A cytotoxic hydroperoxy sterol from the brown alga,Nizamuddinia zanardinii

Background

The marine environment is a unique source of bioactive natural products, of which Nizamuddinia zanardinii is an important brown algae distributed in Oman Sea. Literature revealed that there is no report on phytochemistry and pharmacology of this valuable algae.

Methods

Bioguided fractionation of the methanolic extract of Nizamuddinia zanardinii, collected from Oman Sea, led to the isolation of a hydroperoxy sterol. Its structure was determined by analysis of the spectroscopic data as 24-hydroperoxy-24-vinyl cholesterol (HVC). In vitro cytotoxic activity of this compound was evaluated against HT29, MCF7, A549, HepG2 and MDBK cell lines.

Results

Although 24(R)-hydroproxy-24-vinylcholesterol has been previously reported from Sargassum and Padina species, it is the first report on the presence of this compound from N. zanardinii. This compound exhibited cytotoxicity in all cell lines (IC₅₀, 3.62, 9.09, 17.96, 32.31 and 37.31 μg/mL respectively). HVC was also evaluated for apoptotic activity and demonstrated positive results in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP Nick End labeling (TUNEL) assay suggesting it a candidate for further apoptotic studies.

Conclusions

Nizamuddinia zanardinii, a remarkable brown algae of Oman Sea, is a good source of hydroproxy sterols with promising cytotoxic on various cell lines particularly human colon adenocarcinoma.     

Parasitic Infection of an Endemic Fish (Blicca bjoerkna) and an Exotic Fish (Hemiculter beucisculus) In Anzali Lagoon,Caspian Sea,Iran

Background

In Anzali Lagoon, there are some endemic and exotic fishes. The present study was conducted to compare the parasitic fauna of Blicca bjeorkna, as an endemic fish and Hemiculter leucisculus, as an introduced fish to the lagoon.

Methods

A parasitological investigation was done on 78 specimens of B. bjoerkna and 114 of H. leucisculus. The fishes were collected from August 2009 to April 2010 by the electro fishing from Anzali Lagoon.

Results

Eleven parasites species were found in 192 fish samples. The prevalence and mean intensity of parasites in each host were as follows: Parasites from B. bjorkna were Trichodina perforata (53.85%); Myxobolus musayevi (27.19%, 1±0.79); Dactylogyrus difformis (88.05%, 8±7.24) and D. sphyrna (5.18%, 0.95±0.51), Diplostomum spataceum (98.72%, 9.51±9.01), Posthodiplostomum cuticula (15.38%, 4.25±2.5), Ripidocotyle sp. (1.28%, 2±0.74); Contracaecum osculatum (17.95%, 1.64±0.79), Philometra rischta (12.8%, 1.4±0.54), and Raphidascaris acus (1.04%, 0.03±0.26). The H. leucisculus were infected with T. perforata (27.19%), D. spataceum (7.89%, 1.33±0.54), Ps. tomentosa (7.02%, 1.62±0.49) and R. acus (0.88%, 3±0.28). B. bjoerkna was presented as a new host for M. musayevi and C. osculatum, while H. leucisculus was introduced as a new host for T. perforata and Ps. tomentosa.

Conclusion

The prevalence of parasites was significantly more in native fish than that of exotic fish (P<0.05). This reduction in parasitic infection in H. leucisculus may be due to its immune system resistance, well adaptation to the new environment, host-specific limitation for endemic parasites and disability of introduced parasite to complete its life cycle in the new host as well.     

Clinical and radiographic evaluation of root perforation repair using MTA

An accident that can occur during endodontic treatment is perforation, which adversely affects the prognosis of the teeth. A restorative material should be easy to use, nonresorbable, biocompatible, esthetically pleasing, and should provide a complete seal. Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is a relatively new material that is being used successfully to repair perforation. The purpose of this study was to perform a clinical and radiographical evaluation of the success rate of root perforation repairs using mineral trioxide aggregate. Based upon the results of this study, MTA is a suitable material for root perforation repair and can be used confidently.     

MTA pulpotomy of human permanent molars with irreversible pulpitis

The histological success of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) pulpotomy for treatment of irreversible pulpitis in human teeth as an alternative treatment was investigated in this study. Fourteen molars which had to be extracted were selected from patients 16–28 years old. The selection criteria include carious pulp exposure with a history of lingering pain. After isolation, caries removal and pulp exposure, MTA was used in pulpotomy treatment. Patients were evaluated for pain after 24 h. Two patients were lost from this study. Twelve teeth were extracted after 2 months and were assessed histologically. Recall examinations confirmed that none of the patients experienced pain after pulpotomy. Histological observation revealed that all samples had dentin bridge formation completely and that the pulps were vital and free of inflammation. Although the results favour the use of MTA as a pulpotomy material, more studies with larger samples and a longer recall period are suggested to justify the use of MTA for treatment of irreversible pulpitis in human permanent teeth.     

The Effect of Counseling Based on EX-PLISSIT Model on Sexual Dysfunction and Quality of Sexual Life of Married Women with Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Sexuality and Disability - Sexual dysfunction is one of the most common complaints of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The study aimed to determine the effect of counseling based on the...     

Effect of aerobic exercise and nutrition educationon quality of life and early menopause symptoms:A randomized controlled trial

The aim of the authors in this randomized controlled study was to assess the effect of exercise and nutrition education on quality of life and early menopausal symptoms. This trial was conducted in east Azerbaijan Province, Iran, during the period from 2013 to 2014 with 108 women allocated into one of four groups (n = 27 in each group) by block randomization. The interventions received by the three intervention groups were: nutrition education, aerobic exercise, or exercise plus nutrition education. The control group did not receive any intervention. The Greene and MENQOL menopause symptom scales were completed before and at 8 and 12 weeks after the intervention. The mean Greene score was significantly lower than the control group in the exercise (adjusted mean difference: ?5.1) and exercise plus nutrition groups (?8.0) at the end of week 8 and in the nutrition (?4.8), exercise (?8.7), and exercise plus nutrition (?13.2) groups at the end of week 12. Also, the mean MENQOL score was significantly lower than the control group in the exercise (?8.3) and exercise plus nutrition groups (?13.8) at the end of week 8 and in the nutrition (?6.6), exercise (?13.5), and exercise plus nutrition (?22.1) groups at the end of week 12. Nutrition education with aerobic exercise can improve quality of life.     

The Association of Consumption of Animal Proteins and the Risk of Esophageal Cancer

Aim: Esophageal cancer (EC) is considered one of the most common types of cancer in the world. High intake of dietary proteins is suggested to increase EC. This study examined associations between intake of red meats, processed meat, poultry, and fish and the risk of EC.

Methods: This hospital-based Case–Control study included 96 people with EC and 187 people without EC from Bojnurd, Iran. Socio-demographic data was collected from all participants at enrollment using general information questionnaire. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated 168 item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire.

Results: After adjusting for potential confounders, there was a significant association between the consumption of beef (P?=?0.04), processed meats (sausages) (P?=?0.01), and chicken with skin (P?=?0.001) with the risk of EC.

Conclusion: We observed a positive association between red meat, processed meats (sausages), chicken with skin and the risk of EC. The use of lamb meat and fish had no significant association with the risk of EC.