Comparison of propolis and calcium hydroxide in terms of mineralization and cytotoxicity using dental pulp stem cells

Objectives: this study aimed to compare the in vitro cytotoxic activity of propolis, a bioactive material made by the honeybee, and calcium hydroxide [CH] and their effect on formation of mineralized nodules by human dental pulp stem cells [HDPSCs]

Methods: in this in vitro study, HDPSCs were obtained from the Cellular and Molecular Oral Biology Laboratory of School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. In order to evaluate the proliferative effect of propolis and CH, HDPSCs were incubated with different concentrations of propolis [0-32mg/mL] and CH [0-4.8 mg/mL]. Twenty-four and 48 hours later, the methylthiazolyl diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide [MTT] assay was carried out to evaluate the proliferation potential and viability of HDPSCs treated with propolis and CH. The effect of propolis and CH on mineralization of HDPSCs was assessed by alizarin red staining

Results: the MTT assay revealed that propolis at its highest concentration caused the greatest proliferation after 24 and 48 hours. Alizarin test showed that the lowest concentrations of CH and propolis at 14 days induced the formation of calcium nodules but at 21 days, propolis was deposited on the cells and calcification was not well recognizable

Conclusion: propolis led to higher cell vitality at all concentrations in comparison to CH. However, due to its deposition on the cells, its effects on mineralization at 48 hours could not be determined

cross-sectional study of the seroprevalence and flock-level factors associated with ovine and caprine brucellosis in southeastern Iran

This cross-sectional study was conducted to estimate seroprevalence and to identify flock-level factors associated with seropositivity to brucellosis in small ruminants in Kerman province, southeastern Iran. In October-November 2011, serum samples were randomly collected from 1767 sheep and 1233 goats, older than 18 months, from 300 flocks. The sera were initially screened for the presence of anti-Brucella antibodies using the Rose-Bengal test; those found to be positive were then examined by Wright and 2-mercaptoethanol Brucella agglutination tests. A questionnaire was used to collect data on flock-level factors likely associated with the within flock seroprevalence of brucellosis. The associations were statistically evaluated for significance in multivariable logistic models. Sixty three flocks [21.00%; 95% CI: 16.80-26.60] had at least one seropositive animal. The mean within-flock seroprevalence was 3.10% [95% CI: 2.60-3.90]. The presence of newly purchased animals [OR=3.42; 95% CI: 1.35-8.65] was significantly associated with seropositivity. Our findings highlight the role of animal movement among flocks in the epidemiology of brucellosis in this region. Thus, a control program for brucellosis in the region is suggested to impose appropriate restrictions on animal trade and improve knowledge of livestock owners about quarantine principles for newly purchased animals

Production and characterization of anti-Her 2 monoclonal antibodies

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world. Early diagnosis of this cancer is a key element for its treatment. One of the approaches for diagnosis of breast cancer is detection of its tumour-associated markers. Hence, Her2 has been the main focus of the researches in the field. For diagnosis of Her2 overexpression, monoclonal antibodies [mAb] reacting against Her2 were produced in this study. For this purpose, two peptides from extracellular domain of Her2 were selected and the mAbs reacting against them were produced by hybrodoma technology. Reactivity of these antibodies were then evaluated in different immunological assays including ELISA, Immunoflurescence [IF], western blot [WB] and immunoprecipitation [IP]. Total of 5 clones were produced from two separate fusions, and antibody isotyping revealed that all clones were IgM. These mAbs showed appropriate reactivities in the following assays: ELISA, immunofluresence by staining of breast cancer cell line [SKBR3], WB and IP by detecting the 185 KD band of Her2. In conclusion, it seems that the mAbs are useful diagnostic tools for detection of Her2 expression in patients with breast cancer