International Journal of Medical Laboratory

4

Authors: Hosein Timori Naghadeh, Zainab Pirmohamadjamaat, Shirin Ferdowsi *

Background and Aims: The quality of platelets (PLT) during storage is influenced by various factors. The purpose of this study was to determine the potential effects of the air bubbles and foam in the bag of platelet and its effects on the quality of the final product. Materials and Methods: In this paired-study, the air bubbles and foam, which develops after the preparation of the platelet units were excluded from the control units (n=10), but not from the test units (n=10). Various in vitro variables after the 5-day storage was evaluated, including measurements of PLT counts, mean PLT volume (MPV), Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), PH, swirling, aggregation response, and the expression of CD62P. Results: PLT count was lower (p=0.001) and LDH was higher (p=0.006) in the test vs. control units. PH was maintained at >7 (day 5) and swirling remained at the highest level (score=2) for all units throughout storage. No significant difference in MPV and CD62P expression was detected between the groups. Conclusions: It was found that the storage of platelets in bags containing air bubbles and foam after five day storage period increased disintegration of the platelets.

8

Authors: Amin Dehghan Banadkouki, Gilda Eslami, Hengameh Zandi *, Ali Dehghan Banadkouki

Background and Aims: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a gram negative opportunistic pathogen of nosocomial infections that causes pneumonia, urinary tract infection (UTI), meningitis, septicemia and diarrhea. The emergence and spread of carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae often cause failure in the treatment of infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from clinical urine specimens. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive-sectional study, from December 2013 to August 2014, 130 Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were collected from hospitalized patients with urinary tract infections and identified by biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was evaluated by the standard disk diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer). E.test method was used for determining of meropenem minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Carbapenemase producing was investigated by the Modified Hodge Test (MHT). blaKPC was evaluated by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method using specific primer pair. Results: The results showed that 61 (46.9%) isolates were non-susceptible to at least one of the carbapenems. 35 (26.9%), 5 (3.8%) and 5 (3.8%) isolates were resistant to imipenem, meropenem and ertapenem, respectively. 45.9% (28 of 61) of isolates were carbapenemase producing and all of them were negative for the presence of blaKPC. Conclusions: With respect to the high prevalence of carbapenemase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, it is recommended that MHT is performed in routine laboratories for limiting and controlling the spread of the carbapenem resistant isolates.

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Authors: Anahita Nazari, Mohamad Bagher Khalili *, Akram Astani, Mahmood Vakili, Maryam Sadeh, Mahdiye Mojibiyan, Shahla Rashighi, Fariba Reyhanizadeh

Background and Aims: Group B streptococcus (GBS) may cause neonatal infection during and or after the delivery, and is the leading cause of sepsis, bacteremia, pneumonia and meningitis. The virulence factors are carried by both capsule and surface proteins by which serotypes and genotypes are determined. However, some genotypes are believed to be related in severity of neonatal diseases, therefor this investigation was aimed to determine the surface proteins genotype of detected GBS from both vagina and urine of pregnant women. Materials and Methods: In the present study, a total of 346 vaginal and urine samples were obtained from the same pregnant women. Following culturing the samples on sheep blood agar medium and related tests (CAMP, Hiporate hydrolysis) the suspected colonies were further confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. The detected GBS species were then genotyped using multiplex PCR assay. Results: Out of 346 specimens, 57 (16.47%), and 33 isolates (9.5%) were identified as vaginal and urine GBS, respectively. Genotype rib was predominant in both vaginal discharge and urine specimens, by frequencies of 56.1% and 54.5%, respectively. Other genotypes of vaginal GBS were as epsilon (36.8%), anlpha-C (3.5%), and alp2/3 (3.5%); while GBS in urine were as epsilon (36.4%), alp2/3 (6.1%), and anlpha-C (3%). Conclusions: The prevalence of GBS in both vaginal and urine samples were reliable in comparison to other societies. These results showed that genotype rib of GBS, which seems to be associated to neonatal diseases, is dominant genotype in both urine and vaginal samples.

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Authors: Mohammad Hassan Kheirandish, Hossein Zarei Jaliani *, Behnaz Rahmani

Background and Aims: DNA cloning, sub-cloning and site directed mutagenesis are the most common strategies in nearly all projects of recombinant protein production. The classical method of restriction site cloning is unsatisfactory due to the need for supply of restriction enzymes and the inefficiency of the digestion reaction. Many new methods, including recombinatorial cloning and ligation independent cloning need additional enzymes and kits. In this project we insert a full-length streptolysin O gene into an expression plasmid without using any uncommon commercial enzymes. Materials and Methods: Steptolysin O gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and introduced into the pPSG-IBA35 vector using a quick-change PCR. At the same time the gene was double digested and sub-cloned into pET28a (+). Both constructs were introduced into BL21 DE3 cell. Proteins were purified by Ni-NTA column and hemolytic activity was evaluated by spectrophotometry using human red blood cells. Results: Steptolysin O was subcloned into the pET28a (+) and pPSG-IBA35 vectors and expressed in E. coli. Protein was purified with over 90% purity. The IC50 of C and N terminus his-tagged protein were 0.22 and 0.29 µg/ml, respectively in hemolysis assay. Conclusions: This study showed for the first time that full-length streptolysin O can be expressed in E. coli cytoplasm without any toxicity for the bacteria itself. The only additional amino acids expressed on the protein were his-tag. To study the role of this toxin it would be better to express the protein with the same strategy to have minimal extra amino acids on the protein.

4

Authors: Zakieh Rostamzadeh *, Mohadese Nemati, Mahshid Mohammadian

Background and Aims: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a serious global health problem affects many people. Recently, because of vaccination, the incidence of HBV infection has been reduced, but in high risk population also health care students (HCS) adequate immunization is serious. The aim of this survey was to evaluate HBV immunization in the population of the paramedical students based on the demographic characteristics in Iran. Materials and Methods: Anti-HBsAg titer was prospectively assayed in all vaccinated of the 95 HCS using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results and Conclusions: Anti-HBsAg titer in the studied population was estimated about 92.8±80.5 mIU. Anti-HBsAg titer response was significantly higher in females to males. A low proportion of vaccinated HCS had low titers antibody against HBV infection. Therefore, measuring anti-HBsAg titer may help to drop in HBV incidence in HCS. This reduction can be correlated with the effectiveness of national immunization program.

10

Authors: Shalini N. Maksane*, Rupali Parikh , Lakshmi Vaswani

Background and Aims: Six sigma is the latest version of total quality management. It is quantitative goal for process performance. With increasing demands for improved accuracy and reliability of the results, Six Sigma is gaining increased visibility in the clinical laboratory process outcomes. The aim of study was to evaluate the quality of analytical phase performance in a clinical biochemistry laboratory by calculating sigma metrics. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in a hospital laboratory of Bhatia Hospital, Mumbai. Mean, coefficient of variation, bias, and sigma values were calculated for 24 biochemistry parameters. The guidelines used for total error allowable (TEa) values were clinical laboratory improvement amendments (CLIA), RILIBAK and college of american pathologists (CAP). Four months’ internal and external quality control data were extracted for the following parameters-albumin, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), amylase, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), bilirubin direct, bilirubin total, Ca, cholesterol, creatine kinase (CK), creatinine, triglycerides (TG), Uric acid (UA), unsaturated iron binding capacity (UIBC), urea, gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), glucose, high-density lipoproteins (HDL), iron, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), lipase, Mg, phosphorus and total protein. Results: Albumin, ALP, AST, ALT, amylase, bilirubin total, Ca, cholesterol, CK, creatinine, TG, uric acid, GGT, glucose, iron, LDH, lipase, Mg, Phosphorus, total protein showed the performance of more than six Sigma for both level of controls. Bilirubin direct, Urea, for level 1; UIBC, urea, HDL for level 2 showed sigma from 3-6. Conclusions: Based upon sigma metrics, laboratory quality control strategy can be planned and reevaluated for continuous monitoring and improvement of test methods.

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Authors: Arezou Rahimi, Mehrnaz Mesdaghi, Nima Rezaei, Mahboubeh Mansouri, Iraj Mohammadzadeh, Hamid Farajifard, Mehrdad Amirmoini., Delara Babaie, Reza Alimohammadi, Zahra Chavoshzadeh

Background and Aims: Patients with Hyper-IgE syndrome suffer from fungal and bacterial infections, especially Candida albicans and Staphylococcus aureus. Due to the important role of T helper17 (Th17) lymphocytes in defense against fungal infections, the percentage of Th17 lymphocytes was studied in the patients with autosomal recessive hyper-IgE syndrome (AR-HIES). Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, six patients with AR-HIES (with DOCK-8 mutation) and seven healthy age and sex-matched controls were included. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated from their venous blood and the percentage of Th17 lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometry. Results: There was no statistical difference between the percentage of Th17 lymphocytes (p=0.15) in the case and control groups. Also in comparison to the control subjects, the numbers of eosinophils were dramatically increased (p=0.000). Also, there was a significant negative correlation between serum IgE levels and Th17 lymphocytes’ percentage (r=-0.927, p=0.006) and a significant positive correlation between eosinophils number and Th17 lymphocytes’ percentage (r=0.557, p=0.01). Serum IgE levels showed a significant positive correlation with the numbers of eosinophils in the patients’ peripheral blood with AR-HIES (r=0.961, p=0.003). Conclusions: The numbers of Th17 in the patients with AR-HIES may not show statistical differences between the cases and controls. The numbers of eosinophils significantly increased in the patients AR-HIES compare to the controls.

12

Authors: Khosrow Aghaiypour, Elham Bahreini*, Shiva Jafari

Background and Aims: L-Asparaginase II is a cornerstone of treatment protocols for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Only asparaginase II obtained from E.coli K12 and Erwinia chrysanthemi have been used in human as therapeutic drug. The therapeutic effects of asparaginase II from E.coli K12 and Erwinia chrysanthemi are accompanied by side effects. It is desirable to search for other asparaginase II sources with novel properties that could be therapeutic and produce an enzyme with less adverse effects. Materials and Methods: Previously, we performed the in vitro studies, including cloning, sequencing and expression of L-asparaginase II genes (ansB) from Citrobacter freundii 1101, Erwinia chrysanthemi DSM 4610, E.coli BL21 and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC 10031. In this article, the obtained results were compared bioinformatically. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence alignments were carried out by ClustalW2. Protein localization and signal peptides were predicted by PSORT and SIG-Pred softwares, respectively. Percentages of hydrophobic and hydrophilic residues were calculated by Genscript software. The physicochemical parameters were computed using Expasy’s ProtParam prediction server. The secondary and 3D structures were predicted by SOPMA and the online server Phyre2, respectively. The antigenicity of the asparaginase IIs was predicted using Semi-empirical method. Results: E.coli BL21 and Citrobacter freundii 1101 had the most similarity in physicochemical parameters and antigenicity with E.coli K12. Also, Erwinia chrysanthemi DSM 4610 had the most similarity in physicochemical parameters and antigenicity with Erwinia chrysanthemi. Conclusions: In spite of these similarities with drug types, the potentiality of other low-similar asparaginase IIs should also be determined and compared with drug types.

6

Authors: Salvatore Chirumbolo *

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7

Authors: Hamed Faghihi, Abolghasem Abbasi Sarcheshme, Seyed Hassan Hejazian *

Volume 4, Number 1 (2017) | IJML 2017, 4(1): 56-62 | Back to browse issues page XML Print Download citation: BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks Send citation to: Mendeley Zotero RefWorks Faghihi H, Abbasi Sarcheshme A, Hejazian S H. The Relaxant Effect of Carvacrol on Acetylcholine-induced Contraction in Isolated Rat's Ileum . IJML. 2017; 4 (1) :56-62 URL: http://ijml.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-162-en.html The Relaxant Effect of Carvacrol on Acetylcholine-induced Contraction in Isolated Rat's Ileum Hamed Faghihi, Abolghasem Abbasi Sarcheshme, Seyed Hassan Hejazian * Abstract: (31 Views) Background and Aims: The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of carvacrol were reported. The aim of the current study was an investigation the relaxant effects of carvacrol on acetylcholine-induced contraction in isolated rat's ileum. Materials and Methods: In this study, the tissues separated from ileum were fixed on the organ bath containing Tyrode's solution. The amplitude of contractions has been recorded using isotonic transducer. Before and after subjecting the tissues with saline and different concentrations of carvacrol,the procedure was elicited by cumulative logarithmic concentrations of acetylcholine (Ach). Results: Our results indicated that carvacrol at 10-2, 10-3 and 10-4, but not 10-5 M decreased acetylcholine (10-4 M)-induced contraction (10-2 M at p<0.001; 10-3 and 10-4 at p<0.05 vs. Ach+saline). The antispasmodic effect of carvacrol was examined and showed that in concentrations of 10-5, 10-4 and 10-3 M, but not 10-6 M, the contractive effect of acetylcholine10-3 M was prevented significantly. The concentrations of 1, 2 and 4 µM of verapamil were also tested and indicated that 4 µM of verapamil reduced contraction by 22.1±.5% (p<0.01 vs. saline). In samples treated with combined carvacrol (10-5 M) and verapamil (4 µM) contraction percentage was decreased by 35±14%, which was significantly different compared to the Ach+saline group as well as the single treated groups (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). Conclusions: According to our findings, due to the effect of carvacrol and verapamil, the relaxant mechanism of carvacrol may be mediated by Ca+2 release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum and the response of the contractile system.

8

Authors: Arsalan Salari, Fatemeh Moaddab, Mahsa Pourabdollah Tootkaboni, Maryam Shakiba, Mohadeseh Poursadeghi *

Background and Aims: Bilirubin has been considered an antioxidant that protects against atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of serum bilirubin level with the severity and complexity of coronary artery disease (CAD) and long-term outcome in the patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was performed on 136 patients with STEMI undergoing PCI in Heshmat Hospital, Rasht, Iran during 2 years. The complexity was calculated by using dedicated software of the syntax score and the severity of CAD was determined based on the number of vessel involvement. Also, long-term outcomes were evaluated by major adverse cardiac events (MACE ) after one year. Results: The mean total bilirubin level was 0.95 ± 0.69 mg/dl; 60.3% of the patients were in the low range of syntax score (0-22) and 38.2 % had two vessels involved. In examining the relationship between serum bilirubin level with the severity and complexity of CAD and MACE, There was no statistically significant association (p>0.05); but, the majority of the patients with high bilirubin levels had a lower number of vessels involved and the complexity of the vessels; Also, MACE was observed in the patients with low bilirubin levels. Conclusions: According to the results, attention to serum bilirubin level could be important in CAD and the protective effect of bilirubin can be used for new therapeutic decisions. Further studies on a larger sample of patients have been recommended to confirm and complete these findings.

10

Authors: Yaser Eskandari Torbaghan, Mohammad Kazemi Arababadi, Ali Shams *

Background and Aims: Engagement of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) and its ligand “S100A12 protein” induce a cascade of reactions that eventually might lead to develop an inflammatory response dependent on NF-κB. Although involvement of S100A12 and RAGE in some autoimmune disease have proved, in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection functions of the proteins are not clear thus far. Determining of expression of S100A12 and RAGE in peripheral blood cells of the CHB patients was the aim of the present study. Materials and Methods: In the case-control study the mRNA levels of S100A12 and RAGE genes of the sixty CHB patients and sixty healthy donors were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction method. The patients and healthy donors were sex and age-matched. Results: The findings demonstrated expression of S100A12 and RAGE in the CHB patients significantly decreased compared to the healthy donor group (p=0.001). Expression levels of the genes were not altered among HBeAg-positive and HBeAg-negative CHB patients. The HBV-DNA copy number/ml did not affect the expression of S100A12 and RAGE in the patients (p>0.05). Conclusions: The results of the study suggested that down regulation of RAGE and S100A12, because of their role in inducing inflammation, might have a considerable role in chronicity of hepatitis B.

8

Authors: Parisa Bab Rahmati, Zahra Tahmasebi Fard *, Nahid Nafisi

Backgrounds and Aims: One member of the cytochrome P450 family, CYP1A1, is one of the genes involved in the metabolism of carcinogens and estrogen, which has been identified to be associated with breast cancer, as well. Considering the known effect of estrogen in different signaling pathways, disorders in these pathways will affect the risk of breast cancer. In this study, we evaluated the relationship between rs1048943 polymorphism of CYP1A1 gene and the risk of breast cancer in a population of Iranian women. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 79 patients with breast cancer and 79 healthy women at shohad-e-tajrish hospital. After genomic DNA extraction from peripheral blood cells using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, the genotype of the participants was identified. Then, the relationship between A/G polymorphism and the disease risk was analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: The mean age of the patients and controls was 48±8 and 43±6 years, respectively. the results showed that the frequency of the G allele had a significant difference between cases and controls. Accordingly, the presence of the G allele, as a risk allele, increased the chance of breast cancer in the carriers of this allele by at least a factor of 2.33 in comparison with people without this allele (OR=2. 33, %95 CI:1.21-4.37, p=0. 006). Conclusions: Our findings showed a significant correlation between the CYP1A1 gene polymorphism and increased risk of breast cancer in a population of Iranian women.

8

Authors: Ali Moradi, Hamidreza Yousefi, Davoud Javidmehr, Alireza Karimollah *

Background and Aims: Flavonoids as polyphenolic naturally occurring compounds have antioxidant activity. There is increasing evidence suggests that flavonoids may affect the activity of enzymes. Paraoxonase 1 is calcium - dependent enzyme that is present in high density lipoproteins. This enzyme has an important role in the prevention of low density lipoprotein oxidation. We investigated the effects of kaempferol, galangin and apigenin from two different chemical subclasses of flavonoids on serum paraoxonase 1 activity and stress oxidative parameters in male rats. Materials and Methods: 40 rats (weighting 250±20 g) were randomly divided into four groups. Each group subdivided into two equal subgroups. Subgroups received a dose of 10 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg of flavonoid. Flavonoids were dissolved in ethanol 10%, and given by oral gavage once a day for two months. After that, paraoxonase activity was measured by spectrophotometric method regarding the amount of para Nitro phenol production at a wavelength of 412 nm. The malondialdehyde and total antioxidant capacities were measured respectively by the thiobarbituric acid and the 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picryl-hydrazyl reduction method. Results: The results obtained from the direct effect of selected flavonoids on augmentation serum paraoxonase activity and prevention of malondialdehyde production in comparison with the control group was as follows: kaempferol> Galangin > apigenin. Conclusions: Results confirm that structural differences in C3-OH and number of hydroxyl groups could have been an important role in increasing serum paraoxonase 1 activity and reduction of oxidative stress parameters

8

Authors: Reza Ghahramani, Maryam Eidi *, Hossein Ahmadian, Mostafa Hamidi Nomani, Roya Abbasi, Marzieh Alipour, Ali Anissian

Background and Aims: Portulaca oleracea (purslane) herb has renewed an interest in medicinal plants because its aerial parts usage generally does not elicit any side effects. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the anti-diabetic effect of hydro-ethanolic extract of P. oleracea seeds in alloxan- induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: In the test group, diabetic rats received hydroethanolic extract at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, intraperitoneally for 14 days while in the control group, they received just saline vehicle. Then, biochemical analysis was performed to evaluate serum profiles in diabetic treated rats. After that, liver sections were prepared for histopathological analysis. Results: In comparison to the control group, the serum profiles of the test group exhibited significant changes. In the control diabetic group, the serum levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein, urea and uric acid were 494, 122, 220, 163, 492 and 94 mg/dL and aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were 3215, 3394 and 1527 UI/l reduced respectively to 165, 18, 120, 63, 36 and 52 mg/dL and 1219, 1229 and 1717 UI/l in the test groups. Also, the administration of the purslane extract significantly increased high-density lipoproteins and total protein levels and attenuated hispathological damage in liver tissue in alloxan- induced diabetic rats. Conclusions: The present data indicated that hydro-ethanolic extract of P. oleracea seeds has anti-diabetic effect in diabetic animals. So, this plant should be considered in future therapeutic researches.

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Authors: Sanaz Hadizade Asar, Mohammad Hosseini-Sharifabad *, Maryam Yadegari

Background and Aims: This study examined sub-chronic effects of Methamphetamine (METH) on the stereological parameters in the Cornu Ammonis (CA) of the hippocampus in adult mice. Materials and Methods: Fifteen adult male mice, eight weeks old, were randomly divided into three groups: receive saline (controls), or low-dose (LD) 2.5 mg/kg METH, or high-dose (HD) 25 mg/kg METH, via daily intraperitoneal administrations for one month. The Cavalieri principle was used to estimate the volume of CA hippocampal field. The physical disector was used to determine the numerical density of CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cells. The qualitative Golgi staining was also done for analyzing the dendritic morphology of CA1 and CA3 pyramidal cells. Results: Our results showed that in METH-treated mice, the volumes of the Oreins, Pyramidal and Radiatum-Lacunosum-Moleculare layers in the CA1 and CA3, the entire volumes of the CA1 and CA3 subfields and the entire hippocampal volume were significantly increased compared to the control animals (p˂0.001). The estimated total number and numerical density of pyramidal cells in the CA1 and CA3 in both treated groups showed a significant decrease in comparison with the controls (p˂0.001). The pyramidal neurons of CA1 and CA3 in treated mice had more dendritic arborization and greater dendritic length than control mice. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that sub-chronic METH injection induces stereological changes in the structure of the hippocampus in adult mice. A neuroanatomical basis may be related to the primarily reported impairment of learning and memory abilities in the METH user.

3

Authors: Mehdi Ebadi *, Hossein Faramarzi

Background and Aims: The aim of present study was to investigate the molecular characteristic of Staphylococcus aureus to detect mec A gene and to type SCCmec in strain isolated from healthy worker at Larestan Hospital. Material and Methods: This study was carried out from the 250 nasal swab healthy worker at Larestan hospital. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction for mecA gene was performed in all samples. Also, agar screen plate with oxacillin was carried out using CLSI guidelines. The two methods were then compared. Results: Of 250 samples, 37 (14.8%) samples are Staphylococcus aureus, 28 (75.7%) of samples were confirmed at Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) harboring mec A gene detected by Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and 9 (24.3%) negative mec A. Sixteen of 28 (57.1%) were HA-MRSA and the remaining 12 (42.8%) were CA-MRSA. The Multiplex PCR assay for SCCmec complex of MRSA strains showed that 9 (32.1%) samples were SCCmec type I, 8 (28.6%) SCCmec type IVb, 5 (17.9%) SCCmec type II, 4 (14.3%) SCCmec type V and 2 (7.1%) SCCmec type III. Agar screen plate with oxacillin was found in all the 28 MRSA samples to harbor mecA gene and all was resistant. Conclusion: Our results illustrated that more than 70% of staph aureus strains were positive for mec A gene and more than 50% of them were HA-MRSA. In comparison to other methods, PCR and Agar screen method more sensitivity determines MRSA isolates. However, PCR was identified as the ideal method for detecting MRSA strains.

6

Authors: Mohammad Ataei, Ehsan Farashahi, Morteza Seifati, Nasrin Ghasemi *

Background and Aims: This research aimed to study a possible link between endometriosis and polymorphism of the progesterone receptor gene. Materials and Methods: The control group consisted of 86 women without endometriosis and the case group comprised 86 patients with a diagnosis of endometriosis by laparoscopy. Genotypes for Alu insertion polymorphisms (A1/A1, A1/A2 and A2/A2) were described by polymerase chain reaction and determined on a 2% agarousegel. Results: The genotype frequencies of A1/A2 and A2/A2 were not significantly higher in patients than in the control group without endometriosis. On the other hand differences in the Alu insertion polymorphism frequencies were not significant. Conclusion: According to our investigations, we conclude that there is not a significant correlation between Alu insertion polymorphism and endometriosis. ;line-height:115%'> According to our investigations, we conclude that there is not a significant correlation between Alu insertion polymorphism and endometriosis.

7

Authors: Farideh Jamali, Sahar-sadat Emadi, Ahmad Mosadegh *

Backgrounds and Aims: Healthy milk and dairy products are important in human nutrition because of the high value of the food. Contaminated raw milk is the mainly way of transmition of brucellosis to humans.Unpasteurized milk and dairy products can contagion to human and cause mallta fever. So brucellosis is an important zoonotic disease in human and animals especially domestic animals. The aim of this study is determining the contamination of traditional and industrial cow and sheep milk to brucella spp in Yazd. Materials and Methods: Totally 198 raw milk samples were randomly cultured in three months period from the units of distribution supply of the milk centers at diffrenet regions in yazd, examined by special brucella agar,species identification was performed by Gram stain, and growth in the presence of aniline dyes, hydrogen sulfide production, and urease test. Results: Five samples (2.52%) were positive, 4 samples (2.02%) of Brucella.abortus and 1 sample (0.5%) of Brucella.melitensis were confirmed out of 198 cultured milk samples. Conclusions: The results show the seriousness of the brucllosis transmission to human (Malta fever) through raw and unpasteurized milk.

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Authors: Bahram Moghimi, Saba Gharibi, Ehsan Farashahi Yazd *, Mohammad Taher Tahoori, Seyed Mehdi Kalantar

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small preserved non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by targeting the 3' UTR of mRNAs for translational repression or degradation. The rising evidence has established the significant role of miRNAs within the regulation of immune system and the prevention of autoimmunity. MiR-146a has obtained an importance as a modulator of differentiation and the function of cells of the adaptive, as well as innate immunity rapidly. In this paper, we summarize the recent understanding of the role of miR-146a in adaptive and innate immune responses, as well as in autoimmunity.