Abstract

Background and Objective: Staphylococcus aureus is an important cause of food poisoning. Due to the high consumption of fruit and ice cream in summer, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of S. aureus in traditional ice cream and juice in Gorgan, Iran.

Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted  on 25 places selling traditional ice cream and juice in the summer  of 2014 in Gorgan, Iran.

Results: Results showed that  the microbial contaminants  in traditional ice cream and  juice  centers  were  56%  and 14.28% of S. aureus, 44% and 33.3%  of  yeast, 28% and 28.57%  of B. cereus, 12% and 4.76%  of  Listeria, 8% and 14.28% of Bacillus subtilis and  4% and 4.76%  of  Bacillus licheniformis ,respectively.

Conclusion: The findings of this study indicated a high  contamination of traditional ice cream and juice with Staphylococcus aureus and various microorganisms.

Keywords: Ice Cream, Food Contamination, Staphylococcus Aureus

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Due to the unique absorption and antibacterial properties of nanoparticles, their use in water and wastewater treatment to remove bacteria is spreading. This research aimed to study the effect of silver nanoparticles in the removal of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from industrial sewage.                                               

Material and Methods:  after preliminary studies, field studies including sampling of industrial wastewater was conducted.  First, Fecal Coliform, total coliform and Enterococcus faecalis of industrial Sewage were measured by standard methods of microbiology, then the effect of concentrations of 500, 250, 125, 62.5, 31.25, 15.62, 7.81, and 3. 9 PPM of isolated nanoparticles serial dilution method on Enterococcus faecalis and standard (PTCC 1339) was determined. Next,  and the turbidity of tube (OD), which represents growth of bacteria, was read at 600 nm with a spectrophotometer. After that,  all tubes were cultured on solid medium and the results were analyzed using SPSS 22.                                                                                                            

Results: fecal and total coliform contamination of industrial Sewage from slaughter and textile plant were approved and Enterococcus faecalis was isolated. The growth of isolates and standard bacteria was not controlled by any of these concentrations. None of the concentrations was able to remove the bacteria but the increase of concentration led to higher effect of nanoparticles, and in accordance with the type of bacteria, it was different, but the difference was not statistically significant.                                                                                                         

Conclusion: Although silver nanoparticles ,according to the concentration,  affect the Streptococcus faecalis, they cannot  completely remove bacteria. Therefore,  the economic factors and other involved factors need to be considered in the application of nanoparticles.                                                                                                           

Keyword: Silver nanoparticles, Enterococcus faecalis, industrial Sewage

Abstract

Background and Objective: Swimming pools, which are recreational places, can cause transmission of bacterial diseases, fungal and parasitic infections due to direct contact with various groups of people. We aimed to determine and compare the common microbial indicators in the water of pools and Jacuzzis in Golestan province.

 Material and Methods: the samples were obtained from eight indoor pool and Jacuzzi in Golestan province from July to December 2010, to evaluate the biological and physiochemical parameters.

Results: The residual chlorine in the pool and Jacuzzis was 74.3 % and the 41.1 %, respectively, and the difference was significant; the pH level was 70.4 % and 78.1 %, respectively; the mean of turbidity was 17.8 %, and 9.8 % and the difference was not significant. The samples contaminated with total coliform in the pool and Jacuzzi, respectively, were 4.3 % and 15.2 % and with E. coli were 1.3 % and 11.2 %.

Conclusions: The higher contamination of Jacuzzi is related to the higher temperature and turbidity of water, and more exposure of swimmer with water and less recirculation of Jacuzzi water. The high turbidity, lack of desired residual chlorine and choliform contamination are the main problems of swimming pools and Jacuzzi in Golestan province.

Keywords: Biological indicators, Microbial, Pool, Golestan Province.

Background and Objective: The cell division cycle 25 (CDC25)is a familyof highly conserved dual-specificity phosphatases that activate cyclin-dependent kinase complexes. These complexes are the main cell cycle regulators. Mammalian cells ,exposure to DNA damaging radiations such as ionizing radiation and ultraviolet light, prevent cell cycle progression by activation of checkpoint pathways and lead to cell death.

      Methods: In this study, mice were exposed to different doses of ionizing radiation. Their total cellular protein was extracted from the bone marrow. After determining and matching the protein concentrations, CDC25A phosphatase levels were measured by western blotting.

        Results: The results showed that exposure to different doses of ionizing radiation in vivo significantly increased the expression of CDC25A compared to control group (P <0.05).

        Conclusion: Exposure to ionizing radiation increases the expression of CDC25A phosphatase, which increases the possibility of tumorigenesis in that area by increasing bone marrow cell proliferation.

        Keywords: Cell Cycle, CDC25A, Ionizing Radiation, Cyclin-Dependent Kinase.

ABSTRACT
         Background and Objectives: Exposure to ionizing radiation in modern societies is inevitable and can cause a variety of adverse health effects such as cancer and birth defects. Therefore, a reliable, repeatable and sensitive method is required for evaluation of radiation exposure. The aim of this study was to determine the amount of histone H2AX phosphorylation as an indicator of radiation exposure to evaluate the rate of double-strand DNA breakage in irradiated mice.
         Methods: In this study, 15 mice were exposed to different doses of ionizing radiation. After extraction of total protein from bone marrow cells, γH2AX protein was measured by western blotting. Data analysis was performed using ANOVA, Tukey's post hoc test, and the Pearson's correlation test.
         Results: The amount of γH2AX protein in the exposed groups increased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05).
        Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that exposure to ionizing radiation increases the amount of γH2AX protein in bone marrow cells during the early hours. The protein can be used as a biomarker for monitoring of acute radiation or suspected local radiation exposure.
        Keywords: γH2AX Protein, Ionizing Radiation, Mouse.

ABSTRACT
       Background and Objectives: Blood transfusion may induce some adverse effects on receivers. Some methods such as antibody screening and cross matching have been suggested to reduce the risk of transfusion complications. However, these methods require commercial antibody screening kits that may also need special equipment. The aim of this study was to introduce a new method for antibody screening that does not require a commercial kit, and could be used in any transfusion laboratory. 
       Methods: We examined 350 samples that contained alloantibody and 350 control samples without the antibody. A solution containing two O+ and one O- samples were used instead of screening cells.
      Results: Sensitivity and specificity of the method were 73.32% and 45.15%, respectively. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 58.33% and 63.88%, respectively.
       Conclusion: Our new method can be used in basic hematology laboratories with some modifications.
      Keywords: Antibodies, Antigens, Coombs test.

ABSTRACT
         Background and objectives: 3' untranslated  region  (3'UTR) single  nucleotide  polymorphisms (SNPs) represent genetic variations that may potentially affect binding of miRNA to coding genes, potentially leading to complex disorders. We aimed to perform in silico analysis of the potential phenotypic effect of 3'UTR SNPs on human astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), a newly identified candidate cancer gene.
         Methods: We gathered a list of all 3'UTR SNPs located in the human AEG-1 gene from the SNP database. Analysis of the potential effects was done using MirSNP and MicroSNiper.
         Results: Analysis by the MirSNP estimated that rs187728237 might increase the affinity of two miRNAs and decrease the affinity of 10 other miRNAs to the AEG-1 transcript. Moreover, MicroSNiPer showed that rs80320514 might affect 24 putative miRNA binding sites in the 3'UTR of AEG-1.
         Conclusion:  Based on our findings, it can be concluded that the 3'UTR SNPs located in the human AEG-1 gene may be within the miRNA targets of the transcript, therefore affecting the stability of putative miRNA-target interactions.
         Keywords: AEG-1, miRNA, SNPs, 3' Untranslated Region.

ABSTRACT
             Background and Objectives: Aging is a multi-agent phenomenon due to prolonged inflammation and stress. CD33 or Siglec3 is a membrane receptor that acts against aging by inhibiting inflammatory reactions. The aim of this study was to evaluate a possible relationship between CD33 copy number and lifespan of an Iranian population.
             Methods: The study included 50 individuals with cancer or Alzheimer's disease as the case group and 50 members of a family over 70 years old as the control group. Blood samples were collected and transferred to the laboratory. CD33 copy number was calculated using the QX100 Droplet Digital PCR system. A number of CD33 single-nucleotide polymorphisms including rs3865444, rs273634 and rs3852865 were genotyped using specific primers and the PCR method.
             Results: The mean number of CD33 copies among the case group (7.78) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than control group (12.72). In the case group, the mean number of CD33 copies was 7.83 among men and 7.73 among women. In the control group, the mean number of CD33 copies was 12.73 among men and 12.71 among women.
             Conclusion: CD33rSiglecs counteract random molecular damage, which is the main driver of aging. Therefore, the CD33rSiglec gene number may be correlated with longevity. Our results indicate that there may be a link between reduced CD33rSiglec copy number and development of diseases.
             Keywords: Gene Copy Number, Siglec-3, CD33 Antigens, Cancer.

ABSTRACT
              Background and Objectives: Cerebral ischemia causes irreversible structural and functional damage in certain areas of the brain, especially in the hippocampus. The aim of this study was to examine effects of exercise preconditioning on neuronal cell death and expression of neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) in the hippocampal CA1 region following transient global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rat.
              Methods: Twenty-one male Wistar rats (weighing 250-300 g) were randomly divided into three groups (control+healthy, control+ischemia and exercise+ischemia). The rats in the exercise group ran on a treadmill five sessions a week for eight weeks. Ischemia was induced by occlusion of both common carotid arteries for 45 minutes. Cresyl violet staining was performed to assess cell death, and real-time PCR was carried out to evaluate expression of NT-4 and TrkB.
              Results: Cerebral ischemia was associated with significant neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region (P<0.05). Exercise significantly decreased the ischemia-induced cell death (P<0.05). NT-4 expression was significantly lower in the control+ischemia group and in the exercise+ischemia group compared to the control+healthy group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the control+ischemia group and the exercise+ischemia group in terms of NT-4 expression (P˃0.05). Moreover, TrkB expression did not differ significantly between the groups (P˃0.05).
              Conclusion: When used as a preconditioning stimulant before the induction of cerebral ischemia, exercise could have neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia-induced cell death, but it has no significant effect on NT-4 and TrkB expression.
              Keywords: Exercise Preconditioning, Ischemia/Reperfusion, NT-4, TrkB, Cell death.

ABSTRACT
              Background and Objectives: Cerebral ischemia causes irreversible structural and functional damage in certain areas of the brain, especially in the hippocampus. The aim of this study was to examine effects of exercise preconditioning on neuronal cell death and expression of neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) in the hippocampal CA1 region following transient global cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rat.
              Methods: Twenty-one male Wistar rats (weighing 250-300 g) were randomly divided into three groups (control+healthy, control+ischemia and exercise+ischemia). The rats in the exercise group ran on a treadmill five sessions a week for eight weeks. Ischemia was induced by occlusion of both common carotid arteries for 45 minutes. Cresyl violet staining was performed to assess cell death, and real-time PCR was carried out to evaluate expression of NT-4 and TrkB.
              Results: Cerebral ischemia was associated with significant neuronal death in the hippocampal CA1 region (P<0.05). Exercise significantly decreased the ischemia-induced cell death (P<0.05). NT-4 expression was significantly lower in the control+ischemia group and in the exercise+ischemia group compared to the control+healthy group (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the control+ischemia group and the exercise+ischemia group in terms of NT-4 expression (P˃0.05). Moreover, TrkB expression did not differ significantly between the groups (P˃0.05).
              Conclusion: When used as a preconditioning stimulant before the induction of cerebral ischemia, exercise could have neuroprotective effects against cerebral ischemia-induced cell death, but it has no significant effect on NT-4 and TrkB expression.
              Keywords: Exercise Preconditioning, Ischemia/Reperfusion, NT-4, TrkB, Cell death.