Alterations of PSA, CA15.3, CA125, Cyfra21-1, CEA, CA19.9, AFP and Tag72 tumor markers in human blood serum due to long term exposure to high levels of natural background radiation in Ramsar, Iran

Ramsar [Mazandran province] is known for its extremely high levels of natural background radiation. Although no excess cancer rate is reported in these areas by epidemiological studies, the study of tumor markers in the inhabitants of these areas may shed some light on the impact of high levels of background radiation on cancer induction. The level of background gamma radiation as well as indoor radon was determined using RDS-110 and CR-39 dosimeters. Thirty five individuals from a high background radiation area [HBRA] and 53 individuals from a normal background radiation area [NBRA] were randomly selected to participate in the study. Commercial ELISA kits [sandwich type ELISA tests] were used to measure the serum levels of PSA, CA15.3, CA125, Cyfra21-1, CEA, CA19.9, AFP and Tag72 tumor markers. Among the eight biomarkers investigated, the means of PSA, CA15.3, CA125, CA19.9 and AFP concentrations between the HBRAs and NBRAs were not significantly different. However, Cyfra21, CEA and Tag72 in HBRA group revealed statistically significant increases compared to those of NBRA group [P<0.05]. Furthermore, a statistically significant correlation between the external gamma dose as well as indoor radon level and the concentration of CEA [P<0.001], Cyfra-21[P<0.001] and TAG 72 [P<0.001 and 0.01 respectively] biomarkers were observed. Chronic exposure to high background radiation induces significant alterations in Cyfra21, CEA and Tag72 levels. We believe that studies with other relevant tumor markers might overcome the limitations of epidemiological studies on cancer incidence in high background radiation areas

Evaluating the effects of fertilizers on bioavailable metallic pollution of soils, case study of sistan farms, Iran

Present study determines not only the total amounts of metals [Cr, Cu and Pb] in superficial agricultural soil of Sistan area in Eastern Iran, but also the chemical partitioning of these elements in seven statistically selected cases. The analysis was run for local soil, soil treated by non-contaminated organic, compost and chemical fertilizers as well as soil treated by metal-contaminated fertilizers. The sampling campaign was done in Zabol University research farm in 2009. The grab samples were taken from seven different cases, the chemical partitioning analysis was performed and metallic concentrations were detected using FAAS. It may be concluded that the bioaccessibility of metals Cu and Cr would be increased in case of imposed contamination where the soil is treated with all three kinds of fertilizers. Although a relatively similar distribution pattern is seen between anthropogenic and geopogenic portions of bulk concentration in all three kinds of fertilizers, chemical fertilizer seems to manifest a more risky condition. According to the results achieved by cluster analysis, a close correlation exists between Cu and Cr behavior which may be attributed to the geological texture of the study area. In accordance with the results gained by partitioning analysis, IpOLL index values also show contaminated chemical fertilizer as the most risky case for all three metals in comparison with others

[Selection of a mathematical model for drying kinetics of sour cherry [Prunus cerasus L.] in a microwave-vacuum dryer]

In the recent years, the application of microwave-vacuum drying as a novel, effective, and low-cost method for dehydration of various foods has been investigated. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the potential of this method in drying sour cherry, as well as to select an appropriate mathematical model for describing its drying kinetics. The experimental drying trials were performed at 4 nominal microwave power levels [360, 600, 840, and 1200 Watts] and 4 absolute pressures [200, 400, 600, and 800 mbar] using a microwave-vacuum dryer designed in our laboratory. The drying parameters were determined as functions of absolute pressure and microwave power. Moreover, the fitting rates of experimental data with seven semi-theoretical and empirical models based on R2, chi2 and RMSE values were determined and the most appropriate mathematical model was selected. The findings showed that the microwave power and the vacuum level play the major role in the drying rate of sour cherry, such that increasing microwave power and decreasing the drying chamber pressure reduce the drying time significantly. Moreover, the drying process occurred in the falling rate period. Comparison of different models showed that the Middili and co-workers model can be the most suitable model due to its having the highest R2 and lowest chi2, RMSE values. The findings of this study indicate that the drying process of sour cherry does not show any constant drying rate during dehydration using a microwave-vacuum dryer. Thus, microwave-vacuum drying has a high potential for dehydration of sour cherry and other food and agricultural products due to high efficiency and reasonably short proceesing times

Survival of male breast cancer in Fars, south of Iran

Although breast cancer in men is uncommon, its incidence rates has an increasing trend. Due to its low incidence, there are few studies in this subject and limited information is available. The purpose of this study was to investigate clinicopathological characteristics and survival of male breast cancer [MBC] in Fars Province, south of Iran. The data for this study were obtained from the population based cancer registry of Vice-Chancellor for Health Affairs of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences and Shiraz hospitals between January 1, 1989 and January 1, 2008, including 64 patients with MBC. Demographic, clinical and pathological aspects were investigated. The Kaplan-Meler method was used for the determination of survival rate and Log Rank test for the comparison. The Cox proportional hazards model was used for the multiple analysis. The patients' mean age at the time of diagnosis was 60,3 years [SD=12.7]. The most frequent age group [26.6%] was 51-60 years. The most common symptom [96.8%] was a palpable mass. The majority of patients [44.4%] had a symptom duration of less than or equal to 6 months. 56.3% of the patients had a tumor size of 2-4.9 cm. Forty six percent of the cases had axillary lymph node involvement. The median survival time was 10.0 years [95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.0-14.0]. The 5 year overall survival rate was 66.0% [95% CI=51.08-81.0%]. The median survival time of patients with axillary lymph node involvement was 8.2 years [95% CI=6.7-9.6] and for the cases without involvement was 12.0 years [95% CI=8.4-15.2]. In addition to axillary lymph node involvement, positive family history in contrast to negative family history and left tumors in comparison with right tumors were poorer prognostic factors in univariate analysis respectively [p=0.006, p=0.031]. In multiple analysis, axillary lymph node involvement was an independent predictor of poorer survival [Hazard ratio=1.6, 95% CI=1.1-6.4, p=0.030] and the other variables did not have a significant effect. The mean age of MBC in this series is lower than that in western countries. It is compatible to the mean age of female breast cancer which is approximately one decade less than that in developed countries. The survival rate of MBC is relatively lower than that in western countries. Axillary lymph node involvement is an important prognostic factor in the survival of MBC. Multicenter population based studies with greater number of patients are required for better estimation of different aspects of MBC in Iran

Repellency effects of essential oils of myrtle [myrtus communis], marigold [Calendula officinalis] compared with DEET against anopheles stephensi on human volunteers

Malaria and leishmaniasis are two most significant parasitic diseases which are endemic in Iran. Over the past decades, interest in botanical repellents has increased as a result of safety to human. The comparative efficacy of essential oils of two native plants, myrtle [Myrtus communis] and marigold [Calendula officinalis] collected from natural habitats at southern Iran was compared with DEET as synthetic repellent against Anopheles stephensi on human subjects under laboratory condition. Essential oils from two species of native plants were obtained by Clevenger-type water distillation. The protection time of DEET, marigold and myrtle was assessed on human subject using screened cage method against An. stephensi. The effective dose of 50% essential oils of two latter species and DEET were determined by modified ASTM method. ED[50] and ED[90] values and related statistical parameters were calculated by probit analysis. The protection time of 50% essential oils of marigold and myrtle were respectively 2.15 and 4.36 hours compared to 6.23 hours for DEET 25%. The median effective dose [ED[50]] of 50% essential oils was 0.1105 and 0.6034 mg/cm[2] respectively in myrtle and marigold. The figure for DEET was 0.0023 mg/cm[2]. This study exhibited that the repellency of both botanical repellents was generally lower than DEET as a synthetic repellent. However the 50% essential oil of myrtle showed a moderate repellency effects compared to marigold against An. stephensi

Interleukin- 18 gene polymorphism in patients with and without atherosclerotic coronary artery disease

Several studies have revealed that inflammation plays an important role in development of Coronary Artery Disease [CAD] and its other manifestations. IL-18 is a pleiotropic cytokine that enhances Th1 [T helper 1] or Th2 [T helper 2] immune response depending on its cytokine milieu and genetic background. It strongly induces formation of plaques in patients with CAD. Variation in the Il-18 gene found to influence both levels of IL-18 and clinical outcomes in individuals with history of heart disease. To investigate the association of two IL-18 promoter gene polymorphisms at -607C/A and - 137 G/D positions with CAD, and some CAD risk factors such as diabetes, arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, cigarette smoking and obesity. Genomic DNA was extracted by the salting out method from the peripheral arterial blood of 280 patients with CAD documented by coronary angiography [143 with a documented history of myocardial infarction termed positive MI and 137 without myocardial infarction designated negative MI] and 140 age- sex matched persons with a normal coronary angiography [control group]. The genotype of both CAD and control groups were assessed by ASP-PCR method. Arlequin program was used for gametic phase estimation and haplotype analysis. There was no significant difference between patient and control groups either allelic, genotypic, and haplotypic for both variants[p>0.05]. Furthermore, no significant correlation was found between IL-18 genotypes and CAD risk factors in the patient group [P>0.05]. There results suggest that the investigated IL-18 gene promoter polymorphisms at -607 C/A and -137G/C positions are not associated with genetic susceptibility to CAD in southern Iran

[ value of determining antipaternal leukocyte antibodies in the diagnosis of alloimmune factors in recurrent abortion]

Background: Habitual abortion is defined as the occurrence of three or more consecutive pregnancy losses before the twentieth week of gestation. This is a challengeable clinical issue, as no cause can be found for abortion in over 50% of patients. There is increasing evidence to support an alloimmune mechanism in the unexplained group. It has been stated that the absence of maternal antibodies against the paternal leukocyte antigen [APLA] presented by the fetus causes abortion in this group. The objective of this study was to determine the value of APLA in the diagnosis of immunological causes of unexplained habitual abortion

Patients and Methods: One-hundred-thirty women with primary habitual abortion who had referred to Motahari Clinic, Shiraz, were enrolled in the study. In patients with nonspecific causes for abortion [unexplained abortion] white blood cell cross match was done for determination of APLA. Also, in the control group [women with at least one term pregnancy who had referred for kidney donation], APLA was determined. Immunization with paternal leukocytes was done for patients with negative APLA in several steps

Results: In fifty [38.5%] women out of 130 cases with habitual abortion, no recognized cause was found. APLA was positive in 8% and 20% in the case and control groups, respectively. There was no statistical difference between the two groups. Overall, 88% of the patients with negative APLA were immunized with paternal leukocytes

Conclusion: A negative APLA test does not correlate with the immunological basis of unexplained habitual abortion

Successful pregnancy outcome with IUI in patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage, whose male partners have low score hypo-osmotic swelling test

In order to determine outcome of pregnancy with IUI in patients with unexplained recurrent miscarriage whose husbands have low hypo-osmotic swelling test scores, a prospective clinical intervention was performed at a university referral clinic of recurrent abortion. Out of 56 patients whose husbands had abnormal hypo-osmotic swelling tests, 43 patients underwent IUI, from which only 14 patients became pregnant [treatment group] and 13 patients became spontaneously pregnant without IUI as control group. Our main outcome measure was successful pregnancy [continuation of pregnancy after 20 weeks]. Among the 14 patients who became pregnant, 3 patients aborted below 20 weeks [21.4%], and 11 patients continued pregnancy after 20 weeks of gestation [78.6%]. In the control group among the 13 patients with spontaneous pregnancy, 8 patients aborted below 20 weeks [61.5%] and 5 patients continued pregnancy over 20 weeks [36.4%], success rate ratio was 2.04% and the difference was statistically significant [c[2]=4.49, p<0.05]. Treating the unexplained recurrent aborter whose male partner has a low hypo-osmotic swelling test score with IUI could be effective. This is the first study to present an ideal way for selection of recurrent aborters who benefit from IUI. The probable mechanism for this effect may be selection of the best quality sperms which will be discussed in detail

Role of IgE low-affinity receptor [CD23] in pathogenesis of nasal polyp

Nasal polyps, a common clinical problem, are characterized by eosinophilic and mast cell inflammation. The role of allergy and IgE in pathogenesis of nasal polyps is still unclear. IgE receptors are important components of the immunological pathway in allergic and inflammatory diseases. To determine if the low affinity IgE receptor [CD23] is presented on nasal polyp tissues as a marker of local allergy or inflammation. Twenty patients who had undergone polypectomy enrolled into the study. Polyp tissues were stained by hematoxylineosin and acid-fast methods for histopathologic study. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with monoclonal antibody to leukocyte surface CD23. Polyp tissue fluid was extracted by slicing and centrifuging. Total serum IgE and tissue fluid was measured by ELISA. Thirteen of 20 polyp tissues were positive for CD23. Moderate to large number of eosinophils were observed in 5 patients. Serum IgE level was elevated [>70 IU /ml] in 13 patients and polyp IgE level was elevated in 8 patients. No significant correlation was found between CD23, serum and polyp tissue IgE, and eosinophil infiltration. CD23 may act as non-IgE dependent inflammatory marker in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps

Helicobacter pylori seropositivity among patients with hyperemesis gravidarum

There are also reports from other parts of the world indicating the presence of significant association of H. pylori infection and hyperemesis gravidarum, a bothersome condition that affects pregnant women. To test the hypothesis that whether H. pylori infection is associated with hyperemesis gravidarum among Iranian H.P carriers. From November 1999 to February 2001, we enrolled 54 pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum and 53 asymptomatic pregnant women [control group] in a prospective study. Using a specific serum IgG against H. pylori, the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection was determined in both study and control groups. Serologically positive H. pylori infection was detected in 44 [82%] out of 54 patients with hyperemesis gravidarum and 29 [55%] out of 53 asymptomatic pregnant women. The prevalence was significantly [p<0.01] higher in those with hyperemesis gravidarum than those in the control group. The mean SD of the IgG titer in the study group [69.7 77.5] was significantly [p<0.01] more than that of the control group [34.5 47.8]. H. pylori infection may cause hyperemesis gravidarum

Production of prostate-specific antigen [PSA] by a breast cancer cell line, SK-Br-3

PSA is a 33-KDa serine protease that is produced predominantly by prostate epithelium. However, it has been shown that about 30-40% of female breast tumors produce PSA and its production is associated with the presence of estrogen and progesterone receptors. We have now developed a new tissue culture system to study PSA production in breast cancer and its association with prognostic factors such as progesterone receptor and c-erbB- 2. For this purpose we investigated the ability of PSA production in five different cell lines, including two breast cancer cell lines, SK-Br-3 and MDA-MB-453. The PSA in tissue culture supernatant and cytoplasm of the Sk-Br-3 cell line was detected by western blotting and immunoperoxidase, respectively. Furthermore, we found lower expression of c-erbB-2 in Sk-Br-3 than non-PSA producer breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB453. Progesterone receptor was expressed by both PSA-positive and -negative cell lines and only the intensity of staining and the number of positive cells in SkBr-3 population was higher than MDA-MB-453. According to our findings PSA can be considered as a good prognostic factor in breast cancer and we suggest that these two cell lines are a good in vitro model to study the relationship of different breast cancer prognostic factors and their regulations

Seroepidemiological survey of rubella immunity among three populations in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran

We used indirect ELISA assay to test 1193 sera for rubella IgG and IgM antibodies in a seroepidemiological survey of three age- and gender-differentiated sample populations in Shiraz: 203 children aged 2-7 years, 255 paired mothers and neonates [cord blood] and 480 women aged 14-70 years. Seropositivity among women aged 14-70 years was 96.2%. No IgM positive case was found among the 255 tested cord blood samples. Seropositivity among the 203 children was 97.0% [much higher than previously reported]. This may be due to rubella epidemics, which tend to occur every 6-10 years. The impact of introducing rubella vaccination is discussed

High prevalence of anti-HCV and HTLV-1 antibodies in thalassmia-Major patients of southern Iran

Ninety patients with beta thalassemia major who had received washed or packed red blood cells for more than five years were screened for the existence of specific antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg], hepatitis C virus [HCV], human T lymphotropic virus-1 [HTLV-1], hepatitis B core antigen [HBcAg], and human immunodeficiency virus-1 and 2 [HIV-1 and 2]. Whereas 23 out of 90 patients [25.55%] were positive for HTLV-1 antibody, none were positive for HIV-1 and 2 specific antibodies. Moreover, only one case [1.1%] was positive for HBsAg, while 16 out of 90 patients [17.8%] were positive for antibody against HBcAg. Screening of these sera for anti-HCV antibody showed a large number of patients with anti-HCV antibody [68.5%]. Routine blood screening for HCV and HTLV-1 is also suggested

Molecular analysis of pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from hospitalized patients in Shiraz

Sixty nine Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates were studied for in vitro activity of eight different anti-pseudomonal compounds. Ciprofloxacin and ceftazidime were most active and inhibitory in all of the isolates. It was followed by imipenem [88.4%], aztreonam [64.1%], piperacillin [58%], and amikacin [48%]. Plasmid profile analysis showed that only three isolates harbored plasmids of identical patterns with approximate molecular sizes of 2.5 and 3 kbp. Restriction endonuclease analysis of extracted plasmids by HincII and Sau3AI revealed no difference in the digestion patterns. Single digestion of chromosomal DNA using EcoRI and PstI revealed an identical pattern in two isolates from one patient and different patterns among the other two. In this study, the Field Inversion Gel Electrophoresis [FIGE] was found more efficient than Contour-clamped Homogeneous Electric Field [CHEF] in separating the restricted fragments of P. aeruginosa chromosomal DNA

Identification of two different intracellular antigens in human leukocyte by monoclonal antibodies

Two monoclonal antibodies [mAbs] designated as SU11 and SUI2 were produced by fusion of a mouse myeloma cell line with spleen cells from mice immunized with human tonsillar lymphocytes. SUII and SUI2 monoclonal antibodies recognized two epitopes with molecular weights of 39 and 43 KDa derived from solubilized membrane of Nalm -16 and Bjab cell lines, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that these mAbs were reactive to around 30% of peripheral blood T cells and 25% of B cells and granulocytes, Nuclear and cytoplasmic staining was observed in 90% of bone marrow myeloid and lymphoid cells. These characteristic features of SUI1 and SUI2 mAbs suggest that the epitopes recognized by these mAbs are scattered throughout the cell membrane cytoplasm and nucleus

Determination of a shared epitope on cells from acute myelogenic leukemia [AML] and T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia [T-ALL]

Two IgM monoclonal antibodies [MAb] with strong reactivity for granulocytes and to a lesser extent for Jurkat cell lines were established by immunizing BALB/ c mice with a histiocytic cell line [U937]. These two MAbs [designated as 6C9 and 4C4] reacted with blast cells of T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia [T-ALL] and acute myelogenous leukemia [AML] patients as well as leukemic cells from patients known as unclassified leukemia [UL]. According to their pattern of reactivity, it is most probable that these two IgM MAbs react with some highly glycosylated membrane determinants such as 3-fucosyl-N-acetyllactosamine [3-FAL] which are exclusively expressed on some subsets of granulocytes and AML cells

Detection of mycobacterium tuberculosis soluble antigens in cerebrospinal fluids of patients with tuberculosis meningitis by a capture ELISA method

A capture ELISA assay was used to detect Mycobacterium tuberculosis soluble antigens in CSFs of patients with tuberculous meningitis by production of rabbit polyclonal anti-BCG antibody.CSF specimens from 16 clinically proven cases of tuberculous meningitis, 25 from bacterial meningitis and 50 from normal individuals were collected and assayed by this method. The means of the optical density [OD] for patients with tuberculous meningitis, bacterial meningitis and normal individuals were found to be 0.72 +/- 0.38, 0.27 +/- 0.08 and 0.24 +/- 0.07, respectively. The specificity and sensitivity of this method were 88% and 68% respectively, therefore, the use of this test for rapid diagnosis of tuberculous meningitis is recommended

Comparison of IgM rheumatoid factor in patients with kala azar, tuberculosis toxoplasmosis and brucellosis

Immunoglobulin M [IgM] rheumatoid factor [IgM-RF] was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] and latex agglutination test [LAT] in clinically documented 50 cases each of Kala-azar, tuberculosis, seropositive toxoplasmosis and brucellosis and the results were compared to 50 normal healthy volunteers. The rate of IgM-RF positive cases were 46%, 20%, 24% and 4% in kala-azar, brucellosis, tuberculosis and toxoplasmosis, respectively. No direct correlation was observed between ELISA-positive RF cases and specific antibodies, or serum levels of C-reactive protein [CRP] in each disease group. Comparison of these data suggests that patients with kala-azar and toxoplasmosis showed the highest and the lowest frequencies of B cell repertoires producing rheumatoid factor, respectively