IRANIAN SOUTH MEDICAL JOURNAL (ISMJ)
Year:2015 | Volume:18 | Issue:2|Papers Count:27

Background: Considering the importance of the prevalence of diabetes which involves approximately 6% of the world's adult population, the need for low-calorie natural sweetener is felt more than ever. Recent studies have shown that hormones such as vaspin and Angiopoietin-like Protein3 (ANGPTL3) are associated with diabetes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Stevia (Stevia rebaudiana) plant (as a low calorie sugar) on serum concentration of vaspin and ANGPTL3 in diabetic rats.Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, forty male wistar rats weighing 180-250 g were divided into 5 equal groups: control, diabetic control and doses of 250, 500 and 750 mg/kg/BW/day of Stevia extract treatment. Diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of Streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). After 5 days, the rats with glucose above 300 mg/dl were considered as diabetic. The Stevia treatment groups received 250, 500 and 750 mg of Stevia extract for thirty days. At the end of experiment, blood samples were obtained measurement of vaspin, ANGPTL3, triglycerides, cholesterol, HDL, glucose, insulin and ALP. Histological study of the pancreas and liver biopsy were also performed. The results of the treatment and control groups were analyzed by SPSS software and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: The level of alkaline phosphatase, insulin resistance index, glucose and triglyceride were decreased significantly in the groups 250 and 500 compared with the diabetic control group (p≤0.05). However, insulin levels, HOMA.B, vaspin, ANGPTL3 and weight of the rats in all treatment groups were not significantly different from the control diabetic group. There were no histological changes in pancreatic and liver tissue following Stevia treatment.Conclusion: Administration of Stevia extract via reduction in serum glucose, triglyceride and insulin resistance can be effective in lowering the blood sugar and lipid, also lowering concentrations of serum alkaline phosphatase may have a protective effect on the liver. Howeve it should be considered the appropriate dosage of Stevia etract treatment is very important.

Background: Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of central nervous system (CNS) disorders such as stroke, seizures, dementia, and cognitive impairment. Berberine, a natural isoquinolne alkaloid, is reported to exhibit beneficial effect in various neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders. Moreover astrocytes are proving critical for normal CNS function, and alterations in their activity and impaired oxidative stress could contribute to diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction. Metabolic and oxidative insults often cause rapid changes in glial cells. Key indicators of this response are increased synthesis of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as an astrocytic marker. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the effect of berberine on glial reactivity of hippocampus in (STZ) -induced diabetes rats.Materials and Methods: Experimental groups included: The control, control berberine treated (100 mg/kg.8 weeks), diabetic and diabetic berberine treated (50, 100 mg/kg for 8 weeks) groups. The effects of berberine on glial reactivity of hippocampus evaluated in (STZ) -induced diabetics rats, using GFAP immunohistochemistry test. Data were analyzed by using Prism-5, one way ANOVA and Tukey tests.Results: Eight weeks after diabetes induction we observed an increase in GFAP immune staining in the hippocampus of STZ-diabetic rats relative to levels in the control brains. In contrast, chronic treatment with berberine (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o., once daily) lowered hyperglycemia, and prevents the up regulation of GFAP in brain of diabetic rats.Conclusion: the present study demonstrates treatment with berberine resulted in an obvious reduction of GFAP+immunoreactive astrocytes in hippocampus of STZ -induced diabetic rats.

Background: Nanosilver is one of the most widely used nanomaterials in consumer products. However, little attention was paid to the dermal toxic of These particles on human health. This study aimed to examine the effect of nanosilver dermal absorption on renal function parameters.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 male BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups of 10 (nanosilver, positive control, sham control and negative control groups). After general anesthesia and shaving the back of all animals in near the vertebral column, the Bandage surface was treated in the nanosilver group, with a volume of 50 microliters of the nanosilver solution (100 μg/ml), and in the positive control group with the same amount of silver nitrate solution (100 μg/ml), and in the sham control group with the same amount of distilled water, then the Bandages were fixed in the skin surface, but the negative control group was without treatment and bandage. After 3 and 7 days, the bandages had opened, and the serum levels of Creatinine (Cr) and Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) were measured.Results: On 3 and 7 days, in nanosilver group, creatinine did not change significantly (p>0.05), but BUN levels showed significant increase compared to other groups (p<0.05). In addition, there wasn’t significant changes in the renal function parameters in 7-day compared to 3-day (p>0.05).Conclusion: In this study, a significant increase in BUN of nanosilver group can be indicate kidney dysfunction, therefore nanosilver dermal absorption can be have the toxic effects on the kidney function.

Background: The thyroid gland secrete the hormone thyroxin (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). They have a profound effect on the metabolism of hormones. The aim of this study was to servey the effect of the extract of plant root barberry on the amount of thyroid hormone in rat having hypercholesterolemia.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 40 Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups (n=8). Control group with normal diet, fat diet group and other groups, the experimental group received the same diet plus fat hydroalcoholic root extract of barberry maximum dose (300), The mean dose of (150), and a minimum dose of (75 mg/kgw) intraperitoneally injection were divided. After the end of this period (21 days), blood sampling and measurement of sample information were analyzed by using the t and Tukey test, and using of SPSS software version 11.5.Results: The results of statistical tests in the receiving groups extract reflects an increased amount of thyroid hormones T3 and T4 (P<0.05). The level of TSH in groups receiving the extract did not show significant changes Conclusion: Increases in T3 and T4 levels with no changes in TSH concentration indicate euthyroid hyperthyroxinemia probably.

Background: Thalassemic syndroms are the most common genetic disease in the world that related to blood transfusion and iron overload in the body. Cardiac complications are the leading cause of death in patients with thalassemia. Cardiovascular complications in patients largely decreases with iron chelators medications. In this study effect, complications and acceptance of iron chelator therapy was evaluated in thalassemic patients.Materials and Methods: In this prospective study (cohort), all treated patients in thalassemia centers in Bushehr were divided into 5 groups based on their use of the drug chelators include: Deferral, Asvral, deferiprone, Exjad, Deferral+deferiprone. Serum ferritin levels at baseline and 6 months after treatment and the percentage of EF with echocardiography at baseline and after 2±8 months were measured. Symptoms were assessed by interview and physical examination. Data were analyzed with SPSS statistical software by using appropriate statistical tests.Results: Ferritin levels decreased in all groups except deferiprone group (from 1853 mg% to 2356 mg P=0.01).EF% was developed in all groups but was significant in defroperone group (from 62% to 71%, P=0.027).The highest incidence complication was in desferal+defrepiron group.93.3% of patients were satisfied with their medication. Deferiprone had better effect in reducing cardiac hemocidrosis and improving cardiac function. Desferal more effective in reducing serume ferritin. Deferiprone improved heart function with better effect in reducing heart hemoicidrosis.Conclusion: Iron chelators are effective in reducing complications and mortality rate in thalassemic patients. Defrepirone had particular special effect on improving of the heart function. patients can use from these drugs are by support by insurance organization.

Background: Generally in radiotherapy via photon, healthy cells can be damage besides cancer cells; but in proton therapy these additional harms reach to its minimum. Because, proton deposit its maximum linear energy at the end of its trajectory known as Bragg pick. In this study, efficient range of energy in breast cancer treatment and estimation of secondary particle flux in proton therapy for indicating subsequent cancer risk is considered.Materials and Methods: In this study, at first we have simulated a semi - cylinder compressed breast phantom via MCNPX code and then we applied proton energy with 1MeV step in semi-cylinder phantom. Afterward, we have studied effects of this beam on tumor.Results: The calculations show that the proper energy interval for tumor treatments with a thickness of 6mm with depth of 14 mm from the surface of the breast phantom is 41-48 MeV. In this study, secondary particle flux like neutron and photon with respect to proton initial energy has been calculated. Furthermore, flux diagram of these particle versus energy have been plotted. In neutron flux graph, the neutron spectrum has a significant intensity peak at low energy and flux intensity decreases smoothly as neutron energy increases. Also, in the photon flux spectrum, observed peaks are as a result of excitations in 31P, 12C, 16O nuclei.12C nuclei produce maximum photon flux.Conclusion: Proton therapy is more precise than conventional radiotherapy and cause less damage to healthy non tumor cells. Because in the useful calculated range of energy, maximum dose or damage is exerted on tumor. However, this treatment method produces secondary particles that maybe damage other cells around the tumor.

Background: Isoniazid is from the first-line drugs for treatment of tuberculosis. Resistance to Isoniazid is increasingly reported. In the study, molecular methods for rapid detection of isoniazid resistance in clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were compared.Materials and Methods: Sixty clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were selected and their resistance and susceptibility were determined by proportional method. Molecular methods of PCR-RFLP and Allele Specific-PCR (AS-PCR) for determination of probably mutation in codon 315 of katG gene that related to Isoniazid resistance were used and compared by sequencing results as gold standard. In AS-PCR specific primers by proper PCR conditions were used. RFLP analysis of the PCR products was performed using the enzyme HpaII.Results: From 60 studied strains, 27 isolates were resistant and 33 strains were susceptible to isoniazid.Sequencing results showed that AS-PCR and PCR-RFLP well able to detect mutations in codon 315 of the strains by 81.48% sensitivity and 100% specificity respectively. None of the susceptible strains harbored mutation in katG315.Conclusion: Our results indicated that PCR-RFLP and AS - PCR methods were simple and fast methods for determination of isoniazid resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. These rapid and low cost methods is recommended simultaneously to reduce the risk of error in routine work.

Background: Bacterial plaques are the important etiologic factors of gingival (periodontal) diseases. It is well established that orthodontic appliances (bracket, band and arch wire) playing an important role in growth of these plaques, therefor periodontal diseases the main problems of orthodontists and these patients. Recognition of etiologic factors of these diseases is important for prophylaxis and cure performances, and the aim of present study was evaluation of clinical and microbial of gingival infections in patients treated with fixed orthodontic appliances.Materials and Methods: By refer to the orthodontic department of three dentistry clinics of Karaj city, 65 patients under fixed orthodontic treatment were selected and at third and twelfth month of treatment, after clinical parameters evaluation such as gingival index, bleeding on probing and probing depth, microbiological sampling was performed from subgingival plaques of these patients. Whole genomic DNA of the samples was extracted using a kit, and a 16S rRNA gene segment-based multiplex PCR method was used to simultaneous detection of Aggrigatibacter actinomycetemcomtans and Porphyromans gingivalis.Results: Molecular evaluation of this study showed that Aggrigatibacter actinomycetemcomtans was not present in tested samples, although transient changes in Porphyromans gingivalis frequency was reported (%20.1±0.41 (T3) and %2.7±0.16 (T12) P=0.02), also clinical evaluation revealed appearance of signs of moderate gingivitis and stability of the inflammatory lesion until termination of treatment in these patients.Conclusion: Present study showed that was no meaningful relationship between Porphyromans gingivalis and Aggrigatibacter actinomycetemcomitans to increase of chronic gingivitis in treated patients with fixed orthodontic appliances, and this long term therapy did not to prepare patients into periodontitis.

Background: During CABG cardioplefic solution is used for cardiac arrest and myocardial protection but there is no defined safety interval time for cardioplegia infusion. Measuremen of the metabolite release from myocardial cells in coronary sinus implicateis accurate protective effect and safety interval of cardioplegia Materials and Methods: Thirteen patients that were scaduled for CABG cold blood cardioplegia transfused via aortic root. Coronary sinus blood samples were taken before and after cross clamping of the aorta at the times of 7, 14 and 20 minutes. The samples were analyzed for pH and lactate immediately.Results: The pH and lactate concentration in coronary at the time of 15 minute after the second dose of transfusion of blood cardioplegia were out of the range of acceptable level (pH=7.22±0.047 lactate=21±2.859mg/dl r=0.02).Conclusion: This study indicates that safe interval time between the first and second dose of cardioplegia transfusion was 20 minute and the between second and third dose was 15 minutes.

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are an important cause of morbidity and mortality. The rates of antibiotic resistance among pathogens causing health care-associated infections are increasing, principally among Gram-negative organisms such as Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter. The goal of this study was isolation Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp. from blood specimens in patients hospitalized in Emam Khomeini hospital (Kermanshah) and subsequently determination susceptibility patterns of isolates.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study 2382 blood samples collected from 2285 hospitalized patients. Blood specimens were inoculated in blood culture tubes media, and subsequently subculture performed on common microbiological media. The isolated Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter were identified and confirmed by morphological and biochemical laboratory tests. Antimicrobial sensitivity test was performed by using the standard disc diffusion method according to CLSI (2012) recommendations.Results: During present study 2382 blood samples were collected.133 (5.6%) specimens were positive in bacterial culture. Acinetobacter, and Pseudomonas were isolated from 15 (11.2%) and 15 (11.2%) of positive blood cultures, respectively. The isolated Acinetobacter were most frequent resistant to cefixime (86.7%), ceftazidime (80.1%), cephalothin (73.4%), and co-trimoxazole (73.4%). The Pseudomonas isolates showed a high level of resistance to co-trimoxazole (86.7%), cefixime (86.7%), ceftriaxone (73.4%), cephalothin (73.4%), and ceftazidime (60%).Conclusion: In this research, drug-resistant Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter were identified in patient’s blood cultures. In the face of increasing antibiotic resistance, surveillance programs have become important in determination the species distribution and resistance patterns of pathogens causing bloodstream infection, and thus are providing the basis for appropriate empirical therapy of patients.

Background: Bronchiolitis is the most common viral respiratory infections in children under 2 years. No effective Short-term or long-term treatment for bronchiolitis has been approved yet. Treatment is still supportive with oxygen, fluid and mechanical ventilation as necessary. Several studies have shown that 3% hypertonic saline improve immediate and longterm cleaning of small airways in these patients. This study aimed to compare the effects of 3% hypertonic saline with 0.9% saline in 2-24 month children with bronchiolitis.Materials and Methods: In a non-randomized clinical trial, 60 children aged 2 to 24 months with diagnosis of acute viral bronchiolitis were enrolled. Thirty children recieved 3% hypertonic saline with nebulizer as the treatment group and 30 children treated with nebulized normal saline 0.9% as the control group. In entrance, oxygen saturation (by pulse oximetry), respiratory rate, pulse rate and severity of disease were measured using a combination score (sum of Clinical Score (YALE Observation Scale) and RDAI (Respiratory Distress Assessment Index)). The primary outcomes change in clinical score and hospitalization rate, and secondary outcomes were duration of hospitalization, need to oxygen therapy and recovery time from wheezing and cough.Results: Two groups were not different in terms of baseline variables, except age (8.9±4.9 months in the hypertonic saline group and 6.4 ± 4.6 months in normal saline group; P=0.046). After the intervention, the difference in clinical severity between the hypertonic saline group (10.9±5.6) and normal saline (10.4±5.7) was not significant (adjusted for age P=0.77). The hospitalization rate was not significantly different in the two groups (60% vs 63.3%). Length of hospital stay, the need for oxygen therapy, number of days requiring intravenous fluid therapy and recovery time from cough and wheezing were not significantly different between two groups.Conclusion: It seems, 3% hypertonic saline does not have significant effect in reducing the severity of symptoms, rate of hospitalization and duration of hospitalization in 2-24 months children with viral bronchiolitis compared with normal saline 0.9%.

Background: Micronutrients are essential for the healthy growth and development of body organs and they have important roles in the function of immune and skeletal system. During pregnancy, due to the physiological changes for the normal growth of fetal, the need for minerals is significantly increased. The aim of this study was to find the status of serum copper and zinc and their relation to anemia in pregnant women.Materials and Methods: In this randomized, cross sectional descriptive study 250 pregnant women (mean age, 27.2±5.5) participated. They attended the medical center (In Jam area, Bushehr, Iran) for routine checkups. Blood was collected from them and serum levels of Copper and Zinc were measured by atomic absorption spectrophothometric method. Hemoglobin and other indexes were measured by Automatic Counter analyzer.Results: the mean serum concentration of copper and Zinc were 126.5±56.7 mg/dl and 67.6±18.2 mg/dl respectively. Also the percentage of their deficiency was 21.2% and 47.2% respectively. The mean level of hemoglobin in the subjects was 11.9±1.2 and the percentage of anemia (Hb<11g/dl) was 21.6%. There was a significant differences between increases in gestational age and the deficiency of copper and zinc in the participants, which is as the pregnancy progress, the deficiency of Copper reduces (p=0.024) and that of Zinc increases (p=0.036).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the deficiency of Copper, Zinc and the rate of anemia in the pregnant women of Jam area is significantly high and suggests that a proper interventional program should be planned to monitor such women at risk, before their marriage or in prenatal clinics.

Background: Determination of water corrosion indexes is one of the affecting approaches on drinking water management. Corrosion can causes economical problems, reduce the useful life of water facilities, and health damages to consumers. The aim of this study was to survey of chemical quality and determination of the corrosion potential of the water distribution system in Bushehr city.Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study, the sampling was carried out during one year from 7 stations. Values of Langelier, Ryznar, corrosivity and Puckorius indexes were calculated by using such parameters as pH, total dissolved solids, temperature, permanent and temporary hardness, and alkalinity.Results: The average values for pH, total dissolved solids, temperature, and alkalinity was obtained 7.5, 586.82 mg/L, 66.92 mg/L CaCO3. The corrosion indexes were calculated Langelier 0.28, Ryznar 7.24, corrosivity 12.02, and Puckorius 7.81.Conclusion: Bushehr city water is tends to be slightly scaling based on Ryznar index and corrosive based on other studied indexes. Overall, the water quality was tending to corrosive and, therefore, recommended to use corrosion resistance pipes in water transmission and network or lining the inner wall of pipes or correction the water quality.

Background: Hypothermia is very prevalent in neonatal transport and can increase morbidity and mortality in this age group.Materials and Methods: In this study, all neonates transported from different parts of Bushehr province to Ali Asghar hospital during the second half (2007) were checked for axillary temperature on admission.Results: 328 neonates were entered to the study. The incidence of hypothermia was 47.6 percent. There was a significant relationship between hypothermia and transfer method (with or without incubator), gestational age, chronological age on admission, birth weight, Apgar score (P<0.0001) and neonatal outcome (P=0.001).Conclusion: Hypothermia leads to increased mortality in neonates and is related to prematurity and low birth weight and low Apgar score. Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is recommended instead of incubator care to prevent hypothermia during transfer.

Background: Aging is a critical period of human life and the problems and needs of this stage is a social necessity. Taking into account of the special needs of this time such as nutrition in elderly is important but it is often neglected. This survey aimed to determiner about Knowledge, attitude and practice declaration elderly in Ahram city toward nutrition behavior.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 subjects aged 75-60 years in Ahram city (Tangestan - Bushehr), participated. A four-part questionnaire is used to this study that included demographic, knowledge, attitude and feeding behavior. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 16 software and using descriptive and analytical statistics (One-way ANOVA, T-test, Chi-square and Logistic Regression).Results: The mean age of participants, 66.2±5.5.67% of them were female and others were male. The knowledge score of 80% of this people was lower than expected. The average of knowledge scores didn’t have any relationship with sex, grade and job, but the attitude scores have significant different between 2 sex groups (p>0.001 (, so that perceived susceptibility (p=0.001), Perceived barrier (p=0.017) and self-efficacy (p=0.004) scores in men were bigger than women. In attitude extent, perceived susceptibility, alone relationship had to grade (p=0.008). We didn’t observe any relationship between nutrition behavior in 5 nutrition groups and sex or job. Also in that extent logistic regression analysis declared that in cereal group, only perceived benefits had a significant direct effect (p=0.045), and in meat group, only perceived barrier had a significant indirect effect (p=0.020).Conclusion: As regards the level of knowledge scores toward nutrition are low; a detailed and comprehensive planning to train them would seem to be necessary.

Background: Marine algae are shown to contain a wide range of bioactive compounds, which have commercial application in pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, nutraceutical, food and agricultural industries. The biological activity of the natural bio-active compounds in algae has wide effects on bacteria, tumors and antioxidant activities. The purpose of this study was to determine antioxidant and antibacterial activity of the marine algae.Materials and Methods: The ethanol extracts of three species of green, brown and red algae were done by soaking method from northern coast of the Persian Gulf in Busheher province. Antibacterial activity of L. monocytogenes and E. Coli were performed using disk diffusion and well method, and also antioxidant activities of ethanol extracts of added three species accomplished using DPPH, FRAP and PMB tests.Results: The highest antioxidant activity was belonged to brown algae C. trinodis. Meanwhile Algae extraction was not revealed antibacterial activity against E. coli, but showed antibacterial activity against L. monocytogenes.Conclusion: In this study algae species was exhibited excellent antioxidant activity when compared with their antibacterial effects. The highest anti-oxidant activitie was found in brown algae C. trinodis.

Background: Swimming is highly recommended because of its potentially beneficial effects on the joints and people’s general sense of well-being. But unfortunately the discharing of urban and industrial wastewaters into sea with their high level of pathogens, heavy metals and other pollutants, increase concerns about its consequences on swimmers’ health and ecology. The aim of this study was to investigate the microbial and chemical quality of Persian Gulf Sea beaches in Bushehr port and compare it to the existing standards.Materials and Methods: In this study, 30 samples were taken from the beaches at TV-Park, Daneshjo-Park and Eskele-Jofreh, in August 2012. The mean values of total coliforms, fecal coliforms, pseudomonas, HPC, heavy metals and BOD were determined by standard methods.Results: The mean values of total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and pseudomonas along Bushehr port beaches were 540, 165.56 and 6 MPN/100ml respectively. The mean value of HPC was 1580.66 CFU/ml. Also the mean concentrations of Fe, Zn, Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu and BOD were 0.1676, 0.013, 0.025, 0.0016, 0.039, 0 and 21.3 mg/l respectively.Conclusion: The results showed that the mean values of indicator microorganisms in all stations were higher than the existing standards and the mean concentration of heavy metals were lower than the existing standard, which indicates higher pollution more due to urban wastewater compare to industrial wastewater. Therefore Bushehr port beaches are contaminated considering indicator bacteria measurments that can be dangerous for swimmers health.

Background: Overweight and obesity are risk factors for many non-communicable diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence and 6-year incidence of obesity and overweight in adults through the prospective study of the Persian Gulf Healthy Heart Study.Materials and Methods: In the first phase of the study which was started from 2003, totally 3735 people aged 25 years and more from Bushehr, Genaveh and Deylam cities participated. In the second phase which was conducted in 2009, 1856 people (49.7%) of them were investigated again. Demographic data and the information about obesity and overweight were collected through personal interview. The crude prevalence of obesity and overweight and the age and gender adjusted rates were calculated by using direct standardization method for both phases of the study.Results: Crude prevalence of obesity in the first and second phases of the study were 26.5 % (25%-27.8%) and 30.5% (28.4%-32.7%), respectively. The crude prevalence of overweight in two phases of the study were 39.8% (38.2%-41.3%) and 43.4% (41.1%-45.7%), respectively. The standardized prevalence of obesity in two phases of the study were 27.2% (25.8%-28.6%) and 29.6% (27.4%- 31.8%) respectively and the standardized prevalence of overweight were 40% (38.4%-41.6%) and 42.8% (40.3%-45.31%), respectively. The 6 year incidence rate of obesity and overweight were 9.12% (7.13%-11.46%) and 29.81% (24.86%-35.13%) in men and 13.96% (11.35%-16.92%) and 29.18% (23.43%-35.47%) in women, respectively.Conclusion: The incidence and prevalence of overweight and obesity in Bushehr province is significantly high. It is recommended to conduct more studies to determine the contributing factors and ways of controlling this trend and also to prevent the related diseases in future.

Background: Low circulating IGF-1 and high hs-CRP may be associated with cardiovascular diseases. Hence, it is an important question that is there any correlation between these important biomarkers? Since the correlation between IGF-1 and hs-CRP has not been adequately investigated, the main aim of this study was to evaluate the association between these biomarkers among postmenopausal women.Materials and Methods: A total of 361 healthy Iranian postmenopausal women were randomly selected in a population-based study. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to NCEP, ATPIII criteria. Circulating hs-CRP and IGF-1 levels were measured by highly specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method.Results: Women with higher than median hs-CRP levels had lower IGF-1 levels, in comparison to women with lower than median hs-CRP levels (p<0.0001). In multiple regression analysis, after adjustment for age and the metabolic syndrome, IGF-1 levels had a significant inverse correlation with circulating hs-CRP levels (b =-0.139, p<0.007). After adjustment for age, body mass index and type 2 diabetes mellitus, IGF-1 levels also showed an inverse correlation with hs-CRP levels (b=-0.130, p<0.014).Conclusion: There is a significant inverse correlation between serum IGF-1 and hs-CRP levels in postmenopausal women. This finding provides evidence of the potential cardioprotective effect of IGF-1 via anti-inflammatory mechanisms.

The collaborative BRAIN Initiative (Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies) was launched according to the aims of Brain Activity Map (BAM) on April, 2, 2013, with the main goal of mapping the activity of every neuron and cell in the human brain. The Brain Initiative will be led in a synergistic activity by prominent scientific foundations and institutes in U.S.A, such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the private sector. The ultimate goal of this initiative is “to accelerate the development and application of innovative technologies to construct a dynamic picture of brain function that integrates neuronal and circuit activity over time and space”. Undoubtedly, through the BRAIN Initiative we can understand how the interplay of fluctuating patterns of electrical and chemical activity flowing within neural circuits creates our unique cognitive and behavioral capabilities. This attempt of the initiative is to follow an interdisciplinary approach and the development and creation of novel neurotechnologies and neuroimaging tools. The outcome will be generation of big data and a huge cybernetic platform which might be transformative for better diagnostic and therapeutics for millions worldwide who suffer from brain disorders. The BRAIN Initiative has been linked to the successful Apollo Space and Human Genome Project.

The museum of science and technology is a center based on science to present the up-to-date achievements of sciences and technologies from all over the world with the goal of improvement in knowledge and science of society by exhibits, equipment and devices, how people can learn science practically. On the other hand, the museum of science and technology is a place for presenting sciences that convert to visual and practical actions and exhibits that visitors, based on their interest, previous knowledge and capacity, can learn new things in a simple way during a short course. Several valuable benefits have been presented by museums of science and technology from all over the world, such as useful scientific and non-scientific jobs, economic development, exchange of sciences between universities, research centers and other museums of science and technology.This review, evaluate the structure, goals and achievements of the museum of science and technology and its benefits for society, people, city and country.

Undoubtedly, pharmaceutical and nutritional factors play an important role in the prevention of age-related bone loss. According to the several studies so far, the effects of nutrients and bioactive components which are extracted from marine resources are very promising in osteoporosis. Most of these investigations have been done on various marine algae extracts. Since, algae are rich source of essential minerals, primary and secondary unique natural products, several amino acids and growth factors; their extracts show favorable effects on bone metabolism. Moreover, it has been shown that marine nutrients such as marine fishes, shrimp and crabs increase the absorption of calcium and bone collagen synthesis or reduce the production of prostaglandins and decrease the deoxypyridinoline disposal. On the other hand, secondary products which are extracted and characterized from marine organisms such as mollusks, fungi, bacteria, sponges and coral reefs show anti-osteoporosis activities via the inhibition of osteoclast differentiation and the induction of apoptosis in osteoclasts like cells or stimulation of osteoblast differentiation. Although, several investigations have been done in this area, many of studies have been carried out on animal models, like ovariectomy-induced bone loss in mice. Hence, clinical investigations are warranted to develop marine natural products against bone loss and to prevent osteoporosis.