Cancer risk among patients with multiple sclerosis: A cohort study in Isfahan, Iran

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS), a central nervous system (CNS) autoimmune disorder, affects 2.3 million people around the world. Cancer kills around 7.5 million people annually. Both diseases have similar risks and intertwining molecular causes. Most studies focusing on MS and cancer have found an insignificant difference or reduction in the amount of cancer found in the MS community. Methods: We performed a cohort study using data from Isfahan Multiple Sclerosis Society (IMSS) and Isfahan cancer society and followed-up for 8 years on average (2006-2014). All of the 1718 MS patients were diagnosed according to McDonald's criteria, then standardized incidence ratio and the numbers of expected cancer case were calculated. Results: While patients had an insignificant change in cancer prevalence, men had fewer cancer cases and women showed an increased prevalence of cancer. Certain types of cancer proved statistically significant. Breast cancer, nervous system cancers, and lymphoma were elevated in the cohort. Conclusion: Our results support the hypothesis that MS significantly affects certain cancers in a protective or associative manner. All cancer rates, except breast cancer, cancers located in the nervous system, and lymphomas were reduced in cohort, suggesting that unregulated immune function may provide protective effects to MS patients against cancer

Enzyme activity in terrestrial soil in relation to exploration of the Martian surface

Urease activity in soil is persistent for long periods under low water, low temperature, and sterile regimes, and it was suggested that some form of enzyme-protective mechanism exists in soil. Dublin soil was extracted by sonication in water followed by adding a mixture of salts. Urease activity is associated with the organo-mineral complex thus obtained and is resistant to the activities of proteolytic enzymes. Clay free soil organic matter prepared subsequently by filtration also exhibits urease activity which is resistant to proteolysis. Models consisting of enzymes with bentonite and lignin were found to mimic this resistance to proteolysis. A model system is presented which suggests both the origin and location of soil ureases and a reason for their persistence in nature

Bis(dimethylformamide-κO){4,4′,6,6′-tetrachloro-2, 2-[butane-1,4-diyl(nitrilomethanylylidene)]diphenolato-κ4O,N, N′,O′}nickel(II).

In the title Schiff base complex, [Ni(C18H14Cl 4N2O2)(C3H7NO) 2], the geometry around the NiII atom is distorted octahedral. It is coordinated by the N2O2 donor atoms of the tetradentate Schiff base ligand and the O atoms of two dimethylformamide molecules, which are cis to one another. The benzene rings are almost normal to each other [dihedral angle = 88.60 (14)°]. The various intramolecular C - H⋯O hydrogen bonds make S(5) and S(6) ring motifs. In the crystal, molecules are linked by pairs of weak C - H⋯Cl interactions, forming inversion dimers. © 2012 International Union of Crystallography

Survival rate of patients with bladder cancer in Yazd, central province of Iran

Abstract Background: Bladder cancer is the ninth most commonly diagnosed malignancy worldwide. The trend of bladder cancer incidence and mortality is rising in Iran. This study was aimed to evaluate the survival rate of patients with bladder cancer in Yazd province, Iran. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, data were collected from 340 patients suffering from bladder cancer referred to Shahid Rahnemon and Shohada-Kargar Hospitals in Yazd province, Iran between April, 2001 and March, 2012. Variables included age, gender, stage of cancer, place of residence and type of treatment. The Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate the relationship between each variable and survival time. A P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: The mean age of total patients was 65.8 ± 13.6 years, and their mean survival time was 68.55 ± 6.05 months. Cumulative survival rates at the end of 1, 3, and 5 years in bladder cancer patients were 91%, 58%, and 51.4%, respectively. A statistically significant association was found between age (P = 0.005), stage of disease (P = 0.0003), type of treatment (P = 0.0003) and survival time of patients. Data showed no significant correlation between age, gender, place of residence and patients’ survival. Conclusions: The survival of patients suffering from bladder cancer in this study was less than other reports. Patients’age and cancer stage were the effective factors in survival time. Continuous screening of older people for cancer diagnosis in early stages is seemed to improve survival in patients. Keywords: Bladder; Cancer; Survival Rate; Ira

Tripartite symbiosis of Lentil (Lense culinaris L.), Mycorrhiza and Azospirillum brasilense under Rainfed Condition

A field experiment was conducted aiming to determine the possibility of improving the lentil performance when co-inoculated with Vesicular Arbuscular Mycorrhiza (VAM) fungi and Azospirillum under natural rain-fed conditions, in Iran. Results showed the substantial impact of VAM fungi on grain protein, root colonization and shoot dry weight. Highest value for shoot dry weight recorded in plants which inoculated with G. intraradices and highest values for root colonization and grain protein content was observed in plants which inoculated with G. mosseae. Also, Azospirillum had a significant effect on shoot dry weight and root colonization. A significant differences on grain protein content observed when combination of both microorganisms have been used

Nanostructured Modified Electrode for Electrocatalytic Determination of Epinephrine in the Presence of Acetaminophen

Abstract In this paper, a nanostructured modified electrode was fabricated by incorporating of 2,2′-[1,9-nonanediylbis(nitriloethylidyne)]-bishydroquinone (NNH) as a newly synthesized modifier and TiO 2 nanoparticles to the carbon paste (MTCPE) and then was used for the electroanalysis of epinephrine (EP). The electrochemical studies were carried out by using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques. It has been found that the oxidation of EP at the surface of this electrode occurs at a potential about 235 mV less positive than that of an unmodified carbon paste electrode. A dynamic range of 1.0-2000.0 µM, with a detection limit of 0.37 µM for EP, was obtained using DPV. Also, this modified electrode exhibits well separated oxidation peaks for EP and acetaminophen (AC) using DPV. JNS All rights reserve

Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes Modified Carbon Paste Electrode for Determination of Copper(II) by Potentiometric and Impedimetric Methods

Abstract A chemically modified carbon paste electrode with multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) was prepared and used as a sensor for Cu 2+ ion. The unique chemical and physical properties of CNT have paved the way to new and improved sensing devices. A central composite chemometrics design was applied for multivariate optimization of the effects of three significant parameters (Graphite powder (X 1 ), MWCNT (X 2 ) and Ionophre (X 3 )) influencing the response of the electrode. In the optimized conditions, the electrode exhibits a Nernstian slope of 30.1 mV/decade in a linear range between 1.0×10 -6 to1.0×10 -1 M over a wide pH range (2.0-6.5). Importantly, the effect of the MWCNT on the performance of electrode was investigated by impedance technique, that showed the MWCNT helps the transduction of the signal in carbon paste electrode and the charged transfer resistance (R ct ) was reduced. The impedimetric results indicated that the linear concentrations range was 1.0×10 −7 to 1.0×10 −1 M and in comparison with potentiometry, the pH range increased to 2.0−7.5. JNS All rights reserve

Prompt attention of the diagnostic medical imaging centers in Tehran: An experience of people with physical disability

Background: Nowadays, change in the pattern of diseases to chronic has been with increasing use of medical imaging services. People with physical disability require continuous diagnostic and therapeutic services. Objectives: This study aimed to measure the waiting time for receiving medical imaging services and to examine sociodemographic factors associated with the poor experience of these people. Patients and Methods: In a cross-sectional study to assess the responsiveness of comprehensive rehabilitation centers in Tehran in 2016-2017, 610 people with physical disabilities who were referred to 10 comprehensive physical rehabilitation centers for rehabilitation services were asked whether they had used medical imaging services during their rehabilitation. The 477 participants (218 women) with positive response consisted the sample of this study. A checklist was used for data collection. T test, Chi-Square and Multiple Logistic Regression Model were used for analytical reports. Results: Poor experience in prompt attention of centers was reported by 26 of public diagnostic service users while 16 of private sector users and 21.2 by total sample. Waiting time for appointment and waiting time at the center were significantly longer in public medical imaging centers compared to the private sector (P < 0.05). Overall experience of public service users about prompt attention was poorer than the private sector (P < 0.05). Physical status (odd ratio OR = 3.2; 95% confidence interval CI = 1.3-7.8) and duration of disability (OR = 0.28; 95% CI = 0.09-0.9) were the predictors of poor experience of respondents about prompt attention in public and private centers respectively. Conclusion: From the service users� viewpoint, private centers had better performance in prompt attention than public centers. Attention to physical condition and duration of disability in scheduling diagnostic services is recommended. © 2018, Author(s)