mostafa. akbarzadeh

Despite rapid advances in diagnostic and treatment approaches, the overall survival rate of cancer has not been improved. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is recognized as the third leading cause of neoplasm-related deaths worldwide, in large part due to its considerable metastasis and drug resistance. For developing new anticancer strategies, rapid progression of multimodal nanomedicines and nanoconjugates has provided promising treatment modalities for effective therapy of cancer. The limitations of cancer chemotherapy might be overcome through the use of such nanosized therapeutics, including nanoconjugates of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) along with drugs and organic/inorganic nanoparticles. CRC cells express various molecular markers against which mAbs can be designed and used as targeting/therapeutic agents. This editorial highlights the importance of such targeted nanosystems against CRC.

Addiction treatment centers play a key role in the treatment and rehabilitation of substance dependents. In these centers, the treatment team includes physician, psychiatrist, nurse, psychologist and social worker. Due to the recurrent nature of addiction and the problems of these patients, this team is exposed to the risk of burnout. This study aimed to determine the relationship between personality traits and early maladaptive schemas with burnout in addiction therapists.

This descriptive and correlation study was conducted on 210 addiction therapists working in addiction treatment centers in North Khorasan selected through convenience method. For this purpose, the Maslash's burnout, NEO personality traits and Young's early maladaptive schemas questionnaires were used. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the relationship between the variables.

The mean age of the participants was 35 years old. There was a significant negative correlation between personality traits, extraversion and flexibility with emotional exhaustion. Also a significant negative correlation between neuroticism and personal competence was found. There was a positive and significant correlation between extraversion and personal competence. A significant positive correlation between the early maladaptive schemas, rejection and hyper vigilance with emotional exhaustion was found.

Some personality traits and maladaptive schemas can predict burnout in therapists. These therapists seem to need investigation and consulting interventions.

The Y-chromosome azoospermic factor (AZF) regions consist of genes whose specific roles and functions in spermatogenesis have not been completely clarified. Hence, recognition of the association between AZF microdeletions and male infertility has suggestions for the diagnosis, treatment, and genetic counseling among infertile patients. This descriptive-analytical study was performed on 47 infertile men with non-obstructive azoospermic and normal karyotypes referred to infertility center of Alzahra hospital in Tabriz. Molecular AZF screening technique was performed on the genomic DNA from peripheral blood samples. Multiplex PCR and two different sets of sequence-tagged sites (STS) were used to detect the microdeletions in Y-chromosomal AZF regions and the Y specific sequences. Seventeen (36.17%) out of 47 infertile men had deletions in the AZFc and AZFd regions (P<0.05). Among the 17 azoospermic subjects harbouring Y chromosome microdeletions, fourteen were detected in AZFc, two in AZFc+d and one in AZFd regions. Therefore, microdelitions in the AZF regions have a significant effect on azospermia occurrence in the infertile men. Y-chromosome microdeletion analysis can be recommended as an important molecular test among infertile males to obtain reliable genetic information before the administration of assisted-reproductive techniques. It will help to decrease the cost and technical difficulty of the procedure.

Biosurfactants are unique amphipathic molecules with extensive application in removing organic and metal contaminants. The purpose of this study was to isolate the biosurfactant-producing bacteria and characterize the surface-active properties of the metabolites produced.

This study was conducted in three Caspian Sea coastal regions in Babolsar during 2007-8. In primary screening, hemolytic and emulsifying activities were performed on blood agar plates and in culture medium, respectively and then the reduction in the surface tension, as a biosurfactant-producing index, was determined quantitatively by captive drop cell instrument. The isolated strain was also investigated for its ability to use different hydrocarbon pollutants using the surface tension measurement.

One out of 10 different strains exhibited high ability to produce biosurfactant. This strain called Caspian petroleum A1 (CPA1). Biochemical tests showed that CPA1 classified in aerobic gram-negative cocci, neisseriaceae family and acinetobacter genus. CPA1 utilized crude oil and gasoline, as carbon and energy sources, to reduce the surface tension of culture medium from 71 to 42 and 39 mN/m.

CPA1, as a biosurfactant-producer, was isolated and identified based on potential for biodegradation of hydrocarbon pollutants (e.g. crude oil, gasoline, anthracen and naphthalene).