Advanced Biomedical Research
Volume:8 Issue: 2, Feb 2018

L7/L12 is a protective antigen conserved in main Brucella pathogens and is considered as potential vaccine candidate. Outer membrane protein 2b is an immunogen conserved in all Brucella pathogens.

The purpose of the current study was to in silico design a L7/L12‑SOmp2b fusion protein and in vitro production of the chimera. Two possible fusion forms, L7/L12‑SOmp2b and SOmp2b‑L7/L12, were subjected to in silico modeling and analysis. Cloning and expression of the fusion protein has been done in the pET28a vector and Escherichia coli Bl21 (DE3), respectively.

Analysis and validation of the fusion proteins three‑dimensional models showed that both models are in the range of native proteins. However, L7/L12‑SOmp2b structure was more valid than the SOmp2b‑L7/L12 model and subjected to in vitro production. The major histocompatibility complex II (MHC‑II) epitope mapping using Immune Epitope DataBase indicated that the model contained good MHC‑II binders. The L7/L12‑Omp2b coding sequence was cloned in pET28a vector. The fusion was successfully expressed in E. coli BL21 by induction with isopropyl‑β‑d‑thiogalactopyranoside. The rL7/L12‑SOmp2b was purified with Ni‑NTA column. The yield of the purified rL7/L12‑SOmp2b was estimated by Bradford method to be 240 µg/ml of the culture. Western blot analysis revealed a specific reactivity with purified rL7/L12‑SOmp2b produced in E. coli cells and showed the expression in the prokaryotic system.

Our data indicates that L7/L12‑SOmp2b fusion protein has a potential to induce both B‑ and T‑cell‑mediated immune responses and it can be evaluated as a new subunit vaccine candidate against brucellosis.

The aim of this study is to determine the predictive value of ultrasonography for results of local steroid injection in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

This prospective cohort study was conducted during a 1-year period in outpatient clinics of rehabilitation and physical medicine including 35 patients with moderate and severe CTS who receive ultrasonography-guided local steroid injection. The Boston self-assessment questionnaire and electrodiagnosis parameters were recorded at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after therapy. We also recorded the baseline ultrasonography parameters to determine the predictors of outcome.

The sensory severity score and functional status scale along with electrodiagnosis parameters decreased signifi cantly at 1 month (P < 0.001) and remained unchanged after 3 months. Volar bulging was negatively associated with sensory nerve action potential latency (r = −0.392; P = 0.020). Cross-sectional area (CSA) of maximal swelling (MS; r = 0.409; P = 0.015), CSA at 2-cm of MS (r = 0.563; P < 0.001), and CSA at 12-cm of MS (r = 0.521; P = 0.001) correlated positively with compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude while maximal swelling/12-cm MS ratio (r = −0.439; P = 0.008) and maximal swelling/2-cm MS ratio (r = −0.342; P = 0.045) correlated negatively. CSA at 12-cm of MS also correlated positively with CMAP amplitude nerve conduction velocity (r = 0.436; P = 0.010).

Volar bulging, CSA of maximal swelling, CSA of MS at 2-cm, and CSA of MS at 12-cm are among the ultrasonographic predictors of response to local steroid injection in patients with CTS.

Increasing drug resistance is an important factor in the complexity of tuberculosis (TB) control. The identification of disease transmission type, recurrence of a previous infection, or new transmission of the disease is the key factor in the control of TB. In this study, we aimed to identify the genetic diversity of drug‑resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates in Isfahan province of Iran through the mycobacterial interspersed repetitive unit‑variable number tandem repeat (MIRU‑VNTR) typing method based on 24 loci.

Of 300 isolates obtained from a variety of clinical specimens, 18 drug‑resistance M. tuberculosis clinical isolates (resistant to a single drug to more than one drug) were collected between 2013 and 2015 from regional TB reference laboratory in Isfahan. All drug‑resistance M. tuberculosis isolates were typed by 24‑locus MIRU‑VNTR typing.

The highest percentage of isolates, 38.8%, belonged to the East‑Asian lineage (lineage 2), while the lineages Indo‑Oceanic (lineage 1), East‑African–Indian (lineage 3), and Euro‑American (lineage 4) represented 5.5%, 22.2%, and 33.3%, respectively. Among the 33.3% (6/18) Euro‑American strains, the Latin American– Mediterranean and Ural sub‑lineage were 22.2% (4/18) and 11.1% (2/18), respectively.

The results of this study show that the lineages of drug‑resistant M. tuberculosis isolates in Isfahan province of Iran are similar to those reported in the Eastern Mediterranean region (indicative of the epidemiological relationship between the countries in the region). Continued molecular monitoring is important as it has been proposed that the genetics and evolutionary backgrounds of drug‑resistant M. tuberculosis strains may have an impact on the transmissibility profile.

Ganoderma lucidum from Ganodermataceae family is a kind of mushroom known to have various therapeutic properties such as lowering high blood sugar and high blood pressure, boosting the immune system as well as its antibacterial and antioxidant effects.

this study investigated the oxidative stability, microbial and sensory properties of sausage at three different treatments; (i) 1% w/w Ganoderma lucidum powder (GLP) without nitrite as a food preservative (P), (ii) 0.5% w/w GLP with 80 ppm nitrite (N + P), and (iii) sausage with 120 ppm nitrate (N). Lipid oxidation was evaluated using peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid reactive species. Antimicrobial properties were assessed by total plate count (TPC), yeasts and molds, coliforms, Clostridium perfringens, and Staphylococcus aureus. Sensory assessment was evaluated by nine‑point hedonic procedure.

Samples in N + P treatment showed lower PV than other treatments at the storage period with no significant difference in 2‑thiobarbituric acid (TBA) between N and N + P. The P group showed the highest TBA value (P < 0.01). TPC remained below maximal permissible limit recommended by ISIRI during 30 days of storage in all sausage formulations (6.9798 log CFU). There was not found any coliforms bacteria, Clostridium perfringens, and S. aureus. The sensory evaluation indicated that there is no significant difference between samples in texture, taste, and smell. The color and overall acceptability of N group were higher and N + P group was closer to N group.

The results suggest that G. lucidum powder might be considered as a potential natural preservative for meat products.

Nitric oxide (NO) as a vasodilator factor has renoprotective effect against renal ischemia. The balance between angiotensin II (Ang II) and NO can affect kidney homeostasis. The aim of this study was to determine NO alteration in response to renin–Ang system vasodilator receptors antagonists (PD123319; Ang II type 2 receptor antagonist and A779; Mas receptor antagonist) in renal ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats.

Sixty‑three Wistar male and female rats were used. Animals from each gender were divided into four groups received saline, Ang II, PD123319 + Ang II, and A779 + Ang II after renal IRI. Renal IRI induced with an adjustable hook. Blood pressure and renal blood flow (RBF) measured continuously. The nitrite levels were measured in serum, kidney, and urine samples.

In female rats, the serum and kidney nitrite levels increased significantly by Ang II (P < 0.05) and decreased significantly (P < 0.05) when PD123319 was accompanied with Ang II. Such observation was not seen in male. Ang II decreased RBF significantly in all groups (P < 0.05), while PD + Ang II group showed significant decrease in RBF in comparison with the other groups in female rats (P < 0.05).

Males show more sensibility to Ang II infusion; in fact, it is suggested that there is gender dimorphism in the Ang II and NO production associated with vasodilator receptors.

Radicular pain is one of the most common forms of chronic pain in the world, which has challenges about effective medical therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pregabalin (PGB) and metformin (Met) on subacute and chronic radiculopathy.

This double‑blind prospective clinical trial was performed on 71 patients with subacute and chronic cervical and lumbosacral radiculopathy. Group A was treated with PGB 75 mg daily while Group B was treated with PGB 75 mg daily and Met 500 mg daily for 3 months. Finally, the pain score in both groups was evaluated based on visual analog scale (VAS) and numerical scale pain.

The results showed a significant reduction in VAS and pain severity in both groups but this reduction in the terms of VAS (47.79% vs. 46.48%, P = 0.125) and pain severity (47.1% vs. 39.2%, P = 0.264) was more in treated patients with PGB and Met as compared to PGB group while total pain experience (53.5% vs. 49.1%, P = 0.464) and interference with daily function (57.1% vs. 50.61%, P = 0.726) were more in patients treated with PGB alone.

Our results showed that PGB and PGB + Met reduced pain intensity and interference with daily function while we did not observe significant differences between two groups. PGB alone would have the potentiality to become a simple and economic means to decrease radicular pain.

Nasal corticosteroids are the main drug class for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, and their long-term continuous use can be problematic. The current study aimed to compare the use of Nasaleze and mometasone nasal spray in patients with allergic rhinitis.

In this study, 64 patients were studied in two groups of 32 patients. Nasaleze was used for the fi rst group and mometasone for the second group for 4 weeks. The severity of sneezing, runny nose, tearing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, and scratchy throat were evaluated at the onset of the study, and also 14 and 28 days after treatment in the form of a single-blind study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA, Version 20).

The severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms had a signifi cant difference in both groups of Nasaleze and mometasone at three times. Furthermore, in the Nasaleze group, the intensity of tearing signifi cantly reduced 14 and 28 days after treatment compared to the mometasone group. In addition, the mean pretreatment score of allergic had no signifi cant difference in the two groups neither14 days nor 28 days after the treatment.

The effi cacy of Nasaleze nasal spray is very similar to that of mometasone nasal spray to control the symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Therefore, Nasaleze nasal spray can be a suitable alternative for nasal corticosteroids in children older than 18 months, pregnant and lactating women.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) is a molecular hallmark for some colorectal cancers (CRCs) in which short tandem repeats are prone to mutations along with DNA sequences. It is due to DNA‑mismatch‑repair system deficiency because of a germline/somatic mutation in mismatch‑repair (MMR) genes. The germline mutations lead to Lynch syndrome (LS) while epigenetic gene silencing results in sporadic CRC tumors. We discuss in our paper the most important clinical aspects of MSI testing in CRCs. We reviewed the most reliable relevant studies and clinical trials according to their high‑quality methods, particularly within two recent decades. MSI testing is used to classify CRC tumors as MSI‑high (MSI‑H), MSI‑low, and microsatellite stable tumors. MSI‑H or MMR deficient tumors have shown the best prognosis among all CRCs, so MSI testing is considered as a good prognostic marker. Moreover, it is used to identify LS among familial CRC patients. There is a diagnostic mutation in BRAF gene (V600E) by which sporadic CRCs could be distinguished from LS associated CRCs, due to its concordance with sporadic CRCs not LS. Although, some previous studies had demonstrated a predictive role for MSI testing in chemotherapy process, emerging some controversial findings in recent studies has not convinced many authors to recommend it as a routine examination to evaluate therapeutic response. Though emerging new molecular findings have opened novel windows to develop clinical management of CRC, MSI testing has remained as an excellent prognostic and diagnostic tool for CRC tumors.

The standard treatment for cervical disc herniation is open discectomy surgery but some of techniques, such as nucleoplasty were applied by neurosurgeons in recent decade. The aim of this study was to compare the postoperation results of open discectomy and nucleoplasty methods in people suffering from single cervical disc herniation.

In a clinical trial study that performed during 2012–2013, 70 patients who candidate for neck surgery were selected and randomly divided into two groups. The fi rst group was operated with standard discectomia and the second group was operated with nucleoplasty method. All patients were followed neck pain, upper limb pain and common complications included discitis, infection and hematoma in 2 weak, 1, 2, 3, and 6 months after operation. All data were analyzed using SPSS software.

Cervical pain mean from before the operation to 6 months after operation had no signifi cant difference between two groups, but radicular pain had signifi cant difference in 2 and 3 months after operation (P < 0.05). It is notable that after operation it is not observed any discitis, infection and hematoma of operated place.

Doing nucleoplasty surgery in patients suffering from single cervical disc herniation causes decrease in cervical and radicular pain, at least as the same as discectomy method. Since now it is possible in our country to apply this method and on the other hand, in this method, time of surgery, postoperation complications, hospital costs, and period of convalescence is low, it is preferred in patients suffering from cervical disc and its application is advised.

A period of starvation after colorectal anastomosis to permit for resolution of the clinical evidence of ileus has been an unchallenged surgical dogma until recent years. We intended to determine the safety and feasibility of an unconventional postoperative oral intake protocol in patients experiencing colorectal anastomosis.

Between 2013 and 2015, sixty consecutive patients underwent colorectal anastomosis and they were randomized into two groups. The early feeding group began fluids on the first postoperative day while the regular feeding group was managed in the traditional way ‑ nothing by mouth until the complete resolution of ileus.

The majority of patients (93%) tolerated the early feeding. The times to first passage of flatus (2.66 ± 0.71 days vs. 3.9 ± 0.071 days) and stool (3.9 ± 0.92 days vs. 5.4 ± 0.77 days) were significantly quicker in early feeding group. Hospital stay was also significantly shorter in the early feeding group (4 ± 0.64 days vs. 6.1 ± 0.84 days). Anastomosis leakage and abscess formation were not seen in early feeding group. The patient’s satisfaction (visual analog scale) in the early feeding group was higher than delayed feeding group (8.56 ± 1.16 vs. 7.06 ± 1.59, P < 0.001).

Early oral feeding after colorectal surgeries is safe and tolerated by the majority of patients.

Neutropenic fever and mucositis with 70% outbreak average is one of the major reasons of death in the acute leukemia adult patients. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship of serum zinc level with neutropenic fever and mucositis prevalence in acute leukemia adult patients and comparison of the effects of therapeutic intervention with the serum zinc correct level in the group of patients with zinc deficiency.

From May 2012 to May 2013 in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, on the basis of zinc serum level, 40 acute leukemia adult patients were divided into two groups of normal and deficiency zinc, and neutropenic fever and mucositis prevalence were taken into consideration in each and every group. The deficiency zinc patients were randomly allocated to zinc or control group in a blocked randomization schedule. The data analysis was performed by SPSS software 20 and with the aid of variance analysis statistical method, logistic regression, and X2 statistical test.

Serum zinc level was higher in acute leukemia adult patients without mucositis and neutropenic fever than others but was not statistically significant. There is a positive relation between receiving zinc with recovery; although the relationship has not become statistically significant.

These data, although preliminary, suggest that zinc therapy could be a valid therapeutic adjuvant to improve the quality-of-life of acute leukemia adult patients.

In this paper, a novel model of clinical teachers with social and emotional competency which is emphasized on the importance of clinical teacher’s social and emotional competence is presented. In this model, we supposed that a teacher with social and emotional competence can manage her/his emotions and has the ability to personal development and well‑being. Such teacher has the competency of empathy, communication with the patients, teamwork, and collaboration to provide successful patient‑centered care and relationship‑centered care. He/she will be success in clinical supervision, role modeling, and mentoring by providing appropriate relationship with students. This teacher can influence and build bonds that will be effective for clinical management and leadership. In addition, it will affect the hidden and informal curriculum with the awareness of the context. These factors establish an appropriate learning environment to achieve students’ academic, professional, social, and emotional outcomes and create an appropriate health care environment that influences the successful care of patient and patient’s satisfaction. We reviewed a broad body of research to support our proposed model and finally proposed agendas for future research.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) secondary to diabetic ketoacidosis has been rarely reported and is considered as a rare complication. If left untreated, this condition could be life threatening with considerable morbidity and mortality. Herein, we report a 6‑year‑old girl with reduced consciousness and respiratory distress with a history of polydipsia and polyuria in the 2 weeks before hospitalization. The patient was initially diagnosed as diabetic ketoacidosis based on clinical and laboratory findings and treated accordingly. After treatment and during hospitalization although she had gained relative consciousness, she experienced seizure and reduced consciousness again. Considering laboratory and clinical findings and the patient’s underlying conditions (thrombocytopenia, renal failure, and high lactate dehydrogenase), TTP was suspected although ADAMTS13 test could not be done. Treatment with plasmapheresis was initiated, and after 48 h, the patient was conscious, and laboratory indices became normal within a few days. The patient was discharged after full recovery. TTP should be considered as a rare complication of diabetic ketoacidosis in patients with thrombocytopenia, renal failure, and reduced consciousness and should be immediately treated.

The most common neurodegenerative disease is dementia. Family of dementia patients says that their lives have been changed extensively after happening of dementia to their patients. One of the problems of family and caregivers is depression of the caregiver. In this study, we aimed to find the prevalence of depression and factors can affect depression in the dementia caregivers.

This study was cross‑sectional study with convenient sampling method. Our society was 96 main caregivers of dementia patients in the year 2015 in Iran. We had two questionnaires, a demographic and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). BDI Cronbach’s alpha is 0.86 for psychiatric patients and 0.81 for nonpsychiatric persons, and Beck’s scores are between 0 and 64. We used SPSS version 22 for statistical analysis.

According to Beck depression test, 69.8% (n = 67 out of 96) of all caregivers had scores in the range of depression. In bivariate analysis, we found higher dementia severity and lower support of other family members from the caregiver can predict higher depression in the caregiver. As well, in regression analysis using GLM model, we found higher age and lower educational level of the caregiver can predict higher depression in the caregiver. Moreover, regression analysis approved findings about severity and support of other family members in bivariate analysis.

High‑level depression is found in caregivers of dementia patients. It needs special attention from healthcare managers, clinicians and all of health‑care personnel who deals with dementia patients and their caregivers.

Proteinuria is a well‑known indicator of renal dysfunction. In this study, we evaluated the frequency of proteinuria in a sample of healthy Iranian elementary school students using both dipsticks and urine albumin‑to‑creatinine ratio (UACR) methods.

This cross‑sectional study was performed on 478 school students aged 7–9 years who were selected by multistage random cluster sampling from Isfahan city, Iran. A clean midstream first‑morning urine sample was obtained from each subject. Urine samples were examined by dipstick method, and accordingly, they were reported as negative; trace; 1+; 2+; 3+; and 4+. UACR was determined in samples with positive dipstick proteinuria (defined as trace or greater).

This study included 478 students (42.8% boys), with mean age of 7.0 ± 0.4 years. Positive dipstick was detected in 124 (25.9%) cases. The frequency of positive dipstick proteinuria was significantly higher in the girls than boys (29.6% vs. 20.9%, respectively; P = 0.04). In cases with a positive dipstick, 10 (2.1%) cases had UACR 30–300 mg/g. The frequency of UACR of 30–300 mg/g was 1.4% and 2.5% in boys and girls, respectively. There was no significant difference in the frequency of UACR 30–300 mg/g in terms of gender (P = 0.4). None of the subjects had UACR above 300 mg/g.

While the frequency of asymptomatic proteinuria varies widely across different studies, we found a higher rate of proteinuria in Iranian children. Cost‑effectiveness analyses are needed to justify large screening program for detecting asymptomatic proteinuria, as a cardinal manifestation of kidney disease, in Iranian children.

Nowadays, cartilage tissue engineering is the best candidate for regeneration of cartilage defects. This study evaluates the function of herbal extracts icariin (ICA), the major pharmacological constituent of herba Epimedium, compared with transforming growth factor β3 (TGFβ3) to prove its potential effect for cartilage tissue engineering.

ICA, TGFβ3, and TGFβ3 + ICA were added fibrin‑cell constructions derived from adipose tissue stem cells. After 14 days, cell viability analyzed by 3‑(4,5‑dimethyl‑2‑thiazolyl)‑2,5‑diphenyl‑2H‑ tetrazolium bromide assay and the expression of cartilage genes was evaluated with real‑time polymerase chain reaction (RT‑PCR).

The results showed ICA, TGFβ3, and TGFβ3 + ICA increased the rate of proliferation and viability of cells; but there were no significant differences between them (P > 0.05). Furthermore, quantitative RT‑PCR analysis demonstrated that cooperation of ICA with TGFβ3 showed a better effect in expression of cartilaginous specific genes and increased Sox9, type II collagen, and aggrecan expression significantly. Furthermore, the results of the expression of type I and X collagens revealed that TGFβ3 increased the expression of them (P < 0.01); However, treatment with ICA + TGFβ3 down regulated the expression of these genes significantly.

The results indicated ICA could be a potential factor for chondrogenesis and in cooperation with TGFβ3 could reduce its hypertrophic effects and it is a promising factor for cartilage tissue engineering.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a disorder that is inherited by autosomal dominant pattern. The main cause of FH disease is the occurrence of mutations in low‑density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene sequence, as well as apolipoprotein B and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 genes, located in the next ranks, respectively.

Forty‑five unrelated Iranian patients with FH were screened using a high‑resolution melting (HRM) method for exon 9 along with intron/exon boundaries of LDLR gene. Samples with shift in resultant HRM curves were compared to normal ones, sequenced, and analyzed.

Our findings revealed a missense mutation c. 1246C>T and a known variant IVS9‑30C>T (rs1003723) that was recognized in 71% of the patients (22%: homozygous and 49%: heterozygous genotypes). In silico analysis, predicted the pathological effect of the c. 1246C>T mutation in LDLR protein structure, but IVS9‑30C>T variant had no predicted effect on splice site and branch point function.

FH is a hereditary type of hypercholesterolemia that leads to premature cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis, and early diagnosis is needed. We detected a rare missense mutation (1246C>T) and a common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the Iranian population. These reports could help in the genetic diagnosis and counseling of FH patients.

Treatment based on traditional medicine is very popular in developing world due to inexpensive properties. Nowadays, several types of preparations based on medicinal plants at different dose have been extensively recognized in the diseases prevention and treatment. In this vista, latest findings support the effect of Curcuma longa and its chief constituents curcumin in a broad range of diseases cure via modulation of physiological and biochemical process. In addition, various studies based on animal mode and clinical trials showed that curcumin does not cause any adverse complications on liver and kidney function and it is safe at high dose. This review article aims at gathering information predominantly on pharmacological activities such as anti‑diabetic, anti‑microbial, hepato‑protective activity, anti‑inflammatory, and neurodegenerative diseases.

The present study has been designed to compare the effect of magnesium sulfate with mannitol on reducing intraocular pressure (IOP).

During the phacoemulsification surgery, 105 patients randomly divided into three groups receiving 20% mannitol at a dose of 0.3 g/kg, 50% magnesium sulfate at a dose of 20 mg/kg, and placebo (normal saline), with the same volume (100 ml) and infusion time (10 min), were used for the first, second, and third groups, respectively. The IOP was measured before and immediately after the injection and 5 min after the end of the surgery and compared between the groups.

The mean IOP immediately after the injection had a significant difference in three groups (mannitol: 15.2 ± 2.5, magnesium sulfate: 14.7 ± 1.9, and normal saline: 13.8 ± 2.8; P = 0.044), and the IOP had a significant difference between normal saline and mannitol groups (0.027) while there was no significant difference between mannitol and magnesium sulfate groups (P = 0.34) and also between magnesium sulfate and normal saline groups (P = 0.2).

Using magnesium sulfate had no effect on changes in the IOP and hemodynamic of patients during the surgery. Using mannitol may be effective in reducing IOP while no effect of magnesium sulfate on IOP was found.