جستجوی مقالات مرتبط با کلیدواژه « مغز ها » در نشریات گروه « پزشکی »

A bone marrow examination is necessary to diagnose some hematologic diseases. In this study, we compared the effects of acetaminophen and promethazine versus intravenous injections of midazolam and pethidine on pain reduction after bone marrow sampling.

In this study, 88 patients were divided into two groups. The first received one gram of acetaminophen as an infusion and 25 milligrams of promethazine syrup 30 minutes before the procedure. The second group received intravenous injections of 25 milligrams of pethidine and 5 milligrams of midazolam five minutes before the procedure. In two groups, local anesthesia with lidocaine was given before the procedure. The pain and presence of anxiety in the patients were assessed using a 10-point Likert scale.

We analyzed the results of 88 patients. At 30 minutes after sampling, patients in the pethidine-midazolam group reported lower pain compared to those in the promethazine-acetaminophen group (1.18±0.90 vs. 1.77±0.99) (P=0.004). This difference was particularly notable among men (0.90±0.98 vs. 0.99±1.67) (P=0.001). Among men, those older than 30 years showed a reduction in pain (1.01±0.9 vs. 0.99±1.46) (P=0.049). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of pain immediately after sampling. The administration of promethazine and acetaminophen showed a more positive future perspective in patients older than 46 years (P=0.033). Additionally, the average incidence of anxiety 30 minutes after the procedure was 27.3% in the pethidine-midazolam group and 22.7% in the promethazine-acetaminophen group. However, there was no significant difference in the level of anxiety between the two groups (P=0.806).

Based on our data, the combination of promethazine and acetaminophen had similar analgesic effects to the combination of pethidine and midazolam immediately after sampling. As a result, according to the various side effects of pethidine and midazolam, especially in patients with respiratory diseases and outpatients, the combination of promethazine and acetaminophen can be used.

Some drugs used in chemotherapy have destructive effects on hematopoietic tissue.Cyclophosphamide is a commonly used anti-cancer drug which used for some of malignant cancers treatment and causes toxicity by its reactive metabolites such as acrolein and phosphoramide mustard. This drug has oxidant, inflammatory and subversion effects on blood hemopoetic bone marrow tissue. Medicinal plants with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects have protective effects on bone marrow tissue. The aim of this experimental study is to investigate  antioxidant and anti-infammatory effects of  Calendula officinalis L. hydroethanolic extract (CHE) on bone marrow in Wistar rats treated with cyclophosphamide.

In this experimental study 35 male Wistar rats (220-250 g) were divided in 5 groups (n=7): control (Normal saline, 0.5 ml), Cyclophosphamide (CP, 15mg/kg), positive control (CHE, 600 mg/kg), treatment 1 (CP, 15mg/kg + CHE, 300 mg/kg) and treatment 2 (CP, 15mg/kg + CHE, 600 mg/kg). All injections were done interaperituneally and the experiments were done for 15 days. At the end of experiments all animals were anesthetized ( ketamine hydrochloride, 50mg/kg + xylasine hydrochloride, 10mg/kg). After splitting the chest with surgical scissor, blood samples were collected directly from the right ventricle of the heart. The collected blood samples were centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 5 minutes and their serums were separated. Serums prepared send to the laboratory for  measuring serum parameters such as: Nitric oxide(NO), Glutamine (GSH), Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione peroxidase (GPx), Tumor Necrosis Factor- alfa(TNF-α) and Inetrlukin-6β (IN-6β). In addition, rat sternum's tissue samples were isolated and fixed with 10% Formaldehyde. Bone marrow tissue samples were studied in the histology laboratory after various steps and preparation of microscopic sections. Data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's test. The significant difference of the data were considered with p <0.05.

The results of this study showed that cyclophosphamide caused a significant increase in serum TNF-α levels in the group receiving cyclophosphamide compared to the control group (p<0.001). While in the positive control group and treatments 1 and 2 groups, there was no significant difference compared to the control group. Also, there was no significant difference between treatment 1 and treatment 2 groups. Cyclophosphamide significantly increased serum IL-6β levels in the CP group compared to the control group (p<0.001). However, serum levels of IL-6β in the groups treated with CHE were significantly reduced compared to the CP group. There was significant difference of serum levels of IL-6β between treatment 1 and treatment 2 groups (p<0. 01). The use of cyclophosphamide showed that the NO serum level in the CP group was significantly higher than the control group. The groups treated with CHE had a significant decrease in NO serum level compared to the CP group (p<0.001). There was significant difference of serum levels of NO serum level between treatment 1 and treatment 2 groups (p<0. 001). In addition, MDA serum levels in the CP group were significantly increased compared to the control group. There was significant difference of serum levels of MDA serum levels between treatment 1 and treatment 2 groups (p<0. 001). There was significant differences of MDA serum levels in CP group, positive group  and treatment groups 1&2 (p<0. 001). Another result of this study was that cyclophosphamide significantly reduced serum levels of GSH and GPx in the CP group compared with control group (p<0. 001). While serum levels of these parameters in positive control groups and treatments 1 and 2 showed a significant increase compared to the CP group. There were no significant differences of GPx and GSH serum levels between treatment groups 1&2. Histological results in this study showed that CP reduces cell density, loss of cell cohesion and also infiltration of lymphocytes in bone marrow tissue samples in CP group. These results also showed that in treatment group 1 cell density is relatively higher than CP group. In treatment group 2, cell density increased and a significant decrease in inflammatory cells were observed. No significant changes were observed in the positive control group compared to the control group.

The results of this study showed that cyclophosphamide has destructive effects on various tissues of the body, including hematopoietic tissue of bone marrow in test rats. The effects of oxidative stress and cell death of cyclophosphamide have been previously reported. The use of drugs used in the process of chemotherapy is very common and inevitable. Cyclophosphamide, which is used in pediatric oncology as part of standard treatment for leukemia, solid tumors and brain tumors, is one of these drugs. Cyclophosphamide, as a cytotoxic drug, causes inflammation and increases inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α),  IL-1β and IL-6β. Cyclophosphamide has been identified as one of the most important tissue toxicity agents due to its reactive metabolites such as acrolein and phosphoramide mustard and it has been shown that this anticancer drug increases inflammatory serum factors such as TNF-α and nitric oxide (NO) and decreases regenerative glutathione (GSH). In various studies, the antioxidant effects of CHE extract have been proven. Many chemical compounds have been identified in CHE, including carotenoids, flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins, quinones, amino acids, lipids, and carbohydrates. These compounds can be used for various medicinal and therapeutic purposes as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-cancer, anti-HIV, for wound healing and more. The main chemical constituents of CHE include steroids, terpenoids, free and esterified terterpene alcohols, phenolic acids, flavonoids (quercetin, rutin, narcissin, isoramentin, campferrol) and other compounds. Research has shown that coumarins have very beneficial effects on cell proliferation and preventing apoptosis. Large amounts of coumarin have been mentioned in the extract of Calendula officinalis's extract. Coumarins have been used to treat prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma and leukemia. In addition, coumarins play an important role in preventing side effects from radiotherapy. The antioxidant activity of CHE was shown in a study performed on polymorphonuclear leukocytes. Flavonoids and phenolic compounds with iron-binding region have iron chelating properties. By flaking iron, flavonoids both absorb more iron from the intestines and prevent it from being excreted by the kidneys. By doing this, flavonoids store iron in tissues, especially in hematopoietic tissues. Calendula officinalis's flowers contain large amounts of antioxidant compounds (flavonoids and polyphenols), which indicates the antioxidant properties of this plant. The presence of propylene glycol in CHE has been effective in preventing the formation of oxidizing free radicals such as ROS and RNS in isolated leukocytes in the respiratory tract. The protective effects of CHE on inflammatory parameters and serum antioxidants seem to be related to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, it is thought that CHE extract, due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents, is able to prevent the destructive effects of cyclophosphamide on hematopoietic tissue.

 Today, the demand of consumers for using healthier foods that are useful in the treatment and prevention of diseases has increased. The food industry's focus on such pragmatic foods has led to a new generation of products with a new level of beneficial compounds. Also, due to the low intake of essential fatty acids and antioxidants in the daily diet, it is necessary to compensate by consuming foods containing these compounds. In society today, mixed drinks have a special place. Therefore, this study aimed to produce a new beneficial drink using the walnut kernel, based on whey powder and inulin.

 For this purpose, the formulation of this drink includes walnut kernel (3, 5 and 7%), whey powder (5, 10 and 15% by weight) and inulin as a prebiotic and sensory properties improver (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 % by weight) was optimized for physicochemical properties (degree brix, viscosity, pH and dry matter) and sensory properties (taste, texture and general acceptance) by the response surface methodology.

 The study of physicochemical properties showed a high effect of whey powder on the viscosity of the produced beverage and a decreasing effect of walnut kernel on the pH and increasing it on the brix of the produced beverages. The results showed the high importance of whey powder in most sensory properties. Also, whey powder-inulin interaction was recognized as the most important interaction in the analysis of interactions on sensory properties.

In general, the results showed that the product containing 5% whey powder, 7% walnut kernel and 0.3% inulin had the best result in terms of physicochemical properties and sensory properties.

Some of drugs which used in chemotherapy have destructive effects on hemopoetic tissue. Cyclophosphamid is a drug for malignant cancers treatment with subversion effects on blood hemopoetic bone marrow. Medicinal plants with antioxidant effects have anti-inflammatory and protective effects on bone marrow tissue. The aim of this study is to investigate of protective effect of Calendula officinalis L. hydrethanolic extract (CHE) on boold parameters in Wistar male rats induced with cyclophosphamide.

In this experimental study 35 male Wistar rats (200-220 g) were divided in 5 groups(n=7): control (0.5 ml salin normal), Cyclophosphamide (15 mg/kg), positive control 600 mg/kg, CHE), treatment 1 (Cyclophosphamide 15 mg/kg+300 mg/kg, CHE) and treatment 2 (Cyclophosphamide 15mg/kg +600 mg/kg, CHE). All injections were done interaperituneally and the experiments were done for 15 days. At the end of expriments all animals were anesthetized (ketamine hydrochlorids, 50mg/kg+xylasine hydrochloride 10 mg/kg) and blood samples and sternum bone tissue (fixed in 10% formaldehyde) were collected. All data were evaluated statistically by ANOVA and Tukey’s method.

The results of this study were showed that cyclophosphamide has reduce effects on blood parameters (RBC, WBC, PL, Hb, Hct, MCV,MCH, MCHC) compare with control group significantly. CHE can protect and inhibite of cyclophosphamide damage effects on blood hemopoetic tissue.

The use of CHE is able to protect of blood hemopoetic tissue in bone marrow and prohihite of cyclophosphamide effects.

 Today, considering the daily growth rate of cardiovascular diseases, the tendency for consumption of low-fat products and use of plant-based foods such as nuts and seeds depending on the profile of fatty acids is increasing. Functional products are foods that go beyond basic nutritional needs, have valuable properties and health for the human body. Due to the use of chemicals (such as dyes, sweeteners, preservatives, etc.) in beverages and their adverse effects on human health, researchers today are looking for ways to optimize traditional and natural beverages. Meanwhile, in the society today, mixed drinks have a special place. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to produce a new useful drink using walnut kernel, based on whey powder and inulin.

 For this purpose, to evaluate the sensory properties, the formulation of this drink includes walnut (3, 5 and 7%), whey powder (5, 10 and 15% by weight) and inulin as a prebiotic and improves sensory properties (0.1, 0.2 and 0.3% by weight) was optimized by the response surface methodology.

 The best overall sensory property was that of the formulation containing 5% whey powder, 7% walnuts, and 0.3% inulin. Due to the high importance of whey powder in most sensory properties as well as whey powder-inulin interaction, the most important interaction in the analysis of interactions on sensory properties was recognized.

The use of powdered cheese, walnut kernels and inulin in appropriate proportions leads to the production of a drink with high acceptance by the tasting judges, which can be used as a healthy and useful snack.

Dendritic cells are very important in basic studies and vaccine research, but isolation and culture of these cells face challenges due to their small number in tissues. Since there is no standard method, we addressed some of the factors affecting the efficiency of dendritic cell isolation and culture from BALB/c mouse bone marrow.

Bone marrow cells isolated from femur and tibia, were seeded in plates and treated with GM-CSF. On day 3, half of the media was transferred to a new plate with fresh media plus GM-CSF. On day 5, cells were induced with CpG oligonucleotide. Cell survival as well as maturation markers of CD11C, MHC-II and CD86 were investigated by flow cytometry on day 5 (immature cells) and day 7 (mature cells).

It was found that the presence of endotoxin in the culture of immature cells, significantly reduces the recovery of dendritic cells (p value <0.05). Less than one million cells seeded in non-treated 6-well plates and transfer of cells to a new plate on day 3 increased the efficiency of immature cell retrieval by preventing early maturation and premature death. Further treatment of immature cells with CpG on day 7 was used to induce the Th1 pathway. Significant difference (p value <0.05) with control group showed that CpG induces maturation after treatment with GM-CSF (without IL-4).

Optimization of dendritic cell culture in terms of different culture conditions highly impacts the efficiency of immature cell formation and maturation.

cartilage tissue damage is one of the global challenges and causes a large percentage of people involved . the main factor is the stroke or degenerative disease of the age . the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of intra - articular injection of mesenchymal stem cells on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells ( mscs ) .

in this cross - sectional study , rats were divided into five groups including : healthy group ( normal saline ) . ~~~ rats were divided into five groups : healthy group ( normal saline ) , mesenchymal group , mesenchymal group + receive the same volume of cell secretions and culture media . after four weeks , the rats were euthanized and the hip joint was studied by macroscopic and microscopic methods .

the results of this study showed that intra - articular injection of prayed * 106 cells / ml had good effect on the repair of cartilage lesions induced by injection of acetate . histological studies showed that the incidence of atrial fibrillation ( af ) decreased in the mesenchymal stem group ( mscs ) . however , there was no significant difference between two groups . also , in treatment group with mesenchymal secretions and culture media , changes were observed in healing cartilage repair . ~~~ this difference was not significant with oa group .

in this study , the effect of mesenchymal stem cells on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells ( mscs ) was investigated .

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is characterized by the proliferation of myeloid precursors and abnormal differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells, which results in the accumulation of immature cells in the bone marrow (BM). The accumulation of these cells in the bone marrow causes molecular and cellular changes in the microenvironment of the bone marrow. The adiponectin hormone originates from adipose tissue of the bone marrow, which in addition to effective functions in cellular metabolism, suppresses cancer through various mechanisms, including inhibition of metastasis, angiogenesis, and proliferation. In the bone marrow sample, patients with acute myeloid leukemia are associated with different subtypes of the disease.

In this basic-fundamental research, a total of 40 BM samples from de novo AML patients and 15 BM samples from healthy volunteers as the healthy group referred to the Stem Cell Transplantation Laboratory and Cell Therapy of Taleghani Hospital and with assisting the Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, from March 2015 to February 2017, were entered into the study. Then used the Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method for diagnosis level of adiponectin gene expression in BM samples patients and the healthy group.

The results of the present study showed that the level of adiponectin gene expression in the BM sample of patients was significantly decreased in comparison with the healthy group (P=0.002). While, there was no significant difference (P<0.05) in adiponectin gene expression in AML subtypes myeloblastic, promyelocytic, and myelomonocytic/monocytic.

The results of this study indicate that there was a decrease in adiponectin gene expression in the bone marrow of acute myeloid leukemia patients compared to healthy controls. This decrease in adiponectin expression may be due to myeloid hyperplasia and a decrease in bone marrow adipocytes. In fact, The nutritional, metabolic, and mechanical stresses associated with myeloid cells accumulation cause alterations in bone marrow microenvironment structure and destruction of bone marrow adipose tissue. Therefore, reduced adiponectin gene expression in AML patients is one of the key indicators of bone ‎marrow microenvironmental changes in AML patients.‎‎

Snack consumption is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in children and adolescents. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of snack consumption and carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) among overweight and obesity children and adolescents.

In this cross sectional study, a total of 339 participants, aged 6 to 13 years with the body mass index Z score ≥1 enrolled in this study. Data on anthropometric measurements, pubertal status, and CIMT were documented. Food intakes of participants were measured by a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Linear and logistic regression were estimated. 

Mean age of study participants was 9.3 years and with 68.4% of obesity. After controlling for confounders, including age, sex, energy intake, puberty status, physical activity, and body mass index, one SD increase in intake of nuts decreased the CIMT, by 0.126 mm (P value=0.019). Moreover, participants in the last tertile of nuts intake had 63% lower risk of high CIMT in comparison with those who consumed less than 1.74 serving/wk of nuts (P for trend=0.006). When nuts intake was replaced by the sweet unhealthy snacks the CIMT decreased by 0.15 mm.

Our findings emphasize the positive impact of nuts consumption as a healthy snack on subclinical stages atherosclerosis. Clinical trial studies could examine the effect of different kinds of nuts consumption on CIMT and complications of CVD risk factors.

Now day, using of stem cells and nanoparticles in the differentiation of stem cells is considered as a therapeutic approach. The purpose of this study was to synthesize and characterize nanocomposite polyacrylic polycarboxylic acid containing nanoparticles of biologically active glass 45S5 crushed and assessment effect of this composite on the propagation and growth of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells in the external environment.
 

In this experimental study, the bioactive glass nanoparticles were synthesized by planetary milling and coated on electrospun polyolactic acid nanofibers. The physicochemical and biological properties of the composite nanocarbon were evaluated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, MTT, acridine orange, and alkaline phosphatase assays.
 

The physicochemical properties showed that the structure of synthesis bioactive glass and the lactic acid poly lactic acid fibers were completely nano size and the uniform distribution of nanoparticles was well placed on the fiber. The cell analysis demonstrated the significant increase proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to bone cells.In the MTT assay, cell survival was expressed in the composite nanostructure after 7 days of cell culture (1.96 ± 0.2), while the control sample (0.76 ± 0.08).
 

According to the results of this study, the composite nanoscale composite is not cytotoxicity effects and has biocompatible. It is useful in bone tissue repair.

Millions of people consume psychoactives such as marijuana. Mesenchyme cells, which are derived from bone marrow stem cells, have multiple applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of marijuana on differentiation power of bone marrow stem cells of adult male rats in adipose tissues. In this experimental study, the bone marrow stem cells of adult male rats were segregated with flushing method. Then, their mesenchymal identity was confirmed with a morphological study, PCR-RT method, and surface markers of CD45 and CD34 along with the related genes of CD90 and CD73. For analyzing the viability and differentiation power of the cells in adipose tissues in terms of marijuana usage, cell samples were exposed to different dosages of marijuana, such as 30 and 6000 ng/ml and cell survival was evaluated by MTT.The adipogenic differentiation potential of the treated cells were analyzed based on oil red staining. The results were analyzed by ANOVA and Schaffe tests. Findings:The results indicated that the extracted cells are non-adherent in flasks and, in moving from passage one to the next passage, their duplication speed increased. In passage three, they changed into fusiform cells. Based on RT-PCR, it was revealed that CD90 and CD73 were existent, but CD34 and CD45 are nonexistent. Marijuana treatment caused no change in the form of stem cells. 10days after exposure to adipogenic circumstances, in addition to increase of survival, their cytoplasm was repleted with adipose. The results of this study revealed that marijuana has positive effects on mesenchymal bone marrow stem cells in differentiating the adipocyte

Backgrounds andAim One of the effective strategies for targeting chemotherapy in the treatment of cancer is the use of lipid nano-carriers. In this study, an optimal formulation of niosomal drug containing doxorubicin has been developed to better fight cancer cells.
Material and Niosomal vesicles were prepared using phosphatidylcholine (22%), span60 (52/5%), cholesterol (22/5%) and DSPE-PEG2000 (5%) by thin-film method. Doxorubicin were loaded into the niosomes using inactive loading method. Their physico-chemical features were assayed using Zeta-Sizer, FTIR and SEM, and drug release amount was calculated at 37° C and 44° C. At the end, the toxicity of the nano drug carrier system was measured on the KG-1 cell line of the bone marrow cancer by MTT method. Niosomal vesicles containing Doxorubicin showed the size of 160.37±65.2 nm, 94.18% drug encapsulation efficiency -58.11± 1.24 mV of zeta potential and polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.234±0.02 The prepared niosomal system presented drug controlled release and FTIR investigation showed almost no interaction between nano-carrier containing drug and the drug itself. As well, morphological examination of nano-carriers using SEM microscopy revealed that they have spherical structures. Also, cellular studies showed that drug toxicity was higher in encapsulated conditions compared to non-encapsulated conditions. The results of this study, meanwhile confirming the proper physicochemical characteristics of the system and being Slow-release system indicate that this nano-carrier anionic increases the toxicity of the drug for the KG-1 cell line of the bone marrow, thus, this niosomal nano-carrier can be a suitable carrier for drug delivery to cancer cells.

Cell therapy is one of the attractive and novel approaches in the treatment of chronic wounds. The aim of this study was to evaluate the function of bone marrow derived hematopoietic stem cells (CD93) in the treatment of diabetic ulcers.
In this study, 15 BALB/c strain mice, weighing 25-30 g were used, of which 10 were made diabetic by streptozotocin (STZ). Circular skin lesions 6 mm in diameter and 2 mm depth were created in the skin of mice. Studied mice were divided into 3 groups including normal mice without diabetes (sham), diabetic mice without transplanted CD93 cells (Control) and diabetic mice that underwent CD93 cell transplantation twice (density of cells: 1 × 107). The parameters of wound area, wound healing, differentiation and survival of CD93 cells were calculated on days 7, 14 and 28 after cell transplantation using the fluorescent microscope and DiL labeling antibody with Image J and SPSS softwares.
The most difference in the level and rate of healing was related to cell group and the control group, respectively (p CD93 stem cell transplantation significantly accelerated diabetic wound healing process and these cells are introduced as an appropriate option for diabetic wounds cell therapy.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is an herbal medicine that has been used for treatment of many disorders. Ginger have been identified for antioxidant activity and neuroprotective effects. Ginger can alleviate cell death and regenerate the motor function in rats with spinal cord injury. In the present study, we investigated the effect of ginger on neural induction of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their differentiation into neural cells.
Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were isolated from the femurs and tibias of rat and these cells were induced with the appropriate dose of ginger extract. These cells were assessed by crysel violet staining and immunocytochemistery.
The results showed that cells isolated from bone marrow were immunoreactive to CD106 (95.67 ± 2.26), CD90 (71.52 ± 6.64) but not to hematopoietic cell markers (CD45). Induced BMSCs by 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 microg/ml of ginger after 12 and 24 hours were positive for nissl body. The highest percentage of live cells was observed with 30 microg/ml of ginger and maximum neural-like cells was induced with 60 microg/ml ginger after 12 hours.
Ginger can be considered as a potential alternative non-toxic substance for induction of neuronal cells and can be used for induction of BMSCs to neuron-like cells.

Bone marrow (BM) has been regarded as the primarily source of hematopoietic stem cells for many years. Recent researches have shown BM contains not only hematopoietic but also heterogeneous non-hematopoietic stem cells. Till now, similar or overlapping isolation strategies of primitive non-hematopoietic stem cells in BM were named by different investigators and hence were assigned different names (e.g. mesenchymal stem cells, or multipotent adult progenitor cells) from alternative sources and different animal species. The differentiation potential of these cells to mesenchymal lineages has generated a great deal of interest in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Murine Mesenchymal stem cells (mMSCs) are appropriate models for preclinical investigations on human cell therapies. The isolation of BM-derived mMSCs is discussed as an unresolved issue in mesenchymal stem cells researches. The objective of the present review is the description of multiple methodological approaches to isolate mMSCs.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or kala-azar is a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania donovani complex. Evidence suggests that visceral leishmaniasis is prevalent in some areas of Mazandaran and Golestan provinces. This study aimed to investigate the cases and also determining the causative agents of VL in these provinces. In this study, seven VL patients (mean age 1.5 years) admitted to the pediatric departments in Sari Booali Sina and Gorgan Taleghani hospitals, 2013–2016, were examined. The most common clinical and laboratory findings included prolonged fever, hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, pancytopenia, and hypergammaglobulinemia. Blood and bone marrow (B.M) samples were taken. Direct agglutination test (DAT) and rapid rK39 strip test were used as serologic tests and B.M microscopic slides were checked by species-specific PCR to identify the parasite species. All patients had positive rK39 and DAT tests. Examination of bone marrow smears demonstrated amastigotes of Leishmania (Leishman bodies) in the samples. The species of Leishmania in all B.M smears was Leishmania infantum. According to the identification of L. infantum as the major agent of VL in Mazandaran and Golestan provinces, increasing physician awareness (especially pediatric specialists) of the disease and conducting control programs in these areas are recommended.