Six-month outcomes of combined conventional needle goniotomy and phacoemulsification in eyes with early to moderate primary open-angle and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma and ocular hypertension

Purpose: Angle?based surgeries for the treatment of open?angle glaucoma have gained popularity in recent years. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combined phacoemulsification and goniotomy in primary open?angle and pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (POAG and PXG) and ocular hypertension (OHTN). Methods: In this interventional case series in the setting of the Glaucoma Service at the Farabi Eye Hospital, 32 eyes of 30 patients with early?to?moderate POAG and PXG and OHTN were enrolled. All eyes underwent combined phacoemulsification and needle goniotomy. Intraocular pressure (IOP) and the number of antiglaucoma medications as well as demographic data were recorded at baseline and one day, one week, one month, three months, and six months after the surgery. Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) was used to compare the values of IOP and the number of medications at different time points. Kaplan–Meier graph was used to demonstrate the survival status of the eyes. Results: Mean IOP at baseline was 21.8 ± 4.6 mmHg on mean 1.2 ± 1.5 topical medications. There was a 25.2% (16.3 ± 4.5 mmHg) and 32.1% (14.8 ± 3.9 mmHg) reduction in IOP at three and six months after procedure, respectively (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, the decline in medications was 66.7% (0.4 ± 0.9) and 50.0% (0.6 ± 1.1) at the same time points (P = 0.002 and P = 0.048, respectively). Post?operative complications were clot hyphema (n = 1, 3.1%), fibrinous inflammation (n = 1, 3.1%) and distorted pupil (n = 2, 6.3%). Conclusion: Combined phacoemulsification and needle goniotomy as a procedure for mild and moderate POAG and PXG and OHTN is as effective as other modified goniotomies in the setting of minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries (MIGS)

An exploration of the characteristics of COVID-19 patients referred to a central cardiology hospital with acute coronary syndrome

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical features of COVID-19 patients diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). After obtaining patients’ demographic and clinical data, ECG and transthoracic echocardiography were performed for all 228 patients. On average, patients aged 63.23 years. The most common underlying disease was hypertension (59.2%). The most common ECG abnormalities in COVID19 patients with ACS were ST-T changes and pathological Q wave, and 12.3% experienced atrial fibrillation. According to the Multiple logistic regression analysis, a significant relationship between on admission tachycardia and left ventricular ejection fraction with in-hospital mortality was found (OR ¼ 24.06, 95% CI: 4.63e125.11, OR ¼ 0.92, 95% CI: 0.087e0.98).

Quality of life and symptom severity in premenstrual syndrome: a quasi-experimental study

OBJECTIVE: The current study was conducted to investigate the effectiveness of group counseling on quality of life and symptom severity among university students with Premenstrual Syndrome. METHOD: After filling in PSST and participating in SCID-CV, 120 students answered the demographic and WHOQOL questionnaires. Using classified random sampling, they were divided into control and intervention groups. The Intervention Group participants attended six group counseling ses-sions. They post-tested at two moments (immediate post-test and after one month). RESULTS: The results of the immediate post-test indicated improvements in overall quality and in some domains (p<0.005) in the Intervention Group, and the second post-test showed an improvement in two of the domains (p<0.005). One month later, some symptoms were clearly improved in the Intervention Group (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: Group counseling improved the students' quality of life and severity of the Premenstrual Syndrome symptoms.

Fungi as a purifying species in an Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) Bioreactor as a Biological Nitrogen Reduction System

Background: Fungi are free-living heterotrophic microorganisms, which absorb nutrients for growth andreproduction. The integrated fixed film activated sludge (IFAS) system is a beneficial technology for developingconventional activated sludge plants, which consisted of a wide range of microorganisms. Methods: Twelvewastewater samples were collected from four IFAS sites during 3 days. The samples were prepared for count andidentification. The genera of fungi were identified by macroscopic and microscopic features. The physicalchemical analyses were done according to the standard method protocols. To prevent and reduce the growth ofbacteria, 0.05 g/l of chloramphenicol was added to the synthetic wastewater. Results: The highest count of fungiwith a mean concentration was found in the Aeration tank (149 CFU/ml), whereas the lowest count of fungi wasfound in the Effluent tank (3.3 CFU/ml). The highest diversity of genera (17) was isolated in the Aeration tank,while the lowest diversity of genera (3) was isolated from the Effluent tank. The results of the physical-chemicaltests showed that the average removals of COD, TN, and TP in the IFAS fungal system were 91.76%, 91.43%,and 80.23%, respectively. Conclusions: This study on fungi and their ability in reducing nutrients called attentionto the role of the IFAS system and its potential for developing a new biological nitrogen removal technology basedon fungal treatment.

How to improve the human brucellosis surveillance system in Kurdistan Province, Iran: reduce the delay in the diagnosis time / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES@#Spatial information makes a crucial contribution to enhancing and monitoring the brucellosis surveillance system by facilitating the timely diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis. @*METHODS@#An exponential scan statistic model was used to formalize the spatial distribution of the adjusted delay in the diagnosis time of brucellosis (time between onset and diagnosis of the disease) in Kurdistan Province, Iran. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare variables of interest between the clustered and non-clustered areas. @*RESULTS@#The spatial distribution of clusters of human brucellosis cases with delayed diagnoses was not random in Kurdistan Province. The mean survival time (i.e., time between symptom onset and diagnosis) was 4.02 months for the short spatial cluster, which was centered around the city of Baneh, and was 4.21 months for spatiotemporal clusters centered around the cities of Baneh and Qorveh. Similarly, the mean survival time for the long spatial and spatiotemporal clusters was 6.56 months and 15.69 months, respectively. The spatial distribution of the cases inside and outside of clusters differed in terms of livestock vaccination, residence, sex, and occupational variables. @*CONCLUSIONS@#The cluster pattern of brucellosis cases with delayed diagnoses indicated poor performance of the surveillance system in Kurdistan Province. Accordingly, targeted and multi-faceted approaches should be implemented to improve the brucellosis surveillance system and to reduce the number of lost days caused by delays in the diagnosis of brucellosis, which can lead to long-term and serious complications in patients.

Reanalysis of discarded blastocysts for autosomal aneuploidy after sex selection in cleavage-stage embryos / 대한생식의학회지

Objective@#The goal of the present study was to investigate the rate of chromosomal aneuploidies in surplus embryos after sex determination at the cleavage stage. Then, the same chromosomal aneuploidies were evaluated in blastocysts after extended culture. @*Methods@#Sixty-eight surplus embryos were biopsied at the cleavage stage and incubated for an additional 3 days to allow them to reach the blastocyst stage. The embryos were reanalyzed via fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to examine eight chromosomes (13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, X, and Y) in both cleavage-stage embryos and blastocysts. @*Results@#Although the total abnormality rate was lower in blastocysts (32.35%) than in cleavage-stage embryos (45.58%), the difference was not significant (p=0.113). However, when we restricted the analysis to autosomal abnormalities, we observed a significant difference in the abnormality rate between the cleavage-stage embryos (44.11%) and the blastocysts (17.64%, p=0.008). A higher rate of sex chromosomal abnormalities was also observed in cleavage-stage embryos (29.4%) than in blastocysts (14.70%, p=0.038). @*Conclusion@#The data indicated that embryo biopsy should be conducted at the blastocyst stage rather than the cleavage stage. The results also emphasized that examination of common chromosomal aneuploidies apart from sex selection cycles can be conducted in the blastocyst stage with the FISH method.

How to improve the human brucellosis surveillance system in Kurdistan Province, Iran: reduce the delay in the diagnosis time / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES@#Spatial information makes a crucial contribution to enhancing and monitoring the brucellosis surveillance system by facilitating the timely diagnosis and treatment of brucellosis. @*METHODS@#An exponential scan statistic model was used to formalize the spatial distribution of the adjusted delay in the diagnosis time of brucellosis (time between onset and diagnosis of the disease) in Kurdistan Province, Iran. Logistic regression analysis was used to compare variables of interest between the clustered and non-clustered areas. @*RESULTS@#The spatial distribution of clusters of human brucellosis cases with delayed diagnoses was not random in Kurdistan Province. The mean survival time (i.e., time between symptom onset and diagnosis) was 4.02 months for the short spatial cluster, which was centered around the city of Baneh, and was 4.21 months for spatiotemporal clusters centered around the cities of Baneh and Qorveh. Similarly, the mean survival time for the long spatial and spatiotemporal clusters was 6.56 months and 15.69 months, respectively. The spatial distribution of the cases inside and outside of clusters differed in terms of livestock vaccination, residence, sex, and occupational variables. @*CONCLUSIONS@#The cluster pattern of brucellosis cases with delayed diagnoses indicated poor performance of the surveillance system in Kurdistan Province. Accordingly, targeted and multi-faceted approaches should be implemented to improve the brucellosis surveillance system and to reduce the number of lost days caused by delays in the diagnosis of brucellosis, which can lead to long-term and serious complications in patients.

Reanalysis of discarded blastocysts for autosomal aneuploidy after sex selection in cleavage-stage embryos / 대한생식의학회지

Objective@#The goal of the present study was to investigate the rate of chromosomal aneuploidies in surplus embryos after sex determination at the cleavage stage. Then, the same chromosomal aneuploidies were evaluated in blastocysts after extended culture. @*Methods@#Sixty-eight surplus embryos were biopsied at the cleavage stage and incubated for an additional 3 days to allow them to reach the blastocyst stage. The embryos were reanalyzed via fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) to examine eight chromosomes (13, 15, 16, 18, 21, 22, X, and Y) in both cleavage-stage embryos and blastocysts. @*Results@#Although the total abnormality rate was lower in blastocysts (32.35%) than in cleavage-stage embryos (45.58%), the difference was not significant (p=0.113). However, when we restricted the analysis to autosomal abnormalities, we observed a significant difference in the abnormality rate between the cleavage-stage embryos (44.11%) and the blastocysts (17.64%, p=0.008). A higher rate of sex chromosomal abnormalities was also observed in cleavage-stage embryos (29.4%) than in blastocysts (14.70%, p=0.038). @*Conclusion@#The data indicated that embryo biopsy should be conducted at the blastocyst stage rather than the cleavage stage. The results also emphasized that examination of common chromosomal aneuploidies apart from sex selection cycles can be conducted in the blastocyst stage with the FISH method.

Effects of a Plantago ovata-based herbal compound in prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy: A double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial / 中西医结合学报

BACKGROUND@#Oral mucositis (OM) is one of the most common complications of mucotoxic cancer therapy. Mucositis induces clinically significant pain, increases the risk of infections and affects the patients' quality of life.@*OBJECTIVE@#This study investigated the effects of an herbal preparation from Plantago ovata hydrocolloid in the prevention and treatment of OM, in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with a regimen including adriamycin.@*DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, AND INTERVENTIONS@#This research was a double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover trial. The herbal compound consisted of a mixture of 500 mg of P. ovate husk in 30 mL water plus three drops of vinegar per dose, which was used as a mouthwash. Phytochemical and physicochemical tests of the compound were also performed. Twenty-eight patients who developed mucositis during the chemotherapy screening cycle were randomized to the herbal compound (n = 14) and placebo (n = 14) groups. They received herbal compound or placebo three times per day during their next chemotherapy cycle (cycle 1 of treatment). Patients were crossed over during cycle 2 of treatment and received the alternative therapy. An oral care protocol was prescribed to all patients in cycles 1 and 2 of the treatment.@*MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES@#The patients were visited at baseline, the end of the first and second weeks of the screening cycle, and the end of the first and second weeks of each of two treatment cycles. The degree of mucositis was used as the main treatment outcome. Other indexes, such as the severity of pain, xerostomia grade and the quality of life were also measured.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the placebo, the herbal compound significantly reduced the degree of mucositis, the severity of pain and the xerostomia grade; it also improved the patients' quality of life (P < 0.05). Comparison between the screening cycle and placebo treatment group showed that the oral care protocol had a significant effect in the reduction of OM (P < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The oral care protocol and the herbal compound based on P. ovata are effective ways for preventing and treating OM in patients undergoing mucotoxic cancer therapy.@*TRIAL REGISTRATION@#Iranian registry of clinical trials IRCT20180923041093N1.

Relationship between using cell phone and the risk of accident with motor vehicles: An analytical cross-sectional study / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Traffic accidents are one of the major health problems in the world, being the first cause of burden of illness and the second leading cause of death in Iran. The Sistan-Baluchestan province is one of the most accidental provinces of Iran with the highest rate of accidents-caused deaths. This study was conducted to determine the risk factors associated with traffic accidents in Zahedan through 2013 to 2016.@*METHODS@#This analytical cross-sectional study was carried out on 223 drivers from Zahedan who were traumatized by traffic accident and sent to Zahedan hospitals. The data were obtained through interviews taken by the trained interviewers via refereeing to the medical records and collected in the researcher-made checklist. Census was obtained from the study subjects. For data analysis, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Chi-square and logistic regression were used with the Stata software version 11.0.@*RESULTS@#In this study, 223 male subjects with the mean age of (32.54 ± 12.95) years, 39.8% single and 60.2% married, entered for investigation. Most accidents (38.8%) occurred between 12:00 to 17:59. While driving, 47.1% of the study subjects were using cell phones, 89.1% had manual use of mobile phones, 21.9% had a habit of sending short message service (SMS) and 23.4% had sent SMS within 10 min before the accident. The one way analysis of variance showed that the mean age of individuals with marital status, driving experience, education and accident with motorcycle were significantly different (p < 0.05). Also, the multivariate logistic regression test indicated a significant relationship of smoking, ethnicity, insurance and SMS typing while driving with motorcycle accident (p < 0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#In this study, SMS and smoking while driving had the highest risk among the variables studied in the motorcycle accidents. Therefore, effective education attempting to enhance people's awareness about the consequences of using cell phone and smoking during driving to reduce traffic accidents seems necessary.

Acute physical and psychological stress effects on visceral hypersensitivity in male rat: role of central nucleus of the amygdala / Efeitos agudos do estresse físico e psicológico na hipersensibilidade visceral em rato macho: papel do núcleo central da amídala

ABSTRACT Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute physical and psychological stress and temporary central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) block on stress-induced visceral hypersensitivity. Methods: Forty two male Wistar rats were used in this study. Animals were divided into 7 groups (n = 6); 1 - Control, 2 - physical stress, 3 - psychological stress, 4 - sham, 5 - lidocaine, 6 - lidocaine + physical stress and 7 - lidocaine + psychological stress. Stress induction was done using a communication box. Results: Abdominal withdrawal reflex (AWR) score was monitored one hour after stress exposure. AWR score significantly heightened at 20, 40 and 60 mmHg in the psychological stress group compared with control (p < 0.05), while, it was almost unchanged in other groups. This score was strikingly decreased at 20, 40 and 60 mmHg in lidocaine + psychological stress group compared with psychological stress with no tangible response on physical stress. Total stool weight was significantly increased in psychological stress group compared with control (0.72 ± 0.15, 0.1 ± 0.06 g) (p < 0.05), but it did not change in physical stress compared to control group (0.16 ± 0.12, 0.1 ± 0.06 g) (p < 0.05). Concomitant use of lidocaine with stress followed the same results in psychological groups (0.18 ± 0.2, 0.72 ± 0.15 g) (p < 0.05), while it did not have any effect on physical stress group (0.25 ± 0.1, 0.16 ± 0.12 g) (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Psychological stress could strongly affect visceral hypersensitivity. This effect is statistically comparable with physical stress. Temporary CeA block could also reduce visceral hypersensitivity post-acute psychological stress.

RESUMEN Objetivo: O objetivo desse estudo foi investigar os efeitos do estresse físico e psicológico agudo e bloqueio temporário do núcleo central da amídala (CeA) na hipersensibilidade visceral induzida por estresse. Métodos: Quarenta e dois ratos Wistar machos foram empregados nesse estudo. Os animais foram divididos em 7 grupos (n = 6): 1 - Controle, 2 - estresse físico, 3 - estresse psicológico, 4 - simulacro, 5 - lidocaína, 6 - lidocaína + estresse físico e 7 - lidocaína + estresse psicológico. A indução do estresse foi feita com o uso de uma caixa de comunicação. Resultados: O escore do reflexo de retirada abdominal (RRA) foi monitorado uma hora depois da exposição ao estresse. O escore RRA aumentou significativamente a 20, 40 e 60 mmHg no grupo de estresse psicológico versus controle (p < 0,05), enquanto que praticamente permaneceu inalterado nos demais grupos. Esse escore diminuiu drasticamente a 20, 40 e 60 mmHg no grupo de lidocaína + estresse psicológico versus estresse psicológico, sem resposta tangível no estresse físico. O peso total das fezes aumentou significativamente no grupo de estresse psicológico versus controle (0,72 ± 0,15, 0,1 ± 0,06 g) (p < 0,05), mas não houve mudança no grupo de estresse físico versus controle (0,16 ± 0,12, 0,1 ± 0,06 g) (p < 0,05). O uso simultâneo da lidocaína com o estresse acompanhou os mesmos resultados nos grupos psicológicos (0,18 ± 0,2, 0,72 ± 0,15 g) (p < 0,05), enquanto que não foi observado qualquer efeito no grupo de estresse físico (0,25 ± 0,1, 0,16 ± 0,12 g) (p < 0,05). Conclusões: O estresse psicológico pode afetar fortemente a hipersensibilidade visceral. Esse efeito é estatisticamente comparável com o estresse físico. Um bloqueio temporário do CeA também pode reduzir a hipersensibilidade visceral pós-estresse psicológico agudo.

Tumor necrosis factor Alpha -308 G/A single nucleotide polymorphism and risk of sperm abnormalities in Iranian males

Background: Signaling molecules such as cytokines regulate spermatogenesis during the maturation of germ cells and sperm apoptosis. Tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF alpha] is one of the most-documented cytokines that is involved in spermatogenesis. We investigated the association of the TNF alpha -308 G/A single nucleotide polymorphism with sperm abnormalities in Iranian males

Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 180 infertile men who referred to Yazd Research and Clinical Center for Infertility and 100 healthy normospermic controls. Infertile men were classified into four groups of azoospermia [n=91], oligospermia [n=26], teratospermia [n=30] and asthenoteratospermia [n=33]. After sperm analysis, DNA was extracted from blood and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] was carried out for the genotyping of TNF alpha-308 G/A

Results: The A allele was significantly associated with sperm abnormality in our population [[P<0.001, odds ratios [OR] 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.31]. In addition, the A allele was also associated with azoospermia [P<0.001, OR [95% CI]=2.484], oligospermia [P=0.005, OR [95% CI]=2.51] and teratospemia [P<0.001, OR [95% CI]=3.385] but not with asthenoteratospermia [P=0.623]

Conclusion: Our data suggest that this single nucleotide polymorphism [SNP] maybe associated with the risk of sperm abnormality in infertile men of Iranian origin

[Evaluation the effect of exchange time anesthetic circuit anti- bacterial filters, on microbial culture results of anesthetic circuits in Bouali Hospital operating theaters]

Background: To prevent the anesthesia circuit from bacterial colonization, during the time, we used to have an antibacterial filters with no predicted changing algorithm. In this study, we evaluated the effect of exchange time anesthetic circuit anti- bacterial filters, on microbial culture results of anesthetic circuits in Bouali Hospital operating theaters

Materials and methods: During a descriptive-analytic study, we changed the antibacterial filters in 4 different operating rooms; per patients at 1st room, daily at 2d room, 2times a week at 3rd room and weekly at the last one and kept them for the first week of study. At the rest of time until 10 months, we changed the filters in a manner to equal changing algorithm on all 4 rooms. we had microbial culture exam from the Y-piece and Mount-catheter every week ends

Results: Changing filter algorithm were 243 surgeries [25.5%] per patient [group1], 243 surgeries [25.5%] daily [group2], 237 surgeries [24.6%] twice a week [group3] and 241 surgeries [25%] weekly [group 4]. The positive culture results were obtained on 21 operations [2.2%] in Y-piece and 27 operations [2.8%] in Mount-catheter

Conclusion: When we consider the whole number of surgeries in one day as a unit, positive culture results on Y-piece in each group would be 1[2.6%] for group1, 0 for group 2 , 2 [5%] for group 3, 1[2.5%] for group 4 [P=0.9]. For Mount-catheter positive culture results were 2[5.1%] for group 1, 0 for group 2, 1[2.5%] for group 3 and 1[2.5%] for group 4 [P=0.6]. No differences were found on concomitant positive culture tests from Y and Mount pieces

Effects of gamma radiation on fetal development in mice

Background: Many cancer patients receive radiotherapy which may lead to serious damages to the ovary storage and the matrix muscle state. Some of these patients may admit to infertility clinics for having pregnancy and on the other hand hormonal administration for superovulation induction is a routine procedure in assisted reproduction technology [ART] clinics

Objective: This study aimed to investigate fertility and fetuses of hormone treated super ovulated female mice who had received whole-body gamma irradiation before mating.Materials and Methods: Female mice were randomly categorized into a control group and 3 experimental groups including: Group I [Irradiation], Group II [Superovulation], and Group III [Superovulation and Irradiation]. In hormone treated groups, mice were injected with different doses of 59Tpregnant mare's serum gonadotropin59T [PMSG] followed with human chorionic gonadotropin [HCG]. Irradiation was done using a Co-60 gamma ray generator with doses of 2 and 4 Gy. Number of fetuses counted and the fetus's weight, head circumference, birth height, the number of live healthy fetuses, the number of fetuses with detected anomalies in the body, the sum of resorption and arrested fetuses were all recorded as outcome of treatments

Results: In the group I and group II, increased radiation and hormone dose led to a decrease in the number of survived fetuses [45 in 2 Gy vs. 29 in 4 Gy for irradiated group] as well as from 76 in 10 units into 48 in 15 units. In the group III, a higher dose of hormone in the presence of a 2 Gy irradiation boosted the slink rate; i.e. the number of aborted fetuses reached 21 cases while applying the dose of 15 Iu, whereas 6 cases of abortion were reported applying the hormone with a lower dose. Among different parameters studied, there was a significant difference in parameters of weight and height in the mouse fetuses [p=0.01]

Conclusion: The data indicated that use of ovarian stimulating hormones in mice that received pre mating gamma irradiation did not significantly increase the pregnancy rates

Haplotype analysis of BRCA1 intragenic markers in Iranian patients with familial breast and ovarian cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women. Breast Cancer Type 1 Susceptibility gene [BRCA1] is a tumor suppressor gene, involved in DNA damage repair and in 81% of the breast-ovarian cancer families were due to BRCA1. In some clinically investigated genes, the intragenic marker polymorphism is important and the screening of such mutations is faster by using short tandem repeat [STR] polymorphism. Individual polymorphism of STR is a good evidence for following inheritance of repeat polymorphism

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate three intragenic BRCA1 marker polymorphisms in families, which have two or more patients with breast/ovarian cancer in comparison to healthy women

Materials and Methods: A total of 107 breast and/or ovarian cancer patients and 93 unrelated healthy women with no clinical phenotype of any malignancy or familial cancer history constitute the study groups. Haplotyping analysis, at 3 intragenic BRCA1 microsatellite markers [D17S855, D17S1322 and D17S1323], were performed for all subject and control groups using labeled primers

Results: After fragment analysis, significance differences were observed as follows: two alleles of D17S855; allele 146 [p=0.02] and 150 [p=0.006], and two alleles of D17S1322, allele 121 [p=0.015] and 142 [p=0.043]. These differences were compared with control group. There was significance difference in 8 di/tri allelic haplotypes in present experimental subjects. Some haplotypes were observed to have approximately twice the relation risk for breast cancer

Conclusion: According to recent results, assessment of presence or absence of mentioned alleles in BRCA1 microsatellite can be used for prognosis in individuals, suspected of having or not having the breast cancer

[Effect of celecoxib on serum visfatin levels in streptozotocin-induced diabetes in male rats: role of nitrergic system]

Background and Aim: Nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase [NAMPT]/ [visfatin] have been proposed as proinflammatory cytokine that is influenced by blood glucose or insulin. In diabetes mellitus proinflammatory agents such as prostaglandin E2 and nitric oxide can increase visfatin synthesis and visfatin stimulates their expression. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of cyclooxygenase and nitrergic system on serum visfatin level and some biochemical parameters in diabetic rats

Material and Methods: Male Wistar rats were rendered diabetic by streptozotocin [60 mg/kg, i.p.]. Animals were treated with celecoxib [5 mg/kg] or L-arginine [50 mg/kg] or L-NAME [50 mg/kg] alone or with combinations of celecoxib and L-arginine or celecoxib and L-NAME. Using SPSS software, we used one way analysis of variance followed by tukey test for data analysis

Results: All treated groups showed significant decrease in blood glucose and triglyceride levels [P<0.05]. Treatment with L-NAME decreased serum insulin level significantly [P<0.05], while celecoxib alone [P<0.05] or in combination with L-NAME and L-arginine enhanced its levels significantly [P<0.01]. Serum visfatin level increased in diabetic rats compared to controls [P<0.05]. Treatment with L-arginine had a significant effect on increasing visfatin level [P<0.05]. Celecoxib decreased visfatin level [P<0.01]. Combination of L-NAME or L-arginine with celecoxib caused a greater reduction in visfatin level [P<0.01]

Conclusion: Serum visfatin level increased in streptozotocin- induced diabetes. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase-2 by celecoxib, resulted in decreased visfatin level and part of this effect was due to interaction with nitrergic system. It seems that blood glucose and insulin do not affect visfatin level directly, but proinflammatory cytokines play the main role in its synthesis

Mutation analysis of exon1 of bone morphogenetic protein-15 gene in Iranian patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome

Background: with the prevalence of 6-10%, polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] is considered the most common endocrinological disorder affecting women in their reproductive age. It has been suggested that genetic factors participate in the development of PCOS. Follicular development has been considered as one of the impaired processes in PCOS. Bone morphogenetic protein-15 [BMP-15] gene is a candidate gene in follicular development and its variants may play role in pathogenesis of PCOS

Objective: to investigate whether BMP-15 gene mutations are present in Iranian women with PCOS

Materials and Methods: in this cross-sectional study 5 ml venous blood samples was taken from 70 PCOS women referring to Afzalipour Hospital, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, between January to December 2014. Genomic DNA was extracted from the blood sample by salting out method. Then a set of PCR reactions for exon1 of BMP-15 gene was performed using specific primers followed by genotyping with direct sequencing

Results: two different polymorphisms were found in the gene under study. In total 20 patients [28.6%] were heterozygote [C/G], and 2 patients [2.86%] were homozygous [G/G] for c.-9C>G in 5´UTR promoter region of BMP-15 gene [rs3810682]. In addition, in the coding region of exon1, three patients [4.3%] were heterozygote [G/A] for c.A308G [rs41308602]. Two PCOS patients [2.86%] appeared to have both c.-9C>G [C/G] and c.A308G [G/A] variants simultaneously

Conclusion: our research detected two polymorphisms of BMP-15 gene among PCOS patients, indicating that even though it cannot be concluded that variants of BMP-15 gene are the principal cause of polycystic ovarian syndrome; they could be involved in pathogenic process in development of PCOS

effect of one session low level laser therapy of extracted follicular units on the outcome of hair transplantation

Introduction: Photobiostimulation with low level laser [LLL] has been used in medicine for a long time and its effects have been shown in many diseases. Some studies have evaluated the effect of LLL on androgenic alopecia. One of the most important limitations of the use of LLL in the treatment of alopecia is the requirement for multiple sessions, which is hardly accepted by patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of the irradiation of extracted follicular hair units by LLL on the outcome of hair transplantation

Methods: We enrolled 10 patients with androgenic alopecia and after screening tests for infections and other diseases, we extracted hair follicular units. The hair units were divided in two groups. One group was irradiated by LLL 20 minutes before transplantation [660 nm, 80 Hz, 100 mW] and the other one was used as control. The containing plates were labeled as A and B and sent to the operation room. The surgeon was unaware of the therapy assigned to the plates and transplanted them randomly on the right or left side of the head. One hundred follicular units on each sides of the scalp were transplanted symmetrically. The follicles on both sides were evaluated at 3 and 6 months of transplantation for hair growth rate by another physician, blinded to the treatment assigned to each side

Results: Ten patient with androgenic alopecia and mean [SD] age of 31.5 [6.6] years [range 25-45 years] completed the study. All patients had 100% hair growth at 3 and 6 months follow-up except one who had hair growth of 20% at three months of transplantation, which changed to 100% at sixth months. There was no significant difference between the groups regarding hair growth [P>0.8]

Conclusion: One session of LLL irradiation has no significant effect on the outcome of transplanted hair follicles. Studies with larger sample size are needed to draw a definite conclusion

Clustering of pulmonary tuberculosis in hamadan province, west of Iran: a population based cross sectional study [2005-2013]

Background: This study was conducted to detect clusters of pulmonary TB cases in Hamadan Province, west of Iran

Methods: All patients with pulmonary tuberculosis recorded in the surveillance system from 2005 to 2013 were studied. The spatial scan statistic was used to detect significant clusters in status of unadjusted and adjusted for age, sex and location residence variables

Results: Clusters with high rate for both purely spatial and space-time analyses were seen in the same geographical areas composed of four city of Asadabad, Bahar, Toyserkan and Nahavand. Adjustment for mentioned variables did not change location of detected clusters with high rates

Conclusions: Findings revealed evidence of significant clusters in Hamadan Province. Study results may help the health system to develop effective public health interventions and extend preventive interventions. However more study are needed to better explain of detected clusters due to limited access to effecting factors

Rna-seq: a glanee at technologies and methodologies / RNA-Seq: un vistazo sobre las tecnologías y metodologías

RNA Sequencing (RNA-Seq) is a newly born tool that has revolutionized the post-genomic era. The data produced by RNA-Seq, sequencing technologies and use of bioinformatics are exploding rapidly. In recent years, RNA-Seq has been the method of choice for profiling dynamic transcriptome taking advantage of high throughput sequencing technologies. RNA-Seq studies have shown the transcriptome magnitude, notion and complexity. From 2008, as its introduction year, the relevant reports on RNA-Seq have been multiplied by more than 2822 times just in 6 years. RNA-Seq also contributes a more accurate gene expression and transcript isoform estimation than other methods. Furthermore, some of the potential applications for RNA-Seq cannot be conducted by other methods and as yet are unique to RNA-Seq. As RNA-Seq approaches increase in speed and decrease in cost, more distinct researches are applied and become more common and accurate. RNA-Seq is a cross and interdisciplinary method that interconnects biology to other scientific topics. This article describes RNA-Seq approach, technologies, methodologies, implementation, and methods done so far in characterizing and profiling transcriptomes.

En los últimos años, la técnica RNA-Seq ha tenido un desarrollo acelerado y se ha convertido en el método de elección para el estudio y la caracterización de los transcriptomas dinámicos, aprovechando las tecnologías de secuenciación de alto rendimiento. Estudios aplicando RNA-Seq han mostrado la magnitud, noción y complejidad del transcripotma. A partir de 2008, año de introducción de la técnica, los estudios con RNA-Seq se han multiplicados por más de 2822 veces sólo en 6 años. Al compararse con otros métodos, los estudios empleando RNA-Seq contribuyen a una estimación más precisa de la expresión génica y de las isoformas de los transcriptos. Además, algunas de las aplicaciones potenciales de RNA-Seq no se pueden llevar a cabo con otros métodos. El uso de RNA-Seq aumenta la velocidad de obtención de información y disminuye los costos, logrando con su uso, que investigaciones diversas se vuelvan más frecuentes y precisas. RNA-Seq es un método interdisciplinario que interconecta la biología a otros temas científicos. En este artículo se describe el planteamiento de la tecnología RNA-Seq, metodologías y los métodos realizados en la caracterización de transcriptomas.