MEDICAL SCIENCES JOURNAL OF ISLAMIC AZAD UNIVERSITY
Year:2012 | Volume:22 | Issue:3 (69)|Papers Count:16

Background: The coconut fruit meat contains some chemical compounds such as saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Saturated and unsaturated fatty acids inhibit 5-a-reductase enzyme and cause increasing cholesterol level in body. The present study was carried out with the aim of determining the effect of coconut fruit meat on spermatogenesis, testosterone and gonadotropic hormones level in adult male rats.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 40 male rats Wistar strain were divided into 5 groups of eight including the control group received nothing, the sham group received an equal volume of normal saline as a solvent and the experimental groups received 500, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of meat of coconut fruit for 30 days orally. At the end of the 30th day, the blood samples and the testes were removed and histological changes were studied among experimental, sham and control groups.Data were analyzed by one- way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and independent t-test.Results: Concentrations of 1000 and 2000 mg/kg of coconut meat increased testosterone level and sperm condense in seminiferous tubules in comparison with the control and sham groups (p<0.05).Conclusion: Meat of coconut fruit increases testosterone level and tubular sperm condense, via inhibiting 5-a- reductase and increasing 17-β- hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase enzyme biosynthesize that which might be because of the lauric, myristic and palmitic acid content of the coconut fruit meat.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the sequence effects of simvastatin and fatigue, specifically the interaction between fatigue effects and passive avoidance learning in simvastatin treated rats.Materials and methods: In this experimental study, 40 male Wistar rats weightening 300-350 g were divided into 4 groups: control group: treated with enough tap (n=10), Sham group: rats which were gavaged with distilled water and food (n=10), first experimental (Exp1) and Second experimental (Exp2) group: rats which were gavaged with distilled water and food (n=10) and simvastatin with dose of 1 mg/kg for 35 days (n=10). Then, both experimental groups were forced to swim in aquariums for 35 days at 9-10 AM to 13-14 PM. At the end of treatment days, passive avoidance learning (PAL) system was considered and monitored. The learning and memory of all groups were studied. After performing behavioral tests, testosterone and cortisol were measured.Results: fatigue decreased learning activity in Exp group one (P<0.001), while simvastatin causes increase in learning actitives in Exp group two. Also, fatigue induced by forced swimming caused significant decrease of testosterone hormone level (P<0.001), increase of cortisole hormone level (P<0.001) in experimental groups in comparison with sham and control groups.Conclusion: Our study showed that fatigue due to long term swimming causes decrease in learning, while simvastatin drug is effective for prevention of decrease of learning and memory in fatigued rats.

Background: Because drug resistance is one of the most important problems in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), finding new anti-cancer drugs especially from natural sources is research priority. Therefore, in this study, anti-cancer effects of ethyl acetate soluble metabolite of Iranian native bacteria, Streptomyces calvus, were studied using human chronic myeloid leukemia K562 cells.Materials and methods: In this experimental trail, ethyl acetate soluble metabolites were isolated fromS. calvus bacteria. K562 cell line was treated by various concentrations of this metabolite for 12-72h intervals. Anti-proliferative effects of ethyl acetate soluble metabolite were studied by trypan blue exclusion test. Wright-Giemsa staining and latex particle phagocytosis assay were used to study differentiated cells.Results: Ethyl acetate soluble metabolite induced growth inhibition in K562 cells in concentration and time- dependent manner. At the concentration of 200 ng/ml, the growth was inhibited 19-50% after 12-72h. Latex particle phagocytosis assay and Wright- Giemsa staining results revealed that K562 cells were differentiated toward monocytic- macrophagic lineage.Conclusion: According to growth inhibitory and differentiating effects of S.calvus metabolite in K562 cells, this metabolite can be proposed for more investigations in differentiation therapy of CML patients.

Background: Shigellosis disease is the major causes of morbidity in children with diarrhea in Iran.ThevirG (icsA) gene plays a key role in pathogenesis and ability of invasion in shigella. The aim of this study was cloning, sequencingvirG gene and developing a mutant construct pGEMD virG in order to induction recombination in a native shigella for generation a live attenuated vaccine candidate strain.Materials and methods: Initially, by use of biochemical tests, the native shigella strain was detected.ThevirG gene was cloned in pGEM-7zf vector and the nucleotide sequence was determined.According to the data of sequencing, digestion mapping of pGEMvirG vactor was obtained and a part ofvirG gene by using enzymatic digestion was removed. Finally, pGEM D virG construct was transformed toE. coli by utilization of chemical transformation method.Results: The native shigella strain by using biochemical tests was confirmed. The result of sequencing virG gene (native strain) was submitted in NCBI Genebank database. The pGEMD virG construct contains a mutant construct ofvirG gene which 1751 bp was deleted through enzymatic digestion reaction and transformed inE. coli.Conclusion: Using the technique of allelic exchange based on the incident of recombination in bacteria is one of the most effective methods to develop a disruption in the target genes. This mutant construct can be applied in development of a live attenuatedShigella dysenteriae vaccine candidate.

Background: Paraoxonase is a HDL-associated enzyme implicated in the pathogeneses of atherosclerosis by protecting lipoproteins against peroxidition in numerous studies. Its biallelic gene polymorphism at codon 192Q>R has been associated with coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, in the present study the role of polymorphism paraoxonase 1 gene was evaluated for CAD in diabetic patients.Materials and methods: In this case- control study, peripheral blood was taken from 105 CAD patients diagnosed with angioplastically and 95 CAD individuals with no history of diabetes from Northwest of Iranian population. The abundance of mutant alleles of the 192Q>R paraoxonase were determined by PCR-RFLP.Results: The abundance of RR allele in diabetic group was significantly higher than in selected group with no diabetic history (41.1% in diabetic vs.24.5% in non-diabetic individuals).Conclusion: Regarding significant prevalence of RR allele and considering ethnic diversities like Turk, Kurd, Lore and others living in Iran, it appears that other polymorphism of this gene like 163T>A and 55L>M is needed to be studied in diabetic patients, which their relations to atherosclerotic problem has been already determined.

Background: Recently, application of nano-particles such as titanium oxide and zinc oxide to the textile has led to production of textiles with high UPF. Up to now, silver nano-particles have been used in textiles only as an anti-bacterial agent. It is very useful to find conditions under which silver nano-particles increasing UPF rate in textiles and also at the same time acting as an anti-bacterial agent. In this study, the UPF rate in 100%-cotton rib annular textiles with added silver nano-particles by dipping action is measured under different conditions.Materials and methods: Silver nano-particles added to 100% cotton rib annular textiles and the resulting materials were coded under different temperature, density, time conditions. UPF was measured by radiometer with UVA and UVB detectors under horizontal condition. These measurements were repeated ten times and then average and standard deviation were calculated. The results were analyzed using statistical methods.Results: The highest level of UPF against UVA beams was related to the textile processed by silver nano-particle with C-kind curing and 50ppm density. The highest rate of UPF against UVB beams was associated with the textile processed by silver nano-particle with D-kind curing and 150ppm density.Conclusion: The presence of silver nano-particles on the textile acts as a shield against UV ray. In addition, the presence of silver nano-particles increases absorption rate of UV ray. These results can be described using a solid-bond theory.

Background: Omega-3, including a-linoleic acid, EPA and 3-DHA, is very important for human health and risk reduction of cardiovascular diseases. Adding omega-3 microcapsules to foodstuff such as milk and juice can increase shelf life and stability of omega-3 against oxygen.Materials and methods: The gelatin/gum Arabic was used for encapsulating H. molitrix oil and the capsules were prepared by complex coacervation. The effect of stirring speed and ionic strength by Nacl were investigated. Different concentrations of NaCl were added to evaluate final size.Results: The mean particle size were 537.2±0.8 µm, 84.4±0.5 µm, 12.9±0.4 µm, 8.2±0.5 µm and 4±0.7μm at the homogenization stirring speed of 100, 300, 500, 750 and 1000 rpm, respectively.Mean particle size of 3.3±0.2 was achieved by 0.1 molar NaCl.Conclusion: This study showed that the best conditions for preparing microcapsules are at 1000 rpm of stirring speed by adding 0.1 M NaCl. These microcapsules at the homogenizer instrument with stirring speed of 15000 rpm, 30000 rpm, 45000 rpm, 60000 rpm and 75000 rpm were stable.

Background: Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) has revolutionized the treatment of azoospermic men. The aim of this study was to evaluate the factors interfering in the success of ICSI, including sperm collection method, testicular histology, age and hormonal assay of the couple, the number of retrieved oocytes, and the number of transferred embryos.Materials and methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 246 azoospemic men (52 with obstructive azoosprmia (OA) and 194 with non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA)) who were underwent sperm retrieval with PESA or TESE and ICSI protocol were studied. By long protocol of ovarian stimulation, oocytes were retrieved 36h after hCG administration. After 48h, cleaved embryos were replaced in the uterine cavity.Results: Clinical pregnancy rates (21.1% in OA versus 10.8% in NOA) was significantly correlated with sperm origin (P<0.05). Female partner’s age and serum FSH significantly influenced pregnancy rates in both groups (p<0.001) and also pregnancy rates was significantly influenced by number of retrieved oocytes and transferred embryos in NOA groups (P<0.05).Conclusion: ICSI can make a chance for fertility in azoospermic men. Higher success rates in OA patients can be related to better quality of sperm. The value of male hormonal assay and testicular biopsy was not remarkable.

Background: Attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common behavioral disorders among childhood. Due to the problems of ADHD children, different treatment methods such as medication and behavior therapy is used to treat these children. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of training the parents on reducing behavioral problems of children suffering with ADHD.Materials and methods: This research is performed by experimental test (pre- posttest) as well as cluster sampling method.32 parents of students with ADHD among the elementary schools (boys) in Tehran were selected.18 parents were placed in testing group randomly and they were trained in 10 two- hour sessions and 14 parents were placed in control group without any training. The data was collected through the form of Rutter (1967) before and after the sessions in both groups. After 45 days, two tests were performed in both groups for follow up. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and covariance analysis methods.Results: The mean behavioral disorders before and after training of parents was 7.61 and 6.32, respectively. Meanwhile, there was no decrease of problems in control group. On the other hand, a significant decrease in behavioral problems of children was noted among those suffering from ADHD in testing group (P<0.001).Conclusion: The findings indicated that training of parents causes the reduction of behavioral problems among children suffering from ADHD.

Background: Regarding complications and contraindications of hormone replacement therapy, non-hormonal treatment of postmenopausal symptoms is a subject of great interest today. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of omega– 3 in relieving menopausal symptoms, including hot flush.Materials and methods: Sixty healthy menopause women suffering from hot flush beginning about 12 months ago (6 to 18 months) were recruited to this placebo– omega– 3 double– blind clinical trial (30 subjects each group). Menopause rating scale (MRS) was applied and hot flash attacks were registered. Patients took the drug daily for 3 months (omega -3, 1000mg daily and placebo with the same appearance once daily) and the severity and rate of attacks were obtained before beginning of treatment and monthly during the study and then at the third and sixth months after ending the treatment.Results: At the beginning study, there were no significant differences between two groups regarding age, menopause duration, and severity and number of hot flashes. After 3 month, omega– 3 significantly decreased severity of attacks compared with placebo (P=0.005). But, 3 and 6 months after the end of treatment, severity of attacks were similar in both groups.Conclusion: Omega- 3 with dose of 1000mg daily decreases severity of hot flash attacks, but it has no effects on number of attacks.

Background: The group A human rotavirus is the most prevalent agents causing diarrhea in children which is found in water sources including waste and treatment waters worldwide. The aim of this study was environmental surveillance of group A human Rotavirus from influent and effluent of urban and hospital sewage systems in Shiraz.Materials and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 specimens from both influent and effluent system of urban and hospital sewage disposal systems of Shiraz Nemazee hospital were collected by using grab sampling method. All samples concentrated by using two concentration methods, including Pellet and Two-phase. Then Group A human rotaviruses were detected with enzyme immunoassay (EIA).Results: 15 (25%) group A human rotaviruses were detected, of which 11 samples (73.33%) belonged to the influent part and 4 samples (26.67%) were related to the effluent. There was a significant difference between influent and effluent of systems. Also statistical significant differences were found between the distribution of rotaviruses and months of sampling.Conclusion: This study reveals the inefficiency of refining system in attempting to complete elimination of group A human rotaviruses.

Background: Cervical cancer is one of the most frequent female cancers which is usually diagnosed late. Papanicolaou test is an important screening tool for early diagnosis, but it has false-negative results. In this study, the effect of cervical discharge cleaning with a big cotton swab before taking the smear on diagnostic efficacy of this test were evaluated.Materials and methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial which was conducted from September 2007 until December 2010 among 500 women who came to Tehran Bouali hospital gynecology clinic and had indication for Papanicolaou test. These women were divided into two groups as case and control by random allocation. In case group, before taking the smear, cervical discharge was cleaned by a big cotton swab. In control group, the smear was taken in traditional way with spatula. At last, the quantity (presence of 8000-12000 squamous cells), quality (presence or absence of endocervical cells) and amount of inflammatory exudates in the smears (high ® coverage of>75% of smear, moderate® coverage of 50-75% of smear, low® coverage of<50% of smear with inflammatory exudate) were compared between two groups using Mann-witney, chi-square, Fisherexact test and t-student test.Results: Quantity, quality and the amount of inflammatory exudates in the smears were the same in these two groups.Conclusion: According to the results of this study, cleaning cervical discharge by a big cotton swab prior to taking sample for Papanicolaou test did not increase the diagnostic efficacy of this test.