The Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cells on the Expression of IDOand Qa2 Molecules in Dendritic Cells

Purpose: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to reduce the activity of immunecells, including dendritic cells (DCs). But the exact mechanism of mesenchymal inhibitionof DCs is still unknown. In this study, the effect of mesenchymal cells on the expression ofindoleamine dioxygenase (IDO) and Qa2 molecules in DCs was evaluated.Methods: MSCs and DCs were respectively isolated from the bone marrow and spleen of BALB/cmice. Then DCs were co-cultured with MSCs in the present and absence of lipopolysaccharides(LPS). Then the expression of mRNA and protein of IDO and Qa2 molecules were investigatedin DCs that were treated with MSCs.Results: The expression of IDO and Qa2 mRNA in DCs that were treated with MSCs did notsignificantly differ from the control group. The expression of IDO protein in DCs that were coculturedwith MSCs (in 1:10 and 1:50 ratios) in absence of LPS was increased, although theywere not statistically significant (P values: 0.24 and 0.18, respectively). The expression of Qa2protein in DCs that were co-cultured with MSCs (in 1:10 and 1:50 ratios) in presence of LPS wasincreased, although they were not statistically significant (P-values: 0.09 and 0.33, respectively).Conclusion: Our results denied the possibility that MSCs led to the induction of tolerogenic DCsby increasing the expression of the IDO and Qa2 immunomodulatory molecules

Effects of Common Fig ( Ficus carica

Formaldehyde (FA) is the leading cause of cellular injury and oxidative damage in testis that is one of the main infertility causes. There has been an increasing evidence of herbal remedies use in male infertility treatment. This assay examines the role of Ficus carica (Fc) leaf extracts in sperm parameters and testis of mice intoxicated with FA. Twenty-five adult male mice were randomly divided into control; sham; FA-treated (10 mg/kg twice per day); Fc-treated (200 mg/kg); and FA + Fc-treated groups. Cauda epididymal spermatozoa were analyzed for viability, count, and motility. Testes were weighed and gonadosomatic index (GSI) was calculated. Also, histoarchitecture of seminiferous tubules was assessed in the Haematoxylin and Eosin stained paraffin sections. The findings showed that FA significantly decreased GSI and increased percentage of immotile sperm compared with control group. Disorganized and vacuolated seminiferous epithelium, spermatogenic arrest, and lumen filled with immature germ cells were also observed in the testes. However, Fc leaf extracts improved sperm count, nonprogressive motility of spermatozoa, and GSI in FA-treated testes. Moreover, seminiferous tubule with spermatogenic arrest was rarely seen, indicating that Fc has the positive effects on testis and epididymal sperm parameters exposed with FA

Method development for determination of migrated phthalate acid esters from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging into traditional Iranian drinking beverage (Doogh) samples: a novel approach of MSPE-GC/MS technique

In the current study, a novel magnetic solid phase extraction (MSPE) technique combined with a gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) was developed to determine the phthalate ester content of bottled Doogh samples. Doogh is a yogurtbased drinking beverage, which is frequently consumed in Middle East and Balkans. It is produced by stirring yogurt in Chern separation machine and consists of substances such as water, yogurt, and salt in addition to aqueous extracts of native herbs. The magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT-Fe3O4) were used as adsorbents of phthalate acid esters (PAEs) due to a superior adsorption capability of hydrophobic compounds. In this context, the quantity of the extractable migrated phthalate esters (dibutyl phthalate (DBP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP), butyl benzyl phthalate (BBP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), di-N-octyl phthalate (DNOP), and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)) from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into Doogh samples was measured. The correlation between the concentration of migrated PAEs and some factors such as the type of Doogh (gaseous and without gas), difference in brand (five brands), volume (1500 and 300 mL), and the storage time also was investigated. The migration level into Doogh samples was increased by incorporating of gas as well as increasing the volume of PET bottles. Also, with elaborating of storage time, the migration of some phthalates such as DEHP (the mean from 2419.85 ng L−1 in the first week to 2716.15 ng L−1 in the second month), DEP, and total phthalate was increased. However, no significant difference in concentrations of migrated phthalate esters among different examined brands was noted. Finally, the concentration of migrated PAEs from bottle into all the examined Doogh samples was below the defined standards by EPA; 6 μg/L for DEHP in drinking water

Validity and Reliability of the Attitudes towards and Self-Reported Ability in Evidence-Based Medicine Questionnaire

Introduction: Evidence-Based Medicine is the proper application of the best available evidence in making health care decisions for each patient and merging personal clinical experiences with the best available clinical evidence resulted from systematic research. This study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the attitudes towards and self-reported ability in evidence based medicine questionnaire among general practitioners (GPs) in health care centers of Iran University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This descriptive study was performed on all general practitioners in health care centers of Iran University of Medical Sciences (n=80) who were selected through convenient sampling in 2014. Baum’s questionnaire of attitudes towards and self-reported ability in evidence based medicine was translated into Persian and after verification of the translation the questionnaire was distributed among general practitioners. The collected data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficients, Cronbach's alpha and factor analysis. Results: The reliability in terms of internal consistency was higher than 0.7 for all questions. Content Validity Index (CVI) and Content Validity ratio (CVR) were 0.789 and 0.7 respectively. For the construct validity, 71.79 percent of the variance was explained by two factors of attitudes and practices. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.396 for attitudes and 0.934 for self-reported ability it was 0.784 for the whole instrument. Most of the GPs considered everyday use of EBM useful. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the highest score was related to design of questions for a given clinical situation and the lowest score was related to search and find an article in less than 5 minutes. Conclusion: The Persian version of attitudes towards and self-reported ability questionnaire is reliable and valid

Detection Mycoplasma hominis and genitalium in Urine Samples from Athletes and Non-Athletes by Multiplex- PCR Method

Backgrounds and Objectives: Mycoplasmas are distinguished phenotypically from other bacteria by their minute size and total lack of a cell wall and are involved in urogenital infections in both male and females. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of Mycoplasma genus and Mycoplasma homonis and genitalium in urine samples of athletes and non-athletes. Methods: In this study, urine samples were taken from 50 athlete and non-athlete males and were transported to laboratory. After DNA extraction, PCR was performed using specific primers to identify Mycoplasma genus and species hominis and genitalium. Results: Among 100 samples, 5 were positive for Mycoplasma genus which all the 5 isolate belonged to non-athlete persons. In 5 positive samples, 3 belonged to Mycoplasma hominis and 2 belonged to Mycoplasma genitalium. Conclusions: This study showed the presence of Mycoplasma in athletes were less than non-athletes. In addition PCR was a sensitive and precise method to identify Mycoplasma genus and species

Suitable Concentration of Anti-Inflammatory Herbal Extracts in Cell Culture

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ٍEffective factors on the Incidence of medication errors from the nursing staff perspective in various department of Fasa Hospital

 Background and Objective: The incidence of medical errors is deemed one of the unavoidable cases of serious threats to the health and safety of patients. This study aimed to determine the factors influencing medication errors from the perspective of the nursing staff. Materials and Methods: This descriptive -analytic study recruited 80 nurses working in various wards in Fasa Hospital. The nurses were selected via the availability sampling method, and their perspective on factors affecting medication errors was gathered using a questionnaire designed for this study. The data were analyzed with SPSS-15 software.   Results: The most important causes of medication errors were work fatigue, low nurse-to-patient ratio, long working hours, high density of work in units, and doing other tasks. Other variables such as age and gender as well as factors effective on the incidence of medication errors are mentioned in the full text. Conclusion: From the nurses’ standpoint, workload and the patient-to-nurse ratio were the most significant factors leading to medication errors

The Effects of Hesperidin, on Cardiac Dysfunction of Experimental Type-I Diabetic Rats

ABSTRACT: Introduction & Objective: Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds, which are considered as antioxidants due to their ability to scavenge free radicals and inhibit enzymes in oxygen-reduction pathways. Various studies have shown that these products reduce the cardiovascular disease mortalities. Heart failure is one the main cause of mortality in diabetic patients. It is believed that diabetes has deleterious cardiomyopathic effects, which would lead to heart failure. Several evidences indicate that oxidative stress is an important factor in the pathogenesis of diabetic complications, including cardiomyopathy. The objective of the present study was to examine the effects of hesperidin on cardiac function parameters in experimental diabetes mellitus type 1 (DM1). Material & Methods: Diabetes mellitus was induced in rats by single intraperitoneal injections of streptozotocin (60mg/kg). Diabetic rats were given oral Hesperidin (500 mg/kg) for two months. Afterwards, the animals' hearts were used to study left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), rate of rise (+dP/ dT) and rate of decrease (-dP/ dT) of left ventricular pressure, using Langendorff isolated heart apparatus. Results: Diabetes significantly reduced the LVSP, +dP/ dT and -dP/ dT compared to the control group(p<0.05). Hesperidin significantly improved all measured parameters in diabetic animals(p<0.05). Conclusion: These results show that hesperidin can improve diabetic cardiomyopathy in experimental diabetes mellitus

Investigating the Consistancy Rate of Hypertension Treatment through Guide Line JNC-7, in Patients Who Were Referred to Health Centers and Health Houses of Fasa University of Medical Sciences 2012

&nbsp;Background & Objective:&nbsp;Choosing antihypertensive as a drug for treating hypertension is the most important part of its treatment.&nbsp;The present study was done in investigating the&nbsp;consistancy rate of&nbsp;hypertension treatment through Guide Line JNC-7 in patients who were referred to health centers and health houses of Fasa University of Medical Sciences in 2012.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Materials & Methods: In this cross- sectional study, the non-random sample of population was consisted of 200 patients who were suffering from hypertension. The questionnaire contained both demographic information and the use of anti-hypertension medication based on guide line (JNC-7 (. After the confirmation approval of content validity and reliability of the questionnaire, the data and the descriptive statistics were analyzed through SPSS-15 software. &nbsp;&nbsp;Results: 60 ٪ of the patients were in the first stage of hypertension and 40 percent of them were in the second one. Beta blockers were the most common prescribed drugs which were used among the first stage patients. However, ACEI and Diuretics (Thiazides) were the commonly prescribed drugs for the second stage hypertension patients.&nbsp;Patients who had diabetes and heart failure were used Beta- blocker drugs which was not in line with the Guide line JNC-7.&nbsp;&nbsp;Conclusions: The treatment of hypertension in patients was not in consistence with guideline JNC-7. It is recommended to organize training classes for doctors to inform patients about the better way of treating this problem. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp