مجله دانشگاه علوم پزشکی ایلام
سال بیست و ششم شماره 5 (پیاپی 112، آذر 1397)

According to previous research, Cucurbita pepo L. increases sex hormones in males. The purpose of this study was to survey the effect of Cucurbita pepo on the histomorphometrical changes of testes induced by ethanol administration in male Wistar rats.

Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of five as follows: 1- Control group, 2- Experimental group1 (received 20% ethanol [1 mg/gr, i.p.] for 30 days), 3- Experimental group2 (received 20% ethanol [1 mg/gr, i.p.] along with Cucurbita pepo as 20% of their meal for 30 days), and 4- Experimental group3 (received 20% ethanol (1 mg/gr, i.p.) along with Cucurbita pepo as 80% of their meal for 30 days).

Results showed that seminiferous tubule wall thickness, weight of the testes, and the number of spermatogenic cells were decreased in the Experimental group1. However, all these parameters were increased in the Experimental group3 compared to the Experimental group1. These reductions in the Experimental group1 in comparison with the control group were significantly different. However, all these parameters had increased in the Experimental group3 compared to the control group with no significant difference, while they were significantly different from experimental groups 1 and 2.

Discusion & It is concluded that high doses of Cucurbita pepo (80%) may prevent reduced number of spermatogenic cells caused by the consumption of alcohol. However, low doses of Cucurbita pepo (20%) cannot impede the destructive effects of alcohol.

  Technological advancements and increased production of cars and motorcycles have led to the increased incidence of traumas all around the world. Injuries and fractures occur due to different etiologic factors such as motor vehicle accidents, quarrels, and fall accidents. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the frequency of fractures in computed tomography (CT) scans in Emergency Department of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam, Iran, in 2014.

In this cross-sectional retrospective study, we evaluated the medical records of all trauma patients who were admitted to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ilam during 2014. Information from patients' medical records and CT scan radiographs were recorded in a checklist. After removing duplicate data, 710 patients were evaluated.

In this study, 52% (75% male and 25% female) of the fracture cases due to motor vehicle accidents were aged 18-26 years. The most frequent etiologic factor was accident (62.9%) and the most frequent trauma type was hand and foot trauma in males (39.1%) and females (38.4%), followed by head and neck trauma in males (32.7%) and females (22.1%). Most of the fractures had occurred in the first half of 2014, and the mortality rate due to fracture was 1.3%.

Discussion & This study showed that the most frequent etiologic factor of trauma is motor vehicle accident similar to other developing countries. Therefore, providing education in this area and increasing the safety of transport systems are essential.

  During pregnancy, major changes occur in the mother's body; sometimes these changes are dangerous for both mother and the fetus. By recognizing these changes mother's pregnancy conditions could be managed. In this study, changes in blood cells and spleen tissue were investigated in female Wistar rats on the 10th and 20th days of pregnancy and the first week of lactation.

In this study, 54 rats (12 males and 42 females) were selected. After observing vaginal plug in female rats, 18 pregnant and 6 non-pregnant rats were selected randomly and divided into four groups of 6 as follows: the non-pregnant control group, 10th day of pregnancy group, 20th day of pregnancy group, and first week of lactation group. Blood samples were taken from all the groups. Spleen tissues were stained using the hematoxylin-eosin method for histopathological evaluation. The data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and Duncan’s test. Platelets on the 10th and 20th days of pregnancy showed a significant reduction compared to the control group (P<0.001). White cells and lymphocytes on the 10th day of pregnancy showed a significant increase compared to the control group (P<0.05). Macrophages on the 10th and 20th days of pregnancy were significantly elevated compared to the control group (P<0.001). The diameter of white pulp on the 10th day of pregnancy showed a significant increase compared to the control group (P<0.05).

Discussion & Pregnancy increases white blood cells and reduces platelets in pregnant rats. It also increases the diameter of white pulp and spleen tissue macrophages. These changes can be caused by alterations in mother's immune system.

  Regarding the importance of liver injuries in modern societies, researchers have paid great attention to safer therapeutic products due to the side effects of chemical medicine. Klaussia odoratissima Mozaff is a herb with medicinal properties, such as antioxidant effects. This paper aimed to investigate the effect of hydroalcoholic extracts of the aerial parts of this plant (leaves and stems) on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride in mice.

This study was conducted on 36 male mice divide into 6 groups, including a control group, a positive control (distilled water, olive oil and carbon tetrachloride), a negative control (distilled water and olive oil), and 3 experimental groups, which received the extract (concentrations of 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg). At first, the Klaussia odoratissima Mozaff extract was administered to mice by gavage for 3 days. Afterwards, the equal proportions of olive oil and carbon tetrachloride (1 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally to male mice for 5 days by gavage.

Pathological findings in liver tissue indicated that apart from the control and negative control groups, there were different degrees of liver necrosis around the in all groups, more specifically in the positive control group. Study of the blood factors revealed a significant decrease of these factors in experimental groups compared to the positive control group. In addition, it was also found that the increase in the dose of extract could decrease the level of liver enzymes ALT-AST-ALP, total and direct bilirubin, and pathological damages.

Discussion & According to the findings of the current study it can concluded that flavonoid compounds and phenolic in Klaussia odoratissima Mozaff can decrease the toxic effects induced by carbon tetrachloride in liver tissues of mice.

  Nowadays, antibiotic resistance is a major problem for the Iranian society. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles on gram-negative bacteria causing urinary infections resistant to multiple antibiotics.

This study was conducted on gram-negative bacilli from multitude of speciesstrains, including Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Citrobacter freundii. A total of 140 samples (i.e., 20 samples from each) were selected through a variety of biochemical tests to isolate and identify the bacteria. The samples were all the primarily cause of urinary tract infections and resistant to multiple antibiotics. The sensitivity of silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles with the size of 10 nm were assessed through in vitro methods, such as disk diffusion, agar-well diffusion, and broth microdilution.

The results of agar-well diffusion and agar disk diffusion methods on silver nanoparticles with the concentration of 1000 ppm indicated that the largest and lowest values for the diameter of growth were in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumonia, respectively. Moreover, macro dilution analysis of silver nanoparticles revealed that the minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration were at their lowest levels in the Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, titanium dioxide nanoparticles, similar in size and shape to silver nanoparticles, had no effect on bacteria.

Discussion & Regarding two metal types of nanoparticles, the obtained results of in vitro revealed that silver nanoparticles could significantly affect the investigated types of bacteria, whereas, titanium dioxide nanoparticles had no effect on them.

  The clinical outcome of Helicobacter pylori in the infected patients depends on the genetic diversity of H. pylori strains. Colonization and adherence on cell host is the first step of the bacteria pathogenesis. This study was aimed to understand the role of pathogenesis factors of H. pylori strains and adherence rate of these strains on AGS cell line, as well as exploring the association between these rates with bacteria pathogenesis outcomes.

This study was conducted on genes, including iceA, cagA, babA, vacA, and cag-PAI in clinical strains of H. pylori with different pathogenesis outcomes through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis using specific primers. Moreover, the adherence assay was performed on AGS for exploring the association between adherence rate and pathogenesis outcomes in infected patients.

The analysis of PCR results indicated that in strains with severe diseases outcomes all the investigated genes were present, while in strain with moderate outcome only adherence genes were present. Furthermore, the results of adherence analysis were indicative of the difference among these strains. Accordingly, two strains with severe pathogens outcomes had the highest rate of colonization. Minimum colonization rate and moderate pathogenesis outcome were observed in other strains, although adherence genes present.

Discussion & According to the results of the current study, it can be concluded that different genes are contributing to bacterial adherence on host cells, meaning that the presence or absence of one or two of these genes may not affect its adherence to host cells. Furthermore, adherence genes along with oncogens cause severe clinical outcomes in infected patients.

Infertility is one of the most important health problems in developing countries. Long-term exposure to organophosphate insecticides can affect semen quality. This study aimed to investigate the effects of hydroalcoholic extract of Apium graveolens on semen quality and spermatogenesis in subchronic exposure to diazinon in rats.

This study was conducted on 30 male Wistar rats. The rats were divided into five groups. The rats in group1 (control) did not receive any treatment, those group 2 (sham) were given corn oil and saline (500 µL). Group 3 consisted of rats received diazinon (16 mg/kg body weight). Rats in group 4 and 5 were treated with 100 and 200 mg/kg of hydroalcoholic extract of Apium graveolens and Diazinon, respectively. The number, motility, and viability of sperms were determined after two months, and tissue sections were stained by hematoxylin-eosin after the fixation of testis. The findings of this study showed that the number and motility of sperms significantly decreased in diazinon group, compared to sham group (P<0.001). The number of sperm remarkably increased in the group that received diazinon and high dose of Apium graveolens extract in comparison with diazinon group (P<0.001). The number of primary spermatocytes and spermatids increased in dose of 200 mg/kg of Apium graveolens extract (P<0.05). In addition, low-dose Apium graveolens extract (100 mg/kg) could significantly increase the sperms motility, compared to diazinon group (P<0.001).

Discussion & It seems Apium graveolens extract can improve sperm quality, as well as spermatogenesis against diazinon toxicity.

  Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women, causing high mortality in the affected patients. The identification of circulating tumor biomarkers in blood could be considered as non-invasive strategy for early diagnosis and prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of PRNCR1 (prostate cancer associated non-coding RNA 1) gene in the plasma of patients with breast cancer and to evaluate its expression compared to the normal ones. This study was carried out on the 32 blood samples from breast cancer patients and 25 ones from healthy women. The RNA was extracted from the plasma of the samples. Subsequently, the presence of RNA of PRNCR1 gene in plasma of patients was quantitatively evaluated by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-Time PCR). Moreover, the expression of PRNCR1 gene was studied in terms of clinico-pathological characteristics of patients. The statistical analysis of data was performed in SPSS software using t-test. The results showed that the PRNCR1 gene could be detected in the plasma of cancer patients. The obtained results indicated significantly higher expression in tumor samples, compared to the healthy ones (P<0.05). However, statistical data showed that the expression of PRNCR1 gene in tumor samples does not have any significant correlation with clinical-pathological characteristics, including tumor size, age, and lymph node involvement (P>0.5). Discussion & The data demonstrated that circulating non-coding PRNCR1 of plasma could be used in the discrimination of breast invasive ductal carcinomas from those of normal people. However, more studies should be conducted to determine the tumorigenic role of lncRNA PRNCR1.

  The main objective of the petrochemical industry is the production of petrochemical and chemical products and sub-products from oil, oil derivatives, and natural gas. Accordingly, the activities and processes have the potential to cause adverse effects on the environment.This study aimed to evaluate the environmental risks of Ilam Petrochemical Company using analytical network analysis (ANP)andTechnique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution Methods (TOPSIS)by proposing appropriate management measures to reduce the risk effects of multiple incidents in processes.

At first, potential dangers and risks of the Ilam Petrochemical Complex wereidentified through field visits and interviews with project technical experts.Accordingly, a questionnairewasdesignedand20 experts from the Petrochemical Company and the Environmental Protection Agencywere asked to complete the designed questionnaire. The obtained results led to the identification of significant risksfactors, which were then categorized according to physio-chemical, biological, and socio-cultural-economic environment hazards. Subsequently, the weight associated with the each index was determinedusinganalytical network analysis (ANP) as well as the analysis of data in Super Decision software. In the next step, the obtained weights were prioritized for the identified risks by TOPSISmethod, and critical risks were identified. Finally, we propose the proper strategies for the controlandomissionof these risks.

According to the obtained results,thehigh risk factors include the risk of air pollution with the rate of 0.972 inthephysico-chemicalenvironment, the risk of lowwater quality with therate of 0.883in the biological environment, and the risk ofgeneral health with a rate of 0.679 inthe socio-cultural-economic environment.

Discussion & The results showed that the most important petrochemical riskswereair pollution, low water quality, and publichealth hazard. Therefore, it is recommendedto take the inspection and monitoring measures in accordance with the identified risksin order to eliminate the factors generatingenvironmental risks. It is also suggested to set these measures asthe main objectives of management planning.

The case in this study was a 34-year-old woman with a history of cesarean delivery. She was subjected to the surgery for the pregnancy determination at her 34 weeks of gestation with placenta percreta. Due to placenta percreta, there were two peripheral venous catheters inserted into the intravenous lines patient’s right hand; a green one and a gray one linked to Ringer’s solution. Moreover, a gray catheter was inserted into the intravenous line in left hand to administer normal saline. After the delivery, the surgeon reported the severity of the operation and the possibility of massive hemorrhage. The urology and surgical modalities were immediately available due to incomplete placental separation from the uterine wall. Afterwards, two units of packed red blood cells were transfused slowly. Suddenly, there was massive bleeding for about 10 min with the estimated blood loss of 3 L. The blood bank was immediately asked for the blood with no cross-matching. Blood products were repeatedly injected through the three intravenous lines. At the end of the operation, the patient was sent to the intensive care unit with spontaneous breath and intubation; therefore, 3 h later, the patient was extubed.

  The wideuse of beta-lactam antibacterial agents in the treatment of bacterial infections has increased bacterial resistance. Nowadays, one of the problems in the treatment of nosocomial infections is enzymes resistance to broad spectrum beta-lactamases among clinical isolates, especially Klebsiella pneumoniae.Over the past decade, CTX-M type enzymes have been recognized asthe most common type of broad-spectrum beta-lactamase in Europe, Canada, and Asia.The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of broad-spectrum beta-lactamase-producingKlebsiella pneumoniae bacteria and to identify the CTX-M-3 gene by molecular method.

Over a 9-month period, 130 Klebsiella pneumoniaewere isolated from different clinical specimens (urine, blood, ulcers) of infectious patients in Imam Khomeini Hospital, Sari, Iran. Their susceptibility to nine antibiotics used for gram-negative bacteria was measured by disk diffusion agar method. The extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) producing isolates were identified using a hybrid disc method. Moreover, strains producing CTX-M-3 enzyme were detectedby polymerase chain reactionmethod.

The 48 (36.8%) isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniaewere the producer of ESBLs. Moreover, 22 (16.9%) of these cases contained the CTX-M-3 gene.

Discussion & The obtained results of the currentstudy showed that the prevalence of ESBL producing strains resistant to quinolones is higher in Iran, compared to the developed countries.

Shigellosis is an intestinal infection caused by Shigella bacteria. Recently, it has been reported that probiotics inhibit pathogens by producing inhibitory compounds. The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Lactobacillus fermentum against infections caused by Shigella dysenteriae in term of in vivo.   This study was conducted on 32 male rats divided into 4 groups. The first group (A) was the control group, the second group (B) included rats infected with Shigella dysenteriae (1.5 108cfu/ml), the third group (C) entailed rats treated with Lactobacillus fermentum, and the fourth group (D) were those rats contaminated with Shigella dysenteriae and treated with Lactobacillus fermentum. After the treatment period, animals were anesthetized and their blood and tissue samples were assessed to measure blood factors, histopathological investigations, and antimicrobial activity of Lactobacillus fermentum. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical test through ANOVA-DUNKAN. P 0.05 was considered statistically significant. There was no significant change with regard to the number of red blood cells and blood index in the experimental groups in comparison with the control group (A). Moreover, there was a significant increase in the size of platelets (P 0.01), monocytes (P 0.05), and basophils (P 0.01) in group B, compared to group A. The intestinal weight to body weight ratio in groups B (P 0.001) and D (P 0.01) was significantly lower than group A. The obtained results of histopathological investigations indicated that there was destruction in intestinal epithelium in group B, while intestinal tissues in group D almost seemed normal. The number of Shigella dysenteriae colonies in the intestines of the treatment group decreased significantly (P 0.001), compared to the infected groups.
Discussion & Counclusions: Lactobacillus fermentum could cope with Shigella dysenteriae bacteria without causing any change in hematological parameters. Moreover, Lactobacillus fermentum can prevent such diseases to some extent.

  Prenatal stress causes brain alteration and long-term effects on its structure and function. Parkinson's is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and one of the factors driving Parkinson's is the prenatal stress. The use of enrichment environments is a good way to prevent this disease. This survey has been done due to studying the measurement of environmental enrichment effectiveness on Substantia nigra tissue in rats who are suffering from Parkinson's disease and have prenatal stress.

A Laboratory research method was used .We divided 48 Wistar male rats who had been affected by prenatal stress and enriched environment, to 8 groups with 6 members; with stress (Control, sham, Parkinson, Parkinson + enrichment) and without stress (Control, sham, Parkinson, Parkinson + enrichment).
After eight weeks, we anaesthetized all the rats by the use of Ketamine and Xylasein and then injected 6mg of 6OHDA within %0/9 salt solotion of Ascorbic Acid in to the brains of the rats by Stereotaxic Surgery, and after 3 weeks the signs of Parkinson's disease became confirm by Apomorphin Test. Then we emit brains of the rats from their skulls, and after tissue process, cutting and painting, we calculated the numbers neurons by use of microscope and then the data were analyzed by One-Way ANOVA and Tukey's Post Test.

The findings showed that environmental enrichment did not completely prevent the destruction of Substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons, but the number of Substantia nigra neurons in the environmental enrichment group was significantly higher than that of the Parkinsonian group of degeneration with neurotoxin.(P≤0.001) Environmental enrichment also prevented the destructive effect of perinatal stress on the reduction of the number of Substantia nigra neurons and behavioral tests.(P <0.001)

Discussion & The results show the beneficial effects of enrichment in the protection of the number of more Substantia nigra neurons and suggests that enriched environmental conditions can be used as a beneficial factor in reducing the degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease Reducing the effect of prenatal stress is effective.

There are many reports on the application of medicinal plants in traditional medicine, as well as numerous applications of metallic nanoparticles in different biomedical fields. Plant extract mediated green synthesis of nanoparticles and investigations on their therapeutic effects are new concepts. The medicinal plant of Cuminum cyminum L. includes a wide range of secondary metabolites with a high reducing power, which can be used for green biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles. The main aims of this study were phytochemical analysis of seed aqueous extract of Cuminum cyminum, biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using this extract, the achievement of optimization condition for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles, and assessment of biological activaties of both the extract and the synthesized nanoparticles.

Total phenol and flavonoid, reducing sugar, starch, and ascorbic acid contents were measured by Folin-Ciocalteo, aluminum chloride, dinitrosalicylic acid, anthrone, and dinitrophenyl hydrazine reagents, respectively. The Ag+ ions reduction and characterization of silver nanoparticles were assessed by UV-Visible spectrophotometry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Antioxidant activity of the samples was screened by DPPH free radical scavenging. Antibacterial activity of the samples was also evaluated against four gram-positive and -negative bacteria namely, Bacillus cereus (PTCC 1247), Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853) by disc diffusion method. In addition, antifungal activity was assessed against Fusarium oxysporum.

The indings indicated that the seed extract contained the high amounts of total phenolic and flavonoidic compositions, as well as sugar, starch, and ascorbic acid. Different analyses showed that the mean size of the synthesized nanoparticles was 5-45 nm in the optimal condition. The samples had proper antioxidant potential (IC50=1.35-1.67 mg/ml) and the extract in combination with silver nanoparticles represented synergistic effect in DPPH free radical scavenging (IC50=1.35 mg/ml). In addition, the investiogated samples had a good antibacterial activity against some of tested bacteria and also antifungal activity against Fusarium oxysporum.

Discussion & It seems that the secondary metabolites of Cuminum cyminum have good potential for the reduction and stabilization of the synthesized Ag nanoparticles. Both the seed extract and synthesized nanoparticles using this extract have considerable biological activities and may be used in antioxidant nutrient production or medicinal supplements in future.

  The image analysis methods are auxiliary methods of pathological diagnosis, which can increase the accuracy and speed of evaluation of the samples.

This cross-sectional study was performed on 50 samples of cervicovaginal smear cytology from Pathology Department of Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. Firstly, samples were divided into four diagnostic groups, including reactive epithelial changes, normal, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL), and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL) using Bethesda method. Afterwards, the images of cytology slides were prepared using an Olympus microscope imaging system and Olympus DP3 image. The next step included the analysis of factors, such as the area and the perimeter, gray value of cells.

The mean values of cell area were statistically different among the normal, LSIL, HSIL groups (P>0.01). The mean values of the circular index for three groups were not statistically different (P=0.151). The mean scores of gray value were significantly different between the normal and HSIL groups in terms (P=0.00), meaning that intensity of the color was higher in the nucleus of the HSIL group. This means that cells appear darker in the HSIL group (P>0.01).

Discussion & The obtained results of the study indicated that an image analysis could extract useful information from digital images related to cytology of cervical smear. The findings of the four diagnostic groups, namely reactive epithelial changes, normal, LSIL, HSIL were in line with those of pathologists’ eye evaluation

  Despite the decline in mortality rates post coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), there are still high readmission rates during the first days after discharge, which is a multi-factorial issue. This study focuses on the identification of these factors.

In this cross-sectional study conducted in 2014, of the 2410 patients who underwent CABG in Tehran Heart Center, 1597 were eligible for inclusion in the study. Demographic characteristics and data related to surgery and post-operative complications were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 20.

The results showed that 9.1% of the patients were readmitted during the first 30 days after discharge due to different complaints. The most common complaints included pleural effusion (22.75%) and deep sternal infection, (11.7%). Regarding co-morbidities, 28.5%, 50.3%, and 55.5% of the patients had diabetes, dyslipidemia and hypertension, respectively. The mean interval between admission and surgery was 8.12±9.31 days, the mean interval between the incidence of clinical complaints and the operation was 20.32±14 days, and the mean interval between discharge and readmission was 15.24±7.08 days.

Discussion & Readmission within 30 days post CABG occurs because of the important complications of this surgery. It seems that the main causes of readmission are patient’s general preoperative conditions, such as advanced age, co-morbidities, and general underlying conditions.

  Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of metabolic abnormalities that enhance the risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Ghrelin and obestatin are gut hormones with similar origin that have pivotal roles in food intake and energy metabolism. The aim of present study was to investigate the association between serum ghrelin/obestatin ratio and the components of MetS in women.

This study was conducted on the total of 86 women, including 43 female patients with MetS and 43 healthy women as the control group. The participants were selected through convenience sampling method among women with similar body mass index and the age range of 30-50 years. Anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, fasting serum obestatin, ghrelin, triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol, fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, and homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were measured. Moreover, this study investigated the association between serum levels of ghrelin/obestatin ratio and MetS components.

Serum levels of ghrelin/obestatin ratio was significantly lower in MetS group than control(P=0.036). Moreover, ghrelin/obestatin ratio was positively associated with serum HDL-C levels (β=0.273, P=0.016). However, this ratio was not associated with other measured variables, including waist circumference, waist to hip ratio, blood pressure, FBS, TG, TC, LDL -C, insulin and HOMA-IR (P>0.05).

Discussion & Considering lower levels of ghrelin/obestatin ratio in women with MetS and also positive association of ghrelin/obestatin ratio and serum levels of HDL, as an important component of MetS diagnosis. Accordingly, it seems the increase in ratio can lessen the progression of MetS complications, such as cardio-vascular disease by HDL increment in women.

 

The most important feature of smart organizations in the 21st century is their emphasis of on knowledge and information. This study aimed to investigate the level of intellectual capital in Medical University of Ilam, Iran, in 1394.

This descriptive survey was conducted on the employees working at Medical University of Ilam. The population consisted of 330 employees, 178 of whom were randomly selected as the sample using Cochran’s method. The main instrument for data collection was Bontis’s scale of intellectual capital with 25 items and high level of validity and reliability. The analysis of data was preformed through Kolmogrov-Smirnov method, the parametric tests of t-test, Pearson correlation, and regression in SPSS software.

The findings of the current study indicated that intellectual capital and knowledge management and their sub scales in Medical University of Ilam were at an acceptable level. The results showed that knowledge management could positively and significantly affect intellectual capital in the organizations.

Discussion &

According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that organizational creativity and innovation can be developed if intellectual properties and knowledge management are set as the primary concern of an organization.

Lactic acid bacteria )LAB) are a group of gram-positive, non-spore forming, cocci or rod shaped, catalase-negative organisms, which are generally recognized as safe (GRAS). The LAB can cause changes in the food flavor and texture. Enterococci are a group of LAB capable of producing antimicrobial peptides.

This experimental study was conducted to identify and isolate genes encoding antimicrobial peptides from an E. faecium LUB950217 strains isolated from oak tree. In doing so, genomic DNA was extracted from E. faecium strains and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was performed using specific primers. Amplified PCR products were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. Bioinformatic analysis was carried out and the peptide was modeled. Both DNA and protein Blast search confirmed that the PCR product encoded an antimicrobial peptide, known as LUB950217 enterocin with 36 amino acids of 4658.28 Da molecular mass. The isolated enterocin peptide had 86-100% similarity to other known enterocins in the peptide data bases. The LUB950217 enterocin was almost water insoluble and it was found to be cationic (2.2, pH=7). The LUB950217 enterocin seems to inhibit both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria growth in vitro, suggesting LUB950217 enterocin can be used in food stuff and animal feed. Furthermore, isolation, cloning, and expression of this peptide may render resistance to fungi and bacteria pathogens in crop plants.

  Infertility is a reproductive issue that has influenced couples worldwide and caused them psychiatric and emotional troubles. It is believed that mitochondrial proteins play a major role in male infertility. One of the most important of these proteins is UCP2, which consists of more than 10% of mitochondria’s inner membrane proteins. The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of UCP2 45bp ins/del polymorphism with idiopathic male infertility.

In this case-control study, UCP2 polymorphism was investigated in 196 individuals with idiopathic infertility and 278 healthy individuals. UCP2 45bp ins/del genotypes were identified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Also, genotype and allele frequencies in cases and controls were assessed by logistic regression analysis. No association was observed between UCP2 45bp ins/del polymorphism genotypes and risk of idiopathic male infertility, but there was a marginal difference between cases and controls regarding II genotype frequency (P=0.08). Moreover, data analysis showed that I allele had protective effect against idiopathic male infertility (OR: 0.729, 95%CI: 0.54-0.985, P=0.039).

Discussion & In this study, for the first time, we found that the I allele in UCP2 45bp ins/del polymorphism has protective effects against idiopathic male infertility. Further studies with larger sample sizes and different ethnicities are needed to confirm these results.