[Cloning, gene expression analysis, and phylogenic relationship of dbat gene from Iranian endemic yew [Taxus baccata L.]]

Taxol is one of the most important anticancer agents that its supply mainly depends on biological processes. 10 - deacetyl baccatin III- 0- acetyl transferase [dbat] gene is one of the key genes in Taxol biosynthetic pathway and it is expected that overexpression of this gene would result in an increased production of taxol in biological systems. Investigation of dbat gene characteristics from Iranian endemic yew, Gene expression analysis and Construction of overexpression vector for this gene. First, sequence of the gene was cloned and then, sequence characteristics identified with Bioinformatics analysis. Gene expression analysis was performed under methyl jasmonate elicitation in several time-courses. Finally in order to construct overexpression vector, the sequence was cloned under the control of the CaMV35S promoter in to pCAMBIAI304. Comparison of sequence similarities indicated that this sequence is most similar to Taxus x hunnewelliana. There was one unique amino acid substitution and investigating substituted amino acid revealed that, this replacement can not change overall characteristics of the enzyme and thus it would result in a functional enzyme. Analysis of gene expression showed that in response to methyl jasmonate, gene expression levels increased to maximum rate up to 24 times at 12 hours after elicitation. Finally gene insertion in suitable site of overexpression vector, confirmed by digest with restriction enzymes. Elicitation of shoot cuttings of Taxus would be a suitable alternative for Taxiis cell cultures in gene expression analysis. Simplicity, feasibility, and deletion of time-consuming processes of cell culture are its main advantages

Effect of pre-emptive gabapentin on postoperative pain following lower extremity orthopaedic surgery under spinal anaesthesia

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Gabapentin has demonstrated efficacy in clinical trials as a pre-emptive analgesic and in acute postoperative pain management. However, our experience with the drug is still limited. The present study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of gabapentin on reduction of postoperative pain in the first 24 hours after internal fixation of the tibia under spinal anaesthesia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In a double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trial, 64 American Society of Anesthesiologists Class I or II patients, who underwent internal fixation of the tibia, were administered 300 mg of gabapentin or a placebo two hours before surgery. The postoperative pain was assessed using Visual Analogue Scale two, 12 and 24 hours after surgery. The time from the end of surgery until the first bolus dose of morphine on demand (pain score > 4) and the total morphine requirement were recorded. Patients were also asked about the possible side effects of gabapentin.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pain score was significantly lower in the gabapentin group at two hours post surgery (p-value is 0.004), while the scores at 12 and 24 hours post surgery were not significantly different between the two groups. No side effect of gabapentin was observed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pre-emptive use of gabapentin 300 mg orally significantly decreases postoperative pain two hours after surgery.</p>