asad vaisi

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the use of contingent prenatal screening for the detection of Down’s syndrome and neural tube defects (NTDs) in west of Iran.

A prospective study was conducted on 653 pregnant women referred to a medical diagnostic laboratory (Imam Reza Clinic, Kermanshah, Iran) for contingent prenatal screening tests between October 2016 to September 2017.

Among 651 women screened in the first trimester, 8 (1.22%) pregnancies were screen-positive for Down’s syndrome. In the second trimester, among 605 women, 25 (4.13%) had a positive result and all of these women voluntarily underwent amniocentesis. Overall, five pregnancies were complicated with chromosomal abnormalities, including five cases of Down’s syndrome.

In a nutshell, the contingent prenatal screening tests were found to be useful for estimation of Down’s syndrome as well as NTDs in both young and older mothers in west of Iran. These tests should be performed for pregnant women before an invasive test for Down’s syndrome.

The key enzyme of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is involved in DNA biosynthesis and repair. The role of MTHFR C677T polymorphism in susceptibility to breast cancer is controversial. In the present case-control investigation, 297 individuals consisted of 100 patients with breast cancer and 197 healthy women were studied for MTHFR C677T genotypes, using PCR-RFLP method. The frequency of MTHFR TT genotype was 10% in patients and 3% in controls (P = 0.008). The presence of TT genotype was associated with susceptibility to breast cancer [OR = 1.97, 95%CI: 1.16-3.36, P = 0.012]. The T allele of MTHFR was found in 30% of the patients compared to 27.6% healthy controls (P = 0.024) that enhanced the risk of breast cancer by 1.56 times (95% CI: 1.06 - 2.3, P = 0.024). There were 71 individuals (71%) with the age of breast cancer diagnosis ≤ 51 years old. Comparing patients with the age of cancer diagnosis ≤ 50 years old with those > 51 years old group indicated a higher frequency of MTHFR TT genotype in the latter (20.7%) compared to the first group (5.6%, P = 0.05). Our study demonstrated an association between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism with the risk of breast cancer among population of Western Iran. Also, our study suggests that the MTHFR TT genotype could be a risk factor for breast cancer in postmenopausal women.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a group of zinc-dependent proteolytic enzymes that play a role in extracellular matrix (mainly collagen) degradation and remodeling. MMPs are not only causes of the increase rewarding effects of drugs, but also act as pro-addictive agents. In this research, 22 morphine and 20 methamphetamine-dependent patients included and their serum levels and activity of MMP2 and 9 were assessed by ELISA and gelatin zymography and compared with those of 23 healthy individuals as a control group. Our findings showed a significant increase in serum levels and activity of MMP-2 in opium and methamphetamine groups in comparison with the control group. Moreover, unlike MMP-2, serum levels and activity of MMP-9 in both case groups found to be decreased. This study showed that long-term abuse of opium and methamphetamine changes the activity and serum levels of MMP9 and MMP2. The effects of methamphetamines and opium are associated with an increase in extracellular dopamine levels in the brain, achieved by facilitating the release of dopamine from pre-synaptic nerves. Our findings showed that serum levels and activities of MMP-9 and MMP-2 could be considered as alternative valuable biomarkers from those investigated of pro-addictive or anti-addictive factors in dependent patients.

Discovering the association between genetic variations of metabolizing enzymes with idiopathic diseases such as ulcerative colitis (UC) may not only be an auxiliary agent in diagnosis but also could be an effective pharmacotherapy for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of the present case-control study was to determine the association of cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6 *4), N-acteyltransferase-2 (NAT2*7) and multidrug resistance 1 (MDR1) 3435 C/T genotypes with UC susceptibility and thiopurine methyltransferase (TPMT) enzyme activity. TPMT activity was measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and genotypes for the 3 mentioned polymorphisms were determined in 215 unrelated UC patients and 212 unrelated healthy controls by polymerase chain reactionrestriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in a Kurdish population from Iran. CYP2D6*4 A allele, NAT2*7 A and MDR1 3435 C/T alleles act synergistically to increase the risk of UC by 3.49 times. The frequency of the A allele of CYP2D6*4 was significantly higher in UC patients (12.6%) compared to control subjects (8.5%, P = 0.046) that significantly increased the risk of UC by 1.56-fold (P = 0.047). The frequencies of NAT2*7 genotypes and alleles were similar in both studied groups. The most important outcome of this study is that for the first time we demonstrated the simultaneous presence of TMDR1, A CYP2D6*4 and A NAT2*7 alleles robustly increased the risk of developing UC by 3.49-fold. The current study suggests that CYP2D6*4 and MDR1 3435 C/T gene polymorphisms may be risk factors for UC susceptibility.

Nutritional factors and activation of inflammatory pathways are thought to be involved in pathogenesis of preeclampsia in pregnant women. The present study aimed to compare the serum levels of vitamin D and interleukin-6 in healthy pregnant women with those of preeclampsia ones.
This case-control study was performed on 120 healthy pregnant women and 120 women with preeclampsia referred to Imam Reza Hospital in Kermanshah. The serum levels of vitamin D and IL-6 were measured by ELISA method. The data was analyzed by SPSS software (version 20) using independent t-test, the P-value of There was no statistically significant difference between the mean level of vitamin D in the patients (37.64 ± 29.50 ng/ml) and the controls (40.06 ± 33.20 ng/ml). the serum level of IL-6 in patients with preeclampsia (21.71 ± 32.24 pg/ml) was significantly higher compared to that of control group (15.04 ± 28.6 pg/ml) (P Based on the findings of this study, inflammatory factors and cytokines such as IL-6 can be considered as risk factor for preeclampsia. However, more studies with larger sample sizes are required to further evaluate the association of vitamin D levels and risk of preeclampsia.

Chitotriosidase (CT) activity is a useful biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of Gaucher disease (GD). Its application is limited by some variants in the CT gene. Two main polymorphisms are 24 bp duplication and G102S led to reduce CT activity. The aim of this study was to determine these variants influencing on plasma CT activity.
Blood samples were collected from 33 patients with GD, 15 sibling carriers and 105 healthy individuals serving as controls. CT activity was measured using 4-methylumbelliferyl-β-D-N,N′,N″triacetylchitotrioside substrate in plasma samples. The CT genotypes of 24 bp duplication and G102S variants were determined using PCR and PCR-RFLP.
Untreated GD patients had a significantly higher CT activity compared to treated patients (P = 0.021). In addition, chitotriosidase activity in carriers was higher rather than controls. Allele frequencies of 24 bp duplication in GD patients, sibling carriers and controls were 0.21, 0.266 and 0.29 and for G102S were 0.318, 0.366 and 0.219, respectively. Different G102S genotypes had not significant effect on CT activity. Chitotriosidase activity has a positive correlation with age in normal group, carriers, and negative correlation with hemoglobin in GD patients. Using cut-off level of 80.75 nmol/ml/h, sensitivity and specificity of CT activity were 93.9% and 100%, respectively.
Chitotriosidase activity is a suitable biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of GD. Determination of 24 bp duplication is helpful for more accurate monitoring the GD patient’s therapy. However, it seems that, specifying of the G102S polymorphism is not required for Iranian GD patients.

Oxidative stress affects women fertility and influences on the sperm quality by alterating activities of cholinesterases, a molecular marker of stress-related infertility. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) activities and phenotypes in patients with unexplained infertility (idiopathic). It’s possible association with inflammation marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and other oxidative stress markers, i.e. before and after intra uterine insemination (IUI).
In this study, blood samples of 60 patients with unexplained infertility were collected the day before and 24 hr after IUI (between 8 AM and 9 AM after the overnight fasting) and activities of BuChE, AChE, catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GpX) and serum levels of thiol proteins (TP), C-reactive protein (CRP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) were measured. Statistical significance was assumed at p Before IUI, there was a significant (p=0.048) positive correlation between BuChE activity and plasma TAC and a significant difference in the CAT activity between various BuChE (UU and non-UU) phenotypes. However, after IUI, a significant negative correlation between the AChE activity and BuChE activity was found (p=0.045) and the level of RBC AChE activity was significantly reduced (382.4±163.19 vs. 586.7±384 IU/grHb, p=0.025). Meanwhile, after IUI, the activities of SOD (1568±847.5 IU/grHb vs. 1126±229.3, p=0.031) and CAT (310±53.4 IU/grHb vs. 338±73, p=0.025) were increased.
This study suggests that decline in cholinesterases activities may be responsible for stimulation of oxidative stress and inflammation and reduction in fertility rates by IUI.

subsets of human spermatozoa isolated by density gradient.Rohollah Setarehbadi 1; Mojgan Atabakhash 1; Amir Fattahi 1; Aboozar Mohagheghi 1; Asad Vaisi-Raygani 2; Hossain Mahjub 3; and Heidar Tavilani Tavilani *, 4 1 Student Research Committee, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran2 Fertility and Infertility Center, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran3 Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Science, Hamadan, Iran4 Urology & Nephrology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan Iran*Corresponding author: Heidar Tavilani Tavilani, Urology & Nephrology Research Center, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan Iran, Tel.: +98 8118380717, Fax: +98 8118380313, E-mail: tavilani@gmail.com. Lipid components of spermatozoa have an important role in its functional activity. In this study the concentration of cholesterol, phospholipid, triacylglycerol and total lipid in different subsets of human spermatozoa, isolated as three fractions by a discontinuous PureSperm gradient, was determined. Aliquots of the liquefied semen samples (n=107) were layered on top of the upper layer of 40 and 80% PureSperm gradient. The resulting interfaces 40 and 80% (fraction 1), 80% and pellet (fraction 2), and pellet (fraction 3) aspirated and transferred into separate tubes. Lipids were extracted with 6 volumes of chloroform-methanol (2/1, V/V) and the concentration of cholesterol, phospholipid, triacylglycerol were determined by colorimetric method. Percent of sperm with normal morphology was significantly higher in sperm fraction 3 compared to fraction 2 and 1, while percent of sperm with midpiece and tail defect was significantly higher in fraction 1 compared to fractions 2 and 3 (P<0.01). The amount of cholesterol, phospholipid and total lipid of sperm fractions 2 and 3 were about 1.5-fold higher than that of found in sperm from fraction 1 (P<0.05). This result suggests that the total lipid contents of sperms increase with increasing normal morphology from fraction 1 to 3.

High expression of telomerase and Bcl-2 are reported in hepatocellular carcinoma. Some anticancer drugs show their effects through reduction of these factors. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of a new synthetic compound, platinum azidothymidine, on inhibition of telomerase and Bcl-2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma compared to azidothymidine. To study the effects of Pt-AZT on hepatocellular carcinoma and compare its effects with AZT in inhibition of telomerase and Bcl-2 gene expression, pathogen-free male Wistar rats (n=100) were used. They were randomly divided to 4 groups (n=25). Group A as the control group contained 25 healthy rats; in the rest of animals, preneoplastic lesions were induced in their livers (groups B, C, and D) using Solt-Farber resistant hepatocyte protocol. Cancer development was approved by a pathology laboratory. Group B was negative control (untreated), groups C and D were treated by intraperitoneal injection (IP) of Pt-AZT (0.9 mg/kg/day) and AZT (0.3 mg/kg/day), respectively for 14 days. At the end of the protocol, all rats were sacrificed and Bcl-2 and telomerase gene expression was determined using real -time PCR. No tumor in the livers was found in group A at any point of the study, but it was present in livers of all animals in B, C and D groups. Results showed that telomerase and Bcl-2 expression was significantly lower in group C compared with group B (0.473±0.231 vs. 5.137±5.08, p<0.001, for telomerase expression, and 0.41±0.276 vs. 7.25±11.6, p<0.001, for Bcl-2 expression) and also compared with group D (0.473±0.231 vs. 3.48±4.02, p<0.001, for telomerase expression, and 0.41±0.276 vs. 4.93±18, p<0.001, for Bcl-2 expression). For the first time, it was demonstrated that Pt-AZT has more inhibitory effect on telomerase and Bcl-2 expression than AZT. It effectively inhibits the growth of liver tumor in rats by extending apoptosis.

Telomerase activity increases in cancer cells. Bcl-2 is an antiapoptotic factor that its concentration grows in many cancer cells including hepatocellular carcinoma cells. In this study, an attempt was made to investigate the effects of a new synthetic compound, platinum azidothymidine (Pt-AZT) on treatment of rats with Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) and to compare its effects with azidothymidine (AZT) in alteration of telomerase activity and Bcl-2 concentration in HCC. Healthy adult male Wistar rats (n=100) were randomly divided into 4 groups (A, B, C, and D). Group A contained 25 healthy rats and was considered as the control group. Liver preneoplastic lesions were induced in remaining animals (n=75) using Solt-Farber resistant hepatocyte protocol. These animals were randomly allocated in groups B, C and D. Group B was negative control (untreated), groups C and D were treated by intraperitoneal injection (IP) of Pt-AZT (0.9 mg/kg/day) and AZT (0.3 mg/kg/day), respectively for 14 days. After the treatment period, telomerase activity and Bcl-2 concentration were determined in the rats’ liver. No HCC was developed in group A, but tumors were present in all other groups. Telomerase activity and Bcl-2 concentration were significantly lower in group C compared to groups B (0.1590.06 vs. 0.5770.116 IU/L, p<0.001, respectively and 0.9310.388 vs. 3.940.74 ng/ml, p<0.001, respectively). Similar results were observed in comparison with group D (0.3310.06 vs. 0.5770.116 IU/L, p<0.001, respectively and 0.9310.388 vs. 2.940.594 ng/ml, respectively). There was a significant negative correlation between telomerase activity and Bcl-2 concentration only in untreated cancer group (p=0.034). In this study, higher anticancer activity of Pt-AZT in comparison to AZT was demonstrated. It effectively inhibits the growth of liver tumor in rats through extending apoptosis.

Evidences indicate that angiogenesis is an important process in the development of destructive synovial tissue in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Recently, it has been shown that the polymorphism of the integrin-αv subunit encoded by the ITGAV gene plays a role in angiogenesis and is considered as RA susceptibility loci.This study investigated association of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in ITGAV with disease activity score (DAS28), serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide(anti-CCP) antibody in 419 RA patients and 398 healthy individuals. Four SNPs in ITGAV gene (rs3911238, rs3738919, rs10174098 and rs3768777) were analyzed. Serum concentrations of anti-CCP antibody and CRP were measured by ELISA. We used the EULAR activity criteria to calculate DAS28-CRP.Among these SNPs, the ITGAV-rs3911238-G/C polymorphism was associated with RA disease activity [remission-to-low and moderate-to-high in codominant model (CC vs.GG: OR=1.53, p=0.041 and allele (C vs. G: OR=1.18, p=0.042)] and presence of anti-CCP (codominant CC vs.GG: OR=2.77, p=0.001, allele C vs. G: OR=1.19,p=0.033). The carriers of CC genotype ITGAV-rs3911238 had higher serum levels of CRP and anti-CCP antibody titer and higher ESR and disease activity score than carriers of GG and CG genotypes. Furthermore, haplotypes analysis showed that ITGAV rs3733891C/rs3768777T/rs3911238C/rs10174098A and ITGAV rs3733891A/rs3768777T/rs3911238G/rs10174098A haplotypes increased severity and anti-CCP antibody in RA patients (OR=5.54, p=0.049 and OR=2.89; p=0.024, respectively) in comparison with ITGAV rs3733891C/rs3768777T/rs3911238G/rs10174098A haplotypes.Thus, the present study demonstrated that the link between systemic inflammatory markers and the ITGAV-rs3911238 polymorphism allele in Iranian RA patients.

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication with unknown etiology and its incidence is associated with genetic and environmental factors. There are inconsistent reports related to the role of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) 4a/b polymorphism on the risk of preeclampsia development. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible influence of eNOS 4a/b and its synergism with eNOS G894T polymorphism on the risk of preeclampsia. The present case-control study consisted of 179 unrelated women with preeclampsia including 118 with mild and 61 with severe preeclampsia and 96 unrelated women with normal pregnancy as controls. All studied women were from Kermanshah Province of Iran. eNOS 4a/b and G894T genotypes were detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) methods, respectively. The categorical variables between groups were compared using χ2 test and the Odds ratios (OR) were obtained by SPSS logistic regression. Statistical significance was assumed at p<0.05 level. The frequency of eNOS a allele was slightly higher in both mild (16.5%) and severe (17.2%) preeclamptic women than controls (15.1%). Also, no significant difference was found between early- and late-onset preeclamptic women regarding the distribution of eNOS 4a/b genotypes. The presence of each allele of eNOS a or T was not associated with the risk of preeclampsia. However, the concomitant presence of both eNOS a and T alleles was associated with a non significant increased risk of severe preeclampsia by 1.77-fold (p=0.35). The present study indicates the lack of association between eNOS a and T alleles with the risk of mild preeclampsia and a non significant increased risk of severe preeclampsia in the presence of both alleles which needs to be investigated in a study with larger samples.

The correlation between blood levels of Thyroid hormones with lipid metabolism still seems controversial. Some studies have shown the relationship between low levels of T3 with cardiovascular diseases. This study was conducted in order to examine the relationship between Thyroid hormones (T3، T4)، Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) and the level of serum lipids as a risk factor of cardiovascular diseases. The data were collected from the medical examination results in the records and medical history of the 200 individuals who، during 2010 and early 2011، did thyroid hormones and serum lipids (cholesterol، triacyglycerol، HDL، LDL، and VLDL) tests simultaneously. The data later were analyzed using ANOVA and Pearson correlation tests by SPSS 16 software. The sample included 200 patients with average age of 38. 29±14. 408 years old of which، 59 (29. 5%) were males with average age of 39. 05±16. 663 and 141 (70. 5%) were females with average age of 37. 97±13. 406. The results indicated that both Triglyceride (P=0. 01) and، VLDL (P=0. 05) are negatively correlated with T4. Also، a negative correlation was found between serum T4 level and cholesterol in male subjects (P=0. 06). Moreover، a negative correlation was observed between T4 and VLDL in female subjects (P=0. 046). In addition، the levels of HDL-C in female subjects were more than in male subjects (P<0. 001). to conclude، it was found that VLDL، triglyceride، cholesterol in men، and VLDL in women are negatively correlated with serum T4 level.

Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) is a serum HDL-bound enzyme that hydrolyzes a number of aromatic carboxylic acid esters including lipid peroxides, preventing LDL oxidation. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are at greater risk of oxidative stress, which is associated with abnormal plasma lipid metabolism. In this study, association of PON-55 polymorphism with serum arylesterase (ARE) activities, malondialdehyde (MDA), neopterin, lipids and lipoproteins levels in SLE patients and the development of hypertension was investigated.The present case–control study consisted of 109 SLE patients with and without high blood pressure (BP) and 103 healthy controls from the population in the west of Iran.PON-55 Met

Keywords: Arylesterase activity, Blood pressure, Lipid profile, Malondialdehyde, Paraoxonase 55 genotype, Systemic lupus erythematosus

Task-based learning is a teaching method that focuses onmeaningful learning through completely student-centered homework assignment.The present study investigated the effects of task-based teaching throughdrawing the concept map as homework on the academic achievement and easier andmore effective learning of metabolic pathways of biochemistry course inpharmaceutical students. Having examined the homework assignments done by theexperimental group and having given the exam, the scores of both groups wereanalyzed by independent t-test using SPSS 16 software. The female students incontrol and experimental groups consisted of 46.67% and 51.11%, respectively.The mean score of experimental group (11.76±2.45) was significantly higher(p<0.001) than that of the control group (8.78±2.79). Task-based teachingvia drawing the concept map of metabolic pathways in biochemistry course ashomework promotes the academic achievement of pharmaceutical student.

There is a great concern for the possible adverse effects of radiofrequency radiations of cell phones. Moreover، unwanted sound is one of the physical pollutants of current societies. Thus، the present study was conducted to examine the effect of cell phone waves، sound، and simultaneous effect of cell phone waves and sound on sperm viability and total antioxidant capacity of blood plasma in adult male rats. This experimental study was performed on twenty eight Wistar adult male rats (200- 250 gr). The animals were randomly assigned to four groups (n=7): control group، two-week exposure to cell phone simulated waves group، exposure to sound group، and simultaneous exposure to cell phone simulated waves and sound group. The means of sperm viability in all groups were determined with criterions of WHO and total antioxidant capacity of blood plasma in all groups were determined by FRAP (Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma). The results were analyzed by one- way ANOVA statistical technique followed by Tukey test using SPSS (version 16) software. Sperm viability in the exposure to cell phone simulated waves and simultaneous exposure to cell phone simulated waves and sound groups decreased significantly compared to control group (p<0. 05). The total antioxidant capacity of blood plasma in all exposure groups decreased significantly compared to control group (p<0. 05). Exposure to cell phone waves or sharp sound can cause a significant decrease in sperm viability and a significant decrease in total antioxidant capacity of blood plasma in adult male rats which consequently results in oxidative stress.