Journal of Research in Applied and Basic Medical Sciences
Volume:6 Issue: 1, Winter 2020

Maternal iodine deficiency (UIC<150 µg/L) is common in regions with borderline iodine sufficiency. Hence, exploring evolution of the temporal trend for UIC during pregnancy as well as impact of possible modifiers aids in defining the timing and the dose of iodide administration supplement during foetal development. The aim of present investigation was to evaluate the inter-relationships between UIC and iodized salt accessibility and thyroid function as assessed by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) in an exclusive cohort of pregnant women depending on household salt as the predominant source of iodine intake.

Healthy pregnant women (n=95; gestation > 4 and < 8 weeks) and non-pregnant women (n=40) with similar lifestyle and dietary habits were enrolled. UIC, TSH and table-salt iodine content were determined.

Median UIC (µg/L) according to trimesters was significantly lower than that of controls (61.6, 130.2 and 90.3 vs 133.8). Accordingly, prevalence of subjects with UIC<150 µg/L were 97.9, 67.4, 77.9 and 60. Median TSH (mIU/L) according to trimesters and control group were 1, 1.6, 1.4 and 1.6. Accordingly, prevalence of subjects with abnormal lower TSH limit was 17.2, 8.5, 3.2 and 2.4.

This investigation demonstrates that UIC varies according to the foetal life cycle and that the highest frequencies of severe iodine (UIC <50 μg/L) were identified at the first- and third trimesters. This investigation paves the way for future studies aiming at exploring the therapeutic impact of iodine supplementation on body iodine stores during pregnancy.

In the recent years, the considerable interest in survivin has significantly increased, because of its possible detection role in esophageal cancer.

Twenty eight patients diagnosed with esophageal cancer and thirty three healthy controls were assessed for the purpose of the study. From March 2015 until September 2017, the subjects who had esophageal cancer were enrolled in the study. Blood samples were from subjects enrolled in a prospective cohort undergoing annual esophageal cancer testing. The concentrations of serum survivin were determined using Elisa method.

Serum levels of survivin in the esophageal patient group increased compared to the healthy controls [164.06±55.03 (mean±SD) vs. 119.37±48.25, ng/L, P<0.04].Elevated serum survivin had positive correlation with clinical parameters.

The positive association between elevated serum survivin and esophageal cancer status could be due to the fact that this protein involves in the development of esophageal cancer. Determination of serum survivin could differentiate normal and esophageal cancer subjects and lead to lower numbers of excessive esophageal biopsies.

Carriers of structural chromosomal rearrangements such as Robertsonian or reciprocal translocations have an increased risk of spontaneous abortion and producing offspring with genetic abnormalities. Robertsonian translocations are present in 0.1% of the general population and 1% of the infertile population. Two types of Robertsonian translocations occur more frequently than all others, being 45,XX,rob(13;14)(q10;q10) and 45,XX,rob(14;21)(q10;q10) respectively. The history of repeated abortions could be the outcome of unbalanced gametes (either monosomy or trisomy) resulting during the meiotic segregation of the balanced heterozygote female carrier. In the present report, uncommon Robertsonian translocation in a couple with spontaneous repeated abortions is reported. Cytogenetic analysis of a couple revealed the presence of 45, XY, t (15; 15) (10q; 10q) chromosomal constitution in the male partner. The cytogenetic analysis of couples with repeated abortions is obligatory to identify any probable chromosomal aberrations. As far as we know this is the first instance reported in Iran.

 A diabetic foot ulcer (DFUs) is a major health problem, which concerns 15% patients with diabetes worldwide. Amputation is a feared complication of diabetes. Few studies have identified factors as predictors of clinical prognosis of patients with DFUs, especially of Iranian patients. In this study, we assessed the prognostic factors of Iranian patients with DFUs.

Prospective cohort hospital based study conducted in Patients with diabetic foot ulcer from June 2015 - June 2016. Diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer was based on WAGNER – MEGGIT criteria and patients with grade 2 and more were evaluated. Patients were followed up for three months in order to determine the desired outcome (recovery or amputation). Data collection was done by checklist design and lipid profile (Triglyceride, Cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C) and inflammatory biomarker (ESR and CRP levels) were entered to the checklist. All statistical calculations and analyses were performed by using SPSS software (version 16). P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant.

In total, the study included 72 patients with DFUs and 58.3% of the patients were man. Mean age of the patients was 59.19+/- 11.94 years and mean duration of diabetes was 15.52+/- 8.62. The majority of patients (94.8%, 68 cases) had type 2 diabetes mellitus. 70.8% had ESR>= 50, 35.9% had CRP>= 3+, 95.6% had HbA1C >=7, 58.6% had LDL>100, 95.5% had HDL<50 and 67.2% had TG<200. Follow up time was 3 months from hospital discharge. The overall limb amputation rate in the current study was 21.3%.

Our results demonstrated that limb amputation rate is not correlated with sex, ESR, HbA1c, WBC, LDL, HDL. Significant univariate predictive factors for limb amputation was CRP level and Triglyceride level. (p= 0.91 and p= 0.064 respectively)

Recently, the development of eco-friendly methods for the synthesis of nanoparticles is an important key to nanotechnology. The use of green techniques using plants for the synthesis of nanoparticles is a replacement for chemical and physical techniques, because they are hazardous. Therefore, in this paper, we refer to green synthesis method using plant extracts and cytotoxicity and antibacterial mechanisms. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have been considered with regard to unique properties such as biocompatibility, selective cytotoxicity, anti-cancer and antibacterial activity. These nanoparticles are dissolved in the medium or in the cell and zinc ions are released, these zinc ions result in zinc-mediated protein activity disequilibrium and oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species, which may have a potential mechanism of action cytotoxicity of nanoparticles. Given the selective cytotoxic effects of ZnO-NPs due to the presence of more ROS in cancer cells, these nanoparticles can selectively target cancer cells and can be used as an anticancer agent. On the other hand, ZnO-NPs have significant antibacterial properties. Antimicrobial mechanism of ZnO-NPs may take place through the interaction of nanoparticles with bacterial cell surface and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and release of zinc ions. ROS and free ions are important factors for several mechanisms, including increased membrane permeability, cell wall damage. These will weaken the mitochondria and cause oxidative stress and ultimately inhibit cell growth and cell death. Due to the selective toxicity effect against cancer cells, it can be used as a useful agent for the treatment of cancer and an alternative to antibiotics.

 Despite the decline in the prevalence of gastric cancer in recent years, it remains the fourth leading cause of death from cancer in the world. Common cancer treatments may reduce the size of the tumor, but it is transient and does not have a positive effect on the patient's survival and there is a possibility of recurrence of the disease. Strong induction of reticulom endoplasmic has been shown to increase the susceptibility to anti-cancer therapy. Regarding the importance of medicinal herbs in recent years and its low side effects after administration, compared with synthetic drugs, this study investigated the effects of salvia Sclareol purification from sage on the induction of reticulum endoplasmic system stress.

The MKN-45 cell line from the Pasteur Institute of Iran was purchased and cultured in a complete culture medium of RPMI-1640 with cetacean embryos. Cells cultured with 0, 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100 μm concentrations of Sclareol treatment for 5 hours. The rate of expression of IRE-1 and PERK genes by quantitative real time -PCR and the level of proteins IRE-1 and PERK by western blotting method was investigated.

The rate of expression of IRE-1 in doses of 20, 40 and 60 μM Sclareol was significantly increased while decreasing in doses of 80 and 100 μM (p <0.0001). Also, the expression of PERK gene expression at doses of 20, 40 and 60 μM Sclareol was significantly increased, but no increase was observed in doses of 80 and 100 μM (p <0.0001). Also, the levels of IRE-1 and PERK proteins in doses of 20, 40 and 60 micromoles of Sclareol showed a high increase in doses of 80 and 100 μM.

From the results of this study, it seems that doses between 20 and 60 μmol of can be Sclareol helpful in increasing the amount of reticuloendoplasmic stress, but doses higher than 60 milimoles do not have like this effect.

 Acute phase proteins are mainly synthesized by the liver and macrophages in inflammatory conditions as a result of various traumas and malignancies. Increased levels of these proteins have been reported in many tumors like multiple myeloma as an important indicator for the prognosis of malignancies. We investigated the serum levels of acute phase proteins in multiple myeloma cancer patients in stage one due to the important role of these proteins in malignancies.

The serum levels of acute phase proteins (alpha 1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin and alpha-2-Macroglobulin) were measured in 30 patients with stage I of multiple myeloma and 30 healthy persons as the control group. The average age of population was 69 years. Measurement of the serum levels of proteins was done using Capillary zone electrophoresis and high resolution (HR). Total protein amounts were measured by biuret method, as well. The data were analyzed by SPSS method.

 The values obtained from results of the test and statistical calculations in the groups of study suggested that the serum levels of examined acute phase proteins decreased significantly in the patients compared to the control group. (P<0.001)

The results of this study indicated the reduction of serum alpha-1-acid glycoprotein, haptoglobin and alpha-2-Macroglobulin in stage I patients compared to the control group, which is inconsistent with previous studies. These proteins may be considered as specific prognostic and diagnostic factors in multiple myeloma stage I. However, further studies are needed to assess accurate results.

 Free living amoeba that they can cause important diseases such as keratitis and meningoencephalitis, being studied more precisely in the world. In Iran, many studies have been carried out in most parts of the country or are under investigation. Becaus previously no study performed about this parasite in West Azerbaijan (North West Iran), the aim of this study was determination of frequency and genotype of Acanthamoeba spp. in water sources.

 A total of 60 water samples were collected from surface and plumbing waters from five regions of Urmia. Samples after filtration cultured in non-nutrient medium in 30ₒ C. and amoeba harvested and DNA extracted. PCR in 18SrDNA fragment performed using primers JDP2 and JDP1, and 11 pruducts sent to sequencing. Results analyzed by bioinformatics software’s and submmited in Genbank.

Of the 60 superficial and plumbed water samples, 21 samples were positive, of which four were plumbed water and 17 of them were surface water. Out of the twenty-one positive cases, 10 cases were confirmed in validated centers in terms of gene sequencing. Of the ten cases, one was a T2 genotype and nine were T4.

Studies in other parts of the country show that the dominant genotype in Iran is T4, and the frequency and of genotypes of Acanthamoeba. Spp in Urmia also partially relates to the parts of country.