Study of genetic variations of mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4 in Iranian women with breast cancer

Background: Breast cancer is the second reason of death in women population all around the world. One out of every eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in Iran. So, finding some clinical markers for prediction of cancer in the early stage is too important. There are many causes for cancer that mutation in the mitochondrial genome is one of the reasons, which had been observed in most breast cancer studies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the genetic region of ND4 in patients with breast cancer. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 60 women with breast cancer and 28 healthy women. DNA was extracted from paraffin blocks, the area mtND4 (11646-11860) was amplified by polymerase chain reaction, then the SSCP analysis was used to investigate different conformations between normal and cancer samples. Finally, each sample with different conformation was sequenced. Results: In this study, the sequence of mtND4 in 24 suspected patients was determined and 15 nucleotide changes were reported. the most variations was related to the G11719A polymorphism site. Other changes included 11803delT, G11717A, C11735T, C11716G, C11702T and A11812G. Conclusion: The findings of this study show new genetic changes in the mtND4. So, further studies are required to examine the role of these mutations to detect early breast cancer

Short communication: Population genetic structure studies of Liza aurata based on mtDNA control region sequences analyses in the southern coasts of the Caspian Sea

Nowadays many species are endangered as a result of habitat loss. Decreases in population lead to reduced genetic diversity, which can cause survival crisis in a population (Cecconi et al., 1995). Nowadays optimal management of fish stocks needs information on population structure of species that is provided to researchers through genetic science. Bereavement of science about stock composition will lead to the fracture of fisheries management and unsuitable harvest of stocks (Papasotiropoulos et al., 2007). One of the beneficial methods to demonstrate genetic diversity is haplotype analysis of the D-loop region, an index which is very important and determinant for the preservation of species. Significant genetic variation is found in the D-loop region, even among individuals within a given species. Grey mullets are not endemic species of the Caspian Sea. Juveniles of L. aurata, L. saliens and Mugil cephallus were introduced from the Black Sea into the Caspian Sea during the years 1930-1934. But only the introduction of L. aurata and L. saliens was successful and they adapted well to the ecological conditions of the Caspian Sea (Fazli et al., 2008)

Population genetic studies of Liza aurata using D-Loop sequencing in the southeast and southwest coasts of the Caspian Sea

Genetic diversity as an important marker of the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems is considered a unique and powerful tool to evaluate biological communities. In order to evaluate the genetic diversity among golden mullet species (Liza aurata) in the southeast and southwest coasts of the Caspian Sea by D-Loop gene sequencing, a total of 23 fin specimens of golden mullet were collected from the Gilan (Anzali area) and Golestan (Gomishan area) provinces. Total DNA from the samples was extracted by ammonium acetate method and the quality and quantity of the extracted DNA were assessed by spectrophotometry and electrophoresis. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was conducted on the target DNA and then DNA sequencing was carried out. D-loop region in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of golden mullet contained 900 base pairs (bp). Phylogenetic relationships among golden mullet were calculated by MEGA software version 5.05 and divergence time was estimated using Tahjima's test. The results obtained from this study revealed that there were high genetic differences among two regions in the Gilan and Golestan provinces. Kimura 2-parameter was used for genetic distance analysis and the genetic distance recorded between Gilan and Golestan Provinces was calculated at 0.259. The high levels of FsT were observed between Gilan and Golestan Provinces which indicates that genetic differences exist among present populations (p≤.05). Based on the results obtained from the south Caspian Sea, probably two different populations of Liza aurata are living in the Gilan and Golestan Provinces

Antimicrobial activities of semi polar-nonpolar and polar secondary metabolites of sponge Dysidea pallescens from Hengam Island, Persian Gulf

Sponges are the simplest multicellular animals that lack defense mechanisms and rely on chemical defense that have been used by mankind to develop antimicrobial drugs against diseases. The present study was designed to demonstrate the antibacterial and antifungal activities of marine sponge Dysidea pallescens semipolar and nonpolar extracts. In this study, D. pallescens were collected from Hengam Island in the Persian Gulf. The extracts were produced by Bligh and Dyer method. Broth Dilution Methods were used to check the antimicrobial activity of D. pallescens extracts against Escherichia coli (ATCC 15224), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 25619), Staphylococcus aureus aureus (ATCC 1764), Bacillus subtilis pizizenii (ATCC 6633), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and Aspergillus fumigates (PTCC 5009). The results showed diethyl ether extract has bactericidal activity against S. aureus aureus (MBC=10mg/mL) and B. subtilis spizizenii (MBC=20mg/mL). D. pallescens diethyl ether extract showed a very weak antifungal activity but methanol extract showed fungicidal activity against A. fumigates (MFC=5mg/mL) and C. albicans (MFC=1.5 mg/mL). Therefore nonpolar-semipolar secondary metabolites of D. pallescens solutions in diethyl ether have shown significant antibacterial activity and polar-secondary metabolites solutions in methanol have shown significant antifungal activity

Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Guilan Province, Iran, April 2020

We determined the seroprevalence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in an affected area in northern Iran in April 2020. Antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 were detected in 528 persons by using rapid tests. Adjusted prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity was 22.2 (95 CI 16.4-28.5). © 2021 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All rights reserved

Analogue peptides for the immunotherapy of human acute myeloid leukemia

Accepted manuscript. The final publication is available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00262-015-1762-9The use of peptide vaccines, enhanced by adjuvants, has shown some efficacy in clinical trials. However, responses are often short-lived and rarely induce notable memory responses. The reason is that self-antigens have already been presented to the immune system as the tumor develops, leading to tolerance or some degree of host tumor cell destruction. To try to break tolerance against self-antigens, one of the methods employed has been to modify peptides at the anchor residues to enhance their ability to bind major histocompatibility complex molecules, extending their exposure to the T-cell receptor. These modified or analogue peptides have been investigated as stimulators of the immune system in patients with different cancers with variable but sometimes notable success. In this review we describe the background and recent developments in the use of analogue peptides for the immunotherapy of acute myeloid leukemia describing knowledge useful for the application of analogue peptide treatments for other malignancies

Dismissive and deceptive car dealerships create barriers to electric vehicle adoption at the point of sale

This study investigates the role of car dealerships in the electrification of passenger transport, namely their sales advice about the purchase and use of electric vehicles (EVs). Because most consumers do not have pre-existing knowledge of EVs, and current market conditions favour petrol and diesel vehicles, car dealership experiences may strongly influence EV purchasing decisions. Here we show that car dealerships pose a significant barrier at the point of sale due to a perceived lack of business case viability in relation to petrol and diesel vehicles. In 126 shopping experiences at 82 car dealerships across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden, we find dealers were dismissive of EVs, misinformed shoppers on vehicle specifications, omitted EVs from the sales conversation and strongly oriented customers towards petrol and diesel vehicle options. Dealer’s technological orientation, willingness to sell, and displayed knowledge of EVs were the main contributors to likely purchase intentions. These findings combined with expert interviews suggest that government and industry signalling affect sales strategies and purchasing trends. Policy and business strategies that address barriers at the point of sale are needed to accelerate EV adoption

Estimation of hormone residuals (B-Estradiole) in rainbow trout

Residual level of 17- Beta Stradiol and progesterone hormones in rainbow trout fish plasma were measured during different period using RIA method. Blood sampling from abdominal aorta were taken from 70 individual of female fishes (100±11 g) which had been exposed to hormone at 0.5, 1,2,4,8,12,24 and 168 h (7 groups) compared with control group which was not exposed to this hormone. Results showed that plasma hormones measurement in different fish groups after exposing had significant differences (P<0.01) and the highest and lowest 17-Beta Stradiol hormone residue were observed in fishes that exposed 0.5h and 168h to hormone respectively (121±9 ng. ml^-1 and 3±0.9 ng. ml^-1) but there is no any differences between fishes exposed 168h to hormone and control group. Also the highest progesterone hormone level were measured in fishes 0.5 an 1h exposed and the lowest one was in fishes 168 h exposed. The range of progesterone hormone were between 0.3 to 1.1 ng .ml^-1 and significant increasing of this hormone levels were obtained in fishes exposed to hormone 4 to 24h (P<0.01). As consequence these hormone can not residue in fishes for a long time and maximum after one week the levels back to the normal

The comprehensive study of possibility ecological control Mnemiopsis leidyi in Caspian Sea activity: The study and recognization parasitic fauna and Bacterial flore in ctenophore (Mnemiopsis leidyi and Bereo ovata)

Bacterial flora and parasitic fauna of M. leidyi an exotic invader jelly fish to Caspian Sea ecosystem and B. ovata to Black sea an alternative biological control agent was studied. During summer 1382 to spring 1383, using routine Bacteriological work. 72 sample of sea water Caspian Sea obtained from depth 20 and 50 meters, 36 sample of M. leidyi from depth 20 meters, 10 sample of B. ovata and 3 sample of sea water (Black sea) were collected and according to Bacteriological was studied. 216 sample of M. leidyi from depth 10 to 50 meters of Caspian Sea and 47 sample of B. ovata from Black and Marmarreh Sea (Turkey) were collected and was studied. In this study no parasite from was identified in M. leidyi (Caspian sea) but 64 percentage and 73 percentage of B. ovata (Marmarreh and Black sea respectively) contaminated to Trichodina ctenophore at varians concentration B. ovata of Black sea (130 min 1050 max) and B. ovata Marmarre sea (420 min 2100 max). While B. ovata kept at high salinity of 21 ppt was more contaminated with this pretrichial protozoan (Trichodina) than in low salinity (12/5 ppt). in comparision of bacterial flore in two cetenophore (M. leidyi and B. ovata) was observed that some of bacteria such as micrococcus sp, Aeromonas sp. Bacillus coagulans in both ctenophore and some other bacteria such as Agromobacterium and chromobacterium only observed in B. ovata but other researcher have reported fram Caspin sea and some of bacteria to specific Shewanella , Vibrio harveiy and bacillus linens was observed in B. ovata . Of course specific bacteria cannot transfer to Caspian Sea (different of salinity black sea (2/1%) to Caspian Sea (1/25 %)). Therefore if B. ovata to introduce to south Caspian Sea for biological control population M. leidyi. it is necessary at first some of viral pathogen in aquatic animal (fish) such as VNN, IPN,IHN,VHS,SVC was studied and then with confidence 95% non-infestation B. ovata to viruses and pass from bath anti parasite and anti-bacterial must be introduce to south Caspian sea

Evaluation of immunogenicity and reactogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women.

OBJECTIVE: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in pregnancy is associated with increased risk of adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes. Vaccines are highly effective at preventing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), but there are limited data on COVID-19 vaccines in pregnancy. This study aimed to investigate the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of COVID-19 vaccines in pregnant women when administered according to the 12-week-interval dosing schedule recommended in the UK. METHODS: This was a cohort study of pregnant women receiving COVID-19 vaccination between April and September 2021. The outcomes were immunogenicity and reactogenicity after COVID-19 vaccination. Pregnant women were recruited by phone, e-mail and/or text and were vaccinated according to vaccine availability at their local vaccination center. For immunogenicity assessment, blood samples were taken at specific timepoints after each dose to evaluate nucleocapsid protein (N) and spike protein (S) antibody titers. The comparator group comprised non-pregnant female healthcare workers in the same age group who were vaccinated as part of the national immunization program in a contemporaneous longitudinal cohort study. Longitudinal changes in serum antibody titers and association with pregnancy status were assessed using a two-step regression approach. Reactogenicity assessment in pregnant women was undertaken using an online questionnaire. The comparator group comprised non-pregnant women aged 18-49 years who had received two vaccine doses in primary care. The association of pregnancy status with reactogenicity was assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Overall, 67 pregnant women, of whom 66 had received a mRNA vaccine, and 79 non-pregnant women, of whom 50 had received a mRNA vaccine, were included in the immunogenicity study. Most (61.2%) pregnant women received their first vaccine dose in the third trimester, while 3.0% received it in the first trimester and 35.8% in the second trimester. SARS-CoV-2 S-antibody geometric mean concentrations after mRNA vaccination were not significantly different at 2-6 weeks after the first dose but were significantly lower at 2-6 weeks after the second dose in infection-naïve pregnant compared with non-pregnant women. In pregnant women, prior infection was associated with higher antibody levels at 2-6 weeks after the second vaccine dose. Reactogenicity analysis included 108 pregnant women and 116 non-pregnant women. After the first dose, tiredness and chills were reported less commonly in pregnant compared with non-pregnant women (P = 0.043 and P = 0.029, respectively). After the second dose, feeling generally unwell was reported less commonly (P = 0.046) in pregnant compared with non-pregnant women. CONCLUSIONS: Using an extended 12-week interval between vaccine doses, antibody responses after two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine were found to be lower in pregnant compared with non-pregnant women. Strong antibody responses were achieved after one dose in previously infected women, regardless of pregnancy status. Pregnant women reported fewer adverse events after both the first and second dose of vaccine. These findings should now be addressed in larger controlled studies. © 2022 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology