@article{ author = {Abolhassani, Mohse}, title = {Obituary: Professor Fereydoun Malekzadeh (1933-2012)}, abstract ={We were greatly saddened to hear the news of Professor Fereydoun Malekzadeh's death at age of 79 in September 9, 2012. Professor Malekzadeh was a distinguished and highly respected Iranian Microbiologist and a member of the editorial board of the Iranian Biomedical Journal since October 1997. He was born in 1933 in city of Tabriz in Province of Azarbaijan, Iran. After graduated from high school, he moved to Tehran and attended at Tehran University and obtained his BS in Biology in 1956 and subsequently his MSc degree in Mycology in 1959. Professor Malekzadeh received “Fulbright Scholarship” and obtained his Ph.D. degree in Bacteriology in 1961 from Louisiana State University. He returned home and since then taught microbiology in Biology Department of Faculty of Science, in Tehran University and later in Azad University. His contribution to microbiology was immense and he played a major role in establishing the Doctoral degree in the Microbiology Department of Faculty of Science in Tehran University and in Azad University. He was also a key funder of Iranian Society for Biology and a member of "American Society for Microbiology". Dr. Malekzadeh wrote several reference books, such as Introduction to Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, etc., and also authored several papers in international peer-reviewed journals. His many academic awards included two best scientific books of the year, Botany and Introduction to Microbiology co-authored with Dr. Moghaddam and Dr. Shahamat, respectively. He also received "UNESCO Science Prize" in 1999, and "International Kharazmi Award" for discovering two new strains of bacteria, "Cellulomonas Persia" and "Cellulomonas iranesis" that have been established in Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology and deposited in ATCC. Dr. Malekzadeh was visiting professor at University of Illinois, State University of Arizona, University of Göttingen, University of Alberta and Institute of Marine Biotechnology in University of Maryland. Dr. Malekzadeh loved to work at the bench and continued to do so long after his official retirement. He was extraordinarily hard-working, and held very high standards not only in his work but also in his personal life. He loved interacting with young people. He also spotted talent, and went to extraordinary lengths to promote young, talented scientists. Professor Malekzadeh was diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease in 2006, which caused deterioration in his health over a long period of time. He demonstrated great courage, determination and dignity during this very difficult time, seeming more concerned about others than about himself. He showed clearly strength of character during his illness. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Dr. Shirin and Katayoun Malekzadeh.}, Keywords = {}, volume = {17}, Number = {1}, pages = {0-0}, publisher = {Pasteur Institute of Iran}, url = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-936-en.html}, eprint = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-936-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Biomedical Journal}, issn = {1028-852X}, eissn = {2008-823X}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {Tanomand, Asghar and Farajnia, Safar and Najar, Shahin and Majidi, Jafar}, title = {Cloning, Expression and Characterization of Recombinant Exotoxin A-Flagellin Fusion Protein as a New Vaccine Candidate against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections}, abstract ={Background: Infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in patients who suffer from impaired immune responses and chronic diseases such as cystic fibrosis. At present, aggressive antibiotic therapy is the only choice for management of P. aeruginosa infections, but emergence of highly resistant strains necessitated the development of novel alternative therapeutics including an effective vaccine. Several P. aeruginosa antigens have been tested for vaccine development, including lipopolysaccharide alone, polysaccharides alginate, extracellular proteins, exotoxin A (exo A) and killed whole cell. However, none of them are currently available clinically. Methods: In this research, recombinant exoA-flagellin (fliC) fusion protein as a cocktail antigen was expressed, purified and its antigenic characteristics were evaluated. Results: Expression of recombinant fusion protein by E. coli using pET22b vector resulted in production of exoA-fliC fusion protein in high concentration. Based on Western-blotting results, recombinant fusion protein showed a good antigenic interaction with sera from patients with various P. aeruginosa infections. Conclusion: These results suggested that recombinant exoA-fliC fusion protein can be produced in the laboratory, and tested as a candidate vaccine in P. aeruginosa infections.}, Keywords = {Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Exotoxin A (exoA), Flagellin (fliC), Vaccines}, volume = {17}, Number = {1}, pages = {1-7}, publisher = {Pasteur Institute of Iran}, doi = {10.6091/ibj.1122.2012}, url = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-898-en.html}, eprint = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-898-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Biomedical Journal}, issn = {1028-852X}, eissn = {2008-823X}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {Darabi, Shahram and Tiraihi, Taki and Delshad, AliReza and Sadeghizadeh, Maji}, title = {A New Multistep Induction Protocol for the Transdifferentiation of Bone marrow Stromal Stem Cells into GABAergic Neuron-Like Cells}, abstract ={Background: Bone marrow stromal stem cells (BMSC) are appropriate source of multipotent stem cells that are ideally suited for use in various cell-based therapies. It can be differentiated into neuronal-like cells under appropriate conditions. This study examined the effectiveness of co-stimulation of creatine and retinoic acid in increasing the differentiation of BMSC into GABAergic neuron-like cells (GNLC). Methods: BMSC isolated from the femurs and tibias of adult rats were cultured in DMEM/F12 medium supplemented with 10% FBS, pre-induced using β-mercaptoethanol (βME) and induced using retinoic acid (RA) and creatine. Immunostaining of neurofilament 200 kDa, neurofilament 160 kDa, nestin, fibronectin, Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) 65/67 were used to evaluate the transdifferentiation of BMSC into GNLC and to evaluate the effectiveness of pre-induction and induction assays. The expression of genes that encode fibronectin, octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct-4), GAD 65/67 and the vesicular GABA transporter was examined in BMSC and GNLC by using RT-PCR assays during transdifferentiation of BMSC into GLNC. Results: Co-stimulation with RA and creatine during the induction stage doubled the rates of GABAergic differentiation compared with induction using creatine alone, resulting in a 71.6% yield for GLNC. RT-PCR showed no expression of Oct-4 and fibronectin after the induction stage. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the application of βME, RA, and creatine induced the transdifferentiation of BMSC into GLNC.}, Keywords = {Cell therapy, GABAergic neurons, Creatine, Bone marrow stem cell}, volume = {17}, Number = {1}, pages = {8-14}, publisher = {Pasteur Institute of Iran}, doi = {10.6091/IBJ.1112.2012}, url = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-812-en.html}, eprint = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-812-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Biomedical Journal}, issn = {1028-852X}, eissn = {2008-823X}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {Yadegarazari, Reza and Hassanzadeh, Taghi and Majlesi, Amir and Keshvari, Amir and MonsefEsfahani, Alireza and Tootoonchi, Amirsasan and Shabab, Nooshin and Saidijam, Massou}, title = {Improved Real-Time RT-PCR Assays of Two Colorectal Cancer Peripheral Blood mRNA Biomarkers: A Pilot Study}, abstract ={Background: Efficient screening for detection of colorectal cancer (CRC) at earlier stages reduces its mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA in peripheral blood of CRC patients and to present strategies for early detection screen test. Methods: Twenty seven patients in non-metastatic stage and 27 healthy individuals were studied. Expression of CEA, hTERT mRNA and 18srRNA (18s subunit of ribosomal RNA, as reference gene) were determined based on real-time RT-PCR on 3 µg of total RNA from blood in 3 separate vials (1 µg per vial). Results: Positive expression rate of CEA mRNA (78%) and hTERT mRNA (81%) were higher in patient group (P<0.001). These rates were meaningfully higher than the results of individual vials containing only 1 µg of total RNA. Difference between Ct values of markers with 18srRNA (ΔCt) was higher in healthy group than patient one. Therefore, a ΔCt cut-off value was determined for distinguishing between true- and false-positive results. Concurrent expression of both markers was found in 67% of the patients, which was higher than healthy cases (11%). Combination of concurrent marker expression with cut-off point strategy increased specificity to 100%. Conclusion: These results showed that concurrent evaluation of marker expression and performing the test on 3 µg of samples in 3 separate vials may increase specificity and sensitivity of real-time RT-PCR for early detection of non-metastatic CRC. However, more investigations with larger numbers of samples are needed to verify these results.}, Keywords = {Carcinoembryonic antigen, Biomarker, Colorectal cancer}, volume = {17}, Number = {1}, pages = {15-21}, publisher = {Pasteur Institute of Iran}, doi = {10.6091/IBJ.1104.2012}, url = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-809-en.html}, eprint = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-809-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Biomedical Journal}, issn = {1028-852X}, eissn = {2008-823X}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {SamsamShariat, Seyed Ziyae Aldin and Mostafavi, Sayed Abolfazl and Khakpour, Farz}, title = {Antioxidant Effects of Vitamins C and E on the Low-Density Lipoprotein Oxidation Mediated by Myeloperoxidase}, abstract ={Background: Oxidative modification of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) appears to be an early step in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. Meanwhile, myeloperoxidase (MPO)-catalyzed reaction is one of the potent pathway for LDL oxidation in vivo. The aim of this study was to evaluate in vitro antioxidant effects of vitamins C and E on LDL oxidation mediated by MPO. Methods: MPO was isolated from fresh plasma by sequential centrifugation using density ultracentrifugation. It was incubated with LDL and the LDL oxidation level was determined spectrophotometrically by measuring conjugated diene absorbance at 234 nm. Furthermore, vitamin C (50-200 mM) and vitamin E (10-40 mM) were added and the LDL oxidation level was determined. Results: The purity index of MPO and its enzymatic activity were 0.69 and 1127 U/mg protein, respectively. It was demonstrated that vitamin C in vitro inhibited LDL oxidation mediated by MPO however, vitamin E was unable to act in the same way. The protection by vitamin C was concentration dependent and maximum protective effect of vitamin C was observed at 150 mM, where about 64% of the LDL oxidation was inhibited. Vitamin C increased lag time of LDL oxidation mediated by MPO up to 2.4 times. Conclusion: It can be concluded from our results that vitamin C is able to improve LDL resistance to oxidative modification in vitro. In addition, vitamin C might be effective in LDL oxidation mediated by MPO in vivo, resulting in reduction of atherosclerosis process rate.}, Keywords = {Antioxidant, Myeloperoxidase (MPO), Low-density lipoprotein (LDL), Vitamin E}, volume = {17}, Number = {1}, pages = {22-28}, publisher = {Pasteur Institute of Iran}, doi = {10.6091/ibj.1092.2012}, url = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-798-en.html}, eprint = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-798-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Biomedical Journal}, issn = {1028-852X}, eissn = {2008-823X}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {BinAleem, Shoaib and Hussain, Muhammad Mazhar and Farooq, Yasir}, title = {Levo-Carnitine Reduces Oxidative Stress and Improves Contractile Functions of Fast Muscles in Type 2 Diabetic Rats}, abstract ={Background: Metabolic derangements in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are likely to affect skeletal muscle contractile functions adversely. Levo-carnitine improves muscle contractile functions in healthy humans and rats and corrects metabolic derangements in T2DM. Therefore, it is likely to improve muscle contractile functions in T2DM as well. This study was designed to determine the effect of levo-carnitine on serum levo-carnitine levels, oxidative stress and contractile parameters of fast muscle in T2DM. Methods: Ninety Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three equal groups. Healthy rats served as the controls, while T2DM was induced in diabetic and carnitine groups. The carnitine group was administered levo-carnitine 200 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for 6 days. At 28th day, extensor digitorum longus muscles were removed and their functions were assessed using iWorx data acquisition unit (AHK/214). Blood obtained by intra-cardiac sampling at 28th day was used for estimation of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and levo-carnitine levels. Results: Maximum isometric twitch tension, time-to-peak twitch tension and time-to-relax to 50% of the peak twitch tension were not significantly different amongst the groups. Carnitine group showed significant improvement in maximum fused tetanic tension, maximum fused tetanic tension after fatigue protocol and recovery from fatigue after 5 minutes of rest period compared to the diabetic group. Serum MDA levels were reduced, while serum levo-carnitine levels were elevated significantly in carnitine group as compared to the diabetic group. Conclusion: Levo-carnitine supplementation increases serum levo-carnitine levels which decreases oxidative stress. This action improves contractile force but delays fatigue in fast muscles of diabetic rats.}, Keywords = {Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), Levo-carnitine, Fast muscles, Contractile functions, Oxidative stress}, volume = {17}, Number = {1}, pages = {29-35}, publisher = {Pasteur Institute of Iran}, doi = {10.6091/ibj.1086.2012}, url = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-796-en.html}, eprint = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-796-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Biomedical Journal}, issn = {1028-852X}, eissn = {2008-823X}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {Tajalli, Raziye and Nobakht, Maliheh and Mohammadi-Barzelighi, Hajar and Agah, Shahram and Rastegar-Lari, Abdolaziz and Sadeghipour, Alirez}, title = {The Immunohistochemistry and Toluidine Blue Roles for Helicobacter pylori Detection in Patients with Gastritis}, abstract ={Background: Helicobacter pylori, which is associated with many upper gastrointestinal diseases, is found in half of the population of the world. Several special stains and immunohistochemistry stain for H. pylori are available. The need for and usefulness of immunohistochemical (IHC) technique has been debated for years. Toluidine blue is a simple stain for microbiological studies and is easily available in laboratories. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), Giemsa and toluidine blue staining with immunehistochemistry for detection of H. pylori in patients with gastritis and also to correlate the results of these staining methods with pathological grading. Methods: We reviewed 54 consecutive gastric biopsy specimens stained by H&E and Giemsa as well as by toluidine blue and immunohistochemistry stains for H. pylori. Results: H. pylori was positively identified by IHC in 43 (79.63%) patients, while positive samples were found in 18 (33.33%), 24 (44.44%) and 33 (61.11%) patients using H&E, Giemsa and toluidine blue staining methods. Our results showed that classical histological staining methods are not sensitive enough to identify low numbers or coccoid forms of organism, while toluidine blue and immunohistochemistry play an important role in detection of H. pylori infection. Conclusion: Toluidine blue has been proved to be much more reliable than H&E and Giemsa in detection of H. pylori. In addition, in post treatment biopsies and in biopsies with unexplained chronic active gastritis without histological evidence of H. pylori should have immunohistochemistry done to detect possible low density or coccoid form of organisms.}, Keywords = {Helicobacter pylori, Immunohistochemistry, Gastritis}, volume = {17}, Number = {1}, pages = {36-41}, publisher = {Pasteur Institute of Iran}, doi = { 10.6091/IBJ.1094.2012}, url = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-810-en.html}, eprint = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-810-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Biomedical Journal}, issn = {1028-852X}, eissn = {2008-823X}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {Taghizadeh, Mohsen and Talaei, Sayyed Alireza and Salami, Mahmou}, title = {Vitamin D Deficiency Impairs Spatial Learning in Adult Rats}, abstract ={Background: Through its membrane and intracellular receptors, vitamin D regulates many vital functions in the body including its well known actions on musculoskeletal system. Growing body of evidences demonstrate that vitamin D undergoes some of behavioral aspects of neurocognition. The present study was designed to evaluate the effect of food regimens without vitamin D or with a supplement of 1,25(OH)2D3 on spatial performance of adult rats. Methods: The animals were trained in the Morris water maze to find a hidden platform. The time spent and the distance travelled to find the platform, speed of navigation and the percentage of unsuccessful trials were considered for assessment of the task learning. Results: Our findings indicated that the vitamin D-deprived rats had a significant lower performance compared to both the controls and the animals receiving 1,25(OH)2D3 supplementation. Concerning the unsuccessful trials, lack of vitamin D resulted in the highest failures in the maze navigation. The regimen with additional 1,25(OH)2D3 did not considerably influence learning of the maze task. Conclusion: We concluded that while vitamin D deficiency deteriorates the spatial task learning, the 1,25(OH)2D3 supplementation did not effectively underlie the maze performance.}, Keywords = {Vitamin D, Maze learning, Dietary supplements}, volume = {17}, Number = {1}, pages = {42-48}, publisher = {Pasteur Institute of Iran}, doi = {10.6091/ibj.1061.2012}, url = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-795-en.html}, eprint = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-795-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Biomedical Journal}, issn = {1028-852X}, eissn = {2008-823X}, year = {2013} } @article{ author = {Yousefvand, Namdar and Zarei, Fatemeh and Ghanbari, Ali}, title = {Exogenous Testosterone, Finasteride and Castration Effects on Testosterone, Insulin, Zinc and Chromium in Adult Male Rats}, abstract ={Background: Although effects of trace elements on secretion of sex steroids and insulin have been studied, the effects of these hormones on serum level of trace elements have been rarely investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of testosterone and finasteride administration and castration on serum levels of testosterone, insulin, zinc and chromium. Methods: Male adult rats (n = 32) were divided into 4 groups (n = 8). Group 1, control Group 2, castration, castration was done at the first day of the study Group 3, finasteride (20 mg/kg/day, dissolved in drinking water) and Group 4, testosterone (5 mg/kg/day, i.p.). At the end of the period of the study (35 days), serum testosterone, insulin, zinc and chromium levels were determined in the blood samples collected directly from the right atrium of the heart of the animals. Results: The data indicated that the serum levels of testosterone, insulin and zinc were significantly increased (P<0.01) in testosterone-administrated and finasteride groups, but the level of chromium was decreased in both groups (P<0.01). Castrated group had the lowest serum levels of testosterone, insulin and zinc (P<0.05). Also, the levels of serum chromium in this group were increased. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that testosterone and finasteride increases insulin and zinc levels and decreases chromium levels in the serum of male adult rats. According to these data, it seems that testosterone may affect glucose cycle through effect on serum insulin levels and trace elements such as zinc and chromium.}, Keywords = {Finasteride, Castration, Insulin, Zinc, Chromium}, volume = {17}, Number = {1}, pages = {49-53}, publisher = {Pasteur Institute of Iran}, doi = {10.6091/ibj.1110.2012}, url = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-901-en.html}, eprint = {http://ibj.pasteur.ac.ir/article-1-901-en.pdf}, journal = {Iranian Biomedical Journal}, issn = {1028-852X}, eissn = {2008-823X}, year = {2013} }