Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:23 Issue: 100, 2015

About 10 to 30 percent of women in reproductive age suffer from heavy menstrual bleeding. Excessive menstrual bleeding, cause decreased quality of life and anemia.This study aimed to assess the effect of Vitexagnus and Flaxseed on menstrual bleeding in women referred to health centers of Tabriz. This triple-blind randomized controlled trial was conducted on 159 women. Using block randomization, subjects were allocated into three groups (n=53 per group). Group I received 25 grams of Flaxseed powder daily; group II received 3.2-4.8 mg Vitex agnus tablet daily and control group received placebo of two drugs for two menstrual cycles. Participants completed Pictorial Blood Lost Assessment Chart (Higham) at baseline, 1, and 2 months after the intervention. Data was analyzed using ANOVA tests. There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of the demographic and the Higham score before the intervention. The menstrual bleeding score reduced significantly in both intervention groups during the first and second months after the intervention. Mean Higham score was significantly lower than that in the control group in the first month after the intervention in the Vitex agnus group [adjusted mean difference: [-7.9 (95% CI: -11.8 to -4.0)] and Flaxseed [-9.6 (-13.5 to -5.6)] and the second month after the intervention in Vitex agnus [-10.1 (-15.2 to -5.0] and Flaxseed [-10.4 (-15.5 to -5.2]. There was no significant difference between Vitex agnus and Flaxseed groups. Based on the results of this study, Flaxseed and Vitex agnus are effective for reduction of menstrual bleeding amount. However, for routine use of Flaxseed and Vitex agnus more research is needed.

Vernal Keratoconjuctivis is an immune response in relation to environmental antigens, leading to inflammation of the conjunctiva. One of the presumable genetic factors in VKC is VSX1 gene. In this study, mutations in exon 1, exon 2 and 3'UTR of VSX1 gene in patients with VKC in Shahrekord were investigated by PCR-SSCP and PCR-HA. In this cross- sectional study, peripheral blood samples of 100 patients with VKC and 100 individuals with no confirmed eye disease as control group were investigated. Genomic DNA was extracted by phenol-chloroform method and then PCR was carried out. Then, SSCP and HA were performed and the samples with shifted bands were sequenced for the type of nucleotide change. Afterwards, to investigate the observed nucleotide change, RFLP method was used. Our SSCP findings revealed six patients with shifted band in exons 1 and 2 and 13 patients in 3'UTR, which were sequenced for nucleotide change. Analysis of sequencing data showed a frameshift change (g. 25057561delG) in 3'UTR. There was no change in other sequences. The findings of this study showed that, VSX1 gene most probably has no effective role in VKC pathogenesis in the studied population. Therefore, the role of VSX1 genes in VKC pathogens needs further investigation.

The use of AT1 and ACE inhibitors, as antihypertensive drugs, improves memory function in the elderly people with hypertension and vulnerable to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate effects of oral administration of Captopril and Valsartan on memory function and expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in experimental model of AD in rats.

Forty adult male Wistar rats were assigned to five groups; Control, Vehicle, Alzheimer, Captopril and Valsartan treated groups. AD in the Alzheimer and treated groups was induced using bilateral i.c.v. injection of streptozotocin (3mg/kg) in days one and three. Treated groups received captopril (50mg/kg) and valsartan (30mg/kg) orally for 25days. At the end of the experiment, memory function was tested using T-Maze and gene expression of BDNF was assessed by RT-PCR technique. Finally, histopathological damages were evaluated using H&E and toluidine blue staining methods.

Time of latency and error number for food searching was 73.4±15.5Sec and 11.8±1.2 in the control group respectively, induction of AD significantly increased these issues (216.2±57.9Sec, 16.2±2.9). Histopathological damages (necrotic neurons and tissue vacuolization) along with reduction of BDNF mRNA were obviously observed in rats of the Alzheimer group. Captopril and valsartan treatment led to a decrease in the time of latency (46 and 86%) and error number (31 and 43%) and improved histopathological damages and increased BDNF mRNA.

Our findings indicated that inhibition of central renin-angiotensin improves memory function and neuronal damages during AD disease. It appears that activation of this system inhibits gene expression of BDNF.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has been identified as a major health -related problem.There is no proven therapy for NAFLD. However, a number of possible treatments have been proposed and studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effects of both Chlorella Vulgaris and Artichoke leaf extracts on NAFLD. In this clinical trial study, 90 patients with NAFLD participated and randomly allocated to three groups. After initial examination, lipids and liver enzymes were measured. The groups received Metformin, Chlorella supplements and Artichoke. After the therapeutic period, liver enzymes were measured again. All collected data were analyzed using SPSS software and independent T-Test, Mann-Whitney and Chi-Square tests. At baseline, mean age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, BMI, ALT, AST, HDL, LDL, TG, CHOL and FBS showed no significant difference in three groups. But, after the completion of the treatment, serum ALT, AST, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and BMI significantly decreased in all three groups. Our study showed the beneficial effects of Artichoke and Chlorella vulgaris in patients with NAFLD. We suggest future studies be performed with larger sample sizes for precise evaluation of the effects of Artichoke and Chlorella vulgaris on NAFLD.

With the industrialization of nanotechnology and increase in application of nanoparticles in modern technology, carrying out research on nanoparticles and their effects on health is necessary. So, this study was aimed to assess acute toxicity of molybdenum nanoparticles on serum biochemical function of kidney in rat. In this experimental study, 24 male rats were randomly divided into four groups of six: a control group and tree treatment groups. The control group received 1 ml distilled water and the treatment groups received intraperitoneal injection of 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg of molybdenum nanoparticles of 10 nm daily for 28 days. After the last dose, blood samples were taken from all groups and levels of Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, total protein and albumin were measured and then the groups were compared. The serum levels of BUN and creatinine in the group receiving 15 mg/kg dose decreased significantly compared to the control group (P<0.05). The serum albumin level in the groups receiving 10 and 15 mg/kg doses showed significant decrease compared to the control group (P<0.05). The serum total protein level in the groups receiving 5, 10 and 15 mg/kg doses showed significant decrease compared to the control group (P<0.05). The results of this study showed that molybdenum nanoparticles of 10 nm at these concentrations decrease creatinine and BUN levels of serum.

Granzyme M is a member of a granule serine proteases family, which is mainly expressed by cytotoxic T lymphocytes and natural killer cells. Granzyme M appears to be a potent inducer of tumor cell apoptosis. With respect to the importance of Granzyme M in the apoptosis, the aim of this work was the production of the biologically active enzyme.

The cDNA fragment of active hGzm M, was cloned into bacterial expression vector pET21a (+). Recombinant plasmid was transformed into competent cells via heat shock method for protein expression. Induction condition was optimized to obtain high yield of recombinant protein and then protein expression analysis was done by SDS-PAGE. Produced inclusion bodies were dissolved in buffer solution containing Urea (8M) and then purified by Ni-Agarose Affinity Chromatography. The protease activity of granzyme M was assayed by spectrophotometric method, using casein as substrate.

Recombinant granzyme M was expressed as inclusion bodies in E. coli and expression of protein at 22°c with 1Mm IPTG during 5 hours provided the best protein expression level. Granzyme M was purified and refolded simultaneously by Ni-Agarose Affinity Chromatography using a concentration gradient of Urea. Results of the enzyme activity determination showed that the enzyme is active in the presence of casein and its specific activity is 71 U/mg. The activity of granzyme M showed that the enzyme was refolded properly.

In this study a simple method was suggested to produce granzyme M and to determine the enzymatic activity of this enzyme which is involved in cancer cell apoptosis. This enzyme could be a potential target for anticancer drugs and the proposed method in this work facilitates studies on granzyme M.

Following estrogen depletion in postmenopausal women, its cardioprotective effect decreases. Epidemiologic data have shown that phytoestrogens can be used in estrogen – related diseases to reduce symptoms and to treat these diseases. Therefore, the present study was designed to evaluate the effect of soy extract on the rate of apoptosis in heart tissue in ovariectomized rats. Forty female Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: (n=10): 1) sham operated control, 2) control gavage (intact animals with soybean extract), 3) untreated ovariectomized and 4) treated ovariectomized with soybean. Soybean extracts were given orally (60mg/kg/day) to animals in groups 2 and 4 for 28 days. At the end of the treatment, TUNEL kit was used to detect apoptotic cardiomyocytes. ANOVA was used to compare and analyze the data. The results showed that the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes significantly increased in ovariectomized group compared to the other groups (p>0.05). Also, the number of apoptotic cardiomyocytes in the treated group significantly decreased more than ovariectomized group (p>0.05). This study showed that oral administration of soybean extracts to ovariectomized rats reduced the rate of apoptosis in heart tissue.

The neuroprotective effect of uric acid as a natural antioxidant on neurodegenerative diseases has been proposed repeatedly, but its antiapoptotic effect on spinal neurons has not been examined yet. Due to the critical role of sensory neurons in the improvement of functional outcome in neuroprotective strategies, the antiapoptotic effect of uric acid on dorsal root ganglions was investigated. In this study, 10 two-day-old neonate rats were subdivided into experimental and control groups. In both groups right sciatic nerve was transected. In the experimental group immediately following surgery 10mg/kg uric acid and in control group the same volume of normal saline was injected intraperitoneally. Five days following axotomy, bilateral L5 dorsal root ganglia in both groups were prepared for morphometric cell counting and TUNEL assay. In the control group, in axotomized side compared to intact side, 37.41% of the sensory neurons were lost, indicating the efficiency of axotomy model in the induction of cell death in sensory neurons. The results of TUNEL assay approved the apoptotic type of neural cell death. Comparison of the control and experimental groups indicated that intraperitoneal injection of uric acid could not inhibit apoptosis of dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons. This study illustrated that uric acid has not any significant neuroprotective effect on axotomized sensory neurons of dorsal root ganglia.

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most prevalent human parasites globally distributed with a wide range of hosts including humans and animal species. The available anti-toxoplasma treatments have faced several problems. To deal with these issues new drugs and compounds are required to be evaluated. This study was aimed to evaluate the inhibitory effect of ethanol extracts of propolis on acute toxoplasmosis in mouse model.

A total of 40 BALB/c mice with average weight of 20-25 gr, were divided into 8 groups of 5. Each mouse was inoculated intraperitoneally with parasitic suspension of approximately 10,000 tachyzoites. Two groups of mice, including a non-infected group and an infected but not treated group were used as control. Twenty-four hours after the infection, treatment was initiated for six groups, inoculating 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, and 300 mg/kg of propolis extracts orally for 7 days.

The average survival time was 6.4 to 7.2 days in the propolis treated groups of mice and 4.6 days in the control group, that was significantly different. The number of Toxoplasma tachyzoites in the test groups was significantly lower than the control group (P< 0.05). It was 10×104 in the group of 300mg and 20.4×104 in the control group with minimum and maximum parasite numbers, respectively. The most effective dose of propolis extract on survival time of the infected mice was 150 mg/kg.

The results indicated that the propolis ethanol extracts can relatively inhibit Toxoplasma infection development in mouse model.

Resistance to sliding is a combination of friction and binding. When the angle between the bracket and the wire exceeds the critical angle, binding occurs. The influence of angulation is confounding because of certain inherent physical characteristics of materials. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of wire- bracket angulation on resistance to sliding of NiTi orthodontic wires. In this in vitro study, 60 straight pieces of 0.016-inch NiTi wires were used along with 60 standard system 0.018 stainless steel brackets. The friction test was carried out at three different angles of 0°, 5° and 10° to simulate the 2nd-order bends between the bracket and the wire. The wires were assessed by SEM. One-way ANOVA, and Tukey tests were used for data analysis. Statistical analysis showed an increase in friction between the bracket and the wire with an increase in the angle between them (P<0.001). The mean of frictional forces at three angles between the wires and the brackets was 1.52±0.16 N. The differences in frictional forces between 0º and 10º, and 5º and 10º angles were significant (P<0.001 and P<0.007, respectively). The present study revealed a relationship between the bracket and wire angulation and the friction between them. Increasing angulation up to 5º is not significant, but in upper degrees this increase is significant. This matter should be considered in orthodontic treatment to reduce complications and treatment duration.

Human flea (Pulex irritans) is one of the most important human ectoparasites that transmits various pathogens and causes skin irritation by biting humans and animals. Planning control measures against this vector in various regions requires the knowledge of the pathogens within the vector. Thus, this study was carried out to identify Bartonella and Rickettsia infection of P. irritans in Zanjan province. Flea samples were collected via human baits from animal farms in Khodabande and Mahneshan districts from September 2013 to October 2014. DNA was extracted from human fleas, and a part of gltA gene for identification of Rickettsia, and ITS region for identification of Bartonella were amplified by specific primers. A number of PCR products were sequenced after purification. Out of 1136 collected flea samples 1079 (94.98%) were P. irritas, 36 (3.16%) C. canis and 21 (1.84%) were C. felis. 4.9 % of human flea samples had Reckettsia infection, while no Bartonella infection was observed. High frequency and rickettsial infection of P. irritans in the studied areas need more attention of administrators and taking into account control measures against this vector. Although Bartonella infection was not observed in our samples, more comprehensive studies are required to verify this viewpoint.

Childhood obesity is considered a major health problem in both developed and developing countries. Regarding the impact of obesity on children, family and society, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and its correlation with life style and possible risk factors among preschool children in Zanjan. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 890 children aged 2-5 years old who were randomly recruited from child care centers of Zanjan city. Weight, height and the body mass index (BMI) of all participants were measured and a questionnaire consisting of birth history, feeding pattern, family history of obesity and diabetes, sleep and activity times were filled by interviewing with parents. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. The prevalence rate of obesity was10.9% and overweight prevalence was12.9%. There was no significant difference between two sexes (p=0.379). But there was a significant relationship between obesity and preterm delivery, birth weight, formula or cow milk feeding. Family history of obesity, physical activity, time spent watching TV and computer games per day, consumption of snacks and use of fast food during the week were all taken into account. The findings indicate that obesity is high in preschool children in Zanjan city. Considering its significant correlation with physical activity, nutrition and birth weight, it seems that training programs and changes in the lifestyle and nutrition could have beneficial effects on the prevention and reduction of childhood obesity.