[Standardization of the neuropsychological test of nepsy on 3-4 years old children]

The current study aimed to standardize the neuropsychological test of NEPSY on 3-4 years old children. Statistical population of the study was 3-4 years old children in Isfahan city [Iran]. The research sample consisted of 400 kindergarten children who were selected randomly with multiple-stage sampling method. The research instrument was the neuropsychological test of NEPSY. The data were analyzed using descriptive method for factor analysis and determining the validity and reliability. The results of factor analysis gave the following five factors: executive functions/attention, language, sensory motor functions, visuo-spatial processing, and memory and learning. Totally, 51.13% of variance was explained. The reliability coefficient for the above factors was obtained as 0.64, 0.71, 0.78, 0.67 and 0.85, respectively [P<0.001]. NEPSY test can be an appropriate and valid instrument for early diagnosing neuropsychological deficits in 3-4 years old children.

Antibacterial effect of the Persian Gulf sea cucumber Holoturia. SP extracts on three strain of Escherichia coli

Sea cucumber is a traditional food and medical item and has been reported to exhibit Antioxidant, antifungal, anti tumoral and antibacterial bioactivity. The objective of this study is to describe the antibacterial activity of 4 extracts of Holoturia. Sp [sea cucumber], collected from Hengam Island of Persian Gulf. Methanol, hexane, aqueous and chloroform extracts from body wall tissue of the sea cucumber were screened for antibacterial activity against three strains of Escherichia coli Top 10 F', TG1 and K12 using disc diffusion and broth microdilution tests methods. The growth of all these strains were inhibited using concentration from 0.78 to 100 mg/ml of methanol, hexan and chloroform extracts. Among the extracts just methanol and chloroform with 100 mg/ml had bactericidal effect on TG1 and K12 strains. On the other hand, Aqueous extract had induced growth in of the all strains. The results suggest the possibility of applying sea cucumber as source of potential anti bacterial agents, whose compounds can be good candidates to make antibiotic products

[Detection of unknown deletions in alpha globin genes in alpha thalassemia carriers using real-time PCR]

Alpha-thalassemia is one of the most prevalent hemoglobin disorders in the world and it is a common hereditary condition caused by deletion of one or more alpha-globin genes. Common alpha-thalassemia deletions like 3.7 kb, 4.2 kb, 20.5 kb and Med can be detected by Multiplex PCR. There are, however, some unknown deletions that can not be detected by the mentioned method or even by direct DNA sequencing. In the present study, Real-time PCR was used to determine the presence or absence of unknown deletions. Real-time PCR was performed using intercalating dye SYBR Green I and alpha1, alpha2 and CLCN7 genes were amplified. Data analysis was conducted using comparative threshold method [delta delta CT] for determination of Gene dosage of alpha1-globin and alpha2-globin genes. The results showed the ratio of 0.90 +/- 0.16 for normal individuals and the ratio of 0.32 +/- 0.15 for carrier samples with deletions. In addition, Melting curve analysis confirmed the specific amplification of target genes. The Real-time PCR assay is simple, rapid, and reliable. It can be applied for direct determination of unknown deletions in Alpha-thalassemia carriers