نشریه پژوهش در پزشکی
سال سی و ششم شماره 1 (پیاپی 141، بهار 1391)

Sayyed Esmaeil Jorjani, (1042-1137) great Iranian scientist and physician who was born in Gorgan is very famous became of his medical writings in Farsi. His famous book named Zakhireh Kharazmshahi was translated into several languages at that time. In addition to his scientific works, Jorjani wrote several handbooks in medicine, in Farsi and in Arabic, for scientists and for the general public. His famous mini-summarized medical book “Khofi Alaei” was offered to Alaeddoleh Atsez king of Khawrazm to carry with him in his boots. Jorjani also translated the book ‘Qanoon’ by Avecina, from Arabic to Farsi and his own books from Farsi to Arabic. Jorjani’s books became the major reference in Iran and were quickly translated by other scientists to prominent languages throughout the world. It seems that Jorjani is the first author who wrote mini-summarized medical books.

The amniotic membrane has gained much attention in regenerative medicine as a precious cell source. Recently, reparation of three dimensional matrices (scaffold) with appropriate specificity for cell culture, which depends on cell type, has been the subject of many studies. This study aimed to design optimal three-dimensional matrices in order to utilize amniotic epithelial cells for tissue engineering studies. In this experimental study, chitosan and chitosan-gelatin scaffolds were formed by freeze-drying technique at different pre-freezing temperatures (-20/-80/-196°C). Sample pore size was analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and porosity was measured by liquid displacement method. Amniotic epithelial cells isolated from amniotic membrane, were cultured on scaffolds with different pore sizes and the attachment of these cells was evaluated using MTT-Formazan assay and SEM images. Electron microscope results showed larger pore size at higher temperature (-20) and longer pre-freezing time. The porosity of 73% was desirable for cell culture. Furthermore, MTT findings confirmed the importance of pore size (100 µm) in cell adhesion to the scaffold. It seems that chitosan and chitosan-gelatin scaffolds with larger pore size increase the chance of amniotic epithelial cells attachment. Thus, these natural scaffolds can be used as suitable matrices for tissue engineering purposes.

Cotton fabric which is widely used in hospital clothing and healthcare textiles, is known to be susceptible to microbial contamination. It is logical to think that the poly (propylene imine) (PPI) dendrimers (through their inherent cationic nature) with a large number of terminal primary amino groups, may have antimicrobial activity. This study was conducted to investigate the effect of PPI dendrimer on the antimicrobial property of cotton fabric. This experimental study was done on two generations of the PPI dendrimers (G2- and G5-PPI-NH2) which were grafted on cotton fabric using cross linking agents (Citric and Glutaric acids). Antimicrobial activity of 1 control (untreated sample) and 2 experimental (treated and grafted samples with the PPI dendrimers) groups was evaluated by zone of inhibition method against three types of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomona aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) and a fungus (Candida albicans) according to the PN-EN ISO 20645:2007 standard (before and after 5 washing cycles). In the control group, (untreated sample), the microorganisms grew underneath and around edges of the sample. In the second experimental group (treated samples with PPI dendrimers); the microorganisms did not grow underneath and around edges of the sample, but zone of inhibition of the samples was decreased after 5 washing cycles. In third experimental group (grafted samples with PPI dendrimers); the microorganisms did not grow underneath the grafted samples even after 5 washing cycles. It seems that the grafted cotton fabric with the PPI dendrimers has excellent antimicrobial property against the applied microorganisms even after repeated washing cycles.

NOD2 gene located on chromosome 16 (IBD1) is known to have a strong association with Crohn’s disease. Three common polymorphisms of this gene including R702W, G908R, 1007fsinsC, were reported to be frequent in many western populations while rare occurrence of them was observed in eastern countries. The aim of this study was to assess the frequency of these polymorphisms in Iranian patients with Crohn's disease and compare it to healthy controls.

A total of 100 non-related Crohn's patients and 100 sex and age matched healthy controls from Iranian origin were enrolled in this study. The participants were referred to a tertiary center during a two-year period (2009-2010). Three polymorphisms of NOD2 gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and evaluated by direct sequencing. Phenotype-genotype analysis was performed.

The frequencies of three main variants of NOD2 gene (R702W, G908R, and 1007fs) were represented in 13%, 2.5% and 2% of patients with Crohn's Disease and 1.5%, 1.5% and 1% of healthy controls, respectively. Only R702W variation demonstrated a higher frequency in Iranian CD patients compared to controls (p<0.001). No phenotype-genotype association was observed for NOD2 mutations.

Among the three principle variants of CARD15 gene, only R702W demonstrated a higher frequency in Iranian CD patients,but the frequencies of these mutations were different in comparison to other populations. It is presumed that mutations different from those seen in the western population, could have a role in susceptibility to CD in Iran.

The cysteine rich region II of Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein (PvDBP-II) is essential during merozoite invasion into the human erythrocyte and because of this biological importance, PvDBP-II is a vaccine candidate and a target for protective immunity against vivax malaria. In the present study we improved the yield of this protein by using E. coli (M15/BL21) expression system, which is easier for handling than genetic engineering approaches. After cloning of PvDBP-II in pGEM T easy vector, sub-cloning was carried out in pET 28a, pQE30 and pET24d expression vectors. Then expression was performed on the 1mM IPTG-induced M15 (pREP) and BL21(DE3) strains of E. coli containing expression constructs in different expression conditions such as different culture medias and temperatures. Purification was performed by metal affinity chromatography using Ni-NTA agarose under denaturing conditions. Elutes were separated on SDS-PAGE and western blotting was carried out to detect rPvDBP-II. Yields of purified rPvDBP-II were estimated by measuring optical density at 280 nm. Expression of rPvDBP-II was successfully performed using M15-pQE30 expression system at OD600 = 0/6, 1mM IPTG, in LB2 and 37oC. Size of the recombinant protein on SDS-PAGE was 47 KD (a.a 198-588) and the highest amount of expression was 4h after induction. Western blotting with anti-His antibodies and human P. vivax infected serum, confirmed expression of PvDBP-II. Expression of PvDBP using M15-pQE30 yielded about 1200 μg/ml. In the present investigation, production of expressed PvDBP-II in E. coli (M15/BL21) expression system, in comparison with other two expression system, was in sufficient amounts for further evaluation without using complicated and expensive methods, with least process of transformation. Such a recombinant protein is highly needed for development of a recombinant vaccine and sero-epidemiological study of P. vivax malaria.

Food-borne illnesses are one of the main problems due to contaminated food or water that can occur in humans. Since salmonella species is one of the most common causes of food poisoning, the purpose of this study was to define the prevalence of serotypes of Salmonella species, in foods by multiplex PCR. This Cross-Sectional study was done on 170 samples of food products viz. healthy milk, beef, poultry and salad dressings. After collecting the samples, identification procedures for bacteria were performed by the PCR method. Bacterial contamination was found in 24.7% of sample; 8.8% of beef samples were contaminated with Salmonella. On the whole, from all tested food samples, 1.7% were contaminated with Salmonella: 1.1% with typhimurium and 0.59% with Salmonella enteritidis. It seems Salmonella contamination in meat is high. Multiplex PCR may be helpful in diagnostic confirmation.

According to increasing prevalence of myocardial infarction (MI) and importance of detecting inflammatory markers, and also controversies in this topic, this trial was performed in Taleghani hospital to define the role of TNF-alpha in patients with myocardial infarction during 2010-2011. This case-control study was done on patient with definite diagnosis of myocardial infarction admitted in the hospital (case group, n=20) and persons with no cardiac problems referred to this hospital for check up (control group, n=20). Serum levels of TNF-alpha were checked by ELISA method and the two groups were compared by T-test. Participants were divided to two groups of more and less than 9.5pg/mL and analyzed by exact Fisher test. Mean serum level of TNF-alpha in the control group was 9.5±0.7pg/ml and in the case group 12.8±2pg/ml (P<0.001). 12 (60 percent) subjects of control group and all (100 percent) patients of case group had TNF-alpha mare than 9.5pg/mL (P<0.001). it seems that serum level of TNF-alpha in patients with myocardial infarction is higher than controls. Regarding important role of inflammation in the development of atherosclerosis, cohort or experimental studies are recommended to evaluate role of this marker in predicting ischemic heart diseases. Keywords:ELISA, TNF-alpha, MI.

Diastolic heart failure comprises 50 percent of cases of heart failure. The implications of increased levels of cardiac troponin I (CTnI) on congestive heart failure with preserved systolic function (AHF PEF) have been poorly evaluated. We hypothesized that its level might be elevated in AHF PEF so this evaluation was done in patients referred to Taleghani hospital with heart failure. In this cross-sectional study, patients with symptoms of acute heart failure according to Framingham criteria, with preserved systolic function & diastolic dysfunction in echocardiography were included. Measurement of CTnI in serum was performed with CTnI assay kit (Rapid test-SD-CTnI; China) at admission & 6 hours later in blood samples. CTnI >0.01 ng/ml was interpreted as positive. Study was done on 60 patient with AHF PEF; mean age was 72±7 year (35 women, 5men) without acute and old MI, Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), cor pulmonale and with PPH and LVEF<45%. CTnI level was positive in 4 patients (6.7%) which was not significant. (p<0.05). According to our results there is no acceptable relation between CTnI level & AHF PEF in Iranian patients. We recommend another biomarker or CTnI kit for further evaluation.

Twenty percent of dialysis patients eventually require arterial grafts as the only method of vascular access for hemodialysis. Polyurethane and ploy tetra fluoro ethylene grafts have been used for years for vascular access in hemodialysis patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and complications of these two types of grafts. In this randomized clinical trial, 60 patients were divided in to two groups. Polyurethane and PTFE grafts were implanted in upper and lower extremities in equal proportions. Primary and secondary patency rates, infection and vascular events of PTFE and Polyurethane grafts were compared using chi square test or Fisher's exact test. Primary and secondary patency rates, infection rate and vascular events between these two types of grafts showed no significant difference (P>0.2). However, infection rates in grafts of the lower limb were significantly higher (P<0.05). Due to the lack of significant difference in terms of efficacy and complications between PTFE and Polyurethane grafts, each of these two types of graft may be used in hemodialysis patients after considering issues of price and availability.