Effect of Anti-Oxidants on Endocrine and Metabolic Parameters of Diabetic Rats

Diabetes mellitus is recognized as one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. About 5 to 6% of the world population suffers from this disease and the number of people diagnosed with diabetes is rapidly increasing. Diabetes has been demonstrated to be associated with oxidative stress and hyperglycemia, one of the most important indictors of oxidative stress. Normally the endogenous mechanisms of enzymes and antioxidants are able to destroy the reactive species and create a balance between antioxidant and free radicals. In diabetes, the oxidative stress is increased due to the deficiency in the antioxidant defense. The intake of antioxidants such as vitamin E and C may reduce the oxidative stress associated with diabetes and hence help to restore the antioxidant defense system. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of different doses of either vitamin E or C on the metabolic and biochemical parameters of normal and streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Biochemical analysis, immunohistochemistry, and radioimmunoassay techniques were used to study the effect of these vitamins on the metabolic and biochemical parameters of normal and diabetic rats. The result of this study revealed that the oral administration of vitamin E and C significantly reduced the body weight gain in a dose-correlated manner. Moreover, vitamin E and C significantly (p\u3c0.0001) reduced the blood glucose level in normal (p Moreover, the kidney function of normal and diabetic rats was affected after the oral administration of vitamin E and C. High dose of vitamin C significantly (p\u3c0.01) increased the blood urea nitrogen level of diabetic rats, while low dose of vitamin E significantly increased (p\u3c0.03) blood urea nitrogen of normal rats. The plasma level of electrolytes such as calcium and sodium also changed significantly (p\u3c0.00001) after oral administration of either vitamin E or C. In an immunohistochemical study of pancreas on the number and distribution of insulin and glucagon cells, a significant increase in the number of insulin positive cells was observed in rats treated with vitamin E and C after the onset of diabetes when compared to control. However, the number was still significantly less than that obtained for control normal rats. However, both vitamin E and C fail to increase the insulin level of normal and diabetic rats. The level of plasma glucagon increased after the onset of diabetes mellitus and both of vitamin E and C significantly reduced its level in diabetic rats when compared to control. In conclusion antioxidants such as vitamin E and C may ameliorate the metabolic and biochemical parameters of diabetic rats

A study on the application rate of CSF test (cerebro spinal fluid) in diagnosing accute bacterial meningitis in infants and children under 5 years old in Tajrish shohada and Tehran mofid hospitals during 2005

Studying CSF (cerebro spinal fluid) is a simple and fast measure for diagnosing meningitis in children. For this reason, LP [umbar puncture] is used to treat csf.  Regarding the side effects of LP, we decided to determine the positive points observed in the patients’ files than total patients confined to bed in our selected population. In this study conducted by descriptive retrospective method, the records of 1705 infants and children suspected to meningitis, confined in Tajrish Shohada and Tehran Mofid Hospitals for LP test, were investigated. Data collected from these cases were statistically analyzed. Studies indicated that in 93.7% of infants and children tested by LP as well as csf tested, the results were negative, therefore due to the fact that LP is considered as a risky method for children, performing a test doesn’t seem necessary in most cases. Results of this study also indicated that maximum rate of infection was among males and occurred in autumn

Faculty Members’ Point of View about the Criteria for Selecting Pioneers and the Strategies to Revere them, Kerman University of Medical Sciences

Background & Objective : Improving social and cultural status of faculty members is among the main universities’ duties, aimed to encourage them to improve society knowledge and culture. All faculties in a university are not active and effective in the same way. This study was done to determine the selection criteria and the ways to appreciate the pioneer faculty members in order to initiate a reverence strategy for them. Methods : In this cross-sectional study, a researcher-made questionnaire was distributed among all the official faculty members in Kerman University of Medical Sciences after its validity and reliability were confirmed. This questionnaire consisted of demographic features and fifteen 4-Likert-scale statements to select pioneers and 11 statements to determine the reverence strategies. Results : The response rate was 66%. Thirty six percent of faculty members were instructors, 48% assistant, 10% associate and 6% were full professors. Among the pioneer selection criteria, the highest mean score belonged to “good-reputation and standard morality” and “having international publications”. In contrast, the lowest score belonged to “age” and “executive experiences”. “Consulting pioneers about the current affairs and engaging them” and “inviting them to participate in meetings” were suggested as the best reverence ways “providing facilities” and “fixing photographs and biographies on walls” were of the lowest importance. Conclusion : In spite of the general concept of pioneer in which establishment and organizing are significant, the faculty members preferred ethical and research criteria. Financial facilities and earning reputation found the lowest importance among the reverence ways while respecting and consulting them about the university affairs were suggested as the best ways. This shows the self confidence and high socio-cultural status of teachers which necessitates more attempts in symbolizing and improving their status. Keywords: Pioneer, Faculty member, Reverence

Reported causal factors for research misconducts in Iranian research

Substantial concerns about the research integrity in Iran have caused research misconducts to be an issue for studies. But adequate recognition of causal factors is a necessary part of clear and explicit policy in order to manage the research misconducts and supply the research integrity. This study attempted investigating the available evidence on the reported research misconducts in Iranian research and its causal factors. Therefore, 30 studies on Iranian research misconducts were studied. The detected factors to research misconducts based on the reported evidence included: 1. Structural factors such as publication pressure, scientific promotion policies, research funding, and job preservation; 2. Organizational factors such as research environment, regulatory-control activities on research and teaching research activities; 3. Personal factors such as research skills, degree orientation, financial benefits, understanding, and moral judgment. The analytical model of causal factors was designed. Therewith, cultural and situational factors have received less attention in the literature and they have a major focus on the obvious types of research misconduct (data fabrication, Falsification, and Plagiarism), especially plagiarism

Protective effects of licorice extract on ovarian morphology, oocyte maturation, and embryo development in PCOS-induced mice: An experimental study

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an oxidative state resulting in ovarian dysfunction. Licorice is one of the natural antioxidants used for the treatment of infertility. Objective: To evaluate the effect of licorice extract on ovarian morphology, oocyte maturation, and embryo development in PCOS-induced mice. Materials and Methods: thirty-two female NMIR mice were divided into four groups (n = 8/each): control group receiving no treatment (group I); PCOS group injected with estradiol valerate once daily for 21 days (group II); and experimental groups receiving either 100 mg/kg (group III) or 150 mg/kg (group IV) licorice by gavage along with estradiol valerate once daily for 3 wk. Serum levels of the testosterone and estrogen were measured using ELISA kit. Histological study of ovaries was evaluated, and oocyte maturation, fertilization rate, and embryo development were determined after in vitro maturation. Results: Experimental groups (III, IV) had significantly higher testosterone and estradiol levels compared to the PCOS group (p ≤ 0.001). A significant increase in the number of healthy follicles (primary, preantral follicles) (p = 0.001), corpus luteum (p = 0.001) with significant decrease in the number of atretic follicles (primary, preantral, cystic follicles) (p ≤ 0.001) was seen in the experimental groups. Increase in the fertilization rate (p ≤ 0.001) and blastocyst stage embryos (p = 0.02, p = 0.004) were observed in the experimental groups. Conclusions: It appears that the two doses (100 mg and 150 mg) of licorice could decrease ovarian cyst and improve the fertilization rate of oocyte and embryo development in PCOS mice. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two experimental groups. Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Mice, Licorice, Histology, In vitro maturation, In vitro fertilization

The relationship between personality characteristics and the quality of life in patients with epilepsy

Introduction: Identification of effective factors in the quality of life (QOL) of patients with epilepsy is important in improving their quality of life. Regarding this, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between personality characteristics and QOL in patients with epilepsy. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 epileptic patients referred to Neurology Clinic of Ali-ibn Abi Talib Hospital in Zahedan, Iran in 2015. The NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-12) questionnaires were used to determine the personality characteristics and QOL scores, respectively. Results: The mean of QOL score was 28.94±4.58. Age, gender, marital status, education level, and duration of epilepsy had no significant correlation with the QOL. The QOL showed a negative correlation with openness to experience and neuroticism. However, this variable had a direct correlation with conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extraversion. There was a significant relationship between the predictor variables (extraversion and neuroticism) and the criterion variable (QOL). Therefore, extraversion and neuroticism can be considered as the predictors of the QOL. Conclusions: The extraversion and neuroticism seem to be two predictors of the QOL in the epileptic patients. Accordingly, whereas the patients with high levels of neuroticism had low QOL, this value was higher in those with high levels of extraversion.Introduction: Identification of effective factors in the quality of life (QOL) of patients with epilepsy is important inimproving their quality of life. Regarding this, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between personalitycharacteristics and QOL in patients with epilepsy.Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 epileptic patients referred to NeurologyClinic of Ali-ibn Abi Talib Hospital in Zahedan, Iran in 2015. The NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI) and Short FormHealth Survey (SF-12) questionnaires were used to determine the personality characteristics and QOL scores, respectively.Results: The mean of QOL score was 28.94±4.58. Age, gender, marital status, education level, and duration of epilepsyhad no significant correlation with the QOL. The QOL showed a negative correlation with openness to experience andneuroticism. However, this variable had a direct correlation with conscientiousness, agreeableness, and extraversion.There was a significant relationship between the predictor variables (extraversion and neuroticism) and the criterionvariable (QOL). Therefore, extraversion and neuroticism can be considered as the predictors of the QOL.Conclusions: The extraversion and neuroticism seem to be two predictors of the QOL in the epileptic patients. Accordingly,whereas the patients with high levels of neuroticism had low QOL, this value was higher in those with highlevels of extraversion

Corneal Parameters in Healthy Subjects Assessed by Corvis ST

Purpose: To evaluate corneal biomechanics using Corvis ST in healthy eyes from Iranian keratorefractive surgery candidates. Methods: In this prospective consecutive observational case series, the intraocular pressure (IOP), central corneal thickness (CCT), and biomechanical properties of 1,304 eyes from 652 patients were evaluated using Corvis ST. Keratometric readings and manifest refraction were also recorded. Results: The mean (±SD) age of participants was 28 ± 5 years, and 31.7% were male. The mean spherical equivalent refraction was –3.50 ± 1.57 diopters (D), the mean IOP was 16.8 ± 2.9 mmHg, and the mean CCT was 531 ± 31 μm for the right eye. The respective means (±SD) corneal biomechanical parameters of the right eye were as follows: first applanation time: 7.36 ± 0.39 milliseconds (ms); first applanation length: 1.82 ± 0.22 mm; velocity in: 0.12 ± 0.04 m/s; second applanation time: 20.13 ± 0.48 ms; second applanation length: 1.34 ± 0.55 mm; velocity out: –0.67 ± 0.17 m/s; total time: 16.84 ± 0.64 ms; deformation amplitude: 1.05 ± 0.10 mm; peak distance: 4.60 ± 1.01 mm; and concave radius of curvature: 7.35 ± 1.39 mm. In the linear regression analysis, IOP exhibited a statistically significant association with the first and second applanation times, total time, velocity in, peak distance, deformation amplitude, and concave radius of curvature. Conclusion: Our study results can be used as a reference for the interpretation of Corvis ST parameters in healthy refractive surgery candidates in the Iranian population. Our results confirmed that IOP is a major determinant of Corvis parameters

Electrochemical determination of amaranth in food samples by using modified electrode

In this paper, a new electrochemical sensor was reported for the determination of amaranth in drink soft. In this sensor, activated carbon-Co3O4 nanocomposite (AC-Co3O4) was employ­ed as electrode modifying material. High pores of the activated carbon favour an access of aramanth nolecules within the pores of the working electrode surface, and allow fast electron transfer that is beneficial for the electrochemical detecion process. Thus, the electrochemical signal is obviously enhanced at AC-Co3O4 modified electrode compared to bare carbon paste electrode, and exhibited a wide linear response ranging from 0.1-215 mM with a low detection limit of 10.0 nM (based on 3Sb/m). This work offers a new route in developing new electro­chemical sensors for the determination of collorant additives and other hazard components in drink soft

Maternal and neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with different polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes: A cross-sectional study

Background: Pregnancy is a process associated with various metabolic and hormonal changes, and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can affect this process. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the maternal and neonatal outcomes among pregnant women with different polycystic ovary syndrome phenotypes. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 pregnant women with PCOS according to the 2003 ESHRE/ASRM criteria were categorized into four phenotype groups (A-D). The maternal outcomes include gestational diabetes mellitus, pregnancy-induced hypertension, premature rupture of membranes, preterm labor, small-for-gestational age birth, intrauterine growth restriction, intrauterine mortality, preeclampsia, abortion, amniotic fluid disorders, delivery method, and cause of cesarean section were studied between groups. Additionally, neonatal outcomes such as neonatal weight, neonatal recovery, 5-min Apgar score, neonatal icter, the need for NICU admission, the cause of hospitalization, and infant mortality rate were investigated and compared among the groups. Results: According to the results, phenotype D (37%) was the most common phenotype among the participants. The risk of gestational diabetes was more common in phenotype A than in the other phenotypes, whereas pregnancy-induced hypertension was most common in phenotype B. No significant differences were observed in the neonatal complications among the PCOS phenotypes. Conclusion: Considering the higher risk of gestational diabetes mellitus and pregnancy-induced hypertension in PCOS phenotypes A and B, women with these phenotypes need more precise prenatal care. Key words: Pregnancy outcome, Polycystic ovary syndrome, Phenotype, Pregnancy

Reported causal factors for research misconducts in Iranian research

Substantial concerns about the research integrity in Iran have caused research misconducts to be an issue for studies. But adequate recognition of causal factors is a necessary part of clear and explicit policy in order to manage the research misconducts and supply the research integrity. This study attempted investigating the available evidence on the reported research misconducts in Iranian research and its causal factors. Therefore, 30 studies on Iranian research misconducts were studied. The detected factors to research misconducts based on the reported evidence included: 1. Structural factors such as publication pressure, scientific promotion policies, research funding, and job preservation; 2. Organizational factors such as research environment, regulatory-control activities on research and teaching research activities; 3. Personal factors such as research skills, degree orientation, financial benefits, understanding, and moral judgment. The analytical model of causal factors was designed. Therewith, cultural and situational factors have received less attention in the literature and they have a major focus on the obvious types of research misconduct (data fabrication, Falsification, and Plagiarism), especially plagiarism