فهرست مطالب

Iranian Biomedical Journal
Volume:22 Issue: 1, Jan 2018

  • تاریخ انتشار: 1396/08/22
  • تعداد عناوین: 8
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  • Molecular Basis of α-Thalassemia in Iran
    Atefeh Valaei, Morteza Karimipoor, Alireza Kordafshari, Sirous Zeinali Pages 6-14
    Alpha-thalassemia (α-thal) is probably the most prevalent monogenic condition in the world. Deletions are the most common type of mutations in α-thal, followed by point mutations and small insertion/deletion. In the context of national screening program for prevention of thalassemia and hemoglobinopathies in Iran, α-thal carriers have come to more attention. Therefore, the frequency and distribution of α-globin mutations in various regions of the country have been studied in recent years. A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and national databases for finding reports on mutation detection in α-thal carriers and HbH disease with Iranian origin. The mutation data of 10849 α-thal carriers showed that -α3.7 and α-5NT were the most common deletional and nondeletional mutations, respectively. In HbH disease cases, the -α3.7/--MED was the most prevalent genotype. Overall, 42 different mutations have been identified in α-globin cluster reflecting the high heterogeneity of the mutations in Iranian populations.
    Keywords: α-Thalassemia, Point mutation, HbH disease, Iran
  • Marzieh Shams Nooraei, Ali Noori-Zadeh, Shahram Darabi, Farzad Rajaei, Zohreh Golmohammadi, Hojjat Allah Abbaszadeh Pages 15-21
    Background
    Autophagy is a mechanism disassembling the damaged organelles from the cell. This study attempted to examine the expression of several autophagy-related genes in Parkinson’s disease (PD) rat model.
    Methods
    The male Wistar rats were divided into three groups as control, sham, and lesion. In the latter group, the PD rat model was induced by the injection of 6-hydroxydopamine in the striatum.The behavioral test was conducted one (baseline) and four weeks after the surgery through apomorphine hydrochloride. Then the RT-PCR technique was employed to evaluate the expressions of p62/SQSTM, autophagy-related genes (ATG)5, ATG12, ATG16L1, ATG10, GAPDH, and LC3.
    Results
    By injecting apomorphine, the striatal lesion group showed a significant contralateral rotation at fourth week as compared to the baseline. The examination of p62, ATG5, ATG12, ATG16L1, and LC3 expressions using RT-PCR revealed that p62, ATG5, ATG12, LC3, and ATG16L1 were expressed in the substantia nigra of PD rat model, while ATG10 was not expressed.
    Conclusion
    ATG10 expression is necessary for the initiation of autophagy. Thus, these results show that autophagy deregulation occurs in the initiation stages of the process in the rat model of PD.
    Keywords: Parkinson's disease, autophagy, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), ATG16L, ATG10
  • Jalal Babaie, Samira Amiri, Robab Homayoun, Ebrahim Azimi, Reyhaneh Mohabati, Mahboobe Berizi, M. Reza Sadaie, Majid Golkar Pages 22-32
    Background
    We have previously reported that immunization with GRA2 antigen of Toxoplasma gondii induces protective immunity in CBA /J (H2k) and BALB/c mice (H2d). We aimed to examine whether immunization of a distinct strain of rodent with recombinant dense granule antigens (GRA2) combined with monophosphorryl lipid A (MPL) adjuvant elicits protective immune response against T. gondii.
    Methods
    C57BL/6 (H2b haplotype) mice were immunized with GRA2, formulated in MPL adjuvant.
    Results
    Strong humoral response, predominantly of IgG1 subclass and cellular response, IFN-γ, was detected at three weeks post immunization. Mice immunized with GRA2 had significantly (P
    Conclusions
    We can conclude that GRA2 immunization partially protected against T. gondii infection in C57BL/6 mice, though the potency and longevity of this antigen as a standalone vaccine may vary in distinct genetic backgrounds. This observation further emphasizes the utility of GRA2 for incorporation into a multi-antigenic vaccine against T. gondii.
    Keywords: Immunization, GRA2, Toxoplasma, MPL
  • Ziba Abbasi Nejat, Shirin Farahyar, Mehraban Falahati, Mahtab Ashrafi Khozani, Aga Fateme Hosseini, Azamsadat Faiazy, Masoome Ekhtiari, Saeideh Hashemi-Hafshenjani Pages 33-41
    Background
    Vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is an important problem due to Candida spp. The aim of this study was molecular identification, phylogenetic analysis, and evaluation of antifungal susceptibility of non-albicans Candida isolates from VVC.
    Methods
    Vaginal secretion samples were collected from 550 vaginitis patients at Sayyad Shirazi Medical and Educational Center of Gorgan (Golestan Province, Iran) from May to October 2015. Samples were analyzed using conventional mycological and molecular approaches. Clinical isolates were analyzed with specific PCR using CGL primers, and the internal transcribed spacer region and the D1-D2 domain of the large-subunit rRNA gene were amplified and sequenced. Susceptibility to amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, and clotrimazole was determined by the guidelines of the Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute.
    Results
    In total, 35 non-albicans Candida isolates were identified from VVC patients. The isolates included 27 strains of Candida glabrata (77.1%), 5 Candida krusei (Pichia kudriavzevii) (14.3%), 2 Candida kefyr (Kluyveromyces marxianus) (5.7%), and 1 Candida lusitaniae (Clavispora lusitaniae) (2.9%). The fungicides itraconazole and amphotericin B were effective against all species. One isolate of C. glabrata showed resistance to fluconazole and clotrimazole, and 26 isolates of C. glabrata indicated dose-dependent susceptibility to fluconazole. C. lusitaniae was susceptible in a dose-dependent manner to fluconazole and resistant to clotrimazole.
    Conclusions
    Non-albicans Candida spp. are common agents of vulvovaginitis, and C. glabrata is the most common species in the tested patients.
    Keywords: Candida glabrata, Vulvovaginal candidiasis, Candida krusei
  • Ali Teimoori, Mehrab Nejati, Saeedeh Ebrahimi, Manoochehr Makvandi, Milad Zandi, Azarakhsh Azaran Pages 42-49
    Background
    Non-structural protein 4 (NSP4) is a critical protein for rotavirus (RV) replication and assembly. This protein has multiple domains and motifs that predispose its function and activity. NSP4 has a sequence divergence in human and animal RVs. Recently, 14 genotypes (E1-E14) of NSP4 have been identified, and E1 and E2 have been shown to be the most common genotypes in human.
    Methods
    The gene and protein sequence of NSP4 in RV-positive samples were inspected with the aim of NSP4 genotyping and variation analysis in viroporin and other domains. P and G typing of RV samples have been carried out by WHO primers using a semi-multiplex PCR method. Non-typeable RV samples were amplified by conserved primers and sequenced.
    Results
    In viroporin and enterotoxin, conserved sequence was detected, and amino acids substitution with the same biochemical properties was found.
    Conclusion
    Moreover, association of NSP4 genotype with P or G genotyping G1/G9 correlates with E1 genogroups. In electrophoretyping of RV, E2 genotype had short pattern when compared to E1.
    Keywords: NSP4, Rotavirus, Genotyping
  • Houshang Afrouzan, Azar Tahghighi, Sedigheh Zakeri, Ali Es-Haghi Pages 50-65
    Background
    With considering the importance of natural products for their remedial and therapeutic value, this research was aimed to analyze the chemical compositions and antimicrobial activity of four propolis samples from different areas of Iran (Chenaran, Taleghan, Morad Beyg, and Kalaleh) with various climates and flora.
    Methods
    ethanolic (70% EtOH) and dichlromethane (DCM) extracts of Iranian propolis were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods, and antimicrobial activity was evaluated against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus using disk diffusion antimicrobial method.
    Results
    The results of GC-MS analysis showed the presence of fatty acids, flavonoids, terpenes, aromatic-aliphatic acids, and their related esters. The total flavonoids in DCM extract of Chenaran, Taleghan, Morad Beyg, and Kalaleh propolis were pinocembrin and pinostrobin chalcone. The common phenolic and terpene compounds detected in all four tested EtOH extracts were P-cumaric acid and dimethyl -1,3,5,6-tetramethyl-[1,3-(13C2)] bicycloce [5.5.0] dodeca-1,3,5,6,8,10-hexaene-9,10-dicarboxylate, respectively. The highest inhibitory diameter zone of the Iranian propolis against C. albicans, E. coli, and S. aureus was for DCM extract of Kalaleh propolis (13.33 mm), Morad Beyg propolis (12 mm), and Kalaleh (11.67 mm), respectively.
    Conclusion
    Iranian propolis showed antimicrobial activities against C. albicans, E. coli, and S. aurous, perhaps due to the presence of flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenes as active components that can be used alone or in combination with the selected antibiotics to synergize antibiotic effect, as well as to prevent microbial resistance to available antimicrobial drugs.
    Keywords: Propolis, Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Flavonoids, Iran
  • Solmaz Agha Amiri, Najmeh Zarei, Somayeh Enayati, Mohammad Azizi, Vahid Khalaj, Soraya Shahhosseini Pages 66-69
    Background
    Design of experiments is a rapid and cost-effective approach for optimization of recombinant protein production process. In our previous study, we generated a potent dual-acting fusion protein, anti-CD22 scFv-apoptin, to target B-cell malignant cell lines. In the present investigation, we report the effect of different variables on the expression levels of this fusion protein.
    Methods
    Four variables (cell optical density at induction, IPTG concentration, induction temperature, and induction time) were tested using experimental design.
    Results
    our findings demonstrated that among the examined variables, only the induction time had a significant positive effect on the protein expression yield.
    Conclusion
    Experimental design was successfully applied in this study. The optimized condition obtained in the current study can be applied in future commercial production of this novel fusion protein.
    Keywords: Recombinant protein, Single-chain antibodies, Fusion proteins, E. coli
  • Taiebeh Mohammadi Farsani, Elahe Motevaseli, Nadia Neyazi, Mohammad Reza Khorramizadeh, Elaheh Zafarvahedian, Mohammad Hossein Ghahremani Pages 70-75
    Background
    Insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) is a conserved zinc metallopeptidase. Here, we have evaluated the effect of passage number and culture time on IDE expression and activity in colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) cells.
    Methods
    Caco-2 cells were cultured with different passage ranges of 5-15, 25-35, 52-63 for 48, 72, and 120 hours. Subsequently, IDE expression and enzyme activity were assessed by Western blot analysis and fluorescent assay, respectively.
    Results
    Our results confirmed that the amount of IDE was higher in cell extract compared to supernatant, and different passage numbers and culture times had small effect on IDE expression. However, when cells were cultured in the passage number range of 5-15 for 72 hours, the IDE activity was 35% higher compared to other passage numbers (P
    Conclusion
    The use of Caco-2 cells at passage number range of 5-15 and culture time of 72 hours provides proper conditions for the studies related to IDE.
    Keywords: Metalloendopeptidase, Alzheimer Disease, Caco-2 cells