The study of H. pylori putative candidate factors for single- and multi-component vaccine development

Helicobacter pylori has grown to colonize inside the stomach of nearly half of the world’s population, turning into the most prevalent infections in the universe. Medical care failures noticeably confirm the need for a vaccine to hinder or deal with H. pylori. This review is planned to discuss the most known factors as a vaccine candidate, including single (AhpC, BG, CagA, KatA, Fla, Hsp, HWC, Lpp, LPS, NAP, OMP, OMV, SOD, Tpx, Urease, VacA) and multi-component vaccines. Many promising results in the field of single and multivalent vaccine can be seen, but there is no satisfactory outcome and neither a prophylactic nor a therapeutic vaccine to treat or eradicate the infection in human has been acquired. Hence, selecting suitable antigen is an important factor as an appropriate adjuvant. Taken all together, the development of efficient anti-H. pylori vaccines relies on the fully understanding of the interactions between H. pylori and its host immune system. Therefore, more work should be done on epitope mapping, analysis of molecular structure, and determination of the antigen determinant region as well due to design a vaccine, preferably a multi-component vaccine to elicit specific CD4 T-cell responses that are required for H. pylori vaccine efficacy.     

Cationic Albumin‐Conjugated Chelating Agent as a Novel Brain Drug Delivery System in Neurodegeneration

The critical role of metal ions and in particular iron in oxidative stress and protein aggregation offers chelation therapy as a sensible pharmaceutical strategy in oxidative stress‐induced neuronal damages. In this research, we conjugated an iron‐chelating agent, deferasirox, to cationized human serum albumin molecules in order to develop a novel brain delivery system for the management of neurodegenerative disorders due to the significant role of oxidative stress‐induced neuronal injury in such diseases. Cationized albumin is known to be able to transport to brain tissue via adsorptive‐mediated transcytosis. The developed structures were molecularly characterized, and their conjugation ratio was determined. PC12 cell line was utilized to evaluate the neuroprotective features of these newly developed molecules in the presence of hydrogen peroxide neuronal damage and to identify the mechanisms behind the observed neuronal protection including apoptotic and autophagic pathways. Furthermore, a rat model of Alzheimer's disease was utilized to evaluate the impact of conjugated structures in vivo. Data analysis revealed that the conjugated species were able to hinder apoptotic cell death while enhancing autophagic process. The developed conjugated species were also able to attenuate amyloid beta‐induced learning deficits when administered peripherally.     

Prognostic value of chromosome 1 and 8 copy number in invasive ductal breast carcinoma among iranian women: An interphase FISH analysis

Breast cancer is amongst the leading causes of death in women worldwide and the most common cancer amongst Iranian women. Unfortunately, the current clinical and histological criteria can only help 60 percent of women with breast cancer in diagnosis and long-term treatment. Therefore, genetic markers both at single gene and chromosomal level can play an important role in improving the diagnosis and prognosis of breast cancer patients. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the role of chromosome 1 and 8 copy number assessed by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), as prognostic parameters in 50 Iranian women, aged 35 to 64 years, with sporadic invasive ductal breast carcinoma. Chromosome 1 and 8 copy numbers were evaluated in relation to established clinicopathological parameters, the immunohistochemical markers ER, PR, P53 and cathepsin D, DNA index by flow cytometry, age and survival status of the patients. FISH using centromeric probes for chromosomes 1 and 8 was applied to interphase cell suspensions prepared from archived, Carnoyfixed tumor cells and selected paraffin-embedded tumor sections. Aneusomy for chromosomes 1 and 8 was present in all 50 patients to different levels. The total abnormality rate for chromosome 1 was 33.92 percent (4.24 percent monosomy and 29.68 percent polysomy), whereas for chromosome 8 this rate was 28.30 percent (6.48 percent monosomy and 21.82 percent polysomy). Statistically significant association (p<0.05) was demonstrated between monosomy 1 and patients’ age below 50 years, and between monosomy 1 and poor survival, respectively. Disomy 8 was significantly associated with P53 expression. A borderline significant correlation was demonstrated between polysomy 8 and diploid DNA content, as well as between disomy 1 and disease-free status of the patients. Chromosome 1 and 8 copy numbers may be considered as useful prognostic markers in invasive ductal carcinoma of the breast.     

The Effect of Berberis Vulgaris Extract on Transaminase Activities in Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Background:

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disorder in western countries and an important cause of liver cirrhosis, as well as liver failure. Up to now, 20‒40% of the individuals suffer from this disorder and its prevalence is estimated around 5‒30% in Asia. The NAFLD is one of the most prevalent causes for increases in liver enzymes and has a close relationship with obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and type II diabetes. However, no definite treatment has been identified for it yet.

Objectives:

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of berberis vulgaris extract in inducing changes in liver enzymes levels.

Patients and Methods:

The present clinical trial was conducted on 80 patients, including 32 males (40%) and 48 females (60%), who were randomly assigned into two groups of case and control. All the patients had ultrasound evidence of lipid accumulation in the liver and increases in liver enzymes. The case group received two capsules (750 mg) containing berberis vulgaris extract every day for 3 months, while the control group was treated with placebo. The weight, liver transaminases levels and lipid profiles of the two groups were assessed before, during, and after the study.

Results:

In the case group, the mean serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT) and aspartate transaminase (AST) decreased from 49 to 27.48 and 48.22 to 29.8 u/L, respectively, which was statistically significant compared to the control group (P < 0.001, P < 0.001). In the control group, the mean of ALT and AST decreased from 50.4 to 46.8 and 45.7 to 44.9 u/L, respectively. The difference was not statistically significant. In addition, a significant decrease was observed in weight, triglycerides, and cholesterol, while no significant change was found in fasting blood sugar, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL).

Conclusions:

Considering the significant decrease in the liver enzymes, triglycerides and cholesterol after using berberis vulgaris extract, further studies with larger sample sizes will identify the accurate dose as well as duration of consumption for this extract, to recommend in the treatment of patients with NAFLD.     

Evaluation of the effect of Benson's relaxation technique on pain and quality of life of haemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial

Background

Haemodialysis patients may suffer from pain and impairment of quality of life. Some complementary interventions, such as relaxation therapy, might affect the pain and quality of life. The present study aimed to identify the effectiveness of Benson's relaxation technique in relieving pain and improving the quality of life in haemodialysis patients.

Study design

The study was a randomized controlled trial.

Setting and participants

The data were collected in two haemodialysis units affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. A total of 86 haemodialysis patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention (receiving Benson's relaxation technique) or the control group (routine care) from 2011 to 2012.

Intervention

The patients in the intervention groups listened to the audiotape of relaxation technique twice a day each time for 20 min for eight weeks.

Measurements and outcomes

The pain numeric rating scale and Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index-dialysis version questionnaire were completed at baseline and 8 weeks after the intervention. The data were analyzed using independent t-test and ANCOVA.

Results

The results of ANCOVA showed a significant difference between the intervention and the control group concerning the mean score of the intensity of pain (F = 6.03, p = 0.01). Moreover, a significant difference was found between the intervention and the control group regarding the total quality of life (F = 10.20, p = 0.002) and health-functioning (F = 8.64, p = 0.004), socioeconomic (F = 12.45, p = 0.001), and family (F = 8.52, p = 0.005) subscales of quality of life.

Conclusion

These findings indicated that Benson's relaxation technique might relieve the intensity of pain and improve the quality of life in haemodialysis patients. Thus, Benson's relaxation technique could be used as part of the care practice for relieving the pain intensity and improvement of the quality of life in haemodialysis patients.     

Effects of psycho-educational intervention on health-related quality of life (QOL) of patients with chronic liver disease referring to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Background  

Chronic liver diseases (CLDs) are progressive disorder which has a significant impact on the well-being of patients and leads to significant morbidity. CLDs are characterized by disturbances in physical, psychological and social aspects of well-being. It causes significant health-related quality of life (QOL) impairment. Psycho-educational interventions targeting to functional factors could be beneficial for patients with CLDs.     

M-banding characterization of a 16p11.2p13.1 tandem duplication in a child with autism, neurodevelopmental delay and dysmorphism

We describe a partial duplication of the chromosome 16 short arm [46,XY,dup(16)(p11.2p13.1)] in an Iranian girl with autism, neurodevelopmental delay, mental retardation, very poor memory, and dysmorphism including sparse hair, upslanting palpebral fissures, long philtrum, micrognathia, hypotonia, small feet and hands, syndactyly of the fingers, and hypoplastic thumbs. The patient now four years old, has a normal twin sister, and the parents are unrelated. The abnormal 16p was originally detected by banding cytogenetic techniques, and was characterized by multicolour banding fluorescence in situ hybridization (MCB). The MCB pattern on the derivative chromosome 16 indicated a direct duplication of the region 16p11.2 to 16p13.1.