Ritalin abuse and its complications

Ritalin is a methylphenidate and a stimulant of the nervous system. Its Pharmacological effects are similar to amphetamines. Ritalin is used in hyperactive children and in some cases of brain trauma usually in the form of tablets. It has been the most effective and common drug for treatment of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) for years. Ritalin has a high potential for abuse, particularly in some students use it to increase focus in order to success in exams. Use of high-dose Ritalin via intravenous and inhalation or intranasal administration can cause many complications similar to cocaine and amphetamine. These complications include violent behavior, hallucinations, hyperexcitability, irritability, panic, and psychosis. In some animal models, structural damage to the nervous system and other organs has been reported. So, distribution and usage of Ritalin should accurately be controlled and monitored to prevent its abuse

In Vitro Cytotoxicity Of Folate-Silica-Gold Nanorods On Mouse Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia And Spermatogonial Cells

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate in vitro cytotoxicity of gold nanorods (GNRs) on the viability of spermatogonial cells (SSCs) and mouse acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells (EL4s). Materials And Methods In this experimental study, SSCs were isolated from the neonate mice, following enzymatic digestion and differential plating. GNRs were synthesized, then modified by silica and finally conjugated with folic acid to form F-Si-GNRs. Different doses of F-Si-GNRs (25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 140 µM) were used on SSCs and EL4s. MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) proliferation assay was performed to examine the GNRs toxicity. Flow cytometry was used to confirm the identity of the EL4s and SSCs. Also, the identity and functionality of SSCs were determined by the expression of specific spermatogonial genes and transplantation into recipient testes. Apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry using an annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) kit. Results Flow cytometry showed that SSCs and EL4s were positive for Plzf and H-2kb, respectively. The viability percentage of SSCs and EL4s that were treated with 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 140 µM of F-Si-GNRs was 65.33 ± 3.51%, 60 ± 3.6%, 51.33 ± 3.51%, 49 ± 3%, 30.66 ± 2.08% and 16.33 ± 2.51% for SSCs and 57.66 ± 0.57%, 54.66 ± 1.5%, 39.66 ± 1.52%, 12.33 ± 2.51%, 10 ± 1% and 5.66 ± 1.15% for EL4s respectively. The results of the MTT assay indicated that 100 µM is the optimal dose to reach the highest and lowest level of cell death in EL4s and in SSCs, respectively. Conclusion Cell death increased with increasing concentrations of F-Si-GNRs. Following utilization of F-Si-GNRs, there was a significant difference in the extent of apoptosis between cancer cells and SSCs

COVID-19 and its effect on anatomical sciences education: viewpoint of anatomical sciences professors of Iran university of medical sciences

Letter To Edito

Efficient functionalization of gold nanoparticles using cysteine conjugated protoporphyrin IX for singlet oxygen production in vitro

Gold nanoparticles with suitable properties are supreme therapeutic agents and provide effective signal enhancement in photodynamic therapy (PDT). In this study, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) conjugated gold nanoparticles (GNPs) were prepared using covalent conjugation with cysteine as the adaptable linkage. The thiol group of cysteine was bound to the gold nanoparticles and also the formation of the amide linkage between PpIX and cysteine was confirmed using FT-IR. The spectroscopic characterizations (FT-IR and UV-vis) proved the formation of the PpIX conjugated gold nanoparticles. The reaction process was also followed using thin layer chromatography. Two different laser sources were used to activate the PpIX molecule in the ground state which was highly associated with the amount of singlet oxygen produced. Gold nanoparticles revealed a significant improvement in the singlet oxygen production of the PpIX molecule. The photocytotoxicity of the PpIX conjugated gold nanoparticles was also investigated using spermatogonial cells in vitro. The results confirm that the designed PpIX conjugated gold nanoparticles have provided a highly efficient agent for cellular photodynamic therapy

Effects of Au@Ag core-shell nanostructure with alginate coating on male reproductive system in mice

Despite the widespread use of silver nanoparticles (NPs), these NPs can accumulate and have toxic effects on various organs. However, the effects of silver nanostructures (Ag-NS) with alginate coating on the male reproductive system have not been studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impacts of this NS on sperm function and testicular structure. After the synthesis and characterization of Ag-NS, the animals were divided into five groups (n = 8), including one control group, two sham groups (received 1.5 mg/kg/day alginate solution for 14 and 35 days), and two treatment groups (received Ag-NS at the same dose and time). Following injections, sperm parameters, apoptosis, and autophagy were analyzed by the TUNEL assay and measurement of the mRNA expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, LC3, and Beclin-1. Fertilization rate was assessed by in vitro fertilization (IVF), and testicular structure was analyzed using the TUNEL assay and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The results showed that the NS was rod-shaped, had a size of about 60 nm, and could reduce sperm function and fertility. Gene expression results demonstrated an increase in the apoptotic markers and a decrease in autophagy markers, indicating apoptotic cell death. Moreover, Ag-NS invaded testicular tissues, especially in the chronic phase (35 days), resulting in tissue alteration and epithelium disintegration. The results suggest that sperm parameters and fertility were affected. In addition, NS has negative influences on testicular tissues, causing infertility in men exposed to these NS

Short Communication: Protective Effects of Cyperus Rotundus Extract on Amyloid β-Peptide (1-40)-Induced Memory Impairment in Male Rats: A Behavioral Study

Introduction: The Alzheimer Disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia that leads to memory impairment. As the oxidative stress plays an important role in AD pathogenesis, the current study aimed at examining the protective effects of Cyperus Rotundus as an antioxidant on amyloid &beta; (A&beta;) -induced memory impairment. &nbsp; Methods: Twenty-eight Wistar male rats received intrahippocampal (IHP) injection of the A&beta; (1-40) and C. rotundus (400 mg/kg, intraperitoneally). Spatial memory was assessed by the Morris water-maze (MWM) task.&nbsp; Results: In the MWM, A&beta; (1-40) significantly increased escape latency and traveled distance (P<0.001). The administration of C. rotundus attenuated the A&beta;-induced memory impairment in the MWM task.&nbsp; Conclusion: The current study findings showed that C. Rotundus could improve the learning impairment, following the A&beta; treatment, and it may lead to an improvement of AD-induced cognitive dysfunction

The Mediating Role of A2A Adenosine Receptors in the Mitochondrial Pathway of Apoptotic Hippocampal Cell Death, Following the Administration of MDMA in Rat

Introduction: The 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is a popular recreational drug and a major source of substance abuse, which ultimately leads to sensations of well-being, elation and euphoria, moderate derealization/depersonalization, and cognitive disruptions, as well as intense sensory awareness. The mechanisms involved in memory impairment induced by MDMA are not completely understood.&nbsp; Methods: The current study used 40 Sprague-Dawley rats, weighted 200 to 250 g. Experiments were performed in four groups, each containing 10 rats. The first group of rats was used as the control, treated with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The second group was treated with MDMA. The third group was treated with MDMA and CGS (the adenosine A2A receptor agonist, 2-[p-(2- carboxyethyl) phenethylamino]-5&prime;-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine) (CGS 21680) and the fourth group was treated with MDMA and SCH (the A2A receptor antagonist [7-(2-phenylethyl)-5-amino-2-(2-furyl-) pyrazolo-[4, 3-e]-1, 2, 4 triazolo [1,5-] pyrimidine]) (SCH 58261). The drugs in all groups were administrated intraperitoneally (i.p.) once a day for 7 days. In 5 rats of each group, following perfusion, samples were taken from hippocampi to investigate apoptosis. Accordingly, the samples were stained using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay kit, and studied by light microscopy. In other rats, fresh tissue was also removed to study the expression of bax and bcl-2 by Western blotting technique.&nbsp; Results: It was observed that the coadministration of MDMA with CGS reduced bax expression and prevented apoptosis of hippocampal cells. The coadministration of MDMA and SCH increased bax expression, and also increased the frequency of hippocampal cell apoptosis. Conclusion: The results of the current study showed that administration of CGS with MDMA decreased the common side effects associated with MDMA