Serum biochemical parameters of Huso huso

Serum biochemical parameters are important aspects in the management of endangered species such as Huso huso. The values of these parameters can be used for confirming the sex and any changes in the quality of waters and related soils. Serum samples of 15 H. huso fish were analysed and their serum parameter values were determined as mean±SD in both sexes. Age, weight, total length and fork length were the same between groups. We compared the levels of calcium (Ca; 2.13 ± 0.69–2.37 ± 0.38 mmol/l), total protein (TOP; 4.51 ± 1–5.50 ± 0.94 mg/dl), blood urea nitrogen (BUN; 1.32 ± 0.23–1.35 ± 0.31 mmol/l), albumin (Alb; 0.88 ± 0.18–1.26 ± 0.29 mg/dl), globulin (Glb; 3.63 ± 0.84–4.5 ± 0.69 mg/dl), uric acid (UA; 1.66 ± 0.18–1.79 ± 0.27 mmol/l), creatinine (CREA; 30.48 ± 4.31–30.48 ± 6.10 mmol/l), phosphorous (P; 2.18 ± 0.38–2.91 ± 0.67 mmol/l), magnesium (Mg; 1.15 ± 0.26–1.51 ± 0.35 mmol/l), glucose (Glc; 3.42 ± 0.84–6.69 ± 1.54 mmol/l), alkaline phosphatase (ALP; 4.48 ± 1.82–5 ± 1.04 IU/l) and amylase (156.19 ± 34.07–166.25 ± 64.27-IU/l). We have shown that there were no differences in the Ca, TOP, BUN, UA, CREA, Mg, ALP and amylase between sexes. However, male fish have higher Glc, P, Alb and Glb than females.     

ZnO nanoparticles supported on dendritic fibrous nanosilica as efficient catalysts for the one-pot synthesis of quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones

The transmutation of waste into valuable materials has a special place in green chemistry. Herein, we report the preparation of quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones from 2-iodoaniline, isocyanides, and carbon dioxide in the presence of ZnO NPs stably placed on the surface of dendritic fibrous nanosilica by cellulose (DFNS/cellulose-ZnO) as a catalyst. This is a great economic strategy to create three bonds in a one-pot multicomponent reaction step employing functional groups. To prepare the catalyst, the dendritic fibrous nanosilica surface was first activated using cellulose as a substrate to support ZnO NPs. Cellulose acts as a stabilizing and reducing agent for the ZnO nanocatalyst and eliminates the need for a reducing agent. The structure of the prepared DFNS/cellulose-ZnO was examined by various methods, including thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP). The largest amount of quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones was obtained under ideal situations in the presence of 5 mg of DFNS/cellulose-ZnO under carbon dioxide (1 atm) utilizing a balloon set at 70 °C for 3 hours. The substance was reused for ten consecutive runs and the quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-dione content was more than 92% each time. This indicates the potential for application in the green and economic production of quinazoline-2,4(1H,3H)-diones, especially from low-cost feedstocks.

The transmutation of waste into valuable materials has a special place in green chemistry.     

Protecting female fertility in cancer patients

Aim: The preservation of fertility in female patients diagnosed with cancer has recently been an area of intensive investigation. This review summarizes available options and discusses recently published data concerning experimental methods. Specific strategies for fertility preservation in women with gynecologic malignancies are also presented. Method: The MEDLINE database was reviewed for all publication on medication, surgery or assisted reproductive technology that could potentially preserve fertility in women who are receiving cancer therapy. Conclusion: There are many modalities that are available to a patient undergoing a treatment that will negatively impact on her fertility. While many procedures and medical interventions have been proven successful both in terms of ovarian function and pregnancy rates, other techniques have great potential but do not have long‐term clinical data. gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) analogs prevent chemotherapy‐induced ovarian damage in animals, however, human results are controversial. Anti‐apoptotic agents may present an innovative treatment to prevent oocyte destruction during cancer therapy. The cryopreservation of embryo, oocyte and ovarian tissue is one option to preserve fertility. It is important that the patients’ primary‐care physician understand the methods available to preserve fertility in a cancer patient and communicate this information to the patient. The improvement of these techniques as well as a better characterization of their success rates and risks await further investigation.     

Scale-up production and characterization of anti-human cardiac troponin I monoclonal antibody in ascitic fluid of balb/c mice

The Human Cardiac Troponin I (hcTnI) is a 210 amino acid protein, 23 kDa in molecular weight. This biomarker is commonly used to diagnose myocardial infarction, micro injury, and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in patients referring to emergency departments. The American Heart Association (AHA) and European Society of Cardiology (ESC) proposed troponin I as the gold biomarker for early detection of heart attack, especially in myocardial infarction (MI). Therefore, developing monoclonal antibodies against this biomarker could help in for early detection of heart attack. Hybridoma technology is a well-known technique introduced to produce monoclonal antibodies in specialized cells. The aim of this study was to produce large scale of monoclonal antibody against human cardiac troponin I using Hybridoma technology in order to design a diagnostic kit. The monoclonal antibody was produced using conventional Hybridoma technology in ascitic fluid of mouse and characterized for its ability to detect Human Cardiac Troponin I in a rapid test system. The results indicate the successful detection of Troponin I using the obtained monoclonal antibody. According to the achieved results it seems that ascites production of monoclonal antibody is very versatile, inexpensive, and economically useful for monoclonal antibody production.     

Electrophysiologic evaluation of retinal function in patients with psoriasis and vitiligo

Purpose

To investigate the relation between psoriasis and vitiligo with the electrophysiologic function of the retinal photoreceptors.

Methods

Patients with psoriasis or vitiligo referred for PUVA therapy were enrolled. Complete eye examination was performed. Patients with any drug or familial history or abnormal eye examination that might affect the retinal function were excluded. Standardized full-field electroretinogram (ERG) elicited with Ganzfeld stimuli using the commercial ERG system (Retiport32; Roland Consult) according to International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision guidelines was performed. The outcome measures were the difference between the mean rod response, standard combined response, single-flash cone response and 30-Hz flicker wave amplitudes of the patients and normal population.

Results

Seventy-six eyes of 38 patients (vitiligo: 21; psoriasis: 17) and 40 eyes of 20 normal subjects were enrolled in this study. The mean age of patients was 31.3 ± 11.3 years (range 16–54 years). Twenty-two patients (58 %) were female. The mean rod response b-wave, standard combined a- and b-waves, single-flash cone response b-wave and the 30-Hz flicker (N1-P1) amplitudes were significantly lower than the normal population in the same range of age as the study group. There was no significant difference between the patients with vitiligo and those with psoriasis in all wave amplitudes (P = 0.094).

Conclusion

This study showed that overall retinal electrophysiologic function in patients with vitiligo or psoriasis is significantly impaired compared with normal population, independent of age and sex.     

Influence of nitric oxide agents in the dorsal hippocampus of mice on anxiogenic-like effect induced by histamine

Histaminergic receptors and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) are co-expressed at high levels in the hippocampal neurons and alter anxiety-like behaviors in rodents. Since the dorsal hippocampus may be involved in modulation of anxiety-like behaviors, the aim of the present study was to assess whether the nitric oxide (NO) system in the dorsal hippocampus affects anxiety-like behaviors induced by histaminergic agents in mice. The effects of the NO precursor, L-arginine and NOS inhibitor, L-nitro-amino-methyl-ester (L-NAME) on histamine, pyrilamine and ranitidine responses in elevated plus maze (E.P.M.) in mice were investigated. Intra-CA1 microinjection of histamine (9 μg/mouse) or H1 receptor antagonist, pyrilamine (3, 6 and 9 μg/mouse), but not H2 receptor antagonist, ranitidine decreased the percentage of open arm time (%OAT) and open arm entries (%OAE), without affecting locomotor activity, suggesting an anxiogenic-like response. Both L-arginine (0.4 and 0.8 μg/mouse) and L-NAME (40 ng/mouse) when injected into the dorsal hippocampus induced anxiety-like behaviors, but the drugs reversed the anxiogenic response induced by the effective dose of histamine (9 μg/mouse) or pyrilamine (9 μg/mouse). Our results also indicated that intra-CA1 administration of L-arginine and L-NAME, in the presence or absence of ranitidine, exerted an anxiogenic effect. The results may indicate a modulatory role for NO in the dorsal hippocampus in the anxiogenic-like response induced by histamine or pyrilamine.     

Nail disorder among patients on maintenance hemodialysis

Background/ObjectiveChronic renal failure can lead to nail disorders. The aim of this study was to investigate nail disorders and laboratory data in patients on constant hemodialysis (HD) in a hospital in Qazvin, Iran.MethodsA case-controlled study was performed. End stage renal disease patients (n = 149) undergoing regular HD and 147 randomly selected individuals were examined for nail disorder. All participants were examined by two trained students and a single dermatologist. Specific investigations such as nail biopsy, potassium hydroxide mount, and fungal culture were done if necessary. Laboratory data were completed for HD patients. Demographic characteristics, the causes of end stage renal disease, and laboratory data were tested in a multivariate analysis.ResultsIn this study, 62 HD patients had at least one nail disorder, with leukonychia being the most common in both groups. Clinical onychomycosis, absent lunula and half and half nail were the other common findings in HD patients. Positive mycological culture was noted in four HD patients and in none of the control individuals. The mean duration of HD was a significant predictor associated with the positive clinical onychomycosis (p < 0.05). Although there was no significant correlation between nail disorders and hypertension or heart failure, multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that gender, age ≥ 65 years, and diabetes mellitus (DM) were associated with nail disorder.ConclusionThe prevalence of nail disorder in this study was correlated with age, DM, and gender. To decrease the prevalence of nail disorder, attention to duration of HD, age, male sex, and DM is very important.     

Increased Isolation and Characterization of Shigella sonnei Obtained from Hospitalized Children in Tehran, Iran

Shigella flexneri has been the most frequent cause of shigellosis in children in Iran. To evaluate the changes in frequency of serogroups, 302 Shigella species were isolated in 2003 from hospitalized children, aged less than 12 years, with acute diarrhoea in Tehran, Iran. The number of collected S. sonnei, S. flexneri, S. boydii, and S. dysenteriae isolates was 178 (58.9%), 110 (37.4%), 10 (3.3%), and 4 (1.3%) respectively. Most (94%) S. sonnei isolates were resistant to co-trimoxazole. They were, however, relatively or completely sensitive to 15 commonly-used antibiotics. The extracted plasmids showed 12 different profiles with two closely-related patterns constituting 70% of the total isolates. Ribotyping, using PvuII, HindIII or SalI restriction enzymes, generated a single pattern for all S. sonnei isolates. Data suggest that S. sonnei has become the predominant serogroup in children in the hospitals of Tehran.Key words: Antibiotic resistance, Antibiotics, Drug resistance, Microbial, Dysentery, Bacillary, Ribotyping, Shigella sonnei, Iran     

Association of ANGPTL3 polymorphisms with high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol uptake capacity in patients with cardiovascular disease

IntroductionPrevious studies have shown the importance of angiopoietin‐like 3 (ANGPTL3) as a modulator of lipid profiles. Cholesterol uptake capacity (CUC) is one means for assessing high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) functionality. This study for the first time has investigated the relationship between genetic ANGPTL3 polymorphism and CUC in patients with cardiovascular disease.MethodsFive hundred three subjects comprising 350 healthy subjects and 153 individuals who developed a cardiovascular disease (CVD) event during follow‐up were recruited as part of the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) cohort study. A modified CUC method was used to determine the CUC of serum samples. Applied amplification refractory mutation system PCR was performed for ANGPTL3 variants genotyping including: rs10789117, rs1748195, and rs11207997. Sanger sequencing was applied to confirm the genotypes.ResultsThe results showed that there was a significant relationship between the rs1748195 genotypes and HDL concentration in the CVD group (p = 0.02). Moreover, individuals with a GG genotype of the rs1748195 were associated with a lower risk of CVD (OR = 0.49, 95% CI = 0.24–0.98, p = 0.04) compared with CC genotype in the CUC ≤ 1.7 a.u subgroup. Moreover, the CT genotype of rs11207997 was associated with a lower risk of CVD (OR = 0.74, 95% CI = 0.41–1.3, p = 0.01) compared with CC genotype in CUC > 1.7 a.u subgroup.ConclusionThe results showed that the CT genotype of the rs11207997 variant was associated with a lower risk of incident CVD in patients with higher HDL functionality. As well, the rs1748195 gene variant may contribute to a reduced risk of CVD.