Many studies have shown that zinc has an important effect on learning, memory and cognition. On the other hand, ovariectomy in adult female rats reduces memory and learning. Also, regarding the contradictory reports on the effects of zinc chloride on memory and learning, this study aimed to examine the effect of zinc chloride on passive avoidance memory of ovariectomized female rats in the pre-pubertal stage. In this experiment, fifty female rats were ovariectomized at postnatal day 21-22 and were divided into six groups; control, sham (saline), ovariectomized (saline) and the ovariectomized groups received zinc chloride 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg at puberty. Then on postnatal day 77, passive avoidance memory was examined by the shuttle box. Different doses of zinc chloride were administered 30 min before training and the test took place 24 hours later. Ovariectomy decreased the stopping time in the dark room compared with the sham group, non-significantly. Groups received zinc chloride 5 mg/kg showed a significant increase in stopping time in the dark room compared to the ovariectomized group received saline (P<0.01). The findings of this study show that pre-pubertal ovariectomy has no effect on passive avoidance memory and injection of zinc chloride can be reduced memory and learning.

Neuropathic pain is a chronic pain caused by damage to the central nervous system and the peripheral. Caffeine is a non-selective antagonist of A1, A2a, receptors of adenosine, which has a protective effect on neuropathic pain in some doses by inhibiting A2a, A2b receptors. Considering that the nitric oxide (NO) levels are apparently effective in the parts of caffeine central effects, thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic caffeine administration on the hyperalgesia in neuropathic rats and levels of nitric oxide metabolites (NOx). The present study was conducted on 40 adult male rats weighing 220-250 gr. Neuropathic pain was induced by chronic constriction injury (CCI) of sciatic nerve. Animals were randomly divided into 5 groups (n=8). The control group, which did not intervene on the sciatic nerve, the sham group, which the animals were surgically implanted but the sciatic nerve was not tied, the CCI group and test groups received oral doses of  caffeine orally (100 and 300 mg/L) for 28 days. Hyperalgesia was measured in all groups with Plantar test on days 4, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after surgery. The levels of NOx were measured by the Griess method in lumbar spinal cord tissue on day 28. Neuropathic rats showed decreased pain thresholds in hyperalgesia. Chronic caffeine at the doses of 100 and 300 mg/L in drinking water for 28 days significantly alleviated hyperalgesia (P<0.01, P<0.001). According to the results of this study, chronic intake of caffeine can reduce hyperalgesia in neuropathic rat. It seems that the NO pathway is not involved in the central effect of caffeine on pain threshold in the CCI model of neuropathic pain.

Dextromethorphan (DM) as a non-opioid anti-cough has neuroprotective effects. Combination of DM with quinidine decreases rapid metabolism of DM to dextrorphan (DX). This study aimed to examine the effects of acute administration of quinidine, DM and combination of dextromethorphan/quinidine (DM/Q) on pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced clonic and tonic seizure thresholds in mice. A total of 84 male mice of the NMRI strain (20-25 g, n=7 in each group) were used in this study. Different doses of DM (5, 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg), quinidine (10, 20, and 30 mg/kg) and DM/Q (5/20, 10/20, 25/20, and 50/20 mg/kg) were intraperitoneally administrated 30 min before the seizure induction. Intravenous infusion of PTZ was used to induce seizure induction and latencies to the occurrence of general clonus and tonic hind limb extension were recorded and converted to the seizure threshold dose. Quinidine at a dose of 30 mg/kg significantly increased the threshold of tonic seizure (P<0.05). DM at doses of 25 and 50 mg/kg significantly increased threshold of clonic (P<0.05) and tonic (P<0.001) seizures. DM/Q at dose of 50/20 mg/kg significantly decreased the threshold of clonic and tonic seizures (P<0.001).   According to the findings of this study, different effects of DM on clonic and tonic seizure thresholds may represent different sensitivities of forebrain and hindbrain seizure circuitry to DM. Also, decreased effect of DM in the presence of quinidine may also be due to a change in the metabolism of DM.

This study was designed to evaluate the antioxidant, anti-inflammation and anti-cancer potency of silver nanoparticles produced by waste Rheum ribes L. extract. in this study, 10 gr of dried Rheum ribes L powder after 3 hours dissolving at 37°C was filtered and applied for silver nanoparticles preparation. Particle size, X-ray diffractometer (XRD), Fourier transform infrared radiometer (FT-IR) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) methods were used to measurement the properties of silver nanoparticles. The 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium (MTT) method accompanied by 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) compounds were used to evaluate the cytotoxicity and antioxidant capacity of the nanoparticles. The size of the produced silver nanoparticles was 28 nm with a uniform distribution and spherical appearance. The effective antioxidant dose for the ABTS and DPPH compounds was 200 µg/ml, and the obtained IC50 on HDF, Huvec, and MCF-7 cells for 24, 48 and 72 hours treatment were 30, 25, 12; 13.2, 11, 10; and 10, 9 and 8 µg/ml, respectively. The silver nanoparticles produced by waste Rheum ribes L. extract can have potential for use as a therapeutic strategy against cancer.

Studies have shown that sexual steroids can affect metastasis in cancer cells of nervous system at cellular and molecular level; however, the cellular and molecular mechanism of sexual steroids action on metastasis in cancer cells of nervous system is unclear in many cases. This study aimed at investigating the effects of cytotoxic dose of testosterone, progesterone and estradiol on anti-metastasis CD82/KAI1 genes expression levels in brain glioblastoma cells (A172). In this laboratory-experimental study, A172 cells were obtained from Pasteur institute and divided into control group and groups exposed to cytotoxic dose of testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol. Real time PCR also was used to evaluate CD82/KAI1 genes expression levels. The data were statistically analyzed between groups using ANOVA. CD82/KAI1 genes expression level significantly decreased in A172 cells exposed to cytotoxic dose of testosterone, progesterone and estradiol (P<0.001, P<0.05 and P<0.001, respectively). The cytotoxic dose of testosterone, progesterone and estradiol can decrease the anti-metastatic CD82/KAI1 gene expression level and therefore may increase metastasis potential in brain cancer cells.

Biosurfactants are compounds that are produced by different microorganisms and have an emulsifying property. This study aimed to investigate extractive biosurfactant from bacillus subtilis (PTCC1720) against the biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus (PTCC 1112), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (PTCC 1440) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (PTCC 1435). This study was conducted in vitro to examine the effect of biosurfactant produced by Bacillus subtilis in prevention of biofilm formation and removal of biofilms produced by different staphylococcal species. First, bacillus subtilis was cultured in suitable culture media for producing biosurfactant. Then, extraction of produced biosurfactant was done and anti-biofilm properties were assessed by determination of optical density at 570 nm by ELISA reader equipment. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software version 16 and ANOVA. The means were compared at 95% confidence level by Duncan's method. According to the results, the biosurfactant produced by bacillus subtilis had emulsification index equal to 40% and oil replacement area was 1.8 ± 0.3 cm-2. Produced biosurfactant by bacillus subtilis had a significant effect on preventing microbial formation with the highest effect on biofilm of staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Also, the results showed that the biofilm of staphylococcus epidermidis had the highest resistance in this respect. According to this study, the antibiofilm activity of biosurfactant extracted from Bacillus subtilis against the biofilm of staphylococcus aureus, epidermidis and saprophyticus was shown. In addition, this type of biosurfactant can be effective in removing biofilms formed by staphylococcal strains.

Heart failure is associated with structural and functional changes of the heart and physical activity is a likely intervention to improve it. This study aimed at investigating the effect of concurrent aerobic-resistance exercise training on NT-proBNP levels, blood pressure and body composition in patients with chronic heart failure. In this clinical trial study, 76 patients with chronic heart failure Grade II and III, classifications of the New York Heart Association, EF≤ 40% and age range (72±7 years) randomly were divided into two equal intervention and control groups. The exercise protocol included aerobic exercises (50%-85% maximum heart rate) and resistance training (50%-70% one repeated maximum) for 2 months, three times a week. Blood pressure, body composition and serum NT-pro BNP levels were measured before and 8 weeks after the intervention.    Eight weeks of combined exercise significantly reduced weight, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), heart rate and NT-proBNP in the intervention group (P<0.05). But, WHR and BMI showed no significant difference between the groups in post-test. Also, significant changes were not observed in blood pressure and mean arterial pressure within and between the groups. It seems that combined exercise training was effective in reducing weight and NT-proBNP. Therefore, the present training program can be proposed as non-pharmaceutical interventions for patients with heart failure.

High blood pressure disorders are common in pregnancy. The combination of high blood pressure and proteinuria in pregnancy, or pre-eclampsia, dramatically increases the risk of death and perinatal complications. Nevertheless, 24-hour urine protein sample is still a gold standard. This study aimed to determine and compare the diagnostic value of 8- and 16-hour urine protein samples with that of 24-hour urine protein sample. This cross-sectional study was performed on 92 pregnant women with hypertension and gestational age greater than 20 weeks who were evaluated for proteinuria and rejection of pre-eclampsia and 92 pregnant women with gestational age greater than 20 weeks and normal blood pressure. All patients had been admitted to the women's ward of Imam Reza Hospital in Kermanshah. Three consecutive 8-hour samples were collected from each patient, and the protein was sampled at 8, 16 and 24 hours. Correlation coefficient between 16- and 24-hour urine protein samples was 0.832 (the highest correlation coefficient), which showed a strong correlation between 16- and 24-hour urine protein samples. The correlation coefficients of urine protein between the first and third 8-hours were 0.621 and 0.528, respectively, which showed a moderate correlation with 24-hour urine protein. Urine protein for the first 16 hours had a high efficacy rate of 96.3% and negative predictive value of 97.5% in diagnosis of non-patient cases. However, due to the sensitivity of 82.6%, there was no definitive value in detecting abnormal cases. The negative result of the first 16-hour urine protein can have a significant effect on rejection of pre-eclampsia in hospitalized or outpatient patients.

This study aimed to investigate the changes of serum zinc in term neonates who need major operation. In this study, 59 neonates who need major operation were studied. All patients underwent major surgical with high stress. The metabolic response to surgery was studied by measuring the serum zinc before and after surgery (24 hours and at discharge time postoperatively). The "repeated measure" analysis was used to test changes of plasma values of zinc over time.  The plasma values of zinc was 89.78±14.50 µg/dl after surgery, 74.95±15.86 µg/dl in 24 hours after surgery and 93.78±14.53 µg/dl at discharge. The plasma values of zinc decreased immediately after surgery that this decline continued until the first 24 hours of operation. Serum zinc concentration decreased significantly at 24 hours at discharge. No significant differences were found between the two sex groups. According to the results of this study, zinc levels in term neonates who need major operation were decreased temporary but later returned to normal. It seems that in these patients there is no need for supplementation of zinc during two weeks after operation.

Bipolar disorder is a debilitating mental disorder characterized by recurrent depression, manic, and hypomanic episodes. In recent studies, effect of dialectical behavior therapy on emotion regulation and mindfulness in bipolar disorder has been less addressed. This study aimed to determine the effect of dialectical behavior therapy on emotion regulation and mindfulness in bipolar disorder. Sixty patients with bipolar disorder participated in the present study. They were randomly divided into intervention (dialectical behavior therapy combination with medication) and control (only medication) groups. Questionnaires and tasks were used at baseline, 12 weeks after the intervention, and 3 months after intervention. Participants in the intervention group received twelve 90-min sessions standard dialectical behavior therapy for bipolar disorder. Data were analyzed by repeated measure to compare the groups. According to the results of this study, the intervention group, after 3 months intervention and 3 months follow-up had a lower score in mania and depression, but this deduction was insignificant. Also, the intervention group, after 3 months intervention and 3 months follow-up had a higher score in emotion regulation (F=3.52, P<0.001) and mindfulness (F=2.47, P<0.001). Dialectical behavior therapy along with medication can be effective for bipolar patients and can improve their performance in emotion regulation and mindfulness.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most commonly problematic bacterial infections, especially among women. Increasing drug resistance requires the determination of an antibiotic resistance pattern for proper treatment. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and antibiotic resistance against bacterial agents isolated from urinary tract infections in women referred to Ghaem Hospital, Mashhad, Iran. This descriptive cross-sectional study was performed in 2800 urine samples acquired from outpatient women referred to Ghaem Hospital in Mashhad between 2015 and 2016. Sampling method was as simple random sampling, and data collection method was field sampling. Detection of the bacteria was performed using routine microbiological and biochemical methods. Susceptibility testing was performed using a disk diffusion method (Kirby-Bauer) on the Muller Hinton Agar medium. The results were analyzed using SPSS software version 22, through Chi-square and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. Among 6500 of urine samples, 1155 samples were positive for bacteria. The highest prevalence belonged to Escherichia coli with 640 isolates (55.4%), and the lowest prevalence belonged to Pseudomonas aeruginosa with 35 isolates (3%). The highest resistance was reported against ampicillin (84.2%) and the lowest resistance to ciprofloxacin (27.7%), followed by ampicillin (28.2%). In this study, the antibiotic resistance was high for antibiotics routinely used to treat urinary tract infection. Therefore, due to the rapid increase in antibiotic resistance, an accurate assessment of antibiotic resistance pattern is needed.

Inactivation of transcription occurs during two phases of spermatogenesis. First, in spermatocytes entering the primary meiosis and the second in round and elongating spermatids. These stages of inactivated transcription demand extensive regulation of translation. Therefore, presence of the control on gene expression during spermatogenesis seems essential. In the cases that post-transcription controlling mechanisms show an abnormal function, spermatogenesis will be impaired. RNA-binding proteins have an important effect in this phenomenon. One group of these proteins is Musashi family that plays a critical role during spermatogenesis and this study aimed to examine the role of this protein family during spermatogenesis. This study was a review article and the selection of the papers was done using Google scholar, PubMed and Scopus databases and special key words. Then, all related English-language papers between 1994 and 2018 were considered. Several studies showed that Musashi 1 had an important role in the early stage of spermatogenesis in which spermatogonia and gonocytes proliferate, while Musashi 2 had a central role during the late stage of spermatogenesis for differentiation of spermatocytes and spermatids. Musashi proteins have a critical role during spermatogenesis. Severe pathological defects were detected in transgenic models with knockdown or knockout Musashi, including sperm abnormal morphology, DNA fragmentation and low fertilization potential.

Asthenozoospermia, as the most prevalent cause of male infertility, is defined as low percentage of progressively motile spermatozoa per ejaculate. It occurs in both non-syndromic and syndromic forms and later it manifests as a part of primary ciliary dyskinesia. In the last decade, with the advent of Next-generation sequencing technologies numerous genes have been introduced in the pathogenesis of different diseases. Here, we review the genes implicated in asthenozoospermia by genetic studies. Strategies employed by infertility genetics studies in original research articles extracted from PubMed database are critically reviewed. Afterwards, genes implicated in asthenozoospermia and primary ciliary dyskinesia are discussed. Until today, pathogenic variants in DNAH1, SEPT12, SLC26A8, CATSPER1, CATSPER2 and ADCY10 have been reported to cause non-syndromic asthenozoospermia. Moreover, DNAI1, DNAH5, DNAAF2, CCDC39, DYC1X1 and LRRC6 have been implicated in primary ciliary dyskinesia and syndromic asthenozoospermia. Next-generation sequencing technologies and especially whole-exome sequencing in families with multiple asthenozoospermic patients showed considerable success in introduction of genes involved in asthenozoospermia leading to a more comprehensive knowledge on genetics of infertility.