly to both groups. At day 29, blood sample collected for serum corticosterone assay. Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed in the order of 4 days training, one-day probe testing and finally working memory test. Passive avoidance test was performed after MWM. Results: Stress group revealed higher levels of serum corticosterone (P <0. 0001) relative to controls. In MWM test, all groups learned the location of the platform during training. Latency in reaching the platform was reduced by the training days (P = 0. 0001) for all the groups. Probe test indicated that stress groups reached the platform sooner than the control groups. Higher dose of vitamin D reduced this latency (P = 0. 0002). Conversely, in passive avoidance test, stress groups spent less time in the dark than the control group (P = 0. 0997). Vitamin D (10 μ g / kg) did not change the results. Conclusion: In this study, chronic restraint stress increased blood corticosterone levels and changed the behavioral effects of long and short term spatial and conditional memory. Treatment with vitamin D improved spatial learning.

Introduction: In the present study, the effect of inhibition of glutamate NMDA receptors located in the dorsal hippocampus on the maintenance of anxiety and depression like behaviors induced by electric foot shock stress was investigated. Materials and Methods: NMARI male mice were divided into two categories. The first category received electro foot shock for 30 minutes after injection of memantine (1, 5 and 10 mg/kg) or saline (1ml/kg) intraperitoneally. The second category was bilaterally cannulated in the dorsal hippocampus and one week later, the animals first received different doses of memantine (1, 5 and 10 μ g /mouse) intra-hippocampally and five min before stress. Remarkably, this procedure was repeated for 4 consecutive days. Six days after stress termination, maintenance of anxiety in animals was examined using the elevated plus maze. Two days after the anxiety test, forced swimming test was conducted for depression like behavior maintenance evaluation. Results: Stress reduced the open arm time in the elevated plus maze. Intraperitoneal administration of memantine prevented the stress effect. Also, intra-dorsal hippocampus administration of memantine preventd the maintenance of anxiety induced by stress. Stress also increased the immobility time in the forced swimming test. Both intraperitoneal and intra-dorsal hippocampus administration of memantine inhibited the maintenance of depression induced by stress. Conclusion: Electric foot shock can lead to persistence anxiety and depression like behavior in mice. Inhibition of NMDA glutamate receptors in the dorsal hippocampus reduced the stress response.

Introduction: Retinoblastoma is a malignant tumor in children. The goal of retinoblastoma treatment is to maintain vision and minimize side effects. In this study, the toxicity of the gold nanoparticle safety in vitro was investigated on an eye tumor of retinoblastoma under in vivo conditions. Materials and Methods: For the evaluation of the toxicity of gold nanoparticles using MTT test after 48 hours in a CO2 incubator at 37 ° C, Y79 cell line was administered under in vitro conditions at concentrations of 1. 69, 1. 75, 3. 5, 7, 14 and 28 μ g/ml of gold nanoparticles. Safe dose in vitro was extracted. The toxicity of gold nanoparticles in the treatment of retinoblastoma tumor under in vivo conditions in a rabbit animal model using histochemistry analysis and hemoxin-eosin staining, as well as measuring the cross-sectional area of the tumor using ultrasonic sequential image analysis and extraction using software Image J was studied. Results: The results showed that with increasing the concentration of gold nanoparticles, the percentage of live cells in comparison with the control group had a significant difference (p <0. 05) at concentrations greater than 1. 69 μ g/ml and no significant difference (p> 0. 05) in the concentration of 1. 69 μ g/ml. The results indicated that the injection of gold nanoparticles into the rabbit's eye, with retinoblastoma tumor reduced the size of tumor in the rabbit's eye. Conclusion: It is concluded that the toxicity of gold nanoparticles has a therapeutic effect on Y79 cell line in vitro and in the eye of retinoblastoma tumors in vivo.

Introduction: Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is a membrane glycoprotein that is overexpressed on the majority of tumor cells of epithelial origin and thereby can be used as a target of immunodetection and immunotherapy of cancer. So, it is important to produce this protein in its native form. Interestingly, during the last two decades, the yeast Pichia pastoris (P. pastoris) has become a popular host for the production of recombinant proteins because it combines the advantages of both mammalian and prokaryotic expression systems. In this study, the Pichia expressing EpCAM extracellular domain (EpEX) was constructed. Materials and Methods: The codon optimized gene encoding EpEX protein was cloned in the XhoI and XbaI restriction sites of the pPICZα B vector. The constructed plasmid was integrated into GS115 strain by electroporation. Positive clones were evaluated by PCR using AOX1 primers. Results: Sequencing as well as restriction enzyme analysis utilizing XhoI and XbaI (3506, 843 bp bands), as well as BamHI (3651, 698 bp bands) confirmed construction of recombinant EpEX pPICZα B. PCR based screening results of integrants showed two bands (2200 and 1345 bp), when AOX1 primer set was used. Conclusion: These findings imply that the engineered strain was constructed. The constructed strain can be used in EpEX recombinant protein production for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Introduction: Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is highly expressed on epithelial tumors. So, EpCAM is a valuable antigen for targeted therapy. Using monoclonal antibodies (mabs) is an attractive approach for targeted cancer therapy. Importantly, limitations of intact mabs including large size led to the development of antibody fragments such as single chain fragment variable (scfv). Pichia pastoris is considered as a suitable host for large-scale production of recombinant proteins because of post-translation modification system and low cost. Here, the Pichia expressing a scfv against EpCAM extracellular domain (EpEX) was constructed. Materials and Methods: The codon optimized gene encoding anti-EpEX-scfv protein was cloned in the XhoI and XbaI sites of the pPICZα B vector. The recombinant plasmid was confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis and sequencing. The constructed plasmid was integrated into GS115 strain by electroporation. Positive clones were evaluated by PCR using three sets of primers. Results: Restriction enzyme analysis utilizing HindIII and BamHI (2788, 1537 bp bands), as well as XhoI, XbaI (3506, 819 bp bands) confirmed construction of recombinant pPICZα B-anti EpEX-scfv. In this way, PCR based screening results of integrants showed two bands (2200 and 1321 bp), when AOX1 primer set was used as well as one band (968 bp) when the 3´ insert-specific primer paired with 5´ AOX1 primer. There was one band (751 bp) in PCR result of confirmed integrants when insert-specific primer set was utilized. Conclusion: These findings imply that the engineered strain was constructed. The anti-EpEX-scfv protein can be used as a potential candidate in cancer immunotherapy.

Introduction: In medical diagnostic field, evaluation of diagnostic accuracy of biomarkers or tests has always been a matter of concern. In some situations, one biomarker alone may not be sufficiently sensitive and specific for prediction of a disease. However, combining multiple biomarkers may lead to better diagnostic. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of combination of biomarkers to early detection of gestational diabetes. Materials and Methods: In the present study, the information of 523 pregnant women referring to Mahdieh and Taleghani hospitals located in Tehran city was used. Relatively, Unconjugated Estriol (uE3), Alfa-Fetoprotein (AFP), and Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (β-HCG) were measured in the early second trimester of pregnancy. The accuracy of these biomarkers and also finding optimal linear combination of them was evaluated by area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. Choosing of the best cut-point was based on Youden index. Data were statistically analyzed applying R 3. 5. 1 software package. Results: In the combination of two biomarkers, the largest AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values were 0. 593, 61. 90%, and 58. 30%, respectively with optimal cut-point value 0. 11. In the combination of the three biomarkers by adjusting for age and BMI effects simultaneously, the largest AUC, sensitivity, and specificity values were 0. 751, 82. 95%, and 74. 62%, respectively with optimal cut-point value 0. 10. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this research, the linear combination of the three biomarkers by considering covariate effects improved the diagnostic performance.

Introduction: Medical science students as people responsible for health promotion in community are exposing to obesity, depression and hypertension related to their activity. The aim of this study was evaluate the relationship between anthropometric indices with physical activity, depression and blood pressure in students living in dormitories of of Semnan University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive study 253 medical students residing in dormitory were selected. Correspondingly, demographic information, nutrition and sleep status and depression score of students were complete. Physical activity evaluated by international physical activity questionnaire. Anthropometric indices and blood pressure measured with WHO guidelines. Results: Findings showed that the most of students (55. 7%) were male with mean age 20. 6± 1. 72 years. Mean of body mass index was 21. 94± 3. 44 kg/m2 and 19% of medical students were overweight or obese. Mean of systolic pressure was 115. 02± 13. 10 mmHg. 26. 4% of students had depression and 62. 84% had moderate physical activity. Depression score had significant relationship with waist to-height and neck to-height ratio (P<0. 05). Mean of spend sitting time was 903. 87± 337. 24 min per week and mean of equal to energy expenditure score was 2477. 91± 1525. 17. Anthropometric indices such as circumferences of neck, waist-to-hip ratio, waist to-height ratio, neck to-height ratio were significant relationship with hypertension and obesity of students (P<0. 05) but these indices were not significant to physical activity score (P>0. 05). Conclusion: It seems that distribution of fat in the body and indices such as waist to-height and neck to-height ratio correlated with hypertension and depression in students as health problems. Although, the physical activity of students was moderate, it seems that change in nutritional pattern, increase of sport activities and change in life style can be help to prevention of obesity and hypertension in medical students.