Serological and molecular investigation of human brucellosis in participants of Famenin brucellosis cohort study, Hamadan, Iran

Background and Objectives: Brucella is an intracellular pathogen that causes brucellosis in humans and animals. This study aimed to assess the results of brucellosis seroprevalence among participants of the Famenin brucellosis cohort with molecular investigation technique and determine Brucella-approved species. Materials and Methods: Following the first phase of the Famenin brucellosis cohort in 2016 which investigated the seroprevalence of brucellosis among 2367 participants in Famenin city, a total of 575 people including all seropositive and some seronegative people were examined again by wright serological tests in 2019. The PCR assay was accomplished on all cases that have wright titers ≥ 1/20 for tracing Brucella DNA using BCSP31 target gene and IS711 locus. Results: Out of 575 studied cases, 145 people had wright titers ≥ 1/20. The PCR reactions of these 145 blood samples were positive in 63/145 (43.44%) tested samples using primers (B4/B5) for Brucella genus detection. In the second PCR assay using specific-primers for Brucella abortus and Brucella melitensis, 18/63 (28.57%) of the samples were diagnosed as B. abortus, and 18/63 (28.57%) were diagnosed as B. melitensis. Conclusion: In this study, using the selected specific genes for the diagnosis of Brucella in the genus and species levels, the PCR technique was evaluated as a promising method for the rapid and safe detection of brucellosis besides the serological test for more accurate detection of brucellosis especially in cases that are not definitive

In Silico and In Vitro Evaluation of Selected Herbal Compounds as Robust HER-2 Inhibitors for Effective Treatment of Breast Cancer

Background and objectives: Breast cancer is the most frequently reported malignancy in women worldwide and is a heterogeneous disease. Due to different levels of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER-2) and its critical role in tumor progression, HER-2 has been considered as a validated target in breast cancer therapy. The present study aimed to identify new and effective HER-2 inhibitors from selected plant-based compounds using a computational drug discovery approach. The anticancer effects of top-ranked compounds were then evaluated using cellular and molecular methods. Methods: The binding affinities of 47 herbal compounds (including 21 flavonoids, 16 anthraquinones, and 10 cinnamic acids) with the extracellular domain of HER-2 were evaluated using m­olecular docking analysis. The top hits were evaluated for their cell proliferation inhibition, apoptosis, and migration effects in high and low HER-2-overexpressing SKBR-3 and MCF-7 cell lines, respectively. Results:  Chrysin, chrysophanol, and chlorogenic acid revealed the highest binding affinity to the extracellular domain of HER-2; therefore, they were considered the top-ranked HER-2 inhibitors in this study. Each component inhibited cell proliferation and decreased migration activity of SKBR-3 and MCF-7 cell lines, while the SKBR-3 cells were affected more. The results of the apoptosis assay showed that chrysin was the only compound that could cause a significant induction of SKBR-3 cell apoptosis in comparison to MCF-7 cells. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that chrysophanol, chlorogenic acid, and especially chrysin may have anticancer effects and could be considered drug candidates for therapeutic aims in human HER-2 positive cancer

Internet addiction and psychological strain in nursing and midwifery students

Background: Despite the beneficial effects of the internet, inappropriate, and overuse of it may result in negative consequences such as internet addiction (IA). Despite the increasing uses of the internet among students and the concern about IA, the mechanism and the direction of association between IA and psychological stain is still unknown. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between IA and psychological strain in nursing and midwifery students of Islamic Azad University, Qom Branch, in 2018. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 298 nursing and midwifery students of Islamic Azad University, Qom Branch. The students were recruited through a census method and responded to a three-part instrument. The study instrument included questions addressing the students' characteristics, the Young's IA Test, and the Osipow Psychological Strain Inventory. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The mean age of the students was 21.93 ± 2.91 years. The mean IA and psychological strain were 53.12 ± 16.66 and 25.22 ± 7.33, respectively. About 50 of the students were moderately addicted to the internet, and 53 of the students showed moderate psychological strain. A direct significant correlation was found between IA and psychological strain in nursing and midwifery students (P = 0.001 and r = 0.41). IA and students' age could predict psychological strain in nursing and midwifery students (r^2 = 0.18). Conclusion: A majority of nursing and midwifery students showed moderate levels of IA and psychological strain, and these two variables are significantly correlated. The authorities in nursing and midwifery education should establish appropriate strategies to diminish the harmful effects of excessive internet use by the students