Feyz Medical Sciences Journal
Year:2013 | Volume:17 | Issue:3|Papers Count:18

Background: Since there is relatively little information pertaining to the effect of hydroalcoholic extract of Salvia officinalis on the reproductive system of animals, this study was carried out to examine the effect of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Salvia officinalis on serum levels of LH, FSH, testosterone and testicular tissue in male rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 31 male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into five groups: the control, normal saline and Salvia officinalis extract (100, 150 and 200 mg/kg/body weight) receiving groups. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with Salvia officinalis extract once daily (at 10 a.m.) for 30 days. Blood samples were collected using a cardiac puncture method and the hormone levels were measured using the radioimmunoassay. Moreover, testes were removed and after fixation, sections were cut and stained for histological studies.Results: The results indicated that Salvia officinalis extract (150 and 200 mg/kg) increased the serum testosterone level (P<0.001) and seminiferous tubule diameter and number of sperms in tubule tunnel (P<0.01). Serum LH and FSH levels did not significantly change in the group receiving the extract compared with the control group.Conclusion: The effective concentration of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Salvia officinalis has excitatory effects on male reproductive system leading to increase in serum testosterone level and spermatogenesis.

Background: Studies have shown that there is an association between the smoking and serum levels of sex steroid hormones. This study aimed to compare the effects of cigarette and waterpipe smoke on serum levels of LH, FSH, estradiol and progesterone in female rats.Materials and Methods: In this laboratory-scale experimental study, female Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control, cigarette, and waterpipe smoke receiving groups (10 rats in each group). Animals were exposed to cigarette or waterpipe smoke once a day for 100 minutes. After 6 weeks, blood samples were collected and following the serum collection, levels of LH, FSH, estradiol and progesterone were measured using the radioimmunoassay method.Results: The serum levels of LH or FSH did not significantly change in cigarette or waterpipe smoke receiving rats compared with the control group. However, serum levels of estradiol and progesterone in rats exposed to cigarette smoke as well as serum estradiol level in rats exposed to waterpipe smoke were significantly decreased compared with the control group (P<0.001).Conclusion: It seems that exposure to cigarette smoke has a higher inhibitory effect than waterpipe smoke on female reproductive system and unlike waterpipe smoke, which only results in decreased serum progesterone levels, cigarette smoke results in decreased levels of both estradiol and progesterone.

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an inflammatory disease. Honey bee venom (HBV) contains a variety of enzymes and biologically active amines that its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects have been established on PCOS. This study aimed to examine the effect of HBV on changes in anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), triglyceride and LDL levels in rats with PCOS.Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted on 63 female Wistar rats. PCOS was induced by a single-stage subcutaneous injection of Estradiol Valerate (2 mg⁄100grBW). After 60 days of injection, HBV dissolved in PBS (0.2 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally for ten days. Then the rats were sacrificed and the ovarian tissues in the control, PCOS and HBV-treated PCOS groups were collected for histological study. Finally, the blood serum was isolated to measure the changes in lipid and AMH levels using ELISA method.Results: Histological studies showed a significant reduction in corpus luteum (CL) diameter in PCOS group compared with the control group; an increase in CL in the HBV-treated group compared with the PCOS group. Blood triglycerides and LDL levels in PCOS group were increased compared with the control group, while it was decreased in the HBV-treated group. Moreover, AMH increased in the PCOS group compared with the control one, but it was decreased in the HBV group.Conclusion: HBV has a beneficial effect on PCOS probably through the expression of AMH factor and the reduction of triglycerides and LDL levels.

Background: Considering the importance of iron and the role of oxidative stress in its toxicity, the purpose of this study was to compare the effect of nano iron-oxide on oxidative stress indices and lipid profile in serum and liver of rats.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 15 rats were allocated into 3 groups; the control and the other two groups were interaperitoneally received either nano or conventional iron-oxide (8mg/kg) daily for 15 days. The amount of malondialdehyde (MDA), antioxidant activity (AOA), triglyceride (TG) and cholesterol in serum and liver; carbonyl protein and total lipid in liver and LDL, VLDL and HDL in serum of rats were determined.Results: Liver AOA was significantly increased by nano and conventional iron-oxide (P=0.02). MDA in serum was significantly decreased (P=0.001), but in liver increased (P=0.04) in the group received nano iron-oxide compared with the other two groups. Moreover, carbonyl protein was significantly increased by nano and conventional iron-oxide (P=0.05). TG and VLDL levels were decreased but LDL was increased by nano and conventional iron-oxide (P=0.02).Conclusion: According to the results of the study, nano iron-oxide can increase oxidative stress in liver and induce arthrosclerosis.

Background: Taxol, as a plant-derived anticancer drug, is widely used for the treatment of a variety of cancers. Traditional methods of extracting Taxol from the bark of Taxus species are inefficient and costly. Therefore, searching for alternative sources of this valuable compound is necessary.Materials and Methods: In this study, endophytic fungi are isolated from the bark of Iranian yew (Taxus baccata). Isolates were grown in Potato Dextrose Broth medium for 21 days. Genomic DNAs were extracted and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis for the presence of the DBAT gene, a key gene in Taxol biosynthesis pathway. The broth culture of the DBAT containing fungi was extracted and Taxol production was assessed by thin layer chromatography.Results: A total of 60 endophytic fungal strains were isolated from Iranian yew. In 22 isolates, the presence of DBAT gene was confirmed. The results of thin layer chromatography showed the production of Taxol by some endophytic fungi isolates.Conclusion: Presence of DBAT gene as well as Taxol production were demonstrated in some endophytic fungi isolated from Iranian yew. These results showed that Taxol producing endophytic fungi of yew can be a suitable alternative source for the Taxol supply.

Background: A large amount of silver chloride residue is produced from the Mohr's experiments in the industrial and educational laboratories. Considering the environmental problems caused by the release and accumulation of silver chloride, this study aimed to design an efficient method for the recovery of silver nanoparticles in laboratory waste with antibacterial activity.Materials and Methods: This bench-scale experimental study was conducted on silver chloride waste samples accumulated during one semester from teaching laboratories in a batch system. Formalin and polyvinylpyrrolidone were used as the reducing and stabilizing agents, respectively. The size of nanoparticles, size distribution and stability of silver nanoparticles were investigated using transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and UV-visible spectroscopy techniques, respectively. The antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles was assessed by measuring minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) with a serial concentration method.Results: The results showed that the optimum silver recovery with small size and narrow size distribution was achieved in 0.7 mol ammonia solution and the formalin/silver chloride mole ratio of 2. The MIC value against Gram-negative (E.coli ATCC25922) and Gram-positive (S.aureus ATCC29213) reference strains was 50 ppm, whereas the MIC of nanoparticles against the clinical isolate pathogen (Acinetobacterbaumanii) was 25 ppm.Conclusion: The proposed method is a simple and efficient method for the recovery of silver nanoparticles in laboratory waste. Moreover, the obtained silver nanoparticles have the powerful antibacterial activity.

Background: In recent years, a special emphasis has been placed on the abdominal transverse and multifidus muscles for the treatment of back pain and lumbar lordosis. Evidence reveals the difference in the function of these muscles among the individuals. This study aimed to examine the effect of a selected spinal core-muscle stabilization training in water on pain intensity and lumbar lordosis of female college students.Materials and Methods: This quasi-experimental study was performed on 43 volunteer students (22 and 21 in each of the experimental and control groups, respectively; mean age 18-25) with the history of low back pain. The experimental groups performed a 12-week hydrotherapy exercise (3 sessions per week) under the supervision of researcher and the control group did not perform any muscle training. Data were collected using a Quebec questionnaire and a flexible ruler on the first and last days of training for each participant.Results: Results showed a significant decrease in back pain intensity and lumbar lordosis angle (P£0.0001) in the experimental group, while no significant difference was observed between pretest and posttest data in the control group.Conclusion: Findings reveal that the core-muscle stabilization training of the spinal cord in water decreases the pain intensity and lumbar lordosis angle.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an acceptance and commitment-based therapy (ACT) for three patients with treatment-resistant obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).Materials and Methods: A single case-design was carried out on three patients with treatment-resistant OCD. Data were collected using a Yale Brown obsessive compulsive scale, Beck depression inventory-II, Beck anxiety inventory and a processing measure.Results: Results showed a significant alleviation in obsessive symptoms, scores of anxiety and depression, believability and distress of obsessions and need to response to them in posttest among three patients and the alleviation continued for 1-month follow-up.Conclusion: Results of this study show that the acceptance and commitment-based therapy can be an effective treatment for patients with treatment-resistant OCD.

Background: Persistent infection with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most important risk factors for developing cervix cancer. Since cell culture and serological methods have no diagnostic value for the detection of this virus and its variants, the importance of molecular methods such as PCR in the early and definite diagnosis of such virus becomes evident. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of HPV18 based on detecting E6 gene in paraffin block samples using the PCR method.Materials and Methods: In this study, 69 out of 150 cervix samples of precancerous and cancerous lesions were collected during 2007-2012. DNA was extracted from paraffin blocks using the phenol/chloroform method. Two L1 and E6 consensus primers were used to evaluate the HPV and 18 HPV, respectively.Results: Among 69 patients with cervix cancer, 53 (76.8%) cases were HPV-positive and 16 (23.19%) HPV-negative. Twelve out of 53 (17.39%) HPV-positive cases were HPV18-positive. Moreover, 6 cases were diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia II, III and 6 with squamous cell carcinoma.Conclusion: Results of the study confirm the previous reports concerning the relationship between HPV and cervix cancer. Considering the efficiency of DNA extraction and PCR protocol, we can use the test in pathology labs with simple and inexpensive facilities.

Background: Gastroenteritis is one of the most common symptoms in AIDS patients. Although gastroenteritis in these patients is caused by several factors, the role of viral agents, especially rotavirus, is still unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of rotavirus infection among the HIV-positive cases.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 75 fecal samples were collected from HIV-positive patients with gastroenteritis referred to Imam Khomeini hospital. After viral RNA extraction, the sixth conserved segment of the virus genome (VP6) was amplified using RT-PCR method. Finally, the products were detected on 1.5% agarose gel electrophoresis and confirmed by sequencing.Results: RT-PCR products with the expected size (433bp) were obtained for all rotavirus-positive as well as the wild-type standard viral isolates. Among the samples taken from 75 HIV-positive cases, 19 (25.3%) were rotavirus-positive and confirmed using direct sequencing.Conclusion: Although in this study the anticipated prevalence of rotavirus among the HIV-positive cases is about 25%, further studies are required to characterize the genotype of rotavirus in HIV-positive cases with gastroenteritis.

Background: Previous studies on the relationship between birth weight and childhood asthma have shown controversial results; some studies refer to high birth weight and some to low birth weight as a risk factor for asthma. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of abnormal birth weight among the asthmatic children.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 400 asthmatic patients (age range, 5-15 years) referred to Kashan asthma and allergy clinic during 2007-2008 were allocated in to four groups based on birth weight.Results: Sixty-two percent of asthmatic children had an optimal birth weight, 32.5% high weight, 1% very low weight and 4% low weight. In gender-based study of these children, 0.4% of boys had very low weight, 2.3% low weight, 63.7% optimal weight and 33.6% high weight; among girls 1.7% very low weight, 6.2% low weight, 61% optimal weight and 31.1% high weight.Conclusion: According to the results of the study, high birth weight is associated with asthma and among the children with abnormal birth weight, high birth weight has greater prevalence with similar results for both genders.

Background: The number of elderly people is increasing in different societies, including Iran. Considering that the prevalence of physical, mental and social problems increases with age and care for elderly imposes a heavy economic burden on the community, this study aimed to evaluate the physical, psychological and social problems and their relation to demographic factors among the elderly people in Zahedan.Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed on 315 elderly people (173 men and 142 women) in Zahedan, Iran, during 2010-2012. Subjects were randomly selected from all urban elderly people. Data were collected through a questionnaire and then analyzed using the SPSS software.Results: Results showed that 54.9% of the participants were male, 42.9% illiterate, 1.6% single and 61.3% with physical problems. The most common physical problems were related to cardiovascular diseases (43.8%). Moreover, 89.5% of the subjects felt emotionally relaxed and 36.9% were not satisfied with their lives.Conclusion: It seems that the elderly people, especially elderly women, have many physical, mental and social problems, so these problems affect their quality of life and to remove or reduce the problems, cooperation of elderly, family and society is necessary.

Background: Conversion disorder is a type of motor or sensory dysfunction that does not conform to the concepts of anatomy and physiology of the central or peripheral nervous systems. This disorder, more prevalent among the young women, may appear after the stress, creating several non-prevalent clinical signs usually associated with mood and anxiety disorders. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of aversion therapy on a patient with conversion disorder associated with mood and obsessive-compulsive disorders.Case Report: The case is a 49-year-old woman with conversion disorder associated with mood and obsessive-compulsive disorders and a recent history of twitching in three fingers of her left hand. Finally, the disorder was improved as a result of the aversion therapy.Conclusion: In conversion disorder, considering the co-morbid mental disorders is very important for an effective treatment and aversion therapy can also be considered as a method of treatment.

Background: Hydatid disease, caused by Echinococcus granulosus, is a common parasitic infection of the liver between the human and animals and can be associated with different clinical manifestations and increased risks of several serious complications. There are rare reports on the isolated pelvic hydatid cyst without other organ involvement.Case Report: A 16-year-old boy is presented with the primary complaint of consistent abdominal and pelvic pain. Pelvic sonography demonstrated a cystic mass in the pelvic region. Cystic mass contained the internal free wall with no solid components and compression on surrounding tissues. On imaging the evidence of cystic lesion with no similar cystic lesions were found in the liver, lungs and other body organs. Cystic mass was surgically removed and the pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of a hydatid cyst.Conclusion: Since the blood flow leaving small intestine and colon passes through the liver, it is considered as the most common site of hydatid cyst and isolated pelvic hydatid with no liver involvement is very rare. Surgery is offered for definitive diagnosis and treatment of hydatid cyst.