Impact of gamma rays on the Phaffia rhodozyma genome revealed by RAPD-PCR

Phaffia rhodozyma is a red yeast which produces astaxanthin as the major carotenoid pigment. Astaxanthin is thought to reduce the incidence of cancer and degenerative diseases in man. It also enhances the immune response and acts as a free-radical quencher, a precursor of vitamin A, or a pigment involved in the visual attraction of animals as mating partners. The impact of gamma irradiation was studied on the Phaffia rhodozyma genome. Ten mutant strains, designated Gam1-Gam10, were obtained using gamma irradiation. Ten decamer random amplified polymorphic DNA [RAPD] primers were employed to assess genetic changes. Nine primers revealed scorable polymorphisms and a total of 95 band positions were scored; amongst which 38 bands [37.5%] were polymorphic. Primer F with 3 bands and primer J20 with 13 bands produced the lowest and the highest number of bands, respectively. Primer A16 produced the highest number of polymorphic bands [70% polymorphism] and primer F showed the lowest number of polymorphic bands [0% polymorphism]. Genetic distances were calculated using Jaccard's coefficient and the UPGMA method. A dendrogram was created using SPSS [version 11.5] and the strains were clustered into four groups. RAPD markers could distinguish between the parental and the mutant strains of P. rhodozyma. RAPD technique showed that some changes had occurred in the genome of the mutated strains. This technique demonstrated the capability to differentiate between the parental and the mutant strains

[Association between anti- beta 2GP1 autoantibody with Acute Coronary Syndrome]

Atherosclerosis is a chronic autoimmune inflammatory disease that remains the most common cause of death in the globe. This affects the vascular wall and leads to coronary artery diseases. Several studies have evaluated the association between auto-antibodies and cardiovascular disease. One of the candidate autoantigens is the Beta 2-glycoprotein I [beta 2GPI]. Determining risk factor of the coronary heart diseases is of huge significance, so we carried out the comparative study of Anti- beta 2GP1 autoantibody level in patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome and healthy controls in Gorgan, Iran. A case-control, study was conducted on 179 subjects in 2007 in whom 79 subjects were healthy [Control group] and 100 subjects had coronary artery disease [Case group]. A questionnaire was filled by all subjects. Blood and serum samples were assessed by commercial ELISA tests measuring IgM and IgG auto-antibodies to beta 2GP1 antigen. Data were analyzed using student t-test and Fisher test. The positivity of IgG and IgM isotypes for anti- beta 2-GPI antibodies in serum of the cases were%68.6 and%43, respectively. Our results also indicated that frequency of IgG and IgM autoanti-beta2-GPI isotypes in serum of the controls were%48.1 and%2.5, respectively. The results from the serum of the subjects showed that IgG-antibody against beta 2GPI was found in%50 of the female cases and%73.2 of the male cases [P<0.01]. On the other hand, this values were%48.5 of females and%47.8 of males in control group [P<0.05]. Our finding shows that there is a relation between serum levels of IgG-antibodies against beta 2GP and coronary artery diseases

[ efficacy of community-based intervention in prevention of self-immolation]

Suicide by burning oneself is rare in developed countries, but more frequent in developing countries. Based on Iranian official data, 27% to 36% of patients may who committed suicide were via deliberate self-burning. Self-immolation caused up to 37% of all admissions to in Iran burn centers. Approximately 80% of hospitalized self-immolation patients die. All descriptive self-immolation studies in Iran emphasize the need for implementing prevention programs. The Objective of this study was describing the effectiveness of a community based program targeting prevention of self-immolation. In a Quasi experimental project, the populations of two Iranian cities; Gilangharb [Intervention] and Sarpolzahab [Reference]; were participants in this intervention study. Hospital data collection on self-immolation patients and suicide attempts [all mechanisms] was made from March 21 1999 to March 20 2003. The first 12 months of the study provided baseline data, while the last 3 years comprised of a community based intervention, using a mix of passive and active interventions. Videos showing victim stories were an important component in the prevention program. Compared to baseline, the mean self-immolation attempts rate decreased by 57% after the implementation of the intervention in Gilangharb [P<0.05]. Moreover, in Gilangharb a 19% decrease of suicide attempts [all mechanisms] was observed while the corresponding reference city rate increased by 24% [n.s.]. While the suicide attempt rates were similar in the two populations during baseline, the mean rates observed during the intervention period differed significantly [p<0.001]. A community prevention program targeting self-immolation can be effective. Local data and the showing of videos depicting victim stories from self-immolation attempts provided a stimulus for community action