Evaluation the effect of neuropeptide of Bombesin on modulation of anxiety reaction in mice

Background & Objective: Bombesin (BBS) is a tetra-decapeptide amino acid neuropeptide in central nervous system within a variety of mammalian species. Also it has many biological effects that may be effective in modulation of anxiety. The aim of present study was to determine the effect of BBS on modulation anxiety reaction in elevated plus maze (EPM) in mice.   Materials & Methods: 60 male mice (25-30 g) were used in this study. Bombesin in doses of 1.25, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20 µg/kg IP or saline was injected in different groups 10 min before of evaluation. Five minutes later for increase of activity, animal was put in black box for 5 min. Then each animal in regulated time transferred to standard elevated plus-maze and the time spent in the open arms and the ratio of open arm entries during 5 min, were measured. The data analyzed by using ANOVA and Tukey test.   Results: BBS in dose dependently manner increase which the anxiety reaction in mice. Animals had spent lower time and ratio of open arm entries in compare with control group significantly (P<0.05) and BBS only in dose of 1.25 µg/kg did not showed significantly effect.   Conclusion: This study indicated that Bombesin in dose dependently manner have important role in modulate anxiety reaction in EPM in mice

The Relationship between Random Urinary Protein-to-Creatinine Ratio and 24-hours Urine Protein in Diagnosis of Proteinuria in Mild Preeclampsia

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a random urinary protein / creatinine ratio is a clinically useful predictor of significant proteinuria (300 mg/24 hr) instead of 24- hours urine protein, among women with suspected preeclampsia.&#13; Methods: Women with suspected preeclampsia and gestational age of 20 weeks were included in a prospective study. Patients with chronic hypertension, diabetes mellitus, or preexisting renal disease were excluded. Protein/ creatinine ratio was obtained before 24-hours urine collection. Positive and negative predictive values and sensitivity and specificity of the protein/creatinine ratio for significant proteinuria (300 mg) were calculated, based on 24-hours urine total protein.&#13; Results: 100 women were evaluated totally. Mean maternal and gestational ages were 27.3 years and 33.26 weeks, respectively.73% of cases had significant proteinuria based on 24-hours urine collection. Good correlations were found between the protein/creatinine ratio in random urine samples and both the 24-hours urine protein excretion and the 24- hours urine protein/creatinine ratio in patients with mild preeclampsia (r=0.484, P&lt;0.0001, and r=0.345, P&lt;0.0001, respectively) .Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed an area under the curve of 0.944. The best cutoff value was of &gt;0.18 which yields a sensitivity of 86.3%, a specificity of 100%, with a positive predictive value of 100%, and a negative predictive value of 73%.&#13; Conclusion: The random urinary protein –to- creatinine (P: C) ratio is strongly associated with the 24-hours total protein excretion. A cutoff value of &gt; 0.18 is a good predictor of significant proteinuria .P: C ratio could replace the 24- hours urine collection as a simpler, faster, and more accurate method for the diagnosis of significant proteinuria.&#13; Key words: Preeclampsia, significant proteinuria, protein / creatinine (P: C) ratio, 24- hours urine total protein leve

The effects of progestrone on the in-vitro expression of P0, S100 and Krox20 genes in adipose-derived stem cells

&quot;n Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE AR-SA MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:Arial; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} Background: Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have noticeable self-renewal ability and can differentiate into several cell lines such as adipocytes, osteoblasts, chondrocytes, and myocytes. Progesterone plays a significant role in the myelination of peripheral nerves. Regarding the role of progesterone on the myelination of peripheral nervous system, we evaluated its effects on the in-vitro expression of P0, S100 and Krox20 mRNA in adipose-derived stem cells.&quot;n&quot;nMethods : In this experimental study, rat adipose-derived stem cells were isolated from the inguinal region of the animals and were evaluated by flow cytometry before culture. In preinduction phase, the cells were sequentially treated with various factors such as &amp;beta;-mercaptoethanol and all-trans-retinoic acid, followed by different induction mixtures. &amp;nbsp;The cells were divided into four groups including two control groups (receiving either fibroblast and platelet derived-growth factors, or fibroblast growth factor, platelet derived-growth factor, forskolin and heregulin) and two experimental groups (receiving either fibroblast growth factor, platelet derived-growth factor, forskolin and progesterone, or fibroblast growth factor, platelet derived-growth factor, heregulin and progesterone). Expression of Schwann cell markers, S-100, P0 and Krox20 mRNA, was determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.&quot;n&quot;nResults : ADSCs expressed CD90, CD73, and CD31 but showed lack of CD45, and VEGFR2 expression. After the induction stage, S-100, P0 and Krox20 mRNA were expressed in the progesterone receiving experimental groups, but expression of S-100 and Krox20 mRNA were less than the control group which was receiving forskolin and heregulin (P&amp;lt;0.0001). &quot;n&quot;nConclusion: Progesterone can promote the in-vitro expression of S-100, P0, and Krox20 genes in adipose-derived stem cells

Low-dose calcium supplementation for preventing pre-eclampsia: a systematic review and commentary

BACKGROUND: Epidemiological data link low dietary calcium with pre-eclampsia. Current recommendations are for 1.5-2 g/day calcium supplementation for low-intake pregnant women, based on randomised controlled trials of ≥1 g/day calcium supplementation from 20 weeks of gestation. This is problematic logistically in low-resource settings; excessive calcium may be harmful; and 20 weeks may be too late to alter outcomes. OBJECTIVES: To review the impact of lower dose calcium supplementation on pre-eclampsia risk. SEARCH STRATEGY AND SELECTION CRITERIA: We searched PubMed and the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group trials register. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors extracted data from eligible randomised and quasi-randomised trials of low-dose calcium (LDC, <1 g/day), with or without other supplements. MAIN RESULTS: Pre-eclampsia was reduced consistently with LDC with or without co-supplements (nine trials, 2234 women, relative risk [RR] 0.38; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.28-0.52), as well as for subgroups: LDC alone (four trials, 980 women, RR 0.36; 95% CI 0.23-0.57]); LDC plus linoleic acid (two trials, 134 women, RR 0.23; 95% CI 0.09-0.60); LDC plus vitamin D (two trials, 1060 women, RR 0.49; 0.31-0.78) and a trend for LDC plus antioxidants (one trial, 60 women, RR 0.24; 95% CI 0.06-1.01). Overall results were consistent with the single quality trial of LDC alone (171 women, RR 0.30; 95% CI 0.06-1.38). LDC plus antioxidants commencing at 8-12 weeks tended to reduce miscarriage (one trial, 60 women, RR 0.06; 95% CI 0.00-1.04). CONCLUSIONS: These limited data are consistent with LDC reducing the risk of pre-eclampsia; confirming this in sufficiently powered randomised controlled trials would have implications for current guidelines and their global implementation.Fil: Hofmeyr, G. J.. University of the Witwatersrand/; Sudáfrica. University of Fort Hare; Sudáfrica. Calcium and Pre-eclampsia Study Group; CanadáFil: Belizan, Jose. Calcium and Pre-eclampsia Study Group; Canadá. Instituto de Efectividad Clínica y Sanitaria; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Von Dadelszen, P.. Calcium and Pre-eclampsia Study Group; Canadá. University of British Columbia; Canad

Quantitative modelling of the Waddington epigenetic landscape

C.H. Waddington introduced the epigenetic landscape as a metaphor to represent cellular decision-making during development. Like a population of balls rolling down a rough hillside, developing cells follow specific trajectories (valleys) and eventually come to rest in one or another low-energy state that represents a mature cell type. Waddington depicted the topography of this landscape as determined by interactions among gene products, thereby connecting genotype to phenotype. In modern terms, each point on the landscape represents a state of the underlying genetic regulatory network, which in turn is described by a gene expression profile. In this chapter we demonstrate how the mathematical formalism of Hopfield networks can be used to model this epigenetic landscape. Hopfield networks are auto-associative artificial neural networks; input patterns are stored as attractors of the network and can be recalled from noisy or incomplete inputs. The resulting models capture the temporal dynamics of a gene regulatory network, yielding quantitative insight into cellular development and phenotype