Expression of let-7 family as a survival biomarker for lung cancer: A meta-analysis

Introduction: Lung cancer is the most common cancer among men around the world. Today, by evaluating the expression of microRNA biomarkers, cancer cells can be detected in specific tissues. However, it's still controversy that the expression of let-7 in the prognosis of patients with lung cancer is informative.Material and Methods: A meta-analysis was performed by searching Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IranMedex, MEDLIB, IranDoc and Scientific Information Database(SID). All data were extracted from articles comparing prognosis in patients with lung cancer having low expression of let-7 with those having high expression. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) and corresponding 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. Subgroup analyses were conducted for ethnicity.Results: A total of 1,370 cases of lung cancer were involved for this meta-analysis. The HR of low let-7 expression was 1.32 (95 % CI 0.68–2.58). A subgroup analysis was performed on ethnicity; combined HR was 1.56 (95 % CI 0.52–4.62) for Asians and 1.08 (95%CI 0.42–2.74) for non-Asians.Conclusion: There was no significant relationship between the expression of let-7 and lung cancer, let-7 might be a biomarker in Asian patients with favourable prognosis. Furthermore, with large-scale investigations, useful prognostic microRNA biomarkers in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up could be detected.

Association of rs16917496 polymorphism at the miR-502 binding site in the SET8 3'UTR with the risk of Prostate Cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) can bind to the 3'-untranslated regions (UTRs) of messenger RNAs, where they interfere with translation and thereby regulate cell differentiation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis. Genetic polymorphisms in the 3'-UTRs targeted by miRNAs alter the strength of miRNA binding in a manner that affects the behavior of individual miRNAs. The histone methyltransferase SET8 has been reported to be a regulator of Tumor Protein 53 (TP53) methylation, a tumor suppressor gene, and regulate genomic stability. Furthermore, an association between the TP53 and Prostate Cancer has been reported in several studies. The present study aimed to evaluate whether (rs16917496) polymorphism at the miR-502 binding site in the 3' untranslated region of the histone methyltransferase SET8 is associated with the expression of this gene in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) patients.Materials and Methods: We examined whether an rs16917496 polymorphism is associated with the risk of PCa and BPH in the Iranian population. This case-control study included 40 patients with pathologically confirmed PCa, 59 patients with BPH, and 45 controls. The rs16917496 polymorphism was determined using a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP).Results: We found significant association of rs16917496 in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The most frequent genotype in the control, prostate cancer, and BPH groups were TT, TC, and CC, respectively.Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the heterozygote genotype of the SET8 polymorphism in the mir-502 gene could be considered a risk factor for the emergence of prostate cancer

The Genetic Causes of Male Infertility in Iranian Population; A systematic Review

Introduction: Infertility affects an estimated 15% of couples globally and in Iran, a quarter of couples experiences primary infertility. Males are found to be individually responsible for 20-30% of infertility cases and contribute to 50% of cases totally. When assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs) are used to acquire pregnancy, a sufficient (epi) genetic diagnosis of male infertility (MI) is of main matter to consider if a genetic abnormality will be transmit-ted to offspring. Infertility centers together with Infertility research centers had been founded since 1994 in Iran and many articles from research projects have been published.Materials and Methods: This literature investigated the possible genetic causes mechanisms underlying Iranian male infertility by extensive article searches.  First, we reviewed available data from the Google Scholar, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, IranMedex, MEDLIB, IranDoc and Scientific Information Database were searched for articles published until 2018, using the MeSH terms for a variety of chromosome abnormalities, Y-chromosome microdeletions, gene mutations, expression and polymorphisms, Male infertility and/or Iranian, regional and international population, to provides the evidence- based and a comprehensive, up-to- date evaluation of the multifactorial factors involved in Iranian infertile men.  Results: According to the strategy adopted initially, 274 manuscripts were found. After reviewing the titles, abstracts and manuscripts entirely cited, the total of 139 articles were obtained and selected according to the eligibility criteria. The 139 studies were divided into four predetermined categories that mentioned above.  Studies have good methodological validity. The sample is quite heterogeneous, given the very different design of the studies.Conclusion: MI is a complex, multi-factorial disease and the underlying reasons frequently remain unknown. It seems that the first line of genetic diagnosis in Iranian male infertility is similar to Global One. In all investigations conducted in Iran, there are vacancies in studies such as epigenetic modification studies, RNA (lncRNA, miRNA and piRNA) abnormalities, mutation detection and polymorphism studies in other genes involved in the spermatogenesis process. At present, we have a little information for some polymorphisms (MTHFR, GST, ER, and DAZL) and mutations (mtDNA, CATSPER) which require more extensive studies. Such articles help to find a better insight into the causes of infertility in the Iranian men's community and will provide valuable visions into the development of targeted personalized treatments for patients and the ascertainment of the reasons of idiopathic infertility.

Gene Polymormisms and Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The prostate is a gland that surrounds men's urethra and helps to produce semen. In developed countries, prostate cancer (PCa.) is the second most common and lethal disease in men. Hereditary history of PCa. is a major contributor to this cancer? While a number of genetic and molecular changes have been reported in PCa, the general picture of the genetic aberrations is needed in Iranian population.Methods: In this study, a literature search from Jan. 2000 to June 2018 was performed through the PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Web of Science, IranMedex, MEDLIB, IranDoc and Scientific Information databases using the keywords “genetic polymorphisms”, “prostate cancer”, “Iranian, and compare with regional and international population”.Results: The results revealed that several genome-wide association studies (such as rs2070744 and rs1799983 in the eNOS, rs243865 in the MMP2, rs1902023 in the UGT2B15, rs266882 in the PSA, rs10625775443 in the GNB3, rs 1800682 in the FAS, rs12052398 and rs13393577 in the ERBB4, rs181133 in the MTHFR, rs 1805087 in the MTR, rs1805355 in the MSH3, (rs60271534 in the CYP19, rs2234693 and rs9340799 in the ER-a, rs4986938 and rs1256049 in the ER-b) and single-nucleotide polymorphisms in important pathways (such as angiogenesis, androgen receptor binding site, cell signaling, folate metabolism, DNA repair, hormone synthesis and metabolism polymorphisms ) involved in prostate cancer occurrence and mechanism could serve as candidate biomarkers for the detection of PCa. The most important results of the all studied articles is summarized in Table 1 and 2.Conclusion: Several studies have been conducted on the family history of PCa. The main reason for this gathering is to inherit the involved genes. Additional studies are required to decipher precisely the gene combinations and personalize the management of prostate cancer. This article is the first comprehensive overview of genetic investigations of gene polymorphisms on PCa. in Iran.

Comparison of bone cell viability and proliferation in 3D scaffold to Monolayer cell culture

Introduction: Today, due to high rates of accidents and fractures leading to bone defects and due to the limited possibility of bone graft bonding, using the patient’s cell culture on appropriate scaffolds and transferring it to the defect area is suggested as one of the treatment plans.Materials and methods: Bone samples of 8 male subjects that were under craniotomy surgery in the hospital were collected. First, the samples were cut into smaller pieces and then, transferred to incubator culture dishes. Two weeks later, the osteoblast activity on the bone matrix began and on average, the cells covered the dishes within two weeks. The first generation of the cells was removed by Trypsin_EDTA method from the opaltes, then were divided into two parts, one was added to alginate gel and the other to monolayer culture. In order to prove the osteoblast activity on the bone matrix and investigate these activities, Van Kossa staining method was used, and also to investigate the cell viability, MTT method was employed.  Results: There was a significant difference in the number of the cells created in alginate gel and those created in monolayer after two weeks (P <0.001). Moreover, the difference between mean cell counts in alginate gel and monolayer was statistically significant (P < 0.001). The results of the MTT test in second week showed that the number of alive cells is significantly higher in alginate gel (P <0.001). Finally, the result of the Van Kossa method proved extracellular matrix in both experimental groups.Conclusion: Results showed that alginate gel better can support duplication and survival of osteoblasts compared to monolayer culture. This may be attributed to the biological properties of this gel; alginate gel porosity provides conditions under which cellular and metabolic activities are accelerated.

Does the Anti-Mullerian Hormone Decline Rate Improve the Prediction of Age at Menopause?

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COVID-19-Related Spontaneous Pneumomediastinum: An Atypical Manifestation

COVID-19 is has been an emerging healthcare challenge during the last months. Herein we explain two cases with spontaneous pneumomediastinum as an atypical manifestation of COVID-19 disease; these two patients had confirmed COVID-19, leading to spontaneous pneumodeiastimun as an atypical manifestation during the course of hospital stay, presenting by abrupt deterioration in O2 saturation and symptoms. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum should be considered as a potential reason for the disease exacerbation in patients without previous history of mechanical ventilation. &nbsp

The Prevalence of Depression in Iranian Pregnant Women: A Meta-Analysis

Background & Objectives: Depression is a common problem during pregnancy that can endanger the health of mother and baby. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression in Iranian pregnant women. Methods: This study was performed using a meta-analysis from March 21, 1999 to July 21, 2020. All scientific articles on depression in Iranian pregnant women were searched in six databases as well as Google Scholar search engine and evaluated qualitatively. The heterogeneity of the studies was checked using I2 index, the possibility of publication bias was evaluated by Egger test, and meta-regression model was used to assess variables suspected of heterogeneity at significance level of 0.05. Finally, 33 studies were analysed using CMA. Results: Based on the random model, the prevalence of depression in Iranian pregnant women was 10.9% (95% confidence interval: 8.2% - 14.54%). The highest prevalence was in Bonab in 2015 as 44.8% (95% confidence interval: 36.3%-53.6%) and the lowest prevalence was in Tehran in 2001 as 0.7% (95% confidence interval: 0.4%-1.3%). There was a significant relationship between year, sample size, mean age, and the prevalence of depression in Iranian pregnant women (P <0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, depression affects approximately one-tenth of pregnant women. Therefore, it is necessary to take actions such as exercise and psychotherapy to reduce depression in this group. Key¬words: Depression, Pregnant Women, Prevalence, Iran Citation: Isfahani P, Afshin M, Rasulkhani F, Azizi N. The Prevalence of Depression in Iranian Pregnant Women: A Meta-Analysis. Journal of Health Based Research 2020; 6(1): 51-65. [In Persian

Presenting a curriculum model based on paying attention to all subcultures in the curriculum system of the first year of high school in Iran

This research has a dual purpose. First, the investigation of the current situation of paying attention to the components related to subcultures in the two elements of goals and content of the Iranian curriculum, and secondly, the design and validation of the model based on the perspective of the curriculum experts, in which it becomes the desired situation. The current research is applied as a goal and it is investigated and answered the research questions by using a combination of exploratory research methods. Since the nature of the research requires examining and analyzing the views, experiences and opinions of experts in the field of multicultural education, the phenomenological method was used. The research community included all the specialists in the field of multicultural education curriculum in universities, and in order to sample them, the purposeful sampling method based on snowball was used. Also, to collect information in the first question, the method of analyzing and reviewing related books was used, and in the second and fourth questions, the interview approach was used. In the findings section, the results obtained in the first question showed that attention to ethnic groups and cultures has the lowest place in the curriculum of the first year of secondary school. In the second question, all academic experts and professors acknowledged the importance of paying attention to subcultures in the curriculum. In this context, they expressed their views regarding the inclusion of educational goals, topics and content of the curriculum based on Iranian ethnicities and cultures as two elements of the program. They expressed a lesson, and based on their views, a model was designed for more attention and precision to this matter, which was recognized from the point of view of reliable experts

Cost-Effective Flexible CSRR-Based Sensor for Noninvasive Measurement of Permittivity of Biomaterials

A novel, cost-effective, flexible microwave sensor is proposed to facilitate point-of-care testing (POCT) methods for medical diagnosis. The sensor is based on the complementary split-ring resonator (CSRR) to accurately measure the permittivity of biomaterials over a wide range of frequencies. This ability can be used to characterize various materials under test (MUT) such as blood, saliva, tissue samples, etc. The flexibility of the proposed sensor means that it can be used when the accessibility of the sample has technical difficulties, such as on curved surfaces. Firstly, the optimized structure and coupling to the readout transmission line are evaluated using finite element method (FEM) simulations. Then, the prototype of the optimized structure is fabricated on a thin polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate as a biocompatible economical polymer, and aluminium is carefully chosen for the fabrication of CSRR and readout parts. The proposed flexible sensor is tested and compared to conventional rigid CSRR sensors. The proposed structure withstood the different bending positions well, and also showed an improvement in the results for curved MUT