Deregulation of miR-21 and miR-29a in Cervical Cancer Related to HPV Infection

BACKGROUND: Early diagnosis is an important factor to improve the survival of Invasive Cervical Cancer (ICC) patients. Molecular biomarkers such as micro RNA (miRNA) can be used in the early detection of ICC. The expression of miR-21 and miR-29a are deregulated in many types of human cancers. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in miR-21 and miR-29a expression patterns in the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) infection and various grades of cervical cancer among Iranian women. METHODS: Small RNAs were extracted from positive for HPV, cervical cancer and healthy samples from 43, 50 and 46 individuals, respectively. Expression levels of miR-21 and miR-29a were analyzed by SYBR Green real-time RT-PCR using specific primers, and 5s rRNA as the internal reference gene. RESULTS: Results have shown a significant increase in miR-21 and decrease in miR-29 in cancerous samples in comparison with the control groups (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: This study illustrated that miR-21 and miR-29a could be operated as an oncogene and tumor-suppressor in cervical cancer progression. More studies are needed to demonstrate the role of miR-21 and miR-29a as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of cervical cancer in future investigations. Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at [email protected]

Trace elements classification in human nutrition

Background: A trace element is a dietary mineral that is needed in very minute quantities for the proper growth, maintaining and recovering the health status of the organism. Based on nutritional significance 19 trace elements have been indentified (WHO classification): 1- Essential elements such as copper etc. 2- Probable essential elements such as manganese etc. 3- Potentially toxic elements such as lead, & etc. Materials and Methods: For this review article links such as http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/601406/trace-element http://www.tree.com/health/supplements-trace-elements.aspx were used. Results: Essential trace elements are required by man in amounts ranging from 50 ug to 18 mg per day. They act as catalyzers or are structural components of larger molecules. The 6 essential trace elements are Chromium, Copper, Zinc, Molybdenum, Selenium, and Iodine. Very little is known about the probable essential elements and they are thought unlikely to have a beneficial function in the life process of humans. They include manganese, silicon, nickel, boron, and vanadium. Potentially toxic elements, if present in excessive concentrations may be hazardous to health. However, there may be some possibility with essential functions for these elements. In this category fluoride, lead, cadmium, lithium, aluminum, arsenic, tin and mercury are included. Conclusion: The role of small amounts of certain elements alone or in compound on living organisms has long been known. Although the principal elements regarded as essential for organisms are comparatively few, most are recognized poisonous. Further investigations are essential to complete important gaps in our knowledge on trace elements role in health and controlling diseases

Implementation of Quality Management System in Iranian Medical Laboratories

&quot;nReference health Laboratory of Iran (RHL) has been established under the Secretary of Health in 2007. This organization has been developed from integration of Reference laboratories of Iran, Directorate of General Affairs and Laboratory de&amp;shy;partment of CDC. In accordance with policies of Ministry of Health and Medical Education, also Millennium Development Goals and requirements of IHR the RHL has highlighted his main goal as "Quality Improvement of Medical Laboratory Net&amp;shy;work". In order to achieve this goal as soon and efficient as possible, RHL has tried to launch Quality Management sys&amp;shy;tem in medical laboratories. After studying and analyzing the situation in the country RHL has tried by using ISO 15189 which is an successful international standard to draw national standards and write necessary manuals, guidelines and check&amp;shy;lists. For a successful implementation and detailed managerial observance, three phases were designed: Training, Stepwise imple&amp;shy;mentation of standard requirements in the laboratories, accreditation of laboratories. After one year of training and send&amp;shy;ing out national standards and guidelines, the RHL is in the middle of the second phase "implementation"

Real-Time Assay as A Tool for Detecting lytA Gene in Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolates Citation

Abstract Objective: In-time diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumonia) can play a significant role in decreasing morbidity and mortality rate. Applying molecular methods has gained popularity due to the existing limits of routine diagnostic methods. Examining the expression of different genes of this bacterium through different molecular methods suggests that lytA gene has a higher sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The aim of this study was to evalutate lytA gene expression in diagnosis of invasive S. pneumonia in culture positive specimens by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Materials and Methods: IIn this a descriptive study, All received specimens were isolated to identify S. pneumoniae. DNA was then extracted and after optimizing the test and determining the detection limit, samples were tested by real-time PCR using lytA gene primers. Results: Twenty seven isolates were diagnosed as S. pneumoniae. In all, the extracted DNA was positive in real-time method. The electrophoresis of the products also confirmed the presence of single product b along with the 53 base pair fragment. The detection limit of the test was less 6 colony forming unit (CFU). Conclusion: Real-Time PCR seems to provide reliable and rapid results. We suggest that this test should be conducted on the preliminary isolated specimens, since applying various biochemical tests need one extra working day

Challenges of Implementing Iranian National Laboratory Standards

After four years of publishing the Iranian National Laboratory Standard and following a strategic plan to implement its requirements, it was decided to review the taken actions, evaluating the achievements and the failures, as well as analyzing the gaps and planning the interventional activities to resolve the problems. A thorough evaluation revealed that the progress of implementation process varies considerably in different provinces, as well as in laboratories in different public and private sectors. Diversity and heterogeneousity of laboratories throughout the country is one of unresolvable problems. Although we encounter shortage of resources in the country, improper allocation or distribution of resources and budgets make the problems more complicated. Inadequacy of academic training in laboratory sciences has resulted in necessity of holding comprehensive post-graduate training courses. Revising academic curriculum of laboratory sciences could be mostly helpful, moreover there should be organized, training courses with pre-determined practical topics. providing specific technical guidelines, to clarify the required technical details could temporarily fill the training gaps of laboratory staff. Inadequate number of competent auditors was one of the difficulties in universities. Another important challenge returns to laboratory equipment, developing the national controlling system to manage the laboratory equipment in terms of quality and accessibility has been planned in RHL. At last cultural problems and resistance to change are main obstacles that have reduced the pace of standardization, it needs to rationalize the necessity of establishing laboratory standards for all stakeholders