Association between brain-derived neurotropic factor gene variant (rs6265; C > T) and schizophrenia, its psychopathology and intelligence

Background and objectives: The etiology of schizophrenia (SCZ) is not yet known, but the genetic factor has an essential role. Its heritability is estimated up to 85 percent. This study aimed to determine whether the selected brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) gene variant (rs6265) is associated with SCZ, its psychopathology and intelligence quotient (IQ).MethodsRs6265 was genotyped in 159 participants, including 71 unrelated patients with SCZ (males = 40 [56%]) and 88 healthy controls (males = 35 [40%]). Psychopathology assessment was done by using positive and negative symptoms scale (PANSS), and IQ was measured by Wechsler adult intelligence scale (WAIS). COCAPHASE and CLUMP22 softwares were used to compare allele and genotype frequencies respectively. Two-way multivariate ANOVA was done using SPSS22 to evaluate the effects of the group (patients and healthy control) and the genotype on the test scores, including PANSS and WAIS scores, considering sex and smoking status as covariates.ResultsThe study showed that the BDNF rs6265 C allele and CC genotypes, psychopathology, including PANSS scores, and also IQ were significantly different in all, male and female patients compared to healthy participants. For rs6265, we found significantly higher frequencies of the C allele (P = 0.04) in all participants with SCZ.The findings also revealed that BDNF polymorphism (rs6265) increased significantly the risk of SCZ in different genetic models.ConclusionThe results showed that the BDNF rs6265 may be associated with the risk of SCZ development in an Iranian group of patients with SCZ. These results may be helpful in better understanding the role of the BDNF gene in the pathogenesis of the disorder. (AU)

Genotypic characterization of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from a burn centre by using agr, spa and SCCmec typing methods.

Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus remain a major global healthcare problem. We aimed to find the common lineages of S. aureus strains circulating in a burn hospital in Tehran. A total of 167 isolates of S. aureus obtained from patients, healthcare workers (HCWs) and environment in Shahid Motahari burn hospital were genotyped by using spa, agr and staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by using the disc diffusion method. The frequency of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was 64.7% (n = 108), with distribution frequencies among patient, HCW and surface isolates of 64.2% (n = 79), 50% (n = 7) and 73.3% (n = 22), respectively. SCCmec type III (75%, n = 81) was found to be the most frequent SCCmec type among MRSA isolates, followed by SCCmec type I (20.4%, n = 22) and SCCmec type IV (1.8%, n = 2). The remaining MRSA isolates (2.8%, n = 3) were nontypeable by this method. About 78.4% (n = 131), 10.2% (n = 17) and 4.8% (n = 8) of all isolates were characterized as agr types I, II and III, respectively, and the other isolates (6.6%) were nontypeable. spa types t030 and t037 constituted the first and second most predominant spa types found in 56.4% (n = 57) and 25.6% (n = 26) of isolates, respectively. We also report here a novel spa type, t16471. The most prevalent genotypes of the isolates found among patient, surface and HCW samples were SCCmec type III/t030, t037/agr type I. Continuous tracking of epidemic isolates and better hospital infection control policies are recommended to efficiently prevent the spread of bacteria to inpatients.

The potential roles of bacteria to improve radiation treatment outcome

Many combined therapies have been proposed to enhance radiotherapy outcome, but they have several limitations. As a new feasible strategy, combination of radiotherapy with bacteria showed a significant positive impact on the tumor treatment and metastasis inhibition. Although probiotic bacteria and radiotherapy alone can be effective in the treatment of different cancers, the combination of these two therapies seems to enhance therapeutic outcome and is cost-effective. Bacterial cells can act as therapeutic/gene/drug delivery vehicles as well as theranostic agents. In this communication, we reviewed current evidences, studies, suggestions, and future-based directions on combination of radiotherapy and bacteria. In another sections, an overview on tumor hypoxia, bacteria in cancer therapy, and combination of radiotherapy and bacteria is presented. A brief overview on trials and animal studies which used bacteria to protect normal tissues against radiotherapy-induced complications is also included (AU)

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The potential roles of bacteria to improve radiation treatment outcome.

Many combined therapies have been proposed to enhance radiotherapy outcome, but they have several limitations. As a new feasible strategy, combination of radiotherapy with bacteria showed a significant positive impact on the tumor treatment and metastasis inhibition. Although probiotic bacteria and radiotherapy alone can be effective in the treatment of different cancers, the combination of these two therapies seems to enhance therapeutic outcome and is cost-effective. Bacterial cells can act as therapeutic/gene/drug delivery vehicles as well as theranostic agents. In this communication, we reviewed current evidences, studies, suggestions, and future-based directions on combination of radiotherapy and bacteria. In another sections, an overview on tumor hypoxia, bacteria in cancer therapy, and combination of radiotherapy and bacteria is presented. A brief overview on trials and animal studies which used bacteria to protect normal tissues against radiotherapy-induced complications is also included.

Effect of thyroid dysfunctions on blood cell count and red blood cell indice.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid hormones have a crucial role in metabolism and proliferation of blood cells. Thyroid dysfunction induces different effects on blood cells such as anemia, erythrocytosis leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and in rare cases causes' pancytopenia. It also alter RBC indices include MCV, MCH, MCHC and RDW. Thus this study attempted to evaluate effect of hypo & hyperthyroidism on blood cell count and RBC indices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study performed on 102 patients with hypothyroid (14.1 years), 84 with hyperthyroid (15.6 years) and 118 healthy individuals (15.2 years) as control group. Initially patients TSH level of patients was determined by ELISA method, and then according to TSH ranges (0.3-5.5µIU/mL) patients were divided into two Hyperthyroidism (TSH<0.3µIU/mL) and hypothyroidism (TSH>5.5µIU/mL) groups. Then, complete blood count was measured by cell counter. Finally, obtained results were analyzed by SPSS software. RESULTS: Analyzes of obtained data revealed statistically significant difference between two groups of patients in RBC count, MCH, MCHC, RDW, HB and HCT(P-value<0.05), but the difference was not significant for WBC and PLT counts and MCV (P-value>0.05). CONCLUSION: In case of patients with unknown hematological dysfunctions, must be evaluated for thyroid hormones.

Studies on the mutagenicity of a peptoplast adhesive in Salmonella typhimurium.

A new class of adhesives--peptoplasts--was tested for their mutagenic potential in Salmonella typhimurium. The tested peptoplasts revealed no mutagenic properties under the present test conditions.