bita pourkaveh

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is a clinical syndrome with reproductive and endocrine disorders. This study aimed to examine the effect of crocin on oxidative stress, gene expression, oocyte maturation, and embryo quality in DOR patients who underwent a controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) cycle.

As a clinical trial, this study involved 34 DOR patients trying to conceive by assisted reproductive technique who were divided into two groups (17 each): An intervention group receiving crocin (15 mg, once daily, for 12 weeks) and a control group receiving a placebo (tablets with the same form of the drug). Pre- and post-intervention, demographic information was gathered, and hormonal levels (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E2)) were measured. In the subsequent COH cycle, oocyte maturation, embryo quality, level of both superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in follicular fluid, expression of GDF9, BMP15, and Nrf2 genes in granulosa cells were measured.

The collected data as a comparison between groups showed alteration of criteria in the intervention group as follows: Significant reduction of FSH (P<0.01), increased level of SOD in the follicular fluid (P<0.0001), decreased level of oxidative stress in the granulosa cells (P<0.0001), increased expression of Nrf2 gene (P<0.08), and of GDF9, BMP15 genes (P<0.0001) in the granulosa cells. The rate of oocyte maturation and embryo quality were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group (P<0.05 and P<0.005, respectively).

Our study discussed how the Krocina supplement can slow down the progression of the disease by reducing the level of FSH, and oxidative stress, increasing the maturation rate of oocytes, and increasing the quality of embryos in women with DOR. Further research is needed to investigate the effect of crocin in improving fecundity for women with DOR.

Mitochondria are cellular organelles required for energy production, vital to reproduction, especially oocyte maturation and fertilization. It has been seen that oocyte cryopreservation (OC) can cause mitochondria damage, aggregation of lipid droplets near mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum, and cryoinjury. In recent studies use of antioxidants such as L- carnitine can increase the number of active mitochondria and decrease intracellular ROS levels. The present study aimed to determine the beneficial effect of L –carnitine on oocyte mitochondrial activity after vitrification.

In the present experimental study, 6-8 weeks of female NMRI mice were taken from the Royan Institute of Iran and stimulated with 7.5 IU Pregnant Mare Serum Gonadotrophin (PMSG) and 10 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) after 48 hours was injected. After stimulation, oocytes were collected, and MII oocytes were selected. A two-step vitrification procedure was done, and 0.6mg/ml of L –carnitine was added to both ES and VS mediums. After two weeks, oocyte thawing was performed, intracellular GSH level was also measured mitochondrial membrane potential was measured. Captured images were analyzed by J software (Version 1.40; and obtained data were analyzed using SPSS Ver.20.

Average difference in intracytoplasmic GSH level in the study group was significantly higher than the control group (P<0.001). So, L –carnitine could successfully increase the oocyte intracytoplasmic GSH level. Also, it has been seen that the LC supplement could successfully grow oocyte mitochondrial function and subsequent mitochondrial membrane potentials(P<0.001).

Adding LC to the cryopreservation media could increase mitochondrial activity, GSH level, and mitochondrial membrane potentials. Adding LC to the cryopreservation could enjoy the beneficial effect of L –carnitine on oocyte mitochondrial activity after vitrification and minimize mitochondrial damage and boost oocyte quality which can lead to successful fertilization and embryo growth.

Influenza causes high mortality rate among pregnant women, while morbidity and mortality cases of this disease and its side effects among pregnant women can be simply prevented by vaccination and reducing risk factors such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension, etc.

Hence, this study was conducted to investigate the risk factors and mortality rate of seasonal influenza among pregnant women referring to healthcare centers in Iran during 2015 - 2016.

This case-control study was conducted to examine the odds ratio of seasonal influenza among pregnant women with seasonal influenza who had referred to all healthcare centers in Iran with severe respiratory disease symptoms during 2015-2016. The statistical population consisted of 2,080 pregnant women of whom, 24 dead women constituted the case group and 100 randomly selected living women constituted the control group. A researcher-made checklist was used for data collection. The collected data were analyzed using the statistical test of the odds ratio with SPSS-22 software.

Mean (standard deviation) of age was 31 (2.3) and 34 (3.8) in living and dead pregnant women, respectively. The most frequent type of conflicting influenza virus was H1N1 in both case and control groups (83% and 71%, respectively). There was a significant difference between case and control groups in the risk factors including diabetes (P = 0.003), blood pressure (P = 0.001), obesity (P = 0.026), cardiovascular diseases (P = 0.001), renal diseases (P = 0.013), and respiratory diseases (P = 0.012). Among these risk factors, the highest odds ratio (OR) was related to cardiovascular diseases (OR = 24), blood pressure (OR = 16.3), and diabetes (OR = 12.9), in sequence. Oseltamivir prescribed to all patients in the control group and 92% of patients in the case group. Seven patients in the control group and none in the case group had a history of influenza vaccination.

It is necessary to take steps and underpin training programs to reduce the risk factors of seasonal influenza among pregnant women based on the national vaccination guidelines.

n-Butanol is a four-carbon alcohol used widely in foods, cosmetics industries, biology and chemistry research laboratories, and other fields. Long time-effects of inhalation or consumption of small amounts of Butanol on human health are still unknown. On the other hand, numerous reports about the development of n-Butanol toxicity are available. The main objective of the study was to investigate the effects of inhaled and oral administration of n-Butanol as a long-term in vivo investigation.
Small white laboratory, male mice (20-30 g) were used in 11 groups (n=4) including experimental 1 to 6, 1 to 4 control "A” and positive control groups. Experimental groups 1-3, for 10, 20, and 40 days; 5 hours a day were inside a box with ventilation facilities exposed to air saturated with n-Butanol vapor. Experimental groups 4 to 6, received water containing n-Butanol 0.2%, 1% and 5% for 10 days. Control groups B, 1 to 3 was placed for 10, 20, and 40 days inside a similar box exposed to normal air, respectively. Control group B 4 received water without any particular substance for 10 days. The positive control group received 30µl subcutaneous vinblastine. Bone marrow cells were extracted 24 hours after treatments and stained by May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining and the number of micronucleus was counted. Vinblastine, as a positive control, increased an average of micronucleus numbers significantly compared to control group (P n-Butanol inhalation caused no significant difference in 1-3 experimental groups in the average numbers of micronucleus compared to control group, even in the 40 days treatment group, average numbers of micronucleus was decreased comparing to control group (P n-Butanol inhalation may not cause chromosome damages in rat bone marrow cells that probably is due to its very fast metabolism and decomposition in the body. Therefore, the amount of n-Butanol in the systemic circulation and tissues is very low and, probably, the damaging potential is decreased.

The nosocomial infections, caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria, are the most important cause of mortality throughout the world. One important mechanism against beta-lactam antibiotics is the production of beta-lactamases. Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermentative bacteria, like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannnii may produce these enzymes. Currently, there is no vaccine to prevent the infections caused by β-lactamase-producing bacteria. Consequently, it is necessary to identify β-lactamase-producing bacteria by phenotypic and molecular methods.

The advancement of technology in recent decades has been lead to use the electrophysiology cardiac devices. Although these devices are used increasingly, but the frequency of subclinical infection is unknown. We investigate bacterial infections due to implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICDs) in patients with endocarditis. Population of the study was considered among all adult patients in whom the cardiac electrophysiology device was removed. Associated infection endocarditis defined by the Duke criteria. 35 pacemakers (PM) were aseptically removed from these patients during January 2012 to November 2014. Intraoperative swabs from the different part of devices were collected, cultured in BHI (Brain Heart Infusion Broth) and then bacterial classical cultures were done under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Biochemical and differential media were used to detect the bacteria species. Data analysis was performed by using SPSS version 16 software. 13 cases of 35 patients with endocarditis diagnosed by modified Duke Criteria and removed pacemaker had positive culture. Of the 13 cases with infection 43% were identified as gram positive and 57% had gram negative bacteria. Based on our study and similar studies, bacteria can colonize in electrophysiology devices which can lead to bacterial infections.

Clinical and epidemiological data indicate that Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are acquired during childhood and remains for the life time of the host. Patients with physical and mental disabilities may be particularly exposed to this microorganism, because of different dietary, abilities, living, and sanitary condition.. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of H. pylori infection among institutionalized patients with Down syndrome and mental retardation..Patients and Seventy five institutionalized patients with Down syndrome and mental retardation, with the age range of < 10 to 50 years were selected from welfare Center, an institute for caring mental retardation and Down syndrome patients. Seventy five out patients were also included as controls too. The control population was from the same geographical area as the study group, and had comparable socioeconomic features. Sanitary condition and personal hygiene of both the intervention and control groups were considered. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) produced in response to H. pylori infection was measured, with the Helori-test IgG with 92% sensitivity and 95% specificity; urea breath test (UBT) was also done for all.. The differences between the groups were compared by t-test and X2 test. Seropositivity for H. pylori was significantly higher in patients with Down syndrome and mental retardation than in those of the control group (P < 0.001) as the socioeconomic features did not differ between the two groups, this can be a strong consideration of the validity of this comparison (the current study showed that out of 75 specimens, 41 cases were positive by Elisa test; accordingly, UBT test results were positive too).. The current study indicated that H. pylori infection occurs at a higher rate in patients with Down syndrome and mental retardation. This may provide more reasons to control the transmission of H. pylori among them..

Listeria monocytogenes as one of the foodborne pathogens is a causative agent of listeriosis. The transfer of L. monocytogenes bacteremia in pregnant women occurs as self-limited flu-like symptoms, but it may result in abortion, stillbirth or premature birth of the infected baby. One of the best methods for detection of this bacterium is polymerase chain reaction (PCR).. The purpose of this study was detection of virulence factors (hlyA and plcA) of L.monocytogenes in women with abortion, using PCR..Patients and In this pilot and cross-sectional study, 96 patients with abortion admitted in educational university, Tehran, Iran were surveyed for L. monocytogenes by PCR and culture methods. Some variants like age, occupation, history of abortion and education were considered for all patients. Vaginal swabs and secretions were transferred to trypticase soy broth as the transport media and then all the samples were transferred to a microbiology laboratory. The tubes were incubated in 4 ºC and the specimens were cultured on PALCAM media. The isolates were verified by Gram staining, catalase and oxidase test, methyl red-Voges-Proskauer(MR-VP), sugar fermentations and motility in 20-25ºC. Then, PCR was performed for the extracted DNAs. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 17 and χ2 (Chi-square test).. Out of 96 samples, 16 isolates of L. monocytogenes by PCR (plcA and hlyA) and four isolates by culture were identified. There was a significant difference between PCR and culture methods (P = 0.003). The results of this study showed that PCR was more sensitive and specific than culture method. There was also a significant association between the bacteria and hlyA and plcA genes and human abortion and between patients with abortion precedence and education.. Based on our study, plcA and hlyA played key role in the virulence determination of L. monocytogenes. Data analysis also showed that L. monocytogenes could be a causative agent of abortion in pregnant women..

In spite of many advantages of modern medicine in comparison with traditional treatments, chemical therapeutic agents have side effects. Pistachio skin extract has antibacterial effects, but side effect has not been reported. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of pistachio skin extract with that of antibiotics such as amoxicillin, tetracycline, cefixime and ciprofloxacin, on enteric bacteria collected from patients with gastroenteritis..Patients and Experimental method was used for this study. One hundred samples were taken from patients with gastroenteritis; then, the samples were characterized and the diagnosis was made. The pistachios internal soft skin extracts were obtained, using the decoction method and water as the solvent. Afterwards, the solution was crystallized and placed on 37ºC and its water has been evaporated. The solution required two days for the entire water loss process. Antibacterial effect of the extract was analyzed with the disc diffusion method using Mueller-Hinton agar medium. After steeping the blank disc in the extract, bacteria reached 0.5 McFarland density, were cultured on plates with four antibiotic discs including amoxicillin, tetracycline, cefixime and ciprofloxacin. Next, depending on the type of bacteria, the inhibition zones were compared to determine the antibiotic inhibitory effects. Statistical analysis for comparing the antibiotics and pistachio skin extract effects was performed using chi-square tests.. Shigella with 19% sensitivity and 1% resistance had the highest sensitivity and the lowest resistance to each of the antibiotics, including tetracycline, amoxicillin and ciprofloxacin; this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). The results showed that Escherichia coli with 13.6 mL sensitivity and 6.4 mL resistancy was the bacteria, for which antibiotics were least effective (amoxicillin: P = 0.000, tetracycline: P = 0.049, cefixime: P = 0.000); this finding was statistically significant (P < 0.05).. Regarding the natural therapeutic effects of pistachio skin extract and obligations of the routine antibiotics such as resistancy, using pistachio extract as a co-therapeutical agent with ordinary antibiotics can enhance the success rate of the treatment..

Chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis) is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infectious disease in the world. Moreover, it plays a role in spontaneous abortion. The accuracy of PCR in detection of C. trachomatis infections has been shown in several studies.. The frequency of spontaneous abortion and known side effects and statistics vary in Chlamydia trachomatis infection in women with spontaneous abortion and different ways to identify and determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis are used.. Four sterile Dacron swabs were used to collect specimens from endocervix and vagina from women with miscarriage. DNA was extracted by AccuPrep Genomic DNA extraction kit. The nested PCR procedure was performed with two pair primers. This study was conducted on women referred to Medical Centers of Tehran, Iran in 1391.. The number of intercourses per week and history of miscarriage can be known as the risk factors of abortion. Frequency of C. trachomatis in endocervix was 13.25%; the amount of vaginal infection among this group was 19%.. Nested PCR as a sensitive Chlamydia trachomatis detection test and endocervical specimens has been offered to detect this bacterium in spontaneous abortion. Besides, C. trachomatis screening among pregnant women can be suggested to prevent abortion..

This research was carried out to compare antibacterial effect of Rosa nutkana sepal extract with synthetic antibiotics on methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria isolated from patients with sty.Patients and This descriptive study was done in 2009 at remedial center of ShahidBeheshti Universityand sampling was performed from patients suffering from sty using sterile soap. After preparation of Rosa nutkana sepal extract and after determining bacteria type, antibiogram test was used to determine bacterial resistance and sensitivity to cephalothin, co-amoxiclav, amoxicillin and tetracycline, as well as to the extract. Disc diffusion and agar dilution were used for this purpose. The area of non-growth resulting from antibiotic discs was compared with of the extract. In this study, 31% of samples were reported to be MRSA. MRSA in 1/128 concentration of extract was sensitive in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test. In disc diffusion test, Staphylococcus aureus was 100% sensitive to the extract, 15.8% to cephalothin, 26.3% to tetracycline, 31.6% to co-amoxiclav and 100% resistant to amoxicillin.

Ferula gummosa grows as a native plant in different parts of Iran and has been used for treatment of some infections such as UTI since ancient times. Present study is planned to show the antibacterial effect of this herb on bacteria isolated from infectious diarrhea. Patients and Extracts of the plant were achieved using maceration method. The concentration of 0.2gr/ml was used against pathogenic bacteria causing gastroenteritis; isolated from patients admitted to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences Hospitals and also minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract was determined. The highest value of MIC was due to Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and even Pseudomonas with 1/1024 dilution liter. Three antibiotics of tetracycline, trimethoprim and ciprofloxacin were also tested against the bacteria. The highest MIC was in 1/1000 mg/ml of ciprofloxacin and was against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens with MIC dilution of. According to our findings, it is recommended to use Ferula gummosa extract, as a herbal alternative treatment, in more investigations to prove its treatment effects on infections.

The plant materials play a major role in primary health care as therapeutic regimen in many developing countries. In the present study, the ethanol extracts of mentha spicata or spearmint (M. spicata) and mentha piperita or peppermint (M. piperita) have been used to inactive mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) in comparison to isoniazid.Patients and After collecting and identifying the herbs, their ethanolic extract was prepared using percolation method. The extracts of M. spicata and M. piperita with different dilutions; 0.39,0.78,1.56,3.12,6.25,12.5,25,50,100,200,400 mg/ml were provided. M. bovis strain 1173 P2 was used in this study. This microorganism was confirmed by acid-fast staining (Ziehl-Neelsen). The bacteria were incubated at 37 °C for a long time by inoculation into Middle Brook broth (Difco). Biochemical tests such as niacin, nitrate and urease were performed to confirm the organism (e.g. Feingold)(1) Agar diffusion and MIC methods (McFarland standard method and diffusion disk) were used to determine the antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts and the inhibition zones formed on the media were measured with a transparent ruler in millimeters. The in vitro antibacterial activities of ethanolic extracts showed 0.39 mg/ ml consistency of M. spicata and 100 mg/ml consistency of M. piperita as the least concentrations which inhibit growth of M. bovis in comparison with isoniazid. According to our findings, extracts of M. spicata and M. piperita could be used as raw materials for phytotherapy because of their antibacterial activities against M. bovis as TB etiology.