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Background: In traditional medicine, Olive oil (Olea europaea L.) from Oleaceae family is known as a remedy for alleviating pain. This study investigates the antinociceptive effects of olive oil on male adult NMRI mice. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, using the acetic acid-induced writhing and formalin tests, the anticipative effects of olive oil were evaluated. Olive oil (1, 5, and 10 ml/kg bodyweight), morphine (10 mg/kg bodyweight), and indomethacin (10 mg/kg bodyweight), as standard drugs, were injected intraperitoneally. The control group did not receive any treatment. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey test. Results: Olive oil significantly decreased acetic acid-induced abdominal writhes (P<0.001). Olive oil could only decrease the induced pain in the second phase of the formalin test (P<0.001). Conclusion: Olive oil decreases inflammatory pain (the second phase of the formalin test and acetic acid-induced writhing tests), but it has no significant effects on neurogenic pain (the first phase of the formalin test). Further studies are required to elucidate the antinociceptive effects of olive oil.

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Background: Staphylococcus aureus is considered a common pathogenic factor in infections. Increase in infections caused by this bacterium in developing countries has led to many problems. The aim of this study is to identify the antibiotic patterns of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients in the central hospital of Arak.

Materials and Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, a total of 100 samples were isolated from hospital patients during one year. The isolates sensitivity to cefoxitin and oxacilin disks were evaluated through disk diffusion. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), the isolates were tested for the presence of mecA gene. Finally, antibacterial resistance patterns of the isolates to 13 antibiotics were determined.

Results: In this study, 80 samples in a total of 100 isolates of Staphylococcus aureus were methicillin-resistant. Evaluation and assessment of antibiotic resistance showed the greatest resistance to penicillin (100%), tetracycline (88.50%), levofloxacin (85.70%), and ciprofloxacin (85.70%), respectively, while the lowest levels of resistance were observed to antibiotics chloramphenicol (5.70%), netilmicin (5.70%), and mupirocin (0%), respectively.

Conclusion: This study showed increased resistance to different antibiotics in Staphylococcus aureus that is a serious warning to the treatment of infections caused by this bacterium in the region. Therefore, in order to prevent increased resistance to other antibiotics, it is essential to withhold prescriptions and unessential use of available antibiotics.

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Abstract

Background: Glutamate is the most widespread excitatory neurotransmitter in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) and plays major role in the pathogenesis of ischemia brain injury.Glutamate transporters  have a major role in glutamate removal and maintain its concentration below excitotoxic levels. Although estrogen’s and progesterone’s neuroprotective effects were well-described, the exact molecular mechanism has yet to be determined. This study has investigated estrogen and progesterone effect on glutamate transporters expression in the ischemic penumbra/peri-infarct region in rat.

Materials and Methods: Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) for 1 h. Estrogen and progesterone combination was immediately injected after tMCAO subcutaneously. Sensorimotor functional tests for evaluating behavioral deficits and TTC staining for measurement of infarct volume were performed 24 h after MCAO. Real-time PCR technique was used for gene expression analysis of glutamate transporters EAAT2 and EAAT3.

Results: The combination of estrogen and progesterone could significantly reduce lesion volume. Also, hormone therapy could improve ischemic neurological disorders. After hormone therapy, gene expression of glutamate transporters EAAT2 and EAAT3 did not show significant changes.

Conclusion: Combined estrogen–progesterone treatment significantly reduces neurological deficits and infarct volume; these effects are independent of the glutamate transporters signaling pathways.

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Ryu S, Nam HJ, Jhon M, Lee JY, Kim JM, Kim SW. Trends in suicide deaths before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in Korea. PLoS One