Genetics of Hearing Loss in North Iran Population: An Update of Spectrum and Frequency of GJB2 Mutations

Mahbobeh Koohiyan,Fatemeh Azadegan-Dehkordi,Farideh Koohian,Morteza Hashemzadeh-Chaleshtori 대한청각학회 2019 Journal of Audiology & Otology Vol.23 No.4

Diagnosis of pre-lingual hearing loss (HL) is difficult owing to the high number of genes responsible. The most frequent cause of HL is DFNB1 due to mutations in the GJB2 gene. It represents up to 40% of HL cases in some populations. In Iran, it has previously been shown that DFNB1 accounts for 16-18% of cases but varies among different ethnic groups. Here, we reviewed results from our three previous publications and data from other published mutation reports to provide a comprehensive collection of data for GJB2 mutations and HL in northern Iran. In total, 903 unrelated families from six different provinces, viz., Gilan, Mazandaran, Golestan, Ghazvin, Semnan, and Tehran, were included and analyzed for the type and prevalence of GJB2 mutations. A total of 23 different genetic variants were detected from which 18 GJB2 mutations were identified. GJB2 mutations were 20.7% in the studied northern provinces, which was significantly higher than that reported in southern populations of Iran. Moreover, a gradient in the frequency of GJB2 mutations from north to south Iran was observed. c.35delG was the most common mutation, accounting for 58.4% of the cases studied. This study suggests that c.35delG mutation in GJB2 is the most important cause of HL in northern Iran.

Evaluation of Coordination of Emergency Response Team through the Social Network Analysis. Case Study: Oil and Gas Refinery

Iraj Mohammadfam,Susan Bastani,Mahbobeh Esaghi,Rostam Golmohamadi,Ali Saee 한국산업안전보건공단 산업안전보건연구원 2015 Safety and health at work Vol.6 No.1

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the cohesions status of the coordination withinresponse teams in the emergency response team (ERT) in a refinery. Methods: For this study, cohesion indicators of social network analysis (SNA; density, degree centrality,reciprocity, and transitivity) were utilized to examine the coordination of the response teams as a wholenetwork. The ERT of this research, which was a case study, included seven teams consisting of 152members. The required data were collected through structured interviews and were analyzed using theUCINET 6.0 Social Network Analysis Program. Results: The results reported a relatively low number of triple connections, poor coordination with keymembers, and a high level of mutual relations in the network with low density, all implying that therewere low cohesions of coordination in the ERT. Conclusion: The results showed that SNA provided a quantitative and logical approach for the examinationof the coordination status among response teams and it also provided a main opportunity formanagers and planners to have a clear understanding of the presented status. The research concludedthat fundamental efforts were needed to improve the presented situations.

Evaluation of MiR-34 Family and DNA Methyltransferases 1, 3A, 3B Gene Expression Levels in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Following Treatment with Dendrosomal Nanocurcumin

Chamani, Fatemeh,Sadeghizadeh, Majid,Masoumi, Mahbobeh,Babashah, Sadegh Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2016 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.17 No.no.sup3

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common primary malignancy of the liver making up more than 80 percent of cases. It is known to be the sixth most prevalent cancer and the third most frequent cause of cancer related death worldwide. Epigenetic regulation constitutes an important mechanism by which dietary components can selectively activate or inactivate target gene expression. The miR-34 family members including mir-34a, mir-34b and mir-34c are tumor suppressor micro RNAs, which are expressed in the majority of normal tissues. Several studies have indicated silencing of miR-34 expression via DNA methylation in multiple types of cancers. Bioactive nutrients like curcumin (Cur) have excellent anticarcinogenic activity and minimal toxic manifestations in biological systems. This compound has recently been determined to induce epigenetic changes. However, Cur is lipophilic and has a poor systemic bioavailability and poor absorption. Its bioavailability is increased through employing dendrosome nanoparticles. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of dendrosomal nanocurcumin (DNC) on expression of mir-34 family members in two HCC cell lines, HepG2 and Huh7. We performed the MTT assay to evaluate DNC and dendrosome effects on cell viability. The ability of DNC to alter expression of the mir-34 family and DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1, DNMT3A and 3B) was evaluated using semi-quantitative and quantitative PCR. We observed the entrance of DNC into HepG2 and Huh7 cells. Gene expression assays indicated that DNC treatment upregulated mir34a, mir34b and mir34c expression (P<0.05) as well as downregulated DNMT1, DNMT3A and DNMT3B expression (P<0.05) in both HepG2 and Huh7 cell lines. DNC also reduced viability of Huh7 and HepG2 cells through restoration of miR-34s expression. We showed that DNC could awaken the epigenetically silenced miR-34 family by downregulation of DNMTs. Our findings suggest that DNC has potential in epigenetic therapy of HCC.

Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome and Associations with Lipid Profiles in Iranian Men: A Population-Based Screening Program

Abolfazl Mohammadbeigi,Hamid Farahani,Esmail Moshiri,Mahbobeh Sajadi,Robabeh Ahmadli,Sima Afrashteh,Salman Khazaei,Hossein Ansari 대한남성과학회 2018 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.36 No.1

Purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is characterized by a collection of interdependent disorders, including abdominal obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and diabetes. The current study aimed to estimate the prevalence of MS in Qom, Iran.Materials and Methods: A population-based screening program was conducted in the city of Qom, in 845 urban adult men over 25 years old in 2014. Abdominal obesity, fasting blood glucose (FBG), blood pressure, and the serum lipid profile were measured in subjects after fasting for at least 8 hours. MS was defined according to the Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test, t-test, and multiple logistic regression.Results: The overall prevalence of MS was 23.0%, and the most common prevalent metabolic abnormalities associated with MS were low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (<40 mg/dL) in 34.3% of subjects, a waist circumference >102 cm in 33.9%, blood pressure ≥130/85 mmHg in 27.6%, fasting triglycerides (TG) ≥150 mg/dL in 25%, and FBG ≥110 mg/dL in 20.6%. A FBG level ≥110 mg/dL (odds ratio [OR]=4.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.14∼8.24), dyslipidemia (OR=3.51; 95% CI, 2.10∼5.89), and a fasting TG ≥150 mg/dL were the most important factors contributing to MS. Conclusions: The prevalence of MS in men in Qom was higher than has been reported in other countries, but it was lower than the mean values that have been reported elsewhere in Iran. FBG was the most important factor contributing to MS, and all elements of the lipid profile showed important associations with MS.

Evaluation of Coordination of Emergency Response Team through the Social Network Analysis. Case Study: Oil and Gas Refinery

Mohammadfam, Iraj,Bastani, Susan,Esaghi, Mahbobeh,Golmohamadi, Rostam,Saee, Ali Occupational Safety and Health Research Institute 2015 Safety and health at work Vol.6 No.1

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the cohesions status of the coordination within response teams in the emergency response team (ERT) in a refinery. Methods: For this study, cohesion indicators of social network analysis (SNA; density, degree centrality, reciprocity, and transitivity) were utilized to examine the coordination of the response teams as a whole network. The ERT of this research, which was a case study, included seven teams consisting of 152 members. The required data were collected through structured interviews and were analyzed using the UCINET 6.0 Social Network Analysis Program. Results: The results reported a relatively low number of triple connections, poor coordination with key members, and a high level of mutual relations in the network with low density, all implying that there were low cohesions of coordination in the ERT. Conclusion: The results showed that SNA provided a quantitative and logical approach for the examination of the coordination status among response teams and it also provided a main opportunity for managers and planners to have a clear understanding of the presented status. The research concluded that fundamental efforts were needed to improve the presented situations.

Congenital toxoplasmosis among Iranian neonates: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Shahabeddin Sarvi,Tooran Nayeri Chegeni,Mehdi Sharif,Mahbobeh Montazeri,Seyed Abdollah Hosseini,Afsaneh Amouei,Zahra Hosseininejad,Davood Anvari,Reza Saberi,Shaban Gohardehi,Ahmad Daryani 한국역학회 2019 Epidemiology and Health Vol.41 No.-

Toxoplasmosis is a serious zoonotic disease that can lead to abortion and congenital disorders and has a widespread global distribution in humans and animals. The objective of this review was to investigate the incidence of toxoplasmosis in Iranian neonates in order to obtain a comprehensive assessment of the overall situation of the disease for use in developing future interventions. Original studies investigating the incidence of Toxoplasma gondii infections in Iranian neonates were systematically searched in a number of English-language and Persian-language electronic databases. The search process resulted in the inclusion of a total of 11 studies in the systematic review, 10 of which were entered into the meta-analysis. The reviewed articles included 2,230 Iranian neonates investigated through January 1, 2018. Based on the retrieved studies, the overall weighted incidence rates of toxoplasmosis in the Iranian neonatal population and neonates with suspected congenital toxoplasmosis were estimated to be 0.64% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31 to 1.09) and 4.10% (95% CI, 2.68 to 5.77), respectively, using a fixed-effects model. The findings of the reviewed studies demonstrate that the incidence of toxoplasmosis is high in Iranian neonates. Accordingly, it can be concluded that toxoplasmosis is a serious public health concern that has been ignored by the Ministry of Health. Therefore, it is essential to perform further studies, in addition to implementing screening and detection programs, using standardized methods to estimate the incidence of toxoplasmosis in Iran and to determine its associated risk factors.

Anti-Toxoplasma Activities of Zea Mays and Eryngium Caucasicum Extracts, In Vitro and In Vivo

Ehsan Ahmadpour,Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh,Mehdi Sharif,Sara Edalatian,Shahabeddin Sarvi,Mahbobeh Montazeri,Saeed Mehrzadi,Mohammad Akbari,Mohammad Taghi Rahimi,Ahmad Daryani 대한약침학회 2019 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.22 No.3

Objectives: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide health problem that caused by intracellular apicomplexan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Considering that the available drugs for toxoplasmosis have serious host toxicity, the aim of the current study was to survey the in vitro and in vivo anti-Toxoplasma activity of Zea mays (Z. mays) and Eryngium caucasicum (E. caucasicum) extracts. Methods: Four concentrations (5, 10, 25, and 50 mg mL -1 ) of Z. mays and E. caucasicum methanolic extracts for 30, 60, 120, and 180 min were incubated with infected macrophages and then the viability of RH strain of T. gondii tachyzoites was evaluated by trypan blue staining method. Also, we evaluated the survival rate of acutely infected mice with the extracts (100 and 200 mg kg -1 day -1 ) intraperitoneally for 5 days after infection with 2× 104tachyzoites of T. gondii. Results: The anti-Toxoplasma effect of the methanolic extracts were extremely significant compared to the negative control group in all exposure times (P < 0.05). The Z. mays (10, 25 and 50 mg mL -1 ) killed 100% of the parasites after 180 and 120 min exposure, respectively. Also, high toxoplasmacidal activity was observed with E. caucasicum extract. Furthermore, treatment of experimentally infected mice with the Z. mays (100, 200 mg kg -1 day -1 ) and E. caucasicum (100 mg kg -1 day -1 ) significantly increased their survival rate compared to untreated infected control (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These extracts are promising candidates for further medicine development on toxoplasmosis. However, further investigations are necessary to clarify effective fractions of the Z. mays and E. caucasicum extracts and the mechanisms of action.

Anti-Toxoplasma Effects of Methanol Extracts of Feijoa sellowiana, Quercus castaneifolia, and Allium paradoxum

Mohammad Ali Ebrahimzadeh,Mohammad Mohammad Taheri,Ehsan Ahmadpour,Mahbobeh Montazeri,Shahabeddin Sarvi,Mohammad Akbari,Ahmad Daryani 대한약침학회 2017 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.20 No.3

Objectives: The currently available agents for use against toxoplasmosis have serious limitations. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) activities of methanol extracts of Feijoa sellowiana (F. sellowiana) (leaves and fruits), Quercus castaneifolia (Q. castaneifolia) (fruits), and Allium paradoxum (A. paradoxum) (leaves) in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Vero cells were treated with different concentrations (from 0 to 400 μg/mL) of the above extracts or with pyrimethamine at a dose of 50 mg/mL (positive control). Then, the viabilities of the T. gondii-infected cells were measured by using colorimetric MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays. In addition, the survival rates of mice acutely infected with 2 × 104 RH strain tachyzoites of T. gondii were examined in vivo after intraperitoneal injection of the extracts at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Results: In the in vitro anti- T. gondii assay, the IC50 values were 12.77, 180.2, 74.73, 213.2 and 163.8 μg/mL, and the selectivity indices were 6.05, 1.31, 0.35, 0.69 and 1.30 for the F. sellowiana (leaves and fruits), Q. castaneifolia, and A. paradoxum extracts and pyrimethamine, respectively. Moreover, the mice treated with F. sellowiana (leaves and fruits) achieved better results in terms of survival than the others (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study indicate that methanol extract of F. sellowiana has significant anti-Toxoplasma activity. Further study should be conducted to investigate the potential bioactivity of this extract through bioactivity-guided fractionation.

Anti-Toxoplasma Effects of Methanol Extracts of Feijoa sellowiana, Quercus castaneifolia, and Allium paradoxum

Ebrahimzadeh, Mohammad Ali,Taheri, Mohammad Mohammad,Ahmadpour, Ehsan,Montazeri, Mahbobeh,Sarvi, Shahabeddin,Akbari, Mohammad,Daryani, Ahmad KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2017 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.20 No.3

Objectives: The currently available agents for use against toxoplasmosis have serious limitations. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the anti-Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) activities of methanol extracts of Feijoa sellowiana (F. sellowiana) (leaves and fruits), Quercus castaneifolia (Q. castaneifolia) (fruits), and Allium paradoxum (A. paradoxum) (leaves) in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Vero cells were treated with different concentrations (from 0 to $400{\mu}g/mL$) of the above extracts or with pyrimethamine at a dose of 50 mg/mL (positive control). Then, the viabilities of the T. gondii-infected cells were measured by using colorimetric MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl) 2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays. In addition, the survival rates of mice acutely infected with $2{\times}10^4$ RH strain tachyzoites of T. gondii were examined in vivo after intraperitoneal injection of the extracts at doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg/day for 5 days. Results: In the in vitro anti- T. gondii assay, the $IC_{50}$ values were 12.77, 180.2, 74.73, 213.2 and $163.8{\mu}g/mL$, and the selectivity indices were 6.05, 1.31, 0.35, 0.69 and 1.30 for the F. sellowiana (leaves and fruits), Q. castaneifolia, and A. paradoxum extracts and pyrimethamine, respectively. Moreover, the mice treated with F. sellowiana (leaves and fruits) achieved better results in terms of survival than the others (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of the current study indicate that methanol extract of F. sellowiana has significant anti-Toxoplasma activity. Further study should be conducted to investigate the potential bioactivity of this extract through bioactivity-guided fractionation.

Anti-Toxoplasma Activities of Zea Mays and Eryngium Caucasicum Extracts, In Vitro and In Vivo

Ahmadpour, Ehsan,Ebrahimzadeh, Mohammad Ali,Sharif, Mehdi,Edalatian, Sara,Sarvi, Shahabeddin,Montazeri, Mahbobeh,Mehrzadi, Saeed,Akbari, Mohammad,Rahimi, Mohammad Taghi,Daryani, Ahmad KOREAN PHARMACOPUNCTURE INSTITUTE 2019 Journal of pharmacopuncture Vol.22 No.3

Objectives: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide health problem that caused by intracellular apicomplexan parasite, Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii). Considering that the available drugs for toxoplasmosis have serious host toxicity, the aim of the current study was to survey the in vitro and in vivo anti-Toxoplasma activity of Zea mays (Z. mays) and Eryngium caucasicum (E. caucasicum) extracts. Methods: Four concentrations (5, 10, 25, and $50mg\;mL^{-1}$) of Z. mays and E. caucasicum methanolic extracts for 30, 60, 120, and 180 min were incubated with infected macrophages and then the viability of RH strain of T. gondii tachyzoites was evaluated by trypan blue staining method. Also, we evaluated the survival rate of acutely infected mice with the extracts (100 and $200mg\;kg^{-1}\;day^{-1}$) intraperitoneally for 5 days after infection with $2{\times}104$ tachyzoites of T. gondii. Results: The anti-Toxoplasma effect of the methanolic extracts were extremely significant compared to the negative control group in all exposure times (P < 0.05). The Z. mays (10, 25 and $50mg\;mL^{-1}$) killed 100% of the parasites after 180 and 120 min exposure, respectively. Also, high toxoplasmacidal activity was observed with E. caucasicum extract. Furthermore, treatment of experimentally infected mice with the Z. mays (100, $200mg\;kg^{-1}\;day^{-1}$) and E. caucasicum ($100mg\;kg^{-1}\;day^{-1}$) significantly increased their survival rate compared to untreated infected control (P < 0.05). Conclusion: These extracts are promising candidates for further medicine development on toxoplasmosis. However, further investigations are necessary to clarify effective fractions of the Z. mays and E. caucasicum extracts and the mechanisms of action.