The Correlation Between SMG1 Promoter Methylation and Its Expression in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Patient

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) comprises a heterogeneous group of disorders which originate from various important genetic lesions in B and T progenitor cells, including mutations that lead to stage-specific developmental arrest and those that impart the capacity for unlimited self-renewal, resulting in clonal expansion of immature progenitor cells. Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia occurs in both children and adults but its incidence peaks between 2 and 5 years of age. Causation is multifactorial and exogenous or endogenous exposures, genetic susceptibility, and chance have roles. Survival in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia has improved to roughly 90% in trials with risk stratification by biological features of leukaemic cells and response to treatment, treatment modification based on patients' pharmacodynamics and pharmacogenomics, and improved supportive. The promoter methylation pattern of DNA in cancer cells is different with the normal cells. Suppressor with morphogenetic effect on genitalia family member (SMG1) belongs to a family of phosphoinositide 3-kinase-related kinases and is the main kinase involved in nonsense-mediated mRNA decay.Materials and Methods: This study was performed to investigate the correlation between SMG1 promotor methylation and its expression levels in acute lymphoblastic leukemia using methylation specific PCR (MSP). Our patients and control samples were collected from Children's Medical Center of children medical center of Imam Khomeini hospital of Tehran. To confirm the MSP results, we used Quantitative Real time-PCR (qRT-PCR ) to measure the expression level of mRNA to find out if there is any relation between pattern of methylation and expression.Results: After performing MSP, we found that SMG1 promoter was hypermethylated. Hyper methylation of SMG1 was detected in 67/74% (21/31) of ALL samples compared to control group. SMG1 mRNA expression was down- regulated 2.74 fold compared to control group.Conclusion: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of methylation pattern on gene expression. Our findings suggest that SMG1 acts as a functional tumor suppressor gene which was down-regulated by CpG islands hypermethylation in ALL patients. It was shown that the methylation of SMG1 was occurred in the 67/74% of samples

The Relationship Between BMI and Spermogram Indices in Male Iranians Aged 20 to 50 Years Old

Introduction: Male factor infertility is the cause of 20 to 30% of infertile couples in population, and there are reports that obesity in men may be one of the factors affecting fertility. Accordingly, this study aimed to examine the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and semen parameters in 20 to 50 year-old Iranian men.Materials and Methods: The archives of two major laboratories in Tehran were screened and the results of semen analyses from 640 nonvasectomized men referring during 2009-2013 were collected. Data on height, weight, BMI, age, sperm count, percentage of sperm motility, normal sperm morphology, and sperm viability was recorded. Anal-ysis of these data was performed using SPSS software.Results: The mean age of subjects and their mean BMI were 30.2 ± 5.9 years and 26.0 ± 4.1 kg/m2, respectively. The average values of semen parameters were as follows: total sperm count = 53.7 ± 33.6 million, pH = 8.2 ± 0.3, normal sperm morphology = 50.1 ± 10.9%, viability = 69.46 ± 12.6%, and grade-A sperms = 39.4 ± 16.8%. BMI had no significant correlation with the semen parameters including sperm morphology, viability, pH, and motility.Conclusion: No significant correlation between BMI and semen parameters was observed in the sample of Iranian males evaluated in this study.

Candiduria in children: a first reportfrom an Iranian referral pediatric hospital

Candida spp. especially Candida albicans is considered as one of the most common cause of fungal infections. The aim of our study was to determine epidemiology of candiduria in children who were referred to an Iranian referral hospital. During May 2011 to February 2013, among 4813 urine culture positive, 209 candida spp. isolates (4.3%) was found. Forty-one percent of cadiduria infection was seen in patients between 1 month and 1 year, 24% in neonatant and 24% in patients 1 to 5 years. Cadiduria was mainly found in patients who had received more than 2 or 3 antibiotic during their hospitalization (37% and 24%, respectively). In our study, the highest frequency of cadiduria was seen in patients who had received more than 2 antibiotics and more than 3 antibiotics during their hospitalization; therefore, the strategic goals to opti- mize antimicrobial use including optimizing choice and duration of empiric therapy as well as monitoring and providing feedback regarding antibiotic resistance are recommended

Izolati streptokoka grupe B u mokraći i njihova antimikrobna osjetljivost u skupini iranskih žena: učestalost i sezonske razlike

Streptococcus agalactiae is one of the uropathogens responsible for urinary tract infections (UTI ) in children, pregnant women, and elderly people with chronic underlying diseases. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of urinary tract isolates of group B streptococci (GBS) in a group of females referred to a referral University Hospital in Iran. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, urine analysis and urine culture results of all female subjects referred to the laboratory of the Rasoul-e-Akram Hospital, Tehran, Iran in 2010 were reviewed. Bacteriuria, colony count, pyuria and demographic data of patients were also evaluated. In this study, 10,256 females were investigated; 2061 (20.1%) of them had positive urine cultures. GBS was the isolated microorganism in 184 (8.92%) cases, yielding a prevalence of 1.79% in total study population. The mean age of subjects with positive GBS cultures was 48.24}18.8 years, with a higher prevalence recorded in the 51-60 and 21-30 age groups. The highest rates of cultures positive for GBS were seen in December and January. GBS was found to be sensitive to the following antibiotics: cephalothin (100%), norfloxacin (96.9%), ampicillin (96%), nitrofurantoin (95.5%), and vancomycin (95%). In this study, GBS showed greatest resistance to tetracycline (81.6%) and co-trimoxazole (68.9%). In conclusion, the prevalence of GBS in females with suspected UTI is relatively low; however, attention to the age and susceptibility pattern of antibiotic treatment for UTI caused by this microorganism is necessary.Streptococcus agalactiae je jedan od uropatogena odgovornih za infekcije mokraćnog sustava kod djece, trudnica i starijih osoba s kroničnim osnovnim bolestima. Cilj ove studije bio je utvrditi učestalost izolata streptokoka grupe B u mokraćnom sustavu skupine žena upućenih u referentnu Sveučilišnu bolnicu u Iranu. U ovoj retrospektivnoj studiji obrađeni su rezultati analize mokraće i kulture mokraće svih ženskih osoba upućenih u laboratorij Bolnice Rasoul-e-Akram u Teheranu, Iran tijekom 2010. godine. Obrađeni su i podaci o bakteriuriji, broju kolonija, piuriji, te demografski podaci svih bolesnica. Od ukupno 10.256 ispitanih žena pozitivna kultura mokraće utvrđena je u 2061 (20,1%) žene. Streptokok grupe B bio je izolirani mikroorganizam u 184 (8,92%) slučajeva, dok je njegova ukupna učestalost u čitavoj ispitivanoj populaciji bila 1,79%. Srednja dob žena s pozitivnom kulturom streptokoka grupe B bila je 48,24}18,8 godina, s većom učestalošću u dobnim skupinama od 51-60 i 21-30 godina. Najviše stope pozitivnih kultura streptokoka grupe B zabilježene su u prosincu i siječnju, a mikroorganizam je pokazao osjetljivost na slijedeće antibiotike: cefalotin (100%), norfloksacin (96,9%), ampicilin (96%), nitrofurantoin (95,5%) i vankomicin (95%). U ovoj studiji je streptokok grupe B pokazao najveću otpornost na tetraciklin (81,6%) i kotrimoksazol (68,9%). Zaključuje se kako je učestalost streptokoka grupe B kod žena sa sumnjom na infekciju mokraćnog sustava relativno niska, međutim, pozornost treba posvetiti dobi bolesnice i profilu osjetljivosti antibiotske terapije za infekciju mokraćnog sustava uzrokovanu ovim mikroorganizmom

Serum Total Antioxidant Capacity of Epileptic Children before and after Monotherapy with Sodium Valproate, Carbamazepine,

Background: Brain is highly vulnerable to free radical damage due to a large quantity of mitochondria, a considerable amount of oxidizable polyunsaturated fatty acids, a ratio of high oxygen consumption, and less antioxidant capacity. The experimental and clinical data suggest a putative role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of seizures and epileptic syndromes.Objectives: A case-control study was carried out to compare serum total antioxidant capacity in the newly diagnosed children with epilepsy and that of a control group of healthy children at the same age.Patients and Methods: A total of 130 participants (65 in each group) aged between 1 and 17 years participated in this study. Serum total antioxidant capacity was compared between two groups before drug administration. The effect of antiepileptic therapy on the serum total antioxidant capacity also was studied in children with epilepsy before and 3 months after antiepileptic drug administration. Serum total antioxidant capacity values were measured based on Erel's method using an automated commercial kit. This method is based on the bleaching of the characteristic color of a more stable 2,2’‑azinobis‑(3‑ethylbenzothiazoline‑6‑sulfonic acid) radical cation by antioxidants. The results were expressed in mmol Trolox equivalent/lResults: Serum total antioxidant capacity values was significantly lower in the patients group before drug administration [mean (SD): 1.31 (0.19) mmol/L] than that of the control group [mean (SD): 1.46 (0.21) mmol/L] (P < 0.001). In the patients group, no differences were found in the serum total antioxidant capacity before and 3 months after anticonvulsant monotherapy.Conclusion: Reduced serum total antioxidant capacity, and an increased vulnerability to oxidative stress should be considered in the children with epilepsy

Molecular Diagnosis of Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia in Iran: Focusing on CYP21A2 Gene

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is characterized by impaired biosynthesis of cortisol. 21-hydroxylase deficiency is the most common cause of CAH affecting 1 in 10000-15000 live births over the world. The frequency of the disorder is very high in Iran due to frequent consanguineous marriages. Although biochemical tests are used to confirm the clinical diagnosis, molecular methods could help to define accurate diagnosis of the genetic defect. Recent molecular approaches such as polymerase chain reaction based methods could be used to detect carriers and identify different genotypes of the affected individuals in Iran which may cause variable degrees of clinical expression of the condition. Molecular tests are also applied for prenatal diagnosis, and genetic counseling of the affected families. Here, we are willing to delineate mechanisms underlying the disease, genetic causes of CAH, genetic approaches being used in the country and recommendations for health care improvement on the basis of the molecular and clinical genetics to control and diminish such a high prevalent disorder in Iran. Also, the previous studies on CAH in Iran are gathered and a diagnostic algorithm for the genetic causes is proposed

Analysis of colonic mucosa mast cell count in patients with chronic diarrhea

Background/Aim: Chronic diarrhea is defined as a decrease in fecal consistency lasting for four or more weeks. Prevalence of this complication in the general population is 5%. Mast cells that play an important role in the regulation of gastrointestinal visceral sensitivity and vascular permeability may be involved in functional chronic diarrhea. In this study we tried to evaluate mast cells density in colonic mucosa of patients with chronic diarrhea. Patients and Methods: 50 patients with chronic diarrhea and 50 persons as control group were investigated. All specimens were immunohistochemically stained for mast cell tryptase (MCT) with monoclonal mouse anti-human MCT as well as toluidine blue. Mean number of mucosal mast cells were counted in 10 high power microscopic fields of patients and control groups. Results: In patients group (age range, 15-78 years; 26 females), the number of mast cells per high power field in the immunohistochemistry staining was 21.3 ± 4.8 compared to 14.2 ± 3.4 in the control group (age range, 18-78 years; 24 females) [P < 0.001]. Also number of mast cells in toluidine blue staining was 10.3 ± 3.6 per high power field in cases and 7.1 ± 2.4 in the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Elevated number of colonic mast cells exist in patients with chronic diarrhea. Further research should be considered on application of these findings for new therapeutic opportunities

Comparison of antibiotic resistance of bacterial agents associated in septicaemia in children and infants

Background: Septicaemia is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality of infant&rsquo;s and childerens espicially in first week of their life, both in developed and underdeveloped countries.The aim of this research was to study of bacterial agents causing septicaemia and to determine their antibiotic suseptibility patternes. Materials and Methods : This was a descriptive study, it was performed during eight months from October 2011 till May 2011.In total 216 blood culture samples of children suspected of septicaemia in children health centre hospital were send to the laboratory for investigation. The bacterial identification was carried out by culturing and conventional biomedical tests. The antibiotic sensitivity tests were performed by disk diffusion method. These data are analyzed by SPSS and the results Expressed as relative frequencies. Results: Out of 216 tested samples 55(25.6%) were positive and 161 (74.54%) negative. The dominated bacteria was Escherichia coli (31.42%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (22.86 %), Klebsiella pneumonia (20%)), Staphylococcus epidermidis (14.28%), Streptococcus pneumonia (2.86%), Salmonella typhi (2.86%), Enterobacter cloacae (2.86%) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (2.86%). In general gram-negative bacteria were isolated more than gram-positive. Staphylococcus bacteria were more resistant to antibiotics than other isolated bacteria, and were 100% resistant to penicillin. The enterobacteriaceae were more sensitive to norfloxacin, amikacin, tobramycin, and they were 100% resistant to ampicillin. Conclusion: The results obtained in this study showed that gram-negative bacteria are more responsible in septicaemia in children ward, and norfloxacin is the more effective antibiotic in comparison with others

Study on variation of the sera folic acid, vitamin B12 and iron level in the 6-12 years old patients infected with Giardia lamblia in south Tehran

Objective: Protozoa Giardia lambelia is caused to diarrhea in human and other mammals in worldwide. Giardia colonizes in duodenum and earliest jejunum. It can cover the intestinal surface and causes the stateorrhea, malabsorbtion syndrome and absorb disorder of vitamins A, E and D. Investigation the effect of Giardia on the vitamin B12, folic acid and iron of patients were the purpose of this study. Material & Methods: A total of 30 children with giardiasis, aged between 6-12 years- old, selected from 3000 patients, who were admitted to the Emam Khomeiny hospital and diagnosed by stool examinations (direct and formalin-ether methods). Blood of patients and control were collected. Amount of vitamin B12 and folic acid were evaluated with radioimmunoassay and iron was evaluated with Ferene method. Findings: According to the data, folic acid in the patient had no significant difference against control but vitamin B12 and iron in the patient with giardiosis was less than control and the differences were significant (P=0.01, P=0.04 respectively). Conclusion: According to the results diagnosis of giardiosis in the early stage may prohibit intestinal damage and clinical symptoms due to vitamins and mineral elements shortage in the children