Investigation of Telomerase activity and hTERT gene expression in MCF7 cells treated with papaverine

Introduction: Telomere maintenance is essential for the continued proliferation of dividing cells, and is implicated in chromosome stability and cell immortalization. Telomerase activity, that allows cancer cells to maintain their telomeric DNA for an indefinite replicative capacity, is an attractive target against cancer. A well known benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, papaverine, we focused on to evaluate its antiproliferaive effects on breast cancer MCF7 cells

Methods: Cytotoxicity of the commercially available pure compound papaverine HCl [Sigma] was determined by MTT assay. A modified quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction [PCR]-based telomerase repeat amplification protocol [TRAP] was used to estimate relative telomerase activity in papaverine-treated cells in comparison with the untreated control cells. Relative expression level of the catalytic subunit of telomerase [hTERT] gene was estimated using real time reverse transcription-PCR [RT-PCR]

Results: IC50 concentration of papaverine after 48 hours treatment was measured to 120 micromolar. At this concentration telomerase activity showed a considerable decrease [almost 70% in comparison with untreated control cells], in a concentration dependent manner. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR experiments indicated a similar reduction in transcription level of hTERT gene under treatment with papaverine

Conclusion: Papaverine is a potent natural compound in suppression of cancer cell immortality most probably by anti-telomerase activity. It is a valuable putative compound for further development of promising anti-cancer agents

[ effect of magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles on mice liver and kidney]

In spite of frequent produce and use of magnetic nanoparticles in biological fields, there are few studies on their side effects, especially under in-vivo conditions. Method: In this research, the effect of the single-dose intraperitoneal injection of DMSA [dimercaptosuccinic acid] coated magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles [Fe3O4] in different doses [50, 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg] on liver and kidney function was studied. Clusters of iron oxide nanoparticles were observed in treatment mice liver and kidney tissues as dark blue accumulations with Prussian blue staining up to 4 days after administration; so, the nanoparticles were absorbed into and were accumulated in these organs. No histological disorders were observed in the tissue sections in comparison with controls. Considering biochemical analysis, the mean amounts of SGOT, SGPT, and LDH enzymes, also albumin, uric acid, urea and creatinine were not different significantly than control group; but in contrast to the control group, the mean numbers of the blood cells were decreased significantly in treatment groups with doses higher than 50 mg/kg. During the study, no death was found in animals. The data suggest that the future applications of DMSA-coated magnetic iron oxide in medicine and biology has not probably toxic effects on health human

[Factors affecting the determination of secondary sex ratio]

Secondary sex ratio [SSR], i.e. the gender ratio of fetuses reaching viability has faced a declining trend in most societies in recent years. The aim of this study was to determine the contributing factors such as season of conception, type of pregnancy, housing conditions, monthly income and financial stress on SSR in Iran. In this cross-sectional study, 202 couples with children under one year old were studied. They were selected using two stage random sampling method from two healthcare centers in Tehran. Financial stress of parents was assessed based on a valid questionnaire. Data regarding other variables were gathered through a checklist. Uni-and multi-variate logistic regression tests were used to analyze the data [p<0.05]. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed a significant relationship between financial stress test score [OR=1.056, p=0.024] and rental housing [OR=1.89, p=0.029] and female newborns. Financial stress not only has physical and moral consequences, but also might play a major role in determining the sex ratio of future generations. Therefore, it is highly important that more effective guidelines be considered for improving welfare conditions and solving the housing problem

Seasonal changes of pronephros lymphoid tissue in grass carp [Ctenopharingodon idella]: a histometrical and histological study

The major lymphoid tissues in teleost fish are the kidneys, thymus, spleen and mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue including the skin, gills and intestine. The head of kidney [pronephros] is an important haematopoietic organ and has morphological similarities with the bone marrow in higher vertebrates. In this study, during 12 months from August 2002 to July 2003, 120 grass carp [10 fish/month] were harvested from 3 fish culture ponds in Ahvaz. The water, weather temperatures and light duration of days [photoperiod] were recorded. After biometrical examination of age, weight and the length of the fishes, the whole kidneys were removed from abdominal cavity and samples were fixed in bouin's solution for light microscopy and in glutaraldehyde for electron microscopy. The results showed that the lymphoid tissue distribution has significant changes during different seasons so that, the mean ± SEM of lymphoid tissue distribution in hot seasons [33.53 +/- 0.59 mm[2]/cm[2] was more than cold seasons [19.20 +/- 0.65 mm/cm[2]. Also the statistical results showed that water temperature has more significant [P<0.05] effect on lymphoid tissue. Degenerated lymphoid cells with pale and vacuolated cytoplasm were observed. A reversed correlation was found between the number of normal and degenerated lymphocytes. Electron microscopy revealed that degenerated lymphocytes were devoid of membranous organelles, their cytoplasms were vacuolated and the nuclear envelope had some alterations

Measurement of measles antibody in 157 children aged 4-6 years referred to Amirkola Children Hospital [2003-2004]

Measles is a febrile viral disease that spreads from person to person via respiratory route. Measles vaccination is done to produce protective levels of antibody against this virus. In regions where children have not received measles vaccine, the disease causes about one million deaths per year. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the measles antibodies in serum of children aged 4-6 years in Babol. This descriptive and analytical study was carried out on 157 serums of 4-6 year old children who received two doses of measles vaccine at 9 and 15 months of age. ELISA test was used to determine the serum antibodies against measles disease in these children. Among 157 subjects, 91[57.9%] were male and 66 [42.1%] were female. The mean age of children aged 4-6 years was 5 +/- 0.77. The highest mean antibody titer [90.3 IU/ml] was seen in 4 year old children and the lowest antibody titer [49 IU/ml] was seen in 6 year old children. No significant difference was seen in the mean antibody titer between male and female, but the mean of antibody level decreased significantly from 4 to 6 year children [p=0.03]. The results show that because of reducing the levels of antibody below protective level at the age of 6, we recommend a revaccination of measles at this age

[Evaluation of depression after tubal ligation]

Tubal ligation is an effective and convenient means of contraception and is becoming increasingly popular as a birth control technique in the world. Aim of this study is to compare depression degree before and after tubal ligation. For this purpose, 60 women with 23-51 years old referring to Shiraz Hospital who were candidates for tubal ligation were chosen and evaluated. Women and #101;s depression degree was assessed by Beck depression inventory one day before and six months after operation. Pre and postoperative results were compared by paired t-test. The mean score of depression before operation was 9.42 +/- 8.85 and in six months later was 17.47 +/- 11.14 [P < 0.0001]. If the significant difference will be approved by similar studies, importance of follow up and evaluation of probable factors such as biological or psycho-social are advised so that by proper interventions, we will be able to prevent probable depression in this group of women. The results of this study revealed significantly higher degree of depression after tubal ligation. We could point to some contributing factors such as: changes in the patient and #101;s self-image, feeling of irreversibility of operation, fear of negative evaluation of other, negative attitude of husband and some biological factors. If these findings will be confirmed in future studies, we can plan proper interventions for prevention of depression in this group of women