Detection mutations of JAK2 exon 12 in patients with JAK2 [v617f]-negative myeloproliferative disorders

Background: Mutations in exon 12 of JAK2 gene are detected as clonal markers in hematopoietic lineages in myeloproliferative disorders [MPNs]. Our aim was, to study the relation between N542E543del mutation of JAK2 gene and myeloproliferative neoplasms in V617F-negative patients

Patients and Methods: DNA specimen from 34 patients and 44 healthy controls were genotyped using ARMs-PCR method. We analyzed exon 12 JAK2 aberration in 34 myeloproliferative cases to be readily detected by both ARMS-PCR and DNA analysis regardless of whether peripheral blood or bone marrow cells was manipulated as the origin of RNA.

Results: In this case-control study, there was no significant difference in Pearson chi square analysis between the patients and control groups in genotype distribution of the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphism rs7869668 of JAK2 exon 12 [P > 0.05]. Also, gene detection finding showed that the patients were negative of JAK2-V617F mutation

Discussion and Conclusion: Present finding on a small number of patients diagnosed of various categories of MPDs revealed and needs more investigation and data for the prevalence and the incidence of the JAK2-V617F mutation. However, the clinical and genotyping of finding a disorder and non-significant correlation between patients and control group in this study in such a small fraction of the patients is unknown

[Knee joint muscles activity during single leg drop landing from different heights among men with genu varum and men with normal knee]

Background and Objective: Genuvarum is considered as one of the risk factors for the incidence of osteoarthritis. This study was done to compare the knee joint muscles activity during single leg drop landing from different heights among men with genu varum and men with normal knee

Methods: This case - control study was done on 20 male students with genu varum deformity and 20 male students with normal knee. Genu varum deformity was measured by a kolis and goniometer. Muscle activity of lower limb was recorded with electromyography

Results: There was significant difference in muscles activity of medialis gastrucnemius, peroneus longus, biceps femoris and gluteus medius in cases and controls [P<0.05], while no significant difference was observed in other muscles

Conclusion: The changes in the knee normal structure might affect daily activities and possibly lead to in injuries due to physical training

Prevalence of depression, anxiety and stress among Libyan primary and secondary schoolteachers: a cross-sectional study

Achievement of high academic performance needs good emotional expression. Studies have showed that depression, anxiety and stress [DAS] are the most common psychosomatic problems facing teachers worldwide. Therefore the present study aimed to investigate whether Libyan primary and secondary schoolteachers experience DAS manifestation throughout job programmers. So a cross-sectional survey was performed at different schools in Tripoli city, from July to October 2014; male and female teachers [n=200] were enrolled in terms of sociodemographic variables. Data were gathered using DAS scale [DASS-21] questionnaire. The mean age was 38.7+/-8.5 years, and the average tough experience was 13.95+/-0.69 years. Of 21 possible items, our study showed that 44.5% of teachers reported depressive sensation, 56% stated anxiety and 39.5% described stress mood. The most frequent reported items were, for depression "I felt down-hearted and blue" by 64%; for anxiety "I was worried about situation in which I might panic and make a fool of myself" by 60.5%, and for stress "I felt that I was using a lot of nervous energy" by 78.5%. In addition, increasing tea and coffee intake, and being smokers were associated with more symptoms, and increased number of taught experience, among females, resulted in fewer symptoms. Overall, 27.5% of teachers reported no symptoms, 22% specified one level of mind strife, 27% expressed two symptoms and 23.5% itemized the three DAS disorders. Furthermore, DAS sub-scales were significantly correlated. Hence, our findings support the predominance of DAS in tutors. It also shows that Libyan schoolteachers' experienced more symptoms than other survey countries; their quality of work possibly be affected by these events

Rare chromosome structural aberration characterizing oncology malignancy

Ring chromosome aberration are rare abnormality potentially involving any chromosome in patients diagnosing in Oncology. The present review and case study has focused on the ring chromosome associated with oncology malignancies. An electronic peer review article search was performed systematically to obtain relevant literature with the CINAHL, Google scholar, and Pub Med databases. The keywords included marker, abnormalities, structural, Ring chromosome. The inclusion criteria for the review were that the documents were original quantitative research and published in English. This was also initiated using Medline, Mitelman database [http:/cgap.nci.nih.gov/Chromosomes/Mitelman], Danish cytogenetic register and other pertinent web references on ring chromosomes in Oncology malignancies. Articles that were not directly relevant to the present objective were excluded. Also the un-stimulated bone marrow specimen of present case manipulated with Methotrexate cells culture synchronization and finally was treated by GTG-banding technique. Ring chromosome was observed in 10% of the total cells. Cytogenetic analysis demonstrated apparently ring [15] 46, XY, r[15] karyotype. The clinical findings revealed history of nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, night sweats, and a weight loss, anemia and diagnosed as accelerated CML. Our finding adds to the spectrum of both morphology and genetic rearrangements in oncology malignancies. Additional future analyses in similar subject will be necessary to draw firm conclusions

Dietary putrescine effects on performance parameters,nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology and tissue polyamine content of broilers fed low protein diet

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of dietary putrescine [PUT] on broiler's response fed low crude protein [CP] diets. A total of 192 male day old chicks were fed with four dietary treatments including two levels of PUT [0 and 0.03%] and two levels of CP [normal and low] with factorial combinations. Weekly growth performance, nutrient digestibility and intestinal morphology [at the age of 21 days] and liver and intestinal tissue polyamines content were measured. As a result of this study lower dietary CP had a significant [P<0.05] lower body weight gain [BWG] and improved protein efficiency ratio [PER]. PUT improved energy efficiency ratio [EER] significantly [P<0.05]. Dry matter [DM] digestibility was decreased by lower dietary CP whereas 0.03% PUT significantly [P<0.05] increased it. Low CP caused significant [P<0.05] greater calcium digestibility, while this effect was not found when PUT was added. PUT had no effect on intestine villous height and crypt depth. Polyamine content of intestine and liver was influenced by the age of the birds, while PUT had no effects on them. In conclusion, dietary PUT has beneficial effects on EER in chicks fed CP-deficient diet, indicating possible involvement of PUT in energy metabolism. PUT supplementation did not moderate the reduced BWG of the chicks fed low protein. Intestinal and liver polyamine concentration was mainly affected by dietary CP and age of the birds rather than dietary PUT

Effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of roots of Ferula gummosa Boiss. on the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Ferula gummosa Boiss. [Barije.] contain medical and antimicrobial properties. This study was done to determine the effect of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of roots of Ferula gummosa Boiss. on the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In this laboratory study, the plant was dried in dark place and aqueous, alcoholic extracts of Barije's root, powder were prepared using Soxhlet method. The efficacy of 0.1 dilution of different values of extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss. on the strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa [PTCC 1430] were evaluated by disk diffusion, Agar-well diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] and minimum bactericidal concentration [MBC] methods. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was completely resistant to the aqueous extract, and the MIC for the methanol and ethanol extracts was 1.25x10[4] microg/ml and 6.25x10[3] microg/ml, respectively. Methanolic and ethanolic extracts of Ferula gummosa Boiss. have antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in in-vitro model

Nasal speculum for submental intubation

In 1986 Altemir, for the first time, described submental intubation for maxillofacial cases. A problem with the technique is that the edges of the tube may damage the anatomic tissues of the mouth floor. To avoid such damages, a modification of this technique using nasal speculum is presented here. Moreover, with this technique blood and detached tissues cannot enter into the endotracheal tube while passing through submental tissues

Vitamin D status of type 2 diabetic patients compared with healthy subjects in the Islamic Republic of Iran

An inverse relationship has been shown between vitamin D deficiency and type 2 diabetes mellitus[DM]. In this cross-sectional study in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran, a country with a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, we determined the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among 90 type 2 DM patients and 90 healthy subjects. Based on serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the rates of deficiency[< 50 nmol/L] and insufficiency[50-75 nmol/L] were 59.0% and 27.0% respectively in patients with type 2 DM, and 47.0% and 24.0% respectively in healthy subjects. Using the national cut-offs for vitamin D deficiency, 64.0% women with DM and 47.4% of healthy women were suffering from different degrees of vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in men with type 2 DM and healthy men were 42.7% and 22.2% respectively. None of the differences between the 2 groups was statistically significant

[Determination of furanic compounds from coffee powders in Tehran market using liquid phase microextraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry]

Furan was classified as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in 1995. The joint FAO/WHO Committee set the maximum permissible furan at 2 mcg/kg body weight/day in 2010. The furan content of coffee is high as compared to other processed foods. Considering the increasing trend of coffee consumption in Iran, this study was initiated to determine the furan content of different kinds of coffee powder available in Tehran Market by headspace liquid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography mass spectrometry [HS-LPMEGC-MS]. The e CCD mployed included 32 treatments at 5 levels for 4 factors with 8 replicates of center point. The furanic compounds from 66 different coffee samples were extracted by HSLPME atoptimal extraction conditions [salt 0 gram, stirrer rate 700 rpm, extraction temperature 45°C, and extraction time 15 min]. The effect of coffee brewing and coffee mix preparation on furanic compound content of coffee was also determined. The proposed method was validated by determining linearity, repeatability, recovery, enrichment factor, LOD, and LOQ. Determination of furan in coffee samples showed that there were significant differences [p<0.05] in furan concentration of different coffees [prepared by different methods] and that preparation method was the most important factor influencing the furan content of coffee. The coffee brewing and preparation of instant coffee and coffee mixes reduced furanic compounds concentration except furfural. The lowest and highest concentrations of furan in commercial coffee products were10 and 6320 ppb, respectively. In the present work, a simple, fast micro-extraction method [HS-LPME] for extraction and pre-concentration of furanic compounds in coffee samples was developed and validated. The advantages of this method are reduced solvent use, low-cost equipment use, simple experimental setup, acceptable precision and accuracy, a high enrichment factor, and no matrix interference. Differences detected in the furanic compound contents in the coffee samples are due to different green coffee bean species, coffee production process [roasting condition [time and temperature], time of degassing, and grade of grinding process]. Brewing coffee in open systems can result in decreases in the content of these compounds to an acceptable level

Orthodontic tooth movement and root resorption after different doses of celecoxib drug treatment in rats

Non- Steroidal Anti Inflammatory [NSAIDs] medications used for treatment of pain related to orthodontic treatment could slow down tooth movements. Selective cyclooxigenase- 2 inhibitors are alternatives to conventional non steroidal drugs. The aim of this study was to compare three different doses of Celecoxib on orthodontic tooth movement and root resorption in Rats. Forty male Rats randomly divided into the following groups; D [the application of orthodontic appliance with taking medications]; E [without any intervention] and experimental groups included A [received 25 mg/kg], B [received 50 mg/kg] and C [received 100 mg/kg] dose of Celecoxib. NiTi coil spring was ligated between the right side maxillary incisor and 1[st] molar. The animals were sacrificed after two weeks and distance between 2 teeth was measured with Caliper. After preparation of histological sections, amount of root resorption, numbers and maximum depth of resorption lacunae in mesial root surfaces of molar was measured. Data were analyzed with ANOVA, LSD and Tukey HSD. The maximum tooth movement was found in group A [0.8537 mm], D, C, B and E respectively. Statistical analysis did not show any significant difference between the different doses of Celecoxib drug in tooth movement. The usage of Celecoxib [particularly in higher doses; 100 mg/kg] decreased the number of resorption lacaunae in mesial root of first maxillary molar [P< 0.05]. 100 mg/kg dose of celecoxib was found to be optimum for the lowest effect on tooth movement and the most protection against root resorption

To compare the performance of quanti-feron with the tuberculin skin test for identifying latent tuberculosis infection

Tuberculosis [TB] is an important issue which its control is still unsatisfactory at global level. Traditional diagnostic techniques for active TB diagnosis are inadequate: the diagnostic gold standard is the culturel exam which suffers from lengthy processing and requires highly specialized laboratories. Nowadays more specifie tests hâve been recommended. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of Quanti FERON-TB [QFT] Gold In Tube-Test as a substitute for specifie test tuberculin skin test for diagnosis of latent tuberculosis infection in high risk groups. One hundred thirty four [134] individuels who worked in Bo-Ali hospital [Zahedan] enrolled in this study. They had no active tuberculosis. TST and QFT tests were performed. The cut-off point of TST was considered based on 15 [mm] or more indurations as positive. The resuit of QFT was evaluated by manufactured guidelines. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify the putative risk factors of positive tests. Proportion of employees with latent TB were 1 1 1 [82.8%] were positive by either TST or QFT, and 76[56.7%] were positive by both tests. Agreement between the tests was high [73.8%, k=0.39; 95% E.21-0.44]. Positive family history of Tuberculosis was significant risk factor for both positive tests. This study showed high latent tuberculosis infection prevalence in hospital workers and high agreement between TST and QFT. Decision to select one of the tests will be depended on the population, purpose of study and availability of resources. The results revealed that the QFT can be appropriate alternative test for high risk group

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adult population from Zahedan, Southeast Iran

The metabolic syndrome [MES] is associated with a high risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome as well as cut-off points for waist circumference [WC] for diagnosis of MES in Zahedan, southeast Iran. Totally, 1802 people [735 men and 1067 women] with metabolic syndrome were surveyed according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III [NCEP ATP III] and the International Diabetes Federation [IDF] criteria as well as obtained WC cut-off points for IDF criteria. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in women than in men. In both sexes the prevalence increased with age. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among 1802 individuals aged>/=19 years according to NCEP ATP III, IDF and IDF-AHA/NHLBI were 21.0% [15.4% in male, 24.9% female], 24.8 [20.0% in male, 28.1% in female] and 23.3% [19.7% in male, 25.8% in female], respectively. Low HDL-C [60.6%] and high WC [43.3%] were the most common components of the metabolic syndrome, followed by high triglycerides [32%], elevated glucose [17.1%] and high blood pressure [13%]. Our data shows a high prevalence of MES in Zahedan, Southeast Iran, therefore, future health prevention strategies are required for the prevention of MES

[ prevalence of refractive errors in a Mashhad, Iran]

To determine the prevalence rates of refractive errors in Mashhad, Iran. In this population-based study, random cluster sampling was performed on the urban population of Mashhad and of 4453 selected individuals, 70.4% participated in the study. Refractive errors were assessed using cycloplegic refraction in participants who were 15 years of age. The prevalence of myopia and hyperopia in individuals 15 years of age was 22.36% [95% CI: 24.66 to 20.06] and 34.21% [95 CI: 36.85 to 31.57], respectively. The prevalence of astigmatism and anisometropia were 25.64% and 5.84, respectively. Astigmatism and anisometropia were significantly more [p=0.005] and less [p=0.048] prevalent in females, respectively. Anisometropia, astigmatism and hyperopia were found to be increased with age. This study highlighted the valuable information on refractive errors in Mashhad. Hyperopia was the most common refractive error. In addition to subjects who were between 5 to 15 years of age, refractive errors were also prevalent among older people; therefore, more attention should be paid to the correction of refractive errors in these groups

Indoor radon survey in Shiraz-Iran using developed passive measurement method

While in the open air the amount of radon gas is very small and does not pose a health risk, in confined spaces, radon can accumulate to relatively high levels and become a health hazard. Exposure to high levels of radon has been associated with an increased risk of lung cancer, depending on the time length of exposure. Radon level in dwelling of Shiraz with 1,200,000 populations has been sampled and analyzed in this study. Our study could be considered the largest radon study in Iran both time and area wise. In this study, radon [222Rn] concentration in residential dwellings in Shiraz-Iran was sampled and measured during two consecutive six month periods in 2009-2010. We used Solid State Nuclear Track Detectors [SSNTD], CR-39 polycarbonate films. The survey parameters of radon concentrations were floor types, construction materials and dwelling's age. Annual average indoor radon concentration for the survey period was 94 +/- 52 Bq/m3. The calculated mean annual effective doses in basements and different floors were less than the lowest limit recommended action level of 3 mSv by ICRP. High radon concentrations are measured in basements and old dwellings; however, due to rapidly changing housing structures and ventilation practices with no intervention, lower levels of radon concentration has been expected in Shiraz

[Effective dose rate of radon gas in Jooshan hot spring of Kerman Province]

Human beings are constantly exposed to different radiations that have always been recognized as a health hazard. Radon-222 and its daughter products are major sources of natural radiations and a significant total inhalation dose is related to them. Hence, the measurement of radon activity in the environment has gained an increasing importance. In this study, with the measurement of radon concentration, the indoor radon activity level and radon effective dose rate in Jooshan hot spring were determined. Concentration of radon gas inside the pool of Jooshan hot spring was measured using the active detector Rad7 type and the annual effective dose was estimated for individuals inhaling the indoor air of this pool for a specified period of time. Concentration of indoor air radon gas was 98.3 +/- 4.9 Bq/m3 and for a person staying in the pool twice a week and each time for two hours, the annual effective dose rate, due to the inhalation of radon, equals to 0.06 +/- 0.003 mSv/y. Comparison of the obtained effective dose with the standards of Environmental protection Agency and Health physics Society, it can be concluded that for individuals that normally use Jooshan hot spring pool, the resulted dose is in the recommended range

prevalence of clinical and subclinical mastitis in dairy cows in the central region of Fars province, south of Iran

Mastitis continues to be one of the economically most important diseases in dairy farming. Forty-six licensed dairy farms in the central region of Fars province were randomly selected in order to participate in a seasonal prevalence study. A cross-sectional study was designed to determine prevalence at cow and quarter level based on clinical signs for clinical mastitis and indirect tests for subclinical mastitis. 6180 quarters from 1545 dairy cows were tested by clinical examination and California mastitis test [CMT]. Milk samples from both clinical and subclinical quarters were collected for bacteriological culture. 4714 [76.28%] quarters were healthy, 1335 [21.6%] quarters were positive by results of CMT [as indicated to subclinical mastitis], 44 [0.71%] quarters showed clinical mastitis signs and 87 [1.41%] quarters were blind. The clinical and subclinical mastitis prevalence at cow level was 2.2 and 42.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of mastitis between different quarters, seasons and cities. The most prevalent isolated bacteria were coagulase positive staphylococci followed by Streptococci, Escherichia coli and coagulase negative staphylococci. Insufficient control measures such as pre and post milking hygiene and dry cow therapy in dairy farms and limited knowledge of farmers on the importance, identification and control of mastitis, especially subclinical forms, can be the main causes for the high prevalence of mastitis in Fars province

Association of C609T and C465T polymorphisms of NQO1 gene with AML

Many studies have demonstrated that polymorphisms of NQO1 including C465T and C609T are associated with increased risk of acute myeloid leukemia [AML]. Our aims are to assess incidence of these polymorphisms in Tehran patients and study the influence of low activity of NQOl in AML. In this case-control study, we used PCR and RFLP analyses to study the prevalence of C609T NQO1 in 140 patients, and C465T NQO1 in 124 patients; there was also a control group of 80 being age-sex matched. We calculated odd ratio with SPSS 16 to examine if these polymorphisms are associated with AML. No significant association between the two common polymorphisms of NQO1 and risk of AML was observed. C609T odd ratio for TT genotype versus CC was obtained to be 0.91 [CI 95% = 0.51-1.63] and for CT versus CC it was 1.06 [CI 95% = 0.57-1.95]. C465T odd ratio for TT genotype versus CC was calculated to be 0.22 [CI 95% = 0.009-5.56] and for CT versus CC it came out to be 3.01 [CI 95% = 0.63-14.32]. Our findings suggest that the NQO1 C609T and C465T gene variants do not have a major influence on the susceptibility to adult AML

Assessment of patients skin dose undergoing coronary angiography and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty [PTCA]

Practice of interventional cardiology procedures such as Coronary angiography [CA] and percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty [PTCA] has largely increased in recent years and is now changing to a matter of routine in many hospitals. The purpose of this study was to measure skin and organ doses in patients undergoing CA and PTCA and to find a probable relation with cardiologist's work experience. A group of 57 patients who were admitted to Nour and Chamran hospitals, Isfahan, Iran, either for CA [n=37] or PTCA [n=20] was checked for skin, eyes and thyroid gland radiation dose. Skin dose measurement was carried out with thermoluminescent dosimeters [TLD-100] placed at three different positions on the patients' bodies. Also the thyroid and eye doses were measured using the same procedure. Mean median, standard deviation and maximum doses for these results are presented. Maximum values found for skin in CA, PTCA, thyroid gland and eyes were 41.00, 73.90, 3.10 and 1.43 cGy, respectively. Average exposure time for CA and PTCA was 4.2 +/- 2.6 and 10.8 +/- 8.2 minutes, respectively. Radiation dose to the critical areas in each procedure in addition to its relation to the type of procedure was studied. Correlation between maximum skin dose and cardiologists' work experience was also investigated. 85% of the cases in CA and 78% of cases in PTCA received maximum skin dose of lower than 25cGy well below the threshold of 2 Gy suggestions for transient erythema

[ effect of arsenic trioxide treatment on mitochondrial apoptotic gene expression in acute promyelocytic leukemia cell line]

Acute promyelocytic leukemia [APL] is one of the most malignant forms of acute leukemia with a fatal course of only weeks which represents 10-15% of AML in adults. Arsenic trioxide as a single agent factor [without chemotherapy] is the treatment of choice for APL patients; it induces cell death through apoptosis but the mechanism by which arsenic targets apoptosis and dramatically affects gene expression remains poorly understood. Since arsenic is used as first line treatment in Iran, it is worth investigating its effect on expression of genes involved in APL. In this descriptive study, to understand the underlying mechanisms of cell death induction by arsenic, we treated NB4 cell line in a dose and time dependent manner. Extracting RNA and synthesis of cDNA, gene expression of apoptotic genes in mitochondrial pathway including caspase3, Mcl-1 and Bcl-2 was analyzed through Real-Time PCR. Our findings showed that As[2]O[3]-induced cell death was paralleled by reduced expression of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2 but the expression of Caspase3 and Mcl-1 did not change after arsenic treatment. These results suggest that changes in Bcl-2 gene expression may be one of the mechanisms of action of arsenic in induction of apoptosis, while Caspase3 and Mcl-1 gene expression are not affected by arsenic at the transcriptional level