مجله دانشکده پزشکی اصفهان
پیاپی 695 (هفته سوم دی 1401)

Zinc oxide nanoparticles can produce free radicals due to their piezoelectric properties, which are needed for cancer treatment. Also, using ultrasound waves in combination with zinc oxide nanoparticles can help increase the response to sonodynamic therapy by synergistically producing free radicals. On the other hand, with gold nanoparticles as a place for cavitation in the ultrasound field, the intensity threshold required for cavitation is reduced, reducing the damage to normal cells. This study aimed to investigate the effect of sonodynamic therapy of melanoma with zinc oxide/gold nanocomposite as a sonosensitizer.

Chemical dosimetry was used to determine the level of free radicals produced due to combined zinc oxide/gold nanocomposite with and without ultrasound radiation. Also, measuring the survival and apoptosis rate in the cultured melanoma cells was done in-vitro by MTT and flow cytometry tests, respectively.

With the increase in the production of free radicals, the survival percentage of melanoma cells treated with combined zinc oxide/gold nanocomposite and ultrasound waves at an intensity of 2 W/cm2 showed the most significant decrease (by 20%) which was significantly different from the control group. Also, the apoptosis level caused by sonodynamic therapy with zinc oxide/gold nanocomposite increased significantly.

Using ultrasound waves in combination with zinc oxide/gold nanocomposite can play an influential role in improving the response of melanoma to treatment by raising the level of free radicals and reducing the general toxicity for non-cancerous cells by lowering the cavitation threshold.

Cystic fibrosis is one of the most fatal multisystem disorders and the most common autosomal recessive disease in the white population, which occurs due to mutations in cystic fibrosis membrane regulatory proteins (CFTR). The frequency of these mutations varies based on geographic location and race. The most common mutation in this gene is F508del. This study was conducted to identify other possible gene mutations involved in fibrocystic disease in Khuzestan province.

In this study, first peripheral blood was taken on EDTA anticoagulant, and after DNA extraction, the PCR stage was performed with specific primers and electrophoresis. After that, DNA sequencing was done using Chromas software and finally, data analysis was done for the desired exons.

The most common mutation in cystic fibrosis is the F508del mutation. Two new mutations were identified among the patients, and these mutations are located in exon 26 of the IVS25-1 region and exon 18 in the IVS18+42 region.

The mutations obtained from this study are both heterozygous and homozygous and can be important for carrier detection, prenatal diagnosis, and treatment.

Gestational diabetes (GDM) refers to diagnosis of diabetes at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. GDM fetuses and mothers are at risk for numerous adverse outcomes. Diabetes screening should be done before pregnancy in all high-risk women who plan to become pregnant. GDM screening at 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy with one-stage or two-stage method is recommended in all women. The criteria for diagnose of diabetes in the first perinatal visit and before the 15th week of pregnancy to detect undiagnosed diabetes are the same as the standard criteria for diagnosing diabetes in non-pregnant people. Women who have a glucose metabolism disorder before the 15th week of pregnancy are at a higher risk for maternal and infant complications. In addition, with the progress of pregnancy, they may need insulin and the risk of GDM is higher in them. Fasting glucose of 110-125 mg/dl and HbA1C of about 5.9-6.4% before the 15th week of pregnancy is known as glucose metabolism disorder, blood glucose monitoring is recommended in these women. Women with GDM should have a glucose tolerance test 4 to 12 weeks after delivery. The criteria for diagnose of diabetes at this time are the same as for non-pregnant people. All women with GDM should be screened for diabetes and prediabetes every 3 years.