Is there an Association between Variants in Candidate Insulin Pathway Genes IGF-I, IGFBP-3, INSR, and IRS2 and Risk of Colorectal Cancer in the Iranian Population?

Karimi, Khatoon,Mahmoudi, Touraj,Karimi, Negar,Dolatmoradi, Hesamodin,Arkani, Maral,Farahani, Hamid,Vahedi, Mohsen,Parsimehr, Elham,Dabiri, Reza,Nobakht, Hossein,Asadi, Asadollah,Zali, Mohammad Reza Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.9

Background: Several epidemiological studies have shown associations between colorectal cancer (CRC) risk and type 2 diabetes and obesity. Any effects would be expected to be mediated through the insulin pathway. Therefore it is possible that variants of genes encoding components of the insulin pathway play roles in CRC susceptibility. In this study, we hypothesized that polymorphisms in the genes involving the insulin pathway are associated with risk of CRC. Materials and Methods: The associations of four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IGF-I (rs6214), IGFBP-3 (rs3110697), INSR (rs1052371), and IRS2 (rs2289046) genes with the risk of CRC were evaluated using a case-control design with 167 CRC cases and 277 controls by the PCR-RFLP method. Results: Overall, we observed no significant difference in genotype and allele frequencies between the cases and controls for the IGF-I, IGFBP-3, INSR, IRS2 gene variants and CRC before or after adjusting for confounders (age, BMI, sex, and smoking status). However, we observed that the IRS2 (rs2289046) GG genotype compared with AA+AG genotypes has a protective effect for CRC in normal weight subjects (p=0.035, OR=0.259, 95%CI= 0.074-0.907). Conclusions: These findings do not support plausible associations between polymorphic variations in IGF-I, IGFBP-3, INSR, IRS2 genes and risk of CRC. However, the evidence for a link between the IRS2 (rs2289046) variant and risk of CRC dependent on the BMI of the subjects, requires confirmation in subsequent studies with greater sample size.

Proposed Pathway Linking Respiratory Infections with Depression

Zeinab Karimi,Maryam Chenari,Farhad Rezaie,Shima Karimi,Najmeh Parhizgari,Talat Mokhtari-Azad 대한정신약물학회 2022 CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY AND NEUROSCIENCE Vol.20 No.2

Depression is one of the most important causes of disability and loss of useful life of people around the world. Acute respiratory infection caused a large number of severe illnesses and deaths of the world and most of these due to viral infections, which is estimated more than 80% of respiratory infections. Detection of viruses by immune pathogen recognition receptors activates the intracellular signaling cascade and eventually cause produces interferons. Inflammatory process begins with secretion of interferons and the expression of interferon-stimulated genes. One of the most important of these genes is indoleamine-pyrrole 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), which plays a major role in tryptophan catabolism. IDO is an intracellular monomeric enzyme that is also responsible for breaking down and consuming tryptophan in the Kynurenine pathway. Increased inflammation has been linked to decrease tryptophan concentrations and increase kynurenine levels. We tried to explain the role of inflammation by viral respiratory infections in causing depression.

Increase in the Th1-Cell-Based Immune Response in Healthy Workers Exposed to Low-Dose Radiation - Immune System Status of Radiology Staff

Karimi, Gholamreza,Balali-Mood, Mahdi,Alamdaran, Seyed-Ali,Badie-Bostan, Hassan,Mohammadi, Elaheh,Ghorani-Azam, Adel,Sadeghi, Mahmood,Riahi-Zanjani, Bamdad KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2017 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.20 No.2

Objectives: Radiation is one of the most important sources of free radical (such as reactive oxygen species) production, which plays an essential role in the etiology of over hundred diseases. The aim of the study was to investigate some immune parameters and hematological indices in healthy workers of the Radiology Department, University Hospital of Mashhad, Iran. Methods: The study was performed on 50 healthy workers: 30 radiology staff as the case group and 20 laboratory workers as the control group. The radiation dose received by the radiology staff participating in the study was less than the annual maximum permissible level, 50 millisievert. Hematological parameters, lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production were studied in both groups. Results: Among healthy radiology workers, the hematological indices did not differ statistically; however, their proliferation indices and $IFN-{\gamma}$ levels showed significant increases in parallel with decreases in the IL-4 levels as compared to controls. The immune system of workers exposed to low-dose ionizing radiation was found to be shifted from a Type 2 to a Type 1 response to promote cellular immunity. Conclusion: Based on our data, exposure to low-dose ionizing radiation may decrease the prevalence, frequency, and recurrence of various cancers and infectious diseases because of an increase in Th1-cell-based response, thus leading to more protection of the human body against tumor cells and foreign agents and possibly increased longevity. However, due to high rate of fluoroscopy use for interventional radiology, we suggest continuing research projects on radiation protection and hazards to prevent irreversible damage. As a recommendation, in future studies, radiology staff with a weakened immunity due to high radiation exposure should be considered as good choices to be treated using acupuncture techniques because acupuncture has been demonstrated to enhance the function and the number of immune cells.

Implementation of Proteomics for Cancer Research: Past, Present, and Future

Karimi, Parisa,Shahrokni, Armin,Nezami Ranjbar, Mohammad R. Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2014 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.15 No.6

Cancer is the leading cause of the death, accounts for about 13% of all annual deaths worldwide. Many different fields of science are collaborating together studying cancer to improve our knowledge of this lethal disease, and find better solutions for diagnosis and treatment. Proteomics is one of the most recent and rapidly growing areas in molecular biology that helps understanding cancer from an omics data analysis point of view. The human proteome project was officially initiated in 2008. Proteomics enables the scientists to interrogate a variety of biospecimens for their protein contents and measure the concentrations of these proteins. Current necessary equipment and technologies for cancer proteomics are mass spectrometry, protein microarrays, nanotechnology and bioinformatics. In this paper, we provide a brief review on proteomics and its application in cancer research. After a brief introduction including its definition, we summarize the history of major previous work conducted by researchers, followed by an overview on the role of proteomics in cancer studies. We also provide a list of different utilities in cancer proteomics and investigate their advantages and shortcomings from theoretical and practical angles. Finally, we explore some of the main challenges and conclude the paper with future directions in this field.

Evidence for U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Recommendations Against Routine Mammography for Females between 40-49 Years of Age

Karimi, Parisa,Shahrokni, Armin,Moradi, Sedighe Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.3

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among females, worldwide, accounting for 22.9% of all cancers (excluding non-melanoma skin cancer) in females. Mammography is a sensitive (77-95%) and specific (94-97%) screening method for breast cancer. Previously, females between the 40-50 years old were recommended to have mammograms every one to two years. However, based on current evidence, in 2009, USPSTF recommended that the decision to start regular, biennial screening mammography for females younger than 50 years should be an individual decision and take patient context into account, including the patient's values regarding specific benefits and harms. This decision was based on findings regarding radiation exposure, false-positive and false-negative rates, over-diagnosis, and pain and psychological responses. The goal of this paper is to focus on evidence for updating the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation against routine mammography for females between 40-49 years of age.

Comparison of linkage disequilibrium levels in Iranian indigenous cattle using whole genome SNPs data

Karimi, Karim,Koshkoiyeh, Ali Esmailizadeh,Gondro, Cedric Korean Society of Animal Sciences and Technology 2015 한국축산학회지 Vol.57 No.12

Background: Knowledge of linkage disequilibrium (LD) levels among different populations can be used to detect genetic diversity and to investigate the historical changes in population sizes. Availability of large numbers of SNP through new sequencing technologies has provided opportunities for extensive researches in quantifying LD patterns in cattle breeds. The aim of this study was to compare the extent of linkage disequilibrium among Iranian cattle breeds using high density SNP genotyping data. Results: A total of 70 samples, representing seven Iranian indigenous cattle breeds, were genotyped for 777962 SNPs. The average values of LD based on the $r^2$ criterion were computed by grouping all syntenic SNP pairwises for intermarker distances from 0 Kb up to 1 Mb using three distance sets. Average $r^2$ above 0.3 was observed at distances less than 30 Kb for Sistani and Kermani, 20 Kb for Najdi, Taleshi, Kurdi and Sarabi, and 10 Kb for Mazandarani. The LD levels were considerably different among the Iranian cattle breeds and the difference in LD extent was more detectable between the studied breeds at longer distances. Lower level of LD was observed for Mazandarani breed as compared to other breeds indicating larger ancestral population size in this breed. Kermani breed continued to have more slowly LD decay than all of the other breeds after 3 Kb distances. More slowly LD decay was observed in Kurdi and Sarabi breeds at larger distances (>100 Kb) showing that population decline has been more intense in more recent generations for these populations. Conclusions: A wide genetic diversity and different historical background were well reflected in the LD levels among Iranian cattle breeds. More LD fluctuation was observed in the shorter distances (less than 10 Kb) in different cattle populations. Despite of the sample size effects, High LD levels found in this study were in accordance with the presence of inbreeding and population decline in Iranian cattle breeds.

Neuroprotective effects of chloroquine on neurological scores, blood-brain barrier permeability, and brain edema after traumatic brain injury in male rats

Karimi Maryam,Nazari Somayeh,Shirani Faramarz,Alivirdiloo Vahid,Siahposht-Khachaki Ali,Edalatkhah Sepehr,Khanian Rama 대한신경집중치료학회 2023 대한신경집중치료학회지 Vol.16 No.1

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of leading causes of death among young people worldwide. Chloroquine, an antimalarial drug, has been shown to easily cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and inhibit autophagy in a variety of disorders, including Alzheimer disease and brain ischemia. We investigated the effects of chloroquine on neuronal protection after induction of brain trauma in male rats.Methods: A total of 120 male Wistar rats were treated with chloroquine at doses of 1.5, 3, and 6 mg/kg intraperitoneally after induction of diffuse TBIs. The veterinary coma scale was used to assess short-term neurological deficits. BBB disruption was evaluated using the Evans Blue dye method 6-hour post-injury. Vestibulomotor function was evaluated using the beam walk and beam balance methods. Histopathological changes in the brain tissue in different groups were evaluated using light microscopy and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Brain water and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) contents of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) were assessed using the wet/dry method and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.Results: The results showed that injecting chloroquine (3 and 6 mg/kg) 30 minutes after TBI significantly reduced brain edema and BBB disruption, and recovered neurological deficits post-TBI (P<0.01). Furthermore, CSF MMP-9 was significantly reduced after administration of 1.5 mg/kg chloroquine (P<0.01).Conclusion: Chloroquine has neuroprotective effects in the brain, and thus, has the potential to mitigate the effects of brain trauma. It is possible that the anti-inflammatory and neurogenic effects of chloroquine are due to a decrease in MMP secretion in the CSF.

No Significant Association between Human Papillomavirus and Breast Cancer, Sanandaj, Iran

Karimi, Maryam,Khodabandehloo, Mazaher,Nikkhoo, Bahram,Ghaderi, Ebrahim Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.10

Background and Objective: Any role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of breast cancer is conjectural. The aim of this study was to investigate possible links between HPV and breast cancer in women, Sanandaj, Iran. Methods: In this case-control study, 70 formalin fixed and paraffin embedded blocks of breast malignant tumors as a case group and 70 blocks of lesions without malignancy were selected as controls. Sections about $10{\mu}m$ thick were prepared. After removing the paraffin, DNA was extracted. Samples were tested by PCR using general and high-risk specific HPV primers. Results: All 70 malignant breast tumors (cases) were invasive ductal carcinomas, and of the 70 controls, 17 (24.3%) were fibrocystic tumors and 53 (75.7%) fibroadenomas. The age range of women in the case group was 25-72 years old and in the control group It was13-66 years. Using HPV general primers two samples were positive in the case group, confirmed to be HPV-18 using high-risk specific primers. Conclusion: No statistically significant association was found between breast cancer and HPV. It is necessary to confirm this result by further investigations in other populations.

Relationships for prediction of backstay effect in tall buildings with core-wall system

Karimi, Mahdi,Kheyroddin, Ali,Shariatmadar, Hashem Techno-Press 2020 Advances in computational design Vol.5 No.1

One of the prevailing structural systems in high-rise buildings is the core-wall system. On the other hand, the existence of one or more underground stories causes the perimeter below-grade walls with the diaphragm of grade level to constitute of a very stiff box. In this case or a similar situation, during the lateral response of a tall building, underground perimeter walls and diaphragms that provide an increased lateral resistance relative to the core wall may introduce a prying action in the core that is called backstay effect. In this case, a rather great force is generated at the diaphragm of the grade-level, acting in a reverse direction to the lateral force on the core-wall system, and thus typically causes a reverse internal shear. In this research, in addition to review of the results of the preceding studies, an improved relationship is proposed for prediction of backstay force. The new proposed relationship takes into account the effect of foundation flexibility and is presented in a non-dimensional form. Furthermore, a specific range of the backstay force to lateral load ratio has been determined. And finally, it is shown that although all suggested formulas are valid in the elastic domain, yet with some changes in the initial considerations, they can be applied to some certain non-linear problems as well.

Evaluation of Related Risk Factors in Number of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Carpet Weavers in Iran

Karimi, Nasim,Moghimbeigi, Abbas,Motamedzade, Majid,Roshanaei, Ghodratollah Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2016 Safety and health at work Vol.7 No.4

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a common problem among carpet weavers. This study was undertaken to introduce affecting personal and occupational factors in developing the number of MSDs among carpet weavers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among 862 weavers in seven towns with regard to workhouse location in urban or rural regions. Data were collected by using questionnaires that contain personal, workplace, and information tools and the modified Nordic MSDs questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed by applying Poisson and negative binomial mixed models using a full Bayesian hierarchical approach. The deviance information criterion was used for comparison between models and model selection. Results: The majority of weavers (72%) were female and carpet weaving was the main job of 85.2% of workers. The negative binomial mixed model with lowest deviance information criterion was selected as the best model. The criteria showed the convergence of chains. Based on 95% Bayesian credible interval, the main job and weaving type variables statistically affected the number of MSDs, but variables age, sex, weaving comb, work experience, and carpet weaving looms were not significant. Conclusion: According to the results of this study, it can be concluded that occupational factors are associated with the number of MSDs developing among carpet weavers. Thus, using standard tools and decreasing hours of work per day can reduce frequency of MSDs among carpet weavers.