Background: The role of host response in periodontitis pathogenesis is confirmed, and it is well established that immune response plays a major role in the alveolar bone destruction. In the investigation of these responses, the role of receptor activator of the nuclear factor-kB ligand (RANKL)-osteoprotegerin (OPG) system is the most promising. Smoking can affect the RANKL-OPG system in a manner that will further enhance bone loss in periodontitis. The aim of this study is to assess the serum, saliva, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) concentration of RANKL and OPG in smoker versus nonsmoker untreated chronic periodontitis (CP) patients. Materials and Methods: Thirty-nine subjects were included in the present cross-sectional study: 29 systemically healthy CP male patients (15 smokers, 14 nonsmokers) and 10 systemically and periodontally healthy nonsmoker male subjects. Serum, GCF, and whole saliva samples were obtained from the subjects. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used for assaying the concentrations of RANKL and OPG in the samples. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and the least significant difference (LSD) post hoc test were utilized to compare differences between the groups. Results: RANKL and OPG concentrations in saliva, serum, and GCF did not show any significant difference among all groups (P > 0.05). Salivary RANKL/OPG ratios were significantly higher in the nonsmoker CP group than in the healthy control group (P > 0.05) but they were not statistically significant among smoker periodontitis patients. Conclusions: The salivary RANKL/OPG ratio was higher in nonsmokers with periodontitis in comparison with smoker periodontitis patients.

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), which remains one of the major public health problems in the world. The increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) worldwide highlights the urgent need to search for alternative antimycobacterial agents. More and more people in developing countries utilize traditional medicine for their major primary health care needs. It has been determined that the medicinal plants Pulicaria gnaphalodes and Perovskia abrotanoides possess strong antibacterial effect. Materials and Methods: In this study, the antimycobacterial effects of P. gnaphalodes and P. abrotanoides essential oil on MTB were examined. Essential oil was prepared from P. gnaphalodes aerial parts and P. abrotanoides flower. The effects of six different concentrations (20 μg/ml, 40 μg/ml, 80 μg/ml, 160 μg/ml, 320 μg/ml, and 640 μg/ml) were examined against sensitive isolates of MTB and MTB H37Rv (ATCC 27294). Results: The results showed that P. gnaphalodes and P. abrotanoides essential oil extracts have strong inhibitory effects on MTB. This activity for P. gnaphalodes was observed from very low (4%) to good (70.9%) effect; meanwhile, this activity for P. abrotanoides was observed from very low (4%) to strong (86%) effect. Conclusion: The mean of inhibition percentage for P. gnaphalodes and P. abrotanoides in 640 μg/ml was 58.1% and 76.2%, respectively. So, P. abrotanoides plant is more effective against MTB than P. gnaphalodes. Identification of the effective fraction against MTB is a further step to be studied.

Background: There is a probable interaction of central angiotensin II (Ang II) and estrogen (Est) on blood pressure in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive rats. Therefore, in the present study, the interaction between Ang II and Est in ovariectomized (Ovx) and Sham rats that were treated with DOCA- salt was evaluated. Materials and Methods: The female rats were divided into 10 groups as follows: Sham, Ovx, Sham-DOCA, Ovx-DOCA, Sham-DOCA-estrogen (E), Ovx DOCA-E, Sham-DOCA-losartan (L), Ovx-DOCA-L, Sham–DOCA-L-E, and Ovx-DOCA-L-E. The Est groups received estradiol valerate (2 mg/kg; daily; subcutaneously (s.c)) for four weeks. Following that, several doses of Ang II (0.5, 5, 50, 500, 5000 ng/5 μl) were injected via the intracerebroventricular (i.c.v) route and the changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP) were evaluated. In the losartan groups, 200 μg losartan was injected (i.c.v) 15 minutes after the Ang II injection and the blood pressure was recorded. Treatment by DOCA was performed by removal of one kidney, injection of DOCA (45 mg/kg i.p), and adding of sodium chloride (NaCl) (1%) and potassium chloride (KCl) (0.1%) in the drinking water. Results: The SBP was increased by Ang II and this effect in DOCA-salt treated rat was higher than in the untreated groups. The effect of Ang II on SBP in groups that were treated with Est and L was lower than that in the DOCA-salt groups. Increase in SBP was strongly attenuated by Ang II in groups that were co-treated with both Est and L compared to the DOCA-treated rats. These results showed that Est significantly attenuated the effect of central Ang II on SBP in the DOCA-salt treated rats. Conclusion: We suggest that there are interactions between E and Ang II in the control of blood pressure in DOCA-salt treated rats.

We present a case of primary ectopic frontotemporal extradural craniopharyngioma. Primary ectopic craniopharyngiomas are very rare and have been reported involving the fourth ventricle, infrasellar region, lateral ventricle, temporal area, cerebellopontine angle, clivus, corpus callosum, and prepontine cistern. There was just 1 case of craniopharyngioma previously presented in the literature, with nearly same location as the presenting case.

A few studies have assessed the effects of fat intake in the induction of dyspeptic symptoms. So, the aim of this study was to review the articles regarding the dietary fat intake and FD. We used electronic database of PubMed to search. These key words were chosen: FD, dietary fat, dyspeptic symptom, energy intake and nutrients. First, articles that their title and abstract were related to the mentioned subject were gathered. Then, full texts of related articles were selected for reading. Finally, by excluding four articles that was irrelevant to subject, 19 relevant English papers by designing clinical trial, cross-sectional, case–control, prospective cohort, and review that published from 1992 to 2012 were investigated. Anecdotally, specific food items or food groups, particularly fatty foods have been related to dyspepsia. Laboratory studies have shown that the addition of fat to a meal resulted in more symptoms of fullness, bloating, and nausea in dyspeptic patients. Studies have reported that hypersensitivity of the stomach to postprandial distension is an essential factor in the generation of dyspeptic symptoms. Small intestinal infusions of nutrients, particularly fat, exacerbate this hypersensitivity. Moreover, evidence showed that perception of gastric distension increased by lipids but not by glucose. Long chain triglycerides appear to be more potent than medium chain triglycerides in inducing symptoms of fullness, nausea, and suppression of hunger. Thus, Fatty foods may exacerbate dyspeptic symptoms. Therefore, it seems that a reduction in intake of fatty foods may useful, although this requires more evaluations.

Parkinson disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system (CNS) with the highest prevalence in adults over 60 years of age On the other hand multiple sclerosis (MS), which mostly affects individuals between 20 and 40 years of age, is another neurodegenerative and autoimmune disease of the CNS, however, less common than PD. Here we aim to report the case of a 39-year-old woman, who developed PD 18 years after diagnosis of MS.

Background: Unexpected events, accidents, wars, other natural, and unnatural disasters threaten human life. Hospitals especially emergency departments are the first line dealing with the disaster victims and on the other hand, are often full of patients. The purpose of this study is evaluating surge capacity of Isfahan Al-Zahra Hospital in facing disasters with the usage of nontherapeutic areas potential in a time of crisis. Materials and Methods: First, nontherapeutic areas having the conversional potential to be used as therapeutic areas were defined and then with applying standard formulas, and patient admission capacity was calculated. Results: After calculating, it was determined that there is a potential of hospitalization of 240 patients at the stadium next to the hospital, 100 patients in clinics, 1,000 patients in the indoor parking, and 3–4 thousand patients in the open space area. Conclusion: Hospital current capacity could be increased significantly in case of facing disasters through providing instructions, and pre-prepared plans.

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) due to the thyroid dyshormonogenesis is more prevalent in Iran in comparison to other countries. Sodium iodide symporter (NIS) is one of the plasma membrane glycoproteins that is located on the basolateral side of thyroid follicular cells and mediates active I⁻ trapping into these cells. Playing a prominent role in thyroid hormone synthesis, NIS gene mutations can be a cause of permanent CH with the etiology of dyshormonogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of T354P mutation of the NIS gene, in a group of children affected with permanent CH in Isfahan. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients with the etiology of dyshormonogenesis, and 35 healthy children, collected between 2002 and 2011 in Isfahan Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, were examined for T354P mutation of the NIS gene by direct polymerase chain reaction-sequencing method. Results: No T354P mutation was detected in any of the studied children. Conclusions: More subjects with confirmed iodide transport defects should be screened for detecting the frequency of different reported NIS gene mutations in our population.

Background: Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disease. Local and systemic antimicrobial drugs are used for its treatment. But increasing resistance of Propionibacterium acnes to antibiotics has been reported. Materials and Methods: In a double-blind clinical trial, 40 patients with mild to moderate acne vulgaris were recruited. one side of the face was treated with Clindamycin Gel 1% and the other side with Azithromycin Topical Gel 2% BID for 8 weeks and then they were assessed. Results: Average age was 21. 8 ± 7 years. 82.5% of them were female. Average number of papules, pustules and comedones was similarly reduced in both groups and, no significant difference was observed between the two groups (P > 0.05, repeated measurs ANOVA). The mean indexes of ASI and TLC also significantly decreased during treatment in both groups, no significant difference was observed between the two groups. (P > 0.05, repeated measurs ANOVA). Also, impact of both drugs on papules and pustules was 2-3 times greater than the effect on comedones. Average satisfaction score was not significant between the two groups (P = 0.6, repeated measurs ANOVA). finally, frequency distribution of complications was not significant between the two groups (P > 0.05, Fisher Exact test). Conclusion: Azithromycin gel has medical impact at least similar to Clindamycin Gel in treatment of mild to moderate acne vulgaris, and it may be consider as suitable drug for resistant acne to conventional topical therapy.

Background: Beta-thalassemia is the most prevalent monogenic disease throughout the world. It was the first genetic disorder nominated for nation-wide prevention programs involving population screening for heterozygotes and prenatal diagnosis (PND) in Iran. Due to the high prevalence of beta-thalassemia, the shift from conventional mutation detection methods to more recently developed techniques based on novel innovative technologies are essential. We aimed to develop a real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based protocol using high resolution melting (HRM) analysis for diagnosis of common beta-thalassemia mutations. Materials and Methods: Forty DNA samples extracted from peripheral blood of suspected beta-thalassemia carriers participated in this study were subjected to amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS). We then used 20 of these samples for HRM optimization. When 100% sensitivity and specificity was obtained with HRM procedure, we applied the technique for mutation detection on another remaining 20 samples as thalassemia cases with unknown mutations (detected mutations with ARMS-PCR kept confidential). Finally, the HRM procedure applied on 2 chorionic villous sample (CVS) biopsied from 12 weeks gestational age pregnant women for routine PND analysis. Results: In the first step of study, Fr 8/9 (+G), IVSI-1 (G > A), IVSI-5 (G > C), IVSI-110 (G > A), and CD44 (−C) mutations were diagnosed in samples under study using ARMS-PCR technique. Finally, the HRM procedure applied on 20 unknown samples and 2 CVS The results of HRM were in complete concordance with ARMS and confirmed by sequencing. Conclusions: The advantages of HRM analysis over conventional methods is high throughput, rapid, accurate, cost-effective, and reproducible.

Background: Chimeric proteins consisting of a targeting moiety and a cytotoxic moiety are now under intense research focus for targeted therapy of cancer. Here, we report cloning, expression, and purification of such a targeted chimeric protein made up of p28 peptide as both targeting and anticancer moiety fused to NRC peptide as a cytotoxic moiety. However, since the antimicrobial activity of the NRC peptide would intervene expression of the chimeric protein in Escherichia coli, we evaluated the effects of two fusion tags, that is, thioredoxin (Trx) and 6x-His tags, and various expression conditions, on the expression of p28-NRC chimeric protein. Materials and Methods: In order to express the chimeric protein with only 6x-His tag, pET28 expression plasmid was used. Cloning in pET32 expression plasmid was performed to add both Trx and 6x-His tags to the chimeric protein. Expression of the chimeric protein with both plasmids was evaluated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis following optimization of expression conditions and host strains. Results: Expression of the chimeric protein in pET28a was performed. However, expression yield of the chimeric protein was low. Optimization of culture conditions and host strains led to reasonable expression yield of the toxic chimeric protein in pET32a vector. In cases of both plasmids, approximately 10 kDa deviation of the apparent molecular weight from the theoretical one was seen in SDS-PAGE of purified chimeric proteins. Conclusions: The study leads to proper expression and purification yield of p28-NRC chimeric protein with Trx tag following optimizing culture conditions and host strains.

Background: This study aims to investigate the antioxidant effect of vitamin C in preventing contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) in diabetic patients after catheterization. Materials and Methods: In a double blinded, randomized controlled trial, 90 diabetic patients who were referred for cardiac catheterization were randomly allocated into two arms of vitamin C (A) and placebo (B). The treatment arm (A) received 2 g of vitamin C orally 2 h before catheterization and the control group (B) received 2 g of oral placebo. Six hours before catheterization, patients received fluid resuscitation with normal saline (CIN was considered as a 25% rise in creatinine (Cr) level or an increase of 0.5 mg/dL in earlier creatinine). CIN was compared between groups. Before andthree days after catheterization. Serum Bun – Cr was measured and GFR were calculated. The results were compared between the two groups. Six hours before catheterization, patients received fluid resuscitation with normal saline CIN was compare between arms. Results: Mean GFR in group (A) before procedure was respectively 69.82±19.26 and after the treatment was 81.51±27.40 (P=0.001). But in group (B) it was 74.18±24.41 and 75.20±29.65 (P=0.747). Contrast-induced nephropathy was observed in 10 patients (12.3%) including 3 patients (7.7%) in group (A) and (16.7%, 7 patients) in group (B) (P=0.315). Conclusion: Ascorbic acid intake in diabetic patients prior to use of contrast agents can be effective in maintaining GFR, but the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy is not associated with the consumption of ascorbic acid.

Background: Seton-based techniques are among popular methods for treating high type anal fistula. These techniques are categorized to cutting and noncutting regarding their mechanism of action. In this report we are about to describe a new technique, which is a combination of both mechanisms; we call it Pulling Seton. Materials and Methods: In this technique after determining internal and external orifice of fistula, fistulectomy is done from both ends to the level of external sphincteric muscle. Finally, a remnant of fistula, which remains beneath external sphincteric muscle is excised, and Seton is passed instead of it and tied externally. After the wound heals, patient is asked to pull down the Seton for 3–4 min, 4 times a day. We prospectively enrolled 201 patients with high type anal fistula in this study. Results: Seton gradually passes through external sphincteric muscle till it is displaced outwards or removed by a surgeon via a small incision. 94% of patients treated by this method accomplished their treatment completely without recurrence. None of the patients developed permanent fecal or gas incontinence. Only 5% of patients developed with recurrence of fistula. Since Seton traction is not permanent in this technique, Seton cuts external sphincter slowly, and minimal rate of incontinence is reported. Conclusion: Pulling Seton seems to be an efficient way in treating high type anal fistula with minimal rate of recurrence and complications such as incontinence and authors suggest further randomized studies to compare its efficacy with other Seton-based techniques.

In the past decades, several ground breaking discoveries in life science were made. The completion of sequencing the human genome certainly belongs to the key tasks successfully completed, representing a true milestone in the biomedicine. The accomplishment of the complete genome also brings along a new, even more challenging task for scientists: The characterization of the human proteome. Proteomics, the main tool for proteome research, is a relatively new and extremely dynamically evolving branch of science, focused on the evaluation of gene expression at proteome level. Due to the specific properties of proteins, current proteomics deals with different issues, such as protein identification, quantification, characterization of post-translational modification, structure and function elucidation, and description of possible interactions. This field incorporates technologies that can be applied to serum and tissue in order to extract important biological information in the form of biomarkers to aid clinicians and scientists in understanding the dynamic biology of their system of interest, such as a patient with cancer. The present review article provides a detail description of proteomics and its role in cancer research.

Background: Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a relatively common complication after regional anesthesia, especially in younger people, bothersome to patients and needs prophylaxis to prevent this complication. This study was conducted aiming to determine the preventive effect of dexamethasone plus caffeine and acetaminophen on relative frequency and intensity of PDPH after spinal anesthesia. Materials and Methods: In a clinical trial study, 90 candidates for the lower extremities orthopedic elective operation were divided into two groups of 45 individuals each. Intervention group received the compound of 500 mg acetaminophen +65 mg oral caffeine +8 mg venous dexamethasone an hour before spinal blocking, and the control group received placebo tablets + a dexamethasone equivalent volume of venous normal saline. The level of postoperative headache at the time of entrance to recovery and discharge, 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h postoperatively were measured based on Visual Analog Scale criterion in the two groups and then compared with each other. Results: During the study, 24 patients in the control group and 17 patients in the intervention group were afflicted with headache; however, with no significant difference (P = 0.14). Total frequency of headache incidence was 35 times in the control group and 27 times in the intervention group (P = 0.32). Conclusions: Though the taking of acetaminophen + caffeine + dexamethasone is associated with a decrease in headache intensity and duration and decrease in PDPH incidence, compared with placebo, however, no essentially and statistically significant effect was produced.