Estimation of genetic variation in the Secretor and Lewis genes in Iranian hospitalized children

Background: The Secretor (FUT2) and lewis gene (FUT3) are in charge of the construction of histo-blood group antigens, which act as a receptor for some Pathogenes. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of five significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Iranian children. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 102 blood samples collected from hospitalized children. The FUT2 gene region was amplified and sequenced to explore rs1047781 and rs601338, and the FUT3 gene region was amplified to explore rs28362459, rs812936, rs778986 SNPs. Results: In FUT2 gene, Se358,428 that produces Se phenotype with 63 (0.53 - 0.72) prevalence, was the most common genotype. For FUT3 gene Le59,202,314 with 80 prevalence was most common genotype (0.71 - 0.87). Conclusion: This study genotyped Secretor and Lewis genes and designated SNPs� distinct distribution in Iran, and clarified at-risk groups for certain diseases. © 2020 Société française de transfusion sanguine (SFTS

Elderberry diet ameliorates motor function and prevents oxidative stress-induced cell death in rat models of Huntington disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder which begins in the striatum and then spreads to other neural areas. Known as a progressive movement cognitive disorder, HD has no efficient therapy. Although the exact mechanism of HD is still unknown, several different etiological processes such as oxidative stress have been shown to play critical roles. Also, the current evidence indicates a strong correlation between immune activation and neural damage induced by neuroinflammatory and apoptotic agents in neurodegenerative disorders. Thus, natural products like Elderberry (EB) could be considered as a novel and potential therapeutic candidate for the treatment of this disease. In this study EB was added to the daily ration of ordinary rats for two months in order to ameliorate inflammatory and oxidative responses in rats injected with 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) in an experimental model of HD. Using Rotarod and electromyography setups, we showed that EB diet significantly recovered motor failure and muscle incoordination in 3-NP injected rats compared to the control group. Also, the molecular findings implied that EB diet led to a significant drop in 3-NP induced growth in caspase-3 and TNF-α concentration. The treatment also improved striatal antioxidative capacity by a significant reduction in ROS and a remarkable rise in GSH, which might be correlated with motor recovery in the tests. In sum, the findings demonstrate the advantages of EB treatment in the HD rat model with a score of beneficial anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. © 2021 Elsevier B.V

Chronic administration of methylphenidate did not affect memory and GDNF levels but increase astrogliosis in adult male rat's hippocampus

Background: ADHD is the most common developmental disorder affecting approximately three to seven percent of school-aged children and 2.5 percent of adults worldwide. The drug of choice for the pharmacotherapy of ADHD is Methylphenidate (MPH). However, there is growing concerns about side effects resulting from its potential interference with brain anatomical and behavioral development. Aim: This article focuses on the adverse effects of MPH on the rat's hippocampus. Methods: The animals received an oral dose of 5 mg/kg MPH or normal saline, as the vehicle, on a daily basis for 30 days. Y-maze test, passive avoidance, Barnes maze and field potential recording were conducted. Western blot for detecting the neurotrophic factor of GDNF and immunohistochemistry of astrogliosis were performed. Results: Our results revealed that MPH treatment suppressed the willingness of rats to explore new environments. Also, it had no effect on improving long-term potentiation, long-term memory and spatial memory in the MPH group as opposed to the control group. There was also a significant increase of astrogliosis in the treated rats� hippocampi. On the other hand, there was not a significant relationship between MPH administration and the decrement of the GDNF level. Conclusion: We encourage the need to conduct more research on the adverse effects of MPH on the brain. © 2020 Elsevier B.V

MALIGNANT LYMPHOMA DEMONESTRATING SICK SINUS SYNDROME AND SUPERIOR VENA CAVA SYNDROME

"nReports which describe sick sinus syndrome due to malignant lymphoma have been rare and only eight cases have been reported until now. This is a case of sick sinus syndrome and superior vena cava syndrome secondary to invasion of occult malignant lymphoma of the lung in a 60 years old male. There were no symptoms or signs of malignancy before the first presentation with sick sinus syndrome. Patient was treated with implantation of a permanent pacemaker. SA node involvement by lymphoma should be considered as an etiological factor when sick sinus syndrome of unknown cause is encountered

Feasibility study for removing calcified material using a planar rectangular ultrasound transducer

BACKGROUND: The aim of the proposed study was to conduct a feasibility study using a flat rectangular (3 mm × 10 mm) MRI compatible transducer operating at 5.3 MHz for destroying calcified material in an in vitro model. The proposed method can be used in the future for treating atherosclerosis plaques of the coronary, carotid or peripheral arteries. METHODS: The system was tested initially on calcium rods. Another test was performed in a hydroxyapatite–polylactide model. RESULTS: A parametric study was performed where the mass of calcified material removed was studied as a function of intensity, pulse repetition frequency (PRF), duty factor (DF) and presence of bubbles. CONCLUSIONS: The amount of calcified material removed is directly related to the intensity, PRF and DF. It was found that the presence of bubbles accelerates the removal of calcified material. In order to ensure that pure mechanical mode ultrasound was used, the protocols were designed so that the temperature does not exceed 1 °C