The level of aflatoxin M1 in raw and pasteurized milk produced in alborz province, Iran

Background: Aflatoxins are agroupof very toxiccompoundsproducedby a fungal speciesandare foundin food products. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is a type found in dairy products and resistant to pasteurization. AFM1 can adversely affect hepatocytes in human and leading to various liver diseases. Thus, it is essential to examine raw milk for the presence of AFM1. Objectives: The current study aimed to evaluate the levels of AFM1 in raw and pasteurized milk produced in Alborz province, Iran. Materials and Methods: Ninety seven samples of rawmilk and 20 samples of pasteurized milk were collected from milk collecting centers and different supermarkets, respectively. Samples were analyzed to determine AFM1 level by immunoaffinity column chromatography, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a C18 column with fluorescence detector. Mobile phase was water-acetonitrile-methanol (6:2:2 V/V/V) at a flow rate of 1.0 mL/minute. Results: AFM1 was detected in all samples with various concentration levels ranging from 0.0024 to 0.231 μg/kg, the mean concentration = 0.027±0.018 μg/kg. Conclusions: According to the results of the current study, 9.27 of the rawmilk and 5 of the pasteurized milk samples had higher levels of AFM1 than the maximum recommended limit (0.05 μg/kg) by food and agriculture organization (FAO). © 2016, School of Pharmacy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Evaluating the most common mutation in BRCAI and BRCA2 genes in women who had mothers with brest cancer and controls

Background and purpose: Breast Cancer is one of the health problems in every population. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of BRCA1 and BRCA2 common mutations in women whose mothers were diagnosed with breast cancer. Materials and methods: A case�control study was performed in 109 females (less than 40 years of age) who had mothers with breast cancer. For scanning of genomic mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2, genes mutation analysis was done in BRCA1 (exon2, 20) and BRCA2 (exon11) using Real Time PCR test. We also studied 109 healthy controls without family history of breast cancer. Results: No any mutation was found in this population. Conclusion: This study showed no mutation in affected and control group. Therefore, other mutations and genes may have a role in breast cancer pathogenesis in our population. © 2016, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Association between SOD1 Polymorphism(+35A/C) and Senile Cataract

Introduction: Senile cataract is the most prevalent cause of blindness in the world. Variety of causes are involved in the pathogenesis of senile cataract, the most important reason is oxidative stress. Oxidative stress occurs because of increased production of free radicals in the body and decrease antioxidant capacity. One of the defense systems against free radicals is superoxide dismutase I (Cu/zn SOD). SOD enzyme catalyses the dismutation of superoxide anion to O2 and H2O2. Several polymorphisms have been found associated with SOD1 gene. Present study has been done to evaluation effects of genetic polymorphism, including SOD1+35A>C polymorphism in senile cataract patients and normal individuals. Materials and Methods: in this case – control study, there are 120 patients with senile cataract and 104 healthy people. We collected 2ml of whole blood in tubes containing EDTA, and then DNA extraction was performed. Polymorphisms were detected by PCR–RFLP technique. Results: The distribution of AA, AC genotypes of SOD1 gene in the patient with senile cataract were 99.2% and 0.8%. Similarly, distribution of AA, AC genotype in the healthy group were 99% and 1%, respectively. The genotype of CC was not seen in none of the patients and control subjects. Conclusion:  No significant differences in the distribution SOD1+35A>C polymorphism was observed between cases and controls.&nbsp

Association SOD2 Polymorphism(-9C/T) and Senile Cataract

Introduction: One of the most common causes of blindness around the world is cataract, which is a multifactorial eye disease and a major cause the loss lens transparency in the aging population. Oxidative stress is a major factor that often leads to cataract formation. Oxidative stress is defined as a disturbance in the balance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production  and antioxidant defenses, including enzymatic and non-enzymatic systems. One of the defense systems against free radicals is superoxide dismutase II (Mn SOD) enzyme. SOD enzyme catalyses the dismutation of superoxide anion to O2 and H2O2. Several polymorphism  have been found associated with SOD2 gene. Present study has been done to evaluaet effects of genetic polymorphism, including SOD2 C/T polymorphism in the -9 position in senile cataract patiens and normal individuals. Material and methods: in this case- control study, there are 120 patients with senile cataract and 104 healthy people. We collected 2ml of whole blood in tubes containing EDTA, and then DNA extraction was performed. Polymorphisms were detected by PCR–RFLP technique. Findings: The distribution of CC, CT, TT genotypes of SOD2 gene were 28.3%, 43.3% and 28.3% in the patient group and 24%, 48.1% and 27.9% in the healthy group, respectively. Conclusion: No significant difference in the distribution SOD2 C/T polymorphism was observed between cases and controls.&nbsp

A novel method for the fabrication of high-aspect ratio C-MEMS structures

A novel fabrication process was developed to create high aspect ratio (>10 : 1) carbon posts, all-carbon suspended bridges and wires, self-organized bunches of carbon posts, and carbon plates supported by carbon beams. The structures are all made from a two-step pyrolysis process with SU-8 photoresist as the starting material. In this paper we describe the fabrication of these various new C-MEMS structures and detail an important application of the high aspect ratio carbon posts arrays. The carbon post arrays can be reversible charged/discharged with Li ions, an application that may greatly impact the application of C-MEMS in three-dimensional microbatteries. Complex suspended C-MEMS structures, such as wires, plates, ribbons, and self-organized bunches of posts, were built. Methods to accurately and repeatedly fabricate all the above 3-D C-MEMS structures are given.close10111

Compressive and Tensile Strength of Nano-clay Stabilised Soil Subjected to Repeated Freeze–Thaw Cycles

Improvement of the mechanical properties of clayey soils by additional elements to enhance the strength under numerous freezing and thawing cycles has been considered as a serious concern for engineering applications in cold regions. The objective of the current study is to investigate the effect of nano-clay as a stabiliser on the mechanical properties of clay. To this end, the clay specimens were prepared by adding various percentages of nano-clay ranging from 0.5% to 3% by dry weight of soil and were experimentally tested under the uniaxial compression and tensile splitting tests under different curing times (0, 7 and 28 days) after experiencing various freeze–thaw cycles ranging from 0 to 11. It can be concluded from the results that nano-clay particles may be used as a stabiliser in geotechnical applications to improve soil property. The results indicate that the optimum moisture content (OMC) of specimens increases and the maximum dry density (MDD) decreases with the increasing nano-clay content. The specimens containing about 1% nano-clay recorded maximum values of unconfined compressive strength (UCS) as well as tensile strength. For example, the addition 1% nano-clay increased the UCS and tensile values of clay specimens under the curing time of 28 days by 34% and 247%, respectively. In addition, the long-term durability of specimens against freeze–thaw cycles increases further with the addition of nano-clay content ranging from 2% to 3%

Effect of 8 weeks sprint interval training on serum levels of Adiponectin and insulin in overweight children

Background: Scientific studies demonstrated that decreased blood Adiponectin level is associated with insulin resistance in obesity. Also it is well documented that exercise training exerts beneficial effects on obesity but there is few study regarding beneficial effects of sprint Interval training (SIT) on childhood obesity. This study was intended to investigate the effect of SIT on serum levels of Adiponectin and insulin in overweight children. Material and Methods: In this study thirty-two obese boy (BMI=27) were randomly assigned to sprint Interval Training (SIT) (N=16) and control group(C) (N=16). Training protocol consisted of 30s and 90s all-out running that performed 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Blood samples were measured by ELISA analysis. Data were analyzed using Independent sample t-test. Results: 8 weeks SIT increase serum levels of Adiponectin (P=0.028) and decrease insulin level (P=0.00). This change was directly related to decrease in values of BMI (P=0.01), total cholesterol (P=0.00) and body weight (P=0.02), but significant change in serum levels of HDL (P=0.50), LDL (P=0.17) and TG (P=0.60) wasn’t observed. Conclusion: These findings suggest that SIT may ameliorate the metabolic abnormalities associated with obesity in children probably through elevation of serum Adiponectin level