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Background: The targeted therapy using breast cancer (BC)-associated biomarkers has significantly minimized the side-effects of BC treatment. This study aims to elucidate the role of Nectin2, NUF2, and Nectin4 gene expression in the pathogenesis of BC. Method: In this case-control study, the expression of Nectin2, Nectin4, and NUF2 genes was investigated through real-time polymerase chain reaction assay in 46 tumor tissues from BC patients and 46 adjacent non-tumorous tissues as a control group. Data were analyzed using SPSS-21 software, employing independent t-tests and oneway ANOVA. A P-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The results demonstrated a significant increase in the expression of the NUF2 gene in tumor tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues (P = 0.005, fold change = 3.7). No statistically significant difference was observed in the expression of Nectin2 and Nectin4 between the tumor and adjacent tissues. However, higher expression of Nectin2 was noted in the early stages of the disease, particularly in subtypes with estrogen receptor-positive (ER+), progesterone receptor positive (PR+), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-). Furthermore, the expression of NUF2 and Nectin4 was elevated in advanced stages and triple-negative BC subtypes. Notably, the expression of these three genes was higher in patients aged ≤ 45 years. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the expression levels of NUF2, Nectin2, and Nectin4 genes may influence the initiation, progression, and pathogenesis of BC subtypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. ITP is the most prevalent autoimmune blood disorder. The lack of predictive biomarkers for therapeutic response is a major challenge for physicians caring of chronic ITP patients. This study is aimed at identifying predictive biomarkers for drug therapy responses. Methods. 2D gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was performed to find differentially expressed proteins. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS) analysis was performed to identify protein spots. The Cytoscape software was employed to visualize and analyze the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Then, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) were used to confirm the results of the proteins detected in the blood. The DAVID online software was used to explore the Gene Ontology and pathways involved in the disease. Results. Three proteins, including APOA1, GC, and TF, were identified as hub-bottlenecks and confirmed by ELISA. Enrichment analysis results showed the importance of several biological processes and pathway, such as the PPAR signaling pathway, complement and coagulation cascades, platelet activation, vitamin digestion and absorption, fat digestion and absorption, cell adhesion molecule binding, and receptor binding. Conclusion and Clinical Relevance. Our results indicate that plasma proteins (APOA1, GC, and TF) can be suitable biomarkers for the prognosis of the response to drug therapy in ITP patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Expression of CD44 variant 6 (CD44v6) as a homing-associated cell adhesion molecule (HCAM), has proved to change most cancer cells. Aim of the study is the effect of mutant allele of CD44 (rs8193C>T) and Pum2 regulatory element as a prognosis factor of prostate neoplasms: a case-control and in silico studies in the Mazandaran province-Iran. Materials and Methods: In a case-control study, CD44-rs8193C>T genotyping of the 420 prostate neoplasms (210 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients and 210 prostate cancer patients) and 150 healthy samples are performed by the touchdown polymerase chain reaction with confronting two-pair primers (PCR-CTPP) method. The T mutant allele effects on the mRNA structure and cell pathways were also investigated in silico methods. Results: Our results showed that the increase of T mutant allele frequency was significantly associated with BPH compared with prostate cancer. Furthermore, results showed TT genotype was significantly associated with BPH [odds ratio (OR)=0.572 and P=0.015], and also influenced the CD44v6 transcript secondary structure, miRNA binding, and regulatory element-binding site for Pum2 protein. Attachment of Pum2 to standard CD44 transcript may lead to transcript isoform-switching and shift-expression to a variety of CD44 isoforms, which can trigger some of the cell signaling pathways, such as Nanog-Stat, PKC-Nanog, and PKC-Twist. Conclusion: Based on this, the presence of the T mutant allele of CD44 (rs8193C>T) in the populations may create a regulatory element-binding site for Pum2. So, it could be known as a prognosis factor and prediction of prostate neoplasms. However, more comprehensive studies in different populations (with various ethnicities and large population sizes), and also CD44v6 gene expression studies in protein and transcript levels are required to confirm our data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The associations between components of metabolic syndrome (MetS), insulin resistance (IR), and several malignancies have been reported. However, the possible link between IR and dermal malignancies, including non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), has not been investigated to date. In this study, we aimed to examine the possible association between components of MetS, IR, adhesion molecules, and NMSC for the first time. This was a case-control study comprising 73 confirmed cases of NMSC and 72 unrelated healthy controls. Anthropometric and biochemical assessments including fasting blood lipid profile, glucose and insulin assays were performed. To evaluate IR, HOMA-IR formula was used. Though fasting serum glucose showed no significant between-group difference, serum concentrations of insulin (p = 0.048) as well as HOMA-IR (p = 0.037) were both significantly higher in NMSC group than in controls. Logistic regression analysis revealed significant associations between waist circumference (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 1.007-1.080, p = 0.018), percent of visceral fat (OR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.024-1.190, p = 0.01), HOMA-IR (OR: 1.169, 95% CI: 1.004-1.360, p = 0.044), circulating VCAM-1 concentrations (OR: 1.005, 95% CI: 1.003-1.007, p < 0.001) and NMSC risk. Interestingly, the occurrence of MetS was significantly higher in subjects with NMSC than in healthy controls (p = 0.038). MetS and its components were associated with increased NMSC risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: E-cadherin (CDH1 gene) is a protein involved in cell-cell adhesion. There are reports on the association of --160C > A (rs16260) and --347GA > G (rs5030625) polymorphisms in the 5'-promoter region of the CDH1 gene with tumor development and progression of gastric cancer. This study aimed to examine the potential relationship between these two polymorphisms and gastric cancer in patients from Mazandaran province, Northern Iran. Materials and Methods: A case--control study was conducted to test 97 patients and 95 healthy controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood followed by polymerase chain reaction amplification. Genotyping analysis was carried out using restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis for two potentially functional polymorphisms. Results: Heterozygous genotype GA/G versus GA/GA of rs5030625 (--347 GA > G) was found to be associated with increased risk of gastric cancer in the people studied (odds ratio = 5.73, 95% confidence interval = 2.11--15.56, P = 0.001). Furthermore, AA or CA genotype in --160C > A polymorphism did not show any increased risk of gastric cancer (P = 0.559). Conclusion: The present study revealed that GA/G genotype of rs5030625 (--347 GA > G) polymorphism is associated with gastric cancer in Northern Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The main oncogenic action of CD99 and cyclin D1 biomarkers is referred to any mutation, amplification, and overexpression in cyclin D1 coding gene, altering cell cycle progression as the main mechanism observed in a variety of tumors. A few studies attempted to detect the overexpression of cyclin D1 and CD99 and in certain types of tumors such as Ewing's sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence of CD99 and cyclin D1 overexpression in these two types of tumors. We also described this overexpression according to the patients and tumor indicators. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was performed on 30 consecutive patients with Ewing's sarcoma and 22 patients with rhabdomyosarcoma and hospitalized in Shafa hospital in Tehran between 2009 and 2014. The assessment of CD99 and cyclin D1 markers was based on immunohistochemical assessment using the formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tissue samples of the two tumors. Results: Almost all Ewing's sarcomas had membranous patterns of CD99 while this marker was negative in most patients with rhabdomyosarcoma. Therefore, detecting membranous CD99 could specifically detect Ewing's sarcoma and distinguish it from rhabdomyosarcoma. Moreover, contrary to rhabdomyosarcoma which is accompanied with lower cyclin D1 intensity, all Ewing's sarcomas were characterized by moderate to severe cyclin D1 intensity. Similarly, almost all those with Ewing's sarcoma had diffuse cyclin D1 extension; whereas, the pattern of cyclin D1 extension in rhabdomyosarcoma was mostly negative or focal. Conclusion: The detection of CD99 and cyclin D1 overexpression and their intensity and extension patterns can specifically distinguish Ewing's sarcoma from rhabdomyosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim Periostin acts as necessary protein in tissue development and has a key role in tooth-supporting tissues such as periodontal ligament. The effect of inflammation on reducing periostin level has been shown in some studies. The aim of this study was to compare the salivary and Gingival Crevicular Fluid (GCF) periostin levels in patients with chronic periodontitis and healthy peers. Methods & Materials In this matched case-control study, 106 participants (53 patients with chronic periodontitis and 53 healthy controls) were studies after signing a informed consent form. They were matched for age, gender, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI). The GCF and salivary samples were collected from all participants and were assessed using standard Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). The statistical analysis was conducted in Stata V. 11. Ethical Considerations This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Arak University of Medical Sciences (Code: IR.ARAKMU.REC.1397.34). Results The salivary and GCF periostin levels was significantly lower in patients than in healthy subjects (P<0.001). Moreover, the periostin levels was significantly different based on periodontal parameters (P<0.001). Conclusion There is association between the incidence of chronic periodontitis and salivary and GCF periostin levels. Hence, the periostin may act as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis of chronic periodontitis and prevention of its progression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Schizophrenia is a complicated mental disorder that affects about 1% of the world's population. It is a complex disease and is approximately 80% inherited. One of the candidate genes in schizophrenia is transcription factor 4 (TCF4), which is positioned on chromosome 18 and is a transcription factor that plays a role in the transcription of Neurexin 1(NRXN1) gene, which is one of the candidate genes for developing schizophrenia. This case-control study aimed to investigate the correlation of TCF4 rs13381800 and NRXN1 rs17039988 polymorphisms with the risk of schizophrenia in a sample of Iranian patients with schizophrenia. Method: A total of 200 individuals were included in this study: 100 patients with schizophrenia (65 males and 35 females), with the mean age of 40.80 ± 11.298 years, and 100 as a control group (63 males and 37 females), with the mean age 32.92 ± 7.391 years. Allele specific polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were done, respectively, for genotyping of rs13381800 (T/C) and rs17039988 (A/C) polymorphisms. Results: The results showed that the frequency of C / C genotype in rs13381800 in patients' group was 9%, while it was 13% in the control group. Also, the frequency of C / C genotype in rs17039988 was 9% in patients and 7% in control groups. Statistical analysis of polymorphisms showed no correlation between patients and controls in rs13381800 (OR = 1.51; CI = 95%; P = 0.366) and rs17039988 (OR = 0.76; CI = 95%; P = 0.602). Conclusion: No significant difference was found between rs13381800 and rs17039988 genotypes between patients and control groups in terms of gender, age and education in the patients group. Our study suggests that there was no correlation between desired polymorphisms with schizophrenia in the studied population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present study evaluated the association between G241R and K469E polymorphisms of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 gene and inflammatory bowel disease in Iranian population. Background: Inflammatory bowel disease including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract. There are two single base polymorphisms of intercellular adhesion molecule 1gene, G241R and K469E, reported to be associated with inflammatory disorders. Patients and methods: In this case-control study, 156 inflammatory bowel disease patients (110 ulcerative colitis and 46 Crohn's disease patients) and 131 healthy controls were enrolled. Two polymorphisms of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 gene, including G241R and K469E, were assessed by polymerase chain reaction followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Results: The E469 allele of K469E polymorphism was significantly more frequent in Crohn's disease patients compared to controls (P< 0.05, OR= 1.83; 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.96). The mutant homozygote genotype of K469E polymorphism (E/E) was also significantly more frequent in Crohn's disease patients compared to controls (P< 0.05, OR= 4.23; 95% CI: 1.42 to 12.59). No difference was observed in the frequency of K469E polymorphism among ulcerative colitis patients compared to controls. There were no significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of G241R polymorphism among ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease patients compared to control subjects. Conclusion: According to our findings, K469E polymorphism of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 gene may probably participate in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease in Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leukocyte adhesion deficiency type I (LAD-I) is a rare, autosomal recessive inherited immunodeficiency disease. LAD-I is caused by mutations in the ITGB2 gene and characterized by recurrent severe bacterial infections, as well as impaired wound healing with lack of pus formation. Methods: In this study, we investigated /TG62 gene mutations in 12 patients and their parents. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood samples. All coding regions of the ITGB2 gene were amplified using PCR and followed by direct sequencing. Results: Genetic analysis revealed 12 different homozygous mutations, including six missense (c.382G>A, c.2146G>C, c.715G>A, C.691OC, C.1777C and new C.1686OA), two new nonsense (c.1336G>T and C.1821OA), three-frame shift (c.1143delc, c.1907delA and new c.474dupC) and a splice site (c.1877+2T>C). Flow cytometry analysis of CD11/CD18 expression on neutrophils revealed defect in CD18 in all twelve cases (1.4% to 42%), CD11a in ten cases (0.1% to 26.7%), CD11b in nine cases (1.2% to 58.8%), and CD11c in all cases (0% to 18.1 %). The patients' parents were both heterozygous carriers. Conclusion: Our findings showed four new mutations in the ITGB2 gene. These results can be used for decisive genetic diagnosis, genetic counseling, as well as prenatal diagnosis for all patients who are suspended to LADI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of ginger supplementation on serum glucose, advanced glycation end products, oxidative stress, and systemic and vascular inflammatory markers in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 36 patients on PD were randomly assigned to either the ginger or the placebo group. The patients in the ginger group received 1000 mg/d ginger for 10 wk, whereas the placebo group received corresponding placebos. At baseline and the end of week 10, serum concentrations of glucose, carboxymethyl lysine, pentosidine, malondialdehyde (MDA), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), soluble inter-cellular adhesion molecule type 1 (sICAM-1), soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule type 1 (sVCAM-1), and sE-selectin were measured after a 12- to 14-h fast. Results: Serum fasting glucose decreased significantly up to 20% in the ginger group at the end of week 10 compared with baseline (P < 0.05), and the reduction was significant in comparison with the placebo group (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the two groups in mean changes of serum carboxymethyl lysine,pentosidine,MDA,hs-CRP, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, andsE-selectin. Conclusion: This study indicated that daily administration of 1000 mg ginger reduces serum fasting glucose, which is a risk factor for hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia, peritoneal membrane fibrosis, and cardiovascular disease, in patients on PD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy (MLC) is a rare neurological disorder with an autosomal recessive pattern. Clinical diagnosis was based on macrocephaly, recurrent seizure, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Here we report first finding of a novel homozygous single base deletion in the MLC1 gene in an affected Iranian child causing a premature stop codon (p.L150fs.160X). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research which was conducted to investigate inflammatory markers and adipocytokine responses in middle aged obese men who participated in either nonlinear resistance training (NRT) or aerobic interval training (AIT). Researchers evaluated 12 men who participated in NRT and 10 who participated in AIT. They found that NRT and AIT had similar effects on inflammatory markers and that AIT had better anti-inflammatory effects than NRT.

Purpose: Endometriosis is a chronic pleomorphic disorder with pelvic or systemic manifestations, and is characterized by the presence of endometrial glands and stroma. It is generally considered to involve genetic, environmental, immunological, angiogenic and endocrine processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) polymorphism at position 241 in exon 4 of the ICAM-1 gene in patients with endometriosis and in healthy control subjects in northern Iran. Methods: A total of 84 unrelated patients and 120 consecutive unrelated healthy controls from the northern Iran were recruited for the study. ICAM-1 codon 241 polymorphism analysis was performed by two independent PCR reactions, based on the two set of oligoprimers specific for Arg (AGG) or Gly (GGG) coding sequence, respectively. Results: Genotype distributions of ICAM-1 gene show significant difference between patients and controls. The R241 allele was detected in 23% of endometriosis patients and in 6% of controls ( P = 0.001; odds ratio 4.67; 95% confidence interval 1.81-12.07). Comparing patients with different stage of endometriosis, we found a trend to higher frequency of R241 in patients with stage IV (65 vs 6%; P < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our results suggest that ICAM-1 polymorphism in codon 241 is associated with the development of endometriosis susceptibility in the population of northern Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: S-layer protects bacteria to the phagocytosis and prohibits the entry of some biomolecules and adhesion molecules to the matrix proteins which increase the stability of infection and antibiotic resistance in virulence agents. Therefore the spread of bacteria which have S-layer in the hospitals should be avoided. Surfaces can serve as reservoirs of potential pathogen and is important in the chain of infection. Surfaces bacteria have low potential to spread, but staff hands have many contacts with hospital surfaces, especially with high contact surfaces. Therefore it could be a potential source of bacteria transmission from surfaces. Methods: This research was performed in the Al-zahra hospital of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (2005 to 2007). 274 samples were randomly selected (194 sample from surface and 80 sample from staff hand). Environmental samples collected, from high and low contact surface with swab in NB and staff hand. Samples were collected through finger print method and identification of bacteria, were performed with microbiological methods: staining, chemical test, use of differential and selective media. Isolated Bacillus cereus strains, performed with Bacillus cereus Selective Agar, for preparation samples, in first culture Bacteria in TSA, for 16h, then separated surface proteins and finally, specimen's electrophoresis proximally molecular weight marker. S-layer in Bacillus cereus has 97KD molecular weight. Findings: According to the results, the prevalence of Bacillus cereus strains was 9.49%. The prevalence of Bacillus cereus strains in environmental and staff hands were respectively 6.7% and 16.25%, and of 13 isolated Bacillus cereus from, staff hand 11 strain (84.6%) and from 13 isolated Bacillus cereus from environmental samples 1 strain (7.7%) production S-layer. Conclusion: We found a high prevalence Bacillus cereus in staff hands and hospital surfaces and frequency surface layer in Bacillus cereus isolated of staff hands into hospital surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), an important molecule in leucocyte activation and migration, is expressed on the CNS endothelial cells of patients with multiple sclerosis. This study was conducted to determine whether ICAM-1 gene polymorphism influences the risk of developing multiple sclerosis in an Iranian population. We studied 157 patients with definite multiple sclerosis and 156 ethnically matched controls. The patients and the controls were genotyped for ICAM-1 gene polymorphism at codons 241 (exon 4) and 469 (exon 6). G/R241 and K/E 469 allele and genotype distribution did not show any significant difference between patient and control groups. We concluded that role of the ICAM-1 gene polymorphisms in the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis is still controversial and should be studied further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]