Effects of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles on Mouse Sperm Parameters and Testicular Tissue

Background: Iron oxide nanoparticles are commonly used for various purposes, such as biomedical, medical, and cosmetic services and research. However, there is a little information about the effects of the nanoparticles on human health. The current investigation was conducted to evaluate the adverse effects of iron oxide nanoparticles (FeNP) on the reproductive organs of mice, such as the testicular tissue and sperm cells. Methods: Twenty-eight male NMRI mice were randomly divided in four groups (N=7). The control group received only a regular diet. The experimental groups were administered FeNP in doses of 50, 150 and 300 mg/Kg intraperitoneally (IP), over four days. Epididymal sperm parameters, such as sperm number and motility were assessed by computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA). Stereological analysis was also conducted on the histological sections. Results: The results demonstrated that FeNP (300 mg/Kg/day) caused a significant decrease in the sperm parameters, such as motility, spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, spermatid, Sertoli, Leydig cells, total length of seminiferous tubules, and testicular interstitial tissue volumes. Conclusion: In summary, FeNP affected several reproductive tissue and cellular parameters at the administered dosage. Further research is required to examine the mechanism of action of FeNP the mice reproductive system

Assessment of Health Literacy and Self-care Behaviors among Patients Discharged from COVID-19 Wards

Introduction: The rapid outbreak of the new COVID-19 virus has become an international health challenge. Confronting the prevalence of this pathogenic virus requires, in the first step, health literacy and self-care on people’s part. Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out over three months. A total of 67 patients discharged from a COVID-19 ward were selected randomly. Data were collected using a validated researcher-made questionnaire on health literacy and self-care. The data were then analyzed using SPSS software version 16. Results: Sixty-seven patients (mean age: 45.32 ± 9.39; age range: 29 - 87) were assessed. The majority were male (64.2%), married (79.1%), illiterate (44.8%), and homemaker or unemployed (37.3%). The overall mean score of health literacy and self-care was moderate. The results of the Pearson correlation test showed a significantly positive association between overall health literacy and its components as well as the total self-care and its components among the patients studied (p <.001). Conclusion: Since self-care increases with health literacy among COVID-19 patients, it demands educational interventions in this area to improve health literacy

Involvement of Nitric Oxide System on Anxiolytic-Like Behaviors Induced by Cholestasiss

Introduction: The mechanisms of hepatic encephalopathy are not fully understood. Moreover, there is no comprehensive data concerning the effects of nitric oxide (NO) system on anxiolytic-like behaviors induced by bile duct ligation (BDL). Methods: Male mice weighing 25-30 g were used and anxiety-like behaviors were tested using hole-board task. Results: The data indicated that cholestasis increased the number of head-dipping but did not alter other aspects of behavior, 7 days after BDL, suggesting an anxiolytic-like response. Furthermore, the results showed that intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of L-arginine (200 and 250 mg/kg) 15 min before testing induced anxiolytic-like behaviors in the normal animals, 4 and 7 days after BDL (considering that the dose of 200 mg in the normal mice is ineffective but is effective in the BDL mice). On the other hand, injection of L-NAME (35 and 45 mg/kg, i.p.) 15 min before testing induced anxiogenic-like behaviors in the normal animals, 4 and 7 days after BDL (the dose of 35 mg/kg in the normal mice is ineffective but is effective in the BDL mice ). Moreover, injection of ineffective doses of L-NAME (25 and 35 mg/kg, i.p.) 15 min before administration of L-arginine (250 mg/kg, i.p.) and 7 days after BDL, decreased anxiolytic-like behaviors, signi.cantly. Discussion: Cholestatic mice show anxiolytic-like behaviors suggesting the involvement of the nitric oxide system