JOURNAL OF ADVANCED BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES
Year:2018 | Volume:8 | Issue:3 |Papers Count:17

Background & Objectives: Testicular Torsion is one of the emergency cases which is caused by twisting of the spermatic cord; Detorsion leads to the recirculation of blood and ultimately, more damage occurs in testis. Platelet-Rich plasma (PRP) contains several growth factors and cytokines that can restore tissue and rebuild cells, so in this study, PRP was used to evaluate its effects. Materials & Methods: Twenty-eight adult male mice were randomly divided into three equal groups (n = 6). The first group, is the healthy control, without testicular twisting. Group II: Torsion Detorsion (TD) + PBS (phosphate-buffer-solution) group, Group III: The TD + PRP group. In these two groups spermatic cord were twisted for one hour, and after detorsion, PBS and PRP were injected into the rete testis, respectively. 35 days after surgery, left testis was sampled for histomorphometrical examinations. Obtained data were statistically compared by ANOVA and post hoc-Tukey test (P <0. 05). Results: Obtained data from the mean thickness of germinal epithelium, diameter of seminiferous tubules (P<0. 01), and, the spermatogenesis indices (P<0. 001) were decreased significantly in TD+ PBS group. The thickness of the testis capsule and the lumen of seminiferous tubules showed a significant increase (P<0. 01). While, PRP significantly improved these parameters (P<0. 01). Conclusion: Testicular TD causes many impacts and disorganization in the male reproductive system, and resulting infertility. It seems that, PRP due to possession ample of growth factors, able to relatively improve the undesirable effects of TD.

Background & Objective: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder with the prevalence of 50 million in the world. Despite of many researches and introducing of different anti-epileptic drugs, 30% of patients suffer from refractory seizures. Biomarkers are the measurable indicators to detect the physiological and pathological condition. Biomarkers in epilepsy can be utilized for prediction, diagnosis, severity and effectiveness of drugs. Conclusion: The efficacy of biomarkers in the prognosis and evaluation of drugs effectiveness is notable. Owing to the diversity of clinical symptoms of epilepsy, various biomarkers have been presented. Among wide-ranging biomarkers, some structural biomarkers such as imaging and electrophysiology including electroencephalogram are the most usable biomarkers. These evidences suggest more investigations to introduce biomarkers that are more practical.

Background & Objective: The nanofibers are referred to as fibers with a diameter of less than 1000 nm. There are various ways to make nanofibers, one of which is electrospinning. In this method, nanofibers are formed on aluminum sheets. The conversion of chitosan to derivatives with greater solubility, its mixing with other polymers and the use of special solvents are methods for its ease of use. In this study, antimicrobial thyme extracts were prepared for the synthesis of chitosan / polyethylenoxide and thyme nanofibers by electroporation. Materials & methods: Using electrospinning, chitosan and polyethylenoxide were prepared Ratio of 90 to 10 and 80% tween in a 0. 5 molar acetic acid solution. Thyme extract was added and after the synthesis of nanofibers, images of SEM were taken, then the diameter of the nanofibers with clemex vision software was measured. Results: According to the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images and the nanofibers diameter obtained from the solution with chitosan / polyethylenoxide / thyme formulation with Ratio of 90 to 10, the mean diameter of nanofibers was in the range of 100-60 nm (best fiber with the lowest node). Conclusion: Prepared nanofibers are widely used in the medical industry, especially in the field of tissue engineering and wound scaffolds and also are used as antibacterial candidate. In addition to being effective in wound healing, they also reduce the cost of treatment.

Background & Objective: Many anti stress drugs have a lot of side effects on learning. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Rosemary plant and Alprazolam on learning under stress conditions in laboratory mice. Materials & Methods: In this experimental study, 60 adult female rats were used. In order to investigate the learning capacity under stress conditions, the rats were divided into 6 groups of control, stress, alprazolam and the three experimental groups that received the hydro-alcoholic extract of rosemary plants at doses of 50, 100 and 200. In all of the samples (except the control group) 30 minutes after injection, the mice were placed in a dark box for 50 minutes for stress. Subsequently, observational behaviors of the rats were recorded by using mouse maze. The results were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: The results showed that rosemary hydro alcoholic extract at 100 and 200 mg/kg compared to the stress and alprazolam group significantly decreased the time to reach the target box in the Maze form, which indicates a reduction on effect of stress on the learning, while the number of errors in selecting the target box (reaching the target) at a dose of 200 mg/kg shows a significant decrease with the stress and drug group. Conclusion: According to the results, effective compounds in rosemary extract in two doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg can increase the learning in these conditions with the effect of reducing stress.

Background & Objective: Public swimming pools are susceptible places for the spread and transmission of pathogenic fungi. This study aims to determine fungal contamination in the environment and water of swimming pools and its relationship with the water chlorine level, temperature, pH and turbidity, to promote the public health system. Materials & Methods: Water samples were collected from 13 indoor public swimming pools in Shiraz and filtered. Temperature, chlorine level, pH and turbidity of the pools were measured on site. Samples from different parts of the pools were collected using 4×4 sterile carpet and cultured on Sabouraud dextrose agar. Fungal identifications were performed by the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics, and complementary tests. The identification of dermatophyte species was done by PCR-RFLP method. Results: The average pH, chlorine and temperature of the water in all studied pools were 7. 6, 1. 5 mg/L and 31. 2 ° C, respectively. Turbidity was not observed in any water samples. Totally, 29 fungal species were identified from water and the environment of the pools. Chlorine level was found to be associated with the fungi isolated. Different species of filamentous hyaline hyphomycete (Aspergillus, Penicillium), pheohyphomycete (Alternaria, Epicoccum and Cladosporium) and Yeast (Candida, Rhodotorolla) were isolated. The changing rooms and shoe racks were most contaminated parts of the pools. Conclusion: Given the isolated different fungal species from water and environment of the swimming pools, cleaning the environment of the pools, especially changing rooms and shoe racks, and control of water chlorine level, play an important role in the reduction of fungal contamination and transmission.

Background & Objectives: Nowadays, attention to natural products with therapeutic potential has been increased. This study was carried out to investigate the effect of Thymol on the animal model of Rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Materials & Methods: RA was induced by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the footpad of Wistar rats. Then, rats were allocated in 3 groups: treated with Thymol (100 mg/kg-orally), treated with Prednisolone (100 mg/kg-orally) and un-treated group. All treatments were initiated at the 5th day after induction. The change in the dorso-plantar diameter of hands and legs of each rat were recorded every other day until 23 days after induction. Results: The edema and swelling of the soles of the feet of RA rats that received Thymol or prednisolone, were significantly decreased in a similar manner compared to RA rat without treatment. The serum levels of nitric oxide and myeloperoxidase correlated with the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes and the levels of IL-1 and IL-6 production were significantly decreased in treatment groups compared to control group rats. The level of decrease in the level of serum nitric oxide was higher in the thymol group compared to the prednisolone-induced group. Conversely, prednisone caused more decrease in the levels of IL-1 and IL-6 cytokines compared to RA rats that received thymol. Conclusion: Thymol may be considered as a useful strategy to control RA disease.

Background & Objective: Alcohol overdose can induce increment in free radicals. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of swimming training and Curcumin in withdrawal period of alcohol overdose on superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malone dealdeid (MDA) and protein carbonyl (PC) of rats. Materials & Methods: 40 rats were selected and administered alcohol every 8 hours for 4 days. Then they were subjected to the withdrawal of alcohol for six days and in seventh day divided in 5 groups of 8 rats (1) control (2) Curcumin (3) swimming training (4) Curcumin and swimming training (5) sham. Groups 3 and 4 swam 5 sessions per week for 2 weeks and groups 2 and 4 used Curcumin 5 times per week for 2 weeks peritoneally. For statistical analysis of data two-way ANOVA was used (p≤ 0. 05). Results: Swimming training had significant effect on increase of SOD (p=0. 001), GPX (p=0. 001) and TAC (p=0. 009) and reduction of MDA (p=0. 001) and PC (p=0. 001) of rats. Curcumin had significant effect on increase of SOD (p=0. 001) and GPX (p=0. 001) and reduction of MDA (p=0. 001) and PC (p=0. 001) of rats but had no significant effect on TAC (p=0. 34) also Curcumin and swimming training had interactive effects on increase of SOD (p=0. 001) and GPX (p=0. 001) and reduction of PC (p=0. 009) of rats but had no interactional effect on TAC (p=0. 48) and MDA (p=0. 13). Conclusion: Probably, swimming training and curcumin can be applied simultaneously in withdrawal period of alcohol overdose to increase antioxidant factors.

Background & Objective: Food poisonings caused by consumption of domestic dairy products such as cheese due to Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) are one of the hygienic problems in foodstuffs. Nowadays, using natural preservatives instead of synthetic preservatives in foods has been regarded increasingly and among these natural compounds, medicinal plants comprise these materials that finding their antimicrobial effects have high priority. The aim of this study was to investigate antibacterial effect of Thyme (Thymus persicus( and Pennyroyal (Mentha longifolia) alcoholic (ethanolic) and aqueous extracts against isolated bacteria from domestic cheeses. Material & Methods: After preparing Thyme and Pennyroyal, alcoholic (ethanolic) and aqueous, the extract of these plants were gained and their antimicrobial effects were investigated in concentrative levels of 0. 39-100 percent against E. coli and S. aureus isolated from domestic cheese by microdilution method. E. coli PTCC 1270 and S. aureus PTCC 1112 were used as control. Results: Alcoholic (ethanolic) extract of Thyme and Pennyroyal showed more antibacterial effect against Staphylococcus aureus in comparison with Escherichia coli (P<0. 05). Thyme ethanolic extract showed more antibacterial effect than Pennyroyal ethanolic extract (P<0. 05). Aqueous extract of Thyme and Pennyroyal did not show any significant antibacterial effect in tested concentration (P>0. 05). Conclusion: According to current study results, alcoholic (ethanolic) extract of Thyme and Pennyroyal have high antibacterial potency and they can be used as alternative instead of synthetic preservatives for protection against food borne bacterial poisoning and infection.

Background & Objective: Although several studies are available linking individual dietary antioxidants to the risk of psychological disorders, data about the association of dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) with depression and anxiety are scarce. This study was conducted to investigate the association between dietary TAC and odds of depression and anxiety among Iranian adults. Material & Methods: In this cross-sectional study, dietary intakes of 3297 apparently healthy adults in Isfahan province, Iran, were assessed using a validated detailed food frequency questionnaire. Dietary TAC was estimated using the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) international databases. Depression and anxiety were assessed using a validated Persian translated version of Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. Having the scores 0-7 in either subscales was considered as “ normal” and the scores of 8 or more as the presence of depression or anxiety. Results: Overall, 28. 6% (n= 943) of study participants were depressed or at the borderline level, and 13. 6% (n= 448) had anxiety or were at the borderline level. After controlling for potential confounders, including dietary intakes of omega-3 fatty acids, we found that those in the top quintile of dietary TAC were 43% less likely to be depressed than those in the bottom category (OR: 0. 57; 95% CI: 0. 40-0. 82, Ptrend= 0. 001). Regarding anxiety, there was a significant inverse association between dietary TAC and anxiety comparing extreme quintiles (OR: 0. 62; 95% CI: 0. 39-0. 99, Ptrend= 0. 06). Conclusion: A significant inverse association between dietary TAC and odds of depression and anxiety was found among adults. Further prospective studies are required to confirm these findings.

Background & Objective: This study was carried out to investigate the anti-atherosclerotic properties of hydro-alcoholic extract of C. dactylon in hypercholesterolemic rabbits. Materials & Methods: The standard regime was consisted of 5 normal rabbits that they were fed for 75 constitutive days with a standard regimen. Hypercholesterolemic group was consisted of 20 rabbits that were fed for 75 constitutive days with a high cholesterol (1% of food weight). These rabbits were allocated in 4 equal groups at the day after initiating the research, including animals with the hyper-cholesterol regime and treatment groups that daily received 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg of the hydro-alcoholic extract of C. dactylon, respectively. Results: On the 45th and 75th day after beginning, other than blood sugar, the levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL, atherogenic index (LDL/HDL ratio), CRP, fibrinogen, serum levels of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde were significantly increased in rabbits with hypercholesteremic regime and without treatment compared to normal rabbits. The oral administration of the extract of C. dactylon at all doses for 30 constitutive days after the establishment of hypercholesterolemia, could significantly reduce the levels of cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL, and malondialdehyde. Moreover, 200 and 400 mg/kg of extract could significantly decrease the levels of the atherogenic index, CRP, fibrinogen, and malondialdehyde, and simultaneously increase the levels of HDL compared to rabbits with hypercholesterolemia. Only 400 mg/kg of extract could significantly decrease the serum levels of nitric oxide. Conclusion: Hydro-alcoholic extract of C. dactylon showed beneficial effects in reducing of hypercholesterolemia in the animal model.

Background & Objective: Long-term memory depends on protein synthesis. The product of Camkiv gene promotes memory via activating its proteins. The treatment of laboratory animals by Olibanum leads to memory improvement and the recovery of Alzheimer. Therefore, the aim of this study is the evaluation of Olibanum ethanolic extract on the Camkiv expression in PC12 cells. Materials & Methods: Olibanum toxicity on the cell viability was investigated by MTT test. Cells were treated with concentrations 10, 25, 40, 55, 70 and 85 μ g/ml of extract in time intervals 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours and their absorption rate was measured. Then, cells were treated by concentrations 2 and 20 μ g/ml of extract in mentioned times. Extracted RNA was converted into cDNA and real-time PCR performed. Results: Cell death was raised by increasing time and concentration of extract treatment. IC50 values were obtained as 71. 01, 52. 95, 21. 05 and 13. 85 μ g/ml in 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours of treatment, respectively. Besides, concentrations 2 and 20 μ g/ml significantly increased Camkiv expression following 24 hour treatment. The maximum expression of Camkiv was observed in 48 hour treatment. The effect of Olibanum on gene upregulation was stable until 72 hours. Conclusion: The Olibanum ethanolic extract can remarkably upregulate Camkiv expression for a long time. These results are consistent with the previous studies indicating the effect of Olibanum on upregulation of Bdnf, Camkiv-downstream gene. However, regarding the existence of the twodirection pathway in the expression regulation of Bdnf and Camkiv, comprehensive studies are required to determine exact mechanism of Olibanum function in the brain.

Background & Objective: In this study, a number of new triazole derivatives, containing a 1, 2, 3-triazole ring attached to the piperazine moiety as antifungal agents and lanosterol 14 alphademethylase, (CYP51) inhibitors were docking studies conducted. In the following, the toxicity risks of the designed compounds, were predicted by existing software. Materials & methods: Initially, the chemical structures of all azole were designed using ChemBioDraw Ultra14. 0 program, then transferred into Hyperchem software for energy minimization. After preparing, all of these chemical compounds were docked with the target enzyme in order to select the best inhibitor of the drug using the Auto Dock-Vina-1-1-2-win32. msi software. The results were analyzed using the Molegro Virtual Docking software. At the final stage, the toxicity risk prediction of compounds was performed by the OSIRIS program. Results: After checking the computation, 10 compounds of ligands that were the results of Docking, were selected according to the Gibbs free energy (least Δ G). Docking results revealed the azole-heme coordination, hydrogen bond, hydrophobic interactions were involved in the drug-receptor interactions. Among the all studied compounds, the best docking results were related to No. 5 displayed. In fact, this compound had the most negative Δ Gbind (-10. 85 Kcal/mol) that indicated favorable interactions with the key amino acid residues at active site of CYP51. Conclusion: In conclusion, according to the results of docking studies, biological evaluation and Toxicity Risk Prediction of designed Compounds, it can be concluded that Compound No. 5 can be considered as an effective antifungal agent and an inhibitor of the CYP51 enzyme.

Background & Objective: Despite evidence of an increase in the incidence of diabetes in youth, there are few characteristic data in diabetic patients in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The present study sought to investigate the Characteristic data of childhood diabetes in a University Hospital in Iran. Materials & Methods: Hospital admission data were obtained from discharge database of Vali-Asr tertiary care teaching hospital in the capital city of Fasa, Iran. Accordingly, 45 patients younger than 18 years old diagnosed with diabetes during the period of March 2014 to June 2016, were selected to participate in the study. World Health Organization (WHO) registry criteria and SPSS software version 13 were used to study and analyze the data. Results: The results indicated that nearly half of the children presented with ketoacidosis in which most of them were in the mild or moderate group. Positive family history of diabetes was found in 22. 2% of the patients. Conclusion: Theoretically, it seems the frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in type 1 diabetic children was significant in this region of Iran. In addition, it was observed that polydipsia, polyuria, weakness, and fatigue were the most frequent clinical symptoms reported during the diagnosis.

Background & Objective: Candidiasis has gained importance due to its increasing prevalence in immunocompromised patients. Antifungal drugs such as fluconazole and amphotericin B are used for the treatment of candidiasis. One of the biggest problems faced in clinical practice is resistance for most of these drugs. The antifungal drugs derived from natural products have helped to overcome this problem. This study evaluated the effects of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad natural honey and fluconazole on C. albicans in an enteric candidiasis mouse model. Materials & Methods: The in vitro antifungal activity of honey samples from different sources were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the growth of C. albicans. Time kill test was carried out to evaluate the anticandidal activities of the honey tested. Eventually, the efficacy of the best honey tested compared with fluconazole against C. albicans was evaluated in vivo through an enteric candidiasis mouse model. Results: The results revealed that the honey tested was able to inhibit C. albicans. Our data indicated that oak honey largely represented antifungal activity among the honey tested (p≤ 0. 001). Treatment of BALB/c mice infected with C. albicans showed that treatment with honey was slightly less efficacious than fluconazole treatment in terms of the fungal load reduction, it was still effective against C. albicans. Conclusions: These results demonstrate the efficacy of anticandidal effects of honey extracts both in vitro and in an animal model of candidiasis and affirm the potential of honey to be used as an adjuvant therapy in the management of Candida infections.

Background & objectives: This study aimed to assess the causes of hospitalization and mortality trend among hospitalized patients in intensive care unit (ICU). Materials & Methods: In a cross-sectional study, all patients admitted to ICU of the hospital between 2008 and 2013 were investigated in terms of demographic characteristics, reasons for hospitalization and the cause of mortality. The data were collected from patient’ s medical records and were analyzed using SPSS 21 software. Results: 54. 8 % were male and 45. 2 % female out of the 1520 patients. The patients’ mean age was 56. 8 ± 26. 9 years. The most common causes of hospitalization were stroke (12. 8%), cancer (11. 8 %) and septicemia (7. 5 %) respectively. Most patients died from circulatory system diseases (41. 1%) and infections (26. 8%). The mortality risk was statistically correlated with older age. Conclusion: Based on the results, mortality has been raising and directly correlated with age.