IRANIAN SOUTH MEDICAL JOURNAL (ISMJ)
Year:2021 | Volume:24 | Issue:2|Papers Count:5

Background: Collagen is a protein that constitutes a major component of connective tissue and has many applications in the medical and non-medical fields. The increase in the world population and the need for proteins have led to a special focus on seafood. Furthermore, jellyfish is a rich and renewable source of collagen. Therefore, many researchers have shown interest in collagen extraction from jellyfish. This study aims to extract and purify collagen from jellyfish Catostylus mosaicus. Materials and Methods: Acid-soluble and pepsin-soluble collagens were extracted and purified using a membrane with a MWCO of 100, 000 from jellyfish Catostylus mosaicus. Protein content, type, denaturation temperature, and functional groups of the extracted collagens were evaluated using spectrophotometer, electrophoresis, viscometry, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, respectively. Results: The results showed that pepsin-soluble collagen extracted from the umbrella and arm of the Catostylus mosaicus jellyfish consisted of chains α and dimer β , and the yields of the pepsin-soluble collagens extracted from the jellyfish umbrella and arm were 14. 58% and 12. 8% of the dry weight. The results also showed that the denaturation temperature of collagen extracted from the jellyfish arm and umbrella were about 27. 32 ℃ and 28. 72 ℃ , respectively. The FTIR spectra of pepsin-soluble collagen from the jellyfish umbrella and arm were almost identical to other types of collagens. Conclusion: The results show that this species of jellyfish can be used as a renewable marine source of collagen instead of other sources of collagens.

Background: Delayed awakening is one of the biggest challenges after general anesthesia and surgery. Hypothermia is common after coronary artery bypass surgery, and even mild hypothermia can cause severe complications after surgery. It is important to know the effective methods in accelerating awakening and correcting hypothermia. Materials and Methods: In this randomized clinical trial, Warm Touch forced air warming system was compared with routine method (a blanket) in increasing tympanic temperature and FOUR score in patients after elective coronary artery bypass surgery. A total of102 patients were equally divided into intervention and control groups. Tympanic temperature and FOUR Score were checked and recorded every 15 minutes for 225 minutes. Results: Tympanic temperature and FOUR Score were significantly higher in the intervention group (P<0. 001). Conclusion: Forced air warming system was more effective in increasing tympanic temperature and FOUR Score compared to the routine method. Awakening time was shorter and tympanic temperature increased faster.

Conocarpus is a tree with two flowering species of Conocarpus lancifolius and Conocarpus erectus. It is commonly known as, it is commonly known as sycamore tree or white buttonwood mangrove in Iran. It durable and can withstand conditions such as extremely high temperatures, low drainage, pressurized soil, air pollution, and salty water. In the past, this tree was used to treat various diseases such as diabetes, conjunctivitis, gonorrhea, and other infectious diseases. Recent studies have shown the antidiabetic, anticancer, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties of various parts of Conocarpus including leaves, bark, stem, and fruit in laboratory and animal models. In addition, conocarpus is a natural purifier and can be used to remove heavy metal contaminants and toxins from water, soil and air. As a biomarker, conocarpus can also be examined quantitatively and qualitatively for the amount of pollutants in different parts of the tree. To date, no scientific research has shown that conocarpus pollen is allergenic or immunogenic. In this botanological review article, the phytochemical and medicinal properties of this valuable tree in southern Iran was evaluated.

Niemann-pick disease is a severe disorder in sphingolipid metabolism and esterification of cholesterol which results in accumulations of sphingomyelin in different tissues. This disease is characterized with hepatosplenomegaly, fever and foam cell appearance in microscopic examination of bone marrow, liver and spleen. The case presented in this study is a four-month-old female infant with chief complaint of fever, pancytopenia, and severe abdominal distension, and anemia since 10 days before admission to our hospital. The case was the third child of the family born with cesarian section and without any significant health problems before hospitalization. Her siblings had both died in the hospital, but the cause of death is unknown. Significant laboratory findings include WBC=1500 (neutrophil 70%), RBC=2, 000, 000, Hb=5. 5 g/dl, Plt= 30, 000, CRP=3+, ESR=45, ALT=300 IU, and AST-150 IU. No other abnormal findings were observed in laboratory report. Thoracoabdominal X-ray revealed significant hepatosplenomegaly. Her parents were cousins. Soon after admission to our hospital, she received a wide spectrum antibiotic, but underwent ventilator due to sepsis. Unfortunately, our therapeutic management was not successful, and the patient died due to septicemia the next morning. After obtaining written consent of the parents, the patient underwent necropsy, which revealed lipid storage disease, Niemann-pick disease. The purpose of our study was to emphasize the importance of necropsy and follow-up until a definite diagnosis.

Background: Marine algae have become very important in various fields of food, medicine, and cosmetics, due to their unique functional and nutraceutical properties, as well as their amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and trace element contents. This study was aimed to identify the chemical compositions and to determine some physicochemical and nutraceutical properties of the brown algae Sargasom boveanum from the Bushehr coasts. Materials and Methods: The total protein content, amino acid, and fatty acid profiles, as well as chemical compositions, were respectively, determined by Kjeldahl, HPLC-UV, GC-FID, and GC-MS methods. Results: The total protein content was 12. 5%. Among the 17 identified amino acids, the highest amount was related to lysine, followed by glycine and aspartic acid. The essential, semi-essential, and non-essential amino acid levels were 48. 1, 24. 6, and 27. 5%, respectively. Among the 18 identified fatty acids, the palmitic acid, caproic acid, and myristic acid had respectively, the highest values. The results of mass spectrometry showed the presence of 25 compositions from different groups of phenolic, quinoline, isoquinoline, indole, pyrazole, oxadiazole, and pyrrole in the algael extract. Conclusion: Due to the richness in essential and semi-essential amino acids, beneficial fatty acids, and unique secondary metabolites of the Persian Gulf Sargassum algae, it can be considered as a potential functional food and a perfect nutraceutical package.