Crescent Journal of Medical and Biological Sciences
Volume:2 Issue: 1, Jan 2015

Nowadays, modern technologies are increasingly used in domestic industries, home appliances, and cell phones. This has highlighted the necessity of protecting human beings from the impacts of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) as a new challenge. Therefore, the present study aimed to find out what impacts EMFs have on the structure of Langerhans Islets and the insulin secretion levels in rat. Fourteen 12-week-old male rats were selected randomly: 5 as a control group and 9 as an experimental group. The experimental group was exposed to an EMF produced by an electromagnetic device, with a frequency of 50 Hz and intensity of 3 mT 4 h a day for 6 weeks. At the end of the 6 weeks, blood and pancreas tissue samples were taken for enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test and preparation for microscopic studies. Results showed that in EMF exposed group insulin level was decreased (P < 0.05), which was associated with decreased area and perimeter of pancreatic islets (P < 0.05). Exposure to EMF impacts insulin secretion by influencing the size of pancreatic islets.

In the present study, the therapeutic effects of mixed herbs (onion, ginger, basil, cinnamon, orange peel, yellow and red watermelon seeds, and carrot seed) on catalase levels in the semen of men with oligospermia were evaluated. About 50% of recognized infertility factors are male-related factors, and are mainly the result of oligospermia, astenospermia, and teratozoospermia. The study participants included 40 males with oligospermia and infertility. The studied medicine were 700 mg capsules containing onion, ginger, basil, cinnamon, orange peel, yellow and red watermelon seeds, and carrot seed (100 mg of each). Catalase activity was measured by Aebi method. A significant increase was observed in catalase level in semen as a result of using the medicinal plant mixture (P < 0.001). Free radicals play an important role in male infertility. Antioxidants can prevent the damaging effects they have on sperm. Oxidative stress reduction can increase the chances of natural fertility or assisted reproductive technology (ART). Medicinal plants have low costs, complications, and easy availability, and cause an increase in semen plasma antioxidants and subsequent improvement in semen parameters. Thus, they can be the source of new hopes for the treatment of infertility.

Everyday use of different types of electrical instruments and appliances has caused a large number of people to constantly be under the influence of electromagnetic fields. For the purpose of this study, 40 female rats were randomly chosen from among 3 months old rats from the animals’ laboratory and they weighed 20 + 200 g. Then, they were randomly divided into 4 groups; control (n = 10), experiment 1 (Ex1) (n = 10), experiment 2 (Ex2) (n = 10), and experiment 3 (Ex3) (n = 10). During the experiment, all 4 groups were maintained in the same conditions and received the same feeding. The experiment groups 1, 2, and 3 were under the influence of a 50 Hz electromagnetic field (EMF) for 8 weeks. Subsequently, the second and third groups were kept away from the EMF effect for another 8 weeks. At the end of the study, after removal of the ovaries by glutaraldehyde, they were prepared for examination using an electron microscope. Group Ex2 rats were not sacrificed and were maintained in the normal laboratory environment for another 8 weeks away from the impacts of EMF. The rats were fed vitamin E(100 mg/kg) and fennel extract (1.5 g per body weight) every day orally and at the end of the second 8 weeks samples were taken. During the second 8 weeks, group Ex3 was kept in normal conditions without the use of vitamin E and fed fennel extract, and then, samples were taken. Samples were taken simultaneously from 10 rats of the control group and Ex1 group. The results from the mitochondria in the ovary in the groups under the influence of electromagnetic waves indicated that this intracellular organ, compared to samples from the control group, was deformed and the majority of the organs were vacuolated. The mitochondrial vacuolization of the first to fourth groups were 1 ± 0.55, 9 ± 0.55, 6 ± 0.55, and 11 ± 0.55, respectively. Vitamin E and fennel extract can reduce the damaging effects of non-ionizing radiation with 50 Hz frequency on the ovarian follicles.

There are many causes for obesity; inappropriate dietary patterns, inadequate physical activity, and lethargic lifestyle can be mentioned as the main and most important of these causes. Due to the increasing prevalence of obesity in society, it seems necessary to study its causes and find ways to tackle this problem. This descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 380 female high school students from district 5 of Tehran, Iran, in 2012. In this research, physical activity was measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and dietary pattern was measured using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Body mass index (BMI) was also calculated. In addition, for measurement of aerobic and anaerobic powers, the 540-meter sprint and vertical jump test (Sargent Jump Test) were applied. Gathered data was analyzed using SPSS software. The findings of the present study show that 24.7% of the population was overweight and obese, 67% of normal weight (natural), and 8.2% underweight (thin). Chi-square test on breakfast and classification of weight (r = -0.285 and P = 0.002) showed a negative relationship between obesity and eating breakfast. Moreover, it showed a significant positive correlation between watching television and working on the computer, and obesity. According to the results of this research, there is a positive and direct relationship between obesity and lack of exercise and fast food intake (P < 0.05). There is also a positive and direct relationship between physical fitness, and amount of physical activity and fruit and vegetables intake (P < 0.05). The highest rates of overweight and obesity were observed in 17 year olds.

Mental health is an important part of individual, social and occupational life. World Health Organization defines mental health as absolute ability of performing social, physical and mental roles. Inattention to mental health is one of the important factors that lowers efficacy, uses up human powers, causes physical and mental complications and job exhaustion, especially in professional services. As health personnel is major part of health services and their high job incentive is a necessity for their health insurance, this research was implemented to assess their mental health quality. This is a descriptive cross-sectional, correlative study which is conducted on 190 health personnel. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: Demographic characteristics and Goldenberg general health questionnaire-28 data analysis was performed by using SPSS and statistical methods were independent samples t-test, chi-square, one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlative index. Two-third of cases were female, mean age was 32.22. 76.3% were married, 49.5% had no child, and most of the others had one child. 32.2% of cases had mental disorders (score > 23). Mean score of cases was 21, this score comparing with the general population of Iran is high. Mental health of health personnel for many reasons is at risk. According to these findings, great stressors of such jobs are: Facing with unexpected situations, work turns, especially night turns, organizational and individual factors.

The Foeniculum vulgare (FVE) or fennel has a long history of use as both a food and medicine. The seed of this plant has been used to promote menstruation, alleviate the symptoms of female climacteric, and increase the number of ovarian follicles. The aim of this study is to evaluate the fennel extract effects on serum level of estrogen, progesterone and prolactin in female mice. A total of 28 virgin female albino mice were divided into four groups (n = 7). Groups 1 and 2 (experimental groups) were administered FVE at 100 and at a concentration of 100 and 200 mg/kg for 5 days, intraperitoneally. Group 3 (negative control) received ethanol and Group 4 (positive control) received normal saline. Animals were scarified at 6th day, sera were collected and the level of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin hormones was analyzed using Elisa Kit. Data analysis revealed that there is a significant difference in the mean level of serum estrogen, progesterone and prolactin between four different groups. P value in experimental groups compared with the control groups was (P < 0.0001). Fennel extract can increase the serum level of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin in female mice; it can be introduced as a novel medicine for treatment of infertility.

The slowing down of the nervous system function and changes in the musculoskeletal system (including joint changes and instability) during old age have resulted in imbalance and lack of postural control becoming common problems during this age period. Using balancing tests and identifying those at risk can be an important step in the prevention of falls and its consequences in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the balance status of the elderly according to some demographic characteristics. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 194 elderly retired from public institutions were selected using systematic random sampling method and studied. To gather information, tinetti gait and balance evaluation tests were performed which included 16 items in 2 sections of dynamic balance and static balance. After collecting the data, they were analyzed using SPSS software, and Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient. Results showed that regarding static balance, 82% of participants had natural balance and 18% had abnormal balance. Regarding dynamic balance, 95.4% of participants had natural balance and 4.6% had abnormal balance. Among the demographic characteristics (age, gender, and disease), age had a significant relationship with balance (dynamic and static). Moreover, a significant relationship was observed between dynamic balance and disease. Therefore, the possibility of imbalance in the elderly increased with age and history of a disease. Imbalance has been introduced as one of the most common risk factors for falls in the elderly. Therefore, using balance tests and identifying elderly with balance disorders, and using multilateral interventions (including balance rehabilitation programs), regular exercise programs, suitable living environment (safer furniture, installing rails and handles, and showers with no tub), and specialist counseling if needed, can prevent unwanted falls and injuries in the elderly.