Gene Expression Biodosimetry: Quantitative Assessment of Radiation Dose with Total Body Exposure of Rats

Saberi, Alihossein,Khodamoradi, Ehsan,Birgani, Mohammad Javad Tahmasebi,Makvandi, Manoochehr Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.18

Background: Accurate dose assessment and correct identification of irradiated from non-irradiated people are goals of biological dosimetry in radiation accidents. Objectives: Changes in the FDXR and the RAD51 gene expression (GE) levels were here analyzed in response to total body exposure (TBE) to a 6 MV x-ray beam in rats. We determined the accuracy for absolute quantification of GE to predict the dose at 24 hours. Materials and Methods: For this in vivo experimental study, using simple randomized sampling, peripheral blood samples were collected from a total of 20 Wistar rats at 24 hours following exposure of total body to 6 MV X-ray beam energy with doses (0.2, 0.5, 2 and 4 Gy) for TBE in Linac Varian 2100C/D (Varian, USA) in Golestan Hospital, in Ahvaz, Iran. Also, 9 rats was irradiated with a 6MV X-ray beam at doses of 1, 2, 3 Gy in 6MV energy as a validation group. A sham group was also included. After RNA extraction and DNA synthesis, GE changes were measured by the QRT-PCR technique and an absolute quantification strategy by taqman methodology in peripheral blood from rats. ROC analysis was used to distinguish irradiated from non-irradiated samples (qualitative dose assessment) at a dose of 2 Gy. Results: The best fits for mean of responses were polynomial equations with a R2 of 0.98 and 0.90 (for FDXR and RAD51 dose response curves, respectively). Dose response of the FDXR gene produced a better mean dose estimation of irradiated "validation" samples compared to the RAD51 gene at doses of 1, 2 and 3 Gy. FDXR gene expression separated the irradiated rats from controls with a sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 87.5%, 83.5% and 81.3%, respectively, 24 hours after dose of 2 Gy. These values were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the 75%, 75% and 75%, respectively, obtained using gene expression of RAD51 analysis at a dose of 2 Gy. Conclusions: Collectively, these data suggest that absolute quantification by gel purified quantitative RT-PCR can be used to measure the mRNA copies for GE biodosimetry studies at comparable accuracy to similar methods. In the case of TBE with 6MV energy, FDXR gene expression analysis is more precise than that with RAD51 for quantitative and qualitative dose assessment.

Relationship Between Perceived Risk and Physician Recommendation and Repeat Mammography in the Female Population in Tehran, Iran

Moshki, Mahdi,Taymoori, Parvaneh,Khodamoradi, Sahmireh,Roshani, Daem Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup3

Iranian women are at high risk of low compliance with repeat mammography due to a lack of awareness about breast cancer, negative previous experiences, cultural beliefs, and no regular visits to a physician. Thus research is needed to explore factors associated with repeated mammography participation. Applying the concept of perceived risk as the guiding model, this study aimed to test the fit and strength of the relationship between perceived risk and physician recommendation in explaining repeat mammography. A total of 601 women, aged 50 years and older referred to mammography centers in region 6, were recruited via a convenience sampling method. Using path analysis, family history of breast cancer and other types of cancer were modeled as antecedent perceived risk, and physician recommendation and knowledge were modeled as an antecedent of the number of mammography visits. The model explained 49% of the variance in repeat mammography. The two factors of physician recommendation and breast self-examination had significant direct effects (P < 0.05) on repeat mammography. Perceived risk, knowledge, and family history of breast cancer had significant indirect effects on repeat mammography through physician recommendation. The results of this study provide a background for further research and interventions not only on Iranian women but also on similar cultural groups and immigrants who have been neglected to date in the mammography literature.

Boehmite nanoparticles as versatile support for organic–inorganic hybrid materials: Synthesis, functionalization, and applications in eco-friendly catalysis

Masoud Mohammadi,Minoo Khodamorady,Bahman Tahmasbi,Kiumars Bahrami,Arash Ghorbani-Choghamarani 한국공업화학회 2021 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.97 No.-

Alpha and gamma-alumina are materials used as continuous coatings and also in variousfields such asceramics, catalysis and catalytic support, lubricants, and electronics. Boehmite (AlOOH) is used as the rawmaterial for the preparation of alpha and gamma-alumina phases whose properties such as morphology,specific surface area, and porosity, are strongly dependent on the boehmite structure. In this review,various methods for synthesizing boehmite nanoparticles (NPs); including, sol–gel, sedimentation,sewage, and hydrothermal have been reviewed. The most appropriate method for the production ofvarious forms of boehmite is the hydrothermal method. The shape, morphology, and tissue properties ofthe boehmite NPs depend heavily on the conditions of the process, i.e. the pH of the solution, thetemperature, and the reaction time which will be described in this review. Moreover, the application ofboehmite as the catalyst or catalytic support is studied in this review. Therefore, metallic, acidic, basic,ionic, organic, and organometallic catalysts, which are immobilized on boehmite NPs are discussed inthis review.

NEW ORBITAL PARAMETERS AND RADIAL VELOCITY CURVE ANALYSIS OF SPECTROSCOPIC BINARY STARS

Ghaderi, Kamal,Pirkhedri, Ali,Rostami, Touba,Khodamoradi, Salem,Fatahi, Hedayat The Korean Astronomical Society 2012 Journal of The Korean Astronomical Society Vol.45 No.1

We use a Probabilistic Neural Network (PNN) technique to derive the orbital parameters of spectroscopic binary stars. Using measured radial velocity data of five double-lined spectroscopic binary systems (i.e., EQ Tau, V376 And, V776 Cas, V2377 Oph and EE Cet), we find the corresponding orbital and spectroscopic elements. Our numerical results are in good agreement with those obtained by other groups via more traditional methods.

COVID-19 Endothelial Dysfunction Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction: Histopathological, Immunohistochemical, and Ultrastructural Study of the Human Penis

Kresch Eliyahu,Achua Justin,Saltzman Russell,Khodamoradi Kajal,Arora Himanshu,Ibrahim Emad,Kryvenko Oleksandr N.,Almeida Vania Wolff,Firdaus Fakiha,Hare Joshua M.,Ramasamy Ranjith 대한남성과학회 2021 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.39 No.3

Purpose: A pilot study to describe histopathological features of penile tissue of patients who recovered from symptomatic COVID-19 infection and subsequently developed severe erectile dysfunction (ED). Materials and Methods: Penile tissue was collected from patients undergoing surgery for penile prosthesis for severe ED. Specimens were obtained from two men with a history of COVID-19 infection and two men with no history of infection. Specimens were imaged with TEM and H&E staining. RT-PCR was performed from corpus cavernosum biopsies. The tissues collected were analyzed for endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS, a marker of endothelial function) and COVID- 19 spike-protein expression. Endothelial progenitor cell (EPC) function was assessed from blood samples collected from COVID-19 (+) and COVID-19 (-) men. Results: TEM showed extracellular viral particles ~100 nm in diameter with peplomers (spikes) near penile vascular endothelial cells of the COVID-19 (+) patients and absence of viral particles in controls. PCR showed presence of viral RNA in COVID-19 (+) specimens. eNOS expression in the corpus cavernosum of COVID-19 (+) men was decreased compared to COVID-19 (-) men. Mean EPC levels from the COVID-19 (+) patients were substantially lower compared to mean EPCs from men with severe ED and no history of COVID-19. Conclusions: Our study is the first to demonstrate the presence of the COVID-19 virus in the penis long after the initial infection in humans. Our results also suggest that widespread endothelial cell dysfunction from COVID-19 infection can contribute to ED. Future studies will evaluate novel molecular mechanisms of how COVID-19 infection leads to ED.

Evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 in Human Semen and Effect on Total Sperm Number: A Prospective Observational Study

Best Jordan C.,Kuchakulla Manish,Khodamoradi Kajal,Lima Thiago Fernandes Negris,Frech Fabio Stefano,Achua Justin K.,Rosete Omar,Mora Belén,Arora Himanshu,Ibrahim Emad,Ramasamy Ranjith 대한남성과학회 2021 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.39 No.3

Purpose: The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has created a surge of research to help better understand the breadth of possible sequelae. However, little is known regarding the impact on semen parameters and fertility potential. We sought to investigate for presence of viral RNA in semen of men with SARS-CoV-2 infection and to evaluate its effect on semen parameters in ejaculate. Materials and Methods: We prospectively recruited thirty men diagnosed with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection using real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of pharyngeal swab specimens. Semen samples were collected from each individual using mailed kits. Follow-up semen samples were done with mailed kits or in-person in office setting. Semen analysis and PCR was performed after samples were received. Results: Thirty semen samples from recovered men were obtained 11–64 days after testing positive for SAR-CoV-2 infection. The median duration between positive SAR-CoV-2 test and semen collection was 37 days (interquartile range [IQR]=23). The median total sperm number (TSN) in ejaculate was 12.5 million (IQR=52.1). When compared with age-matched SARSCoV- 2(-) men, TSN was lower among SARS-CoV-2(+) men (p=0.0024). Five men completed a follow-up sperm analysis (median 3 months) and had a median TSN of 18 million (IQR=21.6). No RNA was detected by means of RT-PCR in the semen in 16 samples tested. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection, though not detected in semen of recovered men, can affect TSN in ejaculate in the acute setting. Whether SARS-CoV-2 can affect spermatogenic function long-term remains to be evaluated.

The relationship between metabolic syndrome and its components with bladder cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies

Ahmadinezhad Mozhgan,Arshadi Maedeh,Hesari Elahe,Sharafoddin Maedeh,Azizi Hosein,Khodamoradi Farzad 한국역학회 2022 Epidemiology and Health Vol.44 No.-

A previous meta-analysis, entitled “The association between metabolic syndrome and bladder cancer susceptibility and prognosis: an updated comprehensive evidence synthesis of 95 observational studies involving 97,795,299 subjects,” focused on all observational studies, whereas in the present meta-analysis, we focused on cohort studies to obtain more accurate and stronger evidence to evaluate the association between metabolic syndrome and its components with bladder cancer. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched to identify studies on the association between metabolic syndrome and its components with bladder cancer from January 1, 2000 through May 23, 2021. The pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to measure this relationship using a random-effects meta-analytic model. Quality appraisal was undertaken using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. In total, 56 studies were included. A statistically significant relationship was found between metabolic syndrome and bladder cancer 1.09 (95% CI, 1.02 to 1.17), and there was evidence of moderate heterogeneity among these studies. Our findings also indicated statistically significant relationships between diabetes (RR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.16 to 1.31) and hypertension (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.01 to 1.13) with bladder cancer, but obesity and overweight did not present a statistically significant relationship with bladder cancer. We found no evidence of publication bias. Our analysis demonstrated statistically significant relationships between metabolic syndrome and the risk of bladder cancer. Furthermore, diabetes and hypertension were associated with the risk of bladder cancer.

Histopathology and Ultrastructural Findings of Fatal COVID-19 Infections on Testis

Achua Justin K.,Chu Kevin Y.,Ibrahim Emad,Khodamoradi Kajal,Delma Katiana S.,Iakymenko Oleksii A.,Kryvenko Oleksandr N.,Arora Himanshu,Ramasamy Ranjith 대한남성과학회 2021 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.39 No.1

Purpose: To evaluate the presence and analyze the pathological changes within the testes of patients who died or recovered from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19) complications. Materials and Methods: Testis tissue was collected from autopsies of COVID-19 positive (n=6) and negative men (n=3). Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and subjected to immunofluorescence for angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) expression. Fluorescent-labeled tissue slides were imaged on a quantitative pathology scope with various zoom levels allowing for qualitative and quantitative interpretation. Tissue from four COVID- 19 positive autopsy cases and a live seroconverted patient was imaged with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: H&E histomorphology showed three of the six COVID-19 biopsies had normal spermatogenesis while the remaining three had impaired spermatogenesis. TEM showed the COVID-19 virus in testis tissue of one COVID-19 positive autopsy case and the live biopsy, H&E stain on the same autopsy case demonstrated interstitial macrophage and leukocyte infiltration. Immunofluorescent stained slides from six COVID-19 positive men demonstrated a direct association between increased quantitative ACE-2 levels and impairment of spermatogenesis. Conclusions: The novel COVID-19 has an affinity for ACE-2 receptors. Since ACE-2 receptor expression is high in the testes, we hypothesized that COVID-19 is prevalent in testes tissue of infected patients. This study suggests the male reproductive tract, specifically the testes, may be targets of COVID-19 infection. We found an inverse association between ACE-2 receptor levels and spermatogenesis, suggesting a possible mechanism of how COVID-19 can cause infertility.