Journal of Advances in Medical and Biomedical Research
Volume:29 Issue: 137, Nov- Dec 2021

Methylphenidate (MPH), as a central nervous system stimulant, is often used to manage hyperactive disorders. The literature is scarce regarding the behavioral consequences of chronic MPH treatment and the role of involved receptors. Thus, in the current study involved receptors in MPH induced-anxiety, depression and motor activity disorders were evaluated.

Seventy rats were randomly distributed to seven groups (n = 10, per group); they were treated with normal saline, Domoic acid (DOM) (as AMPA/kainite receptor agonist), Bicuculline (BIC) (as GABAA receptor antagonist), Ketamine (KET) (as NMDA receptor antagonist ), Yohimbine (YOH) (as Alpha-2 adrenergic receptor antagonist), or Haloperidole (HAL) (as D2 dopamine receptor antagonist), simultaneously with MPH (10 mg/kg). On days 11, 17 and 24, some standard behavior tests including Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), Forced Swim Test (FST) and Open Field Test (OFT) were used to investigate anxiety, depression and motor activity disturbances, respectively.

Our study indicated that pretreatment of rats with KET, HAL and YOH abolished MPH induced - mood and motor activity disturbances. 

 MPH by interacting with Dopaminergic, NMDA and ɑ2-adrenergic receptors induces anxiety, depression and motor activity disorders.

 Plantago psyllium has long been utilised as a medicinal agent worldwide. The current study aims to evaluate the in vivo antimicrobial effects of aqueous P. psyllium and a hydro-alcoholic extract of P. psyllium on Helicobacter pylori as well as the effects of these extracts on liver and kidney in a rat model.

A total number of 50 female Sprague Dawley rats were experimentally infected (Except for the negative control group). The rats were divided into five groups of 10. The groups were treated by Aqueous and Hydro-Alcoholic P. psyllium leaf extracts. Subsequently, H. pylori antigens which were present in the in rats’ stool were measured using a serological assay. To diagnose the pathogenicity of the kidney and liver, blood samples which had been taken before and after treatment, were tested for renal and hepatic enzymes by Analyzer Electrolyte and Sysmex KX-21N.

Following the amoxicillin treatment, the levels of aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts of the treated rats were compared with those of the control group, and a significant difference was observed (P<0.05). Antigen decrease was observed in all of the groups treated with amoxicillin (P=0.0004), aqueous, and hydro-alcoholic extracts (P<0.05). Antigen decrease in the stool was observed in all groups, which indicates that treatment with the herbal extract could affect the infected rats.

 P. psyllium hydro-alcoholic extract can be applied as a selective treatment for H. pylori infection. Hopefully, experiments suggested that the mentioned extracts could positively affect the process of disease recovery.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy complication with the signs of kidney damage. The effect of S-Allyl-cysteine (SAC) on inflammatory cytokines was evaluated to prevent PE-induced renal complications.

Wistar rats were divided into seven groups: 1) control, 2) PE, 3) EC, 4) PE+SAC50, 5) PE+SAC200, 6) EC+SAC50, and 7) EC+SAC200. In Groups 1-3, the rats received saline by gavage for 9 consecutive days, starting on the day 11 of gestation (G11). In Groups 4-7, the rats received SAC (50 or 200mg/kg) by gavage for 9 days, starting on G11. The rats in PE and EC groups were injected with Lipopolysaccharides on G14. The rats in EC groups were injected with pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) on G16 and G18. On G20, urine, blood, and kidney samples were collected for biochemical analysis.

In PE and EC groups, creatinine clearance, urine protein/creatinine ratio and proteinuria significantly increased compared to the control rats. Administration of SAC significantly reduced protein excretion and the protein/creatinine ratio in the urine specimen of all treated groups.The results showed significant increase in the renal concentration of IL-1β and TNF-α in the PE and EC rats. Administration of 200 mg/kg SAC significantly decreased IL-1β and TNF-α in all treated groups. SAC (200mg/kg) significantly decreased malondialdehyde and ameliorated histological changes in PE and EC groups; it also mitigated kidney dysfunctions in experimental PE and EC.

 The ameliorative effect of SAC may be mediated by its antioxidant and modulatory effects on cytokines, such as IL-1β and TNF-α.

DNA vaccines as a new generation of vaccines require adjuvant to improve vaccine immunogenicity; adjuvants can also increase the DNA vaccine efficacy. In this study, the effects of the host’s interferon-inducible Mx protein as bio adjuvant and conventional alum adjuvant were evaluated.  

The BALB/c mice were immunized by different prime-boost strategies of the alum and Mx adjuvanted-HA2 DNA vaccine; they were challenged with the specific influenza virus. The potency and safety were evaluated. Humoral immune response was assayed by haemagglutination and virus neutralization tests. The induction of cell-mediated immune responses was determined using an MTT assay. The safety of vaccine regarding side effects occurrence was assessed by observation and histopathologic evaluation.

Mx as a host defense peptide was able to increase the immune response against influenza better than alum adjuvant (p<0.01). By HA2 and Mx in prime and boost strategy, the highest level of specific antibodies developed; they are capable of inducing cell-mediated immune responses. Results indicated that Mx in the DNA vaccine could induce stronger immune responses without any side effects; but alum had some local and general reactions.

The Mx could effectively enhance immune responses; it has the potential to enhance the vaccine immunogenicity.

The rate of survival in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) can dramatically improve, if the patients receive all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment. However, this drugchr('39')s toxicity is a major problem in APL treatment. Previous researches have demonstrated that phyto-polyphenols such as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and kaempferol cause apoptosis in hematopoietic neoplasms, but do not negatively impact healthy cells. The present study compared the differentiation effects of kaempferol and EGCG, as well as ATRA in NB4 leukemia cells during five days.

Herein, kaempferol and EGCGchr('39')s differentiation-inducing activity was examined by NBT assay and Real-time PCR in leukemia NB4 cells.

EGCG (25 µM) and kaempferol (50 µM) induced the NB4 cellschr('39') differentiation, towards a granulocytic pattern similar to ATRA (1 μM). EGCG further suppressed PML/RARα clinical markerchr('39')s expression compared to kaempferol, it also decreased HDAC1 expression in leukemia NB4 cells.

 Based on this study, compared to kaempferol, EGCG at low concentrations is preferred for long-term ATRA therapy in APL patients.

Pain is one of the most common complications after thyroidectomy. Opioid administration can overcome this complication, however, it has some side effects, including nausea and vomiting. So, the use of local anesthetic instead of opioids is a good alternative. This study was conducted to evaluate and compare the effect of ultrasound-guided superficial cervical plexus block (SCPB) versus anatomic landmark (LM)-based SCPB on post-operative severity of pain after thyroidectomy.

In this clinical trial 113 patients were selected through convenience sampling method. Patients were randomly divided in to three groups: a) control, b) LM-based nerve block, and c) ultrasound-guided nerve block. Data collection was performed by demographic checklist and visual analogue scale (VAS). After general anesthesia, nerve block was performed by 15 mL of 0.25% Bupivacaine solution. Postoperative pain was measured in post anesthesia care unit (PACU) at 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 hours. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), chi-square and fisher exact tests and repeated measurements were used for data analysis (SPSS V.18 software).

Patients of group c in comparison to other groups received lower analgesic dose during operation (p≤0.001); fewer of them needed post-operative analgesia (p≤0.001). The ultrasound-guided SCPB group had significantly lower pain severity in comparison to other groups in different time intervals (p≤0.001).

Ultrasound-guided superficial cervical plexus block reduced the pain after thyroidectomy. However, the ultrasound-guided nerve block is a well-organized and expanding technique, but it needs more practice and training.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Oxidative stress is one of the involved factors in CRC onset and progression. Recent examinations have revealed antioxidant characteristics of vitamin D. Given the vital role of this vitamin in balancing free radicals and antioxidant capacity, in this study we intended to review the association between vitamin D deficiency and oxidative stress in CRC patients.

In the present case-control study, 30 CRC patients and 32 healthy individuals were entered, based on the defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Peripheral blood was taken from the subjects. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values, total antioxidant capacity, and serum vitamin D were measured. Data were interpreted using SPSS 18 software; t-test and the Mann Whitney test were applied.

The outcomes explained that TBARS values were significantly greater in patients group (P <0.005), but no meaningful difference was monitored in the total antioxidant capacity. 21 (70%) patients and 14 (44%) control subjects had inadequate vitamin D. There was a significant association between serum vitamin D in both groups (P <0.005). A notable negative relationship was found between vitamin D values and oxidative stress indicator (p=0.05, r =-0.249).

 Insufficient vitamin D can lead to an increase in oxidative stress, which is directly associated with CRC. Serum vitamin D levels were also inadequate in high percentage of cancer patients. Given the predominance of vitamin D insufficiency in the population, more extensive studies are required to prove the impact of deficiency on disease pathogenesis.

Tietze’s syndrome is an inflammatory disorder, which frequently misdiagnosed as the severe life-threating problem. Herein, we reported a case of a 23-year-old male, who complained about the acute chest pain after pneumonia complication. After full examination, he diagnosed as Tietze’s syndrome. Since the precise diagnosis of Tietze’s syndrome has a great importance, our report may raise consciousness to manage this condition.