Reduction of viral load of avian influenza A virus (H9N2) on SPF eggs and cell line by gamma irradiation

Avian influenza A H9N2 viruses are circulating in domestic poultry worldwide. In this research a low-pathogenic AIV H9N2 was multiplied on MDCK cell line and SPF eggs and irradiated by a Nordian gamma cell instrument. Irradiated and non-irradiated AIV samples were titrated by TCID50 and EID50 methods, respectively. Haemagglutinin antigen was analysed by Haemagglutinin test. Infectivi­ty of irradiated virus samples was determined by cell culture and egg inoculation methods. The virus titration decreased as the dose of gamma radiation increased. AIV proliferation on cell culture can be inactivated by gamma irradiation at a lower dose of gamma-ray (20 kGy) than the virus inactivation on embryonated eggs (30 kGy). The safety test showed complete inactivation of AIV on allantoic fluid with gamma-ray doses: 30 kGy and 20 kGy for virus on MDCK cells after four blind cultures.

Frequent Novel Variations Within MSH2 and MLH1 Genes in a Subset of Iranian Families With Hereditary Non-Polyposis Colorectal Cancer Shadi

Abstract- Hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) is the most frequent autosomal dominant predisposition for development of colorectal cancer (CRC) caused by germline defects in mismatch repair (MMR) genes. Current study was aimed to find genetic variations in MSH2 and MLH1 genes and their correlation with the serum levels of Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) in seven Iranian HNPCC families. Seven unrelated Iranian families including 11 HNPCC patients and 7 affected family members were selected. They were initially screened for mutations in exons 7 of MSH2 and exon 15 of MLH1 gene through polymerase chain reaction single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP). Positive PCR results were further analyzed through exon sequencing. Serum CEA level was determined using the ELISA test. PCRSSCP was positive in 8 out of 18 patients (44%) for exons 7 of MSH2 gene, whereas two samples (11%) demonstrated to bear a mutation in exon 15 of the MLH1 gene. Sequencing analysis of both amplified exons in positive and negative samples have confirmed no mutation in negative samples while revealed 5 and 7 novel mutations in exons 7 and 15, respectively. The mean serum concentration of CEA had a significant difference between HNPCC patients and their healthy family members. Our results demonstrated that the PCR-SSCP method has high specificity and sensitivity in the first step of mutation screening of HNPCC families. High frequency of novel alterations found in the current assay may revise the mutation screening of MSH2 and MLH1 genes and abet further assessment of their frequency among individual HNPCC patients.

Prevalence and time-trend analysis of intestinal parasitic infections in north-central Iran, 2012-2016

Intestinal parasitic infections are still considered as health challenges, predominately in the areas with low sanitation and socioeconomic conditions. Owing to the socioeconomic impact, these infections are considered as important Neglected Tropical Diseases in developing countries, including Iran. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and time-trend of intestinal parasitic infections in Nazarabad, Alborz Province north-central Iran. In a cross-sectional study, medical records of 4427 suspected cases of intestinal parasites, referred to the Nazarabad health network, from 2012 to 2016 were reviewed. Bio-data, as well as laboratory data, were extracted after obtaining ethics approval. The descriptive and time-trend analyses were applied to the data. Linear regression analysis was used for the time-trend analysis. The results indicated that 18.0% of the cases to have at least one parasite in their intestine. A total of 4.5% (36/798) of positive cases has mixed infection. The median age was 31 with a range from 4 to 84 years. There are 12 different parasites detected. Blastocystis (9.2%) and Giardia (7.4%) were more prevalent parasites in the cases. Time-trend analysis showed a decreasing trend of the infection from 2012 to 2016. The most prevalent infection was found in the spring months. These infections are still among the health challenges in north-central Iran. More investigations are needed to determinate the main sources of these parasites in this area. More effective control programs are needed to combat these infections, especially in the spring and summer months.

Bcl-2 associated athanogene-1 overexpression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND

Apoptosis and cell cycle regulation play an important role in pathogenesis and tumor progression in patients with Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma (DLBCL). Bcl-2 associated athanogene-1 (BAG-1) is an antiapoptotic protein as well as a regulator of cell growth. There is no conclusive evidence about BAG-1 protein expression in this disease.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the expression level of BAG-1 protein in DLBCL.

METHODS

Thirty patients diagnosed from 1997-2004, as having DLBCL, were selected. Also 30 normal lymph nodes were included as normal counterparts in this study. BAG-1 expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining in both DLBCL and normal lymph node samples.

RESULTS

Of the 30 DLBCLs examined, 100% were positive for nuclear and 83% were positive for cytoplasmic BAG-1 staining. Of the 30 normal lymph nodes investigated, 20% were positive for nuclear and 0% were positive for cytoplasmic BAG-1 staining. Nuclear staining in DLBCL samples was significantly higher than those of normal lymph nodes (100% versus 20%, p <0.001). Besides, cytoplasmic staining in DLBCL samples was significantly higher than those of normal lymph nodes (83% versus 0%, p <0.001). There was no association between BAG-1 staining and patients' overall survival.

CONCLUSION

Our data indicated that BAG-1 protein was deregulated in this disease similar to some other malignancies such as breast and colon cancer. Overexpression of BAG-1 in DLBCL suggests that this protein probably plays an important role in the pathogenesis of DLBCL. Besides, higher nuclear BAG-1 staining might be correlated with poor prognosis.