Identification of Reliable reference genes for quantification of MicroRNAs in serum samples of sulfur mustard-exposed veterans

Objective: In spite of accumulating information about pathological aspects of sulfur mustard [SM], the precise mechanism responsible for its effects is not well understood. Circulating microRNAs [miRNAs] are promising biomarkers for disease diagnosis and prognosis. Accurate normalization using appropriate reference genes, is a critical step in miRNA expression studies. In this study, we aimed to identify appropriate reference gene for microRNA quantification in serum samples of SM victims

Materials and Methods: In this case and control experimental study, using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction [qRT-PCR], we evaluated the suitability of a panel of small RNAs including SNORD38B, SNORD49A, U6, 5S rRNA, miR-423-3p, miR-191, miR-16 and miR-103 in sera of 28 SM-exposed veterans of Iran-Iraq war [1980-1988] and 15 matched control volunteers. Different statistical algorithms including geNorm, Normfinder, best-keeper and comparative delta-quantification cycle [Cq] method were employed to find the least variable reference gene

Results: miR-423-3p was identified as the most stably expressed reference gene, and miR- 103 and miR-16 ranked after that

Conclusion: We demonstrate that non-miRNA reference genes have the least stability in serum samples and that some house-keeping miRNAs may be used as more reliable reference genes for miRNAs in serum. In addition, using the geometric mean of two reference genes could increase the reliability of the normalizers

Transplanting p75-suppressed bone marrow stromal cells promotes functional behavior in a rat model of spinal cord injury

Bone marrow stromal cells [BMSC] have been successfully employed for movement deficit recovery in spinal cord injury [SCI] rat models. One of the unsettled problems in cell transplantation is the relative high proportion of cell death, specifically after neural differentiation. According to our previous studies, p75 receptor, known as the death receptor, is only expressed in BMSC in a time window of 6-12 hours following neural induction. Moreover, we have recently reported a decreased level of apoptosis in p75-suppressed BMSC in vitro. Therefore, our objective in this research was to explore the functional effects of transplanting p75:siRNA expressing BMSC in SCI rats. Laminectomy was performed at L1 vertebra level to expose spinal cord for contusion using weight-drop method. PBS-treated SCI rats [group one] were used as negative controls, in which cavitations were observed 10 weeks after SCI. pRNA-U6.1/Hygro- [group two, as a mock] and pRNA-U6.1/Hygro-p75 shRNA- [group three] transfected BMSC were labeled with a fluorescent dye, CM-DiI, and grafted into the lesion site 7 days after surgery. The Basso-Beattie-Bresnehan locomotor rating scale was performed weekly for 10 weeks. There was a significant difference [P

Civilian casualties of Iraqi ballistic missile attack to Tehran, capital of Iran / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the pattern of causalities of Iraqi ballistic missile attacks on Tehran, the capital of Iran, during Iraq-Iran war.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data were extracted from the Army Staff Headquarters based on daily reports of Iranian army units during the war.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>During 52 days, Tehran was stroked by 118 Al-Hussein missiles (a modified version of Scud missile). Eighty-six missiles landed in populated areas. During Iraqi missile attacks, 422 civilians died and 1 579 injured (4.9 deaths and 18.3 injuries per missile). During 52 days, 8.1 of the civilians died and 30.4 injured daily. Of the cases that died, 101 persons (24%) were excluded due to the lack of information. Among the remainders, 179 (55.8%) were male and 142 (44.2%) were female. The mean age of the victims was 25.3 years+/-19.9 years. Our results show that the high accuracy of modified Scud missiles landed in crowded areas is the major cause of high mortality in Tehran. The presence of suitable warning system and shelters could reduce civilian casualties.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The awareness and readiness of civilian defense forces, rescue services and all medical facilities for dealing with mass casualties caused by ballistic missile attacks are necessary.</p>

Civilian casualties of Iranian cities by ballistic missile attacks during the Iraq-Iran war (1980-1988) / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the nature and extent of Iranian casualties by ballistic missile attacks during the eight years of the Iraq-Iran war.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The data collected about Iraqi missile strikes on Iranian cities included the following: date and time, number and type of missiles, cities targeted, and injuries and deaths resulting from impacts of missiles in civilian areas. The data were extracted from a database that was constructed by the army staff headquarters based on daily reports of Iranian army units during the war.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Over a period of eight years (1980-1988), Iraqi army fired 533 ballistic missiles at Iranian territories. From those, 414 missiles (77.7%) landed on Iranian cities. The impacts of these missiles caused the deaths of 2,312 civilians and injured 11,625 others. Three types of ballistic missiles were used: FROG-7, Scud, and Al-Hussein (a modified version of the Scud missile). Twenty-seven cities in Iran were struck by Iraqi ballistic missiles. The highest mortalities from ballistic missiles were in Dezful and Tehran. Iraqi missile attacks continued for 90 months (2,748 days).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our results point to the necessity of investigating the psychological consequences of Iraqi ballistic missile attacks among survivors in 27 Iranian cities during the eight years of the Iraq-Iran war.</p>

Quality of life in war related bilateral lower limb amputees: results of a national project from Iran

To measure quality of life in bilateral lower limb amputees due to the Iran-Iraq war. A group consisting of 327 male [from all 576] war related bilateral lower limb amputees was surveyed. The 36-item short-form health survey [SF-36] questionnaire was used to measure quality of life. Socio-demographic data were collected by using another questionnaire. The average age of the amputees was 42.05 [std. D.: 6.3] years. About 20% [n=63] had history of hospitalization during the preceding year of the study. Salary dissatisfaction was reported in Half of the patients5/50% [n=165]. The highest and lowest mean scores in the study population were found for social function [66.67 +/- 26.74] and bodily pain [47.97 +/- 24.02] respectively. The quality of life in the cases in all eight SF-36 domains including: physical function, physical role limitation, bodily pain, mental health, role emotion, vitality, social function and general health were significantly lower than Iranian normal population. Smoking, unemployment, phantom pain, history of hospitalization, salary dissatisfaction were significantly accompany with lower quality of life. In regression analysis hospitalization and salary satisfaction played an important role on physical and mental component scales respectively. The findings revealed that the bilateral lower limb amputees suffer from a poor quality of life. This also indicates the need for additional rehabilitation and health services

Urogenital history in veterans exposed to high-dose sulfur mustard a preliminary study of self-reported data

To date, little information exists regarding urogenital disease in those who have been exposed to sulfur mustard [SM]. We report the self-reported history of urologic conditions and findings on physical examination in a group of male veterans 19 to 26 years after exposed to high-dose sulfur mustard. Data on urologic health conditions of a nationwide health survey were used in this study. This survey included all 289 Iranian male veterans who had been exposed to high doses of SM between 1983 and 1989. Demographic data, exposure-related data, health status, and also self-reported lifetime history of urologic tract infections, pyelonephritis, urinary calculi, kidney failure, and urogenital neoplasms were specifically concerned. The mean age of the veterans was 45.0 +/- 7.5 years [range, 30 to 75 years]. An interval of 19 to 26 years had passed from exposure to SM. Fifty veterans [17.3%] had a positive history of urinary calculi, 25 [8.7%] had recurrent urinary tract infections, 5 [1.7%] had BPH, and 2 [0.7%] had kidney failure. None of them had experienced urogenital malignancies. Neither recurrent urinary tract infections nor urinary calculi were significantly associated with age, medications and their doses, or SM-reduced late complications in other organs. This study adds the prevalence of self-reported urologic conditions to our limited knowledge on SM-exposed veterans' health condition, without finding any link neither to demographic, nor to the severity of health complications related to SM exposure