[Carrier frequency of alpha thalassemia mutations among newborns in northern Iran]

Background and Objective: Alpha Thalassemia is one of the most prevalent hemaglobinophaties worldwide. Alpha thalasseima patients may represent wide spectrum of symptoms ranging from asymptomatic to severe life threatening anemia. This study was done to assess the carrier frequency of alpha globin gene mutations among newborns in north of Iran

Methods: In this descriptive study, 412 cord blood samples of neonate from Amir Mazandari hospitali were randomly selected during 2012. Genomic DNA was extracted using phenol-chloroform method. Multiplex Gap- PCR and PCR-RFLP methods were applied in order to detect three common gene deletions, one triplication and one point mutation

Results: Total allelic frequency of investigated mutations was 0.0825. The -alpha3.7 deletion with allelic frequency of 0.0485 was the most prevalent mutation among 412 neonates. Allelic frequencies of -alpha4.2, alphaalphaalphaanti3.7 triplication and alpha-5nt mutations were 0.0206, 0.0109 and 0.0024; respectively and -Med double gene deletion was not detected

Conclusion: Most mutated cases had single gene deletion that is asymptomatic while -Med double gene deletion was not detected among the neonates. Therefore, there is low probability of a child birth with Hb H disorder in the region

[ effect of education based on BASNEF model on promoting of nutritional behavior to prevent iron deficiency anemia]

Introduction: Iron deficiency anemia is one of the most important public health issue in the world and harmfully effect on the health of women and children in developing countries. 25 percent of students are suffering Iron Deficiency Anemia. This suggests that insufficient intake of iron, Malnutrition or low iron in the diet

Objective: The aim of this research was to promote nutritional behavior to prevent iron deficiency anemia based on Beliefs, Attitudes, Subjective Norms and Enabling Factors [BASNEF] model on high school girls

Methods: This Randomized controlled trial study was performed on 100 Students by multistage random placed into intervention and control groups in 2013. Intervention was done in five sections and 3.5 months after educational intervention. Questionnaire base on BASNEF Model parts and blood lab exams [Hb, Hct, Feritin] were data gathering tool. Data were analyzed by pair T- test, independent T- test, Mann- Whitney, Wilcoxon and Chi- square

Results: The mean score of knowledge and attitude toward the behavior, Subjective norms, Enabling factors, iron deficiency anemia preventive behaviors and Ferritin had a significant increase in the intervention group compared to the control group after the educational intervention [P<0.05]

Conclusion: The results of the study showed positive effect of educational intervention program base on BASNEF Model on improvement of iron deficiency anemia preventive behaviors in the high school Students

[Detection of common mutations causing drug resistance to mycobacterium tuberculosis strains among patients with tuberculosis using line probe assay method]

Drug resistance to tuberculosis and especially multiple drug resistance tuberculosis [MDR-TB] variants are a serious problem in tuberculosis patients and make difficulties in controlling the disease. This study was coducted for detection of common mutations causing drug resistance of mycobacterium tuberculosis strains among tuberculosis patients using line probe assay method. In this descriptive study, fifty four sputum samples of tuberculosis patients were randomly selected in health centers of Mazandaran, northern Iran during 2012. After culturing of sputum samples on Lowenstein-Jensen medium, genomic DNA was extracted from colonies using CTAB method. Molecular analysis of mutations causing resistance to five different antibiotics including Isiniazide, Rifampin, Sterptomycine, Amicasin / Canamycine, Kinolon were performed using long probe assay [LPA] method. Out of 54 sputum samples, three [5.5%], three [5.5%], four [7.4%] were resistance to Kinolon, Amicasin / Canamycine and Sterptomycine, respectively. Mutation in KATG was seen in 2 samples resistant to Isiniazide. Mutation in rpoB 516 was seen in 3 samples resistant to Rifampin. Four samples [7.4%] were resistant to the two anti-tuberculosis antibiotics, while three samples were resistant to Sterptomycine and Kinolon and one sample was resistant to Rifampin and Canamycine. 7.4% of sputum samples were resistant to the two anti- tuberculosis antibiotics. Line probe assay is a rapid and suitable method for detecting tuberculosis drug resistance

Cytotoxic effect of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with seaweed aqueous extract against ovarian cancer cells

Iron oxide nanoparticles are one of the most efficient metal nanoparticles, which have prominent properties in biomedical applications. In previous studies, these nanoparticles were prepared using a green synthesis method with the aqueous extract of brown seaweed [Sargassum muticuni]. This study aimed to examine the cytotoxic effect of these synthesized nanoparticles on A2780cp ovarian cancer cells which indicate resistance to chemotherapy regimen. The cytotoxic effect of synthesized nanoparticles on A2780cp ovarian cancer cells were examined using the methylthiazol tetrazolium assay, acridine orange/ propodium iodide and caspase assay. Results indicated that Fe[3]O[4] nanoparticles encapsulated in seaweed water extract possess a cytotoxic effect on ovarian cancer cells resistant to chemotherapy [IC[50] values of 250 microg/ml, 125 microg/ml and 62.5microg/ml for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively]. The nanoparticles through the induction of caspase-3 and -9 dependent apoptosis [intrinsic pathway] significantly exerted a cytotoxic effect against A2780cp ovarian cancer cells. The aqueous extract of brown seaweed is an appropriate candidate for stability and reduction of colloidal solution of iron oxide nanoparticles. Due to the apoptotic effect of this extract on A2780cp ovarian cancer cells, it can be a good choice for ovarian cancer treatment

Investigating the altitude effect on the quantity and quality of the essential oil in Tanacetum polycephalum Sch.-Bip. polycephalum in the Baladeh region of Nour, Iran / 中国天然药物

Medicinal plant are grown and produced in different ecosystems and sites under the influence of different potential factors, including the altitude as one of the vital determinants in the quantity and quality of the plants. One of the species that grows in the highlands is Tanacetum polycephalum, an aromatic perennial of the Asteraceae. This species is characterized to be antiseptic, analgesic, anesthetic, disinfective, expectorant, anti-cancer, anti-allergic, and conducive to low blood pressure. The purpose of this study is to investigate the essential compositions in the aerial parts of T. polycephalum at the time of flowering, and in three different altitudes of the Baladeh region of Nour. Thus, the essential oil was extracted from the aerial parts in the flowering stage of the plant at three altitudes of 1 600, 2 400 and 3 200 m using a water distillation method, and the essential oil compositions were identified using GC and GC/MS instruments. One-way ANOVA method was conducted to analyze the obtained data using SPSS, and a Duncan test was administered to compare the means. The results indicated that the essential output obtained from the altitudes of 1 600, 2 400 and 3 200 m was (0.74 ± 0.01)%, (1.09 ± 0.02)%, and (1.32 ± 1.2)%, respectively, so that the altitude of 3 200 m revealed the greatest quantity, and the altitude of 1 600 m represented the smallest quantity. Moreover, the essential oil compositions showed the highest percentage in the altitude of 3 200 m and the lowest percentage at the altitude of 1 600 m. The results showed that as the altitude increases, the essential oil compositions revealed the greater quantity and percentage in the aerial parts of T. polycephalum.

[ effect of lower limb muscle fatigue on balance in elite young athletes]

With regard to importance of the role of balance in performance of daily activity especially in exercise activity and necessary to identify the factors that influence the balance, the purpose of this study was to survey the effect of lower limb muscle fatigue on balance in elite young athletes. For this purpose, 15 young elite swimmers with a mean age and body mass index 17 +/- 0.7 and 21.62 +/- 0.5 during the two test phase, were studied. All participants performed the postural Stability and limit of stability tests in six for each test [three repetitions before and three repetitions after fatigue protocol by Wingate test] on the balance Biodex system. Values obtained by the system of the total, anterior - posterior, medial - lateral, anterior, anterior - right, anterior- left, posterior, posterior - right and posterior left index, were analyzed using paired sample t-test [P

Vertical strabismus cases and their surgical outcome in Yazd, Islamic Republic of Iran

Early diagnosis and management of strabismus is needed to avoid complications such as amblyopia. In this retrospective cohort study we reviewed the profile and surgical outcome of vertical strabismus patients attending a clinic in Yazd city in the Islamic Republic of Iran. From the medical files of 265 patients, 19.2% were found to have pure vertical deviation and 80.8% had combined horizontal and vertical strabismus. Congenital causes were recorded for 83.0% of cases and 24.9% had a family history of strabismus. Hypertropia [91.7%] was more common than hypotropia [8.3%]. There was a statistically significant relationship between age at onset and vertical strabismus. Female patients had a higher rate of congenital vertical strabismus than did male patients. There was no significant association between surgery outcomes and sex or age of onset of strabismus. Early diagnosis and management in affected families and screening of patients with strabismus family history is needed

comparison of dosimetric parameters between IAEA TRS-398, AAPM TG-51 protocols and Monte-Carlo simulation

Two protocols of AAPM TG-51 and IAEA TRS-398 were compared followed by a measurement and Monte Carlo simulation of beam quality correction factor, KQ, AAPM TG-51 and IAEA TRS-398 protocols were compared for the absorbed dose to water for DW, and KQ parameters. Materials and Dose measurements by either protocols were performed with cylindrical and plane parallel chambers for 6 and 18 MV photons, and 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 MeV electron clinical beams were traced to the calibration factor of Iranian secondary standard dosimetry laboratory. MCNP-4C simulation of depth doses, beam profiles and KQ factors were validated typically for 18 MV and 12 MeV beams by experimental measurements. The differences between simulation and measurements were 0.07% for beam profile, -2.60% and 1.19% for 12 MeV build up and linear portion of the depth dose curve, respectively. The figures of merit for 18 MV were about -4.17%, - 1.62% and 0.38%. The differences of KQ's between simulation and measurement of 12 MeV, and 18 MV beams for TG-51 were -0.194% and 0.169%, and for TRS-398, they were about -0.465% and 0.097%, respectively. These differences between the two dosimetry protocols [IAEA TRS-398 and AAPM TG-51] from the point of absolute dosimetry were not significant at least when they were used under the same calibration procedure. The good agreement between Monte Carlo and measurement may also be even more important regarding the contribution into the development of radiotherapy treatment planning system, based on Monte Carlo procedures

[Comparison of serum zinc level in the coronary artery disease patients with healthy volunteers]

Several studies have demonstrated that zinc plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular diseases in Western populations. But there are limited data for other racial groups. This study aimed to investigate the association between serum zinc and coronary artery disease [CAD] in Iranian population. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 81 individuals, aged 30 to 70 years, referred to Dr. Heshmat Hospital of Guilan, northern Iran, for routine coronary angiography. Based on the coronary angiogram results, the participants were assigned into 2 groups; 41 CAD patients in case group and 40 healthy ones in control group. Furthermore, data about smoking habit, physical activity and anthropometric indices were collected by questionnaire and using standard protocols. Serum zinc was measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy. The mean serum zinc concentration in the case and control group were 73.50 +/- 1.61microg/dl and 78.47 +/- 1.66microg/dl, respectively. The mean serum zinc concentrations were significantly lower in case group than that in the controls [p<0.05]. Zinc concentration had negative correlation with age [r= -0.23 p<0.05], and positive correlation with weight [r=0.26 p<0.05]. Participants living in rural areas had lower zinc concentration than those in urban [p<0.05]. Serum zinc concentration was significantly lower in Iranian patients with abnormal versus those with a normal angiogram. It seems Serum zinc concentration correlates with some risk factors for coronary artery disease

Comparison of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin [NGAL] with serum creatinine in prediction of kidney recovery after renal transplantation

Because of some insult to kidney during transplantation, assessment of kidney function after the procedure is essential. It would be ideal to find a marker better than creatinine to early predict the acute kidney injury. To compare with creatinine the predictive value of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin [NGAL] in detecting kidney recovery after renal transplantation. We studied 33 patients who received kidney transplantation [deceased [n=20] and live [n=13]] during a 6-month period in 2010. Serum NGAL and creatinine, hemoglobin, and blood glucose were measured at 0,12, 24,48, and 72 hours after transplantation. The need for dialysis and kidney function in one week were studied. There were 16 men and 17 women with the meantSD age of 36.3 +/- 12.2 [range: 14-58] years. Of the studied patients, 6 had delayed graft function [DGF; hemodialysis within the first week of transplant]; 9 had slow graft function [SGF; serum creatinine reduction from transplantation to day 7 <70%], and 23 had immediate graft function [IGF; reduction in serum creatinine >70%]. At any time, serum NGAL, and creatinine levels were significantly higher among patients with DGF [p=0.024] and SGF [p=0.026] compared with those with IGF. However, in those who got IGF vs non-IGF, serum creatinine levels were not significantly different [p=0.59] but serum NGAL levels differed significantly[p=0.020]. Receiver-operating characteristic [ROC] curve and area under curves [AUCs] of serum NGAL and serum creatinine levels on the first post-transplantation day had similar significance in predicting the patient's need to dialysis in the first week. However, using AUC of serum creatinine was not helpful in predicting non-IGF, compared to serum NGAL. The AUCs of the serum NGAL were 0.70 [95% CI: 0.52-0.89] and 0.76 [95% CI: 0.59-0.93] after 12 and 24 hours, respectively [p<0.05]. The highest AUC [0.82] was attributed to serum NGAL of 24 hour [p=0.002]. Serum NGAL level especially 24 hours post-transplantation, seems to be an early accurate predictor of both the need to dialysis and slow graft function within the first week of kidney transplantation

Investigation of indirect contact freezing process in desalination of boshehr beach's saline water

Nowadays, most countries of the world have shortage of water due to many reasons such as population growth, rising of living standards, indiscriminate water use, and so on. Besides, in absence of adequate water resources, desalination of brackish and saline waters have been used to supply potable water. Freezing process is one of the methods which can be used to desalinate saline waters.The aim of this study was to survey freezing process to produce potable water from saline water of Persian Gulf shores. This study was conducted in lab-scale by using indirect contact freezing. Three samples of 50 liter were provided from Bushehr shores. The implemented process steps were freezing [crystallization], separation of crystals, surface washing, and thawing. Freezing of the samples [each in 0.5 liter containers] were performed by a refrigerator at -20°C and 0.1KW/h energy consumption. The removal efficiencies of TDS in the first, second, and third samples by first freezing process were 56, 56, and 51 percent, respectively. Moreover, the removal efficiencies by EC were 42, 44, and 40 percent, respectively. Meanwhile, the removal efficiencies of TDS in first, second, and third samples by second freezing process observed 69, 69, and 68 percent, respectively. Moreover, the removal efficiencies by EC were 61, 60. and 63 percent, respectively. Also, the removal efficiencies of TDS in first, second, and third samples by third freezing process were 72, 73, and 72 percent, respectively. Moreover, the removal efficiencies by EC were 77, 78, and 77 percent, respectively. The production of the potable water by this method was 15-20 percent of the entry water. According to the obtained results, potable water was obtained after third freezing of the saline water. Meanwhile, TDS of the produced water was less than maximum allowed concentration of Iranian standards

Nutritional status of children hospitalized in Tabriz Paediatric Hospital, Islamic Republic of Iran, 2008

This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of children consecutively admitted as inpatients to Tabriz Paediatric Hospital in the north-west of the Islamic Republic of Iran between June and August 2008. A total of 140 children aged 2-12 years were included. Patients' weight, height and triceps skinfold thickness [TSFT] were measured, and nutritional status was evaluated. Evaluation of weight-for-age, height-for-age, weight-for-height and TSFT showed that 48.6%, 30.7%, 32.2% and 14.3% of the patients, respectively, were malnourished. Malnutrition among hospitalized children is worthy of attention, and effective strategies for systematic screening and treatment of malnutrition need to be developed and implemented

storms in Khorasan province

Since there are not many organized search, statistics and information about understanding storms, the present research aims to study and review the storms in Khorasan province with the target of prevention and preparedness. Reports of 18 stations were used in this study including reports of synoptic stations in the south of Khorasan, and data of 3 stations in the west of province such as Birjand, Posht Badam and Tabas in 2003. Data of speed and direction of monthly winds were collected in different years of Meteorological Organization since its foundation. The number of dusty days, absolute temperature and average monthly minimum temperature in stations were also collected and data was analyzed. Wind speeds in the center of the province were less than northern, eastern and southwest due to high mountains. According to the studies, the high speed winds were in different directions but in some directions had higher frequency. The speed of fast winds would cause financial losses and casualties. Since the probability is relatively high, it should be considered as a serious threat

[Comparison of various methods for determination of protein-energy malnutrition with subjective global assessment in hemodialysis patients]

Protein-energy malnutrition [PEM] is prevalent among hemodialysis patients. So far, no study has compared various methods for determination of PEM, including subjective global assessment [SGA], dialysis malnutrition score [DMS], malnutrition inflammation score [MIS], and body mass index [BMI], in hemodialysis patients. The present study was designed to determine sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive and negative predictive values, as well as positive and negative likelihood ratios of DMS, MIS and BMI in comparison with SGA as the most common method for determination of PEM in hemodialysis patients. A total of 291 hemodialysis patients were randomly selected by systematic sampling from among 2302 eligible adult hemodialysis patients in Tehran hospitals. The nutritional status of the patients was assessed by completing SGA, DMS and MIS forms and determining BMI. In addition, after a 12- to 14-hour fast, 4-mL blood samples were obtained from each patient before dialysis for measurement of serum urea, creatinine, albumin and total iron binding capacity. Based on SGA, DMS, MIS, and BMI, the prevalence of mild-to-moderate PEM in Tehrani hemodialysis patients was, respectively, 60.5%, 61.5%, 54%, and 16.5%, and that of severe PEM 1%, 1.5%, 1%, and 1%. In comparison with SGA, the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, area under the receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curve, positive and negative predictive values, and positive and negative likelihood ratios were, respectively, 94%, 88%, 92%, 97%, 93%, 92%, 7.8, and 0.07 for DMS; 87%, 96%, 91%, 97%, 97%, 83%, 22.0, and 0.13 for MIS; and 23%, 91%, 50%, 64%, 80%, 43%, 2.5, and 0.85 for BMI. The results of the present study indicate that the DMS and MIS are almost similar to SGA, in identifying malnutrition in hemodialysis patients, while BMI is not an appropriate index in this regard. In addition, it appears that the DMS is a more appropriate alternative method for SGA in routine hospital assessments

Protective effects of famotidine and vitamin C against radiation induced cellular damage in mouse spermatogenesis process

Radioprotective effect of famotidine was previously shown on radiation induced micronuclei and chromosomal aberrations in human peripheral lymphocytes and mouse bone marrow cells; however, its radioprotective property has never been studied in mouse spermatogenesis. It was also shown that vitamin C as an antioxidant also exert its radioprotective effect on many biological systems, but in some studies no protective effect is reported. Mice were injected by small and nontoxic amount of vitamin C and famotidine [3 and 2 micro g] inter-testicular 2 hours before irradiating by gamma ray. 29 days after irradiation, mice were sacrificed and testes were removed, weighed and either fixed for histological study or homogenized in 1.5 mL de-ionized water and 0.5 mL SDS solution. Sperm head count was done under a light microscope. Survival fractions were calculated and plotted as a function of dose of gamma rays. The sperm head count in groups treated with vitamin C and famotidine before gamma irradiation show significant increase compared to groups only irradiated by gamma rays [p<0.01]. Values of calculated dose reduction factor [DRF] are 2 and 2.68 for vitamin C and famotidine respectively. Both vitamin C and famotidine could reduce radiation induced pathological alterations in seminiferous tubules. These results suggest that vitamin C and famotidine have radioprotective property and could reduce cytotoxic effect of radiation in mouse spermatogenesis, one of the most radiosensitive biological systems. The possible mechanism of protection by famotidine and vitamin C might be radical scavenging. The radioprotection index for famotidine was found to be more than vitamin C

[Association of energy-protein malnutrition with risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in hemodialysis patients]

The risk of cardiovascular diseases among hemodialysis patients with energy-protein malnutrition [PEM] is higher compared to well-nourished hemodialysis patients. Traditional risk factors for cardiovascular diseases such as a high body mass index and serum total cholesterol cannot explain the high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases in hemodialysis patients with PEM. Therefore, the present study was designed to study the association of PEM with nontraditional risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in hemodialysis patients. A total of 291 hemodialysis patients were selected with systematic randoml sampling from among 2302 eligible adult hemodialysis patients in Tehran hospitals. The nutritional status of the patients was determined by subjective global assessment [SGA]. In addition, dialysis malnutrition score [DMS] and malnutrition inflammation score [MIS] of the patients were determined and their dietary intakes assessed using a 4-day dietary recall including 2 dialysis days and 2 non-dialysis days. Also, after a 12- to 14-hour fast, an 8 mL- sample of blood was taken from each patient before dialysis and serum urea, creatinine, albumin, CRP, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, MDA, NO, endothelin-1, and Lp[a] were measured. The serum concentrations of CRP and sICAM-1 were significantly higher in hemodialysis patients with PEM as compared to those without PEM [p<0.01], whereas there were no significant differences in serum concentrations of sVCAM-1, sE-selectin, MDA, NO, endothelin-1 or Lp[a] between the two groups. In addition, compared to hemodialysis patients with PEM types IIa or IIb, those with PEM type I had significantly lower serum CRP and sICAM-1 levels [p <0.01]. There were significant direct correlations between DMS and MIS, as two PEM indicators, with serum CRP and sICAM-1 [P <0.01]. The results of the present study indicate that nontraditional risk factors of cardiovascular diseases do not increase in hemodialysis patients with PEM type I, whereas serum CRP and sICAM-1, two risk factors of cardiovascular diseases, increase in PEM type II, which is accompanied with inflammation

[ evaluation of probiotic effect of L.acidophilus on the immune responses in BALB/C mice against transplanted tumor derived from breast tissue]

Antitumor effect of lactic acid bacteria have been shown in many studies, this effect maybe due to the immunomodulatory properties of these bacteria. In present work we have studied the effect of Lactobacillus [L] acidophilus on the immune responses of BALB/c mice against transplanted tumor derived from breast tissue. 6-8 week-old in-bred BALB/c mice, each weighing 25-30 g, were used. The mice were divided into two groups each consisted of 9 mice as test and control groups. The L.acidophilus ATCC4356 strain was used in this study. It was inoculated in MRS agar and cultivated overnight under anaerobic conditions then collected and resuspended in PBS. After preparation of proper amount of this suspension it was orally [2.7 x 10[8] CFU/ml] administered to the mice with a gastric feeding 2 weeks before tumor transplantation and 3 weeks after that, with 3 days break and 7 days administration. The control mice received an equal volume of PBS during the study. Results of the present work showed that L. acidophilus can increase the production of immunomodulatory cytokine IL-12 and decrease the TGF-alpha which can suppress immune response. Moreover, the growth rate of tumor in group which received L. acidophilus were decreased and the results of delayed type hypersensitivity [DTH] of this group in 48h were better than control group. The results of our study suggest that daily use of L. acidophilus can regulate immune response with Th1 dominance and may be helpful for cancer immunotherapy, but further studies are needed to investigate the other mechanisms of this effect

[Synergistic effect of rCagA and LPS of H. pylori O2 serotype in induction of proper immune response against H. pylori]

Background: H. pylori is one of gastric bacterial infectious agents that reported from world whole. This organism is heterogen and have hyper variable regions in its genome that to cause organism escape from immune response. H. pylori cagA+ strains will report that is stimulating factor for adenocarcinoma, gastritis in infected persons. H. pylori LPS have less toxicity, mitogenicity and pyrogenicity than Entrobactericeae. In this study we investigated the LPS and rCagA senergistic effect on stimulation of Th1 immune response in mice model

Materials and Methods: LPS of H. pylori O[2] serotype was extracted by hot phenol-water method. Proper conserved fragment of cagA was expressed in proper vectors. These antigens were injected to Balb/c mice and immune response was assayed by ELISA

Results: the IgG1/IgG2a ratio in the immunized mice with rCagA and rCagA plus CpG was <1, indicating a Th1 type response, while the control group was >1, indicating a strong Th2 response. In mice immunized with LPS and rCagA, the immune response elevated which indicated synergistic effect of this antigen on stimulating of strong immune response against H. pylori infection

Conclusion: effective immunizations against H. pylori will possible affected treatment in next future. Protective immune response in H. pylori is balance between Th1/Th2.These data suggest that immunization with rCagA and LPS promoted a Th1 immune response. H. pylori rCagA and LPS serve as an excellent antigen for immunization. In conclusion, we recommended multicomponent vaccine contain of rCagA and LPS for vaccine formulation against H. pylori infection

Comparison of enterocystoplasty and ureterocystoplasty before kidney transplantation

Augmentation cystoplasty before or after renal transplantation is an option for patients with end-stage renal disease who are candidates for renal transplantation and have low capacity and poorly compliant bladders. To compare two surgical methods of bladder augmentation-enterocystoplasty [EC] and ureterocystoplasty [UC]-before kidney transplantation, and their outcome with that in kidney recipients who had normal bladder function. During a 20-year period [1988-2008], 1406 renal transplantation were performed in our center by our team. In 16 patients having a mean age of 18.8 years, EC [group A] and in 8 with mean age of 11.5 years, UC [group B] were performed before renal transplantation. These two groups were compared with a control group of 30 recipients with normal bladder [group C] with mean age of 15.6 years, for kidney function, graft and patient survival, and the frequency of urinary tract infection [UTI]. There was normal graft function in 11 of group A, 7 of group B, and 24 of group C patients, during a mean follow-up of 73.1 months. The mean +/- SD serum creatinine in follow-up was 1.72 +/- 0.31, 1.37 +/- 0.13 and 1.33 +/- 0.59 mg/dL in groups A, B and C, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed among the 3 studied groups in terms of 1-, 5- and 10-year graft and patient survivals. Number of episodes of febrile UTI requiring hospitalization was 23, 6 and 2 in groups A, B and C, respectively. UTI and urosepsis were significantly more frequent in group A than groups B [p=0.025] and C [p=0.001]; no significant difference was observed in the frequency between groups B and C [p=0.310]. Both EC and UC are equally recommended before renal transplantation for reconstruction of the lower urinary tract; use of each method should be individualized depending on specific conditions of recipient

[ probiotic effects of Lactobacillus casei in BALB/c mice on the Tumor growth rate bearing breast cancer]

Antitumor effect of lactic acid bacteria [LAB] have been shown in many studies, this effect maybe as a result of immunomodulatory properties of these bacteria. In present work, we have studied the effect of Lactobacillus casei on the tumour growth rate in BALB/c mices bearing breast cancer. 6-8 week-old In-bred BALB/c mice, each weighing 25-30 g, were used. There are two experimental group consisted of 9 mices that they were used as controls in each assay. The L.casei ATCCT 39392 strain used in this study was inoculated in MRS broth and cultivated for a day at 37 °C under anaerobic conditions, collected by centrifugation and resuspend in PBS. After preparation of proper amount of these suspension it was orally administered to the mice with a gastric feeding, Control mice received an equal volume of PBS in duration of study. Results of this study showed that oral administration of L.casei can inhibit the tumour growth and increased the local inflammation in DTH assay as a result of increase in immune responses efficiency. In conclusion oral administration of Lactobacillus casei may regulate immune responses skewed Th1 balance and maybe helpful for cancer immunotherapy, but further studies is needed to investigate the other mechanisms of this effect