The effects of functionalization of carbon nanotubes on toxicological parameters in mice

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as a new class of multifunctional nanoparticles in biomedicine, but their multiple in vivo effects remain unclear. Also, the impact of various functionalization types and duration of exposures are still unidentified. Herein, we report a complete toxicological study to evaluate the effects of single- and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs and MWCNTs) with either amine or carboxylic acid (COOH) surface functional groups. The results showed that significant oxidative stress and the subsequent cell apoptosis could be resulted in both acute and, mainly, in chronic intravenous administrations. Also, male reproductive parameters were altered during these exposures. The amino-functionalized CNTs had more toxic properties compared with the COOH functionalized group, and also, in some groups, the multiwalled nanotubes were more active in eliciting cytotoxicity than the single-walled nanotubes. Interestingly, the SWCNTs-COOH had the least alterations in most of the parameters. Evidently, it is concluded that the toxicity of CNTs in specific organs can be minimized through particular surface functionalizations.

Genetic screening in Iranian patients with retinoblastoma

PurposeThe most common intraocular tumor in childhood, retinoblastoma, is largely associated with mutations in the RB1 gene. In the most comprehensive RB1 screening in Iran, we evaluated the RB1 mutations in 106 patients with retinoblastoma, including 73 bilateral (heritable) and 33 unilateral (sporadic) cases.Patients and methodsMutations were identified using amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) PCR and direct sequencing of the 27 coding exons of RB1 and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA).Results and ConclusionWe found 33 (31%) and 64 (60%) patients with sporadic unilateral and bilateral retinoblastoma, respectively as well as 9 (8.5%) cases with hereditary bilateral retinoblastoma. In total, we identified 52 causative RB1 mutations in 106 patients (global mutation rate of 49%). Of the 52 patients, 48 (92%) had sporadic and familial bilateral and 4 (8%) had sporadic unilateral RB. Therefore, the detection rate of RB1 mutations was 66% (48/73) and 12% (4/33) in bilateral and unilateral cases, respectively. Mutations were classified as nonsense in 31 (60%), missense in 1 (2%), large deletion in 11 (21%), small deletion in the 7 novel (15%) and splice site mutation in 2 (4%) patients with RB. Of 31 nonsense mutations, 23 (74%) occurred in the 11 Arginine codons of the RB1. Seven mutations (13%) were novel, and 45 (87%) had been previously reported. Thirty-three mutations were single-base substitutions leading to 31 nonsense amino acid changes and 2 splice site mutations in introns 12 and 16 of RB1. The altered 3D model structures of the RB1 novel mutant proteins are also predicted in this study.

Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome in a 5-year-old Iranian boy

Imerslund-Grasbeck syndrome (IGS) is a rare syndrome characterized by clinical symptoms and signs of Vitamin B₁₂ deficiency and proteinuria. Our patient was a 5-year-old boy with pallor, lack of appetite, and low weight gain. Laboratory studies showed severe macrocytic anemia, normal reticulocyte count, negative direct coombs test, normal osmotic fragility, and autohemolysis test. He has had intermittent proteinuria since 3 years ago despite normal creatinine level and absence of hematuria or hypertension. Finally, based on low level of serum B₁₂ vitamin and normal folate level accompanied by asymptomatic proteinuria, the diagnosis of IGS was made. Furthermore, his sister has had laboratory abnormalities without any symptoms. IGS responded to B₁₂ replacement therapy dramatically but intermittent proteinuria persisted even after appropriate therapy.

Tsga10 expression correlates with sperm profiles in the adult formalin-exposed mice

Testis-specific gene antigen10 (Tsga10), as a cytoskeletal protein in the sperm tail, impacts the sperm motility. This study investigates the correlation between sperm profile alterations and Tsga10 gene expression in adult mice exposed to formaldehyde (FA) and then treated with antioxidant effect of manganese (Mn²⁺ ). In this regard, we examined 35 NMRI adult male mice (6-8 weeks age) in 4 groups of control, sham, FA-exposed and FA+Mn²⁺ . The mice in FA+Mn²⁺ group were exposed to FA (10 mg kg^-1 twice a day) for 2 weeks and treated with daily Mn²⁺ administration (5 mg kg^-1 ) in the second week prior to sacrificing the mice for testis dissection. The right testis was dissected in each group and subjected to RNA extraction and cDNA syntheses for gene expression analysis by real-time PCR. The findings revealed that FA decreased sperm parameters and Tsga10 expression (52.6 ± 24.37%). However, the injected powerful manganese antioxidant improved sperm profile through overexpression of Tsga10 (121.6 ± 27.13%) under FA-induced stressful condition which proves the correlation between sperm profile and Tsga10 expression (P ≤ 0.05). This study also shows that Tsga10 expression protects sperm dysfunction in FA+Mn²⁺ group and resulting in better preservation of spermatozoa and improvement of male fertility.

In vitro toxicity assay of cisplatin on mouse acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and spermatogonial stem cells

Testicular cancer is the most common cancer affecting men in reproductive age, and cisplatin is one of the major helpful chemotherapeutic agents for treatment of this cancer. In addition, exposure of testes cancer cells to cisplatin could potentially eliminate tumour cells from germ cells in patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of cisplatin on viability of mouse acute lymphoblastic leukaemia cell line (EL-4) and neonatal mouse spermatogonial cells in vitro. In this study, the isolated spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) and EL-4 were divided into six groups including control (received medium), sham (received DMSO in medium) and experimental groups which received different doses of cisplatin (0.5, 5, 10 and 15 μg ml(-1) ). Cells viability was evaluated with MTT assay. The identity of the cultured cells was confirmed by the expression of specific markers. Our finding showed that viability of both SSC and EL-4 cells was reduced with the dose of 15 μg/ml when compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.05). Also, the differences between the IC50 in doses 10 and 15 μg/ml at different time were significant (P ≤ 0.05). The number of TUNEL-positive cells was increased, and the BAX and caspase-3 expressions were upregulated in EL4 cells for group that received an effective dose of cisplatin). In conclusion, despite the dramatic effects of cisplatin on both cells, spermatogonial stem cells could form colony in culture.

Comparing psychological disorders between two wards of internal medicine and A&E (2005 —2006)

Introduction

One of the important problems of patient in internal medicine is less attention to emotional and psychological issues. The method of treatment would change when the patients have psychological problem.

Objectives

The comparing of prevalence of mental disorders in internal medicine patients with parallel groups of A&E's patients.

Aims

The evaluation of prevalence of psychological problem in internal ward and A&E.

Methods

Three hundred patients have been checked in internal and emergency wards. They have chosen by a Purposive accessible sampling method. The psychopathological profile was assessed using the SCL-90 questionnaire by Iranian version. Data have been computed and analyzed by SPSS V.17 and Student t test for parametric variables and Mann-Whitney for the analysis of nonparametric variables and linear regression have been used to identify the impact of independent variables. The results have been considered significant when the two tailed p-value was less than 0.05.

Results

Physical disorder was the main complain of internal ward (76.7%) and A&E (53.3%) patients. The main important complain of women patients in A&E were paranoid (64.3%) and in the men were physical problem (53%).

In 50 or older, the main complain in internal ward was psychiatric problem (%80.6), and in the emergency units obsessive- compulsive were %50.

Conclusions

Prevalence of nine psychiatric disorders in internal ward patients was significantly higher more than A&E patients. Most of patient that accepted in internal ward had psychiatric problem. Therefore, it’s necessary to pay attention to this kind of disorders for early treatment of patients.

Epidemiologic Survey of Changes Trend of Mental Disorders Among the Women Referring to Health Centers in Semnan in 2005-2007

Aims:

The epidemiology of mental disorders plays a significant role in the identification of the current status of mental health in society. As women play important role in protecting the mental health of the members of family and society. Therefore the aim of this study was epidemiologic survey of changes trend of mental disorders among the women in urban and rural regions in Semnan.

Method:

In this study mental condition of the married women has been studied. To do this a questionnaire (Scle-90-R) counting questions about anxiety, depression and etc., via interview was completed by questionnaires. Sampling was done in the form of stratification in which population affiliated each health center considered as a stratification and appropriate with volume, a share from total sampling was allocated to it. A at the end of, 970 cases contributed with us data were analyzed by using spss10 frequency tables and statistical graphs.

Results:

In this research91.7% (893cases) were urban and 8.3% (81cases) were rural. With the age mean 25.8±5 years were studied. The survey was shown that aggression, depression and psychosis have been increased individuals during the study. However anxiety, compulsive, inter personal sensitivity, somatic complains, paranoid and phobia have been decreased.

Conclusion:

Considering the high prevalence of the above disorders, setting up the psychiatric and psychological sections for women is necessary in the health centers.

Skin manifestations of mercury poisoning

Eight patients with skin lesions attributed to methylmercury exposure are reported. The outbreak of poisoning occurred in Iraq as a result of the handling and ingestion of treated grain and home-made bread. The skin manifestations were rather rare and varied in severity and histological appearance.