Anti-proliferative effect of Trifolium pratense extract on Raji cell line in Burkitt's lymphoma

Background & Aim: In folk medicine, red clover (Trifolium pratense) use to treat some diseases such as whooping cough, asthma, eczema, and some ophthalmic dysfunction. Due to its phytoestrogens and antioxidant-rich compounds, it is recommended to alleviate some cancers. This paper was conducted to study the anti-cancer and apoptosis effects of red clover extract (RCE) on the Raji cell line in Burkitt's lymphoma. Experimental: Red clover lyophilized powder (CAS = 85085-25-2) with a fixed ratio of Formononetin, Biochanin A, Daidzein, and Genistein was acquired from Sigma Aldrich German company. Raji cells were obtained from the Pasteur Institute of Iran-Tehran. Raji cells were treated with different concentrations of RCE, and viable cells were measured at an interval of 24, 48, and 72 hours incubation in three days by MTT assay. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to determine the DNA degradation. Annexin V-FITC/PI kit and flow cytometry assay were used to determine the percent of apoptotic and necrotic treated Raji cells. Also, expression changes in cMYC, ID3, and P53 genes were measured by real-time PCR. Results: Red clover extract can prevent in vitro proliferation of the Raji cells in a time and dose-dependent manner. RCE, as well as c-MYC gene suppression and induction of ID3 and P53 genes, enters the Raji cells in the apoptosis stages with an acceptable percentage and has complication cure potential in Burkitt's lymphoma. Recommended applications/industries: The extract used in this study combines four components. The individual evaluation effects of Formononetin, Biochanin A, Daidzein, and Genistein on Raji cells are recommended

Association between R353Q polymorphism for coagulative factor VII and severity of coronary artery disease in Iranian population

Background: Recent research has supported the central role of coagulative factors in advancing atherosclerosis and causing coronary artery disease (CAD). The present study, for the first time, aimed to clarify the relationship between R353Q polymorphism for factor VII and the occurrence and severity of CAD in a large sample of Iranian population.Methods: Nine hundred and nineteen consecutive patients with suspected CAD, who candidated for coronary angiography in the Tehran Heart Center between January 2006 and March 2007, were examined. The number of diseased coronary vessels was determined, and the severity of CAD was assessed by the Gensini score. Genotyping was done via the PCR-RFLP method.Results: The frequency of Q and R alleles was 74.1% and 25.9% in the patients with CADand 75.2% and 24.8% in those without CAD, with an insignificant difference (p = 0.625). The frequency of Q allele in the patients with single-vessel, two-vessel, and three-vessel diseases was 72.8%, 71.5%, and 76.4%, respectively; the difference was also insignificant (p = 0.379). No relationship was observed between the distribution of the genotypes and the number of the involved coronary vessels. The average of the Gensini score was 43.39 ± 46.18 in the patients with QQ genotype, 38.87 ± 42.89 in those with QR genotype, and 55.61 ± 53.80 in the ones with RR genotype, with the difference not constituting any statistical significance (p = 0.084).Conclusions: The results suggest no association between R353Q polymorphism for factor VII and the presence or progression of CAD in the Iranian population

Effects of different levels of dietary butyric acid on some growth performance, immunity and digestive enzymes activity of yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus Houttuyn, 1782)

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different dietary levels of butyric acid on growth performance, immunity and digestive enzyme activities in yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) (8.59 ± 0.33 g) at the period of 60 days. After 2-week adaptation, 120 fish with a density of 10 fish/tank in a completely randomized design were distributed to 12 tanks. Fish were fed with 4 levels of butyric acid including zero (control), 2.5 (T1), 5 (T2) and 10 g/kg (T3) of diet 2 times per day. The results showed that different levels of butyric acid in diet had significant effects on growth performance and nutritional indices compared to the control (p0.05). The food conversion ratio in control group was significantly higher than in the other treatments (p0.05). In conclusion, butyric acid, especially at the level of 10 g/kg of diet, displayed positive effects on the growth, immune indices and enzyme activities in yellowfin seabream

Homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folate levels in premature coronary artery disease

BACKGROUND: Hyperhomocysteinemia is known as an independent risk factor of atherosclerosis, but the probable role of hyperhomocysteinemia in premature Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is not well studied. The aim of this study was to assess the role of hyperhomocysteinemia, folate and Vitamin B12 deficiency in the development of premature CAD. METHODS: We performed an analytical case-control study on 294 individuals under 45 years (225 males and 69 females) who were admitted for selective coronary angiography to two centers in Tehran. RESULTS: After considering the exclusion criteria, a total number of 225 individuals were enrolled of which 43.1% had CAD. The mean age of participants was 39.9 +/- 4.3 years (40.1 +/- 4.2 years in males and 39.4 +/- 4.8 years in females). Compared to the control group, the level of homocysteine measured in the plasma of the male participants was significantly high (14.9 +/- 1.2 versus 20.3 +/- 1.9 micromol/lit, P = 0.01). However there was no significant difference in homocysteine level of females with and without CAD (11.8 +/- 1.3 versus 11.5 ± 1.1 micromol/lit, P = 0.87). Mean plasma level of folic acid and vitamin B12 in the study group were 6.3 +/- 0.2 and 282.5 +/- 9.1 respectively. Based on these findings, 10.7% of the study group had folate deficiency while 26.6% had Vitamin B12 deficiency. Logistic regression analysis for evaluating independent CAD risk factors showed hyperhomocysteinemia as an independent risk factor for premature CAD in males (OR = 2.54 0.95% CI 1.23 to 5.22, P = 0.01). Study for the underlying causes of hyperhomocysteinemia showed that male gender and Vitamin B12 deficiency had significant influence on incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia. CONCLUSION: We may conclude that hyperhomocysteinemia is an independent risk factor for CAD in young patients (bellow 45 years old) – especially in men -and vitamin B12 deficiency is a preventable cause of hyperhomocysteinemia

Drug Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation Management: Where Do We Stand in 2010?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a commonly encountered arrhythmia in our daily practice. Every year a huge bulk of data is published about different management strategies, new antiarrhythmic drugs, anticoagulation protocols and ablation procedures in these patients. In this review article, we discuss different management strategies and new antiarrhythmic drugs as well as those commonly used. We will also have a brief look at anticoagulation in AF.We try to introduce the most recent publications in this field and we think that this review article may not only give information about the current state of antiarrhythmic therapy of AF, it may also show some progresses that we may anticipate in the near future. New drugs are promising in the management of AF because of better safety profile and also acceptable efficacy. A comparison between the catheter ablation procedure and antiarrhythmic therapy is beyond the scope of this article

Comparative study on the acute toxicity of synthetic pesticides, permethrin 25% and monocrotophos 36%, and neem-based pesticide, neem gold ec 0.03%, to juvenile cyprinus carpio linn

Fish and other organisms are affected by pesticides which pollute the natural water through agricultural runoff. The aim of this study was to determine the acute toxicity of botanical pesticide, neem gold, and two synthetic pesticides, permethrin and monocrotophos, which are extensively used in agricultural farms. The mortality rate of Cyprinus carpio was monitored under laboratory conditions for the periods of 96 hrs. The toxicity tests were done separately for each pesticide. Data obtained from the toxicity tests were evaluated using the Probit Analysis Statistical Method. The toxicity tests gave 96 hours LC50 values of 75.49, 72.26, 56.89 mg/l for neem gold, monocrotophos and permethrin respectively. The fish exhibited respiratory distress (such as gasping air), loss of balance and erratic swimming prior to mortality. It could be concluded that the application of neem gold bio-pesticides for the control of unwanted organisms in agricultural farms are much safer and more environmental friendly than synthetic pesticides

Percutaneous Repositioning of dislodged atrial pacing lead

The overall rate of atrial pacing lead dislodgement is estimated to be about 3%. These leads are generally repositioned via a second operation through opening the pacemaker pocket.Some operators have introduced percutaneous techniques using snare system or deflectable catheters for this purpose.In this article we present our experience with five cases of percutaneous lead repositioning. Three cases were performed using deflectable ablation catheters and in two cases we used a specially designed urologic basket. The procedural success rate was 100% at the beginning but the long term success rate was 60%

Drivers’ Addiction Toward Cell Phone Use While Driving

Background: The use of a cell phone when driving has been recognized as a type of distraction worldwide. Addictive tendency to use technology, including cell phone use while driving may be a substantial problem for drivers and increasing risk of accidents. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of drivers’ addiction to use a cell phone while driving.  Materials and Methods: A sample of 400 drivers with ages 18-65 years old completed a questionnaire which was designed based on Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Hierarchical regression analysis was utilized to predict drivers’ addiction to use a cell phone while driving on demographic characteristics and TPB components.  Results: Drivers had mean age of 35.63(8.72) and were 77% male, and 23% female. Tests of validity and reliability were conducted for every variable. According to findings, the hierarchical regression analysis model showed that the TPB was able to predict 59% variance in addiction toward cell phone use and attitude emerging as the strongest predictor during this analysis. All components of TPB were more independent to age than gender. Conclusion: The fundamental TPB components were directly associated with the addiction to use a cell phone when driving. The present study has identified that older drivers were considerably less probable to use a cell phone while driving. Also this study showed that males use a cell phone significantly more frequent. More practical road safety measures are required to rebuff and mitigate the effects of using cell phones while driving