Shift work as an oxidative stressor

BACKGROUND: Some medical disorders have higher prevalence in shift workers than others. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of night-shift-working on total plasma antioxidant capacity, with respect to the causative role of oxidative stress in induction of some of these disorders. METHODS: Two blood samples were taken from 44 workers with a rotational shift schedule, one after their day shift and one after their night shift. The total plasma antioxidant capacity of each worker was measured through the FRAP method. The impacts of age and weight were also assessed. RESULTS: The total plasma antioxidant capacity was measured in 44 shift-workers with a mean age of 36.57 years (SD: 10.18) and mean BMI of 26.06 (SD: 4.37) after their day and night shifts. The mean reduction of total plasma antioxidant capacity after the night shift was 105.8 μmol/L (SD: 146.39). Also, a significant correlation was shown between age and weight and total plasma antioxidant capacity. Age and weight were found to be inversely related to total plasma antioxidant capacity; as age and weight increased, the total plasma antioxidant capacity decreased. CONCLUSION: Shift work can act as an oxidative stressor and may induce many medical disorders. Aging and obesity in shift workers makes them more sensitive to this hazardous effect

Hybrid poly‐l‐lactic acid/poly(ε‐caprolactone) nanofibrous scaffold can improve biochemical and molecular markers of human induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived hepatocyte‐like cells

A suitable alternative strategy for liver transplantation is the use of nanofibrous scaffolds together with stem cells. In this study, a random hybrid of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) was used as a three-dimensional (3D) culture for hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) differentiation and compared with routine culture (2D). The expression of the endodermal marker, FOXA2, was assessed on day 3 and the hepatic markers; albumin (ALB), alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), and cytokeratin-18 (CK-18) were evaluated on day 18 by (qPCR). As well as, albumin, alpha-fetoprotein, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) uptake were evaluated by immunocytochemistry; moreover Periodic Acid-Schiff and Oil red were done by cell staining. In addition, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and urea production were evaluated by chemiluminescence and colorimetric assays. Light and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) microscope showed changes in the cells in 2D and 3D models. The gene expression of hepatic markers werewas significantly higher in the three-dimensional cultures. In addition, immunocytochemistry and cell staining showed that albumin, alpha-fetoprotein, LDL-uptake, Periodic Acid-Schiff, and Oil red were expressed in both cells derived on 2D and 3D. Furthermore, the evaluation of alpha-fetoprotein and urea secretion was significantly different between 2D and 3D strategies. These findings suggest that functionally cells cultured on a PLLA/PCL scaffold may be suitable for cell therapy and regenerative medicine

The Ideal Status and Expectations of the Gifted and Talented Students: A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Gifted and talented students are the main customers and driving force of the education system, therefore, the existence of a permanent mechanism based on their demands, expectations, and problems seems necessary to improve the education system. Method: This qualitative study was done using conventional content analysis. The participants were 23 gifted and talented students of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, in 2016. Sampling was performed using convenience sampling by the brilliant talent center of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Results: In this study, 23 interviews were conducted. Finally, 118 themes remained in two main categories (factors affecting talented students' satisfaction and the ways to prevent brain drain). Poor teaching methods and lack of educational resources were the most important educational problems. Weak management and lack of research funding were the most important research problems. In the students' point of view, improvement of teaching status and organization of human resources management are the most important priorities for the preservation of the elite forces. Conclusion: The results of this study that are consistent with the results of domestic and International studies, emphasize the importance of paying special attention to the expectations and demands of gifted and talented students. In addition to the educational, research and welfare services problems, socio-economic problems were also identified as a cause of brain drain. Keywords: Gifted and talented students, Qualitative study, Brain drai

Linkage between prostate cancer occurrence and Y-chromosomal DYS loci in Malaysian subjects..

Purpose: Prostate cancer differs markedly in incidence across ethnic groups. Since this disease is influenced by complex genetics, it is many genetic factors may affect the level of susceptibility to development of the disease. In this study, four Y-linked short tandem repeats (STRs), DYS388, DYS435, DYS437, and DYS439, were genotyped to compare Malaysian prostate cancer patients and normal control males. Materials and methods: A total of 175 subjects comprising 84 patients and 91 healthy individuals were recruited. Multiplex PCR was optimized to co-amplify DYS388, DYS435, DYS437, and DYS439 loci. All samples were genotyped for alleles of four DYS loci using a Genetic Analysis System. Results: Of all DYS loci, allele 10 (A) of DYS388 had a significantly lower incidence of disease in compare with other alleles of this locus, while a higher incidence of disease was found among males who had either allele 12 (C) of DYS388 or allele 14 (E) of DYS439. Moreover, a total of 47 different haplotypes comprising different alleles of four DYS loci were found among the whole study samples, of which haplotypes AABC and CAAA showed a lower and higher frequency among cases than controls, respectively. Conclusions: It is likely that Malaysian males who belong to Y-lineages with either allele 12 of DYS388, allele 14 of DYS439, or haplotype CAAA are more susceptible to develop prostate cancer, while those belonging to lineages with allele 10 of DYS388 or haplotype AABC are more resistant to the disease

Exogenous coenzyme Q10 modulates MMP-2 activity in MCF-7 cell line as a breast cancer cellular model

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background/Aims</p> <p>Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 is a key molecule in cellular invasion and metastasis. Mitochondrial ROS has been established as a mediator of MMP activity. Coenzyme Q₁₀contributes to intracellular ROS regulation. Coenzyme Q₁₀beneficial effects on cancer are still in controversy but there are indications of Coenzyme Q₁₀complementing effect on tamoxifen receiving breast cancer patients.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In this study we aimed to investigate the correlation of the effects of co-incubation of coenzyme Q10 and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) on intracellular H2O2 content and Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) activity in MCF-7 cell line.</p> <p>Results and Discussion</p> <p>Our experiment was designed to assess the effect in a time and dose related manner. Gelatin zymography and Flowcytometric measurement of H2O2 by 2'7',-dichlorofluorescin-diacetate probe were employed. The results showed that both coenzyme Q10 and N-acetyl-L-cysteine reduce MMP-2 activity along with the pro-oxidant capacity of the MCF-7 cell in a dose proportionate manner.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Collectively, the present study highlights the significance of Coenzyme Q₁₀effect on the cell invasion/metastasis effecter molecules.</p

Quality of Life of Medical Students in Tehran University of Medical Sciences

This study aims to investigate the quality of life (QOL) of Tehran University of Medical Sciences' (TUMS) medical students at different educational levels and specify the most important factors related to this quality. A sample of 242 medical students was selected randomly, given their number in three educational levels (basic sciences, physiopathology-stager and intern). The QOL was measured by WHOQOL-BREF. The students obtained average high score in two psychological and environmental health domains, and low score in physical health and social relationship domains. As the educational level of students increased their quality of life decreased at all four domains. At social relationship domain, the female students had overall better situation as compared to males (p=0.009). The female and male students had opposite condition at the level of basic sciences and internship, in a way that the female students earned higher marks at basic sciences level and the males at internship level (P= 0.008). The condition of female students in terms of environmental, physical and psychological health became static while their education rose. However, only environmental health of the male students reduced as their education level increased (P= 0.05). The students were of undesirable conditions in two domains of social relationship and physical health. Internship is a specific level in both groups which has a negative impact on the dimensions of quality of life and naturally needs more care for the students. Married status improved the students' QOL and could moderate the undesired effects of internship

What Motivates Talented Medical Students to Study Simulta-neously at Master of Public Health (MPH)?

Background: Nearly three decades ago, the Master of Public Health (MPH) academic degree was introduced to Tehran University of Medical Sciences' School of Public Health, Tehran, Iran. A new program for simultaneous education of medical, pharmaceutical and dental students was initiated in 2006. Talented students had the opportunity to study MPH simultaneously. There were some concerns about this kind of admission; as to whether these students who were not familiar with the health system had the appropriate attitude and background for this field of education. And with the present rate of brain drain, is this just a step towards their immigration without the fulfillment of public health?Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2012 where 26 students took part in focused group discussions and individual interviews. The students were questioned about their motivation and the program's impact on their future career. The participants' statements were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: The primary motivations of students who entered this program were: learning health knowledge related issues, gaining a perspective beyond clinical practice, obtaining a degree to strengthen their academic résumé, immigration, learning academic research methods and preparing for the management of health systems in the future.Conclusion: Apparently, there was no considerable difference between the motivation of students and the program planners. The students' main motivation for studying MPH was a combination of various interests in research and health sciences issues. Therefore, considering the potential of this group of students, effective academic investment on MPH can have positive impact

Role of Clinical Laboratory in Diagnosis and Management of Di-abe¬tes Mellitus- Review Article

The aim of the clinical laboratory in endocrine disease diagnosis and management is detecting either the hormones or their downstream reaction metabolites or some other related substances. In the case of hormone measurement almost all the routine methods are based on immunoassay with different labels (radioimmunoassay, enzyme linked immunosorbant assay, chemiluminescence assays …) and different sensitivity and specificity. But their related metabolites can be measured with different methods from simple biochemical to highly sophisticated methods. These tests are used either for diagnosis or monitoring. With respect to diabetes the tests are categorized to biochemical, immunological and genetic. In this paper we will describe the most common tests, but the genetic tests that are not used in routine investigations are out of the scope of this paper.   Keywords: Laboratory, Diagnosis, Diabete

FMNL2 with functions related to the cytoskeleton is partially regulated by PAX6

Purpose: We aimed to assess whether the transcription factor PAX6 affects transcription of FMNL2. PAX6 is a transcription factor with significant roles in development of the eye and eye-related functions. FMNL2 encodes a member of the formin family of proteins and has roles in polymerization of actin and features of the cytoskeleton. The state of the cytoskeleton affects the flow of aqueous humor, disruption of which is a cornerstone of glaucoma pathology. Methods: Initially, bioinformatics were used extensively to identify FMNL2 as an appropriate candidate gene for possible targeting by PAX6. Subsequently, direct targeting of the promoter of FMNL2 by PAX6 was tested using the dual luciferase assay. The experiment was performed by cloning a promoter region of FMNL2 that contains PAX6 binding sitesupstream of a firefly luciferase gene and comparison of expression of luciferase in the presence and absence of PAX6 expression vectors in the HEK293T cell line. The effect of PAX6 on endogenous expression of FMNL2 in primary trabecular meshwork (TM) cells was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Dual luciferase assays in HEK293T cells clearly demonstrated that PAX6 directly affects the FMNL2 promoter to increase expression of downstream sequences. However, overexpression of PAX6 in TM cells caused mild but statistically significant downregulation of endogenous FMNL2 as assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Conclusion: It is concluded that PAX6 can indeed directly affect transcription of FMNL2. However, regulation of FMNL2 expression in TM cells is complicated and not limited to the direct effects of PAX6