The association of vimentin and fibronectin gene expression with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and tumor malignancy in colorectal carcinoma

Colorectal cancer is the most common malignancy of the gastrointestinal tract with very high mortality. One of the most distinguishing features for the establishment of an epithelial-mesenchymal transition phenotype is the alteration of mesenchymal markers expression and structural adhesion proteins. We evaluated the significance of vimentin and fibronectin gene expression in relation to invasion and metastasis in CRC patients. Tissue specimens were collected consecutively from forty-five colorectal carcinoma patients during surgeries. Tissues were divided into two separate parts for pathological and molecular assays. In order to histological staging, tissue sections were prepared from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded blocks and stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin. To quantify gene expression, specimens were dissected and homogenized. Moreover, SW480, SW48, SW948, Caco-2, HT-29 and LS174T as human colon cancer cell lines were obtained and cultured, then molecular analyzing was performed. As results the expression of VIM gene increased in SW480, SW48 and SW948 while it decreased in Caco-2, HT-29 and LS174T. Moreover, FN was up-regulated in Caco-2, HT-29 and SW948, while it was down-regulated in SW480, SW48 and LS174T. In tissues, vimentin and fibronectin expression significantly increased in stromal cells, whereas vimentin decreased in colonic epithelial cells and fibronectin had no significant change. Vimentin and fibronectin expression were changed in tumor tissues. It was found an association between vimentin expression with age and tumor size; over-expression in older age and decreasing in larger tumor size. Furthermore, fibronectin over-expression is correlated to older age and high tumor stages; up-regulation with increasing age and high tumor stages

Bacterial contamination of environmental surfaces in two educational hospitals under the auspices of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences

Background and Aims: Mortality risk and therefore the likelihood of in-hospital death for a patient owing to nosocomial infection in health care centers has always existed. The majority of nosocomial infections are transmitted through direct contact, primarily with environmental surfaces or equipments. This study was aimed to determine the microbial contamination of environmental surfaces in two teaching hospitals of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study and by kind permission of hospital managers, a total of 120 samples were collected from PICU, ICU, ENT units, Operating room, Burn ward and Recovery section in both studied hospitals. Identification of microbial agents was carried out using standard biochemical and microbiological methods. Data obtained were analyzed using Stata12 software & Chi- Square test. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: The results showed bacterial contamination in 48 cases (40%). ENT unit with 80% and Burn ward with 40% revealed the hig est contamination rate in hospital (1) and hospital (2), respectively. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter aerogenes,Acinetobacter, and Enterococcus faecalis were the most common isolated bacteriaConclusion: A high percentage of bacterial contamination was found in both studied hospitals. Implementing revention guidelines and collection  of periodic culture are necessary to reduce the rate of bacterialcontamination in these hospitals.Key words: Nosocomial Infections, Environmental Surface, Microbial Contamination*Correspondin

Removal of petroleum hydrocarbon from water by using isolated bacteria from diesel contaminated soils

زمینه و اهداف: حذف غلظت­های کم هیدروکربن های نفتی از آب به روش های فیزیکی- شیمیائی با محدودیت های زیادی روبرو می باشد. لذا هدف از این تحقیق، جداسازی و شناسائی باکتری­ها از خاک آلوده به ترکیبات نفتی (TPH)  و تعیین میزان حذف ترکیبات نفتی از آب با استفاده از باکتریهای جداسازی شده می­باشد. مواد و روش­ها: غلظت­های 100 ، 500 و 1000پی پی ام TPH در آب مورد آزمایش قرار گرفت. باکتری­ها از خاک آلوده به گازوئیل شناسائی و جداسازی شدند و به صورت جداگانه در محیط کشت حاوی آب دارای غلظت­های معین TPH قرار گرفتند.  در زمان­تماس های 2، 5، 7  و 14 روز مقدار کل ترکیبات نفتی باقیمانده در آب  به روش استاندارد اندازه­گیری شد. یافته ­ها: برای غلظت 100 پی پی ام TPH در آب ، طی 48 ساعت زمان تماس، بیشترین حذف TPH بوسیله آلکالیژنز فکالیس به میزان 65 درصد و کمترین حذف مربوط به سودوموناس آئروژینوزا به میزان حدود 20درصد بود. میزان حذف TPH توسط انتروباکتر و آلکالیژنز در غلظت ppm 500 و زمان تماس مشابه، به ترتیب حدود 40 و 20 درصد و برای غلظت ppm 1000 در زمان تماس 48 ساعت بیشترین حذف به میزان حدود 30 درصد مربوط به باکتری  انتروباکتر بود. در زمان تماس  14روز  حداکثر میزان حذف حدود 90 درصد (برای غلظت­های ppm 100 و 500 ) وحدود 50 درصد (برای غلظت ppm 1000) بود.نتیجه ­گیری: با استفاده از باکتریهای جداسازی شده از خاک آلوده می توان غلظت­های کم ترکیبات نفتی را از آب حذف نمود.Background and Aims: Removal of low concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons from water by physico-chemical methods encounters many limitations. The aim of this study was thus isolation and identification of bacteria from soils contaminated with total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH). Removal efficiency of low concentrations of hydrocarbons from water using isolated bacteria was also determined. Materials and Methods: TPH concentrations of 100, 500 and 1000 ppm in water were examined. Bacteria were identified and isolated from diesel-contaminated soil. Isolated bacteria were cultured separately in medium containing water with certain concentrations of TPH. At predetermined contact times (2, 5, 7 and 14 days), the total amount of TPH remained in the water was measured using standard methods. Results: At 100 ppm TPH in water and within 48 hours, the highest removal efficiency of TPH about 65% was obtained by Alkaligenes faecalis. Likewise, the lowest removal performance of TPH, approximately 20%, was obtained by Pseudomonas aeruginosa at this concentration. The highest and lowest removal efficiency of TPH from water at 500 ppm by was achieved by Enterobacter (40%) and Alkaligenes (20%) following 48 h, respectively. At the highest concentration of TPH in water (1000 ppm) and after 48 h, the highest removal rate about 30% was obtained by Enterobacter. for the removal efficiency appeared to increase with the increase of contact time, in which the maximum removal efficiency was about 90% (at 100 and 500 ppm concentrations) and about 50% (at 1000 ppm concentrations) after 14 days. Conclusion: Bacteria isolated from contaminated soil can be used to remove low concentrations of petroleum compounds from water

Detection of hepatitis G virus envelope protein E2 antibody in blood donors

SummaryObjectivesThe frequency of hepatitis G virus exposure in blood donors varies between 2.5% in Japan to 24.2% in Poland. Therefore there is a geographic difference in distribution of hepatitis G virus (HGV) in the world. We aimed to determine the frequency of HGV exposure in Iranian blood donors.MethodsBlood samples from 478 Iranian volunteer blood donors were tested. Positive anti-E2 samples were tested for HGV RNA by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) using primers derived from the NS5A region of the viral genome.ResultsOf the 478 donors enrolled in our study, five (1%) were positive for anti-E2. Only one donor out of a total of three HBsAg-positive donors was co-infected with HGV, but we did not find HGV and HCV co-infection in our subjects. HGV RNA was not observed in the five anti-E2-positive subjects. We did not find HGV viremia and antibody at the same time.ConclusionA low frequency of HGV exposure in blood donors was found in this study. We did not observe co-infection of HGV with HCV in our subjects, supporting the theory that although the parenteral route is the most effective means of transmission, other routes such as sexual contact and intra-familial contact may also play a role in HGV transmission

Identification of the main allergen sensitizers in an Iran asthmatic population by molecular diagnosis

Background: There has been a significant growth in the prevalence of allergy, mainly associated to IgE-mediated disorders such as asthma and rhinitis. The identification of atopy in asthmatic patients through the measurement of specific IgE can help to identify risk factors that cause asthmatic symptoms in patients. The development and use of individualized allergen-based tests by the Component Resolved Diagnosis has been a crucial advance in the accurate diagnosis and control of allergic patients. The objective of this work was to assess the usefulness of molecular diagnosis to identify environmental allergens as possible factors influencing the development and manifestation of asthma in a group of asthmatic patients from Iran. Methods: Studied population: 202 adult asthmatic patients treated at the Loghman Hakim Hospital and Pasteur Institute of Teheran (Iran) from 2011 to 2012. Specific IgE determined by the ImmunoCAP system were used to both evaluate the patients' atopic condition and the molecules involved in the allergic sensitization. SDS-PAGE IgE-immunoblotting associated with mass spectrometry was carried out to study the cockroach IgE-binding sensitizing proteins. Results: Forty-five percent of all patients could be considered atopic individuals. Eighty-two percent of atopic patients were sensitized to pollen allergens. The Salsola kali (Sal k 1) and the Phleum pratense (rPhl p 1 and/or rPhl p 5) major allergens were the most common sensitizers among pollens (71% and 18%, respectively). Thirty-five percent of the atopic population was sensitized to cockroach. Four different allergens, including a previously unknown alpha-amylase, were identified in the cockroach extract. No significant associations could be demonstrated between the severity of asthma and the specific IgE levels in the atopic population. Statistical analysis identified the Sal k 1 as the main protein allergen influencing the development and expression of asthma in the studied population. Conclusions: Pollen and cockroach were the most relevant allergen sources in the asthmatic population. The Salsola kali major allergen was the main cause for sensitization in the atopic patients suffering asthma. Using the Component Resolved Diagnosis, it was possible to identify a new Blattella germanica cockroach allergen (Blattella alpha amylase 53 kDa) that could sensitize a relevant percentage of this population.This study has been founded by the Government of The Basque Country, Project IT787-13

Removal of High Concentrations of Phenol in Dual Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell

Background and purpose: Microbial fuel cell is one of the sustainable development technologies that can be used simultaneously for removal of many pollutants and generate electricity. The aim of this study was to determine the removal rate of high concentrations of phenol in a microbial fuel cell. Materials and methods: A dual chamber microbial fuel cell having Nafion proton exchange membrane and carbon cloth as anode and cathode was fabricated and operated in batch mode in incubator at 30°C for 12 weeks. Anode was put in anaerobic chamber containing minimum growth medium and phenol (50-1000ppm) was added as the sole carbon source. Phenol degrading bacterial seed that was supplied by wastewater treatment plant of Tehran Petroleum Refinery was adapted to phenol and used in anaerobic anode chamber. Cathode was put in aerobic chamber containing phosphate buffer. Concentration of remained phenol in different times was analyzed by HPLC method. Results: Maximum amount of phenol degradation occurred in the first 24h of each run. Phenol concentrations up to 800 ppm were completely removed during 96 h, but time to complete removal of 1000 ppm phenol was 120h. Conclusion: By using sludge from wastewater treatment plant of oil refinery adapted to phenol in a microbial fuel cell, it is possible to remove 1000 ppm phenol

Anemia Prevalence and Related Factors in HIV-Infected Patients: A Cohort Study

ABSTRACT Background and Objective: Anemia is a common manifestation of human immunodeficienc

Rabies antibody levels in pregnant women and their newborns after rabies post-exposure prophylaxis

Background: Rabies is a fatal infectious disease and rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is the method of choice for prevention of human rabies.Case series: We report rabies antibody levels in cord blood and also in serum of pregnant women who were bitten by suspected animals to rabies and were immunized by purified Vero cell rabies vaccine (PVRV) and Human Rabies immunoglobulin (HRIG) serum. During the years of 2007-2010, six pregnant women by the age range of 22-35 years were admitted in treatment and prevention of rabies center in Pasture institute of Iran, in Tehran. Among them two cases were at first trimester, one at second trimester and three at third trimester of conception. The interval between biting with delivery was 5-265 days (mean 121 days).Conclusion: Results of immunoglobulin illustrate that levels of rabies antibody in maternal sera with the fetus are not equal and uniform but it is proved that baby will find efficient immunity as well with minimum protective level of 0.5 IU/ml in all cases except a newborn whom had been born just 5 days after the mother’s immunization and in a shorter time than the appropriate immunization of the mother who had received her second vaccination courses