bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Antibodies Produced Toward Recombinant RBD and Nucleocapsid Neutralize SARS-COV-2
Authors: Rezaei Amir , Nazarian Shahram , Samiei Abianeh Hossein , Kordbacheh Emad , Alizadeh Zahra , Mousavi Gargari Seyed Latif 
Published: September 2022

Background: The highly contagious SARS-COV-2 virus spread rapidly from China and formed a global pandemic. The virus has infected over 509 million people worldwide and killed about 6.32 million up to date. Up on invasion, the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) of Spike protein plays a crucial role in the entry of the virus into the host cell. The virus N protein is another protein that has a critical role for genome packaging.

Methods: As bioinformatics approaches, the cassette design, codon adaptation, and protein stability were investigated in this study. Synthetic genes of RBD and N were cloned separately in pET28a + expression vector. They were transferred into Escherichia coli (E. coli) BL21 DE3 host cell, and expression of recombinant proteins was induced with IPTG. The recombinant proteins were purified by column chromatography and approved by Western blotting. Animal immunization was performed with each of the recombinant proteins individually and in combination of the two. The antibody titer of the blood serum from control and immunized mice groups was determined by ELISA technique. Finally, the anti-spike neutralization test was performed.

Results: The expression and purification of RBD protein were monitored on SDS-PAGE, two bands of about 28 and 45 kDa for RBD and N appeared on gel distinctly, which were further validated by Western blotting. According to ELISA results, related antibodies were traced to a dilution of 1/64000 in immunized sera. The neutralization test exhibited produced antibodies' potency to bind the virus proteins. Using SPSS software, statistical analysis was performed by Duncan's test and T-test.

Conclusion: According to the present study, recombinant proteins, either RBD alone or in combination with N adequately stimulated the immune response, and the raised antibodies could neutralize the virus in in vitro test.
A Panel of Circulating microRNAs as a Potential Biomarker for the Early Detection of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Saliminejad Kioomars , Mahmoodzadeh Habibollah , Soleymani Fard Shahrzad , Yaghmaie Marjan , Khorram Khorshid Hamid Reza , Mousavi Seyed Asadollah , Vaezi Mohammad , Ghaffari Seyed Hamidollah 
Published: September 2022

Background: The high mortality rate of Gastric Cancer (GC) is a consequence of delayed diagnosis. The early diagnosis of GC could increase the five-year survival rate among patients. We aimed to find a panel of microRNAs (miRNA) for the detection of GC in the early stages.

Methods: In this case-control study, we selected consistently upregulated miRNAs from the results of 12 high-throughput miRNA profiling studies in GC. In the profiling phase, the differential expressions of 13 candidate miRNAs were analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) in two pooled RNA samples prepared from the plasma of eight GC patients and eight matched controls. In the validation phase, significantly upregulated miRNAs from the profiling phase were further evaluated in the plasma samples of 97 patients with stage I-IV gastric adenocarcinoma and 100 healthy controls.

Results: In the profiling phase, six miRNAs (miR-18a, 21, 25, 92a, 125b and 221) were significantly upregulated in the GC patients compared to the controls (p<0.05). However, in the validation phase, only significant up-regulation of miR-18a, 21 and 125b was confirmed (p<0.05). A panel of miR-18a/21/125b was able to detect GC patients with stage I-IV from the controls (p<0.001; AUC=0.92, sensitivity=86%; specificity=85%). In addition, the panel could distinguish the early-stage GC (I+II) from the control group with an AUC of 0.83, a sensitivity of 83%, and a specificity of 75%.
Conclusion: A panel of circulating miR18a/21/125b could be suggested as a potential biomarker for the early detection of GC.
Bioactive Materials Derived from Menstrual Blood Stem Cells Enhance the Quality of In Vitro Bovine Embryos
Authors: Amini Mohammad Sobhan , Naderi Mohammad Mehdi , Shirazi Abolfazl , Aminafshar Mehdi , Borjian Boroujeni Sara , Pournourali Mostafa , Malekpour Ali 
Published: September 2022

Backgrounds: The aim of this study was to determine whether the addition of bioactive materials derived from Menstrual Blood Stem Cells (MenSCs) to the oocyte maturation medium may improve the quality of bovine embryos in vitro.

Methods: MenSCs were collected from 6 healthy women (between 26 and 36 years old) and after 3 days of culture, their bioactive materials were frozen. The bovine Cumulus-Oocyte-Complexes (COCs) were aspirated from ovarian slaughterhouse and the oocytes with more than three layers of cumulus cells were cultured in vitro in media supplemented with (treatment) and without (control) 10% MenSCs’ bioactive materials. After IVM/IVF, the presumptive zygotes were cultured for 8 days.

Results: The blastocyst rate on day 8 in treatment group was higher than control (40.2±1.9 vs. 23±4.2.3, p=0.001). The ratio of Trophectoderm (TE) and Inner Cell Mass (ICM) (ICM/TE) cells was also greater in treatment group compared to control (30.3±2 vs. 14.9±1; p=0.001). The re-expansion of vitrified blastocysts, 24 hours after warming, in treatment group was higher than control (93.3±2.5 vs. 66.2±8.8; p=0.01). The expression of some genes related to pluripotency and implantation (OCT4, CDX2, and IFNT) were increased in treatment group compared to control (p<0/05).

Conclusion: In conclusion, the addition of MenSCs’ bioactive materials during in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes could improve the quantity and quality of bovine IVP embryos. Also, the expression of some genes associated with pluripotency and implantation in the blastocyst would be increased.
Evaluation of PLGA-Encapsulated Recombinant GroEL of S. typhi immune Responses Against Enterohaemorrhagic and Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Parvane Milad , Nazarian Shahram , Kordbache Emad , Fathi Javad , Minae Mohamad Ebrahim , Ramezani Mohammad Reza 
Published: September 2022

Background: Heat Shock Proteins (HSPs) elicit humoral and cellular immune responses. Due to their high sequence homology, they can be developed as a new immunogen for cross prophylactic and vaccination effects against infectious agents such as Enteropathogenic and Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EPEC and EHEC). This study aimed to evaluate the immunogenicity and cross-protective efficacy of rGroEL of Salmonella typhi (S. typhi) encapsulated in poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles against EPEC and EHEC.

Methods: Recombinant GroEL was expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. The protein was encapsulated in PLGA by the double emulsion method, and the nanoparticles were characterized physicochemically. BALB/c mice were immunized, and the efficacy of the protein to elicit immune responses was assessed.

Results: Over-expression in E. coli led to corresponding 64.5 kDa protein bands in Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Non-ag-gregated nanoparticles had a spherical shape with a mean diameter of 194.3±3 nm and encapsulation efficiency of 89.5±2.5%. Antibody isotyping revealed that GroEL immunization induced both IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies. Moreover, immunization of the mice with recombinant GroEL protein conferred 80 and 60% protection against lethal infections by EPEC and EHEC, respectively. Furthermore, organ burden studies revealed a significant reduction in infection in the immunized mice compared to the non-immunized ones. Passive immunization with anti-GroEL sera also protected 50% of the mice against the lethal doses of EHEC and EPEC strains.

Conclusion: The findings indicated that immunization of the mice with recombinant GroEL of S. typhi elicited cross-protection against other bacterial infections. This represented the immense potential of GroEL to be developed as a single vaccine against multiple pathogens.
Comparative Antioxidant and Anti-gout Activities of Citrullus colocynthis loaded Fruit Silver nanoparticles with its Ethanolic extract
Authors: Karunakaran Suganya , Hari Rajeswary 
Published: September 2022

Background: The biological synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using plant materials is a rapidly developing method with several alternative medical applications. This comparative study of ethanolic fruit extract of Citrullus colocynthis (C. colocynthis) (EFECC) and synthesized silver nanoparticles (CC-AgNPs) were carried out for antioxidants and anti-gout arthritic activities.

Methods: The AgNPs were synthesized using C. colocynthis fruit and its characterization was done by UV-visible spectroscopy, TEM, XRD and FT-IR. The 90% ethanol was used for extract preparation. Antioxidant activity was analyzed by DPPH and the Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) method. In vitro anti-arthritic activity was tested by xanthine oxidase inhibition, protein denaturation and HRBC membrane stabilization assay.

Results: The synthesized CC-AgNPs were confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy and TEM images displayed spherical shapes with 10-45 nm size range. Furthermore, the functional groups and crystalline structure of CC-AgNPs were determined by FT-IR and XRD analysis. The biosynthesized CC-AgNPs exhibited an excellent free radical scavenging ability than EFECC. In anti-arthritic activity, the CC-AgNPs showed effective inhibition of xanthine oxidase production, protein denaturation, and damaged RBC membranes compared to EFECC.

Conclusion: The antioxidant activities and in vitro anti-arthritic assays revealed that CC-AgNPs are better anti-gout agents than EFECC. This research suggested that biosynthesized silver nanoparticles from C. colocynthis fruit are an important target in the field of anti-gout drug discovery.
Association between PTCH1 and RAD54B Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Non-syndromic Orofacial Clefts in the Northeast Population of Iran
Authors: Farimani Reza Morvaridi , Azimi-Nezhad Mohsen , KhorramKhorshid Hamid Reza , Ebadifar Asghar , Tohidkhah Saba , Jafarian Zahra , Kamali Koorosh , Nazari Zeinab , Ebrahimzadeh-Vesal Reza 
Published: September 2022

Background: Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip with or without cleft Palate (NSCL/P) is a common developmental disorder of the head and neck with a multifactorial etiology. The current study aimed to evaluate the potential association of PTCH1 (rs10512248) and RAD54B (rs12681366) polymorphisms with NSCL/P in the Northeast Iranian population.

Methods: In the present study, blood samples were taken from 122 subjects with NSCL/P and 161 healthy controls. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) followed by Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) were used to conduct genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms.

Results: Although differences were observed between cases and controls in rs10512248 and rs12681366, our data did not support a significant association of these polymorphisms with NSCL/P in our population.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that polymorphisms of rs10512248 and rs12681366 may not be potential risk factors for NSCL/P in the Northeast Iranian population due to the multifactorial and multiethnicity characteristics of some genes.
Effects of Poly-N-isopropylacrylamide Microgels Containing Antibiofilm Substances on Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Chronic Wounds
Authors: Etemadinia Akram , Seyfoori Amir , Rahimi Foroushani Abbas , Mazaheri Nezhad Fard Ramin , Bakhtiari Ronak 
Published: September 2022

Background: Biofilm formation helps Pseudomonas ‎aeruginosa (P. ‎aeruginosa) survive in various environments. Microgels can be effective in treatment of bacterial infections. The major aim of this study was to investigate effects of poly-N-isopropyl-acrylamide microgels (PNIPAM) on P. aeruginosa.

Methods: Totally‎, ‎100 P. aeruginosa strains were isolated from chronic wound infections‎. Quantitative assessments of biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility were carried out. Furthermore, algD, lasR, and PA2714 genes were amplified to investigate gene frequencies and expression rates.

Results: Significant decreases were seen in lasR expression in EDTA-treated samples‎. Significant decreases were observed in expression of algD and lasR treated with xylitol. Decreased ‎expression of PA2714 was seen in samples treated with xylitol with no significance. ‎

Conclusion: The PNIPAM containing xylitol ‎or EDTA could penetrate biofilms of P. aeruginosa and significantly decrease expression of lasR and algD. This can be a novel strategy in the management of chronic wounds.
Co-morbidity of Diabetes and Tuberculosis can Affect the Results of Treatment; A Case Control Study in Iran
Authors: Afshari Mahdi , Kheradmand Motahareh , Aarabi Mohsen , Parsaee Mohammadreza , Roozbeh Fatemeh , Nezammahalleh Asghar , Heydari Keyvan , Zakian Maryam , Moosazadeh Mahmood 
Published: September 2022

Background and Purpose: Several evidences have shown some synergistic effect of diabetes co-morbidity on the tuberculosis (TB) treatment results, while some other studies have not found such associations. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between TB-diabetes co-morbidity and outcomes of TB treatment.
Materials and Methods: The research population in this case control study were patients with smear positive tuberculosis. The cases were 158 patients with TB and diabetes selected by consensus method, while controls were 316 patients randomly selected from TB patients without diabetes.
Results: Frequency of unfavorable outcome among cases was higher than among controls (7.6% vs 7.3% respectively, p-value =0.901). Multivariate logistic regression models showed that the odds ratios for adverse treatment outcome, death, treatment failure, positive smear after the intensive phase of treatment and high grade positivity (2+ & 3+) were 0.97(0.45- 2.06), 0.97(0.42-2.24), 0.91(0.17-4.85), 1.39(0.79- 2.44) and 2.57(0.83- 7.92) respectively. Moreover, treatment adverse outcomes among patients with drug complications (22.2% vs. 6.5%, p-value =0.010) and rural residents (10% vs 4.9% respectively, p-value=0.037) were significantly higher than those among patients without complication and urban residents respectively.
Conclusion: Although we did not observe any significant association between TB-diabetes co-morbidity and treatment results, there was a significant effect measure regarding the effect of smear positivity at the end of the intensive phase of treatment, especially high grade of smear positivity. Because of probable bias in the classification of the exposure, screening of TB patients regarding diabetes mellitus at the beginning of the treatment is recommended.
Prevalence of Sexual Behaviors among Medical Students in Southeast of Iran
Authors: Balvardi Mohadeseh , Dehdashti Nasim , Imani-Ghoghary Zahra , Bashiri Hamideh , Alavi-Arjas Fatemeh 
Published: September 2022

Background and Purpose: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of sexual behaviors and sexting among students of medical science universities in southeast of Iran by indirect method.
Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, using a multistage non-random sampling method, we recruited 3900 students from eight universities of medical sciences from Kerman and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces, Iran, in 2019. The data were collected using indirect (NSU: Network Scale-up) methods. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test.
Results: Out of 3900 students (mean (SD) age of 22.5 (3.3) years), 48­% were male and 41% were from Sistan and Baluchestan Province. The prevalence of watching porn, masturbation, sexting (text, photo and video), extramarital heterosexual intercourse by nonpayment, sex in return for payment, homosexuality, child abuse (sexual and behavioral), and abortion was 22.6% (95% CI: 21.3 – 24.0), 19.5% (95% CI: 18.2 – 20.7), 8.8% (95% CI: 7.9 – 9.7), 11.7% (95% CI: 10.7 – 12.7), 5.7 (95% CI: 5.0 – 6.5)%, 3.0% (95% CI: 2.5 – 3.5), 0.9% (95% CI: 0.6 – 1.2) and 1.01% (95% CI: 0.7 – 1.3), respectively.
Conclusion: According to the results, watching porn, masturbation, extramarital heterosexual intercourse by nonpayment and sexting were more common sexual behaviors among university students. Repetition and addiction to these behaviors can harm physical and psychological health of young people especially in Iranian custom, religion and cultural context. Therefore, the youth should be given appropriate training to correctly react to sexual situations.
COVID-19: Global Trends and Possible Causes of Disease
Authors: Maqsood Hira 
Published: September 2022

Background and Purpose: Covid-19 has infected large proportion of the populaces, and the continuous rise in incidence impelled the declaration of pandemic. The present study expatiated the trends in Covid-19, and explored the significance of immunity and inhabitancy, as well as the possible causes of the pandemic.
Materials and Methods: This ecological study recruited twenty States enduring gruelling trends in the incidence of Covid-19 by 30 September 2020. Each State was selected using non-random non-probability sampling. Incorporate data excerpted both primary and secondary sources, browsed using PubMed, DOIA, and Google Search Engine. The analysis began by contrasting the healthy life expectancy, against the Covid-19 incidence rate. Following that, the researcher assessed the incidence inconsideration to populaces' immunity and inhabitancy profile. Immunity is determined by general hygiene, food sufficiency, and daily sleep hours. While air pollution, UV-radiations, and temperature attributes inhabitancy. Both immunity and inhabitancy profiles were evaluated by forming clusters. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Software, version 16.
Result: The findings positively associated healthy life expectancy to Covid-19 incidence rate (r=0.02), which meant that the nations indexed high on health profile, and reported high incidence rate. The cluster-1 analysis corroborated the association of nations' hygiene practice (r =-0.34) and food sufficiency (r =-0.08) to a relatively low incidence rate. Whereas, low concentration of air pollution (r=-0.5) in territories played relatively insignificant role in the outbreak and outgrowth of disease. However, cluster-2 observed convincing figures in torrid regions, abided by intense UV-radiation(r=-0.15) and high temperature (r=-0.48). The complete evaluation of data showed the significance of immunity, but failed to manifest relationship considering inhabitancy profile, in low incidence of COVID-19.
Conclusion: COVID-19 trends continue to escalate globally, and nations demonstrate high standing on immunity or inhabitancy profile, frequently falling prey to deadly infection. Thus, they pose ambiguity in associating the exact causations, whether poor health or polluted environment are overall reprehensible for the pandemic disease.
Assessment of HSEE Management System and Resilience Engineering of Cement Industry
Authors: KARIMI Sama , BAGHERI Amin , MIHSENZADEH FatemehMahna , MONAZAMITEHRANI Ghazale 
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Irreparable accidents, occupational diseases, and damage to the environment occur annually in the cement industry. Therefore, to minimize the risks, pay attention to the health of employees, and protect the environment, this study was conducted with the aim of “investigating the status of HSEE management system and resilience engineering in the cement industry".
Method: This was a descriptive study with the participation of 182 employees from a cement industry in Iran. They were selected according to random sampling and Cochran's formula. For this purpose, resilience engineering and HSEE questionnaire were reviewed and localized according to the studies and opinions of HSE and cement industry experts. Then, the status of HSEE management system and resilience engineering was reviewed. All analyzes were performed by one-sample t-test method using SPSS version 18 software.
Results: The results of this study indicated that the average of dimensions of resilience engineering and the dimensions of health, safety, environment, and ergonomics management system are lower than the standard score. Moreover, reporting has the highest average (4.72) among the dimensions of resilience engineering and the environment has the highest average (4.76) among the dimensions of the HSEE management system.
Conclusion: The results of this study indicated that by examining the status of resilience engineering and HSEE management system, authorities can improve the performance of HSE management system using the concept of resilience engineering .This is done with proper planning of resilience engineering indicators to strengthen the performance of HSE management system. To improve the level of resilience, every effort should be made to change the horizons of senior management in order to value HSE issues and accept them as a value in the organization.
Evaluation of the Causes of Acute Respiratory Failure in Pregnant Women Admitted to Shahid Sayyad Shirazi Hospital before COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Zanganeh Marzieh , Nazarnejad Ameneh , Keshavarz Behzad , Zahedi Maryam 
Published: September 2022

Introduction: Acute respiratory failure (ARF) is rare in pregnancy and occurs in less than 0.1% of pregnancies, it is one of the most common admissions of pregnant women to the intensive care unit and one of the leading causes of maternal mortality. The aim of this study was evaluation of the causes of ARF in pregnant women admitted to Shahid Sayyad Shirazi Hospital from 2014 to 2019.
Material and Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional descriptive-analytical in pregnant women with respiratory disorders chief complaints. All cases of pregnant women admitted (1226 cases) were reviewed. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.
Results: In total, 75 patients were enrolled in the study and their records were reviewed. The mean age of patients was 28.47 ± 5.06 years. Fifteen patients (25%) had ARF. The results showed that 13.3% of pregnant women with ARF needed to use mechanical ventilation (P=0.038). Also, women with history of chronic lung disease (CLD) are at higher risk for ARF (46.7% vs. 33.3%, P<0.001). Only 1.7% of mothers without symptoms of ARF were infected, but 46.7% of mothers with symptoms of ARF were infected (P<0.001).
Conclusion: The results of the study showed that infectious causes (influenza) and underlying CLD including asthma were major causes of ARF in pregnant women. Thus, more careful attention is needed to control the underlying disease, and planning for easier access to the influenza vaccine can play an effective role in reducing the incidence of pulmonary infections.