Journal of Advanced Biomedical Sciences
Volume:3 Issue: 1, 2013

Spermatogenesis is a highly complex and regulated process in which germ stem cells differentiate into spermatozoa. These stem cells، called spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs)، are in the base of seminiferous tubules and have the ability of self-renewal and differentiation into functional germ cells. Due to this ability، SSCs can restore spermatogenesis after testicular damage caused by cytotoxic materials or following transplantation into an infertile recipient. Therefore، self-renewal of these cells is critical for the preservation of SSC populations and restoration of fertility. While previous studies have shown that the SSCs of mice and other species can survive and proliferate for long periods of time، little information is available about suitable culture media for the growth of human SSCs. Identification of SSC markers allows for the isolation of these populations of cells. The isolated cell can be expanded in culture and transplanted into infertile recipients. Consequently، the recognition of markers and the establishment of long-term culture systems for human SSCs will be essential for using the potential of these cells in a clinical setting. In this article، we focus on the markers that have been identified for human SSCs and in vitro culture techniques used for human SSCs proliferation.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytriptamine)، one of the most important neurotransmitters، is synthesized from amino acid L-tryptophan in some neurons located in the central nervous system and intestine enterochromaffin cells. The role of this neurotransmitter is important and involves control of sexual behaviors، morality، sleep، pain، appetite، aggression، cardiovascular function and regulation of gut function. Serotonin is stored in cells by serotonin transporter; and after release، it binds to its specific receptors so as to perform its function، which is neuronal stimulation. There is a relationship between serotonin concentration changes، serotonin transporter gene alleles، and serotonin receptors and some diseases; consequently، using some drugs which are effective on these factors could be useful in the treatment of these diseases.

In order to enhance the expression of soluble proteins and facilitate their purification and development of multi-functional polypeptide، chimerical recombinant proteins have been invented. The purpose of this study was to construct ctxB-gfp-stxB gene cassette to measure the uptake and excretion of chimerical antigen in future studies. After preparation of primers for gfp gene as a reporter gene، ctxB and stxB، attempts were made to amplify the genes via the PCR techniques. The amplified genes were clone d in the pGEM vector; and after confirmation of the gene fragments، they were fused as ctxB-gfp-stxB. The gene cassette was thereafter sub-cloned in the pET28a (+) expression vector. E. coli Bl21 (DE3) was transformed by the recombinant vector pET28a (+)، and the expression of the recombinant protein was investigated by IPTG induction and SDS-PAGEelectrophoresis. The amplified genes were cloned in the pGEM vector، and were confirmed via PCR، restriction enzymes، and sequence analyzing system. The confirmed gene fragments were mixed together as ctxB-gfp-stxB. The existence of the gene cassette was confirmed after sub-cloning. The expression was not observed for this gene cassette in E. coli. The presence of a large number of E. coli rare codons in ctxB and stxB gene sequences precluded the expression of the gene cassette in E. coli; it، therefore، requires the discovery of a suitable host cell for its expression and optimization. Given the gene cassette structure and position of restriction enzymes on the constructed fragment، this gene can be replaced with different genes and can produce a variety of gene fragments.

The Cucurbita pepo is one of plants that are functional in traditional therapy. This plant has antioxidant and skin damage repair properties. This study investigated the effect of Cucurbita pepo nano silver as a new nano-plant composition in wound repair skin in male mice. In this investigation، male albino mice were places in 8 groups، each containing 8 animals. Group I – VIII were treated with nano silver (500، 250، and 125 ppm concentrations and different concentrations of extracts [70%، 50%، and 25%]) and the control group received a mixture of 25% Cucurbita pepo extract (125 ppm) nano silver. The eighth group، as control، was treated with sterile deionizer water after the induction of wound skin. The average diameter of the wounds was measured 28 days after treatment in the control and treatment groups. These data were analyzed using the t-test and ANOVA statistical method. The results of this study showed that ethanol extraction (80%) has its highest repair effect 28 days post treatment. The average diameter of the wounds in the control group was 1. 16 ±. 0. 46 cm، which was decreased to 0 cm and 0. 12 ±. 0. 23 cm in the ethanol extract (70%) of the Cucurbita pepo and component groups، respectively (p value ≤ 0. 01). In this project، nano silver-Cucurbita pepo ethanol extraction for wound repair in albino male mice was more effective than single materials. These findings show that the repair synergic effects are between alcoholic extract and nano silver in this nano composite.

Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) are multipotent stem cells that can proliferate and differentiate into osteogenic cells. T his study aimed to investigate the effects of BMSC transplantation for the repair of bone defects in the rat.

Twenty-eight male adult rats were divided into 4 groups. Group 1 (control group) received no treatment after the bone defect. In Group 2 (sham group)، the culture medium was injected after the bone defect at the site of the bone defect. In Group 3 non-autologous cell transplantation and in Group 4 autologous cell transplantation were performed in the bone defect. Bone defect repair was evaluated by radiographic and biomechanical testing in all the groups.

No significant differences were found between the control group and the Sham group according to radiographic and biomechanical tests. Radiograph bone opacity increased in the autologous and non-autologous group s compared to the control group، but the difference was not significant. Biomechanical results of the bone showed that the mean mechanical strength (Fmax) was significantly increased in the autologous group compared to the control group (p value < 0. 05). In addition، mean Fmax was increased in the non-autologous group compared to the control group; the difference، however، did not constitute statistical significance (p value = 0. 07).

It seems that BMSC transplantation، especially autologous BMSC cell transplantation، exerts positive effects on the repair of the bone defect.

Bakground & Since Olanzapine is used in the treatment of psychosis and schizophrenia، the aim of this investigation was to assess the effect of Olanzapine on the pituitary –gonad axis and spermatogenesis in adult male rats. In the present research، 50 male Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups of 10، including control، sham، and experimental groups I، II، and III، which orally received 5، 10، and 20 mg/kg Olanzapine solution for 28 days، respectively. Twenty-four hours after the last treatment، all the rats were weighed and anesthetized. Blood samples were obtained from the heart and were centrifuged; the sera were thereafter evaluated for concentrations of LH، FSH، testosterone، and prolactin via the RIA method. The results show that there was a significant increase in the body weight of the group receiving 20 mg/kg Olanzapine solution. In addition، the results of hormone assay demonstrated that the serum concentrations of LH and FSH were comparable between the experimental groups، while there was a significant increase in prolactin and significant decrease in testosterone in the group receiving 20 mg/kg Olanzapine solution. The changes observed in the subjects were due to the presence of compounds in the Olanzapine solution، especially Benzodiazepine، which affected the body weight and serum concentration of prolactin and testosterone in the groups receiving 20 mg/kg Olanzapine solution.

Currently، efforts are underway to seek new and effective antimicrobial agents، and marine resources are potent candidates for this aim. The following study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of water-soluble and acid-soluble chitosan against some pathogenic organisms. Materials & Method s: Inhibition zone of different concentrations (5، 7. 5، and 10 mg/ml) of acid- soluble and water-soluble chitosan were examined for in vitro antibacterial activity against 4 kinds of hospital bacteria and penicillium sp. Results were compared with 4 standard antibiotics: streptomycin، gentamicin، tetracycline، and erythromycin. Furthermore، minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum lethal concentration were determined. Inhibition activity of acid-soluble chitosan (10%) showed the best result (p value < 0. 05)، whereas water-soluble chitosan exhibited the least antibacterial effects (p value < 0. 05). Chitosan demonstrated maximum effect on V. cholera cerotype ogava، and the least effect was seen on E. coli (p value < 0. 05). Acid-soluble chitosan had a more potent effect than the standard antibiotics. Also، acid-soluble chitosan (10%) and water-soluble chitosan showed maximum inhibitory effects on penicillium sp. Chitosan showed maximum antibacterial effect against S. aureus، V. cholerae cerotype ogava، and water-soluble chitosan demonstrated good antifungal effects، revealing a statistically significant difference with common antibacterial and antifungal medicines.

Matricaria recutita is one of the most ancient and well- known medicinal plants، and its role in the treatment of a wide range of diseases has been studied. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of Matricaria recutita on spermatogenesis and the pituitary-gonadal axis in male adult rats. In this experimental study، the animals were divided into two groups: the control group، which received 1 ml of distilled water orally، and the experimental group، which received 100 mg/kg of Matricaria recutita extract via gavage feeding once daily for an 8-week period. After the treatment period، several fertility indices such as the weight of the reproductive organs، sperm count، sperm motility and vitality، and testis histological changes as well as blood serum levels of testosterone، estrogen، FSH، and LH were measured. Our statistical analysis showed a significant increase in the weight of the reproductive organs، sperm count، and blood testosterone in the group which received 100 mg/kg of Matricaria recutita hydroalcholic extract. The results of this study demonstrated that hydroalcholic extract of Matricaria recutita could increase the function of the hormonal pituitary-testis axis and spermatogenesis in male rats.

Camphor stimulates the nervous system and the circulatory system، reduces lactation، and prevents conception and embryo embedding. We investigated the effects of camphor on the pituitary-gonadal hormonal axis and concentration of steroidal hormones. The parameters investigated were concentrations of LH، FSH، estrogen، progesterone، and testosterone. Forty adult female rats at a mean weight of 180 ± 20 grams were divided into five groups. Camphor solution was prepared in olive oil at 25، 50، and 100 mg/kg doses، and 0. 2 cc injections were done intraperitoneally every day for 2 weeks. The control group received no injection. The sham group received olive oil (as solvent of camphor) and treatment groups of 1، 2، and 3 received doses of 25، 50، and 100 mg/kg. The treatment groups were sacrificed one day after the last injection، and their hearts were dissected and blood samples were obtained. The concentrations of the hormones were measured by the ELISA test، and the results were evaluated via the t-test، ANOVA، and Duncan. The results showed a significant decrease in the concentrations of testosterone and progesterone (p value < 0. 05) and a significant increase in the concentrations of LH and FSH (p value <0. 05). Camphor augmented oogenesis via effecting a rise in the concentrations of LH and FSH in our rats.

Breast cancer is one of the most important causes of women''s mortality the world over. Breast self-examination (BSE) is a method that often leads to detect breast cancer in the early stage. This study aimed at assessing the awareness and practice of women in the city of FASA vis-à-vis BSE.

In this descriptive-analytical study، 300 women over 15 years old who referred to the health centers of Fasa were chosen via the clustered method. A questionnaire comprising items about the patients’ demographics as well as their awareness and practice regarding BSE was completed for all the study population by a trained midwife through interviews. Subsequently، descriptive statistics، x2، and t-test were employed for analysis using SPSS Software (version 15).

Fifty-five per cent of the cases had poor knowledge and 90% had poor practice. There was a significant correlation between knowledge and practice (p value < 0. 0001). The highest level of knowledge was found among those with university levels of education. There was also a significant correlation between practice and educational levels (p value < 0. 0001).

Given that the majority of the women under study had poor knowledge and function vis-à-vis BSE، it seems advisable that regular and systematic training programs be devised in relation to breast cancer prevention strategies such as practical classes on BSE، breast clinical examination، and mammography in order to raise awareness among women about the need to perform BSE.

Overweight and obesity as health issues have now received researchers'' attention globally. The present study is a comparative investigation into the impact of two methods of high and moderate aerobic exercises on serum leptin levels and fat oxidation. Fourteen obese females at a mean age of 22. 08 ± 6. 2 years، body mass of 78 ±12. 72 kg، height of 161. 34 ± 6. 5 cm، fat percentage of 36. 46 ± 2. 68%، and body mass index of 30 ± 4. 77 kg/m2 were randomly selected. The participants were divided into two groups: the high-intensity aerobic training group of 85 - 95% HRmax per 33-minute workout and the moderate-intensity aerobic training group of 50 - 70% HRmax per 41-minute workout. The exercises were carried out on 3 weekdays for 8 weeks at the same energy level. For statistical data analysis، the independent/paired t-test of a = 0. 05 was applied. The results indicated a significant increase in fat oxidation in the high-intensity training group (p value = 0. 03) and a considerable decrease in leptin in the moderate-intensity training group (p value = 0. 03). In the latter group، a significant fall in the fat percentage coincided with no decrease in leptin (p value = 0. 03). Apparently، moderate-intensity aerobic training not only reduces the fat mass but also impacts the secretion of leptin. However، high-intensity aerobic training increases oxidation potentiality، followed by fat oxidation.

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. 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. 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. From the nurses’ standpoint، workload and the patient-to-nurse ratio were the most significant factors leading to medication errors.