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.

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.

Immunogenicity of EIT chimeric protein expressed in transplastomic tobacco plants towards development of an oral vaccine against Escherichia coli O157:H7

Karimi, Farrokh,Mousavi, Amir,Salmanian, Ali Hatef,Alizadeh, Houshang,Rafati, Sima 한국식물생명공학회 2013 Plant biotechnology reports Vol.7 No.4

Chloroplast genetic engineering offers an opportunity for high level expression and cost-effective recombinant protein production. Escherichia coli O157:H7 is one of the most important zoonotic pathogens causing hemorrhagic colitis (HC) and the life-threatening hemolytic-uremic syndrome in humans worldwide. The occurrence of zoonotic E. coli O157:H7 outbreaks in recent years has led to increased efforts in the development of safe and cost-effective immunogenic antigens against E. coli O157:H7. EspA and Tir/Intimin proteins are the important virulence factors which are encoded by the LEE locus of enterohemorrhagic E. coli. In this study, we hypothesized that the high level expression of the chimeric form of these effectors in chloroplasts and using tobacco transplastomic plants as an oral delivery system for the development of an edible-base vaccine would induce an immune response for the prevention of E. coli 0157:H7 attachment and colonization in animal model mice. The prokaryotic codonoptimized EIT protein was expressed in plastid genome via chloroplast transformation. Putative transplastomic plants were analyzed by PCR, and Southern blot analysis confirming chloroplast integration and homoplasmy in the T1 progeny. Immunoblotting and ELISA assays demonstrated that the EIT protein was expressed in chloroplasts and accumulated up to 1.4 % of total soluble protein in leaf tissue. In mice orally immunized with transplastomic tobacco plant leaves, high immunological responses (IgG and IgA specific antibodies) were detected in serum and feces. Finally, the challenging assay with E. coli O157:H7 in immunized mice showed reduced bacterial shedding.

Effects of counter torque and transposition (transfer) of installed implants timing on their integration in dog tibia

Karimi, Mohammad Reza,Fathi, Shima,Ghanavati, Farzin The Korean Academy of Prosthodonitics 2015 The Journal of Advanced Prosthodontics Vol.7 No.1

PURPOSE. The purpose of this research was to evaluate the amount of reosseointegration after counter torquing (reverse torque) and transposing the installed implants at different times. MATERIALS AND METHODS. This study was done on ten tibiae of five cross-bred dogs. At the first day one implant was installed in each tibia. After one week half of the implants were randomly counter torqued (1WCT) and the other half were explanted and reimplanted in a new juxtaposition site (transposed)(1WT). At the same time three new implants were installed in each dog, one of them was considered as one week control (1WC) and remaining two as 8 week groups (8WCT&8WT). After eight weeks the 1WCT and 1WT implants were loosened by counter torque and the quantity of needed force for liberation was measured with the digital device (BGI). At the same time one implant was installed in each dog as eight week control (8WC) and the same protocol was repeated for 8 week groups after another 8 weeks. RESULTS. All implants were osseointegrated. Mean quantities of osseointegration in case groups indicated better amounts rather than control groups. CONCLUSION. Counter torque or transposition of the installed implants one week or eight weeks after the implantation did lead to osseointegration.

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.

Association between Trace Element and Heavy Metal Levels in Hair and Nail with Prostate Cancer

Karimi, Golgis,Shahar, Suzana,Homayouni, Nasim,Rajikan, Roslee,Bakar, Nor Faizah Abu,Othman, Mohd Sham Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2012 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.13 No.9

While associations between trace elements and heavy metals with prostate cancer are still debatable, they have been considered as risk factors for prostate cancer. Thus, this study aimed to detect any links between selected minerals and heavy metals including Se, Zn, Cu, Mn and Fe with prostate cancer. A case control study was carried out among 100 subjects (case n=50, control n=50), matched for age and ethnicity. Trace elements and heavy metals level in hair and nail samples were determined by ICP-MS. Mean selenium levels in hair and nail of the cases were significantly lower as compared to controls. A similar trend was noted for zinc in both hair and nail samples, whereas the mean level of copper was significantly higher in cases than controls. Similar elevation was noted for iron and manganese (p<0.05 for all parameters). Low levels of selenium and zinc and high levels of copper, iron and manganese appear to be associated with the risk of prostate cancer. Further studies to elucidate the causal mechanisms and appropriate chemopreventive measures are needed.

Refusal Self Efficacy, Self Esteem, Smoking Refusal Skills and Water Pipe (Hookah) Smoking among Iranian Male Adolescents

Karimy, Mahmood,Niknami, Shamsaddin,Heidarnia, Ali Reza,Hajizadeh, Ebrahim,Shamsi, Mohsen Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 2013 Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention Vol.14 No.12

Background: Tobacco use among adolescents is a major public health concern, and identifying predictors of smoking is necessary for planning prevention programs. The present study examined the relationship between refusal self efficacy, self esteem, smoking refusal skills and water pipe (hookah) smoking among Iranian male adolescents. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 380 Iranian male adolescents aged between 15-19 years selected by multistage sampling. The participants completed an anonymous, voluntary, self-report questionnaire. Variables independently associated with water pipe (WP) smoking were identified by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The mean age of the participants was $16.7{\pm}1.3$ years. The prevalence of WP smoking was 17.3%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that knowledge (OR=0.56; 95% CI: (0.37-0.79), attitude (OR=0.69; 95% CI: (0.52-0.89), self esteem (OR=0.67; 95% CI: (0.55-0.82), smoking refusal skills (OR=0.73; 95% CI: (0.55-0.87), and self efficacy (OR=.82; 95% CI: (0.61-0.93) were all signifcant prediting facotrs for adolescents WP smoking. Conclusions: The findings have implications for public health interventions. Indeed, self efficacy and smoking refusal skills should be considered when developing tailored measures for the prevention of WP smoking among adolescents.

Impact of Aging on the Reliability of Delay PUFs

Karimi, Naghmeh,Danger, Jean-Luc,Guilley, Sylvain Springer-Verlag 2018 Journal of electronic testing Vol.34 No.5

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.