Identification of pelagic fish larvae in Oman Sea offshore waters (Hormuzgan province)

This study was conducted to identify fish larvae from the upper pelagic layer of Oman Sea, off east shore waters of Hormozgan Province during May 2011.Sampling was obliquely conducted using Bongo Bongo-net plankton sampler with 500 µ of mesh sizeby Thai Prantlay 10 Vesselle.In each station, abiotic factors (Temperature, Salinity and pH) were recorded.Upper pelagic waters of Oman Sae had less fish larvae in compare to nursery grounds like creeks and estuaries. In total 125 specimens were collected and examined. They were belonging to 8 families. Engraulidae, Mullidae and Sillaginidae were dominant families, which included 45% of total fish larvae abundance .There were 14 stations. At stations 3, 10 and 13 the biodiversity was in highest levels. The maximum abundance was 36 larvae per 10 m square of sea surface at station 12.In some stations, there was no fish larvae and in total, most of larvae were in post flexion level

Investigation of the Relationship between Serum Leptin levels and Nausea and Vomiting of Pregnancy

Background: Worldwide, half of women suffer from nausea and vomiting in early pregnancy which generally continues to the 20th week of pregnancy. Although pathogeneses of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy as well as hyperemesis gravid arum are still unknown, some believe that nausea and vomiting of pregnancy is likely related to maternal serum leptin level. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between leptin and pregnancy nausea and vomiting. Methods: In this case-control study, 45 pregnant women at first and second trimesters were selected through convenient sampling. Mothers’ blood samples were taken in the 6th, 12th, 15th, and 20th weeks of pregnancy. The participants were devised into healthy, without nausea, (24) and with nausea and vomiting groups (21). The relationship among the variables was analyzed using independent t-test, Pearson correlation, regression tests, and Lambda statistic (P value <0.05). Results: The mean age of the participants was 27.47±5.55 years, and Body Mass Index (BMI) was found to be 5.458±26.57. There was no significant difference between groups in this regard. Based on results, changes in maternal serum leptin had significant correlation with nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (p<0.04), meaning that the mean of leptin changes in patients with nausea and vomiting was significantly lower. Moreover, serum leptin at first and second trimesters of pregnancy did not have significant correlation with nausea and vomiting (p=0.5 and 0.3, respectively). Conclusion: With regard to leptin peak level at second trimester of pregnancy, leptin changes at first and second trimesters can be a good index to predict the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy. Thus, further domestic studies are required in this respect

Defining the Sister Rat Mammary Tumor Cell Lines HH-16 cl.2/1 and HH-16.cl.4 as an In Vitro Cell Model for Erbb2

Cancer cell lines have been shown to be reliable tools in genetic studies of breast cancer, and the characterization of these lines indicates that they are good models for studying the biological mechanisms underlying this disease. Here, we describe the molecular cytogenetic/genetic characterization of two sister rat mammary tumor cell lines, HH-16 cl.2/1 and HH-16.cl.4, for the first time. Molecular cytogenetic analysis using rat and mouse chromosome paint probes and BAC/PAC clones allowed the characterization of clonal chromosome rearrangements; moreover, this strategy assisted in revealing detected breakpoint regions and complex chromosome rearrangements. This comprehensive cytogenetic analysis revealed an increase in the number of copies of the Mycn and Erbb2 genes in the investigated cell lines. To analyze its possible correlation with expression changes, relative RNA expression was assessed by real-time reverse transcription quantitative PCR and RNA FISH. Erbb2 was found to be overexpressed in HH-16.cl.4, but not in the sister cell line HH-16 cl.2/1, even though these lines share the same initial genetic environment. Moreover, the relative expression of Erbb2 decreased after global genome demethylation in the HH-16.cl.4 cell line. As these cell lines are commercially available and have been used in previous studies, the present detailed characterization improves their value as an in vitro cell model. We believe that the development of appropriate in vitro cell models for breast cancer is of crucial importance for revealing the genetic and cellular pathways underlying this neoplasy and for employing them as experimental tools to assist in the generation of new biotherapies

BRCA1 gene expression in DMBA induced breast cancer in rats

Background and Objective: Breast cancer is one of the most frequent malignancies among women. This study was done to determine the BRCA1 gene expression in 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) induced breast cancer in rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the breast cancer was induced by DMBA in Sprague dawley rats. After tumors arise, cell cultures were prepared and G-banding staining was performed on metaphase chromosomal smear. According to databases, genes in the affected area were collected and after comparing genome of the rats and human in changed chromosomal segments, a gene list was prepared. FISH technique was performed on BRCA1 gene to prove accuracy of chromosomal banding results. Results: Structural changes such as deletion occurred in chromosomes 10, which BRCA1 is located on. 24.7% of cells showed evidence of physical deletion in both copy of BRCA1 gene and 23.8% of cells showed deletion in one copy. Conclusion: Induced DMBA Breast cancer cells showed deletion in BRCA1 copy numbers. This gene may be involved in animal breast tumor model

SYNTHESIS OF SOME NOVEL AND BIOLOGICALLY ACTIVE SCHIFF BASES BEARING A 1,3,4-THIADIAZOLE MOIETY UNDER ACIDIC AND PTC CONDITIONS

The synthesis of some new Schiff bases bearing a 1,3,4-thiadiazole moiety, 3a-l, by reaction of 2-amino-5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole with aromatic aldehydes under acidic and phase transfer catalyst (PTC) conditions was studied. The structure of all the Schiff bases was characterized using FT-IR and NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. The antibacterial activity of these compounds was investigated against Staphylococcus aureus (RTCC, 1885), and Escherichia col

Chromosomal Rearrangement and Bioinformatic Studies of the Involved Genes in DMBA-Induced Breast Cancer in SD Rat Strains and Verification of their Syntenic Segments in Human Chromosoms

Abstract: Background & Aims: Breast cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm in women and has an increasing rate in both developed and developing countries. According to Iranian National Cancer Registration report, breast cancer has the first rank in women. Breast cancer is the major cause of mortality in women under 55 years old. The present study was performed to find the most probable involved genes in breast cancer. Methods: In this work, we have gavaged 10 mg DMBA solved in 0.5 ml sesame oil to the DMBA-treated SD rat strains. Before proceeding to cell culture, samples were verified in pathological and immunohistochemistry approaches, and then we performed metaphase chromosomal preparations and finally performed G-banding staining. The most common chromosomal changes were recorded and genes in affected area were determined and a genes-list by comparing genome of rat and human in chromosomal changed segments were prepared. Results: Our data showed a wide range of numerical and structural changes in different chromosomes. We found recurrently gain in chromosomes no. 1, 3, 9 and loss in chromosomes no. 8 and 15 and also deletion in chromosomes no. 2, 5, 8, 16, 19 and addition in chromosome no. 2, 12 and 19. Conclusion: According to these chromosomal changes and based on bio-informatics studies we predicted that the DAB2, KLF4, HSPA8, CDKN2A, CALB2, HPR, CHFR, ALDH2, AQP3, ABCA1, ALDOB, ASH2L, LSM1, FGFR1, HSPA8, ZFHX3 and SFRP1 are probably involved in the development of breast cancer. Keywords: Breast neoplasms, chromosome Aberrations, Chromosome – banding, DMBA, Rats, Inbred strain

Menopause Age and the Associated Factors in Postmenopausal Women in Babol, Iran

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Menopause plays a pivotal role in women&rsquo;s life comprising of approximately one third of it. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on the significance of this period. This study aimed to determine the age of menopause and its associated factors in postmenopausal women in Babol, Iran METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted by cluster sampling on 300 postmenopausal women identified by doorstep questioning of the homes in selected areas. The questionnaires consisted of information on the menopause age, body mass index (BMI), age at menarche, first pregnancy age, duration of hormonal contraceptive use, left-handedness, occupation, menstrual regularity, exercise, smoking habits, couple&rsquo;s education degree, marital status, family size and the number of births and abortions. The collected data were registered into checklists and The Holmes&nbsp;&&nbsp;Rahe Stress Scale was used for the assessment of the variables. FINDINGS: In total, the average age of menopause was 50.02&plusmn;0.21 years, the average length of marriage was 42.10&plusmn;0.63 years, age at last pregnancy was 35.15&plusmn;0.35 years and the lactation duration was 106.02&plusmn;3.5 months. A significant correlation was found between the length of marriage, age at last pregnancy, stress scores, lactation duration and the menopause age (p<0.001), while some factors such as BMI, regulation and age at menarche, duration of hormonal contraceptive use and exercise were found to have no significant correlations with the onset of menopause. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, the mean age of menopause in Babol is within the normal range and it is associated with the length of marriage, age at last pregnancy, stress scores and lactation duration

Prevalence of coronary artery diseases risk factors in Sari-Iran (2005-10)

Background and Objective: Coronary artery diseases are one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity. This study was done to determine the prevalence of risk factors for coronary artery diseases in patients referred to angiography center in Sari, Northern Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was performed on 2540 patients referred to angiography center in Sari city, northern Iran, during 2005-10. Risk factors including diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, Family history, CRP and also ECG changes, type and number of involved artery and the severity of vascular involvement were recorded for each patient. Results: Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking were seen in 40.8%, 40.5%, 29.1%, 12.5% of patients, respectively. Positive family history and CRP were found in 10% and 3.4% of the patients, respectively. 23.8% of patients had abnormal ECG. One, two and three vessel diseases were observed in 26.5%, 48.3%, 48.3% of cases, respectively. Left anterior descending artery constriction was seen in 75.8% and 80.4% of males and females, respectively. A significant relationship was found between diabetes and left coronary circumflex (P<0.04) and left anterior descending artery (P<0.03) constriction. Conclusion: Diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, family history, abnormal ECG are among the risk factors of coronary artery diseases in this area