Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:23 Issue: 101, 2016

Photodynamic therapy is a new therapeutic modality for the treatment of cancer. Photodynamic therapy uses an inactive drug and a light source to activate the drug to produce reactive oxygen species that destroy the cancer cells. In the present study, the effect of two different laser light sources on the efficiency of photodynamic therapy was evaluated using a breast cancer cell line. MDA-MB-231cells were grown on 96-well plates. After the treatment with different concentrations of 5-aminolevulinic acid, cells were irradiated with a light dose of 10 and/ or 20 Jcm-2 by two different laser light sources. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Results showed that 5-aminolevulinic acid at concentrations of 0.5, 1 and 2 mM had no significant cytotoxic effect on the breast cancer cells in the absence of laser activation. However, the treatment of cells with 5-aminolevulinic acid and light dose of 20 Jcm-2 using Lasotronic laser and Mustang laser, decreased cell viability of the breast cancer cells to 80% and 65%, respectively. Light source used in photodynamic therapy plays an important role in the efficiency of this therapeutic modality and light activation of 5-aminolevulinic acid at a photosensitizing concentration using a proper laser light source may potentially be lethal for breast cancer cells.

Upper gastro intestinal cancers are considered to be a global health problem and gastric cancer is the fourth common malignancy worldwide. In cancer patients, low levels of albumin, C-reactive protein and platelets are considered as bad prognostic factors. The objective of this study was to evaluate the levels of Albumin (Alb), C-reactive protein (CRP), and Platelets in patients admitted to Endoscopy Unit of Vali-e-Asr Hospital in Zanjan in 2011-2012. 308 patients who had been admitted for upper gasterointestinal endoscopy to Endoscopy Unit of Vali-e-Asr Hospital in Zanjan were entered into this study. Through the upper endoscopy of all abnormal lesions went through biopsy and pathological studies were followed. Patients were assigned to three groups of normal, benign and malignant lesions and their platelets, albumin levels, BMI and C-reactive protein were measured and compared as prognostic factors. The mean BMI, in the malignant group was significantly lower than the other two groups) PV=0.051(. The mean values of serum albumin in the malignant group was significantly lower than the other two groups (PV=0.023). Meanwhile, the average level of CRP and platelets in the malignant group was significantly higher than the other two groups. Due to the high prevalence of gastrointestinal malignancies in Iran, measurement of albumin, C-reactive protein and platelet levels can be an efficient approach to diagnose or prognosis in these diseases.

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), particularly methicillin- resistant strain (MRSA), is one of the most important pathogens in nosocomial infections that is capable of producing food poisoning and food-borne outbreaks. This study aimed to focus on the contamination status of food handlers, utensils and foodstuffs with this agent in a hospital kitchen as sources of distribution of these strains into hospitals. A total of 220 samples were collected from freshly prepared foods, kitchen utensils and food handlers. The samples were cultured in Blood agar and Mannitol salt agar media and the isolates were evaluated both morphologically and biochemically using specialized tests and consequently were identified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using femA and nuc primers. For antibiogram, the standard disk diffusion test was used in accordance with CLSI, 2012 guidelines. To detect MRSA strains, resistance of the S. aureus isolates to cefoxitin (30 µg) in Mueller-Hinton agar was evaluated. Thirty- nine S. aureus isolates from food handlers (50%), 26 from kitchen utensils (48.1%), and 22 from food samples (25%) were detected. MRSA strains were found in 22.7% of the S. aureus isolates of foodstuffs, 23.1% in utensils and 5.1% in food handler samples. Homology of the resistance patterns among these isolates was also observed. This study showed the presence of MRSA strains and homology of resistance patterns among the isolates of the foodstuffs, kitchen utensils and food handlers all of which call for a careful monitoring to prevent their distribution among hospitalized patients.

Enterococci lead to many problems in terms of treatment failure and mortality in patients especially due to antibacterial resistance. Identification of antibiotic resistance in community is of extreme importance to prevent failures particularly in the treatment of infections. Therefore, this study intended to screen antibiotic-resistant enterococci samples from patients. Samples were collected from feces and blood of patients hospitalized over a period of 9 months from July 2013 to March 2014 in Vali-e Asr and Mousavi hospitals. Diagnostic tests such as growth in the presence of bile esculin agar and NaCl 6.5% as well as catalase and Gram staining were performed to verify the samples. Agar disk diffusion method for antibiotic susceptibility testing and microtitre plate assay was performed to evaluate the MIC of vancomycin. Among the tested antibiotics, ciprofloxacin showed the highest and teicoplanin as well as vancomycin exhibited the least antibiotic resistance. Interestingly, vancomycin minimum inhibitory concentration was determined 5 to 50 &mug/ml. In our study, isolated enterococci from the hospitalized patients showed relatively high resistance to majority of antibiotics. Meanwhile, antibiotic resistance to teicoplanin and vancomycin were acceptable in comparison to other similar studies.

Acinetobacter baumannii is considered as an important agent in nosocomial infections. The problem facing the tratment of these bacteria is increasing resistance to antimicrobial agents such as carbapenems. The main mechanism of resistance to carbapenems in these bacteria is the presence of oxacillinases genes, which belong to class D betalactamases. The aim of this study was molecular diagnosis of Acinetobacter baumannii and antimicrobial resistance pattern of these bacteria to antibiotics including imipenem and meropenem. Genus and species of clinical isolates of Acinetobacter were identified via biochemical tests and PCR method respectively. Their susceptibily to imipenem and meropenem were determined by disk diffusion method. In order to identify carbapenem resistant genes (oxacillinases), multiplex PCR was used. 76 of 72 (94.7%) Acinetobacter species, possessed bla oxa-51-like gene and were identified as A.baumannii. Sixty one (84.7%) of isolates were resistant to imipenem and 70(97.2%) were resistant to meropenem. Out of 76 isolates, 63 (87.5%) had an acquired bla oxa-23like carbapenemase, 7 (9.7%%) possessed bla oxa-24-like carbapenemase. None of the isolats contained either bla oxa-58 or bla oxa-143 carbapenemase. It appears that cabapenem overutilization causes a selective pressure resulting in the emergence of antibiotic- resistant isolates. This study indicated that, the presence of bla oxa-23 genes was significantly associated with the occurrence of resistance to carbapenems. So, investigation of antibiotic resistance genes in A. baumannii is necessary to control further dissemination of these resistance genes.

Memantine is a glutamate N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist with low receptor binding affinity which is currently used in moderate to severe Alzheimer’s disease. So far, the effect of memantine on stress system has not been investigated. This study focused on the effects of both peripheral and intra-accumbal memantine administration on plasma corticosterone concentration in female NMRI mice. Four groups of mice (n=6/group) received different doses of memantine (1, 0.5 and 0.1 mg/kg) intraperitoneally. In this groups were canulated bi- or unilaterally in the nucleus accumbens by stereotaxic instrument. After a week of recovery, memantine (1, 0.5 and 0.1 µg/kg mouse) was administrated to the animals intra-accumbally. Blood samples were taken from retro-orbital sinus of all animals 30 min (intraperitoneally administration) or 5 min (intra-accumbally) following memantine injection for the evaluation of plasma corticosterone. Intraperitoneal memantine injection led to a dramatic increase in plasma corticosterone concentration in a dose-independent manner. On the other hand, intra-accumbal memantine administrations increased plasma corticosterone level significantly (P<0.001) in a dose and site –dependent manner. Memantine may have a severe effect on stress system by virtue of plasma corticosterone level increment which may be the side effect of this medication.

Nowadays, the use of herbal products has been proposed as an alternative to chemical drugs. Cinnamon is considered as a beneficial and useful herb. Due to the increasing demand of medicinal plants to treat diseases and identify any side effects on different organs, this study was performed to investigate the effects of aqueous extract of cinnamon on serum biochemical parameters in streptozotocin-induced (STZ) diabetic rats. 21 male Wistar rats were assigned to three groups of 7 including control, diabetic control and diabetic rats treated with the extract, respectively. Fasting mice were diabolized with 50 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. After 21 days of treatment with the extract at a dose of 200 mg/ kg, blood sugar, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL and LDL in serum were measured in three groups. Results were analyzed using one- way ANOVA and Tukey test. A significant decrease in blood glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol in the treated diabetic rats were seen whereas, there was no significant changes in LDL and HDL levels. Since the plants in this family have flavonoid components, their effect on reduction of serum biochemical parameters including blood glucose, triglyceride and cholesterol may be due to these components. Therefore, the aqueous extract of cinnamon has anti-diabetic properties and its proper use is beneficial for diabetic patients

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles are widely used in the medical, industrial, pharmaceutical and nutritional fields and contradictory results in neurological studies of these compounds in comparison with the conventional pattern demand further investigation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the histology of hippocampus (an area involved in memory) following chronic administration of ZnO nanoparticles in comparison with the conventional pattern. NMRI adult male mice weighing 25 ± 5 g were assigned to five groups: control (saline), recipient of nano ZnO and conventional ZnO in doses of 1 and 5 mg/kg. After one month of treatment with these, animals were euthanized and their brains were removed from the hippocampus for histological study. While ZnO nanoparticles led to necrosis of cells in some areas of the hippocampus, conventional ZnO did not exhibit such considerable damage. These changes were more pronounced at a dose of 1 mg/kg of ZnO nanoparticles. ZnO nanoparticles may pass through the blood-brain barrier and induce harmful effects on cells in hippocampus. It is recommended to take necessary precautions while using combinations of nano drugs.

Heat stress is one of the most important environmental pressures which can reduce sexual performance. Garlic has been proposed for increasing resistance against stress. This study dealt with the effects of garlic hydroalcoholic extract on reproductive hormones in male mice under heat stress. Fifty male mice were studied in five groups (n=10). The experiment consisted of a control group (normal situation without receiving extract) and four treatment groups that were kept under heat stress (36±3C) four hours a day (on site) and received 0, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg of body weight garlic extract in drinking water for thirty days. Blood samples were taken at the end of the experiment and testosterone, FSH and LH hormones were measured. After dissection and removal of the testicles, changes in spermatocytes were evaluated. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software. Heat stress reduced all sexual hormones significantly (p<0.05) in group Zero but testosterone and LH levels increased in groups receiving 400 and 800 mg/kg doses of garlic extract. FSH levels increased significantly in groups receiving doses of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg, which were similar to the control group. The number of primary spermatocytes in groups Zero reduced compared to the control, but significantly increased at 200, 400 and 800 doses. Heat stress can reduce reproductive hormones and spermatogenic cells in male mice and garlic extract can compensate for this loss and play a moderating role on the reproductive potential under heat stress.

Malva silvestris (Malvaceae), which is used in traditional medicine has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. The effects of this plant on clonic seizure have not yet been studied. The present study evaluated the anticonvulsant effect of M. silvestris in a model of clonic seizures induced with pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) on male mice. In this experimental study the anticonvulsant effect of M. silvestris was investigated using i.v PTZ-induced seizure models on mice. Different doses of the hydroethanolic extract of M. silvestris (150 and 300 mg/kg) were administered intraperitonally 2 hours before the induction of PTZ. The effect of M. silvestris on the appearance of three separate seizure endpoints including myoclonic, generalized clonus and forelimb tonic extension phase was recorded. Differences were considered significant at p <0.05. The results showed that the M. silvestris extract had anticonvulsant effects on all the experimental treatment groups and significantly increased the seizure threshold. Hydroethanolic extract of M. silvestris significantly increased the onset time of myoclonic seizure (p<0.001) and increased the threshold for the forelimb tonic extension seizure (p<0.01) compared with the control group. But it did not show any significant effect on generalized clonic phase response. The results of the present study imply that injection of hydroethanolic extracts of M. silvestris led to anticonvulsant activity in i.v. PTZ-induced seizure in male mice.

Fe4NiO4Zn nanoparticles are used in nano technological applied arenas. Given the importance of liver in detoxification of the body, this study dealt with the toxicity effect of Fe4NiO4Zn nanoparticles on changes of hepatic factors Twenty four Wistar rats were randomly assigned to three groups: A control group(1) and two treatment groups (2, 3) which received 0.5cc of saline, 0.5cc of solution containing 100, 200 ppm Fe4NiO4 for 7 successive days, respectively. Then, parameters such as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), transferrin (TR) and albumin were measured on days 2, 7 and 14 after the treatment. Mean TR levels, on day 7 after the intervention in the group of Fe4Nio4Zn (200ppm) and on day 14 of the study in both groups of Fe4Nio4Zn (100,200ppm) significantly decreased. Likewise, on day 2 of the study the average of LDH in the group of Fe4Nio4Zn (100ppm) and on days 7 and 14 in both groups of Fe2Nio4Zn(100,200ppm) significantly decreased. Mean ALP showed a significant decrease on day 2 after the intervention in both treatment groups as compared with the control group. Findings concerning reduced hepatic factors throughout this study assert that the body can gradually eliminate Fe4Nio4Zn nanoparticles after the injection. On the other hand, the toxic effects of these elements are eliminated either as a consequence of the loss of the properties of nanoparticles after the administration or due to a state of hepatocyte tolerance.

Methyl malonic acidemia is an autosomal recessive disease with presentations of mental retardation, recurrent vomiting, ketoacidotic attacks, dehydration, shock, hypoglycemia and hyperamonemia. It will lead to coma and death if unrecognized and untreated. Methyl malonic acidemia may have different skin manifestations. The involvement of blood cells leads to neutropenia, thrombocytopenia and pancytopenia. Most patients have hypoglycemia which in rare cases may be associated with hyperglycemia. The association of mucormycosis, neutropenia and hyperglycemia has been reported in some cases. The case reported in this article carried all three complications together.