Journal of Arak University Medical Sciences
Year:2017 | Volume:20 | Issue:6 (123)|Papers Count:12

Background: Learning and memory are among the higher functions of the brain. State-dependent memory (STM) is a type of memory in which the recall of a learned behavior is happend only in the same sensory and physiologic condition in which the behavior is encoded. The STM is seen with some drugs, e.g. the morphine. The pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) is a durg which is used for the induction of seizure in experimental models. Some studies have been revealed different effects of the PTZ on brain higher function (learning, memory …). The aim of present study was to explore the effect of PTZ on morphine-induced STM.Materials and Methods: In this study, male adult Wistar rats (190-220 g) were used. Animals in 3 groups (n=8) during 3 sessions (learning/memory, STM and interaction) were studied. During 48 hour (training and test) the learning and memory of animals were studied in inhibitory avoidance apparatus. The step-through latency in the test day was used as a criterion for memory. Post-training injection of saline or morphine (2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg-ip) in different groups was carried out. In addition, the pre-test injection of morphine at the same doses was made to study the STM. Moreover, the interaction of pre-test single-dose PTZ (60 mg/kg -ip) on STM was studied.The locomotion of the animals was measured using the open field.Results: The post-training injection of morphine (2.5, 5 and 7.5 mg/kg-ip) impaired the inhibitory memory of rats compared to control group (p<0.001). The post-training and pre-test injections of the same dose of morphine (7.5 mg/kg-ip) reversed the impaired memory compared to morphine (2.5 and 5 mg/kg-ip), (p<0.001). The pre-test PTZ (60 mg/kg-ip) maintained the morphine (7.5 mg/kg-ip) STM (p<0.001).Conclusion: The present study revealed that the post-training ip injection of different doses of morphine results in the impairment of inhibitory avoidance memory in rat. In addition, the pre-test injection of the same doses of morphine reverses the impaired memory. This process is called STM. Consequently, the pre-test injection of PTZ maintains the morphine STM.

Background: Candida glabratais the fourth most common cause of blood infection in America and, due to its resistance to amphotericin B, we have to look for new therapies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal properties of silver nanoparticles, copper and combine them together with amphotericin B in order to produce an effective drug.Materials and Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) for nano silver copper and combining them together and amphotericin B was conducted by macro dilution. By intraperitoneal injection, anti-fungal effect of nano silver, copper and combining them together and amphotericin B was evaluated in a mouse model.Results: The amounts of MIC and MFC for silver nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles and their combination were 31 and 62.50 ppm, 31 and 62.50 ppm, and 31and 15.50 ppm, respectively. The amounts of MIC and MFC for the combination of silver nanoparticles and amphotericin B were 8 and 15.5 ppm, also, 15.5 and 31 ppm for the combination of copper nanoparticles and amphotericin B. Mouse model study confirmed the effect of silver nanoparticles, copper nanoparticles and combining them together and amphotericin B againstCandida glabrata. The combination of silver and copper nanoparticles had maximum effect and the combination of silver and copper nanoparticles with amphotericin B had minimum effect in animal model.Conclusion: The combination of silver and copper nanoparticles has a better effect than other groups.

Background: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) comprise a family of proteolytic enzymes.MMPs are capable of disrupting the blood-brain barrier (BBB), mediating the destruction of extracellular matrix and myelin components. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are proteins which block the activitiy of MMPs. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) facilitates T-cell migration into the CNS while the tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) inhibits MMP-9 actions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of TIMP-1 gene (in RNA level) in blood cells of relapsingremitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients treated with IFNb.Materials and Methods: In this study, the expression level of TIMP-1 gene was investigated in blood cells of MS patients compared to healthy subjects by Real-Time PCR.Results: The RRMS patients manifested a lower expression level of TIMP-1 RNA than their normal counterparts, although the result was not significant (p=0.1).Conclusion: The results of this study showed that there was no linear correlation between TIMP-1 expression level and risk of Expanded Disability Status Scale of Kurtzke (EDSS); nor was there any significant correlation between expression status of TIMP-1 and duration of the disease. Further studies are recommended to compare TIMP-1 RNA in patients before and after taking IFN-beta.

Background: Physical exercise is an important and effective part of comprehensive care of seniors, which declines aging progression. Because of the importance of physical activity in cardiovascular diseases prevention this study intends to investigate the comparision of structural and functional characterictics of the heart between middle- aged montaineer men and non-athlete peers.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive–analytical study, 13 middle- aged montaineer (age: 54.5±2.0 y, body mass index: 25.59±2.4 kg/m2) who have continues mountain activities during previous 24 months for at least 2 sessions per week, each session lasted 120 minute, and 14 sedentary, healthy peers (age: 54.1±2.2 y, body mass index: 26.8±2.3 kg/m2) who were not currently experiencing any regular physical activity (at least 6 months), were selected. All subjects underwent standard two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography at rest. Cardio respiratory fitness was assessed using Bruce test. T test was used to compare groups with a=0.05.Results: The results showed that mountain activities significantly increased left ventricular mass (p=0.03) and left-ventricular-end-diastolic-diameter (p=0.04). We also observed that systolic blood pressure (p=0.04), ejection fraction (p=0.05), stroke volume (p=0.03) and cardio respiratory fitness (p=0.03) were significantly improved bymountain climbing. In some of parameters such as shortening fraction, interventicular septum and left ventricular posterior wall there were no significant differences between groups (p>0.05).Conclusion: These results suggest that regular mountain sports activities can have beneficial effects on structural and functional characterictics of the heart in middle-aged men.

Background: Recent studies indicate that hyperoxia has a significant therapeutic effect in the acute ischemic injury. The role of intracellular kinases, including ERK, has been posed in the phenomenon of ischemic tolerance. In the present study, the effect of intermittent normobaric hyperoxia on the activity of ERK in the stroke model was studied Material and Methods: This is an experimental study. Animals include 4 groups (sham, hyperoxia–sham, stroke and hyperoxia–stroke); each group consisted of 6 male Wistar rats in the weight range of 250 to 350 grams. Hyperoxia groups were exposed to 95% inspired oxygen for 4 h/day and 6 consecutive days. Oxygen concentration in the control groups was 21% (normoxia, room air). After 24h, the stroke group animals were subjected to 60 min of right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).After 24h reperfusion, neurological deficit scores (NDS) and ERK activity were assessed.Results: 5 hours after MCAO, stroke groups showed a significant increase in ERK activity in the cortex (p<0.01) and subcortex (p<0.001). At the same time, hyperoxia significantly increased the activity of ERK in cortex compared to the normoxia group (p<0.05). In subcortex, hyperoxia had no significant effect on ERK activity. Twenty-four hours after MCAO, stroke groups showed a significant reduction in ERK activity in the cortex (p<0.001) and subcortex (p<0.05).24hr after MCAO, The activity of ERK in the hyperoxia groups; in both cortex and subcortex areas was significantly higher than that of the normoxia groups (p<0.05). Also, hyperoxia caused a significant decrease in NDS (p=0.0220).Conclusion: Increased levels of ERK activity in the hyperoxia groups can be used to protect the nervous system, but the presence of other malicious factors may have been more effective in some cases, so that hyperoxia alone hasn’t been able to prevent stroke progression.

Background: Implantation of an embryo involves a complex sequence of signaling events, consisting of a large number of molecular mediators such as ovarian hormones, cytokines, adhesion molecules and growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important angiogenic factor. VEGF is believed to play an important role in the process of implantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of VEGF+405C/G polymorphism and the clinical outcomes of women who underwent IVF-ET procedures.Materials and Methods: One hundred women with previous IVF-ET failures and 100 pregnant women as controls were genotyped for VEGF+405 C/G by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Statistical analysis was performed using the MedCalc software.Results: Our results indicated a higher prevalence of the VEGF+405 GG genotype and G allele in patients with history of IVF-ET failure (OR=6.90; 95%CI=2.75-17.29; p<0.0001, OR=2.5; 95%CI=1.66-3.76, p<0.0001).Conclusion: The present study revealed that the VEGF+405 GG genotype was associated with an increased risk of IVF-ET failure. However, further studies in larger populations including other genetic factors are required to achieve a definitive conclusion.

Background: In Asthenoteratozoospermic men, low motility, defected DNA and highly oxidative stress in sperm cause poor assisted reproductive techniques (ART) outcomes. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Vitamin E (Vit E), as a potent antioxidant, on sperm motility, viability and DNA integrity at different times of in vitro incubation (after 2, 4 and 6-h) to improve asthenoteratozoospermic semen samples for ART.Materials and Methods: Asthenoteratozoospermic semen samples of 50 volunteers were collected and examined. Each sample was divided into two groups of control and vitamin E (2mM) and kept in the 37 oC and 6 % CO2 for 2, 4 and 6 hours. After this incubation, sperm motility, viability and sperm DNA fragmentation (SCD) were evaluated in each group. Data were analyzed using repeated measurement of ANOVA and T-test.The means were considered significantly different at p<0.05.Results: Significant decrease in total and progressive motility and viability as well as significant increase in sperm DNA damage (after 6h of incubation) were found in control group vs. the control group before incubation (p<0.05). The sperm motility and viability was significantly higher in vitamin E group compared to untreated control group (p<0.05). Our results also showed that DNA fragmentation significantly was lower after 6h of vitamin E treatment (p<0.05).Conclusion: In vitro supplementation of vitamin E in asthenoteratozoospermia semen samples may protect spermatozoa from maltreatment effect of ROS during sperm sampling via keeping enzymatic and antioxidant process in optimum condition.

Background: Trichomoniasisis one of the most common non viral sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect ofPlantago lanceolata extracts on Trichomonas vaginalis.Materials and Methods: In this study, after collection and drying of P. lanceolata, n-hexanic, ethyl acetate, methanol and hydroalcoholic extracts, they were prepared by maceration. Five clinicalT.vaginalisisoleates subjected to extract suscebtibility testing, in comparison of metronidazole. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum lethal concentration (MLC) tests were carried out in duplicate and repeated two times for each T. vaginalis isolate.Results: The results showed that the extracts of P. lanceolata had potent antitrichomonal activity.The most antitrichomonal activity was related to ethyl acetate extract with the least MIC of 500 mg/ml and mean of 1525 mg/ml, after 48 hrs incubation. And also, the lowest antitrichomonal activity was related to hydroalcoholic and methanolic extract with the least and mean MIC of 2000 mg/ml. The results of MLC and MIC tests were identical and this finding confirmed the trichomonacidal activity of the extracts. The drug suscebtibility testing showed that theT. vaginalis isoleates were susceptibale to metronidazole ranging from 3.1 to 6.2 mg/ml with a mean and standard deviation of 4.2 ± 1.5 mg/ml.Conclusion: This study showed that the extracts of P. lanceolata hav e a considerable activity on T. vaginalis parasite. Hence, further studies are needed to clear more details of antimicrobial properties of P. lanceolatacompounds.

Background: Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli O157: H7 are the most common bacterial foodborne pathogens contaminating food products especially meat. It is essential to detect the pathogens rapidly, specifically, and simultaneously by selection and optimization of suitable reference genes. The present study was conducted to simultaneously detect E. coli O157: H7 and Salmonella spp. in meat products and contamination prevalence assay by using multiplex PCR based on rfbE and invA genes amplification in Zanjan province, northwest of Iran.Materials and Methods: A total of 74 meat samples were obtained from various regions of Zanjan province, randomly.25 grams of each meat sample was completely homogenized in 225 ml of Mueller-Hinton broth growth medium and incubated. Bacterial strains were purified and DNA extraction was performed from purified bacterial isolates. Simultaneous amplification of rfbE and invA gene fragments was done with specific primers by optimization of a multiplex PCR. Finally, the sensitivity of the method was evaluated by inoculation of the bacteria to the meat.Results: Out of 74 meat samples, 6 (8%), 4 (5.4%), and 2 (2.7%) samples were positive for E. coli O157: H7, Salmonella, and both E. coli O157: H7- Salmonella, respectively. Multiplex PCR indicated high sensitivity for simultaneous detection of the pathogens in lowest dilution of the bacteria that had been inoculated to the meat.Conclusion: In this study, a multiplex PCR was optimized based on Salmonella spp. and E. coli O157: H7 virulence genes for rapid and simultaneous detection of the pathogens with high sensitivity and specificity. Multiplex PCR as a reliable tool for rapid and simultaneous detection of foodborne pathogens to prevent contamination of food products.

Background: The aim of current study was to investigate the existence of any possible relationship between the components of self-knowledge and affiliation with delinquent peers at tendency to addiction among high school student girls.Materials and Methods: The research method is correlation.132 high school student grils were selected through a random cluster sampling method in 2014-2015 academic years, and responded to the self-knowledge, affiliation with delinquent peers, and tendency to addiction scale questionnaires. For data analysis, the Pearson coefficient and stepwise regression are used.Results: The findings of the study showed that, among the components of self knowledge, there is a meaningful and negative relationship between self-observation with tendency to addiction (p<0.01) and a positive relationship between social-comparison and social-feedbacks with tendency to addiction (p<0.01).Conclusion: According to the obtained results, with adjustment of self-knowledge and also psychological holding classes for teenager to select appropriate friends and peers, tendency to addiction can be reduced.