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Background and Objective: Brain ischemia is one of the most important factor of morbidity and mortality and leaving many people with mental and physical disabilities. Until now there are no appropriate medications to prevent and cure ischemic injury. This study was done to evaluate the protective effect of Adenosine A1 receptor and ascorbic acid on hippocampal neuronal density and memory disorder in ischemia reperfusion induced Rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was performed on the hippocampus pyramidal neurons on 56 male BALB/c mice. Animals randmly allocated into 8 groups (N=7) including: 1) intact, 2) ischemic control group, 3) ischemic, plus agonist and adenosine of A1 receptor, 4) ascorbic acid (100 mg/daily), 5) ischemic plus agonist adenosine receptor (1 mg/1 kg) one week after ischemia, 6) ischemia, ascorbic acid befor and after ischemia and A1 receptor (1 mg/1 kg) agonist after ischemia, 7) A1 receptor, antagonist (2.25 / 1 kg), one weed after ischemia, 8) Ascorbic acid (100 mg/1kg) before and after ischemia plus A1 receptor antagonist (2.25 / 1 kg) after ischemia. Ischemia induced by clamping of common carotid artery and the drugs was injected subsequently into peritoneum after reduction of inflammation of ischemic zone. The Y-maze memory test performed after completing the treatment period, afterward brains fixed and prepared for microscopic nissl staining method. The counting of pyramidal cells were performed at 53500 square micrometer of CA1. Data were analyzed using SPSS-15 and ANOVA test. Results: The Y-maze test showed extensive deficit in short-term memory in ischemic group (PA=200) but in treatment groups this deficit significantly reduced (PA=243, 248 and 265). The normal neuronal cell in ischemic group was significantly lowered (n=87) than treatment groups (n=111, 105 and 125) including ascorbic acid group (125), adenosine receptor agonist (105) and ascorbic acid plus agonist adenosine receptor (111). The number of normal neuronal cell in ischemic groups significantly is reduced compared to treatment group (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that concurrent treatment of ascorbic acid and Adenosine A1 receptor agonist can significantly reduce the complications caused by brain ischemia in CA1 area of hippocampus.

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Background and Objective: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common in psychology and Methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) is one of the most frequently prescribed pediatric medicine. This study was done to determine the effect of Methylphenidate hydrochloride on ovarian and pituitary gonadotropin hormone in peripubertal mice Materials and Methods: This experimental study was done on 40 preipubertal female mice (BALB/c) with three weeks age and approximate 12-15 gram. The mice were allocated randomly in one control and three experimental groups, designated as I, II and III. Animals in group I, II and III were received by gavage Methylphenidate hydrochloride with 2, 5 and 10 mg/kg body weight for six days, respectively. At the end of experiment body weight, serum estrogen, progesterone and pituitary gonadotropins were measured. Morphometric and histopathological evaluation of ovary were examined. Data were analyzed using SPSS-17, ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: The body weight and ovary dimensions of animals in experimental groups were reduced significantly in comparison with control (P<0.05). Abnormal cells, structural alternations of granules cells and follicular growth abnormality were observed in experimental groups I and III in compare to control group. A significant reduction of estrogen, in group I, progesterone levels in group I and III were observed in comparison with the controls (P<0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that the Methylphenidate hydrochloride administration induces the reduction of body weight, ovary dimensions and hormones.

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Background and Objective: Considering the role of the hippocampus in memory, this study was done to evaluate the effect of 3-4,methylenedioxymethamphetamine on CA1 hippocampal neurons in male rats. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study 18 sprague dawley male rats (200-250g) were randomly allocated into three groups as follow: control (intact), control sham and experimental groups. Sham and experimental groups were received normal salin (1 cc) and MDMA10mg/kg IP for 7 days, respectively. Following transcardial perfusion by paraformaldehid 4%, structure and ultrastructure of right CA1 hippocampus were assessed by crysel violet staining and electronic microscope. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16, ANOVA and Tukey tests. Results: There was no significant difference between control (mean=210±40.38) and sham groups (mean=199±38.7) in neuron density. Neuron number decreased significantly in experimental group (mean=98±25.4) in compare to control and sham groups (P<0.001). There was no ultrastructural abnormality in control and sham groups. Finally, ultrastructural changes with apoptosis characterized by mitochondrial cristae reduction, distribution of nuclear chromatin and loss of cytoplasmic organelles in MDMA groups. Conclusion: This study shows that MDMA administration can stimulate the cell death with apoptotic pattern in hippocampus.

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Background and Objective: The first effect of stress on the immune system is usually a rapid increase in function which manifests itself by an increase in the number of inflammatory cytokines in blood. It is however, followed by a decrease of function in immunological response. During inflammation, the expression of hepcidin gene is increased in order to keep iron away from pathogens. This study was conducted to determine the effect of chronic mild stress on the expression of hepcidin gene in the hippocampus of the male adult rats. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was carried out on 30 adult male Wistar rats, weighing approximately 200-250 grams. They were randomly allocated into two groups of 15 rats: control and chronic mild stress group. Animals in intervention group were exposed to chronic mild stress for 3 weeks. At the end of the stress protocol, 2 ml blood sample was collected to measure the serum concentration of IL-6. Real time PCR method was used to investigate hepcidin expression in hippocampus. Data were analyzed using SPSS-16 and independent t-test. Results: The mean level of IL-6 was significantly higher in the CMS exposure group (27.98±0.84 pg/ml) than control group (18.29±1.18 pg/ml) (P<0.05). Hepcidin expression in the hippocampus of intervention group was significantly higher (2.69±0.226%) in compared to control group (1±0.105) (P<0.001). Conclusion: This study showed that chronic mild stress increases the expression of hepcidingene and the serum level of IL-6 in adult rats.

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Background and Objective: Reduction in cerebral blood flow following cereblal ischemia cause the production of oxygen free radicals and finally leads to brain tissue destruction. Pyramidal cells of the CA1 region of hippocampus are highly sensitive to hypoxic condition. This study was done to determine the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and vitamine E on cellular density of CA1 hippocampal area, learning ability and memory, following ischemia - reperfusion injury in mice. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was done on 40 male mice in 5 groups as follow: sham control, ischemia, hCG treated, vitamine E treated and hCG + vitamine E treated groups. Single dose of vitamin E was injected intraperitonaly during the establishment of reperfusion and hCG was injected from 48h after ischemia for 5 days. Folowing the treatment period, mice brains were fixated by transcardial perfusion and stained by nissle method. The shuttle box was used to evaluate the learning memory. Results: Co-administartion of vitamine E and hCG, significantly increased the cell numbers in hippocampus compared to the ischemic group (P<0.001). Also learning and memory improved in treatment group in comparison with ischemia group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Co-administration of vitamin E and hCG improved ischemia-induced neurodegenration and memory impairment.

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Background and Objective: Para-nonylphen as an environmental pollutant has weak estrogenic activity and causes oxidative stress in different organs including testis. This study was done to determine the protective effect of vitamin E on the para-nonylphenol induced-testicular toxicity in adult rats. Methods: In this experimental study, 24 Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups including control, vitamin E (100 mg/kg/day, orally), para-nonylphenol (250mg/kg/day, orally) and finally para-nonylphenol (250mg/kg/day, orally) plus vitamin E (100mg/kg/day, orally). After 56 days of treatment, removal of the right testis, tissue processing and staining with Heidenhain's Azan, the morphometric parameters of testicular tissue was evaluated using stereological method. Results: The mean volume of seminiferous tubules, height of the germinal epithelium, seminiferous tubules diameter, thickness of the basement membrane, number of spermatocyte, spermatid and sertoli cells significantly reduced in para nonylphenol group compared to the controls (P<0.05). These parameters were significantly increased in the para-nonylphenol plus vitamin E group compared to para nonylphenol group (P<0.05). In the histopathological examination, atrophy of seminiferous tubules, germinal epithelium vacuolation and epithelial disarrangement were observed in para nonylphenol group. Histopathological alterations reduced in para-nonylphenol plus vitamin E group compared to para nonylphenol group. Conclusion: Co-administration of vitamin E with para nonylphenol can prevent the adverse effects of para nonylphenol on the testicular tissue in adult rats.

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Background and Objective: The acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a malignant disease with an accumulation of the abnormal and undifferentiated blastic myeloid cell in the bone marrow, leading to abnormal hematopoiesis. This study was done to determine the NPM1 and FLT3-(ITD) mutations and laboratory findings in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Methods: This descriptive-analytic study was carried out on 40 (24 males, 16 females) patients with newly acute myeloid leukemia in Northwest of Iran. The mutation of NPM1 and FLT3-ITD were evaluated using PCR method in 25 patients. In all patients, the flowcytometry findings in the bone marrow, leucocytosis and the LDH levels were evaluated prior to the chemotherapy. Results: The mutation of FLT3-ITD and NPM1 genes was detected in 15 (60%) and 9 (36%) of patients, respectively. FLT3-NPM1+ mutation was seen in 4 (16%) patients. Leukocytosis, LDH level and AML in different classes did no show any significant difference between FLT3-NPM1+ and other gene mutations. Conclusion: The mutation of FLT3-ITD gene was nearly twice than NPM1 in acute myeloid leukemia.

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Background and Objective: Thrombophilia is characterized by increasing blood coagulability. It causes preeclampsia and repeated abortions. This study was done to determine the corrolation of coagulation factors deficiency with preeclampsia. Method: This case-control study was carried out on 142 pregnant women with preeclampsia as caess and 142 pregnant women without preeclampsia as controls. Coagulation factors including Prs, prc, and anti-thrombin-3 were measured using ELISA and chromogenic methods. Results: Prs deficiency was found in 2 (1.4%) and 6 (4.2%) of cases and controls, respectively. This difference was not significant. Prc and anti-thrombin- 3 deficiencies was not found in cases and controls. Conclusion: There is not any relation between deficiencies of coagulation factors with preeclampsia.

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Background and Objective: Stem cells are a suitable treatment method for improvement of central nervous system diseases. Neuron regeneration is occure in damaged region using stem cell transplantation. This study was done to determine the effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on memory and neuronal cells graft number in the trimethyltin chloride damaged hippocampus. Methods: In this experimental study, 28 wistar male rats were allocated into four groups including control, model, Vehicle and treatment groups. Animals were received 8 mg/kg/bw of neurotoxin trimethyltin chloride by the intraperitoneal injection for causing damaged in hippocampus. One week after intraperitoneal injection of trimethyltin chloride, stem cells was injected by stereotaxy method. Six weeks after stem cells injection, the spatial memory was assessed by Morris water maze and histological studies were done by Nissl staining and normal cells count by Olysia bio report software. Results: After bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells graft, the number of normal cells were more in the treatment group (74±15.190) in compared to the Vehicle (44.67±12.971) and Model (48.56±18.105) groups (P<0.05). Also in Morris water maze test, the treatment group (387.35±189.18), (31.30±13.67) spent shorter distance and escape latency to reach the hidden platform, but this reduced non significantly in compared to Vehicle (438.18±192.56), (40.14±14.89) and model (407.98±225.44), (37.68±17.15) groups. The model and Vehicle groups spent longer distance to reach the hidden platform in comparision with the control (275.45±165.10) group (P<0.05). Also the traveled distance in target quarter had significant increased in the treatment groups (799.80±125.91) in compared to model (588.51±136.94) and Vehicle (546.48±86.47) groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Using the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells leads to reduce hippocampal lesions and increase the number of pyramidal neurons and improving memory in damaged hippocampus in animal model.

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Background and Objective: Bacterial resistance to Imipenem is increased in bacterial infections in Iran. In regard to the importance of Imipenem in the treatment of nosocomial infections and the key role of disc diffusion method as a major antibiotic susceptibility testing assay, this study was done to determine the prevalency of imipenem-resistant bacterial strains isolated from hospital and accuracy of Iranian imipenem disc product. Methods: In this descriptive-analytic study, 241 bacteria were isolated from patients in different wards of the Baqyatallah hospital in Tehran, Iran during 2013-14. After streaking of the organisms, identification was performed by all conventional biochemical tests. The bacterial resistance to imipenem was determined by disk diffusion method using Iranian and Mast imipenem discs. True imipenem-resistant isolates were examined for susceptibility to six different antibiotic including Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin, Cephalexin, Azitromysin, Tetracycline and Ceftazidim, using disk diffusion method. Results: The most prevalent isolates organisms were gram-negative bacilli (Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively). The common clinical source was urine and wound samples, respectively. Resistant to Imipenem was 68 (25.7 %) and 19 (7.8 %) based on the results of Iranian and Mast Imipenem discs, respectively. False results for Iranian Imipenem discs was higher than Mast Imipenem discs (P<0.05). Among the 19 true Imipenem resistant isolates, 17 micro organisms were Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 57% of isolated resistant to Imipenem were isolated from ICU ward. The most resistance was seen to Gentamicin (84%) and the lowest was seen to Ciprofloxacin (63%). 84% of isolated samples were multi drug resistance. Conclusion: Although a small percentage of the isolates obtained as important nosocomial pathogens were resistant to Imipenem, but the rate of multiple resistance and high rate of isolates obtained from ICU was noticeable.

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Background and Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic, inflammatory and systemic disease with peripheral, symmetric polyarthritis symptoms. Several genetic, environmental, and immunological factors contribute greatly to the disease pathogenesis. This study was done to evaluate the effect of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti - CCP) and rheumatoid factor on clinical disease activity index (CDAI) in the patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: This prospective cohort study was done on 64 rheumatoid arthritis patients according to ACR criteria (1978) whom referred to Rheumatology Clinic of Hajar Hospital in Shahrekord, Iran. Patients were clinically examined for primary CDAI and tested for anti - CCP and rheumatoid factor in the prior and six months after the initiation of the study. Results: 81.3% and 74% of the patients had high titers of anti – CCP antibody and positive rheumatoid factor, respectively. A non-significant recudtion was observed in intensity of secondary clinical activity of the disease in compare to primary clinical activity in the patients with high antibody titer. Conclusion: This study indicated the important role of rheumatoid factor and anti- CCP antibody in the on time diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis.

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Background and Objective: Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are the most common agent which causes diarrhea, worldwide. ETEC is colonized along the cells and then producing heat-labile (LT) and heat-stable enterotoxigenic which enter into intestinal epithelial cells and causes water and electrolyte loss from intestinal epithelial cells and eventually cause diarrhea.This study was done to detect the heat-labile toxin in Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli using PCR-ELISA technique. Methods: In this descriptive study, DIG-labeled PCR products were bounded to streptoavidin-coated wells of a microtiter plate and detected by anti-DIG–peroxidase conjugate. The biotin-labeled internal probe was used for verification of PCR products. Results: Heat-labile toxin was detected by PCR-ELISA method. The sensitivity of heat-labile toxin was 1.9 ng. This method did not cross-react with bacteria from this variety. Conclusion: PCR-ELISA method is 100 times more sensitive than conventional PCR method and due to lack of agarose gel and electrophoresis device it can be a good alternative to traditional method.

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Background and Objective: Sodium Arsenite is an environmental pollutant which can generate free radicals causing tissue damage. This study was done to evaluate the effect of Green Tea (GTE), as a strong antioxidant, on kidney tissue in mice treated with Sodium Arsenite. Methods: In this experimental study 24 adult male NMRI mice were randomly allocated into four groups including: control, GTE (100mg/kg/day), Sodium Arsenite (5mg/kg/day) and Sodium Arsenite + GTE, for 34 days, orally. Animals were scarified and left kidney was taken out, fixed, sectioned, processed and stained using Heidenhain'azan method. Using stereological technique the total volume of kidney, volume of cortex, medulla, proximal and distal tubule, renal corpuscle, gelomerelus, tuft and capillary, membrane and space of Bowman's capsule and length of proximal and distal tubule were determined. Creatinine, BUN and MDA serum samples were measured. Results: The mean of total volume of cortex, proximal tubule, distal tubule, renal corpuscle and gelomerolus, taft, Bowman's capsule space, size of epithelium and lumen of proximal and distal tubule were significantly reduced in Sodium Arsenite group compared to control (P<0.05). These parameters were significantly increased in the Sodium Arsenite + GTE group in comparison with Sodium Arsenite group (P<0.05). The creatinine, Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and MDA were significantly increased in the Sodium Arsenite group in compared to the control group (P<0.05). These parameters were significantly reduced in the Sodium Arsenite + GTE group in comparison with Sodium Arsenite group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Green tea has a protective role in Sodium Arsenite induced nephrotoxicity.

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Background and Objective: Neonatal mortality rate is one of the most important health criteria, worldwide. Understanding the major neonatal mortality causes will help to plan for better pregnancy, prenatal and neonatal care systems. This study was conducted to determine the neonatal mortality risk factors in Maraveh Tapeh County in Golestan province, north of Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, according to either death or live in 28th day after birth, 52 neonates were considered as case group and 201 neonates were considered as control group. Data collection questionnair were adjusted and completed for each neonate. Results: Neonatal mortality rate was 11.76, 13.36 and 6.46 per 1000 live birth in 2011, 2012 and 2013, respectively. Five main causes of death were prematurity, events, birth defect, respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis, respectively. There was a significant relation between death and prematurity, birth weight and gender (P<0.05). There was relationship between birth weight and neonatal mortality (Odds Ratio=29.6). Conclusion: Prematurity and low birth weight were the most important causes of neonatal mortality in Maraveh Tapeh county in Golestan province, north of Iran.

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Background and Objective: Wound infection treatment, particularly in chronic and bacterial poly cases, is difficult and entails heavy costs. This study was done to determine the prevalence of poly bacterial infection and antimicrobial susceptibility of wound samples from different wards. Methods: In this descriptive study, wound sampling was prepared from 336 patients admitted to different wards of Baqiatallah Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Identification was performed based on biochemical tests including oxidase test, TSI, IMVIC, lysine decarboxylase, phenylalanine deaminase, urea, motility, catalase, coagulase, mannitol fermentation, optochin sensitivity, susceptibility to bacitracin and sulfamethoxazole, growth in Bile esculin and DNase production. Antibiotic resistance pattern of isolates was determined using disk diffusion method for 14 important antibiotics. Results: 294 samples were positive for bacterial culture, from which 364 isolates including 11 different isolates were obtained. Out of 294 positive samples, 245 samples were mono bacterial and 54 were poly bacterial including two-bacterial (45 samples), three-bacterial (7 samples), and four-bacteral (2 samples). S. aureus (29.7%), Enterococci (15.6%), and E. coli (15.6%) were the most prevalent isolates. S. aureus-Enterococci pattern was the most common two-bacterial pattern (33%), and majority of polybacterial patterns belonging to gram negative bacteria was in surgery ward (32.5%). Antibiogram results showed high levels of antibiotic resistance in the isolates. Imipenem and amikacin were the most effective antibiotics against Gram negative isolates, and vancomycin for Gram positive isolates. Also, 71% of S. aureus isolates were resistant to oxacillin. Conclusion: Variation of bacterial isolates was similar to other studies. Most of poly-bacterial wound infections were due to common nosocomial pathogens and their high rates of antibiotic resistance are extremely alarming.

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Background and Objective: Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor chemical and as an environmental pollutant is able to generate free radicals causing tissue damage. This study was done to investigate the effect of Nigella sativa oil against BPA induced toxicity on the tissue of male NMRI mice kidney by stereological method.

Methods: In this experimental study 24 adult male NMRI mice (32±3 g) were randomly allocated into control, BPA (200 mg/kg/day), BPA (200 mg/kg/day) plus Nigella sativa oil (5 ml/kg/day) and Nigella sativa oil (5 ml/kg/day) groups and treated for 5 weeks, orally. At the end, animals were sacrificed, their left kidneys were removed, fixed, sectioned, processed and stained with Heidenhain' azan staining method. Then, the kidney tissue sections were evaluated using stereological method and serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level was also measured.

Results: The total weight and volume of kidney, volume of cortex, volume of proximal and distal tubules and volume of their lumen, volume of interstitial tissue, volume of glomeruli, tuft, as well as serum MDA level significantly increased in BPA treated group compared to the controls (P<0.05). These parameters were significantly reduced in BPA plus Nigella sativa oil group compared to BPA ones (P<0.05).

Conclusion: This study revealed that Nigella sativa oil can reduce the oxidative stress toxicity induced by BPA in the mice renal tissue.

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Adjuvants are an essential component of modern vaccines. An adjuvant is an entity added to a vaccine formulation to ensure that robust immunity to the antigen is inoculcated. The adjuvant is typically vital for the efficacy of vaccines using subunit (pepdids, proteins and virus like particles) and DNA antigens. Furthermore, these components are used to reach the current new goals of preventing and/ or treating chronic infectious diseases and cancers. This review focuses on formulation aspects of adjuvants, safety considerations, progress in understanding their mechanisms of action and also their side effects with using 97 articles are acceceble in pubmed central and google scholar indexing which published during 1980-2016. Adjuvants can be broadly divided into two classes, based on their principal mechanisms of action; the first class are vaccine delivery systems that generally particulate and mainly function to target associated antigens into antigen presenting cells. The others are immunostimulatory adjuvants that predominantly derived from pathogens and often represent pathogen associated molecular patterns which activate cells of the innate immune system. Adjuvants induce cellular and humoral responses, in particular neutralizing antibodies that able to inhibit the binding of pathogens to their cellular receptors. Efficient Th1-immunity-inducing adjuvants are highly in demand. The adjuvants promote good cell-mediated immunity against subunit vaccines that have low immunogenicity themselves. However, attempts to develop a new generation of adjuvants, which are essential for new vaccines, is important, but their use is limited because, little is known about their mechanisms of action and health risks.

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Background and Objective: Breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer among women. HER-2 molecule as the receptor of tyrosine kinase from the family of epithermal growth factor is a major cause of cancer. The Herceptin protein molecule, which is an anti-HER-2 antibody, can play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. This study was done to subcloning of Herceptin gene, expression in the prokaryotic system (E.coli) and produce Herceptin recombinant protein for use in the treatment of breast cancer.

Methods: In this descriptive – laboratory study, Herceptin gene from synthesized construct was isolated by enzyme digestion, and then subcloned to the expression vector pET28a. Subcloning of the gene was confirmed using PCR and enzyme digestion. After transferring the vector into E.coli BL21 DE3, expression of the recombinant Herceptin gene was induced by IPTG. The recombinant protein was evaluated by SDS-PAGE and purified with Ni-NTA column chromatography and finally verified by western blotting using anti-histidine antibody. The survival of cells adjacent to recombinant Hercaptin by MTT was investigated.

Results: Following the subcloning of the Herceptin gene, PCR and enzyme digestion, the 741 fragment of the Herceptin gene was confirmed. Confirmation of Herceptin's recombinant protein and its evaluation on SDS-PAGE gel about 27 kDa was done. The recombinant protein was also confirmed with anti-histidine tag. The purified protein adjacent to the SKBR3 cell line was able to block the growth of cancer cells.

Conclusion: Regarding the expersion of HER2 antigen on surface of breast cancer cells, Herceptin can act as antibody blocker and it arrests the growth of breast cancer cells.

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Background and Objective: Hemoptysis is defined as the expectoration of blood from the lower respiratory tract. Bronchiolitis, bronchogenic carcinoma, and bronchiectasis are the most common causes of hemoptysis in developed countries, while infections caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis are the most common cause in endemic countries. This study was conducted to determine the frequency of causes of hemoptysis and some related factors.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was done on 68 patients (37 men and 31 women, average age 56.85±17.27 years) who were referred to the Shahid Sayyad Shirazi Hospital in Gorgan, north of Iran during 2014-16 with the complaint of hemoptysis. Demographic information, cause of hemoptysis and history of illness or drug abuse were extracted from the patients’ records.
Results: Based on the results, 42.6%, 45.6%, and 17.6% of the patients had a history of smoking, drug abuse, and diabetes, respectively. The most frequent causes of hemoptysis were bronchiectasis (25%), pneumonia (20.6%), tuberculosis, and lung cancer (16.4%). Gender was determined as an independent risk factor for hemoptysis (P<0.05). The most common causes of hemoptysis were bronchiectasis, lung cancer and pneumonia in men, and tuberculosis and bronchiectasis in women. Age, drug abuse, smoking, and diabetes had no significant association with the occurrence of hemoptysis.
Conclusion: Bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, and lung cancer are the main causes of hemoptysis, and gender is an independent risk factor for hemoptysis in the study area.
 

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Background and Objective: Gait is a fundamental movement pattern influenced by various structures. This study aimed to determine the effect of sand-based training on ground reaction force frequency spectrum in individuals with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction and pronated feet during gait.
Methods: This clinical trial was conducted on 28 male students with pronated feet and ACL injuries aged 22-25 years at Mohaghegh Ardabili University. Participants were randomly assigned to two groups of 14: A control group and a sand-based training group. The ground reaction force variables were measured using a force plate in the pre-test and post-test.
Results: The number of necessary harmonics in the free moment component decreased by 15.95% in the post-test (16.48±4.14) compared to the pre-test (19.11±2.15) of the control group (P<0.05). The number of necessary harmonics in the mediolateral direction of the ground reaction force decreased by 23.34% in the post-test (15.59±3.92) compared to the pre-test (19.23±2.66) of the training group (P<0.05). Additionally, the number of necessary harmonics in the anteroposterior direction of the ground reaction force increased by 33.04% in the post-test (21.61±2.55) compared to the pre-test (14.47±4.11) of the training group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Sand-based training was able to improve the gait mechanics of individuals with ACL reconstruction and pronated feet.