ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor from Embryonic Status to Cardiovascular Pathology Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a multifunctional cytokine with distinct functions in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, vascular permeability, and hematopoiesis. VEGF is a highly conserved, disulfide-bonded dimeric glycoprotein of 34 to 45 kDa produced by several cell types including fibroblasts, neutrophils, endothelial cells, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells, particularly T lymphocytes and macrophages. Six VEGF isoforms are generated as a result of alternative splicing from a single VEGF gene, consisting of 121, 145, 165, 183, 189, or 206 amino acids. VEGF121, VEGF145, and VEGF165 are secreted whereas VEGF183, VEGF189, and VEGF206 are cell membrane-bound. VEGF145 has a key role during the vascularization of the human ovarian follicle and corpus luteum, in the placentation and embryonic periods, and in bone and wound healing, while VEGF165 is the most abundant and biologically active isoform. VEGF has been linked with a number of vascular pathologies including cardiovascular diseases such ischemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and diabetes and its related complications. In this review we aimed to present some important roles of VEGF in a number of clinical issues and indicate its involvement in several phenomena from the initial steps of the embryonic period to cardiovascular diseases. http://rbmb.net/article-1-44-en.pdf 2014-04-30 59 69 Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) Vascular pathogenesis Mohsen Azimi-Nezhad 1 AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE A Study of Lipid- and Protein- Bound Sialic Acids for the Diagnosis of Bladder Cancer and Their Relationships with the Severity of Malignancy Background: The gold standard for detection of bladder cancer is cystoscopy, which is an invasive and complicated procedure. Our study was conducted to find a tumor marker with high specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. Methods: Serum samples were collected from 58 bladder cancer patients and 60 healthy control subjects. Levels of lipid-bound sialic acid (LBSA), and protein-bound sialic acid (PBSA) were measured spectrophotometrically by Aminoff’s method. Results: Mean levels of both markers were found to be significantly higher in the patients than the healthy controls. Positive correlations were observed between serum levels of lipid- (r=0.283, p<0.05) and protein- bound (r=0.56, p<0.05) sialic acids and the grade of malignancy. To differentiate patients with bladder tumors from healthy controls, cut-offpoints were determined for each of the two parameters based on Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (LBSA=21.25 mg/dL, PBSA=6.15 mg/dL). The data showed good sensitivities (LBSA=89%, PBSA=79%), specificities (LBSA=70%, PBSA=70%) and accuracies (LBSA=83%, PBSA=81%) for both markers. Conclusion: Measuring serum LBSA and PBSA by this simple, reproducible, noninvasive, and inexpensive method can accurately discriminate cancer patients from healthy individuals. http://rbmb.net/article-1-45-en.pdf 2014-04-30 70 75 N-Acetylneuraminic Acid Tumor Markers Urinary Bladder Neoplasms Shima Habibi 1 Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR Hassan Jamshidian 2 Department of Urology, Medical School, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR Mahdi Kadivar 3 Department of Biochemistry, Pasteur Institute of Iran, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR Mohammad Reza Eshraghian 4 Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AUTHOR Mohammad Hassan Javanbakht 5 Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR Hoda Derakhshanian 6 Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR Mahmoud Djalali mjalali87@yahoo.com 7 Department of Cellular and Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Inherited Genetic Markers for Thrombophilia in Northeastern Iran (a Clinical-Based Report) Background: Thrombophilia is a main predisposition to thrombosis due to a procoagulant state. Several point mutations play key roles in blood-clotting disorders, which are grouped under the term thrombophilia. These thrombophilic mutations are methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR, C677T, and A1298C), factor V Leiden (G1691A), prothrombin gene mutation (factor II, G20210A), and plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI). In the present study, we assessed the prevalence of the above thrombophilia markers in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss or first and second trimester abortions, infertility, and failed in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: This study was conducted among 457 cases those were referred to detect the inherited genetic markers for thrombophilia. Markers for MTHFR, Factor II, and Factor V were assessed by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP), and PAI was assessed by Amplification Refractory Mutation System (ARMS-PCR). Results: Two hundred sixty cases (56.89%) were diagnosed as having at least one thrombophilia marker, whereas 197 cases (43.11%) had no thrombophilia markers and were normal. Conclusion: According to the current study, the pattern of abnormal genetic markers for thrombophilia in northeastern Iran demonstrates the importance of genetic evaluations in patients who show clinical abnormalities with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) or other serious obstetric complications. http://rbmb.net/article-1-46-en.pdf 2014-04-30 76 81 Factor II Factor V Thrombophilia MTHFR PAI Thrombophilic markers Fatemeh Keify 1 Pardis Clinical and Genetics Laboratory, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR Mohsen Azimi-Nezhad 2 Pardis Clinical and Genetics Laboratory, Mashhad, Iran - Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran - Université de Lorraine, Unité de Recherche “Interactions Gène-Environnement en Physiopathologie Cardio Vasculaire” l’UMR INSERM U 1122, IGE-PCV, Nancy, France. AUTHOR Narges Zhiyan-abed 3 Pardis Clinical and Genetics Laboratory, Mashhad, Iran - Razavi’s Social Welfare Organization, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR Mojila Nasseri 4 Pardis Clinical and Genetics Laboratory, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR Mohammad Reza Abbaszadegan abbaszadeganmr@mums.ac.ir 5 Pardis Clinical and Genetics Laboratory, Mashhad, Iran - Division of Human Genetics, Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, MUMS, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Identification and Molecular Characterization of the cDNA Encoding Cucumis melo Allergen, Cuc m 3, a Plant Pathogenesis-Related Protein Background: Melon (Cucumis melo) allergy is one of the most common food allergies, characterized by oral allergy syndrome. To date, two allergen molecules, Cuc m 1 and Cuc m 2, have been fully characterized in melon pulp, but there are few reports about the molecular characteristics of Cuc m 3. Methods:The Cuc m 3 cDNA has been characterized by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), which revealed a 456 base-pair (bp) fragment encoding a 151-amino acid polypeptide with a predicted molecular mass of 16.97 kDa, and identified 79 and 178 bp untranslated sequences at the 5′ and 3´ ends, respectively. Results: In silico analysis showed strong similarities between Cuc m 3 and other plant pathogen-related protein 1s from cucumber, grape, bell pepper, and tomato. Conclusion: Here we report the identification and characterization of the Cuc m 3 cDNA, which will be utilized for further analyses of structural and allergenic features of this allergen. http://rbmb.net/article-1-47-en.pdf 2014-04-30 82 87 Allergen Cuc m 3 Melon Plant pathogenesis-related protein 1 Mojtaba Sankian 1 Immunology Research Center, Medical School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR Jafar Hajavi 2 Immunology Research Center, Medical School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR Malihe Moghadam 3 Immunology Research Center, Medical School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR Abdol-Reza Varasteh varasteha@mums.ac.ir 4 Allergy Research Center, Medical School, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Identification of Spata-19 New Variant with Expression beyond Meiotic Phase of Mouse Testis Development Background: The study of specific genes expressed in the testis is important to understanding testis development and function. Spermatogenesis is an attractive model for the study of gene expression during germ cell differentiation. Spermatogenesis associated-19 (Spata-19) is a recently-identified important spermatogenesis-related gene specifically expressed in testis. Its protein product is involved in sperm cell development and reproduction. In this report we examined the expression of Spata-19 mRNA in mouse testis, fetus, and cell lines. Methods: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), nested PCR, and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) were used to analyze Spata-19 mRNA expression in different stages of mouse testis development, mouse fetus, mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC), Sertoli cells, and NIH/3T3 cells. Results: We identified a novel splice variant of Spata-19 in the mouse genome that it is expressed in the fetus and after the meiotic phase of spermatogenesis, and over-expressed in the post-meiotic stage of mouse spermatogenesis. This novel splice variant was absent in five days old mice testis, mESC, MEF, Sertoli, and NIH/3T3 cell lines. Conclusion: The Spata-19 has a large novel splice variant in mouse testis that is expressed beyond meiotic phase of testis development. We suggest that this new Spata-19 mRNA variant might be involved in mitochondrial maintenance in sperm cells, and might be correlated with androgen secretion ‎and male fertility. http://rbmb.net/article-1-48-en.pdf 2014-04-30 88 93 Fertility Spata-19‎ new variant Spermatogenesis Testis Seyedmehdi Nourashrafeddin 1 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. AUTHOR Reza Ebrahimzadeh-Vesal 2 Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR Mohammad Hosein Modarressi 3 Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR Ali Zekri 4 Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR Mohammad Nouri nourim@tbzmed.ac.ir 5 Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran - Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE EBV Seroepidemiology in Married and Unmarried Women and Men in Iran Background: Among the eight known human herpes viruses, Epstein- Barr virus (EBV) is considered to be sexually transmissible. This study was conducted to evaluate the seroepidemiology of this infection in married and unmarried Iranian couples. Methods: In this comparative observational and cross-sectional study, 160 men and women were divided into married and unmarried groups. Serum IgG and IgM antibodies to the EBV viral capsid antigen were analyzed by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISAs). Results: In this study 78 men and 82 women were enrolled. Ninety percent of the married and 76.2% of the unmarried women were anti-EBV IgG positive (P = 0.08), while 80% of the married and 94% of the unmarried men were antiEBV IgG positive (P = 0.052). Conclusion: Seroepidemiology of EBV is not significantly different in married vs. unmarried women and men in Iran; therefore, sexual contact may not be the primary mechanism of EBV transmission in Iran and other developing countries. Attention to other possible routes of transmission is recommended. http://rbmb.net/article-1-49-en.pdf 2014-04-30 94 97 Anti-VCA Epstein Barr Virus Sexual contact Morteza Pourahamad 1 Department of Internal Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Iran AUTHOR Farhang Hooshmand 2 Department of Pathology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Iran. AUTHOR Sara Olyaee Nezhad 3 Medical Student, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Iran - Student Research Committee, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Iran AUTHOR Abdolali Sepidkar Mortezapourahmad@gmail.com 4 Department of Surgery, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Iran. AUTHOR
ORIGINAL_ARTICLE Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in a Subject with Heterozygote Factor V Leiden Mutation; a Case Report Recurrent pregnancy loss is usually defined as the loss of two or more consecutive pregnancies before 20 weeks of gestation, which occurs in approximately 5% of reproductive-aged women. It has been suggested that women with thrombophilia have an increased risk of pregnancy loss and other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Thrombophilia is an important predisposition to blood clot formation and is considered as a significant risk factor for recurrent pregnancy loss. The inherited predisposition to thrombophilia is most often associated with factor V Leiden mutation, prothrombin G20210A mutation, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677T and A1298C gene variants. The net effect is an increased cleavage of prothrombin to thrombin and excessive blood coagulation. http://rbmb.net/article-1-50-en.pdf 2014-04-30 98 102 Hereditary thrombophilia Factor V Leiden mutation Recurrent pregnancy loss Reza Ebrahimzadeh-Vesal rz_ebrahimzadeh@yahoo.com 1 Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AUTHOR Roza Azam 2 Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AUTHOR Arvin Ghazarian 3 Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AUTHOR Mogge Hajesmaeili 4 Department of Biology, Islamic Azad University of Parand, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR Najmeh Ranji 5 Department of Genetics, Faculty of Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Rasht Branch, Rasht, Iran. AUTHOR Mohammad Reza Ezzati 6 Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR Mehrdad Sadri 7 Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR Mohammad Ali Mohammadi 8 Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR Siamak Khavandi 9 Faculty of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. AUTHOR