Researcher Bulletin of Medical Sciences
Volume:19 Issue: 3, 2014

Cell therapies have attracted attention as treatments for central nervous system disorders. However, such research has been severely limited by poor cell survival. Cell carriers improve transplanted cell viability by providing protection following transplantation. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogels are ideal candidates for this purpose. In this study the survival rate and neural differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) derived bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) were evaluated on PEG hydrogel. BMSCs were isolated from adult rats, passaged and cultured in MDEM/F12 containing B27, EGF and bFGF to generated NSCs, which were harvested to produce NSCs. Subsequently, NSCs encapsulated in 3D PEG hydrogel and cultured for 7 days. Here, we attempted to use live/dead assay kit for assessment of cell viability and differentiation was assessed by immunocytochemical analyses of neural marker expression. The results showed that NF68, NF160 and NF200 are highly expressed in NSCs after 7 days culture in 3D PEG hydrogel differentiation medium and viabilty of NSCs was about 98.24%, but GFAP and Nestin were highly expressed in 2D culture medium and viability of NSCs was about 71.70%. These findings suggest the importance of strategies to control the chemical microenvironment surrounding cells in three-dimensional biomaterials that are being designed as cell culture platforms.

The dramatic increase has been reported in the use of stem cells, but FBS as a cell culture supplement for MSCs expansion, is very expensive. Human substitute supplement, like platelet lysate has a great impact on expansion and proliferation of MSCs. According to previous studies, no experiments have been conducted according to impact of platelet lysate on MSCs in Iran. In this study we examined the impact of platelet lysate on expansion and differentiation of MSCs compared to FBS. This study was experimental. Five expired units of platelet concentrates were prepared from Sina Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Platelet lysate was generated by freeze-thaw procedure. To remove membrane fragments, lysates were centrifuged, and 2 U/ml heparin was added to avoid gelatinization. MSCs were obtained from Stem Cell Technology Research Center. The cells were confirmed by flow cytometry, and separated in two randomly groups, test (in presence of platelet lysate) and control (in presence of FBS). MSCs proliferation performed by cell counting, and osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation was detected with Oil Red O and Alizarin Red staining, respectively. The number of MSCs in control group and test group were 2×104  0.2/μl and 3×104  0.3/μl at day 3, and 5×1040.3 and 8×1040.5 at day 5 respectively (P<0.001). There was no difference in cell differentiation. ‍ It seems that platelet lysate has better impact on proliferation of mesenchymal stem cells than FBS, and no difference in cell differentiation. We recommend further studies.

Sexual self-efficacy beliefs are about the ability to include sexual function effectively. In fact, sexual self-efficacy is a predictor of sexual function and sexual dysfunction has been known as an infertility’s silent partner. Infertility can affect the lives of couples. In this regard, the present study aimed to compare the efficacy of sex and sexual function in the fertile and infertile women. This research was provided for health centers in Mashhad city in 1392. It was a historical cohort study. Survey was conducted in 170 fertile women who have referred to health centers and 85 infertile women who have referred to Montasery research and clinical center for infertility problems. All these studied cases were selected randomly in multi-stages and easy sampling. In this study, the utilized tools are such as demographic information form GYN/infertility, questionnaire of sexual self-efficacy, female sexual function index and Enrich marital satisfaction questionnaires. All data has been analyzed by using Mann-Whitney and chi-square. Type I error was considered 5%. The two groups were matched for age, education level, employment status and income. The results was shown that sexual self-efficacy in the fertile women was 59.4% and in the infertile women was 53.3% and in fertile women was more than fertile women (p<0.00). It also demonstrates that the sexual dysfunction in fertile women was 58.8% and in infertile women was 71.8% and sexual dysfunction in infertile women was more than fertile women (p<0.004). ‍ Results showed that infertility is associated with poor sexual performance and sexual self-efficacy. Besides of infertility treatment programs, the program is recommended to improve sexual performance and sexual self-efficacy.

Considering the high prevalence of diarrhea in children less than 2 years old and its consequences, and also the defects in health education of their mothers, this study was carried out to determine the effect of mothers’ comprehensive health education program on the prevention of diarrhea in children in 2009. In this clinical trial 103 willing mothers who attended the health center for routine child care, vaccination and other health care issues were included. The history of diarrhea and relevant symptoms in their children was recorded and they were randomly assigned to experimental and control group. The mothers and children were followed up for 2 months. Diarrhea incidence was evaluated by chi-square test in the two groups and relative risk and attributable risk were calculated. From 103 included cases, 52 were in experimental and 51 were in control group. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups regarding socioeconomic status, history of diarrhea and relevant symptoms. The diarrhea incidence after health education was 23.5% in control and 7.7% in experimental group (P<0.03). Relative risk of not receiving health education was 3.1 times and attributable risk was 15.2 percent. ‍ It seems that comprehensive health education to mothers may prevent diarrhea in the children and it is recommended to consider it in health programs.

Considering the importance of quorum sensing, its prominent role in virulence of bacteria and considering urinary infection commonality and the known complications of these diseases and properties of luxS, qseC, and rsbA gene’s bands in communicating among bacterial species, the present paper was conducted on the laboratory urinary samples in 1392. The present study was done by cross sectional method on 100 urinary samples collected from various laboratory. Bacterial culture and Proteus mirabilis and Escherichia coli were detected by means of specific methods diagnosed urinary infection. The DNA of these bacteria was extracted. The existence of luxS, qseC, and rsbA gene’s bands were studied by the PCR method and presented by descriptive statistics. In 100 urine sample studied, 45 Escherichia coli (45%) and 10 Proteus mirabilis (10%) were isolated. In 60% studied E. coli contained luxS genes’ band and 90% contained qseC genes’ band. Also, 70% studied P. mirabilis, contained luxS and rsbA genes’ band. ‍ It seems that the existence of the above-mentioned gene bands (specially luxS gene’s band) are common in these bacteria, which are responsible for urinary infection. The study of the effect of these genes expression, suppress on virulence is suggested.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are a group of gram-positive, non-spore forming, cocci or rod shaped, catalase negative organisms, considered as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) organisms. Proteus species, members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, are motile gram-negative bacteria that cause urinary tract infections and are the primary infectious agent in patients with indwelling urinary catheters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of probiotics Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356, Lactobacillus plantarum ATCC 8014, Lactobacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469, Lactobacillus fermentum ATCC 9338, and Lactobacillus casei ATCC 39392 against growth or activity of some Proteus strains using different methods such as agar spot and well diffusion agar test in solid medium and also in liquid medium such as quantitative MODA test. Results showed that all Lactobacillus strains were able to inhibit or reduce growth of pathogenic strains of Proteus with all three methods. ‍ Due to the convenience and more cost benefit and susceptibility in quantitative test by micro-titer plate (MODA), using of this method is proposed.

One of the major factors affecting personnel is workload that puts many people at risk and may affect the quality and quantity of services. The object of this study was assessment of mental workload in teachers of Hashtrud city using NASA- TLX mental work load index. This was a descriptive study, which was conducted among 137 teachers of Hashtrud city in year 2013. In this study we used NASA-Task load indexes (TLX) for assessment of mental workload of teachers. Reliability and validity of this index were verified by Ghorbani (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.83). Data were analyzed using SPSS -16 software. Result showed thinking and mental workload were maximum (81.04 ± 20.49) and frustration score was minimum (47.84 ± 35.29). Mean mental workload among the different age group, different experience and educational degree were not significant different (P>0.05). Mean mental work load among the teacher with two and single job were significantly different (P<0.05). Mean mental workload among the teacher with two and single job were significantly different (P<0.05). Mean mental workload among the teacher with different work hours per week was significantly different (P<0.05). ‍ Mean mental workload score was higher among teachers, which can negatively impact the quality and quantity of education by teachers. Thus, implementation of effective programs to mitigate work hours and reduce the mental load in order to enhance teacher’s performance is suggested.

Q fever is a worldwide disease with acute and chronic stages caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. Cattle, sheep, and goats are the primary reservoirs although a variety of species may be infected. Microorganisms are excreted in milk of infected animals. Other modes of transmission to humans are ingestion of unpasteurized milk or dairy products. This study was conducted to determine the seasonal prevalence rate of Coxiella burentii in raw milk samples collected from goats in Khoramabad. In this cross-sectional study (from May 2013 to January 2014), 54 goat milk samples were collected from 8 herds. These samples were tested for the presence of Coxiella burnetii by the nested PCR method. In this study, from a total of 54 goat milk samples, 26 samples (48%) were found to be positive for the presence of Coxiella burnetii. Of the 20 spring samples, 18 (90%) and of the 34 autumn samples, 8 (23%) were positive for the presence of Coxiella burnetii. The analysis of the collected data in different seasons and areas revealed that, 52 percent of the samples were negative and about 48 percent were positive for Coxiella burnetii presence. It can be concluded that the season and the region of sample collecting affect the amount of bacterial excretion, and goat milk can be one of the potential source of Coxiella burnetii infection in Iran.