Tobacco chewing and risk of gastric cancer: a case–control study in Yemen

This study aimed to assess the risk factors for gastric cancer in Yemen. A hospital-based case-control study of 70 cases and 140 controls was carried out in Sana'a city between May and October 2014. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information through direct interview. Living in rural areas, tobacco chewing and drinking untreated water were significant risk factors for gastric cancer. Frequent consumption of chicken, cheese, milk, starchy vegetables, cucumber, carrots, leeks, sweet pepper, fruit drinks, legumes and olive oil were associated significantly with decreased risk of gastric cancer. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that chewing tobacco and frequent consumption of white bread were associated with increased risk of gastric cancer, whereas frequent consumption of chicken, cooked potatoes and fruit drinks had an inverse association. Risk of gastric cancer can be prevented by health education and increasing community awareness

[Differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells in dopaminergic cells in rat model of Parkinson's disease]

Previous studies have reported that the number of dopaminergic neurons surviving in the grafts is critical for functional recovery in Parkinson disease. Free radical mediated damage has been reported to contribute significantly towards low survival of grafted dopaminergic neurons, post transplantation. In the present study, an attempt has been to explore the neuroprotective potential of the combination of coenzyme Q10 and transplantation of mesenchaimal stem cells in rat model of parkinson's disease [PD]. In this experimental study of male Wistar rats that had been divided into six groups were used: Groups; control, sham, lesion, treatment with oral administration of CoQ10, treatment with graft BMSC and combined treatment with graft BMSC and oral administration of CoQ10. Oral administration of CoQ10 was started one week before the model creation procedure and continued during the whole treatment period. The laboratory model of Parkinson disease in rats was performed by injection 6-OHDA in substantia nigra pars compacta. The end of second month treatment molecular studies were performed. Molecular assessment showed that TH gene expression levels in the combined therapy group was significantly different with other experimental groups [p<0.001]. The combined use of two neuroprotective treatment and replacement therapy can have a more effective role in the treatment of Parkinson's disease in comparison to single treatment protocols

[Epidemiology of human parechovirus type1 in clinical samples from children with gastroenteritis using RT-PCR]

Human parechovirus type-1 [HPeV-1] is a genus of picornaviridea with a single stranded positive sense RNA genome. In general it seems to be responsible for more gastrointestinal and respiratory syndromes and less responsible for central nervous system [CNS] symptoms. Since there is no accurate information about diagnosis and epidemiology of HPeV-1 in Iran and it is very important to distinguish between viral and bacterial diarrhea to decrease the unnecessary use of antibiotics, this study aimed at rapid detection and epidemiology of HPeV-1 in stool samples from children with gastroenteritis using specific RT-PCR. Viral RNA was isolated from 472 stool samples from children [under 4 years old] with diarrhea; CDNA was prepared and amplified using specific primers from 5?untranslated region [5' UTR] of HPeV-1 genome by nested RT-PCR. Amplified DNA product was electrophoresed on 1% agarose gel and a single band of 265 bp was obtained. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. We also performed a comparison between the cell culture [Vero] and RT-PCR method for HPeV1 detection. Out of 472 samples examined during two years, 112 samples were HpeV-1 positive [23.7%]. The results showed that the prevalence of this virus was in children under one year [6-12 months] old with diarrhea [p=0.036] in spring and autumn [p<0.001]. Boys had more positive cases than the girls [p<0.001]. Out of 20 samples which were found positive by HPeV1 RT-PCR only three of them showed CPE on Vero Cells after a week. The results revealed that RT-PCR is a more practical and sensitive technique for HPeV-1 detection directly from clinical samples, which is valuable for epidemiology. Also, the rapid detection of HPeV1 by RT-PCR can decrease both the unnecessary use of antibiotics and the costs in clinical practice

Therapeutic effect of bone marrow stromal cells and coenzyme Q10 on rat models of parkinson's disease

The assessment of the ability of combined treatment of bone marrow stromal cells graft [BMSCs] and oral administration of Coenzyme [CoQIO] in rat model of Parkinson disease as a good substitute for common current Parkinson treatments, and the comparison of this combined treatment method with alone application of these treatments. In this experimental study of male Wistar rats were used. They were divided into six groups: control, sham, lesion, treatment groups with oral administration of CoQIO, treatment with graft BMSC and combined treatment with graft BMSC and oral administration of CoQIO. Oral administration of CoQIO with 200 mg/kg/daily dose started a week before the model creation procedure and continued throughout the whole treatment period. The laboratory model of Parkinson disease in rats was performed by injecting 2.5 microlitre saline solution 0.9% containing 8 micrograms 6-hydroxy dopamine [6-OHDA] and 0.2% ascorbic acid in substantia nigra pars compacta. Also in sham group the same volume solution saline-ascorbic was injected. BMS Cells were labeled by 5-Bromo-2'-deoxyuridine [Brdu] before transplantation. Behavioral assessment before creating the model, two weeks after creating the model and eight weeks after cell transplantation was performed. At the end of second month of treatment, Immunohistochemistry and histology Studies were performed. Behavioral assessment of two groups of alone treatments indicated the equal recovery in comparison with lesion group [p<0.01] while combined treatment of BMSC and Co Q10 showed a considerable recovery compared with lesion group [p<0.001]. In addition according to histological studies, no sign of gliosis and graft rejection was seen. Immunohistochemistry studies of Brdu indicate that the cells are alive after two month of application in host tissue. Cell count assessment showed that the number of neural cells in combined treatment of BMSC and Co Q10 was significant difference with others experimental groups [p<0.001]. The combined use of two neuroprotective treatment and replacement therapy can have a more effective role in the treatment of Parkinson's disease in comparison of alone treatment protocols

[Analysis of poly protein processing in human parechovirus Type 1 by gene cloning and expression]

Human parechovirus is a genus of picornaviridae. All of picornaviruses have a 3C protease which has a key role in virus protein processing and replication. The aim of this study was to analyse polyprotein processing in human Parechovirus type1 by cloning and expression of 3C gene. After preparation of cDNA from human parechovirus type 1[HPEV-1] RNA genome the region of cDNA that was encoded for 3C protein was inserted into plasmid pUBS by Ligase enzyme and recombinant plasmid was prepared. After transformation and replication of this plasmid in E.coli MC 10.22, DNA was isolated by phenol extraction and then expressed in prokaryotic [E.coli BL-21] and In vitro systems under T7 promoter. The results were detected by SDS-PAGE and analyzed. The products of expression of recombinant plasmids [with out 3C gene] in both prokaryotic and in vitro systems were analyzed. Just one large band same size as primary translation product was observed, but with plasmid including 3C gene, several small bands were detected. These results indicate that human Parechovirus type1 polyprotein processing occurs by 3C protease. 3C protease was checked by anti protease. Our results showed that HPEV-1 has a processing strategy different from other members of Picornaviruses, and 3C protein seems to be the only virus encoded protease that can catalyze cleavages of all sites in the Parechovirus type1 primary polyprotein

[Study of differentiation of hippocampal stem cells into rod photoreceptors in rat]

Vision is one of the most important organs in the body. Damage to this organ causes a severe disability in humans. In retinitis pigmentosa, the degeneration of photoreceptors causes blindness. So far, more than 100 mutations have been detected in photoreceptors, which they result in opsin malfunction. The aim of present study is to differentiate the hippocampal stem cells of rat to the rod photoreceptors. Stem cells of the hippocampus were obtained from rat embryos, 18 days of age [E18]. Pregnant female rats were killed and the head of their embryos were separated. Then, the embryos' hippocampus was removed according to Banker's method. Hippocampal cells were dissociated by Fish Bach's method. The cells were cultured in flasks [25cm[2]]. After 3 days, the cells were isolated by trypsin, counted using trypan blue and hemocytometer. Cell suspensions were prepared in two cell concentrations; high [2x10[5]cells/ micro l] and low [2x10[4] cells/ micro l] concentration, then, cultured using DMEM/F12 supplemented with fetal bovine serum 10% [FBS] in six wells plates. Prior to culture of the cells, the first and second row of plates were coated with poly L-lysine and inactivated astrocytes, respectively. Following incubation of the plates at 37°C for 4 days, different concentrations of All Transe Retinoic Acid [ATRA] and 9-CIS RA were added daily for 6 days, and finally immunocytochemistery was carried out using anti-opsin monoclonal antibody. The results of current study showed that the plates, which are respectively treated with ATRA and 9-CIS RA in a concentration of 500nM and 100nM for 6 days had the most differentiated cells. In addition, maximum differenced cells were observed with 100nM of 9-Cis RA. The differentiated cells were detected in wells, which were only coated with inactivated astrocytes in either a high or low concentration of cell suspension. These findings indicated that inactivated astrocytes as a feeder layer and extrinsic factors such as [ATRA] and 9-Cis RA increase differentiation of hippocampal stem cells into rod photoreceptors

Genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from TB patients with spoligotyping

Spoligotyping was applied to investigate the prevalence of all genotype in M. tuberculosis isolates. The associated risk factors among patients with different nationalities residing in Iran were also determined. In this analytic cross-sectional study a total of 439 patients that referred to the NRITLD, the referral tuberculosis center in Iran; have been registered during March 21[st]' 2003 to March 21[st] 2004. The isolated Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains have been characterized by performing susceptibility tests against four first-line antituberculosis drugs and were then subjected to spoligotyping characterization. T-test and chi-square were used for analysis of the data. Spoligotyping of M. tuberculosis strains resulted in 140 different patterns that divided into 9 clades. One hundred twenty two [87.1%] of these spoligotype isolates were unique and reported for the first time. The remaining 18 [12.8%] spoligotype patterns were previously reported from other geographical regions of the world. Haarlem family was most prevalent than other genotype. Interestingly, 6.3% of the strains belonged to the Beijing family. The MDR [multi drug resistance], double and triple resistance were seen in group I of evolutionary scenario. Antibiotic resistances were higher in those isolated from the Afghani patients [p<0.001]. The other risk factors such as sex and age were also contributing factors to the diseases state. The results showed that multi drug-resistance was more prevalent in bacteria isolated from Afghani TB patients residing in Iran. In addition, spread of M. tuberculosis strains belonging to the Beijing family among Iranian patients has to be considered seriously. It is also important to undertake studies to identify which factors are the most significant to consider in tuberculosis control program

Effects of retinoic acid and astrocyte as a feeder layer in differentiation of hippocampal stem cell

Adult stem cells are pluripotent cells conventionally isolated from some part of body by different methods. From developmental stand point, murine neural stem cells represent an accessible and important system for studies of basic stem cell property such as self- renewal and multipotency. In this study hippocampal stem cells obtained from embryonic day 18 [E18]. Pregnant female rats were killed, embryos heads separated and then hippocampus isolated by the method of Banker, then their cells dissociated by the methods of Fishbach, and plated in flask 25cm, after 3 days cells separated by tripsin, counted with trepan blue and hemocytometer, divided into two density [high 200000] and [low 20000 cells]. Before transplantation of cells, six well plates coated with poly L lysin and inactivated astrocyte. Then isolated cells transplanted into 6 well plate for 4 days with medium DMEM/F12 supplemented with FBS10%. After 4 days different doses of ARTA and RA cis-9 added per well for 6 days, and then immunocytochemistery were done. After 6 days of treatment with above factors, doses of 100nM RA cis-9 and 500 nM ATRA have the more staining cells with monoclonal antibody. But in 100 nM RA cis-9, we saw maximum differentiated cells. All of differentiation were done on wells with inactivated astrocyte layer in high and low density. Inactivated astrocyte as a feeder layer and extrinsic factors such as All Transe Retinoic Acid [ATRA] and RA cis-9 can cause differentiation in hippocampal stem cells into photoreceptor like cell

[Effects of retinoic acid and astrocyte as a feeder layer in differentiation of hippocampal stem cell]

Background: Adult stem cells are pluripotent cells conventionally isolated from some part of body by different methods. From developmental stand point, murine neural stem cells represent an accessible and important system for studies of basic stem cell property such as self- renewal and multipotency

Materials and Methods: In this study hipocampal stem cells obtained from embryonic day 18 [E18] Pregnant female rats were killed, embryos heads separate and then hippocampus isolated by the method of Banker, then their cells dissociated by the methods of Fishbach, and plated in flask 25cm, after 3 days cells separated by tripsin, counted with trepan blue and hemocytometer, divided into two density [high 200000] and [low 20000 cells]. Before transplantation of cells, six well plates coated with poly L lysin and inactivated astrocyte, Then isolated cells transplanted into 6 well plate for 4 days with medium DMEM/F12 supplemented with FBS10%. After 4 days different doses of ARTA and RA cis-9 added per well for 6 days, and then immunocytochemistery were done

Results: After 6 days of treatment with above factors, doses of 100nM RA cis-9 and 500 nM ATRA have the more staining cells with monoclonal antibody . But in 100 nM RA cis-9, we saw maximum differentiated cells. All of differentiation were done on wells with inactivated astrocyte layer in high and low density

Conclusions: Inactivated astrocyte as a feeder layer and extrinsic factors such as All Transe Retinoic Acid [ATRA] and RA cis-9 can cause differentiation in hippocampal stem cells into photoreceptor like cell