Association of human platelet alloantigens encoding gene polymorphisms with the risk of Coronary artery disease in Iranian patients

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is characterized by narrowing/ blockade of coronary arteries that is mainly caused by atherosclerotic plaques. Considering the involvement of platelet abnormalities, such as defective aggregation and adhesion, in the cardiovascular-related disorders, genetic variations in human platelet alloantigens (HPA) have been implicated in the CAD susceptibility. Herein, we intended to determine the association of HPA-1 to -6, -9, and -15 biallelic polymorphisms with CAD in an Iranian population. Methods: In this retrospective case�control study, 200 CAD subjects and 100 matched healthy individuals were enrolled. DNA samples were isolated from peripheral blood samples and genotyping of HPA polymorphisms was accomplished using polymerase chain reaction-sequence-specific primers. Results: The alleles and genotypes of studied HPA polymorphisms were equally distributed among cases and controls and therefore no statistically significant differences were detected. Univariate analysis identified no association of combined haplotypes with CAD risk. However, multivariate analysis showed a positive association of the� HPA1b/2a/3b haplotype with CAD after adjustment for some covariates (including BMI, TG, LDL, FBS and blood pressure) that conferred a CAD susceptibility haplotype (P = 0.015; OR = 2.792; 95 CI 1.45�8.59). Conclusions: Although alleles, genotypes, and haplotypes of HPA polymorphisms were not associated with CAD risk, HPA1b/2a/3b haplotype was found to be a dependent disease risk haplotype in Iranian population after correcting for confounding factors. © 2021, The Author(s)

Investigation of chromosomal abnormalities and microdeletion/ microduplication(s) in fifty Iranian patients with multiple congenital anomalies

Objective: Major birth defects are inborn structural or functional anomalies with long-term disability and adverse impacts on individuals, families, health-care systems, and societies. Approximately 20 of birth defects are due to chromosomal and genetic conditions. Inspired by the fact that neonatal deaths are caused by birth defects in about 20 and 10 of cases in Iran and worldwide respectively, we conducted the present study to unravel the role of chromosome abnormalities, including microdeletion/microduplication(s), in multiple congenital abnormalities in a number of Iranian patients. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 50 sporadic patients with Multiple Congenital Anomalies (MCA) were selected. The techniques employed included conventional karyotyping, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA), and array comparative genomic hybridisation (array-CGH), according to the clinical diagnosis for each patient. Results: Chromosomal abnormalities and microdeletion/microduplication(s) were observed in eight out of fifty patients (16). The abnormalities proved to result from the imbalances in chromosomes 1, 3, 12, and 18 in four of the patients. However, the other four patients were diagnosed to suffer from the known microdeletions of 22q11.21, 16p13.3, 5q35.3, and 7q11.23. Conclusion: In the present study, we report a patient with 46,XY, der(18)12/46,XY, der(18), +mar8 dn presented with MCA associated with hypogammaglobulinemia. Given the patient�s seemingly rare and highly complex chromosomal abnormality and the lack of any concise mechanism presented in the literature to justify the case, we hereby propose a novel mechanism for the formation of both derivative and ring chromosome 18. In addition, we introduce a new 12q abnormality and a novel association of an Xp22.33 duplication with 1q43q44 deletion syndrome. The phenotype analysis of the patients with chromosome abnormality would be beneficial for further phenotype-genotype correlation studies. © 2019 Royan Institute (ACECR). All rights reserved

Comparing the effects of yarrow, honey, and breast milk for healing nipple fissure

Background: Nipple fissure is a common problem among breastfeeding women, which can lead to early cessation of breastfeeding. Because of the lack of effective treatment and given the approved efficacy of honey and yarrow on sore healing, this study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effects of yarrow, honey, and breast milk on the treatment of nipple fissure. Materials and Methods: This study was a three-group clinical trial, and sampling was conducted at Sina breastfeeding counseling center from September 2016 to March 2018 in Sirjan, Iran, using a target-based method. The sample size consisted of 150 individuals who were randomly assigned into three groups as topical use of yarrow, the mountain honey, and breast milk after obtaining the written informed consent. The correct method of breastfeeding and using materials were instructed to these three groups on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days, where the Storr scale was completed by the researcher. Results: Friedman test showed that, in these three groups of yarrow (�2 = 92.19, df = 2, p 0.05). Conclusions: Use of honey, yarrow, and breast milk can be recommended to women in breastfeeding counseling and pharmaceutical companies can be advised to use honey and yarrow in the preparation of anti-fissure creams. © 2020 Iranian Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Research | Published by Wolters Kluwer-Medknow

Effect of escitalopram on an acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis model

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and recurrent gastrointestinal (GI) disorder with an unknown aetiology and pathogenesis. Regarding the effectiveness of antidepressants on UC in animal models of depression and the known anti-inflammatory effects of escitalopram this study was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of escitalopram on an acetic acid-induced UC model without depression. UC model was induced by intra rectal (i.r.) administration of 4 acetic acid in rats after 24 hours of fasting. Animals were treated with three doses of escitalopram (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg). Prednisolone (4 mg/kg) was used as a reference drug in UC. Histological and oxidative stress markers were measured in all groups. Results showed significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) levels, as well as significant decrease in myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, macroscopic factors (ulcer surface area, ulcer severity and weight-to-colon ratio) and microscopic and histological parameters (severity and extent of inflammation, cryptic destruction and severity of tissue involvement) in escitalopram treated rats (10, 20 mg/kg) compared to the UC group. In conclusion, the results of our study are in support of beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of escitalopram in UC. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Lt

Effect of escitalopram on an acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis model

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and recurrent gastrointestinal (GI) disorder with an unknown aetiology and pathogenesis. Regarding the effectiveness of antidepressants on UC in animal models of depression and the known anti-inflammatory effects of escitalopram this study was conducted to evaluate the beneficial effects of escitalopram on an acetic acid-induced UC model without depression. UC model was induced by intra rectal (i.r.) administration of 4 acetic acid in rats after 24 hours of fasting. Animals were treated with three doses of escitalopram (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg). Prednisolone (4 mg/kg) was used as a reference drug in UC. Histological and oxidative stress markers were measured in all groups. Results showed significant increase in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) levels, as well as significant decrease in myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, macroscopic factors (ulcer surface area, ulcer severity and weight-to-colon ratio) and microscopic and histological parameters (severity and extent of inflammation, cryptic destruction and severity of tissue involvement) in escitalopram treated rats (10, 20 mg/kg) compared to the UC group. In conclusion, the results of our study are in support of beneficial anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of escitalopram in UC. © 2021 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Lt

Coefficient analysis and association between morpho-agronomical characters in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.)

Pulses are important food sources for human consumption. In an attempt to study the associations between common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) morpho-agronomical traits, twelve genotypes and inbred lines were evaluated in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in 2010- 2011 crop season. Seed yield and 20 other morpho-agronomic characters were recorded. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant (p ≤ 0.01) difference among genotypes with respect to almost all traits. Correlation analysis demonstrated that seed yield had a strong positive correlation with both seed number per plant and seed number per pod, suggesting the usefulness of these traits in common bean breeding programs. Step-wise regression analysis pointed out that the pod weight, seed number per pod and 100 seed weight contributed to the seed yield prediction, whereas other traits did not contributed to the seed yield prediction. These traits explained almost 99% of total seed yield variations. Path analysis showed that the maximum direct and positive effect was related to pod weight. Furthermore, factor analysis revealed that four factors, explained almost 71% of the total variance. The results of this research showed that biologic yield, pod weight, straw weight, number of pod per plant and seed number per plant were the most closely related traits to the seed yield