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Background and purpose: Chemokines and their receptors are expressed in different types of malignancies. CC chemokines MIP-1a (CCL3), MIP-1b (CCL4) and RANTES (CCL5) is believed to be anti-tumor and also aid to the metastasis in tumor microenvironment. CCR2 and CCR5 are special G-protein receptors for these chemokines. Due to the important role of CCR5 chemokine receptor in tumor biology, this project is designed to examine d 32 mutation in CCR5 gene regards breast cancer.
Materials and methods: This experimental study was performed during 2007-8 on 100 healthy adults and 36 breast cancer patients by Gap-PCR. The demographic information also was collected by questionner and t-test Chi-square was used for statistical analysis of data.
Results: Our results showed that none of breast cancer patients had CCR5-d 32 mutation while 3 (3%) cases of controls had heterozygotic form of this mutation.
Conclusion: Our results showed that there is not any CCR5-d 32 mutation in patients. Therefore, it appears that this mutation don’t play any role in breast cancer.

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Background and purpose: To establish a simple method for preparation of pure epidermal cell in serum-free medium, without co culturing with lethally irradiated 3T3 cells.
Materials and methods: Â piece of skin biopsy was taken from a rat. Âfter trypsinazation to separate epidermal layer, the epidermis was cut into explants 1×1 mm and were laid at 50 mL on tissue cultured flasks. Then, the explants were covered with serum-free keratinocyte growth medium, while the culture medium was changed every two days. The keratinocyte colonies were expanded in flasks and proliferated to 70% confluency on day 21. Âfter two subcultures, the cells were frozen.
Results: Pure epidermal cells are established by this technique in a serum-free keratinocyte growth medium, under feeder cell-free condition.
Çonclusion: Çulturing of keratinocytes in serum-free medium is proved to be a useful and simple method for keratinocyte isolation. The successful culturing of keratinocytes from a small skin biopsy can be useful in the treatment of major burn wounds.

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Background and purpose: Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is the most commonly-acquired infection in patients in intensive care units and related to a high mortality rate. Due to differences in type of microorganisms and their resistance pattern, this study was conducted to determine profile of microorganisms and their resistance pattern for initiation of more effective empirical therapy. Materials and methods: All patients admitted to three intensive care units (ICUs) of Imam Khomeini Hospital between January 2011 and August2012 were studied prospectively for the occurrence of Sample collection for microbiological analysis was done by ETA ((endotracheal aspiration)) and BAL (bronchoalveolar lavage) methods. Antimicrobialsusceptibility test were determined by “Disk Diffusion” and “Broth Dilution”methods according to CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) guidelines. Results: Three hundred and eight patients from three ICUs were included in the study. Incidence of nosocomial pneumonia was 11.4%, including 91.4% VAP (ventilator-associated pneumonia) and 8.6% Non-VAP. The most common microorganisms isolated wasAcinetobacterspp (22%) and Staphylococcus aureus (14.6%), respectively. Thirty percent of Acinetobacterspp were resistant to all antimicrobial agents. Ceftazidime was the most effective antibiotic (rate of Resistance 22.2%). All isolated Acinetobacters were resistant to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. Regarding the Staphylococcus aureus isolates, 50% and 33.3% were resistant to vancomycin with “Disk Diffusion” and Broth Dilution” respectively. Conclusion: Due to high prevalence of Acinetobacter spp. andstapylococusaureus (14.6%), based on the culture/sensitivity results, the most effective antibiotics was Ceftazidime, Tobramycin and Ofloxacin. Ceftriaxone and Ciprofloxacin should not be used until their efficacy would be documented in the future studies.

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Abstract Background and purpose: The most common serum used in culture media is fetal bovine serum (FBS). Given that FBS is costly, this study aimed at evaluating the hydatid cyst fluid (HCF) as a substitute for FBS in culture medium of fibroblast cells isolated from rat. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, skin dermal area from inguinal and abdomen of rat were used for fibroblast preparation. Fibroblasts cells were isolated using trypsin enzyme and then were cultured in RPMI medium (including 20% FBS). After sufficient cell growth, they were isolated and cultured in 24-well microtiter plate in three successive concentrations as follows: pure RPMI and RPMI medium supplemented with 10% and 20% FBS as control groups, and RPMI medium supplemented with 10% and 20% HCF. Then survival rate and proliferation level were checked in three successive days using invert microscope (morphology evaluation) and trypan blue 0.4% as vital dye (quantitative evaluation), respectively. Results: Proliferation and growth of fibroblast cells in RPMI medium supplemented with 10% and 20% FBS concentrations were normal during the three days with 95% survival rate. In contrast, fibroblast cells in RPMI medium supplemented with 10% and 20% HCF concentrations were converted from normal to spherical form over the three days and 80 % of them were alive. Conclusion: The results indicated that we can apply HCF as an alternative for FBS up to 72h in RPMI medium. It can also be used as transport or short maintenance media for fibroblast cells.

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Background and purpose: Cataract is an important vision problem in the elderly peoples and imposes huge costs on health services in countries. Increasing the level of free radicals in the body is one of the major factors in the incidence of age-related cataract. This study was conducted to measure plasma level of malondialdehyde (MDA) as plasma free radical index and plasma antioxidant levels in age-related cataract patients and compare with a control group. Materials and methods: This study was done on 61 patients as a case group and 39 healthy people by descriptive case-control study. After history obtaining, 5 ml of blood was taken from each individual and then plasma was frozen. MDA was measured by TBA reagent and Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma (FRAP) Method was performed to assay total plasma antioxidant capacity. Results: The results of this study showed that the total plasma antioxidant capacity in cataract patients was lower than healthy people and plasma MDA level as plasma free radical index in cataract patients was significantly higher than healthy people (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Based on our results, it can be concluded that the antioxidant deficiency and increasing free radicals can be effective on age-related cataract.

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Background and purpose: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the diseases of nervous system that is accompanied with destruction of neuron ways corded sheath. The weakening nature of this disease affects all aspects of patient’s life and decreases their life expectancy. This consequence plays a considerable role in accelerating acute diseases such as MS. This study was done to assess the effectuality of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on the life expectancy of patients suffering from MS. Materials and methods: this semi-experimental study included thirty MS patients attending Bou Ali Sina Hospital in Sari who were randomly divided into two groups. (control group=15 and intervention group= 15). The experimental group received CBT for three months during 12 sessions. The control group was placed in treatment waiting list. The data was collected using Hallajian Life Expectancy Questionnaire (2010). Results: The results showed that the mean scores for life expectancy increased significantly in the experimental group in post-treatment and follow up stages (P<0.001). Conclusion: According to his study interventions such as CBT could be of great benefit in in increasing life expectancy among patients with chronic diseases.

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Abstract Background and purpose: Delayed wound healing is a common complication of diabetes mellitus. However, less is known about the cause of this pathology. Types of skin cells, extracellular matrix and variety of growth factors are involved in wound healing. The use of recombinant growth factors in researches and production of skin substitutes are still a challenge. Much research has been done on the effects of gene therapy and cell therapy in wound healing. This experimental study assessed the effect of insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) over expression in combination with fibroblast cells therapy to diabetic wounds in rats. Material and methods: Diabetes was induced in rats using Streptozotocin. Fibroblasts were cultured and transfected with IGF-1. Lipofectamine 2000 was used as reagent transfection and transgene expression levels were measured by ELIZA. To study the in vivo, rats (weighing 170-200g) were randomly divided into three groups (5/group) and full-thickness wounds were created on the dorsum region. Suspensions of transfected fibroblast and native fibroblast cells were injected into the wound and were compared with the wounds treated with normal saline. For microscopic examination, biopsy was performed on day 8. Results: In in vitro, the maximum expression of IGF-1 in transfected fibroblast cells (96.95 pg/ml) was 24 h after gene transfer. In vivo, IGF-1 gene therapy increased the number of fibroblast and keratinocyte cells in wound healing process. Granulation tissue formation in transfected fibroblast and native fibroblast cells groups compared with the normal saline group were found to be more organized. Conclusion: The expression of IGF-1 increased by optimization of gene transfer. High concentrations of IGF-1, in combination with cell therapy, had a significant effect on delayed wound healing in diabetic rats.

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Background and purpose: In recent decades, several studies have been performed to assess the impact of answer switching on multiple choice questions final score. But still there is a general belief that changing the initial response could decrease the test scores. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of answer changing on final scores in paramedical students. Material and methods: The study population included 145 operating room students studying in undergraduate courses. They answered 40 multiple choice questions, all of which were the four-option type. The impact of changes in selecting correct answer on final scores was analyzed. Results: Answer switching in 57.9% was from a wrong answer to a correct one. While, change of answer in 22% was from correct to wrong. In 20.1% the changes were from incorrect option to another incorrect option. Conclusion: In this study changing the initial response lead to selecting a correct answer.

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Background and purpose: Influenza A is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the influenza viruses. Influenza viruses spread around the world in seasonal epidemics. It is estimated to affect %5-%15 of the global population and causing about 250000 to 500000 yearly deaths, rising to millions in some pandemic years. The aim of this study was an epidemiological survey of influenza A virus in patients from Mazandaran province, in North of Iran during 2009-2013 using Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 2781 throat swabs from common cold samples were collected from patients attending Mazandaran province health centers. Influenza-RNA was extracted from samples using Pure LinkTM Viral RNA/DNA Kit. Identification of Influenza A viruses was done through RT-PCR using Super Script III Platinum, and Quantitative Real Time PCR System from Invitrogen with specific primers and probs. All samples were examined in the Influenza Laboratory affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Results: A total of 2781 patients including 1543 (%55.48) female and 1238 (%44.52) male were studied. We found 516 (%18.55) patients with influenza A virus of whom 281 (%55.46) were female and 235 (%45.54) were male. Most of these patients aged 21-30 years of old (%24.16). Influenza A virus was observed more (%31.61) in 2012. Conclusion: Influenza is one of the most prominent respiratory infections of human which causes severe morbidity and mortality. New influenza A viruses are constantly evolving by mutation or by re-assortment, since the influenza virus evolves rapidly, and new strains quickly replace the older ones. Due to the high mutation rate of the virus, a particular influenza vaccine usually confers protection for no more than few years. Identification of different types of viruses could be of great benefit in developing efficient vaccine.

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Abstract Background and purpose: Patients with chronic renal failure suffer from progressive and irreversible destruction of renal function. Dialysis is the main treatment and eventually a kidney transplant may help the patients. However, the dialysis process is stressful and may cause depression in dialysis patients. Delay in diagnosis and treatment could result in nutrition disorder, low immune function, Nonadherence to dietary protocols, increased disease severity, and consequently committing suicide. This study aimed at identifying and assessing the level of depression in dialysis patients in Iran over a period of one decade. Materials and methods: A meta-analysis was performed for relevant articles in Persian and English Scientific databases including SID, ScienceDirect and PubMed. Reference lists of identified articles were reviewed for additional articles. Heterogeneity of study was checked using I2 index. Data were analyzed using the Comprehensive Meta-analysis (CMA) software. Results: The overall prevalence of depression in dialysis patients in Iran was 63% (95% Cl 56%-70%) during 2003-2013. The highest prevalence of depression was recorded in Sanandaj in 2010, 93% (95% Cl: 83%-97%) and the lowest prevalence of depression was found in Tehran in 2009, 28% (95% Cl: 19%-49%). Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in dialysis patients in Iran was found to be higher than that of the developed countries. Therefore, screening for early detection of depression in dialysis patients, along with other diagnostic and therapeutic measures is of great benefit in reducing the consequences of depression.

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Background and purpose: Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in Iran. The incidence of this cancer, especially in the northern regions in Iran, has increased in the last two decades. This study was designed to update the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with colorectal cancer in Mazandaran province. Materials and methods: All patients with diagnosis of colorectal cancer who were treated during 2008-2014 in Imam Khomeini Educational Hospital and Touba polyclinic (a university affiliated center) were included. We evaluated the age, sex, location of tumor, stage of tumor, presence of metastasis, location of metastasis, and clinical symptoms. Results: Three hundred and sixty four patients, including 53.4% male and 46.6% female, were examisned. Almost one-third (31.3%) of patients were younger than 50 years of age and there was no significant difference in the mean age of both sexes (p=0.42). At time of diagnosis, 37.2% of patients were in stage 4. Family history of cancer was positive in 45%, and this rate increased to 63.9% in cases younger than 50. The mean age of patients with positive family history was lower compared to those with negative family history (P=0.028). Conclusion: The mean age of colorectal cancer in studied patients, especially those with positive family history, was lower compared to what have been found in similar studies. The majority of patients were in advanced stages at the time of diagnosis. These findings call for more attention to the initial sign and symptoms of colorectal cancer and carrying out screening programs for early diagnosis and treatment.

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Background and purpose: Nitrate is one of the most important water pollutants contributing to methemoglobinemia in children and stomach cancer in adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the nitrate contamination of groundwater in Shahrood and Damghan and determination of the spatial pattern of its distribution.

Materials and methods: A total of 154 wells were sampled in shahrood and Damghan and the nitrate concentration was analyzed. Kruskal-Walliss test was applied to compare the concentrations of nitrate in urban, rural and plain areas. The nitrate concentrations in agricultural and drinking wells were compared using Mann-whitney test. Empirical bayesian kriging method was used to study the spatial distribution of nitrate in the groundwater.

Results: The mean concentration of nitrate in urban, rural, and plain area wells were 29.18, 11.58, and 10. 40 mgl^-1, respectively. There was a significant difference in nitrate concentration between urban areas and that of the rural and plain areas but no significant difference was found in nitrate concentration between the drinking and agricultural wells. The geostatistical analysis showed higher concentration of nitrate in southern part of the area than that of the northern part.

Conclusion: The concentration of nitrate was higher than the permissible levels in 4.5% of the studied wells however, at present this is not considered a health risk in the region.

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Background and purpose: Soil heavy metal contamination is a major environmental concern. Contaminants in urban soils can directly pose significant human health risks through oral ingestion, particle inhalation, and dermal contact. The purpose of this study was to determine the health risk of heavy metals in surface soils in Aran-Bidgol, Iran.

Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in which 135 topsoil samples were collected from Aran-Bidgol (in Isfahan province) and the metal concentrations of Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn and Cu were determined. Carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic human health risks of heavy metals in surface soils through oral ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact pathways for children and adults were evaluated using the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved method.

Results: The mean concentrations of Cd, Pb, Ni, Zn and Cu, were 0.72, 11.41, 29.87, 48.59, and 14.82 mg/kg, respectively, which all exceeded the background values. The highest non-cancer risks for both children and adults were found in Pb (12.63 and 0.82, respectively) while the lowest values were observed in Zn (0.3 and 0.04, respectively). The total accumulated non-cancer risk (HI) of all heavy metals for children and adults were more than 17 and 2, respectively. The cancer risk values were 6.37E-06 (Cd), 6.78E-06 (Pb), and 3E-04 (Ni) for children and 1.12E-06 (Cd), 1.19E-06 (Pb), and 6.19E-05 (Ni) for adults.

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Background and purpose: Sleep is necessary to maintain physical health. Every metabolic disorder especially obesity, can affect the quality and quantity of sleep. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sleep quality and quantity and obesity.

Materials and methods: In this descriptive study, data of 3559 participants aged 20 to 70 years were collected from Yazd Health Study (YaS) using a researcher-made questionnaire. The obesity was determined based on BMI. Data was analyzed using Chi-square test, regression analysis and CI in
SPSS V.18.

Results: The participants were 49.5% male. The prevalence of obesity in males and females was 17.3% and 33.9%, respectively. The lowest rate of obesity was found in people aged 20 to 29 years (12%), and the highest rate was observed in those aged 60 to 69 years old (30.4%). The results showed that people with sleep less than six hours, and more than ten hours were 2 and 2.5 times more likely to become obese, respectively. Individuals waking up in an unwanted time of sleep –three times or more- (47%), having more than three nightmares (33%), taking three or more sleeping pills (51%), and people who had more than 60 minutes delay in falling asleep (17%) were more at risk of  obesity.

Conclusion: Considering the importance of enough sleep, sleep hygiene practices are necessary to improve the quantity and quality of sleep in order to prevent obesity.

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Cancer is a complex and life-threatening disease involving uncontrollable cell proliferation, evading apoptosis, and metastasis. Despite recent developments in cancer chemotherapy, there are no effective broad spectrum anticancer agents that could selectively target cancer cells. Thus, designing and discovering new efficient and selective anticancer agents are urgent needs. It is important that new anticancer agents could act via apoptosis induction, since it has a critical role in control of cell proliferation. Chalcones are naturally occurring compounds possessing high degree of synthetic diversity for design of new leading bioactive compounds including anticancer agents. Chalcones are considered as promising anticancer agents against most human cancers with capability of inducing apoptosis in cancer cells. Furthermore, some clinically useful anticancer drugs show genotoxicity due to interaction with DNA, but chalcones with different mechanism may be devoid of this side effect. This review highlights the recently identified anticancer chalcones from naturally or synthetically origins that induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The diversity of scaffolds described in this review along with their structure-activity relationships could help medicinal chemists in development of new selective anticancer chalcones with improved potency.

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Background and purpose: Paraquat (PQ) is a bipyridinium herbicide that is very soluble in water. This non-selective contact herbicide is widely used in agriculture for weed control. In addition to the environmental impact, paraquat affects the entire body, especially the respiratory system, central nervous system and lymph nodes. In this study degradation of paraquat was investigated using Fenton and Fenton like processes.

Materials and methods: This research was an experimental study in laboratory scale batch reactor (1L). During these processes, the effects of pH, Fenton and Fenton like agent concentrations (Fe^{2 +}, Fe³⁺and H₂O₂) and initial concentration of paraquat in the removal efficiency were studied. The residual PQ concentration and the amount of organic carbon removal were measured by HPLC (259nm) and TOC measurement device, respectively.

Results: Fenton like and Fenton processes could remove 86.44% and 84.53% of paraquat under optimal condition (pH=3, H₂O₂=29.4 mM, Fe=0.9 mM, PQ=0.194 mM) in 120 minutes, respectively. The TOC removal in Fenton like and Fenton processes was 52.15% and 45%, respectively. The PQ removal by Fenton and Fenton like process followed a pseudo-first order reaction kinetic model.

Conclusion: Fenton process showed better performance in removal of PQ than Fenton process. So, it can be used as an appropriate and a supplementary treatment process in removing PQ from aqueous solution or final purification in a longer reaction time.

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Nitric oxide (NO) is known as an unstable signaling molecule that can be produced by three different NO synthase (NOS) isoforms. It plays a vital role in a wide range of physiological processes in the body. For instance, in cardiovascular system NO acts as a blood vessel relaxant, while in central nervous system (CNS) it acts as a neurotransmitter. In reproductive system it regulates gonadotropin hormone, oocyte maturation, ovulation, movement of fallopian tube, contraction of uterus during labor, capacitation of sperm, erection, and ejaculation. It has been reported that NO regulates secretion, absorption and motility of gastrointestinal system. It also plays a significant role in the whole process of inflammation and dynamics of Ca⁺² muscles are regulated by NO concentrations. This gas also relaxes the blood vessels and airways of respiratory system. It regulates angiogenesis, apoptosis, cell cycle, invasion, and metastasis. In this review article, several studies on NO and biological processes were investigated using PubMed, Scopus, Science direct, and Web of Science. NO acts like a double-edged sword in physiology and pathology of the biological systems. Due to the important role of NO in biological systems, it can be used as a therapeutic goal in various diseases. The aim of this review article was to evaluate the importance and role of NO in biological systems and related process including inflammation, blood clotting, cancer, and metastasis.

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Background and purpose: Sleep is one the main physiological parameters in circadian rhythm. Poor sleep is associated with many health consequences such as increased overall mortality and metabolic syndrome in adults and children. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between sleep and metabolic syndrome.
Materials and methods: In a descriptive study, data of 2038 participants aged 20 to 70 years was collected from Yazd Health Study (YaS) using a researcher-made questionnaire. The metabolic syndrome was determined based on measuring waist circumference, triglyceride, HDL, blood pressure, and fasting blood sugar levels. Data was analyzed in SPSS V.18.
Results: The participants included 44.4% males. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in males and females was 34.6% and 49.1%, respectively. The lowest rate of metabolic syndrome was found in people aged 20 to 29 years (14.7%) and the highest rate was observed in those aged 60 to 69 years old (56.3%). The results showed that people with less than six hours sleep and more than ten hours were 2.5 and 3.5 times more likely to develop metabolic syndrome, respectively. Individuals with unwanted wake-ups –three times or more- (42%), having more than three nightmares (50%), taking three or more sleeping pills (80%), and people who had more than 60 minutes delay in falling asleep (31%) were more at risk of metabolic syndrome.
Conclusion: Considering the importance of enough sleep, sleep hygiene practices are necessary to improve the quantity and quality of sleep in order to prevent metabolic syndrome.
 

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Leishmaniasis is a group of tropical diseases with high worldwide prevalence and difficulty in management. At present, the development of resistance and the increase of co-infected leishmaniasis with AIDS have become a serious public health problem. Thus, designing and discovery of effective and non-toxic drugs for the treatment of this disease is very urgent. Azole derivatives have displayed a wide range of biological activities. The pharmacological interest of azole compounds has been established to find new antileishmanial agents. The usefulness of some well-known azole antifungals has been also reported previously. Generally, azole antifungals have a common pharmacophoric portion namely N-phenethylazole and act by inhibiting the cytochrome P-450-mediated 14α-demethylation of lanosterol. Apart from azole antifungals with N-phenethylazole structure, a variety of N-aryl azoles and fused azole derivatives have been reported as antileishmanial agents. These compounds possess distinct structure and mechanism of action differing from those of azole antifungals. Thus, in this paper we reviewed the current application of N-aryl azoles and fused azoles for the design and development of new antileishmanial agents.
 

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Background and purpose: Chalcones are promising lead for anticancer drug design and discovery. Chalcones with different mechanisms including tubulin polymerization inhibition induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The aim of current work was synthesis of two indole-chalcone derivatives and investigation of their cytotoxic activity against cancer and normal cell lines, as well as molecular docking study with the proposed target tubulin.
Materials and methods: In this study, the indole-chalcone derivatives (3a and 3b) were prepared by the reaction of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde with 3-acetylindole or N-methyl-3-acetyl-indole in the presence of LiOH as catalyst. The pure compounds obtained were characterized by ¹H NMR, IR, and Mass spectroscopy. The cytotoxic activity of synthesized compounds was tested using MTT assay toward four cancer cell lines (A549, MCF7, HepG2 and SKOV3) and a normal cell line (NIH3T3) in comparison with etoposide. Molecular docking was performed by using AutoDock 4.2 software to evaluate potential mechanism and interactions of chalcone compounds with the tubulin (1SA0) binding site.
Results: The ¹H NMR spectra of compounds showed two doublets related to the vinylic protons with coupling constant value of 15.6 Hz, demonstrating trans configuration of the compounds. Cytotoxicity assay showed that these compounds had a significant effect against viability of cancer cells. The compound 3b with IC₅₀ value of 8.1 μg/ml against HepG2 had the most potent cytotoxic effect. Furthermore, this compound had no significant cytotoxic effect against normal cell line. Docking analysis showed that compound 3b is bound to the colchicine binding site of tubulin via hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions.
Conclusion: The indole-derived chalcones had a significant selective cytotoxic effect against cancer cells. The N-methyl-indole analog 3b showed better profile of activity against tested cell lines. This analog can be considered as a lead compound for further optimization and development of potent anticancer agents.