Energy based procedure to obtain target displacement of reinforced concrete structures

Massumi, A.,Monavari, B. Techno-Press 2013 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.48 No.5

Performance-based seismic design allows a structure to develop inelastic response during earthquakes. This modern seismic design requires more clearly defined levels of inelastic response. The ultimate deformation of a structure without total collapse (target displacement) is used to obtain the inelastic deformation capacity (inelastic performance). The inelastic performance of a structure indicates its performance under excitation. In this study, a new energy-based method to obtain the target displacement for reinforced concrete frames under cyclic loading is proposed. Concrete structures were analyzed using nonlinear static (pushover) analysis and cyclic loading. Failure of structures under cyclic loading was controlled and the new method was tested to obtain target displacement. In this method, the capacity energy absorption of the structures for both pushover and cyclic analyses were considered to be equal. The results were compared with FEMA-356, which confirmed the accuracy of the proposed method.

Evaluation of Human Papillomavirus Infections in Prostatic Disease: a Cross-Sectional Study in Iran

Ghasemian, Ehsan,Monavari, Seyed Hamid Reza,Irajian, Gholam Reza,Nodoshan, Mohammad Reza Jalali,Roudsari, Rouhollah Vahabpour,Yahyapour, Yousef Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.5

Background: The role of inflammation in prostate diseases is suggested by the presence of inflammatory cells within the prostate in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa) patients. In addition, bacterial and viral infection may lead to chronic and recurrent inflammation of the prostate. The human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are a family of sexually transmitted viruses which have been implicated in the aetiology of cervical cancer and several other malignancies. This study evaluated the frequency of HPV infection in individuals with prostatic disease in Iran. Materials and Methods: The study included formalin fixed paraffin- embedded tissue samples of 196 primary prostate cases, including 29 PCa and 167 BPH samples. HPV DNA was purified and amplified through MY09/MY11 and GP5+/GP6+ primers with nested PCR. All patients were interviewed using a questionnaire to collect demographic information. Results: Nested PCR showed that HPV DNA was found in 17.2 percent of PCa samples and 4.8 percent of BPH samples (not significant). Conclusions: Our data do not support a significant role of HPV infection in prostatic disease in Iranian patients, but demographic data indicated a probable association between presence of HPV DNA and risk of inflammation in prostate tissue which might lead to prostate carcinoma. Further studies are required to elucidate any roles of HPV infection in prostatic disease.

Energy based procedure to obtain target displacement of reinforced concrete structures

A. Massumi,B. Monavari 국제구조공학회 2013 Structural Engineering and Mechanics, An Int'l Jou Vol.48 No.5

Performance-based seismic design allows a structure to develop inelastic response during earthquakes. This modern seismic design requires more clearly defined levels of inelastic response. The ultimate deformation of a structure without total collapse (target displacement) is used to obtain the inelastic deformation capacity (inelastic performance). The inelastic performance of a structure indicates its performance under excitation. In this study, a new energy-based method to obtain the target displacement for reinforced concrete frames under cyclic loading is proposed. Concrete structures were analyzed using nonlinear static (pushover) analysis and cyclic loading. Failure of structures under cyclic loading was controlled and the new method was tested to obtain target displacement. In this method, the capacity energy absorption of the structures for both pushover and cyclic analyses were considered to be equal. The results were compared with FEMA-356, which confirmed the accuracy of the proposed method.

Hepatitis C Virus - Proteins, Diagnosis, Treatment and New Approaches for Vaccine Development

Keyvani, Hossein,Fazlalipour, Mehdi,Monavari, Seyed Hamid Reza,Mollaie, Hamid Reza Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.12

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes acute and chronic human hepatitis infection and as such is an important global health problem. The virus was discovered in the USA in 1989 and it is now known that three to four million people are infected every year, WHO estimating that 3 percent of the 7 billion people worldwide being chronically infected. Humans are the natural hosts of HCV and this virus can eventually lead to permanent liver damage and carcinoma. HCV is a member of the Flaviviridae family and Hepacivirus genus. The diameter of the virus is about 50-60 nm and the virion contains a single-stranded positive RNA approximately 10,000 nucleotides in length and consisting of one ORF which is encapsulated by an external lipid envelope and icosahedral capsid. HCV is a heterogeneous virus, classified into 6 genotypes and more than 50 subtypes. Because of the genome variability, nucleotide sequences of genotypes differ by approximately 31-34%, and by 20-23% among subtypes. Quasi-species of mixed virus populations provide a survival advantage for the virus to create multiple variant genomes and a high rate of generation of variants to allow rapid selection of mutants for new environmental conditions. Direct contact with infected blood and blood products, sexual relationships and availability of injectable drugs have had remarkable effects on HCV epidemiology. Hundreds of thousands of people die each year from hepatitis and liver cancer caused by HCV virus infection. Approximately 80% of patients with acute hepatitis C progress into a chronic disease state leading to serious hepatic disorders, 10-20% of which develop chronic liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The incubation period of HCV is 6-8 weeks and the infection is often asymptomatic so it is very hard to detect at early stages, making early treatment very difficult. Therefore, hepatitis C is called a "silent disease". Neutralizing antibodies are produced against several HCV proteins during infection but the virus mutates to escape from antibodies. Some patients with chronic hepatitis C may have some symptoms such as fatigue, muscle aches, nausea and pain. Autoimmune and immunecomplex-mediated diseases have also been reported with chronic HCV infection.

RNAi and miRNA in Viral Infections and Cancers

Mollaie, Hamid Reza,Monavari, Seyed Hamid Reza,Arabzadeh, Seyed Ali Mohammad,Shamsi-Shahrabadi, Mahmoud,Fazlalipour, Mehdi,Afshar, Reza Malekpour Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Since the first report of RNA interference (RNAi) less than a decade ago, this type of molecular intervention has been introduced to repress gene expression in vitro and also for in vivo studies in mammals. Understanding the mechanisms of action of synthetic small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) underlies use as therapeutic agents in the areas of cancer and viral infection. Recent studies have also promoted different theories about cell-specific targeting of siRNAs. Design and delivery strategies for successful treatment of human diseases are becomingmore established and relationships between miRNA and RNAi pathways have been revealed as virus-host cell interactions. Although both are well conserved in plants, invertebrates and mammals, there is also variabilityand a more complete understanding of differences will be needed for optimal application. RNA interference (RNAi) is rapid, cheap and selective in complex biological systems and has created new insight sin fields of cancer research, genetic disorders, virology and drug design. Our knowledge about the role of miRNAs and siRNAs pathways in virus-host cell interactions in virus infected cells is incomplete. There are different viral diseases but few antiviral drugs are available. For example, acyclovir for herpes viruses, alpha-interferon for hepatitis C and B viruses and anti-retroviral for HIV are accessible. Also cancer is obviously an important target for siRNA-based therapies, but the main problem in cancer therapy is targeting metastatic cells which spread from the original tumor. There are also other possible reservations and problems that might delay or even hinder siRNA-based therapies for the treatment of certain conditions; however, this remains the most promising approach for a wide range of diseases. Clearly, more studies must be done to allow efficient delivery and better understanding of unwanted side effects of siRNA-based therapies. In this review miRNA and RNAi biology, experimental design, anti-viral and anti-cancer effects are discussed.

High Resolution Melting Curve Assay for Detecting rs12979860 IL28B Polymorphisms Involved in Response of Iranian Patients to Chronic Hepatitis C Treatment

Fateh, Abolfazl,Aghasadeghi, Mohammad Reza,Keyvani, Hossein,Mollaie, Hamid Reza,Yari, Shamsi,Tasbiti, Ali Reza Hadizade,Ghazanfari, Morteza,Monavari, Seyed Hamid Reza Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2015 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.16 No.5

Background: A recent genome-wide association study (GWAS) on patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) treated with peginterferon and ribavirin (pegIFN-${\alpha}$/RBV) identified a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) on chromosome 19 (rs12979860) which was strongly associated with a sustained virological response (SVR). The aim of this study was twofold: to study the relationship between IL28B rs12979860 and sustained virological response (SVR) to pegIFN-${\alpha}$/RVB therapy among CHC patients and to detect the rs12979860 polymorphism by high resolution melting curve (HRM) assay as a simple, fast, sensitive, and inexpensive method. Materials and Methods: The study examined outcomes in 100 patients with chronic hepatitis C in 2 provinces of Iran from December 2011 to June 2013. Two methods were applied to detect IL28B polymorphisms: PCR-sequencing as a gold standard method and HRM as a simple, fast, sensitive, and inexpensive method. Results: The frequencies of IL28B rs12979860 CC, CT, and TT alleles in chronic hepatitis C genotype 1a patients were 10% (10/100), 35% (35/100), and 6% (6/100) and in genotype 3a were 13% (13/100), 31% (31/100), and 5% (5/100), respectively. In genotype 3a infected patients, rs12979860 (CC and CT alleles) and in genotype 1a infected patients (CC allele) were significantly associated with a sustained virological response (SVR). The SVR rates for CC, CT and TT (IL28B rs12979860) were 18%, 34% and 4%, respectively. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified two independent factors that were significantly associated with SVR: IL-28B genotype (rs 12979860 CC vs TT and CT; odds ratio [ORs], 7.86 and 4.084, respectively), and HCV subtype 1a (OR, 7.46). In the present study, an association between SVR rates and IL28B polymorphisms was observed. Conclusions: The HRM assay described herein is rapid, inexpensive, sensitive and accurate for detecting rs12979860 alleles in CHC patients. This method can be readily adopted by any molecular diagnostic laboratory with HRM capability and will be clinically beneficial in predicting treatment response in HCV genotype 1 and 3 infected patients. In addition, it was demonstrated that CC and CT alleles in HCV-3a and the CC allele in HCV-1a were significantly associated with response to pegIFN-${\alpha}$/RBV treatment. The present results may help identify subjects for whom the therapy might be successful.

Evaluation of Human Papilloma Virus Infection in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma from the Caspian Sea Area, North of Iran

Yahyapour, Yousef,Shamsi-Shahrabadi, Mahmoud,Mahmoudi, Mahmoud,Siadati, Sepideh,Shahryar, Shefaei Shahryar,Shokri-Shirvani, Javad,Mollaei, Hamid,Monavari, Seyed Hamid Reza Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.4

Introduction: HPV has been found repeatedly in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) tissues. However, reported detection rates of HPV DNA in these tumors have varied markedly. Differences in detection methods, sample types, and geographic regions of sample origin have been suggested as potential causes of variation. We have reported that infection of HPV DNA in ESCC tumors depends on anatomical sites of esophagus of the patients from Mazandaran, north of Iran. Materials and Methods: HPV DNA was examined in 46 upper, 69 middle and 62 lower third anatomical sites of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma specimens collected from Mazandaran province in north Iran, near the Caspian Littoral as a region with high incidence of ESCC. HPV L1 DNA was detected using Qualitative Real time PCR and MY09/MY11 primers. Results: 28.3% of upper, 29% of middle and 25.8% of lower third of ESCC samples were positive for HPV DNA. 13.6% for males and 14.1% for females were HPV positive in all samples. Conclusions: HPV infection is about one third of ESCC in this area. Findings in this study increase the possibility that HPV is involved in esophageal carcinogenesis. Further investigation with a larger sample size is necessary.

Comparison of Three Different Methods for Detection of IL28 rs12979860 Polymorphisms as a Predictor of Treatment Outcome in Patients with Hepatitis C Virus

Abolfazl Fateh,Mohammadreza Aghasadeghi,Seyed D. Siadat,Farzam Vaziri,Farzin Sadeghi,Roohollah Fateh,Hossein Keyvani,Alireza H. Tasbiti,Shamsi Yari,Angila Ataei-Pirkooh,Seyed H. Monavari 질병관리본부 2016 Osong Public Health and Research Persptectives Vol.7 No.2

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the specificity, sensitivity, cost, and turn-around time of three methods of gene polymorphism analysis and to study the relationship between IL28B rs12979860 and SVR rate to pegIFN-α/RVB therapy among patients with chronic hepatitis C. Methods: A total of 100 samples from chronic hepatitis C patients were analyzed in parallel using the three methods: direct sequencing, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS)-PCR. Results: The different profiles for IL28B rs12979860 alleles (CC, CT, and TT) obtained with PCR-RFLP, ARMS-PCR, and direct sequencing were consistent among the three methods. Prevalence of rs12979860 genotypes CC, CT and TT in HCV genotype 1a was 10(19.6%), 35(68.6%), and six (11.8%), respectively, and in HCV genotype 31, it was 13(26.5%), 31(63.3%), and five (10.2%), respectively. No significant difference was seen between rs12979860 genotype and HCV genotype (p = 0.710). Conclusion: Screening by ARMS - PCR SNOP detection represents the most efficient and reliable method to determine HCV polymorphisms in routine clinical practice.

Human parvovirus B19 and parvovirus 4 among Iranian patients with hemophilia

Davod Javanmard,Masood Ziaee,Hadi Ghaffari,Mohammad Hasan Namaei,Ahmad Tavakoli,Hamidreza Mollaei,Mohsen Moghoofei,Helya Sadat Mortazavi,Seyed Hamidreza Monavari 대한혈액학회 2017 Blood Research Vol.51 No.4

Background: Human parvovirus B19 (B19V) is one of the smallest DNA viruses and shows great resist-ance to most disinfectants. Therefore, it is one of the common contaminant pathogens present in blood and plasma products. Parvovirus 4 (PARV4) is a newly identified parvovi-rus, which is also prevalent in parenteral transmission. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of B19V and PARV4 DNA among patients with hemophilia in Birjand County in eastern Iran. Methods: This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study comprising nearly all people with hemo-philia in this region. Whole blood samples were taken after patient registration and sent for plasma isolation. After nucleic acid extraction, B19V was detected with real-time poly-merase chain reaction, PARV4 DNA was then detected using sensitive semi-nested PCR. Results: In total, there were 86 patients with hemophilia, with mean age 28.5±1.5 years. Of these, 90.7% were men and 9.3% women; 84.9% had hemophilia A and 7.0% had hemophilia B. We found 11 patients (12.8%) were positive for B19V DNA and 8 were positive (9.3%) for PARV4 DNA. The prevalence of B19V was higher in middle-aged groups rather than younger people, whereas PARV4 infection was more common in younger patients (P<0.05). Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of B19V and PARV4 infection in this high-risk group of pa-tients with hemophilia. Due to the clinical significance of the B19 virus, imposing more precautionary measures for serum and blood products is recommended.

Human parvovirus B19 in patients with beta thalassemia major from Tehran, Iran

Seyed Ali Mohammad Arabzadeh,Farideh Alizadeh,Ahmad Tavakoli,Hamidreza Mollaei,Farah Bokharaei-Salim,Gharib Karimi,Mohammad Farahmand,Helya Sadat Mortazavi,Seyed Hamidreza Monavari 대한혈액학회 2017 Blood Research Vol.52 No.1

Background: Due to the tropism of human parvovirus B19 to erythroid progenitor cells, infection in patients with an underlying hemolytic disorder such as beta-thalassemia major leads to suppression of erythrocyte formation, referred to as transient aplasia crisis (TAC), which may be life-threatening. We investigated the prevalence of parvovirus B19 among patients with beta thalassemia major attending the Zafar Adult Thalassemia Clinic in Tehran, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed to determine the presence of parvovirus B19 DNA in blood samples and parvovirus B19 genotypes in plasma samples of patients with thalassemia major. The population consisted of 150 patients with beta-thalassemia major who attended the Zafar clinic in Tehran. Specimens were studied using a real-time poly-merase chain reaction assay. Results: The prevalence of parvovirus B19 in our study population was 4%. Of 150 patients with thalassemia, six (4%) were positive for B19 DNA. There was no significant correlation between blood transfusion frequency and B19 DNA positivity. Finally, phylogenetic analy-sis of human parvovirus B19 revealed genotype I in these six patients. Conclusion: In this study, acute B19 infections were detected in patients with beta thalassemia major. Screening of such high-risk groups can considerably reduce the incidence and prevalence of B19 infection; thus, screening is required for epidemiologic surveillance and dis-ease-prevention measures.