Journal of Translational Medical Research
Year:2016 | Volume:23 | Issue:3|Papers Count:9

Background and Aim: This study was to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of jujube seed oil on the hair follicle in BALB/c mice.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male BALB/c mice (2.5 months of age) were used. A 4 cm2 of the back of animal’s body shaved with wax. The mice were then divided into five groups (n=8). The first three groups received Jujube oil concentrations 5%, 10% and 15%, respectively. The fourth and fifth groups were selected as the base and sham control groups, respectively. The animals received topical treatment of jujuba seed oil for 12 day. Base and control groups received Ocerin and water respectively. After passing 12 day, back skin of animals was shaved again by wax and the treatment was repeated again for further 12 days. At 13th day the animals were sacrificed and samples were collected and tissue processing and staining were performed. Data were analyzed by the ANOVA and Tukey statistical tests with the 22th version of SPSS software.Results: This study showed that mean number of hair follicles in the skin of 5% jujuba essence treated group (37.75±6.6), 10% jujuba (42.75±8.3), 15% jujuba (41.25±6.2) was meaningful higher than the base (18.50±3.1) and sham (15±2.1) groups. Furthermore, we also showed that the number of hair papilla, fibroblast cells and collagen fibers were increased in the treatment groups as compared with the control groups.Conclusion: Based on our study, Jujube essensial oil can have very positive effects on improving hair growth and can be used for hair losing clinical trial.

Background and Aim: Endogenous opioids and addictive opiate drugs change many body functions. . Previous studies have referred to the effects of morphine on smooth and pulmonary muscles., but the effects of opioids on skeletal muscles is not known well. Thus, the current study aimed at assessing the effect of a single dose of morphine on muscle fatigue in male rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats weighing 220-270 g were randomly divided into four equal groups: control (the mice were kept in their cages and received food and water), morphine receiving group, fatigue group (the mice in this group were kept running on a treadmill. For 120 minutes at a rate of 20 meters per minute), and morphine plus fatigue group. At the end of the experiments, blood samples were obtained from the corner of their eyes and were sent to the laboratory for measurement of muscle fatigue indexes including lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine phosphokinase (CPK).Results: Administration of morphine to the fatigue group decreased running time compared with the control group (P=0.009). Furthermore, administration of morphine to the fatigue group significantly increased serum levels of LDH (P=0.009) and CPK (P=0.008).Conclusion: The present study showed that administration of a single dose of morphine in rats increases muscle fatigue biomarkers (LDH, CPK).

Background and Aim: Increasing the intensity of physical activity along with regular consumption of green tea can be effective on energy metabolism, weight, and body fat content. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of a 10 week. .high intensity interval training supplemented with consuming green tea .on lipid profiles and body composition in overweight women.Materials and Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 30 overweight women were purposefully and randomly chosen and divided into 3 equal groups. Training group performed training programs including 3 sessions per week at maximum intensity of 85-95% heart rate and the supplement group consumed 3 tablets of green tea (500 mg) daily for 10 weeks High intensity interval training and the supplement group both underwent intervention. Blood samples were collected before and after the intervention in fasting state. Finally, the obtained data was fed into SPSS software (V.19) and analyzed using paired t test, covariance analysis, one way-variance analysis, and Bonferroni post- hoc tests at the significant level of P<0.05.Results: After the period of high intensity interval training and green tea supplementation triglycerides (P=0.001), LDL (P=0.02), weight (P=0.0001), body mass index (P=0.0001), and body fat percentage (P=0.0001) in all the groups and total cholesterol (P=0.01) decreased, but HDL (P=0.01) increased in high intensity interval training plus supplements and high intensity interval training plus placebo groups. However, these two indicators did not differ significantly in the supplement group (P=0.23 and P=0.06, respectively). Furthermore, systolic (P= 0.55) and diastolic (P= 0.15) blood pressure and waist-to-hip ratio (P= 0.08) did not change after intervention in all the groups.Conclusion: It was found that consumption of green tea along with performing of high intensity interval training can be effective in improving of cardiovascular risk factors in overweight women.

Background and Aim: Activation of brown adipose tissue can be a new approach in reducing obesity and related complications. The aim of the current study was to investigate the effect of high intensity interval training (HIIT) supplemented with L-Arginine (L-Arg) .on serum levels of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in overweight and obese men.Materials and Methods: In this semi experimental study, 40 overweight and obese men ( with mean age 24.58±6.52 years and mean body mass index 29.43±3.66 kg/m2) were selected through purposive sampling method and were randomly divided into 4 equal groups of HIIT, supplementation with L-Arg, HIIT+L-Arg ,and placebo. The training program consisted of 6 weeks of HIIT training (3 days.per week). L-Arg supplementation (6 gr/day) was taken orally. Blood sampling was done 24 hours before and 48 hours after intervention and the blood serum was used for the measurement of FGF21 and ANP levels. The obtained data was analyzed using ANOVA, ANCOVA and post -hoc Bonferroni tests at a significant level of P<0.05.Results: It was found that the serum level of ANP significantly increased in L-Arg and HIIT+L-Arg groups (P values were 0.02 and 0.01, respectively), but HIIT did not cause a significant change in the level of ANP. The serum level of FGF21 had no significant changes after HIIT and use of L-Arg.Conclusion: It seems that L-Arg supplementation and HIIT together with L-Arg supplementation with increased level of ANP can be considered as an effective step to activate brown adipose tissue.

Background and Aim: Humic substances include natural organic polyelectrolyte materials that formed most of the dissolved organic carbon in aquatic environments. Reaction between humic substances and chlorine leading to formation of disinfection byproducts (DBPs) those are toxic, carcinogenic and mutagenic. The aim of this study was investigation of isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics of humic acid removal process by nano chitosan from aquatic environment.Materials and Methods: This practical research was an experimental study that performed in a batch system. The effect of various parameters such as pH, humic acid concentration, contact time, adsorbent dosage, isotherms, thermodynamics and Kinetics of humic acid adsorption process were investigated. Humic acid concentration measured using spectrophotometer at wave length of 254 nm.Results: The results of this research showed that maximum adsorption capacity of nanochitosan that fall out in concentration of 50 mg/l and contact time of 90 minutes was 52.34 mg/g. Also, the maximum adsorption was observed in pH=4 and adsorbent dosage 0.02 g. Laboratory data show that adsorption of humic acid by nanochitosan follow the Langmuir isotherm model. According to result of thermodynamic study, entropy changes (DS) was equal to 2.24 J/molok, enthalpy changes (DH) was equal to 870 kJ/mol and Gibbs free energy (DG) was negative that represent the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. The kinetics of adsorption has a good compliant with pseudo second order model.Conclusion: Regarding to results of this study, nano chitosan can be suggested as a good adsorbent for the removal of humic acids from aqueous solutions.

Background and Aim: Activated carbon is a most common adsorbent. By emerging of new technologies, the activated carbon production methods need to be improved. The aim of this study was producing powdered activated carbon from Peganum Harmala seed under ultrasound waves for activation and its application for chromium removal from aqueous solutions.Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted in a batch reactor. The Peganum Harmala seeds were used for activated carbon production and Ultrasonic waves were used to activation. The BET test was done in order to determine of the specific surface area of produced activated carbon. The most important variables affecting the adsorption process were examined. For Cr (VI) determining UV/VIS Spectrophotometer T80+ at a wavelength of 540 nm was used. Data analysis was performed by Excel software.Results: The BET test results showed that the specific surface area of produced activated carbon is 442m2/g. The optimum pH of solution to adsorption process by both raw powder of Peganum Harmala seeds and produced powdered activated carbon adsorbents was equal 2. Adsorption data for both adsorbents were best fitted to the pseudo-second order kinetic and parameter of K2 for the produced powdered activated carbon was obtained two times more than K2 for raw powdered Peganum Harmala seed.Conclusion: The results showed that ultrasound is very effective in activation of carbon and produced activated carbon have high adsorption rate and specific surface area, it and can be used as an appropriate adsorbent for removal of hexavalent chromium.

Background and Aim: Regarding the ever-increasing of genetic diseases, counseling for the prevention of these diseases has got overwhelming necessity. Thus, promoting individuals’ awareness of. Genetic counseling is required. The current study aimed at determining the effect of an educational program based on Health Belief Model on knowledge, beliefs, and self-efficacy of urbanized women in need of genetic counseling.Materials and Methods: In this randomized field trial study, 80 married women in need of genetic counseling were divided into two equal case and control groups. Data collection means were a researcher designed questionnaire consisting of demographic data and health belief model queries, which were completed by interview. Educational intervention was done during three 90 minute sessions with one week interval between each one. Finally, the obtained data was fed into SPSS (version 16) applying the statistical tests of Chi-square, repeated ANOVA, independent t-test, Mann-Whitney and Friedman for analysis; and P<0.05 was taken as the significant level.Results: Mean knowledge, threats, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy in the two groups had no significant difference before intervention (P>0.05), but the difference became significant immediately and three months after intervention (P<0.001). There was a significant difference between the knowledge, threat, perceived benefits, barriers and self-efficacy in the two groups three week intervals before and immediately after intervention, before and after the three months, immediately and after three months in the experimental group (P<0.001), but the difference was not significant in the control group.Conclusion: The results showed that educational interventions based on HBM increases women's knowledge, beliefs, and self-efficacy regarding the role of genetic counseling in the prevention of congenital malformations.

Background and Aim: Maintaining a huge elderly health, health promotion and community development is very important. Workers' health status is largely influenced by their working conditions and job. Work in mines, including those considered threats to workers' health.Materials and Methods: A number of 45 workers in each of the control and intervention groups participated in a quasi-experimental study. Demographic information and data related to HAM constructs and safety were collected through a HAM questionnaire and the safe operation checklist 3 months after the intervention. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were used to confirm properties of the tools. Educational intervention accompanied was applied in the form of four training classes. The Data were analyzed based on distribution of variables.Results: Before the intervention, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of demographics and the study main variables. After training, however, results showed significant changes of mean scores of attitude (P<0.001), norms (P<0.001), belief (P<0.001), intention (P<0.001), knowledge (P<0.001) in the experimental group.Conclusion: The research results show that HAM educational intervention is able to change workers’ awareness, attitude, norm, belief, and intention towards unsafe behavior and improve their safety performance.

Background and Aim: Intelligence quotient (IQ), cultural intelligence, and self-monitoring are among important and influential parameters in learning-teaching process of students. Thus, the current study examined the relationship between these parameters in the students of Birjand University of Medical Science.Materials and Methods: The present study was a descriptive-analytic, cross-sectional type. The study population included all the students at Birjand University of Medical Sciences, selected through stratified randomized sampling method. In order to study IQ, cultural intelligence, and self-monitoring parameters R&B Cattell scale (Scale III), Erli’s Cultural Intelligence Inventory, and Snyder’s Self-monitoring Test were applied, respectively. The obtained data was fed into SPSS (V:21) software using Pearson correlation test, ANOVA, and t-test at the significant level of P£0.05.Results: From a total of 171 subjects participating in the study, 53.2% were female. The average age of the participants was 21.3±2.7 years. The average IQ, cultural intelligence, and self-monitoring scores were 106±10.44, 85.73±17.31, and 12.35±3.20, respectively. There was a significant correlation between cultural intelligence and self-monitoring (P<0.000; r=0.37). However, there were no significant associations between cultural intelligence and IQ scores as well as between self-monitoring and IQ scores.Conclusion: Regarding the unfavorable cultural intelligence’ skills and abilities; and their acquirable nature, it is suggested that University consider a significant position for educational and cultural programs in order to enhance cultural intelligence.