Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Year:2014 | Volume:21 | Issue:88|Papers Count:15

Background and Objective: Due to progressive increase in the number of cases of cancer, there is a need to develop anti- tumor compounds. Statins have a variety of different effects on proliferation, migration and survival of cells and have been suggested as proper candidates for the inhibition of this disease. The aim of this study was to determine cytotoxicity effects of Atorvastatin with variety of concentrations on the growth of MCF7 cell line.Materials and Methods: MCF7 cell lines were incubated in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with 10% FBS in a humidified incubator (37oC & 5% CO2). Different concentrations of Atorvastatin on quantitative proliferation of the cell line were determined by Dimethyl Thiazol Tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay and Trypan blue. The data were analyzed by SPSS version 11.5. The statistical analysis was performed by one-way ANOVA and Tukey's tests.Results: There was no statistical significance in cytotoxicity effect of 1 mmol and 0.1 mmol of Atorvastatin on survival of MCF7 cells after 24, 48 and 72 hrs comparing to control cells. But in 10 mmol concentration of Atorvastatin, a significant decrease was observed in survival of MCF7 cells at the mentioned time points.Conclusion: Different concentrations of Atorvastatin have different effects on the growth of cultured cell lines. It seems that 10µmol concentration decreases growth of cultured human breast cancer cells. Further animal studies on this subject are suggested.

Background and Objectives: Rituximab is an anti-CD20 chimeric monoclonal antibody widely used for the treatment of malignant B cells lymphoma. However, the immunogenicity of murine-derived monoclonal antibodies and the large size of full length antibodies restrict cancer immunotherapy. Humanized single chain antibodies can be a solution and a promising alternative for application in immunotherapy. The aim of this study was to produce a humanized scFv antibody for a potential use in the diagnosis and treatment of B cell lymphoma.Materials and Methods: We used a CDR grafting based approach to design a humanized scFv gene fragment. The CDRs were grafted onto the closest human frameworks. The designed sequence was expressed in E. coli then purified. The level of expression was analyzed by SDS-PAGE and the reactivity to CD20 expressing cell line was explored by immunoblotting.Results: Similarity analyses revealed that human germline gene IGHV1-46*03 and IGKV1-39*01 have the highest homology with their murine counterparts. Analysis by SDS-PAGE exhibited a high expression level in E. coli. Reactivity to CD20 expressing Raji cells showed that the produced antibody maintained the binding capacity to human CD20 marker.Conclusion: In our study, humanized anti- CD20 scFv indicated an original antigen-binding affinity. The findings serve as a basis for the development of novel therapeutic strategies in the treatment of CD20- expressing cancers.

Background and Objective: Currently, as an important trace element, is increasingly used in drug delivery, hyperthermia and diagnosis and treatment of cancer. The main objective of this study was to determine the cytotoxicity effects of nanostructure iron oxide and to implement the findings for its safe applications.Materials and Methods: Urea coated iron oxide nanorods were modified with fetal bovine serum Toxicity at doses of 100 and 400mg/ml in modified nanorods vs. non-modified nanorods was tested via (3- (4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) -2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Toxicity of Polyethylene glycol (PEG) coated iron oxide nanorods with identical doses were compared with Urea coated iron oxide nanorods by MTT assay. All the procedures were carried out on L929 cell lines for periods of 24 and 48 h.Results: Cells on exposure to modified nanorods had more viability than non-modified ones at all doses and all the time points. PEG coated in comparison to urea coated nanorods exhibiteda higher cell death at all doses and all time points.Conclusion: Based on the obtained results, unmodified nanorods in comparison to modified ones demonstrated more toxicity which appears to stem from formation of a protein ring called Hard Corona around these nanorods in a protein contained media. Protein rings are not formed in the modified nanorods. Meanwhile, the reduction of apoptosis in urea coated nanorods as compared with PEG, verifies that the type of coating depending on size is effective on cellular toxicity.

Background and Objective: Hair follicle stem cells are multipotent, located in the bulge area, and are highly proliferating. Retinoids have an effect on epidermal differentiation and keratinization. Retinoic acid is used to treat some skin diseases such as Melasma, Acne and Ichthyosis. So, the study of all-trans retinoic acid effect on hair follicle stem cells and determination of the effective concentration of retinoic acid on hair follicle stem cell survival seems to be essential.Materials and Methods: In this study, we isolated and cultured hair follicle stem cells derived from Balb/c mice Whisker follicles. Then, the cells were treated with different concentrations of all-trans retinoic acid. 0.5 to 20 mM of all-trans retinoic acid was used to evaluate inhibitory or proliferative effects. MTT assay was used to evaluate cytotoxicity of all-trans retinoic acid. To investigate cell death and survival, we used acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining method. The results were analyzed by fluorescent microscopy. Apoptotic and necrotic cell numbers were counted using Image J software.Results: Results indicated that apoptotic, rather than necrotic, cell death was caused by 10 mM and higher concentrations of retinoic acid. The IC50 value determined by the dose response curve was found to be 14.3 mM.Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that if hair follicle stem cells expose to high concentrations of all-trans retinoic acid, the cells may undergo apoptotic or necrotic cell death Therefore, higher concentrations of retinoic acid can be used to eliminate redundant hairs and low concentrations can be used for the treatment of skin diseases.

Background and Objective: Hypothyroidism decreases cardiac contractility and heart rate. Since cardiac function is also modulated by diazepam, the aim of this study was to investigate the direct effect of diazepam on the isolated hypothyroid rat heart.Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 30 rats in four groups (control, hypothyroid, control diazepam and hypothyroid + diazepam). According to Langendorff method, isolated hearts were retrogradly perfused with Krebs solution and passed 3 stages of baseline, ischemia and reperfusion. Cardiac parameters including left ventricular developed pressure, Heart Rate (HR) and Rate Pressure Product (RPP) were calculated.Results: At baseline, heart function significantly decreased in hypothyroid group compared with control and control diazepam groups (P=0.01 & P=0.001 respectively). Percentage decline of HR and RPP at baseline stage after diazepam administration, was significantly different in the control diazepam and hypothyroid + diazepam groups (P=0.001 & P=0.002 respectively). Recovery percentage of RPP in reperfusion stage significantly increased in hypothyroid group (%60±5) compared with control (%38±5) and in hypothyroid + diazepam group (%87±8) compared with hypothyroid group (%60±5), (P<0.0001 & P=0.02, respectively).Conclusion: Administration of diazepam exacerbates the effect of hypothyroidism at baseline and reperfusion stages in rats. In other words, diazepam perfusion leads to greater decline of hypothyroid rat heart function at baseline and higher recovery percentage at the reperfusion stage. These effects can be due to the common effects of hypothyroidism and diazepam on the L-type calcium channels or the amount of oxygen consumption in rats.

Background and Objective: Acute appendicitis is the most common cause of emergency surgery. Diagnosis is based on history and physical examinations. The aim of this study was to investigate some factors which increase the likelihood of positive appendicitis.Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 100 patients (65 males and 35 females) with clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis in Zanjan in 2010-2011. Pathology report was our Gold Standard for diagnosis.Results: On the basis of pathology reports, 85% of the patients had appendicitis. Male gender and rebound tenderness indicated an increase in the likelihood of positive appendicitis up to 3.8 and 3.08 times, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV of sonography in diagnosis were 50, 83.3, 94.7 and 21.7%, respectively.Conclusion: In this study, accuracy of acute appendicitis diagnosis according to pathology results was 85%. Two factors including “male gender” and “rebound tenderness” appeared to have high diagnostic value on positive pathology. It is suggested to consider sonography as a rapid, non-invasive and available method in the diagnosis of suspicious cases of appendicitis. However, negative sonography can not rule out the diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Background and Objective: Psychological interventions can play a vital role in decreasing the symptoms of somatoform disorders via improving psychological, social and familial status of the patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive_behavioral stress management (CBSM) on somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder and interpersonal relationship sensitivity in females with somatoform vertigo.Materials and Methods: This experimental study composed of pre test, post test and follow up phases. The sample consisted of 28 patients with somatoform vertigo according to the diagnosis of neurologists. They were randomly selected and then assigned to two groups of experimental and control. The SCL-90-R and VSS-SF tests were used in both groups throughout pre and post tests and follow up phases. The experimental group received CBSM for 10 sessions; each session lasted for 2.5 hours and for a period of 2.5 months. The data was analyzed by ANCOVA.Results: The mean of somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal relationship sensitivity and vertigo signs significantly decreased in the experimental group.Conclusion: Cognitive-behavioral stress management has a positive effect on the treatment of somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal relationship sensitivity and vertigo signs in patients with somatoform vertigo.

Background and Objective: Widespread use of co-trimoxazole in urinary tract infection treatments and its incorrect use has led to the emergence of co-trimoxazole resistant E. coli strains. The aim of this study was to evaluate sul2 gene among E. coli isolates of patients admitted to the clinical centers of Khoy city.Materials and Methods: Three hundred urine samples were collected from clinical centers of Khoy city. Among them, 100 E.coli isolates were confirmed by standard biochemical tests. Furthermore, the antibiotic susceptibility tests to 10 antibiotics were performed by the-disk-agar diffusion (DAD) method. Also, MIC and MBC were evaluated for co-trimoxazole by microdilution broth method. Finally, PCR was done in order to find sul2 gene in resistant isolates.Results: Of 100 isolates, 71 (71%) were resistant to co-trimoxazole out of which 57 (80%) had sul2 gene. This gene was recognized in sulfonamides-resistant isolates which did not create any zone of inhibition. Also, the isolates with sul2 gene were found to be simultaneously resistant to ampicillin, nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin. In co-trimoxazole-resistant isolates, MIC and MBC for Co-trimoxazole were calculated 16 and 32mg/ml.Conclusion: This study was the first of its kind in Iran with the main objective of manifesting the presence of sul2 gene in E. coli. The results of the present study indicate that antibiotic-resistance percentage in Khoy city reaches to 71%. In such a situation, it is inevitable to see resistance to all common antibiotics currently prescribed to patients at clinical centers which will, in turn, result in treatment failures.

Background and Objective: Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is one the most prevalent bacterial infections and Escherichia coli is the most common causative agent of UTI. However, the incidence of community acquired UTI caused by extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing E. coli is increasing worldwide. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of blaTEM gene in E. coli isolated from UTI of outpatients in Kermanshah.Materials and Methods: One hundred and forty E. coli strains were isolated from the midstream urinary samples of outpatients. The susceptibility of isolates to selected antibiotics was tested using disc diffusion method followed by confirmation for the ESBL producing strains using combined disc method. Finally, the blaTEM gene was determined among the ESBL producer isolates using PCR.Results: Of 140 isolates, 34 (24.28%) were positive ESBL and PCR determined that 18 (53%) of ESBL producing isolates contained blaTEM gene. When testing their susceptibility to antibiotics, 81.43% of the isolates were resistant to ampicillin while all isolates were sensitive to imipenem.Conclusion: The production of ESBL by pathogenic bacteria, in particular in outpatients, is a serious concern for the use of various beta-lactam antibiotics including the third generation of cephalosporins. Due to the presence of blaTEM gene in the high proportion of the isolates, more molecular and epidemiological studies on pathogenic gram-negative bacteria are recommended.

Backgrounds and Objectives: Different studies have shown a relationship between social capital and health. The aim of this paper was to survey about the relation between social capital and health-related quality of life (QOL) among teachers.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, our target community was 375 people that were selected by Multi-stage cluster sampling method. For assessment of Social Capital Onyx and Bullen (2000) were used, and for assessing health-related QOL SF-36 questionnaires were used respectively. Data were analyzed with independent T, ANOVA, Pearson correlation and Regression tests.Results: The mean age of respondents was 40.7±5.26 and based on gender 51.9% of them were male. Mean and SD of total QOL and total social capital scores were 64.52±17.02 and 71.21±16.74 respectively. Pearson correlation test showed that there was a significant correlation between total social capital with total health-related QOL (r=0.153; p<0.004), cognitive social capital with physical health (r=0.136; p<0.011) and also communicative social capital with mental health (r=0.133; p<0.012). There was significant relationship between structural social capital and both dimensions of health-related QOL: physical health (r=0.146, p=0.006) and mental health (r=0.156, p=0.003). Also regression analysis showed that variables of "gender", "marital status" and "age" have not impact on the relationship between social capital and QOL and have been removed from model, but "income" was an effective variable in the main relationship of the research.Conclusion: Our finding showed that there was positive correlation between social capital and health-related QOL among teachers. It appears that focus voluntary groups activities could increases trust and personal network, and its issue could improve mental and physical health of teachers.

Background and Objective: Sleep Diary is the most practical and cost-effective tool for evaluating sleep habits. However, measurement errors are common issues with self report methods in medical research. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a self- report method compared to Actigraph in assessing sleep patterns in children.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 270 children aged 6 to 9 years who were selected by multistage sampling in primary schools of Tehran. The sleep patterns during a week were measured using two methods of self- report and Actigraph. The parents were asked to report the sleep pattern of their children.Results: The results of the current study indicated that sleep duration determined through the self-report method was overestimated compared to Actigraph (P=0.001). Parents reported the onset of children sleep significantly earlier than Actigraph (P=0.001). There was no significant difference between self-report and Actigraph for wake-up time.Conclusion: The findings of this study illustrate low accuracy of self-report method for determining sleep duration and sleep onset in children. Although, self report is a valid method for measuring wake-up time in children, it has a low validity for assessing the other components of sleep pattern.

Background and Objective: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) have been recognized as the most common cause of infectious diarrhea in infants and children less than five years in developing countries. The aim of the present study was to determine the frequency of ETEC isolates harboring eltB and estA genes among diarrheal children admitted to hospitals in Tabriz, Iran.Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, during the 7 month, a total of 450 stool samples of children younger than 5 years of age were studied. After culture and confirming, the DNA of Escherichia coli isolates were extracted by boiling method and multiplex PCR was done for detection of estA, eltB genes.Results: A total of 200 diarrheagenic E. coli strains were isolated from 450 stool samples from children with diarrhea. The prevalence of diarrheagenic E. coli isolated from stool samples was 44.44%. In order to detect eltB, estA genes simultaneously, a mixture of two primer pairs specific for the target genes was used in a single PCR. In our study, PCR assays detected 75 (37.5%) ETEC isolates. Of the ETEC strains isolated, 43 (21.5%) isolates produced heat labile toxin only, 11 (5.5%) produced heat-labile toxin and heat-stable toxin, and 21 (10.5%) produced heat stable toxin only.Conclusion: Due to the frequency distribution of enterotoxigenic isolates in Tabriz, particularly in children younger than 5 years of age, the use of molecular methods in diagnostic laboratories is recommended.