Jorjani Biomedicine Journal
Volume:6 Issue: 4, Winter 2018

Bacterial antibiotic resistance is a major issue in the process of infectious disease treatments. The aim of this study was an evaluation of the antibacterial activity of Punica granatum flower extract against several gram-negative and positive clinical bacterial isolates. An adequate dried flower of an endemic mature Punica granatum plant was used for extraction. The standard strain of several gram negative and positive bacteria was chosen for this study, as well as some distinguished clinical strains such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus spp. In order to indicate the antibacterial effect of Punica granatum mature flower, well-diffusion method was done for each bacterium of the extraction of the flower, so that zone inhibitions can be reported. MIC and MBC test was done. Disc diffusion test was done and the greatest zone inhibition Shigella was 39 mm and then Salmonella typhimurium 13.1 mm. The lowest antibacterial effect of P. granatum extraction was gained on Proteus with 6 mm of zone inhibition. The Highest MIC and MBC effect was obtained from antibacterial evaluation on S. typhimurium and S. epidermidis. the antibacterial activities of medicinal plants, pharmaceutical companies are just using medicinal plants in association with synthetic drugs in order to obtain better results. Setting up a more analytic test on medicinal plants same as HPLC test could be the next stage of this study in order to reach to a higher reliance of medicinal plants antibacterial activities qualification So That we could combine them with synthetic drugs and improve their efficiency.

One of the latest studies in the genetics field is the evaluation of role of micro-RNAs as a biomarker for diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), which is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS) and emerges in the form of numerous small and large plaques in white matter in the brain and spinal cord. This disease could be associated with several complications, including reduced vision, spasticity and imbalance, and impaired sphincter control. MiR-202-3p is an intronic miRNA located in the ADA (Adenosine Deaminase) gene, which is the main enzyme involved in the pathway for the conversion of adenosine into inosine. Moreover, ADA regulates the inflammatory response and protection of tissue from damage as a strong complementary mechanism. This study aimed to evaluate the expression level of miR-202-3p in individuals diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and healthy individuals in Isfahan, Iran. This analytical-observatory study was performed on 49 RRMS patients and 52 healthy individuals with no history of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Total RNA was extracted from blood lymphocytes by Ficoll and Trizol. Afterwards, cDNA was formed using a special miRNA cDNA kit, followed by the application of Real-time RT PCR to measure the expression of miR-202-3p in healthy individuals and patients. According to the results, the miR-202-3p expression was higher in patients, compared to healthy individuals (P=0.006). In addition, the sensitivity and diagnostic value of this miRNA in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were equal to AUC=0.80 (area under the curve). In line with other studies, our findings demonstrated that miR-2023p can be used as a biomarker in the diagnosis of MS. In addition, it seems that miR-202-3p acts as an immunosuppressant by inhibiting ADA gene, which regulates various processes related to inflammatory response and maintenance of tissue from damage.

The importance of continuous monitoring and rapid and accurate informing of changes in blood components (e.g., percentage of hematocrit [HCT]), especially in acute conditions, has motivated researchers to use non-invasive measurement methods. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the association between blood HCT and photoplethysmographic signal and the possibility of increasing the accuracy of its measurement by optical method at three specific wavelengths. In this study, photoplethysmographic signals were recorded at three different wavelengths for 25 male and female subjects (mean age of 37.56±10.40 years), who referred to the laboratory to assess their blood HCT percentage. We extracted the peak value of the signal after calibrating a special probe with a standard pulse oximetry system and applying the necessary preprocesses on the received signal. Eventually, in addition to the estimation of HCT level, we assessed the level of correlation between the optical method results and laboratory data applying Pearson’s, Kendall’s, and Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Comparison of HCT measurement by the optical method and reference levels measured by standard laboratory technique in 25 subjects showed a mean error of 0.6±0.25%. In addition, evaluation of the relationship between data of the percentage of laboratory HCT with mean of 43.43±3.43 and data obtained by photoplethysmographic signals with mean of 43.31±3.27 by three Pearson’s, Kendall’s, and Spearman’s methods demonstrated that the data of the two techniques had a significant correlation of 0.949, 0.860, and 0.955, respectively (P<0.01). Given the high correlation of characteristics of the photoplethysmographic signal at three wavelengths with blood HCT and level of accuracy of our findings, the proposed method could be exploited for accurate, clean and cost-effective monitoring of HCT level.

Leukemia is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. The relapse of the disease mitigates patient survival time. The convenience of explaining the results obtained from analyzing tree models have encouraged doctors and paramedics to employ them in their research. The current study is an attempt to determine the five-year survival time and factors influencing it in children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia based on tree survival model in the presence of competing risks. The required data were collected from 255 children younger than 15, who suffered from acute lymphoblastic leukemia and referred to Dr. Sheikh Hospital in Mashhad, Iran during the years 2007-2015. Afterwards, the survival of the patient until the end of March 2015 was scrutinized. In this regard, various variables like sex, age, treatment period, white blood cells count, hemoglobin, platelet count, LDH level, CNS involvement, mediastan mass, rheumatologic symptoms, etc. were also considered.
The relapse of the disease was considered the desired event, whereas the relapse-free death is called competing event. The survival time of the patients from diagnosis date to the date of event (censoring) was calculated on a monthly basis. The fitting of the model is implemented according to maximum within-node homogeneity, which, in turn, is based on the partition function of sum of squares of Event-Specific Martingale Residual changes. The estimated mean survival time during the relapse and relapse-free death periods as well as in the presence of either events was obtained 55.51, 47.53 and 44.20 months, respectively, implying a decrease in the mean survival time in the presence of competing risks. White blood cell count and platelet count were considered the most influential factors contributing to the relapse or survival. Three sub-groups of patients at risk were identified, and those with white blood cells ≥ 50000 were recognized as the ones with the least mean survival time. The factors affecting the survival rate of patients and their spots in the model can be employed in making clinical decisions and proposing therapeutic protocols. Identification of sub-groups with identical mean survival rate is the most salient capabilities of the research model.

Elderly is characterized by decreased cardiac function, which is widely associated with mitochondrial failure in cell death. Elderly causes heart apoptosis. Although the old heart is vulnerable to apoptosis, physical training and some supplements through different mechanisms could be effective in reducing apoptosis. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of interval training on some apoptotic parameters of Bax and Bcl2 cardiomyocytes in old female rats. In an experimental study, 49 Wistar female rats (2 years old) were randomly assigned into 7 groups: control, saline, curcumin, moderate intensity training, moderate intensity training + curcumin, high intensity training, high intensity training + curcumin. The experimental groups received gavage doses of curcumin 30 mg / kg body weight three days a week via. The saline group also received the same amount of saline. Training groups had moderate and severe exercises on the treadmill for eight weeks, and three sessions per week. Forty-eight hours after the last training session and gavage, the animals were killed and their heart tissues were isolated to determine the levels of Bax and Bcl2. The results indicated that interval training and curcumin consumption could significantly increase the levels of Bcl2 and BAX and the BAX / Bcl2 ratio, the amount of which depends on the intensity of training. Moreover, the combination of training and curcumin had an antagonistic effect. According to the results, physical activity and curcumin separately have a protective effect on the heart tissue; however, these two interventions do not enhance each other’s effect. Hence each one is suggested to be used separately.

With regard to unclear government approach in the insurance sector, multiplicity of rules, high share of households, improper population coverage and lack of cost-effective interventions, this study aimed to analyze the current status of basic health insurance in Iran and its distance from the desirable  status according to upstream documents. In addition, we attempted to propose a strategy in this regard. This qualitative research was performed in 2017 in four stages of analysis of the current status of upstream documents and laws, round-table discussions of policy-makers, and presenting political options. In total, 20 subjects were selected by targeted sampling method with maximum diversity and based on the saturation rule. Data were collected by document analysis and interviews with authorities. Moreover, data were analyzed applying content analysis and the deductive approach. The results were classified into five areas of population coverage, financial resources management, financial protection of insured individuals, strategic purchasing, policy-making, and structure. There was a significant distance between the desirable  status based on upstream documents and laws and the current status. Recommendations: eliminating conflicts of interest in decision-making areas, complying with the public interest in making health decisions, observing the principles of the evaluation of regulatory effects, and assessing the economic and social effects of health decisions. Despite the successful global experiences, the recommendations of the World Health Organization, and the existence of several optimal structures, proper models must be considered by the health system of the country through observing the relevant mechanisms and necessities.

Preparation of nano-microfibers from biopolymers (e.g., proteins and polysaccharides) by using electrospinning technology has been considered by researchers due to the formation of fibers or particles at the nano and micrometer scales, high porosity level, adjustable dewatering behavior, and special mechanical behavior. These products can be used in the microencapsulation of bioactive compounds, stabilization of enzymes and smart packaging. In the electrospinning method, a high voltage is used to create a nanofibers-particles. When the electric field overcomes the surface tension of the droplet, a jet exits the polymeric solution and is formed along the collector surface as it stretches toward the collector panel of the nanofiber. Parameters including molecular weight and polymer microstructure characteristics such as electrical conductivity, viscosity, surface tension, and the electrical potential applied by the device, solution flow rate, distance between the tip of the needle and the collector plate and sometimes the material of the collector plate are effective in the formation of electrospun fibers and particles. In this review, we discussed and evaluated the production stages, the strengths and weaknesses of the fibers produced from proteins and polysaccharides, and their functional properties and potentials, especially in food and drug sciences.

Today, due to the increasing antibiotic resistance of bacteria, the use of medicinal plants as a suitable alternative to antibiotics has increased significantly; therefore, in this study, the antibacterial effects of methanolic extracts of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli were evaluated.
 
In this laboratory research, after collecting plants and confirming its scientific name, extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra L.  Root was prepared by Soxhlet extractor method at concentrations of 20 mg / ml to 400 mg / ml. Then the antimicrobial effects of this extract were investigated using Agar well diffusion and Dilution test methods.
 
The results showed that the methanolic extracts of G.glabra L. in both Agar well diffusion and Dilution test methods had antibacterial effects on the tested bacteria. The highest effect was observed on S.aureus and the lowest effect was observed in P.aeruginosa.
 
According to the above results, it can be expected that the G.glabra L. extract can be used to treat bacterial infections and is a suitable alternative to commonly used chemical treatments for the treatment of infections.