مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی مازندران
پیاپی 154 (آبان 1396)

Background and Follicular fluid (FF) is a rich source of compounds for the development of oocyte. Wharton's jelly mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) have a same differentiation origin with primordial germ cells, therefore, WJ-MSCs could differentiate into oocyte-like cells (OLCs) in the presence of appropriate factors. The purpose of present study was to isolate WJ-MSCs and then investigate their differentiation capacity to OLCs by FF.
The fragments of Wharton's jelly were cultured in α-MEM supplemented with 10% FBS. WJ-MSC at the 3rd passage were studied for differentiation ability to adipocytes and osteocytes. Furthermore, WJ-MSCs related markers were assessed by flow cytometry. In the same passage, WJ-MSCs were induced to differentiate into oocyte-like cells by adding 10% human FF in α-MEM for 21 days.
WJ-MSCs could differentiate into adipocytes and osteocytes. Flow cytometry analysis indicated that WJ-MSCs do not express hematopoietic marker (CD34-CD45) and express MSCs markers (CD73, CD90 and CD105). WJ-MSCs which were under influence of FF differentiated into OLCs and immunocytochemistry analysis showed these cells have positive expression of ZP3, SYCP3 (oocyte’s markers) and VASA (germ cell’s marker).
The present study demonstrated that WJ-MSCs could differentiate into OLCs (morphologically) under the influence of FF and also expressed ZP3, VASA, and SYCP3 markers positively. According to the capabilities of WJ-MSCs, these cells seem to be suitable for use in cell therapy projects to improve infertility treatments.

Background and Chalcones are promising lead for anticancer drug design and discovery. Chalcones with different mechanisms including tubulin polymerization inhibition induce apoptosis in cancer cells. The aim of current work was synthesis of two indole-chalcone derivatives and investigation of their cytotoxic activity against cancer and normal cell lines, as well as molecular docking study with the proposed target tubulin.
In this study, the indole-chalcone derivatives (3a and 3b) were prepared by the reaction of 4-methoxybenzaldehyde with 3-acetylindole or N-methyl-3-acetyl-indole in the presence of LiOH as catalyst. The pure compounds obtained were characterized by 1H NMR, IR, and Mass spectroscopy. The cytotoxic activity of synthesized compounds was tested using MTT assay toward four cancer cell lines (A549, MCF7, HepG2 and SKOV3) and a normal cell line (NIH3T3) in comparison with etoposide. Molecular docking was performed by using AutoDock 4.2 software to evaluate potential mechanism and interactions of chalcone compounds with the tubulin (1SA0) binding site.
The 1H NMR spectra of compounds showed two doublets related to the vinylic protons with coupling constant value of 15.6 Hz, demonstrating trans configuration of the compounds. Cytotoxicity assay showed that these compounds had a significant effect against viability of cancer cells. The compound 3b with IC50 value of 8.1 μg/ml against HepG2 had the most potent cytotoxic effect. Furthermore, this compound had no significant cytotoxic effect against normal cell line. Docking analysis showed that compound 3b is bound to the colchicine binding site of tubulin via hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions.
The indole-derived chalcones had a significant selective cytotoxic effect against cancer cells. The N-methyl-indole analog 3b showed better profile of activity against tested cell lines. This analog can be considered as a lead compound for further optimization and development of potent anticancer agents.

Background and Glycyrrhiza glabra is a perennial plant with some major food and medicinal compounds that has received attention by food and pharmaceutical industries. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of licorice on in vitro maturation of immature oocytes on NMRI mice.
In this experimental study, the animals were randomly divided into five groups: a control, a sham and three experimental groups. The mice were injected intraperitoneally with 7.5 IU PMSG to stimulate ovulation. The control group, received only water and food. The sham animals were gavaged with 200 ml of distilled water for 7 days. The three experimental groups were given daily injection of 100, 200, and 500 μL licorice by oral gavage for 7 days. The mice were sacrificed on day 8, the ovaries were then removed and investigated for oocytes reaching metaphase II (MII) within 24 hours. The oocytes were fertilized by the sperm of male mice and investigated after 24 and 48 hours after in vitro fertilization (IVF).
Compared with the control group, consumption of licorice extract in experimental groups (II and III) was found to have a positive effect on the number of follicles, oocytes, and number of 2 and 4 cell embryos.
This study showed the beneficial effects of licorice extract due to its Phyto-estrogenic properties on oocyte maturation and infertility.

Background and One of the major problems in chemotherapy is resistance to anti-cancer drugs. Recent studies have demonstrated a relationship between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression and progression of multidrug resistance (MDR). One of the proteins involved in drug resistance is ABCG2 (ATP-binding cassette sub-family G member 2) that is often overexpressed in patients with cancer. This study was performed to develop the MCF7 and MCF7/MX human breast cancer cell line which continuously expressed COX-2 in order to evaluate the effect of induction of COX-2 expression on ABCG2 expression.
For this purpose, a plasmid containing the sequence of cyclooxygenase-2 was cloned in E. coli. The purified plasmid was then transferred into the MCF7 and MCF7/MX cell lines by transfection process. Finally, the protein content of transfected cells were extracted and analyzed by Western blotting. The COX-2 expression was compared between transfected cells.
The results showed that COX-2 protein levels were the highest in MCF7 cells transfected with a DNA and Fusion 6 ratio of 3:1 and the medium containing genticine added after 24 hours. Also, compared to the control cell line, in MCF7/MX cells the expression of COX-2 gene increased in transfected cells with a DNA and Fusion 6 ratio of 3:2 (P In fact, the level of target gene expression may vary based on the cell line and culture conditions. Increase in the amount of DNA does not necessarily lead to increase in transfection efficiency.

Background and Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important pathogens of burn infections in hospitals. It causes infection by producing some virulence factors such as exoS and exoT cytotoxins. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of exoS and exoT genes among P.aeruginosa isolated from wound infections in burn patients and the relationship between the presences of these genes and antibiotic resistance.
In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the wounds of 80 burned patients in Sari Zare Hospital were sampled during April, May, and June 2016. After identification by biochemical tests, 18 isolates of P.aeruginosa were obtained. Antimicrobial susceptibility to 8 antibiotics was determined by disk diffusion method. PCR was performed for detection of exoS and exoT genes. Data was analyzed in SPSS V21 applying Chi-square. The significance level was considered at P A total of 18 isolates was investigated from which 15 (83.5%) had exoT gene and 14 isolates (77.8%) had exoS gene. Simultaneous presence of these genes was seen in 13 (72.5%) isolates. Statically, resistance against Ampicillin, Cephalexin, Co-trimoxazol, and Cefazolin was significantly correlated with the presence of exoS and exoT genes (P = 0.0184, P =0.0047, respectively). In addition, resistance against Imipenem was significantly correlated with the presence of exoT (P=0.0489).
High prevalence of exoS and exoT among Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates (72.5%) and the significant differences between presence of these genes and antibiotic resistance indicate the importance of these two genes in burn infections.

Background and Helicobacter pylori is one of the most prevalent agents causing gastric infection. Most of the type I strains genome containing cag pathogenicity island (i.e. cagA) result in peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Antibiotics are amongst the main treatments but drug resistance may cause treatment failure. The aim of current research was to investigate the presence of cagA in H. pylori samples and their antibiotic resistance patterns.
A descriptive study was performed in 86 patients. The endoscopy specimen was used fosr rapid urease test and culture and preparation of paraffin blocks to observe lam of tissue and performing PCR method. Samples were grown in standard media and grown colonies in culture medium were identified using catalase and oxidase tests. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were performed by antibiogram.
In this study, the rapid urease test, tissue lam observation, culture results and PCR analysis were positive in 45.3%, 53.4%, and 55.9%, and 80.2%, respectively. CagA gene was detected in 69.56% of the samples. Among patients with positive culture, highest rates of resistance were found to metronidazole, amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, and furazolidone, while the lowest rate of resistance was to tetracycline.
Compared with other methods, PCR analysis was found to be more appropriate. Current study showed that H. pylori strains in Iran are increasingly resistant to clarithromycin, and furazolidone, and metronidazole.

Background and Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is considered to be one of the most important etiological factors of liver complication around the world. Interactions of host immune responses with HBV have a crucial role in the outcome of the infection. IL12 is an important pro-inflammatory cytokine that stimulates natural killer cells and T-lymphocytes to produce IFN-γ, promotes T-helper 1 responses, and expands CD8猫梶豢 T-cell activity. These unique properties of IL12 indicate that it might play an important role in control and clearance of HBV. In addition, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are presumed to be linked to differential production of cytokines levels. This study investigated the association of IL12B rs6887695 G/C polymorphism with chronic HBV infection.
Genotypes distribution of IL12B rs6887695 was determined in 120 chronic HBV infected patients and 120 healthy controls using polymerase chain restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method between 2013 and 2015.
The frequencies of rs6887695 GG, GC and CC genotypes in the patients with chronic infection were 56.7%, 36.7% and 6.6%, respectively and in healthy controls were 51.7%, 42.5%, and 5.8%, respectively. No statistically significant difference was detected in IL12B rs6887695 genotypes between the patients and controls (P =0.65).
IL12 plays an essential role in immune response against HBV infection; however, present findings suggest that IL12B rs6887695 SNP was not associated with chronic HBV in the Iranian population studied.

Background and Patients undergoing hemodialysis, regardless of age, suffer from impaired physical function. Many problems caused by lack of mobility affect different dimensions of their lives. Exercise training, commensurate with the ability and willingness of hemodialysis patients could be of great benefit in dealing with the lack of physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intradialytic and home-based walking exercises on physical function and adequacy of hemodialysis patients.
In a clinical trial, 60 hemodialysis patients were randomly selected from two hospitals affiliated to Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. Patients in the exercise group performed the exercise program for eight weeks (two weeks during dialysis and six weeks at home). The six-minute walk test (6MWt) was used to measure physical function and KT/V and URR values were used to measure the dialysis adequacy.
In the six-minute walk test, the mean distance walked by the exercise group was significantly different from that in the control group (P˂ 0.015). According to the KT/V and URR values, the adequacy of dialysis in patients in the exercise group increased, although this increase was not statistically significant.
Exercise activities such as the program designed can improve physical function in hemodialysis patients. These activities are recommended for such patients since they are easily done at any time and place without any special equipment, have no complications, and are low cost.

Background and Depression, anxiety, and stress and measuring their levels are regarded as important issues in health. This research aimed at investigating the sex equivalence and invariance of Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS) in Iranian male and female students.
A correlational study was done in 976 students (647 females and 329 males) in Shahid Beheshti University, 2014. The study population included all new students in undergraduate courses selected via complete enumeration. The participants responded to DASS and Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scales (RSPWB-SF). Data analysis was carried out in Amos 24.
The three factor model (depression, anxiety, and stress) was confirmed through CFA for all students and goodness-of-fit indices showed that the model well fitted the data. The negative correlation between DASS and RSPWB-SF also confirmed the validity of the scale. Moreover, factor structure of the scale was invariant between males and females which showed that the interpretations of latent structures were the same between the two groups. The results of ANOVA also showed no significant differences between male and female students in anxiety and stress but a slight difference was found between them in depression.
The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale could be used as an assessment tool in research studies and clinical situations in both gender.

Background and Pregnancy is recognized as a stressful experience. Optimism in future gives a person a positive vision to analyze a stressful situation. Various factors are associated with optimism in pregnant women. The present study aimed to assess the demographic, obstetric, and stress factors with optimism in pregnant women.
This descriptive-correlative study was conducted in 500 pregnant women attending 20 health centers in Mashhad, Iran 2016. They were selected via multi-stage sampling. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, obstetrics and gynecology questionnaire, Life Orientation Test- Revised, and Perceived Stress Scale.
The mean score for optimism in pregnant women was 15.6 ± 4.0. Qualitative variables such as education of mother and spouse, housing status, income, history of labor, previous experiences of delivery and concerns about the child's gender was significantly associated with optimism in pregnant women (P There is a relationship between demographic, obstetric characteristics and perceived stress and optimism. With higher levels of optimism in pregnancy, the mothers would experience lower rates of stress.

Background and Antibiotics are extensively used in treatment of diseases. Metronidazole is an antimicrobial agent and is a nitroimidazole derivative, which is widely used in treatment of infectious diseases caused by bacteria and protozoa. This compound is irrefrangible, toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic, and has high solubility in water. Advanced oxidation process is an effective method for removal of metronidazole from aqueous solutions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of advanced oxidation process based on persulfate (UV / Na2S2O8) to remove metronidazole from aqueous solutions.
In this research, the effect of some variables such as pH, persulfate concentration and contact time was studied by a UV-C lamp (16 watts). Also, the remaining concentration of metronidazole was measured by UV-Vis spectrophotometer Cecil model CE7400.
The optimum conditions in this study were obtained at pH=9¡ persulfate concentration of 0.7 mmol/l, and contact time of 30 min. The removal of metronidazole by advanced oxidation process based on persulfate (UV / Na2S2O8) followed the first-order kinetic model.
Persulfate-based advanced oxidation process (UV/Na2S2O8) is an effective method for removal of metronidazole from aqueous solution. It is recommended as an effective and efficient process that could be used for purification of aqueous solutions.

Background and In recent years, the presence of antibiotics in aquatic environment has received increasing attention. These compounds remain in the environment, because of incomplete elimination in conventional wastewater treatment processes. Advanced oxidation processes are used to remove many pollutants. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of sono-fenton degradation in removal of sulfacetamide in presence of zerovalent iron nanoparticles.
An experimental-laboratory scale study was carried out in which NZVI was synthesized through reducing iron sulfate by sodium borohydride. The effects of some variables such as pH (3-9), NZVI concentration (1-8g/L), H2O2 concentration (0.05-2 M) and contact time (5-90 min) were investigated on the process efficiency. Concentration of residual antibiotic was analyzed by HPLC-UV equipped with a C18 column.
The maximum removal efficiency was observed at pH=3, 60 min contact time, 5 g/L NZVI concentration and H2O2 concentration of 1 M. In these optimal conditions, the removal efficiency was 91% and COD removal degree was 27%.
The experiments showed that the sonocatalytic process using NZVI nanoparticles along with adding H2O2 as an oxidant is an efficient method to remove sulfacetamide and other biological resistant compounds.

Background and Colors are toxic organic materials with complex structures used in textile production stages such as dyeing, finishing and printing that cause environmental problems. One of the most widely used colorant in textile is reactive blue 19 dye. This study aimed to examine the feasibility of TiO2 as catalysts and sonochemistry process for discoloration of reactive blue 19 from aqueous solutions.
The study was conducted in laboratory scale. The effect of different parameters affecting the decolorization of reactive blue 19, including the amount of TiO2 nanoparticles, pH, initial dye concentration and the time was investigated. The remaining concentration of RB19 was analyzed by UV-Vis carry 100 spectrophotometer at a wavelength of 592 nm. The response surface methodology was used based on central composite design (CCD) to evaluate the effect of independent variables on the removal efficiency and to predict the best answer. This model with ANOVA analysis confirmed the significant effect of variables.
The experiments and 3D plots showed that higher decolorization was obtained in neutral pH and decolorization efficiency was decreased with increment of initial dye concentration. The highest decolorization was achieved at 62 min and additional time was not effective on decolorization. In current study, 94.7 % discoloration was achieved in optimum conditions, namely 0.08 g/L RB19, pH=6.0, and 1.63 g/L TiO2 at 62.5 min.
The proposed method could be considered as green method for discoloration of colorful pollutant because it does not use oxidant chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide or hypochlorite, which their residues are harmful to the environment.

Background and Heavy metals cause major environmental pollution. They accumulate in soil, plants and crops through irrigation with polluted effluents or wastewaters. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the concentration of lead and cadmium in soil and irrigation water and their accumulation in pith, flesh, and the skin of kiwifruit.
A sample of one hundred kiwifruit, 15 soil and 25 irrigation water samples were randomly collected from the center, north, south, east, and west of a big kiwifruit garden located in north of Iran. Total concentrations of lead and cadmium were determined in all samples with furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. Statistical analysis was performed applying ANOVA test in SPSS V10.1.
The concentrations of lead in soil and flesh of kiwifruit were 33.74 and 2.93 and the concentrations of cadmium were 2.04 and 0.0026 mg/kg, respectively. The concentrations of lead and cadmium in irrigating water were 0.0044 and 0.0016 mg/L, respectively. There was a significant relation between the mean concentrations of heavy metals in the soil and that of the kiwifruit flesh. In areas with higher rate of lead and cadmium contamination the kiwifruits were found to be significantly more contaminated (P Heavy metal contamination in soil and the cross relation between irrigation water and soil, calls for appropriate monitoring of such a valuable fruit and routine environmental controls are highly necessary.

Background and Most of medical emergencies occurring in dental offices could be life – threatening. So, a dentist must have appropriate knowledge for recognizing and management of these emergencies. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge of dentists and senior dental students on the management of medical emergencies in dental offices.
This analytic cross-sectional research was carried out in Sari among 114 dentists and senior dental students in 2016. A validated questionnaire consisting of 20 questions was administered. The questionnaire included demographic information and also 17 questions about knowledge (scores 14-17: excellent, 11-14: good, 8-11: moderate, and less than 8: poor). Data was analyzed using descriptive and analytical tests in SPSS V20 and a significance level of 0.05 was considered.
The levels of knowledge of participants were found to be poor in 16.7%, moderate in 69.3%, good in 13.2%, and excellent in 1%. There was no significant differences in levels of knowledge between dentists and dental students (P = 0.430) and also between men and women (P= 0.630).
Insufficient levels of knowledge in dentists and senior dental students in Sari on diagnosis and management of dental emergencies call for interventions such as workshops and training programs.

Background and The time between marriage and first birth has a major role in the number of a couple’s births, and maternal and children health. Therefore, population and fertility health studies are highly interested in this area.
We conducted a cross-sectional survey and a questionnaire was used to collect the data. The research population included 400 people (200 males and 200 females) who were getting married in near future in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer Ahmad, Iran. The participants were selected via convenient sampling. Data analysis was done in SPSS.
The results showed that the average time-interval between marriage and a first birth for men and women is 2.22 and 1.95 years, respectively. Some variables were found to have significant direct effects on the attitudes of participants towards birth of first child including place of residence (city or village) in men and the age, employment status, and family’s socio-economic status in women.
In the population studied, people agreed to the idea of having a child in the first 5 years of their marriage. So policy makers should provide appropriate conditions such as improving the working conditions of women and improving health care during pregnancy. Moreover, they should provide the suitable conditions for marriage of young people aged 20 to 30 years.

Background and Widespread use of plant pesticides in agriculture resulted in increasing concerns about pesticide hazards. In this research, the residual levels of pesticides in melons were evaluated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS).
In this study, 75 samples of melons in Tehran market were used for simultaneous analysis of a variety of common pesticides in melons by GC/MS in two modes of scanning and SIM (Selected Ion Monitoring).
Among the samples, 8% were found with different types of residual pesticides, including pirimicarb (0.007 μg/g), dimethoate (0.03 μg/g), metalaxyl (0.015 μg/g), Alpha-endosulfan (0.012 μg/g), and permethrin (0.008 μg/g). All contaminations were less than the limits set by the Codex and the United States of America (P The standard limitations of pesticides in melons are not yet recommended in Iran, so, current findings could be used by authorities in determining these residual limits.

Background and Influenza A (H1N1), an acute respiratory disorders, is a highly contagious virus and can spread from person to person through sneezing or coughing. In 2009, pandemic influenza A (H1N1) emerged in some regions. This meta-analysis aimed at estimating the co-morbidity of 2009 H1N1 pandemic and other diseases in countries in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region.
All studies were searched in international databases. In order to increase the search sensitivity, the references were evaluated by two researchers independently. Then, eligible articles were selected by performing quality assessment of each article and implementation of inclusion/exclusion criteria. The heterogeneity observed among the results of primary studies were defined by Q and I2 tests. The co-morbidity rate of confirmed cases based on different countries and confidence intervals (95% CI) are expressed in forest plot graph.
This meta-analysis included 33311 articles. The highest incidence of Comorbidity is correct and liver failure are reported in Oman with 70.80 (59.75, 81.85) and 6.20 (0.34, 12.6), respectively. Also, the highest rate of obesity 27.50 (13.66, 41.34) and diabetes 35.00 (20.22, 49.78) were found in Qatar. Heart failure 25.00 (6.02, 43.98), kidney failure 32.40 (16.67, 48.13), malignancy 64.06 (48.94, 79.06), and COPD 24.10 (18.40, 29.80) were observed more in Oman, Tanzania, Jordan, and Iran, respectively.
This Meta- analysis showed that the incidence of co-morbidity is various among different countries in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region, which might be associated with some factors such as lung disease, diabetes, kidney failure, obesity, cardiac and respiratory failure.

Mice are the preferred model organisms in tumor and cancer research, concerning tumor biology (initiation, progression, and metastasis) or developing and screening the potential therapeutics. Different murine models including genetically engineered mice (GEM), xenografts, and chemical models may be used for this purpose. By reviewing the most recent scientific reports and publications, in the current paper, these models and their applications in different aspects of cancer research are introduced and their advantages and pitfalls are discussed. This article summarizes the opportunities provided by each model and their limitations and the fundamental differences between mouse and human such as species-specific and pharmacological differences. This article shed light on some key points for selection of the best murine model depending on the purpose of the research.

Bisphosphanates include a group of medicines used in treatment of specific bone diseases, such as multiple myeloma and osteo- high metastatic cancers. Though the exact mechanism of such medicines has not yet been known, the role these medicines play in the suppression of innervations and bone remodeling has been proved. Bisphosphonate related osteonecrosis of jaws (BRONJ) is a complication caused by using Bisphosphanates. It is a rare infliction, but, when it occurs, it brings about grave consequences for the patients including pathological fractures in the mandible. The BORNJ prevalence in patients who take intravenous Bisphosphates (BPs), such as Zolendronate, and Pamidronate is significantly higher than that in patients taking such medicines orally. The probability of BRONJ onset in mandible is twice higher than in maxilla; and some 60-70% of the patients are reported to be inflicted with BRONJ following dental surgeries. The signs and symptoms may occur prior to the presence of osteonecrosis, which include pain, loose teeth, and membranous lesions. The imaging features in BRONJ are non-specific. Peri-apical and panoramic imaging are the primary screening indices, while CT scanning and MRI provide us with more accurate information. Nonsurgical treatment protocols include anti-pain medicines, antibiotics, and anti-microbial mouthwashes, while surgical treatments include debriding and resection which are being suggested in more advanced cases.

Background and Dry mouth is a common disorder that often occurs due to reduction of the amount of saliva or change in the saliva quality. Dry mouth is not a disease itself, but it is usually a complication of other diseases, medications, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. Conventional medical treatments for dry mouth are not highly effective. But, complementary medicine could potentially suggest some treatments or prevention methods for dry mouth.
In this study, Iranian traditional medicine (ITM) books and the "comprehensive library of Islamic and traditional medicine" software were used. Also, electronic databases including, PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched for relevant articles.
A wide range of diseases were found to be responsible for dry mouth, including mental, respiratory, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal diseases, food poisoning, and fever. Therefore, dry mouth is not only the results of salivary dysfunction but also it can be associated with dysfunction in other organs.
Due to different views of ITM on health and diseases, search in the ITM sources can be useful in finding new methods for treatment of dry mouth. The principles of ITM can be used alongside conventional medicine as a complementary therapy.