Seroprevalence of hepatitis B and C virus and HIV markers among blood donors from Shahre-Kord, Iran (2004-2006)

Objective: To determine the prevalence of HBV, HCV and HIV infection in voluntary blood donors from Shahre Kord, a central province of Iran, during 2004-2006 Design: Retrospective, descriptive and analytical study based on data from Serology Laboratory of the Blood Transfusion Center (BTC) at Shahre-Kord, Iran Setting: The BTC, Shahre-Kord, Iran Subjects: 35,124 apparently healthy voluntary blood donors Intervention: Detection of HBsAg, anti-HBc, anti-HCV and anti-HIV markers in blood samples using immunoenzymatic tests and Western blotting, as determined by the BTC Main Outcome Measures: Analysis of data obtained from the Serology Laboratory of the BTC, Shahre-Kord, Iran to determine prevalence Results: Overall prevalence estimates were: 0.1 for HBsAg, 0.07 for anti-HBc, 0.2 for anti-HCV and 0.002 for anti-HIV antibody. There was a statistically significant increase in the overall prevalence of HBsAg and HBcAb (from 0.015 to 0.02) and the prevalence of HCVAb (from 0.06 to 0.48) during the study period (p < 0.05). Three male donors were co-infected by HCV and HBV. Conclusion: This study suggests the need to investigate risk factors and risk groups for these infections in Iran. In the light of these results, an effective control and training program should be implemented

Embryonic malformations following exposure to copper oxide nanoparticles in Mus musculus

زمینه و هدف: کاربرد گسترده‌ای از نانو مواد در صنعت، پزشکی و محصولات مصرفی باعث افزایش نگرانی در مورد سمیت بالقوه آن ها شده است. هدف از این مطالعه بررسی اثر سمیت نانو ذره اکسید مس بر رشد و نمو جنین موش نژاد NMRI است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه تجربی تعداد 42 موش سوری ماده بالغ به‌طور تصادفی به 6 گروه تقسیم شدند (7n=). چهار گروه تجربی در روز 3 و 12 بارداری نانو ذرات اکسید مس با غلظت‌های 300، 400، 500 و 600 میلی‌گرم بر کیلوگرم به‌ صورت داخل صفاقی دریافت کردند. گروه شم آب مقطر دیونیزه به‌عنوان حلال نانوذره مس دریافت کرد و گروه کنترل نانوذره‌ای دریافت نکرد. در روز 17 بارداری موش‌ها کالبد شکافی شده و جنین‌ها از بافت رحمی خارج شدند. مطالعات هیستوپاتولوژیک با استفاده از رنگ‌آمیزی هماتوکسیلین ائوزین و میکروسکوپ نوری انجام شد. نتایج با استفاده از نرم‌افزار SPSS و به روش آنالیز واریانس یک‌طرفه (ANOVA) و تست تعقیبی دانکن در سطح معنی‌داری (05/0>P) مورد تجزیه ‌و تحلیل قرار گرفت. یافته‌ها: نتایج یافته‌های این مطالعه نشان داد نانوذره اکسید مس بر روند ارگانوژنز، تکمیل ساختار عصبی، لوبولاسیون کبدی و زمان احتمالی عقب بودن تشکیل جنین در غلظت600 میلی‌گرم بر کیلوگرم تأثیر گذاشت. همچنین میانگین تعداد سومیت ها در غلظت‌های 400، 500 و 600 میلی‌گرم بر کیلوگرم در مقایسه با کنترل کاهش معنی‌داری را نشان داد (05/0

Growth, survival and stress resistance of tiger barb (Puntius tetrazona) larvae fed on linseed oil-enriched Artemia franciscana nauplii

Effect of feeding on linseed oil (LO)-enriched Artemia was investigated on growth, survival and stress resistance of tiger barb (Puntius tetrazona) larvae. Larvae were fed by LO-enriched (2.5, 5 and 7.5%) as well as non-enriched Artemia nauplii for 14 d, followed by 14 d feeding on non-enriched Artemia. Fish fed on enriched nauplii showed significant increase in growth performance at both 14th and 28th d. Also, fish fed on enriched Artemia, especially those fed on 7.5% LO, showed greater resistance in response to osmotic and hypoxia stress at 28th d. The results suggest that LO enriched Artemia nauplii are capable to promote growth and stress response in tiger barb larvae

Effects of iron concentration on the growth of green alga, Ankistrodesmus falcatus

Possible effects of various iron concentrations on the growth of green algae, Ankistrodesmus falcatus, were studied at Inland Waters Aquaculture Research Center, in Bandar Anzali, Guilan Province. The algae was grown under laboratory conditions with a water temperature of 25±2°C and light intensity of 3500±350lux for 96 hours at 6 concentra­ tions of Fe in triplicates, using standard Zander culture medium (Z-8±N) as control. The amount of Fe absorption was measured using spectrophotometry at 750nm, and the number of algal cells at the beginning and final stages were counted, using Toma slide. Maximum growth of Ankistrodesmus falcatus was observed at Fe concentrations of 0.0005 g/l, when the concentration of the element in the control group (Z-8:tN) was O.00019g/l.It was shown that Fe concentrations higher or lower than O.0005g/l had negative effects on the algal growth

Identification of chemical compounds of <em>Nardostachys Jatamansi </em>essence available in Iran

Introduction: With regard to using drugs with plant origin and with the aim of suitable use of these types of drugs and preventing them to be abused, it is necessary to determine the standards of these plants. The aim of the present study was to identify and study chemical compounds of Nardostachys Jatamansi essence in Iran and define monograph of this plant for the Iranian plant pharmacopeia. Methods: In an experimental study the Nardostachys Jatamansi specimen was prepared from the market in Iran. The essence of the plant was prepared by the hydro-distillation in Clevenger apparatus. Essence was obtained as a greenish yellow oil layer with the 0.07 yield. The essence compounds were identified quantitatively by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC/MS) method. Results: Totally, 29 compounds were identified in Nardostachys Jatamansi essence. The retention indexes (RI) were only similar with overall standard values in two compounds like mesitylene and P-cymene. In this line the RI values about three compounds of valerenic acid, palmitic acid, and valerenyl isovalerate were determined significantly higher than standard values of RI. Conclusion: The essence prepared from the Nardostachys Jatamansi plant in Iran was different in terms of some compounds and components including valerenic acid, palmitic acid, and valerenyl isovalerate and so it is necessary to identify and register quality and quantity characteristics of compounds available in this plat in the Iranian medicinal plants pharmacopeia.</p

Effects of predisposing, reinforcing and enabling factors on self-care behaviors of the patients with diabetes mellitus in the Minoodasht city, Iran

Background: To control diabetes mellitus (DM) it is necessary to make overall changes in the life style of the patients. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of predisposing, reinforcing and enabling factors on self-care behaviors of the patients with DM in the Minoodasht city, Iran in 2012.Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, 78 people with DM were selected by convenience sampling method. In the first stage of study, the educational program was compiled and executed on six information sessions. To present the informative content, a video projector and different lecturing methods including questions and answers, dynamic group discussion and different educational materials such as pamphlets and CDs were employed. After one month, the efficiency of the educational program was determined by using the same questioner. Data were analyzed using paired sample T-test and McNemar test. Results: The mean age of participants was 49 (SD: 3.27.) years old, 87.2 were married, and 19.2 were illiterate. The results showed that the enabling factors like adopting to go on a diet and the educational classes facilitated by the staff had significant effects on health care behavior of the patients. Furthermore 69.2 of the participants adopted to go on a diet before the educational sessions; that figure increased to 94.9 after the educational sessions. According to the results the mean scores for the knowledge, attitude, and behavior, reinforcement factors and enabling factors increased significantly after of the educational intervention (p- value >0.001).Conclusion: Predisposing, enabling and reinforcement factors affected in taking self-care behavior in the patient with DM. © 2015 Borhani et al.; licensee BioMed Central

Effects of Persian gum and basil extract (Ocimum basilicum) coating on the quality of silver carp) Hypophthalmichthys molitrix (fillets during frozen storage (-18°C)

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Persian gum and Basil extract (Ocimum basilicum) coating on the development of rancidity in silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) fillets during frozen storage (-18°C) over a period of 3 months. The Persian gum and basil extract covering the treatment of gum 2%, 1.5% extract and extract was prepared containing treatment and control (uncoated). The control and treated fish samples were analyzed for chemical (TVB-N, TBARS, FFA, pH) and sensory characteristics monthly. The results indicated lower levels of TBA, FFA, pH, TVB-N in coated samples and especially those with gum containing basil extract during frozen (-18°C) storage. Significant differences in chemical characteristics (TVB-N, TBARS, FFA, and pH) were observed between the treatments and control. .. The results showed that Persian gum containing basil extract was the best coating for silver carp fillets and it also resulted in longer shelf life at -18ºC

Diabetes mellitus and bell's palsy in Iranian population

During last decades many researchers have focused on the conditions associated with Bell's palsy including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and viral infections. This study was performed to evaluate correlation of diabetes mellitus and Bell's palsy and some relevant features not discussed in the literature in an Iranian population. The presence of diabetes mellitus was evaluated in a total number of 275 subjects (75 patients with Bell's palsy and 200 control subjects). Diabetes mellitus was noted in 10 (13.3) patients with Bell's palsy among which 6 case were diagnosed as new cases of diabetes. Previous history of Bell's palsy was present in 10.67 of the subjects with Bell's palsy. This study confirms the correlation of diabetes mellitus and Bell's palsy for the first time in an Iranian population. We suggest screening tests for diabetes mellitus to be a routine part in the management of patients with Bell's palsy, especially in developing countries. © 2008 Tehran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved

Study of histopathological lesions in CA1 of the hippocampus after injection of beta-amyloid in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and the most common form of degenerative dementia with progressive loss of cognitive abilities and memory loss. AD is an irreversible, progressive chronic disease that it is the cause of behavior changes and deterioration of thinking ability. Since exact mechanism of neuro-toxicity by beta amyloid has not been identified yet, in this study, the histopathological lesions in CA1 of hippocampus after injection of beta-amyloid in a rat model of AD was studied. METHODS: In this experimental study, 30 adult male Albino Wistar rats weighing (250-300 g) were used for behavioral and histopathological studies. The rats were randomly assigned to three groups; control, sham and β- amyloid (Aβ) injection. The lesion was induced by injection of 4μLof Aβ (1-40) into the hippocampal fissure. For behavioral analysis Y-maze and shuttle box were used respectively at the 14 and 16 days post-lesion. For histological studies, Nissl and Bielschowsky staining were done. FINDINGS: The mean scores of alternation behavior for sham, control, and AD group were 80.56, 86.7, and 46.2, respectively. AD group showed a significant reduction in alternation behavior as compared to control and sham group (p<0.0001). The number of neurons per square millimeter in the Alzheimer group, sham and control, respectively, 2.92, 6.35 and 6.25, and reduced neuronal density in Alzheimer's disease compared with control and sham groups were significant (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: In the present study, Aβ (1-40) injection into hippocampus could decrease the behavioral indexes and the number of CA1 neurons in hippocampus

Neuropathological changes in brain cortex and hippocampus in a rat model of Alzheimer's disease

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder with progressive loss of cognitive abilities and memory loss. The aim of this study was to compare neuropathological changes in hippocampus and brain cortex in a rat model of AD. Methods: Adult male Albino Wistar rats (weighing 250-300 g) were used for behavioral and histopathological studies. The rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control, sham and β-amyloid (Aβ) injection. For behavioral analysis, Y-maze and shuttle box were used, respectively at 14 and 16 days post-lesion. For histological studies, Nissl, modified Bielschowsky and modified Congo red staining were performed. The lesion was induced by injection of 4 μL of Aβ (1-40) into the hippocampal fissure. Results: In the present study, Aβ (1-40) injection into hippocampus could decrease the behavioral indexes and the number of CA1 neurons in hippocampus. Aβ injection CA1 caused Aβ deposition in the hippocampus and less than in cortex. We observed the loss of neurons in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex and certain subcortical regions. Y-maze test and single-trial passive avoidance test showed reduced memory retention in AD group. Conclusion: We found a significant decreased acquisition of passive avoidance and alternation behavior responses in AD group compared to control and sham group (P<0.0001). Compacted amyloid cores were present in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and white matter, whereas, scattered amyloid cores were seen in cortex and hippocampus of AD group. Also, reduced neuronal density was indicated in AD group