RESUMO
This study presents the first ever data of extracting chitin from the Chiton shell, which was then converted to the soluble chitosan by soaking in the 45% NaOH solution. The obtained chitin and chitosan were characterized by the seven different methods. Antioxidant activity of the extracted chitosan was also evaluated using the two methods. The shell content was divided into calcium carbonate [90.5 %], protein [5.2%], and chitin [4.3 %]. Due to the results of element analysis and 1H NMR, the final degree of deacetylation of chitosan was 90%. Surprisingly, a significant amount of Fe was accidentally found in the shell after demineralization, and removed from the solution through the filtering. Nonetheless, remained Fe in the extracted chitin and chitosan was 20 times higher than those previously reported from the shell of shrimps and crabs. Presence of this amount of Fe could describe why the produced chitosan was darker compared to the commercial chitosan. Antioxidant activity tests showed that the IC[50] of the extracted chitosan was higher than one estimated for the commercial chitosan. Antioxidant activity of the extracted chitosan is even better than the commercial version and may be used in pharmaceutical industry as a source of antioxidant
RESUMO
Background: Marine organisms provide appreciable source of novel bioactive compounds with pharmacological potential. There is little information in correlation with anti-cancer activities of brittle star. In the present study, anti-neoplastic efficacy of Ophiocoma erinaceus methanol extract against human cervical cancer cells was investigated
Methods: The HeLa cells were cultured and exposed to brittle star methanol extract for 24 and 48 hr. The anti-proliferative properties were examined by MTT assay and the type of cell death induced was evaluated through morphological changes, flow cytometry, Annexin kit and caspase assay. To assess the anti-metastatic activity, wound healing assay was conducted and photographs were taken from the scratched areas. Further, to understand molecular mechanism of cell apoptosis, the expression of Bax was evaluated
Results: The morphological analysis and MTT assay exhibited that the brittle star methanol extract can exert dose dependent inhibitory effect on cells viability [IC[50], 50 Mu g/ml]. Flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy demonstrated increment of sub-G1 peak, early and late apoptosis in HeLa treated cells. Wound healing migration assay showed that brittle star extract has anti-neoplastic efficacy by inhibiting cell migration. Caspase assay and RT-PCR analysis revealed that brittle star methanol extract induced caspase dependent apoptosis in HeLa cells through up-regulation of caspase-3 followed by up-regulation of Bax gene which is a hallmark of intrinsic pathway recruitment
Conclusion: These results represented further insights into the chemopreventive potential of brittle star as a valuable source of unknown therapeutic agents against human cervical cancer
RESUMO
Background: Women with unmet need are those who are sexually active in the reproductive age, but do not use any method of contraception despite they do not want more children. These women are at risk of unwanted pregnancies and abortions that can lead to maternal morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and related factors to unmet need for family planning among reproductive aged women in Khuzestan province, Iran, 2012-2013
Methods: Samples were selected randomly from nine cities in the province. Data was collected using a questionnaire which was completed by interview. A 46 item questionnaire was designed to collect data about unmet need in family planning. Data were analysed using SPSS ver19. Descriptive statistics, Independent t-test, chi-square, and logistic regression tests were utilized for analyzing data
Results: Unmet need was 80 [3.42] for limiting and 288 [9.59] for spacing, The prevalence of unmet need in Khuzestan Province was 13%. The unmet need group had more pregnancies and live children compared to the met need group [P<0.05]. The women with her husband with primary education compared to illiterate ones, women with university education compared to illiterate ones, women with good knowledge about contraceptive methods compared to those with poor knowledge, were less likely to have unmet need
Conclusion: The unmet need for family planning in the Khuzestan province is rather high compare to some statistics from other cities as well as in the whole country. Improving awareness about family planning can help women to decide about safer and more reliable contraceptive methods