شقایق حق جوی جوانمرد

Cancer cannot be explained only by genetic alterations but involves epigenetic processes. Modifying histones by acetylation plays a key role in epigenetic regulation of gene expression and is controlled by the balance between Histone Deacetylases (HDAC) and Histone Acetyltransferases (HAT). The HDACs expression and activity could be involved in several tumorigenesis mechanisms, so their inhibition induces cancer cell cycle arrest and migration.

Quisinostat is a novel promising second-generation HDAC inhibitor class of hydroxamic acid with high cellular potency towards classes I and II HDACs. Therefore, its low IC50 (<0.5nM) and bioavailability have been chosen to carry out our studies. Cancer cells were treated with Quiznos at nM200, and cell migration was measured by fluorescent microscopy.

This study was the result of a preliminary study of Shiraz University (Code: 96GCU3M1293).

 The data showed that treatment of cancer cells with Quiznos significantly (P<0.05) reduced cell migration. DMSO did not affect reducing cell migration.

 In this project try to explore the possible therapeutic application of this HDAC inhibitor against colon cancer. This study showed Quisinostat exerts broad-spectrum antiproliferative activity and migration.

These days, investigation on using acoustofluidic microchannels in separation of microparticles and cells is under consideration. Working under optimum efficiency, these microchannels should be designed and manufactured truly. In this work, a new methodology for designing and manufacturing of acoustofluidic microchannels are explained. Then, a metallic microchannel with 2-nodes of pressure wave based on this method was developed. For mass production purpose, a low cost and reliable method which is CNC micromachining is used. Also, to conduct the heat generated by the wave, this microchannel was made out of aluminum and then polishing technique is applied. Then, the performance of this microchannel in agglomerating of human blood cells and BT-20 breast cancer cells to nodal lines was experimentally studied. The results showed that the applied design and manufacturing technique are suitable. Although some tests were performed to find temperature rise of microchannel due to damping effect, it was found that true design method and also using metals with high thermal conductivity can prevent the temperature increase to the point beyond which living cells will be hurt.

This review was conducted between December 2018 and March 2019 at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. A review of various studies revealed what data mining techniques to predict the probability of survival, what risk factors for these predictions, what criteria for evaluating data mining techniques, and finally what data sources for it have been used to predict the survival of breast cancer patients. This review is based on the Prism statement consisting of published studies in the field of predicting the survival of breast cancer patients using data mining techniques from 2005 to 2018 in databases such as Medline, Science Direct, Web of Science, Embase data and Scopus. After searching in these databases, 527 articles were retrieved. After removing duplicates and evaluating the articles, 21 articles were used. The three techniques of logistic regression, decision tree, and support vector machine have been most used in articles. Age, tumor grade, tumor stage, and tumor size are used more than other risk factors. Among the criteria, the accuracy criterion was used in more studies. Most of the studies used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program (SEER) dataset. Typically, in the field of survival probability prediction, data mining techniques in the field of classification are given more attention due to their adaptation to this field. Accordingly, data mining techniques such as decision tree techniques, logistic regression, and support vector machine were used in more studies than other techniques. The use of these techniques can provide a good basis for clinicians to evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments and the impact of each of these methods on patientschr('39') longevity and survival. If the output of these techniques is used to provide the data input required by a decision support system, clinicians can provide risk factors related to the patient, the patientchr('39')s age, and the patientchr('39')s physical condition when providing services to breast cancer patients. Through the outputs provided by the decision support system, they provided the most optimal decision to choose the best treatment method and consequently increase patient survival.

Apoptosis defect plays an important role in the formation of tumors and its disruption causes resistance to treatment. The effects of pomegranate on the inhibition of apoptosis and cell proliferation of some cancer types have been demonstrated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of black pomegranate peel extract on cell survival, morphology, and apoptosis of melanoma cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs).
The hydroalcoholic extract of black pomegranate pericarp was prepared. Toxicity of melanoma and HUVEC was evaluated through MTT assay (3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) in the experimental group at different concentrations of the extract (10, 100, 200, 300 μg/ml) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) 0.1% in the control group. In addition, apoptosis was studied using Annexin-V test and flow cytometry. The morphology of the cells was examined under a microscope.
Findings: After 48 hours, melanoma cell survival significantly decreased in a concentration-dependent manner (P Pomegranate peel extract induces apoptosis, death, and morphological changes in melanoma cells. However, it has no effect on HUVECs. It seems that this extract can be a good candidate for apoptosis induction in melanoma cells as complementary therapy.

The unique properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have made them powerful tools in cell therapy and genetic engineering and Murine Mesenchymal stem cells are a suitable model for study in this field. Compared with human mesenchymal stem cells, murine mesenchymal stem cells have different features such as heterogeneity and slow growth rate. Several reports have shown that microRNAs are involved in many cell regulatory processes such as hypoxia. In this study, the effect of hypoxia was investigated on the expression of hypoxia related microRNA in murine mesenchymal stem cells isolated from adipose tissue (AD-MSC).
AD-MSCs were cultured in two hypoxic and normoxic conditions. The expressions of mir-21 and mir-130a in the primary and immortality phase of AD-MSC were evaluated by using Real-time PCR technique. Also, the expression of MSCs surface markers were investigated by flow cytometry in the two mentioned phases.
Findings: Our study showed the expression of mir-21 and mir-130a was increased in hypoxic conditions compared to normoxia. Also expressions of surface markers were different in primary and immortality phase.
Considering that stem cells are sensitive to environmental oxygen levels, over-expression of mir-21 and mir-130a could promote the survival of MSCs exposed to hypoxia.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in tumor growth and angiogenesis. Punica granatum، from Punicaceae family، has demonstrated anticancer effects in different types of cancers. This study aimed to determine the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of pomegranate peel on the number of EPCs in mouse model of melanoma and also to determine its mechanism of action.

The hydroalcoholic extract of black pomegranate pericarp was prepared using 70% ethanol containing 1% acetic acid. 1 × 106 B16F10 melanoma cells were injected to each of 88 C57BL6 male mice weighing 25 g on the day 0، subcutaneously (s. c). On 7th day، mice were randomly divided into 11 groups of 8 animals. The first group (control) received distilled water. Groups second to fifth from the seventh day of the study received 50، 100، 200 and 400 mg/kg of standardized polyphenon E (PPE) via gavage. The sixth group received PPE and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) antagonist (5 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally. The seventh group received PPE and PPAR-α antagonist (10 mg/kg/day) intraperitoneally. Eighth and ninth groups received fenofibrate (100 mg/kg) and rosiglitazone (100 mg/kg) as agonists of PPAR-α and PPAR-γ، respectively، via gavage. Tenth and eleventh groups received PPAR antagonists، merely. On 16th day، mice were euthanized and were bled through heart puncture for EPC enumeration via flow cytometry. In flow cytometry، CD34+/VEGFR2+ cells were enumerated.

PPE dose-dependently decreased the number of EPCs (P < 0. 05). Number of EPCs in the groups which received fenofibrate and rosiglitazone was less than the group that received the highest dose of PPE (P < 0. 05). Moreover، EPCs in the groups which received both PPAR antagonists and PPE، was more than the group which received PPE (P < 0. 01).

In conclusion، we demonstrated that PPE is effective in reducing the number of EPCs and part of this effect is through modulation of PPAR pathway.

Angiogenesis is the process of formation of new capillaries from the preexisting vessels and plays an important role in the growth and metastasis of tumor. In this study، we aimed to investigate the antiangiogenic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of black pomegranate pericarp extract (PPE) in the animal model of melanoma.

The hydroalcoholic extract of black pomegranate pericarp was prepared using 70% ethanol containing 1% acetic acid. 1 × 106 B16F10 melanoma cells were injected to all mice on the day 0، subcutaneously (s. c). On 7th day، mice were divided into 9 groups of 8 animals. The first group received distilled water. Groups second to fifth received 50، 100، 200 and 400 mg/kg of black pomegranate pericarp extract. The sixth group received the extract and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ) antagonist (5 mg/kg/day). The seventh group received the extract and PPAR-α antagonist (10 mg/kg/day). Eighth and ninth groups received fenofibrate (100 mg/kg) and rosiglitazone (100 mg/kg) as agonists of PPAR-α and PPAR-γ، respectively. On 16th day، mice were euthanized and their tumor samples were weighed and then analyzed via immunohistochemistry staining for CD31.

The black pomegranate pericarp extract dose dependently decreased tumor weight and angiogenic marker (P < 0. 05). Moreover، tumor weight and angiogenic marker in the groups which received both peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor antagonists and black pomegranate pericarp extract، was more than the group which received the extract (P < 0. 001). Level of angiogenesis and tumor weight in the groups which received fenofibrate and rosiglitazone was less than the group that received the highest dose of pomegranate pericarp extract (P < 0. 05).

Taken together، our observations suggest that black pomegranate pericarp extract may have potential implication in melanoma cancer treatment، and show that antiangiogenic effect of this extract may be mediated through modulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor activation pathways.

The expansion and development of biomedical sciences and their complexity and specialization have brought about the need for training competent specialists to carry out research in this field. The present study aimed to perform a needs assessment and determine the objectives of biomedical research training course. This qualitative needs assessment was carried out through semi-structured interviews with ten experts in biomedical-related sciences who were selected by purposive sampling. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the results. In order to verify the accuracy of data, an investigative method was used by the subjects. Most interviewees acknowledged the necessity of designing such a course. Data analysis resulted in the extraction of 75 codes and 7 main themes including: necessity of course designing, course objectives, course content, content organization, learners’ characteristics, time of course offering, and certification. The study led to the extraction of educational needs of a biomedical research training course which could become the basis of developing such a curriculum. Drawing on these basic data developed by applying proper scientific principles, it is expected that the implementation of this course may train competent learners who will be responsive to stakeholders’ expectations.

The occlusion of the artery and vein grafts are currently a major problem in coronary bypass surgery. Degradation of collagen and elastin, the most abundant extracellular matrix proteins in the vessel wall by matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), leads to a rearrangement of the extracellular matrix and vascular wall structure. The present study aimed to compare the histological and biochemical characteristics of arteries and veins which could have a role in the failure of the graft.

This study was a cross-sectional study of 80 patients conducted at Heart Hospitals in Isfahan, Iran, between July 2012 and November 2013. Samples were collected from the remains of vessels used in bypass surgery of 11 male nondiabetic patients. The histologic, collagen elastin ratio and MMPs levels of the vessels were investigated. MMPs were determined using the Gelatin Zymography method. For elastin and collagen content measurement, the sample was digested by cyanogen bromide and hydrochloric acid and then hydroxyproline was measured with a spectrophotometer.

The amount of active and inactive MMP-2 and MMP-9 of the left internal mammary artery (Lima) was similar to aorta, but the amount of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the radial artery and saphenous vein were significantly higher than aorta. Elastin to collagen ratio in Lima (1.92±1.15) was similar to the aorta (3.4±1.66), but this proportion in saphenous vein (1.07±0.47) and radial artery (1.14±0.39) was significantly lower in the aorta (P≤0.05). Most patients had atherosclerotic plaque in radial while there was atherosclerotic plaque in Lima of only one case.

The presence of atherosclerotic plaques in radial and thickening of the intimal layer of the saphenous vein in the majority of patients and decrease of collagen to elastin ratio and the high level of matrix metalloproteinase enzymes in the radial and saphenous vein can induce early pathological conditions, and remodeling of the vessels involved. So the results of this study confirm that Left Internal Mammary Artery (LIMA) is the most suitable candidate for bypass surgery.

In events such as a nuclear explosion or leakage of radioactive material from nuclear power dungeons or other events in nuclear medicine departments in hospitals, many people accidentally receive an unspecified amount of ionizing radiation. First step to treat is evaluation of radiation dose received by the victims. In such situation and in radiotherapy program, dosimetry is used for evaluation of treatment planning. Some measurable biological indexes used for evaluation of dose of radiation. Some measurable biological indexes can be used in biological dosimetry to measure the radiation dose and estimate the radiation effect. In this study, the test for biological dosimetry based on apoptosis induced by gamma radiation in peripheral blood T-lymphocytes was performed in 16 volunteers. The blood lymphocytes were isolated and cultured in RPMI (Roswell Park Memorial Institute) 1640 medium and then, were placed in 5% CO2 atmosphere at 37°C. Then, the samples were prepared from the culture medium and radiated with different doses of gamma radiation. Sample transferred to incubator again to measure their apoptosis. Radiation-induced apoptosis in the cell population was measured by flow cytometry using Annexin V + fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) and prodidium iodide (PI) stains. Radiation induced apoptosis was measureable with enough precision. But measured apoptosis depended on delay time after irradiation and protocole of flow cytometry. The results of this study show that it is possible to use radiation for measuring apoptosis as a biological dosimeter in a short time after radiation exposure in the events such as a nuclear explosion or leakage of radioactive material.

Today's Medical education is associated with numerous complications including potential increase of data volume in clinical and theoretical learning environments. This requires for new strategies using appropriate instructional methods. This study was performed to investigate the effect of the memorization model on nursing student's academic achievement in physiology course. This quasi-experimental study with two groups of pre- and post-tests was conducted on all second semester nursing students, Students studying renal physiology were selected as the experimental group (n=48) and midwifery students studying physiology of kidney (n=46) and nursing students studying endocrine physiology course (n=48) were selected as control groups. All experimental sessions were held using Memorization model and control sessions were conducted through regular methods of lecture and slide show. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, paired t-test, and ANOVA. No statistically significant difference was found between mean scores of pretest which was 4.38±1.27 for experiment group and 4.15±1.79 for midwifery control group and 3.69±1.4 for nursing control group (p>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of control group of nursing students (11.67±3.52) and experimental group (14.28±3.32), (p<0/001). Employing new teaching models such as memorization model that is appropriate with educational content can be effective in improving students’ learning. However, accomplishment in their application is affected by teachers’ ability to employ the model, students’ creativity skills, and study strategies.

Angiogenesis is a determinant factor in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of this study was determining the effect of testosterone on the average concentration of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) as angiogenic stimulating factors in the blood of male rats. In this experimental study, 24 male rats were divided into 4 groups. The first group went under sham surgery (making incisions without doing any special work on rats’ bodies) and 3 others went under the orchiectomy (OCX). The first and second groups received 0.1 mg/day sesame oil as placebo and the third and fourth groups received 1 and 5 mg/kg/day testosterone, respectively. After 21 days, the concentrations of bFGF and PDGF were measured in rats blood. The mean concentration of PDGF in rats in forth group was significantly more than those in third group (P < 0.05). In addition, the mean concentration of bFGF in third group was significantly less than the others (P < 0/05). Reduction of testosterone causes reduction of PDGF and it may be effective on decreasing the angiogenesis potentially. Different levels of testosterone had no effect on bFGF concentration.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a public health problem in several endemic countries. Recent studies on mouse model and a few clinical experiments showed that the type of immune response generated at the site of infection and especially balance between regulatory and effector T-cells determines the outcome of the disease toward self-limiting or long-lasting lesions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of natural regulatory T-cells (nTregs) in early and late cutaneous lesions of human Leishmania major (L. major) infection. Skin biopsies were collected from parasitologically proven lesions of 28 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, divided into two groups of early and late lesions. The causative agents were identified to be L. major. Quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunofluorescent staining of biopsies were used to assess the Foxp3 mRNA expression and frequency of nTregs in two groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine the significance of deferences between the two groups. Mean relative expressions of Foxp3 mRNA were 0.53 ± 0.23 and 1.26 ± 0.99 in early and late lesions, respectively, which was significantly upper in chronic lesions (P = 0.007). Parallel results were obtained in tissue staining method. Increased in gene expression and protein staining of nTreg markers in chronic biopsy samples indicates a role for these cells in chronic L. major induced leishmaniasis and supports the effectiveness of regulatory T cell-based immunotherapy for treatment of chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Decrease in Heme Oxygenase-1 gene expression is associated with fewer amounts of reoccurrence and better final response to treatment in some cancers. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of Zinc Protoporphyrin (Znpp), as Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) inhibitor, and radiotherapy on melanoma cells in mice.

In this experimental study, 24 mice were randomly divided to 4 groups. On the first day of the study, melanoma cells were injected and the mice were treated for 16 days. First and second groups received 2000 mg/kg of Znpp every other day. Third and forth groups were injected diluted liquid of Znpp. The first and third groups received 12 gray of radiotherapy on 8th day. The mice were examined each day for any palpable tumors and size was measured. The tumors were extracted on the 16th day. The effect of HO-1 on growth of cancer cells was studied using mitotic index and the size of tumors were measured on 8th and 16th days.

Size of tumor and mitotic index in mice treated with Znpp and radiotherapy was significantly smaller than in control groups (P < 0.05). Size of tumor in mice treated by radiotherapy and Znpp was less than group only treated with radiotherapy (P < 0.05).

The HO-1 inhibitor with radiotherapy may have therapeutic effects and it may be more effective in reducing the tumor’s growth than using radiotherapy alone.

The aim of this study was the comparison of the effects of cognitive-behavioral stress management, optimism training and medical therapy on the UC patients’ psychological and somatic symptoms, and immunological markers. 30 female patients were selected through the availability sampling method, and were randomly put in the three groups of cognitivebehavioral stress management, optimism training and medical therapy. All patients completed Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Lichtiger Colitis Activity Index in the pretest stage and blood samples were taken from them. Then, the two experimental groups participated in 9 sessions of the group intervention of cognitive-behavioral stress management and optimism training; following that the three groups completed the scales again and again blood samples were taken from them and this was repeated in a 6- months follow-up. To analyze the data, analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used. The findings of the study indicated that the effects of the two interventions on depression, anxiety, cortisol and TNFα were significant; however, these interventions had no significant effects on the somatic symptoms, IL6 and IL4. As a whole, it can be said that the psychological interventions including stress management and optimism training could be effective in improving the psychological symptoms, regulating the immunological performance and curing of UC patients.

Migraine is one of the most common forms of headache. One of its possible mechanisms is neuro-inflammation in which some changes happen in inflammatory factors such as interleukins، adhesion molecules or acute phase reactants. On the other hand، one of the mechanisms by which angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) affect is anti-inflammation. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of enalapril on anti-inflammatory cytokines of patients with migraine.

In this randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial، 10 mg enalapril daily was compared with matched placebo in 40 patients with migraine for two months. Serum IL-4، IL-10 and IL-13 levels were measured in all patients at 0 and 2 month.

The serum level of IL-4 (P = 0. 001)، IL-10 (P < 0. 001) and IL-13 (P < 0. 001) increased significantly in the case group after treatment with enalapril.

Enalapril may be effective in improvement of inflammatory responses in patients with migraine. This improvement could be the result of anti-inflammatory cytokines and may reduce the cerebrovascular risks in these patients.

One of the most efficient methods of damaged tissue regeneration and repairment is cell therapy; nowadays is used from mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) because of high capacity of these cells for self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation and secretion of different growth factors, like platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) and stromal cell-derived factors-1alpha (SDF-1α). Sexual hormone which affect the secretion of these factors, regulate proliferation and migration of stem cells and also, repairment processes. The purpose of this study was to determinate the effect of exogenous testosterone on the amount of PDGF and SDF-1α in bone marrow of male Wistar rats.

In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats randomly were divided into four groups. The first group underwent sham operation and received 0.1 ml of sesame oil as a placebo. The other three groups underwent orchidectomy operation and after two weeks received 0.1 ml of sesame oil (as a placebo), 1 and 5 mg/kg/day of testosterone dissolved in sesame oil respectively, subcutaneously each day for 3 weeks. Then, the amount of factors was measured in extracted femoral bone marrow using ELISA method.

The average concentration of PDGF in bone marrow of control group was significantly less than these amounts in sham group (P < 0.05). In castrated group received 1 and 5 mg/kg/day of testosterone, these factors increased significantly in comparison with control group (P < 0.05). The average concentration of SDF-1α in bone marrow of sham group did not show significant differences comparing the control group. This amount showed significant decrease in castrated group received 5 mg/kg/day testosterone comparing the control group (P < 0.05).

The results showed that testosterone leads to increase the amount of PDGF in bone marrow of male rats but decrease the amount of SDF-1α.

Opium is the most commonly abused drug in Iran. However، effects of opium abuse or withdrawal on vascular endothelium are not clear. This study compared endothelial function in addicts، non-addicts، and individuals receiving treatment for addiction. This descriptive، analytic study was conducted in Isfahan (Iran) during 2011. Nitric oxide (NO) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were evaluated in four groups of individuals (addicts، non-addicts، persons receiving methadone maintenance treatment، and those attending drug rehabilitation camps). The mean serum levels of high sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) were 3. 59 ± 1. 20 in non-addicts، 4. 10 ± 1. 25 in addicts، 3. 29 ± 0. 97 ng/ml in subjects receiving methadone، and 5. 33 ± 1. 21 in residents of camps (P < 0. 05). The mean serum levels of NO in the abovementioned groups were 31. 29 ± 4. 68، 22. 51 ± 4. 53، 25. 51 ± 4. 22، and 20. 03 ± 3. 56 ng/ml، respectively (P < 0. 01). Among the four studied groups، opium addicts had the highest levels of CRP and the lowest levels of NO. Therefore، opium results in vascular dysfunction which can be corrected during the withdrawal process.

Migraine is considered the end phenotype of a number of polygenic disorders reflecting the influence of several genetic loci modulating different pathophysiological processes. It has been shown that the 677T allele in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is directly correlated with decreased enzymatic activity، and the T/T genotype is indirectly associated with mild hyperhomocysteinaemia which possibly leads to vascular disease. In this case-control study we investigated the association between C677T MTHFR polymorphisms and migraine in an Iranian population. A total of 205 cases and controls were enrolled to the study. The MTHFR C677T variant was genotyped in 102 unrelated migraine cases and 103 controls by HRM-PCR technique. There was no significant association between C677T MTHFR polymorphism and migraine in our study. The frequency of TT genotype was not higher in case group compared with the controls (OR = 0. 667، 95% CI: 0. 188-2. 362، P = 0. 530). The C677T variant in the MTHFR gene did not influence susceptibility to migraine in our study population. A more reliable conclusion may be drawn from investigations with larger sample size and separated migraine groups، with and without aura. Keywords:

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the chronic autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system with unknown etiology. The present study aimed to investigate the apoptosis and nitric oxide (NO) production of endothelial cells treated with serum of patients with MS and response to interferon beta (IFN-β) therapy. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were treated with sera from patients with active MS (in relapse), MS in remission, or sera from healthy volunteers (each n = 10). Nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined in culture supernatants by Greiss method and endothelial cell apoptosis was assessed by annexin V-propidium iodide staining. Effects of IFN-beta-1b on endothelial cell apoptosis and NO production were tested at increasing doses (10, 100, and 1000 U/ml). Compared with healthy people, only apoptosis of endothelial cells treated with serum of patients with relapsing phase increased, P<0.01; while there was no significant difference between apoptosis of endothelial cells treated with serum of patients in remission phase and healthy controls. Apoptosis of endothelial cells treated with sera of patients in relapse was decreased by IFN-beta-1b at 10 U/ml, P<0.05. The same dose also led to a significant increase in nitric oxide production. The results suggest that endothelial cells injury and apoptosis may play a role in MS etiology and represents a potential therapeutic mechanism of action for IFN-beta-1b in MS therapy.

Insulin resistance has a basic role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, which is directly correlated with obesity and other cardiovascular risk factors. Recent studies show that insulin resistance is more prevalent in patients with migraine. Further supportive to the association, the risk of cardiovascular diseases in migraineurs has been reported to be higher than the normal population. The present study aimed to compare the severity, duration, and frequency of headaches in migraine patients with and without metabolic syndrome. 200 patients with migraine were selected for this study. Migraine was diagnosed according to the International Headache Society criteria. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups, with and without metabolic syndrome, diagnosed based on the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. The severity, duration, and frequency of migraine headaches were compared between the two groups at baseline, and 30, and 60 days afterwards. 34 patients (17%) had metabolic syndrome. They were older (P < 0.001) and mostly female. The duration of migraine headaches was also longer than the other group (P = 0.03). The difference of the mean frequency (9.1 versus 10.1 per month, P = 0.54) and severity (7.6 versus 7.3, P = 0.31) of headaches did not reach a statistically significant level between groups. Our study showed that metabolic syndrome is present in 17 % of patients with migraine. Metabolic syndrome was correlated with patient’s age and the duration of their headache. 30 and 60 days after the first visit, the severity, frequency, and duration of headaches were decreased significantly but not differently in both groups.

Recent therapeutic advances in cardiovascular diseases are indebted to the discovery of endothelial progenitor cells (EPC). Nitric oxide (NO) and stromal cell derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) play roles in migration, homing, and differentiation of EPCs in mature endothelial cells. The incidence of cardiovascular diseases is higher in men than women. This fact suggests the influence of sex hormones on the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. 24 adult female Wistar rats weighing 160–180 grams were randomly divided into four groups (n = 6): 1) sham-treated by sesame oil, 2) ovariectomized (OVX)-treated by sesame oil, 3) OVX-treated by 10 µg/kg/day testosterone, 4) OVX-treated by 100 µg/kg/day testosterone. After 21 days from injection, the animals were euthanized and blood samples were stored for the determination of serum levels of NO and SDF-1α. The serum levels of NO in sham, OVX, OVX-10 µg/kg/day testosterone, and OVX-100 µg/kg/day testosterone groups were 30.7 ± 1.4, 22.4 ± 0.3, 18.3 ± 1.7, and 19.2 ± 0.4 µmol/l, respectively. Moreover, the corresponding values for the serum level of SDF-1α were 125 ± 42.4, 70.6 ± 10.3, 69.4 ± 15.2, and 166 ± 62 pg/ml. The serum concentration of NO in testosterone treated groups was significantly lower than the other groups (P < 0.05). Nonetheless, there was no significant differences in SDF-1α levels between the study groups (P = 0.6). In conclusion, this study suggests that testosterone might influence cardiovascular diseases by reducing vascular healing factors such as nitric oxide.

The prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is high in Isfahan (Iran). Considering the high rate of parental consanguinity and the role of dual oxidase 2 (DUOX2) gene in transient and permanent CH due to thyroid dyshormonogenesis، the aim of this research was to investigate the R434X mutation in DUOX2 gene in patients with transient and permanent CH due to dyshormonogenesis. In this descriptive prospective study، patients diagnosed with transient and permanent CH due to dyshormonogenesis (n = 25 and 33، respectively) during CH screening program were selected. Moreover، 30 children were included as the control group. Venous blood samples were obtained to determine the frequency of R434X mutation in DUOX2 gene using real time polymerase chain reaction based on high-resolution melting analysis by specific primers and sequencing method. We did not find any case of the mentioned R434X mutation in DUOX2 gene. Further studies using other methods and on other gene mutations such as pendrin، sodium iodide symporter (NIS) and thyroglobulin are required for more accurate results.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of eight weeks of resistance training on some signaling factors including myostatin، transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) which affect satellite cells in Wistar rats. 20 adult male Wistar rats (150-250 g) provided by the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences، were randomly divided into 2 groups [control group n = 10 (C); resistance training group n = 10 (R)]. Resistance training was conducted for 8 weeks (5 sessions/week) on a special 1-meter high ladder (divided by 26 stairs) with the loading of 30% of body weight (suspended from the tail) in the first week and increased to 200% of body weight in the last week. Training included 3 sets of 4 reps with 3 minutes rest between sets. T-test analysis of the changes of all three myostatin، TGF-β and FGF-2 factors showed that the mean plasma level of myostatin decreased [71. 8 ± 19. 6 mg/dl (R) ver. 105. 8 ± 17. 4 mg/dl (C); P = 0. 001]، but the level of FGF-2 increased significantly [102. 4 ± 11. 1 mg/dl (R) ver. 86. 5 ± 12. 6 mg/dl (C); P = 0. 048] in resistance training group. In contrast، the serum level of TGF-β was not statistically different between the two groups [153. 4 ± 54. 0 mg/dl (R); 160. 6 ± 32. 8 mg/dl (C); P = 0. 725]. This study showed that resistance training reduces serum levels of myostatin and increases serum levels of FGF-2 that both are factors affecting satellite cells that play a role in increasing muscle strength. Although not being significant between groups، the serum level of TGF-β was reduced in the experimental group.

Micro ribonucleic acids (miRNA) are a type of ribonucleic acids with 20-24 nucleotides. They seem to have an important regulating role in cells. MiR-211 is an miRNA whose expression decreases in cancer cells، especially human melanoma cells. It is of high importance in suppression of tumor growth and invasion. Up to now، no study has evaluated miR-211 expression in murine melanoma cells for in vivo and in vitro conditions. We evaluated and compared the expression of miR-211 in murine melanoma cell line and melanoma tumors using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Melanoma B16F10 cell line was cultured. Subcutaneous melanoma tumors were induced by injecting this line to C57 mice. Melanoma cell line and melanoma tumors were lysed and miRNAs were extracted. After complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA) synthesis، real-time PCR of samples was performed using miR-211 primers. Data was statistically analyzed by Student’s t-test.

Average expression of miR-211 in melanoma cell line was significantly higher than melanoma tumors.

Due to the lower expression of miR-211 in murine melanoma tumors in comparison to murine melanoma cells، miRNA may be involved in invasive properties of melanoma cells in the mouse model of melanoma.