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Common gene polymorphism in ATP-binding cassette transporter A1 and coronary artery disease: A genetic association study and a structural analysis
No full textATP-binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) has a crucial role in removing intracellular cholesterol and plays a protective role against atherosclerosis. Therefore, genetic polymorphisms in this gene may alter the susceptibility to coronary artery disease (CAD). This study was aimed to examine the association of rs2230806 (c.1051 G > A; p.R219K) variation in the ABCA1 gene with CAD in a case-control design which was followed by a meta-analysis and in silico approach. In the case-control study, 300 subjects including 150 individuals with CAD and 150 healthy controls were recruited. The c.1051 G > A genotyping was done by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. In the meta-analysis, eligible studies were collected from PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases and pooled odds ratio, heterogeneity, publication bias, and sensitivity analyses were carried. Finally, some bioinformatics tools were employed to assess the impacts of p.R219K variation on ABCA1 protein structure. Our case-control examination showed a statistically significant association between c.1051 G > A genetic polymorphism and CAD risk. In addition, the meta-analysis showed reliable significant associations between c.1051 G > A transition and risk of CAD in the Caucasian population. In silico analysis showed that the p.R219K substitution could alter the secondary structure, hydrophobicity pattern, and Ramachandran plot of ABCA1. These findings elucidate that the c.1051 G > A variation could be a genetic risk factor for CAD and it could be considered as a prognostic and predictive biomarker for susceptible individuals. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
A modified sensitive carbon paste electrode for 5-fluorouracil based using a composite of praseodymium erbium tungstate
Get PDFThis paper describes the modification of a modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) using nanoparticles of praseodymium erbium tungstate (Pr:Er). The modified electrode was used for the sensitive voltammetric detection of an anticancer drug (5-fluorouracil (5-FU)) using. The modified-CPE was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV), square wave voltammetry (SWV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and the resulting data showed the irreversible 5-fluorouracil oxidation peak around 1.0 V vs. Ag/AgCl. Some key parameters such as pH, the amount of the modifier, potential amplitude, step potential and frequency were studied and optimized. The square wave voltammetry (SWV) analytical calibration curve was linear in the range of 0.01�50 μM, with a detection limit of 0.98 nM analyses. The electron transfer coefficient (α) was also determined to be 0.76. The analyte concentration was also determined in pharmaceutical formulations and recovery percentages were found to be in the range of 96�102. The sensor had good reproducibility and repeatability with acceptable RSD values of 3.6, and 1.02 and a rather long-term stability of around one month. The as-synthesized nanoparticles were also characterized using FESEM, TEM, FTIR and XRD techniques. © 2020 Elsevier B.V
Melatonin: A promising agent targeting leukemia
No full textLeukemia or cancer of blood is a well-known cancer, which affects a range of people from newborns to the very old. It is a public health problem throughout the world. By way of treatment, due to the lack of specific anticancer therapies, common treatments of leukemia lead to severe side effects. Nonspecific anticancer drugs result in inhibition of normal cell growth and thereby their necrosis. Moreover, drug resistance is an additional problem, which stands in the way of leukemia treatment. Thus, finding new treatments for leukemia is essential. Melatonin, as a natural product, has been shown to be effective in a wide variety of diseases such as coronary heart disease, schizophrenia, chronic pain, and Alzheimer's disease. In addition, melatonin levels have been observed to be altered in different cancers, such as breast cancer, colorectal cancer endometrial cancer, and hematopoetical cancers. Anticancer features of melatonin such as pro-oxidation, apoptosis induction, antiangiogenesis property and metastasis and invasion inhibition suggest that this natural compound can be used as a potential agent in novel therapeutic strategies for cancers. Also, it has been reported that melatonin has positive and protective effects on different physiological reactions and in normal bone marrow cells suggesting effectiveness in leukemia therapy. Thus, the aim of our paper was to depict and summarize the main molecular targets of melatonin on leukemia models. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc
Epidemiological, molecular characterization and risk factors of human brucellosis in Iran
No full textObjective: To determine epidemiological, molecular characterization, and potential risk factors of human brucellosis. Methods: This descriptive study was carried out in the clinical setting in Iran between 2017 and 2018. A total of 297 participants enrolled in the study. The sample size was calculated based on the occurrence rate of brucellosis in different areas. Patients were assessed using serological tests and conventional culture methods. Phage and multiplex PCR methods typed all of Brucella isolates. Potential risk factors of disease were determined. Results: A total of 141 of 297 (47.5) Brucella strains were isolated and all of them were detected as Brucella melitensis biovar 1. Based on serologic titers, high culture positivity was recorded at 1/640 titer (P< 0.006). The risk factors for brucellosis were patients older than 40 years (OR=2.23, 95CI: 1.4-3.55, P=0.001), animal keeper (OR=7, 95CI: 1.51-32.41, P=0.005), housewife (OR=8.76, 95CI: 1.85-41.37, P=0.002), farmer (OR=6.42, 95CI: 1.21-33.97, P=0.019), and contact with animal (OR=1.31, 95CI: 0.60-2.85, P=0.005). Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive report from Iran presenting the detection of Brucella species by the multiplex PCR. Brucella melitensis biovar 1 is still the dominant causative agent in Iran. The consumption of unpasteurized dairy products, living in rural areas, and animal contact were risk factors of brucellosis. © 2020 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved
Synthesis and characterization of Sm2(MoO4)3, Sm2(MoO4)3/GO and Sm2(MoO4)3/C3N4 nanostructures for improved photocatalytic performance and their anti-cancer the MCF-7 cells
Get PDFSamarium molybdate nanoparticles (Sm2(MoO4)3) were prepared through a hydrothermal procedure and were used to form various composites with graphene oxide (GO) and carbon nitride (C3N4). The changes in the dimensions and morphology of the products were prepared using template agents like cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) (�90), Triton X-100 (90), Polyvinyl alcohol (95), Ethylene glycol (�99), and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). DRS analysis indicated band gap for the Sm2(MoO4), Sm2(MoO4)3/GO, and Sm2(MoO4)3/C3N4 as 3.75, 3.15, and 3.4 respectively. The characteristics of the prepared nanostructures were studied through X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Finally, the activity of the prepared Sm2(MoO4)3 as photo-catalysts for the degradation of different organic dyes such as methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), and rhodamine B (Rh B) was evaluated. The photocatalytic property of Sm2(MoO4)3/C3N4 and Sm2(MoO4)3/GO for the degradation of MO, was obtained. Based on the empirical data Sm2(MoO4)3/C3N4 had the strongest photodegradation effect as compared to the other compounds tested after around 40 min. BET analysis revealed that the specific surface area of the Sm2(MoO4)3 nanocomposite prepared using C3N4 is 15 times that of in the absence of C3N4. Also, the cytotoxicity of synthesized samples was evaluated using MTT assay against human cell lines MCF-7 (cancer), and its IC50 was about 125 mg/L. © 202
PIWI-interacting RNAs: New biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer
Get PDFCancer is one of the most important reasons of mortality in the world. However, there are several therapeutic platforms to treat patients who suffering from cancer common treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and etc. The current therapeutic approaches are related to some limitations. Hence, more understanding about molecular mechanisms that involved in cancer particularly in breast cancer pathogenesis, could contribute to provide better therapeutic platforms. Recently, non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs have attracted researchers' attention in the field of cancer due to their functions in gene expression's regulation and functional interactions with other molecules. Interestingly, great advances in next-generation sequencing lead to considering other roles for another non-coding RNAs subgroup called PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) in addition to their functions in the germline. Novel studies investigated the role of piRNAs in several cancers including lung cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma, gastric cancer, multiple myeloma and colorectal cancer. Hopefully, based on new findings, piRNAs may be a potential biomarker which can be used as a tool to diagnose or treat breast cancer. Thus, this review aimed to discuss the role of piRNAs in breast cancer progression and metastasis as well as its molecular mechanisms. © 2020 The Author(s)
Translation and psychometrics of instrument of professional attitude for student nurses (IPASN) scale
Get PDFBackground: Achieving professional identity is one of the research priorities, and considering the importance of professional attitude among student nurses, it is necessary to identify a scale that is able to measure their achievement in professional attitude. Objectives: The present study was conducted with the aim of translation and psychometrics of instrument of professional attitude for student nurses (IPASN) scale. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the translation and psychometrics of �instrument of professional attitude for student nurses scale� was performed based on the model of Wild et al. The third to eighth semester nursing students of Ilam University of Medical Sciences comprised the research population who were 300 students. After translation and retranslation, the editorial comments of the scale designer were applied. Then, content validity, face validity, confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability of the Persian version were calculated. Data were analyzed using SPSS software version 20 and EQS6.1. Results: The confirmatory factor analysis of the 28-item scale with its 8 sub-scales was confirmed by deleting the statement 7 and moving the items 10, 15, and 18. The reliability of the internal consistency was calculated to be α = 0.89 for the total scale, and (0.89), (0.45), (0.67), (0.69), (0.69), (0.73), (0.70), and (0.93) for the sub-scales, respectively. Pearson�s correlation coefficient was r = 0.79 for test-retest reliability (P < 0.005). Conclusions: This study shows that the modified Persian version of the instrument of professional attitude for student nurses scale with 27 statements is valid and reliable, and can be used to assess the nursing students towards their professional life. © 2020, Author(s)
Hyperhomocysteinemia and increased risk of coronary artery disease in Iranian patients with diabetes mellitus type II: a cross-sectional study
Get PDFHyperhomocysteinemia in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) has been proposed as a new risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Due to the prevalence of DM and CAD in the Iranian population and the relatively high economic burden, research on these new risk factors sounds necessary. This study investigated the relationship between hyperhomocysteinemia and coronary heart disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. This study was a hospital-based cross-sectional study performed on 100 diabetic patients with indications of coronary artery angiography. After the measurement of serum HbA1c and homocysteine, the patients went through coronary angiography and, based on the results, were divided into two groups of normal and obstructed coronary arteries. Serum homocysteine and other related risk factors were further compared between the two groups. The mean serum homocysteine of patients was 13.18 ± 3.64 μmol/L in general and 15.02 ± 3.7 μmol/L in those with coronary artery obstruction. With hyperhomocysteinemia defined as serum homocysteine of � 14 μmol/L, 48 of diabetic patients had hyperhomocysteinemia, of which 83 had coronary artery obstruction. The relationship between serum homocysteine and coronary artery obstruction was significant (P < 0.001). The serum homocysteine was the highest in patients with three-vessel involvement (15.39 ± 3.5 μmol/L), which was significantly higher than those with normal coronary arteries (P < 0.001). The mean serum homocysteine of diabetic patients (type II) with coronary artery disease was significantly higher than those with normal coronary arteries. It was also significantly higher in patients with three-vessel involvement than those with no vessel involvement. © 2019, Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature
Effect of pimecrolimus on postoperative peritoneal adhesions in rat: An experimental study
Get PDFIntroduction: Postoperative peritoneal adhesions (PPAs) is a common complication of abdominal surgeries causing significant morbidity and mortality. The inflammatory response to damaged peritoneal tissue is a speculated culprit. The aim of this study is to investigate the protective effect of pimecrolimus, an anti-inflammatory and immunomodulator agent, in formation of PPAs in rats. Methods: Complied with the Animal Research Reporting In Vivo Experiments (ARRIVE) Guidelines Checklist, 50 Albino rats underwent laparotomy and were allocated into 5 groups. In groups 1 to 3, topical pimecrolimus (25, 50 and 100 concentration, respectively) was applies on a scratched area of peritoneum. In group 4, only topical Eucerin was used and group 5, was the control group. On postoperative days 7 and 28, five rats from each group were randomly selected and the tensile strength and adhesiveness of intraabdominal fibrotic bundles were assessed. Results: There was no significant difference in tensile strength and adhesiveness, between the groups on postoperative day 7. On postoperative day 28, however, the tensile strength was significantly lower in pimecrolimus groups than in Eucerin (<0.001) and control (<0.001) groups. Groups with higher concentrations of pimecrolimus (group 2 and 3) developed significantly less adhesions than group 1, in which lower pimecrolimus concentration was used. Conclusion: Administration of topical pimecrolimus decrease adhesions and their tensile strength on postoperative day 28 in rats. © 2020 The Author
Finding New Ways to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis
No full textTuberculosis (TB) is a major issue in global health and affects millions of people each year. Multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) annually causes many deaths worldwide. Development of a way to diagnose and treat patients with MDR-TB can potentially reduce the incidence of the disease. The current study reviews the risk factors, pattern of progression, mechanism of resistance, and interaction between bacteria and the host immune system, which disrupts the immune response. It also targets the components of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and diagnosis and treatment options that could be available for clinical use in the near future. Mutations play an important role in development of MDR-TB and the selection of appropriate mutations can help to understand the type of resistance in patients to anti-TB drugs. In this way, they can be initially treated with proper and effective therapeutic choices, which can accelerate the course of treatment and improve patient health. Targeting the components and enzymes of Mtb is necessary for understanding bacterial survival and finding a way to destroy the pathogen and allow patients to recover faster and prevent the spread of disease, especially resistant strains. © Copyright 2020, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers 2020