Orienteering problem with hotel selection: a variable neighborhood search method

In this research, we developed a skewed variable neighbourhood search algorithm to solve the orienteering problem (OP) with hotel selection, a non-investigated variant of the OP. We also designed two appropriate sets of benchmark instances with known optimal solutions. Applying the proposed algorithm on these instances shows the quality of the algorithm. The algorithm is also fast enough to be implemented in a tourist application

Proposing a national ethical framework for animal research in Iran

Background: One of the domains of scientific activities is working on animals. Performing experiments on animals is permissible only with the purpose of obtaining necessary information for saving and improving life of human beings or animals. Principally, all religions believe that human life is more valuable than animal life and humans have a God-given authority over animals, but they should not be cruel to animals and cause their pain or suffering. Based on Islamic view points, although Allah has put the Man as the lord of all creatures, he has not the right to use other creatures for any conditions and does not respect their real statues. Because of the widespread use of experimental animals in our country, special ethical codes should be redefined for living conditions of experimental animals based on the present regulations in Iran and also other countries. Therefore, all our researchers should have enough information about ethical codes of treating experimental animals as well as Islamic principles in this regard.Methods: All Islamic and international sources related to treating animals and also valid international ethical guidelines were collected and classified in order to extract the aimed points. Then all extracted points were reviewed by experts familiar with Islamic and ethical rules of treating animals.Results: Finally the strategies for appropriate and complete implementation of the national ethical guidelines of animal research in Iran were suggested.Conclusion: It is obvious that the suggested principles are applicable only with appropriate planning of training courses based on the facilities and needs of our country

Effect of a new synthesized palladium phenanthroline complex on human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line-K562

Background: Due to the increasing incidence of cancer and toxicity of cisplatin, there have been many attempts to find new complexes with greater potency and less toxicity. Palladium (II) complexes can induce cell death and serve as good anticancer drugs with less toxicity than platinum (II) complexes. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the anti-cancer properties of a new synthetic complex of palladium [Pd (2-foran-2-yl) 1H-imidazo–[4, 5–f] (1, 10-phenanthroline)] and cell death mechanism induced by this complex in human chronic myeloid leukemia cell line-K562. Methods: This experimental study was conducted in the Vital Macromolecules laboratory of Kharazmi University in 2014. The K562 cells were cultured in the RPMI-1640 medium and were treated with different concentrations of the Pd (II) complex for 24 and 48 hours. Cell viability was measured using 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The mechanism of cell death induced by this complex was analyzed by flow cytometery using Annexin V and propidium iodide. Findings: In the MTT assay, the Cc50 value (50% Cytotoxicity Concentration) of the Pd (II) complex was 95 and 86 µM after 24 and 48 hours, respectively. The analysis of results for Annexin V antibody indicated that the cell death induced by the Pd (II) complex was mainly apoptosis. Conclusion: With regards to the results, it seems that this Pd complex and its analogues can be considered as a new drug for cancer treatment in the future. Keywords: Palladium Phenanthroline Complex, Apoptosis, Myeloid Leukemi

Dual molecular mechanism of catalase in cancer and resistance to chemotherapy

Catalase is the one of the most important antioxidant enzymes that is found abundantly in liver and kidney. The alteration in activity and function this latter enzyme are widely investigated in various types of cancer to understand the cancer mechanism and its treatment. The changes in the catalase activity levels in a variety of cancer cells is as a specific property of tumor tissues due to the reducting catalase activity at mRNA level. In this review, various reports that examined the alterations in catalase activity and resistance to chemotherapy and its complications in the literature are summarized and discussed. Due to the important role of hydrogen peroxide in various stages of cancer process, catalase alters this process by detoxification of hydrogen peroxide. Chemotherapy increase free radicals to destroy the tumor cells, then, catalase activity reduced their impact on cancer cells. On the other hand, it might be concluded that production of drug resistance in chemotherapy is resulted due to increasing catalase activity. Therefor it seems catalase has contradictory influence on the treatment and development of cancer

The Effect of Β-casein Nanoparticles on Bioavailability and Cellular Uptake of Platinum Complex as a Cancer Drug

Abstract Background & aim: Due to the low solubility and high toxicity of drugs, treatment of cancers is problematic therefore, the encapsulation and targeted delivery of therapeutic effect is required. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of nanoparticles on cellular uptake and bioavailability of beta-casein on platinum complexes as cancer drugs. Methods: In the present experimental study, the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles as drug carriers of beta-casein devices using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were investigated. In order to evaluate the toxicity effects of platinum complexes, the colon cancer cells in the absence or presence of free platinum complex concentration and nanoparticle loaded with platinum complexes were incubated for 24 and 48 hours. LD50 Values (concentration of compound causing 50% mortality in the cells) was determined using the MTT assay. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and post-hoc test. Results: At a concentration of 1 mg ml, beta-casein nanoparticle drug carriers were synthesized in the range of 100 to 300 µM. In addition, the mortality rate in cancer cells by the release of platinum complexes (without and with the capsule), were 70 and 26 in 24 hours, and 60 µM and 21 µM in 48 hours respectively, Conclusion: The study showed that the bioavailability of the encapsulated platinum complexes increases and new drug delivery system may be a good candidate for the treatment of cancer. Key words: Beta-casein, Pt (II) Complex, Bioavalibility, Nanocarrier, Micell