Yeast of the oral cavity is the reservoir of Heliobacter pylori

Background:  Frequent occurrence of Helicobacter pylori in the human gastrointestinal tract and its persistence due to unsuccessful antimicrobial therapy might be related to a stage in the life cycle of H. pylori in which the bacterium establishes itself as an intracellular symbiont in yeast. In this study, occurrence of non-culturable H. pylori in the oral yeast was assessed by targeting vacuolating cytotoxin A ( vacA s1s2) and ureAB genes in the total DNAs of yeasts.
Methods:  DNAs were extracted from 13 oral yeasts in which bacterium-like bodies, suspected to be H. pylori , were observed microscopically. Primers were recruited to amplify vacA s1s2 and ureAB genes. DNAs from H. pylori and E. coli were used as controls. The amplicons from one yeast and H. pylori were sequenced. Yeasts were identified as Candida albicans .
Results:  Fragments of vacA s1s2 and ureAB genes were amplified from 13 yeasts. The size of PCR products was 286 bp for vacA s1s2 gene and 406 bp for ureAB gene. Similar bands were obtained from the control H. pylori , and the results for E. coli were negative. The data from sequencing of PCR products showed about 98% homology between the genes amplified from yeast and those from H. pylori .
Conclusions:  The results of this study showed the intracellular occurrence of H. pylori in yeast. This endosymbiotic relationship might explain the persistence of H. pylori in the oral cavity, the consequence of which could be reinoculation of the stomach by the bacterium and spread of infection among human populations.     

Cell‐laden composite suture threads for repairing damaged tendons

Tendons have limited regenerative capacity due to their low cellularity and hypovascular nature, which results in poor clinical outcomes of presently used therapies. As tendon injuries are often observed in active adults, it poses an increasing socio‐economic burden on healthcare systems. Currently, suture threads are used during surgical repair to anchor the tissue graft or to connect injured ends. Here, we created composite suture threads coated with a layer of cell‐laden hydrogel that can be used for bridging the injured tissue aiming at tendon regeneration. In addition, the fibres can be used to engineer 3‐dimensional constructs through textile processes mimicking the architecture and mechanical properties of soft tissues, including tendons and ligaments. Encapsulated human tendon‐derived cells migrated within the hydrogel and aligned at the surface of the core thread. An up‐regulation of tendon‐related genes (scleraxis and tenascin C) and genes involved in matrix remodelling (matrix metalloproteinases 1, matrix metalloproteinases 2) was observed. Cells were able to produce a collagen‐rich matrix, remodelling their micro‐environment, which is structurally comparable to native tendon tissue.     

The relation between short-term oral contraceptive consumption and cerebrovascular, cardiovascular disorders in Iranian women attending Hajj

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the spectrum of probable vascular complications due to short-term oral contraceptives OC consumption. METHODS: In this cohort study, selected Iranian female pilgrims from Razavi-Khorasan, Iran province <50 years old, attending Hajj in 2005 were evaluated. We reviewed their physical examinations, vascular risk factors and OC consumption before Hajj. Pilgrims were followed-up in terms of developing possible vascular complications during Hajj and the following year. RESULTS: This study included 896 individuals and completed follow-up was performed for 642. The results showed that 782 (87.3%) of pilgrims used OC. One person developed cerebral vein thrombosis, one myocardial infarction, and one deep vein thrombosis. Eighteen patients (2.8%) experienced transient hypertension. Ten patients (1.5%) had migraine exacerbations. The relationship between developed definite vascular complications and OC consumption was not statistically significant in this study p=0.365. CONCLUSION: Although vascular complications of long-term OC consumption have been analyzed and proved in several studies, few studies have determined short-term OC consumption effects on the vascular system. It seems that even short-term usage of OC may result in vascular complications, thus further studies with more samples is recommended to determine its safety and complications.     

Increased trend of breast cancer mortality in Iran

Background: Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women worldwide In Iran, it ranksfirst among cancers diagnosed in women and is the fifth most common cause of death. The aim of this study wasto present the mortality trends from breast cancer for Iranian women during a period of almost a decade, inorder to provide update information regarding the likely future. Methods: We analyzed National death Statisticreported by the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education from 1995 to 2004 to generate annual mortalityrates/100,000, overall, by age group (<15, 15-49 and ≥50 years of age) and age standardized rate (ASR). Results:The age standardized mortality rate of breast cancer increased dramatically during these years from 1.40 to3.52 per 100,000 and its mortality was increasing 151.4% for Iranian women, although it seemed that the rateleveled off from 2002 to 2004. Moreover the increasing rate was higher for those aged between 15-49 comparedto age >50 years old. Conclusion: There is an increasing trend for breast cancer mortality in Iran. Thus, healtheducation programs to rectify the lack of women awareness about breast cancer signs and effective screeningare urgently needed.     

Interleukin-17 Gene Expression and Serum Levels in Acute Rejected and non-Rejected Liver Transplant Patients

Background: Interleukin-17 (IL-17), as a potent proinflammatory cytokine, has a critical role in post liver transplant outcomes. However, there is not much information about the effects of IL-17 cytokine on acute liver rejection. Objective: To evaluate the role of IL-17 in post-liver transplant acute rejection. Methods: Ninety seven adult liver transplant patients who enrolled in this cross sectional study were divided into Non- Acute Rejected (Non-AR) and Acute Rejected (AR) patient groups. Three blood samples were collected from each patient in days 1, 4 and 7 post liver transplantation. The IL-17 mRNA levels were evaluated using an in-house real time PCR protocol. IL- 17 protein levels were also analyzed in Non-AR, AR and also control groups using ELISA method. Results: The IL-17 mRNA expression level continuously increased in AR patients in all days of follow-up post liver transplantation. IL-17 expression was, however, down regulated after day 4 post-transplant follow-up in Non-AR patients. Both IL-17 mRNA expression and protein levels were also significantly increased in AR patients compared with Non-AR ones. Conclusion: Based on these findings, significant increase of IL-17 mRNA and protein levels in AR patients highlights the important role of IL-17 in acute liver rejection.