effect of Migri-Heal on nitric oxide production in an in vitro inflammatory model of primary microglial cells

Background: Recently, much attention has been directed towards considering activated microgelial cells as putative targets for treatment of neurological disorders. MigriHeal as a novel herbal remedy was introduced for the treatment of migraine headaches. The previous researches has shown that MigriHea extracts can decrease NO in an in vitro inflammatory model. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of MigriHeal on NO generation from LPS- stimulated microglia cells

Materials and Methods: Neonatal rat primary microglial cells were isolated from the mixed glial cultures and the purity of the cultures was determined by immunocytochemistry. Microglial cells were pretreated with Migri-Heal and activated by 1microg/ml LPS. Subsequently, NO levels in the culture supernatants were measured by a griess reaction. Our results showed that Migri-Heal 50microg/ml significantly reduced NO level in inflamed microglia in a dose-dependent manner

Results: The results showed that different concentrations of Migri-Heal had no prominent effect on cell viability in presence of LPS as compared with the control group. In addition, the pretreatment of microglia cells with Migri-Heal can prevent from a morphological changes of the cells into the round and phagocytic shape

Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that MigriHeal might have NO scavenging properties. Integrative studies are warranted to uncover the novel pharmacological insights of this herbal remedy as an putative therapeutic approach against diseases -associated with inflammation

[Beta globine gene mutations in blood transfusion-dependent beta -thalassemia major patients in Kurdistan Province hospitals]

Background and Aim: Beta-thalassemia is a common autosomal recessive disorder of hemoglobin synthesis. About 200 mutations of beta globin genes have been detected .This study was performed to determine beta globin gene mutations in blood transfusion dependent patients in Kurdistan Province hospitals from June 2012 to April 2014

Material and Methods: This descriptive study included sixthy eight blood transfusion dependent patients with beta- thalassemia major who had referred to Kurdistan Province hospital.Patients and their parents completed our questionnaires. Based on CBC and hemoglobin electro-phoresis results diagnosis of beta thalassemia was made. 5 ml blood was obtained from every participant and DNA was extracted by using standard salting out method. Then we investigated beta globin gene mutations by ARMS-PCR method and DNA sequencing

Results: The most prevalent mutations were IVS-II-1 in 30 allels [22.5%], Fr8-9[+G] in 22 allels [15.94%], IVS-I-1 in 13 allels [9.42%] and C36/37 in 11 allels [7.97%]. Among 138 allels, types of mutations in 42 allels of assessed 138 allels remained unknown

Conclusion: The results of this study were compatible with those of another study performed in Sanandaj in 2003, but in our study, mutation of C36/37 was more prevalent

MTHFR Gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to Migraine Attacks

Background: Migraine consisting of migraine with aura [MA] and migraine without aura [MO] is a painful neurovascular disorder affecting approximately 16% of the general population. A combination of genetic and environmental factors is involved in the pathogenesis of migraine. The MTHFR enzyme is involved in homocysteine [Hcy] metabolism and it has been reported that 1298 A to C and 677 C to T mutations in the MTHFR gene are associated with an increased in plasma Hcy levels. Hcy is a highly reactive amino acid and causes endothelial injury. Because a plausible theory about vascular impairment in migraine, it is considered that mutations in MTHFR gene and folate metabolism are associated with migraine

Materials and Methods: in total, 75 patients with migraine [24 with MA and 51with MO] in accordance with the IHS criteria participated in this case-control study. Control group were 128 normal matched healthy subjecys who selected from same region without history of migraine or other neurologic disorder after interviewing and examining by a physician. Mean age at entry was 36.42+/-9.6 and 31.64+/-8.9 years old in migraine and control group respectively. MTHFR polymorphisms were investigated by PCR-RFLP

Results: genotypic results indicated that the prevalence of the MTHFR 677TT genotype in migraine subjects was higher than control [17.3% and 3.1% respectively, P<0.001]. Interestingly the risk of migraine was 6-fold higher in subjects possessing the MTHFR 677T homozygous variant [OR=6.5; CI95%: 2.03-20.76]. No significant difference in the prevalence of MTHFR A1298C genotypes was observed in migraine group when compared to controls [P>0.001]

Conclusion: it seems that MTHFR C677T is a potential genetic risk factor for migraine attacks, both in MA and MO subclasses in Iranian population. C677T and A1298C joint effect could amplify the potential influence of each SNPs

[Revolution of DNA sequencing method from the past until today]

DNA sequence determination is a tremendous human achievement. DNA sequencing includes several methods and technologies in use for determining the order of the nucleotide bases [adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine] in a molecule of DNA. Knowledge of DNA sequences has become indispensable for basic biological research, other research branches utilizing DNA sequencing, and in numerous applied fields such as diagnostic, biotechnology, forensic biology and biological systematics. The advent of DNA sequencing has significantly accelerated biological research and discovery. Rapid sequencing, the result of modern DNA sequencing technology, is instrumental in the sequencing of the human genome for the Human Genome Project. Related projects, often by scientific collaboration across continents, have generated complete DNA sequences of humans as well as numerous animals, plants and microbial genomes. DNA sequencing methods currently under development include labeling DNA polymerase and reading the sequence as a DNA strand transits through nanopores. Additional methods include microscopy-based techniques such as atomic force microscopy or transmission electron microscopy that are used to identify the positions of individual nucleotides within long DNA fragments [>5000 bp] by nucleotide labeling with heavier elements [e.g., halogens] for visual detection and recording. Third generation technologies aim to increase throughput and decrease the time to result and cost by eliminating the need for excessive reagents and harnessing the processivity of DNA polymerase. Researchers in the field of genetics in Iran use this technology in their studies, but unfortunately our literature lack proper Persian language resources. The authors intend to write a series of review articles in this field. The present paper is an introduction to the summary of important techniques in DNA sequencing

[ occurrence and contribution of germline BRCA1/2 sequence alterations in Iranian patients with breast cancer]

Breast cancer is the most common form of hereditary cancer worldwide and is an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Approximately 5-10% of breast and ovarian cancers are due to the highly penetrating germline mutations in cancer predisposing genes. Two genes, BRCA1 and BRCA2, account for at least half of these cases. The demand for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation screening is rapidly increasing as their identification will affect the medical management of people at increased risk for the disease. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate BRCA1/2 mutations in 100 high risk Iranian families. One hundred families who met the minimal risk factors for breast/ovarian cancer were screened among the families referred to Kawsar Human Genetics Research Center for the diseases in 2009-2011. The entire coding sequences and each intron/exon boundaries of BRCA1/2 genes were screened for by direct sequencing and MLPA in both patients and the controls. In the present study, we could detect the following novel mutations: p.Gly1140Ser, p.Ile26Val, p.Leu1418X, p.Glu23Gln, p.Leu3X, p.Asn1403His, p.Asn1403Asp, p.Lys581X, p.Pro938Arg, p.Thr77Arg, p.Leu6Val, p.Arg7Cys, p.Leu15Ile, p.Ser177Thr, IVS7+83[-TT], IVS8-70[-CATT], IVS2+9[G>C], IVS1-20[G>A], IVS1-8[A>G], p.Met1Ile, IVS2+24[A>G], IVS5-8 [A>G], IVS2[35-39]TTcctatGAT, IVS13+9 G>C in BRCA1 and p.Glu1391Gly, p. Val1852Ile, IVS6-70[T>G], 1994-1995 [InsA] in BRCA2. Ten mutations seemed to be pathogenic and the disease-causing mutations were seen in 16% of the families. In addition, from the total number of substitutions and reassortments [42], 80% related to BRCA1 and 20% to mutations in BRCA2 genes

Epidemiologic assessment of Leptospira serotypes in Caspian littoral

Leptospirosis is a widespread zoonosis in the world with more prevalence in tropical and subtropical regions. The disease is very common in flat area of Gilan, northern Iran, where the climate is humid and temperate and rice farming is main agricultural activity in rural areas. We performed this study in 2004 by taking blood samples from 465 hospitalized patients who were suspected of leptospirosis based on their clinical presentation, to find positive cases and analysis their signs, symptoms, and epidemiological data, and also to determine the most common clinical features of the disease in the area. All sera were examined by microscopic agglutination test. Renal failure was most common symptoms [4.5%]. Icterhaemorrhagia had highest titers in 57.0% of patients. In Gilan province, some of the farmers get leptospirosis each year near the end of spring and summer at the time of rice harvesting. Better recognition of the disease and diagnosing it at proper time can improve the quality of life and health state of the farmers

Seroprevalence of Hepatitis B and C among residents of Guilan Nursing Home

Viral hepatitis represents one of the most significant public health challenges. The institutionalization itself is an important factor influencing the risk and frequency of exposure and further spread of HBV and HCV infections. This study was carried out to determine the frequency of HBV and HCV serological markers in residents of Guilan nursing home. Demographic data and history of exposure to known risk factors were collected by interview and through medical records available at the nursing home; clinical information was obtained via examination. All residents were screened for markers of HBV and HCV. HBsAg or HCVAb positive cases were examined for HBeAg, HBcAb, and HCV-RNA, respectively; and complementary tests including AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin, serum albumin, and prothrombin time [PT] were done. 383 residents of Guilan nursing home including 243 females [63.4%] with mean age of 58.4 +/- 21.9 years were investigated. The average duration of residency was 6.0 +/- 5.7 years. Nine cases [2.3%] including 6 males [4.2% of all males] were anti-HCVAb positive. Out of these 9 cases, 5 individuals were HCV-RNA positive. All of these 5 cases were male. The average duration of residency in HCV positive cases was 1.5 +/- 1.8 years in comparison with 6.1 +/- 5.8 years in negative cases. There was a significant reverse relationship between residency duration and HCV positivity in logistic regression. Residency in nursing home is not an important risk factor for viral hepatitis transmissions. However; we recommend precise and complete viral hepatitis screening on admission to nursing home and HBV vaccination for HBV negative cases