Isolation and screening of proangiogenic and antiangiogenic metabolites producing rare actinobacteria from soil.

AIMS: Angiogenesis is a physiological process that has important impacts on the pathology and healing of various diseases, and its induction or inhibition by bioactive actinobacterial metabolites can help the treatment of some diseases. In this study, the effects of actinobacterial extract in the process of angiogenesis have been explored. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this research, proangiogenic and antiangiogenic metabolites producing actinobacteria were isolated from soil samples and their fermentation broth were extracted and after evaluation of their toxicity by MTT assay, antiangiogenic and proangiogenic activities were screened against human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) by in vitro tube formation and migration assay. Isolated strains were identified through molecular techniques. The results showed that Nocardiopsis arvandica UTMC 103 and Nonomuraea sp. UTMC 2180 extracts had a high potential of anti-angiogenic activity on HUVECs. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time proangiogenic potency of a rare actinobacterium, Kribbella sp. UTMC 522, was reported, and N. arvandica UTMC 103 and Nonomuraea sp. UTMC 2180 extracts inhibits the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis activity of HUVECs with reasonable potency. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Metabolites of the introduced rare actinobacteria are potent proangiogenic and angiogenic inhibitors. Identification of angiogenic-antiangiogenic mechanisms and purification of the extracts would be useful in therapeutic angiogenesis.

The first report of clinical case of intestinal trichomoniasis caused by Tritrichomonas foetus in a cat with chronic diarrhea in Iran.

BACKGROUND: Tritrichomonas foetus is recently found to be one of the causes of chronic diarrhea in domestic cats but there is no report of feline intestinal trichomoniasis in Iran. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 9 months female domestic short-haired cat was referred to our hospital with a history of chronic diarrhea over the past two months, and with an unsuccessful previous antibiotic therapy in another clinic. FINDINGS/TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Clinical examination revealed 39.8°C rectal temperature. Complete blood count (CBC) showed moderate inflammatory leukogram. By the wet-mount faecal assessment, moving organisms were observed. Rectal scarping dry-mount cytology revealed many inflammatory cells along with huge numbers of trophozoites with typical morphologic characteristics including central axostyle, undulating membrane, flagella, and one laterally located nucleus. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed and confirmed the diagnosis of T. foetus. After treatment with metronidazole and probiotics, the cat was completely recovered. CONCLUSION: This study represents the first case of intestinal trichomoniasis in a cat with chronic diarrhea in Iran.

The effect of different liners on the bond strength of a compomer to primary teeth dentine: in vitro study.

OBJECTIVE: This in vitro investigation should identify the effect of protective liners on dentine bond strength of a polyacid modified resin composite to dentine of primary teeth. METHODS: Forty-two extracted caries-free primary molars were randomly assigned to seven groups (n = 6) and flattened. Six test groups were centrally covered with different protective liners/base materials: Kerr Life (KL), IRM zinc oxide eugenol cement (IRM), Ketac Bond (KB), Vitrebond (VB), Dycal (DY), and mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA). Specimens were bonded with Prime&Bond NT (PB) and restored with Dyract eXtra. The control group (C) did not receive liner pretreatment. After 24-h storage in Aqua dest. (37 °C), specimens were cut and regional microtensile bond strengths of the uncovered areas were tested. Fractography was conducted under a light microscope and further interface/surface analyses were performed under a SEM. Statistical appraisal was carried out using oneway ANOVA (mod. LSD test; p < 0.05). RESULTS: Independent of the distance to the applied liner, all groups exhibited inferior µ-TBS to dentine of primary teeth compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The results were as follows in MPa(SD) x:significance level/percentage of adhesive fractures: PB: 34 (10)A/72%; KL: 23 (25)B/64%; KB: 15 (12)C/76%; DY 15 (13)C/55%; IRM: 14 (10)C/68%; VB: 12 (10)C/61%; MTA 12 (10)C/69%. CONCLUSIONS: Protective liners significantly reduced µ-TBS to dentine of primary teeth.

Bone mineral density is lower in male than female patients with plaque-type psoriasis in Iran.

BACKGROUND: There are many similarities with regard to contributing cytokines in patients with psoriasis and osteoporosis. A theory of probable relationship between these two entities has been proposed but there is no concordant consensus. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with psoriasis. METHOD AND MATERIALS: This cross-sectional study of BMD was conducted with 64 eligible patients with psoriasis who were referred to the dermatology clinic of Razi hospital in Tehran, Iran in between 2011 and 2012. RESULTS: The mean T score of femoral neck was -1.17 and -0.49 in men and women, respectively, which was statistically significant (p = .047). The mean T score of the lumbar spine was -0.93 and -0.30 in men and women, respectively, but not statistically significant (p = .058). In total except with the exclusion of the study site (femur or lumbar), men and women did not have a statistically significant difference with regard to osteoporosis or osteopenia in BMD (p = .114). The Pearson correlation coefficient demonstrated a moderate inverse relationship between age and T score of the femoral neck and lumbar spine (r = -0.419 and -.406, respectively), which was statistically significant (p = .001). Although there was no statistically significant relationship between the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and T scores of the femoral neck (p = .596), a positive and weak correlation was observed between the PASI and T scores for the lumbar spine, which was statistically significant (r = 0.269; p = .03). CONCLUSION: Patients with psoriasis had decreased bone density, which was more significant in men. Prevalence of osteoporosis showed no statistically significant difference when compared with the healthy population in Iran.

Antitumor activity of tetraacetylglucosamine mustard.

1,3,4,6-Tetra-O-acetyl-2-(di-2-chloroethyl)amino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose is active against L1210 leukemia, giving over 100% increased life-span at optimal dose. Against P388 leukemia, it gives 200% increased life-span with long-term survivors. The compound is most active when given i.p., but shows some activity when given s.c. than p.o., and is more potent (therapeutic and toxic effect) than mechlorethamine on both a molar and a mg basis. Of importance, the schedule dependency for the administration of 1,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-2-(di-2-chloroethyl)amino-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranose in L1210 leukemia differs from most alkylating agents in that it is best given by multiple daily injections rather than as a single large injection on Day 1. This characteristic can be attributed to the amino-glucose moiety.

Reconstruction of canine diffuse large B-cell lymphoma gene regulatory network: detection of functional modules and hub genes.

Lymphoma is one of the most common malignancies in dogs. Canine lymphoma is similar to human non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) with shared clinical presentation and histopathological features. This study reports the construction of a comprehensive gene regulatory network (GRN) for canine diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), the most common type of canine lymphoma, and performs analysis for detection of major functional modules and hub genes (the most important genes in a GRN). The canine DLBCL GRN was reconstructed from gene expression data (NCBI GEO dataset: GSE30881) using the STRING and MiMI interaction databases. Reconstructed GRNs were then assessed, using various bioinformatics programmes, in order to analyze network topology and identify major pathways and hub genes. The resultant network from both interaction databases had a logically scale-free pattern. Gene ontology (GO) analysis revealed cell activation, cell cycle phase, immune effector process, immune system development, immune system process, integrin-mediated signalling pathway, intracellular protein kinase cascade, intracellular signal transduction, leucocyte activation and differentiation, lymphocyte activation and differentiation as major GO terms in the biological processes of the networks. Moreover, bioinformatics analysis showed E2F1, E2F4, PTEN, CDKN1A, PCNA, DKC1, MNAT1, NDUFB4, ATP5J, PRKDC, BRCA1, MYCN, RFC4 and POLA1 as the most important hub genes. The phosphatidyl inositol signalling system, P53 signalling pathway, Rac CycD pathway, G1/S checkpoint, chemokine signalling pathway and telomere maintenance were the main signalling pathways in which the protein products of the hub genes are involved.

Markers of activated coagulation in patients with factor V Leiden and/or G20210A prothrombin gene mutation.

The activated protein C (APC) resistance phenotype associated with an abnormal factor V Leiden (FVL), and the G20210A prothrombin gene mutation are the most common findings in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). In a group of 210 patients, we compared the levels of markers of coagulation activation in carriers of FVL (71 heterozygous, 30 homozygous), G20210A prothrombin mutation (88 heterozygous) or both mutations combined (21 heterozygous), in order to assess whether these markers allow identification of a group of patients with a higher risk of thrombosis; they were also compared to normal values. A total of 143 patients had a personal history of VTE and 67 were asymptomatic. None of them had other hereditary causes of thrombophilia or an antiphospholipid syndrome. None were currently treated with either anticoagulant or hormonal treatment. Pregnant women were excluded. No significant difference between the four groups of patients could be found in the levels of F1+2, TAT and DDI. Levels were all significantly higher than the control values (p<0.05). The levels of F1+2 and TAT were similar in patients with or without a history of VTE, regardless of the type of mutation. DDI levels were significantly higher in patients with a history of VTE than in asymptomatic subjects (443+/-248 vs. 333+/-222 ng/ml, p=0.02) but with only 57% sensitivity and specificity. In conclusion, our study confirms the hypercoagulable state found in mutation carriers and points out the inability of F1+2 and TAT assays to identify a group of subjects at higher risk of thrombosis, within carriers of genetic risk factors. Although the sensitivity and specificity of DDI assay are low, high DDI concentrations tend to be associated with the risk of VTE.

[Comparison of two groups of 22 women homozygous or heterozygous for factor V Leiden mutation]. / Comparaison de deux groupes de 22 femmes homozygotes ou hétérozygotes pour la mutation du facteur V Leiden.

Clinical characteristics of thrombophilia associated with heterozygous mutation of factor V are well characterized. In contrast, they are not well documented in homozygous subjects who are rare. Moreover, estroprogestative intake and pregnancy are important precipitating factors of venous thromboembolism in women with factor V mutation. In order to determine difference in clinical expression between homo and heterozygous subjects, two groups of 22 age matched women were compared. A modified technique for the diagnosis of activated protein C resistance has been used, and its great specificity and sensitivity has been confirmed. In these two small series of patients, a greater severity of clinical profile was not clearly evident. However, recurrences and thrombosis during pregnancy were more frequent in homozygous than in heterozygous women. However, the differences did not reach significance. Molecular markers of hypercoagulable states were not regularly increased even in homozygous untreated patients, but they were more often increased in untreated than in treated patients. In contrast, to other varieties of thrombophilia, homozygous mutation of factor V may be associated with a minor clinical severity suggesting the role of environmental factors and/or still unknown molecular alterations.

Unusual presentation of disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major: case reports of four Iranian patients.

We report four disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis(DCL) cases referred to leishmaniasis laboratory at the School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences with multiple nodular, ulcerative and crusted lesions extended on the face, trunk, and extremities. None of the patients had any complication and historical involvement in their immunological system conditions that suggest as the criteria for DCL. Direct smears of ulcers were positive for Leishmania parasite. The parasite was isolated from the active lesions and identified as Leishmania major (L. major) using PCR-RFLP assay and sequencing analysis.

Contralateral exploration is not mandatory in unilateral inguinal hernia in children: a prospective 6-year study.

Contralateral exploration (CE) in children with a unilateral inguinal hernia (IH) is still controversial. To define the necessity of CE in unilaterally-presenting IH, all patients who had been operated upon unilaterally in a 6-year period and were followed for 4-10 years had annual evaluations for a contra-lateral IH. Comparison of the frequency of different variables was done by chi-square test. Of 650 patients aged 1 month-12 years, 521 (3.6%) developed a contralateral IH. There was no significant difference in occurrence in the different sex and age groups. There was a significant difference in the side of presentation: patients who presented with a left-sided hernia had a greater chance of developing a contralateral IH (P = 0.006). The finding of a patent processus vaginalis (PPV) in the literature is usually present in over 35% of cases, while the occurrence of a contralateral hernia is usually seen in less than 15% of cases. In our study this rate was also very low (3.6%). Therefore, it seems that most PPVs will close or remain asymptomatic and only a few will lead to IHs, so that routine CE does not seem justified.

Comparative evaluation of two combined measles-mumps-rubella vaccines based on AIK and Edmonston- Zagreb strains of measles virus.

In a previous paper, we have noticed the effectiveness of two further attenuated measles vaccines, i.e. AIK-HDC and Edmonston- Zagreb- HDC. In the present study the same strains are comparatively used for immunization of a limited number of children under 9 months of age. A seroconversion of 100% was observed. Following reimmunization, a significant increase of circulating antibodies for both strains was recorded. Two combined measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccines were also produced by using the same measles strains. The seroconversion following utilisation of MMR prophylactics in susceptible children was 98.8 and 97.3 for AIK and Edmonston- Zagreb strains respectively.