Background: Peripheral nervous system damages reverse as retrograde to alpha neuron cell bodies and cause spinal degeneration. The fact that herbs, due to their antioxidant properties, have an important role in viability and reproduction of neurons has led to the application of their extracts. Hence, this study was done to determine the neuro-protective effects of the hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa on alpha-motoneurons degeneration after sciatic nerve injury in rats.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 24 male Wistar rats with average bodyweight of 250-300gr were divided into four groups of six: Control, compression, A (compression+hydroalcoholic extract 50 mg/kg), and B (compression+hydroalcoholic extract 75 mg/kg). In compression and treatment groups, the right leg sciatic nerve was subjected to compression (30 seconds). In treatment groups, the extract was injected intraperitoneally two times after compression. After 28 days, lumbar segments of spinal cord, L2-L4, were sampled through perfusion method. After going through tissue passage stages, they were cut in serial sections (7µ) and stained with toluidine blue. Then the density of alpha motoneurons of the spinal cord ventral horn was measured by dissector method.

Results: Neuronal density showed a significant difference between the compression and control groups (p<0.05). Also, in treatment groups A and B, it had a significant increase compared to the compression group (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The results indicated that the hydroalcoholic extract of Nigella sativa has neuro-protective effects and the increase in neuronal density is relevant to the amount of extract used.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prognosis of visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in keratoconus patients according to the correlation between aberrations changes before and after RGP lenses.

Materials and Methods: A total of 40 eyes of twenty patients 20 to 40 years with mild, moderate keratoconus were participated in this study. Ocular examinations were included VA with standard Snellen chart, CS with CSV 1000 chart and HOAs with technolas aberrometer objective (Bush & Luamb). All these tests were performed before and after RGP lenses. Refraction and corneal radius of curvature were measured using Autokeratometr. Data were then analyzed with Spss softwair version 11.5.

Results: Mean contrast sensitivity at each spatial frequency with RGP lenses was higher than the best correction in both male and female. Compairing with best correction mean high order aberration of the 5 and 6 mm pupil was reduced with RGP lenses but the effect was not statistically significant different. Mean high order aberration with pupil 6 mm was more than pupil 5 mm. Using Pearson correlation test, there was no significant correlation between visual change and Contrast sensitivity changes with high order aberrations.

Conclusion: Visual performances and visual acuity were improved with RGP lens than best correction by reduction of high-order aberrations. However, there was no correlation or relationship between high order aberrations and visual performance. This indicates that Aberrometery condition was unrelated with Prediction of visual acuity changes in this patients.

Background: This study aimed to examine the antibacterial effect of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer on Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the antibacterial effects of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer were studied by disc diffusion and micro-dilution method. Different concentrations of Polyamidoamine-G4 inoculated onto blank disks and were placed in Mueller-Hinton agar media. Zone of inhibition was investigated by bacterial inoculation according to the McFarland standard 0.5. Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer were determined by micro-dilution method in nutrient broth culture.

Results: Zone of inhibition in concentration 500 &mug/ml of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimers for Escherichia coli, Enterobacter cloacae, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were 14, 0, 35 and 29mm, respectively. Concerning the Zone of inhibition in gram negative bacteria with gram positive ones was p<0.05 and had significant difference. The minimum inhibitory concentration of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer for Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were 1250, 2.5, and 1 &mug/ml, respectively. The minimum bactericidal concentration of Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer belonged to Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus were 2500, 5 and 5 &mug/ml, respectively. Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer had not bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects on Enterobacter cloacae.

Conclusion: According to the results, Polyamidoamine-G4 dendrimer can eliminate Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis effectively. It is suggested in the rest of this study that the probable toxicity of nanostructured compounds examined in drinking water and, economic studies is done for synthesis and their applications in case of prevention of using.

Background: Nanomaterials have gained increasing attention because of their novel properties, including a large specific surface area and high reaction activity. This study was designed to investigate the cytotoxic effects of CuO nanopaticles on brain, spleen, and embryo NMRI pregnant mice.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, forty two female NMRI mice of (weighting 30±3.0 g) were randomly divided into six groups (four experimental groups, one sham group and one control group).The experimental mice on days 3 and 12 of pregnancy received CuO nanoparticle with concentrations 50, 100, 150, 200 mg/kg intraperitoneal injection. On day 17 pregnancy, brain, spleen and fetus weights were measured.Tissues for histopathological evaluation were stained with hematoxylin and eosin.

Results: Based on the macroscopic observations of embryos weight with increasing concentration of nanoparticle compared to control reduces its toxicity increased (p&le0.05). Spleen only at concentration of 600 mg/kg showed significant changes compared to control (p&le0.05). Histopathologic examination on brain and spleen following IP administration of CuO nanoparticle showed signs of cytotoxicity (congestion, necrosis, inflammatory cell infiltration, vacuolar degeneration) and (congestion, necrosis, increased hemosiderin) compared to control group, respectively.

Conclusion: The present study clearly showed that CuO-NPs can produce the histopathological abnormalities on brain and spleen tissues of NMRI mice in a dose-dependent manner.

Background: Maturation of oocytes and fertilization in vitro can be considered as one of the most important steps to treat infertility. In this study maturation medium was enriched with Platelet extraction (PL) which has high concentration of growth factors. Meiosis resumption and maturation was monitored after 18 hours of maturation.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, oocytes at germinal vesicle stage were obtained from mature NMRI female mice. Maturation medium was &alphaMEM and the control groups had 5-10% FBS and the medium in the experimental groups was enriched by 5, 10% PL and the combination of 5% PL and 5% FBS. Meiosis resumption and maturation were observed after 18 hours.

Results: The rate of matured oocytes in the experimental group 5% PL for both COC and DO group was significantly higher than the control groups (P<0.05). The maturation rate for 5% PL was 61% for the COC group and 72% for the DO group while this rate for 5% FBS control group was 53% and 50% respectively.

Conclusion: PL had a significant effect on meiosis resumption and maturation of oocyte at germinal vesicle stage. Based on these results, PL could be used as a maturation promoting factor.

Background: The neutrophil-activating protein (HP-NAP) of Helicobacter pylori is a protective antigen and a major virulence factor of this bacteria. Stimulating the immune system for helicobacter infection treatment could have an important role. The aim of study is to assess the effect of recombinant Neutrophil activating protein (Hp-NapA) of helicobacter pylori on proliferation and viability of peritoneal macrophages from BALB/c mice.

Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, recombinant Hp-NapA of helicobacter pylori was produced in vitro. Mice peritoneal macrophages were purified and cultured. Different concentrations of recombinant Hp-NapA was used for macrophages stimulation. MTT assay was performed to assess the viability and proliferation of macrophages.

Results: The results elucidated that the increasing effect of stimulation with recombinant Hp-NapA was significant at the dose of 30 µg/ml  (p=0.01). The rate of viabitity was significantly higher than control group at the doses of 30 and 60 µg/ml and in the concurrency series of recombinant protein with lipopolysaccharid, there was a statistically significarit increase in proliferation at just these doses.

Conclusion: According to our findings, recombinant Hp-NapA has a positive effect on proliferation, viability and function of peritoneal macrophages. Therefore, it is proposed that recombinant Hp-NapA can be studied as an immunomodulator for immunotherapy.

Background: Phacoemulsification is a modern cataract surgery that developed surgery from large incisions into smaller incision size and lead to faster wound heal and earlier visual rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes and complications of 3.2 and 2.65 mm main Incisions in phacoemulsification .

Materials and Methods: In this clinical study in Amir Kabir Hospital of Arak, 78 patients with senile cataract were divided into two groups. Half of them experienced 3.2 mm main incision (first group) and the others were under main incision with 2.65 mm (group 2). Immediately after operation if patients had a wound leak, the standard stromal hydration was used and a suture was placed. A day after operation, the patients were examined in the light of iris prolapse, if it existed, then a suture would be palced.

Results: The occurrence of anterior chamber wound leak was 7.7% and 2.6% in group 1 and group 2, respectively. Stromal hydration was needed 5.1% and 3.2% in group 1 and group 2 respectively. In fact, suture was needed 2.6% and 0.0% in group 1 and group 2, respectively. There was no iris prolapse in both groups.

Conclusion: There was no statistically significant difference between two groups from the point of view of wound leak and the need for suture and the rate of iris prolapse (p>0.05). Also, in low or intermediate nuclear density grade, the smaller and the more permanent incision with 2.65 mm is preferred.

Background: Medicinal plants are primery source of many drugs to cure different diseases. The genus Prangos, (Umbelliferae family) consists of several medicinal plants that their desirable dffects have been approved. The aim of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of methanol extract in different parts of prangos ferulacea and prangos acaualis on human lymphocytes proliferation and their mutagenicity in salmonella typhimurium TA98.

 Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, the plants were collected from different areas of Kurdistan. Then, samples were air dried and powdered and methanol material of plants was extracted. The extracts were diluted to give concentrations of 10, 100, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 &mug/ml. Finally, the effects of these extracts on human lymphocytes proliferation and their mutagenecity have been investigated by the MTT and Ames test.

 Results: The results showed that different organs extract from both tested plants caused a significant increase in lymphocytes proliferation, specially in concentrations of 500 to 2500 &mug/ml. Of studied excrtacts, the highest and lowest effect on lymphocytes proliferation was obtained in presence of flower and seed, respectively. In total, the levels of proliferation resulted of prangos ferulacea as compared with prangos acaulis were higher. Also, the results of study showed no mutagenicity of studied plant exctracts with considered concentrations.

 Conclusion: The findings revealed that both species of prangos can increase immune system function and were used as an safe medicinal plant to cure patients with immune deficiencies and microbial infections.

  Background: In various researches, ICA is used for detecting and removing eye artifacts but here, for innovation, ICA algorithm is used not only for detecting eye artifacts, but also for detecting brain signals of two conceptual categories of the words Danger and Information.

  Materials and Methods: In this descriptive- analytical study, recording is done by using a Micromed device and a 19-channel helmet in unipolar mode that the Cz electrode is selected as reference electrode. The statistical community included four men and four women in the age range of 25-30. In the designed task, three groups of traffic signs are considered in which two groups refered to the concept of danger and the other one refered to the concept of information.

  Results: For two of the eight volunteers, alpha waves were observed with a very high power from back of the head in the test time, but it was different in thinking time. According to this alpha waves, in changing the task from thinking to rest, it takes at least 3 and at most 5 seconds for two volunteers till they go to the absolute rest. For seven of the eight volunteers, danger and information signals well separated that these differences for five of the eight volunteers observed in the right hemisphere and for the other three volunteers in the left hemisphere.

  Conclusion: ICA algorithm as one of Blind Source Seperation (BSS) algorithms is suitable for recognizing the word’s concept and its place in the brain. Achieved results from this experiment are the same as the results from other methods like fMRI and methods based on electroencephalograph (EEG) in vowel imagination and covert speech.

  Background: Alpha-tocopherol, as a strong antioxidant, plays an important role in testraining free radicals. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Alpha-tocopherol on cell proliferation and restraining apoptosis in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

  Materials and Methods: In this research study, the rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were extracted under sterile conditions using flashing-out method. At the end of the third passage, cells were divided into groups of control and Alpha-tocopherol with doses of 15 and 25 µM and were treated in the osteogenic media cell medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum, 10 mM β-glycerol phosphate, 10 nM dexamethasone and 50 µg/ml ascorbic 3-phosphate] for a period of 21 days. Then, cell proliferation, DNA damage, expression of Bcl-2 and Bax genes and the morphologic changes of the cells were investigated during the procedure of osteogenesis. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and means difference was considered significant at p<0.05.

  Results: Cell proliferation, the size of nuclei diameter and expression of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 gene showed a significant increase in mesenchymel stem cells treated with Alpha-tocopherol (p<0.05) in a dose dependent manner compared to the control cells. Also, cytoplasm extension was seen in the cells treated with Alpha-tocopherol, compared to the control group. Since Alpha-tocopherol causes a significant decrease in DNA damage and the expression of apoptotic Bax gene, compared to the control group, therefore it can suppress apoptosis in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, in a dose dependent manner .

Background: Brucella is an intracellular bacterium that causes chronic infection in humans and domestic animals. The underlying mechanisms that cause prolonged illness are complex and not fully understood. Immune responses may have an important role in the chronicity of infection. Here, we evaluated the lymphocyte proliferation responses in patients with chronic and acute brucellosis.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive - analytical study was performed on 22 patients with acute brucellosis, 21 patients with chronic brucellosis and 21 healthy people with the similar age, sex and genetic background as control group. Peripheral lymphocytes were isolated using Ficoll and the cellular proliferation was quantified in presence of antigen and phytohemaglutinin-A by MTT method.

Results: The brucella antigen-specific stimulation index in patients with chronic brucellosis was significantly lower than the acute brucellosis patients (p=0.001). Also, stimulating the lymphocytes with phytohemaglutinin-A has shown that proliferative response in patients with chronic brucellosis was lower than the other groups (p=0.04).

Conclusion: The results indicated that chronic brucellosis inhibits lymphocyte proliferation. This inhibition of lymphocyte proliferation may be due to the induction of anergy.

Abstract

Background: Retrograde transport to the alpha motoneurons causes spinal degeneration. The neurotrophic factor (NT3) increases the number of myelinated axons in the dorsal root, leads to differentiation and survival of sensory neurons, parasympathetic motoneurons and prevents cell death. Lavender is a plant in the family Lamiaceae which is reported to have antioxidant, antispasmodic, diuretic, anti-asthmatic, refrigerant, and antipyretic effects. This study examined NT3 gene expression changes after sciatic nerve compression in rats, in the presence of Lavandula officinalis extract. 

Materials and Methods: Lavender Soxhlet hydroalcoholic extraction was prepared. 36 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups including control, compression and treatment (compression group + hydroalcoholic extract of Lavender injections 75mg/kg) groups. In controls the muscle was opened without damage to gain access to the sciatic nerve. In compression and treatment groups, the sciatic nerve (right leg) was compressed. The extract was injected intraperitoneally in two occasions. A biopsy was taken from the spinal cord segments L4-L6 on day 28, total RNA was extracted and cDNA was synthesized and NT3 gene expression changes were analyzed by ANOVA test by using SPSS software. 

Results: The results showed that NT3 gene expression had a significant reduction in compression group compared to the control group (p<0.001) and it had a significant increase in treatment group compared with the compression group (p<0.001).

Conclusion: A significant increase in gene expression shows that Lavandula officinalis hydroalcoholic extract improves nerve regeneration via NT3 gene expression.