Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram negative bacilli that causes the stomach and duodenum diseases in human. An important virulence factor of H. pylori is a CagA gene that increases of colonization it in stomach epithelial cells and lead to inflammation and peptic ulcers. The aim of the present study was to production of recombinant protein containing highly antigenic region of CagA in E. coli.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the antigenic region (1245 base pair) of CagA gene was detected by bioinformatics methods, proliferated by PCR method, digested by BamHI and XhoI restriction enzymes and cloned into pET32a plasmid and was expressed in the E. coli BL21 (DE3) pLysS with induced by IPTG. The expressed protein was purified with Ni-NTA kit and its antigenicity was studied by western blotting method.

Results: Data showed the successful cloning and expression of the target gene. Recombinant CagA protein purified by Ni-NTA kit and dialysis with concentration of 1.5 mg/ml. In western blotting, the produced protein was interacted with infected human and mice sera.

Conclusion: Results indicated that recombinant CagA protein (65 KDa) maintains its antigenicity, so could be used for serological diagnosis of H. pylori diseases and production of vaccine.

Background: Racial and environmental factors may influence the refractive errors, corneal curvature and thickness. These variables were evaluated in Arak residential university students.

Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional observational study 400 students aged 18-30 years old living in Arak city that were eligible for the study. Demographic and past medical history information of all students was recorded and the corneal thickness (CT) and curvature (CC) and refractive error were measured. The correlation between refractive indices and CT and CC were investigated in all cases and also in refractive subgroups.

Results: The mean of CT, CC and power were 533.22(±32.02) µm, 7.75(±0.28) mm and 43±1.66 Diopters respectively. There were significant correlation between refractive error and CT in hyperopic subgroup (p=0.029) and between CT and CC in myopic subgroup (p=0.007). The mean of CC of myopic and astigmatic subgroups were significantly more than normal cases.

Conclusion: These findings are similar to the other international researches about corneal thickness, curvature and refractive errors in normal population. It seems further studies with more and older cases are necessary to investigate the impact of climatic condition and industrial air pollution on refractive errors and corneal parameters.

Background: Considering that pre-diabetes is one of disorders that increases developing of diabetes, this study was performed to investigate the effect of L-Arginine supplementation on antioxidant enzyme activity, total antioxidant capacity, and body composition in patients with pre-diabetes.

Materials and Methods: A double-blinded randomized clinical trial was performed on 46 pre-diabetic patients. Patients in intervention (n=23) and  placebo groups received  3g/day L-arginine and placebo (three 1gr L-arginine capsules), respectively for 8 weeks. Anthropometric, body composition, and dietary intake assessments, and also biochemical tests were done at baseline and end of study. Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC), glutathione peroxidase enzyme and superoxide dismutase activity were measured. Paired t-test, independent t-test and ANOVA were used to analyze quantitative variables.

Results: Thirty eight patients (19 subjects in each group) completed the study. After adjusting confounding factors, no significant difference in body composition, anthropometric indices and dietary intake was observed at the end of study (p<0.05 in all factors), but a significant difference in TAC level was observed in the intervention group at the end of study (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Supplemenation with 3gr/day L-arginine for 8 weeks led to raised serum TAC level without changes in body composition in pre-diabetic patients.

Background: Giardiasis is the most common infectious diseases of medical parasitology and public health in our country and in many countries is important. Accourding the importance of treating the disease, particularly parasite resistance to drugs. Thus, the aim of present study was investigated the effect of gold nanoparticles on Giardia lamblia cyst stage of the in vitro.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, Giardia cysts from contaminated fresh feces were collected and concentrated with use 0.85 M sucrose methods for isolation of cysts. Samples after counting with Noubar slide were stored at 4°C. The gold nanoparticles at concentrations of 0.05, 0.1, 0.3 mg/ml prepared and verified, the particle size was determined. The effect of different concentrations of the nanoparticles at 5, 15, 30, 60 and 180 minutes was evaluated and compared to control groups (metronidazole). Data from the study were recorded and analyzed with T-test and Chi-square by used SPSS software.

Results: The results of the cytotoxic effect of nanoparticles on the different concentration and time of Giardia lamblia cysts in vitro compared with the positive control (Metronidazole) shows mean percent of effect gold nanoparticles increased with increasing concentration and exposure time, so that the concentration of 0.3 mg/ml from 62% at 5 min to 96% at 180 min increased (p<0.05). Also, the survey results show Giardia cysts with increasing exposure time , killing effect of gold nanoparticles at a concentration of 78% in 0.05 mg/ml to 96% at a concentration of 0.3 mg/ml greatest increased (p<0.05). As a result, the concentration of gold nanoparticles in comparison with Metronidazole has the most effect gold nanoparticles at a concentration of 0.3 mg/mL, almost the same effect of Metronidazole as the drug of choice in the treatment of Giardia lamblia.

Conclusion: Therefore, the results of this study, gold nanoparticles at a concentration of 0.3 mg/ml as an effective combination for killing Giardia lamblia cysts in vitro can be used. Thus, future studies on laboratory animals (In vivo) are recommended.

Background: The Infections that are related to vascular access, are regarded as Important factor in mortality and morbidity in the patients with immune deficiency including hemodialysis patients. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common and most Important organism involved in this regard and it cause bacteremia and its complications in the patients is important. This organism can cause carriage states and its most frequent carriage source is in the nose. The aim of this study is determination of staphylococcal carriage states in the Zanjan hemodialysis patients and control group.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study is designed in the patients with chronic renal disease who were referred to the hemodialysis wards. Nasal samples were collected with sterile swabs. Then they were inoculated in the blood agar culture media and incubated at (35-37) degree for (24-48) hours. This method was taken for control group too. The collected data were analyzed with SPSS and Chi-Square statistically methods.

Results: Based on this study, 7.4 percent of patients and 11.1 percent of the control group were nasal carriers of staphylococcus aureus. The results did not show any meaningful statistically difference between the cases and control groups. But a meaningful statistically difference was observed in the Staphylococcus hemolyticus carriages and the nasal carriage of this organism was more common in the women of case group.

Conclusion: Based on our study, we don't find high prevalence rate of nasal staphylococcus aureus carriage among our case group, and It seems this organism isnot an important agent in our hemodialysis wards.

Background: Primary dysmenorrhea is chronic cyclical pelvic pain associated with menstruation in absence of an identifiable pathological condition. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence and severity of dysmenorrhea among athletes and non-athlete girls and its relation with body composition.

Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study 223 healthy students aging 20-30 years old from Guilan university randomly divided to two groups (72 athletes and 151 non-athletes). The athletes group engaged in regular physical activity for at least one year, three sessions a week and the non-athletes group were not engaged in any sports activity.  Data were collected by questionnaire and anthropometric measurements.

Results: The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was lower in athletes than non-athletes group (61.1% vs. 88.8%, p<0.001). A significant difference was observed in mood symptoms, physical symptoms and severity of pain between two groups (p<0.05). Also there was statistically significant relationship between body fat and physical symptoms of dysmenorrhea in both groups. However, no statistically significant relationship was observed between physical symptoms of dysmenorrhea, BMI and WHR.

Conclusion: It seems that performing regular exercise can be used as a preventing, treating or supplementary method in control of the early dysmenorrhea.

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.

Background: Shigella dysenteriae one of the main causes of diarrhea in humans, but there is no vaccine against it. IpaD protein is one of the most important virulence factors in pathogenic shigella. The cloning N-terminal ipaD genes with ctB genes that have a role in adjuvant and carrier as recombinant vaccine can caused enhance the mucosal immune response.

Materials and Methods: Designing primers for genes ctB and ipaD were carried out based on the construction of gene cassettes, respectively. PCR reactions were performed to amplify the fragments and amplified fragments were cloned into pGEM-Teasy vector. Both the vector cut by restriction enzymes HindIII and XhoI and ipaD gene to gene ctB finally were Fusion. The ctB-ipaD gene cassette and expression vector pET28a(+) cuted by SalI and HindIII restriction enzymes. The cloning ctB-ipaD cassette was performed in the expression vector and expression of gene cassettes.

Results: In this study, the N-terminal ipaD as vaccine candidate antigen was genetically linked to the C terminal of ctB which has a carrier and adjuvant role. Fusing ctB-ipaD in the expression vector pET28a(+) is confirmed by sequencing, PCR and digested with restriction enzymes. The recombinant proteins produced is confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot.

Conclusion: According to previous and similar studies, product cassette ctB-ipaD and expression its was expected. Is hoped to protein expression of this gene cassette and the production of antibodies could be achieved the candidate vaccine against Shigella.

Background: Thymus is essential in creating some of the disorders and diseases. Treatment of these disorders (particularly tumors and myasthenia gravis) is possible with complete removal of the thymus.

Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study over a period of eleven years, all case of thymectomy performed at the Department of Thoracic Surgery of shahid Beheshti University has investigated. Variables examined included age, sex, primary diagnosis, surgical technique, complications and results of surgery.

Results: The total number of patients was 50 (46% male and 54% female) with a mean age of 85.14 ± 46.41 years. Primary diagnosis was myasthenia gravis in 40% of patients and thymoma in 42% of them. Myasthenic symptom was the most common presenting symptom (50%). Radical thymectomy surgery was performed in 64% of patients. Fever and atelectasis (10%) and respiratory failure (12%) were the most common postoperative complication and mortality rate was 4%. Thymoma (64%) and thymus hyperplasia (20%) were the most frequent pathology. Clinical symptoms were gone or greatly reduced in 40% of patients. The majority of them had a primary diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (36%). 50% of patients have been followed up. The mean follow-up time in these patients is 32.20 ± 36.41 months.

Conclusion: Thymectomy surgery with low morbidity and mortality, provides the possibility of treatment of thymic lesions. Especially Thymoma and Myasthenia Gravis

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.

 Background: Comprehending of suicidal ideation and related factors has valuable clinical outcomes in domains of prevention and crisis intervention. The aim of the present study was to explore the predictive role of psychological, demographical and socio-economic factors in suicidal ideation.

Material and Methods: In a cross-sectional descriptive study, 671 persons among general population of Semnan City were selected by voluntary sampling. Data were collected with NEO-Five Factor Personality Inventory, Symptom Check-List Revised, The Defense Style Questionnaire, The Beck Scale for suicide Ideation, The Beck Hopelessness Scale, The Social Support Questionnaire and demographical questionnaire, then analyzed by correlation and Logistic Regression with SPSS.

Results: Literacy level (OR=1.237 P<0.014), Family relationships (OR=1.873 P<0.010), Outcome (OR=4.211 P<0.003), Job status (OR=3.149 P<0.008), History of psychiatric disorders (OR=5.754 P<0.003), Hospitalization in psychiatric ward (OR=2.003 P<0.011), Neuroticism (OR=6.136 P<0.001), Extraversion (OR=3.612 P<0.005), Neurotic defense style (OR=2.468 P<0.005), Mature Defense Style (OR=4.107 P<0.002), Immature Defense Style (OR=3.059 P<0.003), Social Support (OR=7.609 P<0.001), and Hopelessness (OR=9.834 P<0.001) significantly differentiated persons with suicidal ideation from persons without suicidal ideation (P<0.001). These variables totally could correctly predict 97.4% of suicidal ideation.

Conclusion: In this model, risky psychological, demographical and socio-economic factors increase the odds ratio of suicidal ideation. These findings have importance for designing of preventive interventions and interventional programs for self-harm behaviors.

Background: Sudden visual loss is one of the emergent problems that it may be a sign of a life-threatening disease. It should be quickly evaluated and identified the treatable causes.

Case report: A young man without any history of certain disease was referred to the emergency department with complaints of sudden blindness. He was presented with fever, coriza symptoms and progressive blurring of vision that ultimately led to his visual loss. After carefully evaluation, finally suspected diagnosis of acute fulminant multiple sclerosis was made.

Discussion: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease that is associated with acute attacks of neurological dysfunction. Some of these attacks are an emergent situation and need to early detection and treatment. There is a variant of Multiple sclerosis that called Acute Fulminant Multiple sclerosis which can cause sudden visual loss.

Background: Allergy is regarded as a multifactorial condition that its onset and severity are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Hence, identification of genetic factors involved in allergic rhinitis development and its related phenotypes is a major task in understanding the genetic background of allergic rhinitis. This study was designed to examine the association between IL-18 -607 A/C promoter polymorphism on chromosome 11q22 and allergic rhinitis.

Materials and Methods: In this analytic study, genomic DNA was obtained from the blood samples of 293 patients with allergic rhinitis and 218 healthy controls by standard phenol chloroform method. The IL-18/-607 A/C polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis. To analyze the association between genotypes and alleles and the disease in the case group compared with the control group, X2 test was used.

Results: The frequency of the AC genotype of the IL-18/-607 A/C gene polymorphism was significantly greater in allergic rhinitis patients than in controls (p<0.05). By comparing the frequency of AA genotype with other genotypes, OR was calculated as 2.03.

Conclusion: The results suggest that IL-18/-607 A/C polymorphism gene may be one of the factors participating in the pathogenesis of AR or its intermediary phenotypes.

Background: Schizophrenia is a widespread neurodegenerative disorder, which affects approximately 1% of the world population. It is a multifactorial and a highly heritable disease to which genetic factors contribute up to approximately 80%. Nowadays, multitude of genes have been discovered that relate to this disorder mostly by affecting the performance and levels of neurotransmitters in neural systems. Since PAI-1 is a considerable gene in the performance of neural systems, the present study dealt with the relationship between -675 4G/5G polymorphism in PAI-1 gene and schizophrenia among Iranian patients.

Materials and  Methods: This case-control study was carried out on 106 blood samples collected from individuals suffering from schizophrenia and 122 healthy controls. DNA was extracted from the samples and the frequency of the polymorphisms was analyzed using ARMS-PCR method. Finally, the products were detected on 2% agarose gel electrophoresis.

Results: The analysis of the data for -675 4G/5G polymorphism showed that 17.9% of the patients and 1.6% of the controls were mutant homozygous and 65.1% of the patients and 45.9% of controls were heterozygous. Also, 17% of the patients and 52.5% of the controls were normal homozygous.

Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between PAI-1 4G/5G polymorphism and the incidence of schizophrenia. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study in Iran that assesses the frequency of the polymorphism among Iranian patients. However, further studies with more samples are necessary.

Background: Gene therapy is a recent promising treatment that effective gene transfer is considered as its most important step. Furthermore noninvasive method of transfer will be important to, when gene therapy is supposed to be applied. Administration of drugs in oral rout is more appreciated by patients. Loading and release rates are very important in targeting and effectiveness of transfer in all different methods that have been used for oral drug transfer. Here, we have studied packing of gene particles into two different enteric coats and compared these two coats in loading of entrapped materials and there release rate in vitro.

Materials and Methods: First, DNA was mixed with chitosan by coacervation technique and resulted polyplexes were coated using solvent evaporation technique. FTIR and two different pHs, less and more but near eudragit pKa, were used to evaluate formation of particles and their behavior.

Results: Formed particles have similar stability in low pH and their differences are trivial. Eudragit L100 release rate is really slower than L100-55 and gradual. Eudragit L100 shows better ability in loading rate.

Conclusion: According to two formed particles' behavior, eudragit L100-55 might be used in oral gene transfer targeting of initial part of small intestine and eudragit L100 might be used for wider surface of small intestine, from the initial to the end part, and colon.

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.

Background: Arsenic as an environmental contaminant induces male infertility. Curcumin with potent antioxidant property is able to restrict oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of curcumin on testis tissue and sperm count in adult mice treated with sodium arsenite.

Materials and Methods: In an experimental study, animals were divided into four groups: control, sodium arsenite (5 mg/kg), curcumin (100 mg/kg) and curcumin+sodium arsenite. Treatments were performed by intraperitoneal injection for five weeks. After treatment period, body weight was recorded. Left testis was dissected, weighed and used for the histopathological study of seminiferous tubules. Left cauda epididymis was also used to count sperm number.

Results: Mice treated with sodium arsenite showed a significant decrease in the sperm count, the diameter of seminiferous tubules and a significant increase in the lumen diameter of tubules compared to control group. In curcumin+sodium arsenite group, curcumin significantly reversed the adverse effects of sodium arsenite on testis and sperm count. Whereas, the treated mice showed no significant difference in body and testis weight as well as morphology and nuclear diameter of spermatogonia between four groups.

Conclusion: Curcumin is able to compensate the toxic effect of sodium arsenite on sperm count and testis in adult mouse.

Background: Streptococcus pyogenes produce extracellular hyaluronidase enzyme which is directly associated with the spreading of the organism during infection. Hyaluronidase enzyme is able to break hyaluronic acid or interstitial cement. This enzyme might be used in cancer treatment.The objective of the present study was to clone and express the nucleotide sequence of this enzyme which is involved in hyaluronidase enzymatic activity.

Materials and Methods: The enzymatic region of hyaluronidase gene was detected by bioinformatics methods. The polymerase chain reaction method was used to amplify the region. The amplified product was cloned into the expression vector pET32a. E. coli BL21 (DE3) pLYsS was transformed with recombinant plasmids. Then gene expression was induced by IPTG. The expressed protein was purified successfully via affinity chromatography by NiNTA kit. The integrity of the product was confirmed by western-blot analysis.

Results: The nucleotide sequence of amplified gene was consistent with the streptocuccal hyaluronidase gene. The concentration of recombinant protein calculated to 500 mg purified protein per liter. The enzymatic region of recombinant protein from Streptococcus pyogenes was recognized by all five patient’s sera with Streptococcus infection.

Conclusion: In general, it is possible to produce the enzymatic regions of the Streptococcus pyogenes hyaluronidase in Escherichia coli. The antigenic property of the produced protein is well retained. Considering the product's domestic demand and also low efficiency of production and pathogenicity of Streptococcus species, it is possible to produce it as recombinant product.

Background: Considering to the frequency of occurrence of hypoglycemia in diabetes, alternative substrates for glucose play an important role in maintaining brain metabolism. The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term effects of endurance training on brain lactate uptake during hypoglycemia in type 1 diabetic rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, seventy-two male Wistar rats were equally divided into four groups: Control, Trained, Diabetic control and Diabetic trained. Diabetes was induced by intraperitoneally injection of streptozotocin. After 8 weeks of endurance training, Hypoglycemia was induced by an intraperitoneally injection of insulin. One-half hours after hypoglycemia, lactate (4 mmol/kg) was injected intraperitoneally into animals. Animals were killed at intervals of 10, 20, and 30 min after injection, plasma and brain concentration of lactate and glucose were measured.

Results: A significant difference was found for plasma lactate concentration at intervals 20 (p<0.05) and 30 (p<0.05) between healthy groups and also between diabetic groups (p<0.05). Thirty minutes after injection, significant increase in brain lactate concentration was found between control and trained (p<0.05) and control diabetic and diabetic trained (p<0.05). Brain/plasma ratio of lactate had a similar pattern with brain lactate concentration. Increase in brain lactate concentration had no effect on decreased level of brain glucose concentration.

Conclusion: Endurance training can increase the brain lactate uptake of diabetic rats during hypoglycemia.

Background: Human &beta-defensin 126 (12kDa) is a small cationic glycoprotein that is highly rich of cysteine. DEFB126 gene is located on the subtelomeric end of 20p1.3 in human. High expression of this protein is reported in epididymis. This polypeptide coats the plasma membrane of sperm during epididy‌mal transit. It is likely that &beta -defensin 126 might have role in unexplained male infertility since it involves in sperm maturation and capacitation. The current research designed to investigate if there is relation between &beta-defensin 126 gene mutation and unexplained male infertility.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study we followed a two cytosine nucleotides deletion of &beta-defensin 126 gene in 35 Iranian men with unexplained infertility and 40 fertile men with normal spermogeram as control group. Standard PCR, SSCP(Single strand conformational polymorphism), and sequencing were used to detect genetic alteration of &beta-defensin 126. ELISA was performed for the assessment of the protein expression on sperm cells.

Results: Analysis of genetic data revealed 28.6% homozygote deletion in unexplained infertile men while this deletion was detected in 7.5% of controls. The deletion frequency was statistically higher in infertile patients than normal control group (p<0.05). The protein expression was less in men with del/del genotype compare to the other genotypes (p<0.005).

Conclusion: Our study shows that this common sequence variation of &beta-defensin 126 takes part in impairment of male reproductive function. Consequently, men with the del/del genotype are significantly less fertile than men who carry the wild type allele.