Population of sand goby (Neogobious fluviatilis pallasi) in southwest coasts of the Caspian Sea using morphological characteristics

Caspian sand goby, Neogobius fluviatilis pallasi belongs to Gobiidae family. Because of their abundance in Caspian Sea, they have important role in the sea food chain in this area. This study was conducted from October 2005 to September 2006 in southwest coasts of the Caspian Sea in Guilan province. Samples were collected monthly from four stations (Astara, Anzali, Chamkhaleh and Chaboksar coasts) from coastal areas to waters l5 meters deep using bottom trawl. Result of differential function analyses on corrected morphometric statistic showed three functions 51.3%, 28.4% and 20.3%, respectively, and sum of differentiative function percentage was 80% which proved difference among groups. The functions showed that samples in Astara station were completely different from other regions while they were similar to Anzali station only in some sampling points. Chamkhaleh and Astara stations were the same but Chaboksar station was a separated group. Analysis of differential functions for studied characteristics included on average 86.3% of the population with most of it belonging to Astara station (93.3%) and Anzali (90%). The minimum amount belonged to Chamkhaleh with 79.3%. The results showed that Neogobius fluviatilis pallasi probably has three different populations in Astara, Anzali, Chamkhaleh and Chaboksar populations

Investigation on the Essential Oils of the Achillea Species: From Chemical Analysis to the In Silico Uptake against SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease

In this study, phytochemicals extracted from three different Achillea genera were identified and analyzed to be screened for their interactions with the SARS-CoV-2 main protease. In particular, the antiviral potential of these natural products against the SARS-CoV-2 main protease was investigated, as was their effectiveness against the SARS-CoV-1 main protease as a standard (due to its high similarity with SARS-CoV-2). These enzymes play key roles in the proliferation of viral strains in the human cytological domain. GC-MS analysis was used to identify the essential oils of the Achillea species. Chemi-informatics tools, such as AutoDock 4.2.6, SwissADME, ProTox-II, and LigPlot, were used to investigate the action of the pharmacoactive compounds against the main proteases of SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2. Based on the binding energies of kessanyl acetate, chavibetol (m-eugenol), farnesol, and 7-epi-beta-eudesmol were localized at the active site of the coronaviruses. Furthermore, these molecules, through hydrogen bonding with the amino acid residues of the active sites of viral proteins, were found to block the progression of SARS-CoV-2. Screening and computer analysis provided us with the opportunity to consider these molecules for further preclinical studies. Furthermore, considering their low toxicity, the data may pave the way for new in vitro and in vivo research on these natural inhibitors of the main SARS-CoV-2 protease

The incidence of prostate cancer in Iran: Results of a population-based cancer registry

Background: Little is known about the epidemiology of prostate cancer in Iranian men. We carried out an active prostate cancer surveillance program in five provinces of Iran. Methods: Data used in this study were obtained from population-based cancer registries between 1996 and 2000. Results: The age-standardized incidence rate of prostate carcinoma in the five provinces was 5.1 per 100,000 person-years. No significant difference was seen in the age-standardized incidence rate of prostate cancer within the provinces studied. The mean±SD age of patients with prostate cancer was 67±13.5 years. Conclusion: The incidence of prostate cancer in Iran is very low as compared to the Western countries. This can partly be explained by lack of nationwide screening program, younger age structure and quality of cancer registration system in Iran

SURVEY THE MUTATION OF FGB (BETA FIBRINOGEN) AND FV (FACTOR V LEIDEN), FACTOR XIII AND FACTOR II (PROTHROMBIN), IN PATIENTS WITH RECURRENT ABORTIONS ALONG WITH NORMAL KARYOTYPE

Some pregnancies are abnormal in human genetically and end with the spontaneous abortion, which is the most common problem of pregnancy. The recurrent abortions are often referred to as multifactorial disease that one of which is thrombosis. The thrombosis in placenta capillaries seems to disturb the blood circulation between the mother and the fetus and eventually lead to abortion. Recently, studies have shown that genetic basis for thrombophilia relates with recurrent abortion. The aim of this study is the survey of G1691A and G4070A mutations in the Factor V gene, -455G>A mutation in the gen of XIII factor, G103T mutation in Beta fibrinogen and A20210G mutation in the thrombin gene. The samples were collected from 60 patients referred to Tehran Imam Khomeini hospital .DNA was extracted from patients' blood samples by multiple PCR simultaneously containing different mutations were duplicated then the existence of mutation was evaluated by the strip technique. The genes mutation of G1691A in Factor V, G4070A in Factor V, G103T in Beta fibrinogen, -455G>A in the XIII factor and G20210A were identified 6.6, 45, 36, 40 and 3.3 respectively. Studies on the other population showed that frequency of examined mutations varies with other communities. Anyway, more samples are required in order to obtain more accurate statistics related to the frequency of mutations

In vitro Cortical Network Firing is Homeostatically Regulated: A Model for Sleep Regulation.

Prolonged wakefulness leads to a homeostatic response manifested in increased amplitude and number of electroencephalogram (EEG) slow waves during recovery sleep. Cortical networks show a slow oscillation when the excitatory inputs are reduced (during slow wave sleep, anesthesia), or absent (in vitro preparations). It was recently shown that a homeostatic response to electrical stimulation can be induced in cortical cultures. Here we used cortical cultures grown on microelectrode arrays and stimulated them with a cocktail of waking neuromodulators. We found that recovery from stimulation resulted in a dose-dependent homeostatic response. Specifically, the inter-burst intervals decreased, the burst duration increased, the network showed higher cross-correlation and strong phasic synchronized burst activity. Spectral power below <1.75 Hz significantly increased and the increase was related to steeper slopes of bursts. Computer simulation suggested that a small number of clustered neurons could potently drive the behavior of the network both at baseline and during recovery. Thus, this in vitro model appears valuable for dissecting network mechanisms of sleep homeostasis

Transdifferentiation of Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells Into Oligoprogenitor Cells

Introduction: The nerve fibers in central nervous system are surrounded by myelin sheet which is formed by oligodendrocytes. Cell therapy based on oligodendrocytes and their precursors transplantation can hold a promising alternative treatment for myelin sheet repair in demyelinating diseases. Methods: Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (hDPSCs) are noninvasive, autologous and easy available source with multipotency characteristics, so they are in focus of interest in regenerative medicine. In the present study, hDPSCs were differentiated into oligoprogenitor using glial induction media, containing Retinoic Acid (RA), basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF), Platelet- Derived Growth Factor (PDGF), N2 and B27. The differentiated Oligoprogenitor Cells (OPCs) were evaluated for nestin, Olig2, NG2 and O4 using immunocytochemistry. Also, the expression of nestin, Olig2 and PDGFR-alpha gens (neuroprogenitor and oligoprogenitor markers) were investigated via RT-PCR technique. Results: The results indicate that glial differentiation medium induces the generation of oligoprogenitor cells as revealed via exhibition of specific glial markers, including Olig2, NG2 and O4. The expersion of nestin gene (neuroprogenitor marker) and Olig2 and PDGFR-alpha genes (oligoprogentor markers) were detected in treated hDPSCs at the end of the induction stage. Conclusion: hDPSCs can be induced to transdifferentiate into oligoprogenitor cells and respond to the routinely applied regents for glial differentiation of mesanchymal stem cells. These data suggest the hDPSCs as a valuable source for cell therapy in neurodegenerative diseases

Prostate cancer in Iran: Trends in incidence and morphological and epidemiological characteristics

Background: Prostate cancer is second most common cancer in men overall in the world, whereas it is the third most common cancer in men and the sixth most common cancer in Iran. Few studies have been conducted on the epidemiology of prostate cancer in Iran. Since ethnicity of Iranian men is different from Asian people and given the epidemiologic and demographic transition taking place in Iran, this study aimed to investigate trends of incidence and morphology of prostate cancer during 2003 - 2008 in the country. Materials and Methods: Data were collected retrospectively reviewing all new prostate cancer patients in the Cancer Registry Center of the Health Deputy for Iran during a 6-year period. Also carcinoma, NOS and adenocarcinoma, NOS morphology were surveyed. Trends analysis of incidence and morphology was by joinpoint regression. Results: During the six years a total of 16,071 cases of prostate cancer were recorded in Iran. Most were adenocarcinomas at 95.2 percent. Trend analysis of incidence (ASR) There was a significant increase incidence, with annual percentage change (APC) of 17.3 and for morphology change percentage trends there was a significant decrease in adenocarcinoma with an APC of -1.24. Conclusions: Prostate cancer is a disease of older men and the incidence is increasing in Iran. The most common morphology is adenocarcinoma this appears to be decreasing over time. Due to the changing lifestyles and the aging of the population, epidemiological studies and planning assessment of the etiology of prostate cancer and its early detection are essential

Disabilities and Activities of Daily Living Among Veterans With Old Hip Disarticulation and Transpelvic Amputation

Background: The Iran-Iraq imposed war lasted eight years and was one of the longest wars of the last century. Twenty-three years have passed since the war ended, but little has been discussed about the long-term results of war amputations in the literature. Objectives: In this long-term study, we have evaluated the activities of daily living among veterans with hip or hemipelvis amputations. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on Iran-Iraq war veterans with hip or hemipelvis amputations in Iran. Eighty-four (96.5%) veterans out of 87 registered veterans with hip or hemipelvis amputations participated in the study. The degree of independence for activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed by the Barthel index. The degree of independence for instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) was assessed by the Lawton-Brody scale. Results: The average follow-up time was 26.6 ± 3.7 years. The average age of veterans was 44.1±7 years old. Of 84 amputees, 57 (67.85%) had limitations in at least one domain of the ADL. The most common single item that affected the patients was ascending and descending stairs seen in 45 (78.9%) veterans, followed by eating seen in 4 (7.01%) veterans. In addition, 70 (83.33%) had limitations in at least one domain of the IADL. The most common single item that affected the veterans was shopping seen in 56 (80%), followed by responsibility for own medications seen in 13 (18.57%) veterans. Spearman correlation coefficient of the sum scores of ADL and IADL showed an intermediate to strong correlation (r = 0.58). Conclusions: Increasing dependency in ADL is accompanied by increasing dependency in IADL. In the past, the duty of health care providers was saving the life of veterans due to injuries while at present, because these injuries occurred in young and healthy individuals, the need for increased function is being highlighted