Multiplex RT-PCR assay for detection of Co-infection HIV-1 and HCV viruses in plasma samples

Background and Objective: HIV-1 and HCV infections especially in co-infected forms are among the most important infections transferred during blood transfusion.The screening of the blood products is valuable for preventing the transmission of infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate multiplex RT-PCR assay for detection of Co-infection HIV-1 and HCV Viruses in plasma samples. Materials and Methods: This laboratory study was done to evaluate the use of multiplex RT-PCR assay for simultaneous detection of HIV-1 and HCV genomes in plasma samples. The amplified genomes were detectable in 3% agarose gel base on difference in the numbers of nucleotides. The sensitivity and specificity of this assay was determined on healthy and infected subjects whome simultanously exhibit HIV-1 and HCV co-infection using plasma samples. Results: The specificity results showed that the primers used in this assay have no interaction with each other and other possible interfering agents. The clinical sensitivity and specificity of the assay has been considered as 90% and 100%, respectively. Conclusion: Multiplex RT-PCR can be used for screening of blood donors due to high sensivity and specificity

The role of microRNAs in different types of thyroid carcinoma. A comprehensive analysis to find new miRNA supplementary therapies

The most common endocrine malignancy is thyroid cancer, and researchers have made a great deal of progress in deciphering its molecular mechanisms in the recent years. Many of molecular changes observed in thyroid cancer can be used as biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic targets for treatment. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important parts in biological and metabolic pathways such as regulation of developmental stages, signal transduction, cell maintenance, and differentiation. Therefore, their dysregulation can expose individuals to malignancies. It has been proved that miRNA expression is dysregulated in different types of tumors, like thyroid cancers, and can be the cause of tumor initiation and progression. In this paper, we have reviewed the available data on miRNA dysregulation in different thyroid tumors including papillary, follicular, anaplastic, and medullary thyroid carcinomas aiming to introduce the last updates in miRNAs-thyroid cancer relation

Hepatoprotective and cytotoxicity properties of aqueous extract of Glycyrrhiza glabra in Wistar rats fed with high-fat diet

The recent studies have shown the effect of ethnomedicinal plants on the treatment of fatty liver disease. The purpose of the experiment was to survey the remedial activity of Glycyrrhiza glabra aqueous extract on high-fat diet-induced hepatotoxicity in rats. The synthesized extract had great cell viability dose-dependently, and this method was found to be non-toxic for synthesizing G. glabra. In the study, a total of 10 rats were chosen as the negative control, and 40 rats were treated with a high-fat diet for 4 months. Then, the animals were randomly divided into five subgroups, including negative healthy control, untreated negative control, and three groups receiving the G. glabra aqueous extract at 20, 60, and 180 mg/kg concentrations. After 2 months, the rats were sacrificed, and blood and liver samples of them collected. Different groups of G. glabra could significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decrease the increased concentrations of ALP, AST, ALT, GGT, cholesterol, LDL, triglyceride, total and conjugated bilirubin, and glucose, and enhance HDL, total protein, albumin, SOD, and CAT as compared to the untreated group. Also, G. glabra reduced the degree of hepatic steatosis as compared to the untreated group. It appears that the G. glabra aqueous extract can treat fatty liver disease in rats without any side effect. © 2019, Springer-Verlag London Ltd., part of Springer Nature