فصلنامه کومش
سال هفدهم شماره 1 (پیاپی 57، پاییز 1394)

Thalassemia, is one of the most common genetic diseases in many countries. There are two common types of thalassemia, alpha and beta. Prevalence of thalassemia-causing mutations is different among various parts of the world and even within different ethnic groups living in our country. In addition to clinical, biochemical and hematologic diagnostic methods, some molecular techniques are used for prenatal diagnosis of thalassemia. On the basis of the present study, the following mutations are common in our country: IVS I-5(G>C), IVS II-1(G>A), FSC36/37(-T), IVS I-110(G>A), FSC 8/9(+G), IVS I-1(G>A), FSC8(-AA), IVSI-25 bp, CD30(G>C) and FSC44(-C). These mutations are about 80% of all mutations. Mutation IVS II-1 (G> A) is common across the country but other mutations may be common among other specific ethnic groups. In this study, those publications related to research over the prevalency of beta thalasemia mutation were studied and analyzed and the common mutations in different provinces of the country are presented. Understanding the molecular mechanism underlying the disease would improve identifying the clinical features of disease and facilitate application of preventing programs and treatment for the disease.

Immunoinformatics or computational immunology has recently emerged as an important role player in the field of analytic sciences, remodelling and prediction of immune function, novel vaccine designing, allergenicitic analysis and drug discovery. Immunoinformatics has an important role in improving the immunological studies and its rapid development after human Genome sequencing project, as well as other organisms, has led to a great opportunity of access to huge immunological relevant information. This field of science acts as a connection between laboratory experiments and computational sciences. These achievements extensively have vital strategic value from the perspective of global health and besides, it is less time and cost consuming. This article, reviews different general and specific immunological databases, predicts approaches to both B and T cell epitopes and principle of vaccine bioinformatics and finally describes applications of Immnoinformatics. In fact the main aim of this review was to introduce this technique to Iranian researchers who are less familiar with this immunological analytic tool, hoping this would provide them with new and up to date approach toward their immunological studies.

There are various reporting on the relationship between socio-economic status, SES, and bone density. However, since most of bone fractures occur among low-income social groups, SES appears to be an important factor determining the status of individual bone health. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the individual and household levels of SES with osteoporosis. Data from the third stage of IMOS (Iranian Multi-center Osteoporosis Study) including 2617 subjects aged 20 years and older, from the cities of Sanandaj and Arak was collected in the form of one-stage cluster sampling. To build the individual-and family-levels of SES index, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) model was employed. Individual-and family-levels of SES were addressed as independent variables in univariate and multivariate logistic regression models to investigate their role in the prevalence of osteoporosis as the dependent variable. Both individual and household levels of SES, independently and with controlling the main risk factors showed a significant effect on osteoporosis. At the individual level, the odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the SES in "low", "lower-middle", and "upper-middle" levels, compared with "high" level, were: 3.2 (2.96-3.46), 6.08 (5.65-6.55), 4.95 (4.60-5.32), respectively. At the household level, the same valuables were: 1.88(1.80-1.95), 1.38 (1.33-1.44), 1.98 (1.90-2.06), respectively. The results showed that in addition to individual-level of SES, household-level is also important to be considered for intervening and preventing care.

Hypertension is a chronic asymptomatic disease that one out of three adults is infected worldwide. This study was performed to determine the factors related to self-care behaviors in hypertensive individuals based on Health Belief Model (HBM). The disease is not curable، though it is necessary to be managed. The study was performed to determine the factors related to self-care behaviors in hypertensive individuals based on HBM. This descriptive-analytic study (cross-sectional) was carried out for 298 hypertensive patients over 30 years of age residing at rural villages of Hamadan province. Sampling was conducted by a multi-stage method. The patients were selected by simple random method. Questionnaires were filled by self-report and interviews. Data gathering tool was questionnaire based on HBM، knowledge of self-care behaviors and demographic variables questions. Regression test showed statistically significant relationship between perceived barriers، self-efficacy and cues to action with self-care behaviors (P <0. 001). Among regulating variables، only age was significantly associated with the self-care behavior. There was no significant relationship between knowledge، education، economic status and self-care behavior (P >0. 05). According to the relationship between perceived barriers، cues to action and self-efficacy with self-care behaviors، it would be warranted to perform educational plans based on health belief model، emphasizing on factors influencing self-care behaviors.

According to the World Health Organization statement the key to prevent maternal mortality is high quality health care. Assessment the quality of maternal care is the first step to improve the caring practice. This study was aimed to assess the quality of preconception, prenatal and postnatal care by health practitioners, using objective structured clinical evaluation (OSCE) tests. 105 physicians and midwives, who were members of health center number three in Mashhad (IRAN), were entered this cross-sectional study by census method. Data gathering tools included: demographic questionnaire and three Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation (OSCE) tests for preconception, prenatal and postnatal cares. All participants filled out the demographic data questionnaire and then passed the stations of Objective Structured Clinical Evaluation tests, which were designed for imaginary clients. Data showed that the best practice performed during the preconception (98.1%) and the weakest during the postnatal cares (49.52%). In the subject of prenatal care, recording the medical history (100%) and immunization (65.7%), in the subject of prenatal care, recording the medical history (100%) and supplement prescription (24.76%) and in the subject of postnatal care, the evaluation of parturient mother (98.09%) and providing health advice (57%), obtained the highest and lowest scores, respectively. There were significant differences between age (P=0.04) and working experience (P=0.006) with quality of preconception care, and between the educational degree with quality of prenatal care. Our study showed that the quality of care during postnatal has been weak and unsatisfactory. However, since the quality of postnatal care has an important impact on maternal and neonatal mortality rate, appropriate training for educating the health care providers is strongly suggested.

Preeclampsia is one of the most important complications during pregnancy and the gold standard for its diagnosis is 24 hours urine protein assay. In relation to that, the aim of the present study was to determine the possibility of replacing 6-hours with 24-hours urine protein assay. A descriptive analytic study was performed on 30 pregnant women over 20 weeks of gestation, hospitalized with probable diagnosis of preeclampsia with at least a positive urinary strip test or (1+) for protein and blood presure ≥140/90. First a random urine sample was obtained for measuring protein/ creatinine ratio. Then 2 distinctive sets of urine samples were collected: first for 6-hours and then for 18-hours. Protein was measured in the 6 hour sample, then two samples were mixed and after the protein assay the concentration was counted as the protein content in 24-hours sample. Data was analyzed by Spearman correlation with considering P-value (<0.05) as meaningful. There was significant positive correlation between the 6-hour and 24-hour urine proteins (P=0.018, r=0.429). There was not any correlation between protein /creatinine ratio of 6-hour (p=0.366, r=0.171) and 24-hour (p=0.794, r=0.050) urine samples. This study suggests that a 6-hour urine sample protein assay can be substituted with a 24-hour urine collection for diagnosis of preeclampsia.There is no correlation between the protein /creatinine ratio of 6 and 24 hours urine samples.

Some studies, which are engaging with the mechanisms of word procession in the brain, are interested in the brain activity responses to the emotional content of the words. There are also some studies which have focused on how lexico-semantic features affect word processing by controlling the affective dimensions. To perform such studies we need a list of affective words in Farsi language and culture. The present study aims to make a list of such words to be used in probable future neural processing studies of Persian words. In this study 150 Farsi speaking college students, with the average of 22 years of age, scored 300 Farsi words based on their valence, being evocable, familiarity, age of acquisition and being imaginable, by using Likert scale. Information about the frequency, objectivity and class of words were also added to each word by researchers. Within 294 studied words with clear valence, there were 237 nouns, 47 adjectives and 10 verbs. There were also 158 positive, 79 negative and 63 neutral words in this study. Data gathered for each word based on scores were recorded in tables for future references. The provided list of words and related scores in this study can be useful in order to control or study the factors contributing to word processing in Persian youth for future studies. The reason for different scoring paradigm in this study with other patterns was the difference in culture and sociolinguistic backgrounds with other cultures and languages.

One of the main difficulties facing the production of recombinan Streptococcus pyrogenesisa hyaluronidase enzyme is its high molecular weight. The aim of this study was to predict the antigenic regions of hyaluronidase protein, the structure of fragment and evaluating the possibility of cloning the fragment in pTZ57R/T vector by the aid of bioinformatic’s software. Multiple hyaluronidase amino acid sequences were aligned, using Clustal W method and MegAlign software, followed by BLASTP analysis. Antigenic regions and important epitopes in consensus sequences were determined by using online softwares ABCpred, BcePred and Emboss. The tertiary structure of determined antigenic regions was predicted by using TASERI and specified model was evaluated by using Swiss-PDB Viewer Software. Finally, intended fragment was inserted in pTZ57R/T vector. The consensus sequence had 868 amino acids, which the residues 279 to 773 were selected as prominent antigenic region in order to shorten the sequence by using online software. Finally, the result was shown as the proper recombination of antigenic region of hyaluronidase gene with pTZ57R/T. The utilization of bio informatics tools to predict or determine the prominent antigenepitopic fragments, facilitated the recombinant process due to using the shorter fragments and generating more effective and specific immune response by the enzyme protein.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains are human pathogens linked to hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Shiga toxins (Stx1 and Stx2) are the major virulent factors of these strains. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and distribution of stx1 and stx2 gene in E. coli strains isolated from Sangesari lambs domesticated in Semnan suburb, Iran. During a 3-monthes survey in 2014, 160 samples of recto-anal mucosal swabs were collected from lambs with diarrhea. They were examined for the E. coli in cultural medium and biochemical tests as the causative agent of gastrointestinal tract (GI) infection and investigated the presence of stx1 and stx2 genes by using multiplex-PCR. Fifty one Escherichia coli strains were isolated from 160 fecal samples. Twelve of them were (24%) positive for at least one type of STX genes (STEC strain). Of the 12 STEC isolates, 5 (10%) harbored stx1, 4 (8%) stx2, and 3 (6%) carried both stx1 and stx2. The frequency of stx1 and stx2 distribution in Sangesari lambs and their relation to human GI diseases is not well understood yet. According to the popularity of lamb meat in Iran, specially breeding these animals in Semnan suburbs, it is warrant to consider precise regulations to restrict and prevent the prevalence of this life-threatening and foodborne diseases in Iran.

Enterobacter spp. belongs to the family of Enterobacteriaceae and has a variety of phenotypic and genotypic profiles. Within Enterobacter cloacae complex, six genetically related and phenotypically similar species have been merged and strains belonging to these species are encountered among the most common strains able to cause severe opportunistic infections in hospitalized patients. Sequence analyzing a segment of hsp60 gene belong to this complex have demonstrated 13other genetic clusters. Since this complex is rarely identified in Iran, therefore, we aimed to evaluate the efficiency of phenotypic (commercial routine kit) and molecular methods for detecting this complex in urinary isolates. In this study 74 Enterobacter cloacae urinary isolates, collected from 6 large hospitals in Tehran, were characterized by API20E kit and for final approval of diagnosis, hsp60 gene sequencing was performed. Using API20E kit for detecting Enterobacter cloacae in comparison to hsp60 sequencing, as gold standard for determining the species, sub-species and genotypes in Enterobacter cloacae complex, have demonstrated sensitivity and specialty about 88% and 60%, respectively in bacteria detection. Considering the importance and particular role of Enterobacter cloacae complex in causing hospital-acquired and opportunist infections and according to limited capability of API20E kit in providing precise analytic data, performance of complimentary tests or molecular methods, such as hsp60 sequencing, with high accuracy and validity, are highly suggested.

The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of different warm-up protocols on static and dynamic balance indices and balance the vault in skilled female gymnast. Twenty four skilled female gymnasts (mean age 9.66­±­1.43 years(were selected. Subjects have been randomly divided into three groups: general warm-up (control), general warm-up and static stretching and general warm-up and dynamic stretching. The first protocol included a 10 minute general warming up, the second protocol involved general warm-up followed by the use of static stretching and the third protocol included general warm-up followed by dynamic stretching the muscles involved in performing the balance whip. Before and after the activity, the indicators of the equilibrium of anterior-posterior and internal-external pressure fluctuations range, and track length of the anterior-posterior and internal-external pressure center in four static and dynamic situations (both with one leg, and with two legs) were investigated using a dynamometer system equipped with 7 cameras and Kistler force plate. The whip balance performance with dynamic warm-up protocol was significantly higher than general warm-up protocol (P=0.001) and static warm-up protocol (P=0.01). Also the whip balance performance significantly decreased after the static warm-up protocol (P=0.005), but no significant differences were observed in the control group (P ≥0.05). Static balance with both feet in the dynamic warm-up protocol showed no significant difference in compare to general warm-up (P=0.07) and static warm-up protocols (P=0.06) (P ≥0.05). Also between the static warm-up protocol and the control group no significant difference was observed (P ≥0.05). On the other hand, no significant difference was observed between the static balance with one foot, dynamic balance with two feet and dynamic balance with one foot (P ≥0.05). Our study showed that dynamic warm-up resulted in further improvement in whip balance in compare to static and general warm-ups. Also, in clinical point of view, dynamic warm-up, in comparison with static and general warm-ups, leaded to further improvement in dynamic and static balance indices; although, these findings were not statically significant.

Little is known about the impact of previous physical activity on metabolic risks and continuous attention factors in the course of aging. Furthermore, there is a discrepancy in the existing evidences due to multi componential nature of these factors. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine whether the previous physical activity history can synchronously modify the changes in overall performance in sustained attention and total metabolic risk in midlife and elderly men. Moreover, the modulating effects of other individual variables on the impact of physical activity history on aforementioned factors were investigated. 27 male subjects in midlife group including; 13 active and 14 sedentary and 28 male subjects in elderly group including; 15 active and 13 sedentary underwent Continuous Performance Test (CPT) and measurements of waist circumference and blood pressure prior to fasting blood sampling. In order to provide a quantitative index for performance in both continuous attention and total metabolic risk groups, we calculated the overall CPT Z score (Zcpt) using individual subject data at three components of CPT (Target Acc Rate, Foil Acc Rate and Mean Reaction Time) and the total metabolic risk Z score (Zmets) of five components of metabolic risk factors, including; waist circumference, arterial blood pressure and blood glucose, triglyceride and high density lipoprotein levels. There was significant correlation between the age and number of metabolic risk indices with continuous attention components (P<0.05), regarding three components of CPT for all the subjects. Educational level was determined as the most dominant predictor of Zcpt (P<0.05). All three components of CPT showed significant differences between two age groups and also between two life styles (P<0.05). Significant difference was observed between two life styles for Zcpt and two age groups for Zmets (P<0.05). Sedentary life style in aging men increases the metabolic risks along with reduction of sustained attention. Physical fitness and cognitive challenge are important factors in improving vigilance and/or reducing hazards of confusion in aged male individuals

Endurance training as a component of an effective exercise plan, may lead to increase in heart strength and bodily resistance. One of the most common adaptations that occur in this type of training is creating new vessels (angiogenesis) and increase in growth factor promoting angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endurance training on muscular capillary density and serum vascular endothelial growth factor, VEGF, concentration in diabetic rats. Forty rats divided into two groups of diabetic and non-diabetics. Each group divided to endurance trained and non-trained sub groups. Endurance trained group received training for 8 weeks. Immunohistochemistry for alkaline phosphates activity was done to measure capillary density and angiogenesis in cardiac muscle. For data analysis, One Way Anova and tukey post-hoc test were performed. Study showed diabetes significantly decreased capillary density in cardiac muscle and VEGF serum level (P=0.001). Also, 8 weeks of endurance training significantly increased capillary density in cardiac muscle and VEGF serum level in healthy and diabetic rats (P=0.001). It seems likely that endurance training improved cardiac performance in diabetes via angiogenesis. Evidence of increase in VEGF serum level and angiogenesis caused by this type of exercise, may suggest an effective way for developing a new therapeutic strategy for improving cardiac insufficiency conditions in diabetic patients in future.

By increasing the intensity of physical exercises the energy consumption is also increased, which may cause possible alterations in serum leptin levels, independent of fat cells. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of various intensities of aerobic-resistance (concurrent) exercises on the levels of serum leptin,lactate, glucose and net protein in active men. In a semi-experimental study plan, ten healthy young active men, aged 21.5±1.4 years, BMI 21.88±1.2 kg/m2, performed concurrent (aerobic and resistance exercise) exercise at the three levels of low, moderate and high intensities. Different intensities of aerobic exercise included running on treadmill at the speed of 8, 9.6 and 11.2 km/hr. The resistance exercises were composed of 45, 65 and 85% of 1- repeated maximum intensity in six motions. The data for aerobic and resistance exercises were all justified to a same level. Blood samples were taken before and immediately and 24 hours after exercise. The results show that the plasma lactate concentration increased immediately after exercise in compareto prior and 24 hours after exercise at all levels of intensity (P<0.05). An acute bout of concurrent exercise at different levels of intensity did not result in significant alterations in plasma leptin (P>0.05). Our findings also indicated that plasma glucose and total protein levels of participants did not significantly change immediately and 24 hours after exercise in compare to pre-exercise levels at different intensities of physical activity. This study suggests that the different intensities of concurrent exercise does not change effectively the leptin levels in young active men.

Therapeutic exercises are regarded as one of most important therapeutic interventions for patients with chronic low back pain. Stabilization exercises are among the most practical ones for these patients. Effects of these exercises on psychological factors associated with pain and consequential functional disabilities are still remained unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of stabilization exercises on fear of pain, movement and disability in patients with low back pain. Twenty one patients with recurrent non-specific low back pain (14 in experimental, 7 in control group) were participated in this study. The scores for fear of pain, fear of movement and disability were recorded in the questionnaires. The experimental group performed isolated abdominal hollowing and bracing exercises in three sets of ten for each with two minutes rest between each repeat. Patients performed exercises with the use of pressure biofeedback and under the supervision of a physiotherapist in different positions including supine, sitting on a chair, standing still and standing with rapid arm raises with maximum acceleration once a day and for 20 sessions. The variables studied in this research were evaluated in both experimental and control groups after training sessions. Performing the stabilization exercises did not affect the fear-avoidance belief (P >0.05), while decreased the disability associated with back pain (P=0.01). This study showed that the psychological fears associated with pain in patients with recurrent non-specific low back pain, which also leads to continuity of back pain cannot be alleviated by performing stabilization exercises.

Neurotrophins like (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF) is thought to play an important role in neuronal repair. Recent experimental evidence noted that BDNF decrease in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and exercise may increases the level of this protein. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of eight weeks resistance training on BDNF in female patients with MS. Twenty seven female MS patients with 32.4 ± 5.5 years of old, and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) 1-5, participated in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to control group (n=13) or training group (n=14). Subjects in training group performed selected upper and lower extremities resistance training with weight-training equipment and rubber bands 3 days a week for 8 weeks. The results showed that body weight, body mass index, body fat mass and EDSS were decreased 2.5, 3.4, 5.1 and 27.7 percentage respectively after eight weeks in training group compared to control group (P<0.05). BDNF also, increased significantly (27.5 percentage) in the training group compared to control group after eight weeks (1068.4 vs. 1362.7 pg.ml-1; P<0.05). The results suggest resistance training with specific intensity and duration utilized in this study improves EDSS and increases BDNF levels in female patients with MS.

Voice problem is a condition among primary school teachers, which may not only affect their social and emotional relationship with students, also the quality of their education and occupation. Therefore, in this study we aimed to assess the risk factors causing voice problems in primary school teachers, those with or without voice problems. 243 questionnaires were distributed among primary school teachers. Based on their vocal complaints, they were divided into two groups of with and without voice problems. Risk factors for vocal problems related to occupation and medical profiles and life style were statistically compared between two groups, using Chi-square and Fisher tests and uni-variate and multi-variate logistic regressions. The results showed that sex, marital status, employment history, loudness of voice, dust in class, drug use, esophageal reflux, anxiety, allergies, hormonal disorders and larynx surgery were possible causes of suffering from vocal disorders in teachers (P<0.05). Multiple logistic regression also showed that the habit of speaking loud, anxiety and allergies were the most potent risk factors (with the order of 4.3 and 3 times) in developing voice problems. Based on this study, since the habit of speaking loud, anxiety and allergies are the most important risk factors in developing the voice problems among primary school teachers, it seems essential that the education providing authorities and speech therapists to be aware of these hazards and provide a proper management plan to control and minimize the environmental and personal risk factors causing vocal problems in school teachers.

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder in modern societies. Elemental boron supplementation can support the influential effect of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D in the body. In that regard, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of boron on damaged knee joint cartilage in rats. In this study 30 adult Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly divided into five groups: Control group with no intervention, Sham group with 50 ml saline (vehicle) injection into the right knee joint space, Mono- sodium acetate (MIA) group with 3 mg MIA injection into articular space, prophylactic group with 3 mg MIA injection into articular space and 15 mg/kg boron in drinking water, receiving daily from the first day of injection and therapeutic group with 3 mg MIA injection into articular space and 15 mg/kg boron in drinking water, receiving daily from the third week after injection. Seven weeks after injections, the animals were killed, right knee joint were fixated, decalcified and processed. Five micrometer articular slides were stained with Safranin O + Fast Green. Articular cartilage injuries were assessed in accordance with the Modified Mankin's grading system based on the rate of articular cartilage staining and the number of chondrocyte colonies in the articular cartilage. Articular cartilage staining, mean number of chondrocyte colonies and cartilage chondrocytes in MIA, therapeutic and prophylactic groups significantly reduced in compare to control. On the other hand, the degree of articular cartilage staining, mean number of chondrocyte colonies and cartilage chondrocytes were significantly increased in both therapeutic and prophylactic groups in compare to MIA group (P<0.05). In the present study, boron could greatly reduce the effects of MIA and prevent cartilage damage. It also showed a good therapeutic effect in preventing the destruction of cartilage in this osteoarthritis model.

Recently, several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as being cancer-specific, namely metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), HOTAIR, and ANRIL. Studies have revealed that MALAT1, is up-regulated in many solid tumors and it have important regulatory roles in cancer biology, metastasis and recurrence. Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are cancers of the myeloid and lymphoid blood cells lines, characterized by the rapid growth of abnormal white blood cells that accumulate in the bone marrow and interfere with the production of normal blood cells. KG1 and Jurkat cell lines cultured in IMDM and RPMI-1640 mediums respectively. Total RNA extracted from the cell lines and normal bone marrow cells and MALAT1 gene expression was measured by qRT-PCR. MALAT1 gene expression was significantly increased in the KG1cell line (P <0.05), while decreased in Jurkat cell line in compare to normal bone marrow cells (P <0.05). Our findings suggest that MALAT1 may function as novel biomarker for diagnosis, prognosis, metastasis, and predicting the response to therapy for the aforementioned types of cancers.

Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have shown a great potential in the field of regenerative medicine as well as vascular tissue engineering. Mechanical properties of the cell substrate provides an environment that influences physiological activity of cells such as proliferation, differentiation and cell cytoskeleton developments and consequently modulates functionality of in vitro engineered cells. hMSCs were cultured under two groups of control and growth factor-induced differentiation within two types of substrates with different stiffness. We used Micropipette aspiration technique to evaluate mechanical behavior of cultured cells (effective Young’s modulus (E) and creep compliance value) during their differentiation into smooth muscle cells phenotype. hMSC with growth factor-induced differentiation showed significant decrease in E value in relation to both substrates in compare to control group, within 2 days of cell culture, whereas the creep compliance of these cells sharply increased. Consequently, by increasing the cultivation time to 4 to 6 days, the E values of induced-differentiation cells significantly increased in compare to control samples, with a decrease in the creep compliance of these cells. Furthermore, the state of increase or decrease in creep compliance was depended on substrate stiffness in which the cells were seeded on. Cells cultured on soft substrates showed high tendency for preserving their viscoelastic properties. Our results provides groundwork for stem cell-based tissue engineering in order to optimize culture conditions due to effective usage of external physical cues as well as substrate properties as the regulatory mechanisms of differentiation to functional target cells.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the most commonly used host system for the expression of high quality recombinant proteins. Different strategies such as generation of more efficient expression vectors and establishment of genetically engineered host cells have been employed to improve recombinant protein expression in this system. Here the cell line engineering strategy based on the phosphorylation resistant variants of eukaryotic initiation factor 2 alpha(eIF2α) and ceramide transfer protein(CERT), key mediators of protein translation and secretion, have been used to develop improved CHO host cells. The CERT S132A, peIF2α S51A and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) were cloned in suitable expression vectors. CERT S132A and peIF2α S51A stable cell pools were generated and the efficacy of the cells for transient expression of t-PA was evaluated in comparison to un-modified CHO cells. Integration of CERT S132A and peIF2α S51A expression vectors in CHO cell genome confirmed by PCR analysis of genomic DNA from stable cells. Moreover, the specific bands for CERT S132A and peIF2α S51A proteins were observed in Western blot analysis. Expression of CERT S132A gene increased expression of t-PA by 50%. However no positive effect on t-PA expression was observed in the peIF2α S51A stable cell pools. This study showed the efficiency of CERT S132Abased cell line engineering approach for the development of optimized CHO host cells.

Macrophages play a crucial role in appropriate embryo implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. This study was done to evaluate the frequency and distribution of uterine (local changes) and spleen (systemic changes) macrophages on days 4.5 and 7 of NMRI mouse pregnancy which are simultaneous with beginning of implantation and complete establishment of embryo in the uterus. The precise day of pregnancy was determined through vaginal plug detection. Blood was collected from pregnant mice on days 4.5 and 7 of gestation and serum 17- β estradiol and progesterone concentrations were measured using the ELISA method. The frequency and localization of macrophages in different regions of uterus and spleen were also investigated by immunohistochemistry staining using anti F4/80 antibody. The results of this study showed that frequency of uterine macrophages has decreased on day 7 in comparison to day 4.5 of gestation. Macrophages are distributed throughout the whole uterus on day 4.5 while their distribution was restricted to myometrium and stroma beneath the circular muscles on day 7 of pregnancy. The frequency of spleen macrophages as a representative of their systemic changes was not different in studied groups. Serum 17-β estradiol and progesterone concentrations increased significantly on day 7 compared to day 4.5 of pregnancy. Considering the changes in 17-β estradiol and progesterone concentrations and their indirect effects on macrophages recruitment through regulation of M-CSF and GM-CSF secretion by uterine stromal cells, the differences in frequency and distribution of macrophages in different stages of pregnancy could be explained. While the macrophages chemotactic factors and homing receptors and their sources in spleen are different from uterus and don’t response to ovarian hormones variations. Regarding the role of macrophages in embryo implantation and regulation of feto-maternal immune responses, it seems that the changes in their frequency and localization can be helpful for a successful pregnancy.

Mastitis is the inflammation of the mammary gland. One of its major pathogens is Escherichia coli. In order to develop new strategies for prevention of E. coli causing mastitis, it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the details and molecular mechanisms involved in host immunological responses to the pathogen. In this study by using available transcriptomic data, bioinformatics analysis of the diseases was performed. The data in this study was extracted from GEO web site, based on Gilbert’s microarray study on the mammary tissue transcriptome. Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) were identified by using String database and PPI networks generated by using Cytoscape software. In order to recognize and cluster the hubs based on GO, the network analysis was carried out by using ClueGO-Clue-Pedia. The PPI network resulted from differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in contaminated mammary tissue with E. coli crude lipo-polysaccharide (LPS) were determined after 3 and 6 hours. PPI network was performed from common segments of the two PPI networks. Analysis of this new network showed that genes (IL6, IFIH1, PARP14, IL1B, ISG15, GRO1IFIT3, CCL5, ICAM1, IRF9 and NOS2) had the greatest degree and function as hubs. The most significant biological processes (BP), molecular functions (MF), cellular compartments (CC), immunological system and dominant pathways based on KEGG database were identified through GO-based cluster analysis of the network. This study suggests that expansion of pathogen presence in the host tissue would lead to the increase in the number of interactions in the hub proteins. So these proteins can be introduced as drug targets.

The use of stem cells is one of the ideal methods in treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). Recently, low-frequency magnetic fields have been used for differentiation and reproduction of stem cells. In this study, we used electromagnetic fields (EMF) impact on bone marrow stem cells and evaluated its effect on the serum levels of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophic factor with decreased expression in PD. Thirty six male wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups: control, PD, PD implanted with stem cells exposed to 40 or 400 microtesla EMFs, implanted with stem cells without EMF exposure and vehicle. Parkinson model was induced by injection of 4 µg neurotoxin 6- OHDA into the left striatum. Stem cells were injected in left lateral ventricle. Injection of mesenchymal stem cells exposed to 40 and 400 microtesla EMFs significantly reduced amphetamine-induced rotation activity and increased serum BDNF levels in rats. The effect of 400 microtesla EMF was considerably higher than that of 40 microtesla EMF. There was not any significant difference between the effects of mesenchymal cells with 40 microtesla exposure and those without any exposure on the rotation test and serum BDNF levels. Bone marrow stem cells exposed to 400 microtesla EMF considerably reduced amphetamine-induced rotation activity and increased the serum levels of BDNF in rat.

Extremely low frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) is one of common environmental factors in today’s modern life. In recent years, a special interest has been directed toward the possible effects of ELF-EMFs on biological systems. Since the mechanism underlying the ELF-EMFs’ biological effects are still unknown, we decided to conduct an in vitro study to understand the possible mechanisms. SH-SY5Y- human neuroblastoma cell line were placed in the EL-EM Field with the intensity of 1 mT and frequency of 50 Hz and for a period of 4 hours/day, in 2 days period. The cell morphology and protein expression were measured by using proteomic methods. Statistical analysis was performed by using Non Linear Spot Progenesis Same software. Our results showed that ELF-EMF could likely change the cell morphology and proliferation. Statistical analysis in our study showed that ELF-EMF with a frequency of 50Hz and intensity of 1mT could significantly change the protein expression (P ≤ 0.05).

Chocolate milk is one of the most popular non-fermented dairy products, while, due to its higher sugar content than white milk, it has been lately criticized for its contribution to diabetes, child obesity and tooth decay. Therefore, our aim in this study was to investigate the substitution of D-tagatose with sucrose in chocolate milk product and if it can be also a probiotic carrier. We studied the effects of different ratios of the sucrose/D-tagatose (100:0, 0:100 or 50:50) as well as the type of probiotic culture (L. acidophilus, L. casei, L. rhamnosus or B. lactis) on the microbiological characteristics (by MRS agar medium) of the chocolate milk. Also, the percentage of the sugar residue (by HPLC) and color properties (by Hunter Lab colorimeter) of the synbiotic chocolate milk were studied at (5°C) during 21 days. The control samples were not incubated with probiotics. The greatest vitality rate at the end of storage was related to the treatment of L. rhamnosus (T-R) and L. casei (T-C) with D-tagatose. Both L. acidophilus and L. casei showed high inclination for D-tagatose, lactose and sucrose fermentation, respectively. However, L. rhamnosus mostly fermented D-tagatose, sucrose and lactose, respectively, while, this order for B. lacti was sucrose, lactose and D-tagatose. B. lactis did not significantly consumed D-tagatose. The treatments inoculated with L. acidophilus, L. casei, L. rhamnosus and B. lactis, orderly showed significant higher color changes in compare to non-probiotic ones. D-tagatose as a natural sugar may make a suitable substitute for sucrose in chocolate milk, while preserving the functional probiotic properties; enhances the health benefits of dairy chocolate milk products. Nevertheless, the right selection of sucrose/D-tagatose ratio and type of probiotic strain has high importance in probiotic biological sustainability and the quality of the final product

Studying the heart tissue kinetics can lead to expedient diagnostic technique to study the spatial and temporal cardiac activity simultaneously. Simulations of this process requires phantom, which applies dynamic activity changes gradually to the regions of interest. The objective of this study was to validate the efficiency of 4D-NCAT phantom data in the dynamic activity changes in course of the time. The accuracy of constant, ascending and descending steep Time activity Curves (TACs) in blood and myocardial tissue were measured after i99m-Tc teboroxime injection. Also, the accuracy of phantom output data was measured in different resolution. Our study showed that the response of the dynamic 4D NCAT phantom for constant curves had just some slight errors. The average relative differences between input and output data for steeper TACs were noteworthy in both ascending and descending mode.The results showed that by increasing the temporal data sampling, the average difference between input and outputs were decreased. Overall, only 0.6% of the assessed samples depicted relative errors larger than 0.1%. The primary studies with available 4D NCAT software, version 2012, revealed some challenges in applying intended activity with TACs, which referred to and were subsequently resolved by Dr. Paul Segars revisions. Overall, the modified 4D NCAT phantom software is able to accurately simulate the organ dynamics.

To study the effects of various sizes of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) on the target tissue dose enhancement factor at the time of external radiotherapy with various photon beam energies ranged from kilovolts (kVs) to Megavolts (MVs) by using Monte Carlo (MC) method. MCNPX code was used for simulating the interaction of photon beams with various levels of energy with water solution including various sizes of GNPs at a presumptive region including a tumor. Initially, a water phantom including GNPs, which consisted a tumor with a size of 1×1×1 cm3 was simulated. The phantom was irradiated with various external monoenergetic photon beam ranged from kVs to MVs. The macroscopic dose enhancement factor (DEF) of the tumor due to the presence of various sizes of GNPs (15, 50, and 100 nm) at a concentration of 7 mg/g was calculated. The tumor (target) DEF at the presence of the GNPs was obtained within the range of 1.69 to 2.66 kV and 1.08 to 1.10 MV photon beam. The highest DEF was found at 50 kV photon beam. The target DEF was increased with the increase in GNPs size. The calculated target DEFs at the presence of GNPs for photon beam energies in kV were similar to the previous studies. For the photon beam energies in MV, after a decrease at the interface of two regions of pure water and solution including the GNPs, DEF the tumor was increased and with 2 and 6 MV energies reached to its maximum at the depths 6.2 and 6.5 cm, respectively.

Orthopantomography is a common imaging technique of the jaw. Although in compare to other diagnostic radiology methods, the dose of radiation received by the patient is relatively low in orthopantomography, still is remained as the most common method in diagnostic radiology. Therefore, because of the commonalty of this method, it seemed rational to estimate the dose received by the Organ At Risks (OARs). This study has been designed to determine the surface dose received by the eyes, parotids, thyroid and submandibular salivary glands using Gafchromic films in 20 patients referred to imaging centers (digital and analog). To increase the repeatability of the technique, each measurement was triplicated and the results were presented as mean (SD). The mean measured surface dose received by the submandibular glands (left, right and center), thyroid (left and right), parotid (left and right) and eye (left and right) for the digital system were 4.17, 4.65, 5.08 and 4.74 and for the analog system were 10.33, 10.12, 10.28 and 10.73, respectively. This study showed no difference in surface dose received by the left and right eyes, left and right thyroid, left and right parotid, left, right and center submandibular glands in any of the digital or analog systems studied (P ≤0.05). In addition, the surface dose received by the selected organs in digital system was significantly lower than that by the analog system (P ≤0.05).

Acquiring knowledge by university students and increasing their participation in research activities can provide a safe pathway for promotion of creative talents in productivity in science and at higher levels, the development of the country. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the preventive factors toward student’s interest in research in the field of medical sciences at the Medical Sciences University of Semnan in 2014. In this cross - sectional study, 293 students who were at their second year or above, were randomly chosen. The research tools were a questionnaire with the topic of demography and a researcher-made 4-choices test containing 25 questions comparable with 5-choices scale test of Likret to determine the confining factors affecting the students’ interest and enthusiasm in medical research. Each question had 5 options arranged from a “weakly agreeable” to “highly agreeable” scale. They were scored from 1 to 5 with the order of: very low, low, medium, high and very high. The items were classified in four areas of: personal factors (5 questions), motivational (7 questions), research facilities (8 questions) and structural factors and utilities (5 questions). The student’s point of view were significantly different in the severity of barriers within the four areas (P=0.033), So that the personal obstacles seemed to be more important. The most important barrier factor affecting student research activities in the personal area was" lack of enough knowledge about the research topics "; in the area of motivational factors was" not being encouraged to do the research by the university "and" emphasizing on the pivotal training instead of research-based studies"; in the area of research facilities was," not quite enough access to the scientific journals and references and also research specialists at the University", also " lack of appropriate research methodology workshops for students " and finally in the administrative area was the “long process of student research project approval process ".There was not any significant differences in response to questions in any of the areas, between male or female, member and non-members at the research committee and also between students with different score averages in the two last semesters (P >0.05). But within the area of research facilities, students’ point of view were significantly different (p<0.001). This area was specifically considered to be more of an obstacle for medical students than the others. In order to make medical sciences students more interested in the research area it is important to motivate them by giving them a role in the research projects, teaching them research methodology and to shorten the project approval process for student research projects. This way may lead to flourishing their creative talents in science and promote the proper scientific research in the country.