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Background: Nowadays, the use of inflammatory biomarkers in the diagnosis of appendicitis is on the rise. On the other hand, the role of oxygen free radicals in various inflammatory states has been verified. Noticing the high prevalence of negative appendectomy (9.3-22.2%), the aim of this study was to investigate the level of blood total antioxidant capacity (TAC) as a biomarker for early diagnosis of acute appendicitis. Materials and Methods: In this prospective analytical trial, over a one-year period, 407 patients, with preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis who had undergone operation, were studied. After measuring the TAC level, data were analyzed through the analytic ROC curve and parametric mean comparison tests. Results: Of all the patients, 298 were identified with appendicitis. TAC levels in adult female and male groups were respectively 663.9±164.75 and 752.58±167.37 µm/L which revealed a significant difference (p<0.0001). Also, in children, the mean of TAC level in perforated appendicitis sub-group was significantly greater than those in gangrenous and suppurative groups. Conclusion: TAC level can be used as a predictive factor for the diagnosis of perforated appendicitis in children however, it cannot be used as a biomarker for the diagnosis of appendicitis. Because of the significant difference existing between the level of TAC in male and female patients, further studies are suggested to investigate the level of inflammatory biomarkers with respect to menstrual cycle in women.

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Background:Today, in spite of quick and amazing human advancements in prevention treatment, and control of diseases and their positive effects on the community, lack of reliance on the instructions of prophets on spirituality and ethics of human relationships has led to health, social, ethical, and environmental crises that have resulted in spread of emerging diseases such as AIDS. Therefore, the way out of this crisis is the return to the instructions of prophets and religions, especially Islam. This article explains the role of Islam instructions in achieving millennium development goals in the fight against malaria and AIDS. Materials and Methods: In this review article, through access to reliable sources in the form of a descriptive article, practical strategies of Islam for achieving millennium development goals for fighting diseases, AIDS, and malaria are investigated. In so doing, by applying appropriate keywords to electronic and manual search in reliable Islamic and medical resources, data were collected and the central research question was addressed. Results: Based on the results of the reviewed studies, instructions and ideas of Islam on reconstructing the environment, preservation of natural resources, observing personal health, priority of health to treatment, abstinence from risky sexual behaviors, and so forth have practical implications for malaria and AIDS control and prevention so that if there had been commitment to Islam, AIDS as an emerging disease might never have developed. Conclusion: Noticing the availability of resources and instructions in Islam on health and medicine for prevention and fight against diseases, such ideas can be utilized for preventing the emergence and development of other new diseases. Hence, Islamic instructions can be presented to the world as practical strategies for achieving millennium development goals.

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Background: Diagnosis of acute appendicitis is one of the challenges that surgeons face in the emergency ward. Although Alvarado score has been recommended in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, this criterion has some limitations in terms of age, sex, and race. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Alvarado score in the diagnosis of acute appendicitis based on the age and gender. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 407 patients who underwent operation with the preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis from June 2008 to August 2009 were included in the study. The patients’ data were recorded by the investigators. The data were compared by parametric tests. The sensitivity and specificity were determined by the optimal cut-off point on ROC curve using MedCalc software version 10.2.0.0. Results: The optimal cut-off point for women was lower than men (6 and 7, respectively). The rate of negative appendectomy in the group with Alvarado scores 9 and 10 was 11.8%, while the negative appendectomy rate in the other two groups with Alvarado scores 7 and 8 and 5 and 6 were 29.9% and 52.8%, respectively. Conclusion: The diagnostic value of Alvarado score of 8 and less in physical examination is lower than the abdominal tenderness exam alone. Also, the cut-off point for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis in women should be considered lower than that in men. On the other hand, the cut-off point in adolescents and children is higher than adults.

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Background: Leukemia is a malignant and progressive disease. Over-expression of inhibitors of apoptosis proteins (IAPs), such as survivin and its anti-apoptotic variants, including sur-ΔEx3, is the main cause of resistance to apoptotic effects of chemotherapy drugs. In the present study, the effects of CBX on apoptosis and expression level of survivin and sur-ΔEx3 and K562 cells (experimental model of chronic myeloid leukemia) were investigated. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, human K562 cells were cultured and exposed to CBX. Trypan blue exclusion test was used to evaluate growth inhibitory and viability effects of the drug. Fluorescent microscopy (acridine orange/ ethidium bromide double staining) and DNA electrophoresis were applied to the study of apoptosis. The expression level of survivin and sur-ΔEx3 was studied by semiquantative RT- PCR. Results: The results showed that after the 48 h treatment of K562 cells with 150 µM CBX, significant growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects (up to 50%) were induced. In addition, after 2-4 h of treatment with CBX (150 µM), down-regulation of survivin and sur-∆Ex3 were observed. However, the expression level of survivin and sur-ΔEx3 increased to the level of control cells with longer treatment times (6-12 h). Conclusion: Noticing the apoptotic and down-regulatory effects of CBX on survivin and sur-∆Ex3 expression, this drug can be used as a potential candidate for further studies on CML treatment, especially for inhibition of drug resistance in leukemia cells.

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Background: To date, several drugs have been proposed for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) however, none of them has resulted in complete remission. Therefore, many efforts are in progress to find new drugs with the capability of inducing apoptosis. Recently, anti-carcinogenic effects have been reported for a drug named carbenoxolone (CBX) on several cell lines. In the present study, the effects of CBX on NB4 cell line, as an experimental model of APL, were examined. Materials and Methods: In this trial, NB4 cell line was cultured and treated with different concentrations of CBX (50-250µM) in various time intervals (12-48 hours). Trypan blue exclusion test was used to evaluate growth inhibitory and viability effects of the drug on NB4 cell line. Fluorescent microscopy (acridine orange/ethidium bromide double-staining) and agarose gel electrophoresis DNA were used to study apoptosis. Results: CBX induced growth inhibition of NB4 cells so that growth inhibition rates of NB4 cells, after the 48 hour of treatment with 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 µM CBX were 32.65, 47.52, 60.73, 68.91, and 74.33%, respectively. Furthermore, the results of DNA fragmentation and fluorescent microscopy assays indicated that apoptosis is a major mode of cell death after treatment of NB4 cells with above concentrations of CBX. Conclusion: Noticing the growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of CBX on human promyelocytic leukemia NB4 cells, it can be considered as a potential candidate for further studies on APL treatment.

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Background: Nucleostemin plays a critical role in controlling proliferation and self-renewal of stem cells and cancer cells. Thus, inhibition of nucleostemin expression could be a potent therapeutic approach in cancer treatment. In the present study, the effects of nucleostemin gene silencing in K562 cell line were studied. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, after transfecting NS-specific siRNA into K562 cells, changes in nucleostemin gene expression pattern were determined by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Trypan blue exclusion test, MTT assay, and fluorescent microscopy were used to evaluate the growth inhibition and apoptosis of K562 cells, respectively. Flow-cytometery was utilized for evaluating the effects of nucleostemin gene silencing on cell cycle. Results: The results showed the high expression of nucleostemin gene in K562 cells. NS-siRNA transfection into K562 cells at 200 nM inhibited the nucleostemin mRNA level up to 55% after 48 hours when compared to corresponding control cells. Forty eight hours after transfection, the cell growth decreased up to 33.7%. In addition, the silencing of nucleostemin induced G1 cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, fluorescent microscopy assays indicated that apoptosis occurred 48 hours after silencing nucleostemin gene expression. Conclusion: Noticing the potent growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects of nucleostemin siRNA in human myeloid leukemia K562 cells, silencing this gene can be a potential target for inhibiting K562 cells as the stem cell model of chronic myeloid leukemia.

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Background: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli bacterium is the most important bacterial agent causing diarrhea. Specific virulence factors, such as enterotoxins and colonization factors, distinguish ETEC from other classes of diarrheagenic E.coli. In this study, heat-labile toxin was purified which could be utilized for anti-toxin assay in GM1 gangelioside receptor-ELISA based method and for identification of ETEC producing toxin. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, bacterial strain producing heat-labile toxin was first cultivated for production and purification of toxin. Then supernatant soluble proteins were precipitated with ammonium sulfate and purified using biochemical methods. Finally, purified protein was dialyzed against Tris 0.02 mM pH 8 and analyzed on gel electrophoresis. GM1 gangelioside receptor-ELISA based method was used for detection and assessment of the purified toxin. Through this method, the effect of anti-recombinant heat-labile toxin B subunit neutralization on heat-labile toxin was investigated. Results: Toxin purification was revealed by the presence of 12 and 28 KD protein bands. This study demonstrated that anti-recombinant heat-labile toxin B subunit antibody can detect the purified toxin and can inhibit its binding to GM1 receptor up to 80%. Conclusion: Purification of heat-labile toxin and gangelioside receptor-ELISA assay can be used for accurate detection and epidemiological study of clinical isolates.

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Background: Acute pancreatitis is a common cause of abdominal pain, without any characteristic signs, symptoms, or a gold standard diagnostic modality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of urine trypsinogen-2 strip test in acute pancreatitis. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 76 patients with abdominal pain suspected to acute pancreatitis who were admitted to the Emergency ward of Valiasr Hospital, Arak, were evaluated. In 46 patients, acute pancreatitis was confirmed (pancreatitis group), whereas in 28 patients, acute pancreatitis was ruled out (control group). In both groups serum levels of amylase, lipase, CRP, and urine trypsinogen-2 were measured by quantitative and qualitative methods. Sensitivity and specificity of the tests were determined and data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Urine trypsinogen-2 dipstick was positive in 36 of the 45 patients in the pancreatitis group (sensitivity: 80%) and in 2 of the 28 patients in the control group (specificity: 92.8%). Urine trypsinogen-2 ELISA test was positive in 41 of the 45 patients in the pancreatitis group (sensitivity: 91.1%) and in 4 of the 28 patients in the control group (specificity: 89%). Amylase sensitivity and specificity were equal to 82.6% and 75%, respectively. Lipase sensitivity and specificity were 76% and 85.7%, respectively. Conclusion: Urine trypsinogen-2 dipstick can be used to differentiate acute pancreatitis from other causes of abdominal pain. This rapid, easy-to-use, and accurate test can be used in emergency wards and primary health care units with limited diagnostic facilities.

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Background: Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of mortality due to cancer worldwide and it is the most common type of cancer in Iran. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of prognostic factors on the survival of patients with gastric cancer using the penalized spline in Cox model and compare it with Cox proportional hazards model. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, information obtained from a total of 216 gastric cancer patients who underwent surgery at Taleghani Hospital of Tehran between 2003 and 2008 years was included. Cox proportional hazards model and penalized spline in Cox model were used. R software was used for data analysis. The efficacy of these models was compared according to Akaike information criterion. Results: The five-year survival rate was 30% and the mean follow-up time was 16.60±15.28 months. Survival mean and median were 46 and 30 months, respectively. The analysis of Cox proportional hazards and penalized spline models resulted in age at diagnosis and tumor size as prognostic factors for survival time (P<0.05). Also, Akaike information criterion and survival curve for patients with a tumor size over 35 mm and age at diagnosis over 45 years were equal in both models. Conclusion: Cox proportional hazards and penalized spline models generated similar results thus, it is more appropriate to use Cox proportional hazards model because of its ease of interpretation and capability of modeling both continuous and discrete covariates. This study also showed if gastric cancer is diagnosed early, the relative risk of death will reduce.

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Background: Heat shock proteins (HSP) are from proteins family playing crucial role in maintaining cellular hemostats and protecting cells in an acute and chronic stressful conditions. The object of this study is to investigate the alternation of heat shock proteins (HSP70) levels after Wingate and Strand tests in female students.

Materials and Methods: In this semi- experimental study, 40 female (20 athletics and 20 non-athletics) with the mean age 22.3±3 & 23.2±2, Height 159.2±5 & 161.2±4 cm and mean weight of 59.3±3 & 65.4±2 kg (respectively) were selected randomly and underwent training protocols of Wingate and Strand tests with 3 days intervals. 5 cc brachial vein blood samples were taken immediately before and after performing tests in order to analyze the data using repeated measure method.

Results: The findings showed significant increase after aerobic Strand test between athletics and non-athletics Female (p<0.01). But, after aerobic Wingate test, a significant increased was observed only in Athletes' group (p>0.05). But there was an insignificant reduction in non-athlete group.

Conclusion: The results showed that exercise duration is more important than exercise intensity in HSP70 production.

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  Background: Due to the lack of efficient anti-HIV vaccine, anti-HIV pharmaceuticals play an important role in controlling HIV infection. Also significant rise in drug resistance and drug toxicity has caused increased interest in finding new anti-HIV agents. In this study, a nano-sized version of lamivudine based on PEGylated chitosan was synthesized.

  Materials and Methods: In this research, nanoparticles of chitosan were efficiently PEGylated for increasing their stability in water and then the anti-HIV drug, lamivudine, was loaded on these PEGylated nanoparticles. After purification and lyophilization of new synthesized nanoparticle, the raw materials and final product were sampled and FTIR, HNMR and CHN analyses were done.

  Results: Results of HNMR spectroscopy showed that chitosan nanoparticle was successfully PEGylated. HNMR data confirmed FTIR results and indicated that lamivudine was conjugated on chitosan nanoparticle. In addition, CHN analysis data also confirmed both HNMR and FTIR data, and demonstrated that a high yield of chitosan nanoparticle PEGylation (approximately 97%) was done and illustrated a high capacity of lamivudine conjugation on nano-sized PEGylated chitosan (30% _W/W chitosan).

  Conclusion: In this study, lamivudine drug was successfully synthesized, based on PEGylated chitosan nanoparticle.

 

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Background: Occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is defined as the presence of HCV-RNA in liver or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in the absence of detectable hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) or HCV-RNA in the serum. Although occult HCV infection is less aggressive than classic chronic HCV infection, nevertheless it is important in management of hemodialysis (HD) patients. Occult HCV infection has been described in two different clinical settings: in patients with normal liver enzymes or in patients with abnormal values of liver enzymes. The aim of this study was to detect the occult HCV infection in hemodialysis patients with elevated liver enzymes.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was performed in hemodialysis patients referring to 3 dialysis units in Tehran. In 30 anti-HCV negative HD patients with elevated liver enzymes, presence of HCV-RNA in plasma samples was tested by Reverse Transcriptase-Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-nested PCR). In cases with negative anti-HCV and plasma HCV-RNA, HCV-RNA was checked in PBMC specimens by RT-nested PCR.

Results: A total of 30 HD patients with mean age 54.4± 14.1years and mean dialysis duration 81.2 ±64.4 months were enrolled in the study. All HD subjects were negative for HCV-RNA in plasma and occult HCV infection with RT-nested PCR method.

Conclusion: Occult HCV infection was rare in HD patients with elevated levels of liver enzymes.

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Background: Remaining of crude oil in storage tanks usually lead to accumulation of oily sludge at the bottom of the tank which should be treated and disposed of in a suitable manner. In this research the feasibility of chemical oxidation with H2O2 and Fenton&#39;s reagent for removal of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) from composted storage tank sludges was investigated.

Materials and Methods: The sludge was mixed with immature compost at various sludge to compost ratios including 1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8 and 1:10 and composted for 82 days. Then, hydrogen peroxide and Fenton’s reagent were added to the composted mixture in six concentrations including 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 30% w w-1 for a period of 24 and 48 hr.

Results: TPH removal in composting reactors with the ratios of 1:2, 1:4, 1:6, 1:8 and 1:10 were 66.59, 73.19, 74.81, 80.20 and 79.91 percent, respectively. The mean TPH removal of 1:8 composted mixtures with 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% and 30% of oxidant concentrations were 1, 5.09, 19.37, 28.16, 34.37 and 38.05 percent, respectively. The highest removal efficiency was achieved in stepwise addition to the sludge. As well, increasing oxidation time from 24 to 48 hr had a little effect on TPH removal increase and the removal efficiencies of H2O2 and Fenton were nearly similar.

Conclusion: Chemical oxidation with hydrogen peroxide and Fenton as a post-treatment step is an acceptable process in TPH removal from bottom sludge of storage tanks.

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Introduction: Paints are composed of extensive variety of hazardous substances, such as organic solvents and heavy metals. Occupational exposure to paint increases oxidative stress, hematological disorders, and DNA injury. This study was performed to explore the beneficial effects of Selvit on the paint workers by measuring total antioxidant capacity, lipid peroxidation, and blood parameters as main oxidative stress biomarkers.

Materials and Methods: This clinical trial study was conducted on 25 male workers who worked in the paint factory. Serum markers such as total antioxidant capacity (TAC), lipid peroxidation (LPO) and also hematological parameters were measured before and after using Selvit (14 days). SPSS software was used for data analyses and paired t-test and Pearson correlation analysis were applied.

Results: Results showed that after using the Selvit, an increase in TAC and a decrease in LPO were observed but they were not significant. Also, aspartate transaninase significantly decreased after using Selvit and high density lipoprotein significantly increased.

Conclusion: Selvit have beneficial effect on hematological parameters due to its antioxidant capacity.

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Background: Allergic rhinitis affects 40% of general population and has an increasing prevalence. Sleep disturbance is an important problem in individuals with allergic rhinitis. Recent studies have shown that 68% of cases with perennial rhinitis and 48% with seasonal rhinitis have impaired sleep.

Materials and Methods: In this case-report study, 33 children with allergic rhinitis aging 6-18 years entered the study. Thirty five children without allergic rhinitis entered the study as control group. A questionnaire containing demographic data and types of sleep disorders filled for every child.

Results: Except respiratory disorder, there was no other significant difference between groups in any sleep disorder. Sixteen children (48.5%) in case group has respiratory disorder while none of control children were involved (P=0.0).

Conclusion: Nasal congestion is the main factor involved in sleep impairment in children with allergic rhinitis. Therefore, it seems that it is the first symptom to be treated.

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Background: Mir-210 is proangiogenic microRNAis endothelial cells. This microRNA, causes the repression of some genes and proteins target so cause angiogenesis process. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Mir-210 and EphrinA3 receptor genes expression in soleus muscles of male rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Twelve Wistar male rats(ageof eightweeks, average weight of 210.5±9.77)were randomly divided into exercise(n=6)and control (n=6) groups. High Intensity Interval Training was formed five days a week for eight weeks to taly including three Intervals (four minutes with an intensityof 90 to 100%VO2max and two minutes with an intensityof 50 to 60%VO2max).24 hours after exercise protocol, the rats were dissected and separated soleusmuscle. Mir-210 and EphrinA3receptor genes expression was performed by Real Time-PCRtechnique. Mir-210 and EphrinA3receptor genes expression were calculated by using the2∆∆CT and in dependentt-test to determine the significance of variables.

Results: Results showed that HIIT there had no significant effects on Mir-210 gene expression (p=0.16) Whe ars EphrinA3 gene expression in the exercise group was statistically significant (p=0.000).

Conclusion: It seems that a non-significant increase of Mir-210 and reduce in EphrinA3 gene expres sion, causes proangiogenic Operation ofendothelial cells and an increase in VO2max of rats following eight weeks of HIIT performance can be due to increased angiogenesis process.

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Background: Peripheral nerve injures are common in clinical practice that includes from compression injury to complete disruption of nerve trunk. After injury nerves can grow and repair spontaneously, early end to end anastomosis is first choice for repair but only 50% of nerve fiber would be physiologically accurate and effective, thus several techniques for repair of nerve injury are introduced including combination of nerve transplant with silicon tubes, use of biologic and synthetic tubes for nerve conduit.

Materials and Methods: In this Exprimental study, 20 rats with the same weight were selected and kept in the same condition .The left sciatic nerve of them was cut and were divided in two groups.In the first group the facial flap method for repair of nerve injury was used .In the second group vein conduit method was used as standard method. Histological nerve repair was assessed after 45 days and the intact right sciatic nerve was used as control.

Results: Repair of nerve injury in proximal, mid and distal portion of nerve in facial flap method was more effective than vein conduit (P<0.05). Repair of nerve injury in proximal, mid and distal portion had no difference compared with control group (p>0.05).

Conclusion: Repair of nerve injury with facial flap method is more effective than standard method and can be used as a new method for nerve repair.

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Background: Derived hormones from Adipokines include leptin, adiponectin, resistin, apelin, omentin.The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of 12 weeks aerobic exercise on plasma levels of Apelin, Omentin and glucose in obese older women with diabetes type 2.

Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 obese older women were chosen. They were also divided in to two groups: control (n=15 Age: 53.3+5.88 BMI: 28.7+2.2) and experimental (n=15 Age: 52.6+ 7.12: BMI: 30.03+3.6) according to their fat percentage and BMI. The training program included aerobic exercises which were conducted increasingly, 3 times a week for 12 weeks. Blood samples were taken before starting the exercise training and also 24 hours after the last training session. U Mann-Whitney Test was used to evaluate the data and in order to compare each group's pretest and posttest, Wilcoxon test was used at the significance level of p&le 0.05.

Results: There were significant changes in apelin and glucose plasma levels in the training group (p=0.001 and p=0.006 respectively). Furthermore, no significant difference was observed between each group's omentin levels.

Conclusion: It was finally concluded that exercise training can facilitate the process of glucose entrance into a cell because of the continuous muscle contractions and also decrease the plasma glucose. Also each adipokine response might be depend on the intensity and duration of exercise training, separately.

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Background: Impulsivity is a core social pathology. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to Effectiveness of group dialectical behavior therapy based on core distress tolerance and emotion regulation components on Expulsive Anger and Impulsive Behaviors.

Materials and Methods: Research method is a semi experimental socio-statistic approach consisting of experimental group (dialectical behavior therapy) and control group. Participants were patients referred to Amir Kabir Hospital in Arak. and who were Expulsive Anger and Impulsive Behaviors. Based on stratified random sampling, 16 patients (women) were placed in each group. Research tools included the structured diagnosis interview according to DSM-IV-TR (2000), Barrat impulsivity scale (1994) Distress Tolerance Scale (2005) Difficulties of Emotion Regulation Scale (2004) and dialectical behavior therapy were done for two months, 8 groups Sessions.

Results: The results of this study showed that there was significant difference between control and experimental groups after implementation of dialectical behavior therapy relying on component tolerance and regulation of emotional distress variables impulsive behavior and explosion furies (p<0.01).

Conclusion: Distress tolerance and emotion regulation components effective on Expulsive Anger and Impulsive Behaviors.

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Background: Allergic rhinitis is a common disease which is present in 20% of general population. Major symptoms include sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and nasal pruritus. It seems that tricyclic antidepressants blocking histamine receptors may be used as an effective treatment in allergic rhinitis.

Materials and Methods: In this clinical trial study, 84 patients with allergic rhinitis entered the study and randomly divided into two groups. Patients of 1st group received cetirizine and 2nd group received doxepin for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks patients were evaluated about sneezing, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and nasal pruritus.

Results: The results of our study showed that clinical score of patients after 2 weeks was not different in both groups (p=0.261). The only symptom that was affected by the kind of treatment and was significantly different between groups was sneezing (p=0.005).

Conclusion: It seems that there is not much difference in using cetirizine and doxepin in treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis sympotoms. It is recommended that future studies use TCAs with more potent blocking anti-histamine receptors feature and on more samples.