Mitochondrial mutations in protein coding genes of respiratory chain including complexes IV, V, and MT-TRNA genes are associated risk factors for congenital heart disease

Most studies aiming at unraveling the molecular events associated with cardiac congenital heart disease (CHD) have focused on the effect of mutations occurring in the nuclear genome. In recent years, a significant role has been attributed to mitochondria for correct heart development and maturation of cardiomyocytes. Moreover, numerous heart defects have been associated with nucleotide variations occurring in the mitochondrial genome, affecting mitochondrial functions and cardiac energy metabolism, including genes encoding for subunits of res-piratory chain complexes. Therefore, mutations in the mitochondrial genome may be a major cause of heart dis-ease, including CHD, and their identification and characterization can shed light on pathological mechanisms occurring during heart development. Here, we have analyzed mitochondrial genetic variants in previously re-ported mutational genome hotspots and the flanking regions of mt-ND1, mt-ND2, mt-COXI, mt-COXII, mt-ATPase8, mt-ATPase6, mt-COXIII, and mt-tRNAs (Ile, Gln, Met, Trp, Ala, Asn, Cys, Tyr, Ser, Asp, and Lys) en-coding genes by polymerase chain reaction-single stranded conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) in 200 pa-tients with CHD, undergoing cardiac surgery. A total of 23 mitochondrial variations (5 missense mutations, 8 synonymous variations, and 10 nucleotide changes in tRNA encoding genes) were identified and included 16 novel variants. Additionally, we showed that intracellular ATP was significantly reduced (P=0.002) in CHD pa-tients compared with healthy controls, suggesting that the mutations have an impact on mitochondrial energy production. Functional and structural alterations caused by the mitochondrial nucleotide variations in the gene products were studied in-silico and predicted to convey a predisposing risk factor for CHD. Further studies are necessary to better understand the mechanisms by which the alterations identified in the present study contribute to the development of CHD in patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Based on acceptance and commitment therapy on depression, self-esteem and body image concerns, after the first birth, women in Kashan city

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy on depression, self-esteem and body image concerns, after the first delivery in women in Kashan.  Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study with a pre-test and the post-test and a control group. For this purpose from all women who gave birthfot the first timein in city of Kashan, 87 patients were screened in 2016 using convenience sampling. Of them, 30 were selected, and randomly placed in two groups: experimental and control. To do the pre-test and the post-test and collect information Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Self Esteem Inventory and body image concern inventory questionnaires were used. The treatment plan of acceptance and commitment was conducted during 1 month with 8 sessions of 90 minutes and after the implementation of the post-test data was analyzed using analysis of covariance with repeated measures. Results: The present study shows that there is a significant difference between the subjects of the experimental and control groups in terms of one of the dependent variables (depression, self-esteem and physical deformity) (F=19.19, P<0.01). The results showed that there is a significant difference between the experimental group and the control group in terms of depression (F=95.85, P<0.0001), self-esteem (F=91.65, P<0.0001), and physical deformity (F=117.04, P<0.0001).  Conclusion: According to the results obtained we can conclude that acceptance and commitment therapy can reduce depression and concerns about body image and increase self-esteem of women after the first delivery

The effect of hot multistage drawing on molecular structure and optical properties of polyethylene terephthalate fibers

In this work, mechanical and structural parameters related to the optical properties of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers drawn at hot multistage have been investigated. The changes in optical parameters upon changing draw ratio are used to obtain the mechanical orientation factors <P2(cos &#952;)> and <P4(cos &#952;)>, various orientation functions f2(&#952;), f4(&#952;) and f6(&#952;), and amorphous and crystalline orientation functions (f a and f c). Also, the numbers of random links between the network junction points (N1), the average optical orientation (Fav), and the distribution function of segment &#969;(cos &#952;) were calculated. In addition, an empirical formula was suggested to correlate changes in the birefringence with the draw ratio and its constants were determined. The study demonstrated change on the molecular orientation functions and structural parameters upon hot multistage drawing. Significant variations in the characteristic properties of the drawn PET fibers were due to reorientation of the molecules caused by applied heat and external tension

Association of matrix metalloproteinase-1-1607 1g/2g and C-reactive protein-717 C/T gene polymorphisms in Iranian patients with chronic periodontitis: a clinical trial

Background: An imbalance in the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitor metalloproteinases initiate the destructive process in chronic periodontitis (CP). C-reactive protein (CRP) is a systemic inflammatory mediator that reflects an acute immune response.Objectives: The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the association between the MMP-1 -16071G/2G (rs1799750) and CRP 717 A/G (rs2794521) gene polymorphisms and chronic periodontitis in Iran.Methods: This analytical case-control study was performed among 141 participants including 63 CP cases and 78 matched healthy individuals. Five milliliters of peripheral blood was collected for DNA isolation. Restriction fragment length polymorphism- polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR) was performed for single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis. The frequencies were analyzed by chi-squared test (95% CI, P < 0.05). In addition, genetic data were assessed by the Hardy-Weinberg principle, linkage disequilibrium, and haplotype analysis.Results: Our findings presented no significant relationship between genotype/alleles of MMP-1 -16071G/2G (rs1799750) (0.73: 0.27-1.95, P = 0.48) or CRP 717 A/G (rs2794521) (0.384: 0.104 -1.414, P = 0.303) and the presence of CP (P = 0.47 and P = 0.30, respectively). The analysis of genetic distribution among various severities of CP and controls revealed no significant association between various severities of CP and MMP-1 -16071G/2G (rs1799750) (P = 0.52) and CRP 717 A/G (rs2794521) (P = 0.67).Conclusions: Our results suggest no association between the occurrence or severity of chronic periodontitis and MMP-1-16071G/2G (rs1799750) and CRP 717 A/G (rs2794521) polymorphisms. Further studies with larger sample sizes may provide a more generalizable evidence-based overview of the relationship between these gene polymorphisms and periodontitis

Effect of hot drawing process on physical and thermal properties of polypropylene fiber containing selective peroxide and comparison with conventional polypropylene fibers

In this research, the effect of the drawing process on the physical and thermal properties of commercially available polypropylene fiber containing selective peroxide was studied. Attempts have also been made to compare this drawn fiber sample with conventional polypropylene fibers produced from reactor and with controlled rheology grades. The results showed that the drawn PP/Peroxide fiber has higher birefringence, tenacity, and initial modulus compared with that of the drawn polypropylene fiber. Moreover, the fraction of load carrying chains in various drawn polypropylene fibers was evaluated on the basis of simplified models

Hirschsprung's Disease: a Clinical and Pathologic Study in Iranian Constipated Children

Objective: Hirschsprung's disease (HD) is a complex disorder resulting from absence of ganglion cells in the bowel wall leading to functional obstruction and bowel dilatation proximal to the affected segment. The aim of our study was to evaluate rectal biopsies from constipated children in different age groups to see in which age it is more likely to encounter HD to avoid unnecessary rectal biopsy. Methods: Records of all children with chronic constipation undergoing a rectal biopsy to exclude HD were obtained from the files of Children's Medical Center in Tehran, Iran. A detailed retrospective demographic review, including age of beginning of signs and symptoms was made of all cases. Findings: Totally, 172 biopsies were taken from 168 children in a five year period, of which 127 cases (75%) had HD. The mean age of constipated patients at biopsy was 39 months and the mean age of patients with proven HD was 18 months. Males were affected more than females. Congenital anomalies associated with HD were found in 9.6%. In 85 (91%) cases constipation had begun in neonatal period. Conclusion: Our data supports previous studies that if constipation begins after the neonatal period, the child is unlikely to have HD. In neonates delay in meconium passage is the most important clinical sign of HD