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Background: Fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) play a key role in embryo implantation and support endometrial trophoblastic interaction. Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between FGF-1 (rs34011) gene variety and its serum concentration with repeated implantation failure (RIF). Setting and Design: The design of the study was a cross-sectional study. Materials and Methods: Four hundred infertile women with a history of RIF and 400 healthy women undergoing the first in vitro fertilisation-embryo transfer attempt with successful delivery (controls) were enrolled in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leucocytes and genotyped by Tetra-Primer Amplification Refractory Mutation System-Polymerase Chain Reaction. Serum FGF-1 concentration was evaluated with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical Analysis Used: The ANOVA test was used to analyse the difference between the means of the groups. Results: In RIF group, the genotype frequencies of the GG, GA and AA were 59%, 33.5% and 7.5%, respectively, whereas in controls were 72.5%, 24% and 3.5%, respectively. The G and A allele frequencies in the RIF group were 75.75% and 24.25%, while in controls were 84.5% and 15.5%, respectively (P < 0.0001). We have also shown that serum FGF-1 concentration in RIF and control groups was 17 ± 3.55 and 23.62 ± 4.91 pg/mL, respectively (P = 0.008). We have also shown that AA genotype is significantly associated with decreased serum FGF-1 concentration in RIF (AA, GA and GG serum levels were 9.55 ± 2.65, 14 ± 3.35 and 22.55 ± 7.26 pg/mL, and in controls were 12.22 ± 2.27, 18.44 ± 5.98 and 26.66 ± 8.29 pg/mL, respectively). Conclusion: The current study suggests that a significant association between FGF-1 (rs34011) promoter polymorphism and its serum concentration with RIF. The study also suggests that AA genotype is linked to lower FGF-1 serum levels and may play a risk factor for RIF.

Objective: This research investigates the alleles of Variable Number of Tandem Repeats (VNTR) intron 8 of the gene SLC6A3 with attention-deficit / hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adolescents. Method: The study’s target population consisted of children and adolescents referred to the specialized clinic, as well as students attending school in Rasht city during 2021-2022. A sample of 95 children between the ages of 6 and 10 with ADHD was selected as the ADHD group, and 95 healthy children were selected as the control group using purposive sampling. The subjects completed the Child Symptom Inventory-4 (CSI-4) checklist after a clinical interview, and demographic information was collected. Genetic sampling was carried out through hair follicles. The sequence of interest was proliferated using the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique )PCR(; afterward, the samples were used for genotype identification on polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results: The chi-square test results indicated that the 5R / 5R genotype (P = 0.026, χ2 = 7.26) and the 5R allele (P = 0.002, χ2 = 9.35) had a higher frequency compared to the control group. Additionally, the odds ratio test indicated that, compared to other genotypes and alleles, the 5R / 5R genotype (OR = 2.75, 95% CI = 1.29-5.82, P = 0.01) and the 5R allele (OR = 2.02, 95% CI = 1.28-3.19, P = 0.002) increase the odds of developing ADHD by 2.7 and 2 times higher, respectively. Conclusion: The present study successfully showed the association between intron 8 gene polymorphism, which is responsible for encoding the dopamine transporter as well as ADHD in children and adolescents in Iran.

Olig1 and Olig2, two transcription factors, play regulatory function in the differentiation and specification of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs). In this study the effects of electromagnetic fields (EMF) on total protein concentration ( TPC ) and Olig1 and Olig2 expression in the cerebral cortex of mouse was examined. Twenty-one Balb/c mice were separated into three groups: control, EMF and Sham groups (n=7 for each group). The mice were placed inside the solenoid for a daily EMF exposure of 50 Hz, 1 mT for 6 h/day, 7 days/week for 10 days. The Sham group was also located in the same coil with no exposure. Mice were anesthetized after the final exposure session and their cerebral cortex were collected. TPC and the expression of Olig 1 and Olig2 were studied by Bio-Rad protein assay and western blot, respectively. The cerebral cortex samples were removed for further analysis. There was no significant difference in TPC in the EMF treated cortical samples as compared with those from the SHAM and control groups. It was also shown that the expression of Olig1 and Olig2 was increased in the EMF treated cortical extracts as compared with those in controls and SHAM groups. Therefore, it could be concluded that EMF enhances Olig1 and Olig2 expression in the mice cerebral cortex. Moreover, as Olig1 and Olig2 plays important role in the development of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells, it can be deduced that EMF may affect OPC differentiation by increasing the expression of Olig1 and Olig2. Further studies are needed to clarify the extent of EMF impact on oligodendrocyte differentiation.

Background: Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) was shown to play a key role in synaptogenesis, survival, maturation, and reconstruction of neuron cells and was shown to be implicated in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Objectives: Assessing the relationship between HGF (rs3735520) gene polymorphism and its circulating levels in ASD. Materials & Methods: A total of 140 ASD patients and 120 children healthy controls referred to Shahid Rajaei Hospital, Mazandaran, Iran from September 2017 to January 2019 were enrolled in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples, HGF polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism and HGF serum concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Statistical analysis was done by ANOVA and the Chi-square test, using χ² in MedCalc statistical software ver. 12.1.4. Results: Genotype frequencies of CC, CT, and TT in the ASD group were 25.71%, 52.86%, and 21.43%, and in controls were 26.67%, 68.33%, and 5%, respectively (P=0003) and C and T alleles frequencies in patients were 53% and 47% and in controls were 61% and 39%, respectively (P=0.046). Moreover, the Mean±SD serum HGF levels in the controls and ASD patients were 363.33±118.44 and 219.95±73.61 pg/mL, respectively (P=0.009). Furthermore, ASD patients carrying TT genotype had lower serum HGF levels than CT and TT carriers (CC, CT, and TT Mean±SD serum levels were 271.88±30.47, 217.77±33.59 and 156.33±22.72 pg/mL, respectively). Conclusion: There was a significant relationship between HGF gene polymorphism and its serum levels with ASD in an Iranian population. We also suggest that TT genotype may be associated with a decrease in HGF circulation levels in ASD.

Objective(s): Resistance to carbapenems as the last line for controlling resistant bacteria is increasing due to production of carbapenemase. The aim of this study was to detect the plasmid-encoded carbapenemases using phenotypic methods and multiplex PCR among the multi-drug resistant (MDR) isolates from patients with urinary tract infection (UTI) in northern Iran.Materials and Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production test were performed for 91 MDR Escherichia coli strains by disc diffusion and double disk synergy tests (DDST), respectively. Carbapenemases production was confirmed using Hodge test, EDTA double disk synergy test (EDST) and combined disk test (CDT). The isolates were subjected to PCR targeting blaIMP, blaVIM, blaKPC and blaOXA-48 β-Lactamase genes. Results: Resistance of isolates to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generations of cephalosporins, carbapenems, and penicillins were 73%, 84.5%, 62%, 37.5%, 17.5%, and 76%, respectively. Based on CDT and Hodge test, 1 (3%) and based on EDST, 2 (6%) of 33 ESBL producers synthesize a type of carbapenemase. The frequency of blaIMP, blaVIM, blaKPC, and blaOXA-48 genes was 8.7%, 9.8%, 2.1%, and 15.3%, respectively. Existence of blaIMP conferred more resistance to cephalotin, fosfomycin, and piperacillin (P≤0.01) and carrying blaVIM caused more resistance to cephalotin, cefepime, and ceftazidime (P≤0.01). The presence of blaKPC conferred more resistance to cephalotin and presence of blaOXA-48 caused more resistance to chloramphenicol and piperacillin (P≤0.05).Conclusion: Identification and controlling of this nearly low frequent ESBL and carbapenemase producing strains are important due to the presence of plasmid genes encoding carbapenemase.

Endometriosis is a gynecological disease defined by the histological presence of endometrial glands and stroma outside the uterine cavity. Ectopic endometrial cell proliferation and chronic inflammation in endometriosis were shown to be associated with oxidative stress (OS) induction. OS is a condition in which reactive oxygen species (ROS) overproduction and antioxidant deficiency cause a shift in oxidant/antioxidant balance. Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) comprise a family of eukaryotic and prokaryotic phase II metabolic isozymes best known for their ability to catalyze the conjugation of the reduced form of glutathione (GSH) to xenobiotic substrates for the purpose of detoxification. The aim of this project was to study the concentrations of GSTT1 in the serum and peritoneal fluid (PF) of patients with different stages of endometriosis. Frothy two PF and serum from normal and 152 from different stages of patients with endometriosis (stage I: n = 30, stage II: n = 39, stage III: n = 43 and stage IV: n = 40) were included in this study. The level of GSTT1 in the serum was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed the presence of GSTT1 in all serum and peritoneal fluid samples, while, starting from stages I to IV endometriosis, a significant decrease in GSTT1 concentration was seen as compared to controls. It is concluded that levels of GSTT1 is negatively correlated with advanced stages of endometriosis. It is also suggested that the detection of serum and/or peritoneal fluid GSTT1 concentration may be valuable in the classifying of endometriosis.

Background: Meningioma is one of the most common tumors of the central nervous system. It was shown that meningioma had up-regulated expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) that involved in cell growth, angiogenesis and metastasis. Objectives: The aim of the study was the assessment of serum MMP-2 and -9 levels in patients with different grades of meningioma. Materials & Methods: The study included the number of 66 normal control and 101 patients with different grades of meningioma (42 cases of grade I, 38 grade II and 21 grade III). The serum samples was recruited between March 2013 and August 2017 at the Departments of neurology and neurosurgery, in an academic hospital affiliated to Guilan University of Medical Sciences, in the north of Iran. MMP-2 and -9 levels determined by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). All data presented are expressed as mean±Standard Error of the Mean (SEM). Statistical analysis was done using one-way ANOVA by SPSS software, version: 24.0 and only values with P≤0.05 were considered as significant Results: We showed that the level of MMP-2 and -9 in the serum samples of patients with meningioma was higher than in controls (P

Abstract Background: Successful pregnancy depends on the ability of the embryo to achieve appropriate extent of trophoblastic proliferation and invasion into maternal endometrium as well as, once implanted, to induce its own blood supply. Beta Human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), enhances blastocyst implantation, uterine vascularization, and angiogenesis, as well as regulates maintenance of uterine quiescence and immunological adaptation during pregnancy. The β-subunit of hCG is encoded by CGB3, CGB6, CGB5, CGB7 and CGB8 genes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of CGB5-G/C polymorphism and the clinical outcomes in women who underwent IVF-ET procedures. Materials and Methods: A total of 200 patients undergoing IVF-ET (100 patients with positive and 100 patients with negative IVF-ET outcome) were included in this study. Genotyping of CGB5 at -155G/C polymorphic site was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Statistical analysis was performed using the MedCalc software. Results: Our findings show that the CC genotype of the CGB5 -155G/C polymorphism is associated with decreased risk of IVF-ET failure (OR=0.29; 95%CI=0.1-0.85; p=0.02). However, the allelic distribution of the CGB5 -155G/C is not significantly different between two groups (χ2=1.46; p=0.22). Conclusion: The results of this study suggested that CGB5 (-155G/C) CC genotype has a protective effect on IVF-ET outcome. More studies with larger sample sizes on different populations are necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanisms which can explain the associations found between the GGB5 gene polymorphisms and IVF-ET outcome.

Background: Selenoprotein P (Sepp1) is the major selenoprotein in plasma and contains over 50% of the total plasma. The direct and indirect effects of Sepp1 on anti-oxidant defense can be responsible for its role in cancer risk. One of the common polymorphism of SEPP1gene is the Ala234Thr single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in coding region. In this research we studied the association between SEPP1 Ala234Thr (rs3877899) polymorphism with the risk of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 162 patients with breast cancer were compared with 227 healthy subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. Determination of DNA genotyping in SEPP1 Ala234Thr (rs3877899) polymorphism was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) by using MwoI enzyme. Statistical analysis was performed by using the MedCalc program and χ2-test. Results: The genotype frequencies were significantly different between the cases and controls. AA homozygosity subjects were more at risk for breast cancer than others (OR=3.23; 95%CI, 1.79-5.84; p=0.001). Conclusion:Based on the results of this study, The Ala234Thr polymorphism of the SEPP1 gene may be associated with the potential for breast cancer in the female population of northern Iranian women. However, studiesneed to be conducted in larger populations to confirm these results.

The cuprizone multiple sclerosis (MS) animal model is characteristic for toxic demyelination and represents a reversible demyelination and remyelination system. It has been shown that green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) might be effective in improving the symptoms and pathological conditions associated with autoimmune inflammatory diseases in several animal models. In this study the effects of EGCG on proteolipid protein (PLP) and oligodendrocyte transcription factor 1 (Olig1) expression in the cerebral cortex of a murine model of cuprizone-induced demyelination was investigated. C57BL/6 mice were treated with cuprizone for six weeks in order to induce demyelination. Immediately after the cessation of cuprizone the animals were divided into 6 groups (n = 10 for each group). The first two groups were injected intraperitoneally (IP) with EGCG in the amount of 50 mg/kg/daily body weight for 2 and 4 weeks. The second two groups (SHAM) were injected IP with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 2 and 4 weeks, and the third two groups were left without injection as controls. After two and four weeks the mice were killed and the cerebral cortex was collected and the expression of Plp and Olig1 was studied by real-time PCR. The results showed significant increases in PLP and Olig1 expression in the EGCG-treated groups as compared to the SHAM and control groups (p < 0.0001). It is concluded that EGCG increases PLP and Olig1 expression in the cerebral cortex of a mouse model of MS induced by cuprizone.

Abstract Background: Implantation of an embryo involves a complex sequence of signaling events, consisting of a large number of molecular mediators such as ovarian hormones, cytokines, adhesion molecules and growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important angiogenic factor. VEGF is believed to play an important role in the process of implantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of VEGF +405C/G polymorphism and the clinical outcomes of women who underwent IVF-ET procedures. Materials and Methods: One hundred women with previous IVF-ET failures and 100 pregnant women as controls were genotyped for VEGF +405 C/G by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Statistical analysis was performed using the MedCalc software. Results: Our results indicated a higher prevalence of the VEGF +405 GG genotype and G allele in patients with history of IVF-ET failure (OR=6.90; 95%CI=2.75-17.29; p

Background: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. It is characterized by degeneration of the retinal ganglion cells and optic nerve damage. Vascular dysregulation plays an important role in the etiology of glaucoma. Nitric oxide (NO) increases blood flow in the vessels of the tissue and helps to overcome the stress. Circulating NO is synthesized in the vascular endothelium by action of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). Glu298Asp is one of the common polymorphism of eNOS gene. This study evaluates the association of eNOS ­Glu298Asp polymorphism with glaucoma. Materials and Methods: This case-control study included 110 glaucoma patients and 121 controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. Genotypes were detected using a PCR-RFLP method. Statistical analysis was performed using the MedCalc program (version 12.1). Results: The frequency of GG, GT and TT genotypes in controls were 0.52, 0.42 and 0.06, respectively while in glaucoma patients were 0.6, 0.32 and 0.08, respectively. No significant differences in genotypes frequencies were found between patients and controls (p=0.24, χ²=2.78). In control and patient groups, the frequency of G allele was 0.73 and 0.76, respectively and the frequency of T allele were 0.27 and 0.24, respectively. The allele frequencies did not differ significantly between controls and patients (p=0.56, χ²=0.33). Conclusion: It is suggested that eNOS Glu298Asp polymorphism may not be associated with the risk factor of glaucoma in the studied population. However, larger and different ethnicities-based populations are required to achieve a definitive conclusion.

Abstract Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic disease that specifically affects the mucosa of the rectum and colon. The pathogenesis of UC is not well defined, but it is proposed that genetic and environmental factors result in an aberrant immune response to a subset of commensal enteric bacteria.The aim of this study was to investigate whether miR-34b/c rs4938723 T/C polymorphism is associated with UC risk. Materials and Methods: Blood samples were collected from 50 patients diagnosed with UC and 100 healthy control subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Genetic variation of miR34b/c was determined by tetra-primers ARMS-PCR (amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction). All statistical analyses were conducted using the MedCalc version 12.1. Results: There was a significant difference in genotype and allele distributions between cases and controls. It was observed that the CT heterozygotes had a 2.29-fold increase in risk of UC (OR=2.29, 95%CI=1.08-4.82, p=0.02). Conclusion: It is suggested that the miR34b/c (rs4938723 T>C) polymorphism may be associated with the risk of UC. However, larger studies with more patients and controls are needed to confirm this result.

Background: It is believed that environmental and genetic factors may be responsible for autism. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) and its gene polymorphisms have been shown to be implicated as risk factors in autism. Objectives: To analyze MTHFR C677T polymorphism (rs1801133) in autistic patients. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out in 2014 and 2015 in northern Iran. One hundred and seventy-one male autistic patients and 198 healthy males were included in this study. Autism was diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th edition (DSM-IV) criteria. Each autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patient was also evaluated by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS). All participants were tested for C677T polymorphism by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Statistical analyzes were performed using MedCalc version 12.1 by the χ2 test and logistic regression model. A value of p0.05). The allele frequencies of C and T in children with autism were 73.0% and 27.0%, and in control group were 76.0% and 24.0%, respectively (p>0.05). Conclusion: MTHFR C677T polymorphism is not associated with autism in a population in the north of Iran.

Background: Cataract is a visible opacity of the eye lens and it is the main reason of reversible blindness in the world. Oxidative stress is known as a major factor in cataract formation HSP70-2 protein is a molecular chaperone which is essential for cell survival in stress conditions. HSP70-2 gene is located in the human leukocyte antigen class ΙΙΙ region. This gene encodes an inducible protein. One of the common polymorphism of HSP70-2 is 1267A/G which is located in coding region. The aim of this study was to analysis of 1267A/G polymorphism of hsp70-2 gene in cataract patients. Material and Methods: This case-control study included 118 cataract patients and 122 healthy people as a control groups. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes and genotyping determination was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method. Statistical analysis was performed by using the MedCalc software (Version 12.1). Results: The frequency of G allele was significantly higher in patients than the controls, (0.36 and 0.24, respectively). A higher frequency of the GG genotype of the HSP70-2 1267A/G polymorphism was found in the patients compared with controls (21.19% and 8.20%, respectively). The patients carrying the GG genotype were 3.2-fold at a higher risk of cataract compared with AA genotype (P=0.005). Conclusion: The finding of this study suggested that the HSP70-2 1267A/G may affect the susceptibility to cataract in the studied population. Anyway the randomized multicenter studies with greater sample size still need to confirmed our results.

In the central nervous system (CNS) the main proteins of myelin are proteolipid protein (PLP), myelin basic protein (MBP), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) and CNPase. Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein is a minor component of the myelin sheath, but is an important autoantigen linked to the pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS). CNPase is expressed exclusively by oligodendrocytes in the CNS, and the appearance of CNPase seems to be one of the earliest events of oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. In this study the effects of vitamin D on total protein concentration, CNPase and MOG expression in the cerebral cortex of the murine model of cuprizone-induced demyelination was investigated. The mice were treated by cuprizone for five weeks in order to induce demyelination. The mice were then divided into 3 groups. The first group was injected intraperitoneally (IP) with vitamin D diluted in olive oil in the amount of 5 µg/kg/daily body weight. The second group (SHAM) was injected IP with olive oil and the third group was left without any injection as the control group (n = 11 for each group). After five weeks the mice were killed and the cerebral cortex was collected and the expression of CNPase and MOG was studied by Western blot. Total protein concentration in the vitamin D injected, SHAM and control groups were 0.918 ± 0.003, 0917 ± 0.004 and 0.916 ± 0.004 g/l, respectively (p > 0.05). However, a significant increase in the MOG and CNPase expression was seen in vitamin D injected group as compared to SHAM and control groups. It is concluded that vitamin D plays a role in the process of remyelination by increasing MOG and CNPase expression in the cortex.

Background: The cuprizone multiple sclerosis (MS) animal model is characteristic for toxic demyelination and represents a reversible demyelination and remyelination system. It has been shown that green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) might be effective in improving the symptoms and pathological conditions associated with autoimmune inflammatory diseases in several animal models. Objectives: In this study the effects of EGCG on proteolipid protein (PLP) and oligodendrocyte transcription factor 1 (Olig1) expression in the cerebral cortex of murine model of cuprizone-induced demyelination was investigated. Materials and Methods: C57BL/6 mice were treated by cuprizone for six weeks in order to induce demyelination. Immediately after the cessation of cuprizone the animals were divided into 6 groups (n=10 for each groups). The first two groups was injected intraperitoneally (IP) by EGCG in the amount of 50 mg/kg /daily body weight for 2 and 4 weeks. The second two groups (SHAM) was injected IP by phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 2 and 4 weeks and the third two groups was left without injection as controls. After two and four weeks the mice were killed and the cerebral cortex was collected and the expression of PLP and Olig1 was studied by Western blotting. Results:The results showed that there is a significant increases in PLP and Olig1 expression among the EGCG treated group as compared to the SHAM and control groups (p

Background: Oxidative stress is a condition in which the balance is disrupted between reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant. Glutathione peroxidase 1(GPX-1), as one of the antioxidant enzyme remove the ROS in a continuous process. One of the functional polymorphism of GPX1 gene is Pro198Leu polymorphism. The aim of this study was to study the association between GPX-1 Pro198Leu polymorphism with the risk of colorectal cancer. Materials & Methods: in this case-control study, 130 patients with colorectal cancer were compared with 170 healthy subjects. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes. Determination of DNA genotyping in GPX-1 Pro198Leu polymorphism were performed by the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The χ2-test was used for statistical analyses. Results: The GPX1 genotype frequencies were 64% for CC, 24% for CT and 12% for TT in control group, and 60% for CC, 30% for CT and 12% for TT among the patients. The C allele frequency in cases and controls including 0.75 and 0.76 and T allele frequency was including 0.25 and 0.24. Based on these data, there was no significant differences in the GPX1 Pro198Leu genotypes and allele frequencies between cases and controls (P=0.2). Conclusion: The result of this study suggested that GPX-1 Pro198Leu polymorphism could not be a risk factor for colorectal cancer. However, studies in larger populations are needed in order to confirm the results.

Background: X-ray Repair Cross Complementing group 1 (XRCC1) acts as a scaffolding protein in the converging base excision repair (BER) and single strand break repair (SSBR). XRCC1 gene polymorphisms are associated with variations in the repair efficiency which might predispose individuals to various diseases. The aim of this study was to explore the association between XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism and idiopathic male infertility in Guilan province. Materials and Methods : 144 patients with idiopathic infertility and 166 healthy men were included in the study. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood. Genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Statistical analysis was performed using the MedCalc program. Results: According to the frequency of Arg/Arg in both patient and control groups was 89.58% and 87.35%, respectively and the frequency of Arg/Trp was 10.42% and 12.65%, respectively no significant difference in genotype frequencies polymorphisms of XRCC1 Arg194Trp was found between each groups (P=0.66). Also there was no statistically significant difference in allelic frequencies of this polymorphism among two groups (P=0.67). Conclusion: In Conclusion, XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism was unlikely a risk factor of idiopathic male infertility in this sample population. Larger population and different ethnicities-based studies are required to achieved a definitive conclusion.

Abstract Background: Approximately, 50% of male infertility causes have remained unknown. It seems that genetic disorders may lead to many cases of idiopathic infertility. XRCC1 (X-ray Repair Cross Complementing group 1) acts as a scaffolding protein in the base excision repair (BER) and single strand break repair (SSBR). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of XRCC1 may influence DNA repair capacity. Thus, they had been considered as a risk factor for infertility. XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism was located on protected domain, BRCT1. The aim of this study was to explore the possibility of association between XRCC1 Arg399Gln polymorphism and susceptibility to idiopathic male infertility. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, the genotype and allele frequencies of Arg399Gln polymorphism were examined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) on a Guilanian population consisting of 144 men with idiopathic infertility and 166 healthy men. Statistical analysis was performed using the MedCalc 12 software. Results: According to our results, compared with Arg/Arg genotype, the Arg/Gln, Gln/Gln and Arg/Gln + Gln/Gln genotypes showed a significant association with an increased risk of idiopathic male infertility (OR=4.19; 95%CI 2.37-7.41, p

Background: Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a neurortophic cytokine which plays an important role in the neural cell survival. Expression of LIF and its receptor, LIFR, in different brain regions has been demonstrated. Based on evidences LIF plays an important role in the modulation of neurogenesis and glial responses to injury. Up-regulation of LIF after central nervous system (CNS) damage is an endogenous response that limits injury by a direct protection of neurons and oligodendrocytes. More importantly LIF is an important cytokine that stimulates oligodendrocyte proliferation in vitro. Also Opalin is a unique molecular marker of mature oligodendrocyte. It is a transmembrane protein which is specifically expressed by myelinating oligodendrocytes. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of LIF on Opalin expression in the Balb/c mouse cerebral cortex. Materials and Methods: LIF was administered intraperitoneally (IP) to 6 to 8 weeks mice. The second group (SHAM) was injected IP by normal saline and third group was left without injection as the control group (n=9 for each group). One day after injection, the mice were killed by overdose of anaesthetic (sodium pentobarbitone) and brains were removed for further analysis. Results: Using Western blotting we showed that administration of LIF increases Opalin expression in the cerebral cortex extracts. Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that LIF increases Opalin expression in the cerebral cortex in vivo.

Background & aim: Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignancies and its early diagnosis can be effective in their treatment. Loss of genomic stability and the resulting gene alterations appears to be a crucial molecular and pathogenic step that occurs early in the gastric carcinogenesis process. X-ray repair cross-complementing gene 1 (XRCC1) is one of the most important DNA repair genes. The XRCC1 protein plays an essential role in base excision repair. Coding polymorphisms of the XRCC1 gene have been shown to affect the DNA repair capacity and to be associated with genetic susceptibility to carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of XRCC1 C26304T gene polymorphism with the risk of gastric cancer. Methods: In the present case-control study, genomic DNA was extracted from 110 cases with gastric cancer and 116 normal subjects as control group. Two groups had similar age, sex and ethnic background. The Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method was used for detection the genotype and allele frequencies of XRCC1 single nucleotide polymorphism in each subject. Data were analyzed using the MedCalc )V.12.1( software and Chi-square test and P0.05). The C and T allele frequencies in cases were 0.88 and 0.11, respectively and 0.94 and 0.06 in healthy individuals (p>0.05). The distribution of CC, CT and TT genotypes among cancer cases were 78.2%, 20%, 1.8%,and In the control group were 88.8%, 10.3%, and 0.9% respectively. The genotype frequencies were significantly different in the cases and controls. The CT genotype was significantly associated with an increased risk of gastric cancer (p= 0.042). In addition, the distribution of the CT+TT genotype was different between case and control subjects (p= 0.033). Conclusions: Results revealed that the Screening of XRCC1 gene polymorphism could be a marker in personal sensitivity to gastric cancer and useful in cancer treatment and prevention process. Confirmation of this finding needs to be repeated with similar studies in larger population.

Introduction : One of the most important resistance determinants in Enterobacteriaceae are extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs). During the last decade, CTX-M types ESBLs have increased considerably and become the most common ESBLs worldwide which are the major causes of the urinary tract infections (UTIs). The aim of this study was to determine the antibiotic resistance patterns and the frequency of the CTX-M β-lactamases among multi-drug resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates from northern Iranian patients with UTI. Materials and method s: Thirty three E. coli isolates from urine samples were applied in this study. Double disk synergy test (DDST) was applied for identification of ESBL phenotypes in E. coli isolates. The ESBL related genes, CTX-M group (1, 2, 8 and 9), were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results : All E. coli isolates showed sensitivity to piperacillin and 55% of the isolates were resistant to 3rd and 4th cephalosporins. The presence of the blaCTX-M gene in 88% of the ESBL producing isolates was approved based on molecular method. CTX-M (1, 2, 8 and 9) containing E. coli isolates showed resistance to more antibiotics than non-CTX-M isolates. CTX-M-1 was the most prevalent CTX-M determinant in ESBL producing E. coli isolates. Discussion and conclusion : Based on the results of the present study, the preferred antibiotic against CTX-M type ESBL-producing E. coli strains in north of Iran, Rasht, should be piperacillin. Although, CTX-M type ESBLs prevalence was nearly low in the studied MDR E. coli isolates, but controlling these low prevalence isolates is important .

Background: Creatine monohydrate (CrM) has been shown to be beneficial to health due to its antioxidant potential. Strenuous exercise is associated with oxidative stress, which could lead to apoptosis. We investigated the ability of CrM in amelioration of apoptosis induced by incremental aerobic exercise (AE) to exhaustion in young athletes. Materials and Methods: In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, parallel study, 31 young athletes (age 19.52 ± 2.75 years, body mass 79.24 ± 16.13 kg, height 1.73 ± 6.49 m, body fat 16.37% ± 5.92%) were randomly assigned to CrM (4 × 5 g/day, n = 15) or placebo (PL: 4 × 5 g/day of maltodextrine powder; n = 16) to investigate the effect of 7 days CrM on serum p53 and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration after acute incremental AE test to exhaustion. Subjects performed AE before (test 1) and after 7 days of supplementation (test 2). Results: Before supplementation, AE to exhaustion induced a significant increase in serum p53 and IGF-1 concentrations at both CrM and PL groups (P < 0.05). After supplementation, serum p53 concentrations were significantly lower in CrM than PL at post-AE (P < 0.05). There were no differences in IGF-1 concentrations between CrM and PL groups at post-AE (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that supplementation with CrM prevents apoptosis, as measured by decreases in p53 concentration, induced by AE to exhaustion in young athletes. However, CrM had no effect on IGF-1 concentration after AE to exhaustion in young athletes.

Background and Aim: A peptic ulcer is a breach in the gastric or duodenal mucosa down to the submucosa. There is evidence concerning the role of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in the genesis of such ulcers production of intracellular ROS along mitochondria oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) predisposes the deletion of 4977 bp mtDNA. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the association of 4977 bp mtDNA deletion with peptic ulcer disease. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study included 110 patients with peptic ulcer disease and 110 healthy individuals were compared. Genomic DNAs of the cases and controls were extracted from bioptic tissues. Then, their genotypes were determined by means of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Finally, statistical analysis was performed using the MedCalc program. Results: Deletion of 4977 bp mtDNA was found to be more frequent among patients with peptic ulcer disease (52.7%) compared to the controls (15.3%). A significant association was found between the deletion with peptic ulcer disease. Conclusion: Deletion of 4977 bp in mitochondrial DNA is associated with peptic ulcer disease.

In this research, six isolates, including three from three rice roots (PxR1, PxR2 and StR1) and three from three wheat roots (PxW1, PxW2 and PxW3) were isolated as endophytic bacteria and except for StR1, all the isolates were identified as Pseudoxanthomonas based on phenotypic analysis including FTIR and PCR amplification of 16S rDNA. The results showed that PxR1, PxR2, PxW1 and PxW2 were all similar and belonged to a novel species of Pseudoxanthomonas, but PxW3 was from different species. StR1 belonged to a novel species of Stenotrophomonas. Two strains including Azospirillum brasiliense Sp7 (S1) and Azospirillum lipoferum (S2) were selected as standard strains and compared with those isolates however, phenotypic and genotypic analysis verified that those isolates were not Azospirillum. For the first time, it was indicated that Pseudoxanthomonas existed as an endophytic bacterium in rice root.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common cause of nontraumatic neurological disability in Europe and North America. Growth factor expression could participate in the repair process of the demyelinating disease. Among growth factors, brain derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF) has been demonstrated to play an important role in neuronal and axonal survival. In the central nervous system (CNS), neurons are the main source of BDNF. Another potential source are activated astrocytes, which are present in inflamed areas in the CNS as shown in MS. In this study, total protein concentration (TPC) and BDNF levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from the patients with MS (n = 48) and control subjects (n = 53) were measured using a Bio-Rad protein assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). No significant change in the CSF TPC of patients with MS was seen as compared to normal CSF. The presence of BDNF in the CSF samples was shown by Western blot. Using ELISA, it was shown that the level of BDNF in the MS CSF is higher than in normal CSF. It is concluded that BDNF is a constant component of human CSF. Moreover, it could be implicated in the pathophysiology of MS.